Here are 151 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--

Mary Jo White, 83, who served more than a dozen years as the  Republican Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, passed away on February 21.

On February 25, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced their 2025 award winners that honor the people that make a difference through their work and volunteerism in Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests.

At the February 25 Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on DEP’s budget request, Senators discussed a variety of topics, but came back to talking about speeding permit reviews, the Governor’s Lightning Energy Plan and related issues like RGGI [Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative] most often.

DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley submitted this written testimony to the Senate and House Appropriations as part of the annual budget hearing process.

During the February 27 House Appropriations Committee hearing on DEP’s budget request, Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) raised concerns about whether DEP has the staff and funding to fulfill its mission in the face of workloads that have increased dramatically in the last decade, particularly in the Oil and Gas Program.

While much of the House hearing on DEP’s budget request Thursday was a repeat of the Senate hearing, Rep. Joshua Kail (R-Beaver) said he thought it was “outrageous” DEP has a process where any citizen can petition the agency for a change in its regulations.

On February 27, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn appeared before the House Appropriations Committee to answer questions about her agency’s 2025-26 budget request.

On February 24, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced “every dollar” of the $2.1 billion in federal funds identified in a February 13 lawsuit against the federal government are no longer frozen.

On February 27, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said a new memo issued on February 26 by the new Administration in Washington directing federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs spells disaster for the Chesapeake Bay.

The Department of Environmental Protection posted a February 20 inspection report this week saying there was a spill of an estimated 12,600 gallons of wastewater at the Diaz Family Shale Gas Drilling Well Pad 2 owned by Coterra Energy, Inc. in Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna County.

The Department of Environmental Protection issued violations to Anegada Energy LLC and Taft Operating LLC for abandoning and not plugging 11 shale gas wells in Butler and Greene counties.

From February 22 to 28, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 886 inspection entries. 

The following notices were published in the March 1 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

Join Protect PT on March 9 for a free workshop about Shale Gas development and how to keep you, your family, and your community safe.

By Chris Mele, Delaware Currents

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 1 PA Bulletin announcing the approval of an Air Quality Permit for the Nova Energy LLC Cryptocurrency Data Center in Frenchcreek Township, Venango County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1859)

On February 25, the Independent Fiscal Office reported 2024 natural gas production decreased by 1.8% over 2023 and the Pennsylvania spot hub price of natural gas increased 19.1% over the last year.

On February 26, a new report concludes that if Pennsylvania takes steps now to fully access the geothermal heat that exists underground, the Commonwealth could leverage the know-how of its oil and gas workers to generate enough energy to meet 100% of its electricity, heating and low- to medium-temperature industrial process needs in as few as 10 years.

By John Quigley, Senior Fellow, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy

On February 27, the Congress voted to rescind a market-based methane pollution fee designed to incentivize large oil and gas operations to install readily-available and cost-effective innovations to plug natural gas leaks and end unnecessary practices that waste our natural resources and emit health-harming pollution.

On February 27, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) announced the launch of their new webpage-- Eyes on Air-- designed to provide free, real-time air quality data to all Beaver County residents.

On February 26, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting grant applications from medium and large industries for the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Program.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on March 11 to hear presentations from the Pennsylvania Solar Center on solar energy programs and the Department of Community and Economic Development on the state Housing Action Plan.

The Renewables Work for PA Coalition, PA Solar & Storage Industries Association and Pennsylvania Solar Center will host the 11th Annual PA Renewables Summit and Lobby Day on March 24-25 in Harrisburg.

On February 25, the Department of Environmental Protection posted environmental testing results from the SPS Technologies fire in Montgomery County online today.

Registration is now open for the 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania! - Pennsylvania’s largest community improvement program!

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 1 PA Bulletin announcing that Impecca is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 1866)

The Delaware River Basin Commission has started the process of developing a Climate Resilience Plan to address the impacts of changes in the frequency, duration and geographic distribution of severe storms, floods and droughts brought on by climate change. 

Each year, thousands of homeowners get their water tested through accredited testing labs. The resulting laboratory reports often include complex language, symbols, and information, making it difficult to determine if drinking water meets established safety standards.

On April 21, the Penn State Extension will host an in-person Private Water Supply Education and Water Testing Workshop at the Penn State Extension Office in Carlisle, Cumberland County from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Penn State Extension will host another in its series of Water Cooler Talk webinars March 19 on Green Infrastructure's Many Functions from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Groundwater professionals, natural resource managers, educators, and anyone interested in the management and protection of water resources are invited to attend the 12th annual Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium happening May 7 at the Best Western Conference Center in Harrisburg, preceded by an optional day-long field trip to several acid mine drainage treatment sites in the Shamokin Creek watershed. 

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and its partners will host a March 14 Stormwater Symposium - Unraveling The Stormwater Challenge in Olin Hall at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Montgomery County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Penn State Master Watershed Stewards took part in a winter salt stream snapshot during Winter Salt Week 2025, a multi-state effort to raise awareness about the harmful impacts of excessive salt and deicing chemicals used on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots.

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program now offers rain barrel kits for purchase at select county Extension offices.

Join Penn State Extension, the Agriculture and Environment Center, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, and fellow educators from across the Commonwealth for two days of immersive, hands-on watershed learning through the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) curricular framework.

On February 24, Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Columbia) said the Conyngham coal bank fire located in Wilburton Number Two in Columbia County remains active, but the operator and owner have made significant progress according to the Department of Environment Protection.

On February 24, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources urged Pennsylvania’s forest landowners and woodlot owners to start planning now for spongy moth treatment this spring to protect their trees from severe damage.

On February 26, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Berks County to celebrate the completion of a $436,000 renovation of C.H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.

 WeConservePA has issued a call for presentation proposals for the PA Greenways and Trails Summit to be held September 21-23 in Harrisburg.  Proposals are due April 15.

The Spring issue of Penn’s Stewards News from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation highlights Pennsylvania’s trails movement, 2024 photo contest winners, skiing in state parks and forests, Friends Group projects and much more.

On February 24, the Lebanon Valley Conservancy announced they recently partnered with Brett and Janice Balmer to establish a conservation easement on their 34-acre property in West Cornwall Township.

On February 28, the North Branch Land Trust announced it will be hosting a series of six open house events in Northeast Pennsylvania counties as part of its new Strategic Plan.

On February 25, the North Branch Land Trust announced its 2025 Annual Dinner and Auction  will take place on April 30, at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.

By Nate Reagle, Certified Pollinator Steward

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

The latest DCNR State Parks Environmental Educator newsletter includes winter teaching and outdoor activities, a long list of upcoming educator workshops, Black History Month and other inclusion activities and programs.

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 March 1 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.