With the aim of showcasing the best of the best among Pennsylvania’s environmental stewards, the Wolf Administration invites all Pennsylvanians who’ve recently worked on successful environmental projects to submit a nomination for the 2020 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, the state’s top environmental honor.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet October 21 to consider Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) which sets environmental protection standards for conventional (not Shale gas) oil and gas well drilling and legalizes the road dumping of drilling wastewater from conventional wells.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a voting meeting on 4 bills for October 22 and at the end of the meeting there will be a briefing and discussion of the Governor’s Executive Order directing DEP to join the interstate Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

The House State Government Committee is scheduled to meet on October 22 to consider Senate Bill 575 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing a taxpayer funded procurement program for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions needed to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed pollution reduction goals in all or part of 43 counties in the state.

On October 17, the Better Path Coalition delivered letters to Rep. Timothy O’Neal (R-Washington) and Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington) calling on them to take decisive action on the alarming number of rare cancers occurring in children in four counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

On October 18, Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety announced PUC Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth H. Barnes will hold public hearings on October 23 and 24 in West Chester on the public safety risks associated with Sunoco’s hazardous liquids Mariner East Pipelines.

On October 16, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the investment of $98 million for 16 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across 11 counties through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

Join the Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network December 18 for their Annual Symposium at the Howard Gittis Student Center at Temple University, 1755 N. 13th Street in Philadelphia from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On October 19, Natural Lands and Trellis for Tomorrow announced they are partnering together on a program that introduces Chester County youth who have faced social and economic disadvantages to real-world career opportunities in caring for nature.

On October 15, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy released findings from “Active Transportation Transforms America,” the nation’s most comprehensive analysis of the quantifiable impact of trails, walking and biking on the places we live.

On October 18, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary John Norbeck announced Pennsylvania’s state forest system, totaling more than 2.2 million acres, has received certification through one of the world’s most recognized, independent, third-party forest management certification standards, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Forest Management Standard.

On October 17, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its fourth Fall Foliage Report with regional comments on factors influencing foliage changes.

Half a century after Pennsylvania’s own Rachel Carson warned of a “Silent Spring” caused by the dangers of DDT to birds, add the threat of a “Dull Fall” in Penn’s Woods to the growing list of potential effects of climate change.

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--

On October 15, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, introduced Senate Bill 891 authorizing third party review of Chapter 102 (erosion and sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (dam safety and encroachment) permit applications.

The Senate Republican Policy Committee will discuss conservative approaches to renewable energy during an October 22 workshop discussion in Harrisburg.

The House Democratic Policy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on October 21 to discuss issues facing rivers, dams, fishing and outdoor recreation industry and agriculture all related to the waters of Pennsylvania.

The October newsletter is now available from the Joint Senate/House Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

On October 18, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania announced it has received $1.9 million to assist in planning for flood prevention and control efforts in Lancaster, Chester, Westmoreland and Wyoming Counties.

On October 18, Congressmen Dan Meuser (R-PA) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) announced they have introduced legislation to incentivize environmentally-focused cleanup and remediation of coal refuse piles across Pennsylvania.

On October 15, Pennsylvania’s $28.9 million Christmas tree industry was highlighted when Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer joined the National Christmas Tree Association at Mahantongo Valley Farms in Northumberland County where a tree was chosen for the Blue Room in White House.

On October 16, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined inmates at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon to plant 400 tree seedlings along an unnamed tributary to the Juniata River as the culmination of a 14-week inmate vocational training session.

By Francisco Tutella, Penn State News

The organizers of the Keystone Coldwater Conference on February 28-29 in State College have extended the deadline for accepting proposals for presentations until November 15.

Registration is now open for winter 2019-20 Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional certification. CBLP is a voluntary, regional credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in the Bay watershed

Attend the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council’s Turning A New Leaf Conference on December 5-6 in Harrisburg and learn how to create landscapes that work with our natural resources.

The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, led by New Jersey Audubon and in partnership with National Wildlife Federation held the 7th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum in Allentown on October 16-17.

In the once-thriving historic steel town of Braddock, where the median income for households is $22,609 and population has declined from 18,000 after World War II to just 2,000 today, new innovations in sustainable, indoor urban farming are taking root. 

There is still time to participate in the 2019 Pick Up Pennsylvania, a fall cleanup program supporting the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

The PA Resources Council and PA American Water will hold 3 Drug Take-Back Day collection events for unwanted medication in Pittsburgh on October 26 .

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 19 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft technical guidance on Radioactivity Monitoring at Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities adding provisions related to the oil and gas industry (DEP ID: 250-3100-001).

The Public Utility Commission published notice in the October 19 PA Bulletin setting the schedule for electric and natural gas utilities to submit Energy Conservation and Universal Service Plans and related impact evaluations.

The Department of Transportation will start accepting applications for Green Light-Go Program to upgrade traffic signals to LED lights on October 21.  Applications are due January 10.

On October 31 the PA Municipal League will host the first in a series of webinars on the Role of Energy Efficiency in Community Resilience from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

EnergySolutions, Inc. has signed a contract with FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiaries GPU Nuclear, Inc., Metropolitan Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, and Pennsylvania Electric Company to acquire all licenses and assets of Unit-2 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station (TMI-2) located near Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Brodhead Watershed Association, PennFuture and Brodhead Trout Unlimited will co-host  A Day for Environmental Advocacy and Awareness on October 26 at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center, 1539 Cherry Lane Road, East Stroudsburg, just outside Analomink, Monroe County.

From invasive species to the TMI shutdown, some of Pennsylvania’s top environmental headlines have roots in historical events.

The October News & Views newsletter is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring stories on--

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests has protected 55 acres of working woodlands in perpetuity thanks to a fortunate series of events and the generosity of an inspiring couple in Virginia.

On October 17, the Allegheny Land Trust announced it has acquired 38.5 acres of woodlands along the Montour Trail and Montour Run in Moon Township, Allegheny County.

The Lancaster Conservancy recently celebrated the acquisition of 23 acres in East Earl Township, expanding the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve to 940 acres.

On October 17, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in partnership with The Conservation Fund and Berks Nature, announced they have acquired 22 acres of land adjacent to its Acopian Center for Conservation Learning in Berks County.

The Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center in Wayne County is participating in the American Chestnut Foundation efforts to restore the American chestnut.  Here's an overview of the project.

In 1896, the “Father of Pennsylvania Forestry,” Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock stated, “If Pennsylvania were to select one tree as characteristic of our state, nothing would be better than the hemlock.”

Charlotte R. Catalano may not be a life-long Pennsylvanian, but her love of raptors and hawk watching have brought her here to the Commonwealth for almost half the year.

The Chesapeake Conservancy and National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office have launched a new website to help paddlers learn where to go, what to do, and how to enjoy the Susquehanna River.

The October 16 Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is now available featuring articles on--

The October 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On October 17, The Board of Directors of Rodale Institute, the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, announced the appointment of Jeff Moyer as Chief Executive Officer.

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

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

CLICK HERE to View or Print the 96 page 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.

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