Here are 104 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 January 6, the Sand County Foundation announced Troy Firth, Spartansburg, Crawford County has been selected as the 2024 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award® recipient.

Gov. Shapiro recently highlighted his administration's accomplishments in his first two years in office, including on environmental protection, accountability, climate change, clean energy, public lands and recreation issues.

On January 6, the Department of Environmental Protection reported its staff conducted over 107,000 inspections to protect Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a healthy and safe environment.

From December 21 to 31, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 694 inspection entries. 

From January 1 to 10, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 1,098 inspection entries. 

By Justin Mikulka, Powering The Planet

On January 8, the Public Utility Commission approved a $700,000 penalty as part of a settlement regarding a natural gas explosion that occurred in the borough of Rimersburg, Clarion County, in October 2020.

On January 8, the Public Utility Commission approved a landmark settlement with Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), transforming the lessons of a tragic 2019 house explosion into a set of pioneering safety initiatives.

The following notices were published in the January 11 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a January 30 hearing on water withdrawal requests, including six related to shale gas development.  (formal notice)

This editorial first appeared in The Lock Haven Express on December 12, 2024 and now in the  Williamsport Sun Gazette on January 6, 2025--

On January 9, the Department of Environmental Protection encouraged Pennsylvania residents to test their homes for radon during Radon Action Month, bringing public awareness for this serious health hazard.

The Department of Environmental Protection will begin accepting applications for the first round of local Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Drainage Treatment Grants in 2025 on March 3.  The deadline to apply is April 25. (formal notice)

On January 6, the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission announced Maryland state Senator Sara Love has been elected chair of the tri-state Commission.

To help agriculture professionals beginning their journey in agricultural conservation, the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension, is holding a webinar-- Conservation Cornerstone: Climate-Smart Ag Through CARAT-- from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. January 28.

On January 7, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced the award of more than $155,000 to support 34 local projects striving to improve the welfare of our watersheds.

By Harry Campbell, Science Policy & Advocacy Director

On January 8, the Luzerne County-based North Branch Land Trust announced it is a recipient of a 2024-2025 Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Mini-Grant.

On January 8, the Department of Environmental Protection issued permits to Bishop Brothers Construction Company Inc. for the Minard Mine, a surface mining operation for sand, gravel, and sandstone in Athens Township, Bradford County following careful regulatory review and consideration of extensive public comment.

On January 9, the Department of Environmental Protection encouraged local governments and authorities to take advantage of the Shared Energy Manager Program that has already worked with communities to identify more than $2.8 million in energy savings for taxpayers.

The Penn State Technical Assistance Program is advising small and mid-size industrial facilities wanting to take advantage of RISE PA decarbonization grants that they must complete a Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency Site Assessment to be eligible for the grant program.

On January 7, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold a virtual public hearing Wednesday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m. to take testimony from interested parties on DEP’s interim response under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) at Tub Mill Farms and Clearview Farms in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County.

The DEP Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program is scheduled to hold a hearing February 20 to take comments on its interim response to PFAS well water contamination from the Middle Spring Creek HSCA Site in Southampton Township, Cumberland and Franklin counties. (PA Bulletin, page 406)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 11 PA Bulletin extending the comment period seven days to February 12 on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order and Agreement with Penn State University on the cleanup of PFAS ‘forever chemical’ contamination in Benner Township, Centre County.  (PA Bulletin, page 418)

On January 7, the Pennsylvania Resources Council announced the start of the Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest which rewards amateur photographers who snap unusual or eye-catching images of litter across the Commonwealth.  The deadline for entries is October 31.

On January 7, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced it will be accepting nominations for the Litter Hawk Youth Award, a recognition program for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade who complete a project specific to their grade level, until January 31.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will host five webinars on the new draft State Outdoor Recreation Plan priorities.

The DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on January 22 to hear presentations on a variety of accessible recreation topics.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In December is now available featuring articles on--

The January 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is pleased to announce a new Outdoor Ambassador Program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

The DCNR/Student Conservation Association 2025 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is now seeking applications from youth (15 to 18 - summer)  and young adults (18 to 25 - 9 months) for job training crews.

On January 6, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced forested land along the Allegheny River is now permanently protected thanks to a conservation easement donation from Randall Gustafson on 28 acres of his property in Pleasant and Watson townships, Warren County.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy seeks Riparian Steward Volunteers in Armstrong, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Potter and Venango counties.

On January 7, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council announced the award of $30,000 in Water Trail Mini-grants to 8 groups to promote and maintain Pennsylvania Water Trails.

The latest newsletter storymap from PA iMapInvasives highlights actions around Pennsylvania to track and manage invasive species and features articles on--

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates for a Resource Conservationist Technician position.

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

On January 9, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced it is now accepting applications from eligible high school seniors for the Vanessa Joy Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship.

 PA Interfaith Power and Light will host another in its Wandering Waters webinar series January 14 on Watersheds and Their People from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

 ReImagine Appalachia will hold its 5th annual Virtual Strategy Summit January 14-15 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both days

The Crawford County-based Foundation for Sustainable Forests and French Creek Valley Conservancy invite you to attend the Woods and Water Film Series either virtually January 17 or in-person on February 21

The Penn State Extension will host a January 21 webinar on Private Water Supply Education from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Those taking the webinar will be eligible for free well water testing.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is hosting a January 28 webinar on PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' And Impacts To Local Waterways from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

PASA is now accepting registrations for the 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Conference to be held February 5-7 in Lancaster.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will host the 2025 Wild and Scenic Film Festival at four locations in the watershed, including on March 5 at the Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road in Lititz, Lancaster County from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting registrations for the 2025 PAEE Annual Conference - Waves Of Connection to be held March 10-12 in Erie.

The PA Recreation and Park Society is now accepting registrations for their Annual Conference and Expo to be held in Hershey March 16 to 19.

WeConservePA is now accepting registrations for the 2025 PA Land Conservation Conference to be held April 2-4 in State College.

The Philadelphia Solar Energy Association now has available the Solar For Schools middle school curriculum-- "Harness the Power of the Sun" and "Bring Solar to School."

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

On January 7, House Democrats adopted new rules for the House creating two new standing committees covering environmental and energy issues-- a House Energy Committee and a House Environmental Resources and Protection 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 January 11 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.