Rep. Levdansky at April 3 breakfast event.

At a March 27 meeting, the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club voted to honor Rep. David Levdansky of Elizabeth with its 2010 Environmental Hero award. The award is in recognition of the state legislator’s important efforts to pass an “environmental service fee” (read Severance Tax) on Marcellus drilling, to establish a moratorium on additional leasing of State Forest land, and to provide guidelines for the supply and treatment of “fracking” water.

Rep. Levdansky was informed of the singular award at the conclusion of an April 3 breakfast held for thirty-plus Sierra Club members and friends from the legislator’s home district.

Thanks to all who helped Sierra Club–endorsed Natalia Rudiak gain a significant victory in the May 19 primary. With a margin of 194 votes, or 3.0% over Patrick Reilly, Natalia is assured of a seat on Pittsburgh City Council in January, joining SC endorsed Council members Bill Peduto, Bruce Kraus, and Patrick Dowd. With the surprising win of Daniel Lavelle over Tonya Payne in District 6, there will be a solid progressive majority on Council, serving as an important balance to the Executive branch.

In the Monroeville primary, SC-endorsed candidate Lois Drumhiller won the Democratic primary in Ward 3, Berhard Erb was unopposed in the Republican primary in Ward 1.  In  Ward 5 SC-endorsed Diane Allison was losing by a mere two votes in the Democratic primary, and a recount is underway.