Here are 110 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 September 19, Stroud Water Research Center bestowed the 2024 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence to Paul Greenberg, the award-winning and bestselling food and environmental writer at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Delaware.

On September 12, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals recognized Kristina Thompson and PennDOT District 5-0 with the 2024 Walter Lyon Award and former DEP Secretary David Hess with the Karl Mason Award.

On September 19, the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance announced the winners of its annual mine safety and mine reclamation awards.  Recognition is given for superior employee safety records and the completion of outstanding reclamation at coal mine sites throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Cecil Township, Washington County has posted a proposed ordinance for consideration at a  November 4 supervisors meeting establishing setbacks from shale gas well pads of 2,500 feet from homes and businesses as “protected structures” and 5,000 feet from schools and hospitals.

On September 17, the Southwest PA-based Environmental Health Project reported State Department of Health progress on implementing recommendations after the University of Pittsburgh health studies last year showed adverse health impacts from shale gas development was “extremely limited.”

Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety says Pennsylvania communities through which Energy Transfer’s Mariner East natural gas liquids pipeline and many other pipelines pass are at the same “unmitigated risk” of unsecured, aboveground pipeline values and explosion hazards as the communities now affected by Energy Transfer’s pipeline explosion in Texas.

On May 24, 2024, Helen Dragonette, a resident near the town of Cyclone in Keating Township,  McKean County filed a complaint with the Department of Environmental Protection about methane in her water well, saying she had a “video of their water catching fire when exposed to a flame.”

On September 9, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection began an emergency contract to plug a conventional oil well leaking oil, wastewater and gas in the front yard of a home in Lafayette Township, McKean County.

On September 17, 2024, DEP conducted an inspection of the Carpentertown Coal & Coke 25 conventional well in Pine Township, Armstrong County owned by Murphy Production, Inc. in response to a complaint to the PA Emergency Management Agency who forwarded it to DEP.

From September 14 to 20, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 540 inspection entries, and caught up posting some past inspection reports.

On September 18, Protect PT announced the Westmoreland Landfill surrendered its Air Quality Plan Approval for a leachate evaporator system to dispose of its wastewater the Department of Environmental Protection approved on January 8, 2024.

The following notices were published in the September 21 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the September 21 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 24 general water use permits in August for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

On September 19, the Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Institute for Public Policy published a policy brief on the steep decline in revenues from the Act 13 shale gas impact fees going to counties and municipalities.

On September 19, Utility Dive reported the North American Electric Reliability Corp issued a statement that it "remains concerned about maintaining sufficient natural gas supplies to address extreme winter conditions."

On September 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Green Power Leadership Award winners for 2024, honoring four leading organizations in EPA’s Green Power Partnership: Microsoft Corporation, MilliporeSigma, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Signature Aviation.

On September 16, the No False Solutions PA Coalition delivered a letter to state legislators and other public officials urging them to read a new brief the group co-authored with the Better Path Coalition.

On September 18, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced it has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to construct a series of solar generation facilities in its right of way areas. 

On September 19, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania announced it will host an October 7 webinar on Utility-Scale Solar Energy Facility Development from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection announced on social media it is now accepting applications for approximately $1 million Small Business Advantage Grants on a first-come, first-served basis.  The deadline for applications is March 25.

On September 18, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed celebrated the award of 45 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund grants totaling $17.3 million by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to improve the health of the Delaware River Watershed.

On September 18, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced it is now accepting a second round of nutrient pollution reduction project proposals as part of the Conowingo Dam Pay-for-Success water pollution reduction program.  The deadline for proposals is December 16.

By Kristen Koch, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center

By Justin Mansberger, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

The state Department of Health is seeking private water well owners to participate in October 16 online focus group sessions to learn more about how well owners have prepared and responded to natural disasters or other emergencies affecting their wells.

The Bucknell University Center for Sustainability and the Environment is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2024 River Symposium to be held November 8-9 at the Elaine Langone Center in Lewisburg, Union County. 

The Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Bay has issued an invitation to congregations throughout the Bay Watershed to join the more than 200 other congregations who have answered the call to form Green Teams in their communities.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network invites watershed volunteers and stream champions from throughout the Upper Ohio River Basin to the second basin-wide convening of water advocates.

On September 17, Keep PA Beautiful, Erie-Western PA Port Authority and their partners announced efforts to keep litter and debris from entering Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie using litter booms have been successful in Erie.

On September 18, the PA Resources Council announced it will host three electronics waste collection events in Delaware and Montgomery counties starting on September 26.

On September 17, the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust announced it has finalized a voluntary conservation agreement with long-time Chester County resident Julia Kirlin and her granddaughter Allison Manley to protect in perpetuity 55 acres in North Coventry Township, Chester County.

On September 16, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation is excited to announce the release of a new Spanish-language video on the 'Leave No Trace' principles.

The September 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper John Zaktansky has written a special report on the need for more protections for the Eastern Hellbender in a new e-magazine and published the article as a blog post on his website.

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

The National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem is hosting an immersive VR experience on industrial history for Lehigh Watershed explorers starting September 21.

The Lancaster Clean Water Partners will host their annual MS4 Stormwater Forum on October 21 at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center in Mannheim from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 September 21 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.