Mass. To Spend $5M Planting Urban Trees

Massachusetts is planning to spend $5 million planting trees in urban neighbors to help reduce energy use by lowering heating and cooling costs for residents and businesses.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan said the planting complement the state's efforts to insulate older buildings. He said the trees will reduce storm water pollution while helping clean the air.

Sullivan says the trees will pay back the planting costs as they grow and mature.

The plantings will take place between this month and December of next year in Chelsea, Fall River and Holyoke.

Sullivan said the 15,000 trees will lead to a 10 percent increase in canopy cover in the targeted neighborhoods — with an average homeowner in those neighborhoods saving about $230 a year in heating and cooling costs once the trees reach maturity.