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 April 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the opening of the next round of Growing Greener Plus Grants with a field visit to the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration site near Pine Grove Borough with the Schuylkill County Conservation District and other local officials.

The Department of Environmental Protection will start accepting Growing Greener Plus watershed restoration, SMCRA Bond Forfeiture Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants, Act 167 Stormwater Management Planning Grants and EPA Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants April 22. 

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for Act 13 Program watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphaned or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities, flood mitigation programs and recreation grants.

On April 23, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley and members of the Lancaster Clean Water Partners gathered at the Blue Green Connector Project to celebrate stream and floodplain restoration investments on Little Conestoga Creek.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and its partners just released a final report on the historic role community-based watershed organizations have played in abandoned mine reclamation and mine drainage treatment in Pennsylvania.

On April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined students, educators, and local leaders at Pottstown High School in Montgomery County to plant trees and highlight the role of green infrastructure in building healthier, more resilient communities.

On April 25, to mark Arbor Day, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams t announced a new way for Pennsylvanians to support tree planting efforts statewide — unveiling a new online donation option for the Keystone Tree Fund.

On April 23, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources marked a major sustainability milestone – celebrating 30 years of conservation leadership by unveiling its 30th solar array on public lands.

On April 23, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the investment of $242.8 million for 32 drinking water and wastewater projects in 23 counties.

On April 17, 2025, DEP issued a notice of violation to Laurel Mountain Production based on an April 15 inspection for failure to close and restore the Stacey Road Freshwater Impoundment in Perry Township, Clarion County after the facility was not used for seven years. DEP classified the facility as “abandoned.”

From April 12 to 25, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 1,570 inspection entries. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 26 PA Bulletin conventional oil and gas facility owners must now submit a compliance report on their methane emissions by June 1, 2025 as required by a 2022 DEP methane pollution reduction rule as a result of a court settlement with the industry.

On April 24, the Environmental Health Project launched its newest app, AirView Public, a free tool designed to help communities understand their air quality so that they can better protect residents from pollution harms.

The Department of Environmental Protection is scheduled to hold a May 1 virtual update on the state response to the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Twin Oaks Pipeline leak in Washington Crossing and Upper Wakefield Township, Bucks County.

The following notices were published in the April 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 April 26 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On April 24, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s online Hydrologic Conditions Monitor showed low stream flows triggered restrictions on 29 shale gas water withdrawal points in Bradford, Potter, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the April 12 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 58 general water use permits in March for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Blair, Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

On April 25, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the release of the 2024 Climate Change Action Plan Update and 2024 Climate Impacts Assessment Report.

On April 24, Gov. Shapiro announced the components of the commonsense energy plan known as the 'Lightning Plan' have been introduced in the Senate and House.

On April 24, the Public Utility Commission held a public hearing to explore the impact of data centers and other large load customers on the state’s electric grid.

Reforming the PJM Interconnection’s broken electric generation project approval process would cut household energy costs, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and supercharge local economies, according to a new independent report from Synapse Energy Economics.

On April 22, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved his settlement with PJM Interconnection, resolving the Governor’s lawsuit against PJM’s price hikes and saving consumers over $21 billion over the next two years.

On April 10, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. filed a proposed electric generator cold weather reliability standard with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a result of its investigations into generation failures during multiple cold weather events since 2021.

The Executive Office of the President published notice in the April 21 Federal Register listing 47 coal and coal-waste fired power plants that are now exempt from a hazardous air pollutant regulation covering mercury and other pollutants for two years.

On April 21, the Public Utility Commission announced a series of public input hearings – including two in-person hearings and two telephonic hearings – to gather public comment on a proposed 15.7% natural gas rate increase by Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW).

On April 24, the Public Utility Commission announced the suspension of a proposed 11.4% rate increase by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. allowing for a formal investigation into the company’s request to increase natural gas rates for approximately 445,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in 26 counties across its Pennsylvania service territory.

On April 14, the Public Utility Commission released a letter to Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation urging Congress to take immediate action to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – including the preservation of $19 million in LIHEAP funding already allocated to Pennsylvania for the 2024-25 heating season.

On April 14, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grants.

On April 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced two strategic partnerships that will expand energy job opportunities across the Commonwealth while helping small and mid-sized manufacturers reduce costs, lower emissions, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving energy economy.

On April 21, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President Donald J. Trump appointed Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey as EPA’s Mid-Atlantic (Region 3) Regional Administrator.

Save The Date! The 2025 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference - From Our Roots To The Future-- will be held October 14-16 at the Toftrees in State College.

On April 14, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) introduced Senate Bill 626 regulating ‘skill’ gambling games that directs some of the revenue to the state Clean Streams Fund to support the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program.

Agricultural professionals and conservation leaders from across Pennsylvania gathered in Harrisburg earlier this month for the second annual Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) Ag Conservation Con, a statewide conference designed to strengthen knowledge, skills, and partnerships in support of on-farm conservation.

On April 22, the Ohio River Basin Alliance announced the release of a new report documenting $50 billion in the high-level valuation of co-benefits created by natural ecosystems in the Ohio River Basin.

On April 25, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and BHE GT&S announced the award of 14 grants, totaling $29,650, to 14 different local environmental organizations in eight counties across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of the 2025 Watershed Mini Grant Program. 

The latest Healthy Waters Chesapeake Bay Watershed update features articles on--

On April 22, as the nation celebrates Earth Day, York County officials announced the county’s water pollutant levels are significantly lower than initially reported by the state, according to data from the county’s 10-year Water Quality Monitoring initiative – the first of its kind in the state and the nation.

The latest Watershed Winds newsletter from Penn State Extension features articles on--

By Leigh Ann Chow, Cumberland County Master Watershed Steward Candidate

On April 18, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Aqua Pennsylvania announced more than $55,000 in grants for projects aimed at improving the health of local waterways. This marks the second round of funding through the “Protect Your Drinking Water” grant program.

On April 22, the American Water Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit established by American Water, awarded 16 Water and Environment Grants to organizations in the PA American Water service areas in Pennsylvania.

The Penn State Extension will host another in its Water Cooler Talk webinars on April 30 highlighting the restoration of Halfmoon Creek in Centre County - Small Pennsylvania Watershed, Big Impact from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Spring edition of The Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission features articles on--

The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center Spring Pennsylvania Waters newsletter includes articles on--

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a virtual hearing on proposed water withdrawal requests, discharges and other projects on May 7 and an in-person and virtual quarterly business meeting June 11.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 19 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Consent Order and Agreement with Precision National Plating regarding the cleanup of the Precision National Plating Site in Abington Township, Lackawanna County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2950)

In celebration of Earth Day, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, whose vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania, encourages residents to join the 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative.

On April 22, Keep Chester City Beautiful, supported by the Office of Mayor Stefan Roots, officially became a local affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

On April 24, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in partnership with the Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is seeking civic and environmental leaders in 10th -12th grade to keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania Program.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council will launch its 2025 HARD-TO-RECYCLE collection campaign by hosting an event in Allegheny County on Saturday, May 17.

On April 14, the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers announced the recipients of the 2025 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Grants.

The People, Parks and Community Foundation, a subsidiary of the PA Recreation and Park Society, is now accepting applications for three grant programs through May 30.

Want to explore nature and aren’t sure where to begin? Are you an avid outdoor enthusiast seeking new adventures? Curious about the best places to see and appreciate Pennsylvania’s natural beauty?

On April 22, the Allegheny Land Trust announced it has purchased and successfully completed the 266-acre Deer Creek Conservation Project in Indiana Township, Allegheny County directly adjacent to Emmerling Community Park, along Deer Creek and host to one mile of the Rachel Carson Trail.

In celebration of National Gardening Month, the Brandywine Conservancy is thrilled to announce the launch of the Brandywine Native Garden Hub, a new online resource designed to inspire gardeners of all levels and skillsets.

Join North Branch Land Trust in supporting backyard pollinator populations and ecosystems. North Branch Land Trust invites the public to a special Plants For Pollinators conservation event on Saturday, May 10 exploring the beauty and importance of native plants as well as providing personalized native seed mixes to all attendees.

The greenish-yellow slicks on local waters and the Chesapeake Bay observed this month are made up of millions, and possibly billions, of grains of pollen, a natural phenomenon ramping up due to climate change, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said this week.

For 16 years, a dedicated community of volunteers has rallied to protect migrating toads at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.

This year’s Birding Cup from Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center will raise money for the restoration and management of 25 acres of grassland habitat at the Musser Gap Greenway in Centre County.

The PA Firefly Festival organizers announced more than 1,800 entries for this year’s PA Firefly Campout lottery and winners were notified on March 31. 

The Pennsylvania Resources Council is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Zero Waste Events Coordinator in Western Pennsylvania.

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

The latest State Parks Environmental Educator newsletter helps everyone celebrate Earth Day 2025--

The Southwest PA Environmental Literacy Hub is excited to announce the Western PA Environmental Education Summit - Learning Without Walls Conference will be held at Waynesburg University in Greene County on June 10.

On April 22, in celebration of Earth Day 2025, the Allegheny Land Trust and Cannon Design released plans for a brand-new environmental education mobile learning lab called "Nature On Wheels" that will operate in the greater Pittsburgh region.

An asthmatic oyster, a sad sasquatch and color-changing coral. All are characters in a collection of children’s stories written by Susquehanna University students and based on scientific research.

Landscape architecture student Sandor Strnisa said his experience working with the Hilltop community of Pittsburgh—located between Mt Washington, Southside Slopes and Carrick—enabled him to interact with residents and city planners, giving him new purpose on his chosen career path.

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 April 19 PA Bulletin--

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the April 26 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.

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