CHARLOTTE, NC, Oct. 14, 2014 -- Duke Energy recently announced the creation of a $10-million Water Resources Fund to benefit waterways across North Carolina and South Carolina. The fund will also be used to improve waterways downstream from Duke Energy operations that flow into neighboring states.
The $10-million fund also includes $1.5 million for projects specifically in the Dan River Basin Region. Projects in this region can benefit waterways directly, or they can help develop the economic and community vitality of the area. The fund supports projects and programs that provide direct benefit in at least one of the following focus areas:
- Improving water quality, quantity and conservation
- Enhancing fish and wildlife management habitats
- Expanding public use and access to waterways
- Increasing citizens' awareness about their roles in protecting water resources
The Duke Energy Foundation is seeking nonprofit and local government partners with relevant projects to apply to the fund. Interested organizations should visit duke-energy.com/WaterResourcesFund for additional information.
The North Carolina Community Foundation will serve as the fund administrator and will distribute funds to approved projects in the five eligible states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. Funding decisions will be made by the Water Resources Fund committee that represents both Duke Energy and external environmental experts.
The company also announced eight Water Resources Fund seed grantees that represent the types of projects the fund is soliciting. The fund allows these grantees to build upon their histories of collaborative environmental work.
These grantees include: Beautiful Places Alliance (S.C.); Catawba Lands Conservancy (Mecklenburg County, N.C.); City of Asheville (Buncombe County, N.C.); Clemson University (South Carolina); North Carolina Coastal Land Trust (Onslow County, N.C.); River Bank Fund (Dan River Basin Region); Rockingham County Community Foundation (Dan River Basin Region, Rockingham County, N.C.); and University of North Carolina Wilmington (N.C.).
In addition to the Water Resources Fund, Duke Energy is investing $500,000 for enhancements to the Abreu-Grogan Park in Danville, Va., located on the Dan River. Over the next year, Duke Energy will improve boating and fishing facilities in the park and construct new bathrooms, walkways, parking, and access areas.
See also:
"Duke Energy NC coal ash spill signifies third largest in U.S. history"
"Duke Energy completes cleanup work of spilled coal ash along Dan River"
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