The PA Environment Digest will not publish on any platform from February 2 to 10.

Here are 101 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 January 31, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a series of webinars and an open opportunity for people to share their thoughts on ways to improve and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania.

On January 30, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the Path of the Flood Trail in Cambria County, a 14-mile journey through history and nature, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2025 Trail of the Year.

On January 12, Cecil Township Supervisor Cindy Fisher announced in a Facebook post Range Resources Appalachia LLC  and MarkWest Liberty Midstream have filed two different legal challenges to the shale gas facility setback ordinance adopted by the Township in November.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the February 1 PA Bulletin setting Calendar Year 2024 Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees based on a formula set in law.  The fees will be the same as in 2023.

On January 27, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin) announced he would be reintroducing the PA Energy Independence Act to suspend state taxes on natural gas producers, cut DEP permit fees, end the drilling moratorium on DCNR lands, exempt coal-fired power plants from EPA regulations and make other changes.

On January 28, the Department of Environmental Protection said compliance with a 2022 state Air Quality regulation to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas facilities was put on hold for the conventional oil and gas industry as a result of an agreement to stay a legal challenge to the regulations in Commonwealth Court.

On January 31, the Department of Environmental Protection began releasing the next round of contracts for bidding on BidExpress.com to plug conventional oil and gas wells under the federally-funded well plugging program.

On January 27, Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) introduced House Bill 364 which would restore the Environmental Quality Board’s authority to increase conventional oil and gas well plugging bonds to help prevent hundreds of new well abandonments a year.

The following notices were published in the February 1 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On January 31, the President signed an executive order to “unleash prosperity through deregulation” by requiring every federal agency to eliminate 10 regulations, rules or guidance documents for every new regulation they adopt.

On January 30, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the “Lightning Plan” -- a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy plan to secure Pennsylvania’s energy future supported by labor and industry leaders, environmental advocates, and consumer groups.

On January 28, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced he has reached an agreement with PJM Interconnection on a plan to resolve his recent lawsuit and to save consumers over $21 billion over the next two years.

On January 27, Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out bills to ‘abrogate’ Pennsylvania's carbon pollution reduction program covering power plants consistent with RGGI and establishing an Independent Energy Office by party-line votes.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 1 PA Bulletin it will hold a March 5 hearing on a proposed Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Hazleton Generation natural gas power plant in Hazle Township, Luzerne County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1110)

The House Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a February 4 hearing on House Bill 362 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia) authorizing the PA Energy Development Authority to establish a $156 million federally-funded Solar For All Program (sponsor summary).

On January 30, ten government entities in Centre County announced they have officially entered into a 15-year contract to supply their operations with renewable energy from a nearby solar project.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Lodestar Awards to recognize the solar energy leadership of businesses, municipalities, farms, solar energy developers or any other organizations.  The deadline for nominations is May 15.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 1 PA Bulletin it will hold a February 19 hearing on the proposed Title V RACT 3  Air Quality Permit for the Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Butler Works in Butler Township, Butler County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1110)

On January 29, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the winners of the 2025 Pennsylvania Student Radon Poster Contest and continues to encourage Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon as part of the department’s ongoing National Radon Action Month outreach.

On January 28, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced the award of $16 million in grants and loans funded by the Act 13 drilling impact fee for watershed restoration, flood mitigation, recreation, sewage and oil and gas well plugging.

The latest DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters Newsletter highlights 2024 accomplishments, upcoming Watershed Forestry Summit, upcoming grant opportunities, county clean water projects and much more.

The Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association has again partnered with the Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Coalitions for Abandoned Mine Reclamation to offer mine reclamation and treatment grants.  Applications are due April 15.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the February 1 PA Bulletin inviting comments on 96 stream water quality redesignations in 29 counties.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 1 PA Bulletin it will hold a March 3 hearing on an Individual NPDES Stormwater Permit for a Route 115 Associates, LLC warehouse project in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1167)

On January 30, the Rodale Institute and DAVINES Group announced the launch of The Good Farmer Award U.S. to recognize beginning farmers implementing ecologically sound agricultural practices, building biodiversity on their farm, and who are fostering resilience, sustainability, and social equity.

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” April 1-3. at Best Western Premier: The Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Drive, Harrisburg.

The Penn State Extension will hold an in-person Volunteer Live Staking Workshop on February 21 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Orrs Bridge Road Restoration Site, 1 Stone Spring Lane in Camp Hill, Cumberland County.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will hold its 2025 Watershed Forestry Summit on May 13-15 at a location to be announced.

The Penn State Extension to host another Water Cooler Talk webinar February 26 on the Quality of Pennsylvania Roadside Springs from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Bay has issued an invitation to congregations throughout the Bay Watershed to join the more than 200 other congregations who have answered the call to form Green Teams in their communities.

On January 31, the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is now accepting applications for Pennsylvania River Sojourns Grants. Applications are due March 14.

On January 28, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation welcomed over 300 photos submissions for the 2024 “Leap In” Photo Contest and sends a ‘congratulations’ to all participants and the top 20 winners.

The January 31 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

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

PA Master Naturalist is seeking qualified applicants for a Communications/Development Coordinator to support its communication strategies as well as resource development activities to promote and advance a volunteer service-learning program devoted to natural resource conservation in communities throughout Pennsylvania.

The following article is part a Bristol Township Environmental Advisory Committee initiative to educate community residents on endangered species in Bucks County.

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

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 February 1 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 PA Council Trout Unlimited, Organization for Watersheds & Rivers and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.