Here are 116 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 Wayne W. Kober

The DEP’s Oil and Gas Plugged Wells Database shows 2,941 conventional wells and 460 shale gas wells had a plugging completion date between 2019 through 2024 (so far).

Physicians for Social Responsibility- PA will host a January 22 webinar on How To Talk To Your Doctor About Environmental Threats To Your Health from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

On December 27, the Environmental Hearing Board issued an order denying a petition for a supersedeas from residents appealing a DEP permit for the Catalyst Energy, Inc. oil and gas wastewater injection well near the town of Cyclone in Keating Township, McKean County.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 4 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft Technical Guidance for Maintaining Freeboard and Dewatering of Well Development Impoundments for Unconventional Oil and Gas Operations. [DEP ID: 800-2200-005] 

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

The following notices were published in the January 4 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On December 26, Attorney General Elect Dave Sunday announced his transition committee members on individual issues, including an Energy and Environment Committee.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the December 28 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 18 general water use permits in November for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

On January 3, the Public Utility Commission reminded residents to prepare for potential storm-related power outages and take steps to stay safe during severe weather as Pennsylvania braces for the first significant winter storm of 2025 – bringing a mix of snow, ice, high winds, and unseasonably cold temperatures.

On the agenda for the January 14 meeting of the DEP Citizens Advisory Council are presentations on the development of data centers, Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Unit 2 decommissioning and abandoned mine land reforestation.

The Department of Environmental Protection announced a January 29 hearing on the Title V-RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Wheatland Tube LLC Council Avenue Plant in the City of Hermitage, Mercer County.  (PA Bulletin, page 8554)

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice correcting the hearing date for the Title V RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Monroe Energy LLC Trainer Refinery in Trainer Borough, Delaware County. The hearing will be held on January 30 NOT January 28. (PA Bulletin, page 144)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a February 6 hearing on the Title V-RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Pixelle Specialty Solutions, LLC plant in Spring Grove, York County.  (PA Bulletin, page 8498)

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a February 11 hearing on the renewal of a Title V Air Quality Permit for the Energy Transfer Marketing & Terminals, LP Marcus Hook Terminal in Marcus Hook Borough, Delaware County.  (PA Bulletin, page 74)

PA Interfaith Power & Light is accepting request for free native trees to plant anywhere in Pennsylvania.  Please make your request as soon as possible - by January 15 is ideal, latest by January 18.

Over the past 50 years, the use of road salt during winter has dramatically increased, impacting our streams, lakes, and rivers year-round, according to the Stroud Water Research Center..

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

On December 26, the Department of Agriculture announced the investment of $10,215,541 to purchase development rights for 2,842 acres on 31 farms in 13 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development.

The December 27 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The January 3 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--

The DCNR Bureau of State Parks released its latest environmental education newsletter full of ways to embrace the new year and activities for students and families this winter.

The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals are now accepting registrations for Level 1 certification training sessions beginning February 11.

The Penn State Extension will host another in its Water Cooler Talk series of webinars January 29 on Ice Melter Impacts and Reduction Strategy from Noon to 1:00 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 December 28 PA Bulletin--

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the January 4 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.