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11/25/24 - 156 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/54ukts8z

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All Articles & NewsClips In This Week’s Digest By Topic

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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

-- DEP Appeals Commonwealth Court Order Blocking Publication Of Final RGGI Regulation [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Appeals To PA Supreme Court To Publish Power Plant Carbon Pollution Rule

-- AP: Wolf Administration Appeals Court Order Blocking Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan

-- AP: Commonwealth Court Blocks Publication Of DEP RGGI Regulation [Can Be Appealed]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Commonwealth Court Pauses PA’s Effort To Enact RGGI Rule

--PA Capital-Star: State Court Blocks PA Carbon Pricing Scheme For Power Generators

-- PA Capital-Star: Republican Opposition To Wolf Regulations On Carbon Pricing, Private Charter Schools Could Shape Coming Months

-- PA Senate Fails To Override Gov. Wolf’s Veto Of A Resolution To Kill RGGI Regulation; Moving House Bill To Block Next? [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: Gov. Wolf’s Climate Rule Survives Veto Override Attempt In PA Senate; Court Sets May 4 Hearing On Republican Lawsuit To Block Rule

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Plan To Wean PA Power Plants Off Fossil Fuels Survives PA Senate Override Test

-- AP: Republican-Controlled PA Senate Fails To Override Key Element Of Gov. Wolf’s Climate Plan

-- Republican Rep. Mehaffie Proposing Bill To Use RGGI Proceeds To Support Development Of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

-- Tribune Democrat: Republicans In Harrisburg Using Ukraine To Promote A Climate-Denialist Agenda

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020 [PaEN]

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: ‘Drillers Continue To Return Cash To Shareholders… Rather Than Boost Production’ [PaEN]

-- AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- actually solve the problem, transition away from fossil fuels]

-- Republican State Treasurer Garrity Calls For Biden Administration To Support American Energy Production

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Republicans Are Spreading Misinformation On Inflation, Energy Policies - Carl Hisiro, Fmr Assistant Counsel PUC, Fmr Chief Deputy Attorney General For Republican Attorneys General

-- Guest Essay - Sen. Yaw: Closing Of Bradford County LNG Project A PA, U.S. Tragedy

[Actually, The Company Did Nothing With State Approvals Since 2019. DEP’s Air Permit Was Extended Twice. Real Story Here]

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Communities Should Be Allowed To Choose Clean Energy - PennEnvironment

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- transition away from fossil fuels]

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: More Parking-Protected Bike Lanes Could Be Built Under House Bill

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Stop Messing Around And Pass Bike Safety Bill

-- Courier Times Guest Essay: Protecting Wildlife Corridors Is Good For Environment, Motorists - Poquessing Watershed Assn, PennEnvironment

-- Post-Gazette: Republican U.S. Senate Candidate McCormick Sees PA’s Natural Gas As Driver Of State’s Economy

-- PA Capital-Star: Q/A With Shapiro On Death Penalty, Climate And Harrisburg

-- PA Capital-Star: 5 PA Environmental Advocacy Groups Endorse Shapiro For Governor

-- Post-Gazette: Lamb, Kenyatta Split On Fracking, Electability At Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Debate Without Fetterman

-- Business Insider: Republican Cong. Scott Perry Voted Against The Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence And Accountability Act

-- WITF: 2 PA Republican Members Of Congress Voted Against Bill Bolstering NATO And Supporting The Ukrainian People As They Fight Russian Invaders

-- York Dispatch Editorial: With More Nays, Republican Cong. Scott Perry Fails His District Again

Top 10 Headlines From Harrisburg 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 -------------------------------------------------------

-- 64 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

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

-- This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues [PaEN]

Air

-- DEP Appeals Commonwealth Court Order Blocking Publication Of Final RGGI Regulation [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Appeals To PA Supreme Court To Publish Power Plant Carbon Pollution Rule

-- AP: Wolf Administration Appeals Court Order Blocking Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan

-- PEC Blog: Pennsylvania Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased 9.6% In 2021 [PaEN]

-- AP: Commonwealth Court Blocks Publication Of DEP RGGI Regulation [Can Be Appealed]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Commonwealth Court Pauses PA’s Effort To Enact RGGI Rule

--PA Capital-Star: State Court Blocks PA Carbon Pricing Scheme For Power Generators

-- PA Senate Fails To Override Gov. Wolf’s Veto Of A Resolution To Kill RGGI Regulation; Moving House Bill To Block Next? [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: Gov. Wolf’s Climate Rule Survives Veto Override Attempt In PA Senate; Court Sets May 4 Hearing On Republican Lawsuit To Block Rule

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Plan To Wean PA Power Plants Off Fossil Fuels Survives PA Senate Override Test

-- AP: Republican-Controlled PA Senate Fails To Override Key Element Of Gov. Wolf’s Climate Plan

-- Republican Rep. Mehaffie Proposing Bill To Use RGGI Proceeds To Support Development Of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Allegheny County’s Last Coal-Fired Power Plant Is Closing; Could Be Redeveloped For Renewable Energy, Industrial Use

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Keeps Status Quo, Despite RGGI Vote [The company said before RGGI would force them to close]

-- WCCS: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Announced It Will Continue Coal Operations

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25 [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times Editorial: At Least Pick Low-Hanging Fruit To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

-- Bloomberg Green: Climeworks Raises $650 Million For Carbon Removal Startup

Alternative Fuels

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- PennDOT Hosts April 27 Teleconference On State Plan For National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding [PaEN]

-- Citizens Voice: Interest In Electric Vehicles Increase In Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, But They’re In Short Supply

-- Reuters: Canada To Invest $2 Billion On Mineral Strategy For EV Battery Supply Chain

-- Bloomberg: GM, Honda Unveil Plan To Jointly Build Millions Of Small Electric Vehicles

-- Bloomberg: World’s Electric Vehicle Fleet Will Soon Surpass 20 Million

Awards & Recognition

-- PA Environmental Council Recognizes DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn With Lifetime Achievement Award [PaEN]

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: PA Youth Recognized By Bassmaster H.S. All-State Fishing Team

-- Sinnemahone Paddle Draws 81 Competitors In Cameron County; First Of Triple Crown Events [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council: Help Celebrate Earth Day By Putting Your 'Lens On Litter' [PaEN]

-- PA Forestry Association, Ned Smith Center Release 5th Forest Heritage Video - History Of PA's Forest Products Industry [PaEN]

Biodiversity/Invasive Species

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Grant Applications For Research On Water, Soil Management, Controlling Invasive Species, Protecting Pollinators, More [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Enters 2nd Year Under Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Highlights Safe, Effective Spotted Lanternfly Trap

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Eels In The Classroom Program Partners With Schools To Release American Eels [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: Anglers Must Do Their Part, Heed Warnings About Invasive Species

-- Eastern PA Alliance Of Climbers Hosts April 11 Bats + Climbers Virtual Panel Discussion [PaEN]

-- PA Forestry Association: Drone Release Of Weevils To Control Mile-A-Minute Invasive Plant; Weevils Available [PaEN]

-- Nature At Risk: Bee Kind - Three Ways You Can Help Rusty-Patched Bumble Bees Survive - By Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]

-- WITF Smart Talk Monday 9:30 a.m.: Can Studying Honeybee Brains Improve Bees’ Health, Bucknell Researchers Looking To Find Out

-- DCNR Highlights Benefits Of Trees In Communities; TreeVitalize, TreePennsylvania, Keystone Tree Fund Can Help [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DCNR Highlights The Many Benefits Of Trees In Communities

-- Warren Times: DCNR Bureau Of Forestry Asks Public’s Help To Prevent Wildfires

-- DCNR Blog: Bring Life To Your Yard With Native Plants - Start With These; Garden Templates; Where To Buy [PaEN]

American Rescue Plan Funding

-- Citizens Voice: Luzerne County Accepting Pre-Applications For Federal American Rescue Plan Funding

-- Gov. Wolf Promotes Plan To Use $500 Million In American Rescue Plan To Put $2,000 In The Pockets Of Families Earning Less Than $80,000

-- Gov. Wolf Promotes Plan To Use $225 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding For Small Business Assistance Program

-- Gov. Wolf Promotes Plan To Use $200 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding And Other Monies To Make College More Affordable, Ensure Workforce Stability

-- $11 Billion In Federal American Rescue Plan Funding To PA State Government, Local Governments Has Yet To Be Invested. What’s Your Community Doing?

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

-- Post-Gazette - Ashley Murray/Laura Legere: Sen. Casey, Bipartisan Lawmakers Look To Federal Infrastructure Law To Pay For O&M For Acid Mine Drainage Treatment

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Control Mine Drainage For Long Term

-- University of Pittsburgh, Atlantic Council Host April 12 Webinar On State Of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, PA Perspectives [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star - Ad Crable: Billions Of Dollars In Federal Aid On The Way To Attack Abandoned Mine Pollution In PA, Elsewhere

-- PennDOT Hosts April 27 Teleconference On State Plan For National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding [PaEN]

-- Gov. Wolf Highlights Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments In Hollidaysburg Region

-- Gov. Wolf Previews Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Projects In Philadelphia Region

-- WESA: PA Public Transit Will Ride A Wave Of New Federal Cash In 2022

Federal FY 2023 Budget Proposal

-- PA Capital-Star: Proposed Chesapeake Bay Federal Funding Bump Could Be Used To Boost Restoration Efforts In PA

Budget

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- Reading Eagle: Education Secretary Visits Reading Schools To Promote Environmental Education, School Funding Increases

Chesapeake Bay

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Region’s EPA Leader Seeks ‘Transformational’ Changes To Reduce Agricultural Runoff - By Karl Blankenship

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Partners Learn, Share, Reconnect At 2022 Watershed Workshops [3 More Coming Up!]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Grant Applications For Research On Water, Soil Management, Controlling Invasive Species, Protecting Pollinators, More [PaEN]

-- PA County Conservation Districts Celebrate Conservation District Week April 10-16 [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Hosts Virtual PA State Technical Committee Meeting April 21 [PaEN]

-- Get Outside With Penn State Extension In May For Programs On Watersheds, Trees, Stormwater BMPs, Flowering Shrubs, Connecting With Nature And Much More [PaEN]

-- PA American Water Partners With Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Plant Trees For Customers Who Switch To Paperless Billing In April [PaEN]

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- Gettysburg: Adams County Watershed Alliance, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Hands Out Trees Thru April 9

-- Baltimore Sun Guest Essay: Generations Of Legacy Sediments Choking Chesapeake Bay - Dorothy Merritts, Robert Walter, Patrick Fleming, Franklin & Marshall College [Click Here for background on Legacy Sediments]

-- PA Capital-Star: Federal Clean Water Act At 50: PA Still Has Thousands Of Miles Of Polluted Streams, Rivers [Abandoned Mine Drainage, Farm Runoff 2 Biggest Causes Read more here.]

-- PA Capital-Star: Proposed Chesapeake Bay Federal Funding Bump Could Be Used To Boost Restoration Efforts In PA

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Penn’s Waters Newsletter Provides Update On Activities [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Eels In The Classroom Program Partners With Schools To Release American Eels [PaEN]

-- Bay Journal - Ad Crable/Timothy B. Wheeler: More Than 800 Solar Energy Projects In Chesapeake Bay States Stuck Waiting For Review [PA Has 443 Solar Projects Waiting]

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal

Citizen Action

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Presentations On Draft Environmental Justice Policy Changes, Environmental Education Update April 19 [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Partners Learn, Share, Reconnect At 2022 Watershed Workshops [3 More Coming Up!]

-- Natural Lands, Robinson Family Take Steps Toward Preserving 208 Acre Crebilly Farm In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Chester County Town Enters $21 Million Deal To Buy Revolutionary-Era Crebilly Farm And Turn It Into A Park

-- Erie Times: Zenchenko Family, Foundation For Sustainable Forests Partner To Permanently Preserve 106 Acres In Erie County Adding It To The Floraroze Forest

-- Dionisio Family, ClearWater Conservancy Partner To Permanently Preserve 22 Acre Farm In Centre County [PaEN]

-- University of Pittsburgh, Atlantic Council Host April 12 Webinar On State Of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, PA Perspectives [PaEN]

-- PA American Water Partners With Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Plant Trees For Customers Who Switch To Paperless Billing In April [PaEN]

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- Gettysburg: Adams County Watershed Alliance, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Hands Out Trees Thru April 9

-- WHYY: Nonprofit Restoring Floodplain, Cobbs Creek Golf Course Could Get $3 Million Boost With Philly Funds

-- Indiana Gazette: Indiana Conservation District Wins $131,000 Watershed Grant

-- LebTown.com: $370,000 Growing Greener Grants Support Quittie Creek And Killinger Creek Restoration Efforts In Lebanon County

-- NRCS-PA Hosts Virtual PA State Technical Committee Meeting April 21 [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Jacobs Creek Watershed Group Plans Tire, Trail Cleanups, Wetlands Walks In Westmoreland

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Penn’s Waters Newsletter Provides Update On Activities [PaEN]

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers, PEC Host 2022 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, On Tour April 28 [PaEN]

-- April 8 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- Environmental Justice Champion In PA: Veronica Coptis, Center For Coalfield Justice

-- Beaver County Times: April 20 EPA Meeting In Beaver Falls On Ohio River Brownfields Project

-- DEP Environmental Justice Newsletter: Draft Environmental Justice Permit Review Policy Available For Comment

-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation - Public Engagement Coordinator [PaEN]

Climate

-- DEP Appeals Commonwealth Court Order Blocking Publication Of Final RGGI Regulation [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Appeals To PA Supreme Court To Publish Power Plant Carbon Pollution Rule

-- AP: Wolf Administration Appeals Court Order Blocking Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan

-- PEC Blog: Pennsylvania Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased 9.6% In 2021 [PaEN]

-- AP: Commonwealth Court Blocks Publication Of DEP RGGI Regulation [Can Be Appealed]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Commonwealth Court Pauses PA’s Effort To Enact RGGI Rule

--PA Capital-Star: State Court Blocks PA Carbon Pricing Scheme For Power Generators

-- PA Senate Fails To Override Gov. Wolf’s Veto Of A Resolution To Kill RGGI Regulation; Moving House Bill To Block Next? [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: Gov. Wolf’s Climate Rule Survives Veto Override Attempt In PA Senate; Court Sets May 4 Hearing On Republican Lawsuit To Block Rule

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Plan To Wean PA Power Plants Off Fossil Fuels Survives PA Senate Override Test

-- AP: Republican-Controlled PA Senate Fails To Override Key Element Of Gov. Wolf’s Climate Plan

-- Republican Rep. Mehaffie Proposing Bill To Use RGGI Proceeds To Support Development Of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Keeps Status Quo, Despite RGGI Vote [The company said before RGGI would force them to close]

-- WCCS: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Announced It Will Continue Coal Operations

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Allegheny County’s Last Coal-Fired Power Plant Is Closing; Could Be Redeveloped For Renewable Energy, Industrial Use

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25 [PaEN]

-- Delco Times Guest Essay: Biden, Wolf Are Captive To Radical Environmentalists - Lowman Henry, Lincoln Institute [RGGI] [Critical Of Biden For Saying Putin Should Be Removed For His War Crimes In Ukraine]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Putting Limits, Price On Carbon Is Fair Way To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Green Building United [RGGI]

-- Scranton Times Editorial: At Least Pick Low-Hanging Fruit To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

-- AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- actually solve the problem, transition away from fossil fuels]

-- Senate Committee Sets April 6 Meeting On Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- Lebanon Daily News: North Annville Twp. Denies Application For Controversial 858-Acre Solar Farm

-- Altoona Mirror: Stalled Bedford County Prison Solar Project Raises Questions

-- Comcast Signs Agreement To Purchase 250 MW Of Solar Energy In Step Toward Carbon Neutral Goal [PaEN]

-- U.S. DOE Awards Grant For Pittsburgh Hill District Project To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Hill District Gets Federal Money To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots

-- Bay Journal - Ad Crable/Timothy B. Wheeler: More Than 800 Solar Energy Projects In Chesapeake Bay States Stuck Waiting For Review [PA Has 443 Solar Projects Waiting]

-- PA Insurance Dept., Bipartisan Group Of State Insurance Regulators Endorse Internationally Recognized Climate Risk Disclosure Standard For Insurance Companies [PaEN]

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Communities Should Be Allowed To Choose Clean Energy - PennEnvironment

-- PA League Of Women Voters Hosts April 20 Reimagine Ursinus-Collegeville Program To Envision A Healthy, Sustainable Future In Montgomery County [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Ask Me About How University Of Pittsburgh Will Get To Net Zero Emissions

-- Allegheny College To Host Fifth World Symposium On Sustainable Development At Universities June 16-17 [PaEN]

-- Tribune Democrat Editorial: Republicans In Harrisburg Using Ukraine To Promote A Climate-Denialist Agenda

-- PennDOT Hosts April 27 Teleconference On State Plan For National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding [PaEN]

-- Citizens Voice: Interest In Electric Vehicles Increase In Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, But They’re In Short Supply

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: NJ’s Offshore Development Of 7,500 MW Of Wind Power To Bring $150 Billion In Private Investments, Power Thousands Of Jobs

-- WHYY/Plan Philly: Report Says When Accounting For Climate And Health, Wind Power Is Cheaper For Delaware

-- CNN: Wind Power Generated More Electricity Than Coal, Nuclear For First Time, Right Behind Natural Gas

-- AP: Wind Energy Company Kills 150 Eagles In U.S., Pleads Guilty

-- WV News: West Virginia’s Largest Solar Farm To Be Built On Former Coal Mine, Power Mixed Use Development

-- The Guardian: Methane In Earth’s Atmosphere Rose By Record Amount Last Year, U.S. Data Show

-- Reuters: New York Set To Ban Natural Gas In New Buildings - Environmental Groups

-- AP: Africa Looks To Renewables To Curb Warming, Boost Economies

-- Bloomberg Green: Climeworks Raises $650 Million For Carbon Removal Startup

-- Reuters: Canada To Invest $2 Billion On Mineral Strategy For EV Battery Supply Chain

-- Bloomberg: GM, Honda Unveil Plan To Jointly Build Millions Of Small Electric Vehicles

-- Bloomberg: World’s Electric Vehicle Fleet Will Soon Surpass 20 Million

-- Bloomberg Green: Money Pouring Into Fossil Fuels Risks Climate Disaster, U.N. Report Warns

-- WSJ: High Energy Prices Challenge Wall Street’s Green Shift

-- Bloomberg: It’s Time For A Net Zero Building Boom

-- Reuters: Accuweather Forecasts 2022 To Be 7th Straight Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season

-- NPR: 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Will Be More Active Than Usual, Researcher Say

-- Reuters: Alaska Oil Field Natural Gas Leak Estimated At 7.2 Million Cubic Feet

Climate IPCC, OMB Reports

-- OMB Blog: Quantifying Risks To The Federal Budget From Climate Change - Floods, Wildfires, Drought [PaEN]

-- Reuters: Climate Change Impacts Of Flood, Fire, Drought Could Cost U.S. Budget $2 Trillion A Year By The End Of This Century

-- The Guardian: Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change Report: Dire Warning On Climate Change ‘Is Being Ignored’ Amid War, Economic Turmoil

-- Financial Times: Landmark U.N. Report On Global Warming Solutions Delayed By Top Polluters

-- NPR: U.N. Report Finds It’s Not Too Late To Stave Off The Climate Crisis

-- USA Today: Here’s The Thing About That Dire Climate Report: We Have The Tools We Need To Fix Things

-- AP: U.N. Warns Earth ‘Firmly On Track Toward An Unlivable World’

-- Reuters: ‘Now Or Never’: Only Severe Emissions Cuts Will Avoid Climate Extremes - U.N. Report

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: What The Latest UN Climate Report Says About Transportation

-- Reuters: Food, Farming, Forestry Must Be Transformed To Curb Global Warming, U.N. Says

-- Financial Times: Carbon Removal ‘Unavoidable’ As Climate Change Alarm Bells Ring

Coal Mining

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Keeps Status Quo, Despite RGGI Vote [The company said before RGGI would force them to close]

-- WCCS: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Announced It Will Continue Coal Operations

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Allegheny County’s Last Coal-Fired Power Plant Is Closing; Could Be Redeveloped For Renewable Energy, Industrial Use

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- University of Pittsburgh, Atlantic Council Host April 12 Webinar On State Of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, PA Perspectives [PaEN]

-- Bloomberg Green: Climeworks Raises $650 Million For Carbon Removal Startup

Compliance Action

-- DEP Approves Sunoco's Mariner East Pipeline Marsh Creek State Park Lake Restoration Plan [PaEN]

-- Quarterly Report: DEP Issued 77 Notices Of Violations To Conventional Drillers, 8 To Shale Gas Drillers For Attempting To Abandon Wells Without Plugging Them

[“Warning: The average person is likely to be shocked at the number and extent of the violations documented by DEP day in and day out.”]

-- DEP Took Action On 898 Permits, 97% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,427 Inspections; Responded To 3 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

Conservation Districts

-- Indiana Gazette: Indiana Conservation District Wins $131,000 Watershed Grant

-- PA County Conservation Districts Celebrate Conservation District Week April 10-16 [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Hosts Virtual PA State Technical Committee Meeting April 21 [PaEN]

DCNR

-- PA Environmental Council Recognizes DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn With Lifetime Achievement Award [PaEN]

-- 3-Part Webinar Series Highlights Importance Of PA's Outdoor Recreation Industry, Starting April 19 [PaEN]

-- DCNR Bureau Of State Parks Offers Special Environmental Education Activities For Earth Day In April [PaEN]

-- DEP Approves Sunoco's Mariner East Pipeline Marsh Creek State Park Lake Restoration Plan [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Eagle Watch Programs Set At Chapman State Park - April 9, 15

-- Erie Times: Presque Isle Beach Conditions Encouraging In Wake Of Winter Ice, Lower Water

-- Erie Times: Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Oh My! Discover Wading Birds Of Presque Isle State Park

-- DCNR Blog: Beavers Provide Many Unique Benefits To The Ecosystem

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: Here’s Why You Should Check Out Raccoon Creek State Park

-- ExploreClarion.com: Cook Forest Living History Weekend Set For May 27-29

-- DCNR Announced $65,000 Grant To Assist Mountville Community Park In Lancaster County

-- DCNR Highlights Benefits Of Trees In Communities; TreeVitalize, TreePennsylvania, Keystone Tree Fund Can Help [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DCNR Highlights The Many Benefits Of Trees In Communities

-- Warren Times: DCNR Bureau Of Forestry Asks Public’s Help To Prevent Wildfires

-- DCNR Blog: Bring Life To Your Yard With Native Plants - Start With These; Garden Templates; Where To Buy [PaEN]

-- PA Wilds Launches Initiative To Attract Remote Workers To Region For A Lifestyle Experience [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health WalkWorks Grant Applications Now Being Accepted, Deadline May 13

-- Eastern PA Alliance Of Climbers Hosts April 11 Bats + Climbers Virtual Panel Discussion [PaEN]

-- April 8 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: 14-Year-Old Boy Dies In ATV Crash In LeBoeuf Twp

-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation - Public Engagement Coordinator [PaEN]

DEP

-- DEP Approves Sunoco's Mariner East Pipeline Marsh Creek State Park Lake Restoration Plan [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25 [PaEN]

-- Quarterly Report: DEP Issued 77 Notices Of Violations To Conventional Drillers, 8 To Shale Gas Drillers For Attempting To Abandon Wells Without Plugging Them

[“Warning: The average person is likely to be shocked at the number and extent of the violations documented by DEP day in and day out.”]

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Presentations On Draft Environmental Justice Policy Changes, Environmental Education Update April 19 [PaEN]

-- Environmental Justice Champion In PA: Veronica Coptis, Center For Coalfield Justice

-- DEP Environmental Justice Newsletter: Draft Environmental Justice Permit Review Policy Available For Comment

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- DEP Took Action On 898 Permits, 97% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,427 Inspections; Responded To 3 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

-- DEP Posts 52 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 9 PA Bulletin

Delaware River

-- WNEP: Delaware River Nears Flood Stage In Monroe, Pike Counties

-- WHYY: Nonprofit Restoring Floodplain, Cobbs Creek Golf Course Could Get $3 Million Boost With Philly Funds

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Highlights Upcoming Events, Including June 3 Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Event

DRBC

-- WNEP: Delaware River Nears Flood Stage In Monroe, Pike Counties

Drinking Water

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: PA, Delaware Move To Limit PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water

-- The Guardian: EPA Definition Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Excludes Most Common Compounds

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Water Cooler Talk On Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances April 13 Webinar [PaEN]

-- PA American Water Partners With Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Plant Trees For Customers Who Switch To Paperless Billing In April [PaEN]

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Our Water Is Becoming Privatized, That’s A Good Thing - Fmr PUC Chair Robert Powelson

Earth Day

-- Governor’s Residence Virtual Earth Day Celebration April 22. 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

-- PA Resources Council: Help Celebrate Earth Day By Putting Your 'Lens On Litter' [PaEN]

-- NextPittsburgh: Earth Month Celebrations - April 5 Forest Bathing At Frick Environmental Center

-- NextPittsburgh: 11 Groups Connect Pittsburgh With Earth Day Events Throughout April

Economic Development

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- PA Wilds Launches Initiative To Attract Remote Workers To Region For A Lifestyle Experience [PaEN]

-- Sinnemahone Paddle Draws 81 Competitors In Cameron County; First Of Triple Crown Events [PaEN]

-- 3-Part Webinar Series Highlights Importance Of PA's Outdoor Recreation Industry, Starting April 19 [PaEN]

-- U.S. DOE Awards Grant For Pittsburgh Hill District Project To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Hill District Gets Federal Money To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots

-- Comcast Signs Agreement To Purchase 250 MW Of Solar Energy In Step Toward Carbon Neutral Goal [PaEN]

-- Bloomberg: Biden’s Hydrogen Hub Plan Sparks $8 Billion Race Among U.S. States

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Hydrogen Hubs Are Not Good For Pennsylvania, Better, Proven Climate Solutions Are Available - Ohio River Valley Institute

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Keeps Status Quo, Despite RGGI Vote [The company said before RGGI would force them to close]

-- WCCS: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Announced It Will Continue Coal Operations

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Allegheny County’s Last Coal-Fired Power Plant Is Closing; Could Be Redeveloped For Renewable Energy, Industrial Use

-- Post-Gazette: Dura-Bond Pipe Maker Seals Deal For Expansion In McKeesport

-- PennLive: $1.1 Billion Facility Planned For Northumberland County To Covert Used Plastic Materials Into Feedstock For New Products

-- PA Forestry Association, Ned Smith Center Release 5th Forest Heritage Video - History Of PA's Forest Products Industry [PaEN]

-- Reuters: Canada To Invest $2 Billion On Mineral Strategy For EV Battery Supply Chain

Education

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Presentations On Draft Environmental Justice Policy Changes, Environmental Education Update April 19 [PaEN]

-- Reading Eagle: Education Secretary Visits Reading Schools To Promote Environmental Education, School Funding Increases

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: PA Youth Recognized By Bassmaster H.S. All-State Fishing Team

-- TribLive: Harrison Cub Scouts Help Stock Trout For Fish Commission At Deer Lakes Park In Allegheny County

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Partners Learn, Share, Reconnect At 2022 Watershed Workshops [3 More Coming Up!]

-- PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Accepting Applications For Trout In The Classroom Funding [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Eels In The Classroom Program Partners With Schools To Release American Eels [PaEN]

-- DCNR Bureau Of State Parks Offers Special Environmental Education Activities For Earth Day In April [PaEN]

-- WITF Smart Talk Monday 9:30 a.m.: Can Studying Honeybee Brains Improve Bees’ Health, Bucknell Researchers Looking To Find Out

-- PA County Conservation Districts Celebrate Conservation District Week April 10-16 [PaEN]

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- NextPittsburgh: Earth Month Celebrations - April 5 Forest Bathing At Frick Environmental Center

-- Warren Times: Eagle Watch Programs Set At Chapman State Park - April 9, 15

-- Post-Gazette - John Hayes: Eaglet Hatches At A U.S. Steel Mill In West Mifflin

-- Eastern PA Alliance Of Climbers Hosts April 11 Bats + Climbers Virtual Panel Discussion [PaEN]

-- University of Pittsburgh, Atlantic Council Host April 12 Webinar On State Of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, PA Perspectives [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council Webinar April 12 Recycling & Waste Reduction. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

-- Friends Of The Wissahickon Hosts Virtual Valley Talk On PA’s Environmental Justice Policy April 13. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Water Cooler Talk On Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances April 13 Webinar [PaEN]

-- 3-Part Webinar Series Highlights Importance Of PA's Outdoor Recreation Industry, Starting April 19 [PaEN]

-- Marcellus Shale Coalition Hosts April 19 Webinar On The Benefits Of MSC Membership. 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light, Jewish Earth Alliance Host April 20 Webinar On Clean Energy And Energy Independence [PaEN]

-- PA League Of Women Voters Hosts April 20 Reimagine Ursinus-Collegeville Program To Envision A Healthy, Sustainable Future In Montgomery County [PaEN]

-- Governor’s Residence Virtual Earth Day Celebration April 22. 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Highlights Educational Programs, Activities In April

-- NextPittsburgh: 11 Groups Connect Pittsburgh With Earth Day Events Throughout April

-- PennDOT Hosts April 27 Teleconference On State Plan For National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In March Now Available [PaEN]

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers, PEC Host 2022 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, On Tour April 28 [PaEN]

-- Get Outside With Penn State Extension In May For Programs On Watersheds, Trees, Stormwater BMPs, Flowering Shrubs, Connecting With Nature And Much More [PaEN]

-- The Nature Conservancy-PA City Nature Challenge April 29 to May 2

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Hosts Van Scott Nature Reserve Open House May 14 In Wayne County [PaEN]

-- Keystone Chapter-Solid Waste Assn. Of North America: Registration Open For May 17-18 Safety Summit

-- ExploreClarion.com: Cook Forest Living History Weekend Set For May 27-29

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Highlights Upcoming Events, Including June 3 Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Event

-- Allegheny College To Host Fifth World Symposium On Sustainable Development At Universities June 16-17 [PaEN]

-- Registration Open For Schuylkill Sojourn June 17-24; Sojourn Steward, Sojourn Diversity, First-Time Sojourner Scholarships Available [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Discover Spring At The Audubon Community Nature Center

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Penn’s Waters Newsletter Provides Update On Activities [PaEN]

-- PA Forestry Association, Ned Smith Center Release 5th Forest Heritage Video - History Of PA's Forest Products Industry [PaEN]

-- Rodale Institute Launches New Regional Resource Center At Pocono Organics In Monroe County [PaEN]

-- Civil Eats: A Regenerative Grazing Revolution Is Taking Root In The Mid-Atlantic

-- Nature At Risk: Bee Kind - Three Ways You Can Help Rusty-Patched Bumble Bees Survive - By Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Beavers Provide Many Unique Benefits To The Ecosystem

-- Clean Water Is Up To You: Are You Wasting Perfectly Good Waste? - By Brodhead Watershed Association [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council: Help Celebrate Earth Day By Putting Your 'Lens On Litter' [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Ask Me About How University Of Pittsburgh Will Get To Net Zero Emissions

-- PA Forestry Association April Newsletter Now Available

-- The Nature Conservancy April Pennsylvania Nature News

-- Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

-- Help Wanted: Berks Nature - Vice President For Education [PaEN]

Emergency Response

-- WNEP: Delaware River Nears Flood Stage In Monroe, Pike Counties

-- MCall: Rainfall Sets Records Again In Lehigh Valley, Flood Warnings Ongoing

-- PennLive: Sinkhole Reported As Rain Causes Flooding In Dauphin County

-- Reuters: Accuweather Forecasts 2022 To Be 7th Straight Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season

-- NPR: 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Will Be More Active Than Usual, Researcher Say

-- Inquirer: FEMA’s New Flood Insurance System Aims To Make Premiums Fairer As Climate Change Raises Flooding Risks

-- OMB Blog: Quantifying Risks To The Federal Budget From Climate Change - Floods, Wildfires, Drought [PaEN]

-- Reuters: Climate Change Impacts Of Flood, Fire, Drought Could Cost U.S. Budget $2 Trillion A Year By The End Of This Century

True Energy Independence Means Renewables

[We’re Not Independent If Foreign Markets, Despots Set The Prices We Pay For Energy]

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020 [PaEN]

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: ‘Drillers Continue To Return Cash To Shareholders… Rather Than Boost Production’ [PaEN]

-- AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- actually solve the problem, transition away from fossil fuels]

-- Republican State Treasurer Garrity Calls For Biden Administration To Support American Energy Production

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Why PA Natural Gas Might Not Be Poised To Come To Europe’s Rescue

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Philadelphia Gas Works, Liberty Energy Trust No Longer In Talks About LNG Plant In Passyunk: The “Opportunity Has Passed” [Project Was Approved In 2019]

-- Guest Essay - Sen. Yaw: Closing Of Bradford County LNG Project A PA, U.S. Tragedy

[Actually, The Company Did Nothing With State Approvals Since 2019. DEP’s Air Permit Was Extended Twice. Real Story Here]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25 [PaEN]

-- Quarterly Report: DEP Issued 77 Notices Of Violations To Conventional Drillers, 8 To Shale Gas Drillers For Attempting To Abandon Wells Without Plugging Them

[“Warning: The average person is likely to be shocked at the number and extent of the violations documented by DEP day in and day out.”]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light, Jewish Earth Alliance Host April 20 Webinar On Clean Energy And Energy Independence [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: Republican Opposition To Wolf Regulations On Carbon Pricing, Private Charter Schools Could Shape Coming Months

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Communities Should Be Allowed To Choose Clean Energy - PennEnvironment

-- Reuters: Manure Is A ‘Hot Commodity’ Amid U.S. Fertilizer Shortage [PA Included]

-- Leader-Vindicator: Republican Cong. Thompson Introduces Resolution Highlight PA’s Energy Capabilities

-- Business Insider: Republican Cong. Scott Perry Voted Against The Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence And Accountability Act

-- WITF: 2 PA Republican Members Of Congress Voted Against Bill Bolstering NATO And Supporting The Ukrainian People As They Fight Russian Invaders

-- York Dispatch Editorial: With More Nays, Republican Cong. Scott Perry Fails His District Again

National/International

-- Reuters: Speed Up EU Climate Policies To Wrest Free From Russia, 11 Countries Say

-- Reuters: Asset Owners Managing $10.4 Trillion Urge Governments Not To Let Worries About Fossil Fuel Supplies Impede Transition To Greener Energy

- Reuters: Big Oil To Tell Congress Markets, Not Companies, Set Fuel Prices, Testimony

[“The oil companies will say that labor and supply shortages are preventing a quick return of oil output to pre-pandemic levels, and that prices are determined in the international market.”

[“A survey in March by the]...Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas… [found] half of the big [oil] companies that responded said they didn’t intend to increase output by more than 5% this year despite higher oil prices. Most cited investor pressure as the top reason to limit their growth.]

-- Reuters: U.S. Lawmakers Slam Big Oil For High Gasoline Prices

-- Bloomberg: Natural Gas Market’s Delicate Balance Is Crumbling As Nations Struggle To Secure Enough Fuel

[“The unfolding global energy crisis poses higher risks than the oil shocks of the 1970s, according to energy historian Daniel Yergin.”]

-- Reuters: U.S. Trading Industry Sees Natural Gas Price Spikes, Volatility As An Opportunity

-- Reuters: U.S. Shale Gas, LNG Firms Meet European Counties Over Supply Crisis

[“We need to build LNG facilities in the Northeast,” Pioneer Natural Resources]

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Storage Being Emptied By LNG Exports To Europe, Asia Due To Highest Prices In More Than A Decade

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Drillers Add 3 Rigs Last Week

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Gasoline Price Shock’s Roots Go Deeper Than Crude’s Surge

-- WSJ: International Energy Agency To Release Close To 60 Million Barrels Of OIl From Reserves

-- Bloomberg: Oil Price Increases After Slumping On Back Of IEA Reserve Release Plan

-- Reuters: Analysis: In Russia-Europe Natural Gas Standoff, Both Sides Lose

-- Financial Times: Why Europe Is Hooked On Russian Gas: ‘There Is Nothing Else Out There’

-- NYTimes: Why Germany Can’t Just Pull The Plug On Russian Energy

-- Financial Times: Berlin Seizes Control Of Gazprom Germania Which Owns Some Of Germany’s Largest Natural Gas Storage Facilities

-- AP: Germany Seeks To Boost Renewable Energy, Cut Russian Imports

-- The Guardian: Germany Doing All It Can To Stop Importing Russian Gas; Will Be Using Renewables For All Its Electricity In 20 Years

-- Bloomberg Green: UK Bets Big On Nuclear, Wind In Energy Security Strategy

-- NPR: The War In Ukraine Makes The Point That Clean Energy Is Crucial For National Security

-- Bloomberg: EU Backs Russian Coal Ban In First Punch At Energy Revenue

-- Bloomberg: Europe’s Other Energy Problem: Relying On Russian Nuclear Fuel

-- Financial Times: ExxonMobil Flags Highest Quarterly Profit Since The Boom Year Of 2008 When Russia Invaded Georgia [Anyone See A Pattern? Oil/Natural Gas Companies Thrive On War-Driven Price Spikes]

-- Bloomberg Green: Money Pouring Into Fossil Fuels Risks Climate Disaster, U.N. Report Warns

Energy

-- DEP Appeals Commonwealth Court Order Blocking Publication Of Final RGGI Regulation [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Appeals To PA Supreme Court To Publish Power Plant Carbon Pollution Rule

-- AP: Wolf Administration Appeals Court Order Blocking Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan

-- PEC Blog: Pennsylvania Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased 9.6% In 2021 [PaEN]

-- AP: Commonwealth Court Blocks Publication Of DEP RGGI Regulation [Can Be Appealed]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Commonwealth Court Pauses PA’s Effort To Enact RGGI Rule

--PA Capital-Star: State Court Blocks PA Carbon Pricing Scheme For Power Generators

-- PA Capital-Star: Republican Opposition To Wolf Regulations On Carbon Pricing, Private Charter Schools Could Shape Coming Months

-- PA Senate Fails To Override Gov. Wolf’s Veto Of A Resolution To Kill RGGI Regulation; Moving House Bill To Block Next? [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: Gov. Wolf’s Climate Rule Survives Veto Override Attempt In PA Senate; Court Sets May 4 Hearing On Republican Lawsuit To Block Rule

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Plan To Wean PA Power Plants Off Fossil Fuels Survives PA Senate Override Test

-- AP: Republican-Controlled PA Senate Fails To Override Key Element Of Gov. Wolf’s Climate Plan

-- Republican Rep. Mehaffie Proposing Bill To Use RGGI Proceeds To Support Development Of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Keeps Status Quo, Despite RGGI Vote [The company said before RGGI would force them to close]

-- WCCS: Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant In Indiana County Announced It Will Continue Coal Operations

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Allegheny County’s Last Coal-Fired Power Plant Is Closing; Could Be Redeveloped For Renewable Energy, Industrial Use

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25 [PaEN]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Putting Limits, Price On Carbon Is Fair Way To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Green Building United [RGGI]

-- Scranton Times Editorial: At Least Pick Low-Hanging Fruit To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

-- PA Insurance Dept., Bipartisan Group Of State Insurance Regulators Endorse Internationally Recognized Climate Risk Disclosure Standard For Insurance Companies [PaEN]

-- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN]

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020 [PaEN]

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: ‘Drillers Continue To Return Cash To Shareholders… Rather Than Boost Production’ [PaEN]

-- AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- actually solve the problem, transition away from fossil fuels]

-- Republican State Treasurer Garrity Calls For Biden Administration To Support American Energy Production

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Philadelphia Gas Works, Liberty Energy Trust No Longer In Talks About LNG Plant In Passyunk: The “Opportunity Has Passed” [Project Was Approved In 2019]

-- Guest Essay - Sen. Yaw: Closing Of Bradford County LNG Project A PA, U.S. Tragedy

[Actually, The Company Did Nothing With State Approvals Since 2019. DEP’s Air Permit Was Extended Twice. Real Story Here]

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Communities Should Be Allowed To Choose Clean Energy - PennEnvironment

-- PA League Of Women Voters Hosts April 20 Reimagine Ursinus-Collegeville Program To Envision A Healthy, Sustainable Future In Montgomery County [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Transformer Fire Left Thousands Without Power Around Wilkes-Barre

-- Courier Times: PECO Requests 13% Natural Gas Increase For Residential Customers

-- Bloomberg: Biden’s Hydrogen Hub Plan Sparks $8 Billion Race Among U.S. States

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Hydrogen Hubs Are Not Good For Pennsylvania, Better, Proven Climate Solutions Are Available - Ohio River Valley Institute

-- Lebanon Daily News: North Annville Twp. Denies Application For Controversial 858-Acre Solar Farm

-- Altoona Mirror: Stalled Bedford County Prison Solar Project Raises Questions

-- U.S. DOE Awards Grant For Pittsburgh Hill District Project To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Hill District Gets Federal Money To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots

- Bay Journal - Ad Crable/Timothy B. Wheeler: More Than 800 Solar Energy Projects In Chesapeake Bay States Stuck Waiting For Review [PA Has 443 Solar Projects Waiting]

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Ask Me About How University Of Pittsburgh Will Get To Net Zero Emissions

-- Allegheny College To Host Fifth World Symposium On Sustainable Development At Universities June 16-17 [PaEN]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light, Jewish Earth Alliance Host April 20 Webinar On Clean Energy And Energy Independence [PaEN]

-- Tribune Democrat: Republicans In Harrisburg Using Ukraine To Promote A Climate-Denialist Agenda

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: NJ’s Offshore Development Of 7,500 MW Of Wind Power To Bring $150 Billion In Private Investments, Power Thousands Of Jobs

-- WHYY/Plan Philly: Report Says When Accounting For Climate And Health, Wind Power Is Cheaper For Delaware

-- Reuters: New York Set To Ban Natural Gas In New Buildings - Environmental Groups

-- Bloomberg Green: Climeworks Raises $650 Million For Carbon Removal Startup

Energy Conservation

-- DCED Hosts April 20 Virtual Hearing On Proposed State Weatherization Assistance Plan, 1:00 p.m.

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Ask Me About How University Of Pittsburgh Will Get To Net Zero Emissions

-- Bloomberg: It’s Time For A Net Zero Building Boom

Environmental Health

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: PA, Delaware Move To Limit PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water

-- The Guardian: EPA Definition Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Excludes Most Common Compounds

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Water Cooler Talk On Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances April 13 Webinar [PaEN]

Environmental Heritage

-- TribLive: Murrysville Marks Sites Of Natural Gas Discovery In 1878

-- Citizens Voice: Projects Planned For Ashley’s Anthracite Miners’ Memorial Park

Environmental Justice

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Presentations On Draft Environmental Justice Policy Changes, Environmental Education Update April 19 [PaEN]

-- Environmental Justice Champion In PA: Veronica Coptis, Center For Coalfield Justice

-- DEP Environmental Justice Newsletter: Draft Environmental Justice Permit Review Policy Available For Comment

-- Friends Of The Wissahickon Hosts Virtual Valley Talk On PA’s Environmental Justice Policy April 13. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

-- Registration Open For Schuylkill Sojourn June 17-24; Sojourn Steward, Sojourn Diversity, First-Time Sojourner Scholarships Available [PaEN]

Environmental Policy

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In March Now Available [PaEN]

EPA

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Region’s EPA Leader Seeks ‘Transformational’ Changes To Reduce Agricultural Runoff - By Karl Blankenship

-- AP: U.S. Supreme Court Reinstates Limits On States To Review Water Quality Impacts Of Projects

Farming

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Region’s EPA Leader Seeks ‘Transformational’ Changes To Reduce Agricultural Runoff - By Karl Blankenship

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Partners Learn, Share, Reconnect At 2022 Watershed Workshops [3 More Coming Up!]

-- PA County Conservation Districts Celebrate Conservation District Week April 10-16 [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Hosts Virtual PA State Technical Committee Meeting April 21 [PaEN]

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Grant Applications For Research On Water, Soil Management, Controlling Invasive Species, Protecting Pollinators, More [PaEN]

-- WITF Smart Talk Monday 9:30 a.m.: Can Studying Honeybee Brains Improve Bees’ Health, Bucknell Researchers Looking To Find Out

-- Get Outside With Penn State Extension In May For Programs On Watersheds, Trees, Stormwater BMPs, Flowering Shrubs, Connecting With Nature And Much More [PaEN]

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- Natural Lands, Robinson Family Take Steps Toward Preserving 208 Acre Crebilly Farm In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: Zenchenko Family, Foundation For Sustainable Forests Partner To Permanently Preserve 106 Acres In Erie County Adding It To The Floraroze Forest

-- Rodale Institute Launches New Regional Resource Center At Pocono Organics In Monroe County [PaEN]

-- Civil Eats: A Regenerative Grazing Revolution Is Taking Root In The Mid-Atlantic

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Enters 2nd Year Under Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Highlights Safe, Effective Spotted Lanternfly Trap

-- Reuters: Manure Is A ‘Hot Commodity’ Amid U.S. Fertilizer Shortage [PA Included]

-- Centre Daily Times: State College Road Connector Project Could Cost $800 Million, Improve Safety; Residents Fear What It’d Destroy

-- WITF/The Allegheny Front: An Avian Flu Outbreak Has PA On Alert

-- TribLive Editorial: Avian Flu Precautions Protect PA Economy

Flooding

-- WNEP: Delaware River Nears Flood Stage In Monroe, Pike Counties

-- MCall: Rainfall Sets Records Again In Lehigh Valley, Flood Warnings Ongoing

-- PennLive: Sinkhole Reported As Rain Causes Flooding In Dauphin County

-- WHYY: Nonprofit Restoring Floodplain, Cobbs Creek Golf Course Could Get $3 Million Boost With Philly Funds

-- Reuters: Accuweather Forecasts 2022 To Be 7th Straight Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season

-- NPR: 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Will Be More Active Than Usual, Researcher Say

-- Inquirer: FEMA’s New Flood Insurance System Aims To Make Premiums Fairer As Climate Change Raises Flooding Risks

-- OMB Blog: Quantifying Risks To The Federal Budget From Climate Change - Floods, Wildfires, Drought [PaEN]

-- Reuters: Climate Change Impacts Of Flood, Fire, Drought Could Cost U.S. Budget $2 Trillion A Year By The End Of This Century

Forests

-- PA Environmental Council Recognizes DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn With Lifetime Achievement Award [PaEN]

-- 3-Part Webinar Series Highlights Importance Of PA's Outdoor Recreation Industry, Starting April 19 [PaEN]

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Partners Learn, Share, Reconnect At 2022 Watershed Workshops [3 More Coming Up!]

-- ExploreClarion.com: Cook Forest Living History Weekend Set For May 27-29

-- DCNR Highlights Benefits Of Trees In Communities; TreeVitalize, TreePennsylvania, Keystone Tree Fund Can Help [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DCNR Highlights The Many Benefits Of Trees In Communities

-- Get Outside With Penn State Extension In May For Programs On Watersheds, Trees, Stormwater BMPs, Flowering Shrubs, Connecting With Nature And Much More [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: DCNR Bureau Of Forestry Asks Public’s Help To Prevent Wildfires

-- PA American Water Partners With Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Plant Trees For Customers Who Switch To Paperless Billing In April [PaEN]

-- Gettysburg: Adams County Watershed Alliance, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Hands Out Trees Thru April 9

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Enters 2nd Year Under Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Highlights Safe, Effective Spotted Lanternfly Trap

-- PA Forestry Association: Drone Release Of Weevils To Control Mile-A-Minute Invasive Plant; Weevils Available [PaEN]

-- April 8 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- PA Forestry Association, Ned Smith Center Release 5th Forest Heritage Video - History Of PA's Forest Products Industry [PaEN]

-- PA Forestry Association April Newsletter Now Available

-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation - Public Engagement Coordinator [PaEN]

Forests - Wildfires

-- PennLive: Fort Indiantown Gap Crews Practice Wildfire Training With Helicopters, Water Buckets: ‘It’s Pretty Dangerous Stuff’

Fish & Boat Commission

-- TribLive: Harrison Cub Scouts Help Stock Trout For Fish Commission At Deer Lakes Park In Allegheny County

Game Commission

-- Game Commission: Highlights From April 9 Board Of Commissioners Meeting

-- Game Commission: Rock-Climbing Activities To End On 2 State Game Lands In Fayette County

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: Game Commission Considering Another Option For Removing Dead Deer

Geologic Hazards

-- PennLive: Sinkhole Reported As Rain Causes Flooding In Dauphin County

-- Post-Gazette: Landslide Closes Section Of Route 88 In Washington County

Grants/Funding

-- PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Accepting Applications For Trout In The Classroom Funding [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health WalkWorks Grant Applications Now Being Accepted, Deadline May 13

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Grant Applications For Research On Water, Soil Management, Controlling Invasive Species, Protecting Pollinators, More [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Now Accepting Applications For Groundwater Level Monitoring Grants [PaEN]

-- Indiana Gazette: Indiana Conservation District Wins $131,000 Watershed Grant

-- LebTown.com: $370,000 Growing Greener Grants Support Quittie Creek And Killinger Creek Restoration Efforts In Lebanon County

-- DCNR Announced $65,000 Grant To Assist Mountville Community Park In Lancaster County

-- U.S. DOE Awards Grant For Pittsburgh Hill District Project To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Hill District Gets Federal Money To Develop Renewable Energy Plan Focused On Vacant Lots

Green Infrastructure

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Region’s EPA Leader Seeks ‘Transformational’ Changes To Reduce Agricultural Runoff - By Karl Blankenship

-- PA Environmental Council Blog: Partners Learn, Share, Reconnect At 2022 Watershed Workshops [3 More Coming Up!]

-- PA Capital-Star - Ad Crable: Billions Of Dollars In Federal Aid On The Way To Attack Abandoned Mine Pollution In PA, Elsewhere

-- Get Outside With Penn State Extension In May For Programs On Watersheds, Trees, Stormwater BMPs, Flowering Shrubs, Connecting With Nature And Much More [PaEN]

-- PA American Water Partners With Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Plant Trees For Customers Who Switch To Paperless Billing In April [PaEN]

-- Gettysburg: Adams County Watershed Alliance, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Hands Out Trees Thru April 9

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- WHYY: Nonprofit Restoring Floodplain, Cobbs Creek Golf Course Could Get $3 Million Boost With Philly Funds

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Grant Applications For Research On Water, Soil Management, Controlling Invasive Species, Protecting Pollinators, More [PaEN]

-- Indiana Gazette: Indiana Conservation District Wins $131,000 Watershed Grant

-- LebTown.com: $370,000 Growing Greener Grants Support Quittie Creek And Killinger Creek Restoration Efforts In Lebanon County

-- Rodale Institute Launches New Regional Resource Center At Pocono Organics In Monroe County [PaEN]

-- Civil Eats: A Regenerative Grazing Revolution Is Taking Root In The Mid-Atlantic

-- PA Capital-Star: Proposed Chesapeake Bay Federal Funding Bump Could Be Used To Boost Restoration Efforts In PA

-- 3-Part Webinar Series Highlights Importance Of PA's Outdoor Recreation Industry, Starting April 19 [PaEN]

-- DCNR Highlights Benefits Of Trees In Communities; TreeVitalize, TreePennsylvania, Keystone Tree Fund Can Help [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DCNR Highlights The Many Benefits Of Trees In Communities

-- Warren Times: DCNR Bureau Of Forestry Asks Public’s Help To Prevent Wildfires

-- DCNR Blog: Bring Life To Your Yard With Native Plants - Start With These; Garden Templates; Where To Buy [PaEN]

Hazardous Substances

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: PA, Delaware Move To Limit PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water

-- The Guardian: EPA Definition Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Excludes Most Common Compounds

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Water Cooler Talk On Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances April 13 Webinar [PaEN]

Land Conservation

-- Natural Lands, Robinson Family Take Steps Toward Preserving 208 Acre Crebilly Farm In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Chester County Town Enters $21 Million Deal To Buy Revolutionary-Era Crebilly Farm And Turn It Into A Park

-- Erie Times: Zenchenko Family, Foundation For Sustainable Forests Partner To Permanently Preserve 106 Acres In Erie County Adding It To The Floraroze Forest

-- Dionisio Family, ClearWater Conservancy Partner To Permanently Preserve 22 Acre Farm In Centre County [PaEN]

-- Stewards Of The Water Start On Land, Susquehanna River Basin Commission Volunteers Plant Trees At Horn Farm Center In York County [PaEN]

-- Eastern PA Alliance Of Climbers Hosts April 11 Bats + Climbers Virtual Panel Discussion [PaEN]

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Hosts Van Scott Nature Reserve Open House May 14 In Wayne County [PaEN]

-- Get Outside With Penn State Extension In May For Programs On Watersheds, Trees, Stormwater BMPs, Flowering Shrubs, Connecting With Nature And Much More [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Oakland Plan Aims To Bolster Jobs, Affordable Housing, Green Space, Other Community Needs

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Highlights Upcoming Events, Including June 3 Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Event

-- DCNR Highlights Benefits Of Trees In Communities; TreeVitalize, TreePennsylvania, Keystone Tree Fund Can Help [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DCNR Highlights The Many Benefits Of Trees In Communities

-- Warren Times: DCNR Bureau Of Forestry Asks Public’s Help To Prevent Wildfires

-- DCNR Blog: Bring Life To Your Yard With Native Plants - Start With These; Garden Templates; Where To Buy [PaEN]

-- Help Wanted: Berks Nature - Vice President For Education [PaEN]

Land Recycling

-- Beaver County Times: April 20 EPA Meeting In Beaver Falls On Ohio River Brownfields Project

Land Use Planning

-- Centre Daily Times: State College Road Connector Project Could Cost $800 Million, Improve Safety; Residents Fear What It’d Destroy

-- WPSU: People Living Near Proposed Routes Of PennDOT’s State College Area Connector Project Share Their Strong Opinions

-- TribLive: Oakland Plan Aims To Bolster Jobs, Affordable Housing, Green Space, Other Community Needs

Littering/Illegal Dumping

-- PA Resources Council: Help Celebrate Earth Day By Putting Your 'Lens On Litter' [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council: 5 Large-Scale Public Events Have Committed To 'Zero Waste' In Pittsburgh Region [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: Giant Eagle To Stop Providing Single-Use Plastic Bags At Erie County Markets

-- Post-Gazette: Possible Ban On Plastic Bags In Pittsburgh Up For Council Discussion

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Poised To Adopt Ban On Plastic Grocery Bags

-- PennLive: Volunteers Pick Up Trash Along Harrisburg Streets To ‘Lead By Example’

Mine Reclamation

-- Post-Gazette - Ashley Murray/Laura Legere: Sen. Casey, Bipartisan Lawmakers Look To Federal Infrastructure Law To Pay For O&M For Acid Mine Drainage Treatment

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Control Mine Drainage For Long Term

-- PA Capital-Star - Ad Crable: Billions Of Dollars In Federal Aid On The Way To Attack Abandoned Mine Pollution In PA, Elsewhere

-- University of Pittsburgh, Atlantic Council Host April 12 Webinar On State Of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, PA Perspectives [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: Federal Clean Water Act At 50: PA Still Has Thousands Of Miles Of Polluted Streams, Rivers [Abandoned Mine Drainage, Farm Runoff 2 Biggest Causes Read more here.]

-- WV News: West Virginia’s Largest Solar Farm To Be Built On Former Coal Mine, Power Mixed Use Development

Ohio River

-- Beaver County Times: April 20 EPA Meeting In Beaver Falls On Ohio River Brownfields Project

Oil & Gas

-- Quarterly Report: DEP Issued 77 Notices Of Violations To Conventional Drillers, 8 To Shale Gas Drillers For Attempting To Abandon Wells Without Plugging Them

[“Warning: The average person is likely to be shocked at the number and extent of the violations documented by DEP day in and day out.”]

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020 [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Why PA Natural Gas Might Not Be Poised To Come To Europe’s Rescue

-- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: ‘Drillers Continue To Return Cash To Shareholders… Rather Than Boost Production’ [PaEN]

-- Reuters: U.S. Shale Gas, LNG Firms Meet European Counties Over Supply Crisis

[“We need to build LNG facilities in the Northeast,” Pioneer Natural Resources]

-- Reuters: U.S. Trading Industry Sees Natural Gas Price Spikes, Volatility As An Opportunity

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Philadelphia Gas Works, Liberty Energy Trust No Longer In Talks About LNG Plant In Passyunk: The “Opportunity Has Passed” [Project Was Approved In 2019]

-- Guest Essay - Sen. Yaw: Closing Of Bradford County LNG Project A PA, U.S. Tragedy [Actually, The Company Did Nothing With State Approvals Since 2019. DEP’s Air Permit Was Extended Twice. Real Story Here]

-- AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- actually solve the problem, transition away from fossil fuels]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25 [PaEN]

-- Marcellus Shale Coalition Hosts April 19 Webinar On The Benefits Of MSC Membership. 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

-- Courier Times: PECO Requests 13% Natural Gas Increase For Residential Customers

-- Bloomberg: Biden’s Hydrogen Hub Plan Sparks $8 Billion Race Among U.S. States

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Hydrogen Hubs Are Not Good For Pennsylvania, Better, Proven Climate Solutions Are Available - Ohio River Valley Institute

-- Post-Gazette: Lamb, Kenyatta Split On Fracking, Electability At Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Debate Without Fetterman

-- Reuters: New York Set To Ban Natural Gas In New Buildings - Environmental Groups

-- Bloomberg Green: Money Pouring Into Fossil Fuels Risks Climate Disaster, U.N. Report Warns

-- The Guardian: Methane In Earth’s Atmosphere Rose By Record Amount Last Year, U.S. Data Show

-- Reuters: Alaska Oil Field Natural Gas Leak Estimated At 7.2 Million Cubic Feet