The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider the nomination of Acting Secretary Michael Krancer for Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection on March 2.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, applauded Gov. Corbett for repealing the policy of imposing additional restrictions on oil and gas drilling on State Park and Forest Land as part of the Department of Environmental Protection's standard well-permitting process. 

The February issue of the Environmental Synopsis published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features an article on Maurice K. Goddard, former long-time Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources.

The Department of Environmental Protection continues to investigate the cause of a February 23 tank fire at a natural gas drilling site on the Joseph Powers Farm in Independence Township, Washington County.

By Rep. Camille "Bud" George

TogetherGreen, a conservation alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is now accepting applications for its 2011 class of  Fellows and Innovation Grants.   Applications are due May 2.

The Friends of the Wissahickon are offering free nature walks in Wissahickon Valley Park in Montgomery County this March led by FOW Trail Ambassadors.

The PA Section American Water Works Association will hold its 63rd Annual Conference in Hershey on April 19-21. Conference schedule and registration information is available at the PA-AWWA website.

The Coca-Cola Company and Pittsburgh-based H.J. Heinz Company this week announced a strategic partnership that enables Heinz to produce its ketchup bottles using Coca-Cola's breakthrough PlantBottle packaging. 

Gov. Tom Corbett this week appointed Robert F. Powelson of Chester County to serve as chairman of the Public Utility Commission, or PUC. Powelson has served as a PUC commissioner since June 2008.

The Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Community Foundation for the Alleghenies to provide reports on wind resources for Pennsylvanian landowners. 

Don’t forget Pennsylvania’s wild things and wild places when you file your PA income tax return this year.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and its partners are inviting developers and students to enter a new contest to develop mobile apps for the ExplorePAtrails.com website.  Deadline for entries is April 15.

Game Commission wildlife biologists are seeking information from the general public about dead barn owls that may have succumbed to starvation during the long periods of snow and ice that covered much of Pennsylvania this winter. 

The Wildlands Conservancy is offering a variety of environmental programs in March for all age groups.  Click Here to learn more.

The national Wild & Scenic Film Festival tour will make a stop at the Wesley Center of the Camp Hill United Methodist Church on April 26.

Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future announced former Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley is joining the organization as a strategic advisor and consultant.

Dr. Colson E. Blakeslee, long-time member of the Board of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, an avid fisherman and conservationist and a catalyst for environmental change passed away February 19.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a well plugging project in Allegheny County.

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 are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

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.

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