Senate Republicans and House Democrats exchanged budget proposals of $27.5 billion and $28.2 billion respectively this week and then they began to talk to Gov. Rendell about their budget ideas.

The PA Environmental Council, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Western PA Conservancy and the PA Organization of Watersheds and Rivers issued this statement this week on the proposed diversion of $132 million in environmental funding from Growing Greener, the Keystone Fund and other sources to balance the state budget--

Andrew Heath, Executive Director of Renew Growing Greener, a statewide coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations, today strongly encouraged the Senate and House to stand up for Pennsylvania's future by not accepting the recent list of "one-time" transfers being offered by Gov. Rendell's administration as part of the budget negotiations.

The Citizens Advisory Council to the Department of Environmental Council sent this letter to every member of the General Assembly urging them to reconsider diverting money from environmental funds to help balance the state budget--

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation sent this action alert on proposed diversions of money from environmental funds saying it would further reduce the $9 in economic benefit State Parks and Forest make to the state's economy for every $1 spent--

The PA Association of County Conservation Districts sent this letter to all members of the Senate and House opposing further cuts to environmental funding and supported the adoption of a natural gas production severance tax--

A coalition of 22 of the state’s leading conservation, recreation and environmental organizations, strongly supports a tax on natural gas extraction that includes a significant portion of the revenues being allocated to the Environmental Stewardship Fund for future Growing Greener projects.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today voted 17-9 to report out House Bill 1489 (George-D-Clearfield) which includes yet another version of a severance tax on natural gas production and includes a tax credit to help drilling companies hire Pennsylvania workers.

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.

The following bill was given final approval and is now on the Governor's desk--

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

Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out several bills this week setting high performance, green building standards, creating a State Energy Office and setting permit fees for non-coal mining operations by regulations.

The Senate this week passed Senate Bill 1250 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) requiring the sharing of air pollution fines with local governments.

The June issue of Environmental Synopsis by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features articles on composting, geothermal energy, EPA's green project funding, converting vehicles to natural gas and more.   Click here to view a copy online.

The recent eruption of a Marcellus shale gas well in Clearfield County, Pa., has triggered investigations by state agencies. A Penn State Cooperative Extension water specialist said it also should remind Pennsylvanians that drilling can impact surrounding water resources, and well owners near any drill sites should take steps to monitor their drinking water.

The Public Utility Commissionhas scheduled two hearings to receive public comment on the proposal by Laser Marcellus Gathering Co. to become a public utility under the Public Utility Code. (formal notice)

The Scranton Times this week published a series of articles over several days covering Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling issues involving the environment, communities and public safety. Here are links to those articles--

The Department of Environmental Protection Climate Change Advisory Committee will hold several adaptation Work Group meetings through the remainder of 2010.

The South Mountain Partnership is seeking applications for up to $25,000 in grants for local projects that protect and promote the natural or cultural resources of the South Mountain region, working to sustain its sense of place.

Gov. Rendell inducted HeritagePA, a resource network for Pennsylvania’s officially designated state and national Heritage Areas, into the Keystone Society for Tourism. 

This spring, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy celebrated the success of its “Trail to Every Classroom” program with an awards gala at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., honoring teachers and program partners from five states, including Estelle Ruppert of DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks.

Game Commission biologists are seeking assistance from residents in a regional monitoring effort to collect bat maternity colony data this summer. This monitoring is especially important due to the mortalities in bat populations throughout the northeastern United States, including Pennsylvania, being caused by White-Nose Syndrome.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Heritage Society and the PA Historical and Museum Commission will have a summer environmental heritage intern through the financial support of the PA Association of Environmental Professionals, Gannett Fleming, McCormick Taylor and CHRS, Inc.

Rep. Camile "Bud" George

By Lexi Belculfine and Carmen J. Lee

Urging people to “stand up and demand change because we are in serious trouble,” Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, offered a unique, historical perspective on conservation in Pennsylvania at the midpoint of a two-day Conservation Leaders Summit held June 17-18 in Valley Forge.

By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Game Commission

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--

Note: It's now the time of year when House and Senate Calendars, Committee meeting schedules and other activities can change without a moment's notice.  Be flexible and check the PA Environment Digest Daily Blog and Twitter for the latest news.

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