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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
August 16, 2004
(8/13/2004)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 08/16/04
* Do You Know These Environmental Leaders?
This month we celebrate the birthdays of four people who made significant contributions to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment, wildlife and showed us a different way to live and farm. How much do you know about them? -- Aug. 7 - Ross Lillie Leffler (1886-1964); Aug. 13 - Ralph W. Abele (1921-1990); Aug. 11- Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946); and Aug. 16 - Jerome I. Rodale (1898-1971)


* Senate Environmental Committee Sets Hearing on Waste Coal Use Incentives
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a public hearing on September 8 in Burgettstown on the need for new incentives to encourage the use of waste coal and to hear further comments on setting advanced energy portfolio requirements for electric generators.
* Rendell Names Members to the Green Ribbon Commission
Gov. Rendell named Kathleen McGinty, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Roy Kienitz, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, to a Green Ribbon Commission.
* New Petroleum Energy Office Bill Subject of House Hearing
The House Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing August 5 on House Bill 2277 (O’Brien-R-Philadelphia) that would create a new Petroleum Energy Office within the Department of Environmental Protection to monitor the availability and price of gasoline, heating oil and other petroleum energy products, assess the competitiveness of petroleum marketing in Pennsylvania and promote the understanding of petroleum energy products.
* Tributary Strategy Unveiled
Pennsylvania Unveils Tributary Strategy for Chesapeake Bay
* Pennsylvania Students Place Sixth in International Envirothon Competition
Pennsylvania’s Envirothon representatives, a team from Penncrest High School in Media, Delaware County, captured sixth place at the 2004 North American Canon Envirothon competition held at Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, West Virginia.
* Groups Petition State to Set Own Rules Limiting Mercury Emissions
On August 9 Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future and other environmental groups submitted a petition to the Environmental Quality Board and the Department of Environmental Protection asking the state to adopt its own rules for limiting mercury emissions from power plants.
* ACRE Program Proposed
The Department of Environmental Protection has proposed a new program to deal with environmental issues associated with large livestock farming operations.
* Tank Fees Due
DEP Takes Action on Overdue Storage Tank Fees
* Oil & Gas Fund Audit
Casey Audit Prompts DCNR to Improve Oversight of Oil & Gas Lease Fund
* New Web Site Showcases International Innovative Environmental Solutions
A new EPA website offers environmental policies and best practices from countries around the world including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Australia.
* DCNR Unveils New Interactive Rail-Trail Website
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources unveiled a new website to promote easier use and enhanced enjoyment of a rail-trail system in Pennsylvania that has been hailed as among the most extensive in the nation.
* Find a Composting Site
Find a Composting Site Near You in New Online Database
* EPCAMR Website Victim of Hacker Attack, Site Moved Temporarily
The website for the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation was the target of an attack by hackers who disabled the site. EPCAMR has temporarily moved the content of their site to www.OrangeWaterNetwork.org to continue to provide service.
* Game Commission Deer Hunting Opportunities Maps on Website
Hunters looking for new antlerless deer hunting opportunities are encouraged to review the list of Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) properties available on the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website.
* Comments Solicited on Wild Resource Conservation Projects
The Wild Resource Conservation Board will hold a public hearing on August 18 in Middletown, near Harrisburg, to solicit comments on this year’s proposed grant projects.
* AWWA Now Offers Online Training for Drinking Water Operators
The Pennsylvania Section of the American Water Works Association, (PA-AWWA) announced it now has available on-line training for Drinking Water Operators in Pennsylvania.
* Waste Watcher Award Application Now Available Online
The 2004 Waste Watcher award application is now available online and nominations are due October 1.
* DEP Names Southwest Regional Director, Environmental Advocate
Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty named Kenneth T. Bowman director of the department’s Southwest Regional Office. He will oversee more than 270 employees involved with environmental regulatory programs in the 10-county area surrounding Pittsburgh.
* Quick Clips - TMDLs, Recycling
NewsClips from around the state on environmental topics
* Taking Positive Action - Conservation District, Chesapeake Bay Awards
See who the winners of this year's conservation district and Chesapeake Bay awards are.
* GreenWays to Go

* Cambria County Kids Experience “Recycling Camp” This Summer
Children in Cambria County have access to a very unique experience each summer. The typical summer camp experience of old has been in a nature setting with activities like volleyball, fishing, hiking and boating—all mixed with a little bit of camaraderie.
* Watershed NewsClips
NewsClips from around the state on watershed topics
* Regulations
The latest on proposed and final regulations, the Environmental Quality Board agenda and your opportunities to get involved in the process.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
DEP published the availability of six draft and one final guidance documents on August 7 on: compliance/enforcement procedures; coal civil penalties; explosives program compliance/enforcement; deep mine safety compliance/enforcement procedures; oil and gas management compliance/enforcement procedures; compliance monitoring of oil and gas wells and related facilities; and final guidance on noncoal civil penalty assessments.  Full Story.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming meetings, workshops and conferences, plus links to other calendars.
* Contributions Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com .

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