Have a wonderful holiday season from everyone here at Crisci Associates-- Tony Crisci, John Kulik, David Hess, Lauren Barr and Donna Gilder!

Please note we have server maintenance scheduled during the holidays, so email service may be interrupted from time to time.

The next PA Environment Digest will be published on time on December 31.

The Christmas spirit is alive and well in the Capitol thanks to the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers and senior citizen volunteers who donated the tree and provided the decorations for the Capitol Christmas tree.

Pennsylvania is home to over 2,000 Christmas tree farms that produce 1.7 million cut trees and contribute $13.9 million to the state's economy annually.

Video Blog: Watch the Placement, Decoration of the Capitol Christmas Tree

On the Hill

· Session Schedule

· On the Senate/House Agenda

· On the Governor’s Desk

· Bills Introduced

· Gov. Rendell Restores Gov. Casey’s Funding Source for Hazardous Sites Cleanup

· New Law Promotes Brownfields Cleanup, Reuse in Pennsylvania

· New Federal Energy Bill Includes Mandate for Biofuels, Energy Efficiency Standards

· Joint Conservation Committee Environmental Synopsis Now Online

Other News

· USDA Invites Sign-Up for $20 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants

· Center for Watershed Protection Releases 2 More Restoration Manuals

· Kettle Run Farm Biodiversity Area Protected in Centre County

· Pennsylvania Wild Resources Symposium February 28

· 2008 International Urban Parks Conference in Pittsburgh September 21-23

· Dept. of Agriculture Announces New Invasive Species Council Website

· DCNR Releases Forest Pest, Disease Conditions Report for 2007

· PUC Reports Fewer Households Without Utility Service This Winter

· First Shipment of 1.5 Million Gallons of Biodiesel Made By Lake Erie Biofuels

· Game Commission Proposes Rule to Create New Permit to Prevent Deer Damage

· PPG Sets Aggressive Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Goals

· EPA Denies Waiver for California Vehicle Standards, PA Joins Lawsuit

· Bayer Brings International Environment and Art Competition to Pittsburgh

· DEP Awards $20 Million in Recycling Program Development Grants

· EPA Updates Regional Electronics Recycling Webpage

· Rendell Proclaims Coal Miners' Day, Comments on Mine Safety Legislation

· Apply Now for 2008 Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council Membership

· Help Wanted: Fish & Boat Commission, PA Environmental Council

Spotlight

· Water Quality Monitoring, A Vital Link to Restoration, By Paul O. Swartz, Executive Director, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Feature

· Persistence and Dedication Equal Success – REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program, By Kelly Donaldson, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Grants & Awards

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

12/21/2007