Here are 69 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 November 8, the North American Electric Reliability Corp issued its 2023-24 Winter Reliability Assessment which finds much of North America is again at an elevated risk of having insufficient energy supplies to meet demand in extreme operating conditions.

On November 9, the Public Utility Commission approved a joint motion by Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank and Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow to initiate an investigation and rulemaking related to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) as a mechanism to help increase energy efficiency, enhance service and potentially lower costs.

From November 4 to 10, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 476 inspection entries.

On November 7, the Environmental Health Project issued this statement on the signing of the Statement of Mutual Interests between the Shapiro Administration and CNX Resources to monitor air emissions at some drill sites, temporarily extend safety setbacks and move ahead with some regulation change.  [Read more here.]

On November 6, the Physicians for Social Responsibility PA issued this statement on the signing of the Statement of Mutual Interests between the Shapiro Administration and CNX Resources to monitor air emissions at some drill sites, temporarily extend safety setbacks and move ahead with some regulation change.  [Read more here.]

This editorial first appeared on TribLive.com November 5, 2023--

The following DEP notices were published in the November 11 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 November 11 PA Bulletin it is inviting comments and will hold a public hearing December 19 on a proposed Air Quality RACT 3 Plan Approval permit for the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC Compressor Station 517 in Jackson Township, Columbia County-- if a hearing is requested.  (PA Bulletin, page 7050) (PA Bulletin, page 7083)

On November 9, the Public Utility Commission moved to seek additional specific financial information related to a proposed settlement concerning events that resulted in the over-pressurization of the Peoples Natural Gas distribution system serving the community of Robinson, in Indiana County that caused a wide range of damage to utility and customer equipment.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold its last three hearings on its Interim Final Environmental Justice Permit Review Policy before the November 30 end of the public comment period.

On November 7, the Black Appalachian Coalition is asking the public to sign a petition asking the Allegheny County Health Department to hold US Steel accountable for the emissions from the Clairton Coke Works Plant.

“We Refuse To Die” is a multi-year, multi-city campaign that connects frontline communities in the Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley to communities in the Gulf South, and the Permian Basin, leveraging art, storytelling, ceremony, and action to stop the fossil fuel and petrochemical poisoning of communities, lands, and waters.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing November 13 on hydrogen hubs and climate change.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently recognized Allegheny College in Crawford County for achieving its energy savings goal as a partner in the Better Buildings Challenge.

Join the Pennsylvania Solar Center and a panel of experts to learn more about Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) on November 17 starting at Noon for an opportunity to learn more about how Pennsylvania boroughs are advancing clean energy in their communities.

On November 8, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has extended the deadline for submitting concept papers for $16 million in PA Grid Resilience funding provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to November 14.

On November 9, the Department of Transportation announced the first electric vehicle charging station funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program is now under construction at the Pilot Travel Center at 417 Route 315 in Pittston, Luzerne County, as part of Pilot Company’s collaboration with General Motors.

The CEOs for Sustainability executive network will host their annual C-Suite Summit November 15 at the Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Ave, Pittsburgh, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, with networking and registration beginning at 8:00 a.m.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, individuals across the United States will celebrate America Recycles Day, which annually recognizes the impact of recycling on the nation’s economy and environment.

On November 9, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful welcomed its newest local affiliates-- Keep Reading Beautiful and Keep Dauphin County Beautiful.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold virtual public hearings on two NPDES Water Quality Permits for warehouse projects in Lowhill Township, Lehigh County on December 11.  (PA Bulletin, page 7083)

On November 7, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited announced they have been awarded a $179,800 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to support the 2024 Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s Coldwater Conservation Mini Grant Program.

On November 8, following a highly successful month-long paperless billing customer enrollment campaign, Pennsylvania American Water recently donated $24,000 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.

On November 2, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania released new results and analysis of a federally-funded community science study that produced Philadelphia’s highest-resolution heat map to date.

On November 9, the USDA Forest Service announced the 62-acre Sugar Bay Wildfire in Allegheny National Forest reached 100 percent containment. The fire was reported on November 6.

Restoring forests and converting lawns along streams and in communities are some of the most important things we can do to improve water quality, support wildlife habitat, and give communities and families spaces to connect to nature.

The November 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation features articles on--

The Western PA Conservancy is hosting a webinar on how conservation-minded landowners can help protect land for wildlife and future generations on November 14 starting at Noon.

On November 9, researchers at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Section of Amphibians and Reptiles celebrated five new species described in 2023.

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

The Temper of the Times Foundation is now accepting applications for grants to promote the use of standard marketing concepts for increasing awareness about wildland conservation and restoration initiatives.

On November 7, the state Department of Education announced the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools and the PA Pathways to Green Schools are accepting nominations for Green Ribbon School Awards.  Deadline January 14.

The 2024 Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp is now accepting applications for their June 16-21 program at Messiah University in Cumberland County.

The PA Interfaith Power & Light and Jewish Earth Alliance host a November 15 online discussion on Rethinking Our Connection To Fossil Fuels starting at 7:00 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 November 11 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.