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The following bill was signed into law by Gov. Rendell this week--

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

The Department of Revenue this week reported Pennsylvania collected $2.1 billion in General Fund revenue in January, which was $120.2 million, or 5.4 percent, less than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $14.5 billion, which is $374.4 million, or 2.5 percent, below estimates.

Senate Democrats this week held a press conference outlining their priorities for the coming 2010-11 budget discussions highlighting the need to get a budget done on time and without a broad-based tax increased.

The Senate this week passed Senate Bill 298 (Yaw-R-Bradford) that would require the roll-back of taxes only on the portion of farmland used by natural gas production or for Tier I alternative energy production when enrolled in the Clean and Green preferential assessment program.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission this week reported nutrient and suspended-sediment trends in the Susquehanna River Basin are improving.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted Gumboot Run in McKean County as a success story in watershed restoration.  This following reprints the summary EPA posted--

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted Lloydville Run in Cambria and Blair counties as a success story in watershed restoration.  This following reprints the summary EPA posted-

The Spring Creek Watershed Commission and the ClearWater Conservancy are sponsoring a sustainability program entitled, "Enhancing Community and Watershed Sustainability," on February 17 in the State College Borough Building, State College, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

More Pennsylvania college and universities are participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency RecycleMania nationwide competition than in any other state.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals are now accepting nominations for the 2010  Karl Mason Award.  Nominations are due March 31.

PA CleanWays and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful are inviting all Pennsylvania schools and school districts to join in the exciting and renewed Pennsylvania Litter Free School Zone program.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Philadelphia Zoo are sponsoring an Earth Day poster contest for students in grades Kindergarten through 12 in EPA’s mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania.

The February issue of the EE Connections newsletter from the PA Center for Environmental Education is now available online. This month's newsletter highlights these stories:

The Allegheny Land Trust has received an $81,000 Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant Award from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources toward the purchase of a critical 19-acre property on the south side of Mt. Washington to expand Grand View Scenic Byway Park.  The total project cost is $224,000.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of a proposed land exchange in Wayne County totaling just over 30 acres.  A 30 day comment period starting February 7 and a public informational meeting will be scheduled to gather public comments.

Due to the actions of conservation-minded landowners, several scenic properties in the Laurel Highlands region and one property in Mifflin County have been permanently conserved by donating conservation easements to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association will hold its 8th Annual Land Conservation Conference on April 8-10 at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Malvern, Pa.

Escape the winter blahs by planning that next camping trip, but with a low-impact twist. In this video, DCNR program coordinator Rob Neitz is your host for an overview of a model green campsite featured at this year’s Farm Show.

The Bluebird Society of PA will hold its 12th annual Conference March 19-20 at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College. 

If you are interested in helping wildlife in your own backyard, the Game Commission is now selling bluebird nesting boxes at its Harrisburg headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue.  The boxes sell for $7, and customers can select from assembled boxes or kits that can be assembled as a wood-working project.

The Public Utility Commission this week published a proposed policy statement supporting solar energy development and addressing barriers that would prevent new solar projects.  Comments are ue within 45 days of publication.

A study released this week by PennFuture calculates increasing the renewable energy mandates in the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards would generate 130,000 jobs and save between $1.9 and $4.6 billion.  The study also said it would increase the cost of electricity by $1.6 billion over the study period.

Larry Myers retired this week as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, trading in his laptop computer and calculator for a fly rod and trip tickets.

Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli will end her term on the Public Utility Commission at the end of February after serving eight years on the Commission.

The Governor's Office this week published it's semi-annual Regulatory Agenda which outlines which regulations agencies hope to work on in the next six months. (PA Bulletin page 771)

By Paul Zeph, President, Appalachian Audubon

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.