On January 22, Scott Perry, Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, told DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council his program is losing $800,000 a month and hopes to finalize a fee increase soon to properly fund the program.

On January 25, the Public Utility Commission announced detailed geological testing will begin Saturday, January 26 around the sinkhole that exposed the Mariner East 1 natural gas liquids pipeline on Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.

On January 22, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced his criminal investigation into the Mariner East  Pipelines is “widening and deepening” after a new sinkhole opened up in a neighborhood along the pipelines.

At the request of East Goshen Township in Chester County, Rep. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) and Sen. Tom Killion (R- Delaware) announced they will hold a public Q&A session on January 31 in West Chester with state agencies on Mariner East Pipeline safety concerns.

On January 24, the Independent Fiscal Office estimated the Act 13 drilling impact fee will generate $247 million from fees imposed in 2018, $37.4 million more than last year.

Calling on Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly to act without further delay, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Wednesday issued a special report recommending  immediate steps Pennsylvania can take to reduce emissions of climate-changing gases and generated up to $200 million in annual revenues for the state.

On January 24, the PFAS Action Team announced it will hold a public meeting on February 12 from 6:15-9:00 p.m. at the Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Montgomery County.

The American Water Resources Association announced the Delaware River Watershed Initiative is the 2018 winner of the Association's prestigious Integrated Water Resources Management Award.

On January 23, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) reintroduced legislation-- Senate Bill 9--  to designate the Eastern Hellbender the state’s official amphibian and clean water ambassador.

On January 22, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced it has given 2018 Outstanding Volunteer Awards to winners in Blair, Clinton, Huntingdon, Lehigh, Perry and Washington counties.

On January 24, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced it will unveil a new report on the maintenance needs of state park and forest infrastructure called The Legacy of Pennsylvania Parks and Forests: The Future is in Our Hands.

On January 24, the PA Trails Advisory Committee announced the Mid State Trail, stretching from the Maryland to the New York border in the center part of Pennsylvania, was named the 2019 Trail of the Year.

On January 25, the Game Commission announced it would be conducting a project in Bedford and Blair counties to reduce the threat to deer and elk herds posed by chronic wasting disease by reducing the number of deer in those counties.

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--

On January 24, the House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Delaware County to discuss the impact of methane leakage from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry on climate change.

On January 25, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) named Republican members to each of the standing committee filling out all committee assignments.

On January 23, Gov. Tom Wolf provided an update on how the state is working to minimize the impact of the federal government shutdown on Pennsylvanians.

On January 25, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority said in its January newsletter it would replace 3,400 lead water service lines at no cost to customers during 2019 with the $49 million in funding provided by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is now accepting applications for the Chesapeake Bay Green Streets-Green Jobs-Green Towns Grant Program to help communities reduce polluted stormwater runoff in urban areas by implementing green infrastructure practices. 

By Harry Campbell, PA Office, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

On January 22, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced it is seeking to fill 2 vacancies on its Water Management Advisory Committee.

On January 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will host a public information session on January 30 on the final efforts to extinguish the Jeansville Mine Fire located in Banks Township, Carbon County and Hazle Township, Luzerne County.

Registration is now open for the American Society of Mining and Reclamation Annual Meeting to be held June 3-7 at the Big Sky Resort in Montana.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 26 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a storage tank cleanup in Dauphin County.

Penn State Extension will be hosting an Environmental Advisory Councils In Action: What Can An EAC Do For Your Community Workshop on March 5 at the Lower Frederick Township Building, 53 Spring Mount Rd., Schwenksville, Montgomery County from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The 2019 Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference will be held on May 18 in conjunction with the PA Land Conservation Conference at the Skytop Lodge in Monroe County.

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education will host the 8th Annual Richard L. James Lecture: Environmental Justice In Pennsylvania - A New Vision on February 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

New year, fresh start! If you’re looking to make some positive changes for 2019, how you manage water resources are a great place to start!

Penn State Extension is hosting 2 Home Water And Septic System Workshops on March 18 in Nazareth, Northampton County, one starting at 1:30 and another at 6:00.

Apply now for the week-long Schuylkill Acts & Impacts Watershed Expedition for high school students hosted by the Schuylkill Action Network from June 15-22.   The deadline for applications is March 22.

The Brandywine Conservancy in Delaware County is now accepting applications for a Land Stewardship Intern position.

On January 25, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it is still hiring for its PA Outdoor Corps 10-month young adult crews. Running March 4 to December 6, 2019, the program aims to introduce young people to careers in the outdoors.

The Fish and Boat Commission is seeking candidates to fill seasonal Fisheries Biologist Aide positions based in Bellefonte, Centre County. 

By Kyle Steffish, Millersville University Student

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting registrations for its 2019 Conference to be held March 18-19 at the Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel.

On January 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting grant applications under the PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program to replace, repower, or retrofit fleet diesel-powered trucks, buses, and other vehicles and equipment through the Driving PA Forward Program.  (formal notice)

On January 22, the Department of Transportation, Lebanon Transit and Trillium CNG mark the opening of a Compressed Natural Gas transit fueling station at 200 Willow Street in Lebanon.

The Public Utility Commission is now accepting comments on a report on home energy-- electric and natural gas-- burdens for low-income Pennsylvanians.  Initial comments are due March 11.  (formal notice)

By Erin Cassidy Hendrik, Penn State News

The 2019 Pennsylvania Solar Congress will be held on February 24 at the Community Forge, 1256 Franklin Avenue in Pittsburgh from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On January 24, the U.S. Energy Information Agency reported in its 2019 Annual Energy Outlook that electricity generation from renewables will nearly double between now and 2050 from 18 to 31 percent and coal-fired generation will drop from 28 to 17 percent.

On January 24, The Hershey Company, based in Hershey, PA,  announced from Kakum National Park in Southern Ghana a package of environmental initiatives and commitments, including establishing a new comprehensive environmental policy, signing the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and joining the Science Based Targets initiative.

Just a reminder the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants.  The deadline for applications is April 10.

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants to support projects in Somerset, Fayette, Cambria, and Westmoreland counties.  The deadline for applications is February 21.

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2019 PA Wilds Champion Awards.  The deadline of nominations is July 1.

The definition of management is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that 407 acres will be added to the Pinchot State Forest District near Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County.

On January 25, Natural Lands announced it has placed a conservation easement on 137 acres of the historic Ker-Feal property located in West Pikeland, Chester County.

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting registrations for the 2019 PA Land Conservation Conference to be held May 16-18 at the Skytop Lodge in Monroe County.

The January 23 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring stories on--

On January 24, the Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy highlighted education and other programs coming up in February.  They include--

Tickets are now on sale for the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation We Love Wild Things And Wild Places Gala on April 5 at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, Centre County.

Steph Stonsick began her wildlife rehabilitation journey 12 years ago while residing in San Diego, Ca., when she volunteered at a local nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization.

On January 25, the Fish and Boat Commission announced is recruiting the 22nd class of Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Trainees at its H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.

The Public Utility Commission is seeking qualified candidate to fill the position of Executive Director.  The position is now held by Jan Freeman, who will be retiring this year.  Click Here for all the details.  The deadline for applications is February 25.

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

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 highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 86 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.

PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.

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