Gov. Rendell this week proposed his 2010-11 budget locking in last year's 26 percent cut in the Department of Environmental Protection and 18 percent cut at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the additional mid-year cuts.  As a result, environmental funding is proposed to be reduced by more than $321 million in next year's budget.

The details in Gov. Rendell's proposed 2010-11 budget show more than $321.5 million in cuts and funding diversions from the departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources.

Gov. Rendell again proposed a severance tax on natural gas production and while some of the proceeds would go to mitigate impacts in communities affected by Marcellus Shale drilling, none of the proceeds would go toward supporting environmental programs, even the Growing Greener Program which runs out of project funds this year. Most of the funding would go to help balance the state budget

If Gov. Rendell's proposed 2010-11 budget becomes law, a total of $1.3 billion has been diverted or cut from environmental programs to help balance the state budget or to fund programs that could not get funding on their own over the last eight years. Here's the rundown-

Did you know you have the entire schedule of environmental advisory committee meetings, workshops, conferences and Senate and House committee meetings in one convenient place-- the Upcoming Events Calendar of the PA Environment Digest.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meeting schedule showing bills of interest--

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on February 18 in Clearfield on legislation-- House Bill 2213-- designed to reduce adverse impacts to the environment from drilling in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits.

Organizers of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this week recognized the conservation achievements of Frank Piper, Delmont, Pa,  the PA Hunters Sharing the Harvest Program and the Game Commission Youth Mentor Program as part of their week long exhibition.
            Frank Piper - Conservation Achievement Award

Brian Okey, President of the Aultman Watershed Association for Restoring the Environment in Indiana County, submitted this success story on how the Growing Greener Watershed Program enabled volunteers and partners in the watershed to take extraordinary steps to restore water quality. Go to www.GrowingGreener.com to see more Growing Greener success stories.  Here's his story--

The Department of Environmental Protection this week issued an industrial wastewater discharge permit to TerrAqua Resource Management LLC of Williamsport to allow the company to treat and discharge 400,000 gallons per day of gas well drilling wastewater.

Ultra Petroleum this week reported total natural gas and crude oil production for the year-ended December 31, 2009 increased 24 percent, or 26 percent on a per share basis, to a record high of 180.1 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) compared to production of 145.3 Bcfe for 2008. This is the largest annual production level ever achieved by Ultra Petroleum. For 2009, production is comprised of 172.2 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas and 1.3 million barrels of condensate.

The Game Commission, ZooAmerica and the Department of Environmental Protection have scheduled a Peregrine Falcon Teacher's Workshop on March 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg.

The Sustainable Energy Fund is now accepting applications for students and teachers, as individuals or teams, to attend the Sustainable Energy Conference on July 12-16 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa under its award-winning Sustainable Scholars Program.              

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices this week of an opportunity to bid on an abandoned well plugging project in Allegheny County and in Westmoreland County.

By Jill Brubaker Reigh, PROP Communications

In this timely radio program, The Allegheny Front gives advice from organic gardener Doug Oster on the dos and don'ts for handling trees, bushes and other plants covered with ice and snow. He talks with The Allegheny Front's Jennifer Szweda Jordan from his woodsy home in Pittsburgh's North Hills.  Click here to listen to the program.

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

The Environmental Quality published proposed regulations on NPDES permit fees and nutrient credit trading. The Public Utility Commission published interim electric transmission line siting guidelines.  Details below--

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.