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PPL Electric Utilities has awarded grants to three companies that have chosen to “go green” in the construction of new commercial and industrial facilities in the Lehigh Valley.

Liberty Property Trust, headquartered just outside of Philadelphia, and Spillman Farmer Architects and Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, both headquartered in Bethlehem, each have received grants.

PPL Regional Community Relations Director Kathy Frazier, right, presents checks to Lehigh Valley Industrial Park and Spillman Farmer Achitects in Bethlehem, Pa. From left, Kerry Wrobel, President, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park Inc.; Frederick Allerton, Director, Spillman Farmer Architects; Christa Duelberg-Kraftician, AIA, LEED, AP, Spillman Farmer Architects. >> Click here for high-resolution version. Then right click on image to save. Image in Internet browser may appear lower resolution until downloaded.

The grants help offset the cost of seeking certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

“These companies have demonstrated their commitment to helping to protect the environment,” said Don Bernhard, manager of Community and Economic Development for PPL.

“The buildings they occupy will save energy, conserve natural resources and offer a comfortable work environment for employees,” he said.

LEED-certified buildings typically use 25 to 30 percent less energy than their standard counterparts and incorporate environmentally friendly features. Energy savings can be higher for buildings with LEED’s Gold and Platinum ratings.

PPL Electric Utilities offers companies up to $5,000 to help defer the costs of seeking LEED certification. In addition, the company is offering a $5,000 bonus to buildings that achieve the program’s “Gold” rating or above.

Liberty Property Trust received a $5,000 grant for its construction of a 920,400-square-foot distribution warehouse in Breinigsville. One-fifth of the warehouse site will remain as open space and be planted with a wildflower mix. The building’s environmentally friendly features include white roofing materials to help reduce cooling costs, water-saving fixtures, a solar water heating system and recycled materials.

Lehigh Valley Industrial Park has received two grants totaling $1,950 for its construction of a 42,000-square-foot office building on property once owned by Bethlehem Steel along Spillman Drive in Bethlehem. The building’s environmentally friendly features include high-performance windows and walls, and a high-performance roof — all designed to save energy and improve comfort.

PPL Regional Community Relations Director Kathryn Frazier, left, presents a check to Bill Bumberer, Project Manager, Liberty Property Trust, and Amy R. Krause, Development-Administrative Assistant, Liberty Property Trust. >> Click here for high-resolution version. Then right click on image to save. Image in Internet browser may appear lower resolution until downloaded.

Spillman Architects, which designed the new Lehigh Valley Industrial Park office building, received a $450 grant for its efforts to design an interior space that it will occupy and that will save energy and money.

Both Lehigh Valley Industrial Park and Spillman Architects may receive additional grant money as they continue through the certification process.

Companies can still apply to PPL Electric Utilities for a grant to offset the cost of seeking LEED certification. The grants provide reimbursement for registration fees and for design, construction and initial certification review fees. Grant money is awarded in stages as companies work their way through the certification process.

For detailed information and an application, click here.

The LEED initiative is part of PPL Electric Utilities’ broader e-power program to promote energy efficiency and give customers tools and information that can help them reduce their electric bills.

PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation that provides electricity delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania, has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.