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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
June 4, 2007
(6/1/2007)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 6/4/07
* DEP, Aging Help Celebrate 10th Anniversary of PA Senior Environment Corps
The Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps, a volunteer organization for seniors that helps monitor and protect water quality, celebrated its tenth anniversary in May.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and Senate return to voting session June 4. Here’s what’s on the agenda this week--
* House Environmental, Agriculture Committees to Consider Environmental Bills
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will meet June 6 to consider legislation establishing the PA Center for Environmental Education and creating an Office of Environmental Advocate within DEP. They include:
* Senate Committees Hold First of Two Hearings on PA Energy Policy
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committees will hold a public hearing on an energy policy for Pennsylvania June 5.
* Environmental Synopsis Features Overview of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
The May issue of Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features a summary of the presentation, an anti-litter and beautiful efforts by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
* Electric Grid Losing Generation Three Times Faster Than New Units Added
In the face of another 1.5 percent increase in peak demand growth, electric generating facilities are being retired at a rate three times faster than new units are added in the PJM regional electric grid, according to comments presented at the annual summer electric reliability briefing held by the Public Utility Commission this week.
* WREN Awards 22 Grants to Community-Based Water Resources Education Projects
The Water Resources Education Network Project, a program of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund, has announced the award of $101,700 in funding to community partnerships across the state.
* Workshop to Protect Public Drinking Water in Southeast Planned for June 13
Municipal officials, water system operators, community planners, open space preservationists, watershed groups and interested citizens are invited to a workshop June 13 in Doylestown to learn how they can better protect their communities' water supplies from contamination.
* Three Meetings Left on Use of Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Funds
There are just three town hall meetings left to discuss how to effectively use the up to 30 percent of new federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation funds available to the state. The meetings are sponsored by the Department of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the DEP Citizens Advisory Council and the Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board.
* Landmark Settlement to Clean Up Raw Sewage Discharges in Allegheny County
In a landmark settlement with federal, state, and county authorities, the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority has agreed to a comprehensive plan to greatly reduce the annual discharge of billions of gallons of untreated sewage into local waterways.
* Ohio River Sweep Volunteers Sought for June 16 Cleanup Event
Volunteers are needed for the 18th Annual River Sweep, the largest organized volunteer river cleanup effort in the country, set to take place from 8 a.m. to noon June 16 in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
* Ninth Schuylkill River Sojourn to Kick Off on June 2
From June 2-8, the Schuylkill River Sojourn will once again bring its colorful armada of kayaks and canoes down the river.
* Lehigh River Sojourn Starts Paddling June 22, Register Now!
The Lehigh River Sojourn is a fun-filled educational, multi-day canoeing (kayakers welcome too!) and whitewater rafting trip along the Lehigh River in eastern Pennsylvania.
* Clinton County Hosts Shad Fry Fish Stocking Event June 7
Clinton County will host a very special event on June 7 – the Fish and Boat Commission’s fourth annual shad fry fish stocking to draw attention to this important fishery resource in Pennsylvania.
* June 6 Public Meeting on Jordan Creek Greenway/Trail Feasibility Study
The Wildlands Conservancy will host a public meeting at the Conservancy’s Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, on June 6 at 7:00 p.m. to introduce the Jordan Creek Greenway/Trail Feasibility Study project.
* Workshop on Tax Incentives for Preserving Land Set for Lehigh County
The Wildlands Conservancy will host another in its series of Tax Incentive Workshops June 14 on the limited-time tax incentives now available to landowners who preserve their property during 2007.
* EPA Land Revitalization Update Newsletter Now Available
The Spring issue of Land Revitalization Update from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now available oneline.
* DEP Issues First Ozone Action Days of the Season
The Department of Environmental Protection this week issued its first Ozone Action Days of the season for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the Susquehanna Valley this week urging residents to limit actions that would contribute to unhealthy air quality.
* Interactive Land Use and Air Quality Programs Teacher Workshops
This summer the Partnership Transportation Management Association of Montgomery County will host two workshops entitled "Creating Interactive Land Use and Air Quality Programs" for educators looking for some new and exciting ideas for their environmental education or social studies programs.
* Governor Delays Climate Proposal, DCNR Continues Work on Carbon Strategy
Gov. Rendell is not likely to announce a climate change strategy proposal for Pennsylvania until after state budget issues are resolved and perhaps not until September, according to an update given to DCNR’s Carbon Management Plan Work Group this week.
* Professional Geologists to Host Underground Storage Tank Workshops
The PA Council of Professional Geologists, in cooperation with the PA Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund and Department of Environmental Protection, will host workshops at three locations for environmental professionals engaged in storage tank cleanup work.
* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Newsletter Now Available Online
DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council just published its quarterly newsletter which features articles on upcoming meetings, Council activities and links to its 2006 Annual Report.
* Environmental Groups Urged to Update Listing in State Conservation Directory
The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is encouraging environmental groups across the state to review and update information in the statewide Conservation Directory.
* Gov. Rendell to Seek Ruling From Court on Ethics Commission Opinions
Gov. Rendell said this week he and Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty and Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis will file a petition for review in Commonwealth Court of the May 1 opinions of the State Ethics Commission.
* Governor Submits Nominations for Public Utility Commission
Gov. Rendell this week took action to fill a vacant position on the Public Utility Commission and renominate a serving commissioner to a new term.
* Spotlight - De Sale I Acid Mine Drainage System Maintenance a Priority
In 1999 eight acres of abandoned mine land spoil was reclaimed using 35,058 tones of alkaline material and a passive mine water treatment system installed as part of the De Sale Phase I project in the headwaters of Slippery Rock Creek Watershed in Butler County.
* Feature - Fish & Boat Commission’s Doug Austin Heads Out on River Sojourns Around PA
The best place to observe National Fishing and Boating Week --June 2-10--is on the water. That’s where you’ll find Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Doug Austen; over the course of the week, he’ll explore interesting Pennsylvania waterways, meet with constituents, and call attention to the work the Commission and its partners are performing in support of great fishing and boating.
* 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
No new regulations published this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No new policies published this week.
* 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 .
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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