2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 35.92.390: Municipal utilities encouraged to provide customers with landscaping information and to request voluntary donations for urban forestry.

(1) Municipal utilities under this chapter are encouraged to provide information to their customers regarding landscaping that includes tree planting for energy conservation.

     (2) Municipal utilities under this chapter are encouraged to request voluntary donations from their customers for the purposes of urban forestry. The request may be in the form of a check-off on the billing statement or other form of request for a voluntary donation.

[1993 c 204 § 2.]

Findings -- 1993 c 204: "The legislature finds that large-scale reduction of tree cover increases the temperature of urban areas, known as the "heat island effect." Planting trees in urban areas for shading and cooling mitigates the urban heat island effect and reduces energy consumption. Tree planting also can benefit the environment by combating global climate change, reducing soil erosion, and improving air quality. Urban forestry programs can improve urban aesthetics that will improve public and private property values.      The legislature also finds that urban forestry programs should consider the relationship between urban forests and public service facilities such as water, sewer, natural gas, telephone, and electric power lines. Urban forestry programs should promote the use of appropriate tree species that will not interfere with or cause damage to such public service facilities." [1993 c 204 § 1.]