PJM cannot endorse any one particular form of energy. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the environment in which we live and about doing our part to help, even in small ways.

Signs of our commitment to the environment are visible throughout our campus. From the recycling bins throughout our offices to solar-powered street crossing lights, our environmental commitment is woven into how we do our work.

Recycling
PJM uses a single-stream process that means materials such as paper, plastic and aluminum are taken from PJM to a materials recovery facility where they are sorted and baled into separate commodities. The baled materials are then shipped to buyers who convert them into a new product. PJM also recycles batteries, projector bulbs and light bulbs. Employees, too, have the opportunities to recycle used batteries through PJM.

PJM’s onsite cafeteria uses recyclable serving bowls and utensils, as well as biodegradable supplies including bowls made from recycled paper, soup cups made of compostable fiber and utensils made with plant starch material.

PJM also practices environmentally-conscious printing through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). PJM documents printed on FSC-certified paper come from paper mills that acquire wood from forests that are replanted and harvested in such a way not to devastate the forests.

Energy Conservation
PJM and our employees conserve energy in many ways. PJM uses lights that automatically turn off when rooms aren’t occupied, installs LED lighting where possible, reduces the wattage of lighting and uses more energy-efficient laptop PCs. PJM also follows Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines for our facilities in support of sustainable green buildings.

On our campus PJM has an advanced technology demonstration of how thermal storage — a source that is environmentally friendly and can lower energy costs — can participate in PJM’s energy and regulation markets. A 105-gallon electric water heater that provides hot water to one of our buildings can respond to either a regulation or price signal from PJM.

PJM also uses solar-powered pedestrian crossing lights at our Valley Forge campus. The solar panels on the traffic lights charge batteries that power the flashing LED lights so that the lights also function after dark.

Helping the Environment
Our employees participate in team-building volunteer activities that help the environment locally. A team of employees worked to restore hiking and biking trails along the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. They built mounds to help guide water runoff away from the trails to prevent them from being damaged or washed away.