CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Aug. 26, 2016 - In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees initiative, Black Hills Energy is distributing approximately 1,100 free trees, one per household, to customers who reserve one beginning today.

A free tree can be reserved on a first come, first served basis at www.arborday.org/blackhillsenergy. The 3- to 4-foot-tall dormant trees will be delivered directly to customers for fall planting in October.

'Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation in the Energy-Saving Trees program offers us the opportunity to promote the cleaner air, energy savings and other valuable benefits you gain by planting the right tree in the right place,' said Shirley Welte, Black Hills Energy's vice president of natural gas and electric operations for Wyoming.

Black Hills Energy customers can use the handy online tool at www.arborday.org/blackhillsenergy to quickly determine where to plant a tree to gain the most energy-saving benefits. 'Strategically planted trees block the hot summer sun and cold winter winds to help cut energy usage without sacrificing comfort,' Welte said.

Black Hills also is delivering a safety message: At least two business days before you plan to dig, whether your'e a homeowner planting a tree or a contractor excavating with a backhoe, Call Before You Dig to have underground utility lines marked. It's free, it's safe and it's the law. In Wyoming, just make a free call by dialing 811 to reach One Call of Wyoming. You also can schedule online at www.onecallofwyoming.com.

Black Hills Energy also urges customers to follow the safe digging practices listed at www.blackhillsenergy.com. Those include using white spray-paint to mark the area where you plan to dig before line locaters arrive.

'Underground utility lines may be out of sight, but they should never be out of mind,' Welte said. 'It only takes a minute to Call Before You Dig, and it can save untold time and trouble. Please follow the rules and dig safely. We want you and your family to enjoy your new tree for a long, long time.'

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Black Hills Corporation published this content on 26 August 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 26 August 2016 17:29:09 UTC.

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