Here are 45 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--

On December 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan announced $240,381,000 for Pennsylvania for water infrastructure improvements in 2022 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with an emphasis on supporting underserved communities.

Students were invited to showcase their research, projects, posters and photos at the 2021 Student Symposium on the Environment hosted by the Center for the Environment at Westminster College in Lawrence County and the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition.

On November 29, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the public is invited to again vote online for the 2022 Pennsylvania River of the Year, choosing from among four waterways nominated throughout the state.

On November 29, the PA Resources Council announced six winners of the 2021 Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 4 PA Bulletin inviting comments on its proposal to accept delegation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate air emissions from certain landfills in the state.

On November 29, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has posted a list of Pending Trigger Permits [6 permits] automatically required to use the agency’s Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy.

The latest Environmental Justice newsletter from the Department of Environmental Protection highlights another EJ Champion in PA-- Rashida Lovely from Scranton.

On November 30, PPL Corporation released its updated climate assessment report, which highlights risks and opportunities associated with climate change, evaluates potential future emissions and generation mix using scenario analysis, and outlines the company's strategy and goals to enable a responsible transition to a cleaner energy future.

On November 29, the PA Supreme Court issued a ruling saying UGI Storage Company could be held liable for taking oil and gas drilling rights in a proposed 2,980-acre protective buffer zone around the 1,216 acre Meeker natural gas storage field in Tioga County.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In November is now available featuring articles on--

The Department of Agriculture announced it will begin accepting applications for Soil Health Education Grants starting January 3 through February 28. (formal notice)

Agricultural landowners and owners of non-industrial private forestland can apply for funding for USDA NRCS RCPP Entity Held Easements in a new RCPP Project led by The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture entitled “Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape.”

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania announces $300,000 is available to forest landowners in targeted counties through the Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP).  The deadline for applications is January 4.

The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River Management Council is now accepting applications for the 2022 Mini-Grant Program.  The deadline to apply is January 7.

The December 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

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

WeConservePA is now accepting registrations for the 2022 PA Land Conservation Conference to be held March 16-18 in Gettysburg.

Register now for the PA Recreation and Park Society’s 75th Annual Conference and Expo at the Kalahari Resort in Monroe County March 29 to April 1.

The latest Environmental Education newsletter from the DCNR Bureau of State Parks includes suggested activities, virtual field trips and updates for the holiday season. 

The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) has announced the addition of a spring session of the Conservation and Natural Resource (CNR) Certificate Program.

The Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center and the SEDA-Council of Governments’ Flood Resiliency and Economic Development Program will host a December 15 webinar on Floodplain Management For Non-Residential Structures from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

PASA Sustainable Agriculture is now accepting registrations for its two-part  2022 Sustainable Agriculture Conference-- a virtual Pre-Conference January 4-28 and an in-person Conference & Trade Show February 10-12 in Lancaster.

The Northeast Recycling Council has issued a call for presentation proposals for its virtual Spring Conference on April 12-13.  The deadline for submissions is January 5.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy will host four Winter Eagle Watch Bus Tours in the upper Delaware Watershed starting January 8 and running through February 12.

Want to be part of one of the largest citizen science initiatives in the world?  Sign up to join the 122nd National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count!

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

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a December 15 hearing on bonding and decommissioning solar and wind energy facilities.

This week Senate Republicans posted a list of their 2021 Senate Accomplishments during the first half of the 2021-22 legislative session.  Of the 112 bills and resolutions listed, only three were positive environmental proposals.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On November 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $2,366,000 grant that will be used by the City of Chester, Delaware County, for a green infrastructure project to help fix flooding problems caused by stormwater overflows.

On December 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the award of $633 million in projects to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FedEx and Southern Company are pleased to solicit applications for the 2022 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program.

On December 2, Environmental Defense Fund announced EDF experts testified at EPA public hearings on its proposed rules to reduce methane emissions from both new and existing oil and gas sources across the country.

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.