Corman joins chorus for severance tax and Growing Greener
Senator Jake Corman (R-Centre), Majority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, added his powerful voice to the growing list of legislators who support a severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas and using a portion of the revenue to fund Growing Greener programs. Corman made his remarks at an event to celebrate a $7 million restoration program at Poe Valley State Park in Mifflin County funded by Growing Greener.
Growing Greener funding has nearly all been spent. PennFuture and other members of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition believe that significant revenue from the severance tax should be invested in the Environmental Stewardship Fund which funds Growing Greener's environmental restoration and conservation projects.
The danger lurking in more drilling in our forests
This week the Philadelphia City Paper highlighted a mountain of data on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (DCNR) web site showing the danger of more natural gas drilling leases in our state forests.
To "demonstrate whether a moratorium is needed," DCNR compiled a series of GIS maps to show "how additional natural gas leasing will impact water quality, ecological integrity, backcountry recreation, scenic beauty and other social and environmental values."
Meanwhile, two bills to Save Our Forests linger in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The bills are House Bill 2235, approved by a strong, bipartisan 157-33 vote on May 4, and Senate Bill 1420. Both bills freeze new deep natural gas leases in our state forests for three years and require an environmental impact study of drilling in the forest before additional leasing can occur.
A "Perfect Storm" brewing in Pittsburgh
A one-two punch in the works for Pittsburgh could drive businesses out of town. First, because the state legislature has not passed transportation funding to keep public transportation running, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has announced necessary, but draconian cuts to service in western Pennsylvania. About 500 employees will be laid off and many towns will be left with no bus service. Rate hikes system wide will cost some riders up to $4 a trip. A public comment period on these cuts will run from July 28 – August 31, and a public hearing is scheduled for August 19. The cuts and fare increases will go into effect in January 2011, unless the legislature passes the necessary funding.
Next, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is proposing to sell Pittsburgh's public parking garages and meters to a private company to raise money for the city's underfunded pension fund. It is estimated that the cost of parking at meters throughout the city could go up 300 percent, and garage parking double, under this plan.
This double whammy would make the city of Pittsburgh extremely unattractive to business. Workers would be unable to get to work, and retail customers would go to malls where the parking is free.
Clean water starts here
Today the Silver Spring Township Authority in Cumberland County is having an open house to show off its upgraded wastewater plant. The plant improvements will significantly reduce nitrogen and phosphates flowing to the Chesapeake Bay, and also clean up the Conodoguinet Creek, a source of both drinking water and recreation.
There are sure to be many more events highlighting clean water improvements across Pennsylvania as Governor Rendell this week announced a $129 million investment in 41 drinking water and wastewater projects in 33 counties. The announcement includes over $1.8 million for four non-point source projects in Lancaster and Fulton Counties to reduce the flow of nutrients into local streams and the Bay.
With a farm on the Hill, can Michelle Obama's visit be far behind?
Yesterday, Grow Pittsburgh, McAuley Ministries (the granting arm of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System), GTECH Strategies, the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, the A. Randolph Institute and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank broke ground for Pittsburgh's latest urban farm and community garden, this time in the city's Hill District The project will reclaim vacant land, provide fresh vegetables to community residents and offer green space and create jobs.
Looks like Kermit was wrong. It's just keeps getting easier and easier to be green.
State Treasurer gives Kermit a run for his money
State Treasurer Rob McCord's latest newsletter details the agency's investment policy, which formally incorporates environmental considerations in its criteria. The treasurer's policies include evaluating companies and funds for both their exposure for losses due to climate change and their ability to present solutions to global warming. In addition, the treasury is investing in Pennsylvania's green businesses that are leading the way in our 21st Century green economy.
The newsletter also details the treasury's Keystone HELP program, which provides low cost loans to Pennsylvania's families and businesses for energy-efficient retrofits to help them save money and energy.
Podcast of the Week: What we do
We're having a heat wave, so our podcast is still dancing the Can-Can with Miss Piggy, doing her best Marilyn Monroe impression.
But there's been a lot of confusion lately about exactly what PennFuture does, so we thought we'd clear it all up. So here's our video of our Vice President Heather Sage, sprinting through our accomplishments and projects. This video was originally created for "In the Spotlight," the Heinz Endowments' interactive website section where grantees tell their stories.
PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn't it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you won't miss any podcasts if you subscribe to them through iTunes.
Won't you be our friend? See us at www.facebook.com/PennFuture. Or at least tweet along with us – our Twitter handle is @PennFuture.
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