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UPDATED: Senate Leaves, House Comes Back Monday to Work on Budget
The Senate left town on a six-hour call after the Appropriations Committee reported out a $750 million highway and transit funding bill. The House voted 102 to 96 to non-concur in the Senate-passed general state budget sending the bill back to the Senate and a possible conference committee. The House plans to return to session July 2.
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On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House are scheduled to be in voting session at least Saturday (see Session Schedule), so Calendars and Committee schedules are in a state of “flux.” Here’s what we know at the moment…
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On the Governor’s Desk
The following bills reached the Governor’s Desk so far this week…
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Senate/House Bills Moving
Here’s the rundown on environmental bills moving in the General Assembly this week….
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Senate Committee Moves Mine Families First, Transmisison Line Bills, Nuclear Fees
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week reported out bills that would establish the Mine Families First Program, a resolution expressing opposition to electric transmission line routes and legislation increasing fees on nuclear power plants.
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Senate Approves Hazardous Sites Cleanup Funding Plan, Others Pending
The Senate this week approved by a vote of 36 to 14 a proposal to fund the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program by using revenues from the Realty Transfer Tax earmarked for the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
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Environmental Covenants Bill Ensures Brownfields Remain Safe
A daycare center could never be located on a former hazardous waste site under House Bill 43 (Rubley (R-Chester) creating environmental covenants that passed the House this week.
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House Committee Holds Hearing on Flooding Along the Delaware River
The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a public hearing this week on flooding and flood mitigation efforts along the Delaware River.
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Senate Confirms New PUC Commissioners
The Senate this week confirmed the nominations of Ty Christy and Kim Pizzingrilli to serve on the Public Utility Commission.
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2007 Friends of the Lehigh River Award Recipients Recognized
The Wildlands Conservancy announced this week that Dennis Demara, Dean Druckenmiller, of the Northampton Borough Municipal Authority and the United States Army Corps of Engineers were this year’s ‘Friend of the Lehigh River’ Award recipients.
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Public Comment Invited on Wild Brook Trout Management Plan
The Fish and Boat Commission is inviting public comment on adding naturally reproducing eastern brook trout to the State Wildlife Action Plan, the document that prescribes conservation measures for species and their critical habitat before they become more rare and more costly to protect and restore.
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Rural Water Assn. Announces Professional Office Conference
The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association will hold its Professional Office Conference October 16-17 in State College. Three separate tracks have been designed specifically for board members, managers and office personnel of the water and wastewater industry.
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Penn State Shows Running Tractors on Straight Biofuels is (Bio) logical
A collaborative biofuel demonstration project involving Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and machinery manufactured by Case New Holland is attracting worldwide attention and appears to have ramifications for the makers and users of all types of diesel-powered equipment.
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Consumers Calculate How Energy Use Contributes to Greenhouse Gas Emissions
With just a few clicks of the mouse and a ZIP code, consumers can see how their individual energy use is affecting the Earth.
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Emerald Ash Borer Found in Pennsylvania, Precautions Urged
Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that destroys ash trees, has been detected for the first time in Pennsylvania and a quarantine has been ordered for Butler, Lawrence, Allegheny and Beaver counties, according to the Department of Agriculture.
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Guided Tours of Regal Fritillary Butterfly Habitat Slated at Fort Indiantown Gap
The public will have an opportunity to see the only viable colony of Regal Fritillary butterflies in the Eastern U.S. during free, guided tours July 12, 16, 18, and 19 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville.
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Young Male Falcon Found Dead, Three Others Fledge Successfully
One of the four young falcons that fledged from the nest at the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg was found dead this week.
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Game Commission Board Approves Acquisition of More Than 340 Acres
The Board of Game Commissioners this week approved four options that could increase the State Game Lands system by more than 340 acres.
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PA CleanWays Announces Illegal Dumping Surveys in 11 New Counties
PA CleanWays, Inc. has announced it will conduct illegal dumpsite surveys in 11 counties in the fall with funding provided by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
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Breneisen Named Recycling Markets Program Manager
The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center announced this week that Timothy J. Breneisen will join the RMC Team effective July 16 as the Recycling Program Manager.
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Feature - Bald Eagles Heighten Their Presence in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians have a greater chance of seeing a bald eagle today than anytime in probably the past 150 years, according to the Game Commission.
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Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state
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Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
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Regulations
The Governor’s Office published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda that provides notice of what new and proposed regulations state agencies are pursuing for the remainder of this year. The regulations are listed agency by agency.
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection is extending the deadline to submit CAIR permit applications and published draft guidance on stream well and raw water diversions and the special projects funding manual for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
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Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
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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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Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.
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12/16/24 - 110 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3ubmzu7a
