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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
April 26, 2010
(4/26/2010)
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* House Moves Gas Leasing Moratorium, Senator Expresses Concern About DCNR Comments

By a vote of 26 to 8 the House Appropriations Committee this week reported out House Bill 2235 (Vitali-D-Delaware) providing for a five year moratorium on leasing further State Forest lands for Marcellus Shale gas drilling.

* Two New Natural Gas Production Severance Tax Proposals Introduced

Two new Marcellus Shale natural gas production severance tax proposals were introduced this week--

* Marcellus Shale Production Company Supports PA Severance Tax, With Limits


* Earth Day At 40- Governor Urges Pennsylvanians To Take Earth Day 40 Challenge

This year we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, the nationwide teach-in that kick-started many of the major environmental programs we have today. In this section each week the PA Environment Digest will highlight upcoming Earth Day events.  Submit your events for this page to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

* Butler County School Wins PA Earth Day 40 Challenge With Rain Barrel Community Project


* Philadelphia Zoo Celebrates Earth Day By Pushing Its Green Commitment Higher


* Did You Know You Can Search Nearly 6 Years Of Digests On Any Topic?

Did you know you can search nearly 6 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any key word you choose. Just click on the search page.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

* Governor's Race - Earth Day

Auditor General (and Democratic candidate for Governor) Jack Wagner issued the following Earth Day statement this week--

* Senate Passes Renewal Of Recycling Fee, Bill Returns To House


* Joint Committee Forum Features Illegal Dumping, Littering Issues

Presentations by PA CleanWays and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania highlighted the issue of illegal dumping in the Commonwealth during the Environmental Issues Forum sponsored by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee this week.

* Environmental Synopsis Features Results Of Recent Poll On Environment

The April issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter included the results of a Muhlenberg-Morning Call poll which found 65 percent of those responding felt the environmental quality of life was good in Pennsylvania and 11 percent said it was excellent, with 24 percent saying it wasn't so good or poor.

* PA Farmers Recognized For Improving Streams Destined For The Chesapeake Bay


* Unique Facility To Turn Manure Into Money For Farming Community, Clean Up Waterways


* Farmers' Work To Conserve Natural Resources Praised By Dept. Of Agriculture

Marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding this week praised Pennsylvania's farmers for striving to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution flowing into the state's waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

* EPA Orders 79 Southcentral PA Municipalities To Improve Stormwater Management

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced it has sent orders to 79 municipalities in south central Pennsylvania requiring improvements to their Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) programs.

* PA American Water Announces Environmental Grant Program Awards

The PA American Water Company announced the award of nine grants totaling $34,000 as part of the company’s 2010 Environmental Grant Program

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Puts Projects, Applications Online


* EPA Conducting Training Exercise On North Branch Susquehanna River April 26-30


* Entires Now Being Accepted For 2010 Chesapeake Bay Foundation Photo Contest


* Westmoreland District Promotes Stormwater Solutions In April 26 Vandergrift Meeting


* Innovative Streetscape Being Added In Vandergrift, Westmoreland County

The six beautiful new street trees being added to Vandergrift’s Columbia Avenue will be attracting a lot of attention, but the real story is what’s underneath them – a unique frame system that gives the trees a much healthier growing environment than most street trees enjoy, and provides the community with an innovative way to manage rain water.

* Spotlight- PEC Designs A Municipal Sediment Credit System For The Wissahickon Creek

By Mindy Lemoine, Watershed Programs Manager, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

* National Association of Water Companies-PA Chapter Annual Meeting May 4


* PA Septage Management Assn. March Training A Success


* Clean Water Action Sponsors Workshop On Sewage Sludge On Farm Fields April 29

 

* EPA Announces $3.2 Million In Brownfields Grants For PA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week announced $3.2 million in brownfields grants to help assess and clean up abandoned industrial properties in Pennsylvania.

* Wildlands Conservancy Receives Excellence In Programming Award


* Bethlehem's Green Playground To Promote Outdoor Activity, Urban Renewal


* DEP Meets With Drilling Companies May 13 To Improve Environmental Protection


* DEP Fines Company For Illegally Transferring Fracking Water In Lycoming County


* Game Commission Approves Resolution Urging Caution On Marcellus Shale

The Game Commissioners this week unanimously approved a resolution urging caution regarding development of Marcellus Shale gas resources on the agency's State Game Lands system. The resolution, proposed by Game Commissioner David Schreffler, reads as follows:

* Webinar- April 29 Webinar Examines Urban, Rural Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling Differences


* Atlas, Reliance To Buy 42,344 More Acres Of Marcellus Shale For $192 Million


* Winners Of 2010 PA CleanWays Litter Hawk Youth Awards Announced

PA CleanWays – Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful this week announced the winners of this year’s Litter Hawk Youth Award Program

* Game Commission Makes Land Purchases, Approves Reclamation Lease


* Fort Indiantown Gap, Memorial Lake State Park To Host Migratory Bird Day Tours May 8


* Energy Development Authority Accepting Applications April 30 For Funding


* PA Universities Take Top 3 Spots In EPA Green Power Competition


* FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania Utilities Offer New Energy-Saving Programs

FirstEnergy Corp.'s Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company and Pennsylvania Power Company have introduced several new programs to help customers save energy and money in their homes. The programs are part of the companies' plan to reduce customer energy usage and demand under Pennsylvania Act 129.

* Competitive Power Markets Are Working, According To Power Generators


* New PennDOT Website Offers Ways To Green Your Commute


* Patti Olenick Named First Sustainability Specialist By Weis Markets

Patti Olenick has joined Weis Markets as the company’s first ever sustainability specialist.  She will help the company develop its sustainability and environmental responsibility programs.

* Notice Of Opportunity To Bid On DEP Projects In Butler, Centre, Indiana Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on a land reclamation project in Butler County, a reclamation project in Centre County and an abandoned mine land reclamation project in Indiana County.

* Feature- Steeler Country Now Home To Eagles (The Real Ones)

Steeler Country is now home to the Eagles! No, not the cross-Commonwealth rival Philadelphia Eagles; a pair of American bald eagles.

* Grants & Awards

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

* Quick Clips


* Marcellus Shale NewsClips


* Watershed NewsClips


* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board published notice proposed changes to Dam Safety and Waterway Management regulations for comment and notice of proposed changes to stream designations.

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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