Here are 115 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--

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on July 9 to continue its discussion of proposed Hydrogen Hubs, this time with a focus on pipelines.  Council will also hear a presentation on critical and rare earth minerals recycling.

On July 1, the Associated Press reported a federal judge in Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction that prevents the Biden administration from delaying permits for new LNG gas export projects, while a legal challenge by Republican states plays out in federal court.

Join PublicSource.org reporter Quinn Glabicki and Editor-in-Chief Halle Stockton online July 9 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. as they discuss an investigative series on fracking giant EQT’s impact on air, water and community health as well as the global climate conversation.

From June 29 to July 5, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 433 inspection entries, and caught up posting reports from last week.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 6 PA Bulletin announcing it has issued an Air Quality Permit Plan Approval to authorize the construction and operation of the Frontier LNG natural gas production facility at the Winner 4H Shale Gas Well Pad in West Keating Township, Clinton County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3830)

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

The Department of Environmental Protection posted a note on its Shell Petrochemical Plant webpage that on July 2 DEP determined the Title V Air Quality Permit Application submitted by Shell is administratively complete and the application was posted on DEP's website.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 6 PA Bulletin it approved a Final Report on remediation of soil and groundwater contamination by certain chemicals to meet Site-Specific Standards under the Land Recycling Program at the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Porter Township, Beaver County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3829)

On July 5, Firepoint Energy Inc, a Wyoming C-Corp startup with principal offices opening in Pennsylvania and Texas, announced the selection of a Jefferson County, Pennsylvania waste-coal-to-fuel site, which will also be used for the recovery of rare earth minerals.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE GT&S) recently awarded 16 grants, totaling $23,000, to 16 different local environmental organizations in 8 counties across Pennsylvania as part of their 2024 Watershed Mini Grant Program.

By Kelly Jedrzejewski, Penn State News

Landowners are invited to take a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation motivation survey to help USDA understand why people choose to use or not use different conservation practices.

The US Department of Agriculture has selected PASA Sustainable Agriculture to be one of 28 organizations to host participants of the Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC), a new AmeriCorps program under the American Climate Corps initiative.

On July 18, PASA Sustainable Agriculture will host a Maximizing Your Farm Operation With Silvopasture Pasture Walk at the Springwood Organic Farm in Kinzers, Lancaster County from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

On July 1, the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force presented Gov. Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly with the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force Final Report, which includes recommendations designed to improve the affordability and accessibility of flood insurance, bolster flood resiliency, increase flood risk mitigation, and protect Pennsylvanians from incurring flood damage that often results in thousands of dollars of uncovered losses. 

The Forest Park Water Treatment Plant, a water treatment facility jointly owned and operated by North Penn Water Authority and North Wales Water Authority serving Bucks and Montgomery counties, is thrilled to announce its achievement of the prestigious Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) Award for the 17th year in a row.

On July 3, WTAE in Pittsburgh reported a story asking the question: Can you drink from roadside springs? and profiling a spring and swimming area sampling program run by the Mountain Watershed Association in Fayette County.

On July 2, Pennsylvania elected officials alongside representatives of labor and public health and electric vehicle owners joined Environmental Defense Foundation Action to speak to the growing cost savings and consumer adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Harrisburg.

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

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the July 6 PA Bulletin announcing August 7 hearings on RACT III Air Quality Permits for Owens Brockway Glass Plant 18 and Plant 19 in Jefferson County.  (PA Bulletin, page 3808 & page 3809)

Clean out the basement, the garage and the garden shed.  There’s still plenty of time in 2024 to responsibly dispose of a wide variety of materials – ranging from pesticides and paints to televisions and tires – at upcoming PA Resources Council collection events.

On July 3, Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the third annual Pennsylvania Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, which provides virtual early learning and literacy activities for kids that inspire kids to read and learn more about the great outdoors.

By Mike Ferlazzo, Bucknell University

On July 1, Gov. Shapiro signed into law House Bill 797 (B.Miller-R-Lancaster) requiring the state Department of Transportation to plant native vegetation along state highways as Act 37.

By Nate Reagle, Certified Pollinator Steward 

The Westmoreland Pollinator Partners and the Brandywine Conservancy’s Penguin Court are hosting the 4th annual Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge.  Entries are due August 3.

During the month of August, Pennsylvania iMapInvasive will hold the 2024 Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt, a challenge to identify, search for and report on five invasive species as part of a special statewide event.

Berks Nature is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Nature Preschool Assistant Teacher.

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

On July 16, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on How To Plant A Tiny Forest in Your Neighborhood from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program will hold an in-person training day and tour July 16 on Food Waste Reduction and Upcycling at the Penn State Berks Janssen Conference Center, 4150 Janssen Drive in Wyomissing, Berks County from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 Spotlight PA will host a July 18 online panel discussion on Pennsylvania's small private water industry--  how it's regulated and how communities are affected when service is subpar from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals will hold a July 23 webinar on Large-Scale Solar Energy Facilities in Pennsylvania starting from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Stroud Water Research Center celebrates the 75th anniversary of the publication of Dr. Ruth Patrick’s groundbreaking study of the Conestoga River with two special programs.

The Pike County and Wayne County Conservation Districts and Trout Unlimited are partnering on a new Stream Keepers Youth Program for ages 11 to 14 and their chaperone(s).

On August 9, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on How To Identify, Track Invasive Species Using The iMapInvasives App from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Gifford Pinchot’s Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pike County will host its annual Festival of Wood celebration combined with National Public Lands Day on September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Save the Date! PA Interfaith Power & Light 2024 Interfaith Climate Convening will be held on September 29 to connect passionate individuals across the state, strengthen interfaith community, and build momentum to address climate change as a moral issue here in the Keystone State from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Bay will be offering Faithful Green Leaders Training via Zoom on October 14, 21 and 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The following bill was given final approval by the House and Senate and is now on the Governor’s Desk for action--

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 July 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.