Venango County Tea Party Patriots

A non-partisan, non-profit, non-member, association dedicated to educating the public and promoting the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free market economics, and all other lawful activities.

Growing Greener

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Corbett Issues Growing Greener Grants

Governor Tom Corbett announced today that the Department of Environmental Protection will invest more than $20.65 million in watershed protection projects to improve watersheds, reduce stormwater runoff and acid mine drainage (AMD), and support educational programs, among other environmental efforts.

“Maintaining water quality and protecting Pennsylvania’s resources is an important focus of my administration,” Corbett said. “The millions invested in these grants demonstrate our continued commitment to protecting and preserving our environment and natural resources for generations to come.”

This year, the Growing Greener program, funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, will award $15,120,608 for 97 projects around the state. Four additional projects, funded by the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Grant, will receive $1,953,947. Two additional grants, totaling $406,975, are funded by the AMD Set Aside Program.

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Venango

  • Cornplanter Township, Oil Creek Streambank Stabilization: $120,000
  • Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Porcupine Run Fish Passage: $132,227
  • Venango Conservation District, Little Sandy Creek and Sugar Creek Streambank Stabilization: $28,308

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PA Sued for Potential Misuse of Gas Funds

The Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation lawsuit also singles out decisions made under Corbett’s predecessor, Ed Rendell, whose administration also diverted money from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund for the state’s general expenditures.

The Camp Hill-based group said both administrations used money from Marcellus Shale drilling leases and royalties on state forests for general government expenditures, in violation of a constitutional provision to conserve and maintain public resources.

The suit also cites a sweeping new natural gas drilling law signed last month by Corbett that would divert tens of millions of dollars a year from the fund for two environmental cleanup programs, one nicknamed Growing Greener and another called the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund. The total amount to be transferred reaches $50 million a year in 2016.

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