Here are 77 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 November 3, Gov. Wolf signed into law House Bill 1059 (Hickernell-R-Lancaster) that provides $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 York Dispatch October 31, 2022--

On November 3, Gov. Wolf signed House Bill 2528 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) into law 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 November 5 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

Protect PT in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties is hosting a four-part online series of Living Near Shale Gas Community Training Workshops starting November 10 with Complaint & Compliance on documenting Complaints from 6:30 to 7:30.

The Center for Coalfield Justice, the Environmental Health Project, Physicians for Social Responsibility, FracTracker Alliance, and Mountain Watershed Association hosted a webinar on October 25 on Creating A Healthy Home And Community With Shale Gas Development In Your Neighborhood.

On October 31, the Independent Fiscal Office estimated the Calendar Year 2022 Act 13 Drilling Impact fee will generate a record $274.8 million in revenue at the lowest effective tax rate on record-- 0.7 percent.

Fully funding the farm pollution-reduction practices needed to restore the Chesapeake Bay would inject $655 million annually into the region’s economy, including $269 million per year in higher earnings for businesses and workers, according to a new report released November 2 by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

On November 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced visits to 2,670 farms in Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed documented superefficient nutrient use on 108,000 acres and 1,524 new structural best management practices (BMPs) to improve the health of streams and rivers in Pennsylvania’s largest watershed.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded Pennsylvania $244.9 million from federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to support abandoned mine reclamation in the Commonwealth.

On November 2, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded Pennsylvania $26.63 million for abandoned mine reclamation projects related to improving economic development opportunities in communities.

The Western PA Conservancy is now accepting applications for the BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grant Program to support grassroots watershed groups.  Applications are due December 19.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet November 15 on final radiation safety and NPDES Water Quality Compliance regulations.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council and Environmental Justice Advisory Board are scheduled to hold their annual joint meeting on November 15.  After the joint meeting, the CAC will continue its business meeting.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a December 7 hearing on an intent to issue an NPDES Water Quality permit to Pocono Manor Investors, LP for the discharge of treated sewage from The Inn At Pocono Manor in Pocono Township, Monroe County.   (PA Bulletin, page 6932)

On November 1, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced it is now accepting Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant applications for projects to improve the sustainability of streamflows and groundwater during times of drought to support both water supplies and the aquatic ecosystem. Up to $6 million in funding is available this round.

The Stroud Water Research Center bestowed the 2022 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence to Michael E. Mann, Ph.D., one of the world’s leading voices on climate change on November 3.

By Laura Fowler, Director, Penn State's Sustainability Institute

After a decade of global warming trends, the world experienced the second warmest year on record in 2019. Humans everywhere are experiencing the impact of climate change.

On November 3, the University of Pittsburgh announced construction has started on a new 20-megawatt solar farm near Pittsburgh International Airport that will supply electricity to the University for the next two decades.

On October 31, the Department of Human Services and Public Utility Commission announced the start of the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application process for the 2022-23 season-- from November 1, 2022, to April 28, 2023.

Stakeholders in the fight against litter convened on November 1 and 2 for Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s 2022 Litter Summit hosted by the City of Lancaster.

 The Spearhead Group, a global packaging and innovation company with headquarters in Yardley, Bucks County, has launched Spearhead Project Earth™, an independent non-profit foundation created to align with the company’s long-term sustainability commitment.

On October 31, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of$40.1 million in funding for ten redevelopment and community improvement projects that will revitalize communities and provide new opportunities across the Commonwealth.

On October 24, Willistown Conservation Trust welcomed the Chester County Commissioners, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Willistown Township to Kirkwood Preserve (855 Grubbs Mill Rd., Newtown Square) to commemorate an additional 12 acres added to the 83-acre Nature Preserve owned and maintained by Willistown Conservation Trust.

The Open Space Institute is now accepting applications for the latest round of its Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund (ALPF), a first-of-its-kind effort to protect forests along the Appalachian region for carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, and other critical benefits.

On November 3, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its sixth Weekly Fall Foliage Report showing the last glimmers of autumn are upon us.

The November 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation--

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

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

This article originally appeared in the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition October Catalyst newsletter--

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

Penn State Extension hosts a November 9 webinar on Methane Emission Fees Under the New Federal Climate, Energy Act and its Impacts on the Oil and Gas Industry from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is hosting a learning webinar-- Technology and Tips for Volunteer Management-- on November 15 at 6:00 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Forest Webinar Series from Penn State Extension is starting back up and will be offered monthly starting September 2022 through June 2023.

On November 3, 300 students, local decision makers, and Berks County community members gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading to celebrate Berks Nature’s 14th Annual State of the Environment Breakfast.

The PA Resources Council will host a webinar on the benefits of backyard composting November 16 starting at 6:00 p.m.

On November 1, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) announced the launch of its new podcast series, We Are Nature, with the first episodes available now.

By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper

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--

On November 3, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected 11 projects to receive more than $4.27 million in funding for monitoring air quality in communities across 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 November 5 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.