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--

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry is responsible for protecting the Commonwealth's 17 million acres of public and private wildlands from damage by wildfire.

On December 9, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn invited the public to vote for Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year.

This article first appeared in the Foundation for Sustainable Forests Fall 2024 newsletter.

The holiday season is filled with sparkling decorations, beautifully wrapped packages, get-togethers with family and friends — and plenty of waste.

On December 12, Kurt Klapkowski, DEP Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, told DCED’s PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council, Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley has directed DEP executive staff to form an internal work group to develop a “strong scientifically-based position” on road dumping conventional oil and gas wastewater. 

On December 12, conventional oil and gas well owners said they now build and operate as many as 95% of conventional wells to vent methane that could trigger quarterly methane monitoring and capture requirements under the new US EPA methane reduction regulations making it too expensive for owners to comply.

On December 10, the US Justice Department, US Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced a proposed settlement with Butler County-based PennEnergy Resources LLC resolving alleged federal Clean Air Act and Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act violations involving the company’s oil and gas production operations in Pennsylvania.

A December 11 Department of Environmental Protection inspection of a shale gas well pad and water impoundment owned by Nucomer Energy LLC in Hickory Township, Forest County found they have still not been restored more than 12 years after the wells were completed and 33 months after DEP issued the original violations for failure to restore the site.

From December 7 to 14, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 643 inspection entries and posted reports from previous weeks. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the December 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on Chapter 105 Encroachment permits for two PA General Energy Company pipeline projects impacting Exceptional Value and High Quality streams and wetlands in Lycoming County to support shale gas development.

The following notices were published in the December 14 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On December 9, the Independent Fiscal Office issued a report estimating the Act 13 drilling impact fee for calendar year 2024 will generate $163.8 million, a decrease of $115.1 million from its 2022 record of $278.9 million.

On December 12, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission held its business meeting and approved a new fee schedule, water withdrawals, including four shale gas withdrawals, a contribution to abandoned mine drainage remediation project and proposed a new General Permit for Into-Basin Water Diversions.

On December 10, the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council gathered in Annapolis, Maryland for what may be considered the most important meeting for the Chesapeake Bay Program since the signing of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement 10 years ago.

On December 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $24 million in grants to support local projects to reduce pollution and restore local streams, rivers, and lakes in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

On December 9, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced 45 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund awards, totaling over $17 million.

 PA Interfaith Power & Light is launching a new coaching program for congregations and community groups interested in becoming Community Watershed Protectors.

On December 10, in a historic bipartisan achievement two decades in the making, the US House of Representatives passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act (S.2781 / H.R.7779), according to Trout Unlimited.

On December 10, the Friends of the Wissahickon marked the completion of its $3.5 million Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge project in Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia with a ribbon cutting.

The Headwaters to the Ohio Water Networks has launched a needs assessment study to strengthen the work of watershed groups throughout the headwaters of the Ohio River to ensure we have the clean water to drink, bathe and play promised us.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 14 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of the Final Pennsylvania Great Lakes Water Management Program Report.

On December 10, Pennsylvania Sea Grant announced it is now accepting research proposals for projects that enhance the use and conservation of Pennsylvania's coastal, watershed and Great Lakes resources.  The deadline for proposals is February 14.

A webinar designed to raise awareness about smart strategies for farming in sensitive ecosystems, with a focus on private drinking water sources, will occur from Noon to 1:00 p.m. January 22.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 14 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Water Quality Plan for Buffalo Creek in Perry County.  (PA Bulletin, page 8192)

Whitehall Borough in Allegheny County will soon move ahead with installing a solar array on top of a local EMS building, to be installed by Elysium Solar.

Pennsylvania, especially in the Southcentral and Northwest parts of the state, we're seeing a surge in interest for grid-scale solar developments (GSSD).

By Matt Walker, Clean Air Council and Julia Kortrey, Evergreen Action

On December 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that 70 applicants across 27 states, three Tribal Nations, and one territory have been tentatively selected to receive over $735 million to assist in the purchase of over 2,400 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.

On December 13, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $2.55 million to improve air quality in communities through cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is hosting a January 14 webinar on PA Policies and Plans for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a January 28 hearing on the Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Monroe Energy LLC Trainer Refinery in Trainer Borough, Delaware County. (PA Bulletin, page 8194)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on an Air Quality Plan Approval for the Nova Energy LLC Allam PGM cryptocurrency data center in Frenchcreek Township, Venango County. (PA Bulletin, page 8123)

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a January 15 hearing on the Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Georgia-Pacific Panel Products LLC Mount Jewett MDF Plant in Sergeant Township, McKean County. (PA Bulletin, page 8125)  (PA Bulletin, page 8193)

On December 10, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn shared the results of public surveys that will inform and guide the creation of the agency’s upcoming 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

All partners and interested parties are invited to come together and build relationships and collaborations at the South Mountain Partnership Winter Partnership meeting January 31 at the Keystone Kidspace in York from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

On December 9, the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust announced the donation of a conservation easement by Bob and Shelley Casciato, securing the lasting protection of their 10.4-acre property in West Vincent Township, Chester County.

The Nature Conservancy is now accepting applications for its Resilient and Connected Appalachians Land Protection Grant Program.  The deadline to apply is February 7

The December 13 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

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

On December 13, the Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program announced the application period for the 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is now open.  The deadline to apply is February 19.

The US Geological Survey Pennsylvania Water Science Center Fall newsletter is now available featuring articles on--

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

On December 10, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) announced he will again serve as Republican/Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

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 December 14 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.