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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
June 14, 2010
(6/14/2010)
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* House Democrats Again Fail To Round Up Votes For Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) said this week Senate Republicans would take a serious look at any tax bill sent to them by the House. Apparently that's a safe bet at the moment because House Democrats again failed to come up with enough votes to pass a modest tax bill again this week.

* Skelly And Loy, Inc. Joins Professional Services Directory

Harrisburg-based Skelly and Loy, Inc., an environmental engineering and consulting firm, has just joined the PA Environment Digest Professional Services Directory.

* 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--

* Senate/House Bills Moving

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

* Senate Environmental Committee OKs Clean Water Fund Bill, Asks More Time On Regs.


* Bill To Increase Alternative Energy Mandates Reported From House Committee


* House GOP Policy Committee Hears Comments On Natural Gas Pipeline Safety

The House Republican Policy Committee this week held a hearing on the issue of natural gas pipeline safety related to Marcellus Shale development.

* Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Bill To Fight Blight


* Sen. Ferlo Calls For Moratorium On All Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Drilling

Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) announced this week he will soon introduce legislation calling for a one year, statewide moratorium on all new Marcellus Shale natural gas well drilling in Pennsylvania.

* Clearfield Gas Well Blowout Subject Of Senate Hearing June 16


* DEP Orders Owner Of Clearfield County Gas Well To Suspend Drilling Operations

The Department of Environmental Protection this week ordered EOG Resources Inc. to suspend its natural gas well drilling activities in Pennsylvania after a June 3 blowout at one of the company’s Clearfield County wells sent natural gas and at least 35,000 gallons of drilling wastewater into the sky and over the ground for 16 hours.

* DEP Orders Fracking Contractor In Clearfield County Well Blowout To Halt Activities

The Department of Environmental Protection this week ordered C.C. Forbes, of Washington, Pa, to suspend all post-hydraulic fracturing activities on Marcellus Shale wells in the state immediately as it continues its investigation into a June 3 well blowout in Clearfield County.

* New Drilling Wastewater Treatment Plant Showcases Technology To Meet Stronger Standards

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger this week toured the new Reserve Environmental Services wastewater treatment in Westmoreland County, saying the facility uses the technology needed to meet stronger water quality standards now being considered to better protect Pennsylvania’s waterways from the effects of natural gas drilling.

* Fish & Boat Commission Doesn't Have Resources To Protect Aquatic Life From Drilling

The Fish and Boat Commission this week repeated the need to pass a Marcellus shale severance tax and dedicate a portion of its revenues to make sure that natural gas is developed with as little impact as possible to fish, reptiles, amphibians, and other aquatic organisms and the habitats upon which they depend.

* PUC Releases Agenda For June 16 Hearing On Marcellus Shale Pipeline, Other Issues


* Marcellus Shale Environmental Lobby Day Set For June 23


* Feature- Adams County Farmer Uses Conservation Practices To Benefit Environment, Bottom Line


* Vote Now: Pick Your Favorite Photo Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Contest

More than 600 great photos were submitted for the annual Chesapeake Bay Watershed photo contest and now is the time for your to vote on your favorite.

* Creek Connections Sponsoring Summer Education Program For 10th, 11th Graders

Creek Connections Camp at Allegheny College is sponsoring two week-long summer environmental education programs for students in grades 10 and 11.  The sessions will be held July 11-16 and July 18-23.

* Friends Of Wissahickon Volunteers Keeping Devil's Pool Clean This Summer

The Friends of the Wissahickon are working with the community this summer to keep Devil’s Pool and the area surrounding it clean. 

* ALLARM Gives Watershed Groups Technical Support


* PA Water Works Assn. Sponsors Energy Solutions For Water Utilities Workshop August 19


* PennVEST Sets Application Deadlines For Water Infrastructure Funding

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority has set application deadlines and meeting dates for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011--  May 18 deadline (past) for July 20 meeting; August 31 deadline for November 9 meeting; and February 15 deadline for April 19 meeting.  (formal notice)

* Nomination Deadline Extended To July 9 For NE Environmental Awards


* EPA Announces $10 Million For Communities To Combat Climate Change


* Allegheny County Releases Greenhouse Gas Inventory Of County Operations


* Chester County Hosts June 25 Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics Collection Event

On June 25 Chester County Solid Waste Authority will hold a Household Hazardous Waste and Computer Collection Event at the Center for Arts and Technology Brandywine Campus inCoatesville. The collection site from 9:00 a.m. and will close at 3:00 p.m.

* PA Resources Council Hard To Recycle Collection Event June 26 In Pittsburgh


* Agriculture Reminds Pesticide Applicators To Use Safe Procedures, Keep Licenses Current


* Pennsylvania Preserves 4,000th Farm For Future Agricultural Production


* Online Video- Tree Planting And Care Videos From iConservePA.org

Watch these videos of how to plant and care for trees along with a description of all the benefits trees provide from iConservePa.org.

* Create Monarch Butterfly Waystations In Your Backyard


* Cherry Springs State Park Hosts Special Dark Sky Events June 19

Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County, has one of the darkest skies in the Eastern United States, will host several special dark sky events on June 19.

* PA Conservation: Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants June 17


* Students Pull For Invasive Species Day At Erie Bluffs State Park


* Author Jean Stull Honored With John C. Oliver Environmental Stewardship Award June 23

Noted author and bird expert Jean Stull will be honored with the 2010 John C. Oliver Environmental Stewardship Award at a special event on June 23.

* Local Government Sustainability Workshop At Dickinson College June 18


* Building One Pennsylvania: Statewide Summit On Regional Opportunity July 16


* 2010 Energy Expo Set To Kick Off June 26-27 In Luzerne County


* Philadelphia Launches Pilot Program To Help Green Technology Companies


* USDA Offers Help With On-Farm Energy Audits


* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Projects In Clarion, Washington Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Clarion County and a mine reclamation project in Washington County.

* Spotlight- Studies Show PA Wilds Initiative Resulted In Investments, Increases In Tourism

In 2003, Gov. Rendell established the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative to conserve natural resources and energize local economies in the state’s 12-county, north-central region by drawing visitors to the vast and largely rural area that is home to some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities and wilderness adventure experiences in the eastern U.S.

* Opinion- Just Like Oil and Water Do Not Mix, Neither Do Natural Gas Drilling and Drinking Water

By Rep. Karen Boback

* Opinion- Natural Gas Pipelines Within Wyoming County

By Paul J. Weilage, Planning Director for Wyoming 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

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips


* Watershed NewsClips


* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new policies were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - June 12, 2010

* 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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