Here are 98 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 June 11, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation that would ban the road dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater and prohibit the use of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in consumer products.

On June 10, the Department of Environmental Protection told the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee the Shapiro Administration supports legislation banning the practice of road dumping oil and gas wastewater and prohibiting its consideration as a coproduct under Residual Waste Regulations.

On June 10, Dr. William Burgos, a Penn State Professor of Environmental Engineering, appeared before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to outline the finding of extensive research by Penn State on the environmental and health risks of road dumping.

On June 10, Eric Chase, Assistant Teaching Professor and Assistant Director of the Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies said road spreading oil and gas wastewater is “not effective at suppressing dust and pose potential environmental harm and due to high levels of chloride and radium would not pass the testing requirements to be eligible for Program funds.”

Siri Lawson from Farmington Township, Warren County submitted this written statement to the June 10 House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for its hearing on House Bill 2384 (Vitali-D-Delaware) and road spreading oil and gas wastewater.

On June 10, Tom Pike, an Environmental Policy Advocate with Westmoreland County-base Protect PT, told a House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing on House Bill 2384 (Vitali-D-Delaware) that  road spreading of oil and gas wastewater “is disproportionately responsible for negative impacts on human health.”

On June 10, former DEP Secretary David Hess told a House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee he supports legislation banning what he called the “indiscriminate” and “unnecessary” disposal of oil and gas wastewater by road dumping.

On June 10, a representative of the PA State Association of Township Supervisors said the Association continues to support a resolution passed by its members in 2019 favoring the use of conventional oil and gas wastewater as a dust suppressant on dirt roads saying it is effective and affordable.

On June 10, three conventional oil and gas industry trade groups submitted a written statement to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for a hearing on House Bill 2384 and road dumping oil and gas wastewater saying they oppose a ban on the disposal practice.

On June 10, the PA Environmental Council sent a letter to the members of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee supporting House Bill 2384 (Vitali-D-Delaware) that bans road dumping of oil and gas wastewater.

From June 8 to 14, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 659 inspection entries, and caught up with posting inspection reports from last week..

Conventional oil and gas well owners who intend to apply for federally-funded grants to plug wells to reduce methane emissions must first be in compliance with Pennsylvania's environmental laws and regulations, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

The following notices were published in the June 15 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On June 11, the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee unanimously reported out House Bill 2338 (Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) updating the duties and powers of the PA Energy Development Authority to use billions of federal climate and clean energy dollars to incentivize investments in Pennsylvania.

On June 11, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority announced the launch of a new financing program designed to help local governments identify and develop energy efficiency and energy system upgrades for municipally-owned buildings.

Students from South West College, Northern Ireland, are joining Penn State students in Pittsburgh to learn best practices in energy-efficient design during the High-Performance Building Summer Camp June 3-21.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin announcing July 15 and 16 in-person hearings on proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan changes on the decommissioning of Stage II gasoline vapor recovery systems at gasoline service stations.

On June 12, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is establishing a Customer Experience Management Advisory Council (CXMAC) to advise DEP’s Acting Secretary and Chief Customer Experience Officer on strategies and improvements to enhance service delivery to the public.

On June 12, the Chesapeake Bay Program reported that in 2023, partners working across the Chesapeake Bay watershed restored 640.5 miles of forest buffers, the highest number of new forest buffers restored since 2016.

On June 10, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in collaboration with Aqua Pennsylvania, and local conservation districts, are joining forces to announce the 2024 grant recipients of their vital tree planting grant program, “Trees for Watersheds.”

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Landscaping Council is offering a variety of landscaping professional training, certification workshops online and in-person in Pennsylvania--

On June 10, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced woman across the mid-Atlantic region who own, care for, or are interested in learning more about forestland are invited to apply now to attend the Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat from September 15-18 at the Highlights Foundation Workshop Facility in Milanville, Wayne County.

On June 13, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced that at its June 5 quarterly public business meeting it approved a resolution directing staff to develop a Climate Resilience Plan that includes elements related to planning, consultation, outreach, education and rulemaking concerning climate change.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a major expansion of the Pioneer Crossing Landfill in Exeter Township, Berks County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3451)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the waste permit renewal for the Kelly Run Landfill in Forward Township, Allegheny County.   (PA Bulletin, page 3452)

The Department of Environmental Protection received an application for an Air Quality Plan Approval for the proposed IRG Erie, Inc. plastics recycling facility in the City of Erie, Erie County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3453)

On June 1, 182 cars stopped by the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority on June 1 to take advantage of a paper shredding event that was sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s office.

The PA Recycling Markets Center will hold a Battery Recycling Markets Development Summit on July 11 at CO Hatch Waterfront, 149 West Bridge Street in Homestead, Allegheny County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The PA Recycling Markets Center will host a June 27 videocast offering Insights into Circularity starting at 1:00 p.m.

On June 13, the Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania will purchase development rights for 2,629 acres on 28 farms in 19 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

On June 10, Natural Lands announced the preservation of a 95-acre forested landscape in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Forests For All Strategic Plan online town hall meeting presenting the draft Forests for All Strategic Plan for State Forests is now available on demand.

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

The June edition of the DCNR State Parks Environmental Education newsletter urges everyone to dive into summer and enjoy Great Outdoors Month and National Indigenous People’s History Month in June!

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting registration for its Annual Conference to be held September 11-13 at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in State College.

Juniata College is now accepting registrations for the Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course at Juniata College’s Raystown Field Station, located on Raystown Lake at 14322 Field Station Lane, Entriken in Huntington County on June 29-30.

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 June 15 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.