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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
July 3, 2023 - Issue #989
(7/3/2023)
* 95 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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.

* Weekly List Of PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic

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

* Senate Overwhelmingly Confirms Richard Negrin As Secretary Of DEP

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

* House Democratic Leadership Blocks Environmental Committee Action On Bills Increasing Safety Zones Around Natural Gas Facilities, Cryptocurrency Permit Moratorium

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.

* Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - June 24 to 30 - Radiation Levels Prompt Shale Gas Wastewater Tank Decontamination; Replugging Conventional, Shale Gas Wells

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.

* PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - July 1

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.

* Environmental Quality Board Meets July 11 To Consider Changes To Water Quality Standards; DEP Reports Law Limiting Its Authority To Change Conventional Oil & Gas Well Bonding May Be Unconstitutional

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 Citizens Advisory Council Meets July 11 On Programs To Promote Use Of Electric Vehicles; Chapter 105 Environmental Assessment Alternatives Analysis

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

* Independent Fiscal Office Projects 2023 Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fee Revenue At $180 to $184 Million, A Drop Of $94 Million From 2022 Revenue

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.

* DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Air Quality General Permit For Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares

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)

* DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Cryptocurrency Power Generation Facility By Diversified Production, LLC At A Shale Gas Well In Elk County

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)

* House Environmental Committee Hears Progress Report On Cleaning Up PA’s Portion Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed

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.

* Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement At 40: Perspectives On Pennsylvania From Former DEP Secretary, EPA Region 3 Administrator Jim Seif

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

* Western PA Conservancy Watershed Conservation Program Receives U.S. Forest Service Award For Decades-Long Work To Improve Water Quality In The Allegheny National Forest

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.

* Penn State Extension: Meadow Repository - Resources For Planning, Planting Meadows

By Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

* DEP Starts Accepting Applications For Next Round Of Federally-Funded Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants For Locally-Sponsored Projects July 3

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)

* DEP Invites Comments On Individual Stormwater Permit For 4,000 Acre ‘Conservation’ Housing Development Next To Hickory Run State Park In Carbon County

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)

* House Passes Bipartisan Bill Establishing Grant Program To Support Solar Energy Facilities At Schools

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.

* Pennsylvania Groups Call For Transparency With State Plans For Carbon Capture, Storage

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.

* DEP Soliciting Extensions Of Expired Vouchers For Driving PA Forward’s Onroad Cleaner Diesel Vehicle Rebate Program

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)

* DEP Extends Application Period, Increases Rebate Amounts And Expands Healthy Electrified Commercial Kitchen Rebate Program To Restaurants

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)

* DEP Announces Award Of $16.3 Million In Local Act 101 Recycling Grants To 80 Municipalities

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)

* PA Resources Council, City Of Washington Partner On Permanent Glass Recycling Station In Washington County

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.

* July PA Township News Packed With Articles On Parks, Trails, Recreation, Grid-Scale Solar Facilities, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, More

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.

* June 30 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

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

* June 23 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

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

* The Conservation Fund: PA's Delaware State Forest Grows By 555 Acres In Pike County

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.

* Natural Lands Finalizes Crebilly Farm Conservation Easements Protecting 102 Acres In Chester County

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

* Natural Lands Adding Acres To Sadsbury Woods Preserve 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.

* Willistown Conservation Trust & Natural Lands Receive $25,000 Grant From Cornell Lab Of Ornithology To Reverse The Decline Of Grassland Birds In 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.

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

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

* Capital RC&D, PA Grazing Lands Coalition To Host July 18 Rotational Grazing Pasture Walk In Northampton County

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.

* PennTAP Hosts July 20 Webinar On Funding And Incentives For Energy Efficiency Improvements At Your Facility

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.

* Delaware River Watershed Land Protection Group Summer Meeting July 21 In Bucks County

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.

* PA Sustainable Community Development Network: July 25 Webinar On Activating Municipal Sustainability Teams To Attract Funding

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.

* Registration Open! PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals 2023 Annual Conference Sept. 20-22 In State College

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.

* Penn State Extension Sept. 26 Webinar: How Community Forests Provide Critical Environmental & Societal Services, Buffer Local Heat And Moisture Swings

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 Webinar: Pennsylvania's Solar Future - Utility Scale Facilities, Oct. 25

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.

* Call For Presentations: PA State Association Of Township Supervisors 2024 Conference On April 14-17 In Hershey

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

* News From PA House & Senate

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

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

* Grants & Awards

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

* PA Bulletin Public Notices

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the July 1 PA Bulletin--

* Stories Invited - About PA Environment Digest

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.

* Supporting Member PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers; PA Outdoor Writers Assn.; PA Trout Unlimited

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.

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