- Grants will pay for training, life-saving equipment and new
technology to aid in disaster planning and recovery
operations
- Application now open for nonprofits, governmental
agencies
GREENVILLE, S.C., Feb. 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke Energy Foundation is
launching the third year of its $500,000 microgrant program to invest in
emergency preparedness organizations across South Carolina to increase their resiliency to
major weather events through advanced preparation, planning,
equipment and training.
The application process is open now through April 12.
"When severe weather impacts communities across our state, we
work alongside local emergency management and law enforcement teams
to restore life back to normal," said Mike
Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina
state president. "These grants will help provide our fellow
first responders with the tools and training to handle whatever
Mother Nature throws our way."
Nonprofits and governmental agencies across the state are
eligible to apply and may request funds up to $20,000.
Grant applications may include, but are not limited to, projects
that focus on:
- Equipment necessary for severe weather rescues to preserve
human life
- Emergency communication tools for severe weather scenarios
- Specialized training for first responders for severe weather
scenarios
- Organized planning initiatives for communities to prepare for
extreme weather
- Community storm preparedness trainings, materials, kits or
shelters
- Improved outcomes for low-income communities experiencing
extreme weather
Since 2022, Duke Energy has provided 66 microgrants
totaling $1 million to nonprofits and
local agencies across the Palmetto State supporting training,
essential equipment and life-saving technology to aid in disaster
planning and response.
"In any type of major event, communication is a critical
component of the public safety response to that event," said
Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. "The purchase of radio equipment
last year, via the grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, will help
public safety agencies in Oconee
County accomplish those tasks more efficiently for the
safety of our citizens, which is our number one priority. The grant
allowed for the purchase of handheld radios that we will give to
the South Carolina Highway Patrol
as well as the Department of Natural Resources that will allow them
to directly communicate with our deputies."
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy
Foundation provides more than $30
million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs
of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The
foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities
serve 8.2 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition
to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural
gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity
generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets
of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for
Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by
2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the
company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy
storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy