Environmental Law

Pennsylvania Environmental Council 39th Annual Dinner

By M. Joel Bolstein

Last night, I attended the 39th Annual Philadelphia Dinner for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, known as PEC.  For those of you who wondered what happened to Don Welsh, the regional administrator of EPA Region 3 for the last 8 years, Don is now PEC's President and CEO, having been appointed to that position in April.  Prior to serving as EPA regional administrator, Don was Deputy Secretary for state/federal relations at the PADEP.  When I left to rejoin the private sector, Don actually moved into my old office across the hall from Secretary Seif on the 16th floor of the Rachel Carson Building, and I think they gave him my old state-issued sedan, which my kids affectionately referred to as the dorkmobile.  Don was in wonderful spirits last night and he is anxious to continue PEC's excellent work in the areas of water resources, sustainability and energy and climate.   During the opening reception, I had a chance to speak with Paul King, the chairman of the Board of PEC, to commend him on their pick.  I know they did some national outreach looking for a new President and CEO before they found one in their own backyard.  The speeches last night focused on protecting the Chesapeake Bay and on protecting the state parks and existing conservation programs from budget cuts in the talks now going on in Harrisburg.  I got to talk brownfields with many of the environmental consultants at the dinner along with my colleagues in the environmental bar.  At the end of the evening, I wished Don well in his new position.  I know the highlight of his career at EPA was when he got to sit in the broadcast booth at Citizens Bank Park during a Phillies game last year.  The Phillies were promoting their new green initiatives at the ballpark.  Don was only supposed to say a quick hello, but the inning dragged on, and so too did his time in the broadcast booth.  Speaking with him the next day, Don said "how many people can say they got to sit in the booth with Tom and Wheels".    

If I know Don, PEC will continue to be an active player in the Pennsylvania environmental arena for many years to come.     Anyone interested in learning more about PEC can go to its website at www.pecpa.org.

Full post as published by PA Brownfields Environmental Law on June 18, 2009 (boomark / email).