Here are 156 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--

By Wayne W. Kober

The Tioga County-based Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group devoted most of its Winter 2024-25 newsletter to providing an update on industrial shale gas development in the Tioga State Forest.

On November 21, the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Justice and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced two settlements with oil and gas operators in Pennsylvania involving operations in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer Counties.

As of November 15, the Department of Environmental Protection issued owners of conventional oil and gas wells 6,907 violations for violating state laws and regulations, exceeding the 6,860 violations issued in all of 2023.  And, there are five+ weeks left in 2024.

A wastewater release discovered by DEP during a routine inspection on October 25 at the Bear Lake Properties LLC Bittinger #4 oil and gas wastewater injection well site in Columbus Township, Warren County went unreported to DEP for at least 109 days, according to a response to DEP's violations sent by the company on November 11.

From November 16 to 22, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 751 inspection entries. 

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a new State Only Minor Air Quality Operating Permit for the continued operation of the ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC [Energy Transfer] Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Processing Plant in Smith Township, Washington County. (PA Bulletin, page 7595)

The following notices were published in the November 23 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board is scheduled to meet December 5 on a variety of topics including EPA’s oil and gas methane reduction rule, updates on federal well plugging program,  injection well primacy, financial assurance and the impact of reduced drilling and permitting activity funding for DEP’s Oil and Gas regulatory program.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a business meeting on December 12 to consider a new fee schedule, release a proposed General Permit for Into-Basin Water Diversions and water withdrawal requests.  (formal notice)

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the November 23 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 42 general water use permits in October for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold its regular business meeting December 5 to consider, among other items, a resolution to “preserve and protect” water supplies during persistent dry conditions.

On November 19, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-04, creating the PA Permit Fast Track Program to streamline the Commonwealth’s permitting process for key economic development and infrastructure projects, increase transparency, and accelerate timelines to ensure state government delivers results quickly and efficiently.

On November 19, the Shapiro Administration announced the Department of Environmental Protection has reduced its permit backlog by 75 percent since November 1, 2023 – and has completely eliminated the backlog for oil and gas permits.

By Jessica Shirley, Acting DEP Secretary

On November 22, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced significant reductions in processing times across key environmental permit review areas, demonstrating the Shapiro Administration's commitment to streamlining state government operations for Pennsylvanians in the last two years.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 23 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of an updated Non-Regulatory Agenda cataloging the technical guidance documents the agency has in development.  https://tinyurl.com/3vz6zwn3

On November 21, the Public Utility Commission announced it will hold a technical conference on the adequacy of electricity supplies in Pennsylvania Monday, November 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection now has available some guidance on how to apply for the RISE PA Industrial Decarbonization Grant Program with an anticipated application period opening in early 2025.

Award-winning atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe will discuss how to build hope in the face of the devastating impacts of climate change during a special event at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Cumberland County.

On December 20, the Green Building Alliance invites New Kensington-area commercial property and business owners, and community leaders to a listening session on energy efficiency and cost savings, and a Launch Party celebrating the establishment of the New Kensington 2030 District December 4 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Digital Foundry in Westmoreland County.

On November 19, the Pennsylvania Solar Center and Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services announced the release of a free guidebook to help Pennsylvania municipalities navigate large-scale solar development processes, including zoning, ordinances, permitting, and incentives.

On November 21, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced it is considering its next move in the fight against plans to create a hydroelectric facility in York County and build a 1.8-mile-long dam and flood 580 acres of farms, fields, and forests at Cuffs Run.

On November 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of more than $2.5 million for five projects to restore abandoned mine lands and clean streams affected by abandoned mine drainage as a part of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program.

On November 21, DEP briefed the Water Resources Advisory Committee on changes being proposed to the PAG-13 General Permit For Small Municipal Stormwater Dischargers (MS4) and the latest emerging contaminants sampling results.

By Berks Nature

The Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension is planning the Second Annual ACAP Ag Conservation Con for April 1-3, 2025 in Harrisburg.

On November 20, the ClearWater Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania announced it has been awarded a $99,700 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to install six  acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Susquehanna River Watershed.

On November 22, the Fish and Boat Commission announced it is now accepting applications for the York and Lancaster Counties Stream Habitat Improvement Grants program to fund stream habitat improvement projects in York and Lancaster counties.  Deadline for applications is January 24.

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards are seeking individuals who enjoy learning, have the desire and time to volunteer, and value working with others.

By Jodi Sulpizio, York County Master Watershed Stewards Coordinator

By Jodi Sulpizio, York County Master Watershed Stewards Coordinator

By Danielle Rhea, Extension Educator

By Bryan R. Swistock, Extension Water Resources Coordinator

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center will host another in its Sustainable Materials Management webinar series December 17 on Glass For A Sustainable Future from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

This week the PA Resources Council announced it is spearheading an effort to establish a permanent recycling facility in Allegheny County to enable maximum recovery and proper waste diversion/recycling while providing residents with a convenient, cost-effective location to drop off electronics, household chemicals and other materials not accepted in curbside recycling.

On November 19, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful reminded students it is accepting nominations for the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program through January 31 to recognize students in Kindergarten through 6th Grade, who complete a litter or beautification project specific to their grade level.

The Department of Agriculture published notice in the November 23 PA Bulletin announcing the issuance of a Firewood Quarantine Order for firewood from outside the state or traveling through the state unless it is heat-treated to prevent the spread of invasive species under the authority of the Plant Pest Act of 1992.

On November 19, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary John Norbeck joined Old-Growth Forest Network leadership to announce the induction of Elk State Forest's Square Timber Wild Area into the national Old-Growth Forest Network an organization that connects people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, and publicly accessible native forests.

In October, over 100 individuals gathered to watch scissors cut ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the Lehigh Valley’s newest nature preserve, Black River Sanctuary, 187 acres situated in Salisbury and Saucon Townships in Lehigh County.

On November 20, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and Susquehanna River Trail Association are excited to announce the release of a new paddling resource that features day and overnight paddling itineraries along the beautiful Susquehanna River Water Trail – Middle Section, which traverses Snyder, Northumberland, Juniata, Perry, & Dauphin counties.

On November 19, the Rothrock Trail Alliance announced it was recently awarded a $500,000 DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Grant for further development of trails within Rothrock State Forest.

On November 18, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced the formation of a new Friends Group dedicated to supporting and enhancing Chapman State Park in Warren County..

Go to the PA Parks and Forests Foundation Facebook page and vote today for your favorite photo in the People’s Choice Photo Contest Award.  Voting closes December 1.

The November 22 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

For the first time in its 40-year history, the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas will include winter surveys in its efforts to document the birds of the Commonwealth, according to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

The 13th Annual PA Firefly Festival and Glow & Know Campouts are going to be combined events for the 2025 firefly season June 26 to 28 in Forest County.

On December 4, the Federal Highway Administration and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Center for Pollinator Conservation will host an online Pollinator Conservation and Transportation Symposium from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.

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

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited is now accepting applications for  the 30th Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp to be held June 15 to 20 at Messiah University in Cumberland County.  Application deadline December 31.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is now accepting nominations for the Student Conservation Ambassadors Program for students ages 14 to 17.   The deadline for nominations is February 28, 2025.

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--

On November 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft of the Interim Framework for Advancing Consideration of Cumulative Impacts, providing agency programs and regional offices with tools and principles to consider cumulative impacts in their work.

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 November 23 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.