Here are 125 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 17, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz honored the Allegheny River as Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year during the celebration for the river at Allegheny RiverTrail Par​k Saturday.

By Chris Canfield & Dana Flowers, Penn State Extension

On June 12, WeConservePA and the partner organizations of the Growing Greener Coalition sent an open letter to members of the Senate and House urging them to support a $80 - $100 million Healthy Outdoors For All Program as part of the 2024-25 state budget.

On June 21, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to reinvest in the Clean Streams Fund as part of the 2024-25 state budget and encouraged citizens to contact their House and Senate members to support clean water.

On June 21, the PA Environmental Council sent the following letter to Senate and House members ahead of deliberations over the 2024-25 state budget and legislative policies--

On June 21, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation released the results of a new Susquehanna Polling & Research poll showing 81 percent of registered Pennsylvania voters think that investments in trail improvements, including expanded trails in state parks and state forests, are important to quality of life and economic development in the Commonwealth.

On June 18, the Public Utility Commission reported calendar year 2023 revenue from the Act 13 drilling impact fee dropped $99.2 million to $179,634,750 from last year's record $278,881,450 assessed on unconventional shale gas wells even though natural gas production went up in 2023..

On June 20, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission gave its unanimous approval to revised final Public Utilities Commission Regulations strengthening state public utility safety standards related to the pipeline transport of hazardous liquids in intrastate commerce.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a July 2 virtual public hearing starting at 6:00 p.m. on a PA General Energy project to construct a 12-inch natural gas and two 8-inch water pipelines through Cummings and McHenry Townships in Lycoming County.  [Permit: E4129223-006]

On June 17, Public Utility Commission Administrative Law Judge Mark A. Hoyer announced there will be a telephonic prehearing conference on July 15 at 10:00 a.m. to further discuss the proceedings surrounding the future of the Venango Water Company and six other water companies owned by the Blaine Edwin Rodes Estate in Venango County.

From June 15 to 21, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 537 inspection entries, and catching up posting last week’s inspection reports.

The following notices were published in the June 22 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On June 17, Energy Future PA announced the continued growth of the statewide coalition with PA Environmental Council joining as a partner member.

On June 20, PennFuture released a new report offering policy recommendations for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Team PA to reshape the Commonwealth’s strategic collaborations with public and private partners.

On June 17, as millions of Pennsylvanians experience a surge in hot weather, and the official start of summer arrives later this week, the Public Utility Commission urged consumers to explore simple #WaysToStayCool and #WaysToSave – helping to conserve energy and keep summer power bills manageable.

The Department of Environmental Project published these notices of public hearings and a special comment period in the June 22 PA Bulletin--

By Arielle Sternman, PA IPL

By Gary Rihn, Master Watershed Steward

On June 18, The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania announced it is accepting applications to the 2024-2025 Regional Network Collaborative for Water Leadership cohort.

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation is excited to announce that author Susan Q. Stranahan will be joining the monthly virtual book club June 26 to discuss her book ‘Susquehanna River of Dreams’ from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The June 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently announced the permanent protection of 250 forested acres along Deer Creek Road in Frenchcreek Township, Venango County, that will soon be open to the public as a new nature preserve.

The Land Conservancy of Adams County has announced a conservation easement donated by Hugh and Nell Matthews on 37.7 acres of their property in Freedom Township southwest of Gettysburg.

Love pollinators and what they bring to our gardens? Want to know more about how to support them by planting pollinator-friendly gardens?

On June 20, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, met at Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens in Chester County to discuss and see how Senate Bill 1198, the Plant and Pollinator Protection Act, will benefit food production, plant nurseries, and beekeepers, as well as Pennsylvania's economy.

Those birds you see in the backyard, around camp, while hiking or otherwise outside? They’re more important than you think.  Reporting your observations of them is, too.

The Western PA Conservancy and Fallingwater will host a webinar August 15  on Creating Safer Habitats for Birds - Between The City And The Forest starting at Noon

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

The Lackawanna Historical Society will host a June 28 webinar exploring Pennsylvania's environmental history with Shippensburg University Professor Allen Dietrich-Ward starting at 2:00 p.m.

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 22 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.