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Dr. Cliff Jones, Former DER Secretary, Public Servant, Birdwatcher, Passes
Dr. Clifford L. Jones, who served six Governors in a variety of cabinet-level and executive positions, including as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources from 1979 to 1981, passed away this week.
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Farmers Plant 40,000 More Acres of Corn, Soybeans Increasing Conservation Needs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported farmers in Pennsylvania intend to plant 40,000 more acres of corn and soybeans (a record) than they did last year. And with increased planting of row crops means increased demand for conservation services.
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Water Infrastructure Task Force Meets, Sets Regional Input Sessions
The Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force this week announced it will hold seven public input sessions around the state designed to get a better idea of water infrastructure needs and creative solutions to meeting those needs.
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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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Video Blog Feature - Forest Buffer Project Brings Out 60+ Volunteers Near Mt. Joy, PA
Last week more than 60 eager volunteers helped to plant over 1,000 trees in a new forest stream buffer on the Al Wenger Farm near Mt. Joy, Pa.
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Online Training - EPA Issues Online Training Materials to Improve Watershed Group Financing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds has released a set of online training materials designed to help nonprofit watershed organizations develop and implement sustainable funding plans to finance their watershed projects.
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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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On the Governor’s Desk
The General Assembly took final action on this legislation of interest and it now goes to the Governor--
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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 Agriculture Committee Moves Biofuels Incentive Bill
The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee this week amended and reported out Senate Bill 1317 (Waugh-R-York) that would provide a financial incentive to farmers to plant biomass for biofuel production.
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House Committee Meets on Landfill Siting, Forestry, River Basin Bills
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets May 13 to consider legislation establishing additional landfill siting criteria, restablishing the Forestry Task Force and requesting federal funding for river basin commissions.
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Senate Committee to Consider $750 Million Infrastructure Funding Bill
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets May 13 to consider Senate Bill 2 (Earll-R-Erie) that would provide $750 million for drinking water, wastewater, flood control and high hazard dam projects over ten years.
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May 12 Environmental Form: Environmental Management Assistance
The May 12 Environmental Issues Forum sponsored by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee will hear a presentation on the SBDC’s Environmental Management Assistance Program.
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DCNR Carbon Management Plan Available for Public Comment
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis this week announced recommendations in the agency's Carbon Management Advisory Group are now available online for public comment.
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2008 Western PA Environmental Award Winners Announced
Five environmental programs were the winners of the 2008 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards, announced this week by Dominion and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Fort Indiantown Gap Wins Army’s Highest Environmental Award
The Army National Guard's Fort Indiantown Gap has won the Secretary of the Army's Environmental Award for Natural Resources Conservation for their work in preserving the rare, regal fritillary butterfly.
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Schuylkill Action Network Recognizes Environmental Excellence
The Schuylkill Action Network this week recognized three schools and the Philadelphia Water Department for developing environmental and educational projects that help to protect sources of drinking water in the Schuylkill River Watershed.
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Dissolved Metal From Mine Drainage Used to Make Pottery by Cranberry Company
Clean Creek Products Company of Cranbury Township, Pa is helping to recycle dissolved metals from acid mine drainage runoff by using this byproduct as pigments in pottery products.
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DEP Invites Comments on Whiteley Creek TMDL Plan in Greene County
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on the proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plan for Whiteley Creek in Greene County.
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PUC Commemorates National Drinking Water Week By Improving Infrastructure
Promoting the importance of "sustainable water infrastructure," the Public Utility Commission kicked off National Drinking Water Week by breaking ground for one of many improvement projects statewide to enhance service and provide reliability for water customers.
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Susquehanna River Basin Commission Issues Water Use Mitigation Plan
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission this week issued its Consumptive Use Mitigation Plan that documents current and projected quantities of consumptive water uses in the Susquehanna watershed and outlines a strategy for addressing impacts from increased uses.
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Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership Sponsors May 17 Walking/Bus Tour
Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership is sponsoring a Rediscover Indian Creek & Leave as a Watershed Steward! walk and bus tour on May 17 starting at 9:00 at the Meet at Friends’ Central School, 1101 City Ave., Wynnewood.
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Upper Delaware Council Sponsors May 21 Forum on Natural Gas Drilling
The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. and the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River will co-sponsor a free public information forum on natural gas drilling issues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 21 in the Honesdale Middle School auditorium, located on Grove Street in Honesdale, Wayne County.
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Regional Health Firm Brings New Life to Former Meadville Factory
A health firm that serves 13 hospitals and other health care facilities in northwestern Pennsylvania this week signed an agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection that will pave the way for the company to move into the former Talon Plant #7.
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EPA Awards Small Business Innovation Grants, New Applications Due
This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $1.6 million in funding for seven small companies to commercialize green technologies that promise to deliver BIG results, including Media and Process Technology, Inc., Pittsburgh.
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Composting Infrastructure Development Grants Due July 18
The Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting applications for 2008 Composting Infrastructure Development Grants until July 18.
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Allegheny County Offers Free Collection for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
The Allegheny County Health Department, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, is offering a free collection program for recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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Allegheny County, PRC Hold Hard to Recycle Event May 31
The Allegheny County Health Department, Appliance Warehouse, eLoop LLC and the Pennsylvania Resources Council are sponsoring a Hard to Recycle Collection event in Lawrenceville, Allegheny County on May 31.
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Centre County Household Hazardous Waste Collection a Success
People from 600 households took advantage of Centre County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program this past weekend sponsored by the Centre County Solid Waste Authority.
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Alternative Energy Workshops for Educators Set for June
The Departments of Environmental Protection, Education, Conservation and Natural Resources and Keystone College, Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force, Penn State University and Lancaster County Career & Technology Center will hold a series of four Introductory Alternative Energy workshops for educators in June.
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Energy Education Added to Duquesne Light Energy Grant Program
Energy education, in addition to energy efficiency and renewable energy premium power projects will now be accepted by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority’s Duquesne Light service territory grant program.
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PJM Regional Power Grid Ready for Hot Weather Power Demand
Power supplies should be adequate this summer in the PJM Interconnection, which manages the power supply for all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
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Game Commission Seeks Public Comment on Fisher Plan
The Game Commission is seeking public input on a draft fisher management plan which outlines the historic and current status of fishers, population recovery, species-specific goals and management recommendations.
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Game Commission Takes First Step in Effort to Eradicate Feral Swine
The Game Commission this week issued an order removing protection on feral swine in 64 of the state's 67 counties. Counties where protection remains in effect are Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties.
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DCNR Honors Volunteer as Champion of the Bluebird
Nancy Rourke of Hilltown Township, Bucks County, was chosen from more than 150 volunteers statewide and honored for her “long-term dedication and enthusiasm” displayed over 15 years while volunteering to monitor and help protect and propagate Eastern bluebirds as part of the Bureau of State Parks’ monitoring program.
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Help Wanted: President & CEO Pennsylvania Environmental Council
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is seeking a new President & CEO to be responsible for overall administration, program development, outreach, fundraising and financial oversight of the organization.
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Opinion - Why Controls on Electricity Prices Should Not Be Extended
By Douglas L. Biden, President, Electric Power Generation Association
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Feature - White Nose Syndrome: Is Pennsylvania next?
By Joe Kosack, Game Commission
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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
The Fish and Boat Commission published additions to the Class Air Wild Trout Waters list and to the 2008 Classification of Wild Trout Streams.
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Technical Guidance & Permits
No new guidance documents were published this week.
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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
