On January 29, the PA Association of Environmental Education issued a call to educators across Pennsylvania to help restore the Environment, Ecology and Agriculture Education Standards so they apply across K-12 education.

By Anna R. Pauletta, PA Student Member, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Board Of Trustees

The first eight articles in this week’s PA Environment Digest show the leadership of educators and a student on Environment & Ecology education standards, a county’s renewable energy commitment, a region’s leadership on climate and reducing air pollution, residents of a watershed partnering to cleanup their stream, the permanent protection of 1,068 acres of land and a 40-year career in saving the Chesapeake Bay.

The Oughoughton Creek flows through Upper Mount Bethel and Washington Townships, winding its way through some of the County’s characteristic farmland before entering the Delaware River in Bangor in Lower Mount Bethel Township.

On January 28, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania announced the transfer of 373 acres of land in Canadensis, Monroe County to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

On January 26, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced Gary Smith from Allegheny CleanWays and Charles Dean Hench from Keep Perry County Beautiful are the 2020 Outstanding Volunteers of the Year.

On January 28, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced an investment by Allegheny County in locally-generated clean energy through a 35-year power purchase agreement with Rye Development to purchase renewable energy generated by a 17.8 MW low-impact hydropower facility Rye will construct on the Ohio River.

This editorial first appeared in the TribLive.com on January 24, 2021--

By Timothy B. Wheeler, Chesapeake Bay Journal

By Shannon Gority, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 30 PA Bulletin of the Act 13 drilling impact fees to be applied to unconventional shale gas wells existing during calendar year 2020.  As a result, there will be an estimated loss of about $56 million in revenue to a record low of $145 million. Read more here.

From March 16 to January 26, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On January 27, the Directors of DCNR’s Bureaus of State Parks and Forestry provided the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council with an overview of how the dramatic increase in visitors seeking refuge from the COVID pandemic caused significant strains on already understaffed state parks and forests and facilities needing $1 billion worth of maintenance.

On January 27, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources presented poll results to the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council indicating four out of five Pennsylvanians who visited parks and trails believe that time spent outdoors is essential to their physical and mental health during the pandemic.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the January 30 PA Bulletin it is increasing fees for cabins and other overnight accommodations, marina and boat storage fees starting in 2022.

On January 26, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced new grant funding totaling $339,060 that will support six facilities and trails for all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobiles.

On January 26, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation kicked off its 2021 Photo Contest which will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Environmental Rights Amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution.  The deadline for entries is September 30.

The PA Farm Bureau, The Heinz Foundation and the Sand County Foundation are now accepting nominations for the 2021 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award.  The deadline for nominations is August 5.

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] Bipartisanship accidentally broke out late last week in Harrisburg when the Senate and House and Gov. Wolf worked to move a $912 million COVID-related relief package for businesses, individuals and school districts.

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

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--

RESCHEDULED to Feb. 2 as an Off the Floor meeting.  Listen for the announcement.

This meeting was CANCELED, but will likely be rescheduled.  The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled an informational meeting February 1 on “the state of our natural gas economy in Pennsylvania and opportunities for growing our energy industry.”

Three bills were introduced last week to expand the House Republican 2021 environmental and energy agenda--

The January newsletter from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee highlighted the research, education and conservation at the Philadelphia Zoo.

On January 29, Gov. Tom Wolf urged Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation to prioritize critical infrastructure needs for the Commonwealth as a part of any potential new federal stimulus package and infrastructure package.

On January 28, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania now has $1.9 million in funding available through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to help private landowners, land trusts, and other groups wanting to restore and protect critical wetlands and protect agricultural lands and grasslands.

The National Conservation Planning Partnership is seeking the input through a survey of agricultural producers as they move toward their goal of reinvigorating conservation planning.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the availability of approximately $46 million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant funds to support projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines.

On January 26, the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers unveiled its new website to provide community-based watershed organizations better access to a wide variety of tools and resources to help them cleanup and protect Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.

The PA Resources Council and its partners will host a February 11 webinar on rain gardens and stormwater management for homeowners from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the January 30 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on Total Maximum Daily Load Plans for three watersheds.  They include--

On January 29, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced grants totaling $1.287 million to eight organizations for research on issues critical to sustaining and growing Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.

On January 26, Berks County-based Rodale Institute launched the Rodale Institute Virtual Campus, a new educational platform for farmers, researchers, and the public containing online courses focused on regenerative organic topics.

On January 27, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced it is partnering with Rodale Institute and Penn State Extension to offer Pennsylvania organic farmers and those interested in transitioning to organic a three-part series of virtual field day sessions to learn about the latest tools, techniques, and research in organic no-till crop production.

Más de un millón de hogares y granjas en Pensilvania obtienen el agua potable de un pozo o manantial privado. El Seminario Web de Agua Potable Segura está diseñado para personas que administran uno de estos suministros privados de agua potable.

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a virtual hearing on water withdrawal and other requests on February 10 and a virtual business meeting on March 10.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission's latest newsletter kicks off the 50th anniversary celebration of the Susquehanna River Compact with a new digital storymap and a special introductory video.

Keep PA Beautiful provided five local affiliates with grants totaling $20,000 to educate county residents by producing videos on the recycling and waste disposal services available to them in Western Pennsylvania.

On January 26, the Department of Environmental Protection announced a consent assessment of civil penalty with Covanta Plymouth Renewable Energy, LLC to address air quality violations that occurred at its Conshohocken facility.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 30 PA Bulletin it has issued a final General Plan Approval and General Operating Permit for certain Natural Gas-Fired Combined Heat and Power Facilities.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 30 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on the Tentative Order outlining responsibilities for implementing Act 114 of 2020 limiting the geography area on all Tier II Alternative Energy Portfolio renewable energy credits to Pennsylvania.

On January 27, the Pennsylvania Solar Center announced the release of its latest RFP for the Galvanizing our Energy Transition (GET) Solar Program to provide technical assistance and financial guidance for businesses looking to benefit from solar energy.

On January 27, Sustainable Pittsburgh is teaming up with the Great Plains Institute and the Solsmart Program staff to bring technical expertise and recognition to local municipalities looking to improve their potential for attracting solar investment.

On January 28, the PA Parks and Forests Foundations invited the public to a February 18 virtual meeting to explore the idea of a Friends Group at Locust Lake and Tuscarora State Parks starting at 6:00 p.m.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has launched a new Protect The View Initiative to put a spotlight on areas needing protection along The Circuit Trails in the Philadelphia Region.

The Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Council is now accepting applications for 2021 Wild & Scenic Mini-Grants to support projects that enhance the goals of the LDWS Management Plan.  Applications are due March 29.

The January 29 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now available featuring articles on--

The PA Natural Heritage Program, a partnership that gathers and provides information on the location of status of plants, wildlife, ecosystems and geological structures in Pennsylvania.

On January 28, the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission are excited to announce the launch of HuntFishPA, the new user-friendly licensing platform for hunters, anglers, and boaters.

On January 25, the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation announced Scott Weidensaul, acclaimed writer, lecturer and field researcher on topics of ornithology and natural history, will be the guest speaker at the third annual Pennsylvania Wildlife Gala held at the Wyndham Garden State College on April 23.

On January 25, Wildlife for Everyone Foundation announced the appointment of Jason Beale to the position of Board member. Beale’s three-year term will run through the end of 2023.

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation is seeking a qualified candidate to represent District 4 on the Game Commission’s board of directors.  Nominations are due by March 26.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant, a partnership of NOAA, Penn State University, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is seeking qualified candidates to fill an Education Lead and two Coastal Outreach Specialist positions.

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 78 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.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.