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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
April 24, 2006
(4/21/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 4/24/06
* Earth Day 36 Years Young
Yes, I admit, in 1970 during the first Earth Day I wore my sandals and a tie-died t-shirt to “teach-ins” on what I could do to cleanup the environment.
* On the Senate, House Agenda/Bills Moving
Here’s the rundown of what’s on the calendars and in committees—
* Bipartisan Bill Will Reduce Power Plant Mercury Emissions By 86 Percent
Senators Mary Jo White (R-Venango) and Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) this week introduced bipartisan legislation in the state Senate to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 86 percent.
* Business, Labor, Coal Industry Coalition Supports Bipartisan Mercury Proposal
A coalition of business, labor and coal industry groups announced its support for bipartisan legislation in the Senate and House that would dramatically reduce mercury emissions from power plants in a way that protects public health and does not threaten Pennsylvania jobs.
* Senate Committee Sets 2 Days of Hearings on Cutting Mercury Emissions
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled two days of hearings on April 25 and May 2 on cutting mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania.
* 2006 River Sojourn Season is Here, Pick One of 16 Trips and Go!
Sojourn season is here! Unpack those PFD's and dust off you canoe. Longer days and warmer weather means it is time to get on the water.
* Urban Watersheds Revitalization Conference Set for May 18 & 19
The Urban Watershed Revitalization Conference will be held in Philadelphia and Villanova on May 18 and 19.
* Little Toby Creek Benefits from $340,000 Stream Restoration Grant
Little Toby Creek in Brockway Borough and Snyder Township in northeastern Jefferson County were awarded a $340,000 grant by the Department of Environmental Protection this week.
* $82,000 Grant to Study Turning Mine Drainage into Drinking Water Source
The Department of Environmental Protection awarded an $82,000 Growing Greener II grant to the Jefferson County Conservation District to study the feasibility of turning discharges from abandoned deep mines into a municipal water supply for Winslow Township and Sykesville Borough.
* Source Water Protection Grants Help Communities Provide Cleaner Drinking Water
The Department of Environmental Protection this week awarded 14 grants totaling $630,000 to help communities protect their sources of drinking water.
* Chesapeake Bay Trust Soliciting Proposals for Pioneer Grants
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is soliciting proposals for its 2006 Pioneer Grants Program which are due May 19.
* Watershed Stewardship Guide Workshop June 1 in Mercer
The DEP Watershed Academy, in cooperation with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, will hold a free workshop on the new Watershed Stewardship Guide on June 1 in Mercer.
* New Smart Watershed Benchmarking Tool Now Available
The Center for Watershed Protection has just published a Smart Watershed Benchmarking Tool that takes lessons learned from around the country and helps local watershed groups integrate them into their own initiatives.
* EPA Publishes New EPA Watershed Training Opportunities Booklet
EPA has published a new 27-page EPA that highlights watershed training opportunities sponsored by EPA's Office of Water and the Watershed Academy.
* Information Sessions Set on Nutrient, Sediment Trading Benefits
McNees, Wallace & Nurick is sponsoring a series of information sessions to educate businesses, local governments, developers and municipal authorities on the benefits of water quality credit trading designed to help implement the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.
* Pennsylvania USDA-NRCS Receives $2.7 Million to Protect Farmlands
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Acting State Conservationist Gary Smith this week announced the availability of nearly $2.7 million to protect agricultural land in Pennsylvania through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.
* President Bush Presents Youth Environmental Award to Souderton Students
President George W. Bush and U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson this week gave President’s Environmental Youth Awards to 49 students from across the nation, including Students Against Violating the Earth from Souderton Area High School, Montgomery County.
* PA Colleges, Universities to Get Help to Reduce Greenhouse Gasses
The Pennsylvania Consortium for Interdisciplinary Environmental Policy has received a grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central and Eastern Pennsylvania to support the development of greenhouse gas inventories and reduction strategies in higher education in Pennsylvania schools.
* Ribbon Cut on Westmoreland’s First Green Rehabilitated Commercial Building
This week state and local dignitaries; conservation, agriculture, and rural development agency representatives; members of the philanthropic community; and interested members of the public gathered to cut the ribbon on the “GreenForge” building.
* PUC Approves Plan to Re-bid Pike County Electric Rates
The Public Utility Commission this week approved a retail aggregation bidding program for the Pike County Light & Power service territory that it hopes will reduce the 129 percent rate hike experienced by utility customers there.
* Hampden Township Receives Regional Award for Environmental Performance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented the Hampden Township Sewer Authority in Cumberland County with a regional award for excellence in operation and maintenance of its wastewater treatment facility.
* Pay a Visit to the 'Treevitalize Great Tree Jamboree' and Plant a Tree
Residents of southeast Pennsylvania are invited to celebrate spring at one of five TreeVitalize Great Tree Jamboree events and receive a rebate of up to $25 to plant a tree at home.
* Board OKs Anterless Deer License Allocations, Groups Point Out Deer Damage
The Board of Game Commissioners this week approved antlerless license allocations for each of the 22 Wildlife Management Units based on measurements of deer health; habitat health; level of deer-human conflicts based on DMAP participation; and recent population trends.
* Allegheny PA CleanWays Sets Trash, Invasive Species Cleanup for May 6
PA CleanWays of Allegheny County, Inc. and the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation have scheduled a cleanup for May 6 in Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh.
* Brian Hill Named President & CEO of PA Environmental Council
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council, a leading voice for Pennsylvania’s environment for nearly four decades, this week announced the selection of Brian J. Hill as the organization’s new President and CEO.
* PA Chapter National Brownfields Association Meets May 9
Meet other brownfield professionals and hear updates on the Land Recycling Program from the PA Chapter of the National Brownfields Association on May 9 in Johnstown.
* See & Hear - Peregrine Falcons to be Banded During Live Webcast May 24
The Department of Environmental Protection and the Game Commission will hold their annual Peregrine Falcon banding event on May 24 and will webcast the event live from the Harrisburg Falcon webpage.
* Feature - Loyalhanna Watershed Assn. Recognized With Governor’s Award
Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty this week honored the Loyalhanna Watershed Association for operating the state’s only privately run e-cycling program, which provides a convenient location for residents to dispose of small household, office and computer items free of charge.
* Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state.
* Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
* Watershed Awareness Month Activities
This special Calendar section is devoted to activities going on in and around Watershed Awareness Month in May. If you have events to add, send them to: DHess@crisciassociates.com.
* Regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection published proposed regulations changing storage tank requirements for comments (PaB page 1851). Comments are due June 29.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Public Welfare published notice of hearings and opportunity to comment on the proposed 2006-07 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Plan.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page
* Stories Invited
Send your stories about environmental issues, programs and positive actions to PA Environment Digest - DHess@crisciassociates.com or go to www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com .

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