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Video Blog Feature: Legacy Sediments, Floodplain Restoration
See first-hand how legacy sediments, a previously undocumented source of water pollution, were discovered and learn about how floodplain restoration can help solve stream bank erosion, nutrient runoff, stormwater and even climate change problems in this Video Blog Feature by Mark Gutshall, LandStudies, Inc.
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On the Senate/House Agenda
The Senate and House have the following committee meetings scheduled next week and published voting Calendars for October 29—
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Senate/House Bills Moving/Bills Introduced
The following bills saw action in the Senate and House this week--
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Senate Committee OK’s PA Climate Change Act, House Moves Its Version
The Senate and House both took action on companion bills that would create the PA Climate Change Act to develop a climate action plan for the Commonwealth and inventory greenhouse gases.
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Hazardous Sites Cleanup Funding Bill Approved By Senate Committee
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out Senate Bill 1100 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) that would provide a dedicated source of funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program.
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House Committee Reports Out Waste Fee, Green Building Legislation
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week reported out House Bill 934 (Scavello-R-Monroe) authorizing a county solid waste management fee and Special Session House Bill 5 (M.Smith-D-Allegheny) creating a tax credit for high performance green buildings.
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Detergent Ban, Energy Efficiency Bills on House Environmental Committee Agenda
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider legislation to increase energy efficiency in state buildings and vehicle fleet and prohibiting dishwasher soaps with phosphates. The bills include:
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Joint Committee October Environmental Synopsis Now Available Online
The October edition of the Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Air Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is now available online.
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REAP Tax Credit Program to Encourage Farm Conservation Effective This Week
The effort to reduce pollution entering Pennsylvania’s 80,000 miles of rivers and streams is about to get a big boost thanks to the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP). The law enacting the program became effective this week.
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Reminder: Deadline for Agriculture/Rural Youth Grants October 31
More than $110,000 in Agricultural & Rural Youth Grants are now available to help youth organizations enhance leadership development programs for innovative projects in aquaculture, animal science, food safety and other agriculturally-related topics.
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Schuylkill Workshop on Local Governments Protecting Watersheds
On October 30 the Schuylkill Action Network is sponsoring a workshop entitled, “What’s Working to Engage Local Governments in Watershed Protection?” at Montgomery County Community College from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Workshop to Teach Communities How to Protect Public Drinking Water Supplies
The Department of Environmental Protection, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, and state and local organizations will hold a workshop on November 8 in Lebanon on how to protect community water supplies from contamination.
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New Manual for Maintenance of Dirt and Gravel Roads Available Online
“Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance for Dirt and Gravel Roads” is a 300-page manual which identifies, documents, and encourages the use of environmentally sensitive maintenance of dirt and gravel roads, is now available online.
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Applications Invited for Water Resources Education Project Grants
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Water Resources Education Network is now inviting applications for Water Resources Education Projects Grants of up to $5,000 per project.
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Public Invited to Meetings on Conewago River Conservation Plan
The public is invited to a series of three public meetings on the final draft of the Conewago Creek Watershed Conservation Plan in Adams, Cumberland and York counties.
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$69 Million in Water Infrastructure Investments Approved
Residents in 16 counties will have better drinking water and improved management of storm runoff and wastewater because of the $68.9 million in loans and grants approved this week by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
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SRBC’s Thomas Beauduy Elected Chair of Interstate Council on Water Policy
Susquehanna River Basin Commission Deputy Director and Counsel Thomas W. Beauduy this week was elected chair of the Interstate Council on Water Policy, a national organization whose members represent state and regional water resource agencies.
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Students Answer the Challenge to Promote Green Energy in Poster Contest
Over 1,100 students in grades K through 12 across the Commonwealth tapped into their creativity and designed posters that spread the word about the importance of renewable energy.
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“Green” Water Bottling Plant Opens in the Lehigh Valley
Nestle Waters North America Inc. this week dedicated a new, environmentally-friendly water bottling facility in Lehigh County that is designed to meet LEED green building standards.
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Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes Breaks Ground on “Living Building”
The Phipps Center of Sustainable Landscapes received a grant this week on what it called a “living building” as a model for meeting Pennsylvania's clean energy and environmental protection goals.
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First Cut of Biomass Energy Inventory in PA Now Available Online
The Penn State Biomass Energy Center has released its first draft of a Biomass Energy Inventory Assessment covering agriculture, forest, food and other resources in the Commonwealth.
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Small Business Development Center Holds Energy Efficiency Workshop
The threat of rising energy costs is a looming concern for small businesses, and the Lehigh University Small Business Development Center wants to help by sponsoring an energy efficiency workshop on November 7 at Lehigh University.
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Nominations Due for 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards December 7
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and seven other regional organizations this week announced a call for nominations for the 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards.
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8th Annual Green Power Awards Presented to 33 Individuals, Groups, Companies
Green Power Awards were given out to 33 individuals, companies and groups in the 8th annual awards program to honor their commitment to building a renewable energy market in Pennsylvania. The awards are sponsored by the Citizens For Pennsylvania’s Future.
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U.S. Composting Council Seeks Nominations for Composting Awards
The U.S. Composting Council is now accepting nominations for its annual Professional Achievement Awards Program to honor individuals or companies that have made a significant contribution to the industry.
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Air Pollution From Idling Diesel Trucks Target of New DEP Regulation
A new regulation approved for public comment by the Environmental Quality Board will help clean Pennsylvania’s air and save trucking companies millions of dollars in diesel fuel by requiring trucks to limit the time they idle their engines.
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New Pittsburgh Indicators Show Average, Not Frightening Air Quality
New and more accurate air quality indicators for the Pittsburgh region, updated hourly and benchmarked against 14 other areas across the country, are now available from the Pittsburgh Regional Indicators Consortium.
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Pennsylvania Again Leads U.S. in Deer-Car Collisions, Over 98,000
Pennsylvania leads every other state in the number of insurance claims submitted as a result of deer-car collisions and the most overall collisions—98,313, according to State Farm Insurance. The likelihood of a deer-car collision in Pennsylvania is 1 in 100.
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PA Parks and Forests Foundation Seeks 2008 Award Nominations
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2008 Parks and Forests Award. Nominations are due December 14.
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Conservation Landscape Workshop Set for November 8
The North Branch Land Trust is sponsoring an all-day workshop entitled, “Conserving Natural Resources in Growing Communities,” on November 8 at the Tribeca Convention Center on Route 315 in Pittston Township, formerly Victoria Inns & Suites.
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Save the Date: PA Association for Environmental Educators 2008 Conference
“LEEAP IN! Linking Environmental Education and Play in Nature,” is the theme of the 2008 PA Association of Environmental Educators Conference set for February 28 to March 2 in Antiochian Village Camp and Conference Center near Ligonier, Pa.
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Help Wanted: DEP Seeking Nominations for Solid Waste Advisory Committee
The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking nominations for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The committee currently has four vacancies.
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Spotlight - Resilite Sports Products’ Wins Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award
Resilite Sports Products Inc., Northumberland County, received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for a simple energy efficiency and conservation project that immediately saved the company nearly three-and-a-half times its upfront costs.
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Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for grants and financial assistance as well as nominations for awards and other recognition programs. NEW means from last week—
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Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state
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Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
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Regulations
The Department of Agriculture published proposed rules on Odor Management Certification Program, the Environmental Quality Board published notice of change in public hearing dates for Air Quality Rules on Consumer Products and notice accepting a rulemaking petition on stream redesignations.
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published it is reissuing the General Permit for beneficial use of alternative fuels in fluidized bed boilers, a General Plan Approval for pharmaceutical and specialty chemical production,
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Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW indicates new from last week. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
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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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Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.
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11/18/24 - 107 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3zb7jppr
