FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Gabrielle A. Prutisto House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: gprutist@pahouse.net	State Rep. Jaret Gibbons D-Lawrence/Beaver/Butler www.pahouse.com/Gibbons

Gibbons pursues establishing resource restoration program

HARRISBURG, April 30 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons is calling on the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection to examine the possibility of a waste resource restoration sponsor program in the state.

Under such a program, a loan recipient could reduce the amount of money owed under the loan if it sponsors an approved restoration project.

“I believe such a program would be beneficial in Pennsylvania by generating additional funding for stream and wetland preservation, as well as provide further protection to the environment as a whole.

Ohio was the first state to implement the program, in 2000, as a creative way to fund restoration projects and improvements to wastewater collection systems and treatment plants. The initiative was greatly successful and is still thriving today.

“I want Pennsylvania to capitalize on this success. In my opinion, it’s a win-win situation,“ Gibbons said.

###gap/2007/agh
l:\print\releases\waterrestoration.010