PJM donates $25K to Ida relief efforts

PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, is donating $25,000to the American Red Cross.

LOWER PROVIDENCE » PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, is donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Ida relief efforts. PJM will also match its employees’ donations to help with relief programs.

“Our thoughts are with those impacted by this devastating hurricane,” Manu Asthana, PJM president and CEO, said in a statement. “Ida and the tornadoes and flooding spawned in its aftermath were felt throughout the eastern U.S., by the customers served by our member companies and beyond. PJM and its employees hope our contribution can help people in the hurricane’s path recover from this event.”

Over the past few weeks, the Red Cross has deployed more than 1,900 disaster workers. The Red Cross and other organizations reported providing more than 21,800 overnight stays in emergency shelters and serving more than 226,000 meals and snacks, according to a press release. The Red Cross also has distributed more than 92,800 relief items for people forced from their homes and provided more than 6,100 individual care contacts.

PJM employees contribute time and donations to a variety of programs in the community. During 2020, for example, PJM employees donated $54,039 in funds matched by PJM to COVID-19 relief.

PJM’s 2020 Impact Report (PDF) highlights PJM’s social responsibility efforts through an environmental, social and governance lens.

PJM, with its headquarters in Lower Providence, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system across 13 states — including Pennsylvania. The PJM interconnection is made up of transmission owning utilities that operate on a regional basis. Among the members are PECO, MetEd, PPL Corp., PSE&G and Delmarva Power. PJM serves 65 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region’s transmission grid, which includes more than 85,103 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion.

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, is donating $25,000to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Ida relief efforts, and will match its employees’ donations to help with relief programs. This file photo shows the Lower Providence headquarters of PJM Interconnection, which operates the electric grid that serves 13states and the District of Columbia.