Seeing Green: 21 Local Municipalities and Nonprofits Receive $160,000 in Funding through PECO Green Region Program
Innovative open space and green projects to positively impact the regional landscape
PHILADELPHIA (September 8, 2015) – Twenty-one local municipalities and nonprofits are seeing green thanks to $160,000 in grant funding from PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program. Part of PECO’s ongoing efforts to support environmental initiatives across southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO Green Region provides grants to projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation.
Through PECO Green Region, PECO has awarded nearly $1.6 million to 210 projects since the program’s inception in 2004. This year’s projects include the development of walking trails, building a rain garden and outdoor classroom, and the purchase of open land.
“As the region’s leading energy provider, we are proud to support these environmental projects and initiatives as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “I commend our local municipalities and nonprofits for developing projects that are both innovative and will have a positive impact on our landscape.”
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: Doylestown Township ($10,000), Tullytown Borough ($10,000) and Warrington Township ($10,000)
- Chester County: Caln Township ($8,750), East Goshen Township ($3,000), East Fallowfield Township ($8,500) and Wallace Township ($10,000)
- Delaware County: Marcus Hook Borough ($10,000), Middletown Township ($5,000), Prospect Park Borough ($5,000) and Upper Darby Township ($10,000)
- Montgomery County: Perkiomen Township ($2,500), Plymouth Township ($10,000), Trappe Borough ($7,500), West Pottsgrove Township ($7,500) and Whitemarsh Township ($2,500
- Philadelphia: Delaware River City Corp. ($5,000), Pennsylvania Horticultural Society ($7,500), Schuylkill River Development Corp. ($7,500) and West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools ($10,000)
- York County: Peach Bottom Township ($10,000)
“The variety and creativity of local initiatives funded through this year’s PECO Green Region grant program are powerful demonstrations that our region’s communities remain deeply committed to providing their residents with the natural and recreational resources that are essential to their quality of life,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “For more than 10 years, PECO has been a steadfast partner in helping these communities act on that commitment, and our region is healthier and more prosperous as a result.”
Municipalities can apply for a 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 to 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 launching PECO Smart Ideas to help our 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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Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and more than 506,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 89.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2014. 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.
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 42 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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