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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Nov. 13, 2017 Issue #698
(11/13/2017)
* Some GOOD Environmental Bills Now Law, Others Await Senate & House Action

Since PA Environment Digest published a list of GOOD environmental bills on October 16 waiting for Senate and House action, several have become law, others have seen some action and the rest are still waiting.

* Property Tax Referendum Passes, Senate Comes Back To Harrisburg

With Tuesday’s election results in the books, pundits were either trying to explain the wins as a either Democratic “resurgence” or a Republican “it’s way too early.”

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

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* House Preparedness Committee Holds Info Meeting On Electric Grid Resiliency Nov. 15

The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee is scheduled to hold an informational meeting on November 15 to hear an update from PECO on resiliency in electric grid.

* House Committee To Hold Hearing On Alternative Natural Gas, Electric Ratemaking Nov. 20

The House Consumer Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing November 20 on House Bill 1782 (Delozier-R-Cumberland) providing for alternative ratemaking for natural gas and electric distribution companies (sponsor summary).

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Discusses Act 54 Deep Coal Mine Regulation Nov. 14

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on November 14 to hear an update on the Act 54 program regulating the surface impacts of underground coal mines.

* DCNR Natural Resources Advisory Council To Hear Update On State Park/Forest Volunteerism Nov. 15

On November 15, DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council will hear an update on volunteerism in State Parks and Forests from Marci Mowery, President of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation.

* Chesapeake Bay Commission Releases Report On Improving Assistance To Farmers On Conservation Practices

The interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission Thursday will release a report on how to better support farmers in their efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution damaging local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

* Survey: Over 70% Of Pennsylvanians Want To Do More To Make Rivers, Streams Healthier

A new survey by the Chesapeake Bay Program found over 70 percent of Pennsylvanians want to do more to make their rivers, streams and lakes healthier.

* Op-Ed: National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Makes Important Investments In Clean Water For PA

By Harry Campbell, PA Office Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

* Nearly 3,000 Students Participate In PRC’s Stream Stewards Program In Delaware County

The PA Resources Council was recently awarded a grant of $50,000 from The Boeing Company to continue the successful Stream Stewards hands-on watershed education program through the 2017–2018 school year.

* Westminster College Students Present De Sale Mine Drainage Treatment System Findings

At the October 12 Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition monthly meeting, Westminster College students from Dr. Helen Boylan’s Advanced Chemistry class presented the results from the September sampling event at the De Sale Phase 2 mine drainage passive treatment system in Butler County.

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

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Carbon County in the November 11 PA Bulletin.

* November Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

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

* New Immersive Video Art Exhibit Chronicles A Year On The Brandywine River

A new immersive video exhibition merges art and images of nature together at the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Delaware County running now through January 7, 2018.

* DEP Releases Review Of Pittsburgh Water Authority AspinWall Filter Plant

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday released its final report detailing the results of its Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant conducted September 18 through 22, 2017.

* PA Sea Grant: Teachers Invited To Apply For NOAA Explore The Sea Program

The PA Sea Grant College Program encourages Pennsylvania educators to apply for the 2018 “Teacher at Sea Program,” a program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).   The deadline for applications is November 30

* Shamokin, Northumberland County Council For The Arts Complete KPB Fresh Paint Days Project

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, this year in partnership with The Home Depot and BEHR paint, awarded eight community groups with paint and painting supplies enabling them to transform a community structure in need into something beautiful.

* 15 Centre County 5th Grade Students To Be Honored On America Recycles Day Nov. 15

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, Weis Markets and the Centre Daily Times are proud to announce the fifteen winners of our “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Read” poster contest. 

* Questions About Recycling? Call The Recycling Hotline - 800-346-4242

Wondering how to responsibly recycle materials close to home? Call the Recycling Hotline!  800-346-4242

* PRC Can Help Your Community, Business Pursue Zero Waste

The PA Resources Council has been actively assisting community partners with waste-related analysis and planning efforts for many years.

* November Newsletter Now Available From PA Resources Council

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

* United Refining Company Achieves 62 Percent Sulfur Dioxide Reduction In Warren

The Department of Environmental Protection and United Refining Company Thursday announced changes to United Refining’s facility in Warren has reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by 62 percent from 2011 levels thanks to recent modifications.

* PA Environmental Professionals Accepting Applications For College Science Scholarships

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting applications for one $1,000 scholarship to a college freshman or sophomore and one $1,000 scholarship to a college junior or senior pursuing a degree in environmental science or related major.

* PUC Joins Wolf Administration, State Agencies, Utilities To Highlight Importance Of Veterans In The Utility Workforce

Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys M. Brown Thursday joined with leaders from Gov. Tom Wolf’s Administration, including the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor & Industry, along with representatives from public utilities from across the state, to highlight the importance and impact of veterans in the utility workforce.

* PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Named Government Lawyer Of The Year By PA Bar Association

The PA Bar Association Wednesday named Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys M. Brown of Harrisburg the 2017 Government Lawyer of the Year.

* West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund Issues RFP For Clean Energy Projects

The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund is now accepting clean energy proposals for funding in response to an RFP.  The deadlines for proposals is February 27.

* Clean Air Council Files Lawsuit Against Federal Government On Climate Change

On behalf of Clean Air Council and two Pennsylvania children, Hausfeld filed suit Monday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the federal government to prevent it from rolling back policies, programs, laws, rules, and regulations previously in place to address and ameliorate climate change and its consequences.

* 5th Resilient Erie Stewardship Summit Nov. 15 In Erie

The Community Resilience Action Network of Erie will hold the 5th Annual Resilient Erie Stewardship Summit on November 15 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* AP: West Virginia Signs $38.7 Billion Natural Gas Development Deal With China Energy

The Associated Press reported Thursday West Virginia officials announced an agreement on Thursday with China Energy Investment Corp. Ltd. for the company to invest $83.7 billion in shale gas development and chemical manufacturing in West Virginia over 20 years.

* Pittsburgh Expands Bike Access With Free Bike-Share Program For Public Transit Riders

Access to bikes, together with safer places to ride, continues to expand in Pittsburgh with the expansion of the city’s Healthy Ride Program to include free 15-minute bike share trips for public transit users, and new and expanded designated lanes across the city.

* DCNR, South Middleton Township Officials Talk Parks, Trail Connections, Revitalization In Cumberland County

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined South Middleton Township and Cumberland County officials Wednesday in a conversation about local parks and trails, and the connection to community revitalization efforts.

* Innovative Nature-Themed Playground In Chester County Toured By DCNR, Local Officials

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined East Goshen Township, Chester County, officials in a tour of a township park undergoing renovation and incorporating strong nature-based play elements.

* PA Horticultural Society Honors Devoted Philadelphia Flower Show Exhibitor, Other Leaders

The PA Horticultural Society Wednesday hosted its PHS Awards Celebration at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel to honor remarkable individuals who have worked with tireless dedication in both professional and volunteer capacities advancing the PHS mission.

* Tom Ridge Environmental Center Hosts Great Lakes Shipwreck Exhibition In Erie

Pennsylvania Sea Grant and partners unveil “The Great Lakes Shipwreck Exhibition,” a public exhibit opening November 18 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie.

* Penn State Erie, Behrend College Earns Tree Campus USA Recognition

Many people collect postcards or magnets when they travel. Ernst and Mary Behrend collected trees — a Persian ironwood, a Japanese umbrella pine, a snowdrift crabapple — which they planted on their farm in Harborcreek Township, Erie County.

* Penn State: Use Of Glow Sticks In Traps Greatly Increase Amphibians Captured In Study

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

* Brodhead Watershed Assn In Monroe County Welcomes 10 New Board Members

The Brodhead Watershed Association in Monroe County has elected 10 new members for its board of directors, each with unique backgrounds and talents to support the organization’s advocacy for clean water.

* Associated Petroleum Industries Of PA Adds Jonathan Lutz As Associate Director

Associated Petroleum Industries of PA Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman Monday announced Jonathan Lutz as the new Associate Director for API’s division in Pennsylvania.

* 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

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 11, 2017

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 60 pages long.

* 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:  PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com

* 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 23-24 - Sponsorships Available

2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 23-24 in State College.  Join PA Environment Digest in sponsoring this worthwhile Conference.

* 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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