NOTICE!  PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Is Your Story Being Told?

Links to all the articles and NewsClips in this week’s PA Environment Digest by topic in one place--

Senate/House ----------------------------------------------------------------------

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: House [Republicans] Pass Change To Clean Streams Law, Critics Say It Will Weaken Enforcement

-- Scranton Times-Tribune Editorial: Preserve State's Clean Streams Law [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Lawmakers Consider Bill To Account For Decommissioning Renewable Energy Projects That Are Already Industry Practices; Oil & Gas Wells Have Inadequate Plugging Bonds

-- 7 Environmental Groups Oppose State Legislation To Preempt Local Governments From Making Clean Energy Decisions That Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN]

-- House Environmental Committee Jan. 10 Hearing On Extraction & Use Of Rare Earth Minerals In PA [PaEN]

-- PG Editorial: Finally, The ‘Truth’ Comes Out About Birds - Birds Aren’t Real

Top 10 Stories On Harrisburg/PA Politics From Last Week ----------------------

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week  [PaEN] 

Articles & NewsClips By Topic -------------------------------------------------------

-- 1,198 New Articles In 2021 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA  [PaEN]

--  41 New Stories Last Week - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students And Adults  [PaEN]

Air

-- Public Source: One Of Pittsburgh’s Leading Air Quality Advocates Rachel Filippini Has A Message: Get A Seat At The Table

-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: Meet Patrick Campbell The New Leader Of Pittsburgh’s Group Against Smog And Pollution

-- Inversion: The Unfinished Business Of Pittsburgh’s Air Documentary

-- Local, State Environmental Groups Express Opposition To Proposed Nacero Natural Gas To Gasoline Refinery In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: Why Isn’t Philadelphia Gas Works Fixing Natural Gas Leaks Next To Schools, Many Other Areas?  - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks

Alternative Fuels

-- Gov. Wolf: Proposed EPA Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards To Help Pennsylvanians Breathe Easier, Save Money

     -- AP: U.S. Electric Vehicle Charging Network Strategy Being Released

     -- White House: Fact Sheet On Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan

-- TribLive: Latrobe Sets Guidelines For EV Charging Stations

-- TribLive Guest Essay: U.S. On Verge Of Major Electric Vehicle Moment - Chad Duppstadt, PA Army National Guard

-- AP: Biden Boosts Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards To Fight Climate Change

-- Utility Dive: EPA’s New 40 MPG Fuel Efficiency Rules Get Mixed Reviews

Awards & Recognition

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: WeConservePA - Land Trusts Preserved 880,722 Acres In PA

-- American Institute Of Architects - PA Chapter: 3 PA Firms Recognized With National COTE Wellness, Community, Environment Awards  [PaEN]

Biodiversity/Invasive Species

-- ScrantonT: Boy Scouts And Girl Scouts Aid Protected Wild Orchids

-- Dept. Of Agriculture: Phasing In Ban Of Invasive Callery Pear, Bradford Pear

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Days Are Numbered In PA For Popular, But Invasive Landscaping Tree

American Rescue Plan Funding

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Hasn’t Invested $106 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding, Nothing Stopping Them From Doing It Now [Most PA Communities Haven’t Released A Plan For Spending The Money, Many Haven’t Consulted the Public]

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: Lancaster County Needs To Expedite Use Of COVID Relief, Local Input, Federal Guidance Needed

-- DCED: PA Communities Received $6.15 Billion In American Rescue Plan Funding; First Payments Were In June - Allocation Amounts Released In May

-- PA State Treasurer Made Payments Of ARP Funds To These Counties, Local Governments  [How Much Did Yours’ Get And Not Invest Yet?]

-- Growing Greener Coalition: American Rescue Plan For Water & Green Infrastructure

-- WeConservePA Urges Groups To Work With County, Local Govts. To Invest Federal Rescue Funds For Watershed Restoration, Land Conservation, Park & Trail Improvement Projects

Build Back Better Budget Plan

-- Evangelical Environmental Network: Now Is Not The Time To Turn Our Backs On Climate Investments In Build Back Better Proposal  [PaEN]

-- TribLive/Bloomberg: Sen. Manchin Outlines Tax, Policy Changes He’d Want In Build Back Better Plan

-- Reuters: U.S. Coal Miners’ Union Asks Sen. Manchin To ‘Revisit’ Opposition To Build Back Better Budget Bill

-- Utility Dive: Democrats Plan To Press Ahead With Build Back Better Budget Bill, Despite Manchin Opposition

-- PG Editorial: Sen. Manchin Reflects The Country’s Division

-- AP: Sen. Manchin Not Backing Biden’s Build Back Better Budget Plan, Potentially Dooming It

Chesapeake Bay

-- PA Dept. of Agriculture Reminder: Still Time To Apply For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

-- PA Treasury: Agri-Link Low-Interest Loan Program Supports Agricultural Best Management Practices ​​[PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners To Begin Accepting Applications For Clean Water Implementation Grants On Jan. 4  [PaEN]

-- PA Lake Management Society Accepting Applications For Project Mini-Grants  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $333,991 Grant To Stroud Water Research Center For Multifunction Riparian Forest Buffer Pilot Project  [PaEN]

-- WilliamsportS: Project By Army Reserve Soldiers To Reduce Flooding In Plunketts And Loyalsock Creeks

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Latest Update On Clean Water Plan Implementation 

-- WilliamsportS Editorial: Grant For Watershed Conservation Projects Is Smart Investment

-- York County Conservation District Seedling Sale Set For April 14, Order Now

-- Bay Journal: Chesapeake Bay Executive County Changes Leadership, Reviews Challenges

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Cherry Springs State Park One Of Best In World For Viewing Night Skies

-- LancasterOnline - Ad Crable: Fmr Airport In Potter County Among Best Places In World For Enjoying The Night Sky  [Cherry Springs State Park]

Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal

Citizen Action

--  The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Despite Moratorium, 2 Million Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Waste Spread On PA Roads Since 2018

-- The Environmental Magazine: Oil & Gas Companies Spreading Toxic Brine Across SE Ohio  [Road Spreading Also Done In PA]

-- Public Source: One Of Pittsburgh’s Leading Air Quality Advocates Rachel Filippini Has A Message: Get A Seat At The Table

-- Environmental Integrity Project To Participate In Negotiations Over How To Resolve City Of Harrisburg Sewage Overflow Problems As A Result Of Federal Judge Ruling

-- Brandywine Conservancy: Winter Environmental Currents Newsletter, Our Taste For Salt Is Killing Our Freshwater Ecosystems

-- PA Resources Council Suggests 5 Green New Year's Resolutions For 2022  [PaEN]

-- WilliamsportS: Project By Army Reserve Soldiers To Reduce Flooding In Plunketts And Loyalsock Creeks

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: WeConservePA - Land Trusts Preserved 880,722 Acres In PA

-- Daily American - Brian Whipkey: Somerset County Conservancy Seeks Support In Purchasing 275-Acre Menser Farm Preserve For Public Access

-- ScrantonT: Sierra Club Wants To Join Local Group’s Fight To Revoke DEP Approval Of Keystone Landfill Expansion

Climate

-- Evangelical Environmental Network: Now Is Not The Time To Turn Our Backs On Climate Investments In Build Back Better Proposal  [PaEN]

-- 7 Environmental Groups Oppose State Legislation To Preempt Local Governments From Making Clean Energy Decisions That Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Lawmakers Consider Bill To Account For Decommissioning Renewable Energy Projects That Are Already Industry Practices; Oil & Gas Wells Have Inadequate Plugging Bonds

-- American Institute Of Architects - PA Chapter: 3 PA Firms Recognized With National COTE Wellness, Community, Environment Awards  [PaEN]

-- WilliamsportS: Lycoming County Planning Commission Discusses Proposed Solar Energy Ordinance

-- TribLive: Latrobe Sets Guidelines For EV Charging Stations

-- YorkDR Guest Essay: Quaker Investors Urge EPA To Advance Strong Methane Emission Rules For Oil and Gas Operations 

-- Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: Why Isn’t Philadelphia Gas Works Fixing Natural Gas Leaks Next To Schools, Many Other Areas?  - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks

-- Local, State Environmental Groups Express Opposition To Proposed Nacero Natural Gas To Gasoline Refinery In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- American Planning Assn. Blog: Combating Climate Change Thru Vacant Lot Restoration - PA Horticultural Society, Philadelphia LandCare, National Wildlife Federation

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Community Energy Renewable Energy Company Sold To AES Corp

-- AP: Biden Boosts Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards To Fight Climate Change

-- Utility Dive: EPA’s New 40 MPG Fuel Efficiency Rules Get Mixed Reviews

-- Gov. Wolf: Proposed EPA Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards To Help Pennsylvanians Breathe Easier, Save Money

     -- AP: U.S. Electric Vehicle Charging Network Strategy Being Released

     -- White House: Fact Sheet On Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan

-- EPA: Extends Comment Deadline To Jan. 31 On Oil & Gas Industry Methane Reg.

-- New Conservative Energy Network Poll: 84% Support Govt. Action To Accelerate Clean Energy Development, 82% To Address Climate Change  [PaEN]

-- WSJ: U.S. Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels Set To Expire; Biden’s China And Climate Goals Clash

-- Triblive Guest Essay: Of Tornadoes, Changing Science On Climate And Twisted Politics - Mary Sanchez

-- The Guardian: Coal Phaseout Pledges ‘Absolutely Not Enough’ Warn Experts

-- PennLive/TNS: Climate Change Causing Die-Offs, Melting Ice In Arctic: ‘It’s Like The Gates Of Hell Have Been Opened’

Coal Mining

-- The Guardian: Coal Phaseout Pledges ‘Absolutely Not Enough’ Warn Experts

Compliance Action

-- PG - Anya Litvak: Fire At Energy Transfer Natural Gas Compressor In Butler County Occurred During Work On The Revolution Pipeline That Exploded In 2018 [DEP Fined Energy Transfer $30 Million For Those Violations] 

-- StateImpactPA - Susan Phillips: Mariner East Pipeline Set To Be Completed In 2022, After Years Of Environmental Damage And Delays

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: House [Republicans] Pass Change To Clean Streams Law, Critics Say It Will Weaken Enforcement

-- Scranton Times-Tribune Editorial: Preserve State's Clean Streams Law [PaEN]

-- Inquirer: Bucks Sewer Authority Agrees To $450,000 Penalty Over Raw Sewage Overflows

-- ScrantonT: Fmr Greenfield Twp Supervisor, Con Convicted Of Federal Clean Water Act Violations

-- DEP Took Action On 830 Permits, 92% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,278 Inspections: Responded To 4 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

Conservation Districts

-- LancasterOnline - Sean Sauro: Loggers Reportedly Damaged Streambanks In Conestoga Twp, Conservation Officials Investigating

-- York County Conservation District Seedling Sale Set For April 14, Order Now

DCNR

-- WITF SmartTalk: Native American Paths Have Become State Parks In PA

-- WITF Smart Talk: PA State Parks Offering First Day Hikes For New Year

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: How To Get The Biggest Bang From A Winter Walk In The Woods

-- ScrantonT - Marcus Schneck: Find A First Day Hike Across Pennsylvania

-- AP: Washington Crossing The Delaware Reenactment Hosted By Friends Of DCNR’s Washington Crossing Park

-- WHYY: Washington Crossing The Delaware Reenactment Is Revived

-- DCNR Awards $333,991 Grant To Stroud Water Research Center For Multifunction Riparian Forest Buffer Pilot Project    [PaEN]

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: DCNR Creating A Next Gen Advisory Council

-- DCNR Blog: Love Of Outdoors Comes Full Circle For PA Outdoor Corps Crew Member River Missal   [PaEN]

-- ScrantonT: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Details Economic Benefits Of State Parks, Forests In New Video

DEP

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: House [Republicans] Pass Change To Clean Streams Law, Critics Say It Will Weaken Enforcement

-- Scranton Times-Tribune Editorial: Preserve State's Clean Streams Law [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets Feb. 2 Hearing On NPDES Permit For River Pointe Logistics Industrial Park, Northampton County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Took Action On 830 Permits, 92% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,278 Inspections: Responded To 4 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

-- DEP Posts 33 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 25 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Delaware River

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Monitoring Advisory & Coordination Committee Meeting Recaps

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Regulated Flow Advisory Committee Meeting Recap

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Dec. 24 RiverWatch Video Report

DRBC

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Monitoring Advisory & Coordination Committee Meeting Recaps

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Regulated Flow Advisory Committee Meeting Recap

Economic Development

-- Local, State Environmental Groups Express Opposition To Proposed Nacero Natural Gas To Gasoline Refinery In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Pitt Study: World Plastics Trade Accounts For 350 Million Tons Of Plastic

-- House Environmental Committee Jan. 10 Hearing On Extraction & Use Of Rare Earth Minerals In PA [PaEN]

-- ScrantonT: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Details Economic Benefits Of State Parks, Forests In New Video

-- Inquirer: Frustrated By Bike Shortage, Philly Entrepreneur Opened A Shop To Build Them Himself

-- PG Column - Salena Zito: The Christmas Tree Capital, Like All Of Us, Missed Holiday Rituals [Indiana, PA]

-- DCNR Blog: Love Of Outdoors Comes Full Circle For PA Outdoor Corps Crew Member River Missal   [PaEN]

Education

-- PA Resources Council Suggests 5 Green New Year's Resolutions For 2022  [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council Hosts 2 Backyard Composting Webinars In January  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $333,991 Grant To Stroud Water Research Center For Multifunction Riparian Forest Buffer Pilot Project    [PaEN]

-- Now On Demand: Presentations From 2021 Virtual Watershed Congress  [PaEN]

-- AP: Washington Crossing The Delaware Reenactment Hosted By Friends Of DCNR’s Washington Crossing Park

-- WHYY: Washington Crossing The Delaware Reenactment Is Revived

-- WITF SmartTalk: Native American Paths Have Become State Parks In PA

-- DCNR Blog: Love Of Outdoors Comes Full Circle For PA Outdoor Corps Crew Member River Missal   [PaEN]

-- CitizensV: Keep PA Beautiful Litter Hawk Youth Award Program

-- ScrantonT: Boy Scouts And Girl Scouts Aid Protected Wild Orchids

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: Bald Eagle Cam Goes Live At U.S. Steel Mill In West Mifflin

-- WESA: Watch Irvin And Claire The Bald Eagles On U.S. Steel’s New Live Cam

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Cherry Springs State Park One Of Best In World For Viewing Night Skies

-- LancasterOnline - Ad Crable: Fmr Airport In Potter County Among Best Places In World For Enjoying The Night Sky  [Cherry Springs State Park]

-- Brodhead Watershed Assn: Jan. 15 Hike To Seven Pines Ice Lake In Monroe County

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Conservancy Marks Winter Solstice With Nature Hike In Murrysville

-- Brodhead Watershed Assn: Jan. 23 Waterfall Photography Talk At Brodhead Creek Heritage Center, Monroe County

-- LandHealth Institute: Check Out Some Exciting Upcoming Events In The Philadelphia Area!

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Foxes, Other Wild Canines Can Be Seen Across PA

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Winter Solstice Is This Morning, Do You Have Your Juul Log Ready?

Emergency Response

-- WPXI: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Compressor Station Explosion In Parker Twp., Butler County 

-- PG - Anya Litvak: Fire At Energy Transfer Natural Gas Compressor In Butler County Occurred During Work On The Revolution Pipeline That Exploded In 2018 [DEP Fined Energy Transfer $30 Million For Those Violations] 

-- AP/SunburyDI: PA Fire Departments Facing Volunteerism Emergency

Emergency Response - Hurricane/Tornado Recovery

-- WHYY: PA Residents Affected By Hurricane Ida Can Still Receive FEMA Aid

-- Inquirer: Families Displaced By Hurricane Ida Spending The Holidays In A Hotel

-- YorkDR: Flooding From Hurricanes Ida And Fred Swamped Her Home, Cathay Falkler, 70 Won’t Be Home Soon

-- WBTimes: Luzerne County Drive For Tornado Victims A Huge Success

-- NE PA Companies Pitching In With Tornado Relief Effort

-- Triblive Guest Essay: Of Tornadoes, Changing Science On Climate And Twisted Politics - Mary Sanchez

Energy

-- 7 Environmental Groups Oppose State Legislation To Preempt Local Governments From Making Clean Energy Decisions That Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN]

-- Local, State Environmental Groups Express Opposition To Proposed Nacero Natural Gas To Gasoline Refinery In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Lawmakers Consider Bill To Account For Decommissioning Renewable Energy Projects That Are Already Industry Practices; Oil & Gas Wells Have Inadequate Plugging Bonds

-- Evangelical Environmental Network: Now Is Not The Time To Turn Our Backs On Climate Investments In Build Back Better Proposal  [PaEN]

-- YorkDR Guest Essay: Quaker Investors Urge EPA To Advance Strong Methane Emission Rules For Oil and Gas Operations 

-- WilliamsportS: Lycoming County Planning Commission Discusses Proposed Solar Energy Ordinance

-- TribLive: Latrobe Sets Guidelines For EV Charging Stations

-- TribLive Guest Essay: U.S. On Verge Of Major Electric Vehicle Moment - Chad Duppstadt, PA Army National Guard

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Community Energy Renewable Energy Company Sold To AES Corp

-- New Conservative Energy Network Poll: 84% Support Govt. Action To Accelerate Clean Energy Development, 82% To Address Climate Change  [PaEN]

-- PG - Anya Litvak: What’s Behind The Increases In Your Utility Bills?  Everything But Fuel Cost 

-- PPL Electric Utilities: Helps Customers Receive More Than $5.1 Million From Emergency Rental Assistance Program

-- Bloomberg: Pittsburgh Becoming First City In Eastern U.S. To Become Dark Sky Compliant

-- Utility Dive: FERC Orders PJM To Change Reserve Market Rules, Delay Capacity Auctions

-- WSJ: U.S. Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels Set To Expire; Biden’s China And Climate Goals Clash

Energy Conservation

-- American Institute Of Architects - PA Chapter: 3 PA Firms Recognized With National COTE Wellness, Community, Environment Awards  [PaEN]

Environmental Health

--  The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Despite Moratorium, 2 Million Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Waste Spread On PA Roads Since 2018

-- The Environmental Magazine: Oil & Gas Companies Spreading Toxic Brine Across SE Ohio  [Road Spreading Also Done In PA]

Environmental Heritage

-- WITF SmartTalk: Native American Paths Have Become State Parks In PA

-- Explore Clarion: Clarion County Historical Series: Tragedy In The Oil Fields

Environmental Justice

-- WESA: 1% Of PA Farmers Are People Of Color, Changing That Could Help Solve Ag Labor Shortage

-- WSJ: U.S. Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels Set To Expire; Biden’s China And Climate Goals Clash

EPA

-- ScrantonT: Fmr Greenfield Twp Supervisor, Con Convicted Of Federal Clean Water Act Violations

-- EPA: Extends Comment Deadline To Jan. 31 On Oil & Gas Industry Methane Reg.

Farming

-- PA Dept. of Agriculture Reminder: Still Time To Apply For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

-- PA Treasury: Agri-Link Low-Interest Loan Program Supports Agricultural Best Management Practices ​​[PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners To Begin Accepting Applications For Clean Water Implementation Grants On Jan. 4  [PaEN]

-- PA Lake Management Society Accepting Applications For Project Mini-Grants  [PaEN]

-- PennLive: Major PA Farm Show Vendor Drops Out Over COVID Surge, Clouding Hopes For Full Comeback

-- WESA: 1% Of PA Farmers Are People Of Color, Changing That Could Help Solve Ag Labor Shortage

-- Daily American - Brian Whipkey: Somerset County Conservancy Seeks Support In Purchasing 275-Acre Menser Farm Preserve For Public Access

-- Gov. Wolf: Santa’s Reindeer Approved For Flight By State Veterinarian

-- Dept. Of Agriculture: Phasing In Ban Of Invasive Callery Pear, Bradford Pear

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Days Are Numbered In PA For Popular, But Invasive Landscaping Tree

Flooding

-- WilliamsportS: Project By Army Reserve Soldiers To Reduce Flooding In Plunketts And Loyalsock Creeks

-- CitizensV: Wyoming Valley Levee Reaches Likely To Be Certified, Flood Insurance Rates Not Likely To Spike

-- ScrantonT: Luzerne County Authority Seeking Donations To Spruce Up Wyoming Valley Levee Recreational Path

-- WBTimes: Wyoming Valley Levee Fee Won’t Increase In 2022

Forests

-- TribLive: Christmas Tree Recycling Sites Listed In Westmoreland County

-- YorkDR: How To Recycle Christmas Trees In York County

-- PG Column - Salena Zito: The Christmas Tree Capital, Like All Of Us, Missed Holiday Rituals [Indiana, PA]

-- WITF Smart Talk: PA State Parks Offering First Day Hikes For New Year

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: How To Get The Biggest Bang From A Winter Walk In The Woods

-- ScrantonT: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Details Economic Benefits Of State Parks, Forests In New Video

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: DCNR Creating A Next Gen Advisory Council

-- DCNR Blog: Love Of Outdoors Comes Full Circle For PA Outdoor Corps Crew Member River Missal   [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline - Sean Sauro: Loggers Reportedly Damaged Streambanks In Conestoga Twp, Conservation Officials Investigating

Game Commission

-- Game Commission: Fisher, Bobcat And Otter Furtaker Harvests Sought For Study

Grants/Funding

-- PA Dept. of Agriculture Reminder: Still Time To Apply For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

-- PA Treasury: Agri-Link Low-Interest Loan Program Supports Agricultural Best Management Practices ​​[PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners To Begin Accepting Applications For Clean Water Implementation Grants On Jan. 4  [PaEN]

-- PA Lake Management Society Accepting Applications For Project Mini-Grants  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $333,991 Grant To Stroud Water Research Center For Multifunction Riparian Forest Buffer Pilot Project    [PaEN]

Green Infrastructure

-- PA Dept. of Agriculture Reminder: Still Time To Apply For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

-- PA Treasury: Agri-Link Low-Interest Loan Program Supports Agricultural Best Management Practices ​​[PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners To Begin Accepting Applications For Clean Water Implementation Grants On Jan. 4  [PaEN]

-- PA Lake Management Society Accepting Applications For Project Mini-Grants  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $333,991 Grant To Stroud Water Research Center For Multifunction Riparian Forest Buffer Pilot Project    [PaEN]

-- WilliamsportS: Project By Army Reserve Soldiers To Reduce Flooding In Plunketts And Loyalsock Creeks

-- American Planning Assn. Blog: Combating Climate Change Thru Vacant Lot Restoration - PA Horticultural Society, Philadelphia LandCare, National Wildlife Federation

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Latest Update On Clean Water Plan Implementation 

-- WilliamsportS Editorial: Grant For Watershed Conservation Projects Is Smart Investment

-- Daily American - Brian Whipkey: Somerset County Conservancy Seeks Support In Purchasing 275-Acre Menser Farm Preserve For Public Access

-- York County Conservation District Seedling Sale Set For April 14, Order Now

Hazardous Substances

--  The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Despite Moratorium, 2 Million Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Waste Spread On PA Roads Since 2018

-- The Environmental Magazine: Oil & Gas Companies Spreading Toxic Brine Across SE Ohio  [Road Spreading Also Done In PA]

Land Conservation

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: WeConservePA - Land Trusts Preserved 880,722 Acres In PA

-- Daily American - Brian Whipkey: Somerset County Conservancy Seeks Support In Purchasing 275-Acre Menser Farm Preserve For Public Access

-- American Planning Assn. Blog: Combating Climate Change Thru Vacant Lot Restoration - PA Horticultural Society, Philadelphia LandCare, National Wildlife Federation

-- Brandywine Conservancy: Winter Environmental Currents Newsletter, Our Taste For Salt Is Killing Our Freshwater Ecosystems

-- Tom Kerr Selected As New Board Chair Of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: Lancaster Farmland Trust Names Jeff Swinehart President, CEO

Littering/Illegal Dumping

-- PennLive: Mattresses, Couches Dumped On Gettysburg Battlefield

-- PennLive: Police Looking For Men Who Dumped Construction Debris In Central PA

-- CitizensV: Keep PA Beautiful Litter Hawk Youth Award Program

Mine Reclamation

-- House Environmental Committee Jan. 10 Hearing On Extraction & Use Of Rare Earth Minerals In PA [PaEN]

Oil & Gas

--  The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Despite Moratorium, 2 Million Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Waste Spread On PA Roads Since 2018

-- 7 Environmental Groups Oppose State Legislation To Preempt Local Governments From Making Clean Energy Decisions That Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN]

-- Local, State Environmental Groups Express Opposition To Proposed Nacero Natural Gas To Gasoline Refinery In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- YorkDR Guest Essay: Quaker Investors Urge EPA To Advance Strong Methane Emission Rules For Oil and Gas Operations 

-- Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: Why Isn’t Philadelphia Gas Works Fixing Natural Gas Leaks Next To Schools, Many Other Areas?  - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks

-- WPXI: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Compressor Station Explosion In Parker Twp., Butler County

-- EPA: Extends Comment Deadline To Jan. 31 On Oil & Gas Industry Methane Reg.

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Lawmakers Consider Bill To Account For Decommissioning Renewable Energy Projects That Are Already Industry Practices; Oil & Gas Wells Have Inadequate Plugging Bonds

-- TribLive: West Deer Twp Rejects Well Pad Proposed By Olympus Energy

-- New Conservative Energy Network Poll: 84% Support Govt. Action To Accelerate Clean Energy Development, 82% To Address Climate Change  [PaEN]

-- Explore Clarion: Clarion County Historical Series: Tragedy In The Oil Fields

-- The Environmental Magazine: Oil & Gas Companies Spreading Toxic Brine Across SE Ohio  [Road Spreading Also Done In PA]

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Pitt Study: World Plastics Trade Accounts For 350 Million Tons Of Plastic

-- Marcellus Shale Coalition: ‘Tis The Season PA Energy Companies Give Back

-- AP: Biden Boosts Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards To Fight Climate Change

-- Utility Dive: EPA’s New 40 MPG Fuel Efficiency Rules Get Mixed Reviews

Pipelines

-- WPXI: Energy Transfer Natural Gas Compressor Station Explosion In Parker Twp., Butler County

-- PG - Anya Litvak: Fire At Energy Transfer Natural Gas Compressor In Butler County Occurred During Work On The Revolution Pipeline That Exploded In 2018 [DEP Fined Energy Transfer $30 Million For Those Violations] 

-- StateImpactPA - Susan Phillips: Mariner East Pipeline Set To Be Completed In 2022, After Years Of Environmental Damage And Delays

Permitting

-- DEP Sets Feb. 2 Hearing On NPDES Permit For River Pointe Logistics Industrial Park, Northampton County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Took Action On 830 Permits, 92% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,278 Inspections: Responded To 4 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

-- DEP Posts 33 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 25 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Public Participation

-- DEP Sets Feb. 2 Hearing On NPDES Permit For River Pointe Logistics Industrial Park, Northampton County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Posts 33 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 25 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

-- EPA: Extends Comment Deadline To Jan. 31 On Oil & Gas Industry Methane Reg.

PUC

-- PG - Anya Litvak: What’s Behind The Increases In Your Utility Bills?  Everything But Fuel Cost 

Recreation

-- WITF Smart Talk: PA State Parks Offering First Day Hikes For New Year

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: How To Get The Biggest Bang From A Winter Walk In The Woods

-- ScrantonT - Marcus Schneck: Find A First Day Hike Across Pennsylvania

-- WITF SmartTalk: Native American Paths Have Become State Parks In PA

-- AP: Washington Crossing The Delaware Reenactment Hosted By Friends Of DCNR’s Washington Crossing Park

-- WHYY: Washington Crossing The Delaware Reenactment Is Revived

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Cherry Springs State Park One Of Best In World For Viewing Night Skies

-- LancasterOnline - Ad Crable: Fmr Airport In Potter County Among Best Places In World For Enjoying The Night Sky  [Cherry Springs State Park]

-- ScrantonT: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Details Economic Benefits Of State Parks, Forests In New Video

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: DCNR Creating A Next Gen Advisory Council

-- DCNR Blog: Love Of Outdoors Comes Full Circle For PA Outdoor Corps Crew Member River Missal   [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Proposal Would Add 6 Parks, More Than 300 Acres To Pittsburgh Park System

-- PG: 100 Trail Miles In 24 Hours: 2 Local Men Test Their Limits For Nigerian Burn Victims

-- ReadingE: Community Members Trim Trees On Schuylkill River Trail To Spread Holiday Joy

-- ScrantonT: Luzerne County Authority Seeking Donations To Spruce Up Wyoming Valley Levee Recreational Path

-- Brodhead Watershed Assn: Jan. 15 Hike To Seven Pines Ice Lake In Monroe County

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Conservancy Marks Winter Solstice With Nature Hike In Murrysville

-- Brodhead Watershed Assn: Jan. 23 Waterfall Photography Talk At Brodhead Creek Heritage Center, Monroe County

-- LandHealth Institute: Check Out Some Exciting Upcoming Events In The Philadelphia Area!

-- Inquirer: Frustrated By Bike Shortage, Philly Entrepreneur Opened A Shop To Build Them Himself

-- MCall: Route 209 In Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Getting Upgrade

Recycling/Waste

--  The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Despite Moratorium, 2 Million Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Waste Spread On PA Roads Since 2018

-- TribLive: Christmas Tree Recycling Sites Listed In Westmoreland County

-- YorkDR: How To Recycle Christmas Trees In York County

-- PA Resources Council Suggests 5 Green New Year's Resolutions For 2022  [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council Hosts 2 Backyard Composting Webinars In January  [PaEN]

-- PG: Pittsburgh Council Member Puts Plastic Bag Ban On Hold
-- ScrantonT: Sierra Club Wants To Join Local Group’s Fight To Revoke DEP Approval Of Keystone Landfill Expansion

-- ScrantonT Editorial: Let Sierra Club Intervene In Keystone Landfill Case

-- The Environmental Magazine: Oil & Gas Companies Spreading Toxic Brine Across SE Ohio  [Road Spreading Also Done In PA]

Renewable Energy

-- 7 Environmental Groups Oppose State Legislation To Preempt Local Governments From Making Clean Energy Decisions That Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN]

-- Local, State Environmental Groups Express Opposition To Proposed Nacero Natural Gas To Gasoline Refinery In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Lawmakers Consider Bill To Account For Decommissioning Renewable Energy Projects That Are Already Industry Practices; Oil & Gas Wells Have Inadequate Plugging Bonds

-- Evangelical Environmental Network: Now Is Not The Time To Turn Our Backs On Climate Investments In Build Back Better Proposal  [PaEN]

-- WilliamsportS: Lycoming County Planning Commission Discusses Proposed Solar Energy Ordinance

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Community Energy Renewable Energy Company Sold To AES Corp

-- New Conservative Energy Network Poll: 84% Support Govt. Action To Accelerate Clean Energy Development, 82% To Address Climate Change  [PaEN]

-- WSJ: U.S. Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels Set To Expire; Biden’s China And Climate Goals Clash

SRBC

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Recap Of Dec. 17 Business Meeting

Stormwater

-- WilliamsportS: Project By Army Reserve Soldiers To Reduce Flooding In Plunketts And Loyalsock Creeks

-- Brandywine Conservancy: Winter Environmental Currents Newsletter, Our Taste For Salt Is Killing Our Freshwater Ecosystems

-- DEP Sets Feb. 2 Hearing On NPDES Permit For River Pointe Logistics Industrial Park, Northampton County  [PaEN]

Sustainability

-- American Institute Of Architects - PA Chapter: 3 PA Firms Recognized With National COTE Wellness, Community, Environment Awards  [PaEN]

-- Bloomberg: Pittsburgh Becoming First City In Eastern U.S. To Become Dark Sky Compliant

Wastewater Facilities

-- Environmental Integrity Project To Participate In Negotiations Over How To Resolve City Of Harrisburg Sewage Overflow Problems As A Result Of Federal Judge Ruling

-- Inquirer: Bucks Sewer Authority Agrees To $450,000 Penalty Over Raw Sewage Overflows

-- ScrantonT: Fmr Greenfield Twp Supervisor, Con Convicted Of Federal Clean Water Act Violations

Watershed Protection

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: House [Republicans] Pass Change To Clean Streams Law, Critics Say It Will Weaken Enforcement

-- Scranton Times-Tribune Editorial: Preserve State's Clean Streams Law [PaEN]

-- PA Dept. of Agriculture Reminder: Still Time To Apply For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits

-- PA Treasury: Agri-Link Low-Interest Loan Program Supports Agricultural Best Management Practices ​​[PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners To Begin Accepting Applications For Clean Water Implementation Grants On Jan. 4  [PaEN]

-- PA Lake Management Society Accepting Applications For Project Mini-Grants  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards $333,991 Grant To Stroud Water Research Center For Multifunction Riparian Forest Buffer Pilot Project    [PaEN]

-- Environmental Integrity Project To Participate In Negotiations Over How To Resolve City Of Harrisburg Sewage Overflow Problems As A Result Of Federal Judge Ruling

-- WilliamsportS: Project By Army Reserve Soldiers To Reduce Flooding In Plunketts And Loyalsock Creeks

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Latest Update On Clean Water Plan Implementation 

-- WilliamsportS Editorial: Grant For Watershed Conservation Projects Is Smart Investment

-- LancasterOnline - Sean Sauro: Loggers Reportedly Damaged Streambanks In Conestoga Twp, Conservation Officials Investigating

-- Brandywine Conservancy: Winter Environmental Currents Newsletter, Our Taste For Salt Is Killing Our Freshwater Ecosystems

-- York County Conservation District Seedling Sale Set For April 14, Order Now

-- Now On Demand: Presentations From 2021 Virtual Watershed Congress  [PaEN]

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Dec. 24 RiverWatch Video Report

-- Bay Journal: Chesapeake Bay Executive County Changes Leadership, Reviews Challenges

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Monitoring Advisory & Coordination Committee Meeting Recaps

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Regulated Flow Advisory Committee Meeting Recap

-- ScrantonT: Fmr Greenfield Twp Supervisor, Con Convicted Of Federal Clean Water Act Violations

Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

Wildlife

-- CitizensV: Snowy Owl Spotted In Luzerne County

-- CentreDT - Mark Nale: Winter Provides Opportunity To See Rare Visiting Bird Species In PA

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: Bald Eagle Cam Goes Live At U.S. Steel Mill In West Mifflin

-- WESA: Watch Irvin And Claire The Bald Eagles On U.S. Steel’s New Live Cam

-- ReadingE: Injured Bald Eagle Rescued By Berks Mother, Son

-- AP/Indiana Gazette: Modified Hunting Systems Helps Indiana County Boy Get First Buck

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Rabies In PA - Where 247 Cases Have Been Reported This Year

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: 260-Pound Black Bear Trapped Near Downtown Pittsburgh

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Foxes, Other Wild Canines Can Be Seen Across PA

-- Game Commission: Fisher, Bobcat And Otter Furtaker Harvests Sought For Study

-- Tom Kerr Selected As New Board Chair Of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary [PaEN]

-- Courier Express: Planning Underway For Groundhog Day 2022 In Punxsutawney!

Opportunities

-- Tom Kerr Selected As New Board Chair Of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: Lancaster Farmland Trust Names Jeff Swinehart President, CEO

Other

-- Bloomberg: Pittsburgh Becoming First City In Eastern U.S. To Become Dark Sky Compliant

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CLICK HERE to View or Print the December 27 PA Environment Digest.

[Posted: December 26, 2021]

12/27/2021