Left to Right: Carol Collier, Delaware River Basin Commission; Kurt Zwikl, Schuylkill River Heritage Area; Ron DeGregorio, Exelon Nuclear; Cathy Curran Myers, Deputy Secretary DEP; Rep. Tom Quigley; Ron Downie, Schuylkill River Heritage Area

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is partnering with Exelon Nuclear to oversee a new Schuylkill River Restoration Fund that will provide funding for watershed projects. Exelon Nuclear has allotted nearly $160,000 for the new Fund.

The fund is part of a demonstration project for the water diversion program at Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station and is under the purview of the Delaware River Basin Commission.

Money from the fund is expected to be available this year. Exelon and the Schuylkill River Heritage Area hope other corporations will also contribute to the fund in the future. Grant guidelines are being developed at this time.

As part of Limerick’s water diversion program, Exelon Nuclear pumps water daily from various water sources in order to operate the plant to minimize environmental impact.

With the consent of the Commission, Exelon Nuclear is implementing a water supply demonstration at the station involving water supplied from various sources to lessen withdraws of water from the Delaware River. According to the October 2004 DRBC permit language which created the fund, Exelon's annual contribution to the fund is based on the amount of water that is not required to be pumped from the Delaware River to support the Limerick Generating Station's cooling water needs during the demonstration project currently set to expire no later than December 31, 2008.

The demonstration, and the associated fund, is part of Exelon’s commitment to improve the Schuylkill River and show that changes in water supplies will not adversely affect the river. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area will oversee the fund, providing the money to organizations seeking to undertake such projects as repairing eroded stream banks or restoring polluted waterways.

“We will be looking to provide funding for projects that improve or monitor water quality in the Schuylkill River watershed,” said Kurt Zwikl, executive director for the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. “The Schuylkill River is a source of drinking water for over one million people. Our mission is to improve water quality in the Heritage Area and we are pleased to participate in this partnership.”

“It is unique for a corporation to take steps to ensure that water quality is being addressed,” he said. “By creating the fund they will also raise public awareness of the continued need to address water quality in the area.”

"The Delaware River Basin Commission is very pleased by today's announcement that the Schuylkill River Heritage Area is Exelon's choice to manage and administer the Restoration Fund," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "I look forward to working with SRHA as it moves ahead to distribute the funds to support projects that will promote restoration and water management goals in the Schuylkill River Watershed."

Exelon Nuclear Vice President Ron DeGregorio said, “As a safe, clean and reliable energy producer, our environmental goals are aligned with those of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. At Limerick Generating Station, we focus on continuously reducing our environmental impacts and strengthening our stewardship of the environment. We believe the Schuylkill River Heritage Area is an ideal partner to make this initiative a success.”

Groups interested in applying for the grant may visit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area website, call 484-945-0200 or send email to info@schuylkillriver.org .

NewsClip: New Fund Will Help Improve Schuylkill River Water Quality

1/20/2006