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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
November 12, 2007
(11/9/2007)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 11/12/07
* PA Resources Council Honors Environmental Leaders At Awards Dinner
“Nurturing Environmental Leaders” was the theme of the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s annual awards and fundraising dinner this week as the group recognized eight individuals, companies and organizations for their environmental leadership.
* Online Training - Watershed Academy Webcast on Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure
EPA’s Watershed Academy will sponsor a free webcast on November 28 entitled, “Smart Growth and Green Infrastructure.”
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced
The Senate and House have the following committee meetings scheduled next week and published voting Calendars for November 13—
* Senate Committees Hold Hearings On Special Energy Session Issues
Two Senate Committees have scheduled hearings on issues related to the Special Session on Energy. They include--
* Senate Agriculture Committee Sets Action on Conservation District, Other Bills
The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meets November 14 to consider bills updating the Conservation District Law and calling for a review of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The bills include:
* PEC Urges Quick Action on Climate Change Legislation
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council this week urged the House and Senate to give final approval to legislation that would require the development of a plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the state – a plan that could build on the work done in PEC’s Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania.
* PSU Scientists Enhance Mother Nature's Carbon Handling Mechanisms
Taking a page from Nature herself, a team of researchers developed a method to enhance removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and place it in the Earth's oceans for storage.
* Joint Committee Visits Innovative Schuylkill County Mine Reclamation Project
Members of the Joint Legislative Air Pollution Control and Conservation Committee joined staff from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Penn State University to tour an innovative demonstration project at an abandoned mine land reclamation project in Hegins Township in Schuylkill County.
* More Conservation, More Renewables Result of Electric Competition Expert Says
Competition can continue to produce better results for Pennsylvania electricity customers than regulation, including more conservation, new, efficient power plants and more renewable energy sources.
* Projected Heating Costs, Natural Gas Supplies Estimated for This Winter
The Public Utility Commission this week held its annual briefing on the availability and pricing of natural gas and other fuels for the winter heating season.
* PUC Appeals DOE Decision on National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor
The Public Utility Commission filed for rehearing with the U.S. Department of Energy over its National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor for the Mid-Atlantic region while also filing suit against the designation in U.S. District Court.
* Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Opens for 2007-08 Season
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program -- also known as LIHEAP -- opened this week to help Pennsylvania families and individuals who need assistance paying winter heating bills, the Department of Public Welfare announced.
* Philadelphia Eagles, PPL Announce Completion of Solar Panel Project
The Philadelphia Eagles and PPL Corporation announced a project to build and operate solar energy panels at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia is now up and operating as part of the Eagles’ GO GREEN Program.
* PPL First Utility to Give Daily Electricity Use Information
PPL Electric Utilities announced this week it has become the first major electric utility in Pennsylvania to track and display daily electricity use information for all of its customers.
* $521,000 in Grants to Improve Energy Efficiency, Prevent Pollution Awarded
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the award of Small Business Advantage Grants to 89 small businesses across the state who will receive a total of $521,000 in grants to incorporate innovative technologies that improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.
* EPA Grant Supports Indoor Air Education in Philadelphia
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $24,550 environmental education grant to the Southeast Pennsylvania Area Education Center in West Chester, Pa. to teach janitors, parents and teachers from 12 Philadelphia area daycare centers about indoor air pollution.
* Nominations Now Being Accepted for Local Government Awards
The Governor’s Center for Local Government Services is accepting nominations for the 2008 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.
* DEP Takes Action Against Seven Municipalities On Stormwater Regulations
The Department of Environmental Protection has ordered seven municipalities in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties to comply with the reporting requirements of federal stormwater regulations by December 5 or face possible legal action and fines.
* Trout Unlimited Chapter Investigation Leads to DEP Charges Against Mining Co.
Members of the Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited recently uncovered evidence of possible illegal discharges from a mining operation as they began designing a mine drainage treatment system on Jonathan Run in Fayette County.
* Wetlands Conservation, Stream Barrier Removal Grant Applications Due
Applications are now being accepted for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants Program and NOAA American Rivers Grants. Details below--
* Scholarships Available for the Sixth Annual Social Venture Institute
The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia is hosting the sixth annual Social Venture Institute on November 16-17 designed specifically for entrepreneurs who want their business to have a positive impact on their community and the environment.
* Game Commission Reminders With Deer Season Just Around the Corner
Pennsylvania's biggest hunting season - the two-week rifle deer season - is just around the corner—running from November 27 to December 8— which annually leads to the harvest of more than a quarter million deer and pumps millions of dollars into the Commonwealth's economy.
* Local White-Tailed Deer Information Available Online
Interested in learning more about what's going on with whitetails in your county? Please consider visiting the Game Commission's "Field Officer Game Forecasts" found on the agency's website.
* First Annual PA Prescribed Fire Conference February 19-20
The Pennsylvania Prescribed Fire Council is sponsoring the first annual PA Prescribed Fire Conference on February 19-20 in State College.
* $366,000 Investment to Help Businesses Increase Use of Composted Material
The Department of Environmental Protection announced six grants totaling $366,000 in Compost Infrastructure Development Grants to increase the use of composted organic materials in finished products.
* DCNR Names Deputy Secretary for Conservation, Technical Services
A veteran of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation has been appointed as deputy secretary for conservation and technical services.
* Spotlight - Prescribed Fire Helps Restore Oak and Pitch Pine Forests in PA
Last fall, thanks to cooperative weather and a dedicated crew of staff and volunteers, The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania Office successfully completed its first prescribed burn at West Branch Wilderness in Clinton County. Spanning about two acres, the burns were small, but plans are under way to turn larger tracts in the future.
* Opinion - Celebrating Nearly 20 Years of Recycling in PA— A Good Habit Getting Better
America Recycles Day November 15
* 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 Environmental Quality Board published final-form regulations making changes to the Storage Tank Program and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission published comments on proposed changes to coal mining and safe drinking water regulations by the EQB.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published a proposed policy on delivery bans may be imposed under the Storage Tank Program and the Public Utility Commission published a proposed policy statement on Customer Assistance Programs to help customers pay utility bills.
* Calendar of Upcoming 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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