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Fall Legislative Session Shaping Up
Most vacations are done, the kids are headed back to school and the mornings are a bit nippy, naturally our thoughts turn to what the General Assembly will be doing on environmental legislation this Fall (well some of us anyway).
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On the Hill - Timber Industry Subject of House Environmental Committee Meeting
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is holding an informational meeting on August 31 on the timber and lumbering industry in Pennsylvania.
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House Committee Sets Hearing on Uniform Brownfield Covenants Bill
House Bill 1249 (Rubley-R-Chester) which would establish a uniform covenant for brownfield sites needing post-cleanup and maintenance, will be the topic of a September 27 hearing by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
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Environmental Issues Forum to Feature State Recreation Plan Presentation
On October 24 the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee will hold an Environmental Issues Forum to hear presentations on the State Recreation Plan.
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Joint Committee’s August Environmental Synopsis Available Online
The August issue of Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is now available online.
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Other News - State to Explore Use of More Hybrid Vehicles in Fleet, Grants Available
Gov. Rendell this week announced the state will explore the use of more hybrid and alternative-fueled vehicles in the state fleet to help reduce air pollution and reduce the consumption of foreign oil.
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York Waste Authority Awards Combustion Ash Research Grants
The York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authority has awarded two grants to support innovative technology and market development of non-traditional uses for municipal solid waste incinerator ash from the York County Resource Recovery Center.
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Final Collection for Hard to Recycle Items Features Free Best Buy Gift Cards
The Pennsylvania Resources Council is hosting is final “Hard to Recycle” collection event in Pittsburgh on September 17.
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York Educator Wins Conservation District Award
The York County Conservation District has presented Jennifer Bankowski with the award for “Outstanding Conservation Educator for 2005.”
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$872,000 in Grants Awarded by NRCS in PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Five Conservation Incentive Grants were awarded to groups in the Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed totaling over $872,000 by the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service.
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New Angler & Boater Magazine Website Goes Online
The Angler & Boater magazine published by the Fish and Boat Commission now has a new website – www.AnglerBoater.com.
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Pitt to Teach Green Building, Sustainable Water Use Technology in Brazil
Starting this fall, University of Pittsburgh students will be able to travel to the University at Campinas in São Paulo, Brazil, to conduct research in green construction and sustainable water use technology under a new Pitt program funded by a $3.2 million Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship grant from the National Science Foundation.
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Conservation Consultants Building Achieves Gold LEED Standard
The CCI Center on Pittsburgh’s South Side, designed and operated by Conservation Consultants, Inc., just received the LEED for Existing Buildings Gold Certification. This is the first LEED-EB certification in the Pittsburgh region.
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Green Building Alliance Cornerstone Newsletter Now Online
The summer issue of Cornerstone, the newsletter of the Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh, is now available online.
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Workshops Help Reduce Energy Use in Industrial Settings by Best Practices
Rising energy costs have created new challenges for Pennsylvania industry using energy-intensive equipment and systems including large motors, fan and pumping systems, air compressors, boiler and steam systems, and process heating equipment. Three new workshops will teach best practices that will help reduce energy costs in these areas for businesses.
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Webcast of Naphthalene Reduction Workshop Available
An August 10 workshop called "Opportunities for Naphthalene Reduction in Coatings and Solvents: A Dialog with Coil Coatings and Coating Industry Leaders on Waste Minimization” is now available for viewing online.
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Keystone HELP! Program Funds Energy Efficient, Clean Energy Projects at Home
AFC First Financial Corporation, an Allentown-based financial institution, along with West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, announced the formation of Keystone HELP! (Home Energy Loan Program), serving residential customers of Allegheny Power in Western and Central Pennsylvania.
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Watershed Alliance of York to Host Sustainability Conference
The Watershed Alliance of York, a coalition of public and private stakeholders committed to encouraging watershed planning, restoration and protection in York County, will host a conference on the sustainability of York County on September 23.
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Community Forestry Conference Set for September 27-28
The 14th annual Pennsylvania Community Forestry Conference will be held on September 27-28 at the Penn State Great Valley Warren V. Musser Auditorium in Malvern.
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Have We Been Invaded? Native Plant Seminar September 3
“Have We Been Invaded?” is the theme of a native plant seminar to be held September 3 at the Fisherman’s Cove Allegheny River launch site 10 miles downstream of Franklin in Venango County.
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Worldview, Sustainability and Environmental Education Course Offered
Penn State is offering a new course to environmental educators on sustainability at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.
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Pennsylvania Preserves 4,300+ Acres of Farmland
Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Board voted this week to approve the permanent preservation of 37 farms covering 4,357 acres. With the additional 37 farms, Pennsylvania has preserved 2,687 farms, totaling 308,461 acres.
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More Options for Applying for Mine Subsidence Insurance
The Department of Environmental Protection now offers property owners new options to apply for Mine Subsidence Insurance.
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Budding Geologist in Your Household? Get a PA Rock Hound Kit!
Are you a rock hound, geologist looking to study rocks or a student heading back to school? The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is offering the Pennsylvania Rock Hound Kit with samples of 12 rocks and spaces for six more you collect.
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Heritage Conservancy Honors Richard Sprenkle
Richard G. Sprenkle, recently retired DCNR Deputy Secretary of Conservation and Engineering Services, was honored with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” at an annual awards celebration hosted by the Heritage Conservancy.
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Feature - A Variety of Opinions on Mercury Emissions from Power Plants
With the Department of Environmental Protection set to develop a Pennsylvania-only rule to reduce mercury emissions, a U.S. Environmental Protection mercury reduction rule already in place that will reduce mercury emissions in Pennsylvania by 86 percent and a variety of lawsuits pending on the issue, the Digest thought it might be helpful to gather a variety of opinions and information on the issue in one place.
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Feature - Mine Water Treatment Technology Conference Attracts Over 260
In a fitting location half a mile from the mouth of the Ohio River on the banks of Monongahela River, the first ever Mine Water Treatment Technology Conference was held last week at Pittsburgh’s Station Square.
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Feature - Land Protection
Many organizations are involved in the permanent preservation of sensitive habitat and other land resources in Pennsylvania. Here’s how one organization—the Wildlands Conservancy in the Lehigh Valley—recently reorganized its land protection efforts.
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Feature - Learning Can Be Tough for These DCNR Interns
A sea of green gobbled up the diminutive figure seconds after she received her marching orders from her Department of Conservation and Natural Resources taskmaster.
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Quick Clips
A sampling of NewsClips from around Pennsylvania on environmental topics
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Watershed NewsClips
NewsClips on watershed issues from around the state
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Regulations
No new regulations were published this week.
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a final guidance with minor revisions on Deep Mine Safety Enforcement Procedures.
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Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
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Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .
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12/16/24 - 110 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3ubmzu7a
