For Immediate Release                                                      Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan
November 7, 2008                                                                                          (516) 869 7794

North Hempstead Receives Check for Participation in LIPA’s Wire-Friendly Tree Program

Manhasset, NY—Embracing the spirit of his administration’s pledge to protect the environment and promote inter-governmental corporation, Supervisor Jon Kaiman accepted a $5,400 check last week from the Long Island Power Authority for 108 trees the town planted last year under the utility’s wire-friendly tree program.

LIPA reimburses municipalities and civic associations $50 for each of the slower-growing trees—like certain species of maple and non-fruiting crabapples—planted near overhead power transmission lines.

According to LIPA, tall trees which come into contact with power lines are the principal cause of outages on Long Island.

“This is an extremely critical undertaking because we are working with LIPA to help reduce electrical outages while enhancing the environment and beautifying our neighborhoods,” Supervisor Kaiman said.

North Hempstead’s participation in LIPA’s wire-friendly tree program started under former Supervisor May W. Newburger.

Since then the town has planted an average of about 110 wire-friendly trees a year, Highway Department officials said.

Under LIPA’s stewardship of the program since 1998, the utility has paid out $380,455 for some 13,800 wire-friendly trees planted by participants in the program, LIPA officials said.

The program has been a boon in “helping to reduce power outages while improving the aesthetics in communities across Long Island,” said Kevin S. Law, LIPA’s president and chief executive officer.

LIPA President & CEO, Kevin Law presents Supervisor Jon Kaiman with a check for participating in wire-friendly tree program.