Dr. James K. Bissell is the winner of the 2011 John C. Oliver Environmental Leadership Award from the Friends of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. 

The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds this week received $3.5 million from a federal Clean Water Act penalty assessment related to the Conemaugh Generating Station near Johnstown.

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath provided testimony at the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund this week.  The following are excerpts from Heath’s remarks:

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition this week commended Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) for putting forth a local impact fee proposal that includes funding for the state’s Growing Greener program-- House Bill 1700 (not yet online).   Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath issued the following statement: 

With natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation growing exponentially across the state, and the potential to find the resource locally, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill) says the House should act sooner rather than later to assess an impact fee on the industry.

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

Senate Bill 460 (Yaw-R-Bradford), requiring natural gas producing companies to list production detail and all deductions on royalty check stubs unanimously, passed the Senate this week.

The Senate this week passed Senate Bill 263 (Erickson-R-Delaware), legislation to help ensure state regulations are based on reliable data and sound science was unanimously approved by the state Senate this week.

Michael Krancer, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, recently made time in his busy schedule to spend a day touring abandoned mine sites and restoration projects throughout Washington and Allegheny Counties.

Speaking before the Citi Climate Change and Water Conference this week in London, England, Aqua America, Inc.  Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said that the water-energy nexus will play a large role in future of the company with respect to environmental and business opportunities.

On June 16, Harry Campbell, Senior Scientist for the PA office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will share these solutions with Pennsylvania municipal officials, via webcast starting at 11:30 a.m., courtesy of the PA State Association of Boroughs.

The Clinton County Natural Gas Task Force recently distributed the following article on natural gas resources in the Pennsylvania and Clinton County written by James R. Ladlee, Director for the Penn State Cooperative Extension in Clinton County and Director of Special Initiatives for the Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center.

“Wherever you are, you are standing in a watershed and your actions have an impact on the water you drink.” This was the take-home message at the "Link to Your Drink" activity presented at the 2011 PA Children’s Water Festival.

Bring your family and friends to join the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association at the Evans-Mumbower Mill on June 19 between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. in Montgomery County.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association celebrates the 22nd annual Tex Mex 5K Race for Open Space on June 22 in Montgomery County.  WVWA is the beneficiary of this sold-out annual event that is the area’s premier weeknight run and includes a 5K race, 1-mile fun run and walk and festive party following the race.

The Department of Environmental Protection and the PA Turnpike Commission published notice soliciting proposals for electric vehicle infrastructure grants under the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program.  Proposals are due July 29.  Click Here for a copy of the notice.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for its annual Karl Mason Award.  Nominations are due July 29.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful would like to congratulate Ross Levin, age 18, from Plymouth–Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery County, who was chosen as the 2011 Sue Wiseman Scholarship recipient.

The PA Emergency Management Agency is now accepting applications for its Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Services Grant Program. (formal notice)  Applications are due September 1. Click Here for more information.

Visitors are invited to see the only population of rare Regal Fritillary butterflies in Pennsylvania four days in July at Fort Indiantown Gap, near Annville, Lebanon County.

In 1991 the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Scholarship Fund was established as a living, continuing memorial to his extraordinary dedication to conservation and education.

Over the past several months the Maurice K. Goddard Legacy Task Force has installed 4 historical markers to commemorate the environmental leadership of Maurice K. Goddard, former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources.

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

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.

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