Eugene DePasquale, a member of the House and a former deputy secretary with the Department of Environmental Protection, was elected to the position of Auditor General Tuesday.  During his campaign he promised to use his office to monitor state agencies' efforts to protect Pennsylvania's natural resources.

Kathleen Kane, a former assistant district attorney for Lackawanna County, was elected Attorney General Tuesday promising to use the state's environmental laws to protect citizens and natural resources.

On September 17 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the appeal of a Commonwealth Court decision in July striking down provisions of Act 13, the Marcellus Shale drilling law, restricting the application of local zoning to drilling operations and provisions requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to issue waivers to setback requirements.

Republican and Democratic Caucuses in the Senate and House will hold leadership elections next week for the new 2013-14 legislative session due to begin on January 1.

The Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee meets on November 14 to discuss and release reports on the costs and benefits of FSC certification of DCNR forests and a PA recreational water trails economic impact study. 

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer Tuesday responded directly to charges made by Rep. Jesse White (D-Westmoreland) that DEP did not share full drilling water test results with homeowners.

The Tribune Review reported Friday a study by Carnegie Mellon University says a water pollution problem in the Monongahela River that may have been linked to Marcellus Shale drilling is going away, but is still elevated in the Allegheny River.

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday released an updated distribution spreadsheet for Act 13 drilling impact fee for local governments and state programs.

Everyday, the state’s 66 conservation districts work to preserve our natural environment. Efforts such as the design and implementation of stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) as well as stream restoration, stream stabilization and erosion and sediment (E&S) controls are a part of their day-to-day operations.

Hurricane Sandy has brought significant devastation to some East Coasters, but for scientists at Stroud Water Research Center, the University of Delaware, and the University of Exeter, it was another golden opportunity to collect stormwater data that will be pivotal in addressing issues related to climate change.

Power outages, downed trees and limbs, and other wind damage were commonplace in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, but state parks and state forests were spared the severe damage associated with the historic coastal storm that struck October 29-30.

Stream Restoration Inc. has received funding through DEP’s Growing Greener Program and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds to perform, upon request by a watershed group, maintenance on their passive mine drainage treatment systems.

Looking for a holiday gift that will please the most discriminating taste and help the environment? Consider pottery products from Clean Creek.

Brianna Hutchinson, an Aquatic Ecologist with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, describes how SRBC surveys macroinvertebrates in the river to better understand the relationship between these aquatic species and the impacts of water pollution.  Click Here to watch the video.

The Philadelphia Water Department, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Community Design Collaborative invites design professionals to enter Infill Philadelphia: Soak it Up!—an interdisciplinary design competition promoting the creative, innovative use of green stormwater infrastructure in Philadelphia and other cities.

Penn State Extension sponsored or assisted with nine pond and lake workshops throughout Pennsylvania in 2012 which were attended by 433 pond and lake owners or managers representing over 1,300 acres of ponds and lakes.

The Department of Environmental Protection scheduled a public meeting and hearing on the Marsh and Rock Creek Critical Area Resource Plan for December 12.  The meeting will be held at the Adams County Agricultural Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg.  5:30. (formal notice)  Click Here for details.

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced Francois Bitz, of Baden, Beaver County, will pay $137,000 in civil penalties as part of a consent order and agreement for violating the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice inviting comments on proposed changes the policy for using the PA Natural Diversity Inventory during permit reviews and evaluations in the November 10 PA Bulletin.

The American Water Works Association will host a webinar entitled, “What the Frack?  The Real Deal With Fracking and the Water Industry,” November 14 starting at 11:00 a.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection has rescheduled an open house and public hearing for November 13, about a permit application from Laurel Mountain Midstream LLC for the construction and operation of new equipment at its Shamrock Compressor Station in German Township, Fayette County.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful local affiliates, in partnership with Weis Markets, will be holding special events in 5 counties on Saturday, November 10 to celebrate America Recycles Day and A Bag’s Life for Weis Markets’ customers recycling plastic bags. 

The Environmental Quality Board meets on November 20 to consider a proposed Title V Air Quality Emission Fee increases from $56 per ton to $85 per ton.  However, due to the decline in actual emissions, the revenue generated in 2014 will actually be less than in 2013.

The Environmental Quality Board published final regulations increasing permit review fee revenue  for surface and underground mining operations from about $50,000 annually to about $400,000 a year.  The final version of the fee increases were approved by the EQB in July (see the July EQB meeting agenda for more details).

The Public Utility Commission held its annual Winter Reliability Assessment Meeting Thursday where presenters reported that natural gas companies across Pennsylvania are prepared for this winter. 

The Department of Environmental Protection’s next “DEP at Home” webinar will be on November 14, at 7 p.m., to educate participants about ways to conserve energy and save money.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday awarded $418,049 in grants to help 56 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

Chatham University received a STARS Gold Rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education .

The Public Utility Commission Thursday issued for comment recommendations toward changing the default service electricity product that consumers receive, as part of the Commission’s ongoing investigation designed to improve the state’s retail electricity market.

The Pennsylvania Energy News website, sponsored by the Electric Power Generation Association, provides the public and decision-makers with the latest information on the rapidly changing energy industry in Pennsylvania.

The Conservation Landscape Summit, postponed by Hurricane Sandy, has been rescheduled for January 14-15 at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Harrisburg.

Former State Forester James Nelson will be honored on November 14 during a dedication ceremony to rename the Tuscarora Wild Area the James C. Nelson Wild Area in Mifflin County.

Visitors to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will have a 100 percent chance of seeing North America’s largest predatory bird on “Golden Eagle Saturday,” held November 10 with one-day-only eagle programs presented at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Ohiopyle State Park visitors recently were invited to take a step back in time—way back in time—to trace the evolution of the landscape and other geologic history of the Fayette County park with the many rock formations.

Nearly a million dollars of contributions made by Pennsylvania’s anglers and boaters specifically to conserve aquatic resources, offer public access to waterways, and provide boating safety education will be withheld from the Fish and Boat Commission by the federal government in 2013 if Congress fails to pass a budget before the end of the year.

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the Director of the Agriculture and Environment Center.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is seeking candidates to fill an entry-level Desktop Support Specialist position in its Information Technology Program.  Click Here for details.

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

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--

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

The Environmental Quality Board meets on November 20 to consider a proposed Title V Air Quality Emission Fee increases from $56 per ton to $85 per ton.  However, due to the decline in actual emissions, the revenue generated in 2014 will actually be less than in 2013.

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 links to 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.