James M. Seif
Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

clips: Reclaiming a Brown Field Site The State’s History and Brown Field Sites Thinking Green; Building Efficiently The New Way of Doing Business A Good Idea from Old Ideas The DEP Building as a Model for Others Assembling New Ways of Thinking and Building Keeping the Cleanest Nation Clean New Problems, New Solutions, New Habits Government’s Leadership Role The Long Term Payoff of the Project   Return to Green Building Interviews

James M. Seif, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), was appointed by Governor Tom Ridge in January 1995 and reappointed in January 1999. Under his leadership, the Department has undertaken a host of wide ranging environmental initiatives including the 21st Century Environmental Commission, the “Growing Greener” initiative, a Land Recycling Program, the Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, the Environmental Compliance Tracking System, and an award-winning website. Since the construction of the department’s Southcentral Regional Office Building was completed two years ago, DEP has been working to institutionalize green building throughout the state. The department’s own Ebensburg District Mining Office will incorporate even more environmental features than the Southcentral Regional Office. DEP has worked with the state Department of General Services to develop and publish HIGH PERFORMANCE GREEN BUILDING GUIDELINES and MODEL GREEN OFFICE LEASING SPECIFICATIONS. These two publications will be used in the design and construction of future state office buildings and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center which will be designed and construction utilizing green principles. Prior to his appointment by Governor Ridge, Seif was Counsel to the Philadelphia law firm of Dechert, Price & Rhoads, which he joined in January 1989. His practice at the law firm concentrated on environmental law, business regulatory issues and government relations.