| BICYCLES ON THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE | | VOLUME IV,
ISSUE XII | | 
| | Past Community Greening Award winning garden | | | | | | | | | | |
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Wish there was a better way to enjoy the view of the waterfront from the Ben Franklin Bridge without being in a car? The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is requesting that the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) implement changes to make the structure more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. According to a recent report published by the Bicycle Coalition, the bridge is fraught with obstacles for walkers and bicyclists, including inadequate accessibility. Findings from the study Crossing the Delaware for Transportation Independence point to several actions for improving travel conditions on the bridge connecting Philadelphia and Camden. Some of the changes requested of the DRPA include developing a snow removal policy to clear the bridge more quickly during inclement weather, making the entrances on both sides of the bridge more welcoming, and accelerating the design process for the ramp that is planned to replace the stairs on the Camden side of the bridge. | |
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| BUILDING A BETTER FOOD SYSTEM | |
Calling all sustainable foodies! Mayor Nutter is working to jumpstart the economy and create more equitable neighborhoods by advancing a more sustainable food system in Philadelphia. To implement his vision, Mayor Nutter is establishing a Food Policy Advisory Council to guide the city in meeting the goals outlined in Greenworks Philadelphia for improved accessibility to local, affordable and nutritious food. Members of the council will represent diverse sectors of the food and agricultural industry, community group leaders interested in sustainable and fresh food systems, and members from related City departments. Community members interested in serving can submit a cover letter and resume to Patrick Morgan of the Department of Parks and Recreation by Monday, June 28. For questions, please call 215-683-3652. | |
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| HELP HONOR LOCAL GREEN THUMBS | |
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) is looking for nominees for their annual Community Greening Awards, which honor beautification and greening efforts benefiting communities within the region. The awards recognize projects that make improvements to churches, schoolyards, traffic islands and train stations. Throughout July and August, nominated sites will be evaluated based on plant variety, design, use of space and horticultural practices. Sites awarded in previous years may be evaluated for maintenance. PHS will notify all winners in September. Deadline for nominations is July 15. For more information, E-mail specialevents@pennhort.org, or call 215-988-8897. | |
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| WEST PHILLY GETS GREEN AND HEALTHY | |
The Partnership CDC is launching a new Green and Healthy initiative to help West Philadelphia residents reduce their impact on the environment while revitalizing the local community. The Healthy Homes portion of the program will supply homeowners with information about energy and money saving techniques, and provide some eligible residents with a green roof for a reduced fee. In addition, the Green Professionals training component of the program will offer green construction training for contactors and local residents. | |
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| NEW ENERGY AUTHORITY APPROVED | |
City Council recently passed legislation authorizing the City of Philadelphia to create a municipal energy authority. Councilman Darrell L. Clarke, who sponsored the bill, called for the authority as a way to help boost the city's buying power and develop alternative energy for government use. He envisions the authority spurring alternative energy in the form of solar panels on city buildings. Unfortunately, not everyone was on board, as PECO uncuccessfully lobbied against the move. | |
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| STATE LEGISLATIVE ROUND-UP | |
It's been a busy, bumpy ride in Harrisburg lately. On the upside, the Independent Regulatory Review Committee recently passed two new regulations to improve water quality standards for our rivers and streams. The first rule limits the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) that natural gas drillers and other industry can discharge into waterways. The second rule requires a 150-foot buffer separating new development from streams and creeks to reduce pollution and prevent flooding. There are still several other pieces of legislation that are still up for consideration: - Green building legislation (HB 444 and SB 728) requiring state-owned and state-operated buildings to meet green building standards has moved through the House and is now being considered by the State Senate
- Legislation to put a 3-year freeze on new natural gas drilling leases in state forests has passed the House, and Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) has introduced House Bill 1420, along with a bipartisan roster of 13 co-sponsors
- Also related to natural gas drilling, last week the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved a revised gas drilling impact fee within HB 1489, proposed by Chair Camille "Bud" George (D- Clearfield), that would dedicate part of the fee to critical environmental funding
- Lastly, but certainly not least, our elected officials in Harrisburg have the opportunity to make Pennsylvania more economically competitive and move us towards a cleaner, safer energy future by passing HB 2405, which renews and extends the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards.
Let your legislator know that you care about these issues and want them to take action to protect Pennsylvania for today and move us towards a brighter future. | |
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