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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
January 15, 2007
(1/12/2007)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 1/15/07
* Farm Shows Feature Conservation, Renewable Energy - Video Blog Feature
Agriculture took center stage this week in Harrisburg with the annual State Farm Show and at the Keystone Farm Show in York, but a major theme was the contribution of farming to renewable energy and conservation practices.
* Rep. O’Brien Sponsors Resolution on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Citing the example set by seven other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, freshman Rep. Mike O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) announced plans this week to introduce a resolution calling on Gov. Rendell to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
* House, Senate Appropriations Set Budget Hearing Schedule
The House and Senate Appropriations Committee this week released a schedule of budget hearings which are set to begin February 26 in the Senate and February 14 in the House. Here are some key dates—
* House Democrats Name Committee Chairs
New House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia) Friday named the chairs of the House Committees. Republicans have not yet named their chairs. They are:
* Bills Introduced
House members started to introduce legislation this week for consideration. Here’s a rundown…
* PA No-Till Alliance Plans Annual Conference for March 13-14
The Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance announced plans for their 3rd annual conference on March 13-14 in State College at the Ramada Conference Center.
* Comments Requested on Proposed TMDLS for Watersheds in 5 Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection is requesting public comments on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plans in four watersheds in three counties. They are:
* DEP Awards Grants for Innovative Water, Wastewater Projects
$2.2 million in Pennsylvania’s municipalities, municipal authorities and public school districts that will help to improve public health and improve utility service.
* Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center Winter Water Education Programs
From documentaries, interative exhibits and hands-on education programs, the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center in Philadelphia offers a wealth of water-related environmental education programs and activities.
* Stormwater Subject of Delaware Estuary Partnership Student Drawing Contest
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is officially accepting entries for the 2007 “Clean Water Begins and Ends With You” Drawing Contest, an annual art competition for kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout the City of Philadelphia.
* Rural Water Assn. Announces 2007 Annual Conference, Rate Survey
The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association will hold its annual conference March 27-30 at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College.
* Planting a Seed to Eat Better in the Future, Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum
Shocking but true – food in Philadelphia goes beyond soft pretzels and cheesesteaks.
* Dr. Lee Davis To Be Featured at Environmental Professionals Conference
Dr. Devra Lee Davis, MPH will be the featured speaker at the May 16-18 Annual Conference of the PA Environmental Professionals Association in State College.
* PAEE to Hold “No Child Left Inside" Conference April 13-15
The PA Association of Environmental Educators will hold its annual conference April 13-15 in Wilkes-Barre with the theme “No Child Left Inside.”
* Fundamentals of Geology, Applied Geology Courses in January, February
The PA Council of Professional Geologists is sponsoring several upcoming seminars as a review for the Pennsylvania Professional Geologist Licensing Examination.
* Court Throws Out Challenge to Deer Case, Audubon Supports Open Process
Game Commission this week hailed a Commonwealth Court ruling that dismissed, with prejudice, the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania's challenge to the agency's deer management program. The decision to throw out the case was made "with prejudice," meaning that the lawsuit may not be re-filed.
* Rate Cap Plans Disapproved, Sustainable Energy Funding Ends for Met-Ed, Penelec
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week disapproved the 2010 rate cap transition plans of Met-Ed and Penelec and eliminated funding provided in a customer surcharge to the Sustainable Energy Development Fund serving their territories.
* Fires Fuel Mercury Emissions, University of Michigan Study Finds
Forest fires release more mercury into the atmosphere than previously recognized, a multidisciplinary research project at the University of Michigan suggests.
* Allegheny Health Department Offers Grants to Retrofit Diesel School Buses
The Allegheny County Health Department is inviting local school districts to apply for funding to retrofit diesel school buses with devices that not only cut external tailpipe emissions but also the air pollution that seeps inside where children are exposed while riding a bus.
* Labor & Industry Adopts New Online System to Report Hazardous Chemicals
The Department of Labor and Industry unveiled a new online system to report hazardous chemicals under state law and the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act Title II program.
* Help Wanted: Conservation Agronomist, PA CleanWays Office
Penn State Cooperative Extension, Lebanon County, is accepting applications for an individual to provide technical assistance and training to facilitate increased adoption of no-till farming systems to agency staff and farmers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the regional Park the Plow for Profit program.
* Feature - Give a Little and Get a Flock This Winter
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
The Department of Agriculture published final regulation covering commercial manure hauler and broker certification and the Department of Environmental Protection published a correction to the final regulation adopting California vehicle emission standards.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No new guidance documents were published this week.
* 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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