Here are 83 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.

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.

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Are You Telling Your Story?

On August 1, the 2022 National Conservation Foundation-Envirothon, an international environmental and natural resources education competition for high school students, announced Pennsylvania's Penncrest High School Team from Delaware County placed 10th in the international competition.

On July 30, Gov. Wolf directed the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct an evaluation of how it regulates conventional oil and gas wells to prevent new abandoned wells, tighten review of permit transfers, review compliance with environmental safeguards and make recommendations for changes and actions, including criminal sanctions.  Read more here.

On August 5, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Sunoco Pipeline L.P., and ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC (ETC), both subsidiaries of Energy Transfer, L.P. (Energy Transfer), were convicted of criminal charges related to their conduct during the construction of two major pipelines in Pennsylvania.

On August 2, Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester) and Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D-Chester) announced Sunoco has failed to meet its July 1 deadline for cleaning up the Mariner East Pipeline spill into Marsh Creek Lake in Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 6 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a major natural gas gathering pipeline project by Williams Field Services in Dimock and Jessup Townships, Susquehanna County.  (PA Bulletin, page 4442)

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting stakeholders to participate in workgroup sessions related to the development of the new federal conventional oil and gas well plugging program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, according to Jessica Shirley, DEP's Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator.

By Kim Anderson, Evangelical Environmental Network

The following factsheet on asthma and air pollution from natural gas facilities was compiled by the Environmental Health Project--

On August 2, Republicans on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to report out a concurrent resolution disapproving of Part I of a final Environmental Quality Board regulation reducing VOC/methane emissions from unconventional (shale) oil and gas facilities.

By Alison L. Steele, Executive Director

On August 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its plans to engage and inform communities, states, Tribes, Territories, and stakeholders about up-to-date information on the risks posed by air emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO) from commercial sterilizers, as well as EPA’s efforts to address these risks.  Read more here.

The Stroud Water Research Center announced Dr. Michael E. Mann, climate change scientist, author and Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State, and Director of the Earth System Science Center, is the 2022 recipient of the Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence.

On August 3, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that states and the Navajo Nation can now apply for nearly $725 million to reclaim abandoned mines under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

On August 4, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced it is now accepting applications for approximately $1.3 million in fiscal year 2022 for Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program grants to allow nonprofit organizations to undertake acid mine drainage reclamation projects.

The Department of Environmental Protection will host a virtual August 24 hearing on the Consol Coal Company Bailey Mine & Prep Plant expansion permit and subsidence control plan in Richhill Township, Greene County.  (PA Bulletin, page 4476)

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is accepting nominations for the Third Annual Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award, given for conservation work in environmental justice communities in Pennsylvania.

On August 2, Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs and Development Rick Vilello was joined by elected officials, community leaders, and others in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, to highlight the state’s investment in the Silk Mill Apartments as part of flood recovery initiatives.

On August 2, more than 30 advocacy organizations from across Pennsylvania stood together in the Capitol Rotunda to publicly release a new document that represents our shared values and priorities ahead of elections this fall for a new governor and state Legislature.

Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media, Pittsburgh Cares are now accepting applications for nonprofit Champions In Action Program for the supporting environmental sustainability category.  The deadline for nominations is August 19.

On August 7, the U.S. Senate passed compromised legislation that would make the largest federal investment-- $375 billion-- in climate change fighting strategies, including investments in renewable energy production, tax rebates for consumers for energy efficiency and electric vehicles and more.

On August 2, a team of building industry innovators was awarded a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to field test a newly developed building retrofit system. 

The latest newsletter from the Sustainable Community Development Network of Southwestern PA includes features on--

On August 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has executed a consent order and agreement (COA) with Harsco Corporation for improper disposal of 375,618 tons of metal slag from 2010 to 2018 which resulted in violations of the Solid Waste Management Act.

On August 1, four state agencies and Keep PA Beautiful announced the launch of the statewide anti-litter campaign, “PA Fights Dirty: Every Litter Bit Matters.”

In August, the Pennsylvania Resources Council in partnership with Allegheny County Health Department will host a household chemical collection event to provide Pennsylvania residents with an opportunity to safely and cost effectively dispose of common chemicals such as cleaners, paints, stains and varnishes, batteries, motor oil and pesticides. 

On August 4, the City of Pittsburgh announced residents in need of disposing of a wide variety of waste not accepted in curbside recycling can now register to drop off materials.

On August 4, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a $1 million grant to the city of Philadelphia to assist in completing the final design for the Spring Garden Street Greenway.

The August 5 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

By Alana Jajko, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In July features articles on--

By Bennett Gould, Foundation for Sustainable Forests

By Dick Thorr, President, Northwest Pennsylvania Woodland Association

Berks Nature is seeking a Facilities Manager to steward, maintain and manage Berks Nature’s nature center, The Nature Place.

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

Join the PA Association of Environmental Educators for the next installments of their online Professional Development Series--

PPL Utilities is now accepting applications for its Empowering Educators Grants designed to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

The August newsletter from the Pike County Conservation District includes articles on riparian buffers and climate change and forests as part of the District's Forestry month education initiative.

By Wendy Seifert, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward, York County

The 2022 Master Watershed Steward Native Tree and Shrub Sale is the third annual fall fundraiser for the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program.

The Dauphin County-based Manada Conservancy is hosting a series of events in the next few months, including a Native Plant Sale and a variety of educational programs.  Here are some highlights--

The Audubon Society of Western PA is offering 50-70 percent off a special pollinator seed mix for Monarchs, bumblebees, and other native pollinators on agricultural land in Pennsylvania through 2022 or until funds run out.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will host Bug Fest! August 27-28 in Philadelphia.

The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble will join Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County for a second annual Music on the Mountain performance. The performance will take place on September 10 at 2:00 p.m. in Hawk Mountain’s ADA accessible Outdoor Amphitheater.

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

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

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