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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
February 20, 2023 - Issue #970
(2/20/2023)
* 50 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 50 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

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

* Weekly List Of PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic

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

* DEP Issued 754 Notices Of Violation For Defective Oil & Gas Well Casing, Cementing, The Fundamental Protection Needed To Prevent Gas Migration, Groundwater & Air Contamination, Explosions

The Department of Environmental Protection issued at least 754 notices of violation to oil and gas operators for defective oil and gas well casing and cementing, the fundamental protection needed to maintain well integrity, to prevent explosions, groundwater, natural gas migration and air contamination from 2016 through 2022, according to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.

* Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 11 to 17

From February 11 to 17, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 513 inspection reports that resulted in reporting 48 violations of environmental regulations-- 28 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 20 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

* PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - Feb. 18

The following DEP notices were published in the February 18 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

* DEP Approves Permits For Transcontinental Gas Regional Energy Access Expansion Pipeline Project in Luzerne, Northampton, Bucks, Chester, Monroe Counties

On February 3, DEP issued Chapter 102 and 105 permits for the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC Regional Energy Access Expansion Natural Gas Pipeline Project.  (PA Bulletin, page 1009)

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approves 38 Water Use Requests For Shale Gas Well Drilling Pads In Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wyoming Counties

In January, the Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission gave his approval to 38 water use permits for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.  (formal notice)

* Better Path Coalition Hosts Feb. 21 Webinar On DEP's Federally-Funded Oil & Gas Well Plugging Program

The Better Path Coalition will host a February 21 webinar on abandoned oil and gas wells and DEP's federally-funded well plugging program starting at 7:00 p.m.

* PA Environmental Defense Foundation Files Court Motion To Prevent Unconstitutional Spending Of DCNR Oil & Gas Revenues For Nonconservation Purposes

On February 10, the PA Environmental Defense Foundation filed a motion with Commonwealth Court continuing its efforts to prevent the unconstitutional spending of DCNR Oil and Gas Fund monies for nonconservation purposes.

* Gov. Shapiro Lays Out Serious Concerns Regarding Norfolk Southern’s Incident Management After Meeting With Beaver County Officials

On February 14, following a meeting with Beaver County Commissioners, local elected officials, and emergency management leaders, Governor Shapiro sent a letter to Norfolk Southern Corporation CEO Alan Shaw, expressing serious concerns regarding the company’s management of the February 3 train derailment.

* Gov. Shapiro Announces Pennsylvania Will Conduct Independent Water Sampling Following Ohio/PA Train Derailment

On February 16, the Shapiro Administration announced the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will be conducting independent water sampling to closely monitor water contamination risks related to the East Palestine train derailment that took place on February 3, 2023.

* PA Agriculture On Ohio/PA Train Derailment Impacts: 2 Reports Of Horses Affected By Smoke Immediately Following Controlled Burn; No Reports Of Livestock, Domestic Animal Health Symptoms After

On February 17, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding released the following statement on animal health concerns following the East Palestine train derailment:

* Two PA Senate Committees To Hold Hearings On Ohio/PA Train Derailment: Emergency Preparedness- Feb. 23; Transportation- Feb. 27 - Public Invited To Submit Questions To Transportation

On February 17, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams), Majority Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, announced the Committee will hold a hearing February 23 at the Community College of Beaver County to hear testimony on the impacts to local residents and the emergency response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

* Groups Urge DEP To Temporarily Halt Operations At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County; File 2nd Notice Of Intent To Sue For Air Pollution Violations

On February 17, the Clean Air Council and the Environmental Integrity Project sent a letter to the Department of Environmental Protection urging the state to temporarily halt operations at a Shell plastics chemical plant in Beaver County that has repeatedly violated air pollution limits and recently released plumes of black smoke for several hours.

* Center For Coalfield Justice Feb. 28 Webinar On Protecting Your Health And Property From Damage Caused By Coal Mining

The Center for Coalfield Justice will host a February 28 webinar on Protecting Your Health and Property From Damage Caused by Coal Mining starting at 6:00 p.m.

* EPA Releases $75 Million In Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding To Address Emerging Contaminants Like PFAS In PA Drinking Water

On February 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $75,086,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go to Pennsylvania to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

* EPA Region III Sets March 2 Virtual Listening Session On PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Strategic Roadmap

On February 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a virtual listening session on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap for residents living in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region on Thursday, March 2 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

* EPA: Capital Region Water Authority Agrees To Make Upgrades To Wastewater Treatment For Harrisburg Area

On February 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environmental Protection announced Capital Region Water will make substantial upgrades to the sewer and stormwater systems that serves the Harrisburg area under a proposed modified consent decree.

* National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Accepting Proposals For PA Most Effective Basins In Chesapeake Bay Watershed Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Agency and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, is soliciting proposals to accelerate implementation of cost-effective agricultural best management practices as part of the Pennsylvania Most Effective Basins Grants Program.

* Sentinels Of The Susquehanna Vol. 2 Now On Sale Featuring 40 Stories On Important River-Related Topics

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

* PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts Awards Over $65,000 To Support 37 Water Pollution Reduction Projects By Districts

The PA Association of Conservation Districts recently awarded over $65,000 in grants to support 37 water pollution reduction projects by county conservation districts.

* National Assn. Of Conservation Districts Recognizes Brian Sneeringer From Adams Conservation District

On February 15, the National Association of Conservation Districts recognized winners of its national service awards at the association’s 77th Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

* DEP Climate Change Committee To Discuss Scope Of Next Climate Impacts Assessment Report, Climate Action Plan Feb. 21

DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on February 21 to discuss a proposed scope of work for the 2024 Climate Impacts Assessment and state Climate Action Plan as required by Act 70 of 2008.

* York County-based Evangelical Environmental Network: 100,000+ Pro-Life Evangelicals Support Strong Oil & Gas Facility Methane Limits

On February 13, the York County-based Evangelical Environmental Network submitted 103,436 comments from individual pro-life Christians calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen supplemental rulemaking for Existing and New Source Standards for Reducing Methane and Toxins from the Oil/Gas Section (Docket # ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0317).

* PA Technical Assistance Program Highlights Upcoming Pollution Prevention Roundtables, Clean Energy Transition, Other Educational Programs For Businesses

The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program puts pollution prevention, transition to clean energy and other issues in the spotlight in upcoming education programs--

* Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Seeking Trash Pickers, Tree Huggers, Creek Walkers, and Do-Gooders For April 15 Cleanup

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is set to host its annual watershed-wide Stream Clean-up on Saturday, April 15th.

* PA Resources Council: Participants In Lens On Litter Photo Contest Get Extra Points For Cleaning Up Sites They Photograph

The Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest, a program of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, is an annual statewide photography contest rewarding amateur photographers who snap unusual or eye-catching images of litter across the Commonwealth.

* Acting AG Henry Obtains Settlement With Eagle Disposal For Thousands Of Missed Trash, Recycling Collections In Lancaster County; Customers Must Apply For Restitution

On February 16, Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has entered into a settlement agreement with Lancaster County-based Eagle Disposal of PA, Inc., for alleged violations of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law.

* Environmental Hearing Board Chief Judge & Chairman Thomas W. Renwand Retires After 27 Years Of Service; Steven Beckman Named Chief Judge; Sarah Clark Added To Board

After a prestigious 27-year career with the Environmental Hearing Board, Chief Judge and Chairman, Thomas W. Renwand retired on February 3, 2023. 

* DCNR Awards $290,734 In Wild Resource Conservation Program Grants

On February 13, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that $290,734 in Wild Resource Conservation Program grants have been awarded to eight projects aimed at protecting Pennsylvania’s native biodiversity.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Penn's Stewards Spring Newsletter Now Available; Interview With Bill Forrey

The Spring Penn's Stewards newsletter is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Feb. 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available

The February 17 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—

* 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 Public Notices

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the February 18 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.

* 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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