Since June of 2004, the PA Environment Digest has printed over 1,902 stories about thousands of businesses, farmers, schools, local governments, students of all ages, community leaders, nonprofit groups, organizations, seniors and individuals just like you who are doing great things to protect and restore Pennsylvania’s environment.

Four stories in the PA Environment Digest-- all new just this week-- profile students, farmers, landowners, businesses, volunteers, scientists and many others showing real environmental and conservation leadership.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs recently honored Brian Bradley, Assistant Director of DEP's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation with the Stan Barnard Award.

Noel Schneeberger is a DCNR conservation volunteer who donates his time to monitoring and assessing the health of Pennsylvania’s state forests.

In 2016, a new program -- the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps -- was created to provide work experience, job training, and environmental experiences to young people.

On December 22, the Wolf Administration announced a $2.5 million contract is in place with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health to conduct research on the potential health effects of hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania.

DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee was told Pennsylvania will experience 42 percent more days of extremely heavy precipitation events a year and a 24 percent increase in days with very heavy precipitation events by 2050 due to climate change.

On December 21, the Governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the Mayor of the District of Columbia announced they signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to the regional Transportation Climate Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a series of six regional virtual public hearings on January 6 to accept regional comments to prepare the draft 2022 State Water Plan Update. (formal notice)

From March 16 to December 22, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

The Department of Environmental Protection posted the schedule of 2021 advisory committee and board meetings. (formal notice)

The Pennsylvania Envirothon, a statewide competition that educates high school students in natural resources and environmental sciences and emphasizes the importance of environmental sensitivity, and Digital-first Sponsor PSECU, launched a free, educational app.

On December 23, the departments of Agriculture and Education announced opportunities for agriculture and STEM learning for all ages to be featured in the 2021 Farm Show. Several opportunities will help K-12 students and teachers meet Pennsylvania academic requirements for environment and ecology, or family and consumer sciences.

Re-creating the past when families would gather ‘round their radios to listen to dramatic readings of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Grey Towers Heritage Association is hoping for the same this year.

If you are thinking about adopting a “greener” lifestyle in the New Year, the PA Resources Council offers the following 10 actions for becoming more environmentally friendly in 2021--

The Anthracite Heritage Foundation, King's College and many partners will host Anthracite Mining Heritage Month events on the history and culture of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s anthracite region. 

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] On December 21, Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre) announced the formation of a Special Committee to conduct what he said would be “an exhaustive review of all aspects of the 2020 general election.”

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-- 

By Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware)

By Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R-Bedford) & Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Cambria)

By Erin Cosgrove, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation praised Congress for including a $2.5 million increase for the Chesapeake Bay Program in the $1.4 trillion fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending package.

The  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced approximately $792,036 in funding for 32 student teams through its People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Grant Program, including teams from Carnegie Mellon University and Temple University.

On December 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its decision to retain, without changes, the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the Obama-Biden Administration.

On December 23, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced a suite of new and enhanced features are now available under SRBC’s Continuous Instream Monitoring (CIM) website.

The PA Resources Council will host a series of five backyard composting and recycling and waste reduction online Conservation Workshops in January.

On December 23, PUC Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth H. Barnes issued a 153-page opinion saying Transource Pennsylvania, LLC did not prove its proposed Independence Energy Connection power line project in Franklin and York counties was needed or protects natural resources as required by the state Environmental Rights Amendment.

Ever thought about becoming a PA Master Naturalist?  Training courses are now forming in Allegheny, Berks, Dauphin, Montgomery, Montour and Philadelphia counties this spring.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program recently added two new Aquatic Invasive Plant Species fact sheets to its educational resources-- water lettuce and water hyacinth.

By Chuck Gill, Penn State News

Residents of Lower Mount Bethel and Washington Townships in Northampton County have a new place to enjoy the outdoors thanks in part to a DCNR grant.

The Lehigh Valley-based  Wildlands Conservancy will hold a variety of education programs and activities in January, including--

The South Mountain Partnership will hold its annual Power Of The Partnership Year-End Celebration on January 29 to recognize the accomplishments in 2020 and to preview what’s coming up in 2021.

By Jake Jacobs, Penn State Mont Alto Campus

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Trail of Geology just got a bit longer. And more interesting.

The December 25 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring winter scenes from state parks and forests across Pennsylvania.

On December 22, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced it is welcoming three new members to their Board of Directors; Paul Fogal, Josie Byzek, and Mary Hirst.

On December 22, the Game Commission announced its popular Eagle Cam, a joint project with partners HDOnTap and Comcast Business, has returned.

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 76 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.