Here are 171 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

PA Environment Digest Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On March 21, 2025 surveillance cameras caught the latest incident of conventional oil and gas wastewater being dumped on a section of a dirt road paved with tar and stone chips at about 9:25 p.m.

DEP said during an April 10 update on the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Twin Oaks Pipeline leak in Bucks County, the investigation into the possibility of other leaks in the same pipeline has expanded to Delaware and Montgomery counties.

From April 5 to 11, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 616 inspection entries. 

On April 8, the Environmental Quality Board voted 16 to 3 to table a vote on whether to accept a rulemaking petition for study to increase setbacks from shale gas wells until comments submitted at the last minute to the Board can be reviewed.

In an April 7, 2025 letter to the Environmental Quality Board, the PA Independent Oil and Gas Association acknowledged that “1.4 million Pennsylvanians are impacted by general oil and gas operations” in the state.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a Chapter 105 Encroachment permit for a three mile long, 8-inch natural gas gathering pipeline being constructed on a 50 foot wide right-of-way by EQT ARO LLC in Cascade Township, Lycoming County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2771)

The following notices were published in the April 12 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On April 8, the Public Utility Commission highlighted the continued collaboration between state and federal investigators as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its report and recommendations related to the tragic 2023 explosion at the R.M. Palmer candy factory in West Reading, Berks County.

The Center for Coalfield Justice and researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will host an April 17 public meeting on an upcoming seismic study in Southwestern PA to be held at the American Legion Post 175 at 168 Park Avenue in Washington, Washington County from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On April 7, the House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee amended and reported out House Bill 109 (Vitali-D-Delaware) establishing an environmental justice permit review program in DEP to consider cumulative impacts of pollutants on communities already burdened by pollution by a vote of 14 to 12-- Republicans opposing.

On April 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has reviewed and acted on more than 9,000 permit applications and ensured those permits were enforced properly by conducting more than 28,000 inspections of regulated facilities.

On April 8, Liberty Energy Inc., Imperial Land Corporation and Range Resources – Appalachia, LLC announced a strategic alliance to support the development of a state-of-the-art power generation facility within the Fort Cherry Development District in Robinson Township, Washington County.

On April 8, Our Solar PA Coalition, organized labor, and industry groups, Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced House Bill 1155 (Schweyer- D-Lehigh), which will authorize community solar programs across the state.

The Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, will hold its annual meeting at 11:00 a.m. on April 17, in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg. Click Here for PUC live stream.

The Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment will host an in-person Climate Solutions Symposium on May 19-20 at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College.

On Earth Day-- Tuesday, April 22-- the Philadelphia Energy Authority and the Pennsylvania Solar Center will host a free webinar over Zoom for businesses, municipalities, schools, and other nonprofits in the five-county Greater Philadelphia region to learn how they can save major money on their electricity bill by going solar – and in certain cases, with little to no money down.

The Etna Community Organization announced that Volpatt Construction has been awarded the $4.2 million contract for the Etna Center for Community project that will highlight sustainability and green building principles.

On April 10, the PJM Interconnection announced a multiyear collaboration with Google and Tapestry to deploy AI-enhanced tools to further streamline PJM’s planning process for connecting new generation resources to the nation’s largest electrical grid.

On April 4, the PJM Interconnection sent a letter to the President supporting Presidential exemptions from the federal Clean Air Act requested by 13,900 MW of electric generation in the PJM region.

On April 8, the President took a series of actions to promote the use of coal for power generation, prevent power plants from leaving the grid and directing the US Attorney General to take action against states that adopt requirements that impede domestic energy production.

On April 9, the President issued two new executive orders requiring agencies to adopt one year sunset dates on any existing regulations affecting energy.  A second order requires agencies to identify regulations that limit competition.

On April 7, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the winners of the Litter Hawk Youth Award program who were recognized at a ceremony at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg on April 3.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, with funding from the Department of Transportation, is seeking civic and environmental leaders in 10th -12th grade to keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania Program.

On April 10, Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) announced David Shirey was honored with the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award for his exceptional dedication to community improvement in Chester County.

The Little Juniata River Association held its 20th Annual River Bank Clean Up on April 12 that attracted 150 volunteers to clean up 20 miles of river banks from Barrie, Huntingdon County to Altoona, Blair County.

Mark your calendar for dates to drop off a wide variety of household chemicals – ranging from pesticides and paints to auto fluids and household cleaners – at Spring recycling events in western PA sponsored by Pennsylvania Resources Council and its partners.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a May 12 hearing on the interim response at the Brookhaven Manufactured Home Community PCE Hazardous Site cleanup in Hellam and Springettsbury Townships, York County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2796)

On April 8, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the Commonwealth Drought Task Force has updated drought conditions in Pennsylvania-- Berks County will remain in Drought Warning, a Drought Watch was lifted for six counties, but remains in place for 27 counties.

The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce that Round 29 of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Grant Program is now open.

On April 8, the Fish and Boat Commission announced five projects were awarded funding through the York and Lancaster Counties Habitat Improvement Grant Program.

The Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Steering Committee released an update on efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution related to the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River just below the Pennsylvania-Maryland border.

Voting is now open for the Viewers’ Choice Awards in the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Foundation Photo Contest.  Voting ends April 25.

The April 11 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation features articles on--

On April 10, the PA Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania is investing nearly $12 million to purchase development rights for 3,187 acres on 29 farms in 17 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

The Crawford County-based Foundation for Sustainable Forests celebrated its 20th anniversary by preserving more than 1,300 acres of forests in Northwest PA, according to its new 2024 Annual Report.

On April 9, the Manada Conservancy announced it partnered with landowner Carolyn Shaffer to permanently protect 656 acres in the Fishing Creek Valley in Dauphin County.

On April 15, the Crawford County-based Foundation for Sustainable Forests will host a program with Brian Donahue, author of Slow Wood - Greener Building From Local Forests at the Riverside Brewing Company in Cambridge Springs, Crawford County starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology proudly announces that its Fifth Annual Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation will occur from June 6-16, 2025, and support three projects across the Commonwealth.

By Wayne W. Kober

The Allegheny County Department of Sustainability is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Sustainability Specialist.

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

Want to learn more about nature and how to protect it? Want to meet like-minded nature enthusiasts and make a difference together?

The Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education will host Naturepalooza 2025 on April 26 to help celebrate Earth Day in Philadelphia.

The Brodhead Watershed Association will hold a May 6 Gardening for Wildlife - How People Benefit when Nature Thrives Workshop at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center, 1539 Cherry Lane Road in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The Physicians For Social Responsibility PA will hold a May 8 in-person workshop and webinar on Oil & Gas Industry Waste Worker Safety from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the April 12 PA Bulletin--

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

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