- Funding will support 33 nonprofits and government
agencies
- Grants will pay for training, life-saving equipment and new
technology to aid in disaster planning and recovery operations
GREENVILLE, S.C., June 3, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- As hurricane season begins, emergency managers and
first responders turn their eyes to the tropics as they continue to
prepare their communities for the possibility of impacts from
severe weather.
Duke Energy is preparing as well and stands in support of these
communities across South Carolina
by announcing $500,000 in microgrants
through the Duke Energy Foundation. These funds will increase
community resiliency and local ability to help residents prepare
for and recover from the devastation brought by significant weather
events.
"Preparing communities to respond to severe weather impacts
begins in our neighborhoods and communities," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "Providing our
fellow first responders with the tools and training to handle
whatever Mother Nature throws our way is necessary in maintaining a
resilient and prosperous South
Carolina."
Duke Energy's Emergency Preparedness and Storm Resiliency Grant
Program was designed to help organizations with roles in emergency
preparedness increase their resiliency to these events through
advanced preparation, planning, equipment and training. Applicants
could request funds up to $20,000.
Grants were awarded to 33 nonprofits and governmental entities
across the state.
A complete list of recipients can be found here.
Quotes
- "Cherokee County Emergency
Management would like to thank the Duke Energy Foundation for
awarding Cherokee County this
year's grant. This grant will double our sheltering capabilities
adding 100 cots and the necessities along with 10 special-needs
cots, helping those in need when they need it the most. The grant
will also allow us to purchase a pet sheltering kit so we can start
to address those needs as well." – Douglas
Bowers, Director of Emergency Management, Cherokee County
- "Duke Energy is always a great partner for us at the City
of Sumter, and this grant is no exception. Being storm-ready
is crucial for us. It helps our employees prepare for potentially
hazardous weather so that we, as a city, can best serve and protect
our citizens and ideally prevent any damage before it gets to that
point. At the City of Sumter, we
like to Invest, Invite, and Serve. And thanks to Duke Energy, we
can invest in this equipment that will allow us to better serve the
people of Sumter in a safe and
timely manner." – David Merchant,
Mayor, City of Sumter
- "This new eye in sky will generate an overhead picture of a
scene and provide a more complete view for responding ground crews.
Adding this new information to an emergency incident should allow
us to implement new response strategies that will improve
operations along with saving lives and property plus promoting a
safer work environment for our personnel." – Jimmy Flynn, EMS Operations
Coordinator, Landrum Area Fire & Rescue District
- "We appreciate Duke Energy's assistance with providing funding
for equipment to help the City of Clemson communicate
information to our community, especially during power loss and
challenging circumstances." – Jorge
Campos, Chief of Police, City of
Clemson
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
Duke Energy
(NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered
in Charlotte, N.C.,
is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's
electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and
the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook,
and visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
Contact: Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy