Here are 166 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--

In recognition of the “From Bins to Bottles” glass recycling program – which collected more than 1,000 tons of bottles, jars and jugs in 2023 – Pennsylvania Resources Council has received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Did a small Pennsylvania sanctuary overlooking two tiny rural towns launch the environmental movement? Hawk Mountain Sanctuary offers a resounding yes.

On May 3, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary John Norbeck today celebrated the induction of the McKeever Tract in Clear Creek State Forest into the Old-Growth Forest Network.

On May 3, U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman (D-PA) announced the Air Force and National Guard Bureau has rescinded their proposal to create a low-flying training zone Duke Military Operating Area (MOA), which would allow pilots to fly as low as 100 feet above ground level in Pennsylvania’s PA Wilds.

On April 29, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the agency will host more than 30 educational programs in 24 state parks from May 2 – 22 to support Remake Learning Days.

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation has selected five students as recipients of their 2024 annual student scholarships--  Samantha Bryn (Northampton County); Terra Haines (Clearfield County); Grace Miller (Centre County); Brooke Phillips (Penn State Student); and Karter Witmer (Tioga County).

The latest issue of the UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center celebrates Outdoor Classroom Day on May 23 with articles on how the Center and its partners help students discover the natural world as scientists do.

On May 2, the Pennsylvania Solar Center honored five Western PA organizations and individuals with their prestigious Lodestar Award and Lifetime Achievement Award while celebrating their five-year anniversary at their third annual Solar Soiree at the Energy Innovation Center. The Lodestar Award is a distinction given to Pennsylvania entities who are leading the way investing in clean and renewable solar energy.   The awardees included:

A new Clean Energy Funding Resource Guide is now available to help Pennsylvania residents access support for home and community energy projects compiled by the Conservation Voters of PA.

On May 29, the PA Interfaith Power & Light and Jewish Earth Alliance will host a webinar on Understanding Gov. Shapiro's New Energy/Climate Plans starting at 7:00. P.m.

On April 25, Arthur Stewart, Cameron Energy, told DCED’s PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council DEP’s database of abandoned wells is not accurate and it is a “terrific lie” to say today’s conventional oil and gas industry is the “culprit for abandoning hundreds of thousands of unplugged wells.”

On April 30, the US the House of Representatives passed the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act by a vote of 333 to 75. The bipartisan bill now moves to the US Senate, where it is expected to also receive bipartisan support.

By Kara Holsopple, The Allegheny Front

From April 27 to May 3, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 727 inspection entries and caught up with posting reports from the week before.

The following DEP notices were published in the May 4 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On April 29, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the next step in efforts to modernize and improve its permitting process with a new 10-county pilot program to improve and accelerate the review process for construction stormwater discharge permits.

On May 1, Senate Republicans passed Senate Bill 832 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) giving a state authority the power to take over the review of all necessary permits from any state agency for large-scale energy projects, eliminating any public comment, waiving any regulation needed for the project and providing immunity from prosecution for waived regulations.

On April 30, Senate Bill 1174 (Stefano-R-Fayette) was reported out of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee with unanimous Republican support that would allow any “public utility” to petition the Public Utility Commission to waive any law, regulation or policy under the Commission’s jurisdiction, if it benefits ratepayers.

On May 2, PJM Interconnection, the regional electricity grid operator that includes Pennsylvania, announced it expects to meet summer electricity demand in 2024, though continuing generator retirements and increasing demand continue to erode reserve levels for the operator of the nation’s largest electrical grid.

Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 28-May 4, 2024 has been declared “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices across the state will hold events and meet with legislators in their home counties.

On May 2, Chesapeake Bay Program announced the seven jurisdictions that make up the Chesapeake Bay watershed–Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia–continue to make progress in reducing the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution that is flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.

On May 1, leaders of the Congressional Agriculture Committees unveiled separate versions of legislation to reauthorize the federal Farm Bill, the largest and most influential agricultural legislation in the nation, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  

On May 2, the American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., recently announced that 15 organizations were awarded a Water and Environment grant, supporting communities served by Pennsylvania American Water with a total of $267,580 in funding.

On May 2, the Coalition for The Delaware River Watershed announced it has received a grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation to educate utility users on where their water comes from, how its treated, and how nonprofits can foster trust between companies and local residents.

The Asbury Woods Environmental Center will host a Trout In The Classroom trout release event on May 11 at Lake Pleasant Conservation Area in Erie from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

On April 30, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced the award of $8 million to support 27 Consumptive Use Mitigation Projects to improve water availability and quality during critical low flow periods.

On May 2, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his recent request to make financial aid available to survivors after devastating flooding on April 11-12, 2024.

On May 2, the Delaware River Basin Commission and the PA Emergency Management Agency, with support from the US Army Corps of Engineers-Philadelphia District, Department of Environmental Protection and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 3, have partnered to make information available on flood loss reduction grant assistance for local officials in Carbon, Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks and parts of Luzerne counties.

On April 29, Max Environmental Technologies, Inc. has agreed to a consent order that includes several actions to ensure compliance with federal and state hazardous waste safeguards at the company’s waste facility in Yukon, Westmoreland County, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 4 PA Bulletin announcing the location for the May 21 meeting/hearing on the renewal of the Air Quality Permit for the Covanta Municipal Waste Combustion Units in Plymouth Township, Montgomery County will be held at a different location.  (PA Bulletin, page 2392)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 4 PA Bulletin announcing a May 29 hearing on the renewal of the Blythe Recycling and Demolition Landfill permit in Blythe Township, Schuylkill County. (PA Bulletin, page 2426)

The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful 2024 Summit for Community Stewardship will be held in coordination with the departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Community and Economic Development on October 16 and 17 at the Hilton in the City of Scranton.

Do your part for litter awareness by participating in the PA Resources Council’s Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest. The deadline for submissions is October 31.

The Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority reported nearly 48,000 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected this past weekend from 848 participants at the free annual drop off event.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In April is now available featuring articles on--

On May 2, the Allegheny County Conservation District and Allegheny County Agricultural Lands Preservation Board proudly announced the preservation of Morning Glory Farm in Plum Borough.

The Allegheny County-based Hollow Oak Land Trust will host a May 22 Land Steward Kick-Off Meeting for volunteers interested in helping to maintain properties protected by the land trust.

Visit Jacob Reiff Park on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 to shop over 150 species of Pennsylvania native plants during the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s annual Native Plant Sale in Montgomery County.

On May 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the Wild Resource Conservation Program will start accepting applications for grants to protect the state’s native biodiversity May 6.  Deadline for applications July 1.

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

On June 7, Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania Sea Grant will host a webinar on Aquatic Invasive Species from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. as part of its Pennsylvania Invasive Species Webinar Series.

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 May 4 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.