Secretary DiBerardinis

At the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s annual member meeting this week, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis announced his agency would be releasing a draft Carbon Management Plan designed to identify opportunities within DCNR to combat global climate change.

At the same time, Secretary DiBerardinis said a more comprehensive climate change strategy would probably be forthcoming from the Rendell Administration within the next six months.

Video Blog: Secretary DiBerardinis’ Complete Remarks

In addition to Secretary DiBerardinis, the meeting featured a number of other speakers on climate change and the economic opportunities presented to states developing plans to meet this challenge.

PEC President and CEO Brian Hill provided an introduction and an overview of the stakeholder-drive Climate Roadmap for Pennsylvania the Council released in June making 38 recommendations on how to reduce climate-changing emissions in the state.

Video Blog: Overview and Introduction by Brian Hill

Dr. Lew Ziska, a Plant Physiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spoke about the potential impact of climate change on Pennsylvania agriculture, including the types of crops grown, the potential changes in yields for the dairy industry and the not insignificant increase in weeds that will challenge farmers.

Video Blog: Dr. Ziska Talks About the Impact of Climate Change on PA Farmers

Attorney Robert McKinstry, of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, outlines the results of litigation he was involved in against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that resulted in a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that carbon dioxide could be regulated under the federal Clean Air Act.

Video Blog: Robert McKinstry and the Impact of Massachusetts v. EPA

Tom Peterson, Executive Director of the Center for Climate Strategies, talks about the important role states, including Pennsylvania, are playing in driving national policy on climate change.

Video Blog: The Role of States in Climate Policy – Tom Peterson

NewsClip: PEC Hosts Climate Change Forum

PA Has Place in Global Climate Concerns

Exelon Joins U.S. Climate Action Partnership

World Resources Insitute Say States Can Take Steps on Climate Change

Links: PEC Releases a Climate Roadmap for Pennsylvania

DCNR Carbon Management Advisory Committee

Video Blog: PEC Press Conference Releasing Climate Roadmap

Session Schedule

The Senate will return to voting session on September 17. The House is in non-voting session the weeks of September 10 and 17. Both will return to voting session on September 24.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda

· Governor’s Address to Open Special Session on Energy to be Set for September 24

· House Committee Hears Comments on Electric Rate Cap Expiration

Other News

· Exelon Joins U.S. Climate Action Partnership

· Coca-Cola to Recycle/Reuse 100% of Its Bottles, RecycleBank Partnership Expanded

· 26 Counties Removed From Drought Watch, But Remains for 32

· DEP Accepting Coastal Zone Management Grant Applications

· Gov. Rendell Proclaims September National Preparedness Month

· Game Commission Offers Advice on Avoiding Bear Conflicts

· Youth Hunting Seasons Just Around the Corner

· Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo Scheduled for September 15-16

· Middle Creek to Host Wildfowl Show September 15-16

· DCNR, ClearWater Conservancy Permanently Protect 423 Acres

· Game Commission to Hold State Game Land Tours for Public

· PA Center for Environmental Ed September EE Connections Newsletter Now Online

· Environmental Literacy: A Critical Part of Every Child's Education

· Opportunities Abound to Support 2008 Environmental Education Conference

· Southcentral PA Commuter Services Expands Free Emergency Ride Home

· Forestry Workshop Set in Westmoreland for September 29

· DCNR Names Daniel Devlin New State Forester

Spotlight

· Recovering Attorneys’ Fees in Environmental Litigation, By Terry R. Bossert, Post & Schell

Opinion

· Pennsylvania’s Energy Bill, By Sen. Rob Wonderling (R-Montgomery)

Feature

· Mining Operations’ Legacy a Mother Lode of Acid Drainage, By Lara Lutz, Chesapeake Bay Journal

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

9/7/2007