Here are 36 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

Links to all the articles and NewsClips in this week’s PA Environment Digest by topic in one place--

With only three voting days left this year in the Senate and six in the House, all of Pennsylvania’s important environmental legislation is missing from the Senate and House list of accomplishments in 2021.

On November 16, the House State Government Committee is scheduled to meet to consider two bills that would allow the Senate and House to unilaterally invalidate regulations and Executive Orders issued by the Executive without any possibility of review of their actions.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on a Chapter 102 permit application for a segment of the Mariner East II Pipeline in Thornbury Township, Delaware County. (PA Bulletin, page 7127)

By Sarah Derouin

The Green Business Certification Inc., the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, announced  Chatham University, Lafayette College and the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center have all earned certification under GBCI’s Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal (PEER) rating system.

On November 9, a coalition of business, citizen and environmental groups announced their support for increasing the state's renewable energy goals under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.

The GIANT Company recently announced a long-term renewable supply agreement with Constellation to power its Pennsylvania operations including select stores, fuel stations and perishable distribution centers with renewable energy.

On November 13, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and the Department of City Planning’s Sustainability and Resilience Division finalized the City Energy Strategy, Pittsburgh’s first municipal energy plan.

By Patrick McDonnell, Secretary Of DEP

On November 10, in a gathering that coincided with the final days of the COP26 climate conference of global leaders, Pittsburgh-based CEOs for Sustainability hosted this year’s C-Suite Summit.

On November 10, the Public Utility Commission announced it is seeking members to serve on the PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee.  The deadline for nominations is November 30.

The Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with revisions to its Environmental Justice Policy which is designed to incorporate meaningful community engagement in its programs.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 13 PA Bulletin the final NPDES General Permit for Small Construction Projects (PAG-01) is available for use starting March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2027.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project involving maintenance on the Rausch Creek Mine Water Treatment Plant in Schuylkill County.

Mon Valley residents in Valley Clean Air Now are urging industry and government to take action to help the community following days of poor air quality since last Friday.

By Mary Beth Mueller, PA Resources Council

The Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation encourage Pennsylvanians to volunteer for Pick Up Pennsylvania, a statewide campaign of fall litter cleanups to benefit streams, rivers, and lakes, now through November 30.

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting November 17 to hear updates on timber harvesting in State Forests and the proposal by the Maryland National Guard for low-level Training over the PA Wilds.

On November 9, the PA Environmental Defense Foundation file a brief asking the PA Supreme Court to overturn a Commonwealth Court ruling dismissing a petition by PEDF challenging the State Forest Resources Management Plan adopted by DCNR because it allows the sale of natural gas resources which PEDF believes is not consistent with its trustee responsibilities under the state constitution’s Environmental Rights Amendment.  Read more here.

On November 9, the Allegheny Land Trust and Grow Pittsburgh announced they have partnered to permanently protect the Enright Community Garden in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood.

On November 6, Scenic Pittsburgh--  a nonprofit focused on protecting and preserving the scenic resources of southwestern Pennsylvania--  presented an achievement award to Ligonier Borough, Westmoreland County during a ceremony held in the town’s recently renovated Diamond Park.

On November 8, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship announced CEO Tataboline Enos was selected to be part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Field Trips To The Future Leadership Program.

On November 9, the Board of Directors of the Luzerne County North Branch Land Trust announced it has named Ellen Ferretti as its new Executive Director.

On November 12, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its last Fall Foliage Report that gives a preview of next week’s leaf viewing. 

The November 12 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

By Alana Jajko, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

The Dauphin County-based Manada Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Executive Director.

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

The PA-Anthracite Section of Society of Mining Engineers/AIME is now accepting applications for the 2021-22 John Kaminski Memorial Scholarships for mining-related engineering or science majors for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Applications are due May 16.

In their latest newsletter, DCNR's Bureau of State Parks is shares a wealth of Fall environmental education ideas and professional development opportunities.  Among the topics included are--

WeConservePA is now accepting applications for Trail and Greenway Outreach and Education Grants. The deadline for applications is January 27.

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting nominations for its annual awards to be presented at its 2022 Virtual Conference on March 21-22.

The PA Association of Environmental Educators reminds educators nominations for the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Awards are due December 1.

PennFuture will host a November 16 Pennsylvania Leaders And Glasgow - Reflections On COP26 UN Climate Conference webinar starting at Noon.

PA Interfaith Power & Light and the Jewish Earth Alliance will host a webinar November 17 on Climate Solutions We Achieved In PA, Nationally and Globally starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Conservation Voters of PA will host A Conversation With Adam Waterbear DePaul Of The Lenape Nation Of PA - The Original Stewards Of The Lenapehoking webinar on November 17 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On November 9, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced winter 2022 Eagle Watch Volunteer Training Days on December 4 and 11 at the Conservancy's Van Scott Nature Reserve In Wayne County.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Legislation introduced recently in the House and Senate would provide $350 million in dedicated funding annually for watershed restoration projects, help farmers install conservation measures, plant stream buffers, repair and update drinking water and wastewater systems, aquatic life habitat improvements and more.

On November 8, Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to report out Senate Concurrent Resolution #1 disapproving of the final regulation limiting carbon emissions from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

On November 10, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted along party lines-- Republicans supporting-- to report out three bills--

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting on November 15 to consider these bills and resolutions--

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

The bipartisan Infrastructure bill passed by the U.S. House on November 5 and now on President Biden’s desk includes an additional $26 million for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Fund over the next five years.

On November 8, the York County-based Young Evangelicals For Climate Action thanked the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and issued this statement--

On November 10, the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA announced the award of a $592,911 On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials Program grant on Diversifying Appalachia's Pastures To Improve Soil Health

By Sara Nicholas, PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture

On November 8, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the federal government has granted his request for a one-month extension for county and local governments, as well as eligible nonprofits, to file their Request for Public Assistance (RPA), which is the first step in the process of applying for Public Assistance funds through the Commonwealth and FEMA to cover costs associated with the response to and recovery from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

On November 9, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its November Short Term Energy Outlook which forecasts continued high energy costs going into 2022, but finds decreases into 2022.

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

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

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the latest PA Bulletin--

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 proud sponsor of the 2022 Joint Meeting of the Keystone Coldwater Conference and PA Chapter of the American Fisheries Society on February 25-26, 2022, at the Ramada Conference Center in State College.

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.