Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 21, 2022 Issue #922
(3/21/2022)
* 67 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 67 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

* This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues

While PA Environment Digest’s priority is to highlight positive examples of environmental and energy leadership, 2022 is an election year which demands accountability to voters.

* All Articles & NewsClips In This Week’s Digest By Topic

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Is Your Story Being Told? 

* Environmental Quality Board Approves Final Rule Reducing VOC/Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations; Conventional Drillers Oppose

On March 15, the Environmental Quality Board voted 17 to 2 to approve the final regulation reducing VOC/methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations.

* DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Technical Guidance On Trenchless Pipeline Construction

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 19 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed technical guidance on Trenchless [Horizontal Drilling] Pipeline Construction.

* Kurt Klapkowski Serving As DEP Acting Deputy Secretary For Oil & Gas Management

Kurt Klapkowski is serving as Acting DEP Deputy Secretary For Oil & Gas Management.

* 6th Oil/Gas Shock: Listen To What Europe Says They Need - Not What The U.S. Oil/Gas Industry Wants

Pennsylvania natural gas industry politicians continue working to lock us into foreign energy price markets with despots, while Pennsylvania oil refineries are refining Russian crude.

* Guest Essay: Pennsylvania And Virginia Face Fight Of Their Lives - [What The Coal, Natural Gas Industries Want In PA]

By Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming)

* Guest Essay: PA Republican Suggestions To Make Us More Dependent On Fossil Fuels Will Not Secure Our Energy Future

By  Rep. Nancy Guenst (D-Montgomery), U.S. Army Veteran & Rep. Joseph G. Webster (D-Montgomery), U.S. Air Force Colonel, Retired

* PA League Of Women Voters: Let's Have A Cleaner, Healthier Energy Future For Pennsylvania

On March 16, Kathy Cook, League of Women Voters PA Environmental Policy Director, released this statement in response to an announcement by two state Senators they plan to introduce legislation to do away with “cumbersome taxes, regulations and restrictions” handicapping the state’s energy sector--

* Vesper Energy Developing 200 MW Solar Energy Project In Lawrence County

On March 16, Vesper Energy announced the construction of the Firefly Solar Project, a proposed 200-megawatt utility-scale solar energy facility in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County

* Community College Of Allegheny County Flipped The Switch On Completed Solar Energy Installation

On March 17, the Community College of Allegheny County officially “flipped the switch” to solar power. The extensive new 543-kilowatt solar installation will produce enough electricity to power 30–40% of CCAC North Campus’s electrical energy needs.

* Senate Resolution Offers Hope Lawmakers May Take The Economic And Environmental Benefits Of Developing A Rare Earth Minerals Industry Seriously In PA

On February 28, tripartisan  Senate Resolution 229 (Dush-R-Jefferson, Yudichak-I-Luzerne, Flynn-D-Lackawanna) was introduced directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the economic, environmental and health impacts related to the development of a critical and rare earth mineral industry in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary).

* University Of Pittsburgh Announces Climate Action Plan To Go Carbon Neutral By 2037

By Patrick Monahan, PittWire

* DEP Recognizes Rail Management Services For Replacing Diesel Engines To Improve Air Quality At Franklin County Railyard

On March 16, the Department of Environmental Protection recognized a significant operational change by Rail Management Services that improved air quality in Franklin County.

* Over $3 Million From New Federal Budget Will Direct Fund 2 Chesapeake Bay Foundation Projects In Centre, Chester, Huntingdon, Lancaster Counties

Two watershed restoration plans coordinated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania will receive over $3 million in direct federal funding in the fiscal year 2022 omnibus spending package signed by President Biden on March 15.

* Guest Essay: PA Farmers, Communities And Chesapeake Bay Will Benefit From Significant Investment Of Federal American Rescue Plan Funding In Cleaning Up Our Waterways

By House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster)

* DEP, PennDOT Encourage Everyone To Join Litter Cleanup Events And ‘Pick Up Pennsylvania’

On March 18, the departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation joined a community litter cleanup in Franklin County as part of the spring Pick Up Pennsylvania campaign and encouraged residents, local leaders and businesses across the state to do the same in their communities.

* Keep PA Beautiful Announces Winners Of Litter Hawk Youth Art Awards Program

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful thanks all Pennsylvania youth who participated in the 2022 Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.

* DCNR Celebrates Induction Of Sweet Root Natural Area In Bedford County Into National Old-Growth Forest Network

On March 15, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Sweet Root Natural Area in Bedford County to celebrate its forest heritage and to induct it into the national Old-Growth Forest Network.

* DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets March 23 On Forest Management In State Parks, DCNR’s Budget Proposal

DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet March 23 to hear presentations on forest management in state parks and DCNR’s proposed FY 2022-23 budget.

* DCNR Blog: Newly Found Disease Killing American Beech Trees; Help Track The Disease

By: Jeffrey Woleslagle, Natural Resource Specialist, DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry

* Somerset Conservancy Adds 273 Acres To Kimberly Run Natural Area

The Somerset Conservancy has added 273 acres of land from the Menser Farm to the Kimberly Run Natural Area in Somerset Township, Somerset County, expanding it to 646 acres.

* ClearWater Conservancy, Patton Township Permanently Protect 149 Acre Gray's Woods Preserve In Centre County

On February 22, ClearWater Conservancy and Patton Township in Centre County finalized a conservation easement to permanently protect Gray’s Woods Preserve with support from the Hamer Foundation.

* March 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The March 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

* DEP: Deer Tick Virus Detected At Popular Iroquois Trail In Wyoming County

On March 16, the Department of Environmental Protection, along with the Wyoming County Conservation District, encouraged visitors to a popular trail to protect themselves against the rare Deer Tick Virus (DTV), a potentially serious tickborne disease.

* Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Host Backpacking Trip April 9-10 In Proposed Cornplanter Wilderness Area, Warren County

Who else is itching to get out and do some backpacking in the Allegheny’s wilderness now that winter is coming to an end?

* PA Sustainable Agriculture, Chatham University: New Study Shows Direct-To-Consumer Markets Demonstrated Resilience, Growth During Pandemic

To understand the impact of the pandemic on Pennsylvania farmers, PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture collaborated with Chatham University in Pittsburgh to survey farmers about their 2020 season financials.

* Help Wanted: SEEDS Home Energy Efficiency Assessment Program Adult/Student Teams In Lackawanna County

The Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support group is seeking adult volunteers and high school students to be trained to visit homes to help people save energy.

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

* 2022 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 22-23; Project Video Tours Due May 6

By Anne Daymut, Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

* PA Educators Invited To Respond To PA Environmental Education Status And Needs Survey

The PA Environmental Literacy Capacity Building Project Team is inviting Pennsylvania educators to complete the 2022 Status and Needs of Environmental Education In PA Survey by March 31.

* PA Society For Ornithology To Hold 2nd Annual Breeding Bird Blitz For Conservation June 17-20

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) will host its Second Annual Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation from June 17-20, 2022.

* Schuylkill Acts & Impacts 6-Day Student Expedition Down The Schuylkill River In July-August

The Schuylkill Acts & Impacts is a 6-day watershed expedition along the 120-miles of the Schuylkill River, from its headwaters in the anthracite coal lands of Schuylkill County to its confluence with the Delaware River in Philadelphia from July 31 to August 5.

* Rodale Institute To Host First-Ever Regenerative Healthcare Conference Oct. 16-19 At Its Berks County Organic Experimental Farm

On March 17, the Rodale Institute announced it will bring together healthcare professionals and farmers for the first-time for a groundbreaking conference connecting the benefits of soil health to human health.

* LandHealth Institute Invites High School Students To Be Watershed Stewards In Philadelphia

The LandHealth Institute has issued an invitation to high school students to become Watershed Stewards in Philadelphia through their Program for Future Environmental Scientists and Stewards (ProFESS).

* Schuylkill Action Network Hosts March 25 Online Showcase Of Watershed Improvement Projects In The Schuylkill Highlands

The Schuylkill Action Network hosts an online showcase of watershed improvement projects in the Schuylkill Highlands on March 25 starting at 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

* Stroud Water Research Center Unveiling New Watershed Education Mobile Lab March 24 In Chester County

Join Stroud Water Research Center on the beautiful banks of White Clay Creek March 24 for an outdoor celebration the week of World Water Day.

* Clean Water Is Up To You: Creating Native Habitat In A Postage-Stamp Garden

By Brodhead Watershed Association

* Berks Nature To Open New Rooftop Addition, Event Venue - The Rookery - At The Nature Place In Reading

Berks Nature will host a ribbon cutting on March 21 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. for The Rookery at The Nature Place, 575 St. Bernardine Street in Reading, Berks County

* Dickinson College Hosts March 24 Discussion On The Business Of Food Waste: Climate Mitigation Thru Organics Recycling

Dickinson College in Carlisle, Cumberland County will host a panel discussion about the environmental and business aspects of food waste and how it impacts climate change.

* PA Resources Council Launches 2022 Household Chemical Collect Events April 16 In Allegheny County

The Pennsylvania Resources Council will launch its 2022 household chemical collection campaign on April 16 by hosting a drive-thru event at PPG Paints Arena in Allegheny County to provide Pennsylvania residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of household cleaners, automotive fluids, paints, pesticides and other products containing potentially hazardous components.

* USGS PA Water Science Center PA Waters Spring Newsletter Now Available

The USGS PA Water Science Center Spring PA Waters newsletter is now available featuring articles on--

* Fish & Boat Commission Accepting Applications For Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation Education Grants

The Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation Education Grants through April 15.

* Nature At Risk: How Important Can A Tiny Bird Be?

By Brodhead Watershed Association

* Wildlife Leadership Academy Issues RFP For Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Consultant

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is accepting written proposals for a consultant to assess equity and inclusion in their Conservation Ambassador training program.  The deadline for responses is April 1.

* News From PA House & Senate

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week-- 

* House Environmental Committee To Hold March 28 Hearing: Oil & Gas Byproducts - Could We Live Without Them?

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on March 28 entitled - “Oil & Gas Byproducts - Could We Live Without Them?”

* Rescheduled: Senate Committees Will Now Hold March 29 Hearing On Economic Impacts Of DEP Carbon Pollution Reduction Program Covering Power Plants

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Community, Economic and Recreation Development Committees have scheduled their joint hearing on the economic impacts of the federal regulation establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative for March 29.

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $4 Million For 6 Projects In PA To Boost Economic Growth In Areas Hit By The Decline Of The Coal Industry

On March 17, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that more than $4 million has been awarded to six projects in Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Region through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative.

* EPA Announces Most Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Plants Of 2022; Two In PA

On March 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced 93 U.S. manufacturing plants earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2022. ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries.

* White House To Nominate PA Native David Applegate As Director of the U.S. Geological Survey

On March 8, the White House announced the intent to nominate David Applegate as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).  David is currently the Associate Director for Natural Hazards, exercising the delegated authority of the Director.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* PA Bulletin

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the latest PA Bulletin--

* Stories Invited - About 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 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 22-23

The PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will be held in-person and virtually June 22-23 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College.  This year's theme-- New Opportunities On The Horizon!  Registration Open!    Read more here.

* Supporting Member PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers; PA Outdoor Writers Assn.; PA Trout Unlimited

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.

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