It IS Easy Being Green: 20 Local Municipalities and Nonprofits Receive $150,000 Through PECO Green Region Program

It’s easy being green for 20 local municipalities and nonprofits thanks to $150,000 in grant funding from PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program. From transforming a vacant lot into a community green space to building community gardens and installing new lights for a walking path, this year’s grants will be used to begin projects that will help improve sustainability across the Greater Philadelphia region.

Through PECO Green Region, PECO has awarded more than $1.8 million to 250 projects since the program’s inception in 2004. The program is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support environmental initiatives across southeastern Pennsylvania, including open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation.

“The municipalities and nonprofits receiving grants are putting their energy into the environment, and we’re proud to support these initiatives as PECO remains committed to increasing the environmental sustainability in the communities we serve across southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “Each of these projects will positively impact the region as they create new green spaces, revitalize vacant lots, beautify trails, and much more.”

In partnership with Natural Lands, the region’s leading land conservation organization and facilitator of PECO Green Region, PECO will provide grants to the following municipalities and nonprofit organizations:

• Bucks County: Borough of Doylestown ($10,000), Chalfont Borough ($10,000) and New Britain Township ($10,000)
• Chester County: Borough of West Chester ($10,000), Pennsbury Township ($10,000) and Willistown Township ($10,000)
• Delaware County: Borough of East Lansdowne ($10,000), Eddystone Borough ($5,000), Lower Chichester Township ($10,000) and Ridley Township ($5,000)
• Montgomery County: Borough of Pottstown ($10,000), Cheltenham Township ($10,000) and Plymouth Township ($10,000)
• Philadelphia: Frankford Community Development Corporation ($10,000), Neighborhood Gardens Trust ($10,000) and Schuylkill River Development Corporation ($10,000)

“Research has proven time and again that green amenities like parks, natural areas, and trails are essential ingredients for healthy, prosperous communities,” noted Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands. “As always, I am impressed by the quality and creativity of the projects that were proposed and inspired by PECO’s steadfast commitment to greening our region.”

Municipalities and Philadelphia nonprofits can apply for a PECO Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project each year. A committee comprised of representatives from PECO, county agencies and conservation organizations reviews each application and selects the projects that receive funding. For more information, visit peco.com/community and visit the Charitable Contributions page.

From PECO Green Region and operating an environmentally-friendly fleet, to PECO Smart Ideas, the company’s award-winning suite of programs to help customers save energy and money, all of PECO’s environmental efforts contribute to and support the long-term sustainability efforts of our parent company, Exelon Corporation, for the benefit of our customers and communities.

About PECO

PECO, founded in 1881, is Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas utility. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 516,000 natural gas customers in southeastern, Pennsylvania. The company’s 2,500 employees are dedicated to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas as well as enhanced energy management conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. PECO was named 2017 Best Mid-size Employer in Philadelphia by Forbes Magazine. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.3 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 8,700 local jobs and producing $732 million in labor income. PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's only Fortune 100 utility and leading competitive energy provider. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

About Natural Lands

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 43 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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