I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1807 
To establish a grant program to assist retail power providers with the estab-
lishment and operation of energy conservation programs using targeted 
residential tree-planting, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 26, 2013 
Ms. MATSUI (for herself, Mr. BLUMENAUER, and Ms. LEE of California) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on En-
ergy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To establish a grant program to assist retail power providers 
with the establishment and operation of energy conserva-
tion programs using targeted residential tree-planting, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘The Residential En-
ergy and Economic Savings Act’’ or the ‘‘TREES Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
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(1) the utility sector is the largest single source 
of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States 
today, producing approximately one-third of the 
country’s emissions; 
(2) heating and cooling homes accounts for 
nearly 60 percent of residential electricity usage in 
the United States; 
(3) shade trees planted in strategic locations 
can reduce residential cooling costs by as much as 
30 percent; 
(4) strategically planted shade trees can provide 
significant carbon benefits both directly (sequestra-
tion by the growing tree) and indirectly (reductions 
in carbon emissions from electricity conservation); 
(5) trees can reduce the rate and magnitude of 
stormwater runoff and improve surface water qual-
ity; 
(6) trees reduce topsoil erosion, prevent harm-
ful land pollutants contained in soil from getting 
into our waterways, slow down water run-off, and 
ensure that our groundwater supplies are continually 
being replenished; and 
(7) trees strategically placed on or near residen-
tial property can increase a home’s property value. 
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SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act: 
(1) The term ‘‘nonprofit tree-planting organiza-
tion’’ means any organization described in section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 
U.S.C. 501(c)(3)), that is exempt from taxation 
under section 501(a) of such Code (26 U.S.C. 
501(a)), which exists, in whole or in part, to— 
(A) expand urban and residential tree 
cover; 
(B) distribute young trees for planting; 
(C) increase awareness of the environ-
mental and energy-related benefits of trees; 
(D) educate the public about proper tree 
planting, care, and maintenance strategies; or 
(E) carry out any combination of the fore-
going activities. 
(2) The term ‘‘retail power provider’’ means 
any entity authorized under applicable State or Fed-
eral law to generate, distribute, or provide retail 
electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil service. 
(3) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Energy. 
(4) The term ‘‘State’’ means each of the several 
States, the District of Columbia, and each common-
wealth, territory, or possession of the United States. 
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(5) The term ‘‘tree-siting guidelines’’ means a 
comprehensive list of science-based measurements 
outlining the species and minimum distance required 
between trees planted pursuant to this Act, in addi-
tion to the minimum required distance to be main-
tained between such trees and— 
(A) building foundations; 
(B) air conditioning units; 
(C) driveways and walkways; 
(D) property fences; 
(E) preexisting utility infrastructure; 
(F) septic systems; 
(G) swimming pools; and 
(H) other infrastructure as determined ap-
propriate. 
SEC. 4. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to assist retail power pro-
viders with the establishment and operation of targeted 
residential tree-planting programs, for the following pur-
poses: 
(1) Reducing the peak-load demand for elec-
tricity in residential areas during the summer 
months through direct shading of residential build-
ings provided by strategically planted trees. 
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