Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Jan. 6, 2014
(1/6/2014)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* Corbett Administration Files For Reconsideration Of Act 13 Drilling Law Opinion

The Corbett Administration Thursday filed for reconsideration of the December 19 PA Supreme Court opinion declaring unconstitutional provisions of the Act 13 Marcellus Shale Drilling law related to preempting local regulation of drilling operations.

* Final PA Climate Change Action Plan Update Goes To Governor, General Assembly

On December 31, DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo forwarded the final version of the PA Climate Change Action Plan Update to Gov. Corbett and members of the Senate and House Environmental Resources and Energy Committees.

* CBF Finds Feds Are Falling Short In Key Forested Stream Buffer Milestones

A Chesapeake Bay Foundation review of the federal government’s 2014-15 draft milestones and other recent actions released Monday has determined the federal government is falling short in its commitments to expand forest buffers, rein in air pollution, and comply with the Clean Water Act when approving permits to reduce stormwater pollution from urban/suburban runoff.

* Learn About Saving Energy, Alternative Fuels Rebates At DEP’s Farm Show Exhibit

The Department of Environmental Protection will display its interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit during the 98th Pennsylvania Farm Show in the Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg from January 4 to 11.

* Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

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.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

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

* State Collects 1.6 Percent Less Than Anticipated In December

Pennsylvania collected $2.4 billion in General Fund revenue in December, which was $40 million, or 1.6 percent, less than anticipated, Secretary of Revenue Daniel Meuser reported Thursday. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $12.3 billion, which is $2.6 million above estimate.  Click Here for more details.

* Registration Now Open For Schuylkill Watershed Congress On March 15

The Schuylkill Watershed Congress is a an annual gathering of citizens interested in watershed protection and restoration which this year will be held on March 15 at the Montgomery County Community College campus in Pottstown.

* Penn State Extension: Update On The PA Master Well Owner Network

Funding provided by the Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Ground Water Association was used to develop and implement programs of Penn State Extension’s Master Well Owner Network over the past year.

* $1.1 Million Mine Reclamation Contracts Awarded In Clearfield, Northumberland

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced contract awards for two abandoned mine reclamation projects in Clearfield and Northumberland counties, totaling $1,113,300.

* DEP Employees Recognized For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project Work

Two DEP employees from the Wilkes-Barre District of the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation were recognized for their efforts in completing the ongoing work at the Boyers Knob Lookout Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project at a recent meeting of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority in Northumberland County.

* DEP Invites Comments On Octoraro Creek Watershed TMDL

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting comments on a proposal Total Maximum Daily Loads Plan for the Octoraro Creek Watershed in Lancaster County (PA Bulletin page 95).  A copy of the plan is available on DEP’s TMDL webpage.

* December 26 DEP News Now Available

The December 26 DEP News online newsletter is now available featuring articles on Act 13 PA Supreme Court ruling, DEP’s new interactive gas well mapping tool, DEP employees recognized for abandoned mine reclamation project work and DEP at Home energy exhibit at the Farm Show.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

* PA Statewide Sustainable Energy Board To Meet Jan. 9

The PA Statewide Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, will hold its annual meeting at 11 a.m., January 9, in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg.

* PRC’s PECO Smart Ideas Program Set For Philadelphia Home Show Jan. 10-12

The PA Resources Council East is continuing to conduct educational outreach on the PECO Smart Ideas Program in 2014 which is designed to help customers reduce energy consumption through conservation and efficiency.

* Anthracite Heritage Foundation Mining History Week Jan. 8-22

A regional observance of Mining History Week will take place January 8-22  at programs in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Pittston, Port Griffith, and Ashley.  The annual event focuses on anthracite mineworker, families and communities, and the hard coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

* Western PA 2013 Household Chemical, Pharmaceutical Collection Recap

The PA Resources Council, wants to thank those of you who helped make the 2013 Household Chemical & Pharmaceutical Collections season a whopping success!   PRC truly appreciates your participation, interest, input and if you volunteered, your dedication and perseverance in less than ideal weather conditions.

* PRC West Recognized For Contribution To Clean Pittsburgh Commission

Congratulations to all of the members of the Clean Pittsburgh Commission for receiving a proclamation from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

* Mt. Lebanon Township, PRC Begin Recycling Program In 2014

Mt. Lebanon Township, Allegheny County, will be tackling business and multi-family unit recycling over the next year with the help of the PA Resources Council.

* Environmental Theme For Delaware Valley Educators Conference March 21-22

The theme of this year’s Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children is “Take A Walk on the Wild Side Connecting Children with Nature” set for March 21-22 in the PA Convention Center, Philadelphia.  Click Here for registration and other details.

* Wildlands Conservancy Special Homeschool Programs Begin Jan. 23

The Wildlands Conservancy is sponsoring a series of special educational events at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary in Emmaus Lehigh County for homeschool students.  Click Here to see a calendar of the events.

* January Is Radon Action Month In Pennsylvania

The Department of Environmental Protection reminded Pennsylvanians Thursday January is Radon Action Month.

* Western PA Conservancy Protects 2 Properties Along Great Allegheny Passage

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has purchased two properties along the Great Allegheny Passage, capping off a year in which the Conservancy, with these two acquisitions, has protected 18 properties.

* ClearWater Conservancy For The Love Of Art And Chocolate Event Feb. 7

For the 15th year of ClearWater Conservancy’s For the Love of Art & Chocolate, has some new things in store. Gourmet chocolate and nature-inspired local art will still be the foundation of our signature winter gala, but a more intimate setting, a pre-event sponsor reception and other additions will add some spice to this event.

* Friends Of The Wissahickon Names Sarah West As Volunteer Of The Year

The Friends of the Wissahickon in Montgomery County awarded Sarah West the Volunteer of the Year Award at its annual Volunteer Recognition Night at Valley Green Inn in December. West is a long-time FOW member, former FOW Board Member, and a current Trail Ambassador.

* Game Commission Habitat Seedling Sales Begin Jan. 6

While it might be winter, landowners can begin making plans to help wildlife this spring – and beyond – by planting tree and shrub seedlings offered by the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery.  The 2014 seedling order form is available online, and sales are set to begin January 6.

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

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.

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quick NewsClips

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

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

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

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 4, 2014

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

Previous PA Environment Digests