"BGE is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability for employees, our customers and the communities we serve," said Stephen J. Woerner, president and chief operating officer for BGE. "Since inception, BGE has provided more than $670,000 to 80 emergency response and public safety organizations through the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant Program. In its third year, we are pleased to continue our commitment to the safety and emergency response organizations throughout central Maryland, and we encourage all such organizations to apply. Our employees work side-by-side with many of these organizations both during our day-to-day business operations, and also during times of emergency or crisis. Our support mirrors our gratitude to these organizations, whether they are nonprofit organizations or organizations at the state and local level, who day in and day out are poised to respond in our times of need."

Through the BGE Emergency Response and Safety Grant Program, both new and existing programs that fall within the defined grant description guidelines, and that clearly demonstrate improvement in response efforts to the urgent and immediate needs of the community, will be considered for this year’s grants. Some examples of qualifying organizations include, but are not limited to, first responders, such as police, emergency medical services and firefighters, including volunteer fire departments, and emergency relief and recovery organizations. BGE will notify grant recipients in December 2014.

"BGE has a strong appreciation for the critically important role volunteer emergency response and safety organizations play throughout the state of Maryland and BGE’s service area, in particular," continued Woerner. "Through this grant program, BGE has a unique opportunity to strengthen our collective ties with our volunteer emergency responder colleagues. Teamed with career emergency responders, these organizations and their highly trained and dedicated personnel are second to none in ensuring the safety of Marylanders."

Since its founding nearly 200 years ago, BGE has played an integral role in working with Maryland communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues and other initiatives that help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of education, environment, community development and arts and culture.

BGE’s corporate citizenship aligns with that of its parent company, Exelon Corporation. As part of Exelon’s merger in March 2012, Exelon and its subsidiaries have committed to maintain charitable giving of an average of $7 million per year in Maryland, including BGE’s service area, for the next 10 years with a focus on the areas of education, arts and culture, the environment and community development.. BGE’s commitment to the Emergency Response and Safety Grants program fulfills part of that commitment.