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PA Environment Digest Put Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic.
It gives you an in-depth view of environment and energy issues being reported by media across Pennsylvania.
Are You Telling Your Story? Send articles, comments to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.
[Posted: March 5, 2023] PA Environment Digest
Senate/House ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gov. Shapiro
-- Pennsylvania State Actions On Ohio/PA Train Derailment - Week Of Feb. 27 [PaEN]
-- Feb. 27: Shapiro Davis Administration Opening PA Health Resource Center In Beaver County Tuesday; Healthcare Providers Webinar; Door-To-Door Health Survey [PaEN]
-- Acting Attorney General Henry Opens Complaint Hotline For Reports Related To Ohio/PA Train Derailment [PaEN]
-- March 2: 200 PA Residents Impacted By Norfolk Southern Train Derailment Visit Beaver County Health Resource Center In First Two Days [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Hundreds Of PA Residents Turn To Beaver County Resource Center Near Train Derailment Site For Help
-- TribLive: PA Residents Seek Answers To Train Derailment-Related Questions At Beaver County Clinic
-- Post-Gazette: PA Residents Worried About Ohio/PA Train Derailment Flocking To Beaver County Health Center
-- The Guardian: Residents Of Towns Near Toxic Train Derailment Feel Forgotten: ‘No One Is Coming To Save Us’ [OH/PA Residents Included]
-- TribLive: Carnegie Mellon Air Quality Data Shows Levels Of One Chemical Of ‘Potential Concern’ From Ohio Train Derailment Site
-- WESA: CMU Researchers Find High Levels Of A Hazardous Chemical Acrolein Weeks After Ohio/PA Train Derailment [Acrolein Also Used In Fracking Fluids And To Treat Shale Gas Drilling Impoundments]
-- Inquirer: We Sat Down With Gov. Shapiro To Talk About His First Month, First Budget, Train Derailment, Here Are Our Takeaways
Budget
-- AP: Shapiro Will Pitch First Budget As Governor Tuesday - What To Watch For
-- TribLive: Shapiro Hints At Budget Priorities For Pittsburgh Region In Visit
-- AP: Shapiro To Aim Tax Break At Police Officers, Teachers, Nurses In New Budget
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- PA Environmental, Energy Advocates Call On Shapiro Administration To Maximize Federal Investments Under Inflation Reduction, Bipartisan Infrastructure Laws [PaEN]
-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Resurrecting The Natural Gas Severance Tax Debate
-- Dept. Of Revenue Reports February State Revenues $351.8 Million Above Estimates, $649.3 Million Over For Fiscal Year
-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports February State Revenues $407 Million Above IFO’s Estimates; Up $1.6 Billion For Fiscal Year
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA State Treasurer: PA’s ‘Silver Tsunami’ Could Mean $18 Billion State Budget Shortfall
-- TribLive: Shapiro Hints At Budget Priorities For Pittsburgh Region In Visit
-- Inquirer: We Sat Down With Gov. Shapiro To Talk About His First Month, First Budget, Train Derailment, Here Are Our Takeaways
-- AP: Shapiro To Aim Tax Break At Police Officers, Teachers, Nurses In New Budget
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Lt. Gov. Davis Teases Shapiro’s Spending Priorities [‘Equitable Education’]
-- AP: With State Court Win, PA Schools Want Plan, Down Payment On Public School Funding Reform
Train Derailment
-- Pennsylvania State Actions On Ohio/PA Train Derailment - Week Of Feb. 27 [PaEN]
-- Senate Committee Votes 9-1 To Issue A Subpoena To Compel CEO Of Norfolk Southern To Appear At March 8 Hearing On Train Derailment; 2nd Subpoena Expected Next Week For Documents [PaEN]
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Senate Committee Votes To Subpoena Norfolk Southern CEO To March 8 Hearing
-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA Senate Committee Subpoenaed Norfolk Southern CEO In Ohio/PA Derailment Probe
-- AP: Norfolk Southern CEO To Testify In U.S. Senate March 9 About Ohio/PA Train Derailment
-- The Guardian: Residents Of Towns Near Toxic Train Derailment Feel Forgotten: ‘No One Is Coming To Save Us’ [OH/PA Residents Included]
-- EnergyWire: Is Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Safe?
-- Scranton Times Editorial: Well At Least The Ohio/PA Train Derailment Wasn’t LNG Natural Gas
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA Senate Hearing: Federal Regulators Tie PA’s Hands On Hazmat Train Safety [Senate Transportation Committee hearing video, testimony]
-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA Senate Consider Issuing Subpoena To Norfolk Southern To Compel Testimony
-- NextPittsburgh: Pittsburgh Scientists Answer Questions On Ohio/PA Train Derailment; Experts Agreed That Pittsburghers Are Probably Safe, But Maybe Not Residents In Beaver, Butler Counties
-- WESA: PA Cong. Deluzio Helped Introduce New Bill In Congress To Lower Threshold For Labeling Trains ‘High Hazard’
-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Cong. Deluzio, California’s Khanna Look To Beef Up Regs For Toxic Trains
-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s U.S. Senators Casey, Fetterman Join Bill Aimed At Preventing Future Train Derailments
-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: Norfolk Southern Has Some Image Work To Repair
Environment/Energy Issues
-- Senate Committee Meets March 8 To Consider Bill Allowing General Assembly To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing [PaEN]
-- Senate Committee Meets March 6 On Bill Prohibiting Elected Officials In Local Governments From Moving To Cleaner Energy Sources To Combat Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipelines Can Secure Our Energy And Economic Future - By Republican Sen. Bartolotta [DEP hasn’t denied any pipeline permits in PA, But they are the most heavily penalized for violations of any industry in PA history]
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Latest PJM Interconnection Electricity Capacity Auction Shows Price Decrease, But Mixed Results In PA [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: PJM Launches Fast-Track Capacity Market Reform Process In Face Of Shrinking Generation Reserve Margins
-- Bloomberg: Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Payout As Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels; Long-Term Projects Like Refineries, Natural Gas Power Plants Could Become Stranded Assets
-- Republicans On Senate Committee Report Out Bills On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline [PaEN]
-- Senate Republicans, 4 Democrats Pass Resolution Urging Restart Of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Abandoned By Company [BTW Not In PA] [PaEN]
-- PA Senate Republican Caucus Lays Out Priorities & Principles: Protect PA Jobs (Energy Independence & Affordability), Empower PA Families, Defend PA Freedoms
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 -------------------------------------------------------
-- 48 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]
Check Calendars For Events Near You!
-- Check The Calendars For Events Near You: PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events.
Air
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Senate Committee Meets March 6 On Bill Prohibiting Elected Officials In Local Governments From Moving To Cleaner Energy Sources To Combat Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Republicans On Senate Committee Report Out Bills On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline [PaEN]
-- DEP Awards $1.5 Million To Help Municipalities, Schools, Businesses Switch To Clean Transportation [PaEN]
-- Reuters: Biden Admin Works On ‘Green’ Natural Gas Certification Standards As U.S. Vies For Top LNG Spot
-- Financial Times: Relentless Rise In Carbon Dioxide Emissions Tempered By Renewable Energy Surge, Power-Saving Measures To Decrease Use Of Natural Gas
-- AP: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reached Record High In 2022
-- Bloomberg: Global Carbon Dioxide Emission Hit Record Even As Europe’s Decline
Alternative Fuels
-- DEP Awards $1.5 Million To Help Municipalities, Schools, Businesses Switch To Clean Transportation [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Officials Divided On Investing In Natural Gas Garbage Trucks
Awards & Recognition
-- Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy Celebrating 50th Anniversary With Special Events
-- PA American Water Seeking Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest [PaEN]
-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: One Of The Founders Of Erie Steelhead Fishing Program Left A Legacy Behind
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Spotted Lanternflies Found In More PA Counties, Businesses Traveling Thru These Areas Need Permits
-- Dept. Of Agriculture Now Accepting Applications From Conservation Districts For Spotted Lanternfly Businesses, Residential Quarantine Compliance Program Grants [PaEN]
-- Observer-Reporter: Improve Your Garden And Biodiversity With Native Plants
Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
-- EPA: Over $250 Million Now Available To Fund Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution
Budget
-- TribLive: Shapiro Hints At Budget Priorities For Pittsburgh Region In Visit
-- Inquirer: We Sat Down With Gov. Shapiro To Talk About His First Month, First Budget, Train Derailment, Here Are Our Takeaways
-- AP: Shapiro To Aim Tax Break At Police Officers, Teachers, Nurses In New Budget
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Lt. Gov. Davis Teases Shapiro’s Spending Priorities [‘Equitable Education’]
-- AP: With State Court Win, PA Schools Want Plan, Down Payment On Public School Funding Reform
-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Resurrecting The Natural Gas Severance Tax Debate
-- Dept. Of Revenue Reports February State Revenues $351.8 Million Above Estimates, $649.3 Million Over For Fiscal Year
-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports February State Revenues $407 Million Above IFO’s Estimates; Up $1.6 Billion For Fiscal Year
Chesapeake Bay
-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]
-- PennVEST Inviting Comments On Clean Water Procurement Program Guidelines [PaEN]
-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study [PaEN]
-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation [PaEN]
-- LancasterOnline: How Lancaster County Farms Are Working To Improve Environmental, Economic Health
-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]
-- Williamsport Sun: Protection Of Lycoming Creek Water Quality Topic Of March 1 Meeting By Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited
-- Londonderry Twp/Local Conservation Partners Host 1-Mile Fun Run & Field Day For Clean Water In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County [PaEN]
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Citizen Action
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Senate Committee Meets March 6 On Bill Prohibiting Elected Officials In Local Governments From Moving To Cleaner Energy Sources To Combat Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Reminder: Penn State Extension Hosts 4-Part Educator Training Course: Carbon Incentives For Forest Owners Starting March 8 [PaEN]
-- The Allegheny Front: PA Supreme Court Decision Says Groups That Win Appeals Of Environmental permits Can Recoup Legal Fees From Companies
-- Apply Now From Anywhere In The World! PA Wilds Accepting Applications From Individuals For The Remote Lifestyle Experience Program [PaEN]
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]
-- Lancaster Farming: Stream Monitoring: Tracking The Health Of Chesapeake Bay Tributaries
-- Better Path Coalition, FracTracker Alliance Release Pennsylvania Is Worth Protecting, A Visual Reminder Of The People, Places & Natural Resources Worth Protecting From Environmental Devastation, Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: In PA, Home To Nation’s First Oil Well, Environmental Activists Stage A ‘People’s Filibuster’ At State Capitol
-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 25 to March 3; More Well Plugging Sites Inspected [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 4 [PaEN]
-- Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation: Federal Office Of Surface Mining Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program Changes
-- Williamsport Sun: Protection Of Lycoming Creek Water Quality Topic Of March 1 Meeting By Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited
-- Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Hosting March 11 Conservation Advocacy 101 Workshop In Monroe County [PaEN]
-- York Dispatch: March 27 Meeting Announced To Address Residents’ Concerns Over York County Landfill
-- MCall: Foes Line Up To Oppose Bethlehem Landfill Expansion
-- Williamsport Sun: Locals Encouraged To Take Survey On Proposed Encina Plastics Recycling Plant Along Susquehanna’s North Branch
-- TribLive: So Thrifty: Buying, Selling Second Hand Is Affordable, Sustainable And Fun
-- Observer-Reporter: From Litter To Lounge Decor, Fern Sibert Leads Local Recycling Project In Washington County
-- Scranton Times: Scranton May Establish Environmental Advisory Council
-- Londonderry Twp/Local Conservation Partners Host 1-Mile Fun Run & Field Day For Clean Water In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County [PaEN]
-- March 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available [PaEN]
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
Climate
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Senate Committee Meets March 6 On Bill Prohibiting Elected Officials In Local Governments From Moving To Cleaner Energy Sources To Combat Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Erie Times: Polling Exclusive: Vast Majority Of PA Clueless About RGGI Climate, Energy Initiative; Want To See Expansion Of Solar (62%), Wind (55%), Natural Gas (54%)
-- Scranton Times: Jessup Withdraws Zoning Violations Against Lackawanna Energy Center Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant
-- Solar United Neighbors Helping Lancaster Residents Harvest Sunshine With New Solar Co-Op [PaEN]
--Pottstown Mercury: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Adds Largest Rooftop Solar Energy Array At Convention Venue
-- DEP Awards $1.5 Million To Help Municipalities, Schools, Businesses Switch To Clean Transportation [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Officials Divided On Investing In Natural Gas Garbage Trucks
-- Scranton Times: Greenfield Twp. Zoning Board Denies Solar Energy Facility
-- Republican Herald: Butler Twp., Schuylkill County Approves Solar Ordinance
-- StateImpactPA/The Burg: Climate Change In PA: The Flood-prone Susquehanna River Watershed Poses A Widespread Challenge
-- First Street Foundation Releases New Tool Showing Mid-Atlantic States Will See Wind Gusts In Storms Increase 37 MPH, Wind Damage To Property Increase Over 50% In Next 30 Years [PaEN]
-- Courier Times: Researchers: Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Tornadoes To Increase 87% In Bucks County
-- TribLive: Severe Windstorm Knocks Out Power, Downs Trees, Closes Roads In Fayette, Westmoreland Counties
-- Reminder: Penn State Extension Hosts 4-Part Educator Training Course: Carbon Incentives For Forest Owners Starting March 8 [PaEN]
-- PA Wilds Climate Network Hosts March 28 Climate Workshop In Elk County [PaEN]
-- WESA: Farmers Weigh In On Warm Winter: Great For Greenhouses, Livestock And Pests
-- Penn State Launches Statewide Atmospheric Environmental Monitoring Network
-- EPA Awards Research Grants For Investigating Cumulative Health Impacts Of Climate Change On Underserved Communities, Including In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh [PaEN]
-- EPA: Over $250 Million Now Available To Fund Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution
-- Bloomberg Guest Essay: There’s A Cleaner Way To Heat Your Home, And It’s Not Hydrogen
-- Bloomberg: BP CEO Says More Oil & Gas Investment Good For Climate Fight
-- WSJ: America Is Trying To Electrify, But There Aren’t Enough Electricians
-- Reuters: Biden Admin Works On ‘Green’ Natural Gas Certification Standards As U.S. Vies For Top LNG Spot
-- Financial Times: Relentless Rise In Carbon Dioxide Emissions Tempered By Renewable Energy Surge, Power-Saving Measures To Decrease Use Of Natural Gas
-- AP: Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reached Record High In 2022
-- Bloomberg: Global Carbon Dioxide Emission Hit Record Even As Europe’s Decline
Coal Mining
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
Compliance Action
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipelines Can Secure Our Energy And Economic Future - By Republican Sen. Bartolotta [DEP hasn’t denied any pipeline permits in PA, But they are the most heavily penalized for violations of any industry in PA history]
-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 25 to March 3; More Well Plugging Sites Inspected [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 4 [PaEN]
-- DEP Took Action On 571 Permits, 81% Within Permit Decision Guarantee; Conducted 1,075 Inspections; Responded To 6 Environmental Emergencies Last Week
-- DEP Posts 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 4 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Conservation Districts
-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022
-- Dept. Of Agriculture Now Accepting Applications From Conservation Districts For Spotted Lanternfly Businesses, Residential Quarantine Compliance Program Grants [PaEN]
-- PA Wilds Climate Network Hosts March 28 Climate Workshop In Elk County [PaEN]
-- Pike Conservation District: PennDOT, Winter Weather Management, Salt Watch By Izaak Walton League And You - By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist [PaEN]
Court Decisions
-- The Allegheny Front: PA Supreme Court Decision Says Groups That Win Appeals Of Environmental permits Can Recoup Legal Fees From Companies
DCNR
-- WeConservePA: Federal Fish & Wildlife Funding Used To Expand Existing State Parks In Pennsylvania
-- Centre Daily Times: Centre County Fire Companies Battle Wildfire Along Rt. 144 In Potter Twp.
-- March 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available [PaEN]
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
DEP
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DEP Approves Permits For Transco’s 7-County Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion Project
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipelines Can Secure Our Energy And Economic Future - By Republican Sen. Bartolotta [DEP hasn’t denied any pipeline permits in PA, But they are the most heavily penalized for violations of any industry in PA history]
-- Senate Committee Meets March 8 To Consider Bill Allowing General Assembly To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing [PaEN]
-- DEP Awards $1.5 Million To Help Municipalities, Schools, Businesses Switch To Clean Transportation [PaEN]
-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study [PaEN]
-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation [PaEN]
-- DEP Published Final PA Radon Mitigation Standards Technical Guidance
-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 25 to March 3; More Well Plugging Sites Inspected [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 4 [PaEN]
-- DEP Took Action On 571 Permits, 81% Within Permit Decision Guarantee; Conducted 1,075 Inspections; Responded To 6 Environmental Emergencies Last Week
-- DEP Posts 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 4 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Delaware River
-- Delaware RiverKeeper March 3 RiverWatch Video Report
-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Dinner Set For April 29
Drinking Water
-- Republicans On Senate Committee Report Out Bills On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline [PaEN]
-- York Dispatch: York County Joins Lawsuit Against Manufacturers Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
-- AP: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ About To Get Their First EPA Limits
-- EPA Announces March 14, 23 Listening Sessions On Potential Superfund Enforcement Policy On PFAS Contamination
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
-- PUC Approves Pittsburgh Water Authority Pilot Program To Help Reduce Water Leaks, Boost Conservation
-- PA American Water Seeking Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest [PaEN]
Economic Development
-- Apply Now From Anywhere In The World! PA Wilds Accepting Applications From Individuals For The Remote Lifestyle Experience Program [PaEN]
-- Pittsburgh-Based Landforce Accepting Crew Member Applications Until March 5
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Made In America To Made In Appalachia And PA’s Second-Largest Natural Gas Producing County - By Washington County Chamber of Commerce
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipelines Can Secure Our Energy And Economic Future - By Republican Sen. Bartolotta [DEP hasn’t denied any pipeline permits in PA, But they are the most heavily penalized for violations of any industry in PA history]
-- EPA: Over $250 Million Now Available To Fund Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution
-- WSJ: America Is Trying To Electrify, But There Aren’t Enough Electricians
Education
-- Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy Celebrating 50th Anniversary With Special Events
-- Penn State Students: Apply Now For City Semester In Pittsburgh To Learn About Urban Sustainability [PaEN]
-- Interns Wanted: Western PA Conservancy Has Short, Long Summer Internship Opportunities Available
-- PA Sea Grant: Online Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration Opportunities For Educators (GLLee) Now Available [PaEN]
-- Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Hosting March 11 Conservation Advocacy 101 Workshop In Monroe County [PaEN]
-- Courier Times: Lost And Found: A Treaty Promised Lenape Indians Statehood For Help In American Revolution
-- Apply Now From Anywhere In The World! PA Wilds Accepting Applications From Individuals For The Remote Lifestyle Experience Program [PaEN]
-- Rare Jurassic-Era Insect Found At Arkansas Walmart In 2012 By Director Of Penn State’s Insect Identification Lab
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Better Path Coalition, FracTracker Alliance Release Pennsylvania Is Worth Protecting, A Visual Reminder Of The People, Places & Natural Resources Worth Protecting From Environmental Devastation, Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: In PA, Home To Nation’s First Oil Well, Environmental Activists Stage A ‘People’s Filibuster’ At State Capitol
-- EnergyWire: Is Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Safe?
-- The Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: The Unchecked Threat Of LNG Natural Gas At The Port Of Philadelphia - By Clean Air Council
-- Washington & Jefferson College Hosts March 8 Webinar On Renewable Natural Gas [PaEN]
-- PA Wilds Climate Network Hosts March 28 Climate Workshop In Elk County [PaEN]
-- Reminder: Penn State Extension Hosts 4-Part Educator Training Course: Carbon Incentives For Forest Owners Starting March 8 [PaEN]
-- Senate Republicans, 4 Democrats Pass Resolution Urging Restart Of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Abandoned By Company [BTW Not In PA] [PaEN]
-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study [PaEN]
-- Pike Conservation District: PennDOT, Winter Weather Management, Salt Watch By Izaak Walton League And You - By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist [PaEN]
-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation [PaEN]
-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022
-- PA American Water Seeking Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest [PaEN]
-- Williamsport Sun: Protection Of Lycoming Creek Water Quality Topic Of March 1 Meeting By Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited
-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: One Of The Founders Of Erie Steelhead Fishing Program Left A Legacy Behind
-- Inquirer: Meet The Danville Man Determined To Climb The Tallest Tree In All 67 PA Counties To Draw Attention To Forest Threats
-- Erie Times: Maple Magic: 18 Places To Try Pure Maple Syrup Around Erie
-- Republican Herald: Penn State Schuylkill Closer To Achieving Arboretum Certification
-- Western PA Conservancy/Grow Pittsburgh Providing Material Technical Support To Community Vegetable Gardens In Pittsburgh
-- Brodhead Watershed Assn. Protecting Clean Water Together - Good Weeds + Less Mowing = Happier Gardening
-- Observer-Reporter: Improve Your Garden And Biodiversity With Native Plants
-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Dinner Set For April 29
-- Penn State Extension: Latest Home Garden News
-- Penn State Launches Statewide Atmospheric Environmental Monitoring Network
-- Post-Gazette - John Hayes: Irvin Works Bald Eagle Pair Lay An Egg In Pittsburgh
-- Brodhead Watershed Assn. Nature At Risk - Practicing ‘Eagle-Eyed Etiquette’
-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Highlights In-Person, Virtual Events Coming Up In March
-- The Guardian: Audubon Society Chapters, Bird Union Drop Audubon Name To Distance From Namesake’s Racist Past
-- Erie Times: Turtles, Herons, Dragonflies: A Walk Along Presque Isle’s Lagoons
-- Pocono Heritage Land Trust: Vernal Pools Hike March 25 In Monroe County [More Information On Vernal Pools ]
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Game Commission Biologist Optimistic About Reintroducing American Martens In PA
-- Williamsport Sun - Bill Bowers: Reflections In Nature - Cold Weather Has Not Affected Wildlife
Ohio/PA Train Derailment
-- Pennsylvania State Actions On Ohio/PA Train Derailment - Week Of Feb. 27 [PaEN]
-- Feb. 27: Shapiro Davis Administration Opening PA Health Resource Center In Beaver County Tuesday; Healthcare Providers Webinar; Door-To-Door Health Survey [PaEN]
-- March 2: 200 PA Residents Impacted By Norfolk Southern Train Derailment Visit Beaver County Health Resource Center In First Two Days [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Hundreds Of PA Residents Turn To Beaver County Resource Center Near Train Derailment Site For Help
-- TribLive: PA Residents Seek Answers To Train Derailment-Related Questions At Beaver County Clinic
-- Post-Gazette: PA Residents Worried About Ohio/PA Train Derailment Flocking To Beaver County Health Center
-- The Guardian: Residents Of Towns Near Toxic Train Derailment Feel Forgotten: ‘No One Is Coming To Save Us’ [OH/PA Residents Included]
-- Acting Attorney General Henry Opens Complaint Hotline For Reports Related To Ohio/PA Train Derailment [PaEN]
-- Inquirer: We Sat Down With Gov. Shapiro To Talk About His First Month, First Budget, Train Derailment, Here Are Our Takeaways
-- PennLive: DEP To Spend Week Testing Well Water Samples Collected Within Mile Of Train Derailment
-- PennLive: Are You Drinking Bottled Water Sourced Near Ohio/PA Train Derailment? How To Tell [No Reason To Freak Out If You’ve Been Drinking It]
-- NextPittsburgh: Pittsburgh Scientists Answer Questions On Ohio/PA Train Derailment; Experts Agreed That Pittsburghers Are Probably Safe, But Maybe Not Residents In Beaver, Butler Counties
-- TribLive: Carnegie Mellon Air Quality Data Shows Levels Of One Chemical Of ‘Potential Concern’ From Ohio Train Derailment Site
-- WESA: CMU Researchers Find High Levels Of A Hazardous Chemical Acrolein Weeks After Ohio/PA Train Derailment [Acrolein Also Used In Fracking Fluids And To Treat Shale Gas Drilling Impoundments]
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Members Of Congress Urge Biden To Permanently Ban Rail Shipments Of LNG Natural Gas Warning Of Risk Of Explosion, Catastrophe
-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: Norfolk Southern Has Some Image Work To Repair
Resources
-- Beaver Times: Beaver Countians Near Ohio/PA Train Derailment Rush To Confirm Safe Water
-- Beaver Times: Resources Listed For Beaver Countians Near Ohio/PA Train Derailment
Senate Hearing
-- Senate Committee Votes 9-1 To Issue A Subpoena To Compel CEO Of Norfolk Southern To Appear At March 8 Hearing On Train Derailment; 2nd Subpoena Expected Next Week For Documents [PaEN]
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Senate Committee Votes To Subpoena Norfolk Southern CEO To March 8 Hearing
-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA Senate Committee Subpoenaed Norfolk Southern CEO In Ohio/PA Derailment Probe
-- AP: Norfolk Southern CEO To Testify In U.S. Senate March 9 About Ohio/PA Train Derailment
-- WESA: Railroad Group Defends Industry Safety Practices As PA Opens Health Center In Beaver County Near Ohio/PA Train Derailment
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA Senate Hearing: Federal Regulators Tie PA’s Hands On Hazmat Train Safety [Senate Transportation Committee hearing video, testimony]
-- PennLive: PA Senate Panel Learns There’s Little State Can Do To Implement Own Railway Rules
-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: PA Senate Consider Issuing Subpoena To Norfolk Southern To Compel Testimony
-- The Guardian: Residents Of Towns Near Toxic Train Derailment Feel Forgotten: ‘No One Is Coming To Save Us’ [OH/PA Residents Included]
Other NewsClips
-- EnergyWire: Is Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Safe?
-- Scranton Times Editorial: Well At Least The Ohio/PA Train Derailment Wasn’t LNG Natural Gas
-- WESA: PA Cong. Deluzio Helped Introduce New Bill In Congress To Lower Threshold For Labeling Trains ‘High Hazard’
-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Cong. Deluzio, California’s Khanna Look To Beef Up Regs For Toxic Trains
-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s U.S. Senators Casey, Fetterman Join Bill Aimed At Preventing Future Train Derailments
-- AP: Ohio U.S. Senators Introduce Rail Safety Bill After Fiery Crash
-- Post-Gazette: East Palestine, Ohio Provided The Life This PA Family Always Wanted, Now They Fear It’s Gone Forever Because Of The Train Derailment
-- Grist: In A Growing Petrochemical Hub, The Ohio/PA Train Derailment Triggers ‘An Uneasy Feeling’; Upper Ohio River Valley Has Been Layered In Industrial Pollution For Centuries, And Residents Are Fed Up
-- The Allegheny Front: Could Dioxins Be In The Soil After Ohio/PA Train Derailment? Experts Weigh In
-- AP: EPA Orders Norfolk Southern To Testing For Dioxins From Train Derailment
-- Scranton Times: Locals Not Worried About Train Derailment; NE PA Emergency Responders Say They Are Prepared
-- NBCNews: Residents Near Ohio Train Derailment Site Diagnosed With Ailments Associated With Chemical Exposure, Including Bronchitis
-- TribLive/AP: Angry Ohio Residents Confront Railroad Over Health Fears
-- UnionProgress.com: Ohio Residents Plead: ‘By The Grace Of God, Please Get Our People Out Of Here’
-- WESA: East Palestine, Ohio Real Estate Market Rattled By Train Derailment, As Residents Weigh How To Respond
-- AP: Contaminated Waste Shipments From Ohio/PA Train Derailment Site Resume
-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: EPA Asks For Quicker Disposal Of Hazardous Waste From Ohio/PA Train Derailment, While Some Voice Concerns
-- WPost: Ohio/PA Train Derailment Waste Grows As EPA Struggles To Find Disposal Sites
-- The Guardian: Plan To Incinerate Soil From Ohio Train Derailment Is ‘Horrifying,’ Says Expert
-- AP/TribLive: EPA Opens Office Near Site Of Ohio Toxic Train Derailment
-- Post-Gazette: 20 Cars Of Another Norfolk Southern Cargo Train Derail In Springfield, OH
-- TribLive/AP: NTSB: Key Tank Car Part Melted After Ohio/PA Train Derailment
-- AP/TribLive: Federal Railroad Administration Urges Railroads To Reexamine Track Detectors After Ohio/PA Trail Derailment
-- USA Today: Experts Say Trains Are Becoming Less Safe: ‘Disasters Like East Palestine Will Be More And More Prevalent’
-- PA Capital-Star: Federal Railroad Administration: Over Last 10 Years, Norfolk Southern Had 163 Train Derailments, 2.9 Hazardous Material Releases Per Year
Emergency Response
-- Pennsylvania State Actions On Ohio/PA Train Derailment - Week Of Feb. 27 [PaEN]
-- Scranton Times: Locals Not Worried About Train Derailment; NE PA Emergency Responders Say They Are Prepared
-- The Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: The Unchecked Threat Of LNG Natural Gas At The Port Of Philadelphia - By Clean Air Council
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Members Of Congress Urge Biden To Permanently Ban Rail Shipments Of LNG Natural Gas Warning Of Risk Of Explosion, Catastrophe
-- EnergyWire: Is Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Safe?
-- Scranton Times Editorial: Well At Least The Ohio/PA Train Derailment Wasn’t LNG Natural Gas
-- StateImpactPA/The Burg: Climate Change In PA: The Flood-prone Susquehanna River Watershed Poses A Widespread Challenge
-- First Street Foundation Releases New Tool Showing Mid-Atlantic States Will See Wind Gusts In Storms Increase 37 MPH, Wind Damage To Property Increase Over 50% In Next 30 Years [PaEN]
-- Courier Times: Researchers: Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Tornadoes To Increase 87% In Bucks County
-- TribLive: Severe Windstorm Knocks Out Power, Downs Trees, Closes Roads In Fayette, Westmoreland Counties
6th Oil/Natural Gas Price Spike: True Energy Independence Means Renewables
[There Is No Limit To What Oil/Natural Gas Industry Can Make You Pay]
-- TribLive: Gasoline Prices Resume Fall On Worrisome Inflation Figures, Analyst Says
-- Scranton Times: UGI Natural Gas Adds New ‘Weather Normalization Adjustment’ Distribution Charge To Bills
-- PUC To Investigation Proposed 8.9% UGI Electric Rate Increase
-- Inquirer: Philly Natural Gas Customers To See Lower Cost For Gas Starting Wednesday, But PGW Asked For Base Rate Increase
-- Inquirer: As Utility Costs Rise, Small Business Owners Must Get Creative: Electricity Costs Up 75% Since Jan. 2021 [Primarily Due To Natural Gas Prices Spikes]
-- Reading Eagle: PECO Program Assists Small Business Customers With Past Due Natural Gas Bills
-- Altoona Mirror: Penelec Customers To See Slight Drop In Electricity Costs [After Natural Gas Price Spikes Ease]
-- Williamsport Sun: PPL Electric Encourages Customers To Shop For Competing Electricity Suppliers
-- Citizens Voice: PUC: Electric, Natural Gas Customers Can Often Save Money With Competitive Suppliers
-- MCall: A Winter Surprise: UGI Cutting Natural Gas Prices 8%, First Time Since December 2020 [After Natural Gas Price Spikes Due To International Markets]
-- Utility Dive: In A Mild Winter, High Natural Gas Prices Plunge, But The Cost Of Electricity That Include The Cost Of Gas Could Fall More Slowly
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Latest PJM Interconnection Electricity Capacity Auction Shows Price Decrease, But Mixed Results In PA [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: PJM Launches Fast-Track Capacity Market Reform Process In Face Of Shrinking Generation Reserve Margins
-- The Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: The Unchecked Threat Of LNG Natural Gas At The Port Of Philadelphia - By Clean Air Council
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Members Of Congress Urge Biden To Permanently Ban Rail Shipments Of LNG Natural Gas Warning Of Risk Of Explosion, Catastrophe
-- EnergyWire: Is Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Safe?
-- Reuters: U.S. LNG Natural Gas Exports Flat Despite Partial Restart Of Freeport, TX LNG Plant
-- WSJ: U.S. LNG Exports: How Natural Gas From Texas Becomes Cooking Fuel In France
-- Scranton Times Editorial: Well At Least The Ohio/PA Train Derailment Wasn’t LNG Natural Gas
-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drill Rigs Same As Last Week - 25
-- WSJ: U.S. Oil & Gas Producers Raked In Profits Last Year, Funneled Most Of Their Cash To Shareholders, Have Low Reinvestment Rates; Now Outlook For 2023 Looks Murky
-- Reuters: Equitrans Mountain Valley Natural Gas Pipeline Gets Key Approval To Restart Construction
-- Bloomberg: Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Payout As Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels; Long-Term Projects Like Refineries, Natural Gas Power Plants Could Become Stranded Assets
National/International
-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Prices Recede Following Record Demand Cut, Natural Gas Use Saw Its Steepest Drop In Recorded History
-- Bloomberg: Natural Gas Crisis Is Far From Over For Europe, Inc.; Energy Costs Well Above Historical Norms Threaten To Plague The Region’s Industry For Years
-- Fox News: U.S. Dept. Of The Interior Reports 6,700 Unused Permits To Drill For Oil & Gas On Public Lands
-- Reuters: U.S. Crude Oil Output Fell In December To Lowest Since August 2022, EIA
-- Financial Times: Relentless Rise In Carbon Dioxide Emissions Tempered By Renewable Energy Surge, Power-Saving Measures To Decrease Use Of Natural Gas
-- Bloomberg Opinion: The Year That Redrew The Energy Map - A Global Transformation That Will Surpass The 1970s Oil Shocks, And It Isn’t Over Yet
Energy
-- Senate Committee Meets March 6 On Bill Prohibiting Elected Officials In Local Governments From Moving To Cleaner Energy Sources To Combat Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Solar United Neighbors Helping Lancaster Residents Harvest Sunshine With New Solar Co-Op [PaEN]
--Pottstown Mercury: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Adds Largest Rooftop Solar Energy Array At Convention Venue
-- Scranton Times: Greenfield Twp. Zoning Board Denies Solar Energy Facility
-- Republican Herald: Butler Twp., Schuylkill County Approves Solar Ordinance
-- Latest PJM Interconnection Electricity Capacity Auction Shows Price Decrease, But Mixed Results In PA [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: PJM Launches Fast-Track Capacity Market Reform Process In Face Of Shrinking Generation Reserve Margins
-- Erie Times: Polling Exclusive: Vast Majority Of PA Clueless About RGGI Climate, Energy Initiative; Want To See Expansion Of Solar (62%), Wind (55%), Natural Gas (54%)
-- Scranton Times: Jessup Withdraws Zoning Violations Against Lackawanna Energy Center Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant
-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports 4th Quarter 2022 Natural Gas Production Decreased 1.6%; Average Price Increased By 82.5% Compared To Last Year [PaEN]
-- Scranton Times: UGI Natural Gas Adds New ‘Weather Normalization Adjustment’ Distribution Charge To Bills
-- PUC To Investigation Proposed 8.9% UGI Electric Rate Increase
-- Inquirer: Philly Natural Gas Customers To See Lower Cost For Gas Starting Wednesday, But PGW Asked For Base Rate Increase
-- Inquirer: As Utility Costs Rise, Small Business Owners Must Get Creative: Electricity Costs Up 75% Since Jan. 2021 [Primarily Due To Natural Gas Prices Spikes]
-- Williamsport Sun: PPL Electric Encourages Customers To Shop For Competing Electricity Suppliers
-- Citizens Voice: PUC: Electric, Natural Gas Customers Can Often Save Money With Competitive Suppliers
-- Reading Eagle: PECO Program Assists Small Business Customers With Past Due Natural Gas Bills
-- Utility Dive: In A Mild Winter, High Natural Gas Prices Plunge, But The Cost Of Electricity That Include The Cost Of Gas Could Fall More Slowly
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipelines Can Secure Our Energy And Economic Future - By Republican Sen. Bartolotta [DEP hasn’t denied any pipeline permits in PA, But they are the most heavily penalized for violations of any industry in PA history]
-- Inquirer: Pumped Water Storage Hydropower Plant Proposed Using Susquehanna River Water In York County
-- York Daily Record: New Version Of Controversial Cuffs Run Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant Proposed Along Susquehanna River
-- LancasterOnline: York Energy Aims To Build Pump-Hydro Electric Generation Dam On 1,000 Acres In York County
-- Washington & Jefferson College Hosts March 8 Webinar On Renewable Natural Gas [PaEN]
-- Bloomberg Guest Essay: There’s A Cleaner Way To Heat Your Home, And It’s Not Hydrogen
-- Bloomberg: Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Payout As Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels; Long-Term Projects Like Refineries, Natural Gas Power Plants Could Become Stranded Assets
-- Bloomberg: Kansas Attorney Says Natural Gas Market Manipulation In 2021 Winter Storm Drove Energy Prices To Record Highs
-- WSJ: U.S. Oil & Gas Producers Raked In Profits Last Year, Funneled Most Of Their Cash To Shareholders, Have Low Reinvestment Rates; Now Outlook For 2023 Looks Murky
-- Bloomberg Opinion: The Year That Redrew The Energy Map - A Global Transformation That Will Surpass The 1970s Oil Shocks, And It Isn’t Over Yet
Environmental Health
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- Republicans On Senate Committee Report Out Bills On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline [PaEN]
-- York Dispatch: York County Joins Lawsuit Against Manufacturers Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
-- AP: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ About To Get Their First EPA Limits
-- EPA Announces March 14, 23 Listening Sessions On Potential Superfund Enforcement Policy On PFAS Contamination
Environmental Heritage
-- Courier Times: Lost And Found: A Treaty Promised Lenape Indians Statehood For Help In American Revolution
Environmental Justice
-- EPA Awards Research Grants For Investigating Cumulative Health Impacts Of Climate Change On Underserved Communities, Including In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh [PaEN]
-- The Guardian: Audubon Society Chapters, Bird Union Drop Audubon Name To Distance From Namesake’s Racist Past
EPA
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
-- EPA Awards Research Grants For Investigating Cumulative Health Impacts Of Climate Change On Underserved Communities, Including In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh [PaEN]
-- AP: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ About To Get Their First EPA Limits
-- EPA Announces March 14, 23 Listening Sessions On Potential Superfund Enforcement Policy On PFAS Contamination
-- EPA: Over $250 Million Now Available To Fund Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution
Farming
-- WESA: Farmers Weigh In On Warm Winter: Great For Greenhouses, Livestock And Pests
-- Dept. Of Agriculture Now Accepting Applications From Conservation Districts For Spotted Lanternfly Businesses, Residential Quarantine Compliance Program Grants [PaEN]
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Spotted Lanternflies Found In More PA Counties, Businesses Traveling Thru These Areas Need Permits
-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]
-- LancasterOnline: How Lancaster County Farms Are Working To Improve Environmental, Economic Health
-- The GIANT Company, Keep PA Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Healing The Planet Grant Program; Customers Can Help Too [PaEN]
-- Lancaster Farming: Stream Monitoring: Tracking The Health Of Chesapeake Bay Tributaries
-- Western PA Conservancy/Grow Pittsburgh Providing Material Technical Support To Community Vegetable Gardens In Pittsburgh
-- Observer-Reporter: Improve Your Garden And Biodiversity With Native Plants
-- Penn State Extension: Latest Home Garden News
Fish & Boat Commission
-- Fish & Boat Commission Board Gives Preliminary Approval To Fee Adjustments
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Fish Commission Gives Preliminary Approval To Fishing License Increases For 2nd Year In A Row
Flooding
-- StateImpactPA/The Burg: Climate Change In PA: The Flood-prone Susquehanna River Watershed Poses A Widespread Challenge
-- First Street Foundation Releases New Tool Showing Mid-Atlantic States Will See Wind Gusts In Storms Increase 37 MPH, Wind Damage To Property Increase Over 50% In Next 30 Years [PaEN]
-- Courier Times: Researchers: Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Tornadoes To Increase 87% In Bucks County
-- TribLive: Severe Windstorm Knocks Out Power, Downs Trees, Closes Roads In Fayette, Westmoreland Counties
Forests
-- Centre Daily Times: Centre County Fire Companies Battle Wildfire Along Rt. 144 In Potter Twp.
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Spotted Lanternflies Found In More PA Counties, Businesses Traveling Thru These Areas Need Permits
-- PA Wilds Climate Network Hosts March 28 Climate Workshop In Elk County [PaEN]
-- Reminder: Penn State Extension Hosts 4-Part Educator Training Course: Carbon Incentives For Forest Owners Starting March 8 [PaEN]
-- Inquirer: Meet The Danville Man Determined To Climb The Tallest Tree In All 67 PA Counties To Draw Attention To Forest Threats
-- Erie Times: Maple Magic: 18 Places To Try Pure Maple Syrup Around Erie
-- March 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available [PaEN]
Game Commission
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Game Commission Biologist Optimistic About Reintroducing American Martens In PA
-- TribLive: $6 Million Wetlands Initiative Will Improve Habitats On 61 State Game Land Sites
Grants/Funding
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]
-- Dept. Of Agriculture Now Accepting Applications From Conservation Districts For Spotted Lanternfly Businesses, Residential Quarantine Compliance Program Grants [PaEN]
-- The GIANT Company, Keep PA Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Healing The Planet Grant Program; Customers Can Help Too [PaEN]
-- DEP Awards $1.5 Million To Help Municipalities, Schools, Businesses Switch To Clean Transportation [PaEN]
-- EPA Awards Research Grants For Investigating Cumulative Health Impacts Of Climate Change On Underserved Communities, Including In Philadelphia, Pittsburgh [PaEN]
-- EPA: Over $250 Million Now Available To Fund Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution
-- Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation: Federal Office Of Surface Mining Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program Changes
-- TribLive: $6 Million Wetlands Initiative Will Improve Habitats On 61 State Game Land Sites
-- Western PA Conservancy/Grow Pittsburgh Providing Material Technical Support To Community Vegetable Gardens In Pittsburgh
Green Infrastructure
-- Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy Celebrating 50th Anniversary With Special Events
-- Apply Now From Anywhere In The World! PA Wilds Accepting Applications From Individuals For The Remote Lifestyle Experience Program [PaEN]
-- WeConservePA: Federal Fish & Wildlife Funding Used To Expand Existing State Parks In Pennsylvania
-- LancasterOnline: How Lancaster County Farms Are Working To Improve Environmental, Economic Health
-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]
-- PennVEST Inviting Comments On Clean Water Procurement Program Guidelines [PaEN]
-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study [PaEN]
-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation [PaEN]
-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]
-- Williamsport Sun: Protection Of Lycoming Creek Water Quality Topic Of March 1 Meeting By Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited
-- Pittsburgh-Based Landforce Accepting Crew Member Applications Until March 5
-- Inquirer: Meet The Danville Man Determined To Climb The Tallest Tree In All 67 PA Counties To Draw Attention To Forest Threats
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
Hazardous Substances
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- Republicans On Senate Committee Report Out Bills On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline [PaEN]
-- York Dispatch: York County Joins Lawsuit Against Manufacturers Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
-- AP: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ About To Get Their First EPA Limits
-- EPA Announces March 14, 23 Listening Sessions On Potential Superfund Enforcement Policy On PFAS Contamination
Hazardous Sites Cleanup
-- EPA Announces March 14, 23 Listening Sessions On Potential Superfund Enforcement Policy On PFAS Contamination
Help Wanted
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
Land Conservation
-- Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy Celebrating 50th Anniversary With Special Events
-- WeConservePA: Federal Fish & Wildlife Funding Used To Expand Existing State Parks In Pennsylvania
-- TribLive: $6 Million Wetlands Initiative Will Improve Habitats On 61 State Game Land Sites
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]
-- Pittsburgh-Based Landforce Accepting Crew Member Applications Until March 5
-- Pocono Heritage Land Trust: Vernal Pools Hike March 25 In Monroe County [More Information On Vernal Pools ]
-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Dinner Set For April 29
-- Republican Herald: Penn State Schuylkill Closer To Achieving Arboretum Certification
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
Lake Erie
-- PA Sea Grant: Online Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration Opportunities For Educators (GLLee) Now Available [PaEN]
Littering/Illegal Dumping
-- PA Resources Council: State Of Glass Recycling In Southwestern PA - An Open Letter To Our Local Governments, Communities - By PA Resources Council, Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling, CAP Glass, Inc. [PaEN]
-- Observer-Reporter: From Litter To Lounge Decor, Fern Sibert Leads Local Recycling Project In Washington County
-- TribLive Editorial: PennDOT Roadside Sign Cleanup Shows Slow Response Time
Mine Reclamation
-- Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation: Federal Office Of Surface Mining Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program Changes
Oil & Gas
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Bay Journal: PA Conventional Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned, Left Unplugged - By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal [PaEN]
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA’s Program To Plug Abandoned Conventional Wells Lacks Public Oversight
-- Republican Herald Editorial: Hold Owners Of Natural Gas Wells Accountable For Abandoned Wells
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: It’s Time To Hear Bold Leadership On Oil & Gas In Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks, Member Shapiro Transition Team [PaEN]
-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 25 to March 3; More Well Plugging Sites Inspected [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 4 [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Latest PJM Interconnection Electricity Capacity Auction Shows Price Decrease, But Mixed Results In PA [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports 4th Quarter 2022 Natural Gas Production Decreased 1.6%; Average Price Increased By 82.5% Compared To Last Year [PaEN]
-- Altoona Mirror: Penelec Customers To See Slight Drop In Electricity Costs [After Natural Gas Price Spikes Ease]
-- Inquirer: Philly Natural Gas Customers To See Lower Cost For Gas Starting Wednesday, But PGW Asked For Base Rate Increase
-- Inquirer: As Utility Costs Rise, Small Business Owners Must Get Creative: Electricity Costs Up 75% Since Jan. 2021 [Primarily Due To Natural Gas Prices Spikes]
-- Reading Eagle: PECO Program Assists Small Business Customers With Past Due Natural Gas Bills
-- Scranton Times: UGI Natural Gas Adds New ‘Weather Normalization Adjustment’ Distribution Charge To Bills
-- PUC To Investigation Proposed 8.9% UGI Electric Rate Increase
-- MCall: A Winter Surprise: UGI Cutting Natural Gas Prices 8%, First Time Since December 2020 [After Natural Gas Price Spikes Due To International Markets]
-- Utility Dive: In A Mild Winter, High Natural Gas Prices Plunge, But The Cost Of Electricity That Include The Cost Of Gas Could Fall More Slowly
-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Resurrecting The Natural Gas Severance Tax Debate
-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Officials Divided On Investing In Natural Gas Garbage Trucks
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Made In America To Made In Appalachia And PA’s Second-Largest Natural Gas Producing County - By Washington County Chamber of Commerce
-- TribLive: Gasoline Prices Resume Fall On Worrisome Inflation Figures, Analyst Says
-- The Philadelphia Citizen Guest Essay: The Unchecked Threat Of LNG Natural Gas At The Port Of Philadelphia - By Clean Air Council
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Members Of Congress Urge Biden To Permanently Ban Rail Shipments Of LNG Natural Gas Warning Of Risk Of Explosion, Catastrophe
-- EnergyWire: Is Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Safe?
-- Scranton Times Editorial: Well At Least The Ohio/PA Train Derailment Wasn’t LNG Natural Gas
-- Washington & Jefferson College Hosts March 8 Webinar On Renewable Natural Gas [PaEN]
-- Bloomberg Guest Essay: There’s A Cleaner Way To Heat Your Home, And It’s Not Hydrogen
-- Bloomberg: Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Payout As Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels; Long-Term Projects Like Refineries, Natural Gas Power Plants Could Become Stranded Assets
-- Bloomberg: Kansas Attorney Says Natural Gas Market Manipulation In 2021 Winter Storm Drove Energy Prices To Record Highs
-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Prices Recede Following Record Demand Cut, Natural Gas Use Saw Its Steepest Drop In Recorded History
-- Bloomberg: Natural Gas Crisis Is Far From Over For Europe, Inc.; Energy Costs Well Above Historical Norms Threaten To Plague The Region’s Industry For Years
-- WSJ: U.S. Oil & Gas Producers Raked In Profits Last Year, Funneled Most Of Their Cash To Shareholders, Have Low Reinvestment Rates; Now Outlook For 2023 Looks Murky
-- Reuters: U.S. LNG Natural Gas Exports Flat Despite Partial Restart Of Freeport, TX LNG Plant
-- WSJ: U.S. LNG Exports: How Natural Gas From Texas Becomes Cooking Fuel In France
-- Fox News: U.S. Dept. Of The Interior Reports 6,700 Unused Permits To Drill For Oil & Gas On Public Lands
-- Reuters: U.S. Crude Oil Output Fell In December To Lowest Since August 2022, EIA
-- Bloomberg Opinion: The Year That Redrew The Energy Map - A Global Transformation That Will Surpass The 1970s Oil Shocks, And It Isn’t Over Yet
-- Bloomberg: BP CEO Says More Oil & Gas Investment Good For Climate Fight
-- Reuters: Biden Admin Works On ‘Green’ Natural Gas Certification Standards As U.S. Vies For Top LNG Spot
Pipelines
-- Republicans On Senate Committee Report Out Bills On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline [PaEN]
-- Senate Republicans, 4 Democrats Pass Resolution Urging Restart Of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Abandoned By Company [BTW Not In PA] [PaEN]
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipelines Can Secure Our Energy And Economic Future - By Republican Sen. Bartolotta [DEP hasn’t denied any pipeline permits in PA, But they are the most heavily penalized for violations of any industry in PA history]
-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DEP Approves Permits For Transco’s 7-County Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion Project
-- Reuters: Equitrans Mountain Valley Natural Gas Pipeline Gets Key Approval To Restart Construction
-- Better Path Coalition, FracTracker Alliance Release Pennsylvania Is Worth Protecting, A Visual Reminder Of The People, Places & Natural Resources Worth Protecting From Environmental Devastation, Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: In PA, Home To Nation’s First Oil Well, Environmental Activists Stage A ‘People’s Filibuster’ At State Capitol
PennVEST
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
Permitting
-- Wilkes-Barre Times: DEP Approves Permits For Transco’s 7-County Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion Project
-- Senate Committee Meets March 8 To Consider Bill Allowing General Assembly To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing [PaEN]
-- DEP Took Action On 571 Permits, 81% Within Permit Decision Guarantee; Conducted 1,075 Inspections; Responded To 6 Environmental Emergencies Last Week
Public Participation
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 4 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posts 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 4 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
-- PUC Reminds Consumers Of Deadline To Register For March 9 Hearing On Philadelphia Natural Gas Works Weather Normalization Bill Adjustment
-- PUC To Seek Comments On Proposed Settlement With Great American Power On Sales, Marketing, Billing Practices
-- EPA Announces March 14, 23 Listening Sessions On Potential Superfund Enforcement Policy On PFAS Contamination
PUC
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Latest PJM Interconnection Electricity Capacity Auction Shows Price Decrease, But Mixed Results In PA [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: PJM Launches Fast-Track Capacity Market Reform Process In Face Of Shrinking Generation Reserve Margins
-- Scranton Times: UGI Natural Gas Adds New ‘Weather Normalization Adjustment’ Distribution Charge To Bills
-- PUC To Investigation Proposed 8.9% UGI Electric Rate Increase
-- MCall: A Winter Surprise: UGI Cutting Natural Gas Prices 8%, First Time Since December 2020 [After Natural Gas Price Spikes Due To International Markets]
-- Altoona Mirror: Penelec Customers To See Slight Drop In Electricity Costs [After Natural Gas Price Spikes Ease]
-- Inquirer: Philly Natural Gas Customers To See Lower Cost For Gas Starting Wednesday, But PGW Asked For Base Rate Increase
-- Inquirer: As Utility Costs Rise, Small Business Owners Must Get Creative: Electricity Costs Up 75% Since Jan. 2021 [Primarily Due To Natural Gas Prices Spikes]
-- Citizens Voice: PUC: Electric, Natural Gas Customers Can Often Save Money With Competitive Suppliers
-- Williamsport Sun: PPL Electric Encourages Customers To Shop For Competing Electricity Suppliers
-- Reading Eagle: PECO Program Assists Small Business Customers With Past Due Natural Gas Bills
-- Utility Dive: In A Mild Winter, High Natural Gas Prices Plunge, But The Cost Of Electricity That Include The Cost Of Gas Could Fall More Slowly
-- PUC Reminds Consumers Of Deadline To Register For March 9 Hearing On Philadelphia Natural Gas Works Weather Normalization Bill Adjustment
-- Bloomberg: Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Payout As Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels; Long-Term Projects Like Refineries, Natural Gas Power Plants Could Become Stranded Assets
-- Bloomberg: Kansas Attorney Says Natural Gas Market Manipulation In 2021 Winter Storm Drove Energy Prices To Record Highs
-- PUC To Seek Comments On Proposed Settlement With Great American Power On Sales, Marketing, Billing Practices
-- PUC Approves Settlement With Duquesne Light On Inadvertent Release Of Customer Information
-- PUC Approves Pittsburgh Water Authority Pilot Program To Help Reduce Water Leaks, Boost Conservation
Radiation Protection
-- DEP Published Final PA Radon Mitigation Standards Technical Guidance
Radon
-- DEP Published Final PA Radon Mitigation Standards Technical Guidance
Recreation
-- Apply Now From Anywhere In The World! PA Wilds Accepting Applications From Individuals For The Remote Lifestyle Experience Program [PaEN]
-- WeConservePA: Federal Fish & Wildlife Funding Used To Expand Existing State Parks In Pennsylvania
-- March 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available [PaEN]
-- LancasterOnline - Ad Crable: Into The Winter Woods; 24th Annual Winter Backpacking Trip
-- Erie Times: Maple Magic: 18 Places To Try Pure Maple Syrup Around Erie
-- Erie Times: Turtles, Herons, Dragonflies: A Walk Along Presque Isle’s Lagoons
-- WHYY: Construction Started On Penn’s Landing Park Over I-95 Highway Trench In Philadelphia
-- Discover NE PA: Get Your Tail On The Trail Of The Month - The Grand Tour Loop
-- TribLive: Proposed Cheswick Trail Taking Steps Toward Reality In Allegheny County
-- TribLive: $320,000 Makeover Planned For Pittsburgh’s Four Mile Run Playground
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
Recycling/Waste
-- PA Resources Council: State Of Glass Recycling In Southwestern PA - An Open Letter To Our Local Governments, Communities - By PA Resources Council, Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling, CAP Glass, Inc. [PaEN]
-- The GIANT Company, Keep PA Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Healing The Planet Grant Program; Customers Can Help Too [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 4 [PaEN]
-- York Dispatch: March 27 Meeting Announced To Address Residents’ Concerns Over York County Landfill
-- MCall: Foes Line Up To Oppose Bethlehem Landfill Expansion
-- Williamsport Sun: Locals Encouraged To Take Survey On Proposed Encina Plastics Recycling Plant Along Susquehanna’s North Branch
-- TribLive: So Thrifty: Buying, Selling Second Hand Is Affordable, Sustainable And Fun
Renewable Energy
-- Senate Committee Meets March 6 On Bill Prohibiting Elected Officials In Local Governments From Moving To Cleaner Energy Sources To Combat Climate Change [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed [PaEN]
-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Lawmakers Hear Challenges To Electric Grid Reliability; Experts Call For Clear Policy
-- Republican Herald Guest Essay: Living On The Electric Grid Could Mean Living On The Edge - By Gregory Maresca, Freelance Writer From Northumberland County
-- Sen. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN]
-- Post-Gazette: Smoke Stacks From Closed Hatfield’s Ferry Coal-Fired Power Plant Demolished, Closing Chapter In PA Industrial History In Greene County: ‘I’m Ecstatic. It Was The Dirtiest, Dirtiest Place Ever. It Put A Blight On Our Community’
-- PJM Interconnection Study Shows Renewable Energy Sources Not Coming Online Fast Enough To Replace Fossil Fuel Plants; Critical Path Analysis Started To Avoid Grid Reliability Risks [PaEN]
-- Solar United Neighbors Helping Lancaster Residents Harvest Sunshine With New Solar Co-Op [PaEN]
--Pottstown Mercury: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Adds Largest Rooftop Solar Energy Array At Convention Venue
-- Scranton Times: Greenfield Twp. Zoning Board Denies Solar Energy Facility
-- Republican Herald: Butler Twp., Schuylkill County Approves Solar Ordinance
-- Latest PJM Interconnection Electricity Capacity Auction Shows Price Decrease, But Mixed Results In PA [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: PJM Launches Fast-Track Capacity Market Reform Process In Face Of Shrinking Generation Reserve Margins
-- Erie Times: Polling Exclusive: Vast Majority Of PA Clueless About RGGI Climate, Energy Initiative; Want To See Expansion Of Solar (62%), Wind (55%), Natural Gas (54%)
-- Scranton Times: Jessup Withdraws Zoning Violations Against Lackawanna Energy Center Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant
-- WITF/NPR: Dead Whales On East Coast Fuel Misinformation About Offshore Wind Development
-- The Guardian: Red States Leading The U.S. In Solar, Wind Energy Production, New Report Shows
-- WSJ: America Is Trying To Electrify, But There Aren’t Enough Electricians
Stormwater
-- Londonderry Twp/Local Conservation Partners Host 1-Mile Fun Run & Field Day For Clean Water In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County [PaEN]
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
Susquehanna River
-- StateImpactPA/The Burg: Climate Change In PA: The Flood-prone Susquehanna River Watershed Poses A Widespread Challenge
-- First Street Foundation Releases New Tool Showing Mid-Atlantic States Will See Wind Gusts In Storms Increase 37 MPH, Wind Damage To Property Increase Over 50% In Next 30 Years [PaEN]
-- Courier Times: Researchers: Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Tornadoes To Increase 87% In Bucks County
-- Inquirer: Pumped Water Storage Hydropower Plant Proposed Using Susquehanna River Water In York County
-- York Daily Record: New Version Of Controversial Cuffs Run Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant Proposed Along Susquehanna River
-- LancasterOnline: York Energy Aims To Build Pump-Hydro Electric Generation Dam On 1,000 Acres In York County
Sustainability
-- Reminder: Penn State Extension Hosts 4-Part Educator Training Course: Carbon Incentives For Forest Owners Starting March 8 [PaEN]
-- TribLive: So Thrifty: Buying, Selling Second Hand Is Affordable, Sustainable And Fun
-- Reuters: Biden Admin Works On ‘Green’ Natural Gas Certification Standards As U.S. Vies For Top LNG Spot
Water Quality
-- Pike Conservation District: PennDOT, Winter Weather Management, Salt Watch By Izaak Walton League And You - By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist [PaEN]
Wastewater Facilities
-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]
Watershed Protection
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]
-- Williamsport Sun: Protection Of Lycoming Creek Water Quality Topic Of March 1 Meeting By Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited
-- Lancaster Farming: Stream Monitoring: Tracking The Health Of Chesapeake Bay Tributaries
-- Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation: Federal Office Of Surface Mining Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program Changes
-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]
-- LancasterOnline: How Lancaster County Farms Are Working To Improve Environmental, Economic Health
-- PennVEST Inviting Comments On Clean Water Procurement Program Guidelines [PaEN]
-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study [PaEN]
-- PA Sea Grant: Online Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration Opportunities For Educators (GLLee) Now Available [PaEN]
-- Pike Conservation District: PennDOT, Winter Weather Management, Salt Watch By Izaak Walton League And You - By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist [PaEN]
-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation [PaEN]
-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022
-- PA American Water Seeking Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest [PaEN]
-- Londonderry Twp/Local Conservation Partners Host 1-Mile Fun Run & Field Day For Clean Water In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County [PaEN]
-- Delaware RiverKeeper March 3 RiverWatch Video Report
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Wildlife
-- Fish & Boat Commission Board Gives Preliminary Approval To Fee Adjustments
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Fish Commission Gives Preliminary Approval To Fishing License Increases For 2nd Year In A Row
-- TribLive: $6 Million Wetlands Initiative Will Improve Habitats On 61 State Game Land Sites
-- Williamsport Sun: Protection Of Lycoming Creek Water Quality Topic Of March 1 Meeting By Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited
-- Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Hosting March 11 Conservation Advocacy 101 Workshop In Monroe County [PaEN]
-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Game Commission Biologist Optimistic About Reintroducing American Martens In PA
-- Post-Gazette - John Hayes: Irvin Works Bald Eagle Pair Lay An Egg In Pittsburgh
-- Brodhead Watershed Assn. Nature At Risk - Practicing ‘Eagle-Eyed Etiquette’
-- The Guardian: Audubon Society Chapters, Bird Union Drop Audubon Name To Distance From Namesake’s Racist Past
-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: One Of The Founders Of Erie Steelhead Fishing Program Left A Legacy Behind
-- Pocono Heritage Land Trust: Vernal Pools Hike March 25 In Monroe County [More Information On Vernal Pools ]
-- Erie Times: Turtles, Herons, Dragonflies: A Walk Along Presque Isle’s Lagoons
-- LancasterOnline: Middle Creek Wildlife Area Snow Geese Peak Numbers Potentially Drop From 2022
-- Williamsport Sun - Bill Bowers: Reflections In Nature - Cold Weather Has Not Affected Wildlife
Opportunities
-- Help Wanted: PA Parks & Forests Foundation Public Engagement Coordinator
-- Pittsburgh-Based Landforce Accepting Crew Member Applications Until March 5
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]
CLICK HERE to View or Print the March 6 PA Environment Digest.
[Posted: March 5, 2023]
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