Here are 74 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.

Below are examples of going the WRONG WAY on environmental and energy issues from last week’s articles and NewsClips--

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

The Senate and House Appropriations Committees will begin agency by agency hearings on Gov. Shapiro’s FY 2023-24 budget proposal on Monday, March 20.

On March 14, Marcellus Drilling News reported New Fortress Energy intends to apply for updated permits for its proposed Wyalusing LNG natural gas plant in Bradford County, according to statements in a March 10 SEC company filing.

According to a federal court filing, the U.S. Department of Transportation is set to miss the March 13 deadline to suspend a federal regulation that allows liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be transported by rail nationwide.

From March 11 to 17, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 527 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 30 violations of environmental regulations-- 14 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 16 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

The following DEP notices were published in the March 18 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The following blog post By Tina Curry-Bashioum was posted on the Environmental Health Project website providing a detailed look at the MAX Environmental Yukon Facility hazardous waste disposal site that accepts shale gas drilling waste in Westmoreland County.

On March 9, Commonwealth Court issued a ruling overturning the Public Utility Commission’s 2022 order allowing PECO to construct a natural gas pumping station to serve retail customers in Marple Township, Delaware County and remanded the case back to the Commission for further review in line with the decision.

On March 13, Kurt Klapkowski, Acting Deputy for Oil and Gas Management, told the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board the agency is in discussions with Equitrans to resolve their appeal of DEP orders in December to fix conventional wells providing access to the Rager Mountain underground natural gas storage area in Cambria County.

On March 13, Kurt Klapkowski, Acting Deputy for Oil and Gas Management, told the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board, DEP expects to submit a letter of intent as early as this week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to apply for primary to regulate underground injection wells.

On March 15, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry joined seven business groups representing a diverse cross-section of industry in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and New Mexico in sending a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling for the expeditious approval of state primacy applications for Class VI injection wells.

On March 14, the federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Adelphia Gateway natural gas pipeline company was not entitled to a different outcome in Federal Court after receiving an adverse judgment in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania in Cole et al v. Department of Environmental Protection in 2021.

On March 14, PennFuture and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network appealed the Department of Environmental Protection water quality permits for the Transcontinental Gas and Pipeline Company’s Regional Energy Access Expansion natural gas pipeline expansion that will run through Luzerne and Monroe Counties.

On March 16, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission approved proposed water withdrawals, including six natural gas drilling water use renewals totalling 7.1 million gallons/day.  (formal notice)

On March 15, the Environmental Defense Fund, Clean Air Council and the Environmental Health Project launched a TV and digital ad campaign to urge EPA to put in place strong rules to curb oil and gas methane pollution.

On Tuesday, March 14 the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County had another emergency flaring event to burn off natural gas and other flammable gases for approximately three hours, according to the Eyes on Shell Project. 

On March 15, the Allegheny County Health Department issued $307,800 in stipulated penalties against U.S. Steel for Article XXI Air Pollution Control violations (and as calculated in accordance with the 2019 Settlement Agreement and Order) that occurred at the Clairton Coke (Coal) Works during the second quarter of 2022.

Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy is growing rapidly across the Commonwealth–revitalizing its job market and boosting it into a position of national leadership, according to a comprehensive analysis of employment data released by the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA), Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Sustainable Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania Solar Center.

On March 15, state Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Val Arkoosh announced that Pennsylvania intends to operate a water assistance program supported by federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) funding.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing April 24 on NPDES Water Quality permit applications for the I-80-115 C-1 Site/ Pocono Mountains Corporate Center North Waterhouse Site in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County.  (PA Bulletin page 1572-1573)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 18 PA Bulletin of a March 29 informal public conference on the proposed new Strongstown Coal Mine in Pine Township, Indiana County and Blacklick Township, Cambria County.   (PA Bulletin page 1573)

The Allegheny County Conservation District recently awarded $220,000 to the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to stabilize a landslide and repair a degraded road in Homewood through the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Program.

Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) recently presented Oxford Borough officials with the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award.  Sen. Comitta nominated the borough for the honor for its overall community beautification and greening efforts.

Residents all across Pennsylvania are gearing up to participate in Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania Program, a statewide community improvement initiative.

On March 16, the PA Resources Council released its 2023 collection events schedule for electronics waste, tires, household chemicals and hard-to-recycle items in Allegheny and Delaware counties.

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on March 22 to hear an overview of Gov. Shapiro's proposed FY 2023-24 state budget and a presentation on Pennsylvania's Heritage Areas.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking volunteer trail stewards for the Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County to help with efforts to build a sustainable trail system that serves different types of users and protects water quality and vulnerable species and habitats.

The March 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Keystone Trails Association, a statewide organization providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania is holding their annual Spring Hiking Weekend from April 21-23 in Wellsboro, Tioga County - home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.

The Fish and Boat Commission is once again seeking applicants for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants, and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as "R3."

On March 13, the Governor’s Invasive Species Council shared findings from the first statewide survey of impacts from invasive plants, insects, pathogens and animals, and announced a pilot test of a regional invasive species management program will launch this summer.

The Berks County-based Hawk Mountain Sanctuary invites visitors to the Mountain for the annual spring migration watch and weekend programs.

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

Do you live in one of the more than one million homes and farms in Pennsylvania that get their drinking water from a private well or spring? Do you know what is in your drinking water and how to keep it safe for you and your family? Would you like to have your water tested for free?

The Audubon Society of Western PA is calling all landowners in the Buffalo Creek Watershed in Butler, Armstrong counties to participate in a three-park online workshop series on what landowners can do to help protect and enhance forest habitat on their property.

The Audubon Society of Western PA is hosting a three-part series of online workshops soon Supporting Wildlife On Your Property in May for residents of Buffalo Creek Watershed in Butler and Armstrong counties.

Tree Pittsburgh is hosting a Western PA Wild Ones - Native Plant Symposium on March 29 in Pittsburgh from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Pike County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force announced it will hold its second “Safe Steps” Art Competition.  Submissions must illustrate “Where do ticks live” or “How to protect yourself from tick bites.”

The Physicians for Social Responsibility in PA and Watchdogs of Southeastern PA are hosting a March 29 in-person and virtual town hall in Chester County to talk openly, share opinions, and ask questions about environmental health issues specifically affecting Southeastern Pennsylvanians.

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is seeking qualified individuals to fill spring and Sumer environmental educator positions.

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 March 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the final Good Neighbor Plan, a rule that will significantly cut smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution from power plants and other industrial facilities in 23 states.

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 March 18 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.