At a special meeting Wednesday, the Delaware River Basin Commission issued a special permit for coordinated operation of regional reservoirs, out-of-basin diversions, and Delaware River flow objectives in response to persistent dry conditions.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Tuesday announced that due to persistent dry conditions in the New York portion of the Susquehanna Basin, local river flows declined — for the first time since the signing of the agreement — to levels that prompted releases of water from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Whitney Point Lake project in Broome County, N.Y.

In response to the demand for more information about coming changes in federal environmental policy, PA Environment Digest is building a new blog: PA Environment - The Feds.

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--

Legislation-- House Bill 1683 (Warner-R-Fayette)-- authorizing local municipalities to enact earned income and property tax liability tax credits for active volunteers of a fire company or emergency medical service company was signed into law on Monday as Act 172 of 2016 and will take effect in 60 days.

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

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has developed a new geospatial information system (GIS) mapping website to help local governments and other entities pursuing permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to obtain information for their permit applications more easily.

The Philadelphia Water Department Rain Check Program is hosting a series of workshops for residents interested in participating in its program to help residents manage stormwater at their homes.  The workshops will be held--

The November issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County featuring articles on--

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority will hold regional workshops in Northeast, Southeast and Southcentral Pennsylvania in December and January on how to apply for funding available from the Authority. 

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority published notice in the November 26 PA Bulletin seeking public comments on projects it intends to consider funding at the January 25 Authority meeting after a finding of no significant adverse environmental impact. 

The Environmental Law Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2017 National Wetlands Awards to honor individuals who have excelled in wetlands protection, restoration, research or education.  Nominations are due December 21.

Looking for a holiday gift that will please the most discriminating taste and help the environment? Consider pottery products from Clean Creek.

Tom Wolf Monday announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare Centre and Lycoming counties a disaster area after severe flooding caused significant damage to homes and businesses on October 21.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday recognized the accomplishments of 13 organizations and businesses participating in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge.  In Pennsylvania, Ursinus College in Montgomery County was recognized for its efforts.

The DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on December 7 for a discussion of proposed changes to Chapter 252 accreditation regulations.

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced effective November 12 it will no longer enforce the Stage II vapor recovery requirement for new or modified gasoline dispensing equipment.

Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting on December 15 regarding both the Department’s intent to issue a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit amendment as well as its intent to authorize a modification to the existing Air Plan Approval for the Shell Chemical Appalachia Petrochemicals Complex located at 300 Frankfort Road in Monaca.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 26 PA Bulletin (page 7481) inviting public comments on its proposed Section 401 Water Quality Certification of a replacement project for the 21 miles of the Equitrans Pipeline in Armstrong and Indiana counties.

The DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet December 8 to review the first details of DEP’s strategy for controlling methane emissions from oil and gas operations in the form of two new general permits and a revised Category Number 28 permit.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency (P2E2) Roundtable held its quarterly meeting at the Lutron World Headquarters Experience Center, Coopersburg, Lehigh County.

The November 23 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--

The Public Utility Commission Wednesday offered consumers a “Top Five” list of Black Friday tips for energy savings and shopping:

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday released 2016 Winter Reliability Overview reports from the state’s major natural gas distribution companies along with a related Readiness Report from the Energy Association of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Energy President Lisa Jacobson Saturday offered the following statement on the conclusion of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:

Exelon Generation and ComEd Tuesday announced significant progress toward achieving a streamlined version of the Future Energy Jobs Bill that will reduce costs and preserves 4,200 jobs at Exelon’s Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants and create thousands of new clean energy jobs by advancing renewable energy development and expanding energy efficiency programs.

On November 16 the Obama Administration submitted its Mid-Century Strategy for Deep Decarbonization to achieve an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Wildlands Conservancy will host a Project WET Educator Workshop on December 8 at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, Lehigh County, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is seeking volunteers to help with two projects in Schuylkill County— establishing a community garden in Mahanoy City and setting up a Heritage Conservation Corps to, among other projects, expand the Schuylkill River Trail.

Timed for the November 28, opening of Pennsylvania’s traditional deer season, DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry reminds hunters a revamped, interactive website offering a wealth of maps, statistics and other information is available to make their hunt more enjoyable and rewarding.

Department of Agriculture officials Saturday announced the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine has been expanded to 25 additional municipalities and has added a municipality in Northampton County to the quarantine area. (formal notice)

Bald Eagle Area School District in Centre County has long recognized the linkage between conservation and education.

The Fall/Winter newsletter from the Foundation for Sustainable Forests is now available featuring articles on--

By: Gale C. Blackmer, State Geologist, PA Geological Survey

The Fall 2016 Pennsylvania Geology Magazine is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring articles on--

The November 23 Resource newsletter is now available from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring stories on--

The Fall 2016 newsletter is now available from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited featuring articles on--

The Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance is seeking candidates to fill a Spring 2017 internship for the Pittsburgh 2030 District.  Applications are due December 5.  Click Here for all the details.

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.

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 26, 2016

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.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.