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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Aug. 21, 2017 Issue #686
(8/21/2017)
* Northeast PA Environmental Partners Announce 2017 Award Winners

The Northeast PA Environmental Partners Wednesday announced the winners of its 2017 awards.  The winners will be recognized at a special awards banquet on October 26 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort in Wilkes-Barre.

* Op-Ed: State Budget Bills A Disaster In The Making

By Davitt Woodwell, President & CEO Of PA Environmental Council and

* Conservatives For Responsible Stewardship Oppose Budget Bill Environmental Riders

Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship Thursday launched a multimedia ad campaign urging Pennsylvania legislators not to support the current state budget bills, which include radical provisions that threaten the Commonwealth’s air and water quality.

* 30 Environmental Groups Urge House To Vote Against Budget Bills That Would Demolish DEP

A coalition of groups released a letter Thursday calling on the House of Representatives to reject Senate-passed budget bills, calling the package of legislation an unconstitutional plan to “decimate” the Department of Environmental Protection’s ability to regulate the fossil fuel industry.

* Why Are Your Legislators Still Giving $60M A Year To Johnny Depp? Now Stage Shows?

Why Are Your Legislators Still Giving $60 Million A Year To Johnny Depp?  Now Stage Shows? Click Here to find out why.  And remember, these are your legislators.  We don’t grow them in Harrisburg like row crops.

* Day 52: General Fund Exhausts Full $750 Million Line Of Credit To Pay State Bills

While this year’s delay in enacting a complete state budget has not yet eclipsed the 2015-16 record, some are predicting more dark shadows will fall on Pennsylvania’s financial landscape next week because the General Fund could run out of money again very soon.

* EHB Denies Permit Expanding Bailey Longwall Mine In Greene County At The Heart Of Legislative Debate To Change Law

The Environmental Hearing Board Tuesday ruled in favor of challenges brought by the Sierra Club and the Center for Coalfield Justice saying a 2015 expansion permit (189) issued by DEP to the Bailey longwall coal mine in Greene County violates DEP’s trustee responsibilities under the Environmental Rights Amendment by allowing Consol Energy to “essentially destroy” Polen Run which flows into Ryerson Station State Park[EHB Docket No. 2014-072-B (Consolidated with 2014-083-B and 2015-051-B)]

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced

Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

* Joint State Government Commission Seeking Members For Advisory Committee On Lead Exposure

The Joint State Government Commission has begun implementing Senate Resolution 33 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) that creates a Task Force On Lead Exposure and a Lead Exposure Advisory Committee to help the Task Force and the Commission.

* Trump Order On Infrastructure Environmental Reviews May Impact State Decisions Under Delegated Federal Programs

On Tuesday, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects.

* Updated Regulatory Agenda Shows DEP Acting On Fee Increases For 6 Programs

The Governor’s Office published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda in the August 19 PA Bulletin starting on page 4922.  The Agenda contains an agency by agency list of regulations under consideration and new proposals and their status. 

* Brandywine-Christina Watershed Pay-For-Success Project To Bring Up To $10 Million In Private Capital For Farm Conservation Projects

For the past three years, under a grant from the William Penn Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in Delaware and University of Delaware Water Resource Center have worked closely with water companies and municipalities on both sides of the Delaware-Pennsylvania state line to develop the Brandywine-Christina Healthy Water Fund

* DEP/Ag: Successful First Year For Expanded Farm Inspections In Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Department of Environmental Protection's Wednesday announced the expanded agricultural inspections program for clean water management in Pennsylvania's part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed not only exceeded federal expectations for number of acres inspected, but also found that a majority of farms are complying with state erosion and sediment control and manure management planning requirements.

* Chesapeake Conservancy Releases Tool For Precision Conservation In Centre, Clinton Counties

The Chesapeake Conservancy, working in partnership with Bloomsburg University, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Susquehanna University, will release its newest conservation tool at the Centre County Grange Fair, August 18-26.

* Penn State: Injecting Manure Instead Of Surface Spreading Reduces Estrogen Loads In Streams

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

* PA American Water Awards Environmental Grants Totaling $30,000 To 8 Groups

PA American Water Friday announced it has awarded Environmental Grants totaling $30,000 to eight groups within its service territory in Pennsylvania.  The grants were awarded to—

* Registration Open: Delaware Watershed Research Conference Nov. 8

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is now accepting registrations for the Delaware Watershed Research Conference on November 8 in Philadelphia.

* Environmental Quality Board Accepts Petition For Study Setting PFOA Standard

The Environmental Quality Board Tuesday voted unanimously, after a lengthy discussion, to accept for study a rulemaking petition submitted by the Delaware Riverkeeper asking the Board to adopt a maximum contaminant level for perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) in the Delaware River.

* Sept. 7 Water Company/Healthcare Coordination During Emergencies Workshop, Norristown

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environmental Protection will host a September 7 Workshop on Water Company/Healthcare Coordination During Emergencies at DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street in Norristown, Montgomery County from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* Local Partners, DEP Dedicate Historical Headframe At Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine Tourism Site

Local partners and the Department of Environmental Protection Monday dedicated a new addition to the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine tourism site in Schuylkill County that represents a big piece of regional history: a 35-foot headframe from a local coal mine.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meets Sept. 7 In Elmira, NY

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a business meeting September 7 at the Holiday Inn Elmira Riverview, 760 East Water Street, Elmira, New York starting at 9:00. (formal notice & agenda)

* Keep PA Beautiful: 4 Pittsburgh Men Cited For Illegal Dumping

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Tuesday announced four men from the Pittsburgh area have been cited for illegally dumping trash in Allegheny County. 

* 2017 Greenfest Environmental Festival To Be Held Sept. 10 In Philadelphia

Greenfest Philly presented by Toyota Hybrids will be held on September 10 on Bainbridge Street between 3rd and 5th street in Philadelphia from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* DEP: West Nile Virus Mosquito Spraying Set For Lycoming County On August 21

Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it will conduct a mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of mosquitoes on August 21 in portions of South Williamsport Borough and Armstrong Township, Lycoming County.

* DEP Approves Emission Reduction Credits For Perdue Soybean Plant In Lancaster

Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it has approved Perdue Agribusiness LLC’s application to use emission reduction credits (ERCs) at its soybean processing facility under construction in Conoy Township, Lancaster County.

* 3rd Annual Living Product Expo Sept. 12-14 In Pittsburgh

The International Living Future Institute will hold its 3rd Annual Living Product Expo on September 12 to 14 at the LEED certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

* PUC Stakeholder Meeting On Energy Conservation Program Review Sept. 13-14 In Harrisburg

The Public Utility Commission will hold a stakeholder meeting on September 13-14 to offer interested parties the opportunity to make comments on the universal service and energy conservation programs required by the Commission.  (formal notice)

* PennTAP Saving Money Thru Energy Management Systems Workshop Sept. 7 In Erie

The Penn State’s PA Technical Assistance Program will host a Workshop on Saving Money Through Energy Management Systems in Erie September 7 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

* PAEP Celebrates 20th Anniversary Of Pollution Prevention & Energy Efficiency Roundtable Sept. 21

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals will celebrate the 20th Anniversary Pollution Prevention and Energy Efficiency Roundtable on September 21 at the Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County from 8:30 to 3:00..

* Finding PA’s Solar Future Stakeholder Meeting Sept. 14 In Philadelphia

DEP’s Finding PA’s Solar Future Initiative will hold its third stakeholder meeting on September 14 at The Inn At Villanova University, 601 County Line Road, Radnor from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* DEP Proposes Water Quality Cert. For 42-Inch Natural Gas Pipeline In Lancaster, Chester Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 19 PA Bulletin (page 4901) it intends to issue a Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline project to run through Lancaster and Chester counties.

* EIA: As Pipeline Projects Are Completed, Appalachian Region Natural Gas Prices Are Rising

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday natural gas prices in the Appalachian Region are increasing to meet the Henry Hub national benchmark price as more and more pipeline projects are completed.

* Oil-Natural Gas Industry Poll Shows Opposition To Nuclear Power Plant Subsidies

The American Petroleum Institute-Pennsylvania Wednesday released a new poll showing the overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania voters would oppose legislation that would force consumers in the state to pay a special fee to bailout nuclear power companies.

* Free Potassium Iodide Aug. 24 For Those Living Near PA’s 5 Nuclear Power Plants

As part of its annual distribution to replace expired potassium iodide, or KI tablets, the Department of Health will offer free tablets August 24, to Pennsylvanians who live or work within 10 miles of the state’s five nuclear power plants.

* SRBC, Corps Aug. 30 Workshop On Improving Aquatic Environment At F.J. Sayers Dam & Reservoir, Centre County

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are holding a public Workshop On A Study To Explore Improving The Aquatic Environment at the F.J. Sayers Dam and Reservoir on August 30 in Howard, Centre County.

* Brandywine Creek Greenway App Connects You To Over 100 Parks, Preserves In Chester, Delaware Counties

From biking to birding to trail hiking, plus fishing, boating, and more, the new Brandywine Creek Greenway app helps users find recreational activities in more than 100 publicly accessible parks and preserves in Chester and Delaware counties.

* ClearWater Conservancy Earns National Land Trust Accreditation

Since 1986, ClearWater Conservancy in Centre County has been conserving and protecting the places people love all around Central Pennsylvania. Now ClearWater Conservancy has been awarded renewal of its land trust accreditation from the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

* Bayer Feed A Bee Initiative Awards Grant To Allegheny County Conservation District

Mark your calendars now! August 19 is National Honey Bee Day, and Bayer’s Feed a Bee will be buzzing across the country to plant thousands of wildflowers from New York to California – all in one day.

* Celebrate Vulture Awareness, Raptor Conservation Education At Hawk Mountain Sept. 2

September 2 will be an exciting day as Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County hosts a celebration for the annual International Vulture Awareness Day and begins its weekend programs.

* Autumn Lecture Series Features Global Conservation Voices At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

September 9th will kick off the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Autumn Lecture Series with a free lecture by British ornithologist Jemima Parry-Jones. She will be the first of the Series’ “global voices,” speaking about old world vulture conservation and what is being done to stop the decline of the important raptor.

* Fish & Boat Commission: Special Fishing Opportunities Offered On Labor Day

The Fish and Boat Commission Wednesday announced it is offering two special fishing opportunities to entice adults and kids to fish on Labor Day, September 4.

* Help Wanted: McKean County Conservation District Watershed Specialist

The McKean County Conservation District is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Watershed Specialist position.  Applications are due by September 5.  Click Here for all the details.

* 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.

* Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

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

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week.  Pennsylvania Bulletin - August 19, 2017

* CLICK HERE To View Or 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.

* 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 23-24

2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 23-24 in State College.  Join PA Environment Digest in sponsoring this worthwhile Conference.

* 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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