*Note: In February 2022, Exelon completed the separation of Constellation Energy Corp., Exelon’s former power generation and competitive energy business. The Limerick Generating Station is now owned and operated by Constellation Energy, not Exelon.

The Exelon Schuylkill River Restoration Fund (SRRF) resulted from the DRBC's October 27, 2004 decision to approve Exelon's application for an opportunity to demonstrate that greater operational flexibility with respect to cooling water needs at its Limerick Generating Station (LGS) would not cause negative environmental impacts to the Schuylkill River. Moreover, less usage of Delaware River water could be realized.

"The Commission believes this is a unique opportunity to not only work with a company in a regulatory program to ensure protection of our precious water resources while providing it with the flexibility to conduct its operations in a more efficient manner, but also to get critically needed funds to assist in the restoration of a watershed," then DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

According to their DRBC docket (pdf 969 KB), Exelon's contribution to the fund is based upon their annual surface water consumptive use.

The docket language states that Exelon will make its fund payments to a non-profit or not-for-profit organization of its choosing, which will oversee, manage and administer the restoration program.

The restoration program monies are to be used solely for the purpose of supporting projects in the Schuylkill River Basin that are consistent with restoration and water management goals for the Schuylkill River.  

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area (SRG) oversees the SRRF. The SRG is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting communities, organizations and citizens of the Schuylkill River region to preserve and sustain their cultural heritage and natural environment for future generations.

A committee comprised of representatives from the DRBC, Exelon (now Constellation), SRG, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Schuylkill Action Network review grant applications and select the recipients; additionally, the docket states that selected recipients are subject to the approval of DRBC's Executive Director prior to the distribution of funds.

Since being established in 2006, the fund has collected more than $5 million - and leveraged more than $5 million in additional funds – for more than 130 projects that protect and restore the Schuylkill River.

Learn more about the Restoration Fund

Yearly Contribution Amounts and Projects Funded:

• In August 2006, three projects were chosen to receive grants from funds generated in 2005; the projects that were chosen focused on agricultural improvements, streambank restoration, and headwaters protection.
  
  
• In August 2007, another three projects were chosen to be funded through the SRRF. These selected projects will help correct water quality problems resulting from agricultural runoff, eroding streambanks, and acid mine drainage. Click here to view the news release on the 2007 grant announcement event.
  
  
• In August 2008, another three projects were chosen to be funded through the SRRF; these selected projects will help correct water quality problems resulting from agricultural and stormwater runoff. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by a collaboration of agencies within the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) in order to expand the program's funding sources in the future.
  
  
• In August 2009, close to $170,000 was awarded through the SRRF to two non-profit agencies for projects that will mitigate acid mine drainage and agricultural pollution.
  
  
• In 2010, PWD was a first-time contributor to the SRRF to indicate this expansion from a solely Exelon-funded initiative. In August 2010, close to $325,000 ($224,441 from Exelon and $100,000 from PWD) was contributed to the SRRF; of that amount, over $220,000 was awarded to four non-profit agencies for projects that will mitigate acid mine drainage, stormwater run-off and agricultural pollution.
  
  
• In 2011, The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) joined PWD and Exelon as a contributor to the SRRF; PDE donated $10,000 to be specifically used for land protection transactions. The Land Protection Transaction Grants (LPTG) program, a part of the SRRF debuted in the spring of 2011, provides matching grants of up to $4,000 per project to assist with transaction costs for permanent land protection projects (conservation easements, full fee acquisitions, donations, etc.) within the Schuylkill River Watershed. In September 2011, SRG distributed close to $400,000 to seven projects that will improve the water quality of the Schuylkill River Watershed. One of the seven projects is a land conservation easement supported by the newly formed LPTG program.
  
  
• In 2012, Aqua PA joined PWD and Exelon as a contributor to the SRRF, donating $2500, with Exelon contributing $211,092 and PWD $100,000. In July 2012, Tim Fenchel, SRG Grants Program Coordinator, gave a presentation on the SRRF (pdf 3 MB). In August 2012, SRG distributed around $240,000 to support five projects and four land transaction grants, all of which will improve the water quality in the Schuylkill River and its tributaries. Remaining 2012 funds will roll over to the 2013 grant program. 
  
  
• In September 2013, SRG distributed a total of $358,821 to support seven projects and three land transaction grants at an awards ceremony that took place at the East Norriton Middle School in Norristown, Pa., site of the completed Stony Creek Restoration Project, a 2011 grant recipient. Contributors to the SRRF in 2013 included Aqua PA ($4,015), Exelon Corporation ($220,422), and the Philadelphia Water Department ($100,000). All funds not distributed for 2013 projects will be rolled over into the 2014 grant round. Click here to view additional information and photos from the awards ceremony.
  
  
• In September 2014, SRG distributed a total of $337,465 to support six projects and one land transaction grant at an awards ceremony that took place at the Cook Wissahickon School in Philadelphia, Pa., site of a completed stormwater improvement project, a 2012 grant recipient. Contributors to the SRRF in 2014 included Exelon Generation ($226,534), Philadelphia Water Department ($100,000), Aqua PA ($5,000), and MOM's Organic Market ($768). All funds not distributed for 2014 projects will be rolled over into the 2015 grant round. Click here to view additional information and photos from the awards ceremony.
  
  
• In September 2015, SRG distributed a total of $274,623 to support six projects and three land transaction grants at an awards ceremony that took place at the Beth and David Rice Dairy Farm in Kempton, Pa. The farm is the site of a completed agricultural and stormwater improvement project that received SRRF funds in 2014. Contributors to the SRRF in 2015 included Exelon Generation's Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water Department, first-time contributor The Coca-Cola Company, Aqua PA, and MOM's Organic Market. All funds not distributed for 2015 projects will be rolled over into the 2016 grant round. Click here for more information and photos from the awards ceremony.
  
  
• In September 2016, SRG distributed a total of $278,832 to support six projects and two land transaction grants at an awards ceremony that took place at the Marty Nothstein Property, Port Clinton, Pa., which was awarded a permanent conservation easement with SRRF monies in 2012. Contributors to the SRRF in 2016 included Exelon Generation's Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water Department, Aqua PA, and MOM's Organic Market. Click here for more information and photos from the awards ceremony.
  
  
• In September 2017, SRG distributed a total of $364,193 to support eight projects and three land transaction grants at an awards ceremony that took place at Meadowood Senior Living, Worcester, Pa., a 2012 grant recipient. Contributors to the SRRF in 2017 included Exelon Generation's Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water Department, Coca-Cola, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Aqua PA, and MOM's Organic Market. Click here for more information about the awards ceremony. 
  
  
• In October 2018, SRG distributed a total of $378,671 to support nine projects and three land transaction grants at an awards ceremony that took place at the Sunny Acre Farm in Berks County, Pa., a 2017 grant recipient. Contributors to the SRRF in 2018 included Exelon Generation's Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water Department, Aqua PA, and Mom's Organic Market. Click here for more information about the awards ceremony.
  
  
• In September 2019, SRG distributed a total of $326,359 to support seven projects that will address stormwater runoff, abandoned mine drainage and agricultural pollutants, as well as two land transaction grants, which will help preserve open space. The grants were announced at an awards ceremony that took place at the Perkiomen Township Building, a 2015 grant recipient. Contributors to the SRRF in 2019 included Exelon Generation's Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water Department, Aqua PA, Mom's Organic Market, and DTE Energy. View the SRG news release.
  
  
• In September 2020, SRG distributed a total of $307,695 to support six projects that will address stormwater runoff and agricultural pollutants, as well as three conservation easements, which will help preserve open space. The grants were announced during a virtual awards ceremony that also celebrated 15 years of the SRRF. Contributors to the SRRF in 2020 included Exelon Generation's Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water Department and Aqua PA. View the 2020 Project Summaries.
  
  
• In September 2021, SRG distributed a total of $337,500 to support seven projects that will help improve water quality in the Schuylkill River Watershed. Project examples include the building of rain gardens, streambank and habitat restoration, implementation of agricultural best management practices and mitigating mine drainage. The grants were announced at an awards ceremony at Philadelphia's Northwestern Stables, a 2019 SRRF recipient. View project summaries on the SRG website (pdf) and view photos from the event on SAN's Flickr page.
  
  
• In September 2022, SRG distributed a total of $362,756 to support seven projects that will address stormwater runoff and/or agricultural pollution and one land acquisition project for a new urban open space. The grants were announced at an awards ceremony at Riverfront Park in Pottstown, Pa. that also included a bus tour to several local completed SRRF projects. View project summaries on the SRG website (docx) and view photos from the event on SAN's Flickr page.
  
  
• In September 2023, SRG distributed a total of $350,500 to support six projects that will address stream and habitat restoration, agricultural pollution and abandoned mine drainage. Learn more about the grant announcement.

The SRG and SAN continue to work to further grow the program by seeking additional funders.