Pa Environment Digest July 11, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates
WinnerOf
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
BusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAEnvironmentDigestDailyBlog
TwitterFeed
Issue#628Harrisburg,PAJuly11,2016
EnvironmentalCoalitionCallsForRenewedInvestmentInGrowingGreenerProgram
The
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
Wednesdayapplauded
the
CommonwealthFinanceAuthoritysrecentapproval
of
nearly$17millioninenvironmentalgrantsandcalledfor
renewedinvestmentinthestatesGrowingGreener
program.
Thegrantssupport118Act13projectsfundedthroughthe
MarcellusLegacyFundforstatewideinitiativesthat
includeabandonedminedrainageabatementsewage
treatmentgreenways,trailsandrecreationbaselinewater
qualitydatawatershedrestorationandfloodcontrol.
TheCoalitionworkedhardtoensureAct13includedfundingforconservation,
recreation,andpreservationprojectsandispleasedthattheCFAisinvestinginprojectstokeep
ourdrinkingwaterclean,protectouropenspaces,andensureaccesstoparksandother
recreationalopportunities,saidAndrewHeath,executivedirectoroftheGrowingGreener
Coalition.However,theneedforfurtherinvestmentisgreaterthanever.
WeurgetheGovernorandtheGeneralAssemblytoworktogethertoidentifya
bipartisanapproachtoprovideadequatefundingforaGrowingGreenerIIIprogramtosupport
conservation,recreation,andpreservationprojects.
FundingfortheGrowingGreenerprogramhasdecreasedfromanestimatedaverageof
$200millioninthemid2000stoapproximately$57millionthisyear.Thisisa75percentcut.
Establishedin1999,theGrowingGreenerprogramcontinuestohavewidespread,
bipartisanpublicsupport.
A2015PennStatepollfoundthat90.7percentofPennsylvanianssurveyedwould
supportincreasingstatefundstoconserveandprotectopenspace,cleanwater,naturalareas,
wildlifehabitats,parks,historicsites,forests,andfarms.
The
isthelargestcoalitionofconservation,recreation,
andpreservationorganizationsintheCommonwealth.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates
fromtheCoalition.
NewsClips:
AP:PABudgetTalksEnterWeekendAsDecisionLooms
AP:ClockTicksDownToAnotherBudgetDecisionDayForWolf
AP:BudgetTalksEnterNewWeekWithNoNewsOnDeal
Swift:PennsylvaniaBackInBudgetLimbo
Swift:AuditOfFishLicenseFeesSpursDebate
HouseRs,DsLockedOnPABudgetFunding
Analysis:StillNoBudget,ButAtLeastTheyHadFireworks
Crable:PennsylvaniaLagsOnChesapeakeBayCleanup
PetersTwpGetsStateGasImpactFees
ElkCountyAwards2StudentScholarshipsWithDrillingFees
StateBudgetPuzzleJustGot$97MillionHarder,StillWorkingOnRevenuePackage
Whilelegislativeleadershipworkedthisweektoput
togetherthefourdimensionalpuzzlethatisa$1.25
billion+revenuepackage,thereportcamethatFY201516
endedwith$97millionless
thanatleasttheHouse
Republicanswerecountingontobalancethebudget.
Thatmaynotseemlikealot,butwithnegotiators
anywherefrom$100to$300millionapartintheir
discussions,that$97millionwasmorethanaripple.
HouseRepublicanLeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)still
maintainstheyare
readytovotea$1.25billionrevenue
package
,assoonastheygetagreementfromtheotherCaucuses.$1.25billioniswhatthey
believeisneededtobalancethebudgettheypassedin
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh),
HouseDemocraticLeaderFrankDermody(DAllegheny)repeats,
a$1.36billion
revenuepackage
isneededtobalancethebudgetnowontheGovernorsdesk.
Allweek,optionsforagrossreceiptstaxonnaturalgas,borrowingfromthisorthatstate
fundwithahealthybalancethe
StateWorkersInsuranceFund
beingone,anincreaseinthe
banksharestaxandmakingthisorthatadjustmenttoafeeortax(butnotthePersonalIncomeor
Salestaxes)weremovedonandoffthenegotiatingtable.
Thetroublewiththisrevenuepackagepuzzleis,asRep.Reedsaidlastsummer,noone
knowswhatthepictureisanditshardtofinishapuzzlelikethat.Askany5yearold.
Therearestillfourprimarysourcesofrevenueonthetable
1.ExpandedGaming:
$267millionforexpandedgamingin
HouseBill2150
(DunbarR
Westmoreland)(nowintheSenateCommunity,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Committee,althoughthereareothervehiclesintheSenate),authorizing6newtypesofgaming,
includingiGaming,slotsatairportsandofftrackbettingparlors,althoughthatmightbe
changing.Rep.Reedthisweekwaivedtheadditionofvideopokermachines($200million,
maybe)again,eventhoughitwasdefeatedintheHousebeforeHouseBill2150waspassed
2.TaxAmnesty:
$129millionfortaxamnestyin
HouseBill1888
(QuinnRMontgomery),
nowintheSenateAppropriationsCommittee
3.TobaccoTaxes:
$480millionincreaseintobaccotaxes,includingnewtaxesonchewing,
ecigarettesandothertobaccoproducts(thecigarexemptionremains,maybe),whichtheHouse
hasnotactedonyetinaTaxCodebilland
4.LiquorReform:
$150millioninrevenuefromtheliquorreformsalreadysignedintolawin
HouseBill1690
(TurzaiRAllegheny),anumberofsomesaidisanoptimisticrevenue
estimate.
Tomovearevenuepackageintoposition,theSenateandHousemustactonatleastTax
CodeandFiscalCodebillswhichmaytakeaminimumof1or2daystogettotheGovernor.
TheydohaveonequickvehiclefortheTaxCode
HouseBill1198
(BarrarR
Delaware)thatwaspartoftheFY201516budgetconsideration.Aconferencecommittee
couldbesetupeasilytoamendandreportoutthebillandthenitsjustanupordownvoteinthe
SenateandHouse.
ThereareawholeflockofFiscalCodebillsinvariouspositionsintheSenateandHouse.
Alltheyhavetodoispickone.
And,ofcourse,theresalsothatbipartisanHousepensionreformbill
SenateBill
1071
(BrowneRLehigh)theSenatenonconcurredinonJune23thatcouldbeactivated,if
thereisagreementonnewpensionlanguage.
But,thatsalongshot.
NonpreferredAppropriationsBillsSigned
Gov.WolfFridaysignedintolaw9nonpreferredappropriationsbillsHouseBills2175
to2184including:
HouseBill2178
(MarkosekDAllegheny)StateGamingFund(
House
FiscalNote
andsummary)nowAct10A,
HouseBill2179
(MarkosekDAllegheny)
WorkmensCompensationFund(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary)nowAct11Aand
House
Bill2180
(MarkosekDAllegheny)PhiladelphiaTaxicabandLimousineRegulatoryFund
(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary)nowAct12A.
WhatsNext
TheHouseannounceditwouldbeinvotingsessionJuly10(4:00p.m.)andonJuly11
and12(bothat11:00a.m.).
TheSenatedoesnotexpecttoreturntovotingsessionbeforeMonday,July11,unless
budgetlegislationisfinalized.
BothfaceaMondaydeadlineforgettingtherevenuepackagetoGov.Wolfforhisaction.
July11isthelastdaytheGovernorcantakeactiononSenateBill1073toeithersignitor
lineitemvetothebilldowntowhereitmatchescurrentstaterevenues.
Welljusthavetowaitandseewhathappens.
KeepUpToDate
CrisciAssociateswillprovideupdatesonbudgetnewsasithappensthroughtheweekend
throughthe
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
,Google+Circle
GreenWorksInPA
andthe
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
JuneStateRevenueDown$67.2Million,BarelyAboveEstimatesForFY201516
GamingControlBoard:PASlotMachineRevenueUpOver2%InFY201516
Rep.PetrarcaIntroducesBillToPreventScheduledGasolineTaxIncreases
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feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule[
Updated
]/GovsSchedule/Bills
Introduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(July10):
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(July11?):
SenateBill16
(YudichakDLuzerne)creatingaTaskForceOnLeadand
HazardsofLeadPoisoning
SenateBill20
(FontanaDAllegheny)furtherprovidingfor
disclosureofleadinwaterandpaintinrealestatesale
SenateBill142
(GreenleafR
Montgomery)furtherprovidingforthedisclosureoffloodinghazardsinleasingproperty
Senate
Bill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)providinganoptoutforlargecompaniesfromAct129energy
efficiencyrequirements(
SenateFiscalNote
andsummary)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankD
Berks)amendingAct101toauthorizealllocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingservicefee
(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)providingfortheappointmentof
alternatesontheInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiverBasin(
HouseFiscalNote
and
summary)
HouseBill1394
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingboroughstochargestormwater
managementfees
HouseBill1661
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingfirstclasstownshipsto
chargeastormwatermanagementfee
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthe
membershipoftheUndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationBoardfromappointmentsonly
bytheGovernortoappointmentsbyboththeGeneralAssemblyandtheGovernor
House
Resolution872
(CauserRForest)urgingfederalandstateregulatoryagenciestouse
sciencebased,peerrevieweddatawhenevaluatingmodernagriculturaltechnologytoolsand
developingregulations(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
Note:
SenateandHousecommitteemeetingshappenwithoutwarning.
House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
Checkthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncilBillTracker
forthestatusandupdatesonpendingstate
legislationandregulationsthataffectenvironmentalandconservationeffortsinPennsylvania.
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
EliminatingFutureGasolineTaxIncreases:
HouseBill2248
(PetrarcaDWestmoreland)
wouldeliminatethe10centpergallongasolinetaxincreasesettogointoeffectinJanuaryand
thosescheduledinthefuture.A
sponsorsummary
ofthelegislationisavailable.
SessionSchedule(
Updated
)
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
TheSenatedoesnotexpecttoreturntovotingsessionbeforeMonday,July11,unlessbudget
legislationisfinalized.
House
July10,11,12
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction
GeneralFundBudget:
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh),theFY201617GeneralFund
budgetproposaltotaling$31.55billionwasamendedandpassedbytheHouse.TheSenate
amendedthebilltoincludea2.5percentincreaseforsomehighereducationlineitemsandfor
communitycollegesandreducedthetotalspendnumberslightlyto$31.52billion.
ClickHere
foraspreadsheetfromSenateRepublicansshowingdifferencesbetweenFY
201516andFY201617Senatepassedbudget.
ClickHere
foraSenateFiscalNoteand
summary.
ClickHere
foranarrativesummarybytheHouseDemocraticAppropriations
Committeestaff.
1PoundWaiver:
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepoundReidVapor
PressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatexpiredonMay1,2016.A
HouseFiscal
Note
andsummaryisavailable.ThebillwassignedintolawasAct80.
NewsFromTheCapitol
Gov.WolfSignsSen.Vogels1PoundWaiverBillIntoLaw
Gov.WolfFridaysignedintolawlegislationextendingtheonepoundReidVaporPressure
waiverwhichexpiredonMay1,2016.
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)nowAct80willreplacethetechnicalguidance
publishedbytheDepartmentofAgricultureinthe
March19PennsylvaniaBulletin
temporarily
extendingthewaiver.
Withoutthisnewlaw,expirationoftheonepoundwaiverwouldhavecreatedhavocin
PennsylvaniasgasolinesupplysysteminSeptemberbecauseauniquefuelwouldbeneededfor
thestate.
A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryofthebillisavailable.
Rep.PetrarcaIntroducesBillToPreventScheduledGasolineTaxIncreases
Rep.JosephPetrarca(DWestmoreland)Wednesdayannouncedtheintroductionoflegislation
HouseBill2248
toabolishthe10centpergallongasolinetaxincreasesettogointoeffectin
Januaryandthosescheduledinthefuture.
"Gaspricesareanimportantpartofthediscussionastensofthousandsof
Pennsylvanianstaketotheroadsforvacationsthissummer,"Rep.Petrarcasaid."Andwhilegas
pricesmightbefalling,there'salimittohowfarthepricescandropbecauseoftheamountof
stateandfederaltaxesimposedoneachgallonofgas."
Pennsylvaniacollects51.4centsoneachgallonofgassoldintheCommonwealth.That's
nearlydoubletheaveragecollectednationwide.
Thelateststategasolinetaxincrease,expectedtobeasmuchas10centsinJanuary,is
theresultofalawGov.TomCorbettsignedin2013touncaptheOilCompanyFranchiseTax,
thetaxonwholesalegasolinepurchases.
AlthoughtheOCFTisataxonwholesalers,thetaxhasbeenpasseddowntodriversat
thepump.Petrarca'sbillwouldcancelthestatutorilyrequiredJanuaryincrease,keepingthe
wholesalepricelevel,effectivelypreventingfuturegasolinetaxincreasesbasedonthisformula.
"Ididnotsupportthe2013lawbecauseitwasgoingtoincreasegasolineprices,andnow
it'sexpectedtoincreasethembyanother10centsinJanuary.Anincreaseinthegastaxhurtsall
ofus,butespeciallyforpeopleonlimitedmeansorwholiveonfixedincomes.Pennsylvania
alreadyhasthehighestgastaxinthenation.It'stimetostopitfromgettinghigher,"Rep.
Petrarcasaid.
In2013,thestategasolinetaxwas32.3centspergallon.Today,it's51.4cents.The
federalgovernmentalsotaxeseachgallonofgas18.4cents.
AccordingtotheU.S.EnergyInformationAdministration,theaveragestategastaxasof
Jan.1is26.5cents.Washingtonstatehasthesecondhigheststategastaxat44.6centsagallon.
A
sponsorsummary
ofthelegislationisavailable.
RelatedStories:
StateBudgetPuzzleJustGot$97MillionHarder,StillWorkingOnRevenuePackage
JuneStateRevenueDown$67.2Million,BarelyAboveEstimatesForFY201516
GamingControlBoard:PASlotMachineRevenueUpOver2%InFY201516
NewsFromAroundTheState
GovernorsOfficePublishesUpdateToAgencyRegulatoryAgenda
TheGovernorsOfficepublisheditstwiceayearupdatetotheagencybyagencyRegulatory
AgendaintheJuly9PABulletin,
startingonpage3702
.
TheRegulatoryAgendaliststheproposedregulationsagencieshaveinprocessorare
thinkingaboutdevelopinginthenextsixmonths.
TheDepartmentofAgricultureAgendastartsonpage3704,theDCNRAgendaonpage
3707andtheDEPAgendaonpage3713.
AmongtheinprocessornewregulationsatDEPare
UnsuitableForMiningDesignationInClearfieldCounty:Proposed3rdQuarter
NoncoalMiningFeeIncreases
:Proposed4thQuarter
CoalMiningFeeIncreases
:Proposed4thQuarter
SubchapterD,Chapter78WellOperation,Plugging:Proposed2ndQuarter2017
DisinfectantResidualRuleChapter109:Final4thQuarter
SafeDrinkingWaterFeeIncreases
:Proposed4thQuarter
NutrientCreditTrading,OffsetProgram:Proposed2ndQuarter2017
TriennialReview,UpdateOfToxicsManagementPolicy:Proposed3rdQuarter
WaterQualityManagementFeeIncreases
:Proposed3rdQuarter
UpdateOfOnlotSewageChapters71,72,73:Proposed4thQuarter
EnvironmentalLaboratoryFeeIncreases
:Final2ndQuarter2017
UpdateofStorageTankRegulations:Proposed2ndQuarter2017
RadiationProtectionFeeIncreases
:Final2ndQuarter2017
AirQualityProgramFeeIncreases
:Proposed4thQuarter
RepealofLowRVPGasolineinPittsburgh:Proposed3rdQuarter
RepealofStageIIGasolineVaporControls:Proposed4thQuarter
FortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontheRegulatoryAgendaisacompanion
toitsTechnicalGuidanceAgenda,a.k.a.
NonRegulatoryAgenda
.Themostrecentupdateto
thisagendawaspublishedonJuly2.
AcopyoftheDEPRegulatoryAgenda
beginsonpage3713
oftheJuly9PABulletin.
CBFPA:LawrenceCountyJoinsCleanWaterCountsCampaign
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
WednesdayannouncedLawrenceCountyhasjoinedthe
growinglistofPennsylvaniacountiesthathaveadopteda
CleanWaterCounts
resolution,calling
onstateofficialstomakecleanwateratoppriorityfortheCommonwealth.
Lawrenceisthe27thcountytoadoptaCleanWaterCountsresolution.Theother26
countiestosignonareBerks,Cambria,Cameron,Carbon,Centre,Cumberland,Dauphin,Erie,
Fayette,Franklin,Greene,Indiana,Jefferson,Luzerne,McKean,Montgomery,Montour,
Northumberland,Philadelphia,Schuylkill,Somerset,Venango,Washington,Westmoreland,
Wyoming,andYork.
"Ourcommunities,oureconomy,andourhealthdependoncleanwater,"saidHarry
Campbell,ChesapeakeBayFoundation'sPennsylvaniaexecutivedirector."Weareexcitedabout
LawrenceCountyadoptingtheresolution.SupportforCleanWaterCountsnowrepresents
nearlyhalfofPennsylvania'spopulation."
CBFPAandthe
launchedtheCleanWaterCounts
campaignin2014,urginglocalgovernmentsacrosstheCommonwealthtopassresolutionsand
joinincallingonlegislatorstoinvestinlocalcleanwaterprogramsandpractices.
About19,000milesofPennsylvaniariversandstreams
arepolluted,andthe
CommonwealthhasaCleanWaterBlueprinttoreducenitrogen,phosphorus,andsediment
runoffthatisdamagingitswaters.
InLawrenceCounty,about70milesofwatersaredamagedbyagriculturaland
urban/suburbanrunoff,accordingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
Recently,theEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyreportedthatPennsylvaniais
significantlybehindinmeetingitsBlueprintgoalsofhaving60percentofthepollutionreduction
practicesnecessarytorestorewaterqualityinplaceby2017and100percentinplaceby2025.
TheCommonwealth'scommitmentofresources,suchasaGrowingGreenerinitiative,is
criticaltotheBlueprint'ssuccess.
"NeverbeforehastheCommonwealthfacedanenvironmentinwhichaGrowingGreener
IIIprogramwasneededmore,"GrowingGreenerCoalitionExecutiveDirectorAndrewHeath
added."Ourwater,ourland,andourpreciousresourcesmustbeprotectedandrestored.Nowis
thetimetoaddresstheseissuespushingthecandowntheroadisnolongeranoption."
BysupportingtheCleanWaterCountscampaign,Lawrenceandothercountiesaretelling
lawmakersinHarrisburgthattheCommonwealthmustgetbackontracktowardmeetingits
cleanwatercommitments.It'salegacyworthleavingfuturegenerations.
HowCleanIsMyStream?
Formoreinformationandfindouthowcleanstreamsareinyourcounty,visitCBFPAs
CleanWaterCountsInPennsylvania
webpage.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
OpEd:TradeYourBadHabitsForBetterWater,CBFPA
TeachersLearnCleanWaterLessons
YoughIsGettingCleaner,ButItsTributariesAreWarmer
LawrenceCountyAdoptsCleanWaterResolution
SpringBrookAuthorityLooksToWetlandToMeetMandates
StreamWatcherTrainingAvailableInPikeCounty
DelawareRiverKeeperJuly8RiverWatchVideoReport
InvisibleRiversAerialPerformanceReturnsToTheSchuylkill
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
PresentationsAvailableFrom2016PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference
Thepresentationsgiven
atthe
2016PAAbandonedMine
ReclamationConference
theendofJunearenowavailable,
includinganoverviewofPennsylvaniasnew$30million
pilotprogramtocombineabandonedminereclamationand
economicdevelopmentopportunities,including
aproposed
projectlisting
,givenbyActingDEPSecretaryPatrick
McDonnell.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholda
webinaronthepilotprogramJuly14
.
Theotherpresentationsinclude
AMDInTheBolivianHighlands,TimDanehy,
BioMost
TheFutureOfAMLFundingandChangingProspectsForCoalMining,JoePizarchik,
DirectorofthefederalOfficeofSurfaceMiningReclamationandEnforcement
ManganeseMisunderstood,MisRegulated&MistakenForAProblem,TiffHilton
StateOfTheKiskiConemaughRiver,MelissaReckner,
KiskiConemaughStreamTeam
EconomicsOfConservationRecreation,LenLichvar,
SomersetCountyConservationDistrict
SewickleyCreekCleanupCost/BenefitAnalysis,MarkKillar
RockTunnelPassiveTreatmentSystem,GregShustrick,SomersetConservationDistrict
TheImpactOfWWIOnWesternPAsCoalEconomy,ElizabethRickettsMarcus,Indiana
UniversityofPennsylvania
RulesForNonProfitLobbying,AnneDaymut,
WesternPACoalitionForAbandonedMine
Reclamation
MakingSenseofTheFederalSENSEAirQualityRegulationReformAct,VinceBrisini,
OlympusPower,LLC
DialogicalCommunicationandDigitalCitizenshipInTheAnthraciteCoalRegion,Melissa
Meade,TempleUniversity
PAAML/AMDProgramAndFundingOverview,BrianBradley,DEP
DronesandTheirUseInEnvironmentalMonitoring,LukeMonette,federalOfficeofSurface
MiningReclamationandEnforcement
TroutUnlimitedsLongTermMaintenanceOfPassiveTreatmentSystems:AJobsAnalysis,
RachelKester,TroutUnlimited
EasternAbandonedMinesProgram
StateRegulatoryAuthorityPerspectivesOnAMLRelatedFederalLegislativeActivity,Ryan
Ellis,
InterstateMiningCompactCommission
AnAnthraciteCoalHeritageArea?MikeKorb,
MikeKorb,LLC
and
Trompe:DesignAndAnalysisOfAPassiveAerationMechanism,KevinKraus,SaintFrancis
UniversityEnvironmentalEngineeringDepartment.
Copiesofthepresentations
areavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
AP:Environmentalists,CoalRefuseSiteOperatorReach1YearPact
Study:CO2EmissionsFromCoalMineDrainageHigherThanExpected
AsFireBurnsOn,CentraliaResidentsRememberHometown
(Photo:
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
,ButlerCounty,
AcceptingTheChallenge
.)
DEP:July14WebinarOnPilotMineReclamation,EconomicDevelopmentProgram
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholda
webinaronJuly14
onitsnew,federallyfunded$30
millionabandonedminereclamationprogramwhich
combinesminereclamationwitheconomicrevitalization
opportunities.
ActingDEPSecretaryPatrickMcDonnellandother
DEPstaffwilloutlinetheprogramduringthewebinar
whichbeginsat9:30a.m.
ActingSecretaryMcDonnell
gaveapresentation
at
the
2016PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference
theendofJuneontheprogramthat
included
aproposedprojectlist
.
ThefederalfundingispartofthefederalOfficeofSurfaceMineReclamationand
Enforcements
POWER+Plan
tocleanupabandonedminesitesanddischargestoprovide
additionaleconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesforcommunities.
A
separatebillnowpendinginCongress
wouldauthorizethePOWER+Planinstatute.
TheRECLAIMAct
issponsoredbyanumberofcoalfieldmembersofCongress,includingMatt
Cartwright(DPA).
ClickHere
toregisterforthewebinar.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
CongressmenWant$1BillionFromAMLFundForStrugglingCoalCommunities
FarmToursOnAug.2,4ToShowcaseCREPConservationPracticesInWestmoreland
TwoafternoontoursonAugust2and4willtravelto
WestmorelandCountyfarmstoseeconservationpractices
thathavebeeninstalledunderoneofthemanyprograms
availabletoareafarmersthe
ConservationReserve
EnhancementProgram
(CREP).
The
firsttour,onAugust2
from1:30p.m.to5:30
p.m.,willfeatureFriendshipFarmsinMountPleasant
Township.TheCostellofamily,ownersofthisunique
370acrefarmsincethelate1960s,raisecows,freerange
chickens,andnativeplants.
FriendshipFarmsparticipatesinCREPwithbothvegetatedstreambuffersandariparian
woodedbuffer.
FriendshipFarmsalsohasanativeplantnurseryand,overtheyears,theCostelloshave
developedexpertiseinprovidingconservationcontractingservices,suchasinstallingCREP
practices,forprivatelandownersaswellasforpublicplacesincludingthe
WinniePalmerNature
Reserve
inLatrobeandtheGettysburgbattlefields.
Abonusonthistouristhechancetovisittheonsitefarmmarket,whichfeaturesfresh
breads,preserves,andgrassfedbeef.
The
secondtour,onAugust4
from3:30p.m.to6:00p.m.,willvisitthreefamilyfarmsin
NewAlexandriaanda500acrebeefcattleandcroppingfarmnearCrabtreethatfeatureavery
widevarietyofCREPconservationpractices.
Onthesefarms,participantswillseevegetatedstreambuffers,coolandwarmseason
grassesonsteepcroplands,contourbufferstrips,grassedwaterways,fieldborders,andthe
longestriparianbufferinWestmorelandCountystretchingforaboutoneandahalfmiles
withstreamcrossings.
TheAugust4tourissuitableforthosewithlimitedmobility,asmostCREPconservation
practicescanbeseenfromthebus.
Bothtoursareopentothepublicandwillofferparticipantstheopportunitytotalkwith
thelocalfarmownersaswellaswithrepresentativesfromthe
WestmorelandConservation
District
,the
NaturalResourcesConservationService
,andtheFarmServiceAgency.
Individualscanregisterforoneorbothtours.
TourswillbeginatandreturntotheWestmorelandConservationDistrict,218Donohoe
Road,Greensburg,andwillbeheld,rainorshine.Thereisanominalfeetoparticipateand
spaceislimited.
TheConservationReserveEnhancementProgramstartedinwesternPennsylvaniain
2004.UnderCREP,landownersvoluntarilyagreetoinstallconservationmeasuresandto
removelandthatishighlyenvironmentallysensitive,suchasstreambanksandsteepcropland,
fromagriculturalproductionforacertainperiodoftime.
Thisisthebasisfortheslogan:Farmthebest,andCREPtherest.
Benefitsoftheprogramincludeimprovedwaterquality,improvedanimalhealth,anda
reimbursementforthefarmerofcostsonmostconservationpracticesinstalled,aswellasa
yearlyrentalpaymentonlandenrolledintheCREPprogram.
TheCREPtoursareunderwrittenbytheCREPOutreachProgramOfficeMiniGrant
Program.
FinancialandothersupportfortheCREPOutreachProgramOfficeMinigrantProgram
isprovidedbythe
PAAssociationofConservationDistricts,Inc
.throughaGrowingGreener
WatershedProtectiongrantfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandwith
additionalsupportfromUSDANRCS.
Toparticipate,completeand
returnthereservationform
andsubmititsoitisreceivedby
July27.VisittheWestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
CalendarofEvents
formore
details.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheDistrict(rightpanel,bottom).
Formoreinformationontheprogram,visitthe
ConservationReserveEnhancement
Program
website.
NewsClip:
ClayDelancey:NewVisionsForAnAgFuture

BrodheadWatershedAssnSeekingStreamWatcherVolunteersInPikeCounty
The
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssociation
isseekingvolunteersforits
StreamWatcher
Program
monitoringPikeCountystreams.
StreamWatchersspendaboutonehouramonthwalkingalongstreamsandcollecting
watersamplesfortesting.
TrainingwilltakeplaceonJuly12,19or26.
Formoreinformation,visit
StreamWatcherProgram
,callJackieSpeicherat
5702363008orsendemailto:
jackie.speicher@prodheadwatershed.org
.
Forinformationonotherprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthe
Brodhead
CreekWatershedAssociation
.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheAssociation.
NewsClips:
NewToolDeliversWaterQualityAlertsOn3Rivers
WonderfulWorldOfWaterStudentCampAug.13InLackawannaCounty
PAAmericanWater
andthe
LackawannaRiverConservationAssociation
arehostinga
WonderfulWorldofWaterStudentCamp
August103inLackawannaCountyforstudentsages7
to11.
TheCampofferschildrenanopportunitytolearnaboutwaterwhileenjoyingoutdoor
fun.Daycamperswillexplorewatershedbasics,learnhowhumanactivityaffectswaterquality
inriversandstreamsanddiscoversolutionstowaterpollution.
TheCampwillbeheldattheValleyCommunityLibraryinthePeckvillesectionof
Blakely.
TheCampisfreeforchildrenofPAAmericanWatercustomers.
ClickHere
toregisterorcall5703476311orsendemailto:
program_manager@irca.org
.ThedeadlineforregistrationisJuly22.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
WonderfulWorldofWaterStudentCamp
webpage.
NewsClips:
WaterCampOfferedInTheMidvalley
StudentsTakeAdvantageOfPoconoEnvironmentalEdCenterOpportunities
WonderfulWorldOfWaterStudentCampInLackawannaCounty
FundraisingEndsForAsburyWoodsEnvironmentalEdCenter
PRC:VolunteersNeededForDelawareCountyRainGardenProject
The
PAResourcesCouncil
andthe
EasternDelawareCounty
StormwaterCollaborative
isseekingvolunteerstobeginaproject
thisFalltobuild36newraingardens.
Ifyouenjoythefun,sunandexerciseofgardening,PRCEastneedsyou!
Signupnow
!
PRCneedstobuildagroupofvolunteersineachparticipatingmunicipalitywhowill
workwiththeirneighborsinlocalraingardenprojects.Withthehealthbenefitsofgardening,its
awinwinopportunityforyouandyourcommunity!
Indenselydevelopedareaswithlargeareasofimpervioussurfaces,excessstormwater
runoffisacriticalpollutionproblemforourwaterways.Rainwaterrunsoffbuildings,roads,and
drivewaysintomunicipalstormwaterlinesleadingtolocalstreams,riversandotherwaterways.
Thisrunoffoftenholdspollutantslikeoil,fertilizers,pesticidesandotherchemicals
adverselyaffectingthehealthofthewaterwayandwildlife.
Newfederalandstateregulationsrequireeachmunicipalitytotakeresponsibilityfortheir
shareofthisexcessrunoff,sosimpleGreenStormwaterInfrastructureprojectscanhelpsave
yourcommunitythecostofexpensiveengineeredsolutions.
Raingardensareoneofthemostsimpleandeffectivesolutionstofightingrunoffandits
associatedimpacts.
Theshallowbowlshapecapturesrunofflongenoughtofilterthroughsoil,breakingdown
thepollutantsandpreventingdangerousfloodingduringwetweatherevents(ierainstorms).
Largeorsmall,thesegardenscancollectivelyhavebigimpacts.
Everyinchofrainfallingon1,000squarefeetofimpervioussurface(suchasroofor
asphalt)resultsin600gallonsofrunoff.
ThePhiladelphiaregionaverages41inchesofrainperyear,soaraingardenintercepting
runofffromthatareawillcapture,divertandfilternearly25,000gallonsannually.
Thateffectwillbemultipliedbythedozensofgardensthatwillbebuilt,keepingmillions
ofgallonsofpollutedrunoffoutofourwaterways!
ButPRCcannotdothisexcitingworkwithoutyou!
TheprojectisfundedbyDEPsGrowingGreenerProgram.
Forupdatesonthisprogram,upcominginstallationdates,andtovolunteer,visitPRCs
Watersheds,RainBarrelsAndRainGardens
webpageorcontactJayneYoungbysendingemail
to:
young@prc.org
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
PennStateAg&En.Center:FreeTreesForBuffersInDauphin,Lancaster,Lebanon
Haveyoubeenconsideringplantingtreesonyour
property?Doyouwanttoreducemowingneeds,
protectastream,createwildlifehabitatorhelp
reduceflooding?
Applyforfreetreestoday
!
The
PennStateAgricultureandEnvironmentCenter
ispleasedtobeabletoofferfreetreesto
landownersinDauphin,LebanonandLancaster
countiesforthe4thyearinarow.
Thenativetreesnurseryismadepossiblebyagrant
fromtheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation
entitled
GreeningtheLowerSusquehanna
.
Thesetreesareavailabletomunicipalities,residents,businesses,andallotherproperty
owners.
Allofthisyearsseedlingsmustbeplantedduringthefallof2016.Thetreesare
providedatnocosttoyoubutwillrequiremaintenanceuntiltheybecomeestablishedwhich
shouldincludethepurchaseoftreetubesorcages.
Stockislimitedandwillbegivenoutfollowinganapplicationprocessandproject
rankingsystem.Rankingcriteriaincludelocation,positiveenvironmentalimpacts,andproject
size.ThesimpleapplicationisduebyJuly31stand
canbefoundonline
.
Asitevisitwillberequiredaspartoftheapprovalprocess.
Ifyouareinterestedinlearningmore,pleasecontactTylerErbat7176026456orsend
emailto:
tme5111@psu.edu.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthe
PennState
AgricultureandEnvironmentCenter
webpage.
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheCenters
newsletter.
NewsClip:
Reminder:AbstractsDueJuly29For2017DelawareEstuaryScienceSummit
The
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
isaccepting
abstractsforits2017
EstuaryScienceandEnvironmental
Summit
tobeheldJanuary2225,2017inCapeMay,New
JerseythroughJuly29.
This3dayconferenceretreatwillbringtogetherscientists,
researchers,andenvironmentaleducationspecialiststo
shareinformationonawatershedbasis.Theconferenceis
anexcellentopportunityforprofessionalsfromdiverse
sectorsoftheenvironmentalfieldtonetworkwithand
learnfromeachother.
The6thScienceandEnvironmentalSummitheldin2015,
consistedofmorethan150presentationsandwasattendedbyalmost300stakeholders.
Formoreinformationonhowtosubmitabstracts,visitthePartnerships
EstuaryScience
andEnvironmentalSummit
webpage.
Moreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingeventsisavailableatthe
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthe
Partnership.
NewsClips:
NJNuclearPowerPlansGetOKForDelawareRiverWithdrawals
CBFPA:TeachersConnectSchoolsToImprovingPennsylvaniasWaterQuality
AgroupofPennsylvaniateachersbecamestudents
whenthelessonsturnedtowhatschoolscandoto
reducepollutedrunoffandimprovethe
Commonwealthswaterquality.
Thetwodaysessionwassponsoredbythe
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAs
SusquehannaWatershedEducationProgram
.
Themainideaoftheworkshopwasforteacherstoconnecttheirschoolyardsand
communitiestolocalwaterways,saidCBFeducatorEmilyThorpe.Itisproventhaturbanand
suburbanrunoffisthefastestgrowingsourceofpollution.Theseteacherswillhavethe
experiencetolearnwhattypesofstormwatereffortsmaybebeneficialfortheirareaandhow
theycangoaboutproposingactiontoreducepollution.
About19,000milesofPennsylvaniariversandstreams
arepolluted,andthe
CommonwealthhasaCleanWaterBlueprinttoreducenitrogen,phosphorus,andsediment
runoffthatisdamagingitswaters.
ButtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
reportedrecentlyPennsylvania
is
significantlybehindinmeetingitsBlueprintgoalsofhaving60percentofthepollutionreduction
practicesnecessarytorestorewaterqualityinplaceby2017and100percentinplaceby2025.
Formostschools,wehavetoomanypavedsurfacesthatcouldcauseproblemswith
stormwaterrunoff,saidSondraPicciotto,a7thand8thgradescienceteacherintheHarrisburg
CitySchoolDistrict.Ifschoolyardswereabletoaddraingardensandrainbarrelstotheir
campus,wewouldseepositiveeffectsinourlocalwater.
JaneMacedonia,ascienceteacheratLancasterCatholicHighSchool,addedthatAfirst
stepaschoolcoulddoistotransformtheiropenplotsofland.Turnthemintoraingardensoradd
rainbarrelsthatserveasbiologicalfunctionsthatnotonlywillbebeneficialtoyour
environment,butwillbebeneficialtothekidssittingintheclassrooms.
Macedoniasaid,Therearesomanytypesofprogramsthatschoolscanadoptthat
conservewaterquality.Thinkabouthydroponics.Thesesystemsrecyclewaterthroughoutthe
processofgrowingplants,whichlatercouldbeusedwithintheschoolscafeteria,sheadded.
Nomatterwhattypeofprogramthough,thestudentswillbehavingsomuchfunthatthey
wontrealizethatitwasmeanttobealearningexperience.
Duringasessionatthe
WildwoodNatureCenter
inHarrisburg,teacherslearnedmore
aboutwaterresourcesandtheChesapeakeBay,andhowtheirschoolsmeasureupinpreventing
pollution.
TheyalsotouredtheBenjaminOlewineNatureCenterandthe
CapitalRegionWater
TreatmentPlant
.Theyspenttheseconddayoftheworkshoppaddlingcanoesdownthe
SusquehannaRiver,stoppingforhandsonlessonsaboutaquaticlifeintheriver,andwater
chemistry.
TeacherswerefromtheDioceseofHarrisburg,HarrisburgCitySchoolDistrict,
LancasterCatholicHighSchool,NortheasternYorkSchoolDistrict,RiverRockAcademy,St.
CatherineLaboureSchool,andSt.JohntheBaptistCatholicSchool.
Ifweemphasizewaterqualityissues,saidNicolettePlace,ateacheratWellsville
ElementaryintheNorthernYorkSchoolDistrict,wewillbeabletocomeupwithsolutionsthat
willcontinuetokeepourenvironmenthealthyforthenextgeneration.
(Photo:Teachersare,fromleft,SondraPicciottoofHarrisburgCity,AbigailFreyofthe
DioceseofHarrisburg,andNicolettePlaceofNorthernYorkandEmilyThorpe,CBF
Educator.)
HowCleanIsMyStream?
webpage.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
RiverFest2016InWilkesBarreASuccess
StafffromtheDEPNortheastRegionalOfficecreatedan
interactivetableat
RiverFest2016
inWilkesBarreinJuneto
educatethepublicaboutriverhealth.
TheeventcelebratestheSusquehannaRiverandits
importancetotheregion.Attendeeswereableseeandtouch
someoftheinsectsthat
DEPstudies
aspartofthehealthofthe
river.
Theyalsogotachancetousetinyboomstocleanupa
simulatedoilspillintheriverbyusingsoapcontainers.Each
childthatparticipatedtookhomeafossilthatwascollectednear
theriverinBloomsburg.
HowCleanIsMyStream?
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
(Reprintedfromthe
July7DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
DEPStaffVisitWilkesBarreSchoolToStressImportanceOfTheEnvironment
DEPNortheastRegionalOfficeWaterQualitySpecialist
SupervisorMichelleNesbittrecentlyspoketoagroupof
elementarystudentsabouttheworkofDEPandprotecting
theenvironment.
ThestudentsattendWyomingValleyPresbyterian
ChurchsafterschoolprogramIntheCenterofthe
VillageinWilkesBarre,whichteachesstudentshowto
begoodcitizens.Nesbittspoketostudentsaboutthe
importanceofrecycling,protecttheearthandwaterand
beinggoodstewardsoftheenvironment.
Approximately1015childrenparticipated.
(Reprintedfromthe
July7DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
July5WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
July5editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson
PharmaceuticalsInStreamsMayComeFromMultipleSources
PennStateExtensionTeachesHealthAndPrivateWaterSupplies
MicroplasticParticlesThreatenFishLarvae
ManagingWaterOnYourPropertyToReduceMosquitoVectorDiseases
HydraulicFracturingChemicalSpillsOnAgLandNeedScrutiny
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
JuneCatalystNewsletterNowAvailableFromSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
The
JuneeditionofTheCatalyst
newsletterfromthe
Slippery
RockWatershedCoalition
inButlerCountyisnowavailable
featuringarticleson
EarthFestMacoskeyCenterCelebration
AllAboutOurNewInternJoshuaVinglish,SaintFrancisUniversity(
photo
)
TheKIDSCatalystWatershedWordSearch
SummerHouseholdHazardousWasteCollectionDatesInButlerCounty
ClickHere
TheCatalystnewsletterisdistributedtoover1,100individualsinoveradozencountries
including:Brazil,Peru,SouthKorea,Mexico,England,Wales,Venezuela,SouthAfrica,New
Zealand,AustraliaandGermany.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,upcomingeventsandvolunteer
opportunities,visitthe
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
website.
HowCleanIsMyStream?
webpage.
NewsClips:
JulyUpdateFromCapitolRegionWaterIsNowAvailable
The
JulyUpdate
from
CapitolRegionWater
inDauphinCountyisnowavailablefeaturing
articleson
2016DrinkingWaterQualityReport
MajorSewerCleaningProjectBeginsInHarrisburg
ReducingWaterLoss
July19TuesdayCleanup:1600BlockOfN.4thStreetInHarrisburg
ClickHere
NewsClips:
EnvironmentalGroupMapsSchlockOnSchuylkillRiver
ExChescoOfficialPleadsGuiltyToIllegalDumping
NRCS:PennsylvaniaStateTechnicalCommitteeMeetsJuly21
TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturesNaturalResourcesConservationServiceinvitesthepublic
toattendthe
PennsylvaniaStateTechnicalCommittee
meetingonJuly21attheUSDAState
OfficeinHarrisburg.
QuarterlyStateTechnicalCommitteemeetingsareheldtodiscusstheconservationof
soil,water,air,plants,wetlands,wildlifeandagriculture.
Julysmeetingwillincludeupdatesonfiscalyear2017FarmBillconservationprograms,
newtoolsforconservationplanning,andthePennsylvaniaremotesensingproject.
MorethanadozenPennsylvaniafederal,stateandlocalagenciesmakeupthecommittee,
whichprovidesrecommendationstoNRCSontheimplementationofthenaturalresources
conservationprovisionsoftheFarmBill.
StateTechnicalCommitteemeetingsprovideanopportunityforpeopleandconservation
groupsacrossthestatetoshareexperiencesandcollaborateonpositivesolutionstobetterserve
Pennsylvaniasnaturalresourceneeds,saysDeniseColeman,NRCSStateConservationist.
Thepublicisinvitedtoattendthemeetingwhichwillbeheldat1:00p.m.onJuly21at
theUSDAStateOfficeConferenceRoomat359EastParkDrive,Harrisburg.Toattendvia
teleconference,call18888449904withaccesscode6941559.
Attendeeswithdisabilitiesrequiringspecialaccommodationsand/oralternativemeans
forcommunicationofprograminformation(Braille,largeprint,audiotape,etc.)associatedwith
thismeetingshouldcontactTedEvansat7172372209,orsendemailto:
ted.evans@pa.usda.gov
.
FormoreinformationonprogramsandservicesofNRCS,visitthe
Pennsylvania
webpage.
NewsClip:
JulyMeetingsOfEnvironmentalQualityBoard,CitizensAdvisoryCouncilCanceled
TheJuly19meetingsoftheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
(
formalnotice
)
andDEPsCitizens
AdvisoryCouncil
(
formalnotice
)
arecanceled.
Thenextscheduledmeetingofthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
isAugust16andthe
nextmeetingofthe
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
isSeptember20.
DidYouKnow?DEPPublishes30To50PagesOfPermitActionsEachWeek?
Interestingfact:TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishes30to50pagesofnotices
inthePABulletin
everyweek
alertingthepublictoproposedorfinalpermitactionsitistaking.
The
July9PABulletin
has34pages,forexample.
DEPisbyfarthebiggestsingleuserofthePABulletinintermsofprovidingpublic
noticeofitsproposedandfinalactionsandhowthepubliccancomment.
SignUpForDEPseNotice
DidyoualsoknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermitapplicationssubmittedin
yourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsandregulations?Allthroughits
eNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingApplicationsForCommunityImprovementMiniGrants
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
isnowaccepting
applicationsforits
25in25CommunityImprovement
MiniGrants
tosupportprojectstopreventandcleanup
litterandillegaldumpingandtokeepareasclean
ApplicationsaredueAugust15by5:00p.m.
Twentyfivegrantsofupto$1,000willbeawardedin25
daystolocalaffiliatesandothertaxexemptgroups
acrossthestate.
Theselectedprojectswillberepresentativeofallthe
differentwayswecanindividuallyandcollectivelyimproveourcommunitiesincludingplanting
natives,restoringhabitats,restoringourparks,cleaningupourriversandcommunities,
providingrecyclingopportunitiesatspecialeventsandsomanymore.
Thisisacompetitivegrantprogramwithintenttoprovidesupportfordiversecommunity
improvementprojectsacrosstheCommonwealth.
Grantawardswillbeannounceddailyon
Facebook
andTwitterfromSeptember1to25.
ClickHere
foralistoflastyearswinners.
Forallthedetails,visitKPBs
25in25CommunityImprovementMiniGrants
webpage.
ClickHere
fortheonlineapplication.
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
WestmorelandCounty,KeepPABeautifulPartnerOn2CommunityGreeningProjects
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
andthe
WestmorelandCountyLandBank
,recently
presented
SewickleyTownship
and
TheGeyer
PerformingArtsCenter
inScottdalewithseed
grantstofightblightintheircommunities.
InSewickleyTownship,fundswill
supportaMainStreetGreenSpaceProjectafter
demolitionofablightedpropertyinHerminieis
complete.
InScottdale,TheGeyerPerformingArtsCentertookownershipofalotthatwasleft
behindafterdemolitionofanadjacentproperty.Theseedgrantwillsupportamuraloverlooking
theadjacentlot.
(Photo:LEFTRepresentativesfromWestmorelandCountyLandBank,KeepPA
BeautifulandSewickleyTownship.RIGHTRepresentativesfromWestmorelandCountyLand
Bank,KeepPABeautifulandGeyerPerformingArtsCenterinScottdale.)
Communityrevitalizationissocritical,butresourcesarelimited.Whenitcomesto
communitygreening,alittlecangoalongway,ifitisdoneright,saidShannonReiter,Keep
PABeautifulPresident.Throughthispilot,KPBisleveragingresourcesbycoordinating
investmentswitheconomicandcommunityplanningalreadyunderwayandthenengaginglocal
communityorganizationstonurturelongtermcommunitystewardship.
ThesekindsofblightrevitalizationprojectsareexactlywhytheLandBankwas
formed,saidAprilKopas,ExecutiveDirectoroftheWestmorelandCountyLandBank.We
aimtohelpourmembercommunitiesidentifyblightedproperties,assistincomingupwitha
reuseplan,andthenfindingresponsiblestewardswhilegeneratingtaxrevenueforthose
municipalitiesatthesametime.Thankyoutoalltheorganizationsinvolvedforhelpingtomake
animmediatedifferenceinourmembercommunities.
KPBsStrategicCommunityGreeningPartnershipPilotissupportedbytheRichardKing
MellonFoundation.ThePilotaimstofund24individualgreenreuseprojectsthroughout
WestmorelandCountyinpartnershipwiththeWestmorelandCountyLandBank.
Eachinitiativewillrequirea50percentcommunitymatchandfundscanbeusedto
procuretools,equipment,greeninfrastructure,fencingorotherresourcesneededtocreate,
stabilizeandmaintaingreenspaces.
Projectsitesareidentifiedbasedoncurrentpropertiesavailabletopurchaseorlease
throughtheLandBank.Siteswillbeconsideredforthepilotprojectonceallotherreuseoptions
havebeenexhaustedandlocalstakeholdersdeterminethatgreenopenspacereuseisthe
preferredandmostviableoptionforthecommunity.
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
PAHorticulturalSocietyAwardsNeighborhoodPlacemakerGrantsInPhiladelphia
The
PAHorticulturalSociety
andthePhiladelphia
DepartmentofCommerceWednesdayannounced
thewinnersoftwo
NeighborhoodPlacemaker
Grants
forprojectsthatwillenhancepublicspaces
andimprovethebeautyandenvironmental
sustainabilityoftheircommunities.
Thewinningorganizationsandtheir
projectsare:
PhiladelphiaChinatownDevelopment
Corporation
willreceivedesignsupporttoupdate
the10thStreetPlaza,at10thandVineStreets,and
fundingsupporttoimplementthefirstphaseofimprovementstothisneighborhoodgateway.
PHSwillcontributedesignservicesandprojectmanagement,andCommercewillcontribute
$37,500forcapitalimprovements.
RoxboroughDevelopmentCorporation
willreceivefundingsupportthatwillleverageother
resourcesforthecreationoftheRoxboroughPocketParkat617072RidgeAve.PHSwill
contributetechnicalassistanceandmaterialreviewand$12,000towardcapitalimprovements.
Commercewillcontribute$25,500forcapitalimprovements.
Eachwinnerwillreceive$37,500tosupportdevelopmentandconstructionofitsproject
andservicesfromPHS.
TheNeighborhoodPlacemakerGrantprogramwaslaunchedin2015andsinceits
inceptionhasawarded$150,000infundingandmorethan$50,000ininkindprofessionaldesign
servicestofiveprojectsinPhiladelphianeighborhoods.
ArequestforLettersofInterestistypicallyannouncedinNovember.
TheNeighborhoodPlacemakerGrantsarepartofthelargerPHSCivicLandscapes
program.Forthelastfourdecades,PHShastransformedpubliclandscapesandneighborhood
openspacesintotheregionspremiersitesanddestinations.
WithfundingfromtheWilliamPennFoundation,PHShascreatedaplanthatwillguide
theorganizationanditspartnersincreatingtheregionsnextgreatlandscapes.Thegoalofthe
NeighborhoodPlacemakerGrantsistosupportthecreationofbeautifulpublicspacesthathavea
longtermimpactontheircommunities.
TheprogramisofferedwithfundingsupportfromtheCityofPhiladelphiaDepartmentof
Commerceaspartofthecitysstrategytofostervibrantneighborhoodcommercialcorridors.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAHorticulturalSocietys
NeighborhoodPlacemaker
Grants
webpage.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPHS.
PAResourcesCouncil:FightingLitterWithArtInPittsburgh
Keepaneyeoutforanewpublicartinstallation,RECYCLE
RIGHT,asittravelsaroundPittsburgh'sNorthsideneighborhoods
andappearsinpublicspaces,vacantlotsandcommunityeventsites
thissummer.
Thesixfoottallrecyclingsymbolcreatedfromrebar,chicken
wireandrecyclablelittergatheredinpublicspacesservesasthe
newestelementofthe
PAResourcesCouncil's
NorthsideKeepsit
Clean
"campaigntofightlitterandincreaserecyclingrates.
TheinstallationservestoremindNorthsideresidentsandvisitorsof
theissuessurroundinglitterandhowmuchlitterisactually
recyclable,"accordingtoPRCWesternRegionalDirectorJustin
Stockdale."Whenwetossbottlesandcansontheground,wenot
onlypolluteourcommunitiesbutwepreventthesematerialsfrombecomingnew,useful
products."
TakeaselfiewithRECYCLERIGHTandsubmititforachancetowinaprize.
FollowandtagRECYCLERIGHT(@recyclerightpgh)onsocialmediaanduse
#NorthsideKeepsItCleantoenter.
TheRecycleRightartinstallationispartof
AlleghenyCleanWays
andPRCslarger
NorthsideKeepsitCleancampaigntofightlitterandincreaserecyclinginPittsburghs
Northsideneighborhoods.
Thiscampaign,fundedthrough
BuhlFoundations
OneNorthsideCampaign
,also
featuredillegaldumpsitecleanups,residentialrecyclingbinprovision,inschooleducational
programs,andlittercleanupsupport.
Thisprojectwasfundedthroughthe
PittsburghUrbanLeadershipServiceExperience
(PULSE)aspartoftheirworktocultivateyoungleaderstotransformPittsburghandmaterials
weregenerouslydonatedbytheEastLibertyHomeDepot.
Formoreinformation,contactthe
PAResourcesCouncil
at4124887490x1025orvisit
PRCs
NorthsideKeepsitClean
webpage.FollowtheRecycleRightat@RecycleRightPGH.
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
NewsClips:
CapitolRegionWaterTuesdayCleanupJuly19InHarrisburg
OnJuly19,
CapitolRegionWater
willhostaTuesdayCleanupeventinthe1600BlockofNorth
4thStreetinHarrisburgfrom5:30to6:00p.m.
Thiscleanuplastsonly30minutesandgloves,vests,bags,andwaterwillbeprovided.
Allarewelcome!
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
NewsClips:
SaveTheDate:PAResourcesCouncilAnnualAwardsDinnerNov.10
The
PAResourcesCouncil
willholditsannualAwards
Celebrationatthe
VillanovaUniversityConferenceCenter
in
PhiladelphiaonNovember10.
Enjoyanetworkingreceptionandhearakeynoteaddress
byActingDEPSecretaryPatrickMcDonnell.
ClickHere
tolearnmore.
NewsClips:
CovantaEmployeeHonoredByChesterEnvironmentalPartnership
CovantasJohnWaffenschmidtHonoredByChesterEnvironmentalPartnership
JulyNewsletterNowAvailableFromPAResourcesCouncil
The
Julynewsletter
fromthe
PAResourcesCouncil
is
nowavailablefeaturingarticleon
PRCMournsLossOfLongtimeEmployee:Bert
Schwartz
GreenFilmSeriesContinuesJuly23:Plastic
Paradise
VolunteerToHelpKeepPAWatersClean
FightingLitterWithArt
SaveTheDate:PRCAnnualAwardsDinnerNov.10
3EasyTipsForGreenLawnCare
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates.
PAResources
Council
website.Follow
PRConTwitter
or
LikethemonFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCs
EventsCalendar.
NewsClips:
ScholarshipOpportunitiesForNationalResourceRecyclingConferenceInNewOrleans
Thisyeartherecyclingworldlostagreatleader,former
RecyclingPartnership
Executive
Director
SteveThompson
.
Inhismemory,ReTRACConnect,ResourceRecyclingandTheRecyclingPartnership
areestablishingfivegrantstohelprecyclingdevoteesattendtheAugust30toSeptember1
ResourceRecyclingConference
inNewOrleans.
Grantrecipientswillreceivecomplimentaryregistration,plusareimbursementofupto
$1,000tocoverroom,travelandmeals.
The2016ResourceRecyclingConferenceisbeingheldattheHiltonNewOrleans
Riverside.
TheSteveThompsonMemorialGrantsareopentoallwhoareinterestedinlearning
moreaboutrecycling.Fundingisspecificallytargetedtowardindividualsatthecollegiateor
communityrecyclinglevelswhowouldnototherwisehavetheopportunitytoattendthisyear's
conference.
ClickHere
toapplybymidnightESTonJuly17.
(Courtesyof
ProfessionalRecyclersofPennsylvania
.)
DEPSets5PublicHearingsOnProposedMarinerEastIINaturalGasPipeline
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednoticeintheJuly9PABulletinscheduling
fivepublichearingsontheproposedSunoco
Mariner
EastII
naturalgaspipeline(
PABulletin,page3698
).
ThehearingswillbeheldinBlair,Dauphin,Delaware,
LebanonandWestmorelandcountiestoaccept
commentsontheproposedChapter105Water
ObstructionandEncroachmentpermitsneededforthe
pipeline.
"Asanopenandtransparentagency,wetakepubliccommentandinputveryseriously",
saidActingDEPSecretaryPatrickMcDonnell."Wewanttoprovidethepublicwithseveral
opportunitiestoreviewpermitapplicationsandprovidethoughtful,critical,andconstructive
feedbacktoaideinourtechnicalreview."
Thehearingswillbeheldfrom6:30to9:30on
August8:
BlairCountyConventionCenter,OneConventionCenterDrive,Altoona,Blair
County.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:JohnRepetz,DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,7177054904orsendemailto:
jrepetz@pa.gov
untilthedaybeforethehearing.
August9:
LebanonValleyExpositionCenter,80RochertyRoad,Lebanon,LebanonCounty.
Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:JohnRepetz,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
jrepetz@pa.gov
August10:
SykesStudentUnion,WestChesterUniversity,110W.RosedaleAve.,West
Chester,DelawareCounty.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:VirginiaCain,DEP
SoutheastRegionalOffice,4842505808orsendemailto:
vicain@pa.gov
untilthedaybefore
thehearing.
August16:
PAFarmShowComplex,KeystoneConferenceCenter,2300N.CameronStreet,
Harrisburg,DauphinCounty.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:JohnRepetz,DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice,7177054904orsendemailto:
jrepetz@pa.gov
untiltheday
beforethehearing.
August18:
FoundersHallAmphitheatre,WestmorelandCountyCommunityCollege,145
PavilionLance,Youngwood,WestmorelandCounty.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:
JohnPoister,DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,4124424203orsendemailto:
jpoister@pa.gov
Duringthehearings,eachspeakerwillhavetheopportunitytopresentuptothree
minutesofverbaltestimony.
Toensurethatallspeakershaveafairandequalopportunitytopresenttheirtestimony,
relinquishingoftimetootherspeakerswillbeprohibited,andgroupsareaskedtodesignateone
speaker.Allpresentersshouldbringatleastonecopyoftheirwrittencommentsandexhibitsfor
submissiontoDEP.
Iftimepermitsatthehearing,thosewhodidnotregisterinadvancewillbegiventhe
opportunitytotestify.
DEPwillalsoacceptwrittencommentsonthepermitapplicationsthroughAugust24.
Seethe
PABulletinNotice,page3698
fordetailsonsubmittingwrittencomments.
TheMarinerEastIIprojectisaproposed16inchpipelinetocarrynaturalgasliquidsthat
wouldstretch350milesacross17countiesandthewidthofPennsylvania
Becausethesepipelineswillconveyliquefiednaturalgas,theyareregulatedbythe
PipelineandHazardousMaterialsSafetyAdministration(PHMSA),whichfallsundertheU.S.
DepartmentofTransportation.
ThisprojectrequiresmultiplepermitsfromDEP,includingpermitsforearthdisturbances
offiveacresormore(Chapter102),andpermitsforproposedactivitieslocatedin,along,across
orprojectingintoawatercourse,floodwayorbodyofwater,includingwetlands(Chapter105).
Formoreinformation,
ClickHere
forDEPsformalannouncementofthehearings,visit
DEPs
MarinerEastIIPipeline
webpage.
ClickHere
foraDEPfactsheetontheMarinerEastII
pipelinefromJune2016.
NewsClips:
DEPPlansPublicHearingsForSunocosMariner2Pipeline
Crable:EPACriticalOfEnvironmentalReviewForAtlanticSunrisePipeline
EPACallsForRethinkingOfAtlanticSunrisePipelineRoute
AlleghenyFront:ExplosionHeatsUpConcernsOverGasPipelines
Millcreek/Erie:ResidentsAllowedToReturnAfterNaturalGasWellPipelineLeak
SomePeoplesGasCustomersToGetNewServiceLines
RelatedStory:
DEPNowAcceptingCommentsOnSunocoMarinerEastIIPipelineProjectSegments
PUCOffersEnergySaving,CoolingTipsForSummersFirstHotWeatherAlert
The
PublicUtilityCommission
Wednesdayurgedresidentsacrossthestatetoconsiderwaysto
conserveenergyandstaycoolasatemperaturesacrosstheMidAtlanticRegionareexpectedto
riseintothe90slaterthisweek.
ThePUCnotedthatforecastsforhotandhumidweatherhavepromptedPJMthe
regionspowertransmissionorganizationtoissueaHotWeatherAlertforJuly7,preparing
utilitiesandgenerationoperatorsforconditionsthatcouldstressthepowergrid.
ConsumerscanfindthePUCs
SummerHeatWavefactsheet
.Additionaltipsare
availableonour
Facebookpage
and
Twitteraccount
(@PA_PUC),orbysearchingthe
#WaysToStayCoolhashtag.
Energyconservationandcoolingsuggestionsinclude:
Turnoffnonessentialappliancesandasmanylightsaspossible
Postponeusingappliancesthatproduceheat,suchasclothesdryers,dishwashersandstoves
untilafter7p.m.Theseappliancesalsousesignificantamountsofelectricityaddingtothe
demandonanelectricinfrastructurethatisalreadystressedduringpeakhoursduetoheat
Useceilingfanstocirculatetheair,keepingroomsandyoucooler
Relaxinroomsthatdonotreceivedirectsunlight
Ifyouhavewindowairconditioningunits,closeoffroomsnotinuse
Makesureallairconditionerfiltersarecleanandingoodshape
Replacefiltersmonthlyformaximumbenefitandcheckairandreturnventsonaregularbasis
tokeepcirculationairpathsclearand
Onhotandhumiddays,setyourthermostatat78degreeswhenyouarehomeand85degrees
oroffwhenyouareawayforlongperiods.
NewsClips:
StateNetMeteringRulesTurnedDownByIRRC2ndTime
PAIndustrialPowerUsersPushForReliefFromConservationMandates
IEA:MiddleEastOilDependenceDrivingDownEnergyEfficiency
WhenStormsHit,ChescoMicrogridWouldKeepLightsOn
NaturalGasFillsGapAsCoalDropsOutOfU.S.PowerMarket
2GasFueledPowerPlantsSoonToBeOperationalInPA
PAToGetPowerFromShaleGas
MurrayCoalWorkingToAvoidBankruptcy
MiningCompanySurrendersPACoalReservesToNonprofits
ModelPlantForCleanCoalRunsOffTheTracks
OpEd:CoalCountryHitByAChangingClimate
OpEd:CantHaveRenewableEnergyWithoutShaleGas
OpEd:TheMoralCaseForFossilFuels
HotWeatherExpectedToStrainElectricProviders
AccusedPeachBottomTrespasserHeadingToTrial
Crable:MuddyRunWarningSirensToBeTestedJuly14InLancaster
OpEd:WhyOptOutsFromPAsPremierEnergyEfficiencyProgramAreBadPolicy
ByLindsayBaxter,Energy&ClimateProgramManager,
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
Thispastweek,oneyearafterthePAEnvironmentalCouncil
firstwrote
tothemembers
oftheSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessional
LicensureCommitteeexpressingconcernswith
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh),PECwas
included
inaPhiladelphiaInquirerarticle
aboutwhyenergyefficiencyadvocatesopposethis
bill.
Heresasynopsisofwhywesharetheirconcerns.
SenateBill805wouldallowlargecommercialandindustrialcustomerstooptoutof
Pennsylvanias
Act129EnergyEfficiencyandConservationProgram
.ThisProgramhasbeen
consideredaverysuccessfulenergyefficiencyprogram,alsoresultingintheloweringof
electricityratesforallPennsylvanians.
Thesesavingshaveconsistentlyoutweighedprogramcosts.Thebenefitsareevengreater
whenyouaddintheassociatedsavingsinwater,naturalgas,ortheresultingenvironmentaland
publichealthbenefits.
Undertheprogram,everyelectricitycustomerpaysasmallsurchargetotheirelectricity
distributioncompany(EDC)tofinancetheprogram.Similarly,everycustomeriseligibleto
receivefinancialincentivesand,often,technicalassistancefromtheEDCtomakeenergy
efficiencyimprovementsintheirfacilityorhome.
ThestatesEDCshaveconsistentlyachievedtheirelectricitydemandreductiontargets,
andthesesavingshavecomefromallcustomersectors,includingresidential,industrial,
commercial,andinstitutional.
Largeandindustrialuserswouldliketheoptiontooptoutoftheprogram,nolonger
payingthesurchargeandmakingthemselvesineligibletoreceiveincentivesorassistance.
Theirreasoningisthatlargeusersareabletoselffinanceenergyefficiency,andthat
manyfacilitieshavealreadymadesignificantimprovements,sothesurchargetheypaydoesnot
benefitthemthroughincentives,andrather,paysforimprovementsinothercustomerclasses.
Act129BenefitsAllRatepayers
Whilenotallcustomerschoosetomakechangestotheirbuildingsorfacilities,all
customersunquestionablybenefitfromtheprogram,asitlowerselectricityratesacrossthe
board.
Allelectricityprovidersmustsecureareliablesupplyofpowerfortheircustomers.
Traditionallythishasmeantpurchasingelectricityfromgenerators,suchascoalfiredpower
plantsandwindfarms.
However,programslikeAct129haveshownthatinvestinginenergyefficiencyand
demandresponsecanbeanother,oftenmorecosteffectivewayofbalancingsupplyanddemand.
Investinginenergysavingsreducestheamounttheutilityneedstopurchaseforitscustomers,
resultingincostsavingstimeandagain.
Demandresponse,whichcompensatesusersforreducingelectricitydemandduringpeak
periodstolimitstressonthegrid,hasresultedinsignificantsavingsforallcustomers.
Infact,
accordingtoPJM
,demandresponsereducedconsumerelectricitycostsby$11.8
billionin201314.
Giventhatlargeindustrialandcommercialusersarethosemostlikelytoparticipateinthe
DemandResponseportionofAct129,allowingthemtooptoutreducesthepotentialforthese
savingstocontinueforallPennsylvaniaratepayers.
OptOutsAreBadPolicy
Theelectricitygridisasharedsystem.Alluserswhoareconnectedtothegridbenefit
fromimprovements.WhileAct129doesnotresultinnewinfrastructure,itincreasesthe
reliabilityandresiliencyoftheentiregridsystembyreducingthedemand.
AllowinglargeuserstooptoutwillreducetheeffectivenessofAct129inanumberof
ways:
Byallowingsomeuserstooptoutofpayingthesurcharge,itreducesthepoolofmoneyfor
systemwideimprovementsundertheprogram,placingmoreoftheburdenonsmallercustomers,
likehomes,churches,smallbusinesses,andschools.
Becauseefficiencyimprovementsatlargefacilitiestendtocostlessperkilowatthourof
electricitysaved,theyimprovethecosteffectivenessoftheentireprogram,allowingforgreater
investmentsatsmallercustomersiteswithoutgoingoverthespendingcap.Thisamendment
wouldendtheseefficiencies.
TheproposedlegislationwouldalsochangethelengthofPhaseIIIimplementationfromfive
tothreeyears.Thischangemeansthatmoreresourcesareusedonplandevelopmentandreview,
ratherthanonactualenergyefficiencyprojects.
Forthesereasons,PECopposesthechangesproposedinSenateBill805totheAct129
Program.Theoptoutprovidesbenefitsaverysmallnumberofcustomersattheexpenseofthe
restofPennsylvaniasratepayers.
Energyefficiencyprovidesthedualbenefitofprovidingcostsavingswhilealsoreducing
greenhousegasemissions.
Weshouldbelookingtobolsterefficiencymeasures,notlimitthem.
[
EditorsNote:
SenateBill805isnowontheSenateCalendarforafinalvote.The
Act
129EnergyEfficiencyProgram
isadministeredbythePublicUtilityCommission.]
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
Report:PennsylvaniaIsPartOfTheAmericanCleanEnergyTransformation
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteeMeetsJuly12On2015,2018ClimatePlanUpdates
DEPs
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
isscheduledtomeeton
July12todiscusshowitwillgoaboutthe2018updatetoPennsylvanias
ClimateChangeActionPlan.TheCommitteealsoexpectstoseeDEPs
finalversionofthe2015PlanUpdate.
Theagendaalsoincludesapresentationonthe
draft2016PA
GreenhouseGasEmissionsInventory
.
InMay,theCommitteerevieweda
finaldraftofthe2015Action
PlanUpdate
thatcontainsaseriesofrecommendationsintheformof13
workplanscoveringavarietyofissueareas.
ThescopeoftheActionPlanUpdateismuchbroaderthan
EPAsCleanPowerClimate
Plan
requirements,whichonlycoverselectricpowergeneration.ThegoalofthePAClimate
ActionPlanistofindcosteffectivemeasurestoreducegreenhousegasemissionsmorebroadly,
althoughthelatestPlanhasnooverallemissionsreductiongoal.
ThePlanUpdatenotesPennsylvaniasgrossgreenhousegasemissionsareprojectedtobe
lowerin2030,thetargetreductionyear,thantheywerein2000.
CarbondioxideemissionsinPennsylvaniahavealreadybeen
reducedby27milliontons
annuallyinjust7years,a20percentdecreasefrom2007to2014,toatotalofabout107million
tonsannually.
Thereductionscameprimarilyasaresultofswitchingfromcoaltonaturalgasto
generateelectricityandadditionalEPAcontrolsonmercuryemissionsatcoalfiredpowerplants.
ThefirstmilestoneintheEPACleanPowerRuleis2022requiresPennsylvaniatoreduce
carbondioxideemissionsto106milliontons,orabout1milliontonsbelowwherethestateis
now.
By2030,theCleanPowerPlanRulerequiresthestatetotakestepstoreduceemissions
to91milliontons,onlyabout15milliontonsbelowwherewearenow.
MethaneEmissions
The2015draftfinalPlanUpdatealsoaddressesthefourmajorsourcesofpersistent
methaneemissionsthatcontributesignificantlytoclimatechangeinPennsylvanialandfills,
coalmines,agricultureandoilandgasoperationsandsaysthestateiscommittedto
maximizingmethaneemissionreductions
fromthesessectors.
2015DraftFinalUpdateRecommendations
The2015draftfinalUpdaterankedtheseworkplangroupingsofrecommendationsas
mostcosteffective.Inorder,thesearethetop5
EnergyEfficiencyFinancing
,SemiTruck
FreightTransportation,Act129PhaseIVandVEnergyEfficiency,
GeoExchangeHeatPump
Systems
and
HeatingOilConservationandFuelSwitching
.
AndthenHighPerformance(GreenBuildings),AdoptingCurrentBuildingEnergy
Codes,ManufacturingTechnicalAssistance,ReLightPA,Urban&CommunityForestry,
CombinedHeatandPower,ManureDigestersandCoalMineMethaneRecovery.
The2015Updatealsorankedtheworkplanrecommendationsintermsofthebiggest
potentialforgreenhousegasreductions.Thetopfiveare
EnergyEfficiencyFinancing
,High
Performance(Green)Buildings,ReLightPA,
HeatingOilConservationandFuelSwitching
and
GeoExchangeHeatPumpSystems
.
AndthenAdoptCurrentBuildingEnergyCodes,Act129PhaseIV&VEnergy
Efficiency,CoalMineMethaneRecovery,CombinedHeatandPower,Urban&Community
Forestry,ManufacturingEnergyTechnicalAssistance,ManureDigestersandSemiTruck
FreightTransportation.
TheindividualworkplansareproductsoftheClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteeand
werevotedonbytheCommittee.
TheActionPlanUpdate,asawhole,isaproductofDEP,withadviceofferedbythe
AdvisoryCommittee,butithasnotbeenapprovedbytheCommittee.
Thefinaldraftofthe2015ClimateChangeActionPlan,includingtheworkplans,
is
availableonline
.
TheJuly12meetingwillbeheldin
Room105RachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00
a.m.
Formoreinformationandanyavailablehandouts,visitDEPs
ClimateChangeAdvisory
Committee
webpageorcontactMarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,bycalling
7177723429orsendingemailto:
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
BillWouldLimitPAsAbilityToRegulateMethane
AlleghenyFront:HuntForMethaneLeaksGoesHighTech
Editorial:TheGreatCO2Divide,Nutsvs.Nuts
Editorial:OzoneHoleDisappearing
RelatedStories:
BillProvidingMoreReviewOfDEPCleanPowerClimateImplementationPlanNowLaw
PAEnvironmentalCouncil:IsDeepDecarbonizationRightforPAsElectricityFuture?
Report:PennsylvaniaIsPartOfAmericanCleanEnergyTransformation
BenefitsOfWasteToEnergyvs.LandfillsNeedsToBeRecognizedInPAClimatePlan
DEPBeginsStudyOfAbandoned&OrphanWellsToDetermineClimateImpact
ColumbiaGas,Exelon/PECO,UGIJoinEPAMethaneChallengeProgram
Gov.WolfAnnouncesNewMethaneRegulationsOnOil&GasIndustry
PA:NotThatFarToGoToMeetEPACleanPowerClimatePlanEmissionLimits
Report:PABetterPreparedForClimateDrivenThreatsThanMostStates
PhiladelphiaReleasesFirstClimateAdaptationReport
Forbes:U.S.OnTrackToAchieve2030ClimateEmissionsGoalsIn2016
SusquehannaClimateNetworkHostsClimate/WildlifeProgramJuly25InLewisburg
The
SusquehannaValleyClimateActionNetwork
willhostapresentationbythetheNationalWildlife
FederationsEdPerryonhowPennsylvaniafishand
wildlifewillbeaffectedbychangesinclimateand
whatwecandoaboutit.
Theprogramwillbeginat7:00p.m.attheUnion
CountyPublicLibrary,ReitzRoadinLewisburg.
Thepresentationisfreeandopentothepublicand
willbefollowedbyaQ/Asession.
EdPerryisthePAOutreachCoordinatorfortheNationalWildlifeFederationsClimate
ChangeCampaign.Hecanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
paglobalwarmingoutreach@gmail.com
.
NewsClips:
RelatedLinks:
NationalWildlifeFederation:Pennsylvania:WildlifeIconsAtRisk
TheNatureConservancyPA:FramingStrategiesToMinimizeImpactsOnPAWildlife
DuquesneUniversityHostsPACleanJobsForumJuly20InPittsburgh
The
DuquesneUniversitySchoolOfGreenIndustries
and
EnvironmentalEntrepreneurs(E2)
are
hostingthe
PennsylvaniaCleanJobsForum
onJuly20atthe
DuquesneUniversityPowerCenter
Ballroom,1015ForbesAve.,inPittsburghfrom10:30to5p.m.
Thecleanenergymarketisnowoneofthelargestemployersinthecountryprovidinga
powerfuleconomiccatalyst,aswellasimportantsocietalbenefits.
LearnhowPennsylvaniaisgrowingthousandsofcleanenergyjobseachyear.Hearfrom
cleanenergybusinessleaders.ShapethemarketinPennsylvaniabylendingyourvoicetothe
policyconversation.
AlsohelplaunchthenewPennsylvaniaCleanEnergyMappingToolandnetworkwith
othercleanenergyprofessionals.
OtherForumcosponsorsarethe
KeystoneEnergyEfficiencyAlliance
(KEEA),
PittsburghGreenWorkplaceChallenge
and
ConservationConsultantsInc.
(CCI).
Thereisa$40registrationfee,butstudentsarefree.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,visitthe
webpage.
NewsClips:
OnceALeader,PAsCleanEnergyProgressHasBeenSlow
BenFranklinClientsNamedSustainableEnergyCompetitionFinalist
LocalFishingGroupRaisingFundForSolarLightsInNesbittPark
ExelonReleases2015SustainabilityReport
Exelon
Wednesdayannouncedithasreleasedits
2015SustainabilityReport
aspartofthecompanys
commitmenttotransparencyonsustainability
strategyandperformance.
ThereportdescribesExelonsapproachto
providingreliable,cleanandaffordableenergy
productsandservices,anditscommitmentto
investingintechnologyandinnovationtoimprove
servicetocustomers.
Exelonisembracingnewtechnological
innovations,renewablegrowth,energystorage,localgenerationandotherinitiativesthatare
helpingtoreducecarbonemissions,saidChrisCrane,ExelonpresidentandCEO.Aspartof
ourstrategy,weareinvestinginanextgenerationenergygridthatusescleanenergyandsmart
technologytoprovideabrighter,moresustainablefutureforourcustomersandcommunities.
Thereport,whichwasbasedoncompanyresultspriortothemergerwithPepco
Holdings,presentsacomprehensiverecordofExelonseconomic,environmentalandsocial
sustainabilityperformance.
Reporthighlightsfortheyearinclude:
Investing$3.7billioninelectricandgasutilityinfrastructuretomakethegridsmarter,more
reliableandmoreresilient
Investing$1.1billiontomaintainthesafetyandreliabilityofoneofthecleanest,lowestcost
generationfleetsinthenation
Increasingcurrentandfutureinvestmentinrenewablegeneration,withourwindportfolionow
totaling1,500megawattsacross10states
Helpingutilitycustomerssavemorethan10.5millionmegawatthoursofelectricitythrough
energyefficiencyprograms
JoiningwithCB&Iand8RiversCapitaltobuildNETPowersrstofitskinddemonstration
powerplantthatproduceszeroatmosphericemissions
GrowingConstellationTechnologyVentureinvestmentsinelectricvehicles,localgeneration,
energystorage,renewablegenerationandintelligentbuildings
Enhancingcorporatecitizenship,withemployeesincreasingcharitablegivingby12percent
overtheprioryearandvolunteeringnearly130,000hoursincommunityservice
Givingmorethan$36millionincorporatecontributionstocommunitynonprofits
Spendingmorethan$1.3billionwithdiversitycertifiedsuppliers,farsurpassing2014spend
Achievingfirstquartileperformanceamongpeersforthelengthanddurationofpower
outagesatourutilities
Increasingcompanywiderecyclingrateto74percent,thehighesteverand
BeingnamedtotheNorthAmericaDowJonesSustainabilityIndexforthetenthconsecutive
year
Exelons2015SustainabilityReport
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformation,visitExelons
Sustainability
webpage.
July13WorkshopOnElectricVehiclesForFleetManagers,OthersInPhiladelphia
The
EasternPAAllianceforCleanTransportation
ishosting
a
July13workshop
onelectricvehiclesatthePECOOffice,2301
MarketStreetinPhiladelphiafrom10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
Hearanoverviewofelectric(EVs)andhybrid(HEVs)
vehicles,andwherethemarketisheadedforthisfastapproaching
alternativefuel.
Membersofgovernment,municipalities,colleges,universities,
parks'departments,fleetmanagers,andotherinterestedparties
areinvitedtolearnaboutEV'sandrelatedindustries.
EasternPennsylvaniaispoisedtotaketheleadontheeastcoastforthisrapidly
expandingmarket.WewillhavedozensoftypesofEVsonsite,IncludingMediumdutyandan
allElectricSchoolBus.
HearapanelofexpertsdiscusstheEVmovementintheUSandhowOEMsofferings
willsubstantiallyincreasewithinthenextfewyears.
Othertopicsthatwillbecovered:
UtilityPerspective,loadrequirementsUtilitysupport
ElectricVehicleSupplyEquipment(EVSEs)types,associatedcosts
FleetVehicleTypesOEMandconversions
VehicletoGridTechnology(V2G)
OutlookforEVmarket,localregionalandnational
ArepresentativefromDEPs
AlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgram
willbeonhand
toanswerquestionsaboutthecompetitivegrantopportunityandhowyoucanapplyfor
incentivestodeployEVsandEVSE.
ClickHere
toregisterforthiseventasaSpecialGuestInvitee(free).
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
website.
ClickHere
tosignupfortheAlliances
quarterlynewsletter.
NewsClips:
(Photo:
WeisMarkets
,UnionDepositRoadStoreinHarrisburghostsa
Teslaelectricvehicle
rechargingstation
.)
DEP,PACoalAllianceLaunchNewMineSafetyCampaign
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,in
partnershipwiththe
PACoalAlliance
,Thursday
launchedanewsafetycampaignthaturgescoal
minersnottotakeshortcutsthatcouldleadto
dangerousconsequenceswhileonthejob.
Anewvideo
,introducedbyGov.TomWolf,debuted
atThursdaysmeetingoftheBoardofCoalMine
SafetyinEbensburg,CambriaCounty.
Safetyofourminersisparamountandrequiresa
teameffortbygovernment,industryandourmineworkers,DEPActingSecretaryPatrick
McDonnellsaid.DEP,throughrigorousinspections,regularsafetytrainingbymining
companiesandadherencetosafetyproceduresbyemployeeswillmakeourminessafeforour
menandwomenwhoworkunderground.
SinceJanuary2015,fourPennsylvanianslosttheirliveswhileworkinginmining
operations.
Thecampaign,SafetyFirst,NoShortcuts,urgesPennsylvaniasthousandsofmine
workerstomakesafetytheirnumberonepriority.ThePACoalAllianceandDEPwillmakethe
videoavailabletominingcompaniestosharewiththeirworkersbeforetheyenteramine.
PCAispleasedtopartnerwithDEPinthiscampaigntoraiseminersawarenessof
potentialsafetyissues,PCACEOJohnPippysaid.PCAmembercompaniesplacethehighest
priorityonensuringthesafetyforthemenandwomenworkingunderground,andarecommitted
tocontinuallyenhancingtrainingandtechnologytoreducetheriskofaccidents.
Thevideoemphasizesthesesafetytips:
1.Dontcutcorners.Shortcutsendangeryouandyourcoworkers.
2.Maintainescapewaysandknowyourwayout!
3.Frequentlycheckformethane.
4.ReportunsafeconditionstoaPennsylvaniacertifiedmineofficial.
5.Andfinally,watchoverandmentorapprenticeminers.
Thevideoisavailableon
DEPsYouTubeChannel
.Itisalsoavailablefor
download
here
.
Pennsylvaniacurrentlyhas53undergroundbituminous,anthraciteandindustrialmineral
minesinoperation.
Since2014,DEPhasinvestigated110accidents.About30percentofthoseaccidents
resultedininjuriesthatrangedfromminortofatal.Thethreefatalitiesthatoccurredsince
January2015wereprecededbyamorethanfiveandahalfyearperiodwherenodeaths
occurred.
The
BoardofCoalMineSafety
isasevenmemberboardthatdevelopssafetystandards
andregulations,andconsistsofthreerepresentativeseachoftheUnitedMineWorkersof
AmericaandcoalminingcompaniesoperatinginPennsylvania'sbituminouscoalfields.Itis
chairedbytheSecretaryofDEP.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
BureauofMineSafety
webpage.
PennAnthraciteMiningSocietyAwardsJohnKaminskiMemorialStudentScholarships
ThreePennsylvaniaminingandgeologystudentswere
recentlyawarded20162017
JohnKaminskiMemorial
Scholarships
bythe
PennAnthraciteSection
ofthe
SocietyforMining,Metallurgy&Exploration
.
JohnAckerman
(leftinphoto)
20162017Section
ChairandJohnMack,right,20152016SectionChair,
presentedscholarshipawardstoAlanaO'Rourke,Peter
Dubravski,andAudreyDunhamattheSectionsAnnual
MeetingattheMountainViewGolfCoursein
Barnesville,SchuylkillCounty.
Alana,fromLewisburgPA,isarisingseniorin
environmentalgeosciencesatBloomsburgUniversityPeter,fromAlbrightsville,isaMarian
HighSchool(Tamaqua)graduatewhowillbestudyinggeologyatDickinsonCollegeand
Audrey,fromIthaca,NewYorkwillbeasenioringeosciencesatthePennsylvaniaState
University.
ThescholarshipsarenamedinmemoryofJohnKaminski,formerpresidentofKaminski
BrothersCoalandCoolbaughSandandGravel,Pittston,whowasthe19801981SectionChair.
TheKaminskifamilyandthePennAnthraciteSectionAnthraciteEngineersGiveBack
endowannualscholarshipsforPennsylvaniastudentsinPennsylvaniaschoolstudyingmining
engineering,mineralprocessing,mineraleconomics,geosciences,environmentalresources
management,andearthandenvironmentalsciences.
Formoreinformationonthescholarshipprogram,visitthe
PennAnthraciteSections
JohnKaminskiMemorialScholarships
webpage.
NewsClips:
July7DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheJuly7editionofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEP,PACoalAllianceLaunchNewMineSafetyCampaign
Health,DEPHoldFacebookTownHallMeetingOnZikaVirus
PALaunchesZikaVirusPrevention,AwarenessCampaign
FirstHumanCaseOfWestNileFirstReportedIn2016InIndianaCounty
EPA,ChesapeakeBayTrustFund5StormwaterManagementProjectsInPA
July18HearingOnKeystoneLandfillExpansion,LackawannaCounty
DEPRebatesForAlternativeFuelVehiclesStillAvailable
DEPRegionalStaffVisitWilkesBarreSchoolToStressImportanceOfEnvironment
RiverFest2016InWilkesBarreASuccess
ClickHere
Formoreinformation,visit
DEPswebsite
,
LikeDEPonFacebook
,
FollowDEPon
Twitter
andvisit
DEPsYouTubeChannel
.
PAEnvironmentalCouncil:InCaseYouMissedItInJune
The
JuneeditionofInCaseYouMissedIt
isnowavailablefrom
the
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
featuringstorieson
PECHelpsDefeatBillToOpenStateParksToPrivate
Development
WesternPAIndustrialHeartlandTrailsCoalitionContinues
ItsMissionToConnectTrails
10PoconoConservationLandscapeMiniGrantsAwarded
PECHosts46thAnnualEnvironmentalPartnershipDinnerIn
Philadelphia
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
GetOutdoorsPAAnnouncesAwardOf9CommunityPartnerMiniGrants
GetOutdoorsPA
recentlyannouncedtheawardof9
CommunityPartnerMiniGrantstotaling$17,030were
awardedinitssecondroundofthegrantprogram.
Threeofthe50percentmatchinggrantstotaling$3,000
eachthemaximumwentto:
ManheimTownship
,LancasterCounty:
Bird/wildlifeviewing,naturephotography,and
hiking/walking

VentureOutdoors
,AlleghenyCounty:
Geocaching,bird/wildlifeviewing,andcampingand
WildlandsConservancy
,LehighCounty:
Bikingandpaddling.
Otherrecipientsreceivedgrantfundingforsimilarprogramming,inadditionto
snowshoeing,orienteering,andothers.
FormoreinformationonbecomingaCommunityPartner,visitthe
GetOutdoorsPA
website.
NewsClips:
Swift:GreenGroupsUpendParksBill
ChesapeakeBayJournal:PAParksDevelopmentBillNotDeadYet
Frye:StewardsOfPennsWoodsWageWarOnGraffitiInParks
120,000VisitPresqueIsleStateParkForJuly4th
DiscoverOutdoorSummerAdventuresAroundTheErieRegion
Fun,AdventureOfPAsStateParks
Take5Fridays,PAParks&ForestsFoundationJuly8
Swift:EffortUnderwayToRepealAuthorizationForPoconosParkway
AbandonedPittsburghInclineFacesNewFutureAsGreenspace
DauphinCountysWildwoodParkArtInTheWildPhotoGallery
ConnectingTheSoutheastsTrailsSystemIsForgingCommunity
ReadingUsingBicyclingAsRevitalizationTool
OpEd:Delaware&LehighTrailNearingCompletion
OpEd:RethinkLimitingAccessToNationalParks
OpEd:SometimesLimitsNecessaryInNationalParks
(Reprintedfromthe
July6DNCRResource
newsletter.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy
(bottomofthepage).
Dr.ColsonE.BlakesleeMemorialNaturalAreaDedicatedInElkCounty
Nearly60familymembers,friendsandotherswho
admiredandlovedDr.ColsonE.DocBlakeslee
gatheredwiththe
WesternPAConservancy
inElk
CountyonJune27torememberandhonorhis
commitmenttoconservation.
Thegatheringwasforthededicationofanewnaturalarea
namedinBlakesleesmemory.
Blakesleelovedpeople,theoutdoorsandthe
environment,andsharedtheseinterestsregularlywith
others.
AphysicianinDuBois,Pa.,hewaspassionateaboutconservationeffortsthroughout
NorthwesternPennsylvaniaandconnectedphysicalhealthwiththewellbeingofthe
environment.
Hewasatirelessadvocatefortherestorationofthe
BennettBranchofSinnemahoning
Creek
andbelievedincreasingpublicaccesstothisremediatedcreekwasimportantforboth
localresidentsandvisitors.
BlakesleewasaWPCboardmemberfrom1979untilhisdeathin2011,afounding
memberofthe
andaboardmemberofthe
AlleghenyMountain
ChapterofTroutUnlimited
.
Blakesleeschildren,MarkandMarsha,andtheirfamiliesshookhandsandthanked
peoplemanyofwhomknewand/orworkedcloselywithBlakesleeatthededication
ceremonytoofficiallyopenthe24acrenaturearea.
Theforestedexpanse,nowknownastheDr.ColsonE.BlakesleeMemorialRecreation
Area,hostsasegmentoftheBennettBranchandisopentothepublicforfishing,hiking,hunting
andwildlifeviewing.
Marksaidtheirfathertaughtthembothtoloveandappreciatetheoutdoors,including
Pennsylvaniasriversandwildlife.
MarshaandIcanrememberourfathersloveforfishing,flyfishingandhunting,Mark
explained.Asyoungchildren,weweretaughttobegoodstewardsofthebeautifullandin
Pennsylvaniaandheencouragedustodreambig.WearesogratefultotheConservancyforthe
challengesandopportunitiesitgavemydad.Thisisawonderfultributetoamanwhowedearly
loved.HewasthegreatestexampleofaGodlylifewelllived.
ManyothersattheeventalsorecalledBlakesleeskindness,humbleandcalmdemeanor,
andhisuncannyabilitytobringpeopletogetheraroundacommongoalandcause.
TomSaunders,presidentandCEOofWPC,saidthateveryexperiencehehadwith
Blakesleewaswonderful,anddescribedhimaswarm,nurturing,passionateandunassuming
witharemarkabletenacity.
SaunderstoldthecrowdaboutoneofhisfirstinteractionswithBlakeslee.
HecalledmeandsaidwhydontyoucomeupforadayandlookattheBennett
Branch,andIthinkyoullappreciatewhatyoullsee,Saundersfondlyrecalled.Whathe
didntsay,however,wasthattherewouldbeseverallocalofficialsandpartnersjoiningusonthe
tour,andallofthemknewallofthereasonswhytheConservancyshouldinvestintheBennett
Branch.
CurrentWPCBoardMemberWilliamConrad,whotraveledwithBlakesleetoPittsburgh
forboardmeetings,reflectedonBlakesleespassionfortheenvironmentanddesiretoremediate
thestreamforwaterqualityandrecreation.
Hehadavisionforthisvalleyandthisstreamtorenewittoitsoncepristinecondition,
saidConrad,whoisalsotheexecutivedirectoroftheStackpoleHallFoundation.Hecaredvery
deeplyaboutthispartofPennsylvaniaanditisverytouchingtohavesomanypeoplehereto
opensuchabeautifulpropertyinhismemoryandhonor.
EricCavazza,P.E.,directoroftheBureauofAbandonedMineReclamationatthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,alsospokeattheeventandprovidedadecadeslong
historyoftheBennettBranchsremediationefforts.
Thisnewnaturalarea,whichincludesasmallparkingarea,islocatedoffRoute555in
ElkCountyneartheMedixRunHotelat23155QuehannaHighway,Weedville,Pa.,15868
(
viewamapoftheareahere
).
Amemorialplaqueandvisitorsignagearemountedatthetrailheadtoprovidemore
informationonBlakeslee,aswellasusesforthearea.
Moreinformationisavailableonprograms,initiativesandspecialeventsatthe
Western
PAConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy,
Like
themonFacebook
,
FollowthemonTwitter
,addthemtoyour
CircleonGoogle+
,jointhemon
Instagram
,visitthe
ConservancysYouTubeChannel
oraddthemtoyour
networkonLinkedin
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
DCNRDesignatesBecketsRunWoodlandsAsWildPlantSanctuaryInAlleghenyCounty
DCNRDesignates5NewStateForestWildAreas,Over50,000AcresIn7Counties
(Reprintedfromthe
JulyWater,LandLifenewsletter
,WesternPAConservancy.
ClickHere
to
signupforyourowncopy.)
BecketsRunWoodlandsDesignatedAsDCNRWildPlantSanctuaryInAlleghenyCounty
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
WednesdayannouncedthedesignationofanewWildPlant
SanctuaryinForwardTownship,AlleghenyCounty.
BecketsRunWoodlands
,apropertycharacterizedbysteep
woodedravines,coolheadwaters,andephemeralspring
wildflowers,becomesthe16thtracttobeacceptedintothe
DCNR
WildPlantSanctuaryProgram
.
ThedistinctionrecognizescommitmentofownersRaul
ChiesaandJanetSredytorestoretheirlandthrough
conservationbasedforeststewardshippractices.
Sinceitsinceptionin2009,theWildPlantSanctuary
Programhaspromotedconservationofnaturalareasand
nativeplants,whilerecognizingprivatelandownerswho
serveasmodelsofgoodconservationandstewardshipof
thesespecialresources,"saidDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn.Thesepropertiesserveas
modelsforotherlandowners,offeringstrategiestoconserverareplantsaspartoftheir
managementplans."
LikemanylandownersinPennsylvania,ChiesaandSredyinheritedapropertywitha
troubledpast.BRWremainedinagriculturaluseuntil1948whenthepropertywasabandoned
amidtheDonorasmogdisaster.
Naturalgasexploitationsoonfollowed,fragmentingtherecoveringforestwithgaswells
andpipelinerightofwaysthatdrewtrespassersandencouragedoffroadvehiclerecreation,
vandalismandillegaldumping.
Alonghistoryofdisturbanceandpollutionresultedinlossofnativevegetation,soil
destabilizationandinvasiveplantinfestations.
ChiesaandSredyconsolidatedfragmentedownershipamongfamilymembers,working
tohealtheland,oftenbyreachingouttosurroundinglandownersandthecommunity.
Theycollaboratedwithlocallawenforcementtoestablishanotrespassingenforcement
programprovidedrecreationalhuntingtominimizedeerpressureandcooperatedwithadjacent
propertyownerstoimplementinvasivespeciescontrols.
Recognizedfortheirefforts,BRWwashonorednationallyasthe
2015National
OutstandingTreeFarmoftheYear
bytheAmericanTreefarmSystemforexceptionalforest
managementandpromotionofsustainableforestry.
BRWlieswithinBecketsRunBiodiversityArea,aprecarioussanctuaryfortwostate
listedplantspecies.Theownersstrategicallypurchasedthelastremainingsnowtrillium
(TrilliumnivaleaproposedPAThreatenedspecies)populationwithintheBDA,thussecuring
ownershipoftheplantcolonyanda100yearleaseofitslocation.
Threatenedbyerosionfromoffroadtrafficandvandalism,thecolonycurrentlyis
monitoredbyCaliforniaUniversityofPennsylvaniathrougharesearchpartnershipwithBRW.
Whitetroutlily(Erythroniumalbidum)[
Photo
]aproposedPennsylvaniaRarespecies,
alsowashistoricallydocumentedwithintheBDA,buthasnotyetbeensuccessfullyrelocated.
BRWservesasamodelforotherlandownersinsouthwesternPennsylvaniafacing
similarpropertyissues,anditsdesignationensuresitwillremainasanctuaryforbiodiversity
wellintothefuture.
ClickHere
towatchashortvideoaboutBecketsRunWoodlands.
TheWildPlantSanctuaryProgramwasestablishedthroughtheWildResource
ConservationActof1982toestablishavoluntarystatewidenetworkofnativeplantsanctuaries.
Landownersagreetoprotecttheareaandeducateothersabouttheimportanceofnativeandwild
plantsandhabitats.
Inreturn,theyreceiveanyneededassistancewithdevelopingamanagementplanand
haveaccesstotechnicalassistanceandecologicalcheckups.
Formoreinformationontheprogram,visitDCNRs
WildPlantSanctuaryProgram
webpageorcontactDCNR'sBureauofForestryat7177873444,orsendemailto:
RAPAPlantSanctuary@state.pa.us
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
DCNRDesignates5NewStateForestWildAreas,Over50,000AcresIn7Counties
Dr.ColsonE.BlakesleeMemorialNaturalAreaDedicatedInElkCounty
DCNRHonorsEmployeesWithSecretarysAchievementAwards
Whetheritsstreamliningdaytodayfunctions,
takingtheleadinemergencysituations,producing
publicationsandsignagewhichbetterconnectthe
publicwithnature,assistingwithcriminal
investigations,orlaunchingonlinetoolsforDCNRs
manypartnerstouseinplanning,DCNRemployees
onceagainexcelledoverthepastyearbygoing
aboveandbeyond.
And,onceagain,theywererewardedfortheirefforts
bybeingrecognizedbytheirpeersandsupervisors.
Theseoutstandingemployeeshelpedtheagencymovekeyitemsinourstrategic
initiativesforward,saidDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn.Thegreatworkwedoisa
livingexampleofaGovernmentthatWorks,andImproudtoleadanagencywithsuch
exceptionalemployees.
Morethan45employeesreceived17awardspersonallybySecretaryDunnataceremony
heldintheauditoriumoftheRachelCarsonStateOfficeBuildinginHarrisburg.Shewasjoined
byDeputySecretaryforParksandForestryJohnNorbeckandDeputySecretaryfor
AdministrationMichaelWalsh.
Honoredemployeesreceivedcommendationsandeagleplaques,speciallyproducedat
DCNRs
PennNursery
inSpringMills,CentreCounty,inrecognitionofwhatthesecretarysaid
wasuncompromisingandunfalteringdedicationtoDCNRsmission,andtheresourcesand
peoplethedepartmentservesandprotects.
Employeessalutedwerenominatedbytheirsuperiorsandselectedbyascreening
committeeofcoworkers.HonoreesrepresentedDCNRsbureausofstateparks,forestry,facility
designandconstruction,administrativeservices,andrecreationandconservation.
ThelistandphotosofthoseDCNRemployeesreceivingtheSecretarysAchievement
Award
areavailableonline
.
(Photo:ForestryBureauDirectorForestryBureauDirectorDanDevlin,DaveSchmit,
SecretaryCindyAdamsDunn,BureauofForestryCommunicationsSectionChiefJeff
Woleslagle,DeputySecretaryforParksandForestryJohnNorbeck.)
NewsClips:
(Reprintedfromthe
July6DNCRResource
newsletter.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy
(bottomofthepage).
July6ResourceNewsletterNowAvailableFromDCNR
The
July6editionoftheResource
newsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesfeaturingarticleson
JulyThePerfectMonthForAPicnicInPennsylvaniasOutdoors
5AreasInPAStateForestsDesignatedAsWildAreas
DCNRDesignatesBecketsRunWoodlandsAsWildPlantSanctuary
DCNRHonorsEmployeesWithSecretarysAchievementAwards
GetOutdoorsPAAnnounces9MiniGrantAwards
ConservationTip:TestYourWellWater
Gov.WolfIssuesLakeAwarenessMonthProclamation
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).
NewsClips:
PennState:BeesAbilityToForageDecreasesAsAirPollutionIncreases
Airpollutantsinteractwithandbreakdownplantemittedscent
molecules,whichinsectpollinatorsusetolocateneededfood,according
toateamofresearchersledbyPennState.
Thepollutionmodifiedplantodorscanconfusebeesand,asaresult,
bees'foragingtimeincreasesandpollinationefficiencydecreases.This
happensbecausethechemicalinteractionsdecreaseboththescent
molecules'lifespansandthedistancestheytravel.
Whileforagingforfood,insectsdetectfloralscentmoleculesintheair.
Windcurrentscancarrythesemoleculesuptothousandsoffeetfrom
theiroriginalsourcetowherebeeshavetheirhives.
"Manyinsectshaveneststhatareupto3,000feetawayfromtheirfoodsource,which
meansthatscentsneedtotravellongdistancesbeforeinsectscandetectthem,"saidJoseD.
Fuentes,professorofmeteorologyandatmosphericscience,PennState."Eachinsecthasa
detectionthresholdforcertainkindsofscentsandtheyfindfoodbymovingfromareasoflow
concentrationsofscentstoareasofhighconcentrations."
Plantemittedhydrocarbonsbreakdownthroughchemicalinteractionswithcertainair
pollutantssuchasozone.Thisbreakdownprocessresultsinthecreationofmoreairpollutants,
includinghydroxylandnitrateradicals,whichfurtherincreasethebreakdownrateofplantodors.
Theresearcherssoughttounderstandhowthesechemicalinteractions,whichstartwith
thepresenceofairpollutants,wouldimpactbees'abilitytofindfood.
Theyfirstestimatedthechangesinconcentrationsofflowerscentsasaresultofair
turbulenceandchemicalinteractionsusingacomputersimulation,whichallowedthemtotrack
theconcentrationandmovementofmultipleplumesofscentsfromdifferentflowerbedsover
time.
Then,theresearchersran90,000simulationsrepresentingvariousbees'foragingand
movementpatternsamiddifferingscentlevelsmodifiedbyairpollutionanddilutedbywind
speeds.
Theteamreportedinthecurrentissueof
AtmosphericEnvironment
that,asairpollution
increases,hydrocarbons'lifetimeandtraveldistancedecreases.
Forexample,at60partsperbillionozonelevels,whichtheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgencyconsidersa'moderate'level,theresearchersfoundthatenoughchemical
changestookplacetothoroughlyconfusebeesandhindertheirabilitytoidentifytheplumesof
floralscentstheyneededtolocatefood.
Thescentmoleculealphapinene,whichsurvivesnearly40hoursinanozonefree
environment,survivedfewerthan10hourswhenozoneroseto60partsperbillionandonly1
hourwhenozonewasat120partsperbillion.
Anothermolecule,betamyrcene,whichtravelsmorethan3,000feetinanozonefree,
windyenvironment,traveledanaverageof1,500feetwhenozonewas60partsperbillionand,
whenozoneroseto120partsperbillion,mosttraveledfewerthan1,000feet.
Thechangesinairchemistryimpactedthenumberofbeesabletodetectfoodsourcesina
giventimeframe.Inanozonefreeenvironment,ittook10minutesfor20percentofforagersto
findthescentmoleculebetacaryophyllene.
Whenozonerosetoonly20partsperbillion,ittook180minutesforthesameamountof
beestofindthescent.Theteamfoundsimilarresultsforthesixdifferentscentmoleculesthey
analyzed.
"Wefoundthatwhenweconfusedthebees'environmentbymodifyingthegasespresent
intheatmosphere,theyspentmoretimeforagingandwouldbringbacklessfood,whichwould
affecttheircolonies,"saidFuentes."It'ssimilartobeingaskedtogetacupofcoffeeatthe
nearestcafeteriawhileyouareblindfolded.Itwillbehardtolocatethecoffeeshopwithoutusing
visualcues.Thesamecouldhappentoinsectpollinatorswhileforagingforfoodinpollutedair
masses."
Becausetheconcentrationofscentschangesdrasticallyinairpollutedenvironments,this
couldimpactimportantinteractionsbetweenplantsandinsects.
"Therearetwotypesofpollinators,generalistsandspecialists,"saidFuentes.
"Generalistscandetectamixtureofscents,whilespecialistscanonlydetectonetypeofscent.
Thismeansthatascertainscentsdecreasetheirtraveldistanceandlifespan,specialistsand
generalistsmaybothhavetroublefindingfood."
Declinesinthepollinationofwildplantsmayleadtoincreasesinthepopulationofplants
thatdonotrelyonpollinators,andpollinatordeclineswouldleadtodecreasesincropyields,
Fuentesnoted.
Thesefindingshighlightthatairpollutionisoneofmanyfactorsinfluencingthedecline
ofthebeepopulation.
AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,managedhoneybeepopulationsinthe
U.S.havedeclinedbetween25and45percentperyearsince2010,includinga44percent
declinefrom2015to2016.
"Honeybeesandotherpollinatorsareintroublealmosteverywhere,andtheypayusalot
ofservicesthroughtheirpollination,"saidFuentes."Themorewecanunderstandaboutwhat
factorsareaffectingtheirdeclineinnumbers,themoreequippedwewillbetointerveneif
needed."
BichengChenandKennethPratt,PennStateMarceloChamecki,Universityof
California,LosAngelesandT'aiRoulston,UniversityofVirginia,collaboratedonthisresearch.
TheNationalScienceFoundationandthePennState
InstitutesofEnergyandthe
Environment
supportedthisresearch.
Formoreinformation,Dr.Fuentesmaybereachedat8148631585orbysendingemail
to:
jdfuentes@psu.edu
.
NewsClips:
BehrendProfStudiesPurpleMartins,Bacteria
LetsTalkAboutBirds:Cotingas
InsectsAllAroundUsLiveComplicatedLives
MayfliesAreBaaaackCoatingHouses,PicnicTables
GameCommissionNEShootingRangesToUndergoMaintenance
The
ChesterEnvironmentalPartnership
Thursdayannounceditrecently
honored
Covanta's
JohnG.Waffenschmidt,VicePresidentof
EnvironmentalScienceandCommunityAffairs,forhiseffortsandleadershipinenvironmental
justice.
CovantaisalongstandingmemberofCEPandownsandoperatestheDelawareValley
ResourceRecoveryFacilityinChester,DelawareCounty.
Foundedtoimprovehealthandenvironmentthroughcooperativeaction,theCEPisan
environmentalpartnershipamongthecommunity,federal,state,andlocalgovernment,
businesses,localchurchesandnonprofitorganizationsthatidentifycommunityissuesaffecting
Chesterresidentsandcollaborateindevelopingsolutions.
"IwanttothankJohnforhissupportofCEP.Withhisleadership,wehavebeenableto
improvethelivesofChesterresidentsandfurthertheenvironmentaljusticemovementona
nationallevel,"statedCEPFounderandChairmanReverendDr.HoraceW.Strand."Iapplaud
CovantaasoneofthefirstcompaniesintheUnitedStatestoestablishanenvironmentaljustice
policyforitsworkwithinthecommunity.Thisisanationalexampleofwhatworkingtogether
cando."
Covanta'sCommunityOutreachand
EnvironmentalJusticePolicy
waspreparedin
responsetotheneedtoensureallcommunities,especiallycommunitieswhicharedisadvantaged,
haveafairandjustopportunitytoparticipateinthedecisionmakingprocessinmatters
impactingtheirlocalenvironment.
ThepolicyprovidesatangiblecommitmentbyCovantatoengagefullywiththe
communitiesinwhichithas,orwillhave,facilitiestoreducedischargesandminimize
emissions,andtodothisinamannerwhichensuresmeaningfulinvolvementbythose
communities.
"I'mdeeplyhonoredtoreceivethisrecognitionfromtheChesterEnvironmental
PartnershipIhavebeenenrichedbybeingamemberoftheCEP,"saidWaffenschmidt."The
questionofhowtointegrateindustrialfacilitiesintocommunitiesinapositivewayisinpart
answeredbytheprocessdevelopedbytheChesterEnvironmentalPartnershipunderDr.Strand's
leadership.Thatformat,whichallowsdirectcommunicationbetweencompaniesandcitizens,
ensuresthatallpartiesareknowledgeableofeachother'sneeds."
InadditiontohisworkatCovanta,WaffenschmidtalsoservesonDEPs
Environmental
JusticeAdvisoryBoard
theNationalStewardshipActionCouncilBoard,andtheProduct
StewardshipInstituteAdvisoryCouncil.
CovantaalsooperatesenergyfromwastefacilitiesinDauphin,Lancaster,Montgomery
andYorkcounties,aswellasametalsrecyclingfacilityinBucksCountyand
ECOvanta
,an
electronicswasterecyclingoperationinPhiladelphia.
Formoreinformation
onitsfacilities
inPennsylvaniaandaroundtheworld,visitthe
Covanta
website.
ClickHere
forCovantasmostrecentSustainabilityReport.
NewsClip:
RelatedStories:
Report:PennsylvaniaIsPartOfTheAmericanCleanEnergyTransformation
HelpWanted:EasternCoalitionForAMRSeeksCandidatesForAmeriCorpsPositions
The
EasternPACoalitionForAbandonedMineReclamation
isseekingcandidatestofill2
federalOfficeofSurfaceMiningReclamationandEnforcement
AmeriCorpspositions
tobe
basedinAshley,LuzerneCounty.
OnepositionwillbeinvolvedinGISandMinePoolMappingProjectandtheotherwill
beanEducationandOutreachCapacitySupportfortheNorthernAnthracitePACoalfield
Communities.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
NatureAboundsSeekingProposalsFromMediaFirmsForVideoProject
NatureAbounds
,anationalenvironmentalnonprofitbasedinDuBois,ClearfieldCounty,is
seekingacontractortofilm,edit,andcreatevideosforthe
SeniorEnvironmentCorpsProgram
.
ClickHere
foracopyoftherequestforproposals.
ProposalswillbeacceptedthroughthecloseofbusinessJuly15.Questionsshouldbe
directedtoMelindabysendingemailto:
info@natureabounds.org
.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
Note:
SenateandHousecommitteemeetingshappenwithoutwarning.
July12
AgendaPosted.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,7177723429
or
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
FocusOfmeetingwillbeadiscussionof2018PAClimateChangeActionPlanUpdate
Draft2016PAGreenhouseGasEmissionsInventory
PresentationonPUCsProposedCombinedHeatPowerPolicy
Presentation:Game,Fish&BoatCommissionsOnPAWildlifeActionPlan
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
July13
AgendaPosted.
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.14th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.DEPContact:MichaelMaddigan,Land
RecyclingProgram,7177831566oremail:
mmaddigan@pa.gov
.
LandRecyclingProgramUpdate
FinalVaporIntrusionGuidancePresentation
DraftSectionIIIOfTechnicalGuidanceManual
FeedbackFromBoardOnDraftSectionsI&IIOfTGM
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
July13
CANCELED.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.
ThenextscheduledmeetingisAugust30.DEPContact:DawnHissner,DEPBureauofSafe
DrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formalnotice
)
July13
CANCELED
.
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMining
Equipment
meeting.WestmorelandRoom,DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,New
Stanton.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
July13
NEW
.
ElectricVehicleWorkshop
.
PECOOffice,2301MarketStreet,Philadelphia.10:00a.m.
July14
NEW
.
DEPWebinarOnPilotMineReclamation,EconomicDevelopmentProgram
.
9:30a.m.
July14
GiffordPinchotGreyTowersAirPaintingProgram
.
GreyTowersNationalHistoric
Site
,PikeCounty.5:30.
July16
GreyTowersHeritageAssn.SummerLectureSeries
:JervisMcEntee,ThePinchot
FamilyAndTheHudsonRiverSchoolOfArt.
GreyTowersNationalHistoricSite
,Milford,
PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
July18
DEP
hearingonproposedexpansionofKeystoneLandfill,LackawannaCounty
.
MidValleyHighSchool,locatedat52UnderwoodRoad,Throop.6:00to9:30p.m.
(
formal
notice,July2PABulletin,page3561
)
July1821
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuaryTeacherWorkshops
.PhiladelphiaRegion.
July19
CANCELED
.
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
July19
CANCELED
.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
Note:
Nextscheduledmeeting
isSeptember20.
(
formalnotice
)
July19
DEP,PennVEST
hearingonFY2016IntendedUsePlansforDrinkingWaterState
RevolvingFundandCleanWaterStateRevolvingFundmonies
.2ndFloorAuditorium,Rachel
CarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.1:30.
July19
NEW
.
CapitolRegionWater
TuesdayCleanupEvent.
1600BlockofNorth4thStreet
inHarrisburg.5:30to6:00p.m.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
July19or20
DEPMS4StormwaterWorkshops
.Lewisburg.
July20
NEW
.DuquesneUniversity
.
DuquesneUniversity
PowerCenterBallroom
,Pittsburgh.10:30a.m.
July21
AgendaPosted
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Cambria
DistrictMiningOffice,286IndustrialparkRoad,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:Daniel
Snowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
July21
NEW
.
NRCSPennsylvaniaStateTechnicalCommitteemeeting
.USDAStateOffice
ConferenceRoomat359EastParkDrive,Harrisburg.1:00.Toattendviateleconference,call
18888449904withaccesscode6941559.
July22
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMining
Equipment
meeting.WestmorelandRoom,DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,New
Stanton.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
July23
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssociationStairwayLakeHike
.PikeCounty.
July25
NEW
.
SusquehannaValleyClimateActionNetwork
HowPAFish&WildlifeWillBe
AffectedByClimateChangeandWhatWeCanDoAboutItEdPerry
.UnionCountyPublic
Library,ReitzRoad,Lewisburg.7:00p.m.
July2529
TheSustainableEnergyFund
EnergypathRenewableEnergyConference,Student
EnergyCamps,ScienceFair
.PennStaterHotelandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
July27
CANCELED.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
.Themeetingis
rescheduledtoAugust10.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,7177839269or
sendemailto:
nherb@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
July27
TheDelawareRiverBasinCommissionholdsahearingproposedregulationschanging
itsrulesofpracticeandprocedureconcerningregulatoryprogramfees,watersupplycharges
invitingpubliccomments.DRBCOffices,25StatePoliceDrive,WestTrenton,NJ.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
July2729
PROPRecycling&OrganicsConference
.Harrisburg.
August13
NEW
.
PAAmericanWater
,
LackawannaRiverConservationAssn
.
Wonderful
WorldofWaterStudentCampforAges711
.ValleyCommunityLibrary,Blakely.
August2
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.DEPContact:CarlJones,Director,DEPsOfficeof
EnvironmentalJustice,4842505818orsendemailto:
caejone@pa.gov
.
August2
NEW
.
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
CREPConservationPractices
FarmTour
.FriendshipFarms,MountPleasantTownship.1:30.
August4
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,7177839269orsendemail
to:
nherb@pa.gov
.
August4
NEW
.
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
CREPConservationPractices
FarmTour
.NewAlexandria.1:30.
August67
GiffordPinchotGreyTowers
12thAnnualFestivalOfWood
.
GreyTowers
NationalHistoricSite
,PikeCounty.
August7
BrodheadWatershedAssociationRiverRamble
.MonroeCounty.
August8
NEW
.
DEPHearingOnSunocoMarinerIINaturalGasLiquidsPipeline
.Blair
CountyConventionCenter,OneConventionCenterDrive,Altoona,BlairCounty.6:30p.m.to
9:30p.m.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:JohnRepetz,DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,7177054904orsendemailto:
jrepetz@pa.gov
August9
NEW
.
.Lebanon
ValleyExpositionCenter,80RochertyRoad,Lebanon,LebanonCounty.6:30p.m.to9:30p.m.
Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:JohnRepetz,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
jrepetz@pa.gov
August10
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAir
Quality,7177839269orsendemailto:
nherb@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
August10
NEW
.
.Sykes
StudentUnion,WestChesterUniversity,110W.RosedaleAve.,WestChester,Delaware
County.6:30p.m.to9:30p.m.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:VirginiaCain,DEP
SoutheastRegionalOffice,4842505808orsendemailto:
vicain@pa.gov
untilthedaybefore
thehearing.
August13
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August13
LacawacSanctuary50thAnniversaryFarmToPlateDinner
.WayneCounty.
August16
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
August16
NEW
.
.PAFarm
ShowComplex,KeystoneConferenceCenter,2300N.CameronStreet,Harrisburg,Dauphin
County.6:30p.m.to9:30p.m.Toregistertopresenttestimony,contact:JohnRepetz,DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice,7177054904orsendemailto:
jrepetz@pa.gov
untiltheday
beforethehearing.

August16
ManadaConservancySwataraCreekWaterQualityAssessmentGrades68
.
Camp
Catherine
,1275SwataraRoad,Hershey,DauphinCounty.3:00p.m.
August17
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
mets.Room105RachelCarson
Building,Harrisburg.9:30.DEPContact:LeeMcDonnell,7177875017orsendemailto:
lmcdonnell@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
August18
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
August18
NEW
.
.Founders
HallAmphitheatre,WestmorelandCountyCommunityCollege,145PavilionLance,
Youngwood,WestmorelandCounty.6:30p.m.to9:30p.m.Toregistertopresenttestimony,
contact:JohnPoister,DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,4124424203orsendemailto:
jpoister@pa.gov
August20
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.WestMifflin,Allegheny
County.
August24
CANCELED
.DEP
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.DEP
Contact:
ToddWallace,OilandGasProgram,bycalling7177839438orsendemailto:
twallace@pa.gov
.
August25
CANCELED
.DEP
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPContact:
ToddWallace,OilandGasProgram,bycalling7177839438orsendemailto:
twallace@pa.gov
.
August27
:TheSpiritualityOfGifford
Pinchot.
GreyTowersNationalHistoricSite
,Milford,PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
August30
NEW.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.9:00.DEPContact:DawnHissner,DEPBureau
ofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formalnotice
)
September6
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.DEPContact:CharlesSwokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,7177725806orsendemailto:
cswokel@pa.gov
.
September13
DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286Industrial
ParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
September14
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:30.DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,
jdiehl@pa.gov
.
September1518
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
WomenandTheirWoodsEducational
Retreat
.Milanville,WayneCounty.
September17
PAResourcesCouncil
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September17
:TheClearestWayInto
TheUniverse:NaturesMeaningInThePhotographsOfAnselAdams.
GreyTowersNational
HistoricSite
,Milford,PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
September1920
4thAnnualDelawareRiverWatershedForum
.
NormandyFarmHotel&
ConferenceCenter
,BlueBell,MontgomeryCounty.
September20
NEW
.
Building.9:00.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
September20
NEW
.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
September21
DEP
StateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.
11thFloorConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Kristen
Szwajkowski,BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,7177722186orsendemailto:
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.
September2122
ShaleInsightConference
.Pittsburgh.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisory&SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittees
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWaste
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
September22
CANCELED
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,Room206,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.DEPContact:
AarenAlgerat717346822orsendemailto:
aaalger@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
September22
RegistrationOpen
.PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducator
Summit
.TheCentralHotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October1
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.RobinsonTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.

October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.
October8
PAResourcesCouncil
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
October2628
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
November4
.
IndustrialHeartlandTrailsCoalitionSummit
.
RegionalLearningAlliance
,CranberryTownship,ButlerCounty.
November10
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
AnnualAwardsDinner
.
VillanovaUniversity
ConferenceCenter
,Philadelphia.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
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DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
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DEPwebpage
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DEPwebpage
DEPFacebookPage
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DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
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and
HouseFloorSession
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Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
July12
CentralPABusinessJournal40Under40Awards
July14
PhiladelphiaGreenStormwaterInfrastructureInnovationChallenge
July17
NEW
.
PROP:NationalResourceRecyclingConferenceScholarships
July31
KeepPABeautifulFreshPaintDaysPAGrants
July31
NEW
.
PennStateAg&EnvironmentFreeTreesInDauphin,Lancaster,Lebanon
August12
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t
August15
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September13
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September16
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September1
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September1
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October21
PEMAFireCompany/EmergencyServicesGrants
October31
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December31
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(oruntil250rebatespaid)
December31
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WSJ:TheShaleBoomsNewWinner:Propane
DOESecretarySeesOilMarketComingIntoBalance
Reuters:PhiladelphiaRefineryCutsGasolineOutputAsMarginsSink
GasolinePricesLikelyToKeepFallingInWesternPA
Pipelines
DEPPlansPublicHearingsForSunocosMariner2Pipeline
Crable:EPACriticalOfEnvironmentalReviewForAtlanticSunrisePipeline
EPACallsForRethinkingOfAtlanticSunrisePipelineRoute
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BehrendProfStudiesPurpleMartins,Bacteria
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Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheGovernorsOfficepublisheditstwiceayearupdatetotheagencybyagencyRegulatory
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startingonpage3702
.
TheRegulatoryAgendaliststheproposedregulationsagencieshaveinprocessorare
thinkingaboutdevelopinginthenextsixmonths.
TheDepartmentofAgricultureAgendastartsonpage3704,theDCNRAgendaonpage
3707andtheDEPAgendaonpage3713.
TheJuly19meetingsoftheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
(
formalnotice
)
andDEPsCitizens
AdvisoryCouncil
(
formalnotice
)
arecanceled.
Thenextscheduledmeetingofthe
isAugust16andthe
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isSeptember20.
PennsylvaniaBulletinJuly9,2016
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SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
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DEPwebpage
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