PECO Gives Green So Region Can Go Green!

20 Municipalities Receive Part of $150,000 in PECO Green Region Grants

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PECO has chosen 20 municipalities across the Greater Philadelphia region to receive a total of $150,000 in grant funding as part of PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space grant program.

“That is why Natural Lands Trust has been so honored to be a partner in PECO’s Green Region program. It is a wonderfully effective way to help our region’s municipalities invest in their own future.”

PECO Green Region provides grants for projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and conservation. Since 2004, PECO has provided about $950,000 toward qualifying projects.

In partnership with Natural Lands Trust, the region’s leading land conservation organization, PECO will award grants to the following municipalities:

• In Bucks County: Langhorne Borough ($10,000), Chalfont Borough ($10,000), and Warrington Township ($10,000).
• In Chester County: East Whiteland Township ($10,000), Uwchlan Township ($10,000), and Malvern Borough/Willistown Township ($10,000).
• In Delaware County: Parkside Borough ($5,000), Media Borough ($7,500), Chester Heights Borough ($5,000), Upper Darby Township ($5,000), and Middletown Township ($7,500).
• In Montgomery County: Cheltenham Township ($7,500), Lower Providence Township ($5,000), Upper Pottsgrove Township ($7,500), Schwenksville Borough ($5,000) and Plymouth Township ($5,000).
• In Philadelphia: Four organizations in Philadelphia will receive Green Region funding for open space projects this year. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and South of South Neighborhood Association, each will receive $10,000. Schuylkill River Development Corporation and Urban Tree Coalition will each receive $5,000.

PECO Green Region Grants support an array of green projects including the development of recreation trails, the purchase of open space, planting of trees and other vegetation, and park planning.

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.

“The projects and programs supported by the Green Region program are innovative, community focused and environmentally responsible,” said Denis O’Brien, PECO president and CEO. “I commend our community partners and our local leaders for partnering with PECO to help green our region and preserve our open space.”

“Open space preservation and access to outdoor recreation are essential to the livability and prosperity of our communities,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Land Trust. “That is why Natural Lands Trust has been so honored to be a partner in PECO’s Green Region program. It is a wonderfully effective way to help our region’s municipalities invest in their own future.”

PECO's grant programs support the companywide effort to be an environmental leader, through renewable energy, LEED-certified buildings, hybrid vehicles and a 45,000 square foot green roof at our Philadelphia headquarters. Environmentally-focused contributions include more than $950,000 in grants to townships and municipalities through PECO Green Region and more than $1 million to PECO Energizing Education, a project-based energy education program for middle schools.

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 486,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 83.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 39.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in 2009. 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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