BP America recently donated more than $13,000 to three Pennsylvania Boy Scout Councils for use on environmental projects. Each of the three councils – Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, Minsi Trails Council, and Moraine Trails Council – will receive a donation of $4,525.

“BP is pleased to provide the Boy Scouts with funds to be used on projects that will benefit the environment, the scouts involved and the citizens of Pennsylvania,” said Shawn Croucher, Environmental Business Manager with Atlantic Richfield, a wholly-owned BP subsidiary.

The contributions are to be used to assist in funding environmental projects by scouts in these three councils. These projects may come from a variety of programs, including Eagle Scout Projects, council camp improvement projects or William T. Hornaday Award projects.

The only criterion is that a project must result in a direct positive benefit for the environment or wildlife, or the public’s ability to enjoy these experiences.

Examples of projects for consideration include those focused on erosion control or re-vegetation near sensitive areas such as stream banks; construction or improvement of nature trails; “ The Goose Pond Scout Reservation, owned and operated by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council (Moosic), will greatly benefit from this grant,” according to Tom Slavicek, Scout Executive.

“The money will be invested in the on-going camp improvement environmental projects during the summer camp season this year. We expect to have over 1,200 campers attending Goose Pond this summer. We really appreciate BP America’s generosity and applaud their innovative approach and commitment to help preserve the environment.”

The BP donations emanate from a creative, cooperative and voluntary Multi-Site Agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection. The MSA sets targets and goals that guide the cleanup of petroleum-impacted retail sites and bulk storage facilities.

Under the MSA, when certain targets are exceeded with respect to moving sites and facilities toward cleanup, BP provides donations to one or more environmental initiatives approved by the DEP.

Previous donations were used to cleanup an old tire dump in 2004; install a solar array on the Governor’s residence in Harrisburg; and install a solar array on the DEP building in Norristown (outside Philadelphia).

“BP is proud to sponsor Boy Scout projects in these three councils that will benefit the environment,” Croucher said. “It might seem a bit unconventional to support environmental projects this way, but it’s another example of BP’s innovation when it comes to finding creative ways to solve complex issues.”

3/21/2008