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FPL and FAU Commemorate National Arbor Day, Celebrate Opening of FPL's New 'Right Tree, Right Place' Exhibit at FAU Arboretum; Residents Urged to Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

FPL and FAU Commemorate National Arbor Day, Celebrate Opening of FPL's New 'Right Tree, Right Place' Exhibit at FAU Arboretum; Residents Urged to Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Published 04-28-06

Submitted by FPL

JUPITER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2006--Florida Power & Light Company and Florida Atlantic University celebrated National Arbor Day today by dedicating FPL's "Right Tree, Right Place" exhibit at FAU's Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum at the FAU John D. MacArthur campus.

At a ceremony held at the arboretum, FPL and FAU encouraged Floridians to observe Arbor Day by caring for trees and planting them in the right place so they can grow unimpeded and away from power lines as displayed in the new "Right Tree, Right Place" exhibit. Right Tree, Right Place is an FPL educational program providing the public with information on how to minimize the likelihood that large, shady trees will interfere with power lines.

"Arbor Day, which falls during the peak of planting season, is a great opportunity to remind Floridians to not only think about what they plant, but where they plant it as the past two storm seasons have clearly demonstrated," said Steve Anderson, FPL's Vegetation Management Specialist.

"We are delighted that in partnership with FAU our residents will learn where to best plant trees so they can enjoy them in years to come while minimizing the threat to personal safety and property when trees are planted too close to electric facilities," he added.

As an added benefit, said Anderson, "planting the right tree in the right place allows the tree to achieve the proper height and form it needs to stay healthy and thrive season after season."

The permanent FPL exhibit at FAU is a life-size display of the message behind the Right Tree, Right Place program, complete with mock poles and wires and examples of appropriate trees to consider around overhead facilities. The exhibit will be open to anyone who wishes to learn about proper tree-planting.

Today's ceremony included participation by FAU's Enviro-Club members and 20 student volunteers from the Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy who unrolled specially-made, giant tape measures and marked the proper distance from the exhibits mock power lines to demonstrate the right place for specific trees to be planted.

"It's interesting to witness first-hand the actual distance certain trees need to be from power lines. I would not have imagined it myself," said Sarah Fannin, a volunteer with the Enviro-Club at FAU.

FPL's Vice President of Distribution, Geisha Williams, said that a well-planned landscape is essential to protecting electrical service and reducing the risk of damage caused by storms.

"FPL has taken a very pro-active approach with the Right Tree Right Place program to help residents understand that trees that interfere with power lines are a recipe for poor electrical reliability and a safety risk," said Williams.

FAU professor and Vice President Emeritus, Dr. Robert J.
Huckshorn, also spoke regarding the Arboretum's role in community education. "This is a long-term exhibit to benefit all Floridians. We hope students and residents will take notice, and it will have a growing influence over how yards are planned for generations to come,"
he said.

"I'll visit the exhibit again to learn more," said volunteer Sarah Fannin, as she helped fill soil around a newly planted Crape Myrtle. "I think it's definitely far enough from those wires. We'll have proof right here that the Right Tree Right Place advice works."

At www.FPL.com, FPL, a National Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA utility, offers a list of suggested trees as well as trees to avoid planting near power structures. Those interested may also request FPL's "Guide to Trees and Power Lines" brochure by calling FPL's customer care center at the number on the bottom of their electric bill.

About FPL

Florida Power & Light Company is the principal subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE:FPL), nationally known as a high quality, efficient and customer-driven organization focused on energy-related products and services. With annual revenues of more than $11 billion and a growing presence in 26 states, FPL Group is widely recognized as one of the country's premier power companies. Florida Power & Light Company serves 4.4 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, LLC, FPL Group's competitive energy subsidiary, is a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.FPL.com, http://www.FPLGroup.com and http://FPLEnergy.com.

About FAU

Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the university serves 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses strategically located along 150 miles of Florida's southeastern coastline. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts eight colleges - the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, and the Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, and Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs.

Note to Editors: High-resolution logos and executive head shots are available for download at http://www.fpl.com/news/logos.shtml.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

FPL

FPL

FPL Group focuses its contribution support toward specific community issues that are directly related to the company's business objectives. These issues are periodically updated to reflect current business and community needs. Giving is in the area of Education, the Environment, Human Services and Community Development.

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