PA Environment Digest

-- The Economist: A Whole New Global Energy System Is Emerging [World Is Still Grappling With Unstable Oil, Natural Gas Markets, Attempting To Accelerate A Renewables Build-Out]

Coal Mining

-- Indiana Gazette: Year In Review: The RGGI Debate Rolls On

-- America’s Coal Associations’ Statement On North American Electric Reliability Corp. 2022 Long-Term Reliability Assessment

Compliance Action

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- PA Capital-Star: Inside The 14-Year Battle To Secure A Water Line For Fracking’s ‘Ground Zero’ In PA [Dimock, Susquehanna County]

Court Decisions

-- Judicial Update: Limits To Environmental Hearing Board Authority To 'Cure' DEP Permit Actions - By Paul Bruder, Jr., Mette, Evans & Woodside [PaEN]

DCNR

-- DCNR Announces $7.3 Million In Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants For Recreation, Conservation Projects In Allegheny, Chester Counties

-- PA Chapter American Planning Assn. Names 2022 Great Places In PA Award Winners [PaEN]

-- Williamsport Sun: Susquehanna River North Branch Needs Votes For River Of The Year

-- Meadville Tribune: 2022 Was A Year To Remember For French Creek, State’s River Of The Year

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Looking For Something To Do New Year’s Day? Take One Of These First Day Hikes

-- WESA: Start New Year In A PA State Park With A First Day Hike

-- Dec. 30 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- WHYY: Major Trail Is Opening In Montgomery County This Winter, With Other Trail Projects In The Pipeline

-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Frozen Waterfalls Create Unique Adventure In PA

-- PA Authorities Assn: New PA Parks & Forests Foundation Video Highlights How Protecting Forests Improves Water Quality, Enhances PA’s Economy

-- PA Master Naturalist Update: Naturalists In Action; Spring 2023 Training Courses

DEP

-- WFMZ: PA Environment Digest: A Look Back At The Oil Oil Gas Industry In 2022

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas, Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- PA Capital-Star: Inside The 14-Year Battle To Secure A Water Line For Fracking’s ‘Ground Zero’ In PA [Dimock, Susquehanna County]

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 24 to 30 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment [PaEN]

-- Bradford Era: DEP’s 2021 Oil & Gas Annual Report Released

-- Courier Express: Oil & Gas Production Increased In PA In 2021

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: 5 Ways Natural Gas Will Rise To The Top Of Mind In 2023

-- Warren Times Editorial: Uncertainty Proves We Need More Drilling, Refineries

-- Indiana Gazette: Year In Review: The RGGI Debate Rolls On

-- DEP Accepting Applications For County Recycling Coordinator Grants Beginning Jan. 2 [PaEN]

-- Interns Wanted: DEP Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- DEP Posted 50 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 31 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Delaware River

-- Jim Thorpe Borough To Vote Jan. 12 On Allowing On-Lot Septic Sewage Systems Within 1,000 Feet Of Mauch Chunk Lake, A Drinking Water Source In Carbon County [PaEN]

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Dec. 30 RiverWatch Video Report

Drinking Water

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Warren Times Editorial: Lead Testing For Children Needs To Happen

-- Reading Eagle: Western Berks Water Authority Will Not Stop Adding Fluoride To Drinking Water

Economic Development

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- Warren Times Editorial: Uncertainty Proves We Need More Drilling, Refineries

-- Meadville Tribune: 2022 Was A Year To Remember For French Creek, State’s River Of The Year

-- PA Authorities Assn: New PA Parks & Forests Foundation Video Highlights How Protecting Forests Improves Water Quality, Enhances PA’s Economy

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- TribLive: Bicycle Heaven In Pittsburgh Looks To Raise Money After Major Water Damage

-- Bloomberg: The Climate Impact Of Our Insatiable Plastic Addiction

-- Bloomberg: Why The Price Of Plastic Is Crashing After A Record Surge

-- Bloomberg: Inside Big Plastic’s Faltering $1.5 Billion Global Cleanup Effort

Education

-- Interns Wanted: DEP Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Wildlife For Everyone Now Accepting Applications For College Scholarship Program [PaEN]

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 24 to 30 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 50 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 31 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- TribLive: University Of Pittsburgh Offering $300,000 To Group That Comes Up With Best Carbon Neutrality Plan

-- Westminster Students Present Data Findings From DeSale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Excursion [PaEN]

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Dec. 30 RiverWatch Video Report

-- The Weather Channel: Huge Ice Jam Block Susquehanna River, Backed Up Water Causes Flooding Near Wrightsville, York County

-- TribLive: Mary Ann Thomas & Maddie Aiken: Several Hundred Birders Slough Through Rain To Count Thousands Of Birds, Some Rare

-- UnionProgress.com: Winter Can Be The Perfect Time To Start Feeding Feathered Friends

-- Dauphin County Parks & Recreation: Friends Of Wildwood 4-Part Winter Lecture Series On Planting Trees For Tomorrow [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com: North American Wildflowers Threatened By Climate Change

-- Penguin Court & Thomas Road Farm In Westmoreland County Are Hosting 5 Virtual Programs On Winter Adaptations Of Animals [PaEN]

-- Warren Times: Audubon Natural Center First Friday Jan. 6 Nature As My Art Partner; First Sunday Story Time Jan. 8

-- ExploreClarion: Penn State DuBois Ecology Students Raise Awareness Of PA Endangered Species

-- Williamsport Sun - Bill Bower: Reflections In Nature: How Does Wildlife Survive In Winter’s Rough Environment?

-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: Get To Know Trees On A Winter Walk With Tree Pittsburgh

-- PA Authorities Assn: New PA Parks & Forests Foundation Video Highlights How Protecting Forests Improves Water Quality, Enhances PA’s Economy

-- PA Master Naturalist Update: Naturalists In Action; Spring 2023 Training Courses

-- USA Today: These Lies About Climate Change Just Wouldn’t Die In 2022

-- The Guardian: U.S. Response To The Climate Emergency: Key Moments Of 2022

-- Bloomberg: Six Climate Breakthroughs That Made 2022 A Step Toward Net Zero

Emergency Response

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas, Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Encourages Eastern PA Ag Businesses To Apply For Federal Disaster Aid For June/Sept. Heat, Drought Impacts

-- TribLive: Flooding Not Expected As Allegheny River Ice Thaws

-- AP: 3 Washington State Electric Substations Vandalized Cutting Power To 14,000

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]

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh-Area Drivers Facing Higher Gasoline Prices Than Other Parts Of State, Nation

-- AAA: Pennsylvania Average Gasoline Price $3.59; National Average $3.10

-- Erie Times: Why PA’s Gasoline Tax Is Increasing In 2023, And Efforts To Halt Future Hikes

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas ,Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: 5 Ways Natural Gas Will Rise To The Top Of Mind In 2023

-- National Fuel Projects To Lower Natural Gas Costs For PA Customers In Winter Of 2023-24

-- Altoona Mirror: Peoples Natural Gas Rates Set To Decrease Jan. 1 Due To Market Prices Being Down

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Top Stories Of 2022 #9: Better Times For Natural Gas [Price Of Natural Gas Up (94.7%), Stock Up 204%]

-- Financial Times: Oil And Gas Stocks Shine Thanks To Ukraine War Price Increases, Stingier Capital Spending

-- OilPrice.com: Natural Gas Prices Set For A Sustained Rally In 2023

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- Bloomberg: Record Output Slump For Top U.S. Natural Gas Basin Worsened Power Chaos; Well Freeze-Offs Sent Production Plunging In Appalachian Basin

-- Markets Insider: U.S. Natural Gas Production Plunges As Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Natural Gas Supplies Still Constrained As Extreme Cold Freezes Pipes

-- Guest Essay: Key To Lower Energy Prices And Energy Freedom Is Diversifying Electricity Generation With Solar, Renewable Energy - By PA Solar Center

-- Guest Essay: Energy Independence Is A National Security Issue - By Lt. General Richard Zilmer, USMC (Ret.), Pennsylvania Native

-- Inside Climate News: 2022 U.S. Became World’s Largest Exporter Of Liquified Natural Gas

-- Reading Eagle: PJM Interconnection Officials Said Warnings To Conserve Energy On Christmas Eve Helped Keep The Lights On

-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corp. To Open Joint Inquiry Into Winter Storm Elliott [PaEN]

-- Reuters: U.S. Regulators To Probe Power Outages During Historic Winter Storm

National/International

-- Bloomberg: Texas Governor Calls For Probe Of Natural Gas Provider That Asked Customers To Curb Gas Use As Temperatures Plunged

-- AP: Power Failures Amplify Calls For TVA To Rethink Natural Gas

-- Bloomberg: Fossil Fuel [Coal, Natural Gas] Power Plunged Up To 68% As Electric Blackouts Hit U.S. South

-- Bloomberg: Wholesale Power Prices Surged More Than 6,000% In Parts Of Country During Worst Part Of Storm

-- NPR: Intense Cold Strained, But Didn’t Break The U.S. Electric Grid, That Was Lucky

Energy

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- TribLive: Natural Gas Service Disrupted By Flooded Service Lines In Hempfield, Westmoreland County

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas, Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- Warren Times Editorial: Uncertainty Proves We Need More Drilling, Refineries

-- Indiana Gazette: Year In Review: The RGGI Debate Rolls On

-- Guest Essay: Key To Lower Energy Prices And Energy Freedom Is Diversifying Electricity Generation With Solar, Renewable Energy - By PA Solar Center

-- Guest Essay: Energy Independence Is A National Security Issue - By Lt. General Richard Zilmer, USMC (Ret.), Pennsylvania Native

-- Inside Climate News: 2022 U.S. Became World’s Largest Exporter Of Liquified Natural Gas

-- Agriculture Secretary Releases Guidance For Farms And Rural Communities Considering Solar Energy Production [PaEN]

-- TribLive: University Of Pittsburgh Offering $300,000 To Group That Comes Up With Best Carbon Neutrality Plan

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh-Area Drivers Facing Higher Gasoline Prices Than Other Parts Of State, Nation

-- AAA: Pennsylvania Average Gasoline Price $3.59; National Average $3.10

-- Erie Times: Why PA’s Gasoline Tax Is Increasing In 2023, And Efforts To Halt Future Hikes

-- National Fuel Projects To Lower Natural Gas Costs For PA Customers In Winter Of 2023-24

-- Altoona Mirror: Peoples Natural Gas Rates Set To Decrease Jan. 1 Due To Market Prices Being Down

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Top Stories Of 2022 #9: Better Times For Natural Gas [Price Of Natural Gas Up (94.7%), Stock Up 204%]

-- Financial Times: Oil And Gas Stocks Shine Thanks To Ukraine War Price Increases, Stingier Capital Spending

-- OilPrice.com: Natural Gas Prices Set For A Sustained Rally In 2023

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- Bloomberg: Record Output Slump For Top U.S. Natural Gas Basin Worsened Power Chaos; Well Freeze-Offs Sent Production Plunging In Appalachian Basin

-- Markets Insider: U.S. Natural Gas Production Plunges As Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Natural Gas Supplies Still Constrained As Extreme Cold Freezes Pipes

-- America’s Coal Associations’ Statement On North American Electric Reliability Corp. 2022 Long-Term Reliability Assessment

-- AP: Power Failures Amplify Calls For TVA To Rethink Natural Gas

-- Reading Eagle: PJM Interconnection Officials Said Warnings To Conserve Energy On Christmas Eve Helped Keep The Lights On

-- NPR: Intense Cold Strained, But Didn’t Break The U.S. Electric Grid, That Was Lucky

-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corp. To Open Joint Inquiry Into Winter Storm Elliott [PaEN]

-- Reuters: U.S. Regulators To Probe Power Outages During Historic Winter Storm

-- AP: 3 Washington State Electric Substations Vandalized Cutting Power To 14,000

-- The Economist: A Whole New Global Energy System Is Emerging [World Is Still Grappling With Unstable Oil, Natural Gas Markets, Attempting To Accelerate A Renewables Build-Out]

Energy Conservation

-- Reading Eagle: PJM Interconnection Officials Said Warnings To Conserve Energy On Christmas Eve Helped Keep The Lights On

-- TribLive: University Of Pittsburgh Offering $300,000 To Group That Comes Up With Best Carbon Neutrality Plan

Environmental Health

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- PA Capital-Star: Inside The 14-Year Battle To Secure A Water Line For Fracking’s ‘Ground Zero’ In PA [Dimock, Susquehanna County]

-- WHYY: Cancer-Causing Benzene Will Not Be Monitored At Former Philadelphia Refinery Site In 2023

-- Warren Times Editorial: Lead Testing For Children Needs To Happen

Environmental Heritage

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Pittsburgh Chosen As PA’s World War II Heritage City

EPA

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: EPA Needs To Finalize Strong, Comprehensive Oil & Gas Facility Methane Standards - Clean Air Council

-- EPA, Army Corps Finalize Rule Protecting Waters Of The United States

-- AP: EPA Finalizes Water Rule To Protect Small Streams, Wetlands, Waterways

Farming

-- Reading Eagle: Berks Family Maximizing The Land On Their Preserved Farm

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Encourages Eastern PA Ag Businesses To Apply For Federal Disaster Aid For June/Sept. Heat, Drought Impacts

-- Agriculture Secretary Releases Guidance For Farms And Rural Communities Considering Solar Energy Production [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: Agriculture Secretary Looks Back On 8 Years Of Wolf Administration

Flooding

-- TribLive: Flooding Not Expected As Allegheny River Ice Thaws

Forests

-- Dauphin County Parks & Recreation: Friends Of Wildwood 4-Part Winter Lecture Series On Planting Trees For Tomorrow [PaEN]

-- PA Authorities Assn: New PA Parks & Forests Foundation Video Highlights How Protecting Forests Improves Water Quality, Enhances PA’s Economy

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- Dec. 30 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- ExploreClarion.com: PA Great Outdoors Announces 2023 Photo Contests

-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: Get To Know Trees On A Winter Walk With Tree Pittsburgh

-- PA Master Naturalist Update: Naturalists In Action; Spring 2023 Training Courses

Forests - Wildfires

-- USA Today: Another Above-Average Wildfire Season In 2022; How Climate Change Is Making Fires Harder To Predict And Fight

Grants/Funding

-- DCNR Announces $7.3 Million In Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants For Recreation, Conservation Projects In Allegheny, Chester Counties

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Encourages Eastern PA Ag Businesses To Apply For Federal Disaster Aid For June/Sept. Heat, Drought Impacts

-- DEP Accepting Applications For County Recycling Coordinator Grants Beginning Jan. 2 [PaEN]

-- TribLive: University Of Pittsburgh Offering $300,000 To Group That Comes Up With Best Carbon Neutrality Plan

-- AP: 2023 Federal Tax Credits For Electric Vehicles Will Boost Their Appeal

Green Infrastructure

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- PA Chapter American Planning Assn. Names 2022 Great Places In PA Award Winners [PaEN]

-- Reading Eagle: Berks Family Maximizing The Land On Their Preserved Farm

-- Chesapeake Conservancy Announces Champions Of The Chesapeake: Rappahannock Tribe Chief Anne Richardson & Blacks of the Chesapeake President Vince Leggett

-- Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Releases Stormwater Strategic Plan For Public Comment [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Water Authority Asks Residents: What Kind Of Stormwater System Are You Willing To Pay For?

-- Dauphin County Parks & Recreation: Friends Of Wildwood 4-Part Winter Lecture Series On Planting Trees For Tomorrow [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com: North American Wildflowers Threatened By Climate Change

-- Interns Wanted: DEP Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

Hazardous Substances

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas, Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- PA Capital-Star: Inside The 14-Year Battle To Secure A Water Line For Fracking’s ‘Ground Zero’ In PA [Dimock, Susquehanna County]

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas, Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- WHYY: Cancer-Causing Benzene Will Not Be Monitored At Former Philadelphia Refinery Site In 2023

-- Warren Times Editorial: Lead Testing For Children Needs To Happen

Land Conservation

-- PA Chapter American Planning Assn. Names 2022 Great Places In PA Award Winners [PaEN]

-- Reading Eagle: Berks Family Maximizing The Land On Their Preserved Farm

-- Interns Wanted: DEP Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- Penguin Court & Thomas Road Farm In Westmoreland County Are Hosting 5 Virtual Programs On Winter Adaptations Of Animals [PaEN]

-- PA Master Naturalist Update: Naturalists In Action; Spring 2023 Training Courses

Land Recycling

-- WHYY: Cancer-Causing Benzene Will Not Be Monitored At Former Philadelphia Refinery Site In 2023

Mine Reclamation

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- Westminster Students Present Data Findings From DeSale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Excursion [PaEN]

-- Interns Wanted: DEP Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Acid Mine Drainage Funding Bill Headed To Biden’s Desk

Ohio River

-- Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Releases Stormwater Strategic Plan For Public Comment [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Water Authority Asks Residents: What Kind Of Stormwater System Are You Willing To Pay For?

On-Lot Septic Systems

-- Jim Thorpe Borough To Vote Jan. 12 On Allowing On-Lot Septic Sewage Systems Within 1,000 Feet Of Mauch Chunk Lake, A Drinking Water Source In Carbon County [PaEN]

Oil & Gas

-- WFMZ: PA Environment Digest: A Look Back At The Oil Oil Gas Industry In 2022

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Rattles Smith Township In Washington County

-- Bob Donnan Blog: Aerial Photos Of ETC Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant In Washington County Show Cranes Working To Remove Explosion Damaged Equipment

-- KDKA: Fire Ripped Through ETC Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas/Natural Gas Liquids Processing Plant Monday In Washington County

-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Solving Our Energy Crisis Starts With Smart Policies That Support Natural Gas, Oil - By American Petroleum Association

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: 5 Ways Natural Gas Will Rise To The Top Of Mind In 2023

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 24 to 30 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment [PaEN]

-- Bradford Era: DEP’s 2021 Oil & Gas Annual Report Released

-- Courier Express: Oil & Gas Production Increased In PA In 2021

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: Inside The 14-Year Battle To Secure A Water Line For Fracking’s ‘Ground Zero’ In PA [Dimock, Susquehanna County]

-- TribLive: Natural Gas Service Disrupted By Flooded Service Lines In Hempfield, Westmoreland County

-- Warren Times Editorial: Uncertainty Proves We Need More Drilling, Refineries

-- WHYY: Cancer-Causing Benzene Will Not Be Monitored At Former Philadelphia Refinery Site In 2023

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: EPA Needs To Finalize Strong, Comprehensive Oil & Gas Facility Methane Standards - Clean Air Council

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh-Area Drivers Facing Higher Gasoline Prices Than Other Parts Of State, Nation

-- AAA: Pennsylvania Average Gasoline Price $3.59; National Average $3.10

-- Erie Times: Why PA’s Gasoline Tax Is Increasing In 2023, And Efforts To Halt Future Hikes

-- National Fuel Projects To Lower Natural Gas Costs For PA Customers In Winter Of 2023-24

-- Altoona Mirror: Peoples Natural Gas Rates Set To Decrease Jan. 1 Due To Market Prices Being Down

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Top Stories Of 2022 #9: Better Times For Natural Gas [Price Of Natural Gas Up (94.7%), Stock Up 204%]

-- Financial Times: Oil And Gas Stocks Shine Thanks To Ukraine War Price Increases, Stingier Capital Spending

-- OilPrice.com: Natural Gas Prices Set For A Sustained Rally In 2023

-- Inside Climate News: 2022 U.S. Became World’s Largest Exporter Of Liquified Natural Gas

-- The Economist: A Whole New Global Energy System Is Emerging [World Is Still Grappling With Unstable Oil, Natural Gas Markets, Attempting To Accelerate A Renewables Build-Out]

-- AP: Power Failures Amplify Calls For TVA To Rethink Natural Gas

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- Bloomberg: Record Output Slump For Top U.S. Natural Gas Basin Worsened Power Chaos; Well Freeze-Offs Sent Production Plunging In Appalachian Basin

-- Markets Insider: U.S. Natural Gas Production Plunges As Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Natural Gas Supplies Still Constrained As Extreme Cold Freezes Pipes

-- Reading Eagle: PJM Interconnection Officials Said Warnings To Conserve Energy On Christmas Eve Helped Keep The Lights On

-- NPR: Intense Cold Strained, But Didn’t Break The U.S. Electric Grid, That Was Lucky

-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corp. To Open Joint Inquiry Into Winter Storm Elliott [PaEN]

-- Reuters: U.S. Regulators To Probe Power Outages During Historic Winter Storm

-- Bloomberg: The Climate Impact Of Our Insatiable Plastic Addiction

-- Bloomberg: Why The Price Of Plastic Is Crashing After A Record Surge

-- Bloomberg: Inside Big Plastic’s Faltering $1.5 Billion Global Cleanup Effort

Pipelines

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment [PaEN]

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- NPR: Intense Cold Strained, But Didn’t Break The U.S. Electric Grid, That Was Lucky

-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corp. To Open Joint Inquiry Into Winter Storm Elliott [PaEN]

-- Reuters: U.S. Regulators To Probe Power Outages During Historic Winter Storm

Permitting

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 24 to 30 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 50 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 31 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Public Participation

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 24 to 30 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 50 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 31 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

PUC

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Natural Gas Service Disrupted By Flooded Service Lines In Hempfield, Westmoreland County

-- National Fuel Projects To Lower Natural Gas Costs For PA Customers In Winter Of 2023-24

-- Altoona Mirror: Peoples Natural Gas Rates Set To Decrease Jan. 1 Due To Market Prices Being Down

-- OilPrice.com: Natural Gas Prices Set For A Sustained Rally In 2023

-- Bloomberg: Top U.S. Natural Gas Producer Pittsburgh-Based EQT Saw Output Drops Of 30% During Cold Snap

-- Bloomberg: Record Output Slump For Top U.S. Natural Gas Basin Worsened Power Chaos; Well Freeze-Offs Sent Production Plunging In Appalachian Basin

-- Markets Insider: U.S. Natural Gas Production Plunges As Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc

-- Bloomberg: U.S. Natural Gas Supplies Still Constrained As Extreme Cold Freezes Pipes

-- Bloomberg: Fossil Fuel [Coal, Natural Gas] Power Plunged Up To 68% As Electric Blackouts Hit U.S. South

-- Bloomberg: Texas Governor Calls For Probe Of Natural Gas Provider That Asked Customers To Curb Gas Use As Temperatures Plunged

-- Bloomberg: Big Growth In Electric Heat Set Stage For Blackouts In Tennessee, Carolinas During Winter Storm

-- Bloomberg: Wholesale Power Prices Surged More Than 6,000% In Parts Of Country During Worst Part Of Storm

-- America’s Coal Associations’ Statement On North American Electric Reliability Corp. 2022 Long-Term Reliability Assessment

-- Guest Essay: Key To Lower Energy Prices And Energy Freedom Is Diversifying Electricity Generation With Solar, Renewable Energy - By PA Solar Center

-- Guest Essay: Energy Independence Is A National Security Issue - By Lt. General Richard Zilmer, USMC (Ret.), Pennsylvania Native

-- Reading Eagle: PJM Interconnection Officials Said Warnings To Conserve Energy On Christmas Eve Helped Keep The Lights On

-- NPR: Intense Cold Strained, But Didn’t Break The U.S. Electric Grid, That Was Lucky

-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corp. To Open Joint Inquiry Into Winter Storm Elliott [PaEN]

-- Reuters: U.S. Regulators To Probe Power Outages During Historic Winter Storm

Radiation Protection

-- DEP Report Finds: Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Routinely Abandon Wells; Fail To Report How Millions Of Gallons Of Waste Is Disposed; And Non-Compliance Is An ‘Acceptable Norm’ [PaEN]

-- UnionProgress.com - Laura Legere: ‘Rule Rather Than The Exception’: DEP Rips Conventional Oil & Gas Industry For Noncompliance

Recreation

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- DCNR Announces $7.3 Million In Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants For Recreation, Conservation Projects In Allegheny, Chester Counties

-- PA Chapter American Planning Assn. Names 2022 Great Places In PA Award Winners [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Looking For Something To Do New Year’s Day? Take One Of These First Day Hikes

-- WESA: Start New Year In A PA State Park With A First Day Hike

-- Dec. 30 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]

-- Interns Wanted: DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Internships In 2023, Check List Often

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Life Lessons Taught In DCNR’s Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps - By Brianna Geiner, Corps Member

-- WHYY: Major Trail Is Opening In Montgomery County This Winter, With Other Trail Projects In The Pipeline

-- Williamsport Sun: Susquehanna River North Branch Needs Votes For River Of The Year

-- Meadville Tribune: 2022 Was A Year To Remember For French Creek, State’s River Of The Year

-- York Daily Record - Brian Whipkey: Frozen Waterfalls Create Unique Adventure In PA

-- ExploreClarion.com: PA Great Outdoors Announces 2023 Photo Contests

-- TribLive: Bicycle Heaven In Pittsburgh Looks To Raise Money After Major Water Damage

-- PA Authorities Assn: New PA Parks & Forests Foundation Video Highlights How Protecting Forests Improves Water Quality, Enhances PA’s Economy

-- PA Master Naturalist Update: Naturalists In Action; Spring 2023 Training Courses

Recycling/Waste

-- DEP Accepting Applications For County Recycling Coordinator Grants Beginning Jan. 2 [PaEN]

-- WHYY: Coming In 2023: Delaware County’s First Zero Waste Report, Will It Address Incinerator Use?

-- TribLive: Drop-Off Recycling Programs In Westmoreland Turn Live Christmas Trees Into Mulch

-- Bloomberg: The Climate Impact Of Our Insatiable Plastic Addiction

-- Bloomberg: Why The Price Of Plastic Is Crashing After A Record Surge

-- Bloomberg: Inside Big Plastic’s Faltering $1.5 Billion Global Cleanup Effort

Renewable Energy

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: Key To Lower Energy Prices And Energy Freedom Is Diversifying Electricity Generation With Solar, Renewable Energy - By PA Solar Center

-- Guest Essay: Energy Independence Is A National Security Issue - By Lt. General Richard Zilmer, USMC (Ret.), Pennsylvania Native

-- Indiana Gazette: Year In Review: The RGGI Debate Rolls On

-- Agriculture Secretary Releases Guidance For Farms And Rural Communities Considering Solar Energy Production [PaEN]

-- TribLive: University Of Pittsburgh Offering $300,000 To Group That Comes Up With Best Carbon Neutrality Plan

-- NYT: A Town-By-Town Battle To Sell Americans On Renewable Energy

-- The Economist: A Whole New Global Energy System Is Emerging [World Is Still Grappling With Unstable Oil, Natural Gas Markets, Attempting To Accelerate A Renewables Build-Out]

Stormwater

-- Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Releases Stormwater Strategic Plan For Public Comment [PaEN]

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Water Authority Asks Residents: What Kind Of Stormwater System Are You Willing To Pay For?

Susquehanna River

-- Williamsport Sun: Susquehanna River North Branch Needs Votes For River Of The Year

-- The Weather Channel: Huge Ice Jam Block Susquehanna River, Backed Up Water Causes Flooding Near Wrightsville, York County

Watershed Protection

-- 3,190 New Stories In 2022 - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- Westminster Students Present Data Findings From DeSale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Excursion [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Acid Mine Drainage Funding Bill Headed To Biden’s Desk

-- Chesapeake Conservancy Announces Champions Of The Chesapeake: Rappahannock Tribe Chief Anne Richardson & Blacks of the Chesapeake President Vince Leggett

-- Williamsport Sun: Susquehanna River North Branch Needs Votes For River Of The Year