Here are 87 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 February 6, Gov. Shapiro proposed a 2024-25 state budget that includes a $10 Million DEP permit modernization initiative to increase permit review staff and upgrade permitting IT systems, expand testing for PFAS “forever chemicals,” support the expanded conventional oil and gas well plugging program and improve air quality monitoring.

On February 5, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership awarded its 2023 Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Awards to Marlisa Yoder-Bontrager of Lancaster, and twin sisters Keisha and Tarsha Scovens of Lancaster and Philadelphia respectively.

On February 7, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the recipients of their recognition program for individuals, government, organizations and businesses whose efforts support and strengthen the mission of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania.

Read this week’s Oil & Gas Compliance Report to get a real feel for what’s happening with Oil & Gas enforcement in the field and the challenges faced by DEP’s inspectors and the public.  Remember, this covers just 14 days--

On February 5, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has begun an emergency project to plug two leaking abandoned natural gas wells along Scrubgrass Road in Scott Township, Allegheny County.

By Laurie Barr, Save Our Streams PA

The Department of Environmental Protection has approved Cameron Energy Company applications for plugging three orphan conventional wells under the Act 96 Blanket Bond Increase Waiver Program and disapproved one application because the plugged well was leaking crude oil

The following DEP notices were published in the February 10 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

Join the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project and Public Citizen for a free informational webinar on February 16 from 11:00 a.m. to Noon on what every advocate needs to know about the pause in issuing new permits for LNG natural gas export facilities and what it means for Pennsylvania families.

On February 7, the Environmental Hearing Board issued an opinion and order granting part of an Apex Energy (PA) LLC motion to dismiss parts of a Protect PT appeal of the renewal of shale gas well permits at the Drakulic well pad in Penn Township, Westmoreland County.

On February 7, Liberty Township and the Citizens Environmental Association of Slippery Rock Area filed an appeal with Commonwealth Court of the Environmental Hearing Board decision denying their appeal of a DEP permit for the Tri-County Landfill in Mercer County.

On February 7, the PA Environmental Council and the Environmental Defense Fund wrote to all members of the Senate expressing their opposition to Senate Bill 1053 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which would abrogate the final regulations reducing carbon pollution from power plants.

PJM Interconnection staff presentation slides for a February 8 meeting of the Operating Committee showed natural gas-fired power plants accounted for over half the forced outages of generating capacity during Winter Storm Gerri that occurred from January 14 to 22.

On February 7, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the award of $14.8 million for the purchase of verified nutrient and sediment reduction credits from five successful bidders under the Clean Water Procurement Program.

The following story first appeared on the Lancaster Clean Water Partners Blog on February 6, 2024--

On February 9, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced Isabel “Izzy” Snee and Mariah Saunders have joined the CBF team as conservation coordinators, working to accelerate progress toward bringing impaired streams back to health in parts of four Pennsylvania counties.

By Andy McAllister, Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Two Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant programs are calling for 2024 proposals.

Join the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and many of their regional partners March 8 Perkiomen Stormwater Symposium to learn about stormwater management in Montgomery County.

On February 8, the Department of Environmental Protection announced Commonwealth Court issued an order appointing PA American Water Company as receiver for the East Dunkard Water Authority in Greene County.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 10 PA Bulletin inviting comments at a March 12 hearing on a proposed Air Quality Plan Approval for the Holcim Solutions & Products US, LLC facility in Youngwood Borough, Westmoreland County. (PA Bulletin, page 659)

The Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest, a program of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, is an annual statewide photography contest in its 40th year, rewarding amateur photographers who snap unusual or eye-catching images of litter across the Commonwealth.

On February 8, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority announced it will soon make the switch to solar with the help of the nonprofit Pennsylvania Solar Center’s G.E.T. Solar Program, which provides free technical assistance and financial guidance to businesses and organizations looking to go solar.

On February 6, 75 mayors – including the mayors of Bethlehem, Conshohocken, Erie, Pittsburgh, and the boroughs of Hatboro and State College in Pennsylvania – sent a letter urging the Biden administration to finalize the US Environmental Protection Agency’s strongest proposed rule for the GHG Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3 rule (HDV rule).

The 53rd Annual World Affairs Institute Navigating Climate Intersections will be held at the University of Pittsburgh in partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and Rotary International from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

By Adrienne Berard, Penn State News

Lace up your hiking boots! The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship has partnered with the Keystone Trails Association  to develop and publish a Pennsylvania Wilds-branded hiking guidebook for the Pennsylvania Wilds region.

The Fourth Annual Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation, hosted by the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, is seeking nonprofit organizations that support the conservation of Bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh-based Landforce is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Work Readiness Manager.

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

The latest episode of "Growing Impact" explores the connection between the expansion of solar energy and land use.

Join Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light and the Jewish Earth Alliance on February 21 at 7:00 p.m. for a discussion about why and how Pennsylvania lags far behind most states in renewable energy production.

On February 9, The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia’s first environmental education center, will hold a reception to open its newest art exhibition-- Slow-Burning Rapture-- from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Center, 8480 Hagy's Mill Road in Philadelphia..

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--

On February 7, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalized a significantly stronger air quality standard that will better protect America’s families, workers, and communities from the dangerous and costly health effects of fine particle pollution, also known as soot.

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 February 10 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.