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.

To read more about OG&E’s commitment to a better Earth, visit oge.com/environmental-stewardship.

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. With a focus in communities and forests of greatest need, the Foundation — alongside its more than 1 million members, supporters and valued partners — has helped to plant nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries. Guided by its mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to unlocking the power of trees to help solve critical issues facing people and the planet. Learn more about the impact of the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.

OG&E, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., provides our customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas with the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes with some of the nation's lowest electric rates. We are committed to generating and delivering electricity, protecting the environment, and providing excellent service to approximately 900,000 customers. Our employees live, work, and volunteer in the communities we serve. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.