The PA Supreme Court Thursday issued a landmark opinion declaring unconstitutional provisions of the Act 13 Marcellus Shale drilling law relating to preempting local regulation of drilling operations, according to the Delaware Riverkeeper.

It’s dangerous to do an analysis of a 162-page court opinion in 24 hours, but the decision Thursday by the PA Supreme Court declaring the preemption of local regulation under the Act 13 Marcellus Shale drilling law unconstitutional is clearly a landmark by any definition.  Many environmental law experts say it has the potential to turn the way environmental impacts are regulated in Pennsylvania upside down.

Budget Secretary Charles Zogby Wednesday said the Corbett Administration is projecting the need to fill a $1.7 billion hole in the FY 2014-15 budget caused by the usual budget drivers-- increases in state and school employee pension payments, medical assistance costs and at the Department of Corrections.

On Friday, DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee met to provide its last comments on a PA Climate Action Plan Update and individual work plan recommendations, but took no overall vote or action on the documents.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a schedule of 2014 advisory committee and board meetings in the December 21 PA Bulletin starting on page 7503.

This holiday season, many people will receive new TVs and computers, often as replacements for older electronics. DEP reminds Pennsylvanians to recycle unwanted electronics instead of throwing them in the trash.

This month’s issue of the PA Environmental Council’s Forum newsletter features an interview with DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti touching on a variety of issues facing the agency, including trail development, conservation landscapes, natural gas drilling and other topics.  The Digest reprints the interview here--

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Just go to your Google+ page and search for DHess@CrisciAssociates.com, the email for the Digest Editor David Hess,  and let us join your Circle.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

A bipartisan Marcellus Shale drilling tax proposal was announced Tuesday by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, led by Reps. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) and Tom Murt (R-Montgomery).  The proposal will be similar to House Bill 1863 from last session.

Pennsylvania should be doing more to address climate change, a panel of experts told the House Democratic Policy Committee Monday during a hearing organized by Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

The December issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletters is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, 41 farmers and CBF’s partners in northern Pennsylvania Friday celebrate a significant clean water achievement: 36 miles of forest buffers have been planted along streams in Bradford, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Wyoming, and Lycoming Counties.

Penn State Public Media recently released “A Conewago Story,” a video documenting the work of farmers and other landowners as part of the Conewago Creek Initiative in Dauphin, Lancaster and Lebanon counties.

StateImpact Pennsylvania is hosting a panel discussion on “Is The Susquehanna River Healthy Or At Risk” at WITF studios in Harrisburg from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On-farm internships and land-link programs are two important models for increasing the number of farmers in the sustainable-agriculture movement, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it will hold a second webinar on January 7, at 2:30 p.m., to discuss proposed revisions to the GP-8 permit used for temporary road crossings.

The Allegheny Front, a radio news program featured on Pittsburgh's local National Public Radio, NPR, is hosting a new series called "Ripple Effects: Water Pollution and Solutions."

Penn State Extension is offering a series of Drinking Water Clinics in 2014 that include discounted water testing through the Penn State water testing laboratory.

The PA League of Women Voters Water Resources Education Network December Water Policy News is now available.  Click Here to read your copy.

The latest issue of StormwaterPA’s  Blueprint For Success features a video of the Tacony Creek Restoration Projects.  Click Here to watch the video.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s affiliate network held over 60 special collection events across the state during 2013 collecting 30,928 tires, 448.5 tons of electronics, 19.8 tons of scrap metal and 17.9 tons of household hazardous waste at one-day events and permanent drop-off locations.

Gov. Corbett Monday launched a permanent statewide drug take-back program to provide up to 250 secure medicine return boxes throughout Pennsylvania.

An initiative by Gov. Corbett to safely dispose of unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicine also will improve the health of fish, said the executive director of the Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday.

On December 12 Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield) introduced House Bill 1912 which would repeal the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards adopted in 2004 that requires electric companies to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2023.

Gov. Corbett Monday awarded nearly $2 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to four successful applicants for their innovative alternative fuel technology projects.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has made available a new online Oil and Gas Mapping Tool on its website.

Panda Power Funds Friday announced it has completed the acquisition and successful financing of Moxie Energy’s planned 829-MW natural gas-fueled, combined-cycle “Patriot” generating station, located in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved an updated Technical Reference Manual, which is used to assess energy savings attributable to energy efficiency and demand response measures for the implementation of the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards of Act 213 and the energy efficiency and conservation provisions of Act 129 of 2008.

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries Monday announced its glass products helped the Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh win a 2013 Green Design Award from USGlass magazine.

The PA Chamber of Business and Industry Wednesday joined a coalition of diverse industries and chambers of commerce throughout Pennsylvania in sending a letter to the General Assembly urging support for legislation that would protect threatened and endangered species without stifling economic growth.

By John A. Arway, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

The December issue of the Fish and Boat Commission’s Currents newsletter is now available.  Click Here to read this month’s issue.

On January 25th from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, PPL, and other local organizations for an educational, fun and free Eagle Day for the whole family, located at PPL's Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center in Hawley, PA.

To promote a healthy start in the new year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will sponsor free, guided hikes in 19 state parks on New Year's Day as part of a nationwide effort to get people active outdoors.

Join the Friends of the Wissahickon in Montgomery County and become a Trail Ambassador this winter. FOW is offering winter training for this popular volunteer program. The application deadline is January 31.

Delaware County (NY) Economic Development and Friends of the Upper Delaware River are inviting businesses to participate in an online survey as part of a larger study of the economic impact of the cold water fishery that now exists on the Delaware River’s upper sections, including the East and West Branches.

The December E-News Update from the PA Wilds Program is now available.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Friday released a report showing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources mishandled a $250,000 grant and failed to ensure that post-project inspections were completed for more than 1,400 Land and Water Conservation Fund projects since 2008.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is now accepting applications for federal Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Grants.  The deadline for applications is February 14.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on state park projects in Bucks, Clarion and Erie counties.

Performance Systems Development, an energy management consultant, is looking for candidates to fill a customer service representative position in its Philadelphia office.  Click Here for the details.

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs.  NEW means new from last week.

Here's a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state-- 

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - December 21, 2013

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars.  Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.