Here are 155 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

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

On October 1, AARP announced the winners of the national AARP Purpose Prize Award which includes Dr. Ilyssa Manspeizer, CEO of Pittsburgh-based Landforce.

On October 1, Bristol Township School District Board of Directors member Kellie Buchanan announced Bristol Township Environmental Advisory Committee Chairman Kody Brittingham and EAC Secretary Arielle Trost have been honored with the Keep PA Beautiful Community Pride Award in recognition of their commitment to environmental advocacy, preservation, and education.

The Pennsylvania-based Evangelical Environmental Network issued this statement on the shutdown of the federal government--

On July 3, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an order to EQT Production Company in its most recent attempt to get the company to produce records as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into the release of up to an estimated 940,000 gallons of wastewater at the Brova shale gas well pad in North Bethlehem Township, Washington County and similar failures at at least six other EQT well pads.

On April 23, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an Order to Stonehaven Energy Management Company, LLC and Jeremy Graham, individually, to “immediately cease and desist producing, extracting, or injecting as, petroleum or any other liquid related to oil and gas production or storage, including brine or other produced fluids” from 551 conventional oil and gas wells located in Clarion, Clearfield, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Venango and Warren counties.

On May 28, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an Order to Timberline Energy, Inc. requiring the company to submit annual production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports for 475 conventional oil and gas wells in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Erie, Venango and Warren counties. 

The Department of Environmental Protection was prompted by a public complaint to inspect the newly drilled and fracked John D. Branch Brown 1 conventional natural gas well in Pleasant Township, Warren County on September 29, 2025 and found a hose was being used to drain wastewater from a storage tank battery to water a freshly seeded and mulched area of the well site.

On September 29, 2025, Blackhill Energy LLC notified DEP of a second inadvertent return of bentonite drilling mud from horizontal drilling of the Brad-Tenn Loop Pipeline this time in West Burlington Township, Bradford County.  DEP’s Sept. 30 inspection report.

On September 25, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection filed a motion with the Environmental Hearing Board to dismiss the appeal of a DEP letter advising BCD Properties, Inc. the documentation it submitted does not comply with Residual Waste Coproduct Regulations allowing the disposal of its oil and gas wastewater by road dumping.  EHB Docket# 2025066

From September 27 to October 3, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 780 inspection entries, plus previous inspection reports recently posted. 

The Department of Environmental Protection has named Seth Pelepko, a licensed Professional Geologist, as Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, according to LinkedIn.

The following notices were published in the October 4 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 4 PA Bulletin inviting comments and scheduling three hearings on implementation of RACT control techniques guidance for three High-Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polystyrene Resins manufacturers in Pennsylvania.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on October 14 to hear presentations on the Act 54 five-year report on environmental and property damage caused by longwall underground coal mining.

On October 1, the Mountain Watershed Association and LCT Energy, LP announced they have reached a Joint Stipulation as Alternative to Supersedeas in MWA’s ongoing appeal of the Rustic Ridge #1 mine expansion.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments and will hold a November 14 hearing on the renewal of the Title V Air Quality Permit for the coal and natural gas-fired Brunner Island, LLC power plant in East Manchester Township, York County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6997)

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on an initial Title V Air Quality Permit for the Tenaska Pennsylvania Partners, LLC natural gas-fired power plant in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6998)

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting comments on the renewal of an Air Quality Permit for the Wolf Run Energy, LLC natural gas power plant in Wilmot Township, Bradford County. (PA Bulletin, page 6999)

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting comments on a Title V Air Quality Permit for the Hunterstown Power, LLC natural gas-fired peaking power plant in Straban Township, Adams County.   (PA Bulletin, page 7001)

The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a policy brief on electric transmission costs from A.I./data center projects imposed $4.3 billion in costs on utility ratepayers during 2024 in the PJM Interconnection service area, with billions still to come..

On September 29, Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future, Clean Air Council, Sierra Club, and Earthjustice submitted public comments to the Department of Environmental Protection calling on the agency to reconsider its draft approval of a proposed 4.5-gigawatt natural gas power plant in Indiana County – what would be the largest gas plant in the country.

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on an Air Quality Plan Approval Permit covering the installation of 72 - 2.75 MW diesel-fired emergency generators and four 750  kW generators and one 250 kW generator at the Amazon Data Center in Salem Township, Luzerne County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6995).

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association

On November 19, the Pennsylvania State Extension will host a Water Cooler Talk webinar on A.I. Data Centers and Water Resources from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Here are Articles and NewsClips on A.I. and data center issues from last week you may have missed--

On September 30, the New York Blower Company in Lawrence County announced it has officially made the switch to solar energy with the help of nonprofit the Pennsylvania Solar Center’s GET Solar Program, which provides free technical assistance and financial guidance to businesses and organizations looking to go solar.

On September 30, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania announced fiscal year 2026 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key conservation programs, such as the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). 

On September 30, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA invited Chester County residents and other interested individuals to review the draft programmatic Watershed Project Plan to address resource concerns associated with the mushroom composting (MC) industry for five watersheds in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association will hold its 138th Forest Symposium November 1 in State College focused on topics related to wildlife habitats and the Game Commission.

On October 3, the Pennsylvania Resources Council named Sarah Alessio Shea as Executive Director following the recent announcement by Darren Spielman that he will depart from this role by year’s end.

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

The Penn State Extension Community Forestry Institute will host a series of webinars on Mondays and Wednesdays between October 27 and November 12 on planning and managing the green infrastructure of street trees, parks, and open spaces allows municipalities to maximize the many benefits these assets provide while ensuring their long-term sustainability.

By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association

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

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

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

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

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the October 4 PA Bulletin--

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

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