And the prediction is...

On February 2, a major climate forecast will be released for Pennsylvania from that well known climate center in… Punxsutawney.

Yes, it’s Groundhog Day again and Punxsutawney Phil will make his famous mid-winter prediction on whether we have six more weeks of winter or if Spring is around the corner.

The gates open on this year’s 120th climate prediction event at 3:00 a.m. and the official prediction is usually made about daybreak—7:25 a.m..

If you can’t be there in person for the festivities or watch it on the PCN cable channel, tune in to www.VisitPA.com to see live shots from three different webcams covering Gobbler’s Knob.

Also visit the official Groundhog website and find fun things for everyone to do!

Session Schedule

The House and Senate return to session on January 30 and will be in for the next three weeks, excluding Groundhog Day on February 2.

On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Senate/House Bills Moving

· Senate Committee OKs EHB’s Krancer, Trib Strategy and AML Resolutions

· House Hears About Energy Efficiency, Research, Alternative Fuels

· Senate Hearing on Deep Mine Safety to Feature Mine Workers, Industry, DEP

· House Committee Considers Alternative Fuels Tax Credit, State Energy Office Bills

· January Environmental Synopsis Now Available, Next Forum February 13

Other News

· Richard St. Pierre Receives Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award

· Six PA Communities Recognized for Water Quality Protection Efforts

· Borough of Lititz Receives Regional Award for Environmental Performance

· Nominations for 2006 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Due March 17

· Construction Junctions Shows Off Ability to Sell Recycle Building Materials

· Mercury Collection Efforts Reclaimed 1,451 Pounds Of Mercury in 2005

· EPA Helps Schools and Child Care Facilities Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

· Villanova Receives Grant to Study Reducing Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

· New Website Helps Land Conservation Organizations Assess Their Effectiveness

· Game Commission Adds 400+ Acres, Including Important Bird Area

· POWR Stream Signage Project a Success, Over 4,000 Placed

· New Tool for Determining Cause of Ecological Harm to Rivers and Streams

· Understanding the 2006 Growing Greener Program Workshop February 3

· Water System Security Workshop Set for February 21

· Workshops to Help Municipalities With Sewage System Issues In Northwest

· PUC Designates Registry for Alternative Energy Credit Transactions

· Green$ense 2006 Green Building Conference Set for April 20-21

· Top 25 Green Power Users Include Five From Pennsylvania

· Sony’s Mt. Pleasant Plant Joins Partnership for Environmental Priorities

· Westmoreland “Stay Warm PA” Workshop Set for January 30

· Speaker of House Announces 2006 College Scholarship Program

Feature

· No-Till Economics Can Brighten Bottom Line, By Mark Goodson, Penn State Extension Educator, Capital Region

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

1/27/2006