Gov. Rendell this week said about 700 state workers will have to be furloughed as a result of the cuts to the FY 2010-11 budget, down from 1,000 he anticipated earlier.

Did you know you can search nearly 6 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any key word you choose. Just click on the search page.

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) put out a statement this week saying she will "vigorously oppose" efforts by the natural gas industry to gain the power referred to as “forced pooling.”

The July issue of Environmental Synopsis newsletter published by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee features an article on green roof technology and its ability to reduce urban heating and improve stormwater management.

As part of a continuing focus on the Lackawaxen River, the northeastern Pennsylvania waterway named Commonwealth River of the Year for 2010 by DCNR, commemorative posters now are being offered.

You can now make reservations for the 9th Annual Port of Pittsburgh-Ohio River Watershed Celebration set for September 15 in Pittsburgh, reserve your spot now online.

The PA Association of County Conservation Districts has posted the presentations made at the PACD-State Conservation Commission annual meeting online.   The presentations include:

About a decade ago, watershed groups proliferated in Pennsylvania, thanks to the Growing Greener Program and the infusion of state money. Small groups of volunteers tackled pollution on their local rivers and streams. What they lacked in technical expertise, they made up for in passion. But is it time now for watershed groups to turn pro? Have they reached a watershed moment in their mission?

The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center this week reported 3 more counties are now in drought watch condition using the Palmer Drought Severity Index bringing the total to 36 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

By Sandy Long, The River Reporter

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week released a new series of GIS maps showing the potential impacts of leasing additional State Forest land for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

A shallow gas well drilled in May 2008 caught fire in a wooded area of Indiana Township, Allegheny County, Friday after an explosion occurred while workers were welding equipment at the well site.

The Department of Environmental Protection is launching a new weekly e-newsletter on Marcellus Shale natural gas issues called the Marcellus Shale Examiner. The following is from the sign-up webpage--

More than 186,000 volunteers cleaned 19,373 miles of roads, trails and shorelines in Pennsylvania during the Great American Cleanup of PA, which ran from March 1 to May 31, PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. said.

Pennsylvania this week joined the Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin in a federal lawsuit against the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, seeking immediate action to prevent the spread of Asian Carp into the Great Lakes.

By Jessica Sprajcar, Conservation Program Manager, DCNR Office of Conservation Science

Auditor General Jack Wagner said this week with 60 percent of Pennsylvanians due to have their electricity rates uncapped at the end of this year, the Public Utility Commission, state government and electric utilities should do more to educate consumers about electricity rate increases resulting from the rate-cap expiration.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of opportunities to bid on a mine reclamation project in Elk County and a mine reclamation project in Lackawanna County.

Unveiled to the public in March 2000, the concept of “The Presque Isle Center” and greenway in Erie was a collaborative effort ending in the dedication of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Presque Isle

By U.S. Senator Bob Casey

By Kathryn Klabor, Executive Director, Marcellus Shale Coalition

By Carol Collier, Executive Director, Delaware River Basin Commission

By Don Welsh, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of proposed variance from VOC emission standards for air fresheners.  The Environmental Quality Board published notice of an additional public hearing on proposed oil and gas well casing standards.

Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted.  NEW means new from last week.  Go to the online Calendar webpage.

Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to:  DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.