Gov. Tom Corbett and Democratic candidate for Governor Tom Wolf Wednesday discussed environmental issues in remarks before the annual dinner of the PA Environmental Council in Philadelphia.  It was the first time the two candidates appeared at the same time in any forum.

A new poll released Tuesday by the Marcellus Shale Coalition found 55 percent of those following the debate about a new severance tax would favor its adoption and 34 percent would oppose.  If, however, the new tax would result in the loss of jobs, 58 percent opposed a new severance tax and 33 percent favor.

The PA Budget and Policy Center Monday released a new report which found the Corporate Net Income tax payments of Marcellus Shale drilling companies peaked in 2011 and now have an effective tax rate of less than 1.9 percent paying just $10.3 million in 2013.  Individuals pay a 3.07 percent income tax rate.

Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson issued an order Monday dated June 5 delaying a decision in a lawsuit brought by the PA Environmental Defense Fund over the use of DCNR Oil and Gas Fund monies until after the FY 2014-15 saying if the Court issued a ruling before the budget was finalized it would “run afoul of the principle of separation of powers.”

An analysis of selected Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones conducted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Choose Clean Water Coalition found pollution is being reduced, however many jurisdictions fell short in implementing practices that reduce pollution from agricultural sources and urban and suburban polluted runoff.

Gov. Corbett this week issued a clear challenge to the House and Senate Republicans-- seriously tackle the state’s rising state and school employee pension costs and then he’ll talk about ways to plug the expected $1.6 billion budget gap.

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

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

Gov. Tom Corbett has signed Senate Bill 1254  introduced by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) that will enhance the quality and safety of drinking water by significantly lowering the lead content in pipes and other plumbing products.

The House Wednesday passed Senate Bill 177 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) creating the Lyme Disease Task Force in the Department of Health to educate the public about Lyme disease and conduct a tick surveillance program across the Commonwealth.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet June 18 to consider  House Resolution 815 (Snyder-D-Fayette) urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to development guidelines regulating carbon emissions from existing power plants that respect the primacy of the Commonwealth and take into account unique policies, energy needs and resources mix and economic priorities of Pennsylvania- sponsor summary.

The House State Government Committee is scheduled to consider House Bill 2239 (Evankovich -R-Armstrong) which provides for public-private partnerships related to water and sewage treatment services and school construction on June 17.

Proposed comments on DEP’s draft Act 54 longwall mining impact report will not be on the June 17 meeting agenda for the DEP Citizens Advisory Council.  The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. not the usual 10:00 a.m.  (formal notice of time change)

The Northeast PA Environmental Partners are accepting nominations for their annual Environmental Partnership Awards, the Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award and the Emergency Environmental Leader Award until July 1.  Click Here for all the details.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 26 for property owners, homeowners, municipalities and small developers to learn about permitted activities in and along streams and wetlands.

The PA Urban and Community Forestry Council will hold another of its luncheon webinars on June 16 on Designing Greener Parking Lots starting at noon.

DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo along with Deputy Secretary for Water Management Kelly Heffner recently visited the Saint Vincent College campus in Latrobe to tour the Monastery Run Abandoned Mine Drainage Cleanup Site.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it has awarded a Government Financed Construction Contract to P. and N. Coal Company, Inc. of Punxsutawney for a mine reclamation project in Winslow Township, Jefferson County.

Penn State researchers are seeking Clearfield County residents who are interested in science and energy to participate in the Marcellus Community Science Volunteer Program, a ten-week program exploring the natural and social sciences through the context of natural gas development.

PA American Water’s Philipsburg and Huntsville Water Treatment Plants were among several American Water Works Company facilities to receive recognition under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Partnership for Safe Water Program.

The Ephrata Area Joint Authority Water Treatment Plant in Lancaster County recently completed the third phase of the Partnership for Safe Water, a voluntary effort to provide safe drinking water. 

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced the Environmental Quality Board final rulemaking increasing unconventional well permit fees was published in the June 14 PA Bulletin.  The new fees will take effect June 14.  (formal notice)

The PA Housing Finance Agency Monday issued a Request for Proposals for projects to improve the availability and affordability of housing in the Marcellus Shale region of the state.  Proposals are due August 15.

The June 12 DEP Newsletter is now available.  This month it features an invitation to apply for $12.5 million in clean energy funding, notes the distribution of 2013 drilling impact fees, the success of Monestary Run mine drainage projects and much more.  To sign up to get your own copy, Click Here.

Pennsylvania ranked 6th in the nation for the number of volunteers participating in the 2013 International Coastal Cleanup - 9,745 volunteers from 35 counties across Pennsylvania canvassed their communities to remove 459,076 pounds of trash and debris from Pennsylvania’s waterways and coastal regions during the 28th annual International Coastal Cleanup event.

The Tribune Review reported June 8 Western Pennsylvania drivers should not expect any relief from higher gasoline prices or from the newly-signed legislation to eliminate summer gasoline in the Pittsburgh Region.

Gov. Tom Corbett and the Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority will begin accepting applications June 14 for an estimated $12.5 million in grants and loans for alternative and renewable energy projects, along with projects deploying technologies such as solar energy, wind, hydropower and biomass.

The Sustainable Energy Fund invites not-for-profit and governmental entities in Pennsylvania to apply for a limited number of loans or leases at zero percent financing to complete energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.

The Public Utility Commission Friday released the 2014 Summer Readiness Overview reports from the state’s 11 electric distribution companies and the regional transmission organization, PJM Interconnection.

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday reminded Pennsylvania residents to be diligent when weighing electricity offers from door-to-door and telephone solicitors.

An on-going investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection indicates that a residential area adjacent to the former National Torch Tip plant in O’Hara Township and Aspinwall Borough may have been impacted by industrial chemical contamination.

It’s West Nile Virus mosquito season, and spraying operations are underway in several parts of Pennsylvania based on mosquito samples collected by county West Nile Virus Programs and the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Agricultural Land Preservation Board Friday announced Pennsylvania is adding 2,014 additional acres on 26 farms in 14 counties to the state’s nation-leading farmland preservation program.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Tuesday announced the department is proceeding with plans to construct a new park office and visitor center for Delaware Canal State Park in the Borough of New Hope, Bucks County.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resource Secretary Ellen Ferretti Thursday joined other state officials and civic representatives in celebrating completion of a $4.7 million improvement project at Benjamin Rush State Park in Northeast Philadelphia.

The June 11 DCNR Resource newsletter features these stories--

Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Superintendent Dr. William Hite and The Trust for Public Land made two announcements Tuesday regarding the City’s efforts to green schoolyards and recreation centers.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy Friday awarded its annual Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Kristen DeVilliers, a 2014 graduate of Delaware Valley High School.

The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation hosted "Explore, Discover and Understand Wetlands Through the Lens of a Camera" on June 9 at the Governor Tom Ridge Wetlands in Centre County.

Volunteers this week wrapped up their annual Falcon watch and rescue program as the four young Peregrine falcons have recently fledged from the nest located on the 15th floor ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.

The PA Resources Council is seeking candidates to fill a Zero Waste Pennsylvania Program Coordinator position based in Pittsburgh to manage all aspects of Zero Waste Pennsylvania, including planning and implementation of event services and commercial waste diversion services.

The Nature Conservancy-PA Chapter is seeking candidates to fill the position of Land Protection Specialist at its Long Pond, Wayne County office.  Click Here for all the details.

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--

The Environmental Quality Board published final regulations increasing permit fees for oil and gas well drilling and formal notice the Board accepted rulemaking petitions for study to upgrade Beaverdam, Killbuck and Wyerough Runs in the Clearfield Creek Watershed in Cambria County.

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.

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

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.

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