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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Jan. 25, 2016 Issue #604
(1/25/2016)
* Agencies Unveil New Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Strategy, New Growing Greener Ahead

After 30 years of work that has prevented millions of pounds of pollutants from reaching Pennsylvania’s waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, the Commonwealth continues to face immense pressure from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve water quality.

* CBF-PA: PA Releases New Strategy For Meeting Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Commitments

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Thursday unveiled a new strategy for cleaning up its polluted waterways, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation--PA is calling on leaders in Harrisburg to make the necessary investments to ensure its success.

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Partners Argue Bay Restoration Rulings Should Stand

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker and partners issued the following statement Tuesday regarding their brief calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to let stand the lower courts’ rulings on challenges to Bay restoration.

* Gov. Wolf Announces New Methane Regulations On Oil & Gas Industry

During a Facebook Town Hall meeting Tuesday, Gov. Wolf announced DEP would be developing new regulations to control methane emissions from the oil and gas development industry.

* PEC, EDF, Other Groups React To New Oil & Gas Methane Emissions Proposal

Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental Protection showed strong leadership Tuesday by recommending steps for regulatory action to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas methane from the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania – the second largest producer of natural gas in the country.

* Associated Petroleum Industries-PA Reacts To Wolf’s Methane Reduction Proposal

API-PA Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman issued the following statement regarding Gov. Wolf’s announced new methane rules proposals, cautioning against duplicative regulations on oil and gas operations:

* Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Signals Strong Steps On Methane, PA Environmental Council

By John Walliser, PA Environmental Council

* Keep PA Beautiful: Registration Now Open For 2016 Great American Cleanup Of PA

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday announced registration is now open for the 2016 Great American Cleanup of PA to be held March 1 to May 31 across Pennsylvania.  In 2015, over 128,000 volunteers collected over 6 million pounds of trash from roads, waterways, trails and shorelines.

* Gov. Wolf, State Agencies Recommend Winter Storm Preparations

Gov. Tom Wolf and state officials are urging Pennsylvanians to pay close attention to weather forecasts and take steps to be ready for the first snowstorm of 2016, and one of the most significant widespread storms to impact the state in several years.

* PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Let us join your Circle.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule

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--

* Budget Bottom Line: Everyone Is Still Saying The Same Things, But It’s Colder

Your birdbath isn’t the only thing that’s frozen over this week.  The major players in the effort to adopt a complete FY 2015-16 state budget spent another week frozen in the same positions.

* January Environmental Synopsis Available From Joint Conservation Committee

The January issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

* DEP To Webcast Feb. 3 EQB Meeting On Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations Live

The February 3 Environmental Quality Board meeting on the final Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78A (unconventional) drilling regulations will be webcast live by DEP.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Discuss Longwall Mining, Chesapeake Bay Feb. 4

The agenda for the February 4 DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting includes an update on the Chesapeake Bay Program and the recently unveiled reboot, the lower Susquehanna water quality study and a discussion of DEP’s response to the Council’s comments on the Act 54 longwall mining impact report from last July.

* Foundation For PA Watersheds Now Accepting Letters Of Inquiry For 2016 Grants

The Foundation for PA Watersheds is now accepting Letters of Inquiry for it first 2016 round of grants until February 15.  This is the first step in the Foundation’s grant process.

* Wolf Announces $78.3 Million Investment In Water Infrastructure Projects In 12 Counties

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the investment of $78.3 million for 12 drinking water, wastewater and nonpoint source projects across 12 counties through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

* Call For Presenters: West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium April 14-15

The PA Trout Unlimited organizers of the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium on April 14-15 in State College is inviting proposals for presentations and research/student posters.  The deadline for proposals is February 19.

* 7 Montgomery County Municipalities, Philadelphia Join To Restore Wissahickon Creek

A growing number of Montgomery County municipalities in the Wissahickon Creek watershed have passed resolutions to join a new partnership to address unhealthy water quality and reduce damaging floods in the region.

* New Partnership Formed In Chiques Creek Watershed, Lancaster County

On December 15 Matt Royer, Director of Penn State’s Agriculture and Environment Center, kicked off a new collaborative project entitled “Chiques Creek Reenvisioned.”

* Data Needed For Streams In Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Lehigh, Montgomery Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting groups and individuals with water quality data on nine watersheds in Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Lehigh and Montgomery counties to submit that data to help in evaluating existing water quality, in stream habitat and biological conditions. (formal notice)

* Request For Proposals, Exhibits: Dive Deeper III Water Educator Summit Sept. 22

Summit organizers are now accepting proposals for Presenters and Exhibitors at the 2016 Dive Deeper III Summit, the biennial youth water educators summit hosted by Penn State Extension on September 22 in Harrisburg.  The deadline for submissions is February 29.

* Student Symposium On The Environment A Success At Westminster College

The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County reported in its January Catalyst newsletter-- It was our largest symposium yet!  On December 3rd, the annual Student Symposium on the Environment was held at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Lawrence County.

* Delaware River Water Resources Association Offers College Scholarship

The Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin is now accepting applications for the John L Buzzi Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Applications are due March 31.

* Reminder: Award Nominations Due For Delaware River Water Resources Assn. Jan. 24

The Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin is accepting nominations for its annual awards through January 24.  The award categories include:

* December Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The December issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County featuring articles on--

* Jan. 19 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The January 19 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--

* Jan. 19 Chesapeake Bay Journal News Now Available

The January 19 Chesapeake Bay Journal News is now available featuring articles on--

* DEP Releases Findings On September 2015 Odor Event From Scranton Sewer System

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday said it has concluded its three-month investigation regarding a substance and odor that ran through the Greenridge section of Scranton Sewer Authority in September 2015.

* Dept. Of Health Data Analytics Portal To Add Environmental Health Information Soon

Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy Friday announced the Department of Health’s recently established Division of Health Informatics has released a new online self-service tool to access and analyze public health data.

* Electronics Recycling Assn Of PA Calls For Action On PA’s E-Waste Law

The Electronics Recycling Association of PA Tuesday sent a letter to local government, environmental, waste industry and business groups providing an update on the status of electronics waste recycling in Pennsylvania under the state’s Covered Device Recycling Act of 2010.

* eLoop Electronics Recycling Company Pulls Out Of State E-Waste Recycling Program

eLoop LLC, a major recycler of electronics waste in Western Pennsylvania, announced in late December it is withdrawing from the state program designed to have manufacturers pay for the recycling of e-waste in 8 counties surrounding Pittsburgh because the program is no longer working.

* 2014 DEP Report To General Assembly Documented Problems With E-Waste Recycling

Pennsylvania’s electronics waste recycling law passed with fanfare in 2010, but so far has failed to provide the robust electronics recycling opportunities intended by its supporters.  A 2014 report on the program to the General Assembly by the Department of Environmental Protection confirms these findings.

* PEC Blog: Energy Efficiency Tips For Keeping Warm This Winter

As the cold weather of the winter season blows across Pennsylvania, you may be reminded of that drafty window or leaky door you’ve been meaning to fix.

* Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Votes On Recommendations, Final Report Soon

The Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force met for the last time Wednesday to finish work on the 184 recommendations on how to better guide the development of natural gas pipelines in the Commonwealth.

* UGI Asks PUC For First Base Delivery Rate Increase In 21 Years

The UGI Gas Division Tuesday filed a request with the Public Utility Commission to increase its base rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers by $58.6 million annually.

* 2016 Energy Sprout Sustainable Energy Design Competition

The West Penn Sustainable Energy Fund and the Sustainable Energy Fund are now accepting applications for the 2016 Energy Sprout Sustainable Energy Design Competition.  The deadline for submissions is May 3.

* SEPTA, Constellation Energy, Virility Energy Join In Unique Energy Storage Project

A battery storage network, which captures and reuses the energy created by braking subway cars, will help Southeastern PA Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reduce operating costs, ensure energy resiliency, and support the stability of the electrical grid.

* Harrisburg Weis Market Signage Highlights Environmental Initiatives

The Weis Market on Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg has new sustainability signage highlighting environmental initiatives by the food and drug store retailer.

* Op-Ed: Why Scranton Products Believes Ethical Business, Education Go Hand In Hand

By David Casal, Scranton Products

* January 21 DEP News Now Available

The January 21 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

* Cornplanter Forest District Uses Partnerships To Make Youth Connections

For the past 15 years, Mark Lewis, service forester with DCNR’s Cornplanter State Forest District has been using partnerships to engage youth in protecting water resources in and near Crawford County.

* Friends Of The Wissahickon Annual Meeting January 27

Friends of the Wissahickon in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties will host a public meeting on January 27 to discuss progress on its Sustainable Trails Initiative, its signage program and other upcoming projects in 2016.

* Lunch And Learn With Grey Towers Heritage Assn Feb. 29, March 22, April 18

A revised schedule has been set for a new Lunch and Learn series of public programs that is being offered this winter by the Grey Towers Heritage Association to introduce the community to the historic accomplishments of Gifford Pinchot, founder of the U.S. Forest Service and Governor of Pennsylvania, and the public programs offered at his ancestral home, Grey Towers National Historic Site, in Milford, Pike County.

* DCNR Launches New Web-Based Resources For Land & Water Conservation Fund

DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation has created new web-based resources that provide a “one-stop shop” for information about the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program.

* Jan. 20 DCNR Resource Newsletter Now Available

The January 20 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

* TreePhilly Program Seeking Applications For Spring Tree Giveaway Grants

The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department is now accepting applications for its 2016 Community Tree Giveaway Grants.  Applications are due February 12.

* Stroud, Southern Chester Conservancy Wild & Scenic Film Festival Feb. 25-26

The Stroud Water Research Center and the Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County are again collaborating with Trail Creek Outfitters, Exelon and other partners to bring the country’s largest environmental film festival to West Chester on February 25-26.

* Family Activities Every Sunday At The Upper Delaware Visitor Center In Lackawaxen

Families are invited to join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at the Upper Delaware Visitor Center in Lackawaxen, Pike County for special activities for kids on Sunday afternoons from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. in January and February.

* Fish & Boat Commission OKs Public Fishing Easements During Quarterly Meeting

At its quarterly business meeting Thursday, the Fish and Boat Commission purchased three easements and one property along Erie County’s Elk Creek, further expanding the public fishing corridor along the popular steelhead stream, and an updated Trout Management Plan.

* PHMC Now Accepting Applications For Historic Preservation Grants

The PA Historical and Museum Commission announced Tuesday it is now accepting applications for Keystone Historic Preservation Grants.  The deadline for applications is March 14.

* DCNR Names Norbeck Parks, Forestry Deputy; Blackmer Topo Geo Director

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently named John Norbeck Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry and Dr. Gale Blackmer,  Director, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey.

* Interns Wanted: Stroud Water Research Center, Entomology Lab Assistants

The Stroud Water Research Center in Chester County is seeking science and environmental education majors to serve as laboratory assistants  in a biological water quality analysis of sites in the Schuylkill and Delaware River Basins.  Applications are due March 1.  Click Here for all the details.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

* 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.

* Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of a final regulation amending Chapter 215 of its regulations concerning security for radioactive material in the January 23 PA Bulletin.

* CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

* 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 UnlimitedSponsor: 2016 Keystone Coldwater Conference, State College, Feb. 26-27.

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