Chesapeake Bay Foundation Receives Contributions of $100,000 from Washington Gas Energy Services and $50,000 from Sterling Planet to Fund Tree Planting in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique partnership to reduce regional pollution took root in Annapolis, MD today as 100 volunteers planted 1,000 native trees on a former farm on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The tree planting, as well as other regional efforts, is being funded by Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES) and Sterling Planet.

Together with about 1,300 trees planted two weeks ago, the trees planted today represent the equivalent of burning 77,503 fewer gallons of gasoline over the 30 year lifespan of a tree. The new trees will absorb carbon dioxide from the air and help clean polluted water through filtration, reducing nitrogen runoff from roadways and fertilized agricultural fields.

"This market-driven solution to restoring our environment is starting to bear fruit, thanks to Washington Gas Energy Services and Sterling Planet," said CBF President Will Baker. "We are creating sustainable environmental solutions with tangible results."

The trees were planted as a result of contributions totaling $150,000 made by WGES and Sterling Planet to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation managed Carbon Reduction Fund. The sale of the WGES CleanSteps (SM) Carbon Offsets natural gas product allows consumers to buy greener energy and support other carbon reduction efforts through a partnership between CBF, WGES, Sterling Planet, and J. B. Hunt Transport Services. 

"For nearly a decade we have been providing innovative energy options aimed at cleaning the environment in the mid-Atlantic region," said Harry Warren, President of WGES. "In the past eight months, customers have embraced our WGES CleanSteps (SM) Carbon Offset enhanced natural gas product which enables us to provide a steady stream of funding for projects like this."

"It is very exciting to be a member of this partnership that furthers the move to carbon neutrality for businesses and residents with a unique private/non-profit environmental solution," said Mel Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Planet. "We are proud to support this effort financially and otherwise."

To learn more about WGES CleanSteps (SM) Carbon Offsets, visit www.cleansteps.com/offsets or view a recording of the launch event at http://www.wges.com/announcement.  

About the Partners

Washington Gas Energy Services

Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES) is one of the largest and most experienced natural gas and electricity suppliers in the mid-Atlantic region with more than 335,000 customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  WGES is a subsidiary of WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: WGL) and is an affiliate of the natural gas utility, Washington Gas.  

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the only independent 501(c)(3) organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers.  Across the six-state Chesapeake Watershed, CBF sets the agenda, serves as a watchdog, and speaks out on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay to business, government, and the public.

Sterling Planet

Sterling Planet offers comprehensive carbon neutral solutions for businesses, universities and organizations of all types, bringing together supply and demand side solutions in a rapidly emerging environmental market.

SOURCE Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc.; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Sterling Planet