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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
September 8, 2008
(9/5/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 9/8/08
* Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit Releases Recommendations – Video Blog
The Chesapeake Bay Commission, at Gov. Rendell’s request, held an invitation-only Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit in Harrisburg on September 4 as a follow-up to its Biofuels and the Bay report issued last year.
* Online Video - PA Environmental Council Short Film Selected For GreenFest Eco Film Festival
Philadelphia Riverfronts and Trails,” a five-minute television program produced by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, 3PPG and MiND tv, will be featured at the Eco Film Forum at the GreenFest celebration in Philadelphia on September 7 at 3:30.
* Online EE Resource - PA Center for Environmental Education’s Critter Quest PA Now Online
The PA Center for Environmental Education released a new online resource – Critter Quest PA -- to help educators and students understand and appreciate Pennsylvania’s rich natural wildlife heritage.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House committee meeting schedules and floor Calendars are listed here--
* Gov. Rendell To Testify At House Hearing on Electric Rate Caps Expiring
For only the second time since he’s been Governor, Gov. Rendell is scheduled appear before a legislative committee, this time to talk about issues surrounding the expiration of electric rate caps in most of the state in 2010.
* Coldwater Heritage Partnership Accepting Applications For Watershed Grants
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is now accepting applications for the Coldwater Conservation Grant Program to protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvania’s coldwater ecosystems.
* September 24 Workshop To Explore Natural Gas Leasing In Potter County
Potter County farmers can learn about natural gas leasing opportunities from experts in the emerging field at an informational workshop to be held on September 24 in Coudersport, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.
* Westmoreland District Sponsoring Sustainable Energy Field Day October 16
On October 16 the Westmoreland County Conservation District and other partners will hold a “Sustainable Energy Field Day – Homeowners’ How-To” and will feature a free open house and special workshop sessions.
* DEP Soliciting Mine Reclamation Project Proposals in Elk County
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting proposals for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in Benezette Township, Elk County.
* PA Recycling Markets Center Launches Products, Commodities GIS Tool
The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center this week announced the launch of the Products and Commodities GIS Tool.
* EPA Proposes Borit Asbestos Site for Superfund List
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week proposed the addition of the Borit Asbestos Site in Ambler, Pa. to the Superfund National Priorities List.
* Carnegie Mellon Receives $150,000 In EPA Brownfields Funding
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week awarded $1.5 million for brownfields training, research and technical assistance grants, including $150,000 to Carnegie Mellon.
* DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee Holds First Meeting
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Climate Change Advisory Committee held its first meeting this week to begin the process of developing Pennsylvania’s first climate change action plan.
* Central PA Commuter Services Program Hits 10,000 Participants
Commuter Services of South Central Pennsylvania this week announced it has hit a milestone of 10,000 commuters in its confidential on-line ride matching database, double the number of commuters in that database at the end of 2007.
* Free Workshops On Taking Advantage Of PJM Electric Demand Response Programs
Industrial, institutional, governmental and large commercial electricity users are invited to attend a half-day workshop at one of six Southeast Pa. locations about the benefits of PJM’s electricity demand response programs.
* LED Traffic Signal Workshop for Municipalities In Greensburg September 30
The Southwestern PA Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection are sponsoring a workshop and training session on LED lighting for municipalities interested in reducing energy use on September 30.
* PPL Releases Phase-In Options For Residential, Small Business Electric Customers
After being approved by the Public Utility Commission, PPL this week released the first comprehensive information on its optional phase-in program aimed at helping residential and small business electric customers deal with cost increases when rate caps come off in 2010.
* Most Electric, Natural Gas Customers Satisfied With Customer Service In 2007
The majority of electric and natural gas customers were satisfied with the way customer service representatives handled their calls in 2007, according to an annual report released this week by the Public Utility Commission.
* BioCycle Sponsors October Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling Conference
PA-based BioCycle Magazine will hold its annual Conference on Renewable Energy From Organics Recycling October 6-8 in Madison, WI.
* Game Commission Holds Game Land Public Tours To View Habitat Improvements
The Game Commission will highlight its efforts at ongoing habitat improvement initiatives during free public tours of State Game Lands between September 13 and October 19.
* Rabies Vaccination Program Underway In Western Pennsylvania
An annual program that helps control rabies in wild animals is underway in western Pennsylvania, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said this week.
* Women's Health & The Environment Conference September 25 In Pittsburgh
Women's Health & the Environment: New Science, New Solutions, a free conference sponsored by Teresa Heinz, The Heinz Endowments and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, will be held at Pittsburgh's David L. Lawrence Convention Center on September 25.
* PA Chamber Sponsors Regional Environmental Compliance Conferences
The PA Chamber of Business and Industry is sponsoring a series of four Regional Environmental Compliance Conferences in October and November covering a variety of environmental issues.
* Spotlight - PSU Researchers: Global Warming Greatest In Past Decade
Researchers confirm that surface temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere were warmer over the last 10 years than any time during the last 1300 years, and, if the climate scientists include the somewhat controversial data derived from tree-ring records, the warming is anomalous for at least 1700 years.
* Feature - When Will We Learn What Is Troubling The Northeast's Bats?
by Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Game Commission
* 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 Department of Environmental Protection published notice that a General NPDES Permit is available for wet weather overflow discharges.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published final policy documents on combined sewer overflows and CSO control plans (details below).
* 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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