The following environmental and energy legislation was signed into law in 2019--

On November 11, PA Environment Digest listed more than a dozen bipartisan environmental and energy bills the Senate and House could do before 2019 ends.  How well did they do?

On December 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its evaluation of the final Watershed Implementation Plans submitted by Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia describing how they will meet the phosphorus and nitrogen reduction goals for 2025.

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

In a December 19 press statement, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its evaluation of the states’ and District of Columbia’s cleanup plans, formally known as Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans, that were finalized in August.

On December 18, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) introduced Senate Bill 915 which sets standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, provides for the certification of professional fertilizer applicators and for labeling and an education program (sponsor summary).

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a January 8 briefing on Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations.  The meeting coincides with the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

On December 20, the Department of Environmental Protection extended the deadline to apply for Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grants to January 3.

On December 18, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with funding provided by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority, announced the award of nearly $1 million in grant funding to support installation of multi-function forested stream buffers to help keep nutrients and sediments from the land from impacting water quality.

On December 17, Rodale Institute, the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, announced they recently launched a “Grow Clean Water” initiative aimed at educating young families in the Philadelphia region about the connection between healthy and organic farming practices and healthy rivers and streams.

On December 17, the Environmental Quality Board approved proposed regulations to control methane emissions from existing oil and gas operations and setting a new numeric human health criterion for manganese for public comment.

The Department of Environmental Protection estimates the proposed methane regulations approved December 17 by the Environmental Quality Board for comment will reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas operations by 75,000+ tons per year and Volatile Organic Compound emissions by more than 4,400 tons.

Presented here are reactions to the December 17 Environmental Quality Board approval of a proposed regulation for comment setting limits on volatile organic compounds, and related methane emissions, from existing oil and gas well operations.

The Borough of Etna in Allegheny County was certified in November as the world's first EcoDistrict and celebrated Etna EcoDistrict Day on December 11.

As part of its final public meeting for 2019 on December 19, the Public Utility Commission fulfilled a longstanding custom of highlighting some of the agency’s major accomplishments over the past year.

Eight community projects have now been completed with the help of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, BEHR Paint and The Home Depot Foundation 2019 Fresh Paint Days Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin of the 2020 meeting dates, times and contact persons for their boards and advisory committees. 

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

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 December 18, Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) was named the Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

On December 18, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) announced the appointment of Sen. John Yudichak (I-Luzerne) as a member of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and other Senate Committees.

The Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Appropriations Committee made available their latest hearing schedule on the Governor’s FY 2020-21 budget request.

On December 16, Congressional leaders finalized a budget deal for fiscal year 2020 that includes an increase of $12 million for EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

On December 17, the U.S. Environment and Public Works Committee approved a sweeping conservation bill that includes important provisions to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Program and two programs to expand public access to the Bay, as well as create a grant program to fund fish and wildlife conservation projects in the watershed.

On December 20, the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program received $9.7 million in funding as part of the fiscal year 2020 Interior Appropriations bill approved by Congress and signed by the President, a 62 percent increase from fiscal year 2019’s funding levels, according to the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed..

On December 19, the National Association of Conservation Districts applauded support for conservation programs in the FY 2020 federal appropriations bills approved by Congress.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners, the Delaware River Basin Commission and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, are hosting a public meeting regarding a reevaluation study for the Francis E. Walter Dam and Reservoir on January 9 at the Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven, Luzerne County.

The Southwestern PA Commission Water Resource Center will host a series of workshops on stream bank restoration, amart green corridors and a refresher on MS4 Stormwater requirements.

The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture has issued its 2019 Impact Report highlighting the accomplishments building a more economically-just, environmentally-regenerative and community-focused food system in Pennsylvania.

The Cumberland County Penn State Extension is launching its Master Watershed Steward Program and will hold information sessions on January 14 and 28 for volunteers interested in joining the program.

The Master Watershed Steward program in Allegheny County’s class of 19 candidates are quickly nearing the end of their 40+ hours of training that began in September.

The Philadelphia Water Department is seeking groups to adopt community green stormwater infrastructure sites under the Soak It Up Adoption Program, part of the Green City, Clean Waters Initiative.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has extended the deadline for entries to the Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest and the Schuylkill Street Art Contest until January 31.

The American Fisheries Society-PA Chapter has extended the deadline for presentations for its February 6-7 Spring Technical Meeting in State College until January 4.   The theme of the meeting is Aquatic Resource Restoration.

By Danielle Rhea, Extension Educator

By Bryan Swistock, Penn State Extension Water Resources Coordinator

On December 19, Department of Environmental Protection issued an administrative order to the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa for drinking water violations. 

The Penn State Student Seed Grant Competition is now accepting proposals for funding that will support energy and environmental laboratory research. Proposals are due January 17.

On December 16, Department of Environmental Protection announced Covanta Environmental Solutions, LLC has agreed to pay $400,000 in a consent assessment of civil penalty to resolve violations at its residual waste facility in New Castle, Lawrence County.

On December 20, Department of Environmental Protection announced it will host a public meeting to answer questions from residents about two permit applications from Gravel Hill Enterprises, Inc. to construct and operate a compost and mulching facility in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County.

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin of a final regulation setting additional requirements for the control of fine particulate matter.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 21 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the proposed Ozone Standard Maintenance Plan for Franklin County, including a January 24 hearing [if needed].

The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the December 21 PA Bulletin scheduling hearings [if needed] on RACT II Air Quality Plans for facilities in Beaver, Butler, Philadelphia and Westmoreland counties.

The PA Housing Finance Agency invites comments on the proposed funding plan for the Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund supported by Act 13 drilling impact fees. (Dec. 21 PA Bulletin)

On December 16, the Public Utility Commission alerted electric consumers about the potential for large winter energy cost increases if they do not shop for competitive electric suppliers.

Join the Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program for a Building Energy Re-Tuning and Operations Conference on March 3 for managers and employees overseeing the success of school and municipality building energy performance.

On December 19, the Public Utility Commission announced three appointments to its Damage Prevention Committee, which is tasked with enforcing the state’s Underground Utility Line Protection Act – also known as the “PA One Call Law.”

On December 18, the Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the more than 5,600 owners of preserved farms in Pennsylvania are eligible for a realty transfer tax exemption, if they sell their land to a beginning farmer.

On December 16, staff from Lancaster Farmland Trust met at the Stoltzfus family farm to sign paperwork and add their two farms-- 59 acres and 11 acres-- to the growing list of preserved farms in Lancaster County.

The House and Senate recently formally recognized the Lancaster Conservancy in honor of its 50th anniversary with a citation from both chambers.

Almost exactly a year after Penn State University President Eric Barron announced the university’s plan to investigate ways to conserve land it owns in the Musser Gap area in State College near University Park campus, Barron said on December 18 that Penn State is moving forward with conserving 355 acres for environmental protection and natural recreation.

Natural Lands is now accepting applications for its 2020 Stoneleigh Ambassador Volunteer Program to be greeters, tour guides and special event helpers for the 42-acre Stoneleigh botanical garden in Villanova, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

On December 18, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the award of five grants totaling $647,300 to support more than 157 new miles of all-terrain vehicle trails increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The PA Recreation and Parks Society and the PA Association of Environmental Educators  will hold a joint PRPS/PAEE Conference and Expo on March 17 to 20 at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Somerset County.

The December 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

On December 18, the Game Commission announced the availability of a new PA Farm Country Bald Eagle Nest livestream available through its website.

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation received a Centre Foundation Field-of-Interest Grant to offer an educational program for youth in the Tom Ridge Wetlands in Centre County next year.

The Craighead House, home of conservationists John and Frank Craighead and nature author Jean Craighead George, is being reborn as an education center on nature, the environment, literature and local history in Cumberland County.

January 17 will kick off the Hawk Mountain Winter Artisan Series with a Winter Paint & Sip event, presented by Heather Butler. This is the Sanctuary’s first year hosting a winter artisan workshop series, and it is proudly presented in collaboration with The Arts Barn in Schuylkill Haven.

On December 17, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation, the only nonprofit whose mission is inspiring stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, announced the hiring of Peggy Davidson as Development Coordinator for the Camp Hill office.

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership is seeking a Philadelphia Stewardship Manager to take a leadership role in improving and maintaining Tacony Creek Park as well as Green Stormwater Infrastructure sites located within the TTF watershed in Philadelphia.

County conservation districts and the PA Association of Conservation Districts are now accepting applications for positions all across the state.

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.

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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.

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