Here are 120 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 29, the Shapiro Administration announced it will adopt an updated Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy, which expands environmental safeguards throughout the Commonwealth, a milestone in updating a 20-year-old policy the Department of Environmental Protection has used to guide protections for communities most vulnerable to environmental challenges.

This editorial first appeared in the Scranton Times August 27, 2023--

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on September 12 to discuss the agency’s new Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy, DEP’s Customer Service Initiatives, and hear a presentation on the risks associated with carbon capture and sequestration.

DEP’s Oil & Gas Technical Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on September 5 on a variety of critical topics facing the Oil and Gas Management Program.

On August 30, Between The Lines Podcast host Melinda Tuhus interviewed Dr. Ned Ketyer, a retired pediatrician and president of the board of the Pennsylvania Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, about the results of new studies by the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health on the health impacts of natural gas development on children and adults.

On September 1, The Center Square reported the state Department of Health is inviting citizens to file environmental health complaints related to natural gas development.

At 2:02 a.m. on August 28, 2023, DEP received an emergency notification of an uncontrolled venting of natural gas from shale gas well 9H at the Repsol Oil and Gas USA LLC Cummings Lumber well pad in Troy Township, Bradford County.

On August 30, 2023, DEP received an emergency notification at 7:33 a.m. from EQT ARO LLC a tank truck hauling production wastewater from the COP [DCNR State Forest Land] Tract 551 Pads A&B shale gas well pads rolled over on an access road in McIntyre Township, Lycoming County and released its entire load of over 4,600 gallons of wastewater.

On September 2, Makayla Keating of the The Derrick reported the do not consume water advisory has been lifted in the Village of Reno, Venango County after six weeks of emergency water distribution for the over 200 community residents and businesses affected.

From August 26 to September 1, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 581 inspection entries.

The following DEP notices were published in the September 2 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On August 29, the Public Utility Commission provided this update on its investigation of a deadly August 12th house explosion in Plum Borough, Allegheny County, by the Safety Division.

On August 23, the PJM Interconnection Critical Issue Fast Path Resource Adequacy stakeholder group heard testimony and suggestions on the issue of making electricity market changes to address nonperformance of natural gas and other generators during emergencies and events like Winter Storm Elliot in December.

On August 30, the Public Utility Commission recognized Gov. Josh Shapiro’s appointment of Commissioner Stephen M. DeFrank as the PUC’s new chairman, effective immediately. 

On August 30, Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, whose more than decade-long tenure on the Public Utility Commission ended with the confirmation of her replacement on the PUC, offered the following thoughts regarding her experience as a commissioner and chairman, capping an extensive career dedicated to public service--

On August 30, the Public Utility Commission welcomed Kim Barrow in her new position as Commissioner.  The Commission thanked Gov. Josh Shapiro for his nomination, along with the Pennsylvania Senate for its support of Barrow’s nomination.

On September 28, the PA Solar Center will honor 10 organizations with the Lodestar Award for their leadership in adopting solar energy in Chester County.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center has announced a Request for Proposals from certified solar developers for its Galvanizing our Energy Transition (G.E.T.) Solar Program on behalf of 11 Allegheny County municipalities and Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority  in partnership with CONNECT.

On August 31, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $2.9 million in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to municipalities, schools, and businesses around the state to switch to zero- or low-emission vehicles.

On August 31, the Shapiro Administration announced it has successfully worked with Philadelphia to secure more than $101 million in federal funding to reduce the threat of natural hazards and prevent future flooding in several areas of the Commonwealth.

On August 31, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced 36 grant awards totaling over $14.9 million to improve wildlife habitat, enhance resilience to changing climatic conditions, and engage communities throughout the Delaware River watershed in conservation activities.

By Natasha Gilbert

The following article first appeared in the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition’s Catalyst newsletter--

The Department of Environmental Protection invites public comments at a hearing October 4 on the NPDES Water Quality Permit renewal for the Modern Landfill in Windsor and Lower Windsor Townships, York County authorizing a discharge into Kreutz Creek.  (PA Bulletin, page 5575)

The following article first appeared in the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition’s Catalyst newsletter.

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

On August 31, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold an in-person public meeting on September 12 to discuss the Bishop Tube Hazardous Site Cleanup Plan for the site located in East Whiteland Township, Chester County.

A Schuylkill River Cleanup on August 26 organized by the new nonprofit Save The Schuylkill attracted over 100 volunteers to clean up trash and debris that filled two dumpsters, including 80 tires.

The Independence Conservancy will host three waste tire collection events in Beaver and Washington counties to provide an affordable way for vehicle owners to get rid of tires or wheels from cars and light trucks and other vehicles.

Clean out the garage…the basement…the overflowing closets throughout the house because a regional large-scale collection of materials to be REUSED by local nonprofits will return to Erie on Saturday, September 23.

Since Pennsylvania Resources Council launched a partnership with the City of Pittsburgh in May 2022, more than 2,800 city residents have dropped off materials through the City’s hard-to-recycle program.

Township of Pine residents can soon drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs at a permanent recycling station in the Municipal Building lot thanks to a grant provided by the Department of Environmental Protection.

On August 30, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Kinzua Bridge State Park in McKean County to celebrate the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail as Pennsylvania’s 2023 Trail of the Year.

On August 29, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced new grant funding totaling $1,397,400 for 10 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile facilities and trails in Pennsylvania.

On August 31, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee, and WeConservePA released the 2022 Pennsylvania Trails Annual Report.

The September 1 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On August 31, the Brandywine Conservancy announced the launch of Round 4 of the Brandywine Creek Greenway’s Mini-Grant Program for 2023-2024.   Applications are due September 29.

The French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust recently partnered with landowners Ray and Terry Bentley and Dave and Gail Nesspor to preserve over 175 acres of farm and forest land in Chester County

On September 23-24, Gov. Gifford Pinchot’s Grey Towers Historic Site in Milford, Pike County will host the Festival of Wood - A Celebration of Our Natural and Cultural Wood Heritage.

By Stephen J. Wiedemer, Turtle Creek, Allegheny County

By Nate Reagle, Certified Pollinator Steward

The Armstrong Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates for a full-time Agricultural Technician position.  The deadline for applications is September 29.

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

On September 24, the Armstrong County Conservation District will host the Armstrong River Run and Watershed Walk to support five local watershed groups.

The Our Pocono Waters Initiative will host a September 6 webinar Living with Logistics: Introduction to PennFuture's Model Zoning Ordinance for Logistics Facilities starting at 7:00 p.m.

By Carol Hillestad for the Brodhead Watershed Association

By Vincent Cotrone, Urban Forestry Educator

By Carol Hillestad for the Brodhead Watershed Association

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Last week Senate Republicans returned to session for one day on August 30 and passed and sent to the House two Fiscal Code bills needed to finish the FY 2023-24 state budget, but it didn’t matter-- neither bill was agreed to by House Democrats or Gov. Shapiro.

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 September 2 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.