Here are 189 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 October 5, a nearly 40 acre reclaimed abandoned mine land site in western Clinton County was dedicated to the memory of Joe Schueck, a DEP hydrologist with Pennsylvania’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.

On October 7, the Ohio River Valley Institute released the results of a new poll which found 90% of Pennsylvania voters support stricter regulations on the fracking industry, according to the poll conducted by Upswing Research for the Ohio River Valley Institute.

On October 16, Saint Vincent College in Westmoreland County announced Dr. Mary Regina Boland, assistant professor of data science in the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing has published a study on whether some chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing affect the occurrence of pre-term births (PTB) and low birth weights (LBW) in the United States.

On October 9, Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) announced plans to introduce legislation to prohibit municipalities from receiving Act 13 drilling impact fees if they set more protective standards on the development of natural gas than required in state or federal law and while a challenge to local restrictions is being litigated.

By Cathy Lodge, Washington County

Join the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community October 23 for an in-person tour through Washington County and experience firsthand how shale gas fracking infrastructure is impacting families every day.

From October 5 to 18, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 1,474 inspection entries, along with inspection reports from previous weeks.

On October 19, The Derrick reported that Public Utility Commission Administrative Law Judge Mark A. Hoyer issued an interim emergency order on October 17 appointing Aqua Pennsylvania as temporary receiver of six Rhodes Estate water companies and takeover operating them on October 31.

On October 19, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission Hydrologic Conditions Monitor shows low stream flows in some areas have triggered water withdrawal restrictions to water users, including 9 shale gas development water withdrawals.

On October 12, the Department of Environmental Protection published notice it will begin accepting applications on October 16 for the new Methane Reduction Grants Program to plug marginally producing conventional oil and gas wells on October 16. The deadline for applications is December 11.   (formal notice)

On October 15, EEN Action–- the 501(c)(4) partner of the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN)–- delivered over 36,000 comments from pro-life Christians in Pennsylvania to Governor Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection calling for a strong State Implementation Plan to meet the federal oil and gas industry methane emissions reduction rule.

The following notices were published in the October 19 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

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

On October 10, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) announced the receipt of a grant for $74,539.19 from the Ohio River Valley Participatory Fund.

On October 8, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the federal government has settled its final federal Clean Air Act (CAA) claim against Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing, LLC pertaining to the June 21, 2019 fire and explosion at its former South Philadelphia refinery. 

On October 15, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) submitted a public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, urging the agency to move forward with its proposed high-priority designation of vinyl chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

On October 14, the PJM Interconnection issued its Winter Outlook on available electricity generation saying PJM has "adequate resources to serve the forecasted demand for electricity this winter under expected conditions, although reserve margins continue to shrink with continued generator retirements and increasing demand."

By Patrick McDonnell, CEO of PennFuture, Former Secretary of DEP

On October 16, the Appalachian Regional Commission awarded $68.2 million to 65 projects through its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative.

On October 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC over coal ash violations at the coal-fired Conemaugh Electric Generating Station in New Florence, Westmoreland County..

On October 17, Bosland Growth announced it will begin site preparation for a mine land reforestation project in the Lake Pleasant Conservation Area in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

On October 16, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has secured $1.62 million from Cyprus Amax Minerals Company for natural resource damage due to pollution at the American Zinc and Chemical Site in Washington County and will use the money for projects to benefit the environment in the County.

On October 16, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the investment of $216.3 million in 33 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across 21 counties.

On October 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined leaders from Aqua Pennsylvania, and federal, state, and local officials to discuss the importance of taking action against lead, specifically with regards to identifying and removing lead and galvanized service lines, protecting public health, and the federal investments expediting these efforts.

On October 16, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has awarded more than $3.4 million in grants to 12 projects in 8 counties to improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat throughout Pennsylvania’s part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and other watersheds. 

On October 16, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer joined partners from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to plant a streamside forest buffer at the Commission's Mahantango Access in Snyder County to help prevent flooding and improve water quality in the Susquehanna River.

On October 9, the Conservation Innovation Fund, a conservation and sustainability impact finance firm, announced the launch of the second round of farm enrollment for its Climate-Smart Commodities Market Program.

On October 15, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, local residents, and other conservation organizations will be working together to create watershed management plans that will improve water quality in Lancaster and Centre counties.

On October 15, the Wildlands Conservancy, together with project partners, funders, and community volunteers, celebrated the yearslong stream restoration of the wildlands Bushkill Creek and its success to date.

By Kelly Jedrzejewski, Penn State News

A webinar on planning and implementing agricultural conservation projects, with a focus on streambank stabilization and culvert replacement, will occur from 9:00 a.m. to Noon December 12. 

The Organizing Committee is now accepting proposals for the Watershed Congress Along the Schuylkill River, scheduled for March 29.  The deadline for submissions is November 3.

Join PA Interfaith Power and Light for the first in a new Wandering Waters Webinar Series on October 29 with Introduction to Watershed Stewardship starting at 7:00 p.m.

On October 8, the Allegheny County Conservation District announced it has received funding from both the National Association of Conservation Districts and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) administered through the US Department of Agriculture.

On October 16, more than 100 leaders from business, industry, labor, higher education and non-profit organizations convened today for a roundtable on industrial decarbonization, held by Team PA and Clean Air Task Force at the Energy Innovation Center in downtown Pittsburgh.

On October 8, SolarBank Corporation announced plans to develop a 13.8 MW DC ground-mount solar power project known as the Grandview project on a site located in Lancaster County. The Project is part of a three-project plan totalling 24.8 MW DC.

The Department of Community and Economic Development will begin accepting applications for the Solar for Schools Grant Program on November 1.  The deadline for applications is January 31.

On October 18, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the investment of $24 million in 112 clean energy projects in Pennsylvania to create jobs and help lower their energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program.

The Community Advocates For Clean Energy will host a November 13 webinar on EPA's Clean School Bus Grant Program from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

By Dr. Joseph C. Conklin, Penn State Extension

On October 10, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Board of Directors announces the appointment of Kelsey DeMerlis, Director, Center for Community Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Wesley Robinson, Press Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

On October 10, Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced Pennsylvania is investing $6,765,102 to purchase development rights for 1,953 acres on 28 farms in 16 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

On October 7, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust  announced the finalization of a voluntary conservation agreement with Raymond and Kathleen Nester that permanently safeguards their historic 24-acre farm in East Coventry Township.

Pennsylvania organizations are invited to nominate waterways for the 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year.  The nomination period is open through November 11.

On October 8, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that Pennsylvanians now have the opportunity to nominate their favorite trail for the 2025 Trail of the Year.

On October 17, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its fourth Fall Foliage Report saying consistently cold nights and cool days have spurred a very colorful change in Penn’s Woods!

On October 16, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation announced the dedication of a new accessible playground at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County.

The October 11 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On October 7, the Fish and Boat Commission announced it is now accepting applications for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants, and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as "R3."

On October 15, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced it is now accepting applications for a fall round of Canoe Access Development Fund Grants to support projects that will improve canoe and kayak access to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways.

The Fish and Boat Commission published new requirements for becoming qualified surveyors for endangered and threatened species and their habitat in connection with an application for a proposed or planned development activity in the October 12 PA Bulletin.  (formal notice)

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

The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh and the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh are now accepting applications for K-12 and college science education grants.  The deadline to apply is November 1.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will host another in its Conservation Effects Assessment Project Watershed Series October 24 on Conservation Planning and Implementation for Healthy Watersheds from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The Penn State Extension has scheduled two Dive Even Deeper educator workshops on  November 7-- Stream Health and Watersheds in Cumberland County and Stream Health and Acid Mine Drainage in Indiana County

Take a Walk with Watershed Stewards on the Paxtang Parkway in Dauphin County on November 10 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and learn something new about the watershed landscape you live in!

The Penn State Extension will host another in its Conservation Cornerstone webinar series November 26 on Ag Best Management Practices Value from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The Penn State Extension Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training will host a webinar November 27 in its Environmentally Sensitive Areas On The Farm Series, this one on Ponds and Lakes from Noon to 1:00 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 October 19 PA Bulletin-- 

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the October 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.

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.