Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is honoring 22 projects completed by schools, businesses, and community organizations around the state with 2024 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. 

A 2024 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence was awarded to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, one of 22 projects statewide.

The George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building Rooftop Solar Array project aimed to reduce the University’s dependence on commercially generated power while advancing the campus towards its overarching goal of 100 percent renewable energy. The project also raised campus and community awareness of the importance of renewable energy sustainability. 

Projects include streambank restoration efforts, tree planting, environmental conservation in environmental justice communities, and many more projects

“This year’s Environmental Excellence honorees showcase the innovative ways we can protect our environment and shape a more sustainable future here in Pennsylvania,” DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Together we will spur the next generation of environmental stewards and these projects represent our ability to work together and preserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources.” 

Applications were evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved.