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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, March 16, 2015
(3/16/2015)
* Budget Hearing: DEP Forming Task Force To Look At Natural Gas Pipeline Issues

Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley said Wednesday DEP is forming a task force to look at ways of promoting cooperation and reducing the environmental impacts of the 25,000 to 30,000 miles of natural gas pipelines expected to be developed in Pennsylvania over the next few years.  But, he was not interested in expanding DEP regulations over pipelines.

* Rep. Everett: If We Don’t Meet Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Milestones, It Isn’t Pretty

At the House hearing on DEP’s budget Wednesday, Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) asked Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley what the Wolf Administration’s strategy is to meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

* Text Of Gov. Wolf’s Natural Gas Severance Tax Proposal Now Available

Gov. Wolf Wednesday distributed the text of bills needed to implement his proposed FY 2015-16 budget to leadership in the Senate and House, including the natural gas severance tax.

* DEP Outlines Major Changes In Final Version Of Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday outlined changes in a revised final version of Chapter 78 drilling regulations covering conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells which Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley said respond to the public’s concerns about drilling.

* PEC: DEP’s Revised Natural Gas Regulatory Proposal A Positive Step Forward

Monday the Department of Environmental Protection released long-awaited revisions to its proposed rulemaking on managing unconventional shale gas development. While it will take time to review all of the details, the PA Environmental Council released the following statement:

* Environmental Defense Fund Commends Governor On Drilling Reg Changes

Environmental Defense Fund commends Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental Protection for proposing sensible improvements to the state’s oil and gas laws.

* DEP Announces Voting, Ad Hoc Members Of Oil And Gas Technical Advisory Board

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced the members of the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board. TAB’s mission is to increase transparency and communication about regulating the unconventional (Marcellus, Utica Shale) oil and gas drilling industry.

* PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

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.

* Governor's Schedule

Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day will be posted each morning.   Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public Appearances.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

* Acting DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn Honored By National Wildlife Federation

Cindy Dunn, Acting Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, was honored on March 12 by the National Wildlife Federation for her contributions and achievements in the environmental field.

* Dinner To Recognize Winners Of Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards April 28

The PA Environmental Council will host a dinner on April 28 to recognize the winners of the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence at the Harrisburg Hilton from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  For information on sponsorships and tickets, contact Angela Vitkoski, PEC, at 570-718-6507 or send email to: AVitkoski@pecpa.org.

* Pennsylvania! Enter The Chesapeake Bay Watershed 2015 Photo Contest!

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation 2015 Save The Bay Photo Contest is now accepting entries.  Now is the time to submit your photos showing off Pennsylvania’s part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Deadline for entries is April 10.

* Brodhead Creek Watershed Assn. Earth Day Creek 5K April 26

Runners, on your mark! Get set to run for the Earth during the Earth Day Creek 5k at ForEvergreen Nature Preserve in Analomink, Monroe County on April 26.

* DEP Launches New Groundwater Monitoring Network

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday encouraged all Pennsylvanians to protect public health and the environment by honoring National Groundwater Awareness Week March 8 to 14.

* PEMA: Citizens Urged To Watch For Possible Spring Flooding As Temps Rise

As temperatures rise and forecasts call for rain this weekend, state officials are urging citizens to keep an eye on local waterways for possible flooding over the next several weeks.

* Keep PA Beautiful Launches Illegal Dumping Surveillance Program

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday launched a new innovative program called IllegalDumpFreePA that will provide surveillance kits, training and online support to Pennsylvania municipalities to help them battle illegal dumping.

* Keep PA Beautiful, Local Partners Get Grants For Cigarette Litter Prevention Program

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has announced that they have received a $15,000 grant from Keep America Beautiful to continue their work with the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program

* Save The Date: Environmental Rights Amendment Symposium April 12 Harrisburg

The Sierra Club and PennFuture are hosting a PA Environmental Rights Amendment Symposium on April 12 at the Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Second St., in Harrisburg starting at 3:00 p.m.

* DEP Issues Erosion Control, Stream Crossing Permits For Constitution Pipeline

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice on March 14 of final erosion and sedimentation and encroachment permits it has issued for the proposed 25-mile long Constitution Pipeline in Susquehanna County (PA Bulletin page 1314).

* PUC Announces Launch Of Online Search Function For Utility Complaints

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday announced the launch of a PUC website feature allowing users to search by company for formal complaints filed against regulated utilities and suppliers.

* PUC Issues Proposed Steps For Future Energy Efficiency, Conservation For Comment

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday issued for comment a Tentative Implementation Order on the future of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) programs established under Act 129 of 2008.

* PUC Seeks Comments On Revisions To Act 129 Total Resource Cost Test

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday issued for comment revisions to the total resource cost (TRC) test to analyze the costs and benefits of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) plans submitted by electric distribution companies (EDCs). 

* CFA Announces Alternative, Clean Energy Grant Awards

Gov. Wolf announced Tuesday the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved funding to support new Alternative and Clean Energy projects with the investment of more than $6.0 million in grants.

* PA Coal Alliance: Study Documents Economic Impact Of Longwall Mining

A study by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh found that longwall mining is a driving economic force for Greene and Washington Counties, providing substantial jobs and tax revenue to support the region.

* Students! Explore, Discover Wetlands Thru Your Camera Program April 27

Wildlife for Everyone Foundation is sponsoring an Explore, Discover and Understand Wetlands through the Lens of a Camera program April 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for students 10 to 18 at the Governor Tom Ridge Wetlands, South Eagle Valley Road, Julian, in Centre County.

* iConservePA.org: Jennings Environmental Ed Center Tackles Acid Mine Drainage

This month’s issue of the SEEDS newsletter from iConservePA.org features a Greenlife PA video showing how the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Mercer County treats acid mine drainage through passive treament systems.  Click Here and watch Episode 302.

* DCNR Is Now Accepting Applications For Volunteer Firefighting Grants

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for grants to help Pennsylvania’s rural communities better guard against the threat of fires on forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas. Applications are due May 21.

* Gov. Wolf Declares March 15-21 Wildfire Prevention Week

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday proclaimed March 15-21 as Wildfire Prevention Week in Pennsylvania, noting drying March winds and warming temperatures quickly can combine to increase fire dangers across Pennsylvania's forests and brush lands.

* West Pikeland Township, Chester County Lauded For Its Open Space Initiatives

Natural Lands Trust, in partnership with the Chester County Association of Township Officials, honored West Pikeland Township, Chester County, Thursday with the county’s second annual Growing Greener Communities Award.

* Spring Edition Of Penn’s Stewards From PA Parks & Forests Foundation Available

The Spring edition of Penn’s Stewards is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

* Foods Of The Delaware Highlands Annual Dinner May 2

Celebrate the unique Upper Delaware River and Catskill Mountains region with the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at the 8th annual Foods of the Delaware Highlands Gala on May 2 at 5 p.m.

* Spring Edition Of Notes From The Forest, Lacawac Sanctuary, Now Available

The Spring Edition of Notes From The Forest is now available from the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation in Lackawanna and Wayne counties featuring articles on—

* March 11 DCNR Resource Newsletter Now Available

The March 11 issue of the Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

* Hawk Mountain To Hold Annual Spring Equinox Celebration March 21

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host its annual Spring Equinox Celebration March 21 with a variety of programs to celebrate nature’s renewal.

* Winter Issue Of Keystone Wild!Notes Is Now Available

The Winter issue of Keystone Wild!Notes is now available from DCNR’s Wild Resource Conservation Program featuring articles on—

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

* 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.

* General Environmental/Budget NewsClips

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

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

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

* Watershed/Flooding NewsClips

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - March 14, 2015

* CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.

* 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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