PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward Harrisburg,PaApril28,2014 InMemoriam:Sen.RayMusto,DemocraticChairSenateEnvironmentalCommittee FormerSen.RayMusto(DLuzerne),longtimeDemocraticChairofthe SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,passedaway Thursdayattheageof85.HeretiredfromtheSenatein2010. FormanyyearsSen.Mustohasbeentheregardedasaleadingvoice onenvironmentalissuesintheSenateandasafierceadvocateforhisdistrict. Hehasbeeninvolvedinthepassageofeverymajorstateenvironmentallaw andprogramforthelast30years. Amongthenotableenvironmentallawsandinitiativescompletedasa resultofMusto'swork: CurbsideRecycling:LegislationthatcreatedPennsylvania'scurbside recyclingprogramin1988,thelargestinthecountry LandRecycling:Pennsylvania'slandrecyclingprogramActs2,3and4 of1995whichhasbecomethenationalmodelprogramfortheeffectivereuseofabandonedindustrial property GrowingGreener:Act68(1999)Pennsylvania'sGrowingGreenerprogramthathasledtothe protectionofopenspacesandfarmlandpreservationaswellaswaterandsewersystemupgradesAir PollutionControl:HelpedadoptfarreachingchangestotheAirPollutionControlAct(Act95)thathas ledtosteadilyimprovingairquality Infrastructure:SupportednumerousbillstoimprovePennsylvania'swaterandwastewater infrastructure,includinga1988lawcreatingthePAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthority ChesapeakeBay:HelpedadopttheChesapeakeBayCommissionAgreementin1985committing PennsylvaniatocleanuptheChesapeakeBay WaterResources:HelpedpasstheWaterResourcesPlanningActin2002torequireastatewater plan HazardousSitesCleanup:ShepherdedtheHazardousSitesCleanupActin1988throughthe Senate Key93Program:HelpcreatetheKeystoneRecreation,ParkandConservationFundtoprovide fundingforPennsylvaniasStateParksandForestsandlocalrecreationprojectsand EstablishmentofNescopeckStatePark. Ofhercolleague,MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy CommitteeSen.MaryJoWhite(RVenango)saidwhenheretiredin2010,"Beinginpublicserviceisa toughjobwherecriticismandcynicismcomewiththeterritorybutitisalsoawonderfuljobbecause youcandirectlymakeadifferenceinthelivesofpeople.IcongratulateSen.Mustoonhisnearly28

yearsofdistinguishedserviceinthestateSenate.Inadditiontobeingafriendandtruegentleman,Sen. Mustohasbeenapassionateadvocatefortheenvironment. "Hisimprintcanbefoundoneverymajorenvironmentalaccomplishmentrealizedoverthepast threedecades,includingthestate'slandmarkrecycling,environmentaleducation,Key'93,brownfields reuse,waterresourceplanning,alternativeenergyandGrowingGreeneracts.Noneoftheseinitiatives wouldbeinplacetodaywithouttheguidanceandsupportofRayMusto. RayMustowasadevotedDemocrat,buttherewasnotapartisanboneinhisbodywhenit cametotheenvironment,saidJamesM.Seif,formerSecretaryofDEP.Heworkedwitheveryoneto craftanenviablelegislativerecord,andhealwaysdidsoinagentlemanlyandgoodhumoredway.He providedstrongsupportandgoodadvicetomanyPennsylvaniaenvironmentalSecretaries.Wewillmiss him,buthisachievementswillliveon. WithoutRayMusto,NescopeckStateParkaparkjewelinNortheastPennsylvania wouldneverhavebeenareality.Hestoodtallinthefaceofstrong,butmisguidedopposition.Itwasan honortobebyhisside,saidJohnC.Oliver,formerSecretaryoftheDepartmentofConservationand NaturalResources. IwasprivilegedtoknowandworkwithSen.Mustofirstaslegislativeliaisonwiththeformer DER,asExecutiveDirectoroftheSenateEnvironmentalCommitteeandfinallyasExecutiveDeputyin DEPandduringallthoseyearshetrulyhadprotectingandrestoringPennsylvaniasenvironmentasa focusofallhisefforts,saidDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryofDEP.Hisapproachwasalwayswhat wasrightandwhatwaseffective,notwhetheritwasaRepublicanorDemocraticidea.Itwasalossfor meprofessionallyandpersonallywhenheretiredandfortheenvironment.But,heneverdidletme forgetIbeathimonceinaluckyshotinbocce. SenateDemocraticLeaderJayCosta(DAllegheny)said,Sen.Mustowasalawmakerof depth,substanceandcompassion.Hetooktimetolearnissuesandheusedhisexperienceand expertisetobenefitthecitizensofLuzerneCountyandNortheasternPennsylvania. FromlegislationthatestablishedcurbsiderecyclingtoPennsylvaniasGrowingGreener programandthelandmarklegislationtospurthedevelopmentofabandonedindustrialproperty, SenatorMustoplayedasignificantroleincraftingenvironmentalpolicyinhisnearly40yearsinthe legislature. Duringhislongyearsofpublicservice,heachievedagreatdealforNortheasternPennsylvania. Hiscontributionswillliveonandhispolicyfootprintwillcontinuetoguidefuturegenerations. PennsylvaniaisabetterplacetodaybecauseofSenatorRayMustosservice. SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson)andSenateMajorityLeaderDominic Pileggi(RDelaware)issuedthisjointstatementRayMustowillberememberedasahumble, compassionateandhardworkingmanwhorepresentednortheastPennsylvaniawithagenuinedesireto helphisconstituentsandthecommunitiestheyliveandworkin.DuringhistimeintheSenate,Raywasa strongadvocateforcountlessenvironmentalissuesandworkedeffectivelywithmembersonbothsides oftheaisle. Sen.MustoisaKoreanWarveteranwhoservedintheU.S.Armyfrom195153.Heisa 1971graduateofKing'sCollegeinWilkesBarre.HeholdsDoctorateofLettersdegreesfromKings andWilkesColleges.MustohasreceivedmanyawardsandhonorsforhisworkintheSenate. TheveteranlawmakerservedinthestateHousefrom1971to1980.Hebeganhiscareerwhen hewaselectedinaspecialelectionin1971tofillhislatefatherJamesMusto'sunexpiredterm.Musto wasthenelectedtoCongressinaspecialelectionin1980.In1982,hewaselectedtothestateSenate. MustohasthedistinctionofbeingamongonlyafewpublicservantstoserveintheU.S.Congress,the

stateHouseandstateSenate. NewsClips: MustoRememberedForEnvironmentalAccomplishments MustoFondlyRemembered OilAndGasIndustry,BusinessConcernedAboutBipartisanSeveranceTaxProposals RepresentativesoftheoilandgasindustryandbusinessTuesdaysaidtheyareconcernedabout bipartisandiscussionintheGeneralAssemblyontheadoptionofaseverancetaxonnaturalgas productionaspartofanefforttodealwiththestatesbudgetshortfalls. ClickHeretolistentothepressconference. StephanieCatarinoWissman,ExecutiveDirectorofAssociatedPetroleumIndustriesinPA, saidnaturalgasdrillingandproductioncompanieshavealreadypaid$2.1billioninstateandlocaltaxes since2007andanother$630millioninAct13drillingimpactfeessince2013. Addingaseverancetaxwouldhaveasevereimpactonthenaturalgasindustryinthestate whichhasaddedthousandsofjobstoPennsylvaniaseconomy. LouisD.DAmico,President&ExecutiveDirectorofthePAIndependentOilandGas Association,saidPennsylvaniaspresentstructureofbusinessandsalestaxesandthedrillingimpactfee nowaboutequalsthecombinationofbusinesstaxesandaseverancetaxinWestVirginia,astateoften comparedtoPennsylvania. DAmiconotedeventhediscussionofaseverancetaxishavingadampeningeffectonbusiness inthestate. HesaidthenumberofdrillingrigsnowinPennsylvaniahasbeenreducedsignificantly,from111 in2011tojust56now.ThoserigshesaidaremovingtoOhiowherethereisapotentialtoproduceoil, othervaluableliquidsrelatedtowetnaturalgasandabettertaxstructure. EugeneBarr,PresidentandCEOofthePAChamberofBusinessandIndustry,saidtalkofa severancetaxisjustthemostrecentefforttomakebusinessespaymoretaxesatatimewhen businesses,particularlymanufacturing,arejuststartingtoseeacomeback.Hesaidanyincreasein businesstaxesisalwayspassedontoconsumers. ChadAmond,PresidentoftheWestmorelandCountyChamberofCommerce,saidhiscounty hasseenthebenefitsoftheexistingAct13drillingfeesinmoreroadconstruction,emergency preparednessandotherprojectsaswellasfromnaturalgasdrillinganddevelopment. HesaidtheCountyhasalsobeeninvolvedinjobtrainingprogramsthroughShaleNetat WestmorelandCountyCommunityCollegethathastrainedover9,500students. AmajoroverhaulofthetaxsituationforthenaturalgasindustryinHarrisburgislikeabutterfly flappingitswingsandhavinganimpactinWestmorelandCounty. ClickHeretolistentothepressconference. NewsClips: AmidStateBudgetWoes,DrillingTaxTurnsGOPHeads MarcellusShaleAdvocatesAgainstSeveranceTax Critics:SeveranceTaxCouldDerailGasIndustryInPA Report:HigherSeveranceTaxWillNotImpedeOhioGasIndustry LocalGovernmentsFailToAccountFor$17MInDrillingImpactFeeMoney RelatedLinks: Republicans,DemocratsInSenate,HouseJoinInCallingForANaturalGasSeveranceTax

Sen.YudichakNaturalGasSeveranceTaxProposalFundsEducation,Environment IndependentFiscalOfficeReportsPAMarcellusTaxRatesLowestOfAnyState AdvocatesFromPA,Ohio,WestVirginiaUrgeCommonApproachToShaleTaxation NewBipartisanMarcellusShaleDrillingTaxProposalAnnouncedByHouseMembers PUCExpectsToCollect$224.5MillionInAct13DrillingImpactFeesIn2014 LocalGovtsMissedDeadlineToReportHow$17.4MillionInDrillingFeesWereSpent StateImpactPennsylvaniaFridayreportednearlyhalfthetownshipsandaquarterofthecounties receivingfundsfromtheAct13drillingimpactfeemissedtheApril15deadlineforreportinghowthey spent$17.4millionoflastyearsmoney.Reportswerefiledcovering$81.8million. StateImpactPennsylvaniasaidlocalgovernmentsspenttheimpactfeemoneyon AmountNotReported$17,491,130.43 PublicInfrastructureConstruction$24,789,409.37 StormWater/SewerSystems $2,296,077.29 EmergencyPreparedness/PublicSafety$14,035,948.05 EnvironmentalPrograms$951,211.94 WaterPreservationandReclamation$7,296.00 TaxReductions$580,400.94 Housing$280,000.00 InformationTechnology$1,844,399.12 SocialServices$1,335,792.03 JudicialServices$959,481.09 CapitalReserveFund$34,249,804.02 CareerandTechnicalCenters$110,000.00 PlanningInitiatives$35,018.87 Total:$98,965,969.15 About1,500countiesandlocalgovernmentsreceiveimpactfeeforhostingdrillingwithintheir borders. ClickHeretoreadtheentirestory.ClickHeretovisitthePUCsAct13ImpactFeewebpage formoreinformationandaninteractiveimpactfeewebsite. NewsClips: LocalGovernmentsFailToAccountFor$17MInDrillingImpactFeeMoney AmidStateBudgetWoes,DrillingTaxTurnsGOPHeads MarcellusShaleAdvocatesAgainstSeveranceTax Critics:SeveranceTaxCouldDerailGasIndustryInPA Report:HigherSeveranceTaxWillNotImpedeOhioGasIndustry Governors2014EnvironmentalExcellenceAwardWinnersHonored OnTuesdaythe23organizationsinvolvedin19 environmentalprojectsfromacrossthestatewere honoredwiththe2014GovernorsAwardfor

EnvironmentalExcellence. ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilhostedadinnertorecognizetheawardwinnersand featuredkeynotespeakerChrisAbruzzo,SecretaryoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionand openingremarksbyEllenFerretti,SecretaryoftheDepartmentofConservationandNatural Resources. SecretaryFerrettisaidDCNRsemployeesareexcitedaboutimplementingGov.Corbetts EnhancedPennWoodsinitiativetorepairandupgradeStateParksandForests.Shealso congratulatedPEConits44thbirthdayandrecalledwhataradicalthingitwasin1970torecycle. ClickHeretowatchFerrettisremarks. Eachyear,itsinspiringtolearnabouttheinnovative,environmentallyfriendlyprojectsfrom acrossthestate,saidDEPSecretaryChrisAbruzzo.Thisyearsawardrecipientsareprotecting Pennsylvaniasenvironmentwithcreativityandingenuity. SecretaryAbruzzoprovidedanupdateonactivitiesinDEP,includingthePermitReview Guarantee(96percentontime),transparencyattheagency(arecordnumberofhearingsandwebinars) andthebestkeptsecretattheagencythedramaticreductionofgreenhousegasemissionsasaresult ofincreasednaturalgasuse(2020emissionswillbelowerthan2000emissions). YouhavethecommitmentofthisGovernorandthisDEPSecretary,thateverydaywewill workextraordinarilyhardtoupholdourmissiontoprotectourland,waterandairresources,Abruzzo said. ClickHeretowatchAbruzzosremarks. Gov.Corbettrecognizedtheawardwinnersbysaying,Therecipientsofthisyearsaward representafewofthemanydedicatedPennsylvanianswhohavecommittedtheirbusinesses,schools andotherorganizationstobegoodstewardsoftheenvironment.Theireffortsarekeytoensurethat Pennsylvaniasair,landandwaterarecleanforgenerationstocome. AnyPennsylvaniabusiness,school,governmentagency,tradeorganization,nonprofit organizationoragribusinessthathascompletedprojectstopromoteenvironmentalstewardshipand economicdevelopmentwaseligibletoapplyfortheaward.Thewinnerswereselectedbythe DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection. Thewinningprojectsincludetailgaterecycling,abandonedminedrainage(AMD)abatement, raingardensandtheuseofalternativeenergy,amongothers. TheAwardwinnersare CollierTownship,AlleghenyCounty,pursuedtheRooftopPhotovoltaicElectricalGenerating SystemProject,arenewableenergyprojectthatwillreduceoveronemillionpoundsofcarbondioxide gasemissionsovertime.Theprojectconsistsof132glasstubesolarmodulesinstalledonanearbyroof. This22kWphotovoltaicsystemisestimatedtogenerateanetsavingsofapproximately$75,000over itslifespanbysellingbacktothelocalutilitycompanyviaagridtiedsystem. PittsburghBotanicGarden,AlleghenyCounty,didapondrestorationprojectintheWoodlandsof theWorldGardenwherethereisapondoncepollutedwithAMD.Apassivetreatmentsystemwas installedwithadrainablelimestonebedthatneutralizesacidityandremovesmetalcontaminantsbefore cleanwaterisreleasedintothepond. ShellAppalachia,AlleghenyCounty,createdanEnvironmentalImpactsAssessmentwithaweb applicationthatisusedasatooltohelpreducerisksassociatedwithfielddevelopment.Thisapplication allowsplannersinallfacetsofShellAppalachiatochoosefromalibraryofspatialdatalayersincluding social,environmental,biological,regulatory,analytical(baselinewaterandairquality)dataandcritical infrastructurelayers.

CumberlandCountysEnergyEfficiencyProgramincludedreplacementofboilersatthe courthouse,oldcourthouseandoldjailreplacementofthecoolingtoweratthecourthouseinstallation ofenergyefficientlightsinstallationofenergyefficientmotionsensorsonvendingmachinesinstallation oflowflowfaucetsandtoiletsreplacementofhotwaterusagewithanozonesystemforlaundryatthe ClaremontNursingandRehabilitationCenterandcountyprisonandinstallationofanenergy managementsystemwhichprovidesremotecomputeraccesstothecountysHVACsystems. CentralDauphinSchoolDistrictsEnergyConservationProgram,DauphinCounty,hashelped thedistrictsavemoneyandreduceenergyconsumption,aswellasreducingitscarbonfootprint.The districtpartneredwithCenergistic,Inc.toidentifyfeasiblemeansforreducingenergyuseinitsbuildings. PhoenixContact,DauphinCounty,cameupwiththeSunPlugSolarPoweredElectricVehicle ChargingStationProjecttoprovethatelectricalvehiclescanberechargedwithsolarpowerand withoutburdeningtheelectricalgrid.Asolarcanopythatisthesizeofatypicalparkinglotwith12 highperformancesolarpanelsgenerates2.7kWandissupportedwithbatterystorageof4kWanda 4.2kWoffgridinvertertochargeelectricvehicles. SKELLYandLOY,Inc.,DauphinCounty,conductedtheAllisonHillAutomotiveBrownfields RemediationProject.TheformerAllisonHillAutomotivesitewasa6.2acrepropertywithmultiple vacantbuildingsthatwereaneyesoretothelocalcommunity,anenvironmentalhazard,andataxliability totheCityofHarrisburg.Therestorationworkincludedremovinganddisposingofhazardouswastes, abatingmaterialscontainingasbestos,anddemolishingthebuildings.Fencingwasinstalledaroundthe sitetoimprovesecurityandtorestrictdirectcontacttocontaminatedsoilsduringthecleanupprocess. EnvironmentEriesSt.GeorgeRainCatcherProjectwasasuccessfulpartnershipofnonprofits, privatebusinesses,governmentandstudents.Araingardenwasplantedonthepropertyofalocal churchtoreducestormwaterrunoff.Studentsfromthepartneringschoolwereabletousethe developmentandconstructionoftheraingardenasalearningtool. PPLRenewableEnergy,LLCpartneredwiththeBoroughofChambersburgandIESIPABlue RidgeLandfillinFranklinCountytodeveloptheBlueRidgeRenewableEnergyPlant.Thisunique projectconsistsofa6.4MWlandfillgastoenergyplant. ArmstrongWorldIndustriesRecyclingProgramforVinylCompositionTileFlooringin LancasterCountyisthefirstprogramofitskindtorecycleinstalledArmstrongvinylflooringproducts aswellasqualifyingcompetitivevinylproducts.Undertheprogram,vinylflooringisrecycledina closedloop,postconsumerstreamwithreclaimedmaterialincorporatedintonewflooringproducts. CityofLancasterdecidedtoimprovestormwatermanagementandtrafficsafetythroughitsPlumand WalnutGreenIntersectionProject.Theprojectintegratesgreeninfrastructurewithenhancedpedestrian amenitiesandaroadwayrealignmentthatimprovestrafficsafety.Theprojectincludedaporouspaver patioarea,raingarden,andfiveporouspaver,angledparkingspacesintheareapreviouslyoccupiedby atroublesomemergelane,aswellasapublicartcomponentacisternthatcollectsrainwaterfroma localbusinessrooftop. PPLRenewableEnergy,LLCcreatedapartnershipwithLycomingCountyandtheFederal BureauofPrisonstoworkonapublicprivatepublicprojectatLycomingCountysLandfill.The entitiesworkedtogethertodevelopandconstructtwocolocatedlandfillgastoenergypowerplants. Theprojectimproveditsenergyefficiencyandcreatedjobs. NorthPennPublicSchoolDistrict,MontgomeryCounty,createdanEnergyManagementProgram thatcombinesoperationalchanges,behavioralchanges,demandresponse,energyefficiencysavingsand communityengagement.Thedistricthassavedonenergyexpensesandcreatedaprogramthateducates andengagesstudentsandstaffinenergyconservationandefficiency.

PennsylvaniaHorticulturalSocietyofPhiladelphiaworkedwithlocalpartnerstocreatethe CommunityFarmandGreenResourceCenteratBartramsGardenalongtheshoreoftheSchuylkill RiverinthelowincomeneighborhoodofSouthwestPhiladelphia.Thefarmandresourcecenterincludes afullscalegreenhouse,communitygardenspaces,anorchardof90fruittrees,afarmersmarketandan entrepreneurialjobstrainingandleadershipdevelopmentprogramforlocalhighschoolstudents. RobindaleEnergyServices,Inc.,WestmorelandCounty,createdtheSeanorGFCCProjectto removeapproximately305,097tonsofwastecoalfromtheLoyalhannaCreekWatershed.Robindale enteredintoacontractwithDEPtoremoveallusablewastecoal,restorethesitetoapproximate originalcontour,topsoilandrevegetatetheaffectedareatoestablishpositivesurfacerunoff,thus eliminatingtheacidicrunofftothestreamsandenhancetheareathroughouttheRailstoTrailsegmentat nocosttoDEP. TheProcter&GamblePaperProductsCompany,MehoopanyPlantinWyomingCounty installeda64MWgasfiredcogeneratorthatproduceselectricity,steamandhotairforitsoperations withsomeexcesselectricforsale.Theoperationiscompletelyselfsufficient,usingnaturalgasextracted onthepropertytopowerthecogenerator. NorthcentralPennsylvaniaConservancy,MontourCountyConservationDistrict, NorthumberlandCountyConservationDistrict,TiogaCountyConservationDistrict,Union CountyConservationDistrictandFishandBoatCommissionsDivisionofHabitat ManagementpartneredtogetherontheNorthcentralStreamRestorationProject.Thepartnersused proveninstreamstabilizationstructures,suchaslogvanesandmudsills,andagriculturalbest managementpractices,suchaswalkwaysandfencing.Thegroupwasabletoimplementpracticeswith 18landownerson13streamsinfourcounties. PennsylvaniaResourcesCouncil,Inc.,inDelawareandAlleghenycountiesdevelopedtheTailgate RecyclingInitiativetotargetlargescalespecialeventsandpromoterecycling.TheResourcesCouncil designed,developedandimplementedaprogramtocollectrecyclablesfromtailgatingfansattending PittsburghSteelersandPhiladelphiaEagleshomegames.Inadditiontothecollectioneffort,thecouncil alsousedtheprogramtoeducatethepublicaboutthebenefitsofrecycling. TroutUnlimited,Inc.launcheditsAMDTechnicalAssistanceProgramin2005.Theprogram providesfreetechnicalservicestoassistGrowingGreenereligibleentitiesintheireffortstoimprove waterqualityinAMDimpactedstreamstowardtheultimategoalofrestoringfishandotheraquaticlife andwheneverpossible,removalofthestreamorstreamsegmentfromtheDEPsImpairedWatersList. DEPReports15,882MilesOfStreamsImpaired,DownSlightlyFrom2012 TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticethatitsdraft2014IntegratedWater QualityMonitoringandAssessmentReportisavailableforpubliccommentlistingrivers,streamsand lakeswithimpairedwaterquality. TheMonongahelaRiver,whichwasimpairedforpotablewateruse,willberemovedfromthe impairmentlistbecausetheinstreamlevelofsulfatesnowmeetsPennsylvaniaswaterqualitystandards. ThelowermainstemoftheSusquehannaRiverwillbeaddedtothefishconsumption impairmentlistforchannelcatfishlargerthan20inchesduetoPolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs).The recommendedconsumptionisnomorethanonemealpermonth. DEPhasconductedacomprehensiveanalysisoftheSusquehannaRiversince2012and continuestodosoin2014.The2013SusquehannaRiverStudyReportwillbeavailableinmidMay.A publicwebinarwilltakeplaceatthattimetodiscusstheresults.

Overall,thereportfound15,882milesofimpairedriversandstreams,downfrom16,599miles fromthelastreportin2012.Thereportsdifferinthetotalnumberofstreammilesassessed83,438in the2014draftreportand84,571inthe2012report. Thetopfourcausesforwaterqualityimpairmentsare(instreammiles):AgriculturalRunoff 5,802,AbandonedMineDrainage5,584andUrbanRunoff/StormSewers2,655.Some4,322 milesofstreamareimpairedforunknownreasons. In2012,thetopfourcausesforwaterqualityimpairmentswere(instreammiles):Agricultural Runoff5,705,AbandonedMineDrainage5,596andUrbanRunoff/StormSewers2,451.Some 3,482milesofstreamareimpairedforunknownreasons. Thereare37,761acresoflakeswithimpairedwaterquality,upslightlyfrom37,331acresin 2012.Thereportsdifferinthetotalacresoflakesassessed79,986in2014and80,525in2012. ThisreportisanimportanttooltogaugeourprogressonprotectingPennsylvaniaswaters. DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzosaid.Whilewehavemoreworktodo,thisreport demonstratesthatDEPisworkinghardtoimprovewaterquality. Thereport,requiredeverytwoyearsbythefederalCleanWaterAct,isanassessmentofthe statesriversandstreams.DEPassessesfourprotectedusesofallsurfacewaters:fishconsumption, recreation,potablewaterandaquaticlife.DEPexamineswaterchemistry,macroinvertebrates, pathogens,iron,nitratesandsulfates. TheIntegratedWatersReportisnowopenfora45daycommentperiod.Afterthecomment period,commentswillbereviewedbyDEP,changeswillbemadeandacommentresponsedocument released.DEPsfinaldraftofthereportwillbesenttotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyfor approval. Publiccommentsonthereportareencouraged.ThepubliccommentperiodwillbeginonApril 26andcontinueuntilJune10.WrittencommentsshouldbesubmittedtoMollyPulket,Divisionof WaterQualityStandards,BureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,P.O.Box8774, Harrisburg,PA171058774orsendbyemailto:RAWQAssessments@pa.gov.Commentsreceived byfacsimilewillnotbeaccepted. Acopyofthereportisavailableonline.CopiesofpreviousreportsareavailableonDEPs WaterQualityStandardswebpage. NewsClips: DEP:MonongahelaRiverNoLongerBelongsOnImpairedWatersList FourMileCreekMakesComebackInErie VolunteersProtectShenangoRiver RocksLititzFloodplainRestorationProject PennVESTAwards$1.5MToLancasterWaterQualityProjects EffortToOpenAlleghenyRiverLocksMovingForwardSlowly CBFPAUrgesGovernor,AttorneyGeneralToActNowToSupportBayCleanupPlans HarryCampbell,theChesapeakeBayFoundationsPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirectorFridayissueda statementtoGov.TomCorbettandAttorneyGeneralKathleenKaneurgingthemtojoinwithother BaystatesinfilingaamicusbriefincourttosupportChesapeakeBaycleanupplans. PhiladelphiaWednesdayjoinsixothermajorcitiesandothergroupsinfilingabriefsupporting Baycleanupplans. InFebruaryattorneysgeneralfrom21statesfiledabriefopposingtheregionaleffortsofthe

ChesapeakeBayCleanWaterBlueprint,andinsupportoftheFarmBureauandotherlargeagricultural interests,aswellastheNationalHomebuildersAssociation.TheChesapeakeBayFoundationisaparty tothelawsuit,defendingtheEPA. Today,weurgeGov.CorbettandAttorneyGeneralKanetomakeacommitmenttothe Commonwealthsriversandstreamsbysigningafriendofthecourtbriefinsupportofthe ChesapeakeCleanWaterBlueprint,aplanthatPennsylvaniahelpedcreateandhasbeensuccessfully implementing.Wecannotallowtheseinvestmentstobederailed. PennsylvaniamaynottouchtheChesapeakeBay,butourconnectiontothisNational Treasure,throughtheSusquehannaRiver,whichcontributesnearlyhalfofallthefreshwaterentering theBay,isunique.Flowingpastfarms,forests,andourcommunitiestheSusquehannaRiveristhe Bay.Ourresponsibilities,andthepositiveoutcomesoftheBlueprint,liehereathomeanddownstream aswell. Thiseffortisaboutcleanwater,whichisvitaltoourcommunities,ourfarmers,andour industries.Wewillleavealegacyofcleanwaterforourchildrenandfuturegenerations.TheBlueprintis working. OthersDefendBayStandards ChesapeakeBayFoundationPresidentWilliamC.BakerWednesdayissuedthisstatement followingthefilingoftwoamicusbriefssupportingEPA'sTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)and stateimplementationplans,togetherknownattheChesapeakeCleanWaterBlueprint. OnebriefwasfiledlateWednesdaybythecitiesofNewYork,Baltimore,Chicago, Philadelphia,LosAngeles,andSanFrancisco.ThesecondwasfiledlastweekbyFloridaconservation groupstheFloridaWildlifeFederation,theEnvironmentalConfederationofSouthwestFlorida,The ConservancyofSouthwestFlorida,andtheSt.JohnsRiverkeeper. InFebruaryattorneysgeneralfrom21statesfiledabriefopposingtheBlueprint,andinsupport oftheFarmBureauandotherlargeagriculturalinterests,aswellastheNationalAssociationofHome Builders. "TheseamicusbriefswillhelpachievecleanwaterintheChesapeakeBay.Theyunderscorethe continuingconcernathomeandaroundthecountryaboutthedamagingecological,economic,and healthimpactsofpollutiononlocalwatersandtheChesapeakeBays. "Thepositiveimpactofpollutionreductionacrossthesixstatesisunprecedented.Thereare manyeyeswatchingandsupportingtheeffortstorestoreournation'slargestestuary.TheChesapeake CleanWaterBlueprintisworking.Progressisbeingmade,pollutionisbeingreduced,andjobsare beingcreated.Wewillleavealegacyofcleanwaterforourchildrenandfuturegenerations." NewsClips: DEP:MonongahelaRiverNoLongerBelongsOnImpairedWatersList FourMileCreekMakesComebackInErie VolunteersProtectShenangoRiver RocksLititzFloodplainRestorationProject PennVESTAwards$1.5MToLancasterWaterQualityProjects EffortToOpenAlleghenyRiverLocksMovingForwardSlowly PECActionAlert:Rare,Threatened,EndangeredSpeciesAgainAtRiskInHouse ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilWednesdaysentoutanactionalertsayingrare,threatenedand endangeredspeciesareagainatriskfromanewbilltobeintroducedintheHousewhichhasmanyof

thesamefatalflawsasHouseBill1576(PyleRArmstrong). PECsaidduetooppositionfromawidearrayofconservation,recreationandsportsmen groups,HouseBill1576wasnotbroughtupforavoteintheGeneralAssembly. Butthesameessentialprovisionsofthislegislationareexpectedtoresurfaceassoonasnext week,withanewbillnumbertoavoidassociationwithHouseBill1576eventhoughthebillsare functionallysimilar.Thisnewlegislationwillagainplaceapoliticalprocessbetweenscienceandthe protectionofspecies,andremovehundredsofspeciesofconcernfrompermitreviews. ThisnewbillessentiallyHouseBill1576"TakeTwo"maybeintroducedthisweekand comeupforavoteasearlyasMonday,April28intheHouseGame&FisheriesCommittee.Ifso,this isanobviousattemptbycertainmembersoftheHousetocircumventstrongoppositiontothelegislation frombothsidesoftheaisle. PECismakingpublicthisalertandasksconcernedindividualscontactyourRepresentativesthis weekandtellthemthatyouremainopposedtoweakeningspeciesprotectioninPennsylvania.Click Heretofindyourlegislator. ThekeyconcernsandresponsesPEChasaboutthesebillsinclude Proposalstolistorremovespeciesfromprotectionarealreadybasedonsoundsciencebythe PennsylvaniaBiologicalSurveyandresourceprotectionagencies. ImprovementsarecurrentlyunderwaytothePennsylvaniaNaturalHeritageInventorythatwillallow permitapplicantsgreateraccesstospeciesinformationtohelpthemavoidimpactsthereisnoneedfor newlegislationtoaccomplishthisgoal. Cooperationandtransparencyarevital,butHouseBill1576(andanysuccessivelegislation)failto meeteitherobjective.Theyaredesignedonlytolimitspeciesprotection,notimproveit. AletterPECsenttoallmembersoftheHouseonthisissueisavailableonline. ClickHereforafullpositionstatementfromPEConthisissue. CBFWarnsNewHouseBillWillAlsoPutBrookTrout,OtherSpeciesAtRisk Whenitcomestotheenvironmentandwildlife,weseemtobedrawntospecificplacesandcritters. Someofusaredrawntotheoceanotherstothemountains.Similarly,somelovewatchingbirdswhile othersarecompletelyfascinatedbyturtles.Andformanyofus,there'snoonefavoritewe'resimply fascinatedbyallofit. Forwhateverreason,onecritterthatcouldlikelyusealittlemoreappreciationisthefish. Forme,thatappreciationstartedasakid.IgrewupinthePoconoMountains,andonany givendailyadventureyoucouldfindme,mysister,andafewothersplayinginornearastream.The waterwascoolandclearandwethoughtnothingofdrinkingascoopful. Mydadenjoyedfishingandalwaysbroughtmysisterandme.Heandahandfuloffellasstarted arodandgunclub,andbuiltafishhatcheryonsite.Irememberthe'cribs'teeming,seemingly spillingoverwithfishmostlyrainbowandbrowntrout,alongwithafewexciting,rogue,palominos.My sisterandIwouldsitontheedgeofthecribsforhoursjustwatchingthemswim.Iwouldn'ttradethese experiencesforanything. Butnoteveryonehashadthatsameopportunity,soIsometimeswonderifpeoplehavea connectionto,orinterestin,fish. SoIposedasimplequestiontoapproximately30people,aninformalpollofsorts,andI'llask youaswell:offthetopofyourhead,howmanytypesoffishcanyouname?Don'tthinkaboutit,justoff thetopofyourhead,howmanycometomind?

Myhunchwasthatmostpeoplewouldsayahandful,ahalfdozen.AndIwasright.The averagewassix.Theresponsesrangedfromtwotothirtythree,butmostpeoplefellintothe'handful' category. Onespeciesthatnearlyeveryonecannameisthetrout,withspecialinterestinourbeloved nativebrooktrout.OfthefourtypesoftroutfoundinPennsylvaniastreamsonlythebrooktroutwas herewhensettlersfirstarrived. Thebrooktroutisafishoflegend.Toseeone,swimmingwild,isararity.Tocatchonecanbe lifechanging.Themystiqueofthebrooktrout,orthe'brookie,'makesit'the'treasureoffreshwater fishing. Oneofmycolleaguesisamasternaturalist.Hisloveofallthingswildisextensiveandprofound, andhehasaremarkable,romanticwayofstorytellingabouteverythingfromtrouttomossthat transportsyou. He,JohnPageWilliams(or'JP')isalsoanavidfisherman.Flyfishing,freshwater,saltwater, younameit.Iaskedhimaboutthebrookieandhestartedoutbysayingthathewasbynomeansan expert,butIknewbetter. Hetoldmethattoday'sbrooktroutisadescendantofthe"SquareTails."Thesemassivefish werehistoricallyfoundthroughoutthenortheast.Theseguyshaditmade.Theylivedinlargeriversof clean,coolwaterswithplentifulfoodsources,andconsequently,theygrewtobemassiveinsize upwardsof12pounds. Butasthehumanpopulationexpanded,wedevelopedthelandandsentourpollutionintothe waters,andconsequently,changedtheriverhomesofthesquaretail.Thewaterswarmed,thefood sourcesdwindled,andthewaterwasnolongersoclean. Ultimately,thatmeantsomeprettydramaticchangesforthefish.Andwhileyoumightstillfinda 12poundsquaretailinafewstretchesofwatersinthenortheast,theirnumbersarefew. Brookiesareamuchsmallerfish.JPtellsmethata12incherisaprizethesedays.Andbecauseit simplycannotsurvivepollutionordrastictemperaturechange,itsPennsylvaniarangeincludesonlya handfulofexceptionalandhighqualitywatershedswhileitshistoricrangespannednearlytheentire state. Whydoesanyofthismatter?AndwhydidIaskyouhowmanyfishyoucouldname? Itmatters,andI'maskingbecauselivinginPennsylvania'sstreams,rivers,andlakesrightatthis moment,thereare160differentspeciesoffish! 160.Yetmostofuscanonlynameahandful. Now,I'mnotanumbersperson.ButI'mgoingtothrowoutonemorethatwill,Ihope,make youstopforamomenttocontemplate.Ofthose160species,80ofthemhalfareendangered, threatened,orhavealreadybeenwipedoutfromPennsylvania'swaters. Sowhatcanwedo? Wecanstartbyprotectingthebrookieandtheother159species. AnotherHouseBillThreatens OnApril28ththestateHouseGame&FisheriesCommitteeisscheduledtoreviewaversionof previouslyintroducedlegislationHouseBill1576(PyleRArmstrong)theThreatenedand EndangeredSpeciesBill. Thecruxofthebillisthis:forthepast40yearsthescientistsatthePennsylvaniaFish&Boat Commissionhaveoverseenspecialprotectionsforthebrookie,allfish,reptiles,amphibians,andaquatic invertebrates.Similarly,theGameCommissionoverseesprotectionsforbirdsandmammals.And finally,theDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources(DCNR)overseestheprotectionof

plantsaswellasuniqueecologicalandgeologicfeatures. Allthreeprotectourwildlifeanduniquenaturalspacesfromahostofthreatsincludinghabitat changesandpollution.Andtheydosobymakingcredibledecisionsbasedonscientificstudy.ThisBill proposestothrowawrenchintothatprocessbyinsertinggovernmentappointedpoliticianstooversee thescientificdecisionsoftheFish&BoatandGameCommissionsalongwithDCNR. Politicianshavetheirexpertise.Scientistshavetheirs.Let'skeepitthatwayandletourscientists betheonestomakedecisionsaboutscience. We'llhavemoredetailsaboutthispendinglegislation,soifyouareaCBFactionnetwork member,keepaneyeonyourinbox.Ifyou'renotalreadyanactionalertmember,youcaneasily becomeone. WhenpeopleaskmewhatIdoandItellthemthatIadvocateforcleanwater,Isometimesget ablanklookinresponse.IthengoontotellthemhowIgrewupdrinkingscoopfulsofcleanstream waterandthatIwantmynieceKate,whoisfive,tobeabletodothesame. Herdadnowtakeshertothetrouthatcherythatmydadbuilt.Thecycleisrepeatingitself,and thatgivesmehope. Butultimately,wehavetoprotectthethingsthatwecareaboutbecausenoteveryonecaresfor thesamethings.SoIhopethateveniffisharenotyour'thing'thatyouunderstandthevalueofclean waterandwilljoinCBFinprotectingthebrookieandthestreamswheretheylive.Thankyou! ClickHereformoreinformation. WrittenBy:KellyDonaldson,theCommunicationsandMediaCoordinatorforChesapeakeBay Foundation'sPennsylvaniaoffice. AddUsToYourGoogle+Circle PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+CirclecalledGreenWorksInPA.Justgotoyour Google+pageandsearchforDHess@CrisciAssociates.com,theemailfortheDigestEditorDavid Hess,andletusjoinyourCircle. Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,Weekly, Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource. YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,dailyNewsClips andlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos. AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted

updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto newitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol. Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced BillCalendars House(April28):HouseBill202(HarperRMontgomery)prohibitingstandbywaterservicecharges forfirecompaniesHouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimumroyalty paymentinstatelaw.<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar. Senate(April28):SenateBill1255(EricksonRDelaware)authorizingmunicipalauthoritiesto establishprogramsthatallowpropertyownerstoreducetheirstormwaterratesandchangesby implementingbestmanagementpracticessponsorsummary.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBill Calendar. CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek House:theGameandFisheriesCommitteemeetstoconsiderlegislation,includingpossiblyanewly introducedbillreducingprotectionforrare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesinPennsylvaniathe ConsumerAffairsCommitteemeetingtoconsiderHouseBill2104(GodshallRMontgomery) relatingtoretainvariablerateelectricservicecontractssponsorsummaryHouseBill2030 (SnyderDFayette)establishingtheCoalFiredElectricGenerationFacilitiesDeactivationCommission sponsorsummary.<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule. Senate:theConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingon electricreliability.<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule. BillsPendingInKeyCommittees HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach House Appropriations Education EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerAffairs GamingOversight HumanServices

Judiciary LiquorControl Transportation LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees Senate Appropriations EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment Education Judiciary LawandJustice PublicHealthandWelfare Transportation LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees SessionSchedule HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse House April28,29,30 May5,6,7 June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 Senate April28,29,30 May5,6,7 June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

NewsFromTheCapitol
Sens.Scarnati,HutchinsonBillToCreateSpecialRulesForConventionalOil,GasWells Sens.JoeScarnati(RJefferson)andScottHutchinson(RVenango)circulatedacosponsormemo MondaytomembersoftheSenateannouncingtheirintenttointroducelegislationtodirectthe EnvironmentalQualityBoardtoadoptspecialrulesforconventionaloilandgaswellsandnotregulate themlikeMarcellusShalewells. DEPproposedChapter78regulationswouldregulateconventionalandMarcellusShalewells similarly. Thememosaid,UnconventionalorMarcellusshalegaswelldrillingdiffersgreatlyfromthe processusedforconventionalorshallowwelldrilling.Act13of2012creatednewandvigorous standardsforunconventionalgaswellwhicharelargelynotapplicabletoconventionaloilandgaswells. Bothtypesofwells,however,canandarebeingfracked.

Itisimportanttonotethatthislegislationwouldnotrelievetheconventionaloilandgasindustry fromanyexistingorfuturehealthorsafetyregulationswhichmaybeappropriateornecessary.Rather, itwouldensurethatbothindustriescontinuetobeheldtothehigheststandardswhilenotburdeningthe smallshallowwelldrillerswithregulatoryrequirementswhichareneitherfeasibleoraffordablefortheir industry. Rep.VitaliAppealsDCNRDenialOfRightToKnowRequestOnDrillingPlan Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy Committee,TuesdayappealedtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources'denialofhis RighttoKnowrequestseekinginformationaboutGov.TomCorbettsplantoraise$75millionthrough theadditionalleasingofstateparksandforestsfornaturalgasdrilling. "It'sunfortunatewehavetogototheselengthsforinformationthatshouldbereadilyavailable," saidRep.Vitali"Thelegislatureneedstoknowwhichparksandforestsareunderconsiderationfor drilling,howmanyacreswillbeleased,whichcompanieswillbedoingthedrillingandhowthe$75 millionfigurewascalculated." TheappealwasfiledwiththeOfficeofOpenRecords,whichhas30daysafteritreceivesthe appealtomakeafinaldetermination. Inaddition,Rep.VitalilastweekfiledtwonewRighttoKnowrequestsseekinginformation abouttheplanwiththeOfficeoftheBudgetandtheGovernorsOffice. InitsdenialoftheinitialRighttoKnowrequest,DCNRdirectedRep.VitalitotheOfficeofthe Budget.Rep.VitalisaidhealsofiledaRighttoKnowrequestwiththeGovernorsOfficebecausethe GovernorsEnergyExecutivePatrickHendersonisalikelypossessoroftheinformation. InhisbudgetaddressonFebruary4,Corbettproposedraisinganadditional$75millionfrom "nonsurfaceimpactdrilling.Rep.Vitaliisopposedtothisproposalbecausedrillingisahighly industrialactivity,andanexpansionwillhavenegativeimpactonstateparksandforests. Rep.Vitalisaidaseverancetaxongasdrillingisabetterwaytoraiserevenue. DCNRacknowledgedthenegativeimpactsofdrillinginitsShaleGasMonitoringreport, releasedlastweek,thatstates:"Naturalgasdevelopment...affectsavarietyofforestresourcesand values,suchasrecreationalopportunities,theforestswildcharacter,scenicbeauty,andplantand wildlifehabitat. SenateCommitteeHearsTestimonyUrgingAdoptionOfAntiSLAPPLegislation Peopleandorganizationsthathavebeenquietedbyongoing,frivolouslawsuitsandmountinglegal expensesThursdayurgedtheSenateJudiciaryCommitteetoadoptSen.LarryFarneses (DPhiladelphia)proposalSenateBill1095tocurtailtheunfairpractice. Sen.FarneseslegislationwouldexpandPennsylvaniaslimitedregulationsandgivecivic organizations,individualsandvariousgroupsthepowertomoreeasilyhavetheircasedismissedor recoverattorneyfeesiftheywinasocalledStrategicLawsuitAgainstPublicParticipation,orSLAPP. WhetheritistheOldCityCivicAssociationoranypersonwhohasbeenshutdownbecause theyarespeakinguponanissuetheybelieveiscriticaltotheircommunityorcause,SLAPPshave proventobeunfairandadetrimenttoopengovernment,Sen.Farnesesaidduringtheopeningofthe SenateJudiciaryCommitteespublichearingonSenateBill1095. Itisrarelytheintentofthepartyfilingthesuittoarguetheircasebeforeajudge.Whatthey

wanttodoisdraintheoppositionsresourcesormakeitimpossibleforthemtoproceedinotherways untiltheyareforcedtogoaway,Sen.Farnesesaid.Itsbeyondwrong. TheSenateJudiciaryCommitteemetinthePhiladelphiaBarAssociationonMarketStreethere andgatheredthepersonalstoriesofJoeSchiavooftheformerOldCityCivicAssociation,Steve HuntingtonofCrosstownCoalition,MattRubenofNorthernLibertiesNeighborhoodAssociation,Joe MarinoofPassyunkSquareCivicAssociation,andBarbaraCappoziofPackerParkCivicAssociation. SchiavocalledSen.Farnesesproposalanimportantprotectionforcommunitygroups. Thosewhogivetheirtimeasvolunteersonbehalfoftheircommunityandparticipateincivic organizationsshouldnothavetofacereprisalsforparticipatinginthepublicprocessthat [governments]affordthem,Schiavotoldthecommittee.SenateBill1095seemsessentialtopreserve thatfinegraindemocraticmechanismofthelocalcivicassociation. WhileNorthernLibertiesMattRubenagreedthatSen.Farnesesbillwouldprovidelegal protection,hesaidifanychangesweremadetothebilltheyshouldbemadewithaneyetowards protectingadefendantsmoneyandtime. IfanantiSLAPPlawdoesnotprotectdefendantsfromtheuseofthelegalprocessto extractmoneyfromusandtotaketimetodragthingsoutandweardownpeopleswillandinflict emotionalduressthentheantiSLAPPlawisnoteffective,Rubensaid. TheCommitteealsoheardexperttestimonyfromProfessorDavidKairysfromTemple UniversitysBeasleySchoolofLawAndyHoover,ACLUofPennsylvaniaslegislativedirectorand PennsylvaniaNewsMediaAssociationsPaulaKnudsenandMelissaMelewsky. HooversaidtheACLUisinfavorofSen.Farneseslegislation. WebelievethatSenateBill1095doesagoodjobofdrawingabalancebetweenaccessto courtsandtheabuseofcourtstobullypeopleforexercisingtheirFirstAmendmentrights,Hooversaid. Sen.FarnesebeganworkingonSenateBill1095lastyearwhentheOldCityCivicAssociation disbandedafter40yearsofservicebecausetheincreasedthreatofSLAPPsmadeobtaininginsurance coverageunfeasible. TwentysevenstateshaveadoptedantiSLAPPlegislation.In2000,Pennsylvaniapassed antiSLAPPlegislationthatonlyappliesonlytoenvironmentallawandregulatoryprocesses. ThroughoutPennsylvaniaandtheU.S.,SLAPPshavebeenfiledagainstawidevarietyofprotected speechandexpressionactivities,includingwritingalettertotheeditor,circulatingpetitions,erectinga signordisplayingabannerontheirproperty,complainingtoschoolofficialsaboutteachermisconduct orunsafeconditionsintheschool,testifyingbeforeCongressorstatelegislatures,andfilinga publicinterestlawsuit. ClickHereforthesponsorssummaryofSenateBill1095. EnvironmentalSynopsisNewsletterNowAvailableFromJointConservationCommittee TheAprilissueoftheEnvironmentalSynopsisnewsletterisnowavailablefromtheJointLegislativeAir andWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee. Thismonthsissuefeaturesarticlesontheeconomicimpactofthewasteindustryinthestate, backgroundontheKeystoneXLpipeline,reportonjoblossfromproposedfrackingban,best managementpracticesatconstructionsitesandmore. UpcomingEvents TheJointCommitteehastwoeventsscheduledinMay May5EnvironmentalIssuesForumontheTreeVitalizeProgram.Room8EBEastWingMain

Capitol.Noon. May7PublichearingonthestatusofPennsylvaniasWasteTireProgram.Room8EBEast Wing,MainCapitol.9:00. Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheCommittee. FormoreinformationvisittheJointConservationCommitteewebsite.

NewsFromAroundTheState
CorbettIssuesProclamationCelebratingApril22AsEarthDay Gov.TomCorbettTuesdayissuedaproclamationrecognizingApril22,2014asEarthDayin Pennsylvania.Thisyearscelebrationmarksthe44thanniversaryofthefirstEarthDay,amovement whichelevatedthenationsconsciousnessandawarenessofenvironmentalstewardshipandcivicduty. Thisyearstheme,PickItUpPennsylvania,isaimedatencouragingcontinuedcitizen involvementinhelpingtobeautifyPennsylvaniabycollectingandproperlyrecyclingordisposingoflitter acrossthecommonwealth.Corbettnotedthatin2013,over137,000volunteersacrossPennsylvania collected6.1millionpoundsoflitteralongthecommonwealthsroadways,trailsandshorelines. Pennsylvaniaisabeautifulplacetolive,workandraiseafamily,Corbettsaid.Weare blessedwithabundantnaturalresources,parkandforestlands,andwehaveanobligationtoour childrenandgrandchildrentobegoodstewardsofPennsWoods.Wearealsoblessedwith tremendousvolunteersandcommunityorganizationswhohelptobeautifyandprotectthesenatural resources. WhilewecelebrateEarthDaytoday,weareremindedthateverydayisanopportunitytocare forandimproveuponourenvironment,Corbettsaid. Thetextoftheproclamationfollows WHEREAS,PickitupPAPennsylvaniasthemeforEarthDay2014iscommittedto raisingawarenessandencouragingcitizenstoparticipateininitiativesandeffortsthatwillhelpkeepour statecleanandbeautifuland WHEREAS,theCommonwealthsagenciessuchastheDepartmentofEnvironmental Protection(DEP),theDepartmentofTransportation(PennDOT)andtheDepartmentofConservation andNaturalResources(DCNR)workyearroundtokeepPennsylvaniasresourcespollutantfreeand healthyand WHEREAS,eachyearDEPandPennDOTworktogetherwithKeepAmericaBeautifulto sponsortheGreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvaniaand WHEREAS,in2013,morethan137,000volunteersdedicatedtheirtimetohelpcollect6.1 millionpoundsoflitterfromPennsylvaniasroads,trailsandshorelinesand WHEREAS,DEPissponsoringseveralcleanupsandoutreacheventsonEarthDayand WHEREAS,DEPisawarding111EnvironmentalEducationGrantstotalingmorethan $309,000inhonorofEarthDayand WHEREAS,DCNRsmanagersoversee120stateparksandwelcomeabout38million visitorsannuallyand WHEREAS,DCNRsforestersoverseethe2.2millionacrestateforestsystemtoalevel whereitisindependentlycertifiedaswellmanagedand WHEREAS,DCNRsrecreationprofessionalshaveassistedallPennsylvaniacountiesand morethanhalfofallcommunitiesinmeetingtheirrecreationandconservationneedsand

WHEREAS,together,DCNRsparksandforestswillbehostingavarietyofspecialEarthDay eventsstatewidetofosterpublicappreciationofpubliclandsbyencouragingvisitationandvolunteerism andacommitmenttokeepingsuchlandscleanandgreenand WHEREAS,DCNRsbureausofstateparksandforestryagainareactivesupportersand participantsinthecomingGetOutdoorsDayonJune14,2014andNationalPublicLandsDayon September27,2014and WHEREAS,cleanupprogramsplayahugeroleinkeepingPennsylvaniawellmaintained throughcleanerroadsidesandcommunities. THEREFORE,inspecialrecognitionoftheaforementionedeffortsanddedicationofthe Commonwealthsstateagenciesandvolunteers,I,TomCorbett,GovernoroftheCommonwealthof Pennsylvania,doherebyproclaimApril22,2014asEARTHDAYinPennsylvania.Iencourageall citizenstogetinvolvedandjointhethousandsofdevotedvolunteerswhohelptobeautifythestate. $41.7MillionInWaterInfrastructureProjectFundingAwardedByPennVEST Gov.TomCorbettTuesdayannouncedtheinvestmentof$41.7millionin13nonpointsource,drinking waterandwastewaterprojectsacross12countiesthroughthePennsylvaniaInfrastructureInvestment Authority. "Theinvestmentsthatwemaketodayinourenvironmentandeconomywillimprovethequality oflifeforPennsylvaniansinallcornersoftheCommonwealth,"Gov.Corbettsaid."ThePennVEST Board'sactionsbringcrucialfinancialresourcestobearthatwillimprovewaterqualityandincrease economicopportunityforallofus." Ofthe$41.7million,$32.9millionisforlowinterestloansand$8.8millionisofferedasgrants. Theawardsrangefroma$537,000loantoeliminatewetweatheroverflowsofuntreated sewageintoastreaminAlleghenyCounty,toa$9.3millionloanandgrantcombinationtorenovatea deterioratedwastewatertreatmentplantinBradfordCountythatwillallowavacantmanufacturing facilitytoaccommodatetheexpansionofthreebusinesses,leadingtothecreationof221newjobsand theinvestmentof$40millioninthearea. Alistofprojectsawardedfundingisavailableonline. Thefundingcomesfromacombinationofstatefundsapprovedbyvoters,federalgrantsto PennVESTfromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandrecycledloanrepaymentsfromprevious PennVESTfundingawards. Fundsfortheprojectsaredisbursedafterbillsforworkarepaidandreceiptsaresubmittedto PennVEST. Formoreinformation,visitthePennVESTwebsiteorcall7177836798. NewsClip:PennVESTAwards$1.5MToLancasterWaterQualityProjects GladeRunLakeRestorationStartsWith$2MillionInStateFundsInButlerCounty Gov.TomCorbettWednesdayjoinedstateandlocalofficialstoannouncethathehascommitted$2 millionincapitalbudgetfundstowardtherestorationofGladeRunLakeinValencia,ButlerCounty. WeareheretodaytoannouncethatGladeRunLakeslongdroughtiscomingtoanend, Corbettsaid.Inyearstocome,Imightbringmygrandson,Liam,tothisspot,castalineintothewater, andhavethosemagicmomentsthatGladeRunhasgivensomanyinthepast,andwillagaininthe future.

GladeRunDamwasdeclaredunsafeonNovember19,2002,bymutualagreementofthe DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsDivisionofDamSafetyandtheFishandBoatCommission afteritwasdeterminedtohaveseriouslyinadequatespillwaycapacitybyaPFBCanalysis. Designfortheproposedrehabilitationofthisdamwasinitiatedin2009however,inMay2011, seepage,thathadbeendocumentedandmonitoredoverthelastseveralyearsbyPFBCengineers, begantocauseunacceptablelevelsoferosionnearthedownstreamtoeofthedam. ThePFBCengineersbecameconcernedaboutthechangeinseepagepatternsandthe possibilityofaseveresubsurfaceproblem.Becauseoftheseepageanderosionproblem,onMay24, 2011,thePFBCdecidedtorelieveseepagepressurethroughthedamfoundationbydrainingthelake. SincethedrainingoftheGladeRunDamreservoir,thePFBC,alongwithitsconsultant,needed toredesigntheprojecttoresolveboththespillwayinadequacyandtheseepageissue.Thisdraft detailedrehabilitationplanwasreceivedbyDEPDamSafetyonApril9,2014.Thereview,revision andapprovalprocessbetweenthePFBCandDEPDamSafetyisexpectedtobecompletedbythe endofSeptember2014. With16,000visitorseveryyear,thislakewasnotonlyapartofthesocialfabrichereitsalso partoftheeconomy,contributingmorethan$1millioneveryyeartolocalbusiness,Corbettsaid. Supportforthe$4.3millionprojectincludes$2millionfromthecapitalbudget,$2millionfrom theFishandBoatCommissionand$300,000fromtheGladeRunLakeConservancy. Pennsylvaniaslakesarepopularplacesforfamiliestoenjoytheoutdoors,andtheyarealso valuableeconomicassetstolocalcommunities,saidJohnArway,ExecutiveDirectorofthe PennsylvaniaFishandBoatCommission.TheGladeRunLakeprojectisatruepartnershipbetween stateandlocalgovernmentandareacommunities.Wewishtothankallofourpartnerswhohavehelped usgettothepointwherewenowhaveaplanandthefundingtobeginrestoringthelake. TheGladeRunLakeConservancy,includingitsBoardofDirectors,membersanddonors,is anexampleofhowpeoplewithapassionforanoblecausecancometogether,workdiligentlyand makeadifference,saidSigmundJ"Siggy"PehelIII,PresidentoftheGladeRunLakeConservancy. GladeRunLakehasbeenattheheartofourcommunityfor60years,anditsabsencewasfeltbymany intheConservancywhohavebeenworkingforthepastthreeyearstobringitback.Wearedelighted thatourmessagewasheardbyourstateofficialswhohaveworkedjustashardtofindawayto supportitsrestoration.Wenowlookforwardtoseeingthelakecomealiveagainforourregion. KeysupportersofthisprojectinthestatelegislatureincludeSen.RandyVulakovich (RAllegheny),Sen.DonWhite(RIndiana),Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)andRep.BrianEllis (RButler). IthankSenatorsVulakovich,WhiteandHutchinson,andRepresentativeEllisfortheirstrong leadershipandIampleasedtopartnerwitheachofthemtosupportGladeRunLakesrestoration, saidCorbett. Ananticipatedtimelineforthisprojectincludescompletingfinaldesignandpermittinginlate 2014andbeginningconstructioninearly2015.Constructionisanticipatedtobecompletedduringthe summerof2016,followedbyrefillingreservoirthroughlatesummerandfallof2016. VotingNowOpenInChesapeakeBayFoundationSaveTheBayPhotoContest Hundredsofphotoswerereviewed,10semifinalistshavebeenselectedandnowitsuptoyouto selecttheViewersChoiceAwardsintheChesapeakeBayFoundationSavetheBayPhotoContest. ThedeadlineforvotingisMay2at5:00p.m.

OfficialjudgingforthetopthreephotoswillbeconductedbyapanelofCBFemployeeswho willjudgeentriesonsubjectmatter,composition,focus,lighting,uniqueness,andimpact. Allwinnerswillreceiveacashaward:FirstPrize:$500SecondPrize:$250andThirdPrize: $150 Inaddition,thefirstprizephotographwillappearinCBF's2014calendar.Andthat'snotall:All winnerswillalsoreceiveaoneyearmembershiptoCBFandwillhavetheirphotosdisplayedonCBF's website,inaCBFenewsletter,andinCBF'sSavetheBaymagazine. ClickHeretovoteforyourViewersChoiceAward(hint,2ofthe10arefromPennsylvania, byfarthelargestpartoftheChesapeakeBayWatershed). ARIPPAOffersAbandonedMineReclamationGrants Nowinitsfifthyear,theWesternandEasternCoalitionsforAbandonedMineReclamationpartnered withtheAnthraciteRegionIndependentPowerProducer'sAssociationtoofferacompetitivegrantsto watershedorganizationsworkingonAbandonedMineLandand/orAbandonedMineDrainage remediationprojects. GrantproposalsaredueJuly14. Grantsatamaximumof$2,500willbeawardedtoatleastoneeligibleenvironmental organizationorConservationDistrictintheAnthraciteRegionandoneeligibleenvironmental organizationorConservationDistrictintheBituminousRegioninPennsylvaniaactivelyworkingon AML/AMDissues. GrantproposalsshouldbeforonthegroundAML/AMDconstructionprojectswitha completiondatebetweenAugust2012andAugust2014. Theamountgrantedisdependentupondemonstratedneed.Applyingorganizationsmust supportthemissionofARIPPA,includingtheremovalandconversionofwastecoalintoalternative energyandthebeneficialuseofCFBashforAML/AMDreclamation. Forapplicationsandmoreinformation,visittheWPCAMCwebsite. ClearWaterConservancyHonoredForRiverCleanupProgram CentreCountysClearWaterConservancyRiparianConservationProgramwasnamedawinnerofthe 2014WesternPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalAwards,hostedbyDominionandthePAEnvironmental Council. Theawardispresentedforleadership,effectivenessandresultsinmakinganimpactonthe environmentbyandthePAEnvironmentalCouncilandincludesa$5,000donation. MilesofstreamsandcreeksincentralPennsylvaniaareimpairedbyagriculture.Sothe ClearWaterConservancydevelopeditsRiparianConservationProgramtorestorefunctioning streambankbufferzonesinCentralPennsylvaniawatersheds. Thirtysixindividualvolunteersandthreecorporategroupsactedassitestewardsandanother 85volunteersassistedwithrestorationworkin2013,theinauguralyearoftheripariansitesteward program. Overthecourseoftheyear,stewardsandvolunteerscollectivelyinvested800hoursinthe programandplanted375seedlingsat17existingrestorationsitesandanother360seedlingsatthree newrestorationsites. TodatetheRiparianConservationProgramhasprotected4,600acresofhighvalueriparian

habitat.Morethan300ClearWaterstaffandvolunteershaveinstalledriparianbuffersalongmorethan 69,890feetofstream. Theyvealsoinstalled35,988feetofstreambankfencingand16streamcrossingsforlivestock, removedthreedams,installed168streambankstabilizationandfishhabitatenhancementstructures,and treatedcountlessacresofinvasivespecies. ThisprojectisoneofthreewinnersfromthroughoutWesternPennsylvaniachosentoreceive thisawardbyagroupofindependentjudgesofenvironmentalexpertsandPennsylvaniaEnvironmental Councilstaffinresponsetoacallforentriesearlierthisyear. Allentrieswerejudgedonthebasisoftheirrelevancetolocalenvironmentalpriorities,evidence oftheirimpactontheenvironment,theirapproachtosolvinganenvironmentalproblem,andthe environmentalbenefitoftheirwork. Formoreinformation,visittheClearWaterConservancywebsite. VolunteersNeededForManadaConservancysBufferPlanting,NativePlantSale ManadaConservancyisholdingastreamsidebufferplantingonApril26at10a.m.at109North HanoverStreet,inHummelstown,DauphinCounty.Thebufferplantingisbeingheldincombination withHummelstowns11thAnnualArborDayCelebration. TheCelebrationwillincludetreegiveaways,kidscraftsandfaceplantingandmore. TheConservancys14thannualSpringNativePlantSaleonMay10attheMeadowood Nursery,24MeadowoodDrive,Hummelstownfrom9:00a.m.to2:00p.m.ManadaConservancy memberswillenjoya10percentdiscount. Formoreinformation,visittheManadaConservancywebsite,sendemailto: office@manada.orgorcall7175664122. CorbettAwards111GrantsForEnvironmentalEducationAndStewardship Gov.TomCorbettTuesdayannouncedheisawarding$309,626inenvironmentaleducationgrantsto 111schools,universities,nonprofitorganizationsandconservationdistrictsacrossPennsylvania. Eachyear,thesegrantsareawardedtodeservingorganizationstoeducatePennsylvanians aboutimportantenvironmentalissues,Corbettsaid.Theirworkplaysinintegralroleinthe preservationandenhancementofPennsylvaniasair,landandwater. Grantrecipientswillusethefundingforvariousinitiatives,includingfarmfielddays,summer camps,exploratorylearningactivities,professionaldevelopmentandexplanatorysignagealong watersheds. Throughtheseinitiatives,students,teachers,farmersandotherswilllearnaboutavarietyof environmentalissuesrangingfrompollination,stormwatermanagementandhydroponicsinagriculture, toMarcellusShaleandtheChesapeakeBay,amongothertopics. TheseprojectswilluseprovenbestmanagementpracticestoeducatePennsylvaniansabout theirenvironment,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)SecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzo said.FundingenvironmentaleducationinitiativesisanimportantpartoffulfillingDEPsmission. ThegrantprogramwasestablishedbytheEnvironmentalEducationActof1993,which mandatessettingasidefivepercentofthepollutionfinesandpenaltiesDEPcollectsannuallyfor environmentaleducationinPennsylvania. Alistofgrantsawardedisavailableonline.

Formoreinformation,visitDEPsEnvironmentalEducationwebpageorcall7177721828. NewsClip:EnvironmentalEdGrantsGoTo5NEPAGroups DCNRLaunchesKidsInNatureToEngageChildrenInLearning,PlayingOutdoors DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryEllenFerrettiatNescopeckStatePark TuesdayunveiledKidsinNature,renewingafocusongettingPennsylvaniasfamiliestospendmore timeenjoyingtheoutdoors. TocelebrateEarthDay,Ferrettispentanhourtalkingwiththe8thgradestudentsfromthe HazletonAreaSchoolDistrictattendingafulldayprogramattheparkaboutprotectingwatersheds. Welldocumentedstatisticsindicateourchildrenarebecomingincreasinglydisconnectedfrom theoutdoors,Ferrettisaid.AtDCNR,weworkdailytoconnectpeopleofallagestonaturethrough thepubliclandswemanageandhelpsupportincommunities. KidsinNaturewillstepupoureffortstoraisetheawarenessofexistingopportunitiesfor connectingchildrenandtheirfamiliestothewondersofnatureandgettingthemactivelyinvolvedin recreation,educationalprogramsandenvironmentalcareers,Ferrettisaid. Manychildadvocatesfearthatthelackofoutdooractivitieshasadevastatingeffecton childrensmentalandphysicalhealth.Environmentalstewardsworrythattheyoungergenerations disconnecttotheoutdoorswillmeanasadultstheywillbelesslikelytobepersonallycommittedtothe protectionofournaturalresources. DCNRstaffwillspendmuchofthisyearlearningfromyouthandelevatingtheawarenessof existingopportunitiestogetkidsoutdoors. Iplanonvisitingschoolsandstateparksandforestkidfocusedeventsthroughoutthisyearto gainanunderstandingofwhatiskeepingkidsandtheirfamiliesfromexploringnature.Wellalsobe conductingafewconteststhissummertodrawattentiontoKidsinNature,Ferrettisaid.Ourintentis tohaveconversationswithyoungpeopletofindouttheirwants,likesanddislikesrelatedtolearning aboutnatureandspendingtimeoutside. ThedepartmentislaunchingawebsitePANatureKidsasasourceofinformationfor parentsandteachersaboutwheretogooutside,andwhattodowhenyougetthere. Ibelievethatyoungpeoplevisitingourstateparksandforestswiththeirfamilies,scouttroops andschools,andparticipatingintheuniqueprogramsweofferincludingAdventureCampsforkidsfrom urbanareaswillcometoknowandloveournaturalresourcesandbeadvocatesfortheirstewardship, Ferrettisaid. Thesecretarywillattendaprogramwith5thgradersatGiffordPinchotStateParkinYork CountyonMay15. Formoreinformation,visitthePANatureKidswebsite. LackawannaEnvironmentalEducationCenterMay,JunePrograms TheLackawannaCollegeEnvironmentalEducationCenterinLackawannaCountyhasprogramsforall agescomingupinMayandJune,includingages36,56toadults.ClickHeretofindoutmore. GraysWoods,ParkForestSchoolsWinCentrePlasticBagRecyclingChallenge CongratulationstoGraysWoods&ParkForestElementarySchoolsforwinningthePlasticBag

RecyclingChallengesponsoredbytheCentreCountyRecyclingandRefuseAuthority. ParkForestcollectedthemostbagsoverall(1,497pounds)andGraysWoodscollectedthe mostpercapita(3.80poundsperstudent).HonorableMentiongoestoCLCCharterSchoolfora closesecondandunbelievableeffort! Approximately4,000studentsfrom16StateCollegeAreaElementarySchoolscompetedinthe eightweekPlasticBagRecyclingChallengerecyclingatotalof5,631poundsofplasticbagsandfilm (thatsapproximately360,384bags). Wewouldliketothankourpartners,TheCentreRegionCouncilofGovernments,State CollegeBorough,TheTrexCompany,WeisMarkets,LowesandABagsLife.Theywere instrumentalinthesuccessofthechallenge. GraysWoods&ParkForestwilleachreceivearaisedgardenbedmadefromTrexRecycled PlasticLumberfilledwithWeisChoiceCompostand$50.00inseedmoney. AllsixteenparticipatingschoolswillreceiveaTrexRecycledPlasticLumberParkBench(made from10,000recycledplasticbags)donatedbyWeisMarketsaswellasaTrexRecycledPlastic LumberBirdHouse. Oursixteenparticipatingschoolswereasfollows:CLCCharterSchool,CorlStreet Elementary,EasterlyParkwayElementary,FergusonTownshipElementary,TheStateCollegeFriends School,GoddardSchool,GraysWoodsElementary,HouservilleElementary,LemontElementary,Mt. NittanyElementary,NittanyChristianSchool,NittanyValleyCharterSchool, OurLadyofVictoryCatholicSchool,ParkForestElementary,RadioParkElementaryandThe YoungScholarsofCentralPACharterSchool. Thischallengetookplacenationwidewith424schoolsparticipatingandcollectingover 131,000poundsofplastic.Thisisapproximately9,779,625plasticbagsthathavebeenrecycledand savedfromthelandfill!Thisisanoutstandingachievementandallschoolsshouldbecommendedfor theirparticipation. TheplasticbagscollectedbytheschoolswillbesenttotheTrexCompanyandrecycledinto plasticlumber. FormoreinformationonthisChallenge,pleasecall8142387005,orcontactAmySchirfby sendingemailto:aschirf@centrecountyrecycles.org. PROP:LackawannaElementarySchoolWinnerOfGreenSylvaniaAward OnApril23theProfessionalRecyclersofPennsylvaniaandWasteManagement,Inc.announcedthe RiversideElementarySchoolWest,LackawannaCounty,wasthewinnerofthe2013GreenSylvania PaperRecyclingCompetition. Thewinningschoolreceivedatravelingtrophyanda$500cashprizethatwasgenerously sponsoredbyWasteManagement,Inc. EachfallPROPconductsthemonthlongGreenSylvaniacompetitioninPennsylvaniaschools. Theschoolthatcollectsthemostpaperforrecyclingduringthatmonthreceivestheaward. RiversideElementaryinTaylor,Pennsylvaniaplacedfirstinthecompetitionagainin2013, markingthethirdyearthatithaswontheaward.Withapopulationof377,theschoolcollected21.11 poundspercapitaofpaperforrecycling. PROP'sExecutiveDirector,KellyMegonnel,SusanLewisofPROP,andJohnHambroseof WasteManagementattendedthepresentationattheschoolonWednesday,April23,2014.School officialsandotherswitnessedthepresentationbeforetheschool'sfirstthroughfourthgradestudents.

MegonnelexplainedthatPROPrecognizestheimportanceoftheseyoungrecyclers.Shesaid, "professionalrecyclersunderstandthatdevelopingearlyawarenessofrecyclingisanidealwayto promoterecyclingwithfuturegenerations." ThisyearPROPalsorecognizesasecondplacewinneroftheCompetition,Hillview IntermediateCenterinGroveCity,Pennsylvania.Thisschoolwasawardeda$50giftcard,sponsored byStaplesofCampHill. Inthepastfewyears,theGreenSylvaniacompetitionhasbeenconductedinconjunctionwith thenationalRecycleBowlcompetitionofKeepAmericaBeautiful,whichincludesthecollectionofother recyclableitems. PAResourcesCouncilCelebrates75YearsOfProtectingTheEnvironment ThePennsylvaniaResourcesCouncil,thestatesidenonprofitthatagroupof concernedcitizensfoundedin1939asthePennsylvaniaRoadsideCouncil,is celebratingits75thanniversaryofprotectingPennsylvania'snaturalresources andscenicbeauty. JustafewofthehighlightsfromPRCshistoryinclude IntroducingtheLitterbugcharacterandphrase"Don'tBeALitterbug"in 1952 CollaboratingwithLadyBirdJohnsontosecurepassageofthe1965 BeautificationAct 1988MunicipalWastePlanning,RecyclingandWasteReductionAct LaunchinganawardwinningcampaigntointroducetailgaterecyclingatPittsburghSteelersand PhiladelphiaEaglesfootballgames. ClickHereforahistoryofPRCaccomplishments. VisitthePAResourcesCouncilwebsiteandyourfindatleast75waystodoyourpartto protecttheenvironment. WeisMarketsAwardsGiftCardsInSupportofKPBsGreatAmericanCleanupofPA WeisMarkets,Inc.,thenewestsponsoroftheKeepPABeautifulsGreatAmericanCleanupofPA, Wednesdayannouncedthewinnersoftheirdonatedgiftcards. AtotaloftwentygiftcardsweregivenrandomlytoGreatAmericanCleanupofPAregistered participantsfromAllentown,Harrisburg,Lancaster,StateCollege,York,theChesapeakeBay Foundation,andtheTrashFreePotomac. BlackMoshannonStatePark,PennsValleyConservationAssociationandtheCentreCounty Recycling&RefuseAuthoritywereeachselectedtoreceiveaWeisMarketsgiftcardtohelpsupport theireffortstobeautifyandcleanlocationsinCentreCountytocelebrateEarthDay. Weusedourgiftcardtoproviderefreshmentsandlunchasawayofthankstothevolunteers whomadetimeintheirbusyschedulestojoinusforourGreatAmericanCleanupofPAevent,said RodFyeoftheCentreCountyRecycling&RefuseAuthority.Volunteersareanassettoour community.WewereabletoshowourappreciationthankstoWeisMarkets. WeisMarketsispleasedtopartnerwithKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful,saidPattiOlenick, SustainabilityManager.Itispartofourcorporatecommitmenttosustainability,beinggoodstewards oftheenvironmentandgivingbacktothecommunitiesweserve.WevebeenservingPennsylvania

communitiesformorethan100yearsandweareexcitedtobepartoftheGreatAmericanCleanupof PA. WevaluethepartnershipwithWeisMarkets,Inc.Theirdonationofgiftcardsprovidesafun andvaluableincentivetoparticipateintheGreatAmericanCleanup,statesShannonReiter,President ofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulandWeisMarketssharethegoalof promotingasustainableenvironmentandlivablecommunities.TheGreatAmericanCleanupempowers citizenstodothatlocally. WeisMarkets,Inc.joinsother2014eventsupporters:theDepartmentofEnvironmental Protection,PennDOT,PAWasteIndustriesAssociation,thePAFoodMerchantsAssociation,Waste Management,RepublicServices,SteelRecyclingInstitute,andtheLancasterCountySolidWaste ManagementAuthority. Sincetheinceptionofthiseventin2004,over74millionpoundsoflitterandwastehavebeen removedfromPennsylvaniaslandscape,andover100,000oftrees,bulbs,andflowershavebeen planted. Toregisteryourevent,findaneventnearyou,reportyourresults,ortofindadditional resourcesontheKeepPABeautifulGreatAmericanCleanupofPAwebsite. AnyadditionalquestionscanbeansweredbyMichelleDunn,GreatAmericanCleanupofPA ProgramCoordinator,at18777723673ext.113orsendemailto:mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. PublicMeeting,HearingOnRidgwayLandfillApril29InElkCounty TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayannounceditwillholdapublicmeetingand formalhearingconcerningtheRidgwayBoroughlandfillsiteinRidgwayTownship,ElkCounty,onApril 29at6p.m.attheRidgwayBoroughbuilding,108MainStreet,Ridgway. Thelandfillsiteconsistsofabout15acresthatonceoperatedasamixedwastelandfillbetween theearly1960sandJuneof1975.Duringadepartmentinvestigation,leadcontainingindustrialwaste and55gallondrumscontainingtrichloroethylene(TCE)wereencounteredinseveraltrenches throughoutthelandfill. Thisisanopportunityforthedepartmenttoshareimportantinformationwiththepublic concerningthehazardsatthislandfillaswellasDEPsplannedresponse,StaciGustafson,Acting NorthwestRegionalDirectorforDEPsaid.Wewillbeansweringquestionsinadditiontoaformal hearing. DEP,undertheauthorityoftheHazardousSitesCleanupAct,35(HSCA),hasdeterminedthat aresponseisnecessary.Thedepartmentisproposingtoimplementaninterimresponsetoreduceor eliminatethethreatstohumanhealthandtheenvironmentfromthehazardouswastesandsubstances foundatthesitebytargetingtheknowndrumsofTCEandhighlevelsofleadinthesurfacesoils. AnHSCAInterimResponseisnotrequiredtomeetallthegoalsofafinalcleanup,butitis consistentwiththosefinalgoals.Inthiscase,theplannedresponsewilladdressthetwomostimmediate threatsatthesite,thereleaseandpotentialreleaseofdrummedTCEwaste,andexposuretosurface leadcontamination.Additionalworkmayberequiredtoachieveafinalcleanup. DEPwillholdthepublicmeetingattheRidgwayBoroughbuildingtoexplainthedepartments proposedinterimresponse.Followingthemeeting,thepublicwillhavetheopportunitytopresentoral commentsforinclusionintotheadministrativerecordregardingtheproposedinterimresponseata formalpublichearing. Thehighestpotentialriskstohumanhealthandtheenvironmentatthesitearethehighlevelsof

leadfoundinsurfacesoilsandtheknownburied55gallondrumscontainingTCE.Theleadposesa significantthreattohumanhealththroughdirectcontactandinhalation.ThepotentialriskposedbyTCE anditsbreakdownproductsaretoanypotentialendusersincludingaquaticlifeandrecreationalusersof surfacewater.TCEisacarcinogen. DEPRevokesWastePermitForTireRecyclingOperationInFranklinCounty TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionFridayannouncedithasrevokedChambersburgTire RecyclingsWasteManagementPermitduetounresolvedcomplianceissuesandwastemanagement violationsatitsHamiltonTownship,FranklinCountywastetireprocessingfacility. DespiteDEPsvariousattemptstobringChambersburgTireRecyclingintocomplianceand correcttheenvironmentalissuesattheproperty,thecompanyfailedtocomplywiththedepartments regulationsandorders,DEPSouthcentralRegionalDirectorLynnLangersaid.Apermitrevocationis thelastresort,butitwasnecessarytobringastoptotheviolationsoccurring. ChambersburgTireRecycling,LLC.(CTR)wasfirstdevelopedin2006tocleanupanexisting pileof750,000wastetiresatthesiteandbeginatireprocessingbusiness. OnJanuary12,2007,theownerofCTRenteredintoaConsentOrderandAgreementwith DEPtoabidebyitswastemanagementpermitlimitsforacceptingtirestoprocessoldandnewtiresin accordancewiththeirprocessingplanandtoreuseorproperlydisposeofallprocessedmaterial generatedatthesite.BetweenJanuary2007andJune2010,CTRdidnotcomplywiththeCOAorits permit. OnJune14,2010,CTRenteredintoanewCOAwithDEPinwhichCTRagreedtoreduce thenumberoftiresatthesiteceaseacceptingtiresduringperiodswhentheprocessingequipmentwas inoperableandsubmitrecordstoDEPdetailingthenumberoftiresimportedandexported.CTRdid notcomplywiththenewCOA. OnDecember5,2013,DEPorderedCTRtoproperlydisposeofallremainingwastetiresand wasteswithin30days.CTRfailedtocomplywiththeorder. Basedonthedepartmentsmostrecentestimate,CTRhas780tonsofwastematerialsonsite whichincludeswastetires,wastetirebeads,wastetirewireandtreads. Priortothedecisiontorevokethepermit,DEPheldweeklymeetingswithCTRtoencourage properremovalandmanagementoftiresandwastes.Oncethepermitisrevoked,CTRcannolonger acceptorprocesswaste. Thedepartmentiscurrentlyevaluatingremediationoptionsforthesiteincludingpotentially responsiblepartiesandfunding. NorthcentralDEPRegionalCitizensRoundtableCelebrates30thAnniversary TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsNorthcentralRegionalCitizensRoundtable celebratedits30thanniversaryofongoing,transparentcommunitydialogueatMondayevenings meeting,whichfeaturedDEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzoasthespecialguestspeaker. TheCorbettadministrationmadetherevitalizationofthedepartmentsregionalroundtablesa priorityfromtheverybeginning,recognizingtheneedtoopenlyshareimportantagencyinformationand receivefeedbackfromcitizens,DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzosaid.Thisgroup,however, needednorevitalization,celebrating30yearsofcontinualmeetingstoday.Icommendthemfortheir dedicationandinterestinprotectingourenvironment.

Forthreedecades,theNorthcentralRegionalCitizensRoundtablehasenabledDEPto communicateopenlyandreceivevaluablefeedbackonawidevarietyofenvironmentaltopics.The roundtablehasheld120consecutivequarterlymeetingsinJanuary,April,JulyandOctoberofeach yearsinceitsfirstmeetingonApril26,1984. Theregionalroundtablehasbeenarealsuccessstorywithregardtothedepartmentsoutreach efforts,DEPNorthcentralRegionalDirectorMarcusKohlsaid.Whilethemembershiphaschanged overtheyears,thepurposehasnottoimprovecommunicationandpublicparticipationbyexplaining ourdifferentprograminitiativesandregulations,andansweringquestions. The19membergrouprepresentsenvironmentalandpublicinterestgroups,businessand industry,government,andacademia.ThegroupsmembersresideinsevennorthcentralPennsylvania counties,includingCentre,Clinton,Lycoming,Northumberland,Snyder,TiogaandUnion. Electedtoservetwoyearterms,theroundtableselectsachairpersonandasteeringcommittee. MeganLehman,thecurrentchairperson,representsLycomingCountysDepartmentofPlanningand CommunityDevelopment. Formoreinformation,includingmeetingtimesandlocations,visitDEPsNorthcentralRegional CitizensRoundtablewebpage. DEPIssuesAirMonitoringReportOnChevronWellFireSite,GreeneCounty TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayissuedareportconcludingthatnopollutants thatwouldindicateapotentialhealthconcernforlocalresidentsoremergencyresponderswerefound asaresultoftheGreeneCountyChevronwellfireincident. Inordertoensurepublichealthandsafety,DEPimmediatelywenttoworkonanaggressive sampleregimen,DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzosaid.Itwasatoppriorityofthedepartment tobecertainthatemergencyresponseworkersandnearbyresidentswerenotharmedbyanyemissions causedbythisincident. DEPtooksamplesfromseverallocations,bothupwindanddownwindofthewellpad. SamplingwasconductedfromFebruary12,thedayafterthefirebegan,toFebruary20,whenthewell wascapped.Thosesampleswereanalyzedfor57toxicairpollutants. Whilenoneofthepollutantlevelswerefoundtobeathreattohealth,therewerehigher concentrationsofpropane,heptaneand1,2,4trimethylbenzenethanaretypicallyfoundinotherrural areasacrossthestate. However,DEPcannotverifythattheseconcentrationsoccurredbecauseofthefireand uncontrolledgasleak. Heptaneoftencomesfromcrudeoilandisusedinpaintsandsolvents1,2,4trimethylbenzene isusuallyfoundincoaltaroroilandthehigherconcentrationsofpropanearebelievedtohavecome fromnearbystoragetanks. DEPusedairsamplingcanisterstocollectbothinstantaneoussamples(grabsamples)and 24hoursamplesinitseffortstodeterminepotentialpublicexposuretoairpollutionfromtheincident. Eachdayofthesamplingperiod,twograbsampleswerecollectednearresidenceslocateddownwind ofthefire. Toserveasanairqualitybenchmark,asingledailyupwindgrabsamplewasalsoobtained.In addition,one24hourcontinuoussamplewastakenatoneofthetwodownwindsamplesites. Departmentanalystscomparedtheupwindanddownwindsamplesinordertoestimatetheair toxicsconcentrationduringtheninedaysoftheevent.Thesampleswerealsocomparedtodata

gatheredbythe24hourmethod. Bycomparingthesamplereadingswithhistorictoxicairconcentrationsatthreeotherair monitoringsitesinthestate,analystswereabletodeterminetheextentofanytoxicpollutionduringthe incident.Inthiscase,thesamplesgatheredattheGreeneCountysitewerecomparedtoarurallocation thatisgenerallynotimpactedbyairpollutionandtwourbansiteswithdifferingtoxicpollutionsources. Thecontrolsitesservedasabenchmarktoshowtypicalairqualityforthisregionofthestate, providingthedepartmentwithabetterunderstandingofanyimpactthatmayhavebeenaresultofthe incident. Acopyoftheairmonitoringreportisavailableonline.Acopyoftheradiologicalsampling reportisalsoavailableonlineforthewellfire. NewsClips: DEP:NoHarmfulAirPollutionFromGreeneWellFire GreeneCountyGasWellBlastDidNotFoulAir MarcellusShaleCoalitionRecognizesEarthDay InrecognitionofEarthDay,DaveSpigelmyer,PresidentoftheMarcellusShaleCoalition,anindustry grouprepresentingthenaturalgasproductionindustry,issuedthefollowingstatement: Toshaleproducersandtherobustsupplychainthatsupportsthisdevelopment,whoare focusedsquarelyonenvironmentalandworkforcesafety,everydayisEarthDay.Ourindustrygoesto workeachday,knowingitiscrucialthatourtightlyregulatedoperationsareconductedwiththehighest respectforourenvironmentandthecommunitieswhereweareprivilegedtowork. Theresultsofthisdeeplysharedcommitmentareclear.Today,CO2emissionsintheUnited Statesarelowerthantheyhavebeenin20yearsbecauseoftheincreasednaturalgasproductionand use.Leveragingindustryleadingtechnologies,allwithinarigorousregulatoryframework,ourmember companiescollectiveworkisenhancingourenvironmentandmakingapositivedifferenceacross Pennsylvaniaandthecountry. EarthDayisareminderthatweallhaveaparttoplayinprotectingandenhancingour environmenttodayandforgenerationstocome.Forourindustry,continuousimprovementisamatterof course.Ourcommitmenttoresponsiblydeveloptheseabundant,cleanburningresourceshasnever beenstronger. Formoreinformation,visittheMarcellusShaleCoalitionsRecommendedPracticeswebpage. NewsClips: AmidStateBudgetWoes,DrillingTaxTurnsGOPHeads Critics:SeveranceTaxCouldDerailGasIndustryInPA Report:HigherSeveranceTaxWillNotImpedeOhioGasIndustry LocalGovernmentsFailToAccountFor$17MInDrillingImpactFeeMoney DEP:NoHarmfulAirPollutionFromGreeneWellFire GreeneCountyGasWellBlastDidNotFoulAir FrackingFoesCringeAsUnionsBackDrillingBoom Editorial:KeyMethaneMeasureIsImportant MarcellusShaleCoalitionRecognizesEarthDay AfterEarlyWoes,UnionsBackDrilling RoyaltiesBillStalledInGeneralAssembly JudgeDeniesRequestForDrillersRequestForSpillCaseInformation

CrashCausesFrackingWater,DieselSpillIntoChartiersCreek ClearfieldResidentsChallengeEPADrillingWastewaterWell EnvironmentalRightsAmendment:DelawareRiverkeeperChallengesSunocoPipeline OnMondaytheDelawareRiverkeeperNetworksubmittedaPetitiontoInterveneandaComment LetterwiththePublicUtilityCommissionopposingSunocoPipelineL.Psrequestforanexemption fromthePennsylvaniaMunicipalitiesPlanningCodefortheconstructionofaseriesofindustrialvalve controlandpumpingstations. SunocohasproposeddevelopingapipelineprojectcalledMarinerEast,whichinvolvesa combinationoftheconstructionofnewpipelinefacilitiesandtheuseofexistingpipelinefacilitiesthatwill transportnaturalgasliquids(NGLs)resultingfromhydraulicfracturingactivitiesfromwestern PennsylvaniatotheMarcusHookRefineryComplex. WhileSunocohasstatedthattherearenomajormarketsintheNortheastUnitedStates,ithas notspecificallyidentifiedwheretheNGLswillbeshipped.Sunoco'sPetitionsdescribethattheMariner EastProjectwillrequiretheconstructionof17valvestationsin15differentmunicipalities,andthe constructionof18pumpingstationsin18differentmunicipalities.Anumberofthesefacilitieswouldbe constructedinDelaware,Chester,andBerkscounties,Pennsylvania. TheDelawareRiverkeeperNetworkscommentstatesthatSunocodoesnotmeetthelegal standardforclassificationasapublicutilitycorporationand,thereforeisnotexemptfromthe PennsylvaniaMunicipalitiesPlanningCode,apositionwhichisconsistentwitharecentdecisionbya YorkCountyCourtofCommonPleas(SunocoPipelinev.WilliamC.Loper&JodiLoper,Civil ActionNo.2013SU451805,Feb25,2014). ItisclearherethatSunocolostinYorkCounty,andisnowsimplytryingtotakeasecondbite oftheproverbialapple.ThePennsylvaniaPublicUtilityCommissionshouldnotpermitthemtodoso, statesMayavanRossum,theDelawareRiverkeeper.Itisvitallyimportantthattheimpacttolocal communities,zoning,environmentalresources,historicresources,publiclandsandcommunityqualityof lifebegivendueconsiderationbylocalofficialsitwouldbeunfairandunwisetoallowSunocotobethe arbiterofwhatisright.ItalsowouldbesettingdangerousprecedenttoallowSunocotoevade compliancewiththelawandwithlocalreview,addedvanRossum. Furthermore,DRNscommentarguesthatagrantofSunocosPetitionsisalsoprohibitedby ArticleISection27ofthePennsylvaniaConstitution,whichstatesthatcitizenshaveacognizableright tocleanair,purewater,andtothepreservationofthenatural,scenic,historicandestheticvaluesofthe environment. InRobinsonTownship,DelawareRiverkeeper,etal.,v.CommonwealthofPennsylvania,the PennsylvaniaSupremeCourtfoundthatcitizensandlocalgovernmenthaveadiscreteinterestinlocal zoningregulationwithregardtooilandgasoperations. TheDelawareRiverkeeperNetworkcontendsthatifthePUCstripssuchaninterestfromlocal government,thePUCrisksunderminingthefundamentalreasonableexpectationsonwhichthose interestsarebased,andtherefore,violatingtheconstitutionalmandatemadeclearinRobinson. Allowingtheoilandgasindustrytorunroughshodoverlocalcommunitiesirrespectiveoflocal concernsfundamentallydisruptstheenvironmentandthequalityoflifeofthoseimpacted,thePUCmust respectthedecisionthatwasmadebythePennsylvaniaSupremeCourttomakesurethatthisdoesnot happen,addedvanRossum. TheDelawareRiverkeeperNetworkseekstohavethePublicUtilityCommissionreject

SunocosPetitionsforexemptionstherebyensuringthatSunocoabidesbytheapplicablezoning regulationsineachofthetownshipsinwhichitwishestoconstructitsindustrialfacilities. NewsClips: EnvironmentalGroupsInterveneInSunocoPipelineCase ConcernOverSunocosNaturalGasLiquidsPipelineToMarcusHook LebanonCountyGroupFormingToOpposePipeline ResidentsGrillSunocoOnPipelinePumpingStationPlan MountJoyResidentsVentFrustrationOverPipeline NeighborsVoiceConcernOverPipelineInLancaster EnvironmentalImpactsOfLancasterPipeline PANYPipelinesFutureInErie AttorneyGivesUpdateOnLawsuitAgainstRegencyPipeline UGIMaySoonMoveLotsMoreGas Editorial:ObamaDucksKeystoneXLPipelineIssue PAAmericanWaterToExpandNaturalGasFleetInNortheastPA PennsylvaniaAmericanWaterMondayannouncedplanstoexpanditsfleetofcompressednaturalgas (CNG)vehiclestoitsnortheastPennsylvaniaoperations. AsaresultofAct13fundingrecentlyawardedbyGov.TomCorbett,thecompanywillreceive a$315,000grantforCNGfueledvehicles.ThegrantwassecuredthroughapartnershipwithGreater PhiladelphiaCleanCitiesCoalitionwhichserves34countiesineasternPennsylvaniaandworkswith vehiclefleets,fuelproviders,communityleadersandotherstakeholderstoimplementalternativefueluse intransportation.. AccordingtoPennsylvaniaAmericanWaterPresidentKathyL.Pape,thegrantfromthe DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillbeusedtopurchase18newutilitytrucksthatusealternate CNGfuel. ThenewalternativefuelvehicleswillbestationedatPennsylvaniaAmericanWatersoperations inScranton,expandinguponthecompanysexistingCNGpoweredfleetinNorristown,Royersford, Coatesville,Bangor,ClarionandPunxsutawney. "BygrowingourfleetofCNGandbifuelpickupandutilitytrucksacrossthestate,weare abletoachieveoperationalsavingsthroughlowerfuelcostswhiledecreasingourenvironmentalimpact andcarbonfootprint,"saidPape."TheAct13grant,thankstoourpartnershipwithGreaterPhiladelphia CleanCities,allowsustoexpandthesebenefitsevenfurtherintonortheastPennsylvania." Papesaidthecompanycontinuestoexplorepartnershipswithalternatefuelingproviders, municipalitiesandotherorganizationstohelpexpandCNGsreach. Inearly2013,PennsylvaniaAmericanWaterlaunchedapilotwithfourCNGpoweredFord F250trucksbasedinPunxsutawneyandCoatesville. LastNovember,thecompanyreceived$62,800inAlternativeFuelIncentiveGrantfunding fromDEPtoconvert14newlightdutytruckstousealternateCNGfuel.TheAct13NaturalGas Vehiclegrantsarefinancedbyimpactfeespaidbynaturalgasoperators. NewsClip:PAAmericanWaterExpandingNaturalGasFleet DEPNowAcceptingApplicationsForCleanDieselGrants

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionisnowacceptingapplicationsforthePennsylvaniaClean DieselGrantProgram.ApplicationsaredueJune10.(formalnotice) TheDepartmentisseekingapplicationsforprojectsthatwillreplace,repowerorretrofitfleet dieselpoweredhighwayandnonroadvehicles. Fundingisavailableforpublicandprivateentitiesthatoperatedieselpoweredfleetsthroughout thisCommonwealth.Theseentitiesmayincludeschooldistricts,municipalauthorities,political subdivisions,otherStateagencies,nonprofitentities,corporations,limitedliabilitycompaniesor partnershipsincorporatedorregisteredinthisCommonwealth. ProjectsmustusetechnologiescertifiedorverifiedbytheEPAortheCaliforniaAirResources Boardtolowerdieselemissions.Thetechnologymaybeasingletechnologyoracombinationof availabletechnologies.Themajorityofthefleet'sannualoperationtimemustoccurwithinthis Commonwealth. MoreinformationwillbepostedonDEPsDieselRetrofitInformationwebpage. CorbettAnnouncesCarbonSequestrationPartnershipWithWyoming,OtherCoalStates Gov.TomCorbettTuesdayannouncedanewpartnershipwithWyomingGov.MatthewH.Meadand governorsofothermajorcoalproducingstatestoaddresstheneedtoeffectivelydealwithcarbon emissionsfromelectricgeneratingfacilitiesbydevelopingatestcenter,tobelocatedatanoperating coalfiredelectricgenerationfacility,toexplorethepotentialofcarboncaptureandutilization. TheannouncementwasmadeattheNemacolinEnergyInstitutes3rdAnnualCoalConference inFarmington,FayetteCounty. Americanproducedcoalpowersourhomesandoureconomy,andthroughthispartnership wewillexplore,testanddevelopcommerciallyavailablemethodstocapturecarbonemissionsand eitherutilizethemproductively,orproperlydisposeofthem,saidCorbett. Gov.Corbettalsonotedthat,onApril10,2014,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection submittedawhitepapertotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,urgingthemtoconsiderstate differencesandneededflexibilitywhendevelopingemissionsguidelinesaddressingcarbondioxide (CO2)standardsforexistingfossilfuelfiredpowerstations. Thedepartmentswhitepaperpresentsaninnovativeandflexibleframeworkforachieving lowerCO2emissionsfromexistingfossilfuelfiredpowerplantsandurgestheEPAtopreservethe authorityanddiscretionofstatesinthedevelopmentandimplementationofemissioncontrolprograms. AnEPAmandatethatdoesnotprovideforanalloftheaboveenergyapproachthatdoesnot recognizePennsylvaniasdiverseenergyresourceswouldcompromiseelectricgridreliability,increase thecostofenergyandresultinsignificantjobloss,saidCorbett.Weneedinnovationandflexibilityto ensurethatweareprotectingourenvironment,whilealsosecuringthethousandsofjobsthatsomany familiesinPennsylvaniascoalindustryrelyon. Inadditiontoprovidingtheconferenceskeynoteaddress,thegovernoralsoparticipatedina roundtablediscussionwithworkersandfamiliesfromPennsylvaniascoaldependentcommunities. Thismorning,14hardworkingpeoplefromthewesternregiontooktimetosharetheir personalstorieswithmeabouthowthey,andthetownsinwhichtheyliveareimpactedbycoalindustry jobs,saidCorbett.Alotofdiscussionsaroundthisissuefocusonnumbers.Butbehindeachnumber isaperson,workingtoprovideforhisorherfamily.Thisissueisveryrealtopeopleandtheirlivesare impacteddaily.Federalregulatorsneedtostartlisteningandworkingwithus,notagainstus. NewsClips:

Corbett:CoalIsWorking CoalFiresPlaguedNEPAForDecades BrunnerIslandPowerPlantRollsWithMercury,SmogRules Editorial:StatesShouldEndAppealsOfMercuryRule NuclearReactorOwnersToReassessQuakeResistance EarthquakesCouldAffectBeaverValleyNuclearPlantMoreThanThought TMI,PeachBottomMustDoFurtherEarthquakeStudies PennStateReceivesClimateStudyGrant OpEd:ActOnClimateChangeOnEarthDay ExelonMeetsGoalToEliminateCarbonEmissionsYearsAheadOfSchedule Continuingitsprogresstowardacleanenergyfuture,ExelonannouncedWednesdayitreducedor avoidedmorethan18millionmetrictonsofgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsin2013,surpassingits goalofeliminating17.5millionmetrictonsofgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsperyearby2020. ThecompanycompletedthegoalestablishedbyitsExelon2020programsevenyearsearlier thanplannedthroughanenterprisewideapproachthatincludedreducingemissionsinitsoperations, helpingitscustomersandcommunitiesreducetheiremissions,andaddingmorecleanenergyonthegrid todisplaceenergyfromhighercarbonsources.TheGHGemissionseliminatedbyExelonin2013are equivalenttotheannual: GHGemissionsof3.8millionpassengervehicles, CO2emissionsfromnearly2.5millionhomeselectricityuse,or carbonsequesteredby14.8millionacresofU.S.forests. Webelievethatclean,reliableandaffordableenergyiskeytoamoresustainablefuture. Exelon2020hashelpedusmoveclosertothatvision,saidChrisCrane,ExelonspresidentandCEO. Itprovideduswithacleargoal,andwecouldnothaveaccomplisheditwithoutthededicationand effectivecollaborationofouremployees,customers,communitiesandbusinesspartners. Thecompanysurpasseditsgoalthroughaseriesofcosteffectiveinvestmentsandbusiness decisionsinresponsetoarapidlyshiftingenergylandscape.Byinnovatingandmaintainingafocuson efficientoperations,Exelonachievedmeaningfulemissionsreductionsacrossitsfamilyofbusinesses, evenastheenergyindustryunderwentmajorchangessinceExelon2020wasintroduced,includingthe naturalgasboom,thegrowthofrenewablesandtheexpansionofbeyondthemetersolutions. ExamplesofkeyExeloninitiativesthathelpedcontributetoemissionsreductionsandavoidance include: Retirementoffossilplantsandcompanyenergyefficiencyandprocessimprovementeffortsthat resultedinareductionofmorethan9.8millionmetrictonsofGHGemissions Additionof316megawatts(MW)ofemissionfreeenergythroughupratesacrossthenuclearfleet Employeeefforts,suchasincreasedwasterecyclingandcarbonsequestrationprojects,thatresulted in2013reductionsofnearly80,000metrictons CustomerenergyefficiencyprogramsatExelonsthreeutilitiesBGE,ComEdandPECOthat savedatotalofapproximately6.3millionmegawatthours(MWh),equivalenttoapproximately3.3 millionmetrictonsofemissionsin2013 Retailcustomerprogramsincludingenergyefficiency,distributedsolarinstallation,saleofvoluntary renewableenergycredits(RECs)anddemandresponsethatavoidedmorethan1.2millionmetric tonsofGHGemissionsin2013

Retirementofmorethan2.7millionMWhofRECspurchasedbytheutilitiesin2013whichsupport renewabledevelopmentandmeetstaterenewableportfoliostandardobligations Retirementofmorethan44,000ClimateReserveTonnestooffsetExelonsentire2013business travelcarbonfootprintand OthercompanyeffortssinceExelon2020wasintroduced,suchastheintegrationofmorethan 1,300MWofnewwindgenerationandadditionof359MWofnewsolarcapacity,thatresultin emissionsavoidancenotaccountedforundertheprogram. Exelonsindustryleadingfleetofnuclearpowerplantsplaysanimportantroleinits lowemissionsprofile,avoiding82millionmetrictonsofGHGemissionsperyear.Atatimewhen nuclearpowerplantsfaceacombinationofeconomicchallengesthatthreatentheircontinuedoperation, CranenotedthattheExelonfleetandnuclearpoweringeneralremainessentialtomeetingthenations climategoals. Ourreliable,alwaysonnuclearfleetproducesenoughaffordable,carbonfreeenergyto power17millionhomesannually,Cranesaid.ItispartofaU.S.fleetthatprovides64percentofour nationscarbonfreeelectricity,uptoaquarterofwhichcouldbeatriskforearlyretirement.Losingthat generatingcapacitywouldforfeitmorethanhalfoftheprogresstodateinmeetingU.S.climategoals. Ourenergypoliciesmustensurethatexistingnuclearenergyplantsarepreserved. ExelonensuresaccuratetrackingandverificationofitsannualGHGemissionsbyconformingto TheClimateRegistryandtheWorldResourcesInstitutesGHGProtocol,aswellasISO14064 standards.ElementsoftheExelon2020programbeyonditsprimaryGHGinventoryalsowere thirdpartyverifiedfor2013.MoreinformationonExelon2020isavailablehere. In2013,ExelonwastheonlyU.S.basedutilitycompanytoappearonCDPsGlobal500 ClimateDisclosureLeadershipIndexandClimatePerformanceLeadershipIndexforleadershipin reducingcarbonemissionsandaddressingclimatechange.InrecognitionofExelonsconsistentlystrong sustainabilityperformance,thecompanyhasbeennamedtotheDowJonesSustainabilityNorth AmericaIndexforeightconsecutiveyears. ExelonintroducedExelon2020in2008,withagoalofeliminating15.7millionmetrictonsof GHGemissionsannuallyby2020,asmeasuredfromthecompanysemissionsin2001,itsfirstfullyear ofoperation.FollowingtheMarch2012mergerofExelonandConstellation,thecompanyupdatedits goaltoreflectthecombinedcarbonabatementgoalsofthetwocompaniesbeforetheymerged. DEPSetsInternationalEnergyConservationCodeWorkshopInExtonOnMay15 TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitescodeenforcementofficials,builders,contractors anddesignerstoaMay15trainingworkshopinExton,ChesterCounty,onthe2009International EnergyConservationCode. Theworkshopwillbeheldfrom8:30a.m.to4p.m.attheWyndhamGardenExtonValley ForgeHotel,815N.PottstownPike. Theonedayprogramwillfocusonenergycodecomplianceforcommercialbuildings. Participantswilllearnaboutthedutiesofacommercialenergyinspector,performathorough commercialenergyreviewplan,reviewCOMchecksoftwarecompliancematerialsandlearnhowto followaprocessforcompletingthoroughenergyinspections. TheIECCisupdatedeverythreeyearsbytheInternationalCodeCouncil.InPennsylvania,itis consideredpartoftheUniformConstructionCode(UCC),accordingtoAct49. Thecosttoregisteris$40andincludesatrainingmanual,breakfastandlunch.SixUniform

CommercialCodecontinuingeducationhourswillbeawardedtoattendees. Registrationisavailableonlineandwillbeacceptedonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.Walkins maybeacceptedifspaceandmaterialsareavailable. FundingfortheworkshopisprovidedbythedepartmentthroughaU.S.DepartmentofEnergy StateEnergyProgramgrant. Formoreinformation,visitthePAConstructionCodesAcademywebsiteorcall 7177630930. CarCharging,Turnpike,DEPPartnerToProvideElectricVehicleChargingAt2Plazas CarChargingGroup,Inc.WednesdayannounceddriversalongthePennsylvaniaTurnpikecannow rechargetheirelectriccarsattheserviceplazaslocatedinBowmansvilleandKingofPrussia. TheBowmansvilleServicePlazaislocatedeastboundatmilepost290inLancasterCountyand theKingofPrussiaServicePlazaislocatedatmilepost328inMontgomeryCounty. TheEVchargingservicesprovidedattheTurnpikeServicePlazasaremadepossiblethrougha partnershipbetweenthePennsylvaniaTurnpikeCommissionandtheDepartmentofEnvironmental Protection. DEPawardeda$1millionAlternativeFuelIncentiveGranttoCarChargingtohelpstimulatethe electriccarmarketintheCommonwealth.ThedeadlinefornewgrantapplicationsisMay30. "WearedelightedtopartnerwiththePTCandDEPtoofferEVchargingservicestotravelers alongthePAturnpike,"saidMichaelD.Farkas,ChiefExecutiveOfficerofCarCharging."CarCharging hasservedasapioneerinprovidingpublicEVchargingservicesandweareproudtosupportEV driverswithnewandaccessiblelocationsastheytravelthroughoutPennsylvania." "Gov.Corbetthasconsistentlyadvocatedforatrue,'alloftheabove'energypolicycertainly, PennsylvaniahastheresourcesandexpertisetoleadanAmericanenergyrevolution,"saysDEP SecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzo."ThiscommitmenttoEVchargingstationsatTurnpikeserviceplazas isfurtherproofthatgoodbusinesspracticesandenvironmentalstewardshiparenotmutuallyexclusive." "Withinthenexttwoweeks,chargingserviceswillexpandtotwoadditionalplazas:Oakmontin AlleghenyCountyandNewStantoninWestmorelandCounty,"saysTurnpikeCOOCraigShuey. "Eventually,theplanistoofferEVchargingatall17serviceplazasthatdotthePennsylvaniaTurnpike system." TheEVchargingstationsattheBowmansvilleandKingofPrussiaTurnpikeServicePlazasare BlinkLevelIIchargers,whichprovide240voltswith32ampsofpowertoquicklyrechargeanEV's battery. Toinitiateandpayforthechargingsession,EVdriverscaneasilyrequestaBlinkInCard. CarCharging'sEVchargingstationsalsoacceptdirectpaymentviacreditcard. ScheetzEarnsGoldLEEDCertificationForShWellnessCenter OnApril22Sheetz,Inc.willformallyacceptthegoldcertification(secondhighestlevelattainable)from theUSGBC'sLEEDprogramfortheenvironmentallyresponsibledesignofitsSheetzCenterfor ShwellnessinClaysburg,BlairCounty.TheprogramiskickingoffadaylongEarthDaycelebrationfor Sheetzemployees. JoeSheetz,president/CEOofSheetz,andMikeSchiller,executivedirectoroftheGreen BuildingAlliance,PittsburghchapterofUSGBC,headlinetheevent.Membersofthepressare

welcometojoinSheetzinthecelebration! "MeetingthegoldlevelofLEEDaccreditationisanaccomplishmentwe'requiteproudofat Sheetz,"saidJoeSheetz."Ourinhousearchitects,designersandbuildersworkedwithtalentedpartners todeveloptheplansandconstructthefacilitytosatisfytheguidelinesofthisprogram.Recognitionfrom theUSBGCwiththeirgoldcertificationisfurtherevidenceofourcommitmenttobeenvironmentally responsible." Openedin2012,the11,000squarefootSheetzCenterforShwellnessbecameBlairCounty's firstLEEDCertifiedbuilding,meaningitmeetsstrictenvironmentallyfriendlycriteriainitsdesign, constructionandoperationasatruly"green"facility.TheSheetzCenterforShwellnessisacomplete health,fitnessandlearningfacilitythatservesasahubforwellnessoutreachtothe15,500+Sheetz employeesacrossthecompany'ssixstateoperatingarea. TheSheetzAnnualEarthDaycelebration,exclusivelyforSheetzemployees(andmembersof thepresswhowishtoattend),continuesimmediatelyfollowingtheacceptanceceremony,until4:30 p.m. "OurannualEarthDayeventhasgrowninsizeandpopularitywithouremployees,"saidSheetz. "WelookforwardtothisdayandencouragetheSheetzworkforcefromourdistributioncenter, warehouseandSheetzBros.KitcheninClaysburg,aswellasourcorporateofficestaffandCLI TransportteaminAltoonatogetout,getsomefreshair,enjoythemselves,andlearnaboutwaysthey canmakeadifferencewiththefootprinttheyleaveintheircommunity." Activitiesforthedayinclude:Chairmassages,drinksfromtheSheetzBros.Coffeeztruck, snacks,lunch,Sheetzcommunitygardensignup,Shwellnessfitnesschallenge,SevenSpringsMountain Resortovernightgiveaways,arockclimbingwall,SheetzAdoptAHighwaysignup,homeenergy auditinformation,PennState'sEnactusTeamandMasterGardenersinformationandtips,BlairCounty ConservationtreesaplinggiveawaysanddisplaysaboutRainBarrelGardens,Care4CreationGarden Plotinformation,IntermunicipalRelationsCommitteeCouncilofGovernmentsRecyclingand CompostinginBlairCounty,EatonElectricCarChargerandChevyVoltdisplay,Shaver'sCreek EnvironmentalCenterBirdsofPreyExhibit,FlyTyingDemonstrations,representativesfromtheCentral PAHumaneSociety,RailstoTrailsofCentralPA,DCNR,GameCommission,plusotherfunand games,drawingsandfreebies. EPANamesTop100OrganizationsUsingRenewableEnergy TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyGreenPowerPartnershipWednesdayreleasedanupdated listoftheTop100organizationsthatarechoosingtouseelectricityfromclean,renewablesourceslike windandsolarpower. ThePennsylvaniaorganizationsonthelistincluded:BNYMellon(21),Universityof Pennsylvania(28),CityofPhiladelphia(44),CarnegieMellonUniversity(48)andDrexelUniversity (57). EPAalsoputoutalistof100percentgreenpowerusersthatincluded:DrexelUniversity,ING U.S.,SAPAmerica,PhiladelphiaPhillies,SwarthmoreCollege,PhiladelphiaEagles,AlleghenyCollege, MercyhurstCollege,HaverfordCollege,ChathamUniversity,EasternUniversity,BoroughofWest Chester,BoroughofStateCollege,PhiladelphiaInsuranceCompanies,AcademyofNaturalSciences, WorldResourcesCompany,KnepperPress,WesttownSchool,MalvernSchools,Phipps ConservatoryandBotanicalGardens,GreatAtlanticGraphics,Inc.,ChildrensMuseumofPittsburgh, 12thStreetGym,BoroughofSwarthmore,BroudyPrinting,Inc.,YardsBrewingCompany,

GreensgrowFarms,DentistsonWashington,SEEDSGreenPrintingandDesign,TheBarberGale GroupandevolveEA. Byusinggreenpower,thesecompaniesandorganizationsareshowingthatbusinesscan flourishwhiletakingmeaningfulstepstoreducecarbonpollution,saidGinaMcCarthy,EPA Administrator.Makingcleanerchoicestopowerourcommunities,institutionsandbusinessesreduces thepollutionthatcontributestoclimatechange,protectsAmerica'shealthandenvironment,and supportscontinuedgrowthinthegreenpowersector." ThecompletelistoftheTop100isavailableonline. PUCHoldsMay5HearingOnCombinedHeat,PowerTechnology ThePublicUtilityCommissionwillholdanenbanchearingontheuseofcombinedheatandpower (CHP)onMay5inPhiladelphiatoexplorecurrentissuesanddiscussregulatorypoliciesimpacting greateradoptionofCHPintheCommonwealth. Thehearing,atDrexelUniversitysAJPictureGalleryfrom1p.m.to4p.m.,willfeature discussionsbyCHPexperts,projectdevelopers,technologyvendorsandrepresentativesfrom PhiladelphiaGasWorksandPECOEnergyCompany. PUCChairmanRobertF.Powelsonwillattend,aswellasCommissionersGladysM.Brown, PamelaA.WitmerandJamesH.Cawley. CHP,despitehavingbeenusedintheU.S.insomeformformorethan100years,isstill underutilized,saidChairmanPowelson.WithanabundanceofnaturalgasflowingfromtheMarcellus Shale,examiningtherolePennsylvaniaCHPsystemsplayinpoweringourbusinessesmakesreal economicsense. CHPisanefficientapproachtogeneratingelectricpowerandthermalenergyfromasinglefuel source,providingcosteffectiveenergyservicestocommercialbusinesseslikehotels,universitiesand hospitals.Inadditiontobenefitslikeimprovingmanufacturingcompetitivenessandreducinggreenhouse gasemissions,CHPbenefitsbusinessesbyreducingenergycostsandenhancingenergyreliabilityforthe user. Currently,CHPsystemsgeneratejust7.2percentofPennsylvaniastotalelectricity,amounting to2,638megawatts(MW).ThetechnicalpotentialforadditionalCHPsystemsintheCommonwealth, primarilyinexistingindustrialandcommercialfacilities,iscloseto11,000MW. ClickHereforacopyoftheagenda. FirstEnergyWaivesPolarVortexSurchargeForResidentialCustomers FirstEnergySolutions,asubsidiaryofFirstEnergyCorp.announcedFridayarecentlyproposed surchargeassociatedwithJanuary'spolarvortexwillbewaivedforitsresidentialcustomers.The onetime,$5to$15percustomersurchargewouldhaveappearedoncustomers'May,JuneorJuly bills. "Itwasaverydifficultwinter,particularlyforresidentialcustomers,andhopefullywaivingthe surchargewillmakeitsomewhateasier,"saidDonaldR.Schneider,presidentofFirstEnergySolutions. "Eventhoughourcontractsallowustopassthroughsurcharges,wehavedecidedwewon'tseek reimbursementfromresidentialcustomersfortheaddedcosts." DuringtheJanuarypolarvortex,PJMInterconnection(PJM)theregionaltransmission organizationthatcoordinatesreliabilityandwholesaleelectricityinourregioninitiatedemergency

proceduresthatincludedthepurchaseofreserveelectricgenerationtokeeptheelectricsystem operationalthroughoutthesesevereconditions. CostsassociatedwiththepurchasewereinvoicedbyPJMtoallretailsuppliersserving customersthroughouttheregion,andcertaincontractsallowedthosecoststobepassedthroughto customersatthediscretionofthesupplier. FirstEnergySolutionsprovidescompetitiveelectricgenerationsupplyandotherenergyrelated productsandservicestomorethan2.7millioncustomers,andisalicensedsupplierinOhio, Pennsylvania,NewJersey,Maryland,MichiganandIllinois. NewsClips: 50KElectricCustomersFlipSwitchAfterPriceSwings WinterElectricBillSpikesDrive50KToLocalSuppliers PennTownshipsNewSustainabilityPark,WalkingPathOpenInLancasterCounty EnvironmentalstewardshipisbehindthenewSustainabilityParklocatedat306DoeRunRoadinPenn Township,LancasterCounty.Nowopentothepublic,thefouracreparkwasdevelopedwiththe cooperationoftownshipofficials,NorthwesternLancasterCountyAuthorityandKreiderFarms. Theland,whichwaspurchasedbyNWLCAandformerlypartofKreiderFarms,provides accesstoahighvolumewaterwell,whichhasbeentransformedintoaNWLCAWaterTreatment PlantFacilitytoprovidesafe,highqualitydrinkingwaterforthecommunity.Aspartofthejoint agreement,thethreepartiesplannedforascenicparktosurroundthestateofthearttreatmentfacility. Completedthisspringandopenfromdawntodusk,PennTownshipsSustainabilityPark includesa1/4milewalkingtrailloopthattraversesthroughmeadows,byseveralraingardens,and alongsideamaturingwoodedriparianbuffer,providingviewsofthesurroundingvalley. Signsalongthepathexplainnumerouswaystheenvironmentisbeingprotectedatthesiteas wellasonKreiderFarmsadjacentland.Eachsignfeaturesatakehometiptodemonstratehow environmentalsustainabilitycanbepracticedinyourbackyard. Thetreatmentfacilityslocationallowsustofunnelstormwaterdirectlyintotheaquiferitsa vitalresourceforus.TheTownship,NWLCA,andKreiderFarmsrecognizetheimportanceof protectingourcommunityswaterresourcesthroughimplementationofgreeninfrastructureand sustainablefarmingpractices,explainedDavidKratzer,TownshipManager.Whilethisnewfacility hasthetechnicalcapacitytotreattherawwatertoaveryhighleveloftreatmentpriortodistributionto itscustomers,ourcooperativeeffortsseektoimproverawwaterqualitythroughimprovingthesurface waterqualitythereby,reducingoperationaltreatmentcosts. Wearehappythataformerportionofourfarmcouldbeusedasavaluablesourceofdrinking wateraswellasabeautifulparkwherevisitorscanexperiencenatureandlearnaboutsimplestrategies forimprovingtheenvironment,saidRonKreider,presidentandCEO,andthirdgenerationfamily leaderofKreiderFarms.Environmentalstewardshipisactivelysupportedthroughoutourorganization, fromourBionwastetreatmentfacilitytooursolarpoweredchickenhousesandotherconservation efforts. OpenHouse OnMay3betweenthehoursof9:00a.m.and2:00p.m.,thewatertreatmentfacilityandsite willbeopenfortours. AdditionalinformationabouttheNWLCAWaterTreatmentFacilityandtheSustainabilityPark canbeobtainedbycontactingPennTownshipat7176654508orsendemailto:

dkratzer@penntwplanco.org. FormoreinformationaboutKreiderFarms,pleasetheirwebsiteorFacebookpage. GroundbreakingForBedfordCountyRailTrailProjectHeld DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryEllenFerrettiThursdayjoinedstateand localofficialsincelebratingthegroundbreakingfora2milestretchoftheHuntingdon&BroadTopRail TrailinBroadTopandHopewelltownships,BedfordCounty. DCNRinvested$80,000throughitsCommunityConservationPartnershipsPrograminthis sectionofatrailthateventuallywillextend10.6miles.TherailtrailprojectisthefirstinBedford County. Pennsylvaniahasmoreopenrailtrailsthananyotherstateinthenationandisamongthetop statesinrailtrailmileage,Ferrettitoldthegroundbreakinggathering.Andwhyisthat?Because supportoftheseprojectsisasoundeconomicinvestment. Referencingrecenteconomicimpactstudiesof11ofthestateslongerrailtrails,Ferrettinoted railtrailscanofferastrongeconomicboosttolocalcommunities.These11trailsalonereceivemore than3millionvisitorsayear,generatingmorethan$91millioninuserspendingannually. PendingworkattheBroadTopTownshipsitewillincludetrailconstructionfromtheCooper RecreationAreatotheJuniataRiverbridge,fencing,ADAaccessiblefeatures,landscaping,signage andotherrelatedsiteimprovements.Inanefforttocontaincosts,thetownshipissupplyingproject labor. Whencomplete,thealmost11miletrailwilltraversethevillageofRiddlesburg,Hopewell Borough,andHopewellandWestProvidencetownships,andcontinuetothevillageofTatesville. Trailsareallaboutconnectionsandweknowusersthatcomewillbemakingthose connectionstothetownsandabundantnaturalresourcesfoundalongtheway,Ferrettisaid.Recent surveydatashowstrailsrankedasthenumberonerecreationalinterestamongPennsylvaniansright now,andpeoplewantthemclosetohome. ThetrailprojectmaybeafirstforBedfordCounty,butDCNRisnostrangertorailtrails. Pennsylvanianowboasts177openrailtrailstotaling1,709miles. BroadTopTownshipownstherightsofwaythroughmultiplemunicipalitiesandhasbeen instrumentalinleadingthetrailbuildingeffort,alongwithRailstoTrailsofBedfordCounty.Otherkey partnersincludetheDepartmentofTransportation,whichhassupplied$307,000towardthetotal projecttheBedfordCountyCommissionersBedfordCountyPlanningCommissionandtheSouthern AllegheniesPlanningandDevelopmentCommission. FerrettiwasjoinedatthegroundbreakingeventbySen.JohnEichelberger(RBlair)andRep. JesseTopper(RBedford). FormoreinformationontrailsinPennsylvaniavisitExplorePATrails. 500ExpectedToRun/HikeInCentralPAConservancysIronmastersChallengeApril27 HostedbytheCentralPennsylvaniaConservancyinpartnershipwiththeSusquehannaAppalachian TrailClub,theFifthAnnualIronmastersChallengetrailracewilltakeplaceonApril27,startingatthe FurnaceStackPavilionandendingattheIronmastersMansion,bothwithinPineGroveFurnaceState Park. EventparticipantscomefromalloverPennsylvaniaandtheMidAtlanticstatestochallenge

themselvesbytraversingoneofthreedifferentdistancesthroughMichauxStateForestandPineGrove FurnaceStatePark. ThisuniquesouthcentralPennsylvaniarunningandhikingtrailraceisthebiggestannual fundraiseroftheCentralPennsylvaniaConservancyandallowsittocontinuetomaintain,operate,and hostprogramsatthehistoric,1829IronmastersMansion. Thethreeeventsincludea50KUltra,a25KChallenge,anda15KChallenge.Theybeginat 7:30,8:30,and9:30am,respectively,attheFurnaceStackPavilion.Registrationforallthreeeventsis currentlysoldoutat500participants.Theeventendswithafestivefinishlinepicniccelebrationatthe IronmastersMansion. AmongthemanysponsorsandvolunteersthatmakethiseventpossibleincludeF&MTrust, TheFriendsofPineGroveFurnaceStatePark,WestShoreFamilyDentistry,Waggoner,Frutiger,and Daub,AmericpriseFinancialStickneyAssociates,PepperHamiltonLLP,SaulEwingLLP,Lobar Construction,andSelectMedical. Our2014BeverageSponsorsincludeFilsonWaterandRoyPitzBrewingCompany,both supportingtheeventforasecondyearinarow. Ourfinishlinepicniccelebrationandparticipantgoodybagsaremadepossiblebythe CumberlandValleyVisitorsBureau,KeystoneTrailsAssociation,ChambersburgFarmersMarket, Sodexo,Hersheys,Utz,EmergenCpackets,AllenberryResortInnandPlayhouse,andTheBoiling SpringsTavern. TheIronmastersMansionismanagedbytheCentralPennsylvaniaConservancyasayouth hostelforovernightstaysbythehikingcommunityagrouprentalfacilityforretreatsandspecialevents andavenueforenvironmentaleducationandhistoryprogramming. Tolearnmoreaboutthisevent,pleasevisittheIronmastersChallengewebsiteandthe SusquehannaAppalachianTrailClubFacebookpagefornewfeaturesandupdates. UpperDelawareRiverBasinColdWaterFisheriesEconomicImpact$414Million DelawareCountyEconomicDevelopmentandFriendsoftheUpperDelawareRiverhavecompleteda studyoftheeconomicimpactofthecoldwaterfisherythatnowexistsontheDelawareRiversupper sections,includingtheEastandWestBranches. Thefinalestimateofthecurrentnetvalueofthecoldwaterfisheryisanestimated$414million ($305millionineconomicactivityplusanother$109millioninsecondhomerealestatevalues connectedwiththatactivity). Theestimatedvalueofthecoldwaterfisheryasbothaboatingandfishingresource,aswellasa foundationforcampingandsecondhomevisitation,couldbeenhancedby$274millionwithmore consistentcoldwaterreleases($203millionineconomicactivityplusanother$71millioninsecond homerealestatevaluesconnectedwiththatactivity). Researchanddatafromanumberofsourcesconcludedthatthelackofconsistentcoldwater releasesfromNewYorkCitysCannonsvilleandPepactonReservoirshaskeptthelocalboatingand fishingindustryfromcapitalizingonapproximately40percentoftherecreationalopportunitiesthatcould existwithmoreconsistentreleases. TheUpperDelawareRiverisanenvironmentaljewelandaneconomicdriverfortheregion. Thisreportdemonstratesjusthowimportantitistoprotectandrestorethismagnificentresourcefor people,communities,waterquality,andwildlifehabitat,"saidJeffSkelding,ExecutiveDirectorof FriendsoftheUpperDelawareRiver.

TheUpperDelawareCouncil(UDC)waspleasedtoawarda2014TechnicalAssistance GranttoitsmemberTownofHancocktoassistinthecompletionofthisvaluableeconomicstudyand theproductionofpromotionalmaterialstoquantifiablydemonstratehowimprovedreleasesfromthe NewYorkCityWaterSupplySystemwillhelpstimulatetheeconomyoftheUpperDelawareregion, saidLaurieRamie,ExecutiveDirectorofthenonprofit,bistateorganizationthatworksinpartnership withtheNationalParkServicetocoordinateimplementationoftheRiverManagementPlanforthe UpperDelawareScenicandRecreationalRiver. Thestudyfurthernoteseverydollarspentatthefishingdestinationbyanglersisaccompaniedby another61centsspentenroute. Thismeansanother$186millionisnowbeingspentonboatingandfishingrelatedactivities outsidetheimmediatelyimpactedarea,withthepotentialtoaddanother$124millionfrommore consistentreleases.Assuming75percentofthatmoneyisspentinNewYork,thatsanotherpotential $7.5millioninsalestaxrevenueforthoseareas. AsTourismDirectorofDelawareCounty,statedJamesThomson,Ihavealwaysfeltthatthe truevalueofthisimportanttourismresourcewasnotbeingadequatelyacknowledged.Tomethisstudy validatesmyfeelingsandIammoreconvincedthaneverthatweneedtoworkwithNYCityDEPto findwaystoprotectwhatwehavenowandtoindeedmaximizethetourismpotentialoftheDelaware River. Finally,thestudyillustratesitisresidentsoftheNewYorkCitymetroareawhoownmanyof thesecondhomesintheimmediatelyimpactedregionandasmuch$22.8millionofthe$109millionin secondhomevalueisrelatedtoboatingandfishing.Theirpropertiescouldgainasmuchas$15.2 millioninvaluefrommoreconsistentcoldwaterreleasesbytheCityofNewYork. Thestudy,accordingly,recommendsamorereliable,consistentpatternofreleasessuchasthat asarticulatedwithinanEquitableApportionmentPlanstronglysupportedbybothUpperDelaware conservationanddevelopmentgroups.Thepurposeoftheplanistoalleviatedramaticfluctuationsin releasesandriverflowsandaddressthermalstressconcerns. DelawareCountyEconomicDevelopmentDirector,GlennNealis,commentedthat,whileit maynotbepracticaltoensureproperflowsforboatingandfishingeveryweekend,thereisalotof roomforimprovement,andwiththeCityscooperation,wecouldgeneratesomesignificanteconomic benefitstotheregionpotentiallyexceedingaquarterofabilliondollars. Thestudyrequiredeightmonthsofresearchandincludedanonlinebusinesssurvey.Itwas fundedwithhelpfromtheDelawareCountyIndustrialDevelopmentAgencyandtheUpperDelaware Council. ThesurveyandstudywereconductedwiththeassistanceofShepstoneManagementCompany andaddressedeconomicimpactsforaregionencompassingpartsofBroome,Delaware,Sullivanand WayneCounties. Acopyofthestudyisavailableonline. FortIndiantownGapBeginsPrescribedBurnsForWildfirePrevention TheDepartmentofMilitaryandVeteransAffairsForestryDepartmenthasbegunitsspringprescribed burnstoreducetheriskofwildfireatFortIndiantownGap,LebanonCounty. Weatherpermitting,theburnswillbeheldbetween10a.m.and8p.m. Aprescribedburnisacommonlyusedforestrymanagementtechniquethatreducestheamount ofcombustiblematerialnaturallyexistinginthewilderness.Itisperformedonlywhenconditionssuchas

humidity,windandtemperatureareidealformanagingfires.Prescribedburnsarenotconductedunless allrequiredweatherconditionsaremet. PrescribedburnshelpreducethepotentialofmajorwildfiresonFortIndiantownGap property,saidDMVAForestProgramManagerShannonHenry.Theyarealwaysconductedby properlytrainedpersonnelwithanapprovedplanandcoordinatedwiththeappropriateauthorities. Prescribedburnswillbeconductedonapproximately2,500acresatFortIndiantownGap throughMay. FortIndiantownGap,headquarterstotheDMVAandPennsylvaniaNationalGuard,offers morethan17,000acresand140trainingareasandfacilitiesforyearroundtraining. Itbalancesoneoftheregionsmostecologicallydiverseareaswithamilitarymissionthat annuallysupports19,000PennsylvaniaNationalGuardpersonnelandmorethan130,000otherstates Guard,military,lawenforcement,andcivilianpersonneleachyear.Itistheonlylivefire,maneuver militarytrainingfacilityinPennsylvania. Formoreinformation,visittheFortIndiantownGapwebsite. NewsClips: BrushFireSeasonIgnitesInNEPA CrewsBattleBrushFiresInLancaster ManDeadInBeaverCountyBrushFire OpenBurningWarningIssuesForNEPA

Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased May6DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.CityofChesterCityHall,Chester.5:00 p.m.(formalnotice) May7AgendaReleased.DEPChesapeakeBayManagementTeammeeting.DEPSouthcentral RegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:30.(formalnotice) PresentationonhowtoreducecostsJimShortle EPAUpdates ProgressRunWatershedupdate MilestonesUpdate NewWatershedAgreementUpdate NextSteps <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. May7DEPhearingsessiononHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00a.m. May8DEPhearingsessionsonHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00a.m.and6:00p.m.

 May8DEPholdsahearingonaairqualityredesignationrequestfortheAllentownMaintenance Area.DEPRegionalOffice,2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre.1:00.(formalnotice) May8AgendaReleased.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionholdsapublichearingonwater withdrawalrequests.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formalnotice) May14DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 9:30. May21EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. May21DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. May27EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121&129 RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,400 WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00.(formalnotice) May28EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121&129 RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2East MainSt.,Norristown.1:00.(formalnotice) May29EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121&129 RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPOffice,Room105RachelCarson Building,Harrisburg.1:00.(formalnotice) June3NEW.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June4NEW.DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30. June5NEW.DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June10NEW.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00. June12DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice) June12NEW.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:15. June16NEW.DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909

ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00. June17NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. June17NEW.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June18NEW.DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June18NEW.DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June24NEW.DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.10:00. June25NEW.DEPStateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOperatorsmeeting. ConferenceRoom11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June26DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. July30NEW.DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LTBA. VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents

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Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek. April30NortheastPAAudubonSocietyCollegeScholarship April30EPAPresidentsGreenChemistryChallengeAwards May1DominionEnergy,EnvironmentEducationGrants May2NEW.VotingOnCBFSaveTheBayPhotoContestWinners May9CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram May9CFARenewableEnergyProgram May9CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram May14PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFinancing

May15PhiladelphiaWaterSpokesdogCompetition May16Fish&BoatCommissionStateWildlifeGrants May16CFAPASmallWaterAndSewerProgram May22DCNRVolunteerFirefighterGrants May23KPBGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest May30DEPAlternativeEnergyVehicleConversionGrants June10NEW.DEPPennsylvaniaCleanDieselGrantProgram June27SRBCConsumptiveUseMitigationProjectProposals June30DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebateProgram June30PennDOTMultiModalTransportationProjects July11CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram July11CFARenewableEnergyProgram July11CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram July14NEW.ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants July21CFASewageFacilitiesProgram July21CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatement July21CFAWatershedRestorationProtection July21CFABaselineWaterQualityDataProgram July21CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreation July21CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPlugging July21CFAFloodMitigationProgram September22CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram September22CFARenewableEnergyProgram September22CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram October31HawkMountainSanctuaryDigitalPhotoContest October31PRCLensOnLitterPhotoContest VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance forenvironmentalprojects.

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Budget/QuickNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate MustoRememberedForEnvironmentalAccomplishments BrushFireSeasonIgnitesInNEPA CrewsBattleBrushFiresInLancaster ManDeadInBeaverCountyBrushFire OpenBurningWarningIssuesForNEPA Budget AmidStateBudgetWoes,DrillingTaxTurnsGOPHeads MarcellusShaleAdvocatesAgainstSeveranceTax Critics:SeveranceTaxCouldDerailGasIndustryInPA

Report:HigherSeveranceTaxWillNotImpedeOhioGasIndustry LocalGovernmentsFailToAccountFor$17MInDrillingImpactFeeMoney Other VolunteersNeededForSusquehannaCleanupProject VolunteersCleanUpPresqueIsle GeisingerCMCCleansUpOnEarthDay AlphabetAcademyGoesGreen FindingTheTrueGreenOnEarthDay LehighGradsTurnOceanWasteIntoSkateboards DerryTwp.,WegmansParticipateInDrugTakeBackDay CrawfordStudentsDecorateGroceryBagsForEarthDay ManheimCenterTShirtsSupportCleanStreams KingsStudentsCleanUp EarthDayRallyReminderToRespectPlanet EarthDayFairDrawsCrowdsAtScrantonUniversity EarthDayCleanupPlannedForHarveysLake Editorial:SavingRiverQuest,TimeToStepUp PAAmericanWaterExpandingNaturalGasFleet Editorial:EveryDayIsEarthDay Editorial:TheseEarthDayActivitiesCanImproveYourPlanet EnvironmentalEdGrantsGoTo5NEPAGroups DeltasRefineryLoses$41MillionInQuarter BiofuelFallsShortAsAlternativeReportSays SwarthmoreTeamsCarGets1,300MilesPerGallon Editorial:GiveCarpoolingProgramAShot GetBlownAwayByToursOfTurkeyPointWindMills PSUGREENProgramEmpoweringTomorrowsRenewableEnergyLeaders Mt.PleasantToSaveWithEnergyEfficientLighting AttorneyGeneralWarnsOfElectricityShutOffScams PPLSeeksToExpandStormFundCategory 50KElectricCustomersFlipSwitchAfterPriceSwings WinterElectricBillSpikesDrive50KToLocalSuppliers BrunnerIslandPowerPlantRollsWithMercury,SmogRules Editorial:StatesShouldEndAppealsOfMercuryRule Corbett:CoalIsWorking CoalFiresPlaguedNEPAForDecades NewFederalLimitsOnCoalDustInMines NuclearReactorOwnersToReassessQuakeResistance EarthquakesCouldAffectBeaverValleyNuclearPlantMoreThanThought TMI,PeachBottomMustDoFurtherEarthquakeStudies Casey:MoveForwardOnNukeDumpCleanup PennStateReceivesClimateStudyGrant OpEd:ActOnClimateChangeOnEarthDay LandslidesPutBaldwinFirefightersInFinancialPeril AbbieHoffmansPresenceEchoesDecadesLater

LehighValleyGolfCoursesRecognizedForGreenCommitment GardenProjectsUnitesHomewoodThruSelfSufficiency ErieIndustrialistArborDayProponent PresqueIsleBeachesInGoodShape Editorial:EarthDayReminder,ProtectPresqueIsle Bucks,MontgomeryExpandingBikeTrailNetwork AppalachianTrailMaintenanceOftenFallsToVolunteers AnglersAmongFirstImpactedByUndesirablePlants,Animals HawkSanctuaryHasDifferentKindOfEggHunt AsianCarpMayBeOnLakeErieDoorstep DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling AmidStateBudgetWoes,DrillingTaxTurnsGOPHeads Critics:SeveranceTaxCouldDerailGasIndustryInPA Report:HigherSeveranceTaxWillNotImpedeOhioGasIndustry LocalGovernmentsFailToAccountFor$17MInDrillingImpactFeeMoney DEP:NoHarmfulAirPollutionFromGreeneWellFire GreeneCountyGasWellBlastDidNotFoulAir FrackingFoesCringeAsUnionsBackDrillingBoom Editorial:KeyMethaneMeasureIsImportant MarcellusShaleCoalitionRecognizesEarthDay AfterEarlyWoes,UnionsBackDrilling RoyaltiesBillStalledInGeneralAssembly JudgeDeniesRequestForDrillersRequestForSpillCaseInformation CrashCausesFrackingWater,DieselSpillIntoChartiersCreek ClearfieldResidentsChallengeEPADrillingWastewaterWell MarcusHookRefineryGetsMakeoverAsGasHub DeltasRefineryLoses$41MillionInQuarter PAAmericanWaterExpandingNaturalGasFleet ShaleDevelopmentBoostingU.S.RetailSector Editorial:CrudeOilTrainSafetyStillOffTrack PANYPipelinesFutureInErie EnvironmentalGroupsInterveneInSunocoPipelineCase ConcernOverSunocosNaturalGasLiquidsPipelineToMarcusHook LebanonCountyGroupFormingToOpposePipeline ResidentsGrillSunocoOnPipelinePumpingStationPlan MountJoyResidentsVentFrustrationOverPipeline NeighborsVoiceConcernOverPipelineInLancaster

EnvironmentalImpactsOfLancasterPipeline AttorneyGivesUpdateOnLawsuitAgainstRegencyPipeline UGIMaySoonMoveLotsMoreGas Editorial:ObamaDucksKeystoneXLPipelineIssue HempfieldSettlesSeismicTestingLawsuit WestDeer,FrazerDrillingProposalDrawsComments QuestionsLobbedAtDeerLakesParkDrillingMeeting ChangeToBeOfferedForDeerLakesDrillingLease ConsolGetsOKToDrillAtPittsburghAirport DrillingPrepCouldBeginNextWeekNearAirport Financial/OtherStates Editorial:KeystoneXLPipelinePolitics BakerHughesPhasingInDisclosureOfFrackingFluidMakeUp EQTGasProductionCompanyPosts92PercentJumpInEarnings UticaShaleGasWellsInOhioDismayEQT AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate Flooding FailedInspectionMakesFloodControlProjectMoreCostly GrantForRainBarrelsMayReduceStormwaterRunoffInEastEnd OtherWatershedNewsClips DEP:MonongahelaRiverNoLongerBelongsOnImpairedWatersList FourMileCreekMakesComebackInErie VolunteersProtectShenangoRiver RocksLititzFloodplainRestorationProject PennVESTAwards$1.5MToLancasterWaterQualityProjects EffortToOpenAlleghenyRiverLocksMovingForwardSlowly AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissionpublishedthecommentsitsubmittedtothe EnvironmentalQualityBoardonDEPsChapter78drillingregulationchanges(PABulletinpage2594). PennsylvaniaBulletinApril26,2014 ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage

DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofitsdraft2014IntegratedWater QualityMonitoringandAssessmentReportforpubliccomment.Thereportisrequiredbysection 303(d)and305(b)ofthefederalCleanWaterAct. DEPalsopublishednoticeofdrafttechnicalguidanceforcivilpenaltyassessmentinformationhearing proceduresfortheOfficeofOilandGasManagementavailableforcommentandnoticeoffinal2014 ozoneseasonNOxemissionlimitsfornonelectricgeneratingunits. TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionpublishednoticeofprojectsapprovedforconsumptive wateruseinJanuary. DRAFTDEPID:8004000002.Title:CivilPenaltyAssessmentInformalHearingProcedureforthe OfficeofOilandGasManagement.Description:Section3256ofthe2012OilandGasAct(act)(58 Pa.C.S.3256)providesthattheDepartmentmayassessacivilpenaltyforviolationsoftheactora regulation,orderorpermitissuedbytheDepartmentundertheact,afterahearing.Section3256ofthe actfurtherprovidesthatapersonchargedwithapenaltymust,within30daysofnotification,paythe penaltyorfileanappealoftheassessmentwiththeEnvironmentalHearingBoard.Thisdocument outlinestheprocedurefortheconductoftheinformalcivilpenaltyassessmenthearings. WrittenComments:InterestedpersonsmaysubmitwrittencommentsonthisDraftTechnical GuidanceDocument.CommentsmustbereceivedbyMay27,2014.Commentssubmittedbyfacsimile willnotbeaccepted.Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyelectronicmailmustincludethe originator'snameandaddress.WrittencommentsshouldbesubmittedtoKurtKlapkowski, DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,BureauofOilandGasPlanningandProgramManagement, P.O.Box8765,Harrisburg,PA171058765,(717)7722199orkklapkowsk@pa.gov. TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

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CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar webpage.

 ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek. April28NEW.HouseGameandFisheriesCommitteemeetstoconsiderlegislation,including possiblyanewlyintroducedbillreducingprotectionforrare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesin Pennsylvania.Room205RyanBuilding.Noon. April29NEW.HouseConsumerAffairsCommitteemeetingtoconsiderHouseBill2104 (GodshallRMontgomery)relatingtoretainvariablerateelectricservicecontractssponsorsummary HouseBill2030(SnyderDFayette)establishingtheCoalFiredElectricGenerationFacilities DeactivationCommissionsponsorsummary.Room39EastWing.9:00. April29SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingon electricreliability.Room8EAEastWing.9:30. May12PALandConservationConference.CrownePlaza,Reading,BerksCounty. May5LocationAdded.EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointConservationCommitteefeaturingan overviewoftheTreeVitalizeProgram.Room8EAEastWing.Noon. May6DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.CityofChesterCityHall,Chester.5:00 p.m.(formalnotice) May68PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociationConference.SandsCasinoResort, Bethlehem. May7HouseProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingonHouseBill997(PetriRBucks) establishingalicensingprogramforsoilscientistssponsorsummary.Room60EastWing.9:30. May7JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommitteeholdsahearing onPAsWasteTireRecyclingProgram.Room8EB,EastWingCapitolBuilding.9:00. May7AgendaReleased.DEPChesapeakeBayManagementTeammeeting.DEPSouthcentral RegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:30.(formalnotice) May72014PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium.RamadaInnConferenceCenterinState College. May7DEPhearingsessiononHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00a.m. May8DEPhearingsessionsonHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00a.m.and6:00p.m.

 May8DEPholdsahearingonaairqualityredesignationrequestfortheAllentownMaintenance Area.DEPRegionalOffice,2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre.1:00.(formalnotice) May8AgendaReleased.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionholdsapublichearingonwater withdrawalrequests.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formalnotice) May14DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 9:30. May1518PAOutdoorWritersAssociationSpringConference.InandaroundShippensburg University.ClickHeretoreadanarticleontheconferenceinthePOWAnewsletter.ClickHerefora registrationform. May21EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. May21DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. May27EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121&129 RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,400 WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00.(formalnotice) May28EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121&129 RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2East MainSt.,Norristown.1:00.(formalnotice) May29EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121&129 RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPOffice,Room105RachelCarson Building,Harrisburg.1:00.(formalnotice) June3NEW.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June4NEW.DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30. June5NEW.DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June10NEW.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00. June12DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice)

June12NEW.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:15. June16NEW.DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909 ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00. June17NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. June17NEW.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June18NEW.DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June18NEW.DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June24NEW.DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.10:00. June25NEW.DEPStateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOperatorsmeeting. ConferenceRoom11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. June26DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June2627PennsylvaniaAbandonedMineReclamationConference.RamadaInnandConference Center,StateCollege. July30NEW.DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LTBA. July2325PROPRecyclingandOrganicsConference.DoubleTreePittsburghMeadowLands, Washington,PA. September25PennStateExtensionYouthWaterEducatorsSummit.TheCentralHoteland ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg. VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state

budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof EnvironmentalEducators'website. SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

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