The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled 20 webinars between November and next June to discuss how the agency will use electronic permitting tools to implement the Permit Review and Decision Guarantee Process.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a series of webinars over the next few months on a variety of topics: noncoal mining permit fees, the proposed PNDI policy, aquatic species compensation program and radon starting Monday, November 19.   The webinars are scheduled on--

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

The Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee Tuesday released reports on the economic impact of water trails in Pennsylvania and a report on the benefits and cost of state forest sustainability certification.

The streets of New Brighton’s commercial district will soon have a unique new addition to their storm drains.

The Schuylkill Action Network invited the public to vote for their favorite photos in the Schuylkill Shots Competition photo contest.  Voting closes December 15.

The environment in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York recently received a boost when Nature Abounds was awarded a grant from Freshwater Future to engage trained volunteers in informing local officials and the public about climate change and adaptation in the Lake Erie Watershed basin.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved nearly $33.5 million through the H2O PA program to fund the construction and repair of flood control projects that will impact more than 270 businesses and 5,200 residents in three counties.

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday approved a project that will allow Williams-Transco to replace a portion of its existing pipeline in East Brandywine and East Caln townships, Chester County.

Twenty-five organizations sent a letter to Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday criticizing the Department of Environmental Protection’s well water testing and notification policies as outdated, lacking transparency, and inadequate to protect residents and drinking water from pollution caused by gas drilling.

Thursday the Marcellus Shale Coalition sponsored a widely-attended supply chain and workforce development seminar at the Community College of Philadelphia.

The PA Waste Industries Association Wednesday said it was disappointed by a Monroe County judge’s refusal to block the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority from imposing a county fee on private waste companies as a condition of contracting to dispose of waste generated in the county.

As the country recognizes America Recycles Day, state General Services Secretary Sheri Phillips announced more than $2 million was recovered through the Commonwealth’s recycling program in 2011-2012 – a nine percent increase from the previous annual time period.

Concerted efforts have been waged for years to clean up areas of illegally dumped household waste, furniture, tires, construction and demolition debris, recyclables, and hard to dispose of items. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin extending the deadline to apply for calendar year 2011 Recycling Performance Grants to December 28.  (PA Bulletin page 7147)   Visit DEP’s Recycling Grants webpage for more information.

The Department of Labor and Industry is now accepting applications for AmeriCorps National Service Program funding under the PennSERVE Program.  Applications are due December 17.

The Public Utility Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson Wednesday testified before the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee that the efforts of utilities to restore service following Hurricane Sandy was well coordinated, but work continues to improve storm responses.

PPL Electric Utilities Friday requested state approval of its plan for the next generation of E-power programs to help customers become more energy efficient.

Weis Markets Tuesday announced it will open the Lehigh Valley’s first LEED-certified grocery store in Fogelsville, located off of Route 100, north of Tilghman Street, on December 9 at 6 a.m.

Torcon has been selected by the University of Pennsylvania to provide pre-construction and construction management services for a broad energy efficiency program called the Century Bond Projects.

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday announced upgrades to www.PAPowerSwitch.com, its electric shopping tool, by adding enhancements targeted to small businesses in the state.

PPL Electric Utilities reports an increasing number of its customers have now chosen to receive power supply from alternate suppliers.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has added new state geologic information to the interactive geographic information systems map.

The staff and members of ClearWater Conservancy reorganized its board of directors for 2013, celebrated the past year’s successes and recognized many dedicated volunteers at its 2012 Annual Meeting November 13 at Mountain View Country Club in Boalsburg.

The Tuscarora State Forest Wild Area in Juniata County was renamed Wednesday in honor of the late James C. Nelson, Pennsylvania state forester from 1989 to 1994.

Dennis T. Guise of Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, has been named the 2012 Government Lawyer of the Year by the PA Bar Association Government Lawyers Committee.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published a notice inviting bids on projects in Bucks, Centre, Potter and Sullivan counties.

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

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--

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

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 17, 2012

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 links to 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.