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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
November 6, 2006
(11/3/2006)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 11/6/06
* Central PA Conservancy Honors Dr. Cliff Jones as Conservationist of the Year
At a special banquet on December 5, the Central PA Conservancy will honor Dr. Cliff Jones, former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources, an avid birdwatcher and public servant, as its Conservationist of the Year.
* Video Blog - Rep. Daley On Water Quality Challenges Faced By Farmers and REAP Proposal
Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington), Democratic Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, talks about the water quality challenges faced in Western Pennsylvania and House Bill 2878, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act, that would give farmers tax credits for installing best management practices to reduce nutrients and sediments going into our rivers and streams.
* Bills on the Governor’s Desk/Bills Introduced
With only one day before the election, there are no committee meetings scheduled in Harrisburg and no scheduled session days before the November 7 election.
* Delaware Estuary’s Kathy Klein Receives Honor From Environmental Professionals
The Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater Philadelphia honored Kathy Klein, executive director of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, with its 11th Annual Touchstone Award, given once a year to a woman who has made outstanding and significant progress in the environmental professions.
* First Water Quality Nutrient Credit Sale to Developer Completed
As developers, industries and sewage treatment plant operators work to meet new Pennsylvania limits for discharges into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Red Barn Trading Company announced it has executed the Commonwealth’s first nutrient credit sale.
* 35 Grants in Lake Erie, Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone to Protect Environment
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced $1.23 million in grants for 35 projects intended to protect and enhance Pennsylvania’s coastal zones along the Lake Erie and the Delaware Estuary shorelines.
* Stormwater BMP Manual Pilot Training Session Set for November 16-17
The Department of Environmental Protection and the Carbon County Conservation District are hosting a two-day training workshop entitled, “Stormwater BMP Manual Pilot Training Session,” on November 16-17 at the Resort at Split Rock in Lake Harmony, PA.
* DEP Proposes Changes to Stormwater Permitting Requirements, Asks for Comments
The Department of Environmental Protection asked for public comments on proposals that it said would streamline permitting requirements under the NPDES Post-Construction Stormwater Permit Program.
* Public Comments Invited on TMDL Watershed Plans in Cambria, Indiana, Somerset
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting public comments on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs) for nine watersheds in Cambrian, Indiana and Somerset counties.
* Drinking Water Protection Workshop November 16 in Westmoreland
A Workshop titled "Protecting Public Drinking Water: Source Water Protection Solutions" will be held November 16 at the Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Ave., Murrysville, Westmoreland County.
* America Recycles Day Celebrated November 18 by PRC in Robinson Mall
The Pennsylvania Resources Council, Abitibi Paper Retriever and the Mall at Robinson near Pittsburgh celebrate America Recycles Day on November 18 by hosting a fun-filled recycling event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* New Deadline for Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards
The deadline to submit applications for the 2007 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence has been extended to November 17.
* EPA Awards Research Fellowships for College Students, Including 3 in PA
EPA research fellowships totaling $4.5 million will provide tuition support for 142 students from across the country pursuing degrees in environmental studies, including two graduate and one undergraduate students in Pennsylvania.
* Applications Now Being Accepted for Trout Unlimited Youth Fishing Camp
Applications are now being accepted for the 12th annual Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp being held June 17-22, 2007 at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Cumberland County, according to Camp Chairman Rod Cross.
* Green Building Alliance Hopes to Stimulate Green Building Manufacturing
The Green Building Alliance has received a $1 million grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority and $250,000 from The Heinz Endowments to launch a regional initiative that utilizes green building manufacturing to stimulate regional economic development.
* Knoll, Inc. Joins Chicago Climate Exchange Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project
Knoll, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of branded furniture for the office and home based in East Greenville, PA, has announced a greenhouse gas reduction commitment through its membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange, Inc.
* Wildlife and Wind Energy Conference December 2 at Kutztown
A Wildlife and Wind Energy Conference will be held at Kutztown University on December 2 to present accurate, objective and state-of-the-art information to the public on the impact wind energy facilities have on wildlife.
* DOE Looking for a Few Good Organisms to Make Cellulosic Ethanol
The U.S. Department of Energy is soliciting grant proposals to develop a highly efficient fermentative organism for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol .
* New BioMass Energy Center Opened at Penn State
A new Biomass Energy Center at Penn State will coordinate and facilitate research and outreach across the university, building teams to address the complete value chain of biomass energy systems.
* DOE Announces Alternative Fuels Grants, Including Two In PA
The U.S. Department of Energy this week announced $8.6 million for 16 projects to expand the use of alternative transportation fuels, including two projects in Pennsylvania.
* Research Grants Aim to Reduce Environmental Impact of Agriculture Operations
The Department of Agriculture this week announced a series of research grants which, in part, will look at ways of reducing the environmental impact of agriculture operations or convert waste products to energy sources on farms.
* Penn State's Visible Emissions Training Program Set for 2007
Penn State's Visible Emissions Training Program, also known as Smoke School, offers opacity training for people who want to become certified "smoke readers." Penn State's Smoke School presents technical information on opacity, but does not require formal education in science, engineering, or technology.
* Feature - Project WILD Helps Educators With Wildlife Conservation Curriculum
By Lori Richardson, Wildlife 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
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission this week approved the final Environmental Quality Board regulation adopting California vehicle emission standards for new cars and Public Utility Commission rules relating to implementing the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard and Interconnection Standards for Customer-Generators.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a final policy on locational data for water allocation program. (See separate story on revisions to NPDES Stormwater Permitting Process.)
* 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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