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CBF, Other Groups Ask State To Be A Partner in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan
In testimony before the House Republican Policy Committee this week, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Williamsport Sanitary Authority and other groups expressed their support for the proposed Pennsylvania Fair Share for Clean Water Plan that would help wastewater plant ratepayers and farmers finance improvements needed to reduce pollution in local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.
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Success of REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Lauded, CBF Urges Expansion
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff celebrated the success of the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm conservation tax credit program this week by presenting the Kopp family of Stoneylawn Farm in Dauphin County with $19,500 in tax credits.
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Department of Revenue Projects $437 Million Budget Surplus
With April state tax collection figures now in, the Department of Revenue this week projected the current fiscal year will end with a surplus of $437 million on June 30 that could be used to provide much-needed funding for clean water mandates or for other programs.
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Budget & Finance Committee OKs Study of Chesapeake Bay Compliance Costs
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee this week took steps to compile the costs to wastewater plants to implement the Chesapeake Bay clean water mandate pursuant to Senate Resolution 224 (Vance-R-Cumberland).
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Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force Holds Hearing May 8
Members of the Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force will hold its first public input meeting to gather comments on Pennsylvania’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs May 8 in Harrisburg.
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On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
Here’s what’s coming up on the Senate and House agenda for next week, as well as the voting session schedule through June 30.
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Senate and House Bills Moving
These bills of interested were the subject of action by the Senate and House this week-
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Senate Committee OKs Brownfields, Coal Bed Methane, Allegheny Forest Bills
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week approved legislation encouraging the redevelopment of brownfield sites, setting up a board to resolve coal bed methane rights disputes and on the Allegheny National Forest.
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Groups Support Broadening Funding Base for Game, Fish & Boat Commissions
Sportsmen and environmental groups and representatives of the Game and Fish and Boat Commissions told the House Finance Committee this week they support broadening the funding base for the two wildlife agencies.
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Steps Taken to Start Independent Review of Deer Management Program
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee took the first steps in an independent review of the Game Commission’s Deer Management Program by issuing an RFP for an out-of-state contractor to do the evaluation.
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Governor, Conservation Districts Celebrate Soil and Water Stewardship Week
Gov. Rendell this week proclaimed Soil and Water Stewardship Week in Pennsylvania-- April 27-May 4 and helping to celebrate were the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the State Conservation Commission at the Stoneylawn Farm in Dauphin County.
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Wildlands Conservancy Receives 1 of 9 Worldwide Water Grants From Coca-Cola
The Wildlands Conservancy was one of nine organizations in the world to receive a grant totaling over $75,000 from The Coca-Cola Foundation to implement community water partnership projects within the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed region.
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James McGirr Kelly Award For Excellence Given to Rick Rogers, EPA
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies has selected Rick Rogers, Chief of the Drinking Water Branch of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 for its prestigious James McGirr Kelly Award.
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Partnership for Safe Water Program Improves Drinking Water Quality
A recent report from the national American Water Works Association shows drinking water systems that participate in the Partnership for Safe Water improve the quality of the water they produce.
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June 23 Benefit Concert Will Support Wildlands Conservancy
Wildlands Conservancy will host a concert featuring the renowned corporate band from Air Products The Difference, with special guest Bloom, at The Roxy Theatre in Northampton on June 23.
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DEP Requesting Comments on Tioga County TMDL Watershed Plan
The Department of Environmental Protection is requesting comments on proposed Total Maximum Daily Loading plan for Wilson Creek Watershed in Tioga County.
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PA CleanWays Coordinates Patterson Road Cleanup in Cambria County May 3
Patterson Road in Barr Township, Cambria County, was the place to dump your garbage and old tires for free. At least that was what many illegal dumpers had thought for decades.
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Tyler Run on May 3, Susquehanna River Cleanup Set for May 10 in York
Two cleanup events will be held in York County on May 3 and May 10 coordinated by the Watershed Alliance of York.
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Exelon Supports New Solar Energy Facility on Philadelphia Brownfields Site
Exelon Generation Corp. has entered into a 20-year agreement to purchase the electricity generated from the Exelon-EPURON Solar Center to be constructed at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia.
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Pocono Environmental Education Center Honored for Green Design
The Pocono Environmental Education Center in Pike County has been selected by the American Institute of Architects as one of the top 10 examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
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Philadelphia Phillies Knock It Out Of The Park With Green Power
The Philadelphia Phillies announced this week they will purchase 20 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power to serve the ball club’s 43,500-seat Citizens Bank Park.
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Philadelphia Eagles Offset Carbon Footprint With 1,200 Trees
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis and Philadelphia Eagles owner Christina Lurie this week cut the ribbon on Eagles Forest, a 6.5-acre site at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Bucks County, to help offset the team's carbon footprint, restore wildlife habitat and enhance public recreation areas.
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EPA Makes Diesel Trucks in Pittsburgh Cleaner, Clean Diesel Grant Apps Due
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $127,000 grant to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association who will, in turn, issue a grant to the City of Pittsburgh and two partners for a pilot project to cut emissions from the city's heavy-duty diesel trucks used for hauling waste.
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Local Harrisburg Home Receives Energy-Efficient Modifications
Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Greater Harrisburg and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania worked this week to help improve a local homeowner's quality of life, as well as reduce her energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of her home.
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3 PA Colleges & Universities Recognized as Top Green Power Purchasers
Led by the University of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week recognized colleges and universities across the country for the green power initiatives.
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Appalachian Regional Commission Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grants
The Appalachian Regional Commission is now accepting applications for a second round of a grants competition to assist Appalachian communities in leveraging renewable-energy and energy-efficiency resources to revitalize their economies.
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Energy Management Workshop Set for Chester County May 6
The Department of Environmental Protection will provide a free workshop in Chester County to help business owners find ways to reduce soaring energy costs on May 6 in Malvern.
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Exelon Power To Pursue Development of New PA Power Plant Project
Exelon Power will actively pursue development of a 600-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas power plant in Pennsylvania this year, the company announced this week.
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EPA Region 3 Spring Land Revitalization Update Now Available Online
For those interested in the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties in the mid-Atlantic region, the spring issue of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Land Revitalization newsletter is now available online.
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$4 Million Grant Helps Acquire Glatfelter Tree Farm in Adams County
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded a $4 million grant to help protect approximately 2,500 acres of forested land in a part of western Adams County that has lost a significant amount of open space in recent years.
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State Agencies Working to Rid Potter, Cameron Counties of Noxious Weed
Mile-a-Minute, an invasive, noxious vine that can kill other plants, is being targeted for removal this summer near Sinnemahoning State Park in Potter and Cameron counties, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
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DCNR Accepting Grant Applications to Protect Non-Game Species
Applications are now being accepted for $1 million in grants for projects protecting Pennsylvania's non-game animals, native plants and their habitat by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
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DEP Launches New Falcon Website to Enhance Learning Experience
Just days before five eggs are expected to hatch on the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg, the Department of Environmental Protection this week unveiled a new and improved Peregrine Falcon webpage to enhance visitors’ online experience.
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Game Commission Schedules Wildlife Workshops For Teachers
With summer recess for schools just around the corner, the Game Commission this week announced a series of exciting wildlife education workshops for educators and scout and youth group leaders in June.
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Friends of the Wissahickon Lead Free Spring Bird Walks in May
The Friends of the Wissahickon will sponsor a series of free bird walks during May that will showcase some of the 125 species of birds will migrate through or over the Wissahickon Valley in the Spring.
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Set Up Backyard Composting Sites Now at the Beginning of Gardening Season
Are you ready for free fertilizer and a soil conditioner that will give your flowers and vegetables a boost? Then break out the compost bin.
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Environmental Attorney to Lead Enterprising Environmental Solutions, Inc.
John W. Ubinger Jr. of Pittsburgh has been selected as the new Executive Director of Enterprising Environmental Solutions. Inc., a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Spotlight - Jennings EE Center Demonstrates New Approach to Hardwood Reforestation
The Jennings Environmental Education Center in Mercer County and the federal Office of Surface Mining are pioneering a new method of re-establishing a productive hardwood forest at abandoned and active mine sites under a new program called the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative.
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Environmental Heritage - The Environmental Amendment to the State Constitution – 37 Years Later
By Franklin L. Kury
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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—
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Quick Clips
Here’s a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state
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Watershed NewsClips
Read a sampling of NewsClips on watershed topics from around Pennsylvania.
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Regulations
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin – May 3, 2008
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Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a final policy change in the Coastal Zone Program (see below) and a proposed updated Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan for 2009 is now available for public comment. Public comments are due June 2 and the plan must be submitted to the federal government by July 1.
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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
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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 .
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Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Association/PA Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.
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04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
