Here are 126 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--

The US Department of Education honored 55 schools with 2024 Green Ribbon Schools recognition to highlight schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers’ cost-saving, health promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices.

The peregrine falcons nesting on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg saw their first two eggs (of three) hatch on Saturday, April 27. 

Siri Lawson from Warren County said her home has now been surrounded by oil and gas wastewater dumping, including three incidents on the road in front of her home since April 4.

For the third time in the last eight weeks, DEP reported ZERO or only 1 shale gas well permit under review in its Oil and Gas Workload Report, which has huge implications for the funding needed to run its entire Oil and Gas Regulatory Program.

On April 22, the Clean Air Council and Sierra Club noted the federal government finalized a significant rule that increases minimum bonding amounts from $10,000 to $150,000 per oil and gas lease on federal land.

From April 20 to 26, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 810 inspection entries and caught up posting earlier inspection reports..

The following DEP notices were published in the April 27 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On April 22, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, Constellation President & CEO Joseph Dominguez, and Lightsource bp Senior Vice President Alyssa Edwards to unveil the Commonwealth’s renewable energy initiative, the Pennsylvania Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy (PA PULSE).

On April 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority at DEP has been selected to receive over $156 million through the Solar for All grant competition to develop long-lasting solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar.

On April 22, Dickinson College, Haverford College, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College and Swarthmore College announced they have joined with three colleges in North Carolina as a part of an innovative, large-scale solar energy facility in western Kentucky.

On April 23, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding more than 700 clean energy projects to lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

On April 23, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $2.9 million to seven applicants for the PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program, which provides financial incentives and support for fleet owners and operators to reduce air pollution from their vehicle fleets.

The state Department of Transportation will open the next round of funding (Round 1B) from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program on May 13.  The deadline for applications will be July 10.

On April 25, Moms Clean Air Force joined lawmakers and business leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Steelton-Highspire High School as they begin deploying brand new electric school buses.

Community Advocates for Clean Energy and Highland Electric Fleets will host an April 30 Southeast PA Electric Bus Lunch & Learn webinar starting from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Philadelphia Solar Energy Association, in partnership with DEP, published a new Go Solar and Save Toolkit for schools.

On April 26, a group of 60 organizations and elected officials spanning the Appalachian region have crafted and delivered an open letter to Congress urging the support of crucial investments for flood recovery and resilience in their communities.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on a proposed declaration of an Exceptional Air Quality Event due to 2023 wildfires from Canada and New Jersey causing elevated levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds impacting ozone pollution in Pennsylvania.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the renewal of the Title V Air Quality Permit for the Stronghold Digital Mining Panther Creek coal waste-fired power plant in Nesquehoning Borough, Carbon County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2282)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin it will hold a May 16 Public Conference on the Rosebud Mining Company application to review the Cherry Tree Mine Bituminous Coal Mining Permit for the facility located in Burnside Township, Clearfield County and Cherry Tree Borough and Montgomery Township, Indiana County.   (PA Bulletin, page 2324)

On April 24, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the investment of $274 million for 30 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across 22 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

On April 25, four state agencies, legislators and two land conservancies celebrated portions of the Turtle Creek watershed in southeastern Union County being removed, or “delisted” from the federal Clean Water Act impaired waters list.

On April 25, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Norristown crew planting trees along the waterway at Big Elk Creek State Park in Chester County to create wildlife habitat and improve local water quality and biodiversity.

Lancaster received an early Earth Day gift of 100 new trees during the weekend.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of the Land Application of Manure Supplement to the Manure Management for Environmental Protection Manual.  [DEP ID: 361-0300-002]

The Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay will hold a May 2 webinar on How To Get Your Green Projects Funded starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Lancaster Conservancy and many partners will hold the 8th Annual Lancaster Water Week on June 7 - 15 to celebrate the 1,400 miles of streams and rivers in Lancaster County.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2024 Chesapeake Watershed Forum on October 18-20 in Shepherdstown, WV.  The deadline for submissions is May 19.

Registration is now open for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional  Level 1 training and certification.

Join the Lancaster County Master Watershed Stewards, in partnership with the Lancaster Conservancy, on a June 13 bike tour of the watersheds of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

On April 22, Erie regional nonprofits, municipalities, and agencies are teaming up to offer an event series focused on what Lake Erie Watershed communities can do to reduce stormwater pollution starting April 25.

The Department of Agriculture published notices in the April 27 PA Bulletin announcing it is now accepting applications for Agricultural Conservation Research Grants (formal notice) and Agricultural Research Grants (formal notice).  The deadline for applications is June 7.

On April 26, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Chester County, for a first-hand look at research measuring the effects of farming practices that are improving water quality and soil health.

On April 23, Berks County-based Rodale Institute announced organic agriculture transition advisor, Luke Howard, has joined Rodale Institute to lead the nonprofit’s partnership with Warehime Enterprise to regenerate farmland in South Central Pennsylvania.

The Northumberland County-based Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance and partners are organizing a 2025 Abandoned Mine Pools As Resources Conference on April 23-24

On April 22, members of the Public Utility Commission voiced concerns over the potential impacts on water and wastewater public utilities and the resulting financial burden on Pennsylvania water customers as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moves toward finalizing its proposal to designate Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – also known as “forever chemicals” – as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the renewal of a Municipal Waste Landfill Permit for Keystone Sanitary Landfill located in Dunmore and Throop Boroughs, Lackawanna County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2280)

On April 24, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Pennsylvania State Police, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Aging joined officials from the Office of Attorney General and Lehigh County to encourage Pennsylvanians to take part in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day initiative this Saturday, April 27.

Need to get rid of tires or wheels from your car or light truck? The Independence Conservancy will hold affordable community tire collections in cooperation with the following municipalities this spring.

On April 22, PennFuture’s Legal Team unveiled its latest guidebook: Public Participation, Public Power: A Community Guide to Local Land Use Decision-Making in Pennsylvania.

On April 24, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn encouraged Pennsylvanians to share their outdoor interests and activities in a 10-minute, online survey that will assist with developing the state’s next outdoor recreation plan.

The South Mountain Partnership is requesting citizens to support the new Resources Management Center proposed for Michaux State Forest District to replace the current District Office in Franklin County.

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

The PA Association of Environmental Educators will offer a free half-day Environmental Justice and Education professional development summit on the afternoon of May 13 at Penn State Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center from Noon to 4:00 p.m.

On April 29, the Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center will host a webinar on How To Address Challenges For Drinking Water Systems - PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' and Lead Service Lines starting at 10:00 a.m.

The US Geological Survey will host a May 9 webinar on the new USGS Baseflow Stream Forecasting Web Tool starting at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

Educators in Southwest PA counties are invited to the April 30 online meeting of the Southwest PA Environmental Literacy Coalition starting at 4:00 p.m.

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners latest Pollinator Confidential Podcaster features Lisa Schneider and Pam Ford on how you can qualify for the Penn State Pollinator Habitat Certification Program.

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 April 22 - Earth Day - Heights Philadelphia and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formally announced a new partnership to support Heights’ mission of creating student pathways to college and careers, especially for low-income, Black and Brown, and first generation to college students.

On April 23, leaders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Philadelphia Water Department, and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary  joined to celebrate Earth Week and highlight a new ad campaign, ‘Trash Free Waters Begin with YOU!’ appearing throughout the city at multiple SEPTA and PATCO stops.

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 27 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.