Here are 92 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 Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On September 18, Senators Steven Santasiero (D-Bucks) and Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced they were introducing legislation to increase setback safety zones from shale natural gas drilling sites based on the latest science.

On September 19, 2023, DEP inspected the Contant 1 conventional well operated by Roulette Oil and Gas LLC in Harrison Township, Potter County and issued notices of violation for failure to plug the well upon abandoning it.

From September 16 to 22, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 552 inspection entries.

On September 15, Petro Erie, Inc. filed an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board challenging a DEP order delivered on August 16, 2023 requiring the operator to restore the village of Reno’s water supply contaminated by a spill of conventional oil well wastewater from wells the company owned in Venango County.  [EHB Docket No. 2023075]

On September 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Atlantic Region, announced  the issuance of a final permit to Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC of Delmont, PA.

On September 21, Water Resources Advisory Committee members gave DEP their initial reaction to a proposed regulation setting notification requirements for unauthorized discharges to waters of the Commonwealth and many of their comments pointed out concerns with the draft.

The following DEP notices were published in the September 23 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On September 21, the Public Utility Commission moved to seek public comment on a Joint Petition for Approval of Settlement between the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement and Mifflin Energy Corp. related to a 2020 natural gas explosion on Water Dam Road in Waynesburg, Greene County, that injured one person and destroyed a residence.

The Clean Air Council is partnering with the FracTracker Alliance to update you on recent efforts to reduce methane, and other air pollution, from the oil and gas extraction industry during a September 28 webinar at 2:00 p.m.

On September 14, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission approved eight shale gas drilling water withdrawals-- 1 in Exceptional Value Loyalsock Creek.

In August, the Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission gave his approval to 34 water use permits for individual shale gas well drilling pads in  Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga counties.  (formal notice)

On September 16, the Board of Game Commissioners approved another oil and gas agreement with PA General Energy allowing it to extract oil and gas from beneath a portion of State Game Lands 134 in Gamble and Plunketts Creek townships, Lycoming County and Hillsgrove Township, Sullivan County, provided it confines all of its equipment to one right of way.

The FracTracker Alliance is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship.  Nominations are due October 6.

On September 21, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation released its final report on Winter Storm Elliott in December saying major improvements are needed in the cold-weather reliability of natural gas systems.

On September 19, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is ramping up monitoring and plans to develop a surface water standard for PFAS 'forever chemicals' after a DEP/U.S. Geological Survey study found 76% of streams and rivers sampled contained at least one of these chemicals.

In an April 2023 DEP determination of whether natural gas drilling contaminated a Washington County family’s water well, DEP said the “widespread presence of PFAS” forever chemicals in fresh water may have led to “inadvertently” using contaminated water to frack a shale gas well.

On September 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced, after a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force, York County was moved to Drought Warning and Drought Watch will continue for 19 counties. 

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold public hearings on two NPDES Water Quality Permits for warehouse projects in Lowhill Township, Lehigh County on October 25.

Registration is now open for the 2023 PA Statewide Watershed Conference to be held October 29-30 at the Altoona Grand hotel in Altoona.

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

On September 21, the Department of Environmental Protection announced $38.76 million in funding for six environmental restoration projects of abandoned mine lands in the first of three rounds of the 2023 Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage (AML/AMD) Grant Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 23 PA Bulletin  announcing the availability of the new General Permit Plan Approval covering Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares (BAQ-GPA/GP-21).

On September 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will start an air monitoring study in the vicinity of the Rausch Creek Coal Waste-fired Electric Generation facility in Western Schuylkill County to evaluate particulate matter in the air.

By: Gregory Lenahan, DEP Deputy Digital Director

By Brad Kinsman, Penn State Extension Water Resources Educator

By Brad Kinsman, Water Resource Educator

By Diana Huskinson, Stroud Water Research Center

By Jennifer R. Fetter, Center For Agriculture Conservation

By Brad Kinsman, Water Educator, and Erin Frederick, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

On September 21, the Centre County-based ClearWater Conservancy announced the resignation of Executive Director Deb Nardone effective October 25.  Nardone will be taking over the role of Executive Director of the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

By Adrienne Berard, Penn State News

On September 21, PASA Sustainable Agriculture, along with 16 Pennsylvania-based farmers, organizations, and businesses, released a letter to Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania’s 15th district highlighting the importance of agroforestry practices for the state and urging the House Agriculture Committee’s support for agroforestry in the upcoming Farm Bill.

On September 20, ReImagine Appalachia released this statement on the announcement of the American Climate Corps to train young people in clean energy, conservation and climate resilience skills.  Click Here to sign up to learn more about how to join.

The PA Municipal League and Sustainable Pittsburgh and Sustainable Pennsylvania are hosting the 2023 Sustainable PA Annual Conference November 1-3 in Gettysburg, Adams County.

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the September 23 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed policy statement for the use of electricity storage by electric distribution companies encouraging a transition toward a future that accommodates evolving needs of customers and helping to enhance the reliability and resilience of the electric distribution grid in Pennsylvania.

PennDOT wants to hear from you on your community and business needs for electric vehicle charging as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. 

The Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management will host a free September 27 webinar on hydropower as part of its Energy Lecture Series.

On October 6, the Lancaster Theological Seminary is sponsoring a special online program-- Re-Imagining A Christian Response To Climate Change from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Advocate for environmental and Indigenous rights Tara Houska will discuss her work as a tribal attorney, land defender and founder of the Giniw Collective during a special event at Dickinson College.

On September 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Lincoln University announced they  re-signed their 2018 Memorandum of Understanding to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development and stewardship in environmental sciences. 

Throughout October, the PA Resources Council will collect electronics for recycling on designated weekdays in Allegheny County from registered participants.

On September 21, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it is making its experts available to serve as regional advisers, offering tips and resources to highlight the some of the world’s most beautiful and diverse fall foliage and to assist residents and visitors experience a colorful autumn in a variety of ways across the Commonwealth.

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council will hold its next meeting September 27 at the Tiadaghton State Forest Resource Management Center, 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road in Waterville, Lycoming County from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

The September 22 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Cameron County Chamber of Commerce hosted the Sinnemahone Gravel Bike Race Saturday September 23.  More than 80 riders took to the gravel roads in Elk State Forest.  

On September 18, the Fish and Boat Commission announced it is now accepting applications for Erie Access Improvement Grants. The deadline to apply is December 30.

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for 2023 PA Water Trails Mini-Grants.  Applications are due November 3.

What an incredible day of fishing and camaraderie as over 40 veterans and first responders hooked and landed trout, panfish and catfish! 

Thomas Stephen Hoffmaster, 86, of Marysville, Cumberland County, traveled to the heavenly trout streams on September 5, 2023.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the September 23 PA Bulletin of final regulations making 82 changes to the Pennsylvania Native Wild Plant Classification List.

The PA Natural Heritage Program Summer newsletter Wild Heritage News highlights a variety of diverse topics--

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

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting nominations for two awards programs-- Meaningful Watershed Education and the PAEE Annual Awards.  The deadline for nominations is December 15.

On November 11, Penn State Extension will host a hybrid workshop in its Home Gardening Series entitled, “Creating A Garden That Welcomes Wildlife.”

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

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on September 26 to consider House Bill 1476 (Vitali-D-Delaware) putting in place a two-year moratorium on issuing permits to electric generating facilities used by cryptocurrency mining operations.

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 23 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.