Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
The PA Association of Environmental Professionals Monday announced they recognized Felicia
Dell, Director of the York County Planning Commission with the Karl Mason Award and the
Suskie Bassmasters with the Walter Lyon Award.
The winners will be recognized at the PAEP Awards Dinner at its annual conference May
3 in State College.
-- Karl Mason Award: Felicia Dell, Director York County Planning Commission
Felicia Dell became Director of the York County Planning Commission in the spring of
2000, after previously serving as Chief of the Transportation Division and Assistant Director. As
Director, she manages the day-to-day operation, as well as the long-term direction, of the
organization.
Early in her duties as Director, it became apparent water related issues would become
very important, not only in York County, but also Statewide, especially in the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed.
In an attempt to get continuity concerning water issues for York County, upon Felicia’s
recommendation, the York County Planning Commission (YCPC) became one of the first, if not
the first, county planning offices to hire a full time planner dedicated solely to water related
issues.
Very quickly, YCPC became a prominent player in water issues for Pennsylvania and
continues to be an expected presence at local, State, regional, and Federal water related functions
and meetings.
Felicia keeps abreast of proposed water related legislation, policies, and plans and
frequently directs the Water Resources Coordinator to prepare comments for submission.
Under Felicia’s guidance, YCPC developed an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP),
which met the requirements of the PA Municipalities Planning Code and the PA Stormwater
Management Act (Act 167).
The County Commissioners adopted the Plan in 2011 as a component of the County
Comprehensive Plan, making York County one of the first to incorporate a countywide Act 167
Stormwater Management Plan into a Comprehensive Plan.
Additionally, the IWRP contains a unique flow chart tool that demonstrates how
everything related to water resources interacts and ties together. An inherent value of the
flowchart tool is its applicability to all municipalities in York County and its transferability to
other counties in Pennsylvania.
Felicia is an active member of Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay WIP Phase 3 Steering
Committee, Co-Chair of the WIP Phase 3 Stormwater Workgroup, and a Board member of the
Watershed Alliance of York and the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County.
She also administers the County’s MS4 Permit and serves to advise and coordinate local
water related projects. Additionally, Felicia has presented on the topic of water resources and
York County’s regional efforts at many conferences and workshops throughout the
Commonwealth.
She regularly assigns staff to attend water resource meetings, participate in water related
educational functions, and conduct water legislative/policy research to keep informed.
Most importantly, Felicia is deserving of this award for her “big picture” vision and
diligence in striving to coordinate the local, State, Regional, and Federal players in this picture.
This is no small task in Pennsylvania. However, Felicia’s efforts have “broken turf” as
PennDOT has become an active participant in implementation of the YCSWC’s CBPRP, thereby
meeting its own MS4 requirements in York County.
Coordination of the many regulators, agencies, programs, and stakeholders is necessary
to maximize efficiency in reaching the common goal of having a reliable supply of clean water
throughout all of York County and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
[Note: Felicia Dell also won a Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence this
year.]
-- Walter Lyon Award: Suskie Bassmasters.
The Suskie Bassmasters were founded in February 2005 when a group of anglers based in
Shavertown, Luzerne County decided to start a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving
public access and use of the Susquehanna River Watershed by promoting environmental
protection and responsible use of the river, its wetlands, and wildlife resources.
The organization’s goals are enhancement of recreational angling, hunting, boating, and
other outdoor activities along the river as well as promoting and supporting appropriate habitat
improvements, educational projects, improving the Susquehanna River fishery, and working with
public authorities and other conservation/recreational organizations toward these goals.
Since inception, the organization’s forefront has been improvements to the Nesbitt Park
facility in Wilkes-Barre as well as assisting local, state, and federal authorities to improve the
surrounding river ecosystem.
The Suskie Bassmasters have facilitated improvements like the installation of a 2 lane
boat launch and canoe/kayak launch at Nesbitt Park. Installation of a paved parking lot at Nesbitt
Park with wetland mitigation, provided river access to disaster recovery officials during the
flooding in 2011, and most recently the purchase and installation of solar lighting in the parking
lot and boat launch area.
The Suskie Bassmasters nomination is in recognition of their past, present, and future
efforts to protect and preserve the local fishery as well as habitat and community service goals
and partnerships the organization has built.
Any fishing club can form and do well in a community bringing people together for a
common cause but this organization has taken the local lead to partner with other groups to
benefit the community.
After the flooding in September 2011, the organization helped with PEMA, EPA, and
DEP to facilitate the transportation of hazardous material contractors to remote islands on the
river for the collection and disposal of materials including propane and fuel oil tanks, aerosols
containers, and household cleaning products that were accumulated during the flooding.
The group was also instrumental in locating the areas of accumulated debris as traversing
the miles of flood ravaged shorelines would have been nearly impossible.
Recently, the Suskie Bassmasters were invited by the Riverfront Parks Committee to
participate in the annual Riverfest event at Nesbitt Park. The Suskie Bassmasters partnered with
Cabelas and local outdoor shops to provide fishing rods and all the essential gear to kids during
the 2016 Riverfest event.
The event was a huge success with the highlight of giving away over 75 fishing rods to
kids that most had never fished before or had someone to take them fishing. Members provided
all the essentials for a day of fishing and taught the basics of casting and use of the equipment.
Also on display was a large aquarium showcasing fish caught from the river earlier in the
day so onlookers can visualize and learn from club member the truth about the river.
he two-day event and the joy brought to kids and parents was more valuable than any
imagined and set the bar even higher for future events.
Not to be outdone, the organization partnered with the Riverfront Parks Committee in the
fall with the annual Chalkfest/Hydromania where members once again showcased the fish of the
river and helped over 20 children fish the river simultaneously for the duration of the event.
During the summer of 2016 a longtime goal of the organization became a reality with the
installation of 5 solar lights at the Nesbitt Park boat launch and parking lot.
Despite a failed request for grant money to purchase and install the lights, the
organization managed to independently raise the funds and work with the City of Wilkes-Barre
to purchase and install the lights. Not only do they provide much needed lighting and a
safety/security measure but they are 100 percent solar powered and removable during high water
events.
The impact of the lights is obviously evident during nighttime hours but the real impact is
in the people who notice them and ask questions and thank you for installing them.
The publicity garnered during the fundraising and installation has turned into a following
where more are interested in donating to community based causes and many more are attending
the fishing tournament events not to participate but to spectate and learn more about the
Susquehanna River.
Many who come to spectate are amazed at the fish brought in and consistently say “You
caught that here” and “I thought the river was dirty and polluted.”
The organization has taken the standpoint that no improvement too big or too small
cannot be achieved.
Whether it’s talking to someone about environmental stewardship, best spots to fish, or
how to improve the area, the Suskie Bassmasters have taken a proactive approach and reached
out to any partner willing to assist.
Currently the next project is to install park benches overlooking the river at Nesbitt Park
and after that maybe picnic tables or pavilions.
For a fishing club utilizing a very small portion of the park and the boat launch area once
a week for a few months out of the year, these endeavors are all beyond the normal expectations
for a “fishing club.”
The physical lasting effects in the park and attributable gain for the community along
with outreach far surpass what one could reasonably expect for an organization in an industry
that is primarily based solely on fishing and prizes. For the Suskie Bassmasters, the prize is the
partnerships built and the lasting effects that those partnerships have created for the surrounding
communities.
Click Here for more information on the Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards Program.
For more information on programs, initiatives, workshops and other special events, visit
the PA Association of Environmental Professionals website. Click Here to sign up for regular
updates on PAEP activities or Like them on Facebook. Click Here to become a member.
NewsClips:
AP: Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn Wins Western PA Environmental Award
Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn To Receive Western PA Environmental Award
Profile: Delaware RiverKeeper Maya Van Rossum Honored
Cusick: Wolf Joins Donor At Sixers Game, Skips Environmental Awards Ceremony
Related Story:
DCNR Honors Parks In Allegheny, Delaware Counties With Green Park Award
[Posted: April 23, 2018]
DCNR Honors Parks In Allegheny, Delaware Counties With Green Park Award
Department of
Conservation and Natural
Resources Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn Friday
announced Aspinwall
Riverfront Park in
Allegheny County and
Clem Macrone Park in
Delaware County are
recipients of DCNR’s annual Green Park Award.
Co-sponsored by DCNR and the PA Recreation and Parks Society, the awards recognize
statewide excellence demonstrating green and sustainable practices in parks that supply passive
enjoyment or active, structured recreation.
“It’s exciting to see that this year’s awards honor both a commitment to sustainability by
incorporating green and sustainable practices, and recognition of the type recreation and public
enjoyment they provide,” Dunn said. “Aspinwall Riverfront Park, our passive winner offering
unstructured play, is committed to water quality, connecting people to nature, and environmental
stewardship.”
The secretary noted the 10-acre park, along the Allegheny River at 285 River Road,
Aspinwall, was transformed from a brownfield site and marina, and saved for recreation and
open space in the face of commercial development.
DCNR officials presented the award Monday at a park event attended by park, recreation
and other local officials.
This is the second time the Green Park Award, created in 2010, has been awarded to an
Allegheny County facility.
In 2012, Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair received the honor.
“Our active park winner, Clem Macrone Park, has demonstrated commitment to
sustainable and environmentally friendly materials selection and construction, environmental
stewardship and education, and natural landscaping,” Dunn noted.
The 9.4-acre park at 810 Conestoga Road, in the Bryn Mawr section of Radnor
Township,
Clem Macrone Park is in a densely populated neighborhood. Purchased in 1958, the park
bears the name of the Clem Macrone, an active, dedicated community member. The Green Park
Award was presented Fridayby DCNR officials attending a park ceremony.
Both winning parks will receive commemorative trees and engraved markers to later be
installed.
Green Park judges include DCNR staff from its bureaus of Recreation and Conservation
and State Parks, the secretary’s office and PRPS.
For more information on the award, visit DCNR’s Green Park Award webpage. More
information on greening your community parks is available on DCNR’s Green and Sustainable
Community Parks webpage.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit
DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured
DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other
social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
(Photo: Aspinwall Riverfront Park, Clem Macrone Park.)
NewsClips:
AP: Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn Wins Western PA Environmental Award
Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn To Receive Western PA Environmental Award
Profile: Delaware RiverKeeper Maya Van Rossum Honored
Cusick: Wolf Joins Donor At Sixers Game, Skips Environmental Awards Ceremony
Related Story:
PA Environmental Professionals Recognize Felicia Dell, York Planning; Suskie Bassmasters
With Karl Mason, Walter Lyon Awards
[Posted: April 27, 2018]
House Will Again Try To Move 5 Bills Creating New Bureaucracies To Take Permit
Reviews Away From DEP, Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing
Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), Republican Caucus Chair, alerted members of her Caucus
Thursday the House will again try to move a package of five Republican bills giving the General
Assembly authority to kill regulations by doing nothing and creating new bureaucracies taking
permit reviews away from DEP, putting a cap on the number of regulations, requiring the
elimination of two regulations for every new one adopted and setting up a procedure to waive
penalties for violations.
These bills were supposed to move the week of April 16, but were delayed.
The bills include--
-- Killing A Regulation By Doing Nothing: House Bill 1237 (Keefer-R-York) authorizes the
General Assembly to kill an economically significant final regulation from any agency by doing
nothing.
-- Taking Permit Reviews Away From DEP, State Agencies Giving It To Third Parties:
House Bill 1959 (Rothman-R-Cumberland) Establishes the Pennsylvania Permit Act which
requires agencies to create and develop a navigable online permit tracking system and takes
authority to issue certain permits away from state agencies like DEP and creates a new
bureaucracy of third-party reviewers. Click Here for more.
-- Cap On Number Of Regulations: House Bill 209 (Phillips-Hill-R-York): Establishes the
Independent Office of the Repealer, a new bureaucracy to undertake an ongoing review of
existing regulations; receive and process recommendations; and make recommendations to the
General Assembly, the governor, and executive agencies for repeal. It also places a cap on all
regulations and requires agencies to delete two regulations for every new regulations agencies
seek to adopt. It is modeled after policies adopted by the Trump Administration.
--Waiving Penalties: House Bill 1960 (Ellis-R-Butler) which requires each agency to appoint a
Regulatory Compliance Officer with the authority to waive fines and penalties if a permit holder
“attempts” to comply.
-- Repeal Any Regulation By Resolution: House Bill 1792 (Benninghoff-R-Mifflin) Gives the
General Assembly the ability to repeal any state regulation in effect by a concurrent resolution
by requiring a single vote in the Senate and House. The process is modeled after a federal
procedure used by the Trump Administration to repeal regulations (sponsor summary).
Currently, the General Assembly can repeal any regulation by passing a new law which involves
a more extensive committee review and several votes each by the Senate and House.
The five bills were reported out of the House State Government Committee in March
with only Republican votes.
Click Here for a copy of the memo.
Related Stories:
House Committee OKs Bills Creating New Bureaucracies To Take Permit Reviews Away From
DEP, Waive Penalties, Create Office Of The Repealer, Cap Number of Regulations
House Committee Republicans OK Bill To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing
Analysis: How Do The Senate, House Use The Tools They Have Now To Review Agency
Regulations?
PA Environmental Council: General Assembly Already Has Ample Authority To Review
Regulations
22 Groups Express Opposition To So-Called Regulatory Reform Bills By House Republicans
House Committee Chair Releases Regulatory Overreach Report, Endorses Bill Authorizing
Repeal Of Regulations By Doing Nothing
[Posted: April 26, 2018]
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet April 30 to
consider House Bill 2154 (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate
conventional drilling operations based on the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act.
In announcing the meeting in an email Wednesday, Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny),
Majority Chair of the Committee, said, “The vast majority of these abandoned wells are older
than any of us but we can not ignore the sad legacy that vents methane 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. This unabated source of methane has great importance for anyone concerned about
greenhouse gas.
“Last year, the state plugged 4 of these wells. Yes, only four.
“The Governor's 2015 Climate Change Action Plan estimates about 350,000 gas wells
predate Pennsylvania's regulatory era. Other estimates expressed by DEP during his term range
from 200,000 to 750,000 abandoned wells. No one really knows. But it's a lot.
“On Monday, the ERE committee will consider legislation that will establish a
streamlined bounty program that could see as many as 1,000 wells plugged each year.”
The program referred to is apparently the one on page 36 of House Bill 2154 that would
give individuals who voluntarily plug an orphan well the ability to apply to the Commonwealth
Finance Authority for a $5,000 payment payable from the Marcellus Legacy Fund or be credited
for each plugged well in the form of a permit-fee waiver for any succeeding well permit
application.
The provision would provide no new source of funding to plug abandoned wells, instead
it would take money away from the environmental restoration programs now funded by the
Marcellus Legacy Fund and take permit application revenue away from DEP for running the Oil
and Gas Regulation Program.
There are no limits in this bill on the amount of money that could be taken from the
Marcellus Legacy Fund or diverted away from DEP for running the Oil and Gas Regulation
Program.
[Note: This is a clever provision, much like the amendment made to the severance tax
bill in September by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to simply
rename the existing drilling impact fee a “severance tax.” It appears to do something, but
actually doesn’t.
[This provision hurts a key regulatory program and the public employees trying to do
their jobs in ways no boss in a private company would ever do.
[There was also an October announcement to introduce a Republican Pennsylvania Clean
Power Plan that has yet to materialize.
[Hopefully someone will fix this.]
Good Samaritan Program
In January, after discussions with the PA Grade Crude Oil Development Advisory
Committee representing the conventional oil and gas drillers, DEP announced a private-sector
Good Samaritan initiative to cap abandoned oil and gas wells statewide.
The state Environmental Good Samaritan Act of 1999 protects groups and individuals
who volunteer to implement qualifying environmental remediation projects from civil and
environmental liability. The Act doesn’t provide immunity for injury or damage that may result
from reckless, unlawful, or grossly negligent acts or omissions.
While the Act historically has been used for mine reclamation, DEP first applied it to two
oil and gas well projects in 2017. Cameron Energy plugged a well in Warren County that had
been discharging crude oil to the ground and nearby streams, and Chemtrade Logistics plugged a
leaking gas well in Elk County.
These projects are estimated to have saved DEP $60,000 to $85,000, in addition to
administrative cost savings related to contract development and management.
Three more project proposals are currently under review, and DEP welcomes others.
The agency has developed online training to walk volunteers through the process of
submitting a project proposal and applying for the liability protection. In addition, the eFACTS
environmental database and Oil and Gas Mapping Tool have been updated to provide an
inventory of Environmental Good Samaritan project proposals for abandoned wells in
Pennsylvania.
Conventional Drilling Bill
On April 11, the PA Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Fund
Wednesday sent a letter to the members of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee expressing their concerns about legislation weakening environmental protection
standards for conventional oil and gas drilling about Senate Bill 1088.
Senate Bill 1088 is identical to House Bill 2154.
The legislation, they said, would make Pennsylvania "the only state in the country to
walk back protections applied to oil and gas operations."
The text of the letter follows--
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Pennsylvania Environmental Council
(PEC) respectfully submit the following comments on Senate Bill 1088 (P.N. 1546), which we
anticipate will come before the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for a
vote early next week. At the start, we wish to express our appreciation to Senators Yaw and
Hutchinson for allowing additional time for review and comment on this legislation.
Senate Bill 1088 seeks to revert performance and protection standards for the
conventional oil and gas industry, which were modernized with the bipartisan enactment of Act
13 of 2012.
However, even today, that law has yet to be fully implemented by the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP), as the agency was directed by the General Assembly in 2016 to
restart their rulemaking for the conventional industry.
It is our understanding that DEP is poised to issue a revised proposal for public comment
in the near future.
Senate Bill 1088 would not only reverse protection standards from the 2012 law, it would
actually be weaker in several important instances than the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act.
Pennsylvania would have the discreditable distinction of being the only state in the
country to walk back protections applied to oil and gas operations – whether conventional or
unconventional.
In fact, the way certain provisions are worded in this legislation, this bill could potentially
weaken standards applied to unconventional operations as well.
Both EDF and PEC believe that any potential divergence in standards must be based on
the practices and technologies employed at a well site, as well as objective risk assessment.
Unfortunately, Senate Bill 1088 is a blunt instrument that fails against both of these
metrics. This legislation contradicts leading industry practices as articulated in API standards and
recommended practices.
Under Act 13, and as defined in Senate Bill 1088, the fundamental distinction between
“conventional” and “unconventional” operations is one based on depth of drilling.
“Conventional” wells can be drilled horizontally, and in many cases are hydraulically
fractured at much shallower formations in closer proximity to groundwater – a fact this
legislation clearly acknowledges.
In other words, the legal distinction in Pennsylvania is made irrespective to the size of the
operator or operation, the practices employed at the well site, or the associated risks involved.
Any law that alters protection standards should only do so where the actual operations at
the well site allow.
In our view, any well that employs high volume hydraulic fracturing should be subjected
to stringent and uniform control.
Other states follow this distinction for their application of standards – for example, the
state of Illinois, which utilizes “high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations” as a
threshold. Pennsylvania should do the same.
Beyond this fundamental problem, there are several other major concerns with Senate
Bill 1088 including, but not limited to:
-- Removal of language that requires additional analysis of potential impacts to Public
Resources. This language was in the 1984 law, reinforced by Act 13, and validated by the
Pennsylvania courts.
-- Removal of any requirement for operators to disclose chemicals used in the fracturing process.
Disclosure – for both conventional and unconventional operators – is currently required practice
in Pennsylvania as well as in virtually all other jurisdictions in the United States, and it should
remain that way.
-- Removing storage, spill, and leak prevention provisions, despite the fact that conventional sites
present spill and leak threats similar to unconventional operations. In fact, this legislation
provides express exemptions from the state’s Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, and
dramatically weakens spill and leak reporting requirements.
-- Exempting certain existing wastewater treatment facilities from state water protection
requirements, even though those protections have been applied for years.
-- Weakening protections for impacted drinking water supplies, including failure to ensure that,
in all instances, replacement supplies meet the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
-- Reducing setback provisions from homes, buildings, and surface waters.
-- Weakening well integrity standards that are critical for groundwater protection.
-- As was already invalidated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2013, attempting to preempt
local ordinances that address issues associated with oil and gas activities.
-- Maintaining woefully inadequate bonding and financial assurance requirements, which leaves
Pennsylvanians on the hook for costly remediation work in the decades to come.
Conclusion
Senate Bill 1088 is a wholesale weakening of necessary protection standards; standards
that are already the law in Pennsylvania, and that are accepted common practice in the industry
and other oil and gas producing states.
It also contradicts recent decisions of the Pennsylvania courts that have upheld
protections on both statutory and constitutional grounds.
For these reasons, we strongly urge you to oppose this bill.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Andrew Williams
Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy
Environmental Defense Fund
John Walliser
Senior Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Click Here for a copy of the letter.
The meeting will be held in Room G-50 of the Irvis Building starting at 12:30. Committee
meetings are typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus website.
The bill is also scheduled for action by the full House and is expected to move quickly.
Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1522 or sending email to:
jmaher@pahousegop.com. Rep. Mike Carroll serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by
calling 717-787-3589 or sending email to: mcarroll@pahouse.net.
NewsClips:
Proposed PA Severance Tax Likely Offset By State Corporate Tax Cut, Says Analysis
Cheswick Coal Power Plant Hearing Draws Scrutiny Over Water Pollution
NRG’s Springdale Power Plant Discharges Debated At Hearing
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Residents Express Concerns About Drilling Wastewater Disposal Well In Allegheny County
Freeport Delays Vote To Allow 5 New XTO Natural Gas Wells
Washington, Greene Lead State’s Surge To No. 2 Gas Producer
EQT Drilling Keeps Eyes On Marcellus Shale
Petrochemical Conference To Focus On Ethane Plants
Related Stories:
PEC, EDF: Conventional Oil & Gas Bill Will Reverse, Weaken Environmental Protection
Standards For Fracking
PennFuture: Senate Bill 1088 Would Roll Back Conventional Drilling Rules To 1984 Levels
DEP Launches Good Samaritan Outreach To Promote Abandoned Oil & Gas Well Plugging
Projects
[Posted: April 26, 2018]
Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC To Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction
Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) Friday filed a formal legal complaint and a petition for interim
emergency relief with the Public Utility Commission to prohibit construction of the Mariner East
2 and Mariner East 2X pipelines in West Whiteland Township.
Since Pennsylvania lacks any regulation on the placement of intrastate pipelines,
Dinniman said he was employing a rarely used quasi-legal process through the PUC to bring
relief to residents in the pipelines’ path and establish a precedent regarding the commission’s
jurisdiction over the placement and safety of hazardous materials pipelines.
“This an innovative way we can utilize the PUC process to protect the public from
potentially dangerous pipeline construction projects, like Sunoco’s,” he said. “The complaint
centers on West Whiteland because that is where the PUC ordered an emergency stop to Mariner
East 2 and 2X drilling, as well as Mariner East 1 operations, earlier this spring. However, if
successful, we expect it to have ramifications on the entire pipeline process in the
Commonwealth.”
The four-count complaint, Dinniman v. Sunoco Pipeline, L.P., asserts that:
-- Construction of ME2 and ME2X is unreasonable, unsafe, inadequate, and insufficient at that
location.
-- Sunoco has failed to take reasonable efforts to warn and protect the public from danger.
-- Sunoco has failed to select a pipeline right-of-way so as to avoid areas containing private
dwellings and places of public assembly.
-- Mariner East 1 (ME1) is located within 50 feet of private dwellings despite being less than 48
inches underground.
It calls on the PUC to prohibit “the construction of ME2 and ME2X in areas of West
Whiteland Township where ME1 is located within 50 feet of a private dwelling, industrial
building or place of public assembly, and grant such other relief as the Commission finds to be
just and appropriate.”
Sunoco has 20 days to respond to the complaint.
Since the complaint will take time to work through the legal process, Dinniman also a
filed petition for interim emergency relief calling on the PUC to grant an injunction against the
construction of ME2 and ME2X in West Whiteland.
According to the petition, “The route of ME2 and ME2X through the complex, soluble,
fractured and potentially unstable geology of West Whiteland Township, and its proximity of
ME1 risks a catastrophe to residents and other individuals, homes, schools, water supplies,
Amtrak and SEPTA rail lines and other infrastructure.”
Sen. Dinniman, who has been a leading and vocal critic of the pipeline project, said he
called on the PUC to consider the risks and potential dangers of the entire project as its impacts
continue to threaten his constituents and communities in Chester County.
“I have a moral, ethical, and constitutional duty to stand for the safety of the people of
Chester County and the protection of their children and families, as well our environment,
drinking water, natural resources, and public infrastructure,” he said. “The Mariner pipelines
continue to pose a potential threat to all of the above and more. I am asking the PUC to consider
all of that – the numerous drilling problems, the risks to safety, the proximity to homes and
schools, and the unique and problematic geology of the region – in concluding that these
pipelines should not be built here period.”
“The bottom line is we continue to make the case against putting these pipelines in an
area where we know they shouldn’t be and where it appears that Sunoco may not have done its
due diligence,” said Sen. Dinniman. “The construction of Mariner 2 and 2X have potentially
destabilized the geology of the surrounding area. If they are unsafe, then we have serious
concerns and questions about the safe operation of Mariner 1.
“I am hopeful that given the big picture of the potentially disastrous problems and safety
risks at hand, the PUC will agree that these pipelines should not have been permitted in this
area,” he added.
The filing comes weeks after a March emergency order by the PUC to suspend operations
on ME1 pipeline after it was exposed at a site in West Whiteland by a sinkhole that apparently
developed as a result ME2 and ME2X drilling.
In ordering the suspension, PUC Chair Gladys Brown wrote “that permitting continued
flow of hazardous liquids through the ME1 pipeline without proper steps to ensure the integrity
of the pipeline could have catastrophic results impacting the public.
As a result of that order, Sunoco was required to suspend operations on ME1, which
dates back to the 1930s and is permitted to carry liquid propane, butane, and ethane, and conduct
extensive geophysical and seismic tests, analysis, and reevaluations related to ME2 and ME2X
horizontal direct drilling activities in West Whiteland.
Those tests are ongoing and in late March, Sunoco paid to relocate several West
Whiteland residents as it continues to investigate the geophysical conditions, apparently related
to the development of several sinkholes, behind their homes.
In addition, Sunoco has requested to change pipeline construction techniques at two
drilling sites in West Whiteland. The company is seeking to switch methods from horizontal
direct drilling (HDD) to conventional bore at one site and from HDD to a combination of
conventional bore, HDD, and open trench drilling at another site.
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing those proposed
changes on April 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at E.N. Peirce Middle School located at 1314
Burke Road in West Chester.
Sen. Dinniman said the petition was necessary not only to push for a safe end to the
project but also to compel the PUC to take a closer look at pipeline drilling operations in relation
to the challenging geographic makeup of the region.
“Sunoco may be conducting the requisite geologic testing, but from our past experience
on this project, we already know that tests have not always been reliable in predicting or
preventing problems,” Dinniman said. “And given their apparent plans to continue to leap
forward into this project with different drilling methods, we deserve a clearer picture of what
exactly they’re jumping into. After all, when something goes wrong, the residents are the ones
left holding the bag.”
Copies of the formal legal complaint and a petition for interim emergency relief
are available online.
For more information on actions taken by DEP, visit the DEP Mariner East 2 Pipeline
webpage.
NewsClips:
Cusick: Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC to Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Construction
Senate Committee Approves Sen. Dinniman’s Pipeline Safety Bills
Sisk: Following Spills, DEP Stops Mariner East 2 Pipeline Work In Delaware County
Hurdle: PUC Asks Mariner East 1 Pipeline To Do More To Stabilize Land At Chester County
Site
MPLX Pipeline Pays $610,000 Penalty to DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
MPLX Pipeline To Pay $610,000 Penalty To DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
ATF Increasingly Confident Explosives Stolen From Pipeline Site Have Been Recovered
ATF Believes All Explosives Stolen From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Recovered
Editorial: Loss Of Explosives From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Inexplicable
FERC Called Rubber Stamp By Critics, Begins Review Of Pipeline Approval Process
Natural Gas Industry A Boon For Jobs, Report Says
Related Story:
Senate Committee Reports Out Pipeline Safety Construction Bills
[Posted: April 27, 2018]
The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the
Governor's desk for action--
Mine Medical Personnel: House Bill 1341 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) further providing for training
and certification of emergency medical personnel responding to bituminous deep mine
accidents.. A House Fiscal Note and summary is available. The bill was signed into law as Act
16.
The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--
Senate
Pipeline Land Agents: Senate Bill 835 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the registration of land
agents working for pipeline companies (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar
for action.
Pipeline Safety Equipment: Senate Bill 931 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of
automatic or remote controlled safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas
was amended and reported from the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.
Drug Take-Back Day: Senate Resolution 329 recognizing April 28 as National Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day was adopted by the Senate. Click Here for more.
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced
Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees
scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (April 30): House Bill 1401 (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends Title 58 to impose a
sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on natural
gas production (NO money for environmental programs) and includes provisions related to
minimum landowner oil and gas royalties; House Bill 1446 (Quinn-R- Bucks) encouraging
infrastructure for electric and natural gas fueled vehicles; House Bill 1284 (Peifer-R-Pike)
directs DCED to develop a one-stop-shop online permitting portal for business (sponsor
summary); House Resolution 284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (sponsor
summary). <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (May 21): Senate Bill 835 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the registration of land
agents working for pipeline companies (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 930 (Dinniman-D-
Chester) sets notification requirements related to pipeline emergencies (sponsor summary);
Senate Bill 931 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of automatic or remote controlled
safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas; Senate Resolution 104
(Bartolotta-R-Washington) resolution urging the Governor to end the moratorium on new
non-surface disturbance natural gas drilling on state forest land (sponsor summary); House Bill
544 (Moul-R-Adams) further providing for liability protection for landowners opening their land
for public recreation; House Bill 913 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by
incorporated towns; House Bill 914 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by boroughs;
House Bill 915 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first class townships; and
House Bill 916 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of the Third Class.
<> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
House: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill
2154 (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate conventional drilling
operations and weaken environmental protection standards on fracking based on the original
1984 Oil and Gas Act. Click Here for more; the Commerce Committee meets to consider
Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D- Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program
(Click Here for more.). <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: [ not in voting session ] <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Bills Introduced
Lewis & Clark Trail: Senate Resolution 326 (Vogel-R-Beaver) urging Congress to adopt the
National Park Service’s Recommendations to extend the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
along the Eastern Legacy (sponsor summary).
Drug Take-Back Day: Senate Resolution 329 recognizing April 28 as National Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day was adopted by the Senate. Click Here for more.
Lyme Disease Education: House Bill 2301 (R.Brown-R-Monroe) providing for continuing
education of health care professionals on Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases (sponsor
summary).
Bike To Work: House Resolution 857 (Dean-D-Montgomery) designating May Bike Month and
May 14-18 as Bike To Work Week (sponsor summary).
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
May 21, 22, 23
June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
House
April 30
May 1, 2, 22, 23
June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Governor’s Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
Senate Committees Hear Short-Term Measures Like Stream Cleaning May Make Flooding
Worse If Stream Characteristics Not Taken Into Account
Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April
28
The House Commerce Committee is scheduled to meet May 1 to consider Senate Bill 234
(Blake-D-Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program that authorizes
local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency,
renewable energy and water conservation projects for commercial, agricultural and industrial
buildings to reduce their operating costs (Senate Fiscal Note and summary).
The Committee held a hearing on the bill April 19 where Sen. John Blake
(D-Lackawanna) and Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny), the bipartisan sponsors of the bill,
provided an overview of the commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program created by
the legislation.
They noted the C-PACE program overcomes some of the challenges of energy efficiency
financing and does not cost taxpayers a dime noting that financing is coming from private, not
public, institutions.
They said the program will create jobs, lower energy costs and increase competitiveness,
all while improving the environment.
The meeting will be held on Room G-50 Irvis Building for an off the floor meeting. An
off the floor meeting can be held any time after the House breaks from session on Tuesday.
Committee meetings are typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus website.
Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the Committee, said his intention is to vote
on the bill in Committee on May 1. Rep. Ellis can be contacted at 717-787-7686 or by sending
email to: bellis@pahousegop.com.
Rep. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted at
717-787-9471 or by sending email to: cthomas@pahouse.net.
NewsClips:
Legere: Game Commission Says No To Wind Turbines On Game Lands
Game Commission Declares Moratorium On Wind Turbines
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Fuel Cell Tech’s Next Frontier: Homes Of Pittsburgh-Area Peoples’ Customers
Geisinger’s New Cogeneration Plant To Provide Clean Energy
Letter: Neighboring States Set Higher Targets For Renewable Energy
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
Related Story:
House Committee Holds Hearing On Bipartisan Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy
Financing Program
[Posted: April 25, 2018]
House Agriculture Committee Holds June 5 Hearing On Lawn Fertilizer Bill
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water
In PA
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Students See Green: Mock Spill Illustrates Potential Impact Of Wastewater Leak
Capital Region Water Invites Public For Tour Of DeHart Dam Reservoir In Dauphin
County May 19
Earth Day Kicks Off With Great American Cleanup Of PA Events All Around
Pennsylvania
Columbia Gas Of PA Latest Sponsor Of KPB's Great American Cleanup Of PA, Local
Events
Reminder: PRC, Partners Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events In Western
PA Starting May 5
PA Sea Grant: Perils Of Plastic Presentation May 3 At The Tom Ridge Environmental
Center, Erie
DEP Issues $20,750 Penalty Against Carbon County Property Owner For Waste Violations
The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it issued a $20,750 civil penalty
against James Umbriac of Banks Township, Carbon County for illegally disposing, storing, and
burning solid waste on his property along Centtown Road.
The penalty comes after Umbriac did not comply with a 2015 department order to
remove the waste from his property.
“This penalty is the result of what happens when property owners repeatedly fail to abide
by a DEP order to clean up debris that should not have been on that property in the first place,”
said Mike Bedrin, Director of DEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre.
In early 2015, after receiving numerous complaints, DEP conducted an inspection of the
property and found violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and determined that old tires,
garbage and construction and demolition debris were being brought onto the property.
Some of that debris was either being burned in open pits or buried on the property.
In April 2015, DEP ordered James Umbriac, as the owner of the property, to have the
debris cleaned up, including the waste buried on the property, within 45 days and provide
documentation of that clean-up.
Umbriac failed to comply and in August of 2016, the Carbon County Court of Common
Pleas, at the department’s request, issued a court order for clean-up of the property.
The debris was removed and the property returned to compliance in October 2016, with
full documentation of the clean-up and proper disposal of the debris provided to DEP in May
2017.
The civil penalty will be paid into the Solid Waste Abatement Fund which is
administered by DEP for the elimination of solid waste that presents a danger or hazard to the
public or environment.
[Posted: April 27, 2018]
DEP, Local Officials Tour Crazy Aaron's Putty World, Celebrate Remediation Of
Brownfield Site In Montgomery County
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced 144 communities that will
receive Brownfields grants for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups,
including $2.7 million in grants to support seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania.
“EPA’s Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and
abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure" said EPA
Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and
improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment.”
“EPA’s Brownfields grants provide a boost to communities by helping to put people back
to work while also creating cleaner, healthier and economically stronger neighborhoods,” said
EPA Region 3 Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “Pennsylvania communities will use this funding
to explore ideas on how properties can be cleaned up and returned to productive use.”
The seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania include the following:
-- Lycoming County will receive an $800,000 revolving loan fund grant to support cleanup
activities for Brownfields sites contaminated with hazardous substances. The county will focus
much of this funding to support City of Williamsport and Muncy Borough, both of which have
supported industry since the early 19th century due to their proximity to rail lines.
“Lycoming County is pleased and honored to be the recipient of this grant and thankful to
continue our partnership with the EPA and our community partners,” said Community
Development/Lead Planner of the County Department of Planning & Community Development
Jenny Picciano. “Grant funds will allow the county to clean up Brownfields sites identified in
prior assessment grants, leverage public and private funding for economic redevelopment, and
ultimately reinvest in our communities.”
-- Butler County will receive $600,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be
contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup
and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on the City of Butler and Petrolia Borough. Funds
will also support community outreach activities.
“This grant will provide the Butler County coalition with the opportunity to assess
industrial legacy Brownfields properties throughout the county, with the ultimate goal of
repurpose and beneficial use,” said Chief of Economic Development and Planning, Butler
County Mark S Gordon. “This collaborative initiative is one of many aimed at creating
opportunities for economic growth.”
-- The Clearfield County Economic Development Corp. will receive $300,000 to conduct site
assessments on properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances,
and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on
mine-scarred properties in DuBois and Clearfield boroughs. Funds will also support community
outreach activities.
A statement from the Clearfield County Commissioners said the grant: “…will enable
Clearfield County to take land previously thought unusable and turn the same into springboards
for economic and community growth. It will enable future generations to also reap the benefit of
land once believed to have outlived its usefulness.”
-- The Greene County Industrial Development Authority will receive $300,000 to conduct site
assessments on properties that may be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances,
and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will target the
municipalities of Monongahela, Waynesburg, and Cumberland. Funds will also support
community outreach activities.
“This grant will be used for the assessment of unknown potentially hazardous or
contaminated sites that resulted from past industrial use,” said Chairman of the Green County
Board of Commissioners Blair Zimmerman. “We are hopeful that these sites will be able to be
utilized to attract future development to Greene County.”
-- Norristown in Montgomery County will receive $300,000 to conduct site assessments on
properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the
feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Funds will also support community outreach
activities.
“This funding will allow Norristown to continue on the road of redevelopment and
revitalization that we have been working towards,” said Norristown Municipal Administrator
Crandall O. Jones. “We have felt the impacts of former industrial sites sitting idle and loss of
jobs and our workforce. However, with the assistance of EPA funding, we have been able to step
in front of the problem of historic environmental legacy issues and remove the obstacle of
unknown and uncontained impacts.”
-- Earth Conservancy in Luzerne County will receive $200,000 to clean up a 400-foot
segment of Espy Run that runs through the City of Nanticoke and Hanover Township. Espy Run
travels through mine-scarred lands once used for anthracite mining. The stream is impacted by
sedimentation and acid mine drainage. Grant funds will also support community outreach
activities and monitoring.
“The EPA’s continued support of Earth Conservancy is a testament to partnerships
working to improve the environment from past damages,” said Earth Conservancy President and
CEO Mike Dziak. “The generous support we are receiving for this third segment in the ongoing
restoration of Espy Run – which was destroyed decades ago by anthracite mining – will repair
the streamway and mitigate the production of acid mine drainage downstream. When complete,
the restored Espy Run will create habitat for wildlife and enhance quality of life for those
nearby.”
-- Lawrence County will receive $200,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could
be contaminated with hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and
redevelopment. Assessment activities will target the City of New Castle’s gateway corridors.
Funds will also support community outreach activities.
“Having been the recipient of $600,000 of EPA funds in the past, the Lawrence County
Economic Development Corporation has successfully utilized the funds to benefit both economic
development and community development projects,” said Director of Economic Business
Development for LCEDC Linda D. Nitch. “We look forward to utilizing this new grant award to
further develop activities in New Castle.”
For more information on federal brownfields redevelopment assistance, visit EPA’s
Brownfields and Brownfields Success Stories webpages.
NewsClip:
Norristown Receives $300K EPA Brownfields Grant
Related Stories:
DEP, Local Officials Tour Crazy Aaron's Putty World, Celebrate Remediation Of Brownfield
Site In Montgomery County
DEP Celebrates Reuse Of Brownfield Site By AeroAggregates In Delaware County
[Posted: April 25, 2018]
DEP Permits For Brunner Island, Moxie Freedom Natural Gas Power Plants
The Department of Environmental Protection issued the required Air Quality Permit for the
conversion of the Brunner Island Power Plant in York County from coal to natural gas. (April 28
PA Bulletin, page 2451)
The Moxie Freedom, LLC natural gas power plant in Salem Township, Luzerne County
submitted a required Acid Rain Air Quality Permit application to DEP for review. Comments on
the permit will be accepted until May 28. A public hearing may be held if requested. (April 28
PA Bulletin, page 2459)
NewsClip:
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
[Posted: April 27, 2018]
DCNR Signs Submerged Lands Agreement With EQT Drilling Worth $874,200 In Greene,
Washington Counties
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the April 28 PA
Bulletin it has executed an Oil and Gas Lease for Publicly-Owned Streambeds with the EQT
Drilling Company for $874,200, plus natural gas royalties.
The lease covers 218.55 acres in Center, Morgan and Jefferson Townships and Clarksville
in Greene County and Amwell and East Bethlehem townships and Marianna Borough in
Washington County. Click Here for a copy of the agreement and location maps.
[Posted: April 27, 2018]
Exelon Sets Goal Of Further Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 15% By 2022
FirstEnergy Files Letter With NRC Affirming Plans To Deactivate Beaver Valley, 2 Other
Nuclear Power Plants
PECO Receives Energy Star Partner Of The Year - Sustained Excellence Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented Exelon’s energy companies, including
PECO, with the Energy Star Partner of the Year: Sustained Excellence Award.
The Sustained Excellence Award is given to companies that demonstrate exceptional
leadership for more than three years in the Energy Star program, while committing to superior
energy efficiency achievements.
“An essential part of powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers is giving
them the tools to be more efficient energy consumers,” said Exelon CEO Christopher M. Crane.
“Our six electric and gas companies do this every day through a suite of programs that help
customers save energy and money.”
Among PECO’s 2017 accomplishments are--
-- Saving its customers more than 2.7 million megawatt hours through Energy Star-related
program offerings over the past eight years.
-- Promoting the sale of more than 1.8 million Energy Star certified LED bulbs and saving 76
million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy through instant discounts on qualifying bulbs and
fixtures at the point of sale.
-- Building an informed trade ally network to educate consumers during critical sales
opportunities, with nearly 10,000 certified appliances rebated by the program for estimated
annual savings of 6,698,000 kWh.
-- Paying incentives on more than 270 Energy Star certified homes, a 92 percent increase since
2016, while saving more than 1,000,000 kWh.
-- Increasing the number of participating builder partners to 17, a 112 percent increase since
2016, and re-designing the program to include multifamily units.
-- Leveraging the Energy Star Flip Your Fridge promotion to cross market its recycling and
refrigerator incentives and prominently display the Energy Star promotional mark. PECO’s
appliance initiative led to the recycling of more than 12,000 older refrigerators, freezers and
room air conditioners.
Through their energy efficiency programs across all its energy companies, Exelon’s
electric customers saved more than 19.2 million megawatt hours of energy in 2017, enough to
power to approximately 1 million average American homes for one year. Customers also avoided
almost 8.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
“The 2018 Energy Star Partners of the Year have demonstrated real leadership, showing
how American families and businesses can save energy, save money, and reduce air emissions,”
said Bill Wehrum, EPA assistant administrator for Air and Radiation.
PECO was recognized for energy efficiency nine times by EPA.
To learn more about how you can save energy at home and your business, visit the PECO
website.
NewsClips:
AP: Federal Appeals Court Sides With States Over Fuel Economy Standards
Op-Ed: Keep Federal Vehicle Fuel Standards In Place, DEP Secretary McDonnell
Op-Ed: Training Nuclear Engineers For Jobs That Don’t Exist
FERC Approves PJM Proposal To Implement Energy Efficiency Market Restrictions
Related Stories:
Exelon Sets Goal Of Further Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 15% By 2022
FirstEnergy Files Letter With NRC Affirming Plans To Deactivate Beaver Valley, 2 Other
Nuclear Power Plants
[Posted: April 24, 2018]
PPG Tuesday released its 2017 Corporate Sustainability Report, which details the company’s
continued progress in strengthening its sustainable operations in 2017 and the launch of new,
aggressive sustainability goals it aims to achieve by 2025.
“PPG’s sustainability efforts go beyond product innovations to extend to our customers’
operations and the communities in which we operate,” said Mark Cancilla, PPG vice president,
environment, health and safety. “We are encouraged by our progress in 2017 and excited about
our new goals, which are representative of the challenges and opportunities of our current
business portfolio.”
The company achieved the following progress in 2017:
-- 32 percent of sales from products that provide customers with a sustainable advantage, an
increase of 60 percent since 2012. This includes the unveiling of multiple products that provide a
sustainable solution, such as Sigma Air Pure, a revolutionary bio-based product that protects
indoor air quality while it beautifies;
-- 15 percent reduction in waste since 2012;
-- 46 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity since 2012;
-- 0.29 rate of injury and illness, a 6.5 percent reduction from 2016;
-- Implementation of employee wellness programs at 70 percent of locations with 50 or more
employees; and
-- $10.5 million invested in hundreds of community organizations across 29 countries.
For videos, infographics and more on PPG’s Sustainability Report webpage.
NewsClip:
Villanova U: Sustainability On Campus: A Conversation
[Posted: April 24, 2018]
Penn State Behrend Campus Will Connect Erie Companies To Shell Ethane Plant Project
The Department of Community and Economic Development Tuesday announced it has selected
Penn State Behrend as a lead partner for developing business and market opportunities created
by a $6 billion Shell Pennsylvania Chemicals project in Beaver County.
Shell is building an ethane “cracker” plant that will convert natural gas liquids into
polyethylene, a plastic material that is used in packaging, automotive parts, carpets and other
products.
The facility, which is expected to open in 2020, will produce 3.5 billion pounds of
polyethylene every year.
Access to that material — which traditionally has been produced in and shipped from the
Gulf Coast — will reduce transportation costs and shorten the supply chain for most U.S. and
Canadian plastics manufacturers.
Seventy percent of the North American polyethylene customer base is within a 700-mile
radius of Pittsburgh.
“PA DCED appreciates the strong partnership with Penn State Behrend’s School of
Engineering and is excited about the opportunities for additional growth in the plastics industry
that will emerge from the Shell investment,” said Denise Brinley, senior energy adviser with the
department. “Penn State Behrend can provide critical connections to research support, materials
testing and a talent pipeline that will add value to this large-scale petrochemical investment and
associated growth in the plastics sector.”
The strength of Erie’s plastics industry and the success of Penn State Behrend’s School of
Engineering, which offers one of only six accredited U.S. plastics undergraduate programs,
makes Erie of particular interest to DCED.
The agency will pilot its development strategies for Shell-related business, including
downstream manufacturing, during a series of events in Erie County over the next three years.
Several of those events will be hosted at Penn State Behrend.
To support the partnership with DCED and promote growth in northwestern
Pennsylvania, Penn State has committed $250,000 to an Energy University Partnership for oil
and gas strategies.
The funding — part of a $2 million commitment to priorities identified in Penn State’s
2016-2020 Strategic Plan — will advance student-led research through the Institute for Natural
Gas Research, the Marcellus Shale and Natural Gas Extension Office and at several Penn State
campuses, including Penn State Behrend.
It also will create a dedicated strategy room at Penn State Behrend, where stakeholders
can collaborate while pursuing partnerships and other opportunities with the Shell facility.
The first element of that support already is in place: A web-based research network where
businesses and organizations can post questions related to oil, gas, shale, plastics and related
energy matters, including supply chains, economic development and environmental
sustainability.
Questions will be assigned to student research teams at Penn State’s Behrend, Beaver,
Harrisburg and University Park campuses, and at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, with
oversight by faculty experts. There will be no charge for initial research through the website.
The partnership also will position Penn State graduates for employment at Shell and other
petrochemical companies, and at companies that use polyethylene. New curricular and research
initiatives are being developed to advance that goal.
Shell will employ approximately 600 people on-site once production of polyethylene
begins in Beaver County. The impact outside the gate will be even larger:
For every employee Shell hires, as many as 13 more will be needed in downstream and
related industries, according to an economic analysis by Robert Morris University. That could
lead to $19 billion in regional economic activity over the next 40 years, according to the report.
“The Erie region is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Amy
Bridger, senior director of Corporate Strategy and External Engagement at Penn State Behrend.
“Our plastics companies are well established and positioned for growth. Expansion of the
Plastics Engineering Technology program at Penn State Behrend and the development of new
curricula and research will help those companies and others across the industry meet the
workforce demands of a larger, Pennsylvania-focused market. Our students also will benefit,
through opportunities for industry research, increased exposure to potential employers and the
sort of experiential learning that you can’t offer in a classroom.”
Click Here for more information.
(Reprinted from Penn State News.)
NewsClip:
Petrochemical Conference To Focus On Ethane Plants
[Posted: April 24, 2018]
569 Registered For Central PA Conservancy's April 29 Ironmaster's Challenge 50K, 15K
Trail Events
The South to Christian Street Segment of the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia was
dedicated on Sunday.
The event included a ceremonial opening of the gates and bridge that provide
neighborhood access to this new section of the trail at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Roberts Center for Pediatric Research.
The City of Philadelphia, elected city and state officials including the Honorable James
Kenney, Mayor, City of Philadelphia; Michael Di Berardinis, Managing Director of the City of
Philadelphia; Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia); Sen. Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia);
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson (D-Phila); Leslie Richards, Department of Transportation; Diane
Kripas, Trails Manager, DCNR; Shawn McCaney, Executive Director, William Penn
Foundation; Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and area
neighbors were part of the opening.
"From the beginning, we worked hard to make sure our plans for a world-class research
campus would benefit the surrounding community," said Doug Hock, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "This is why we donated land
for public use and built a bridge that offers a connection to the Schuylkill River Trail. Today, we
celebrate the realization of a vision that we have shared with our neighbors since the early stages
of developing the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research."
"We are thrilled to open South to Christian, an important segment of the Schuylkill River
Trail and the Circuit trail network," said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner of Philadelphia
Parks & Recreation. "With South to Christian opened, we are one step closer to historic
Bartram's Garden and diverse neighborhoods in South and Southwest Philadelphia."
"The new trail is tucked in between an active railroad freight line and the Schuylkill
River, and the new pedestrian bridge from the Children's Hospital Roberts Pediatric Research
Center helps ensure neighborhood connectivity," added Hock.
The trail segment opened in late January 2018 and, with the addition of the newly
constructed segment, extends the Schuylkill River Trail in Center City by 1,400 feet.
This segment, which is part of the regional trail network known as The Circuit, was
constructed in two phases, which together cost approximately $5 million.
Grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PennDOT, the William Penn
Foundation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the City of Philadelphia and
others helped to make the trail and greenway a reality.
To learn more about trails in the Philadelphia area, visit the Schuylkill River Trail and
The Circuit website.
For information on trails statewide, visit the Explore PA Trails website and the Fish and
Boat Commission Water Trails webpage.
[Posted: April 23, 2018]
Brodhead Watershed Assn. Get Outdoors Poconos Booklets On 10 More Great Hikes
Learn About Planting A Pollinator Garden At Adams Ricci Butterfly Garden May 12 In
Cumberland County
Natural Lands, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Conservation Fund Preserve 1,054 Acre
Former Scout Camp In Pike County
Game Commission biologists Mary Jo Casalena, Chris Rosenberry, Greg Turner and Lisa
Williams were recognized Monday for their outstanding contributions to wildlife management
by the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society.
Chris Rosenberry, a deer biologist who heads the Game Commission’s deer and elk
section, accepted an award on behalf of the agency’s deer program, which recently was
recognized as having the top species-management plan in North America.
And the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation presented Game
Commission turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena with the 2018 Dr. David D. Wanless Memorial
Award in recognition of her outstanding work for the state’s wild turkeys.
The presentations were part of Monday’s Board of Game Commissioners meeting.
Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said he’s proud of these biologists,
and the exemplary work for Pennsylvania wildlife that’s carried out daily by dedicated
employees throughout the agency.
“It’s our quality employees that make the Pennsylvania Game Commission, in my
opinion, the hands-down, best wildlife agency in the country,” Burhans said.
The certificates of recognition presented to Williams and Turner honor individuals who
have made noteworthy contributions to knowledge about wildlife or wildlife management,
furthered public understanding, or who have made available increased wildlife habitat.
Through her research, Williams identified the relationship between West Nile virus
outbreaks and sharp declines in ruffed-grouse populations.
Williams’ public-outreach work to gain support from grouse hunters for the difficult
decision to close the late grouse-season segment due to grouse declines also is commendable,
said Emily Just, past president for the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society.
“Lisa has a wonderful rapport with Pennsylvania’s grouse hunters, and grouse are
benefiting from her work to better understand the problem, formulate potential solutions and
keep the public informed on all that’s going on,” Just said.
Just thanked Turner for his tremendous contributions to increase the overall
understanding of white-nose syndrome, a disease that has caused dramatic declines in cave-bat
populations.
Turner’s fieldwork comes at great physical risks, but it has resulted in more than 20
publications about the disease, achieved through collaborations with academic researchers,
government agencies and other organizations.
“Better understanding white-nose syndrome is the baseline for finding ways to minimize
its impacts, and we wouldn’t know nearly as much as we do about the disease if not for Greg,”
Just said.
The award presented to Casalena, a biologist for 25 years who’s worked since 1999 as
the Game Commission’s wild turkey biologist, recognizes her work as a whole, from field
research to outreach to the technical assistance she provides to the organization and its chapters.
“The regularity with which Mary Jo is consulted by PANWTF and biologists in other
jurisdictions reflects both the esteem in which she is held, and her willingness to share her
expertise for broader application,” said Heath Nace, a PANWTF board member who presented
the award to Casalena. “Her enthusiasm and effectiveness in coordinating with the PANWTF
have tremendous positive impact in maintaining cooperation and support for scientific wild
turkey management in Pennsylvania.”
Meanwhile, Simon Fraser University in a recently published study that reviewed 667
species management plans among 62 wildlife management agencies in the United States and
Canada, and the Game Commission’s deer-management plan was among four that tied for No. 1
in North America.
That distinction was recognized by the Board of Game Commissioners.
“There is no entity more committed to deer-management than the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, and a lot of hard work goes into each and every decision we make on deer,” said
Board of Game Commissioners President Timothy Layton. “To see the agency’s
deer-management plan receive such high accolades shows we have sound guidance on our side
in making those decisions.
“And to see so many of our employees recognized for their outstanding work, shows the
level of professional excellence our workforce expects from itself,” Layton said.
For more information on wildlife programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the
Game Commission website.
NewsClips:
Highlights From April 24 Game Commission Board Meeting
Schneck: Game Commission Increases Doe Hunting Licenses By 34,000
Frye: Hunting Seasons, Bag Limits And Potential Sunday Opening For Deer Season
Schneck: Join The Harrisburg Peregrine Falcon Chicks For Breakfast
Game Commission Declares Moratorium On Wind Turbines
Legere: Game Commission Says No To Wind Turbines On Game Lands
Scientists Mobilize To Figure Out Rise In Mange Among PA Bears
AP: Police Corral Coyote For 2nd Time This Week In Philadelphia
[Posted: April 24, 2018]
This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published the 2018 meeting schedules for its advisory committees and boards.
April 28-- PA Resources Council, PA American Water. Drug Take-Back Day Collection Event
In Allegheny County. Green Tree Borough Building, 10 W. Manilla Ave., Pittsburgh. 10:00 to
2:00.
April 28-- PA Resources Council, PA American Water. Drug Take-Back Day Collection Event
In Allegheny County. Medical Rescue Team South, 315 Cypress Way, Pittsburgh. 10:00 to 2:00.
April 28-- PA Resources Council, PA American Water. Drug Take-Back Day Collection Event
In Allegheny County. The Mall at Robinson, Sears parking lot, 100 Robinson Centre Dr.,
Pittsburgh. 10:00 to 2:00.
April 28-- Stroud Water Research Center. Wildlands Conservancy. Citizen Science Volunteer
Training. Emmaus, Lehigh County. 9:00 to 3:00.
April 28-- Manada Conservancy Native Plant Sale. Hummelstown Borough Park, Dauphin
County. 10:00 to 3:00
April 28-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Foods Of The Delaware. Silver Birches
Waterfront, 205 PA 507, Hawley, Wayne County.
April 28-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Biodiversity Workshop.
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
April 28-- Clinton County CleanScapes. Piatt, Porter & Watson Townships Community Cleanup
Day In Lycoming County.
April 28-29-- PA Environmental Council. Illegal Dump Cleanup In Susquehanna County.
April 30-- NEW. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider
House Bill 2154 (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate conventional
drilling operations and weaken environmental protection standards on fracking based on the
original 1984 Oil and Gas Act. Click Here for more. Room G-50 Irvis Building. 12:30.
Committee meetings are typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus website.
April 30-- DEP Hearing On Mariner East II Pipeline Permit Changes. E. N. Peirce Middle
School, 1314 Burke Road, West Chester, Chester County. 6:30 to 9:30
April 30-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council
meeting. L&I Building, 651 Boas Street, Room E100, 1st Floor, Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact:
Cindy Holtry 717-783-4560 or send email to: choltry@pa.gov. (formal notice)
April 30-- Westmoreland County Conservation District. High School Student Envirothon. Twin
Lakes Park, Greensburg.
May 1-- NEW. House Commerce Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-
Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program (Click Here for more.).
Room G-50 Irvis Building. Off the Floor. Committee meetings are typically webcast through
the House Republican Caucus website.
May 1-- DEP Hearing On Letterkenny Army Depot Air Quality Permit, Franklin County. DEP’s
Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. (no time given - probably
10:00)
May 1-- Capital Chapter Society Of Women Environmental Professionals 2018 Annual
Conference. Central Penn College Conference Center, 600 College Hill Road in Summerdale,
Cumberland County.
May 2-- DEP Hearing (If Requested) On Jeld-Wen, Inc. RACT II Air Quality Plan, Bradford
County. DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Williamsport. 10:00.
May 2-4-- PA Association Of Environmental Professional. Annual Conference. State College.
May 3-- Agenda Posted. DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:30. DEP Contact: Janice Vollero, 717-772-5157, jvollero@pa.gov. (formal notice)
May 3-- Bi-State Solution To Protecting Clean Water In The Brandywine-Christina Watershed.
Mendenhall Inn, Route 52, Mendenhall, Chester County. 8:30 - 4:30.
May 3-- NEW. PA Sea Grant. Perils Of Plastic Presentation By Dr. Sherri Mason. Tom Ridge
Environmental Center, Erie. 6:30.
May 3-4-- NEW. Agenda Posted. Interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission meeting. May 3: EPA
Headquarters, Map Room South Wing, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC. May 4:
Beacon Hotel, 1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Click Here for available meeting
information.
May 4-6-- Kettle Creek Watershed Association. Special Veterans Project Healing Waters Fly
Fishing Weekend In Potter County. Kettle Creek Adventures Lodge B&B, Cross Fork, Potter
County.
May 5-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Habitat Restoration Project In Butler County. 148
Thompson Road, Sarver, Butler County. 9:00 to Noon.
May 5-- Brodhead Watershed Association. Walk and Talk Hike In Search Of Imperiled
Golden-Winged Warbler In Monroe County. Barrett Paradise Friendly Library, 6500 Route 191,
Cresco. 9:00
May 7-- Public Utility Commission Workgroup On Universal Service & Energy Conservation
Programs. Keystone Building, Executive Chambers, Harrisburg. 1:00 to 3:00.
May 8-- Registration Open. 2018 PA Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn in State College,
Centre County.
May 8-- DEP Keystone Energy Education Workshop For Teachers. DEP Northwest Regional
Office, Meadville, Crawford County. 8:30 to 3:00. Click To Register.
May 8-10-- PA Section American Water Works Association. 70th Annual Conference. Kalahari
Resort and Convention Center at Pocono Manor, Monroe County.
May 9-- Agenda Posted. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson 717-787-3730 or send email to:
diawilson@pa.gov.
-- Improving Wetlands Mapping Layers
-- Simplified Water Obstruction & Encroachment General Permit Process
-- Agricultural Operations Inspections
-- Chesapeake Bay Program Update
May 9-- DEP Keystone Energy Education Workshop For Teachers. Westmoreland County
Conservation District Office, Greensburg, Westmoreland County. 8:30 to 3:00. Click To
Register.
May 9-- PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project. Airville Volunteer Fire Department,
3576 Delta Road, Airville, York County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00.
May 10-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Todd Wallace 717-783-9438 or send email to: twallace@pa.gov.
May 10-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a hearing on water withdrawal requests,
changes to fee schedule and proposed records retention policy. Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol
Building, Harrisburg. 2:30 to 5:00. Contact: Jason Oyler, General Counsel, 717-238-0423, Ext.
1312, fax 717-238-2436. (formal notice) Click Here for more.
May 12-- NEW. Cumberland County Penn State Master Gardeners. Adams Ricci Butterfly
Garden Grand Opening & Education Event. Adams Ricci Park, 100 E. Penn Drive in Enola,
Cumberland County. Noon to 3:00.
May 14-- PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project. Airville Volunteer Fire Department,
3576 Delta Road, Airville, York County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00. Click Here for more.
May 15-- CANCELED. PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project. Airville Volunteer
Fire Department, 3576 Delta Road, Airville, York County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00. Click
Here for more.
May 15-- Pike County Conservation District. Stormwater Management Field Tour. Pike County
Training Center, 135 Pike County Boulevard,Lords Valley. 10:00 to 3:00.
May 16-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP
Contact: Laura Edinger, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
May 16-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
Contact: Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, 717-787-8171, leemurray@pa.gov.
May 17-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Kris Shiffer 717-772-5809 or send email to: kshiffer@pa.gov. (formal
notice)
May 17-- DEP Keystone Energy Education Workshop For Teachers. King’s Gap Environmental
Center, Carlisle, Cumberland County. 8:30 to 3:00. Click To Register.
May 19-- Foundation for Sustainable Forests. Loving The Land Through Working Forests Field
Conference. Floraroze Forest near 9201 South Creek Road, Girard, Erie County. 7:30 to 4:00.
May 19-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Milford Experimental Forest Native Plants Walk.
Milford, Pike County. 9:00 to Noon.
May 19-- NEW. Capital Region Water. DeHart Dam Reservoir Public Tour. Dauphin County.
May 22-- PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project. New Franklin Fire Department
Social Hall, 3444 Wayne Road, Chambersburg. Franklin County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00.
May 22-- CANCELED. DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. Rescheduled for
May 29. DEP Contact: John Brakeall, 717-783-9731 or send email to: jbrakeall@pa.gov.
(formal notice)
May 22-- DEP Hearing On Sunoco Marcus Hook Terminal Air Permit. Marcus Hook
Community, 7 W. Delaware Avenue, Marcus Hook, Delaware County. 6:00 to 8:00.
May 22-23-- Choose Clean Water Coalition. 9th Annual Clean Water Conference. Lancaster
Marriott.
May 23-- House Consumer Affairs Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 2075
(Charlton-R-Delaware) replacement of lead water and damaged sewer laterals (sponsor
summary). Room B-31 Main Capitol. 10:00. Committee meetings are typically webcast
through the PA House Republican website.
May 23-- PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project. New Franklin Fire Department
Social Hall, 3444 Wayne Road, Chambersburg. Franklin County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00.
May 23-24-- Penn State Extension Healthy Trees, Healthy People Program. Frick Environmental
Center, 2005 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh.
May 24-- DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner 717-772-2189 or send email to:
dhissner@pa.gov.
May 26-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Organic Garden Solution
Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
May 29-- DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: John Brakeall, 717-783-9731 or send email to: jbrakeall@pa.gov.
(formal notice)
May 30-- DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kristen Szwajkowski 717-772-2186 or send
email to: kszwajkows@pa.gov.
May 30-- Public Utility Commission. Combined Heat and Power Working Group meeting.
Forest Room, Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg. 1:00. A call-in number will be
published, Click Here. Contact: Joe Sherrick 717-787-5369 or send email to:
josherrick@pa.gov. (formal notice)
May 30-31-- Penn State Energy Days. Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, Centre
County.
May 31-- Philadelphia Air Management Services Public Hearing [If Requested] On Proposed
State Air Quality Implementation Plan Revisions RACT Controls For VOCs, NOx. Spelman
Building, 321 University Avenue, 1st Floor Conference Room, Philadelphia. 6:00.
June 5-- NEW. House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee holds a hearing on Senate
Bill 792 (Alloway-R-Adams) regulating the application of lawn fertilizer. Room 205 Ryan
Building. 9:00. Committee meetings are typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus
website. Click Here for more.
June 5-- DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park
Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloske 724-404-3143 or send email to:
mscheloske@pa.gov.
June 5-- CANCELED. DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kris Shiffer 717-772-5809 or send email to:
kshiffer@pa.gov. (formal notice)
June 6-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Stacey Box 717-772-5622 or send email to:
sbox@pa.gov.
June 7-- House Game and Fisheries Committee holds a hearing on Chronic Wasting Disease.
Room 60 East Wing. 10:00. Committee meetings are typically webcast at the House Republican
Caucus website.
June 7-- DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry 717-772-5713 or send email to: lahenry@pa.gov.
June 10-14-- Rails-To-Trails Conservancy. Delaware & Lehigh Trail Sojourn. Eastern
Pennsylvania.
June 12-- DEP Weathering The Storm Stormwater Education Workshop. Alumni Room of the
Waldron Campus Center, Gannon University, 109 University Square, Erie. 8:30 to 3:30.
June 13-- DEP State Board For Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators. 10th
Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Edgar Chescattie,
717-772-2814 or eschescattie@pa.gov.
June 13-- DEP Weathering The Storm Stormwater Education Workshop. Winnie Palmer Nature
Reserve, Saint Vincent College, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, Westmoreland County. 8:30 to 3:30.
June 14-- NEW. House Game and Fisheries Committee holds a hearing on Chronic Wasting
Disease. Room 60 East Wing. 10:00. Committee meetings are typically webcast at the House
Republican Caucus website.
June 14-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, 717-772-3436, kdalal@pa.gov. (formal notice)
June 14-- PUC En Banc Hearing On Supplier Consolidated Billing By Electricity Suppliers.
Hearing Room 1, Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg. 1:00.
June 15-- Susquehanna River Basin Committee business meeting. Radisson Hotel Baltimore.
9:00.
June 23-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Flowers And Feathers, The
Connection Between Plants and Birds Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614
Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
July 11-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee On Diesel Powered (Mining) Equipment. DEP
New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloski,
724-404-3143 or mscheloske@pa.gov.
July 25-- DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th Floor
Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Nancy Herb, 717-783-9269 or
nherb@pa.gov. (formal notice)
July 25-27-- Registration Open. Professional Recyclers of PA. 28th Annual Recycling &
Organics Conference. Best Western Premier Hotel, Harrisburg.
July 28-- PA Resources Council. Recycling Bin Distribution Event In Pittsburgh. Point Breeze
Distribution Event, URA’s Parking Lot on Meade Street. 8:00 to 2:00. Click Here to register.
July 28-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Gardening for Pollinators and
Butterflies Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh.
10:00.
August 11-- PA Resources Council. Recycling Bin Distribution Event In Pittsburgh. Fairywood
Distribution Event, B Keppel Trucking, 100 Beechnut Drive, Pittsburgh. 8:00 to 2:00. Click Here
to register.
August 20-23-- U.S. Biochar Initiatives Conference. Chase Center on the Riverfront,
Wilmington, Delaware.
September 6-9-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Educational Retreat For Women Forest
Landowners. Highlights Workshop Facility in Boyd’s Mill, Milanville, Wayne County.
September 20-- DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee & Recycling Funding Advisory
Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry
717-772-5713 or send email to: lahenry@pa.gov.
September 22-- Joint meeting of DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee and Solid Waste
Advisory Committee. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry,
717-772-5713, lahenry@pa.gov.
September 23-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Trees and Shrubs,
Supporting Wildlife In Winter Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville
Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
September 28-- DEP Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee meeting Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, 717-787-2147, rjanati@pa.gov.
October 1-3-- Engineers’ Society of Western PA. PA Brownfield Conference. Sands Bethlehem
Casino, Bethlehem.
October 17-21-- Passive House Western PA. North American Passive House Network 2018
Conference. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
October 18-- DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson. 9:00. DEP Contact: Joseph Melnic 717-783-9730 or send email to: jmelnic@pa.gov.
November 1-2-- PA Water And Wastewater Technology Summit. Penn Stater Conference
Center Hotel, State College.
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other
recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add PaEnviroDigest Google+ to your Circle.
The Environmental Quality Board published final regulations amending Chapter 109 setting
disinfection rule requirements in the April 28 PA Bulletin page 2509.
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Note: The Department of Environmental Protection published 71 pages of public notices related
to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the April 28 PA Bulletin -
pages 2391 to 2462.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the April 28 PA
Bulletin it has executed an Oil and Gas Lease for Publicly-Owned Streambeds with the EQT
Drilling Company for 218.55 acres in Center, Morgan and Jefferson Townships and Clarksville
in Greene County and Amwell and East Bethlehem townships and Marianna Borough in
Washington County for $874,200, plus natural gas royalties. Click Here for a copy of the
agreement and location maps.
CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest. This Digest is 89 pages long.
Stories Invited
Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or
programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.
Did you know you can search back issues since May 28, 2004 of the PA Environment Digest on
dozens of topics, by county and on any keyword you choose? Just click on the search page.
PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant news updates.
Add PaEnviroDigest To Your Google+ Circle: Google+ now combines all the news you now get
through the PA Environment Digest, Weekly, Blog and Twitter sites into one resource.
PA Environment Daily Blog: provides daily environmental NewsClips and significant stories
and announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and
receive as they are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a
once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. Add your constructive comment
to any blog posting.
PA Environment - The Feds: site is intended to be a single point of reference for changing
federal environmental policy and personnel that have an impact on Pennsylvania environmental
issues and programs.
PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government,
including NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they
are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily
email alerting you to new items posted on this blog.
PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest
Twitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State
Capitol.
Registration is now open for the 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference
to be held June 20-21 at the Ramada Inn & Conference Center in State College. Join PA
Environment Digest as a sponsor of this terrific Conference.