The PA Resources Council Thursday presented its 2013 Environmental Leadership Awards to four companies and organizations at their annual awards dinner in King of Prussia.  The awards were presented to--

In celebration of America Recycles Day and the 25th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s recycling law, the PA Recycling Markets Center and its partners Thursday unveiled a new Recycling Works! exhibit at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg,

The House Game and Fisheries Committee Wednesday amended and reported out House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) making fundamental changes in the way threatened and endangered species are listed and protected in Pennsylvania by a vote of 16 to 8.

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission Thursday raised questions about whether the proposed increase in Marcellus Shale drilling fees “reasonable relationship” to DEP’s cost of administering the Oil and Gas Program.

Independent Fiscal Office Director Matthew Knittel Thursday announced the release of an updated long-term economic and budget outlook.  It also includes a detailed section on the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry in Pennsylvania.

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  Just go to your Google+ page and search for DHess@CrisciAssociates.com, the email for the Digest Editor David Hess, and let us join your Circle.

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

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

Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) Tuesday unveiled new legislation that would amend Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards to require electric energy distribution companies sell a larger percentage of electricity made up of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar photovoltaic.

By Sen. Rich Alloway II (R-Adams), Majority Chair Senate Game and Fisheries Committee

Legacy sediment behind milldams in Pennsylvania preserved leaves deposited just before European contact that provide a glimpse of the ancient forests, according to a team of geoscientists, who note that neither the forests nor the streams were what they are today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced Harrisburg's Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is the recipient of a $205,305 environmental education grant.

Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria) announced Tuesday Morgan's Excavating LLC of Mt. Union, Pa. was recently awarded a $36,704 state contract for a mine reclamation project in Cambria County.

Pennsylvania American Water announced Monday voting is now open in its Environmental, Community Investment Grant Challenge contest that lets Facebook users determine grant awards to support environmental projects and community improvement programs.

Roadside springs are a common source of drinking water in Pennsylvania but little is known about the quality of these water supplies. Penn State Water Resources Extension Educators Jim Clark and Diane Oleson presented a webinar on October 30, which included water quality results from a recent survey of 35 heavily used roadside springs across the state.

The November 15 issue of DEP News highlighted the announcement of natural gas vehicle conversion grants, solar rebates for homeowners and businesses, completion of mine subsidence repair work in Murrysville and opening of the Recycling Works exhibit at the State Museum.  Click Here to sign up to get your own copy by email.

Nature Abounds, a Clearfield-based non-profit environmental group, is seeking volunteers for the 2013-14 IceWatch season. IceWatch USA engages volunteers from across the United States to monitor local waterways over the winter season.

The Ad Council and Keep America Beautiful are partnering with popular online grocer, FreshDirect, to feature messaging from their national I Want to Be Recycled public service advertising campaign on all FreshDirect delivery boxes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday recognized Ahold USA the parent company of GIANT Food Stores and Shop-Rite of Roxborough for outstanding contributions to EPA's Food Recovery Challenge.

Agricultural businesses and pesticide applicators in 20 counties can dispose of unwanted pesticides safely and easily in 2014 through the Department of Agriculture's CHEMSWEEP Program.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday announced more than $1.65 million in research fellowships to 33 students pursuing degrees in environmental science and related fields through its Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship program.

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday addressed more than 3,000 attendees at this year’s Developing Unconventionals East Conference in Pittsburgh which focused on the significant impact of the Marcellus and Utica gas plays on the Appalachian Region.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday finalized guidelines on the pricing labels used when selling electric generation service to residential customers.

The Lancaster City Housing Authority estimates it will save more than $17,000 in energy costs each year through its participation in PPL Electric Utilities’ new E-Power Master-Metered Low-Income Apartment Program.

The Public Utility Commission Thursday issued for comment an amended demand response study, proposed changes to the demand response program methodology and the potential implementation of a full wholesale price suppression study.

Hardening the grid and becoming more resilient against possible future threats to the electricity system such as super storms or cyber attacks will come about through developing a culture of resilience, said PJM Interconnection President and CEO Terry Boston. 

The region’s trail network, or the Circuit, is one step closer to being even more connected and accessible. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Wednesday announced $4 million in grants for 13 trail design and construction projects throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative program has announced three new projects have achieved certification under the nation’s most comprehensive rating system for sustainable landscapes, two of the projects, the Shoemaker Green at the University of Pennsylvania and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh.

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh has reached its initial goal of planting 20,000 trees in the Pittsburgh area—enough trees to fill New York City’s Central Park.

Advanced deterioration and escalating rehabilitation costs will force breaching of the dam that once formed Gunter Valley Reservoir in Franklin County, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Tuesday.

The redevelopment of on area bordering the Delaware River at Pier 53 in Philadelphia has begun, thanks to a grant from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is pleased to announce an Eagle Watch Volunteer Training Day on December 7, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Lackawaxen Inn in Lackawaxen, Pike County.  Join the Conservancy on December 7, and become an eagle volunteer.

Rising temperatures, deeper droughts and more extreme weather events fueled by man made climate change are making survival more challenging for America’s treasured big game wildlife from coast to coast, according to the new Nowhere to Run report from the National Wildlife Federation released Wednesday.

Long-time trails advocate James Holden, 73, from Franklin, Venango County, passed away on November 9 following a brief illness.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice of an opportunity to bid on projects in Chester, Delaware and Warren County.

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.

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

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

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

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

No new regulations were published.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 16, 2013

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.

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.

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