In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory, or an unjust interest. —William Penn Kings Gap State Park, Cumberland County 1 Before its settlement by white men, Pennsylvania was practically covered by a dense forest growth. The few lakes and the river beds were almost the only portions which were unshaded from the direct rays of the sun. Two hundred and eighty-six years have completely The people have a right to clean air, pure changed the appearance of the state’s surface … that so great a water, and to the preservation of the natural, change should have taken place in so short a period is surprising… scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural Joseph Trimble Rothrock resources are the common property of all March 1, 1910 the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people. Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Article 1, Section 27 May 18, 1971 2 Unless we practice conservation, those who come after us will have to pay the price of misery, degra- dation, and failure for the progress and prosperity Mission of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council of our day. To protect and restore the natural and built environments Gifford Pinchot through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy. Governor of Pennsylvania PEC believes in the value of partnerships with the private 1923–27, 1931–35 sector, government, communities and individuals to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. Delaware River near Washington Crossing in Bucks County 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Directors Emeriti PEC is known throughout the Commonwealth as Ruth Becker Carol F. McCabe, Esq. Broomall, Pennsylvania an honest broker of solutions to the most challenging Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox Chair Stanley Davies* Dallas, Pennsylvania environmental issues of our time. Jolene Chinchilli Vice Chair Nicholas DeBenedictis Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Gary R. Brown, P.E., Q.E.P., C.M.C. In 1969, a group of Pennsylvanians gathered in State College to discuss the Paul W. Hess, Ph.D.* President, Hershey, Pennsylvania establishment of a statewide environmental “coordinating organization” to which RT Environmental Services, Inc. individuals, other organizations, government, and business and industry could Treasurer Franklin L. Kury, Esq. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania turn for information on environmental issues. David Gallogly, Esq. Secretary Joseph M. Manko, Esq. For the past 50 years, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council has Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania remained steadfast to its founding principles and, in the great traditions of Ruth Patrick, Ph.D.* DIRECTORS Pennsylvania’s first citizens, built a table where opposing views can be heard and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Seth v.d.H. Cooley, Esq. discussed. Today, PEC is known throughout the Commonwealth as an honest Betty Ross Conner Duane Morris, LLP broker of solutions to the most challenging environmental issues of our time. Lebanon, Pennsylvania Charles Dilks These pages are a tribute to all the people who have committed Eleanor M. Winsor Dilks Consulting themselves to PEC’s mission and work, since 1970, either directly or indirectly. Scottsville, Virginia Tomlinson Fort This work, which has seen its share of both triumphs and setbacks, has always Energy and Forensic been carried out with purpose, care, passion and an unwavering belief in Litigation Services, Senior Staff Apex Companies, LLC human decency and scientific integrity. Davitt B. Woodwell, Esq. John T. Hines President It is to them that this commemorative volume is dedicated. Shell Oil Company Patrick Starr James Lang Executive Vice President Robert B. McKinstry, Jr., Esq. John Walliser, Esq. Senior Vice President, Larry D. Silver, Esq. Legal and Government Affairs Langsam, Stevens, Silver & Hollaender, LLP Ron Slavonic Senior Vice President, Susan Wilson Finance & Administration Davitt B. Woodwell, Esq. Janet Sweeney Pennsylvania Environmental Council Vice President *Deceased 4 18 Contents FEATURES FROM THE GOVERNOR Tom Wolf 37 PEC’s First 50 10 14 Dick Thornburgh 40 The Cradle of Conservation 14 Thomas J. Ridge 50 We Had to Do Something 18 Mark Schweiker 62 Edward G. Rendell 102 50 Ways PEC Has Made an Impact 28 Tom Corbett 114 Where Are They Now? 58 PEC’s Pennsylvania: A Photo Essay 64 Capitol Ideas 92 Future Forward 124 The Next 50 132 REFLECTIONS CASE STUDIES 64 Eleanor Winsor 38 Reclaiming Pennsylvania’s Industrial Legacy 42 Franklin Kury 41 Taken by Storm 52 Tom Dolan 42 Jim Seif 51 The Pennsylvania Gas Rush 82 John Oliver 61 Creating Connections 104 Andrew McElwaine 63 In Search of a Zero-Carbon Pennsylvania 116 Brian Hill 80 Paul King 81 Don Welsh 89 Patrick McDonnell 90 Cindy Adams Dunn 91 Jolene Chinchilli 103 52 132 Timothy D. Schaeffer115 Joe DeMarco 132 © Pennsylvania Environmental Council. 2020. CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS 1970 — 2020 5 6 Welcome n behalf of the Pennsylvania Looking forward, we know that there are still many Environmental Council’s board environmental and conservation challenges to of directors and staff, we thank tackle. You will see that in this publication. While you for joining us in celebrating PEC continues with our wide array of efforts, we fifty years of environmental and are acutely aware of the critical challenge of our changing climate and the urgent actions that conservation education, advocacy and action. O must be taken now to forestall the worst of the PEC’s efforts have resulted in a myriad of succes- coming impacts. PEC and its many partners have ses over these years across a broad range of the knowledge and the tools to act. policy initiatives and conservation programs that have produced real and positive impacts in the Notwithstanding the challenges ahead, PEC Commonwealth. continues to be optimistic that Pennsylvania will take actions both to limit its own emissions and to Through the pages of this publication, we have “We see the commemoration of PEC’s work on the policies, practices and technologies to taken the liberty of reflecting on a number of those achieve carbon neutrality. Indeed, we are hopeful outcomes as well as how we have addressed first fifty years as an opportunity to that the first of these steps will be taken during our complicated issues. But this is not simply a chance golden anniversary year. look forward and think about what to rest on our laurels or toot our own horn. We see the commemoration of PEC’s first fifty years as an may be on the horizon as well as what opportunity to look forward and think about what The following pages are filled with stories of may be on the horizon as well as what is directly success, challenge and opportunity. We invite in front of us. you to join us as we turn our attention to the is directly in front of us.” next 50 years, and we welcome your help in a true partnership to protect and preserve the PEC’s history has been built by taking on hard Pennsylvania environment. issues and problems, finding sensible and sustainable approaches, and making them work. We could not have done this without our many partners across Pennsylvania offering their many Sincerely, points of view. The evolution of our work over the years, including on-the-ground projects, broader Carol F. McCabe, Esq. convenings, and in-depth policy analysis and advo- Chair cacy, has allowed us to work with so many people Board of Directors and institutions across various spectra—from local watershed groups to national and Davitt B. Woodwell, Esq. international NGOs, from township supervisors President to governors, and from small businesses and entrepreneurs to multinational corporations. Each of these relationships has helped to mold PEC as it is today. CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS 1970 — 2020 7 Board of Directors the Pennsylvania Environmental Council has been fortunate to benefit from the experience, passion, dedication, and hard 4 work of so many people through- 1 Tout its 50 year history. Those who have given freely of themselves as members of our board of directors have been faithful stewards of our founding members and provided the moral, operational, and, in many cases, financial 4 support for our work. 2 3 9 7 8 Similarly, our staff has always been comprised 6 5 of the finest environmental advocacy pro- fessionals in Pennsylvania. They have been 4 the living embodiment of PEC’s mission in communities large and small throughout the Commonwealth and have made it possible for 10 11 us to achieve whatever successes we have enjoyed. We’re grateful for their contributions and celebrate their years of service and collective accomplishments. n 1. Larry D. Silver, Esq. 2. Susan Wilson 3. Robert B. McKinstry, Jr., Esq. 4. James Lang 5. Seth v.d.H. Cooley, Esq 6. John T. Hines 7. Carol F. McCabe, Esq. 8. Tomlinson Fort 9. Davitt B. Woodwell, Esq. 10. Gary R. Brown, P.E., Q.E.P., C.M.C. 11. Jolene Chinchill Not pictured—David Gallogly, Esq. 8 PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL PEC Staff 4 2 1 3 5 6 9 8 10 7 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 16 17 20 21 22 24 23 1. John Walliser, Esq. 2. Patrick Starr 3. Janet Sweeney 4. Davitt B. Woodwell, Esq. 5. Josh Raulerson, Ph.D. 6. Brett Hollern 7. Helena Kotala 8. Renee Carter 9. Paul Racette 10. Frank Maguire 11. Sue Gold 12. Chris Corbran 13. Laura England 14. Sally Tarhi 15. Lizzie Hessek 16. Palmira Miller 17. Susan Myerov, AICP 18. Tali MacArthur 19. Marla Meyer Papernick 20. Kadafi El-Kardah 21. Nate Dorfman 22. Cindy Ferguson 23. Holly Bedford 24. Ron Slavonic, CPA CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS 1970 — 2020 9 10 Crawford/Venango County border PEC’s First 50 Davitt B.