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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, April 16, 2018 Issue #720
(4/16/2018)
* Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority Receives Governor's Local Government Award For MS4 Stormwater Management Partnership

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) Wednesday announced the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority and its Executive Director Jim Tomaine has received one of the 2018 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence in the category of Building Community Partnerships.

* DEP Launches Community Clean Water Toolbox To Expand Local Engagement In Reducing Water Pollution

About 200 leaders from municipal governments, county conservation districts, agriculture, environmental groups, water companies, and other entities participated Tuesday in a meeting hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection to expand local engagement in Phase 3 of the state plan for improving water quality in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

* Bay Journal: States Collaborate On Implementation Plan For Conowingo Dam On Susquehanna

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Bay Journal: States Will Have To Account For Climate Change In Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plans

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* PEC, EDF: Conventional Oil & Gas Bill Will Reverse, Weaken Environmental Protection Standards For Fracking

The PA Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Fund Wednesday sent a letter to the members of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee expressing their concerns about legislation weakening environmental protection standards for conventional oil and gas drilling.

* DEP: 2014 Data Shows Less Than 1% Of Unconventional, Conventional Natural Gas Wells Reported Well Integrity Problems That Could Contaminate Fresh Water

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday released an analysis of 2014 data on well structural soundness submitted by thousands of oil and gas well operators which found less than 1 percent of operator observations indicated the types of well integrity problems that would allow natural gas to move into groundwater.

* DCNR Extends Deadline For Community Conservation Partnership Grants To April 18

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has extended the deadline for Community Conservation Partnership Grants to April 18.  The deadline was April 11.

* Champions Of The PA Wilds Award Winners Announced, Will Be Recognized April 26 In Williamsport

The PA Wilds Center Friday announced the winners of the 2018 Champions of the PA Wilds Award who will be honored at an awards dinner on April 26 in Williamsport.

* 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--

* Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

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

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 Committee Approves Alternative Ratemaking Bill To Encourage Conservation, Renewable Energy

The House Consumer Affairs Committee Wednesday amended and reported out House Bill 1782 (Delozier-R-Cumberland) authorizing alternative ratemaking for electric and natural gas distribution companies to encourage energy efficiency improvements, distributed and renewable energy projects

* House Passes Resolution Calling For Federal Study Of Contamination At Former Military Bases In Bucks, Montgomery Counties

Citing local residents’ right to safe, clean drinking water, Representatives Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery), Kathy Watson (R-Bucks) and Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks) Tuesday thanked their House colleagues for supporting House Resolution 682 (Stephens-R-Montgomery) that asks the federal government to study any potential health effects stemming from water contamination at the former Naval Air Station in Willow Grove.

* Sen. Yudichak Circulating Governor’s Natural Gas Severance Tax, Well Permitting Changes For Co-Sponsors

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Monday circulated a memo asking his colleagues to join him in co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1000-- Gov. Wolf’s proposed natural gas severance tax and well permitting changes.

* House Republican Proposal Would Force Vote On Budget For Each State Agency Separately

Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny) introduced a 39-bill package Monday that would fund state agencies and programs through individual bills, rather than in one omnibus General Fund appropriations bill.

* Senate-House Nuclear Energy Caucus Meets April 17

The bipartisan Senate-House Nuclear Energy Caucus is scheduled to meet on April 17 to hear an update from Pennsylvania's nuclear power plant operators, including FirstEnergy Solutions, Talen Energy and Exelon.

* Full House Expected To Debate 5 Bills Creating New Bureaucracies To Take Permit Reviews Away From DEP, Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing

Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), Republican Caucus Chair, alerted members of her Caucus Thursday the House will next week debate a package of five Republican bills giving the General Assembly authority to kill regulations by doing nothing and creating new bureaucracies taking permit reviews away from DEP, putting a cap on the number of regulations, requiring the elimination of two regulations for every new one adopted and setting up a procedure to waive penalties for violations.

* 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Now Accepting Registrations, Oddity Award Nominations

Registration is now open for the 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to be held June 20-21 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center in State College.

* April Catalyst Newsletter Now 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 stories on--

* Kettle Creek Watershed Assn April Newsletter Now Available

The April newsletter of the Kettle Creek Watershed Association is now available featuring stories on--

* Crowd-Funding Initiative: Hellbender Conservation Campaign; House Action Uncertain To Designate Hellbender PA’s Symbol Of Clean Water

The Clean Water Institute of Lycoming College now has a crowd-funding initiative underway to restore Eastern Hellbender populations in Pennsylvania and New York over the next three years.

* Bi-State Solution To Protecting Clean Water In The Brandywine-Christina Watershed May 3 In Chester County

The Brandywine Conservancy and its partners will host a one-day conference May 3 on Bi-State Solution To Protecting Clean Water in the Brandywine-Christina Watershed in Pennsylvania and Delaware at the Mendenhall Inn, Route 52, Mendenhall, Chester County.

* Help Needed For Brandywine River Cleanup Set For April 21 In Chester County

Help clean up the Brandywine River! The Young Friends of the Brandywine are currently seeking volunteers to assist with its 25th Annual Brandywine River Cleanup on April 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Volunteers Needed April 15 To Help Clean Plastic Pellets From Pocono Creek In Tannersville, Monroe County

The Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Monroe County is asking for volunteers to help clear Pocono Creek in Tannersville of plastic pellets spilled in the creek from a truck accident.

* Trout Habitat Stream Restoration Project Made Possible By Growing Greener In Venango County

DEP Regional Director Jim Miller and staff Thursday joined with project partners and community leaders to tour fish passage structures that are in place and support increased spawning habitat and passage for native and wild trout in the Porcupine Run watershed in Venango County.

* Pike County Conservation District Stormwater Management Field Tour May 15

The Pike County Conservation District will host a free field tour on May 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., of local sites that have successfully implemented Best Management Practices related to stormwater runoff and weather resiliency.

* CBF-PA: More Tree Planting Events Scheduled In Pennsylvania, Sign Up Today!

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA is urging Pennsylvanians to help plant trees at one of the many tree planting events groups are scheduling in the PA portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed April 13 to May 5.

* PA Horticultural Society, PA Rotary Clubs Partner On Tree Planting Project To Help Meet Rotary’s International Goal

Rotary District 7450, representing 50 Southeast Pennsylvania Rotary clubs, and the PA Horticultural Society are partnering on a large-scale Earth Day service project to plant 80 trees in Upper Merion Township’s Bob White Park in Montgomery County 

* Thomas Hylton: Greening Our Cities & Towns Program April 18 In Harrisburg

The Paxton Creek Watershed and Education Association and Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA are hosting a presentation by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas Hylton on Greening Our Cities and Towns April 18 at the Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

* Penn State Water Insights Seminar April 17: Connection Between Phosphorus Runoff And Eutrophication

The next and final Penn State Water Insights Seminar for this series will be held April 17 and features Dr. Peter Kleinman speaking on the topic of the connection between phosphorus runoff and eutrophication.

* Delaware River Basin Commission 2017 Annual Report Now Available

The Delaware River Basin Commission’s 2017 Annual Report-- Value Throughout the Year-- is now available.

* Celebrate PA Conservation District Week April 15-21

The Pennsylvania Senate and House declared April 15-21, 2018 as “Conservation District Week.” The dates coincide with Earth Day (April 22nd) events and celebrations.

* Pike/Wayne Conservation Partnership: Experience Earth Week April 21-29

The Pike/Wayne Conservation Partnership will host Experience Earth Week, from April 21 through 29. It’s easy and fun to participate! Simply download your passport and print it, or stop by any of the Partnership member organizations to find one.

* DEP Williamsport Office To Hold Earth Day Open House April 23

DEP's Northcentral Regional Office in Williamsport is inviting citizens of all ages to talk one-on-one with DEP staff, view educational displays and demonstrations, and sign up for a new opportunity to engage with DEP at an Earth Day Open House April 23 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

* Volunteers Needed For Clinton County CleanScapes: April 14 West Branch Susquehanna, April 28 Jersey Shore, Lycoming County

Volunteers are needed for Clinton County CleanScapes cleanup events on April 14 and April 28.

* Keep PA Beautiful Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest Now Accepting Entries

Anyone participating in Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup of PA is reminded to submit an entry in the video contest.  The deadline for entries is June 8.

* Keep PA Beautiful Urges Students To Apply For KAB’s Youth Advisory Council

Keep America Beautiful is now accepting applications for the 2018-2019 National Youth Advisory Council which provides an opportunity for 10 high school students (15-18 years old) from diverse backgrounds to participate in a service learning and leadership development program.

* Goddard Student Leadership Legacy Institute Accepting Applications For July 8-13 Program

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy's Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute is now accepting applications for its leadership camp for youth ages 13 to 15 for its July 8-13 Program.  The deadline for applications is June 3.

* Philadelphia Air Management Services Invites Comments On RACT Air Quality Standards

Air Management Services in Philadelphia is inviting comments on a proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan amendment RACT controls for existing sources of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.  (April 14 PA Bulletin, page 2201)

* EPA Threatens PA With Sanctions For Failing To Submit A Plan On Time To Reduce Particulate Pollution In Allegheny, Delaware, Lebanon Counties

On April 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a finding in the Federal Register that Pennsylvania has failed to submit a complete State Air Quality Implementation plan for fine particulates under the federal Clean Air Act for Allegheny County, Lebanon County, and Delaware counties.

* Wolf Announces Affordable Housing Funding Supported By Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced recipients of a new round of funding for housing programs made available through the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund.

* Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station Opens At Lehigh/Northampton Transportation Authority In Allentown

The Department of Transportation Thursday announced the start of service at a Compressed Natural Gas fueling station at the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority facility in Allentown.

* DEP Awards Funding For 19 Alternative Fuel Programs For Schools, Business, Municipalities

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced the approval of funding through the Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants (AFIG) program to support 19 alternative fuel projects that will save hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel and reduce air pollution in Pennsylvania.

* Philadelphia #15 On Top 25 Cities List For EPA Energy Star Certified Buildings In 2017

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced its tenth-annual “Top Cities” list, which ranks the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in the preceding calendar year.

* Sustainable Pittsburgh Sets Sights On Clean Energy Future With New Initiative

Last June, when President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Accord and name dropped Pittsburgh in his reasoning behind it, Mayor Bill Peduto responded clearly: He announced efforts to power the city on 100 percent renewable energy by 2035.

* Pittsburgh Startups Launch New Tech To Help Homeowners Reduce Energy, Water Use

Pittsburgh’s commitment to a sustainable future continues to drive research and the creation of innovative green technologies that improve how Western Pennsylvanians live and work, while reducing our impact on the planet.

* Energy Efficiency, Pollution Reductions Celebrated At Benton Foundry In Columbia County

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell visited the Benton Foundry in Benton, Columbia County, Wednesday to celebrate the company’s full-facility energy audit using DEP grant funding, and the implementation of energy efficiency improvements to reduce energy usage, decrease air pollution, and save money.

* PJM Asks FERC To Address Utility Subsidy Requests For Aging Coal, Nuclear Plants

PJM Interconnection Monday requested the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to determine how the wholesale electric capacity market should address state subsidies of electric generators.

* U.S. EIA Projects 5% Decline In Coal Production, Another Record Year For Natural Gas, Carbon Dioxide Emissions Increase In 2018

The U.S. Energy Information Agency Tuesday released its short-term energy outlook projecting a 5 percent decline in coal production, another record year for domestic natural gas production and an increase in wind energy generation in 2018.

* Applications Now Being Accepted For SME PA Anthracite Section Mining Student Scholarships

The PA Anthracite Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration is now accepting applications for the John Kaminski Memorial Scholarships for mining-related engineering or science majors for Pennsylvania students.

* SME PA Anthracite Section Spring Meeting April 26 In Schuylkill County

The PA Anthracite Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration will hold its spring meeting on April 26 at Capriotti's, 1 Banks Avenue in McAdoo, Schuylkill County staring at 5:30.

* Western PA Audubon: Volunteers Needed For Habitat Restoration Project May 5, Butler County

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to support 21-acre habitat restoration project on May 5 at 148 Thompson Road in Sarver, Butler County.

* Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests Field Conference May 19

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests will hold the 7th Annual Loving The Land Through Working Forests Field Conference on May 19 at the Floraroze Forest near 9201 South Creek Road, Girard in Erie County from 7:30 to 4:00.

* Get Outdoors PA Webinar On Preventing Tick Bites, Tick-Borne Disease April 18

The PA Recreation and Park Society is hosting a Preventing Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Disease webinar on April 18 from 11:00 to Noon.

* Delaware Highlands Conservancy Native Plants Walk May 19 In Milford Experimental Forest. Pike County

Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy staff and partners for a Native Plants Walk on May 19 at the Milford Experimental Forest in Milford, Pike County from 9:00 to Noon.

* Special Veterans Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Weekend In Potter County May 4-6

The Kettle Creek Watershed Association is honored to partner with, and sponsor The Third Annual Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing weekend in Cross Fork, Potter County and Kettle Creek Adventures Lodge B&B May 4-6.

* DCNR Invites Proposals For Exhibit, Publication Development, Design Firm

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the April 14 PA Bulletin seeking proposals for a professional wayside exhibit and publication development, design and production firm.  Click Here for all the details.

* Volunteer Adult Mentors Wanted: Wildlife Leadership Academy

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is still accepting applications for volunteer Adult Mentor positions at its wildlife/fisheries focused summer field schools.  Motivated teachers are encouraged to apply.

* Board Members Wanted: Tree Pittsburgh

Tree Pittsburgh is seeking Board members with expertise in Public Health, Community Leadership, Marketing, Sustainability, and Law.

* 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.

* Awards & Grants

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 - April 14, 2018

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 82 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.

* 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.

* Register Now For 20th PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

Registration is now open for the 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to be held June 20-21 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center in State College. Join PA Environment Digest as a sponsor of this terrific Conference.

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