Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
November 21, 2005
(11/18/2005)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 11/21/05
* Special Project – Recycle Your Old Cell Phone to East Timor
Dear Readers, Did you know you could make a real difference in the lives of people in the developing country of East Timor by donating your old cell phone for a Peace Corps volunteer’s project?
* On the Senate/House Agenda
The House and Senate return to session again on November 21 and here’s what’s on the agenda so far.
* House Environmental Committee To Consider Legislation to Increase Penalties
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will meet on November 22 to consider two bills that would increase penalties for environmental crimes and may consider legislation to create a special Energy Office.
* Bills Moving in Senate/House
In spite of the Senate and House focus on the pay raise repeal issue this week, a number of environmental bills did move. Here’s a quick rundown.
* DEP Outlines Energy Policies/Projects to House Environmental Committee
Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty this week appeared before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to outline steps the Rendell Administration has taken to diversify Pennsylvania’s sources of energy and make them more environment-friendly.
* Other News - $14.4 Million in Watershed Restoration Grants Announced
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the award of $14.4 million in Watershed Restoration Grants for 129 projects.
* Next Round of Watershed Restoration Grant Applications Due March 3
The Department of Environmental Protection announced the next round of Watershed Restoration Grant applications are due March 3.
* Chesapeake Bay Shows No Improvement Over Last Year
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation released its annual State of the Bay Report this week giving the Bay’s health a grade of “D.” The health index rating of 27 is unchanged for the third year in a row.
* DEP Extends Public Comment Period on Nutrient Trading Policy
The Department of Environmental Protection announced an extension of the public comment period for the Interim Final Nutrient Trading Policy to December 31.
* Property Management for Cleaner Streams Workshops November 29, 30
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Green Valleys Association are sponsoring two “Property Management for Cleaner Streams” workshops on November 29 and 30.
* PA Rural Water Association Annual Conference March 21-24
The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association is accepting registrations for its annual conference to be held March 21-24, 2006 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, State College.
* EPA Releases Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2005
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week released the agency's Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2005 summarizing the environmental and fiscal performance results it achieved during the last year.
* DEP Announces $5.9 Million in Energy Harvest Grant Awards
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced $5.9 million in grant funding for 34 projects under the Energy Harvest Grant Program.
* Exelon Sold 1 Million+ Megawatt-Hours of Wind Energy, Gathers Honors
Exelon Corporation this week celebrated more than 1 million megawatt-hours sold as it enters its fifth year in the wind energy business and continues to provide emission-free, reliable electricity to customers throughout Pennsylvania.
* Limerick Generating Station Achieves ISO 14000 Environmental Certification
The environmental management systems for Limerick Generating Station have been certified under the ISO 14000 standards of the International Organization for Standardization, Exelon Nuclear announced this week.
* Alternative Energy Theme of 2006 Goddard Forum Set for January
"The Opportunities and Challenges of the Pennsylvania Renewable Portfolio Standard: Emerging Technologies, Regulations, and Institutions" is the theme for the 2006 Goddard Forum to be held on January 30 and 31 in State College.
* Graduate and Undergraduate Research Fellowships Announced by EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced the award of 165 research fellowships for students pursuing degrees in environmental studies, including nine students in Pennsylvania, with a total of nearly $10 million in awards.
* Seven of 10 Open Space Funding Ballot Questions Pass in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association this week reported seven of the 10 referendums to increase funding for open space and farmland preservation on the November 8 ballot were approved. Only ballot questions in townships in Cumberland and Chester were not approved.
* PA CleanWays Releases Results of Six-County Illegal Dump Survey
Over 760 illegal dumpsites, containing an estimated 1,800 tons of illegally dumped household trash, appliances, tires, household hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, furniture, vehicle parts, and electronics have been identified in Allegheny, Cumberland, Erie, Fayette, Mercer, and Washington counties.
* Penn State Newspaper Recycling Effort Raises Scholarship Funds
Thanks to the recycling efforts tied to the Newspaper Readership Program at the Penn State University Park campus, about $60,000 has been raised for a recycling scholarship that is part of the Board of Trustees Matching Scholarship Program.
* RecycleMania Hits College Campuses in New EPA Recycling Competition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting colleges and university to be part of a friendly competition to see which campuses can recycle the most between January 29 and April 8, 2006.
* Remember To Wear Orange Whether Hunting or Hiking This Deer Season
With deer season around the corner, many Pennsylvanians are heading out to enjoy the fall season, Game Commission officials this week reminded those visiting any of the agency's 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands or doing any hiking in potential hunting areas to wear fluorescent orange.
* Game Commission Opens New Online Hunting/Trapping Photo Scrapbook
The Game Commission invited sportsmen and women to showcase their achievements on the agency's "Hunter/Trapper Photo Scrapbook."
* 2006 Trout/Salmon Stamp Products Now Available Online
Patches, fine art prints and other merchandise related to the Pennsylvania Trout/Salmon Stamp program are now available from the Fish and Boat Commission’s exclusive publisher for such products, Wilderness Editions.
* Andrew McElwaine Leaving PA Environmental Council
Andrew McElwaine, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, announced this week he is leaving to become head of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
* Nicholas Selected as Wild Resource Conservation Director
Sara J. Nicholas, a former American Rivers administrator who has overseen wide-ranging conservation efforts with private and federal organizations, has been named executive director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Wild Resource Conservation Program.
* HELP WANTED – PRC Seeks Educator
The Pennsylvania Resources Council is seeking a P/T qualified, experienced regional educator for Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties.
* Feature - Important Bird Areas, Kittatinny Ridge Project Protect Habitat Areas
Representatives of Audubon Pennsylvania this week gave an overview of two habitat protection projects that involve millions of acres in the state—Pennsylvania’s Important Bird Areas Program and the Blue Mountain-Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Project.
* Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state.
* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
* Regulations
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission published notice it approved Nutrient Management Certification rules and the Department of Environmental Protection updated its list of certified radon testing and mitigation firms.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published three notices- industry-wide coproducts for reclaimed asphalt pavement, laboratory reporting for drinking water systems and notice of coal mining bond rate guidelines.
* 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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