Pa Environment Digest Feb. 23, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaFebruary23,2015
DEPToReplaceAllMembersOfTheOil&GasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
Tuesdayapprovedalistofthreerecommendedcandidatesto
serveonDEPsfivemember
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
whichwillnowbe
refocusedonadvisingtheagencyonunconventionaloilandgasdrillingregulationsandpolicy.
DEPisalsoplanningtoaddseveraladhocmemberstotheBoard.
DEPwillpickoneofthethreenamesrecommendedbyCounciltoserveontheBoard.
DEPisalsoforminganew
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
withseven
memberstoadvisedthedepartmentonconventionaldrillingregulationsandpolicy.TheCouncil
wasaskedanddidrecommendthreepotentialcandidatestothatCommittee.
DEPwillpickoneofthethreenamesrecommendedbyCounciltoserveonthe
Committee.
DEPisalsosoliciting
nominationsfromthepublic
formembershipontheConventional
AdvisoryCommitteewhicharedueMarch3.
SecretarysReport
ActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyalsoattendedthemeeting,hissecondwiththeCAC,
toanswerquestionsandgiveashortupdateonagencyactivities.
InresponsetoaquestionaboutGov.Wolfsproposednaturalgasseverancetaxtofund
education,Quigleysaidnotallthedecisionshavebeenmadeonwhereallofthefundingwillgo,
buthedoesexpectsomeoftherevenuewillbeusedtofundDEPsregulationofoilandgas
drilling.
Healsosaidnotallthedetailshavebeenworkedoutonhowmuchoftheexistingdrilling
impactfeewillberetained,excepttheproposaldoescallforcommunitiestokeepreceiving
fundingforimpactsfromdrillingoperations.
Quigleysaidhedoesnotyethaveadateforaconfirmationhearingonhisnomination,
butnextweekexpectstobeginhisindividualmeetingswithSenatorsthatarepartofthe
confirmationprocess.
UndergroundCoalMiningImpactReport
TheCACheardapresentationbytheauthorsofDEPs
Act5420082013Underground
CoalMiningImpactReport
fromtheUniversityofPittsburghhighlightingthefindingsand
recommendationsinthereport.
Thereportincludesinformationthatdocumentsandassessesthesurfaceimpacts
resultingfrombothlongwallandtraditionalroomandpillarundergroundbituminouscoal
mining,includingdamagetosurfacestructuresandimpactstoaquaticlife,pHandconductivity
ofstreamsandthelossofdomesticwatersuppliesfrommininginArmstrong,Beaver,Cambria,
Clearfield,Elk,Greene,Indiana,Jefferson,SomersetandWashingtoncounties.
Oneofseveralkeyfindingsinthe
reportshowed40percentofthestreamsundermined
bydeepcoalmining39of69milessufferedflowlossorpoolingthathadanadverseimpact
onaquaticlife,pHandconductivityinthestreams.
Thereport,thefourthinaseriesrequiredunderAct54,waspreparedbytheUniversityof
PittsburghandreviewedbyDEPstaffandreleasedonDecember30.DEPisrequiredtosubmit
theimpactreporttotheCAC,theGeneralAssembly,andtheGovernoreveryfiveyears.Three
previousAct54reports,alsoreviewedbytheCAC,covered1993through2008.
TheUniversitywasselectedbyDEPtocompletethereportduetotheexpertiseofits
facultyandresearchstaffonallaspectsoftheeffectsofminingrelatedsubsidence.Acopyof
thepresentationispostedonthe
CACswebpage
.
TomCallaghan,DirectorofDEPsBureauofMiningPrograms,saidinresponsetoa
questionfromCouncil,theagencyisstillreviewingtherecommendationsandfindingsinthe
reportandhasnotmadeanydecisionaboutanychangestheyplantomake.
TheCouncilhas
invitedthepublictocomment
onthecontentsandrecommendationsin
theAct54ReportandhassetasidetwohoursatitsMarch17meetingtohearpubliccomments
ontheplan.WrittencommentsareduetoCouncilbyMarch31.
DuringtheCACsopenpubliccommentperiod,arequestwasmadeby
JoanneKilgour
,
DirectorofthePAChapteroftheSierraClub,forCounciltoholdapubliccommentsessionin
SouthwesternPAintheareaaffectedbylongwallcoalmining.
CouncilChairTerryDaytonsaidinresponsetotherequesttheywouldtrytoworkouta
waytoholdanadditionalcommentsessionintheareaifitcanbereasonablybeaccomplished
withintheCouncilsbudget.
ThebudgetfortheCAChasbeencutinhalfoverthelastsixyearswhichhaslimitedthe
abilityoftheCounciltoholdmeetingsoutsideofHarrisburg.
RecommendationsToPreventIllegalDumping
TheCACheardapresentationbyShannonReiterfrom
KeepPABeautiful
andMichele
Nester,of
NestorResources,Inc.
ontheconclusionsandrecommendationsinareportcompleted
lastyearforKPBonillegaldumping.
Thereport
IllegalDumpingInPA:RecommendedPoliciesandProgramsforFuture
PreventionandEnforcement
madeaseriesofrecommendations,including
Universalaccesstowasteandrecyclingservicesincludingtheestablishmentofpermanent,
gatedconvenientcenterswithincloseproximitytothepopulation
Establishingmeasuressuchasbuildinganddemolitionpermittingandaregistrationnetwork
forsmallcontractorsandtransporterstodetercommercialdumping
Heighteningawarenessandunderstandingofwastemanagementissuesthroughastatewide
multimediacampaignandanEnvironmentalLawTrainingProgramforEnforcementOfficers
andJustices
Expandingtheuseofelectronicsurveillanceatactiveillegaldumpsites
CreatingcountylevelJointCodeEnforcementOfficerProgramstosupportlocalgovernments
and
Establishingfinesthatsignificantlyoutweightheavoidedcostofdisposalandpublishingthe
identitiesofthosewhocontinuetoillegallydump.
Acopyofthepresentationispostedonthe
CACswebpage
.
RecyclingConvenienceCenterGrants
LarryHolleyfromDEPsDivisionofWasteMinimizationandPlanningbriefedCouncil
onanewdemonstrationgrantprogramtheyaredevelopingtocreatealimitednumberof
recyclingconveniencecenterprojectsthatwillofferruralareasofthestatebothrecyclingand
limitedwastedropoffservices.
Holleysaidabout$750,000inAct101recyclingfundsisbeingsetasidetofundtwoor
threecenterstoprovideruralresidentsmoreconvenientaccesstotheseservicesinhopesitwill
preventillegaldumping.
PublicComments
Councilalsoheardfromseveralotherindividualsduringitsopenpubliccommentperiod
atthemeeting
RobertaWinters
,PALeagueofWomenVoters
,commendedDEPforturningdownthe
PhaseIsitingapplicationsfora
hazardouswastefacilityinBucksCounty
,urgedDEPtotakea
freshlookatwhatconstitutesadministrativeandenvironmentalviolationsinreporting
complianceactions,andsuggestedDEPcouldcutcostsbyintroducingnewtechnologyto
monitortheenvironment,includingtheuseofdrones.
StephenKunz
,Schmid&Company,Inc.
,saidhelookedforwardtoDEPscommentsonthe
Act54reportandthechangesitwouldproposetoregulateundergroundcoalminingbecausethe
reportdemonstratedenvironmentalimpactsarehappeningthatcannotbefixed.
ThenextmeetingofCouncilwillbeonMarch17startingat10:00inRoom105Rachel
CarsonBuildinginHarrisburg.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPStarts2ndAdvisoryBoardForConventionalOil&Gas
DEPToCreateSeparateBoardsForShale,ConventionalDrilling
COGENT:ConcernedAboutSeveranceTax?YouBetcha!
WolfPushesNaturalGasExtractionTaxInMonroeville
WolfPushesShaleTaxForEducationInMonroeville
WolfToutsNaturalGasSeveranceTaxForSchoolsInNE
Lt.GovAdvocatesForSeveranceTaxInPittsburgh
Column:CaseAgainstShaleTaxIsRunningOutOfGas
LebanonCommissionersAwardDrillingFeesGrants
DCNRRaised$19MFromDrillingLeasesUnderWaterways
YorkCountyCancelsSaturdayRecyclingEvent
BigPushToSpreadRecyclingInApartmentsInPittsburgh
CreativeAttemptToFillRecyclingCostsLeadsToLawsuit
IndependentEngineerReportOnKeystoneLandfillExpansion
PAEnvironmentalCouncilSupportsNominationsOfQuigleyAtDEP,DunnAtDCNR
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
hassentletterstoSen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)andSen.John
Yudichak(DLuzerne),theMajorityandMinorityChairsofthe
SenateEnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommittee
,supportingthenominationsofJohnQuigleyforDEPSecretaryand
CindyDunnasDCNRSecretary.
Aspartoftheconfirmationprocess,bothQuigleyandDunnwillbevisitingeachmember
oftheSenateoverthenextfewweeksandwillappearbeforetheSenateCommitteeforapublic
hearing.
ClickHere
foracopyofPECsletteronQuigley.
ClickHere
foracopyoftheletteron
Dunn.
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GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(February23):
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(February23):
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
the
ConsumerAffairsCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)
relatingtoimprovingnaturalgasretailcompetitionbyprovidingamorefrequentmechanismfor
truingupnaturalgascosts(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommittee
Schedule.
Senate:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill385
(PileggiR
Delaware)willmodernizethePennsylvaniaTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrict(TRID)
Act(
sponsorsummary
)the
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meetsto
consider
SenateBill214
(YawRLycoming)promotingtheexpansionofnaturalgasserviceinto
unservedorunderservedareas(
sponsorsummary
),
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)
providingforanindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard(
sponsorsummary
),
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingforsewagelaterallineimprovementsandrepair
(
sponsorsummary
)the
AgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittee
meetstoconsider
Senate
Bill201
(SchwankDBerks)allowingthethelocationofagriculturerelatedbusinesson
preservedfarmland(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
AlternativeEnergyStandards:
HouseBill100
wouldincreasethestate'sTierIAlternative
EnergyPortfolioStandardsto15percentby2023.Thecurrentrateis8percentby2021(
sponsor
summary
).
EnergyConsumptionLimits:
HouseBill129
wouldrequirenaturalgasdistributioncompanies
toreduceenergyconsumptionanddemandby1percentby2018and3percentby2020.These
arethesamerequirementscurrentlyplacedonelectricdistributioncompaniesunderAct129of
2008(
sponsorsummary
).
PASunshineProgram:
HouseBill200
wouldestablishadedicatedfundingsourceforthePA
SunshineSolarProgram.Theprogram,whichhasexhausteditsfunding,helpshomeownersand
businessesinstallsolarsystems.Theprogramwouldreceive$25millionayearfroma1.25mill
increaseontheutilitiesGrossReceiptsTax(
sponsorsummary
).
DisposalWellSiting:
HouseBill507
(GablerRClearfield)prohibitingdisposalwellswithin
1,000feetofaverticalwellboreofawaterwell,reservoirorotherwatersupplyextractionpoint
(
sponsorsummary
).
SeveranceTax:
SenateBill519
(McGarrigleRDelaware)whichwouldimposea4percenttax
onthevalueofnaturalgasatthewellhead.Alltherevenuefromthetaxwouldbedevotedto
fundbasiceducationandnothingforanyenvironmentalrestorationprogram(
sponsorsummary
).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
February23,24,25
March2,3(BudgetAddress),4
April13,14,15,20,21,22
May4,5,6,11,12,13
June1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,29,30

House
February23,24,25,26,27
March2,3(BudgetAddress),4,30,31
April1,13,14,15,20,21,22
May4,5,6,11,12,13
June1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
Senate
CrudeOilCouncil:
SenateBill279
(HutchinsonRVenango)creatingthePAGradeCrude
DevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilwithinDEPwasamendedandreportedoutoftheSenate
AppropriationsCommitteeandwaspassedbytheSenate.Asummaryand
SenateFiscalNote
areavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheHouseforaction.
DevelopmentAroundTransitHubs:
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)willmodernizethe
PennsylvaniaTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrict(TRID)Act(
sponsorsummary
)was
reportedoutoftheSenateTransportationCommitteeandwasreferredtotheSenate
AppropriationsCommittee.
(ThebillisscheduledtobeconsideredbytheAppropriations
CommitteeMonday.)
NewsFromTheCapitol
SenateCommitteeOKsBillToEncouragePrivateDevelopmentAtMassTransitHubs
The
SenateTransportationCommittee
TuesdayapprovedlegislationintroducedbySen.Dominic
Pileggi(RDelaware)toencourageprivatedevelopmentatmasstransithubs.
SenateBill385
willmodernizethePennsylvaniaTransitRevitalizationInvestment
District(TRID)Act,originallyenactedinDecember2004.
ThegoaloftheoriginalTRIDlawisadmirable:encouragingprivatedevelopmentat
masstransithubs,Sen.Pileggisaid.Unfortunately,sincethelawsenactment,onlyoneTRID
hasbeencreated.Ithasbecomeclearthatthelawneedstobestreamlinedandstrengthenedand
SenateBill385makesthechangesneededforTRIDstobecomerealenginesforeconomic
growth.
SenateBill385streamlinestheTRIDcreationprocess,setsclearparametersforTRID
fundingandtheuseofthosefund,andauthorizesanewtaxcapturefundingmechanismto
providefunding.AnyprojectsfundedinaTRIDwillrequireaminimumonethirdmatchfrom
privatedollars.
ThelegislationissupportedbyawiderangeoforganizationsacrossPennsylvania,
includingthePennsylvaniaStateAssociationofBoroughs,thePennsylvaniaStateAssociationof
TownshipSupervisors,thePennsylvaniaChamberofBusinessandIndustry,andtheGreater
PhiladelphiaChamberofCommerce.
ThePennsylvaniaStateAssociationofBoroughshasbeenasupporterofinnovative
TRIDlegislationsincetheoriginalactwaspassedtenyearsago,saidEdTroxell,PSABs
DirectorofGovernmentAffairs.WereextremelypleasedthatSenatorPileggisamendmentsto
theactwillprovideexpandedoptionsfortheuseofTRIDsinourboroughsthroughoutthe
Commonwealth.
OneofthereasonsthattheTRIDprogramhasnttakenoffisthattherehavebeen
limitedfundingoptions,saidElamHerr,AssistantExecutiveDirectorforPSATS.SenateBill
385helpsrectifythatissueandwillmaketheprogrammuchmoreeffective.
UpperDarbyisthesixthlargestmunicipalityinthestate,andaTRIDwouldgreatly
enhancetheopportunityforbusinessestolocateinthe69thStreetTransportationCenter,said
UpperDarbyMayorThomasMicozzie
BysimplifyingtheTRIDprocessandimplementation,SenateBill385willenhancethe
opportunityforprivatedeveloperstoinvestinimprovingmasstransithubsincommunities
acrossPennsylvania.
IwanttothankSen.JohnRafferty,ChairmanoftheTransportationCommittee,for
advancingthisbillsoquicklyinthelegislativesession,saidSen.Pileggi.
ThebillisexpectedtobeconsideredbytheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeon
Monday,February23.
SenatePassesBillPromotingConventionalOilProductionInPA
TheSenateWednesdayapprovedlegislation48to0introducedbySen.ScottHutchinson
(RVenango)thatwillprotectandpromoteconventionaloilandnaturalgasproductionin
Pennsylvania.
SenateBill279
,legislationtoprotecttheconventionaloilandgasproductionindustry
fromstateregulationsintendedforcompaniesextractingMarcellusShalegas,nowgoestothe
HouseofRepresentativesforconsideration.
ThebillwouldestablishthePennGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncil,apanel
empoweredtostudyexistingregulationsandassisttheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
inmakingchangesthatbetteraddressthedifferencesbetweenconventionalandunconventional
oilandgasproduction.
OilandgasproductionisapartoftheCommonwealthsheritageandremainsakey
componentoftheeconomyofnorthwesternPennsylvania,saidSen.Hutchinson.Thecouncil
createdunderthisbillwouldworktopromotetheconventionalgasandoilindustryandprotectit
fromregulationsintendedsolelyfortheMarcellusShalegasextractionindustry.Thepanel
wouldworkwiththeDEPtoensurethatthedifferencesbetweentheoperationsaretakeninto
accountastheseregulationsandlawsaredevelopedandimplemented.
OnTuesdaytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
announcedtheformation
ofa
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteetoincreasetransparencyandcommunication
aboutregulatingtheconventionaloilandgasdrillingindustry.
IampleasedtoseetheDEPisnowmovinginasimilardirectionasIproposeinSenate
Bill279,butIstillbelieveitisimportantthatwecodifythisinitiativeinlaw,Sen.Hutchinson
said.OnesignificantdifferenceisthePennGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilis
intendedtopromotetheconventionaloilandgasindustryintheCommonwealth.MySenate
districtincludesthebirthplaceofoilandgasproductioninPennsylvaniaoveracenturyanda
halfago.Theseresourcesfueledtheindustrialrevolutionandtransformedournationseconomy.
Thisindustryisanimportantpartoftheregionaleconomy.Itshouldbesupportedbythestate,
notstymiedbyexcessiveandunnecessaryregulatoryburdens.
SenateBill279nowgoestotheHouseforconsideration.Asummaryand
SenateFiscal
Note
areavailable.
NewsClips:
Sen.McGarrigleIntroducesSeveranceTaxProposal,NothingForTheEnvironment
Sen.ThomasMcGarrigle(RDelaware)Thursdayintroducedanaturalgasseverancetax
proposal
SenateBill519
whichwouldimposea4percenttaxonthevalueofnaturalgasat
thewellhead.Alltherevenuefromthetaxwouldbedevotedtofundbasiceducationand
nothingforanyenvironmentalrestorationprogram.
NewsClips:
Rep.BobackIntroducesBillToCreateMarcellusShaleHealthRegistry
Rep.KarenBoback(RLuzerne)recentlyintroduced
HouseBill252
tocreateaMarcellusShale
HealthRegistry.
"Iremaincommittedtotrackingthepotentialhealthriskstopeoplewholiveneardrilling
sites,"Rep.Bobacksaid."Ourstate'snaturalgasindustryisthefastestgrowinginthenation.
Thisbillwouldkeepaneyeonanyhealtheffectscausedbydrillingactivity."
Themeasurewouldcreateapopulationbasedregistry.Allhealthrelateddata,which
maybeassociatedwithdrillingactivity,wouldbeprovidedbyhealthcarepractitionerstothe
stateDepartmentofHealth.
Thelegislationwasasuggestionofthe
MarcellusShaleAdvisoryCommission
in2011.
Furthermore,theHousehadpreviouslypassedlegislationwhichwouldhaveprovided$2million
forthisproject,butthebilldidnotgainpassageintheSenatepriortotheendofthelegislative
session.
Asponsorsummary
isavailableonline
.
Rep.VitaliIntroducesBillsToReducePAGreenhouseGasEmissions
Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee,ThursdayunveiledlegislationdesignedtoencouragePennsylvaniatoreduce
greenhousegasemissions.
"Pennsylvaniahasadutytoworktowardcarbonneutralitybecauseitproducesalmost1
percentoftheworldsgreenhousegases,"saidRep.Vitali."ThelegislatureandGov.TomWolf
mustfindwaystoreducetheuseoffossilfuelsandshifttorenewableenergy."
Toworktowardthatgoal,Rep.Vitalihasintroducedthreebillsthatwouldincreasethe
AlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandard,permanentlyfundtheSunshineSolarprogramandreduce
thedemandforenergy.
"Toomuchofourenergycomesfromdirtysourcesthatharmtheenvironmentandour
communitiesbutitdoesn'thavetobethatway,"saidElowynCorby,PennEnvironments
globalwarmingandcleanenergyassociate."Wecanharnessabundantandpollutionfreeenergy
fromthewindandthesun.LegislationlikethisshowshowHarrisburgcanhelpusgettothe
cleanenergyfuturePennsylvaniansdeserve."
JoanneKilgour,directoroftheSierraClubPennsylvaniaChapter,saidincreasingthe
AlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandardtorequireelectriccompaniestousemorepowergenerated
byrenewablesourceswouldincreasejobsandhelptheenvironment.
"StrengtheningourAlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandardisnotjustasteptoward
securinghealthiercommunitiesinPennsylvania,butwillmakeourenergysectormore
competitiveintheregion'seconomy."
RichardWhiteford,leaderattheClimateRealityProject,saidburningfossilfuelsfrom
thestartoftheIndustrialRevolutionuntiltodayhasincreasedtheplanetsaveragetemperature
by1.4degreesFahrenheit.Henotedthatscientistssaywecantexceeda3.6degreesFahrenheit
increasewithoutcausingclimatedestabilizationthatwouldjeopardizetheabilityoffuture
generationstosurvive.
"Wearealreadywitnessingextremeweathereventsandweareonlyabouthalfwaytothe
3.6degreelimit,"Whitefordsaid."Thisleavesusonlyonechoice:Wemustleavecarboninthe
groundorhumanswontbearound."
Rep.SteveMcCarter(DMontgomery),saidrep.Vitalihasproposed"modestlegislative
changesthatwillgoalongwayinencouragingaculturechangeinhowweasconsumers
thinkaboutenergy,energyconsumptionandclimatechange."
Thebillsintroducedinclude:
HouseBill100
wouldincreasethestate'sTierIAlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandardsto15
percentby2023.Thecurrentrateis8percentby2021(
sponsorsummary
).
HouseBill129
wouldrequirenaturalgasdistributioncompaniestoreduceenergy
consumptionanddemandby1percentby2018and3percentby2020.Thesearethesame
requirementscurrentlyplacedonelectricdistributioncompaniesunderAct129of2008(
sponsor
summary
).
HouseBill200
wouldestablishadedicatedfundingsourceforthePASunshineSolar
Program.Theprogram,whichhasexhausteditsfunding,helpshomeownersandbusinesses
installsolarsystems.Theprogramwouldreceive$25millionayearfroma1.25millincreaseon
theutilitiesGrossReceiptsTax(
sponsorsummary
).
AlsospeakingatthenewsconferencewereBrooksMountcastle,easternPennsylvania
directorforCleanWaterActionSandyStrauss,directorofpublicadvocacyforthePennsylvania
CouncilofChurchesandJohnDernbach,codirectoroftheEnvironmentalLawCenterat
WidenerUniversity.
NewsClips:
LawmakerOutlinesAmbitiousPlanToCurbGreenhouseGasEmissions
OpEd:Pennsylvaniavs.ClimateChange
Exelon:EPACleanPowerRuleCanBeImplementedUsingExistingMechanisms
DistortionsInEnergyMarketsHurtingFirstEnergysNuclearFleet
FirstEnergyLooksToSwitchTopicFromGenerationPortfolio
PPLSetsElectricityUseRecord
SomePPLCustomersInLineForHigherBills
SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeMeetsFeb.24OnBillToExpandNaturalGasService
The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtomeetonFebruary
24toconsiderlegislationtoextendnaturalgasserviceintounservedorunderservedareas,on
sewerlateralfundingandanindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.The
billsinclude
SenateBill214
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselforthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard(
sponsorsummary
)and
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingforsewagelaterallineimprovementsand
repair(
sponsorsummary
).
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom8EBEastWingoftheCapitolstartingat9:30.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairandSen.JohnYudichak
(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChair.
SenateLocalGovernment,EnvironmentCommitteesSetMarch3DrillingFeeHearing
TheSenate
LocalGovernment
and
Committeesare
scheduledtoholdajointhearingontheopportunitiescreatedbytheAct13drillingimpactfee
forcounties,municipalities,conservationdistrictsandlocaleconomicdevelopmentagencies.
ThehearingwillbeinHearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuildingstartingat8:30.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasMajorityChairoftheLocalGovernment
CommitteeandSen.RobTeplitz(DDauphin)serversasMinorityChair.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheEnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommitteeandSen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChair.
NewsClips:

Senate,HouseRepublicansToAnnounceInitiativeToLimitStateSpending
OnMonday,February23RepublicansfromtheSenateandHousearescheduledtoholdanews
conferencetoannouncetheintroductionoflegislationtolimitthegrowthofstatespending.
SenatorsCameraBartolotta(RBeaver)andMikeFolmer(RLebanon)willbejoinedby
SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson)andHouseSpeakerMikeTurzai
(RAllegheny)attheannouncement.
TheproposalcomesjustaweekbeforeGov.TomWolfisscheduledtomakehisfirst
budgetaddresstotheGeneralAssemblyonMarch3.
TheannouncementwillbeintheMainCapitolRotundaat10:30.
NewsFromAroundTheState
KeepPABeautifulEarnsRecognitionAtNationalConference
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
receivedtophonorsatKeepAmericaBeautifulsNationalAwards
Dinneratthe2015KABNationalConferenceinWashington,D.C.foritsoutstandingpromotion
ofKABsmissionstatewideandforitsprogramsupportforlocalaffiliatesinPennsylvania.
Establishedin1953,KABconsistsofanationalnetworkofmorethan600
communitybasedaffiliateswhoseprograms,initiativesandeffortsaimtotransformpublic
spacesintobeautifulplaces.
KeepAmericaBeautifulsGreatAmericanCleanupAwardsrecognizetheoutstanding
successofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulforitsGACprogram,saidJenniferJehn,presidentand
CEOofKeepAmericaBeautiful.ItsmyprivilegetohonorKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifuland
ShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulfortheirimportantachievementsand
leadership.
IamgratefulfortheopportunitytoaccepttheseawardsonbehalfofKeepPennsylvania
Beautiful.Thesuccessofourorganizationanditsprograms,particularlytheGreatAmerican
CleanupofPAs,isadirectresultofthededicationofourvolunteersandongoingcommitment
ofourBusinessCouncilMembersandpartners,particularlytheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,PennDOT,PAFoodMerchantsAssociationandthePennsylvaniaWasteIndustry
Association.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulearnedrecognitionforthefollowinginitiativesand
accomplishmentsfromKeepAmericaBeautiful:
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulearnedtheDiamondLevelStateAffiliateRecognition
Award
formanagementandadministration.TheDiamondLevelisthehighestlevelof
recognition.
U.S.StateDepartmentofTransportationPartnershipandGreatAmericanCleanup
Award
ThePennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportationwasrecognizedforsupportingthe
GreatAmericanCleanup.ThePennsylvaniaDOTwasoneofsevenKeepAmerica
Beautiful/U.S.StateDepartmentofTransportationPartnerAwardrecipients.
Toreduceroadsidelitterandillegaldumping,KABstateaffiliatesmustdevelop
effectivepublicprivatepartnerships,saidKeepAmericaBeautifulPresident&CEOJennifer
Jehn.OurStateDepartmentofTransportationPartnerAwardsrepresentsthefineworkthatstate
DOTsachievewiththeirrespectiveKABstateaffiliatepartners.
BestStatewidePromotionoftheGreatAmericanCleanup
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful,
inpartnershipwiththePADepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandPADepartmentof
Transportation,forthedevelopmentandcirculationofastatewidepublicserviceannouncement.
2014KeepAmericaBeautifulPresidentsCircleAward
PresentedtoKeepPennsylvania
Beautiful,KeepPhiladelphiaBeautifulandKeepYorkBeautifulfortheirmanagementand
programexcellence.
CigaretteLitterPreventionProgramAward
KeepLancasterCountyBeautifulreceived
honorablementionforimplementingtheprogram.
KeepAmericaBeautifulsNationalConference,KABspremiereducationaland
networkingevent,bringstogetherKABsnationalnetworkofstateandlocalaffiliatedirectors,
businessleaders,policymakersandothernationalexpertswhofocusonframingnewideasand
strategiestobuildandsustainvibrantcommunities.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulishonoredandgratefultobeapartoftheKeepAmerica
BeautifulNationalConferencewhereresourcesandideascanbesharedwithabroadnetworkof
partners,explainsShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful,Wearehonored
toberecognizedbythisnationalorganization.
Formoreinformationonitsprograms,visitthe
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
NewsClips:
JeannetteGlassCleanupTakingTooLong
DEPToFacilitateCleanupOfIllegalDumpsInCarbon,SchuylkillCounties
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhashiredacontractortocleanupsixpilesof
illegallydumpedwastescatteredthroughoutCarbonandSchuylkillcountiesaftertheresponsible
partyhasfailedtocompletethework.
ThepileswerediscoveredlastsummerafterresidentscalledDEPtocomplain.Staff
fromDEP'sNortheastRegionalOfficeinvestigatedthecomplaintsanddeterminedthathauler
MichaelStineofNorthamptonCountywastheresponsibleparty.
Thepilescontainedconstructionanddemolitiondebris.Someweredumpedonprivate
propertywhileothersweredumpedonboroughownedproperties.
AnorderwasissuedinNovember2014givingStine60daystocleanupallofthepiles.
Thedepartmentalsorevokedhiswastehaulingpermit.
Earlierthismonth,DEPhiredURS,astateleadcontractor,todothecleanupwork.The
contractcallsforcostsnottoexceed$30,000andworkshouldbegininlateMarch.
MoneytopayforthecleanupwillcomefromtheSolidWasteAbatementFund,thatis
fundedbyfineshaulerspayforviolatingstateenvironmentallaws.
NewsClips:
(Reprintedfrom
Feb.9DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
WissahickonWatershedGroupsSeekingVolunteersForApril25Cleanup
The
FriendsoftheWissahickon
andthe
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
areonce
againjoiningforcesto
cleantheWissahickonCreek
onApril25from9a.m.to11a.m.
AllvolunteersareinvitedtojoinusafterthecleanupfortheTalkinTrashpicnicat
FortWashingtonStateParkattheFlourtownpaviliononMillRoadfrom11a.m.to1p.m.
Thisspringmarksthe45thanniversaryoftheWissahickonValleyWatershed
Associationsannualcreekcleanup,whichissponsoredbyMerckandCo.Itisthe6thyearthat
FriendsoftheWissahickonhasjoinedforceswithWVWAtocleantheWissahickonCreek.
TheFriendsoftheWissahickonwillcleanupasectionofthecreekinChestnutHill,at
NorthwesternAvenueandForbiddenDrive,from9a.m.to11a.m.ToworkwiththeFriendsof
theWissahickoninPhiladelphia,meetatNorthwesternAvenueandForbiddenDriveat9a.m.
Pleaseregisteronline
andindicateifyouplantoattendthepicnic.Contactvolunteer
coordinator,JohnHolback,withquestionsat2152470417x107orsendemailto:
holback@fow.org
.
InMontgomeryCounty,volunteersofallageswillbepreassignedsectionsofthe
WissahickonCreekoratributary,extendingfromLansdaletoFlourtown.
Signuponline
or
contactMadalynNeffbysendingemailto:
madalyn@wvwa.org
.
Pleaseindicatethename,sizeandagerangeofyourgroupandwhetheryouwilljointhe
picnic.Youwillbecontactedregardingyourcleanuplocationassignment.
Registrationisnotrequiredbutisrecommendedinordertobenotifiedincaseofany
changesduetoweather.Theeventwillbecancelledintheeventofheavyrain.Check
FOWs
or
WVWAs
websiteor
Facebookpage
forupdates.
Volunteersofallagesareencouragedtoparticipate.Volunteerswillbeassignedtoclean
sectionsoftheareaandwillbegivenbagsinwhichtocollecttrash.
AboutOurSponsors
SponsorsofthiseventprovidefundingforWVWAsstewardshipeffortsthroughoutthe
year.ThepresentingsponsorisMerck&Co.VolunteersfromMercksWestPointplantlocated
attheheadwatersoftheWissahickonCreekwillhelpwiththecleanup.
Conservationistsponsorsinclude
Covanta
,DOWChemicalCompany,FirstNiagara
BankandMSSMoversSpecialtyService.BothDOWandFirstNiagaraBankwillalsosend
employeevolunteerstohelpwiththecleanup.
Additionalsponsorshipisprovidedby
AquaPennsylvania
,AmblerSavingsBank,
ArtmanLutheranHome,BBD,LLP,CaddickConstruction,FirstPriorityBank,Manufacturers
Golf&CountryClub,NorthPennWaterAuthority,ThePhiladelphiaCricketClub,RotaryClub
ofBlueBellandRussellRoofing.
CompaniesinterestedinsponsoringthecreekcleanupshouldcontactGinaCraigoby
calling2159628726orsendemailto:
GinaCraigo@wvwa.org
.
PAAbandonedMineReclamationConferenceRequestForPresentations,FilmFestival

Withathemeof"ReclaimingOurCommunities,"the
2015PennsylvaniaAbandonedMine
ReclamationConference
iscurrentlyacceptingproposalsforpresentationsattheConference.
Theyarelookingforpresentationsthathighlightthediverseanduniquepartnershipsthat
havemadePennsylvaniasosuccessfulatcleaninguptheabandonedminelegacyofwaterand
landpollution.
PresentationsshowcasingdevelopmentsinAMDtreatmenttechnologies,casestudieson
successfullyimplementedprojects,andusefultoolsfortheeffortsofthereclamationcommunity
areallwelcometopics.
TheConferencewillbehostedattheRamadaInnandConferenceCenterinStateCollege
onJune2526andwillfeaturemanyinformativepresentationsonAMDtreatmenttechnologies.
Numerousnetworkingopportunitiesarescheduledandincludeafilmfestival,golf
outing,sustainabilitytouroftheStateCollegePAregion,andahappyhour.
Abstractsubmissionsfora40minutepresentationslotshouldincludeatitle,one
paragraphdescribingyourpresentationandashortbiography(ifyouhaveneverpresentedatour
conferencepreviously).
PleasesendabstractsubmissionstoAnneDaymut,WatershedCoordinatorWPCAMR,
byemailto:
anne@wpcamr.org
.AbstractsareduebyApril1.CallAnneat7248323625.
FilmFestival
AspartoftheConferencetherewillalsobeafilmfestivalshowcasingindependently
producedenvironmentalfilms.TheConferenceplanningcommitteeiscurrentlyaccepting
submissions.
Thisisagreatopportunityforwatershedgroupstohighlighttheirprojectsandexercise
theircreativeskillsbehindavideocamera.
YouTubeandVimeosubmissionsaswellasDVD'sareeligibleforconsideration.
Environmentaltopicsarepreferred.Filmsshouldbenolongerthan30minutesandbeoforiginal
material.
ThesubmissiondeadlineisMarch31.Thefestivalentryformandsubmissionguidelines
areavailableonline
.
Formoreontheagendaandevents,visitthe
2015PennsylvaniaAbandonedMine
ReclamationConference
website.
(WrittenBy:AnneDaymut,WatershedCoordinator,
WPCAMR
,for
AbandonedMinePosts
publishedbyWPCAMR.)
CBFPATellsDEPAct162StreamBufferRequirementsShouldApplyToAllStreams
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
submitted
commentsthisweektoDEP
saying
Act162
passedbytheGeneralAssemblylastyearrequiresstreambuffersalongallwaterwayswhen
developersareapplyingforanNPDESpermit,notjustinSpecialProtectionWatersheds.
CBFPAscommentsweredirectedatan
interimfinaltechnicalguidancedocument
DEP
isusingtoimplementAct162.
Theysaiditpart,CBFmaintainsthattheDepartmentisincorrectinapplyingAct162
requirementsonlytospecialprotectionwaters,suchasHighQuality(HQ)orExceptional
Value(EV)rivers,streams,creeks,lakesponds,orreservoirs.
TheplainlanguageofSection402(c)(1)statesthatpersonsproposingorconducting
earthdisturbanceactivitieswhentheactivityrequiresaNationalPollutantDischargeElimination
System[(NPDES)]permitforstormwaterdischargemayinstalleitheraforestedriparian
bufferorasubstantiallyequivalentalternativetoensurecompliancewithwaterqualitystandards.
See.ActofOctober22,2014,P.L.2600,No.162.
Thereisnomentionofthisonlyoccurringinspecialprotectionwaters.Theonly
mentionofEV/HQwatersheds,comesinSection402(c)(2)ofthelawwithregardtotheneedto
offsetactivitieswithin100feetofaspecialprotectionwater.
Thefailuretoclearlystatethatbuffers,ortheirfunctionalequivalent,areonlyneededin
EV/HQwatershedswhereanNPDESpermitisneeded,whilespecificallymentioningthe
EV/HQrequirementinSection402(c)(2),suggestsaspecificlegalintentbytheGeneral
Assembly.
CBFcontendsthatbuffersortheirsubstantialequivalentalternativesarenowrequired
whereverNPDESpermitsaretobeissuedforsuchactivities.
AcopyofCBFPAscomments
areavailableonline
.
CBFPAalso
joinedincommentssubmitted
bythe
PACampaignforCleanWater
StormwaterWorkGroupsayingtheAct162guidanceshouldbestrengthened.
DEPWebinars
A
seriesoffourwebinars
havebeenscheduledbyDEPonMarch10and11on
implementationofthestreambufferrequirementsinAct162.
DEPisalsoexpectedtopublishadditionalguidanceonimplementingAct162inMarch
coveringdeterminingequivalencyandbufferoffsetrequirements.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
Act162
webpage.
PennState:WhatIsAHealthyStreamOrWetlandWorth?SeminarFeb.27
The
PennStateCenterforNutrientSolutions
willholdaninpersonandonlineseminarentitled,
WhatIsAHealthyStreamOrWetlandWorth?
onFebruary27startingat12:15.
RobertP.Brooks,ProfessorofGeographyandEcology,DirectorofRipariaatPenn
State,willmakeapresentationonidentifyingthevaluethebenefitsaccruedtopeoplefrom
ecosystemservices.
Thisseminarwillexploreapproachestomakingthosetranslations.Thefocuswillbeon
demonstratinghowimpactsonlandscapeandfieldbasedindicatorsofstream,wetland,and
riparianconditioncanbeusedtopredictchangesintheservicesprovidedtousallbyhealthy
aquaticecosystems,suchaswaterbasedrecreation,floodwaterstorage,andcarbon
sequestration.
Theseminarwillbeheldin105ForestResourcesBuildingonthePennStatecampusin
StateCollege.
ClickHere
toparticipatebywebinar.
Formoreinformation,contactMattRoyerbysendingemailto:
mroyer@psu.edu
orcall
8148638756
HomeWaterAndSepticWorkshopsBeingOfferedByPennStateInFeb.,March,May
The
PennStateWaterResourcesTeam
isofferingHomeWaterandSepticWorkshopsacrossthe
stateduring2015.Thetwohourclasscoversprivatewatersuppliesandhowtheyshouldbe
maintained,tested,andtreated.Bestmanagementpracticesforhomeownerstousetoprotectand
maintainonlotsepticsystemsarealsodiscussed.
ExtensionEducator,JimClark,instructedaclassof15inMcKeanCountyonJanuary
15th,and19inPotterCounty,onJanuary22nd.Outofthese34participants,31(94percent)
answeredapostsurvey.
All31statedtheylearnedsometoagreatdealofnewinformation.Twentythree(74
percent)statedtheywouldtakeactiontoimprovetheirwatersupplybecausetheyattendedand
24(77percent)statedtheywouldtakeactiontoimprovetheironlotsepticsystem.Maintaining
privatewatersystemsandonlotsepticsystemsnotonlysaveshomeownersmoney,italso
protectsthewaterresources.
ClarksnextworkshopissetforFebruary26inEmporium,CameronCounty.
TofindoutaboutfutureHomeWaterandSepticSystemWorkshopsandworkshopsnear
you,
ClickHere
.
Feb.16WatershedWindsNewsletterAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
February16editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson
DEPSets4WebinarsOnNewAct162StreamBufferRequirements
RegistrationNowOpenFor2015GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PennStateHomeWater,SepticWorkshopsBeingOffered
WRENSourceWaterProtectionGrantRoundNowOpen
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
KeystoneCleanWaterTeamLaunchesNewWebsite
The
KeystoneCleanWaterTeam
,formerlytheCarbonCountyGroundwaterGuardians,a
northeasternPennsylvanianonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoimprovingthehealth,safety,and
welfareofourcommunityandtheenvironment,haslauncheda
newwebsite
throughwhichit
willextenditsservicestothecommunity.
Ourcarbonwaters.orgwebsiteattractstrafficfromalloverthecountry,saidBrian
Oram,presidentoftheKeystoneCleanWaterTeamsboardofdirectors.Thereisnobetter
placetosharedetailedinformationaboutissuesrelatedtoourgroundwater.Thereisagreatdeal
oftechnicalinformationavailableonourexistingwebportalsbutwewantedtoaddanotherlayer
tothesitethatwasmoreuserfriendly.
Oramsaysthatvisitorstotheorganizationsnewwebsitedonotneedtohavedegreesin
environmentalsciencetogetinformationtheycanuseandtofindpotentialsolutionstoany
waterqualityissuestheymayhave.
NortheasternPennsylvaniasgroundwaterissubjecttomanyrisksthatcan,ifleft
unchecked,threatenthehealthandsafetyofthepeoplelivinghere,Oramsaid.Wecanhelp
arearesidentskeeptheirdrinkingwatersafeandlearnmoreaboutconservationeffortsthatwill
protectthisimportantnaturalresourceforfuturegenerations.
Aspartofitseffortstoreachouttothecommunity,theorganizationhasalsolauncheda
Facebookpage
anda
TwitterFeed
.
KeystoneCleanWaterTeam
website.

DelawareRiverBasinCommissionMeetsMarch1011
The
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
hasscheduledahearingandbusinessmeetingonMarch
10and11atWashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,Washington
Crossing,PA.Thehearingwillbeginat1:30onMarch10andthemeetingat1:00onMarch11.
Themeetingagendaincludesproposedwaterwithdrawalsrequestsandother
administrativeissuesbeforetheCommission.
(
formalnotice,agenda
)
LebanonCountyGrazingNetworkGrazingConferenceMarch3
TheLebanonCountyGrazingNetworkishostinga
GrazingConference
onMarch3,2015atthe
LebanonCountyExtensionOffice,2120CornwallRoad,Lebanon,from9:30a.m.to1:30p.m.
PresentationswillincludewillincludeCrops,Soils,&Nutrients:StrategiesforGetting
MoreFromYourLandDanLudwig,USDANRCSMortalityCompostingMatHaan,Penn
StateExtensionDirectMarketingtoConsumersRichDiFebo,HarvestHomeMeatsand
GrassFedLivestockProductionandMarketingNevinMast,BandyBrookFarms.
Theeventisfreebutpreregistrationisrequested.ToregistercallSusanRichards,
CapitalRC&D,at7172414361orsendemailto:
srichards@capitalrcd.org
.
GrazingConference
webpagetoviewtheeventflierand
speakerbiographies.
NewsClip:
USDA:500FewerPAFarms,20,000MoreAcresOfFarmlandIn2014
TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureThursdayreportedPennsylvaniahad500fewerfarmsin
2014than2013,but20,000moreacresoffarmland.Thetotallandinfarmswasreportedas7.7
millionacres.
ClickHere
forUSDAs2014FarmsandLandInFarmsReport.
PAEnvironmentalCouncilReleasesSmallHydroPermittingManualForPA
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
Wednesdayreleasedthe
HydroelectricPermittingManualfor
Pennsylvania
.Thismanualwascreatedwiththefollowinggoalsinmind:
FacilitategreaterdevelopmentofeconomicallyandenvironmentallyfeasibleprojectsinPA
byoutliningthespecificstepsrequiredforpermitting,identifyingtheappropriatecontacts,and
clarifyingtheorderofsteps.
ImprovethequalityandcompletenessofapplicationssubmittedtoDEPandotheragenciesby
outliningclearexpectations.
Eliminateprojectsthatarenoteconomicallyorenvironmentallyfeasibleearlyintheprocess,
byprovidingclearerguidanceandaccesstoresourceagencystaff.
Withitsabundantwaterresourcesandrollingtopography,Pennsylvaniaprovidesample
opportunityforhydroelectricrenewableenergydevelopment.However,feedbackatthe2011PA
HydropowerSummitandoneononeinterviewswithdevelopersindicatedthatthecomplexityof
permittingsignificantlyincreasesthetimeandcostofaproject.
Thiscomplexityposesaparticularchallengetosmallerprojectslocatedatwater
treatmentplants,parks,andfarms.Theseprojectsarealsooftensmallerinsize,meaningthe
ownerislesslikelytorecoupthecostsoflegalservicesthroughrevenuegenerated.
Inadditiontotherenewableenergybenefitsofhydroelectricity,arethepotential
cobenefitstotheentitiesthatownthemandthecommunitiesinwhichtheyarelocated.
Forexample,amunicipallyownedprojecthasthepotentialtoreduceitsenergycosts
and/orgeneraterevenuefromexcesselectricitysoldtothegrid,freeingupfundsforserviceslike
roadmaintenance,parkimprovements,andstreetlightinginPennsylvaniasoftencashstrapped
municipalities.
PECspecificallysupportslowimpacthydropowerdevelopment,whichisnotlimited
bysizeconstraintsbutratherdependsonacasebycaseanalysis.PECdoesnotadvocatefornew
damsandimpoundments,butratherforuseofexistingimpoundments,pipes,ornaturalwater
features.
ThisdocumentwasproducedincloseconsultationwiththeDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,aswellasotherregulatoryagencies,includingtheFederalEnergyRegulatory
Commission,ArmyCorpsofEngineers,andthePAHistoricalandMuseumCommission.
The
MedEd/enelecSustainableEnergyFund
oftheCommunityFoundationforthe
AllegheniessupportedtheresearchandproductionofthisManual.
AcopyoftheManual
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformation,visitPECs
HydropowerPermitting
webpageorcontactLindsay
Baxter,PEC,bycalling4124819400orsendingemailto:
lbaxter@pecpa.org
.
DEPReschedulesOilAndGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardMeetingToMarch20
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedonitswebsitelateThursdayithas
rescheduledthenext
meetingtoMarch20inRoom105
RachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburgstartingat10:00.AmeetingwasplannedforMarch5.
Althoughnoagendahasbeenposted,theBoardwastoreviewtheproposedchangesDEP
planstomakeintheChapter78(unconventionaldrilling)andChapter78A(conventional
drilling)regulationsthatwerethesubjectofninepublichearingslastyear.
AtDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meetingTuesday
,DEPaskedCounciltonominate
individualsfortheBoardwhichitdid.DEPisplanningtoreplaceallthecurrentmembersofthe
BoardandmayaddseveraladhocmemberstotheBoard.
DEPalso
announcedthisweek
itisformingtheConventionalOilandGasAdvisory
Committeetoprovideadviceonregulatingtheconventionaloilandgasdrillingindustry.
webpage.
DEPAcceptingNominationsForConventionalOil&GasAdvisoryCommittee
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannouncedanewlyformed
Conventional
OilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
toincreasetransparencyandcommunicationaboutregulating
theconventionaloilandgasdrillingindustry.
CreatingthisadvisorycommitteewillincreasedialoguebetweenDEPandtheregulated
communityaswellasbroadentheinterestswehearfrom,ActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
said.Improvingcommunicationbetweenallstakeholdersandourdepartmentwillfoster
strongerenvironmentalsafeguardsinthefuture.
COGACwilladviseDEPonmattersrelatedtoconventionaloilandgasextraction
practicesandregulationsandwillbestructuredsimilarlytoDEPsexisting
OilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoard
.
IamextremelypleasedtoseetheDEPisnowmovinginasimilardirectionasIpropose
in
SenateBill279
,butIstillbelieveitisimportantthatwecodifythisinitiativeinlaw,Sen.
Hutchinson(RVenango)said.Inaddition,mybillisintendedtopromotetheconventionaloil
andgasindustryintheCommonwealth.MySenatedistrictincludesthebirthplaceofoilandgas
productioninPennsylvaniaoveracenturyandahalfago.Theseresourcesfueledtheindustrial
revolutionandtransformedournationseconomy.Thisindustryisanimportantpartofthe
regionaleconomy.Itshouldbesupportedbythestate,notstymiedbyexcessiveandunnecessary
regulatoryburdens.
Personsinterestedinnominatingacommitteemembershouldsendtheirfullname,title,
affiliation,address,email,andtelephonenumberandtheirnomineesresumetoToddWallaceof
theOfficeofOilatGasManagementat:RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box2063,
Harrisburg,PA171052063orbyemailto:
twallace@pa.gov
.
NominationswillbeacceptedthroughMarch3.
NewsClips:
C.O.G.E.N.T.BlogPost:ConcernedAboutTheSeveranceTax?YouBetcha!
By:EmilyKrafjack,President
ConnectionForOil,Gas&TheEnvironmentInTheNorthernTier
TheannouncementoftheGovernorsproposalforseverancetaxprobablygotmorenewsbytes
thananyothernewsarticlesthisweek.Mostofthesenewsbyteswerebeyondtheshale.Whyis
that?
GovernorWolfannouncedhisproposalwhilevisitingaChesterCountyschoolthisweek
toutinghisPennsylvaniaEducationReinvestmentActhisfirststopontheSchoolsThat
TeachTour.
EveryPennsylvaniaShaler(residentsabovetheShale)includingmunicipal,county
officialsandassemblymembersneedtobeconcernedaboutthisonsomanylevels.
Featuringanaturalgasseverancetaxinaneducationbillisaninsulttothe
communitiesthatwillbedirectlyaffectedbysuchataxandnotnecessarilyinagoodway.Is
itfeaturingorburying?
LateJanuary,GovernorWolfsignedanexecutiveorderreinstatingthemoratoriumon
newleasesforoilandgasdevelopmentinstateparksandforestsatBenjaminRushStatePark
locatedinthenortheastsectionoftheCityofPhiladelphia,ahighlyunlikelystateparkto
experienceeitherunconventionalnaturalgasleasingordrillingactivity.
Whilelargelysymbolic,wefigureditwasreasonabletorecognizethattheGovernoris
verybusyandperhapslackedthetimetotraveltoanactualstateparkorforestlandthatwould
actuallybenefitfromhisexecutiveorder.
DuringDecember,thenGovernorelectWolf,commencedwithashortlivedbudgettour
thatendedatthefarnorthernreachesofPennsylvaniainKingston,agoodhourawayfromthe
nearestunconventionalnaturalgaswell.
Actually,wehadverymuchhopedthatthethenGovernorelectwouldcometoour
northerntierregionandtalkabouthisintentionsasweknewthatlikelyaseverancetaxwas
goingtobethefocusofhisplans.
So,thisweek,theseverancetaxtoursalteregoSchoolsThatTeachTourwaskicked
offinChesterCountywiththenextstopinSchuylkillCounty,bothmanyhoursdriveawayfrom
thenearestunconventionalnaturalgaswell.
The2013impactfeerevenuetoChesterCounty,$485,000+PhiladelphiaCounty,$1.4
million+SchuylkillCounty,$140,000+prettygoodrevenuefromunconventionalshalegas
resourcesforhavingnoimpacts.
Ourregionatthispointanyway,isclearlynotpartofthisconversationinanyway.
Beingpatientwiththebudgettour,thesigningofthemoratorium,butnowthethirdevent
withtheseverancetax,well,itisalittlehardtofeelanypoliticsofinclusionhereinthenorthern
tier,thetruefarreachofPennsylvaniaandtheheartofunconventionalnaturalgasdrilling.
Presently,thereisnotmuchwecansayabouttheproposalasonceagain,thereareno
firmdetails,nodraftdocumentwecanactuallyreadandreview.Whatwecanseeisthattheaim
ofthetaxiseducation,featuringitinaneducationbillandfarremovedfromourareaisnotlost
onmostofus.
Whatwedoknowisthattheproposedrevenuecalculationdetailsarenotclear.While
thereisaproductionforecast,therearenodetailsontheactualpricethesecalculationsarebase
onand,unfortunately,weveseenthisbefore.
PreviousproposalsbasedontheHenryHubpricewhichonewouldbehardpressedto
findeitheranortherntierorotherPennsylvanialeaseholderpaidontheHHP.
Astaxpayers,leaseholdersandlivingdirectlyinthedevelopmentareaexperiencing
impacts,whetheritberoadsorairqualitywehaveseveralreasonstobeincludedinthe
discussionofanyandallseverancetaxproposalsanddeliberations.
Whatarethesereasons?Well,firstandforemost,theguaranteedminimumroyaltyisyet
tobeadequatelydefined.
Ourregionalairqualityisdramaticallychangingandwevebeenlackingadequateair
monitoring,nottomentionairstudies.Thelongtermstudywevebeenawaitingfailedto
includeproducingwellpadsasamonitoredsourcepoint.
Therehasbeennostudiesdoneandnostateregulationofsetbacks/mitigationsdeveloped
onahealthbasedstandard.
Act13of2013simpactfeecalculationsandaccountingmethodsneedtoremainintact
withanynewtaxadopted.
WecontinuetolagwithmandatedPAOneCallforunconventionalgatheringlinesand
gassafetyregulationsforClass1Areagatheringlines,wellover90percentofallgatheringlines
inourregion.
ThereisanuncertaintyandlackofclarityregardingfundingofDEPforoilandgasand
otherprogramsrelatedtothedevelopmentinourregion,includingneedforsufficientstaffing
levels.
WecontinuetohaveanemphasisdeficitbytheCommonwealthtodoanyhealthstudies
relatingtounconventionalshalegasdevelopment.
Theseissueshaveallbeenwaitingalongtimenowtobeaddressed.Anyseverancetax
packageneedstobeappropriatelylabeledastowhatitis.Itneedstobeclearlydefinedasa
severancetaxandtheseissuesneedtobeclearlyattendedtowithinthelegislativelanguage.
Therearemattersthatneedtobeaddressedbetterandfundingeducationisnotthe
mechanismtodothat.
Ourregionsleaseholders,manyofus,aregoingtobethetaxpayerwhenitcomestothe
severancetax.Manyofourexecutedleases,validcontractsprovideforthat.Assuch,weneed
tobeincludedintheconversation.
Severancetaxmaybeavolatilerevenuesourceandtheadministrationneedsto
understandthat.Justthisyear,thestateofNorthDakotaboomingintheBakkenShale
unconventionaloilplayhashadmajorchangesasaresultofthevolatilityattachedtoaseverance
tax.
NorthDakotahasaprettyefficientlegislativebodythatworkswithatwoyearbudget
cycle.Becauseofthevolatilenatureoffossilfuelresourceextractionfallingoilpricesand
reductionsinwelldrillingtheyareexperiencingamassivebudgetshortfall.
Thenewforecastcutsabout$762millionfromthestatesbudgetfortherestofthe
fiscalyearendinginJune2015andslices$4.05billionfromthetwoyearbienniumfromJuly
2015toJune2017.
Thisforecastactuallyincludesacrudeoilpricewherethisweeksannouncedproposalis
silentonnaturalgasprice.
Further,Royaltypaymentstolandownerswillcutindividualincometaxcollectionsby
$30millioninthecurrentfiscalyearandby$139millionofthe20152017biennium.Corporate
incometaxcollectionswilldropby$13millionthisyearandby$58millioninthenext
biennium.Saletaxrevenueisexpectedtodropby$87millionintherestofthecurrentfiscal
yearandbyatotalof$350millioninthenexttwoyearsasaresultofthedeclineinthenumber
ofdrillingrigs.
InJune2014,IndustryWeek,notedthatNorthDakotaisthesecondlargestoilproducing
stateintheUnitedStates.OurCommonwealthneedstolookatbetterwaystofundeducation
andresolvethepensioncrisis.
Fromwherewesit,unconventionaldrillingisnotthecashcowtofundorsettleeither
issue.
So,asIwritethisblog,ourroadhereissnowcovered.Infact,ourroadhasbeensnow
coveredmanyadaylately.PerhapstheinfamousjeeptheGovernordrives,justcanthandleour
snowyroadsandincludeusintheconversation.
IhopeIamwrong.IhopeGovernorWolfnotonlyvisitsaschoolineverynortherntier
county,butalsohostsatownhallmeetingheretoexplaintoleaseholdersthebenefitsofone
moredeductiontotheirroyaltychecks.
As,whilethepressreleasesnotesthatNoportionofthetaximposedinthislegislation
willbeallowedtobedeductedfromroyaltypayments,itseemshighlyunlikelythatlegislation
cantrumpbonafidecontractsthatprovidefortaxdeductions.
EmilyKrafjack
isPresidentoftheConnectionforOil,GasandtheEnvironmentintheNorthern
Tier,agrassrootsorganizationofordinaryShalersworkingtogethertomaintaintheircommunity
flavorwhilecontinuingtolivewheretheyvealwaysliveandrightnowthatisontopofthe
MarcellusShale.
ClickHere
fortheblogpostandtheC.O.G.E.N.Twebsite.
NewsClips:
AlleghenyInstitutePolicyBrief:DrillingImpactFeeBenefitsWesternPACounties
Act13of2012setanimpactfeeondrillersforeachunconventionalwellstarted(spud)intothe
MarcellusShaleformationwithintheCommonwealthsborders.Act13setstheparametersand
rangesforthefeewhichisdeterminedbyaformulausingtheaveragesellingpriceofnaturalgas
onthemarketandtheageofthewellitself.
Adescriptionofhowtherateissetcanbefoundin
PolicyBriefVolume12,Number11
.
EachyearthePublicUtilityCommission(PUC)setsthefeeforthatyear,collects
paymentsfromthedrillers,andthendistributesthefundstostateagencies,counties,and
municipalitiesacrossthestate.
Act13alsospecifieshowtheimpactfeeistobereturnedtothesegovernmentalentities.
ThepurposeofthisBriefistoreporttheimpactfeerevenuereceivedbythesevencountiesthat
makeupthePittsburghmetropolitanstatisticalarea(MSA)(Allegheny,Armstrong,Beaver,
Butler,Fayette,Washington,andWestmoreland)afterthefirstthreeyearsofdisbursements.
TherearetwosectionsofAct13pertainingtothedistributionofrevenuestothecounties.
Thefirstsection,2314(d),allocatesmoneytocountiesbasedonthenumberofunconventional
wellsinthecountyasaproportionofthenumberofsuchwellsintheCommonwealth.Funds
distributedthroughthissectioncanbespentonlyonspecifiedareas.Thesecategoriesrangefrom
publicinfrastructuretotaxreductionstosocialandjudicialservices.
ThefollowingtableshowstheamounteachcountyintheMSAreceivedfromthissection
ofAct13overthefirstthreeyears.
County201120122013
Allegheny$79,430$145,016$201,308
Armstrong$511,855$533,923$597,430
Beaver$52,594$151,608$207,802
Butler$741,351$1,001,930$1,571,501
Fayette$1,332,667$1,232,628$1,331,230
Washington$4,253,943$4,521,869$5,915,585
Westmoreland$1,412,097$1,272,188$1,357,206
Act13mandatesthatcountiesreceivingfundsfromsection2314(d)submitareporttothe
PUConhowthemoneywasspent.Accordingtothesereports,AlleghenyCountyspentits2011
and2012distributiononthecategoryofemergencypreparedness/publicsafety.Armstrong
Countyalsospentitsentire2011allocationonthisarea,butdividedits2012allocationbetween
thiscategoryandonenvironmentalprograms.
ThePUCdidnothaveeithercountys2013expenditurereportavailableasofthis
writing.ThePUCalsodidnothaveanexpenditurereportavailableforeither2011or2013for
BeaverCounty,butdidshow2012sdistributiontohavebeenspentonacapitalreservefund.
ButlerCountywasmorediverseinspendingthisportionofitsimpactfeemoney.In2011
itspentmoneyonsocialservices,emergencypreparedness/publicsafety,itscapitalreservefund,
environmentalprograms,andonjudicialservices.For2012theyspreadthemoneyevenfurther
toincludepublicinfrastructureconstruction,stormwater/sewersystems,andoninformation
technologyinadditiontorepeatingthesamecategoriesfrom2011.2013sexpenditurereportis
notyetavailable.
FayetteCountys2011reportconsistedofexpendituresonemergency
preparedness/publicsafety,informationtechnology,acapitalreservefund,andplanning
initiatives.In2012theysplitthemoneybetweenemergencypreparedness/publicsafety,andthe
capitalreservefund.The2013reportisnotyetavailable.
WashingtonCounty,whichhasthemostunconventionalwellsinthePittsburghMSA,
hasreceivedthemostmoneyfromthispartofAct13.The2011expenditurereportfor
WashingtonCountyshowsthemostmoneyspentonpublicinfrastructureconstructionfollowed
bytheircapitalreservefund,informationtechnology,socialservices,andemergency
preparedness/publicsafety.
In2012thelistwasnotasextensiveastheyspentmoneyonemergency
preparedness/publicsafety,informationtechnology,thecapitalreservefund,andsocialservices.
In2013thelistofexpendituresincludedthecapitalreservefund,informationtechnology,public
infrastructureconstruction,emergencypreparedness/publicsafety,socialservices,andjudicial
services.
Finally,WestmorelandCountyin2011putitsmoneytowardcapitalreservesandsocial
services.In2012themoneywasspentmostlyonemergencypreparedness/publicsafetywith
onlyaverysmallfractionbeingusedforenvironmentalprograms.2013sreportisnotyet
available.
Act13alsosetsuptheMarcellusLegacyFundtodealspecificallywithenvironmental
issues.Section2315(a.1)(5),distributesmoneytocountiesfromthisfund.Allcounties,
regardlessofwhetherornottheyhostanunconventionalwell,receiverevenuesfromthis
section.Thismoneyisallocatedbasedonpopulationofthecountyasaproportionofthe
statewidepopulation.Thereisaminimumof$25,000allottedforthesmallestofcountiesandof
coursetheallocationdependsonavailablefunds.
ThefollowingtableshowshoweachcountyfaredunderthissectionofAct13.
County201120122013
Allegheny$1,037,889$1,027,541$1,178,031
Armstrong$58,490$57,419$65,554
Beaver$144,685$142,704$163,140
Butler$155,989$154,791$177,250
Fayette$115,897$113,967$129,998
Washington$176,315$174,415$200,005
Westmoreland$309,810$305,207$348,229
Asmentionedabovethesefundsarerestrictedtoenvironmentalpurposes,buttheydonot
havetobereportedtothestate.Theareasforwhichthismoneycanbespentincludethe
development,rehabilitation,andrepairofgreenways,recreationaltrails,waterresource
management,andcommunityandbeautificationprojects.Itcanalsobeusedforlanddamagedor
pronetodrainagebystormsorflooding.
ThuscountiesinthePittsburghMSAhavebeenthedirectbeneficiaryoftheMarcellus
Shalenaturalgasboom.Overthefirstthreeyearsofimpactfeedistributions,countiesinthe
MSAhavereceivedatotalof$10.38million,$10.84million,and$13.44millionrespectively.
Ofcoursewhilethesefundshavebeenrestrictedintheirusagefromthespecificsections
ofAct13,itdoesfreeupmoneyfromtheirgeneralfundbudgetforuseelsewhere.Howmuch
moneytheywillreceivegoingforwardremainstobeseen.
Theimpactfee,andthustheamountreceivedbythesecounties,isaffectedbyvariables
suchasthepriceofnaturalgas,ageofwells,andnumberofwellsnotonlywithineachcounty,
butacrosstheCommonwealthasawhole.
AcrossPennsylvaniaasawhole,thetotalamountofimpactfeerevenuesdistributedto
countiesandmunicipalitiesreached$632.4millionby2013withanothersignificantallocation
comingfromthe2014collections.
WhatHappensWithASeveranceTax?
TheGovernorsplantoimposeaseverancetaxandflatperthousandcubicfootfee
wouldrequiretheeliminationoftheimpactfee,settingupsubstantialresistancefromlocal
governmentswhoarebenefittingfromtheimpactfeerevenues.
Likelythiswillmeanthatiftheseverancetaxbillistohaveanychanceatallofbeing
passed,therewillhavetobeaprovisionthatwillessentiallyreplacethedollarslostbythelocal
governments.Nottomentiontheimpactfeerevenuethatisallocatedtostateprograms.What
willhappentothem?
WrittenBy:FrankGamrat,Ph.D.,Sr.ResearchAssociate
AlleghenyInstitute
website.
RelatedStory
AlleghenyInstituteBlog:GovernorPitchesSeveranceTaxProposal
NewsClips:
HundredsAttendPublicMeetingOnWestmorelandNaturalGasPowerPlant
Nearly300residentsattendedaDEPpublichearingonFebruary11aboutaproposalbyTenaska
PennsylvaniaPartnerstobuildanaturalgasfiredpowerplantinSouthHuntingtonTwp.,
WestmorelandCounty.
RepresentativesfromDEP'sCleanWaterandAirQualityprogramsrespondedto
questionsandlistenedtotestimony.Tenaskaofficialsalsoparticipatedinthequestionand
answersession.
Inordertobeginconstruction,thecompanymustobtainanairqualityplanapprovaland
aNationalPollutionDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitfromDEP.
Intheairqualityplanapprovalapplication,Tenaskarequestspermissiontoconstructand
temporarilyoperatethegasfiredfacility.ThecompanysNPDESapplicationrequeststo
dischargewaterusedtocoolthepowergenerationequipmentintotheYoughioghenyRiver.
DEPhasissueddraftapprovalsforbothrequestswhichincludeconditionsspecifying
howtheseairemissionsandwastewaterdischargesmustbecontrolled.
Anyonewantingtosubmitwrittencommentsshouldaddressthemto:TheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh,PA15222.Pleasenoteonthe
envelopethatyouarecommentingontheTenaskaproposals.Thepubliccommentperiodwill
closeonFebruary23.
NewsClips:
DisputeMayDerailSaleOfPrisonForNaturalGasPowerPlant
CarlisleEnergyCompanyWonBidForSCIGreensburg
UGIEncouragesGasConservationInCertainAreas
UGIAsksClarkSummitResidentsToTurnDownHeat
(Reprintedfrom
Feb.9DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
PandaPowerFundsToDevelop1,000MWPennsylvaniaPowerProjectInSnyderCounty
PandaPowerFunds
hasenteredintoajointventurewithSunburyGenerationLPtodevelop,
finance,constructandoperatea1,000megawattnaturalgasfueled,combinedcyclepower
projectnearShamokinDaminSnyderCounty.
ThePandaHummelStationpowerfacilitywilloccupyan18acreparcelofthe
192acreKeystoneOpportunityExpansionZoneatthesiteoftherecentlyretiredSunbury
coalfiredpowerplant.
Todate,HummelStationisexpectedtobeoneofthelargestcoaltonaturalgas
conversionprojectsintheUnitedStates.Theplantisexpectedtosupplylargepowermarkets,
includingPhiladelphiaandNewYorkCity,whenitenterscommercialoperationsinthesecond
halfof2017.
ThefacilitysaccesstoMarcellusShalegasthroughtheMarcI,Regencyand
TranscontinentalregionalgaspipelinesisexpectedtoprovideHummelStationwithasignificant
operatingcostadvantage.
Theplantwillinterconnecttothepipelinesthrougha35milelateralthatwillbe
constructedbyasubsidiaryofUGIEnergyServices.UGIcommencedthepermittingprocessfor
thepipelinewiththeFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissioninDecember2014after
completingayearofenvironmentalandculturalsurveys.
ImextremelyproudofthePandateamintheirworkwithSunburyGenerationandUGI
EnergyServicestocompletethelateralpipelineagreement.Finalizingtheagreementmakesthe
entireprojectpossible,saidToddW.Carter,presidentandseniorpartnerofPandaPower
Funds.WecontinuetoseePennsylvaniaasagreatplacetoinvestandarestrengtheningour
rootsherebypartneringwithwellestablishedcompaniesintheCommonwealth.
WefoundagreatpartnerinPanda,addedDaveMeehan,presidentofSunbury
Generation.TheycurrentlyhavemoregeneratingcapacityunderconstructionintheUnited
Statesthananyothercompany.Theyhaveadeepbenchinthepowerindustryandknowwhat
theyaredoing.
PandaPowerFundshastwoMarcellusgasfueledgeneratingstationscurrentlyunder
constructioninBradfordandLycomingcounties.The829megawatt
Libertypowerplant
,
locatedinTowanda,Pennsylvania,isexpectedtoentercommercialoperationsinthefirstquarter
of2016.
The829megawatt
Patriotpowerplant
,locatednearWilliamsport,Pennsylvania,is
expectedtoentercommercialoperationsinthesecondquarterof2016.
PandasHummelgeneratingstationisexpectedtobringsignificantbenefitstotheregion
duringconstructionandthelifeofthefacility.Approximately500jobswillbecreatedto
constructthepowerplantoveratwoandahalfyearperiod.
Thegeneratingstationwillcreateapproximately27direct,longtermjobstorunthe
facilityand45indirectjobswithinthecommunitytosupporttheplant.Constructionofthe
35milepipelinelateralisalsoexpectedtocreate300jobs,withseveraladditionalpermanent
jobscreatedtooperatethepipelineoverthelifeofthenewfacility.
ByservingastheanchortenantintheSunburyKeystoneOpportunityExpansionZone
(KOEZ),HummelStationwillalsosupportadditionalinvestmentatthesiteoftheretiredcoal
plant.OurdreamhasbeenthatHummelStationwillattractotherindustrialtenantstotheKOEZ
sitebeingdevelopedbyouraffiliateArcovaDevelopmentLLC.,Meehansaid.
ThepowerfacilitywillalsohelpsupportalongtermmarketforPennsylvaniaMarcellus
Shalegasproducersandroyaltyowners.
ThestateoftheartHummelStationgeneratingfacilitywillutilizethelatest,most
advancedemissionscontroltechnology,makingitoneofthecleanestnaturalgasfueledpower
plantsinthenation.Whilethenewpowerstationwillsupply260percentmorepowerthanthe
coalplantitreplaces,keyairemissionswillbereducedbyapproximately97percent.
TheHummelGeneratingStationwillalsouse97percentlesswaterforcoolingpurposes
thantheretiredcoalfiredSunburyplant.
TheexistingashbasinandimpoundmentareawillbeclosedundertheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionregulations.TheHummelprojectreceiveditsairpermitfromthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalQualityinSeptember2014.Theprojecthasalsoreceiveditswater
useandlanddevelopmentpermits.
ThegeneratingstationwillbelocatedonthewestbankoftheSusquehannaRiverin
ShamokinDamBorough,Pennsylvania.Anengineering,procurementandconstruction
contractorhasnotyetbeenselected.Constructionwilltakeapproximately30monthsandwill
commenceuponfinancingandotherconditions.
NewsClips:
UGIAsksNaturalGasCustomersInSpecificAreasToConsiderVoluntaryConservation
Duetopredictedextremecoldtemperatures,
UGIUtilities,Inc.
hasaskednaturalgascustomers
inspecificcommunitiestoconsidervoluntaryconservationthroughSaturday.
WhileUGIsnaturalgasdistributionsystemisoperatingnormally,UGIismakingthis
requesttocustomersinspecificareasoftheCompanysserviceterritoryoutofanabundanceof
caution.Communitiesaskedtopracticevoluntaryconservationinclude:
Carlisle,CumberlandCounty
ClarksSummit,LackawannaCounty
Easton,NorthamptonCounty
JimThorpe/Lehighton,CarbonCounty
TheGreaterMillersvillearea,LancasterCounty
Palmyra/Campelltown,LebanonCounty
Renovo,ClintonCounty
Customersinthesecommunitiesareaskedtoconsiderloweringtheirthermostatsto65
degreesorlowerovernightThursdaythrough9a.m.FridaymorningandovernightFriday
through9a.m.onSaturdaymorning.ThiswillassistUGIincontinuingtomaintainsystem
integrity.
CustomerswithquestionsorconcernsareurgedtocontacttheUGICallCenterat
18002762722foradditionalinformation.
NewsClips:
UGIPlanningNewNaturalGasPipeline
UGIPlans$160MPipelineToSnyderCountyPowerPlant
DEPHoldsHearingOnNaturalGasLiquidsPipeline
PropertyOwnersBraceForConstitutionPipelineEminentDomain
NativeAmericansFightToKeepPipelineOffTheirLand
SunocoGetsPushbackOnPipelineInCentralPA
WestVirginiaCrudeOilTrainDerailment,ExplosionCouldHappenInPA
TheDelawareRiverkeeperNetwork,CleanWaterAction,CleanAirCouncilandProtectingOur
WatersreleasedthisstatementTuesdayabouttheWestVirginiacrudeoiltrainderailment
Monday.
ACSXtraincarryingBakkencrudeoilfromNorthDakotaderailedalongtheKanawha
RiveratAdenaVillageandBoomer,WestVirginiaupstreamofCharleston,duringasnowstorm
Monday.Apowerfulfireballexplosionledtoevacuationofresidentswithinahalfmile,
accordingtonewsreports.
Thetrainwascarryingmorethan100tankcarsofhighlyvolatilecrudeoilwhen12to14
carsderailed,severalcaughtfire,andatleastonecarfellintotheriver.Theriverwassetafire
andonehousewasburned,residentsfleeingfortheirlivesinfrigidtemperatures.
Itisreportedthatoneresidenthasbeenhospitalized,severalhundredpeoplearein
communitysheltersandastateofemergencyhasbeendeclaredbyGov.EarlRayTomblin.The
fireswerestillburningTuesdayandwaterintakesontheriverhavebeenclosedduetooilinthe
river.
OnJanuary31,insouthPhiladelphia,11tankcarscarryingcrudeoilderailedintheCSX
railyardalongtheDelawareRivernexttoRt.95.Therehasbeenaveritableblackoutofany
informationabouthowandwhythederailmentoccurredandanysafetyorenvironmental
impacts.
Therehasbeennofollowupreportingaboutwhatoccurredattherailyard,howthetank
carswererighted,whattypeoftankcarswereinvolvedandthelevelofriskforneighboring
areasandtheriverifthetrainshadspilled,puncturedorcaughtfire.Thisisdisturbingbecause
thepublicisshutoutofthemostbasicinformationabouteventsthatcouldhaveverybigeffects
onthem.
OnJanuary20thlastyear,theCitydodgedabulletwhensevencarsfromaCSXtrain
derailedoneofthetankcarscarryingcrudeoildangledovertheriverfromtheSchuylkill
ArsenalBridgefordays.
TherehavebeennosafetyimprovementsbyCSXsincethisaccidentsinfact,thevolume
ofdangerouscrudebeingcarriedthroughPhiladelphiaandtheregionhasincreased,increasing
riskandopportunitiesforpollution.
TheseneardisastershaveleftmanyPhiladelphiaresidentsaskingnotIFacatastrophe
liketheWestVirginiacalamitywillhappenherebutWHENitwillhappen.
Twotothreemilelongtrainscarryingdomesticcruderollthrough
Philadelphia
neighborhoodseveryday
tothePhiladelphiaEnergySolutions(PES)refinery,whichis
expandingitsoperations.
TodayPESisthelargestsinglecustomerofBakkencrudeinthenation.Thereare
hundredsofthousandsofpeoplewithintheblastzoneofthetraintracksinPhiladelphia.
"WestVirginia'sderailmentisahorrifyingreminderofwhatcouldhappenin
Philadelphia.Thepossibilityofanexplosiveoiltrainderailmentthreatensourhealthandsafety
everyday.WeneedactionfromCityCouncilandtheOfficeofEmergencyManagementandwe
needtoknowwhatisbeingdonetopreventacatastrophe,"saidMaryDonahue,Program
Organizer,CleanWaterAction.
CSXistheoperatorresponsibleforbothderailmentshereinPhiladelphiaandforthis
horrificdisasterinWestVirginiaandmanymoreacrossthenation.Crudebyrailaccidentsare
increasingasfastastheoilisbeingfrackedandloadedintothesesubstandardtankcarsonold
ricketytraintracksandrailroadbridges.WhereisCityCouncilandemergencymanagement
whenweneedthemtoprotecttheCityfromtheseunacceptablerisks?Wearesittingduckshere
inPhilly,waitingforacatastrophejustlikeWestVirginiasandnooneinauthorityseemsto
care,saidTracyCarluccio,DeputyDirector,DelawareRiverkeeperNetwork.
IliveinUniversityCityneartraintracksthatrunalongtheSchuylkillandnearthe
HospitaloftheUniversityofPennsylvania.Ifatrainexplodeshere,theriver,homes(including
myown)andhospitalcouldbedestroyed.Oiltrainsmustbebanned,saysresidentAnnDixon,
memberofProtectingOurWaters.
"Itwasextremelyfortunatethatnoonewasseriouslyhurtbythederailmentand
explosioninWestVirginia,"saidMattWalker,CommunityOutreachDirectorwithCleanAir
Council."IfanexplosionweretohappeninPhiladelphia,withourhighpopulationdensityand
highernumberofolderoiltrains,itcouldhavecatastrophicimpactstoresidents,businesses,
universities,andhospitals.Whilethefederalgovernmentplanstoslowlyphaseoutoldertank
cars,thisdoesn'taddresstheinherentvolatilityofBakkencrudeoil,whichcancauseexplosions
eveninnewertankcarslikethoseintheWestVirginiaaccident,"addedWalker.
"Oiltrainsareanoutrageousrisktoourcommunities.Thesetrainsarebarrelingthrough
Pennsylvaniaputtingthelivesofhundredsofthousandsatriskandit'stimeourelectedofficials
endedthisthreatbeforeadisasterlikeWestVirginiahappenshere,said,AdamGarber,
PennEnvironment.
AcoalitionoforganizationshasrequestedCityCounciltoadoptaresolutionbanning
DOT111sandtakingotheractionstoprotecttheCityfromoiltrainpollutionanddanger.A
lettersubmittedtoCityCouncil
andthedraftresolutionisavailableonline.
NewsClips:
WVTrailDerailmentSendsOilTankerIntoRiver
WVTrainDerailmentSendsOilTankerIntoRiver
FederalOfficialsProbingWVOilTrainDerailment
CollectiveSighAfterChaosAtOilTrainDerailment
WVOilTrainDerailmentBurnsFor3rdDay
DisplacedFamiliesTryToAdjustAfterWVTrainDerailment
TrainsCarryingMoreOil,SpillingMore
HeavyFlaringAtPhillyRefinerySendsBlackSmokeIntoTheAir
Feb.19DEPNewsNowAvailableFromDepartmentOfEnvironmentalProtection
The
February19editionofDEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEPFormsConventionalOilandGasRegulationAdvisoryCommittee
HundredsAttendPublicMeetingOnWestmorelandNaturalGasPowerPlant
DEPLaunchesMineSubsidenceInsuranceCampaignInAlleghenyCounty
DEPToFacilitateCleanupOfIllegalDumpSitesInCarbon,SchuylkillCounties
March2DeadlineToApplyForGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAward
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
2015ChamberEnvironmentalConferenceAndTradeShowApril8
ThePAChamberofBusinessandIndustry
2015EnvironmentalConferenceandTradeShow
willbeheldApril8attheBestWesternPremierEdenResortinLancaster.
Coveringthecriticalcomplianceareasindepth,thePennsylvaniaChamberpresentsstate
andnationalenvironmentalofficialsandtopfieldandlegalexpertstoprovidebestpracticesand
provenstrategiestoenhanceyourinhouseenvironmentalprograms.
Theywillprovidetheanswersyouneedontherulesanddeadlinestohelpkeepyouupto
dateandabletoexecuteyourcompanysenvironmentalplanwithconfidence:
EPAUpdatefromtheWaterProtectionDivisionDirector,EPARegionIII,includingclimate
change,theChesapeakeBay,Pennsylvaniaswatersandrivers,stormwater,greeninfrastructure
andrelatedcomplianceissues
FederalenergypoliciesandtheirimpactonPAbusinessfromtheEnergyInstituteoftheU.S.
ChamberofCommerce
Thestate'sforemostlegalexpertsandfieldconsultantswillpresentnewandpotentialchanges
tolawsandregulationsforsolidwaste,water,airandnaturalresources
Breakoutsessionsonthehottestissuesthatenvironmentalmanagersaskedustocoverthis
year:air,water,waste,tanksandenergylawsandregulations
Thelatestupdates,compliancestrategiesandbestpracticesfromenvironmentalexpertswith
statewidereputationsforbeingtopintheirfieldsand
Detailed,practicalinformationthatanswersyourquestionsandensuresthatyourcompanyis
takingtheproperstepsandcomplyingcosteffectively.
Visitmorethan50exhibitorsofferinganexcitingarrayofadvancedtechnology
solutions,andnetworkwithmorethan300environmentalprofessionalsfromacrossthestate.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,visittheChambers
EnvironmentalConference
webpage.
Dept.OfHealthExtendsExpirationDatesForPotassiumIodideTablets
PotassiumIodide
(KI)tabletsdistributedinrecentyearsbytheDepartmentofHealthwitheither
FebruaryorJune2015expirationdateshavebeengivenatwoyearshelflifeextensionusing
guidelinesissuedbytheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministration(FDA).
ThedepartmentsBureauofLaboratoriestestedthetwolotsofThyroSafePotassium
IodideaccordingtoFDAguidanceanddeterminedthetabletswillremaineffectivebeyondtheir
originalexpirationdates.
KItabletsareavailableyearroundatcountyandmunicipalhealthdepartmentsorstate
healthcentersforindividualswholiveorworkwithinatenmileradiusofoneofPennsylvanias
fivenuclearpowerplants,whicharecloselyregulated,secureandwellmaintained.
AnyresidentswhoreceivedtheseKItabletsthroughpreviousDepartmentofHealth
distributionsdonotneedtoreplacethemandshouldnotthrowthemout.KItabletsarestillokay
touseiftheywerestoredinadryplace,between59and86Fahrenheitandthefoilpackagingis
stillintact.
ThetabletscanbeuseduntilJanuary2017.Thedepartmentwillalsoconductanannual
KIdistributionlaterthissummer.
KIcanhelpprotectthethyroidglandagainstharmfulradioactiveiodinewhentakenas
directedduringradiologicalemergencies.IndividualsshouldonlytakeKIwhentoldtodosoby
statehealthofficialsorthegovernor.
AnyonecantakethetabletsaslongastheyarenotallergictoKI.Theyaresafefor
pregnantwomenandthosewhoarebreastfeeding,peopleonthyroidmedicine,childrenand
infants.
Formoreinformation,readHealths
PotassiumIodideFactSheet
orcall
1877PAHEALTH(18777243258).
NewsClips:
Exelon:EPACleanPowerRuleCanBeImplementedUsingExistingMarketMechanisms
TheelectricindustrycanachievetheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencys
goaltoreduce
carbonemissions
fromexistingpowerplantsonscheduleandataminimalcosttoconsumers
withoutharminggridreliabilityorcompromisingtheefficiencyofexistingenergymarkets,
Exelon
saidThursday.
Weestimatethatstatescouldeliminateatleast75percentoftherulesimpactonretail
electricrates,limitingretailrateincreasesto2percentto5percentonaregionalbasis
TestifyingbeforetheFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissionatatechnicalconferenceto
discussEPAsproposedCleanPowerPlan,alsoknownasSection111(d)oftheCleanAirAct,
KathleenBarrn,Exelonsseniorvicepresidentoffederalregulatoryaffairsandwholesale
marketpolicy,saidthatwelldesignedcarbonreductionrulescanbeadrivingforcetomodernize
ouragingelectricsystem,maximizetheuseofcleanenergyandsupporteconomicgrowth.
BarrnsaidEPAsCleanPowerPlandoesnotrequiremakingachoicebetween
greenhousegasregulationandaffordable,reliableenergy.Rather,shesaidournationcanrelyon
existingmarketstructurestoincentivizeinvestmentincleanenergysources.
ExelonsupportsthecallofanumberoforganizationsincludingtheEdisonElectric
Institute,systemoperators,powergenerators,environmentalgroups,academicsandindustry
tradegroupsforEPAtogivestatesawaytocomplywiththeCleanPowerPlanbyimposinga
costoncarbonemissions.BarrncalledonFERCtohelpfacilitatethiscomplianceoption.
Theproposal,referredtoinExelonstestimonyastheReliabilityDispatchSafe
Harbor,buildsonexisting,provenmarketmechanisms,inwhichgridoperatorsdispatchpower
plantsinorderoftheircosttooperate.UndertheReliabilityDispatchplan,EPAwould
determineasingle,nationwideadderforcarbonemissionsthatwouldresultinemission
reductionscommensuratewiththeCleanPowerPlansoverallgoals.
Carbonemittingpowergeneratorsinstatesthatoptintotheplanwouldincludethe
carbonfeeasavariablecostofoperatingandthestatewouldbedeemedincompliancewith
EPAsinterimtarget.
Theadditionalcarbonvaluewouldreflectthetruecostofoperatinghighemittingplants,
resultinginmorecleanenergysourcesbeingdispatchedtothegridbasedontheirlowertrue
cost.Highemittingplantswouldstillbecalledonwhenneededinordertomeetdemand,
ensuringthatreliabilityisnotcompromised,Barrnsaid.
ReliabilityDispatchwouldtreatalllowcarbonpowerequally,increasingthe
competitivenessofexistingsources,includingnuclearandhydropower.Theseresourcesare
essentialtoFERCsmandatetoensureconsumershaveaccesstoreliablepower24/7andinall
weatherconditions,whilemeetingEPAscarbonreductionobligation.
Atthesametime,itwouldprovideastrongfinancialincentivetoinvestinnewclean
energyresources,suchaswindandsolar.
Toreducethepriceimpactsofcompliance,statescouldrequiregridoperatorstoreturn
thecollectedcarbonadderstoutilitiesandotherelectricitysuppliers,whowouldrefundthemto
consumers,effectivelycappingthecostoftheprogram.
Weestimatethatstatescouldeliminateatleast75percentoftherulesimpactonretail
electricrates,limitingretailrateincreasesto2percentto5percentonaregionalbasis,Barrn
said.Thiscostiswithintherangeofroutinecustomerrateincreases,whichaveraged3.2
percentamongU.S.utilitieslastyear.
AcopyofExelonstestimony
isavailableonline
.
Exelonoperates
threenuclearpowerplants,twelvefossilpowerplants,twolandfillgas
plantsandonepumpedstoragehydroelectricpowerplantinPennsylvania.Formore
information,visitExelons
EnvironmentalStewardship
webpage.
NewsClips:
PennStateResearcherDevelopedIconicGraphAtCenterOfClimateDebate
The"HockeyStick"graph,asimpleplotrepresentingtemperatureovertime,ledtothecenterof
thelargerdebateonclimatechange,andskewedthetrajectoryofatleastoneresearcher,
accordingtoMichaelMann,DistinguishedProfessorofMeteorology,PennState.
"The"HockeyStick"graphbecameacentraliconintheclimatewars,"Manntold
attendeestoday(Feb.11)attheannualmeetingoftheAmericanAssociationforthe
AdvancementofScience."Thegraphtookonalifeofitsown."
Mannandhiscoauthors,RaymondS.BradleyandMalcolmKHughes,createdthegraph
forapaper,"Northernhemispheretemperaturesduringthepastmillennium:Inferences,
uncertainties,andlimitations"whichappearedinGeophysicalResearchLettersin1999.
In2001,the
IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange
publishedaversionofthegraph
initsreport,pushingthehockeystickdepictionoftemperaturetrendstotheforefrontofthe
climatechangediscussion.
"Therehavebeendozensofotherclimatereconstructions,allverysimilartoours,"said
Mann."Theyarebasedondifferentdataanddifferentapproaches,andofcourseeveryonethinks
theirapproachisbest,buttheyallimplythatthemodernwarmingspikeisunique.Andstillthe
HockeyStickremainstheiconicgraph."
TheoriginalpaperandtheIPCCreportdemonstratedthattemperaturehadrisenwiththe
increaseinindustrializationanduseoffossilfuels.Theresearchers'conclusionwasthat
worldwidehumanactivitysincetheindustrialagehadraisedcarbondioxidelevels,trapping
greenhousegasesintheatmosphereandwarmingtheplanet.
Buttheiconicgraphengenderedattacks,includingcallsforintothevalidityandveracity
oftheresearch.SubsequentinvestigationsbytheNationalAcademyofSciences,TheNational
ScienceFoundationandPennStateallfoundtheresearchbothhonestandsolid.
Mannisquicktopointoutthattherearetwoentirelydistinctdebatestakingplacewhenit
comestoclimatechangeresearch.
Oneisthelegitimatescientificchallengingofresearchresultsthatispartofthegiveand
takeofthescientificmethodalldoneingoodfaithtohelpadvancetheforefrontofour
knowledge.Theotherconsistsofbadfaithattacksonscientistsandthescience,intendedto
advancesomeagendapolitical,religiousoreconomic.
Mannwasthrustintoalargerthanliferoleintheclimatedebatebecauseofthenotoriety
oftheHockeyStickGraph.Asascientisthewasdraggedalongwithhisresearchtoaplacemost
scientistsdonotgoandgenerallydonotwanttogo.
"IwasforcedtotakeonaroleverydifferentthantheonethatIhadenvisioned,"said
Mann.
In2012,Mannpublished"TheHockeyStickandtheClimateWars:Dispatchesfromthe
FrontLines,"(ColumbiaUniversityPress)describinghisexperiencesasareluctantfigureinthe
climatechangedebate.
"ThiswasnotwhatIenvisionedIwouldbedoingwhenIchosetobeascientist,butover
timeIhavegrowntoembracethisrole,"saidMann."Ifeelprivilegedtobeinapositionto
informthelargerpublicdiscourseoverwhatmaybethegreatestchallengecivilizationhas
faced."
Dr.Mannmaybereachedat8148634075orsendingemailto:
mann@psu.edu
.
NewsClips:
DEPSetsAdditionalClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteeMeetingForMarch18
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProblempublishednoticeofaMarch18
ClimateChange
AdvisoryCommittee
meetinginthe
February21PABulletin
.Noagendawaspublishedwiththe
noticeorontheCommitteeswebpage.ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105RachelCarson
BuildinginHarrisburgstartingat10:00.
NewsClips:
OpEd:OurHealth,NativePlants,WildlifeCompromisedByClimateChange
ByEdPerry
PANWFGlobalWarmingOutreachCoordinator
Slowlybutsurely,LymediseasehasreachednearepidemicproportionsinPennsylvania.Twenty
yearsago,mostofusneverheardofLymedisease.Now,mostofusknowsomeonewhohashad
itandmanyofushavehaditaswell.TicksnotonlyaremoreabundantinPennsylvania,butthey
alsohavemigratedintoCanada.
ItsnocoincidencethatwarmerwintershavefacilitatedthespreadoftickstotheNorth.
Anothernoxiousinsectpest,thewoolyadelgid,isdecimatingourstatetree,thehemlock.
ThisspeciesoriginatedinsouthernVirginia,buthassteadilymovednorthaswintershave
warmed.Asof2007,theadelgidhasimpactedover50percentofthegeographicrangeofthe
hemlock.
Hemlocksarewhatscientistscallakeystonespecies.Thatis,onewhichmanyother
speciesdependonforfood,coverandnestinghabitat.Brooktrout,ourstatefish,issoclosely
alliedwithhemlocksthatatonetimetheywerecalledhemlocktrout.
Scientistspredictthatglobalwarmingwillenabletheadelgidtoeventuallyeliminateour
statetreefromtheeasternUnitedStates,therebyspeedingthedemiseofourstatefish.
Globalwarmingisntjustblindsidingnativespecieswithhabitatchangesitsgivinga
leguptomanyharmfulandinvasivespecies.Inessence,climatechangeputsathumbonthe
competitivescale,helpingnotthespeciesthataremostbeneficialormosteconomically
valuable,buttheonesthatcantaketheheat.
Ordinarily,onewouldthinkglobalwarmingwouldhaveonlyminoreffectsonmobile
species.However,arecent
reportbytheNationalAudubonSociety
foundthat,ofthe588North
Americanbirdspecies,morethanhalfarelikelytobeintrouble.Ofthe314speciesatriskfrom
globalwarming,126ofthemareclassifiedasclimateendangered.
So,ifmobilespecieslikebirdsareunabletocopewiththerapidincreasedtemperature
change,howdoyousupposelessmobilecreatureswillfare?
Conservationbiologistsbelievewealreadyareinthemidstofthesixthgreatextinction
eventandareonthepathtolosinghalfofallspeciesonEarth.
Climatescientistswarnthatunlesswereducecarbonpollution,temperatureswillriseby
sevento11degreeswithinthelifetimeofachildborntoday.Bytheyear2100,Pennsylvania
willhavetheclimateofAlabama,withroughly60to80daysover90degrees(dependingon
location)andatleast24daysover100degrees.Thisisthelegacywewillleaveforourkidsand
grandkids.
WeAmericanswantourgovernmenttotakeactiontoreducethethreatofclimatechange.
ArecentpollbytheNaturalResourcesDefenseCouncilfoundthatover60percentof
PennsylvanianssupporttheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencysplantolimitcarbonpollution
frompowerplants,82percentbelievePennsylvaniashouldworkwiththeEPAtoreducecarbon
emissions,and97percentsupportincreasedenergyefficiencyasthewaytomeetfutureenergy
needs.
Thispublicsupportforcleanenergyandtheoverwhelmingscientificconsensusonglobal
warmingdriveshomewhythepresidenthasdevelopeda
CleanPowerPlan
,thefirstrealenergy
policywehaveeverhad.
Hisplanproposesthefirstevercarbonpollutionstandardsforpowerplants,butalso
mandateshigherfuelefficiencystandardsforcarsandlighttrucks,moreefficientappliancesand
increasedenergyefficiencystandardsfornewconstruction.
Ifwearegoingtocombatclimatechangeandreduceemissionsofclimatedisrupting
carbonpollution,asscientiststelluswemusttoavoidincreasinglycostlyanddevastating
impacts,curbingpollutionfromourpowersectoriskey,andthepresidentsCleanPowerPlan
willhelpusgetthere.
ThestaunchdenialofclimatechangebymanylawmakersinWashingtonisdangerous
anddoesnotreflectthetruethinkingofpeopleacrossthecountrywhonotonlyrecognizethe
realityofclimatechange,butalsosupportactiontocurbitsimpacts.
Thestakesaretoohightoplaypoliticswiththehealthandsafetyofourcommunities.Its
timetoendtheobstructionandtakeaction.
TheleastthatwePennsylvanianscandoiscontactourlegislatorsinhopesofpreserving
somesemblanceofourbeautifulstatesnaturalheritage.
EdPerry
isthePANationalWildlifeFederationGlobalWarmingOutreachCoordinatorandcan
becontactedbysendingemailto:
paglobalwarmingoutreach@gmail.com
.
RelatedStory:
NWFReport:GlobalWarmingPicksAWinner,TheRiseOfNoxiousInsectPests
NewsClips:
PATroutAquaticInvasiveSpeciesWorkshopsFeb.28,March7,21
The
PACouncilofTrout
alongwith
PASeaGrant
,FishandBoatCommissionandthelocal
TroutUnlimitedchapterswillbeconducting
threeAquaticInvasiveSpeciesandConservation
Workshops
acrossthestate.
February28
:LewistownRecreationCenterinLewistown,MifflinCounty
March7
:McKeeverEnvironmentalLearningCenterinSandyLake,MercerCountyand
March21
:LoyalhannaWatershedAssociationBuildinginLigonier,WestmorelandCounty.
ThefirsthalfoftheworkshopwillbepresentedbyPASeaGrantanddiscussthethreats
ofAISandtheimpactstheywillhaveonourcoldwaterresources.Thesecondhalfofthe
workshopwillfocusonconservationinitiativesandpropertechniquesforassessingand
protectingPAscoldwaterresources.
Theseworkshopsarefreeandopentothepublic.Alightlunchwillbeprovidedforthose
attending.Toregister,pleasecontactSamanthaKutskelbysendingemailto:
skutskel@coldwaterheritage.org
orcall8143595233.
PAParks&RecreationSocietyAnnualConferenceMarch2225
The
68thAnnualPAParksandRecreationSocietyConference
willbeheldMarch2225atthe
LancasterMarriott&ConventionCenter,25SouthQueenSt.,Lancaster.
ThisyearsPRPSconferencethemeis#BreakingTraditions.Weare#BreakingTraditions
withfresh,enhancedconferenceideasimplementedtotheprogramschedule,exhibithalland
registrationandkeepingthetriedandtrueconferencetraditions!
OurnewconferencelocationinthepicturesqueLancasterCountywillhaveyou
appreciatingthesimplerlife,withitsrollinghills,farmsteadsandroadsidemarkets.
Bereadyforabuggytotakeyouonan80megabitspersecondhighspeedinternetride
toshowyouhowtobringtechnologyandParksandRecreationtogether.
Forallthedetails,visitthe
PRPSConference
webpage.
SavetheDate:2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummitSept.2022
The
2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummit
willbeheldSeptember2022attheHolidayInnand
AlleghenyCommunityCenterinWarren,Pa.
Thiswalkableeventgatherstrailblazersfromacrossthestatefor2daysofeducation
andnetworking.Thelocalhostcommittee,whichiscomprisedoffivepartneringorganizations
CityofWarren,WarrenCountyVisitorsBureau,WarrenCounty,WarrenCountyChamberof
BusinessandIndustry,andAlleghenyCommunityCenterisworkinghardtodevelopa
topnotcheventforyou.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
webpage.
FortWashingtonStateParkVolunteerDayCleanup,FixupApril11
Theannual
FortWashingtonStatePark
VolunteerDaywill
beheldonApril11from9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.in
MontgomeryCounty.
Volunteerswillhelpwithplantingtrees,trashcleanup,
rakingleaves,assemblingpicnictablesandotherspringtime
projects.Allyouneedtobringisapairofgardenorwork
glovestomakeabigdifferenceinthePark.FortWashington
StateParkwillsupplythetoolsandtrashbags.Volunteersof
allagesarewelcomedandappreciated.
Meetneartheobservationdeckandpleaseregisteratthe
backendofparkinglot#5intheMilitiaHillareaofthepark.Refreshmentsandapicniclunch
willbeprovided.
RaindateApril12thONLYifwehaveheavyrainorsnow.
Questions?Calltheparkofficeat2155915250.
ChathamUniversityHostsNewDocumentaryOnRachelCarsonFeb.21
ChathamUniversitys
EddyTheaterwillhostanewdocumentary,
ThePowerOfOneVoiceA
50YearPerspectiveontheLifeofRachelCarson
onFebruary21at6:30inPittsburgh.
Click
Here
towatchatrailer.
Followingthescreeningwillbeapaneldiscussionandaudienceconversationabout
movingfromawarenesstoaction.
Theeventisopentothepublicwitha$15admissioncharge.Registrationisrequired.
ClickHere
toRSVP
Ifyouwishtopurchaseaninstitutionallicenseofthisfilmtouseforclassesoraspartof
yourresourcelibrary,youcan
orderaDVDonline
.
WVIACompletesSeason3OfGreenlifePennsylvaniaSeries
The
NortheasternPennsylvaniaEducationalTelevisionAssociationWVIA
inWilkesBarre
recentlycompletedseasonthreeoftheir
GreenlifePennsylvania
series.
ThethemeistoThinkGlobally,ActLocally,andtheseriesfocusesonhow
Pennsylvaniansaretacklinguniversalenvironmentalissuessuchashabitatlossandrestoration,
invasivespecies,andalossofconnectiontotheoutdoors.
ThisseriesshowshowDCNR,ourpartnersandgranteesareusingcuttingedgetactics
withacandospirittomakeourstateabetterplacetolive.Hereisalinkandthumbnailsketch
ofeachepisode
Episode301
:ExplorethePhippsConservatoryinPittsburgh,YardsBrewery,andmore!
Episode302
:ExploreHawkMountain,JenningsEnvironmentalEducationCenterandmore

Episode303
:ExploreBikePittsburgh,EnvironmentalEducationAreaattheDoylestown
TownshipCentralParkandmore!
Episode304
:ExploretheLackawannaHeritageTrail,InvasiveSpeciesofFish,andmore!
Episode305:
ExploreFrenchCreek,DauphinCountyConservationDistrictandmore!
ClickHere
forlinkstoallthreeseasonsofGreenlifePennsylvania.
PAParks&ForestsFoundationPostsFactSheetsToEncourageYouToGetOutside
The
PAParksandForestsFoundation
recentlypostedaseriesoffactsheetsabouthowto
becomemoreactiveintheoutdoorscalledRecreationBasicsHowToAndWhereTocovering7
differenttopicsincluding
autotours
,
crosscountryskiing
and
primitivecamping
.
ThefactsheetswerewritteninacooperativeventurebetweenPPFFandtheDepartment
ofConservationandNaturalResources,withfundingfromtheDepartmentofCommunityand
EconomicDevelopment.
Weareexcitedtohavethesefactsheets,astherearesomanyactivitiesthatcanbedone
inourstateparksandforests.Weseethefactsheetsasawaytoexcitepeopleaboutwherethey
cangoandwhattheycandoacrossthestate,atanytimeoftheyear,saidPPFFPresidentMarci
Mowery.
CurrentandfuturevisitorstoPennsylvaniastateparksandforestswillbenefitfromthe
informationcontainedinthenewfactsheets.Whileansweringmanyfrequentlyaskedquestions,
theyalsoservetoeducateandinformvisitorsaboutthevastarrayofpassiveandactive
recreationalopportunitiesthatareavailable,saysTerriKromel,BureauofStateParks,Chief,
OutdoorProgrammingServicesDivision.Eachrecreationtypesupportslocalbusinesses
interestsandcomplementstheirservices,thusbuildingimportantpartnershipopportunities
betweenlocalinterestsandstateparksandforests.
Pennsylvaniastateparksandforestsareopenyearroundandprovideawiderangeof
recreationalopportunitiestosuitallinterestsandskills.Winteractivitiesinclude
fishing
,cross
countryandalpineskiing,sledding,
horsebackriding
,
hunting
,
mountainbiking
andsnowshoe
hiking.Manyparkshostfamilyeventstoencouragepeopleofallagestogetadventurousinthe
outdoors.
ClickHere
toreadthefactsheets.
WinterScavengerHunt,GeocachingChallengeSetAtHawkMountainFeb.21
HawkMountainSanctuary
,BerksCounty,encourageslocalresidentstogetoutsideandenjoy
thewinterseasonwithtwoselfguidedactivities,a
WinterScavengerHuntandGeocaching
Challenge
onFebruary21startingat10a.m.attheSanctuaryVisitorCenter.
Costisincludedwithtrailfeefortheday($6adults,$5seniors,$3children6to12),and
participantsmaystopbyanytimeuntil3pm.AsnowdateisscheduledforSunday,February22.
ThescavengerhuntwillencourageparticipantstousethesurroundingtrailsandNative
PlantGardentofindsignsofwildlifeinwinter,whilethegeocachingchallengewilllead
participantsusinghandheldGPSunitstoanumberofdifferentcoordinatesthatculminateina
modest"treasure"orprize.
Bothactivitiesareonedayonly,andaneducationinternwillbeonhandtoassist.A
limitednumberofGPSunitswillalsobeavailableonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.Both
activitieswillincludeoptionsforthebeginnerandintermediatelevelssokidsandadultsalike
canjoininthefun.
Participantsshoulddressfortheweather,includingpropersnowyweathershoeattire
(cramponsrecommended),GPSunits,andcarrybottledwaterandsnacksinadaypack.
Formoreinformation,visitHawkMountains
WinterScavengerHuntandGeocaching
Challenge
webpage.
RareLongEaredOwlDiscoveredInWissahickonWatershed
ALongEaredOwlwasdiscoveredroostinginagroveofyoungtreesata
WissahickonValley
WatershedAssociation
preserveinMontgomeryCountyonFebruary6.
MargaretRohde,staffnaturalist,madetheobservationwhileNateBorger,aresearcher
fromDelawareValleyUniversitytookthesubsequentphotograph.TheOwlwasdiscovered
whileWVWAstaffandDelValscientistswerescoutingandassessingwildlifehabitatfor
mammals.
TheLongEaredOwlisanextremerarityforsoutheasternPennsylvania.TheGame
CommissionconsideritThreatenedduetolossofhabitat.AccordingtothePennsylvania
BreedingBirdAtlas,only11reportedsightingsweremadebetweentheyearsof20042008.
Theowlwasobservedperchedinatreeabout6feetaboveground,motionless,butthe
excitementofthewitnessesandtheircloseproximitymadethebirdnervous.Itfleweastandout
ofsight,andcouldnotberelocated.
ThefindingoftheLongEaredOwlraisesspeculation.Isawintermigrantwaitingfor
springtimetoreturntoitsbreedinglocationsomewherenorthorisitalocalterritorialbirdthat
hasbeenhiddenonlytobediscoverednow?
IftheLongEaredOwlturnsoutbepartofabreedingpair,theWVWAwillexertgreat
cautionastonotdisturbthebirdsandminimizepublicaccesstoensuretheirsurvival.
JohnFerro,ManageroftheWVWAsConservationResourcesProgram,states,The
discoveryoftheLongEaredOwlaffirmsthatwearesuccessfullymanagingourpreservesfor
wildlife.Thefactthatithasfoundahomeinourpreservesmakesitlikelythatitwillreturnnext
yearorthattherecouldbemore.
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
orcall
2156468866.
DeniseBrinleyToBeNamedDEPExecutiveDeputyForPrograms
DeniseBrinleyisexpectedtobenamedExecutiveDeputyfor
ProgramsattheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninthenear
future.ShewillstarthernewpositiononFebruary23.
TheExecutiveDeputySecretaryforProgramspositionplans,
directs,integratesandevaluatesallofthecoreenvironmental
protectionprogramsfortheagency.
Thisincludesbuildingeffectiverelationshipswithpublic
officials,nongovernmentorganizations,theregulatedcommunityand
otherpartnerstofurthertheagency'sstrategicagenda.
Since2012Brinleywasavicepresidentandprincipal
consultantwith
TRCCompanies
initsHarrisburgofficesupportingTRCsinitiativesinthe
fieldsofShalegas,renewables,REPower,andBrownfieldredevelopment,aswellasthe
expansionofTRCsduediligence,permitting,remediationandotherservicesareasin
Pennsylvania,Ohio,WestVirginia,NewYorkandsurroundingstates.
ShealsoleadTRC'sAppalachianShaleGasInitiativeresponsibleforidentifyingmarket
opportunities,generatingsales,andleadingacoreteamofbusinessdevelopmentprofessionals
forAppalachianshalegasservicegrowth(MarcellusandUticaShalesinPennsylvania,Ohio,
WestVirginia,andNewYork).
PriortothatpositionsheservedasdirectoroftheDEPsBureauofEnvironmental
CleanupandBrownfieldsin2011wheresheoversawtheCommonwealthscomprehensive
environmentalcleanupprograms,includingtheredevelopmentofbrownfieldsites.Sheiswidely
knownforhereffortsinworkingwithpublicandprivatepartnerstobringidledpropertyback
intoproductivereuse.
From2009to2011BrinleyalsoservedasDEPDeputySecretaryfortheOfficeof
CommunityRevitalizationandLocalGovernmentSupport,wheresheforgedpartnershipswith
economicandindustrialdevelopmentassociations,localgovernments,privatedevelopers,and
thebusinesscommunity.
Brinleyfacilitatedenvironmentalpermittingandleveragedstateinvestmentfor
communityrevitalizationprojectswiththepotentialforregional,statewideornationalimpact,or
whichinvolvedlargescaleinvestmentfromdomesticorinternationalgroups.
DuringhertenureatDEP,Brinleyworkedonabroadspectrumofissuesrelatingtothe
increaseintheMarcellusShalegasplay,includingenvironmentalauthorizations,cleanup
obligations,andinfrastructurerequirements.
HelpWanted:ChesapeakeBayFoundationWatershedRestoration,AgProgramManagers
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
isseekingcandidatestofilltwopositionsintheHarrisburg
officeaSeniorAgricultureProgramManagerandaWatershedRestorationProgramManager.
PASeniorAgricultureProgramManager:
Thispositionwillprovidestrategicvisionand
directionofCBFPennsylvaniaofficeagriculturalpolicyinitiativesandWatershedRestoration
Program.ThispositionwillserveasthecorestrategicadvisortoPennsylvaniastaffandsenior
CBFstaffinthedevelopmentandimplementationofCBFagriculturalinitiatives.
Developandexpandclosecollaborativerelationshipswithadiversesetofstakeholders
including,butnotlimitedto,agriculturalbusinessleaders,state,andfederalagencystaff,
agriculturalassociations,legislatorsandlegislativestaff,researchers,andothertraditionaland
nontraditionalpartners.
PAWatershedRestorationProgramManager:
ThispositionwillmanageCBFs
PennsylvaniaRestorationProgramforthebenefitoflocalstreamsandriversaswellasthe
ChesapeakeBay.
ThepositionsupervisesPennsylvaniarestorationfieldstaff,seeksandmanagespublic
andprivategrantswiththeassistanceofCBFfinancial,grantmanagement,anddevelopment
staff,andmaintainsexemplaryunderstandingofinstream,riparianzone,anduplandrestoration
science,practice,andpolicy.
ApplicationsaredueFebruary27.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
HelpWanted:ChesterCountyConservationDistrictAgResourceConservationist
The
ChesterCountyConservationDistrict
isseekingcandidatesforanAgriculturalResource
Conservationisttoprovidetechnicalandfinancialassistancetolocallandownersinorderto
conservesoil,andtoprotectandenhanceChesterCounty'snaturalresources.
ClickHere
forall
thedetails.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
February23
NEW
.
SenateAppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)willmodernizethePennsylvaniaTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrict
(TRID)Act(
sponsorsummary
).RulesRoom.OfftheFloor.
February23
CANCELED
.
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
informationalmeetingon
waterandwastewaterindustries.Room60EastWing.11:00.
February24
NEW
.
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill214
sponsorsummary
),
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)
providingforanindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard(
sponsorsummary
),
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingforsewagelaterallineimprovementsandrepair
(
sponsorsummary
).Room8EBEastWing.9:30.
February24
NEW
.
SenateAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittee
meetstoconsider
Senate
Bill201
(SchwankDBerks)allowingthethelocationofagriculturerelatedbusinesson
preservedfarmland(
sponsorsummary
).Room461.10:00.
February24
UGIEnergyServicespublicmeetingson
Sunburynaturalgaspipeline
.
LairdsvilleVolunteerFireDepartment,143SchoolLane,Lairdsville,LycomingCounty.5:30.
February25
meetstoconsider
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)relatingtoimprovingnaturalgasretailcompetitionbyprovidingamore
frequentmechanismfortruingupnaturalgascosts(
sponsorsummary
).Room39EastWing.
9:00.
February25
DEPpublicmeetingonKeystoneLandfillexpansionpermit.DunmoreHigh
School,300WestWarrenSt.,Dunmore,LuzerneCounty.6to10p.m.
ClickHere
formore
information.
February25
DEPpublicmeeting,hearingonNPDES,WasteManagementpermitsforthe
WellsboroJohnstonAirportexpansion.Thepublicmeetingwillbeheldat6:00p.m.,followed
bythepublichearingat7:30p.m.attheWellsboroFireDepartmentAnnex,21EastAve.,
Wellsboro.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
(formalnotice
PABulletinpage458
)
February25
UGIEnergyServicespublicmeetingson
Sunburynaturalgaspipeline
.Sunbury
SocialClub,352EastDrive,Sunbury,NorthumberlandCounty.5:30.
February25
PennStateExtensionGreenInfrastructureWebinar:
EcosystemServicesBy
GreenInfrastructure.
Noon.
February26
SustainablePittsburgh
GreenWorkplaceChallengeWorkshop
.
Westmoreland
CountyCommunityCollegeAdvancedTechnologyCenter
,1333Old119,Tarrs,PA.8:30.
March2
EnvironmentalIssuesForum
,JointLegislativeAirAndWaterPollutionControland
ConservationCommittee.PresentationbyBrianWagner,PACouncilofTroutUnlimited.Room
8EAEastWing.noon.
March3
NEW
.Senate
LocalGovernment
and
CommitteesholdajointhearingontheopportunitiescreatedbytheAct13drillingimpactfeefor
counties,municipalities,conservationdistrictsandlocaleconomicdevelopmentagencies.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.8:30.
March3
GovernorsBudgetAddress.
March3
AgendaPosted
.
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.
UpdateOn:FederalUSTRegulations,GuidelinesforUSTCathodicProtection,USTOperator
TrainingCompliance,SignificantOperationalCompliance,TOSExtensionApprovals,USTIB
AllocationRequests,LandRecyclingProgramDraftChapter250,RevisionstoVaporIntrusion
Guidance
CommitteeRecommendationOnChapter250
<>
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March4
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
informationmeetingtoreceivetheFishand
BoatCommissionsannualreport.RoomB31MainCapitol.9:00.
March5
CANCELED.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
March5
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
meetingtoconsider:(1)informational
presentationofinteresttotheLowerSusquehannaSubbasinarea(2)revisionofFiscalYear
2016budget(3)ratification/approvalofcontracts/grants(4)resolutiontoencouragetheuseof
drycoolingtechnologyforpowergenerationandotherfacilitiesfortheconservationofthe
watersoftheSusquehannaRiverBasin(5)noticeforFourSeasonsGolfCourseprojectsponsor
toappearandshowcausebeforetheCommission(6)regulatorycompliancematterforCabot
Oil&GasCorporationand(7)RegulatoryProgramprojects.HersheyLodge,325University
Drive,Hershey.9:00.
March8
ChesterRidleyCrumWatershedsAssn
.
MakeYourYardASustainableLandscape
.
PennStateBrandywineCampus,Media,DelawareCounty.2:00.
March9
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
budgethearing:10:00IndependentFiscal
Office/Economic&RevenueOutlook.Room140MainCapitol.
March11
budgethearing:2:30DepartmentofAgriculture.
Room140MainCapitol.
March10
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
March10
DEPWebinaron
Act162StreamBufferImplementation
:10:00
RiparianBuffer
Equivalency
,1:00
RiparianBufferOffsets
.
March1011
NEW
.
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
hearing,meetingonwaterwithdrawal
requests.WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,Washington
Crossing,PA.1:30hearing,1:00meeting.
(
formalnotice,agenda
)
March11
DEPWebinaron
Act162StreamBufferImplementation
:10:00
RiparianBuffer
Equivalency
,1:00
RiparianBufferOffsets
.
March11
budgethearing:11:00PUCConsumerAdvocate
andSmallBusinessAdvocate,1:00DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,3:00Public
UtilityCommission.Room140MainCapitol.
March11
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommittee
March11
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
.BureauofLaboratories
Building,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.
March16
budgethearing:9:30GovernorsBudgetOffice,
1:00IndependentFiscalOffice.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March16
budgethearing:1:30Departmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources.Room140MainCapitol.
March17
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
March17
DEP
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
March18
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.Room
11BConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
March18
NEW.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
(
formalnotice
)
March19
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
.Room105Rachel
March20
NEW
.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
March2225
NEW
.
68thAnnualPAParksandRecreationSocietyConference
.Lancaster
Marriott&ConventionCenter.25SouthQueenSt.,Lancaster.
March23
budgethearing:9:30PublicUtilityCommission.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March23
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
informationalmeetingtoreceivetheGame
Commissionannualreport.Room60EastWing.10:00.
March24
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
10:30.
March25
budgethearing:9:30Dept.ofEnvironmental
Protection.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March25
budgethearing:9:30EmergencyManagement
Agency.Room140MainCapitol.
March26
budgethearing:9:30BudgetSecretaryOfficeof
theGovernor,1:00HouseMemberTestimony.Room140MainCapitol.
March31
informationalmeetingtohearpresentations
fromtheelectricandnaturalgasindustriesonpriorities.Room60EastWing.9:15.
March31
budgethearing:3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
April1
budgethearing:11:00Dept.ofConservationand
NaturalResources.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
April2
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
April2
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
10:00.
April8
CANCELED
.
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April13
EnvironmentalIssuesForum
,JointConservationCommitteetohearapresentationby
theChesapeakeBayFoundationPAontheeconomicbenefitsofcleaninguptheBay.LTBA.
Noon.
April15
DEP
StateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
April15
NEW
.
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April15
NEW
.
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April16
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.
April21
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.
April22
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
April22
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
April23
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
Building.10:00.
April29
CANCELED
.
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisory
Council
meeting.DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
May6
2015PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,State
College.
May6
NEW
.
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
May68
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference
.ToftreesResort,
StateCollege.
May79
PALandTrustAssn.
PALand&WaterConservationConference
.Wyndham,
Gettysburg.
May1315
DEPand
Engineers'SocietyofWesternPennsylvania
2015Pennsylvania
BrownfieldsConference
.ErieBayfrontConventionCenter,Erie.
May19
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
May28
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:00.
June3
DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloorConference,Rachel
June9
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
June24
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
.BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,
2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.
July22
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommitteeforWaterandWastewaterSystems
Operators
meeting.14thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
September2022
NEW
.
.HolidayInnandAllegheny
CommunityCenter,Warren.
September24
DEP
RecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
&
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October2
DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October2830
2015PartnershipforSafeWater
2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythe
PennsylvaniaSectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
February27
POWRPASojournGrants
February27
CocaCola,KeepAmericaBeautifulRecyclingBinGrants
February28
AppalachianTrailMuseumHallOfFameNominations
March2
GovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAward
s
March2
DominionResourcesEnvironmentalStewardshipGrants
March13
PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
March13
EPAPresidentialInnovationAwardForEnvironmentalEducators
March16
PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March20
WRENSourceWaterProtectionCollaborativeGrants
March20
PAWildsChampionsAwards
March21
PAEPKarlMasonAndWalterLyonAwards
March27
PECO/NaturalLandsTrustGreenRegionGrants
March31
NEW
.
AbandonedMineReclamationConferenceFilmFestival
March31
DEPHostMunicipalityWasteInspectorReimbursementGrants
March31
DelawareHighlandsConservancyYeamanStudentScholarship
April5
DCNRECOCamp,StudentsInterestedInEnvironmentalCareers
April10
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedsStudentArtContest
April15
DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(oruntilfundsrunout)
April16
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants
June30
CFAWatershedRestorationProtectionGrants
June30
CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatementandTreatmentGrants
June30
CFABaselineWaterQualityDataGrants
June30
CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPluggingGrants
June30
CFASewageFacilitiesGrants
June30
CFAFloodMitigationGrants
June30
CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreationGrants
June30
DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates
(oruntilrebatesrunout)
July30
TreeVitalizeInventory,PlantingGrants
September12
PPFFStateParksandForestsThroughTheSeasonPhotoContest
September30
DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
GeneralEnvironmental/BudgetNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
Budget
Other
PennDOTWaivesLimitsOnHaulersOfHeatingOil,Propane
PennDOTTemporarilyWaivesRestrictionsOnCommercialDrivers
PittsburghLooksToAddBiodieselFuelSystemsToTrucks
NaturalGasFuelingStationEyedInDunbar
AnthraciteHeritageMuseumPlansStateCharterDayProgram
ColcomFoundationFundsImmigration,EnvironmentalProjects
AlmostAllOfLakeErieNowCoveredByIce
PresqueIsleReceivingLessMoneyForSandIn2015
BusMeetsBike:NextWaveOfCommuters
PALeadsGreatBackyardBirdCountWith2,000Checklists
PA2ndInGreatBackyardBirdCount
CodorusStateParkBaldEagles,WheresDaddy?
PittsburghEaglesLaySeasons1stEgg
Editorial:ValentinesDayViewing:LiveEagleNestCam
10,000SnowGeeseAtMiddleCreek
NHResortOffersAsylumToPunxsutawneyPhil
MeteorTrackingAcrossPACapturedOnCamera
DEPsNewsClipswebpage
ClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling
UGIPlanningNewNaturalGasPipeline
UGIPlans$160MPipelineToSnyderCountyPowerPlant
DEPHoldsHearingOnNaturalGasLiquidsPipeline
PropertyOwnersBraceForConstitutionPipelineEminentDomain
NativeAmericansFightToKeepPipelineOffTheirLand
SunocoGetsPushbackOnPipelineInCentralPA
StatesGasWellsIncreaseProductionBy30Percent
DEP:ShaleProducersHit4TrillionCubicFeetOfGasIn2014
MarcellusShaleProductionBreaksAnotherRecord
ScientistsMeasureLowMethaneLeaksFromNEGasFields
CabotHeldTopProducingWellsLastYear
PA,UnlikeOtherStates,RetainsDrillingRigs
NaturalGasFuelingStationEyedInDunbar
MudServesMultiplePurposesIn$100BShaleIndustry
FrackingApplicationUnderReviewInPennTwp
MonroevilleEyesImpactOfPennTwpWellSites
Shell,CenterTwpDiscussRelocatingMunicipalWaterWells
AwardWinningTeamAtPennWorksToMakeFrackingSafer
50NELandownersSueGasCompanyOverLeases
LandownersFileAntiTrustLawsuitAgainstChesapeake,WilliamsPartners
Financial/OtherStates
HeavyFlaringAtPhillyRefinerySendsBlackSmokeIntoTheAir
AfterFrackingBan,SomeNewYorkTownsWantToSecede
CongressionalDemsWantMoreFrackingOversight
CommutersSeeWindfallAsOilPricesFall
OilFallsSharplyAfterU.S.CrudeInventoriesRise
GasolinePricesStartingtoIncrease
SinkingOilPricesAlsoHittingNaturalGasLiquids
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Watershed/FloodingNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
Flooding
OtherWatershedNewsClips
SomeWVResidentsAllowedToReturnHomeAfterDerailment
OilTrainsInPAGettingMoreScrutiny
Letter:TrainsWorseThanOilPipeline?
Editorial:AnotherOilTrainDisasterRevivesSafetyConcerns
DEPProjectToDelayEddyCreekSewerProject
PresqueIsleReceivingLessMoneyForSandIn2015
MoreShouldBeDoneToPromoteMonRiverfront
ShippersWelcomeLock,DamFundingForMon
DryConditionsInMidstateNotSeriousYet
AlmostAllOfLakeErieNowCoveredByIce
CoastGuardDispatchesIceBreakersToDelawareRiver
FreezingWeatherComplicatingRiverTrafficAroundPittsburgh
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinFebruary21,2015
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
ofdrafttechnicalguidanceonthe
AcidMineDrainageSetAsideProgram.
DRAFT:DEPID:3705500001.Title:AcidMineDrainageSetAsideProgram:Program
ImplementationGuidelines.Description:Thisdocumentestablishesuniformproceduresto
ensurethattheAcidMineDrainageSetAsideProgramisimplementedinascientificallysound
andcosteffectivemannertomaximizethestreammilesrestoredwiththefundsavailable.The
document,initiallydraftedin2009,wasreevaluatedandrevised,andwillbefinalizedafter
receiptandconsiderationofpubliccomments.
WrittenComments:Interestedpersonsmaysubmitwrittencommentsonthisdraft
technicalguidancedocumentbyMarch23,2015.Commentssubmittedbyfacsimilewillnotbe
accepted.Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyemail,mustincludetheoriginator's
nameandaddress.WrittencommentsshouldbesubmittedtoPamelaMilavec,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,BureauofConservationandRestoration,286IndustrialParkRoad,
Ebensburg,PA15931,
pmilavec@pa.gov
.Contact:PamelaMilavec,(814)4721832,
pmilavec@pa.gov
.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnew
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
GetInvolved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
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iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
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