Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey awarded its 2024 Sustainable Communities Grants to seven South Jersey municipalities last week.
The $5,000 grants will fund projects focused on open space preservation, park enhancements and emergency preparedness.
The total of $35,000 from Atlantic City Electric will help provide cleaner water, greater access to emergency services and improved recreational facilities.
“Our role in protecting the environment, preserving open spaces, and community preparedness is one we take seriously,” A.C. Electric Region President Phil Vavala said. “We’re committed to leading by example while empowering others with funding and resources to join in. The more we work together, the greater the impact we can make for our communities and our environment.”
Over the past five years, Atlantic City Electric’s Sustainable Communities Grant Program has provided more than $310,000 to preserve open spaces, improve resiliency efforts and enhance the quality of life for South Jersey residents.
“With these grants, New Jersey communities can prepare for environmental changes by completing projects that build local resilience and provide access to our natural resources,” Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon said. “In partnership with Atlantic City Electric, we’re creating more resilient communities for current and future generations.”
This year, Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey have awarded grants to the following municipalities:
• Somers Point: The grant will be used to develop a new trail with educational signage, providing visitors with recreational and learning opportunities.
• Mullica Township: The grant will enable the repair of a UTV and highwater rescue vehicle used in emergency situations in hard-to-navigate areas.
• Sea Isle City, Cape May County: The grant will be used to add a pollinator pond, purchasing additional benches, expanding gardens with native plants and adding educational signage to Townsend’s Inlet Waterfront Park.
• Maurice River Township, Cumberland County: The grant will fund the creation of a new recreational area featuring a boat ramp, river walk, new pavilions, birdhouses, play equipment and an ADA-compliant shade structure.
• Stafford Township, Ocean County: The grant will purchase a tidal gauge for the Township's water quality testing initiative, helping better plan for emergencies caused by climate change.
• Evesham Township, Burlington County: The grant will improve a local park with educational signage, ADA-compliant picnic tables, and trail benches.
• Medford Township, Burlington County: The grant will enhance a canoe trail, making it more accessible, improving water quality, and helping to prevent flooding.
The Sustainable Communities Grant Program is just one part of Atlantic City Electric’s commitment to help reach New Jersey’s clean energy and climate goals. Atlantic City Electric is actively working to reduce its carbon footprint and help customers do the same. These efforts are part of the broader Path to Clean goal of Atlantic City Electric’s parent company, Exelon, which aims to reduce operations-driven emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero operations by 2050.
