Gov. Rendell ordered state flags at half mast to remember the tsunami victims.

The Senate and House kicked off their 2005-06 legislative session this week with formal swearing in ceremonies and receptions for family, friends and supporters.

House Majority Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) repeated the commitment of House Republicans to continue funding for the original Growing Greener program and to make sure the Green Ribbon Commission fulfills its mission of “assessing the state’s environmental programs and examining funding options.”

A new environmental initiative – an Environmental Program Accountability Act—is also to be introduced to strengthen the state’s recycling program and encourage further pollution control efforts, according to Smith.

House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) and Minority Whip Mike Veon (D-Beaver) put out their priorities for the session in the form of New Year’s resolutions and included environmental funding at the top of their list--

“We resolve to continue our efforts to get the common-sense environmental and economic development standards of Growing Greener II signed into law. It is vital that we repair the damage done in the past and guarantee clean water and breathable air now and for future generations.”

Contents – On the Hill

· Growing Greener Bond Won’t Lead to Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund Solution

· Senate Environmental Committee Takes Shape for New Session

· Freshmen Legislators Take Seats for First Time in Harrisburg and Congress

Other News

· 2005 State Farm Show Features RiverWalk, Quecreek Rescue

· EPA, States, DC Announce Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Agreement

· Study Confirms Need For Watershed Approach to Water Quality In Southwest

· PennVEST Publishes Funding Priority List for Wastewater Projects

· Scholarships Available for Watershed Protection Institute

· Chesapeake Bay Journal Unveils Updated Website

· DEP Unveils New Update Website This Week

· Wanted: Senior Volunteers Interested in Water Quality

· Green Building Tour Set for January 28 in Pittsburgh

· Solar Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

· Environmental Education Council Meets on Feb. 1-2

· DCNR Seeks Comment on White Clay Creek Preserve Plan

· Fish & Boat Commission Sets Clinics for Ice Fishing

· Most State Parks Open for Winter Goose Hunting

· DEP Urges Radon Testing

· Quick Clips: Bats & Windmills, Kids at Camp, White Clay Creek, Counting Birds, Litter, New Coal Plants & Kyoto, Diesels, Green Energy

· January EQB Meeting Features Mercury Emissions Petition, Explosives Rules

Taking Positive Actions

· Westmoreland Honors Farm and Forest Conservation Families of the Year

· Shaver’s Creek Programs Receive National Recognition

· Nominations for Nonprofit Innovation Awards from Central Penn Business Journal

· PA Environmental Professionals Accepting Nominations for Karl Mason Award

1/7/2005