By a vote of 118 to 79, the House Wednesday gave final approval to House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) that environmental groups say weakens DEP requirements for stream buffers in Special Protection Watersheds.  In September, the House passed an earlier version of the bill by the vote of 119 to 79.  The bill now goes to the Governor for his action.

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, issued the following statement in response to the General Assembly’s passage of  House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) Wednesday.

The PA Environmental Council sent this letter to Gov. Corbett Thursday urging him to veto House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) that many environmental groups say weakens DEP requirements for stream buffers in Special Protection Watersheds. The text of the letter follows—

The Senate Wednesday voted 31 to 17 to send House Bill 2354 (Snyder-D-Fayette), which authorizes a one-House of the General Assembly to veto any greenhouse gas emission reduction plan required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to the Governor for his action.

The PA Environmental Council sent this letter to Gov. Corbett Thursday urging him to veto House Bill 2354 (Snyder-D-Fayette), which authorizes a one-House of the General Assembly to veto any greenhouse gas emission reduction plan required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The text of the letter follows—

The House has one more voting day left this year on Monday, but, for all intents and purposes, action on environmental legislation is finished for this year.  And there will be no lame duck session after election day November 4, as of now.

Click Here if you want to contact Gov. Corbett and urge him to veto House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) eliminating the current requirement for stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value streams and House Bill 2354 (Snyder-D-Fayette), which authorizes a one-House of the General Assembly to veto any greenhouse gas emission reduction plan required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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--

The House gave final approval Wednesday to Senate Bill 771 (Gordner-R-Columbia) designed to improve coordination of geospatial information systems (GIS) sending it to Gov. Corbett for his action.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced Kristen Wolf has been named as its new Chesapeake Bay Program Coordinator to oversee the state’s progress and efforts toward improving the quality of Pennsylvania waters that flow into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center and the Centre County Conservation District are hosting a Centre County Watershed Summit on November 3 from 8:30 to 7:00 at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College.

The October 17 issue of Abandoned Mine Posts featured this article on designing passive mine drainage treatment systems by Joe Schueck, formerly with DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation.  The article was edited by Anne Daymut, Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Watershed Coordinator.

Friends of the Wissahickon’s signature 90th anniversary celebration will take place on October 25 at its fall gala at the Valley Green Inn in Philadelphia.

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday announced the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded more than $2.25 million to HRI, Inc. of State College to rehabilitate a 50-year-old levee structure on Little Toby Creek to support flood protection in Brockway, Jefferson County.

The Agriculture and Environment Center at Penn State will host a free community workshop on October 25 on the Homeowner’s Guide To Stormwater at the Centre Foundation, 1377 Ringmaster Dr., State College from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it has fined Reed Oil Company $62,470 for 21 violations of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act.

The PA Resources Council is hosting a 75th Anniversary Dinner Celebration on November 13 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825 Norwitch Dr., Philadelphia.  The theme of the celebration is “Driven To Protect The Environment Of Pennsylvania.”

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful reminded Pennsylvanians this week there is still time to sign up and organize a cleanup to be part of the International Coastal Cleanup which runs through October 31st.

Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday announced a $5 million Economic Growth Initiative grant and a $5 million Transportation Economic Development Fund grant to assist in the redevelopment and revitalization of the Almono-Hazelwood site in Pittsburgh.

A call for presentations is available now through December 12 for the 2015 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference to be held May 13-15 in Erie.

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice of a December 10 public information meeting and public hearing on a Phase I Commercial Hazardous Waste Storage and Treatment Facility Siting Application submitted by Elcon Recycling Services to be located at 100 Dean Sievers Place, Morrisville,  Falls Township, Bucks County.  (formal notice PA Bulletin page 6715)

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it will hold an informal meeting, followed by a public hearing, on November 10, to discuss an air quality plan approval submitted by Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. to make modifications to its existing Easton Compressor Station in Northampton County.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearings on proposed changes to regulations on water withdrawals by unconventional oil and gas well drillers (at 1:30) and water withdrawal requests (at 2:30) on November 6 in Harrisburg.  (formal notice) (Federal Register Notice)

As part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s continued efforts to improve consistency and increase transparency, the department has developed an online Well Completion Report that was made available to operators through GreenPort Friday.

On Friday, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management held a functional exercise at the Philadelphia Fire Academy, which simulated an accidental train derailment with overturned tanker cars containing crude oil.

The October 16 issue of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

The Public Utility Commission Thursday launched its annual campaign reminding consumers to “Prepare Now” for winter energy costs.

The Sustainable Energy Fund invites not-for-profit and governmental entities in Pennsylvania to apply for a loans at two percent interest to complete energy efficiency or renewable energy projects.  The deadline for applications is January 29.

A diverse coalition of industry, environmental, local government and academic institutions is sponsoring the Energy For The Power Of 32 Counties, 4 States, 1 Energy Future interactive discussion in Pittsburgh on December 11.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter Tuesday announced the start of the Energy Reduction Race, a citywide competition to save energy in Philadelphia’s largest buildings.

Natural Lands Trust, the Chester County Association of Township Officials and the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials put out the call for nominations for the Growing Greener Communities Award which honors conservation-minded accomplishments by townships in Chester and Montgomery Counties.

In the biggest milestone yet for the nation’s most successful farmland preservation effort, Gov. Tom Corbett and Agriculture Secretary George Greig Thursday commemorated the preservation of more than a half-million acres of prime Pennsylvania farmland for future development.

Gov. Tom Corbett and Lt. Governor Jim Cawley Friday announced an investment of $33.1 million for 219 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources and help revitalize local communities. 

Susquehanna Greenway Partnership announced Signage and Interpretation is the theme of a new mini-grant program offered by the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.

Change in disturbance regimes -- rather than a change in climate -- is largely responsible for altering the composition of Eastern forests, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

We in Pennsylvania like to brag about our trees. At this time of year, we can be downright obnoxious, but consider these facts: nearly 60 percent of Pennsylvania is covered by trees; we have 134 species of trees; and, we have a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation, according to iConservePA.org.

The public is invited to join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for its 20th Anniversary Celebration on November 22 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY. Peace, Love, Land will celebrate the Upper Delaware River region, our local communities, and twenty years of conservation and education.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers Thursday reminded Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations nominations for the 2015 Pennsylvania River of the Year are due October 24.

The October 15 edition of the Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The PA Historical and Museum Commission invites individuals, public agencies and private organizations to nominate historic properties or locations with statewide or national significance for PHMC's State Historical Marker Program.

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Thursday issued the following statement on the passing of former Sen. Mike Waugh--

The PA Economic Development Association will host a webinar December 10 starting at 9:30 a.m. on Business Retention: Using Transition Planning and Employee Ownership To Keep Local Business Local.  Click Here for 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.  It also gives you a heads-up on House and Senate Committee meetings, conferences and other interesting events.  Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.

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 this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - October 18, 2014

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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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