Here are 51 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.

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

During a May 10 Commonwealth Court hearing, an attorney for Olympus Energy LLC said the hundreds of notices of violation issued by DEP to the company should not be admissible in local land use proceedings because they do not prove the company’s shale gas drilling operations have an adverse impact on the environment “beyond the normal that would be expected from any oil and gas development.”

On May 18, Tioga Publishing reported the Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group issued the following letter to Cindy Adams Dunn, Acting Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources--

The following editorial first appeared in the Citizens Voice on May 17, 2023--

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on May 23 to consider legislation to restore DEP’s authority to review conventional oil and gas well plugging bonding amounts to help prevent the routine abandonment of 561 conventional oil and gas wells a year, authorize streambank fencing and designate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week.

On May 17, 2023, a DEP followup inspection at a Tatonka Oil Co. LLC conventional well site known as Nancy 13 in Deerfield Township, Warren County found it to be still venting natural gas to the atmosphere.  [DEP inspection report]

The following DEP notices were published in the May 20 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On May 18, the Physicians For Social Responsibility PA, Environmental Health Project, Center for Coalfield Justice, FracTracker Alliance and the Mountain Watershed Association Youghiogheny Riverkeeper said they have not yet heard from the state Department of Health or the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health on the status of studies of the health impacts of oil and gas industrial facilities.

On May 17, Marcellus Drilling News reported Zefiro Methane Corp. announced it has acquired a majority ownership stake in McKean County-based Plants & Goodwin for the purpose of plugging orphan and abandoned oil and gas wells to create methane emission offsets.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a May 22 hearing on hydrogen hubs and climate change.

On May 17, the Public Utility Commission alerted consumers that on June 1 most electric utilities will be adjusting electric generation prices charged to non-shopping, or default service, customers – and reminded them they have options to #SaveinPA this summer, including shopping with competitive electric generation suppliers (EGSs) and exploring energy efficiency and conservation measures around their home or business.

On May 18, the Public Utility Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Order proposing amendments to current regulations for the Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) and requesting public comment.

On May 18, the Public Utility Commission formally began the process of drafting a policy statement on electric utility rate design for electric vehicle (EV) charging, following the review of comments submitted by concerned parties and the recommendations of the Commission’s EV Charging Rate Design Working Group.

On May 18, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a new report illustrating how the PJM Interconnection plans to speed up the queue for new generation projects will likely be insufficient for states committed to renewable portfolio standard requirements.

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation will host a PA Solar On Mined Lands Summit on July 19 at the Ramada Conference Center in State College from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On May 18, The Heinz Endowments announced the award of nearly $11.1 million in grants to support programs that strengthen children and families, focusing on areas including food insecurity, education, housing, and environmental health. 

On May 15, the Shapiro Administration announced it will hold a Small Business Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Darlington Township, Beaver County.

On May 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new proposed rule for comment that would hold companies accountable for controlling and cleaning up now inactive impoundments and historical coal ash disposal sites created by the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR or coal ash), which can cause serious public health risks and leak into groundwater.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and BHE GT&S a Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company recently awarded 15 grants, totaling $39,484, to 15 different local environmental organizations in nine different counties across Western Pennsylvania as part of the 2023 Watershed Mini Grant Program.

By Diane Huskinson, Stroud Water Research Center

By David Wise, Stroud Water Research Center

The Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Outreach Coordinator in Lancaster County.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Program provides a free recycling service that rotates through a variety of locations in western Pennsylvania. 

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on May 24 to hear presentations on a revised DCNR Climate Action Plan, the Cultural and Historical Resources Program and other updates from the agency.

On May 15, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn celebrated the induction of the Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area in Bald Eagle State Forest into the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN).

On May 18, the Shapiro Administration announced its support for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's draft proposal for a national marine sanctuary in Lake Erie.

Agricultural landowners and owners of non-industrial private forestland can once again apply for funding for USDA NRCS RCPP Entity-Held Easements in the RCPP Project lead by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture entitled “Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape.”

The Land Conservancy of Adams County, partnering with landowners Walter and Jeannette Smith in Franklin Township, permanently preserved nearly 10 acres of rural land south of Arendtsville.

The May 19 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On May 18, the Governor’s Invasive Species Council underscored the importance of sustaining native plants, insects, and animals on land and in our waters during a visit to North Creek Nurseries to celebrate the second annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day.

On May 17, John Donahue, Executive Director of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation signed a master agreement with USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore.

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

DCNR’s State Parks May Environmental Education newsletter highlights spring and summer educational activities and programs, including--

The Elk Conservation District will host a Regional Forest Landowners Workshop on June 17 at the Elk County EMS & 911 Center in Ridgway from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals will host in-person Level 1 Certification Training in Lancaster August 29-30.

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 May 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the completion of the groundwater treatment system at the Chem Fab Superfund Site in Doylestown, Bucks County, thanks to $2.9 million under the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to expedite the cleanup.

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 May 20 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.