On July 8, as expected, House Republicans and 26 Democrats voted 130 to 71 to pass House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) that takes away DEP’s authority to adopt carbon pollution reduction standards for power plants.

On July 8, the Department of Environmental Protection released a new analysis of its proposal to cut carbon pollution emissions from power plants which shows hundreds of lives and billions of dollars would be saved in Pennsylvania.

On July 6, the PA Environmental Council and the Environmental Defense Fund wrote to all members of the House urging them to oppose House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R-Indiana)-- that takes away DEP’s authority to adopt carbon pollution reduction standards for power plants.

On July 8, in advance of an expected vote in the House on House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R- Indiana) to obstruct an effective, market-based tool to create jobs and increase economic development, a coalition of Pennsylvania businesses, business associations, and nonprofit organizations sent a letter encouraging the Department of Environmental Protection to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy with proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). 

On July 7, Ceres, a national organization working with investors and companies to build a more sustainable economy, wrote to members of the House urging them to oppose House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R-Indiana)-- that takes away DEP’s authority to adopt carbon pollution reduction standards for power plants.

On July 6, Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania urged lawmakers not to be distracted by efforts to advance legislation-- House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R-Indiana)-- that attempts to block the Wolf Administration from entering Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

The latest short-term energy outlook released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts renewable sources of generation will produce more electricity than coal-fired power plants in 2020 and 2021.

As daytime temperatures across the Mid-Atlantic Region continue to top 90 degrees, the Public Utility Commission offers a series of simple ways that residents can stay cool, conserve energy and keep their bills manageable.

From March 16 to July 7, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 11 PA Bulletin applicants for the ESCGP-3 Erosion and Sedimentation Permit for Oil and Gas Operations must submit the Notice Of Intent through the ePermitting System effective September 9, 2020.  (formal notice)

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on July 21 to consider the final regulation increasing Air Quality Program permit fees and proposed changes to the Chapter 105 Waterways Management Permitting Program.

On July 21, DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting to hear a presentation on the decommissioning of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Dauphin County.

Only July 10, the Department of Environmental Protection posted an update to its Non-Regulatory Agenda showing the status of technical guidance in development.  (formal notice)

Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan Team is scheduled to have a virtual meeting on July 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

On July 9, the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards Program recognized six dairy farms, dairy processors and others having practices that improve the wellbeing of people, animals and the planet for 2020, including the Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership in Pennsylvania.

This week the Department of Environmental Protection will start a series of virtual meetings of the Statewide Water Resources and Regional Water Resources Advisory Committees to continue work on the update to the State Water Plan.

On July 8, the Department of Health reminded Pennsylvanians as they continue to spend more time outdoors this summer, it is important to take proper steps to protect against tick and mosquito bites.

Penn State Extension is offering a free, 10-part webinar series every Thursday to help raise awareness of the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in Pennsylvania.

Can you imagine not having the ability to take in fresh air and sunshine in the past four months of the COVID-19 pandemic?

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On July 8, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Organic Climbing in Philipsburg, Centre County, to highlight the role the outdoor recreation industry has on Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy.

On July 6, Natural Lands announced the organization has been awarded the Green and Sustainable Parks award from the PA Recreation and Parks Society which honors Natural Lands’ work-- along with partners Brandywine Health Foundation and the City of Coatesville, Chester County---to revitalize Coatesville’s Palmer Park.

Tim Herd is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive and the CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS).

The Wilds Cooperative of PA held a special PA Wilds Makers Market online market July 11 and 12, however you can still visit local businesses from the Pennsylvania Wilds that participated in this event to find your next WILD Thing!

Senate and House Republicans continued their fight with Gov. Wolf over who’s in charge on two fronts last week, and will add a third this week.

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

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--

On July 7, the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee issued a report making recommendations on supporting the coal refuse-fired power plants in response to the DEP proposal to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.

On July 9, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauded the $5.5 million funding increase for the Chesapeake Bay Program included in the fiscal year 2021 spending bill reported out of the U.S. House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday and made public today.

On July 6, Attorney General Josh Shapiro joined 15 other states, cities and the Environmental Defense Fund in filing a motion in federal court to require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop stalling on setting methane pollution standards for existing oil and gas operations.

On July 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region highlighted local successes in recycling as part of EPA's 50th anniversary celebration.

On July 8, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced it recently finalized a low-interest loan funding offer for $800,000 to Murmac Farms, LLC, a large-scale dairy and agricultural operation based in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

On July 6, a partnership of businesses, clean water advocates and outdoor recreation enthusiasts are raising awareness of the role of Exceptional Value streams for the resiliency and future success of the Pocono Mountains region.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 11 PA Bulletin inviting groups and individuals to submit information on the water quality of creeks and streams in the Allegheny River Watershed to be considered in DEP’s stream classification evaluation.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plan for the Mummasburg Run Watershed in Adams County (July 11 PA Bulletin, page 3545).

Although the 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit did not take place due to COVID-19 safety measures, there’s an opportunity to learn more about some of the topics that were on the agenda.

The Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center will host webinars in July, August and September on stormwater management and water infrastructure issues.

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host a July 25 webinar on The Big Deal About Rain Barrels starting at 10:00 a.m.

On July 9, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary announced their first three-part webinar series-- What Lies Beneath? Signature Species of the Delaware Estuary.

On July 9, PA American Water announced the winners of its 18th Annual Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest, with fifth-grade student Evey Concannon from Luzerne County scoring top honors.

On July 8, the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture announced their 30th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference in 2021 will be going virtual!

By Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute CEO

The Natural Resource Conservation Service-PA Office will host an August 4 webinar on Using High Tunnels for Agricultural Production in Pennsylvania starting at Noon.

On July 9, the Department of Transportation announced guidance for groups looking to beautify their communities as its Adopt-A-Highway activities resume across the state, including mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand sanitizing.

Gov. Pinchot’s Grey Towers Historic Site will host a live virtual presentation on Resilient Pennsylvania - The Keystone To A Sustainable Future on July 18 at 5:30 p.m.

More than a year ago, the leaders of Eden Hill Conservancy, an all-volunteer land trust located in Huntingdon County, knew they needed to dissolve due to increasing operational challenges.

The Westmoreland Conservancy recently announced after a process that took seven years, they have expanded King Reserve by 26 acres.

On July 7, the Allegheny Land Trust announced it completed the acquisition of 155 acres of undeveloped land in Elizabeth Township in Allegheny County for permanent protection as a conservation area.

On July 9, Natural Lands announced the purchase of two properties totaling just over 14 acres that were then transferred as additions to Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County.

On July 8, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh announced a two-year, $1,000,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support construction of a new avian research center at Powdermill Nature Reserve, the museum's environmental research center in Rector, Westmoreland County.

The Pocono Avian Research Center announced in July 2020 that they will be merging their mission and research activities with the Pocono Heritage Land Trust in Monroe County.

Ever want to learn more about land protection? The Appalachian Bat Count? Or go on a Moth Man and Firefly Hike? The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy to take you there!

Adult mentors and students enrolled with the Wildlife Leadership Academy Conservation Ambassadors Program recently received boxes of supplies in the mail to use during the first ever virtual 5-day summer field schools.

The July 8 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring these articles--

The July 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The In Case You Missed It in June is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring articles on--

By Kirk Johnson, Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

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

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 89 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 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will now be held on October 28-29 in State College.

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