Nominations For Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Now Open

The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced it is now accepting applications for the 2009 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards. Nominations are due March 9.

 

“These awards recognize businesses and organizations that believe a clean environment leads to a competitive and vibrant economy,” said Gov. Rendell. “Past awards recipients are working to make our communities stronger. The projects they’ve undertaken are reducing pollution, fostering a cleaner environment, using more emission-free energy sources, and preparing a whole new generation of Pennsylvanians to be better stewards of our resources.

“Now, we’re looking for additional companies and groups that are continuing this good work.”

 

The award is open to any Pennsylvania business, governmental agency, educational institution, nonprofit organization, individual or farm that has created, or participated in, the development of a project that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development in the state.

 

Eligible projects must have been completed between Aug.1, 2007, and July 31, 2008. The project categories for consideration include, but are not limited, to: Environmental technology innovation; Pollution prevention and resource efficiency; Community revitalization; Environmental education and outreach; Watershed stewardship; Mine safety; and Clean energy innovations and environmental market development Projects will be evaluated based on environmental protection, teamwork, public service, environmental education and outreach, pollution prevention, economic impact and innovative technology.

 

Recipients of the 2009 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence will be presented with a unique award during an evening reception. In addition, the winning projects will be showcased in numerous DEP publications and editorials and highlighted on the department’s website.

Environmental Results: The 295 winners of the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards from 1997 to 2003 have saved over $1.6 billion, eliminated 3.9 billion gallons of wastewater, 249 million tons of air pollution, 266 million tons of solid waste and saved 346 million kilowatt hours of electricity.

Past Winners: Past winners of the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards are available online: 2008 Winners, 2007 Winners, (no 2006), 2005 Winners, 2004 Winners, 2004 Winners, 2003 Winners, 2002 Winners, 2001 Winners, 2000 Winners, 1999 Winners, 1998 Winners 1997 Winners, and 1996 Winners.

You can also be inspired by the good work of the winners of the Governor’s Watershed Stewardship Awards for 2002 and 2001.

Information on how to make nominations will be available on the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards webpage.