ReliabiliTREE Program Revitalized Vegetation Management

Program.– 25 Dedicated Crews for 4 years.– Trees adjacent to the line are pruned for 4 years

of re-growth clearance.– Work will be performed by Asplundh Tree Expert

Company employees working for Westar Energy.

Improved customer notification Improved Public Education program Additional partnerships with our community

leaders

ReliabiliTREE Purpose: Safety and Reliability

Line clearance work is required to ensure that Westar Energy can provide safe and reliable service.

Westar Energy complies with all nationally recognized standards and procedures.– Safety Standards – Work Methods

ReliabiliTREE Public Education

Improved public education program– Media; website, newspaper, & public

access channels– Presentations to City Leaders, City

Employees Responsible for Street Trees and Tree Boards.

– Presentations to neighborhood and home owner associations

– Tree Owner Meetings “The Right Tree in the Right Place”

ReliabiliTREE Specific Features

Four year recurring cycle.– Re-pruning and removing additional trees will be

incorporated into future cycle work.

Herbicide use in urban areas – Low volume or ultra-low volume application– Applied following initial work to control new

growth.

ReliabiliTREE Benefits

Improved system reliability for all customers: Life support customers Elderly and homebound customers Home-based businesses

Tree-related outages are significantly reduced.

Light bulb flicker is reduced. Animal-related outages are reduced to

about 25% of pre-trimming levels. Lightning-related outages are also reduced.

Map of ReliabiliTREE Program Area

Distribution Line Easement - Before

Distribution Line Easement - After

Thank you!Questions?

10

Jeff MartinDirector, Reliability & Resource Scheduling316-299-7550