Below is a set of wishes for 2010 that may judged to be somewhat optimistic, but not beyond the realm of possibility, and therefore well worth fighting for.

1. Congress presents President Obama with a strong climate/green economy bill that will lead China and India to follow suit.
2. Pennsylvanians elect a US Senator and a Governor with a proven record of concern for the environment.
3. Legal objections are removed for the US Forest Service to apply the National Environ Protection Act to oil and gas drilling on the Allegheny National Forest.
4. Pennsylvania’s DEP establishes regulations that ensure safe treatment of wastewater from Marcellus Shale drilling, and the General Assembly approves a revenue fee on Marcellus Shale drilling to in part cover the cost of enforcing those measures.
5. Agreement is reached to close the nation’s 16th dirtiest coal-fired, the Bruce Mansfield plant at Shippingport in Beaver County.
6. Pennsylvania General Assembly passes legislation that provides full and predictable funding for public transit.
7. The Turnpike Commission formally announces the termination of plans to extend the Mon-Fayette Expressway into Pittsburgh, and instead PennDOT agrees to upgrade the Rte 51 corridor from Elizabeth, as well as add a T line to connect the South Hills lines at the junction of Rtes. 51 and 88.
8. Allegheny County adopts a comprehensive County Plan with strong guidelines for environmentally–sound development.
9. Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passes the environmental and good-government portions of the Economic Development Reform package.
10. Steps are taken for the 635-acre Hays Woods area in Pittsburgh to be given permanent protection as an urban natural area.

Peter Wray, Co-Chair, Conservation Committee.