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 February 18, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the nomination of Jessica Shirley to serve as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. 

This article first appeared in The Derrick on February 22, 2025 [PDF of Article]--

On February 22, 2025, The Derrick reported GCI Water Solutions, an oil and gas wastewater treatment facility is not reporting how much wastewater it is sending to the Titusville, Crawford County wastewater plant for treatment.

From February 15 to 21, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 497 inspection entries.  

The state Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology and Penn State Medical Project ECHO hosted two webinars in January and February for medical professionals and the public on Caring for Persons Living and Working in Communities Involved in Oil and Natural Gas Extraction.

The state Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology and Penn State Medical Project ECHO hosted two webinars in January and February for medical professionals and the public on Caring for Persons Living and Working in Communities Involved in Oil and Natural Gas Extraction.

The following notices were published in the February 22 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On February 19, the Environmental Integrity Project released a spreadsheet listing the 668 US Army Corps of Engineers "Energy Emergency Projects" reviews ordered by the President.

On February 12, the Department of Environmental Protection posted a solicitation on the PA eMarketplace to procure professional services related to plugging abandoned conventional oil and gas wells.  Proposals are due April 14, 2025.

On February 20, the Public Utility Commission approved a settlement concerning welding issues and in-service repairs that were discovered in October 2021 at a Columbia Gas regulator station in Beaver County.

On February 20, the Public Utility Commission voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by UGI Utilities Inc. – Gas Division (UGI) for natural gas distribution service to approximately 690,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 46 counties across Pennsylvania.

On February 20, the Public Utility Commission voted to invite comments on proposed guidelines for the next phase of the Commonwealth’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation program (EE&C Program) under Act 129 of 2008.

On February 18, the Department of Environmental Protection outlined its outreach plan to educate the public, business, industry and labor on the 2024 Pennsylvania Priority Climate Action Plan at the DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting.

The Tribune-Democrat last week published a series of articles on how the region is using solar energy and energy efficiency projects to reduce energy costs.

On February 18, the Penn State Extension Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training announced it is now accepting registrations for the ACAP Ag Conservation Conference to be held April 1-3 in Harrisburg.

On February 19, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds announced the spring request for grants is now open on the FPW grant portal.

The Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay will hold an April 3 Faith and Waters Restoration Forum at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center in Columbia, Maryland from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

To help agriculture professionals who are beginning their journey in agricultural conservation, the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension, is holding a webinar, “Conservation Cornerstone: Biosecurity Foundations,” from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Feb. 25.

On February 21, the Pittsburgh-based Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, announced the release of the 2024 Swim Guide Report.

On February 21, the Delaware River Basin Commission released its 2025 State of the Basin report, which provides an overview of the health of the water resources and key species of the Delaware River Basin, along with factors impacting the Basin including water pollution and climate change.

On February 17, the Northampton, Bucks County, Municipal Authority is taking a critical step in addressing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination in the region by beginning Phase 1 of its Navy PFAS Remediation Project.

The Department of Environmental Protection is scheduled to hold a March 19 hearing on its interim Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act response at the North Centre Township PFAS Investigation Site in North Centre Township, Columbia County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1772-1773)

Join a March 4 webinar from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. to hear why your electricity bill is so high and why it is expected to surge even higher to the tune of billions of dollars paid by everyday Pennsylvanians and their families.

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management will host a free March 19 webinar on PJM Interconnection’s role as the Mid-Atlantic regional electric transmission organization in meeting increasing electric demand and ensuring reliable service while the amount of available generation capacity continues to tighten.

The City of Reading is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 cohort of

The February 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Buck Hill Conservation Foundation and The Buck Hill Falls Company are pleased to announce the Inn Site Swap was recorded on February 4, 2025.

On February 19, the ClearWater Conservancy announced the conservation of a significant 100-acre parcel of land along the Beaver Branch watershed in Ferguson and Franklin Townships, finalized on December 16, 2024.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently announced the purchase of two properties, totaling 97 acres, in Stewart Township, Fayette County that will be added to popular outdoor recreation and natural areas in the Laurel Highlands.

The Lebanon Valley Conservancy  recently preserved two farms along Fort Swatara Road in Union Township, near Swatara State Park, Fort Indiantown Gap, and within the Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape.

In December 2024, Heritage Conservancy preserved a total of 60 acres of Bucks County natural and farmland in three separate Conservation Easements.

On February 18, the Lancaster Conservancy announced the acquisition of a 56-acre property currently known as the Historic Hellam Preserve located in both Hallam Borough and Hellam Township in York County.

On February 19, the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust announced the finalization of a voluntary land conservation agreement to permanently preserve Drew and Marjorie Alleva’s 20-acre property on Honeysuckle Lane in Charlestown Township in Chester County.

There is still time to submit your project for funding as part of the 2025 Breeding Bird Blitz to be held June 6-16 and organized by the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology.  March 1 is the deadline to submit projects and become a Conservation Partner.

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

On March 6, the Penn State Extension will host another in its series of Residential Stormwater Solutions webinars - Lawn To Meadow Conversions from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will host a March 11 webinar on Residential Stormwater Solutions - Lawn Care for Clean Water from Noon to 1:00 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 22 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.