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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
August 9, 2010
(8/9/2010)
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* Rendell, Legislators Have To Cut $250-260 Million, Not $850 Million, From State Budget

Gov. Rendell and legislative leaders will now "only" have to cut $250-260 million from the state budget, rather than the $850 million they were expecting when the U.S. Senate passed supplemental Medicaid funding this week.

* Check Out The New Listings In The Professional Services Directory

Please check out these new listings in the 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--

* Legislative Forestry Task Force Urges Change To EPA Biomass Emission Standards

Citing the potential for massive job losses and estimated compliance costs in the billions, forest product industry members serving on the Legislative Forestry Task Force of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee are urging other Pennsylvania manufacturers to oppose proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations that would impose strict new limits on emissions from industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters - including biomass fired boilers and heaters.

* House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing On Clean Water Issues In Erie

The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing this week in Erie to examine clean water issues in Pennsylvania, according to Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster).  Rep. John Hornaman (D-Erie) requested the hearing and served as its co-chairman.

* Marcellus Shale Drillers Amass 952 Violations Likely To Harm The Environment

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has reviewed environmental violations accrued by Marcellus Shale drillers working in Pennsylvania between January 2008 and June 25, 2010. The records were obtained via a Right to Know Request made to the Department of Environmental Protection. 

* Allegheny Front: Report Finds 1,400 Plus Marcellus Violations

The Allegheny Front radio program this week discusses the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association report finding 1,435 environmental violations by companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale. The Allegheny Front's Amelia Possanza has more.  Click here to listen to the program.

* DEP Fines Talisman Energy For Bradford County Drilling Wastewater Spill


* Marcellus Shale Drillers, State Fire Commissioner Partner On Safety Training


* Chesapeake Energy Raises Marcellus Shale Production Estimates By 24 Percent


* Avista Capital Partners Sells A Portion Of Its Marcellus Shale Acreage For $326.6 Million


* Nutrient Credit Trading Mock Auction August 27, Chesapeake Bay Clearinghouse Formed


* $6.8 Million In REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Received, August 9 Deadline

The State Conservation Commission has received $6.8 million in applications for the $4.5 million in Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm conservation tax credits available this year.

* EPA Issues Guide To Improving Stormwater Management, Chesapeake Bay To Benefit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week issued a new guide for improving the effectiveness of urban stormwater permits in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the mid-Atlantic Region.

* EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Funds 11 Restoration Projects, 1 In Pennsylvania


* DEP Gives PA Towns A Reprieve On Stormwater Pollution Plans


* EPA Orders 4 PA Municipalities To Control Stormwater In Chesapeake Bay Watershed


* StormwaterPA, PA Environmental Council Pilot Stormwater Management Tool


* Video Blog: Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Program


* Guidance Published By DEP, DCED On New Permit Extensions Law


* Spotlight- Clean Creek Pottery: Earth, Love And Fire From Abandoned Mine Drainage

Clean Creek Products is expanding!  We continue to be blessed with the talents of local artists who are excited to be part of CCP.  We recently added the works of a new ceramic artist to CCP-- Shelly Cubarney.

* Clinton CleanScapes West Branch Susquehanna River Cleanup August 14


* Greensylvania School Recycling Competition Registration Starts September 1

The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania GreenSylvania recycling competition registration gets underway on September 1.

* Audubon Pennsylvania Releases The State Of The Kittatinny Ridge Report

Audubon PA recently released the updated Kittatinny Ridge report. The Kittatinny Ridge is one of Pennsylvania's largest Important Bird Areas and the site of a world-famous autumn raptor migration. 

* Pennsylvania’s Wild Resources Symposium Scheduled For August 17


* Audubon At Home's Newest Program... Bird Town

The Audubon At Home program already inspires people to better manage their communities for conservation, making a difference in their own backyards, local parks, schoolyards and work places. 

* Asian Longhorned Beetle Now In Neighboring States, Could Threaten PA


* Natural Biodiversity Publishes Latest Newsletter, Photo Contest Entries Due


* Game Commission Accepting State Wildlife Grant Applications


* August 14 Family Fishing Program In Lycoming County


* Delaware River Waterfront Corp. Announces Tree Campaign For The New Race Street Pier


* Nature Inn At Bald Eagle State Park Opens September 2

On September 2, doors open to the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, an inspiring facility complete with modern amenities and decor by local artisans, John James Audubon and Ned Smith.  

* DEP Boosts Rebates For Efficient, Non-Electric Home Heating Equipment


* EPA Announces Nation’s Top 50 Green Power Organizations


* Weis Markets Will Reduce Refrigerant Charge By 50 Percent To Reduce Climate Impact


* Poll: 83 Percent Support Nuclear Power As A Reliable Energy Source


* Civilian Conservation Corps Reunion Set For August 21


* Spotlight- DCNR: 15th Anniversary, State Park Online Reservation System

As sophisticated data systems became more cost-effective throughout the 1990s, it became clear that the Bureau of State Parks would greatly enhance their customer service with a centralized way for park visitors to make reservations.

* 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

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of policy implementing the permit extension provisions of Act 46.  The Department of Community and Economic Development published its guidance on implementing Act 46 on July 31.  (see separate story)

* 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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