The PA Environmental Defense Foundation Tuesday filed a petition for extraordinary jurisdiction with the PA Supreme Court to direct Commonwealth Court to obey the June Supreme Court decision declaring transfers from DCNR’s Oil and Gas Fund to balance the state budget unconstitutional based on the Environmental Rights Amendment.

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has issued an order suspending the construction permits associated with the Mariner East 2 pipeline until the permittee, Sunoco Pipeline, L.P. (Sunoco) meets the requirements outlined in the order.

A sculpture carved from a half-ton of butter depicting the diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture-- specifically careers and roles that support the dairy industry-- was unveiled Thursday at the 102nd PA Farm Show in Harrisburg.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s exhibit at the 102nd Pennsylvania Farm Show focuses on steps that farms, towns, industry, and residents can take to help clean up local streams and rivers.

Dominion Energy and PA Environmental Council are now accepting nominations for the 2018 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards for excellence in advancing the environmental quality of Western Pennsylvania.

Total tax collections for the month of December exceeded estimate by $15.3 million, pushing fiscal year-to-date tax collections $62.5 million above estimate, Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell reported Tuesday.

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--

House Bill 1959 (Rothman-R-Cumberland) was introduced Wednesday and represents yet another attempt to give third parties the power to review and direct the Department of Environmental Protection to issue environmental permits and in the process creates a new permit review bureaucracy that is not funded.

Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York) Wednesday launched a new website where Pennsylvanians affected by excessive regulations can report those regulations.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council meets January 16 and will hear a series of briefings on the Air Quality Program, including an overall picture of air quality in the state, emission trends for stationary and mobile sources and recently designated nonattainment areas.

The federal Chesapeake Bay Program issued its annual Bay Barometer: Health And Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed report Thursday showing a majority of Bay health indicators are showing positive results, an encouraging sign EPA said, restoration efforts are working.

By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Media & Communications Coordinator

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office is now accepting applications for FY18 Chesapeake Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program funding opportunity.   The deadline for applications is March 9.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society is now accepting applications for its annual $4,000 college scholarship, available to students who wish to pursue a career in an environmental field such as forestry, natural resources, environmental planning, environmental engineering, fish, game or wildlife management, ecology and/or environmental science.

Ryerson Station State Park, Greene County, is undergoing a “Re-Vision” process to plan for the future of the park, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is getting the public involved to make it an “exceptional park.”

The PA Lake Management Society will hold its 28th Annual Conference on March 7-8 at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in State College.

The PA Environmental Council and its partners will host a January 18 So, You Want To Implement A Stormwater Fee Workshop at the Jenkintown Library, 460 York Road, Jenkintown, Montgomery County starting at 4:00 p.m. (dinner provided).

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a January 16 public meeting followed by a hearing to discuss aspects of permitting of the Epiphany Allegheny LLC oil and gas wastewater brines treatment plant in Coudersport, Potter County. (formal notice Jan. 6 PA Bulletin, page 93)

The Allegheny County Health Department Thursday announced it has recently awarded 10 mini-grants totaling $38,900 to community organizations to educate residents on the sources and consequences of lead exposure, as well as the importance of prevention and universal blood lead level testing.

DEP’s Recycling Fund Advisory Committee is holding a special meeting January 30 to continue its discussion on Act 101 recycling law funding mechanisms and grants it started at its December 6 meeting. (formal notice)

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday announced the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors-- Jennifer Fetter, Doreen Harr, April Kopas, Patti Olenick and Jerome Shabazz.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced the partial elimination of the North Penn 6 site in Lansdale, Montgomery County from the federal Superfund National Priority List.

Penn State Extension will host 5 land use planning webinars starting January 17 on the topic of Planning for Private Drinking Water Supplies from Noon to 1:15.  Other webinars are scheduled for--

With 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes having higher levels of radon than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers acceptable, the Department of Environmental Protection encourages Pennsylvanians to perform a simple test for this known human carcinogen.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a January 31 hearing on making nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emissions from the Lackawanna Energy Center natural gas power plant in Jessup, Lackawanna County federally enforceable.  (formal notice Jan. 6 PA Bulletin, page 57)

With frigid temperatures blasting Pennsylvania, the Public Utility Commission Thursday reminded residents across the state that preparation and awareness are essential parts of winter safety.

UGI Penn Natural Gas Thursday announced the formal launch of the company’s comprehensive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. The UGI program provides financial incentives that encourage consumers to reduce energy consumption and costs.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 6 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Tentative Implementation Order for Act 40 of 2017, which establishes geographical limits for solar photovoltaic (solar PV) systems that can qualify for the solar PV requirements under the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS).

The PA Environmental Council’s December In Case You Missed It is now available featuring articles on--

Save yourself $50 by registering early for the PA Environmental Council’s 2018 Philadelphia Area Environment Ride and attend the January 8 launch party at Yards Brewing to learn more about this year’s ride.  [This event is postponed, but early registration is still open.]

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the January 6 PA Bulletin of a revised price schedule for State Park activities, uses and privileges effective January 1, 2018.

Almost everyday news accounts show video and still photos of entire towns devastated by wildfires. Terms like “largest in history,” or “a community destroyed by a wildfire,” are common as news reporters in yellow firefighter shirts stand before the cameras.

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests will host another in its Woods and Waters Film Series Programs on January 12 at the Vukovich Center at Allegheny College in Meadville from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

It might be cold outside, but you don’t have to leave your cozy confines for a round-the-clock opportunity to view bald eagles at close range.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy regrets to announce the cancellation of Eagle Day, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 6th in Hawley, Wayne County at the Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center.

Bipartisan legislation was reintroduced December 14 in the U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C., by Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) that would dedicate $1.3 billion in funding to help states address the needs for thousands of fish and wildlife species in trouble across America.

The PA Historical and Museum Commission Thursday announced it is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations and local governments for the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program.  Applications are due March 1.

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary board of directors recently selected Sean Grace as the president of the world’s oldest and largest member-supported raptor conservation organization in the world. Grace will assume duties at Hawk Mountain in January 2018.

The law firm of Mette, Evans & Woodside announced that environmental attorney Paul J. Bruder has joined the firm.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy based in Lewisburg, Union County is seeking applicants for two full-time summer Program Intern positions.  The deadline for applications is March 15.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA invites applications for two Watershed Coordinator positions in its Pennsylvania office.

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist is seeking qualified applicants to fill a Regional Program Coordinator position in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  The deadline for applications is January 31.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 6 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a hazardous site water supply project in Lancaster County.

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 Public Utility Commission published notice in the January 6 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Tentative Implementation Order for Act 40 of 2017, which establishes geographical limits for solar photovoltaic (solar PV) systems that can qualify for the solar PV requirements under the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS).

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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.