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Weekly PA Environment Digest Newsletter
Sept. 24, 2012
(9/24/2012)
CLICK HERE To Print Entire Digest
* Environmental Bills In Play As Legislative Session Ends

The Senate and House are scheduled to end consideration of legislation on October 18 after which all legislation that didn’t make it to the Governor’s Desk will have to start over in January.

* Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

* House Committee Hearing Highlights Stormwater Management Issues

The House Local Government Committee Tuesday held a hearing on Senate Bill 1261 (Erickson-R-Delaware) which would authorize the formation of municipal authorities to address stormwater management issues.

* DEP Secretary Writes Congressional Delegation On Mining Reclamation Funding Cut

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer has weighed in against recent Congressional action reducing federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Funding to Pennsylvania by $200 million over the next 10 years.

* DEP Awards More Than $365,000 For 2 Clarion County Mine Reclamation Projects

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it has awarded $365,110 in contracts for two mine reclamation projects in Clarion County.

* Susquehanna Basin Commission Acts On Water Withdrawal Requests

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission held its quarterly business meeting Thursday in Harrisburg.  Among its actions, SRBC approved:

* Delaware Valley College Hosts 2nd Symposium On Water Issues Oct. 11-12

DelVal College will bring nationally known speakers, activists and authors to campus when it hosts its two-day symposium, October 11-12, on issues around water, the world's most important natural resource.

* Presentation To DEP Citizens Advisory Council Highlights Asian Carp Threat

DEPs Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday heard presentations on several environmental issues facing Pennsylvania, including the threat posed by the invasive species Asian Carp, the lack of drinking water well standards, a study highlighting the impact of longwall mining on streams and an update on investigating lower Susquehanna River water quality problems.

* PennVEST, DEP Announce Results Of Forward Nutrient Credit Trading Auction

The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection, along with financial information services company Markit, has held the third “forward” auction in 2012 for the sale and purchase of nutrient credits in Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay watershed.

* Penn State: USGS Reports On Pharmaceuticals, Hormones In Wastewater

Reconnaissance sampling was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for contaminants of emerging concern in Pennsylvania groundwater, streamwater, and streambed sediment.

* Aqua Pennsylvania: Help Is Available To Pay Water Bills

Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. is reminding customers that its Helping Hand assistance program is available to low-income families who find it difficult to pay their water bills.

* PennDOT Commends Volunteers For Removing 6.7 Million Pounds of Litter

PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch Thursday lauded the efforts of the more than 141,000 volunteers who cleaned 13,589 miles of roads, trails and shorelines in this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, which lasted from March 1 through May 31.

* Sign-Up Now For Recycle-Bowl, Greensylvania Paper Award Competitions

The Professional Recyclers of PA, Keep PA Beautiful, and Keep America Beautiful have teamed up to present the Recycle-Bowl featuring the Greensylvania Paper Award ... and they could be your ticket to recycling success! 

* PA Recycling Markets Center Hosting Awards, Networking Session Oct. 16

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center, Inc. is hosting a networking evening at the 2012 William M. Heenan Recycling Markets Development Award presentation on October 16 in Harrisburg.  The award presentation will be accompanied by a Sustainable Art Exposition. 

* DEP Awards Grant To Support Pennsylvania Envirothon

The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $300,000 to support the Pennsylvania Envirothon, which educates high school students about natural resources and environmental science through competitive events around the state.

* DEP Hearing On Proposed Cleanup Of Contaminated Somerset County Site Sept. 25

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and hearing on September 25, in Jenner Township, Somerset County, to discuss its proposed cleanup of a contaminated site in nearby Boswell Borough and receive comments from the public.

* October 2 Hearing Set On Berks County Lead Site Cleanup

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting and hearing on October 2, to outline its plan to clean up lead-contaminated battery casings and soil at three adjoining residential properties on Mt. Laurel Road in Alsace Township, Berks County.

* EPA Now Accepting Applications For 2013 Brownfields Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging eligible parties to apply now through November 19 for 2013 Brownfields funding. These grants can be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances or other pollutants.

* Opinion- Preparing For The Worst Is The Best Plan

By Sen. Lisa Baker

* State Police, PRC Accept Expired, Unwanted Prescription Meds Sept. 29

The Pennsylvania State Police, the PA Resources Council and other groups will accept unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs on September 29, as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

* Pennsylvania Biomass Conference & Expo Set For October 2

The PA Biomass Energy Association will be holding its inaugural Biomass Conference & Expo October 2-3 at the Holiday Inn-East Hotel in Harrisburg.  Click Here for more details and to register.  Sponsorships are still available.

* West Penn Sustainable Energy Fund Soliciting Funding Proposals

The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund is inviting applicants to apply for its next round of Sustainable Energy Financing.  Proposals are due January 9.  Click Here for all the details.

* Central PA Green Building Council Partners On LEED Certification Training

The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council announced recently it will be partnering with Green Education Services, a green jobs and worksite safety training provider, to bring premier LEED certification training to the region.

* Allegheny Conference: Well-Paying Energy, Related Jobs To Grow In Western PA

The Pittsburgh region is poised to see the number of energy-related careers grow significantly by the end of this decade. There will be jobs for engineers and maintenance technicians, welders and salespeople, jobs requiring post-high school training as well as professional degrees.

* Carnegie Mellon Launches Wilton E. Scott Institute For Energy Innovation

Carnegie Mellon University launched the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation Thursday, a major research and education initiative focused on improving energy efficiency and developing new, clean, affordable and sustainable energy sources.

* Opinion- Romney-Ryan Energy Plan Right One For PA

By DEP Secretary Michael Krancer

* Marcellus Shale Coalition Launches Learn About Shale Initiative

Friday, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the Shale Gas Insight 2012 Conference, the Marcellus Shale Coalition announced the launch of Learn About Shale, a community conversation designed to answer questions submitted by the public during the organization’s Ask About Shale initiative.

* DEP Secretary To Address Great Lakes Wind Collaborative

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer will discuss wind energy opportunities as the keynote speaker on September 25, at the fifth annual meeting of the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative at the Sheraton Bayfront in Erie.

* EPA Offering Sustainable Communities Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday invited communities to apply for technical assistance to foster sustainable growth in their area. Communities that adopt sustainable growth strategies have been shown to expand economic opportunity and protect people’s health and the environment.

* DCNR Unveils New Exhibits On Ecology, Forests Of Pine Creek Valley

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Tuesday toured the 1,200-square feet of new exhibits during an open house at the Tiadaghton Resource Management Center in Waterville, Lycoming County.

* Monument Dedicated To Civilian Conservation Corps At Hyner View State Park

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Tuesday joined in officially unveiling a life size bronze statue of a Civilian Conservation Corps worker as a monument to the corps and its work to transform the state forests, parks and natural areas of Pennsylvania and the United States.

* Jersey Shore Connector To Pine Creek Rail-Trail Dedicated

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan Wednesday joined local officials celebrating the completion of a connector from the Pine Creek Rail-Trail through the Borough of Jersey Shore to the Susquehanna River.

* PA Land Trust Assn Urges Senate To Reject House Bill 2224

The PA Land Trust Association Tuesday urged the Senate to reject a bill-- House bill 2224 (Cutler-R-Lancaster) that will allow county and local governments to sell community parks for easy cash.

* DCNR Proposes Land Exchange In Bucks County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published a notice September 22 proposing a land exchange in Bucks County involving .1 acres of Delaware Canal State Park land.

* Two Game Commission Employees Win National Recognition

Two Game Commission employees were selected for top honors for information and educational materials prepared to promote Pennsylvania wildlife at the recent conference of the Association of Conservation Information.

* Game Commission Offers Tips To Motorists On Avoiding Deer

Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe Tuesday advised motorists to slow down after sundown and before sunrise to reduce their risk of having a close encounter with a white-tailed deer.

* Marcellus Shale Coalition 3 Rivers Fishing Challenge Sept. 27-29

Presented by FLW—the world's leading professional fishing tournament organization—will hold the inaugural Marcellus Shale Coalition 3 Rivers Challenge in Pittsburgh debuts September 27–29.

* PA Historical & Museum Commission Calls For Historical Marker Nominations

The PA Historical and Museum Commission invites individuals, public agencies and private organizations to nominate historic properties, people or events possessing statewide or national significance for PHMC’s State Historical Marker Program.

* Spotlight: Rachel Carson's Silent Spring Turns 50

Thursday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region marked its annual Pollution Prevention Week by commemorating the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book, Silent Spring, at the newly renovated Rachel Carson Homestead in Springdale, Pa.

* Governor Names Bill Sasso, Other Members To PA Infrastructure Investment Authority

Gov. Tom Corbett Tuesday announced he has designated William “Bill” Sasso of Gwynedd Valley to serve as Chairman of the PA Infrastructure and Investment Authority.

* Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

* Grants & Awards

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

* Budget/Quick NewsClips

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

* Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

* Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

* Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Public Utility Commission formally published proposed regulations September 22 regulating liquid fuels pipelines for comment.  The regulation adopts federal rules by reference.

* Calendar Of Events

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.

* Stories Invited

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

* Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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

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