DEP Accepting Applications for 2016 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites Pennsylvania businesses, farms, government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and individuals to apply for the 2016 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. This prestigious award honors those projects that have transformed environmental challenges into opportunities.

“We want to showcase the kinds of innovative, energy-saving and restorative projects taking place all across Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary John Quigley said. “These projects and the people who develop them will help lead Pennsylvania into the next era of environmental protection.”

Award-winning projects will be selected based on eight criteria: protection, partnership, public service, environmental education and outreach, pollution prevention, economic impact, innovative technology, and new this year, climate change.

“Pennsylvania’s climate has been steadily warming over the past century and the warming is accelerating, according to scientists at Penn State University. If it continues, this will have very serious impacts on public health, our environment, and our state’s economy,” Quigley said. “We are particularly interested in projects that actively seek to limit or reduce the rate of long-term climate disruption through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

To be eligible for consideration, projects must have been completed between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2015. Applications must be submitted by email by 5 p.m., Friday, January 15, 2016 to [email protected] in order to be considered. Project guidelines and application forms are available on DEP’s website at www.dep.pa.gov, under “Top Pages.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Susan Rickens, 717-787-1323

*Press statement is a release from DEP