Here are 86 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 August 8, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of up to $206 million, 4-year funding to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and watershed, and advance environmental justice in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New York, and West Virginia) and the District of Columbia.

On August 8, the National Association of Conservation Districts announced a call for concept papers as it launches the first phase of a $90 million program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.

On August 10, the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin announced the winners of the 2023 Water Resources Awards, recognizing leadership, innovation and excellence in the science and management of water resources within the Delaware Basin.

The University of Pittsburgh announced School of Public Health scientists will present the results of studies exploring health impacts of human exposure to environmental risk factors, including unconventional natural gas development activities, in an eight-county region in Southwest Pennsylvania.

The Mayor of Sugarcreek Borough in Venango County is asking for monetary donations to help pay for the refilling of the Village of Reno’s water tank after a ‘Do Not Consume’ order was issued on July 21 as a result of water contamination.

From August 5 to 11, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 555 inspection entries.

On August 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a notification that G2 STEM LLC of Fairfax, Virginia has withdrawn its application for an oil and gas wastewater underground injection well permit proposed in Nicholson Township, Fayette County.

On August 8, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is extending the deadline for public comments on the proposed Roulette Oil & Gas Company, LLC application for an oil and gas wastewater injection well in Clara Township, Potter County to September 7.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting public comments on two Chapter 105 encroachment applications submitted by Olympus Energy/Hyperion Midstream LLC covering natural gas gathering pipelines and water pipelines in Westmoreland County, according to public notices in the August 12 PA Bulletin.

The following DEP notices were published in the August 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 August 12 PA Bulletin that it has extended the Erosion and Sediment Control Permit ESCGP-3 for Earth Disturbances related to Oil and Gas Development to January 6, 2025.

On August 8, Hold Erie Coke Accountable issued a call to federal and state environmental agencies and the City and County of Erie to form an Erie Coke [Coal] Plant Site Community Working Group to help support the remediation and revitalization of the site.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin it has initiated an interim Hazardous Sites Cleanup response at the American Biodiesel Energy, Inc. site at 4680 Iroquois Avenue, Harborcreek Township, Erie County.  (PA Bulletin, page 5052).

By Christie Black, Penn State News

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft Stream Evaluation Reports for Aquashicola Creek (Monroe and Carbon counties); Jones Creek (Susquehanna County) and Hosensack Creek (Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin extending the submission period for water quality data on the proposed redesignation of Brodhead Creek in Monroe County.  The new deadline is September 5.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Water Quality Plan for the headwaters of Alder Run Watershed in Erie County.  (PA Bulletin, page 5065)

On August 8, The Nature Conservancy-PA released the results of a bipartisan statewide survey that found majorities of Pennsylvania voters and labor union households support gradually transitioning to 100 percent of energy being produced from clean and renewable sources over the next 15 years.

On August 9, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority announced it would be committing to the purchase of wind power and the use of clean energy to support the production and operations of water services.

On August 7, the League of Women Voters of PA and Food and Water Watch announced they are teaming up on a letter-writing campaign to the US Department of Energy in opposition to hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania.

On August 8, the Evangelical Environmental Network announced it has submitted 51,584 comments from individual pro-life Christians in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed standards on carbon pollution from fossil-fuel-fired power plants (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072-0001).

On August 8, the PJM Interconnection joined the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Southwest Power Pool in submitting joint comments in response to a proposed EPA rule on New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center hosts an August 18 Renewable Energy Policy Webinar - Time To Take Action-- from 12:30 to 1:30. p.m.

“In the words of Isaiah. ‘The mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.’”

The PA Interfaith Power and Light and Jewish Earth Alliance will host an August 16 webinar on Why Should We Care About, Advocate For A Climate-Friendly Federal Farm Bill? From 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The Lancaster Conservancy and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have once again partnered to protect and care for a historic natural site in the Hellam Hills [York County].

On August 9, The Nature Conservancy-PA announced it has closed on the purchase of five acres in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and transferred the parcel to the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

On August 8, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that the Wild Resource Conservation Program will continue to accept applications for grants to protect the state’s native biodiversity through September 1.

The Mountain Watershed Association will host three public meetings on a new draft Part I of a Conservation Plan for the Youghiogheny River Watershed that provides a holistic approach to preservation and protection.

The South Mountain Partnership will hold its 13th Annual Power of the Partnership Celebration on September 29 at the Whispering Pines Estate in Lewisberry, York County from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The August 11 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

You can now proudly show your support for the Eastern Hellbender and the Wild Resources Fund and Pollinator Habitats and the Pollinator Habit Fund by purchasing a special vehicle license plate from PennDOT.

The Penn State Center for Science and the Schools  and the Center for Pollinator Research (CPR) have created an interdisciplinary science curriculum that is aligned with the new Pennsylvania Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards.

SOLD OUT! IN 24-HOURS: The Manada Conservancy is providing free native pollinator plants to the first 50 landowners contacting the Conservancy in the Swatara Creek Watershed, Dauphin County.

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

The Schuylkill Action Network and its partners will host an October 20 Stormwater Operation and Maintenance Workshop at the Upper Merion Township Building, King of Prussia in Montgomery County from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.

On August 6, the Wildlife Leadership Academy and the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Association announced the creation of the Youth Fly Fishing Educational Training Program for 2024 called Stepping Stones. 

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 August 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.