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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, April 30, 2018 Issue #722
(4/30/2018)
* New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers

National, state, and local partners gathered on a Lancaster County farm Tuesday for the announcement of one of Pennsylvania’s most ambitious, collaborative, and challenging efforts to restore and protect its rivers and streams – the planting of 10 million trees by the end of 2025.

* PA Environmental Professionals Recognize Felicia Dell, York Planning; Suskie Bassmasters With Karl Mason, Walter Lyon Awards

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals Monday announced they recognized Felicia Dell, Director of the York County Planning Commission with the Karl Mason Award and the Suskie Bassmasters with the Walter Lyon Award.

* DCNR Honors Parks In Allegheny, Delaware Counties With Green Park Award

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Friday announced Aspinwall Riverfront Park in Allegheny County and Clem Macrone Park in Delaware County are recipients of DCNR’s annual Green Park Award.

* House Will Again Try To Move 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 again try to move 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.

* House Committee Meets April 30 To Consider Conventional Drilling Bill Weakening Environmental Protection Standards For Fracking

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet April 30 to consider House Bill 2154 (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate conventional drilling operations based on the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act.

* Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC To Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction

Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) Friday filed a formal legal complaint  and a petition for interim emergency relief with the Public Utility Commission to prohibit construction of the Mariner East 2 and Mariner East 2X pipelines in West Whiteland Township.

* 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--

* Senate Committee Reports Out Pipeline Safety, Construction Bills

The Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee Tuesday approved and reported out several bills related to pipeline safety and construction.  They include--

* Senate Committees Hear Short-Term Measures Like Stream Cleaning May Make Flooding Worse If Stream Characteristics Not Taken Into Account

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees Wednesday held a joint hearing on flooding and emergency response with testimony by state and local officials. 

* Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April 28

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Monday announced the 15th Semi-Annual National Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, will be held on April 28 from 10:00 to 2:00.

* House Committee To Consider Local Clean Energy Financing Bill May 1

The House Commerce Committee is scheduled to meet May 1 to consider Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program that authorizes local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects for commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs (Senate Fiscal Note and summary).

* House Agriculture Committee Holds June 5 Hearing On Lawn Fertilizer Bill

The House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 792 (Alloway-R-Adams) regulating the application of lawn fertilizer.

* April Environmental Synopsis Newsletter Now Available From Joint Conservation Committee

The April edition of The Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring stories on--

* Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest

The Department of Agriculture Thursday reminded farmers the deadline to apply for the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm conservation tax credit program is June 30.  It is recommended producers apply by June 1 for this first-come, first-served program.

* Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay

Penn State Extension is bringing together farmers like Jim Harbach, industry, and government agencies to come up with science-based solutions for reducing pollutants in the area’s watersheds impacting the Chesapeake Bay.

* Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA

Matthew Royer is director of the Agriculture and Environment Center in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. In this role, he works with key stakeholders to proactively build partnerships to improve the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways, and by extension, the pollution problem in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

* Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania

Sarah Xenophon is a watershed technician in the Agriculture and Environment Center in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. She creates large-scale watershed assessments and meets with farmers, landowners, municipalities and others to restore polluted or otherwise “sick” bodies of water in Pennsylvania.

* Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield County

By Steve Harmic, Penn State News

* PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration

Addressing the need for better stormwater management along the Susquehanna River, First Lady Frances Wolf Monday officially unveiled a newly constructed rain garden at the Governor’s Residence.

* Students See Green: Mock Spill Illustrates Potential Impact Of Wastewater Leak

By Matt Carroll, Penn State News

* Latest UpStream Newsletter Now Available From Stroud Water Research Center

The latest edition of the UpStream newsletter from Chester County-based Stroud Water Research Center is now available featuring articles on--

* Capital Region Water Invites Public For Tour Of DeHart Dam Reservoir In Dauphin County May 19

Capital Region Water is inviting the public to register for a behind-the-scenes tour of the DeHart Dam Reservoir in Dauphin County on May 19.

* Earth Day Kicks Off With Great American Cleanup Of PA Events All Around Pennsylvania

To kickoff Earth Day celebrations across the state, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation, Keep Chester Beautiful, Covanta, local officials and residents came together at Sun Village Park in the City of Chester, Delaware County, for a Great American Cleanup of PA beautification event on April 20.

* Columbia Gas Of PA Latest Sponsor Of KPB's Great American Cleanup Of PA, Local Events

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Tuesday announced Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania has pledged support for the 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA, a statewide community improvement initiative that runs now through May 31.

* Reminder: PRC, Partners Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events In Western PA Starting May 5

The PA Resources Council and its partners have scheduled seven Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in Western Pennsylvania starting on May 5 with an event at North Park in Allegheny County.

* Gov. Wolf: Saturday April 28 Is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday reminded Pennsylvanians disposing of old, unneeded, or expired prescriptions can help decrease access to powerful opioids and other prescription drugs.

* PA Sea Grant: Perils Of Plastic Presentation May 3 At The Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie

Pennsylvania Sea Grant, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Regional Science Consortium, and Environment Erie will host a May 3 “The Perils of Plastic,” an evening presentation by Dr. Sherri Mason, a renowned plastic pollution researcher.

* DEP Issues $20,750 Penalty Against Carbon County Property Owner For Waste Violations

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it issued a $20,750 civil penalty against James Umbriac of Banks Township, Carbon County for illegally disposing, storing, and burning solid waste on his property along Centtown Road.

* DEP Celebrates Reuse Of Brownfield Site By AeroAggregates In Delaware County

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell Wednesday visited AeroAggregates, LLC in Eddystone, Delaware County to tour the remediated brownfield site and celebrate the company’s commitment to recycling innovation.

* DEP, Local Officials Tour Crazy Aaron's Putty World, Celebrate Remediation Of Brownfield Site In Montgomery County

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and local officials Thursday visited Crazy Aaron’s Putty World in Norristown, Montgomery County to celebrate the remediation, redevelopment, and revitalization of an area brownfield.

* EPA Announces $2.7 Million In Grants For 7 Brownfields Projects In PA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced 144 communities that will receive Brownfields grants for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups, including $2.7 million in grants to support seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania.

* DEP Permits For Brunner Island, Moxie Freedom Natural Gas Power Plants

The Department of Environmental Protection issued the required Air Quality Permit for the conversion of the Brunner Island Power Plant in York County from coal to natural gas. (April 28 PA Bulletin, page 2451)

* DCNR Signs Submerged Lands Agreement With EQT Drilling Worth $874,200 In Greene, Washington Counties

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the April 28 PA Bulletin it has executed an Oil and Gas Lease for Publicly-Owned Streambeds with the EQT Drilling Company for $874,200, plus natural gas royalties.

* Exelon Sets Goal Of Further Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 15% By 2022

Exelon Thursday announced it is setting a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its internal operations by 15 percent by 2022.

* FirstEnergy Files Letter With NRC Affirming Plans To Deactivate Beaver Valley, 2 Other Nuclear Power Plants

FirstEnergy Solutions Wednesday announced it has filed a Certification Letter with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission formally notifying the Commission of its decision to permanently deactivate its nuclear power plants – two in Ohio and a third in Pennsylvania – over the next three years, citing "severe economic challenges."

* PECO Receives Energy Star Partner Of The Year - Sustained Excellence Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented Exelon’s energy companies, including  PECO, with the Energy Star Partner of the Year: Sustained Excellence Award.

* Pittsburgh-Based PPG Reports Sustainability Progress, New 2025 Goals

PPG Tuesday released its 2017 Corporate Sustainability Report, which details the company’s continued progress in strengthening its sustainable operations in 2017 and the launch of new, aggressive sustainability goals it aims to achieve by 2025.

* Penn State Behrend Campus Will Connect Erie Companies To Shell Ethane Plant Project

The Department of Community and Economic Development Tuesday announced it has selected Penn State Behrend as a lead partner for developing business and market opportunities created by a $6 billion Shell Pennsylvania Chemicals project in Beaver County.

* 569 Registered For Central PA Conservancy's April 29 Ironmaster's Challenge 50K, 15K Trail Events

On April 29, 569 participants are registered to hike or run the popular Ironmaster’s Challenge 50K Ultra Marathon Trail Run and the 15K Challenge Trail Run!

* South To Christian Street Segment Of Schuylkill River Trail Dedicated In Philadelphia

The South to Christian Street Segment of the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia was dedicated on Sunday.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn. Get Outdoors Poconos Booklets On 10 More Great Hikes

The Brodhead Watershed Association has released the second volume of its Get Outdoors Poconos booklets. The new volume includes maps, directions, photos and more of 10 places to hike in the Poconos.

* Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Education, Other Programs Coming Up In May

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy Tuesday highlighted education and other programs coming up in May, including--

* Learn About Planting A Pollinator Garden At Adams Ricci Butterfly Garden May 12 In Cumberland County

The Cumberland County Penn State Master Gardeners will hold a special grand opening and pollinator education event on May 12 at the Adams Ricci Butterfly Garden near the Midway Pavilion at Adams Ricci Park, 100 E. Penn Drive in Enola, Cumberland County from Noon to 3:00.

* Natural Lands, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Conservation Fund Preserve 1,054 Acre Former Scout Camp In Pike County

A 1,054-acre former Girl Scout camp near Dingmans Ferry in Pike County has become part of the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, permanently protecting it from development.

* Game Commission Biologists Receive Recognition From The Wildlife Society

Game Commission biologists Mary Jo Casalena, Chris Rosenberry, Greg Turner and Lisa Williams were recognized Monday for their outstanding contributions to wildlife management by the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society.

* 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 final regulations amending Chapter 109 setting disinfection rule requirements in the April 28 PA Bulletin page 2509.

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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:  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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