The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has issued a $12.6 million civil penalty to Sunoco Pipeline, LLP for permit violations related to the construction of the Mariner East II Pipeline Project.

Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday laid out a $32.9 billion plan for FY 2018-19 that includes the first major investment in workforce development and skills training, including dedicated funding for STEM and computer science education.

Gov. Wolf's proposed FY 2018-19 budget includes $1.6 million in funding to combat the Spotted Lanternfly, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The Department of Health Friday elaborated on the $2.5 million in funding proposed in Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2018-19 budget to combat Lyme disease in Pennsylvania.

The Senate Tuesday adopted Senate Resolution 226 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) to require the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to do an independent performance evaluation of DEP’s Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (Water Obstruction and Encroachment) permit programs.

The House State Government Committee Tuesday amended and approved House Bill 1237 (Keefer-R-York) that would allow the General Assembly to kill an economically significant final regulation from any agency by doing nothing.

On Monday, the PA Environmental Council sent a letter to all members of the House State Government Committee about its consideration of a 5 bill package of regulatory and permit “reform” bills.

On Thursday, 22 conservation, clean energy and community-based environmental protection groups sent a letter to all members of the House opposing a 5 bill package of regulatory and permit “reform” proposals.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday announced groups can now register their local cleanup events as part of the 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA to get free trash bags and in some cases free trash disposal from participating waste facilities.  The event runs from March 1 to May 31.

Hang on, there were a lot of moving parts to the gerrymandering case this week, but one thing is for sure-- the business of responding to the PA Supreme Court’s January 22 order to draw new Congressional districts is really taking all the political energy in the Capitol.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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

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--

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday sent a letter to President Trump asking him to renew federal support for Pennsylvania’s infrastructure needs.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue Wednesday announced $17.5 million in emergency funding to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation held a hearing Monday on Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Credit Trading Program.

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna) Monday introduced House Bill 2055 establishing a health registry for collection of health-related data associated with unconventional gas well drilling by the Department of Health (sponsor summary).

PennFuture is now accepting nominations for the 4th Annual Celebrating Women In Conservation Awards.  The deadline for nominations is March 9.  Award categories include--

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on February 20 and will hear updates on DEP’s Radiation Protection Programs.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on February 20 to consider final regulations changes on the handling and use of explosives.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 10 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed changes to the Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Permits for the Sunoco Mariner East II Pipeline in Chester and Delaware counties.  (PA Bulletin Page 949)

Law 360 reported Monday the Sunoco Mariner East II Pipeline appealed DEP’s January 3 suspension of its construction permits until Sunoco can demonstrate that it can comply with its permit conditions.

Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) Monday promoted an effort by local residents to crowd-fund a risk assessment for the Sunoco Mariner East II Pipeline.

DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on February 14 to discuss a variety of issues, including a proposal to more than double the per well permit fee for unconventional natural gas wells from $5,000 to $12,500.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 10 PA Bulletin of a proposed Water Quality Certification for a revised Equitrans Pipeline expansion project in Greene County.  (PA Bulletin page 945)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 10 PA Bulletin it has issued the Air Quality Plan approval for the Renovo Energy Center, LLC 1,000 MW natural gas and ultra-low sulfur diesel-fired combined-cycle power plant in Clinton County.  (PA Bulletin page 935)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 10 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load water quality plan for Ross Run in Indiana County. (PA Bulletin page 948)

The departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection Monday announced they have been honored with Keep America Beautiful 2018 State Agency Partner Awards for their partnership on the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania in 2017.

Keep America Beautiful recently recognized Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Ranger Edward “Todd” Ottinger from Michaux State Forest District in Adams, Cumberland and Franklin counties with a 2017 Environmental Officer Award.

The PA Resources Council Tuesday announced its Spring 2018 schedule of workshops to take place at numerous locations in Allegheny County.

Young Pennsylvanians interested in pursuing environmental careers are invited to apply for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ summer residential camp, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said Monday.  The deadline for applications is April 15.

The Lancaster County Conservation District and local sportsmen's groups are now accepting applications from students 14 to 16 interested in a career in conservation or the environment at their annual Lancaster County Youth Conservation School.

The Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center is now accepting registrations for its summer day and residential camps for students age 5 to 18 in Lake Ariel, Wayne County..

A new report released Tuesday by Capital-E shows the costs and benefits of cities adopting citywide smart building, renewable and green infrastructure technologies like green roofs, porous pavements, rain gardens and tree plantings.  The report used Philadelphia as an example saying it could generate $3.6 billion in benefits over 40 years.

The Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, held its meeting Thursday in Harrisburg.

Ralph Elwood Brock was born on February 15, 1881 and raised in Pottsville, Schuylkill County. He became the first African-American to become a Graduate Forester of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy when he graduated in 1906.

Love birdwatching? Consider participating in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count organized by the Audubon Society and The Cornell Lab Of Ornithology. This free and fun citizen science program takes place February 16–19.

Michaux State Forest Management Forester Michael Wright was named recipient of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award for his work managing wildlife habitat.

Penn State Extension, DCNR, PA Forestry Association, the Forests For The Bay initiative and the ClearWater Conservancy are hosting a Woods In Your Backyard Workshop on April 7 at the Union County Government Center, 155 N. 15th Street in Lewisburg from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced 45 highway, bridge, bike and pedestrian, and ports and waterways projects will benefit communities in 22 counties through the Department of Transportation Multimodal Transportation Fund.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Friday joined Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and Limestone Township officials in celebration of the Wolf Administration’s recent investment to support rehabilitation and further development of Nippenose Valley Park.

The February 7 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

Natural Lands Tuesday announced its ChesLen Preserve in Newlin Township, Chester County, expanded to 1,282 acres when the organization purchased land from an adjacent neighbor. 

Anglers and boaters can now express their opinions on the Fish and Boat Commission through an online Sportsmen’s Forum Public Opinion Poll in addition to or instead of attending one of the five remaining Sportsmen’s Forums.

The Game Commission this week released its 2017 Annual Report and accompanying video which summarizes accomplishments and challenges in the past year, including engaging the public on wildlife issues, chronic wasting disease, West Nile virus in Pennsylvania’s state bird the ruffed grouse and maintaining financial stability.

The Game Commission will host a webinar on February 15 on the Commission research that found ruffed grouse, Pennsylvania’s state bird, are contracting West Nile Virus and the impact it is having on grouse populations.

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking individuals to fill 92 summer intern positions in locations all across the Commonwealth. The deadline for applications is March 1.

The PA Environmental Council is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Energy and Climate Program Manager in PEC’s Pittsburgh 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 Environmental Quality Board published notice in the February 10 PA Bulletin of final regulations making stream designation changes in 4 streams in Berks, Chester, Monroe, Northampton and Susquehanna counties.

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 74 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. 

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