PSEG Long Island Offers Free Trees to Cut Energy Bills This Earth Month

UNIONDALE, NY – March 31, 2026 – As spring arrives on Long Island, PSEG Long Island is launching a multifaceted environmental campaign for Earth Month, offering residents a tangible way to reduce their energy costs while contributing to a healthier local ecosystem. The utility announced it will distribute 500 free, energy-saving trees to customers, alongside giveaways of high-efficiency LED lightbulbs and reusable shopping bags throughout April.

The initiative, a partnership with the PSEG Foundation, the Arbor Day Foundation, Suffolk County, and the Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE), aims to empower residents to take practical steps toward sustainability. The centerpiece of the program is the tree giveaway, which promises not only to beautify neighborhoods but also to provide significant financial relief on future utility bills.

"At PSEG Long Island, Earth Day is a time to showcase the ways that we can help the environment and also help drive affordability over the long term," said Scott Jennings, PSEG Long Island's president and COO. "Customers who strategically plant trees in their yards can save up to 20% on their home's summer energy bills once the trees are fully grown, while also improving air quality and reducing storm water runoff across Long Island and the Rockaways."

Planting for Your Pocketbook and the Planet

The claim of saving up to 20% on summer energy bills is rooted in established principles of energy-efficient landscaping. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, carefully positioned trees can serve as natural air conditioners. Deciduous trees, such as the River Birch, Red Oak, and Flowering Dogwood offered through the program, provide dense shade when planted on the south and west sides of a home. This shade blocks solar heat from entering through windows, drastically reducing the workload on air conditioning systems during the hottest months.

Conversely, during the winter, these trees shed their leaves, allowing sunlight to pass through and naturally warm the home. The benefits extend beyond cooling; strategically planted evergreens like the Japanese Cedar can act as windbreaks, shielding homes from cold winter winds and lowering heating costs. The cooling effect is amplified by a process called evapotranspiration, where a single large tree can release enough water vapor to produce the cooling effect of ten room-sized air conditioners running for 20 hours a day.

Starting Wednesday, April 1, customers in Suffolk and Nassau counties can reserve one of the 500 available trees online at https://get.arborday.org/pseg. The Arbor Day Foundation's online tool assists residents in selecting the best planting location to maximize their energy savings. Reserved trees will be available for pickup at two events:

• Suffolk County: Wednesday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.
• Nassau County: Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the PSEG Long Island Customer Service Center in Hicksville.

Trees reserved online will be held until noon at each event, after which any remaining trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Broader Commitment to a Greener Long Island

Beyond the tree giveaway, PSEG Long Island volunteers will be active in communities throughout April, distributing free LED lightbulbs and reusable shopping bags. These items, while small, represent significant steps in reducing household energy consumption and waste.

LED lightbulbs are a cornerstone of modern energy efficiency, using up to 90% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and lasting up to 25 times longer. This dramatic reduction in energy use lowers a home's carbon footprint and electricity bill. Their extended lifespan also means less manufacturing, packaging, and waste in landfills. Unlike compact fluorescent bulbs, LEDs contain no mercury, making them a safer environmental choice.

The distribution of reusable shopping bags directly tackles the pervasive issue of single-use plastic waste, which pollutes local waterways and harms wildlife in coastal areas like Long Island and the Rockaways. By encouraging the use of reusable alternatives, the initiative helps conserve the resources used in plastic production and reduces pollution.

One such giveaway event is scheduled for April 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westhampton Library, with additional events expected to be announced throughout the month.

The Collective Impact of Local Greening

The benefits of PSEG Long Island's Earth Month campaign extend far beyond individual households, contributing to the overall environmental health and resilience of the region. Planting 500 trees creates a cumulative effect that helps address pressing local challenges.

As they grow, these trees will act as powerful carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in their wood and roots, directly combating climate change. In densely populated areas, they help mitigate the "urban heat island effect," where pavement and buildings absorb and radiate heat, making urban centers significantly warmer than surrounding green spaces. A robust tree canopy can lower ambient temperatures by several degrees, creating more comfortable and healthier communities.

Furthermore, for a coastal region frequently impacted by heavy rainfall, the role of trees in stormwater management is critical. A tree's canopy intercepts a significant amount of rainfall, while its root system helps water infiltrate the ground. This natural process reduces the volume of stormwater runoff that can overwhelm drainage systems, cause localized flooding, and carry pollutants into Long Island's bays and estuaries.

A Partnership for Sustainable Communities

This initiative highlights a collaborative approach to corporate responsibility and community engagement. The partnership leverages the strengths of multiple organizations to maximize its impact. The PSEG Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, provides financial support, underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity.

"Trees add beauty to neighborhoods and provide places of respite, along with many other benefits such as helping reduce energy consumption and filter pollutants that may negatively affect community health and wellbeing," said Calvin Ledford, president of the PSEG Foundation. "The PSEG Foundation is proud to support the Energy-Saving Trees program."

The Arbor Day Foundation brings decades of expertise in forestry and community planting programs, providing the logistical backbone and educational tools for the tree giveaway. The involvement of Suffolk County and the Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) ensures the program is grounded in local needs. A separate tree distribution event in the Rockaways, scheduled for May 2, will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, demonstrating a tailored approach to reach diverse communities.

This Earth Month campaign is part of the utility's broader, ongoing strategy to promote energy efficiency, which includes residential energy audits and rebates for high-efficiency appliances. By combining direct giveaways with long-term educational and financial incentives, PSEG Long Island is fostering a culture of conservation that benefits both the environment and its customers.