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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
June 13, 2022 Issue #934
(6/13/2022)
* 68 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 68 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.   Are You Telling Your Story?

* Lawmakers From Both Parties, Advocates, DCNR Secretary Highlight Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity To Fund Local Water Cleanup, Recreation, State Park & Forest Safety & Maintenance Projects

Lawmakers from both parties, environmental and conservation advocates and DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn highlighted the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Pennsylvania has to use federal American Rescue Plan funding to support local farm conservation, watershed restoration, recreation and State Park and Forest safety and maintenance projects.  [Read more here.]

* On-Site Conventional Oil & Gas Drilling Waste Disposal Plans Making Hundreds Of Drilling Sites Waste Dumps

Randomly selected individual on-site drill cutting and wastewater disposal plans submitted by conventional oil and gas drillers call for drilling wastes to be “dispersed directly to the environment,” according to a review by PA Environment Digest.

* Senate Hearing: Body Of Evidence Is 'Large, Growing,’ ‘Consistent’ And 'Compelling' That Shale Gas Development Is Having A Negative Impact On Public Health; PA Must Act

The following testimony on unconventional shale gas development and health impacts was given to the Senate Democratic Policy Committee on June 2, 2022  by Brian S. Schwartz, M.D., Professor of Environmental Health and Engineering, Epidemiology and Medicine at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

* AG Shapiro Charges Energy Corporation Of America/Greylock, 2 Employees With Environmental Crimes Involving Leaks At Oil & Gas Well Sites In Clearfield, Greene Counties

On June 10, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, in conjunction with the 46th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, announced that the Office of Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Section has filed criminal charges against Energy Corporation of America, now Greylock Production, LLC, for allegedly failing to address environmental hazards created by their operations from 2015 to 2020 at various well sites in Clearfield and Greene counties.

* House Republicans Side With Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers, Against Taxpayers, To Continue Pre-1985 Exemption From Well Bonding, Prevent Any Increase In Plugging Bond Amounts

On June 7, Republicans on the  House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to report out legislation to take away the Environmental Quality Board’s authority to increase conventional oil and gas well bonding amounts to the current taxpayer cost of plugging and continue the exemption from any bonding for wells drilled before 1985 (which is most of them).

* Senate Republicans, At Request Of Natural Gas Industry, OK Bill To Take Away Protections In Erosion & Sedimentation Permitting For Oil & Gas Activities

On June 8, Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, at the request of the natural gas industry, reported out Senate Bill 692 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) which makes fundamental changes in the erosion and sedimentation permitting requirements for conventional and unconventional oil and gas activities, including well pads, pipelines, processing and treatment facilities.

* At The Request Of Natural Gas Industry, Senate Republicans Report Out Bill To Prohibit Communities From Moving To Clean, Cheaper Energy Sources To Address Climate Change

On June 7, at the request of the natural gas industry, Republicans on the Senate Local Government Committee reported out House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R- Washington) which prohibits counties, local governments and authorities from promoting clean, cheaper energy sources to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.

* Hearing Board Denies Sen. Muth Standing As Legislator To Appeal DEP Permit For Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Susquehanna County; Individual Standing Still Pending

On June 3, the Environmental Hearing Board issued a ruling to deny standing to Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester) to appeal the DEP water quality permit for the Eureka Resources oil and gas drilling wastewater treatment plant in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County in her role as an elected official.

* DEP Releases Final Guidance On Handling Radioactive Waste From Unconventional Shale Gas Drilling Operations

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 11 PA Bulletin of final guidance on handling radioactive waste going to solid waste processing and disposal facilities from unconventional shale gas drilling operations and other sources.

* Independent Fiscal Office: Cost Of Gasoline, Energy Utility Bills Up 33% From Last Year

In a report dated June 8, the Independent Fiscal Office reported the cost of energy-- gasoline and utility bills-- to households in Philadelphia increased 33 percent from the prior years.

* Bay Journal: PA Switch-To-Grazing Project Aims To Save Farmers, Land And Chesapeake Bay

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Cumberland County's Cover Crop Program A Model For Others Working To Improve Soil Health, Reduce Polluted Farm Runoff

By Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

* CBF Blog: Skies Clear In Pennsylvania As Volunteers Plant Thousands Of Trees

By David Dexter, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

* PennVEST Awards $6.7 Million Grant To Harrisburg Airport To Remove PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ From Water

On June 8, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority awarded a $6.7 million forgiveness loan to Harrisburg International Airport to install a granulated activated carbon system to treat PFAS “forever chemicals” in water at HIA in Dauphin County.

* PA Environmental Council Launches Online Guide To New Federal Infrastructure Funding Opportunities

By Josh Raulerson, PA Environmental Council

* PA Resources Council, Delaware County Seeking Volunteers To Bolster Rose Tree Park Summer Festival Recycling, Waste Reduction Efforts

When performers take the stage in Rose Tree Park throughout the 2022 Summer Festival, another group of “stars” will work behind the scenes helping to sort recyclables from trash as the first step in the festival’s commitment to “zero waste.” 

* PA Resources Council: Registration Open For July Electronics Waste Collections In Allegheny County

Throughout July, the Pennsylvania Resources Council will collect electronics for recycling on designated weekdays in Allegheny County. 

* Global Links Company Celebrates Achieving Energy Independence Thru Solar Energy Installation, LED Lighting

On June 9, Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Global Links celebrated the completion of Phase II of its Energy Independence Project by flipping the switch on its newly installed LED lighting and motion sensor system.

* 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award Winners Announced; Celebration Dinner July 28

On June 8, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. announced the nine winners of the 2022 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards. The winners will be honored at the 2022 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, to be held on Thursday, July 28.

* PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Now Accepting Applications For Ohio Basin Canoe, Kayak Access Mini Grants

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, in partnership with the Fish and Boat Commission, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is now accepting applications for the Ohio Basin Access for Canoes and Kayaks Mini Grant Program.  The deadline for applications is January 31.

* PA Natural Heritage Program Wild Heritage News - Celebrating 40 Years Of Vital Work

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program is celebrating 40 years of vital work of documenting the state’s ecological resources-- rare plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, ecological communities and geologic features.

* Feature: How Controlled Burns Could Help Save A Species - Lupinus perennis

By Karley Stasko, North Branch Land Trust

* DCNR To Hold Career Fair At Nockamixon State Park June 11 In Bucks County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will host a career fair from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on June 11, at Nockamixon State Park in Quakertown, Bucks County.

* June 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The June 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

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

* Celebrate The Bloom! At The Only Prairie In PA Featuring The Blazing Star July 30 At Jennings Environmental Center, Butler County

Mark your calendars and spread the word to family and friends-- the annual Celebrate the Bloom will be held July 30 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road in Slippery Rock, Butler County from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

* DCNR State Parks Environmental Educators Can Help You Celebrate PA Native Species Day June 17

The latest update from DCNR State Parks Environmental Educators highlights how you can celebrate the very first PA Native Species Day on June 17 and education development training available this summer.

* PA American Water Will Hold Free Wonderful World Of Water Student Day Camps In Lackawanna, Luzerne Counties

On June 8, Pennsylvania American Water  announced the return of the company's annual Wonderful World of Water Camps, to be held in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County and Peckville, Lackawanna County this year.

* PA Outdoor Writers Assn. Awards Student Scholarships To Alexis Wildt, Aaron Morder

On June 9, the PA Outdoor Writers Association announced the award of student scholarships to Alexis Wildt, Northumberland County, and Aaron Morder, Perry County.

* Certification Training Opportunities Coming Up From Chesapeake Bay Conservation Landscaping Council Professionals

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Landscaping Council is offering a full menu of certification training  opportunities in the coming months. Here's a sampling--

* Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County, Will Offer Free Guided Tours Of Rare Regal Fritillary Butterfly Habitat In July

In July, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs wildlife staff will provide free guided tours of the only population of the rare regal fritillary butterfly in the eastern United States at Fort Indiantown Gap near Annville, Lebanon County.

* North American Biochar & Bioenergy Conference Set For August 8-11 In West Virginia

Register now for the 2022 North American Biochar & Bioenergy Conference to be held August 8-11 at the Morgantown Marriott in West Virginia.

* 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--

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* 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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