Hundreds of businesses, nonprofit groups, local governments and individuals were honored this year for their environmental leadership.  Here are just some of those winners the PA Environment Digest covered in 2010--

The General Assembly and Gov. Rendell left dozens of environmental initiatives on the table when they finished the legislative session this year, chief among them reneging on a commitment in law to adopt a Marcellus Shale natural gas severance tax.
           But there were also dozens of other environmental initiatives which passed either the House or the Senate during the last two years which failed to see final action, including an expansion of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards and transportation funding.  Many of those bills are likely to return next January when all legislation must be reintroduced and start over.

Over the last eight years the Department of Environmental Protection was given jobs that strayed significantly from its core mission of clean air, pure water and protecting the natural resources of the Commonwealth and focused almost entirely on promoting alternative energy.

Sen. Michael O'Pake (D-Berks), the longest-serving member of the General Assembly, died this morning at Reading Hospital from complications from heart-bypass surgery.  He was 70 years old.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week established a final TMDL watershed plan to restore clean water in Chesapeake Bay and the region’s streams, creeks and rivers. The TMDL is driven primarily by jurisdictions’ plans to put all needed pollution controls in place by 2025 and EPA will hold jurisdictions accountable for results along the way.

Now that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has outlined its final "pollution diet" for states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Pennsylvania's top environmental and agriculture officials say the state is ready to do its part to improve water quality.

There is good news and bad, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Bay is showing encouraging signs of rebounding, but is still in critical condition as a result of pollution according to a new report issued this week.

The annual Farm Show in Harrisburg January 8 to 15 will feature great food, agricultural displays and this year information about the role agriculture plays in Pennsylvania's growth and how visitors and better protect the environment.

Hockey fans tailgating before the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic in Pittsburgh will “clear the zone” of recyclables in Heinz Field parking lots. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency RecycleMania college recycling competition will begin in February.  

By John A. Arway, Executive Director, Fish & Boat Commission

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 1, 2011

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.