The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced more than $16.5 million in Growing Greener funding for projects to cleanup waterways, restore stream banks, prevent flooding, reclaim mine-scarred lands and reduce pollution.

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Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would significantly boost the amount of energy in Pennsylvania derived from cleaner, alternative energy sources. This shift would help create new manufacturing jobs in the Commonwealth and provide enough clean energy to power 2.1 million homes.

On April 13 the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will consider the nomination of John Quigley as Secretary for Conservation and Natural Resources.

Democratic Candidate Jack Wagner Proposes Infrastructure Reform Proposal

The Chesapeake Bay Program this week published a new Bay Barometer report on the health of the Chesapeake Bay saying 45 percent of the Bay cleanup goals have been met and the Bay cleanup partnership achieved 64 percent of its goals to reduce pollution and restore habitats.

The 12th Annual PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference, the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and the 4th Annual Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Mined Land Reforestation Conference will be held in Pittsburgh June 5 to 10.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission this week presented its 7th Frederick L. Zimmermann Award to Congressman Tim Holden (D-Schuylkill). 

Nominations are now being accepted for Wildlands Conservancy’s Friend of the Lehigh River Award given annually to acknowledge individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, institutions, or governmental bodies who deserve recognition for their commitment to preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Lehigh River and its watershed.  

The Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team just made available its 2009 Annual Report highlighting the efforts of its volunteers, supporters and local partners in cleaning up their watersheds.
           36 volunteer Stream Stewards collected 528 water samples from abandoned mine discharges, AMD treatment systems and rivers impacted by AMD in 2009.  The samples came from 157 sites throughout the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin, including from 26 AMD treatment systems regularly monitored by the Stream Team.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources opened a new webpage this week on natural gas exploration on State Forest lands.

The PA Council of Professional Geologists this week issued a position paper on Marcellus Shale natural gas development saying they hoped it would promote "a balanced review and discussion of Marcellus Shale gas issues."

This year we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, the nationwide teach-in that kick-started many of the major environmental programs we have today. In this section each week the PA Environment Digest will highlight upcoming Earth Day events.  Submit your events for this page to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

The Wildlands Conservancy will be hosting a weeklong celebration of Earth Day from April 19 through April 25, sponsored by First Niagara Bank.  

It was a tough battle to the end but Philipsburg Osceola High School pulled out the victory in the Centre County GreenSylvania recycling competition.

The Independence Conservancy in Washington County is sponsor two community tire collection events on May 15 and 29.

The Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force will host Allegheny County’s first collection of unwanted pharmaceuticals (prescription, over-the-counter and veterinary medications) on May 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hampton Township Community Center, 3101 McCully Road, Allison Park, Pa.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice this week of opportunities to bid on an abandoned mine reclamation project in Clarion County, a mine reclamation project in Jefferson County and a mine reclamation project in Lawrence County.

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

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of proposed changes to environmental laboratory accreditation regulations for comment.

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.

Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

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