(1) Publicly owned utilities may establish a system to allow customers of publicly owned utilities to voluntarily contribute an amount that is to be used for urban and community forest activities within the area served by the utility. The amount shall be in addition to the customer’s utility bill.
(2) The utility shall pay to the State Forester the amount designated under subsection (1) of this section. The State Forester shall deposit the moneys collected under this section into the Urban and Community Forestry Subaccount established under ORS 526.060.
(3) The State Forester shall use the moneys collected under this section for urban and community forest activities. The State Forester by rule, in consultation with local utilities, shall establish guidelines to distribute moneys collected under this section through the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program. The guidelines shall include a requirement that moneys are distributed for energy conservation, by means of tree plantings, care and maintenance.
(4) A utility shall not use more than 16 percent of the moneys collected under this section for administrative expenses. The State Forester shall not use more than 16 percent of the moneys collected under this section for administrative expenses.
(5) As used in this section, “urban and community forest activities” means activities that promote cost-effective energy conservation. These activities may include the planting, managing and maintaining of residential, street and park trees on public and private land. [1993 c.388 §4]
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