On November 12, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an order to prevent ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC (ETC) from putting natural gas in unstable sections of the Revolution Pipeline located in Butler, Beaver, Allegheny and Washington counties.

On November 12, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto joined mayors from across Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia to call for federal support for a green transition to climate-friendly industrial growth across the upper Appalachian region and the Ohio River Valley, an initiative they are calling the “Marshall Plan for Middle America.”

The Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to meet November 16 to consider Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) that would significantly reduce requirements for protecting the environment from conventional oil and gas drilling.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting November 17 on Senate Bill 619 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) making fundamental changes to the definition of water pollution under the state Clean Streams Law effectively making most spills and discharges to rivers and streams no longer pollution.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting November 17 on final regulations making stream resignations and setting updated water supply replacement requirements for surface coal mining operations.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board will hold a joint virtual meeting on November 17 starting at 12:30 p.m.

From March 16 to November 10 Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On November 15, individuals across the United States will celebrate America Recycles Day, which annually recognizes the impact of recycling on the nation’s economy and environment.

As the nation prepares to celebrate America Recycles Day November 15, the PA Resources Council reported significant recycling program success in 2020 despite numerous logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On November 12, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, with the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, provided grants to five local affiliates to increase awareness about proper waste disposal and recycling services available in their counties.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority recently honored 38 of the area’s best green businesses, schools and organizations.

There are still two weeks left to participate in the annual Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Pick Up Pennsylvania statewide initiative that supports the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup!

On November 10, the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized the Brandywine Conservancy’s John Theilacker, AICP Certified Planner, won the APA’s esteemed “Award for a Leader — Professional Planner.”

By Mel Oliver, Crew Member, Philadelphia 10-Month PA Outdoor Corps Crew

Canoe Creek State Park [Blair County] is fortunate to have a small, dedicated group of volunteers who faithfully meet weekly to maintain the trails.

The DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on November 18 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Rebecca Trigger and her son Mark Foley of Keystone Woodland and Field in Greene County were recognized with the PA Forestry Association 2020 PA Tree Farm of the Year Award during the virtual PFA Annual Symposium.

While politicians and lawyers fight over the outcome of the Presidential race in Pennsylvania, the Senate and House focused on holding leadership elections for the new 2021-22 legislative session last week.

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--

The USDA Forest Service announced it is now accepting applications for approximately $10 million in funding through the Wood Innovations Grant and the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant.

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Fall Pennsylvania newsletter is now available featuring articles on--

The Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited is looking for volunteers to help plant 1,000 trees and install 200 tree shelters in a riparian buffer at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Stroudsburg, Monroe County on November 22.

By Lamonte Garber, Stroud Water Research Center

On November 9, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is reminding residents to keep yard waste, de-icing salt, and other pollutants out of storm drains.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on stream evaluation reports for streams in Carbon and Delaware counties.

On November 10, Gov. Tom Wolf announced new apprenticeship programs in Southcentral and Southeastern Pennsylvania in water treatment, abatement, and industrial manufacturing and mechatronics.

The Department of Environmental Protection has many grant programs that provide funds to community organizations, schools, businesses, farms, and local governments for projects to improve the environment where they live or around the state.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has issued a call for presentation proposals for the virtual 2021 Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit to be held March 1-3.  The deadline for submissions is November 16.

On November 10, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has issued a $266,987 civil penalty against a Luzerne County man for ongoing violations related to unlawful management of thousands of waste tires at his property in Duryea Borough.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 14 PA Bulletin announcing a December 10 virtual hearing if needed on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for INDSPEC Chemical facility in Petrolia Borough, Butler County starting at 1:00 p.m.  (PA Bulletin page 6435)

On November 9, the PJM Interconnection announced its members are ready to meet the forecasted demand for electricity this winter for 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The PA Energy Development Authority is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on November 30 to review grant applications. (formal notice)

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the November 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed 2021 update to the Technical Reference Manual for Energy-Efficiency and Demand Side Management Rules for PA’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards.

The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program will host a November 19 Webinar by the Southwestern PA Energy Efficiency Roundtable Combined Heat and Power for Commercial Buildings from 11:00 a.m. to Noon.

On November 10, Talen Energy Corp. announced it has committed to a strategic repositioning of its power generation fleet that will eliminate the use of coal at all Talen wholly-owned facilities.

On November 9, FirstEnergy Corp announced a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The company also set an interim goal for a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gases within the company's direct operational control by 2030, based on 2019 levels.

The Nature Conservancy-PA will host a Let’s Talk About Climate online event on December 9 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Penn State Extension will hold Introduction to Forests, Carbon Sequestration and Markets webinars on November 24 and December 15 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On October 22, the Department of Agriculture's Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee voted to add to six plants to the noxious weed list. (formal notice)

The support of this community has enabled Heritage Conservancy to continue to move its mission forward and to create a positive impact for all who live here.

The PA Forestry Association, in cooperation with the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, is proud to bring you the first video in the Discovering PA’s Forest Heritage series.

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, on behalf of the Middle Susquehanna Active Transportation Committee, announce the release of a new Bike Safety Decal to help promote bicycle safety in our Pennsylvania towns and communities.

The November 13 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation--

The Friends of Allegheny Wilderness are asking the public to weigh in on plans for developing Washington Park by the City of Warren Parks and Recreation Commission.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

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 73 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.

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