Deadline extended for Environmental Excellence Awards

Harrisburg, PA— The deadline to submit applications for the 2005 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence has been extended to December 19, 2005.

The award is open to any Pennsylvania business, governmental agency, educational institution, nonprofit organization, individual or farm that has created or participated in the development of a project that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development in the state.

Eligible projects for 2005 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence must have been completed between August 1, 2004, through July 31, 2005. The project categories for consideration include, but are not limited to:

•Environmental Technology Inno-vation;
•Pollution Prevention and Resource Efficiency;
•Community Revitalization;
•Environmental Education and Outreach;
•Watershed Stewardship;
•Mine Safety; and
•Clean Energy Innovations and Environmental Market Development.

The award program was revised two years ago — long before concerns about energy supplies that intensified in the wake of Hurricane Katrina — to include energy conservation and the deployment of alternative energy sources, priorities for Governor Edward G. Rendell.

Projects will be evaluated on the following criteria: environmental protection, teamwork, public service, environmental education and outreach, pollution prevention, economic impact and innovative technology.

Winners of the 2005 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence will be presented with a unique award at a press event at the winner’s location.

In addition, the winners’ projects will be showcased in numerous DEP publications and editorials and highlighted on the department’s website. To download an application, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.