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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
February 27, 2006
(2/24/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 2/27/06
* Did You Register Your Cleanup Event for the Great PA Cleanup?
The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Alliance wants to remind you to register your cleanup event for the third annual Great PA Cleanup! on April 22.
* On the Senate, House Agenda
The Senate and House hearings on Gov. Rendell’s 2006-07 budget proposal took center stage this week. Here’s the rundown…
* House Environmental Committee Hears Comments on Mercury Emissions Reduction
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week held a hearing on the issue of adopting a Pennsylvania-only regulation to reduce mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants that is more stringent than the federal rule.
* DCNR Answers Questions About Proposed Budget in House Appropriations
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis appeared before the House Appropriations Committee this week to answer questions about Gov. Rendell’s 2006-07 budget request for his agency.
* State College Water Reuse Project Wins Award for Engineering Excellence
The University Area Joint Authority Beneficial Wastewater Reuse project has received statewide recognition by the Diamond Awards for Engineering Excellence Program sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania.
* Call for Support to Reauthorize Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund
On June 30 the fee supporting the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund will expire and a coalition of environmental groups in Pennsylvania are urging watershed groups and others to write emails and letters of support for its reauthorization.
* West Branch Susquehanna Symposium II Set for May 12
The second West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium will be held on May 12 at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College.
* Black Bass Workshop Set for May 5-6 at Lake Wallenpaupack
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Fish and Boat Commission announced registration is now open for the sixth annual Black Bass Workshop, May 5-6, at Lake Wallenpaupack in Wayne County.
* Youth Bass Anglers Conservation School July 16-20
The Youth Bass Anglers Conservation School, Pennsylvania’s unique learning experience for young students with a passion for fishing and a thirst for warm-water fishery knowledge, will begin accepting registrations March 1.
* Nature Conservancy Receives $2.5 Million Gift to Protect PA Forests, World Parks
Longtime Nature Conservancy member and supporter Don Hamer recently donated $2.5 million to the Conservancy to protect lands, waters, and natural areas in Pennsylvania and around the world.
* Schuylkill River Trail, Development Project Receives Land Recycling Grant
The Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of a $400,000 grant to help develop a recreational trail and brownfield along the Schuylkill River as part of the Schuylkill and Delaware Riverfront revitalization project.
* Apply Now for Rural Volunteer Forest Firefighting Grants
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced this week that $560,000 is available to help Pennsylvania’s rural communities better guard against the threat of fires in forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas.
* Expanded Aerial Survey Underway to Better Gauge Deer Population Impacts
The Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced this week they will be flying over more than 500,000 acres of Pennsylvania woodlands with an infrared camera-equipped plane to get a better grasp of the size of its white-tailed deer population.
* PUC, Energy Utilities, Consumer Advocates Launch Shutoff Education Program
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week announced that new statewide radio ads will begin running building on the successful “Prepare Now” campaign to inform Pennsylvanians about the availability of customer assistance programs and changes in the law related to utility shutoffs.
* Stay Warm PA Workshops Set in Cambria, Somerset Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection, other state agencies and energy companies will sponsor two more Stay Warm PA workshops in Cambia and Somerset counties February 28.
* Cleaner School Buses Mean Healthier Kids, Grants Awarded
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide local communities around the country with more than $7 million in grants to reduce kids' exposure to harmful exhaust from their school buses, including two grants to Pennsylvania schools.
* DEP Publishes Updated List of Available Emission Reduction Credits
The Department of Environmental Protection this week published a notice of availability of emission reduction credits, by company, in the state’s Emission Credit Registry and a summary of recent transactions (February 25 PaB 995).
* High Energy Bills? Savings of up to 50 Percent Start at the Top with “Cool Roofs”
Most of the homes in Philadelphia have roofs coated with hot tar or black rolled asphalt. Sturdy material but it does nothing to cool down temperatures during a summer heat wave.
* Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course April 6
The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities association will hold a Green Roof Design 101 course in Pittsburgh on April 6.
* Free Web, CD Course Available to Help Students Learn About Agriculture
A brand new curriculum that uses music to teach young children about the importance of Pennsylvania’s number one industry is now available through the state Department of Agriculture.
* Help Wanted: Environmental Program Specialist, Summer Positions, More
The Pennsylvania Resources Council, Riverbend Environmental Education Center, PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Crow’s Nest Preserve of the Natural Lands Trust are all seeking candidates to fill summer and a permanent position.
* See & Hear - Landscaping for a Healthy Planet in Your Backyard, City Block or Business
Still stuck inside by cold, snowy weather? Itching to start planning Spring projects? Here’s one website you should visit if you’re interested in environmental landscaping.
* See & Hear - Building Green, An Online Video Guide to Saving Money, Energy, Water
Hear building owners, developers and users describe the benefits of green building techniques on the Building Green video website presented by the Governor’s Green Government Council.
* Opinion - Afield: Habitat Restoration On the Upswing, By Mark Nale
As many regular readers (of the Centre Daily Times) know, I have not always been happy with the modus operandi of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
* Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state.
* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
* Regulations - Mercury Emissions, Alternative Energy Portfolio
The Department of Environmental Protection unveiled its proposal to reduce mercury emissions at power plants this week and the Public Utility Commission published proposed regulations and reopened a comment period on requirements implementing the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. Here are the details...
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of two draft guidance documents for public comment related to the Stormwater Management Program.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .

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