News Flash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 6, 2026

Charlottesville Utilities is Offering Free Trees to City Residents

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is excited to announce that the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees Program is back for the spring! Utilities customers in the City of Charlottesville have another opportunity to continue the tree-mendous success of this program by receiving one of 200 free trees to strategically plant on their property to help conserve energy and reduce energy bills. Marking the seventh offering of the Energy-Saving Trees Program to the community, these trees will add to the over 1,100 trees already distributed by Utilities through this initiative.

The strategic planting of trees provides a variety of benefits for individual households, as well as the broader community. Properly planted trees can reduce the amount of energy a home requires to remain comfortable by providing a barrier to cold winter winds and delivering shade in the summer. Trees also provide several benefits for the entire community, such as increasing capacity for carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and providing more effective stormwater filtration and runoff reduction to help keep pollutants out of water supplies.

With guidance from the City’s Arborist, this spring’s available tree varieties include witchhazel, black haw viburnum, black cherry, and tuliptree. Tree reservations are limited to one tree per service address and made on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Monday, March 9. Reservations can be made by accessing Utilities’ interactive tree portal provided by the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org/charlottesville. The portal was updated and enhanced in 2025 and is now an even better resource, providing simple step-by-step instructions that focus on homeowner education, and maximizing environmental impact, to calculate where to specifically and strategically plant trees for the greatest energy- and money-saving benefit.

Safety is essential to a successful landscaping project, and this program serves as a great opportunity to reinforce safe digging practices with the community – especially with the outdoor project season almost here. Prior to planting a tree, customers are expected to follow the law and contact Virginia 811 at least three working days before planting to have the location of buried utility lines on their property marked by a professional. Knowing the location of buried utilities helps prevent their damage, and a potentially hazardous situation. The service is free and allows customers to dig safely while planting their tree.

For more information about the Energy-Saving Trees Program and the Arbor Day Foundation contact Utilities Outreach at utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 25, 2026

The Charlottesville Department of Utilities Offers Financial Resources and Energy Efficiency Programs to Its Customers

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities recognizes that the recent winter storm, and the frigid temperatures it brought to our area, have likely caused Utilities customers to use more natural gas than usual. This extreme weather and subsequent increase in gas usage is an opportunity to remind Utilities customers of the various financial assistance programs available to help them stay on top of their utility bill and can highlight the importance of a properly weatherized home.

Several bill payment programs and strategies are available to customers to help ease the anxiety of energy costs. The Charlottesville Department of Social Services has information on the State of Virgina Energy Assistance Program, which helps eligible households with the cost of heating their homes. The Utility Billing Office provides the Charlottesville Gas Assistance Program (GAP) to help individuals heating with natural gas who, although in financial need, do not qualify for State Fuel Assistance or whose State Assistance allotment has been exhausted. In addition to GAP, the Utility Billing Office also provides several bill payment programs and strategies, such as the Budget Plan or tailored payment arrangements if a customer is having trouble paying their utility bill.

Utilities offers a number of energy efficiency and weatherization resources to help homes maximize their energy efficiency potential. These resources include a free attic insulation self-assessment, $500 attic insulation rebate, $150 attic air sealing rebate, $125 smart thermostat rebate, and a no-cost home weatherization program for qualified customers. A properly weatherized home will help increase comfort and lower energy costs.

The Department of Utilities is committed to providing safe, reliable utility services, and resources to support customers. More information on our financial assistance resources and weatherization programs can be found at www.charlottesville.gov/utilityincentives.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 17, 2026

Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest Fan Favorite Voting February 16 – March 9

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Voting for the Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest is underway! The Department of Utilities encourages the community to join the effort in stormwater pollution prevention by taking part in Fan Favorite voting between February 16 and March 9.

A total of three winning designs will be chosen. The Department of Utilities has assembled a panel of judges to select two winning designs, one from the Youth Category and one from the Open Category, with the third Fan Favorite winner selected by the community via online voting between February 16 and March 9. Each winner will paint their design on one of three functioning storm drain inlets as well as receive a $500 Visa gift card each.

With two submission categories, Youth (ages 12-17) and Open (ages 18+), over 25 designs were submitted, and are now vying to be painted on one of three storm drain inlets in Charlottesville. These art installations will be a visual reminder of the interconnectedness between our daily actions and the health of our local waterways, serving to engage, educate, and motivate the community to prevent pollutants from entering streams, creeks, and the Rivanna River through storm drains.

The Department of Utilities extends a big thank you to the artists who submitted their artwork, and made Charlottesville’s first-ever storm drain art contest a great success. The number and variety of thoughtful and creative designs that communicate “Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Only Rain Down the Drain”, are sure to make voting for the winners a close competition. Vote for your Fan Favorite design by March 9 at www.charlottesville.gov/stormwater!

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 17, 2025

The Charlottesville Department of Utilities Launches Storm Drain Art Contest!

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is excited to launch its first-ever storm drain art contest! In celebration of National Stormwater Day, observed November 17 this year, the Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest invites the community to put on their thinking caps to creatively illustrate the importance of stormwater pollution prevention and submit artwork communicating the theme “Stormwater Pollution Prevention: Only Rain Down the Drain!” for a chance to paint their design on a stormwater drain inlet. Designed to help engage, educate, and motivate the community to prevent pollutants from entering our local waterways through storm drains, this artwork will serve the community for years to come!

The Department of Utilities manages the City’s stormwater conveyance system. This system handles stormwater runoff, which is precipitation that flows over the ground, into the stormwater system, and discharges directly into our creeks, streams, and the Rivanna River. As this runoff flows over land and impervious surfaces, it picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and sediment. To promote stormwater pollution prevention, and ensure that only rain goes down the drain, this contest is a great opportunity for the community to visually communicate an educational and inspirational message on how and why a pollutant-free stormwater system is essential to the health and vitality of our waterways.

The Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest is open to all community members aged 12 years or older, with two categories, Youth (ages 12-17) and Open (ages 18+). Submissions can be made from November 17, 2025, to February 9, 2026, via an online portal, by mail, or in-person. At the end of the entry period, a panel of judges selected by Utilities will select two winning designs, one from the Youth category and one from the Open category. A third Fan Favorite winner will be selected from the top entries via online voting by the community from February 16, 2026, through March 9, 2026. Three winners will each receive a $500 Visa gift card and paint their design on one of three storm drain inlets at a painting event in the spring.

More information on the Charlottesville Utilities Storm Drain Art Contest, including official rules and guidelines, and the submission form, can be found at www.charlottesville.gov/stormwater.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 30, 2025

Charlottesville Utilities is Offering Free Trees to City Residents

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is excited to announce that the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees Program is back for the fall! Marking the program’s second fall offering, and sixth overall program opportunity, residential Utilities customers in the City of Charlottesville can continue the tree-mendous success of this program with the strategic planting of an additional 150 free trees. The strategic planting of these trees will help households conserve energy, reduce energy bills, and grow the City’s tree canopy.

The strategic planting of trees provides a variety of benefits for individual households, as well as the broader community. Properly planted trees can reduce the amount of energy a home requires to remain comfortable by providing a barrier to cold winter winds and delivering shade in the summer. Trees also provide several benefits for the entire community, such as increasing capacity for carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and providing more effective stormwater filtration and runoff reduction to help keep pollutants out of water supplies.

With guidance from the City’s Arborist, the trees available this fall include sweet pepperbush, black haw viburnum, eastern red cedar, and white oak. Tree reservations are limited to one tree per residential service address and made on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Monday, October 6. Reservations can be made by accessing Utilities’ interactive tree portal developed by the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org/charlottesville. The portal provides simple step-by-step instructions that focus on education and maximizing environmental impact, and helps participants calculate where to specifically and strategically plant trees for the greatest energy- and money-saving benefit.

Safety is essential to a successful landscaping project, and this program serves as a great opportunity to reinforce safe digging practices with the community. Prior to planting a tree, customers are expected to follow the law and contact Virginia 811 at least three working days before planting to have the location of buried utility lines on their property marked by a professional. Knowing the location of buried utilities helps prevent their damage, and a potentially hazardous situation. The service is free and allows customers to dig safely while planting their tree.

For more information about the Energy-Saving Trees Program and the Arbor Day Foundation, contact Utilities Outreach at utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 11, 2025

Utility Billing Office will be Closed Friday, September 19

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Utility Billing Office will be closed Friday, September 19 for a system software upgrade. We will be resuming normal operations at 8:00 AM Monday, September 22. 

Please reach out to us on September 22 when we reopen so we can address your service needs and account questions. We appreciate your patience in this matter and look forward to being better able to serve our customers.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 20, 2025

Locust Lane Construction: Safety Reminder for Bicyclists

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – As a reminder for bicyclists, the bike lane along Locust Avenue is closed until February 2026 while the Charlottesville Department of Utilities replaces the water main. During this time, bicyclists should seek alternative routes to ensure safety for both cyclists and construction personnel. A map of suggested routes is provided below. 

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as the Department of Utilities works ensure the community continues to receive reliable, high-quality water. For the latest on the Locust Avenue Water Line Replacement project, please visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1917/Current-Projects. 

Media Contact Tommy SafranekBike & Pedestrian CoordinatorCity of Charlottesville434-970-3723safranekt@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 23, 2025

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is excited to launch a free Attic Insulation Self-Assessment. Developed by Utilities, and working in partnership with the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), this self-assessment is a great resource to help the community better understand their attic’s insulation needs and complements Utilities’ other home envelope improvement resources.

According to Energy Star®, 90% of U.S. homes are under-insulated, meaning many homes in Charlottesville could be good candidates for an attic insulation upgrade. The Attic Insulation Self-Assessment is a valuable tool in assessing an attic’s current insulation level and can help in determining what insulation upgrades the attic may need. These measures can improve home energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and increase home comfort in all seasons by keeping a home warm in winter and cool in summer. Open to homeowners, and renters with landlord approval, the self-assessment is available to all Charlottesville Utilities customers. Eligible homes include single-family, duplexes, and townhomes, with a focus on older homes. The Attic Insulation Self-Assessment is 100% free to use, and can be accessed via smartphone, tablet, or computer!

Customers interested in the self-assessment can access it through a customized online portal. The self-assessment gathers basic information about the customer and their home and provides easy step-by-step instructions on completing and submitting the assessment. Once submitted, staff from LEAP will analyze the information about the customer’s attic and provide a free preliminary evaluation for attic insulation. The evaluation includes guidance to help maximize the attic’s energy efficiency potential, and a preliminary cost estimate for any recommended upgrades. If the customer decides to pursue the recommended upgrades, they will then schedule an in-person evaluation with LEAP to determine the exact work needed and the final cost. A 30% federal insulation tax credit is available, as well attic insulation-related rebates from Charlottesville Utilities for qualified customers.

More information on the Attic Insulation Self-Assessment, including accessing the self-assessment portal or any of Utilities’ other energy efficiency resources, can be found at www.charlottesville.gov/utilityincentives.

Media Contact: Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator 434-970-3686 willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 4, 2025

Open House: Locust Avenue Water Line Replacement Project

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is hosting an open house for the Locust Avenue Water Line Replacement Project, scheduled to begin later this month. The community is invited to stop by Burnley-Moran Elementary School on Tuesday, June 10, from 4 PM to 6:30 PM to learn more about the project and understand what to expect while the street is under construction. Light refreshments will be available.

The water main along Locust Avenue was installed in 1924, and due to its age, has experienced a steady increase in breaks and leaks with a notable rise to one leak per year in the last decade and three leaks in 2021 alone. This project is part of the Department of Utilities’ ongoing replacement of outdated infrastructure throughout the entire water distribution system and will improve service by bringing the water system in the area up to current industry standards, significantly enhancing system reliability, and reducing the risk of future service disruptions.

Replacement of the water main will occur in two phases along Locust Avenue from East High Steet to Locust Lane. Phase one will take place between East High Street and the Route 250 bridge and is scheduled to begin on June 16, 2025. Phase two will take place between the Route 250 bridge and Locust Lane and is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026. All efforts will be made to minimize inconvenience during both phases of construction. This open house is a great opportunity to ask questions about the project and speak with representatives from the Department of Utilities, the City’s traffic engineer, the engineering firm Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP., and the contractor hired to perform the replacement, Southeast Connections, LLC.

The Department of Utilities is committed to providing first-rate utility services, and the Locust Avenue Water Line Replacement Project will contribute to strengthening the long-term sustainability, resiliency, and efficiency of the water distribution system for all of Charlottesville and will help ensure the community continues to receive reliable, high-quality water.

For more information about the open house, please email Utilities Outreach at utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov.

Open House Details:Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025Time: 4 PM – 6:30 PM (light refreshments available)Location: Burnley-Moran Elementary School (1300 Long St, Charlottesville, VA 22901)

Media Contact Irene PetersonUtilities Marketing & Outreach ManagerCity of Charlottesville434-970-3812peterson@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 28, 2025

Charlottesville Utilities is Offering Free Trees to City Residents

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is excited to announce that the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees Program returns this spring for its fourth year and is now a biannual event! Utilities customers in the City of Charlottesville have an opportunity to continue the tree-mendous success of this program by receiving one of 200 additional free trees being offered by Utilities to strategically plant on their property to help conserve energy and reduce energy bills.

The strategic planting of trees provides a variety of benefits for individual households, as well as the broader community. Properly planted trees can reduce the amount of energy a home requires to remain comfortable by providing a barrier to cold winter winds and delivering shade in the summer. Trees also provide several benefits for the entire community, such as increasing capacity for carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and providing more effective stormwater filtration and runoff reduction to help keep pollutants out of water supplies.

With guidance from the City’s Arborist, this spring’s available tree varieties include eastern nine bark, northern spicebush, hazelnut, river birch, and pin oak. Tree reservations are limited to one tree per service address and made on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Monday, March 3rd. Reservations can be made by accessing Utilities’ interactive tree portal provided by the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org/charlottesville. The portal has been updated and enhanced for 2025 and is now an even better resource, providing simple step-by-step instructions that focus on homeowner education, and maximizing environmental impact, to calculate where to specifically and strategically plant trees for the greatest energy- and money-saving benefit.

Safety is essential to a successful landscaping project, and this program serves as a great opportunity to reinforce safe digging practices with the community – especially with the outdoor project season almost here. Prior to planting a tree, customers are expected to follow the law and contact Virginia 811 at least three working days before planting to have the location of buried utility lines on their property marked by a professional. Knowing the location of buried utilities helps prevent their damage, and a potentially hazardous situation. The service is free and allows customers to dig safely while planting their tree.

For more information about the Energy-Saving Trees Program and the Arbor Day Foundation contact Utilities Outreach at utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 22, 2025

Final Report for the Charlottesville Natural Gas Decarbonization Study Now Available to the Community

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is happy to announce that the final report for the Charlottesville Natural Gas Decarbonization Study is now available to the community. In its role as the owner and operator of a natural gas utility, the Department of Utilities initiated and funded this study as part of ongoing work to address the challenges of decarbonizing energy-related emissions in the community. The study supports two city-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals of a 45% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

The department engaged with the consulting firm Black & Veatch to explore the opportunities to decarbonize the existing gas system and assess the associated cost, impact on customer gas rates, and emissions impacts of decarbonization initiatives. The study also examined Charlottesville Gas’ existing energy-efficiency programs and looked to identify any operational improvements for consideration to further reduce its emissions footprint. Included in the final report is the methodology, assumptions, and decarbonization analysis for Charlottesville Gas to meet its proportional emissions reduction targets.

The study confirms that Charlottesville Gas is already on track to nearly meet the short-term 2030 carbon reduction target of 45% for city-only natural gas-related emissions using a combination of its existing initiatives and efforts. To meet long-term goals, the study explores how the utility can promote more efficient gas usage, procure lower carbon fuel supplies, and continue to enhance its system to reduce methane emissions. These findings are invaluable to Charlottesville Gas’ pursuit to meet city-wide GHG emissions reduction goals.

The Decarbonization Study is an important beginning and provides a framework for Charlottesville Gas to continue to build upon, including already identified near-term actions. These actions include the implementation of a new fee structure where revenue gathered from this program will be reinvested to fund the expansion of weatherization programs that reduce a home’s overall energy usage. The implementation of these actions in the near-term realizes tangible outcomes from the study and bolsters Charlottesville Gas’ continued commitment to the community.

The final report, as well as more information surrounding the study, can be found at www.charlottesville.gov/utilities.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 28, 2024

RESCHEDULED to November 1st! – Schenks Branch Tributary Stream Restoration Celebration

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Schenks Branch Tributary Stream Restoration Celebration has been rescheduled to Friday, November 1st! The City of Charlottesville once again invites the community to celebrate the newly restored Schenks Branch Tributary with snacks, tours, and educational information! Join us at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont on November 1st from 11AM to 1PM to learn first-hand about the Schenks Branch Tributary Stream Restoration Project, a significant undertaking by the City’s Stormwater Utility and its partners to restore an extremely deteriorated landscape.

Join us for a fun and community-focused event on November 1st from 11AM to 1PM at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (BGP), located at 950 Melbourne Road, to meet the experts who were involved with the Schenks Branch Tributary Stream Restoration Project. Take a guided tour, learn from before-and-after exhibits, and gain insights into the goals, challenges, and innovative techniques used to perform the restoration. See how this green stormwater infrastructure project has helped the City meet regulatory requirements, improved the health of our local waterways, and enabled residents to access and enjoy a thriving natural area.

The City’s Stormwater Utility manages both the built and natural stormwater conveyance infrastructure of Charlottesville. The maintenance of this infrastructure includes the pipes, structures, and outfalls that help manage stormwater runoff, as well as the creeks and streams that run through Charlottesville, which provide an equally important role in stormwater management and water resources protection. In spring 2019, the City received a grant from the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF), administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), for the design and construction of the stream restoration project. SLAF is a cost-share fund that provides matching grants for planning, design, and implementation of water quality improvement projects. With supplemental funds from the City’s Stormwater Utility Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the project consisted of restoring 840 linear feet of the Schenks Branch Tributary stream in McIntire Park that runs through the BGP from the railroad right-of-way to the John Warner Parkway bridge overpass.

Prior to restoration, the stream was actively experiencing severe erosion, sending excessive amounts of sediment and nutrient pollution downstream. Some of the unstable and eroding stream banks were as high as 12 feet tall and data collected indicated that 436,000 pounds of sediment was eroding from the stream every year. Additionally, the stream provided an extremely poor habitat for plant and animal life and was largely inaccessible to the public for recreational or educational purposes. The City hired the environmental engineering firm Hazen and Sawyer, and working closely with the DEQ and the BGP, the partners implemented innovative techniques to restore the area over a six-month period between the fall of 2023 and the spring of 2024 with incredible results.

“Both the City of Charlottesville and the Department of Environmental Quality recognized the stream restoration’s importance to the Garden’s development. The stream, now home to over 1,000 native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, stands as the Garden’s first major completed feature,” said Jill Trischman-Marks, Executive Director of the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont.

We invite the community to celebrate the newly restored stream, learn first-hand about the restoration process, and see how the restoration has seamlessly integrated into the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. For more information on the event, please visit www.charlottesville.gov/utilities or contact Utilities Outreach at 434-970-3686.

Media Contact Ryan Willis Utilities Outreach Program Coordinator City of Charlottesville 434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 21, 2024

Charlottesville Utilities Finds No Evidence of Lead Pipes in Service Lines

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The Charlottesville Department of Utilities takes great pride in providing safe, high-quality water to the community, and is proud to announce that it has completed the federally mandated Lead Service Line Inventory ahead of schedule. After diligent work, the Department of Utilities has found no evidence of lead water service lines in either the City or private distribution system. As part of this project, the department created an online dashboard and interactive map for the community to learn more and view the inventory.

In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency released revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule, requiring all water providers to identify and create an inventory of all water service lines within their distribution system. The goal of the inventory was to identify and replace lead service lines that may still be in existence. The Department of Utilities began working on this project in January of 2022, using previous studies, City Code research, and water quality testing to complete the Lead Service Line Inventory. In 2023, to further enhance its efforts, the Department of Utilities implemented a statistical methodology derived from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, known as the EGLE method, to identify locations where lead water lines could be present. The locations identified by the EGLE method were field verified and no lead service lines were found.

The Department of Utilities will continue to collect data to improve our inventory. If you wish to participate or find out more about our program, including the online dashboard and interactive map, please visit www.charlottesville.gov/waterquality.

Media ContactRyan WillisUtilities Public Engagement CoordinatorCity of Charlottesville434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 2, 2024

Charlottesville Utilities Now Offering Free Trees to City Residents Twice a Year

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is excited to announce that the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees Program will now run twice a year! Building on the tree-mendous success of the spring event, and further enhancing our environmental stewardship and energy efficiency initiatives, the program will also be offered in the fall. Utilities is providing another 100 free trees this October to customers in the City of Charlottesville to strategically plant on their property to help them conserve energy and reduce their energy bills.

The strategic planting of trees provides a variety of benefits for individual households, as well as the broader community. Properly planted trees can reduce the amount of energy a home requires to remain comfortable by providing a barrier to cold winter winds and delivering shade in the summer. Trees also provide several benefits for the entire community, such as increasing capacity for carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and providing more effective stormwater filtration and runoff reduction to help keep pollutants out of water supplies.

With guidance from the City’s Arborist, tree varieties available this fall include white oak, river birch, American hornbeam, and elderberry. Tree reservations are limited to one tree per service address and made on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Monday, October 7th. Reservations can be made by accessing Utilities’ interactive tree portal provided by the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org/charlottesville. This user-friendly portal provides simple step-by-step instructions that focus on homeowner education and maximizing environmental impact to calculate where to specifically and strategically plant trees for the greatest energy- and money-saving benefit.

Safety is essential to a successful landscaping project, and this program serves as a great opportunity to reinforce safe digging practices with the community. Prior to planting a tree, customers are expected to follow the law, and contact Virginia 811 at least three working days before planting to have the location of buried utility lines on their property marked by a professional. Knowing the location of buried utilities helps prevent their damage, and a potentially hazardous situation. The service is free and allows customers to dig safely while planting their tree.

For more information about the Energy-Saving Trees Program and the Arbor Day Foundation contact Utilities Outreach at utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov.

Media ContactRyan WillisUtilities Public Engagement CoordinatorCity of Charlottesville434-970-3686willisr@charlottesville.gov