STORM LAKE, Iowa – June 19, 2012 – With the help of Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, two Iowa industrial parks are on the way to getting greener. This summer, residents and workers in Storm Lake will benefit from more than 60 new trees in the community. An industrial park in Cedar Rapids was also awarded a grant to plant energy-saving trees.
"Thanks to Alliant Energy and their industrial tree grant program we were able to help local industry in our community to reduce their carbon footprint through the planting of more than 60 trees,” said Jim Patrick, Storm Lake city manager. “The trees created wind breaks that will reduce heating costs in the winter and created shade trees that when fully grown will shade buildings and parking lots generating additional positive impacts for our environment. Without Alliant's program none of this would have been possible."
The Industrial Park Tree Grant Program provides funding for trees for land developers and industrial parks that are either existing or currently being developed in Iowa communities served by Alliant Energy. This program offers tree-planting grants specifically for industrial parks to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and support economic growth.
“There were many volunteers that made this possible. We want to thank the fifty students and their teachers from Storm Lake High School, the Buena Vista University volleyball team, wrestling team, and track team along with several coaches and professors, as well as city staff that helped plant the trees,” said Patrick.
Industrial Park Tree Grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered for funding during a spring and fall grant-making cycle. The next application deadline is August 15, 2012.
For more information, contact 1-866-ALLIANT (866-255-4268). You can go to alliantenergy.com to get an application, or email trees@alliantenergy.com for more information.