A new poll shows 90 percent of Pennsylvania voters want Senate and House members to address important environmental priorities and 89 percent say open spaces, parks and the outdoors has become more important to them because of the pandemic.

On October 7, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it executed a consent order and agreement (COA) with Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC in settlement of violations that occurred during construction of its Leach Xpress gas pipeline in Richhill Township, Greene County.

On October 6, the Clean Air Council, through counsel, filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue Sunoco Pipeline L.P. (Sunoco) for violations of its Erosion and Sedimentation Control permits related to the Mariner East II pipelines. 

On October 5, 28 nonprofit organizations from across Pennsylvania submitted a second letter to Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell, demanding the DEP immediately and permanently revoke all Mariner East Pipeline construction permits. 

By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

On October 8, the Public Utility Commission adopted a series of enhanced consumer protections intended to safeguard families and small businesses who are struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic – and also established a framework for future discussions about utility assistance and economic recovery.  [Read motion here.]

From March 16 to October 6, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On October 7, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $4.9 million in EPA Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Grants to 23 projects that will help communities and the environment around the state by restoring impaired watersheds.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting on October 20 to hear an update on Pennsylvania’s efforts to clean up rivers and streams in the state’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Two of DEP’s advisory committees will meet on climate-related issues on October 15, including equity principles for DEP’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Program from power plants and the recently-signed interstate medium-heavy duty zero emission trucks memorandum of understanding.

On October 8, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invested $17 million in grants to support 42 land acquisition projects that will protect 13,300 acres of open space and natural areas.

On October 8, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its third weekly Fall Foliage Report for October 8 to 14 showing more counties at their best color.

As people continue to spend time outdoors during the fall months, the departments of Health, Conservation and Natural Resources and DEP want to remind residents of the dangers of tick and mosquito-borne illnesses, and to take steps to protect themselves.

On October 8, PennFuture recognized the accomplishments of 11 exceptional women conservationists in southwestern Pennsylvania during its Sixth Annual “Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards” event.

On October 22, the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area will honor five individuals and organizations for their support of the organization and host the International Paddling Film Festival at the Sunnybrook Ballroom, in Pottstown, Montgomery County.

On October 2, Judge Richard P. Mather retired from the Environmental Hearing Board after serving for eleven years.

By David Hurst, Somerset Daily American 

In celebration of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s 50th anniversary, the Council commissioned a photo essay by photojournalist Jeff Swensen portraying the special places and landscapes at the heart of its work.

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] The Senate and House have scheduled three more voting days before the November 3 election-- October 19, 20 and 21-- but so far they have done little to address the major issues staring them in the face--

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 October 5, Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee reported out Senate Bill 1173 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) changing appointments on DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee from the Governor to appointments made by the House, Senate and the Governor.

On October 14, the House Democratic Policy Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual hearing on loopholes in state programs to regulate radioactive and hazardous oil and gas drilling waste and their impact on communities, worker safety and public health.

The House Consumer Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing October 21 on House Bill 1970 (Mizgorski-R-Allegheny) authorizing electric utilities to establish local solar energy subscriber programs (sponsor summary).

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA is providing up to $30 million in technical and financial assistance through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) to help conservation partners protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands in Pennsylvania.

On October 9, the Trump Administration published its first 2018 federal Farm Bill conservation title program final rule in the Federal Register.

On October 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Bullock Garden Project, Inc. (BGP) of Philadelphia has been selected to receive funding to support a project to capitalize on gleaning to reduce farm food loss under the Sustainable Materials Management grant opportunity. 

On October 5, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy selected 13 projects to receive approximately $1.95 million in federal funding to develop conceptual designs of commercially viable technologies that will extract rare earth elements (REEs) from U.S. coal and coal by-product sources.

On October 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the PA Aggregates and Concrete Association signed a four-year, first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to expand joint activities supporting the agencies’ shared goal of environmental stewardship.

On October 9, conservation groups recognized members of Congress Chrissy Houlahan (D) and Dan Meuser (R) for their conservation leadership and support of the Great American Outdoors Act, which authorized permanent funding for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

On October 1, fish and wildlife conservation organizations applauded the historic passage of bipartisan legislation to conserve our nation’s natural resources, from fish and wildlife and their habitats to the vast multitude of species and ecosystems that will benefit from these robust restoration efforts made possible through S. 3051, The America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE Act).

On October 5, Gov. Tom Wolf requested the president declare a major disaster for nine counties in Pennsylvania in the wake of devastating flooding and damages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias in early August.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Delta which is poised to make landfall on U.S. shores on Saturday of this weekend.  Recent forecasts show the remnants tracking up through the Susquehanna basin. 

On October 8, volunteers enjoyed spending a beautiful, socially distanced afternoon outside, while enjoying the sights of a bald eagle soaring overhead as they helped Stroud Water Research Center to restore approximately 2.4 acres along a tributary of Doe Run Creek in Unionville, Chester County.

The Lancaster Clean Water Partners Stormwater Action Team and Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium will host an MS4-Stormwater Lunch and Learn Mini Series virtually this fall.

By: Tom Decker, Community Relations Coordinator, Northwest Regional Office

The Great Lakes Sea Grant Network and the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative hosted a virtual Aquaculture Day 2020 on October 10.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant recently released the first in a series of new videos on aquatic invasive species.

The Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on October 22 to consider adding seven plants to the noxious weed list.  (formal notice)

The Public Utility Commission is now accepting public comments through an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, regarding the replacement of an existing PUC policy statement with regulations intended to more comprehensively address water loss in public utility water systems across the Commonwealth.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection Radon Program is encouraging schools to participate in the 2021 Radon Student Poster Contest for students ages 9 to 14. 

The latest Teaching Green environmental education newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring a variety of articles, including a reminder Environmental Education Grant applications are due December 11.

The PA Association of Environmental Educators has issued a call for presentations for its 2021 Virtual Annual Conference to be held March 22-23.  Proposals are due December 4.

On October 17, the PA Resources Council will hold a Reuse Fest in Allegheny County to provide the opportunity for the public to donate a variety of items to nonprofit groups in one convenient location.

On October 8, the Public Utility Commission recognized National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure that consumers have the resources to stay secure online while increasing national resilience against cyberthreats.

The PA Conservative Energy Forum Town Hall on Clean and Renewable Energy Is Essential To National Security with Dr. John Lehman, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy, is now available on demand.

On October 7, UGI Energy Services announced it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by selling its 6 percent stake in the Conemaugh coal-fired power plant in Indiana County to Montour, LLC, a subsidiary of Talen Energy based in Allentown, as part of its strategic Environmental, Social and Governance Initiatives.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In September features articles on--

On October 8, the Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania safeguarded 2,224 acres on 25 farms in 17 counties, investing $5,655,426 through the state’s nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program.

Berks Nature recently closed on a conservation easement project in the Schuylkill River Watershed, Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor, Hamburg Borough, Windsor Township in Berks County.

The public is invited to provide input and ideas that will help shape the design plan for the 1.3-mile stretch of riverfront at Hazelwood Green at a series of community events October 15-17.

Frank Maguire, PA Environmental Council Program Director of Trails & Recreation recently provided this update on its Fall trail-related activities--

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Brandywine Creek Greenway, the Brandywine Conservancy is excited to announce a new photo contest titled “Experience the Brandywine,” running now through October 25.

A four-part webinar series offered by Penn State Extension will give green industry professionals the knowledge they need to provide natural area management services.

The October 9 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The latest newsletter from the Pennsylvania Firefly Festival in Forest County has an update on the activities, and effort made to make the 2020 virtual PA Firefly Festival a success.  It also includes links to the 12 videos produced as part of the Festival and the Facebook Live stream of performances on the Firefly Stage.  Enjoy!

The Central PA Conservancy and the Diakon Wilderness Greenhouse in Cumberland County have partnered for an online native plant sale now through October 31.

On October 7, the scientists at The Nature Conservancy have identified and mapped a network of landscapes and connecting corridors across the United States with unique topographies, geologies, and other characteristics that can help nature survive in the face of climate change. 

The PA Association of Conservation Districts is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Agricultural Conservation Technician in the Southcentral Region to provide technical assistance to the Growing Greener Program and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Click Here: Week’s Worth Of PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

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 92 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 PA Forestry Association’s 2020 Exploring Change in Penn's Woods Symposium October 26-30.  Click Here to register.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the virtual 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to be held on October 28-29.   Click Here to register.

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