Scrapbook Photo 10/07/24 - 148 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/yk64wwfb
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
October 7, 2024 - Issue #1,055
(10/7/2024)
* NOTICE: PA Environment Digest, Daily Blog Will Not Publish Oct. 9 to 16 - You’re On Your Own - Together

The Weekly PA Environment Digest and Daily Blog will be going offline and not publishing October 9 to 16 -- We are taking a break, so you’re on your own - together.

* 148 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 148 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.

* Stories You May Have Missed Last Week: PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic

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

* PA Recreation & Parks Society CEO Tim Herd Announces His Retirement

Tim Herd,  PA Recreation and Parks Society CEO, announced his retirement this week after a 49-year career in recreation and 10 years with PRPs. 

* DCNR: Second Fall Foliage Report: Best Viewing In Northeast, Southwest PA

On October 3, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its second Fall Foliage Report saying colors in Pennsylvania’s forests are relatively unchanged from last week due to stable day-to-day weather that included persistent mist, light rain and clouds.

* DEP Begins Accepting Grant Applications Oct. 9 To Plug Orphan Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners

On October 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will begin accepting applications on October 9 for grants to plug orphan conventional oil and gas wells abandoned by their owners.

* DEP Advisory Group To Hear How DEP Proposes To Implement New Federal Methane Reduction Rule For Conventional Oil & Gas, Shale Gas Wells, Infrastructure Oct. 10

DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on October 10 to hear a presentation and discuss how DEP proposes to implement the new federal methane reduction rule for conventional oil and gas and shale gas wells and infrastructure.

* State Fire Commissioner Now Accepting Applications From Local Fire, Emergency Services For Training, Equipment To Respond To Shale Gas Infrastructure Fires, Emergencies

On September 30, State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook announced the application period for the 2024 Act 13 Unconventional Gas Well Fund Grant Program is now open. The online application will remain open until November 30, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

* DEP Issues Violations To 7 Shale Gas Drillers For Failure To Submit Monthly Waste Generation, Disposal, Production Reports - 1 Company For 3 Years; 2 More Drillers Fail To Disclose Fracking Chemicals

Last week the Department of Environmental Protection issued violations to seven shale gas well drillers for failure to submit monthly waste generation, disposal and gas production reports-- one for the last three years.

* PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 28 to Oct. 4 - Five More Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations; Failure To Disclose Fracking Chemicals; Failure To Report Waste Generation & Disposal; Lawnmower Causes Conventional Pipeline Gas Leak

From September 28 to October 4, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 650  inspection entries and posted inspection reports from previous week..

* Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Oct. 16 In-Person Program In Waynesburg, Greene County On Protecting Public Health, Resources From Shale Gas Development

The Center for Coalfield Justice will host an October 16 in-person program in Waynesburg, Greene County to help the public understand how to protect public health and resources from shale gas development.

* No Decision Posted Yet From DEP On Whether Flare Gas Chemical Makeup, Volume At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Is Confidential Business Information

The Department of Environmental Protection has not yet decided whether to approve an April 12, 2024 request from the Shell Petrochemical Plant to classify the composition and flow rate of gases going to be burned off at flares and the air pollution sources and pollution control equipment operating at the Beaver County facility confidential business information.

* PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 5

The following notices were published in the October 5 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Sets Oct. 30 Hearing On The Proposed 2025 Fee Schedule; Water Withdrawal Requests, Including 4 Supporting Shale Gas Development

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing October 30 on water withdrawal requests, including four supporting shale gas development in Bradford, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.  (formal notice)

* Sen. Yaw Introduces Bill To Prohibit State Government From Owning Any Clean Energy Credits; Would Force The Use Of More Taxpayer Money To Plug Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Routinely Abandoned By Conventional Well Owners

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) has reintroduced legislation-- Senate Bill 1330-- to prohibit state government from owning any clean energy credits and force the sale of those taxpayer assets to plug oil & gas wells routinely abandoned by conventional well owners.

* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets Oct. 8 On Hydrogen Hubs, Data Centers, Food Processing Residuals, PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Regulation

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet October 8 on a variety of topics, including hydrogen hubs, data center development and food processing residuals.

* Stroud Water Research Center Receives $141,000 Grant From Green Mountain Energy Sun Club For New 55-Kilowatt Rooftop Solar Energy System

On October 1, Stroud Water Research Center announced it has received a $141,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club for a new 55-kilowatt rooftop solar array system.

* Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Receives $75,000 West Penn Energy Fund Grant For Solar Energy Array; Will Save $2 Million Over 25 Years; Power Renewable Gas Facility

On October 2, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority announced it has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the West Penn Energy Fund to support the upcoming solar PV array installation.

* House Environmental Committee Moves Solar Energy Facility Decommissioning Best Practices; Food Processing Waste Bills

On October 1, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out legislation codifying decommissioning best practices for utility-scale solar energy facilities and two bills regulating the land application of food processing waste on farms.

* PennFuture: Lawmakers Move Bill To Require Clean Solar Energy Facilities To Have Bonds; But Fail To Have Adequate Plugging Bonds For Dirty Oil & Gas Wells Leaving Taxpayers To Pick Up The Cost

In reaction to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee moving Senate Bill 211 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) requiring bonding for solar energy facilities [Read more here], Pennfuture issued this statement--

* No False Solutions PA Coalition: 2nd Carbon Dioxide Leak Reported At ADM Carbon Capture Plant In Illinois, Delay In Notifying Public Should Give PA Pause On Carbon Capture Storage

The US Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation in August to Archer-Daniels-Midland Company for failing to construct carbon capture facility wells to contain carbon dioxide in two monitoring wells and failing to follow emergency response procedures based on a review of well records between January 1, 2022 and July 1, 2024 and inspections of the wells done in June, 2024.

* DEP Sets Nov. 4 Hearing On Renewal Of Air Quality Permit For Panther Creek Coal Waste-Fired Power Plant In Carbon County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a November 4 hearing on the proposed renewal of the Title V Air Quality Permit for the Panther Creek Coal Waste-Fired Power Plant in Nesquehoning Borough, Carbon County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6297

* DEP Sets Oct. 28 Meeting/Hearing On Renewal Of Hazardous Waste Permit For Keystone Cement In Northampton County [Updated]

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a public meeting and hearing for October 28 on the renewal of a Hazardous Waste Storage Facility Permit for the Keystone Cement Company facility in East Allen Township, Northampton County.   (PA Bulletin, page 6342)

* Mon Valley Clean Air Fund Sets 3 Outreach Sessions Starting Oct. 9 In Allegheny County Communities Affected By US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Plant Fire

On October 2, the Pittsburgh Union Progress reported the Jefferson Regional Foundation has scheduled three October listening sessions as it prepares to launch the Mon Valley Clear Air Fund that will be available to nonprofit organizations affected by a U.S. Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Works plant December 2018 fire.

* Green & Healthy Homes Initiative Now Accepting Applications For EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grants In Region 3

The Green and Healthy Homes Initiative's Thriving Communities Grant Program, in collaboration with the the US Environmental Protection, to award $40 million in grants to fund eligible projects in historically disadvantaged communities throughout EPA’s Region 3-- Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and 7 federally recognized tribes.

* 200+ Attend Delaware River Watershed Forum In Bethlehem - The Power Of Collaboration

The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed held its 12th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum in Bethlehem, PA on September 26-27 attended by over 200 people

* NRCS-Pennsylvania Announces Sign-Up For Farm Conservation Easement Programs

On September 30, Denise Coleman, State Conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania announced the new fiscal year 2025 sign-up periods for conservation easement programs, including the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

* Penn State Center For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Hosts Oct. 23 Webinar On Identifying Environmentally Sensitive Areas On The Farm - Wetlands

Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training is hosting an October 23 webinar on Identifying Environmentally Sensitive Areas On The Farm - Wetlands starting at Noon.

* Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Receives Grant To Rehab De Sale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System; Participates In WV Mine Drainage Conference; Learn More About Datashed.org

The latest issue of the Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights lots of recent activities by the Coalition and its partners.

* US Forest Service Watershed Forestry Team Hosts Webinar On Riparian Forest Buffer Success And Innovation Begins Oct. 10

The US Forest Service’s Eastern Region State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Watershed Forestry Team is hosting an October 10 webinar on Riparian Forest Buffer Successes and Innovations from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

* DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters Newsletter Highlights Funding Opportunities; County Clean Water Projects; Accomplishments

The latest issue of DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters newsletter highlights recent accomplishments, available funding opportunities, county clean water projects and much more.

* PA Environmental Council Will Start Accepting Applications Oct. 21 For Protect Your Drinking Water Grants In Southeast PA Funded By Aqua Pennsylvania

On October 1, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Aqua Pennsylvania announced applications will soon be accepted for the Protect Your Drinking Water Grant Program. 

* PA American Water Celebrates Source Water Protection Week With Education Program

On September 30, PA American Water helps celebrate Source Water Protection Week-- September 29 to October 5-- by offering the public resources and information focused on helping customers do their part to provide safe, clean, reliable water supplies.

* Conservation District Invites Pike County Citizen Scientists To Participate In Study Of Microplastics

The Pike County Conservation District is inviting citizen scientists in the county to participate in a study of microplastics in streams.

* Buffalo Creek Coalition Meets Nov. 14 In Butler County On State Of Watershed, Habitat Restoration, Lingering Hemlock Project

The Buffalo Creek Coalition, Audubon Society of Western PA and their partners will meet November 14 at the Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road in Sarver, Butler County starting from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.  [online option available]

* Choose Clean Water Coalition Now Accepting Applications For Young Environmental Professionals Of Color Mentorship Program

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is now accepting applications for mentors and mentees for the Young Professionals of Color Mentorship Program through November 8.

* Watershed Success Spotlight: Allegheny Land Trust + Chalfant Run-Thompson Run Watershed Assn., Allegheny County

By Tali MacArthur, PA Environmental Council Watershed Program Manager

* Stroud Water Research Center Highlights Streamside Forests & Climate Resilience; How Many Trees To Protect A Stream?; Herbicides & Buffers; Honoring Paul Greenberg

The latest Upstream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center features articles on a variety of topics, including honoring bestselling author Paul Greenberg.

* DEP Now Accepting Applications For Food Waste Reduction Grants To Help Fight Hunger

On October 4, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley joined Joe Arthur, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank,  to announce DEP is now accepting Food Recovery Infrastructure Grants to help nonprofit organizations fight hunger by reducing food waste.

* PA Resources Council, Allegheny County Host Final Hard-To-Recycle Collection Events This Year On Oct. 5 & 26

The Pennsylvania Resources Council and Allegheny County will host the final two hard-to-recycle collection events of the year on October 5 & 26 to enable area residents to responsibly recycle a wide variety of items not accepted in curbside collection such as televisions, computers, other e-waste, tires and small Freon appliances.

* Western PA Conservancy, Partners Invite Residents Of French Creek Watershed To Comment On Conservation Plan At Oct. 22 Meeting In Saegertown, Crawford County

The Western PA Conservancy, French Creek Valley Conservancy and other partners invite residents of the French Creek Watershed to comment on the French Creek Conservation Plan on October 22 at a public meeting in Saegertown, Crawford County from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

* Public Comments Invited On Draft Juniata River Watershed Conservation Plan By Western PA Conservancy

The Western PA Conservancy invites residents of the Juniata River Watershed to comment on the draft Juniata River Watershed Conservation Plan that covers 3,400 square miles in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder and Somerset counties.

* Hollow Oak Land Trust Spotlight: Laura Theofanous - Championing Milkweed At The Nike Missile Site In Allegheny County

The Hollow Oak Land Trust, based in Coraopolis, Allegheny County, recently shared the story of  Laura Theofanous and her efforts to help propagate milkweed, the monarch butterfly's favorite food, at the Nike missile site in Montour Woods owned by the Trust in Moon Township.

* Oct. 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The October 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In September Now Available

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In September is now available featuring articles on--

* Delaware Highlands Conservancy Announces Winners Of Confluence: Land, Water, Wildlife Photo Contest; ARTery Gallery Exhibition

On September 30, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced the winners of its seventh annual juried photo contest-- Confluence: Land, Water, Wildlife-- and a gallery exhibition of the photographs at the ARTery Gallery in Milford, Pike County starting November 7.

* New PA Sportsman License Plate Unveiled To Benefit Youth Hunting & Fishing Programs

On September 30, Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission announced the offering of the new PA Sportsman license plate!

* New Cumberland Library In Cumberland County To Hold Oct. 20 Lecture, Book Signing Event For Cradle Of Conservation, An Environmental History of Pennsylvania

The Friends of the New Cumberland Library are kicking off their 2024-2025 Cultural Series with a lecture and book signing by Allen J. Dieterich-Ward, author of Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania.

* Allegheny Land Trust Names Sarah Costlow Vice President Of Land Conservation

On October 2, the Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Land Trust announced the appointment of Sarah Costlow as its new Vice President of Land Conservation.

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

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

* News From PA House & Senate

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

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* PA Bulletin Public Notices

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the October 5 PA Bulletin--

* Stories Invited - About PA Environment Digest

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.

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn.; PA Trout Unlimited; PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers

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

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