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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
October 3, 2005
(9/30/2005)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 10/03/05
* Take Time to Enjoy Fall in Pennsylvania, Peak Times October 8-15
Fall officially arrived September 22, but many people didn’t notice with the hurricanes, school starting and lots of other things going on.
* On the Hill - House Hears Comments on Strengthening Brownfield Cleanup Covenants
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chaired by Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) and Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield), heard comments this week on House Bill 1249 (Rubley-R-Chester) that would strengthen environmental covenants used in brownfield cleanups.
* Attorney General, Oil Industry Warn of Tough Winter Ahead
Attorney General Tom Corbett warned members of the Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee this week that home heating oil and natural gas prices could replace current concerns about gasoline prices, all due to the impacts of the two hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast.
* New Issue of Environmental Synopsis, Next Issues Forum October 24
The latest edition of the Environmental Synopsis by the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is now available online and the next Environmental Issues Forum will be October 24.
* Bills Moving in Senate/House
EnergyStar, historic preservation and utility shut-off legislation all moved this week in the General Assembly. Here’s a quick rundown…
* Other News - Groups Call On Congress to Clean Up Streams Polluted By Abandoned Mines
The PA AML Coalition, a group of over 200 Pennsylvania conservation organizations, this week called on the U.S. Congress to extend the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program until the job of cleaning up streams and water supplies polluted by abandoned mines is finished.
* DEP Asks for Comments on Interim Nutrient, Sediment Trading Policy
The Department of Environmental Protection formally published notice of its interim final guidance creating a nutrient and sediment reduction trading policy. DEP is asking for comments by November 18.
* AMD & ART Receive National Phoenix Award
The AMD&ART acid-mine drainage and art project in Vintondale, Cambria County will receive a 2005 Phoenix Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the National Brownfields Conference in November.
* Chesapeake Bay Targeted Watershed Grant Applications Due November 18
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay Program, announced they are accepting applications for the Chesapeake Bay Targeted Watersheds Grant Program.
* Chesapeake Bay Watershed Photo Contest, Entries Due October 31
Attention photographers! The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is sponsoring a Bay Watershed Photo Contest to show off the people, wildlife, farms, industries and recreation features of the Bay Watershed. Website visitors can vote on their favorites.
* New Monitoring Matters Newsletter Available Online
The latest issue of Monitoring Matters features stories on lakes and reservoirs including, the PA Watersheds Data System, bulletin board and grant opportunities, a profile of Stephen Foster Lake and Mill Creek, Bradford County and components of a lake assessment.
* Water Connects Us All - World Water Monitoring Day October 18
Citizens from around the world will join in World Water Monitoring Day on October 18 to share the results of the simultaneous measurement of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity in water bodies around the planet.
* September Issue of EPA’s Watershed News Now Online
Up-to-date information on resources available to help restore watersheds is available through Watershed News every month from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
* EPA Awards $1 Million to Redevelop Brownfields in Allegheny County
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $1 million to Allegheny County and the Riverside Center for Innovation to assess, cleanup and redevelop abandoned industrial sites into community assets throughout Allegheny County.
* Chester Waterfront Brownfields Project Wins Phoenix Award
The Waterfront Redevelopment Project in Chester, Delaware County has been selected to receive the highest honor for innovative remediation -- the Phoenix Award at the National Brownfields Conference in November.
* Sitio Web de Superfund está disponible en español
Como parte de su continuo esfuerzo por comunicarse eficazmente con la comunidad hispana a través de los Estados Unidos continentales y Puerto Rico, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA por sus siglas en inglés) ha lanzado una nueva página Web del Programa de Superfund en español.
* PUC Takes Steps to Implement Alternative Portfolio Standards
The Public Utility Commission this week approved standards to track and verify demand management, energy efficiency, and load management programs and technologies under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act that took effect in February.
* Consortium Formed to Buy Diesel Fuel Made from Waste Coal at Schuylkill Plant
Gov. Rendell this week announced the creation of a fuel consortium that will purchase nearly the full output of cheaper, cleaner diesel fuel to be produced by the nation’s first-ever waste-coal-to-diesel plant planned for Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County.
* Farm, Tourism Grants Support Ethanol, Farm Product Marketing, Trail Projects
First Industries Fund tourism and farm grants announced this week included $939,250 in support of a variety of projects, including ethanol, manure gasification, biodiesel and wood waste energy facilities, developing local farm production marketing networks, alternative uses for mushroom substrate, and promotion of the Loyalhanna Trail. Here’s a quick list--
* Small Business Energy Efficiency/Pollution Prevention Grants Awarded
Twenty-two grants totaling $120,353 were awarded this week to help small businesses put in place equipment or processes that enhance energy efficiency or promote pollution prevention from the Small Business Advantage Program.
* Cambria District Mining Office Opens for National Solar Tour October 1
DEP’s Cambria District Mining Office will be part of the October 1 National Solar Tour as an example of green building construction. When it opened in 2000, it was the first building in the United States to meet LEED 2.0 Gold Certification.
* Turnpike Commission Increases Purchase of Wind Power
Under a new, 30-month agreement, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will increase its purchase of Pennsylvania-based wind energy to 10 percent of its statewide electricity needs.
* PPL Project Earth Environmental Education Grant Applications Due
Teachers can receive up to $1,500 in funding for environmental education projects that focus on issues watersheds and wetlands, air quality, renewable and non-renewable resources, energy conservation and the greening of schools through PPL’s Project Earth Program.
* Springside School in Philadelphia is Recycle Ready with RecycleBank
Springside School in Philadelphia (pre-K through 12) is partnering with RecycleBank to launched a schoolwide recycling initiative. The program kicked off on September 22 with a special Ecofashion show by Summer Rayne Oakes.
* Recycling Workshops for Local Government Officials in October, November
The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and Department of Environmental Protection are offering seven “Municipal Recycling Works!” workshops for local government officials and recycling coordinators this Fall. Private sector recycling managers are welcome to attend.
* RecycleBank Figures in National Waste Container Rollout, Acquisition
RecycleBank, the incentive-based recycling program that tripled recycling rates in a Philadelphia pilot program, has figured in two major announcements in recent weeks -- Cascade Engineering’s national rollout of it RFID equipped waste containers and the purchase of Blue Mountain Recycling by Casella Waste Systems.
* Chester County Sponsors Computer, Hazardous Waste Collection Event October 1
If upgrading and donating are not viable options for managing your used computer or you don’t know where to safely dispose of our household hazardous waste, come to the Chester county RECYCLE IT even October 1.
* Bills Announced to Strengthen Mine Safety, Resulting from Quecreek Accident
Gov. Rendell, Sen. Kasunic (D-Somerset) and Rep. Bastian (R-Somerset) this week announced legislation to strengthen standards for protecting Pennsylvania miners, taking lessons learned from the 2002 Quecreek Mine accident and generally upgrading the state Deep Mine Safety Act.
* Shut the Door to Lead Poisoning – Lead Prevention Week October 24-30
Learn how you can prevent lead poisoning during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in October. This year’s theme is “Shut the Door to Lead Poisoning.”
* 2006 National Wetlands Award Nominations Due
The Environmental Law Institute is accepting nominations for the 2006 National Wetlands Awards until December 15.
* Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council Grants Due November 1
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council has $1 million available to support education, restoration and research funds available for applicants interested in sustainable forestry.
* PA Conservation Corps Grant Applications Due January 6
The Department of Labor and Industry is accepting applications from political subdivision and state agencies for the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps Program.
* PA Environmental Council Harrisburg Awards Dinner Set for November 16
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will hold its Harrisburg dinner on November 16. The theme for this year’s dinner will be “Innovative Environmental Solution: Harnessing the Market Place to Improve Water Quality.”
* Quick Clips
A sampling of NewsClips and links on environmental topics
* Watershed NewsClips
NewsClips from around the state on watershed-related topics
* Regulations
No new regulations were published this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published the interim final nutrient trading guidance for comment this week along with final guidance on storage tank modifications and draft guidance on air monitoring and a proposed general permit for restaurant oil and grease.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .

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