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 Martin Director, Reliability & Resource Scheduling