Constellation Launches $1M Environmental Initiative To Protect Natural Resources In Nuclear Plant

Constellation the nation’s largest producer of emissions-free energy and a leading supplier of energy products and services, announced today $1 million in grant funding through the Constellation Foundation to support 35 conservation projects as part of the company’s commitment to creating cleaner, healthier environments in the communities it serves.

The annual Constellation Leading Environmental Accelerators Network (CLEAN) Awards directly fund efforts to combat the climate crisis, protect ecosystems and advance sustainability across the company’s clean energy center communities in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

A total of 25 nonprofits received grants ranging from $5,000 to $125,000. The Foundation, in partnership with Constellation’s environmental and sustainability teams, selected the projects, examples of which include installing living shorelines, restoring native habitats, advancing environmental education, and supporting an aquatic recovery center for reptiles and amphibians.

“Running the nation’s largest fleet of zero-emissions clean energy centers comes with the responsibility of preserving natural resources, protecting wildlife and strengthening biodiversity in our communities,” said Bryan Hanson, executive vice president and chief generation officer, Constellation. “The CLEAN Awards uplift our nuclear plant communities by supporting local and regional environmental stewardship organizations that share our commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier future.”

Among the recipients of the CLEAN Awards is the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a grantmaking nonprofit that supports restoration and environmental education efforts that improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and Maryland’s other natural resources. The Chesapeake Bay Trust will bring its established grantmaking processes to this partnership, extending Constellation’s reach in Southern Maryland to further protect the environment.

With funding from Constellation, the Chesapeake Bay Trust will manage grants to four organizations including the American Chestnut Land Trust to execute an environmental campaign in Southern Maryland, which includes Constellation’s Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center. The initiative increases land conservation efforts in the region by providing member organizations with clear and effective outreach materials to communicate with landowners, community groups and others about the economic benefits of conserved land and Southern Maryland’s potential for ecotourism. Other projects supported through the CLEAN Awards include a community planting, a native wildflower meadow and youth-led conservation activities.

“The Chesapeake Bay Trust is honored to receive these Constellation CLEAN Environment Awards to support community-driven conservation projects in Calvert County,” said Jana Davis, Ph.D., president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “This funding from the Constellation Foundation will allow us to empower more local organizations to lead green projects for their own communities and to inspire lifelong stewards to ensure the sustainability of Calvert County.”

In a separate award, the American Chestnut Land Trust will also receive project funding to partner with the Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge. Preserving land to establish the refuge will pave the way for future opportunities to recover federally threatened and endangered species and habitats in Southern Maryland.

The Constellation Foundation has awarded $2.3 million in 2024 to support community organizations focused on workforce development, environmental stewardship and clean energy education.