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12 Winners of 2007 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence Announced

Gov. Rendell this week announced 12 winners of the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.

In a related announcement, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council announced that the Dominion Foundation, Constellation Energy, InterPower/AHL Con and PPL will serve as sponsors for a dinner in Harrisburg on April 17 to honor the recipients of the 2007 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

The dinner event will take place at the Banquet Hall at the Farm Show Building on Cameron Street in Harrisburg. Tickets for the event are $100 ($60 for retiree/student/non-profit). Sponsorships are also available for the event. For more information call 800-322-9214. (See separate story)

The Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence honor Pennsylvania businesses and organizations that put in place projects that tackle environmental problems and help build new businesses, enhance the bottom line and engage residents in a renewed commitment to investing in their communities.

"Pennsylvania is working with businesses and residents to advance innovative measures that encourage new investment in the commonwealth, enhance our energy independence and ensure the highest standards of environmental protection and public health," Gov. Rendell said.

"From innovations in clean energy to community revitalization, each of this year's winners is making invaluable contributions to improve the health of Pennsylvania's natural resources,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty. "The connection between protecting our natural resources and creating a better quality of life in Pennsylvania is evident in each one of the projects honored by this award."

Winners of the 2007 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence include:

US Steel Mon Valley Works: US Steel reduced greenhouse gases and improved air quality with a reduction of nearly 13,000-tons-per-year of carbon dioxide, 13.7-tons-per-year of nitrogen oxide and 1.2-tons-per-year of sulfur dioxide emissions. Total steam reduction achieved plant-wide was 18,000-pounds-per-hour, which is saving the company $1.5 million each year.

Borough of Media, Delaware County: Solar Energy for Media installed 5kW on each of four buildings in the borough: Media Elementary School, Media Upper Providence Library, Media Theatre and the Media Fire House. This brings the total amount of kilowatts produced in the borough to 25 and eliminates 32,892 pounds of carbon dioxide, 84 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 176 pounds of sulfur oxide.

CARDONE Industries Inc., Philadelphia: In June 2006, CARDONE installed RigMaster Auxiliary Power Units on 23 of its long-haul tractors. An annual net savings of 12,000 idling hours, which the company expects to meet or exceed, means a savings of 9,600 gallons ($28,128 @ 2.93/gal) of fuel with a nitrogen-oxides-emission reduction of 3,703 pounds and a carbon dioxide reduction of 216,931 pounds per year.

Earth Conservancy, Luzerne County: The reclamation of the Cleveland Landfill plays a critical role in the environmental restoration of the Warrior Creek Watershed and the economic revitalization of the Wyoming Valley. By properly closing the landfill, Earth Conservancy turned a brownfield site into a usable economic asset for the Lower Wyoming Valley.

Earth Force, multiple counties: Earth Force engaged 4,000 young Pennsylvanians in environmental problem-solving, generated 84 youth-driven environmental action projects and prepared 350 Pennsylvania teachers to raise environmental literacy in 70 schools and after school sites across the commonwealth from Philadelphia to Erie. Delaware Valley Earth Force and Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force.

Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation, Erie: The Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation remediated the former Cohen/A-1 Auto Property site creating nine industrial lots ranging from 1.5 acres to 4 acres. Through brownfield redevelopment, the Joyce A. Savocchio Business Park will bring more jobs and annual tax benefits to the local community.

Green Woods Charter School, Philadelphia: At Green Woods Charter School, the 4th grade students are immersed in a yearlong study focusing on the local watershed. Throughout the year, concepts outlined in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards relating to history, social studies, language arts, science and sustainable projects are incorporated into this study.

Huntingdon Farm, Huntingdon County: Huntingdon Farm has a strong foundation in conservation planning and sets the example for farms interested in demonstrating sustainable energy practices. The 300-acre farm is home to a sustainable cabin constructed with certified sustainable wood and powered by a 10kW wind turbine, and uses rotational grazing strategies, fencing and solar operated drinking troughs for the livestock.

Nalco Company, Beaver County: The Nalco Company brought together a cross functional team to implement a waste minimization and water reduction project that would realize both environmental and financial benefits to the company. Through this project, Nalco reduced plant waste volumes by 692,000 gallons-per-year, improved material recycling by 1.32-million-pounds-per-year and will reduce city water usage by more than 10 million gallons annually.

Resilite Sports Products Inc., Northumberland County: Resilite implemented an energy efficiency project that has already reduced the company's fuel oil consumption by approximately 20,100 gallons and has saved the company $39,960 per year. Resilite's success demonstrates there are cost-effective ways to make capital improvements that reduce energy consumption and harmful air emissions.

Schuylkill Conservation District, Schuylkill County: The Schuylkill Conservation District worked with a contractor on the Audenreid Mine Tunnel Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Project, the largest passive AMD treatment system of its kind ever undertaken and successfully completed in Pennsylvania. Now, native brook trout are being caught along Catawissa Creek in places that have historically never before shown signs of aquatic life.

Southwest Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Task Force, Allegheny County: Through the task force's efforts, 19 household hazardous waste events have been successfully organized and completed in eight western Pennsylvania counties. In addition, a consumer education program encourages participation in collection events, as well as recognizing HHW, purchase less toxic or non-toxic alternatives, purchasing only what is needed and using those products safely. The Southwest Pennsylvania HHW Task Force is overseeing a sustainable effort that brings collection events and educational opportunities to both urban and rural communities in the western Pennsylvania region.

For information about this year’s winners and previous winners is available on the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence webpage.

You can view past winners of the Governor’s Award Online.

NewsClip: Earth Conservancy Receives Award for Landfill Work

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to voting session April 16. The House will be in session 3 of the 4 weeks prior to the May 15 Primary, but the Senate will be in all four weeks before taking a break for the election.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

· Feature - Capital Area Senior Environment Corps Members Show How It’s Done

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/ Bills Introduced

· House Environmental Committee Meets on Brownfields, Mineral Resources Bills

· Senate Committee Meets on Energy Assistance, Rulemaking Petitions, More

· House Committee Hears Outline of Water/Wastewater System Issues

· April 16 Environmental Issues Forum: Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

Other News

· Lehigh River Named Pennsylvania's River of the Year

· Draft Lehigh River Fisheries Management Plan Open for Comment

· Crawford County High Schools Compete in Riparian Buffer Projects