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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
February 21, 2005
(2/18/2005)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 02/21/05
* Senate, House Leave Town, Leave Issues
There was no love lost between Gov. Rendell and Senate and House Republicans this Valentine’s Day week. The Governor’s priorities notwithstanding, the Senate and House left town without resolving the mass transit issue or environmental funding and instead settled in for budget hearings.
* Senate, House Act on Environmental Spending Proposals, Gov. Threatens Veto
With an emphasis on no new taxes and fees, the House voted along party lines to pass its Green PA Plan and send it to the Senate. The Senate, meanwhile, voted unanimously to send a proposal to the House to restore the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.
* Adolph/White Release Green Ribbon Commission Recommendations
At the final meeting of the Green Ribbon Commission this week, Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) and Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), co-chairs of the Commission released recommendations to the General Assembly and Rendell Administration on funding future environmental initiatives.
* Sen. Musto, Rep. Hershey Introduce Green Schools Initiatives
Legislators in the Senate and House introduced separate bills creating green school initiatives this week.
* Other Environmental Bills Introduced
Bills on climate change, appliance standards and watershed planning were introduced this week.
* Groups Encouraged to Register for 2005 Great PA Cleanup! in April
Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty, Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis, and Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen this week announced plans for the Second Annual Great PA Cleanup!, along with over two dozen other partners.
* American Water Launches Watershed Grant Program in Pennsylvania
American Water has launched an Environmental Grant Program in Pennsylvania to support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies.
* EPA Again Invites States to Submit Projects for Targeted Watershed Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invited state to submit nominations for its Targeted Watersheds Grant Program.
* Save the Date: August Mine Water Treatment Technology Conference
The 2005 Mine Water Treatment Technology Conference will be held in Pittsburgh on August 16-18.
* Infrastructure Grant Awards
DEP Awards $3.4 Million in Innovative Water Infrastructure Grants
* Apply Now for Composting Infrastructure Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications from businesses and nonprofit groups to help develop composting projects until March 4.
* Recycling Market Infrastructure Grants Available Through DEP
The Department of Environmental Protection is accepting grant applications for its Recycling Markets Infrastructure Grants through March 4.
* DEP Awards Recycling/Composting Grants
DEP Awards $20 Million in Recycling, Composting Grants
* Advanced Energy Project Development Proposals Due to DEP April 1
The Department of Environmental Protection is now soliciting proposals for what it calls advanced energy development projects that focus on renewable energy systems, energy efficiency and conservation and clean advanced energy businesses.
* PA Joins EPA, Other States In Clean Energy-Environment Partnership
Pennsylvania joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and nine other states this week to launch the new Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership Program.
* Green Building, Renewable Energy Seminar March 9
On March 9 join the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania for a virtual tour of the new PPL headquarters building in Allentown.
* Campus Strategies for Sustainability- Energy, Community, Curriculum
The Pennsylvania Consortium for Interdisciplinary Environmental Policy is sponsoring a conference on April 12-13 in Philadelphia entitled, “Campus Sustainability Initiatives: Energy – Community – Curriculum.”
* Environmental Justice Board Members Needed
DEP Seeks Environmental Justice Board Members
* PA Preserves 29 More Farms Totaling 3,085 Acres
The Department of Agriculture’s Farmland Preservation Program approved an additional 29 farms, totaling 3,085 acres this week. These farms join more than 2,500 others already preserved in perpetuity through the program.
* America’s Backyard Bird Count, February 18-21
People across North America are being asked to count the birds in their back yards and report them over the Internet as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) planned for Friday through Sunday, February 18-21.
* Biodiversity Conservation: From Knowledge to Action Conference – March 9
Shippensburg University and Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center are hosting their annual Spring conference on March 9. This year the theme is “Biodiversity Conservation: From Knowledge to Action.”
* Find Out More About Where You Live with EnviroMapper, eMapPA
Do You Ever Wonder What's In Your Air or Water? Go to the Environmental Protection Agency Search Your Community webpage to find out. Just type in your ZIP code and your community will pop up with an interesting menu of environmental information for your area. This tool also lets you zoom in on toxic air, hazardous waste and other byproducts. You can customize the map by choosing elements like streams and schools.
* Forest Service Centennial Celebration, Film Features PA’s Gifford Pinchot
As part of its 100th birthday celebration, the U.S. Forest Service commissioned a feature length film called, “The Greatest Good” that reviews the prominent role Pennsylvania Gov. Gifford Pinchot played in founding the Forest Service and its early development.
* Reminder: Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Seeking Nominations
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion, sponsors of the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Program, are accepting nominations for the 2005 Environmental Awards through February 28.
* POWR Watershed Directory - Has Your Listing Been Updated?
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers maintains one of the most comprehensive listings of watershed organizations in Pennsylvania.
* Quick Clips
NewsClips from around the state on: Recycling, Wind Energy, New Leadership, Waste Fee Case, Trails, Bear Kill, Chesapeake Bay, Landfill Gas, Greenways, Green Schools, Faith & the Environment.
* Taking Positive Action: Chester County Dentist Makes His Office Cleaner, Brighter
Dr. Richard A. Tanzilli II, D.M.D., P.C., a West Chester dentist, will use funding from DEP’s Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account program to conserve water, reduce waste disposal costs and increase energy efficiency.
* Feature: “State of the ‘Sock,” Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association
Watershed groups all over Pennsylvania take great pride in their work and share their results through newsletters to members and partners.
* Watershed NewsClips
NewsClips from around the state on watershed issues.
* Regulations
No notices of regulations were published this week.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
Notice of onefinal drinking water guidance document published this week.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars.
* Contributions Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .

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