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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, June 24, 2013
(6/24/2013)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* EPA Will Not OK Nutrient Reductions From Manure Treatment Tech Under SB 994

On June 19 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that practices and technologies that are not approved by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program will not be allowed to be counted toward meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

* CBF: Fundamental Flaws In SB 994 Nutrient Reduction Bill Have Not Been Addressed

Harry Campbell, PA Office Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Monday wrote to all members of the Senate opposing Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver) saying amendments made in the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee last week did not correct the fundamental flaws in the bill.

* PennVEST/DEP Nutrient Credit Auction Sells Credits For $2.67

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection, along with financial information services company Markit, held the second "forward" auction in 2013 on June 12 for the sale and purchase of nutrient credits in Pennsylvania's Chesapeake Bay watershed.

* DEP Now Accepting Applications For Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Grants

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its latest round of Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration and Protection Grants.  Applications are due August 16.  (formal notice)

* State Budget Will Come Down To The Wire, Like Always

The Senate and House have at most 7 voting days left on their schedule before the June 30 deadline for enacting a state budget, the Senate did add two new voting days before the Sunday deadline in-fact.

* Growing Greener Coalition Opposes Diverting Keystone Fund Monies

The PA Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, Monday issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to a June 16 Associated Press article in which Budget Secretary Charles Zogby suggested diverting dedicated funding for open space and parks projects under the Keystone Fund to balance the budget:

* PennDOT Unveils Website Showing How New Transportation Funds Would Be Used

PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch Friday unveiled a new website that illustrates where and how additional transportation funding would be invested across Pennsylvania if a long-term funding solution is put into place.

* Independent Fiscal Office Cuts $300 Million From Deficit Estimate

The Independent Fiscal Office Monday released its official revenue estimate saying the Fy 2013-14 deficit will be $220 million, not the $520 million it estimated earlier, according to director Matthew Knittel.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule (Updated)

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* Bills On Governor's Desk

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

* Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

* Senate Environmental Committee OKs Green Building, On-Lot Bills

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday reported out legislation reversing an Environmental Hearing Board decision on how the Department of Environmental Protection reviews on-lot septic system modules in HQ and EV watersheds and a bill setting green building standards for state buildings.

* Rep. Vitali Introduces Bill On Health Issues Related To Gas Drilling

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, has introduced House Bill 1579 (text not yet online) which would determine what impacts Marcellus Shale drilling has on human health and would allow doctors to better treat drilling-related ailments.

* Hearing On Gas Royalty Transparency Issues By Senate Committee June 27

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a public hearing June 27  to receive testimony regarding royalty stub transparency issues and post-production costs from the development of natural gas, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Committee.

* PEC Honors Michael DiBerardinis, Joan Reilly With Winsor Awards

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council Tuesday celebrated its collaborative work and dedication to the protection and restoration of the natural and built environment of Pennsylvania at its 43rd Annual Philadelphia Environmental Partnership Dinner at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building. 

* USGS: Naturally Occurring Methane Found In Sullivan County Water Wells

Two of 20 randomly selected and tested household wells used for drinking water in Sullivan County produced groundwater with elevated concentrations of naturally occurring dissolved methane, the most common component of natural gas, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey study conducted in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geological Survey.

* Aqua America: Private Investment Plays Key Role In Infrastructure Repair

Aqua America, Inc. Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said Thursday “Private companies have the capital and other resources necessary to be key players in the construction, repair and rehabilitation of our nation’s infrastructure.”

* 2 Delaware Estuary Watershed Teacher Workshops In July

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will hold two Delaware Estuary Watershed Teacher Workshops in July: July 10-12-Estuary Explorers and July 16-18-Urban Waters.

* PECO Awards 2013 Green Region Grants In Southeast PA

PECO has provided 17 municipalities across the Greater Philadelphia region with $150,000 in grant funding as part of PECO Green Region, the company’s municipal open space and environmental grant program.

* PPL Electric Customers Show Energy Savings Success

The numbers tell the story. PPL Electric Utilities customers are a savvy, energy-efficient bunch.

* KPB Announces Winners Of Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania Video Contest Winners!

* Save The Date: Penn State Zero Waste Conference

On September 15-18 Penn State University will host a Zero Waste Conference at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College.

* DEP Issues Air Quality Action Day Alerts For June 22, 23 In Seven Areas

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast an orange air quality action day for ozone for June 22 and June 23 in the Lehigh Valley, Liberty-Clairton, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Susquehanna areas and in Mercer and Indiana counties.

* DEP Announces June 28 Natural Gas Vehicle Workshop In Blair County

The Department of Environmental Protection, along with its partners at Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities and Peoples Natural Gas Company, will hold a free workshop on June 28, for private and municipal fleet owners and operators, automotive technicians and refueling station developers. 

* DEP Releases Draft Permit Review Public Participation Policy for Public Comment

The Department of Environmental Protection published a draft of its Public Participation Policy for the Permit Review Process for publication in the June 22 PA Bulletin. The policy is open for public comment until July 22.

* DEP Monthly Report To The Citizens Advisory Council

The June 18 DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting was cancelled this week, but DEP still provided a copy of its monthly report on agency activities and initiatives to Council members and the public.  Click Here to download a copy.

* June eConnections Newsletter Available From Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

The June issue of the eConnections newsletter from the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is now available and is chock full of events and news happening throughout the Susquehanna Valley.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

* Go Back To School This Fall And Become A Wissahickon Trail Ambassador

Join the Friends of the Wissahickon and become a Trail Ambassador this Fall in Montgomery County.  FOW is offering a fall training session for this popular volunteer program. The application deadline is August 16.

* Additional Hunting Opportunities In State Parks, Forests

Deer hunters now can apply for permits affording more hunting opportunities in state forestlands and state parks through the Game Commission's Deer Management Assistance Program, or DMAP.

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

* Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs.  NEW means new from last week.

* Budget/Quick Clips

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week.   Pennsylvania Bulletin - June 22, 2013

* Calendar Of Events

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars.  Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

* Stories Invited

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

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

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