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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
April 27, 2009
(4/24/2009)
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* The Nature Conservancy Recognizes Pennsylvania Companies For Conservation Initiatives

* Governor's Environmental Excellence Award Winners Celebrate - Video Blog

* 2 Grants A Month Now Available To Celebrate A Decade Of Growing Greener Watersheds
The Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Program will be ten years old in December and to help celebrate 10 groups have come together to invite watershed groups to share their success stories on a special www.GrowingGreener.com website.

* Senate Confirms John Hanger as Secretary of Environmental Protection 45-5
Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 45 to 5. Senators Earll (R-Erie), Folmer (R-Lebanon), Robbins (R-Mercer), D.White (R-Indiana) and Mary Jo White (R-Venango).

* Gov. Rendell Nominates John Quigley For DCNR Secretary

* Online Program - EarthTalks Spring Colloquium Series: Marcellus Shale Plays In PA, April 27
You are invited to “The Marcellus and Other Shale Plays in Pennsylvania: Are they Really Worth All The Fuss?” on April 27, with John Harper, chief, geological division, Pennsylvania Geological Survey.

* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House return to voting session on April 27 and for the next two weeks. The House added Thursdays to the session schedule through April, May and June.
* Senate/House Bills Moving
These bills of interest saw action in the Senate or House this week--

* Bi-partisan Group Of Senators Join To Tout Environmental Proposals For Earth Day

* Sen. McIlhinney Introduces Legislation To Designate Critical Water Areas

* Joint Conservation Committee Hears Review Of Recycling Law, Recommendations - Video Blog
The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee this week held a hearing to hear a status of the first 21 years of Pennsylvania's Recycling Program as well as take recommendations on how the program can be improved.

* $530 Million Investment In Water Infrastructure, $195 Million For Philadelphia
The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority this week approved the award of $530 million in nearly 60 green infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater projects in more than 30 counties.

* USDA Agencies Seeking Applications For Grassland Reserve Program
Representatives from Pennsylvania's USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency this week announced they are accepting applications for the first ranking of the Grasslands Reserve Program.

* Harrisburg, Carlisle, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Johnstown, Altoona Now Part of TreeVitalize

* TreeVitalize Allows Homeowners To Have Their Tree Plantings Count Toward Statewide Goal
Pennsylvanians who plant a tree at their home or business can help the commonwealth reach its goal of putting one million trees in the ground statewide by 2012. Citizens can register up to three trees on theTreeVitalize website.

* FirstEnergy Receives Arbor Day Foundation Tree Care Award For Eleventh Year
For the eleventh time, FirstEnergy Corp, on behalf of its seven utility operating companies, has been named a Tree Line USA utility by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters.

* DCNR Warns Of Spring Wildfire Danger As Conditions Worsen, Forest Visitation Climbs

* PA Sustainable Agriculture Assn. Holds Summer Farm Dinner May 22
The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture will hold its annual Summer Farm Start Dinner on May 22 at the Milestone Inn, Harrisburg.

* Gettysburg Municipal Authority, Marsh Creek Plant Joins Partnership For Safe Water

* DEP Reminds Pool Owners To Handle Waste Water Safely
Private and public pool owners, as well as pool management companies, should remember that pool and chlorinated wastewater must be handled responsibly, Environmental Protection Regional Director Michael D. Bedrin said this week.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Seeks Water Use Reduction Contractor
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is seeking a qualified entity to establish a Statewide Water Resources Technical Assistance Center that will promote voluntary water use reduction among all water use sectors in this Commonwealth.

* Attorney General Corbett Distributes $100,000 To Environmental Groups

* Close The Loop Celebrates 9 Years Of Offering Products With Recycled Content, Opens Store
After 9 years of offering recycled products online as a dot com business, Close the Loop, LLC will open its first retail store with a grand opening planned for May 2 from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

* DEP Announces Award Of Grants To Clean Up Illegal Dump Sites
Communities and nonprofit groups across Pennsylvania will receive financial assistance to help clean up more than 350 illegal dump sites as Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger this week announced nearly $500,000 in Community Cleanup Program Illegal Dump Grants.

* Check Out Upcoming Recycling Certification Courses Offered By PROP
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania just posted an updated list of professional certification courses being offered to recycling professionals throughout the state.

* Bucks County Audubon's Green Living Seminars
The Bucks County Audubon Society in New Hope, Pa, is encouraging the general public to learn about “going green” at its Sustainable Living and Backyard Eco-Gardening seminars set for May through September.

* PEMA Reminds Residents To Be Ready For Spring, Summer Flash Floods
Because spring and summer storms bring the threat of flash flooding, state officials today reminded Pennsylvanians that planning ahead can help prevent potential property loss due to flooding, and to prepare to act quickly whenever there is a risk of flash flooding.

* Penn State First To Join EPA's Sustainability Partnership Program
Penn State is no stranger to environmental activities that protect the planet and reduce energy use. It currently recycles at a rate of 53 percent, buys 20 percent of the university's electricity through green energy programs, composts food waste and is home to at least five student environmental organizations. And that's only the beginning.

* Symposium Will Encourage Community Sustainability May 3
Penn State will host a free public event to raise awareness and inspire action on some of the greatest challenges facing the world today. The program, called Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream, will take place on May 3, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the lower level of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at University Park.

* Pennsylvania Schools Among EPA’s P3 2009 Award Winners
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced the university teams who won the annual People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) competition, including Drexel University, Lafayette College and the University of Pittsburgh.

* University Of PA Winner Of EPA's 2008-09 Green Power Challenge

* Governor Proclaims April 26-May 2 Energy Conservation Week, April 30 Energy Expo

* High School Students Compete In 24th Westmoreland County Envirothon May 4
Students from nine area high schools are beginning their final weeks of preparation for the annual Westmoreland County Envirothon, which will be held at Mammoth Park in Mount Pleasant on May 4.

* Bayer Corporation, Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Filmmakers Mark Anniversary

* Solar Energy Industries Association To Host Major Conference In Philadelphia June 8-10
The Solar Energy Industries Association will host the PV America conference and trade show, its first-ever conference focused solely on the fastest growing segment of the solar industry from June 8–10, 2009 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

* Pittsburgh Penguins Aim To Make New Consol Energy Center First LEED Gold Certified Arena
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Sports & Exhibition Authority are working to achieve LEED Gold Certification at the new Consol Energy Center. It would be the first NHL arena to be LEED Gold.

* Delaware Valley Green Building Council Sponsors Green Building Tour May 8
The Delaware Valley Green Building Council is sponsoring a green manufacturing tour of the SFK USA, Inc. and Aerzen USA Corporation on May 8.

* DEP Announces Criteria For Pollution Control Technology Grant Program For Power Plants
The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice soliciting comments for the criteria to be used to issue $25 million in grants to power plants for pollution control technology. The proposed criteria include--

* PUC Issues RFP For An Evaluation Contract For Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
The Public Utility Commission this week issued a request for proposal to seek qualified providers of evaluation services for up to four and one-half years to audit program results and confirm specific energy reduction target requirements of electric distribution companies in response to Act 129 specifications.

* PPL Electric Utilities Looks To Team Up With Libraries To Promote Energy Awareness

* DEP Offers Energy Management Workshop in Lycoming County April 29

* Girl Scouts In Eastern PA Sign Up For 10,000 Hours For Earth Day Green Project
More than 4,000 Girl Scouts and 600 volunteers will be pulling weeds, planting flowers and trees, clearing trails, recycling sneakers and making bird houses at churches, parks and schools throughout the 9 counties of Eastern Pennsylvania as part of a week-long "Green Project" to contribute 10,000 volunteer hours to clean, green and beautify.

* DEP: Warmer Weather to Bring Air Quality Action Days On Saturday And Sunday
The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast air quality action days for Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, for several regions in Pennsylvania.

* April’s Mercury Bounty In Lancaster County Big Success – Still Time!

* DEP Launches Annual Black Fly Control Program In 33 Counties
Pennsylvania is launching its annual black fly spraying program to control populations of the insects that pose a nuisance to outdoor recreation, Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said this week.

* Game Commission Adds To State Game Lands
The Board of Game Commissioners this week approved the purchase of two tracts that will adjoin State Game Lands in Elk and Northampton counties.

* Bag Limits Set For 2009-10 Deer Season By Game Commission

* Fish & Boat Commission Releases Trout Cost Study, Takes Other Actions

* Wild Resource Conservation Program Video Earns Awards
The most recent full-length documentary produced by DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Program and Commonwealth Media has received two prestigious film awards.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council 2008 Annual Report Now Available
DEP Citizens Advisory Council this week issued its 2008 Annual Report is now available online.

* Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project Bid Opportunity Allegheny County
The Department of Environmental Protection this week published notice of a bid opportunity for an abandoned mine reclamation project in Allegheny County.
* Feature - Tales From The Creeks, Conservation District Watershed Specialists

* Grants & Awards

* 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
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - April 25, 2009
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The State Conservation Commission published notice of 2009 Dirt and Gravel Road Program allocations.

* 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

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited


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