Here are 136 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 Tuesday, the Environmental Health Project released a new white paper-- Pennsylvania’s Shale Gas Boom: What the Shapiro Administration Can Do to Better Protect Public Health-- recommending a series of actions needed now to address health and environmental impacts from shale gas development and infrastructure.

As part of the Environmental Health Project announcement of its new white paper outlining what Pennsylvania can do now to better protect public health from the impacts of shale gas development, Lois Bower-Bjornson shared her first-hand experiences with those health and environmental impacts from living in Washington County.  Read more here.

Seven years ago people from over 70 households began testifying to a Statewide Grand Jury about the impacts of the shale gas industry on their health, their lives and their communities.

On March 27, the Environmental Hearing Board issued an Opinion and Order denying a motion by EQT Chapp, LLC, supported by DEP, to exclude evidence related to medical conditions and toxicology reports in connection with a landowner’s appeal of DEP’s determination that the agency could not conclude his water supply was adversely impacted by oil and gas operations. EHB Docket 2023043

On April 1, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Winner 6 shale gas well pad and 3 million gallon water impoundment in East Keating Township, Clinton County owned by Frontier Natural Resources and found the pad and impoundment had not been restored.

Among the DEP Oil and Gas inspection reports this week was an April 3 inspection of the Buhl Farm 1 conventional oil well owned by Edward W. Benko in Economy Borough, Beaver County.

From March 29 to April 4, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 699 inspection entries. 

By Terrie Baumgardner, Resident Of Aliquippa, Clean Air Council Outreach Coordinator

The House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee is scheduled to meet April 7 to consider House Bill 109 (Vitali-D-Delaware) establishing an environmental justice permit review program in DEP to consider cumulative impacts of pollutants on communities already burdened by pollution.

During an April 1 webinar, the Department of Environmental Protection said it would be using a new General Air Quality Permit to implement the new federal oil and gas facility methane reduction requirements.

On April 3, the US Environmental Protection published notice it will hold a May 6 virtual hearing [if requested] on a proposed underground oil and gas wastewater injection well for enhanced recovery of oil and gas owned by Sandstone Development, LLC in Cyclone, Lafayette Township, McKean County.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the April 5 PA Bulletin announcing an April 24 hearing on a series of water withdrawal requests, including renewal of two shale gas water projects in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.  https://tinyurl.com/4kya9ffk

The following notices were published in the April 5 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On April 4, Utility Dive reported the US Department of Energy has identified 16 federal locations for potential construction of data centers and associated energy resources in a published request for information from stakeholders.

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh and guest speakers for an April 10 webinar on Tracking Federal Policy Shifts & Funding Opportunities for Sustainability Initiatives--  a timely discussion exploring recent federal policy changes and funding opportunities that impact local sustainability efforts from Noon to 1:25 p.m.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet April 8 to hear presentations on the state Climate Action Plan, solar panel recycling and from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on April 22 and on the agenda are presentations on resilient microgrids, abandoned oil and gas well plugging and updates on federal clean energy and climate program funding.

 Utility Dive and the Associated Press report the federal Department of Health and Human Services fired all the staff implementing the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and may not be able to distribute the last $378 million for this season to states that administer the program.

On April 3, the Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Assistance Training recognized Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) and State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) for their leadership in conservation efforts at Wednesday’s ACAP Ag Conservation Conference in Harrisburg.

On April 3, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture shared an update on the continuing federal funding freeze affecting farmers and their organization.

The PA Department of Agriculture published notice in the April 5 PA Bulletin applications for Sustainable Agriculture Grants will be accepted from April 21 to May 23.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the April 5 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed regulation changes relating to spill notification and setting a May 15 virtual hearing starting at 1:00 p.m.

On April 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will notify the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of its intent to finalize a rule revising outdated water quality standards for 38 miles of the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Wilmington.

The Delaware River Basin Commission and PA Emergency Management Agency are hosting three Middle Delaware Flood Hazard Mitigation starting April 9

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals will host an April 29 webinar on the Flood Alert System for Grafius Run in Lycoming County starting at Noon.

On April 3, the Erie Times reported the International Recycling Group, Inc. has canceled plans for a $300 million chemical plastics recycling plant in Erie citing the President's tariffs and funding commitments issued by the US Department of Energy that failed to come through.

State Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) and Rep. Dan Williams (D-Chester) awarded 2nd Century Alliance and Shakira Davis, Coatesville Community Coordinator, with the prestigious Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Pride Award for their outstanding community-wide improvements.

Coatesville got some “Litter Love” Saturday March 29 when over 50 volunteers took the time to care about Chester County and collected 170 bags of litter, tires and bagged up illegal dumped trash.

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association

 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s popular Open Your Eyes to Litter series of five educational activity books was created over 20 years ago. Over one million copies of the original series were distributed to schools throughout Pennsylvania.

The PA Department of Agriculture published notice in the April 5 PA Bulletin expanding the spotted lanternfly quarantine area to include Bradford, Sullivan, Venango and Wyoming counties due to confirmed populations of the invasive pest spotted lanternfly.  

On April 3, The Nature Conservation PA-DE announced it has closed on the purchase of 509 acres in Dauphin County and transferred the parcel to the Game Commission for addition to State Game Lands 211.

As several federal campgrounds close due to staffing shortages, Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests remain open and ready for visitors – and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is launching a new tourism campaign to encourage Pennsylvania residents and visitors to choose state parks and forests for their next outdoor adventure.

The latest Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources features articles on--

The April 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association invites volunteers to the 33rd Annual Sproul Tree Planting Ramble on April 12 in the Sproul State Forest off the Snow Shoe Exit of I-80 in Centre County from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00. p.m.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is now accepting applications for the next round of Canoe Access Development Fund Grants to support projects that will improve canoe and kayak access to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways.

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In March features articles on--

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

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 April 5 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.

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