Here are 143 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 February 3, Gov. Shapiro proposed a $53.2 billion for FY 2026-2027 state budget, a five percent increase over last year's budget, and called on lawmakers to tax and regulate slot-like skill games, legalize recreational marijuana, transfer $4.7 billion out of the $7.6 billion Rainy Day Fund and close the Delaware Loophole in order to pay for the increase.

Here are some reactions to Gov. Shapiro's proposed budget from a variety of groups, including the Evangelical Environmental Network, Center for Coalfield Justice, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, PennFuture, POWER InBetter Path Coalition and No False Climate Solutions, Food and Water Watch, Clean Power PA Coalition, Energy Association of Pennsylvania (utilities) and the Marcellus Sale Gas Coalition.

On February 2, the House Energy Committee amended and reported out House Bill 1834 (Matzie-D-Beaver) authorizing the Public Utility Commission to adopt regulations covering A.I. data centers and other large loads to protect ratepayers and the electric grid.

On February 4, Robert Swift of Capitolwire.com reported the Senate Communications and Technology Committee amended, but did not report out Senate Bill 939 (Rothman-R- Cumberland) setting new requirements for A.I. data centers locating in Pennsylvania.

Last week the House passed legislation authorizing a clean manufacturing tax credit [House Bill 1556 (Fiedler-D-Philadelphia)] and DEP radiation protection fees to encourage development of small nuclear power reactors [House Bill 2017 (Giral-D-Philadelphia)]

On February 4, the Independent Fiscal Office released its latest Pennsylvania Electricity Update reporting electricity prices in the Commonwealth increased 46.1% from 2018 to 2025, largely due to Pennsylvania's reliance on natural gas-fired electric generation.

By Tom Gilbert, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

The Clean Energy Group, Clean Air Council and Physicians for Social Responsibility-PA will host a February 25 webinar on The High Cost Of A.I. - How Data Centers Are Reshaping Pennsylvania's Energy Landscape from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

On February 5, the PJM Interconnection issued a Cold Weather Alert from February 7 to 9 across its entire 13 state electric grid service footprint that includes Pennsylvania.

Here are Articles and NewsClips on A.I. and data center issues from last week you may have missed--

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet February 10 to hear an update from the Senate and House environmental committees and on combined sewer overflows in Philadelphia.

On February 2, the Breathe Project, Three Rivers WaterKeeper and the Clean Air Council alerted residents of Mount Pleasant and Robinson Townships in Washington County that MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC released over 1.2 million gallons of drilling fluid starting on October 2025 during pipeline construction activities that are part of a major pipeline expansion in the County.

On February 3, the Environmental Hearing Board issued an opinion denying a motion by CNX Gas Company to throw out an appeal by James and Barbara Ullom over water loss allegedly caused by fracking at the CNX NV110 shale gas well pad in East Finley Township, Washington County.  EHB Docket #2024114

From January 31 to February 6, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 783 inspection entries and earlier inspection results that were just posted. 

By Barbara Jarmoska, Resident

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 7 PA Bulletin inviting comments on an Individual Stormwater Permit for a 5.8 mile, 30-inch natural gas pipeline to serve the proposed Homer City Generation LP data center 4.5 GW natural gas power plant in Indiana County  (PA Bulletin, page 828)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 7 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Chapter 105 permit for a Columbia Gas Transmission LLC project to protect two major natural gas pipelines from the impacts of underground longwall coal mining in West Finley Township, Washington County. (PA Bulletin, page 862)

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

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the February 7 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 42 general water use permits in December and 32 general permits in January for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wyoming counties.

On February 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $12 million in Brownfields Job Training Grants to 25 grantees in communities across the United States.

On February 5, environmental and public interest groups submitted a  495-page “demand for action” on the rulemaking petition filed by 192 petitioners in November 2018 asking the Environmental Quality Board to adopt a regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 14 different industries in Pennsylvania.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants.  The deadline to apply is April 1.

On February 3, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced registration is open for the 2026 Pick Up Pennsylvania, an annual community improvement program that is part of Keep America Beautiful’s Greatest American Cleanup initiative to honor America’s 250th birthday..

On February 4, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the winners of the 2026 Radon Student Poster Contest on social media.

The latest DEP Healthy Waters Chesapeake Bay newsletter highlights the county water quality action planning process that is the keystone of Pennsylvania’s efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in its portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

By Julia Krall, PA Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The latest Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission highlights potential water use issues of A.I. data center proposals proliferating throughout the Susquehanna River Basin.

On February 4, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, announced $6.9 million in funding from the Chesapeake Watershed Investments in Landscape Defense (Chesapeake WILD) Program to support 33 partner-led conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

On February 2, the American Water Charitable Foundation announced it is now accepting applications for the 2026 Water and Environment Grant Program in American Water service territories, including PA American Water.  The deadline to apply is March 6.

On February 4, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, announced $12.5 million in funding from the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund to support 30 partner-led conservation projects in the Delaware River watershed.

By Deb Nardone, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In January features articles on--

WeConservePA is now accepting applications for Regional Trail Workshop Grants through February 20 from eligible units of local government or nonprofit organizations.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced a forested 164-acre property with stream frontage on the South Branch French Creek in Concord and Wayne Townships, Erie County, is now protected from future development.

On February 2, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 76.61 acres of forestland in Barrett and Greene Townships in Monroe and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania, through a conservation easement held by the Conservancy.

The Pennsylvania Biological Survey’s Mycological Technical Committee has developed and released  a new digital education booklet on the Importance of Fungi that highlights the beneficial values of fungi.

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

The Penn State Extension will host a webinar on February 24 on Beavers and Artificial Dam Building from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will host a March 2 Winter Wonderings webinar on Creating A Mini Meadow from 6:30 to 8:00 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 February 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.

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