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Senate Moves Alternative Energy Investment, 8 Other Energy Bills
Special Session Senate Bill 1 (MJ.White-R-Venango), the Alternative Energy Investment Act, and eight other Special Session energy bills were considered this week setting the stage for final Senate action on key bills by the end of the year.
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PA Christmas Tree Growers Contribute “Trees for Troops”
Military families may have a happier holiday thanks to thousands of evergreen donations from Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers and the Department of Agriculture.
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Video Blog: Holiday Season Begins at the Capitol
The holiday season began at the Capitol this week with the placement of the holiday tree in the Capitol Rotunda.
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On the Senate/House Agenda
The Senate and House have the following committee meetings scheduled next week and published Calendars for December 3—
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Senate/House Bills Moving/Bills Introduced
The following bills and resolutions moved in the Senate this week--
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Energy Efficient Appliances, State Energy Office on House Committee Agenda
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets on December 4 to consider bills setting minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances and establishing a State Energy Office. The bills include:
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Senate Committee Considers Landowner Liability, Tire Recycling, Miner Day Bills
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a meeting on December 4 to consider these bills—
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Rendell Withdraws Insurance Dept. Gasoline Tax Increase for Tank Cleanups
Gov. Rendell this week withdrew a Department of Insurance regulation that would have almost doubled the per gallon fee on gasoline to support underground storage tank cleanups.
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Farming For Clean Water Report Recommends More Help for Farmers
Fundamental changes are needed in both public policy and private practices in order to save the Chesapeake Bay by giving farmers more help in adopting conservation practices, according to a new report by the non-profit group Environmental Defense.
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National Wetlands Awards Program Nominations Due January 15
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other partners are now accepting nominations for the 2008 National Wetlands Awards. Nominations are due January 15.
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DCNR Approves Conservation Plan for Conodoguinet Creek Watershed
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week formally placed the Middle Conodoguinet Creek Watershed on the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Registry.
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Lower Perkiomen Valley Sewer Authority Recognized for Excellence
The Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority in Montgomery County received the Pretreatment Excellence Award from the Eastern Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Operators Association.
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Conservation Districts Winter Meeting Set for January 16-18
The PA Association of Conservation Districts will hold their winter meeting on January 16-18 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, State College.
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$500,000 in Grants Awarded in Municipal Flood Mitigation Projects
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the award of nearly $500,000 in grants to help local municipalities improve operations at 17 flood protection projects in 15 counties.
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PPL to Develop Renewable Energy Generating Facility at Shippensburg Landfill
PPL Renewable Energy will develop and install a 6.4- megawatt methane-to-electricity power generation system at the Community Refuse Service Landfill in Shippensburg, Pa.
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Environmentally Advanced Roofing System Tops Rohm and Haas Headquarters
Practicing what they preach has prompted specialty materials company Rohm and Haas to update the 40,000 square foot roof of their global headquarters in Philadelphia with an energy saving advanced polymer lastomeric roof coating.
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DEP Presents Grant for Green Building in Union County
Department of Environmental Protection this week presented $440,000 in financial assistance to the SEDA-Council of Governments for energy-related features in the construction of its expanded headquarters in Union County.
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Southwest PA Air Quality Partnership to Meet December 6
The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership will meet on December 6 to recap the group’s yearly activities, review the past summer season and what’s ahead on the weather front for next year.
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New Online System for Air Quality Permit Determinations, Workshop Set
The Department of Environmental Protection announced the successful completion of over 200 determinations of whether air quality permits or plan approvals are needed from the agency through its new RFD*Online system.
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PUC Keystone Connection Newsletter Now Online
The Public Utility Commission published a new edition of its Keystone Connection online newsletter which highlights recent activities by the Commission covering electric, natural gas, transportation, telecommunications and water systems.
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Audubon Society Offers Reward for Killer of Bald Eagle
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania this week offered a $500 reward and the Humane Society of the U.S. and The Wildlife Land Trust have pledged a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for killing a bald eagle in Butler County.
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Agriculture Provides Update on Kudzu Noxious Weed Eradication Program
The Department of Agriculture this week released a one-page update on its efforts at eradicating Kudzu, an invasive species, in 17 counties across the Commonwealth.
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Save This Date: Creative Approaches to Ecological Landscaping February 21
The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve will host the 8th Land Ethics Symposium with the theme of Creative Approaches to Ecological Landscaping at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel in Langhorne, Pa on February 21.
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Help Wanted: Enterprising Environmental Solutions, Inc. Seeks Executive Director
Enterprising Environmental Solutions, Inc., a unique public-private partnership that works to identify best practices in environmental protection, is seeking an executive director.
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Help Wanted: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Student Intern
The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pa is looking for a student to fill a paid intern position in native plants and public gardens. Applications are due February 22.
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Transition: Fish & Boat Commissioner Frederick P. Osifat Passes
The Fish and Boat Commission this week announced the passing of Commissioner Frederick P. Osifat, Vice President of the Commission.
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Spotlight - REAP Farm Credit Tax Credit Applications Available December 3
By Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff
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Opinion - Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program Demands Prompt Attention
By Brian J. Hill, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
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Feature - 178 Bird Species Put on WatchList 2007 by Audubon, Including 6 in PA
One hundred seventy-eight species in the continental U.S. and 39 in Hawaii have the dubious distinction of landing on WatchList 2007, the newest and most scientifically sound list of America's most imperiled birds, including 6 species found in Pennsylvania.
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Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for grants and financial assistance as well as nominations for awards and other recognition programs. NEW means from last week—
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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
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin – December 1, 2007
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice rescinding nine different policy statements related to the Storage Tank Program. Details below—
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Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW indicates new from last week. 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
