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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
July 6, 2009
(7/6/2009)
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* Neither Side In State Budget Debate Gave Ground This Week, Impasse Continues
Senate Republicans and Gov. Rendell were holding fast to their positions as the end of the budget year came and the new fiscal year began July 1.

* DCNR: State Parks, Forests To Remain Open During Budget Impasse
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced this week State Parks and Forests will remain open and operating during the budget impasse.

* PA Environment Daily Blog, Twitter, Updates During This Extended Legislative Session

* Budget - Decades of Environmental Progress Threatened by State Budget Cuts
By: Larry D. Myers, Executive Director,Pennsylvania Resources Council

* Budget - REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Effective, Efficient In Reducing Nutrients

* Budget - Natural Gas Severance Tax Historic Opportunity To Support Environmental Programs

* Submissions For Growing Greener Anniversary Grants Due July 20

* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

The House and Senate return to voting session on July 6. 

* Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw movement this week-- 

* House Committee Reports Out Oil And Gas Bills
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met this week and reported out two bills related to oil and gas drilling--

* Alternative Energy, Carbon Sequestration Network Bill Amended, Referred Back To Committee
House Bill 80 (Vitali-D-Delaware), expanding the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards and authorizing a carbon sequestration network, was amended significantly by the House Appropriations Committee this week, but during consideration of amendments on the House floor, the bill was referred back to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for further work.

* Cleanup Liability, Gas Production, Host Municipalities Topics Of House Committee Meeting
House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on July 7 to consider legislation on brownfield cleanup liability, reporting oil and gas well production, redefining host municipalities related to waste facilities and expanding eligible applicants under the H20 water infrastructure funding program.

* CBF Applauds DEP Action To Ban Drilling Wastewater From Jersey Shore Plant For Treatment

* Agriculture Department To Give Information On REAP Tax Credits In Lycoming County
Farmers are invited to learn more about how they can earn tax credits by taking steps to improve the state's water resources during an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on July 7 at the Lycoming County Agricultural Complex in Montoursville.

* U.S.D.A: Over 57 Percent Of Major Crop Acreage In PA Uses No-Till Practices
A new survey released this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pennsylvania Field Office found no-till practices on 57.5 percent of major crop acreage in the Commonwealth and the remaining 20.9 percent use other conservation tillage practices.

* PA Seeks $6.1 Million In Recovery Funds For Cleanup Of Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
The Commonwealth this week is applying for $6.1 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to clean up 71 leaking underground storage tanks in 40 counties.

* Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Partners To Restore Bald Eagle Tributary, York County
In 2006, a Compliance Violation was issued to the Department of Transportation, requiring the restoration of the tributary to Bald Eagle Creek in York County near the SR 2051 culvert bridge crossing.

* DEP Staff Conduct Water Quality and Stream Life Presentations
DEP staff from the southeast region's Water Quality and Watershed Management programs recently conducted 12 presentations on water quality and stream life to 10 Cub Scout Dens attending the annual Minquas Cub Scout Camp in Newlin Mills, Delaware County.

* Nine Mile Run Assn. Holds A Midsummer Night's Stream Event July 18
The Nine Mile Run Watershed Association will hold its second annual neighborhoold wilderness celebration, A Midsummer Night's Stream, on July 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.

* DEP Accepting Comments On Stormwater Permit Revisions
The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting comments on proposed revisions to a municipal stormwater general permit that are expected to reduce discharge of pollutants and to satisfy requirements of the Clean Water Act, according to DEP Secretary John Hanger.

* PA Resources Council Launches Zero Waste Pittsburgh
The Pennsylvania Resources Council has launched “Zero Waste Pittsburgh,” a new initiative aimed at reducing waste generation and improving/expanding recycling efforts for the region’s businesses, institutions and special events.

* Duquesne University Cogeneration Facility Earns Energy Star Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week presented an Energy Star Combined Heat and Power award to Duquesne University Energy Center for using highly efficient CHP systems to reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

* PennFuture Now Accepting Nominations For Green Power Awards
PennFuture is now accepting nominations for its Green Power Awards to honor those individuals, institutions, organizations and companies building the new energy economy and creating green jobs here in Pennsylvania.

* Green Building Alliance Announces Final Product Innovation Grant Recipients

* Electric Companies File Plans To Reduce Consumer Energy Use

* Small Change Can Make A Big Difference For PA Parks And Forests At Metro Bank
They're perched on nearly every bedroom dresser in America — a jar where we stash our loose change. At the end of the day, we empty our pockets into the jar vowing to use the accumulated wealth for a special treat. And there they sit, waiting for just the right idea.

* Philadelphia Mayor Welcomes Delaware River Sojourn Kayakers, Free Kayaking Program
At the conclusion of the Delaware River Sojourn last week, Mayor Michael Nutter announced a free kayaking program coming to Penn's Landing this summer, presented by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

* Yough River Water Trail Map And Guide Published

* July 13 Begins New Automated Doe Hunting License Process
With full implementation of the Pennsylvania Automated License System, Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe this week reminded hunters that county treasurers will begin accepting antlerless deer license applications three weeks earlier than in past years.

* Game Commission To Welcome Two New Board Members
With its upcoming meeting slated for July 8 and 9, the Board of Game Commissioners is set to welcome two recently-confirmed members, David J. Putnam, of Centre Hall, Centre County, and Robert W. Schlemmer Sr., of Export, Westmoreland County.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Publishes Summer Newsletter
The Summer 2009 Advisory newsletter published by the DEP Citizens Advisory Council is now available online.

* DEP Names Acting Deputies, Regional Director
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger made several appointments to fill vacancies due to retiring employees--

* Spotlight - Spring Shad Numbers Up In Susquehanna, Down In Potomac

* Spotlight - EPCAMR Goes Green With Orange Chalk Talks

* Feature - Bald Eagles Nesting In 49 Counties Of Pennsylvania

* 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 Department of Environmental Protection  published notice of measures under consideration by the Ozone Transport Commission to control ground-level ozone pollution, setting a comment period and three public meetings.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers  published notice of a revised 2009 academy and examination schedule.
* 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. 

PA Environment Digest
 
is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service to the clients of  Crisci Associates  and the public.  Crisci Associates is a Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations.  For more information on Crisci Associates call 717-234-1716.  All rights reserved. 

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