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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
December 11, 2006
(12/8/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 12/11/06
* Pennsylvania Society, Others Honor Former DER Secretary Dr. Clifford L. Jones
At the 108th Pennsylvania Society dinner, the annual gathering of Pennsylvania’s political and business elite, on December 9, former DER Secretary Dr. Clifford L. Jones will be honored with the Society’s Distinguished Citizen of the Commonwealth Award.
* Video Blog - Stern Sponsors Innovative Approach to Reduce Nutrients, Sediments From Farms
Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair) talks about legislation he sponsored to provide tax credits to farmers to install best management practices to reduce nutrients and sediments going into our rivers and streams.
* See & Hear - Making Smart Choices on Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Issues
Bridging the Gap is a ground-breaking online video designed to help elected officials and water and wastewater managers make smart choices as they address water and wastewater infrastructure issues.
* MJ White Named Environmental Chair, Brubaker to Agriculture Committee
Senate Republican Leadership this week named Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) as chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) chair of the Agriculture Committee.
* DeWeese Selected as Speaker With Democrats in Charge
House Democrats elected Rep. Bill DeWeese (Greene) Speaker of the House along with Rep. Keith McCall (Carbon) as Majority Leader this week, taking advantage of their apparent 102-101 majority in the House.
* PA Trout Unlimited Presents Annual Awards to Conservation Leaders
The 2006 PA Trout Unlimited annual conservation awards were given out at the State Council’s Fall Meeting. Here’s the summary of the event published by PA Trout Unlimited.
* Two PA Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects Win National Awards
Two Pennsylvania projects were among the winners of EPA’s national Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund awards for 2006.
* Unity Township Authority Receives EPA Award for Environmental Performance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented the Unity Township Municipal Authority in Westmoreland County, Pa. with a regional award for excellence in operation and maintenance of its wastewater treatment facility.
* RecycleBank Wins 2006 Waste News Environmental Award
RecycleBank, a Philadelphia area company whose programs tripled recycling rates in Philadelphia neighborhoods, won the 2006 Waste News Environmental Award at the Beneficial Byproducts Use Summit sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Waste News.
* Fort Indiantown Gap Training Site Wins National Conservation Award
The Fort Indiantown Gap National Training Site, Lebanon and Dauphin counties, has been singled out for its outstanding environmental practices by winning the 2006 Army National Guard's Natural Resources Conservation Award.
* Pennsylvanians Receive Green Power Leadership Awards
Pennsylvania and several green power leaders received awards this week from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Alternative Fuels Renewable Energies Council of Pennsylvania.
* DEP’s McGinty Wins Keep America Beautiful Recognition
Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty this week received Keep America Beautiful’s Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award, the highest award given to women volunteers.
* DEP OKs Project to Help Make Gypsum from Power Plant Sludge
The Department of Environmental Protection this week approved Reliant Energy Northeast Management Co.’s plan to install a scrubber on each of the two boilers at its Keystone Power Plant in Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County.
* Bethlehem Landfill Gas Energy Project Receives Permit from DEP
The Department of Environmental Protection this week issued air quality and waste management permits to Bethlehem Renewable Energy LLC for a 5.7-megawatt power plant that will burn landfill gas in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County.
* $3 Million in Alternative Fuel Technologies Grants Awarded
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the award of more than $3 million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants.
* PECO's New Web Store Can Save You Money on Energy
It's December, it's cold and energy usage is rising, so where can homeowners go to purchase weatherization tools and energy-saving products? Simple, at PECO's new website customers can purchase discounted energy-saving kits and energy-saving products.
* Fish America Freshwater Fisheries Habitat Restoration Grants
Fish America offers Conservation Grants for stock enhancement, freshwater fisheries habitat restoration, non-habitat marine and estuarine enhancements, and family fishing waters improvement projects you can apply for year-round.
* Boat U.S. Foundation Invites Applications for Clean Water Grant Program
The Boat U.S. Foundation invites applicants to apply for Clean Water Grants of up to $4,000 to fund projects that educate the public about actions they can take to reduce their impact on the environment while boating.
* $1.2 Million in Wild Resource Conservation Grants Announced
DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Program announced the award of almost $1.2 million to study and conserve Pennsylvania’s rich variety of native plants and animals.
* Goddard Forum: PA's Third Forest - Challenges and Opportunities
On January 29 and 30 the Seventh Goddard Forum will feature presentations and discussion on the topic of “PA’s Third Forest: Challenges and Opportunities in the Next Century.”
* Revisiting the 21st Century Environmental Commission Report December 20
The Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Region is hosting a Roundtable December 20 to look back at the progress made in implementing the recommendations in Gov. Tom Ridge’s 1998 21st Century Environmental Commission Report.
* Scrap Tires Can Be Used to Filter Wastewater Penn State Researcher Shows
Every year, Pennsylvania drivers produce about 12 million scrap tires that clog landfills and become breeding areas for pests. Finding adequate uses for castoff tires is a continuing challenge and illegal dumping has become a serious problem throughout the state.
* Energy Harvest Initiative to be Featured at 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show
The 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show (January 6-13) in Harrisburg will feature Pennsylvania’s advances in agricultural renewable energy in a special Energy Harvest Exhibit again this year.
* Eagle Named Donovan Mending While on Disabled List
High school teacher Kathy Uhler, who also runs the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, was recently involved in rescuing and rehabilitating an Eagle named, appropriately enough, Donovan from a creek in Hamilton Township, Monroe County.
* Dam Safety Officials Offering Scholarships to Undergraduates
The U.S. Association of State Dam Safety Officials is taking applications for its Dam Safety Scholarship Program which offers a $10,000 award to undergraduates.
* Feature - Dickinson Students Engage the People and Places of the Chesapeake Bay and the Lower Mississippi River Watershed
by Audrey Fisher, Dickinson College, ‘07
* 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
The Department of Environmental Protection published a final regulation adopting the California vehicle emissions standards and the Fish and Boat Commission published final rules establishing its automated license sales system.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a final policy on use of land clearing waste.
* 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
* Note: We’ve Moved Our Server and Our Offices!
We moved our Internet Server this week with our offices so you might experience a brief interruption in access to PA Environment Digest and our email.
* 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 .
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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