Here are 66 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 Kent Jackson

The Department of Environmental Protection will begin accepting applications for Growing Greener Plus, Section 319 Watershed Restoration, Coal Mining Bond Forfeiture, Stormwater Planning Grant applications on April 21.  The deadline to apply is June 23.  (formal notice) 

On March 31, the Department of Agriculture announced county conservation districts are now accepting applications for the new $154 million Agricultural Conservation Assistance Grant Program to help farmers build healthier soil, prevent nutrient and sediment runoff and improve farm viability.

Registration for the in-person 2023 Watershed Forestry Summit is now open!  The Summit will be held at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA, on June 14 -15, with an optional pre-conference field trip day on June 13th. 

By Bob Hedin, Hedin Environmental

The March Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights beavers at Jennings Environmental Center and the April 29 trash cleanup organized by the Aultmans Watershed Association in Indiana County.

Join the Western PA Conservancy during Earth Week for a free webinar on April 19-- Helping Elk Creek Thrive: Our Decades-Long Commitment to a Local Treasure-- starting at Noon.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a May 3 hearing on a proposed NPDES Water Quality Stormwater Discharge Permit for a proposed Rutter's convenience store in Smithfield Township, Huntingdon County next to the Old Crow Mitigation Wetland.  (PA Bulletin, page 1867)

The Ohio River Basin Alliance, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission and the Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus will host an Ohio River Basin Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. June 13 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

On March 30, Gov. Shapiro announced Norfolk Southern has completed their first $1 million in reimbursements to Pennsylvania fire departments, first responders, and Beaver County Hazmat.

On March 31, the Department of Health announced the establishment of a health resource network that will directly connect Pennsylvania residents with local providers in response to Norfolk Southern’s train derailment.

At 4:00 p.m. on March 26, the Department of Environmental Protection provided an update on a chemical spill affecting the Delaware River from a Bucks County chemical plant.

On March 30, the Stroud Water Research Center released this statement on the Bucks County chemical spill into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River--

The PJM Interconnection said it will be sending penalty assessments to electric generators that failed to perform during December’s Winter Storm Elliot this week across its service territory of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the April 1 PA Bulletin it has denied a petition by conventional oil and gas drillers to reconsider regulation of Class One natural gas gathering pipelines.

On March 31, twenty-two Pennsylvania-based and national groups expressed serious concerns in a letter to the Department of Environmental Protection regarding their interest in assuming primary management, or primacy, over the EPA’s Class VI Program, which regulates wells used for longterm, underground storage of carbon dioxide in deep rock formations.

From March 25 to 31, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 510 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 41 violations of environmental regulations-- 30 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 April 1 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On March 30, legislation-- Senate Bill 550 and soon a House companion-- creating a real community solar program was introduced in the General Assembly by a bipartisan group of legislators.

By Dave Jenkins, Conservatives For Responsible Stewardship

The Better Path Coalition and the PA Climate Convergent Network are hosting an April 26 webinar on No Miracles Needed - How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate, Clean Our Air from Noon to 1:00 p.m. as part of its virtual Brown Bag Briefing series

By Penn State News

Environmental justice and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative will be the topic of the Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management’s free April 5 webinar.

Recent high-profile events in and around southwestern Pennsylvania have demonstrated just how quickly a complex issue like air quality can become all-consuming.

The Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation recently held a webinar to discuss opportunities for the growing the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreation workforce and strengthening economic opportunities for Pennsylvania residents.

The March 31 Take Give Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology proudly announces its Third Annual Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation will occur from June 9-19, 2023 and support three projects across the Commonwealth.

By Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is switching things up this April for their 31st annual Lenape Survival Challenge Race.

Berks Nature seeking qualified candidates to fill a Land Stewardship Specialist and a Watershed Education Fellowship.

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

The Manada Conservancy hosts an April 13 in-person workshop on Converting Traditional Landscapes Into A Pollinator Paradise at the Grace UM Church in Hummelstown, Dauphin County at 7:00 p.m.

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 April 1 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.