PA Environment Digest

-- Guest Essay: Climate Change Demands Southwestern PA Transition To A New Low-Carbon Energy Reality - By Hilary Mercer, Shell Polymers/Pennsylvania Chemicals Project & Kevin Walker, President/CEO Duquesne Light [PaEN]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: McKinsey Report Outlines Steps Southwest PA, U.S. Can Take To Meet Climate Goals

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Court Battle Over PA RGGI Climate Rule Set To Begin

-- DEP Announces Local Climate Action Training Provided To 121 More Municipalities; Apply Now For Training [PaEN]

-- Muhlenberg College Survey: Emission Reduction Remains Public’s Preferred Approach To Dealing With Climate Change; If We Don’t Act Now It Will Cost More Later [PaEN]

-- WITF Smart Talk: Muhlenberg Poll Finds Most Americans Say They’ve Felt The Effects Of Climate Change. 9:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.

-- Centre Daily Times: How Residents, Businesses, Local Government Embrace Solar Power In Centre County

-- Williamsport Sun: Lycoming County Works Toward Harnessing Solar Energy En Masse

-- WFMZ: Poconos Plan For PA’s Largest Solar Field To See Light Again In June

-- WHYY: For These Young Trainees, Careers In Solar Look Like Philly’s Future

-- PA Awards $2 Million In Clean Energy Workforce Development Grants [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Awards $2 Million In Clean Energy Workforce Development Grants

-- Erie Times: Cargo Ship Delivers Wind Energy Equipment Thru Port Of Erie

-- Existing Technologies Can Help World Meet Agricultural Methane Targets By 2030 [PaEN]

-- The Center Square: PA Programs Help More Affluent Buy Electric, Alternative Fuel Vehicles

-- Utility Dive: States Band Together To Push For Nationwide Fleet Electrification [PA Included]

-- The Guardian: Living Costs In Outer Suburbs Would Be Slashed $5,000 A Year Under Plan To ‘Electrify Everything,’ Analysis Finds

-- The Guardian: Avoid Using Natural Gas As ‘Transition’ Fuel In Move To Clean Energy, Study Urges

-- Reuters: Trudeau: Canada To Be Good Energy Partner With Europe But Won’t Compromise Climate Goals

-- E&E ClimateWire: Why Biden Isn’t Preaching Energy Conservation

-- The Hill Guest Essay: Clean Energy Can Light A New Path Forward For Former Coal Communities - U.S. Secretary of Energy

-- Financial Times: Powering Electric Cars: The Race To Mine Lithium In America’s Backyard

-- AP: Tennessee Valley Authority Weighs Coal Plant Shutdown Options, Climate Impact

-- AP: Earth Given 50-50 Chance Of Hitting Key Warming Mark By 2026

-- Financial Times: Climate Graphic Of The Week: Record Carbon Dioxide Levels Alarm Scientists

-- The Guardian: New U.S. Fracking Boom Could Tip World To Edge Of Climate Disaster

Coal Mining

-- TribLive: PennDOT Filling Underground, Abandoned Coal Mine Void To Repair Route 981 Dip Near Latrobe, Westmoreland County [DEP: Get Mine Subsidence Insurance]

-- The Hill Guest Essay: Clean Energy Can Light A New Path Forward For Former Coal Communities - U.S. Secretary of Energy

Coastal Zone

-- DEP Highlights Impact Of Coastal Zone Grants At Erie Bird Observatory [PaEN]

Compliance Action

-- DEP Took Action On 677 Permits, 94% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,389 Inspections; Responded To 5 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

Conservation Districts

-- Over 700 Students Participate In York County In-Person Envirothon Competition; Statewide Competition May 25 [PaEN]

-- Gettysburg Times: Watershed Alliance Of Adams County, Adams Conservation District Distributed Nearly 10,000 Trees In Adams County

-- Westmoreland Pollinator Partners Host Pollinator Palooza Garden Tours Starting May 21; Bring Your ‘Passports’ & Cameras, Get A Free Native Plant [PaEN]

-- Republican Herald: West Nile Virus Monitoring Starts In Schuylkill County

DCNR

-- May 18 Webinar: Learn More About Funding The Growing Greener Program For The Next Generation [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Whiskey Springs ATV Trail, Clinton County To Close 4 Days A Week To Allow Work On 3 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Transparency Solves Controversy Over DCNR Submerged Land Leases To Natural Gas Companies

-- DCNR, Corrections Forestry Camp Program Prepares Reentrants For Tree Maintenance Careers In Centre County [PaEN]

-- May 13 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: Walking Best Way To Experience Presque Isle State Park

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Long-Distance Rides For ATVs In Pennsylvania

-- Reading Eagle: DCNR Secretary Takes A Hike With Students At Nolde Forest Environmental Center In Berks

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: 2 State Parks Pilot Glamping Project; Lifeguards Needed To Save Pools At 4 Parks

-- Public News Service: PA Communities Gearing Up For Public Pool Season [Lifeguard Shortage]

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Park Pool Will Not Open This Summer Due To Lifeguard Shortage

-- DCNR Awards $320,866 In Wild Resources Conservation Grants; Deadline For Next Grant Round July 8 [PaEN]

-- DCNR Announces $150,000 Grant For Bridge Repairs At Memorial Park In Pottstown, Montgomery County

-- DCNR Announces $398,000 Grant For Expansion Of Schuylkill River Trail In Montgomery County

-- Reading Eagle: Spend This Spring On The Schuylkill River Trail And River

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Camping Boom Draws More Diversity, Millennials, But One Group Has Started To Dwindle

-- Stroudsburg Herald: Get Outdoors Pocono Series Gives Public Exclusive Access To Buck Hill Trails In Monroe County

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Take A Break From Politics, Spend Time In Nature

-- Registration Open! PA Wilds Dinner & Champion Of PA Wilds Awards Program July 28 At Birds Brewing Company, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County.

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: During Tick Awareness Week, A Reminder They ‘Are Not Your Average Pest’

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: How To Protect Dogs, Cats, Horses From Ticks? Watch These Free Webinars

-- DEP Blog: Why Aren’t Ticks Exterminated In Pennsylvania?

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Step Up Fight Against Ticks, Lyme Disease

-- ExploreClarion.com: Cook Forest Conservancy Initiatives Project To Clear Japanese Knotweed

-- Help Wanted: Western PA Conservancy/DCNR - 4 Regional Watershed Forestry Specialists [PaEN]

DEP

-- Allegheny National Forest: Commercial Alternatives For Dust Suppression Makes The Practice Of Road Dumping Conventional Drilling Wastewater ‘Unnecessary’ On Roads [PaEN]

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Issue Alert To Members About Possible Road Dumping Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater In Allegheny National Forest [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: Pennsylvania Oil Lobby Keeps Abandoned Wells Unplugged

-- May 18 Webinar: Learn More About Funding The Growing Greener Program For The Next Generation [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets June 28 Hearing On Response To PFOA/PFOS Contamination Around University Park Airport, Centre County [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Man Released From Hospital After Falling Into Westmoreland County Abandoned Coal Mine Shaft

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Court Battle Over PA RGGI Climate Rule Set To Begin

-- DEP Announces Local Climate Action Training Provided To 121 More Municipalities; Apply Now For Training [PaEN]

-- DEP Reschedules Environmental Quality Board Meetings June Thru October [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Changes To NPDES General Permit PAG-06 - Combined Sewer System Overflow Discharges [PaEN]

-- DEP Highlights Impact Of Coastal Zone Grants At Erie Bird Observatory [PaEN]

-- DEP Opportunity To Bid On Mine Reclamation Project In Fayette County (PA Bulletin, Page 2910)

-- DEP Took Action On 677 Permits, 94% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines; Conducted 1,389 Inspections; Responded To 5 Environmental Emergencies Last Week

-- DEP Posted 68 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In May 14 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Delaware River

-- Delaware Currents: Brandywine-Christina Watershed Faces Population Boom In Chester County

-- Poconos Residents Support More Action To Protect ‘Exceptional Value’ Streams, New Poll Finds [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Poconos Residents Support Action Too Protect ‘Exceptional Value’ Streams

-- PA Resources Council Awarded Foundation For Delaware County Grant For Stream Stewards Student Education Program [PaEN]

-- Delaware RiverKeeper May 13 RiverWatch Video Report

Drinking Water

-- EPA Announces 2022 State Water Revolving Fund Grants Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; PA Share Is $240.1 Million [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets June 28 Hearing On Response To PFOA/PFOS Contamination Around University Park Airport, Centre County [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: Below The Surface, Pittsburgh’s Water System Getting A Massive Makeover

-- North Penn Water Authority, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Hold May 20 Groundbreaking, May 21 Planting Day For Rain Garden Project In Skippack Twp., Montgomery County [PaEN]

-- Inquirer-Andrew Maykuth: PUC Approves Aqua Water, Sewer Rate Increase, How Much, It Won’t Say

Economic Development

-- Sen. Casey, DEP Highlight Importance Of Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding To Address Abandoned Mine Reclamation In Visit To Northumberland County [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Whiskey Springs ATV Trail, Clinton County To Close 4 Days A Week To Allow Work On 3 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects [PaEN]

-- May 18 Webinar: Learn More About Funding The Growing Greener Program For The Next Generation [PaEN]

-- DCNR, Corrections Forestry Camp Program Prepares Reentrants For Tree Maintenance Careers In Centre County [PaEN]

-- PA Awards $2 Million In Clean Energy Workforce Development Grants [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Awards $2 Million In Clean Energy Workforce Development Grants

-- Black Appalachian Coalition, Emerald Cities Collaborative Host May 17 Listening Session On Justice40 & What It Means For Black Communities. 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

-- WFMZ: Poconos Plan For PA’s Largest Solar Field To See Light Again In June

-- Erie Times: Cargo Ship Delivers Wind Energy Equipment Thru Port Of Erie

-- WHYY: For These Young Trainees, Careers In Solar Look Like Philly’s Future

-- PA Business Report: Reading-Based Penske Truck Leasing In Joint Initiative With Shell Recharge Solutions To Provide EV Charging At Penske Locations

-- Upcycling Plastic Waste Into Graphite Could Facilitate Transition To Electric Vehicles, Clean Energy [PaEN]

-- The Guardian: Living Costs In Outer Suburbs Would Be Slashed $5,000 A Year Under Plan To ‘Electrify Everything,’ Analysis Finds

-- MCall - Paul Muschick: America Stinks At Recycling Plastic, Why Don’t We Care?

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Camping Boom Draws More Diversity, Millennials, But One Group Has Started To Dwindle

-- Registration Open! PA Wilds Dinner & Champion Of PA Wilds Awards Program July 28 At Birds Brewing Company, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County.

-- PA Technical Assistance Program: May 19 Webinar: Penn State University Resources For PA Industry. 11:00 to Noon.

-- The Hill Guest Essay: Clean Energy Can Light A New Path Forward For Former Coal Communities - U.S. Secretary of Energy

Education

-- PA Trout Unlimited Has STREAM Girls/STREAM Keeper Program Materials Available [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Take A Break From Politics, Spend Time In Nature

-- Black Appalachian Coalition, Emerald Cities Collaborative Host May 17 Listening Session On Justice40 & What It Means For Black Communities. 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

-- Over 700 Students Participate In York County In-Person Envirothon Competition; Statewide Competition May 25 [PaEN]

-- Reading Eagle: DCNR Secretary Takes A Hike With Students At Nolde Forest Environmental Center In Berks

-- PAEE Professional Development Programs On Tracking Life Cycles In A Warming World, Chronolog Citizen Science Project, Conservation Science Curriculum [PaEN]

-- MCall: Southern Lehigh H.S. Trout In The Classroom Release With Lehigh Conservation District [Photos]

-- Game Commission, DEP, DCNR Held Live Rachel Carson Building Peregrine Falcon Banding Event [PaEN]

-- North Penn Water Authority, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Hold May 20 Groundbreaking, May 21 Planting Day For Rain Garden Project In Skippack Twp., Montgomery County [PaEN]

-- Westmoreland Pollinator Partners Host Pollinator Palooza Garden Tours Starting May 21; Bring Your ‘Passports’ & Cameras, Get A Free Native Plant [PaEN]

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Road To Recovery Concert Fundraiser May 28 For Chainsaw Carver Todd Gladfelter From Schuylkill County [PaEN]

-- Central PA Conservancy: June 12 Spring Garden Gallery - A Celebration Of The Arts 7 Conservation. Letort Spring Garden Preserve, Carlisle. Noon to 3:00 p.m.

-- Wildlife For Everyone Foundation 7th Annual Great Outdoor Picnic June 25. Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, Centre Hall, PA. 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

-- DEP Highlights Impact Of Coastal Zone Grants At Erie Bird Observatory [PaEN]

-- PA Resources Council Awarded Foundation For Delaware County Grant For Stream Stewards Student Education Program [PaEN]

-- Meadville Tribune: Allegheny College Cuts Ribbon On New Watershed Research Center

-- Wildlife For Everyone: Contractor Selected For Soaring Eagle Wetland Educational Trail Accessibility Improvements, Centre County [PaEN]

-- Clean Air Council Hosts May 18 Webinar On Oil & Gas Threat Map By Earthworks. 2:00 p.m. [PaEN]

-- PA Technical Assistance Program: May 19 Webinar: Penn State University Resources For PA Industry. 11:00 to Noon.

-- PA Solar Center May 20 Webinar: Utility Scale Projects In PJM Queue; U.S. Trade Investigation; New Poll Results. Noon to 1:15 p.m. [PaEN]

-- Register Now! Delaware River Sojourn June 17-25

-- Public News Service: PA Communities Gearing Up For Public Pool Season [Lifeguard Shortage]

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: 2 State Parks Pilot Glamping Project; Lifeguards Needed To Save Pools At 4 Parks

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Park Pool Will Not Open This Summer Due To Lifeguard Shortage

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Event Celebrates Opening Of Dallas Twp. Pollinator Garden

-- Erie Times: How Plants Play A Role In Perceptions Of Erie’s Public Spaces

Emergency Response

-- Altoona Mirror: 3 Rescued From Stranded Vehicle On Flooded Road

-- TribLive: PennDOT Filling Underground, Abandoned Coal Mine Void To Repair Route 981 Dip Near Latrobe, Westmoreland County [DEP: Get Mine Subsidence Insurance]

-- Gov. Wolf: Low-Interest Loans Still Available For Businesses Recovering From Hurricane Ida

6th Oil/Natural Gas Spike: True Energy Independence Means Renewables

[Listen To What Europe Says They Need - Not What The U.S. Oil/Gas Industry Wants]

-- PUC Alerts Electric Customers Prices To Compare Going Up June 1 Between 16.1% And 44.6% Due To Rise In Natural Gas Prices [PaEN]

-- Utility Dive: Electricity Prices Jumped 51% In PJM Interconnection; 85% In New England Due To Rising Natural Gas Prices

National/International

-- NYT Guest Essay: Drilling To Solve The Energy Crisis Leaves America Exposed

“Thanks to a remarkable oil and gas boom, the United States has achieved the long-sought goal of energy self-sufficiency: We now produce more oil and refined products, natural gas and coal than we consume.

“Yet look at prices at the pump, and you’ll see why we can’t drill our way to true energy security.”

-- Bloomberg: EU Must Speed Transition To Renewable Energy To Shut Out Russian Natural Gas, 100+ CEOs Say

-- Bloomberg: EU Drafts $205 Billion Plan To Wean Itself Off Russian Fuels, To Propose Ambitious Renewable, Energy-Savings Goals

-- Financial Times: EU Is Preparing To Loosen Its Environmental Regulations To Fast-Track Permitting Renewable, Wind, Solar Projects

-- Yahoo!News: EU Plan To Boost Renewable Energy To Get Off Russian Fossil Fuels Will Help Climate Change Fight, Experts Say

-- Reuters: Solar Rooftops, European Manufacturing To Get Boost Under Draft EU Plan

-- Bloomberg: Renewable Records In Southern Europe Boost Hopes Over Ditching Fossil Fuels

-- Bloomberg: How Germany’s LNG Terminals Will Morph Into Green Hydrogen Hubs

-- Reuters: Analysis: Europe In High-Cost Race To Replenish Natural Gas Stocks

-- Bloomberg: Big Oil, Natural Gas Spends On Investors, Not Output, Prolonging Crude Crunch

-- The Guardian: Largest Oil & Gas Producers Made Close To $100 Billion In First Quarter Of 2022

-- WSJ: Western Economies Are Creaking Under High Oil, Natural Gas Prices With No Relief In Sight