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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
May 30, 2005
(5/27/2005)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 5/30/05
* Need to be “Deliberate” in Crafting Growing Greener Implementing Legislation
In a letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer this week, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chair Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) said the Governor and the General Assembly need to be ‘deliberate” in crafting legislation to implement the $625 million bond issue passed by voters May 17 to avoid “political mischief.”
* On the Hill
The Senate and House return to voting session on June 6 and there are no scheduled meetings this week on environmental issues.
* Innovative Philadelphia Recycling Program to Be Topic of Issues Forum
On June 13 the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee will hold its next Environmental Issues Forum on the new RecycleBank program in Philadelphia operated by the City, RecycleBank, Inc., Blue Mountain Recycling and other partners.
* May Environmental Synopsis Features Safe Drinking Water Week
The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee published its May issue of Environmental Synopsis this week which features information on Safe Drinking Water Week, guarding critical infrastructure, wind energy and more.
* Over 300 High School Students Participate in PA Envirothon Competition
More than 300 high school students from 64 counties took part in Pennsylvania’s 22nd Annual State Envirothon this week held at Bloomsburg University and the PPL Montour Preserve.
* Energy Standards Offer Environmental, Economic Benefits Conference Told
Over 285 people crowded into the “Spinning Green Energy into Gold” conference this week in Mechanicsburg and heard speakers describe the potential environmental and economic benefits of Pennsylvania’s new Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards.
* Rising Gasoline Prices Triggering Behavior Change According to Poll
A poll released this week by IssuesPA found 71 percent of those asked said higher gas prices are causing a hardship. The surprise was they reported changing their behavior in response--
* Exelon Joins the Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Exelon Corporation announced this week it has joined the Pew Center on Global Climate Change as a member of the organization's Business Environmental Leadership Council.
* Financing Will Revitalize Four Business Sites Around the State
The Commonwealth Financing Agency this week gave its approval to 10 construction grants and loans totaling over $56 million to develop sites under the Business in Our Sites Program. Four of those projects involve the cleanup and redevelopment of environmentally challenged sites.
* EPA Region 3 Launches Land Revitalization Newsletter
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 launched a new quarterly newsletter, the "Land Revitalization Update."
* Aluminum Beverage Can Recycling Rate Rising for First Time Since 1997
For the first time since 1997, aluminum can recycling increased in 2004, according to The Aluminum Association, Can Manufacturers Institute and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.
* EPA Solicits Review of Compliance Assistance/Pollution Prevention Activities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting input on how well its Compliance Assistance Centers are serving the needs of the people and organizations EPA regulates.
* Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Designated in Chester and Delaware Counties
The Department of Transportation this week designated parts of Creek Road and Routes 52 and 162 in Chester and Delaware counties as the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway.
* WREN Awards 26 Community-Based Water Resources Education Grants
The Water Resources Education Network (WREN) Project, a program of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund, has announced the award of more than $106,000 in funding to community partnerships across the state.
* Proposals Sought for $4 Million in Wetlands Conservation Funds
The U. S. Department of Agriculture is making available $4 million in financial assistance for the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program for proposals that restore and protect habitat for migratory birds and other wetland dependent wildlife.
* Cong. Peterson Introduces AML Fund Reauthorization Legislation
This week Congressman John Peterson (R-PA) introduced House Resolution 2721 in Congress that would reauthorize the fee funding the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.
* Workshops on Integrated Watershed Planning, TMDLs Set for June
Three upcoming workshops will focus on integrated watershed planning and the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality planning process.
* Southwest River Sweep Volunteers Needed for June 18
Volunteers are needed for the 16th Annual River Sweep, the largest organized volunteer river cleanup effort in the country, set to take place from 8 a.m. to noon June 18 in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
* Ohio River Watershed Cruise Set for July 27, Register Now!
Explore Pittsburgh's Three Rivers aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet's beautiful vessel The Majestic! on the 4th Annual Ohio River Watershed Cruise July 27.
* National Geographic Highlights Chesapeake Bay
The June 2005 National Geographic features two Chesapeake Bay-related articles -- one discussing Bay health and restoration and the other highlighting the 1608 voyage of Captain John Smith.
* DRBC Establishes New Rule to Reduce PCB Levels in the Delaware River
The Delaware River Basin Commission this week unanimously adopted a rule to establish pollutant minimization plan requirements for point and non-point discharges of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware Estuary. It also set a goal of reducing PCB loadings by 50 percent in five years.
* Free Time? Try Free Fishing from the Fish & Boat Commission
Have a little free time on your hands? Grab a friend or family member and try some free fishing. Thanks to the Fish and Boat Commission the only thing you’ll have to spend is some quality time together.
* Lancaster Farmland Trust Holds Annual Pedal to Preserve Bike Ride in June
On June 18 the Lancaster Farmland Trust will hold its annual Pedal to Preserve bike ride to support farmland preservation efforts in Lancaster County.
* PANA and DCNR Team Up to Create Keystone Active Zones
Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources teamed up this week to launch Keystone Active Zones, a new program designed to help counties promote physical activity for their residents at parks and trails close to home.
* Restore Habitat through Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to landowners interested in restoring wildlife habitat. There is no specific deadline to apply.
* National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/Wal-Mart: Acres for America
Acres for America is now accepting applications to provide funding for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of interests in real property.
* Game Commission to Provide Wildlife Workshops for Teachers
With summer recess for schools just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is announced three Project WILD workshops for educators and Scout and youth group leaders this summer in the Harrisburg area.
* Applications Now Available for Elk Hunting License Drawing
The Game Commission is now accepting applications from those interested in entering the public drawing for one of 40 elk hunting licenses (10 antlered and 30 antlerless) to be made available for this fall's season and 10 elk licenses (two either-sex and eight antlerless) for the September 2006 hunt.
* Awards Feature - Ann Meyers Recognized with R. Emmet Doherty Clean Air Award
This week the family of the late Ann L. Meyers received the 35th annual R. Emmet Doherty Clean Air Award in recognition for the outstanding work she did to educate the public about ozone pollution at a Lehigh Valley/Berks Clean Air Partnership meeting at Hercules Cement in Northampton County.
* Western PA Environmental Awards Program Winners Announced
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council announced the winners of the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Program this week at a special awards dinner in Pittsburgh where Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, provided the keynote address.
* Western PA Audubon Announces Education and Conservation Award Winners
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania this week presented six environmental education and conservation awards to local individuals and organizations who exemplify the environmental education and conservation mission of Audubon--
* Call for Nominations for Northeastern Environmental Partnership Awards
The Northeast Environmental Partners are seeking nominations for the 15th annual Environmental Partnership Awards and the 11th annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award.
* Groundwater Foundation Accepting Nominations For National Awards
The Groundwater Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the nature and value of groundwater, is accepting nominations for its four national awards.
* Quick Clips
NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state.
* Watershed NewsClips
A sampling of NewsClips on watershed issues from around Pennsylvania.
* Regulations
No new regulations were published this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published final guidance on enforcement of blasting requirements. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of a reorganization of the agency. The Public Utility Commission published notice of an extension of the comment period on electricity default service requirements.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* PA Environment Digest Anniversary
Thank You!  And Keep Up the Great Work Out There!  This week we begin our second year of publishing the Digest. We want to thank the dozens of contributors who helped us put together the latest news on legislative and regulatory issues, provided their success stories, highlighted resources readers could use to help their organizations succeed and the companies who support the Digest through their listings in the Professional Services Directory. Keep it coming!

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