HERSHEY, PA, Mar. 23, 2009 -- Pennsylvania American Water announced today that the application process is now open for its 2009 Environmental Grant Program to support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies.
The company will award grants of up to $10,000. The program is designed to support diverse types of activities, such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, underground tank inspection programs, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.
"Every individual and community has the ability to positively impact watersheds and our drinking water resources," said Kathy L. Pape, president, Pennsylvania American Water. "We encourage municipalities, schools, environmental organizations and civic groups to apply for a grant to support projects that will benefit the watershed."
To qualify, a proposed project must be:
-- Located within Pennsylvania American Water's service area; and
-- Completed between June 1, 2009 and November 1, 2009; and
-- New or innovative community initiative or serve as significant expansion to an existing program.
Projects will be judged based on criteria that include clarity of project goals and projected impact, strength of collaboration with other community and/or municipal organizations, and evidence that the project will provide sustainable environmental results after the Pennsylvania American Water's funding ends.
In 2008, the company's Environmental Grant Program awarded more than $26,000, which was shared among six recipients: River Alert and Information Network (Southwest PA); Abrahams Creek Watershed Association (Luzerne County); Brandywine Valley Association (Chester County); Lawrence County Board of Commissioners; Moshannon Creek Watershed Association (Clearfield County); and South Park Township (Allegheny County).
>> Click here for grant information and application forms
Applications must be postmarked by May 1, 2009, and mailed to:
Pennsylvania American Water
800 West Hersheypark Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
Attn: Terry Maenza
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2 million people.
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