Emphasizing its continuing commitment to the environment, PP&L Resources Inc. marked several environmental milestones Monday (4/21), including the company's joining the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies, or CERES.
PP&L used the occasion of the day before Earth Day to announce becoming only the third electric utility in the nation to join the coalition and endorse its principles of environmental and economic responsibility.
The CERES Principles comprise a comprehensive, 10-point environmental code for corporations. The CERES coalition consists of social investors, labor unions, environmental, religious and public interest groups. About 60 companies nationwide have endorsed the principles.
"Making electricity in harmony with the environment always has been a corporate commitment at PP&L," William F. Hecht, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said. "Joining CERES emphasizes that commitment and allows us to open a continuing dialogue with investors, environmental groups and others who believe companies should operate in an environmentally responsible manner. This is a natural step for PP&L Resources to take."
Hecht made the announcement at a 21-acre environmental education center located in an urban neighborhood in Allentown, Pa., where PP&L Resources' corporate headquarter is located. CERES board member Dr. Andy Smith, who is director of Social and Ethical Responsibility in Investments for National Ministries of the American Baptist Churches USA, joined Hecht in making the announcement.
"Endorsing the CERES Principles signifies a major commitment to public accountability on environmental improvement," Smith said. "It exemplifies the way shareholders, environmentalists and industry can work together for a mutual benefit. We look forward to the potential of partnership between PP&L and CERES as we work together on projects of common interest."
The education center, called Mosser Woods, is located on the grounds of Mosser School, an inner-city elementary school. The center, which features an outdoor classroom, a wetland and nature trails, was built and is maintained in part through PP&L funding and the volunteer efforts of PP&L employees.
"Mosser Woods is a living example of PP&L's commitment to our communities, to education and to the environment," Hecht said. "It gives children who otherwise may not have the chance, an opportunity to learn about the importance of the natural environment."
About 20 Mosser School students joined Hecht in planting a tree at the center to mark the 1 millionth student that has participated in PP&L's Trees for the Future program.
Trees for the Future is an environmental education program that PP&L conducts in elementary schools throughout the company's 29- county service territory in central and eastern Pennsylvania. The program began six years ago and focuses on the vital role trees play in the environment.
Many of the children in the program receive tree seedlings for planting. This year, more than 200,000 students and more than 8,700 teachers are taking part in the program.
"In addition to conducting our business in an environmentally responsible manner, we believe its important to reach out and give something back to the communities through environmental education programs like the Trees for the Future and Mosser Woods projects," Hecht said.
PP&L Resources joins some of the nations' largest companies in endorsing the CERES Principles and joining the coalition. Sun Company Inc. was the first member of the Fortune 500 to adopt the CERES Principles when it did so in 1993. Sun was followed by other major corporations, including Polaroid, Bethlehem Steel Corp. and General Motors, the largest manufacturer in the world.
The only other electric utility members are Arizona Public Service Co. and Green Mountain Power Corp. in Vermont.
The CERES Principles are a code of corporate environmental conduct. The principles range from waste reduction to energy conservation and include issues such as environmental restoration. In adopting the principles, PP&L makes a commitment to continuous improvement in environmental performance and public accountability for environmental action.
"The environmental principles we already have in place for PP&L Resources match up very well with the CERES Principles," Hecht said. "We value highly the CERES dialogue on balancing the environmental and economic aspects of business operations."