Duke Energy Protects Carolinas' Waterways with $800,000 in Grants
Staff Report From South Carolina CEO
Wednesday, January 9th, 2019
Eleven organizations spanning 58 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina will receive more than $800,000 in new grants from Duke Energy's Water Resources Fund to support environmental and wildlife programs.
The fund is a $10-million multiyear commitment from Duke Energy to help local organizations continue to protect and improve the environment, including waterways used year-round across the Carolinas and neighboring states. To date, the fund has invested more than $9 million to support 113 projects to protect natural resources, including more than $1.5 million in the Dan River Basin.
"Our region is home to some of the nation's most beautiful and treasured waterways," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "We are proud to support the water stewards in our communities who are implementing innovative projects that protect our natural resources."
"Water is life. The Great Coharie River Initiative is committed to be responsible stewards of our many waterways here in Sampson County," said Greg Jacobs, tribal administrator for Coharie Intra-Tribal Council, Inc. "We desire that our present and future generations be afforded the same quality of life as our ancestors enjoyed in the Great Outdoors. We understand that our Rivers have always provided healing medicine for all who will partake."
"Water is a shared natural resource that connects us all," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "These grants are supporting projects that will benefit our communities now and for many years to come."
"We are grateful for Duke Energy's leadership in and commitment to keeping Carolina waterways clean through their Water Resources Fund," says Mark Robertson, state director for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina. "This grant will help us make critical improvements to Vaughn's Creek in our Blue Wall Preserve, which provides clean, clear drinking water to Landrum, S.C."