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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
August 11, 2008
(8/8/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 8/11/08
* $10 Million REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Gone In Hours
August 4 was the first day the State Conservation Commission accepted applications for the $10 million available under the REAP farm conservation tax credit program, but it only took until lunch time to take in enough applications to exceed that cap.
* Online Video Feature - Fort Indiantown Gap July Regal Butterfly Tour
In July, the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Site held a public tour of regal fritillary butterfly habitats they are preserving on the post.
* Online Video - Water Resources in Deer Creek Watershed Stressed By Growth
A report by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission says the Deer Creek Watershed in York County will become progressively stressed over the next 17 years as growth spreads and populations rise.
* Podcasts: U.S. EPA Region 3 Launches Environment Matters Podcast Series
Region 3 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is introducing a series of audio podcasts to bring environmental news and feature stories as well as helpful consumer tips to the public.
* Campaign Trail - Chesapeake Bay Foundation Endorses Capt. John Smith For President
In the thick of a national race to claim the White House in November, what are the Presidential candidates saying about the pressing need to address the nation's clean water problems, including the Chesapeake Bay?
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House committee meeting schedules and floor Calendars are listed here--
* Senate Committee Holds Hearing On Increasing Hunting License Fees
On August 12, the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee has scheduled a hearing in Erie on Senate Bill 1527 (McIlhinney-R-Bucks) that would increase fees on hunting licenses issued by the Game Commission.
* Department of Agriculture Honors Conservation Leaders
Four individuals and two county districts were recognized this week by the Department of Agriculture for their conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
* Lycoming Students Work To Decrease Water Pollution, Preserve Local Streams
Lycoming College students interning with the College’s Clean Water Institute are volunteering their time this summer to help educate the local community about storm water pollution and how to prevent further damage to Lycoming County streams and the Susquehanna River, which eventually spill into the Chesapeake Bay.
* Clinton County CleanScapes Sponsors August 16 Pine Creek Cleanup Event
Clinton County CleanScapes is sponsoring the 2nd annual Pine Creek Two Rivers Cleanup Event on August 16.
* Recycling Performance Grant Applications for Calendar 2007 Due September 30
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Calendar 2007 Recycling Performance grants.
* August Issue EE Connections Available From PA Center for Environmental Ed
The PA Center for Environmental Education now has available the August issue of the EE Connections newsletter covering a variety of topics of interest to the environmental education community. This issue includes:
* Educator’s Workshop on Building a Schoolyard Wetland August 16
The Jennings Environmental Education Center will host a POW! The Planning of Wetlands workshop on August 16 in Slippery Rock.
* New Year Underway For Mentored Youth Hunting Program
Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe this week reminded experienced hunters, who have historically helped pass along the state's rich hunting heritage, that the new license year means another year to begin introducing youths to hunting through the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.
* New Partnerships Encouraging City Teens to Explore State Parks
Buoyed by success last summer in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is broadening an urban recreation initiative to introduce more young people to the adventure, natural beauty and learning opportunities found in their state parks.
* Volunteers Work Hard on Wissahickon Sustainable Trails Initiative
Volunteers from the Friends of the Wissahickon have been working hard this summer on a one-mile section of the lower trail on the east (Chestnut Hill) side of Wissahickon Creek between Bells Mills Road and Thomas Mill Road (the covered bridge).
* PA American Water Helps WPC Reopen Community Garden in Pittsburgh
With repairs to the Homestead Grays Bridge in Pittsburgh completed, the community garden located at 8th Avenue in Homestead has reopened after a two-year hiatus, thanks to the support of Pennsylvania American Water.
* Green Building Grants Available To Achieve LEED Certification
Economic development organizations, business and commercial builders can now apply for grants of up to $5,000 to pay registration, design and construction reviews needed to achieve Gold certification under LEED green building standards.
* PPL Rate Stabilization Plan to Mitigate Projected Rate Increases OK’d
The Public Utility Commission this week approved a settlement that will permit PPL Electric Utilities Corp. to begin implementing its Rate Stabilization Plan to help customers deal with an expected 33 percent increase in electric rates in 2010.
* Model to Compare Market Prices for Electric With Capped Rates
The Public Utility Commission has announced plans to release estimates comparing current market prices for electricity with capped rates paid by consumers today.
* Electric Generators' Assn. Outlines Ways To Deal With Electric Rate Increases
Doug Biden, President of the Electric Power Generation Association, this week reiterated his organization's plan to help Pennsylvania customers deal with anticipated higher electricity prices being driven by higher fuel and commodity costs.
* PUC Establishes System to Measure Electric Supply in Competitive Market
The Public Utility Commission this week finalized regulations that will establish reporting requirements to facilitate measurement of the development of Pennsylvania’s competitive retail electric supply market.
* Allegheny Power Customers Can Now Support Wind Power Development
The Public Utility Commission this week approved a plan to allow customers of Allegheny Power (West Penn Power Co.) to purchase alternative energy credit to support the development of wind generation.
* PUC Commissioner Testifies On Federal Transmission Corridors Ruling
The Public Utility Commission expressed continued disappointment in the U.S. Department of Energy's decision to finalize its National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor for the Mid-Atlantic Region, which includes 52 out of the state's 67 counties.
* Help Wanted: Delaware River Basin Commission
The Delaware River Basin Commission is accepting applications for a full-time Water Resources Engineer/Modeler in the Modeling Section of its Modeling, Monitoring, and Assessment Branch.
* On Stage - PA Environmental Council Features Musical Artist Jason Ringenberg Online
Jason Ringerberg is the latest musical artist to be featured on stage at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council website.
* Spotlight - Recreation, Park Agencies Play Key Role In Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
When community leaders brainstorm ways to improve the health and well-being of youth and families, a team usually brings together doctors and health care professionals, hospitals, public health organizations and schools.
* Feature - New Zealand Mud Snail Impacts Great Lakes, Alters Ecology
Long a problem in the western U.S., the New Zealand mud snail currently inhabits four of the five Great Lakes and is spreading into rivers and tributaries, according to a Penn State team of researchers.
* 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—
* 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 Environmental Quality Board, Delaware River Basin Commission and the Public Utility Commission all published regulations this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No newl policy documents were published this week.
* 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
* 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 Assn./PA Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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