Here are 49 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.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team

On February 27, 34 environmental and energy organizations representing a diverse range of constituencies across the Commonwealth issued a letter calling on the Governor to devote adequate funding and staff time to the implementation of major new federal investments that will create Pennsylvania jobs and move the state toward a cleaner and more resilient economy in his March 7 budget address.

On February 28, the Better Path Coalition, FracTracker Alliance and dozens of contributors released Pennsylvania Is Worth Protecting, a print and online gallery of more than 60 photographs of people, places, wildlife and more worth protecting from environmental devastation and climate change.

From February 25 to March 3, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 532 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 27 violations of environmental regulations-- 16 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 11 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the March 4 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On March 2, the Independent Fiscal Office issued a report on fourth quarter 2022 natural gas production in Pennsylvania showing a 1.6% decline in production from 2021 and a 5.1% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2021.

On March 1, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, voted 8 to 1 to issue a subpoena to Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern, to compel his attendance at a March 8 hearing at 9:00 a.m. on the Ohio/PA train derailment and “to remain until excused.”

Here are highlights of Pennsylvania state government actions related to the Ohio/PA train derailment from the week of February 27.

On February 27, the Senate Environmental and Consumer Protection Committees held a joint hearing on electric grid reliability and Winter Storm Elliot that covered lots of ground as it looked at issues on the continued unreliability of natural gas-fired power plants, the potential gap between fossil fuel power plant retirements and renewable energy coming online and the lack of technology deployed to make renewables similar in reliability to baseload power plants.

The PJM Interconnection released the third phase of PJM’s ongoing study of impacts associated with the energy transition, published February 24, that explores the pace of resource retirements and replacements through 2030 and highlights potential reliability risks to meeting growing electricity demand.

On February 27, the PJM Interconnection announced the results of its latest electricity capacity auction.  Prices in most areas were down, but up in areas with local constraints that indicate tightening conditions in certain areas.

On March 1, the City of Lancaster and nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the launch of the Lancaster County Solar and EV Charger Co-op.

To understand how properties’ exposure to and damage from tropical cyclones will be impacted by climate change, this report introduces the First Street Foundation Wind Model (FSF-WM).

On March 2, The GIANT Company, in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, announced the return of its Healing the Planet Grant Program.  Applications are due April 13.

By PA Resources Council, Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling, CAP Glass, Inc.

The latest DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress newsletter is full of actions and activities taken by counties, nonprofits and state agency partners to implement PA’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority is inviting comments on draft guidance to implement the Clean Water Procurement Program established by Act 54 in 2022.  Public comments are due by March 7.

DEP’s Clean Water Academy has just released a new online course designed to introduce legacy sediments water quality impairment and stream restoration using Oil Creek in York County as a case study.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the March 4 PA Bulletin  inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Loads Water Quality Plans for--

On February 27, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation named Joe Hallinan as the new manager of the statewide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, and Erin Via as the partnership’s tree logistics specialist.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for projects that will improve outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities about conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.

By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist

On February 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $91.9 million to Pennsylvania from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that communities can use to upgrade essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies.

On February 28, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $1.5 million in 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to help municipalities, schools, and businesses around the state switch to clean transportation and improve air quality in their communities.

After a successful pilot program in 2022 for The Wilds Are Working: A Remote Lifestyle Experience, remote workers will have the chance to apply to test out living in two new communities for 2023.

The Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications from county conservation districts for Spotted Lanternfly Response Grants to promote quarantine compliance.  The deadline for applications is April 7.  (formal notice)

On March 2, Natural Lands announced the permanent protection of a 10-acre property in Warwick Township, Chester County.

The March 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam by the PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now available featuring articles on--

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

Interested in being a more effective advocate on issues that affect the places you love to live, fish, explore, and enjoy?

On February 27, PA American Water announced entries are being accepted for its 21st Annual Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest.  The deadline for submissions is Earth Day, April 22.

Please join the PA Wilds Climate Network for the 2023 Climate Network Workshop, hosted by PA Wilds Planning Team and the Elk County Conservation District on March 28 at 9:00 a.m. at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall, 99 Clarion Rd. Johnsonburg, Elk County.

Penn State Extension is hosting a four-part online Educator Training Course series on Carbon Incentives for Forest Owners on March 8, 15, 22 and 29.

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management in Washington County will host a free March 8 webinar on renewable natural gas as part of its Energy Lecture Series.

The 2023 Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration (GLLee) is a free, fun, three-hour online interactive and self-paced crash course for educators in a Great Lakes topic.

Penn State University students interested in a career in sustainability are invited to apply for enrollment in City Semester Pittsburgh, an individualized internship program specializing in urban sustainability facilitated through the Penn State Center Pittsburgh. The dates for summer session are May 15 – Aug. 9, 2023.

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

On March 2, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced he intends to introduce legislation to establish an Independent Energy Office.

On February 27, Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation setting decommissioning standards for solar energy facilities, a resolution calling for the restart of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and addressing one of thousands of uses of PFAS “forever chemicals.”

On February 28, Senate Republicans and four Democrats voted to pass Senate Resolution 9 (Langerholc-R-Cambria) urging President Biden to restart construction of Keystone XL Pipeline, which is not in Pennsylvania.

The Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet March 6 on legislation-- Senate Bill 143 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)--  that would take away the authority of elected local government officials to move to cleaner sources of energy to address climate change.

The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee is scheduled to meet March 8 on two bills “reforming” the regulatory review process; one would allow the General Assembly to kill final regulations by doing nothing.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On February 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $21,410,211 in grant funding to 16 institutions for community-based research to examine how climate change may compound adverse environmental conditions and stressors for vulnerable populations in underserved communities.

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 March 4 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.