Here are 37 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 Put Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic.

By Cat (Cathy) Lodge, Washington County Resident

On January 5, the Department of Environmental Protection released three more requests for bids to plug 46 conventional natural gas wells in Armstrong and Washington County through the website BidExpress.com.

From December 31 to January 6, DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 634 inspection reports that resulted in 29 violations of environmental regulations-- 17 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 12 violations by unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the January 7 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet January 10 to hear a presentation on the Stream Redesignation Process and discuss the Council’s transition paper for the incoming Shapiro Administration.

On January 6, Senate Republican and Democratic leadership named Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) as Majority Chair and Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

On January 5, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation released its 2022 State of the Bay Report. The biennial evaluation graded the Bay and its watershed at a D+, unchanged from the 2020 score.

On January 6, Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) was elected to serve as Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Commission in 2023 as Pennsylvania continues its work to reduce pollution in the watershed.

On January 6, the Chesapeake Bay Commission announced it has selected Anna Killius as its new Executive Director. Killius will lead the organization following the retirement of longtime CBC Executive Director Ann Swanson in November.

On January 7, the Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the PA Bulletin it is rescinding the Chapter 105 PA Function-Based Aquatic Resources Compensation Protocol Guidance (310-2137-001) for reevaluation.

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation and the Game Commission's Howard Nursery announced schools can start applying for the Seedlings For Schools Program on January 30.  The deadline for applications is March 31.

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant College Program is pleased to announce its 2024-26 Research Request for Proposals (RFP). Pre-proposal submissions are due by February 22, 2023, by 5:00 p.m., EST.  

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is hosting a January 17 webinar-- Riparian Buffers…Not Just for Water Quality-- 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

By Anne Daymut, Watershed Coordinator, Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

By Rachael Marques, PCCD Watershed Specialist

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s latest Guardian newsletter is now available featuring articles on--

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host a virtual community meeting for residents of  Erie, Pennsylvania, to share information about health risks from the chemical, ethylene oxide or EtO.

On January 6, the Department of Transportation announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Round 1 of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Grant program. The application period will open on February 24, 2023 until 5:00 PM EST on April 6, 2023.

The PACE Loan Group, a national leader in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing, closed an $8 million loan, financing solar panels at 1000 Omega, a corporate office in Pittsburgh. 

The Federal Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization hosts a three-part Technical Assistance for Energy Communities webinar series on January 10, 17 and 24.

The PA Resources Council is now accepting entries to the 2023 Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest.  The deadline for entries is October 31.

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

The Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant And Noxious Weed Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting January 19 at 1:00 p.m. to consider adding seven more plants to the Noxious Weeds List.  (formal notice)

Conservation organizations pursuing bird habitat protection or restoration projects are invited to apply to the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology for funding.  The deadline to apply is March 1.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2023 Photo Contest. The deadline for entries is September 30.

The January 6 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--

Registration is now open for the PA Association of Environmental Educators Annual Conference to be held March 13-14 at Camp Hebron, Halifax, Dauphin County.

WeConservePA is now accepting registrations for the 2023 PA Land Conservation Conference to be held on April 26-28 in Reading.

The PA Recreation and Parks Society is now accepting registrations for 2023 Annual Conference and Expo to be held March 19-22 at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is now accepting applications from eligible high school seniors for the Vanessa Joy Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship.

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

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 January 7 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.