We want to thank everyone who contributed stories to the PA Environment Digest during 2013!  Without sharing your accomplishments, events and award-winning performances, the Digest would have never reached our milestone of over 5,000 email subscribers!

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday said it would continue with the Chapter 78 oil and gas regulation update now out for public review in response to questions about how the rulemaking will be affected by last Thursday’s PA Supreme Court opinion on Act 13.

2013 ended with a bang as the PA Supreme Court issued a landmark opinion on the Act 13 Marcellus Shale drilling law and the application of the Environmental Rights Amendment that is likely to have implications far beyond the oil and gas industry.

Here are 115 stories about hundreds of individuals, businesses, farmers, schools, local governments, students of all ages, nonprofit groups and organizations just like you honored for  doing great things to protect and restore our environment in every corner of the Commonwealth during 2013.  Will we find YOU on this list in 2014?

2013 wasn’t exactly a banner year for environmental legislation, but one highlight was getting additional funding for the Dirt and Gravel Roads Program from the transportation funding package passed in November. 

The second half of the legislative session starting January 7 will face lots of leftover issues from 2013.  First and foremost, and the biggest issue the General Assembly and Gov. Corbett will face in 2014, is crafting the FY 2014-15 state budget and making up for a projected $1.7 billion deficit.  Budget Secretary Charles Zogby’s mid-year budget briefing December 18 demonstrated it won’t be all that easy.

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--

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and Senate Republican Policy Committee are scheduled to hold a hearing on January 10 on threatened and endangered species--  Senate Bill 1047 (Scarnati-R- Jefferson) and House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong).

On December 10 the Ohio River Asian Carp Task Force released a draft management plan for comment outlining steps to prevent the Asian Carp from spreading up the Ohio River from its confluence with the Mississippi River to its headwaters in Pittsburgh.

As the holiday season draws to a close, you may be searching for options for how to get rid of your real Christmas tree. Luckily, there are some eco-friendly options that can reduce landfill waste, and even contribute to habitat improvement!

Each year the PA Association of Environmental Educators recognizes individuals and organizations for the contributions they make to the field of environmental education.  The awards are given out at their annual conference which this year is on March 14-15 in Ligonier, PA.

You may not have heard of MOOC before, but it stands for “Massive Open Online Course.” Universities across the country are offering this free opportunity for anyone to learn from higher education.

Gov. Tom Corbett commented on Thursday’s announcement Horsehead Corporation has extended its land-option agreement with Shell Chemical LP for a site near Monaca, Beaver County and has contracted to begin demolishing select buildings at the site early next year.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for rebates under the PA Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program.  Applications are due by June 30. (formal notice)

The Public Utility Commission Monday released the results of its annual Cold Weather Survey, which showed that about 19,653 households will enter the winter season without heat-related utility service compared to 15,975 this time last year.

The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tuesday announced the expansion of the President’s Better Buildings Challenge to include multifamily housing.

The PA Housing Finance Agency published notice of the 2014 draft Plan for the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Program funded by Marcellus Shale drilling impact fees.

ClearWater Conservancy in Centre County held its board election and honored its volunteers at its annual meeting November 21at Mountain View Country Club.

The Appalachian Trail Museum Society is now accepting nominations for its class of 2014 Hall of Fame to recognize those who have made a significant contribution toward establishing and maintaining the 2,185 mile footpath that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on orphan gas well projects in Washington County and Armstrong counties.

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 28, 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.