Here are 120 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--

The nonprofit environmental news organization Grist has included citizen advocate Laurie Barr from Potter County and Jennifer Wilcox, a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, on its Grist 50 List of people tackling some of the most pressing problems of today in innovative and exciting ways.

The Upper Delaware Council has announced the honorees for the Annual River Valley Awards who have enhanced the quality of life or protected the resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley.

On September 4, Dickinson College in Cumberland County announced Matt Steiman, energy projects manager at the Dickinson College Farm, has been awarded the prestigious Epstein Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sustainable Energy Fund.

By David Hess, Former Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

On September 6, Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Minority Chair Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced new regulations enhancing pipeline safety and governing hazardous liquids pipelines owned by public utilities in Pennsylvania are expected to be published as final this month and take effect in November.

On September 3, the Southwest PA-based Environmental Health Project released the following statement by Allison L. Steele, Executive Director, regarding the recent report from CNX Resources that its shale gas development (fracking) activities pose no threat to public health.

The Center for Coalfield Justice will host a September 24 in-person program on increasing setbacks from oil and gas infrastructure at the Cecil Township Building, Generations Room, 3599 Millers Run Road in Cecil, Washington County starting at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On September 5, the Independent Fiscal Office reported second quarter natural gas production in Pennsylvania dropped to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2020.

On September 3, the US Department of the Interior announced $76.4 million from the Biden Administration's Investing in America agenda to plug abandoned conventional oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania.

The Environmental Defense Fund, Moms Clean Air Force and other partners will hold public meetings in Clarion, McKean and Venango counties on a project to test new methods of locating abandoned conventional oil and gas wells.

As of September 4, the source of a continuing oil discharge into the Allegheny River discovered August 16 in Sandycreek Township, Venango County is still a mystery, but efforts continue to contain the spill and investigate the source by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection. 

From August 31 to September 6, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 455 inspection entries, plus catching up with posting reports from previous weeks.

The following notices were published in the September 7 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the September 7 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the proposed replacement of plastic pipe by natural gas distribution utilities.

By Brandon Taylor and Nick Hood

On September 3, the Public Utility Commission reported Pennsylvania experienced 49 “reportable outage events” in 2023 that disrupted electric service for residents and businesses across the state, according to the latest Electric Service Reliability Report.

On September 4, the Public Utility Commission announced it has received up to a $4.6 million grant from the US Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office to enhance the process for reviewing proposed high-voltage transmission line projects in Pennsylvania.

On September 11, the Ohio River Valley Institute, DEP and the Evergreen Collaborative will host a webinar on Pennsylvania's new RISE (Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions) Program to provide $396.1 million in grants and incentives to decarbonize industry starting at Noon.

On September 4, the Department of Transportation invited the public to submit feedback on the agency's proposal to invest in EV charging infrastructure in communities statewide.

On September 4, the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance announced it has received a three-year, $1.48 million US Department of Labor grant to launch its Green Pathways Workforce Initiative to develop training and education programs to support critical green building and clean energy employment needs in southwestern Pennsylvania.

On September 4, a coalition of clean air advocates announced they have filed a federal lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency demanding stronger rules to reduce hazardous air pollution – including cancer- causing benzene – from steel industry coke [coal] oven plants across the country.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a hearing for October 10 on the proposed interim Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act response at the Vallimont Site in Greene Township, Erie County.  (PA Bulletin, page 5663)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act consent order and agreement with Dooling Properties, LLC and a settlement agreement with 5627-41 Hegerman Street, LLC related to the former Gryphin Coatings, Inc. Site at 3501 Richmond Street in Philadelphia.  (PA Bulletin, page 5674)   (PA Bulletin, page 5675)

On September 4, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $23.8 million in grant awards to support water quality improvement, habitat restoration and community stewardship efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

On September 4, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced nine recipients of new grants investing $1.5 million in research to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges like climate change, air quality, and loss of critical water and soil resources.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Coastal Zone Grants for projects in the Delaware Estuary and Lake Erie coastal zones.  The deadline for applications is October 21.  (formal notice) 

Registration is now open for the Ohio River Basin Alliance Summit being held at the University of Pittsburgh from October 30 to November 1. The theme is “Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities: From Headwater to Mainstem.”

Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training will hold three ‘Ag Conservation Keystone Training’ in-person workshops designed to equip conservation professionals with skills to identify on-farm resource concerns and implement conservation practices at three locations across Pennsylvania in October.

On September 4, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications for the FY 2025 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.  Applicants should apply by the next two ranking dates-- October 4 and December 20.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Trees for Graziers will host a Silvopasture Farm Walk on September 11 in Lebanon County to learn more about the lessons and experiences of practicing Silvopasture.

On October 2 & 3, join Penn State Extension, the Ag and Environment Center, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, and fellow educators from across the Commonwealth for two days of immersive, hands-on watershed learning through the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) curricular framework.

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

The Montgomery County-based Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is gearing up for its annual Plant-A-Thon to plant 10,000 native trees, shrubs and perennials in the watershed now through November.

The Penn State Extension will host a three-part webinar series on On-lot Septic Systems-- an introduction, planning and permitting and maintenance.

The Penn State Extension will host a five-part webinar series on Woodland Stewardship - Guided Engagement With Your Land to help woodland owners learn about orest ecosystems, management, and stewardship practices.

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center celebrates World Rivers Day on September 22 with stories that highlight the importance of thinking globally and acting locally for the rivers that sustain our communities, families, and businesses.

Join Bill McGeeney, Philadelphia Master Watershed Steward and host of the Light Pollution News Podcast on October 13 for an in-person Tap Talk: Watershed Impacts Of Lesser-Known Pollutants at Triple Bottom Brewing, 915 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

On September 4, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center released a new study showing how nine Pennsylvania school districts regularly expose children to lead in school drinking water by violating state law, skirting reporting requirements and ignoring best practices.

On September 5, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced the appointment of Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, P.E. as its next Executive Director, effective December 1, 2024.

On August 30, the Department of Transportation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the 2024-2025 cohort of Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania.

The Allegheny River and Watershed Cleanup is celebrating their sweet 16 this year. For over a decade and a half, family, friends and the community have gathered to clean various locations along the Allegheny River near Warren, PA.

On September 5, the Appalachian Regional Commission announced $16.9 million in funding for five collaborative projects to expand the region’s infrastructure, tourism, business development and workforce opportunities funded through ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) program,

The Western PA Conservancy partnered with landowners to protect 700 acres of forestland in Fayette County to be added to Forbes State Forest and 1,495 acres of forest in Elk County to be included in Moshannon State Forest.

Registration is now open for Keystone Trails Association's Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend, which will be held October 18-20, in York and Lancaster counties.

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association is encouraging groups to organize local Walk In Penn's Woods events the first weekend in October-- October 5-6.

On September 3, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced the formation of the new Friends Group dedicated to supporting and enhancing Tyler State Park in Bucks County.

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In August features articles on--

On September 5, the Fish and Boat Commission said it is now accepting applications for the next round of Boating Facility Grants.  Applications are due November 30.

On September 6, the PA Environmental Council announced it is now accepting applications for PA Water Trail Mini-Grants.  The deadline to apply is November 1.

The US Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for grants to remove, replace or restore culverts to improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish.  The deadline for applications is September 23.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has awarded Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County a $246,000 grant, one of 30 to support wildlife habitat, climate resilience, community conservation partnerships, and equitable access to nature in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation PA Rivers and Streams Program will hold Watershed Exploration Programs for students in grades 6 to 12 from eight Pennsylvania schools during September and October.

The Pike County and Wayne County Conservation Districts and the Pike/Wayne Chapter of Trout Unlimited are partnering on a new Stream Keepers Youth Program for ages 11 to 14 and their chaperone(s).

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 September 7 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.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.