On November 11, PA Environment Digest listed more than a dozen bipartisan environmental and energy bills the Senate and House could do before 2019 ends.  How well did they do?

More than a dozen major businesses and higher education institutions across Pennsylvania wrote to members of the state Senate and House calling on state lawmakers to prioritize policies that will accelerate the Commonwealth’s transition to a low-carbon economy by increasing in-state investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation.

On December 10, DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to review an updated draft PA Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory which shows there was a nearly 19 percent reduction in emissions between 2005 and 2016 from all sectors.

By Sarah Fecht, Columbia University Earth Institute Blog

By Matthew J. Long, Penn State News

By Ed Perry, National Wildlife Federation

The Youth Sunrise Movement #ClimateStrike will hold a rally-action day in Harrisburg on December 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the Capitol steps.

Mel and Marc Lewis of Hillsgrove were recipients of the 2019 Joseph T. Rothrock Conservationist of the Year Award presented at the Pennsylvania Forestry Association’s Annual Symposium at the Toftrees Resort in State College on September 27.

At the 2019 Pennsylvania Forestry Association Annual Symposium, the Association presented its inaugural Mira Lloyd Dock Outstanding Woman Conservationist Award to Rachel Reyna.

At the 2019 Pennsylvania Forestry Association Annual Symposium, the Association presented the Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education to Dr. Beth Brantley who was a long-time professor at Penn State Mont Alto.

Ryan Davis is the Pennsylvania Forest Program Manager for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

Ann Swanson, Executive Director of the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission, recently received the Chesapeake Conservancy Champion of the Bay Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 31 years of service in that position.

Purdue University researchers have just completed a three-year study of two popular methods used to repair damaged culverts and pipes called spray-on lining and cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining.

By Derek Eberly, PA Field Representative, TRCP

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has scheduled to webinars for prospective applications of Community Conservation Partnerships Grant Program applicants.

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for Laurel Highlands Conservation Mini Grant Program.  The deadline to apply is December 13.

Four state parks have seen a 48 percent reduction in cigarette litter at the midpoint of a joint Keep PA Beautiful and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources project to implement the national Cigarette Litter Prevention Program in participating parks.

DCNR’s Bureau of Geological Survey, also known as the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the fourth Pennsylvania Geological Survey!

On November 27, Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law Senate Bill 147 (Laughlin-R-Erie), which permits additional hunting on three Sundays per calendar year – one within the archery deer season, one within the firearms deer season and one selected by the Game Commission.

By Jim Foster, Active Hiker

On November 27, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn reminded hunters heading out in search of white-tailed deer Saturday they will find 516 miles of newly opened state forest roads available.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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--

Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill), Democratic Caucus Administrator, announced last week he is retiring at the end of his term.  Also not seeking reelection in 2020 are-- Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Delaware),  Rep. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson) and Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery).

On November 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is asking the public for input on potentially adding certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals companies are required to report to the agency as part of the Toxics Release Inventory reporting program.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for research on PFAS Impacts In Rural Communities and Agricultural Operations.  The deadline for applications is February 11.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is excited to announce it will begin accepting applications on December 9 for approximately $44 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program Grants to support projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines.

By Jodi Sulpizio, York County Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on mine reclamation projects in Cambria and Lackawanna counties in the November 30 PA Bulletin.

By Danielle Rhea, Extension Educator

By Bryan Swistock, Water Resources Coordinator

By Kelly Arcieri, York County Master Watershed Steward

The PA Horticultural Society is hosting a December 3 public meeting on Philadelphia’s Urban Agriculture Plan - Growing From The Root at the Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street in Philadelphia from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

A bundle of award-winning water education tools from Penn State Extension is now available and designed to engage youth in learning opportunities about water, science, and technology, and will help to create a future generation of water stewards and innovators.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant is now accepting applications for the 2021 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, sponsored by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program. The deadline for applications is February 21.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting applications for student scholarships.  The deadline for applications is February 7.

PPL Electric Utilities will start accepting applications for its Future Environmental Leaders Student Scholarships on December 1.  The deadline for applications is April 30.

SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support) recently celebrated the most successful Free Book Swap in the event’s 8-year-history. Conducted at the Park Street Complex in Honesdale, Wayne County, the cherished community event achieved its highest numbers ever.

The Northeast Recycling Council has issued a call for papers for the Spring Conference to be held April 20-21 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.  The deadline for submissions is December 23.

On November 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced Clarion Boards, LLC, a subsidiary of Kronospan, has agreed to a Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty in the amount of $229,950 for air pollution violations at its facility in Paint Township, Clarion County.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a January 3 hearing [if needed] on the proposed Johnstown Area Ozone Attainment Maintenance Plan. (Nov. 30 PA Bulletin)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a January 14 hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for ArcelorMittal Steelton, LLC facility in Steelton Borough, Dauphin County (Nov. 30 PA Bulletin, page 7107).

By Noelle Wiker, Carnegie Mellon University News

The latest Environmental Justice newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

The Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee added five plants to the Noxious Weed List at its October 24 meeting (Nov. 30 PA Bulletin).

The PA Environmental Council will hold a public meeting on December 5 to gather input for a feasibility study for the proposed Wilkes-Barre and Eastern Rail Trail Corridor.

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host a December 14 Hike To Table Rock, high above the Delaware Water Gap from 10:00 a.m. to Noon in Monroe County.

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting nominations for its 2019 Lifetime Leadership and Land Conservation Government Leadership Awards.

The November 27 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The November 29 Take Five Fridays With Pam from PA Parks and Forests Foundation features articles on--

The Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project is seeking qualified candidates to fill an Executive Director position.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is now accepting applications for the position of Pennsylvania Office Executive Director based in Harrisburg.

The Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management is seeking candidates to fill two, three-year full-time Land Research Survey Technicians in Luzerne and Sullivan counties.

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 96 page PA Environment Digest.

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. 

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 28-29 in State College.  Click Here if you are interested in being a sponsor too.  Registration opening soon.

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