Here are 104 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 December 16th, 2024, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s beloved founder, Barbara Yeaman, will celebrate her 100th birthday!

On December 6, the Shapiro Administration announced Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry saw significant growth last year, contributing $19 billion to the state’s economy — a 10 percent increase from 2022 — and representing 2 percent of the Commonwealth’s gross domestic product.

The PA Office of Outdoor Recreation is hosting a December 11 webinar from Noon to 12:45 p.m. on the release of 2023 data showing Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry saw tremendous growth.

On December 2, the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation filed a Petition in Commonwealth Court challenging the constitutionality of the use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) for recreation in Pennsylvania’s Northcentral State Forests.

On December 5, the Delaware River Basin Commission took key steps to protect water users throughout the Delaware River Basin in the face of persistent dry conditions.

On December 5, DEP told the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board there is a “very significant budget gap” in the funding needed for the Oil and Gas Regulatory Program again this year and that how to fund the program will be a serious topic of discussion in 2025.

The DCED PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council is scheduled to meet December 12 to again discuss road dumping oil and gas wastewater, the new EPA methane emissions reduction program and hear updates on well plugging programs.

The Department of Environmental Protection reported issuing or continuing 10 violations for abandoning and not plugging shale gas wells to Big Dog Energy, LLC-- 5 violations-- and Diversified Production LLC-- 5 violations--  in Fayette, Clearfield and Westmoreland counties. 

During a routine inspection on November 27, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a violation to Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC for abandoning an oil and gas wastewater injection well in Cranberry Township, Venango County.

On December 5, 2024, the Department of Environmental found Horizontal Exploration LLC failed to comply with a Commonwealth Court order to plug six conventional oil and gas wells the company abandoned in Lafayette Township, McKean County.

From November 30 to December 6, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 656 inspection entries, and posted inspection reports from previous weeks.

The Department of Environmental Protection will be accepting applications until December 16 for the new Methane Reduction Grants Program to plug marginally producing conventional oil and gas wells.

The Penn State Extension will host a December 12 webinar on Carbon Reduction Credits In Oil and Gas Well Plugging from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On December 3, the Independent Fiscal Office reported third quarter natural gas production increased slightly from the second quarter to 1,838 billion cubic feet, but remains 1.7% below production in the third quarter of 2023-- 1,871 billion cubic feet.

Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) announced plans to reintroduce legislation in the new session to limit the rights of citizens to appeal DEP permit decisions and punish communities that take steps to protect themselves against shale gas development.

The following notices were published in the December 7 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On December 6, the Public Utility Commission released its 2024 Winter Reliability Overview Reports from Pennsylvania’s major natural gas distribution companies (NGDCs), along with a Readiness Report from the Energy Association of Pennsylvania (EAP).

On December 3, the Public Utility Commission's independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E) announced it has filed a formal complaint against Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) regarding a natural gas explosion in Philadelphia on November 30, 2021.

On December 5, the Public Utility Commission voted to seek public comment on a proposed settlement concerning welding issues and in-service repairs that were discovered in October 2021 at a Columbia Gas regulator station in Beaver County.

Nonprofits, government and non-governmental organizations, and philanthropies with deep connections to the Pittsburgh region are offering a variety of programs to guide and simplify the processes for accessing federal support for clean energy projects, creating infrastructure that has played a major role in providing nearly $1 billion in clean energy funding for Pennsylvania over the past 18 months.

The Green Building Alliance and the 2030 District Program host a December 10 webinar on PJM Electricity Price Increases - Why and What To Do? from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will host a December 13 webinar from Noon to 1:15 p.m. on what potential changes might be ahead to the federal Inflation Reduction Act and solar tariffs under the new Republican Administration.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 7 PA Bulletin announcing a January 22 hearing on a proposed RACT 3 Title V Air Quality Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the Carpenter Technology plant located in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County.  (PA Bulletin, page 7906)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order and Agreement with Penn State University on the cleanup of PFAS ‘forever chemical’ contamination in Benner Township, Centre County.  (PA Bulletin, page 7966)

On December 4, the Department of Environmental Protection announced grant awards totaling $600,000 to 12 community organizations across Pennsylvania through the new Pennsylvania Engaging New Voices on Environmental Justice program.

Two members of the Center for Coalfield Justice based in Washington County attended the  negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty in South Korea as part of the Environmental Justice Delegation.

The Department of Environmental Protection will start accepting grant applications for lead in drinking water testing and lead reduction measures from public schools and public or private regulated childcare facilities starting December 9.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a draft Manual For Land Treatment Of Wastewater Technical Guidance [DEP ID: 385-2188-006].  (formal notice)

By Kelly Jedrzejewski, Penn State News

By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist

By Ken Sansone and Valentina Marastoni-Bieser, SL Environmental Law Firm

The Penn State Extension will host a December 9 webinar on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Land-applied Biosolids - Research Update And Discussion from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

The PA Interfaith Power & Light will host a December 10 webinar from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on how agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection and the US Environmental Protection Agency protect Pennsylvania's waterways.

On December 6, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced it is now accepting  nominations for its 2025 Annual Parks and Forests Awards. Nominations are due December 13.

The December 6 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On December 2, Natural Lands announced the conservation of the 14.4-acre Shillelagh Farm in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County.

On December 3, College Township announced the award of $300,000 in funding for the development of the ClearWater Community Conservation Center in College Township, Centre County.

On December 4, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the award of more than $372,000 to 11 projects dedicated to protecting Pennsylvania’s native biodiversity through the Wild Resource Conservation Program.

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

The departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources are now accepting applications for internships in Harrisburg and at a variety of locations around Pennsylvania.  The deadline to apply is January 13.

The National Marine Fisheries Service- Sea Grant Fellowship Program is now accepting applications from college students.  The deadline to apply is January 23.

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 December 7 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.