ComEd announces progress on pollinator habitats

CHICAGO - ComEd Wednesday joined the University of Illinois Chicago in announcing it has reached a new milestone in pollinator habitat conservation, with nearly 4,000 acres of power line corridor land now deemed pollinator habitats.

ComEd has pledged to preserve 11,700 acres of utility owned land by 2025 for habitats that support the monarch butterfly, which is at risk of extinction. Wednesday's announcement comes in time for National Pollinator Week, which runs June 20-26, and is designed to raise awareness about the critical role pollinators play in preserving our ecosystems.

"At ComEd, we have an important role to play in growing green space and conserving wildlife habitats across the communities we are proud to serve," said ComEd CEO Gil C. Quiniones. "With nearly 4,000 acres of land serving as pollinator habitats and ambitious plans to expand on this in the years ahead, ComEd is helping deliver a more climate-friendly environment for local wildlife, while promoting quality of life for 9 million people who live in northern Illinois."

In the last 20 years, the population of monarch butterflies has declined significantly, putting the species at risk of extinction. A primary cause of this decline is the loss of habitat containing native flowering plants that butterflies need for food and breeding, including milkweed species.