|
Audubon PA Tells Committee Forests Are Still Degraded By Too Many Deer - Video
The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee held hearings this week to examine deer management issues and receive the Pennsylvania Game Commission's annual report, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks), Majority Chair of the Committee.
|
|
|
Video Blog - Dr. Crawford Talks About Pharmaceuticals in PA Waters
Due to the recent interest in pharmaceuticals found in Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams, PA Environment Digest is again making available a Video Blog interview with Dr. J. Kent Crawford, Water Quality Specialist for the Pennsylvania Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey.
|
|
|
On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House will return to voting session the week of March 17.
|
|
|
Senate/House Bills Moving
These Senate and House environmental bills moved this week--
|
|
|
House Catches Up to Senate in Passing Renewable Energy Bill, Funding
The House this week passed $850 million renewable energy bill matching action taken by the Senate in December which adopted a similar $650 million renewable energy bill. Now the trick will be to reconcile the differences between the proposals.
|
|
|
Kessler Organic Farming Bill Would Boost Farmers' Income, Environment
Rep. David Kessler (D-Berks) has introduced bipartisan legislation—House Bill 2347-- that would help farmers who want to convert to organic agriculture. Participation would be entirely voluntary. "A great way to preserve farmland is to make farming more profitable," Rep Kessler said.
|
|
|
House Environmental Committee Considers Heating Assistance, Drug Disposal Bills
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will meet March 18 to consider legislation on home heating assistance, safe disposal of pharmaceuticals and stormwater management legislation. The bills include:
|
|
|
Environmental Issues Forum Features Waste Tire Derived Fuel
The March 17 Environmental Issues Forum will feature a presentation by Northampton Generating Company which uses waste tires for fuel.
|
|
|
PEC Unveils Building Green: Overcoming Barriers in Philadelphia Report
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council released a new report, Building Green: Overcoming Barriers in Philadelphia, that identifies obstacles to green building in Philadelphia and recommends solutions to dissolving those barriers.
|
|
|
Public Invited to River Conservation Planning Meeting March 19
The York County Conservation District invites the public to attend an informational meeting to learn about the Lower Susquehanna River and Mason-Dixon Tributaries River Conservation Plan on March 19.
|
|
|
Beaver River Conservation Plan Released for Public Comment
With an eye toward the future of the Beaver River, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council has released a draft Beaver River Conservation and Management Plan for the entire river corridor.
|
|
|
Healthy Farms, Healthy Watersheds Event in the Capitol March 18
Penn State’s College of Agriculture will hold a special “Healthy Farms, Healthy Watersheds” event in the East Wing Rotunda at the Capitol in Harrisburg on March 18 at 10:30 to demonstrate how good tillage and crop production techniques can improve water quality.
|
|
|
You and Your Family Are Invited to a Special World Water Day Event on March 22
Join the The Nature Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Paxton Creek Watershed Association, Blue Mountain Outfitters and others for a special World Water Day event on March 22 at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg.
|
|
|
Project Will Eliminate Dangerous Highwalls, Replace Wetlands, Protect Streams
More than 5,000 feet of dangerous highwalls that scar an abandoned mine site in Beaver County will be removed under a reclamation project funded by the Department of Environmental Protection.
|
|
|
National Wild Turkey Federation Honors CONSOL Energy
CONSOL Energy Inc. was recently honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation with its Energy for Wildlife Corporate Achievement Award. The award recognizes corporations that demonstrate outstanding efforts to improve wildlife habitat and promote conservation and the country's hunting heritage.
|
|
|
National Ag Day Student Essay Contest Winner From Lykens, PA
The Agriculture Council of America announced this week the national 2008 Ag Day Essay Contest winner is Katlin Wiest, an eighth-grader at Upper Dauphin Middle School in Lykens, Pa.
|
|
|
Westmoreland County Envirothon Challenges High School Students
On March 19, students from area high schools will be at the Westmoreland Conservation District, questioning the experts, analyzing natural history items, and otherwise taking in all the information they can to prepare themselves for the 2008 Envirothon, which is just six short weeks away.
|
|
|
Agriculture and Environment: Achieving Balance Conference June 2-3
The College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University is hosting a conference on June 2-3 in Harrisburg entitled, “Agriculture and the Environment: Achieving Balance.”
|
|
|
EPA Show Us Your Best Photo for Earth Day Contest
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring a “Show Us Your Best” Earth Day Photo Contest. Entries are due March 24.
|
|
|
Bald Eagle State Park Hosting Woodcock Festival March 28
The declining American woodcock and vanishing habitat the migratory game bird needs to survive will be highlighted at a public program March 28, at Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County.
|
|
|
Celebrate Outdoor Heritage Month Starting April 4 in Somerset County
There is no better time for the celebration and preservation of our natural and cultural heritage than April, the first full month of Spring! Join the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team and Natural Biodiversity as they open Outdoor Heritage Month in Somerset.
|
|
|
Pirates Launch Greening Initiatives Program at PNC Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates this week announced the launch of the club's new greening initiatives program which has been branded "Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green."
|
|
|
Study Helps Butler County Company Save $107,000 in Energy Costs – Video Blog
Armstrong Cement, a Portland Cement and Mortar manufacturing company in Butler County, has documented energy savings of $107,000 a year thanks to a Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency study conducted by the Electrotechnology Application Center and PennTAP Partnership.
|
|
|
PUC Announces Plan to Transition to Market-Based Electric Rates for Penn Power
The Public Utility Commission this week approved a new default service plan for Pennsylvania Power Company that will transition customers to market-based electric rates in its service territory.
|
|
|
DEP Lauds Lebanon County, PPL Landfill Gas Project, Education Center
Following an award from the federal government, the Department of Environmental Protection this week heralded the work of a Lebanon County landfill and PPL Renewable Energy for their partnership to harness renewable energy that is helping power local communities and businesses while educating the public.
|
|
|
Keystone HELP Energy Loan Program Expanded, Training Seminars Scheduled
The Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (Keystone HELP) is being expanded to accommodate loans up to $35,000 for renewable energy improvements such as solar and geothermal, as well as Home Performance with Energy Star "whole house" improvements and energy audits.
|
|
|
Join the DCED Planning Energy Trade Mission to South Africa
The Department of Community and Economic Development is recruiting for a special energy trade mission to South Africa in June that could create new business opportunities for Pennsylvania suppliers of power generation, transmission and distribution equipment.
|
|
|
Centre County Authority Gives Out Recycling Rebates
Due to good recycling market conditions in 2007, especially corrugated cardboard and aluminum, the Centre County Solid Waste Authority is giving recycling rebates back to its haulers and municipalities for their efforts in reducing the amount of waste sent to local landfills.
|
|
|
Recycling Markets Center Promotes Use of Recycled Glass in Onlot Systems
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center recently briefed members of the Pennsylvania Association of Sewage Enforcement Officers about efforts to reduce barriers to using manufactured recycled glass sand in onlot sewage treatment systems.
|
|
|
PROP Sponsors Recycling Practice, Theory, Law and Public Policy Courses
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania is sponsoring a series of three courses designed to help recycling practitioners meet their professional certification requirements.
|
|
|
PA Waste Industries Files Suit to Halt Flow Control Ordinance in Delaware County
The Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association and the National Solid Wastes Management Association this week asked the U.S. District Court for Eastern
|
|
|
In Memoriam: Environmental Pioneer Dr. Paul Hess Passes
One of Pennsylvania’s environmental pioneers, Dr. Paul W. Hess, 84, of Hershey, Pa, passed away March 11 after a long illness.
|
|
|
Spotlight - Toyota Donates Prius Hybrid for Raffle Supporting PA Environmental Council
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has donated a 2008 Prius hybrid car to be one of several prizes in this year’s raffle fundraiser to support the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
|
|
|
Feature - The Nature Conservancy: Protecting Pennsylvania’s Rare Underground Resources
In a cave, 40, 50, a hundred feet beneath the Earth’s surface, a deep, penetrating silence fills the 54-degree, moist void.
|
|
|
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—
|
|
|
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 Environmental Quality Board published proposed changes to Radiological Health and Radon Certification Fees for public comment. The Fish and Boat Commission published proposed changes to the Class A Wild Trout Waters and Classifications of Wild Trout Streams.
|
|
|
Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a draft guidance document on compliance procedures in the Mining Program and final guidance documents in the Drinking Water and Land Recycling Program (details below), an update of the Certified Emission Reduction Credits Registry (Pa Bulletin pg. 1300) and notice of bond rate guidelines for land reclamation bonds.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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 .
|
|
|
Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.
|
12/16/24 - 110 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3ubmzu7a
