pa environment digest nov. 1, 2010
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PA Environment DigestAn Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award
Harrisburg, Pa November 1, 2010
Rendell Signs Moratorium On More State Forest Land Drilling, After Leasing 137,000
Acres
Gov. Rendell this week signed an executive order protecting
Pennsylvania's state forests from any new natural gas development
activities that would disturb the surface of these areas andjeopardize fragile ecosystems.
Under Gov. Rendell's tenure, the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources leased over 137,000 acres of
State Forest land for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. Almost
all of the proceeds from the leases so far have gone to balancing the state budget, not to
conservation or environmental programs.
(Photo: DCNR, Marcellus Shale gas drilling site on State Forest land.)
The Governor said a recent and extensive evaluation of the state forest system conducted
by DCNR over a period of seven months found that any additional leases could endanger the
environmental quality and character of these tracts and pose a risk to Pennsylvania's existing
certification that it manages its forests in a sustainable manner, which is important for the state's
nearly $6 billion forest products industry.
Gov. Rendell added the executive order was necessary now given the state Senate's
failure to act on House Bill 2235 (Vitali-D-Delaware), which would have instituted a moratorium
on state forest land leases. The legislation passed the House with bipartisan support in early May,
but has seen not action in the Senate.
"Drilling companies' rush to grab private lands across the state has left few areas
untouched by this widespread industrial activity," said Gov. Rendell. "We need to protect our un-
leased public lands from this rush because they are the most significant tracts of undisturbed
forest remaining in the state. The House led the way to protect these lands, but the Senate failed
to do so. That's why it's clear we need this executive order."Failing to protect these acres will significantly alter the ecological integrity and the wild
character of our state forest system. That would devastate our ecotourism industry and jeopardize
the green certification upon which the state's forest products industry depends."
Currently, 700,000 acres of Pennsylvania's 2.2 million-acre state forest are available for
natural gas extraction. When completely developed over the next 30 years, these leased lands
will include about 1,000 well pads and as many as 10,000 wells, which, along with the associated
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roadways and infrastructure, could disturb as much as 30,000 acres of the land already under
lease.
Approximately 1.5 million acres of state forest lands sits atop the natural gas-rich
Marcellus Shale formation. The remaining 800,000 acres that have not been made available for
natural gas development contain significant environmental, ecotourism, and recreational values,
including:-- 180,000 acres of high-value ecosystems designated as wild and natural areas;
-- 200,000 acres of old-growth forests;
-- 128,000 acres with sensitive environmental resources (wetlands, riparian areas, threatened and
endangered species, steep slopes, unique habitats) and valuable recreational resources (scenic
vistas and viewsheds, trails, leased camps);
-- 299,000 acres in remote areas generally inaccessible by motorized vehicles and offering
wilderness experiences paralleling those in the western United States;
-- 88,000 acres of highly valued recreational and water resources in the Poconos in close
proximity to many residents; and
-- 20,000 acres important to ecotourism in the Laurel Highlands region.
"The moratorium is important to the state's economy because it protects some of our mostvaluable assets," said Gov. Rendell. "Countless people enjoy our state forests for recreation,
which draws tourism dollars into the state, and our lumber industry needs the assurance of
knowing we're going to responsibly manage these resources to protect jobs in that industry.
"After I sign this order into effect, it should remain in place. The stewardship of the
public's forests demands no less," added the Governor. "We simply cannot risk subjecting these
sensitive and high-value tracts to the same kind of environmental accidents and mishaps that
have happened on private lands elsewhere in the state because of the drilling industry's poor
practices."
NewsClips: Ridge Expects A Marcellus Shale Tax
Rendell Orders Ban On New State Forest Gas LeasesRendell: Broken Promise To People On Severance Tax
Rendell Halts Natural Gas Drilling In State Forests
Rendell Issues Forest Drilling Moratorium
Corbett Would Rescind Drilling Moratorium
Rendell Leasing Moratorium Could Be Short-Lived
Editorial: Halting Gas Drilling Frenzy
Editorial: Marcellus Moratorium Is Wrapped In Politics
Editorial: Rendell's Drilling Moratorium, Playing Games
Corbett Rally Draws Anti-Natural Gas Drilling Crowd
Supporters, Drilling Critics Greet Corbett
GOP State Senators Seek Shale Talks
PEC Applauds State Forest Drilling Moratorium; Urges Final Action On Severance Tax
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-ridge-desales-20101027,0,7783914.storyhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/20101026_Rendell_orders_ban_on_new_state_forest_gas_leases.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-113.stmhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-454.stmhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/rendell-issues-forest-drilling-moratorium-1.1054446http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_706207.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/news/election-2010/5341-leasing-moratorium-could-be-short-livedhttp://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20101027_DN_Editorial__Halting_gas_drilling_frenzy.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10301/1098617-192.stmhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_706367.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/corbett-rally-draws-anti-natural-gas-drilling-crowd-1.1054699http://www.timesleader.com/news/Supporters__drilling_critics_greet_Corbett_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/GOP_senators__seek_Shale_talks_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/GOP_senators__seek_Shale_talks_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Supporters__drilling_critics_greet_Corbett_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/corbett-rally-draws-anti-natural-gas-drilling-crowd-1.1054699http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_706367.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10301/1098617-192.stmhttp://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20101027_DN_Editorial__Halting_gas_drilling_frenzy.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/news/election-2010/5341-leasing-moratorium-could-be-short-livedhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_706207.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/rendell-issues-forest-drilling-moratorium-1.1054446http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-454.stmhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-113.stmhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/20101026_Rendell_orders_ban_on_new_state_forest_gas_leases.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-ridge-desales-20101027,0,7783914.story -
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The Pennsylvania Environmental Council applauded Gov. Rendells
signing of an Executive Order prohibiting additional leasing of State Park
or Forest land for oil and gas development.
The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, under the
leadership of Secretary John Quigley, has done a courageous job of
managing mandated leasing of State Forest land over the last two yearssaid Don Welsh, President and CEO of PEC. Unfortunately the focus on
generating revenue trumped the landmark conservation legacy of our state
lands most of which reflect more than a century of public and private
investment and bipartisan effort to restore our natural resources and public
places. We have lost sight of that tremendous legacy too soon in the face of budget shortfalls.
More than 700,000 acres of State Forest land are available for leasing for natural gas
development. In fact last years state budget included mandated revenue target levels from such
leasing, with the majority of the revenues being used to help balance the states General Fund.
Resource development on state lands should be driven by science and sound
management, not solely by the need for revenue commented Welsh.
The Governor also called for the General Assembly to meet its pledge to pass a naturalgas severance tax in the current legislative session. PEC supports a fair and reasonable
severance tax that directs the majority of its revenue to protect and restore the environment, help
communities address impacts from escalating extraction activity, and to support the Department
of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as they
manage natural gas operations.
Said Welsh: The General Assembly and Governor must meet their commitment in law;
the options and opportunities are there if theyre willing to make the effort. They owe it to the
citizens of Pennsylvania to do what it takes to see this through.
NewsClips: Ridge Expects A Marcellus Shale Tax
Rendell Orders Ban On New State Forest Gas LeasesRendell: Broken Promise To People On Severance Tax
Rendell Halts Natural Gas Drilling In State Forests
Rendell Issues Forest Drilling Moratorium
Corbett Would Rescind Drilling Moratorium
Rendell Leasing Moratorium Could Be Short-Lived
Editorial: Halting Gas Drilling Frenzy
Editorial: Marcellus Moratorium Is Wrapped In Politics
Editorial: Rendell's Drilling Moratorium, Playing Games
Corbett Rally Draws Anti-Natural Gas Drilling Crowd
Supporters, Drilling Critics Greet Corbett
GOP State Senators Seek Shale Talks
Gov. Ridge Urges Tom Corbett To Support Marcellus Shale Severance Tax
http://www.pecpa.org/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-ridge-desales-20101027,0,7783914.storyhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/20101026_Rendell_orders_ban_on_new_state_forest_gas_leases.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-113.stmhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-454.stmhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/rendell-issues-forest-drilling-moratorium-1.1054446http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_706207.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/news/election-2010/5341-leasing-moratorium-could-be-short-livedhttp://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20101027_DN_Editorial__Halting_gas_drilling_frenzy.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10301/1098617-192.stmhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_706367.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/corbett-rally-draws-anti-natural-gas-drilling-crowd-1.1054699http://www.timesleader.com/news/Supporters__drilling_critics_greet_Corbett_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/GOP_senators__seek_Shale_talks_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/GOP_senators__seek_Shale_talks_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Supporters__drilling_critics_greet_Corbett_10-27-2010.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/corbett-rally-draws-anti-natural-gas-drilling-crowd-1.1054699http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_706367.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10301/1098617-192.stmhttp://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20101027_DN_Editorial__Halting_gas_drilling_frenzy.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/news/election-2010/5341-leasing-moratorium-could-be-short-livedhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_706207.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/rendell-issues-forest-drilling-moratorium-1.1054446http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-454.stmhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10300/1098288-113.stmhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/20101026_Rendell_orders_ban_on_new_state_forest_gas_leases.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-ridge-desales-20101027,0,7783914.storyhttp://www.pecpa.org/ -
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"Finally, your readers may be interested to know that there have actually been three
leases of state forest land for Marcellus Shale development, not two. The Post Gazette report
omits the $120 million, no bid private lease agreement entered into between Governor Rendell
and Anadarko earlier this spring.
"By providing details of Governor Rendells proposals and comparing them to
ambiguous generalities of a competing plan, the Post Gazettes readers are deprived of theiropportunity to make an informed opinion. I urge the Post Gazette to be more thorough in its
future reporting."
For more information, visit the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
webpage.
NewsClips: Ridge Expects A Marcellus Shale Tax
Corbett Rally Draws Anti-Natural Gas Drilling Crowd
Supporters, Drilling Critics Greet Corbett
GOP State Senators Seek Shale Talks
Sen. Mary Jo White On Environmental Legislative Scorecards
Governor's Race: Take Time To Read Over Candidates' Positions
November 2 is election day and now is the time, if you haven't already, to read over the positions
candidates for Governor have taken on environmental and energy issues. Here are some handy
links to help out.
Republican Tom Corbett: Environment, Energy, Agriculture, Sportsmen
Democrat Dan Onorato: Sustainability, Energy/Environment, Agriculture
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule
Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as
well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Session Schedule
Here is the session schedule for the remainder of the year and the Senate schedule for the first
few weeks of 2011--
Senate Session 2010November 17 (Ceremonial Session to Elect an Interim President Pro Tempore)
Senate Session 2011
January 4, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
February 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 28
March 1, 2 (Budget presentation first full week in March)
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House Session
November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16
Calendars
House (November 8): House Bill 80 (Vitali-D-Delaware) expanding the Alternative EnergyPortfolio Standards and authorizing a carbon sequestration network; House Bill 894 (Phillips-R-
Northumberland) establishing a Lyme Disease Task Force and assigning responsibilities to the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources without funding; House Bill
2405 (DePasquale-D-York) which would increase the solar mandate provisions of the
Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards and provide for carbon sequestration facilities; House
Bill 2619 (Preston-D-Allegheny) further providing for municipal aggregation of electric
generation supply; House Resolution 864 (Mundy-D-Luzerne) memorializing Congress to pass
the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act.
Senate (November 17): All bills remaining on the Senate Calendar were Tabled prior to
adjournment.
Committees
No committee meetings scheduled for next week.
Bills On Governor's Desk
The following bill was given final action by the General Assembly and is now on the Governor's
Desk for action--
Borough Electric Purchases: Senate Bill 168 (Brubaker-R-Lancaster) further authorizing
electric purchases by boroughs was signed into law as Act 87.
"The Borough Code gives a borough the right to provide electric service to its residents,
but it did not give these municipalities the authority to fully leverage their purchasing power,"
Sen. Brubaker said. "This new law will allow boroughs to negotiate the best possible deal to
provide lower energy costs to consumers. A number of talented and dedicated individuals helped
to make this change to the Borough Code possible, and I am deeply grateful for their efforts."
Energy Production On Farmland: Senate Bill 298 (Yaw-R-Bradford) amends the Farmland
and Forest Land Assessment Act to allow the splitting off of preserved farm and forest lands
used for alternative energy systems and natural gas and coal bed methane was signed into law byGov. Rendell as Act 88.
"This legislation is a critical update to how our farmland is to be assessed now and in the
future. The development of the Marcellus Shale has changed how everything is looked at as it is
a total transition to what used to be 'business as usual' on all levels of government," said Sen.
Yaw. "All laws of this nature need to be scrutinized to see if they are applicable in today's world
in keeping with the original spirit of the law and then changed if necessary."
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As an agriculture economy, Clean and Green plays an important role for
Pennsylvanias family farmers, especially as it relates to the development of their privately-
owned minerals," said Kathryn Klabor of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. "These commonsense
revisions to the Clean and Green Program, led by Sen. Gene Yaw, are a win-win for our
agriculture community and for responsible Marcellus development in the Commonwealth. The
entire general assembly and the governor should be commended for their work on this importantbipartisan legislation.
Blight: Senate Bill 900 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) establishing the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation
and Revitalization Act was signed into law as Act 90.
"My goal was to see this important bipartisan bill signed into law this session," said Sen.
Argall. "This is a major victory for municipalities throughout Pennsylvania who have been
impacted by abandoned or dilapidated properties. These eyesores leave a black mark on our
communities that many times are difficult to eliminate.
"The Statewide Blight Task Force, my colleagues in the House, Senate and Governor's
Administration deserve a great deal of credit for their hard work and commitment to this effort,"
Sen. Argall added.
Local Government Merger: Senate Bill 1429 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) further providing for the
merger and consolidations of local governments was signed into law as Act 102.
Neighborhoods: House Bill 1609 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) amending the Municipalities Planning
Code further defining traditional neighborhood development. Must be signed in the Senate
before reaching the Governor's desk.
News From Around The State
DCNR, DEP Establish New Gas Well Development Permit Policy For State Parks, Forests
The departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection this week
announced a new policy which establishes clear procedures for evaluating the impacts of oil and
gas drilling on state park and forest land as part of DEP's standard well-permitting process.
Because the Commonwealth does not own the mineral rights to 80 percent of state park
land and about 15 percent of state forest land, DCNR Secretary John Quigley said this joint
policy will provide another measure of protection to Pennsylvania's state-owned natural
resources. Sixty state parks are located above the gas-rich Marcellus Shale formation.
"To manage development of oil and gas drilling where the commonwealth does not own
the mineral rights, we needed a formal process in place to ensure that natural gas well operatorsproperly coordinate with DCNR," DEP Secretary John Hanger said. "This will help us determine
the impacts of proposed oil and gas wells on state parks and forests before they submit their well
permit applications to DEP."
"Coordination is especially important on the areas of our state parks and forests where
DCNR does not have the controls that would be put in place by a lease agreement," Secretary
Quigley said.
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This new policy dovetails and support DEP's existing practice of considering the impacts
of proposed wells on public natural resources, including state parks and forests, as outlined in
Section 205(c) of the Oil and Gas Act.
The policy, effective immediately, requires well operators to identify all areas of a tract
that will be disturbed by development activities. DCNR will delineate, with assistance from the
well operator, any areas of concern and recommend measures to minimize the impacts.Impacts to be considered include: threatened and endangered species habitat; wildlife
corridors; water resources; scenic viewsheds; public recreation areas; wetlands and floodplains;
high-value trees and regeneration areas; avoiding steep slopes; pathways for invasive species; air
quality; noise; and road placement and construction methods.
After coordinating with DCNR, the well operator will submit the DCNR Environmental
Review to DEP as part of a well permit application. An application that does not include
sufficient information to allow DEP to consider the impacts on state park and forest lands will be
considered incomplete.
DCNR will provide a letter if it is in agreement on recommended response measures. If
there is no agreement, DEP may address the concerns with permit conditions.
A copy of the new policy is available online.For more information, visit DCNR's Leasing In State Forests webpage.
DEP Fines Huntley & Huntley Inc. For July 23 Gas Well Tank Explosion
The Department of Environmental Protection has imposed a $32,000 penalty against Huntley &
Huntley Inc. of Monroeville, Allegheny County, stemming from a July 23 tank explosion at a gas
well site in which two people died.
The civil penalty is part of a consent order and agreement to resolve violations of the Oil
and Gas Act and the Solid Waste Management Act.
An oil storage tank at the company's Murray Heirs #6 gas well site, located in IndianaTownship, Allegheny County, exploded on July 23, releasing small amounts of oil and other
liquids and causing the well head and nearby production facilities to catch fire. The tank that
exploded was propelled into the air, landing about 150 feet away from the well head.
Killed were two employees of Northeast Energy Management Inc. of Indiana, Indiana
County, who were performing welding repairs on the 210-barrel oil storage tank. Northeast
Energy Management was under contract to perform the repairs.
"Companies that own and operate oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania have an obligation to
ensure those sites function properly and have a minimal impact on the environment," DEP
Secretary John Hanger said. "The explosion destroyed the production equipment, damaged the
well head, ignited a fire, caused a release of small amounts of brine and oil on the ground in the
well containment area and posed a threat to our natural resources and the public."This was a tragic situation and no action we can take will undo the events of that day,"
Secretary Hanger added. "We need to do everything we can, though, to prevent such situations
from happening again."
Secretary Hanger said Huntley & Huntley led a prompt and effective emergency response
by marshaling local fire, emergency management and industry response teams to the scene and
flying in a specialty well control company from Texas the day of the accident. These actions, he
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said, helped to limit the environmental impact of the explosion and return the site to a safe
condition.
The shallow well has produced mostly oil and some gas since 2008.
Huntley & Huntley also agreed to take appropriate measures to ensure that, prior to
performing any welding repair work on a tank located within 100 feet of the company's oil and
gas well heads, company employees or contractors will observe special safety measures bydisconnecting the tank from the well, draining the tank of all liquids, purging the tank of all
combustible gases, testing the tank with a calibrated lower explosives limit meter and recording
the readings.
NewsClips: Company Fined For Fatal Indiana Twp. Well Blast
DEP Fines Driller $25,000 Over Blast
Marcellus Shale Workforce Resource Center Holds Grand Opening
The Marcellus Shale Workforce Resource Centerofficially opened Thursday with ceremonies
held at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
The center, located inside Penn Colleges Center for Business & WorkforceDevelopment, provides a centralized location for industry, students and the public to obtain
information regarding Marcellus Shale workforce-development initiatives.
The center includes the Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center featuring
participation from Penn College and Penn State Cooperative Extension which has provided
workforce development, assessment and training services since 2008.
The MSETC has completed several workforce assessments and has trained more than
1,000 people in natural gas related courses. The courses have benefited unemployed individuals
seeking a career change, as well as employees who have already been hired by the natural gas
industry.
Also operating at the center is ShaleNET (Eastern Region Hub), supported by a $4.96million U.S. Department of Labor grant and funding recruitment, training and job placement
across the Marcellus Shale footprint. As part of this three-year initiative, a hub located at Penn
College will serve to develop, standardize and coordinate several training courses for individuals
seeking employment in the natural gas industry.
This continues Penn Colleges commitment to support the various workforce-
development needs of the natural gas industry, said Penn College President Davie Jane
Gilmour. As Marcellus Shale activity and the natural gas industry continue to expand and
evolve in our region, Penn College and its strategic partners are committed to providing the
infrastructure and support services required to serve the areas workforce needs.
Staff will be available at the new center to respond to inquiries and the needs of the
public and the natural gas industry regarding workforce assessments, training opportunities, andvarious federal, state and regional initiatives that support the industry.
Penn State Cooperative Extension is proud to be a partner with Penn College to advance
critical workforce assessment and training through the new center, said Craig Weidemann, vice
president for Penn State Outreach. The efforts of the new center complement Penn States
significant research and extension programs addressing the myriad of opportunities and complex
issues centered around the growth of the shale play across the Commonwealth.
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According to Larry L. Michael, executive director for workforce and economic
development at Penn College: This new center will provide a centralized point of contact for
natural gas workforce-development initiatives and information. We have many program
offerings, as well as funding, to offset the workforce-training costs associated with training
industry personnel and individuals pursuing a career with this exciting new industry.
As the workforce developing the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania becomes more local,it is even more imperative that the skills necessary to work safely in this industry are obtained
from local educational providers with an in-depth understanding of the training needs necessary
to be successful, said Thomas B. Murphy, co-director of the Marcellus Center for Outreach and
Research at Penn State. The Marcellus Shale Workforce Resource Center is that one-stop
location for the public and will advance the development of the employment build in this
emerging industry in Pennsylvania.
For more information on available courses, visit the Marcellus Shale Workforce Resource
Centeronline or call 570-327-4775 or visit the Center at 1127 W. Fourth St., Williamsport.
Westmoreland County Conservation Awards Banquet November 11
This years Westmoreland Conservation District annual awards banquet will be held on a new
day Veterans Day, November 11 and at a new location the Fred M. Rogers Center at Saint
Vincent College, Latrobe.
The public is invited to join in this conservation celebration, which begins at 6 p.m. and
includes recognition of two of the areas outstanding conservationists: Wayne and Eileen
Baughman of Salem Township, Conservation Farmers of the Year for 2010and Bob Berich of
South Huntingdon Township, Conservation Farmer of the Year for 2009.
Also featured that evening will be the many partners who are working with the
conservation district on an innovative, community project to install rain gardens in Mount
Pleasant. Those partners include: the Borough of Mount Pleasant, the Department ofEnvironmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Richard King Mellon
Foundation, and a number of residents of Ramsay Terrace.
We are pleased to be able to honor some of the many people who are doing great things
for conservation in our county, said Greg Phillips, District manager/CEO of the Westmoreland
Conservation District, whose organization works daily with farmers, developers, engineers,
foresters, and other professions to help ensure that our natural resources are used wisely.
Wayne and Eileen Baughman, Conservation Farmers of the Year for 2010, manage a
small farm in Salem Township, where they have a herd of Black Baldy cattle (a cross between
an Angus bull and Hereford cows) and grow a variety of crops, including small grains, hay,
black raspberries, blackberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, and potatoes.
The Baughmans have made a variety of conservation improvements on their propertyover the past five years, adding fencing to keep the cows out of the stream, creating five
paddocks so they can employ rotational grazing, installing roadways and water-runoff systems to
prevent erosion, and using no-till methods to refurbish their pastures and to plant wheat and
soybeans. The conservation work that the Baughmans did adds to the quality of the local stream,
which flows directly into Beaver Run, the source of drinking water for some 50,000 homes and
businesses in Westmoreland County.
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Bob Berich, Conservation Farmer of the Year for 2009, also installed a rotational grazing
system on the 50-acre farm he owns in South Huntingdon Township. Bob rotationally grazes his
state-certified Angus beef cattle and the legacy sheep herd that was his fathers, letting the sheep
into a paddock right after the cows have been there to pick out the things that the cattle didnt
eat.
Like the Baughmans, Bob, too, installed streamside fencing and three streamcrossings to limit the access his animals have to the tributary of Meadow Run (Jacobs Creek
Watershed) that flows through his farm.
The Mount Pleasant rain garden project is the featured conservation partnership project
this year. This innovative partnership effort is installing rain gardens in both municipal and
residential locations throughout the borough as a way to help manage excess rainwater and
lessen the load on the municipal infrastructure. So far, rain gardens have been installed in the
municipal parking lot behind Levins furniture store (four gardens at this location), between the
library and municipal building (one rain garden at this location), and on 11 individual
homeowner lots in Ramsay Terrace.
Partners in this innovative project include: the Borough of Mount Pleasant, the
Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, theRichard King Mellon Foundation, and a number of residents of Ramsay Terrace.
The 2010 Annual Awards Banquet is supported by a number of area businesses and
organizations, including lead sponsor Adam Eidemiller, Inc.; and table sponsors Bove
Engineering Co.; Ligonier Construction; Lone Maple Agricultural Services/Pritts Feed Mill/
Hildenbrand Lime & Fertilizer; R.A. Smith National; Smart Growth Partnership, a program of
Penn State Cooperative Extension; Tri-County Engineering; and Westmoreland County Parks
and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board.
The Westmoreland Conservation District Annual Awards banquet begins at 6 p.m., and
everyone is welcome to attend. However, please note that seating is limited and tickets must be
purchased in advance. Price per person is $30.Registration and payment canbe made online or by contacting the Westmoreland
Conservation District at 724-837-5271.
Penn State Ag/Environmental Center Sponsors Buffer Workshop November 15
The Penn State Agriculture and Environment Centeris sponsoring a Riparian Buffer and Stream
Ecology Workshop on November 15 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown.
This free workshop will feature one of the world's foremost experts on stream ecology,
Dr. Bern Sweeney, Director of the Stroud Water Research Center. Dr. Sweeney will present on
stream ecology and the functions and values of forest riparian buffers, with emphasis on their
water quality benefits.The workshop will also include a field visit to a local buffer site and presentations and
discussion of buffer restoration programs and opportunities for streamside landowners in the
Conewago Creek watershed and beyond.
Who should attend? streamside landowners; Conservation District, NRCS, FSA, and
Cooperative Extension staff; municipal officials; planning commission members; EAC members;
park and recreation professionals and volunteers; land trust staff and volunteers; developers;
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consultants; environmental educators; anyone who wants to learn more about improving the
water quality of our local streams!
Space is limited, so if you are interested in attending, register online or contact Matt
Royer by sending email to: [email protected] or call 717-948-6459 to register today.
DEP Soliciting Comments On Stream Water Quality For 13 Streams
The Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting comments on water quality in 13
streams in Bedford, Carbon, Carmeron, Clearfield, Columbia, Elk, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton,
Huntington, Juniata, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Potter, Sullivan and
Susquehanna counties.
For individual watersheds and more information, click here.
Azavea Creates Web-Based Support System For Philadelphia's Green Stormwater
Program
Azavea this week announced the launch ofPhillyStormwater.org, a web-based StormwaterBilling application to support the Philadelphia Water Department's Green Stormwater
Management Billing Program.
On July 1, the City of Philadelphia flipped the switch on a new approach to assessing
stormwater management fees that has been under development for over 15 years. As a
consequence, a new billing system is now in place.
Under the new billing methodology, which will gradually be phased in over the next 3
years, non-residential property owners will be charged for stormwater based on the total area of
their property and the amount of impervious surfaces on their property, rather than being based
on the amount of water they use.
The Phillystormwater.org system, developed by Azavea, enables property owners tounderstand how PWD calculates their new stormwater charges, detailing how each component of
the stormwater charge was calculated, how it will be phased in over time, and what steps the
property owner can take to reduce their charges through a credits program for each onsite water
management practice they decide to implement.
The application enables property owners to visualize their property in a high resolution
aerial photography and display the following data: impervious area of their property; gross area
of their property; PWD account information; credits associated with the account; and charge
summary from FY 2011 to FY 2014.
Customers who want to dispute the gross area or impervious area of their parcel can
submit appeals, which are researched and in turn, managed by the PDW staff members through
the PhillyStormwater.org application.Why is the City of Philadelphias new stormwater management program such a
significant move and why can it be qualified as green?
As a city grows and its open spaces are covered with concrete, asphalt and rooftops,
stormwater that might have once been naturally filtered and absorbed by vegetation and soil is
collected by the municipal stormwater system.
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In many older cities, the stormwater and the sanitary sewer are combined into a single
system. When there is a storm event, the system outstrips the filtering capacity and the extra
runoff overflows into the rivers, creating significant environmental and health impacts.
The more impervious surface -- parking lots, sidewalks and roofs the more rapidly and
frequently the runoff will result in a combined sewer overflow event. Most municipalities
remediate this issue by building more and larger infrastructure, but for a city the age and size ofPhiladelphia, this would carry a very large price tag.
The Philadelphia Water Department has decided to implement a billing system that aims
to encourage property owners to use onsite green management practices such as retention basins,
trees, green roofs and porous pavement in order to both reduce the amount of impervious
pavement and use soil and vegetation to filter the water.
They hope this new approach will be more environmentally-friendly, lower cost, and
easier to manage. In addition, PWD has also created a program of credits that incentivize owners
to retrofit their properties with onsite stormwater management practices, thus reducing their
stormwater fees.
Philadelphias approach is not unique -- Portland, Oregon has implemented a similar
sustainable stormwater management system -- but Philadelphias program is the largest and mostambitious green stormwater management program in the country.
By 2029, PWD plans to replace at least one third of the City's impervious surfaces with
green stormwater infrastructure. Already a national leader in the design and construction of
green roofs and other urban sustainability practices, the new program is part of Philadelphias
Greenworks Program, an ambitious plan to transform Philadelphia into the greenest city in the
U.S.
By committing the city to managing stormwater with green infrastructure, PWD also
aims to increase recreational opportunities, provide jobs, and improve air quality.
As a B Corporation, we seek out projects that use GIS technology to deliver both new
services and social value. Azavea does work all over the United States, but its thrilling whenwe can make a contribution to a project in our hometown, Philadelphia, that is setting the
standard for innovative ways to better manage our ecosystem, says Robert Cheetham, Azavea
President and CEO.
For more information, visit PhillyStormwater.org online.
PA CleanWays, Keep PA Beautiful Merger Finalized
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and PA CleanWays this week
announced they have formally completed their merger with
the organizations new bylaws being approved at the
Annual Business meeting of the former PA CleanWaysnetwork.
The organization will operate under the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful name. The mission
of the organization is to empower Pennsylvanians to make our communities clean and beautiful.
Jim Bonner, the new Board Chair of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful explains, Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful engages, inspires, and empowers hundreds of thousands of volunteers
annually and will continue those efforts as we work towards our vision of a clean and beautiful
Pennsylvania.
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Other officers elected include; Vice Chair, Dave McCorkle, CEO of the PA Food
Merchants Association, Treasurer, Dave Brunner, Finance Director for Pittsburgh Action
Against Rape, and Secretary, Maitreyi Roy, VP of Programs for the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society.
For a full list of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful board members is available online.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is honored to be a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful andwill work to bring the benefits of the national organization to Pennsylvania, said Shannon
Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliate network consists of 20 local affiliate
organizations and hundreds of volunteer adoption coordinators across the state. Through its
efforts, most notably the Great American Cleanup of PA, the organization has cleaned up nearly
80 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania roadways, forest lands, cities, greenways, parks,
and streams.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will also work closely with the six Keep America Beautiful
local affiliates in Pennsylvania.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful would like to give special recognition to the current
business council members that supported the merger of PA CleanWays and Keep PennsylvaniaBeautiful, including the American Chemistry Council, Steel Recycling Institute, Keystone
Sanitary Landfill, PA Beverage Association, PA Waste Industries Association, Pennsylvania
Food Merchants Association, and Waste Management.
The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful office will be at 105 West 4th Street, Greensburg, PA,
15601. For more information on the organization, or to become a member or volunteer, please
call 877-772-3673 orKeep Pennsylvania Beautiful online.
DCNR Conservation Landscape Initiatives Recognized By Harvard University
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' regional approach to conservinglandscapes to create opportunities for economic development was recently recognized by the
Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University's Bright Ideas Program.
This is the first year for the Program, which is designed to recognize and share creative
government initiatives across the nation with interested public-sector, nonprofit and academic
communities.
"OurConservation Landscape Initiatives are a strategic approach in large, significant
landscapes to help communities protect that sense of place and the natural assets that make them
unique," said DCNR Secretary John Quigley. "These communities powerfully connect
conservation with community economic development. They are placing their natural assets at the
center of their revitalization strategies and are improving the quality of life of their citizens and
attracting new businesses and positioning their communities for sustainable growth."We have had many successes on the ground in the seven regions where we are working,
and we are proud to be recognized through the 'Bright Ideas Program' as a national model for this
type of collaborative work," Secretary Quigley added.
Known informally as CLI, the initiative's seven regions include the north-central
Pennsylvania Wilds; Pocono Forests and Waters; Lehigh Valley Greenways; Schuylkill
Highlands in the southeast; South Mountain in the south-central part of the state; Lower
Susquehanna; and the Laurel Highlands in the southwest.
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The DCNR landscape approach involves working collaboratively with communities and
partners such as park managers, foresters and grant makers on issues like land conservation for
community parks and trails, greenways, trails, habitat protection, forest fragmentation and
sustainable development.
The collaboration help communities protect the places they value, which shapes their
revitalization strategies to take advantage of those natural assets."Understanding that measurement and evaluation are critical learning tools, more than a
year ago we undertook a pair of studies to determine if the CLI approach is effective and how it
could be made better," Secretary Quigley added. "The evaluation shows us that CLIs do
workthat strong partnerships, strategic grant-making, and more meaningful engagement with
citizens do pay off, creating more vibrant communities and increased opportunities for
Pennsylvanians and visitors to connect with the outdoors."
As a specific example, in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, local governments have become
champions for the work, particularly around land use planning.
Tourism and economic development have increased in the region in comparison to other
areas of the state. Overnight leisure travel and visitor spending increased from 2003 to 2007.
Tourism related employment earning and tax revenues also increased over state averages sincethe CLI began in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
While each of the seven designated CLIs has a unique focus and is tailored to the special
features and culture of the landscape they all share these core principles: locally-driven planning;
land conservation; community revitalization; and civic engagement.
For more information, visit the Bright Ideas Program webpage and DCNR's Conservation
Landscape Initiatives webpage.
Management Plan For Lower Susquehanna Water Trail Open For Review
The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway has been identified as a priority segment theCaptain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trailthe countrys first national water trail.
The National Park Service has been developing a Comprehensive Management Plan for
the management, construction and use of the trail including sites for interpretation and
assessment of current and future access points. This plan is now open for public review until
November 5.
Individual and group comments are welcome and can be made online,by email or by
mail to Superintendent, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, 410 Severn
Avenue, Suite 314, Annapolis, MD 21403.
For more information about the trail, visit the trail's planning website.
Habitat Protected At Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
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Federal officials this week dedicated the Cherry Valley National
Wildlife Refuge, to protect habitat for more than 80 rare species of
plants and animals.
Nearly two years ago, the boundary for the refuge was
drawn to include up to 20,400 acres of land in Monroe and
Northampton counties, which gave the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService authority to start purchasing conservation lands from
willing sellers.
Earlier this month, Mary and Dominick Sorrenti of Sorrenti's Cherry Valley Vineyards
became the first, selling 185 acres to the Service. More than 100 of their 750 fellow landowners
have expressed interest in adding to the refuge in the coming years, while other nearby lands
have already been protected through county, municipal and conservancy programs.
"Cherry Valley is an important part of the Conservancy's work to protect Pennsylvania's
special places, for people and for nature," said The Nature Conservancy's Pennsylvania Chapter
Executive Director Bill Kunze. "This refuge will help protect working farms and a portion of the
Appalachian Trail, as well as habitat for wildlife such as bald eagles and rare wildflowers such as
spreading globeflower."Cherry Valley is only the third national wildlife refuge to be established in Pennsylvania,
and the state's first since 1972. The Sorrenti property, which includes the headwaters of Cherry
Creek, will protect key wetland habitat.
Support for the project was provided by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, a
program that provides funding for conservation projects nationwide.
Cherry Valley also hosts a breeding population of globally rare cerulean warblers, while
other migratory songbirds can be seen traveling though on their annual migration. Several
species of rare plants are found within the refuge boundary, as well as bobcats, black bear, hawks
and osprey. The valley also hosts a population of federally protected bog turtles.
"We're proud to have been a part of this community effort to protect a place that localpeople love and have long recognized as important," said Bud Cook, Northeast Pennsylvania
Director for the Nature Conservancy. "This land acquisition reinforces what people have always
known in Cherry Valley, that people and wildlife can, indeed, live in harmony with one another."
"Cherry Valley is a model for the President's America's Great Outdoors Initiative," said
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould. "It is an example of how private
citizens and local communities can safeguard the places they care about. The Service is pleased
to be part of the citizen-led partnership that helped create this refuge, and we look forward to
working with our new neighbors to protect additional lands as part of the refuge."
The Nature Conservancy has been working to conserve habitat in the Cherry Valley area
for more than 15 years. Conservancy staff will continue to work with partner organizations and
community leaders to spread the word about the refuge and help interested landowners navigatethe process of protecting their land.
Support from local leaders including Rep, Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11th) and Rep.
Charles Dent (PA-15th) who sponsored the federal legislation to establish the refuge has been
critical to the project's success, Cook said.
The Nature Conservancy's partners at Cherry Valley include: US Fish and Wildlife
Service, Friends of Cherry Valley, Monroe County Conservation District, Monroe County
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Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Pocono Heritage Land Trust, Fish and Boat Commission,
Brodhead Watershed Association and local municipalities.
For more information, visit the TNC Cherry Valley webpage.
DCNR To Acquire 2,650 Acre Addition To Lackawanna State Forest
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn this week
joined representatives of The Conservation Fund, Monroe County Commissioners, The Nature
Conservancy, Wildlands Conservancy, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, township
supervisors and residents in applauding acquisition of 2,650 acres that will expand the
Lackawanna State Forest to more than 30,000 acres.
Located along the Lehigh River and Choke Creek, the land encompasses sections of
Luzerne, Lackawanna and Monroe counties. The Conservation Fund, working in partnership
with other public and private partners, acquired the tract from Blue Ridge Real Estate, Blakeslee,
and will eventually transfer it to DCNR as a permanent addition to Lackawanna State Forest.
Thanks to efforts of The Conservation Fund and others, some of the most pristine
headwaters of the Delaware River now will be included in the Lackawanna State Forest, andtheir extraordinary natural and wildlife resources will be protected for future generations, Dunn
said, speaking at a ceremony hosted along the Lehigh River by the Pennsylvania Environmental
Council.
Helping form what environmentalists have labeled the Lehigh River Conservation
Corridor, the newly acquired property provides prime upland forest, several miles of waterways,
significant wetland acreage and ideal habitat for black bear, bobcat, river otter, coyote, fisher,
snowshoe hares and white-tailed deer. It contains several miles of frontage on the Lehigh River,
Choke Creek, Trout Creek and Kendall Run. The 40-foot Choke Creek falls is a popular
landmark known for its extraordinary beauty. The area will be opened to hunters, hikers and all
other state forest recreational enthusiasts.Rich in natural resources, this acquisition carries tremendous connectivity value by
linking more than 70,000 acres of state forest, state game lands and non-profit conservation
lands, Dunn said. I commend the conservancies, county leaders and others who worked so
hard to make this happen.
Funded by DCNR, Monroe County and local private donors working with The Nature
Conservancy, the purchase enhances existing wildlife corridors; extends contiguous oak forests;
helps protect Lehigh and Delaware River headwaters; and provides a portal for increased
recreational and scenic enjoyment by state forest visitors.
This property had been slated for development, but many people in the area wanted to
see it conserved, said Todd McNew, Pennsylvania director of The Conservation Fund. We
were able to act quickly, but we couldnt have done it without the great support from all of ourpartners. We look forward to this becoming a permanent addition to Lackawanna State Forest for
current and future generations to enjoy.
Wildlands Conservancys Chris Kocher was pleased to see the acquisition come together
and a key recommendation in the Conservancys Lehigh River Watershed Conservation
Management Plan implemented.
The upper Lehigh River Corridor is a conservation priority. This acquisition adds to the
historic land protection work of Wildlands Conservancy and our conservation partners and
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significantly increases the connectivity of protected open space in the upper Lehigh River
watershed region and the miles of Lehigh riverfront property protected and opens to the public,
said Kocher.
Bud Cook of The Nature Conservancy provided a glimpse of the importance of this
newly protected land through the eyes of wildlife, specifically an otter. The connectivity
provided by this acquisition is paramount to sustain wildlife and protect rivers and streamsthroughout the region. Bud thanked DCNR, Monroe County and Conservancy members and
supporters for their commitment to making this key land and water protection project happen.
Monroe County Commissioner Vice-Chairperson Theresa Merli applauded the
acquisition and emphasized that conservation of key lands has been a priority for Monroe County
residents dating back to the Monroe County 2020 plan and the first open space bond in the
County. The success of this program has leveraged significant funds for land and water
protection, planning and outdoor recreation.
Nick Lylo, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, District Forester, discussed future plans for the
tract to improve public access to the Lehigh River as well as the significance of this land in the
history of the region.
Though deed transfers and other proceedings have yet to be finalized, organizers plannedthe event to showcase the land and celebrate its acquisition.
Lackawanna State Forest, with acreage now totaling 30,150, along with the neighboring
Delaware State Forest and its 84,000 acres, are keystones in the Pocono Forests and Waters
Conservation Landscape Initiative, one of seven major land preservation efforts under way
across the state.
Regional in scope, CLIs partner local governments, conservancies and residents with the
DCNR and other state departments to plan and promote sustainability, conservation, community
revitalization and recreational projects.
"A priority of the Pocono Forest and Water Conservation Landscape has been to protect
forests, rich habitats and riparian and other natural areas while supporting responsibledevelopment in the rapidly growing Northeast. We will all benefit from these new public
forestlands. Forests are the best mechanism devised to ensure watershed protection.
Communities could spend millions to replace the systems and functions that forests fulfill," said
Ellen Ferretti, of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Pocono Forests and Waters
Conservation Landscape Initiative.
For more information on the land acquisition, contact The Conservation Funds Ann
Barrett at 703-908-5809.
NewsClip: Wildlife Acreage Will Be Preserved In Upper Lehigh
PennDOT Warns Motorists Of Frisky Deer
With the earlier onset of nightfall, motorists should be prepared to encounter white-tailed deer
darting onto roads across Pennsylvania, said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E.
"There is typically a sharp rise in the number of deer-related crashes at this time of year,"
Secretary Biehler said. "Motorists can reduce their risk of being involved in a crash with a deer
by driving defensively and staying alert, especially when driving between dusk and dawn."
Deer are most active during the fall and particularly between sunset and sunrise. Deer
also are less cautious and move around more during their breeding season.
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To reduce the risk of being involved in a crash with a deer, motorists should slow down,
use caution and be especially watchful during morning and evening hours. Motorists should also
allow extra following distance between vehicles, particularly where deer crossing signs are
posted. Since deer often travel in small herds, motorists should exercise caution when one deer
crosses a roadway as it will likely be followed by others.
According to PennDOT statistics, 46 percent of all reportable crashes in the past fiveyears involving deer occurred in the months of October and November, with nearly 78 percent
occurring between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. Last year, there were nearly 3,000 crashes statewide
involving deer, resulting in more than 600 injuries and five fatalities.
The risk of having a deer-related crash further increases in October as hunters take to the
woods for the opening of archery and small game seasons.
To report a dead deer on state roads, motorists can call 1-800-FIX-ROAD.
For more fall safety tips and other highway safety information, visit
www.DriveSafePA.org. Follow PennDOT on Twitter.
NewsClips: Already Deer Season On The Highways
Deer Crashes On Rise
5 Pennsylvania Colleges Rank High In College Sustainability Report Card
The College Sustainability Report Card gave five Pennsylvania colleges some of the highest
scores in their annual report on sustainability-- Dickinson College-- A, Allegheny College- A-,
University of Pennsylvania-- A-, Villanova University-- A-, and Penn State University-- B+
The Sustainability Report Card is an independent evaluation of campus and endowment
sustainability activities at colleges and universities across North America.
Penn State University
Penn State has been named a national Campus Sustainability Leader and increased it's
grade in a national survey of green schools. Penn State received a B+ rating in the Green ReportCard survey conducted by the Sustainability Endowments Institute.
The College Sustainability Report Card is an independent evaluation of campus and
endowment sustainability activities at colleges and universities across North America. Penn
State's B+ rating is up from last year's B rating.
The increase is due to the University's continuing focus on green house gas reduction and
the activities of the newly formed Campus Sustainability Office.
Erik Foley, CSO director, said, "This survey is primarily focused on operations, student
involvement and endowment. It is a valuable recognition of Penn State's green accomplishments
and a reminder of what yet needs to be done."
Penn State scored an A in the areas of administration, climate change and energy, food
and recycling, investment priorities, and green buildings. Student involvement and transportationreceived a B rating. Endowment transparency and shareholder engagement did less well and
were also the lowest scoring areas for most colleges and universities surveyed.
This year's report compared 322 colleges and universities using 52 indicators, from green
building initiatives to recycling programs to endowment investment policies, and uses an A to F
letter-grading system to evaluate performance. The average rating for institutions in the Big Ten
this year was B.
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The Green Report Card is designed to identify colleges and universities that are leading
by example on sustainability issues. The aim is to provide accessible information so that schools
may learn from each other's experiences, thereby fostering more effective sustainability policies.
Penn State has a long record of environmental activity including decades of recycling and
energy efficiency initiatives.
The University has made remarkable progress toward achieving sustainability. It hasannounced a campus-wide goal of cutting green house gas emissions by 17.5 percent in 2012 and
already has reached 15 percent. Penn State has reduced its electricity consumption by 7 percent,
from the high in 2005, while adding over a million square feet of new building space.
Annually the University avoids more than $10 million in energy costs thanks to the
efforts of the Office of Physical Plant and individual efforts across our campuses. Penn State's 57
percent recycling rate soars above what the EPA estimates as the national average of 35 percent.
Penn State has an array of sustainability efforts in operations, outreach, teaching, research
and student affairs. The Campus Sustainability Office currently is supporting a quickly growing
network of employee-based Green Teams in many university units and has launched a new
Student Eco-Rep Program in the residence halls. Outreach reaches landowners, businesses and
communities with many services and programs.The Center for Sustainability is advancing the teaching of sustainability and innovative
applied research programs in green building, solar power and smart grids. The Penn State
Institutes of Energy and the Environment coordinates energy and environmental research,
bringing together over 500 faculty, staff and students. Student Affairs is developing its own
sustainability plan with sustainability learning outcomes for all Penn State students.
Click here to see a video covering Penn States current sustainability efforts and the
Universitys drive to expand them.
PA Resources Council Holds Annual Wine Tasting and Awards Dinner November 18
The Pennsylvania Resources Council will hold its annual Wine Tasting and Awards Dinneron
November 18 at the Raddison Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia.
Sustainability. Its a concept that has become the forefront of public attention in recent
years, along with social responsibility, clean energy, zero-waste and eco-consciousness.
The truth of the matter is, the Pennsylvania Resources Council has been working with
business, government and community leaders since 1939 to inform and encourage current and
future leaders to take an active role in promoting sustainable living and conserving our natural
resources.
PRC works with statewide leaders to create solutions to environmental challenges and
reach out to the community through its educational and service programs.
Even with our intense grassroots efforts, we rely on your support to generate importantfunds necessary for PRCs environmental advocacy, education, and programs in areas such as
Green Building, Community Service, Environmental Education, Zero-Waste Initiative, and
Sustainability.
The Annual Wine Tasting & Awards Dinner is PRCs only statewide fundraising event
that helps us achieve this goal.
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For more information about sponsorships or buy tickets, visit the Wine Tasting & Awards
Dinnerwebpage or contact Carol Butler at 610-355-1555 ext. 230 or send email to:
Lancaster County, Turkey Hill, PPL Renewable Energy Harness Wind Power
PPL Renewable Energy and its partners, the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management
Authority and Turkey Hill Dairy, this week unveiled a 3.2-megawatt wind power project at the
Frey Farm Landfill in Lancaster County.
The project, part of an ongoing partnership between PPL, the authority and Turkey Hill,
includes two wind turbines that will generate about 25 percent of Turkey Hills electricity needs.
Thats enough power to produce 6 million gallons of ice cream or power 700 homes each year.
PPL is committed to developing renewable energy facilities such as wind turbines, solar
panels and landfill-gas engines to provide electricity that is vital to our way of life in an
environmentally friendly manner, said Mike Kroboth, president of PPL Renewable Energy.
The addition of wind turbines at the Frey Farm landfill is a continuation of the long-standing
efforts of the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority and Turkey Hill Dairy tosupport renewable energy resources as part of their commitment to a sustainable future.
The wind power project sits atop Turkey Point next to the authoritys Frey Farm Landfill
and consists of two General Electric wind turbines that stand 262 feet high. Each turbines three
blades are 135 feet in length. The power generated by the two wind turbines will be purchased by
the adjacent Turkey Hill Dairy, maker of the nations fourth largest-selling premium ice cream
brand and the top-selling refrigerated iced tea brand.
PPL also provides Turkey Hill with steam, which is a byproduct of the power generation
process from a 3.2-megawatt landfill-gas-to-energy plant.
This wind project with PPL Renewable Energy is another example of the authoritys
continued effort to use its facilities and assets to provide renewable energy, said James Warner,chief executive officer of the authority. We are committed to our mission of managing solid
waste and recyclable materials in an environmentally safe, reliable and efficient manner while
integrating renewable energy whenever possible.
Generating the same amount of electricity with fossil fuels would produce about 5,900
tons per year of greenhouse gases. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to
any one of these annual environmental benefits: removing 1,000 cars from the road; not
consuming 600,000 gallons of gasoline; and reducing the import of 12,000 barrels of oil.
Turkey Hill is excited by and committed to this opportunity to reduce our companys
environmental impact. Were proud to be an integral part of this groundbreaking project, said
Turkey Hill Dairy President Quintin Frey. Our support for renewable energy stems from our
strong commitment to a sustainable future in Lancaster County.PPL Renewable Energy develops, owns, operates and maintains renewable and clean
energy projects in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States, with a portfolio of projects
that totals more than 40 megawatts of electricity generation enough to power 20,000 homes.
These include solar panel installations, fuel cells or landfill gas-to-energy projects in
Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey.
GlaxSmithKline Installs Largest Rooftop Solar Array
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GSK this week began installing North America's largest rooftop solar array at its Northeast
Regional Distribution Center in York. GSK's sustainability initiatives were just recognized in
Newsweek's "2010 Green Ranking" as ranking fifth among the greenest companies in the world.
Nearly 11,000 solar panels will cover an area on the roof which is about the size of seven
American football fields. The solar panels will generate enough electricity to meet the annualenergy needs of the nearly 500,000 square foot building. That's equivalent to the power needed
each year for almost 400 average sized homes.
"This solar rooftop array is a demonstration of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
leadership not just in solar power, but in sustainability," said John Clarke, president of
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. "We hope that GSK's renewable energy strategy will
inspire other companies to look for ways to protect our planet."
Each solar panel weighs about 60 pounds and is more than six feet long and more than
three feet wide. The panels are installed in a grid system in sets of three. Nearly 100 workers
will spend the next two months hoisting the panels to the roof with a crane, securing them into
place and networking them into the power system.
American Capital Energy, the company responsible for the project, plans to install about500 panels per day.
The 3-megawatt system is expected to generate approximately 3.4 million kilowatt hours
of energy per year. This will enable the facility to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3,000
tons annually. It would take nearly 15,000 trees to absorb that much carbon dioxide in a single
year. When the project is completed, it will be the first time a GSK facility anywhere in the
world will be completely reliant on solar energy.
"Solar power is helping to propel Pennsylvania towards a sustainable energy future," said
Andrew Place, Acting Deputy Secretary, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment. "We
need strong, business-leading advocates such as GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to help
us achieve this goal. The installation of this solar project shows how private sector leadershiphelps us all achieve a greener future."
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare received government funding and solar
incentives to help finance the project. A $1 million grant from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and $4.1 million in federal tax credits will
help pay for the project. GSK will also utilize energy savings and Solar Renewable Energy
Credits (SREC) to offset costs.
"The support of state and federal leaders is instrumental in helping GSK expand our solar
energy initiatives," said Larry Brown, Vice President, North America Supply, GlaxoSmithKline
Consumer Healthcare. "This solar panel array provides a blueprint for GSK to bring solar power
to each of its North American distribution facilities in the next few years. As a next step, we will
then install solar panels at our Fresno, Ca. RDC by spring of 2011. Together, the York andFresno facilities will generate 60 percent of the total GSK Consumer Healthcare North America
RDC electricity supply from clean renewable solar energy. This is a remarkable step toward us
becoming a more energy-efficient company"
Four other solar panel projects were recently completed at GSK facilities in Upper
Providence and Collegeville, Pa., North Carolina; Belgium and Singapore.
NewsClip: Midstate Facility Begins Massive Solar Power Project
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Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan Program Expanded For Homeowners
Pennsylvania homeowners who want to cut their heating and cooling bills in half now have a
new, affordable method for financing clean geothermal heat pump systems, said Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger and Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord.
The officials said a new Keystone Home Energy Loan Program option offers low-interestloans that are combined with companion loans given in anticipation of federal tax credits for
fuel-conserving geothermal systems.
Secretary Hanger and Treasurer McCord made the announcement while visiting the home
of Peter and Laurel Hartwell, who are using Cleona-based G.F. Bowman Inc. to install a
geothermal heat pump system.
The program is made possible with $5 million from the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act and could help as many as 750 homeowners purchase geothermal systems.
Installing the systems will create hundreds of jobs for contractors like G.F. Bowman.
"Geothermal really is one of the great, largely untapped forms of renewable energy that is
available to us," said Secretary Hanger. "Fortunately, more consumers are recognizing this and
are making the smart decision to put geothermal systems in their homes. This program will makesure more families have access to this clean, money-saving technology by offering new financing
options. That's good news for consumers, our economy and our environment."
The Secretary added that by taking advantage of these federal and state incentives,
geothermal systems can pay for themselves within only five to 10 years.
"Keystone HELP is a triple winner: families can make energy efficiency improvements to
their homes that save money and reduce energy use, the commonwealth earns a secure return,
and the program creates good-paying, much-needed jobs for local installers, contractors, and
manufacturers," Treasurer McCord said. "Less pollution, lower costs, and more jobs-good work
on three fronts."
Under the new geothermal loan program, qualifying homeowners can take advantage ofan unsecured 4.99 percent loan for up to $15,000 with a term of up to 10 years. McCord noted
that homeowners can also elect to take an optional "tax credit anticipation loan" equal to the
expected 30-percent federal tax credit up to a maximum of $10,000. The HELP program will
make the first 12 monthly payments of the tax credit anticipation loan and homeowners can use
the tax credit they receive to pay the remainder of the loan without any prepayment penalties.
Other special financing is available to homeowners who install a geothermal heat pump
system as part of a comprehensive "whole house" improvement project recommended through a
certified energy audit. In this case, qualifying homeowners can obtain a secured Keystone HELP
loan for up to $35,000 with rates as low as 2.875 percent.
All work financed through Keystone HELP must be completed by a certified local
contractor."This program is another great example of how the federal stimulus program is helping
us build a green economy in Pennsylvania while encouraging private investment and putting
people to work," said Secretary Hanger. "To date, the federal stimulus has directed more than
$136 million to our state for clean energy projects like wind and solar, plus another $253 million
to help consumers save money by weatherizing their homes. And we've leveraged those funds to
attract about $1 billion in private investment.
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"These are good investments in our economy that will pay dividends for decades to come,
not only through lower utility bills, but also through cleaner air and cleaner water."
Created in 2006 by the Pennsylvania Treasury and AFC First Financial Corp. of
Allentown, Keystone HELP offers affordable energy efficiency financing options, including
rebates and low-interest loans, enabling homeowners to purchase and install energy efficient
equipment or undertake improvements to cut energy use.Keystone HELP began offering even lower rate loans in 2009, when Treasury partnered
with DEP to expand the program's impact by using funds provided under Pennsylvania's 2008
Alternative Energy Investment Act.
Keystone HELP has helped more than 7,000 homeowners finance more than $58 million
in money-saving home improvements.
NewsClip:New Program Provides Up-Front Cash For Geothermal Systems
Pennsylvania's Low