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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, July 11, 2016 Issue #628
(7/11/2016)
* Environmental Coalition Calls For Renewed Investment In Growing Greener Program

The PA Growing Greener Coalition Wednesday applauded the Commonwealth Finance Authority’s recent approval of nearly $17 million in environmental grants and called for renewed investment in the state’s Growing Greener program.

* Updated: Gov. Wolf: General Fund Budget Bill To Become Law With Or Without A Revenue Package

Updated: Gov. Wolf: General Fund Budget Bill To Become Law With Or Without A Revenue Package

* 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 [Updated] /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 Signs Sen. Vogel’s 1-Pound Waiver Bill Into Law

Gov. Wolf Friday signed into law legislation extending the one-pound Reid Vapor Pressure waiver which expired on May 1, 2016.

* Rep. Petrarca Introduces Bill To Prevent Scheduled Gasoline Tax Increases

Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D-Westmoreland) Wednesday announced the introduction of legislation-- House Bill 2248-- to abolish the 10 cent per gallon gasoline tax increase set to go into effect in January and those scheduled in the future. 

* Governor’s Office Publishes Update To Agency Regulatory Agenda

The Governor’s Office published its twice a year update to the agency-by-agency Regulatory Agenda in the July 9 PA Bulletin, starting on page 3702.

* CBF-PA: Lawrence County Joins Clean Water Counts Campaign

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Wednesday announced Lawrence County has joined the growing list of Pennsylvania counties that have adopted a Clean Water Counts resolution, calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Commonwealth.

* Presentations Available From 2016 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

The presentations given at the 2016 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference the end of June are now available, including an overview of Pennsylvania’s new $30 million pilot program to combine abandoned mine reclamation and economic development opportunities, including a proposed project listing, given by Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

* DEP: July 14 Webinar On Pilot Mine Reclamation, Economic Development Program

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a webinar on July 14 on its new, federally funded $30 million abandoned mine reclamation program which combines mine reclamation with economic revitalization opportunities.

* Farm Tours On Aug. 2, 4 To Showcase CREP Conservation Practices In Westmoreland

Two afternoon tours on August 2 and 4 will travel to Westmoreland County farms to see conservation practices that have been installed under one of the many programs available to area farmers-- the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

* Brodhead Watershed Assn Seeking StreamWatcher Volunteers In Pike County

The Brodhead Creek Watershed Association is seeking volunteers for its StreamWatcher Program monitoring Pike County streams.

* Wonderful World Of Water Student Camp Aug. 1-3 In Lackawanna County

PA American Water and the Lackawanna River Conservation Association are hosting a Wonderful World of Water Student Camp August 103 in Lackawanna County for students ages 7 to 11.

* PRC: Volunteers Needed For Delaware County Rain Garden Project

The PA Resources Council and the Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative is seeking volunteers to begin a project this Fall to build 36 new rain gardens.

* Penn State Ag & En. Center: Free Trees For Buffers In Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon

Have you been considering planting trees on your property? Do you want to reduce mowing needs, protect a stream, create wildlife habitat or help reduce flooding? Apply for free trees today!

* Reminder: Abstracts Due July 29 For 2017 Delaware Estuary Science Summit

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is accepting abstracts for its 2017 Estuary Science and Environmental Summit to be held January 22-25, 2017 in Cape May, New Jersey through July 29.

* CBF-PA: Teachers Connect Schools To Improving Pennsylvania’s Water Quality

A group of Pennsylvania teachers became students when the lessons turned to what schools can do to reduce polluted runoff and improve the Commonwealth’s water quality.

* RiverFest 2016 In Wilkes-Barre A Success

Staff from the DEP Northeast Regional Office created an “interactive” table at RiverFest 2016 in Wilkes-Barre in June to educate the public about river health.

* DEP Staff Visit Wilkes-Barre School To Stress Importance Of The Environment

DEP Northeast Regional Office Water Quality Specialist Supervisor Michelle Nesbitt recently spoke to a group of elementary students about the work of DEP and protecting the environment.

* July 5 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The July 5 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--

* June Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

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

* July Update From Capitol Region Water Is Now Available

The July Update from Capitol Region Water in Dauphin County is now available featuring articles on—

* NRCS: Pennsylvania State Technical Committee Meets July 21

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service invites the public to attend the Pennsylvania State Technical Committee meeting on July 21 at the USDA State Office in Harrisburg.

* July Meetings Of Environmental Quality Board, Citizens Advisory Council Canceled

The July 19 meetings of the Environmental Quality Board (formal notice) and DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council (formal notice) are canceled.

* Did You Know? DEP Publishes 30 To 50 Pages Of Permit Actions Each Week?

Interesting fact: The Department of Environmental Protection publishes 30 to 50 pages of notices in the PA Bulletin every week alerting the public to proposed or final permit actions it is taking.  The July 9 PA Bulletin has 34 pages, for example.

* Keep PA Beautiful Accepting Applications For Community Improvement Mini-Grants

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is now accepting applications for its 25 in 25 Community Improvement Mini-Grants to support projects to prevent and cleanup litter and illegal dumping and to keep areas clean

* Westmoreland County, Keep PA Beautiful Partner On 2 Community Greening Projects

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Westmoreland County Land Bank, recently presented Sewickley Township and The Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale with seed grants to fight blight in their communities.

* PA Horticultural Society Awards Neighborhood Placemaker Grants In Philadelphia

The PA Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia Department of Commerce Wednesday announced the winners of two “Neighborhood Placemaker Grants” for projects that will enhance public spaces and improve the beauty and environmental sustainability of their communities.

* PA Resources Council: Fighting Litter With Art In Pittsburgh

Keep an eye out for a new public art installation, RECYCLE RIGHT, as it travels around Pittsburgh's Northside neighborhoods and appears in public spaces, vacant lots and community event sites this summer.

* Capitol Region Water Tuesday Cleanup July 19 In Harrisburg

On July 19, Capitol Region Water will host a Tuesday Cleanup event in the 1600 Block of North 4th Street in Harrisburg from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

* Save The Date: PA Resources Council Annual Awards Dinner Nov. 10

The PA Resources Council will hold its annual Awards Celebration at the Villanova University Conference Center in Philadelphia on November 10.

* July Newsletter Now Available From PA Resources Council

The July newsletter from the PA Resources Council is now available featuring article on--

* Scholarship Opportunities For National Resource Recycling Conference In New Orleans

This year the recycling world lost a great leader, former Recycling Partnership Executive Director Steve Thompson.

* DEP Sets 5 Public Hearings On Proposed Mariner East II Natural Gas Pipeline

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 9 PA Bulletin scheduling five public hearings on the proposed Sunoco Mariner East II natural gas pipeline (PA Bulletin, page 3698). 

* PUC Offers Energy Saving, Cooling Tips For Summer’s First Hot Weather Alert

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday urged residents across the state to consider ways to conserve energy and stay cool as a temperatures across the Mid-Atlantic Region are expected to rise into the 90’s later this week.

* Op-Ed: Why Opt-Outs From PA’s Premier Energy Efficiency Program Are Bad Policy

By Lindsay Baxter, Energy & Climate Program Manager, PA Environmental Council

* Climate Change Advisory Committee Meets July 12 On 2015, 2018 Climate Plan Updates

DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on July 12 to discuss how it will go about the 2018 update to Pennsylvania’s Climate Change Action Plan.  The Committee also expects to see DEP’s final version of the 2015 Plan Update.

* Susquehanna Climate Network Hosts Climate/Wildlife Program July 25 In Lewisburg

The Susquehanna Valley Climate Action Network will host a presentation by the the National Wildlife Federation’s Ed Perry on how Pennsylvania fish and wildlife will be affected by changes in climate and what we can do about it.

* Duquesne University Hosts PA Clean Jobs Forum July 20 In Pittsburgh

The Duquesne University School Of Green Industries and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) are hosting the Pennsylvania Clean Jobs Forum on July 20 at the Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom, 1015 Forbes Ave., in Pittsburgh from 10:30 to 5 p.m.

* Exelon Releases 2015 Sustainability Report

Exelon Wednesday announced it has released its 2015 Sustainability Report as part of the company’s commitment to transparency on sustainability strategy and performance.

* July 13 Workshop On Electric Vehicles For Fleet Managers, Others In Philadelphia

The Eastern PA Alliance for Clean Transportation is hosting a July 13 workshop on electric vehicles at the PECO Office, 2301 Market Street in Philadelphia from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

* DEP, PA Coal Alliance Launch New Mine Safety Campaign

The Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the PA Coal Alliance, Thursday launched a new safety campaign that urges coal miners not to take shortcuts that could lead to dangerous consequences while on the job.

* Penn-Anthracite Mining Society Awards John Kaminski Memorial Student Scholarships

Three Pennsylvania mining and geology students were recently awarded 2016-2017 John Kaminski Memorial Scholarships by the Penn-Anthracite Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

* July 7 DEP News Now Available

The July 7 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* PA Environmental Council: In Case You Missed It In June

The June edition of In Case You Missed It is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring stories on--

* Get Outdoors PA Announces Award Of 9 Community Partner Mini-Grants

Get Outdoors PA recently announced the award of 9 Community Partner Mini-Grants totaling $17,030 were awarded in its second round of the grant program.

* Dr. Colson E. Blakeslee Memorial Natural Area Dedicated In Elk County

Nearly 60 family members, friends and others who admired and loved Dr. Colson E. “Doc” Blakeslee gathered with the Western PA Conservancy in Elk County on June 27 to remember and honor his commitment to conservation.

* Beckets Run Woodlands Designated As DCNR Wild Plant Sanctuary In Allegheny County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wednesday announced the designation of a new Wild Plant Sanctuary in Forward Township, Allegheny County.

* DCNR Honors Employees With Secretary’s Achievement Awards

Whether it’s streamlining day-to-day functions, taking the lead in emergency situations, producing publications and signage which better connect the public with nature, assisting with criminal investigations, or launching online tools for DCNR’s many partners to use in planning, DCNR employees once again excelled over the past year by going above and beyond.

* July 6 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The July 6 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* Penn State: Bees’ Ability To Forage Decreases As Air Pollution Increases

Air pollutants interact with and break down plant-emitted scent molecules, which insect pollinators use to locate needed food, according to a team of researchers led by Penn State.

* Covanta’s John Waffenschmidt Honored By Chester Environmental Partnership

The Chester Environmental Partnership Thursday announced it recently honored Covanta's John G. Waffenschmidt, Vice President of Environmental Science and Community Affairs, for his efforts and leadership in environmental justice.

* Help Wanted: Eastern Coalition For AMR Seeks Candidates For AmeriCorps Positions

The Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation is seeking candidates to fill 2 federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement AmeriCorps positions to be based in Ashley, Luzerne County.

* Nature Abounds Seeking Proposals From Media Firms For Video Project

Nature Abounds, a national environmental nonprofit based in DuBois, Clearfield County, is seeking a contractor to film, edit, and create videos for the Senior Environment Corps Program.

* 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 Governor’s Office published its twice a year update to the agency-by-agency Regulatory Agenda in the July 9 PA Bulletin, starting on page 3702.

* CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

* 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.

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