Here are 95 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--

On June 27, the Senate voted 48 to 1 to confirm Richard Negrin as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

On June 27, Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced to the Committee--  “Five minutes ago I was called by my [Democratic] leadership and asked to not run these bills” to increase safety zones around natural gas facilities and enacting a cryptocurrency permit moratorium.

From June 24 to 30, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 435 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 23 violations of environmental regulations-- 8 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 15 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the July 1 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On July 11, the Environmental Quality Board will consider DEP’s report on a rulemaking petition to raise the well plugging bonding amounts for conventional oil and gas wells, proposed changes to state water quality criteria and other regulations.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet July 11 to hear presentations on initiatives by PennDOT and DEP to promote the use of electric vehicles in Pennsylvania

On June 26, the Independent Fiscal Office issued a report estimating the 2023 Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee revenue paid by unconventional shale gas operators will be between $10 and $184 million, a drop of $94 million from the record 2022 revenue of $278.9 million.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 1 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed new General Permit Plan Approval covering Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares (BAQ-GPA/GP-21).  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Air Quality Plan Approval for a cryptocurrency power generation facility by Diversified Production, LLC at the Longhorn Pad A shale gas well in Horton Township, Elk County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3437)

On June 26, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee heard an update from key stakeholders on efforts to clean up Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

By Jill Whitcomb, Director Of DEP's Bureau Of Watershed Restoration

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Watershed Conservation Program was awarded the U.S. Forest Service’s Partnership Award for the Conservancy’s long standing watershed work in the Allegheny National Forest and the Allegheny Watershed Improvement Needs (WINs) Coalition.

By Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

The Department of Environmental Protection will begin accepting applications for abandoned mine reclamation and mine drainage treatment project grants on July 3.  The deadline for applications is August 25.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 1 PA Bulletin inviting comments on an individual NPDES Stormwater Permit (PAD130040) for a proposed 4,000 acre ‘conservation’ housing development in Kidder and Penn Forest Townships in Carbon County by Preservation Graystones, LLC from Vermont.  (PA Bulletin, page 3432)

On June 29, the House passed the bipartisan House Bill 1032 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia) establishing a grant program to support solar energy facilities at schools by a vote of 134 to 69.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

On June 29, eighteen Pennsylvania-based and national groups called on state leaders to commit to transparency regarding Pennsylvania’s carbon management policies in a letter sent to Governor Shapiro and members of the General Assembly.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 1 PA Bulletin soliciting applications to extend vouchers for Driving PA Forward Onroad Cleaner Diesel Vehicle Program projects issued in 2021-2022 to allow for the completion of those projects.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection is extending the application period for the Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchen Rebate Program to December 31, increasing rebates and expanding the program to include restaurants.  (formal notice)

On July 1, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $16.3 million in Act 101 Section 902 local Recycling Grants to 80 municipalities across Pennsylvania.  (formal notice)

Residents in the City of Washington, Washington County can soon drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs at a permanent recycling bin in the Public Works Garage parking lot thanks to a partnership with Pennsylvania Resources Council to provide reliable, uninterrupted glass recycling access.

The July issue of PA Township News published by the PA State Association of Township Supervisors is chocked full of articles on parks, trails, recreation, grid-scale solar energy facilities, electric vehicle charging and much more.

The June 30 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The June 23 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

Pennsylvania’s Delaware State Forest is growing by 555 acres thanks to The Conservation Fund and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. The forest’s expansion will provide public access opportunities while maintaining the area’s rural character.

On June 29, Natural Lands announced the finalization of four conservation easements on 102 acres at Crebilly Farm in Chester County.

On June 28, Natural Lands announced it has added three acres of land to its Sadsbury Woods Preserve in Sadsbury Township, Chester County.

The Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative has awarded Willistown Conservation Trust and Natural Lands a $25,000 grant to promote grassland conservation in the greater Doe Run area of Chester County.

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

The Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council and the PA Grazing Lands Coalition will host a Rotational Grazing Pasture Walk on July 18 at the Harvest Home Farms in Bangor, Northampton County from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Penn State Technical Assistance Program is hosting a July 20 webinar on Funding And Incentives For Energy Efficiency Improvements At Your Facility starting at 10:30 a.m. to Noon.

The Delaware River Watershed Land Protection Group will hold an in-person meeting July 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the McCooles Arts and Events Place, 10 South Main Street in Quakertown, Bucks County.

The PA Sustainable Community Development Network is hosting a July 25 webinar on Activating Municipal Sustainability Teams To Attract Funding from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals are now accepting registrations for their 2023 Annual Conference to be held September 20-22 at the Wyndham Garden State College.

The Penn State Extension will host a September 26 webinar on How Community Forests Provide Critical Environmental & Societal Services, Buffer Local Heat And Moisture Swings  from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

WeConservePA and the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will host a webinar October 25 on Pennsylvania's Solar Future from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has issued a request for proposals for workshop presentations to be made at its 2024 Educational Conference & Exhibit Show, which will be held on April 14-17, 2024, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey

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 July 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.