PECO Funding For Open Space Municipal Project Surpasses $1 Million Mark

PECO has provided 18 municipalities across the Greater Philadelphia region with $150,000 in grant funding as part of PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program. Since its inception in 2004, PECO has awarded more than $1 million for qualifying projects.

Since 2004, PECO Green Region has funded more than 144 projects across Southeastern Pennsylvania. The program provides grants for projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation. Projects include the development of recreation trails, the purchase of open space, planting of trees and other vegetation.

"I am thrilled that we have provided more than $1 million and sustained nearly 10 years of successful environmental grant funding for our local municipalities through the Green Region program,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. "The success of this program reflects PECO’s commitment to environmental preservation.”

In partnership with Natural Lands Trust, the region’s leading land conservation organization, PECO has awarded 2012 Green Region grants to the following municipalities:

• In Bucks County: Penndel Borough ($10,000) Warminster ($10,000), and New Britain Borough ($8,000).
• In Chester County: East Brandywine Township ($10,000), West Bradford Township ($5,000), Westtown Township ($7,500), and Oxford Area Recreation Authority ($7,500).
• In Delaware County: Millbourne Borough ($10,000), Rose Valley Borough ($7,500), Aston Township ($7,500), and Newtown Township ($5,000).
• In Montgomery County: West Pottsgrove Township ($10,000), Hatfield Township ($10,000), Limerick Township ($7,500), and Worcester Township ($7,500).
• In Philadelphia, three organizations have received Green Region funding for open space projects this year. The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation and Friends of Wissahickon each will receive $10,000. Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Park will receive $7,000.

"PECO understands that green spaces are an absolutely essential part of a healthy, prosperous region and has made an extraordinary commitment to ensuring that the communities they serve have access to excellent parks and natural areas,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Land Trust. "We are truly honored to partner with PECO on the Green Region program.”

Municipalities can apply for a Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project each year. A committee with representatives from PECO, Natural Lands Trust, county agencies and conservation organizations reviews each application and selects the projects to receive funding.

From PECO’s grant programs supporting local environmental projects and initiatives, operating an environmentally-friendly fleet of vehicles, to launching PECO Smart Ideas to help our customers save energy and money, all of our local environmental efforts contribute to and support Exelon 2020: A Low-Carbon Roadmap, the comprehensive environmental strategy of our parent company.

Editor’s Note: PECO Communications can provide details of specific projects that will be funded through the Green Region program.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and 494,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 82.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 38.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2011. 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.

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 40 nature preserves totaling more than 21,000 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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