Penn West Energy has become the latest company to join Alberta Ecotrust's growing list of Corporate Partners. Penn West has a corporate mandate to contribute to the environmental quality of life in Alberta, and the company's Community Investment Committee believes it has found in Alberta Ecotrust a great partner to help it pursue that mandate. Ecotrust's focus on funding community environmental projects, combined with the way it decides on which of those projects to fund - a process involving both corporate and environmental non-government organization (ENGO) representatives -- was key to Penn West's decision to become a Partner.

Nicole Collard, Penn West's Public Affairs Manager, reports that the company's decision was reinforced by the range of Alberta Ecotrust's projects and its mandate to not only fund projects, but help nonprofit groups become more effective in their work through a variety of capacity building activities. "We were impressed with the approach Alberta Ecotrust takes in determining how environmental initiatives can be supported," reports Collard. "Not only do they seek solutions that will have the greatest impacts, but they take a collaborative approach to include their partners in the decision-making. It will be interesting and educational for us to be involved in their grant processes, and we'll have an opportunity to be directly involved in improving impacted environmental areas and ecosystems. "

Penn West Energy is one of the largest conventional oil and natural gas producers in North America with operations across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Penn West operates a significant portfolio of opportunities with a dominant position in light oil in Canada. Penn West is well positioned to create long-term value for unitholders through a high-quality, long-life asset base, strong balance sheet and experienced management team. Practicing the highest standards of environmental stewardship is integral to Penn West Energy, and the company encourages participation, both individually and collectively, in community activities.

With Penn West's addition, Ecotrust's Corporate Partners presently number 16 corporations.

Please join us in welcoming Penn West to the Alberta Ecotrust community!