Tree Trimming Zone 40'

25'

80'

Tall Trees

Medium Trees

Low-Growing

48' 24' 12' 0'

Pad-MountedEquipment

Volume 10, Issue 2

Learn more at we-energies.com or call 800-242-9137.

Be aware of power lines and equipment when plantingIf you plant trees or bushes this spring, make sure you keep power lines and other utility equipment in mind – above and below ground. Any tree growing near a power line can cause a potential power outage or safety risk. A tree growing too close to overhead power lines gives electricity a path from the power lines to the tree. This can result in electrical outages, fires and shock hazards.

Tips to remember:• Call your one-call utility locating service at

811 at least three working days before you begin your digging project so buried utilities can be marked before you start planting.

• Don’t plant taller-growing trees near power lines. • Keep bushes and trees at least 10 feet away

from pad-mounted equipment, such as electrical transformers. This equipment is painted a drab green, is locked and usually has a “Mr. Ouch” label on it. We need clear space around this equipment to access it for routine maintenance or in an emergency.

• Remind children to never climb trees near power lines.

Visit we-energies.com to learn more about planting safely around power lines and equipment.

High-voltage transmission lines owned by American Transmission Co. have different clearance requirements than our low-voltage distribution lines. Visit atcllc.com for more information about these requirements.

Money-saving tip #7Little changes can add up to big savings on your energy bill. Here’s one way you can save today.

Only use one refrigerator or freezer. You can spend up to $120 in electricity per year using a second refrigerator or freezer. If you want to use a second refrigerator or freezer during holidays or for special occasions, turn it on one to two days before you need it.

We have 101 ways for you to use energy more efficiently. Visit www.we-energies.com/101tips to learn more.

We Energies is recognized as a Tree Line USA utility by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The award recognizes our efforts to provide dependable, reliable service, while using best-practice vegetation management techniques.

Power plant products put to good useAs part of our environmental commitment to reduce emissions and minimize landfilling of

coal combustion products, we installed flue gas desulfurization systems that produce a high purity gypsum product at some of our power plants. Gypsum is a unique

material that, in addition to being used in wallboard, plaster and cement, also performs well as a soil enhancement.

Since 2008, we have made gypsum available to Wisconsin farmers. Our gypsum production in southeastern Wisconsin reduces delivery costs while providing many benefits to local farmers:• Better water infiltration and holding capacity that results in reduced soil erosion and nutrient losses. •Looser soil, such as heavy clay, that previously had been compacted.

• Quicker release of calcium and sulfur nutrients to plants because of fine particle size.

To learn more, go to www.we-energies.com/environmental/gypsum.htm.

Be smart. Stay safe.Don’t be scammed. We want you to be able to easily identify We Energies employees. Be smart and stay safe with these tips:

• Every We Energies employee and every contractor working for We Energies carries an identification card. The card displays a photo, identification number, company phone number, company name and logo.

• Watch out for people offering to clear your bill for half the amount you owe or any other story that sounds too good to be true. These are scam artists; our employees do not collect money directly from customers.

To confirm an employee’s identity, ask to see a company ID or call us at 800-242-9137. When in doubt, do not let a stranger in your home.

2K12

050-

MD-

SP-1

.3M

Exposing energy mythsYou may be doing some things that you think are reducing energy use around your home. Check out these common energy myths to see if you are actually using more energy than you thought.

Energy myth – Changing your thermostat settings will actually cost you more money by using more energy. Setting your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer can save 10 percent or more on your heating and cooling costs. You save energy because your furnace is not cycling on and off all day to maintain a constant temperature.

Energy myth – Turning lights on and off can cause light bulbs to burn out more quickly and use more energy than if they are left on. Turning lights on and off does not shorten their life. Also, there are no surges of electricity that cause them to use more energy when they are turned on and off.

Energy myth – Using your fireplace to heat your home will save you money on your heating bill. If you have a natural, wood-burning fireplace and you use it a lot, it likely will increase your heating costs. Natural fireplaces will heat the room they are in, but draw warm air out of the rest of the house, causing the furnace to work harder.