GPEN - Greater Philly Environmental Network, Philadelphia Pennsylvania

BIKE STORE RENT ROLLS WITH PRICE OF CRUDE
	Organization: Philly Electric Wheels Date Posted: 07/07/10
	Contact: 215.821.9266 WEBSITE EMAIL Starting this September, the rent for Philly Electric Wheels, the only store in Philadelphia dedicated to electric bicycles, will be pegged to the price of light crude oil. More. (Send to a Friend)
GOOD NEWS FROM DC
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL To our great relief (and with the vote of both Pennsylvania senators, Arlen Specter and Bob Casey), common sense prevailed and the U.S. Senate defeated an attempt by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) to strip the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its authority to regulate global warming pollution. Had this effort succeeded, it would have struck a mortal wound to the plans to pass climate change legislation. The vote was 53-47 against Murkowski. But we're not out of the woods just yet. We're hearing troubling murmurings from the Casey folks that they may introduce legislation that would temporarily hamstring EPA. Originally Published: 06/11/10 (Send to a Friend)
CLEAN WATER DELAYED IS CLEAN WATER DENIED
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL On June 17 the Independent Regulatory Review Commission will vote on two important water protection rules that will protect drinking water and the state's rivers and streams. One rule sets a limit on total dissolved solid (TDS) pollution and requires Marcellus Shale drillers to treat wastewater that they discharge to rivers and streams to drinking water standards. The second rule requires new developments to create or protect a 150 foot natural filter planted with trees and other plants along our best waterways. But there's mischief being made behind the scenes in both the Senate and the House. In spite of the vociferous opposition of Senators Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) and Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to add two weeks of review to the process, thereby setting the stage for the committee to consider a motion to disapprove the rules in late June. The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee could vote next week on whether to similarly delay the approval of the clean water rules. Originally Published: 06/11/10 (Send to a Friend)
ONE (NOT SO) SMALL STEP FOR CLEAN ENERGY, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR GREEN JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week approved House Bill 2405, the Clean Energy and Green Jobs Bill sponsored by Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-York). The vote was 17-9, with Republicans Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) and Chris Ross (R-Chester) joining all but one of the Democrats on the committee in support of the bill. Originally Published: 06/11/10 (Send to a Friend)
EXPANDING CLEAN DIESEL FROM THE ROAD TO THE HOME
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Last year Valero shut down its Delaware City, Delaware, oil refinery and with it laid off 550 workers. This week PBF Energy reopened and expanded the plant with a twist. The facility will now produce biodiesel and low sulfur home heating oil and hire 700 workers. Low sulfur diesel is cleaner burning and produces less pollution than traditional diesel. This revitalization of an abandoned refinery and creation of new jobs could be repeated at other places in Pennsylvania if Senator Ted Erickson's (R-Delaware) Senate Bill 1282 were enacted into law. The bill requires every gallon of home heating oil sold in Pennsylvania to contain a portion of biodiesel and requires that oil heat sold in the state have low sulfur content, and Representative Bud George (D-Clearfield) plans to introduce similar legislation in the near future. Originally Published: 06/04/10 (Send to a Friend)
KEEP ON THE SUNNY SIDE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger celebrated a clean energy milestone by presenting the 1,000th PA Sunshine Program rebate check to a Montgomery County homeowner. The program has paid rebates of more than $72 million to fund more than 2,300 solar electric and hot water projects, adding about 10 megawatts of installed solar capacity and leveraging more than $252 million in private investment. Originally Published: 06/04/10 (Send to a Friend)
PHILADELPHIA, THE GREEN CITY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Greenworks Philadelphia is getting an impressive present for its first birthday! After only a year of work on the city's sustainability plan, Philadelphia was named winner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center's Siemens Sustainable Community Award in the large-community category. Many of the Next Great City coalition's recommendations were incorporated into the Greenworks Philadelphia, and Next Great City has been actively working to see the shared goals of the coalition and the Mayor's Office of Sustainability realized. Since Greenworks' launch in April 2009, tremendous progress has been made on a number of these fronts, from the passage of new green building requirements for city controlled and funded buildings, to the implementation of a recycling incentive program. PennFuture and the Next Great City coalition look forward to continuing to serve as key partners in the effort to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the nation. Originally Published: 05/28/10 (Send to a Friend)
PRESERVING HISTORY, CREATING JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week the Pennsylvania Works! coalition unveiled a pair of studies demonstrating the economic benefits of preserving historic buildings in Pennsylvania's two largest metropolitan areas. The southwestern Pennsylvania study was conducted in conjunction with the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, while the southeastern Pennsylvania study was conducted with the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. The studies make it clear why the Senate should pass House Bill 42, which would create incentives for restoring historic residential and commercial properties. Originally Published: 05/28/10 (Send to a Friend)
HOUSE HEROES PASS SAVE THE FOREST BIL
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 05/14/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The Pennsylvania House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HB 2235 which puts a three-year freeze on new leases of state forest land for gas drilling. The bill also requires in depth environmental and socio-economic studies to determine how drilling impacts natural resources, communities and the economy. The bipartisan vote was 157-33. Among the House heroes of this victory are Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), the primary sponsor of the bill, David Levdansky (D-Allegheny, Washington) who worked with Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) to craft a compromise that clinched the bi-partisan support, and Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) and Chris Ross (R-Chester) who persuaded their colleagues to vote "yes." Originally Published: 05/07/10 (Send to a Friend)
BIG BOOST FOR GREENING PHILLY REGION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 05/14/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Homes and businesses in Philadelphia and in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties will get money to stop wasting energy thanks to a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The grant program will allow homes and businesses across the region to compete for the grants which will be awarded to improvement projects that save the most energy and create the most jobs. The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, The Reinvestment Fund, the Energy Coordinating Agency, the AFC First Financial and the Keystone HELP Program, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania are partnering to administer the grant program. Originally Published: 04/30/10 (Send to a Friend)
A BOOST FOR RECYCLING E-WASTE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/21/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Yesterday the Basel Action Network (http://www.ban.org/) launched the world's first electronic waste recycling certification. The program has the backing of both environmental organizations and major corporations. It calls for recyclers to eliminate the export of hazardous e-waste and to halt dumping of e-waste in landfills. In Pennsylvania, House Bill 708 sponsored by Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) would help accomplish these same goals and create green jobs. The bill requires manufacturers who sell electronic equipment and televisions in Pennsylvania to create a program for the collection and recycling of the associated e-waste. HB 708 is now in the Appropriations Committee. PennFuture is urging the House leadership to schedule a vote by the full House on the measure. Originally Published: 04/16/10 (Send to a Friend)
BROWNFIELDS 2011 CALL FOR IDEAS NOW OPEN!
	Organization: Brownfields 2011 - Philadelphia, PA Date Posted: 04/19/10
	WEBSITE EMAIL The Brownfields 2011 Call for Ideas is now open. In response to evaluations from the 2009 conference participants, the Brownfields 2011 Planning Committee wants to encourage more interactive educational sessions in Philadelphia. We hope to have at least 60 percent of our educational sessions use either the marketplace/roundtable discussion or public dialogue/debate format. (Send to a Friend)
MIKE DUPUY AND HIS LIVE BIRDS OF PREY
	Organization: Mike Dupuy Falconry Date Posted: 04/15/10
	Contact: 215-518-5029 WEBSITE EMAIL Mike Dupuy and his Birds of Prey still have many available dates available for booking in 2010. With over twenty years of national and international experience, Mike is a gifted and seasoned speaker who is comfortable with groups of ten or hundreds. Mike is wonderful with all audiences and takes the time to engage and answer questions. Please visit the website for additional information and consider Mike Dupuy Falconry when you need a live bird of prey presentation. (Send to a Friend)
ON BOARD WITH JOB TRAINING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/31/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week the House passed House Bill 2230 that makes the Industry Partnerships Program a permanent feature of the Pennsylvania workforce landscape. Pennsylvania's clean energy sector has been a significant job creation engine and has tremendous potential for growth. The Industry Partnerships Program helps address workforce needs through programs such as the Three Rivers Clean Energy Partnership in Pittsburgh and the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The bill, sponsored by Representative Marc Gergely (D-Allegheny) now heads to the Senate. It is supported by the Pennsylvania Works! coalition. Originally Published: 03/26/10 (Send to a Friend)
REPORT SHOWS NEED TO RENEW GROWING GREENER, PASS IMPACT FEE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/31/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL A report by the Pennsylvania Legislative and Budget Committee demonstrates the tremendous value of Growing Greener II to Pennsylvania's environment and economy. It also underscores the urgent need to renew Growing Greener since funding is almost gone, and to pass an impact fee on natural gas drilling with a portion going to support the program. Representative Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) sponsored the resolution directing the committee to conduct the study. Originally Published: 03/26/10 (Send to a Friend)
HOUSE COMMITTEE CALLS FOR A TIMEOUT ON STATE FOREST DRILLING...
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/31/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL On Wednesday the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chaired by Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield) approved legislation that places a five-year freeze on further leasing of state forest land for natural gas drilling. House Bill 2235, sponsored by Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), also requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to conduct comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the effects of drilling in forests. The committee approved the measure by a 16-9 vote. Republicans Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) and Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) joined all but one of the committee Democrats in support of HB 2235. Representative Everett's district includes significant drilling activity in Tiadaghton State Forest. Last week's spill in the Pine Creek Gorge took place in the Tiadaghton. Originally Published: 03/26/10 (Send to a Friend)
HOUSE PASSES GREEN SCHOOLS BILL
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/24/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The House approved legislation this week making it easier to construct green schools in Pennsylvania. House Bill 689, sponsored by Representative Paul Drucker (D-Chester), allows school districts to exclude the extra investments associated with building a school to green standards when determining whether a public referendum is required to approve school construction or reconstruction. Compared to conventional schools, green schools generally have slightly higher upfront construction costs, but are cheaper to run over the life of the buildings through lower energy, water, and maintenance costs. Senator Daylin Leach has introduced similar legislation that is co-sponsored by Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chair Mary Jo White (R-Venango). Originally Published: 03/19/10 (Send to a Friend)
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/24/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week, Senate Finance Committee Majority Chair Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) and House Finance Committee Majority Chair Dave Levdansky held a press conference to unveil new legislation that will ensure that state tax dollars that go to businesses and communities for economic development will, actually, develop the economy. The bill calls for monitoring and reports by the state, coordination of public investments, and transparency to the citizens. A new report by the Keystone Research Center was released at the press conference; it recommends that Pennsylvania should do more to help homegrown businesses. The legislation is a priority for the Pennsylvania Works! coalition which believes that economic development programs should go to communities most in need of revitalization, and should not encourage development of greenfields and suburban sprawl. Originally Published: 03/19/10 (Send to a Friend)
THE FATE OF PENN'S WOODS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/24/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Representatives Dave Levdansky (D-Allegheny) and Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) continue to lead the effort to save Pennsylvania's treasured state forest system from widespread and devastating gas drilling. Gas drillers already have access to nearly half of the 1.5 million acres over the Marcellus Shale formation, and many public officials and interests see the forest as a cash cow for the state budget. Former Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis laid out the grave concerns with additional leasing in a March 2009 memo that was recently published in the Philadelphia City Paper. DiBerardinis wrote the memo before the state forest lease sale took place earlier this year, and before the push this year for even more new leases. State officials are continuing to investigate and clean up a spill from natural gas drilling operations in the Pine Creek gorge in Lycoming County. The spill took place at a Pennsylvania General Energy well located in Tiadaghton State Forest. The green dogs, led by Representatives Levdansky and Vitali, have made it clear they will not vote for a budget that depends on leasing forest land for drilling. Originally Published: 03/19/10 (Send to a Friend)
ACT 129 SAVING ENERGY AND CREATING JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The Energy Savings Bill, Act 129 of 2008, requires Pennsylvania utilities to reduce both overall and peak demand for electricity in their service territories. The new law is already creating jobs and saving consumers money. This week the Lansdale Reporter highlighted the opening of the state's first appliance recycling center by JACO Environmental, Inc., in Hatfield Township, Montgomery County. The facility is supported by PPL Electric Utilities, PECO and First Energy, Inc., as part of their compliance with Act 129. Forty new jobs are the result. Originally Published: 03/12/10 (Send to a Friend)
SO WHAT'S A GOVERNOR TO DO? "BE A HERO - SAVE OUR FORESTS!"
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week 15 House members led by Representatives Dave Levdansky (D-Allegheny), Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), and Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) called on Governor Rendell to halt any further leasing of state forest land for natural gas drilling. The drilling industry already has access to one-third of the state forest system. The legislators were joined at the press conference by a wide range of organizations including PennFuture. Originally Published: 03/12/10 (Send to a Friend)
MAKE A CHANGE: BECOME AN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION LEADER –IT’S FREE!
	Organization: Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers Date Posted: 03/17/10
	Contact: 215 951 0330 WEBSITE EMAIL Motivating others, learning about the environment, and making a difference with a local community forest is just the beginning of being an Ecological Restoration Leader in Philadelphia. The Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) are offering free training classes for their new Ecological Restoration Leader Program. Each class offers hands-on experience working in the Wissahickon, and focuses on motivating and supervising volunteers, native and invasive plant identification, and current restoration techniques. Classes are each three hours. Originally Published: 03/27/10 (Send to a Friend)
TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/03/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Last week, efforts to create a continuous, connected, publicly accessible greenway system along Philadelphia's riverfronts got a tremendous boost. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program awarded $23 million to Philadelphia and Camden, NJ, to help complete a network of biking and walking trails throughout the region. This funding will fill in gaps in the East Coast Greenway and Schuylkill River Trail systems along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. The trails will provide recreational and transportation opportunities and will also help revitalize local communities by creating shovel-ready trail construction jobs and attracting private investment. The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities, and Mayor Michael Nutter's Metropolitan Caucus all deserve a big thanks and congratulations for their work on securing these funds. Originally Published: 02/26/10 (Send to a Friend)
BE IN THE KNOW WITH
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/03/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Green jobs reports. Policy updates. Time of use electricity rates. Electric competition. Energy efficiency. Solar. Wind. These are just some of the topics in the most recent edition of Green Power Update (http://www.pennfuture.org/media_gpu_detail.aspx?MediaID=1117) published this week by PennFuture's Center for Energy, Enterprise and the Environment. You can subscribe to Green Power Update and PennFuture's other e-publications, not to mention citizen action alerts, events notices and more through the subscription page (http://my.pennfuture.org/site/R?i=nPnpLjB9SqO_vIEl4QhdjQ..) at the PennFuture web site. Originally Published: 02/26/10 (Send to a Friend)
PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER DRILLS DEEP INTO THE FATE OF THE FOREST
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/24/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week's must read is "Drill, Baby, Drill," the Philadelphia City Paper's (http://citypaper.net/articles/2010/02/18/drill-baby-drill) investigation into state policies to increase the amount of Pennsylvania's State Forest system open to drillers, in order to plug holes in the state budget. Originally Published: 02/19/10 (Send to a Friend)
RENDELL HIGHLIGHTS CLEAN ENERGY/GREEN JOBS BILLS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Governor Rendell aggressively pushed the Clean Energy/Green Jobs bills during PennFuture's recent Clean Energy Breakfast in Media, so it's no surprise that the legislation got a big shout-out from the governor during the budget address. Rendell noted that Pennsylvania ranked second in the nation for growth in wind power in the second and third quarters of 2009. He said that by December, Pennsylvania will be among the top five states generating solar power, and that we are now home to more than 300 companies making components for the solar industry. The Pew Center on the States ranks the Commonwealth third behind California and Texas in green job creation. Originally Published: 02/12/10 (Send to a Friend)
THE FATE OF THE FOREST
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) has introduced the State Forest Natural Gas Moratorium Leasing Act (House Bill 2235). The bill would impose at least a five-year moratorium on leasing of state forest lands for natural gas drilling and production. It also requires specific, ongoing monitoring and assessment by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Thirty-six House members have co-sponsored the bill. Originally Published: 02/05/10 (Send to a Friend)
CLEAN ENERGY/GREEN JOBS BILLS = JOBS + MONEY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/17/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL A new study underscores how vital it is for the General Assembly to pass the Clean Energy and Green Jobs legislation, House Bill 80, sponsored by Representatives Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) and Chris Ross (R-Chester), or Senate Bill 92, sponsored by Senator Ted Erickson (R-Delaware). The bills would increase Pennsylvania's renewable energy standards. The study predicts that the Clean Energy/ Green Jobs bills would create 129,000 jobs, and add $26.2 billion in economic output and $5.5 billion in earnings to Pennsylvania's economy compared to relying on fossil fuels to meet our electricity needs. Additionally, it found that increasing the supply of renewable energy would exert downward pressure on electricity prices and save between $1.9 and $4.6 billion for Pennsylvania consumers. In other words, passing this legislation would create jobs, boost the economy, and save consumers money compared to not passing the bill. More. Originally Published: 02/05/10 (Send to a Friend)
TAKING A STAND, DRAWING A LINE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/03/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Representative David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) and Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) are each seeking co-sponsors for bills that would impose a moratorium on the additional leasing of state forest land for natural gas drilling. Levdansky plans to introduce a second bill that would mandate a thorough review of the likely impacts of drilling in the state forests. More. Originally Published: 01/29/10 (Send to a Friend)
ART CONTEST SEEKS TO BAG ‘POO-LUTION’
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 02/01/10
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL More than 389,000 dogs live in Philadelphia according to a formula used by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and while most owners pick up after their pets, not all of them do. That is why the Philadelphia Water Department, together with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, is challenging students in grades 6 through 12 to create 30-second videos showing how to keep pet waste from “poo-luting” local waters. In addition, students in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to submit drawings depicting ways to prevent other forms of stormwater runoff pollution to compete in the “Protect Philadelphia’s Hidden Streams” Art Contest. The deadline for entries is March 5 and participants, as well as their teachers, are eligible to win cash prizes up to $100 in value. Winning drawings will also serve to educate others when they appear in a SEPTA advertising campaign this spring and an exhibit inside Philadelphia International Airport’s Youth Art Gallery next winter. Most of Philadelphia’s natural streams were buried approximately 200 years ago to carry wastewater and contain floods. By burying them, the natural streams were changed into hidden streams, but these can still be sources of pollution affecting people and wildlife downstream in the Delaware Estuary. Please call Jackson at (800) 445-4935, extension 112, to learn more about water pollution and the “Protect Philadelphia’s Hidden Streams” Art Contest. Entry forms and additional details can be found at www.DelawareEstuary.org, the online home of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. More. (Send to a Friend)
THE GOVERNOR DRAWS A LINE IN THE SAND
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/27/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL No one attending a clean energy breakfast in Media came away confused about Governor Rendell's position on the Clean Energy and Green Jobs legislation (House Bill 80 and Senate Bill 92). The governor announced that he was "going to war" to get the bills passed. "We have to draw a line in the sand and say, 'This is something we believe in," he said."It's time for us to demand that our representation here stands up and says, 'This is important to us and we're not budging. We're not budging until this is passed.'" Also speaking at the breakfast was Rep. Greg Vitali (R-Delaware), the prime sponsor of the legislation in the House; Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester), a strong supporter and cosponsor of the bill; Rep. Brian Lentz (D-Delaware) and Senator Daylin Leach (D-Delaware and Montgomery). Senator Leach is supporting the Senate version of the bill sponsored by Senator Edwin Erickson (R-Delaware). This legislation would strengthen Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act by increasing the requirement for renewable energy in our electricity mix. More than 150 people attended the breakfast, most of them from large and small renewable energy companies. Originally Published: 01/15/10 (Send to a Friend)
VISIONS OF PROGRESS DANCE IN OUR HEADS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/20/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Considerable progress has been made behind the scenes on several important bills and the stage is set for House passage in the first part of 2010. Representatives Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Chris Ross (R-Chester), Eugene DePasquale (D-York) and many other legislators have worked to build consensus among key stakeholders on behalf of House Bill 80, landmark clean energy and green jobs legislation. Representative Ross has worked closely with state officials, the business community and others to refine his electronics recycling legislation, House Bill 708. The bill is out of committee and awaits consideration by the full House in early 2010. Senator Edwin "Ted" Erickson (R-Delaware) has introduced companion bills to both House Bill 80 (Senate Bill 92) and House Bill 708 (Senate Bill 816), and will play a vital role when the Senate considers the legislation. Originally Published: 12/18/09 (Send to a Friend)
YO, CAN DO! AND BOTTLES TOO
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/20/10
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Philadelphia's recycling rate used to be in the dumps, and the dumps were costing the city lots of green for landfill tipping fees. Since Mayor Michael Nutter (D) took office, the city's diversion rate (the percentage of waste materials diverted from traditional disposal such as landfilling or incineration to be recycled, composted, or re-used) has risen from 7 to 12.4 percent. Part of the city's success has come from implementing recommendations from the Next Great City coalition, including starting weekly recycling. Now Philadelphia is launching the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards in partnership with RecycleBank, which rewards residents with coupons or gift cards if their neighborhood recycling rates are high. In turn, RecycleBank is paid a portion of the landfill fees that are avoided. The program will roll out in February in North Philadelphia and will be citywide by the end of July, thanks in part to a federal grant used for up-front equipment purchases. Residents will be able to earn up to $240 per year in savings. Nutter hopes the program can boost recycling rates to 20 percent by 2011 and 25 percent by 2015. Originally Published: 12/11/09 (Send to a Friend)
EQUITY CAPITAL COMPETITION FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES
	Organization: Parkside Business & Community in Partnership Date Posted: 12/30/09
	Contact: 856-964-0440 WEBSITE EMAIL Are you a Green/ Sustainable Business? Enter the Equity Capital Competition for Sustainable Businesses! More. (Send to a Friend)
FREE NEWSLETTER FOR GREEN LIVING TIPS, DISCOUNTS, AND MORE
	Organization: Paige Wolf Media & Public Relations Date Posted: 12/24/09
	Contact: 2154133790 WEBSITE EMAIL The Paige Turner, a free monthly e-newsletter, offers local green living tips, special discounts, giveaways, news, and events. Please sign up at www.paigewolf.com. And if you don't love it, you can easily unsubscribe. Thanks and happy holidays! (Send to a Friend)
THE TRUE COST OF MARCELLUS SHALE
	Organization: Great Circle Writing Services Date Posted: 12/16/09
	Contact: 215 517-8078 WEBSITE To learn about the environmental devastation going on upstate, see this excellent set of articles in the Chesapeake Bay Journal- "Marcellus Shale: Pipe dreams in Pennsylvania?" http://www.bayjournal.com/ Originally Published: 12/15/09 (Send to a Friend)
AWARD NOMINATION FOR "NEXT GREAT CITY"
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 12/07/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Next Great City, a Philadelphia-based initiative run by PennFuture, was nominated for an award by Philebrity.com, a local blog about media, nightlife, gossip and politics. Next Great City, a coalition of over 120 health, faith, labor, civic and other community organizations that is working to implement an environmental agenda, was nominated in the Collaboration of the Year category. Citizens can vote for Next Great City at http://www.philebrity.com/awards/ Originally Published: 12/04/09 (Send to a Friend)
NO NEED TO BEWARE OF GREEKS BEARING GREAT GREEN JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 12/07/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL An international leader in the development of cutting edge thin-film solar technology will open a Philadelphia manufacturing facility with 400 new jobs. Heliosphera, headquartered in Greece, will build the facility in the Philadelphia Naval Yard. The project underscores the ability of the clean energy sector to create good-paying manufacturing jobs in the U.S. while other firms and industries outsource their production overseas. Originally Published: 12/04/09 (Send to a Friend)
HOME POLLUTION, BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES
	Organization: Healthy Spaces, Inc. Date Posted: 12/01/09
	Contact: 215-233-1852 WEBSITE EMAIL Home Pollution. By: CRISSA SHOEMAKER DEBREE, Bucks County Courier Times. When Jim and Teresa Quigley discovered mold during a remodeling project, it launched the couple into a new business. (Link to full article at www.twitter.com/HealthySpacesUS) Originally Published: 11/24/09 (Send to a Friend)
ENHANCING PUBLIC TRANSIT IN PHILLY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/18/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL One of the original 10 recommendations of the Next Great City coalition in Philadelphia was to make public transportation stops clean and safe. The Nutter Administration will soon seek proposal from vendors for a new street furniture program that will include providing and maintaining bus stops. Citizens who use Philadelphia's bus system or value the quality of the City of Brotherly Love's streetscapes are encouraged to take an on-line survey to guide the selection process. Connect to the survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB229S67Z8US3 Originally Published: 11/13/09 (Send to a Friend)
THE ROAD TO SAVING ENERGY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/04/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Last fall the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed landmark energy savings legislation now known as Act 129, which requires utilities to cut the demand for electricity. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved the Act 129 energy efficiency and conservation plans for Pennsylvania's seven largest utilities: Allegheny Power; Duquesne Light; Metropolitan Edison; PECO; Pennsylvania Electric; Pennsylvania Power; and PPL. The plans offer a wide variety of incentives and rebates for energy efficiency and conservation improvements to residential (including low-income), commercial, industrial, government and non-profit customers. Originally Published: 10/30/09 (Send to a Friend)
JUST LIKE FRANKENSTEIN'S, IT'S A SMART AND ELECTRIFYING EXPERIENCE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/04/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week President Obama announced $3.4 billion worth of stimulus funding for the smart grid. A smarter grid brings a wide range of benefits, including saving energy, promoting clean and green energy, and enhancing the reliability of the grid. Over $233 million of the funding will go to smart grid projects in Pennsylvania, including $200 million to PECO Energy to install smart meters for all 600,000 customers and other upgrades to the company's electricity infrastructure. Originally Published: 10/30/09 (Send to a Friend)
WHAT DO RISING SEA LEVELS MEAN FOR PHILADELPHIA?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/28/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Philly is known for its water ice, but melting glaciers and ice caps might elicit much more than a Yo! if we don't slow global warming. Clean Air-Cool Planet has created a detailed, colorful map (http://my.pennfuture.org/site/R?i=Ld8t5h8nUnduweFnS8ShQA..) to show the potential areas in Philadelphia at risk from inundation due to a one meter increase in sea level. Originally Published: 10/23/09 (Send to a Friend)
BUSINESSES QUIT CHAMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL HORRORS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/21/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Clean energy businesses in Pennsylvania have often felt left out in the cold as our state chamber fought policies and legislation that would encourage them to multiply and expand. A growing number of major corporations are now pulling out of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because of the organization's opposition to vital global warming legislation now before Congress. Apple, Exelon, PG&E Corporation, PNM Resources, PSEG, and Levi Strauss have recently bolted the Chamber over its climate stance. Originally Published: 10/16/09 (Send to a Friend)
BIPARTISAN COALITION EMERGES TO PROTECT STATE FOREST LAND
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/21/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Republican members joined with a group of House Democrats and members of the Pennsylvania conservation, hunting and angling communities at a press conference just prior to the final budget settlement to call for a stop to the raid on state forest land. Representatives Duane Milne (R-Chester), Tom Murt (R-Montgomery) and Chris Ross (R-Chester) were led by Representative Kate Harper (R-Montgomery). Originally Published: 10/16/09 (Send to a Friend)
HUNTING DOGS TO THE RESCUE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/21/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL To arrive at a balanced budget as required by Pennsylvania law, the final budget deal directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to raise $60 million next year from leasing drilling rights on state forest land. PennFuture and other conservation and hunting and angling groups were relieved at this outcome, since earlier House Republican proposals called for opening up 390,000 acres of forest land to drilling over three years. And it wasn't just the "Green Dogs." The coalition that worked to reach this compromise included the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Quality Deer Management Association, all of which recognized the value of joining forces with conservation and environmental groups that shared the goal of protecting our state forests. The hunting groups helped gain the support of "Hunting Dog" House members including Representatives Dave Levdansky (D-Allegheny), Ed Staback (D-Lackawanna), Mike Hanna (D-Clinton), Tim Seip (D-Schuylkill) and Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill), and "Fishing Dog" Mike McGeehan (D-Philadelphia). Originally Published: 10/16/09 (Send to a Friend)
DEP DELIVERS PENNSYLVANIA CLIMATE ACTION PLAN TO GOVERNOR, GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/12/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL DEP met a tight deadline by delivering the Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan to the Governor and the General Assembly today. The plan sets a target of reducing heat-trapping gasses by 30 percent by 2020 and contains 52 ways to cut pollution. If fully implemented the plan would cut emissions of global warming pollution by 42 percent below 2000 levels, create 65,000 jobs and add more than $6 billion to the state's gross domestic product by 2020. Jan Jarrett, PennFuture's President and CEO was a member of the Climate Change Advisory Committee that developed recommendations for pollution reducing actions in the plan. The public now has until November 10 to comment on the plan. Comments can be sent to: epclimatereportcomments@state.pa.us Originally Published: 10/09/09 (Send to a Friend)
RESCUING PHILADELPHIA'S RIVERFRONTS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/12/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week a new alliance of nearly 40 organizations launched an unprecedented and coordinated effort to revive Philadelphia's waterfront areas. The Coalition for Philadelphia's Riverfronts wants to create a public greenway along the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers to help recapture Philadelphia's heritage as a waterfront city, reconnect citizens with rivers, revitalize neighborhoods, enhance recreational opportunities and provide other environmental benefits. PennFuture's Rachel Vassar is helping to coordinate the campaign. Originally Published: 10/09/09 (Send to a Friend)
STATE FORESTS SAVED - FOR NOW
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/12/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, led by a core group of "green dog" and "hunting dog" House Democrats, and a strong coalition of conservation, hunting and angling organizations, have staved off a raid on Pennsylvania's State Forest system by the gas drilling industry and their legislative allies. A strong public outcry that included conservationists, hunters, anglers and most of the state's major newspapers helped achieve this reprieve. The outcome is a significant improvement over a series of proposals to open up hundreds of thousands of acres of state forest land to gas drilling. The original budget agreement would also have rescinded the Oil and Gas Lease Fund that since 1955 has been used to purchase land for state parks and invest in park and forest infrastructure among many uses. The final package still requires DCNR to raise $60 million from drilling in the State Forests this year, but eliminates any further requirements that the agency lease land for drilling. It also preserves the fundamental integrity of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. More. Originally Published: 10/09/09 (Send to a Friend)
HOUSE PASSES THE SEVERANCE TAX!
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/12/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL In a David vs. Goliath outcome late Friday evening, the Pennsylvania House passed a tax code bill on a vote of 103 to 98 that includes the severance tax on natural gas extraction and would allocate the revenues from the tax as follows: • 15 percent to the Environmental Stewardship Fund; • 2 percent each to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat and Game Commissions; • 4 percent to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund; • 5 percent to the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund for maintenance and reconstruction of roads and bridges; • 4.5 percent to municipalities where drilling is taking place; • 4.5 percent to counties where drilling is taking place; • 3 percent to the Department of Welfare for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; and • 60 percent to the General Fund. The heroes of this outcome in the House are Rep. David Levdansky (D-Allegheny), whose passionate advocacy turned Democratic leadership around and who rallied the environmental champions in the House, otherwise known as the Green Dogs, on behalf of the severance tax; Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), founder and leader of the Green Dogs; and Rep. Camille “Bud” George (D-Clearfield), prime sponsor of the severance tax bill and chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. More. Originally Published: 10/03/09 (Send to a Friend)
EXXON-MOBIL STRIKES GOLD, FIREFIGHTERS GET THE SHAFT
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 09/30/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Since multinational drilling companies get a pass on taxes, volunteer organizations- vital to public and personal safety in our communities- and other local groups have to pick up the tab. Volunteer firefighter and ambulance companies in Pennsylvania often struggle mightily to raise funds to operate, train and buy new equipment. Small games of chance are a significant source of funds for many companies. But now the proposed 20 percent tax on small games of chance could cripple the ability of many of these volunteer companies to raise funds. The same goes for hunting and angling clubs and fraternal and veterans' organizations. Originally Published: 09/25/09 (Send to a Friend)
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 09/30/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The proposed budget agreement between Governor Rendell and the leaders of the Senate Republican, Senate Democratic and House Democratic caucuses does not include a severance tax. Senate Republican opposition to the tax ultimately prevailed in the negotiations--if the agreement holds. In this Darwinian outcome, the well-heeled, huge multinational drilling firms, which spent more than $1 million lobbying state government between January and June, get a free pass on a tax they pay in every other major gas producing state. So, to cobble together enough revenue to balance the budget absent a severance tax, budget negotiators decided to tax small non-profit service, fraternal and arts organizations. These groups didn't spend a dime lobbying to avoid new taxes because they had no idea that they looked to budget-makers like easy-to-pick-off prey. While multinational drilling companies get a pass on the severance tax, non-profit community arts and cultural organizations across Pennsylvania woke up last Saturday to discover that they were being hit with a sales tax on their tickets. Many of these organizations have been struggling in the recession. The proposed tax also applies to museums, zoos and aquariums. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance estimates that 86 percent of the 4,900 non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Pennsylvania are small, community based and have operating budgets less than $250,000. Youth account for nearly 40 percent of the tickets sold. Originally Published: 09/25/09 (Send to a Friend)
RANK AND FILE BALKING AT BUDGET DEAL
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 09/30/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Thirty-one Democratic House members sent a letter to their leadership expressing "grave concerns" over two items in the proposed budget agreement that constitute a "breach of our responsibility to protect and sustainably manage Pennsylvania's public lands now and for future generations." The House members criticized proposals to have the General Assembly dictate to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources the number of acres of state forest land that must be leased for gas drilling, or specific dollar amounts of revenue that must be raised from drilling. They also blasted proposals to terminate the Oil and Gas Lease Fund created by the General Assembly in 1955. Originally Published: 09/25/09 (Send to a Friend)
UNPRECEDENTED THREATS TO PUBLIC LANDS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 09/23/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Legislative leaders and Governor Rendell continue to have Pennsylvania’s State Forest in the crosshairs for widespread drilling to raise revenue that is desperately needed to balance this year’s spectacularly late budget. We urge anyone who cares about the future of the forest to join us in opposing this shortsighted scheme that will create significant long-term damage. Budget negotiators are targeting the forest because of the inexplicable decision to take the severance tax off the table. The natural gas industry spent over $1 million lobbying in just the first six months of 2009 to convince state legislators and government officials that their “fledgling industry” would wither under such a burden (which they happily pay elsewhere). The poor little industry led by huge multinational companies such as Chesapeake Energy and Exxon-Mobil have budget negotiators and the governor drinking this snake oil. Sources in both the House and the Senate tell us that legislative negotiators are nearing agreement that would require the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to lease at least 100,000 acres of our State Forest for drilling in the 2009-2010 fiscal year that is already 80 days old. Drilling on this scale would require an extensive infrastructure on public lands including large drilling pads, settling ponds and treatment facilities, and a massive network of new roads and pipelines to interconnect and support this activity. These roads and pipelines would severely fragment large tracts of forest and devastate a wide range of recreational activities. The independent third party certification of Pennsylvania’s State Forest as sustainably managed likely would be lost. Water withdrawals for drilling and the handling of drilling waste will potentially wreak severe damage on water quality and quantity. DCNR does not have adequate staffing now to monitor and manage existing drilling activity, let alone a massive expansion. Legislative sources also tell us that the proposed budget agreement will likely eliminate the Oil & Gas Lease Fund created by Maurice “Doc” Goddard and other farsighted conservation leaders in 1955. The fund takes revenues from the extraction of non-renewable resources such as oil and gas on public lands and reinvests this money into state park and state forest assets that will last for generations. The Pennsylvania conservation community expected some of the revenues from gas drilling in the state forests to be diverted to the General Fund to address budget needs. But the termination of the fund and the erosion of the fundamental principle behind it are unacceptable. Add this up and this budget deal is a disaster for Pennsylvania’s environment – no severance tax, widespread drilling in our state forests, repeal of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. How can legislators even consider this, and how did this anti-environmental package come to prevail in this debate? Originally Published: 09/18/09 (Send to a Friend)
MAKING THE BEST CASE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 09/23/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL PennFuture and PowerMinders are sponsoring an energy efficiency case study contest for college students from across Pennsylvania. Students can win a $500 prize for the best case study of how families and businesses stop wasting and start using energy wisely. Submissions will be evaluated by an expert panel, and included in a publicly available online library. Dr. Eric Malm, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Cabrini College, will serve as faculty advisor on the project. For more information, go to http://www.powerminders.com/educators/. Submission deadline is November 1. Originally Published: 08/28/09 (Send to a Friend)
GLOBAL WARMING CONFERENCE SET FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 09/23/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Reserve your spot now for PennFuture's annual Southeastern Pennsylvania Global Warming Conference, Global Warming 2009: Taking Action to Build our Economy and Protect our Environment. The conference will take place on Monday, October 12, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Har Zion Temple, 1500 Hagys Ford Road in Penn Valley, Montgomery County. Speakers include John Rowe, CEO of Exelon; PennFuture President and CEO Jan Jarrett; and Jerry Melillo, Co-Chair of the United States Global Climate Change Impacts Assessment and Director of The Ecosystems Center, who will explore the challenges of climate change and the opportunities for taking action. Other speakers will also examine state and federal climate legislation, and what they offer from both a religious and a business perspective. The event is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required. Sign up online at http://my.pennfuture.org/site/R?i=gyd0GqIinyhdj5PUN3I-jg.. today. Originally Published: 08/28/09 (Send to a Friend)
FARM TO CITY SEEKS PARTNERS FOR FARMERS' MARKETS IN 2010
	Organization: Farm to City Date Posted: 08/12/09
	Contact: 215 733-9599 WEBSITE EMAIL Farm to City requests qualifications from non-profits and governments in DelCo, MontCo & Phila to start farmers’ markets in 2010, Send request for RFQ to info@farmtocity.org. (Send to a Friend)
14 NATURAL SUNSCREENS!
	Organization: The Daily Green Date Posted: 08/01/09
	WEBSITE When scanning the dozens of bottles of sunscreen at your local drugstore, claims like "waterproof," "broad spectrum protection," "all-day protection" and "block harmful rays" help you to decide which brand offers the coverage you need - not only to protect you from sunburn, but from becoming one of the one million Americans annually diagnosed with skin cancer. According to the Environmental Working Group's 2009 study of the safety and effectiveness of 1,572 skincare products containing sunscreen, the bitter reality is that 3 out of 5 products actually provide inadequate protection from the sun. Still, this is an improvement from last year, when 4 out of 5 failed to meet the EWG's standards for safe suncare. Originally Published: 06/24/09 (Send to a Friend)
CALL FOR ENTRIES SMART GROWTH ALLIANCE RECOGNITION - DEADLINE SEPT. 1ST
	Organization: Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance Date Posted: 07/28/09
	Contact: Susan Baltake / 856-616-8311 WEBSITE Have any smart growth projects on the horizon? The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance invites you to submit an application for either preliminary or final recognition. To be eligible, the project must be located in Eastern or Central Pennsylvania (including Dauphin County), Southern New Jersey (including Mercer County and south) or Delaware, and not yet under construction. The deadline for this round is September 1, 2009. More. (Send to a Friend)
USGBC INVITES THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN A LEED CALL FOR IDEAS
	Organization: U.S. Green Building Council Date Posted: 07/25/09
	WEBSITE The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)invites the public to participate in a LEED Call for Ideas. This call is meant to provide a way for new ideas to be brought forward to help inform improvement to the LEED rating system. USGBC is looking for input on improving existing technical criteria, proposals for new credits and feedback on LEED's overall effectiveness and rigor. Comments regarding LEED's delivery model, certification process, pricing, etc., will not be considered as USGBC is looking for feedback specific to the technical requirements of the LEED rating system. The Call for Ideas will take place from Monday, July 13 until Friday, August 7, 2009. Please visit the website to add your ideas. Originally Published: 07/13/09 (Send to a Friend)
DVGBC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
	Organization: Delaware Valley Green Building Council Date Posted: 07/22/09
	WEBSITE The Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC) is seeking candidate nominations for its upcoming Board of Director Elections. This incoming class of Board members will serve for a 3 year term from November 2009 until November 2012. The DVGBC will be electing 6 new Board Members. Are you interested in nominating someone or yourself for the DVGBC Board of Directors? Deadline for submissions is August 4, 2009 at noon. Originally Published: 07/21/09 (Send to a Friend)
MAYOR NUTTER NAMES NEW SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
	Organization: Mayor's Office of Communications Date Posted: 07/20/09
	Contact: Douglas I Oliver, Press Secretary / 215-686-6210 WEBSITE Philadelphia, July 17, 2009 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that Katherine Gajewski has been appointed as the new Director of Sustainability for the City of Philadelphia. Ms. Gajewski replaces Mark Alan Hughes, the City’s first Director of Sustainability, who left the City last month. “With the Greenworks Philadelphia framework in place, we now turn to its implementation and Katherine is the perfect person to lead this next phase,” said Mayor Nutter. “She has a proven track record of working across government, collaborating with outside partners, and implementing major initiatives in a wide range of policy areas. These are exactly the skills that will help us meet our Greenworks targets.” More. Originally Published: 07/17/09 (Send to a Friend)
THE PA CONSERVATION WORKS! GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES $22.2 MILLION FOR SMALL GOVERNMENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS
	Organization: PA Conservation Works! Date Posted: 07/16/09
	WEBSITE A new grant program is available for local government and non-profit entities seeking to conserve or reduce energy use. "PA Conservation Works!" will provide up to $250,000 for individual projects and $500,000 for joint projects designed to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and decrease energy costs by at least 25 percent. "This grant program again reflects the importance of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I worked hard for that legislation to be bigger and offer more in the way of jobs and tax benefits for small businesses. That some part was lost by compromises in the Senate represents a missed opportunity to reduce the impact of this historic recession on our economy and our working families. However, the fruits from this program, if properly applied, can increase Pennsylvania's ability to develop the technology necessary to reduce our dependence on imported oil and other polluting energy sources," said Congressman Sestak. More. Originally Published: 07/15/09 (Send to a Friend)
RESIDENTS ACQUIRE PERFECT SITE FOR ECOVILLAGE NEAR WEST GROVE, PA
	Organization: Three Groves Ecovillage Date Posted: 05/25/09
	WEBSITE EMAIL Three Groves Ecovillage has land under contract to build an Ecovillage near West Grove, PA. Please view more information at www.ThreeGrovesEcovillage.org More. Originally Published: 07/31/09 (Send to a Friend)
SWEP OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA HONORS SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT RECIPIENTS
	Organization: SWEP of Greater Philadelphia Date Posted: 05/13/09
	WEBSITE The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) of Greater Philadelphia hosts the second annual Green Smarts Party on May 14, 2009 at The White Dog Café to honor this year’s SWEP Scholarship and Grant Recipients. This year’s graduate scholarship recipient is Niveen Ismail, a University of Pennsylvania School of Design graduate student, seeking her master’s degree in City Planning. Kimberly Faustino, an undergraduate student majoring in environmental studies at Temple University, Honors Program is this year’s undergraduate scholarship recipient. In addition, this year’s grant recipient is Girls Inc. of Delaware, which helps girls of all socio-economic backgrounds discover their full potential and develop self confidence. More. (Send to a Friend)
EARTH MONTH FUNDRAISER...DRINK A BEER...SAVE THE EARTH
	Organization: Green Village Philadelphia Date Posted: 05/02/09
	Contact: 215.922.2345 WEBSITE EMAIL Green Village Philadelphia is partnering with Philadelphia Brewing Company for an Earth Month fundraiser. During Earth month (April 15-May 15) we encourage you to help us build an eco-village right here in Philadelphia by drinking a pint (or two...or three...) of Philadelphia Brewing Company's Fleur de Lehigh. $1 will be donated to Green Village Philadelphia for every pint sold by participating bars and restaurants all across Philadelphia. See, we make it easy. We're not asking you to plant a tree or install solar panels on your home (although that would be an excellent idea)...just sit back and enjoy a delicious pint of FlEur de Lehigh. Visit website for participating restaurant locations. Originally Published: 03/17/09 (Send to a Friend)
DELAWARE VALLEY SMART GROWTH ALLIANCE ISSUES CALL FOR ENTRIES
	Organization: The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance Date Posted: 04/30/09
	Contact: Susan Baltake / 856-616-8311 WEBSITE Have any smart growth projects on the horizon? The Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance invites you to submit an application for either preliminary or final recognition. The DVSGA recognizes projects that will foster regional growth and redevelopment in a manner that achieves important economic, environmental and quality of life objectives. Deadline is June 1, 2009. See website for criteria and application. More. (Send to a Friend)
DIGSAU TO DESIGN NEW BUILDING FOR FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL
	Organization: DIGSAU Date Posted: 04/21/09
	Contact: 215-627-0808 WEBSITE EMAIL DIGSAU was selected by the Frankford Friends School to design a new facility to enhance the school's educational mission. The building will feature a multi-purpose room, a music room, six classrooms, and support spaces. (Send to a Friend)
SHOULD A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT BE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT?
	Organization: National Constitution Center Date Posted: 04/07/09
	Contact: Jason Allen at 215.409.6644 WEBSITE EMAIL Students from schools across the country, both at the National Constitution Center and live via Internet2 videoconferencing technology, will join in a roundtable discussion about the concept of whether or not a clean and healthy environment should be a constitutional right during the Center’s sixth installment of The Exchange: A Marketplace of Student Ideas on Earth Day – Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST. During this installment of The Exchange, students will examine President Obama’s video message to the Governors’ Global Climate Summit, as well as pertinent legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the Constitution’s Commerce Clause, in order to debate the question, Should a clean and healthy environment be a constitutional right? Students will discuss the necessity of amending the Constitution in order to protect the environment. More. Originally Published: 04/02/09 (Send to a Friend)
TOXIC E-CYCLING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/06/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL With weak-to-non-existent laws governing the e-cyclers, U.S. companies are claiming they are recycling our e-waste, but actually are often dumping it in China and elsewhere. We are exporting our toxic problems to underdeveloped countries, creating environmental and human health horror shows. But help is in sight. State Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) has introduced House Bill 708, which would help end this toxic debacle. And Senator Edwin "Ted" Erickson (R-Delaware) will introduce companion legislation in the Senate soon. These bills require the manufacturers of computers and televisions to develop a program to collect, transport, and recycle their products, and get approval of their plans by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Manufacturers would pay a fee to help administer the DEP monitoring program. Consumers would pay no fee. Other components of the bills require retailers to assist customers with recycling, and direct DEP to develop a robust consumer education program. The law would require environmentally acceptable domestic recycling, and would ban all electronics from disposal in Pennsylvania landfills. This legislation would be a boon for the environment and could help grow our green businesses. Manufacturers would undoubtedly prefer to work with local recyclers than transport the e-waste to their company headquarters, so local ethical recyclers could have an inside track. These bills are similar to laws in 12 other states. Originally Published: 04/01/09 (Send to a Friend)
A NEW TURNPIKE RIVALRY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/06/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL While Pittsburgh and Philadelphia didn't wind up opposing one another this year in the Super Bowl, there is a new turnpike rivalry springing up, according to the Trib p.m. With single stream recycling now in full force in both cities, the winner so far is the Black and Gold, with 65 percent of the population participating. But the City of Brotherly Love isn't far behind, with 50 percent of its citizens recycling. Philly is a lot bigger than the Burgh, though, so Philly wins in the sheer amount of recycled material, 11,000 tons to 50,000 tons. And both cities have considerable bragging rights over our friends to the south in Charm City. Only 30 percent of Baltimore's citizens recycle. Originally Published: 03/27/09 (Send to a Friend)
WE HAVE BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/06/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL First, the bad news. This week the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 490, which diverts $174 million from conservation projects in state parks and state forests and puts it in the General Fund. This is a new way of doing things. Since 1955, a state law has directed money from the sale and drilling of nonrenewable oil and gas resources in state forests to a fund that invests in conservation and maintenance and improvement of our parks and forests. In a tough budget situation all programs must make sacrifices, but diverting more than 90 percent of the revenues from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund is too much. Now, the good news. 17 senators voted to oppose the SB 490, despite the fact that the diversion was proposed by Governor Rendell and supported by the Republican and Democratic leadership in the Senate. PennFuture and 13 other major conservation organizations sent a letter in opposition to the bill and in support of a severance tax on natural gas. Citizens across the state also pitched in with emails, calls and faxes to Senate offices. We salute the 17 members of the Senate who opposed SB 490: Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Edwin Erickson (R-Delaware), Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia) Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette), Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia), Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks), John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks), LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia), Rob Wonderling (R-Montgomery) and Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming). Originally Published: 03/27/09 (Send to a Friend)
GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/06/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL A coalition of environmental, conservation, hunting and angling organizations, including PennFuture, launched a campaign this week in support of a severance tax on natural gas drilling. Because drilling strains our natural resources, especially our rivers and streams, the coalition proposes that a portion of a gas severance tax should go to conservation programs, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission for habitat protection and public access projects, and to local governments dealing with the effects of drilling. Thirty-nine states have severance or natural resource extraction taxes. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield), House Finance Committee Chairman David Levdansky (D-Allegheny and Washington), and Appropriations Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy Chairman Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) added their voices to the chorus of support. Representative George plans to introduce severance tax legislation in the near future, while Representative Vitali's subcommittee will hold a hearing on potential use of the revenue next month. Originally Published: 03/20/09 (Send to a Friend)
CSA SHARES OFFERED
	Organization: Farm to City Date Posted: 04/03/09
	Contact: 215.733.9599 WEBSITE EMAIL This year Farm to City is assisting 5 farms to find members for their CSAs. Find out more about each on our website. More. Originally Published: 04/01/09 (Send to a Friend)
CLEAN ENERGY ON THE MOVE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/18/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Representatives Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) and Chris Ross (R-Chester) this week introduced their landmark clean energy legislation as House Bill 80. Senator Edwin "Ted" Erickson (R-Delaware) will shortly introduce companion legislation as Senate Bill 92. These bipartisan bills dramatically expand the requirements for the amount of electricity in the state required to come from solar, wind and other clean energy sources. They also propel Pennsylvania into a national and international leadership position in the capture and storage of global warming pollution from coal-fired power plants. Originally Published: 03/13/09 (Send to a Friend)
EARTH DAYS OF SERVICE: RESTORING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
	Organization: Lower Merion Conservancy Date Posted: 03/17/09
	Contact: Mike Weilbacher / 610-645-9030 EMAIL Earth Day returns on Wednesday, April 22. For its 39th anniversary, a coalition of environmental nonprofits and service organizations representing thousands of members throughout the region are joining together to promote Earth Days of Service. GPEN.org will be jointly promoting the events and offering a central hub of what is going on where for the coalition. Persons, groups or organizations interested in volunteering their time or adding their organization to the coalition can do so by visiting GPEN's Home Page and following the links in the Green Box. More. Originally Published: 02/16/09 (Send to a Friend)
STIMULATING CONVERSATIONS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/11/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Last week, Vice President Joseph Biden came to Philadelphia to launch the White House Middle Class Task Force, with the main topic being jobs - green jobs - and how creating great green jobs will build our economy, enhance our security, fight global warming, and restore the middle class. The vice president couldn't have come to a better place. The entire Keystone State has been having such stimulating conversations - and turning those conversations into jobs - for years. In Philadelphia, for example, Mayor Michael Nutter and internationally recognized green jobs advocate Van Jones discussed their plans to use green jobs training and recruitment as an economic development strategy for low income neighborhoods. On the same day as the vice president's visit, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced more than $1.3 million in grants to the City of Philadelphia, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, and the Energy Coordinating Agency, to turn the second floor of a former textile factory in Kensington into a school to teach skills for green jobs. Originally Published: 03/04/09 (Send to a Friend)
EARLY VOTING IS IN
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/11/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Have you voted yet? You still have time to weigh in on what steps Pennsylvania should take to combat global warming. Fill out PennFuture's online survey (http://www.pennfuture.org/actionalerts_detail.aspx?ActionID=81&Home=Y) today and help the Climate Change Advisory Committee decide what should go into the State Action Plan. PennFuture President and CEO Jan Jarrett, a member of the committee, is delivering all results to the committee, so that all Pennsylvanians have the ability to be heard early in the process. Jan delivered the first set of results on February 27, 2009. PennFuture will continue to accept survey responses and report them to the committee until a state plan is finalized. Originally Published: 03/06/09 (Send to a Friend)
DCNR SECRETARY HEADS HOME AFTER SIX SUCCESSFUL YEARS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/11/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Governor Rendell announced yesterday that Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis will leave the agency on April 3 after a highly successful and innovative six-year tenure. Pennsylvania's loss is Philadelphia's gain, as Mayor Michael Nutter (D) announced that DiBerardinis will become the city's Parks and Recreation Commissioner and serve as a senior advisor. DiBerardinis provided strong, thoughtful and effective stewardship of the Commonwealth's natural resources including state forests and state parks. Over 130,000 acres of natural areas were protected during his tenure. DiBerardinis also pushed DCNR into the national forefront with bold leadership on carbon management and global warming, and wind energy. Originally Published: 03/06/09 (Send to a Friend)
CAN YOUR NEIGHBOR'S PORK CHOP MAKE YOU SICK?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/11/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp, 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL An article in Mother Earth News, "The Hidden Link between Factory Farms and Human Illness," starkly discusses the increased risk we all face from the global industrial livestock industry. With thousands of animals crowded together and routinely given antibiotics to prevent the infections that would naturally come from this practice, our human family faces the risk of serious antibiotic-resistant infections. And you don't even have to eat meat yourself to run that risk - as witnessed by the outbreak of salmonella poisoning from manure-contaminated spinach from several years ago. Fortunately, Senator Daylin Leach (D- Delaware/Montgomery) has introduced SB 398, the "Safe Food, Safe Families Act," which will ban the use of antibiotics in healthy livestock. Once that bill passes, it will protect antibiotics so they work in human disease treatment. Originally Published: 02/27/09 (Send to a Friend)
CONTEST CELEBRATES 10 YEARS WITH NEW TWIST
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 03/04/09
	Contact: (800) 445-4935, ext. 112 WEBSITE EMAIL The Philadelphia Water Department is now accepting entries for its 10th annual art competition, the theme of which is “Protect Philadelphia’s Hidden Streams.” In addition to drawings, students are now invited to submit short video clips depicting polluted rainwater, a leading threat to Philadelphia’s waterways. Originally Published: 03/20/09 (Send to a Friend)
ORGANIC FARMING TRANSITION PROGRAM UNVEILED
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/18/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Pennsylvania has a new pilot program to assist farmers who wish to make the transition from conventional to organic agriculture. Representative David Kessler (D-Berks) developed the "PATH to Organic" proposal and secured funding in this year's budget for the program. The program provides technical assistance and reimburses farmers for transition costs such as a temporary drop in yields as the soil recovers. Organic farming results in less pollution and soil runoff, healthier produce and keeps carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Originally Published: 02/13/09 (Send to a Friend)
ONE TO MONITOR
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/18/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL There is growing bipartisan interest in the General Assembly to tackle the significant and complicated problem of electronic waste, commonly referred to as E-waste. Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) is seeking co-sponsors in the House for a bill that provides for recycling of televisions and computer equipment in Pennsylvania. Ross's bill uses the producer responsibility model - where the companies making the electronic equipment are responsible for having it recycled - already adopted in 12 states. Originally Published: 02/13/09 (Send to a Friend)
CODE GREEN
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/11/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Governor Rendell's budget address on Wednesday (Feb. 4) featured two green highlights. He saluted and endorsed the landmark clean energy legislation being introduced by Representatives Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) and Chris Ross (R-Chester) as House Bill 80, and Senator Edwin “Ted" Erickson (R-Delaware and Chester) as Senate Bill 92. Rendell also advocated the passage of a “Pennsylvania Green Building Code." Green buildings substantially reduce energy and water usage, cut global warming pollution, reuse materials and generate less waste. Originally Published: 02/06/09 (Send to a Friend)
ALL OF THE ABOVE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/11/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Representatives Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) and Chris Ross (R-Chester) and Senator Edwin Erickson (R-Delaware and Chester) have proposed bills to update and expand the ground-breaking 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) law. They want to move us from considering just some strategies, to doing (in the parlance of multiple choice tests) all of the above. If passed, these bills will more than double the amount of wind power produced, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 17 million tons a year, and increase the amount of solar power by a factor of six. That means 438,000 homes in Pennsylvania could be powered by the sun. And the requirements that all Pennsylvania electric utilities buy increasing amounts of clean energy would extend to 2026. The bills would also propel Pennsylvania into a national and international leadership position in the capture and geologic storage of carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants that cause global warming. It would, in short, call the question about clean coal, by requiring that increasing percentages of energy come from coal-fired plants that don't release global warming pollution. Originally Published: 02/04/09 (Send to a Friend)
JIM QUIGLEY, HEALTHY SPACES, RECEIVES CERTIFICATION
	Organization: Healthy Spaces, Inc. Date Posted: 02/09/09
	Contact: 215-233-1852 WEBSITE EMAIL Jim Quigley, Healthy Spaces, has received certification from the International Institute for Building Biology & Ecology (IBE). The training, called Building Biology or Bau-Biologie, involves a rigorous process focusing on "how buildings impact people’s health and the living environment". It included hands-on training on testing, meters, inspections and simple mitigation techniques, and a course on all aspects of buildings, from site selection, design and construction to interiors and their impact on the health of occupants. Jim adds Building Biology Environmental Consultant, or BBEC, to his credentials which include a Masters of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. (Send to a Friend)
CALLING ALL CLIMATE IDEAS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/28/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Like Uncle Sam, PennFuture president and CEO Jan Jarrett wants you to step forward with ideas on how Pennsylvania can fight global warming pollution. Jan is a member of the state's Climate Change Advisory Committee. Official public comment will be heard later this spring, but we thought the committee should have the views of citizens before it makes its recommendations on how Pennsylvania can reduce heat-trapping gas pollution. So send your ideas to Jan through our special webpage, my.pennfuture.org/ShareYourIdeas, and she'll share them with the entire committee. Originally Published: 01/23/09 (Send to a Friend)
EXTENDING THE HORIZONS OF CLEAN ENERGY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/28/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Representatives Greg Vitali and Chris Ross, and Senator Edwin "Ted" Erickson, are now seeking co-sponsors for new great green energy legislation. Their bills extend to 2026 Pennsylvania's landmark 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) law, which requires all electricity suppliers to provide increasing amounts of electricity from clean sources, like solar and wind power. The bills also substantially boost those requirements. The bill also requires Pennsylvania to develop an underground carbon sequestration network to capture and store global warming pollution from coal-fired power plants. Originally Published: 01/23/09 (Send to a Friend)
HOW GREEN WAS MY ROOFTOP
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/19/09
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week PECO unveiled what is heralded as “the largest green roof on an existing building in an urban setting in Pennsylvania" on its headquarters building in Philadelphia. PECO's 45,000 square foot roof is now covered by four to eight inches of vegetative material that will absorb 60 to 70 percent of the 1.5 million gallons of rain that falls on it each year, cut cooling and heating costs and absorb air pollution. Originally Published: 01/16/09 (Send to a Friend)
YOU GO, GRRRRL!
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 12/03/08
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL On Nov. 21 PennFuture Director of Outreach Christine Knapp will receive a Special Recognition Award from PHILAPOSH--the Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health. Knapp is being recognized for her commitment to building Blue-Green alliances in her current work with PennFuture and Next Great City, and her previous work with Clean Water Action on its campaign to get Sun Oil to use a safer alternative to hydrogen fluoride at its Sunoco refinery in southwest Philadelphia. Originally Published: 11/21/08 (Send to a Friend)
THEIR TURN IN THE SUN
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 12/03/08
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Pennsylvania's first utility scale solar power plant, in Bucks County, has been completed by Conergy and its subsidiary EPURON. The three-megawatt facility is located on a Waste Management landfill just north of Philadelphia. Exelon is purchasing the electricity and renewable energy credits through a long-term power purchase agreement. Originally Published: 11/21/08 (Send to a Friend)
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 PHILADELPHIA SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
	Organization: Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) Date Posted: 11/26/08
	Contact: 215-592-7020 WEBSITE EMAIL The 2009 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards celebrate the region's environmental innovation, economic development and vibrant communities. Organizations, educational institutions, businesses, individuals and government agencies are invited to submit nominations. Visit www.philadelphiasustainabilityawards.org for details. (Send to a Friend)
PHILLY VOTES PASS PARKS MEASURE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/12/08
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL A ballot measure establishing a new Commission on Parks and Recreation in Philadelphia was given an overwhelming thumbs up by 73 percent of city voters on Tuesday. Many members of the Next Great City coalition endorsed the measure. Originally Published: 11/07/08 (Send to a Friend)
CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR OPEN SPACE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/12/08
	Contact: Christine Knapp / 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL In the election on Nov. 4, citizens in Newtown Township (Bucks County) voted to increase their local earned income taxes for open space preservation, while a similar measure failed in Hatfield Township (Montgomery County). A $30 million bond measure to protect natural and cultural resources passed in Upper Dublin Township (Montgomery County), and a $15 million bond for open space preservation passed in Lower Makefield Township (Bucks County). Originally Published: 11/07/08 (Send to a Friend)
A TREMENDOUS CELEBRATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/05/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Almost six million people in Pennsylvania voted in yesterday’s amazing and historic election. One of the great results was the support Pennsylvanians showed for the statewide ballot question on clean water. Over 60 percent of voters approved borrowing $400 million for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities to upgrade and repair failing water and sewer systems. Despite the voters’ concerns about the state of our economy, more than six in 10 still cast their ballots to invest in clean water and environmental cleanup. (Send to a Friend)
TREE CHIC
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/05/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Recently the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced plans to build on the successful TreeVitalize program in southeastern Pennsylvania by planting one million trees in metropolitan areas across the state over the next five years. TreeVitalize Metros will also train 10,000 community volunteers to help plant and provide early care for the trees, and build community capacity for long-term management of urban forests. Originally Published: 10/31/08 (Send to a Friend)
PONDER THE CHOICES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/05/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL This week PennFuture staff provided detailed public commentary on both of this year's ballot measures: the statewide water and sewer system referendum and the Philadelphia parks referendum. Central Pennsylvania Outreach Coordinator Tanya Dierolf made the case for a "yes" vote for clean water on the water and sewer bond question in an op-ed in Sunday's Harrisburg Patriot-News. This week's PennFuture Facts, penned by President Jan Jarrett, also urges a "yes" vote on the $400 million bond. Director of Outreach Christine Knapp pushed park reform and a yes vote on the Philadelphia parks measure in an op-ed in Wednesday's Philadelphia Daily News. Originally Published: 10/31/08 (Send to a Friend)
EPA RECOGNIZES THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR & PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
	Organization: Women's Health & Environmental Network Date Posted: 10/31/08
	Contact: 215-990-1271 WEBSITE EMAIL In recognition of the efforts of hospitals and healthsystems to improve the health and safety of patients, staff and the community at large through good environmental practices, the EPA Region 3 presented four Trailblazer awards at the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council's Annual Meeting yesterday. "The Trailblazer Award recognizes hospitals that are leading the way toward environmental sustainability in at least one operational area. These hospitals are blazing the trail so that other hospitals in the Delaware Valley may build upon their success and implement similar programs." The EPA also presented the Sustainable Healthcare Partnership Award in recognition of the efforts of those working together on the Green Hospitals Project to provide support and resources, technical assistance, and educational programs to the 20 participating hospitals. The Award was presented to the Women's Health & Environmental Network, The Health Care Improvement Foundation, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection. (Send to a Friend)
PHILLY SUSTAINABILITY ON THE MARCH
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/29/08
	WEBSITE On October 21st the Next Great City coalition and its supporters gathered in front of Philadelphia City Hall to praise Mayor Michael Nutter (D), his administration and City Council for their progress in implementing the Next Great City agenda. Ten months into office, five of the ten policy recommendations put forth have been acted upon and three more have been launched. Mayor Nutter affirmed his commitment to making Philadelphia the greenest city in America and urged city residents to vote "yes" on the Parks referendum on November 4. This referendum would restructure park leadership and result in cleaner, greener and safer parks. Originally Published: 10/24/08 (Send to a Friend)
CLEAN WATER STARTS AT THE BALLOT BOX ON NOVEMBER 4
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/29/08
	WEBSITE On November 4, we will be deciding more than the next president - Pennsylvanians can also cast a vote for clean water. A ballot question will ask us to approve a $400 million bond to provide critical funding for grants and low-interest loans to upgrade drinking water and wastewater facilities. Voting yes will cut the pollution in our local waterways and help rescue and restore our failing and aging infrastructure. This funding is essential to fix our outdated wastewater and sewage treatment facilities, where significant improvements are often decades overdue. And Pennsylvania has nearly 2,200 water systems and 1,100 sewage treatment systems, many now over a century old. The age of the systems, decades of deferred maintenance and upgrades, and newer, more stringent operating regulations combined means we can no longer avoid the problem. The problem of our aging water and sewer infrastructure is huge, multifaceted and the costs are astronomical - it could take billions to make all necessary maintenance and infrastructure improvements to our water and sewage facilities alone. And the longer upgrades are put off, the more expensive they become. Without a funding source for our municipal treatment plants, local families and businesses must carry the financial burden with escalating rates on their monthly bills. More. Originally Published: 10/24/08 (Send to a Friend)
MORE AND BETTER PARKING NEEDED FOR PHILADELPHIA'S CYCLISTS
	Organization: Planetizen: Planning, Design & Development Date Posted: 10/23/08
	WEBSITE As cycling increases in Philadelphia, more bike parking is needed. But the common upside-down U-shaped rack won't provide enough for the city, according to this piece from The Philadelphia Inquirer. "There's no single reason why bicycle commuting has gone into high gear, though spiraling gas prices, concern about greenhouse-gas emissions, and an appreciation of messenger cool are surely contributing to the crowded bike lanes. Philadelphia's nearly flat central street grid is perfect terrain for bicycles. Besides, pedal power is often more reliable than taking SEPTA or driving. No wonder bicycles have become the transportation of choice for low-paid workers, like those who staff the city's restaurant kitchens." "The problem starts when the bikers stop. There just aren't enough bike racks on Philadelphia's heavily used, narrow sidewalks for everyone. Desperate bikers will lock to anything that won't move, like Rittenhouse Square's elegant wrought-iron fence or the railing around SEPTA's 16th Street concourse entrance. The tangle of metal is not pretty." "The Nutter administration hopes to improve the situation somewhat in the next few months. It just ordered 1,500 racks and expects to begin installation in November." Originally Published: 10/13/08 (Send to a Friend)
EMPOWERMENT GROUP AWARDS $2,500 TO MT. AIRY, USA
	Organization: Empowerment Group, Inc. Date Posted: 10/23/08
	WEBSITE Empowerment Group is pleased to announce that Mt. Airy, USA has been awarded $2,500 in the second round of our Business Corridor Grant Program. The program was launched to support Philadelphia’s commercial corridors by providing funds to organizations that work to increase foot traffic and revenue for local businesses. During the first round Empowerment Group awarded a total of almost $14,000 to Impact Services, HACE, New Kensington CDC and the Korean Community Development Services Center. More. Originally Published: 10/01/08 (Send to a Friend)
5TH ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER HONORS 7 EXCEPTIONAL ENTREPRENEURS
	Organization: Empowerment Group, Inc. Date Posted: 10/23/08
	Contact: info@empowerment-group.org WEBSITE EMAIL Empowerment Group honored seven exceptional clients during our 5th Annual Entrepreneurial Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 11. Local entrepreneurs, clients, staff and supporters attended the event to commemorate the successes of these awardees. More. Originally Published: 10/01/08 (Send to a Friend)
RWJF COMMISSION EXAMINES IMPACT OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ON HEALTH
	Organization: Philanthropy News Digest (PND) Date Posted: 10/23/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL More than a dozen participants in a recent hearing convened by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America offered details of how factors outside the healthcare system — education, housing, community resources, and where people live, work, or play — can have a more significant effect on public health than medical care. More. Originally Published: 10/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
DIGSAU WINS SILVER MEDAL
	Organization: DIGSAU Date Posted: 10/21/08
	Contact: 215-627-0808 WEBSITE EMAIL AIA Philadelphia celebrated the best in design by its member firms at Loews Philadelphia hotel Thursday, October 16, with the 2008 Awards for Design Excellence. DIGSAU was recognized with a Silver Medal for the Construction Training & Education Center, a regenerative headquarters for the Challenge Program under construction in Wilmington, DE. The awards are given for projects in the Philadelphia area and around the world. Originally Published: 10/16/08 (Send to a Friend)
VOTE YES! ON NOV. 4 CLEAN WATER REFERENDUM
	Organization: PA Fair Share For Clean Water Coalition Date Posted: 10/17/08
	WEBSITE The PA Fair Share For Clean Water Coalition this week said Pennsylvania voters have the opportunity to do their fair share to help clean up Pennsylvania rivers and streams by supporting the Clean Water referendum on the November 4 general election ballot. (Send to a Friend)
THE REX OF RECS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/15/08
	WEBSITE This week PECO became the first utility in Pennsylvania to buy and bank renewable energy credits (RECs) to meet its obligations for 2011 under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) law. PECO will purchase 240,000 megawatt-hours of wind energy credits from IBERDROLA RENEWABLES. PECO is required under the AEPS law to provide 3.5 percent of the energy to its customers from renewable sources such as wind. Originally Published: 10/10/08 (Send to a Friend)
AND LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE PUC
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/15/08
	WEBSITE No grass grows under the Public Utility Commission. On Oct. 9, the Commissioners unanimously agreed to begin implementation of HB 2200. Originally Published: 10/10/08 (Send to a Friend)
LANDMARK ENERGY SAVINGS BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR RENDELL
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/15/08
	WEBSITE On Oct. 8, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed historic energy savings legislation that will give Pennsylvania families and businesses important tools to save money on their electricity bills. Not only will House Bill 2200 reduce the demand for energy, but it will create thousands of green jobs, cut pollution, and reduce the need to build new power plants and transmission lines. Governor Rendell enthusiastically praised the passage of the bill, noting that it would "put Pennsylvania among the leading states" in saving energy. The Senate approved HB 2200 by a 47-3 vote, and the House tally was 186-4. More. Originally Published: 10/10/08 (Send to a Friend)
SMART PEOPLE, SMART POLICIES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/15/08
	WEBSITE The Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania, a program of the Chester County Economic Development Council, works in the five southeastern counties to promote green jobs by providing comprehensive workforce and economic development services to partnering companies. Tom Tuffey, who directs PennFuture's Center for Energy, Enterprise and the Environment, was recently named chair of the initiative. Audrey Zibelman, founder and CEO of Viridity and former chief operating officer of PJM Interconnection, was named vice chair. Originally Published: 10/03/08 (Send to a Friend)
HOT SO FAST
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/15/08
	WEBSITE The Union of Concerned Scientists this week released an in-depth analysis of the impacts of global warming in Pennsylvania. The report projects two different scenarios for the state depending on whether we are able to significantly reduce global warming pollution. Particular attention is paid to the impacts on health, agriculture, forests, fisheries and snowfall. Be sure to check out the 12-page executive summary (http://my.pennfuture.org/site/R?i=euaLbULvK4OW1LFu7LxCoA..) and full report (http://my.pennfuture.org/site/R?i=MBVfZz8ZCJHKV1TxuZVkEw..). Originally Published: 10/03/08 (Send to a Friend)
BUD RIDES TO THE RESCUE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Senate Bill 1330 as passed by the Senate provided little in the way of substantive benefits to landowners on whose property drilling companies drill for gas in coal seams. Its alternative dispute resolution process has such a short timetable that property owners would be at disadvantage against the drilling companies. This week, property owners were saved, thanks to their champion, Bud George (D-Clearfield), chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. He carried the day with his successful amendment to SB 1330, which gives landowners and natural resources on and under their properties real protections previously lacking in the bill. SB 1330 with the George amendment allows coalbed methane owners reasonable access to their gas, but now includes: full compensation of the surface landowner for all injuries incurred, including loss of income, the market value of crops lost or damaged, the cost of damage to private property, and damage to water supplies in use prior to the drilling; repair of surface damage within nine months after the extraction ends; earlier notification of landowners of proposed drilling on their land and a fuller explanation of drilling operations; a bond from the operator that will be released only when the land is reclaimed, the wells have been plugged, and other conditions protecting the landowner and natural resources have been met; and, a requirement that damage to public or private water supplies by pollution or diminution be fixed, or the water supply replaced. Originally Published: 09/26/08 (Send to a Friend)
THE FOX IN THE CONSERVATION HEN HOUSE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL HB 2200 as passed by the House required a rigorous, competitive bidding process to choose an independent program administrator to run the energy conservation programs in each utility service territory. Utilities and other entities could submit bids to receive a performance-based contract for the conservation programs that would reduce overall and peak demand for electricity. The Senate amendments give the conservation programs to the local electricity companies. They would be in charge of developing programs to cut customers’ bills and, with it, their own bottom lines. If programs created by the utilities fail after five years, they merely have to pay a $5 million fine. But if PECO cut demand by the required 2.5 percent, it would take about $110 million off its annual sales. What would a shareholder-answering CEO do? Citizen watchdogs are urgently needed to keep the foxes out of the hen house. The smart meter provisions in the bill are now a disaster. The money and energy saving devices may not be fully deployed for 20 years under the Senate amendment. Meanwhile, just last week, Delaware’s only regulated utility got the green light to give each customer a smart meter, and is doing so with enthusiasm. Originally Published: 09/26/08 (Send to a Friend)
SENATE COMMITTEE DAMAGES HB 2200; ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT FOR REPAIR
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL For many months, PennFuture has urged prompt Senate action on House Bill 2200, the Energy Savings Bill. This week the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee finally approved the bill, but in doing so, amended it to inflict heavy damage on its core energy conservation and smart meter provisions. HB 2200 must be fixed without delay, or Pennsylvania will have squandered a tremendous opportunity to help citizens and businesses save money and energy. Failure to pass it this session will mean that we will have run out of time to get the energy savings programs up and running before the electricity rate caps come off. Our families and businesses will have little protection from higher electricity bills. HB 2200 was referred back to committee on Wednesday. There are only three days (October 6, 7, 8) left in the 2008 legislative session for the full Senate to approve the bill, or to agree to any changes that might be subsequently added in the House. Originally Published: 09/26/08 (Send to a Friend)
HELP US CELEBRATE OUR GREEN POWER AWARDEES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This year PennFuture will present two awards in the "Pioneers" category for the recipients' work to build the Pennsylvania solar industry from the ground up. Jon Costanza, President of Sunpower Builders in Collegeville, has been in the solar business for over thirty years and an inspiration to many others who have joined his ranks. Rushforth Solar, based in Bryn Mawr and a partnership of Alan and Jan Marie Rushforth, has been a leader in the development of solar thermal technology for residents and businesses in the Delaware Valley. Both of these firms have given freely of their time in support of our Campaign for Great Green Jobs. Originally Published: 09/12/08 (Send to a Friend)
BAD COAL BED METHANE BILL SLATED FOR HOUSE ACTION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL The bonanza of coal bed methane extraction in western Pennsylvania has become a nightmare for many landowners. A 1980 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision allows drilling companies the right to drill for gas in coal seams without paying the property owners a dime. And drilling companies contend that the property owner must put up with invasion of privacy, noise, and damage to the land and water. Senate Bill 1330 ostensibly "addresses" this problem, but in truth provides no new, substantial protections to landowners beyond a flawed, compressed hearing process in front of a board stacked in favor of the drilling industry. If SB 1330 passes, the drilling industry could argue in the future that the bill preempts other common law protections to landowners. SB 1330 is scheduled for a vote in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday morning. PennFuture opposes SB 1330 as passed by the Senate. We will work with interested House members to seek genuine protections for property owners and water resources. Originally Published: 09/19/08 (Send to a Friend)
DELAWARE GIVES THUMBS UP TO SMART METERS FOR ALL CUSTOMERS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL Several in the Pennsylvania Senate argue that smart meters should not be provided to all Pennsylvania customers. The timetable in HB 2200 for giving every customer a smart meter roughly dovetails with the normal replacement schedule for electric meters as they wear out. All customers having the same kind of meter is also vastly more efficient and promotes reductions in peak demand that save money for all customers. And, learning a lesson from the massive power outages this week in western Pennsylvania, smart meters would enable the utilities to know instantly where the outages are and get repair crews there faster. To illustrate this point, this week the Delaware Public Service Commission approved the installation of 300,000 smart meters for all customers of Delmarva Power, the state's only regulated utility. "We're going to provide our customers with the tools for reducing their energy use, particularly when it costs the most," said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power Region President. "Given the energy and environmental challenges we face today, it is imperative for utilities to invest in new technologies that take energy efficiency to new heights. With 'smart' meters, Delmarva Power is doing just that." Originally Published: 09/19/08 (Send to a Friend)
SEEKING RELIEF BEFORE THE WINDOW CLOSES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/08/08
	Contact: 215-545-9692 WEBSITE EMAIL This week, Governor Rendell and legislative leaders held productive negotiations on House Bill 2200, the vital Energy Savings Bill, as well as the related issues of electricity rate mitigation and procurement. Only six legislative session days remain for the Senate to pass the bill this fall, so time is of the essence. Passage of House Bill 2200 is critical to giving families and businesses vital tools to save money and energy through conservation to help offset the impending end of caps on the price of electricity in most of Pennsylvania at the end of 2009 and early 2010. Originally Published: 09/19/08 (Send to a Friend)
HELP US CELEBRATE OUR GREEN POWER LEADERS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/01/08
	WEBSITE Join us in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 16, for PennFuture's annual GreenPower: Turn It On! Awards Luncheon. We will celebrate the businesses, organizations and individuals who are building the 21st Century green energy company. This year PennFuture will salute five award winners in the Large Green Power Purchase category: The Philadelphia Phillies for becoming the largest green energy purchaser in professional sports. Citizens Bank Park is now 100 percent powered by green energy thanks to the Phillies' 20 million kilowatt hours (kWh) purchase, which is equivalent to avoiding the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 2,800 cars; Dickinson College for purchasing 50 percent of the electricity used on campus from wind power, and for installing a 60 kilowatt solar array; the University of Pennsylvania for purchasing 200,000 megawatt hours of its electricity per year from clean energy sources; the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh for purchasing 100 percent of its electricity from green energy sources; and, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for leadership in pursuing environmentally sustainable practices within the healthcare industry and for purchasing 10 percent of its electricity from green energy sources Originally Published: 09/05/08 (Send to a Friend)
STATE CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE CONVENES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/01/08
	WEBSITE The Climate Change Advisory Committee, created by passage of the historic Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, held its first meeting in Harrisburg today. PennFuture President and CEO Jan Jarrett was one of six individuals appointed to the committee by Governor Rendell. Legislative leaders appointed the other 12 members of the committee. The Pennsylvania Climate Change Act also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a report on the expected impacts of global warming on the state, compile an annual inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, develop a registry to record emissions reductions, and within 15 months publish a state climate action plan including recommendations for legislative action. Originally Published: 09/05/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREEN POWER AWARDEES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/01/08
	WEBSITE PennFuture announces more of the awardees to be honored at its September 16 Green Power Awards Luncheon: PPL Electric had the vision to install smart meters for each customer at a time when electricity rates were capped. We also salute PPL for its Energy Analyzer website and for the development and expansion of the residential time-of use rate pilot program. PennFuture is honoring Millcreek Township School District in Erie County for the installation of a green roof at the Asbury Woods Nature Center. Originally Published: 08/29/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREEN POWER AWARDEE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/01/08
	WEBSITE Dansko is well-known for hip, comfortable shoes and other footwear. But did you know that the organization is taking big steps to lower their carbon footprint? On September 16 PennFuture will honor Dansko with a GreenPower Award for their Innersole program. The firm purchases 100 percent of its electricity from wind power, and recently moved into a LEED certified green building headquarters in West Grove, Chester County. Originally Published: 08/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
GOVERNOR RENDELL NOMINATES JOHN HANGER TO LEAD DEP; PENNFUTURE BOARD PROMOTES JAN JARRETT TO PRESIDENT
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 10/01/08
	WEBSITE Governor Edward Rendell announced Tuesday the nomination of PennFuture President John Hanger to be the next Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). John will be leaving PennFuture as of August 29 after ten years at the helm. PennFuture's Board of Directors has named Jan Jarrett to be the next president of PennFuture also effective August 29. More. Originally Published: 08/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
NEW VIDEO EXPLORES TOXIC EXPOSURES
	Organization: Women's Health & Environmental Network Date Posted: 09/26/08
	Contact: 215-990-1271 WEBSITE EMAIL Hidden Secrets: Toxins in Our Environment, a new film released by WHEN, follows a day in the life of Heather, a young woman who is a nurse and is expecting a child. The things she is in contact with in her daily life can expose her and her baby to toxins that can impact their health. Heather navigates her way through normal activities and makes conscious choices about how to avoid potentially harmful ingredients. Filmed in Philadelphia, the film also features experts from the fields of health, environment, and health care. It makes a great discussion piece around health and/or the environment. Copies of the film can be purchased through WHEN. Originally Published: 10/01/08 (Send to a Friend)
PENNSYLVANIA IS PUTTING ITS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS WITH THE FRESH FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE
	Organization: Planetizen Date Posted: 09/09/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) is believed to be the nation’s only statewide public-private funding initiative dedicated to opening grocery stores in underserved areas. In three years, the $120 million fund has provided “gap financing” – money beyond what a grocer normally could receive in grants and loans – to open or update 52 supermarkets statewide, creating some 4,000 jobs in the process. More. Originally Published: 06/30/08 (Send to a Friend)
LEASING OF LANDMARK TURNPIKE PUTS STATE AT POLICY CROSSROADS
	Organization: Planetizen Date Posted: 09/09/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL The mother of all toll road leases appears to come to a head next month, and though the chances of the near $13 billion lease of the the 537-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike to Citigroup-Abertis team are most uncertain, the PA saga is worthy of study. More. Originally Published: 08/28/08 (Send to a Friend)
SPANISH FIRM OFFERS $12.8 BILLION TO LEASE PA. TURNPIKE
	Organization: Planetizen Date Posted: 09/09/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL A Spanish toll-road operator won the bidding war to operate the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering $12.8 billion for a 75-year lease, Gov. Rendell said today. The proposal by Abertis Infraestructuras, of Barcelona, must be approved by the Pennsylvania legislature, and legislative leaders in Harrisburg have said the plan faces tough sledding with lawmakers. More. Originally Published: 05/19/08 (Send to a Friend)
MORE MOOLA TO SAVE ENERGY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 08/17/08
	WEBSITE Earlier this month, PPL Electric Utilities and the Sustainable Energy Fund announced a new rebate program for small businesses to replace inefficient lighting. This program, which offers up to $2000 to businesses with up to 100 employees, will help grow the economy and protect the environment by eliminating wasted electricity and the pollution it causes. Lighting accounts for 25 percent to 35 percent of the typical business electricity bill, and switching to LED and other efficient lighting can save up to 50 percent. Businesses in the PPL territory can get details on this new program at the SEF website. Families and businesses in other parts of the state will be able to take advantage of energy savings incentives IF the Pennsylvania State Senate passes HB 2200, the Energy Savings Bill, when it returns in September. A call or note to your senator can make it happen. Originally Published: 08/01/08 (Send to a Friend)
NEW REPORT RANKS STATES MOST VULNERABLE TO RISING GAS PRICES, OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR RELIEF
	Organization: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Date Posted: 08/16/08
	WEBSITE States that adopt laws promoting clean and efficient vehicles and investing in public transit are helping protect their citizens from high oil prices, according to a new report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). States doing the most to promote energy-saving policies to reduce their oil dependency and protect their residents from oil price spikes are California, New York, Connecticut, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Colorado and Maryland. The states in which drivers are most at risk to high gas prices increases are Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, Indiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Iowa. More. Originally Published: 07/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF? HB 2200
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 08/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Electricity rate caps have already ended in six utility service territories and will end everywhere in Pennsylvania by January 1, 2011. When they do, rates will rise. That's the bad news. But here's the good news. Our state senators can help families and businesses keep electric rates down by passing HB 2200, the Energy Savings Bill. More. Originally Published: 07/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
PENNFUTURE HOLDS “EXIT INTERVIEW” WITH DEP SECRETARY KATHLEEN MCGINTY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 08/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) today released an “exit interview” with Secretary of Environmental Protection Kathleen McGinty, taped as word of her resignation spread through the state. The video interview was conducted by PennFuture’s vice president Jan Jarrett and is available at www.pennfuturepodcast.org. More. Originally Published: 07/11/08 (Send to a Friend)
PENNFUTURE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO GIVE PENNSYLVANIA’S FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES POWERFUL TOOLS TO SAVE ON ELECTRICITY BILLS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 08/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture), joined by business leaders, people of faith, elected officials and representatives of the more than 50 organizations in Pennsylvania supporting strong energy savings legislation, has launched a new statewide campaign, "How do you spell relief? HB 2200," challenging all members of the Pennsylvania Senate to pledge to pass HB 2200 before they leave for their election recess. More. Originally Published: 08/13/08 (Send to a Friend)
DIGSAU TO EXHIBIT AT GREENFEST PHILLY
	Organization: DIGSAU Date Posted: 08/11/08
	Contact: 215-627-0808 WEBSITE EMAIL DIGSAU will be showing some current projects at GreenFest Philly. (Send to a Friend)
BATHROOM REVAMP: SAVINGS BY THE GALLON
	Organization: Ecopreneurist Date Posted: 08/05/08
	WEBSITE This article provides tips on how to save money by buying alternative faucets, showerheads, and toilets, for example. The article also posts 8 ways to save money in the bathroom. Originally Published: 10/01/07 (Send to a Friend)
KELLOGG FOUNDATION GRANT SUPPORTS REGIONAL FRUIT, VEGETABLE FARMS
	Organization: Foundation Center Date Posted: 07/31/08
	WEBSITE Red Tomato, a nonprofit in Canton, Massachusetts, that works to strengthen family farms and bring fresh, local produce to regional markets, has announced a three-year, $655,200 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Part of a multiyear Kellogg initiative to meet the increasing demand for ecologically grown, affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in the Northeast and provide major support for local food security by promoting the growth of sustainable agriculture, the grant will support Red Tomato's work with a network of more than forty fruit and vegetable farms in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. Red Tomato helps to brand, market, and promote the farmers and their products through a program that combines mission-based development and research with market-based sales and brokering — all based on fair trade, ecological production, and building a sustainable local food system. "Kellogg has been an important source of funding for a variety of sustainable food projects, including Red Tomato, for a number of years," said George Riley, the organization's development director. "This award is a significant sign that our work to support regional farmers and bring their products to consumers is yielding valuable results." Originally Published: 07/27/08 (Send to a Friend)
PUBLIC-PRIVATE CONSORTIUM TO SUPPORT PROJECTS TO MAKE PHILADELPHIA GREENER
	Organization: Foundation Center Date Posted: 07/31/08
	WEBSITE A consortium of public and private funders has announced more than $19 million in funding for extensive landscape and roadway enhancements to Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the development of a new park in South Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will contribute $6.4 million and $6.45 million, respectively, for the parkway project, which is expected to cost $17.1 million. In addition, the Philadelphia-based Pew Charitable Trusts will contribute $2 million to the effort and will manage all private contributions, including a $1.25 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and a $1 million grant from the William Penn Foundation. In coordination with the Fairmount Park Commission, streetscape and landscape upgrades will be implemented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Center City District, and the City of Philadelphia. The new Hawthorne Park in South Philadelphia is expected to cost $2.15 million, with the state contributing $1.1 million and Pew and the William Penn Foundation each contributing $250,000. Work on the two projects will begin this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2011. More. Originally Published: 07/21/08 (Send to a Friend)
SAFE FOOD, SAFE FAMILIES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE Representative Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) has introduced the Safe Food and Safe Families Act which would ban feeding low levels of antibiotics to healthy animals at industrial livestock factories. This misuse of antibiotics is helping to create super-germs which are invulnerable to treatment by antibiotics. People who contract infections from these super-bugs will not respond to the usual antibiotic treatments. New studies indicate that industrial livestock production is creating new strains of the dangerous MRSA bacteria which kill 19,000 people a year in the United States. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that 70 percent of all the antibiotics manufactures are fed to healthy animals at livestock facilities. Originally Published: 06/27/08 (Send to a Friend)
CHESAPEAKE CRAB INDUSTRY AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC DISASTER
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE U.S. senators representing Maryland and Virginia have asked federal authorities to issue a disaster declaration for the blue crab industry which would free up $20 million in aid for harvesters and processors hard hit by record low crab harvests. Blue crab stocks have declined by 70 percent since 1990, and the states are cutting the allowed harvest by one-third this year. Bay harvesters also face other dangers. The president of the Virginia Waterman's Association has been hospitalized with an infection directly related to working with contaminated marine life and polluted water. Pennsylvania rivers deliver half of the Chesapeake Bay's fresh water. Originally Published: 06/27/08 (Send to a Friend)
GOOD DAY SUNSHINE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE Just this morning, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee doubled the amount of solar required to meet the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) , and raised the requirement for renewable energy in the AEPS Tier 1 from 8 percent to 10 percent, thanks to an amendment offered by Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) to SB 25. This means Pennsylvania's electricity suppliers must dramatically increase the amount of clean, renewable energy provided to their customers. SB 25 is now a bill that can be embraced by the green energy entrepreneurs, environmental leaders and all who want to help grow Pennsylvania's 21st Century energy economy. Originally Published: 06/27/08 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY NEGOTIATIONS - GETTING TO "I DO"
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE June is the season of arranged marriages in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and both sides of the family are in serious negotiations over the size of the dowries and the terms of the union for energy legislation. PennFuture is hearing that $650 million is the magic number for the clean energy fund with $180 million of that specifically for solar energy. Of the $650 million, $500 million would be available for quick investments over the next two to four years to keep Pennsylvania competitive with robust programs in surrounding states. Serious talks begin today about energy savings legislation that could save Pennsylvanians as much as 20 percent on their electricity bills if done right. To do it right, the legislation must include smart meters and smart pricing plans. Originally Published: 06/27/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREENER CITIES, GREENER FUTURES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE Philadelphia City Council yesterday approved a ballot initiative that would restructure the leadership of Fairmount Park, as well as merge Fairmount Park and the Recreation Department, which historically have split the management of city parks and recreation centers. If approved by voters in November, these changes would help create more efficient and effective services and programs for all parks and recreation sites. Reforming the leadership of Fairmount Park was one of the top ten action items proposed by the Next Great City coalition. Originally Published: 06/20/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREENWAYS MAKE FOR HEALTHY STREAMS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE The Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water this week unveiled a proposal to protect water quality and reduce flooding by requiring all new developments to include a 100 foot forest and greenway on either side of all rivers and streams in Pennsylvania. The greenway proposal would not impinge on already existing developments or agriculture. The Department of Environmental Protection is evaluating the proposal for inclusion in new water regulations. Over 110 organizations, including PennFuture, and 25 members of the General Assembly have already endorsed the plan. Originally Published: 06/20/08 (Send to a Friend)
RENDELL ANNOUNCES PUC NOMINATIONS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/06/08
	WEBSITE Governor Rendell has nominated Wayne Gardner and Robert Powelson to serve on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Gardner is a widely respected clean energy expert from Downingtown, and Powelson, of Kennett Square, has served as President of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry since 1995. The nominations require Senate confirmation. Originally Published: 06/20/08 (Send to a Friend)
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2009 FELLOWSHIP CLASS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ARE NOW OPEN
	Organization: Environmental Leadership Program Date Posted: 07/02/08
	Contact: 215.292.3040 WEBSITE EMAIL Visit website for more information. (Send to a Friend)
WIND THE SAFEST OF THEM ALL
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/02/08
	WEBSITE In a preview presented at WINDPOWER 2008, Christian Newman, president and principal scientist at Pandion Systems discussed the soon-to-be-released report commissioned by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority on the risk to wildlife from differing ways of making electricity. The result? The risk to wildlife associated with wind turbines is actually lower than that of six other major energy sources. Originally Published: 06/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
U.S. SENATE SLAMS THE DOOR ON GLOBAL WARMING ACTION IN 2008
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/02/08
	WEBSITE The U.S. Senate failed to muster the 60 votes necessary to head off a filibuster by opponents of the Climate Security Act sponsored by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), John Warner (R-Virginia) and Barbara Boxer (D-California). This action essentially ends the chance that Congress will take meaningful action on global warming in 2008. But there are important signs of progress in this defeat. Fifty-four senators voted or said they would vote to invoke cloture and end the delay tactics by the bill's opponents. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pennsylvania) supported the motion, but unfortunately Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) said he would be opposed. Ten senators who previously were against discussion of global warming bills that were weaker than the Climate Security Act changed their positions. Originally Published: 06/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
TALK OF GREEN JOBS IS EVERYWHERE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/02/08
	WEBSITE PennFuture and Governor Rendell hosted separate events on June 5 to build support for the critical Energy Savings Bill (House Bill 2200) and the Clean Energy Funding Bill (Special Session House Bill 1), both pending in the Pennsylvania Senate. Enthusiastic audiences and green energy economy leaders joined the call for passage of these bills without delay. The events received prominent coverage by Anne Pickering in the West Chester Daily Local and by Alex Rose in the Delaware County Times. The governor's event was also mentioned in an article by Angela Couloumobis in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Originally Published: 06/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
PENNFUTURE ON YOUTUBE? YOUBET
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/02/08
	WEBSITE Check out PennFuture Channel on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/pennfuture), and keep checking back. First, take a virtual tour of Pennsylvania's green energy economy. The Campaign for Great Green Jobs video, broken into two segments, is prominently featured on the site. You can also watch a video that Governor Rendell prepared for our 2007 Clean Energy Conference. Originally Published: 06/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREEN POWER AWARDS - NOMINATIONS AND REGISTRATION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/02/08
	Contact: Mary Kane, 717-214-7920. WEBSITE EMAIL On Tuesday, September 16, 2008 PennFuture will hold its annual Green Power Awards luncheon at the Hilton Inn at Penn in Philadelphia. This event, which will run from Noon to 2 p.m., is our annual tribute to the visionary individuals, institutions, organizations and companies that are building the new energy economy and creating great green jobs right here in Pennsylvania. Please help us find our honorees by nominating a Green Power Hero for consideration. It could be someone who is making clean energy, saving energy, putting new technologies to use, proselytizing about energy or simply making it possible for all of us to change what kind of energy we use, and how we use it. Visit http://my.pennfuture.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=1621&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS to tell us all about your nominee. Don’t Delay - Nominations are due by July 31, 2008. And while you are there, you can reserve your spot for the awards luncheon. Originally Published: 06/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
PROGRESS ON THE ROAD TO GREAT GREEN JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/29/08
	WEBSITE This was a good week in the effort to secure Senate passage of House Bill 2200 (the Energy Savings Bill) and Special Session House Bill 1 (the Clean Energy Funding bill). Senator Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks) chaired an excellent public hearing on energy conservation in front of the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee. Senators are making a concerted effort to understand how the energy conservation programs in House Bill 2200 will work. There is a growing, bi-partisan consensus that smart meters are a vital and necessary tool for reducing both overall and peak demand for electricity. PennFuture President John Hanger testified at Senator Tomlinson's hearing. Originally Published: 05/16/08 (Send to a Friend)
SUPPORT BUILDS ALL AROUND FOR GREAT GREEN JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/29/08
	WEBSITE Support continues to grow for the Campaign for Great Green Jobs in town after town. This week, town hall meetings in Bensalem and Allentown showed that the two bills key to the Campaign, the Energy Savings Bill (House Bill 2200) and the Clean Energy Funding Bill (Special Session House Bill 1), were gaining legislative support. These bills, currently waiting action in the State Senate, would give families and businesses the tools and information they need to cut costs and their energy bills, fight global warming, and create Great Green Jobs in Pennsylvania. Both town hall meetings this week featured Governor Edward G. Rendell as the main speaker. In Bensalem, Senator Robert M. (Tommy) Tomlinson, R-6, chair of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, joined Governor Rendell in expressing his strong support for the bills. According to the Bucks County Courier Times, "Tomlinson said that the need for conservation and alternative energy in Pennsylvania had been ‘a tough learning process for a lot of my colleagues' in the Republican party." Originally Published: 05/09/08 (Send to a Friend)
A GRAND SLAM
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 06/29/08
	WEBSITE Pennsylvania's professional sports teams not only battle on the field and rink, but now they are waging friendly, public-spirited campaigns to demonstrate their commitment to a clean environment. This week the Philadelphia Phillies announced their "Red Goes Green" campaign for Citizens Bank Park. The centerpiece of the campaign is the Phillies' purchase of 100 percent of the electricity to power Citizens Bank Park from clean, renewable sources. This purchase of 20 million kilowatt hours of green power does as much environment good as reducing heat trapping pollution by 34 million pounds or planting 100,000 trees. It is also the single largest purchase of green power among U.S. professional sports teams. Originally Published: 05/02/08 (Send to a Friend)
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO THWART A PROPOSED BILL IN NJ'S LEGISLATURE.
	Organization: Delaware Riverkeeper Network Date Posted: 06/19/08
	Contact: 215-369-1188 WEBSITE EMAIL Your help is needed to thwart a proposed bill in NJ's legislature. It's entitled the NJ Permit Extension Act (S-1919) and will allow development projects to circumvent many of our state's environmental protections, such as vegetative buffers around state open waters and flood protections. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network and other environmental organizations need you to quickly speak up and out. More. (Send to a Friend)
RIVER AT RISK OF POLLUTION AND DEGRADATION – YOUR VOICE CAN STOP IT!
	Organization: Delaware Riverkeeper Network Date Posted: 06/19/08
	Contact: 215-369-1188 WEBSITE EMAIL Immediate Action Needed! Pollution Dischargers are on the Move! River at Risk of Pollution and Degradation – Your Voice can Stop It! We need you to write the Delaware River Basin Commission, the head of your state Environmental Agency and your Governor to urge them to vote for Special Protection Waters Designation of the Lower Delaware River at their July meeting. More. (Send to a Friend)
HELP PROTECT A SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION - WRITE YOUR LETTER BY JULY 18, 2008
	Organization: Delaware Riverkeeper Network Date Posted: 06/19/08
	Contact: 215-369-1188 WEBSITE EMAIL Please take a few minutes and go to http://delawareriverkeeper.org/takeaction/urgent.asp and click on take action. The very survival of a shorebird species depends on your voice being heard to help protect it so please write your letter today! More. (Send to a Friend)
EXPERTS TO HOST PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 05/01/08
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, together with The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, will host a large public forum on May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., where a panel of scientists and policy experts will discuss the impacts of “Global Warming in the Delaware Valley.” This free, town hall-style meeting is one of many installments in the Academy’s “Town Square” series, which is taking place at the museum’s headquarters near Logan Square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. “As scientists, it is critically important to share the latest facts and to hear what people are most concerned about. That is the goal of this forum,” said Dr. Danielle Kreeger, science director at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. “We also want to think strategically about needs and actions in the future. For example, what do we do when changes in climate begin to interact with changes in our backyard, like land use and water management? These are just a few of the things we’ll discuss.” The evening’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, president of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment. Panelists will include Carol Collier of the Delaware River Basin Commission, Barry Seymour of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and Jennifer Adkins of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the latter of which will serve as moderator. “Town Square” is made possible thanks to the financial assistance of the Claneil Foundation and the Environmental Associates of The Academy of Natural Sciences. For more information, please visit www.DelawareEstuary.org or www.ANSP.org/townsquare. More. (Send to a Friend)
A NEW LIFE FOR THE LEASE...
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/23/08
	WEBSITE Governor Ed Rendell announced this week that bids will be collected from private companies interested in leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The news took many by surprise --including the lawmakers who supported Act 44, the transportation funding law passed last summer. Act 44 calls for tolls on Interstate 80 and makes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission responsible for supplemental payments to PennDOT. All options for funding road and bridge repairs and public transportation are on the table again, though the lease proposal faces tough sledding in the House Democratic Caucus Originally Published: 04/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
INVIGORATING THE RUST BELT WITH GREEN COLLAR JOBS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/23/08
	WEBSITE ABC's World News Tonight recently highlighted the jobs that green collar employers such as Gamesa are bringing to economically struggling areas in western Pennsylvania. The Spanish wind energy company now employs over 1,200 Pennsylvanians, mostly at its wind turbine manufacturing facilities in Cambria and Bucks Counties. Originally Published: 04/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
COME TO AN ENERGETIC MEETING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/23/08
	WEBSITE The Campaign for Great Green Jobs is rolling along, with well over 100 supporting organizations, businesses and governmental entities. Citizens can learn more and show support for the campaign by attending one of a series of Great Green Jobs town hall meetings across the state. The meetings will feature short presentations by clean energy businesses on pending legislation that will create jobs, protect the environment and save consumers money. The meetings are scheduled in Norristown on April 24, Wallingford (Delaware County) on April 28, Philadelphia on May 1, Bensalem (Bucks County) on May 7, Allentown on May 8, and Camp Hill (Cumberland County) on May 15. More meetings are planned for Pittsburgh and other locations. House Bill 2200, the landmark energy savings bill, and Special Session House Bill 1, an $850 million clean energy funding bill, will be discussed at the town hall meetings. Originally Published: 04/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
REMODELER TO BUILD THOREAU'S CABIN FOR "TOTALLY TERRIFIC TREEHOUSES" EXHIBIT
	Date Posted: 04/20/08
	Henry David Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond is coming to Tyler Arboretum, thanks to remodeling company Pine Street Carpenters, Inc., lumber supplier Beatty Lumber & Millwork, and a host of local businesses. Pine Street Carpenters, a design-build remodeler based in West Chester, has teamed up with a dozen area businesses as a "Tree-top Sponsor" of Tyler Arboretum's upcoming exhibit "Totally Terrific Treehouses." The exhibit, which runs May 31 through September 28 at the 650-acre arboretum in Media, will feature 16 unique tree houses built by local artists and craftsmen. More. (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY LEGISLATION TO BE DISCUSSED AT PUBLIC MEETING
	Organization: PA House Democratic Caucus and Penn Future Date Posted: 04/20/08
	State Reps. Greg Vitali and Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, along with Penn Future, will host a community meeting from 10:00 a.m. to noon, Monday, April 28, in the downstairs auditorium of the Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 N. Providence Road in Wallingford, to discuss energy legislation including conservation, smart metering, and funding bills. More. (Send to a Friend)
DELAWARE DIVES INTO ECOTOURISM WITH ECODELAWARE.COM
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 04/11/08
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL This week, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary unveiled ecoDelaware.com, a new website promoting ecotourism events and destinations throughout the State of Delaware. This launch comes 10 days prior to the 2008 Governor’s Tourism Summit, an event where ecotourism is featured prominently on the agenda. This website not only equips users to experience Delaware’s creeks, rivers, and estuaries, but it also features outdoor events and preplanned “ecotours,” the latter of which helps to cut down on exhaustive research that can often hinder an excursion. Another ecotourism website is currently under development in Southern New Jersey, and related sites promoting Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Delmarva Peninsula are already available to the public. Therefore, ecoDelaware.com will help to fill a critical niche in the Delaware Estuary region while, at the same time, giving a boost to both environmental education and the state’s slowing economy. More. (Send to a Friend)
COUNCIL ROCK ROCKS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/09/08
	WEBSITE Congratulations to the Council Rock School District, one of only two school districts nationwide selected as an Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Bucks County district reduced its energy consumption by more than 30 percent and saved over $3 million. Since 2005, Council Rock reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 12.5 million pounds, the equivalent of taking more than 1,000 vehicles off the road. Originally Published: 04/04/08 (Send to a Friend)
GET PAID FOR WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/09/08
	WEBSITE Interested in working on recycling and waste reduction issues for a non-profit in Pittsburgh? How about helping a conservation organization in Elk County? Maybe a summer internship in Fayette County to maintain trails and control invasive species? Want to develop educational programs at a wildflower reserve in Bucks County? Or do you want to hit the road and pursue an environmental career in Ohio, Maine, Minnesota or Florida? These are just a few of the current listings on PennFuture's jobs board. We consistently update the job posts. All it takes is a few clicks and a few seconds to register, and you could be surfing for a new career. Click the website link to connect. Originally Published: 04/04/08 (Send to a Friend)
PROOF THAT BLACK HOLES EXIST
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 04/02/08
	WEBSITE The crumbling Interstate 95 span in Philadelphia and the slipping of an entire deck of the Birmingham Bridge in Pittsburgh are just two recent examples of the public safety crisis of Pennsylvania's aging, crumbling and increasingly dangerous road and bridge infrastructure. Pennsylvania has spent $3.8 billion since 2003 to fix 1,381 bridges. Yet the number of structurally deficient bridges in the Commonwealth increased during this time from around 5,600 to nearly 5,900. PennDOT estimates the price tag of fixing all the bridges to be $11 billion. Incomprehensible as it may sound, given this infrastructure crisis, some politicians still want to build 24 miles of the wasteful Mon-Fayette toll road into Pittsburgh when there is no conceivable source of money for the project. The Mon-Fayette's current price tag is $3.8 billion--the same amount the state just spent to repair 1,381 bridges over the past five years. Originally Published: 03/28/08 (Send to a Friend)
BUCKS COUNTY, GREEN ENERGY HUB
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/26/08
	WEBSITE This week Governor Rendell broke ground in Falls Township, Bucks County for the nation’s fourth largest solar energy facility, and the largest east of Arizona. The Exelon-EPURON Solar Center will contain 16,500 solar panels on a tract of land adjacent to a landfill and produce enough electricity to power 400 homes. U.S. Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-Bucks) told those gathered, “We’re creating in Bucks County this green energy hub. It’s an environmental and economic miracle.” Murphy was referring to the nearby manufacturing facilities of Gamesa and AE Polysilicon Corp. Originally Published: 03/21/08 (Send to a Friend)
KESSLER BILL BOOSTS ORGANIC FARMING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/19/08
	WEBSITE Representative David Kessler (D-Berks) this week introduced the Organic Agriculture Development Act (House Bill 2347) with 47 co-sponsors. The centerpiece of the bill is the creation of a fund to reimburse farmers for their transition costs and temporary loss in yields as they replenish the soil while moving from conventional to organic agriculture. No-till farming is an important tool for storing carbon dioxide, the main global warming gas, in the soil. HB 2347 was referred to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Chairman Mike Hanna (D-Clinton and Centre) will hold a hearing on the bill on April 10. More. Originally Published: 03/14/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREEN JOBS BILLS MOVE TO SENATE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/19/08
	WEBSITE Two bills that promote clean energy, energy conservation and will create tens of thousands of green jobs are now in the hands of the Senate thanks to this week's bi-partisan House passage of Special Session House Bill 1 . The House passed SSHB 1 by a 127-73 vote, with 25 Republicans joining all 102 Democrats in support of the bill. SSHB 1 provides $850 million in clean energy funding, including $200 million for solar, $30 million for wind and $25 million for green buildings. Last month the House passed House Bill 2200, which creates energy conservation programs across the state. HB 2200 is now in the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee chaired by Senator Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks). Originally Published: 03/14/08 (Send to a Friend)
COMING TO A CLASSIFIED SECTION NEAR YOU?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/19/08
	WEBSITE This week PennFuture and 58 organizations and clean energy businesses kicked off the Great Green Jobs Campaign at a Capitol press conference. The campaign was able to attract endorsers in under 10 days including Iberdrola Renewable Energy, SunEdison, the Vote Solar Initiative, Republicans for Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and others. We were joined by current Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Kathleen McGinty, former DEP Secretary Jim Seif (who served under Governor Ridge), and members of the House. The first goal of the campaign is passage of HB 2200 and SSHB 1, or similar legislation. More. Originally Published: 03/14/08 (Send to a Friend)
I CAN I-CON
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/12/08
	WEBSITE A new Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) initiative, iConserve Pennsylvania, aims to produce solid, collective steps for the environment through inspiring individual acts of conservation. The website (http://www.iconservepa.org/), chock full of beautiful images of natural Pennsylvania, features ordinary citizens who believe that individually we make a difference, but collectively we have impact. The site also features tips on how you can live green and suggestions about visiting our beautiful state parks and forests, our cities and farms, our mountains and valleys. You'll also be able to add to the dialogue, spelling out why you take conservation personally. Originally Published: 03/07/08 (Send to a Friend)
WEST CHESTER STARS IN ENERGY CONSERVATION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/12/08
	WEBSITE West Chester is the first known municipality in the country to require that all new commercial buildings meet the federal ENERGY STAR standards for energy efficiency. The borough council vote on the ordinance was unanimous. To receive a conditional use permit, a developer must design the building to meet the ENERGY STAR requirements and apply for the ENERGY STAR label within one year after the building is in operation. Buildings must be in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide to earn the label. Originally Published: 03/07/08 (Send to a Friend)
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/12/08
	WEBSITE Fresh from their work at home, members of the state House return to Harrisburg on Monday for two consecutive weeks of voting. And what a great way to return – first on the docket is Special Session House Bill 1, the clean energy funding bill, set for a final passage vote on March 10. SHB 1 provides an $850 million investment in clean energy technologies and jobs, including $200 million for solar energy, $30 million for wind energy and $25 million for green buildings. Yesterday, at a meeting organized by Subcommittee Chair Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) and Committee Chair Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy received testimony on the thousands of great green jobs to be created out of the green energy funding bill and bold energy conservation legislation such as House Bill 2200. Originally Published: 03/07/08 (Send to a Friend)
A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SOLAR ENERGY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/12/08
	WEBSITE Can we have gazillions of solar power plants? Can solar change our energy economy? What about global warming? A provocative article in the January edition of Scientific American addresses these questions, and by extension, demonstrates the importance of continuing federal investment in solar and jumpstarting the solar industry in Pennsylvania via SHB 1. The authors of "A Solar Grand Plan" (http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan) conclude that by 2050, 69 percent of the electricity in the U.S. could come from solar. Originally Published: 02/29/08 (Send to a Friend)
WILL CONGRESS GET THE CREDIT?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 03/12/08
	WEBSITE The emerging green energy job engine is threatened by the looming expiration of federal renewable energy tax credits. This week the U.S. House of Representatives passed a significant long-term extension of the credits that assist the development of solar, wind, geothermal and other clean technologies. See Governor Rendell's letter to the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation urging support for extending the credits at http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=471838. Originally Published: 02/29/08 (Send to a Friend)
CFLS AND MERCURY: POPULAR MECHANICS WEIGHS IN
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/27/08
	WEBSITE Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, are capturing a wider share of the indoor lighting market because they save significant money and energy. But what are the environmental consequences of the small amount of mercury found in CFLs compared to the reduction in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants because CFLs use less electricity? We found the answer in Popular Mechanics, not to mention a trove of interesting information on CFLs including the best way to dispose of used bulbs. (Here's the CliffsNotes version: comparing the mercury coming to power any bulb and the mercury in a CFL, an incandescent would contribute 4.65 more milligrams of mercury into the environment than a CFL.) Originally Published: 02/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
A NEW RESOURCE FOR LOCAL ACTION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/27/08
	WEBSITE Two Bucks County community leaders are joining forces with PennFuture to create our new PennFuture Center for Grassroots Support. The center will expand our ability to provide legal and advocacy support for citizens and public interest organizations across Pennsylvania. Robert Sugarman is a prominent environmental and civil rights attorney. Henry Rowan is Executive Director of the Institute of Community Preservation and a member of the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors. Originally Published: 02/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
TARGET GLOBAL WARMING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/27/08
	WEBSITE Sixty Pennsylvania sporting organizations and fishing related businesses have joined a national effort by hunters and anglers to press Congress for strong action on global warming (see http://www.targetglobalwarming.org/files/PASportsmensLetterSigners.pdf for list). Over 670 such organizations nationwide signed a National Wildlife Federation letter (http://online.nwf.org/site/DocServer/20080212_SportsmenLetterFinal.pdf?docID=2881) that calls for federal cap and trade legislation, annual reductions in carbon reductions by two percent that put on us on track to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and dedicated funding for conserving and restoring natural resources already impacted by global warming. Originally Published: 02/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREEN JOBS, GREEN EMPOWERMENT
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/27/08
	WEBSITE Noted environmental leader and civil rights attorney from Oakland, CA, Van Jones last night spoke passionately about green collar jobs and creating "green pathways out of poverty" to a packed house at the Academy of Natural Sciences and eight satellite locations in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania can create thousands of green jobs in energy conservation and clean energy if General Assembly promptly passes House Bill 2200, the energy savings bill, and Special Session House Bill 1, the clean energy funding bill. HB 2200 will create energy conservation and efficiency jobs across the state that in turn help families and businesses save money on their electricity bills. This bill is ready for Senate consideration. SHB 1 provides an $850 million investment in clean energy technologies and jobs, including $200 million for solar energy. SHB 1 is slated for House passage the week of March 10 and then goes to the Senate. Originally Published: 02/22/08 (Send to a Friend)
SUPERIOR DECISION TO STOP TOXIC POLLUTION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/20/08
	WEBSITE Superior Tube Company, Inc. announced Wednesday that the company will eliminate all manufacturing use of toxic trichloroethylene (TCE) at its plant in Collegeville, Montgomery County, and agree to enforceable reductions in the use of TCE as it moves toward elimination. This is a big win for public health in the community. PennFuture has provided legal representation to concerned citizens in Collegeville, requested aggressive action by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when it weakened stronger limits on TCE. A recent engineering report commissioned by PennFuture identified strategies for Superior Tube and neighboring Accellent, Inc. to eliminate TCE. TCE exposure is associated with several types of cancer in humans. Superior Tube and Accellent are the fourth and fifth biggest TCE polluters in the nation respectively. Originally Published: 02/15/08 (Send to a Friend)
NUTTER ACTS ON NEXT GREAT CITY RECOMMENDATIONS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/20/08
	WEBSITE Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter's (D) first budget embraces many of the recommendations endorsed by the Next Great City coalition coordinated by PennFuture. These proposals include: an increase in funding for Fairmount Park by $1.5 million this year, and $16.5 million over the next five years; dramatically increasing citywide participation in recycling, and boosting funding for recycling by $6.1 million this year, and $25.1 million over five years; promoting urban greening by securing funding to plant 25,000 trees, and by including $1 million in the Fairmount Park budget for this purpose; reallocating the costs of stormwater management based on overall and impervious area; and, securing a new city contract with an outdoor advertiser to install new street furniture such as bus shelters and newspaper corrals. More. Originally Published: 02/15/08 (Send to a Friend)
CLEAN ENERGY FUNDING A STEP CLOSER
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/20/08
	WEBSITE This week the House amended Representative Eugene DePasquale's (D-York) Special Session House Bill 1 that provides $850 million in clean energy funding. Representative Vitali added language that dedicates $30 million in funding for wind energy, while Representative Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) allocated $25 million for high-performance green buildings. Final passage of SHB 1 is expected the week of March 10, when the House returns for voting sessions. Originally Published: 02/15/08 (Send to a Friend)
HOUSE PASSES LANDMARK ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/20/08
	WEBSITE Pennsylvania took a significant step toward becoming a national leader on energy conservation with House passage of House Bill 2200 by a 152-45 vote. House Bill 2200 requires the Public Utility Commission to establish electricity conservation programs in the service territories of all electric distribution companies. These conservation programs will provide services that will allow our businesses and families to save up to 20 percent on their bills. HB 2200 will nurture smart energy jobs that use new technologies, cut air and global warming pollution, and reduce the need to construct new power plants and transmission lines. The House also amended HB 2200 with the smart meter provisions championed by Representative Bob Freeman (D-Northampton). Smart meters and the availability of three electricity pricing programs will allow customers to save money by using electricity when it is cheaper. More. Originally Published: 02/15/08 (Send to a Friend)
TESTOSTERONE-FREE VALENTINES DAYS AHEAD
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/13/08
	WEBSITE Studies now show that the number of boys born each year compared to the number of girls is falling. In the Arctic - where the impact of pollution is more acute - a team of Scandinavian researchers found that twice as many girls are being born than boys. Researchers are considering whether a class of compounds known as endocrine disruptors, already considered a suspect for other health problems such as breast cancer and premature puberty, are to blame. Plastics are a principal source for the chemicals. See http://wholelifetimes.com/2008/02/healthyliving0802.html for more. Originally Published: 02/08/08 (Send to a Friend)
FISH COMMISSION TO ANGLERS - WE HAVE GOOD NEWS, AND BAD NEWS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE State officials updated fish consumption advisories for Pennsylvania waterways this week (see http://www.fish.state.pa.us/newsreleases/2008/fish_consu_adv.htm). These advisories list how much to restrict your diet of specific fish, based on the pollution found in the fish. The update was necessary due to changes in mercury and PCB contamination. Originally Published: 02/01/08 (Send to a Friend)
EVERYONE CAN BE A CONSERVE-ATIVE ON ENERGY POLICY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE PennFuture President John Hanger yesterday told the House Consumer Affairs Committee that pending energy conservation legislation would be a big winner for Pennsylvania's environment and economy, and that conservation should enjoy broad support across the political and ideological spectrum. Also offering praise at the hearing for House Bill 2200 and the smart meter provisions of House Bill 2201 were major Pennsylvania utilities, Consumer Advocate Sonny Popowsky and Small Business Advocate Bill Lloyd. Committee Chair Joe Preston (D-Allegheny) announced that the committee would vote on HB 2200 and HB 2201 on Tuesday, February 5. PennFuture urges the committee members to approve the bills and reject any attempts to weaken HB 2200 or the smart meter provisions of HB 2201. Originally Published: 02/01/08 (Send to a Friend)
SECOND ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE The Second Annual Philadelphia Sustainability Awards will be held on Monday, March 3, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Most of the awards are determined by a jury, but make sure you vote for the People's Choice Award. You can vote on-line (at http://www.philadelphiasustainabilityawards.org/nominees/2008) for one of 47 nominees, including the Next Great City effort coordinated by PennFuture. Originally Published: 01/25/08 (Send to a Friend)
MORE THAN MRSA: DOCTORS WARN BACTERIA OVERTAKING VITAL ANTIBIOTICS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE A frightening article in Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle reports that the dangerous drug resistant MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bug that is capturing headlines is only a small facet of an emerging public health crisis. Entire classes of drugs are threatened with obsolescence due to rapidly evolving antibiotic resistant bacteria. Patient and physician misuse of antibiotics and heavy use of antibiotics in factory farms are the principal causes of the problem. An estimated 60 to 70 percent of the antibiotics used in the U.S. are given to healthy farm animals. Originally Published: 01/25/08 (Send to a Friend)
PPL GOING GREEN; REQUESTS NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY RATE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE PPL Electric Utilities this week asked the Public Utility Commission to approve a new program that will enable residential and small business customers to buy blocks of renewable energy credits to support the development of clean sources of electricity. The Electric Green Power Program will allow customers to purchase 100 kilowatt-hour blocks of wind and hydroelectric power for $2.50. Revenue from these purchases will not go to PPL, but rather serve as a financial incentive to promote the development of more renewable energy. PPL developed the program in partnership with Community Energy. Originally Published: 01/25/08 (Send to a Friend)
WINDS OF CHANGE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE Anyone reading the press release from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) on wind development in the U.S. in 2007 is left with one simple conclusion: wind energy has arrived as a major force in America's energy future. Consider the following facts about the state of wind energy in 2007: the U.S. wind industry installed a record 5,244 megawatts of capacity, thereby expanding national wind generating capacity by 45 percent; these new wind projects accounted for 30 percent of all installed power generating capacity in the U.S. last year; the new capacity will power approximately 1.5 million homes with clean, domestically produced energy; wind energy now accounts for over one percent of the U.S. electricity supply, powering approximately 4.5 million homes; wind energy facilities reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 28 million tons compared to the same amount of electricity generated by the average portfolio of U.S. power plants; wind energy development injected $9 billion into the U.S. economy; and, 14 new wind energy component manufacturing facilities were opened or announced in 2007. Originally Published: 01/25/08 (Send to a Friend)
STATE FALLS BEHIND NATIONAL WIND BOOM
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE Last year was a record year for new wind generation in the U.S., with 5,244 megawatts of new installed generating capacity. Unfortunately, only 114.5 megawatts, barely two percent of the total, was installed in Pennsylvania. Smart policies and wise leadership have made Pennsylvania a significant player in the wind industry, bringing 2,000 jobs and nearly 300 megawatts of energy to the state. To sustain the momentum, we need a renewable energy fund to compete with other states, including a small carve-out just for wind projects. Originally Published: 01/25/08 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY BILLS ON THE MOVE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 02/06/08
	WEBSITE The House Democratic leadership pledged prompt movement on vital energy bills at a recent press conference announcing top legislative priorities. Following next week's Consumer Affairs Committee hearing on House Bills 2200 and 2201 (simultaneously introduced as House Bills 19 and 20 in the special session), we now expect committee votes on these bills the week of February 4, and floor votes on the bills plus HB 1 (special session) the week of February 11. More. Originally Published: 01/25/08 (Send to a Friend)
ENVIRONMENTAL VICTORIES AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES GROW THE ECONOMY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/30/08
	WEBSITE A recent study of the impact of recreational trails in the Oil Heritage Region in northwestern Pennsylvania showed a big boost for the local economy. An estimated 160,000 people used the region's trails in 2006; 78 percent were from Pennsylvania and 22 percent from other states. The average non-local trail user spent $32.93 per day on food, lodging, gasoline, bike supplies and other items while participating in trail activities, a boost of over $4 million to the local economy. Originally Published: 01/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
DENGUE? DANG!!
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/30/08
	WEBSITE Dengue fever is an incurable, infectious disease carried by mosquitoes that afflicts an estimated 50 to 100 million worldwide each year, killing about 22,000 annually. The disease principally occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, but a top medical expert warns it may be coming to the United States - thanks to global warming. A warming climate will spread a range of diseases and pests to temperate latitudes and higher elevations. Originally Published: 01/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
PUBLIC OUTCRY SPOILS MILK LABELING PLAN
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/30/08
	WEBSITE Governor Ed Rendell reversed the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's plan to prohibit milk labels from telling consumers whether the cows were injected with antibiotics, synthetic hormones or other performance enhancing drugs. An outcry from consumers, dairies, environmental and sustainable agricultural organizations prompted the Governor to review and reverse the plan. Originally Published: 01/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY CONSERVATION TO THE FORE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/30/08
	WEBSITE Two bills critical to saving Pennsylvanians money and energy are moving toward center stage in the House. Chair Joe Preston's Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on Representative Camille "Bud" George's House Bill 2200 and Representative Keith McCall's House Bill 2201 on Thursday, January 31. PennFuture President John Hanger will testify. House Bill 2200 builds on the leadership and ideas of Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) by creating energy conservation programs in the service territories of all electric distribution companies. The legislation slices demand for electricity in the state by 2.5 percent from current levels by 2013. House Bill 2201 includes a requirement for smart meters, previously developed by Representative Bob Freeman (D-Northampton). Last year PennFuture released a report demonstrating that energy efficiency could save Pennsylvanians $9 to $12 billion in energy costs, eliminate the need to build at least 12 new 300-megawatt power plants and hundreds of miles of new transmission lines, and cut air pollution and heat-trapping gases. Visit http://www.pennfuture.org/UserFiles/PDFs/BuildingPennsylvaniasEnergyFutureFinalReport.pdf for a copy of "Building Pennsylvania's Energy Future: Efficiency means Real Gains for Security, the Economy and the Environment." Originally Published: 01/18/08 (Send to a Friend)
HELP US SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE DELAWARE VALLEY!
	Organization: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Date Posted: 01/29/08
	Contact: 215/592-1800 WEBSITE EMAIL Visit www.dvrpc.org/connections to take a survey about regional land use, environmental, and transportation issues. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is developing a Long Range Plan for the Year 2035. Our region includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Countues in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Take 5 minutes today to give us your two cents worth! Please respond by March 7, 2008. You could be eligible to win an iPod! (Send to a Friend)
REPORT SHOWS THE WAY ON TOXIC TCE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/23/08
	WEBSITE PennFuture has been working closely with citizens and legislators in and around Collegeville, Montgomery County, to reduce dangerous emissions of highly toxic trichloroethylene, or TCE. This week, we released a study by Matson & Associates which outlines cost-effective emissions control solutions that are readily available to Superior Tube Company and Accellent, the companies causing the pollution. Implementing the recommended strategies would reduce TCE pollution by 70 to 90 percent, significantly cutting the public health risk to both employees and local residents. PennFuture has also joined two other organizations in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to close a loophole allowing the TCE to be released without further controls. Originally Published: 01/11/08 (Send to a Friend)
FOR WHOM WILL THE TOLLS BILL?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/23/08
	WEBSITE Under Act 44, the (unelected) Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) received absolute authority to raise tolls by as much as it wants, as often as it wants. Wasting no time, the PTC last month submitted its plan to do just that, in a proposal outlined to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), the metropolitan planning organization covering the 10-county region including Pittsburgh. Tolls will go up by at least 25 percent in 2009, and then at least three percent every year after-with no end date. And just what does the PTC plan to do with this new pot of gold? Part of it will go to PennDOT, but an unspecified amount will be available for the Turnpike Commission to use at will. It's kind of like buying a pig in a poke. But as revealed in its plan to SPC, one of the pork projects will be a new section of toll road known as the Southern Beltway that will destroy greenspace in Allegheny and Washington counties between I-79 and I-22. a House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) indicated that lawmakers were misled into believing that the money would go to PennDOT to fix roads, bridges and public transportation. "I'm sure many of my colleagues will be surprised by this and say it is unfair," Turzai said, "I don't remember from any discussion that Act 44 money would be going for that particular project." Originally Published: 01/11/08 (Send to a Friend)
A ROAD CHICKEN FARMS SHOULD NOT CROSS?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/23/08
	WEBSITE A study just published by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers concluded that poultry workers in the U.S. are 32 times more likely to carry E. coli bacteria resistant to a commonly used antibiotic, gentamicin. Dr. Ellen K. Silbergeld, senior author of the study, said, “One of the major implications of the study is to underscore the importance of the non-hospital environment in the origin of drug-resistant infections." Studies in Canada, the Netherlands and now this new one indicate that routinely giving low doses of antibiotics to healthy animals at factory farms creates the perfect environment for the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including the deadly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria that now kills more people in the United States than AIDS. Over half of the antibiotics produced in the U.S. are given to healthy farm animals, mostly in industrial facilities. The study examined poultry workers on the Eastern Shore regions of Maryland and Virginia, and was published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Originally Published: 01/04/08 (Send to a Friend)
PENNSYLVANIA JOINS CALIFORNIA SUIT VS. EPA
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/23/08
	WEBSITE Governor Rendell announced Wednesday that Pennsylvania is joining California and 14 other states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lawsuit seeks to reverse EPA's unprecedented December 19 decision to deny California, and by extension other states, the ability to implement strong regulations that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks. The EPA has granted California approximately 50 waivers since 1963 under federal Clean Air Act guidelines that allow the Golden State to implement stronger air quality regulations than the feds. States are allowed to choose the federal or California pollution standards. These waivers have included innovations such as catalytic converters, stronger emission standards and leaded gasoline regulations. EPA has never denied a waiver request from California. Originally Published: 01/04/08 (Send to a Friend)
PA BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE: FIX IT FIRST
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL Last Friday a 116 year-old, 103-foot long bridge in Cambria County came tumbling down just after a snowplow crossed it. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) marked a nine-mile detour for the crossing between Clearfield and Dean Townships. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured. Almost a quarter of Pennsylvania's 25,000 state-owned bridges are rated "structurally deficient" by PennDOT. Let's fix them before we spend over $5 billion on the Mon-Fayette Toll Road boondoggle. Originally Published: 12/14/07 (Send to a Friend)
TROUT ANGLERS CAST INTO GLOBAL WARMING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL A new report issued by Trout Unlimited warns that global warming imperils many cold water species of trout and salmon, including a potential 90 percent loss in the Appalachians. "Climate change is not some uncertain future problem, it is happening right now and we see evidence in terms of reduced snow pack and earlier spring runoff," said Jack Williams, Trout Unlimited's senior scientist and one of the report's authors. "Salmon and trout are among our most vulnerable species and their protection in the face of a rapidly changing climate demands strong actions." Originally Published: 12/14/07 (Send to a Friend)
SPECIAL SESSION ACTION ON ENERGY CONSERVATION
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL - The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chaired by Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield) approved Rep. Bob Freeman's (D-Northampton) smart meter legislation on Wednesday; HB 38 now awaits action by the Appropriations Committee. - Rep. Chris Ross' (R-Chester) HB 31 remains in the House Consumer Affairs Committee. This bill requires electric utilities to offer energy efficiency and conservation programs in their territories that will slice both aggregate and peak demand. - Senator Ted Erickson (R-Delaware and Chester) introduced SB 35, a Senate version of HB 31. The bill is in the Energy Policies Committee. - Senator Tomlinson's electricity conservation legislation, SB 1134 in the regular session, remains in the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee. Originally Published: 12/14/07 (Send to a Friend)
SPECIAL SESSION ACTION ON BIOFUELS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL - Senator Robert Tomlinson's (R-Bucks) SB 22 containing a production credit for Pennsylvania biodiesel firms passed the Senate by a 40-9 vote. The credit is 75 cents per gallon for three years, capped at seven million gallons per year. Senator John Gordner (R-Columbia) and Rep. David Kessler (D-Berks) have also championed the production credit in their respective chambers. - Rep. Mike Gerber's (D-Montgomery) ethanol and biodiesel content mandate legislation, HB 1202 (regular session), has resided in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee since June 21. - The Senate passed a significantly flawed biodiesel mandate bill, SB 36. This bill lacks an ethanol component, requires twice as much in-state biodiesel production to meet the two, five, ten and twenty percent content mandates, and has a watered down definition of "renewable diesel" proffered by Conoco-Phillips that would deprive us of the principal environmental and economic benefits of true biodiesel. Originally Published: 12/14/07 (Send to a Friend)
SPECIAL SESSION ACTION ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FUNDING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved Rep. Eugene DePasquale's (D-York) HB 1 this week. HB 1 creates $850 million in funding and program authority for Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Fund. Originally Published: 12/14/07 (Send to a Friend)
SENATE MOVES ENERGY BILL FORWARD
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL This week the Senate passed SB 1, an improved but still flawed alternative energy funding bill. SB 1 provides $650 million in funding over ten years, including a $250 million bond. Solar energy now receives a dedicated share of the pot, but the $50 million over ten years is far short of Governor Rendell's proposed $200 million Pennsylvania Sunshine Program, which would be spent over four to six years. This program will jumpstart the solar industry in our state. SB 1 provides no dedicated funding for wind, and still contains $25 million in subsidies for highly profitable coal plants. To compete with other states that are spending more than $200 million per year and to do enough to make a difference in the supply of clean electricity, Pennsylvania must invest at least $150 million per year. Such a public investment will attract about $1 billion of private investment yearly, as each public dollar leverages $6 to $10 of private investment. The failure to put an energy funding package on the Governor's desk in 2007 means Pennsylvania lost $1 billion of private investment and thousands of jobs. Originally Published: 12/14/07 (Send to a Friend)
AG LOSES ACRE LAWSUIT
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL The attorney general has lost his lawsuit against townships that have ordinances on the books that restrict farming under the ACRE law. The state Supreme Court ruled that four townships in Berks County have not violated the law just by having setback and other ordinances that might restrict farming. None of the townships had enforced the ordinances. Now the townships want their legal fees covered as the price tag to defend themselves in court ran to the tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars. Originally Published: 12/07/07 (Send to a Friend)
GOT ANTIBIOTIC FREE MILK?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture seemed stunned by the harsh public reaction to its decision to prevent milk producers from telling consumers that their milk comes from cows which were not fed antibiotics or performance-enhancing drugs. People want to know more, not less about the food they're putting on the table. Fortunately, the public reaction has led to a review of the decision. Originally Published: 12/07/07 (Send to a Friend)
NEW RESEARCH LINKS PIG FARMING AND DEADLY BACTERIA
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL News accounts have featured the deadly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, which apparently has outstripped deaths from AIDS, infecting 94,000 people and killing 18,650 in 2005. While most of the infections were acquired in hospitals, 15 percent occurred in people who got it somewhere in the community. Now a study of MRSA infections in the Netherlands published by the U. S. government agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked 20 percent of all MRSA infections there to a strain formerly found only in pigs. The disease showed up most often in pig and cattle farmers, and outbreaks were clustered in regions with high densities of pig and cattle farms. Canadian researchers have also found that MRSA is prevalent in pigs and pig farmers there. The United States does not test pigs, cattle or other food animals for MRSA, so health officials do not know if people are being infected through contact with animals or meat. The overuse of antibiotics at factory farms can lead to the development of super-germs like MRSA, and 70 percent of all antibiotics manufactured are used in factory farming operations. Originally Published: 12/07/07 (Send to a Friend)
AEPS TO ALLOW PULP MILL WASTE AND SOME OLD DAMS TO QUALIFY AS TIER 1 RENEWABLE ENERGY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 01/16/08
	WEBSITE EMAIL The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill, SB 25, to amend the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS) to allow pulp mill waste and some old dams to qualify as Tier 1 renewable energy. Tier 1 was designed to provide incentives for building new wind, solar and biomass energy plants. Wind and other clean energy companies have made serious investments in Pennsylvania based on their anticipation of a market for their power. While the bill also increased the size of Tier 1 by an amount equal to the addition of the pulp mill waste and the dams, changing the rules in the middle of the game creates business uncertainty and may jeopardize Pennsylvania's ability to attract renewable energy projects. In addition, SB 25 may well be unconstitutional. Originally Published: 12/07/07 (Send to a Friend)
CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS: SKETCH STORMWATER FOR A PRIZE
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 01/10/08
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now accepting entries on behalf of the Philadelphia Water Department for the 2008 “Clean Water Begins and Ends With You” Drawing Contest, an annual art competition for kindergarten through 12th-grade students throughout the City of Philadelphia. First-place drawings from four age categories will be featured on car-card advertisements celebrating the 38th anniversary of Earth Day. Other prizes to be awarded at a ceremony in April include framed certificates, a variety of art supplies, and gift cards ranging from $25 to $100. The first school to submit 100 qualified entries or more by the February 22 deadline will receive a $500 gift card for school supplies. And each teacher of a winning student will receive a $25 gift card toward the purchase of art supplies. Entry forms and additional details can be found at www.DelawareEstuary.org. More. (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY-EFFICIENT CONDO COMPLEX PROPOSED FOR KIMBERTON TRACT
	Organization: Earth Rising Homes Date Posted: 01/09/08
	Contact: (610) 650-7755 WEBSITE EMAIL The residential-retail mix would be the county's first "green" development, a planning official said. Imagine throwing out your Peco bills for good. That's what a local developer has promised future residents of a proposed 20-unit condominium and retail development at 18 Prizer Rd. in Kimberton, near the Kimberton Fairgrounds on Route 23. Full Philadelphia Inquirer article: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/chester/nabes/13032437.html Originally Published: 01/06/08 (Send to a Friend)
GREEN HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS AND TIPS
	Organization: Stop Global Warming.org Date Posted: 12/10/07
	WEBSITE Happy Holidays! And here's to a green New Year, from Laurie David, founder of StopGlobalWarming.org. Visit website for full message. (Send to a Friend)
NO HEATING BILLS. NO COOLING BILLS. WELCOME HOME!
	Organization: Earth Rising Homes Date Posted: 12/07/07
	Contact: (610) 650-7755 WEBSITE EMAIL In an era of rising energy costs, with deregulation of electricity prices only two years away, Earth Rising Homes has an unbeatable offer for Pennsylvania home buyers: reasonably-priced green homes with basic heating and cooling costs included. The company's unique energy-efficient condominium development, Kimberton Village Green, will incorporate geothermal, solar and advanced building techniques, which Earth Rising believes will enable it to include basic heating and cooling costs – for life – with each unit. Located on Prizer Road in the quiet village of Kimberton, outside of Philadelphia, the development will offer both residential and commercial units, beginning under $200,000. Kimberton Village Green will be built with children and people with chemical sensitivities in mind, making use of non-toxic materials wherever possible. (Send to a Friend)
NEWS YOU CAN'T USE: MILK ADDITIVES
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 12/03/07
	WEBSITE Consumers increasingly want to know if products such as milk are free of growth hormones, pesticides and antibiotics. So why did Pennsylvania become the first state in the nation to prohibit milk producers from being able to tell consumers that their milk is free of these substances? This week The New York Times, USA Today and other national media raised the links between our new policy and Monsanto, the leading manufacturer of growth hormones given to cows. Food safety advocates, a wide range of producers such as Rutter's Dairy, and environmental and sustainable agriculture organizations see the policy as a horrible step backward and slap in the face to consumers who care and want to know where their food comes from and how it is made. Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, and the Rodale Institute have spoken out, too. Originally Published: 11/16/07 (Send to a Friend)
FULL COURT PRESS FOR CLEAN CARS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE Pennsylvania yesterday joined 13 other states in two lawsuits to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to act on California’s request for a waiver allowing regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. California filed its request on December 21, 2005, but the EPA has taken no action. The 14 states taking the legal action have adopted California’s clean car rules. The regulations will cut air pollution, significantly reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases, and save consumers money and gasoline through improved fuel economy. Originally Published: 11/09/07 (Send to a Friend)
EMPOWERING CONSUMERS TO SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE Representative Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) is now seeking co-sponsors for legislation that will require electric utilities in the state to furnish all of their customers with advanced smart electric meters within nine years. Utilities would also be required to offer their customers the option of time-of-use rates that enable consumers to save money and energy by moving their electricity demand from peak to non-peak periods. Originally Published: 11/09/07 (Send to a Friend)
WHAT YOU EAT COULD KILL YOU – AND NOT JUST TRANSFATS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE The deadly, antibiotic-resistant, super bug known as MRSA has been capturing headlines recently. The potential link between antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the enormous quantities of antibiotics administered to healthy farm animals is now finally drawing some overdue attention. Check out the article in Salon magazine entitled: “Is the way we raise our food giving us MRSA?” http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/11/07/staph/). And help make our food, our families and our medicine safer by being part of PennFuture’s Safe Food, Safe Families Campaign (http://www.pennfuture.org/campaigns_detail.aspx?CampaignID=38). Originally Published: 11/09/07 (Send to a Friend)
DON’T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE AT THE POLLS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE Tuesday’s election results on environment issues once again proved that good environmental policy makes for good politics. An $87 million open space bond in Bucks County was approved by an overwhelming 74 to 26 percent. Voters in Plainfield Township, Northampton County, and West Pikeland Township , Chester County, approved a .25 percent increase in their earned income taxes by 60 to 40 percent and 61 to 39 percent respectively. Originally Published: 11/09/07 (Send to a Friend)
PSU AND CMU CRACK THE TOP TEN
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE Penn State University and Carnegie Mellon University are eighth and tenth respectively in the Sierra Club's ranking of the top ten environmental colleges in the country. Penn State received kudos for committing to a system-wide LEED™ certification of all new buildings, a $10 million annual investment in retrofitting and energy efficiency, and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17.5 percent by 2012. You can check out other energy and environmental initiatives on the university's Take Charge! website. The Sierra Club praised Carnegie Mellon for its student-designed green roofs, ecofriendly dorm, and the design of its research center. The school's Green Practices website (http://www.cmu.edu/greenpractices/) highlights other initiatives on campus. Originally Published: 11/02/07 (Send to a Friend)
THE COSTS OF COAL
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE Next time you hear someone say "Clean Coal" remember this: Reclaiming the approximately 180,000 acres of abandoned mine land and restoring the 6,000 miles of streams damaged by acid mine pollution carries an estimated price tag of $15 billion, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. Since 2003, nearly $173 million has been spent on this problem and a lot of that has come from taxpayers. And the next time you hear someone say "clean coal" ask, "Does that mean capturing and storing the huge amounts of carbon dioxide pollution that comes from coal and is causing dangerous, expensive global warming?" Originally Published: 11/02/07 (Send to a Friend)
PENNSYLVANIA HAZARDOUS SITES CLEANUP FUNDING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE Pennsylvania's vital Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund (HSCA) is being run on a shoestring and due to run out of money at the end of 2007. This week the Senate approved by a 46-0 vote a measure that provides $17 million to HSCA from legislative accounts for the remainder of the 2007-2008 fiscal year, then allocates $40 million from the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax for three additional years of funding. SB 1100 is sponsored by Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware and Chester). In the House, Reps. David Steil (R-Bucks) and Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery) introduced HB 1974, which would provide HSCA a robust influx of $35 million for the remainder of the fiscal year. The money would be transferred from legislative accounts. Rep. Duane Milne is seeking co-sponsors for legislation that would fund HSCA for the short term from surplus state liquor store funds then permanently fund the program at $40 million per year utilizing a combination of budget surplus and General Fund monies. Originally Published: 11/02/07 (Send to a Friend)
THE COOLEST HOUSE ON THE BLOCK
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 11/28/07
	WEBSITE House Bill 110 is the first legislation ever passed here (and the coolest!) to address global warming. PennFuture thanks the 182 members of the House of Representatives who voted Wednesday to pass House Bill 110, Rep. Greg Vitali's Pennsylvania Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act. Vitali first introduced global warming legislation on April 23, 2001. A big round of applause also to Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) for his work with Rep. Vitali in building consensus for the bill. Originally Published: 11/02/07 (Send to a Friend)
EPA RECOGNIZES LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP FOR ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY ORDINANCE
	Organization: EPA Date Posted: 11/27/07
	WEBSITE Lower Makefield Township was recognized under the EPA's Leadership in Low Impact Development Recognition Program, created to highlight exceptional efforts in stormwater management. (Send to a Friend)
PRESERVE AMERICA GRANTS
	Organization: National Park Service Date Posted: 11/27/07
	WEBSITE The Preserve America matching-grant program provides funding to designated Preserve America Communities to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning. (Send to a Friend)
ACHIEVEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AWARD
	Organization: EPA Environmental Justice Program Date Posted: 11/27/07
	Contact: Lisa Hammond (202) 564-0736 WEBSITE EMAIL The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency welcomes nominations for Achievement in Environmental Justice Awards. Nominations must be postmarked by January 11, 2008. (Send to a Friend)
PHILLY’S FIRST GREEN CORNER STORE
	Date Posted: 11/04/07
	Contact: 215.575.0444 EMAIL Join The Food Trust in celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of Romano’s Grocery of Juniata Park – Philly’s First Green Corner Store! Romano’s Grocery, 1219 East Luzerne Street, 19124 (corner of Claridge and Luzerne Streets) on Friday November 16, 2007 from 10 AM. Email or call for more information. (Send to a Friend)
TROUBLED WATERS: AN ANALYSIS OF 2005 CLEAN WATER ACT COMPLIANCE
	Organization: PennEnvironment Date Posted: 10/24/07
	WEBSITE More than two decades after the drafters of the 1972 Clean Water Act intended for the discharge of all pollutants to be eliminated, facilities across the country continue to violate pollution limits, at times egregiously. (Send to a Friend)
2008 PHILADELPHIA SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
	Organization: Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) Date Posted: 10/23/07
	Contact: 215-592-7020 WEBSITE EMAIL The 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards celebrate our region’s progress towards becoming the most sustainable in the nation. Businesses, community organizations, individuals, schools and government agencies who demonstrate innovation and leadership in sustainability are invited to submit nominations. All nominees will be featured on the Philadelphia Sustainability Awards web site and judged by a distinguished panel of jurors. Finalists will be celebrated and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 3, 2008. What’s sustainable? Think green buildings, recycling, pollution prevention, water and energy efficiency, community partnerships, local food, environmental education and stewardship. Visit the web site to see all the sustainable elements that qualify—then submit a nomination! Visit www.philadelphiasustainabilityawards.org to nominate. More. (Send to a Friend)
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2008 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 10/12/07
	WEBSITE Applications are now available for the 2008 Environmental Education Grants Program. The grants support projects and programs that increase environmental awareness, understanding and stewardship. Any school, university, non-profit group or county conservation district in the commonwealth may apply. (Send to a Friend)
5TH ANNUAL P3 AWARDS: A NATIONAL STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION
	Organization: EPA Date Posted: 10/12/07
	WEBSITE The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of the P3 Award Program, is seeking applications proposing to research, develop, and design solutions to real world challenges involving sustainability. The P3 competition highlights people, prosperity, and the planet – the three pillars of sustainability. See website for more information. (Send to a Friend)
DISCOVERY'S NEW GREEN HOMES SHOW LOOKING FOR LOCAL PROJECTS
	Organization: Mike Mathis Productions, Inc. Date Posted: 10/12/07
	Contact: Laura Kraning, 626.535.0868 ext. 247 EMAIL The program, tentatively titled Green Homes will be hosted by Steve Thomas ("This Old House") and will focus on several private homes that are scheduled to undergo major renovation and/or modification to make them more sustainable and environmentally friendly. They will follow the process in great detail, with a major focus on the architects and builders involved. Contact by email or phone for more information. More. (Send to a Friend)
NEW GREEN ELECTRONICS PROGRAM FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
	Organization: Great Circle Writing Services Date Posted: 10/01/07
	Contact: 215 517-8078 WEBSITE State, regional, and local governments in Pa., Del., and N.J. - including school districts - have a new resource to help purchase, manage, and dispose of computers and other electronic equipment in an environmentally responsible way through the State Electronics Challenge: http://www.stateelectronicschallenge.net/ (Send to a Friend)
PENNSYLVANIA TO HOST LARGEST EAST COAST SOLAR POWER PLANT
	Organization: Environment News Service Date Posted: 09/28/07
	WEBSITE A new solar energy power station is being built in southeastern Pennsylvania that will be the fourth-largest facility of its kind in the country and the largest east of Arizona when operations begin next April. Originally Published: (Send to a Friend)
OFFICIALS SAY BIOFUELS STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY, CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR PA’S ECONOMY
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 09/28/07
	WEBSITE DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today told members of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee that using greater amounts of biofuels derived from corn, soybeans, coal and biomass, will reduce Pennsylvania’s dependence on foreign oil while growing the economy. Originally Published: 09/19/07 (Send to a Friend)
PENNSYLVANIA WORKING TO GROW ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS, ADULTS
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 09/28/07
	WEBSITE “Pennsylvania’s focus on environmental education has created a generation of young people who are more environmentally aware and engaged than ever before,” said Governor Rendell. Originally Published: 09/17/07 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY, GREEN BUILDING INDUSTRY SHARE COMMON GOALS, SAYS DEP SEC.
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 09/28/07
	WEBSITE During a keynote address today at the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership Forum, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said Governor Edward G. Rendell’s goals of helping consumers conserve energy, reducing pollution, and spurring innovation and economic growth through his Energy Independence Strategy mirror the tenets of the growing “green” building industry. (Send to a Friend)
$1 MILLION AVAILABLE TO HELP PA BUSINESSES INCREASE RECYCLABLE MATERIAL USE
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 09/28/07
	WEBSITE To make the demand for recyclable materials even stronger, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today Pennsylvania is making $1 million available to manufacturers so they can buy equipment that increases their use of recycled content in finished products. (Send to a Friend)
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
	Organization: Philadelphia Solar Energy Association Date Posted: 09/20/07
	Contact: (610) 667-0412 WEBSITE EMAIL The Philadelphia Solar Energy Association is pleased to welcome Willie Agee from Furbish Company, which develops residential, commercial, and institutional projects designed and built to minimize harm to the environment. Their buildings outperform their conventional peers in three critical areas: • Healthier indoor environments • Higher occupant productivity • Dramatically lower operating costs. To determine project feasibility, they evaluate full life-cycle costs: initial construction, operating costs, capital expenses, and demolition. Willie will discuss Furbish’s Living Vegetated Roofs, Vegetated Retaining Walls, Living Wall Biofilters, and Radiant Heating & Cooling. Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2007. Place: Free Library, Logan Circle, Philadelphia - 4th Floor. Time: 6:45 PM. Admission: Free and open to all. Originally Published: 10/30/07 (Send to a Friend)
PHILADELPHIA'S COOL CITIES CAMPAIGN
	Organization: Philadelphia Solar Energy Association Date Posted: 09/20/07
	Contact: (610) 667-0412 WEBSITE EMAIL Please join the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association as we welcome Sierra Club’s local Conservation Chair, Dennis Winters. Dennis will discuss the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities campaign which helps cities turn their commitments of reducing global warming into action. At a time when the federal government is failing to act, local leaders are moving America toward a safer and more secure future. Towns all over America are taking action: from hybrid vehicle fleets in Charlotte, green buildings in Austin, to homes powered with renewable energy in Seattle, local governments are moving forward with energy solutions that curb global warming, save taxpayer dollars, & create healthier cities. Here in the Philadelphia area, the Sierra Club is involving citizens in projects to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the City and its suburbs. Come and learn how you can become involved! When? Tuesday, September 25, 2007 @ 6:45 PM Where? Free Library, Logan Circle, Philadelphia - 4th Fl. Cost? Free and open to all Originally Published: 09/25/07 (Send to a Friend)
DISCOVER THE COASTLINE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 09/12/07
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL Ecotourists of all ages will flock to the Delaware Riverfront this weekend to enjoy outdoor events highlighting the region’s best natural asset, the tidal Delaware River. These events include Southeastern Pennsylvania Coast Day and the “Cradle of Birding” Wildlife and Conservation Festival in Philadelphia, A Celebration of Jersey Fresh in Camden, and the Delaware Coastal Cleanup along 97 miles of coastline in Del. Others still will immerse themselves in the Delaware County Riverfront Ramble in Pa. and Wilmington Riverfest in Northern Del. More. (Send to a Friend)
FAA TO IMPLEMENT NEW FLIGHT PLAN
	Organization: Great Circle Writing Services Date Posted: 09/06/07
	Contact: David Bell/ 215 517-8078 WEBSITE Despite opposition from citizens and lawmakers, the Federal Aviation Administration is going ahead with its controversial plan for redesigning NY-NJ-Philadelphia airspace. Measures for mitigating noise from Philadelphia International Airport flights include using a single departure heading for Runways 9/27 L/R during night-time hours, increased use of a visual river approach for Runway 9 arrivals, and use of the Continuous Descent Approach for night-time arrivals from the north, northwest, and southwest. See FAA’s Record of Decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement, and Noise Mitigation Plan at: http://www.faa.gov/nynjphl_airspace_redesign (Send to a Friend)
NEW PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY SENIOR DEVELOPMENT IS TOTALLY GREEN
	Organization: PA Environment Digest Date Posted: 08/28/07
	WEBSITE The new senior development, to be located at 25th and Glenwood, will have a 20,000 square foot "green roof" with natural vegetation three inches deep. The million-dollar roof will have between five and ten species of Sedum plants (rock garden plants) as cover. (Send to a Friend)
GOV. SIGNS LEGISLATION TO EXPAND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY USE, ATTRACT GROWTH IN SOLAR INDUSTRY
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 08/24/07
	WEBSITE The Governor ceremoniously signed the bill while visiting an Erie County middle school that is adding a 30-kilowatt photovoltaic system as part of its renovation. The solar panels were funded with a $250,000 grant through the state’s Energy Harvest program. (Send to a Friend)
REGIONAL GOVERNOR’S OUTDOOR CONFERENCE
	Date Posted: 08/22/07
	WEBSITE A regional meeting, as part of the PA Governor’s Outdoors Conference, was recently held in Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, Bucks County on June 14. The regional meeting followed the Governor’s Outdoor Conference, a state-wide conference held this March at State College, PA. Rendell’s message throughout the conference was “Preserving Past Traditions, Creating New Connections”. More. (Send to a Friend)
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES MILLIONS IN KEYSTONE FUND GRANTS TO SOUTHEAST PA
	Organization: PA DCNR Date Posted: 08/22/07
	WEBSITE Governor Edward Rendell recently announced the 2007 Grant Awards in partnership with the Community Conservation Partnerships Program for each of the five counties in the Southeast Region. More. (Send to a Friend)
DELAWARE VALLEY 2008 FELLOWSHIP ACCEPTING APPLICANTS!
	Organization: Environmental Leadership Program - Delaware Valley Date Posted: 08/22/07
	Contact: 215.292.3040 WEBSITE EMAIL Applications for the 2008 Fellowship class in the Delaware Valley are now being accepted and we need you to help us spread the word. The Environmental Leadership Program’s Regional Networks are innovative programs designed to build the capacity of promising emerging leaders. If you know someone in the environmental and social change fields with approximately three to ten years of experience working in public health, transportation policy and planning, economic development, or broad-based community organizations we want them in our program! Applications due November 2! visit: http://www.elpnet.org/delawarevalleynetwork/process.php (Send to a Friend)
$1 MILLION AVAILABLE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 08/17/07
	WEBSITE DEP’s Small Business Ombudsman Julien Gaudion said the $1 million program will help businesses implement money-saving energy efficiency and pollution-prevention projects that benefit the bottom line. (Send to a Friend)
WORKSHOP HELPS BOOST ‘ECOLOGICAL LITERACY’ IN THE CLASSROOM
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 08/16/07
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL A group of 16 teachers sharpened their science skills last week when they toured various sites throughout Bucks County during the 11th annual Delaware Estuary Watershed Workshop for Teachers. Demonstration sites ranged as far north as Doylestown, Pa., to as far south as Lewes, Del., providing participants with a better perspective of the Delaware Estuary in which they work and reside. These excursions offered a variety of laboratory experiments, field experiences, and lectures on topics such as identifying and sampling fish populations, water chemistry, wildlife conservation, and much more. More. (Send to a Friend)
CHEF COMPETES NATIONALLY ON BEHALF OF OYSTERS
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 08/10/07
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL NEW ORLEANS — James A. Lauser, executive chef of the Wilmington/Christiana Hilton Hotel in Newark, Del., competed in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans on August 4 using Delaware Bay oyster recipes that scored highly amongst many of the nation’s premier seafood chefs. In the end, however, Tim Thomas of Ga. was crowned the “2007 King of American Seafood.” Lauser earned Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s endorsement to represent his home state when he won the Delaware Bay Oyster Appetizer Competition, a contest organized by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary on behalf of the Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Task Force at the University of Delaware’s 2006 Coast Day celebration in Lewes. More. (Send to a Friend)
PHS RECEIVES TWO TOP ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
	Organization: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Date Posted: 08/01/07
	Contact: 215-988-8800 WEBSITE EMAIL The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) was recognized recently for its environmental initiatives in two award ceremonies. The Home Depot Foundations “Award of Excellence for Community Trees” was presented to PHS in June during the US Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) presented PHS with its Regional Environmental Program of the Year Award also in June. As the winning project in the “large city category” of the Home Depot Foundation’s Second Annual Awards of Excellence, PHS was lauded for its partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Philadelphia was chosen among 14 major cities including Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta and Oakland, Calif. (Send to a Friend)
PECO AWARDS $116,000 IN 'GREEN REGION' GRANTS
	Organization: PA Environment Digest Date Posted: 07/30/07
	WEBSITE PECO awarded grants to 17 municipalities with projects focusing on open space conservation and parks and recreational resources as part of the PECO Green Region Program. The projects identified are from across the Philadelphia region and will receive more than $116,000 in Green Region grants this summer. Originally Published: 07/27/07 (Send to a Friend)
PODCAST: A REAL "GREEN" GROCER
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle has been a leader on environmentally conscious matters, not only as compared to other grocery stores, but also as compared to other businesses in general. With their new Market District store in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood, they've again broken new ground, with recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council as the world's first LEED-certified store in the category of commercial interiors, with a silver rating. Giant Eagle was also one of the first companies in Pennsylvania to purchase clean, renewable wind energy. In this podcast, PennFuture's Jeanne Clark leads us on an audio tour of the Market District facility. Joined by Marc Mondor (evolveEA), Giant Eagle's green building consultant on the project; Indigo Raffel (Conservation Consultants, Inc. ), who leads educational tours of the facility for local students and community organizations; and Jim Lampl, Giant Eagle's Director of Conservation, Jeanne gets to see, feel, smell, hear, and taste the many wonders of this amazing store. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
PODCAST: VISUALIZE PENNSYLVANIA UNDER GLOBAL WARMING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL In this podcast, PennFuture's Sharon Pillar speaks with one of the scientists behind the new report on the impacts of global warming on Pennsylvania, Dr. Jerry Melillo. Vice-chair of the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA) synthesis team, Dr. Melillo is director of the Ecosystems Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., and a trustee for the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. Dr. Melillo provides information on the impacts of climate change on key climate-sensitive sectors (coastal, marine, forests, agriculture, winter recreation and health), and options and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
IT'S TOO DARN HOT, AND GETTING HOTTER
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL The Union of Concerned Scientists just released a two-year study on the projected effects of global warming on Pennsylvania. Unless we immediately change our ways and significantly reduce our release of heat trapping gases, the future of Pennsylvania will include summers in parts of Pennsylvania similar to those experienced in Alabama today. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
CASEY, SPECTER LEADING ON GLOBAL WARMING
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D) made Pennsylvanians proud on Thursday by announcing his support for the Sanders-Boxer Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S.309), the Specter-Bingaman Low Carbon Economy Act (S.1766) and the Carper Clean Air Planning Act (S.1177), all designed to combat global warming. Casey thus joins U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R), who is a prime sponsor of the Low Carbon Economy Act of 2007, which creates an economy-wide mandatory tradable-permits system that is modeled after the successful U.S. Acid Rain Program. By setting an annual target and allowing firms to buy, sell and trade credits to achieve that target, the program is designed to achieve cost-effective carbon reductions across the economy. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
HSCA FUNDING: "WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?"
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL Conservation, environmental, hunter and angler, and library organizations were caught by surprise by the Senate's passage of SB 913, which would take half the funding for the Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund and divert it to the Hazardous Sites Clean-up Fund (HSCA) . The Senate passed the bill on a vote of 36-14 with all 29 of the Republicans and 7 Democrats voting for the bill. In the end, SB 913 was stopped in the House. But HSCA goes bankrupt on September 30, so the reprieve will be short-lived. It is vital that we come up with a way to fund HSCA without destroying other environmental programs. There are a lot of proposals out there for funding HSCA, including a bill sponsored by Senator John Rafferty Jr. , (R-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) to establish a returnable bottle and can program. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY - SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY? ARE YOU NUTS?
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL Some of Pennsylvania's electric utilities plus the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry waged an all-out war against energy conservation and parts of the EIS including renewable energy. This campaign included swarms of lobbyists, hardball politics and a disinformation campaign, complete with robocalls, that was patently and demonstrably false. The opposition helped deprive Pennsylvania consumers and businesses of the opportunity to lower their electric bills and save energy. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY - NOT TOO INDEPENDENT, PLEASE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL As negotiations progressed among the four caucuses (the House Democrats, the House Republicans, the Senate Democrats and the Senate Republicans), it looked as if the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative might also sail through before the members of the General Assembly split for summer recess. But that was before Big Oil weighed in. So instead of Pennsylvania adopting a plan to replace every drop of oil imported from the Middle East with Pennsylvania-made fuels, the plan was stalled at least temporarily by objections from Senator Mary Jo White and the American Petroleum Institute. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY - PROMISES MADE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL Governor Rendell announced that an agreement had been reached on the budget - with the leadership of the General Assembly promising to pass part of the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS) immediately, and more during a special session on September 17. The governor also stated that there was an agreement to provide $750 million in funding for renewable energy and energy conservation. This funding will come from a mix of monies from the General Fund, economic development funds and the gross receipts tax. Originally Published: 07/20/07 (Send to a Friend)
A PODCAST WORTH REPEATING: FIGHTING FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL In this podcast, PennFuture's Heather Sage speaks with PennFuture president and CEO John Hanger about the critical need for immediate action on the Energy Independence Strategy. John is a former member of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, and is an expert on energy policy and renewable energy. He describes the many benefits of the $850 million proposed package-- benefits for consumers from energy conservation savings, rebates, and improved local economies, benefits for the business sector in the form of new jobs, grants and loans for renewable energy development and high-tech research, and benefits for our health and environment in the form of less air pollution and far fewer emissions of heat-trapping gases that are causing global warming. Originally Published: 07/06/07 (Send to a Friend)
DON'T RAID KEYSTONE TO FUND HSCA
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund (HSCA) could shut down if a source of funding is not found. Governor Rendell proposed funding HSCA with a $2.25 per ton increase in the tipping fee for solid waste. However, the Senate passed SB 913 which would take almost $40 million from the Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund and transfer it to HSCA. This transfer raids over half of the Keystone Fund's annual monies, which go to local parks, trails and other local recreation projects, state park and state forest maintenance projects, libraries, museums and the State System of Higher Education. SB 913 is now in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chaired by Rep. Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield). Originally Published: 07/06/07 (Send to a Friend)
A DRUMBEAT OF SUPPORT FOR THE EIS
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL Newspapers around the state are urging the General Assembly, especially the Senate Republican leadership, to act quickly on the EIS. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Harrisburg Patriot-News, Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice, Pottsville Republican. York Dispatch and Lebanon Daily News have all weighed in with strong support for the Energy Independence Strategy. Originally Published: 07/06/07 (Send to a Friend)
EIS BILLS MOVE LIKE MOLASSES IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	Organization: PennFuture Date Posted: 07/23/07
	WEBSITE EMAIL The Energy Independence Strategy bills were introduced in the Senate months ago - and next to nothing has happened. SB 661, which amends the duties of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, was introduced 106 days ago; SB 715, which clarifies the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), was introduced 88 days ago; SB 716, which creates the Energy Independence Fund and requires utilities to install smart meters and take other energy conservation measures, was introduced 81 days ago, and SB 789, which would cut Pennsylvania's reliance on foreign oil, was introduced 65 days ago. Only SB 715 received any action, but it was re-referred to committee last week. The other three bills have languished without any Senate action. Originally Published: 07/06/07 (Send to a Friend)
PENNSYLVANIA LAUDED FOR CLEAN ENERGY LEADERSHIP
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 06/25/07
	WEBSITE Noting Pennsylvania’s achievements in promoting renewable energy technologies, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty accepted the Apollo Alliance “All the Right Stuff” Award this week on behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Commonwealth. (Send to a Friend)
DELAWARE BAY TO BENEFIT FROM THIRD YEAR OF OYSTER PROJECT
	Organization: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Date Posted: 06/21/07
	Contact: (800) 445-4935 WEBSITE EMAIL The Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Task Force began spending the bulk of its 2007 Congressional appropriation this month when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District took measures to place approximately 550,000 bushels of clean clam shells onto existing oyster reefs. This “shell planting” will take place during the narrow June 15-to-July 15 timeframe that, according to studies, yields the greatest setting rates for oyster larvae. More. (Send to a Friend)
GOV RENDELL SAYS SUPPORT FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY GROWING
	Organization: PA DEP Date Posted: 06/19/07
	WEBSITE "The Energy Independence Strategy will save consumers $10 billion over the next 10 years," the Governor said. "This is a slam-dunk case. I urge the legislature to move quickly to adopt this plan." (Send to a Friend)
PEC RELEASES PA CLIMATE CHANGE ROADMAP
	Organization: Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) Date Posted: 06/12/07
	Contact: 215-592-7020 WEBSITE EMAIL Nearly 40 recommendations for reducing climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions were announced today as part of the Pennsylvania Climate Change Roadmap developed with the help of businesses, farm, energy generation and environmental stakeholders convened by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. For more information, visit www.pecpa.org and click the link for the Climate Change Roadmap on the homepage. Originally Published: 06/11/07 (Send to a Friend)
LOCAL GREENHOUSE GAS ACTION PLAN APPROVED BY HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP
	Date Posted: 06/07/07
	WEBSITE The Haverford Township board of commissioners approved a contract to the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) for the preparation of a climate change action plan and annual inventory for the township. State Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) helped the commissioners obtain a $30,000 grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development's Community Revitalization Program to pay for the contract. Rep. Vitali has also introduced HB 334 that would establish a separate state grant program to provide up to $20,000 in funding for communities preparing greenhouse gas inventories and action plans. (Send to a Friend)
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD APPROVES DIESEL RULEMAKING
	Date Posted: 05/22/07
	WEBSITE The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) voted Wednesday to direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a statewide idling regulation for diesel trucks. This action was a result of a citizen petition filed by the Clean Air Board of Carlisle. Fortunately for everyone who breathes, Senate Bill 354, which restricts the ability of the EQB to accept citizen petitions for rulemaking, has not become law. Had it been passed prior to the Clean Air Board's petition filing, there would have been legal questions about whether the petition could have been considered. Originally Published: 05/18/07 (Send to a Friend)
THE POWER OF GREEN
	Date Posted: 05/22/07
	WEBSITE The environment was a big winner in Tuesday's primary election. More. (Send to a Friend)
BUSINESS SUPPORT BUILDS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE SRATEGY LEGISLATION
	Date Posted: 05/22/07
	WEBSITE The Energy Independence Strategy is expected to create over 35,000 jobs and a $3.5 billion investment in Pennsylvania's economy. There is growing support in the business community for the legislation – including the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, Duquesne Light Company and the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association. (Send to a Friend)
ENERGY BILLS MOVING TO CENTER STAGE
	Date Posted: 05/22/07
	WEBSITE The House and Senate will begin consideration of the Energy Independence Strategy legislation in the coming weeks. The plan will push Pennsylvania into the top tier of states taking steps to cut consumer energy costs, and significantly expand alternative fuel, clean energy and conservation. The strategy will be implemented through four separate bills. House Bill 1200, sponsored by Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York), is the subject of an informational meeting of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in York on May 30. In the Senate, the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold joint public hearings on the legislation on June 5 and 12. (Send to a Friend)
GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM DCNR FOR PROTECTING NON-GAME SPECIES
	Organization: PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Date Posted: 05/14/07
	WEBSITE People and organizations who work to protect Pennsylvania's non-game animals, native plants and their habitat are invited to apply for a share of $1 million in grants from the Wild Resource Conservation Program. Applications are due June 30 for work to be performed between January 2008 and June 2009. More. (Send to a Friend)
FARMERS' MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANT PRE-APPLICATION FORM
	Organization: PA Dept. of Agriculture Date Posted: 05/14/07
	WEBSITE The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is now accepting Farmers' Market Development Grant pre-application forms. This is the new farmers' market mini-grant program that the Farmers' Market Alliance worked to create. (See website for more information. Scroll down to "Farmers Market Development") (Send to a Friend)
MAYOR STREET ANNOUNCES PHILADELPHIA'S LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
	Date Posted: 05/07/07
	WEBSITE Mayor John F. Street released a Local Action Plan for Climate Change, a detailed document outlining specific steps the City of Philadelphia is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable environment for the City, the region and the world. Read it online: http://www.dvgbc.org/home/ClimateChange_PhilaActionPlan2007.pdf (Send to a Friend)
NEW FOR FALL 2007 - MASTER'S IN SUSTAINABLY DESIGN AT PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY
	Date Posted: 05/07/07
	WEBSITE Philadelphia University is offering a Master of Science in Sustainable Design Program. This two year part time degree program will feature a collaborative, interdisciplinary learning experience geared towards becoming a sustainably designer or prepare individuals to participate significantly in the green building process. Courses will be held late afternoons and evenings in the Engineering and Design Institute in Manayunk. Applications are now being accepted. Visit website for more information.