Here are 113 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--

By Carol Hillestad for the Brodhead Watershed Association

This article by Lilly Riddle was first published by Spotlight PA on April 4, 2024--

The Spring road dumping season continues in full swing in Northcentral and Northwest Pennsylvania as conventional oil and gas well owners continue to get rid of their wastewater on the region’s dirt and hard roads illegally.

The Department of Environmental Protection reported in its Oil and Gas Workload Report for the week ending March 29 that it has only 1 shale gas well permit under review which has huge implications for the revenue coming in to run its entire Oil and Gas Regulatory Program..

From March 30 to April 5, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 602 inspection entries.  DEP also caught up with posting inspection reports from over the Easter holiday.

The following DEP notices were published in the April 6 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet April 9 to hear more about hydrogen hub proposals in Pennsylvania and DEP’s final Pipeline Construction Guidance.

On April 4, the Public Utility Commission approved a final policy statement establishing guidelines for the use of electricity storage by electric distribution companies (EDC).

On April 4, the Department of Transportation announced $20 million in investments for Round 1A of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding for 29 projects in 19 counties.

On April 4, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Biden-Harris Administration announced they have selected Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) for a $500 million grant award as part of the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA).

On April 3, US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis announced more than $244 million in fiscal year 2023 funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands, create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs and catalyze economic opportunity in coal communities across Pennsylvania.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 6 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft Technical Guidance Setting Closure Requirements For Aboveground and Underground Storage Tanks.

On April 1, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has entered into a Consent Order and Agreement (COA) with Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Lackawanna County for odor violations, including creating malodors, at its facility in the boroughs of Dunmore and Throop between November 2022 and February 2024, and impacting residents in several surrounding communities.

On April 1, the Department of Transportation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful are invited 10th -12th grade students to help keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program.  Deadline to apply June 10.

On April 3, the PA Resources Council announced its Traveling Glass Recycling Program will set up a month-long collection engagement in Haverford Township, Delaware County from April 5 to May 3.

By Carol Hillestad for the Brodhead Watershed Association

On April 3, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority announced the promotion of Mimi Joy Cooper to the position of Authority Recycling Coordinator.

Individuals, families, and groups are invited to register for the 28th annual CleanWater Conservancy Watershed Cleanup Day in Centre County.

The Allegheny County Conservation District is hosting its bi-annual free soil lead screening from April 3rd to 7th. Soil samples will be accepted at five locations.

The PA Resources Council has launched a new What's Up Watershed? education series to help people learn how everyday actions affect the health of our waterways and explore easy ways we can make a positive impact on both water and wildlife.

The Delaware River Watershed Coalition has issued a call for presentation proposals for the Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum to be held in Bethlehem, PA September 26-27.  The deadline for submissions is May 1.

The latest issue of The Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission highlights--

Groups in Cumberland, Dauphin and Lancaster counties are holding bioblitz and Earth Day events--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 6 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed renewal of a Title V Air Quality Permit for the Covanta Plymouth Municipal Waste Combustion units located in Plymouth Twp., Montgomery County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1865)

The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program is highlight three upcoming webinars on sustainable metals and bioindustrial manufacturing and small business funding opportunities--

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals have issued a call for abstracts for their 2024 Annual Communities, Corridors & Connections Conference September 11 to 13 in State College.  The deadline for submissions is April 15.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In March features articles on--

On April 5, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership announced the recipients of Round 2 of this year’s Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program.

The Keystone Trails Association will be hosting a new “Trail Love: Michaux State Forest Edition” maintenance event on Saturday, June 1, 2024, celebrating National Trails Day and the 40th anniversary of its Trail Care Program.

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology proudly announces that its 4th Annual Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation will occur from June 7-17, 2024 and support three projects across the Commonwealth.

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

On April 2, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz participated in a faculty roundtable at the University of Pittsburgh to discuss current projects, research trends, and innovative approaches to today’s environmental issues.

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 April 6 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.