[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E670-E671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ENERGY CONSERVATION THROUGH TREES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the Energy 
Conservation through Trees Act. On this Earth Day in 2008, my 
legislation builds on an innovative program developed in my hometown of 
Sacramento that will help Americans lower their energy bills while 
increasing energy conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
Through the targeted and strategic planting of specific species of 
shade trees around residences, homeowners and utilities can conserve 
significant amounts of energy.
   Planting shade trees in strategic locations is a proven method to 
help homeowners manage the amount of electricity they need to run their 
air conditioners and heaters. For more than a decade, the Sacramento 
Municipal Utility District has partnered with the Sacramento Tree 
Foundation to offer their customers free shade trees to help reduce 
energy consumption.
   This program has succeeded in planting more than 400,000 trees, 
which will help conserve enough energy to cool 9,000 homes in 
Sacramento. In addition, these trees will contribute to the fight 
against global warming by

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absorbing an estimated 2 billion pounds of carbon dioxide. They will 
absorb 5 billion gallons of rainwater as well, and will eliminate or 
avoid the production of about 61 million pounds of air pollutants. Most 
important, they will save my constituents millions of dollars in energy 
costs, and will relieve SMUD from having to purchase expensive and 
dirty power during periods when demand is at its peak.
   Madam Speaker, the benefits of strategically planted trees to the 
environment, to energy conservation, and even to public health are 
many, and the Federal Government certainly has a role to play in 
helping to encourage more utilities to utilize them. With this in mind, 
the Energy Conservation through Trees Act creates a grant program at 
the Department of Energy to help residential power providers institute 
targeted tree-planting initiatives dedicated to reducing residential 
energy consumption.
   In order to qualify for financial assistance under this legislation, 
utilities must partner with local tree-planting organizations to serve 
as experts in the siting, planting, and care of the shade trees 
provided to homeowners. These tree-planting organizations must employ 
science-based guidelines to ensure that planted trees do not interfere 
with pre-existing solar panels, wind turbines, septic systems, building 
foundations, and other essential infrastructure. These guidelines are 
also meant to ensure that ecologically appropriate trees are 
distributed to homeowners.
   Madam Speaker, the American people are concerned about our Nation's 
energy policy. They want us to take action to combat global warming. 
They are demanding relief from energy bills that continually rise year 
after year. Utilizing strategic planting of trees to increase energy 
conservation is a proven and reliable way for Congress to take action 
to address these concerns. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting the Energy Conservation through Trees Act. Doing so will 
send a strong signal to our constituents that we are taking steps today 
to create a more affordable and energy-conscious future for them.

                          ____________________