FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company announced on April 27 that its employee volunteers will distribute more than 200 flowering dogwood trees in Westmoreland County as part of extended Arbor Day celebrations.
The initiative is intended to promote environmental stewardship and educate residents about safe tree planting near power lines. The event, organized by West Penn Power’s Green Team, begins at 10:00 a.m. at Jeannette Greenspaces located at South 7th Street and Clay Avenue in Jeannette. In addition to the tree giveaway, preparations for the local community garden will also take place during the event.
Jessica Shaffer, Advanced Scientist and Chair of the FirstEnergy Green Team, said: “Events like these help contribute to a cleaner, green environment for our customers and local towns. They also educate residents about choosing the right tree, planting it in the right place and providing proper maintenance so our electric system remains safe and reliable. We’re excited to partner with Jeannette Greenspaces once again. This is a big event, but just a small part of our ongoing commitments to stewardship and the communities we serve.”
Residents are advised to plant flowering dogwoods—which can reach up to 33 feet tall—at least 20 to 50 feet away from power lines for safety reasons. Smaller trees can be planted closer while larger varieties such as maple or oak should be placed no less than 50 feet from overhead wires.
West Penn Power’s Green Team consists of employees who volunteer their time for environmental projects across several states. The company’s collective goal this year is to plant or donate over 26,000 trees after surpassing last year’s target by planting more than 30,000 trees.
FirstEnergy focuses on corporate responsibility through environmental and community initiatives according to its official website. The company manages approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines and over 269,000 miles of distribution lines as detailed on its official website, serving more than six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York according to its official website.
The company has been recognized as a compliance leader with awards for environmental efforts and military-friendly practices according to its official website. FirstEnergy aims to function as a progressive electric utility emphasizing integrity and reliability through a diverse workforce focused on customer experience improvements along with better environmental conditions according to its official website.
Looking ahead, FirstEnergy’s continued focus on tree-planting events reflects broader trends toward sustainability within utility companies while reinforcing commitments made toward supporting both local communities and regional ecosystems.
