The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday presented the final report of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force to Gov. Wolf which identified a dozen top recommendations, along with a broader set of 184 suggestions, to help Pennsylvania achieve responsible development of natural gas pipeline infrastructure in the Commonwealth.

The Public Utility Commission highlighted numerous key safety recommendations included in the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force report presented to the Governor Thursday.

Funding going to the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund, Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund and DCNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund is dropping dramatically as the decline in natural gas prices is reducing revenue from the Act 13 drilling impact fee and royalties due DCNR from drilling on State Forest land.

The Senate and House begin hearings on Gov. Wolf’s FY 2016-17 budget request next week, including hearings on the budgets for the departments of Conservation and Natural Resources (February 24) and Environmental Protection (February 25).

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA.  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 House Environmental Resources and Energy and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees will hold an informational meeting on the Wolf Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Reboot Strategy on February 29.

The February edition of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

Gov. Wolf Wednesday invited the public to preview a new website initiative intended to make government more transparent: Governor’s Goals.  The website introduces measurable goals to align to Gov. Wolf’s three key priorities — Jobs that Pay, Schools that Teach, and Government that Works.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards.  The deadline for nominations is March 21.

The Robinson Fork Mitigation Bank in Washington County constructed by Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) recently received the distinguished Environmental Business Journal’s 2015 Award for Project Merit.

Rain Check is a Philadelphia Water Department program that helps residents manage stormwater at their homes. Participants can get a free rain barrel and/or get a downspout planter, rain garden or porous paving installed at a reduced price.

The federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program is developing a comprehensive strategy for increasing diversity in its leadership, decision-making, in implementation of conservation and restoration activities and is creating meaningful opportunities to recruit and engage diverse stakeholders in the Bay Program efforts.

The Fish and Boat Commission Wednesday announced grant funding opportunities are available to address habitat improvement and sediment reduction projects in York and Lancaster counties.  Applications are due April 30.

Melting snow, heavy spring rains and flooding can wash out unpaved driveways, farm lanes, and access roads.

By Ann Yost, RLA,  President YSM Landscape Architects & Kelly Gutshall, RLA,  President LandStudies, Inc.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of the opportunity to comment on proposed regulations setting Disinfection Requirements for public water supplies in the February 20 PA Bulletin (page 857).  Comments are due April 19. 

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a workshop on Developing Aquifer Testing Plans and Groundwater Withdrawal Applications on two dates, April 5 and May 17.

Smallmouth bass and water quality in the Lower Susquehanna River are the topic of the PA Environmental Council’s next Environmental Focus TV program to air Sunday, February 21 on the PA Cable Network at 4:00 p.m.

The February 16 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is hosting its annual Project Clean Stream! stream cleanup event on April 2 throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The PA Resources Council Tuesday urged all Pennsylvania residents to contact their legislators to urge them to fix the state’s electronics waste recycling law to ensure convenient and free access to recycling for their old TVs.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites local residents, organizations, civic groups, and businesses to commit to litter free communities by joining its Statewide Adoption Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it will host a public hearing March 16 to take comments from the public regarding IESI Landfill’s permit application to expand its existing facility on Applebutter Road in Bethlehem, Northampton County.

The Public Utility Commission Friday urged any resident without heat-related utility service to take immediate action to seek assistance, noting that numerous utility assistance programs are available to help restore and maintain electric and natural gas service.

Covanta, a world leader in sustainable waste and energy solutions, has released its latest sustainability report, which provides an update on goals set in previous years, highlights major achievements since the last report and establishes new goals to advance progress in sustainability.

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday encouraged Pennsylvanian business and community leaders to be better caretakers of the environment by offering incentives for the purchase and use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. (formal notice)

FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiaries Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power), West Penn Power Company (West Penn Power), Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed) and Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) recently received approval from the Public Utility Commission (PPUC) for Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plans that will result in a total of an additional $245 million being spent on capital investments over the next five years.

Carnegie Mellon’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation invites members of the public, students, industry, non-governmental organizations and foundation to attend the inaugural Energy Week March 14-18 at the CMU campus in Pittsburgh.

The Clean Air Council is now accepting nominations for Philadelphia Area individuals and alternative commute-friendly companies for its Clean Air Commuter Contest.  The deadline for entries is March 11.

The Feb. 12 edition of the Economy, Environment, Equity newsletter is available from the Sustainable Pittsburgh featuring articles on--

The February 18 DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

High-quality farmland in 18 Pennsylvania counties will remain in agricultural production thanks to the state’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board which took action Thursday to safeguard 2,412 additional acres on 27 farms through the state’s nation-leading farmland preservation program.

The number of farms in Pennsylvania for 2015 is estimated at 57,900, down 900 farms from 2014, according to King Whetstone, Regional Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northeastern Regional Office.

2015 was an exciting year for the Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition, highlighted by the opening of the $7 million Ohiopyle Visitor Center in July (photo).

It’s Science Fair season and students are looking for ideas on winning projects.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has some ideas to get students started for grades 6, 7 and 8.  It’s NOT a compendium of finished projects, but presents ideas for students to explore.  Click Here for a copy.

Young Pennsylvanians interested in pursuing environmental careers are invited to apply by April 15 for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' summer residential camp, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said Tuesday.

The February 17 Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

The PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is offering three public walks at the Forest Pools Preserve at the Kings Gap Environmental Center in Cumberland County to explore forested vernal pools – nurseries for amphibians – to catch a glimpse of salamanders and frogs as they emerge from their subterranean slumber to lay their eggs.

The Wolf Administration Friday announced Secretary of Policy and Planning, John Hanger, is leaving the administration to spend more time with his wife and daughter, who currently reside in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Western PA Conservancy is seeking candidates to fill internship positions in its Watershed Conservation Program and at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.

The Berks County Conservation District is seeking candidates for a West Nile Virus Technician to assist the West Nile Virus Coordinator in implementing the Integrated Mosquito Management program, collect data and monitor mosquito activities.  The deadline for applications is March 4.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Schuylkill County in the February 20 PA Bulletin.

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

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 are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more--

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of the opportunity to comment on proposed regulations setting Disinfection Requirements for public water supplies in the February 20 PA Bulletin (page 857).  Comments are due April 19. 

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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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