The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported late Tuesday the Governor’s Budget Office has imposed what it said was a temporary freeze on filling 200 vacant positions within the Department of Environmental Protection, including filling any of its 24 vacant positions within the Oil and Gas Program.

The FY 2015-16 state budget isn’t finished yet, but Gov. Wolf will be talking about his second set of budget recommendations on February 9.  How will they be different?  How will they be the same?

By Harry Campbell, PA Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Environmental Quality Board Wednesday voted overwhelmingly (15 to 4) to approve DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78A (unconventional) drilling regulations, after voting down 17 amendments to the regulation by three of the legislative members of the Board.

On March 9 the PA Supreme Court will hear an appeal of a 2015 Commonwealth Court decision upholding the right of the General Assembly and the governor to transfer monies from DCNR’s Oil and Gas Fund to the General Fund and the use of those funds for DCNR State Park and State Forest Operations.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority will be accepting the next round of applications for grants funded by Act 13 for watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphan or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities and flood mitigation programs starting March 1.  The deadline for applications is June 30.

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  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 House Appropriations Committee has rescheduled the budget hearing for the Department of Environmental Protection To March 1 at 9:30 a.m.  It had been scheduled for March 8.  Other environmental budget hearings will be held—

Citing concerns about the potential economic impact on Pennsylvania, Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Fayette) has introduced Senate Resolution 277 urging the Department of Environmental Protection to delay implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection’s Clean Power Climate Rule for two years.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold an informational meeting on February 8 on two bills that would impose a severance tax on natural gas production.  The bills on the agenda include--

The departments of Health and Environmental Protection Thursday released this overview of how Pennsylvania address the issue of lead exposure in the wake of events in Flint, Michigan over the last several weeks--

In response to the increased attention that lead in drinking water has received over the past few weeks in Flint, Michigan, Penn State Extension will provide an educational water webinar entitled, “Lead in Drinking Water from Private Wells, Springs and Cisterns – What You Should Know” on February 10 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and repeated from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m..

By: Larry J. Schweiger, PennFuture President and CEO

A new bill introduced Wednesday in Congress aims to take $1 billion in funding in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation (AML) Fund to give to coal communities hardest hit by the downturn of the coal industry.

Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation President, Denny Beck, testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Wednesday in support of H.R. 3797, the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act. 

Wednesday U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Bob Casey (D-PA) and Congressmen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) urged the Obama Administration to strongly support agricultural conservation programs to ensure a clean Chesapeake Bay in its FY 2017 federal budget.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has restored $3 million in program funding to the Department of Environmental Protection based on the new strategies Commonwealth agencies announced on January 21.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Tuesday welcomed the news the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency restored $3 million in program funding to the Department of Environmental Protection, and sees it as another step to get the Commonwealth back on track toward its clean water commitments.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and members of the business community announce the official launch of Businesses for the Bay. This new and innovative business association is welcoming New Members and Sponsors.

A report released Monday by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia concluded Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Program will have a $3.1 billion economic benefit to the community for an investment of $1.2 billion over 25 years.

The Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association in Chester and Delaware counties and Penn State University-Brandywine invite area residents to join them on February 28 for “Backyard Solutions for Healthy Streams: Lessons from Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Program.”

PA American Water is now accepting applications for its 2016 Environmental Grant Program from groups within its service territory.  The deadline for applications is April 1.

The Penn State Water Resources Extension Team Monday released its initial schedule of monthly webinars on emerging water resources for 2016.

The Montgomery County Conservation District is now accepting applications for its 2016 Master Watershed Stewards training class.

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties is offering several watershed and environmental education programs in the coming weeks.  They include--

PA American Water announced Tuesday it is now accepting entries for its 14th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Student Art Contest.  The deadline for entries is March 30.

The Reading Area Water Authority’s Maidencreek water treatment plant in Berks County, recently completed the third phase of the Partnership for Safe Water Program, a voluntary effort to provide safe drinking water. 

The February 1 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--

The February 2 Chesapeake Bay Journal News is now available featuring articles on--

Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller Tuesday said Pennsylvania homeowners, who may be facing steeply rising premiums under the federal government's flood insurance program, may be unaware they can get private market flood coverage, in many cases at substantial savings as compared to the federal government coverage.

Best Buy, the electronics retailer, announced Monday it would no longer be accepting TVs or computer monitors for recycling in their stores in Pennsylvania because the state’s electronics waste recycling law does not allow the stores from charging fees for recycling these items.  From the company announcement--

In a letter to all House and Senate members Thursday, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful said 2016 could be a “record-breaking year for abandoned and dumped electronics” if Pennsylvania’s electronics recycling law isn’t fixed.

The PA Resources Council announced the winners of the 2015 Lens on Litter Photo Contest and began accepting entries for the 2016 contest.  New entries are due October 31.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday announced ocal volunteers in Allegheny, Blair, McKean, Mifflin, Philadelphia were recognized for their outstanding efforts in beautifying and cleaning up their communities.

The February newsletter from the PA Resources Council is now available featuring articles on--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 6 PA Bulletin (page 726) saying an update to the agency’s Non-Regulatory Agenda is now available on DEP’s website. 

The February 4 DEP News is now available featuring stories on--

Lebanon Valley College and the Green Schools-Blue Waters Program are sponsoring three more credit graduate course designed to provide educators in grades 3 to 12 with activities and resources to support STEM Investigations For Sustainable Schools.

The PA Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, will hold its annual meeting at 11 a.m., February 11 in Hearing Room 4 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg.

NJR Clean Energy Ventures Wednesday announced its fourth onshore wind project— the Ringer Hill Wind Farm is located along the Pennsylvania-Maryland border in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, approximately 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

By Lindsay Baxter, PEC Program Manager For Energy & Climate

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 30 PA Bulletin saying the next update to the Pennsylvania Climate Change Action Plan is now available for public review.  Comments are due March 30.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority will be accepting applications for its Alternative and Clean Energy Grant Program starting February 1.  Applications are due April 1.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for its High Performance Building and Renewable Energy Grant Programs throughout 2016.  Here’s a quick rundown on the programs--

At the February 18 Aggregate Advisory Board and February 23 Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meetings, will hold important discussions on finalizing their recommendations on proposals by the Department of Environmental Protection to increase permit review and administration fees.

The U.S. could soon decrease its dependence on importing valuable rare-earth elements that are widely used in many industries, according to a team of Penn State and U.S. Department of Energy researchers who found a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to extract these metals from coal byproducts.

The DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meets February 11 and will give its members and the public the first look at some of the concepts DEP will use to regulate methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing on a proposed Windfall Oil and Gas injection disposal well in Brady Township, Clearfield County on February 16 starting at 6:00.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It newsletter is now available featuring a summary of PEC activities in January--

We share one globe that Pope Francis, the United Nations, world leaders, scientists and climate change activists each appeal that we protect better.   But in our world of different religious beliefs, how do the special qualities of our planet play out?

The Department of Health Friday said it is increasing its efforts to monitor and identify potential Zika virus cases in the Commonwealth. No cases of Zika virus have been reported in Pennsylvania. Testing of individuals who have travelled to affected areas and have experienced symptoms is ongoing.

The National Road Heritage Corridor announced a Mini-Grant Opportunity for nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and friends groups of state parks/forests who are located along the Historic National Road or in the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape region (Somerset, Westmoreland, Fayette, and portions of Cambria and Bedford counties).

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Tuesday  announced Pennsylvania now has 121 state parks with the addition of Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the February 6 PA Bulletin it is increasing State Park fees for shooting ranges, clarifying swimming pool family passes and implementing a nonrefundable transaction fee for all State Park and other reservations made through its reservation system effective February 16.  Click Here for current DCNR fees.

Black Cherry and adapting to change highlighted DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry’s annual Winter Management Conference held last month in State College. Attendees were treated to a wide range of presenters that covered many current and key issues in forest management.

The February 3 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

Registration is now open for participants in the Grey Towers Heritage Association 8K Run/Walk planned for April 23 in Pike County. Participants at all levels of expertise are encouraged to take part in this annual springtime season kick-off.

An agreement approved Tuesday by the Board of Game Commissioners solidifies more than $14.6 million in revenue that had been anticipated in the budget for the current fiscal year.

Around mid-February, the peregrine falcon adults nesting on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg will fittingly renew their pair bond and spend more time together at the nest ledge.

Kim Patten directs the Wilderness Greenhouse & Native Plant Nursery, a program of the Diakon Wilderness School located just outside of Boiling Springs in Cumberland County.

Want to add a bit of nature into your classroom? Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host a professional educator workshop designed for Pennsylvania elementary and middle school teachers on how to use its live kestrel webcam as a learning tool.

Tired of being cooped up? Head outside to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County on February 13 for a day-long event focused on feeding birds during the long winter months.

The Western PA Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Land Stewardship Coordinator position serving the Pittsburgh Region and Northwest PA.  Applications are due February 26.  Click Here for all the details.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay seeks an enthusiastic and creative person to join the Pennsylvania staff to lead program development and project management in its efforts to Engage Local Communities, Connect People, and Heal the Land and Water in Central Pennsylvania and throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

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 are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more--

The Public Utility Commission published notices in the February 6 PA Bulletin of proposed Electric Safety and Steam Heat Distribution System safety regulations.

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

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.  Sponsor: 2016 Keystone Coldwater Conference, State College, Feb. 26-27.