Gov. Corbett received an update Friday from the Department of Environmental Protection on the status of the gas well fire in Greene County that started on Tuesday and subsequently released the following statement:

The Rocket-Courier in Wyalusing reported Thursday Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, has sent a formal request to Attorney General Kathleen Kane asking for an official inquiry into post-production cost deductions by natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said during his Senate Appropriations budget hearing Tuesday he was still several weeks away from completing the fieldwork on his audit of the drilling-related water quality programs at DEP.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will have a hearing on the proposed FY 2014-15 budget request for the Department of Environmental Protection February 18 at 3:00 and for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on February 19 at 9:00.

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--

Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said Tuesday she will introduce legislation to preserve the authority of communities to use local fees to support their recycling programs.

Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield) is sponsoring House Bill 1912 which would repeal Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act-- sponsor summary.

The American Farm Bureau Federation and Fertilizer Institute have recruited 21 states from across the country to support their efforts to derail Chesapeake Bay restoration. Together, they're seeking to overturn the recent ruling which declared the science-based pollution limits and the cleanup plan legal.

Despite frigid temperatures and a looming snowstorm, 85 farmers, state and federal conservation professionals, and others converged in Wysox, Bradford County to attend “Clean Water, Healthy Lands,” a workshop and awards ceremony hosted by the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Foundation restoration staff.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monday released its second data report on water quality conditions in small watersheds in the Marcellus Shale region of the Susquehanna River Basin.

Pennsylvania American Water Monday announced entries are now being accepted for its 12th Annual "Protect Our Watersheds" Art Contest.   The deadline for entries is March 28.

Ten ceramic artists from five states have generously donated their talents and time to create beautiful pieces that utilize metal oxides recovered from environmentally-friendly systems that treat drainage from abandoned Pennsylvania coal mines.

Are you 55 years or older, live in York, Adams, or Lancaster Counties and want to become involved in protecting our resources and educating the public on the natural world? If so, the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps wants you.

The 49-page 2013 annual report from the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team is now available online.

The Winter issue of Estuary News from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now available.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to meet on March 6 to hear a presentation on efforts to restore migratory fish passage on the lower Susquehanna River and other agenda items. (formal notice)

We all know that it is very important to remove ice and snow from walkways to prevent injury. However, we often forget the damage that some of the materials we use to melt ice can do to plants and the environment.

With the end of winter nowhere in sight, the Public Utility Commission reminds the 13,298 consumers without use of a central heating system or using a potentially unsafe heating source in their homes to call about programs to help restore natural gas or electric service.

Gov. Corbett Monday announced the Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $996,713 in grants to help 134 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites code enforcement officials, builders, contractors and designers to a March 6 training workshop in Feasterville-Trevose, Bucks County on the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites middle school teachers, administrators and building managers to a March 6 training workshop in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County on the Keystone Energy Education Program (KEEP) to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

Larry Schweiger, outgoing CEO of the National Wildlife Federation and an environmental leader in Pennsylvania will be the keynote speaker at the May 7-9 PA Environmental Professionals Association annual conference in Seven Springs, Somerset County.  Click Here for all the details.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful received top honors at Keep America Beautiful’s recent 61st National Conference in Charlotte, NC, where they were once again recognized for innovative programming and partnerships, excellence in management and administration, and volunteer contributions.

Natural Lands Trust Wednesday announced it has been awarded $5.7 million in grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Marcellus Legacy Fund administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

It was love for the land that led Michael and Carol Schneider to protect their seventeen acres on Hornbecks Creek in Pike County—a direct tributary of the Delaware River, the source of clean drinking water for millions.

The February issue of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership eConnections newsletter is now available.

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday launched its annual live, 24-hour-a-day webcast of a nesting pair of peregrine falcons who live on a ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.

The snow geese and tundra swans likely won’t notice, but a construction project underway at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon and Lancaster counties– a destination for thousands of tourists each winter – might catch visitors by surprise.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve  is calling for volunteers who’d like to get involved in hands-on environmental stewardship on Earth Day Work Day 2014 April 12 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1635 River Road, New Hope, Bucks County.

Performance Systems Development, an energy management consulting firm, is seeking candidates to fill two positions: a Senior Program Manager in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh and a Program Coordinator position in Pittsburgh.  Click Here for details.

The Department of Environmental Protection is offering summer internship opportunities for college students in the engineering, scientific, technical, journalism, human resources and government services areas.  March 1 is the deadline for applying.  Click Here for all the details.

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 - February 15, 2013

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.