McElwaine made the comments as he joined Philadelphia State Representatives Kathy Manderino, Babette Josephs and Dwight Evans and Tom Pelikan, Executive Director of the Friends of the Wissahickon, at the Philadelphia Waterworks for a Vote YES on Growing Greener rally.

"One of the best kept secrets of the May 17 election is the Growing Greener question on the ballot," said McElwaine. "I'm here to help spread the word that voters have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support funding for programs that will help Pennsylvania's environment.

"We need to act now to protect Pennsylvania's quality of life," said McElwaine. "Philadelphia has benefited from stream improvement, environmental education and stormwater management grants from the original Growing Greener Program. Now we all have the opportunity to build on that success by voting May 17."

All voters on May 17 will be asked to vote on a $625 million bond issue that will help preserve working farms and open space, clean up acid mine drainage and restore rivers and streams.

"I am also pleased the Growing Greener initiative has enjoyed the support of Gov. Rendell and members of the Philadelphia delegation to the General Assembly as evidenced here today," said McElwaine. "Their leadership, and bipartisanship support of Growing Greener in the House and Senate, made it possible for the issue to be on the ballot May 17.

"Growing Greener has been debated for more than a year," said McElwaine. "Now it's time for the voters to decide."

Gov. Rendell joined Leadership in the Senate and House in saying they will not propose new taxes or fees to pay off the Growing Greener bond, if passed.

Visit the Council on the Internet at http://www.pecpa.org/ for more information on the Growing Greener ballot question.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is a 35-year-old, nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization with offices in Meadville, Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

   Contact:
   Andrew McElwaine
   Pennsylvania Environmental Council
   717-230-8044 ext. 16
   or
   David Hess
   717-234-1716
   cell - 717-576-0420

Source: Pennsylvania Environmental Council

CONTACT: Andrew McElwaine, Pennsylvania Environmental Council,
+1-717-230-8044 ext. 16; or David Hess, +1-717-234-1716, cell:
+1-717-576-0420, for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Web site: http://www.pecpa.org/