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bookmark_borderEnvironmental Excellence Award Winners

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Governor Tom Corbett today announced that 23 organizations involved in 19 environmental projects from across the state will receive the 2014 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

“The recipients of this year’s award represent a few of the many dedicated Pennsylvanians who have committed their businesses, schools and other organizations to be good stewards of the environment,” Corbett said. “Their efforts are key to ensure that Pennsylvania’s air, land and water are clean for generations to come.”

Any Pennsylvania business, school, government agency, trade organization, non-profit organization or agribusiness that has completed projects to promote environmental stewardship and economic development was eligible to apply for the award. The winners were selected by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“Each year, it’s inspiring to learn about the innovative, environmentally friendly projects from across the state,” DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. “This year’s award recipients are protecting Pennsylvania’s environment with creativity and ingenuity.”

The winning projects include tailgate recycling, abandoned mine drainage (AMD) abatement, rain gardens and the use of alternative energy, among others.

Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society of Philadelphia worked with local partners to create the Community Farm and Green Resource Center at Bartram’s Garden along the shore of the Schuylkill River in the low income neighborhood of Southwest Philadelphia. The farm and resource center includes a full-scale greenhouse, community garden spaces, an orchard of 90 fruit trees, a farmers market and an entrepreneurial jobs training and leadership development program for local high school students.

bookmark_borderMontgomery County Infrastructure Improvements

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Six major Montgomery County road and bridge projects were approved Thursday by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). DVRPC approval was required to release the funds for the project which are coming from the huge Pennsylvania transportation legislation passed last year. Montgomery County Commissioner Leslie S. Richards, who sits on the board of the DVRPC and voted for the package, said the new transportation funds would kick-start several projects that are ready to go and were just waiting for funding. “The DVRPC approval is a major step in beginning to reduce the backlog of projects and improving the deteriorating infrastructure in Montgomery County and the entire region,” Richards said.

The projects affected by Thursday’s action are:
• Rehabilitation of the Route 73 bridge over Skippack Creek in Perkiomen Township
• The rehabilitation of the New Second Street bridge over Tacony Creek in Cheltenham Township
• Replacement of the Second Avenue bridge over a branch of Mingo Creek in Upper Providence Township
• Reconstruction of the Route 422 bridge over the Schuylkill River in Stowe
• Wetland restoration project along the Route 309 corridor in Lower Gwynedd,
Upper Dublin, Cheltenham, Springfield, Whitemarsh. Horsham and Montgomery Townships that were not properly restored during the Router 309 reconstruction

In addition, the DVRPC action will also release $50,000 each to fund the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Route 611 study and the Route 611 corridor study. In all, the DVRPC region will be receiving nearly $99.8 million of Act 89 funds in fiscal year 2014.

bookmark_borderPGW Sale FAQ

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — The City of Philadelphia released a comprehensive list of the most commonly asked questions and answers about the agreement of sale between the City of Philadelphia and UIL Holdings Corporation.

The Mayor issued the following statement in connection with the list:

“We believe it is extremely important to respond proactively to the questions we’re hearing so that everyone in Philadelphia can see how the sale will benefit taxpayers, PGW customers, and employees and how it will protect their jobs and pensions. The questions included in this document mirror those raised by consumers, businesses, government officials and City workers.

“Unfortunately, some who oppose the sale have distributed misinformation with the intent of frightening citizens. There is simply no place for those kinds of tactics on an issue this important to the future of our city.

“As City Council continues its process of evaluating the terms of the sale, I urge all Philadelphians with an interest in this topic to access as much real, true and correct information as possible, including the list of questions and answers we are providing today.”