Scrapbook Photo 03/25/24 - 93 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3729bhvv
Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
September 5, 2022 Issue #946
(9/5/2022)
* 59 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 59 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.

* This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues

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.

* All Articles & NewsClips In This Week’s Digest By Topic

PA Environment Digest Is Putting The Best Links To Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips Here.   Are You Telling Your Story? 

* Only 15 Out Of 256 Conventional Oil & Gas Operators Who Abandoned Wells Without Plugging Them Were Fined By DEP; Small Penalties No Deterrent To Future Abandonments

Only 15 of the 256 conventional oil and gas operators who received notices of violation for abandoning wells without plugging them over the last six years were assessed monetary penalties by the Department of Environmental Protection, according to DEP’s response to a Right to Know request to the Oil and Gas Management Program for penalty information covering conventional operators from 2016 through 2021.

* Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Reported Spreading 977,671 Gallons Of Untreated Drilling Wastewater On PA Roads In 2021

More complete DEP records now show conventional oil and gas drillers reported spreading 977,671 gallons of untreated drilling wastewater on Pennsylvania's roads in 2021, according to an updated report by the Better Path Coalition released Wednesday.

* DEP: Wastes Generated By The New Conventional Oil & Gas Well Plugging Program Will NOT Be Exempt From Hazardous Waste Regulations, Unlike Wastes From Active Wells

On September 1, the Department of Environmental Protection said any waste generated by the new conventional oil and gas well plugging program will NOT be exempt from hazardous waste requirements, unlike the same or similar wastes generated from active oil and gas production wells and facilities.

* Penn State To Hold Cancer And The Environment Symposium Sept. 29; No Information Yet On Whether Oil & Gas Development Health Risks Will Be Included

The Penn State Cancer Institute and the Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) announced a Cancer and the Environment Symposium from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 29 in the Energy and the Environment Laboratory.

* Health Department Distributing Free Potassium Iodide Tablets To Pennsylvanians Near State’s Four Active Nuclear Power Plants Sept. 15

On September 2, the state Department of Health announced it will again offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets on Thursday, September 15, to Pennsylvanians who are within 10 miles of the state’s four active nuclear power plants as part of routine preventive efforts in case of future emergencies. 

* PEMA, State Agencies Encourage Emergency Preparedness With New Tools During National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Insurance Department are encouraging citizens to take steps to prepare for emergencies and ensure that their homes, businesses, and possessions are adequately insured.

* DEP Declares Drought Watch for 36 Counties, Asks For Voluntary Water Conservation; First Since 2020

On August 31, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the Commonwealth Drought Task Force has declared a drought watch for 36 counties and asks for voluntary water conservation in those counties.

* Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monitors Hydrologic Conditions Across The Basin; Including Oil & Gas Operations

On September 2, the  Susquehanna River Basin Commission released and update on drought conditions within the Susquehanna River Basin--

* 180+ Attended 2022 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference; MayFly Award Winners Recognized

This article first appeared in the August Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition-- 

* Brodhead Watershed Association Honors Volunteer Wendy Lichty, Dr. Matt Connell For Conservation Efforts At Sept. 23 Celebration

On September 23, Monroe County-based Brodhead Watershed Association will recognize volunteer Wendy Lichty and Dr. Matt Connell for their conservation efforts at the Annual Members and Friends Celebration at the Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg.

* Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Partners With Westminster College H.S. Science Camp; Completes Blacks Creek Maintenance Pond

These articles first appeared in the August Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition-- 

* Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake, Brightside Baptist Church Rain Garden Prove Green Infrastructure Is Beautiful And Functional In Lancaster County

By Sean O'Connor, Communications Intern, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

* Western PA Conservancy: Rain Garden System Expands Environmental Benefits, Offers Opportunities To Teach Green Infrastructure At Pittsburgh Schools

As if on cue, storm clouds gathered and the skies opened as government and nonprofit leaders gathered in Larimer July 28 to celebrate the installation of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s rain garden system in a community flower garden at the Pittsburgh Public School District’s Lincoln PreK-5 School.

* Bay Journal: 'Precision' Stream Conservation In 6 PA Counties Gets Federal Funding

By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal

* Environmental Hearing Board Rules Renovo Energy Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant Limits On Sulfur Dioxide, VOC Emissions Set Too High

On August 29, the Environmental Hearing Board ruled in favor of three environmental groups in their appeal of the air pollution permit for the proposed Renovo Energy Center natural gas-fired power plant in Clinton County, finding the Department of Environmental Protection set limits for sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds too high.

* Clean Air Council Celebrates Joseph Minott's 40 Year Commitment To Leading The Council, And To The Environment

The Philadelphia-based Clean Air Council is celebrating Executive Director and Chief Counsel, Joseph Minott’s 40 years of leading the Clean Air Council! It is rare to have such strong and stable leadership like what Joe has provided for almost his entire career.

* Sustainable Pittsburgh: Sept. 23 Innovative CEOs Enabling And Expanding Decarbonization; Part Of Global Clean Energy Action Forum

On September 23, Sustainable Pittsburgh and CEOs for Sustainability will host a special Innovative CEOs Enabling And Expanding Decarbonization Program at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh starting at 10:15 a.m.

* Erie 2030 District Achieves 22.4% Decline In Energy Use; $4.6 Million In Energy Savings; 14.6% Decline In Carbon Emissions

On August 30, the Erie 2030 District, a group comprising 17 Erie area property partners representing 130 buildings and over 5.9 million square feet, released its 2021 Progress Report detailing efforts by partners who have committed to a dramatic reduction in energy use and carbon emissions in their buildings by the year 2030.

* New Allegheny County Sustainability Report Provides Overview Of Efforts Since 2009

On August 31, the Allegheny County Office of Sustainability issued the 2022 Allegheny County Sustainability Report that highlights this past year’s efforts aimed at improving the county’s overall sustainability.

* Pittsburgh Homebuilding Startup - Module - Selected As One Of 6 New Ventures For The Housing Lab, Prioritizing Housing Equity, Sustainability

On September 1, The Housing Lab, a program of the nonprofit Terner Housing Innovation Labs, announced that Pittsburgh-based homebuilding startup Module is among its third cohort of housing entrepreneurs focused on making homes and communities more affordable, accessible, and sustainable.

* DEP Still Accepting Applications For Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates

The Department of Environmental Protection announced it is still accepting applications for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates(formal notice)

* EPA Announces Winners Of Let’s Talk About Heat Challenge Including 1 From PA; Sharing Strategies To Help Communities Stay Safe During Extreme Heat

On August 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the 10 winners of the Let’s Talk About Heat Challenge.

* DRBC: Microplastics Pervasive In Waters Adjacent To Delaware River’s Population Centers

On August 30, the Delaware River Basin Commission released a new technical report on Reducing Microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary.

* PA Resources Council Announces Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Locations For September In Allegheny County; PRC Seeking More Partners For 2023

The Pennsylvania Resources Council Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Program provides a free recycling service that rotates through a variety of locations in western Pennsylvania. 

* The Litterbug Continues To Strike, Strike Back By Entering The PA Resources Council Lens On Litter Photo Contest

The notorious Litterbug continues to remind us about the environmental and economic problems that litter can cause.

* SEEDS: Free Book Swap Returns To Wayne County Fairgrounds October 8-9

SEEDS of Northeastern Pennsylvania is proud to announce the return of the Free Book Swap to the Wayne County Fairgrounds  October 8 and 9.

* Dept. Of Agriculture Awards Research Grants For Soil Health, Farm Conservation, Regenerative Farming, Spotted Lanternfly Mitigation

On August 31, the Department of Agriculture announced grants totaling more than $2 million to six Pennsylvania organizations for research on issues critical to sustaining and growing the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

* September 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam From PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The September 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation.

* Clean Air Council Now Accepting Applications For Feet First Philly Mini Grants; Sept. 7 Webinar For Potential Applicants

The Clean Air Council’s Feet First Philly Program is now accepting applications for mini grants to make public space enhancement and safety improvements to benefit pedestrians.  The deadline for applications is October 11.

* Register Now For Keystone Trails Assn. KTA Trail Challenge Sept. 10 In Lancaster, York Counties

Spaces are still available for Keystone Trails Association’s 14th Annual KTA Trail Challenge to be held September 10 in the beautiful river hills of southern Lancaster and York Counties.

* DCNR Reminds Public Of Wild Ginseng Harvesting Guidance As Season Begins

On September 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Pennsylvania State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger reminded Pennsylvanians to abide by state guidelines for harvesting wild ginseng in Pennsylvania.

* Sustaining The Serpentine Barrens Conference-Tour Oct. 18-19 In Chester County

DCNR, Natural Lands, West Chester University and their partners are hosting a two-day Sustaining the Serpentine Barrens Conference on October 18-19 in Chester County.

* Study Suggests One-Third Of Wild Bee Species In PA Have Declined; Bee Diversity Can Help Conserve Pollinators

By Chuck Gill, Penn State News

* Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

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

* Sept. 7 Screening Of Hurricane Agnes 50: Life After The Flood; It Happened Before And Flooding Will Be Worse In The Future Due To Climate Change

A WVIA documentary by Alexander Monelli-- Agnes 50: Life After The Flood-- will be screened September 7 online and at the HUB-Robeson Center Freeman Auditorium at the Penn State Campus in State College starting at 7:00 p.m.

* Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy With Geospatial Technology Tools And Practice Online Educator Training Starting Sept. 27

The PA Sea Grant, Stroud Water Research Center, NOAA and the Department of Education will host a seven-session online educator training program on Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy With Geospatial Technology Tools and Practice.

* Western PA Conservancy Webinar: Benefits Of Water-Thirsty Trees Sept. 30

The Western PA Conservancy will host a Benefits of Water-Thirsty Trees webinar September 30 at Noon.

* Manada Conservancy Hosts Sept. 15 Program In Hershey On How Citizen Science, Place-Based Learning Are Helping To Address Environmental Challenges

The Manada Conservancy is hosting a special program September 15 called Discover Your World at the Hershey Gardens Conservatory, 170 Hotel Road in Hershey, Dauphin County at 7:00 p.m.

* Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program Offering Level 1 Certification Training Sept. 8-9 In State College

The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program is offering the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Level 1 training and certification that focuses on active, hands-on education at a fully in-person class September 8-9, in State College PA.

* DCNR, Crawford & Warren Conservation Districts Host Field To Forest Workshops On Sept. 24, Oct. 1

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry will host a Field To Forest Workshop on September 24 with the Crawford County Conservation District and on October 1 with the Warren County Conservation District.

* POLLINATORS! The Musical Coming To Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, State College Sept. 11

By Alexandra McLaughlin, Penn State News

* Nature at Risk: Your Small Changes Can Help Bring Monarchs Back

By Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

* Clean Water Is Up To You: Brown Lawn? Here’s How To Really Go Green!

By Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

* News From PA House & Senate

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

* Senate Committee Meets Sept. 7 On Letter To IRRC Disapproving A Final Manganese Water Quality Standard Protecting Public Health

The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on September 7 to consider a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission expressing disapproval of a final EQB regulation setting a water quality standard for manganese protective of public health and aquatic life.

* The Feds

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

* EPA Imposes $2.5 Million Penalty On PA Company For Selling Auto Parts That Avoid Vehicle Pollution Controls

On September 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Keystone Automotive, a vehicle parts distributor with headquarters in Exeter, Luzerne will pay a $2.5 million penalty for allegedly selling aftermarket devices that were designed to defeat the emissions control systems on cars and trucks.

* Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

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

* Grants & Awards

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

* PA Bulletin - Public Notices

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

* 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.

* Supporting Member PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers; PA Outdoor Writers Assn.; PA Trout Unlimited

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.

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