Here are 108 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

PA Environment Digest Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

Edwin K. Charles (81) of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, educator, environmental advocate and founder of the Trails & Trees Environmental Center, passed away on May 5, 2024.

A brief review of Pennsylvania’s conservation history--

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Young Ambassadors Program was recognized with a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Winners of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Litter Hawk Youth Award Program were recognized at a ceremony at the PA State Capitol Building on May 2.

A report by Moody & Associates documents adverse groundwater impacts from the land application disposal of conventional oil and gas wastewater concluding-- "The water quality data generated from this study indicates that the long term discharge of shallow oil field produced water to the ground surface is not a viable management practice."  [page 26]

Starting on March 12, Siri Lawson has taken photos and gotten physically ill from the illegal, repeated road dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater on the road running past her home and on every dirt and paved road she has to travel to get groceries, go to the doctor and take the normal trips anyone would make in Warren County.

The DEP Waste Management Program announced in DEP’s Regulatory Agenda it is developing proposed changes to the Coproduct Determination process under the Residual Waste Regulations that allow a material, that would otherwise be regulated as a waste, to be used as a commercial product without any restrictions or upfront review or approval by DEP.

On May 8, hundreds of Washington County residents rallied at an event calling for greater safety at fracking well pads outside a Cecil Township Board of Supervisors hearing on oil and gas ordinances.

From May 4 to 10, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 891 inspection entries, and caught up posting inspection reports from last week.

The following DEP notices were published in the May 11 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On May 9, the Public Utility Commission voted to approve a settlement with a $250,000 civil penalty regarding the over-pressurization incident affecting the Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC distribution system in Robinson, Indiana County.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) is circulating a cosponsor memo announcing he plans to introduce legislation to prohibit the distribution of Act 13 Impact Fees to any county “that is actively suing over fossil fuel use.”

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the May 11 PA Bulletin inviting comments on Air Quality Permits for three power plants.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on May 14 to hear presentations on electronic waste, food processing residuals and review air quality regulations.

DEP’s Water Resources Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on May 16 to review a proposed DEP spill notification regulation and a draft final Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards.

The DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet May 22 to hear updates on the State Forest Strategic Plan and State Outdoor Recreation Plan and a report from the NextGen Council.

On May 7, environmental, conservation, anglers, and sporting groups from all over Pennsylvania are gathering in Harrisburg to educate state legislators about five key clean water policies during Clean Water Education Day.

On Earth Day Weekend April 20, ClearWater Conservancy, Centre County Refuse and Recycling Authority, and the Spring Creek Watershed MS4 Partnership hosted the 28th Annual Watershed Cleanup Day, and it was a huge success!

By Kelly Jedrzejewski, Penn State News

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program is a volunteer program that provides training, resources, and ongoing support to volunteers that want to engage in environmental restoration projects and educational programs throughout Pennsylvania.

Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program is now accepting orders for their 2024 Watershed-Friendly Native Plant Kit Sale through June 18 or until sold out.

On May 6, Berks Nature announced it was awarded an American Water Charitable Foundation 2024 Water and Environment grant to construct a vernal pool habitat on the Neversink Mountain Preserve.

Penn State Extension will host in-person workshops on Private Water Supply Education, Water Testing in Waynesburg, Greene County May 13; Punxsutawney, Jefferson County May 30 and Lancaster on June 3.

The Lower Susquehanna Source Water Protection Partnership meeting will be held May 16 at the Susquehanna River Basin Commission offices at 4423 North Front Street in Harrisburg or online via Zoom.

On May 8, Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks), Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) and Rep. Aerion Abney (D-Allegheny) announced they introduced the PA Climate Emission Reduction Program (PACER) and PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) proposed by Gov. Shapiro in March.

On May 8, EEN Action–- the 501(c)(4) partner of the Evangelical Environmental Network–- delivered nearly 33,000 comments from pro-life Christians in Pennsylvania to Governor Shapiro’s team in support of Pennsylvania amending its Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS).

The pandemic and the inflation that followed forced many farmers to find ways to keep their businesses viable.

On May 8, the PJM Interconnection issued a statement on the US Environmental Protection Agency's final rule setting New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and its potential impact on electric grid reliability.

By Patricia Craig, Penn State News

On May 7, Reworld™, in partnership with Goodwill Keystone Area, unveiled a new initiative to provide free electronic waste recycling across 22 central and southeast Pennsylvania counties.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 11 PA Bulletin announcing it is now accepting applications for calendar year 2023 Recycling Performance Grants.  The deadline to apply is December 31.

Communities across the region were alive with volunteers this April in celebration of Earth Month and the 2024 Susquehanna Greenway Cleanup Month.

On May 10, the PA Organization For Watersheds and Rivers announced the recipients of the 2024 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Grants.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust operating Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania and Sullivan and Delaware Counties in New York.

On June 4, Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Sustainable Community Development Network of Southwestern PA will host a webinar on Cultivating Community Green Spaces - A Practical Approach For Municipalities from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

The Governor's Invasive Species Council celebrates the second annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day on Thursday, May 16. Mark your calendars and plan to join in!

Penn State Extension will host a June 11 Pollinators in Pennsylvania Forests webinar at Noon and 9:00 p.m. as part of its Pennsylvania Forest Seminar Series.

By Chuck Gill, Penn State News

On May 6, WeConservePA announced the launch of a new Conservation Law Program, led by Director of Conservation Law Justin Hollinger, Esq., to deliver several legal services for the benefit of those working to advance conservation in Pennsylvania.

By Katie Bohn, Penn State News

On May 22, Penn State Extension will host an in-person Tap Talk: Deep Dive Into Vernal Pools Workshop at the Collusion Tap Works, 105 S. Howard Street in oak from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The PA Council of Trout Unlimited is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Executive Director for the Coldwater Heritage Partnership Program.

The Fayette County-based Mountain Watershed Association is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Community Organizer position.

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the May 11 PA Bulletin--

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

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.