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Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Invests $2.7 Million for Environmental Improvements

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 August 2006, 12:00 CDT

SHENANDOAH, Pa., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Further delivering on his promise to improve the economic and environmental health of Pennsylvania, Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced an additional $2.7 million in Growing Greener II investments to clean state waterways and reclaim mine-scarred lands.

The 11 projects will fund improvements to aging water and sewer systems, encourage re-mining operations that help to reclaim abandoned mines, and plug abandoned and orphaned wells that are leaking oil, acid mine drainage or gas.

"Improving the quality of our waterways, addressing serious environmental problems at mine sites and making our communities more livable -- these are priorities we all share," Governor Rendell said. "Growing Greener enables Pennsylvanians to take ownership of the environmental challenges in their community and restore the richness of the commonwealth's natural resources."

Last November, Governor Rendell announced the first $65 million in grants under the voter-approved Growing Greener II bond initiative. That law brought to fruition more than a year of aggressive efforts by the Governor to address some of the state's most pressing environmental problems and help the state win the race for new development and job creation.

"Pennsylvania's water infrastructure plays a critical role in environmental protection and public health. We have to upgrade our infrastructure if we are going to grow our economy and keep residents safe," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said in announcing the Shenandoah Municipal Sewer Authority as one of the grant recipients.

The authority will replace a 30-year-old centrifuge with a more energy- efficient and economical rotary press to dewater treated sewage sludge, making it one of only two municipal treatment plants in Pennsylvania to take advantage of this technology. With greater dewatering, the sludge product becomes smaller and dryer, decreasing disposal costs to the authority. In addition, the new equipment is enclosed to reduce odors and automated to improve safety.

Included in the funding is $1.9 million to help communities implement new and innovative technologies to treat drinking water and wastewater. Under Growing Greener, DEP provides grants for improving existing drinking water and sewage treatment facilities through the use of new or innovative technologies. Through this program, the Department encourages technological advances that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of existing facilities.

An additional $118,700 will fund incentives that are designed to encourage re-mining operations. Re-mining has been a successful, cost-effective means of accomplishing abandoned mine reclamation. The commonwealth is a leader in identifying and addressing abandoned mine land problems that include acidic streams, mine fires and water-filled pits.

"We need to clean up abandoned mines that pollute the environment and endanger residents," McGinty said. "This reclamation work makes our communities more attractive and enhances quality of life."

Pennsylvania has the largest abandoned mine lands problem in the country, with more than 180,000 acres left over from when mining was largely unregulated prior to 1977.

The remaining $580,000 will plug 93 orphaned or abandoned oil and gas wells, eliminating health and safety hazards in residential areas and cleaning up local waterways. Pennsylvania has the most abandoned wells in the Appalachian region and is one of the top five states nationally.

Governor Rendell fulfilled his pledge to improve the economic and environmental health of Pennsylvania by signing into law Growing Greener II, a voter approved plan that invests $625 million to clean up rivers and streams, protect natural areas, open spaces and working farms; and shore up key programs to improve quality of life and revitalize communities across the state.

To learn more about Growing Greener II initiative, visit http://www.growinggreener2.com/.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a list by county of the $2.7 million in Growing Greener II awards.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Herron Property, North Fayette Township - $42,689 to plug three abandoned gas wells to eliminate a potential health and safety hazard near a residential area.

BERKS COUNTY

Topton Borough - $112,000 for the repair and rehabilitation of Topton Borough's sewage collection and conveyance system.

BUCKS COUNTY

Hilltown Township Water & Sewer Authority - $500,000 to install treatment for arsenic removal from groundwater sources using a holistic pressure vessel treatment system.

CAMERON COUNTY

Allegheny Enterprises Inc. - $32,078 to address ongoing abandoned mine discharges that are currently degrading the Sinnemahoning Creek.

CLEARFIELD COUNTY

Bell Resources Inc. - $34,517 to reclaim over a mile of dangerous highwall, reclaim 68 acres of abandoned mine land and eliminate an abandoned mine discharge.

Junior Coal Co. - $33,343 to reclaim over a mile of dangerous highwall, reclaim 150 acres of abandoned mine land and eliminate two abandoned mine discharges.

FAYETTE COUNTY

Charles L. Swenglish & Sons Coal Co. - $18,854 to address ongoing abandoned mine discharges that are currently degrading Rubles Run, which flows into the Cheat River.

MCKEAN COUNTY

Bouquin Property, Foster Township - $537,311 to plug 90 abandoned oil wells some of which are leaking oil, eliminating environmental, health and safety problems.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

Shenandoah Municipal Sewer Authority - $403,200 to install a rotary sludge press for dewatering of the sludge at the wastewater treatment facility.

TIOGA COUNTY

Wellsboro Municipal Authority - $450,840 to increase nutrient reduction at the wastewater treatment plant by installing an aeration control system.

UNION COUNTY

Mifflinburg Borough - $500,000 to provide biological nutrient reduction by installing a membrane bioreactor.

CONTACT: Kate Philips Pennsylvania Office of the Governor 717-783-1116 Kerry Chippo, DEP 717-787-1323

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116; or Kerry Chippo, DEP, +1-717-787-1323

Web site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/http://www.growinggreener2.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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