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 January 8, Joel and Don Myers and the Myers Family Farm of Spring Mills in Centre County were recognized with the 2023 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award.

On January 9, Interim Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley told DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council the initiatives started by former DEP Secretary Richard Negrin are moving forward.

By DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued at least 512 notices of violation to 95 conventional oil and gas operators and 20 NOVs to 11 shale gas operators for abandoning their wells without plugging them in 2023, according to DEP’s Oil & Gas Compliance Reporting Database.

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a record 6,860 notices of violation to conventional oil and gas operators in 2023, according to DEP’s December 29, 2023 Weekly Workload Report.  

Unconventional shale gas operators were issued a total of 1,310 notices of violation in 2023, according to DEP’s December 29 Workload Report.

On January 10, the Environmental Hearing Board denied a motion by Olympus Energy, supported by the Department of Environmental Protection, to declare an appeal of two shale gas permits in Westmoreland County filed by Protect PT as moot because the wells have already been drilled and fracked.

From January 4 to 12, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 1,020 inspection entries.

The following notices were published in the January 13 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 January 13 PA Bulletin that it has issued a Section 401 Water Quality Certification covering an Equitrans project to drill two new horizontal natural gas storage wells in the Swarts Complex and Hunters Cave Gas Storage Fields in Center, Franklin, Morris and Washington Townships, Greene County.  (PA Bulletin, page 213)

The Department of Environmental Protection has received and is reviewing the Act 2 Land Recycling Final Report by Equitrans on the cleanup of soil around the conventional gas well that failed and resulted in the uncontrolled venting of 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas from the Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area in Jackson Township, Cambria County in November 2022. (PA Bulletin, page 201)

On January 10, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has authorized an Air Quality Plan Approval to allow an onsite leachate treatment and evaporation system to be installed at Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill, located in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County. 

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a February 27 hearing on the Helix Ironwood gas-fired power plant Title V Air Quality Permit renewal for the facility located in South Lebanon Township, Lebanon County.  (PA Bulletin, page 176)

On January 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposal for a methane waste charge on large sources of oil and gas methane pollution.

On January 8, the No False Solutions PA Coalition released a position statement on hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, chemical recycling of plastics and what they say are other false climate 'solutions.'

On January 12, the PJM Interconnection declared ‘Conservative Operations’ to maintain electric grid reliability forced by natural gas pipeline fuel restrictions brought on by winter weather impacts on their operations.

On January 12, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it received $3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a Priority Climate Action Plan focused on reducing emissions in the Commonwealth’s industrial sector.

On January 10, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded 16 applicants more than $39.6 million in Volkswagen Settlement Funding to replace diesel-fueled fleets with modern, zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) as a part of the 2022-2023 Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant.

On February 19, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on Climate Change Projections for PA and Conservation Practices to Help Farmers Cope from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The US Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants. EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis through November 21, 2024.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will begin accepting Community Conservation Partnership Grant applications on January 16.  The deadline to submit applications is April 3.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority begins accepting applications for Act 13 Program watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphaned or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities, flood mitigation programs and recreation grants on February 1.

By Danielle Smith, Producer

PA Interfaith Power and Light and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are partnering to offer free native trees and shrubs to plant this spring in Pennsylvania.  The deadline for ordering is January 20.

The Winter issue of The Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission features articles on--

All five Public Utility Commission commissioners recently urged members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation to support a permanent program to provide financial assistance for water and wastewater services to low-income households.

The PA Recycling Markets Center will host the 2024 PA ReMaDE Conference on January 18-19 at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem, PA.

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program, as well as the exciting opening of a second application round to distribute funds still available.

The January 12 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On January 8, the Northcentral PA Conservancy highlighted a recent partnership with a Columbia County sportsman to preserve 64 acres in Briar Creek Township.

On January 8, the Game Commission announced Howard Nursery is now accepting orders for its annual Seedling Sale and will be accepting orders for the Seedlings for Schools Program starting February 5.

The latest Community Trees newsletter from Penn State Extension features articles on DCNR help mapping trees, asking for input into forestry programing and green infrastructure training opportunities.

Explore planning and implementing simple stewardship practices on your forest lot to create and enhance natural areas and make a positive impact on the environment during Penn State Extension’s nine-part Woods In Your Backyard webinar series.

Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County has been awarded a $17,000 Willary Foundation grant to design an interdisciplinary research center and overnight lodging in two of the historic site’s 19th-century homes.

The Penn State Institute of Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science and its Agriculture and Environment Center seek a dynamic self-starter with experience and training in agricultural and natural resource sciences to join its team in the AEC Lower Susquehanna Office as its Agricultural Outreach Specialist.

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

The Center For Great Lakes Literacy is now accepting applications from Grade 5-12 teachers for a spot aboard EPA's Lake Guardian research vessel for hands-on experience in scientific exploration in Lake Erie.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation set out to learn about the health and experience of a quiet environment.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, in partnership with the Shenango River Watchers, will host the fourth annual Eagle Fest at Shenango River Lake, January 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Jewish Earth Alliance and the Beth Am Israel are hosting a webinar January 23 on Rethinking Our Connection To Fossil Fuels - A Discussion from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The Appalachian Audubon Society Chapter is now accepting applications for Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarships to the Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine.  The deadline to apply is January 29.

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation is now accepting applications for up to five $1,000 student scholarships.  The deadline to apply is February 9.

The deadline to apply for internships with state agencies like the Departments of Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Health is February 16.

Penn State and The American Chestnut Foundation are accepting applications for a Spring/ Summer 2024 internship to help restore the American chestnut tree.  Applications are due February 5.

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--

The Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA State Technical Advisory Committee will meet January 18 from 1:00 and 3:00  p.m.

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 January 13 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.