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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
July 13, 2009
(7/13/2009)
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* House Democrats, Governor Reverse Course, Start With GOP Budget, Then Cut, Cut, Cut

* Budget: Fair Share For Clean Water Coalition Calls For Strong Steps To Restore Water Quality

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

* Brandywine Valley Assn, Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation Win Growing Greener Grants
The Brandywine Valley Association and the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation are the latest winners of $250 Growing Greener Anniversary grants.

* Online Webinar - Penn State July 23 Webinar Addresses Marcellus Shale Water Policy Issues

* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

The House and Senate return to voting session on July 13. 

* On The Governor's Desk

This environmental bill of interest was passed by both the House and Senate and now goes to the Governor for his action-- 

* Senate/House Bills Moving/Nominations

The following bills of interest saw movement this week-- 

* House Environmental Committee Re-Reports Alternative Energy, Carbon Sequestration Bill

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week amended and reported out House Bill 80 (Vitali-D-Delaware) expanding the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards and authorizing a carbon sequestration network.

* Cleanup Liability, Gas Production, Host Municipalities Bills Reported From House Committee
House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out 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.

* Rep. Sturla Introduces Bill To Strengthen Clean And Green Program, Farm Conservation
Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) has introduced House Bill 1823 to strengthen the state's Clean and Green property tax relief program for farmers and improve the standards for soil erosion and sediment control in Pennsylvania.

* Susquehanna Basin Proposes Natural Gas Drilling Changes, Sets Public Meetings

* DEP Orders U.S. Energy To Cease Drilling Operations Throughout Pennsylvania
The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a cease and desist order to U.S. Energy Development Corp. of Getzville, N.Y., for persistent and repeated violations of environmental laws and regulations. The order prohibits the company from conducting all earth disturbance, drilling and hydro-fracturing operations throughout Pennsylvania.

* Hearing Set For Terraqua Drilling Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit

* Save The Date: Pennsylvania Natural Gas Summit November 16-18

* Water Resources Education Network Grant Applications Due September 1
The Water Resources Education Network is now accepting applications for Opportunity Grants of from $100 to $300 per project for watershed education activities.

* West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition To Hold 6 Mini-Symposiums, Tours
The first of six West Branch Susquehanna Mini-Symposiums and Tours is scheduled for July 16 at Duman Lake County Park in Cambria County sponsored by the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition.

* Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Aquarius Spring Partner For July 18, 25 Cleanups

* Clinton County CleanScapes Sponsors July 18 West Branch Susquehanna Cleanup
The Clinton County CleanScapes is sponsoring its annual cleanup of the West Branch Susquehanna River and Roadway Cleanup Event on July 17.

* Kettle Creek Watershed Abandoned Mine Drainage Projects Celebration August 25
The Kettle Creek Watershed Association and Trout Unlimited will host a special celebration to kick off two critical abandoned mine reclamation projects in the watershed on August 25 starting at 11:00 a.m.

* Dirt And Gravel Road Annual Maintenance Workshop September 22-23
The Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies will hold their annual maintenance workshop September 22-23 in State College.

* Stroud Center's Sweeney Takes Leadership Role In International Barcode of Life Project

* Help Available In Westmoreland For Forest Management Plans, Practices
Many local landowners planning to harvest timber have put their sales on hold, waiting for the economy to recover.

* 2009 Waste Watcher Awards Honored By PROP, Waste Industry Groups

* Jane Hallinan Winner Of PA CleanWays Sue Wiseman Scholarship

* July PA Center For Environmental Education Newsletter, Annual Report Now Online
The  July issue of the EE Connections newsletter from the PA Center for Environmental Education is now available online. PCEE also released a copy of its 2009 Annual Report.

* Villa Maria Academy In Erie Earns Energy Star Award

* Green Field Energy Solutions Presents Get Off The Grid Workshop August 12

* PUC Releases Updated Comparisons Of Current Electric Prices With Capped Prices

* E-Power Electric Choice Conference Attracts More Than 300
PPL Electric Utilities brought together energy suppliers and some of the biggest electricity users in central and eastern Pennsylvania this week to encourage electric competition and make it easier for customers to understand how to shop for electricity.

* DEP Offers Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants For Airports, Airlines
The Department of Environmental Protection this week it is now accepting applications for Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants for projects at airports and by airlines.

* Penn State Sustainable Bioenergy Project Has Global Reach

* DEP Releases Climate Change Assessment Report
A shift in the ability of crops to thrive, increased building cooling costs and lower heating costs are among the possible impacts of climate change identified in the Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment released released this week by the Department of Environmental Protection.

* State Forests, Parks Participate In DMAP Deer Management Program

* Camping Goes Green In State Parks With New DCNR Guidelines

* Game Commission Adds Habitat To State Game Land Holdings

* 24th Annual Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show Set For August 7-9
The Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from August 7-9.

* Rep. Hanna Appointed To Board Of PA Parks and Forests Foundation
Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton), Majority Chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, has been appointed to the board of directors of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation, a group dedicated to enhancing the state's parks and forests, protecting natural resources and supporting conservation and environmental programs.

* President Nominates DEP's Joseph Pizarchik To Federal Office Of Surface Mining Position
President Obama this week nominated Joseph G. Pizarchik, Director of DEP's Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, to be the new Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

* DEP Bid Opportunity For Projects in Tioga, Venango, Warren Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of three bid opportunities- oil and gas well plugging in Venango County and Tioga County and a dam removal project in Warren County. (PA Bulletin page 3534)

* Spotlight - Chesapeake Bay Foundation Report Highlights Human Health Risks Caused By Pollution

* 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 set its  agenda for the July 21 meeting and published notice of changes to water system operator certification requirements.  The Department of Environmental Protection published notice inviting information on several stream reclassifications.  (Details below)

The Department of Environmental Protection  published notice it is reviewing the stream classifications of Bushkill Creek, Northampton County and the West Branch Susquehanna River, Lycoming County and is accepting comments and information.  
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection  published notice of a final guidance on conducting radon testing and reissuing  General Permits for the Beneficial Use Of Biosolids.  The Fish and Boat Commission published notice adding the Rabbitsfoot Mussel and the Snuffbox Mussel to the list of endangered species and the Sheepnose Mussel to the list of threatened species.
* 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 Family Of Websites

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

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