PA Continues Growing Greener Program

Building on the success in demonstrating that a clean environment and robust economy go hand in hand, PA Governor Rendell recently unveiled an initiative, Growing Greener II, that will pave the way for the next generation of brownfield redevelopment projects; improve the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways; address serious environmental problems at some 5,000 mine sites; and enhance other programs that have been a resounding success in cleaning up the environment and revitalizing communities.

Growing Greener II will provide $80 million over four years to enhance the health of Pennsylvania waterways by limiting nutrient loading; expanding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to reduce nonpoint runoff and preserve farmland and open space; capping some 7,900 abandoned and orphan oil and gas wells; and preventing nonpoint source pollution. The original Growing Greener program was in financial distress at the onset of the Rendell Administration as previous commitments stretched substantially beyond available resources. Growing Greener II will enhance the existing program with $21 million a year and invest in watershed groups and county conservation districts that have achieved such astounding success in cleaning up the environment and revitalizing their communities. It also will alleviate a substantial unmet demand. DEP awarded $37.4 million in grants to 220 local conservation organizations in 2003 but received 577 applications worth $120 million. For more information on Growing Greener II, visit http://www.dep.state.pa.us/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=8181.