Here are 131 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--

Agricultural leadership took the spotlight at the Penn State Ag Council’s fall meeting October 8 in State College, where the Council honored the recipients of its 2025 Leadership Awards.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful proudly announces the resounding success of its Annual Conference held last week in State College drawing environmental leaders, volunteers, educators, and policymakers from across the Commonwealth.

On October 29, Dickinson College will welcome leaders from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) for a public conversation-- Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition to Low-Carbon Solutions-- starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium on campus in Carlisle, Cumberland County.

The South Mountain Partnership announced the winner of the 2025 Spirit of South Mountain Award is the Tuckahoe Project led by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Cumberland County, York County, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

By Linda & Rich Silverman, Penn State Master Gardeners

This editorial first appeared in the Schuylkill County Republican Herald on October 20, 2025--

On October 14, the Department of Environmental Protection reported to the Citizens Advisory Council 20% of the streams undermined by underground coal mining between 2018 to 2022 were damaged by mining, according to the latest five-year Act 54 mining impact report.

On October 3, 2025, EQT Production Co. notified DEP of a wastewater spill at the Secretariat shale gas well pad in Gilmore Township, Greene County.

On October 17, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC (EQT) of a contaminated water spill at the NINFS004 Pipeline construction site for two pipelines-- natural gas and water-- in Nottingham Township, Washington County.

On October 15, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection did a follow-up inspection of the Seneca Resources Vandergrift shale gas well pad and found multiple areas where contaminated water was still flowing from wells and the well pad fill slop in Charleston Township, Tioga County.

On October 2, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Lower Reno 1 conventional oil and gas well wastewater tank battery owned by Petro Erie Inc. in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County in response to a complaint of a wastewater spill.

From October 18 to 24, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 533 inspection entries, plus earlier inspections not previously posted.  

Westmoreland County-based Protect PT will host two online Living Near Shale Gas Development Community Workshops on November 4 and November 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

On October 29, the Mountain Watershed Association, Environmental Health Project, Yough Communities, the Environmental Integrity Project invites residents interested in submitting comments to DEP on the Tenaska Natural Gas Power Plant's first Title V Air Quality Permit to a public meeting in West Newton, Westmoreland County.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 25 PA Bulletin announcing a December 17 hearing on a revised Air Quality Permit and State Implementation Plan Approval for the PEI Power LLC natural gas power plant in Archbald Borough, Lackawanna County. (PA Bulletin, page 7432)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 25 PA Bulletin extending the three Air Quality Permits needed for the continued temporary operation of the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County until a full Title V Air Quality permit can be put in place. (PA Bulletin, page 7459)

The following notices were published in the October 25 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 25 PA Bulletin announcing it has issued a State Air Quality Permit to KDI Wyalusing Power LLC for the proposed 248 MW Wyalusing Energy Center natural gas-fired power plant to serve the Klondike  data center project in Wyalusing Township, Bradford County.   (PA Bulletin, page 7458)

On October 22, the House Energy Committee held a hearing on the impacts of the rush to develop A.I. data centers on the electric grid and ratepayers in Pennsylvania and House Bill 1824 (Matzie-D-Beaver).

On October 22, the House Energy Committee held a hearing on the impacts of the rush to develop A.I. data centers on the electric grid and ratepayers in Pennsylvania and House Bill 1824 (Matzie-D-Beaver).

On October 22, the House Energy Committee held a hearing on the impacts of the rush to develop A.I. data centers on the electric grid and ratepayers in Pennsylvania and House Bill 1824 (Matzie-D-Beaver).

At the October 23 meeting of the Public Utility Commission, Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank announced the Commission anticipates taking action on a model tariff for connecting large load - A.I. Data Centers-- to the local electric grid at its November 6 meeting.  [See video - 3:20]

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

On October 23, the Public Utility Commission voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities Corporation.  PPL provides services to nearly 1.5 million customers in 29 counties in central and eastern Pennsylvania.

On October 22, the Erie 2030 District, a project of Green Building Alliance, released the 2024 Erie 2030 District Progress Report, revealing that District property partners achieved an 18.9% reduction in energy use, saved $4.5 million in energy utility costs, and reduced carbon emissions by 37.5% in 2024.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 25 PA Bulletin announcing a December 2 hearing on a revision to the Title V Air Quality Permit for a glass furnace at the PQ LLC facility in Chester, Delaware County.  (PA Bulletin, page 7473).

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 25 PA Bulletin announcing a December 17 hearing on a revision to the Air Quality Permit and State Implementation Plan Approval for the Ecopax, LLC facility in Forks Township, Northampton County.  (PA Bulletin, page 7431)

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will begin accepting Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant applications November 3.  The deadline to apply is January 30.

The Bristol Township Environmental Advisory Committee, working with staff liaison and Parks & Recreation Director Jessica Ireland, are proud to announce the creation of the Bristol Township Student Environmental Excellence Award.

The Berks County-based Rodale Institute and Davines North America are now accepting nominations for the Good Farmer Award US until January 16.

The Fall 2025 edition of Penn’s Stewards News from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation celebrates Quiet - A Natural Resource In Our Lives and Times, Pennsylvania Trails, accomplishments of local Friends Groups and much more.

On October 23, the Lancaster Conservancy announced the acquisition of 180 acres in Chanceford Township, York County, with healthy forests and panoramic views of the Susquehanna River.

On October 23, Natural Lands announced the permanent preservation of two wooded properties in Haycock and Nockamixon Townships, Bucks County, totaling nearly 14 acres.

The ClearWater Conservancy welcomed over 100 community members to its Annual Meeting and Celebration on Sunday, October 19 at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in Centre County.

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

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program provides training, resources, and ongoing support to volunteers looking to engage in environmental restoration projects and educational programs.

Presentation proposals are now being accepted by WeConservePA for the 2026 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference to be held April 29 to May 1 in Lancaster.  The deadline for proposals is October 31.

Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is critical to protecting Pennsylvania’s waters from the impacts of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

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 October 25 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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