Here are 149 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 Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On May 22, the Environmental Hearing Board issued a ruling in an appeal of a  DEP water supply contamination determination involving the CNX Gas Company that agreed with a Center for Coalfield Justice assertion there was “acute” danger in CNX misusing a deposition in the case to “punish” an environmental advocate for her advocacy against CNX.  [EHB Docket No. 2024-114-W]

On May 8, 2025 surveillance cameras again caught the latest incidents of conventional oil and gas wastewater being dumped on a section of a dirt road paved with tar and stone chips in Warren County-- this time at about 1:43 a.m. in the morning.

On May 22, Pennsylvania American Water announced it has begun construction on a water pipeline that will serve Dimock Township in Susquehanna County.

From May 17 to 23, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 539 inspection entries. 

The following notices were published in the May 24 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On May 29, community advocacy groups will host a webinar--  Introduction to Community Benefit Agreements-- for a discussion on Community Benefit Agreements and their importance in local democracy from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

On May 22, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council held its Western Pennsylvania Awards dinner in Pittsburgh to recognize Cynthia Carrow with a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority and DEP's RISE PA Industrial Decarbonization Program.

On May 20, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful celebrated the Young Ambassadors Program class of 2025 during a virtual graduation ceremony.

On May 22, the Department of Environmental Protection awarded $1,173,789 in Environmental Education Grants to 68 environmental education projects that will promote environmental stewardship across Pennsylvania.

On May 19, the EPA Alumni Association wrote the following letter as an Open Letter to current US Environmental Protection Administrator Lee Zeldin and Members of Congress on recent actions to significantly cut EPA’s staff and budget--

On May 19, the House Environmental  & Natural Resource Protection Committee held a hearing on House Bill 501 (Otten-D-Chester) which would establish the PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard to modernize Pennsylvania’s outdated renewable energy standards, incentivizing innovation in nuclear and renewable energy, including battery storage, to remain competitive with other states, create jobs and help diversify energy sources and make energy more affordable.

On May 21, the Public Utility Commission warned consumers new default electric service prices taking effect on June 1 will increase most residential electric bills between 5% and 16%.

On May 22, the Public Utility Commission suspended proposed rate increases filed by three affiliated utilities serving residents and businesses in north-central Pennsylvania: Wellsboro Electric Company, Valley Energy [Gas] Inc. and Citizens’ Electric Company of Lewisburg.

On May 19, advocates from Solar United Neighbors Action (SUN Action) and solar business owners are urging Pennsylvania legislators to release Solar For All funding to the PA Energy Development Authority  and bring energy bill relief to consumers before the availability of the funding sunsets on September 1. 

On May 20, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger announced an investment of more than $22.6 million in 74 schools across Pennsylvania through the Solar for Schools Grant Program, which is administered by DCED and funded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

In response to the U.S. House proposed federal budget bill, which would repeal critical energy tax credits passed under the Inflation Reduction act of 2022, Energy Future PA Co-Chairs Conor Lamb (former Democratic U.S Congressman from Allegheny County) and Kate Harper (former Republican State Representative from Montgomery County) released the following statement--

On May 23, the Evangelical Environmental Network President and CEO Rev. Dr. Jessica Moerman issued the following statement in response to the passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the US House of Representatives--

On May 21,  Gov. Shapiro announced his Administration has made a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to make financial aid available to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the May 13, 2025, flooding in Somerset County.

On May 21, the PA Emergency Management Agency announced a Multi-Agency Resource Center will be open May 22 in Meyersdale, Somerset County to assist assist individuals, families and businesses that sustained losses from significant flooding May 13 & 14,

On May 19, Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership announced it was honored earlier this month with the “Visionary Leadership Award,” presented by the Foxwynd Foundation of Chester County.

Environmental science teacher Maddie Bentz used to use the Amazon rainforest and the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park to teach her students about ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation said states and school districts around the Bay region have made some progress toward meeting their goals for teaching students about the environment, but much work remains, according to data recently released by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program. 

On May 29, the Headwaters To The Ohio Water Network will host a webinar on the Changing Landscape Of Federal Clean Water Funding & Policy from 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.

The Water, Health, and Nutrition Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University are conducting a study on experiences and trust around water in Pennsylvania.

On May 20, the North Branch Land Trust, collaborating with Pennsylvania American Water, completed a conservation easement on approximately 220 acres on the Huntsville Reservoir in Dallas Borough and Lehman Township in Luzerne County.

On May 21, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County to officially kick off Pennsylvania’s summer outdoor recreation season — highlighting the Commonwealth’s continued infrastructure investments, growing tourism economy, and the broad appeal of its state parks and forests.

By Darian Jones, Communications & Outreach AmeriCorps Assistant for the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

The May 23 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--

The Summer Penn’s Stewards newsletter from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation includes a special feature in trails-- Miles of Beauty - Hiking Pennsylvania’s State Forest Hiking Trails-- and lots of other great information on State Park and State Forest Friends Groups and activities.

A new full-court basketball court is on the way this summer for users of Stevens Park, 6th and Tilghman streets, thanks to funding from The Allentown Parknership, the nonprofit dedicated to expanding and enhancing the city’s parks, playgrounds and recreation programs.

The PA Recreation and Park Society wants to remind you July 18 is Park and Recreation Professions Day in Pennsylvania.

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

The latest DCNR State Parks Environmental Educator news is blooming with PA Native Species Day, pollinator and many other activities.  The end of school doesn’t mean the end of learning! --

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center will host the three-part webinar series Business Fundamentals for Compost Operations on June 17, July 15 and August 19 from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

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 May 24 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 Outdoor Writers Association, PA PA Council Trout Unlimited, Organization for Watersheds & Rivers and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.

PA Environment Digest is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as essential to fostering a positive work, organizational and volunteer culture.