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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
September 25, 2006
(9/22/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 9/25/06
* Bill Promotes Watershed Practices That Yield $27 In Benefits for Every $1 Invested
The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held an informational meeting this week on House Bill 2878 (Stern-R-Blair, Hershey-R-Chester, Daley-D-Washington) that would establish the Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit Program.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Actions/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House plan to consider several environmental bills this week. Here’s the rundown…
* Senate Hearing on Robbins’ Home Heating Assistance Bill, LIHEAP Expanded
This week the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on legislation sponsored by Sen. Robbins (R-Mercer)-- Senate Bill 1270, the Home Energy Assistance in Time Of Need -- or HEAT ON – Act.
* Ohio River Celebration Attracts 950 Taking Positive Actions to Improve Watersheds
The Fifth Annual Ohio River Celebration and cruise on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh attracted over 950 participants, including some 300 students, from all over Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia with its unique blend of educational, networking and recognition programs for watershed groups.
* PA and Other Chesapeake Bay States Agree To Accelerate Restoration Efforts
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation acknowledged the state and local government members of Chesapeake Bay Executive Council for their commitment this week to accelerate efforts to provide farmers the tools they need to reduce pollution, as outlined in the Tributary Strategies and established as a result of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement (C2K).
* 3 Rivers Wet Weather Sewer Conference to be Held September 27-28
The 3 Rivers Wet Weather Eighth Annual Sewer Conference will be held September 27-28 at the Four Points by Sheraton Pittsburgh North in Cranberry Township.
* Gardens Win Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Community Greening Award
It takes much more than a few marigolds to win a Community Greening Award from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and 15 gardens across Pennsylvania have done it!
* DCNR Issues TreeVitalize Challenge to Chester County's Urban Areas
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is challenging Chester County's 16 urban centers to launch a new phase of TreeVitalize initiative to restore tree cover in the five- county southeastern region.
* October 15 is Deadline to Enter National Student Radon Poster Contest
The National Safety Council is sponsoring a national radon poster contest in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture open to students from nine to 14.
* 6 of 10 Winners of EPA Excellence in Energy Efficiency Awards from PA
Six of the ten winners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Excellence in Energy Efficiency Awards are from Pennsylvania.
* ETAC-PennTAP Partnership Wins National Pollution Prevention Award
Helping businesses in western Pennsylvania reduce waste and emissions, save energy, save or create more than 400 jobs, and achieve $20 million in economic benefits over five years has earned the Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable for the ETAC-PennTAP-Penn State McKeesport Partnership.
* EPA, Philadelphia to Promote Voluntary Pollution Reductions
The Region III Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Philadelphia will enter into a new voluntary partnership (an industry partnership initiative) to encourage businesses to go beyond compliance to reduce their emissions of toxic air pollutants, greenhouse gases and increase their energy efficiency.
* PUC Sets Hearing on Pike County 70 Percent Electric Rate Increase
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission scheduled two hearings to receive public comment on complaints filed against Pike County Light & Power over dramatic rate increases and billing disputes.
* Author to Discuss Creating Livable Communities September 25
Nationally recognized expert on smart growth planning Ed McMahon will speak at Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse in Boiling Springs, Cumberland County, on September 25 on “The Dollars and $ense of Protecting Community Character.”
* Lancaster Seeks Nominations for 2006 Smart Growth Awards
To recognize outstanding Smart Growth projects in Lancaster County, the Lancaster County Planning Commission is calling for entries to the Fourth Annual Smart Growth Leadership Awards.
* EPA Co-Sponsors 2006 Children’s Environmental Health Conference in Pittsburgh
Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Children's Environmental Health Conference to be held on October 21 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
* Global Warming and Agriculture Workshop Feature DEP, Agriculture Secretaries
On November 8 the Clean Air Council will host a Global Warming Policy and Pennsylvania Agriculture work featuring the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection as the keynote speakers.
* Exelon and The Conservation Fund Donate 79-Acre Susquehanna Island
Exelon Corporation and The Conservation Fund announced this week that Exelon will donate a 79-acre island on the Susquehanna River about 3 miles south of the Conowingo Dam to The Conservation Fund which will donate it to Maryland's Department of Natural Resources.
* National Hunting & Fishing Day Celebrated on September 26
Representatives of the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission, along with several respected statewide sportsmen’s organizations, will host a National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration on September 26 in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol in Harrisburg.
* Game Commission to Hold State Game Land Tours in September, October
As part of the Game Commission's efforts to highlight its ongoing habitat improvement initiatives, the public is invited to take part in upcoming tours of four State Game Lands between September 23 and October 15. All tours are free.
* Feature - Junior Environment Corps Pilot Project Launched in the Wissahickon Watershed
By Virginia Ranly, Watershed Programs Coordinator, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
* Fall Feature - Autumn’s Gold Includes Millions of Monarch Butterflies Migrating South
By Kathy Reshetiloff, Chesapeake Bay Naturalist
* 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.
* Regulations - EQB Adopts California Cars Standard, Another Climate Change Piece in Place
The Environmental Quality Board voted to finalize a rule adopting the California vehicle emissions standards that includes limits on climate-changing carbon dioxide for the first time.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published proposed revisions to the PA Drinking Water Information System User’s Manual.
* 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 .
* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association.

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