PECO awarded grants to 17 municipalities with projects focusing on open space conservation and parks and recreational resources as part of the PECO Green Region Program.

The projects identified are from across the Philadelphia region and will receive more than $116,000 in Green Region grants this summer. Since the programs inception in 2005, PECO has provided more than $340,000 for qualifying projects.

In partnership with the Natural Lands Trust, the region's largest land conservation program, PECO awarded grants to the following municipalities:

· Bucks County: Upper Makefield, $10,000;

· Chester County: East Brandywine $5,000; East Vincent, $1,063; North Coventry, $10,000; Schuylkill, $5,000;

· Delaware County: City of Chester, $10,000; Glenolden, $5,000; Media, $10,000; Tinicum, $5,000;

· Montgomery County: $5,000; Franconia, $5,000, Limerick, $7,500; Lower Pottsgrove, $7,500; Lower Providence, $7,500; Marlborough, $7,500; Towamencin, $7,500; and

· City of Philadelphia $10,000.

Municipalities may apply for a Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project. A committee, which includes representatives from PECO, Exelon, county agencies and conservation organizations, reviews applications and issues the grants. The grant program is administered by Natural Lands Trust.

"PECO is proud to support programs that focus on bettering the environment," said Denis O'Brien, PECO president. "It is gratifying to know that the funds we are providing are going to projects that will not only help improve environmental conditions in the surrounding region, but in many cases will provide better access to recreation and environmental amenities."

For more information, visit the PECO Green Region Program webpage.

7/27/2007