It IS Easy Being Green: 20 Local Municipalities and Nonprofits Receive $160,000 through PECO Green Region Program
Innovative environmental projects to positively impact Southeastern Pennsylvania communities
PHILADELPHIA (August 17, 2016) – It’s easy being green for 20 local municipalities and nonprofits thanks to nearly $160,000 in grant funding from PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program. From improving walking trail accessibility and creating community gardens, to purchasing open land for conservation, this year’s grants will be used to begin projects that will help improve sustainability across the Greater Philadelphia region area.
Through PECO Green Region, PECO has awarded more than $1.7 million to 230 projects since the program’s inception in 2004. The program is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support environmental initiatives across southeastern Pennsylvania, including open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation.
“The municipalities and nonprofits receiving grants are doing their part to positively impact our regional landscape through innovative ‘green’ projects,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “We’re proud to support these initiatives, which underscore PECO’s ongoing commitment to the environment and the communities we serve.”
In partnership with Natural Lands Trust, the region’s leading land conservation organization and facilitator of PECO Green Region, PECO will provide grants to the following municipalities and nonprofit organizations:
- Bucks County: New Hope Borough ($10,000), Falls Township ($10,000) and Newtown Borough ($10,000)
- Chester County: East Bradford Township ($10,000), East Marlborough Township ($10,000) and North Coventry Township ($10,000)
- Delaware County: Newtown Township ($9,100), Media Borough ($715), Morton Borough ($10,000) and Norwood Borough ($10,000)
- Montgomery County: Whitpain Township ($10,000), Upper Salford Township ($10,000), Upper Pottsgrove Township ($5,000) and Horsham Township ($5,000)
- Philadelphia: Fairmount Park Conservancy ($7,500), Urban Creators ($7,500), Hope Partnership for Education ($5,000), Trust for Public Land ($5,000) and Roxborough Development Corporation ($5,000)
- York County: Delta Borough ($10,000)
“Research has proven time and again that green amenities like parks, natural areas, and trails are essential ingredients for healthy, prosperous communities,” noted Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands Trust. “As always, I am impressed by the quality and creativity of the projects that were proposed and inspired by PECO’s steadfast commitment to greening our region.”
Municipalities and Philadelphia nonprofits can apply for a PECO Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project each year. A committee comprised of representatives from PECO, county agencies and conservation organizations reviews each application and selects the projects that receive funding. For more information, visit peco.com/community and visit the Charitable Giving page.
From PECO Green Region and operating an environmentally-friendly fleet, to PECO Smart Ideas, the company’s award-winning suite of programs to help customers save energy and money, all of PECO’s environmental efforts contribute to and support the long-term sustainability efforts of our parent company, Exelon Corporation, for the benefit of our customers and communities.
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About PECO
Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). The company’s 2,400 dedicated employees provide advanced, innovative energy solutions to 1.6 million electric and more than 511,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2015 PECO delivered 86.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 38 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.5 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 9,600 local jobs and producing $760 million in labor income. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region’s most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.
About Natural Lands Trust
Natural Lands Trust, the region’s largest land conservation organization, preserves the forests, fields, wetlands, and streams that are essential to the sustainability and quality of life in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. The organization owns and manages 43 nature preserves totaling more than 22,000 acres and has helped hundreds of private landowners and area communities fulfill their conservation goals. Information about Natural Lands Trust and nature preserves that are open to the public is available online at www.natlands.org or by calling 610-353-5587.
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