PECO Energy Announces Wind Purchase Agreement for Philadelphia Headqua

PHILADELPHIA, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Joined by Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty and key business leaders, PECO Energy President Denis O'Brien announced today an agreement to purchase 2,582 megawatt hours (mWh) of wind power per year for three years. Demonstrating the company's commitment to the environment, this purchase ensures that wind power supplies 10 percent of the energy needs for the company's headquarters at 23rd and Market Streets in Philadelphia.

O'Brien also honored Nick DeBenedictis, CEO of Aqua America, and James Hagan, vice president of Environmental Health and Safety of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for their dedication to the environment and purchase of PECO WIND, PECO's environmentally friendly wind power option. Both companies recently purchased wind power generation, with Aqua America powering 100 percent of their headquarters and two other administrative buildings with wind power, and GSK powering 10 percent of their headquarters with wind power.

Combined, these three purchases alone have the same environmental benefit as planting 430,000 trees or not driving 5.5 million miles.

"PECO and the entire Exelon family of companies are committed to preserving the environment for generations to come," said O'Brien. "I am a father, and I want to leave this world in the same condition, if not better, for my children, and someday hopefully my grandchildren and great grandchildren."

The company's headquarters uses 2,150,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month. The building houses more than 1,000 employees who support PECO's customer care, transmission system operations, and other utility support functions as well as executive offices.

Also on hand for the celebration was Patty Klenk of Blue Bell, PA, Montgomery County. Klenk was honored as the 11,000th residential customer to support wind energy and select PECO WIND. The environmental benefit of the more than 11,000 customers choosing PECO WIND is the same as planting about 2.2 million trees or not driving 28 million miles. Specifically, there are about 3,000 PECO WIND customers in Philadelphia, 1,700 customers in Bucks, 2,000 customers in Chester, 2,300 customers in Delaware, 2,200 customers in Montgomery, and a handful of customers in York counties.

Launched in May 2004, PECO WIND is among the largest and fastest growing green power programs in the country, as noted by the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It is supplied by leading wind energy marketer Community Energy, Inc.

"The individuals and businesses recognized today are leaders," said Brent Alderfer, president of Community Energy, Inc. "Their commitment will inspire others to follow their lead. The more Pennsylvanians who sign up to purchase clean, emission-free PECO WIND, the more Pennsylvania Wind Farms are brought online -- creating jobs, local economic benefits, and a better future."

The first wind energy product offered by a utility in Pennsylvania, PECO WIND is available to residential and business customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties. It is supplied by a new, state-of-the-art wind power facility in Waymart, Pennsylvania near the Poconos.

PECO WIND is offered to residential customers in 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) blocks for an additional monthly fee of about $2.50 per block, added directly to customers' monthly PECO bill. It is also available to small business and commercial customers. For more information or to sign up, customers can call 1-866-WIND-321, or visit http://www.pecowind.com/.

CUSTOMER QUOTES -- "The amount of wind-generated electricity we've purchased equates to the amount of energy used to power our corporate headquarters in Bryn Mawr and two administrative buildings in Chester County during the past 12 months," said Nick DeBenedictis, CEO of Aqua America. "Wind energy is a sound environmental investment for our business, because we believe clean air and clean water go hand in hand." -- "GSK has a strong focus on sustainability through our environmental and resource utilization programs globally," said James Hagan, vice president of Environmental Health and Safety. "PECO's wind energy program has a direct connection to our energy resource initiative to use renewable power sources for our facilities where possible." -- "This is the easiest way to make a difference for the environment," said Larry Pearlman, owner of M.L. Lawrence Clothiers in Haverford, PA. "If you believe in a cleaner environment and doing something for clean energy and the ecosystem it's an easy choice to make; it's the right business choice." -- "As an environmentally responsible restaurateur, I was thrilled to learn that PECO was offering wind energy at affordable rates," said Greg Salisbury of Rx Restaurant. "Rx is now 50 percent wind powered and I look forward to the day that we can say we are a 100 percent wind-powered restaurant." -- "Purchasing wind power will preserve our environment for future generations," said Tom Peters of Monk's Cafe. "Reducing both the demand on the world's limited fossil fuels supplies and reducing air pollution are two issues important to me. The more people demand renewable energy, the more will be produced. If we all used this technology, we would all breathe easier." -- "Signing up for PECO WIND was an easy decision," said Patty Klenk of Blue Bell, PA; the 11,000th PECO WIND residential customer. "For just a few dollars more a month, and no need to switch electric suppliers, I know I am making a real difference for the environment and helping create a brighter future for my children."

Based in Philadelphia, PECO Energy is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation . PECO serves 1.5 million electric and 460,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2004, the company delivered 37.5 million megawatt hours (mWh) of electricity and 87.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas to residential, business and institutional customers. PECO's energy delivery services generated $4.49 billion in revenue for Exelon. 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.

From: Communications Contact: Cathy Engel PECO Energy Company 215-841-4492 2301 Market Street, S14-1 215-841-5555 Philadelphia, PA 19103