Here are 90 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--

By David Hess, Former Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

On December 30, 2022, KDKA TV in Pittsburgh broadcast an exclusive report about a natural gas pipeline that broke loose from its cribbing while under construction and crashed into and through a Westmoreland County home.

From September 2 to 8, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 502 inspection reports.

The following DEP notices were published in the September 9 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On September 8, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it completed its analysis of preliminary test results from its stray gas investigation relating to the house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood of Plum Borough in Allegheny County. Preliminary results are not indicative of a stray gas migration incident.

On September 5, the The Safety Division of the Public Utility Commission-- which is part of the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement-- has concluded their investigation into an April 2022 incident in Plum Borough, Allegheny County, finding no evidence that public utility equipment caused the event.

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.

On September 5, DEP provided the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board with updates on a variety of issues including the upcoming changes to the civil penalty policy; well plugging financial assurance options; the just-released University of Pittsburgh shale gas health studies; and options for funding the program.

On September 5, Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa (R-Fayette) introduced House Bill 1656 to prohibit DEP from issuing any permits or authorizations allowing oil and gas wastewater injection wells in Pennsylvania.

On September 7, the Independent Fiscal Office reported second quarter natural gas production reached 1,859 billion cubic feet, an increase of 0.3% from prior year and the first quarter without a year-over-year production decline since the second quarter of 2022.

On September 29, DEP will host online training on the new Chapter 105 Environmental Assessment Alternatives Guidance from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

By Waterkeeper Alliance

Following the adoption of a National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners resolution sponsored by Public Utility Commission Commissioner Ralph V. Yanora, the conversation continues to urge states to support and facilitate the integration of hydropower as a part of water/wastewater/stormwater facilities development, maintenance and expansion.

The PA GreenGov Council and Penn State Sustainability will host the third annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week October 2 to 6.

By Chad Forcey, PA Conservative Energy Forum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces it is investing $7.85 million in a locally driven, public-private partnership to address climate change and protect agricultural land.

Do you have an ambitious idea to improve the Great Lakes ecosystem? The Great Lakes Protection Fund has a basin-wide view and decades of experience creating change.  Give the Fund a call!

Groups and individuals are cleaning up across the world as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Pennsylvanian’s can do their part to keep trash out of our oceans by participating in Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania Program.

On September 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed adding the area surrounding the former Exide Technologies Laureldale facility in Berks County to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. The NPL is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for cleanup, financed under the federal Superfund Program.

On September 1, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced it awarded a $162,100 grant to the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust to promote restoration of wildlife habitat along the French Creek in northern Chester County.

On September 1, Natural Lands announced 53 acres of the KB Kids Farm in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County was placed under a conservation easement.

On August 31, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 109 acres in Columbus Township, Warren County along Brokenstraw Creek, a tributary to the Allegheny River.

By Kirk Johnson, Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness

The September 8 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The PA Environmental Council’s In case You Missed It In August is now available featuring articles on--

On September 1, the Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers said they were "disappointed" in the actions taken by the Senate in the Fiscal Code budget bill House Bill 1300  that proposes to transfer $150 million from the Game Fund to the Clean Streams Fund.

As communities across the Commonwealth continue to realize the positive social and economic impacts of providing convenient boating access along their local waterways, the Fish and Boat Commission is excited to offer the next round of Boating Facility Grants to help communities capitalize on the surge in new boating activity. 

As paddlers take to Pennsylvania waterways in ever-increasing numbers, a new mini grant program provides funding to make the Commonwealth’s rivers and streams more accessible.

The latest Pennsylvania Firefly Festival newsletter provides an update on firefly education and research--

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

On September 27, Penn State Extension will hold another in its series of Water Cooler Talk webinars on Private Wells and Enteric Disease starting at Noon.  Enteric diseases are diseases caused by bacteria that typically enter the body through the mouth.

The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council hosts an exclusive tour of The Bower Native Plant Landscape and Sculpture Park in Perry County with the founders of The Bower on September 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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 September 9 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.