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.

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.

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Are You Telling Your Story?

By John C. Dernbach, Commonwealth Law School, Widener University

On July 12, Grant Township’s Home Rule Charter banning frack waste injection wells was invalidated by the Commonwealth Court. The Township has appealed the decision to the PA Supreme Court, according to the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.

On August 18, conventional oil and gas drillers on DCED’s PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council passed a motion recommending DEP’s acceptance of the Penn State study showing their drilling wastewater dumped on roads is bad for human health and the environment be rescinded and industry representatives by involved in rewriting the study.

On August 18, Kurt Klapkowski, Acting DEP Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, told DCED’s  PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council the conventional oil and gas driller compliance review required by Gov. Wolf by September 1 will evaluate at least the last five years of compliance.

On August 17, Berks Gas Truth and the Delaware RiverKeeper highlighted a new Yale School of Public Health study that found Pennsylvania children between the ages of 2 and 7 are two to three times as likely to be diagnosed with leukemia if they live near unconventional oil and gas facilities.

By David Shribman, Former Editor Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With the climate conversation front and center across the country and especially in energy-rich Pennsylvania, a new Global Strategy Group poll commissioned by Environmental Defense Fund Action and Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund shows strong majorities supporting climate action to limit methane and carbon pollution.

The cost of natural gas provided to customers by the seven largest natural gas utilities in Pennsylvania increased from 31 percent to 154.6 percent over the last year, according to information from the Public Utility Commission.

On August 18, the Independent Fiscal Office issued its quarterly natural gas production report which shows natural gas production decreased for the second quarter in a row-- a 0.9% decrease in the second quarter and a 0.6% decrease in the first quarter of 2022, compared to last year.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 20 PA Bulletin suspending enforcement of vapor leak monitoring requirements for small gasoline storage tanks with Stage I vapor recovery systems in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-Beaver regions.

On August 16, President Biden signed the new federal climate, energy and healthcare bill into law making the largest federal investment-- $375 billion-- in climate change fighting strategies, including investments in renewable energy production, tax rebates for consumers for energy efficiency and electric vehicles and more.

On August 19, Climate Wire reported the new federal Climate, Energy and Healthcare bill includes a $700 million grant program to mitigate methane emissions from conventional oil and gas wells administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

On August 19, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative announced Pennsylvania is removing its allowances for sale at the next allowance auction on September 7.

On August 16, environmental and watershed groups announced they appealed DEP’s NPDES stormwater permit for a proposed Swiftwater Solar Project in Pocono Township, Monroe County citing potential harms to an exceptional value stream.

Internationally known climate scientists, ecologists, agronomists, economists, policymakers and other experts on climate change risks and responses will gather at Dickinson College in Cumberland County for a three-day symposium featuring authors of the newest reports from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a virtual meeting August 31 on Preventing Power Outages and Enhancing Resilience of Electric Grids.  The meeting is related to implementing the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  (formal notice)

On August 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold three virtual informal public conferences to discuss major permit modification applications it is currently reviewing, submitted by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC on the expansion of  underground bituminous coal mines in Greene County.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a draft update to the State Water Plan which outlines recommendations for policy and legislative actions for each of the six water planning regions in the Commonwealth and statewide.  (formal notice)

On August 16, the Our Pocono Waters Initiative released the first study to quantify the economic impact of the Poconos region’s protected streams.  It found nearly $3 billion in benefits for local businesses, property owners, and communities.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 20 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft changes to the NPDES General Permit For Discharges Of Stormwater Associated With Industrial Activity (PAG-03).

The York County Conservation District held its annual Conservation Awards Picnic on Thursday August 11th, at Rocky Ridge County Park to present their 2022 Conservation Awards.

On August 19, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his recent request to make financial aid available to residents of Westmoreland County following devastating flooding on August 5.

On August 16, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Conservation District released a study linking contamination in Pittsburgh’s urban soils to historical air pollution emissions and atmospheric inversions.

On August 15, the Allegheny County Health Department released an Air Quality Annual Review covering accomplishments in 2021.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for a new round of Recycling Implementation Grants under Act 101.  The deadline to apply is October 28.  (formal notice)

The 26-acre Isabella Furnace complex in West Nantmeal Township, Chester County, is an incredibly well-preserved remnant of the region’s iron and steel heritage.

The U.S. Forest Service is now accepting applications for the State and Private Forestry Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Grant Program which funds collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes, leverages public and private resources, and supports State Forest Action Plans.

By Carol Hillestad, For Pocono Heritage Land Trust

The August 19 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

On August 19, Gov. Tom Wolf issued a proclamation recognizing Honey Bee Day-- August 20-- in Pennsylvania.

On August 16, the Fish and Boat Commission announced it will hold a meeting of the Fisheries and Hatcheries Committee at 1:00 p.m. on September 28, 2022, at its Harrisburg headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pa 17110. 

By Patrick McShea, Educator, Carnegie Museum Of Natural History

The PA Natural Heritage Program released its annual report this week detailing its accomplishments during 2021 that includes discovering new species, solving mysteries and discovering rare species in new places.

The PA Interfaith Power and Light is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Executive Director.  The deadline to apply is August 19.

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

On August 16, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals announced the award of college scholarships to Molly Hoffman - Pinchot Scholarship-- and Megan Kownurko - Goddard Scholarship.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is hosting a Lunch and Learn Webinar September 14 on Tips, Tricks and Ideas For Outreach and Marketing To New and Existing Members and Donors starting at Noon.

If you own trees – whether a woodlot or a forest – an upcoming Forest Stewardship Workshop can help you learn how to keep it healthy, and what financial help may be available to do that.

WeConservePA is hosting a two-part webinar on Grants - Finding, Writing And Managing on November 9 and 16.

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management is hosting another in its series on Harnessing Hydrogen on October 4 - Exploring Local and Regional Opportunities In Appalachia.

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

The House Environment and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing August 30 on the threats electromagnetic pulse attacks and solar flares pose to the electric grid and security.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On August 19, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it is accepting proposals for more than $28 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for research and development (R&D) projects that will advance and preserve hydropower as a critical source of clean energy.

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

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

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

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.