By Melanie Holmes
AFRO Staff Writer
Constellation Energy has donated a million dollars to help provide utilities to about 200 Baltimore City families. (Courtesy Photo)
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(October 22, 2009) - A $1 million donation from Constellation Energy will help keep approximately 200 Baltimore City families warm over the next three years. Beginning Nov. 1, the energy group will expand its partnership with the city of Baltimore and the Baltimore Community Foundation to replace inefficient and unsafe heating systems in low-income households.
“This program is designed to assist limited-income households that do not qualify for existing energy assistance programs but are nonetheless struggling to make ends meet during this severe economic downturn,” said Mayo A. Shattuck III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy. “For these families, a new, efficient furnace can mean lower bills during the winter heating season.”
Residents approved by the city will have their furnace, gas boiler or electric heat pump replaced by Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (BGE) for free, which normally costs around $5,000. BGE Senior Vice President of Strategic and Regulatory Affairs Mark Case said their partnership with Constellation is aligned with the energy-saving initiative they launched at the beginning of the year.
“We make a real strong effort to give back to the city,” Case said. “Old and inefficient heat systems can be one of the biggest contributors for high heating bills. A lot of customers saw much higher bills than accustomed to. BGE will come forward and help.”
The city Department of Housing and Community Development will take requests for families in need of heating system replacements or other weatherization services such as sealing holes to maintain proper insulation. The city will then refer those residents to BGE.
As one of the biggest companies in Baltimore, Constellation has a responsibility to give back to less fortunate community members and that’s reflected with this donation, said spokesman Robert Gould.
“It’s something that that the corporation feels it has an obligation to do,” he said.