Exelon’s environmental policy states, among other things, that “Exelon is committed to continually improving its environmental performance” and that we will promote a corporate culture where full compliance with environmental regulations is the minimum level of acceptable performance. By operating beyond minimum requirements in selected environmental areas and using resources more efficiently, Exelon will:
- reduce our impact on the environment
- conserve natural resources for future generations
- realize reduced operating costs
- improve our relationships with stakeholders
- participate in the development of environmental public policy and regulations
- enhance the reputation of the company
- strengthen customer satisfaction
- offer our employees an environmentally responsible place to build their careers
Exelon Environmental Policy [PDF, 93.1 KB] We are committed to an environmental policy to continually improve our environmental performance and promote a culture where full compliance with environmental regulations is a minimum level of acceptable performance.
Environmental Strategy
Since 2004, Exelon has pursued an environmental strategy that builds on four fundamental elements: regulatory compliance, risk management, resource stewardship and leadership on key environmental issues.
- Regulatory Compliance Exelon’s environmental strategy begins with a commitment to be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations 100% of the time. Our regulators, our investors, our customers, our employees and the communities where we operate expect us to meet the requirements of the law and we expect no less of ourselves.
- Risk Management Exelon has legacy environmental issues that we must effectively manage, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)-contaminated oil management and the clean-up of manufactured gas plant sites. We identify and address these historic issues, while also taking action to prevent and minimize the risks that may arise from of our current operations.
- Resource Stewardship Through more efficient use of natural resources, we also lower the cost to produce and deliver our energy products. Our in-house energy efficiency and recycling programs are examples of our efforts on this strategy component.
- Leadership Our focus is on leading by example and contributing to the development of market-driven environmental and energy policy as it relates to clean air, climate change, renewable energy, energy management and natural resource management.
Environmental Performance Report [PDF, 2.6 MB]The purpose of this 2010 Exelon Corporation Environmental Performance Report is to provide our stakeholders with additional information regarding Exelon’s environmental metrics and performance in 2010 (and for significant events in the first quarter of 2011).
Environmental Management Program
The foundation for achieving our goal of going beyond compliance is the Exelon Environment Policy, a core set of principles that guide our decision-making. To execute this policy, we have established an environmental management program or system (EMS) that assigns roles and responsibilities at each level of our organization. The EMS is an integral part of the Exelon Management Model, the framework for the way we do business at Exelon.
Consistent Accountability
- As a function of governance, Exelon tracks a number of environmental performance metrics that are reviewed by senior management on a quarterly basis. We hold ourselves to a goal of 100% compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We strive to go beyond compliance to deliver superior value for our customers, employees, investors and the communities we serve.
Governance and Oversight
As part of this environmental function, oversight committees of the Board of Directors annually review the environmental performance of each business. While CEO John Rowe, our company’s chief environmental officer, is ultimately responsible for setting our annual environmental performance goals, operational accountability is assigned to the heads of the operating Business Units (Exelon Generation, ComEd and PECO). Chris Gould, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Exelon 2020, has responsibility for oversight of our environment policy, strategy and programs.
Certifications
Exelon’s EMS is based on the international standard ISO 14001:2004. This recognized international standard specifies requirements for an EMS to enable an organization to develop and implement a program for effective management of environmental performance. The ISO 14001:2004 certification represents an independent verification of the processes and procedures Exelon has established to ensure environmental compliance with a focus on continual improvement. NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., (NSF-ISR) awarded the certifications to Exelon. NSF-ISR is a global leader in environmental and quality management systems registrations.
The certifications ensure that the site employees are fully aware of the environmental impact of their operations and that they have a comprehensive understanding of the importance of compliance to all environmental regulations. It also shows that the personnel have been successfully trained in all aspects of their site’s Environmental Management System.
More than 90% of our operations have had their EMS programs independently certified, including:
- Each of the operating nuclear sites – Braidwood Generating Station, Byron Generating Station, Clinton Power Station, Dresden Generating Station, LaSalle County Generating Station, Limerick Generating Station, Quad Cities Generating Station, Oyster Creek Generating Station, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Three Mile Island (TMI) Generating Station;
- ComEd and PECO’s electric transmission and distribution businesses under two single umbrella certificates for their entire respective operations;
- PECO’s West Conshohocken Liquefied Natural Gas Plant;
- Exelon Power’s Handley Generating Station, Mountain Creek Generating Station, Conowingo Hydroelectric Station, Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility and an umbrella certification covering the Peaking Division; as well as
- Exelon Corporate Environment Function.
Audit Program
Exelon implements an Audit Program to evaluate compliance and to identify improvement opportunities in the areas of environment, health and safety. Exelon annually engages a certified external audit firm to provide an independent review of compliance with regulatory requirements in program areas, such as water, air, waste, industrial hygiene, safety, pollution prevention and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA).
As an additional means of compliance evaluation, Exelon regularly conducts self-assessments, inspections and additional performance monitoring on its own.