The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee will meet on November 20 in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

On November 15, the Department of Environmental Protection released a set of 15 strategies to increase the state’s solar energy electricity generation to 10 percent of Pennsylvania’s electricity production by 2030.

On November 13, the Department of Environmental Protection announced EQT Production Company has paid a $294,000 civil penalty prescribed in a consent order and agreement for Clean Streams Law violations in Allegheny County. 

On November 15, Gov. Tom Wolf announced an investment of $50 million for 280 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources and help revitalize local communities by DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Henry Bronson, 71, of Millerton, [Tioga County], has always had a love of the outdoors and spent most of his life hiking and backpacking. He jokingly said, “If you look in the dictionary for outdoor activities, you’ll likely find my name.”

Three Chesapeake Forest Champions were recognized for their efforts to conserve forests in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed at the Chesapeake Watershed Forum the first week in November.

Each year in July, since 2011, biologists from the PA Natural Heritage Program have participated in a global citizen science project for National Moth Week.

On November 4, the Scranton Times-Tribune published a profile of 13-year-old Hannah Puttcamp by Gia Mazure, a Girl Scout to earn the Girl Scouts’ Silver Award for community service by building a section of the Tunnel Trail in Lackawanna State Park in Lackawanna County.  Here’s the beginning of the article--

The RiverStewards organization is working with students at Millersville University on Susquehanna Storytelling-- a series of blog articles, videos, and other means of educating people on what makes the Susquehanna River so special and important to the economy, the environment, and to our quality of life.

The Game Commission published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin saying it will accept public comment until January 25 on changes to state endangered species listing for three cave bats decimated by white nose syndrome, as well as changes in the status of three wild birds.  The previous deadline had been December31.

By: Will Price & Brian Kittler, Pinchot Institute

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--

On November 15, the Independent Fiscal Office reported in its Economic & Budget Outlook Report state government faces over $8 billion in deficits over the next 5 fiscal years due to rising costs, and in spite of better than expected increases in state revenue.

The Senate and House Republicans and Democrats last week elected their leadership teams for the 2019-20 legislative session and lots of familiar faces are returning.

The November newsletter from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is now available featuring stories on--

On November 15, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority released a 12-year plan outline for Pittsburgh’s water future entitled PGH2O 2030.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, New York League of Conservation Voters and Citizens Campaign for the Environment have posted on online petition urging the Governors of all 4 Delaware Watershed states to do more to regulate water flows in the river to protect water quality and river habitats.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin inviting the submission of water quality data that will assist in the review of water quality standards for Bear Creek and Nesquehoning and Mahoning creeks in Carbon County.

On November 5, Next City published an in depth profile of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Green Infrastructure Initiative in Stormwater Greening Is Good For Business by James A. Anderson.  The subtitle tells you Anderson’s approach to the story-- Digging into the successes and stumbles of Philly’s ambitious 25-year stormwater mitigation plan. Here’s a good read on green infrastructure--

The City of Pittsburgh has set new standards for development along the three rivers that rim its urban center-- the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. 

PA Environment Digest has become a sponsor of the combined 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.

On November 15, Keep America Beautiful and the Coca-Cola Foundation announced they are now accepting applications for their Public Spaces Recycling Bin Grants.  The deadline for applications is December 30.

November 15 was America Recycles Day to recognize the economic, environmental and social benefits of recycling, while raising awareness about the value of reducing, reusing and recycling-- every day.

By: Josh Raulerson, PA Environmental Council

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for East Penn Manufacturing in Richmond Township, Berks County on December 18.  (Nov. 17 PA Bulletin, page 7237)

On November 15, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is accepting applications for 2 new grant and rebate programs for trucks and buses through the Driving PA Forward Initiative.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced funding for three clean diesel projects totaling $4.7 million to reduce air pollution from aging diesel engines in the Mid-Atlantic region.

National Fuel Gas Company and five of its subsidiaries, spanning all key sectors of the natural gas value chain, announced their recent acceptance into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program.

PPL Electric Utilities and GE Power Digital Tuesday announced a joint initiative to develop and test software to manage and control electricity from renewable and stored energy sources.

By: Michael C. Korb, P.E., Senior Mining Engineer, Tetra Tech, Inc.

By Penn State News

By Christina Simeone, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy

The South Mountain Partnership is asking the public to submit nominations for the 7th Spirit of South Mountain Award covering Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties. The deadline for nominations is January 18.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will now hold the public meeting on the Pinchot State Forest District Resource Management Plan on December 5 at the District Office, 1841 Abington Road, North Abington Township, Lackawanna County from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will hold a Vendor Forum for Denton Hill State Park in Potter County.

The Pocono Heritage Land Trust will host a Tree Identification and Leaf Peeping Hike on November 18 at the Pocono Creek Nature Preserve located at 219 Old Mill Road in Tannersville, Monroe County from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The latest issue of the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape newsletter is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring stories on outdoor recreation and conservation in the region.

The November 14 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is accepting bids for the purchase of 0.71 acres of land and a building that was the Buchanan State Forest District Office, 440 Buchanan Trail, McConnellsburg in Fulton County.  The deadline for bids is December 20.  (formal notice)

The PA Lake Management Society is seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of Executive Director.

The Chester County Water Resources Authority is seeking candidates for a Water Resources Planner.    Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs.  NEW means new from last week.

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 62 pages long.

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.

PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.