Here are 88 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--

Is this what we should expect from the natural gas industrial infrastructure in Washington County and Pennsylvania?  Is this “just the way it is” when you have this industry in your backyard?

From June 17 to 23, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 531 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 19 violations of environmental regulations-- 10 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 9 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the June 24 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on June 27 to consider legislation to increase setback distances from certain natural gas infrastructure facilities and enact a two-year moratorium in issuing air quality permits to cryptocurrency data mining facilities.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet June 26 to consider the nomination of Richard Negrin as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing July 25 to accept public comments on the proposed Roulette oil and gas wastewater injection well in Clara Township, Potter County.

On June 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection agency posted a notice announcing it has issued a permit for a Class IID oil and gas waste underground injection well in Young Township, Jefferson County known as the David A. Weaver #1 disposal well.

On June 15, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission voted to approve proposed water withdrawals and renewals projects, including 12 related to unconventional shale natural gas drilling.  (formal notice)

In May, the Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission gave his approval to 32 water use permits for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.  (formal notice)

On June 21, Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation redefining a spill and allowing polluters to decide when a spill is harmful enough to report to DEP.

On June 20, the Public Utility Commission announced the distribution of a record $278,881,450 in Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fee revenue to local governments and a variety of state programs.

On June 21, Senate Republicans voted 28 to 22 to pass Senate Bill 198 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) that would significantly narrow the grounds on which a citizen group or company could appeal DEP environmental permit decisions to the Environmental Hearing Board.

On the same day, groups of Republican and Democratic legislators in the House introduced legislation to do the same thing-- prevent SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits aimed at silencing citizen critics and preventing people from exercising their constitutional right to free speech.

By Brenda J. Shambaugh, PA Association of Conservation Districts

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now accepting applications for the Urban Community green infrastructure, water quality, access, community health and resilience and environmental justice mini-grants.  The deadline for applications is July 7.

By Beth Yount & Jodi Sulpizio, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Coordinators

On June 16, The GIANT Company in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, announced the award of $300,000 to 23 recipients of its 2023 Healing the Planet Grant Program.

On June 21, the Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee released a report on changes DEP proposed to general permits covering land application of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants and residential septage.

By Andy Yencha and Bryan Swistock

The Department of Environmental Protection announced it will start accepting applications for Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants starting June 30.  (formal notice)

The PA Solar Center is now accepting applications from municipalities, community leaders and community leadership organizations for its GET Solar Communities Program.  The deadline for applications has been extended to July 7.

On June 21, the Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania preserved 2,044 acres on 29 farms in 15 counties, forever protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

On June 21, Natural Lands and the Borough of Chester Heights, Delaware County, announced the Borough has entered into an agreement to purchase 40.2 acres of open space on Valleybrook and Smithbridge Roads for public open space.

The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program just released its 2022 Annual Report outlining their accomplishments and challenges during the year.

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

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Centers highlights a Stroud program to develop career and leadership skills in teen girls.

The Garfield Community Farm is hosting a two-day in-person Workshop on the Design and Implementation of Food Forests & Perennial Agriculture on Small to Large Acreages on June 30-July 1 at 509 Wicklow Street in Pittsburgh.

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 June 24 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.