There are 17 new stories in this week’s PA Environment Digest that show the leadership of farmers, forest owners, solar energy companies and transit agencies, conservancies, water education programs, students, a water company, a regional conservation landscape group, a workforce training organization, an energy co-op and local anti-litter and recycling groups.

By John Hoover, Bald Eagle Tree Farm, Centre County

On February 10, Lightsource bp announced the 17.5 megawatt Elk Hill Solar 2 Project in Franklin County is now operational.  The facility was developed under a power purchase agreement between the Southeastern PA Transportation Authority.

By Codi Yeager, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Blog 

The Lebanon Valley Conservancy is now accepting applications for the 2021 Richard H. and Karen R. Light Memorial Scholarship awarded to a local student who plans to pursue a career in environmental sciences.

The latest newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center highlights its efforts to providing remote learning as part of the Girls In STEM Education Program initiative--

On February 9, the National Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with the NACD Auxiliary, announced the winners of the 2020 Photo Contest and 2020 Poster Contest - Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?

The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries recently collaborated to record conservation and trail easements on the property of the Diakon Wilderness Center, located on the mountain above Boiling Springs, Cumberland County.

On February 8, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined The Conservation Fund in applauding the acquisition of a 528-acre tract that expands Pinchot State Forest to more than 49,635 acres.

On February 9, the South Mountain Partnership announced Dr. Claire Jantz has been recognized with the Spirit of South Mountain Award for advancing a positive and sustainable future for the South Mountain Landscape.

The Pittsburgh-based Landforce job readiness and land stewardship program is now accepting applications for 2021 crew members in Pittsburgh and the surrounding neighborhoods.  The deadline for applications is March 11.

Delaware County-based Natural Lands and the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties are proud to co-host a pay-what-you-wish virtual event at 6:30 p.m. on February 24, featuring Tykee James, co-organizer of the first #BlackBirdersWeek and Government Affairs Coordinator at the National Audubon Society.

Even through a pandemic, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful local affiliates collected a combined total of over 1,119,573 pounds of electronics waste, 11,851 tires, 119,041 appliances and 56,341 pounds of household hazardous waste during 2020. 

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council will hold a virtual meeting on February 16 to hear a presentation on DEP’s Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields Program and its need for a permanent solution for funding.

On February 10, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it executed a consent assessment of civil penalty with Range Resources - Appalachia, LLC (Range Resources), an oil and gas operator that owns conventional wells, on January 7, 2021, in the amount of $294,000 for violations of the 2012 Oil and Gas Act.

On February 12, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network filed a motion to intervene in the federal lawsuit filed by the entire PA Senate Republican Caucus against the Delaware River Basin Commission’s moratorium on natural gas drilling in the watershed.

From March 16 to February 9, Department of Environmental Protection employees have been teleworking and using COVID-19 mitigation measures to continue to fulfill its mission.  DEP staff have--

On February 10, Delaware River Basin Commission announced New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy will kick off the virtual DRBC Advisory Committee on Climate Change Forum on Climate Change and the Delaware River Basin with a prerecorded message on March 2.

WeConservePA is seeking visitorship numbers at parks, trails, preserves and other outdoor recreation and natural areas in Pennsylvania.

[ Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else ] The House Republicans will fire the opening shots at Gov. Wolf’s FY 2021-22 budget proposal this week on several fronts when they start agency-by-agency budget hearings Tuesday.

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 House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled an informational meeting February 24 on “the state of our natural gas economy in Pennsylvania and opportunities for growing our energy industry.”

The House Consumer Affairs Committee has scheduled two public hearings on issues related to electric competition and the state of the electric industry in Pennsylvania.

On February 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, announced the award of approximately $1.2 million for eight projects in Pennsylvania to improve rivers and streams that connect to the Chesapeake Bay.

By Timothy B. Wheeler, Chesapeake Bay Journal

PA American Water is now accepting applications for the company's 2021 Environmental Program.  Applications are due March 31.

Would you like to be a Streamwatcher? The Brodhead Watershed Association will soon welcome new “water warriors” into its popular Streamwatch program.

Grazing Advisors from the Cumberland County-based Capital Resource Conservation and Development Council will host webinars on March 2 and 9 on managing pasture and grazing livestock from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice in the February 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Loan Plan for the Licking Creek Watershed in Franklin County. (PA Bulletin, page 855)

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

The Center for Sustainability and the Environment at Bucknell University has issued a call for abstracts for its 8th Annual Sustainability Symposium to be held virtually on April 23-24, with a special keynote panel. 

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals will host a March 11 webinar on DEP's revised clean fill technical guidance starting at Noon.

On February 16, Dickinson College will host a virtual Air Pollution In Pennsylvania - Community Panel discussion starting at 7:00 p.m. on their public YouTube livestream.

On February 9, the Philadelphia-based The Energy Co-op, a pioneer in renewable energy and community sustainability, is expanding its capacity to serve Southeastern Pennsylvania's residents and businesses.

The PennPIRG Education Fund and PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center have released a new report to identify new, cutting-edge ways that utility companies can assist school districts in paying for zero-emission buses, and how schools can reap the long-term benefits.

On February 11, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced more campsites will be open to pets when their owners visit Pennsylvania state parks next year.

The PA Forestry Association highlighted these upcoming webinars in their most recent newsletter--

Calling all Mammal Lovers, homeschool parents, and those looking to learn more about Pennsylvania’s mammals!

The Elk County Commissioners and the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce the 2021 versions of the popular Elk Viewing Guide and Elk County Trails Guide are now available.

The February 12 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Urban Resource Conservationist.

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 62 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 proud to be a sponsor of the 2021 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit.  Registration now open!

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.