Here are 104 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

Thank you for your leadership!

-- Warren Times: Our Biggest Resolution - Our Commitment To The Planet That Sustains Us - By Mac Dawson, Nature Educator, Audubon Community Nature Center   [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania Deploys 40 Skilled Wildland Firefighters To Support California’s Battle Against Devastating Wildfires  [PaEN]

-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture Recognizes Innovation, Collaboration In 2025 Pasabilities Awards  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program - A Look Back At 2024 [PaEN] 

-- Master Watershed Steward Bethany Canner Leads Community Events In Lebanon County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Now Accepting Nominations For 2025 Governor's Award For Environmental Excellence  [PaEN]

-- Take Action Now! Chesapeake Bay Foundation Urging Watershed Citizens To Support Designation Of Eastern Hellbender As An Endangered Species   [PaEN]

-- ‘Hellbender Defenders’ Say Endangered Species Listing For North America’s Largest Salamander Is Long Overdue  [PaEN] 

-- Williamsport Sun Letter: Endangered Listing Long Overdue For Eastern Hellbender - By Anna Pauletta, One Of Original Hellbender Defenders As A Student

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Oil & Gas Companies Need Greater Incentives To Plug Their Old Wells - Raise Bond Rates Upfront For Plugging  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health, Penn State Project ECHO Host Feb. 13 Webinar On Caring For Persons Living And Working In Communities Involved In Oil & Natural Gas Extraction  [PaEN]

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Linking PA Shale Gas Industry To California Wildfires - By Alison Steele, Environmental Health Project

-- New Federal Administration Reverses LNG Gas Export Facility Permit Pause, Extends Comment Period On LNG Impact Study  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: New Administration Reverses Pause On New LNG Gas Export Project Permits [Helps Pave Way For Potential LNG Terminal In Philadelphia]

-- Reuters: US Will Guarantee LNG Gas Supplies For Europe Amid Worries Booming Export Industry Could Boost Prices For US Consumers

-- New Federal Administration Issues Executive Order Declaring A National Energy Emergency; Order Repealing Other Energy, Climate Orders; Regulatory Freeze  [PaEN]

-- Financial Times: Wall Street Will Stymie President’s US Oil, Gas Surge Plan, Say Shale Bosses; Lower Prices Will Not Make Companies ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’

-- Reuters: Boosting Natural Gas Output While Keeping Prices Low A Tough Task For New Administration

-- Warren Times/AP: President Pivots To Pro-Oil And Gas Policies, But Likes Renewable Geothermal

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Billions Have Been Allocated To PA From Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure, Inflation Reduction Acts, New Administration Ordered Halt To Disbursements  [Water Infrastructure, Mine Reclamation, Conventional Oil & Gas Well Plugging, $396 million in RISE PA decarbonization funding]

-- PA Capital-Star: New Administration Puts DEI Staff On Paid Leave, Guts Environmental Justice Offices Across Federal Government

-- WHYY: Biden Administration Awarded Home Energy Rebate Money To PA [$260 Million] , DE, NJ In Final Days From Inflation Reduction Act Now Paused

-- Inside Climate News: Executive Orders On Energy, Climate Have Advocates On Edge; Much Will Depend On What Actions States Take

--  The Allegheny Front: President’s Executive Orders Champion Fossil Fuels, Knock Back Wind Power

-- Environmental Defense Fund: Recent US Climate, Clean Energy Actions Will Save Tens Of Thousands Of Lives, Deliver Trillions Of Dollars In Health, Climate Benefits

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - January 18 to 24: DEP Issues Abandoned Well Plugging Order; Well Leaks Gas For 9 Months [PaEN]

-- PA Senate Republicans Reintroduce Bills To Eliminate State Appeals Of Pipeline Permits; Limit Grounds For Appeal Of Any DEP Permits; Punish Communities For Protecting Their Constituents Against Shale Gas Drilling Impacts  [PaEN]

-- PennEnvironment Study Details Costs To Consumers, Power Demands, Environmental Risks Of The Surging Growth Of Massive Data Centers  [PaEN]

-- AP: Big Tech Wants To Plug Data Centers Right Into Power Plants, Utilities Say It’s Not Fair [Talen/Amazon Data Center Deal]

-- Utility Dive: President Plans To Use Emergency Powers To Fast-Track Generation Co-Located With Data Centers [Which He Said Was ‘Largely’ His Idea]

-- AP: President Pumps Coal As Answer To AI Data Center Needs, But Any Boost Could Be Short-Lived

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Report: Clean Energy Workforce Growing In PA, But Challenges Remain

-- Citizens Voice: Hanover Area Schools Seeks $1 Million From State To Fund Solar Panels In Luzerne

-- Washington & Jefferson College: Feb. 5 Webinar On Rust - A Modern Solution For Grid-Scale Battery Storage  [PaEN]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project At Pittsburgh Airport Takes Step Forward

-- Observer-Reporter: ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Discussed At Washington & Jefferson College Public Outreach Session

-- Lancaster Farming: FERC Denies Rehearing Of Susquehanna River Pump Hydroelectric Petition For Proposed Facility In York County

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Editorial: Anthracite Coal’s Story Is Northeast PA’s Story

-- PJM Interconnection: Extreme Cold Produces PJM Record For Winter Electricity Demand; Maximum Generation Alert Remains In Effect Into Thursday  [PaEN]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Utilities Standing Up Well To Record Demand For Energy During Arctic Cold Snap

-- The Center Square: Governors Of IL, MD, NJ, DE Support Shapiro’s FERC Complaint Against PJM Interconnection On Skyrocketing Power Prices

-- Utility Dive: Constellation Energy, Electric Generators Oppose Gov. Shapiro’s FERC Complaint To Lower PJM Electricity Capacity Price Cap

-- Broad+Liberty: US Senator McCormick Announces First PA Energy & Innovation Summit

-- New Castle News: US Senator McCormick Plans PA Energy Summit, Touts President’s Plan For Energy Dominance

-- PennVEST Approves $288.2 Million Investment In 39 Water Infrastructure Projects In 24 Counties; Almost All Federal Funding Now Frozen  [PaEN]

-- Sen. Yaw To Introduce Bill To Use Revenue From Taxing Gambling Skill Games To Support Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program  [PaEN]

-- PA Grazing Lands Coalition Now Accepting Applications For Educational Mini-Grants  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension: Ag Conservation Currents: Unlocking Ag Funding Opportunities; Ag Conservation Assistance Program Update; Manure Gas Safety; Upcoming Events; Job Openings

-- Agricultural Producers: Use CHEMSWEEP To Dispose Of Unwanted Pesticides On Your Farm Until March 31  [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Warren County Conservation District Accepting Applications For Scholarships In Conservation, Agriculture

-- Appalachian Chapter Of The Audubon Society Accepting Applications For Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship To The Mountains To Sea Birding For Teens Camp In Maine  [PaEN]

-- NOAA Now Accepting Applications For K-12 Environmental Literacy Grants For Delaware Bay Watershed; Applicant Webinars  [PaEN]

-- DCNR, Penn State Extension Feb. 14 Meaningful Watershed Education Workshop At Greenwood Furnace State Park, Huntingdon County  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health Invites Students To Enter Art Contest To Raise Awareness About Ticks And Lyme Disease  [PaEN]

-- Registration Open! Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance June 4-5 Mine Pools As Beneficial Resources Conference At Bucknell University  [PaEN]

-- LehighValleyLive: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Sewage Sludge Fertilizer May Pose Risk To Humans, EPA Warns

-- JD Supra: EPA Identifies Significant Concerns For Ag Producers Due To Biosolids That Contain PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Allegheny County Sanitary Authority Testing Wastewater To Monitor Drug Consumption

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Seeks Members For Several Advisory Committees

-- AP: Residents Ordered To Pay $850,000 Bond To Appeal Norfolk Southern Derailment Settlement Vow Not To Give Up

-- Inquirer: How Philly-Area Residents Can Financially Prepare For Natural Disasters

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: 3 Years After Hurricane Ida, Study Aims To Prepare Communities Along The Brandywine For Future Storms

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: ‘Ticking Time Bombs’: Nearly 100 Coal Ash Dumps Pepper Chesapeake Bay Watershed

-- Chester County Residents Clean Up Litter In Chester Springs In Honor Of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Of Service  [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: Stop Microplastics Now! Campaign Urges Pennsylvanians To Sign Petition To Monitor Microplastics As A Drinking Water Contaminant - By Kathy Cook, Food & Water Watch Pennsylvania  [PaEN]

-- Centre Daily Times: Follow These Centre County Recycling Tips In 2025

-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Recreation, Land Conservation, Riparian Buffers Thru April 2   [PaEN]

-- DCNR-Funded Mini-Grants Will Be Available From 15 Groups Across PA In 2025 To Support Smaller Local Projects  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Grants Newsletter Highlights Opening Of New Community Conservation Partnership Grant Round; Mini-Grants Available Thru 15 Groups In 2025

-- Beaver Times - Brian Whipkey: Snowmobilers Discover Ideal Conditions On State Trails, Here’s Why

-- NextPittsburgh: 10-Year Vision For Three Rivers Water Trail Seeks To Expand, Improve Trail Access

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Receives Federal Funding To Expand Schuylkill River Trail

-- WHYY: Philly’s Rail Park Raises Millions For Next Phase From State, Federal Grants

-- TribLive: Iron Horse Bridge Rehab Seen As ‘Linchpin’ In Effort To Expand Trails And Connellsville’s Economy

-- NextPittsburgh: Train Delays Highlight Growing Problem At Etna Park Blocking Use

-- LandForce Starts Accepting Applications For Workforce Training Crew Members Jan. 27; Hire A LandForce Crew  [PaEN]

-- Lock Haven Express: Penn State, DCNR Forest Health Briefing, Forest Landowners Conference March 6-8 In State College

-- WeConservePA Hosts Feb. 27 What Does It Mean To Love A Forest Webinar; More Educational Opportunities  [PaEN]

-- Berks Nature Protects 607 Acre Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation In Schuylkill County  [PaEN]

-- Manada Conservancy Partners With Laudenslager Family To Preserve 575 Acres In Dauphin County  [PaEN]

-- Berks Nature Establishes Ruth E. Fetterman Woodland To Preserve 102 Acres In Berks County [PaEN]

-- Northcentral PA Conservancy Partners With McMorris Family To Preserve 60-Acre Farm In Lycoming County  [PaEN]

-- Join North Branch Land Trust For A Special Event: Great Backyard Bird Count & Craft  Feb. 9 In Luzerne County  [PaEN]

-- North Branch Land Trust Announces Board Of Director, Staff Changes

-- TribLive: Pollinator Gardens Permitted In Sharpsburg, Allegheny County

-- Post-Gazette: Why You Should Learn To Love Lichen And Leave It On Trees

-- PennLive: Two Snowmobilers Who Chased, Ran Over Fox In Lebanon County Surrender To Face Criminal Charges, Game Commission

-- PennLive: Reward Now Tops $2,000  In Search Of Snowmobilers Who Ran Over Fox In Lebanon County

-- Fish & Boat Commission Hosts 8-Part 'Mission Mondays' Webinar Series On Its Initiatives To Protect, Conserve And Enhance PA's Aquatic Resources From Feb. 3 to March 31  [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline: Middle Creek Wildlife Area May Close Areas To Public If Avian Flu Affects Large Numbers Of Migrating Birds

-- Post-Gazette - Mary Ann Thomas: Bird Flu Kills 5,000 Snow Geese In Northampton County, Snowy Owl In Erie County; Other Counties

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Scientists And Collaborators Publish Groundbreaking Assessment On Snowy Owl Population Trends

-- Erie Times: When Snowy Owls Come South, Some Stop At Presque Isle State Park

-- Reading Eagle: Great Horned Owls Killed Along Tulpehocken Creek After Being Entangled In Discarded Fishing Line

-- Warren Times: Warren Gets Snapshot Of Avian Life In 82nd Christmas Bird Count

-- Reading Eagle: Bald Eagles Set Record In Christmas Bird Counts In Berks

-- Warren Times: Warren Gets Snapshot Of Avian Life In 82nd Christmas Bird Count

-- Warren Times: Trumpeter Swan Seen On Allegheny River

-- Warren Times - Audubon Community Nature Center: Wildlife Through Car Windows

-- Williamsport Sun - Bill Bower: Reflections In Nature: There Are 2 Types Of Jumping Mice In PA

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: How Does Wildlife Cross The Road Without Getting Hit?

-- Wildlands Conservancy Highlights February Programs: Snowshoe With Your Sweetheart; Flying Squirrels

-- Erie Times: A History Of Punxsutawney Phil’s Weather Predictions: Early Spring?  Continued Winter?

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Winter Artisan Series Starts Feb. 2

Visit the PA Environment Digest website to learn more.

REAL Leadership:

-- 104 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

-- 128 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

-- 104 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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[Posted: January 26, 2025]   PA Environment Digest 

1/27/2025