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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
April 12, 2010
(4/12/2010)
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* Last Growing Greener II Bond Funds Used To Fund Watershed Restoration Projects

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.

* Governor, Legislators Rush To Find Transportation Funding
Gov. Rendell and members of the Senate and House were lining up to fill the "hole" created in the budget this week when the federal government disapproved of the state's 2006 plan to toll I-80. The Governor called for a special session of the General Assembly to come up with a "Plan B."

* Check Out Our Professional Services Directory

The companies and individuals listed in our Professional Services Directory help support PA Environment Digest and its related services.  Check them out to see if they can help you!

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

* DePasquale Legislation To Raise Alternative Energy Standards

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.

* Senate Committee To Consider Nomination Of John Quigley As DCNR Secretary

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

* Governor's Race

Democratic Candidate Jack Wagner Proposes Infrastructure Reform Proposal

* New Assessment Of Chesapeake Bay Says Bay Remains Degraded

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.

* 2010 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference On June 5-10 In Pittsburgh

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.

* Cong. Holden Receives Zimmermann Award From Susquehanna River Basin Commission

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

* Nominations Sought For Wildlands Conservancy’s Friend Of The Lehigh River Award

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.  

* Bradford Farmers Seeing Green Thanks To Stimulus Funds, PennVEST, CBF


* 2010 Fish And Boat Commission Photo Contest Now Underway


* Stewardship Challenges In The Wissahickon Topic Of April 21 Program


* 2010 Brings Change To Western Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation


* Free Drinking Water Source Protection Workshops April 21, 22


* Spotlight- Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team 2009 Annual Report Now Available

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.

* DEP: PA Must Take Action To Protect Water Resources From Drilling Wastewater


* Atlas Energy Announces $1.7 Billion Marcellus Shale Joint Venture With Reliance Industries


* PUC Release Agenda For April 22 Hearing On Marcellus Shale Issues


* Marcellus Shale Coalition: The Promise, Potential Of Marcellus Can Be Realized In PA
With key debates over energy, jobs and revenue, including a proposed natural gas production severance tax for the state, expected to take shape in the coming weeks, Marcellus Shale Industry Coalition president and executive director Kathryn Klaber sent a letter to each member of House and Senate this week updating legislators on the progress the MSC and its member institutions have made this year, and renewing the Coalition’s commitment to working with the General Assembly in a constructive, meaningful way.

* DCNR Opens New Webpage On Marcellus Shale Drilling

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

* Professional Geologists Issue Position Paper On Marcellus Shale Development

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."

* Earth Day At 40- Pittsburgh Announces Two New Tools To Help City Residents Go Green

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.

* Earth Day: Close The Loop Offers Give And Take Day April 24 In Monroe County


* Earth Day: Celebrate 40 Years Of Earth Day With Wildlands Conservancy

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

* Earth Day: Take Students Outside To Learn On Earth Day 2010


* Philipsburg Osceola High School Wins GreenSylvania Recycling Competition

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

* Westmoreland High School Students Compete In 25th Annual Envirothon


* Independence Conservancy Sponsors Tire Collection Events May 15, 29

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

* Southwest HHW Task Force Sponsors Pharmaceutical Collection Event May 15

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.

* Mifflin County PA CleanWays Honored By Planning Commission


* Additional 1,722 Acres of Prime Farmland Preserved


* Toxic Release Inventory Workshops Set In Western PA April 20, 22


* West Chester University To Launch Education For Sustainability Certificate Programs


* EPA Accepting Applications For National Environmental Education Training Program


* Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program Celebrates One Year Anniversary


* Adapting to Climate Change Conference Set For April 30 In Erie


* Program Will Offer Rebates Of Up To $500 For Non-Electric Home Heating Upgrades


* DEP Again Offering $500 Rebates For Alternative Fuel Vehicles


* State Invests $8 Million In 20 Alternative Fuel Projects


* Bartolomeo Named Chair Of PA Environmental Council Board


* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Projects

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.

* Grants & Awards

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

* Quick Clips

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

* Watershed NewsClips


* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

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

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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

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

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers AssociationPennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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