The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday released a video update about the ongoing water quality study on the Susquehanna River.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Friday announced registration is now open for groups interested in participating in the 2014 Great American Cleanup of PA which this year will begin on March 1 and end on May 31.

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.

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

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

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has issued an air quality plan approval to Penn State University for its West Campus steam plant project to convert the boilers from coal to natural gas in State College.

The Department of Environmental Protection will conduct an open house and formal public hearing on January 21 on a plan approval request by Equitrans to install and begin temporary operation of new equipment at its existing Jefferson Compressor Station in Greene County.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting and formal public hearing on January 23, to outline and take public comment on a proposed Consent Order and Agreement with Cyprus Amax Minerals Company in Slovan, Washington County.

The Professional Recyclers of PA will hold their 24th Annual Recycling and Organics Conference July 22-24 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Pittsburgh.  Click Here for a preliminary schedule of activities.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Gary Tennis Monday announced the department is now offering an interactive map on its website that plots the locations of hundreds of prescription drug take-back boxes statewide.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Pennsylvania Field Office, reported Thursday 83.4 percent of Pennsylvania’s major crop acreage is now covered by no-till and conservation practices.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing on a series of proposed water withdrawal requested on February 6 in Room 8E-B East Wing, Capitol Building in Harrisburg starting at 2:30. (formal notice)  Click Here for the agenda and more information.

Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association and CRC’s municipal stormwater partnership will hold a special program on February 23 called “Protecting Our Water Resources and Environment through Reduced Chemical Use” presented by Integrated Pest Management (IPM) expert Mike Leventry.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Monday announced the Philadelphia has been ranked as one of the top ten U.S. Cities for Green Meetings by GreenBiz.com, a list developed based on industry standards for sustainable meetings and convention practices.

The Department of Environmental Protection will display its new interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit during the 13th Annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Home and Garden Show at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza from January 24 to 26.

A recent cold snap and subsequent warnings about power consumption have raised new questions about the closure of two southwestern Pennsylvania power plants, Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) and Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Fayette) said in a letter sent today to state utility regulators and officials who run the region’s power grid.

Pennsylvania American Water Wednesday announced applications are being accepted for its 2014 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to high school seniors who are planning to pursue careers in the water and wastewater industry.

The Berks County Conservation District is again sponsoring several college scholarships to encourage students to continue their education in conservation-related fields of study.  The deadline for applications is January 27. The scholarships include--

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is currently accepting applications from eligible high school seniors for the “Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship” in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship has been awarded annually since 2004 to a student planning to pursue a field in environmental studies in college.

Students pursuing a career in an environmental field in college are eligible to apply for a $4,000 scholarship from the Northeast PA Audubon Society.  Students must be from Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna or Wayne counties.  Applications are due April 30.  Click Here for more information.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for their 2014 summer field schools from youth ages 14-17 and adults. Adults serve as mentors and participate alongside the students. School teachers are encouraged to apply as mentors.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Science will hold its 90th annual meeting at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Snyder County on March 21-23 with a focus on water issues, particularly those related to the Susquehanna River.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting Community Conservation Partnership Grant applications and has scheduled workshops in February to walk applicants through the process and provide information on other DCNR grant opportunities.  (formal notice)

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Thursday announced repairs to a storm-damaged, on-site sewage treatment system at Little Pine State Park will require removal of a 7-acre tract of white pine from the park’s Lycoming County woodlands.

A huge opportunity is “nocking” for Pennsylvania’s student archers. The 2014 National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament is set to be held March 14 in State College.

The Game Commission Board of Directors Wednesday approved the appointment of R. Matthew Hough as the agency’s deputy executive director.

The Westmoreland County Conservation District is seeking candidates to fill two positions: a part-time Watershed Technician and a full-time Erosion Control Specialist.   Resumes are due to the District by February 3.  Send resumes by email to: wcd@wcdpa.com.

The Chester County Conservation District is seeking candidates to fill an Agricultural Resource Conservationist position.  Applications are due January 31.  Click Here for details.

The Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council based in DuBois, Clearfield County, has an opening for a Wildlife Biologist who will work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based in State College.  This is a one year position with the possibility of an extension.  Click Here for a full job description and application procedures.  Applications are due by February 19.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on several projects.

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

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

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

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

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

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 18, 2014

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.

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.

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