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Mudslide damage in Panajab, Guatemala caused by Hurricane Stan
Photo © Diane Fitzgerald
About this Partnership
Conserving a Way of Life in Guatemala
On July 13th 2006, the AEP Foundation announced a $2 million donation to The Nature Conservancy to fund reforestation and conservation of approximately 22,500 acres of forestland in Sierra Madre highlands of Guatemala. The donation is part of the AEP Foundation’s support of the Central America and Mexico Hurricane Relief Fund, a public-private partnership to encourage financial donations for reconstruction in Central America and Southern Mexico following the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season.
Tropical storm Stan affected 1,100 communities and caused $450m in damages in the Sierra Madre. The Conservancy’s long-term plans are focused on reforestation and land and water conservation that will help with hurricane resistance and form a critical component for the region’s economic development and way of life for its people.
Other Projects in This Partnership
Climate Action ProjectsIn 1996 AEP became one of the first corporations to work with the Conservancy on climate change issues. AEP has to date invested over $5 million to reforest and protect portions of the Atlantic rain forest of Brazil in the Guaraquecaba Environmental Protection Area. In 1997 AEP and The Nature Conservancy teamed with local conservation organizations to establish the Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project to protect nearly four million acres of threatened tropical forests in the Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia for at least 30 years.
Bolivia
In an innovative program designed to sequester seven million tons of carbon over 30 years, AEP joined with The Nature Conservancy, BP, PacificCorp, the Bolivian Friends of Nature Foundation and the Bolivian government to establish the Noel Kempff Mercado Climate Action Project. The primary purpose of the project is to sequester (capture) carbon dioxide and store carbon that would have been released as a result of logging activities in the area. At the same time, the project preserves one of the richest and most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world and fosters sustainable development in local communities. It is the largest project of its kind in the world and serves as a showcase for an innovative and cost-effective approach to abating greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are increasing rapidly and accumulating in the atmosphere and may trigger adverse global climatic changes.
Brazil
In the Atlantic rain forest of southeastern Brazil, AEP, the Nature Conservancy and the Society for Wildlife Research and Environmental Education, a Brazilian conservation organization, are working to promote assisted natural forest regeneration on pastures and degraded forest on acquired lands. The Guaraquecaba Climate Action Project will also protect standing forest that still exists within the project area but was under threat of deforestation. The project is expected to sequester or avoid emissions equivalent to about one million tons of carbon over the next 40 years.
About American Electric Power
American Electric Power (AEP), based in Columbus, Ohio is a top North American energy trader and one of the largest power distributors in the US. Its electric utilities serve nearly five million customers in 11 states and have 42,000 megawatts of primarily coal-fired generating capacity. AEP markets and trades electricity, natural gas, and other commodities in North America and Europe and has independent power plant interests (4,000 MW) in Latin America, Europe, and the Asia/Pacific region. AEP also operates 6,200 miles of natural gas pipeline in Louisiana and Texas, gas storage facilities, and a fleet of 1,800 barges. Other operations include communication infrastructure services, coal mining, and energy construction and consulting services.
Photo Credit: Mudslide damage to a Hospital in Panajab, Guatemala © Diane Fitzgerald; Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia © Hermes Justiniano
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