Company announces special grants for projects benefitting local youth

PHILADELPHIA (August 5, 2014) – In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the PECO Green Region program, PECO has provided 18 municipalities and five nonprofit organizations with $150,000 in grant funding for environmental projects throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. PECO Green Region, the company's municipal open space and environmental grant program, 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 – also are offering a special 10th anniversary round of grants dedicated to environmental projects that benefit our region's youth. Municipalities can apply for a $10,000 grant to be used to develop projects such as gardens, natural playscapes and nature trails. Grants will be awarded to one municipality in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and one nonprofit in Philadelphia.

 For more information and to download an application for this special round of grants, visit www.natlands.org. Applications are due October 3, 2014.

 PECO and Natural Lands Trust have awarded the 2014 Green Region grants to the following municipalities and nonprofit organizations:

• Bucks County: Doylestown Borough ($1,250), Langhorne Borough ($8,500), Morrisville Borough ($7,500), New Britain Borough ($10,000) and Upper Southampton Township ($5,000)
• Chester County: Charlestown Township ($10,000), East Coventry Township ($5,000), Schuylkill Township ($10,000) and North Coventry Township ($5,000)
• Delaware County: Haverford Township ($5,000), Marple Township ($10,000), Nether Providence Township ($5,000), Rose Valley Borough ($3,000), Rutledge Borough ($2,000) and Swarthmore Borough ($5,000)
• Montgomery County: Lower Frederick Township ($9,200), Lower Moreland Township ($10,000) and Upper Pottsgrove Township ($8,000)
• Philadelphia: Friends of Clark Park ($6,500), Neighborhood Gardens Trust ($6,500), Powelton Village Civic Association ($4,000), University City District ($6,500) and Urban Tree Connection ($6,500)

 "The success of the first 10 years of the PECO Green Region program are 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 in the importance of preservation in the environments where they live and play."

 "From trails and suburban parks to community gardens in Philadelphia, this year's PECO Green Region grant projects are a powerful reminder of the diverse ways in which green spaces touch the lives of the region's residents," said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. "As always, we are inspired by the creativity and passion of each of the communities that applied and by PECO's decade-long commitment to making this region an even more rewarding place to live."

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

 From PECO Green Region and operating an environmentally-friendly fleet, to launching PECO Smart Ideas to 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.

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 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.