BGE Launches Annual Green Grants Program to Promote Environmental Stewardship through Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Environmentally-focused program provides grants of up to $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations that are committed to environmental stewardship

Students participating in a program, funded by a BGE Green Grant, at Towson University's SciTech Learning Lab. (Photo: Business Wire)

Students participating in a program, funded by a BGE Green Grant, at Towson University's SciTech Learning Lab. (Photo: Business Wire)

BALTIMORE--()--Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) today announced that as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance and promote environmental stewardship and natural resource responsibility in communities throughout its central Maryland service area, the company has launched its annual BGE Green Grants program. In its third year, the BGE Green Grants program is designed specifically for 501c3 nonprofit organizations, which focus on energy efficiency, pollution prevention, environmentally focused community engagement, conservation and education. Beginning today, qualifying organizations are encouraged to apply for a single grant of up to $10,000 at bge.com\giving. Applications must be received by May 15, 2015 to be eligible for a 2015 BGE Green Grant. Since inception in 2013, the BGE Green Grants program has awarded more than $700,000 in grants to nearly 100 nonprofit organizations throughout its service area in support of a cleaner, greener Maryland.

“Whether it’s through philanthropic giving or employee volunteer opportunities, BGE has a long-standing commitment to enhancing the communities we serve,” said Calvin G. Butler Jr., chief executive officer. “The BGE Green Grants program represents another way to extend that commitment to our customers, and importantly, this grant program has the opportunity to make a very visible and positive impact on communities throughout central Maryland. These grants provide the funds that make projects such as conservation efforts through green space and habitat preservation and protection, as well as community engagement activities, including cleanups and the creation of urban forests or community gardens, both viable and successful.”

Grant opportunities are available for both new and existing programs that clearly demonstrate a commitment to improvements in the environmental efforts of the community and to enhancing environmental stewardship throughout BGE’s central Maryland service area. Some examples of programs or efforts for consideration fall within the following environmental focus areas:

  • Conservation
    • Green space preservation
    • Wetlands restoration
    • Wildlife and habitat protection
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Projects that support both small and large-scale energy conservation measures
  • Education
    • Workshops, seminars, training and/or public relations efforts to inform and influence the public regarding environmental stewardship and natural resource responsibility
  • Pollution Prevention
    • Recycling projects and drop-off collection events
    • Tree planting and maintenance to reduce CO2 emissions
    • Litter reduction
  • Community Engagement
    • Neighborhood, park and waterway clean-ups
    • Creation of public green spaces, community gardens and urban forests

2014 Green Grant recipient, Towson University, through its Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and MathematicsSciTech Student Learning Lab, used its grant to fund program and transportation costs for local K-12 schools who cannot afford a field trip to Towson’s hands-on, environmentally focused lab on the waterfront in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. TU’s BioScience Education and Outreach Program serves Maryland elementary, middle and high school students by providing access to a learning environment to explore local and global issues and their role in environmental stewardship.

“Towson University is committed to being environmentally conscious in everything we do,” said Towson's Interim President Timothy Chandler. “Thanks to our strong partnership with BGE, we are able to take that commitment beyond the borders of our campus and educate the next generation to be exemplary stewards of Maryland's natural resources. We are grateful to BGE for their continued support of these types of programs that make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens.”

Organizations may submit an online application at bge.com for a 2015 grant between April 1 through May 15, 2015. Grants recipients will be notified in July. For more information on the BGE Green Grants program, visit bge.com. For more information on BGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, visit bge.com.

As part of its commitment to building strong communities in central Maryland, BGE supports environmental enhancement initiatives like the BGE Green Grants program. Since its founding nearly 200 years ago, BGE has played an integral role in working with Maryland communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues and other initiatives that help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of energy efficiency and assistance, the environment, education, economic and community development, and emergency response and safety.

BGE’s corporate citizenship aligns with that of its parent company, Exelon Corporation. As part of Exelon’s merger in March 2012, Exelon and its subsidiaries have committed to maintain charitable giving of an average of $7 million per year in Maryland, including BGE’s service area, for the next 10 years. BGE’s commitment to the BGE Green Grants program fulfills part of that commitment.

BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of approximately $27.4 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Contacts

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)
Rachael Lighty, rachael.lighty@bge.com
BGE Media Hotline: 410-470-7433

Contacts

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)
Rachael Lighty, rachael.lighty@bge.com
BGE Media Hotline: 410-470-7433