Here are 77 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.

Below are examples of going the WRONG WAY on environmental and energy issues from last week’s articles and NewsClips--

PA Environment Digest Put Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic.

On January 20, the natural gas industry and Senate Republicans launched an effort to unleash the industry by reducing regulations, requiring automatic approval of permits and limiting opportunities for public review of permits at a hearing of the Senate Republican Policy Committee in Pittsburgh.

On January 26, House Republican leader Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) announced the appointment of Republican Committee Chairs-- Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) was named Republican Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

DCED's PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a hybrid meeting February 16 at the Pennsylvania Western University campus in Clarion.

From January 21 through 27, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 666 inspection reports that resulted in reporting 55 violations of environmental regulations-- 34 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 21 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the January 28 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 28 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of a revised GP-1 Air Quality General Permit for Natural Gas and Oil-Fired Small Combustion Units.

On January 26, the Damascus Citizens for Sustainability has filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to challenge the Delaware River Basin Commission’s December 7, 2022 issuance of final rules governing oil and gas wastes and wastewater.

On January 26, DEP released another bid package to plug 19 more abandoned conventional natural gas wells in Forest County at taxpayer expense under the new federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law well plugging program.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 28 PA Bulletin that the Calendar Year 2022 Act 13 per well drilling impact fee will increase nearly 28 percent for unconventional shale gas wells.

The FracTracker Alliance will hold an online meeting February 3 related to its EPA-funded project to deploy FLIR cameras for use in monitoring methane emissions from oil and gas facilities.

On January 18, every member of the Senate Republican Caucus wrote a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro urging him to take steps to repeal the final regulation limiting carbon pollution from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

On January 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has issued six proposed determinations to deny facilities’ requests to continue disposing of coal combustion residuals (CCR or coal ash) into unlined surface impoundments.

On January 27, the Department of Environmental Protection released the final 2022 Pennsylvania State Water Plan and an interactive online atlas of statewide water resources and use trends to inform leaders’ decision making and educate Pennsylvanians on sustainable use of our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

The latest Chesapeake Bay Program newsletter is now available from DEP and includes articles on a variety of topics

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a new Post-Construction Stormwater Management Manual providing guidance on the construction, maintenance and operation of stormwater control measures.  (formal notice)

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc. (TTF) is proud to announce it was awarded a $260,788 2022 Growing Greener Grant for a stormwater retrofit project at Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, Montgomery County.

On January 26, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited announced the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Grant Program is now accepting applications.  The deadline to apply is March 10.

On January 23, PA American Water announced applications are now being accepted for the company’s 2023 Environmental Grant Program for communities and organizations within its service territories. The deadline for applications is March 31.

Registration for the 9th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference is now open for this regional forum on March 14 that will highlight Indigenous connections to land and water resources.

Do you have farm animals? This includes anyone who has horse or hobby farms.  All properties that generate manure and/or apply manure to fields must have a Manure Management Plan (MMP) to be in compliance with the state Clean Streams Law. 

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center includes articles on a variety of different education and research projects, including--

The Delaware River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on water withdrawal requests, discharges and other projects on February 8 and a business meeting on March 8.  (formal notice)

On January 26, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and PalmettoPride announced a comprehensive joint study on the efficacy of state litter statutes and enforcement practices and procedures. This multi-state study is the first of its kind in the country and can serve as a benchmark to measure litter control enforcement efforts across the country.

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a public notice on January 28 banning the sale of electronic devices made by AWOW Tech because they are not complying with the state’s electronics recycling law. (PA Bulletin, page 674).

On January 25, the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania has been selected by a public vote as the 2023 Pennsylvania River of the Year, announced Acting Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Janet Sweeney of the PA Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR).

On January 24, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and Leave No Trace announced a new partnership to promote sustainable tourism practices across the 13-county Pennsylvania Wilds region, which is explored by millions of visitors each year.

For almost 20 years, Pennsylvania has been using an innovative approach to working with partners on conservation, sustainability, and recreation.

The January 27 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation--

On January 18, the Brandywine Conservancy announced it ended 2022 with more than 500 total conservation easements held by the organization, while also exceeding 70,000 acres of land that have been permanently preserved through both direct and facilitated easements.

On January 25, Natural Lands announced the preservation of approximately 106 acres in New Garden Township, Chester County. The land, formerly the site of the Loch Nairn Golf Club, was purchased by the Township for use as a passive-recreation park, which is slated to open to the public in 2024.

The PA Environmental Council is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Communications Coordinator who works with the Director of Communications to develop and produce compelling multimedia content, maintain and improve communications infrastructure, and ensure that PEC’s message reaches the right audiences.

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

Want to learn more about nature and how to protect it? Want to meet more like-minded people and make a difference together?  Become a PA Master Naturalist volunteer!

The latest DEP Teaching Green environmental education newsletter is chock full of new information for formal and informal educators.  Here’s just a sampling--

Eagles and snow geese and bears, oh my! You can watch-- and hear-- all of them this winter, anywhere you go, through the Game Commission’s round-the-clock livestreams.

The Western PA Conservancy is hosting three free webinars about nature near you featuring people, projects and programs that help protect and restore Western Pennsylvania's water, land and wildlife.

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--

On January 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced a settlement with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. and numerous affiliated companies (collectively, GWRSI) for violation of Clean Air Act (CAA) locomotive regulations.

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 January 28 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.