Pa Environment Digest March 16, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaMarch16,2015
BudgetHearing:DEPFormingTaskForceToLookAtNaturalGasPipelineIssues
ActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaidWednesdayDEPisforminga
taskforcetolookatwaysofpromotingcooperationandreducingthe
environmentalimpactsofthe25,000to30,000milesofnaturalgas
pipelinesexpectedtobedevelopedinPennsylvaniaoverthenextfew
years.But,hewasnotinterestedinexpandingDEPregulationsover
pipelines.
Theannouncementwasmadeinresponsetoquestionsfrom
membersofthe
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
atahearingonDEPs
budgetrequestforFY201516.
QuigleyalsosaidGov.WolfwantstomaintaintheexistingAct
13drillingimpactfeeatitshighestlevel,andtheenvironmental
programsitfunds,includinggrantstolocalgovernments.
Inwrittenremarks
preparedfortheCommittee,ActingSecretaryQuigleysaid,The
budgetproposalbeforeyouwillallowtheDepartmenttofocusonitscoremissionandvalues:
cleanerair,cleanerwater,saferwastedisposal.Itwillensurethatourminesaresafe,our
minescarredlandsarerestored,andouroilandgaswellsareproperlydeveloped.
Itwillprovideusthenecessarybootsonthegroundtoprotectourpublicresources.And
mostimportantly,itdeliversontheGovernor'spromisetoprovideschoolsthatteach,jobsthat
payandagovernmentthatworks.
AspartoftheproposedPennsylvaniaEducationReinvestmentAct,Pennsylvaniawould
joineveryothermajoroilandgasproducingstatebylevyingaseverancetax.TheGovernors
proposalisacompetitiverateof5percent,placingPennsylvaniainthemidrangeoftaxation
ratesimposedbyothernaturalgasproducingstates.
Inadditiontomaintainingtheexistingimpactfeedistributiontolocalcommunitiesand
providinganhistoricreinvestmentinourschools,asmallbutcriticalcomponentofthetax
revenueswillsupportDEP'soversightoftheindustry.Tenmilliondollarswillsupportadditional
inspectionandenforcementstafftoensurethatweareappropriatelyregulatingtheactivitiesof
theindustry.
Gov.TomWolfsproposedbudgetwillmakePennsylvaniaanenergyleaderthrough
newinvestmentsthattakefullandresponsibleadvantageofourrichnaturalresources,including
naturalgas,coal,wind,solar,andtimber.Totakethereinsasthenation'senergyleader,wemust
expandanddevelopnewmarketsforPennsylvania'senergytechnologies,servicesandfuels,and
thisbudgetmakeshistoricinvestmentstobolsterandtransformourenergyeconomy.
TheGovernor'sbudgetatteststohiscommitmenttocreatenewjobsandprotectpublic
healthandourenvironment,allofwhichstrengthensPennsylvania'seconomy.Inaddition,the
planalsoinvestsmillionsmoretoprotect,cleanandconservetheCommonwealthsland,airand
water.
HerearesomekeyissuesthatcameupduringtheHousehearingonDEPsbudget.
ReviewOfChapter78DrillingRegulations:
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),Majority
ChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,askedifhavingjustthe
Oil
andGasTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
reviewthe
finalrevisedChapter78drillingregulations
onMarch20isadequatebeforeitisreleasedforcomment,notingtherewere24,000comments
inthefirstroundofpubliccomments.
ActingDEPSecretaryQuigleysaidtherewillbeanadditional30daycommentperiod.
Inafollowupquestion,Rep.MaheraskedwhethermembersoftheTABhavebeen
replaced.QuigleysaidtheyarebeingreplacedandDEPexpectstoannouncethenewmembers
aheadoftheMarch20meeting.[
LateWednesday,DEPannouncedmembersofTAB
.]
AskedaboutTABsinvolvementindevelopingthefinalregulation,Quigleysaid
membersoftheTAB,asitwasconstituted,werenotinvolvedindevelopingthefinalrevised
Chapter78regulations.
Rep.Mahersaidheisafanoftransparency,butinthiscaseDEPdoesnotyethavethe
membersoftheTABnamedwhowillreviewtheregulationsandpublishedadraftofChapter78
onitswebsiteMondaydatedFebruary13,whichhenotedmightnotbethemostrecentdraft.He
encouragedQuigleytodoabetterjobofmakinginformationavailabletothepublic.
NaturalGasPipelines:
Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,askedhowDEPplanstoaddressconcerns
aboutpipelines.
ActingSecretaryQuigleysaidonlyaboutonethirdoftheexistingnaturalgaswellsare
connectedtopipelinestodelivernaturalgastomarket.Hesaidoverthenextfewyearsthere
willbe25,000to30,000milesofpipelinesbuilttomakethoseconnections.
DEPisintheprocessofdevelopingataskforcetoseeifthestatecanplansmarter,
reduceimpactsandcapturetheeconomicbenefitsofpipelineexpansions.Quigleycompared
thisprocesstooneheguidedwhenhewasSecretaryofDCNRintheRendellAdministration
withthewindenergyindustryonthelocationandimpactsofthosefacilities.
Quigleysaidheisnotinterestedinaddingnewregulations,butapproachesthisissueasa
collaboration.Hesaidthestatehaslimitedabilitytoregulatepipelineconstruction.
Afterthehearing,Quigley
toldStateImpact
DeniseBrinley,ExecutiveDeputySecretary
forPrograms,willleadtheproject.
ProposedSeveranceTax/ImpactFee:
Rep.JeffPyle(RArmstrong)askedtheActing
SecretarytoclarifythestatusoftheAct13drillingimpactfee,inparticularforgrantstolocal
governments,andtheproposedseverancetax.[The
textoftheseverancetax/impactfeeproposal
wasmadeavailableThursday.]
QuigleysaidGov.WolfwantstomaintaintheexistingAct13drillingimpactfeeatits
highestlevel,andtheprogramsitfunds,includinggrantstolocalgovernments.
Rep.MadeleineDean(DMontgomery)askedabouttheseverancetaxandwhatitmeans
toDEP.
QuigleysaidGov.Wolfsproposalisreasonableat5percent[plusaproductionbased
fee],givenPennsylvaniaistheonlystatewithoutaseverancetax,notingOhioisproposingto
increaseitsseverancetaxto8percent.
HesaidUticaShales,whicharenowjustnowstartingtobedeveloped,willprobably
yieldmorenaturalgasthanMarcellusShale.
Rep.JimChristiana(RBeaver)askedifwearetalkingaboutanaturalgasseverancetax,
wouldntwealsowanttolookattaxingothernaturalresourceslikecoal,othermineralsand
forestresources?
QuigleysaidGov.Wolfhasnotproposedtoextendaseverancetaxtootherresources.
Rep.ChristianaaskedwhatDEPsprojectionsarefornaturalgasusedtocalculatethe
severancetax.
QuigleysaidDEPdoesnotprojectnaturalgasproduction,itcompilesreportson
productionitreceivesfromoperators,notingtheseverancetaxisbasedonreportedproduction.
Headdednaturalgasproductionoverthelastfouryearshasbeenoffthecharts.
DRBCDrillingRegulations:
Rep.MichaelPeifer(RPike)saidhewouldliketheDelaware
RiverBasinCommissiontobringupnaturalgasdrillingregulationsupforavotebecausehis
constituentswouldliketoseedrillingintheirarea.IfPennsylvaniaisfundingDRBC,thenthere
shouldbeavotedontheregulations,hesaid.
QuigleysaidGov.WolfsupportsthecurrentDRBCmoratoriumondrilling,untilthe
DRBCCommissionersaresatisfiedwiththecontentofnewdrillingregulations.
MoreSustainableGasDevelopment:
Rep.GarthEverett(RLycoming)askedifDEPhas
planstouseindependentresearchgroupstopromotemoresustainablenaturalgasdevelopment.
Quigleysaidhisobjectiveisdevelopalotofbigtablestogatherpeoplearoundtocome
upwithinnovativesolutions.Hesaidadvisorycommitteesareabigpartofthateffort.
MarcellusHealthImpacts:
Rep.KarenBoback(RLackawanna)expressedconcernsabout
theneedforgatheringinformationonthehealthimpactsofMarcellusShaledrilling.
Quigleysaidheplanstoworkwithotheragenciestoseehowtheycouldgoabout
gatheringhealthimpactinformation.
[Gov.Wolfsbudget
includes$100,000
fortheDepartmentofHealthtocreatea
MarcellusHealthRegistry.]
ChesapeakeBayWatershedCleanup:
Rep.GarthEverett(RLycoming)askedwhatthe
WolfAdministrationsstrategyistomeet
ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestones
.Rep.Everettisa
memberoftheinterstateChesapeakeBayCommission.
QuigleysaidPennsylvaniaisnotmeetingourcleanuptargetsfortheBay,otherthan
wastewatertreatmentplants.HesaidinmeetingswiththedepartmentsofAgricultureand
ConservationandNaturalResourceseveryoneisclearweneedtoreboottheChesapeakeBay
effort.
Hesaidadditionalresourcesareneededasincentivesforinstallingadditionalbest
managementpracticesonfarms,DEPneedstodoabetterwayofcountingwhatweareputting
onthegroundanddoabetterjoboftargetingtheresourcesDEPhas.
Inafollowup,Rep.EverettsaidPennsylvaniashoulduseGov.Wolfsproposed$675
millionbondissueforwaterqualitycleanup,insteadofforalternativeenergyandotheruses.
Amuchwiseruseofthatmoney,shouldwegotoborrowmoney,wouldgotocleaning
upthestreamsratherthansearchingforalternativeenergiesthatmayornotbeefficientbecause
theyneedsubsidiesandcantstandontheirown,suggestedRep.Everett.
Quigleysaid$20millionoftheinitiativeisdevotedgreenagricultureandsupporting
digestersonfarmsandwouldtranslateintosomewaterqualityimprovement.
Rep.Everettsaidthatsnice,butitsreallyinadequate.HesaidatarecentChesapeake
BayCommissionmeetingtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyoutlinedwhatthe
consequenceswereformissingthemilestonesanditisntpretty.
StormwaterManagement:
Rep.KevinSchreiber(DYork)askedforanupdatedonthe
stormwaterprogram.
Thereisafederalmandatetomoreappropriatelyhandlestormwater,Quigleysaid,and
DEPisdoingitsbesttoprovidecommunitiesassistance,butitstillrepresentsanunfunded
mandate.HepointedtoYorkCountyasanexampleofhowstormwaterissuesarebeinghandled
effectivelythroughlocalpartnershipsandplanning.
StreamClearance:
Rep.DavidMillard(RColumbia)askedifDEPhasfundingforstream
debrisremoval.
Quigleysaiditisappropriatetoremovestreamdebrisafterastormifitcanbereached
fromastreambankorabridgewithoutapermit.DanaAunkst,DeputyforFieldOperations,said
thereisnofundingfordebrisremovalinDEP,butthereissomefundingavailablethroughthe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
DelawareRiverFlooding:
Rep.MichaelPeifer(RPike)expressedaconcernaboutflooding
andtheflexibleflowapproachtomanagingtheDelawareRiver.DanaAunkst,Deputyfor
FieldOperations,saidthecurrentagreementonmanagingtheriverwithNewYorkCityand
otherwatershedstateswillendinDecember.Theyarenowworkingonanewagreement.
HazardousSitesCleanupFund:
Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware)expressedconcernsabout
providingfundingfortheprogram,notingthephaseoutthisyearoftheCapitalStockand
FranchiseTax,whichprovides$40millionannuallytotheHazardousSitesCleanupFund.
QuigleysaidDEPcurrentlyspendsabout$45$48millionayearonhazardoussites
cleanup.TheAct13drillingimpactfeesprovides$10to$15milliontotheFund,butbytheend
ofFY201617therewillbeanissuewithfunding.Quigleysaidhelooksforwardtoworking
withtheGeneralAssemblyonasolution.
Brownfields:
Rep.KevinSchreiber(DYork)askedaboutthestatusofthebrownfields
program.
Quigleysaidthe20thanniversaryoftheLandRecyclingProgramiscomingupwithover
4,700sitesreclaimedandanother2,200sitesareinprocess.HesaidDEPiscommittedto
continuingitandmakingitevenmoresuccessful.
KeystoneLandfill:
Rep.MikeCarroll(DMonroe)askedaboutthestatusoftheKeystone
LandfillexpansioninLackawannaCounty.
QuigleysaidDEPishandlingtheapplicationaccordingtothe11stepinternalandpublic
reviewpermittingprocessanditiscurrentlyatstepsix.Hesaidtheagencyhas
extendedthe
publicreviewperiod
fortheenvironmentalassessmentportionofthereviewrecognizingthe
publicinterestintheapplication.QuigleysaidDEPisaboutayearawayfromadecision,ifthe
processfollowsitscurrentcourse.
DanaAunkst,DeputyforFieldOperations,saidattheendofthecommentperiodforthe
environmentalassessmentDEPwillmakeadecision,whichisappealable,onwhetherto
continuetothetechnicalreviewoftheapplication.
ImprovingDEPReporting/Efficiencies:
Rep.MadeleineDean(DMontgomery)askedhow
DEPisrespondingtotheAuditorGeneralsreportontheOilandGasProgram.
Quigleysaid
DEPdidacceptmanyofthechanges
recommendedbytheAuditorGeneral,
butthereismoreworktodo.
Hesaiditiscleartheagencyhasbeenunderresourced,notinginthelastfiveyearsDEP
staffingwasreducedby14percentwhentheaveragecutswere6percentinotheragencies.
DanaAunkst,DeputyforFieldOperations,addedthatwhilestaffhasbeendecreasingby
14percent,workloadhasincreasedby20percent.
DEPhasalotofworktodotoconvertitsprocessesfrompapertohandlingtasks
electronically,saidQuigley.OneexamplehepointedtowastheOilandGasProgramwhichhas
iPadstocaptureinspectionresults,otherprogramsdonotandcheckboxesonpaperforms.
HesaidthereneedstobeadepartmentwideITapproachtoDEPsprocessesanddata
management.
Alternative,EnergyEfficiencyInitiative:
Rep.JeffPyle(RArmstrong)askedaboutthearea
neededtodeveloptheproposed100MWofsolarpowerfundedaspartofthe$20millionsolar
initiativeproposedbytheGovernor.
QuigleysaidthefirstPASunshineProgramdevelopedabout98MWofsolarenergy
whichcreating2,700jobs.Henotedthesolarindustryhascontractedinthestate,unlikeother
statesthatprovidedbettersupporttotheindustry.
Rep.Pylenotedtheclosureof11coalfiredpowerplantsinPennsylvaniaandasked
againhowmuchanareawouldbetakenupby100MW.
Quigleysaidthesolarproposalisnotmeanttoreplaceanyclosedcoalfiredpowerplants
orrespondtomarketconditions.HesaidGov.Wolfwantedtoencourageadiverseenergy
portfolio,addingtheGovernorwantstoprotectcoalfiredpowerplants.
ClimateChange:
Rep.MatthewBradford(DMontgomery)askedaboutthestatusofclimate
programsinDEP.
Quigleysaidheplanstoreinvigoratethe
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
process,
expandthenumberofworkplansitisconsideringandrevivetheadaptationworkbegununder
theRendellAdministration.
Gov.Wolf,hesaid,wantsPennsylvaniatobeanexampleofsmartclimatepolicyand
makingtheconnectionbetweengreeninfrastructureandclimateadaptation.
Personnel:
ActingSecretaryQuigleysaidJeffLogan,ExecutiveDeputyforAdministration,is
leavingtheagencythisweek.
ClickHere
foramoredetailedsummaryoftheproposedDEP,DCNRbudgets.
Writtentestimonyandavideoofeachhearingwillbepostedonthe
RepublicanHouse
AppropriationsCommittee
webpage.
TestimonyAvailable
JohnQuigley,ActingSecretaryofEnvironmentalProtection
MatthewKnittle,Director,IndependentFiscalOffice
TeresaOsborne,ActingSecretaryofAging
RussellRedding,ActingSecretaryofAgriculture
DennisDarvin,ActingSecretaryofCommunity&EconomicDevelopment
WilliamRyan,Chair,GamingControlBoard
CurtisTopper,ActingSecretaryofGeneralServices
NathanHench,PAHigherEducationAssistanceAgency
EileenMcNulty,ActingSecretaryofRevenue
NewsClips:
WolfsDEPSecretaryQuestionedOnSeveranceTax,DrillingRules
DEPSlammedOverOil,GasRegulationProcess
DEPSecretaryFieldsLandfillQuestionsAtHearing
DEPTryingToForgeNewStrategyForPipelines
PAEnvironmentalRegulatorsToCreatePipelineTaskForce
WolfSupportsDrillingMoratoriumInDelawareBasin
WolfsSeveranceTaxMayGenerateLessMoneyThanClaimed
LargeUticaShaleGasCouldLieUnderStateForestLand
Editorial:WolfsGreenEnergyPlanLousyEconomics,Unconstitutional
$3BillionBudgetGapBallBouncesToGOPLawmakers
WolfsBudgetReliesOnNaturalGasToFundEnergyProjects
WolfBudgetInvestmentsTowardA$6BCleanWaterPayoff
WolfBudgetBoostsGreenEnergyOnBackOfFossilFuels
IFOSaysBudgetDeficitWellBelowWolfsEstimate
WolfSaysCriticsOfTaxPlanMustConsiderTheBenefits
Rep.Everett:IfWeDontMeetChesapeakeBayCleanupMilestones,ItIsntPretty
AttheHousehearingonDEPsbudgetWednesday,Rep.GarthEverett
(RLycoming)askedActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleywhattheWolf
Administrationsstrategyistomeet
ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestones
.
Rep.Everettisamemberoftheinterstate
ChesapeakeBay
Commission
andhasbeenworkingonBayrelatedissuesformanyyears
andLycomingCountyhas
undertakeninnovativeprograms
tomeetthe
Bayrequirements.
QuigleyagreedPennsylvaniaisnotmeetingourcleanuptargetsfor
theBay,otherthanwastewatertreatmentplants.Hesaidinmeetingswith
thedepartmentsofAgricultureandConservationandNaturalResources
everyoneisclearweneedtoreboottheChesapeakeBayeffort.
Hesaidadditionalresourcesareneededasincentivesforinstallingadditionalbest
managementpracticesonfarms,DEPneedstodoabetterwayofcountingwhatweareputting
onthegroundanddoabetterjoboftargetingtheresourcesDEPhas.
Inafollowup,Rep.EverettsaidPennsylvaniashoulduseGov.Wolfsproposed$675
millionbondissueforwaterqualitycleanup,insteadofforalternativeenergyandotheruses.
Amuchwiseruseofthatmoney,shouldwegotoborrowmoney,wouldgotocleaning
upthestreamsratherthansearchingforalternativeenergiesthatmayornotbeefficientbecause
theyneedsubsidiesandcantstandontheirown,suggestedRep.Everett.
Quigleysaid$20millionoftheinitiativeisdevotedgreenagricultureandsupporting
digestersonfarmsandwouldtranslateintosomewaterqualityimprovement.
Rep.Everettsaidthatsnice,butitsreallyinadequate.HesaidatarecentChesapeake
BayCommissionmeetingtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyoutlinedwhatthe
consequenceswereformissingthemilestonesanditisntpretty.
AU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
reportlastyear
foundPennsylvaniamissedits
2013nitrogenreductiongoalby2millionpoundsandsedimentreductionmilestonebynearly
116millionpounds.
DEPsaidby2017
,Pennsylvaniamustmakeanadditional10millionpoundreductionin
nitrogenandanearly212millionpoundreductioninsedimenttomeetourmandatedmilestones.
Simplemathtellsuswewontmakethemilestoneswiththelevelofeffortwenowhave.
Pennsylvaniahasjust655daystoputinplacethecosteffectivebestmanagement
practicesweknowworktomeetthese2017reductionrequirementstwogrowingseasons
sincethebiggestsourcesofpollutionforPennsylvaniasriversandstreamsareagricultural
runoff,stormwaterandabandonedmines.
Therearenosilverbulletsinthisbusinessand30yearsofexperiencehastaughtuswhat
worksandwhatdoesnt.Forexample,agriculturalwastedigesterstypicallyjustmovepollutants
aroundanddontaddressthesignificantproblemofsedimentpollution.
If,forexample,the$20millionallocatedtoGreenAgricultureintheGovernors
energyinitiativewereinsteaddevotedtoinstallingstreambuffers,oneofthemostcosteffective
pollutionreductiontoolswehave,wecouldinstallupto9,300acresofbuffersputting
Pennsylvaniaalongwaytowardmeetingourstreambuffermilestone.Itwouldalsohelp
Pennsylvaniasfamilyfarmsandcreatejobsatthesametime.
Wastewaterplantsarealreadydoingtheirparttomeetthepollutionmilestonessofar,
whichisafractionofwhatPennsylvaniahastodoasawhole.Agriculturalrunoffand
stormwaterneedmajorattention.
Ifwedonotmeetthesemilestones,theChesapeakeBayProgramrequiresthefederal
governmenttoimplementbackstopcontrolmeasuresoftheirchoosingthatwilldramatically
affectlocalcommunitiesandbusinesses.
Writtentestimonyandavideoofthisbudgethearingispostedonthe
RepublicanHouse
webpage.
TextOfGov.WolfsNaturalGasSeveranceTaxProposalNowAvailable
Gov.WolfWednesdaydistributedthetextofbillsneededtoimplementhisproposedFY
201516budgettoleadershipintheSenateandHouse,includingthe
naturalgasseverancetax
.
Therearetwopartstotheproposal.OnepartwouldreenacttheAct13drillingimpact
fee,butchangestheallocationsforsomecategoriesandthesecondpartisrelatedtothe
enactmentofanewproposedseverancetax.
DrillingImpactFee
Theproposalwouldchangetheallocationoftheimpactfeerevenueinseveralways
basedonspecificappropriationsandnotonapercentageoftheimpactfeerevenuereceivedasit
isnowinAct13
$8millionwouldbedividedequallybetweencountyconservationdistrictsandtheState
ConservationCommissionwhichoverseesdistricts.PresentlydistrictsandtheCommission
receive$7.5millionannually.
$1.2milliontotheFishandBoatCommissionwhichpresentlyreceives$1million.
$6.2millionforDEPforoilandgaswellregulation.DEPnowreceives$5million.
$950,000tothePAEmergencyManagementAgency.PEMAnowreceives$750,000.
$950,000toStateFireCommissionerwhichnowreceives$750,000.
$2milliontoPennDOTforRailFreightAssistance.PennDOTnowreceives$1million.
$123.1million,aspecificamount,tolocalgovernmentsimpactedbydrillinginsteadof
provisioninActwhichallocates60percentofthefees.Thefurthersubdistributionofthese
fundsisthesame.Theuseofthefundsremainsthesamebylocalgovernments.
$9.6milliontothePAHousingFinanceAgencywhichhadreceived$5million.
$82.1millionwouldbedistributed,insteadofapercentageoftheimpactfees,to
$16.5milliontotheCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityforabandonedminereclamation,
pluggingorphanwells,fundinglocalsewagefacilityimprovements,recreationandgreenways,
waterqualitymonitoring
$8.2milliontoEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)Fundwhichreceivedthe
sameamountfrominFY201415.
$20.5milliontoPennDOTHighway/BridgeImprovementswhichreceivedthesame
amountinFY201415.
$20million:$11milliontoPennVESTand$11millionfortheCommonwealthFinancing
AuthorityH2OProgramforwaterinfrastructureimprovements.Bothagenciesreceiveda
percentageoftheimpactfeewhichamountedto$10.2millioneachinFY201415.
$12.5millionforcountyrecreationplanning,developmentandrehabilitation,thesameas
theprogramreceivedinFY201415.
AnyfundsremainingwouldbetransferredtotheHazardousSitesCleanupFundwhich
receivedapercentageoftheimpactfeespreviously.$4.1millionwenttotheFundinFY
201415.
Ifanyimpactfeerevenueisleftafterthespecificallocationsabove
Upto$10milliontoDEPforOilandGasregulationandabandonedwellplugging.
Upto$15millionbeginninginJuly2016forcountyrecreationplanning,developmentand
rehabilitation.
Upto$30millionbeginninginJuly2017toDCEDforeconomicdevelopment.
Upto$55millionbeginninginJuly2018toDCEDforeconomicdevelopment.
ProposedSeveranceTax
Theproposalwouldenacta5percentseverancetaxplusa4.7centsperMCFtaxon
naturalgas,basedonaminimumnaturalgaspriceof$2.97centsperMCFwhichwouldsupport
publiceducation.Legislativelanguageontheeducationfundingallocationsbasedonseverance
taxrevenueiscontainedinaseparateproposal.
Acopyofthelegislation
isavailableonline
.
DEPOutlinesMajorChangesInFinalVersionOfChapter78DrillingRegulations
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayoutlinedchangesinarevisedfinalversion
ofChapter78drillingregulationscoveringconventionalandunconventionaloilandgaswells
whichActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaidrespondtothepublicsconcernsaboutdrilling.
Theseproposedrevisionsfocusontheneedtoprotectpublicsafetyandtheenvironment
whileenablingdrillingtoproceed,saidActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.Theseareas
reflecttheemphasisofthecommentswereceived.Wereceivedmorethan24,000comments,
andwanttobedeliberateandtransparentasweseekcontinuedinputontheproposedrevisions
fromouradvisorycommitteesandthepublic.
DEPplanstopublishthechangesforpubliccommentinAprilandhavethemreviewed
byitsadvisorygroupscoveringconventionalandunconventionaloilandgaswelloperations.
Thechangesinclude
Retainsthe100footsetbackfromstreamsandwetlandsfordrillingpads,notjustfromthe
actualwell
Eliminatestemporaryonsitewastewaterstorageimpoundments
Requiresclosureofcentralizedwastewaterstorageimpoundmentswithinthreeyears,anythat
wishtoremainopenwillhavetoberepermittedasaresidualwastefacility
Operatorswillhavetoconductanimpactanalysisofpublicresourcesfromtheedgeofthe
drillingpadandaddsschools,playgroundsandDEPdesignatedwellprotectionareasandgives
DEPtheauthoritytoconditionadrillingpermittoprotectthoseresources.Theproposalextends
thereviewtimesforpublicresourceagenciesfrom15to30days
Operatorsmustnowidentifyactiveandinactivewellsaswellasorphanandabandonedwells
andaddsawellmonitoringcomponent
OperatorsmustrestoredrinkingwaterwellstopredrillingconditionortomeetstateSafe
DrinkingWaterActstandards
Anewnoisemitigationrequirementisaddedforunconventionalwellsand
Addsrequirementstorequireconventionalwelloperatorstoprovidenotificationtosurface
ownersofcertaindrillingrelatedactivities,includingthedisposalofwasteonsite.
Chapter78asoriginallyproposedcoveredbothconventionalandunconventionaloiland
gaswells,however,aprovisionintheFiscalCodepassedlastJulyrequiredDEPtosplitthe
packageintotwoseparatesetsofregulations,onecoveringconventional
Chapter78
andthe
otherunconventional
Chapter78A
.
DEPwillreviewtheproposedfinalrevisionsonMarch20withthe
OilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoard
andonMarch26withthenew
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisory
Committee
.
Thosewhocannotattendinpersonmaytuneinviawebinar.Toparticipateinthe
webinar,preregistrationisrequiredatleast30minutespriortothestartofeachsession.
ClickHere
toregisterformorningsession,
ClickHere
toregisterfortheafternoon
sessionoftheTAB(unconventional)meeting.
ClickHere
toregisterforthemorningsession,
ClickHere
toregisterfortheafternoonsessionoftheCOGAC(conventional)meeting.
AlltheexistingmembersoftheTABCommitteearebeingreplacedwithnewmembers
bytheWolfAdministrationwhichwillalsoaddseveraladhocmembers.TheConventional
AdvisoryCommitteeisentirelynew.
TheagencyisexpectedtoreleasethechangesintheformofanAdvancedNoticeofFinal
Rulemakingfora30daypubliccommentperiodstartingApril4.Nopublichearingsare
plannedatthistime.
InproposingtheoriginalChapter78regulationsinlate2013andearly2014,DEPheld9
publichearingsaroundthestate,twowebinarsandhada90daypubliccommentperiod.
DEPanticipatesgoingtotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardwithafinalregulationinlate
2015andexpectstherulestobefinalizedintheSpringof2016.
Proposedfinal
Chapter78A
unconventionaldrillingisnowonDEPs
OilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoard
webpage.
ClickHere
forDEPsPowerPointpresentationonthe
proposedfinalrule.
Formoreinformation,DEPs
OilandGasRegulations
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPOutlinesNewDraftOfGasDrillingRules
WolfAdministrationAdvancesTougherGasDrillingRules
WithNewDraftRules,DEPStepsUpOversightOfDrillingWaste
DEPMovesToDiscourageOrBanOpenWastewaterPits
WolfAdministrationToAdvanceTougherDrillingRules
TougherRegulationsSeenForShaleFirms
Editorial:DrillingRegsToRestoreSomeBalance
PEC:DEPsRevisedNaturalGasRegulatoryProposalAPositiveStepForward
MondaytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionreleasedlongawaitedrevisionstoits
proposedrulemakingonmanagingunconventionalshalegasdevelopment.Whileitwilltake
timetoreviewallofthedetails,the
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
releasedthefollowingstatement:
Ourinitialimpressionoftherulemakingrevisionsisveryencouraging.Thereare
significantchangesmanyofwhichwehaveadvocatedforoverthepastseveralyears
includingtoughercontainmentstandards,greaterwatershedprotections,andmorerobust
predrillinganalysis.TheDepartmentistobecommendedforimprovingthisproposal,said
JohnWalliserofPEC.Itsessentialtoadvanceandfinalizetherulemakingtogetthese
protectionsintooperation.
Amongtheimmediatelyapparentchangesaremorerobustsurfaceandgroundwater
protectionmeasures,expansionofrequiredpredrillinganalysistopreventpollutionmigration,
tougherwastedisposalcontrols,andtheprohibitionofwastewaterstoragepits.Theuseof
impoundmentpitshasbeenacontroversialissueduetoconcernsaboutgroundandsurfacewater
contamination,aswellaspotentialexposuretoharmfulairemissions.
Toughersitingandcontainmentcontrolsforcentralizedwastewaterstoragemakes
sense,saidWalliser.Itsatoughstandard,butonethatcanandshouldbemade.
PECwillbetakingamuchcloserlookattherevisedrulemaking,andwillbesubmitting
fullcommentstotheDepartment.Thosecommentswillbepostedon
PECswebsite
.
EnvironmentalDefenseFundCommendsGovernorOnDrillingRegChanges
EnvironmentalDefenseFundcommendsGov.TomWolfandtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionforproposingsensibleimprovementstothestatesoilandgaslaws.
TheproposedrulesinrevisedChapter78areagoodstepforwardtoprotect
Pennsylvaniascommunitiesandenvironmentfromthelocalimpactsandrisksassociatedwith
naturalgasextraction.Thesemuchanticipatedregulatoryrevisionsreflecttheadministrations
commitmenttoresponsibleshaledevelopment,said
AndrewWilliams
,SeniorStateRegulatory
andLegislativeAffairsManager,NaturalGas.
AstheChapter78publicationandcommentperioddrawnear,EDFlooksforwardto
workingwiththeadministrationandotherstakeholderstoensurethefinalizationofthestrongest
rulespossible.
DEPAnnouncesVoting,AdHocMembersOfOilAndGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayannouncedthemembersofthe
Oiland
GasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
.TABsmissionistoincreasetransparencyandcommunication
aboutregulatingtheunconventional(Marcellus,UticaShale)oilandgasdrillingindustry.
TABisauthorizedunderthe2012OilandGasActtoadviseDEPintheformulation,
drafting,andpresentationstagesofallregulationsrelatingtounconventionaloilandgas
extraction.TABwillbegiventheopportunitytoreviewandcommentonallregulationsofa
technicalnaturepriortosubmissiontotheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.
TABconsistsoffivemembers,allofwhomarechosenbytheGovernorandareresidents
ofPennsylvania.AllboardmemberswereappointedonMarch9.
TherearefiveTABmembersappointedbythegovernor.Threemembersareeither
petroleumengineers,petroleumgeologistsordrillerswithatleastthreeyearsofexperiencein
Pennsylvania.Onememberisacoalminingengineerwiththreeyearsofexperiencein
Pennsylvania.Thelastvotingmemberisageologist,petroleumengineerordrillerwiththree
yearsofexperienceinPennsylvania,chosenfromthreecandidatessuppliedbytheCitizens
AdvisoryCounciltothegovernor.
TheAdvisoryBoardmembersinclude:
FredJ.Baldassare,P.G.
,Owner&SeniorGeoscientist,ECHELONAppliedGeoscience
Consulting
DavidA.Yoxtheimer,P.G.
,Hydrogeologist,MarcellusCenterforOutreachandResearchat
ThePennsylvaniaStateUniversity
RobertC.Hendricks,P.G.
,WaterTeamLead/GroundwaterProtectionLeadAppalachia,
ShellExplorationandProductionCompany
CaseyV.Saunders,P.E.
,PennsylvaniaCoalOperationsSeniorProjectEngineer,CONSOL
Energy
BryanJ.McConnell,P.G.
,EnvironmentalProgramManager,Tenaska,Inc.
ThenonvotingmembersoftheAdvisoryBoardareselectedbytheSecretaryofthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.Thesemembersare:
JohnWalliser,Esq.
,VicePresidentofLegal&GovernmentAffairs,
Pennsylvania
EnvironmentalCouncil
W.MichaelGriffin,Ph.D.
,ExecutiveDirectoroftheCenterforEnergyandDecision
Making,CarnegieMellonUniversity
EmilyKrafjack,President
,
ConnectionforOil,Gas,&EnvironmentintheNorthernTier,
Inc
.
BarbaraG.Kutchko,Ph.D.,P.E.
,PhysicalScientist,NationalEnergyTechnology
LaboratoryattheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy.
TheTABmeetsMarch20at10:00a.m.inRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingin
Harrisburgtoreviewtheproposedfinal
Chapter78A
drillingregulations.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
webpage.
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+CirclecalledGreenWorksInPA.Justgotoyour
Google+pageandsearchfor
DHess@CrisciAssociates.com
,theemailfortheDigestEditor
DavidHess,andletusjoinyourCircle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.
Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom:
PAEnviroDigest.
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.
PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(March30):
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(April13):
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingforsewagelateralline
improvementsandrepair(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providing
foranindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill
385
(PileggiRDelaware)willmodernizethePennsylvaniaTransitRevitalizationInvestment
District(TRID)Act(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
the
willholdbudgethearingsontheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesthe
ConsumerAffairsCommittee
holdsaninformation
meetingonthe,waterandwastewaterindustries.<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommittee
Schedule.
Senate:
the
willholdbudgethearingsontheGovernorsBudget
OfficeandtheIndependentFiscalOffice.<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
AuthorizingRecyclingFees:
HouseBill755
(HackettRDelaware)authorizingcounty
recyclingfees(
sponsorsummary
).
LawnFertilizerUseReduction:
SenateBill563
(AllowayRFranklin)establishingalawn
fertilizerlabelinganduserestrictionprogramtoreducetheimpactoffertilizeronthestates
riversandstreams(
sponsorsummary
).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate

April13,14,15,20,21,22
May4,5,6,11,12,13
June1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,29,30
House
March30,31
April1,13,14,15,20,21,22
May4,5,6,11,12,13
June1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
NewsFromAroundTheState
ActingDCNRSecretaryCindyDunnHonoredByNationalWildlifeFederation
CindyDunn,ActingSecretaryoftheDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResources,washonoredonMarch12bythe
NationalWildlife
Federation
forhercontributionsandachievementsintheenvironmental
field.
Herworktoreducecarbonpollution,promotecleanenergy,and
protectwildlifeandtheirhabitatsfromtherisksofclimatechangehasmade
herarecipientoftheWomeninConservationAward,giventothose
deservingwomenthathaveshownexceptionalleadershipanddedicationto
conservationandclimateaction.
Cindyisatrueassettotheconservationcommunity,saidCollin
OMara,presidentandCEOoftheNationalWildlifeFederation.WeatNWFbelievethat
highlightingandbringingwomenintotheenvironmentalstoryisimportanttoreachthecommon
goalofprotectingallpeople,communities,landscapesandourpreciouswildlifefromthe
impactsofclimatechange.
DinnerToRecognizeWinnersOfGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwardsApril28
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
willhostadinneronApril28torecognizethewinnersofthe
GovernorsAwardforEnvironmentalExcellenceattheHarrisburgHiltonfrom5:00p.m.to9:00
p.m.Forinformationonsponsorshipsandtickets,contactAngelaVitkoski,PEC,at
5707186507orsendemailto:
AVitkoski@pecpa.org
.
NewsClip:
PECRecognizesEmilyRinaldiWithNEPAEnvironmentalAward
Pennsylvania!EnterTheChesapeakeBayWatershed2015PhotoContest!

The
ChesapeakeBayFoundation
2015SaveTheBayPhotoContest
isnowacceptingentries.
NowisthetimetosubmityourphotosshowingoffPennsylvaniaspartoftheChesapeakeBay
Watershed.DeadlineforentriesisApril10.
Imagesdepictingpeople,wildlife,recreation,andfarmswithinthewatershedwillallbe
considered.AllphotosmustincludewaterfromtheChesapeakeBayorariver,stream,creek,or
otherbodyofwaterinsidetheChesapeakeBaywatershed.
Formoreinformation,visitCBFs
SaveTheBayPhotoContest
webpage.
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssn.EarthDayCreek5KApril26
Runners,onyourmark!GetsettorunfortheEarthduringthe
EarthDayCreek5k
at
ForEvergreenNaturePreserve
inAnalomink,MonroeCountyonApril26.
The
BrodheadWatershedAssociation
invitesrunners,dashersandwalkerstoparticipate
inthescenic5kalongthehistoricBrodheadCreek.Afamilyfriendlyevent,childrenare
welcometocompeteintheKidsDash.Allproceedswillbededicatedtotheestablishmentof
theForEvergreenNaturePreserve.
StroudTownship,BWAand
PoconoHeritageLandTrust
willstagetheCreek5kaspart
oftheFirstAnnualEarthDayFestivalatForEvergreenNaturePreserve.TheCreek5kwillbegin
withaKidsDashat9:30a.m.,followedbythemainraceat10a.m.,andawardsat10:45a.m.
EarthDayFestivalactivitieswillstartat11:30a.m.andwillincludeactivitiesgeared
towardsnatureenthusiasts:flyfishingdemonstrations,acompostingworkshopbytheWaste
Authority,arainbarrelpresentationbythe
MonroeCountyConservationDistrict
,aguidedhike
bynaturalistDonMiller,andanexhibitofPoconoartistsnaturethemedart.JosiePorterFarm
willbesellingGMOfree,pasturedbratwurstandartisangrilledcheesesandwichestohungry
runners/attendees,andavisitbyanicecreamtruckwilldelightfestivalgoersyoungandold.
TheForEvergreenNaturePreservehasbeencreatedonabeautifulpropertythatwasonce
hometotheEvergreenGolfCourse.In2013,StroudTownshippurchasedthepropertyandhas
beentransformingitbackintoanaturalareafortheenjoymentofrunners,anglers,andother
outdoorenthusiasts.
TheBWAwouldliketothankeventsponsorsPoconoMedicalCenter,Fisher&SonCo.
Inc,BrodheadForest&StreamAssociation,andDr.PatKennedyandMikeThomasfortheir
generoussupport.
EventsponsorshipsarestillavailablepleasevisittheBWAswebsiteforsponsorship
information.
RunnersandwalkersinterestedinparticipatingintheCreek5KRun/Walk
canregister
online
.Registrationsonracedaywillbeacceptedbycashorcheck.
ThePreserveislocatedonCherryLaneRoad,inAnalomink,aboutahalfmilefromthe
turnoffRte.191/447.
Formoreinformation,email:
info@brodheadwatershed.org
,visitthe
Brodhead
WatershedAssociation
websiteorcallBWAat5708391120.
DEPLaunchesNewGroundwaterMonitoringNetwork
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayencouragedallPennsylvanianstoprotect
publichealthandtheenvironmentbyhonoringNationalGroundwaterAwarenessWeekMarch8
to14.
Aspartofthiscelebration,DEPhaslaunchedamonitoringinitiativetomeasure
groundwaterquality.Thenewmonitoringnetworkexpandspreviouslylimitedmonitoringefforts
bysamplinggroundwaterqualityonasemiannualbasisatselectlocationsacrossthestate,using
existingwellsinthe
PennsylvaniaDroughtMonitoringNetwork
.
Thisprojectiscurrentlyfocusedinthenortheast,northcentralandwesternpartsofthe
state,whereshalegasdevelopmentisoccurring.Inthefuture,thedatawillgiveDEPmore
detailedinformationaboutgroundwaterresourcesstatewide.
ProtectingPennsylvaniasgroundwaterinvolvesguardingbothitsquantityandquality.
DEPmonitorsgroundwaterquantitybymeasuringgroundwaterlevelsinobservationwells
throughoutthestate.
Groundwaterlevelsarerecordeddailyandusedtoevaluatewateravailabilityand
possibledroughtconditions.Currentgroundwaterlevelsacrossthestateareverylowforthis
timeofyear.
ThereismorethanthirtytimesmoregroundwaterthansurfacewaterinPennsylvania,
andchancesarethatsome,ifnotall,ofourdrinkingwaterdependsongroundwater,Acting
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.Muchofthewaterusedinhomes,restaurants,schools,
hospitals,officebuildings,andindustrycomesfromgroundwatersystems,makingprotection
everyonesresponsibility.
Pennsylvaniaresidentscandotheirpartinconservingwaterinthefollowingways:
Installlowflowplumbingfixturesandaeratorsonfaucets.
Checkforhouseholdleaks.Aleakingtoiletcanwasteupto200gallonsofwatereachday.
Takeshortshowersinsteadofbaths.
Replaceolderapplianceswithhighefficiency,frontloadingmodelsthatuseabout30percent
lesswaterand40to50percentlessenergy.
Rundishwashersandwashingmachinesonlywithfullloads.
Provideinsulationforpipessubjecttofreezingand/orprovidingaspaceheaterinsteadof
allowingfaucetstodripcontinuously.
Pennsylvanianscanprotectgroundwaterqualityby:
Dontpouranytoxicorhazardoussubstances(includingpaints,varnishes,thinners,wasteoils,
pesticidesandherbicides)downthedrainorintothetoilet.
Ifyouchangetheoilinacar,recycletheusedoil.
Whenusingfertilizersorpesticides,followthedirections.Useonlytheamountrecommended
bytheproductlabel.
Nearly1.5millionPennsylvaniansrelyongroundwatersuppliedcommunitywater
systemsfortheirdrinkingwaterwhileanother2millionresidentsrelyongroundwatersupplied
privatewaterwells.Propermanagementofgroundwatersourcedsystemsensuressafe,healthy
drinkingwater.
Allwaterwellownersareurgedtogettheirwellstestedannuallyandchecktheirwell
caps,Quigleysaid.Wellownersshouldalsobeawareofwhatisstoredneartheirwell.Items
likefertilizer,pesticides,oil,gasolineordieselfuelshouldneverbestoredwithin20feetofa
well.
FormoreinformationgenerallyonPennsylvaniasgroundwater,visittheDEPs
GroundwaterProtection
webpage.

PEMA:CitizensUrgedToWatchForPossibleSpringFloodingAsTempsRise
Astemperaturesriseandforecastscallforrainthisweekend,stateofficialsareurgingcitizensto
keepaneyeonlocalwaterwaysforpossiblefloodingoverthenextseveralweeks.
Ourconcernatthispointisforicejamflooding,becausethatsharder,ifnotnearly
impossible,topredict,saidRichardD.Flinn,Jr.,directorofthePAEmergencyManagement
Agency.ButweknowthatPennsylvaniaisoneofthemostfloodpronestatesinthecountry,
andweneedtobevigilantnotonlyuntilsnowandicearegone,butalsothroughoutthespring
andsummer.
Flinnsaidfamiliesshouldtakethetimetocreateanemergencyplanandbuildan
emergencykitfortheirhomesandcarsusingresourcesavailableonlineat
www.ReadyPA.org
.
Thewebsiteincludesfreedownloadablefamilyplantemplatesandemergencykitchecklists.
Flinnalsosaiditisimportantforthepublictounderstandthedifferencebetweenaflood
watchandafloodwarningbecauseeachrepresentsadifferentlevelofactiontobetaken.
Afloodwatchmeansthatfloodingmayoccur.Residentsshouldstayalertandwatchrivers
andstreams,andbepreparedtomovetohighgroundquickly.
Afloodwarningmeansthatthereisactualflooding.Residentsshouldactatonceandmoveto
highground.
Motoristsshouldalsobeawarethatdrivingaroundsafetywarningsignsandenteringa
floodedroadwaycouldcostyouupto$250andpointsonyourdrivingrecordandpenaltiesare
higherifemergencyrespondersneedtocomeouttorescueyou,Flinnsaid.
TheDepartmentofHealthisalsoremindingresidentsofthedangersofcominginto
contactwithfloodwaters.
Weareaskingeveryonetoavoidcomingincontactwithfloodwater,saidActing
SecretaryofHealthDr.KarenMurphy.Floodwaterscanbetoxicbecausetheymightcontain
sewage,hazardouschemicalsorsharpobjectslikeglassormetalfragments.Comingintocontact
withfloodwaterscancausegastrointestinaldisease,injuries,andinfections,whichiswhyits
besttoavoidthemifatallpossible.
Ifyouhavetocleanupyourhomeorpropertyafteraflood,followthesetipstostay
healthyandsafe:
Keepchildrenandpetsoutoftheaffectedarea(s)untilcleanupiscompleted.
Wearrubberboots,rubbergloves,andgogglesduringcleanup.
Thoroughlycleanallhardsurfaceswithhotwaterandlaundryordishdetergent.
Donotallowchildrentoplaywithanytoysthathavebeencontaminatedbyfloodwateruntil
theitemshavebeenthoroughlydisinfected.
Washhandsfrequentlyandalwaysbeforemeals.
Ifyouhaveopenwoundsorsores,coverthemwithawaterproofbandageifpossible.
Keepopenwoundscleanbywashingwellwithsoapandcleanwater.
Moreinformation,visitPEMAs
FloodEmergencies
webpageandDEP
StormandFlood
RecoveryFactSheets
.
Tomonitorfloodconditionsacrossthestate,visitthe
NationalWeatherService
website.
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesIllegalDumpingSurveillanceProgram
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
Thursdaylaunchedanewinnovativeprogramcalled
IllegalDumpFreePA
thatwillprovidesurveillancekits,trainingandonlinesupportto
Pennsylvaniamunicipalitiestohelpthembattleillegaldumping.
Illegaldumpingisastatewideconcern,accordingtoarecentstudycommissionedby
KeepPABeautiful,thestateaffiliateofKeepAmericaBeautifulandsponsoredbythe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
Dumpsitescanbefoundineverycounty6,500atlastcount.Cleanupsconductedby
localmunicipalitiesarecostly,averagingabout$600perton,orroughly$3,000persite,
siphoningofftaxdollarsandstaffresources.
Thosefundscouldbebetterspentelsewhere,suchasparks,childrensorseniors
programs,orcommunityinfrastructure,saysKPBPresidentShannonReiter.Pennsylvanians
cannolongeraffordtocontinuallycleanupthesesites.
DevelopedbyKeepPABeautifulandfinanciallysupportedthroughagrantfromDEP,
surveillancekitswillbeavailabletobeplacedatundisclosed,activedumpsites.
Thekitsincludethreeconcealable,lockablecamerasandaccessoriesthatcaptureusable,
convictionworthyfootageoflicenseplatesandillegaldumpersevenatnight.Onecamerauses
wirelesstechnologythatcansendpicturesviatexttoaregisteredcellphonewhentriggered,
providingalmostinstantresults.
KeepPABeautifulwillprovidetechnicalassistanceforinstallationmunicipalitieswill
havetheoptionofpurchasingtheequipment.A2013pilotprogramwasinstrumentalin
prosecutionandconvictionsinAllegheny,ArmstrongandElkcounties.
Awebportal,
www.IllegalDumpFreePA.org
,explainstheprogramindetail,andalso
allowsmembersofthepublictoreportanillegaldumpsiteintheircommunity.
InapublicopinionpollKeepPABeautifulconductedwithPennStateUniversity,the
majorityofrespondentsstatedthattheybelievefinesandpenaltiesleviedonillegaldumpers
shouldbeusedtocleanupillegaldumpsites,ratherthanpublicfunds.
Unfortunately,theevidenceneededtoassessfinesandpenaltieswasnonexistent,
difficulttoobtain,orinsufficienttosupportenforcementactions,untilnow.
Cleanups,whilenecessary,simplyabsolvethedumpersofanyresponsibility,adds
Reiter.Thisprogramprovidestheevidenceneededtofullyprosecutethosecommittingthis
crime.
IllegalDumpFreePA
isoneofthemanyresourcesKeepPABeautifulofferstoreduce
boththeenvironmentalandfinancialimpactsofillegaldumpingandlittering.
Othereffortsincludethe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvania
,the
LitterFreeSchool
Zone
,andthe
KeepPABeautifulAdoptionProgram
.
Formoreinformationortoreportanillegaldumpsite,visitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
website.
KeepPABeautiful,LocalPartnersGetGrantsForCigaretteLitterPreventionProgram
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
hasannouncedthattheyhavereceiveda$15,000grantfromKeep
AmericaBeautifultocontinuetheirworkwiththeKeepAmericaBeautiful
CigaretteLitter
PreventionProgram
.
Theawardincludes$10,000forRaystownLakeRecreationalAreainHuntingdonCounty
and$5,000fortheareainandaroundtheCityofErie,ErieCounty.
Additionally,manyotherPennsylvaniaorganizationsreceivedCigaretteLitterPrevention
Programgrantsranginginamountsfrom$2,500to$5,000.Theyinclude:
BayfrontEastSideTaskforce,ErieCounty
SistersofSt.JosephNeighborhoodNetwork,ErieCounty
LancasterCountySolidWasteManagementAuthority,LancasterCounty
KeepPhiladelphiaBeautiful,PhiladelphiaCounty
AlleghenyCounty
WestChesterBorough,ChesterCounty
ThetotalamountgrantedtoPennsylvaniaforCigaretteLitterPreventionProgramsby
KeepAmericaBeautifulis$35,000.
Tobaccoproducts,consistingmainlyofcigarettebutts,arethemostlittereditemin
America,representingnearly38percentofallitemslittered,accordingto"LitterinAmerica,"
KABslandmarkstudyoflitterandlitteringbehavior.
Overthepast10years,theCLPPhasconsistentlycutcigarettebuttlitterby
approximatelyhalfbasedonlocalmeasurementstakeninthefirstfourmonthstosixmonths
afterprogramimplementation.Surveyresultsalsodemonstratedthatascommunitiescontinueto
monitortheprogramthosereductionsaresustainedorevenincreasedovertime.
TheCigaretteLitterPreventionProgramisaproventooltoaddressthenumberone
litterediteminAmerica.ThankstoKeepAmericaBeautiful,wecancontinuetoinvestinthis
highlyeffectiveprogram,explainedShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.
Formoreinformation,visitKPBs
CigaretteLitterPreventionProgram
webpage.
SaveTheDate:EnvironmentalRightsAmendmentSymposiumApril12Harrisburg
TheSierraClubandPennFuturearehostingaPAEnvironmentalRightsAmendment
SymposiumonApril12attheMarketSquarePresbyterianChurch,20S.SecondSt.,in
Harrisburgstartingat3:00p.m.
FeaturedspeakersincludeFranklinKury,authoroftheEnvironmentalRights
Amendment,JohnChilde,PAEnvironmentalDefenseFundandJohnDernbach,Professor
WidenerUniversitySchoolofLaw.
FreeparkingisavailableintheMarketSt.Garage.Questionsshouldbedirectedto:
BarbaraPennellbysendingemailto:
bpennell38@comcast.net
.
DEPIssuesErosionControl,StreamCrossingPermitsForConstitutionPipeline
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeonMarch14offinalerosionand
sedimentationandencroachmentpermitsithasissuedfortheproposed25milelong
Constitution
Pipeline
inSusquehannaCounty(
PABulletinpage1314
).
Theprojectincludes93wetlandcrossingsand88streamcrossingsassociatedwiththe
pipeline,workspaceandaccessroads.Theprojectpermanentlyencroachesonapproximately
9.50acresofwetlandsandtemporarilyencroachesonapproximately5.05acresofwetlands.The
projectalsoencroachesonapproximately6,225feetofstreamchannel.
PUCAnnouncesLaunchOfOnlineSearchFunctionForUtilityComplaints
ThePublicUtilityCommissionTuesdayannouncedthelaunchofa
PUCwebsitefeature
allowinguserstosearchbycompanyforformalcomplaintsfiledagainstregulatedutilitiesand
suppliers.
Thesearchfeature,foundatthePUCswebsite,allowsconsumerstofindandview
formalcomplaintsfiledagainstallregulatedutilitiesandsuppliers.PUCCommissioners
approvedthiscomplainttrackingsystemtomakecomplaintinformationmoreeasilyaccessible
tothepublic,providingmoretransparency.
ThedevelopmentofthefunctionwasledbyPUCChairmanRobertF.Powelsonand
CommissionerPamelaA.Witmer.
AfterlastwintersPolarVortexandcorrespondingspikesinvariableelectricrates,the
Commissionreceivedarecordnumberofconsumercomplaintsagainstelectricsuppliers,said
CommissionerWitmer.Thisledustoconcludethatitsbeneficialtocustomerstohaveclear
accesstotheformalcomplaintsonrecordforallregulatedutilitiesnotjustelectricsuppliers.
However,itisimportantforcustomerstoviewcomplaintsasonlyonemeasureofacompanys
customerservice.
Complaintscouldconcernbillingissues,difficultycontactingthecompany,
dissatisfactionwithserviceorotherissues.Consumerscansearchbycompanyname,utilitycode
orcarrierID.Ifsearchingformultiplecompanies,consumerscansearchbyauthority/service
typeandauthoritystatus.Complaintsfoundonthedatabaseareformalcomplaintsonlyinformal
complaintsfiledwiththeCommissionarenotpartofthepublicrecord.
TheimplementationofthisfeaturefollowsseveralotherCommissionmeasures,
rulemakingsandneweducationtoolssincelastwintertorequirebetterandclearerinformation
fromelectricgenerationsuppliers.Eachisdesignedtohelpconsumersavoidahighelectricrate
formultiplebillingcycles,saidChairmanPowelson.
Onemeasureincludesenhancementsto
www.PAPowerSwitch.com
byaddingnew
informationrelatedtoelectricshoppingandfixedandvariablerates.
Thenewformalcomplaintsearchmechanismisavailableonthe
PUCswebsite
.
PUCIssuesProposedStepsForFutureEnergyEfficiency,ConservationForComment
ThePublicUtilityCommissionWednesdayissuedforcommenta
TentativeImplementation
Order
onthefutureofenergyefficiencyandconservation(EE&C)programsestablishedunder
Act129of2008
.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovetheTentativeImplementationOrderthataddresses
issuesrelatedtothedesignandimplementationofthenextphaseoftheEE&Cprogram.
Commissioner
PamelaA.Witmerissuedastatement
.
ThecurrentEE&CplansarevalidthroughMay2016,atwhichtimethelawdirectsthe
PUCtoreevaluatethecostsandbenefitstodetermineiftheEE&Cprogramsshouldcontinue.
Byinitiatingthisplanningprocesswellinadvanceof2016,theCommissionintendstofacilitate
asmoothtransitiontominimizeanypossibleprogramlapsesifthedecisionismadetomoveinto
thethirdphaseoftheprogram.
TheTentativeImplementationOrdersolicitscommentsontheevaluationoftheEE&C
program,theproposedadditionalrequiredreductionsinconsumptionandpeakdemand,aswell
asontheproposalsaddressingthedesignandimplementationofthenextroundoftheEE&C
program.
TheCommissionproposestoimplementafiveyearPhaseIIIoftheAct129EE&C
programthatwouldoperatefromJune1,2016,throughMay31,2021.
OnOctober23,2014,theCommissionissueda
SecretarialLetter
seekingcomments.In
addition,theCommissionheldastakeholdermeetingonDec.2,2014,toprovideinterested
partiesanopportunitytoidentifyadditionalissuesandconcernsregardingthedesignofany
futureEE&Cprogramandtoaddressanyquestionsregardingthetopicsandissuespresentedin
thePhaseIIISecretarialLetter.
OnOctober15,2008,Act129of2008becamelawandincludedimplementationof
EE&Cprogramsthatwouldproduceusagereductionstomeetlegislativelymandatedtargets
throughMay31,2013.OnAugust2,2012,thePUCissueda
FinalImplementationOrder
adoptingathreeyearPhaseIIAct129EE&CProgramthatoperatesfromJune1,2013,through
May31,2016.
Act129alsoaddressedissuessuchaselectricutilityanddefaultserviceprovider
responsibilitiesconservationserviceproviderssmartmetertechnologytimeofuserates
realtimepricingplansdefaultserviceprocurementmarketmisconductalternativeenergy
sourcesandcostrecovery.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PUCsAct129
webpage.
PUCSeeksCommentsOnRevisionsToAct129TotalResourceCostTest
ThePublicUtilityCommissionWednesdayissuedforcommentrevisionstothetotalresource
cost(TRC)testtoanalyzethecostsandbenefitsofenergyefficiencyandconservation(EE&C)
planssubmittedbyelectricdistributioncompanies(EDCs).
Act129of2008
directstheCommissiontouseaTRCtesttoanalyzethecostsand
benefitsoftheEDCsEE&Cplans.
TheCommissionvoted50toissuechangestotheTRCtestforcomment.The
proposed
TRCtest
willbeusedintheeventaPhaseIIIoftheEE&Cprogramisimplemented.Inseparate
actionattodaysPublicMeeting,theCommissionvotedtoseekcommentsonaTentative
ImplementationOrder.
Commissioner
JamesH.Cawleyissuedastatement
.
OnOctober15,2008,Act129of2008becamelawandincludedimplementationof
EE&Cprogramsthatwouldproduceusagereductionstomeetlegislativelymandatedtargets
throughMay31,2013.OnAug.2,2012,thePUCissueda
FinalImplementationOrder
adopting
athreeyearPhaseIIAct129EE&CProgramthatwilloperatefromJune1,2013,throughMay
31,2016.
OnOctober23,2014,theCommissionissueda
SecretarialLetter
seekingcommentsona
possiblePhaseIIIoftheEE&Cprogram.Inaddition,theCommissionheldastakeholder
meetingonDecember2,2014,toprovideinterestedpartiesanopportunitytoidentifyadditional
issuesandconcernsregardingthedesignofanyfutureEE&Cprogramandtoaddressany
questionsregardingthetopicsandissuespresentedinthePhaseIIISecretarialLetter.
PUCsAct129
webpage.
CFAAnnouncesAlternative,CleanEnergyGrantAwards
Gov.WolfannouncedTuesdaythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
approvedfundingto
supportnewAlternativeandCleanEnergyprojectswiththeinvestmentofmorethan$6.0
millioningrants.
TodaysinvestmentsapprovedbytheCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityareastartto
buildingastrongerPennsylvania,Gov.Wolfsaid.Pennsylvaniacanhaveabrightfuture,but
wemustcontinuetoworktogethertomakenew,bolddecisionstomovethecommonwealth
forward.MyproposedbudgetincludesrecommendationsthatwillonceagainmakePennsylvania
aleaderinnationalenergy.
TheCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityapprovedthreeHighPerformanceBuilding
projectsthroughthestatesAlternativeandCleanEnergy(ACE)program.
TheCFAinvestmentsinBucksandLancastercountiesareprojectedtoresultinmore
than$130.543millioninadditionaleconomicinvestments
BucksCounty:CouncilRockSchoolDistrict
willreceivetwograntsfortheconstructionof
twohighperformancebuildingswithinthedistrict.Thefirstgrantfor$2millionisforthe
constructionofanewUSGBCLEEDGoldmiddleschoollocatedinNewtown,BucksCounty.
Thenew176,000squarefootschoolwillincludegeothermalheatingandcooling,
energyefficientlighting,automatedenergycontrolsystems,lowflowwatersavingfixtures,
occupancybasedtemperatureandlighting,a110kWsolarPVarray,andanimprovedthermal
envelope.
Theprojectisanticipatedtoreduceenergyconsumptionbyanestimated3,429,021kBTU
annually.Inaddition,newlowflowwaterfixtureswillsavethedistrict30percentoftheannual
waterusageatthebuilding.Thetotalprojectcostisestimatedat$55,820,000.
BucksCounty:CouncilRockSchoolDistrictalsoreceived
a$2milliongrantforthe
renovationandconstructionofaUSGBCLEEDGoldmiddleschoolinNorthamptonTownship,
BucksCounty.The136,000squarefootrenovationwillalsofeaturetheadditionof44,000
squarefeet.
Theprojectwillalsoincludegeothermalheatingandcooling,energyefficientlighting,
automatedenergycontrolsystems,lowflowwatersavingfixtures,occupancybasedtemperature
andlighting,a110kWsolarPVarray,andanimprovedthermalenvelope.
Theprojectisanticipatedtoreduceenergyconsumptionbyanestimated3,462,236kBTU
annually.Inaddition,newlowflowwaterfixtureswillsavethedistrict30percentoftheannual
waterusageatthebuilding.Thetotalprojectcostisestimatedat$50,675,001.
LancasterCounty:ManheimCentralSchoolDistrict
willreceivea$2milliongrantforthe
constructionofanewUSGBCGoldelementaryschoolinPennTownship,LancasterCounty.
Thenew120,000squarefootschoolwillincludeagroundsourcegeothermalHVACsystem,
energyefficientlighting,abuildingorientationthattakesadvantageofnaturaldaylight
opportunities,andamodernthermalenvelope.
Theprojectisanticipatedtoreduceenergyconsumptionby1,664,010kBTUannually.In
addition,newlowflowwaterfixtureswillsavethedistrict30percentoftheannualwaterusage
atthebuilding.Thetotalprojectcostisestimatedat$30,048,000.
TheACEProgramprovidesfinancialassistanceintheformofgrantsandloanfundsthat
willbeusedbyeligibleapplicantsfortheutilization,developmentandconstructionofalternative
andcleanenergyprojectsinthestate.
ForapplicationdeadlinesforCFAandotherstateprograms,visitthe
Grants&Awards
webpage.
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
webpageorcall
18664663972.
PACoalAlliance:StudyDocumentsEconomicImpactOfLongwallMining
Astudy
bythe
PennsylvaniaEconomyLeagueofGreaterPittsburgh
foundthatlongwallmining
isadrivingeconomicforceforGreeneandWashingtonCounties,providingsubstantialjobsand
taxrevenuetosupporttheregion.
"In2014wereleasedareportthatshowedthemultibilliondollareconomicimpactthat
coalhasstatewide.Thisnewreportdrawsthedatadowntothecommunitylevelandshowsthe
connectionsbetweenthehighqualityoflifeintheregionandthefamilysustainingjobsprovided
bytheindustry,"said
PACoalAlliance
CEO,JohnPippy.
"Asevidencedbythisreport,longwallmininghelpstopowertheeconomyofmy
SenatorialDistrict,"saidSen.Bartolotta(RGreene)."Itaccountsforover13percentoftheGDP
ofGreeneandWashingtonCounties,isthesourceofover7,300jobsinmyareaanditsproduct
coalprovidesallPennsylvanianswithanassurancethattheCommonwealthwillcontinueto
haveanaffordableandreliablesourceofelectricity."
Longwallminingisaveryspecifictypeofundergroundminingusedtoextractcoalandit
takesplaceonlyinGreeneandWashingtonCounties.Itproduces33,733,448ofthe57,967,127
tonsor58percentofthebituminouscoalminedinthestateeveryyearandranksGreene
countythirdnationallyincoalproduction.
Approximately7,350fullandparttimejobsinGreeneandWashingtoncountiesare
providedbythelongwallminingindustry,makingitthethirdlargestemployer.Foreachofthose
directjobs,anadditional1.1jobsareaddedindirectlyinthecounties.
"LongwallmininghaslongbeentheeconomicbackboneofGreeneandWashington
counties,"statedRep.PamSnyder(RWashington)."Thisreportdemonstratesjusthowmuch
thisminingprocessprovidesinemploymentandtaxesthatdrivethecommunitiesinmydistrict.
ItiswhyIhaveworkedsohardtoretainthesejobsandsupportthisindustryandrespectively,
myconstituents."
Theindustrycontributes$1.94billiontothecounty'seconomies$535millioninlabor
income,$1.3billioninpropertyincome,andmorethan$81millioninindirectbusinesstaxes.
"TheWestGreeneSchoolDistrictis256squaremiles.Thecoalindustryiscriticaltoour
existence,fundingprogramsandcurriculumwiththemajorityofourgraduatingstudents
retainingjobsdirectlyincoalminingorwithacompanythatwouldnotexistwithoutthe
industry,"saidWGSDSuperintendent,ThelmaSzarell."TheconstructionofthenewWest
GreeneElementarySchoolwouldnotbepossiblewithoutadequatetaxdollarsandourlocal
taxpayerswouldbeburdenedwithhighertaxeswithoutthecontributionfromthemining
industrytooffsettherate."
"Anypublicdiscussionaboutcoalminingisincompletewithouttakingamomentto
acknowledgethe'peopleimpact'ofourindustry.Beyondthewellpayingjobsprovided,coal
miningistheeconomicbackboneofentireregionsofourcountry.Whentheindustrystruggles,
sodoourcommunitiesfromthelocalcardealershipsandgrocers,tothetaxrevenuesthathelp
buildschoolsandhospitals.Thisreportgivesreadersaglimpseofhowlongwallmining
contributestotheeconomicwellbeingofPennsylvaniaandhelpssustainthoseareaswherecoal
minersliveandwork,"saidBrianTurk,DirectorofGovernmentandExternalAffairsatAlpha
NaturalResources.
ThestudywaspreparedbythePennsylvaniaEconomyLeagueofGreaterPittsburghfor
thePennsylvaniaCoalAllianceand
isavailableonline
.
HearingOnEnvironmentalImpactsOfDeepMining
The
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
totheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillhold
apublichearingMarch27inCalifornia,PAtoaccepttestimonyonthe
20082013Underground
CoalMiningImpactReport
requiredbythestatesBituminousMineSubsidenceandLand
ConservationAct(Act54).
TheAct54reportfound40percentofthestreamsunderminedbydeepcoalmining(39
of96miles)sufferedflowlossorpoolingthathadanadverseimpactsonaquaticlife,pHand
conductivityinthestreams.
Eightofthe55streamsegmentsidentifiedasbeingaffectedinthe20032008reporthave
yettorecoverfromtheimpactsofmining.
Therewere855reportedimpactstowatersuppliesfromlongwallmining:393were
foundtobefromlongwallmining,384fromroomandpillardeepmining,54frominactivedeep
minesand24frompillarrecoverymining.
Inonethirdofthecases,theminingcompanywasnotfoundliableforthewaterlossor
contamination.
Despitean18percentdropinthenumberofacresundermined,thenumberofwater
supplyreportedeffectshasincreasedbyapproximately25percent(855from683).
Ittookanaverageof220daystoresolvewaterloss/watercontaminationissueseither
throughpermanentreplacementwatersupplies,repairofthewaterwelloragreementsfor
compensationwithlandowners.
Atotalof201waterloss/watercontaminationcaseswerenotresolvedbytheendofthe
20082013reportingperiod.
Therewere389casesofreporteddamagetosurfacestructuresofwhich238were
determinedtobecausedbymining:315fromlongwallmining,48fromroomandpillar,19
frominactivedeepminesand7frompillarrecoverymining.
ThehearingwilltakeplaceonMarch27,2015,from1:00p.m.to3:00p.m.atDEPs
CaliforniaDistrictMiningOffice,MonongahelaConferenceRoom,25TechnologyDrive,
CaliforniaTechnologyPark,CoalCenter,PA15423.
ClickHere
formoreinformationonhow
toregister.
Students!Explore,DiscoverWetlandsThruYourCameraProgramApril27
WildlifeforEveryoneFoundation
issponsoringanExplore,DiscoverandUnderstandWetlands
throughtheLensofaCameraprogramApril27from5:30to7:00p.m.forstudents10to18at
the
GovernorTomRidgeWetlands
,SouthEagleValleyRoad,Julian,inCentreCounty.
Participantswillgetacameraandthentheyareofftoexploreandphotographthe
wetlands.Aftertheiradventure,thegroupwilluploadpicturesintoapresentationtoteachothers
whattheyvelearned.
TherewillbeprizesawardedthankstotheFoundationspartnersforthiseventBest
Buy,PennsCaveandWildlifePark,BigFroggy101andDairyQueenGrill&Chill.
Formoreinformation,call8142388138andvisitthe
WildlifeforEveryoneFoundation
websiteforinformationonotheractivitiesandprojects.
iConservePA.org:JenningsEnvironmentalEdCenterTacklesAcidMineDrainage
ThismonthsissueoftheSEEDSnewsletterfrom
iConservePA.org
featuresa
GreenlifePA
videoshowinghowthe
JenningsEnvironmentalEducationCenter
inMercerCountytreatsacid
minedrainagethroughpassivetreamentsystems.
ClickHere
andwatchEpisode302.
SEEDSalsofeaturesarticleson
TheWaterBeneathYourFeetMatters
,NationalGroundwaterAwarenessWeek.
LearnHowYouCanBecomeACitizenScientist
EarthHour
,SavingEnergyByTurningOffYourLightsFor1HourMarch28
SignUpForPAthfinder
ToLearnAboutRecreationalOpportunitiesInPA
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyofSEEDS.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyofDCNRsResourcenewsletter.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyofKeystoneWild!Notesnewsletter.
DCNRIsNowAcceptingApplicationsForVolunteerFirefightingGrants
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesisnowacceptingapplicationsforgrants
tohelpPennsylvaniasruralcommunitiesbetterguardagainstthethreatoffiresonforested,
undevelopedandunprotectedareas.ApplicationsaredueMay21.
Warmingtemperatures,sunnydaysandstrongwindssoonwillusherinwildfiredangers
thatemphasizethevalueofhavingwelltrainedandwellequippedlocalfirefightingforcesin
ruralareas,DCNRActingSecretaryCindyDunnsaid.Thesemenandwomendeservethevery
besttrainingandequipment.
In2014,$591,069wasawardedto158volunteerfirecompaniesservingruralareasand
communitieswhereforestandbrushfiresarecommon.Thegrantprogram,offeredthrough
DCNRandpaidthroughfederalgrantsfromtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureForestService,
hasawardedmorethan$11millionsinceitbeganin1982.
Localfirefightingforcesinruralareasorcommunitieswithfewerthan10,000residents
qualifyfortheaid,whichisusedfortrainingandequipmentpurchasesdirectlyrelatedtofighting
brushandforestfires.
Inreviewingapplications,DCNRwillplacepriorityonthoserequestsseekingfundsfor
projectsthatincludethepurchaseofwildfiresuppressionequipmentandprotectiveclothing.
Grantsalsomaybeusedforpurchasingmobileorportableradios,installingdryhydrants,
wildfirepreventionandmitigationwork,trainingwildfirefighters,orconvertingandmaintaining
federalexcessvehicles.
Thesevehiclesarepresentedtothelocaldepartmentsexhibitingthegreatestneedsand
thosethatcommittooutfittingthemforfiresuppression.
Aidisgrantedonacostsharebasis.Grantsforanyprojectduringafiscalyearcannot
exceed50percentoftheactualexpendituresoflocal,publicandprivatenonprofitorganizations
intheagreement.Themaximumgrantthatwillbeconsideredfromanyfirecompanyin2014is
$7,500.
Toexpediteapplicationanddecisionmakingprocesses,DCNRisacceptingonlyonline
applications.
ClickHere
tostarttheonlineapplicationprocess.
Formoreinformation,contactDCNRsDivisionofForestFireProtectionat
7177872925orsendemailto:
raffp@state.pa.us
.

Gov.WolfDeclaresMarch1521WildfirePreventionWeek
Gov.TomWolfFridayproclaimedMarch1521asWildfirePreventionWeekinPennsylvania,
notingdryingMarchwindsandwarmingtemperaturesquicklycancombinetoincreasefire
dangersacrossPennsylvania'sforestsandbrushlands.
"Despiterecentwetweatherandsnowstillcoveringsomeofourstatewoodlands,itjust
takesafewdaysofsunandwindtoshowhowquicklybrushandforestfirescandevelop,"Gov.
Wolfsaid."Ameresparkorcarelessactioncantouchoffadevastatingforestblazeduringdry
periodswhenconditionsenablewildfirestospreadquickly.Pennsylvanianscanpreventwildfires
byproperlystartingandextinguishingcampfires,avoidingdiscardingcigarettesandother
smokingmaterials,andfollowinglocalordinanceswhenburningyardwaste."
"Commonsensecanlimitthethreatofwildfires,"ActingSecretaryofConservationand
NaturalResourcesCindyAdamsDunnsaid."Whenstateresidentsandforestvisitorsarecareless
withburningtrash,campfiresandsmoking,volunteerfirefightersoftenpaythepriceby
answeringcallaftercallinspringwoodlandsthatareripefordamaging,lifethreatening
wildfires."
DCNRstatisticsshownearly85percentofPennsylvania'swildfiresoccurinMarch,
AprilandMay,beforethegreeningofstatewoodlandsandbrushyareas.Namedforrapidspread
throughdormant,dryvegetation,underwindyconditions,wildfiresannuallyscorchnearly7,000
acresofstateandprivatewoodlands.
Anglers,campersandotherstateforestvisitorsareremindedopenfiresareprohibitedon
stateforestlandfromMarch1toMay25,andwhenthefiredangerislistedashigh,veryhigh,or
extreme,unlessauthorizedbydistrictforesters.
Communitiesinheavilywoodedareasareurgedtofollowwildfirepreventionand
suppressionmethodsofthe
PennsylvaniaFirewiseCommunityProgram
tosafeguardlifeand
property.
DCNR'sBureauofForestryisresponsibleforpreventionandsuppressionofwildfireson
the17millionacresofstateandprivatewoodlandsandbrushlands.Thebureaumaintainsa
firedetectionsystem,andworkswithfirewardensandvolunteerfiredepartmentstoensurethey
aretrainedinthelatestadvancesinfirepreventionandsuppression.
FormoreinformationonWildfirePreventionWeekactivities,contactlocaldistrict
foresterscallDCNRsBureauofForestryat7177872925orvisitDCNRs
WildlandFire
webpage.
WestPikelandTownship,ChesterCountyLaudedForItsOpenSpaceInitiatives
NaturalLandsTrust
,inpartnershipwiththeChesterCountyAssociationofTownshipOfficials,
honored
WestPikelandTownship
,ChesterCounty,Thursdaywiththecountyssecondannual
GrowingGreenerCommunitiesAward.
TheawardrecognizesaChesterCountymunicipalitythathasengagedinadynamic
initiativedesignedtosaveland,stewardnaturalresources,andconnectpeopletonature.
TedGacomis,boardmemberforWestPikelandLandTrust,acceptedtheawardonbehalf
oftheTownshipalongsideErnieHolling,ChairmanofWestPikelandTownshipsBoardof
Supervisors,attheCCATOspringconference,heldattheDesmondHotelinMalvern.
ChesterCountyscommunitieshavebeentrueleadersinopenspacepreservation,smart
growth,andsustainableenvironmentalpolicy,saidMollyMorrison,presidentofNaturalLands
Trust.Wewantedtorecognizetheexcellentworkhappeningatatownshiplevelandcelebrate
thededicatedofficials,staff,andvolunteerswhomakeitpossible.
CCATOishappytopartnerwithNaturalLandsTrustonthisawardprogram,andwe
hopethatitservestoencourageandpromotecontinuedforwardthinkingprojectsandplanning
withintheCounty,saidHolling,whocurrentlyservesCCATOaspresident.TheCountysnew
economicdevelopmentstrategy,VISTA2025,emphasizestheimportanceofprotectingour
Countysqualityofplace.AcommitmenttoinvestingintheCountysbeautifulnaturalareas,
whichtheresidentsofWestPikelandTownshipexemplify,willbecriticaltoChesterCountys
continuedeconomicandculturalvitality.
ThisyearsreviewcommitteecomprisedofCCATOofficersfoundmultiplestrong
contendersamongthenominees,butultimatelydeterminedthatWestPikelandTownshipshould
berecognizedforitsrecentconservationefforts.
WestPikelandspentalmost6milliondollarspreservingtrails,historicsites,and
acquiringapark.Thattypeofmonetarycommitment,forme,gavetheedgetoWestPikeland,
saidDavidM.Connors,areviewcommitteememberfromLondonGroveTownship.
WestPikelandsqualifyingprojects(whichhadtooccurin2014,thoughtheycouldbe
partofanongoinginitiative)includedthepurchaseofatraileasementon27privateacresof
alongStreetRoad,whichtheTownshiphadidentifiedasaPriorityScenicRoadwayinits
ConservationandOpenSpaceplans.
Thepropertysitsonaridgetopandofferspanoramicviewsofopenfields.Theeasement
willenabletheTownshiptoconnectNaturalLandsTrustsBinkyLeePreservetothenorthand
theTownshipsPineCreekParktothesouthbytrail.
Alsoin2014,theTownshiphiredalandscapearchitecturefirmtoconsultona67acre
propertythattheTownshipboughtin2013for$5.2million.Thefutureparkisthelargestparcel
theTownshiphaseverpurchasedwithitsOpenSpacefunds.
Approximatelyonethirdoftheparkwillbeusedforactiverecreation,includingfieldand
courtgames,andtheremainingtwothirdswillhavetwomilesofwalkingpathsforpassive
recreation.TheparkstrailsystemalsowillprovideaccesstotheMillatAnselma,aNational
HistoricLandmark.
Todate,theTownshiphasreceived$2.5millioningrantsfortheparksdevelopment.
TheTownshipestablishedtheallvolunteerWestPikelandLandTrustin1999.Thetrustwas
instrumentalinrallyingresidentssupportforWestPikelandsOpenSpaceReferendum,which
WestPikelandresidentsadoptedin2007.
Sincethen,taxrevenueearmarkedtosupportopenspaceprotectionintheTownshiphas
generated$500,000$600,000eachyear.TheabilitytocommitsignificantTownshipfundingto
openspaceprojectshasmadeWestPikelandTownshipeligibleforgrantfundingthroughstate
andcountyprograms.
Protectingthislandscapefromfuturedevelopmentwasstrategictopreservingtherural
characterandscenicviewsthatWestPikelandresidentsvalue,saidCurtGrogan,WestPikeland
LandTrustsvicepresident.
"We'reproudoftheleadershipofWestPikelandfortheirvisiontocreatetheWest
PikelandLandTrust15yearsagotoadvanceanopenspaceagendainthetownship,said
MichaelGroman,presidentofWestPikelandLandTrust.We'realsogratefultothecurrent
boardofsupervisorsandresidentsofWestPikelandTownshipfortheirongoingsupportand
commitmenttoopenspaceaspartofavitalandhealthyWestPikelandcommunity.
NaturalLandsTrust
website.
SpringEditionOfPennsStewardsFromPAParks&ForestsFoundationAvailable
The
SpringeditionofPennsStewards
isnowavailablefromthe
PAParksandForests
Foundation
featuringarticleson
DoWeSeeTheForestsForTheTrees?AllTheOrganismsThatDependOnForests
2015ParksAndForestsPhotoContest
UpcomingCalendarofEvents
ExamplesofProjectsInStateParksAndForests
ReflectionsOnTheCivilianConservationCorps
SnapshotInTime:RachelCarson,WilliamPenn
May5AwardsBanquet
RememberTomThwaites
Profile:FriendsOfWhiteClayCreekPreserve
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
FoodsOfTheDelawareHighlandsAnnualDinnerMay2
CelebratetheuniqueUpperDelawareRiverandCatskillMountainsregionwiththe
Delaware
HighlandsConservancy
atthe8thannual
FoodsoftheDelawareHighlandsGala
onMay2at5
p.m.
Thepopularevent,heldat
HawleysSettlersInn
,featuresafourcoursefarmtotable
dinnerandwinetastingfollowedbyanexcitingliveauction.
Theeveningbeginswithawinetastingandsilentauctionat5:00p.m.,withdinnerat
7:00p.m.Theliveauctionandrafflescapthecelebrationduringdessert.Galaticketsare$125
perperson,whichincludesa$75charitablegifttotheConservancy.
TheConservancysFoodsoftheDelawareHighlandsGalaCommitteeincludeshonorary
cochairsGaryBeilman(TheDimeBank)andHenrySkier(AMSkierInsurance),withJeanne
Genzlinger,AmyLitzenberger,KarenLutz,DonnaRoss,BrendaRuello,andKeithWilliams.
Deliciousgourmetcuisinewillbepreparedusinglocallygrowningredients.Menu
highlightsincludepansearedBloomingGrovetroutovercarrotwakamesalad,andFourStory
HillFarmducktwowayswithgruyerepotatoesdauphinoise.Vegetarianoptionsarealso
available.
Theliveandsilentauctionsandrafflesofferexcitingselectionsfeaturinglocalactivities
andgetawaypackages,includingarelaxingstayattheLodgeatWoodloch,acraftbeerlovers
packageatShawneeInnandGolfResort,adayofprivatesailingandapicniconLake
Wallenpaupack,andadayofguidedflyfishingallincludingovernightstayswithoneofour
GreenLodgingPartners.
Visitthe
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
websiteinearlyApriltoviewourfullslateof
auctionitems.Ifyouareunabletoattendthedinner,butwouldstillliketobidonanauction
item,pleaseemailtheConservancyat:
info@delawarehighlands.org
orcall5702263164or
8455831010tomakearrangements.
OpportunitiestosupporttheDelawareHighlandsConservancyasadinnersponsorare
available.
TheConservatorlevelfor$2,500includes4guaranteedticketstothedinneranda$500
creditforuseintheliveauction.TheGuardianlevelfor$1,000includes4guaranteedticketsto
thedinner,andtheStewardlevelfor$500includes2guaranteedticketstothedinner.
SponsorshipsareacharitablecontributiontotheConservancyless$50perperson
attending.
SincerethankstogenerousgalasponsorsAlandBonnieAlbinson,theAMSkier
Foundation,GregBelcaminoandJudithWelcom,Drs.RichardandMarinaBuckley,DaveChant
andNicolePatrisso,SueCurrier,TheDimeBank,LorraineandGordonDiPaolo,Keithand
ElizabethFitzpatrick,FriendsofKellyGaughan,MichaelandElizabethGeitz,GrantandJeanne
Genzlinger,theHomesteadSchool,PeterKellogg,RichardandRebeccaLindsey,the
LitzenbergerFamilyFoundation,GregandPatrticiaLutfy,KarenandCharlieLutz,Jeffreyand
MaggieMoore,ClarkandPeggyPitcairn,MarySuePrice,thePoconoMountainsVisitors
Bureau,JeffandGailRosalsky,JohnandDonnaRoss,SamandBrendaRuello,Andrewand
JulieWilshinsky,SigridWilshinsky,andBarbaraYeaman.
Reserveyourseatorsponsorthe8thannualFoodsoftheDelawareHighlandsGalatoday
bycontactingtheConservancyat:
info@delawarehighlands.org
or5702263164or
8455831010.
Visitthe
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
websitetolearnmoreaboutthe
Conservancysconservationworkandotherwaysyoucangetinvolved.
SpringEditionOfNotesFromTheForest,LacawacSanctuary,NowAvailable
The
SpringEditionofNotesFromTheForest
isnowavailablefromthe
LacawacSanctuary
Foundation
inLackawannaandWaynecountiesfeaturingarticleson
Dr.RobynSmyth,BardCollege,ReceivesRobertEstabrookMoellerResearchFellowAward
SummerCampExperiencesForYouth
PartnerSpotlight:NorthBranchLandTrust
Lacawac2015PhotoContest
SanctuaryMarch,AprilPrograms
ClickHere
March11DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable
The
March11issueoftheResource
newsletterfromtheDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesisnowavailablefeaturingarticleson
GovernorsBudgetInvestsInConservation,RecreationalResources
FundingAvailableToHelpVolunteerFirefighters
Fish&BoatCommissionRemindsAnglersOfNewStripedBassRegulations
CheckOutDCNRsEventsCalendar
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).
HawkMountainToHoldAnnualSpringEquinoxCelebrationMarch21
HawkMountainSanctuary
inBerksCountywillhostitsannualSpringEquinoxCelebration
March21withavarietyofprogramstocelebratenaturesrenewal.
Programswillbeheldfrom11a.m.to3p.m.,andwillfocusonthereturnof
Pennsylvaniasnativeplantsandwildlifeafteralongwinter.Birdfriendly,shadegrowncoffee
andcocoawillbeservedthroughouttheday.
Thelastfewmonthshavebeenlongandcoldandthisistheperfectexcusetogetoutside
andenjoythelongerdays,warmertemperaturesandemergingwildlife,"saysHawkMountain
PresidentJerryRegan.
Aliveraptordemonstrationwillbeheldatboth11a.m.and2p.m.,andavolunteer
naturalistwillidentifybirdsatthefeederwindowsfrom11a.m.through3p.m.Thefirst20
visitorswhosignupthatdaycantakepartinaguidedSignsofSpringwalkat12:30,and
childrenfromnoonto2pmcancreateaclothespindragonflyorabroadwingedhawkmobile.
Trailadmissionfeesapplyfornonmemberswhowishtohiketoscenicoverlooksand
cost$6adults,$5seniorsand$3childrenagessixto12.Asalways,membersareadmittedfree.
Celebrating80yearsinraptorconservation,HawkMountainSanctuaryistheworld'sfirst
refugeforbirdsofpreyandaninternationalcenterforraptorconservation.The2,500acre
Sanctuary,8miletrailsystem,andVisitorCenterisopentothepublicyearround.
Amodesttrailfeeorannualmembershipduessupportslocaltoglobalconservation
programs,includingpubliceducation,professionaltrainingandscientificresearch.
HawkMountainSanctuary
website.
WinterIssueOfKeystoneWild!NotesIsNowAvailable
The
WinterissueofKeystoneWild!Notes
isnowavailablefromDCNRs
WildResource
ConservationProgram
featuringarticleson
WhatsIceGotToDoWithIt?(FormingLandscapes)
OverwinteringOfTheInvasiveHemlockWoolyAdelgidInPA
WintertimeAnimalAdaptations
IceOnTheRiver
FrostAndForestsTimingIsEverything
WRCPAwards11GrantsIn2014
ScientistProfileGaryFleeger,DCNRBureauofTopographic&GeologicSurvey
MapleSugaringInPAStateParks
Wild!WordsPuzzle
ColorMeWild!WinterPondLife
ReadAllAboutItInWild!Books
ClickHere
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
March16
SenateAppropriationsCommittee
budgethearing:9:30GovernorsBudgetOffice,
1:00IndependentFiscalOffice.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March16
budgethearing:1:30Departmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources.Room140MainCapitol.
March17
CANCELED.
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.ThenextscheduledmeetingisApril21.
(
formalnotice
)
March17
AgendaPosted
.DEP
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
Building.10:00.
ReportByActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
PresentationOnProposedBY201516DEPBudget
SusquehannaRiverWaterQualityMonitoringandAssessmentUpdate
PublicTestimonyonAct54DeepCoalMiningImpactReport
ClickHere
foracopyofDEPsMonthlyReportToTheCAC
<>
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March17
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
StateConservationCommission
meeting.Room309
DepartmentofAgricultureBuilding.1:00.
HillandaleAlternativePhosphorusManagementProposal
2015ChesapeakeBayImplementationGrantFunding
ConceptsforRevisionstothe201516REAPFarmConservationTaxCreditGuidelines
Dirt,GravelandLowVolumeRoadsProgramupdate
<>
ClickHere
March18
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
holdsaninformationmeetingonthe,waterand
wastewaterindustries.Room60EastWing.9:30.
March18
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.Room
11BConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
March18
AgendaPosted
.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
WorkPlansForHeatingOilConservation&FuelSwitching,EnergyCodes,High
performanceBuildings,SemiTruckFreightTransportation,EnergyEfficiencyFinancing,Urban
&CommunityForestry
DEPsCoastalResourcesManagementProgramsChesapeakeBayClimateChangeStrategy
OtherdiscussionofAct70Implementation.
<>
ClickHere
March19
CANCELED.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
March19
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
RainBarrelWorkshop.FourMills
Barn,12MorrisRoad,Ambler.7:00p.m.
ClickHere
toregister.
March20
AgendaPosted
.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
(
formalnotice
)
Reviewofrevisedfinal
Chapter78A
unconventionaldrillingregulations
<>
ClickHere
March2225
68thAnnualPAParksandRecreationSocietyConference
.LancasterMarriott&
ConventionCenter.25SouthQueenSt.,Lancaster.
March23
budgethearing:9:30PublicUtilityCommission.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March23
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
informationalmeetingtoreceivetheGame
Commissionannualreport.Room60EastWing.10:00.
March24
AgendaPosted.
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:30.
DiscussionofGeothermalWellIsolationDistances
WorkgroupCommentsOnDraftChapters71,72,73
<>
ClickHere
March25
budgethearing:9:30Dept.ofEnvironmental
Protection.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March25
budgethearing:9:30EmergencyManagement
Agency.Room140MainCapitol.
March25
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
DCNRConservationandNaturalResourcesAdvisory
Council
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
ActingDCNRSecretaryCindyDunn
AshandHemlockConservationPlans
PANaturalDiversityInventoryUpdate
<>
ClickHere
March25
DEPhearingonTullytownLandfillPermitRenewal.FallsTownshipBuilding,188
LincolnHighway,Suite100,FairlessHills,BucksCounty.69p.m.
ClickHere
formore
information.
March26
budgethearing:9:30BudgetSecretaryOfficeof
theGovernor,1:00HouseMemberTestimony.Room140MainCapitol.
March26
AgendaPosted
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
ReviewOfChapter78ConventionalWellDrillingRegulations
<>
ClickHere
March26
DEPPeregrineFalconEducationWorkshop.Toregisterfortheworkshop,send
emailtoAnnDevine,DEP,at
adevine@pa.gov
.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
March26
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
RainGardenWorkshop.NorthWales
Library,233S.SwartleyStreet,NorthWales.7:00p.m.
ClickHere
toregister.
March27
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
hearingontheAct5420082013Underground
CoalMiningImpactReport.DEPsCaliforniaDistrictMiningOffice,MonongahelaConference
Room,25TechnologyDrive,CaliforniaTechnologyPark,CoalCenter,PA.1:003:00.
Click
Here
formoreinformation.
March28
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAQuittapahillWetlandPreserveTreePlanting
.
QuittapahillaEducationalWetlandPreserve,170BirchRoad,Lebanon.9:00a.m.toNoon
March31
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
informationalmeetingtohearpresentations
fromtheelectricandnaturalgasindustriesonpriorities.Room60EastWing.9:15.
March31
budgethearing:3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March31
DEPhearingonairqualitypermitforPerdueGrainandOilSeedFacilityin
LancasterCounty.BainbridgeFireHall,locatedat34South2ndSt.,Bainbridge.6:00to8:00
p.m.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
April1
budgethearing:11:00Dept.ofConservationand
NaturalResources.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
April1
HouseAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittee
informationalmeetingtoreceivea
presentationbytheSecretaryofAgricultureonhisbudgetandotherpriorities.Room140Main
Capitol.9:00.
April2
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
April2
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
April7
PALeagueOfWomenVotersTributeToFranklinL.Kury
.ColonialRidgeCountry
Club,4901LinglestownRoad,Harrisburg.7:00.
April8
CANCELED
.
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)

April12
NEW.
EnvironmentalRightsAmendmentSymposium
.MarketSquarePresbyterian
Church,20S.2ndSt.,Harrisburg.3:00.
April13
EnvironmentalIssuesForum
,JointConservationCommitteetohearapresentationby
theChesapeakeBayFoundationPAontheeconomicbenefitsofcleaninguptheBay.LTBA.
Noon.
April15
DEP
StateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
April15
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April15
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April16
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:15.
April21
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.
April22
EarthDay2015.
April22
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105Rachel
April22
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
April22
PaddleWithoutPollution
REIEarthDayEvent.PittsburghsSouthSide.Visit
PWPs
Eventswebpage
formoreinformation.
April23
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
Building.10:00.
April23
DEPpublichearingonproposed
PPLWestPoconoNorthPocono230kVelectric
transmissionline
inLuzerneandLackawannacounties.ThornhurstTownshipVolunteerFire
Company,125RiverRoad,Thornhurst,LackawannaCounty.6:00.
(
PABulletinpage1023
)
April27
NEW
.
WildlifeForEveryoneStudents!Explore,DiscoverWetlandsThruYour
Camera
.Gov.TomRidgeWetlands,Julian,CentreCounty.
April28
NEW
.
PECGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwardsDinner
.Hilton,
Harrisburg.5:00.
April29
CANCELED
.
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisory
Council
meeting.DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April30
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
.Room105Rachel
(
formalnotice
)
May6
2015PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,State
College.
May6
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
May68
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference
.ToftreesResort,
StateCollege.
May79
PALandTrustAssn.
PALand&WaterConservationConference
.Wyndham,
Gettysburg.
May1315
DEPand
Engineers'SocietyofWesternPennsylvania
2015Pennsylvania
BrownfieldsConference
.ErieBayfrontConventionCenter,Erie.
May1417
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference.SevenSpringsMountain
Resort,Somerset.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
May17
PaddleWithoutPollution
NorthParkLake,AlleghenyCountyCleanup.VisitPWPs
Eventswebpage
formoreinformation.
May19
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
May28
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:00.
June3
DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloorConference,Rachel
June9
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
June24
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
.BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,
2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.
July22
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommitteeforWaterandWastewaterSystems
Operators
meeting.14thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
September1620
NationalTroutUnlimitedMeeting.CenterCityHiltonHotelandConvention
Center,Scranton.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September2022
2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummit
.HolidayInnandAllegheny
CommunityCenter,Warren.
September24
DEP
RecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
&
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October2
DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October2830
2015PartnershipforSafeWater
2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythe
PennsylvaniaSectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
March16
PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March20
WRENSourceWaterProtectionCollaborativeGrants
March20
TreeVitalizePittsburghGrants
March20
PAWildsChampionsAwards
March21
PAEPKarlMasonAndWalterLyonAwards
March27
PECO/NaturalLandsTrustGreenRegionGrants
March31
AbandonedMineReclamationConferenceFilmFestival
March31
DEPHostMunicipalityWasteInspectorReimbursementGrants
March31
DelawareHighlandsConservancyYeamanStudentScholarship
March31
DEPCleanDieselGrants
April5
DCNRECOCamp,StudentsInterestedInEnvironmentalCareers
April10
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedsStudentArtContest
April10
NationalParkServiceChesapeakeRiverAccessGrants
April10
NEW
.
ChesapeakeBayFoundationSaveTheBayPhotoContest
April15
DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(oruntilfundsrunout)
April15
RecyclingPartnershipMunicipalRecyclingGrants
April15
GloriaBarronPrizeForYoungHeroesNominations
April16
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants
May21
NEW
.
DCNRVolunteerFirefightingGrants
June30
CFAWatershedRestorationProtectionGrants
June30
CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatementandTreatmentGrants
June30
CFABaselineWaterQualityDataGrants
June30
CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPluggingGrants
June30
CFASewageFacilitiesGrants
June30
CFAFloodMitigationGrants
June30
CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreationGrants
June30
DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates
(oruntilrebatesrunout)
July10
PROPRecyclingFilmFestival
July30
TreeVitalizeInventory,PlantingGrants
September12
PPFFStateParksandForestsThroughTheSeasonPhotoContest
September30
DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
GeneralEnvironmental/BudgetNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
Budget
DEPSecretaryFieldsLandfillQuestionsAtHearing
SeveranceTaxMathJustDoesntAddUp
WolfWantsToLeverageNaturalGasForGrowth
WolfAdministrationWillContinueEffortsWithShellCrackerPlant
Editorial:WolfsGreenEnergyPlanLousyEconomics,Unconstitutional
$3BillionBudgetGapBallBouncesToGOPLawmakers
WolfsBudgetReliesOnNaturalGasToFundEnergyProjects
WolfsBudgetCouldGiveSolarABoost
WolfBudgetBoostsGreenEnergyOnBackOfFossilFuels
IFOSaysBudgetDeficitWellBelowWolfsEstimate
WolfSaysCriticsOfTaxPlanMustConsiderTheBenefits
Other
PECRecognizesEmilyRinaldiWithNEPAEnvironmentalAward
EnvironmentErie,MasonJarsAnnouncePartnership
KeystoneLandfillAsks$1.2MBondFromFriendsOfLackawanna
GreenDropUsesRecycledGasStationsAsDropOffCenters
PhippsConservatoryGreenestOfGreenBuildings
PhippsConservatoryGardensProjectGoesAllOutGreen
Editorial:PhippsCommitmentToNatureDeservesImitation
PittsburghParksConservancyGivesStudentsALessonInSTEM
EnergyEfficiencyLegislationWorks
SolarEnergySystemBeginsOperatingAtKreiderFarms
SolarLooksForASunnyOutlookInPA
WolfsBudgetCouldGiveSolarABoost
PALawmakersReviveCoalCaucusesToPromoteIndustry
PUCApprovesPPLPlansToSpinOffGenerationUnits
ElectricityWatchdogDecries$1BInSecretPaymentsFromPJM
WilliamLukaski,KnoxMineDisasterPhotographer,Dies
DEPSaysMurrysvilleGasolineSpillPosedNoThreat
PATransitRidershipFalls,BuckingNationalTrend
SomersetMapleProducersTeamUpForTaste,TourWeekend
ParkServiceConsidersChangesToDelawareWaterGap
BikeSharingIsComingToPhiladelphiaThisSpring
BlackBridgeMayLinkPublicTrailSystems
OfficialsSeekLinkBetweenTrail,DamInWestmoreland
AppalachianTrailLaunchesVoluntaryHikerSignUp
PAHikingTrailsFeaturedInFilmsAtKeystoneTrailsAssn.
PAMakesStrongShowingInBackyardBirdCount
SnowGeeseFinallyArrivingAtMiddleCreek
UnauthorizedBaldEagleCamFeedsUpsetGameCommission
JohnJ.AudubonGoesDigital
CheckOutTheseBeautifulSnowyScenesInLancaster
DEPsNewsClipswebpage
ClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling
SeveranceTaxMathJustDoesntAddUp
WolfAdministrationWillContinueEffortsWithShellCrackerPlant
ConcernsSurfaceAboutPennEastPipelineBeneathRiver
PennEastPipelineMayRunPastBethlehemsWaterSupply
LandownersShouldDemandTermsForPipelineEasements
ChesterCountyLocalsUpdatedOnPipeline
WolfSupportsDrillingMoratoriumInDelawareBasin
DEPOutlinesNewDraftOfGasDrillingRules
WolfAdministrationAdvancesTougherGasDrillingRules
WithNewDraftRules,DEPStepsUpOversightOfDrillingWaste
DEPMovesToDiscourageOrBanOpenWastewaterPits
WolfAdministrationToAdvanceTougherDrillingRules
TougherRegulationsSeenForShaleFirms
Editorial:DrillingRegsToRestoreSomeBalance
WolfOnMarcellusShaleImpacts
LargeUticaShaleReserveCouldHouseNextGasBoom
GasIndustrysPainRipplesAcrossWesternPA
WaitingGameForShellChemicalCrackerDevelopers
NaturalGasPowerPlantOpponentsUrgePublicToFight
LackawannaCountyBoardPostponesVoteOnPowerPlant
UGIGasDeliveryHitsFebruaryHigh
Spotlight:GeorgeRosatoOfConsolEnergy
CaseyUrgesBetterTrainingOfRespondersToOilTrainIncidents
PhillyCityCouncilWantsTighterOilTrainRules
DoubleDigitJumpInPittsburghInGasolinePrices
DEPFinesDauphinCountyCompanyForDischargingOil
Financial/OtherStates
EQTToSellShaleGasPipelineSystemFor$1Billion
EnergyAgencySeesMoreOilDeclines,PotentialForConflict
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Watershed/FloodingNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
AmishFarmerTakesRecordStateGrantToReduceRunoff
CentralPARivers,CreeksRunRiskOfIceJams,Flooding
SaltsburgGetsRequestToPatrolDams
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinMarch14,2015
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofRevenue
publishednotice
ofchangesintaxationforliquefiednaturalgas.
ThePublicUtilityCommission
publishednotice
ofaproposedorderrelatingtoautomatic
adjustmentclausesforelectricdefaultservice.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofchangesinthosecertifiedto
performradonrelatedactivitiesinPennsylvania(
PABulletinpage1332
).
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnew
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
GetInvolved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
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PAEnvironmentDigest
iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
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,a
HarrisburgbasedgovernmentandpublicaffairsfirmwhoseclientsincludeFortune500
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