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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Crisci Associates, Feb. 5, 2018 Issue #710
(2/5/2018)
* Senate Passes Bill To Finance More Initiatives Out Of The Growing Greener Fund Without Adding Any New Money

The Senate Tuesday amended and Wednesday passed Senate Bill 799 to use the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund to finance programs previously funded through the General Fund or other agencies, plus added several new initiatives without providing any more money.

* PUC: Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees To Increase For 2017 Production Wells, IFO: Revenue To Increase $46.1 Million

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the February 3 PA Bulletin of increases to the Act 13 drilling impact fees covering 2017 producing natural gas wells.

* Senate Passes Local Clean Energy Funding Bill To Save Energy, Money

By a vote of 42 to 8, the Senate Tuesday passed Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna), a clean energy financing bill to enable local government Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE, programs in Pennsylvania.

* Senate Committee Approves Resolutions Directing Review Of DEP Permit Programs, Ending State Forest Drilling Moratorium

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday approved resolutions to require an independent performance evaluation of two of DEP’s permitting programs critical to development and to end the moratorium on drilling on state forest land.

* Senate Committee Approves Local Stormwater Pollution Prevention Fee Authorization Bills

The Senate Local Government Committee Tuesday reported out a package of four bills to authorize boroughs, townships of the first class, cities of the third class and incorporated towns to adopt local stormwater management fees.  The bills include--

* House Committee Meets Feb. 6 On 5 Bill Regulatory, Permit Package Designed To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing

The House State Government Committee is scheduled to meet on February 6 to consider a 5 bill regulatory and permit reform package that came out of the Committee’s report on Regulatory Overreach released January 16.

* Analysis: How Do The Senate, House Use The Tools They Have Now To Review Agency Regulations?

With the House and Senate busy considering bills to “reform” the way regulations are adopted in the Commonwealth, it’s hard not to miss the fact that House and Senate standing committees have only rarely even issued comments on regulations under the regulatory review process they have now.

* Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

* Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

The following bills of interest saw action last week in the Senate--

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

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--

* January State Revenue Up $93.8 Million Above Estimate, Up $89.7 Million For FY

Pennsylvania collected $3.1 billion in General Fund revenue in January, which was $93.8 million, or 3.1 percent, more than anticipated, Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell reported Thursday.

* Independent Fiscal Office Revises FY 2017-18 Revenue Estimate Upward By $35 Million

The Independent Fiscal Office Monday said it has revised the FY 2017-18 revenue estimate upward by $35 million and increased the preliminary FY 2018-19 estimate by about $210 million from December due in part to an improved state economy and the impact of the federal tax cuts.

* CANCELED-Senate Environmental Committee To Consider E-Waste Recycling Bill Feb. 7

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 800 (Alloway-R-Franklin) which would totally revamp the state electronic waste recycling program on February 7.

* Senators Yudichak, Baker Hold Roundtable On Lead Exposure And Lead Testing Feb. 13 At King's College, Wilkes-Barre

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) are hosting a Roundtable On Lead Exposure And Lead Testing February 13 at the King's College Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, 133 North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.

* Chesapeake Bay Foundation Concerned About EPA's Efforts To Roll Back Environmental Protections

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker Tuesday issued this statement following EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's testimony before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

* EPCAMR Asking Enviro, Land Conservation, Watershed, Sportsmen’s Groups, Local Govts To Adopt Resolution Urging Congress To Act NOW On Bill To Reclaim PA’s Abandoned Mines

The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation is asking watershed and environmental groups, land conservation and sportsmen’s organizations, local governments and conservation districts all across Pennsylvania to adopt a resolution urging their U.S. Senators and Representatives to take final action on the RECLAIM initiative (H.R. 1731).

* Op-Ed: Federal Farm Bill Is Critical To Pennsylvania's Trout Fisheries

By Amy Wolfe, Director of Trout Unlimited's PA Coldwater Habitat Restoration Program

* PennVEST OKs $74 Million In Water, Stormwater, Non-Point Source, Forest Conservation Projects In 11 Counties

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the investment of $74 million for 13 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects across 11 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

* DEP Blog: Ambler: A Small Borough Thinking Big On Stormwater With Growing Greener Grant

Gov. Wolf recently awarded $20.7 million in Growing Greener grants to 106 community projects to clean up waters around Pennsylvania.

* NRCS-PA: Conservation Assistance Available To Farmers In Centre, Clinton, Lycoming Counties

The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA Tuesday announced it is now accepting applications to help agricultural producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, and achieve other environmental benefits in Centre, Clinton and Lycoming Counties in Pennsylvania.  The deadline for applications is February 16.

* CBF-PA To Hold Agricultural Teacher Workshops For A Lesson In The Value of Watershed Experiences

Agriculture teachers will become students when meeting with Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA educators to learn about the value of providing hands-on environmental education that connects students with real-world issues.

* Stroud Water Research Center Model My Watershed Workshop For Teachers Feb. 16

The Stroud Water Research Center and the Chester County Intermediate Unit will host a 21st Century Tools Workshop: Model My Watershed on February 16 for middle and high school science curriculum coordinators, teachers and coaches; special education coordinators, teachers and coaches; and administrators.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn Feb. 24 Who Goes There? Tracking Pocono Wildlife Program In Monroe County

The Brodhead Watershed Association will hold another in its series of Water Wiser Kids Programs on February 24 called Who Goes there? Tracking Pocono Wildlife at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road in Bartonsville, Monroe County from 10:30 a.m. to Noon.

* Game Commission Now Accepting Orders For Seedlings For Schools Program, Now Pre-K To 12

The Game Commission is now accepting orders under its Seedlings For Schools Program which provides free tree seedlings to classrooms so students can plant them as part of projects to improve wildlife habitat. Orders will be accepted through March 30.

* President’s Environmental Youth Award Now Accepting Nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 President’s Environmental Youth Award which recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth. The deadline for nominations is March 1.

* Brodhead Watershed Assn, PennFuture Intervene In EHB Case To Protect Exceptional Value Streams

The Brodhead Watershed Association and PennFuture Monday submitted a petition to intervene in an appeal before the Environmental Hearing Board, seeking to protect the Exceptional Value water quality of six streams in Monroe County, including Cranberry Creek, Paradise Creek, Devil’s Hole Creek, Tank Creek, Swiftwater Creek, and Tunkhannock Creek. 

* Latest UpStream Newsletter Now Available From Stroud Water Research Center

The latest edition of the UpStream newsletter is now available from the Chester County-based Stroud Water Research Center featuring articles on--

* DEP Opportunity To Reclaim Abandoned Mines In Clarion, Venango Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 3 PA Bulletin (page 823) of the opportunity to reclaim 3 abandoned mine sites in Clarion and Venango counties.  Letters of intent must be received by DEP by February 28.

* DEP Launches Good Samaritan Outreach To Promote Abandoned Oil & Gas Well Plugging Projects

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it is encouraging private-sector partners to become Good Samaritans, by participating in a program that helps cap dangerous abandoned oil and gas wells statewide.

* PSATS Township News: Caught In The Middle, Twps In The Path Of Gas Pipelines

The February Township News features an in depth review of the issues townships face when natural gas pipelines pass through their communities called, “Caught In The Middle: Townships In The Path Of Gas Pipelines Face Dilemma Of Progress vs. Protest,” written by Amy Bobb, Contributing Writer.

* Delaware River Basin Commission Feb. 14 Hearing, March 14 Business Meeting

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a hearing February 14 on proposed water withdrawals, a revised policy for replacement water consumptive used by electric generators and other issues.  The March 14 meeting will consider these and other issues. (formal notice)

* List Of Design Teams Announced For Public Plaza At Hazelwood Green Site In Allegheny County

Hazelwood Green, a former steel mill site that is the City of Pittsburgh’s largest riverfront redevelopment project and last urban brownfield, Monday announced the names of eight design teams that will vie for the opportunity to create the first public plaza at the 178- acre site.

* Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project Funding Now Open For Applications

The Governor’s Budget Office Monday announced it is now accepting applications for another round of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grants (RCAP).  The deadline for applications is February 27.

* Keep PA Beautiful: Dr. Pepper/Snapple Park Recycling Grant Applications Now Being Accepted

Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 Dr Pepper Snapple/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Grants.  The deadline for applications is February 16. 

* Northeast Recycling Council Spring Workshop Markets Or Bust April 3, Baltimore

The Northeast Recycling Council's Spring '18 Workshop—Markets or Bust—will focus on recycling market issues and market development opportunities.  The event will be held on April 3 at the Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel in Maryland.

* Noncoal Mining Permit Fee Increases Published For Comment By EQB

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the February 3 PA Bulletin of proposed Noncoal Mining Program permit fee increases for public comment.

* PA Construction Aggregates Facilities Continue No Fatality Safety Record For 3rd Year

The PA Aggregates and Concrete Association Wednesday recognized the industry’s safety record which recorded no fatalities at construction aggregates facilities for the third year in a row.

* PA Environmental Council: In Case You Missed It In January

The January edition of In Case You Missed It is now available from the PA Environmental Council featuring articles on--

* Lower Limits On Sulfur In Heating Oil, Permit Fees, Volkswagen Settlement On Feb. 8 DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee Agenda

The DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet February 8 on a variety of issues including increasing permit fees, lowering the sulfur limit for heating oil and the General Permits related to oil and gas production methane emissions.

* PA Environmental Professionals Pollution Prevention, Energy Efficiency Roundtable Feb. 15

The PA Association of Environmental ProfessionalsP2E2 Roundtable will hold its next meeting February 15 at the King’s College Sheehy-Farmer Student Center, Molewski Room 109, in Wilkes-Barre from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee Meets Feb. 6 On Comprehensive Energy Assessment

The DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on February 6 to continue its work on the 2018 PA Climate Change Action Plan Update.

* PPL Sets Goal To Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions 70% By 2050 By Retiring More Coal Plants, Taking Other Steps

PPL Corporation Tuesday announced a goal to cut the company's carbon dioxide emissions 70 percent from 2010 levels by 2050 as it works to advance a cleaner energy future.

* Penn State: Agroforestry Systems May Play Vital Role In Mitigating Climate Change

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

* PA State Police Looking For Equine Donations

The Pennsylvania State Police is once again looking for a few good horses for its mounted patrol unit.

* PA Environmental Defense Foundation, PennFuture Urge Gov. Wolf Not To Lift State Forest Drilling Moratorium

The PA Environmental Defense Foundation and PennFuture this week urged Gov. Wolf not to lift the moratorium on drilling on state forest and park land.

* State Investments In Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor For Trail Development Highlighted In Luzerne

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and representatives of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor in celebration of the Wolf Administration’s recent investment to support a new section of the trail.

* Natural Lands, Twp. Officials Calling For Growing Greener Communities Award Nominations In Chester County

Natural Lands and the Chester County Association of Township Officials are calling for nominations for the Growing Greener Communities Award, which honors conservation accomplishments by townships in Chester County.  The deadline for nominations is February 16.

* PEC Podcast: Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund Celebrates 25 Years

The PA Environmental Council’s Podcast series Pennsylvania Legacies this week is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund by featuring a series of local success stories showing how the lives of Pennsylvanians have been enriched by this program.  Click Here to listen to the podcast. 

* Spotted Lanternfly Information Session Feb. 23 In Snyder County

The Snyder County Conservation District will hold an information session on the Spotted Lanternfly on February 23 at the Shade Mountain Winery, 16140 Route 104, in Middleburg from 9:00 to Noon.

* PA Horticultural Society, Tree Pittsburgh, DCNR, Extension Team Up For Tree Tender Workshops

The PA Horticultural Society, Tree Pittsburgh, DCNR and Penn State Extension have scheduled a series of Tree Tender Workshops starting in April and running through June.  They will be held--

* Make The Most Of Your Piece Of Nature: A Sustainable Backyard Workshop March 3 Butler

The DCNR Bureau of Forestry will hold a Make The Most Of Your Piece Of Nature: A Sustainable Backyard Workshop March 3 at Butler County Community College in Butler from 8:00 to 12:30.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation Announces Partnership With 1% For The Planet

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Monday announced it is a new nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet. This alliance of more than 1,200 member companies in 60 countries gives one percent of revenues to environmental causes.                                    

* Sign Up Now For Delaware Highlands Conservancy Educational Retreat for Women Forest Landowners Sept. 6-9

Women across the mid-Atlantic region who own, care for, or are interested in learning more about forestland are invited to apply now to attend the Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat from September 6-9 at the Highlights Workshop Facility in Boyd’s Mill, Milanville, Wayne County.

* Wildlands Conservancy Highlights February Education Programs & Activities

The Lehigh Valley’s Wildlands Conservancy Monday highlighted some of the many education programs and activities it will hold in February.  They include--

* Intern Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Land Stewardship Internship

The Delaware County-based Brandywine Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Land Stewardship Intern position assist the easement management team with monitoring, administering, and enforcing the 483 conservation easements held by the Brandywine Conservancy, as well as related projects.

* Help Wanted: PennFuture: Watershed Advocacy Manager

PennFuture is seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of Watershed Advocacy Manager at its Harrisburg office.   Applications are due February 21.  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

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the February 3 PA Bulletin of proposed Noncoal Mining Program permit fee increases for public comment.

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 75 pages long.

* 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:  PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

* Registration Open - 2018 Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 23-24

Register Now! For the 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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