Here are 58 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?

Conventional and unconventional oil and gas drillers have notified DEP they are in the process of cleaning up soil and water contaminated with carcinogenic, mutagenic, neurotoxic and other chemicals harmful to human health and aquatic life found in drilling wastewater and other waste at 272 locations across Pennsylvania.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On August 25, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced it has formally awarded an initial $560 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 24 states to begin work to plug, cap and reclaim orphaned oil and gas wells.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a virtual hearing October 5 on the proposed Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company’s Regional Energy Access Expansion Project.  (PA Bulletin, page 5568)  Read more here.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the August 27 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposals by Range Resources-Appalachia, LLC for two oil and gas wastewater impoundments in Washington County.  (PA Bulletin, page 5532)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold an in-person public hearing on the draft permit for a drilling wastewater injection well in Plum Borough, Allegheny County to be constructed by Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC.

On August 22, Acting State Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey announced his office is now accepting applications for Act 13 Emergency Services Grants funded by Act 13 drilling impact fees on unconventional oil and gas wells.  The deadline for applications is October 21.

The Department of Environmental Protection is scheduled to hold a hearing October 4 on proposed changes to the Title V Air Quality Permit for the Brunner Island Power Plant in East Manchester Township, York County. (PA Bulletin, page 5535)

The Pittsburgh-based Group Against Smog and Pollution posted this special report August 23, 2022 on its Blog on the power outages at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke (Coal) Works in Allegheny County over the July 4th weekend--

At the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is seeking public input as it develops a plan to use $40.5 million in anticipated federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to strengthen the statewide electric grid against extreme weather events.

On August 19, the Pennsylvania Solar Center and Generation180 – joined with school officials over Zoom to explore how many Pennsylvania school districts are supplying up to 100% of their electricity needs with solar energy, and how schools are investing the cost savings into their students. 

By Rev. Mitchell C. Hescox and Paul Douglas, Evangelical Environmental Network

On August 23, Department of Community and Economic Development Acting Secretary Neil Weaver announced the approval of $1 million through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program to the Chester County Economic Development Council to perform environmental remediation on the former Richmond coal generating station in the city of Philadelphia.

On August 25, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Acting Secretary Neil Weaver announced the approval of $467,636 through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Montgomery to perform environmental remediation on the former Pottstown Plating Works property in Pottstown.

In September, the Pennsylvania Resources Council in partnership with Allegheny County Health Department will host a household chemical collection event to provide Pennsylvania residents with an opportunity to safely and cost effectively dispose of common chemicals such as cleaners, paints, stains and varnishes, batteries, motor oil and pesticides. 

On August 19, the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin announced the 2022 Award Recipients.

On August 25, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced 45 grant awards totaling nearly $15.8 million to improve wildlife habitat, enhance resilience to changing climatic conditions, and engage communities throughout the Delaware River watershed in conservation activities.

On August 25, the PA Resources Council announced it was awarded two grants this month in support of the organization’s environmental justice work throughout the Commonwealth.

The Grow Clean Water is a Rodale Institute initiative focused on educating over 1 million people in the Delaware River Watershed about the connection between localized, organic food systems & the power we have to vote for clean water with our dollars.

A statewide program is offering $13 million in tax credits to help Pennsylvania farmers reap the benefits of installing conservation practices that improve long-term viability, keep valuable soil on the land, and reduce pollution flowing into local rivers and streams.

Lancaster County Commissioners recently voted to approve $2.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding to two key partners who are focused on permanently protecting Lancaster County’s landscape, Lancaster Farmland Trust and Lancaster Conservancy.

On August 26, representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection joined with the Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited to highlight stream restoration projects in the Fishing Creek Watershed in Lancaster County, which is part of the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed.

By Mike Parker, Communications Director, PFBC

When you think about the growing craft beverage industry in Pennsylvania, you might not think about Pennsylvania’s forest ecosystems. Yet forests play a critical role in water quality–the primary ingredient in most beverages.

On August 23, the Department of Environmental Protection visited the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority to tour portions of the reservoir and treatment facilities that provide drinking water to more than 51,000 customers in the greater Williamsport area and discuss the importance of proactive source water protection efforts to maintaining water quality.

On August 25, the Public Utility Commission approved a joint settlement addressing stormwater issues for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a business meeting on September 15 in Baltimore.  (formal notice)

On August 24, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced more than $100,000 in grants awarded for groundwater level monitoring projects. This is the second successful year for the program.

The Department of Environmental Protection will start accepting applications for Coastal Zone Grants on August 29.  The deadline for applications is October 17.  (formal notice)

On August 25, the Department of Agriculture announced the investment of $3.166 million to protect 784 acres of farmland on 18 farms in 9 counties to ensure that prime farmland is not lost to development.

After years of working with the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, the Environmental Charter School, and previous landowners, the Allegheny Land Trust has protected Phase 1 of the Healcrest Green Project in Allegheny County.

By Sarah Crothers Bach, Education Director, Schuylkill River Greenways

According to the Conservation and Natural Resources Act (PDF) established in 1995, Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are to be conserved and maintained for the use and benefit of all its citizens.

On August 26, as part of a movement to promote health, nature, and local parks and trails, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the second annual month-long effort encouraging communities and health professionals to get active together during ‘Walk with a Doc’ programs across Pennsylvania.

On August 24, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger announced DCNR is seeking ideas and comments from the public to inform a sustainable trail system project in the Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County.

On August 24, the Native Fish Coalition and the PA Council of Trout Unlimited issued a joint letter supporting Fish and Boat Commission initiatives to create a no fee stocking authorization as well as to initiate enhanced protections against the spread of aquatic invasive species.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is inviting public comments on proposed changes to the Pennsylvania Native Wild Plant List to protect plants that are extirpated, endangered, threatened or rare.  (formal notice)

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

On August 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will host a live webinar September 27 to discuss the application process for its nearly $900,000 in available grant funding for environmental education projects from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

On September 21, the Stroud Water Research Center will host a special program-- What's The Ecological Status of the Schuylkill River?  The program will be held in-person and online starting at 6:00 p.m.

By Justin Mansberger, Penn State Extension

By Susan Boser, Penn State Extension

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center And Emily Stambaugh, Intern, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

Pollinators are an integral part of our environment and human lives. Approximately one-third of all food consumed by humans requires pollinators to grow. They are currently in danger due to habitat destruction without overwintering, foraging, and nesting sites.

WeConservePA has issued a call for session proposals for the 2023 PA Land Conservation Conference to be held in Reading on April 26-28.  The deadline for submissions is October 21.

The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Dauphin County will host an exhibit of digital art photos on canvas called Unique By Nature - Diverse By Design by Jerry Hassinger through October 16.

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

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

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.