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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Nov. 18, 2013
(11/18/2013)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* PA Resources Council Presents 2013 Environmental Leadership Awards

The PA Resources Council Thursday presented its 2013 Environmental Leadership Awards to four companies and organizations at their annual awards dinner in King of Prussia.  The awards were presented to--

* Recycling Works! Exhibit Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Recycling In PA

In celebration of America Recycles Day and the 25th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s recycling law, the PA Recycling Markets Center and its partners Thursday unveiled a new Recycling Works! exhibit at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg,

* House Committee Amends, Reports Out Endangered Species Bill

The House Game and Fisheries Committee Wednesday amended and reported out House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) making fundamental changes in the way threatened and endangered species are listed and protected in Pennsylvania by a vote of 16 to 8.

* IRRC Questions DEP Drilling Fee Increases

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission Thursday raised questions about whether the proposed increase in Marcellus Shale drilling fees “reasonable relationship” to DEP’s cost of administering the Oil and Gas Program.

* Independent Fiscal Office Projects $530 Million Deficit Now, More Next Year

Independent Fiscal Office Director Matthew Knittel Thursday announced the release of an updated long-term economic and budget outlook.  It also includes a detailed section on the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry in Pennsylvania.

* Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Just go to your Google+ page and search for DHess@CrisciAssociates.com, the email for the Digest Editor David Hess, and let us join your Circle.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule (Updated)

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

* Sen. Leach Introduces Bill To Expand Alternative Energy Mandates

Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) Tuesday unveiled new legislation that would amend Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards to require electric energy distribution companies sell a larger percentage of electricity made up of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar photovoltaic.

* Op-Ed: Striking The Appropriate Balance With The Endangered Species Coordination Act

By Sen. Rich Alloway II (R-Adams), Majority Chair Senate Game and Fisheries Committee

* Penn State Study: Legacy Sediment Makeup Could Help Guide Stream Restoration

Legacy sediment behind milldams in Pennsylvania preserved leaves deposited just before European contact that provide a glimpse of the ancient forests, according to a team of geoscientists, who note that neither the forests nor the streams were what they are today.

* Harrisburg Whitaker Center Receives EPA Chesapeake Bay Education Grant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced Harrisburg's Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is the recipient of a $205,305 environmental education grant.

* DEP Awards Mine Reclamation Contract For Cambria County Project

Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria) announced Tuesday Morgan's Excavating LLC of Mt. Union, Pa. was recently awarded a $36,704 state contract for a mine reclamation project in Cambria County.

* Vote Now In PA American Water’s Environmental, Community Grants Challenge

Pennsylvania American Water announced Monday voting is now open in its Environmental, Community Investment Grant Challenge contest that lets Facebook users determine grant awards to support environmental projects and community improvement programs.

* Penn State Extension Releases Roadside Springs Survey

Roadside springs are a common source of drinking water in Pennsylvania but little is known about the quality of these water supplies. Penn State Water Resources Extension Educators Jim Clark and Diane Oleson presented a webinar on October 30, which included water quality results from a recent survey of 35 heavily used roadside springs across the state.

* Latest DEP News Highlights Natural Gas Grants, Solar Rebates, Mine Subsidence

The November 15 issue of DEP News highlighted the announcement of natural gas vehicle conversion grants, solar rebates for homeowners and businesses, completion of mine subsidence repair work in Murrysville and opening of the Recycling Works exhibit at the State Museum.  Click Here to sign up to get your own copy by email.

* Nature Abounds Seeking Volunteers For IceWatch USA Season

Nature Abounds, a Clearfield-based non-profit environmental group, is seeking volunteers for the 2013-14 IceWatch season. IceWatch USA engages volunteers from across the United States to monitor local waterways over the winter season.

* New I Want To Be Recycled Ads Help Celebrate America Recycles Day

The Ad Council and Keep America Beautiful are partnering with popular online grocer, FreshDirect, to feature messaging from their national I Want to Be Recycled public service advertising campaign on all FreshDirect delivery boxes.

* EPA Recognizes Ahold USA, Giant, Shop-Rite For Food Recovery Challenge

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday recognized Ahold USA the parent company of GIANT Food Stores and Shop-Rite of Roxborough for outstanding contributions to EPA's Food Recovery Challenge.

* CHEMSWEEP To Provide Safe Pesticide Disposal In 20 Counties In 2014

Agricultural businesses and pesticide applicators in 20 counties can dispose of unwanted pesticides safely and easily in 2014 through the Department of Agriculture's CHEMSWEEP Program.

* EPA Awards Research Fellowships, Including 2 In Pennsylvania

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday announced more than $1.65 million in research fellowships to 33 students pursuing degrees in environmental science and related fields through its Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship program.

* Corbett: Marcellus Shale Development Employs Thousands Of Pennsylvanians

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday addressed more than 3,000 attendees at this year’s Developing Unconventionals East Conference in Pittsburgh which focused on the significant impact of the Marcellus and Utica gas plays on the Appalachian Region.

* PUC Finalizes Updates To Electric Shopping Definitions

The Public Utility Commission Thursday finalized guidelines on the pricing labels used when selling electric generation service to residential customers.

* PPL Electric: Energy Efficiency For Low-Income Housing

The Lancaster City Housing Authority estimates it will save more than $17,000 in energy costs each year through its participation in PPL Electric Utilities’ new E-Power Master-Metered Low-Income Apartment Program.

* PUC Seeks Comments On Demand Response Programs, Future Steps

The Public Utility Commission Thursday issued for comment an amended demand response study, proposed changes to the demand response program methodology and the potential implementation of a full wholesale price suppression study.

* PJM Electric Grid Manager Explores Cyber Security Issues

Hardening the grid and becoming more resilient against possible future threats to the electricity system such as super storms or cyber attacks will come about through developing a culture of resilience, said PJM Interconnection President and CEO Terry Boston. 

* Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Awards Trail Grants

The region’s trail network, or the Circuit, is one step closer to being even more connected and accessible. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Wednesday announced $4 million in grants for 13 trail design and construction projects throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

* Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Landscaping Projects Certified As Sustainable

The Sustainable Sites Initiative program has announced three new projects have achieved certification under the nation’s most comprehensive rating system for sustainable landscapes, two of the projects, the Shoemaker Green at the University of Pennsylvania and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh.

* TreeVitalize Pittsburgh Plants 20,000th Tree

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh has reached its initial goal of planting 20,000 trees in the Pittsburgh area—enough trees to fill New York City’s Central Park.

* DCNR Rules Out Gunter Valley Dam Rehabilitation In Franklin County

Advanced deterioration and escalating rehabilitation costs will force breaching of the dam that once formed Gunter Valley Reservoir in Franklin County, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Tuesday.

* Philadelphia’s Pier 53 Waterfront Park Project Underway

The redevelopment of on area bordering the Delaware River at Pier 53 in Philadelphia has begun, thanks to a grant from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

* Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Volunteer Training Day Dec. 7

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is pleased to announce an Eagle Watch Volunteer Training Day on December 7, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Lackawaxen Inn in Lackawaxen, Pike County.  Join the Conservancy on December 7, and become an eagle volunteer.

* Report: Climate Change Could Affect Pennsylvania’s Big Game

Rising temperatures, deeper droughts and more extreme weather events fueled by man made climate change are making survival more challenging for America’s treasured big game wildlife from coast to coast, according to the new Nowhere to Run report from the National Wildlife Federation released Wednesday.

* In Memorium: Northwest Trail Advocate Jim Holden Passes

Long-time trails advocate James Holden, 73, from Franklin, Venango County, passed away on November 9 following a brief illness.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP, DCNR Projects

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on projects in Chester, Delaware and Warren County.

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released.

* Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs.  NEW means new from last week.

* Budget/Quick NewsClips

Here's a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state--

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 16, 2013

* Calendar Of Events

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars.  Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

* Stories Invited

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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