In honor of Earth Day and through an innovative collaboration with its longtime partner the Arbor Day Foundation, Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E) recently donated 250 full-size trees and 900 seedlings to five communities throughout its service area in Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
These tree-planting events highlighted the electric company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, vegetation management and growing the communities it serves.
“Protecting, conserving and growing the environment in the areas we serve is important to all of us at OG&E,” said Lindsay Laird, manager of community outreach and engagement at OG&E. “From broad sustainable energy initiatives like solar power and wind generation to localized community efforts, OG&E works to take care of the planet we all call home.”
Over the past four years, 14,000 trees have been distributed to OG&E customers through the Energy Saving Trees Program. Notably, this initiative also educates customers on ways to conserve energy and how to responsibly plant trees while considering proximity to powerlines.
“At OG&E, we are always searching for ways to help our customers save money while simultaneously benefiting the environment and the energy grid, and this program checks all those boxes.” said Cristina McQuistion, OG&E Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Stewardship. “We are thrilled to bring such an impactful initiative to our communities!”
Recognized as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA Utility since 1999, OG&E is committed to proper tree pruning, planting and care while delivering safe and reliable electricity.
“It’s important to plant the right tree, in the right place, at the right time,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “This community program makes it easy for residents to do just that. OG&E has stepped up to make our communities greener and healthier places to live, and we’re grateful for the impact that they’re making.”
OG&E serves its communities and the earth in many ways throughout the year. In 2022, the electric company launched a paperless billing campaign that encouraged customers to sign up for digital billing and promised to donate a dollar toward reforestation efforts for each customer who made the switch. As a result, OG&E donated $20,174 in support of national reforestation initiatives.
OG&E protects the environment through innovative solutions, preserving natural habitats, implementing new ways to meet clean energy goals, minimizing its environmental footprint, and enhancing the natural biodiversity in its areas of operation. The electric company’s Earth Day and Arbor Week community initiatives highlight the electric company’s dedication to bettering local ecosystems and advocating for proper tree care.
