Breaking News

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Wednesday held a hearing on House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) which would eliminate the mandate on the use of stream buffers to control erosion and sedimentation in High Quality and Exceptional Value Watersheds under Chapter 102 of DEP’s regulations.  The regulations were adopted in May of 2010.

Harry Campbell, PA Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Wednesday presented testimony before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to stress the importance of streamside forested buffers as a means for improving and protecting the Commonwealth’s most sensitive and pristine waterways.

On Monday 17 environmental groups from around the state wrote a letter to every member of the House of Representatives expressing their opposition to House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) making fundamental changes in the way threatened and endangered species are listed and protected in Pennsylvania.

PennFuture Tuesday applauded the decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection to extend the public comment period on proposed new regulations for oil and gas development – Chapter 78 of the DEP's regulations – for 30 days.

A new Franklin & Marshall Poll released Wednesday shows 40 percent of those polled believe the benefits of natural gas drilling outweigh environmental damage.  At the same time the poll found protecting the state’s environment was third on the most important list of problems facing Pennsylvania at 19 percent; 31 percent believe unemployment and the economy are the state’s most important problem, followed by schools and school funding.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the February 1 PA Bulletin increasing Marcellus gas well fees for calendar 2013 based on an increase in the average price for natural gas from $2.78 in 2012 to $3.651 in 2013.  The increase in horizontal well fees will be--

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 of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

The Pennsylvania Senate Banking & Insurance Committee and the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met Tuesday to hear testimony from statewide organizations, county officials and residents concerning the implementation of the federal flood insurance law, known as the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. 

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and leaders of statewide environmental groups Thursday urged Gov. Corbett not to use the Oil and Gas Lease fund to balance the Commonwealth budget.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on House Bill 1684 (Everett-R-Lycoming) guaranteeing minimum royalty payments to oil and gas well owners.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President Kim Coble issued this statement Wednesday regarding a proposed new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which was released for public comment by the Chesapeake Bay Program:

The American Farmland Trust called on Congress Monday to pass the new Farm Bill.  The bill includes a number of American Farmland Trust's legislative priorities that will help preserve agricultural land, promote sound farming practices, and help keep farmers on the land.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker issued this statement regarding a new federal Farm Bill, which was passed Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives:

The 2014 Keystone Coldwater Conference will be held on February 21-22 at the Ramada Inn Conference Center in State College.  The last day to register is February 14.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA celebrates with partners and farmers the award of a $375,000 Growing Greener grant that will enable vital on-farm water quality improvements to continue and to expand in north central Pennsylvania.

In Mount Joy Borough, Lancaster County, a PA League of Women Voters Water Resources Education Network grant helped “A Blooming Good Idea” project create rain gardens throughout the community.

The January issue of Water Policy News is now available from the PA League of Women Voters Water Resources Education Network.  Click Here to read a copy.

River Network and Waterkeeeper Alliance are partnering to host the International River Rally 2014 in Pittsburgh on May 30 - June 2..

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy Thursday announced grants to four research institutions for innovative and sustainable water research to manage harmful nutrient pollution.

The U.S. Water Partnership is seeking applications for its Exemplar U.S. Water Technology Grant Program to recommend U.S. technologies to be showcased at an event at the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC on March 21. Applications are due February 4.

Registration is now open for the PA Section of the American Water Works Association annual conference May 6-8 at the Sands Hotel in Bethlehem.  Click Here for information on registration, the agenda and special activities.

The Governor’s Office published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda for the next six months in the February 1 PA Bulletin (page 709) outlining pending and planned regulatory changes from the departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources and other state agencies.

The State Electronics Challenge is looking for Pennsylvanian local and state governments that want to make a difference in 2014 and reduce the environmental impact of their office electronic equipment. 

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships forecast an Air Quality Action Day for fine particles for Southcentral and Southeastern Pennsylvania on Saturday, February 1.  Click Here for details.

Gov. Corbett Tuesday announced Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to advance clean and alternative energy sources with the investment of more than $4.5 million in grants through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Clean Air Council invites you to check out the easy-to-use website that provides Philadelphia and Pennsylvania residents with important information about energy efficiency.

PJM Interconnection, the electricity grid operator for more than 61 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, experienced one of its biggest weather challenges during the month of January.

As consumers brace for considerably higher electric bills in the coming weeks, the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance called for legislative hearings to investigate the reasons for the supply shortages that are causing prices to spike.

The Public Utility Commission Friday reminded customers using a competitive supplier to review their contract as cold temperatures and high demand have driven the wholesale price of electricity higher.

The PA Chamber will hold its 2014 annual Environmental Conference and Trade Show April 10 at the Best Western Premier Eden Resort and Suites in Lancaster.  Click Here for all the details.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Tuesday released results of an independent review team’s annual study of state forestlands, noting its findings continue to affirm Bureau of Forestry efforts to conserve these resources through sound management.

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is hosting a free application workshop to learn about how to organize a tree planting in your community. The workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. February 11 at the CCI Center, 62 S. 14th St., in Pittsburgh's South Side. Dinner and refreshments will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, send email to: trees@paconserve.org or call 412-586-2386. 

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has scheduled four Emerald Ash Borer Community Training sessions in central and western Pennsylvania.  The sessions will be held--

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Monday announced Redbank Valley Trails in Armstrong, Clarion and Jefferson counties is the 2014 Trail of the Year in Pennsylvania.

The Fish and Boat Commission Friday announced the 2014 adult trout stocking schedule is now available.

The January issue of the Fish and Boat Commission’s Currents newsletter is now available features stories on awards given for volunteer service, habitat restoration and lifesaving.  It also includes a schedule of exhibits the Commission will have out outdoor shows around the state.

The Board of Game Commissioners on Tuesday approved a purchase that will add nearly 13,000 acres to State Game Lands 25 in Jones Township, Elk County.

When Julie Kulak first heard about the Delaware Highlands Conservancy almost a decade ago, she knew she wanted to take action to protect her cherished family land in Wayne County, Pa.

DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo this week named Kelly Burch to the newly created position of Executive Director For Oil and Gas Operations in the Oil and Gas Management Deputate.  Burch was most recently the Regional Director of DEP’s office in Meadville.

The Allegheny Land Trust is accepting applications for the 2014 John Hamm Internship.  This position-- Chartiers Creek Watershed Intern-- is made possible by generous donations from the PA Environmental Defense Foundation and the friends and family of Mr. John Hamm.  Applications are due April 1.  Click Here for details.

The two biggest events of the year will be celebrated on the same day in Pennsylvania-- Groundhog Day where Punxsutawney Phil gives his annual weather forecast from Jefferson County-- 6 more weeks of winter or 6 more weeks until spring (?) and the Super Bowl!

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--

The Environmental Quality Board published a notice extending the comment period for the proposed Chapter 78 drilling regulations to March 14.

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.