​Grants support clean, safe parks redevelopment, pollinator habitats, wooded spaces and more

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (September 30, 2022) – Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey have chosen 15 local municipalities to receive $75,000 in funds to support open space and resiliency projects in South Jersey. This funding is made available through Atlantic City Electric's Sustainable Communities Grant program, which provides funding to support open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, environmental conservation and innovative community resiliency projects.

"We are so pleased to join our local communities and to help advance these initiatives that will have a lasting positive impact on our environment," said Doug Mokoid, region president, Atlantic City Electric. "We are committed to helping our customers and communities achieve our collective climate goals. This program is an extension of that commitment and just one of the many ways we are taking a leadership role in helping to foster a cleaner and safer environment for us all."    

Atlantic City Electric launched the Sustainable Communities Grant program in 2020 with Sustainable Jersey administering the grants to local communities.

"As we experience the devastating effects of extreme weather and a changing climate on New Jersey communities, these grants support projects that build up local climate resilience and preserve our natural resources," said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. "We value our partnership with Atlantic City Electric and the investment is making a difference in a sustainable New Jersey."

This year, Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey have awarded grants to the following municipalities:

• Borough of Penns Grove ($5,000) – The grant will be used to grow local plants in the Penns Grove High School courtyard to preserve native pollinators by growing and maintaining organic wildflowers, shrubs and trees.
• Elk Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to enhance signage along a well-known trail in the township, improving safety and enhancing trail use by guiding residents to connecting trails and parks.
• Washington Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to restore the Washington Lake Park greenhouse to a more reliable, functioning entity within the park.
• Lower Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to improve beach access along the Delaware Bay by constructing eight additional walkways through the dunes.
• East Greenwich Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used for the purchase and installation of water bottle filling stations at Thomas Family Park.
• Mantua Township ($3,000) – The grant will be used for the purchase of sturdier trash receptacles for Chestnut Branch Park that can better withstand outdoor elements and eliminate waste and spills.
• Maurice River Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to construct and install a large shade structure for the Leesburg Recreation Center.
• Hamilton Township ($10,000) – The grant will be used to purchase and install a critical operations power system that would automatically supply power to vital systems and assist with effectively responding to emergencies throughout the township.   
• Folsom Borough ($5,000) – The grant will be used to redevelop the community garden by enhancing its appearance, installing park benches and planting shade trees.
• Egg Harbor City ($5,000) – The grant will be used to redevelop City Lake Park by constructing a new nature trail and making enhancements along the new trail and existing park.
• Atlantic City ($5,000) – The grant will be used to purchase native plants for Gardner's Basin and recreate a historical trail with hopes to engage and inform residents of the area's important horticultural impacts.
• Egg Harbor Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to build an ADA accessible pathway to a scenic observation area, allowing everyone to safely access the Nature Reserve.
• Port Republic City ($2,000) – The grant will be used for upgrades and signage at Harry Bowen Park.
• Dennis Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used for redeveloping and making upgrades to the senior center picnic garden, making it a safe and peaceful area for senior residents and their families.
• Northfield City ($5,000) – The grant will be used to clean up and redevelop the Racoon Lake area and refurbish the existing fireplace.
  

The Sustainable Communities Grant program will provide grants of up to $5,000 each to municipalities for projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources and environmental conservation. The company also will provide up to three grants totaling $25,000 to support resiliency projects. Municipalities in the Atlantic City Electric service area can apply for a Sustainable Communities grant each year. A committee with representatives from Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey reviews each application and selects the projects to receive funding. 

The Sustainable Communities Grant program is part of Atlantic City Electric's Climate Commitment, a multi-faceted, action-oriented effort to help the state of New Jersey achieve its clean energy and climate goals. As part of the commitment, the company is taking actionable measures to reduce its greenhouse gas footprint, deliver innovative solutions that will empower customers and communities to achieve greater greenhouse gas reduction across South Jersey. The effort supports the broader Path to Clean goal of Atlantic City Electric's parent company, Exelon, to reduce its operations-driven emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero operations by 2050.

Interested organizations can learn more about the Sustainable Communities Grant Program and how to submit a grant request at atlanticcityelectric.com/SustainableCommunities.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric's online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/AtlanticCityElectric, and on Twitter at twitter.com/AcEleCconnect. Atlantic City Electric's mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/MobileApp.