Here are 25 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?

In 2022, PA Environment Digest included 3,190 articles and links to NewsClips in the “REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership” feature 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.

The oil and gas industry had a record 2022 in many ways-- natural gas prices increased over 94.7 percent and stock prices of drillers skyrocketed in Pennsylvania.  The industry generally had record LNG natural gas exports linking the U.S. to high-priced markets in Europe and Asia caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

On December 29, the Department of Environmental Protection released the first-ever assessment of how well conventional oil and gas drillers comply with state environmental laws and concluded, “(the) conventional oil and gas industry’s recent record of compliance with Pennsylvania law is simply not good, particularly with regard to improper abandonment of wells.”

On December 30, the Observer-Reporter newspaper reported an explosion and fire at Energy Transfer’s Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas Processing Plant broke out about 7:30 a.m. on Christmas morning in Smith Township, Washington County.

From December 24 to 30, DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 223 inspection reports that included three major violations of environmental regulations at one unconventional shale gas drilling well pad.

The following DEP notices were published in the December 31 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On December 28, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and NERC’s Regional Entities announced they will open a joint inquiry into the operations of the bulk-power system during the extreme winter weather conditions that occurred during Winter Storm Elliott.

On December 29, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding released guidance for landowners considering solar production on farmland and in rural communities in Pennsylvania.

On December 19, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority released a proposed Stormwater Strategic Plan to the public for review and comment.

On January 12, Jim Thorpe Borough Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal to approve on-lot septic sewage systems within 1,000 feet of Mauch Chunk Lake.

On December 30, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) announced the Department of Environmental Protection will be accepting applications beginning January 2, for County Recycling Coordinator Grants under Section 903 of Act 101.  (formal notice)

By Paul Bruder, Jr., Mette, Evans & Woodside

The PA Chapter of the American Planning Association is proud to announce the 2022 Great Places in PA Award winners in two categories-- Great Public Spaces and Great Greenway/Trails.

The December 30 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--

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation is now accepting applications for its College Scholarship Program.  The deadline to apply is February 10.

The December Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition features an overview of a water sampling project at the DeSale Passive Mine Water Drainage Treatment project and an introduction of the Coalition’s newest intern Krista White.

Dauphin County Parks and Recreation recently announced the Friends of Wildwood will host an in-person four-part Winter Lecture Series on Planting Trees For Tomorrow at the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Lake in Harrisburg.

The Brandywine Conservancy's Penguin Court & Thomas Road Farm in Westmoreland County is hosting five virtual "Winter Sleeps" programs on winter adaptations of animals in January and February.

The Senate and House convene the new legislative session on January 3.  New members will be sworn in and other organizational tasks will be completed.

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 December 31 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.