Gov. Rendell told Senate and House legislative leaders this week a $280 million deficit remains in the budget after Congress passed the extra Medicaid funding.

Did you know you can search nearly 6 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any key word you choose. Just click on the search page.

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

The Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees will hold a hearing on August 18 as part of Ag Progress Days in State College on the status of commitments to reduce nutrient and sediment flowing to the Chesapeake Bay.

Recent high-profile accidents at natural gas wells in Pennsylvania prompted the Department of Environmental Protection to arrange emergency response services with a leading company that is opening a new operation in the state.

The Allegheny Front radio program this week profiles the progress and what yet needs to be done to deal with sewage discharges into Lake Erie.

Folks with questions about managing their crops or weeds can get answers at the Crops, Soils and Conservation Tent at Penn State's Ag Progress Days from August 17 to 19.         

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Coastal Zone Management Grants.  The deadline for applications is October 15.

The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center this week reported the number of counties in drought watch condition doubled from 10  to 20 in the last two weeks, according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index.  One county-- Carbon-- is in drought emergency condition for groundwater sources.

The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced it has renewed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for RRI Energy Mid-Atlantic Power Holdings LLC’s Shawville Power Plant in Bradford Township, Clearfield County.

PA CleanWays-Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful this week announced Joy Best, age 17, from Buxmont Christian Educational Institute in Philadelphia, was chosen as the 2010 $1,000 Sue Wiseman Scholarship recipient.  

This is your last chance to submit photos for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s 40th Anniversary Photo Contest!

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, in partnership with the Capital Resource Conservation & Development Area Council, invite you to a follow-up discussion on biomass on August 24 at the Ribbon Mill in Carlisle, Pa from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority kicked off its effort to beautify Philadelphia's gateway from Delaware County with the groundbreaking of Paschall Village in southwest Philadelphia this week.

The Department of State this week published notice in the PA Bulletin directing the officers, principals, employees and contractors of the PA League of Conservation Voters to stop soliciting for donations.

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

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

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice extending municipal NPDES Stormwater Discharge permit deadlines for nine months (see separate story) and notice of changes to list of firms certified to perform radon-related activities (Pa Bulletin page 4711)

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.

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