Teachers Encouraged to Apply for PSEG Environmental Education Grants

NEWARK, N.J., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey teachers are encouraged to apply for funding through PSEG's Environmental Education Grant Program, which provides funding to educators who can link their students' understanding of math, science, computer science, and technology with an enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment. This year, PSEG will award $35,000 in grants.

"Environmental education is fundamental to helping New Jersey's youth become responsible world citizens, and offers creative ways for both students and teachers to tie their appreciation of nature to academics," said Vaughn McKoy, PSEG director of corporate responsibility and sustainability, and president of the PSEG Foundation.

"Now in its 20th year, this program is a prime example of PSEG's commitment to supporting the efforts of our grantees and improving the communities in which our employees live and work. This successful partnership continues to provide kids and the general public with a better understanding of the environment and environmental issues."

Teachers of grades K-9 are encouraged to apply. Grants of up to $3,500 per project are available this year and can be used to purchase equipment, materials and field trips that would not normally be provided by the school or school district. Specific budget criteria are provided on the grant application. Applications that focus on ideas for the development of one or more classroom units, expansion or refinement of an existing course or curriculum, and extension of classroom work to community or after-school activities will be considered. Projects must be conducted over at least two years. Grantees will be announced by the end of October.

Teachers from schools in PSE&G's utility service area and PSEG's Estuary Enhancement Program area may apply, as well as schools located in New Jersey and Delaware within PSEG's Emergency Planning Zone. Public, private, parochial, and charter schools are also eligible .Applications, which are available online, must be postmarked by Friday, June 24th. For more information on the towns, and to download an application, visit www.pseg.com/eegrants.

The PSEG Environmental Education Grant Program began in 1991 as a partnership with the New Jersey Business/Industry/Science Education Consortium (NJ BISEC) and designed in cooperation with the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE). The goal is to provide financial resources to help inspire teachers to implement an interdisciplinary approach to teaching about the environment and to foster new ideas. Since its inception, PSEG has awarded more than $360,000 to fund 152 projects in over 100 school districts.

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSEG has a long tradition of caring for New Jersey's people and communities. Each year, the company and its employees invest millions of dollars and thousands of hours to improve the quality of life in New Jersey. The company's culture dictates that service to customers and community go hand-in-hand.

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SOURCE Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)