Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
All Articles & NewsClips In This Week’s Digest By Topic

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.  Are You Telling Your Story?

Links to all the articles and NewsClips in this week’s PA Environment Digest by topic in one place--

Senate/House ----------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Oil & Natural Gas Facility Health Impacts Assessment Bill Introduced In The House  [PaEN]

-- Who’s Protecting Taxpayers?  House To Take Up Bill Exempting Conventional Oil & Gas Wells From Plugging Bonds Sticking Taxpayers With $5.1 Billion In Cleanup Liability  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Republican Lawmakers Poised To Cost PA Billions In Highway Funding At Behest Of Oil & Gas Industry  [PaEN]

-- House Environmental Committee Meets June 22 On Bill To Protect Military Airspace From Windmills  [PaEN]

-- Senate Environmental Committee Meets June 20 On Bill To Extend Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Programs  [PaEN]

-- Republican Rep. Metcalfe This Week Began Circulating A Resolution To Impeach DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell

-- Altoona Mirror: House Sends Series Of Flooding Bills To Senate [Temporary Solutions At Best]

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- StateCollege.com: Penns Valley Bridge Highlights Infrastructure Needs Of DCNR’s State Parks, Forests

-- LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin Elected Chair Of Chesapeake Bay Commission’s PA Delegation

-- Rep. Bizzarro: End Gasoline Price Gouging Through New Stop Price Fixing Act Legislation

-- June 22-- House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on combating inflation with the Stop Gasoline Price Fixing Act. Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

-- The Center Square: With Food And Energy Prices High, Few Short-Term Solutions  [PA House Hearing]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Farmers Getting Crushed By Record Diesel Prices, Lawmakers Told

Top 10 Headlines From Harrisburg Last Week -----------------------------------

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week [PaEN]

Articles & NewsClips By Topic -------------------------------------------------------

-- 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA  [PaEN]

-- Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students And Adults [PaEN]

-- This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues  [PaEN]

Take Action Now!

-- Tell Your Legislator NOW To Set Aside $500 Million From Federal American Rescue Funds To Support Local Environmental, State Park & Forest Projects

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal 

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- StateCollege.com: Penns Valley Bridge Highlights Infrastructure Needs Of DCNR’s State Parks, Forests

 

-- 20th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue To Be Celebrated In July In Somerset County  [PaEN]

Air

-- EQB Adopts Part I Of Reg. Reducing Oil & Gas VOC/Methane Emissions; 80% Of Methane Emissions Come From Conventional Oil & Gas Facilities; IRRC Considers July 21 [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Splits Long-Stalled Oil & Gas Air Pollution Rule; Rule Loses Roughly 80% Of Reduction Benefit By Excluding Conventional Oil & Gas Sources

-- StateImpactPA: DEP Drops Major Source Of Methane From New Rule Limiting Oil & Gas Facility Emissions

Allegheny National Forest

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat  [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Allegheny National Forest Proposes Dewdrop Recreation Area Improvements

Allegheny River

-- Post-Gazette: Can Music Heal Polluted Rivers? Brooke Smokelin Has Dedicated Her Life To Trying

 Alternative Fuel

-- PennDOT Invites Feedback On Components Of Proposed State Plan For National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program  [PaEN]

-- WESA: PennDOT Wants To Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Every 50 Miles Along Interstates

-- Scranton Times: Electric Vehicles Long-Term Fuel Price Hedge 

-- EPA Announces Available Funding For Clean School Buses  [PaEN]

-- Financial Times: Pentagon Bankrolls Rare Earths Plant As U.S. Plays Catch-Up To China

Awards & Recognition

-- PennFuture Announces Winners Of Celebrating Women In Conservation Awards From Southeast PA  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Celebrates French Creek As The 2022 River Of The Year At Paddle Fest Celebration  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: PA Land Trusts Preserved 208,026 Acres; 107,300 Pennsylvanians Contribute To Land Trusts  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award  [PaEN]

-- Courier Times: College Settlement Camp In Horsham Celebrates 100 Years Of Giving Kids Outdoor Experiences

Biodiversity/Invasive Species

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat  [PaEN]

-- Bradford Era: Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat

-- Seven State Agencies Celebrate Pennsylvania's First Native Species Day [PaEN]

-- PA Master Naturalists: Celebrating PA Native Species Day June 17

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Impact Of Invasive Species Noted On First Pennsylvania Native Species Day

-- FirstEnergy On Pace To Exceed Pollinator Habitat Development Goal [Including PA]

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: PA Town Pushes Bee City USA To 300 Communities 

-- TribLive: Goats Help Clear Out Noxious Plants Along Allegheny River In Oakmont

-- Bay Journal: ‘It’s Here To Stay’: Lessons From The Frontlines Of The Spotted Lanternfly Battle  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: Turn Your Lights Out This Week To Help Save The Lightning Bugs

-- Scranton Times: Helping The State Insect - The Firefly

American Rescue Plan Funding

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Commissioners Prioritize Environmental Cleanup, Other ‘Long-term’ Projects For American Rescue Plan Funding

-- LancasterOnline: Spreadsheets Gives New Details On Where Lancaster County’s American Rescue Plan Money Could Wind Up

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Municipalities Seek Luzerne County Federal American Rescue Plan Funding For Recreation, Other Projects

Bipartisan Federal Infrastructure Law

-- TribLive: VP Harris Visits Pittsburgh, Touts Need For Lead Pipe Removal

-- Post-Gazette: VP Harris Touts White’ House’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding To Replace Lead Water Lines

Budget

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal 

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- StateCollege.com: Penns Valley Bridge Highlights Infrastructure Needs Of DCNR’s State Parks, Forests

-- PUC Distributes $234 Million In 2021 Revenue From Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee; Represents Lowest Effective Tax Rate On Natural Gas Companies On Record - IFO  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Western PA Counties, Municipalities See Bump In Money From Natural Gas Drilling Fees

-- Williamsport Sun: Local Municipalities Receive Over $10 Million In Drilling Impact Fees

-- Bradford Era: McKean County, Municipalities To Receive $1.12 Million From Shale Drilling Impact Fees

Chesapeake Bay

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award  [PaEN]

-- Preparations Underway For Penn State’s 2022 Ag Progress Days August 9-11  [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin Elected Chair Of Chesapeake Bay Commission’s PA Delegation

-- Bay Journal: ‘It’s Here To Stay’: Lessons From The Frontlines Of The Spotted Lanternfly Battle  [PaEN]

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal

Citizen Action

-- Oil & Natural Gas Facility Health Impacts Assessment Bill Introduced In The House  [PaEN]

-- Who’s Protecting Taxpayers?  House To Take Up Bill Exempting Conventional Oil & Gas Wells From Plugging Bonds Sticking Taxpayers With $5.1 Billion In Cleanup Liability  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Republican Lawmakers Poised To Cost PA Billions In Highway Funding At Behest Of Oil & Gas Industry  [PaEN]

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Update June 21 On Oil & Gas Advisory Board Activities; Discuss Legacy Issues Report; Transition Paper  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award  [PaEN]

-- WGGT: Planet Philadelphia - Generations Of Inspirational Faith-Based Environmental Activism - June 17 4:00-5:00 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: The Schuylkill River Is Clean But Has A Public Relations Problem, Study Finds

-- Post-Gazette: Can Music Heal Polluted Rivers? Brooke Smokelin Has Dedicated Her Life To Trying

-- WeConservePA: PA Land Trusts Preserved 208,026 Acres; 107,300 Pennsylvanians Contribute To Land Trusts  [PaEN]

-- Beaver County Times: Big Sewickley Creek Plan Pits Drilling Company Against Watershed Defenders

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Executive Defends Record On Fracking Amid Calls For Drilling Ban In County Parks 

-- June 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Activists Bring Climate Clock To PA Capitol To Urge Lawmaker Action

-- Fast Company: Should We Protect Nature For Its Own Sake?  For Its Economic Value?  Because It Makes Us Happy?  Yes - By Bradley J. Cardinale, Penn State Ecosystem Science & Management

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: 4 Tips For Improving Recycling In Pennsylvania - PA Resources Council, PennEnvironment

-- TribLive: Volunteers Sought For 32nd Annual Kiski River Cleanup This Weekend

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat  [PaEN]

-- Bradford Era: Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat

-- Bike The Brandywine Returns For Its 5th Year On Sept. 17 In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy - Easement Steward  [PaEN]

Climate

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: A Proposed LNG Natural Gas Plan In Chester Would Be Gigantic And Hardly Anyone Knows About It 

-- WHYY: Could Delaware County Get A Major LNG Natural Gas Plant, How Will It Clash With Environmental Justice Goals In Chester  

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Process LNG Natural Gas Where It’s Shipped Not Where It’s Taken Out Of The Ground 

-- EQB Adopts Part I Of Reg. Reducing Oil & Gas VOC/Methane Emissions; 80% Of Methane Emissions Come From Conventional Oil & Gas Facilities; IRRC Considers July 21 [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Splits Long-Stalled Oil & Gas Air Pollution Rule; Rule Loses Roughly 80% Of Reduction Benefit By Excluding Conventional Oil & Gas Sources

-- StateImpactPA: DEP Drops Major Source Of Methane From New Rule Limiting Oil & Gas Facility Emissions

-- DOE Partners With Carnegie Mellon University To Launch The 2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum In Pittsburgh In September  [PaEN]

-- 13th Global Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting In Pittsburgh Sept. 21-23

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Global Clean Energy Forum To Be Held In Pittsburgh Sept. 21-23

-- PennDOT Invites Feedback On Components Of Proposed State Plan For National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program  [PaEN]

-- WESA: PennDOT Wants To Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Every 50 Miles Along Interstates

-- EPA Announces Available Funding For Clean School Buses  [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: Electric Vehicles Long-Term Fuel Price Hedge 

-- York Dispatch: Dover Solar Power Project Receives Township Approval, With Conditions

-- York Daily Record: Dover Solar Farm Project Approved After 7 Hearings

-- Scranton Times: Solar Group Looks to Build Solar Farms In Archbald, Scott Twps., Scranton 

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Half-Built PA Solar Farm In Cambria County Shows Renewables Aren’t Ready For Prime Time

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Activists Bring Climate Clock To PA Capitol To Urge Lawmaker Action

-- Centre Daily Times: From Climate To Transparency, What Penn State Forward’s Board Of Trustees Win Means For Future

-- WESA: In Lieu Of County Action, 35 Communities Outside Pittsburgh Now Closer To Passing Climate Plans

-- WHYY: As Climate Change Makes Philly Temps Rise, So Does Urgency To Make Schools Cooler

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Schools Dismiss 2 Days Early Due To Sweltering Heat

-- MCall Guest Essay: Facing Facts On Energy Use, Cost And The Environment

-- ABC27: Natural Gas Stoves May Soon Be A Thing Of The Past, Is It Time To Upgrade?

-- Utility Dive: PJM Proposes ‘First-Ready, First-Served’ Interconnection Review Process To Clear Renewable Backlog 

-- Energy News Network: FERC Proposes Rules Tackling Interconnection Backlog

-- Financial Times: Pentagon Bankrolls Rare Earths Plant As U.S. Plays Catch-Up To China

-- Bloomberg: Texas Power Use Tops All-Time Record As Heat Bakes State

-- CNN: Wind And Solar Power Are ‘Bailing Out’ Texas Amid Record Heat, Energy Demand

-- Bloomberg Green: Investors Putting Billions Into Climate Tech, Renewables Don’t Plan To Stop Now

-- NYT: Republican Drive To Tilt Courts Against Climate Action Reaches A Crucial Moment

-- WPost: String Of Climate Disasters Strike Before Summer Even Starts

-- Bloomberg: Wildfires In U.S. West Match Climate Projections ‘Eerily’ Well

-- The Guardian: Why Are The World’s Heatwaves Getting More Intense?

-- Financial Times: Extreme Weather Wave Heats Northern Hemisphere And Freezes The South

-- Reuters: Biden To Lead Major Economies In Push For More Urgent Action On Climate

-- Bloomberg Green: Tense Mid-Year Climate Talks Raise Concerns Of COP27 Flop

-- The Guardian: Fossil Fuel Firms ‘Have Humanity By The Throat,’ Says UN Head In Blistering Attack

-- Reuters: UN Chief Says The Dash For New Fossil Fuels Is ‘Delusional’

-- WSJ: Energy Price Surge Threatens UN Climate Pledge, Prompting More Investment In Fossil Fuels

Coal Mining

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Hulking Coal-Fired Power Plants Coming Down In Western PA, Destined For New Life 

Compliance Action

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: PUC Fines Sunoco’s Mariner East Pipeline $51,000 More For Violations In Delaware County 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Why Greylock Energy Natural Gas Found Opportunity Out West [AG Shapiro Just Charged Greylock With Environmental Crimes]

-- DEP Took Action On 776 Permits, 94% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines: Conducted 1,458 Inspections Last Week

Conservation Districts

-- Huntingdon Daily News: Huntingdon Conservation District, County Library Team Up To Teach Youth About Importance Of Healthy Streams 

-- Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District Urban Resource Conservationist  [PaEN]

DCNR

-- DCNR Celebrates French Creek As The 2022 River Of The Year At Paddle Fest Celebration  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- StateCollege.com: Penns Valley Bridge Highlights Infrastructure Needs Of DCNR’s State Parks, Forests

-- WeConservePA: PA Land Trusts Preserved 208,026 Acres; 107,300 Pennsylvanians Contribute To Land Trusts  [PaEN]

-- Republican Herald: Tuscarora State Park Beach Reopens For Swimming

-- DCNR Names Justin Waid Sinnemahoning State Park Manager

-- June 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Be Prepared Outdoors - What To Do When… Nature Calls, Lightning Strikes, Encountering A Rattlesnake, How To Protect Food From Animals 

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Swimming Upriver - A Father’s Day Story

-- AP: Sanctions Sought Against FBI Over Videos Of Civil War Gold Dig On DCNR State Forest Land

DEP

-- Oil & Natural Gas Facility Health Impacts Assessment Bill Introduced In The House  [PaEN]

-- Who’s Protecting Taxpayers?  House To Take Up Bill Exempting Conventional Oil & Gas Wells From Plugging Bonds Sticking Taxpayers With $5.1 Billion In Cleanup Liability  [PaEN]

-- EQB Adopts Part I Of Reg. Reducing Oil & Gas VOC/Methane Emissions; 80% Of Methane Emissions Come From Conventional Oil & Gas Facilities; IRRC Considers July 21 [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Splits Long-Stalled Oil & Gas Air Pollution Rule; Rule Loses Roughly 80% Of Reduction Benefit By Excluding Conventional Oil & Gas Sources

-- StateImpactPA: DEP Drops Major Source Of Methane From New Rule Limiting Oil & Gas Facility Emissions

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Republican Lawmakers Poised To Cost PA Billions In Highway Funding At Behest Of Oil & Gas Industry  [PaEN]

-- PA Dept. Of Agriculture Temporarily Suspends Requirement For 2% Biodiesel For Out-Of-State Fuel Sold In PA In Response To Rolling Outages Of Diesel Fuel  [PaEN]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Having ‘Rolling Outages’ Of Diesel Fuel, Makes Move To Allow Sales Of Out-Of-State Fuel

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Update June 21 On Oil & Gas Advisory Board Activities; Discuss Legacy Issues Report; Transition Paper  [PaEN]

-- DEP Hosts June 28 Hearing On Benner Twp. PFAS Hazardous Site Cleanup Investigation In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- Old Lycoming Township, DEP Highlight Local Recycling Efforts, Illegal Dumping Prevention  [PaEN]

-- Williamsport Sun: Old Lycoming Twp Cracks Down On Illegal Dumping

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Advance Restoration Plan For Trout Run Watershed, Erie County [PaEN]

-- Republican Rep. Metcalfe This Week Began Circulating A Resolution To Impeach DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell

-- DEP Publishes Revised Residual Waste General Permit WMGR096 - Beneficial Use Of Regulated Fill In June 18 PA Bulletin

-- DEP Posted 99 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 18 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]

-- DEP Took Action On 776 Permits, 94% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines: Conducted 1,458 Inspections Last Week

Delaware River

-- Delaware Currents: PA Portion Of Upper Delaware Blessed With Pristine Streams, But They Draw Little Notice From State Officials

-- Schuylkill Action Network Summer Newsletter: Perkiomen Floating Classroom, Farms For Clean Water, Delaware Urban Waters Partnership, Much More

-- Delaware RiverKeeper June 17 RiverWatch Video Report

Drinking Water

-- WESA: 1 In 3 PA Drinking Water Systems Exceed New EPA Limits For PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

-- EPA: New Drinking Water Health Advisories Set For 4 PFAS Chemicals; $1 Billion In Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Available For Cleanup  [PaEN]

-- Courier Times: EPA Finds No Safe Level For 2 Toxic PFAS Chemicals Found In Many U.S. Water Systems

-- DEP Hosts June 28 Hearing On Benner Twp. PFAS Hazardous Site Cleanup Investigation In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: VP Harris Visits Pittsburgh, Touts Need For Lead Pipe Removal

-- Post-Gazette: VP Harris Touts White’ House’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding To Replace Lead Water Lines

-- American Water Charitable Foundation Accepting Applications For Water And The Environment Grants  [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: PA American Water Seeks A 25% Increase In Water, Sewer Bills

-- WPSU: State College Borough Water Authority Might End Fluoridation

-- EPA Announces $6.5 Billion In New Funding Available Under Water Infrastructure Loan Program

Economic Development

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Hulking Coal-Fired Power Plants Coming Down In Western PA, Destined For New Life 

-- Post-Gazette: Green Tech Company Working With Michael Keaton To Expand Presence In Pittsburgh Beyond Manufacturing

-- Bloomberg Green: Investors Putting Billions Into Climate Tech, Renewables Don’t Plan To Stop Now

Education

-- WGGT: Planet Philadelphia - Generations Of Inspirational Faith-Based Environmental Activism - June 17 4:00-5:00 

-- Courier Times: College Settlement Camp In Horsham Celebrates 100 Years Of Giving Kids Outdoor Experiences

-- DCNR Blog: Be Prepared Outdoors - What To Do When… Nature Calls, Lightning Strikes, Encountering A Rattlesnake, How To Protect Food From Animals 

-- TribLive: HazMat Safety Train Gives Western PA First Responders Training On Dealing With Dangerous Derailments

-- Post-Gazette: First Responders Attend Hands-On Train And Truck Safety Event After Train Derailment In Pittsburgh Last Month

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Riverfest Offers Educational Fun Alongside Susquehanna River

-- Citizens Voice: People Enjoy Nature, Susquehanna River During 2nd Day Of Riverfest

-- Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper: 8 Floating Classroom Programs Announced For Williamsport

-- Schuylkill Action Network Summer Newsletter: Perkiomen Floating Classroom, Farms For Clean Water, Delaware Urban Waters Partnership, Much More

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Land Trust Nature Backpacks Are Ready To Check Out At County Libraries

-- Post-Gazette: Can Music Heal Polluted Rivers? Brooke Smokelin Has Dedicated Her Life To Trying

-- Huntingdon Daily News: Huntingdon Conservation District, County Library Team Up To Teach Youth About Importance Of Healthy Streams 

-- Preparations Underway For Penn State’s 2022 Ag Progress Days August 9-11  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Survey: Suggest Ways To Improve Pond Management Education

-- Seven State Agencies Celebrate Pennsylvania's First Native Species Day [PaEN]

-- PA Master Naturalists: Celebrating PA Native Species Day June 17

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Impact Of Invasive Species Noted On First Pennsylvania Native Species Day

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: PA Town Pushes Bee City USA To 300 Communities 

-- Centre Daily Times: From Climate To Transparency, What Penn State Forward’s Board Of Trustees Win Means For Future

-- American Water Charitable Foundation Accepting Applications For Water And The Environment Grants  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Podcast: Groundwater Level Monitoring Grants 

-- Appalachian Chapter Audubon Society Offering Full Scholarship To Hog Island Audubon Camp In Maine  [PaEN]

-- Fast Company: Should We Protect Nature For Its Own Sake?  For Its Economic Value?  Because It Makes Us Happy?  Yes - By Bradley J. Cardinale, Penn State Ecosystem Science & Management

-- Help Wanted: Landforce Empowerment, Training Program Staff In Western PA

-- WHYY: Why Visiting A Museum Is Good For Your Health

-- Game Commission: Conservation Heritage Museum To Open June 25 At Middle Wildlife Management Area, Lebanon County  [PaEN]

-- MCall: Lehigh Valley College Students Leave Piles Of Stuff Behind At End Of School Year; Schools Making Sure It Doesn’t Go To Waste

-- Bike The Brandywine Returns For Its 5th Year On Sept. 17 In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Bay Journal: ‘It’s Here To Stay’: Lessons From The Frontlines Of The Spotted Lanternfly Battle  [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: Allegheny College, East Stroudsburg University Lab Partner For Statewide Tick Mitigation Study

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Stargazing In PA: Here Are The Top Night Sky Spots 

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: Hays Bald Eagle Juveniles Take Flight, Share The Skies With Young Hawk

-- Warren Times: Observe MAPS Bird Banding At Audubon Community Nature Center

-- Post-Gazette: Turn Your Lights Out This Week To Help Save The Lightning Bugs

-- Scranton Times: Helping The State Insect - The Firefly

Emergency Response

-- Courier Times: Forecasters: Bucks Should Prepare For Another Summer Of Tornadoes, Storms & Flash Floods

-- TribLive: HazMat Safety Train Gives Western PA First Responders Training On Dealing With Dangerous Derailments

-- Post-Gazette: First Responders Attend Hands-On Train And Truck Safety Event After Train Derailment In Pittsburgh Last Month

6th Oil/Natural Gas Price Spike: True Energy Independence Means Renewables

[There Is No Limit To What Oil/Natural Gas Industry Can Make You Pay]

-- PA Dept. Of Agriculture Temporarily Suspends Requirement For 2% Biodiesel For Out-Of-State Fuel Sold In PA In Response To Rolling Outages Of Diesel Fuel  [PaEN]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Having ‘Rolling Outages’ Of Diesel Fuel, Makes Move To Allow Sales Of Out-Of-State Fuel

-- TribLive: More People Choosing Mass Transit As Gasoline Prices Remain High

-- The Center Square: With Food And Energy Prices High, Few Short-Term Solutions  [PA House Hearing]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Farmers Getting Crushed By Record Diesel Prices, Lawmakers Told

-- WLVR: Trucking Industry Sounds Alarm On Rising Diesel Prices: ‘Shortages On Everything Will Be Exacerbated’

-- TribLive Editorial: What Is The Fix For Gasoline Price Increases?

-- Rep. Bizzarro: End Gasoline Price Gouging Through New Stop Price Fixing Act Legislation 

-- June 22-- House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on combating inflation with the Stop Gasoline Price Fixing Act. Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

-- Scranton Times: Sen. Flynn To Introduce Bill To Temporarily Suspend State Gasoline Tax

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Natural Gas Industry Sees Challenges For Marcellus In Boosting LNG Production

-- Baker Hughes Rig Count - No Increase In Drilling Rigs In PA 2nd Week In A Row

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: A Proposed LNG Natural Gas Plan In Chester Would Be Gigantic And Hardly Anyone Knows About It 

-- WHYY: Could Delaware County Get A Major LNG Natural Gas Plant, How Will It Clash With Environmental Justice Goals In Chester  

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: U.S./PA Natural Gas Exports Bind America To The World [And Spiking World Prices]

-- WSJ: High U.S. Gasoline, Diesel, Natural Gas Exports Contributing To Spike In U.S. Prices 

“A rapid rise in American fuel exports this year has helped push gasoline prices to a record $5 a gallon and is pressuring U.S. prices of natural gas, which hit the highest levels in over a decade earlier this month.”

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Process LNG Natural Gas Where It’s Shipped Not Where It’s Taken Out Of The Ground 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Natural Gas Will Save Our European Allies - Fmr Republican State Sen. Earl Baker

National/International

-- US EIA Expects Significant Increases In Wholesale Electricity Prices Due To Natural Gas Price Spikes

-- WSJ: U.S. Natural Gas Prices Plunge After Extended Outage At Texas LNG Facility [LNG Exports Drive High U.S. Natural Gas Prices; High Natural Gas Prices Drive Inflation And  Electricity Cost Spikes - Connect The Dots] 

“Natural gas has been a big driver of inflation this year, with the highest prices in years adding to the cost of heating, cooling and powering homes and businesses as well as manufacturing steel, cement, glass, plastics and fertilizer. Prices had hit $9.60 just before the fire at the LNG plant on Wednesday, which was about triple what gas cost a year earlier. Since the fire, prices have dropped 25% from that intraday high.”

-- Reuters: Texas LNG Extends Outage After Explosion, Targets Year End For Full Operations 

            “Natural gas prices slumped in the United States and soared in Europe on news of an extended shutdown. The facility accounts for about 20% of U.S. LNG exports and has been a major supplier to European buyers seeking alternatives to Russian gas since its invasion of Ukraine.”

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Natural Gas Slumps As LNG Plant Shutdown Strands Supplies 

-- US EIA: New Natural Gas Production Per Drilling Rig Dropped Over Last Year In Appalachia Fields

-- Natural Gas Intelligence: U.S. Natural Gas Prices Jump Back Up After Decline Related To Texas LNG Plant Explosion

-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Prices Surge 60% This Week

-- Bloomberg: Russia Cuts Natural Gas Deliveries, Forces Europe To Use Gas It Was Saving For Winter

-- Bloomberg: Global Energy Shortage Is Making Natural Gas Too Pricey For Asian Buyers

-- Reuters: Biden Demands Oil Companies Explain Lack Of Gasoline As Prices Rise

-- AP: Biden Tells Oil Refiners: Produce More Gasoline, As Americans Struggle With Record High Prices At Pump 

-- Reuters: U.S. Oil Lobby Pushes Biden To Roll Back Fossil Fuel Curbs

-- Financial Times: U.S. EIA: Oil Supply to Struggle To Keep Pace With Demand In 2023

-- Bloomberg: How The ‘Energy Shock’ Has Upended The Global Economy

-- Financial Times: Record Cost Of Diesel Fuel Courses Through U.S. Economy

-- The Guardian: Fossil Fuel Firms ‘Have Humanity By The Throat,’ Says UN Head In Blistering Attack

-- Reuters: UN Chief Says The Dash For New Fossil Fuels Is ‘Delusional’

-- Bloomberg: 10 EU Nations Warn Against Diluting Green Plan Before Key Vote

-- Bloomberg: Key EU Parliament Groups Reject Green Label For Natural Gas, Nuclear 

Energy

-- PA Dept. Of Agriculture Temporarily Suspends Requirement For 2% Biodiesel For Out-Of-State Fuel Sold In PA In Response To Rolling Outages Of Diesel Fuel  [PaEN]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Having ‘Rolling Outages’ Of Diesel Fuel, Makes Move To Allow Sales Of Out-Of-State Fuel

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Natural Gas Industry Sees Challenges For Marcellus In Boosting LNG Production

-- Baker Hughes Rig Count - No Increase In Drilling Rigs In PA 2nd Week In A Row

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: A Proposed LNG Natural Gas Plan In Chester Would Be Gigantic And Hardly Anyone Knows About It 

-- WHYY: Could Delaware County Get A Major LNG Natural Gas Plant, How Will It Clash With Environmental Justice Goals In Chester  

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Process LNG Natural Gas Where It’s Shipped Not Where It’s Taken Out Of The Ground 

-- US EIA Expects Significant Increases In Wholesale Electricity Prices Due To Natural Gas Price Spikes

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Executive Defends Record On Fracking Amid Calls For Drilling Ban In County Parks 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Natural Gas Will Save Our European Allies - Fmr Republican State Sen. Earl Baker

-- DOE Partners With Carnegie Mellon University To Launch The 2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum In Pittsburgh In September  [PaEN]

-- 13th Global Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting In Pittsburgh Sept. 21-23

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Global Clean Energy Forum To Be Held In Pittsburgh Sept. 21-23

-- Scranton Times: Electric Vehicles Long-Term Fuel Price Hedge 

-- York Dispatch: Dover Solar Power Project Receives Township Approval, With Conditions

-- York Daily Record: Dover Solar Farm Project Approved After 7 Hearings

-- Scranton Times: Solar Group Looks to Build Solar Farms In Archbald, Scott Twps., Scranton 

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Half-Built PA Solar Farm In Cambria County Shows Renewables Aren’t Ready For Prime Time

-- House Environmental Committee Meets June 22 On Bill To Protect Military Airspace From Windmills  [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: Law Firms Seek Coworkers Of 2 Who Died Of Mesothelioma After Working At Luzerne County Nuclear Power Plant

-- PUC Seeks Comments On Proposed Settlement With Columbia Gas Concerning Washington County House Explosion In 2019; $990,000 Penalty Included

-- PUC Approves Plans By 5 Electric, Natural Gas Utilities To Return $64 Million In Federal Tax Savings To Customers

-- PUC Issues Management Audit Of Met-Ed, Penn Power, West Penn Power, Penelec With Estimated $39 Million In Cost Savings

-- MCall: Thousands Of PPL Customers Mailed Bills In Error, PUC Investigating

-- MCall Guest Essay: Facing Facts On Energy Use, Cost And The Environment

-- ABC27: Natural Gas Stoves May Soon Be A Thing Of The Past, Is It Time To Upgrade?

-- FirstEnergy On Pace To Exceed Pollinator Habitat Development Goal [Including PA]

-- Utility Dive: PJM Proposes ‘First-Ready, First-Served’ Interconnection Review Process To Clear Renewable Backlog 

-- Energy News Network: FERC Proposes Rules Tackling Interconnection Backlog

-- TribLive: Gasoline Demand Remains Strong Despite Record-High Prices, Analysts Say

-- Financial Times: Pentagon Bankrolls Rare Earths Plant As U.S. Plays Catch-Up To China

-- Reuters: Hydrogen Will Give U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines New Life In Carbon-Free World

-- Bloomberg: Texas Power Use Tops All-Time Record As Heat Bakes State

-- CNN: Wind And Solar Power Are ‘Bailing Out’ Texas Amid Record Heat, Energy Demand

-- The Guardian: Fossil Fuel Firms ‘Have Humanity By The Throat,’ Says UN Head In Blistering Attack

-- Reuters: UN Chief Says The Dash For New Fossil Fuels Is ‘Delusional’

Energy Conservation

-- U.S. DOE: Proposes New Cost-Saving Energy Efficiency Standards For Home Furnaces

-- Utility Dive: Proposed Gas Furnace Efficiency Rule Expected To Move 9% Of Customers To Electric Heat: DOE

-- ABC27: Natural Gas Stoves May Soon Be A Thing Of The Past, Is It Time To Upgrade?

Environmental Health

-- Oil & Natural Gas Facility Health Impacts Assessment Bill Introduced In The House  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Beaver Seeking Volunteers For June 23 Focus Group On Energy Development, Groundwater Quality & Public Health In Western PA  [PaEN]

-- EPA: New Drinking Water Health Advisories Set For 4 PFAS Chemicals; $1 Billion In Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Available For Cleanup  [PaEN]

-- WESA: 1 In 3 PA Drinking Water Systems Exceed New EPA Limits For PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

-- Courier Times: EPA Finds No Safe Level For 2 Toxic PFAS Chemicals Found In Many U.S. Water Systems

-- DEP Hosts June 28 Hearing On Benner Twp. PFAS Hazardous Site Cleanup Investigation In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: VP Harris Visits Pittsburgh, Touts Need For Lead Pipe Removal

-- Post-Gazette: VP Harris Touts White’ House’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding To Replace Lead Water Lines

-- Scranton Times: Law Firms Seek Coworkers Of 2 Who Died Of Mesothelioma After Working At Luzerne County Nuclear Power Plant

Environmental Heritage

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Agnes At 50: Officials Reflect On Public Safety, Preparedness Since 1972 Flood

-- PennLive: 50 Years Later, Central PA Residents Remember Tropical Storm Agnes

-- Scranton Times: Agnes Flood Survivors Share Memories 50 Years Later

-- PennLive: Tropical Storm Agnes At 50: ‘So Many People Lost So Much’

-- PennLive: 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Smashed Records As It Saturated Central PA

-- PennLive: 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes: An Interactive Timeline

-- York Daily Record: Tropical Storm Agnes: A Look Back At The Devastating Storm By The Numbers

-- Williamsport Sun: Agnes: Memories And A Levee That Spared A City

-- Game Commission: Conservation Heritage Museum To Open June 25 At Middle Wildlife Management Area, Lebanon County  [PaEN]

-- Four Revolutionary War Era Cannons Unearthed At Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve In Chester County  [PaEN]

EPA

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal  [PaEN]

-- EPA Announces $6.5 Billion In New Funding Available Under Water Infrastructure Loan Program

-- EPA: New Drinking Water Health Advisories Set For 4 PFAS Chemicals; $1 Billion In Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Available For Cleanup  [PaEN]

-- Courier Times: EPA Finds No Safe Level For 2 Toxic PFAS Chemicals Found In Many U.S. Water Systems

Farming

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Now Accepting Applications For Farmland Preservation Grants In Chesapeake Bay Watershed  [PaEN]

-- Preparations Underway For Penn State’s 2022 Ag Progress Days August 9-11  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Protects 2,264 Acres Of Farmland In 18 Counties; 613,884 Acres Protected  [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin Elected Chair Of Chesapeake Bay Commission’s PA Delegation

-- Bay Journal: ‘It’s Here To Stay’: Lessons From The Frontlines Of The Spotted Lanternfly Battle  [PaEN]

-- PennLive: State Seeks Innovators To Solve Farm Problem - Waste Plastics

-- Penn State Extension Survey: Suggest Ways To Improve Pond Management Education

-- WITF: PA lost 4.2 Million Chickens As Bird Flu Outbreak Wanes, But Threat Lingers

Flooding

-- Altoona Mirror: House Sends Series Of Flooding Bills To Senate [Temporary Solutions At Best]

-- Courier Times: Forecasters: Bucks Should Prepare For Another Summer Of Tornadoes, Storms & Flash Floods

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Agnes At 50: Officials Reflect On Public Safety, Preparedness Since 1972 Flood

-- PennLive: 50 Years Later, Central PA Residents Remember Tropical Storm Agnes

-- Scranton Times: Agnes Flood Survivors Share Memories 50 Years Later

-- PennLive: Tropical Storm Agnes At 50: ‘So Many People Lost So Much’

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Could We See Another Hurricane Agnes?  [Spoiler - Yes]

-- PennLive: 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes Smashed Records As It Saturated Central PA

-- PennLive: 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes: An Interactive Timeline

-- York Daily Record: Tropical Storm Agnes: A Look Back At The Devastating Storm By The Numbers

-- Williamsport Sun: Agnes: Memories And A Levee That Spared A City

Forests 

-- DCNR Celebrates French Creek As The 2022 River Of The Year At Paddle Fest Celebration  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Be Prepared Outdoors - What To Do When… Nature Calls, Lightning Strikes, Encountering A Rattlesnake, How To Protect Food From Animals 

-- June 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: Allegheny College, East Stroudsburg University Lab Partner For Statewide Tick Mitigation Study

-- Bay Journal: ‘It’s Here To Stay’: Lessons From The Frontlines Of The Spotted Lanternfly Battle  [PaEN]

-- AP: Sanctions Sought Against FBI Over Videos Of Civil War Gold Dig On DCNR State Forest Land

Forests - Wildfires

-- NPR: Federal Forest Service Firefighters Waiting For Pay Raises They Hope Will Help Fill Their Ranks

-- The Guardian: Arizona Wildfires: Intense Conditions Send Smoke Plumes Billowing Into Sky

-- Bloomberg: Wildfires In U.S. West Match Climate Projections ‘Eerily’ Well

Grants/Funding

-- American Water Charitable Foundation Accepting Applications For Water And The Environment Grants  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Now Accepting Applications For Farmland Preservation Grants In Chesapeake Bay Watershed  [PaEN]

-- EPA Announces Available Funding For Clean School Buses  [PaEN]

-- PennLive: State Seeks Innovators To Solve Farm Problem - Waste Plastics

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Podcast: Groundwater Level Monitoring Grants 

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: Trail Along Kiski And Allegheny Rivers To Receive $3.5 Million Boost

-- EPA Announces $6.5 Billion In New Funding Available Under Water Infrastructure Loan Program

Green Infrastructure

-- DCNR Celebrates French Creek As The 2022 River Of The Year At Paddle Fest Celebration  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award  [PaEN]

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Protects 2,264 Acres Of Farmland In 18 Counties; 613,884 Acres Protected  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Now Accepting Applications For Farmland Preservation Grants In Chesapeake Bay Watershed  [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin Elected Chair Of Chesapeake Bay Commission’s PA Delegation

-- Fast Company: Should We Protect Nature For Its Own Sake?  For Its Economic Value?  Because It Makes Us Happy?  Yes - By Bradley J. Cardinale, Penn State Ecosystem Science & Management

-- Help Wanted: Landforce Empowerment, Training Program Staff In Western PA

-- Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy - Easement Steward  [PaEN]

Hazardous Substances

-- Oil & Natural Gas Facility Health Impacts Assessment Bill Introduced In The House  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Beaver Seeking Volunteers For June 23 Focus Group On Energy Development, Groundwater Quality & Public Health In Western PA  [PaEN]

-- EPA: New Drinking Water Health Advisories Set For 4 PFAS Chemicals; $1 Billion In Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Available For Cleanup  [PaEN]

-- WESA: 1 In 3 PA Drinking Water Systems Exceed New EPA Limits For PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

-- Courier Times: EPA Finds No Safe Level For 2 Toxic PFAS Chemicals Found In Many U.S. Water Systems

-- DEP Hosts June 28 Hearing On Benner Twp. PFAS Hazardous Site Cleanup Investigation In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: VP Harris Visits Pittsburgh, Touts Need For Lead Pipe Removal

-- Post-Gazette: VP Harris Touts White’ House’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding To Replace Lead Water Lines

-- Scranton Times: Law Firms Seek Coworkers Of 2 Who Died Of Mesothelioma After Working At Luzerne County Nuclear Power Plant

Land Conservation

-- WeConservePA: PA Land Trusts Preserved 208,026 Acres; 107,300 Pennsylvanians Contribute To Land Trusts  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Protects 2,264 Acres Of Farmland In 18 Counties; 613,884 Acres Protected  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award 

-- NRCS-PA Now Accepting Applications For Farmland Preservation Grants In Chesapeake Bay Watershed  [PaEN]

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat  [PaEN]

-- Bradford Era: Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat

-- Four Revolutionary War Era Cannons Unearthed At Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve In Chester County  [PaEN]

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Erie National Wildlife Refuge On List For Expansion Of Hunting, Fishing

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Land Trust Nature Backpacks Are Ready To Check Out At County Libraries

-- Fast Company: Should We Protect Nature For Its Own Sake?  For Its Economic Value?  Because It Makes Us Happy?  Yes - By Bradley J. Cardinale, Penn State Ecosystem Science & Management

-- Bike The Brandywine Returns For Its 5th Year On Sept. 17 In Chester County [PaEN]

-- Help Wanted: Landforce Empowerment, Training Program Staff In Western PA

-- Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy - Easement Steward  [PaEN]

Land Recycling

-- WHYY: South Philly Refinery Redevelopment Features Trucking, Despite Calls For Carbon-Free Development

-- Evergreen Resources Management Submitted Report To DEP Documenting Cleanup Of Philadelphia Refinery Site To Site-Specific Standards for Lead, VOCs, SVOCs In Soil, Groundwater (PA Bulletin, page 3499)

Littering/Illegal Dumping

-- Old Lycoming Township, DEP Highlight Local Recycling Efforts, Illegal Dumping Prevention  [PaEN]

-- Williamsport Sun: Old Lycoming Twp Cracks Down On Illegal Dumping

-- TribLive: Volunteers Sought For 32nd Annual Kiski River Cleanup This Weekend

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Philly Budget Commits Millions To Combat Illegal Dumping, Tow Abandoned Vehicles, Fix Streetlights, But It’s Not Enough

Mine Reclamation

-- Appalachian Voices: Advocates Urge Biden To Fill Vacant Director Of Surface Mining Position 

-- E&E News: Mine Cleanup Program Still Lacks Biden Director

Oil & Gas

-- Who’s Protecting Taxpayers?  House To Take Up Bill Exempting Conventional Oil & Gas Wells From Plugging Bonds Sticking Taxpayers With $5.1 Billion In Cleanup Liability  [PaEN]

-- Oil & Natural Gas Facility Health Impacts Assessment Bill Introduced In The House  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Beaver Seeking Volunteers For June 23 Focus Group On Energy Development, Groundwater Quality & Public Health In Western PA  [PaEN]

-- PUC Distributes $234 Million In 2021 Revenue From Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee; Represents Lowest Effective Tax Rate On Natural Gas Companies On Record - IFO  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Western PA Counties, Municipalities See Bump In Money From Natural Gas Drilling Fees

-- Williamsport Sun: Local Municipalities Receive Over $10 Million In Drilling Impact Fees

-- Bradford Era: McKean County, Municipalities To Receive $1.12 Million From Shale Drilling Impact Fees

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Update June 21 On Oil & Gas Advisory Board Activities; Discuss Legacy Issues Report; Transition Paper  [PaEN]

-- EQB Adopts Part I Of Reg. Reducing Oil & Gas VOC/Methane Emissions; 80% Of Methane Emissions Come From Conventional Oil & Gas Facilities; IRRC Considers July 21 [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Splits Long-Stalled Oil & Gas Air Pollution Rule; Rule Loses Roughly 80% Of Reduction Benefit By Excluding Conventional Oil & Gas Sources

-- StateImpactPA: DEP Drops Major Source Of Methane From New Rule Limiting Oil & Gas Facility Emissions

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Republican Lawmakers Poised To Cost PA Billions In Highway Funding At Behest Of Oil & Gas Industry  [PaEN]

-- PA Dept. Of Agriculture Temporarily Suspends Requirement For 2% Biodiesel For Out-Of-State Fuel Sold In PA In Response To Rolling Outages Of Diesel Fuel  [PaEN]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Having ‘Rolling Outages’ Of Diesel Fuel, Makes Move To Allow Sales Of Out-Of-State Fuel

-- Baker Hughes Rig Count - No Increase In Drilling Rigs In PA 2nd Week In A Row

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: A Proposed LNG Natural Gas Plan In Chester Would Be Gigantic And Hardly Anyone Knows About It 

-- WHYY: Could Delaware County Get A Major LNG Natural Gas Plant, How Will It Clash With Environmental Justice Goals In Chester  

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Process LNG Natural Gas Where It’s Shipped Not Where It’s Taken Out Of The Ground 

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Executive Defends Record On Fracking Amid Calls For Drilling Ban In County Parks 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Why Greylock Energy Natural Gas Found Opportunity Out West [AG Shapiro Just Charged Greylock With Environmental Crimes]

-- Beaver County Times: Big Sewickley Creek Plan Pits Drilling Company Against Watershed Defenders

-- PennLive: Natural Gas Royalty Payments On The Rise In Shale Gas Regions Of PA

-- PUC Seeks Comments On Proposed Settlement With Columbia Gas Concerning Washington County House Explosion In 2019; $990,000 Penalty Included

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Natural Gas Will Save Our European Allies - Fmr Republican State Sen. Earl Baker

-- ABC27: Natural Gas Stoves May Soon Be A Thing Of The Past, Is It Time To Upgrade?

-- TribLive: Gasoline Demand Remains Strong Despite Record-High Prices, Analysts Say

-- Rep. Bizzarro: End Gasoline Price Gouging Through New Stop Price Fixing Act Legislation 

-- June 22-- House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on combating inflation with the Stop Gasoline Price Fixing Act. Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

-- The Center Square: With Food And Energy Prices High, Few Short-Term Solutions  [PA House Hearing]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Farmers Getting Crushed By Record Diesel Prices, Lawmakers Told

-- TribLive Editorial: What Is The Fix For Gasoline Price Increases?

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: U.S./PA Natural Gas Exports Bind America To The World [And Spiking World Prices]

-- US EIA Expects Significant Increases In Wholesale Electricity Prices Due To Natural Gas Price Spikes

-- Natural Gas Intelligence: U.S. Natural Gas Prices Jump Back Up After Decline Related To Texas LNG Plant Explosion

-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Prices Surge 60% This Week

-- Bloomberg: Global Energy Shortage Is Making Natural Gas Too Pricey For Asian Buyers

-- WSJ: High U.S. Gasoline, Diesel, Natural Gas Exports Contributing To Spike In U.S. Prices 

“A rapid rise in American fuel exports this year has helped push gasoline prices to a record $5 a gallon and is pressuring U.S. prices of natural gas, which hit the highest levels in over a decade earlier this month.”

-- WSJ: U.S. Natural Gas Prices Plunge After Extended Outage At Texas LNG Facility [LNG Exports Drive High U.S. Natural Gas Prices; High Natural Gas Prices Drive Inflation And  Electricity Cost Spikes - Connect The Dots] 

“Natural gas has been a big driver of inflation this year, with the highest prices in years adding to the cost of heating, cooling and powering homes and businesses as well as manufacturing steel, cement, glass, plastics and fertilizer. Prices had hit $9.60 just before the fire at the LNG plant on Wednesday, which was about triple what gas cost a year earlier. Since the fire, prices have dropped 25% from that intraday high.”

-- Reuters: Texas LNG Extends Outage After Explosion, Targets Year End For Full Operations 

            “Natural gas prices slumped in the United States and soared in Europe on news of an extended shutdown. The facility accounts for about 20% of U.S. LNG exports and has been a major supplier to European buyers seeking alternatives to Russian gas since its invasion of Ukraine.”

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Natural Gas Slumps As LNG Plant Shutdown Strands Supplies 

-- US EIA: New Natural Gas Production Per Drilling Rig Dropped Over Last Year In Appalachia Fields

-- Reuters: Biden Demands Oil Companies Explain Lack Of Gasoline As Prices Rise

-- AP: Biden Tells Oil Refiners: Produce More Gasoline, As Americans Struggle With Record High Prices At Pump 

-- Reuters: U.S. Oil Lobby Pushes Biden To Roll Back Fossil Fuel Curbs

-- Financial Times: U.S. EIA: Oil Supply to Struggle To Keep Pace With Demand In 2023

-- Financial Times: Record Cost Of Diesel Fuel Courses Through U.S. Economy

-- Reuters: Hydrogen Will Give U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines New Life In Carbon-Free World

-- The Guardian: Fossil Fuel Firms ‘Have Humanity By The Throat,’ Says UN Head In Blistering Attack

-- Reuters: UN Chief Says The Dash For New Fossil Fuels Is ‘Delusional’

Pipelines

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: PUC Fines Sunoco’s Mariner East Pipeline $51,000 More For Violations In Delaware County 

Permitting

-- DEP Publishes Revised Residual Waste General Permit WMGR096 - Beneficial Use Of Regulated Fill In June 18 PA Bulletin

-- MCall: Grand Central Landfill In Northampton County Is Again Looking To Expand

-- DEP Took Action On 776 Permits, 94% Within Permit Decision Guarantee Deadlines: Conducted 1,458 Inspections Last Week

-- DEP Posted 99 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 18 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]

Public Participation

-- DEP Hosts June 28 Hearing On Benner Twp. PFAS Hazardous Site Cleanup Investigation In Centre County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Advance Restoration Plan For Trout Run Watershed, Erie County [PaEN]

-- PUC Seeks Comments On Proposed Settlement With Columbia Gas Concerning Washington County House Explosion In 2019; $990,000 Penalty Included

-- DEP Posted 99 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 18 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]

PUC

-- PUC Distributes $234 Million In 2021 Revenue From Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee; Represents Lowest Effective Tax Rate On Natural Gas Companies On Record - IFO  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Western PA Counties, Municipalities See Bump In Money From Natural Gas Drilling Fees

-- Williamsport Sun: Local Municipalities Receive Over $10 Million In Drilling Impact Fees

-- Bradford Era: McKean County, Municipalities To Receive $1.12 Million From Shale Drilling Impact Fees

-- PUC Seeks Comments On Proposed Settlement With Columbia Gas Concerning Washington County House Explosion In 2019; $990,000 Penalty Included

-- PUC Approves Plans By 5 Electric, Natural Gas Utilities To Return $64 Million In Federal Tax Savings To Customers

-- MCall: Thousands Of PPL Customers Mailed Bills In Error, PUC Investigating

-- PUC Issues Management Audit Of Met-Ed, Penn Power, West Penn Power, Penelec With Estimated $39 Million In Cost Savings

-- US EIA Expects Significant Increases In Wholesale Electricity Prices Due To Natural Gas Price Spikes

Radiation Protection

-- Three Mile Island Alert: NRC Approves Distribution Of Decommissioning Funds For Undamaged TMI Unit 1 To Constellation Energy

-- Scranton Times: Law Firms Seek Coworkers Of 2 Who Died Of Mesothelioma After Working At Luzerne County Nuclear Power Plant

Recreation

-- DCNR Celebrates French Creek As The 2022 River Of The Year At Paddle Fest Celebration  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Urges Lawmakers To Support Growing Greener III Funding  [PaEN]

-- StateCollege.com: Penns Valley Bridge Highlights Infrastructure Needs Of DCNR’s State Parks, Forests

-- WeConservePA: PA Land Trusts Preserved 208,026 Acres; 107,300 Pennsylvanians Contribute To Land Trusts  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: Be Prepared Outdoors - What To Do When… Nature Calls, Lightning Strikes, Encountering A Rattlesnake, How To Protect Food From Animals 

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Executive Defends Record On Fracking Amid Calls For Drilling Ban In County Parks 

-- Republican Herald: Launch Party Kicks Off Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn In Schuylkill Haven

-- Republican Herald: Tuscarora State Park Beach Reopens For Swimming

-- DCNR Names Justin Waid Sinnemahoning State Park Manager

-- June 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: Trail Along Kiski And Allegheny Rivers To Receive $3.5 Million Boost

-- Warren Times: Allegheny National Forest Proposes Dewdrop Recreation Area Improvements

-- York Dispatch: Wildlife Along York County Heritage Rail Trail NE Extension [Photos]

-- NextPittsburgh: New Scenic Overlook Opening In Pittsburgh With Stunning Views

-- WHYY: After Intense Lifeguard Recruitment Efforts, Philly To Open 80% Of Public Pools

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Volunteers Assemble Bicycles For Kids In Need

-- WHYY: Network Of Philly Walking Groups Prioritizing Self-Care And Community

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Swimming Upriver - A Father’s Day Story

-- Warren Times: Observe MAPS Bird Banding At Audubon Community Nature Center

-- Erie Times: Allegheny College, East Stroudsburg University Lab Partner For Statewide Tick Mitigation Study

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Stargazing In PA: Here Are The Top Night Sky Spots 

Recycling/Waste

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: 4 Tips For Improving Recycling In Pennsylvania - PA Resources Council, PennEnvironment

-- Old Lycoming Township, DEP Highlight Local Recycling Efforts, Illegal Dumping Prevention  [PaEN]

-- Williamsport Sun: Old Lycoming Twp Cracks Down On Illegal Dumping

-- MCall: Grand Central Landfill In Northampton County Is Again Looking To Expand

-- DEP Publishes Revised Residual Waste General Permit WMGR096 - Beneficial Use Of Regulated Fill In June 18 PA Bulletin

-- MCall: Lehigh Valley College Students Leave Piles Of Stuff Behind At End Of School Year; Schools Making Sure It Doesn’t Go To Waste

-- Guest Essay: Saving Our World From Becoming Planet Plastic, One Road At A Time - By Jan Goodwin, Award-Winning Journalist & Author, Friend Of SEEDS

Renewable Energy

-- DOE Partners With Carnegie Mellon University To Launch The 2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum In Pittsburgh In September  [PaEN]

-- 13th Global Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting In Pittsburgh Sept. 21-23

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Global Clean Energy Forum To Be Held In Pittsburgh Sept. 21-23

-- House Environmental Committee Meets June 22 On Bill To Protect Military Airspace From Windmills  [PaEN]

-- York Dispatch: Dover Solar Power Project Receives Township Approval, With Conditions

-- York Daily Record: Dover Solar Farm Project Approved After 7 Hearings

-- Scranton Times: Solar Group Looks to Build Solar Farms In Archbald, Scott Twps., Scranton 

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Half-Built PA Solar Farm In Cambria County Shows Renewables Aren’t Ready For Prime Time

-- Utility Dive: PJM Proposes ‘First-Ready, First-Served’ Interconnection Review Process To Clear Renewable Backlog 

-- Bloomberg Green: Investors Putting Billions Into Climate Tech, Renewables Don’t Plan To Stop Now

-- CNN: Wind And Solar Power Are ‘Bailing Out’ Texas Amid Record Heat, Energy Demand

-- Financial Times: Pentagon Bankrolls Rare Earths Plant As U.S. Plays Catch-Up To China

-- Bloomberg: 10 EU Nations Warn Against Diluting Green Plan Before Key Vote

-- Bloomberg: Key EU Parliament Groups Reject Green Label For Natural Gas, Nuclear

-- The Guardian: Fossil Fuel Firms ‘Have Humanity By The Throat,’ Says UN Head In Blistering Attack

-- Reuters: UN Chief Says The Dash For New Fossil Fuels Is ‘Delusional’

Schuylkill River

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: The Schuylkill River Is Clean But Has A Public Relations Problem, Study Finds

-- Republican Herald: Launch Party Kicks Off Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn In Schuylkill Haven

-- Schuylkill Action Network Summer Newsletter: Perkiomen Floating Classroom, Farms For Clean Water, Delaware Urban Waters Partnership, Much More

Storage Tanks

-- Senate Environmental Committee Meets June 20 On Bill To Extend Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Programs  [PaEN]

SRBC

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Podcast: Groundwater Level Monitoring Grants 

Susquehanna River

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: RiverFest - ‘The River Is A Friendly Place, A Good Place’

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Riverfest Offers Educational Fun Alongside Susquehanna River

-- Citizens Voice: People Enjoy Nature, Susquehanna River During 2nd Day Of Riverfest

-- Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper: 8 Floating Classroom Programs Announced For Williamsport

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Podcast: Groundwater Level Monitoring Grants 

Sustainability

-- Post-Gazette: Green Tech Company Working With Michael Keaton To Expand Presence In Pittsburgh Beyond Manufacturing

Wastewater Facilities

-- Courier Times: How Will Lower Makefield Twp. Spend Its Sewer System Sale Funds?

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: PA American Water Seeks A 25% Increase In Water, Sewer Bills

-- EPA Announces $6.5 Billion In New Funding Available Under Water Infrastructure Loan Program

Watershed Protection

-- Bay Journal: EPA And Farm Bureau Find Common Ground In Pennsylvania - Urge State Lawmakers To Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Funding - By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal  [PaEN]

-- PA Farm Bureau, Sand County Foundation, Partners Now Accepting Nominations For PA Leopold Conservation Award  [PaEN]

-- Preparations Underway For Penn State’s 2022 Ag Progress Days August 9-11  [PaEN]

-- Appalachian Voices: Advocates Urge Biden To Fill Vacant Director Of Surface Mining Position 

-- American Water Charitable Foundation Accepting Applications For Water And The Environment Grants  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: Can Music Heal Polluted Rivers? Brooke Smokelin Has Dedicated Her Life To Trying

-- Huntingdon Daily News: Huntingdon Conservation District, County Library Team Up To Teach Youth About Importance Of Healthy Streams 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Advance Restoration Plan For Trout Run Watershed, Erie County [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: The Schuylkill River Is Clean But Has A Public Relations Problem, Study Finds

-- Delaware Currents: PA Portion Of Upper Delaware Blessed With Pristine Streams, But They Draw Little Notice From State Officials

-- Schuylkill Action Network Summer Newsletter: Perkiomen Floating Classroom, Farms For Clean Water, Delaware Urban Waters Partnership, Much More

-- Delaware RiverKeeper June 17 RiverWatch Video Report

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: RiverFest - ‘The River Is A Friendly Place, A Good Place’

-- Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper: 8 Floating Classroom Programs Announced For Williamsport

-- TribLive: Volunteers Sought For 32nd Annual Kiski River Cleanup This Weekend

-- LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin Elected Chair Of Chesapeake Bay Commission’s PA Delegation

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Wildlife

-- Game Commission: Conservation Heritage Museum To Open June 25 At Middle Wildlife Management Area, Lebanon County  [PaEN]

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Fish & Boat Commission Moves Closer To Raising Fishing, Boating Fees

-- Warren Times: Testing Shows No New Chronic Wasting Disease Cases In Warren County

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat  [PaEN]

-- Bradford Era: Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Advocates Cancellation Of Tracy Ridge Burn Project To Protect Bat

-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: Erie National Wildlife Refuge On List For Expansion Of Hunting, Fishing

-- TribLive - Mary Ann Thomas: Hays Bald Eagle Juveniles Take Flight, Share The Skies With Young Hawk

-- York Dispatch: Wildlife Along York County Heritage Rail Trail NE Extension [Photos]

-- Appalachian Chapter Audubon Society Offering Full Scholarship To Hog Island Audubon Camp In Maine  [PaEN]

- Republican Herald: Berks Sinfonietta Brings Fantasy World To Life At Hawk Mountain

-- Scranton Times: Helping The State Insect - The Firefly

-- WHYY: U.S. House Passes Major Wildlife Conservation Funding Bill

West Nile/Zika Virus

-- Erie Times: Allegheny College, East Stroudsburg University Lab Partner For Statewide Tick Mitigation Study

-- Inquirer: West Nile Virus Found In Philadelphia Mosquitoes For First Time This Summer

Opportunities

-- Help Wanted: Landforce Empowerment, Training Program Staff In Western PA

-- Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy - Easement Steward  [PaEN]

-- Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District Urban Resource Conservationist  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Names Justin Waid Sinnemahoning State Park Manager

CLICK HERE to View or Print the June 20 PA Environment Digest.

[Posted: June 19, 2022]


6/20/2022

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