Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
March 7, 2022 Issue #920
(3/7/2022)
* 46 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 46 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.

* This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues

While PA Environment Digest’s priority is to highlight positive examples of environmental and energy leadership, 2022 is an election year which demands accountability to voters.

* All Articles & NewsClips In This Week’s Digest By Topic

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Is Your Story Being Told?

* PA Natural Gas Politicians Want To ‘Unleash’ PA’s Gas Industry - What We Need First Is For Industry To Take Up The Slack; Oil & Gas 2.0; True Energy Independence

Pennsylvania is squarely in the middle of a national debate over “unleashing” our considerable reserves of natural gas to help supply the parts of Europe now dependent on natural gas from Russia.

* 12 Unconventional Shale Gas Drillers Issued DEP Notices Of Violation For Abandoning Wells Without Plugging Them At 35 Well Pads In 17 Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued 12 unconventional shale gas drillers notices of violation for abandoning gas wells without plugging them at 35 wells pads (each with multiple wells) in 17 counties between 2016 and 2022, according to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Reporting system.

* DEP Budget Hearing: 40% Of Unconventional Natural Gas Well Permits Issued By DEP Were Not Used By Drillers

At DEP’s budget hearing on February 28, Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee repeatedly brought up the “urgent” need to review gas well permits faster, drill more gas wells and expand pipeline and export infrastructure in Pennsylvania to respond to the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

* Senate Budget Hearings: PA’s Experience With New Pipeline Construction Shows State Laws Not Strong Enough To Prevent Environmental Damage, Protect Public Safety

Comments made at two Senate budget hearings last week again put the spotlight on how Pennsylvania’s environmental and pipeline safety laws are not strong enough to prevent environmental damage and protect public safety in new pipeline construction.

* DEP Budget Testimony: Significant Investments In Environmental Cleanup, Improving Permit Review Times, Holding Polluters Responsible, Relief To Those Harmed By Pollution

This is the text of DEP’s budget testimony presented to the House Appropriations Committee by Secretary Patrick McDonnell--

* DCNR Budget Hearing: We Have A Unique Opportunity To Invest In Our Recreation, Clean Water & Land Conservation Infrastructure With Growing Greener III

Much of the discussion at the March 2 Senate hearing on DCNR’s budget request centered on the $1.4 billion backlog of safety and maintenance projects needed by Pennsylvania’s State Parks and Forests.

* DCNR Budget Testimony: Critical Investments Needed To Reduce $1.4 Billion Backlog Of Infrastructure Repairs, To Expand Local Economies, Provide Recreation For All

This is the text of DCNR budget testimony presented to the Senate Appropriations Committee by Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn--

* Republican Senators Propose Gas Drilling On At Least 22,000 More Acres Of State Forest, Mining 920 Acres Of Coal Under A State Park To Pay For DCNR Infrastructure Backlog

Under the guise of “self-help” proposals, Republican Senators Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) said DCNR should lease at least 22,000 acres of State Forest land for more natural gas drilling and allow the mining of 920 acres of coal under Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County to help pay for needed infrastructure improvements.

* DCNR Blog: Conservation Funds Help Communities Provide Outdoor Places, Opportunities; Apply Now

By: Josh VanBrakle, DCNR Recreation and Conservation Advisor

* DCNR: Delaware Canal State Park Towpath Selected As PA's 2022 Trail Of The Year

On March 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the Delaware Canal State Park Towpath has been named Pennsylvania’s 2022 Trail of the Year.

* Bay Journal: Money Grows On Trees For Owners Who Manage Small Forests To Capture Carbon, Fight Climate Change

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Gov. Wolf Announced PA Received $26.5 Million In Federal Funding For DEP’s Traditional Mine Reclamation Program

On March 4, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that Pennsylvania is eligible for $26,463,897 in traditional Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund program annual grants, which were extended through 2034 by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

* Trout Unlimited: PA Coldwater Habitat Program Releases 2021 Annual Report

On March 2, Trout Unlimited released the 2021 Annual Report for the Pennsylvania Coldwater Habitat Program highlighting the estimated 360,062 pounds of sediment were reduced through the completion of 23 projects on nearly 13 miles of trout streams by the Coldwater Habitat Program crew.

* DEP Experiencing Computer Database, Application Outages; They’re Working On It

Since at least February 28, the Department of  Environmental Protection has been experiencing computer database and application outages on key systems it uses to interact with permitees, manage programs and report to the public.

* PA Resources Council, Western PA Municipalities Launch Glass Recycling Collaborative To Set Up Permanent Glass Recycling Stations

A ribbon cutting ceremony on March 1 at Village Square Mall marked the launch of the Glass Recycling Collaborative of Southwestern PA, a newly formed partnership between municipalities in Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Resources Council to provide uninterrupted glass recycling access thanks to a grant provided by the Department of Environmental Protection.

* PA Solar Center: 9 NE PA Organizations Receive Lodestar Award For Solar Energy Leadership

On March 3, the Pennsylvania Solar Center presented nine regional companies and organizations with the prestigious Lodestar Award, a distinction given to Pennsylvania entities who are leading the way investing in clean and renewable solar energy.

* Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund Awards $230,000 Grant For Rooftop Solar At University Of Pittsburgh-Bradford, McKean County

The Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund has awarded a $230,000 grant toward a green building project at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The $22 million project includes a new academic building to house new engineering technology programs on campus, including energy engineering technology.

* New Poll Finds 81%, Bipartisan Support For Solar Power In Pennsylvania Over Other Energy Sources

A new poll from Embold Research found that solar energy has strong support across political, racial, gender, and regional lines. 81 percent of survey respondents indicated “support” or “strong support” for rooftop solar on homes, making it more popular than coal, nuclear energy, and methane gas.

* Environmental Quality Board Meets March 15 To Consider Final Rule Reducing VOC/Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on March 15 to consider a final regulation reducing VOC/methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations.

* Penn State Researchers To Study Links Between Fracking, Water Contamination In Southwestern PA; Follows Similar Study In NE PA That Found Water Contamination

By Francisco Tutella, Penn State News

* Deadline Extended: DEP Accepting Applications For Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

The Department of Environmental Protection will accept applications for the Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program through June 30.  (formal notice)

* PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In February Now Available

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It in February features articles on--

* Western PA Conservancy Protects 105 Acres Of Forested Land To Safeguard Habitats, Expand Hunting Opportunities In Bedford County

On March 1, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 105 forested acres, including approximately one mile of ridgeline along the western slope of Buffalo Mountain, in Londonderry Township, Bedford County.

* Audubon Society Of Western PA Offering Discounted Pollinator Seed Mix For Agricultural Properties In PA

The Audubon Society of Western PA is offering 50 percent off a special pollinator seed mix for Monarchs, bumblebees, and other native pollinators on agricultural land in Pennsylvania. 

* DCNR Blog: Growing Native Plants To Thwart Invasive Species

By Ryan Reed, Natural Resource Program Specialist, Bureau of Forestry

* Fish & Boat Commission Accepting Applications For State Wildlife Grants

The Fish and Boat Commission is seeking project applications for the State Wildlife Grants Program.  The deadline for applications is April 22.

* Help Wanted: Pike Conservation District Full-Time District Engineer

Pike County Conservation District is accepting applications for a full-time District Engineer responsible for post construction stormwater management and erosion and sediment control plan reviews and site inspections.

* Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Land Easement Steward 2

The Delaware County-based Brandywine Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Land Easement Steward 2.

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

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

* PA Master Naturalist Trainee Kristin Joivell From Huntingdon County Honored With Presidential Award For Excellence In Math, Science Teaching

Kristin Joivell, a Kindergarten teacher at Juniata Valley Elementary School from Huntingdon County, was honored in February with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, one of two teachers honored from Pennsylvania. 

* POWR/PEC: Registration Now Open For 4 Regional Watershed Workshops Starting March 11

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, PA Environment Council and their partners are hosting four Regional Watershed Workshops in Southcentral, Northcentral, Southeast and Northeast Pennsylvania starting March 11.

* Register Now For Brodhead Watershed Assn. Volunteer StreamWatcher Training March 24 & 26 In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association is seeking new "water warriors" for its popular StreamWatch Program in Monroe County.

* Penn State Extension Hosts March 30 Webinar On Current & Future Management Of Dairy Operations Given Climate Changes

The Penn State Extension will host another of its Water Cooler Talks March 30 on Current and Future Climate Dairy Cropping from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

* Pike Conservation District: Not Just A Hole In The Ground! Visually Pleasing Stormwater Best Management Practices

By Ellen Enslin, Pike County Conservation District

* PA Resources Council Hosts Backyard Composting Webinars On March 10 & 29

The PA Resources Council will conduct two online environmental education webinars in March to teach residents the importance and process of backyard composting. 

* PUC Partners On Virtual Consumer Education Workshops In SE PA On Energy Shopping, Conservation, Customer Assistance On March 9, 16

The Public Utility Commission is partnering with legislators in Southeastern Pennsylvania on a series of virtual consumer education workshops focused on energy issues, including customer assistance programs (CAPs) through local utilities, energy efficiency and conservation, and consumer choice with electric generation and natural gas supply.

* FracTracker Alliance Holding 3 Webinars On Using Maps & Data To Empower Action Starting March 8

The FracTracker Alliance is hosting three webinars on Using Maps and Data To Empower Action on March 8, 10 and 17.

* Register Now For 2022 Shale Network Workshop In State College May 12-13

Registration is now open for the 10th Annual Shale Network Workshop on May 12-13 at The Graduate in State College.  The theme of the conference is Ten Years Of Unconventional Resource Development: Lessons Learned And Future Directions.

* Jewish Earth Alliance, PA Interfaith Power & Light Host March 16 Webinar On Leveraging Federal Funds For Environmental Sustainability Efforts

PA Interfaith Power & Light and the Jewish Earth Alliance will host a March 16 webinar starting at 7:00 p.m. on Leveraging Federal Funds for More Environmental Sustainability Efforts.

* South Mountain Partnership Hosts South Mountain Science Summit April 29

Join the South Mountain Research Corps for the second South Mountain Science Summit on April 29 at the Big Hill Ciderworks in Gardners, Adams County from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

* News From PA House & Senate

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

* Senators Yaw, Yudichak Request Independent Fiscal Office To Audit Modeling Done By DEP To Justify Final RGGI Regulations Reducing Carbon Pollution From Power Plants

On February 28, Gene Yaw (R-Lyoming) and John Yudichak (I-Luzerne) sent a letter to the Independent Fiscal Office last week requesting an audit of modeling used to justify Pennsylvania’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* NRCS-PA Invites Proposals For USDA Conservation Innovation Grants

On March 4, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants Program.  The deadline for proposals is April 14.

* U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize For Innovative Ways To Make Wildlife Conservation Relevant To All

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting entries to the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize For Promotion Of Wildlife Conservation to all citizens.  Deadline for entries April 24.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* PA Bulletin

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

* Stories Invited - About 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.

* Supporting Member PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers; PA Outdoor Writers Assn.; PA Trout Unlimited

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.

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