The environmental agenda facing Pennsylvania-- both in legislation and policy-- presents challenges and opportunities in 2018, especially since it’s an election year. 

With the Governor, all of the House and half the Senate up for grabs in 2018, election year politics can’t help but color every action of the General Assembly, budget deliberations especially.

Dr. Robert L. Eppley Jr., an environmental scientist and chemist and long-time active member of the Blacklick Creek Watershed Association in Cambria and Indiana Counties, passed away on December 24.  He was passionate about the environment.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

The planning committee for the 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference is now accepting presentation proposals to be held June 20-21 at the Ramada Conference Center in State College.  The deadline for proposals is March 1.

Individuals interested in knowing more about the Lehigh Valley Master Watershed Stewards Program can attend a January 10 information session in Allentown, Lehigh County, January 18 in Nazareth, Northampton County and Bethlehem on January 24.

The Environmental Leadership Program is now accepting applications for the Delaware River Watershed Fellowship Program, an intensive leadership and skills training and provides the opportunity to learn and collaborate with regional and national networks.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding Friday announced more than $860,000 in grant funding is now available to researchers interested in finding solutions to some of the most pressing and persistent problems confronting the Commonwealth’s farms and farmers.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 30 PA Bulletin scheduling additional public hearings on proposed changes to the Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy by DEP and proposed changes to the Triennial Water Quality Standard regulations by the Environmental Quality Board for January 30.

DEP’s State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers published notice of its 2018 schedule of certification exams in the December 30 PA Bulletin.

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced Commonwealth Cornerstone Group has completed a $15 million New Markets Tax Credit financing transaction that will support the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of “Mill 19,” a riverfront brownfield site that is part of the planned Hazelwood Green project in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood community.

The Public Utility Commission Friday released the results of its annual Cold Weather Survey, which showed that more than 19,000 households across the state who had their utility service terminated this year are entering the winter season without heat-related utility service or using unsafe heating sources.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced CNX Gas Company, LLC has agreed to two civil penalties totaling $433,500 for violations at well sites in Greene County.

In November the Department of Environmental Protection released long-awaited revised versions of two permitting proposals which are designed to help control methane emissions from new unconventional natural gas wells and their accompanying transmission infrastructure.

The Department of Environmental Protection has extended its Alternative Fueled Vehicle Rebate Program through June 30.  (formal notice)  The rebates available include--

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing on the proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Graymont facility in Centre County on February 9, if a hearing is requested.  (PA Bulletin, page 7895)

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Wednesday announced the protection of 13 acres in Franklin Township, Huntington County, which includes a limestone cave system to be used for bat conservation and more than 1,200 feet of public fishing access to the renowned Spruce Creek.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy will begin accepting entries for a new juried photo contest-- Sharing Place: Eagles and Their Environs-- for the Upper Delaware River region on January 15.  The deadline for entries is February 15.

The Manada Conservancy’s Native Plant Pre-Sale is now open online.  Shop the online store for native perennials, trees, and shrubs at a 10 percent discount from the regular sale day price.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 30 PA Bulletin of the opportunity to bid on an orphan oil and gas well plugging project in Clinton County and a water main extension project in Clearfield County.

LandStudies, Inc. is looking for a highly motivated student in Engineering or a related science to fill a Water Resources Engineering internship position for the summer of 2018 in its Lititz, Lancaster County office. 

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

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

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 30 PA Bulletin formally extending the comment period to February 16 for the Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy by DEP and the Triennial Water Quality Standard Regulations by the Environmental Quality Board and scheduling additional public hearings on both for January 30 at DEP’s Southeast Regional Office in Norristown.

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 43 pages long.

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

Register Now! For the 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 23-24 in State College.  Join PA Environment Digest in sponsoring this worthwhile Conference.

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