Five Local Environmental Youth Projects Receive $50,000 in PECO Green Region Grants

From growing community herb gardens to building outdoor nature classrooms, PECO is awarding $50,000 in grants to local environmental projects to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the PECO Green Region program. Through PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program, the company has awarded nearly $1.4 million for more than 180 projects since its inception in 2004.

Recognizing the importance of fostering future environmental leaders, PECO and Natural Lands Trust – the region’s leading land conservation organization – have awarded $10,000 grants to each of the following municipalities and nonprofit organizations whose projects will benefit children throughout the region:

• Bucks County: Newtown Township – Community herb garden and outdoor classroom
• Chester County: Schuylkill Township – Environmental education area and butterfly garden
• Delaware County: Colwyn Borough – Water Street playground upgrade
• Montgomery County: Abington Township – Upgrades to Briar Bush Nature Center
• Philadelphia: Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary – Nature-based play area

“The success of the first 10 years of the PECO Green Region program is a testament to our commitment to preserving the environment across the region,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “I am thrilled to celebrate our efforts by offering the opportunity for communities to engage children to preserve the environments where they live and play.”

Earlier this year, PECO and Natural Lands Trust provided 18 municipalities and five nonprofit organizations with $150,000 in grant funding for environmental projects throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

“It has been an honor to work with PECO on the Green Region program for the past decade,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “Through its steadfast commitment to Green Region, PECO has helped local communities preserve open spaces, improve trails and parks and plan for a greener future — all critical elements of building a sustainable, prosperous region. PECO Green Region is a wonderful demonstration of how long-term corporate citizenship can have meaningful, lasting benefits.”

From PECO Green Region, operating an environmentally-friendly fleet, to PECO Smart Ideas, the company’s suite of energy efficiency programs that help our customers save energy and money, all of PECO’s 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 upon request.

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 500,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region.PECO delivered 85.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013. 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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