On January 31, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a $4.5 billion, 4-year Restore Pennsylvania initiative to fund high-impact community and environmental infrastructure projects that he said will help catapult Pennsylvania ahead of every state in the country in terms of technology, development and infrastructure.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the February 2 PA Bulletin setting the 2018 collection year Act 13 drilling impact fees.  The fee amounts will not change from the 2017 fees.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for grants funded by Act 13 drilling impact fees for watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphaned or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities, flood mitigation programs and recreation. 

The Department of Environmental Protection is working with Villanova University to update and modernize its 13-year-old Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual.

By Griffin Davis, ‘22 Villanova University

On January 30, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of $121 million in funding for 25 drinking water, wastewater and nonpoint source projects across 20 counties by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

On February 1, Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed 161 criminal charges against the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority for failing to notify residents when the agency replaced lead water lines creating health risks for affected households.

On January 29, the Senate State Government Committee voted unanimously to approve and report out Senate Bill 9 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) designating the Eastern Hellbender as the state amphibian and clean water ambassador (sponsor summary).

On January 28, the Parks and Forests Foundation debuted “The Legacy of Pennsylvania Parks and Forests: The Future is in Our Hands” report at the State Capitol in Harrisburg.

On February 1, attorneys for the Hankin Group, a Chester County-based residential, commercial and retail developer, asked a Chester County Common Pleas Court judge to force Sunoco off four of its properties where it is still constructing the Mariner East Pipeline.

By Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester)

On February 2, the Public Utility Commission published the final policy statement on third-party electric vehicle (EV) charging stations designed to reduce regulatory uncertainty, provide greater clarity and consistency among electric distribution companies (EDCs), and promote increased investment in EV charging infrastructure in the state in the PA Bulletin.

With frigid temperatures gripping the state this week, the Public Utility Commission provided tips to consumers on lessening the harsh impacts of the cold weather and keeping families safer through the practices of sound energy conservation and safe heating.

On January 30, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced local affiliates collected a combined total of over 2.2 million pounds of electronics, 17,293 tires, 950 appliances and 21,434 pounds of household hazardous waste from local residents, emphasizing the continued need for disposal options for hard to dispose items.

On January 29, the state Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a measure that updates the state’s list of threatened and endangered species, providing three cave bat species additional protection by reclassifying them as state endangered species.

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--

On January 28, the House introduced House Resolution 6 naming members to each of its standing committees, following Senate appointments last week.

On January 31, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee announced the Committee will hold a "State Of The State" information meeting.

The House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees are scheduled to hold a hearing on February 7 on the air pollution caused by the Clairton Coke (Coal) Works fire in Clairton, Allegheny County.

On February 1, the Department of Revenue reported Pennsylvania collected $2.9 billion in General Fund revenue in January, which was $113.7 million, or 3.8 percent, less than anticipated.

On January 30, the Allegheny Institute For Public Policy in Pittsburgh published a policy briefing reviewing the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s 5-Year Infrastructure Plan to make improvements to its water infrastructure.

On January 30, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced it will hold a hearing on water withdrawal requests and other issues on February 13 and its next regular business meeting on March 13.  (formal notice)

The General Assembly plays an important role in protecting these critical water resources through the funding of the state resource agencies charged with their protection and passing and enhancing laws that help to steward them.

You can still register for the DCNR and Western PA Conservancy Riparian Forest Buffer Summit on February 20-21 is closing fast.

Are you a volunteer coordinator or community Leader?  Do you need community service ideas for 2019?

Octorara High School students spent three days last fall experiencing and learning about their local parts of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, with the help of the Stroud Water Research Center. They also discovered the impacts their choices make to promote its health and integrity.

The Pike County Conservation District is offering a $500 Environmental Education Project Grant opportunity to Pike County teachers or youth organizations to fund a project that complements the District’s mission.  Deadline for applications is May 3.

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host two upcoming events in Monroe County for kids and the whole family.

The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for Section 902 Recycling Implementation Grants. The deadline for applications is March 22.

The Department of Environmental Protection will be accepting comments on a noncoal surface mine permit application, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) application for Specialty Granules LLC’s Northern Tract Quarry, located in Hamiltonban Township, Adams County through February 13.

On January 31, the Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board, in conjunction with the Public Utility Commission, announced will hold its annual meeting at 10:30 a.m., February 7 in the Desert Room of the Keystone Building Meeting Center in the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg. 

By Mark Szybist, Natural Resources Defense Council

The In Case You Missed It In January newsletter is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring stories on--

On February 1, Gov. Tom Wolf announced 50 highway, bridge, transit, aviation, and bike and pedestrian projects in 23 counties were selected for $44.5 million in funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund.

The Scranton-based Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority is now accepting applications for Spring Partnership Grants to support conservation, preservation or educational programs about historic, cultural, economic and natural resources in the Lackawanna Valley.

On January 29, the South Mountain Partnership announced its scheduled of 6 lectures for the 2019 South Mountain Speakers Series.

Penn State Extension is offering 2 Spring Gardening Workshops on April 2 and 9 at the Northampton Community Fowler Family Center, 511 E. 3rd Street in Bethlehem from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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 85 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.