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Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality
of Life in Rural America
Operation Cool Shade
Impact Nugget
By planting shade trees around their homes, 504 homeowners in Pima County,
Arizona, saved a projected $69,788 in electrical costs during the peak
summer months in 2004.
Issue
Studies show that proper shading of the home can reduce energy consumption
by as much as 20 percent. In 2000 the University of Arizona Cooperative
Extension in Pima County joined with Tri-Co Electric Cooperative to
distribute shade trees to residents for energy conservation.
What has been done?
Tri-Co Electric Cooperative and Pima County Extension provided trees
and training, respectively, to interested residents. A requirement of
the program was that trees be planted in locations around the house
to ensure maximum shading. The residents received training from Extension
on correct placement, planting and care of trees. Master Gardeners were
trained to conduct training for program participants on the correct
selection, placement, planting and care of shade trees. Since the program
began, eight Master Gardener volunteers have conducted four annual programs
attended by more than 200 participants. An additional four Master Gardeners
have staffed a tree planting and care answer booth at the tree distribution
day conducted by TriCo Electric Cooperative's headquarters in Marana,
Arizona. Tri-Co employees conducted follow-up inspections to ensure
that trees were planted in the pre-determined locations and that the
trees remained in good health. (Follow-up information and assistance
with tree care is provided by the Pima County Cooperative Extension).
Impact
As a result of Operation Cool Shade in 2004, 1,493 trees were distributed
to 504 electric cooperative customers. Since 2000, a 7,944 trees have
been distributed to 2,769 customers in Pima County, Arizona.
Studies have shown that proper shading can reduce home energy consumption
by as much as 20 percent. Thus given the average peak household consumption
(July, August and September) of 7,263 kilowatt hours and the current
rate of $0.0953 per KWh, the average projected savings for individual
households participating in Operation Cool Shade for the three-month
period is 1,453 kWh, with a dollar savings of $138.47 during that time.
In terms of all 504 participating households for 2004, the projected
savings is 732,312 kWh or $69,788 for the peak three-month summer period.
Funding
TriCo Electric Cooperative
Contact
John Begeman, urban horticulture agent, Pima County Cooperative Extension
The University of Arizona, 4210 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
Tel: (520) 626-5161, FAX: (520) 626-5849
Email: jbegeman@ag.arizona.edu
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