Here are 63 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?

There were stark differences between the positions taken by Governor-elect Josh Shapiro and his opponent during the gubernatorial campaign just concluded.

By Mitchell Hescox, Evangelical Environmental Network; Jacquelyn Omotalade, Environmental Health Project; Melissa Ostroff, MPH, Earthworks

By Lois Bower-Bjornson, Clean Air Council and Washington County Resident

On November 12, the Observer-Reporter reported dozens of Greene County households affected by an alleged EQT drilling “frack-out” from an unconventional shale natural gas well are benefiting from a Center for Coalfield Justice water donation drive.

To give the public a better understanding of the compliance record of oil and gas industrial facilities in Pennsylvania, PA Environment Digest is starting a new feature summarizing the more serious violations DEP reports through its Compliance Reporting Database on a weekly basis -- Saturday through Friday.

The following DEP notices were published in the November 12 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 12 PA Bulletin it has issued a revised Chapter 102 permit for the installation of post construction stormwater BMPS for the Sunoco Mariner East II Pipeline route in Thornbury Township, Delaware County.  (PA Bulletin, page 7043)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is accepting public comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ohio Valley Connector Natural Gas Pipeline running from Greene County, PA through West Virginia and into Ohio.  (See formal notice.)

On November 10, Reuters reported U.S. energy company Williams Cos Inc urged federal energy regulators to approve its Transcontinental Gas PipeLine unit's Regional Energy Access expansion proposal that will boost natural gas supplies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.

On November 11, at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is strengthening its proposed standards to cut methane and other harmful air pollution.

The FracTracker Alliance, Clean Air Council, and the Halt The Harm Network are hosting a November 14 webinar on Protected Zones - Setbacks From Oil and Gas Facilities In California, Colorado and PA from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Interested in becoming a Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward?  Extension is holding information sessions for interested volunteers across Pennsylvania starting in December.

On November 8, Carbon County voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to allow the county to borrow up to $10 million to help improve water quality, working farms and wildlife habitat protection, according to KPVI.   The vote was 21,014 to 4,394.

DEP’s Water Resources Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on November 17 to hear presentations on the draft, updated Stormwater Management Manual and a draft rulemaking related to the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards.

On November 10, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership awarded its 2022 Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Awards to Dr. Zeshan Ismat of Lancaster City and Brennan Ka’aihue of Central Pennsylvania. Both were recognized for their conservation and Environmental Justice work in under-represented portions of their regions.

On November 7, the Wildlife Leadership Academy recognized five teen conservation leaders with the Ralph Abele Excellence in Outreach Award which includes a total of $2,500 in college scholarships. 

On October 18, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s local county affiliate, Keep York Beautiful, hosted 15 volunteers from The GIANT Company who helped prepare Cottage Hill Garden for winter.

On October 18, Keep Chester County Beautiful became a county affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. The affiliate will be housed in and become a program of the Chester County Planning Commission. 

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania program is in full swing, now through November 30. The fall cleanup program is held in support of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Don’t trash that campaign sign!  Bring it to the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority and have it recycled.

On November 17, the Pennsylvania Solar Center will recognize nine regional companies and organizations in Blair, Somerset and Westmoreland counties who are leading the way in investing in clean and renewable solar energy.

On November 10, the Public Utility Commission launched a review of its current regulations relating to cybersecurity – including requirements for reporting cyber attacks on utility systems and the regulations for utility self-certification of their security planning and preparedness.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet November 16 on DCNR's plan for investing federal American Rescue Plan Funding on infrastructure projects.

On November 10, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced outdoor recreation contributed $13.64 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, accounting for 152,000 jobs, and 1.6 percent of the Commonwealth’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) statistics.

On November 10, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it is seeking public comment on the master plan to create the Catawissa Recreation Area in both Schuylkill and Luzerne counties.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation invites you to vote for your favorite photo and help pick of the winners of their 2022 Photo Contest.  The deadline for voting is November 21.

The November 11 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation--

On October 20, the Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee added five weeds to the noxious weed list. They include--

The Governor’s Invasive Species Council is surveying communities, businesses, organizations, and individuals to compile experiences with nonnative invasive plants, insects, animals and pathogens on land and in waterways.

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

The Appalachian Chapter Audubon Society is now accepting applications for a full scholarship to a Hog Island Audubon Summer Camp in Maine.  The deadline to apply is January 27.

The second annual Penn State Solar Law Symposium will be held via webinar from noon to 4:30 p.m. on November 16.

By Dave Blehi, Penn State News

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management will host-- Plugging In: EVs and the Charging Network-- a free webinar discussing the basics of electric vehicles (EVs), state and federal incentives to increase their use, and federal funding available to accelerate the construction of a national network of charging stations on November 16.

The Union County-based PA Interfaith Power & Light and the Jewish Earth Alliance will host a November 16 webinar on Countering Climate Disinformation In The Media starting at 7:00 p.m.

The last scheduled voting days of the 2021-22 legislation are November 14, 15, 16 in the House and November 15 in the Senate.  If no final action is taken on a bill, it dies and has to be reintroduced when the new session begins on January 1.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

On November 10, U.S. Dept. Of The Interior and  National Fish & Wildlife Foundation joined public- and private-sector partners to announce nearly $91 million in grants through the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC).

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 12 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.