Here are 66 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--

Many communities and citizens are not aware that a state law passed in 1984 gives them the first chance to comment on Department of Environmental Protection permit applications even before they are submitted to the agency.

On April 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has assessed significant civil penalties totaling $1,114,000 from Equitrans, L.P. for air quality, waste, and oil and gas violations related to the uncontrolled gas release from Equitrans’ Rager Mountain natural gas storage field and George L Reade 1 storage well in November 2022.

On April 9, the Westmoreland County-based Protect PT advocacy group joined the rising chorus of groups calling on DEP to ban the road dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater, just like they have shale gas drilling wastewater.

The fallout continues from the July 2023 contamination of the Village Of Reno’s water supply in Venango County by a conventional oil well wastewater spill which could now include six other water companies in a special proceeding before the Public Utility Commission.

From April 6 to 12, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 802  inspection entries.  DEP also caught up posting inspection reports from the previous week.

A new study by Penn State researchers published in Science Direct found radioactivity from oil and gas wastewater accumulates in freshwater mussels.

On April 5, the Environmental Hearing Board denied motions by appellants-- Liberty Township and the Citizens Environmental Association of Slippery Rock Area-- and the permittee-- Tri-County Landfill-- in Mercer County to dismiss the appeal of DEP’s permit for the landfill  and allowed the case to move forward.  [EHB Docket # 2023035]

The Better Path Coalition is hosting an April 19 Virtual Brown Bag Briefing with author Justin Nobel on his new book-- Petroleum-238: Big Oil’s Dangerous Secret and the Grassroots Fight to Stop It-- from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Chapter 105 Encroachments Permit covering a proposed CNX Midstream double 24-inch, 13.9 mile long gas pipelines in Bell, Loyalhanna and Salem Townships, Westmoreland County. (April 13 PA Bulletin, page 1989)  

The following DEP notices were published in the April 13 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On April 9, the CNX Resources Corporation announced it is nearing completion of its Kiski Water Line project, which will serve the Company's local operational needs, reduce the local impact of natural gas development, and potentially optimize regional water resources by providing additional reliable water infrastructure to area communities.

On April 11, CNX Resources Corporation announced it expanded its air pollution monitoring to nine of its sites in Western Pennsylvania, with plans to expand the program across its operations statewide.

On April 10, an official with the Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition joined EQT Corporation, Pennsylvania’s largest gas producer, in saying we have a ‘duty’ to provide PA-produced gas to China, our economic and military competitor.

On April 9, the Moms Clean Air Force said EPA announced the final version of the New Source Performance Standards for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Group I & II Polymers and Resins Industry.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on the Title V Air Quality and the RACT III Air Quality permits for the Wheelabrator Municpal Waste Combustion Facility located in Falls Township, Bucks County.  (See two April 13 PA Bulletin notices on page 1978.)

On April 10, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, supported by the Department of Environmental Protection, launched the Keystone Energy Efficiency Program (KEEP) Home Energy Loan Program, a new consumer loan program designed to assist Pennsylvania homeowners in reducing their energy costs.

On April 10, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced it has adopted the first-ever national drinking water standard for PFAS 'forever chemicals' in drinking water.

Would you like to be a StreamWatcher? The Brodhead Watershed Association is hosting its annual volunteer training on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. to welcome new “water warriors” into its popular StreamWatch Program.

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center features articles on new watershed teaching tools, benefits of rain gardens and Bern Sweeney honors.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 13 PA Bulletin that Eyoyo is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 2022)

The Pennsylvania Resources Council will launch its 2024 Hard-To-Recycle Collection campaign by hosting an event in Karns City, Butler County, on Saturday, April 20. 

On April 12, the PA Resources Council announced it will collect electronics for recycling on designated weekdays in Allegheny County. 

On April 11, the Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania will purchase development rights for 2,250 acres on 28 farms in 15 counties, forever protecting them from residential or commercial development.

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

The PA Association of Environmental Education is reaching out to key educators and professionals in the field of environmental education to participate in an important statewide initiative-- the 2024 Pennsylvania Statewide Environmental Education Survey.

The latest episode of the Penn State Growing Impact podcast explores how the younger generation is getting involved in climate research and policy.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

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 April 13 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.