Here are 130 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--

The PA Wilds Conservation Shop at Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County is holding a special “Second Look” event on October 10 to celebrate the shop and the installation of new viewfinders that will allow colorblind visitors to enjoy the colorful fall foliage for the first time.

On September 26, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its first Fall Foliage Report predicting a“vibrant season that arrives sooner and lasts for a slightly shorter period compared to recent years.”

On September 23, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced it has awarded the 2024 Appalachian States Regional Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation for its exemplary reclamation work in Allegheny County.

On September 17, Dr. Ned Ketyer, a pediatrician with 26 years in practice in Southwest Pennsylvania, shared a summary of recent research into the health impacts of shale gas development during a briefing hosted by the Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, Environmental Health Project, FracTracker Alliance and the Center for Coalfield Justice.

On September 24, the US Department of Energy reported China is the biggest single destination for US LNG gas export accounting for 10.3% of export volume in July 2024-- 33.4 Billion cubic feet.

The Department of Environmental Protection issued notices of violation to EQT Production Company in Greene County, Range Resources-Appalachia, LLC in Washington County and Greylock Production LLC (unknown location) last week for failing to report chemicals used in fracking shale gas wells.

From September 21 to 27, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 736 inspection entries and catch-up posting previous inspection reports..

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on a Chapter 105 permit for a new proposed 16-inch natural gas pipeline to be built by Blackhill Energy, LLC along a 7.3 mile route through Springfield, Troy, West Burlington and  Granville Townships in Bradford County to facilitate shale gas development.  (Sept. 21 PA Bulletin, page 6030)

The following notices were published in the September 28 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On September 23, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community and the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies announced they have collaborated with disabled disaster survivors and partners to develop first-of-its-kind Disability-Centered Guidance for Petrochemical Disasters that considers the unique challenges facing people with disabilities.

On September 24, the Public Utility Commission Safety Division, part of the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), concluded its investigation into a March 2024 incident in Crescent Township, Allegheny County, which claimed the lives of two residents and destroyed a house on Riverview Road.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on October 1 to consider  House Bill 2277 (Otten-D-Chester), the PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) is the Governor’s Energy Plan that would diversify energy generation, improve grid reliability, lower consumer costs by avoiding energy price spikes and create energy-related jobs.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will host a webinar October 18 on the new Solar for Schools Grant Program from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center will host an October 31 webinar On How Businesses, Nonprofits, Communities Can Save On Energy Costs through the G.E.T. Solar Program from Noon to 1:30 p.m.

The PA GreenGov Council will host the 4th Annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week October 7-11 featuring daily webinars, each with sustainability subject matter experts. 

The Pennsylvania Bipartisan Climate Initiative announces a briefing Tuesday, October 1 at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22 Street in Philadelphia from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

On September 26, the Zillow Group announced it will be introducing climate risk data, provided by First Street, the standard for climate risk financial modeling, on for-sale property listings across the U.S. by the end of 2024.

On September 19, Rep. James Struzzi (R-Indiana) introduced House Bill 2573 establishing an Independent Energy Office headed by a new Energy Advocate with the authority to veto any regulation, policy or action of any state agency that “may harm energy reliability and affordability.”

On September 26, the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation distributed a request for samples of acid mine drainage to evaluate for rare earth and critical mineral production potential.

The PA AG One newsletter by Vince Phillips distributed a US Department of Agriculture advisory urging ag producers, small businesses and rural residents to prepare for Hurricane Helene.

The Capital Resource Conservation & Development Area Council and Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance will host an October 18 Winter Feeding Pasture Walk at Nature’s Nook Farm in Newville, Cumberland County from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

On September 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced a temporary repair has been completed to a ruptured sewage line, stopping the release of raw sewage near the Eastern Snyder County Regional Authority’s (ESCRA) sewage treatment plant in Selinsgrove, Snyder County.

On September 27, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced it has issued a consent order to Max Environmental Technologies, Inc. to bring its waste treatment and disposal facility in Yukon, Westmoreland County into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals will host an October 29 webinar on How Recent Supreme Court Decisions Will Impact Environmental Regulation and Planning starting at Noon.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a hearing for October 28 on the renewal of a Hazardous Waste Storage Facility Permit for the Keystone Cement Company facility in East Allen Township, Northampton County.   (PA Bulletin, page 6196)

On the heels of a successful three-month engagement of its Traveling Glass Recycling Bin, the PA Resources Council has expanded its glass recycling efforts to include its first permanent collection site in eastern Pennsylvania in Haverford Township, Delaware County.

Keep Monroe County Beautiful has officially become a county affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. The affiliate will operate as a program of the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority.

The 2nd Century Alliance helped organize 50 volunteers to clean up 1.5 miles of Route 82 along the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek on September 21 in Coatesville, Chester County.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled an October 30 hearing on the proposed Air Quality Maintenance Plan for Fine Particulate in the Harrisburg/York Region. (PA Bulletin, page 6197)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a November 13 hearing on an Air Quality Permit for the American Craft Brewery facility in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6151)

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a November 13 hearing on a significant modification to the Title V Air Quality Permit for the Martins Creek LLC gas/oil-fired power plant located in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6150)

The Fall Penn’s Stewards newsletter from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation features articles on--

On September 23, Landforce and PowerCorpsPHL announced they have been selected for a a $13.9 million award to support a Philadelphia-Pittsburgh partnership to create and expand two woody biomass workforce development campuses, strengthen the urban lumber and biochar market, and deploy soil-remediating biochar in both cities.

The Brandywine Conservancy’s “Bike the Brandywine” event returned for its sixth edition on Saturday, September 21 with nearly 500 cyclists enjoying a partly cloudy day along the Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding Chester County countryside.

On September 26, the North Branch Land Trust announced it has received a $3,500 grant from the PPL Foundation to continue conservation efforts for the rare acidic ridgetop barrens ecosystem in Hazle Township and the City of Hazleton, Luzerne County.

On September 26, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited announced the appointment of Eric Null as the organization's Executive Director.

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

The Audubon Society Of Western PA, Buffalo Creek Coalition and Penn State Extension will host a Backyard Stream Repair Workshop October 5 at the Buffalo Creek Nature Park in Sarver, Butler County from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

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 28 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 Outdoor Writers Association, PA PA Council Trout Unlimited, Organization for Watersheds & Rivers and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.