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.

PA Environment Digest Put Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On August 15, the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health released the results of health studies of unconventional shale gas development.

The question and answer session with residents during the August 15 public meeting on the results of the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health studies on the health impacts of shale gas development in Southwest Pennsylvania resulted in some very frank statements by the state Department of Health.

This editorial first appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on August 20, 2023--

On August 19, The Derrick newspaper reported DEP’s Oil and Gas Program issued an administrative order to Petro Erie, Inc. to provide temporary water and take action to restore or replace the water supply for the Village of Reno contaminated by a release of wastewater from a conventional oil well field the company operates in Venango County.

On August 16, the Department of Environmental Protection said it launched an investigation, at the direction of Gov. Shapiro, to determine if sources of methane other than the natural gas distribution system could have contributed to the Plum Borough home explosion in Allegheny County that took the lives of five people.

On August 15, the Public Utility Commission announced Pipeline safety engineers from the PUC’s Safety Division– which is part of the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) – are continuing their investigation into an August 12th incident in Plum Borough, Allegheny County which resulted in five deaths, several injuries, the destruction of three homes and damage to other surrounding residences.

From August 12 to 18, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 561 inspection entries

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 19 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a revised Chapter 105 encroachment permit for the PA General Energy Shawnee shale gas drilling water withdrawal structure and pipeline utility crossing built out of compliance with its original permit.  (PA Bulletin, page 5216)

The following DEP notices were published in the August 19 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 19 PA Bulletin it granted a variance to American Refining Group Refinery in Bradford, McKean County from the requirement to install emergency containment structures for 10 aboveground petroleum product storage tanks that meet a 1 x 10 to -6 maximum permeability requirement.   (PA Bulletin, page 5250)

On August 17, the Department of Environmental Protection posted an Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy to guide DEP’s permit application reviews and outreach efforts in environmental justice areas throughout the Commonwealth.

On August 15, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced a grant of $100,000 in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania.

Are you and your congregation ready to take action to help restore and protect your watershed, but don’t know where to start?

Now On Demand: The Energy Efficiency Alliance, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia, and Sustainable Pittsburgh webinar on Shaping Pennsylvania's Clean Energy Workforce Future

On August 14, the Department of Transportation announced the investment of $33.8 million in 54 electric vehicle charging projects in 35 counties funded by the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

On August 16, the University of Pittsburgh and Vesper Energy officially cut the ribbon on the 20-megawatt Gaucho Solar Energy project built on 68 acres on the border of Findlay Township, Allegheny County and Independence Township, Beaver County.

On August 14, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals announce winners of its 2023 student scholarships-- Elizabeth Bruner and Alysha Ulrich and the first winner of the new Zulene Mayfield Scholarship-- Grace Hassing.

Toss a bottle into a recycling bin in western Pennsylvania and send that bottle on a journey that can result in a new amber, green or clear bottle on a store shelf in 30 days or less. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 19 PA Bulletin has banned the sale of electronic products by Proexpress Distribution, LLC in Pennsylvania as a result of non-compliance with the electronic waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 5249)

On August 15, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn highlighted the significant investments in public lands and outdoor recreation in the bipartisan budget recently signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

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

By Alana Jajko, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

Earlier this year, Manada Conservancy staff worked with the Shirk family to sign a conservation easement protecting their family farm and 41-acre property in Dauphin County. 

On August 17, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania announced it has purchased 130 acres in Pennsylvania’s Shohola Township [Pike County] and immediately transferred that parcel to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for addition to State Game Land 116.

Pittsburgh-based Landforce nonprofit green infrastructure workforce training organization is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Communications Manager

By Carol Hillestad

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

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for 2024 Environmental Education Grants.  The deadline to apply is November 15.

Penn State Extension will host an online Solar Law Symposium on August 23 from Noon to 4:15 p.m. featuring a discussion of grid scale solar energy facilities from the landowners, developer, municipal and regulator perspective (DEP and PJM Interconnection).

DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council will host a 2-part online CNRAC Conversation on Below and Above: Storing Carbon In The Pennsylvania Landscape.

Penn State Extension announced the four-part Pennsylvania Forest Webinar Series is back starting September 12 and runs through February 13!

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will hold an online Recreation and Conservation Grants Workshop from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on November 16.

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

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

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 August 19 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.

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.