Steps being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania are constantly changing and evolving.  For the latest information visit--

The Senate and House made history this week by having members vote for the first time from their district offices and many from their homes proving the General Assembly, which traces its roots back to the first Assembly summoned by William Penn in December 1682, could still function in a crisis where social distancing restricts in-person meetings.

The one place state government has a significant surplus is in the operating accounts of the Senate and House--  an estimated  $172 million. 

Since the Pennsylvania National Guard began helping Montgomery County administer COVID-19 tests last week, as many as 275 people have been tested each day.

On March 23, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced all facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed until April 30 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources statistics show nearly 85 percent of Pennsylvania’s wildfires occur in March, April, and May, before the greening of state woodlands and brushy areas.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, county and local agencies that have kept their trails, forests and recreation areas open to the public are now facing a new problem-- an increase in littering.

By Chesapeake Bay Journal Staff

The PA Association for Sustainable Farming webinar for farmers on the coronavirus is now available for viewing on demand.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Centers are encouraging visitors to take proactive protective measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Department of Environmental Protection extended the deadline for accepting applications for Section 902 Recycling Implementation Grants to May 22.  (formal notice)

On March 27, the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority announced the suspension of our curbside recycling collection program to help limit the local impact of COVID-19 and protect our workers beginning March 30.   [NOTE: Centre County is now covered by Gov. Wolf's stay at home order.]

On March 27, the Public Utility Commission urged financially-stressed households across the state to explore the many options available to help keep their monthly utility bills affordable-- whether their concerns are related to the current COVID-19 crisis or other economic issues.

In conjunction with April’s recognition of National Safe Digging Month, the Public Utility Commission reminded consumers, businesses and contractors of the importance of calling PA One Call to identify underground infrastructure before digging to help ensure safety

On March 25, the Public Utility Commission reminded consumers to remain vigilant when discussing energy supply service with telemarketers, particularly if the contact was unsolicited.  Additionally, consumers are encouraged to be on the lookout for unscrupulous activity and potential scam artists who may pose as utility representatives.

On March 26 POWER Magazine reported, the Nuclear Energy Institute advised the U.S. Department of Energy regular refueling operations could be interrupted without actions by the federal government and states to ensure nuclear workers, suppliers, and vendors have access to nuclear plants and personal protective equipment during planned outages in 2020.

On March 26, IHS Market, a global business analytical firm, said its analysis shows demand for gasoline in the United States could fall by more than 50 percent as a result of social isolation measures adopted by state and federal governments.

On March 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a temporary policy on enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 19, the Department of Environmental Protection revoked its permit for a drilling wastewater injection well in Grant Township, Indiana County after a Commonwealth Court ruling March 2 saying the Township could use Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment to defend its ordinance banning injection wells.

Here's a fun family activity for everyone at home due to COVID-19.  Look for and destroy spotted lanternfly eggs! 

The PA/NJ Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation has posted three presentations from their recent online Growers Webinar on American Chestnut restoration efforts, climate impacts on forests and forest health.

Open spaces are still open, but what if you can’t leave home? The folks at the PA Land Trust Association know that nature is a respite from the worry and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, but not everyone is able to seek out open space at this time.

On March 26, Audubon PA and the John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Montgomery County announced they are launching a new online learning series-- Flying High: Learning Adventures.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation educators are hard at work creating new ways for educators and students to keep learning outside and learning about the environment. 

To help bring their backyard closer to yours, the Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy has created several virtual education pieces to share with families all across the state.

By Patrick McShea, Carnegie Museum Of Natural History

We all have our favorite signs of spring -- returning of migratory birds, spring peepers, warmer weather, gentle rains, and wildflowers.

The Earth Day 50 PA website is collecting memories of the first Earth Day in 1970 and this is one of those stories...

The turn of a new century brought with it growing concern within the scientific community over the manmade impacts of carbon emissions on climate. In 2000, Pennsylvania produced one percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, ranking it fourth in the U.S. and among the top 25 carbon-emitting nations in the world.

Forty-one years ago on March 28, Pennsylvanians woke up to a much different world too -- the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County.

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

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

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 March 27, Gov. Tom Wolf did as he promised to do-- vetoed House Bill 1100 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne) which would give an unlimited taxpayer-funded subsidy to certain manufacturers for using natural gas through a new tax credit program.

On March 24, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA announced the award of nearly $670,000 to the Fish and Boat Commission to help provide more opportunities for fishing and boating.

On March 26, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited announced 12 grants totaling $80,000 have been awarded to conservation organizations across Pennsylvania through the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Grant Program.

On March 26, the Public Utility Commission approved plans to address a variety of compliance and infrastructure issues for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) – which was placed under the PUC’s jurisdiction by the state legislature under Act 65 of 2017.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 28 PA Bulletin on a proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan revision certifying the submission of all case-by-case Reasonably Available Control Technology Permits prior to EPA’s deadline of May 9.  (formal notice)

On March 28, the Public Utility Commission published notice in the March 28 PA Bulletin it is now accepting public comments on its proposed guidelines for the Phase IV of the state’s energy efficiency and conservation program (EE&C Program) established under Act 129 of 2008 (Act 129).

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting the public to provide input to help inform the development of the 2021 PA Climate Action Plan by taking an online survey.

DEP has POSTPONED the Citizens Advisory Council and the Air Quality Advisory Committee information meeting scheduled for April 2 on the proposed initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants (RGGI) due to online logistics.

HealthFirstPA will host a Methane and Public Health Webinar on March 31 from 11:30 to 12:30.

On March 26, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals extended the deadline for nominations for the 2020 Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards until April 17.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals has postponed its Annual Conference in May due to concerns about COVID-19.

Pennsylvania Master Naturalist and Brandywine Conservancy’s Penguin Court Preserve in Laughlintown, Westmoreland County are partnering to again train citizen volunteers in natural history in the fall of 2020.

In response to the cancellation of the 2020 PA Land Conservation Conference, the PA Land Trust Association has scheduled a series of training webinars to fill the gap.

The PA Recreation and Park Society is hosting a series of Virtual Roundtables to provide a networking platform for members to share the challenges and issues they are facing during the COVID-19 crisis.

On March 23, Natural Lands announced it has purchased an 82-acre wooded property adjacent to its Crow’s Nest Preserve in Warwick Township, Chester County.

The March 27 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Fish and Boat Commission encourages boaters and paddlers to take advantage of a wealth of online, educational resources.

The PA Association of Conservation Districts reported the passing of former PACD President Pat Sueck from York County.

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - Support Local Journalism

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

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

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 74 page PA Environment Digest.

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.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 24-25 in State College.  Registration Now Open!

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