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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
July 14, 2008
(7/11/2008)
PDF Version - PA Environment Digest 7/14/08
* DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty Resigns, Joseph Powers Named Acting
Gov. Rendell announced the resignation this week of Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty, effective July 18.
* Fair Share Coalition: New Budget Supports Wastewater Plants, Farmers Left Behind
Pennsylvania's new budget agreement contains a major victory for clean water with the approval of water infrastructure funding legislation that helps communities and ratepayers meet looming mandates. At the same time, farmers throughout the Commonwealth got little help as they struggle to meet these same clean water mandates, according to the PA Fair Share for Clean Water Coalition..
* Chesapeake Bay Foundation – Mixed Results for Water Quality
Pennsylvania's fiscal year 2008-09 budget shows mixed results for reducing pollution to local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
* PA Farm Bureau - State Budget Falls Short on Vital Agriculture Programs
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said the new state budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 continues a troubling trend of funding cuts to essential programs for farmers that also benefit all Pennsylvanians.
* $1.2 Billion Water Infrastructure Bills Become Law
Gov. Rendell signed legislation into law this week that would provide $1.2 billion in funding for water and wastewater facilities, as well as inadequate flood control measures and unsafe and high-hazard dams.
* Gov. Rendell Signs Historic Great Lakes Compact to Protect Region's Fresh Water
Gov. Rendell has followed through on an agreement reached in 2005 to protect one of the world's largest bodies of fresh water -- the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin—as he signed House Bill 1705 (Harkins-D-Erie), which will ensure this invaluable resource is protected for the millions of people who rely on its resources for energy, recreation, agriculture and industry.
* Update to PA Underground Mine Safety Act Now Law
Gov. Rendell this week signed the first major update of Pennsylvania's 125-year-old bituminous deep mine safety law in 45 years, ensuring better protection for the Commonwealth's 4,200 underground bituminous coal miners.
* Spotlight - 6th Anniversary of Quecreek Mine Rescue Features Visitor Center Groundbreaking
The Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation will host a groundbreaking ceremony for a new visitors’ center on July 26 to help celebrate the 6th anniversary of the 2002 rescue of nine miners trapped in the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pa.
* Significant Update to Conservation District Act Signed Into Law
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts applauds the General Assembly for its unanimous passage of Senate Bill 1020 (Wonderling-R-Montgomery) and Gov. Rendell for signing the legislation into law.
* Gov. Rendell OKs $650 Million Bill to Promote Renewable Energy, Conservation
Gov. Rendell this week gave his approval to a new law-- Special Session House Bill 1 (DePasquale-D-York) -- creating a new fund that will save families and small businesses money on their energy bills by supporting investments in energy conservation and efficiency.
* Biofuels Mandates Now Law, A Study of Environmental Impacts Required
Gov. Rendell this week also signed legislation that will help spur the development of homegrown biofuels in Pennsylvania by establishing new requirements that every gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel contain a percentage of ethanol and biodiesel.
* Online Video Feature - Upper Mount Bethel Environmental Advisory Council Pioneers Osprey Relocation
Working with Reliant Energy and local boy scouts, the Upper Mount Bethel Environmental Advisory Council in Northampton County, Pa sponsored the first successful osprey relocation effort in the state starting in 2001.
* On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule
The Senate and House committee meeting schedules and floor Calendars (such as they are) are listed here--
* On the Governor’s Desk
The following bills were signed into law by Gov. Rendell this week. There are no other bills awaiting his action.
* Legislation Introduced to Regulate Practice of Prescribed Burns
Representatives Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) and Gary Haluska (D-Cambria) announced this week they plan to introduce legislation that would regulate prescribed burning practices in Pennsylvania.
* Harrisburg Beach Closure Indication of Larger Systemic Pollution Problem
This week Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed announced the temporary closure of the public beach at City Island due to elevated E-Coli levels—a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness if accidentally digested.
* Gov. Rendell Proclaims July as Lake Awareness Month
Department of Environmental Protection Northeast Regional Director Mike Bedrin represented Gov. Rendell in presenting a proclamation declaring July as Lake Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to organizations active in lake monitoring, sampling and protection July 8 at Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike County.
* DEP Invites Comments on TMDL for South Branch Plum Creek Watershed
The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced it is accepting comments on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan for South Branch Plum Creek in Indiana County.
* EPA Seeking Nominations for Water Efficiency Leaders
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Water Efficiency Leader Awards to recognize organizations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and innovation in water efficiency.
* Green Building Alliance Announces Product Innovation Grants, New Apps Due
Green Building Alliance this week announced a total of $140,000 in Product Innovation Grants for three projects that seek to develop and introduce new and enhanced green building products.
* Reilly Finishing Discontinues Use of Priority Chemicals in EPA Partnership
Reilly Finishing Technologies, of Nanticoke, Pa., was recognized this week by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Donald S. Welsh for pledging to eliminate cadmium in their electrolysis nickel plating process.
* Allegheny County, PRC Hold Hard to Recycle Event July 26
The Allegheny County Health Department, Appliance Warehouse, e Loop LLC and the Pennsylvania Resources Council are sponsoring a Hard to Recycle Collection event at the Mall at Robinson in Allegheny County on July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
* West Branch Susquehanna River & Roadway Cleanup Event July 19
Clinton County CleanScapes issued a reminder this week volunteers are needed for the July 19 West Branch Susquehanna River and Roadway Cleanup starting at Farrandsville Road, Woodward Twp., Clinton County.
* Adopt-A-Highway Groups Remove Litter From 16,000 Miles of PA Roads
Since early this spring, volunteers from PennDOT's Adopt-A-Highway Program and other programs such as the Great PA Cleanup, have removed litter from 15,978 miles of Pennsylvania roadways -- 6,000 miles more than for the same period last year, according to PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E.
* DEP to Hold Training on Submitting Air Quality Requests for Determinations Online
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold two free workshops later this month on its Internet-based “Request for Determination” application system, or RFD*Online, for industrial representatives, consultants and other interested participants.
* Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Announces Tree Tender Workshops
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will lead hands-on Tree Tender Workshops this fall in Delaware, Chester and Philadelphia counties to help residents take an important step in impacting the environment in their communities.
* 23rd Annual Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show Set For August 1-3
The Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from August 1-3.
* Fifth Avenue Place Encourages Pittsburghers to Get Outdoors July 17-18
On July 17 and 18, Pittsburghers can learn how to enjoy Pittsburgh's great, big backyard during the Get Outdoors event in the lobby of Fifth Avenue Place.
* Ashley Walter to Lead Invasive Species Efforts in Pennsylvania
Ashley Walter, a Purdue University graduate and national standout in invasive species management, has been named Pennsylvania's new invasive species coordinator, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff this week.
* Help Wanted: LandStudies Seeking Environmental Scientist
LandStudies Inc. is seeking an entry level Environmental Scientist in its Lititz, Pa office to assist in multidisciplinary work focusing on stream and wetlands restoration, water quality improvement, environmental planning, municipal water resource management, environmental credits assessment, stormwater management, and landscape design and installation.
* 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 Public Utility Commission published a tentative order on the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Interconnection applications.
* Technical Guidance & Permits
No new policies were published this week.
* 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 Assn./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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