Here are 94 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 March 29, the PA Association of Environmental Educators announced the winners of its 2024 awards.

Every week, PA Environment Digest reviews DEP’s oil and gas inspections and reports on the violations DEP issues to conventional oil and gas well owners whose permits show they are legally responsible for oil and gas wells abandoned and not plugged, threatening ground and surface water and leaking methane gas into the atmosphere.

On March 25, DEP said 89% of conventional oil and gas well owners failed to comply with the most basic requirement of the state Oil and Gas Act-- submitting a 2023 annual well integrity report for each of the wells they own to assure they are not contaminating groundwater, surface water or venting gas into the atmosphere.

On March 25, DEP said 86% of conventional oil and gas well owners did not submit a 2023 annual production and waste generation and disposal report to DEP for each well they own which means DEP has no idea how much waste those wells generate and where it is being disposed.

From March 23 to 29, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 746 inspection entries.

The following DEP notices were published in the March 30 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On March 26, the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $1,001,434 in funding for two projects to extend natural gas pipelines to serve business parks and existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises under the Pipeline Investment Program .

On March 26, Solar United Neighbors celebrated the passage of House Bill 1842 (Schweyer-D- Lehigh) in the Pennsylvania House. State representatives voted 111-90 to advance the legislation to enable community solar onto the Senate for consideration. 

On March 28, the US Department of Agriculture announced the investment of more than $5.69 million in 31 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Pennsylvania.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the March 30 PA Bulletin announcing it has issued revised Air Quality Permits that include previously announced shutdown dates for the Keystone, Conemaugh and Homer City coal-fired power plants--

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the March 30 PA Bulletin inviting comments on an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) about the use of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) as a mechanism to help increase energy efficiency, enhance service, and potentially lower costs. (formal notice)

Concerns about the Appalachian Regional Hydrogen Hub’s (ARCH2) health and safety risks, technical viability, economic impacts, and commitment to community engagement dominated the US Department of Energy’s virtual ARCH2 listening session on Wednesday, March 27.

On March 26, House Republicans announced a nine-bill package of legislation they said would bring “real energy savings for Pennsylvania’s families and small businesses.”

On March 26, federal Judge Hardy signed the proposed consent agreement between Clean Air Council, PennEnvironment, and U.S. Steel.

On March 26, Save Carbon County filed a lawsuit against Stronghold Digital, DEP, the Governor, Public Utility Commission over pollution from the cryptocurrency operations at the Panther Creek Power Plant in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 will host a one-day Empowering Communities For Environmental Equity Virtual Summit May 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. addressing environmental health topics.

The Delaware County Office of Sustainability will hold the 3rd Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference on May 30 at Widener University from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On March 27, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $35 million in grant awards to support the restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority is now accepting applications for the Clean Water Project Procurement Program.  The deadline to apply is April 17.

On March 26, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz visited Centre County to see first-hand the positive impact ClearWater Conservancy is having on local and downstream water quality.

The third annual World Water Day event at Stroud Water Research Center, sponsored by M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust, drew a crowd of about 150 people to celebrate and explore freshwater on March 22.

The Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Bay will host an April 4 webinar on Caring For Our Local Waterways starting at 7:00 p.m.

On March 28, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Cashman’s Hardware Store in Adams County to promote Pennsylvania’s updated fertilizer law and educate consumers on best practices to manage their lawn care in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way.

On Saturday, May 11 and/or Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at the 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, Wayne County, PA.

Join Penn State Extension for April 13 Backyard Stream Repair Series Field Day on April 13 in McKean County for a hands-on workshop where you will get the opportunity to help repair a stream while learning.

On March 25, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced it has taken legal action to stop a 1,000-acre pumped-storage hydroelectric facility proposed for Cuffs Run, near the Susquehanna River in York County.

On March 22, the Mountain Watershed Association filed an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board challenging the Department of Environmental Protection’s rejection of the nonprofit’s “Unsuitable for Mining” Petition, which could protect 11,000 acres of Laurel Highlands from surface mining in Donegal Borough, Donegal Township and Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County.  [Docket# 2024077]

On March 28, the Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation and Keep PA Beautiful encouraged residents, local leaders, businesses, and organizations to join in cleaning up their communities as part of the “Pick Up Pennsylvania" spring community improvement campaign, now through May 31.

On March 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection, state and local partners, grantees, consultants, and industry leaders to help kick off the 2024 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference in State College.

On March 25, the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance, together with West Virginia University, including WVU Extension and Vantage Ventures; Catalyst Connection; Youngstown Business Incubator; and BRITE Energy Innovators, announced the launch of the Appalachian Sustainable Products Network (ASPN) and issued an invitation for regional manufacturers to participate in a no cost Life Cycle Assessment of their product(s), valued at $50,000.

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grants for projects in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties.   The deadline to apply is April 29.

The Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Land Trust is seeking qualified applicants for a variety of positions and internships.  They include--

Forty-five years ago on March 28, 1979, Pennsylvanians woke up to a much different world -- the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County.

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

Penn State Extension invites classroom teachers and educators working with 6-12 grade students to participate in free, in-person workshops aimed at enhancing water education from April 23 to May 16.

Penn State Extension will host an April 30 webinar on Invasive Catfish and PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' - Forever Problems?  starting at Noon.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate 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 March 30 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.