Here are 128 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 17, the Public Utility Commission alerted consumers across the Commonwealth about the forecast of extremely cold temperatures for early next week, which is expected to drive up peak demand for electricity and natural gas.

On January 17, the PJM Interconnection announced it has implemented a number of procedures to enhance the flexibility for operators to react to forecast and real-time system conditions.

The Public Utility Commission received 30 comments from a wide range of stakeholders on the issue of the adequacy of electricity supplies in Pennsylvania as a follow-up to the Commission's technical conference in November.

On January 15, EnergyWire reported Gov. Josh Shapiro threatened to pull Pennsylvania out of PJM over the grid operator’s failure to protect state consumers against soaring power prices.

On January 14, TECfusions announced the acquisition of 1,395 acres in Upper Burrell, Westmoreland County for a data center project, known as TECfusions Keystone Connect.

On January 13, the Public Utility Commission Office of Administrative Law Judge announced public input hearings to gather feedback on multiple applications filed by PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL) for electric transmission line projects.

By Wayne W. Kober

On January 15, the Shapiro Administration said the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has made significant progress in sustainably managing and enhancing Pennsylvania’s public lands.

The Physicians for Social Responsibility PA, the League of Women Voters of PA, and the Department of Environmental and Energy Engineering at Duquesne University invite you to register for the 2025 Shale Gas and Public Health Conference: New Directions to be held February 27 in Pittsburgh and online.

Since January 1, the Department of Environmental Protection has issued 11 notices of violation to Diversified Production LLC for abandoning and not plugging shale gas wells in Fayette and Westmoreland counties. 

By Eric Dehm, Federal Bureau of Land Management

From January 11 to 17, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 721 inspection entries. 

On January 10, Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) introduced House Bill 84 to ban the road dumping of millions of gallons of conventional oil and gas wastewater.  The bill is supported by the Shapiro Administration [Read more here].

The following notices were published in the January 18 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On January 17, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration transmitted a final rule to the Federal Register to enhance the safety of natural gas pipelines through updated leak detection and repair requirements.

On January 14, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced it has issued an oil and gas wastewater injection well permit to Seneca Resources Company, LLC to continue operation of its well #38268 in Highland Township, Elk County.

On January 14, Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley briefed DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council on a new Permit Tracking webpage that just became available for applicants and the public to see where permits are in the DEP review process.

On January 15, the Indiana County Conservation District announced the launch of a new tool for the submission of Chapter 102 (erosion and sedimentation control) and Chapter 105 (water obstruction and encroachment) permits to their office for review.

On January 14, Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) introduced House Bill 109 that would establish DEP’s Environmental Justice Permit Review Program in law and require an analysis of the cumulative impacts of pollution from certain facilities before a permit could be issued.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 18 PA Bulletin proposing to add the Nockamixon TCE HSCA Site in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County to the Pennsylvania Priority List of Hazardous Sites under the state Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act.  (PA Bulletin, page 584)

The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program is responsible for administering the Small-Scale Award Track (SAT) for the RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a January 24 Q&A Webinar on the RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program from 11:00 a.m. to Noon.

NASEO (National Association of State Energy Officials) will host a January 27 webinar on the RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program and other technical and financial assistance programs available for industry from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will host a January 31 webinar on the RISE PA Decarbonization Grant Program from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

The Hatboro Environmental Advisory Council and Solar United Neighbors will host a Hatboro Solar 101 Program on January 29 at the Borough of Hatboro Building, 414 S. York Road in Hatboro, Montgomery County from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

 RegenAll will host its first annual Climate Town Hall on January 26 at the Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, 1210 Maple Avenue in Lancaster starting at 3:30 p.m.

On January 15, Attorney General-Elect Dave Sunday announced he is seeking applicants for the position of Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate after the current Advocate-- Patrick Cicero-- said he would be resigning effective January 31.

On January 17, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced an Administrative Order on Consent with the City of Corry and its municipal authority requiring them to correct federal Clean Water Act permit violations at their wastewater treatment plant.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 18 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed changes to the NPDES General Permit For Stormwater Discharges From Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (PAG-13).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 18 PA Bulletin inviting comments on new and revised DEP Water Quality Assessment Methodology for listing and delisting impaired waters under the federal Clean Water Act 2026 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report.

The Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board published notice in the January 18 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed changes to regulations establishing eligibility requirements for paying claims under the underground tank cleanup program.

On January 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft risk assessment, or scientific evaluation of the potential human health risks associated with the presence of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in biosolids, also known as sewage sludge.

On January 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $2,400,000 for 24 small businesses to develop technologies to address public health and environmental challenges.

The 2025 Watershed Congress is now accepting early registrations for this special event to be held on March 29 at a new location-- Alvernia University in Reading, Berks County.

The Penn State Extension is hosting four more Ag Water Series webinars from Noon to 1:00 p.m. on these dates--

The Penn State Extension will host a March 4 Webinar on Residential Stormwater Solutions - Rainwater Catchment Systems from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The latest issue of The Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission features articles on--

On January 15, Pennsylvania Sea Grant announced the launch of eight videos featuring research funded by the program.

On January 15, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced Keep Coatesville Beautiful has officially become a local affiliate of KPB in Chester County.

On January 16, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced nearly $1.4 million in new grant funding to support all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile projects across the Commonwealth.

The January 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On January 16, the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust and the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church announced the completion of a voluntary land conservation agreement to preserve Camp Innabah’s 130-acre property along Pughtown Road in East Vincent Township, Chester County.

The Game Commission this week announced a fresh slate of monthly activities, archery programs and popular annual events-- including a new one-- at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Conservation Heritage Museum in Lancaster County.

Butler County-based Stream Restoration Inc. is seeking qualified candidates for a Watershed Restoration Project Manager position.

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

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation invites undergraduate students who are aspiring conservationists, naturalists, biologists, ecologists, and wildlife enthusiasts to apply for the 2025 WFEF scholarship. The deadline to apply is February 14.

The Seedlings for Schools Program, a partnership between the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery and the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation, will begin accepting orders February 3.

The January issue of the DCNR State Parks Environmental Education Newsletter highlights lots of winter and outdoor activities--

 Pennsylvania Sea Grant is excited to announce four paid summer internship opportunities for undergraduate students seeking to gain experience in the areas of communications, education, outreach, and research.

Formal and nonformal 5-12th grade educators from Great Lakes’ states are invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a week aboard a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency research vessel alongside scientists and to bring the Great Lakes back to their classrooms.

The Penn State Extension will host 70 in-person Agronomic Pesticide Update Certification Workshops around the statute from January 21 to March 27.

The Penn State Extension will hold a February 10 webinar on Nitrogen - Crop Nutrient and Water Pollutant from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will hold another in its Ag Water Webinar Series on February 24 on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' 101 for Farmers from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will host a four-part webinar series on Pond Management starting March 19.

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 January 18 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.