Here are 111 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.

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

On July 20, 2023, the Marcellus Drilling News reported researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found there was an average 30% discrepancy between what conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling companies said they sent to landfills and the amount of waste reported received by those landfills in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

The following DEP notices were published in the July 22 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. 

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold an August 10 hearing on proposed water withdrawal requests, including eight related to shale gas drilling operations.  (formal notice)

On July 22, the Governor’s Office published an update to the Regulatory Agenda of regulations in development that included a new annual permit fee for unconventional shale gas operations and a schedule for the release of updated waste and other environmental standards for conventional oil and gas drilling.  (formal notice)

On July 21, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund steering committee has finalized the protocol to allocate $5 million in penalty funding for community projects in Beaver County as a result of Shell Petrochemical Plant air pollution violations.

On July 19, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the investment of $116.6 million for 22 drinking water, wastewater, nonpoint source projects and an oil and gas wastewater treatment facility in 19 counties.

On July 17, the PJM Interconnection released its Winter Storm Elliott Event Analysis and Recommendation Report which reviews the circumstances leading up to the December 2022 storm, assesses performance of the system during the event and identifies recommendations to help improve grid reliability.

Nearly 100 attendees joined the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, DEP and other presenters at the PA Solar Energy On Abandoned Mine Lands Summit in State College July 19.

On July 19, West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. announced it has begun work to connect a pair of solar energy projects in Fulton and Franklin counties to the electric grid.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center is seeking nominations for the next round of Lodestar Awards, this time for Chester County.

On July 19, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts recognized conservationists from across the state at their annual conference in Harrisburg.

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On July 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services is asking for proposals for the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership to improve forest health on public and private lands. Deadline for proposals September 4.

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center includes articles on how Family Day engages Latino Community of Chester County, a farm conservation tour at the Denglinger Farm in Lancaster County, profiles of Delaware Watershed community scientists and 2003 Stroud Freshwater Award Winner Laura Turner Seidel, chair of the Captain Planet Foundation

Crop management, wildlife and conservation education, as well as the signature hay show, will be offered in and around the J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 8-10.

By Anne Daymut, Watershed Coordinator, WPCAMR*

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards.  The deadline for submissions is August 31.

Despite decades of efforts to improve recycling and waste management practices, Pennsylvanians still experience too much littering and illegal dumping in their communities.

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on July 26 on the State Forest Strategic Plan and hear an update from the Fish and Boat Commission.  DCNR is also seeking new members to fill vacancies on the Council.  (formal notice)

On July 17, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn was joined by First Lady Lori Shapiro for a visit with members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Youth Crew at French Creek State Park.

On July 20, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the department has opened up a public survey for input on plans at Big Elk Creek State Park in Chester County.

Partners involved in growing the Pennsylvania Wilds region as an outdoor recreation destination to help revitalize rural communities and inspire stewardship are implementing a new accessibility project: installing viewfinders at select state park and forest locations around the region that will allow colorblind people to see color.

Federal, state, and local officials joined together to celebrate the preservation of 1,785 contiguous acres of historically significant farmland at the Hanover Shoe Farms, Inc. in Adams County, Pennsylvania.

On July 16, Murray and Rhonda Laudenslager were awarded the 2023 Conservation Award by Manada Conservancy, the nonprofit land trust that serves Dauphin County. 

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is pleased to announce the winners of the 12th Annual Photo Contest, Treasured Towns and Landscapes of the Susquehanna Greenway. 

The July 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

Recognizing the value pollinators provide to humans and our ecosystem, Penguin Court Preserve, the Brandywine Conservancy, and the Westmoreland Pollinator Partners, a consortium of over two dozen gardens in Westmoreland County, are pleased to host the third annual Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge.

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

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is seeking presentation proposals for the 2024 Annual Conference to be held March 17-19 at the Pocono Environmental Education Center.  The deadline for proposals is September 22.

On July 28, the PA Solar Center is hosting a webinar on Net Metering Secures Pennsylvania's Solar Future from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

The PA Recreation and Park Society Maintenance Institute is sponsoring a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals Sustainable Stormwater BMP Management Workshop in State College on October 6.

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 July 22 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.