Joint dedication highlights project that promotes habitats, creates
environmental awareness and supports economic development
GUARAQUECABA, Brazil, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today,
representatives from American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and General Motors
(GM) dedicated a new visitors' center for environmental education on the
Cachoeira River Natural Reserve, located in the state of Parana in Brazil.
The dedication highlights AEP's involvement in the Guaraquecaba Climate
Action Project, a multi-faceted effort to protect and restore 17,000 acres of
threatened and degraded rainforest in Southeastern Brazil. The Guaraquecaba
Climate Action Project is part of the Guaraquecaba Environmental Protection
Area, which is the largest remaining remnant of Atlantic rainforest in Brazil.
Since becoming involved in 1998, AEP has contributed $6.5 million for the
purchase of land, reforestation and the construction of the visitors' center
and other facilities. Other project partners are GM, The Nature Conservancy
and SPVS (Society for Wildlife Research and Environmental Education).
"AEP has a long history of involvement with reforestation and forest
protection projects, both in the United States and South America," said Dennis
Welch, AEP senior vice president -- environment and safety. "The rainforest is
a critical element in our global ecosystem. We are proud to partner with GM,
SPVS and The Nature Conservancy to help preserve this portion of the Brazilian
rainforest and at the same time provide economic and social development
opportunities for local communities."
The dedication of the visitors' center culminates a project that began
more than five years ago. The center serves the local community and visitors
to the region with educational resources and activities. It also supports
field operations to continue the restoration of the adjacent rainforest.
Various presentation and training rooms, exhibits, interactive modules and
kiosks that illustrate the program's contribution to environmental awareness
and action also are located within the center. In addition, a nature trail has
been developed for visitors to experience the reserve and the habitats it
serves to protect.
The Guaraquecaba Climate Action Project is designed to return cleared and
overharvested rainforest to its natural state while also providing sustainable
development, Welch said. Rainforests are an important part of the Earth's
carbon capture process but are under extreme pressure as local populations
expand and seek new harvestable land. AEP is helping to provide growth by
funding reforestation and maintenance of native tree species and other
sustainable agricultural projects.
American Electric Power owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating
capacity in the United States and is the nation's largest electricity
generator. AEP is also one of the largest electric utilities in the United
States, with more than 5 million customers linked to AEP's 11-state
electricity transmission and distribution grid. The company is based in
Columbus, Ohio.
SOURCE American Electric Power
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.aep.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/042050.html
CONTACT:
Media, Melissa McHenry, Manager, Corporate
Media Relations of American Electric Power, +1-614-716-1120
|
