Pa Environment Digest June 30, 2014

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaJune30,2014
HousePassedGOPBudgetReliesOnAdditionalStatePark,ForestDrillingForFunding
NOTE:TheSenateandHousewillbeworkingthroughthe
weekendonbudgetissues.Followthelatestbygoingtothe
PAEnvironmentDigestBlogorsignupforthePaEnviroDigest
Twitternewsfeed.
TheHouseWednesdaypassed,byapartisanvoteof11093,
aRepublicanwrittenGeneralFundbudgetinHouseBill2328
(AdolphRDelaware)thatrelieson$75millioninrevenue
fromadditionalnaturalgasleasinginStateParksandForests
and$15millionindeferredfundingforthefarmconservation
andhistoricpreservationtaxcreditstoremaininbalance.
ThebillisnowintheSenateasbudgetdiscussionscontinuebetweentheSenate,Houseandthe
GovernorsOffice.
TheSenateandHousedeclaredJune28anonvotingday,butarescheduledtoreturntovoting
sessionand4:00and5:00onSunday,June29.MidnightJune30isthedeadlinetohavethestate
budgetinplace.
TheHouseGOPleasingofadditionalDCNRlandfornosurfaceimpactnaturalgas
developmentisalittledifferentfromGov.CorbettsproposalbecausetheHousebudgetwoulddivert
the$75milliontotheGeneralFund.Gov.CorbettsExecutiveOrderissuedinMaywouldearmarkat
leastroyaltiesfromtheleasingforStateParkandStateForestprojects.
Theproposed$75millioninrevenueisontopoftheproposed$72.7milliontransferfromthe
OilandGasFundtofundDCNRsStateParksandStateForestoperations.
ThedeferraloftaxcreditfundingwasincludedinHouseBill2188(CutlerRLancaster)passed
TuesdaybytheHouse.TheResourceEnhancementandProtectionTaxCreditProgram(REAP)
wouldbezeroedouteliminating$10millionperyearandtheHistoricPreservationIncentiveTaxCredit
wouldalsobezeroedoutcutting$3millionperyear.
Thebudgetalsoassumes$226.5millionintransfersfromotherspecialfunds,butNOTthe
Keystone,StorageTank,Recycling,UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationFundorother
environmentalfunds.
OtherchangesintheHouseGOPbudgetinclude
Delaysforoneyearthecontributionof$6.2millionintotheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants
Program
Restores$2.25millionfortheHeritageParksProgram
Providesanadditional$10.4millioninfundingforDEPgeneraloperationsand
Anadditional$500,000cutfromDelawareRiverBasinCommissionfunding.
OtherbudgetlineitemsforDEPandDCNRaregenerallythesameastheFY201314budget.
Broadly,theHouseGOPbudgetcountson$380millioninrevenuefromliquorprivatization
whichmayormaynothappenandatotalof$48millioninsavingsfromdeferredfundingof11different
taxcreditprogramsineachofthenexttwoyearstoremaininbalance.
AspreadsheetshowingchangesbetweentheFY201314budgetisavailableonline.A
proposedFY201415FinancialSheetisalsoavailable.
NewsClips:
GOPLeadersShootForOnTime,NoNewTaxesBudget
HousePassesStateBudgetOnToSenate
HousePassesGOPCraftedStateBudgetPlan
HouseBudgetCountingOnPrivatization,PlanFizzlesInSenate
SenatorsDiscussingMixOfTaxesToBridgeBudgetGap
HousePanelApprovesGOPBudgetBill
HouseCommitteeApproves$29.1BillionBudget
HouseGOPProposeLeanerBudgetThanCorbett
EconomicDevelopers:DontCutOurTaxCredits
BudgetDeficitCouldLeadCorbettToSeveranceTax
OpEd:SeveranceTax?NoThanks,IllPass
PAWeighsNewTaxOnNaturalGasDrilling
NewEnergyTaxesThreatenPAsEconomicRecovery
MoreFarmlandPreserved,ButLongBacklogRemains
LancasterLawmakersUrgedToProtectFarmlandPreservation$$
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPACallsForRestorationOfFarmConservationTaxCredit
TheChesapeakeBayFoundationsPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirector,HarryCampbell,issuedthe
followingstatementWednesdayinresponsetoproposedbudgetcutstovitaltaxcreditprogramsthat
benefitPennsylvaniafarmersandcleanwatereffortsthroughouttheCommonwealth.
OfparticularconcernistheproposedtwoyearsuspensionofPennsylvaniasResource
EnhancementandProtectionProgram(REAP)farmconservationtaxcreditprogramincludedinHouse
Bill2188(CutlerRLancaster)passedbytheHouseTuesday.
TheREAPProgramprovidestaxcreditstofarmersandbusinessesallacrossthestatein
exchangeforestablishingagriculturalconservationpracticesonPennsylvaniafarms.
TheREAPtaxcreditsareusedtooffsetaportionofthefarmersexpenseofmakingonfarm
improvementsthatbenefitboththeirbottomlineandwaterquality,saidCampbell.These
improvementsincludethingslikereducingthemanurethatrunsintostreamsandrivers,plantingforested
streamsidebuffers,convertingtraditionalplowingmethodstonotillcultivation,andmanyothers
The$10millionpublicinvestmentintheREAPtaxcreditprogram,andtheprivateinvestments
thatarerequiredfromfarmerstoreceivethecredits,haveresultedincleanerwaterandmoreprofitable
farms.Thesuccessoftheprogramisevidentaseachyearsinceitbeganfarmerinteresthasexceeded
theavailablebudget.
ThisprogramisanimportantcomponentofPennsylvaniascleanwaterblueprinttoreduce
pollutionandrestorePennsylvaniasriversandstreams.CBFcallsontheGeneralAssemblytomaintain
existingfundingforREAP.
From2007to2011,theREAPProgramhasprovidedtaxcreditsforover950farming
operationsin61countiesacrossPennsylvaniapreventing11.4millionpoundsofnitrogen,859,485
poundsofphosphorusand877,059tonsofsedimentfromgoingintoPennsylvaniasstreamsandrivers.
Sincefarmerspaybetween25and50percentofthecostofinstallingfarmbestmanagement
practices,everydollaroftaxpayermoneyinvestedinthisprogramismatchedbyprivateinvestment
stretchingtheeffectivenessoftheREAPinvestment.
WhenGov.Corbettcametoofficein2011,herestoredtheREAPProgramtoitsfull$10
millionappropriationandrecommendedthefull$10millionagaininhisproposedFY201415budget
proposal.
Themostrecent201011AnnualReportontheREAPProgramisavailableonline.
GrowingGreenerCoalitionIssuesEnvironmentalFundingPlanIfSeveranceTaxAdopted
ThePAGrowingGreenerCoalition,thelargestcoalitionofconservation,
recreationandpreservationorganizationsintheCommonwealth,Fridaymade
itscaseforwhyenvironmentalfundingmustbecontainedinanyseverancetax
packagepassedbythelegislature.
TheimpactsofdrillinginPennsylvaniaareevidentthroughoutthe
Commonwealth.Ourparks,forests,scenicandculturalareas,andwaterways
areatriskofbeingdisturbedanddegraded.Anyseverancetaxmustdedicate
fundstowardtheprotectionofthesepublicresources,saidAndrewHeath,
executivedirectoroftheCoalition.
Fundingthroughaseverancetaxisessentialtoaddresstheresourcesbeingmostaffectedby
naturalgasextractionandshouldnottakeawayfromfundingalreadybeingprovidedbyothergeneral
andspecialfundprograms.
TheCoalitionhasproposed$26millionbesetasidefromaseverancetaxinyearone,growing
to$70millionbyyearfive,toaddresstheCommonwealthsopenspaceandforestresources,rivers
andstreams,historictreasures,andheritageareas.Distributionwouldbeasfollows:
Year1:$3millionforHeritageAreas$3millionforHistoricPreservationand$20millionfor
GrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundwithapriorityonconservingoursensitivelandsand
cleaningourriversandstreams(abandonedminedrainage,majorbasinwatershedprojects,etc.)
cleaningourriversandstreams.
cleaningourriversandstreams.
Year4:$5millionforHeritageAreas$5millionforHistoricPreservation$50millionforGrowing
GreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundwithapriorityonconservingoursensitivelandsandcleaning
ourriversandstreams.
Year5andBeyond:$5millionforHeritageAreas$5millionforHistoricPreservationand$60
millionforGrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundwithapriorityonconservingoursensitive
landsandcleaningourriversandstreams.
PublicSupportsEnvironmentalFunding
TheCoalitionpointedtoanewsurveythatfoundoverwhelmingbipartisanpublicsupportfor
continuingexistingdedicatedstatefundingforconservationandforincreasingstatefundingtoprotect
land,waterandhistoricsites.
Overall,thesurveyfoundthatmorethan97.4percentofPennsylvanianssurveyedthinkthat
statefundsdedicatedtoprotectingriversandstreamsconservingopenspace,forests,naturalareasand
wildlifehabitatsprovidingparksandtrails,andpreservingfarmlandshouldcontinuetobeusedforthese
purposes.Thisfigurerepresentedstrongbipartisansupport,andisupbyfivepercentagepointssince
2012.
Thesurveyalsofoundthatmorethanthreequartersofrespondents82.6percentwould
supportincreasingstatefundstoaddresstheseissues,evenifitwouldcosttheaveragehousehold$10
moreannually.Thisfigureisupfrom77.7percentin2012.
DespitethesuccessofsuchprogramsliketheGrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardship
Fund,KeystoneRecreation,Park&ConservationFund,AgriculturalPreservation,MarcellusShale
LegacyFund,HeritageAreasProgramandHistoricPreservation,thereismuchmoreworkthatneeds
tobedone.
TheCommonwealthhas19,000milesofriversandstreamsthatdonotmeetbasicwater
qualitystandards.HistoricpreservationfundingisatalowandtheHeritageAreasProgramwaszeroed
outintheGovernorsproposedbudget,saidHeath.Theseissuesmustbeaddressed.
Inaddition,conservationfundingisanessentialcomponentformeetingfederalCleanWaterAct
mandatesassociatedwiththeChesapeakeBayBlueprintandtheneedtoreducepollutioninourlocal
riversandstreams.
Utilizingfundscollectedthroughaseverancetaxtoaddresstheseissuesisastepintheright
direction,andwouldalsonegatetheneedtoraiseadditionalstaterevenuesthroughmoreleasingofstate
lands,saidHeath.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAGrowingGreenerCoalitionwebsite.
NewsClips:
EPA:PennsylvaniaFallsShortInMeeting2013ChesapeakeBayCleanupMilestones
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyreportedThursday
Pennsylvaniaexceededits2013ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestoneforphosphorusby242,000
pounds,butfellshortinmeetingthenitrogengoalby2millionpoundsandsedimentreductionmilestone
bynearly116millionpounds.
AsreportedlastweektotheDEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil,Pennsylvaniamustreduceits
nitrogenloadgoingintoourriversandstreamsbyover10millionpounds,oursedimentloadbynearly
212millionpoundsandourphosphoruspollutionby141,000poundsifwearetomeetour2017
ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestones.
DEPsaidwastewaterplantsandtheforestsectorhavealreadymetthe2017nitrogenand
phosphorusreductions.Wastewaterplantshavealreadymetthe2017forsediment/totalsuspended
solidsreductions.
ThesizeofthereductionsPennsylvaniamustachievetomeetthe2017milestonesinthenext
threeyearswillofferrealchallengestotheCommonwealth,particularlyforneededreductionsfrom
agriculture,urban/stormwaterrunoffandonlotsepticsystems.
Thesizeofthereductionsneededforagriculturealone,atleastaccordingtothemodels,are
approximatelyequaltomorethanallthereductionsachievedbytheChesapeakeBayProgramin
Pennsylvaniaforthe27yearsfrom1985through2012.
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPresidentWilliamC.Bakerissuedthisstatementfollowingthe
releaseofthemilestonesreportbyEPA
Thetransparencyandaccountabilitythatthesemilestonesprovidearecrucialtomeetingthe
goalofrestoringwaterqualityinlocalrivers,streams,andtheChesapeakeBay.EPAsanalysisandthe
actionsitistakingrepresenttheleadershiptheBayandalltheriversandstreamsneed,bothstrongand
fair.
EachoftheBayjurisdictionsmustdobetteriftheyaretoachievetheir2017and2025goals.
EPAhasidentifiedthestrengthsandweaknessesineachjurisdiction,aswellaspointingoutwhateach
mustdotoimproveitsperformance.Wehaveseenprogress,demonstratingthattheChesapeakeClean
WaterBlueprintisworking,buttheBayjurisdictionsclearlyneedtoacceleratetheirefforts.
Butclearly,Pennsylvaniahasbeengivenafailinggrade.TheCommonwealthmust
demonstrateleadershipimmediatelytoimproveitspollutionreductionefforts.Peopleupstreamand
downwillbenefit.InPennsylvania,jobswillbecreated,streamsanddrinkingwaterwillbecleaner,fish
stockswillbehealthier,andtheBaywillimprove.
HoldingthestatesaccountableformeetingtheircommitmentsisahistoriceventinBay
restorationefforts,onewhichwillensurethatweleavealegacyofcleanwatertoourchildrenandfuture
generations.
Becauseofshortfallsinagricultureandurban/suburbanrunoff,EPAwillconditionitsgrantsto
theCommonwealthtoensurethemoneygoestohelpaccelerateimplementationofkeypractices.EPA
isalsoconsideringrequiringadditionalpollutionreductionfromsewagetreatmentplantsifprogress
continuestobeinsufficient.
CBFcallsonPennsylvaniato:
Conductcomprehensiveandmeaningfulinspectionsforcompliancewithexistinglawsinboththe
agriculturalandurbansectors,andwherenecessarytoensureconsequentialandtimelyenforcement
Developspecificandquantifiablepermitsforregulatedurban/suburbanstormwaterand
Enactaseverancetaxonunconventionalnaturalgasdrilling,whichprioritizessignificantresources
towardsimplementingpollutionreductionpractices.
AfactsheetonPennsylvaniasmilestonesprogressisavailableonlineaswellasthecomplete
milestonesreport.
NewsClips:
EPATakesIssueWithStormwaterPlans
EPA:85PATownsMustImproveStormwater
TimeRunningOutForCommunitiesOnStormwaterPlans
LawmakersUrgeCourtToBlockChesapeakeBayCleanup
CorbettJoinsOtherGovernorsInProtectingChesapeakeBay
ThousandsAttendRiverfestInWyomingValley
WilkesBarreRiverfestTakesEducationalTone
PACongressmenBackEffortToReduceOversightOverWaterways
OpEd:FarmBureauBadlyMistakenOnEPAWaterRule
RiverQuest,RiversOfSteelHeritageMullMerger
EPAOrders85PAMunicipalitiesToImproveStormwaterManagement
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyTuesdayannouncedithassentordersto85municipalitiesin
northcentralandnortheastPennsylvaniarequiringimprovementstotheirprogramsformanaging
stormwater.
EPAissuedtheorderstoaugmentPennsylvaniaseffortstoensureeffectivestormwater
managementprogramsareinplacetoimprovewaterqualityinlocalstreamsandtheChesapeakeBay,
whichisdownstreamofmostofthetownscitedbyEPA.
Themunicipalitiesreceivingtheordersare:
CarbonCounty:BowmanstownBorough,LowerTowamensing,WeissportBorough
CentreCounty:CollegeTownship,HarrisTownship,PattonTownship,StateCollegeBorough
LackawannaCounty:OldForgeBorough,TaylorBorough,ClarksSummitBorough,South
AbingdonTownship,ClarksGreenBorough,DicksonCityBorough,DunmoreBorough,Blakely
Borough,ThroopBorough,RansomTownship,PSUScranton,MoosicBorough,AbingtonTownship,
ScrantonCity,ScottTownship
LehighCounty:CatasauquaBorough,SlatingtonBorough,WhitehallTownship,Macungie
Township,UpperMilfordTownship,SalisburyTownship,SouthWhitehallTownship,Emmaus
Borough,AlburtisBorough,WeisenbergTownship
LuzerneCounty:DuryeaBorough,EdwardsvilleBorough,WilkesBarreTownship,Plymouth
Borough,LarksvilleBorough,SugarNotchBorough,AshleyBorough,DuPontBorough,Jenkins
Township,AvocaBorough,WarriorRunBorough,LaflinBorough,DallasBorough,Swoyersville
Borough,ExeterBorough,WyomingBorough,PittstonTownship,NanticokeCity,NewportTownship,
WestWyomingBorough,FosterTownship,HazletonCity,WestPittstonBorough,KingstonBorough,
BearCreekTownship,WilkesBarreCity,LaurelRunBorough,PlymouthTownship,Hughestown
Borough,DallasTownship,LehmanTownship
Luzerne&NorthamptonCounty:JacksonTownship,FountainHillBorough,LowerSaucon
Township,LowerNazarethTownship,HanoverTownship
LycomingCounty:OldLycomingTownship,MontoursvilleBorough,LoyalsockTownship,
WilliamsportCity
NorthamptonCounty:AllenTownship,NorthamptonBorough,WalnutportBorough,Bangor
Borough,LowerMt.BethelTownship,PenArgylBorough,FreemansburgBorough,Williams
Township,EastAllenTownship,EastonCity,BushkillTownship,PlainfieldTownship,Hellertown
Borough,NorthamptonCounty,WindGapBorough,ForksTownship,HanoverTownship.
Inthisageofchangingclimateandmorefrequentandsevereweatherevents,managingurban
stormwaterisessentialforprotectingandrestoringthewaterwaysinourcommunities,saidEPA
RegionalAdministratorShawnM.Garvin.Ourobjectiveinissuingtheseordersistobuildonthework
beingdonebytheCommonwealthofPennsylvania,andbridgeanygapsinmakingitcleartothe
municipalitiesthattheyneedtodoabetterjobofimplementingtheirprogramsforcontrolling
stormwaterrunoff.
ThefederalCleanWaterActrequiresthecitedmunicipalitiestodevelopandimplementa
programtoreducecontaminationofstormwaterrunoffandpreventillegaldischargesofstormwater.
EPAsordersalsorequirethecitedmunicipalitiestocorrectdeficiencieswiththeirrespective
MunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystem(MS4)programsandtocomeintocompliancewiththeir
CleanWaterActstormwaterdischargepermits.MS4sarepubliclyowneddrainagesystems,including
stormdrains,pipes,andditches,whicharedesignedtocollectandconveystormwaterrunoffin
urbanizedareas.
Urbanizedareasgenerallycontainlargeportionsofimpervioussurfacessuchasroads,rooftops
andparkinglotsthatchannelstormwaterdirectlyintolocalstreams,rivers,andotherwaterbodies.
Improperlymanagedstormwaterrunofffromurbanizedareascancausefloodingandsignificanterosion,
damagestreams,andcarryexcessivenutrients,sediment,metals,volatileorganiccompounds,andother
pollutantsdownstream.
Theordersprovideinformationtothemunicipalitiesregardinghowtoassurecompliancewith
MS4requirementsoftheCleanWaterAct.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAsMunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystems(MS4s)webpage.
NewsClips:
PECAsksSen.Scarnati,Rep.CauserToRespondToConcernsOnConventionalWellBills
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilFridayaskedSen.JoeScarnati(RJefferson)andRep.Martin
Causer(RCameron)torespondtoseveralsignificantconcernsaboutSenateBill1378andHouseBill
2350thatwouldregulateconventionaloilandgaswellsdifferentlythanunconventional(Marcellus
Shale)wells.
PECsaiditwasconcernedaboutstatementsmadebybothmembersattheSenateandHouse
EnvironmentalCommitteesthisweekthatthebillsweremeanttotakeconventionalwellsoutofthe
basiclawAct13regulatingoilandgaswellactivitiesleavingopenthequestionofwhatkindsof
environmentalstandardswouldapplytoconventionalwells.
Thetextoftheletterfollows
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilisconcernedaboutcommentsmadeWednesdayin
boththeSenateandHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteesabouttheintentbehind
SenateBill1378andHouseBill2350.Wewanttogiveyouanopportunitytorespondtothese
concerns.
IntheCommitteemeetingyou(Sen.Scarnati)saidtheGeneralAssemblyerredinputting
conventionalwellsandunconventionalwellsinthesamelawandfurtherexplained,Theintent(ofthis
bill)istotakeconventionalwellsbackoutofAct13.
IntheHouse,Rep.Causersaid,Conventionalwellsareshallowandhavesignificantlysmaller
wellpads.Theiroverallimpactonthesurroundingenvironmentisfarlessthanthatofdeep,Marcellus
wells.Bothtypesofdrillingwillcontinuetoberegulatedunderthisbill,butbydifferentiatingbetweenthe
two,wecanprotectagainstoverregulationthatcouldeventuallydriveshallowwellproducersoutof
business.
Weagreethatthereareappropriatedifferencesbetweenconventionalandunconventional
drillingthatcanbeaddressedthroughspecificregulations,providedthedistinctionbetweenthetwois
therightone.However,iftheintentofthebillsistoremoveordifferentiateconventionalwell
regulatoryrequirementstothepointofeliminatingthemfromTitle58regulatingoilandgasoperations,
thebasiclawthatrequiresregulationofoilandgaswelldevelopment,whatrequirementsdoapplyto
eachkindofwellinyourview?
Section4ofbothbillssaysGeneralrule.Proposedregulationsandregulations
promulgatedbytheEnvironmentalQualityBoardunder58Pa.C.S.(relatingtooilandgas)orother
lawsofthisCommonwealthrelatingtoconventionaloilandgaswellsorunconventionalgaswellsshall
differentiatebetweenconventionaloilandgaswellsandunconventionalgaswells.
Underexistinglaw,thepermit,wellconstruction,environmentalsetbacks,bonding,enforcement
andotherrequirementsofTitle58coveredbothkindsofwells.Iftheintentistotakeconventional
wellsoutofTitle58ortodifferentiateoreliminatesomerequirements,doanyoftheseapply?Just
some?Ortowhatextent?
ThechoiceofwhatappliesandwhatdoesnotislefttotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardandthe
professionalsattheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionintherulemakingprocessunderboth
SenateBill1378andHouseBill2350.
Oncethosedecisionsaremadeintherulemakingprocess,however,thelanguageinbothbills
givestheconventionalandunconventionaloilandgasindustryanewlegalrighttochallengethe
determinationsmadebytheEQBandDEP,notjustonthesubstancewhatisareasonablesetback
fromastreamorwetlandorreasonablewellconstructionstandards,butalsoonwhetherthe
requirementshouldevenapplytoaconventionalorunconventionalwell.
TheadditionalworkloadthesechangeswillputonDEPstaffisalsoaconcerntoPEC.Ithas
beenmorethantwoyearssinceAct13wassignedintolawandDEPhasyettofinalizeitsfirstsetof
regulationstoimplementitsprovisions.Weareconcernedtheaddedbureaucraticprocessand
potentialforlegalchallengesresultingfromitwillresultinPennsylvaniafallingfurtherandfurtherbehind
inregulatingtheoilandgasindustry.
PotentiallyremovingconventionalgasdrillingfromregulationunderAct13couldleavethat
portionoftheindustrywithrelativelyfreereintooperatewithoutappropriateregulatoryoversight.This
isespeciallytroublingwhenonelooksattherecentrecordoftheconventionalgasoperatorsbasedon
numbersofpermitviolations.
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilhaspreviouslyexpressedourconcernswithregulating
oilandgaswellsbasedondepthofdrillingandnotthetechnologyused.Thestatementsmadeatthe
Committeemeetingsbroadenanddeepenthoseconcerns.
WehopetheseissuescanbeaddressedbeforetheSenateandHousetakefinalactiononthis
legislation.Webelievetherearesimplerandmoreeffectivewaystodealwiththedifferencesbetween
conventionalandunconventionaldrillingthanthebroadlanguageinthesebills.
Wewouldbehappytomeetwithyoutodiscussourconcerns.Pleasecontactmeat
4124819401ifyouwouldliketofollowup.
Sincerely,
DavittWoodwell
ExecutiveVicePresident
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
RelatedStories:
House,SenateEnvironmentalCommitteesOKBillsSettingNewConventionalWellRules
Analysis:WhatRegulationsApplyToOil&GasWells,DrillingInPAIfTheseBillsPass?
TheSenateandHouseEnvironmentalCommitteesthisweekreportedoutSenateBill1378
(ScarnatiRJefferson)andHouseBill2350(CauserRCameron)thattheirsponsorsinitiallysaidwere
tomakealogicalseparationofadministrative,constructionandenvironmentalprotectionrequirements
betweenconventionalandunconventional(MarcellusShale)oilandgaswells.
ButstatementsbytheprimesponsorsattheCommitteemeetingshaveraisedredflags.
WeerredinincludingconventionaloilandgaswellsinAct13,saidSen.JoeScarnati
(RJefferson),primesponsorofSenateBill1378,attheSenateEnvironmentalCommitteemeeting
Wednesday.Theintent(ofthisbill)istotakeconventionalwellsbackoutofAct13.
Conventionalwellsareshallowandhavesignificantlysmallerwellpads.Theiroverallimpacton
thesurroundingenvironmentisfarlessthanthatofdeep,Marcelluswells,saidRep.MartinCauser
(RCameron),primesponsoroftheHouseBill.Bothtypesofdrillingwillcontinuetoberegulated
underthisbill,butbydifferentiatingbetweenthetwo,wecanprotectagainstoverregulationthatcould
eventuallydriveshallowwellproducersoutofbusiness.
WhatStandardsApplyThen?
Iftheintentofthebillsistoremoveordifferentiateconventionalwellregulatoryrequirements
ofTitle58regulatingoilandgasoperations,thebasiclawthatrequiresregulationofoilandgaswell
development,whatrequirementsdoapplytoeachkindofwell?
Section4ofbothbillssays
Generalrule.ProposedregulationsandregulationspromulgatedbytheEnvironmentalQuality
Boardunder58Pa.C.S.(relatingtooilandgas)orotherlawsofthisCommonwealthrelatingto
conventionaloilandgaswellsorunconventionalgaswellsshalldifferentiatebetweenconventionaloil
andgaswellsandunconventionalgaswells.
Underexistinglaw,thepermit,wellconstruction,environmentalsetbacks,bonding,enforcement
andotherrequirementsofTitle58coveredbothkindsofwells.
IftheintentistotakeconventionalwellsoutofTitle58ortodifferentiatetherequirements,do
anyoftheseapply?Justsome?Ortowhatextent?
ThechoiceofwhatappliesandwhatdoesntislefttotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardandthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionintherulemakingprocessunderSenateBill1378andHouse
Bill2350.
NewAbilityToChallengeRegulations
Oncethosedecisionsaremadeintherulemakingprocess,however,thelanguageinbothbills
givestheconventionalandunconventionaloilandgasindustryanewlegalrighttochallengethe
determinationsmadebytheEQBandDEP,notjustonthesubstancewhatisareasonablesetback
fromastreamorwetlandorreasonablewellconstructionstandards,butalsoonwhetherthe
requirementshouldevenapplytoaconventionalorunconventionalwell.
ThesearesignificantquestionsthatshouldbeansweredbeforetheSenateandHouserushto
takefinalactiononeitherbill.
RelatedStories:
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Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa
listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(June2830):HouseBill202(HarperRMontgomery)prohibitingstandbywaterservice
chargesforfirecompaniesHouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimum
royaltypaymentinstatelawHouseBill2104(GodshallRMontgomery)furtherprovidingfor
consumerprotectionsinvariablerateelectricsuppliercontractsHouseBill2354(SnyderDFayette)
requiringtheapprovaloftheGeneralAssemblyofanyplansubmittedbyDEPtocomplywithEPA
greenhouseemissionreductionrequirementssponsorsummaryHouseResolution249
(SwangerRLebanon)supportingincreaseddevelopmentanddeliveryofoilfromNorthAmericanoil
reservessponsorsummarySenateBill771(GordnerRColumbia)establishingtheStateGeospatial
CoordinatingBoard.<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(June2830):SenateBill1310(HutchinsonRVenango)creatingthePAGradeCrude
DevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilwithinDEPSenateBill1378(ScarnatiRJefferson)whichwould
eliminateconventionalwellsfromtheAct13drillinglawSenateBill1443(WhiteRIndiana)amending
theIndigenousMineralResourcesDevelopmentActtoauthorizedstateagencies(otherthanDCNR)to
releasemineralrightswhethertheyownedthesurfacerightsornotHouseBill1052
(FreemanDLehigh)furtherauthorizesusesforlocalrecreationfees.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBill
Calendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
NOTE:It'sBudgetTime,sowatchforlotsoflastminuteSenate,HouseCommitteemeetings!
House:theEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteewillmeetagendatobe
announced,butthereisspeculationthatHouseBill1565(HahnRNorthampton)whichwouldeliminate
therequirementforforestedstreambufferstocontrolerosionandsedimentationinspecialprotection
watershedssponsorsummarymaybeontheagenda.<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommittee
Schedule.
Senate:<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
WindTurbineStudy:HouseResolution925(RappRForest)directingtheJointStateGovernment
CommissiontoconductastudyonthescaleandimpactofwindturbinesinPennsylvaniasponsor
summary.
SessionSchedule(Update)
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
House
June28(nonvoting),29,30
Senate
June28(nonvoting),29,30
FallSchedule
September15,16,22,23,24
October6,7,8,14,15
November12
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowontheGovernor's
deskforaction
LymeDiseaseTaskForce:SenateBill177(GreenleafRMontgomery)creatingtheLymeDisease
TaskForce.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
NewsClips:
LymeDiseaseTaskForceBillAwaitsGovsSignature
AsWeatherHeatsUp,LymeDiseaseThreatIncreases
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
House
GeneralFundBudget:HouseBill2328(AdolphRDelaware)wasreportedfromtheHouseRules
Committee,referredintotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee,amendedwiththefirstHouseGOP
budgetproposalandreportedoutofCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.Aspreadsheetshowing
changesbetweentheFY201314budgetisavailableonline.
IntheSenate,thebillisintheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.
SuspendingTaxCredits:HouseBill2188(CutlerRLancaster)tosuspendcertaintaxcredit
programsfortwoyearswasamendedontheHouseFloor,referredintoandoutoftheHouse
AppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.Thetaxcreditprogramsaffectedarethe
ResourceEnhancementandProtectionTaxCredit($10millionperyear),theHistoricPreservation
IncentiveTaxCredit($3millionperyear),theResearchandDevelopmentTaxCredit,the
CommunitybasedServicesTaxCredit,theTaxCreditForNewJobs,theMobileTelecommunications
BroadbandInvestmentTaxCredit,theInnovateinPATaxCredit,theKeystoneSpecialDevelopment
ZoneProgram,theKeystoneInnovationZoneTaxCredits,thePromotingEmploymentAcross
PennsylvaniaProgramandcertainsectionsoftheKeystoneOpportunityZoneProgram.Asummary
andHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.
Oil&GasWellProduction:HouseBill2278(PickettRBradford)providingformonthlyreportingof
oilandgaswellproductionwasamendedandreportedfromtheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee,referredintoandoutoftheHouseRulesCommittee,wasthenreferredintoandout
oftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNote
areavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.
"Asthisindustrycontinuestodevelop,wehaveseentheneedformonthlyreporting
requirementssothatproductionreportsaremorecomparabletomonthlyroyaltypayments,"saidRep.
TinaPickett,primesponsorofthebill."Thislegislationwouldallowgreatertransparencyforour
landownersandprovideabetterunderstandingofproductionacrosstheCommonwealth."
NewsClip:HouseBillWouldRequireMonthlyGasProductionReports
WaterWellStandards:HouseBill343(MillerRYork)settingconstructionstandardsforprivate
waterwellswasremovedfromtheTable,referredintoandoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommittee
andpassedbytheHouse.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.Thebillnowgoestothe
Senateforaction.
RecordingOfOil&GasWellLeases:HouseBill402(PickettRBradford)furtherprovidingfor
therecordingofoilandgaswellleaseswasamendedandreportedoutoftheHouseEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommittee,referredintoandoutoftheHouseRulesCommitteeandwasthen
referredtotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.
EliminatingConventionalWellsFromAct13:HouseBill2350(CauserRCameron)whichwould
eliminateconventionalwellsfromtheAct13drillinglawwasamendedandreportedoutoftheHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandwasreferredtotheHouseRulesCommitteeasall
billsarethistimeofyear.
GeneralAssemblyApprovalOfDEPCarbonReductionPlan:HouseBill2354
(SnyderDFayette)requiringtheapprovaloftheGeneralAssemblyofanyplansubmittedbyDEPto
complywithEPAgreenhouseemissionreductionrequirementssponsorsummarywasamendedwith
adeemedapprovedprovisionwheretheGeneralAssemblyfailedtoapproveDEPsplanorwhere
onechamberapprovesandtheotherdoesnotandreportedoutoftheHouseEnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommittee,referredintoandoutoftheHouseRulesCommitteeandisnowontheHouse
Calendarforaction.
PublicPrivatePartnerships:HouseBill2239(EvankovichRArmstrong)whichprovidesfor
publicprivatepartnershipsrelatedtowaterandsewagetreatmentservicesandschoolconstructionwas
amendedandreportedfromtheHouseStateGovernmentCommitteeandreferredtotheHouseRules
Committeeasallbillsarethistimeofyear.
StormwaterManagement:SenateBill1255(EricksonRDelaware)furtherprovidingforstormwater
facilityfundingwasamendedandreportedoutoftheHouseLocalGovernmentCommitteeandTabled.
EPACarbonRegulations:HouseResolution815(SnyderDFayette)urgingtheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgencytodevelopmentguidelinesregulatingcarbonemissionsfromexistingpowerplants
thatrespecttheprimacyoftheCommonwealthandtakeintoaccountuniquepolicies,energyneedsand
resourcesmixandeconomicprioritiesofPennsylvaniasponsorsummarywasadoptedbytheHouse
136to36.
ARIPPAAnniversary:HouseResolution884(OberlanderRArmstrong)declaringtheweekof
August1824AnthraciteRegionIndependentPowerProducersAssociationWeekwasadoptedbythe
Housesponsorsummary.
Senate
AggregateAdvisoryBoard:SenateBill1155(ScarnatiRJefferson)establishinganAggregate
AdvisoryBoardinDEPwaspassedbytheSenate.AsummaryandSenateFiscalNoteareavailable.
ThebillnowgoestotheHouseforaction.
RecreationFees:HouseBill1052(FreemanDLehigh)furtherauthorizesusesforlocalrecreation
feeswasreportedoutoftheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarfor
action.AsummaryandSenateFiscalNoteareavailable.
EliminatingConventionalWellsFromAct13:SenateBill1378(ScarnatiRJefferson)whichwould
eliminateconventionalwellsfromtheAct13drillinglawwasamendedandreportedoutoftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
CrudeAdvisoryCouncil:SenateBill1310(HutchinsonRVenango)creatingthePAGradeCrude
DevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilwithinDEPwasamendedandreportedoutoftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
DrillingOnOtherStateLands:SenateBill1443(WhiteRIndiana)amendingtheIndigenous
MineralResourcesDevelopmentActtoauthorizedstateagencies(otherthanDCNR)toreleasemineral
rightswhethertheyownedthesurfacerightsornotwasamendedandreportedoutoftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,amendedontheSenateFloorandremainsonthe
SenateCalendarforaction.
NewsFromTheCapitol
TheSenateandHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteesWednesdayreportedout
legislationthatwouldremoveconventionaloilandgaswellsfromregulationunderthe2012Act13
drillinglawandmakeDEPdevelopseparateregulationsforconventionalandunconventional(Marcellus
Shale)wells.
WeerredinincludingconventionaloilandgaswellsinAct13,saidSen.JoeScarnati
(RJefferson),primesponsorofSenateBill1378attheSenateEnvironmentalCommitteemeeting.The
intentistotakeconventionalwellsbackoutofAct13.
TherewasasimilardiscussionaboutHouseBill2350(CauserRCameron)intheHouse
EnvironmentalCommitteebeforebothwereamendedtomakeslightchangesandreportedoutoftheir
respectiveCommittees.
Whenitcomestoregulations,itsveryimportanttorecognizethevastdifferencesbetween
conventionaldrillinganddrillingintheMarcellusShale,saidRep.MartinCauser(RCameron),prime
sponsoroftheHouseBill.Conventionalwellsareshallowandhavesignificantlysmallerwellpads.
Theiroverallimpactonthesurroundingenvironmentisfarlessthanthatofdeep,Marcelluswells.Both
typesofdrillingwillcontinuetoberegulatedunderthisbill,butbydifferentiatingbetweenthetwo,we
canprotectagainstoverregulationthatcouldeventuallydriveshallowwellproducersoutofbusiness.
Rep.KathyRapp(RWarren)agreedsaying,Iamverypleasedwearemovingthislegislation
forwardforthesakeofourshallowwellproducersandallofthepeopletheyemploy.Theindustryhas
beenoperatinginnorthwesternPennsylvaniaformorethan150years,andIwouldputthequalityofour
environmentupagainstanyotherinthestate.
Theregulationsbeingdraftednowareexceedinglybroadinanattempttoencompassboth
typesofdrilling,saidRep.MattGabler(RClearfield)acosponsorofthebill.Thedevelopmentof
separateregulationsallowstheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontogobackandlookatboth
kindsofdrillingandadoptsomethingthatisreasonable,relevantandrealisticforeachtypeof
operation.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)asponsoroftheSenateBillsaid,Theconventionaloil
industryisanimportantpartoftheregionaleconomyinnorthwesternPennsylvaniaaneconomythatis
alreadystruggling.Itcannotaffordtobestymiedbyexcessiveandunnecessaryregulatoryburdens.
Technologicaladvancesthathaveallowedforthedevelopmentofpreviouslyinaccessible
formationshavenecessitatedupdatesandrevisionstoPennsylvaniaslawsandregulationsgoverningthis
newunconventionalshalegasindustry.Unfortunately,manyregulatoryandlegislativechangesdidnot
recognizethesignificantdifferencesbetweenconventionalandunconventionalindustries,Sen.
Hutchinsonsaid.ThecouncilcreatedunderSenateBill1310wouldworkwiththeDEPtoensurethat
thedifferencesbetweentheoperationsaretakenintoaccountastheseregulationsandlawsare
developedandimplemented.
TheSenateBillisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.TheHouseBillwasreferredtothe
HouseRulesCommitteeasallbillsarethistimeofyear.
Reaction
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilopposedboththesebillsbecausetheywouldset
differentenvironmentalstandardsforconventionaloilandgaswells.PECalsorecommendedthe
definitionofconventionalandunconventionalwellsshouldbemadebytechnology,notbygeologic
formations.Bothkindsofwellsusefrackingtoincreaseoilandgasproduction,forexample.Click
Hereformorebackground.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommitteeandSen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChair.
Rep.RonMiller(RYork)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommitteeandRep.GregVitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChair.
RelatedStories:
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeOKsLegislativeApprovalOfCarbonEmissionPlan
TheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeWednesdayreportedoutHouseBill2354
(SnyderDFayette)whichrequiresSenateandHouseapprovalofanyplanDEPsubmitstotheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencytoreducegreenhousegasemissionsfromexistingpowerplants.
Thelegislation,HouseBill2354,providesasafetynetforPennsylvaniansonelectricitycosts
andreliability,saidRep.Snyder,amemberoftheEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,
whichsentthemeasuretothefullHouseforconsiderationbyvirtueofa195vote.
Thebilldoesnotaltertheproposedfederalmandatetocutcoalplantscarbondioxide
emissionsby32percentby2030butwouldenlistallstakeholdersandconsiderallstrategiesaswe
moveforward,Rep.Snydersaid.Thestateplanwouldfaceapprovalsbythelegislaturebeforeitcan
besubmittedtothefederalEnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
Rep.Snydersaidcooperationandconsensusaremuchbetterstrategiesthanassumingthatthe
EPAwilldowhatsbestforPennsylvania.
Weneedtoexploreallenergysources,technologiesandoptions,includingadoptingenergy
efficiencyprograms,workingintandemwithothercoalstatesandemployingthebeststrategiesand
dataavailable,Rep.Snydersaid.Theemissioncurbsarecoming,butPennsylvaniahasaresponsibility
toseethattheyworkandthattheyworkinourbestinterest.
Rep.SnydersaidDEPwouldberequiredtoholdpublichearingsacrossthecommonwealth,
includingatlocationsthatwouldfeeldirect,economicimpactsfromthefederalregulations,before
submittingaplantotheGeneralAssembly.
"Pennsylvaniasinputanduniqueenergyblendarecriticaltoprotectingtheaffordabilityand
reliabilityofPennsylvaniaselectricitysupplieswhileimplementingthestandards,"Rep.Snydersaid.
"Federallawprovidesforstateinputandguidanceontheproposedrules,andIaimtomakesurethat
Pennsylvaniasubmitsaplanthatcurbsemissionswhileprotectingjobs,pocketbooksandpower
supplies.
OnTuesday,theHouseoverwhelminglyadoptedRep.SnydersHouseResolution815,which
askstheEPAtoaccordPennsylvaniamaximumflexibilityinaddressingtheproposedemission
standards.
ThebillwasthenreferredtotheHouseRulesCommitteeasallbillsarethistimeofyear.
Reaction
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilopposedthislegislationsayingactionwaspremature
giventheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasjustproposedaruleonthisissueandwhenthere
aresomanyquestionsunansweredaboutwhatitsrequirementswillbe.
PECsupportsinformedandpromptreductionofgreenhousegasemissionsfromallsources
andsectorsacrosstheCommonwealth,andwebelievedecisionsshouldbebasedonpurposeful
analysisanddeliberation,saidDavittWoodwell,ExecutiveVicePresidentofPECinalettertothe
primesponsorRep.PamSnyder.WebelieveHouseBill2354willunbalancethatequationandimpair
Pennsylvaniasabilitytoadvanceastrongandsoundemissionsreductionstrategy,potentiallyforcing
EPAtoimposeitsrulesdirectlyonPennsylvania.
NewsClips:
OpEd:EPAsGreenhouseGasRulesWillHurtSmallBusiness
OpEd:NewEPACarbonRulesWillHurtPA
SupremeCourtUpholdsPowerPlantCarbonCurbs
Editorial:CourtRulingOnEPAClimateRule
SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeOKsCrudeOilCouncil,StateLandsDrillingBills
TheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeWednesdayreportedouttwoadditional
billscreatinganewPAGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilwithinDEPandasecondbill
makingacorrectioninthelawallowingotherstateagenciestoallowdrillingontheirland.Thebills
were
CrudeAdvisoryCouncil:SenateBill1310(HutchinsonRVenango)creatingthePAGradeCrude
DevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilwithinDEPsponsorsummarywasamendedandreportedoutand
DrillingOnOtherStateLands:SenateBill1443(WhiteRIndiana)amendingtheIndigenous
MineralResourcesDevelopmentActtoauthorizedstateagencies(otherthanDCNR)toreleasemineral
rightswhethertheyownedthesurfacerightsornotwasamendedandreportedout.
ThebillsarenowontheSenateCalendarforconsideration.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandSen.John
Yudichak(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChair.
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeOKsBillsOnGas,OilLeasing
TheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeWednesdayreportedouttwobillsrelated
toleasingoilandgasrights.Theywere
ReportingWellProduction:HouseBill2278(PickettRBradford)providingformonthlyreporting
ofoilandgaswellproductionwasamendedand
RecordingWellLeases:HouseBill402(PickettRBradford)furtherprovidingfortherecording
ofoilandgaswellleaseswasamended.
HouseBill2278wasreferredintoandoutofHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedby
theHouse.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
HouseBill402wasreferredtotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.
SenateCommitteeHearsCommentsOnEPAsProposedCarbonReductionReg.
TheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeFridayheldthefirstoftwopublichearings
todiscusstheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysplantocutcarbonpollutionfromnationwide
powerplantsby30percentin2030,comparedto2005levels.
Earlierthismonth,theEPAproposeditsCleanEnergyPolicyaspartofPresidentBarack
ObamasActionPlantoaddressclimatechange.
ThehearingfeaturedtestimonyfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsDeputy
SecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediationwhooverseestheBureauofAirQuality,aswell
asrepresentativesofPennsylvaniaselectric,coalandbusinesssectors.
Thehearingmarkedthefirsttimestatelegislatorsaddressedtheproposedfederalpolicy,which
hasbeenmetwithskepticismfromPennsylvaniascoalindustryandbusinesscommunitywhoarguethat
theproposalwouldincreaseelectricpricesandraisethecostofdoingbusinessinthestate.
Subsequently,environmentalists,includingthosesupportingthesolarandwindsectors,heralded
theadministrationsrecentproposal.
Ithinkitisimperativeforthecommitteetolookattheshortandlongtermeffectsofthis
federalproposalonourenvironmentandoveralleconomy,saidSen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),
MajorityChairoftheCommittee.Thereisarealconcernthatthisregulationcouldbeathreatto
electricreliability.
Inhisopeningstatement,Sen.YawnotedthatwhiletheUnitedStateshasalreadymade
tremendousstridestoreducingitscarbonfootprint,othercountrieshavetakenadifferentapproachwith
increasingcarbonemissions.
Duringhistestimony,VinceBrisini,DeputySecretaryatDEP,discussedaSection111(d)
WhitePaperDEPsubmittedtoEPAwhichprovidesastateframeworkforcleanerair,afueldiverse
energyprofile,lowerelectricpricesandmorejobs.
We(DEP)believesthatthereisawaytodothisinafashionthatallowsthemarketstomake
thesedecisions.Thatallowspeopletoimprovetheircompetitiveness.Webelievethatthereisawayto
dothisthatwecanbemorecompetitiveasanation,andwecanbemorecompetitiveanditpreserves
thefueldiversityandthejobs,saidBrisini.Ourproposalwouldactuallypreservethejobsinthe
powerplants,preservejobsinthemines.Itwouldexpandjobsbecausepeoplewillbeinvestingintheir
assetstoachieveefficiencyimprovements.
JohnPippy,CEOofthePennsylvaniaCoalAllianceandEugeneM.Trisko,Esq.representing
theUnitedMineWorkersofAmerica,reiteratedtheirsupportforHouseBill2354,whichrequiresDEP
toreceiveapprovalfromthePennsylvaniaLegislatureforastateplantoregulateCO2emissionsprior
tosubmittinganyplantotheEPAforapproval.
Since2005,CO2emissionsfromallfossilfueledplantsinPennsylvaniahavedecreasedby9
percent,Triskoadded.EPAsproposalgivesnocredittostatessuchasPennsylvaniathatalready
havereducedtheirCO2emissionsduetomarketdrivenforcessuchasincreasednaturalgasuse,orthe
retirementofexistingcoalunits.
TheCommitteealsoheardfromDanByers,SeniorDirectorofPolicyfortheU.S.Chamberof
CommercesInstitutefor21stCenturyEnergywhohighlightedacommentmadebycurrentSecretary
ofStateJohnKerryontheEPAproposal:
[T]heUnitedStatescannotsolvethisproblemorfootthebillalone.Evenifeverysingle
Americangotonabicycletomorrowandcarpooledinsteadoforcarpooledtoschoolinsteadof
busesorridinginindividualcarsordriving,orrodetheirbiketowork,orusedonlysolarpower
panelsinordertopowertheirhomesifweeach,everyAmerican,plantedadozentreesifwe
eliminatedallofourdomesticgreenhousegasemissionsguesswhat?Thatstillwouldntbeenoughto
counterthecarbonpollutioncomingfromtherestoftheworld.Becausetoday,ifevenoneortwo
economiesneglectstorespondtothisthreat,itcancounter,eraseallofthegoodworkthattherestof
theworldhasdone.WhenIsayweneedaglobalsolution,Imeanweneedaglobalsolution.
Byersfurtheremphasizedthatintheabsenceofsimilaractionsbyothermajoreconomies,U.S.
regulationstoaddresscarbonemissionswillfail,somethingtheEPAandObamaAdministrationare
keenlyawareof.
TheCommitteehasscheduledasecondhearingtodiscussthefederalproposalforAugust21.
Foracompletelistoftestifiers,alongwithtestimonyandhearingVideo/Audio,visittheSenate
EnvironmentalCommitteewebpage.
NewsClips:
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeMAYConsiderBillEliminatingStreamBuffersJuly2
TheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeisscheduledtomeetonJuly2,butthe
agendahasnotbeenannounced.ThereisspeculationHouseBill1565(HahnRNorthampton)which
wouldeliminatetherequirementforforestedstreambufferstocontrolerosionandsedimentationin
specialprotectionwatershedssponsorsummarywillbeontheagenda.
TheChesapeakeBayFoundationPAopposesthislegislationbecauseiteliminatesa
costeffectivewaytoimproveandprotectwaterqualityinPennsylvaniasmostsensitiveandpristine
waterways.ClickHereformoreinformation.
Themeetingwillstartat10:00inRoom205oftheRyanBuilding.
Rep.RonMiller(RYork)servesasMajorityChairandRep.GregVitali(DDelaware)serves
asMinorityChair.
NewsFromAroundTheState
FranklinKuryToReceiveRalphAbeleConservationHeritageAwardJuly14
TheFishandBoatCommissionThursdayannounceditwillpresenttheRalphW.
AbeleConservationHeritageAwardtoformerSenatorFranklinKuryto
recognizehislastingconservationimpactastheauthorandchampionofArticleI,
Section27ofthePennsylvaniaConstitution,alsoknownastheEnvironmental
RightsAmendment.
TheAmendmentsays,Thepeoplehavearighttocleanair,purewater,
andtothepreservationofthenatural,scenic,historicandestheticvaluesofthe
environment.Pennsylvania'spublicnaturalresourcesarethecommonproperty
ofallthepeople,includinggenerationsyettocome.Astrusteeofthese
resources,theCommonwealthshallconserveandmaintainthemforthebenefit
ofallthepeople.
Arguably,thisadditiontothePennsylvaniaConstitutionstandsasoneofthemostimportant
piecesofenvironmentallegislationeverpassedinthestate,saidPFBCExecutiveDirectorJohn
Arway.TheincrediblelegacyofArticle1,Section27,placesMr.Kuryinagroupofthemostnotable
leadersinPennsylvaniasrichconservationhistory.
Theawardwillbepresentedat7p.m.onJuly14aspartofaneveningeventfollowingthefirst
dayofthePFBCsquarterlybusinessmeeting.
TheeveningwillfeatureadiscussiononthesignificanceofArticleI,Section27,andwillbe
moderatedbyPeteDuncan,formerSecretaryoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalResourcesand
formerExecutiveDirectoroftheGameCommission.
ThesessionwillalsoincludeatapedinterviewwithProfessorJohnDernbach,Distinguished
ProfessorofLawatWidenerUniversityandcodirectorofWidenersEnvironmentalLawCenter.
TheAbeleAwardisthehighestrecognitionthePFBCprovidestopersonswhodistinguish
themselvesinthecauseofconservation.ThePFBCestablishedtheawardtorecognizecitizensof
Pennsylvaniawhohavemadeoutstandingcontributionstotheprotection,conservation,and
enhancementoftheaquaticresourcesoftheCommonwealth.
TheeventisopentothepublicandwilltakeplaceatthePFBCsofficeat1601Elmerton
AvenueinSusquehannaTownship.Doorsopenat6:30p.m.Freeparkingisavailable.
WilliamPennFoundationDelawareWatershedInitiativeFormingWorkGroups
TheCoalitionfortheDelawareRiverWatershedthisweekannouncedtheformationfourworkgroups
tocontinuetheworkoftheDelawareRiverWatershedForumheldlastOctoberinPhiladelphiatofocus
onrestorationandprotectionissues.
Thefourgroups:FederalFunding,CompilingaDelawareWatershedBlueprint,Fishand
WildlifeHabitatandMarketingandMessagingToBuildConstituencieswillexamineissuesofinterestto
organizationsacrossthewatershedtohelpdefinepriorities,needs,andstrategiesforaction.
Toexpressinterestinoneormoreworkgroups,contactKimBeidlerbysendingemailto:
kim.beidler@njaudubon.orgorcall6093921182.Workgroupmembersareinvitedtoparticipateinall
callsandmeetings,andwillhelptodefineandadvanceworkgroupobjectives.
TheworkgroupsarepartoftheDelawareRiverWatershedInitiativelaunchedlastyearbythe
WilliamPennFoundation.InApril,theFoundationalsoannouncedtheinvestmentof$35millionin
projectstoprotectandrestorewaterqualitythroughouttheDelawareBasin.
PerkiomenWatershedConservancySeeksAwardNominations
Ensuringthatcommunityeffortstoprotectandimprovethelocalenvironmentarepublicly
acknowledged,thePerkiomenWatershedConservancyinMontgomeryCountyislookingforafew
goodpeople,projectsandorganizationstorecognizewithanEnvironmentalAward.
NominationsaredueJuly31.
Throughcommitmentsoftime,energyandresources,individualsandorganizationsinthe
communityhavemadeapositiveenvironmentalimpactatthelocallevel.It'simportantthatthe
PerkiomenWatershedConservancyacknowledgetheseefforts,sowe'reaskingforyourhelp.By
nominatingsomeone,aprojectoranorganization,you'llletusknowaboutworkthathasmadea
significantcontributiontoimprovingthePerkiomenCreekWatershedorprotectinglocalwater
supplies,"saidBoardmemberGarrettBurch.
TobeeligiblefortheAward,nomineesornominatedprojectsmustbelocatedwithinthe362
squaremilePerkiomenCreekWatershed,comprisedofallorpartof57municipalitieswithin
Montgomery,Berks,BucksandLehighCounties.
Awardswillbegiveninseveralcategories:KidsMakingaDifference,Advocateofthe
Watershed,Corporate,TeachingExcellence,PrestonLuitweilerFriendoftheWatershed,Municipal
andLandUse.
TheawardswillbepresentedattheConservancysEnvironmentalAwardsBanquetand50th
AnniversaryCelebrationtobeheldOctober22.Allnominationswillbejudgedbysitevisitsor
interviewsperformedbythePerkiomenWatershedConservancyEventsCommittee.Anyonemay
makeanominationandallentriesareencouraged.
Formoredetailsandentryform,visitthePerkiomenEnvironmentalAwardwebpageorcontact
SusaninOutreachbycalling6102879383orsendingemailto:outreach@perkiomenwatershed.org.
JuneIssueOfTheCatalystNowAvailableFromSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
TheJuneissueofTheCatalystnewsletterisnowavailablefromtheSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
inBeaver,Butler,Lawrence,Mercer,VenangocountiesandfeaturesstoriesontheJuly19Celebrate
TheBloomprogramattheJenningsEnvironmentalEducationCenter,CleanCreekProductsnow
availableatJennings,spotlightingvolunteerAliceMcLaughlinandtheAugust23LakeArthurRegatta.
20thPARiversConservationAndFlyFishingYouthCampASuccess
The20thPARiversConservationandFlyFishingYouth
CampheldatAllenberryResortinBoilingSprings,
Pennsylvaniawasasuccess!Eachyearthecampteaches32
studentstheimportanceofcoldwaterconservationandthe
sciencebehinditaswellasflyfishingandflytying.
Thisyeareightstudentswerefromstatesotherthan
Pennsylvania.Thecoedcampincludedtwogirls.Whileat
campthestudentscompletedastreamhabitatrepairproject
ontheYellowBreechesCreek.
Attheendofcamp,astudentandagraduatewere
selectedtoreceiveoneoftwoawards.Thisyeartheawards
wentto
LeonChandlerAward:MikeYakichofPittsburghreceivedtheLeonChandlerAwardforhis
leadershipatthecamp.
ThisawardisgiveninmemoryofMr.Chandler,aformerVicePresidentofCortlandLine
CompanyandChairmanoftheBoardofTroutUnlimited,whopassedawayin2004.Leon,ashewas
knowntothestaffandstudents,wasagreatsupporterofthecamp.Theawardisgiventoastudent
whobesttypifiesLeonsideals.
Dr.RobertBehnkeAward:LucasYoung,currentlyresidinginthestateofWashingtonreceived
theDr.RobertBehnkeAwardforhiscontinuedeffortsinsalmonidresearch.LucasattendedtheMaine
campin2004.
EachyearthisawardispresentedtograduatesofthePARiversConservationandFlyFishing
YouthCamporanyotheryouthcampmodeledafterthePennsylvaniaCamp,whohavegoneonto
furtherthecauseofcoldwaterconservation.
RobertJ.Behnke,Ph.D.wasaProfessorofFisheriesConservationandWildlifeBiologyat
ColoradoStateUniversityinFortCollins,Colorado.Heistheauthorofmorethantwohundred
articlesandpapersregardingfishandfisheriesandhasservedonnumerousadvisoryboardsforstate
andfederalagencies.
Bobwastheauthoroftwobooks,TroutandSalmonofNorthAmerica(TheFreePress,New
York,2002)andAboutTrout(TheLyonsPress,Guilford,CT,2007)aswellasnumeroustechnical
publicationsandarticlesinmagazinesandperiodicals.Dr.BehnkehascontributedtheAboutTrout
columntoTroutmagazinesince1983.
Dr.BehnkecametothePennsylvaniaRiversConservationandFlyFishingYouthCampinthe
campssecondyear,1996,atthebehestofcampfoundersDr.JackBeckandInkyMooretospeak
tothestudentsasthecampskeynotespeaker.Hiscontinuedpresenceatthecamp,providinghis
knowledgeontroutbiologyandsalmonidsaroundtheworldprovidedthestudentswithworldclass
insightabouttroutandsalmon.
Dr.BehnkepassedawayinSeptember,2013.TohonorDr.Behnkesmemoryandhisefforts
atthePennsylvaniaCampandcoldwaterandsalmonidconservationingeneral,theawardwillbe
presentedannuallytoagraduateofthePARiversConservationandFlyFishingYouthCamporany
campmodeledafterthePennsylvaniacamp.
BackgroundOnTheRiversCamp
Duringthefivedayresidencecamp,thestudentsareinstructedinecology,aquaticbiology,
geology,hydrogeology,erosionandsedimentationcontrol,ichthyology,ripariancorridorprotection,
watershedmanagement,entomologyandmuchmore.Studentsalsoparticipateinahandsonstream
habitatimprovementproject.
Butitsnotallwork.Flyfishingandflytyingareincluded.Nationallyknowninstructorsteach
thestudentsflycasting,flytying,streametiquette,howtoreadthewater,andofcoursethereis
fishing.ThecampbeginsonSundayandendsthefollowingFriday
Thecampislimitedto32selectedqualifiedstudents,ages14to17.Thethirtytwostudents
wereselectedthroughanapplicationprocesswereexpressedwhytheywantedtoattendcamp.The
competitionforadmissionisfierce.
Thecampcostseachstudent$350fortheentireweek.Allmealsandaccommodationsare
includedfortheresidencecamp.Astudentneednotbeanaccomplishedflyfisherorabuddingaquatic
biologisttoattend.Allthestudentneedstobeishighlymotivatedandwillingtolearn.
TheRiversConservationandFlyFishingYouthCampwasfoundedin1995throughtheefforts
ofthelateDr.JohnR.JackBeckandthelateEnochS.InkyMoore,Jr.,PennsylvaniaFish
Commissioner.Theirgoalwastoselectthirtytwoteenagerseachyearwhoaretheleadersintheir
class.Thethoughtisthattodaysleadersinhighschoolbecometheleaderoftomorrowscommunities.
Inafewshortyearstheywillbethebankers,lawyers,realtors,municipalofficialsandthe
leadersintheircommunities.Ifthecampcanimplantakernelofknowledgeintodaysstudentsabout
theimportanceofcleanwater,whenthosestudentsbecomethedecisionmakersintheircommunitiesit
mayhaveapositiveimpactonhowwaterresourcesareused.
AlumniarewelcometoattendtheThursdayeveningpicnicandsharetheirexperiencessince
theyattendedcamp.
ThehighlysuccessfulcamphasbeenemulatedinMichigan,NorthCarolina,Maine,Montana,
Washington,Arkansas,NewHampshire,Colorado,NewJersey,NewYork,Idaho,Illinois,Oregon,
Tennessee,VermontandVirginia/D.C./Maryland/WestVirginiawithotherstateslookingtostarttheir
ownprograms.
Formoreinformation,visitthePARiversConservationandFlyFishingYouthCampwebsite.
PAResourcesCouncilLookingForVolunteersForReUseFest,HHWEvent
ThePAResourcesCouncilislookingforvolunteerstohelpwiththeJune28ReUseFestinMt.
Lebanon,nearPittsburghandahouseholdhazardouswastecollectioneventonJuly12atCalifornia
UniversityinCalifornia,PA.
TovolunteerfortheReUseFest,contactSarahSheaat4124887490ext.236orsendemail
to:saraha@prc.orgtosignup!Breakfastandlunchwillbeprovided.
TovolunteerfortheJuly12HHWcollectionevent,contactMichaelStepanikat4124887490
ext.213orsendemailto:michaels@prc.orgtosignup!Volunteerswillreceivebreakfastandlunchand
freeHHWdisposal(upto10gallonsa$20value).
KeepYorkBeautifulPartnersInTheLitterLetterProject
KeepYorkBeautifulrecentlyparticipatedinaprogressive
artprojectdesignedtoengagepeopleinbeingthoughtful
aboutthetrashandlitterintheirenvironmentanditsimpact.
TheCulturalAllianceofYorkCounty,York
CollegeofPennsylvania,WorkingClassYork,theCityof
YorkandKeepYorkBeautifulbroughttheLitterLetter
Project,createdbygraphicdesignerandeducatorRachael
Hatleyasatoolforsocialchangetoaddressthelitter
collecteddailyinfrontherpropertyalongthehighwayin
Louisiana,toYork.
TheLitterLetterProjectisa3Dmessagingsystem
ofsixfoottalllettersconstructedfromchickenwireandrebar,filledwithlittercollectedfromroadsand
highways,anddisplayedinpublicplacestoprovokeresponse,thoughtandaction.
ThetrashtofillthelettersspellingCHANGEcamefromseveralcleanupsheldintheCityof
York.Thoseparticipatinginlocalcleanupsinclude:YorkCollege,TheParliament,CubScoutPack
#822,ShadowfaxCorporation,YorkAcademyRegionalCharterSchoolssecondgradeclassand
YorkCityPublicWorks.
TheartisdisplayedattheintersectionofSouthGeorgeandRathtonRoadinYorkthroughthe
endofAugust.Volunteershelpedtofilltheletterswithtrashonsite.
RachelHatleyistheKeynoteSpeakerfortheCulturalAllianceofYorksImpactArts&
CultureConferencebeingheldatYorkCollegeofPennsylvaniaonJune27.
July1HearingOnCleanupPlanForFormerTunneltonLiquidsSite,IndianaCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionismovingtohaltthepotentialuncontrolledreleaseof
untreatedwaterandsludgefromtheformerTunneltonLiquidsCompany(TLC)siteinTunnelton,
IndianaCounty.
TLCtreatedleachatefromacoalrefusedisposalareaandwastewaterfromoilandgasdrilling
activities.ThecompanyhaltedoperationsonApril17,2014.Withnoactivityatthefacility,untreated
waterandsludgeisaccumulatinginapondonthesitewhichcouldoverflowintotheConemaughRiver.
Thereisadditionalconcernthatresiduefoundinpartsofthesitemaycontainhazardoussubstances
UsingtheauthorityoftheHazardousSitesCleanupAct(HSCA),DEPhasinitiatedaresponse
attheTunneltoncompanysite.Theagencybelievesthatthereisanimminentthreattohumanhealthand
theenvironmentifthewaterandsludgefromapondonthesiteweretooverflowintotheriver.
DEPhasdevelopedaplandesignedtopreventanuncontrolleddischargeintotheriver.
ApublichearinghasbeenscheduledforJuly1at6:30p.m.attheTunneltonVolunteerFire
Departmentlocatedat76East3rdAve.,Saltsburg,Pa.
Membersofthepublicwillhaveanopportunitytoprovidetestimonyatthehearing.Those
wishingtomakecommentsshouldregisterinwritingwithCommunityRelationsCoordinatorJohn
PoisterincareofDEPsSouthwesternRegionalOffice,400WaterfrontDrive,Pittsburgh,PA15222,
orbyphoneat4124424203beforenoononthedayofthehearing.Therewillalsobeanopportunity
toregisteronsiteontheeveningofthehearing.
ThoseunabletoattendthehearingshouldsubmitwrittencommentstoTerryGoodwald,Project
Manager,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,400WaterfrontDrive,Pittsburgh,PA15222.The
publiccommentperiodforthiscleanupplanwillcloseAugust22,2014.
VideoOfJune26DEPOilAndGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardMeetingToBeOnline
TwowebinarsandaYouTubevideooftheJune26meetingoftheDEPOilandGasTechnical
AdvisoryBoardwillbeavailableonDEP'swebsiteforondemandviewing.
Theboardmeetingfeaturedtwodiscussionsofinteresttothepublicandregulatedcommunity.
Themorningsessionofthemeetingfeaturedadiscussionofthecommentsreceivedfrommorethan
24,000individualsonproposednewregulationsregardingsurfaceactivitiesrelatedtooilandgaswell
development.
TheProposedRulemaking:EnvironmentalProtectionPerformanceStandardsatOilandGas
WellSites(25Pa.CodeChapter78SubchapterC),wouldsetnewrequirementsrelatedtooilandgas
operationstoensureincreasedprotectionofpublichealth,safetyandtheenvironment.
Awebinaronthediscussionwillbepostedhere.
Inaddition,avideoofthemorningsessionwillbepostedtoDEP'sYouTubeChannel.
Theafternoonsessionofthemeetingfeaturedadiscussionofconceptsforannewrulemaking
relatedtocasing,cementing,andpluggingofoilandgaswells(25Pa.CodeChapter78SubchapterD).
Thatwebinarwillbeavailablehere.
Informationabouttheproposedrulemakingincludingtranscriptsofpreviouspublichearingsand
webinars,isavailableonDEPsOilandGasSurfaceRegulationswebpage.
CopiesofavailablehandoutsfromthemeetingareontheOilandGasTechnicalAdvisory
Boardwebpage.
(ReprintedfromtheJune26issueofDEPNews.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyorto
readbackissues.)
PhiladelphiaGasWorksUnveilsFleetOfNaturalGasVehicles
DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzowasonhandonJune18fortheunveilingofPhiladelphiaGas
Works'newfleetofnaturalgaspoweredsedans.
"IwouldliketocongratulatePGWformakingthisdecisiontousecompressednaturalgas,an
abundant,affordable,cleanburning,domesticfuelthatishelpingtoputPennsylvaniaandthiscountryon
apathtoenergyindependence,"Abruzzosaid.
Thefleetincludes24HondaCivicsedans,designedandbuilttorunsolelyonCompressed
NaturalGas(CNG).CNGpoweredvehiclesreduceemissionsofthemostharmfulpollutants,aswell
asofcarbonmonoxide,bymorethan90percent.Inaddition,naturalgasvehiclesemit13to21
percentfewergreenhousegasesthancomparablegasolineanddieselvehicles.
In2013,theDEPawarded$10millioningrantsthroughitsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrant
(AFIG)program.PGWreceived$240,000fromtheAFIGprogram.
TolearnmoreaboutPGWscommitmenttoexpandingtheNGVmarket,availablegrantsand
technology,visitthePhiladelphiaGasWorkswebsite.
(ReprintedfromtheJune26issueofDEPNews.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyorto
readbackissues.)
PAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityFundingWorkshopsinNorthcentralPAJuly1417
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitesnonprofitcorporations,schools,collegesand
universities,andlocalgovernments,publiccorporations,forprofitbusinessesandauthoritiestoattend
oneofthreePAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityfundingworkshopsinnorthcentralPennsylvania.
Theworkshopswillbeheldfrom10a.m.untilnoon,atthefollowinglocations:
July14,attheCentreCountyRecyclingandRefuseAuthorityInterpretiveCenter,253Transfer
Road,Bellefonte,CentreCounty
July16,attheNorthumberlandCountyAdministrationCenter,399S.5thSt.,Sunbury,
NorthumberlandCountyand
July17,atDEPsNorthcentralRegionalOffice,208W.3rdSt.,Williamsport,LycomingCounty.
OnJune12,Gov.Corbettannouncedanestimated$12.5millionisnowavailablethrough
PEDAtoprovidefundingforthedeploymentofadvancedenergyprojectsandforbusinessesinterested
inlocatingorexpandingtheiralternativeenergymanufacturingorproductionoperationsinthe
Commonwealth.
PEDAanticipatesawardingapproximately$10millionforrenewableenergyprojectssuchas
wind,hydropower,solar,andbiomass,alongwithdemandmanagementmeasuresincludingenergy
recovery,energyefficiency,andloadmanagement.
Thisisthefirstfinancialassistanceofferingsince2010byPEDA,anindependentpublic
financingauthoritycreatedin1982.Theauthority'smissionistofinanceadvancedenergyprojectsin
Pennsylvania.
Thefreeinformationalworkshops,allwiththesamecontent,arebeingheldtoassistpotential
applicantslearnmoreaboutPEDAfundingeligibilityandrequirements.Presentationswillincludea
demonstrationoftheonlineeGrantsapplicationprocess.
ThedeadlinetoapplyforgrantmoneyisAugust15.
SeatingislimitedandthedeadlinetoregisterisJuly10.Toregister,pleaseprovideattendees
name,organization,email,andworkshopdatetoDEPNorthcentralEnergyManagerMichelle
Ferguson,bysendingemailto:miferguson@pa.gov,orbycalling5703273783.
Formoreinformationandtoapplyforthegrants,visitthePAEnergyDevelopmentAuthority
webpage.
DEPExtendsDeadlineForCleanDieselGrantProgramToJuly11
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhasextendedthedeadlineforapplicationsforthe
PennsylvaniaCleanDieselGrantProgramuntilJuly11.(formalnotice)
TheDepartmentisseekingapplicationsforprojectsthatwillreplace,repowerorretrofitfleet
dieselpoweredhighwayandnonroadvehicles.
Fundingisavailableforpublicandprivateentitiesthatoperatedieselpoweredfleetsthroughout
thisCommonwealth.Theseentitiesmayincludeschooldistricts,municipalauthorities,political
subdivisions,otherStateagencies,nonprofitentities,corporations,limitedliabilitycompaniesor
partnershipsincorporatedorregisteredinthisCommonwealth.
ProjectsmustusetechnologiescertifiedorverifiedbytheEPAortheCaliforniaAirResources
Boardtolowerdieselemissions.Thetechnologymaybeasingletechnologyoracombinationof
availabletechnologies.Themajorityofthefleet'sannualoperationtimemustoccurwithinthis
Commonwealth.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPsDieselRetrofitInformationwebpage.
LancasterReceivesSustainableCommunityCertificationFromPAMunicipalLeague
TheCityofLancasterreceivedtheSustainablePennsylvaniaCommunityCertificationunderthePA
MunicipalLeaguesnewstatewideprogram.
Lastweek,PMLannouncedtheinitiativedesignedformunicipalitiesthatareworkingtosave
money,conserveresources,andservevibrantcommunities.
TheLeagueadministeredprogramisafree,voluntaryonlinecertificationsystemthatprovidesa
structureandperformanceplatformforrecognitionofmunicipalitiesastheyembracesustainablepolicies
andprograms.
LancasterisrecognizedattheGoldlevelofcertificationformeetingtheprogram'srigorous
performancecriteria,whichtracks131policiesandpracticesthatdefineasustainablecommunity.
Planningforthepresentandthefuturerequiresasustainableapproach.
ToberecognizedasaGoldSustainablePACommunityisanhonor,butitisalsoachallengeto
domore,saidLancasterMayorJ.RichardGray.Sustainablecommunitiesareattractivetocurrent
andfutureresidentsandbusinesses.Sustainableequateswithsuccessful.
InearningtheGoldcertification,Lancasterisacknowledgedforitsprogressinaddressingsuch
areasascommunitydesignandlanduse,energyefficiency,healthandwellness,mitigatingblight,
intergovernmentalcooperation,recyclingandwastereduction,fiscalcontrols,andinternalmanagement
andoperations.
TheCityofLancaster,undertheleadershipofMayorGray,hasbeenaleaderininnovation
andprogressivelocalgovernmentpractices.Itisfittingtheywouldbethefirstmunicipalitytoachieve
GoldstatusviathisnewPMLinitiative,SustainablePA,saidPMLExecutiveDirectorRichardJ.
Schuettler.
DetailsregardinghowLancasterCityisaddressingtheseareasandinformationabouttheir
certificationperformancecanbefoundonthecertificationprogramswebpage.
Othercommunitiescertifiedundertheprograminclude:
GoldCertification:BaldwinBorough,ConnellsvilleCity,CranberryTownship,DormontBorough,
ForestHillsBorough,LancasterCity,LatrobeBorough,MonacaBorough,MoonTownship,
MunicipalityofPennHills,ScottTownship,UpperSt.ClairTownship
SilverCertification:EdgewoodBorough,EtnaBorough,FindlayTownship,HeidelbergBorough,
MillvaleBorough,Mt.Lebanon,PetersTownship,WestHomesteadBorough
BronzeCertification:SharpsburgBorough,SwissvaleBorough,TarentumBoroughand
AssociateCertification:CollierTownship,EastMcKeesportBorough,HarmonyBorough,
HarrisonTownship.
ClickHerefordescriptionsofeachofthecommunities.
ASustainablePennsylvaniaCommunityCertificationisintendedtobringrecognitionto
municipalitiesthatareapplyingthepolicyandpracticeofsustainabilityastheirwayofoperatinginorder
toadvancecommunityprosperity.Italsoservesasamechanismforsharingbestpracticesforcreating
amoresustainablePennsylvania.
PEMAFireCompany,VolunteerAmbulanceServicesGrantsDueOct.23
ThePAEmergencyManagementAgencyisnowacceptingapplicationsforFireCompanyand
VolunteerAmbulanceServicesGrantsthroughOctober23.(formalnotice)ClickHereformore
information.
DEPOffersOnlineRefresherTrainingProgramForXRayEquipmentOperators
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayannouncedithaspartneredwithaprofessorof
healthphysicsfromBloomsburgUniversitytodeveloprefreshertrainingmaterialsforoperatorsofXray
equipmentwhoconductlowriskproceduressuchasgeneralradiographyanddentalXrays.
Continuedradiationprotectiontrainingcanreducethenumberandseriousnessofaccidents
associatedwithXrayusage,DEPBureauofRadiationProtectionDirectorDaveAllardsaid.Soitis
importantthatXrayoperatorsretainandfurtherdeveloptheirskillstocontinuouslyimprovesafety
practicesandprotectpatientsandpublichealth.
DEPregulationsrequireoperatorstodocumentthattheyhavecompletedarecommendedtwo
contacthoursorfourunitsofcontinuingeducationeveryfouryearsinspecializedsubjectareassuchas
sourcesofradiationexposureandmethodsofprotection.Thesubjectareasshouldbeapplicabletothe
procedurestheyperformandequipmenttheyuse.
GenerictrainingmaterialsforlowriskprocedureshavebeendevelopedforDEPbya
BloomsburgUniversityprofessorofhealthphysicstoassistXrayequipmentregistrantsinensuringthe
continuingeducationregulatoryrequirementsaremetforthesafeoperationofXraysystems.
Includedintherefreshertrainingmaterialspostedonlineareafactsheet,PowerPoint
presentationandassociatedtrainingnotesthatcanbedownloadedatnocost.
TherefreshertrainingprogramisavailabletoXrayequipmentoperatorsonDEPswebsiteby
goingtotheXrayRefresherTrainingwebpage.
Foradditionalinformation,contactDEPsBureauofRadiationProtectionat7177873720.
June26DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheJune26issueofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
featuringstoriesaboutthenewChesapeakeBayAgreement,theCommonwealthsuingmajoroil
companiesforMTBEdamages,upcomingPAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityworkshopsandmore.
ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyortoreadbackissues.
PAHorticulturalSocietyOffersTreeTenderTrainingThisFallInSoutheast
ThePAHorticulturalSocietyisofferingafullscheduleofTreeTendertrainingsessionsthisFallinthe
Southeasttoteachresidentsofthe5countyPhiladelphiaareahowtoplantandcarefortreesintheir
communities.ClickHereforthefullscheduleoftrainingsessionsandregistrationinformation.
VolunteerGroupsHostFreeConcerts,FestivalsInPAsStateParks
FromBluegrassConcertsandBiathlonstoStarParties,FestivalsandevenaPioneerFrolic,the
volunteergroupswithPAParksandForestFoundationarehostingonawidevarietyoffreeeventsat
Pennsylvaniasstateparksandforeststhissummer.
TheseFREEeventsaredesignedtoengageaudiencesofallages,bringingthepublicouttothe
parkstocelebratethetreasureofPennsylvanias120stateparksand2.2millionacresofforestland.
WeapplaudtheworkofourFriendsgroupstoconnectpeopletotheoutdoorsthroughawide
varietyofevents.Withsomanyoptions,thereisnoexcusetostayhome,saidPPFFPresidentMarci
Mowery.
Bestofall,Mowerysays,theseeventsareopentothepublicfreeofchargeagreatresource
forfamilieswithlimitedincomestoenjoytheoutdoorstogether.
Thereare36activevolunteerFriendsgroupsworkingunderPPFFsumbrellainstateparks
andforestsacrossthestate,doingeverythingfromtrailmaintenanceandeducationalprogrammingto
fundraisingforplaygroundsandparkbenches.
PPFFFriendsGroupsEventsforSummer2014
June2629:StarParty,CherrySpringsDarkSkyAssociation
June2829:PioneerFrolic,FriendsofGoddardStatePark
July46:BirthdayPartyWeekend,FriendsofPrinceGallitzinStatePark
July6:MusicontheMountain(EricaLynEverest&SecondTimeThru),FriendsofKingsGap
EEC
July12:MusicintheGapatCowansGapStatePark(ThePositronicCats),sponsoredbyPPFF
July1920:29thSummerFestival,FriendsofBlackMoshannonStatePark
August23:OldHomeDayswiththeFriendsofGreenwoodFurnacePark
August3:LaurelHillAdventureRace,FriendsofLaurelHillStatePark
August3:MusicontheMountainwithWaltCrider&theOldTimeWayandBaileysCrossing,
FriendsofKingsGapEnvironmentalEducationCenter
August810:ChristmasinSummerattheCampground,FriendsofPrinceGallitzinStatePark
August9:Biathlon,FriendsofOilCreekStatePark
August9:MusicintheGapwithMistyMountainatCowansGapStatePark,sponsoredbyPPFF
August1617:MusicattheMarina,FriendsofGoddardStatePark
August1617:BluegrassFestival,FriendsofLaurelHillStatePark
August1617:CCCReunionandFestival,PromisedLandStatePark
August17:DiscGolfTournament,FriendsofCanoeCreekStatePark
August2224:BlackForestStarParty,CherrySpringsDarkSkyAssociation
August24:YouthFieldDay,FriendsofMt.PisgahStatePark
August30September1:CamperAppreciationWeekend,FriendsofPrinceGallitzinStatePark
September6:Military&FamiliesAppreciationDay,PennsylvaniaParks&ForestsFoundation
September67:MusicintheMountains,FriendsofOhiopyleStatePark
Foracompletelistofconcerts,festivalsandotherFriendsGroupeventsatPennsylvaniastate
parksandforeststhissummer,visitthePPFFEventsCalendarwebpage.
June25ResourceNewsletterNowAvailableFromDCNR
TheJune25issueoftheResourcenewsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResources.ClickHeretoreadacopyandtosignuptoreceiveyourown(atthebottom
ofthewebpage).
StatewideSurveyOfReptiles,AmphibiansUnderwayInPA
Maybeyouregularlycrosspathswithawoodturtleortwowhileheadingbacktothatfavoritebrook
troutstreamtuckedawayinthehardwoods.
Orperhapsyoukeepuncoveringredbacksalamanderswhileremovingthatdecayingwoodpile
fromthebackyard.
AndthentheresthaterrantNorthernringneckedsnakethatseemstodelightincheckingout
yourgarage.
LiveinPennsylvaniaandyouseeyourshareofreptilesandamphibians.Enjoyitsoutdoorsand
youseelotsofthem.Butwhatexactlyareyouseeingandwhenandwhereareyouseeingthem?
Thereisacadreofdedicatedfolkswhowanttohearwhatyoureseeing.
EntertheongoingPAAmphibianandReptileSurveyorPARS.Thinkofitasaninformalcensus
byscientiststotakethepulseofallthatdart,hop,paddle,plodandslitherintoyouroutdoorsworld.It
isanimportantstatesponsoredatlasprojectlaunchedin2013.
PARSisdesignedtodeterminethedistributionandstatusofallamphibiansandreptiles
throughoutPennsylvania,buildinguponpreviousatlaseffortsandcombiningmoderntechnologywithan
armyofvolunteercitizenscientists.
TheprojectisajointventurebytheFishandBoatCommissionandtheMidAtlanticCenterfor
HerpetologyandConservation.Itisfundedbythecommission,throughitsU.S.Fish&WildlifeService
StateWildlifeGrantsProgram,andDCNR,throughitsWildlifeResourcesConservationProgram.
Itisaprojectthatyoucanparticipateinbykeepingtrackofanyamphibiansorreptilesthat
youseeinthefieldduringyourdailyworkduties,outdoorsrecreationortimespentinyourbackyard,
saidAuraStauffer,wildlifebiologistwiththeBureauofForestrysEcologicalServicesSection.Evenif
youhavenoideawhatthespeciesis,justtakeapicture.Besidesapictureasavoucher,youwillalso
needtodocumentthecoordinatesforwherethespecieswasfoundandsomebasichabitatinformation.
ThePARSwebsiteasksallthedatayouwillneedtoknow.Thereisalsoamobilephoneapp
thatcanbeusedinthefieldtoimmediatelyreportdatainplaceswherethereisgoodcellphoneservice.
Dataforsensitivespeciesthreatenedorendangeredwillnotbeavailableforthepublictoview.
Wearehopingmorefolkswillparticipateinthismostworthyendeavorandpassinformation
alongtoothersacrossthestatewhomaybeinterestedinhelpingout,Stauffersaid.Everyoneshelpis
invaluable.
(ReprintedfromtheJune25issueoftheDCNRResourcenewsletter.ClickHeretoreadacopy
andtosignuptoreceiveyourown(atthebottomofthewebpage.)
PUCChairRobertPowelsonElectedPresidentOfRegionalUtilityCommissionGroup
PublicUtilityCommissionChairmanRobertF.PowelsonWednesdaywassworninasPresidentofthe
MidAtlanticConferenceofRegulatoryUtilitiesCommissioners.
ImthrilledtoexpandmyrolewithMACRUCandcontinuetoworktowardadvancementand
uniformityofpublicutilityregulationthroughouttheMidAtlanticregion,saidChairmanPowelson.Its
importanttoworkwithotherstatepublicutilitycommissionsandfederaldepartmentstocollaborate,
enhanceandsupportthepublicinterestandourindustry.Imhonoredtohavebeenchosentoleadthis
organization.
ChairmanPowelsonservedasFirstVicePresidentofMACRUCfromJune2013untilhis
recentelection.HehasbeenhighlyactivewiththeorganizationsincetakingofficeasaPUC
Commissionerin2008.
InadditiontohisrolewithMACRUC,ChairmanPowelsonservesasthechairoftheNational
AssociationofRegulatoryUtilityCommissionersCommitteeonWater.Inaddition,hehasbeen
appointedtorepresentthatcommitteeonNARUCsTaskForceonClimatePolicy.Healsoisa
memberoftheNARUCCommitteeonCriticalInfrastructureandamemberoftheNARUC
SubcommitteeonNuclearIssuesWasteDisposal.
ChairmanPowelsonhasservedonthePennsylvaniaPUCsinceJune2008,whenhewasfirst
nominatedbyGov.EdwardG.Rendelltofilltheremainderofanunexpiredterm.TheSenate
unanimouslyconfirmedChairmanPowelsontoserveasCommissionerinJune2008,andhewas
renominatedbyGov.RendellforafullfiveyeartermonFeb.12,2009,onceagainbeingunanimously
confirmedbytheSenate.
InFebruary2011,Gov.TomCorbettappointedPowelsonPUCChairman,andhis
renominationforasecondfiveyeartermwasunanimouslyconfirmedinMarch2014.Histermwill
expireApril1,2019.
ChairmanPowelsonalsoservesasamemberoftheMarcellusShaleAdvisoryCommissionand
previouslyservedasPresidentoftheChesterCountyChamberofBusiness&Industryfrom1994to
2008.
ChairmanPowelsonholdsaBachelorofAdministrationdegreefromSt.JosephsUniversity
andaMasterofGovernmentalAdministrationdegreefromtheUniversityofPennsylvania,witha
concentrationinpublicfinance.In2013,ChairmanPowelsonwasnominatedtoserveontheBoardof
TrusteesatDrexelUniversity.
Covanta'sWaffenschmidtReappointedToDEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
CovantaThursdayannouncedJohnG.Waffenschmidt,VicePresidentofEnvironmentalScienceand
CommunityAffairs,hasbeenreappointedtotheDEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard.
TheEJABischargedwithoverseeingtheimplementationofDEP'sEnhancedPublic
ParticipationPolicytoprotectthehealthoflocalcommunities,especiallycommunitieswiththegreatest
concentrationofenvironmentalrisks.
Amongthegroup'sobjectivesistoensurethattheDEPmaintainsaproactiveapproachto
EnvironmentalJusticewithinthestate,andincreasethelevelofenvironmentalmonitoringinlowincome
andminoritycommunities.
"I'mthrilledtohavebeenreappointedtotheEJABandtocontinueourworkservingthecitizens
ofPennsylvania,"saidWaffenschmidt."AtCovanta,werecognizeourresponsibilitytoaddressthe
concernsofthecommunitiesinwhichweoperateandtoraiseawarenessforEJissues,suchasthose
reviewedintheEJAB."
Covanta'sEnergyfromWastefacilitiesprovideasafeandsustainablewastedisposalmethod
thatissuperiortolandfills,reducesgreenhousegasesandproducesclean,renewableenergyfromsolid
waste.
Thecompanycontinuestoworktoaddresstheneedsofcommunitiesbymaintaininghealthy
relationshipsandconstructiveinteractionwithcommunityleaders,clientsandothersinterestedinfacility
operations.
Covantaisoneofonlyafewpubliclytradedcompanieswhichhaveadoptedacomprehensive
EJpolicy.
"WetrulyvalueJohn'stremendousexperienceandobviouspassionforaddressing
environmentaljusticeissuesandencouragingthecooperationofindustriesandcommunities,"saidDEP
SecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzo."Welookforwardtohiscontinuedinvolvementandgreatly
appreciatehisdedicatedservicetotheCommonwealth."
CovantaownsoroperatesfiveenergyfromwastefacilitiesinPennsylvaniainDauphin,
Delaware,Lancaster,MontgomeryandYorkcounties.
InadditiontohisworkatCovanta,WaffenschmidtalsoservestheProductStewardship
InstituteAdvisoryCouncil,theRegionalPlanAssociation,LongIslandChapter,andwasamemberof
theoriginalworkgroupthathelpedestablishthePAEJAB.
Healsoparticipatesindifferentpolicyforumsandgiveslecturesrelatedtosustainability.His
secondconsecutivetwoyeartermwillextendthrough2016.
EPAsReginaPoeskiWinsPrestigiousAwardForProtectingWetlands
ReginaPoeske,aresidentofDoylestown,MontgomeryCounty,andtheWetlandsEcologistforthe
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,receivedtheEdwardT.RedHeinenWetlandsAward,
EPAsmostprestigiousnationalawardrecognizingsuperiorworktoprotectwetlands.
TheawardisnamedafterahighlyrespectedleaderfromtheformativeyearsofEPAs
WetlandsProgram.ItispresentedannuallytothepersonfromEPAsnationwideWetlandsProgram
whobestexemplifiesthehighstandardsandpersonaldedicationtowetlandsprotectionthat
characterizedRedsyearswithEPA.Itacknowledgesthosepeoplewhoseworkandattitudebest
contributestoEPAsenvironmentalandpublicservicegoals.
ReginaisatirelesschampionofwetlandsprotectionhereinthemidAtlanticregion,andher
expertiseisoftenrequestedduringthedevelopmentofnationalwetlandsprotocols,saidEPARegional
AdministratorShawnM.Garvin.Herscientificknowledge,leadershipabilitiesandconsensusbuilding
skillshavehelpedminimizenegativeimpactstowetlandsineverycornerofourregion.
Duringher25yeartenureatEPA,Reginahasservedonnationalteamsonemergingissuesin
dataanalysis,participatedinnationalpilotprojectsaimedatassessingtheimpactstowetlands,tackled
contentiouswetlandissues,andworkedtomakesurethatenvironmentaljusticeissueswereaddressed
inEPAswork.
Ihaveapassionforwetlandsandforworkingwithcuttingedgeresearcherstointegrate
scienceintoourpracticalmanagementofwetlands,Reginasaid.
HighlightsofReginascareerincludetheKingWilliamReservoirinVirginia,andcriticalsupport
totheNationalWetlandsMonitoringandAssessmentProgram.
ShehasprovidedenvironmentalimpactanalysistraininginternationallytotheAfricannationsof
Mali,SouthAfricaandMorocco.ReginahasalsoeducatedforeignstudentsinvitedtotheU.S.for
wetlandstraining.
Poeskeisa1981graduateofArchbishopWoodHighSchoolinWarminster,anda1985
graduateofStocktonStateCollegeinStockton,N.J.whereshereceivedabachelorofsciencedegree
inMarineScience.
Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming
advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased
July1NEW.DEPhearingonTunneltonLiquidsCompanyHazardousWasteSite,IndianaCounty.
TunneltonVolunteerFireDepartment,76East3rdAve.,Saltsburg.6:30.(formalannouncement)
July9CANCELED.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:30.(formalnotice)
July9AgendaReleased.DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00.
IrwinCar,EquipmentDynamometer
Section412(b)trainingforminers
InterpretationofPolicyManual
RhomacMicrotraxxcomponentchange
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts
July15EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
July15DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
July16CANCELED.DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:30.
July23DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
July30DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LTBA.
August5DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DelawareRoom,RachelCarson
Building.8:30.
August7DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.
August12DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
August20DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
September9CANCELED.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
IndustrialParkRoad,Ebensburg.10:00.(formalnotice)
September10NEW.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
September24NEW.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
October15DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard.14thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition
programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.
June30SustainableEnergyFundZeroPercentFinancingProgram
June30DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebateProgram
June30PennDOTMultiModalTransportationProjects
June30DCNRWildResourceConservationGrants
June30PAHorticulturalSocietyGardeningAndGreeningContest
July1NortheastPAEnvironmentalPartnersLeadershipAwards
July3PROP2014RecyclingFilmFestival
July11DEPGrowingGreenerWatershedRestorationGrants
July11EXTENDED.DEPCleanDieselGrantProgram
July11CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram
July11CFARenewableEnergyProgram
July11CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram
July14ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
July21CFASewageFacilitiesProgram
July21CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatement
July21CFAWatershedRestorationProtection
July21CFABaselineWaterQualityDataProgram
July21CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreation
July21CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPlugging
July21CFAFloodMitigationProgram
July31NEW.PerkiomenWatershedEnvironmentalAwards
August15DEPSection902RecyclingGrants
August15PAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityCleanEnergyFunding
August15PAHouseAuthorityMarcellusHousingFundingRFP
September3PPFF2014PhotoContest
September19SoutheastPATreeVitalizeWatershedGrants
September22CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram
September22CFARenewableEnergyProgram
September22CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram
October23NEW.PEMAFireCompany&AmbulanceServicesGrants
October31HawkMountainSanctuaryDigitalPhotoContest
October31PRCLensOnLitterPhotoContest
VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance
forenvironmentalprojects.
Budget/QuickNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
June26issueofDEPNews
June25DCNRResourceNewsletter
Budget
Other
Editorial:PittsburghMustGetToughOnIllegalDumping
Media,PUCHeatToCourtOverOpenRecordsIssue
DEP:HBGScrapYardFireNotToxic
CompanyRespondsToDeceptiveElectricityMarketingCharges
StateBillWouldFurtherProtectElectricCustomers
EducationForSchoolsOnSavingEnergy
CompaniesPresentTechnologyAtAlleghenySolarFestival
ReactorShutdownAtPPLPlant
PAInfrastructureGrade:CMinus
ParkToRiseOnForlornDelawarePierInPhilly
GreenwaySojournStopsInConnellsville
Editorial:OpenSpaceWorthCost
AsWeatherHeatsUp,LymeDiseaseThreatIncreases
GameCommissionCollectsRecipesForCookbook
KidsLearnTheArtOfFlyFishing
BillWouldAuthorizeSemiAutomaticWeaponsForHunting
RegalFritillaryButterflyToursAtFortIndiantownGap
DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling
RailSafetyLegislationInLimboInU.S.Senate
ShellCrackerPlantCouldBeBigEmitter
HouseBillWouldRequireMonthlyGasProductionReports
CCACCampusToOfferEnergyCourses
LackawannaCollegeToutsDrillingPrograms
Financial/OtherStates
EPAWithholdingReportOnEarthquakes,DisposalWells
Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
Flooding
AgnesFloodDocumentaryBackInWorks
OtherWatershedNewsClips
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDEPBoardofCoalMineSafetypublishednoticeoffinalregulationssettingrequirementsfor
highvoltagecontinuousminingmachines.
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardpublishednoticeoffinalregulationssettingemissionlimitsforflexible
packagingprintingpresses,adhesives,sealants,primersandsolvents.
PennsylvaniaBulletinJune28,2014
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheGovernorsOfficepublishedformalnoticeofExecutiveOrder201405ontheLeasingofState
ForestandStateParkLandforOilandGasDevelopment.
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcespublishednoticeofexecutionofanoilandgas
leaseforpubliclyownedstreambedsinButlerandGreenecounties(PABulletin,page3929).
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings
areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar
webpage.
NOTE:It'sBudgetTime,sowatchforlotsoflastminuteSenate,HouseCommitteemeetings!
July1NEW.DEPhearingonTunneltonLiquidsCompanyHazardousWasteSite,IndianaCounty.
TunneltonVolunteerFireDepartment,76East3rdAve.,Saltsburg.6:30.(formalannouncement)
July2NEW.HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteewillmeetagendatobe
announced.HouseBill1565(HahnRNorthampton)whichwouldeliminatetherequirementfor
forestedstreambufferstocontrolerosionandsedimentationinspecialprotectionwatershedssponsor
summary.Room205RyanBuilding.10:00.
July8HouseConsumerAffairsCommitteeholdsahearingonthePAAmericanWaterNorristown
WaterTreatmentPlant.WestNorritonTwp.Building,1630W.MarshallSt.,Jeffersonville.11:00.
July9CANCELED.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
July9AgendaReleased.DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00.
July15EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
July15DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
July16CANCELED.DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:30.
July23DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
July30DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LTBA.
July2325PROPRecyclingandOrganicsConference.DoubleTreePittsburghMeadowLands,
Washington,PA.
August5DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DelawareRoom,RachelCarson
Building.8:30.
August7DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.
August12DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
August20DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
September9CANCELED.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
September10NEW.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
September24NEW.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
September25PennStateExtensionYouthWaterEducatorsSummit.TheCentralHoteland
ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October15DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard.14thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor
EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state
budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof
EnvironmentalEducators'website.
SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule
YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.
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organizations.
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