Here are 121 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--

PennFuture celebrated 25 years of fighting climate change and industrial pollution by holding anniversary celebrations in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to honor seven Pennsylvanians for their contributions to restoring and protecting the environment.

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

Information provided by the Department of Environmental Protection in response to a Right to Know request shows DEP took major enforcement actions against 26 shale gas drilling and pipeline companies in 2023, including imposing $2,290,849 in penalties for violations going back to 2018.

On May 14, Rep. Greg. Vitali (D-Delaware) circulated a cosponsor memo asking House colleagues to support legislation banning the disposal of conventional oil and gas wastewater by dumping it on public roads.

On Mothers Day, May 12, road dumping opponent Siri Lawson in Warren County said conventional oil and gas well owners left her another “present” -- they dumped their wastewater on the road in front of her home in Farmington Township for the sixth time in the last six weeks.

In the last week, the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh and Brandie Jefferson from the University of Pittsburgh published articles saying oil and gas wastewater can be a major source of lithium for rechargeable battery production.

On May 15, the Environmental Hearing Board denied an Olympus Energy, LLC motion to prevent Protect PT from presenting expert reports and testimony in an appeal involving DEP permits at the Metis Shale Gas Well Pad in Penn Township, Westmoreland County.  [EHB Docket #2023-025]

On May 14, 2024, The Derrick reported Administrative Law Judge Mark A. Hoyer has scheduled a May 21 prehearing telephone conference as part of the Public Utility Commission investigation into the future of the Venango Water Company.

From May 11 to 17, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 465 inspection entries, and caught up on posting more than the usual number of inspection reports from the previous week.

The following DEP notices were published in the May 18 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Penn State Extension will host a May 30 webinar on the Landowner Role In Conventional Orphaned, Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On May 15, the Shapiro Administration, through an advisory board at the Department of Environmental Protection made up of environmental and community advocates, has recommended funding 21 projects to benefit the environment, heath, and quality of life of the Beaver County community to mitigate the negative impacts of the Shell Petrochemical Plant's environmental violations.

On May 17, it was announced by the Philly Water Settlement Administrator a class action lawsuit settlement has been reached with Altuglas LLC and Trinseo LLC in the lawsuit captioned McGraw, et al. v. Altuglas LLC, et al., No. 240100060 (Phila. CCP).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed redesignation request and maintenance plan for the Beaver Area Nonattainment Area for Sulfur Dioxide Air Quality Standard showing the area can attain the standard.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the renewal of a Title V Air Quality Permit with RACT III revisions for the Flexsys America, LP Monongahela Plant in Carroll Twp., Washington County. (PA Bulletin, page 2660)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a revised Title V Air Quality Operating Permit including RACT II requirements for the Seward Generation, LLC coal waste power plant in East Wheatfield Twp., Indiana County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2659)

On May 13, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $5,672,751 in federal funding to support eight local abandoned mine lands and mine drainage restoration projects as a part of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin announcing it is now accepting applications for Act 167 county Stormwater Management Plan preparation.  The deadline to apply is August 30.

The PA Emergency Management Agency published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin of 2024 guidance for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program that provides disaster relief to individuals when other Federal, State, local, nongovernmental or private aid is not available to assist victims of disasters.

The Buffalo Creek Coalition and Audubon Society of Western PA will host a hybrid workshop June 6 on Abandoned Mine Drainage Management & Treatment In Western PA from 9:00 a.m to Noon.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting groups and individuals to submit technical data on water quality, instream habitat or biological information as part of stream redesignation evaluations in Berks, Bucks, Centre, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Westmoreland counties.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin announcing a June 20 hearing on an individual Stormwater Permit for a 92.5 acre commercial development by  I80-115 C-1 Site, LLC in Tunkhannock Twp., Monroe County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2691)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin announcing the intent to deny an individual Stormwater Permit for the AAA State College Storage & Warehousing, LLC 146 residential unit and 73 commercial unit development in Benner Township, Centre County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2691) 

On May 14, the departments of Labor and Industry and Agriculture announced the award of a $350,000 grant to the Rodale Institute in Berks County for the development of a first-in-Pennsylvania apprenticeship program that will offer real opportunity to Pennsylvanians seeking in-demand careers as organic compliance inspectors in the agriculture industry.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is seeking technical service providers to create new or updated Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, including priority conservation practice design and engineering, for eligible agricultural producers within two priority watersheds--

Three Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) programs are now accepting proposals for $5.9 million in sustainable agriculture project funding.  Proposals are due August 6.

The Penn State Extension will hold another in its webinar series of Water Cooler Talks June 5 on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Our. Environment from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On May 15, the Pennsylvania Solar Center announced a Request for Proposals from certified solar developers on behalf of East Penn School District in Macungie, Lehigh County.

The PA Commission for the US Semiquincentennial (America250PA), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT Corporation natural gas drilling and pipeline company and the Department of Transportation, announced the eight recipients of its 2024 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grants.

On May 14, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced Newtown Square In Bloom in Delaware County will receive the KPB Community Pride Award for their volunteer efforts to beautify areas in Newtown Township.

On May 14, the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, and Department of the Interior , announced the designation of five new sentinel landscapes.

On May 14, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn celebrated the induction of the Forrest H. Dutlinger Natural Area in Susquehannock State Forest into the Old-Growth Forest Network.

On May 16, officials from the Departments of Health, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection announced 29 student winners of the 2024 “Protect. Check. Remove. Lyme Disease Student Art Competition.”

On May 16, the Governor's Invasive Species Council highlighted the importance of protecting native plants, insects, and animals during the third annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day at Big Elk Creek State Park in Chester County.

On May 15, the Philadelphia-based Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education board of trustees announced they have named Erin Mooney as the organization’s executive director.

The US Department of Agriculture is seeking qualified candidates for the County Program Technician Position in Schuylkill County.

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

The Penn State Extension will hold another in its Land Use Webinar Series May 15 on Green Infrastructure Planning For Healthier, Resilient Communities from Noon to 1:15.

The PA Solar Center will host a May 17 webinar updating participants on federal solar energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

See solar energy installations close up, ask questions about how solar works, learn why homes in your community are going solar, and connect with your neighbors during the Centre County Solar Tour on May 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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 May 18 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.

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