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--

By Lara Lutz, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On December 18, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it will host more than 70 guided hikes in 46 state parks and one forest district on New Year’s Day, as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” initiative.

The PA Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals has selected the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission as their 2024 Natural Resource Education Champion award recipient for their unwavering support and partnership in advancing agricultural and environmental education in the Commonwealth.

A regional observance of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month will take place during January.  This annual event focuses on the history and culture of the anthracite region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility are proud to co-host the 2025 Shale Gas and Public Health Conference on February 27 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

On December 18, the Department of Environmental Protection said the agency will review the Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit application under the “enhanced public participation process” established in its Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy holding local stakeholder meetings, one or more public meetings and a hearing.

The following statement is being issued by Kroll Settlement Administration regarding McEvoy v. Diversified Energy and EQT--

On December 4, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection issued violations to Diversified Production LLC for failing to plug two shale gas wells in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County.

On December 10, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection found Apollo Resources LLC continues to be in violation of a compliance order issued on August 9, 2024 to cleanup wastewater spills at the Nelson 2 conventional well site in Dunbar Township, Fayette County.

From December 14 to 20, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 522  inspection entries and posted inspection reports from previous weeks.. 

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

By Melissa Ostroff & Charlie Palladino, EarthWorks

On December 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy today announced approximately $850 million for 43 projects selected for negotiation that will help small oil and gas operators, Tribes, and other entities across the country to reduce, monitor, measure, and quantify methane emissions from the oil and gas sector as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin a revised application and instructions for the Air Quality General Permit for Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares (GP-21) is now available.

On December 20, the Public Utility Commission announced Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank has been appointed Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Gas.

On December 20, the Public Utility Commission encouraged natural gas customers to take control of their heating bills with a simple Winter Utility Bill Checklist. By acting now, consumers can reduce energy usage, lower costs, and access assistance if needed.

On December 17, the U.S. Department of Energy released an updated study of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports required by Congress under the federal Natural Gas Act to evaluate the public interest of proposed exports to countries with which the United States does not have a Free Trade Agreement.

On December 17, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation released the 2024 Long-Term Reliability Assessment (LTRA) highlighting critical reliability challenges that industry is facing over the next 10 years-- satisfying escalating energy growth, managing generator retirements and removing barriers to resource and transmission development.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin of the 2025 meeting schedules for most of its advisory committees, Boards and Councils.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act.

On December 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of  $19,640,380 to support eight local abandoned mine lands reclamation and water restoration projects in six counties as part of the federally-funded Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program.

By Sophia Evans, Dickinson College Student

The latest Chesapeake Bay Watershed Healthy Waters newsletter from the Department of Environmental Protection highlights funding opportunities, county water quality restoration projects and much more. 

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is now accepting presentation proposals for their upcoming Choose Clean Water Conference.  The deadline for submissions is January 10.

The Penn State Extension is seeking individuals and organizations to present at the 2025 Dive Deeper Summit for Water Educators, scheduled for September 25 in Harrisburg. Proposals are due March 5.

Take part in the Penn State Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training's Passport at the Pennsylvania Farm Show From January 4 to 11!

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension invites conservation professionals across the Commonwealth to participate in 2025 Agriculture Literacy Week, happening March 17–21, 2025.

On December 17, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-Kentucky) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-Indiana), co-chairs of the Ohio River Basin Caucus, introduced the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, the first comprehensive piece of legislation to address the pressing environmental and conservation needs within the 204,000 square miles of the Ohio River Basin.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the proposed designation of areas in Pennsylvania not meeting the health-based national standard for particulate matter (PM2.5).  Three public hearings have been scheduled.

The Coalition for Community Solar announced Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) circulated a co sponsorship memo to his House colleagues seeking support for a community solar program for the state.

The Department of Environmental Protection is still accepting applications for the Shared Energy Manager Program to help local governments, authorities and school districts reduce energy costs, consider renewable energy alternatives and implement local climate action plans.

The Pennsylvania Solar Center is still accepting applications for the G.E.T. Solar Schools Technical Assistance Program.

On December 17, Sustainable Pittsburgh released Clean Energy Workforce: Needs and Opportunities for Southwestern PA, a comprehensive document that explores the opportunities and challenges in building a robust and equitable clean energy workforce in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In an effort to boost environmental literacy and sustainability across the Commonwealth, the Shapiro Administration announced applications are now being accepted for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) and the PA Pathways to Green Schools awards.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act consent order and agreement with Precision National Plating Services, Inc. regarding the Precision National Plating Site in Abington Township, Lackawanna County.  (PA Bulletin, page 8345)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed interim Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act response at the Tub Mill Farm and Clearview Farm waste site in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County.  (PA Bulletin, page 8346)

On December 18, the PA Resources Council announced the student and adult winners of the 2024 Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest.

On December 17, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced the successful implementation of the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program at 17 service plazas across the state with a $20,000 grant from Keep America Beautiful. 

The December 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On December 16, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership announced the recipients of the 2024-2025 Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program.

The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, part of the National Fish Habitat Partnership, is requesting Brook Trout Project RFP proposals that are focused on Brook Trout conservation actions.  Short intent to apply proposals are due January 14, full proposals by February 15.

The fall newsletter of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program features an article on the decades-long effort to monitor the biodiversity of the Upper Middle Allegheny River.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is seeking interested adults to be mentors at wildlife and fisheries focused summer field schools to be held at the Krislund Camp and Conference Center in Madisonburg, Centre County. 

The Fish and Boat Commission's Lake Habitat Section is seeking qualified individuals to fill a Seasonal Fisheries Biologist Aide position(s) based in Bellefonte, Centre County.

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

The December 9 Penn State Extension webinar on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Land-Applied Biosolids - Research Update is now available on demand.

Join the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and the volunteer leaders of the Little Lehigh Watershed Stewards for a Conversation Café webinar on January 16 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will host a January 16 webinar featuring an expert panel on Forest Carbon Markets and Payment Programs from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will host a January 22 webinar on How Invasive Plants Drive An Insect Invasion from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m.

The Penn State Extension will host another in its series of Conservation Cornerstone webinars January 28 on the Climate-Smart Ag Project (CARAT) from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Larkspur Design will be offering a yearlong Permaculture Design Course, endorsed by the Permaculture Institute of North America during 2025.

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