Environmental programs get Duke Energy grants

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Three projects in South Carolina are among 11 organizations receiving grants from Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund to support environmental and wildlife programs. The foundation awarded more than $800,000 in grants in South Carolina and North Carolina, according to a news release.

The projects in South Carolina are:

• Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group Basin Water Loss Management Program: $100,000 to implement best management practices for water loss control among 19 distribution systems;
• The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina Improving Water Quality at Blue Wall Preserve: $35,000 for abatement of water quality threats to Vaughn's Creek, Landrum 's primary drinking water source;
• Tyger Watershed and Quality of Life Fund No. 2019 — Tyger Blueways Coalition Project 5 and ADA Docks at Lake Cooley and Tygerberry Landing: $65,000 for two ADA accessible docks so all people can access the water and participate in environmental education and paddling programs.

"Water is a shared natural resource that connects us all," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's South Carolina president, in the release. "These grants are supporting projects that will benefit our communities now and for many years to come."

The Water Resources Fund is a $10-million multiyear commitment from Duke Energy to help local organizations continue to protect and improve the environment, including waterways used year-round across the Carolinas and neighboring states. To date, the fund has invested more than $9 million to support 113 projects to protect natural resources, including more than $1.5 million in the Dan River Basin, the release said.