Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

Awards/Recognition

-- In Memoriam: PA/NJ Chapter Of The American Chestnut Foundation Announces Passing Of Founder Dr. Bob Leffel  [PEN]

-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests - Loving The Land: Ray Blystone & Chris Peters Of Cambridge Springs, Crawford County - By Annie Maloney, Foundation for Sustainable Forests [PaEN]

Grants

-- Budget Office Accepting Applications For Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects Program Funding  [PaEN]

-- Potter Leader-Enterprise: PA Wilds Master Watershed Steward - Several Programs Available For Greener Spaces

Help Wanted

-- Warren Times: Drake Well Museum Offering Summer 2024 Student Internships

-- Help Wanted: Huntingdon County Conservation District - District Manager  [PaEN]

Upcoming Events

-- HEI Energy Hosts Dec. 18 Webinar On New Research On Community Exposures To Oil & Gas Development & Groundwater Contamination In Beaver, Greene & Washington Counties  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Webinar Dec. 21: Shale Gas Trends For Landowners, Growth & Land Leasing  [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Audubon Nature Center To Hold Holiday Camps Dec. 27-28

-- DCNR To Celebrate 'Connecting More in 2024' During First Day Hikes Jan. 1 Across Pennsylvania Public Lands  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Audubon Christmas Bird Count Adds Mon Valley Research Area For 2023  [Thru Jan. 5]

-- WESA: Audubon Society Expands Christmas Bird Count To Mon Valley This Year [Now Thru Jan. 5]

-- LancasterOnline: Christmas Bird Count Welcomes Veteran Birders, New Volunteers For Annual Census   [Thru Jan. 5]

-- Republican Herald: Birders Comb Western Schuylkill In 124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count

-- NorthCentralPA.com: Tiadaghton Audubon Society Seeks PA Bird Atlas Volunteers In Tioga, Potter Counties

-- PA Farm Show Set For Jan. 6 to 13 In Harrisburg: ‘Connecting Our Communities’

-- PA Lake Management Society, Wilkes College Host Jan. 6 Lake Management Workshop In Wilkes-Barre, 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

-- PA GreenGov Council, Penn State Sustainability Host 4-Part Sustainability Webinar Series Starting Jan. 12  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA Hosts Jan. 22 Webinar On Why Municipalities Should Consider A Utility-Scale Solar Energy Facility Ordinance  [PaEN]

-- South Mountain Partnership: Registration Open For Winter Partnership Meeting Jan. 26

-- Registration Open! Call For Presenters Extended!  Keystone Goldwater Conference Feb. 23-24 In State College  [PaEN]

Programs/Information

-- Nominations Now Being Accepted For Wildlife Leadership Academy Student Conservation Ambassadors Program  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Offers Wide-Ranging Resources For Pesticide Applicators

-- Susquehanna University: Dam Good Engineering!  Beaver Dams The Blueprint For Conservation  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Ag Conservation Currents: New Director Of  Ag Conservation Training; Funding For Farm Conservation Practices Available; Ag Conservation Assistance Program; More!

-- PA Natural Heritage Program Update Highlights Hellbender Research, Piping Plover Restoration, Dragonflies, Invasive Species Education  [PaEN]

-- The Sentinel: Watershed Steward Program In Cumberland County Takes New Direction

-- PA Trout Unlimited: Partnerships Pave Way For Success At Muddy Paws Enviro Center In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Sensory Classroom At Frick Environmental Center To Create Therapeutic Space

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh To Use Money From Anti-Violence Trust Fund On Parks, Recreation

-- Bucks County Herald: Heritage Conservancy Brings Wildlife Tracking, Tree Guardianship To Bristol Twp. School

-- Warren Times: An Appreciation Of Nature Words - By Katie Finch, Audubon Community Nature Center

-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests: Fall/Winter Newsletter - Community Forest Grant; Conserving 851 Acres; Much More!

-- Kittatinny Ridge: Explore The 2023 Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Plan - Strategy And Protection For This Critical Resource

-- Keep PA Beautiful Welcomes Newest Local Affiliate- Keep Delaware County Beautiful  [PaEN]

-- Lehigh Valley’s Wildlands Conservancy - January Education Programs, Activities: Stone Soup Stroll; Native Wildlife

-- PA Wilds: Julie Mader Offers Paint The PA Wilds Watercolor Kits, Paint Your Favorite PA Wilds View

Public Participation

-- DEP 2024 Advisory Committee, Board Meeting Schedule Now Available  [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - December 16  [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 68 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In December 16 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]

-- Reminder: DEP Sets Dec. 13 Public Meeting On Proposed Maggie Lynn Noncoal Deep Mine In Washington County

-- TribLive: Company Proposes Underground Limestone Mine In Washington County

-- Observer-Reporter: Company Proposing Underground Limestone Mine In Washington County

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Large Underground Limestone Mine Proposed In Washington County Getting Its First Public Airing

-- Observer-Reporter: Residents Air Concerns About Proposed Underground Limestone Mine In Washington County

-- PUC To Hold Stakeholder Meeting Feb. 7-8 On Act 129 Statewide Evaluator Energy Efficiency Baseline Studies And The 2026 Reference Manual  [PaEN]

Background On Issues

-- Williamsport Sun Letter: ‘Any Legislation Or Regulation That Seeks To Further Restrict The Development, Transportation or Use Of Natural Gas Will Harm Our Economy, Undermine Personal Property Rights, Weaken National Security And Reverse The Significant Environmental Program Enabled By This Clean Abundant Energy Source’ - By Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition

-- Former Employees Of Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Company Ask For Criminal Investigation Of Eureka And An Audit Of DEP Over Alleged Workplace, Environmental Violations  [PaEN]

-- Public Herald: I Turned Blue - Workers Share Horrifying Experiences Treating Oil & Gas Wastewater

-- Williamsport Sun: Ex-Employees Seek Criminal Probe Against Eureka Resources Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Williamsport

-- NorthcentralPA.com: Former Eureka Resources Employees Ask Lycoming County DA Gardner For Criminal Investigation Of Workplace At Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant

-- Citizens Voice: Former Eureka Employees Ask Lycoming County DA For Criminal Investigation Of Workplace At Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant

-- Williamsport Sun: Fracking Water Spills At Eureka Resources Oil/Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Williamsport

-- Senate Environmental Committee Reports Independent Energy Information Office Bill; Democrats Attempt To Table Environmental Hearing Board Nominee  [PaEN]

-- Videos Now Available From PA League Of Women Voters, University Of Pittsburgh School Of Public Health Shale Gas & Public Health Conference; Dept. Of Health Pushing For Changes To Reduce Adverse Health Impacts  [PaEN]

-- TribLive Letter: For Natural Gas Industry, Concern For Health Should Trump Industry Profits

-- EPA/DOE Award DEP $44.4 Million To Plug Active, Conventional Oil & Gas Wells To Stop Leaking Methane  [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Will Have 2 Years To Update Oil & Gas Facility Methane Emission Rules To Match EPA

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Shale Gas Exports Get A Seat At The Global Table: ‘That’s Our Business’  [EQT]

-- TribLive Letter: Natural Gas Industry A Win For Pennsylvania - Keystone Contractors Assn.

-- Independent Fiscal Office Estimates 2023 Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fee Revenue Will Drop By Nearly $105 Million, While Almost 400 New Wells Were Drilled So Far In 2023  [PaEN]

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Per Well Fee Revenues To Drop $105 Million

-- Post-Gazette: PA Shale Gas Impact Fee Revenues Drop $105 Million

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Unleashing LNG Natural Gas Exports On Pennsylvania’s Habitat

-- CNX Ends Coordination On West Virginia Adams Fork Ammonia Energy Project, Anchor Of ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Application  [PaEN]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: CNX Pulls Out Of Adams Fork Hydrogen Project

-- PennLive Letter: Let’s Get To Work On PA’s Hydrogen Hubs, Develop Strong Standards - By Rep. Rabb (D-Philadelphia)

-- Post-Gazette: Clairton Grandmother Crusades For Better Air: ‘We Have To Raise Our Voice And Tell Our Story’

-- Bloomberg: COP28 Deal Signals Role For Natural Gas In Clean Energy Transition

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Analysis Says Federal Clean Energy Dollars Are Flowing Into PA, But Results Remain To Be Seen

-- LehighValleyNews: With $4.6 Billion In Federal Funding Up For Grabs, PA Environmental Officials Collect Climate Action Plan Suggestions

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Gov. Shapiro Wants Unilateral Power To Commit State To Climate Agreements - By Commonwealth Foundation  [RGGI]

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Legislators Should Come To Table For PA’s Energy Future - Mike Dunleavy & Jackson Morris, Co-Chairs Of Shapiro’s RGGI Work Group

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: RGGI Will Supercharge PA’s Economy, Especially For Small Businesses - By Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Blog: Everyone Has A Role To Play In Reducing Climate Change - By Greg Czarneki, DCNR

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Climate Litigation Campaign Is The Product Of A Broken Civil Justice System - By PA Coalition For Civil Justice Reform

-- House Hearing: Shapiro Administration Supports Expanding Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards; Renewables Lower Energy Costs; Increase Grid Reliability; More Work Needed To Improve Natural Gas Reliability  [PaEN]

-- PJM Makes Multiple Reliability-Focused Improvements To Prepare For Winter To Deal With 70% Natural Gas, Other Generator Nonperformance In 2022  [PaEN]

-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp Board Risks Missing Deadline For Adopting New Generator Winterization Standards To Ensure Grid Reliability  [Response To Winter Storm Elliot Problems]

-- Reuters: Extreme Cold Still Poses Reliability Challenge For North American Power Generators, Particularly Natural Gas Infrastructure - NERC

-- House Passes Bill Requiring Registration Of Cryptocurrency Mining Operations, Impact Study  [PaEN]

-- Carbon County Residents Urge DEP To Deny Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. Request To Burn Tires To Fuel Its Cryptocurrency Mining Operation At The Panther Creek Power Plant  [PaEN]

-- Utility Dive: US Electricity Load Growth Forecast Jumps 81% Led By Data Centers, Industry

-- Broad+Liberty: PA Manufacturers Say Extreme Solar Power Mandate Would Mean Higher Rates, Potential Blackouts

-- PUC, DEP: PA Reached 1 Gigawatt Of Installed Solar Generation, Enough To Power A City The Size Of Pittsburgh With In-State Solar  [PaEN]

-- Beaver County Times: New Beaver County Solar Energy Facility To Fund Utility Assistance

-- Power Magazine: Community Solar Drives Energy Transition In Longtime Fossil Fuel Region  [Beaver County]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Beaver County Solar Energy Project Provides Help For Low-Income Households  [Read more here]

-- Republican Herald: Solar For Schools Bill Heads To Committee Voting Meeting

-- Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County Prison Considering Solar Power

-- Republican Herald: Solar For Schools Bill Heads To Committee Voting Meeting

-- Altoona Mirror: Logan Twp. Residents Concerned About Proposed Solar Energy Facility

-- Citizens Voice: Hazleton Residents Tell State Manager Their Concerns About Climate Change

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: How Will Philadelphia Finance Climate Change? - By Penn Institute Of Urban Research

-- Spotlight PA: Demand For Whole-Home Repairs, Energy Improvements Program Has Been Overwhelming, But More Funding Is On Hold

-- WESA: Officials Celebrate Landslide Remediation Investment On Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington

-- Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Looks To Prevent Landslides As Climate Change Brings More Rain

-- TribLive: $13 Million Project To Address Landslide Risks In Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Protecting Our Firefighters From PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ And Other Dangerous Chemicals

-- LancasterOnline: ‘Wishcycling’ Or Willful Disregard For Recycling Practices?

-- PA Capital-Star: House Committee Revisits Water Utility Privatization Law As Consumers Face Soaring Water, Sewer Bills

-- National Assn. Of Water Companies: PA Receives Significant Economic, Consumer And Environmental Benefits From Water, Wastewater Utility Privatization And Consolidation 

-- EPA Proposes Water Quality Standards To Protect Aquatic Life In 3 Sections Of The Delaware River Upstream, Downstream Of Chester, Marcus Hook  [PaEN]

-- WHYY: EPA Proposes New Water Quality Standards For Fish Living In Sections Of Delaware River

-- Delaware RiverKeeper: EPA’s New Standards For Delaware River [Video]

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Dec. 15 RiverWatch Video Report

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority To Offer Vacant Land To Urban Farmers

-- Lancaster Farming: PA Senators Aim To Limit Wildlife Crop Damage Through Hunting

-- Williamsport Sun: Experts In Parks, Green Infrastructure Hired In Williamsport

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Pittsburgh Chosen For Park Outdoor Equity Program By Trust For Public Lands

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: From Top To Bottom, The Susquehanna River Is A Paddler’s Delight

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: New Regulations Start Jan. 1 For Boaters, Anglers To Guard Against Spread Of Invasive Species

-- WESA: Non-Native Beetles, Flies Introduced In Effort To Save Hemlock Trees In Allegheny National Forest

-- Williamsport Sun: Caring For Forests In Pennsylvania’s State Parks

-- Republican Herald - Tyler Frantz: Cooking ‘Trap Soup’ Is A Sure Sign It’s Time To Prepare For Trapping Season And Prime Furs

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

Visit DEP’s Teaching Green webpage to learn about more environmental education resources.

Visit the PA Environment Digest Calendar Of Events for more opportunities.

[Posted: December 17, 2023]


12/18/2023

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