PEC to release report on funding green programs in Philadelphia

PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL RELEASES NEW REPORT TO CITY LEADERS ON WAYS TO FUND GREENING PROGRAMS IN PHILADELPHIA
WHO:

• Peter Sortino, President, Danforth Foundation (St. Louis, MO)

• Michael DiBerardinis, Commissioner, City of Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation

• Steve Wray, Executive Director, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia

• Tony Bartolomeo, President and CEO, Pennoni Associates, Inc.

• Don Welsh, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

• Patrick Starr, Senior Vice President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

WHAT: The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will release a new report, “Implementing Green Infrastructure: Developing a Winning Strategy to Fund Philadelphia’s Ambitious Visions,” prepared by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 2009
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:15 a.m. Report overview
Presentation of St. Louis national model
Discussion panel
9:15 Closing
WHERE: Center Hall of the PNC Center
1600 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia
WHY: Philadelphia has a strong vision for becoming the greenest city in America – as evidenced by the Greenworks plan. However, its infrastructure is crumbling, and project implementation deteriorates because of lack of funding. “Implementing
Green Infrastructure” provides City leaders with immediate and long-term funding strategies to ensure that trees, green buildings, greenway trails and other green infrastructure can help the City meet its ambitious goals. Implementing Green Infrastructure was prepared by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. It includes case studies of successful green infrastructure projects throughout the country, including the Great Rivers Greenway District–the first regional, bi-state parks district in the country. The report also makes recommendations for funding Philadelphia’s green infrastructure such as developer incentives, user fees, and innovative tax and bond mechanisms.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians through education, advocacy, partnerships, and innovative public policy. The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to research and analysis of the region’s resources and challenges.
Contacts: Jessica Anderson, Pennsylvania Environmental
Council 215-592-7020 x101
Christopher Scoville, Economy League 215-875-1000 x17

Location