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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
October 22, 2007
(10/19/2007)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 10/22/07
* Alliance Urges Higher Priority for Energy Efficiency, Conservation – Video Blog
The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance this week recommended the General Assembly and the Rendell Administration give a much higher priority to programs that promote energy efficiency and conservation in homes and businesses in the debate over energy policies for the Commonwealth.
* On the Senate/House Agenda
The Senate and House have the following committee meetings scheduled next week and published voting Calendars for October 22—
* Senate/House Bills Moving/Bills Introduced
The following bills saw action in the Senate and House this week--
* Senate Committee Advances Alternative Energy Investment Act in Special Session
The Senate Special Session Committee on Energy Policies this week reported out Special Session Senate Bill 1 (M.White-R-Venango) to invest $530 million over the next seven years in consumer energy programs, energy conservation, and the development of alternative and renewable energy.
* Senate Committee OKs Waste, Detergent, Brownfields and Other Bills
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week reported out six bills on a variety of subjects including--
* House Environmental Committee Approves Coal Miner’s Day Resolution
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week reported out House Resolution 410 (DeWeese-D-Greene) that designates December 19 as “Coal Miner’s Day” in Pennsylvania.
* Environmental Forum Features Climate Roadmap for PA, Energy Conservation
The October 15 Environmental Issues Forum sponsored by Joint Legislative Air & Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featured a presentation by Brian Hill and Kathy Greely, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, on the Climate Roadmap for Pennsylvania and the benefits of home energy conservation efforts.
* Climate Action Plan Legislation Subject of Senate Committee Meeting
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets next week to consider Senate Bill 266 (Erickson-R-Delaware) that would require the Department of Environmental Protection to inventory greenhouse gases and create a climate change action plan through a stakeholder process.
* House Committee to Consider Waste Fee, Green Building Legislation
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets next week to consider House Bill 934 (Scavello-R-Monroe) authorizing a county solid waste management fee and Special Session House Bill 5 (M.Smith-D-Allegheny) creating a tax credit for high performance green buildings.
* Northeast Environmental Partners Recognize Local Environmental Achievements
The Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental Partners this week recognized local groups and individuals for their environmental achievements at their annual awards dinner.
* Penn State Scientists Part of Nobel Peace Prize-Winning UN Climate Change Panel
The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shares the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, involves several Penn State earth scientists as members of the core Working Groups or as expert reviewers.
* Audubon PA & Penn State Team Up for International Solar Home Competition
From October 12-20, Audubon PA and Penn State have teamed up to help create one of two Pennsylvania entries for the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to help create a "solar village" where solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best of in-home design are on public display.
* DEP Announces $10 Million in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection announced $10 million in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants to support 24 new projects that will replace nearly 95 million gallons of conventional diesel fuel with homegrown biodiesel and spur innovation in alternative fuel technologies.
* Energy Use-Reduction Grants, Workshops Sponsored by DEP
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the opportunity for industrial and commercial businesses, institutions and municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment operations located with this Commonwealth.
* PA Benefits From Sale of Environmentally Friendly Locomotives to Mexico
The jobs of hundreds of workers at General Electric-Transportation facilities in Erie and Grove City, Pa. are being supported by the company's sale of 40 GE Evolution Series (EVO) 44AC diesel electric locomotives to Mexico, backed by an $80.4 million loan guarantee from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
* Coca-Cola/NRC Recycling Bin Grant Program Applications Due October 26
The Coca-Cola/NRC Recycling Bin Grant Program supports local community recycling programs by providing bins to selected grant recipients for the collection of beverage container recyclables in public settings.
* What Are You Doing for America Recycles Day? November 15
The National Recycling Coalition this year is celebrating America Recycles Day on November 15 as a way to remind the public of the valuable role recycling plays in conserving resources and energy.
* Plastic Pesticide Recycling Program Reaches Million Pound Milestone
The Department of Agriculture's Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Program has reached a milestone, recycling 1 million pounds of plastic the agency announced this week.
* PROP to Host 2008 National Recycling Conference, Reviews State Conference
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania announced this week they will be Recycling Organization Host for the 2008 National Recycling Coalition Congress & Expo in Pittsburgh on September 21-24, 2008.
* DEP Awards $5.5 Million in Recycling Performance Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection this week awarded more than $5.5 million in recycling performance grants to 267 municipal recycling programs across the state.
* Metal Heat Treatment Company Saves $185,000 in Energy, Waste Costs
Metlab Potero, Montgomery County, realized a savings of $185,000 including an increase in production in the three years since implementing energy saving and waste reduction projects.
* EPA Honors 4 Philadelphia-Area Hospitals with Pollution Prevention Awards
In a ceremony this week at the annual meeting of the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council, EPA Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh presented Trailblazer Awards to Abington Memorial Hospital, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Holy Redeemer Health System, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for their environmental leadership.
* Nominations Being Accepted for the 2008 Karl Mason Award
The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Karl Mason Award. Nominations are due March 31.
* Application Deadline Extended for Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards
The deadline to submit applications for the 2008 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence has been extended to November 2.
* EPA Proposes to Add Chem-Fab Site in PA to Superfund List
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week proposed the addition of the former Chem-Fab plant site to the Superfund National Priorities List. The site is located on North Broad Street in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.
* Rural Water Association Now Offering Online Training
The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association is offering online courses in conjunction with SunCoast Learning Systems Inc. to make it easier for water and wastewater operators to complete their training requirements.
* Land Conservation Celebrated by DCNR, Conservancy, Adams County Officials
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis this week presented $214,000 in grants toward the conservation easement acquisition of land in Adams County.
* Pennsylvania, Berks County Achieve Farmland Preservation Milestones
The Farmland Preservation Board set a new record this week by permanently preserving 7,122 acres on 75 farms, the most ever approved in a single meeting. The approved farmland included 14 Berks County farms, which gives the county a statewide high of 50,000 acres preserved.
* Lackawanna Environmental Institute Presents Gary Alt October 25
Internationally known wildlife biologist Dr. Gary Alt will give a local and global perspective on how our wildlife and human communities have changed during an October 25 program called, “Our Environment, Our Community, and Our Future.”
* Game Commission 2008 Calendar on Sale Now
As Pennsylvanians plan for the holiday gift-giving season, the Game Commission unveiled its 2008 calendar, priced at $8.95 (plus tax and shipping), available in "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website and at all Game Commission offices.
* Spaces Still Available for October 30 Outdoor Lighting Workshop
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council and the Department of Environmental Protection said this week there are still spaces available for the October 30 Outdoor Lighting Workshop.
* Environmental Education Update Available From PA Center for Environmental Ed
The Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education this week provided Senate and House members with its quarterly newsletter, Environmental Education Update.
* Help Wanted: Nature Conservancy, Small Business Development Centers
The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Director of Government Relations and the Small Business Development Center at The Wharton School seeks an Environmental Consultant to provide environmental consulting assistance to small businesses statewide through the Pennsylvania SBDC Environmental Management Assistance Program.
* Spotlight - Service Learning Initiative Wins Governor’s Environmental Award, You Can Too!
Earth Force Inc. won the Governor’s 2007 Environmental Excellence Award for its work to educate and engage students and help teachers better understand environmental matters.
* Feature - Halloween Special – Season of the Bat – Online Video
This Halloween learn the real story behind bats and their benefits in this special “Season of the Bat” webpage by the GreenTreks Network.
* Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for grants and financial assistance as well as nominations for awards and other recognition programs. NEW means from last week—
* 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 Environmental Protection published an update of the credits available on its emission reduction credit registry (PA Bulletin, page 5662) and the Environmental Quality Board met and approved several new rulemakings (details below).
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection gave notice it is reissuing a beneficial use general permit for waste foundry sand.
* Calendar of Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW indicates new from last week. 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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