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W A r t R £ H E R G Y _ f <br /> RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES <br /> Board Memorandum <br /> P U B L I C U T I L I T I E S <br /> BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: November 18, 2011 <br /> ITEM NO: 13 <br /> SUBJECT: THE 2011 TREE POWER PROGRAM CAMPAIGN <br /> ISSUE: <br /> That the Board of Public Utilities consider approval of the 2012 Free Shade Tree Coupon Campaign. <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council approve the implementation of the 2012 <br /> Free Shade Tree Coupon Campaign. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The Riverside Public Utilities (RPU)Tree Power program has been successfully operating for over ten (10) <br /> years. The program prov#des incentives for RPU electric customers to plant shade trees in locations around <br /> their homes or businesses to help conserve energy and save on summer cooling costs. Customers can <br /> receive a$25 rebate per qualifying tree; up to five (5) trees per calendar year. <br /> In 2001, RPU launched the Free Tree Coupon Campaign. Since then,it runs annually from March 1 to June <br /> 30 with a free tree coupon printed on the back of the March utility bill. Customers take the March bill to a <br /> participating nursery to redeem the coupon for one (1)free shade tree up to$25. The back of the bill strategy <br /> was created to ensure that a free tree coupon will reach all RPU customers,as well as bring awareness to the <br /> regular Tree Power Program. <br /> W hen the first Free Shade Tree Coupon Campaign was launched in March 2001, 3,700 trees were planted. <br /> This was a significant increase from the 214 trees planted in Fiscal Year 1999-00 resulting from the Tree <br /> Power Rebate Program. To date, over 102,000 trees have been planted; approximately 80%of these trees <br /> were planted by program participants who utilize the back of the bill coupon. <br /> FISCAL IMPACT: <br /> The FY 2011-12 budget includes $500,000 in the Public Benefits Residential Tree Power Program Fund <br /> Account No. 6020100-456038; $400,000 of which is allocated for the Free Tree Coupon Campaign. <br /> Prepared by: Michael J. Bacich, Public Utilities Assistant General Manager Customer Relations and <br /> Marketing <br /> Approved by: David H. Wright, Public Utilities General Manager <br /> Approved by: Belinda J. Graham, Assistant City Manager <br /> Approved as to form: Gregory P. Priamos, City Attorney <br /> Certifies availability of funds: <br /> r <br /> ' Reiko A. Kerr <br /> Public Utilities Assistant General Manager <br /> Finance/Administration <br />