Here are 172 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 October 4, the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition will celebrate 30 years of building partnerships and success with a day filled with special events at the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler County.

On September 16, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors recognized Dr. Eve M. Puhalla with the Keep PA Beautiful Community Pride Award, celebrating her unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community improvement.

An independent, peer-reviewed research study published by authors from University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University in the journal Scientific Reports found links between a June 2022 shale gas drilling incident and private water well contamination in Freeport and Springhill Townships, Greene County.

The Federal Western District Court has denied a request for a preliminary injunction made by New Freeport residents in a lawsuit against EQT shale gas drilling company for damages related to contaminated water supplies in Greene County, according to the Center for Coalfield Justice.

On September 15, the citizen group Protect PT issued a statement saying permits for two controversial WCAA Upstream, LLC shale gas wells on the Drakulic pad expired on August 17, 2025 in Penn Township, Westmoreland County potentially resulting in appeals of the decision by DEP to issue the permits no longer moving forward.

On September 12, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified of a pipeline rupture near an Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage, Inc. natural gas storage area injection well in Wharton Township, Fayette County causing a release of gas and wastewater.

From September 13 to 19, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 625 inspection entries and delayed reports from past weeks. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the September 20 PA Bulletin announcing the approval of Water Quality Permits for the National Fuel Gas Tioga Pathways Natural Gas Pipeline Project in McKean, Potter and Tioga counties.  (PA Bulletin, page 6778 - 6780)

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the September 20 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 40 general water use permits in August for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming counties.

The following notices were published in the September 20 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On September 18, Marcellus Drilling News reported EQT's Mountain Valley Natural Gas Pipeline has asked an appeals court in West Virginia to revive a civil case it filed against four protesters who attempted to stop work on the pipeline during construction.

On September 24, the Protective Buffers PA Coalition will host a webinar-- Safeguard Our Backyards-- join the Campaign For Health-Based Protective Buffers From Shale Gas Operations from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Environmental Health Project, Cancer & Environmental Network of Southwestern PA and Cancer Bridges will host a webinar September 25 providing an overview of EHP's Health Professionals Toolkit for identifying medical conditions related to oil and gas development 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

On September 18, Gov. Shapiro announced that on Monday, September 22, he will convene representatives of all 13 PJM governors and key stakeholders from across the 13 state region served by the PJM electrical grid to discuss the critical changes that PJM must make to keep energy costs low, bring new electricity onto the grid quickly, and meet the needs of 65 million Americans at the Summit of the State of PJM Interconnection.

On September 18, Team Pennsylvania released a new 10-Year Roadmap for Advancing Pennsylvania's Leadership In Energy, Data Centers and A.I.

On September 15, the PJM Interconnection presented another plan for dealing with the fallout from massive A.I. data center electricity demands in its service region that fails to protect consumers from ever-increasing electricity bills.

By Kiley Bense and Dan Gearino

Five environmental and health groups will host a September 23 webinar on What Does The A.I. Boom Mean For You And Society - Big Promise Or Big Problems? starting at 6:30 p.m.

Here are Articles and NewsClips on A.I. and data center issues from last week you may have missed--

On September 15, the Pennsylvania Solar Center announced the Cornell School District in Allegheny County to go 100% solar.

On September 16, the City of Reading and the Green Building Alliance announced they received a $250,000 grant from the Municipal Investment Fund to support building project revitalization efforts that incorporate electrification.

The Allegheny County Department of Sustainability is hosting a series of four in-person and virtual public meetings to gather more public input for the development of the Allegheny County Climate Action Plan.

By Tom Fink, Councilmember, Camp Hill Borough Council

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold an October 31 hearing on a Title V Air Quality Permit (RACT 3) Plan for the Dart Container Corp. facility located in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6739)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 20 PA Bulletin announcing a November 6 hearing on the NPDES Water Quality Permit for the East Stroudsburg Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant in Monroe County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6780)

On September 15, the Allegheny County Conservation District, in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Community and Economic Development, awarded more than $1.4 million in infrastructure funding to farms across Allegheny County from 2023 to 2025.

On September 15, the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative kicked off its 10 year anniversary celebrations.

Riparian buffers, or streamside forests, are one of the best ways to protect and improve our local streams.

Halfmoon Creek Field & Stream Day on Sunday, September 28, is an opportunity to experience and learn about ways to reduce pollution and restore the health of local streams in Centre County.

Starting September 18, a new PA Woodland Resilience Enhancement Program for forest land owners will cost-share forest practice plan writing and implementation meant to improve the health, resilience and value of forest land.

DCNR’s Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet September 24 to hear presentations on the Pennsylvania and DCNR Climate Action Plans and industrial decarbonization.

On September 19, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting nominations for 2026 Trail Of The Year until October 31.

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

Curious about capturing rainwater but unsure where to begin? The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program is offering rain barrel accessory kits designed to make the process simple and effective.

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 September 20 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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