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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 28, 2019 Issue #761
(1/28/2019)
* Oil & Gas Program Losing $800K/Month Without Fee Increase; DEP Wants To Step Up Inspections Of Natural Gas Storage Fields

On January 22, Scott Perry, Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, told DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council his program is losing $800,000 a month and hopes to finalize a fee increase soon to properly fund the program.

* PUC Investigation Of Mariner East 1 Pipeline Sinkhole In Chester County Shifts To Geological Testing

On January 25, the Public Utility Commission announced detailed geological testing will begin Saturday, January 26 around the sinkhole that exposed the Mariner East 1 natural gas liquids pipeline on Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.

* Chester County DA Says His Investigation Of Mariner East Pipelines Is Widening And Deepening After Latest Sinkhole Found

On January 22, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced his criminal investigation into the Mariner East  Pipelines is “widening and deepening” after a new sinkhole opened up in a neighborhood along the pipelines.

* Rep. Comitta, Sen. Killion Host Public Meeting Jan. 31 On Mariner East Pipeline Safety Concerns

At the request of East Goshen Township in Chester County, Rep. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) and Sen. Tom Killion (R- Delaware) announced they will hold a public Q&A session on January 31 in West Chester with state agencies on Mariner East Pipeline safety concerns.

* IFO Estimates FY 2018 Drilling Impact Fee Revenue At $247 Million, A Record

On January 24, the Independent Fiscal Office estimated the Act 13 drilling impact fee will generate $247 million from fees imposed in 2018, $37.4 million more than last year.

* PA Environmental Council Releases Report Recommending PA Join RGGI Regional Climate Initiative, Update AEPS

Calling on Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly to act without further delay, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Wednesday issued a special report recommending  immediate steps Pennsylvania can take to reduce emissions of climate-changing gases and generated up to $200 million in annual revenues for the state.

* PFAS Action Team To Meet Feb. 12 In Montgomery County To Provide Updates, Hear Public Comments

On January 24, the PFAS Action Team announced it will hold a public meeting on February 12 from 6:15-9:00 p.m. at the Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Montgomery County.

* Delaware River Watershed Initiative Wins National American Water Resources Assn. Award

The American Water Resources Association announced the Delaware River Watershed Initiative is the 2018 winner of the Association's prestigious Integrated Water Resources Management Award.

* The Hellbender’s Back!

On January 23, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) reintroduced legislation-- Senate Bill 9--  to designate the Eastern Hellbender the state’s official amphibian and clean water ambassador.

* Keep PA Beautiful Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers In Blair, Clinton, Huntingdon, Lehigh, Perry, Washington Counties

On January 22, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced it has given 2018 Outstanding Volunteer Awards to winners in Blair, Clinton, Huntingdon, Lehigh, Perry and Washington counties.

* PA Parks & Forests Foundation To Unveil Infrastructure Funding Needs Report Jan. 28

On January 24, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation announced it will unveil a new report on the maintenance needs of state park and forest infrastructure called The Legacy of Pennsylvania Parks and Forests: The Future is in Our Hands.

* PA Trails Advisory Committee Names Mid State Trail 2019 Trail Of The Year

On January 24, the PA Trails Advisory Committee announced the Mid State Trail, stretching from the Maryland to the New York border in the center part of Pennsylvania, was named the 2019 Trail of the Year.

* Game Commission Taking Action To Reduce Chronic Wasting Disease Threat In Bedford, Blair Counties Through Targeted Deer Removals

On January 25, the Game Commission announced it would be conducting a project in Bedford and Blair counties to reduce the threat to deer and elk herds posed by chronic wasting disease by reducing the number of deer in those counties.

* 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--

* House Democratic Policy Committee Hears Testimony On Oil & Gas Industry Methane Leakage

On January 24, the House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Delaware County to discuss the impact of methane leakage from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry on climate change.

* Senate Committee Member Assignments Now Complete With Republicans Naming Their Team

On January 25, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) named Republican members to each of the standing committee filling out all committee assignments.

* Gov. Wolf Outlines Impacts Of Federal Shutdown On PA, Including DCNR, DEP

On January 23, Gov. Tom Wolf provided an update on how the state is working to minimize the impact of the federal government shutdown on Pennsylvanians.

* Pittsburgh Water Authority To Replace 3,400 Lead Service Lines Using PennVEST Funding In 2019

On January 25, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority said in its January newsletter it would replace 3,400 lead water service lines at no cost to customers during 2019 with the $49 million in funding provided by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

* Funding Available For Chesapeake Bay Watershed Communities To Reduce Polluted Stormwater Runoff

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is now accepting applications for the Chesapeake Bay Green Streets-Green Jobs-Green Towns Grant Program to help communities reduce polluted stormwater runoff in urban areas by implementing green infrastructure practices. 

* Op-Ed: Polluted Runoff Fees Support Community Solutions To Local Pollution And Flooding

By Harry Campbell, PA Office, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

* Delaware River Basin Commission Seeks 2 Members For Water Management Advisory Committee

On January 22, the Delaware River Basin Commission announced it is seeking to fill 2 vacancies on its Water Management Advisory Committee.

* DEP To Host Meeting Jan. 30 On Final Stages To Extinguish Jeansville Mine Fire In Carbon/Luzerne Counties

On January 24, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will host a public information session on January 30 on the final efforts to extinguish the Jeansville Mine Fire located in Banks Township, Carbon County and Hazle Township, Luzerne County.

* American Society Of Mining & Reclamation Accepting Registrations For Annual Meeting June 3-7 In Montana

Registration is now open for the American Society of Mining and Reclamation Annual Meeting to be held June 3-7 at the Big Sky Resort in Montana.

* Opportunity To Bid On DEP Storage Tank Cleanup In Dauphin County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 26 PA Bulletin of an opportunity to bid on a storage tank cleanup in Dauphin County.

* Environmental Advisory Councils In Action Workshop March 5 In Montgomery County

Penn State Extension will be hosting an Environmental Advisory Councils In Action: What Can An EAC Do For Your Community Workshop on March 5 at the Lower Frederick Township Building, 53 Spring Mount Rd., Schwenksville, Montgomery County from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

* Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference May 18 In Monroe County

The 2019 Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference will be held on May 18 in conjunction with the PA Land Conservation Conference at the Skytop Lodge in Monroe County.

* Schuylkill Environmental Ed Center: Environmental Justice In Pennsylvania: A New Vision Feb. 7 In Philadelphia

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education will host the 8th Annual Richard L. James Lecture: Environmental Justice In Pennsylvania - A New Vision on February 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

* Penn State Extension: Great Time To Make Resolutions To Protect Water For The New Year

New year, fresh start! If you’re looking to make some positive changes for 2019, how you manage water resources are a great place to start!

* Home Water And Septic System Workshops March 18 In Northampton County

Penn State Extension is hosting 2 Home Water And Septic System Workshops on March 18 in Nazareth, Northampton County, one starting at 1:30 and another at 6:00.

* Schuylkill Action Network Accepting Applications For Schuylkill Acts & Impacts Expedition For High School Students

Apply now for the week-long Schuylkill Acts & Impacts Watershed Expedition for high school students hosted by the Schuylkill Action Network from June 15-22.   The deadline for applications is March 22.

* Intern Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Land Stewardship Intern

The Brandywine Conservancy in Delaware County is now accepting applications for a Land Stewardship Intern position.

* DCNR Is Still Hiring PA Outdoor Corp Young Adult Crew Members In Locations Around PA

On January 25, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it is still hiring for its PA Outdoor Corps 10-month young adult crews. Running March 4 to December 6, 2019, the program aims to introduce young people to careers in the outdoors.

* Help Wanted: Fish & Boat Commission Seeks Fisheries Biologist Aides

The Fish and Boat Commission is seeking candidates to fill seasonal Fisheries Biologist Aide positions based in Bellefonte, Centre County. 

* RiverStewards Blog: Bringing The Environment, Other Than Biology, Into Classrooms Is Vital For Our Future

By Kyle Steffish, Millersville University Student

* Registration Now Open For PA Environmental Educators Conference In Philadelphia March 18-19

The PA Association of Environmental Educators is now accepting registrations for its 2019 Conference to be held March 18-19 at the Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel.

* DEP Accepting Grant Applications To Replace, Repower Or Retrofit Fleet Diesel Trucks, Buses, Other Vehicles

On January 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting grant applications under the PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program to replace, repower, or retrofit fleet diesel-powered trucks, buses, and other vehicles and equipment through the Driving PA Forward Program(formal notice)

* PennDOT, Lebanon Transit Open CNG Transit Fueling Station

On January 22, the Department of Transportation, Lebanon Transit and Trillium CNG mark the opening of a Compressed Natural Gas transit fueling station at 200 Willow Street in Lebanon.

* PUC Now Accepting Comments On Home Energy Cost Affordability Report

The Public Utility Commission is now accepting comments on a report on home energy-- electric and natural gas-- burdens for low-income Pennsylvanians.  Initial comments are due March 11.  (formal notice)

* Penn State Chosen By U.S. Dept. Of Energy To Help Modernize Power Grid

By Erin Cassidy Hendrik, Penn State News

* Pennsylvania Solar Congress Feb. 24 In Pittsburgh

The 2019 Pennsylvania Solar Congress will be held on February 24 at the Community Forge, 1256 Franklin Avenue in Pittsburgh from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* U.S. EIA Energy Outlook: Renewables Share Of Electricity Generation To Almost Double By 2050, Coal Continues To Drop

On January 24, the U.S. Energy Information Agency reported in its 2019 Annual Energy Outlook that electricity generation from renewables will nearly double between now and 2050 from 18 to 31 percent and coal-fired generation will drop from 28 to 17 percent.

* The Hershey Company Announces New Environmental, Climate Initiatives To Significantly Reduce Its Impact On The Planet

On January 24, The Hershey Company, based in Hershey, PA,  announced from Kakum National Park in Southern Ghana a package of environmental initiatives and commitments, including establishing a new comprehensive environmental policy, signing the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and joining the Science Based Targets initiative.

* DCNR Accepting Applications For Parks, Recreation, Trail, Buffer, Conservation Grants

Just a reminder the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants.  The deadline for applications is April 10.

* Applications Being Accepted For Laurel Highlands Conservation Mini-Grants

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting applications for Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants to support projects in Somerset, Fayette, Cambria, and Westmoreland counties.  The deadline for applications is February 21.

* PA Wilds Center Now Seeking 2019 Champion Of PA Wilds Award Nominations

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2019 PA Wilds Champion Awards.  The deadline of nominations is July 1.

* DCNR Blog: Planning For A Healthy State Forest System

The definition of management is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

* Earth Conservancy Donates 407 Acres To Pinchot State Forest In Luzerne County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that 407 acres will be added to the Pinchot State Forest District near Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County.

* Natural Lands Places 137-Acres Of Historic Ker-Feal Property Under Conservation Easement In Chester County

On January 25, Natural Lands announced it has placed a conservation easement on 137 acres of the historic Ker-Feal property located in West Pikeland, Chester County.

* Registration Now Open For PA Land Conservation Conference May 16-18 In Monroe County

The PA Land Trust Association is now accepting registrations for the 2019 PA Land Conservation Conference to be held May 16-18 at the Skytop Lodge in Monroe County.

* Jan. 23 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

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

* Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Programs Coming Up In February

On January 24, the Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy highlighted education and other programs coming up in February.  They include--

* Tickets Now On Sale For April 5 Wildlife For Everyone We Love Wild Things & Wild Places Gala

Tickets are now on sale for the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation We Love Wild Things And Wild Places Gala on April 5 at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, Centre County.

* Good Natured Pennsylvanian: Steph Stonsick, Wildlife Rehabilitator

Steph Stonsick began her wildlife rehabilitation journey 12 years ago while residing in San Diego, Ca., when she volunteered at a local nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization.

* Help Wanted: Fish & Boat Commission Recruiting New Class Of Conservation Officers

On January 25, the Fish and Boat Commission announced is recruiting the 22nd class of Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Trainees at its H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety.

* Help Wanted: Public Utility Commission Executive Director; Jan Freeman Retiring

The Public Utility Commission is seeking qualified candidate to fill the position of Executive Director.  The position is now held by Jan Freeman, who will be retiring this year.  Click Here for all the details.  The deadline for applications is February 25.

* 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 86 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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