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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, April 25, 2016 Issue #617
(4/25/2016)
* IRRC Votes To OK Final DEP Drilling Regs., But House & Senate Will Have Their Say

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted 3 to 2 to approve DEP’s final Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78a (unconventional, Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations at its meeting Thursday after 7 hours of hearing from DEP and those opposing and supporting the rulemaking.

* Sen. Yaw Calls For Senate/House Disapproval Resolution On DEP Drilling Regulations

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, issued this statement Friday on the approval of DEP’s drilling regulations by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission Thursday—

* PA Supreme Court Denies Appeal Challenging DEP Drilling Regs

The PA Supreme Court Wednesday denied the appeal of Friday’s Commonwealth Court decision  denying a request by conventional oil and gas drillers to invalidate DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78a (unconventional) drilling regulations because they violated the provisions of a 2014 amendment to the Fiscal Code.

* Winners Of Governor’s Award For Environmental Excellence Honored Tuesday

The Secretaries of the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources joined the PA Environmental Council Tuesday in honoring the 13 recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence at a dinner in Harrisburg.

* Governor’s Awards: Make A Choice For Change, To Innovate, For Sustainability

By John Quigley, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

* Earth Day: 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Improve Pennsylvania’s Environment

April 22 marked the 46th anniversary of Earth Day.  To celebrate, here are 10 simple things every Pennsylvanian can do to to protect the environment and your health—

* Earth Day: Bring Constructive Passion Back To The Environmental Movement

These remarks were delivered Thursday at the 10th Annual Conference of The Society of Women Environmental Professionals - Capital Chapter at Central Penn College Conference Center near Harrisburg by David E. Hess who served as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection for Governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker.

* Let’s Remember The People, Environmental Programs Hurt By DEP Funding Cuts

Earth Day is a good time for reflection, and PA Environment Digest thought it would be a good time to reflect on the kinds of programs, initiatives and services funding cuts have eliminated in the last 13 years.

* PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Let us join your Circle.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced

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

* Bills On Governor's Desk

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

* Gov. Wolf To Let Fiscal Code Bill Become Law Without His Signature

Gov. Tom Wolf announced late Friday he will let the newest Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1589 (Causer-R- Cameron)-- become law April 24 without his signature closing the book on the FY 2015-16 state General Fund budget.

* $12 Million Natural Gas Infrastructure Expansion Program OK’d With Fiscal Code

A new state program expanding access to natural gas infrastructure for schools, hospitals, businesses and other entities was approved as part of the Fiscal Code, according Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

* House Takes First Vote On FY 2016-17 Budget Week Of May 2

Rep. William Adolph (R-Delaware), Majority Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, notified members of his Committee Wednesday, the first vote on the FY 2016-17 will take place when the House returns to voting session the week of May 2.

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Receives Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania has received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for helping landowners plant thousands of trees, reduce pollution of rivers and streams, and improve water quality in the Commonwealth.

* SRBC: Natural Gas Industry Used 13.4 Billion Gallons Of Water, Most From 4 Counties

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monday released a new report on consumptive water use by the natural gas industry which showed from July 2008 to December 2013 the industry used a total of 13.4 billion gallons of water from surface, ground and other sources averaging about 6.7 million gallons per day.

* 2016 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 22-23 At IUP

The 2016 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will be held from June 22 to 23 at the Indiana University of PA Kovalchick Conference Center in Indiana, PA.  The theme of this year’s Conference is Economics and the Environment.  From the Conference announcement--

* April Catalyst Newsletter Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The April edition of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County featuring articles on--

* Grants Available For Sinnemahoning Creek, Cameron, Elk, McKean And Potter Counties

The Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday announced it is now accepting applications for the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Restoration Grant Program in Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter counties.

* Stroud Water Research Center: Crayfish May Help Restore Dirty Streams

While macroinvertebrates are a tasty food source for crayfish, a new study reveals a surprising finding: When crayfish were present in in-stream experimental enclosures, macroinvertebrate density was higher, not lower, according to the Stroud Water Research Center, Chester County.

* $23.4 Million Investment In Water Infrastructure Announced By Gov. Wolf

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the investment of $23.4 million for seven drinking water, wastewater and nonpoint source projects across six counties through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

* Academy Of Natural Sciences: What’s In Our Water May 3 In Philadelphia

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will host a discussion with Debra McCarty, the new Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department, about Philadelphia's drinking water on May 3.

* 3 PA Schools Recognized As Green Ribbon Schools By U.S. Dept. Of Education

PA Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera Friday congratulated Park Forest Elementary School in State College, Slippery Rock University, and the School District of Jenkintown in Montgomery County for being named Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

* Centre County Honors 55 Green Businesses, Schools And Organizations

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, along with the Centre Region Council of Governments and the Borough of State College held an awards luncheon Thursday to honor 55 of the area’s best green businesses, schools and organizations.

* EQB OKs Proposed Fee Increases For Radioactive Materials, Radon Licensing

The Environmental Quality Board Tuesday approved proposed fee increases for radon certification and a 50 percent increase in fees for the licensing and inspection of radioactive materials for public comment.

* EPA Safer Choice Label For Cleaning Products Launched At Weis Market

In preparation for Earth Day on April 22 and in celebration of the spring weather, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday launched its Safer Choice spring cleaning campaign at the Weis Supermarket in Conshohocken, Montgomery County, to encourage consumers to buy home care products that will help protect public health and the environment.

* GIANT Food Stores’ Bags To Benches Program Donates 25 Benches To Keep PA Beautiful

In recognition of Earth Day, GIANT Food Stores’ Bags To Benches Program donated 25 benches made from recycled plastic bags and $2,500 to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to assist with local beautification efforts.

* Saint Vincent College Named Champion Of National RecycleMania Competition

Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, was named the champion of the 2016 RecycleMania competition with a recycling rate of 3.40 lbs./capita.

* Philadelphia Prison System Receives Accolades From EPA For Food Recovery

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday recognized the City of Philadelphia for its innovative food recovery achievements at the Philadelphia Prison System that include composting 1.35 tons of wasted food each day and saving the city $31,000 each year in landfill fees. 

* PA Resources Council Now Accepting TVs At Collection Events For A Fee

The PA Resources Council Thursday announced it will now accept TVs at its remaining Hard to Recycle Collections Events as a result of a change in DEP policy to allow groups to charge fees for recycling those items.

* Susquehanna Greenway: Looking For Earth Day Activities, Help With These Cleanups

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is looking for volunteers to help with these cleanups throughout the Susquehanna River Watershed--

* Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meets April 27 On E-Waste, Recycling Issues

DEP’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on April 27 and on the agenda is a discussion of the collapse of the electronics waste recycling program in Pennsylvania.

* PEMA Encourages Citizens To Have Severe Weather Preparedness Plan

People in Pennsylvania are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to learn how to prepare for emergencies during Severe Weather Awareness Week April 25 – 29.

* New Air Quality Fee Proposal To Include Greenhouse Gas Emissions, If EPA Rule Upheld

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice in the April 23 PA Bulletin announcing the next update to its Air Quality Program fees will include fees on greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, if EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan is upheld in court.

* PPL Electric Customers Saving $250 Million/Year By Reducing Energy Use

PPL Electric Utilities customers are saving more than a quarter of a billion dollars per year on their electric bills by using the company's energy efficiency programs designed to help them use energy wisely.

* PECO Announces Solar Stakeholder Collaborative

PECO Friday announced it is creating a new Solar Stakeholder Collaborative to advance local solar energy with invited participation from customer advocates, public officials, competitive electric suppliers, solar supporters, and other interested partners.

* PUC Adopts New Requirements For Natural Gas Supplier Disclosure Statements

The Public Utility Commission Thursday finalized regulation changes that will provide customers who shop for their natural gas supply with greater, uniform detail on their disclosure statements – and more timely information on “contract renewal” and “change in terms” notices.

* Op-Ed: Marcellus Shale Coalition: Natural Gas Enhances Our Environment

The Marcellus Shale Coalition distributed the following op-ed piece for Earth Day written by David Spigelmyer, President of MSC.

* Sustainable Energy Fund Announces July 25-27 Student Energy Camp Series

The Sustainable Energy Fund Monday reminded students and teachers of a series of a pre-conference series of Energy Camps will lead into Energypath 2016, the largest sustainable energy conference in Pennsylvania.

* Westmoreland County Conservation District Student Envirothon April 25

On April 25, 75 students from seven Westmoreland County high schools will compete at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg to see which team has the most knowledge of the natural world.  The winning team will go on to compete in the state competition.  

* PA Wilds Team: 11 Receive PA Wilds Champion Awards

Eleven residents, business owners, and organizations from across the Pennsylvania Wilds region will be recognized with awards later this month for their contributions helping grow the region’s nature and heritage tourism industry.

* PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers 2016 River Sojourn Schedule

The PA Organization For Watersheds and Rivers Friday made available its 2016 schedule of river sojourns across the state.

* Natural Lands Trust Buys Land To Connect Thun Trail To French Creek State Park

In March, the Natural Lands Trust purchased a small but significant parcel of land that will be transferred to French Creek State Park in Chester County.

* April 30 Tree Planting On Old Mine Site In Weiser State Forest Columbia County

The PA Environmental Council will hold a tree planting on an old mining site in the Weiser State Forest in Columbia County on April 30.

* PA Horticultural Society Tree Tenders To Plant 889 Trees, Other Earth Day Events Set

Volunteers trained by the PA Horticultural Society will plant 889 trees in Philadelphia and surrounding counties as part of Earth Week activities in the region. The plantings will be conducted by 28 Tree Tender groups in Philadelphia and 28 groups in the surrounding counties.

* The Key To Long Term Urban Tree Survival Workshop May 18-19 In Allentown

The PA Urban and Community Forestry Council will hold a Key To Long Term Urban Tree Survival Workshop on May 18-19 in Allentown.

* Grow Pittsburgh, Western PA Conservancy Community Garden Grants Due May 13

Grow Pittsburgh and the Western PA Conservancy Monday announced the 2016 Community Garden Sustainability Fund will be accepting applications through May 13.

* Westmoreland Land Trust: May 12 Celebration Of New Addition To Cedar Creek Park

Drones with cameras and TV screens -- along with radio-controlled model helicopters, jets, and giant-scale planes -- will be flying at Cedar Creek Park, Rostraver Township, on May 12 to celebrate the addition of 28 more acres of land to this popular Westmoreland County park.

* Rachel Carson Homestead To Present Free Lecture At Hawk Mountain April 30

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will welcome Jean Cecil of the Rachel Carson Homestead for a free spring lecture “Rachel Carson: A Sense of Wonder” on April 30 at 5 p.m. in the Visitor Center gallery.

* Pennsylvania Society To Honor Patrick J. Solano With Distinguished Citizen Award

The Citizens Voice reported Thursday Patrick J. Solano will be recognized by the Pennsylvania Society with its prestigious Distinguished Citizen of the Commonwealth Award.  Click Here to read the entire article.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Mine Reclamation Project In Clearfield County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 23 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Clearfield County.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* 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.

* Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of final regulations setting new Reasonably Available Control Technology Requirements for Major Sources of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the April 23 PA Bulletin.

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* 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.

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