Community, Environment and Conservation

PGE supports organizations that strengthen the communities where it does business. Contributions through Pennsylvania’s Educational Investment Tax Credit program help a number of schools and qualified educational organizations.

Pennsylvania General Energy’s business philosophy of responsibility and partnership carry over in a logical fashion to its commitment to the communities in which we work and the environment we treasure.

Community Contributions
PGE is dedicated to the improvement of the communities in the oil and gas regions of the Appalachian Basin, and makes regular contributions to charitable organizations such as the United Way, the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. The company is a strong supporter of education through Pennsylvania’s education investment tax credit program. PGE also supports local police, fire and emergency services units.

PGE took an important step in community investment when it purchased the former Market Street Elementary School in downtown Warren, and rehabilitated the building into the company’s headquarters. This valuable piece of downtown real estate now provides a property tax source for the city of Warren.

Environmental Stewardship
PGE is fully aware of its responsibility to conduct all exploration and production activities in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner. We devote considerable resources, time, effort and money to make certain this responsibility is met. Our employees are trained and experienced in the best management and operating practices, and our equipment is well maintained and routinely upgraded. PGE's documented compliance record is strong evidence that our commitment to protecting the environment while safely producing energy is a continuing success story.

PGE’s environmental stewardship is represented strongly in a program that has resulted in the proper closure of more than 3,100 old and abandoned wells over the past 20 years. Most of these wells were acquired when the company purchased Quaker State’s Pennsylvania assets in 1988, with PGE making and following through on a commitment to plug all of the old and non-producing wells according to state regulations.

Conservation
PGE has preserved valuable land through the donation of its oil, gas and mineral rights, resulting in the conservation of 14,350 acres of property under the control of organizations such as the Northern Allegheny Conservancy Association, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). These contributions will enable these organizations to protect these areas for current and future generations.

PGE is most proud of its role, along with PPL Corporation of Allentown, in the 2004 donation of the oil, gas and mineral rights to 13,600 acres within Potter County’s Hammersley Wild Area. The donation of the Pennsylvania DCNR made the Hammersley Wild Area a reality. Long considered the “crown jewel” of the state’s wilderness areas, the Hammersley’s 51-square miles – an area almost as large as the City of Pittsburgh – will be preserved as wilderness forever.