Here are 56 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

While PA Environment Digest’s priority is to highlight positive examples of environmental and energy leadership, 2022 is an election year which demands accountability to voters.

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Is Your Story Being Told?

By Alexandra Kozak, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

On April 13, the Department of Environmental Protection advised 18 municipalities in four counties the road dumping of conventional oil and gas drilling wastewater is illegal and considered waste disposal.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on June 7 to consider legislation to take away the Environmental Quality Board’s authority to increase conventional oil and gas well bonding amounts to the current taxpayer cost of plugging and continue the exemption from any bonding for wells drilled before 1985 (which is most of them).

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet June 8 on legislation to change the erosion and sedimentation permitting requirements for conventional and unconventional oil and gas activities, deep mine safety requirements and other bills.

The Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet on June 7 to consider House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R- Washington) prohibits counties, local governments and authorities from promoting clean, cheaper energy sources to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on June 14 to vote on a revised final regulation reducing volatile organic compounds and methane emissions from unconventional (shale gas) wells and facilities.

The Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum and the PA Land & Liberty Coalition stand in support of Herm Cvetan, a local Lawrence County farmer, who seeks to preserve his “Right to Farm” as defined in Pennsylvania Code and Statute.

By Lt. General Richard Zilmer, USMC (Ret.), Pennsylvania Native

On June 1, PPL Corporation announced it has joined Climate READi, a three-year initiative launched by the Electric Power Research Institute to address energy system climate resilience and adaptation as extreme weather events continue to increase.

On May 31, Duquesne Light Company announced a new lineup of electric vehicle (EV) charging and fleet electrification programs to help local organizations save time and money on installing EV charging and transitioning to an electric fleet.

Our climate crisis is the backdrop for a crisis of faith. Despite the overwhelming evidence and life-or-death consequences of climate change, many Christians remain confused about how their beliefs relate to one of the greatest moral challenges of our time.

On June 4, staff from the Department of Environmental Protection joined leadership from Philadelphia Solar Energy Association for its 29th Annual Junior Solar Sprint competition, an event funded in part each year through a DEP environmental education grant.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council is celebrating a milestone in 2022 as it launches the 20th season of hosting hard-to-recycle collection events: responsibly managing 3.3 million pounds of electronics recycling dropped off by residents of southwestern Pennsylvania.

In June, the Pennsylvania Resources Council  will host household chemical collection events in Fayette and Washington Counties to enable area residents to conveniently dispose of materials such as cleaners, paint products, batteries, automotive fluids, pool chemicals and pesticides.

In June, the PA Resources Council will host two Traveling Glass Recycling Bin locations in Allegheny county to provide free glass recycling services.

The Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Pilot Agricultural Plastic Recycling Grant Program.  The deadline is July 8.  (formal notice)

Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Plastics Collaborative published a new white paper containing a series of policy recommendations for Southwestern Pennsylvania communities around the issue of single-use plastics.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Berkshire Hathaway Energy recently awarded 20 grants, totaling $41,000, to 20 different local environmental organizations in 13 counties across Pennsylvania as part of their 2022 Watershed Mini Grant Program.

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 4 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the proposed FY 2022 Clean Water and Drinking Water federal Revolving Funds Intended Use Plans.

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled voting meetings and a hearing on elements to be added to the State Water Plan for the Delaware, Great Lakes and Ohio River regions.

On May 31, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a new diversity, equity, and inclusion partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts that is connecting students with local artists to create and display art at three state parks.

Healthy streams and rivers are the lifeblood of Pennsylvania. More than 86,000 miles of waterways meander through the commonwealth and touch nearly every Pennsylvania community.

Keep PA Beautiful is launching the new PA Waterway Steward Program to engage Pennsylvania water trail users in citizen science and build long term stewardship of our water trails, while providing valuable data to tell the story about litter in our waterways.

Pittsburgh-based Landforce is now hiring crew members for their paid  job training program which not only helps restore and maintain green community assets, it supports development of strong, capable employees for future employers.

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In May is now available featuring articles on--

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association presented its annual Excellence in Craft Awards at the spring conference banquet held May 21 at Mansfield University.

The 20th Anniversary of the Quecreek Mine Rescue will be celebrated on July 22 and 23 in Somerset County Mine Rescue Site and at related events according to the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation.

Walt Pomeroy, 74, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County passed away peacefully and painlessly on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, PA.

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce that nearly $15,000 has been awarded to educators across Pennsylvania through the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Grant Program.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has joined the Pennsylvania Soil Health Coalition, undergarments brand “The Big Favorite,” and other organizations to launch a brief campaign challenging everyone to learn about the health of their soil and neighborhood microbes, by planting underwear.

Assessing pasture health can feel challenging any time but may be especially difficult during seasonal transitions and weather extremes.

In June, the PA Resources Council will conduct environmental education workshops-- both webinars and in-person on a variety of environmental topics.

The May Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights several events this month.

Whether collecting forensic evidence that will bring poachers to justice, tracking down lost hikers or live-trapping black bears for research, Pennsylvania State Game Wardens have among the most unique, diverse and exciting careers in wildlife conservation.

By Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

By Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

The PA Solar Center is hosting a June 10 webinar on Locating Solar Energy Facilities On PA's Abandoned Mine Lands, Brownfields and Landfill Sites from Noon to 1:15 p.m.

The PA Interfaith Power & Light and Jewish Earth Alliance are hosting a June 15 webinar on EPA proposed regulation reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations starting at 7:00 p.m.

The European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh is hosting an online Just Energy Transition Workshop June 3 and 4.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week- 

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on June 13 of bills related to the management of water pollution caused by stormwater.

On June 1, Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) introduced a two-bill package establishing the PA Pollinator Habitat Program in the Department of Transportation in collaboration with the departments of Agriculture and DCNR.

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

The Evangelical Environmental Network released this statement commenting on the Congressional House Republican Energy, Climate, Conservation Task Force Plan--

On June 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of Dr. Kandis Boyd as the new Director of EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program. Dr. Boyd will start her new role as Director on June 6.

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the latest PA Bulletin--

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 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference will be held in-person and virtually June 22-23 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in State College.  This year's theme-- New Opportunities On The Horizon!  Registration Open!    Read more here.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.