Here are 101 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 Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On January 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of up to $101,110,178 in funding for 16 environmental restoration projects of abandoned mine lands funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

On January 16, the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved an estimated $27 million in funding for 166 local recreation, watershed protection, flood mitigation, sewage facility and an abandoned conventional oil well plugging.

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is now accepting letters of intent to apply for Schuylkill River Restoration Grants.  The deadline is February 15.

On January 3, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the Shell Petrochemical Plant Beaver County Environmental Mitigation Community Fund is now accepting applications for community projects to benefit the environment, health and/or quality of life for communities in Beaver County. 

On January 18, the Department of Environmental Protection presented the final version of technical guidance on using trenchless technology to construct natural gas, other pipelines and underground utilities to the DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee.

On January 16, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection did a routine inspection of an XTO Energy, Inc. [an ExxonMobil company] shale gas well pad in Prospect Borough, Butler County and found four shale gas wells continued to be in violation of regulations requiring wells to be plugged after abandonment.

From January 13 to 19, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 564 inspection entries (federal holiday, bad weather this week).

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

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a February 1 hearing on water withdrawal requests-- including eight related to shale gas drilling-- to be considered at the Commission’s March 14 business meeting.  (formal notice - agenda)

In December, the Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission gave his approval to 25 water use permits for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.  (formal notice)

The Better Path Coalition will host a February 1 Virtual Brown Bag Briefing on the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment - One Year Later from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On January 17, the PJM Interconnection announced it has issued a new Cold Weather Alert for its Western Region from January 19-22.

On January 16, a Tweet from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee announced the Committee will hold a second hearing February 1 with its counterpart in the Ohio Legislature on electric grid reliability within the PJM Interconnection.

The AES Corporation announced the completion of 3.5 GW of renewables projects in 2023, nearly doubling the capacity constructed compared to 2022.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will hold a webinar January 26 on Federal and State Financial Resources for Going Solar starting at Noon.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 20 PA Bulletin it will hold a February 1 virtual meeting of stakeholders on the issue of proposed rules for distributed energy resources participation in wholesale electricity markets.

On January 18, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has awarded more than $1.28 million in 2023 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to municipalities and businesses to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 20 PA Bulletin it is extending the deadline for public comments on a proposed grant program to reduce industrial sector greenhouse gas emissions (RISE PA) to January 29.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 20 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a draft Guidance Manual for Permitting of New  Commercial Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities (DEP ID: 251-2100-755).

In 2023, a partnership between PA Resources Council and the City of Pittsburgh enabled more than 2,000 residents to recycle 62+ tons of e-waste through the City’s hard-to-recycle program.  And the program continues in 2024.

On January 15, 40 volunteers collected 55 bags of litter at an event organized by the Litter Lifters Of West Vincent Township in Chester County in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Of Service.

On January 18, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group estimated, on average, bans on single-use plastic bags can eliminate almost 300 plastic bags per person, per year, according to a new analysis.

East Penn Manufacturing recently announced the launch of a unique environmental campaign-- Power2Recycle-- to highlight the partnerships between the lead battery industry and the public and the importance of proper recycling, especially when it comes to batteries.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show's 33rd butter sculpture, "Table for All: Pennsylvania Dairy Connects Communities," celebrated the important connection between the Commonwealth's farmers and their local communities through the wholesome food that they produce.

The Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake just released the agenda for the Faith & Waters Restoration Restoration Summit on February 19 at St. Mary’s Parish in Annapolis, MD.

The 2024 Watershed Congress at the Pottstown Campus of the Montgomery County Community College will be held on March 23.

On January 16, Propagate and Rodale Institute announced a new strategic partnership to promote agroforestry. The goal of the partnership is to increase the adoption of agroforestry and tree crop systems in North America.

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

The latest Watershed Winds newsletter from Penn State Extension includes articles on a wide variety of topics-- on-lot septic system maintenance, tree planting checklist for youth, choose native workshops and much more.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 20 PA Bulletin of a February 21 meeting/hearing on a revised Industrial Minerals (Noncoal) Mining Permit and an associated NPDES Water Quality Permit for the Pierson Rheems Quarry in West Donegal and Mt. Joy Townships, Lancaster County.  (PA Bulletin, page 274)

The January 24 meeting of DCNR’s Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council will feature a discussion of the newly released Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania Report conclusions and recommendations.

On January 17, Bureau of State Parks Director John Hallas announced the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is beginning restoration work at Big Elk Creek State Park in Chester County.

On January 16, the PA Environmental Council announced the award of $20,473 in Water Trail Mini-Grants. 

The Rothrock Trail Alliance, a committee of ClearWater Conservancy, is launching construction of a new multi-use, single track natural surface trail in the Rothrock State Forest in Centre County.

The Pocono Heritage Land Trust recently announced it has partnered with landowner Marsha Hallett to place a conservation easement on 32 acres bordering Mill Creek in Barrett Township, Monroe County.

On January 17, the Northcentral PA Conservancy announced it has partnered with Barry and Jane Brucklacher to preserve 29 acres in Tioga County.

The Clarion County Forest Stewardship Committee, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Game Commission, and Pennsylvania Western University-Clarion will host the 2024 Woodland Owners Conference on February 10 in Clarion.

On January 16, the Fish and Boat Commission announced it is now accepting applications for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants, and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as "R3."

Michael A. Braymer was appointed Chief Counsel to the Department of Environmental Protection effective December, 2023.

Landforce is now hiring crew members for their paid job training program which not only helps restore and maintain green community assets, it supports development of strong, capable employees for future employers.

The Fish and Boat Commission is now recruiting for the 26th Waterways Conservation Officer Trainee Class to be held in Summer 2024.

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

Join the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, your watershed colleagues, and communication experts from Green Fin Studio for an online, interactive learning experience at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6.

The January DCNR State Parks Environmental Ed newsletter is chock full of winter teaching ideas, upcoming professional development opportunities and much more.

Applications are now being accepted for the North Branch Land Trust’s 2024 Outdoor Educator Bootcamp sponsored by DiscoverNEPA.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for the Stepping Stones Fly Fishing Program for students 14 to 16 on May 10-12 at the Krislund Camp & Conference Center in Madisonburg, Centre County.

Berks County-based Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is thrilled to once again offer our Winter Artisan Series! Join us on the Mountain to explore a diverse array of hands-on artisan workshops instructed by local, talented professional artists.

Penn State's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute will host another in its series of EarthTalks January 22 on Building SURE (Sustainable And Resilient) Communities starting at 4:00 p.m.

The latest Energy Essentials newsletter from Penn State Extension highlights upcoming energy-related educational opportunities and much more.

The Health Effects Institute will holds its Annual Conference in Philadelphia on April 28-30 to  hear from air pollution experts from around the world

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 January 18, the US Senate Energy & Public Works Committee passed by unanimous consent bipartisan ‘Good Samaritan’ legislation that would help clean up chronic pollution leaking from abandoned hardrock mines, according to Trout Unlimited.

On January 18, Pennsylvania members of Congress Glenn Thompson (R) and Chris Deluzio (D) introduced the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act designed to empower states to maximize their operational flexibility when plugging abandoned conventional oil and gas wells.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania is urging landowners interested in restoring, enhancing, and protecting wetlands to apply to the Wetlands Reserve Easement Program.

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 January 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.