On January 28, Gov. Tom Wolf vowed to continue his fight to fund Pennsylvania’s critical infrastructure needs with Restore Pennsylvania.

On January 29, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a series of proposed 2020-21 budget items totaling more than $1.1 billion to support reducing the risks to Pennsylvanians of lead and asbestos, and remediating existing toxins in schools, day care centers, homes, and public water systems.

On January 28, the PA Environmental Defense Foundation submitted a brief to the PA Supreme Court continuing its legal battle to have revenue from oil and gas drilling on State Forest land used for conservation purposes as required by the Environmental Rights Amendment to the state constitution.

On January 30, the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Phase III WIP State Team heard presentations from many of the major stakeholders taking action to implement Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Plan for the Bay Watershed saying they are getting off to a fast start.

On January 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 sent a letter to Members of Congress emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On January 27, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced it is preparing to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the lack of enforcement action over the progress Pennsylvania is making in reducing nitrogen pollution.

On January 29, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it’s helping counties hit the ground running on water quality improvement in Pennsylvania’s part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed by supplying $789,400 in funding for local coordinators to head up county action plans and $690,000 in grant funds to get planned projects underway.

On January 29, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority announced the investment of $119 million for 18 drinking water, wastewater, and nonpoint source projects across 15 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

On January 29, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the Lackawanna River, in Northeast Pennsylvania, a vibrant, cold-water “Class A” fishery in its middle and upper reaches, and a waterway that attracts more paddlers every year, has been voted the state's 2020 River Of The Year

On January 31, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn celebrated the success of Pennsylvania’s Conservation Landscapes Program by releasing a new report on how this partnership-building approach is critical for meeting regional environmental challenges and economic challenges

On January 30, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will unveil preliminary draft regulations to allow Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative capping greenhouse gas emissions from power plants at the February 13 meeting of the agency’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee.

On February 5, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) which would take away the authority of DEP to adopt any program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On January 29, DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell told a joint hearing of the Senate Transportation and Environmental Committees that although the Wolf Administration is dedicated to addressing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants through RGGI, it will not make a decision to join a similar Transportation Climate Initiative to control emissions from vehicles until the program is fully designed.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for clean transportation grants for the Clean Diesel, Marine and Rail Freight Movers and the Corridor Refueling Infrastructure programs under the Driving PA Forward initiative.

The Department of Environmental Protection published an update to its Non-Regulatory Agenda showing the technical guidance DEP is now working on to give the public and stakeholders an opportunity to be part of the development process.  (formal notice)

On January 31, the PUC's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement filed a formal complaint against Texas-based Verde Energy USA (Verde).

Cameras made available through the Keep PA Beautiful Surveillance Camera Loan Program caught illegal dumping of electronics waste as it happened at a Recycling Center in Millersburg Borough, Dauphin County.

Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else. Gov. Wolf continued to preview initiatives that will be part of his February 4 budget address last week, including taking another run at his $4.5 billion Restore PA infrastructure proposal, a new $1.1 billion program to address lead and asbestos in schools and water systems, a new workforce development strategy and much more.

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-- 

The federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement is now accepting applications for Not-For-Profit Acid Mine Drainage Watershed Cooperative Agreement Grants.  Applications will be accepted through June 30.

Congressional House Democrats last week introduced two proposals designed to address climate change and funding needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades

On January 31, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted 4 to 1 to approve the final EQB Triennial Water Quality Standards and Stream Redesignation Regulation.

The PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will host a series of six Regional Watershed Workshops to identify needs, share resource information, learn techniques to help build capacity, and network with other groups.

On January 27, Natural Lands announced a massive tree-planting effort was completed recently at the organization’s Bryn Coed Preserve in Chester Springs, Chester County.

The Pike County Conservation District has maintained a Surface Water Monitoring Program, focused on monitoring stream health, for 28 years.

The Monroe and Pike Conservation Districts will host their 2020 NPDES Water Quality Permitting Workshop on February 25 at the Pocono Hall Gymnasium, Northampton Community College - Monroe Campus, 2411 Rte. 715 in Tannersville from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Stroud Water Research Center and DCNR's Bureau of State Parks are hosting an Education for Community Resilience Workshop on February 11-12 at the Center, 970 Spencer Road in Avondale, Chester County.

The Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association will host a Science On Tap 2020 Program - Restoring American Shad to the Brandywine River on February 20 at WaR3house3, 100 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, Delaware County from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

The Crawford County Conservation District is recommending pond, lake and reservoir  owners watch the upcoming Carp Management and Lake Restoration Webinar on February 28 from the University of Minnesota from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing February 12 on pending water project applications and a resolution to adopt the Fiscal Year 2020 Water Resources Program.  A business meeting on those applications and other issues is set for March 11. (formal notice)

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a February 6  hearing on a proposed policy to provide guidance and assistance to project sponsors in meeting the existing requirements for metering or monitoring of withdrawals, consumptive uses, or diversions of water.

On January 31, Gov. Tom  Wolf announced the approval of funding to help clean up former industrial sites in Blair and Erie counties to prepare them for occupation by businesses and residential properties through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program.

The Department of Environmental Protection and the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania are now accepting registrations for the 2020 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference to be held March 9-11 in State College.

On January 28, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has issued permits to PA Waste LLC for the construction of the new Camp Hope Run Landfill-- a 5,000 tons-per-day, double-lined, municipal waste landfill in Boggs Township, Clearfield County.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a March 3 hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Appvion Operations, Inc. pulp and paper mill in Roaring Spring Borough, Blair County.  (Feb. 1 PA Bulletin, page 692)

On January 28, PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center and Frontier Group released a new report that found many Pennsylvania cities experienced unhealthy levels of air pollution one in every four days in 2018.

On January 31, PennEast Pipeline Company LLC announced the filing of an amendment with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to construct the pipeline in two phases, the first being the 68 miles in Pennsylvania and then the remaining 50 miles in New Jersey.

Dominion Energy Transmissions has filed an application for Section 401 Water Quality Certification with DEP to plug three wells it is abandoning at the Oakford Natural Gas Storage Complex in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.  (Feb. 1 PA Bulletin, page 737)

By David Kubarek, Penn State News

By Francisco Tutella, Penn State News

On January 28, the Energy Co-op announced it has opened its Renewable Natural Gas Program for enrollment to all PECO and PGW natural gas consumers in the Philadelphia region.

On January 27, Clean Air Council, PennFuture, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, and Mountain Watershed Association filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Commonwealth Court in support of the appeal of West Rockhill Township, Bucks County, seeking to reverse the dismissal of its case before the Environmental Hearing Board challenging a DEP pipeline compressor station’s air pollution permit.

On January 27, the Pennsylvania Sea Grant,; Lake Erie Region Conservancy, Western PA Conservancy and the Fish and Boat Commission announced the collaborative efforts to acquire a portion of the Gilmore Farm in Girard Township, Erie County, have been finalized.

On January 28, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of a 22-acre property in Cook Township, Westmoreland County through a donated conservation easement from property owners Michael Blehar and Beth Evans.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Colcom Revolving Fund for Local Land Trusts provides grants in the form of short-term loans to land trusts and other nonprofit organizations seeking to preserve open space and conserve high priority properties.

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host a Talking Turtles Program February 15 at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe County as part of its Get Outdoors Poconos series.

The Capital Area Greenbelt Association is now accepting registrations for the 20th Annual Tour de Belt bike ride on June 7 in Harrisburg.

The French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust is now accepting registrations for the 18th Annual French Creek Iron Tour will be held on June 14 beginning at the Kimberton Fire Company Fairgrounds in Phoenixville, Chester County. 

The January 31 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forest Foundation featuring articles on--

On January 29, the Game Commission released a draft of its new Elk Management Plan, a document that, when adopted, will guide the agency’s elk management program through 2025.

The Game Commission reminded landowners who post their properties now have the option of using purple paint rather than signs to alert others that lands are private and trespassing isn’t permitted.

On January 30, the Chesapeake Conservancy announced four new members have been added to its Board of Directors, including former Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster).

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy offers short and long-term summer internship opportunities for college and graduate students interested in careers related to the Conservancy’s many departments.

Applications are currently being accepted for a number of unpaid college and post-graduate internships at Gov. Pinchot's Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pike County.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Northumberland County Conservation District, PA Environmental Council and the PA Resources Council are seeking qualified candidates to fill these four positions--

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.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Keystone Coldwater Conference February 28-29 in State College.  Registration is now open.  Click Here for more

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit March 11 & 12 in Altoona.  Registration is now open.  Click Here for more.

The PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2020 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 24-25 in State College.  Click Here for more - Call For Presentations.

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