Here are 108 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 August 20, Gov. Josh Shapiro amended the August 9, 2024, proclamation of disaster emergency to add seven additional counties to include Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Indiana, and York as ongoing assessments show significant damages due to catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.

On August 22, the Insurance Department called on insurers to provide flexibility for Pennsylvanians affected by Tropical Storm Debby.

On August 19, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Eureka Resources Standing Stone oil and gas wastewater treatment plant in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County and found the plant shut down and all the workers were laid off in July.

On August 23, Marcellus Drilling News reported Eureka Resources plans to close or sell two of its oil and gas wastewater treatment plants in Williamsport and downsize its operations to only one facility--  its Standing Stone Treatment Facility in Bradford County.

On July 15, Eureka Resources submitted a request to the Department of Environmental Protection to terminate the water quality permit for a proposed oil and gas wastewater treatment facility in Dimock, Susquehanna County due to changed “commercial factors.”

From August 17 to 23, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 685 inspection entries, and caught up on posting previous weeks’ inspection reports.

The following notices were published in the August 24 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the August 24 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 33 general water use permits in June for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, McKean, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga counties.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission meets September 12 to consider water withdrawal requests-- including eight shale gas development and a gas power plant-- the FY 2026 budget and procurement regulations.  (formal notice & agenda)

On July 31, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection received an application from Energy Transfer Marketing & Terminals LP to renew the Title V Air Quality Operating Permit for the Marcus Hook Terminal facility located in Marcus Hook Borough, Delaware County.    (August 24 PA Bulletin, page 5405)  (August 24 PA Bulletin, page 5441)

On August 20, the Erie 2030 District released its 2023 Progress Report, revealing that District property partners reduced energy demand 17.5% against baseline in 2023 and saved $4.2 million in energy costs.

On August 22, CPV Renewable Power (CPV Renewables) announced the start of construction for CPV Rogue’s Wind energy project in Pennsylvania.

On August 22, the Public Utility Commission launched its five-year Strategic Plan – “PAPUC Forward” – a five-year operational strategic plan centered on professional development, staff advancement and recruitment, the creation of a process excellence framework and an “Innovation Engine,” technology modernization, and enhanced consumer education. 

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund and the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants Program to restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams

On August 21, multiple organizations announced they came together with Blossburg Borough for a project to stabilize approximately 300 feet of riverbank along the Tioga River in Blossburg’s Island Park in Tioga County.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network will host the Confluence at Mingo Creek: A Celebration of Watersheds on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Shelter No. 5 in Mingo Creek County Park, 232 Mingo Creek Road, Eighty Four, Washington County. 

Achieving water quality goals in Pennsylvania’s waters is now more streamlined with the launch of the PA MS4 Collaboration Toolkit, a resource created by the national nonprofit Center for Watershed Protection to empower Pennsylvania municipalities to work together and tackle water quality challenges more efficiently and cost-effectively.

The Schuylkill Action Network will host the Southeast PA Water Utility Forum on September 24 at Albright College in Reading from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This summer fifteen educators from across the Great Lakes states joined Sea Grant educators from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy and Great Lakes scientists for a week-long Shipboard Science Workshop on Lake Erie.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 24 PA Bulletin announcing that Teclast is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 5440)

In September and October, Pennsylvania Resources Council will host three household chemical collection events in western Pennsylvania to enable area residents to conveniently dispose of materials such as cleaners, paints, batteries, automotive fluids, e-cigarettes/vapes and pesticides.

The 2nd Century Alliance, Keep Chester County Beautiful, Litter Lifters of West Vincent and the Coatesville and Valley Township Police Departments are teaming up for litter cleanup and beautification events on September 21 in Coatesville, Chester County from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m..

On August 19, the Department of Transportation announced the investment of over $51 million in funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to support 66 crucial transportation projects across 32 counties in Pennsylvania, including trail projects in Lackawanna, Lycoming and Mercer counties.

On August 21, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced new grant funding totaling $2,124,200 for six all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile facilities and trails in Pennsylvania.

On August 21, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership  announced the winners of the 13th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest. 

Take a deep dive into the wide world of insects — including a special spotlight on the Pennsylvania firefly — at this year’s Great Insect Fair at Penn State in State College.

It is Entomology Advocacy Week! Unless you are an insect scientist, you may not have heard of this occasion.

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

The Upper Delaware Council will host a public presentation on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Oral History Project on Thursday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Upper Delaware Council office, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY..

The Rodale Institute will present An Evening With Will Harris - A Conversation Between Farmers on September 10 at Kutztown University, McFarland Student Union in Kutztown, Berks County from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Join Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Coordinator Justin Mansberger on September 11 for a webinar on Corrosive Water Issues from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is now accepting registrations for the Women And Their Woods Retreat to be held September 15-18 at the Highlights Foundation Workshop Facility in Boyd’s Mill, Milanville, PA in Wayne County.

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 August 24 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 Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.