Here are 100 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--

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and friends recently celebrated the winners of the 2024 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards in Pittsburgh, bringing together regional leaders, longtime partners, and supporters to recognize success in environmental protection and restoration, outdoor recreation, and conservation-focused economic development.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a June 10 hearing on the issue of road dumping oil and gas wastewater as a waste disposal method.

On June 7, the Better Path Coalition reported the Department of Environmental Protection has removed the co-product category from its waste disposal reporting database for conventional oil and gas well owners, according to documents the Coalition received in response to a Right-To-Know request.

On the agenda for DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board June 13 meeting is a discussion of a variety of topics, including--

From June 1 to 7, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 546 inspection entries, and caught up with previous week’s postings..

The following DEP notices were published in the June 8 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On June 3, the Independent Fiscal Office reported shale gas production in Pennsylvania dropped from 1,939 billion cubic feet in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,881 billion cubic feet in the first quarter of 2024.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on June 11 to hear presentations on the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, Ag-Grid Energy and more on electronics waste recycling..

The following article appeared in the latest Anthracite Report by the Pennsylvania Anthracite Council--

On June 5, the US Department of the Interior announced that nearly $725 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation to create good-paying jobs and catalyze economic opportunity by reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AML).

On June 3, the US Department of the Interior announced the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is making available $130 million in fiscal year 2024 funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. 

On June 5, the Center For Coalfield Justice said critical details regarding the fire that consumed a three-story building owned and operated by Omnis Bailey LLC at the CONSOL Bailey Mine Complex on May 20 remain unknown.

The Choose Clean Water Coalition Energy Work Group will hold an online Coal To Solar presentation and discussion on June 17 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 8 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Portland Power, LLC Power Plant at a public hearing set for July 10 for the facility located in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3213)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 8 PA Bulletin inviting comments at a July 10 hearing on the Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Hazleton Generation Power Plant in Hazle Township, Luzerne County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3214)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 8 PA Bulletin inviting comments at a July 10 hearing on the Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Omnova Solutions, Inc. Auburn Plant in West Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3214)

On June 4, the Clean Air Council said US Steel is taking steps to comply with the lawsuit settlement to reduce harmful air pollution from the Clairton Coke [Coal] Works in Allegheny County.

On June 6, more than 400 Pennsylvanians representing over 50 state House and Senate districts signed up to join meetings with their legislators to lobby for climate change solutions for Pennsylvania.

On June 7, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn recently visited Presque Isle State Park to celebrate newly installed solar arrays that produce enough renewable energy to power the peninsula at the park.

On June 5, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will host a public hearing to take testimony from residents regarding an application for a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System Permit (NPDES) for the proposed warehouse 180-115 C-1 Site, LLC Project in Blakeslee, Monroe County.

On June 3, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania announced it is accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants Programs.  Proposals are due by July 31.

On June 7, the Allegheny County Conservation District announced it was awarded a $30,000 DEP Environmental Education Grant for the Development Patterns and Municipal Engagement for Optimal Natural Resource Outcomes.

Is your stream healthy? Would you like to explore it more closely or monitor changes over time? Have you recently taken steps to improve your stream and now want to measure the results?

By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

On June 3, The GIANT Company, in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, announced the return of its Healing the Planet Grant Program.  The deadline for applications is July 1.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 8 PA Bulletin that Cocopar is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 3258)

On June 5, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful celebrated the 2024 class of Young Ambassadors Program during a virtual graduation ceremony.

On June 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Forester Seth Cassell announced the Bureau of Forestry will hold a virtual town hall meeting June 12 to share perspectives and receive feedback on its draft plan: Forests for All: A Plan for Pennsylvania’s Forests and People.

On June 3, the National Association of Conservation Districts announced its Northeast Mid-Atlantic Forests and Water Partnership Project has been awarded a $585,824 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Landscape Scale Restoration program.

The PA Environmental Council announced the award of $60,000 in 2024-25 Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grants to support 11 local projects.

Nature Photography Day is June 15. Celebrate with North Branch Land Trust on the Butler Preserve Barrens Trail in Hazle Township for a Guided Photography Hike.

The latest Wild Heritage News from the PA Natural Heritage Program features articles on seepage wetlands, Lake Erie cisco, vernal pools, wood turtle habitat management, rare and endangered crayfish, new information about invasive species, two rare plants, and fungal biodiversity.

On July 30, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on Tree Communication How Trees Thrive Thru Interactions With Each Other And Their Environment from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

The Responsible Decarbonization Alliance will host wildlife ecologist Doug Tallamy for a special Change Waits In Your Yard presentation on June 17 at the Lycoming College Academic Center, Room D-001 in Williamsport starting at 7:00 p.m.

The PA Firefly Festival in Forest County is officially sold out. More than 2,500 entered the lottery for tickets to the annual celebration and education experience and 150 were selected.

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

The May edition of the DCNR State Parks Environmental Education newsletter advises taking time for ourselves by visiting a green space during National Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

The following Senate/House bills are now on the Governor’s desk for action--

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 June 8 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.