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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, June 11, 2018 Issue #728
(6/11/2018)
* House Passes Bill Weakening Standards For Conventional Oil & Gas Drilling, Senate Committee Considers Tuesday

The House Tuesday voted 111 to 84 to pass House Bill 2154 (Causer-R- Cameron), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act, which weakens environmental protection standards for conventional oil and gas drilling and turns back the clock 34 years to the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act.

* Senate Committee To Consider House Conventional Oil & Gas Bill, DRBC Eminent Domain, Pipelines, Ethane Hub, Recycling, Trail Bills June 12

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet June 12 to consider 8 bills and resolutions, including House Bill 2154 weakening environmental protection standards for conventional oil and gas drilling and Senate Bill 1189 declaring the Delaware River Basin Commission proposed moratorium on fracking a taking of property rights.

* POSTPONED: House Environmental Committee Meets June 12 On Bill To Implement Governor’s Oil & Gas Well Permitting Reforms

POSTPONED: Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Monday announced on the House Floor he has postponed the meeting scheduled for June 12 on House Bill 2304 (Fritz-R-Susquehanna) which would enact the oil and gas well permitting reforms proposed by Gov. Wolf in January.

* Wolf Announces Final General Permits Limiting Methane Emissions From New Unconventional Oil & Gas Operations

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced the Department of Environmental Protection is releasing the final versions of General Permit 5 and 5A to control methane emissions from unconventional natural gas operations at new compressor stations, processing, transmission facilities and well sites. (formal notice)

* Sen. Dinniman Calls On PUC To Post Mariner East Pipelines Case Public Comments Online

Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) Thursday asked the Public Utility Commission to post all public comments online and on the official docket of the case regarding the suspension of Sunoco’s Mariner East pipeline project.

* DEP Invites Citizens To Sign Up For New Regional Community Engagement Events

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it has launched a new initiative to connect with residents in their communities to discuss topics of local interest.

* DEP Blog: DEP Connects Invites Citizens To Engage With DEP In Their Communities

By Megan Lehman, DEP Northcentral Regional Office

* Joint Budget & Finance Committee Water Use Fee Report Lays Groundwork For Further Discussion

The Joint Senate-House Legislative Budget & Finance Committee Wednesday released a new report-- Feasibility of Establishing A Water Use Fee In Pennsylvania Report-- that lays the factual groundwork for discussing one funding option Pennsylvania members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission pointed to as possible source of funding for a new Pennsylvania Clean Water Fund.

* PA Land Trusts Expanded Conserved Land By 36 Percent In Last 9 Years

The PA Land Trust Association Wednesday reported land trusts across the Commonwealth have increased the amount of land conserved by 36 percent between 2008 and December 2017.

* Pennsylvania Preserves 550,000th Acre Of Farmland

Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding Thursday announced the state has hit a major milestone, preserving 550,000 acres of farmland in the Commonwealth over the last three decades.

* DCNR Names Ellen Shultzabarger Pennsylvania's State Forester

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has named Ellen Shultzabarger Pennsylvania's next State Forester and Director of the Bureau of Forestry.

* 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 OKs Bill To Authorize Alternative Energy, Water Utility Ratemaking To Encourage Conservation, Infrastructure Investment

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee Wednesday reported out House Bill 1782 (Delozier-R-Cumberland) authorizing alternative ratemaking by the Public Utility Commission for utilities it regulates, including electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services.

* Senate, House Approve Resolutions Designating June 3-9 Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week

The Senate and House Monday unanimously approved separate resolutions designating the week of June 3 to 9 as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week.

* Witnesses Tell House Committee Of Nearly 8 Year Effort To Address Homeowner Fertilizer Use, Applicator Education, Registration

Staff from the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission told members of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Tuesday of their 8 year effort to address the issue of overapplication of fertilizers by homeowners and to adopt a registration and education program for professional applicators.

* House Passes Bill To Encourage Use Of Native Vegetation Along Highways

By a vote of 194 to 1, the House Wednesday passed House Bill 2131 (Quigley-R-Montgomery) encouraging the use of native vegetation along highways.

* House Committee Meets June 11 To Consider Resolution Calling For Audit Of PennVEST Nonpoint Source Program

The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is scheduled to meet on June 11 to consider House Resolution 948 (Causer-R-Cameron) requesting the Auditor General to do a financial audit of the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority nonpoint source water pollution control program.

* NEW DATE: House Committee To Consider Bill To Limit Eminent Domain Use On Land Protected By Conservation Easements June 12

The House Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet on June 12 to consider House Bill 2468 limiting the use of eminent domain by government agencies on land with conservation easements for parks and open space purposes.

* Senate House Nuclear Energy Caucus Meets June 19 On Environmental Impacts Of Nuclear Power Plants Shutting Down

The bipartisan Senate House Nuclear Energy Caucus is scheduled to meet on June 19 to hear presentations from environmental organizations about the impact the pending shut down of nuclear power plants will have on meeting air quality and carbon-free electricity generation goals.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council June 19 Meeting To Focus On Energy Programs, Public Engagement

The agenda for DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council June 19 meeting includes a discussion of the agency’s energy programs and public engagement and outreach.

* DEP, Agriculture Leaders Tour Award-Winning Stream Restoration Project At Plain Sect Farm In Lancaster

Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Greg Hostetter Monday toured a project that restored a badly eroded section of Big Beaver Creek on a Plain Sect farm in Lancaster County.

* DEP, Local Partners Highlight Marienville Library Rain Garden In Forest County As Growing Greener Grant Applications Come Due

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and local partners highlighted the Marienville Area Library rain garden in Forest County Friday to tout the significance of the state-funded Growing Greener Program.

* Independence Conservancy Completes Raccoon Creek Stream Bank, Buffer Project In Beaver County

Nonprofits Independence Conservancy and Stream Restoration Inc. recently completed a stream bank and buffer project on the main stem of Raccoon Creek in Potter Township, Beaver County funded by a  $99,785 DEP Growing Greener Watershed Protection Program Grant.

* Op-Ed: PA And Partners Have Plans To Pick Up The Pace Of Water Pollution Reductions

By Harry Campbell, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Office Executive Director

* Find Your Chesapeake GeoTour Launches June 9 In Wrightsville, York County

Over 150 geocaching adventurers are expected June 9 at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage in Wrightsville, York County for the launch of the new Find Your Chesapeake GeoTour.

* Call For Proposals: 2018 Chesapeake Watershed Forum Nov. 2-4 In Shepherdstown, WV

The Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay has issued a call for classroom and field experience proposals for the 2018 Chesapeake Watershed Forum on November 2-4 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

* Allegheny, Westmoreland Conservation Districts, Partners Host Local Green Infrastructure Tour June 26

The Allegheny and Westmoreland County Conservation Districts and their partners are hosting a Local Green Infrastructure Tour on June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. starting and ending at the Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd in Monroeville.

* Join June 13 Webinar To Learn How You Can Help Urge Congress To RECLAIM Abandoned Mine Lands

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation is urging individuals and groups interested in seeing Congress do more to fund local mine reclamation projects to attend a national webinar on June 13 at 1:00 or 7:00.

* DEP Invites Groups To Submit Data For Stream Standard Reviews For 3 Watersheds In 7 Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 9 PA Bulletin inviting groups and individuals to submit water quality and other information to help its review of water quality standards in three watersheds--

* Keep PA Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Fresh Paint Days Grants

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, along with partners BEHR paint and The Home Depot, are now accepting applications for 2018 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania Grants.  The deadline for applications is July 31.

* PA Resources Council, Partners Host June 16, 30 Hard-To-Recycle Collection Events In Allegheny County

The PA Resources Council and its partners will host two Hard-To-Recycle Collection events on June 16 and 30 in Allegheny County from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The events will be held at these locations--

* EQB Meets June 19 On Final Radiation Protection Regulations

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on June 19 to consider two final regulations relating to radiation protection.

* West Nile Virus Found In York County, Targeted Spraying Operations Begin This Season

The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced targeted spraying operations in several counties to help control the spread of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus.

* Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Saves Millions Thru Energy Efficiency

State and county officials joined energy efficiency advocates for a tour of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Central Campus Plant in Dauphin County Thursday to showcase the energy efficiency retrofits that saved the Center millions annually, while improving the patient care experience.

* PUC Publishes Final Policy Statement On Combined Heat, Power Technology

The Public Utility Commission formally published the policy statement it adopted in April to encourage combined heat and power (CHP) technology in the June 9 PA Bulletin.

* DEP Issues Water Quality Certification For Equitrans Pipeline Expansion Project In Greene County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 9 PA Bulletin that it has issued the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Equitrans Pipeline Expansion Project in Greene County (PA Bulletin page 3485).

* DEP Invites Comments On Monaca Gas Pipeline Project Water Quality Certification In Beaver, Washington Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 9 PA Bulletin proposing to issue a Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the National Fuel Gas Monaca Pipeline Project in Center and Potter townships, Beaver County and Buffalo Township, Washington County (PA Bulletin page 3488).

* PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In May Newsletter

The PA Environmental Council Monday published its In Case You Missed It In May newsletter featuring articles on--

* Penn State Extension Hosts Public Meetings On Spotted Lanternfly In Monroe, Schuylkill Counties

Penn State Extension is hosting a series of public meetings on the threats posed by the Spotted Lanternfly throughout Eastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, The Nature Conservancy-PA Partner To Protect 2,400 Acres Of Sanctuary Land

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and The Nature Conservancy-PA Thursday announced the two will protect over 2,400 acres of Sanctuary forestland for generations to come in Berks County.

* Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee Earns National Recognition

The National Coalition for Recreational Trails recently awarded DCNR’s Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee the 2018 Achievement Award for Outstanding State Recreational Trails Advisory Committee.

* William Penn Foundation Awards $10.6M For The Circuit Trails In Southeast PA

The William Penn Foundation Wednesday announced grants totaling $10.6 million in support of a project to build multi-use trails in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

* Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Join Conservation Groups In Telling Congress: Keep Bikes Out Of Wilderness Areas

The Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, joined 149 other conservation groups Thursday in opposing legislation in Congress “to reject an unprecedented call to weaken the Wilderness Act to allow for the use of mountain bikes in designated Wilderness.”

* Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape Initiative Awards $85,000 In Mini-Grants For 18 Projects

The Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape Initiative recently announced the award of $85,000 in mini-grants to 18 local recipients to advance the goals of land conservation, community revitalization and environmental education.

* They’re Off! College Students Research Brook Trout On Route 6 Trek In Northern Tier

Six college students from the PA Trout Unlimited’s  5 Rivers clubs have begun a month-long trek across Pennsylvania’s U.S. Route 6. Their purpose is to explore, do research, collect data and still have time do a little bit of fishing in the Northern Tier’s famed brook trout breeding grounds.

* Bay Journal: PA Shad Hatchery’s 42-Year Run May Be Coming To An End, Unless PA General Assembly Acts

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* 3 More Captive Deer Test Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease In Blair, Lancaster Counties

The Department of Agriculture Friday announced three captive deer have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Pennsylvania, bringing the total to 49 since the disease was discovered in Pennsylvania in 2012.

* 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 - June 9, 2018

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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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