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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
October 9, 2006
(10/7/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 10/9/06
* Attorney General Praises Senate Committee Approval of Tougher Penalties
Attorney General Tom Corbett this week praised members of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for their approval of a bill-- House Bill 2042 (Reichley-R-Berks)-- that enhances Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law, increasing penalties for polluters who compromise the quality of the Commonwealth's waterways.
* On the Agenda/Senate/House Actions/Bills Introduced
There are no committee meetings next week with the General Assembly not in session. But, the Senate and House took action on these bills this week, along with introducing several bills of interest. Here’s the rundown…
* House Committee OKs Climate Change, Covenant, Nuclear Fee Bills – Video Blog
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week, on a split vote, reported out a resolution directing the Committee to study policy and technology options the state can adopt to address the issue of climate change and took action on other bills. Here’s the rundown…
* Senate Committee Schedules Hearing on Hazardous Sites Cleanup Funding Gap
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing October 16 to hear comments and alternatives for filling a $40 million funding shortfall in the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.
* Congress Fails to Act on Abandoned Mine Fee Reauthorization – Video Blog
John Dawes, of the PA AML Campaign, reported this week Congress failed to act on legislation reauthorizing the federal fee used to fund the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program before adjourning for fall elections.
* Washington County Mine Reclamation Project Designed by DEP Wins Award
A highwall reclamation project designed by the Department of Environmental Protection won a 2006 Appalachian Regional Award from the federal Office of Surface Mining.
* PA-AWRA Water Resources Conference Set for October 20
With the theme of “Emergency Preparedness and Response in Water Resources Management,” the PA Chapter of the American Water Resources Association will hold its annual conference on October 20 at the Days Inn in State College.
* SRBC Releases Results of Morrison Cove Valley Stream Assessment, Blair, Bedford
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission this week released its findings from a comprehensive stream assessment of Morrison Cove Valley streams, Blair and Bedford counties. Overall, stream habitat and biology were in very good condition.
* Tour, Workshop to Showcase Schuylkill Watershed Enhancements October 12
On October 12 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., representatives from the Schuylkill Action Network will embark on a tour of three Montgomery County sites where innovative improvements in stormwater management are being constructed.
* Statewide Survey of Private Well Owners Underway
The Penn State Master Well Owner Network and the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center are conducting the first statewide survey of private well owners across the state through the end of the year.
* Lancaster Watershed Groups Make Watershed Education “Float”
Watershed groups, with the help of the Lancaster County Conservation District, carried their watershed education message to more than 50,000 people this summer and fall through a unique vehicle—a watershed float in community parades.
* Briefing Set for October 18 on Codorus Watershed Projects in York County
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is inviting local officials and the public to a briefing on the Codorus Watershed Restoration Feasibility Study on October 18 at Nixon Park Nature Center.
* Workshop on Pervious Concrete Set for October 25 in Lebanon County
The Lebanon County Conservation District, PA Aggregates and Concrete Association and other groups are sponsoring a workshop on pervious concrete at Ft. Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County on October 25 starting at 9:30.
* Students Build Model Green Home in Lancaster
The NAHB Research Center and the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center kicked-off construction this week on one of the first homes rated under the new NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines.
* PPL Publishes Corporate Responsibility, Environmental Performance Report
PPL this week published its overall corporate responsibility report that includes a special section on it environmental performance over the last year.
* How Many Light Bulbs Does It Take to Protect the Environment and Save $30?
Saving $30, and protecting the environment, is as easy as changing a light bulb. If every American household changed a single light bulb to an Energy Star bulb, it would provide enough power to light more than 2.5 million homes, while saving consumers money.
* Register Now for Free Industrial Energy Assessments from DOE
The U.S. Department of Energy this week opened registration on its Save Energy Now website for a second round of targeted energy assessments. DOE will offer 250 industrial pump, fan, and compressed air system assessments nationwide during 2007.
* Sustainable Energy Field Day Set for Westmoreland October 26
On October 26 the Westmoreland County Conservation District will host a “Sustainable Energy Field Day” at the Donohoe Center conservation campus in Greensburg.
* Seminar to Help Manufacturers Manage Energy as Resource, Cut Utility Costs
Industrial leaders interested in learning about new methods to help reduce energy usage and cuts costs are invited to the 2006 Industrial Energy Summit, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 25, at the Erie Manufacturers' Association Conference Center, 2171 W. 38th St., Erie.
* Apply Now for 2007 Environmental Education Grants
Funding is now available to help schools, universities, nonprofit organizations and county conservation districts create or develop projects that enhance environmental education through the 2007 Environmental Education Grant Program.
* Strategies for Managing Organics in Your Community Workshops
A series of 10 workshops will be held around the state during October and November inviting local officials to learn how to recycle organic wastes is their communities using composting and other techniques.
* Northeast Regional Recycling Conference Will Feature PA Presenters
The Northeast Recycling Council will hold its fall conference on October 24 and 25 in Northampton, Massachusetts.
* Sustainability: Urban and Rural - Theme of PRC’s Awards Dinner November 15
Sustainability: Urban and Rural” is the theme of the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s annual awards and fundraising dinner November 15 at the Philadelphia Marriott West in West Conshohocken.
* DCNR Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Greenways Preservation
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was one of four honorees to receive national recognition for outstanding achievement in greenways preservation at the Kodak American Greenways Awards this week at the National Geographic Society.
* Game Commissions Acts on Priority Wildlife Projects, Acquisitions
The Pennsylvania Game Commission this week unanimously approved projects funded by State Wildlife Grants, conservation easements and additions to state game lands.
* DEP Citizens Advisory Council Publishes Fall Newsletter
The Citizens Advisory Council to the Department of Environmental Protection this week published its fall newsletter highlighting new members to the Council, a discussion of DEP’s proposed mercury emissions reduction rule and its 2007 meeting dates.
* DEP Reorganizes District Mining Office Service Areas
The Department of Environmental Protection announced the reorganization of its District Mining Offices, establishing new boundaries for three of the six field operations that oversee all surface and underground mining and blasting activities in Pennsylvania.
* Help Wanted: Project Coordinator for ALLARM, DEP Bureau Director
The Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring Program at Dickinson College in Carlisle is seeking candidates for the position of Project Coordinator for ALLARM.
* Video Blog - Climate Change, Environmental Covenants Topics on This Week’s Video Blog
This week’s PA Environment Digest Video Blog features comments on two legislative proposals—one to study options for state action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a second proposal to establish uniform environmental covenants for brownfield cleanups.
* Feature - Pennsylvania Birders Still Needed to Help With Atlas
By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Pennsylvania Game Commission
* 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 - Final Mercury Rule, Stream Redesignations Highlight EQB October 17 Agenda
The Environmental Quality Board will meet on October 17 to consider a final mercury emissions reduction rule and several other regulations. Here’s the rundown…
* Regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection, Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the State Conservation Commission all published notices related to regulation changes this week. Here’s the rundown…
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published final guidance on 2007 Environmental Education Grants and proposed guidance on disadvantage business enterprise contracting rules and guidelines for underground tank inspections (full notice). The Public Utility Commission published a correction to its policy on Acquisition of Water and Wastewater System.
* 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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