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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
December 31, 2018 Issue #757
(12/31/2018)
* Be Inspired! Stories About Hundreds Of Great PA Environmental Stewards In 2018

Since June of 2004, the PA Environment Digest has printed over 1,472 stories about thousands of businesses, farmers, schools, local governments, students of all ages, nonprofit groups, organizations and individuals just like you recognized for doing great things to protect and restore Pennsylvania’s environment in every corner of the Commonwealth.

* WHERE WE WANT TO BE: Growing A Cleaner, Greener Pennsylvania In 2019: Opportunities For House And Senate Leadership

The new legislative session starting January 1 presents an important opportunity for House and Senate members to take a leadership role on a variety of environmental and energy issues to make Pennsylvania cleaner and greener in 2019.

* WHERE WE ARE: Guide To Legislation Likely To Be Reintroduced In The House, Senate In 2019

The following is a list of bills-- good and bad-- likely to be reintroduced in the House and Senate early in 2019--

* WHERE WE WERE: Environmental & Energy Legislation Passed During 2017-18 Session

The major environmental and energy bills becoming law in the 2017-18 legislative session include--

* PA Supreme Court Overturns Decision Allowing Drillers To Avoid Act 13 Impact Fees

On December 28, the PA Supreme Court issued an opinion overturning a Commonwealth Court decision in March that would have allowed gas drillers to avoid the Act 13 drilling impact fee by reducing production for one month a year to classify a vertical gas well as a “stripper well.”

* PA’s Most Penalized, Controversial Natural Gas Pipeline Now In Service- Mariner East 2

Late Saturday evening (December 29), Energy Transfer LP (Sunoco) announced its Mariner East 2 natural gas liquids (NGLs) pipeline is in service, available for both interstate and intrastate service.

* PA Farm Show: Inspiring Pennsylvania's Story Jan. 5-12 In Harrisburg

The 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show, running from January 5-12 in Harrisburg, will honor agriculture’s rich heritage and promising future with this year’s theme, Inspiring Pennsylvania’s Story.

* Senate/House Co-Sponsor Memos/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule

House and Senate Co-Sponsorship Memos

* Updated: Feds Reverse Course, Will Now Sell New, Renewals Of National Flood Insurance Policies During Govt. Shutdown

On December 28, state Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman alerted consumers the Federal Emergency Management Agency has limited the ability of the National Flood Insurance Program to issue new and renewal flood insurance policies due to the federal government partial shutdown.

* NRCS-PA Remains Open For Business During Partial Federal Government Shutdown

On December 28, the Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA announced it remains open for business during the partial federal government shutdown.

* Westminster College Student Symposium On The Environment A Success, Attracts 73 College, High School Students

On December 6th, the annual Westminster College Student Symposium on the Environment was held, marking the 11th straight year the college has hosted the event in Lawrence County.

* Stewardship Event In Juniata County Emphasizes Value Of Farm Conservation Practices, Partnerships

By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA

* Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Needs Volunteer Data Loggers In Butler County

Data Logger volunteers are needed in the Slippery Rock and Boyers area of Butler County by the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition.

* January Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The January issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition featuring articles on--

* DEP Awards $730,000 In Grants To Restore Streambanks, Stabilize Shorelines In Philadelphia

On December 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced two grants totaling $730,000 to improve stream banks and stabilize shorelines in the City Of Philadelphia.

* McKean Conservation District Receives $400,000 DEP Grant For Streambank Fencing, Buffers

On December 28, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of a $400,000 grant to the McKean County Conservation District to install tens of thousands of feet of streambank fencing in farm fields.

* Bushkill Stream Conservancy Receives $80,000 Grant For Stream Restoration, Habitat Improvement In Northampton County

On December 28, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of a $80,000 grant to the Bushkill Stream Conservancy for a stream restoration and habitat improvement project in the Borough of Tatamy and Palmer Township, Northampton County.

* Deadline For Submitting 2019 Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Annual Reports Now Feb. 15

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 29 PA Bulletin extending the deadline for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations under General Permit PAG-12 to submit annual reports to February 15, 2019. 

* Agriculture Awards Grants For Spotted Lanternfly, Farm Conservation Research

On December 21, the Department of Agriculture award $1.286 million in grants to 15 Pennsylvania universities and research organizations to advance Pennsylvania’s agriculture and food industry.

* Register Now! Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture Conference Feb. 6-9 In Lancaster

The PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture will host the 28th Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture Conference at the Lancaster County Convention Center, Lancaster on February 6-9.

* Northeast Recycling Council Holds Spring Conference In Wilmington, DE March 20-21

The Northeast Recycling Council will hold its Spring Conference in Wilmington, Delaware March 20-21 with the theme closing the recycling loop and building demand for mixed paper, mixed plastics, and glass.

* DEP: Jan. 30 Hearing On Specialty Granules Water Quality Mining Permit In Adams County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 29 PA Bulletin (page 7986)  it will hold a hearing January 30 on the NPDES Water Quality permit for discharges from a mining operation into Toms Creek by Specialty Granules, LLC, Waynesboro Road, Blue Ridge Summit in Adams County.

* PUC Reminds Stakeholders Nominations For PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee Due Jan. 18

On December 28, the Public Utility Commission reminded stakeholders and concerned citizens across the state that it is currently accepting nominations for individuals to serve on the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee--  a key element of enhanced efforts to safeguard underground utilities and pipelines.

* Report Finds 18,500 Households Starting Winter Without Heat In PA, Down 4% From Last Year

On December 27, the Public Utility Commission released the results of its annual Cold Weather Survey showed more than 18,500 households across the state which had utility service terminated during the calendar year are entering the winter season without heat-related utility service or using unsafe heating sources. 

* DEP Issues Water Quality Certification For National Fuel Gas Line N To Monaca Pipeline, Beaver, Washington Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 29 PA Bulletin (page 7984) it has issued the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for Line N to Monaca Natural Gas Pipeline in Beaver and Washington counties.

* New Book Arms Policymakers, Lawyers, Private Sector With Tools To Combat Climate Change In U.S.

In early 2019, Environmental Law Institute Press will release Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States, edited by Michael B. Gerrard and John C. Dernbach.

* Housing Finance Agency Housing Plan Funded By Drilling Impact Fees Out For Public Review

The PA Housing Finance Agency published notice in the December 29 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the PHARE Housing Plan supported in part with revenue from the Act 13 drilling impact fees.

* Appalachian Trail Museum Accepting Hall Of Fame Nominations Thru Jan. 31

The Appalachian Trail Museum Society announced nominations for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Class of 2019 will be accepted through January 31. 

* DCNR Hosts First Day Hikes At PA State Parks New Year's Day

To promote a healthy start to the new year, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials will be joining hikers at several parks across the state as DCNR again sponsors free, guided hikes in 29 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states.

* Michael Klimkos: Waters Of The Valley: 50 Years Of Trout Unlimited In The Cumberland Valley

The Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and as part of the celebration a new book has just been published on its history in Central Pennsylvania.

* Help Wanted: Willistown Conservation Trust Director Of Development; Executive Assistant

Delaware County-based Willistown Conservation Trust is seeking qualified candidates for 2 positions: Director of Development and an Executive Assistant (part-time).  Click Here for all the details and how to apply.

* 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.

* 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.

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.

* CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest

CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest.  This Digest is 60 pages long.

* Stories Invited - About 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: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

* Sponsor: 2019 PA/National Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.

* 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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