Here are 76 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 October 26, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported out House Bill 1059 (Hickernell-R-Lancaster) after amending it to provide $106.6 million in annual taxpayer subsidies to manufacturing and other businesses that use natural gas and hydrogen in their operations for at least 20 years.

This editorial first appeared in the Scranton Times and Citizens Voice on October 28, 2022--

An October 13 inspection by the Department of Environmental Protection again found multiple violations of the state Clean Streams Law and Solid Waste Management Act at the PA General Energy Shawnee water withdrawal and natural gas pipeline construction site on the Loyalsock Creek in Gamble Township, Lycoming County.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the October 29 PA Bulletin that it has leased 176 acres of Susquehanna River streambed to SWN Natural Gas Production Company in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County for $704,000.

By Dr. Robert M. Ross

On October 26, the Senate and House gave final approval to House Bill 2528 (Struzzi-R- Indiana) that would set aside 20 percent of the new federal funding to plug conventional oil and gas wells for a new Orphan Well Plugging Grant Program.

The following DEP notices were published in the October 29 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On October 26, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center released a study finding 100 percent of the 50 water samples from Exceptional Value, High Quality, and Class A Cold Water Trout Fishing streams contained microplastics.

This editorial first appeared in the Republican Herald and Scranton Times on October 29, 2022--

By Penn State News

On October 27, the Public Utility Commission approved a rate settlement that would increase the typical monthly charge for PECO Natural Gas Division customers by 9 percent-- from $95.31 to $103.88.  The increase will show up on bills as an increase in gas delivery charges.

On October 28, Erie-based National Fuel Gas announced it has filed a request with the Public Utility Commission to increase its base delivery rate for natural gas for the average residential customer by 9.2 percent.

On October 26, the Pennsylvania Audubon Council presented its Walt Pomeroy Conservation Award to Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

On October 25, representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection visited a stream restoration project at the Lucky 7 Hunting Club property on Kettle Creek to view the recently completed work and discuss how it will improve water quality in this Exceptional Value stream as part of Clinton County’s Countywide Action Plan for the Chesapeake Bay.

The Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance has been awarded state funding for stream restoration work, according to Senator John R. Gordner (R-Columbia).

The Chester County-based Stroud Water Research Center recently partnered with volunteers for two tree plantings, spread the word about agroforestry, and helped water professionals learn about soil health and water quality.

On October 27, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reminded Pennsylvania farmers to apply for Resource Enhancement and Protection farm conservation tax credits by November 18 to help install measures improve soil and water quality.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 29 PA Bulletin inviting comments on stream redesignation evaluations for four streams in Columbia, Franklin, Fulton, Greene Counties.

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a hearing on water requests on November 9 and its next quarterly business meeting December 7.  Both will be held via Zoom.

On October 28, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will host a December 1 public meeting and public hearing regarding MAX Environmental Services, Inc.’s proposed hazardous waste landfill No. 7.  (Oct. 29 PA Bulletin, page 6784 formal notice)

On October 25, the Clean Air Council appealed a permit waiver for the Encina plastics processing facility proposed for Point Township, Northumberland County to the Environmental Hearing Board.

On October 24, the Department of Environmental Protection and guests reminded Pennsylvania residents that recycling unwanted, gently used items commonly found in households, such as furniture and clothing, is an effective strategy to curb pollution.

On October 27, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced it is accepting applications for the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in Kindergarten through 6th Grade, who complete a designated project specific to their grade level.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 29 PA Bulletin of substantial revisions to the Pennsylvania Radon Mitigation Standards Technical Guidance Document outlining how radon mitigators can install mitigation systems.

On November 2, Pittsburgh-based CEOs For Sustainability will hold their annual C-Suite Summit where leaders will highlight their businesses’ actions to transition to a clean energy economy and highlight new insights on a framework for multi-sector regional decarbonization.

The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program has a limited number of vouchers for free Pollution Prevention & Energy Efficiency Assessments for manufacturers in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania organizations are invited to nominate waterways for the 2023 Pennsylvania River of the Year.

On October 25, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Hemlocks Natural Area in Tuscarora State Forest to celebrate its induction into the Old-Growth Forest Network.

The Westmoreland Land Trust and WeConservePA’s Brad Barkdoll partnered to host a site visit of the ongoing Carl A. Schwarz Memorial Park farm conservation project outside of Greensburg, PA.

On October 27, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its fifth Weekly Fall Foliage Report showing the best fall colors are in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The October 28 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--

DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks distributed the Fall edition of their Environmental Education newsletter featuring articles on--

By Teddi Stark, DCNR Watershed Forestry Program Manager

The PA Solar Center will host a November 18 webinar on PA Solar Guidebooks: Helping Landowners and Municipalities Navigate Solar Growth from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center Fall 2022 Pennsylvania Waters newsletter featuring these articles--

On October 27, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County announced it is accepting applicants for a new, fully immersive, residential and nine-month-long Senior Education Internship.

The Senate and House took their last scheduled actions on legislation for the 2021-22 legislative session. 

On October 25, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation to rebrand fossil fuels as “low emission” vehicle fuels and end state incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles and failed to end the ban on raising conventional oil and gas well plugging bonding for ten years.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On October 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Program rebate competition awarded nearly $34,610,000 from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 11 school districts in 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 October 29 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.