Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Gala

The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence are awarded each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and highlight the best in environmental innovation and expertise throughout the Commonwealth. In 2007 and 2008 the Pennsylvania Environmental Council featured a presentation of all of the award winners at its gala Harrisburg Dinner.

Click here to see PA DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty's keynote remarks.

For over two decades, PEC has demonstrated expertise at holding environmental awards events. PEC dinners and award programs are signature events throughout the state that are attended by over 1,000 people annually. In the past 10 years, PEC has awarded more than 100 environmental awards during events in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Meadville, Wilkes Barre and Philadelphia. Our staff has expertise with coordinating award presentations, managing publicity for award winners and creating meaningful public recognition events.

The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence provide statewide recognition to organizations and this will be a unique event that draws a potential audience from all over the state involved in a cross-section of environmental initiatives from cleaning up watersheds, saving energy, eliminating pollution, reducing waste and more.

Congratulations to the 2008 Winners:

1)  Borton-Lawson, Wilkes Barre.  Project: Pine Street Revitalization.  A unique neighborhood revitalization project which utilized "green technology" and energy efficient construction.

2)  Conservation Consultants Inc., Pittsburgh.  Project: Renewable Energy Technology. A hands-on energy education program for middle school and high school students.

3)  EES Energy Products, Inc., Paoli.  Project: ESS Energy Guardian Kits.  Energy Guardian kits were developed to stop waste in heating and cooling costs in attic entrances.  The kits are an easy first step for homeowners to take to conserve natural resources and save money while improving the comfort of their homes. 

4)  Heron's Eye Communications LLC, Greenly.  Project:  Nature's Keepers.  A one-hour documentary made for broadcast on public television highlighting the legacy of conservation in Pike County (one of Pennsylvania's fastest growing counties).  The documentary also highlights how citizens are continuing that legacy today by taking a leadership role in land stewardship and smart growth.

5)  Iron Oxide Recovery Inc. & Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, Pittsburgh.  Project: Lowber Project.  Iron Oxide Recovery and Sewickley Creek Watershed Association formed a partnership to create not only a successful resource recovery project, but the world's first and only self-sustaining mine drainage treatment system.

6)  Kendall Auto Parts, Erie.  Project:  New Facility for Dismantling of Vehicles for Recyclable Auto and Truck Parts.  Kendall Auto Parts is an automotive and truck recycling facility that has made it its mission to reduce pollution to zero; to reduce, recycle and reuse everything; and to reduce and conserve energy and water. 

7)  Keystone Pallet and Recycling LLC, Milton.  Project:  Recycling and Energy Savings Project.  Since the company launched in 2004, Keystone Pallet and Recycling has prevented more than 836 tons of wood waste from being disposed of in the local landfill.  To collect the pallets, the company developed a portable recycling collection unit which decreases their fuel consumption.

8)  Land Conservancy of Adams County, Inc., Gettysburg.  Project:  Marsh Creek Watershed Protection Project.  With partnership funding from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Adams County Conservation District, the Conservancy was able to protect more than 1000 acres of land encompassing 11 properties that will significantly contribute to the protection of Gettysburg's water supply.

9)  The Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Household Hazardous Waste Program, Norristown.  Project:  Regional Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Program.  The result of a successful intergovernmental agreement, this program gives residents in a five-county region the opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste responsibly.   

To view a detailed summary of the nine winning projects, visit the PA DEP website:  http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ and click on "2008 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence."

Click the link at the bottom of the page to see a slideshow about the winners.