Environmental Excellence
2009 Winners
Cherokee Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Cherokee Pharmaceuticals, LLC determined that in 2007 energy expenses accounted for 12-14% of their operating budget, or approximately $12 million in annual costs, at their facility in Northumberland County. This led to energy conservation becoming a central focus of their day-to-day operations. More...
ClearWater Conservancy
ClearWater Conservancy, created in 1980, is a land trust and natural resource conservation organization with over 800 contributing members. Their mission is to promote conservation and restoration of natural resources in central Pennsylvania through land conservation, water resource protection, and environmental outreach to the community. More...
Dickinson College
In September 2007, the president of Dickinson College signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment which committed the college to developing a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality. Dickinson is a small, private liberal arts college which currently purchases 50% of its energy from wind power and is determined that all new construction and major renovations will be designed to meet LEED silver standards. More...
Elk Regional Health System
Elk Regional Health System consists of 6 affiliates including an acute care hospital, nursing home facility, and independent living facility, home health agency, and an employed physician group that serves the health care needs of the residents of Elk and Cameron counties. Using local architects, contractors and equipment designer and manufacturer, this biomass project not only reduced energy costs, but helped the economy of the area as well. More...
Green Building Alliance
The Green Building Alliance (GBA), founded in 1993, is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization that advances economic prosperity and human wellbeing in western Pennsylvania by driving market demand for green buildings and green building products across every aspect of the built environment. The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan (Plan) presents the City of Pittsburgh and its residents, businesses, and higher education institutions with opportunities to reduce the impacts of local and global climate change, improve the local environment and economy, and enhance Pittsburgh's reputation as an environmentally progressive city. More...
Jason Drake, Maplewood High School, Penncrest School District
Jason Drake is a biology and environmental science teacher at Maplewood High School. On September 24, 2008, Mr. Drake and 375 students from all three of Penncrest School District's High Schools removed 9,000 tires from a troublesome tire pile in less than three hours. More...
Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC
Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC teamed with the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation in 2006 to develop Lake Erie Biofuels on a former brownfield. The impact of the development of this production facility has been seen in the local Erie economy, in the agricultural economy of the Commonwealth, and in significant reductions in emission of chemicals and greenhouse gases as a result of the use of the company's products. More...
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center
For the past 17 years, senior high school students enrolled in the Building and Construction Program at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) have built a home as an applied learning project, doing 90% of the work. Beginning in October of 2006, sustainable, advanced building processes and products were introduced to the curriculum and construction of the first four “green” homes began. To date, one home has been completed. More...
Lower Makefield Township
In 1994, Lower Makefield Township formed an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) to involve community members with environmental-related professionals to help the community become more environmentally conscious. In April 2007, township supervisors pledged to adopt the Cool Cities Initiative and in August of that year contracted a detailed energy audit of all major township-owned facilities which included an alternative energy solar proposal. Lower Makefield Township was the first community in Bucks County to join the Smart Power Program, which committed the community to using 20% alternative energy by the year 2010. More...
The Maple Press Company
Founded in 1901, The Maple Press Company's 230 employees manufacture hardcover and paperback books – printing, binding and shipping approximately 250,000 each week. In seeking additional ways to lower emissions, it was discovered that the Genesis® product line from Amerikal Products worked well and emitted fewer VOCs and helped pave the way to the development of THINKTech®. More...
Nalco Company
Nalco Company, located in Ellwood City, is a specialty chemical facility that manufactures a variety of products used for boiler treatment, cooling water treatment, mining, paper making and cosmetic applications. Nalco is active in its community through support and participation of local events and organizations. Three initiatives by Nalco provided documented and measurable positive environmental impacts. More...
Pennsylvania Institute for Children's Environmental Health (PICEH)
The Pennsylvania Institute for Children's Environmental Health (PICEH) was created through the Berks County Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) as an effort to promote public education of children's environmental health issues. Building on partnerships that the EAC had developed, PICEH further established a network of partners including public schools, hospitals, doctor's offices, government agencies, and not for profit organizations. The public outreach campaign has reached tens of thousands of parents in Berks County, who are now much more aware of environmental health issues for their children, as well as how to implement what they learn. More...
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Eastern Region Distribution Center
Founded in 1938, REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. REI's Bedford distribution center, which opened in November 2007, is one of the largest certified green buildings and properties in its class. More...
Sanofi Pasteur Inc.
During the summer of 2008, Sanofi Pasteur completed the construction, commissioning, and startup of expanded wastewater treatment and irrigation systems at its facility in Swiftwater, PA. The project increased the capacity of the existing on-site wastewater treatment plant from 350,000 gallons per day (gpd) to 950,000 gpd, reuses at least 50,000 gpd of treated wastewater at the on-site central utilities plant, and utilizes seasonal land application methods as a non-surface water discharge alternative for up to 315,000 gpd of treated wastewater disposal during the months April through October. More...
Tobyhanna Army Depot
Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is considered the largest, most progressive electronics maintenance facility in the Department of Defense. Recycled office paper saved the equivalent of 1,411 pulp trees, 31,540 gallons of oil, 274 cubic yards of landfill space, 340,300 kilowatts of energy, and 581,000 gallons of water. Funds generated from the recycling program were used to purchase a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) for every employee, including tenants and contractors, to support Energy Star Operation Change Out. More...
