PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates

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Issue#617Harrisburg,PAApril25,2016

IRRCVotesToOKFinalDEPDrillingRegs.,ButHouse&SenateWillHaveTheirSay

The
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
voted3to2toapproveDEPsfinal
Chapter78
(conventional)and78a(unconventional,Marcellus
Shale)drillingregulations
atitsmeetingThursdayafter
7hoursofhearingfromDEPandthoseopposingand
supportingtherulemaking.
TheIRRCfirstvoted3to2againstamotionby
CommissionersJohnMiznerandRussellFaberto
disapprovetheregulationsthatgavethesereasonsfor
disapproval
DEPdidnotprovideenoughinformationonthecostimpactoftheregulationonconventional
welldrilling
DEPhasnotmeetitsburdentoshowtheconventionalregulationchangesareneeded
TheRegulatoryReviewActrequiresagenciestoshowflexibilityinconsideringimpactson
smallbusinessandthefinalregulationsdidnot
DEPdidnotadequatelyconsultwithitsadvisorycommitteesonthisregulationand
DEPdidnotdoenoughtodevelopaconsensusontheregulationwithindustry.
IRRCCommissionersGeorgeBedwick,MurrayUfbergandDennisWatsonvotedto
approvethedrillingregulations.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommittee,
issuedastatementFriday
callingforactiononaHouse/Senate
disapprovalresolutiononDEPsfinaldrillingregulations.
ASenate/Houseconcurrentresolutiondisapprovingwouldhavetobereportedoutofone
oftheSenateorHouseEnvironmentalCommitteeswithin14daysofreceivingtheIRRCorder
ontheDEPdrillingregulations.
TheSenateandHousewouldhave30calendardaysor10votingsessiondays,whichever
islonger,fromthedatetheresolutionisreportedoutofCommitteetopasstheconcurrent
resolutiondisapprovingtheregulationandpresentittotheGovernorforhisaction.
TheGovernorcanthensignorvetotheresolution.Hisvetoissubjecttobeing
overriddenbyboththeSenateandHousebytwothirdsvote.

OnApril12,
bothCommitteesvotedtodisapprovetheregulations
,largelyalongparty
lines.
RepresentativesoftheconventionaloilandgasdrillerschallengedDEPsdrillingrulesin
CommonwealthCourt
andtheirchallengewasdenied
becausetheissuewasnotyetripe.An
appealofthatdecision
wasdeniedonWednesday
bythePASupremeCourtandallowedthe
IRRCmeetingtocontinue.
Reaction
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
issuedthisstatementafterthevoteIampleasedthat
IRRCmovedtheseimportantregulatoryupdatesclosertothefinishline.TheChapter78and
78Aregulationshavebeenwrittenwithanunprecedentedamountofpublicparticipation,
includingfromtheconventionalandunconventionaldrillingindustries.
Thisfinalregulatorypackagewillimproveprotectionofwaterresources,addpublic
resourcesconsiderations,protectpublichealthandsafety,addresslandownerconcerns,enhance
transparency,andimprovedatamanagement.
Amongthechangestothecurrentregulations:
Improvedprotectionsofpublicresources:Operatorsmustprovidenoticeifdrillingwouldbe
nearschoolpropertyandplaygrounds,parks,forests,andotherpublicresources.
Strengthenedwatersupplyrestorationstandards:Ifoilandgasdevelopmentdegradesawater
supply,theoperatormustrestoreorreplacethesupplywithonethatmeetsSafeDrinkingWater
Actstandardsorisasgoodaspredrillingconditionsifthewatersupplywasbetterthanthe
DrinkingWaterActstandards.
Electronicfiling:Inordertomoreefficientlytrackwelldevelopmentandoperations,andto
providebetterpublicaccesstodrillingdata,operatorswillberequiredtosubmitelectronicforms
ratherthanpaper.
Thesechangesaretheresultoftensofthousandsofcommentsfromindustryand
Pennsylvaniaresidents,andourexperiencewiththeindustry.Theyrepresentabalancedand
incrementalapproach,saidQuigley.
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
Thursdayhailedthe
IndependentRegulatoryReview
Commissionsapproval
offinalregulationstoenactlongoverdueenvironmentalprotectionand
performancestandardsatoilandgaswellsites.PECPresidentDavittWoodwellissuedthe
followingstatement:
WearepleasedtheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissionhasconfirmedwhat
weandthepublichavebeensayingforthepastseveralyearstheseregulationsarereasonable
andnecessaryfortheprotectionofpublichealthandtheenvironment.Itslongpasttimefor
Pennsylvania,afteranunprecedentedandprolongedengagementprocess,toputtheserulesinto
practice.
TheGeneralAssemblyshouldhonortheveryregulationsandstandardstheycalledfor
fouryearsago,andrecognizedbyIRRCtodayasinthepublicinterestsaidWoodwell.The
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhastakenunprecedentedeffortstoengagethepublic,
industry,andotherstakeholdersindevelopingandpresentingtheserules,whichsetthe
commitmentnecessaryforourstate,andforindustry,totrulysaywearefollowingleading
practices.Itisnottheendofthedialoguebyanymeanscontinuousimprovementshould
alwaysbeourgoalbutitisalongoverduestepinmeetingourobligationtoallowforsafe
resourcedevelopment,whilealsoprotectingthepeopleandenvironmentofPennsylvania.
Therulemaking,initiatedmorethanfouryearsagoafterpassageofAct13of2012bythe

GeneralAssemblyandGovernor,involvedtwoseparatepubliccommentperiods,12public
hearings,anddozensofmeetingswithstakeholdersbytheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection.ApprovalbyIRRCrepresentsoneofthekeyfinalstepsinPennsylvaniascomplex
regulatoryprocess.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
The
EnvironmentalDefenseFund
praisedtheIRRCaction
RequiringPennsylvaniasoilandgasindustrytomeethigherstandardsisanobrainer,
saidAndrewWilliams,SeniorStateRegulatoryandLegislativeAffairsManager.Everyday,
communityimpactsareaninherentriskassociatedwiththeintensityofthisindustrialactivity.
Propersafeguardsthatprotectthepeopleandtheplacesnearthisdevelopmentfrompotentialair
andwaterpollutionarevital.
TheChapter78regulatorypackageisakeyelementofAct13,thestatesoilandgaslaw
whichwentintoeffectin2012buthadnoneoftheseimportantprotectionsincluded:
Improvedwatersupplyrestorationstandards
Publicresourceprotections
Moreoversightofwastemanagementatwellsitesand
Strongerenvironmentalassessmentsforhydraulicallyfracturedwellsites.
FailuretoapproveChapter78wouldhavefurtherdelayedthealmostfouryeartime
periodsincePennsylvanialegislatorsvotedAct13intolaw.
WecommendtheCommissionfortakingthisimportantstep,Williamssaid.Welook
forwardtoworkingwiththeWolfadministrationtoputotherimportantcontrolsinplaceto
protectthehealthandwellbeingofKeystoneresidentsandtheenvironmentfromtheimpactsof
oilandgasdevelopment.
Formoreinformation,visitEDFs
NaturalGas
webpage.
NewsClips:
DrillingRegsMoveForwardAfter7HourMeeting,MoreConflictLooms
CommissionOKsEnvironmentalRulesForDrilling
RegulatoryReviewersApproveMajorUpdateToDrillingRules
PennsylvaniaOilProducersChallengeDrillingRegulations
DrillingRegulationsCouldSparkNewPoliticalSlugfest
OpEd:PAsFossilFueledLegislatureShouldSupportDrillingRegs
OpEd:SupportUpdatesToDEPsOilAndGasRegulations
RelatedStories:
DEPPleasedWithIRRCApprovalOfFinalDrillingRegulations
PAEnvironmentalCouncilApplaudsIRRCApprovalOfFinalDEPDrillingRegs
EnvironmentalDefenseFund:NewDrillingRegsWillSafeguardPACommunities
PASupremeCourtDeniesChallengeToLowerCourtDecisionOnDEPsDrillingRegs
CommonwealthCourtDeniesChallengeToDEPsDrillingRegulation
Senate,HouseEnvironmentalCommitteesDisapproveDEPDrillingRegs
COGENTCallsCommitteeActionToDisapproveDEPDrillingRegsATravesty
4EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeIRRCToApproveDEPDrillingRegsThursday

Sen.YawCallsForSenate/HouseDisapprovalResolutionOnDEPDrillingRegulations


Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,issuedthisstatement
Fridayonthe
approvalofDEPsdrillingregulations
bytheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissionThursday
Irecognizethatstrongregulationsareneededtoallowforsafe
developmentofournaturalresources.However,theobjectionsraised
bybothstandingcommitteesandtwoIRRCCommissionerstothis
rulemakingarewarrantedgiventhefactthattheDepartmenthas
circumventedstatelawsandaSupremeCourtopinioninaneffortto
justifyexpandedprovisionsoftherulemakingthattheyarenot
authorizedtoenact.
Thisadministrationhastoutedthedevelopmentanduseof
naturalgas,butthenproposesindustrycripplingseverancetaxesandfarreachingregulations.
TheDepartmenthasnotworkedcollaborativelywiththeGeneralAssemblytoaddressthevalid
concernsforthisrulemaking.
Unfortunately,weareatapointwhereadisapprovalresolutionisnecessary,whichI
willsupport.
ASenate/Houseconcurrentresolutiondisapprovingwouldhavetobereportedoutofone
oftheSenateorHouseEnvironmentalCommitteeswithin14daysofreceivingtheIRRCorder
ontheDEPdrillingregulations.
TheSenateandHousewouldhave30calendardaysor10votingsessiondays,whichever
islonger,fromthedatetheresolutionisreportedoutofCommitteetopasstheconcurrent
resolutiondisapprovingtheregulationandpresentittotheGovernorforhisaction.
TheGovernorcanthensignorvetotheresolution.Hisvetoissubjecttobeing
overriddenbyboththeSenateandHousebytwothirdsvote.
OnApril12,
bothCommitteesvotedtodisapprovetheregulations
,largelyalongparty
lines.
Atthatsamemeeting,theSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
reportedout
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)thatwouldkillDEPsfinaldrilling
regulationscoveringconventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingtherulemakingprocessover.
ThebillisnowontheSenateCalendarawaitingafinalvote.
TheSenatereturnstovotingsessiononMay9andwillbeinvotingsessiononthese
days:May9,10,11,16,17,18andJune6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,
30.
TheHousereturnstovotingsessiononMay2andwillbeinvotingsessiononthese
days:May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25andJune6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,
27,28,29,30.
FormoreinformationonDEPsdrillingregulations,visitthe
OilandGasRulemaking
webpage.
NewsClips:
DrillingRegsMoveForwardAfter7HourMeeting,MoreConflictLooms
CommissionOKsEnvironmentalRulesForDrilling
RegulatoryReviewersApproveMajorUpdateToDrillingRules
PennsylvaniaOilProducersChallengeDrillingRegulations

DrillingRegulationsCouldSparkNewPoliticalSlugfest
OpEd:PAsFossilFueledLegislatureShouldSupportDrillingRegs
OpEd:SupportUpdatesToDEPsOilAndGasRegulations
RelatedStories:
IRRCVotesToApproveFinalDEPDrillingRegs,ButHouse&SenateWillHaveTheirSay
DEPPleasedWithIRRCApprovalOfFinalDrillingRegulations
PAEnvironmentalCouncilApplaudsIRRCApprovalOfFinalDEPDrillingRegs
EnvironmentalDefenseFund:NewDrillingRegsWillSafeguardPACommunities
PASupremeCourtDeniesChallengeToLowerCourtDecisionOnDEPsDrillingRegs
CommonwealthCourtDeniesChallengeToDEPsDrillingRegulation
Senate,HouseEnvironmentalCommitteesDisapproveDEPDrillingRegs
COGENTCallsCommitteeActionToDisapproveDEPDrillingRegsATravesty
4EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeIRRCToApproveDEPDrillingRegsThursday

PASupremeCourtDeniesAppealChallengingDEPDrillingRegs

ThePASupremeCourtWednesdaydeniedtheappealof
FridaysCommonwealthCourtdecisiondenyingarequest
byconventionaloilandgasdrillerstoinvalidateDEPs
Chapter78(conventional)andChapter78a(unconventional)
drillingregulations
becausetheyviolatedtheprovisionsofa
2014amendmenttotheFiscalCode
.
ThisactionbythePASupremeCourtclearstheway
fortheregulatoryreviewprocesstocontinueandforthe
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
toconsiderthe
regulationsonApril21
.
AcopyofthePASupremeCourtsdenial
isavailableonline
.
Inhiswrittenopinion
,CommonwealthCourtJudgeColinsFridaysaidontheissueof
violatingtheFiscalCode,AllthreeRespondents[DEP,EnvironmentalQualityBoardandthe
IRRC]arguethatregardlessofwhetherPIPPs[
PAIndependentPetroleumProducers
Association
]assertionsareaccurateorlegallymeritorious,noreliefcanbegrantedtoPIPPin
thisactionbecauseitsclaimsarenotripe.TheCourtagrees.
Acopyoftheappealnotice
isavailableonline
.
RelatedStories:
CommonwealthCourtDeniesChallengeToDEPsDrillingRegulations
4EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeIRRCToApproveDEPDrillingRegsThursday
Senate,HouseEnvironmentalCommitteesDisapproveDEPsDrillingRegulations
COGENTCallsCommitteeActionToDisapproveDEPDrillingRegsATravesty
IRRCToConsiderFinalDEPDrillingRegsApril21,MeetingToBeStreamedLive
DEP:ConventionalWellsHad3TimesTheViolationsOfUnconventionalWellsIn2014
Analysis:MythConventionalOilandGasDrillingIsBenign

WinnersOfGovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellenceHonoredTuesday

TheSecretariesofthedepartmentsof

EnvironmentalProtectionandConservationandNaturalResourcesjoinedthe
PAEnvironmental
Council
Tuesdayinhonoringthe13recipientsofthe
GovernorsAwardsforEnvironmental
Excellence
atadinnerinHarrisburg.
ThisyearshonoreesrepresentingallareasofPennsylvaniadepictthebestinusing
innovation,collaboration,andpublicservicetoprotecttheCommonwealthsenvironment.The
awardsprovidestatewiderecognitiontobusinessesandorganizationsinvolvedinacrosssection
ofenvironmentalinitiativesinstormwatermanagement,landconservation,energyefficiency,
andmuchmore.

OnbehalfofGovernorWolf,Idliketocongratulateallofthiseveningsaward
recipientsandthankyouallforyourgreatwork,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.Aspecial
thankyoutoPECfortheircontinuing,valuedpartnership.
Tonightsawardeesrunthegamutofenvironmentalexcellence,headded.The13
exemplaryprojectsand17organizationssupportDEPsmissionofprotectingPennsylvanias
land,air,water,andpublichealth.Werehonoringaninspiringbreadthofgroupsgovernmental
entitiesandcommunities,nonprofits,privatebusinesses,universities,countyconservation
districts,schools,clubs,civicpartnerships,andhospitals.ArealcrosssectionofPennsylvania.
ClickHere
foracopyofhiscompleteremarks.
Forherpart,DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunncongratulatedthewinnersand
announcedthestatesOutdoorRecreationPlanwonanationalrecognition,notingthePlansetsa
newgoalforheragencytoputatrailwithin15minutesofeveryPennsylvanian.
ThisgoalechoesDr.MauriceGoddard,thefirstSecretaryoftheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalResources,whenhesaidhewouldputaStateParkwithin25minutesofevery
stateresident,agoalheachieved.
Thewinnersofthisyearsawardare(listedbycounty)
AlleghenyCounty
AlleghenyLandTrustCommunityAwakeningofDeadMansHollow:
The
Allegheny
LandTrust
engagedresidents,municipalities,businesses,andnonprofitstocompletea
comprehensivelandmanagementplanforthehistoric450acrepropertyatDeadMansHollow,
thelargestprivatelyprotectedconservationareainthecounty.
BoroughofEtnaEtnaGreenStreetscapePhase1:
EtnasGreenStreetscapeprojecthas
installed12newtrees,2,300cubicfeetofundergroundstorage,2,900squarefeetofpervious
pavers,anddownspoutconnectionsallofwhicharestormwatermanagementbestpracticesthat
improvelocalwaterquality.
PittsburghsGreenBuildingAlliancePittsburgh2030District:
The
GreenBuilding
Alliances
Pittsburgh2030Districtisavoluntary,locallydriveninitiativefocusedon
highperformancebuildingstobalanceeconomicprosperityandenvironmentalconcerns.
Click
Here
formoredetails.
DauphinCounty
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPARiparianForestedBufferStewardship:
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundations
RiparianForestedBufferprojectprovidedtensofthousandsof
treestolandownerstofosterthecreationofriparianbuffers,whichwillimprovethewater
qualityoftheSusquehannaWatershed.
PhoenixContactServices,Inc.PhoenixContactEmployee/VisitorElectricVehicle
ChargingStations
:
PhoenixContact
dedicatedeightparkingspacestoelectricvehiclecharging
stations.Thosestationsareavailable,forfree,toemployeesandtothepublictochargeelectric

andhybridvehicles,whichreducefossilfuelusage.
DelawareCounty
PAResourcesCouncil&EasternDelawareCountyStormwaterCollaborativeDarby
CobbsStormwaterInitiative:GettingtotheNewNormal:
The
PAResourcesCouncil
andthe
EasternDelawareStormwaterCollaborative
partneredtoeducatetheresidentsoftheDarbyand
Cobbscreekswatershedsonraingardensandthebestpracticesforstormwatermanagement.
FranklinCounty
PennsylvaniaStateUniversityDepartmentofAnimalScience&FranklinCounty
Conservation2015NorthAmericanManureExpo:
The
NorthAmericanManureExpo
at
Chambersburgattractedlivestockproducersandmanurehandlersfromthestate,midAtlantic
region,andbeyondtomeetwithnationalexpertsonmanurenutrientissues.
LycomingCounty
JerseyShoreAreaHighSchoolJerseyShoreOutdoorClub:
Thevolunteersofthe
Jersey
ShoreAreaHighSchool
OutdoorClubremovedadamagedfloodculvertonatributaryofPine
Creek,cleaneduptheTombFlatsPicnicandCampgroundarea,andrestored28milesthe
TiadaghtonHikingTrail.
MontgomeryCounty
SBMSiteServices(incollaborationwithJonesLangeLaSalle&SustainableWaste
Solutions)FoodWasteCompostingProgramReengineering:
SBMSiteServices
reengineeredwastecompostingprogramsattwolocationsinordertokeep70.76tonsoffood
wasteoutoflandfills.
MontourCounty
GeisingerMedicalCenterJanetWeisChildrensHospitalSolarPanelProject:
Aspart
ofitscommitmenttoasustainablefuture,Geisingerinstalled144solarpanelsontheroofofthe
JanetWeisChildrensHospital
toserveasaneducationaltoolontheenvironmentalbenefitsof
solarenergywhilecreatingacleanerenvironment.
PhiladelphiaCounty
SoutheasternPennsylvaniaTransportationAuthorityGriscomWaysideEnergy
StorageSystem:

SEPTAsGriscomWaysideEnergyStorageSystem
,locatedonSEPTAsmost
heavilytraveledroute,theMarketFrankfordLine,recycledatrainsbrakingenergytoreduce
electricityconsumptionandtogeneraterevenue.
WayneCounty
SustainableEnergyEducationandDevelopmentSupport(SEEDS)ofNortheasternPA
SEEDsFreeEnergyAssessmentProgram(5thSeason):
SEEDSProgramhasofferedfree,
customizedenergyassessmentsofahomesenergyefficienciestotheresidentsofWayneand
Pikecountiessince2010.Todate,SEEDShasassessed200buildingsandhasprovidedsummer
jobsformorethan15areahighschoolstudents.
MultipleCounties
SouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommissionRegionalTrafficSignalProgramCycle2:
The
SouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommissions
RegionalTrafficSignalProgramassisted28
municipalitiesinsevencountieswithoptimizingtrafficlightsat207intersectionsintheregion,
demonstratingacosteffectivewaytoreducefuelconsumptionandemissionswhileimproving
thesafetyoftheregionsroadways.
ThedinnerwasheldattheHarrisburgHiltonwithWGALChannel8NewsAnchor
JanelleStelsonastheProgramEmcee.
ClickHere
towatchtheWGALstoryabouttheevent.

Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
RelatedStories:
Remarks:MakeAChoiceForChange,ToInnovate,ForSustainability
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAReceivesGovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence

GovernorsAwards:MakeAChoiceForChange,ToInnovate,ForSustainability

ByJohnQuigley
,Secretary,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection

Theseremarksweredeliveredatthe
awardsceremonyTuesday
for
recipientsoftheGovernorsAwardforEnvironmentalExcellencehosted
bythe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
.
Theremarkstouchonthechoicesmadeonenvironmentalissues
leadinguptotodayandthechoicesaheadonclimatechange,Clean
PowerClimatePlan,meetingChesapeakeBaycleanupcommitmentsand
thestatebudget.
Thetextoftheremarksfollows

Thankyoufortheinvitationtobewithyouthisevening.
OnbehalfofGovernorWolf,Idliketocongratulateallofthiseveningsaward
recipientsandthankyouallforyourgreatwork.
AspecialthankyoutoPECfortheircontinuing,valuedpartnership.
Wererecognizingprojectsdemonstrating:EnergyefficiencyEducationaloutreach
habitatrestorationlandconservationStormwaterremediationElectricandhybridvehiclesand
masstransitAirandwaterpollutionremediationwastereductionsolarenergy.
Prettycoolstuff!
Theseprojectsandthewomenandmenandtheorganizationswhomadethempossible
alsodemonstratecitizenshipofthehighestorder,andthepowerofpartnerships.
Perhapsmoreimportantly,theyalso,individuallyandcollectively,reflectsomething
more.Theyembodyandeloquentlyexpressachoice.Achoiceforchange.Achoicetoinnovate.
Achoicetoenvisionabrighter,healthier,andmoreprosperousfuture.Theessentialchoicewe
allmustmakeforsustainability.
Idliketoreflectthiseveningontheideaofchoices.
ThepoetRalphWaldoEmersonwrote:Godofferstoeveryminditschoicebetween
truthandrepose.
InourCommonwealthtoday,wefacethatchoiceonmanyfronts.Betweenthenecessary
truthoffindingasustainablepathforward,oratourperilthereposeofthestatusquo.And
thechoicesbetweentruthandreposewillaffectusalltoday,andgenerationsofPennsylvanians
yettocome.
Illstartwithanobviousexample.
Tonightsawardeesrunthegamutofenvironmentalexcellence.The13exemplary
projectsand17organizationssupportDEPsmissionofprotectingPennsylvaniasland,air,
water,andpublichealth.

Werehonoringaninspiringbreadthofgroupsgovernmentalentitiesandcommunities,
nonprofits,privatebusinesses,universities,countyconservationdistricts,schools,clubs,civic
partnerships,andhospitals.ArealcrosssectionofPennsylvania.
ClimateChange
Wereconductinghistoryslargestuncontrolledchemistryexperimentandhavechanged
andcontinuetochangethechemicalcompositionofouratmosphere.Wevecorruptedwith
carbonwhatCarlSaganfamouslydescribedasourthinblueline,disruptingourfragileglobes
climate.
Asaresult,thePennsylvaniaweknowtodayisbeingfundamentallyalteredbythe
impactsofclimatedisruption.ScientistsfromPennStateUniversityhavefoundthatwarmingis
acceleratingifwedonotchooseanothercourseandcontinueincarbonreposeby2050,
Pennsylvaniawillbe5.4Fwarmerthanitwasintheyear2000.
By2050,PhiladelphiasclimatewillbesimilartocurrentdayRichmond,Virginia,and
PittsburghwillbesimilartocurrentdayWashington,DC.
Rightnow,Philadelphiaaverageslessthan1dayayearwhentemperaturesexceed100
degrees.Butby2100,unlesswechoosetochangecourse,evenErieinnorthwestPennsylvania
couldseeasmanyas16daysayearwithtemperaturesabove100degrees.InErie!
Youallknowthattheresglobalscientificconsensusthatwemustlimitglobal
temperaturerisetonomorethan2degreesCelsiusabovepreindustriallevelstoavoid
catastrophicimpacts.Andtherearemanywhosaythat2degreesCelsiusisactuallytoomuch
warming,andthattheworstimpactswillcomewithafarlowerriseinaveragetemperatures.
Pennsylvania,
accordingtoPennStatescientists
,isonpaceifwefailtochoosea
differentpathforanincreaseinaveragetemperatureof3degreesCelsiusby2050just34
yearsfromnow.
Thechoiceswehavemadehavebroughtsignificantandalarminglyfastchangesand
disruptionstoourstatesclimate,inwaysthatwillaffectkeysectorsoftheeconomy,ourhealth,
andourqualityoflife.Andevenoursafety.
Rememberthatthisyear,wevealreadyhadtornadoesinLancasterandBradford
counties.InFebruarythewarmestmonthintermsofaboveaveragetemperatureinrecorded
history.
Climatedisruptionisanexistentialthreat.Andwemustmakeachoice.Achoicefor
sustainable,lowandultimatelyzerocarbonenergy,forenergyefficiencyandforthetensof
thousandsofjobsthatwillaccompanythem.
EPACleanPowerClimatePlan
Andthefirststeptowardthatsustainablefuture,wefaceachoiceinthe
CleanPower
Plan
.
UndertheCleanPowerPlan,Pennsylvaniaisrequiredtoreduceourcarbonemissionsby
33percentby2030.Webelievethegoalsoftheplanareambitiousbutachievable.Letslookat
themathtoexplainwhy.
In2007,Pennsylvaniassourcesthataresubjecttotherulewereemitting134million
tonsofCO2.By2014,duetotheGreatRecession,changesintheelectricitymarketsincluding
fuelswitchingfortocheapnaturalgas,andcompliancewithotherenvironmentalregulation,
Pennsylvaniasemissionshaddecreasedto107milliontonsofC02areductionof20percent
from2007levels.
Pennsylvaniawillenterthecomplianceperiodin2022withatargetof106milliontons

ofCO2onlyamilliontonslessthanwereemittingtoday.Then,overthenexteightyears,by
2030,thestatewillhavetoreduceemissionsto91milliontons.
So,between2007and2014,CO2emissionsinPAfell27milliontons.Between2022
and2030,theywillneedtofallanother15.6milliontons.
TheCPPwillrequirecoordinatedandconcertedeffort,includingfocusonrenewables
andenergyefficiency,butthegoalsoftheCPPcancertainlybeachievedbyPennsylvania.
WecanmakethatchoiceandPennsylvanianswantusto.
Lastyear,DEPconductedanunprecedented14citylisteningtourtoaskPennsylvanians
abouttheenergychoicesweneedtomake.After14stopsacrosstheCommonwealthand60days
ofpubliccomment,hereswhatwefound:
Morethan2,000citizens,generators,businesses,tradegroups,legislators,andnonprofit
organizationsfiledwrittencommentsortestifiedatour14publiclisteningsessions.
Morethan80percentofcommenterssaidtheywantedPennsylvaniastatetoexpandclean
energy.
Morethan90percentexpressedsupportfortheDEP'sdevelopmentofa
PennsylvaniaspecificStatePlan,and
Almost70percentsaidtheywantedPennsylvaniatosubmititsPlanontime.
Interestingly,lessthanhalfofPennsylvania'sgenerationcapacityaskedustodelay
submission.Indeed,twoofPennsylvania'slargestgeneratorsspecificallyaskedDEPtosubmita
StatePlaninSeptember,2016.
TheplainfactsofthematterarethattheCleanPowerPlanpresentsahugeopportunity
forstatestoacceleratethedevelopmentoftheireconomieswhileprotectingtheclimate.The
smartstatesaregoingtodemonstratethat.
Andthenaysayersaregoingtobeinapositionwheretheyregoingtohavetoraceto
catchuptotheeconomicprogressenjoyedbyleadingstates.
WillPennsylvaniabeamongthesmartstatestheeconomicandenvironmentalwinners?
ThatsachoiceandGovernorWolfintendsforPennsylvaniatobeamongthewinners.
ButwhetherornotwehaveaCleanPowerPlan,thenewenergyrealityfacing
Pennsylvaniaisthis:weneedtogettoalowandultimatelyzerocarbonenergyfuture.
Weregoingtoseeretirementsofcoalplantsandcontinuedstrengthandgrowthinthe
gassector,continuedcostdeclinesandcontinuedgrowthintherenewableenergysector.
Andthecheapesttonofcarbontokeepoutoftheatmospherewillcontinuetobetheone
wedontcreatethroughefficiency.
Willwechoosereposeandthestatusquo,orwillwechoosetolead?Leadinthe
developmentofadvancedtechnologytocapturecarbonfromcoalandultimatelynaturalgas
plants,securingindigenousresourceuseforthelongterm?
Leadincreatingacleaner,healthier,andmorevibrantfuture?GovernorWolfchoosesto
lead.
Whatisperhapsthesecondbiggestchallengeafterclimatedisruptiontopreserving
Pennsylvaniasnaturalheritagecomesfromourstatustodayasthenations2ndlargestproducer
ofnaturalgas.
Overthenextfewyears,anunprecedentedwaveofnaturalgasinfrastructure
developmentwilltoucheveryPennsylvaniacounty,affectscoresofcommunities,andmany
morelandowners.ItscumulativeimpactsifwerenotcarefulwillimpactPennsylvanias
naturalresources,sensitivehabitats,andwaterqualityforalongtimetocome.

GovernorWolfwantstouseasmuchofPennsylvaniasnaturalgasandcoproductsas
possibleinPennsylvaniatogeneratelowercarbonelectricity,tocreatemanufacturing
opportunities,tospurcombinedheatandpowersystems,enablemicrogrids,andtosupportthe
deploymentofmuchmorerenewableenergy.
Naturalgasfiredgenerationhasbeenrecognizedastheperfectcomplementtorenewable
energy,asgasfiredfacilitiescanrespondtodemandandvariablerenewablegenerationquickly.
So,shalegaspresentstheCommonwealthwithanimmenseopportunityifwechooseit
tostrengthenoureconomyandprotectourclimate,aslongasmethaneemissionsare
minimizedsomethingelsetheGovernorisleadingthenationindoing.
Buttheseopportunitiesdonotcomewithoutcosts.Pennsylvanianeedstogetaheadof
theimpactsofthisbuildout,andavoidthemistakesofourpast.GeorgeSantayanafamously
wrotethathewhofailstorememberthepastiscondemnedtorepeatit.
Ourstateshistoryispunctuatedbywavesofnaturalresourceextraction,fromDrakes
firstoilwellinTitusvillein1859,tothetimberingoverofmillionsofacresintheNorthernTier
tofueltheearlydaysoftheIndustrialRevolution,totheriseofKingCoal.
Ineachcase,thosewavesofdevelopmentleftenduringenvironmentalandeconomic
scarsmanyofwhichcontinuetoblightthelandscape,foulourwaterways,andharm
communities.
Inthefaceoftheoncomingwaveofinfrastructuredevelopment,wemustchooseabetter,
smartercourseandwehaveanopportunitytodothatinawaythathelpstoovercomethe
currentstrandingofgasandthecurrentlowpriceregimethatplaguestheindustry.
GovernorWolfs
PipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
hasoutlinedthemanydimensionsof
thatsmarterchoice.Itsworkwillbeasuccessifwechoosetoimplementitandpromote
sustainedcollaborationofstakeholdersacrossstateandlocalgovernments,andincommunities,
andincompanyboardrooms,toworktowardtheresponsibledevelopmentofpipeline
infrastructureintheCommonwealth.
DrillingRegulations
Wealsofaceachoiceabouthowallthatgasisproduced.
Overthelast5years,DEPhasworkedtocraftcommonsenseadditionalprotectionsfor
publichealthandnaturalresourcesbasedonthefactsonthegroundandourexperiencewith
naturalgasproductionconventionalandunconventionalalike.
Therulemakingwas
subjecttoanunprecedentedlevelofpublicinput,including20
advisoryboardmeetings,2publiccommentperiods,135daysofpubliccomment,12public
hearings,andalmost28,000publiccomments.
Andnowtheindustryand
someintheGeneralAssembly
wouldstopthoseenhancements
toenvironmentalsafeguardsandsendusbacknotonlytosquareone,butallthewaybackto
2001thelasttimedrillingregulationswereupdated.
Again,wefaceachoiceonewithprofoundimplicationsforpublichealth,safety,and
theenvironment.GovernorWolfhaschosenthepathoftruth.
ChesapeakeBayCleanup
Pennsylvaniaslocalwaterqualityisnotmakingthegrade,and
werefarbehindonour
legalresponsibilities
tohelprestoretheChesapeakeBay.
After30yearsofcollaboratingandeducating,andafter$4billioninFederalandstate
subsidies,phosphorousisdownonly25percent,nitrogenisdown6percent,andsedimenthas
beenreducedabout15percent.

Wefaceachoiceofcontinuingonthesamepathtoinadequateprogress,ortotrya
differentapproach.Reposeiseasy.Truthishard.
StateBudget
Andfinally,thereisthestatebudgetperhapsthemostbasicchoiceofallwhenitcomes
toinvestinginasustainablefuture.
Pennsylvaniafacesa$2.3billionstructuraldeficitthatGovernorWolfisdoing
everythinghecantoaddressinaresponsibleway.Thatstructuraldeficitistheresultofyearsof
reposechoosingonetimefixesoversustainable,recurringrevenues.
Imherethiseveningrepresentinganagencythathasbeenseverelydegradedbecauseof
thosechoices.
Afteryearsofrelentlessbudgetcuts
,DEPhasover670fewerstaffthanitdideightyears
ago.Over440ofthosepositionsperformedthebasicagencyfunctionsofinspectionsand
processingpermits.Ourregulatoryresponsibilitieshaventdiminishedindeed,weveseena20
percentincreaseinworkloadinthelastdecade.
LastJanuary,afewdaysafterItookoffice,IvisitedourBureauofAirQualitystaffon
the15thfloorintheRachelCarsonbuilding.Ifoundover40emptycubicles,andonthechairs
formerlyoccupiedbyhardworkingcivilservants,Ifoundstacksofpapertwoandthreefeet
high.
Inrecentaudits,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhascitedDEPforsevere
understaffinginourcoalmineinspection,airqualitymonitoring,safedrinkingwater,and
stormwaterprograms.
Wevebeenunabletomaintainthecertificationofourmobilelaboratories,andourmain
laboratorywhichhasseenitsstaffinglevelcutfrom101in2007to57today,wasrecently
describedbyapeerreviewreportfromtheAssociationofPublicHealthLaboratoriesasata
breakingpoint,puttingatriskthelaboratoryscapabilitytomeetprogramandpartnerneeds.
Asaresult,DEPsabilitytoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment,andtoperform
basicfunctionslikeinspections,testing,andevaluatingpermitapplicationsinatimelyfashion,
havebeenstressedtothelimit.Inoursouthcentraloffice,4permitwriterscurrentlyfacea
mountainofover200permitapplications.
Choosingfurthercutswilljeopardizethecitizensweserveandtheenvironmentthatwe
areobligatedtoprotectandharmthestateseconomy.
DEPsstaffinglevelisnottheonlyissueweface.DEPsInformationTechnologybudget
in2004was$23million,andatthattimetheagencyreceivedanAgradefromtheOfficeof
Administration,whichratedusthenasamongthemostcapableagenciesinstategovernment
fromanITperspective.
Today,weareatthebottomoftheclass,ratingatbestaD.Merelyadjustedfor
inflationsince2004,ourITbudgetshouldbe$29milliontoday.
Unfortunately,itstandsat$16million43percentlessinnominaltermsthan11years
ago.Andthatsnotbecausepersonalcomputershavebecomecheaper.Thisrepresentsa
cumulative$83milliondivestmentintheagencysITcapacityovertheperiod.
Makenomistakethatwasachoice.
Oneoftheresultsofthatchoiceisthatagencystaffareusingantiquatedtoolstopermit
andmonitorindustriesequippedwith21stCenturytechnology.
ToprocesstheairqualitypermitapplicationfortheproposedShellcrackerplant,wehad
towiretogether6desktopcomputersjusttodothenecessarycalculationsandthenrunthose

calculationsovernight,becausethatwashowlongittookthoseoldprocessorstodothe
computations.
DEPstillsendsinspectorsintothefieldwithclipboardsandcarbonlessforms.Wedont
havewifi.Ittakesforevertoloadwebpagesonregionalofficecomputers.Andwearenotnearly
astransparentasweshouldbeintodaysinformationage.
OurChoices
Alloftheseconditions,too,aretheresultofchoices.
Forourpart,herearethechoicesthatunderGovernorWolfsleadership,weintendto
make,andtoworktowardsatDEP.Wechooseto:
Enactenhancedprotectionsforoilandgasdevelopment.
Toimplementnationleadingpermitsandregulationstominimizemethaneemissionsfromoil
andgasdevelopmentincreasingindustryefficiencyandcombattingclimatedisruption.
Toplanforthefuturewewillbeupdatingthelongoverduestatewaterplanbeginningthis
year,anddoingmorerobustworkonclimatechange,adaptation,andresilience.
Toequiptheagencywithmobiletechnologyand21stcenturysystems,andinnovate,using
GIS,remotesensing,robotics,andothertechnologies.
Tobuildongroundbreakingscientificanalysislikeourstudyofsmallmouthbassinthe
SusquehannaRiver,andadvancethatworkin2016.
Tobuildonsystemslikeournationleadingwellintegrityreportingsystem.Ithasalready
enabledoperatorstoavoidriskandprotectpublichealthandtheenvironmentbysignificantly
increasingtheirwellpluggingactivities.
Toexpandourvolumeofdatadrivenworktoenablemoresurgicalrulemakingaimedat
specificproblemsthatwecanmorereadilyidentify.
Todramaticallyexpandourairqualitymonitoringnetworktoobtainmoredataabout
Pennsylvaniasairqualityneeds.
Toexpandtheuseoftechnologyandlookforwaystopartnerwithcitizenscientiststo
continuouslyandubiquitouslymonitorPennsylvaniasairandwaterquality.
TotargetresourceslikewaterqualityBMPinstallationformaximumimpact,andcreatea
cultureofcomplianceforoursharedresponsibilitytoprotectlocalwaterqualityinPennsylvania.
Tomaximizetransparency,buildingoninnovationswevealreadymadelikeoureComment
tooltoenhancepublicparticipationinandtransparencyofregulatoryprocess,
Toprovidevastlyimprovedaccesstodataandinformation
Toengagewithcitizensespeciallythemostvulnerableinmoreeffectiveways.
Toinnovateinthedeliveryofenvironmentaleducationtoachievebroaderimpacts
TogetDEPoffpaperinthenext3years.ThatworkisalreadyunderwaywitheGrants,
eBidding,ePermitting,ePayments,andmobiletechnologypilots.
ThesearethekindsofchoicesweatDEParemakinginserviceofourmissionof
protectingPennsylvaniasair,land,water,andpublichealthfortodaysPennsylvanians,andfor
generationsofPennsylvaniansyettocome.
Andinserviceoftheworkthatallofyouheretonighthaveembracedinsuchexciting
andexemplarywaystheworkofbuildingasustainablefutureforPennsylvania.
So,weallhavethechoicebetweenreposeortruth.Someofthechoiceswefaceas
citizensarepersonal.Othersarepolitical.Manyaresocietal.
Allofyouinthebodyofworkwecelebratetonighthavemadethechoicefortruthfor
sustainability.

Youvechosentolead,andtoservebyyourexample.Youvechosentruthoverrepose.
Thankyouforchoosingtruth.
RelatedStories:
WinnersOfGovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellenceHonoredTuesday
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAReceivesGovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence
LetsRememberThePeople,EnvironmentalProgramsHurtByDEPFundingCuts
Analysis:SenatePanelIgnoresObvious:DeepCutsInDEPBudgetReducesService
Philly.com:DEPsQuigley:BudgetCutsLeaveDEPIllEquippedToMonitorPipelines
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
DEPToProposePermitFeeIncreasesForAtLeast6ProgramsIn2016
BudgetHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
BudgetHearing:DEP:StateCantCutItsWayToABetterEnvironment
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
CBFPALackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch

EarthDay:10SimpleThingsYouCanDoToImprovePennsylvaniasEnvironment

April22markedthe46thanniversaryofEarthDay.Tocelebrate,hereare10simplethings
everyPennsylvaniancandototoprotecttheenvironmentandyourhealth
PlantATree.
Eachtreeplantednotonlyaddsbeauty,butalsocontributestosolvingthe
globalclimatechangeproblembyeliminating200poundsofcarbondioxideeachyear,reduces
energyuseforairconditioningandheatingandincreasespropertyvaluesinneighborhoods.
LearnMore:PennStateExtension:
BackyardTrees
,
Windbreaks&ShadeTrees

TreeVitalize
PA
PAHorticulturalSociety
PlantOneMillionTrees
webpage.
ReplaceYourVehicleGasCap.
Ifthegascaponyourcarortruckisloose,youlose4.5
gallonsofgasolinetoevaporationeveryyear.Ifyourgascapismorethanfiveyearsold,replace
it.
InstallLEDOrCompactFluorescentBulbs.
IfeveryhouseholdinPennsylvaniareplaced
one100wattoldstyleincandescentlightbulbwitha27wattcompactfluorescentlightbulb,we
couldsave800millionkilowatthoursofelectricityandupto$44millionayear.Thiswould
eliminatetheneedforabout250megawattsofpowergenerationandreducegreenhousegas
emissionsby631,750tonsofcarbondioxide.
LEDbulbsuseevenlessenergy
thanincandescent
bulbsandlast25timeslonger.LearnMore:DEPs
SavingEnergy
webpageformoreideasor
contactyourlocalelectricutilityfortheavailabilityofincentivesforreplacinglightbulbsorfor
otherenergysavingsprograms.
DoARadonTestAtHome
.Highlevelsofradonhavebeendetectedinall67Pennsylvania
counties.RadonisthesecondleadingcauseoflungcancerintheUnitedStates.Doityourself,
shorttermcharcoalcanistertestsareavailableatmosthardwareandhomeimprovementstores.
LearnMore:
DEPsRadon
webpageformoreinformation.
Compost.
Didyouknow20percentoftheyardandotherwasteyouproducecouldbe
composted?LearnMore:PennStateExtension
BackyardComposting
orthePAResources

Council
Composting
webpage.
AuditEnergyConsumption.
Doanenergyefficiencyauditofyourhomeorsmallbusiness
tofindouthowyoucancutyouroperatingandenvironmentalcosts.LearnMore:the
Home
EnergySaver
calculator,PennStateExtensions
EnergyUseandEfficiency
webpage,PennTAP
PollutionPreventionandEnergyEfficiencyServices
forbusinesses,
PAEnvironmental
ManagementAssistanceProgram
,orcontactyourlocalelectricutilityfortheavailabilityoffree
orreducedcostsauditservicesandenergysavingincentivesforresidentialandbusinessusers.
BudgetWaterUse.
Developa"waterbudget"foryourhome,businessorcommunityto
understandhowwaterisbeingused.Planslikethishelpassurethatwatersuppliesareavailable
andtheprotectionofaquaticlife.LearnMore:PennStateExtension:
SavingWaterInThe
Home
webpage.
RecycleOil.
Ifyouareadoityourselfoilchanger,doyourselfandtheenvironmentafavor:
Recycleusedoil.Justonequartofoilcancontaminateupto250,000gallonsofwaterorcause
anoilslickalmost2acresinsize.LearnMoreAboutRecycling:DEPs
WasteOilProgram
webpage.
BuyRecycled.
Closetherecyclingloopbyaskingforandbuyingproductsthataremadefrom
recycledwasteproducts.
HelpYourWatershed.
Anylandownercantakestepstoreducewaterpollutioncomingfrom
theirproperty.Andeveryonecanhelptheirlocalwatershedgrouprestoreandprotectwater
qualityinyourwatershed.LearnMore:PennStateExtension:
ReducingWaterPollution
webpageandparticipateinthe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
.Tofindyourlocalwatershed
group,visitthePAOrganizationforWatershedsandRivers
WatershedGroupDirectory
orcall
your
localcountyconservationdistrict
forthegroupnearestyou.
NonprofitGroupsToHelpYou
Herearejustafewoftheenvironmentalgroupsthatwillhelpyouprotectandrestorethe
environmentandkeepyouuptodateonenvironmentalissuesaffectingeveryonein
Pennsylvania.
Learnaboutenvironmentallegislation,regulationsandissuesinPennsylvaniafromthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
The
PAAssociationofConservationDistricts
isyourgatewaytogoodinformationon
environmentalissuesandsolutionsinvolvingfarming,forestryandlanddevelopment.
Formoreinformationonwatershedandwaterqualityprotection,restorationand
research,visitthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
website,
LikethemonFacebook
,
Followon
Twitter
,includetheminyour
CircleonGoogle+
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
LearnmoreaboutwaterqualityrestorationintheDelawareWatershedbyvisitingthe
AcademyofNaturalSciencesatDrexelUniversity
andtheWilliamPennFoundation
Delaware
RiverWatershedInitiative
webpage.
The
EasternCoalitionforAbandonedMineReclamation
,the
WesternCoalitionfor
AbandonedMineReclamation
,
FoundationforPAWatersheds
and
StreamRestoration,Inc
.are
outstandingresourcesforabandonedminereclamationissues.
Forinformationonprogramstocleanupandbeautifulyourcommunity,visitthe
Keep

PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Formoreinformationonrecycling,composting,antilittering,watershedprotection,
energyconservation,visitthe
PAResourcesCouncil
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregular
updates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
LikethemonFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEvents
Calendar.
Professionalrecyclersinterestedincertificationandotherprofessionaldevelopment
programscanvisitthe
ProfessionalRecyclersofPA
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregular
updatesfromPROP.
FindoutmoreaboutPennsylvaniasStateParksandForestsandhowyoucanhelp,visit
the
PAParks&ForestsFoundation
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthe
Foundation,
LikethemonFacebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,specialevents,workshopsandgrant
opportunitiesforlocalrecreationprogramsbyvisitingthe
PARecreationandParkSociety
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheSocietyand
LikeonFacebook
.
LearnmoreaboutconservingspecialareasandaquaticresourcesinPennsylvaniaby
visitingthe
PAChapterofTheNatureConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforupdates
fromTNC,
LikethemonFacebook
,
FollowthemonTwitter
and
JointhemonInstagram
.
Moreinformationonlandconservation,watershedprotectionandcommunitygardening
inWesternPA,visitthe
WesternPAConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregular
updatesfromtheConservancy,
LikethemonFacebook
,
FollowthemonTwitter
,addthemto
your
CircleonGoogle+
,jointhemon
Instagram
,visitthe
ConservancysYouTubeChannel
or
addthemtoyour
networkonLinkedin
.
Findoutmoreaboutlandconservationandlocallandtruststhroughthe
PALandTrust
Association
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPLTA.
Learnmoreabouthowyoucanhelpsecuremorefundingforenvironmentalprograms
throughthe
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,workshopsandotherspecialeventsfor
environmentalprotectionprofessionals,visitthe
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesonPAEPactivitiesor
Likethemon
Facebook
.
NewsClips:
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn:5WaysToCelebrateEarthDay
Outdoors:EarthDayIsATimeToCelebrate
TheEvolutionOfEarthDay
VintagePhotosFromFirstEarthDayIn1970
MeadvilleStudentsDecorateGroceryBagsForEarthDay
Crable:LancasterNaturalistsInspireOthers
WesternPAEarthDayCelebrationsMarkAdvances
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay
EarthDay:ThinkAboutHowAWaterUtilityCanHelpOurPlanet
CelebrateEarthDayWithJoAnnaConnellInErie
ChambersburgStudentsSortTreesForAHealthEnvironment
Video:DCNR,VolunteersRecognizeEarthDay,ArborDayAllYearLong

EarthDay:BringConstructivePassionBackToTheEnvironmentalMovement

TheseremarksweredeliveredThursdayatthe10th
AnnualConferenceof
TheSocietyofWomen
EnvironmentalProfessionalsCapitalChapter
atCentral
PennCollegeConferenceCenternearHarrisburgby
DavidE.HesswhoservedasSecretaryofthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionforGovernors
TomRidgeandMarkSchweiker.
Theremarkstouchonthechallengesfacedbythe
environmentalmovementinthe46yearssincethefirst
EarthDay.
Thetextoftheremarksfollow
Thisyearwecelebratethe46thanniversaryofEarthDayandinthose46yearsmuchhas
changed.
Since1970wehaveinstitutionalizedtheenvironmentalrevolution,butnowwehaveto
defendandexpandit.
In1970Iwasahighschoolseniorwhoresearchedenvironmentalissuesbygoingtothe
library,usingthecardcatalogandsearchingthroughstacksofpapermagazinesandnewspapers
orbywatchingthedaily30minutesofnetworknewsonTVorbyreadingthe2daily
newspapersdeliveredtoourdoor.
Irecyclednewspapers,bottlesandcansonceamonthatalocalKMartparkinglot.
Ireportedacontractorforburningconstructiondebrisinviolationofstatelawbytaking
pictureswithmyKodakcamera,takingthefilmtoadrugstore,waitingaweektogetthe
picturesbacksoIcouldsendthemintothenDER.
Yep,muchhaschanged.
Bytheway,thepictureshelpedmegetasummerinternjobwithDERduringmy4years
atShippensburg.LittledidIrealizethenIwouldbecomeSecretaryamere30yearslater.
Pennsylvanianslike
RachelCarson
,forwhomwenamedtheDEP/DCNRheadquarters
building,
BassA.Beck
,
RuthPatrick
,
RalphAbele
,
MauriceGoddard
,
RosalieEdge
,
Joseph
Rothrock
,
MiraLloydDock
,
JosephRodale
,
GiffordPinchot
,
FranklinKury
,
SamMorris
,and
contemporarieslike
EleanorWinsor
,
CarenGlotfelty
,
MargaretDunn
,
BernSweeney
,
Carol
Collier
andmanyotherspavedthewayforustobeheretoday.
[
ClickHere
tolearnmoreabout
PAsConservationHeritage.]
Ifyoudontknowwhothesepeopleare,dowhatmyDad,anencyclopediasalesmanfor
25years,alwayssaidlookitup!
Wegotridofthebigchunksfloatingintheair.Thebigchunksfloatinginourwater.
TheynolongerdredgetheSusquehannaRiverforcoalfinestoburninpowerplantsliketheydid
whenIwasgrowingupinLancasterandswimmingintheriver.
Wevereclaimedthousandsofacresofabandonedminelands.Wepreservedthousands
ofacresoffarmland,landforrecreationandopenspaceandotherlandsjustbecauseweneeded
toprotectdisappearingspeciesofanimalsandplants.
Werecycleatthecurboratdropoffcentersnow,notatKMart.Wecleanedup
hazardouswastesites.Weputbrownfieldsbackintoproductiveuse.Wefundednewwastewater
anddrinkingwatersystems.

Wegavefarmersandwatershedgroupsthetoolstheyneededthroughtheoriginal
GrowingGreenerProgramtocleanuptheirfarmsandthestreamsthatranbytheirhouses.
DEPhadfundingtocreateaCitizenVolunteerWaterQualityMonitoringProgramin
1996thatgrewtohave
11,000participantsby2002
.Afterthatfundingfortheprogramcut
dramatically.Imagine,11,000volunteerswhocaredabouttheirwatershedsthrownaway.
Companiesbegantounderstandthatgoinggreendidntmeandoingsomethingextrait
meantsavingstothebottomlineinenergy,waterandothercosts.
Weeducatedeachnewyearscropof7thgradersinstewardship,recyclingandpromoted
anenvironmentalethic.
Weheldpeople,groupsandbusinessesupasexamplesforotherstofollowinmonthly
GreenWorksForPennsylvania
cableTVprograms,newspaperinsertsandinonlinevideosand
featureslike
Watersheds.tv
thatreachedhundredsofthousandsofpeople.
Thelaststatewide
GreenWorksGazette
newspaperinsertwedidattheendof2002
resultedin18,000mailinrequeststoDEPformoreinformationabouthowtosaveenergy,
water,howtorestorewatershedsthatwentunansweredin2003withthenewadministration.
Neverinthehistoryofenvironmentaleducationprogramstargetingthegeneralpublic
hadtherebeensuchahugeresponse.
Inthe21monthsIwasprivilegedtobeSecretaryofDEP,Ihadtheopportunitytotravel
toall67countiesinPennsylvaniatwoandahalftimes.
Isawpeoplewhotookprideinthefacttheycleanedupalocalstreamthatfor125years
hadbeenpollutedbyacidminedrainage.Nowtheycantaketheirgrandkidsfishing.
Someofthesevisitswereveryemotional.Peoplehadtearsintheireyestalkingabout
everythingtheyvedonetocleanupTHEIRwatershed.
Theseweretearsofjoyatbeingabletoaccomplishsomethingtheyneverthoughtwas
remotelypossible.
Hasallthispositiveemotionandlocalleadershipdisappeared?No.
Everyyearinmynewsletter
PAEnvironmentDigest
Ipulltogetherthestoriesfrom
thepastyearwhereindividuals,groupsandbusinesseswererecognizedfortheirenvironmental
accomplishments.
InJanuarythatlistofpositivestories
topped1,000articles
.
Todaysenvironmentalandconservationheroshavenotgoneaway,theyjustdontget
recognizedintodays140charactersorlessmedia.
Somehowinthemid2000s,itbecamefashionabletobackawayfrompromoting
examplesofhowindividuals,groupsandbusinessjustlikeyouandmecanreallymakea
differenceinrestoring,conservingandprotectingtheenvironment.
Environmentaleducationwascutback.Awardprogramsabandoned.
Suddenlyitwasalrightandacceptabletocutenvironmentalfundingforwatershed
projects,landconservationandotherprogramsthatsupportedlocalgroupswhotookthe
initiativetomakeadifference.
Itwasalrighttospend$60millionayearintaxpayermoneytosupportthemaking
movieslike
ZackandMiriMakeAPorno
inPennsylvania.
Infact,over$2.4billioninenvironmentalfundinghasbeencutordivertedtoother
programssince2002.ThebudgetsignedintolawinDecember
wasthe13thinarow
thatcut
environmentalfunding.
But,inthefaceofthesecuts,dedicatedindividuals,groupsandbusinesseshave

persevered.Theycontinuetheirwork.Theyhavenevergivenup.
Insteadtheyrespondedbybeingevenmorecreativeindevelopinglocalpartnerships,
sharingresourcesandasaresultarestillveryeffective.
ToreversethistrendweneedtoregaintheconstructivepassionofRachelCarson,Ralph
Abele,MauriceGoddard,RosalieEdgeandRuthPatrick.
WehavetodeciderightnowthatitISNTalrightifenvironmentalfundingandstaffare
cutforthe14thyearinarowbecausewerefacingtoughtimes.
Timesweretoughwhen
20peoplediedinDonora
,Pennsylvaniabecauseofairpollution.
Timesweretoughwhenthe
GlenAldenmineflooded
theSusquehannaRiverwithacid
dischargekillinghundredsofthousandsoffishforthelengthofthelowerSusquehanna.
Timesweretoughwhenyoucould
almostwalkacrossPresqueIsleBay
becausethealgae
bloomsweresothick.
TimesweretoughwhenPennsylvaniasentirefirstgrowthforestswereclearcutandoil
wellsweredrilledevery100feet.
Timesweretoughwhenthousandsofwomenandchildrenevacuatedwithin10milesof
the
ThreeMileIslandnuclearaccident
.
TimesweretoughwhenDEPstafffoundaBiblewithanotetolovedonesfromoneof
thepassengersonFlight93.
TimesweretoughwhenDEPstaffandmanystate,localandfederalpartners,engineered
the
rescueofnineQuecreekminers
.
Donttellmetimesaretoughnowwhenyouspend$60millionayearonmovies.
ProtectingtheenvironmentisNOTanextra.
WehavetodecideRIGHTNOWthatitISNTalrightifmoreprogramsdesignedtohelp
peoplerestoretheirownwatershedsorpermanentlyprotectlandintheirowncommunitiesare
leftbeggingformoney.
WehavetodecideRIGHTNOWthatdecisionmakersshouldNOTbeleftoffthehook
forcontinuingthehistoricrollbackofenvironmentalprogramsoverthelast13yearsorignoring
mandateslikecleaningupourriversandstreams.
Wehavetoharnesstheconstructiveemotionwehadinthepastandthatthousandsof
peoplehavenowandfocusthatemotiononagainmakingadifferencefortheenvironment.
Andthatmeansmakingapoliticaldifference.
Weneedtoharnessandfocusthesevoicestotelldecisionmakerswhattheyhavedoneto
environmentalprogramsoverthe13yearsissimplywrong.
Wehavesufferedmorethanourshareofcuts.
Youcannolongerhidebehindthewalloftimesaretough.
Peoplechosethentodotherightthing,thetoughthingandwehavetoencourage,no
demandthattheydoitagain.
Letsbringbackconstructivepassionandreallymakeadifference.
Butwecanonlydothattogether.
NewsClips:
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn:5WaysToCelebrateEarthDay
Outdoors:EarthDayIsATimeToCelebrate
TheEvolutionOfEarthDay
VintagePhotosFromFirstEarthDayIn1970
MeadvilleStudentsDecorateGroceryBagsForEarthDay

Crable:LancasterNaturalistsInspireOthers
WesternPAEarthDayCelebrationsMarkAdvances
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay
EarthDay:ThinkAboutHowAWaterUtilityCanHelpOurPlanet
CelebrateEarthDayWithJoAnnaConnellInErie
ChambersburgStudentsSortTreesForAHealthEnvironment
Video:DCNR,VolunteersRecognizeEarthDay,ArborDayAllYearLong

LookBackAtEarthDay2002:

April26,2002DEPUpdate
.

(Photo:Circa2002,KettleCreekWatershed,PotterCounty,placingafashinebundleofwillow
branchestohelpstabilizethestreambank.)

LetsRememberThePeople,EnvironmentalProgramsHurtByDEPFundingCuts

EarthDayisagoodtimeforreflection,andPAEnvironmentDigestthoughtitwouldbeagood
timetoreflectonthekindsofprograms,initiativesandservicesfundingcutshaveeliminatedin
thelast13years.
Bothpoliticalpartiesneedtotaketheresponsibilityfor13yearsofrollingback
environmentalprotectionprograms.
Herearejustafewoftheprogramseliminatedorsignificantlyscaledbackbyfunding
cuts

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyFunded4,125AcresOfMineReclamation/YearNot
1,368?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundAn11,000ParticipantCitizen
VolunteerWaterQualityMonitoringProgram?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFund$50Million/YearInWatershed
RestorationGrants,Not$27MOrLess?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundPollutionPreventionProgramsSaving
BillionsOfGallonsOfWater&Btus?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundAComprehensiveDEPPublic
ParticipationProgram?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundADEPChiefInformationOfficerTo
UpgradeITOperations?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundCreativeEnvironmentalEducation
Efforts?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundDEPSoItHadTheStaffToBuild
PartnershipsToReduce,EliminatePollution?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyCreatedThePACenterForEnvironmental
EducationInLawAndDidntFundIt?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundDEPAtLevelsAllowing
WorldClassInnovation?
LookBackAtEarthDay2002:

April26,2002DEPUpdate
.
RelatedStories:
Remarks:MakeAChoiceForChange,ToInnovate,ForSustainability

EarthDay2016:BringConstructivePassionBackToTheEnvironmentalMovement
Analysis:SenatePanelIgnoresObvious:DeepCutsInDEPBudgetReducesService
Philly.com:DEPsQuigley:BudgetCutsLeaveDEPIllEquippedToMonitorPipelines
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
DEPToProposePermitFeeIncreasesForAtLeast6ProgramsIn2016
BudgetHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
BudgetHearing:DEP:StateCantCutItsWayToABetterEnvironment
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
CBFPALackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch

PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds

PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.

Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates

PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantnewsupdates.

PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
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Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.

PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.

PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.

Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas

wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(May2):
HouseBill1737
(MaherRAllegheny)furtherprovidingforthecollectionof
unusedandunwantedprescriptionandoverthecounterdrugs(
sponsorsummary
)

House
Resolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinance
Committeetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramtoregulatethebeneficial
useofsewagesludge

SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependent
counselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY
201516CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopension
reformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudget
bill.

<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.

Senate(May9):

SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingtoassisthomeownerswith
deterioratingprivatesewerlaterals(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)
amendingAct101toauthorizealllocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingservicefee(
sponsor
summary
)
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)killingDEPsfinaldrillingregulations
coveringconventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingtherulemakingprocessover
SenateBill
1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)authorizingtheFishandBoatCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedby
theagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill
1166
(StefanoRFayette)authorizingtheGameCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbythe
agencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)tofurtherdelayaPennsylvaniaplanformeetingEPAsCleanPowerClimate
PlanrulebychangingtheGeneralAssemblysreviewdatesunder
Act175of2014

HouseBill
1325
(MustioRAllegheny)allowingtownshipsofthesecondclasstochargestormwater
managementfees,
HouseBill1394
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingboroughstocharge
stormwatermanagementfees,
HouseBill1661
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingfirstclass
townshipstochargeastormwatermanagementfee
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)
establishingaPrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.

CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

NOTE:
TheSenateandHouseareonabreakfortheApril26Primaryelection.

House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.

Senate:
<>
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

TaskForceOnLead:

SenateBill16
(YudichakDLuzerne)establishingaTaskForceOnLead
(
sponsorsummary
).

StateParkPublicPrivatePartnership:

HouseBill2013
(EllisRButler)establishinga
PublicPrivateStateParkPartnershipBoardtopromoteadditionalrecreationalactivitiesinState
Parks(
sponsorsummary
).

SessionSchedule

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

Senate
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

House
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25

June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

GovernorsSchedule

Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.

BillsOnGovernor'sDesk

ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction

NewFiscalCode:

HouseBill1589
(CauserRCameron)amendingtheFiscalCodewithsome
oftheitemsGov.Wolfvetoedin
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)passedtheSenate37to11.
ThebillwasthenpassedbytheHouse149to46.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryis
available.Gov.WolfwillallowthebilltobecomelawwithouthissignatureonApril24.
ThebillincludesprovisionstoauthorizeatransferfromthePARacehorseDevelopment
Fund,a$15millionreductioninfundingfortheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)
Fund,takes$12millionfromCFAsHighPerformanceBuildingsProgramandtransfersitto
fundanewprogramtoexpandaccesstonaturalgasinfrastructure,earmarksexistingDCNR
fundingfortheoperationofWashingtonCrossingHistoricalParkanddirectsfundingtosewer
anddrinkingwaterprojectsforspecificlegislators,butNOTtheprovisionsdelayingthe
developmentofaPennsylvaniaplantomeettheCleanPowerClimatePlanruleorkillingDEPs
finalconventionaloilandgasdrillingregulations.

NewsFromTheCapitol

Gov.WolfToLetFiscalCodeBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature

Gov.TomWolfannouncedlateFridayhewillletthenewestFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1589
(CauserRCameron)becomelawSundaywithouthissignatureclosingthebookontheFY
201516stateGeneralFundbudget.
Overthepastseveraldays,IhaveworkedwithRepublicansandDemocratsinthe
legislaturetofinalizethe20152016budget.Iwillletthefiscalcodebecomelawwithoutmy
signature,andIlookforwardtoworkingwiththelegislatureinthecomingweekstoaddressour
challengesandmeettheneedsofdistressedschooldistrictssothattheywillremainsolvent,
saidGov.Wolf.
Asweenter20162017,Ilookforwardtocomingtogethertoreachalongtermsolution
tofixourdeficitandtofundeducationatalllevels.Iremainadamantthatwemusttake
additionalstepstorestorethecutsfromthepreviousadministration.
Westillhavealongwaytogotorestorethecutstoeducationatalllevels,PreK
throughhighereducation.
IameagertogettoworkimmediatelywithRepublicanandDemocraticleadersto
discussaresponsible20162017budgetthatisbalanced,fixesthedeficit,continuestomake

importantinvestmentsineducationandpreventsPennsylvaniafromgoingoverafiscalcliffthat
willhaveseriousimplicationsforourlongtermfuture.
ThebillincludesprovisionstoauthorizeatransferfromthePARacehorseDevelopment
Fund,a$15millionreductioninfundingfortheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)
Fund,takes$12millionfromCFAsHighPerformanceBuildingsProgramandtransfersitto
fundanewprogramtoexpandaccesstonaturalgasinfrastructure,earmarksexistingDCNR
fundingfortheoperationofWashingtonCrossingHistoricalParkanddirectsfundingtosewer
anddrinkingwaterprojectsforspecificlegislators.
ThebilldoesNOTcontaintheprovisionsdelayingthedevelopmentofaPennsylvania
plantomeettheCleanPowerClimatePlanruleorkillingDEPsfinalconventionaloilandgas
drillingregulations.
A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryofthebillisavailable.
NewsClips:
AP:WolfLetsBudgetBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature
10MonthsOverdue,201516FiscalCodeBillBecomesLaw
RelatedStories:
$12MillionNaturalGasInfrastructureExpansionProgramOKdWithFiscalCode
HouseTakesFirstvoteOnFY201617BudgetWeekOfMay2

$12MillionNaturalGasInfrastructureExpansionProgramOKdWithFiscalCode

Anewstateprogramexpandingaccesstonaturalgasinfrastructurefor
schools,hospitals,businessesandotherentitieswasapproved
aspart
oftheFiscalCode
,accordingSen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),Majority
ChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
WithGov.Wolfchoosingnottosignthestate'sFiscalCode,
thusallowingittobecomelaw,thelegislationestablishesthe"Natural
GasInfrastructureDevelopmentFund"andtransfers$12millionfrom
the
HighPerformanceGreenBuildingProgram
toprovidegrantsto
fundprojectswhichexpandaccesstonaturalgasinfrastructure.
Grantstoeligibleentitieswouldbeissuedthroughthe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.
"ThislegislationwillprovidePennsylvaniahospitals,
businesses,economicdevelopmentorganizations,municipalities,
counties,andschooldistrictswithafundingopportunitytoexpandnaturalgasinfrastructure,
providinganalternativetotheircurrentheatingsource,andpotentiallyloweroverallcosts,"Sen.
Yawsaid."Improvingtheaccessibilityandavailabilityofnaturalgasservicethroughoutour
regionwouldalsogivemoreresidentstheopportunitytobenefitfromthislowcost,more
environmentallyfriendlyfuel."
Accordingtothenewlaw,theCFAmayprovideagrantofupto50percentoftheoverall
costoftheprojector$1millionmaximum.Guidelineswillbedevelopedforsubmitting
applications,andprojectsthatresultinexpandedgasservicetoadjoiningresidentialand
nonresidentialpropertieswillbegivenpriority.
Overthepasttwolegislativesessions,Sen.Yawhaschampionedlegislationseekingto
expandgasservicetounservedandunderservedareasofhisSenatorialDistrict.
SenateBill739

(201314)and
SenateBill215
(201516),knownasthePennsylvaniaNaturalGasExpansionand
DevelopmentInitiative,soughttoalsofacilitatetheexpansion,distributionanduseof
Pennsylvaniaproducednaturalgas.
"Thereiswidespreadinterestinseeinglocallyproducednaturalgasusedlocallyto
benefitourareabusinesses,schoolsandothers,"Sen.Yawadded."Iampleasedthatmy
legislativeproposalbecamepartoftheFiscalCode."
NewsClips:
AP:WolfLetsBudgetBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature
10MonthsOverdue,201516FiscalCodeBillBecomesLaw
RelatedStory:
Gov.WolfToLetFiscalCodeBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature

HouseTakesFirstVoteOnFY201617BudgetWeekOfMay2

Rep.WilliamAdolph(RDelaware),MajorityChairoftheHouseAppropriationsCommittee,
notifiedmembersofhisCommittee
Wednesday,thefirstvoteontheFY201617willtakeplace
whentheHousereturnstovotingsessiontheweekofMay2.
Amendmentstothebudgetvehicle
HouseBill1999
aredueintheOfficeoftheChief
Clerkby2:00p.m.onApril25.
A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailableforthebill,butthatmeansverylittleat
thispoint.
NewsClips:
Report:StatesShouldPutDrillingMoneyInTrustInsteadOfUsingIt
GreeneCountyUsesAct13ImpactFeesToRepairCourthousePorch
ArmstrongCountyGivesImpactFeeGrantsToNonprofits
AP:WolfLetsBudgetBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature
10MonthsOverdue,201516FiscalCodeBillBecomesLaw
StateBudgetSeasonToStart
WolfSignsBills,FiscalCodeBillNotAmongThem
PAHasNationsHighestMotorFuelTaxes
RelatedStory:
Gov.WolfToLetFiscalCodeBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature

NewsFromAroundTheState

ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAReceivesGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAward

The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationin
Pennsylvania
hasreceivedtheprestigious
GovernorsAwardforEnvironmental
Excellenceforhelpinglandownersplant
thousandsoftrees,reducepollutionofrivers
andstreams,andimprovewaterqualityinthe
Commonwealth.
CBFwasrecognizedatthe

EnvironmentalExcellencecelebrationinHarrisburgforitseffortstoplantforestedbuffersinthe
Commonwealth.
Protectingandrestoringtheroughly86,000milesofriversandstreamsinPennsylvania
requirescommitment,saidHarryCampbell,executivedirectorofCBFinPennsylvania.Since
1997,ourrestorationstaffhasworkedwiththousandsoflandownersoncleanwater.Tobe
recognizedforoureffortsisagreathonor.
(Photo:AshleySpotts,CBFPARestorationSpecialistDavittWoodwell,Presidentand
CEOofPECKristenHoke,CBFPARestorationSpecialistJohnQuigley,DEPSecretary
ClairRyan,CBFPAWatershedRestorationProgramManagerCindyAdamsDunn,DCNR
Secretary.)
Accordingtothe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
,hostoftheevent,theGovernorsAwards
forEnvironmentalExcellencearethehigheststatewidehonorbestowedtobusinessesand
organizationsinvolvedinacrosssectionofenvironmentalinitiativesfromcleaningup
watersheds,savingenergy,eliminatingpollution,reducingwaste,andmore.
TheEnvironmentalExcellenceAwardrecognizedCBFforusingArborDayFoundation
treesandsuppliesfundedbypartners,includingDEP,GrowingGreenergrant,andMellon
Foundation.
PECcommendedCBFspollutionreductioneffortsandforproviding,tensofthousands
oftreestolandownerstofosterthecreationofriparianbuffers,whichwillimprovethewater
qualityoftheSusquehannaWatershed.
In2015,CBFgaveaway12,280treesto148landownersin14countiesinPennsylvania.
Plantingstreamsideforestsisoneoftheeasiestandmostcosteffectivecleanwater
practicesknown,Campbellcontinued.Theyprovidefloodcontrol,coolwaterforbrooktrout,
wildlifehabitat,andevenimprovetheairwebreathe.
Treesabsorbandfilteragriculturalandurban/suburbanrunoffofnitrogen,phosphorus
andsediment,beforeitreachesPennsylvaniawaterways.
CBFwasoneof17organizationsand14projectsfromacrosstheKeystoneStateto
receiveEnvironmentalExcellenceawards.
Laterthismonth,CBFinPennsylvaniawillagainberecognizedforitseffortstoplant
buffers,whenitreceivestheGoodStewardAwardfromtheArborDayFoundations2016
NationalAwardsCompetition.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
DespiteProgress,ChesapeakeBayCleanupLags,EspeciallyInPA
EasternYorkStudentsLearnHandsOnInCanoesByCBFPA
ScrantonMayChargeRainTax,FormStormwaterAuthority
EarthDay46YearsOn,HowFarWeveCome,HowFarToGo
Editorial:ScrantonsStormwaterOpportunity
RelatedStories:
WinnersOfGovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellenceHonoredTuesday
Remarks:MakeAChoiceForChange,ToInnovate,ForSustainability

SRBC:NaturalGasIndustryUsed13.4BillionGallonsOfWater,MostFrom4Counties


The
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
Mondayreleaseda
newreportonconsumptivewater
use
bythenaturalgasindustrywhichshowedfromJuly2008toDecember2013theindustry
usedatotalof13.4billiongallonsofwaterfromsurface,groundandothersourcesaveraging
about6.7milliongallonsperday.
Atotalof2,249requestsforconsumptivewaterusewithdrawalswereapprovedbythe
Commissionfornaturalgasdrillingrelatedwithdrawalswith4countiesaccountingfor80
percentofthewithdrawalapprovalsBradford,Susquehanna,TiogaandLycoming.
Thiscomparestotheaveragedailyuseofabout8.6milliongallonsby
manufacturingrelatedindustriesinthewatershedand6.2milliongallonsperdayby
entertainmentandrecreationalwaterusers(amusementparks,golfcoursesandskiareas).
Electricpowergenerators,includingnuclearpowerplants,constitutethelargest
consumptivewaterusewithintheSusquehannaRiverBasinat86.2milliongallonsperday.
Theprimaryobjectivesofthereportareto1)summarizetheregulatoryresponsestaken
bytheCommissiontoaddressthisnewandpreviouslyunfamiliarwateruseactivity2)identify
thewaterusecharacteristicsoftheindustryoperatingwithintheBasinand3)assesshowthe
Commissionsprogramsareinfluencingnaturalgasindustrywateruse.
Theprimaryconcernrelatedtowaterneedsforhydraulicfracturinghasnotbeen
conflictbetweentheindustryandotherhumanwaterneeds,butratherforimpactstotheBasins
aquaticecosystems,statesAndrewDehoff,P.E.,ExecutiveDirectoroftheCommission.The
Commissionundertookincrementalpolicyandregulatoryadaptationstosuccessfullyaddressthe
potentialforconflictbetweentheindustryandthelocalaquaticecosystemsfortheprotectionof
sensitivehabitatsandtheBasinsfinitewaterresources.
Ofthetotalof13.4billiongallons,9.76billiongallonswerefromsurfacewatersources,
1.97billiongallonswereindirectlywithdrawnprimarilyfrompublicwatersupplysystems,998
milliongallonsweregroundwaterwithdrawalsand637milliongallonswerefromthecaptureof
topholewaterandprecipitationfallingondrillingpadsitesincludedinconsumptiveusereports
filedbytheindustry.
Ofthe13.4billiongallonsofwaterused,865milliongallonscamefromdirect
withdrawalsfromabandonedcoalminedischarges(34),useofwastewatertreatmentplant
dischargewater(3),orfromotherwatersoflesserquality(13).
20watershedsaccountedforover97percentofthe9.76billiongallonsofsurfacewater
withdrawals.Thetop5waterwithdrawalpointswerethemainstemoftheSusquehannaRiver,
WestBranchSusquehannaRiver,WyalusingCreek,TunkhannockCreekandPineCreek,which
accountfortwothirdsofthesurfacewaterwithdrawals.
Ofthe998milliongallonsofgroundwaterwithdrawalsapproved,774milliongallons
camefrompublicwatersystemsorthirdpartywaterpurveyors.
Therewere3,995unconventionalgaswellsdrilledand2,860frackedfrom2005to2013
inthewatershed.DEPissuedatotalof9,843unconventionalwellpermitsinthewatershed.
Thelongtermaveragewaterconsumptionforeachwellfracturedduringthereporting
periodwas4.3milliongallons.
SRBCalsonotedinthereport
UpdatedRegulations:
TheCommissionupdatedits
regulatoryrequirements
forevaluating
naturalgasrelatedwaterwithdrawalrequestsfourtimesin2008,2009,2010and2011and
adoptedconsumptiveusewaterfeestoensuretheappropriatemanagementcontrolswerein

place
LowFlowProtection:
A
LowFlowProtectionPolicy
wasadoptedinDecember2012to
requirepassbyflowprotectionmeasures
AquaticResourceSurveys:
TheCommissionconductsaquaticresourcesurveysin
connectionwithwaterwithdrawalrequestsinexceptionalvaluewatersheds,wherethreatenedor
endangeredspeciesarepresentorlikelytobe,whenthestreamisinaheadwatersettingorwhen
assessmentdataisnotavailable
CumulativeImpactAnalysis:
Waterwithdrawalanalysisincludescumulativeimpact
analysesrelatedtomultiplewaterwithdrawalsinawatershed
WaterQualityMonitoring:
In2010theCommissionestablisheda
RemoteWaterQuality
MonitoringNetwork
toproviderealtime,continuouswaterqualitymonitoringinheadwater
streamsforpotentialimpactsfromdrillingoperations.
Conclusions
Thereportincludedtheseconclusions
WaterResourcesAdequate:
Generally,thequantityoftheBasinswaterresourcesare
sufficientinmagnitudetoaccommodatethewaterdemandsoftheindustryconcurrentlywith
otherwateruserscurrentlyoperatingwithintheBasin
ConcernsAboutImpactsAreAddressed:
Concernsrelatedtotheimpactstowatersources
arefocusedonthetimingandlocationofthewithdrawalsandareadequatelyaddressedbythe
lowflowprotectionmeasuresandotherprotectiveoperatingconditionsand
NoDiscernibleWaterQualityImpacts:
Todate,theCommissionsmonitoringprograms
havenotdetecteddiscernibleimpactsonthequalityoftheBasinswaterresourcesasaresultof
naturalgasdevelopment,butcontinuedvigilanceiswarranted.
AdditionalActions
TheCommissionoutlinedafurthersetofactionsitwilltakeonnaturalgasindustrywater
withdrawals
RequireMoreSustainableWaterSystems:
Throughfutureregulatorypractices,encourage
morerobustandsophisticatedindustrywidewaterdeliverysystemsanchoredinlarger,more
sustainableanduninterruptiblewaterfeaturesoftheBasin.
MoreWaterQualityMonitoring:
Enhancewaterqualitymonitoringandassessment
methodstoassistourmemberjurisdictionswithensuringpreservationofthequalityofthe
Basinswaterresources.
UseTechnologyToImproveStaffEffectiveness:
Expandtheuseoftechnologytoenable
Commissionstafftoworkmoreeffectivelyandtransparentlyandtobemoreresponsiveto
inquiriesfromthegeneralpublicandtheregulatedcommunity.
EncourageMoreUseOfWatersOfLesserQuality:
Facilitategreateruseoflesserquality
waterswithintheBasintoreducetherelianceonhigherqualitystreamsandrivers.
EncourageMoreProducedFluidsReuse:
Continuetoencouragetheincorporationof
producedfluidsintotheindustryswaterdeliverysystemtodecreasetheneedforfuturedisposal
oftheseuidsandtoreducetherelianceonfreshwaterresourcesforfuturehydraulicfracturing
activities.
AcopyoftheSRBCreport
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformationonregulations,policiesandreportsassociatedwithdrilling
activity,visitSRBCs
NaturalGasShalesandNaturalGasWellDevelopment
webpage.
NewsClips:

SRBCReport:DrillingDidntStrainWaterSupplyInSusquehannaBasin
DecisionOnDiseasedSusquehannaBassDelayed
ScrantonMayChargeRainTax,FormStormwaterAuthority
Editorial:ScrantonsStormwaterOpportunity
InterfaithGroupsCelebrateGiftOfWaterBySusquehanna

2016PAAbandonedMineReclamationConferenceJune2223AtIUP

The2016
PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference
willbeheldfromJune22to23atthe
IndianaUniversityofPA
KovalchickConferenceCenter
inIndiana,PA.Thethemeofthis
yearsConferenceisEconomicsandtheEnvironment.FromtheConferenceannouncement
Nolongercanwejusttakeintoconsiderationthenumberofstreammilesarebeing
restored,thenumberofabandonedminelandacresbeingreclaimed,thenumbersoftreesplanted
onaminesiteoralongaripariancorridorinourminingimpactedwatersheds.
Thosenumbersthatwereporttovariousfundersandgovernmentagenciesdonttellthe
wholestory.Weneedtostarttellingthewholestory
Thebiggerpictureinvolveseconomics,communityrevitalization,redevelopment
opportunities,creatingjobs,recreationalopportunitiesgainedthroughfishing,hiking,kayaking
andonthewaterevents,justtonameafew.
Ideaslikedesignandconstructionofmixeduseindustrialandbusinessparksonformer
minelandsbringsbackthoselandsintoproductiveuseandgeneratingtaxesagainforthelocal
governments.
Localgovernmentsinvestthattaxmoneybackintothecommunityviaimprovedroads
andinfrastructure.
Thepropercreationoftrailsandoffroadrecreationalvehicleparksreducefishery
impactsandcurtailpollutioninputbyemployingbestmanagementpractices.
Evenbolderplanslikeharnessingminewatertogeneratehydroelectricpowerorrecovery
andsalesofmetaloxidestofundcontinualoperation,maintenanceandeventualreplacement
(OM&R)oftreatmentsystems.
Ourpartnersat
ARIPPA
currentlycleanupmountainsofwastecoalpiles,burnthecoal
androcktogenerateelectricity,andlaythealkalinerichashbackintopitsinsuchawaythatit
sealsoffsurfacewaterinfiltrationintothemines.
Withfundingdwindlingduetorougheconomictimes,wehavetobecreativeand
promoteprojectsthattietoeconomicgrowthandotherbenefitsthataredifficulttomeasure
Howdoalloftheseexamplesofeconomicrecoveryofourcoalfieldcommunitiestruly
benefitourenvironment?Letsputourheadstogetherandfigureitout!Thenwecantellthe
wholestoryofouraccomplishments
BringingBackFieldTours
Thisyearwelistenedtotheoverwhelmingsuggestionsbylastyearsattendeeswhowere
beggingustobringbacktheabandonedmineland(AML)reclamationandminedrainage
(AMD)remediationtours.
InordertodothatwehadtomovetheconferenceawayfromStateCollege,because,
well,wehaveseenalltheAMLimpactstherearetoseeinthatimmediatearea.
Manyaspectsofthetour(s)weareplanningwillhighlightthosebenefitsmentioned
aboveandgiveourattendeesafirsthandlookatwhatmayhavebeenconsideredintangiblein

thepast.
ThesurroundingwatershedsofIndianaCountyoutsideofIndianaUniversityof
Pennsylvania,havelotsofsuccessstoriestooffer.WehavededicatedtheentiredayJune22nd
totouringthesitesandthentheeveningtonetworkingandacommunitydinnerthatnight.
20+ProfessionalPresentations
ForJune23rd,weareworkingonaseriesofpresentationsthatwillbegintotouchonthe
needtohighlight,withagreatersenseofaccomplishment,thevalueofdollarsthatareleveraged
bythenumerousprojectsbeingcompletedinourwatershedsacrossstateandnotjustonaproject
byprojectbasis.
Therewillbesciencetooforthoseofuswhocraveit,butwecansometimeslosesightof
theeconomicimportanceandrevitalizationofourcommunitiesthatwe,ascitizens,volunteers,
andpartnerswithingovernmentaretryingtoachieve.
Theenvironmentandeconomicsdogohandinhand.Theyarecomplementarytoone
anotherinourlineofwork.Theyaretwovitalcomponentsofimprovingthequalityoflifefor
ourCommonwealthscoalfieldcommunities.
Joinusthisyearasweaskourpresentersandtourguidestoshowmethemoney!so
thatwecancontinuetoconvinceourfunderstogiveusthemoney!
Moneyspentonenvironmentalprojectsupliftsandbuildsthecapacitywithinourmining
impactedcommunitiestoachievegreenerlandscapesandcleanwater!
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference
website.

AprilCatalystNewsletterAvailableFromSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition

The
AprileditionofTheCatalyst
newsletterisnowavailablefromthe
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
inButlerCountyfeaturingarticles
on
SRWCsCliffDenholmUniversityOfPittsburgh
ProfessorforaDay
SRWCsStreamBankStabilizationFeaturedInReclamation
Matters

PAAbandonedMineReclamationConferenceJune2223
TheKidsCatalystSpringIntoAWordSearch!
JohnLikesReceives2016RiverHeroesAward

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
TheCatalystnewsletterisdistributedtoover1,100individuals
inoveradozencountriesincluding:Brazil,Peru,SouthKorea,Mexico,England,Wales,
Venezuela,SouthAfrica,NewZealand,AustraliaandGermany.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,upcomingeventsandvolunteer
opportunities,visitthe
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
website.

GrantsAvailableForSinnemahoningCreek,Cameron,Elk,McKeanAndPotterCounties

TheFishandBoatCommissionTuesdayannounceditisnowacceptingapplicationsforthe
SinnemahoningCreekWatershedRestorationGrantProgram
inCameron,Elk,McKeanand
Pottercounties.

ThedeadlineforapplicationsisJune17.
Thisfundingisavailablethrougha2007settlementagreementwithNorfolkSouthernas
restitutionforenvironmentaldamagesfromaJune30,2006,trainderailmentinruralNorwich
Township,McKeanCounty.TheaccidentspilledsodiumhydroxideintoBigFillRun,
SinnemahoningPortageCreekandtheDriftwoodBranchoftheSinnemahoningCreek.
Underthesettlement,NorfolkSouthernagreedtopaytheCommonwealth$7.35million
asrestitutionforenvironmentaldamages.ThePFBCreceived$3.675millionofthesettlement
andmustusethefundstodevelopandimplementprojectsthatbenefitfishing,boatingand
aquaticresourcesinCameron,Elk,McKeanorPottercounties.
ThePFBCsprimaryemphasiswillbeonprojectsintheSinnemahoningCreek
WatershedupstreamoftheconfluencewiththeFirstForkofSinnemahoningCreekhowever,
projectslocatedelsewherewithintheaforementionedcountieswillbeconsidered.
Projectseligibleforfundinginthisroundwillbelimitedtothefollowing:fishhabitat
protectionandenhancementrestorationofaquatichabitatconnectivitythroughtheremovalof
barrierstofishpassageriparianbufferplantingsoftreesandshrubsimprovementstoexisting
cooperativetroutnurseryfacilitiesenhancementorrestorationofpopulationsofspecified
aquaticSpeciesofGreatestConservationNeedabandonedminereclamationorremediationof
acidminedrainagethatwillbenefitfishandotheraquaticlifeandtheacquisitionand
developmentofpropertiesforpublicfishingandboatingaccess.
Furtherdescriptionofthesetypesofeligibleprojectsandinstructionsforapplyingcanbe
foundwithinthegrantapplicationpackageavailable
ontheagencyswebsite
.
Awardingoffundsforanyselectedprojectswillbecontingentuponavailabilityoffunds.
Currently,thebalanceoffundsremainingintheprogramaccountisapproximately$1.4million.
Forthisround,thePFBCwilllimitthecumulativetotalofallexternalgrantawardsto
$400,000andwillconsiderindividualgrantawardsintherangeof$10,000to$200,000.
Applicantsmustsecurematchingfundsequaltoatleast25percentofthetotalproject
costsinordertosupplementPFBCfundsandassistinimplementingtheirproposedprojects.
Thisminimummatchthresholdisequaltoonethirdofthegrantamounttheapplicantis
requestingfromthePFBC.
Note:Therehavebeensomechangestotheapplicationpackagesincethelastroundof
awardsin2014.ThePFBCanticipatesfinalselectionandpublicannouncementofgrantawards
bytheendofJuly2016.
Formoreinformation,visittheFish&BoatCommissions
SinnemahoningCreek
WatershedRestorationGrantProgram
webpageorcontactFisheriesBiologistJeffSchmidby
calling8143595242orsendemailto:
jschmid@pa.gov
.

StroudWaterResearchCenter:CrayfishMayHelpRestoreDirtyStreams

Whilemacroinvertebratesareatastyfoodsourceforcrayfish,
a
newstudyreveals
asurprisingfinding:Whencrayfishwere
presentininstreamexperimentalenclosures,macroinvertebrate
densitywashigher,notlower,accordingtothe
StroudWater
ResearchCenter
,ChesterCounty.
StroudWaterResearchCentersleadfluvial
geomorphologistMelindaDaniels,Ph.D.,andLindseyAlbertson,

Ph.D.,apostdoctoralresearcherandecologyprofessorfromMontanaStateUniversity,
conductedthestudyinValleyCreek.
ThecreekisanurbanizedanddegradedtributaryoftheSchuylkillRiverinKingof
PrussiaaPhiladelphiasuburb.
Thescientistsplacedwiremeshenclosures,somewithcrayfishinsideandsomewithout,
inthecreek.Attheconclusionofthe2weekexperiment,populationsofmacroinvertebratessuch
ascaddisflies,whichcanindicatebetterwaterquality,werehigherinthecrayfishenclosures
despitebeingafoodsourceforcrayfish.
Thecrayfishenclosuresalsofeaturedreducedsettlingoffinesedimentpollutiononthe
surfaceofthestreambed.Asthecrayfishdisturbedtherockandgravelbottomwiththeirclaws,
theyagitatedandincreasedsuspensionoffinesediments,presumablyallowingmoresediments
toflowdownstream.
Weweresurprised,Albertsonadmitted.Wethoughtthecrayfishwouldeatthe
macroinvertebratesandreducetheirpopulations,butwefoundtheopposite.Macroinvertebrate
densitywashigherinthecrayfishenclosures.Soevenifthecrayfishwereeatingsomeofthe
macroinvertebrates,wethinkthatallofthefinesedimentthathadbeensuspendedandwashed
awaycreatedamoremacroinvertebratefriendlyhabitat.
Mantmacroinvertebratesdontliketoliveinstreamswithhighsedimentloads.Itsa
typeofpollutionthatdegradesfreshwaterstreamsandcanbetracedtolandusechangeslike
agricultureanddevelopment.
Danielssaid,Crayfishshowthepotentialtoalleviatesomeoftheproblemsseenin
impairedstreams.Everyorganismhasitspartinanecosystem,andwerestilllearningwhatthe
individualrolesare.
Thestudy,
EffectsofInvasiveCrayfishonFineSedimentAccumulation,Gravel
Movement,andMacroinvertebrateCommunities
,waspublishedFreshwaterScience.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
StroudWater
ResearchCenter
website,
LikethemonFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,includetheminyour
CircleonGoogle+
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.

$23.4MillionInvestmentInWaterInfrastructureAnnouncedByGov.Wolf

Gov.TomWolfWednesdayannouncedthe
investmentof$23.4million
forsevendrinking
water,wastewaterandnonpointsourceprojectsacrosssixcountiesthroughthe
PAInfrastructure
InvestmentAuthority
.
ThelowinterestloansandgrantsawardedbythePennVESTBoardofDirectorsat
todaysmeetingwillhelpbothlargeandsmallcommunitiesacrosstheCommonwealthimprove
theirdrinkingwaterandeliminatethecontaminationoftheirnearbystreamsandrivers,said
Gov.Wolf.Thismuchneededassistancewillmaketheseeffortsaffordableforthethousandsof
peopleaffectedbytheseprojectsandwillhavealastingeffectonimprovingPennsylvanias
publichealthandwaterquality.
Ofthe$23.4million,$17.7millionisallocatedforlowinterestloansand$5.7millionis
awardedthroughgrants.
Thefundingcomesfromacombinationofstatefundsapprovedbyvoters,federalgrants
toPennVESTfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandrecycledloanrepayments
frompreviousPennVESTfundingawards.Fundsfortheprojectsaredisbursedafterbillsfor

workarepaidandreceiptsaresubmittedtoPennVEST.
Alistofprojectsfunded
isavailableonline
.

AcademyOfNaturalSciences:WhatsInOurWaterMay3InPhiladelphia

TheAcademyofNaturalSciences
ofDrexelUniversitywill
hosta
discussion
withDebraMcCarty,thenewCommissionerofthe
PhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
,aboutPhiladelphia'sdrinkingwateron
May3.
WehearstoriesofthewatercrisisinFlint,Michigan,andwonderifthere
areconcernswithourdrinkingwater.Therevelationofdangerous(and
apparentlyavoidable)levelsofleadinFlint'sdrinkingwatertouchesall
aspectsofpublicwatersupply,raisingquestionsaboutaging
infrastructure,sourcewaterquality,systemmanagement,and
environmentaljustice.
WeknowaboutthestateSafeDrinkingWaterActandsourcewaterprotectionprograms,
butwewanttoknowmoreaboutwhatisbeingdonehereinPhiladelphiaandthesurrounding
regiontoensurethatourwatersupplyissafe.
Getanswersfromtheexperts.DebraMcCarty,thenewCommissionerofthePhiladelphia
WaterDepartment,willbetheguestspeaker.
Shewillbefollowedbyapanelofexperts,including:
JerryFagliano,MPH,PhD,ChairoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalandOccupational
Health,DrexelUniversity'sDornsifeSchoolofPublicHealthand
LynnThorp,NationalCampaignsDirector,CleanWaterAction.
Theeventwillrunfrom6:308:30p.m.andwillbeheldattheAcademyofNatural
Sciencesat1900BenjaminFranklinparkway,Philadelphia.
Theprogramisfreeandopentothepublic,butregistrationisrequired.
ClickHere
to
register.
Formoreinformationaboutthisevent,visittheAcademys
WhatsInOurWater?
Webpage.
Moreinformationabouttheprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingeventsisavailable
fromthe
TheAcademyofNaturalSciences
ofDrexelUniversitywebsite.
ClickHere
tosignup
fortheAcademyseNews.
NewsClips:
EarthDay:ThinkAboutHowAWaterUtilityCanHelpOurPlanet
OpEd:FocusShouldBeOnLeadPaint,NotLeadPipes
HBGCouncilDismayedOverCompetitionForVolunteerSeatOnWaterBoard

3PASchoolsRecognizedAsGreenRibbonSchoolsByU.S.Dept.OfEducation

PASecretaryofEducationPedroA.Rivera
Fridaycongratulated
ParkForestElementary
School
inStateCollege,
SlipperyRock
University
,andthe
SchoolDistrictof
Jenkintown
inMontgomeryCountyforbeing

named
GreenRibbonSchools
bytheU.S.DepartmentofEducation.
ClickHere
forareportdescribingwhytheseschoolsandinstitutionswereselected.
PennsylvaniasGreenRibbonSchoolsrepresenttheCommonwealthscommitmentto
providingstudentswithaneducationthatcanpresentnewpathwaysinfieldslikeSTEMand
agriculturethatleadtoworkinhighpriorityoccupations,saidRivera.Meanwhile,thestates
environmentbenefitsastheseschoolsworktoreducetheirenvironmentalimpact.Iapplaudthese
schoolsfortheireffortstoimprovetheeconomyandpreservetheenvironmentthroughtheir
conscientiousandinnovativeefforts.
TheawardswereannouncedinWashington,D.C.byU.S.EducationSecretaryJohnKing
andChristyGoldfuss,themanagingdirectoroftheWhiteHouseCouncilonEnvironmental
Quality.Acrossthecountry,47schools,15districts,and11postsecondaryinstitutionswere
honoredfortheirinnovativeenvironmentalefforts.
TheGreenRibbonSchoolsprogramrecognizesschools,districtsandinstitutionsof
highereducationbasedontheireffortstoreduceenvironmentalimpactandcoststoimprove
healthandwellnessofschools,studentsandstaffandtoprovideenvironmentaleducation,
includingSTEM,civicsandgreencareerpathways.
FormoreinformationonhowyourschoolcanbecomeaGreenRibbonSchool,visitthe
PAGreen&HealthySchools
website.
Moreinformationonfederalprogramcanbefoundonthe
GreenRibbonSchools
webpage.
NewsClips:
Crable:LancasterNaturalistsInspireOthers
Hooked:LocalStudentsAreLearning,LovingToRaiseTrout
EasternYorkStudentsLearnHandsOnInCanoesByCBFPA
ChambersburgStudentsSortTreesForAHealthEnvironment
CarnegieScienceCenterExpandingExhibitCapacity
CarnegieScienceCenterRaisingFundsForBigExpansion

CentreCountyHonors55GreenBusinesses,SchoolsAndOrganizations

The
CentreCountyRecycling&RefuseAuthority
,alongwiththe
CentreRegionCouncilof
Governments
andthe
BoroughofStateCollege
heldanawardsluncheonThursdaytohonor55
oftheareasbestgreenbusinesses,schoolsandorganizations.
Over100areabusinessowners,teachers,schooladministratorsandemployeeswere
presentattheawardsluncheon,heldincoordinationwithEarthDay,toreceiverecognitionfor
theireffortsbothinrecyclingandsustainability.
CCRRAsRecyclingCoordinator,JoanneShaferaddressedthecrowdandspokeofour
fivespecialEmeraldAwardWinners:TheCocaColaCompany,
WeisMarkets
,
KBOffset
Printing,Inc.
,
HabitatforHumanityReStore
and
Harrison'sWineGrill&Catering
.
ClickHere
forlistofall55honorees.
Foradditionalinformationonthisawardsluncheon,pleasecontactAmySchirfat
8142387005,orsendemailto:
aschirf@centrecountyrecycles.org
.

EQBOKsProposedFeeIncreasesForRadioactiveMaterials,RadonLicensing

The
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
Tuesdayapprovedproposedfeeincreasesforradon
certificationanda50percentincreaseinfeesforthelicensingandinspectionofradioactive
materialsforpubliccomment.
TheBoardalsoheardareportonthereviewoflaboratoryaccreditationfees
recommendingtheybeincreasedbybetween2030percenttomakeupforfundingshortfalls.
Thesefeeissuesarejustsomeof

6ormorefeeincreasepackages
DEPwillbeproposing
thisyeartomakeupforfundingshortfalls.
AlsoapprovedbytheBoardwasafinalregulationmakingchangestotheLandRecycling
Programandaproposedregulationmakingstreamdesignationchangesfor4streamsinBerks,
Chester,Monroe,NorthamptonandSusquehannacounties.
Copiesoftheregulationsandsupportingdocumentsareavailableonthe
Environmental
QualityBoard
webpage.
Formoreinformation,contact
LauraEdingerbycalling7177723277orsendemailto:
edinger@pa.gov
.

EPASaferChoiceLabelForCleaningProductsLaunchedAtWeisMarket

InpreparationforEarthDayonApril22andincelebrationofthespring
weather,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyTuesdaylaunched
its
SaferChoice
springcleaningcampaignatthe
WeisSupermarket
in
Conshohocken,MontgomeryCounty,toencourageconsumerstobuy
homecareproductsthatwillhelpprotectpublichealthandthe
environment.
(Photo:AnnaCucchiara,ConshohockenStoreManager,Patti
Olenick,SustainabilityManagerforWeisMarketsandEPARegional
AdministratorShawnGarvin.)
EPAhasdevelopeditsnewSaferChoicelabelsothatitwillbeeasier
forshopperstochoosecleaningandhomecareproductsthataresafer
forfamilies,pets,communitiesandtheenvironment,saidEPAMidAtlanticRegional
AdministratorShawnM.Garvin.OurSaferChoiceprogramempowersconsumerstoprotect
theirhealthandminimizetheimpactontheenvironmentthrougheverydaypurchasing
decisions.
TheSaferChoicelabelisonhundredsofcleaningandhomecareproductsformost
everyindoorandoutdoorcleaningtaskallpurposecleaners,kitchenandbathcleansers,carpet
andfabricshampoos,laundrydetergents,carandboatcareproducts,deckandsidingwashes,
andmanymore.
TheSaferChoiceProgramhasmorethan500partnercompaniesandmorethan2,000
productscurrentlyqualifytocarrytheSaferChoicelabel.
ProductsthatcarrythislabelhavebeencarefullyevaluatedbyEPAscientiststoensure
theycontainingredientsthataresaferforhumanhealthandtheenvironment.EPAchoseto
promoteitsSaferChoicecampaigninspringwhenfamilieseverywhereareengagedincleaning
activities,butthelabelappliestoproductsthatareusedthroughouttheyear.
Duringtheannouncement,EPArecognizedWeisMarketsforbeingakeypartnerwith
EPAinpromotingsustainablematerialsmanagement.
AlongwithmakingastrongcommitmenttoSaferChoice,
WeisMarkets
hasbeenoneof

theoriginal
FoodRecoveryChallenge
partnerssincetheinceptionoftheprogramin2012.
Formoreinformationontheprogram,visitEPAs
SaferChoice
webpage.

GIANTFoodStoresBagsToBenchesProgramDonates25BenchesToKeepPABeautiful

InrecognitionofEarthDay,
GIANTFoodStores
BagsToBenchesProgram
donated25benchesmade
fromrecycledplasticbagsand$2,500to
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
toassistwithlocal
beautificationefforts.
AspartoftheGreatAmericanCleanupofPAnow
underway,the25bencheswillbeplacedinparksand
pocketparks,communitygardensandformervacant
lotsaspartofalargercommunityimprovement
strategybylocalorganizationsacrossPennsylvania,VirginiaandMaryland.
GIANTiscommittedtobeingaresponsibleretaileranddoingwhatwecantoreduce
wasteandbeabetterneighbortoMotherEarth365daysayear,saidTomLenkevich,GIANT
president.Weencouragecustomerstorecycletheirplasticgrocerybagsandthinkofotherways
theycangogreennotonlyonEarthDay,buteveryday.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulempowersPennsylvanianstomaketheircommunities
cleanandbeautiful.Hundredsofthousandsofvolunteersannuallyparticipateinourprograms,
suchastheGreatAmericanCleanupofPAworking,toimprovetheircommunities.KPBis
gratefultopartnerwiththeGIANTandMartinsBagstoBenchesProgramtofurtherbenefit
theselocalcommunitybeautificationefforts,saidShannonReiter,PresidentofKeep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful.
ThePennsylvaniacommunitiesreceivingbenchesinclude
BerksCountyCityofReadingParks3
DauphinCountyHarrisburgPublicWorks3
LancasterCountyLititzRunWatershedAlliance1
LancasterCountyTerreHillBorough1
LancasterCountySolidWasteManagementAuthority1
LehighCounty,AllentownParksDepartment3
PhiladelphiaWestPhiladelphia,PPRHorticultureCenter1
PhiladelphiaUrbanFarmsandGardensNorthPhiladelphia3
YorkCountyParks&Recreation4
Since1997GIANThelpeddonateover1,500recycledcontentbenches,removing15
millionbagsfromtheenvironmentthroughitsBagstoBenchesProgram.
ClickHere
tosignupnowforthe2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
orcallMichelle
Dunnat877.772.3673ext.113.TheCleanuprunsthroughMay31.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.

SaintVincentCollegeNamedChampionOfNationalRecycleManiaCompetition

SaintVincentCollege
inLatrobe,WestmorelandCounty,was
namedthechampionofthe2016
RecycleMania
competition
witharecyclingrateof3.40lbs./capita.
SaintVincentCollegecontributedto79millionpounds
ofrecycleandcompostrecoverednationallyintherecycling
competition
RecycleManiaisthenationspremierwastereduction
andrecyclingcompetitionamongcollegesanduniversities,
managedbyKeepAmericaBeautiful.
SaintVincentwasfirstamongcollegesanduniversitiesinthePresidentsAthletic
Conference.
Wefocusedourreportingeffortsonpaperandcomingledmetal,glassandplastics,
explainedBethBollinger,chemistrylabmanagerandinstructor.Duringthesetwomonths,the
wastestreamwasasusualandnoextrememeasuresweretakentoincreaserecyclingduringthe
competitionperiod.Inaddition,thecampushasrecentlybegunacompostingprojectwhere
preconsumerfoodwastefromthecampusfoodservice,ParkhurstDining,iscollected,
compostedandwillbeusedthroughoutcampus.Organics,orcompost,isacategorythatwe
dontcurrentlyparticipatein,sowiththisaddition,ournumberscanonlyincreasenextyear.
Therecyclingeffortsofthecollegehavethevalueof16metrictonsofcarbondioxide.
Thisisalsotheequivalentoftakingthreecarsofftheroadortheenergyconsumptionofone
household.
The2016tournamentfeatured350schoolsparticipatingfrom48states,theDistrictof
ColumbiaandCanada,withanenrollmentof4.4millionstudents.TheAmericancontingentof
schoolsrepresentsnearlyoneinfourU.S.collegestudents.
Competingcollegesanduniversitiesarerankedaccordingtohowmuchrecycling,trash
andfoodwastetheycollectovertwomonths.
BetweentheFebruary7kickoffandthefinalrecyclingweighinonApril2,participating
schoolsrecycledorcomposted79.3millionpoundsofrecyclablesandorganicmaterials,
preventingthereleaseof122,000metrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalent(MTCO2E)intothe
atmosphere,whichisequivalenttopreventingannualemissionsfrom24,000cars.
Completeresultsforall13categoriescanbefoundatthe
RecycleMania
website,
includingabreakoutthatshowshowschoolsperformedbyathleticconference,institutionsize,
stateandothergroupings.Thenationalwinnersofeachcategoryarerecognizedwithanaward
madefromrecycledmaterials.
Researchshowspeoplearemorelikelytorecyclewhentheyseeitaspartoftheculture
aroundthem,saidBrendaPulley,seniorvicepresident/recycling,KeepAmericaBeautiful.
RecycleManiaprovidesuswithanopportunitytoheightenawarenessabouttheimportanceof
recyclingamongcollegestudents,andhelpmakerecyclingparticipationacorecomponentofthe
collegeexperience.Ourhopeisthattheserecyclingbehaviorsstickwiththemthroughouttheir
life,creatinganewgenerationofcommunitystewards.
ThecompetitionismadepossiblewiththesponsorshipsupportofAlcoaFoundation,The
CocaColaCompany,CyclePointfromSourceAmericaandRubbermaidCommercialProducts.
Sincethecompetitionlaunchedin2001,millionsofstudentsfrom760collegesand

universitieshaverecycledandcompostedmorethan820millionpoundsofmaterialduringthe
tournamenttimeframe.
Together,tournamentparticipantshavepreventedthereleaseofnearly2.3millionmetric
tonsofcarbondioxideequivalent,whichiscomparabletoremoving524,600passengervehicles
fromtheroadforoneyear.
TheRecycleManiaprogramisgovernedbyanonprofit501(c)(3)organizationcalled
RecycleMania,Inc.madeupofaboardofdirectorswhoarerecyclingandsustainability
managersfromparticipatinguniversities.
RecycleManiapartneredwiththeU.S.EPAs
WasteWiseProgram
,
Collegeand
UniversityRecyclingCoalition
,
KeepAmericaBeautiful
,
FoodRecoveryNetwork
,
National
WildlifeFederation
and
PurposefulNetworks
.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
RecycleMania
website.
NewsClips:
ScrantonRecyclingCenterAcceptingElectronicsThruApril
Editorial:KeystoneLandfillSewerLineCaseRequiresInvestigation
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay
RidYourHomeOfUnusedDrugsOnApril30

PhiladelphiaPrisonSystemReceivesAccoladesFromEPAForFoodRecovery

TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyThursdayrecognizedtheCityofPhiladelphiaforits
innovativefoodrecoveryachievementsatthe
PhiladelphiaPrisonSystem
thatinclude
composting1.35tonsofwastedfoodeachdayandsavingthecity$31,000eachyearinlandfill
fees.
Thecitywasamongmorethan800governments,businessesandorganizations
nationwidethatparticipatedinthe2015EPAs
FoodRecoveryChallenge
.Theseentities
divertedfoodwastefromenteringlandfillsorincineratorsthroughavarietyofinnovative
actions.
ThePhiladelphiaPrisonSystemsetsatremendousexampleonusinginnovationto
reducefoodwaste,saidEPAMidAtlanticRegionalAdministratorShawnM.Garvin.
BusinessesandcommunitiesacrossAmericaaretakingpositivestepstoaddressthefoodwaste
challenge,andtheyresavingmoney,helpingtheenvironment,andfeedinghungrypeopleinthe
process.
Thecityreceivedspecialrecognitionforitsachievementsnationallyundertheinnovation
category.
Alongwiththecomposting,thePrisonSystemsfoodrecoveryprogramprovidesinmates
withhandsonjobtraininginhorticultureandurbangardeningonsiteattheOrchardProgram
locatedonpropertybehindPhiladelphiaIndustrialCorrectionsCenteronStateStreet.
Nationwide,FoodRecoveryChallengeparticipantsdivertednearly606,000tonsof
wastedfoodfromenteringlandfillsorincineratorsin2014,nearly88,600tonsofwhichwere
donatedtopeopleinneed.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAs
FoodRecoveryChallenge
webpage.
NewsClip:
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay

PAResourcesCouncilNowAcceptingTVsAtCollectionEventsForAFee

The
PAResourcesCouncil
Thursdayannounceditwill
nowacceptTVsatitsremainingHardtoRecycle
CollectionsEventsasaresultofa
changeinDEP
policy
toallowgroupstochargefeesforrecycling
thoseitems.
"We'veworkedwithlegislators,regulatorsand
recyclerstofindthissolution,butweallunderstand
thatthisisaninterimsolutionatbest,"saidPRC
WesternRegionalDirectorJustinStockdale.
"WeareeagertoworkwithDEPmovingforwardtofindamorepermanentsolution,"he
said."Inthemeantime,thegoodnewsisthatresidentscanonceagaindropoffTVsatPRC's
HardtoRecyclecollectionevents.Weencourageindividualstomaketheirvoicesheardby
contactinglegislatorstoaskforapermanent,freeandconvenientsolutiontotheissueofTV
recyclinginPennsylvania."
ClickHere
tofindasampleemailmessagetosendyourstatesenator,representativeand
governor.
ToreadtheentirePRCannouncement,
ClickHere
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
KeepPABeautifulhasanew
ElectronicsWaste
websitethatshowswhereelectronics
wasterecyclingisavailablethroughoutPennsylvania.
NewsClips:
ScrantonRecyclingCenterAcceptingElectronicsThruApril
Editorial:KeystoneLandfillSewerLineCaseRequiresInvestigation
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay
RidYourHomeOfUnusedDrugsOnApril30
RelatedStories:
Hearing:ElectronicsManufacturersNeedToPayForEWasteActuallyCollected
KeepPABeautifulTestifiesAboutRampantIllegalDumpingOfElectronics
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling

SusquehannaGreenway:LookingForEarthDayActivities,HelpWithTheseCleanups

The
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnership
islookingforvolunteersto
helpwiththesecleanups
throughouttheSusquehannaRiverWatershed
BlackHoleCreekCleanup,Montgomery
:April23.9a.m.12p.m.ContactBecky
Sanguedolce:
beckyatriverside@aol.com

RiverfrontCleanup,Wormleysburg
:April23.9a.m.12p.m.ContactBillWeigle:
woweigle@aol.com

PennsCreekCleanup,Millmont
:April24.1p.m.4:30p.m.ContactRobertLayton:
laytonrw@hotmail.com

StarruccaCreekCleanup,Melrose:
April2324.9a.m.4p.m.ContactDanaRockwell:
danarockwell@hotmail.com

SusquehannaRiverCleanupProject,Danville
:May7.9a.m.2p.m.Pickingupfrom
DanvilleareatoSunbury.
Registeronline
and
DowntownClearfieldBeautificationDay
:May14.10a.m2p.m.ContactLorettaWagner:
discoverclearfield@gmail.com
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnership
website.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventthroughMay31.

SolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteeMeetsApril27OnEWaste,RecyclingIssues

DEPs
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
isscheduledtomeetonApril27andontheagendaisa
discussionofthecollapseoftheelectronicswasterecyclingprograminPennsylvania.
AlsoontheagendaistheissueofCRTTVandmonitormanagementspecificallyandthe
facttherearenow15millionpoundsofCRTswaitingtoberecycledinwarehousesinErie.
DEPwillalsodiscusstheClimateChangeActionPlanandhearapresentationby
MicheleNestor,Chairof
PARecyclingMarketsDevelopmentCenter
BoardontheAct101
RecyclingLawPast,PresentandFuture.
Themeetingwillbeheldin
Room105RachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00.
Formoreinformation,visit
DEPs
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
webpageorcontact
KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,bycalling7177872553orsendingemailto:
riashley@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
VolunteersCleanUpNorthBelleVernonPark
GirlScoutsToCleanUpGreenStreetParkInHanoverTwp
BradfordAreaGroupsHelpEnvironmentByCleaningUpLocally
Editorial:PutOnSomeGlovesAndCleanup,Outdoors

PEMAEncouragesCitizensToHaveSevereWeatherPreparednessPlan

PeopleinPennsylvaniaareencouragedtotakeadvantageofopportunitiestolearnhowto
prepareforemergenciesduringSevereWeatherAwarenessWeekApril2529.
"Awarenessweeksgiveusallanopportunitytotakeastepbackfromourbusylivesand
thinkabouthowwecantakesimplestepstodaytoprepareforapossibleemergencyinthe
future,"saidRichardD.FlinnJr.,directorofthe
PAEmergencyManagementAgency
.
Flinnsaidcitizensshouldbeawareofthetypesofsevereweatherthey'vevulnerabletoin
theircommunities.
Forexample,somepartsofthestatearemorelikelytoseeflashfloodingthanothers.No
matterwhatyoumayfaceinyourcommunity,Flinnsaideveryoneshouldhavedisastersupplies
onhandathome,including:
Flashlightsandextrabatteries
Portable,batteryoperatedradioandextrabatteries
Firstaidkitandmanual

Bottledwaterandnonperishablefood
Manualcanopener
Essentialmedicines/prescriptionsand
Cash,creditcardsandimportantlegaldocuments.
Flinnalsorecommendedthatfamiliesdevelopanemergencycommunicationplaninthe
eventthatfamilymembersareseparatedfromoneanotherduringsevereweatherareal
possibilityduringthedaywhenadultsareatworkandchildrenareatschoolandhaveaplan
forgettingbacktogether.
Freeemergencypreparednessinformation,includingtemplatesforfamilyemergency
plansandchecklistsforemergencykitsupplies,isavailableat
www.ReadyPA.org
.
Follow@ReadyPAonTwitterandlikeReadyPAonthe
BeReadyPAFacebook
pagefor
moreemergencypreparednessinformation.ThefreeReadyPAappisalsoavailableforboth
AppleandAndroiddevices.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PAEmergencyManagementAgency
website.

NewAirQualityFeeProposalToIncludeGreenhouseGasEmissions,IfEPARuleUpheld

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishedanotice
intheApril23PABulletin
announcingthenextupdatetoitsAirQualityProgramfeeswillincludefeesongreenhousegas
emissions,includingcarbondioxide,ifEPAs
CleanPowerClimatePlan
isupheldincourt.
ThenoticealsoclarifiedthatitsexistingAirQualityfeesdonotapplytocarbondioxide,
hydrofluorocarbons,methane,nitrousoxide,perfluorocarbonsandsulfurhexafluoride.
DEPsaidthisclarificationwasneededbecauseEPACleanPowerPlanregulates
greenhousegasemissionsunderSection111ofthefederalCleanAirActasaregulated
pollutant.RegulatedpollutantswouldbesubjecttotheAirQualityProgramfees.
ClickHere
toreadtheentirenotice.
NewsClips:
PACitiesHaveSomeOfWorstAirPollutionInTheCountry
WesternPAAirIsGettingCleaner,RoomForImprovement
CentralPAMetroAreaRemainsAmongNationsWorst
Report:LehighValleyAirStillBad,ButImproving
ErieCountyFlunksOzonePollutionReportCard
YorkAirRanksAmongWorstInCountry
Crable:LancastersSootPollutionWorstEastOfUtah
NortheastAirQualityImprovingStudySays
RelatedStory:
DEPToProposePermitFeeIncreasesForAtLeast6ProgramsIn2016

PPLElectricCustomersSaving$250Million/YearByReducingEnergyUse

PPLElectricUtilities
customersaresavingmorethanaquarterofabilliondollarsperyearon
theirelectricbillsbyusingthecompany'senergyefficiencyprogramsdesignedtohelpthemuse
energywisely.
Atthesametime,residentsandbusinesseshavecuttheirelectricityusagebymorethan
twobillionkilowatthoursperyeartheequivalentoftaking327,000carsofftheroad.

"Savingenergyisgoodforthepocketbookandfortheplanet,"saidPeteCleff,manager
ofthecompany'senergyefficiencyprograms."Andourcustomerswillsaveevenmoreinyears
tocome."
TakingadvantageofPPLElectricUtilities'largevarietyofenergyefficiencyprograms,
customershaveinstalledenergyefficientlights,insulatedandweatherizedtheirhomesand
businesses,receivedinhomeenergyaudits,recycledoldrefrigerators,andputinenergyefficient
equipmentlikeHVAC,refrigeration,waterheatersandappliances.
Since2010,PPLElectricUtilitiescustomershave:
Recycledmorethan86,000appliances
Installed13.8millioncompactfluorescentandLEDlightbulbs
Receivedmorethan$192millionincashincentivessuchasrebates
Also,about41,000lowincomecustomersreceivedenergyefficiencyequipmentand
services.
Alltold,hundredsofthousandsofPPL'scustomershaveparticipatedinoneormoreof
PPL'senergyefficiencyprograms,includinghomes,businesses,commercialandindustrial
customers,andgovernmentandeducationalinstitutions.
Therewillbeevenmoresavingsinyearstocome.Inthenextphase,whichstartsinJune
andrunsthroughMay2021,PPL'senergyefficiencyprogramsareprojectedtosavecustomers
anadditional1.6billionkilowatthoursperyear.
Moreinformationabouttheseprograms,whichareinsupportof
PennsylvaniaAct129
requiringelectriccompaniestohelpcustomersreduceenergyuse,willbecommunicatedto
customerssoon.
Formoreinformation,visitPPLs
SaveEnergy&More
webpage.
NewsClips:
PPLCompletes$350MPoconosTransmissionProject
PenelecElectricalWorkerProgramFinishesFirstYear
ConstructionBeginsOn$780MSouthHuntingdonPowerPlant
ConsolClosesResearch&DevelopmentCenterInSouthPark
Editorial:DigAHoleForU.S.Coal
Editorial:DontWasteYourEnergy
NuclearWasteStorageExpansionApprovedAtBerwick
TalenEnergyAppealsPermitDenialForSpentNuclearFuelStorageExpansion
Editorial:NuclearWasteNoLocalIssue
NRC:PeachBottomNuclearPlantMustUpgradeSafetyEquipment
NewFilmOnTMIAccidentHosts70sPartyInMiddletown
U.S.SenateOKsBillToPromoteVarietyOfEnergySources

PECOAnnouncesSolarStakeholderCollaborative

PECO
FridayannounceditiscreatinganewSolarStakeholderCollaborativetoadvancelocal
solarenergywithinvitedparticipationfromcustomeradvocates,publicofficials,competitive
electricsuppliers,solarsupporters,andotherinterestedpartners.
Wehaveaproventrackrecordofenvironmentalleadership,saidCraigAdams,PECO
presidentandCEO.Wealsohaveaverysuccessfulhistoryofworkingwithcollaborativeslike
thistoprovideadvancedenergyservices,choicesandprogramsforourcustomers.

PreviousworkhasresultedinsuccessfulpilotprogramsincludingPECOWind,PECO
SmartTimePricingandPECOSmartEnergyChoiceeachsupportingPennsylvanias
competitiveenergymarketandpromotingthedevelopmentofelectricitygeneratedfromclean
resourcesandnewpricingoptions.
TheCollaborativewillworktogethertoadvancethesolarenergymarketinPennsylvania.
Thisannouncementisthelatestinaseriesofsuccessfulenvironmentalinitiativesfor
PECO.
TheCompanyannouncedLEEDcertificationofitsPhiladelphiaheadquarters.Twelve
PECObuildingsarenowLEEDcertified,totalingnearly1.5millionsquarefeetofbuilding
space,80percentoftheCompanystotalsquarefootageandmorethan30percentofallLEED
ExistingBuildingOperationsandMaintenance(EBOM)certifiedbuildingsthroughout
Pennsylvania.
PECOSmartIdeas
,thecompanyssuccessfulsuiteofenergyefficiencyprogramsfor
residentialandbusinesscustomers,launchedin2009.Theprogramshavehelpedcustomers
reduceenergyconsumptionbynearly7percent,resultinginasavingsofmorethan2billion
kilowatthoursofelectricityandmorethan$500millioninannualenergycosts,inadditionto
morethan$200millioninrebatesandincentives.
PECOsenvironmentallyfriendlygreenfleetcontinuestogrowandcurrentlyincludes
approximately800hybrid,naturalgas,flexfuelandbiodieselvehicles.Thesevehicleshave
reducedgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsbymorethan1,098metrictonsannually.The
companyalsoissupportingtheEdisonElectricInstitutesemployeepluginelectricvehicle
engagementinitiative.
The
PECOEnergizingEducationProgram
,apartnershipwithTheFranklinInstituteand
TheNationalEnergyEducationDevelopmentProject,teachesstudentstheimportanceofenergy
efficiencyandconservationthroughhandsonactivities.Morethan25,000studentshave
participatedinthisprogram.
PECOGreenRegion
environmentalgrantsprovidefundingforopenspacepreservation,
parkimprovementprojects,recreationresourcesandconservation.Since2004,PECOhas
awardednearly$1.4millionformorethan180projectsacrosssoutheasternPennsylvania.
PECOoffersgreenratesforcustomerswhoareinterestedinaddingsolarandother
sourcesofgenerationtotheirhomesandbusinesses.
PECOalsopurchasesabout12.5MWofsolargeneratedelectricityeachyear,inaddition
toourotherwindandrenewableenergypurchases.
EnvironmentalcommitmentalsoisapriorityacrosstheExelonfamilyofcompanies.
PECOssistercompany,
Constellation
,isthethirdlargestcommercialdeveloperinthestate
developingmorethan72commercial,industrialandgovernmentalcustomersolarinstallations,
totalingmorethan200MWofcapacity.
AndPECOsparentcompany,
Exelon
,alsohasdevelopedmorethan250MWofutility
solarprojects,inadditiontoitsportfolioof47windprojectstotalingnearly1,500MW.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PECO
website.
NewsClips:
PECOCreatesSolarCollaborative
WilkesBarreStudentsToInstall12SolarPanels
SEPTAToAdd25ElectricBusesNextYear

PUCAdoptsNewRequirementsForNaturalGasSupplierDisclosureStatements

ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayfinalizedregulationchangesthatwillprovide
customerswhoshopfortheirnaturalgassupplywithgreater,uniformdetailontheirdisclosure
statementsandmoretimelyinformationoncontractrenewalandchangeintermsnotices.
TheCommissionvoted50toapproveregulationsthatrequirenaturalgassuppliers
(NGSs)todisplaykeycontractualtermsandconditionsmoreclearlyforcustomersonboth
fixedandvariablerateproducts,providehistoricalpricingdataontheirproductsand
prominentlymarkcustomernoticespriortocontractexpirationorchangesinterms.
Thechangesaredesignedtoprovideadditionalinformationandgreaterprotectionsfor
residentialandsmallbusinesscustomerschoosingacompetitivesupplierfortheirnaturalgas
service.
Customerswhowishtocompareoptionsandpricingfornaturalgasservicecanvisitthe
PUCsnewlyredesignedshoppingwebsite,
www.PAGasSwitch.com
.
Thenewregulationsinclude:
Morecontractualinformationonconditionsofpricevariability,includingwhetherthereare
limitsonvariability
Aclearstatementofthepriceperunitforthefirstbillingcycleofnaturalgasgeneration
Customeraccesstohistoricalpricinginformation
Separatemailingsforeitherfixeddurationcontractsthatareexpiring,oranychangestoterms
ofservice
AseparateNGScontractsummaryalongwiththefulldisclosurestatementtoensureNGSs
highlightkeytermsandconditionsinauniform,consistentmanner
NewrequirementsforcontractInitialNoticesandcustomerOptionsNoticepriortothe
expirationofacontractorchangeinterms
Arenewedemphasisonhighlightingchangesinpricingoranytermsandconditions
includingafixedratebecomingamonthtomonthratethatincludesa30daynoticeofanyprice
changeand
ProminentmarkingonfrontoftheOptionsNoticeenvelopeclearlystatingthatitcontains
importantinformationregardingtheexpirationorchangesintermsofacustomerselectric
supplycontract.
TheregulationsmustbereviewedbytheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission,
AttorneyGeneralsOffice,SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommittee
andHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteebeforegoingintoeffect.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUC
NaturalGas
webpage.

OpEd:MarcellusShaleCoalition:NaturalGasEnhancesOurEnvironment

The
MarcellusShaleCoalition
distributedthefollowingopedpiecefor
EarthDaywrittenbyDavidSpigelmyer,PresidentofMSC.

WhileEarthDayisrecognizedonceayear,weallhaveanobligationto
ensurethatweretakingdailystepsaimedatprotectingandenhancing
ourenvironment.Afterall,asthesayinggoes,
Wedontinherittheearthfromourancestors,weborrowitfromour

children.
EarthDayprovidesanimportantopportunitytotakestockinthemeaningful
environmentalprogressthatournationandthecommonwealthcontinuetomakeespeciallyas
itrelatesairquality.
ThankstoAmericasabundantnaturalgassupplies,theUnitedStateshascutitscarbon
emissionsmorethananyotherdevelopednationintheworld.Andthankslargelytoexpanded
naturalgasproductionanduse,U.S.CO2emissionsareata25yearlow.
EvenPresidentObamarecognizesthebenefitsofnaturalgasdevelopment.Weshould
strengthenourpositionasthe[worlds]topnaturalgasproducer,PresidentObamahassaid,
becauseitnotonlycanprovidesafe,cheappower,butitcanalsohelpreduceourcarbon
emissions.
Indeedournationstopenvironmentalregulator,EPAadministratorGinaMcCarthy,has
madeitclearthatnaturalgasisanimportantpartofourworktocurbclimatechange.
Naturalgasisacriticalpartnerforenablingthesteadyandincrementalgrowthof
intermittentenergyformslikewindandsolarthatrequiresreliablebaseloadpowerasabackup.
Infact,arecentHarvardBusinessSchoolstudydescribedshaleandrenewablesas
complementarygiventhatnaturalgasistheonlyfuelthatcancosteffectivelydeliver
largescalecarbonemissionsreductionsoverthenext20years.
Whatsmore,inadditiontoimprovingourenvironment,wearesafelyproducingmore
naturalgasdomesticallyinordertomeetourgrowingenergydemands,whichisalsomaking
Americamoreenergysecure.
ThereislittledoubtthattheU.S.hassomeoftheworldsmostrigorousenvironmental
regulations.StateslikePennsylvaniaareleadingthewaywithsupportfromtheenergyindustry
tomakecertaintherearecommonsense,workableregulationsinplacetoprotectandenhance
ourenvironment.
Bydiscouragingthisdomesticenergyproductionweencourageenergyimportsfrom
regionsoftheworldthatdonthavesimilarenvironmentalsafeguards.Thisleadsnotonlyto
moreglobalenvironmentalimpacts,butmorerelianceonothernationstomeetAmericas
growingenergydemands.
Withcleanburningnaturalgas,wehaveagenerationalopportunitytoensureenergy
security.Bestofall,however,withthedevelopmentofnaturalgasourenvironmentisimproving
onadailybasis.
ThisbroadlysharedsuccessshouldbecelebratednotjustonEarthDay,butevery
singledayoftheyear.

SustainableEnergyFundAnnouncesJuly2527StudentEnergyCampSeries

The
SustainableEnergyFund
Mondayremindedstudentsandteachersofaseriesofa
preconferenceseriesof
EnergyCamps
willleadinto
Energypath2016
,thelargestsustainable
energyconferenceinPennsylvania.
Eachcamp,heldJuly25through27onPennStateUniversitysmaincampusinState
College,isdesignedtoprovideattendeeswiththehighestlevelofinsightfromleadingindustry
professionalsandthoughtleaders.
Whethersomeoneisinterestedinanintroductiontosustainableenergyorwantstolearn
moreaboutspecifictypesoftechnology,ourEnergyCampshavealottooffer,saidJohn

Costlow,presidentandCEOofSustainableEnergyFund.AsweheadintoEnergypath2016,
thesearegreatopportunitiesforattendeestoimmersethemselvesinthelatestsustainableenergy
technologiesandtrends.
Inadditiontoanintroductiontosustainableenergy,industryexpertswillleadaseriesof
modalityfocusedcampprograms,whichinclude:
Wind:
Campattendeeswilllearnbasicandadvancedconceptsaswellasassistinconstructing
atemporarywindturbineoncampus.
Solar:
Inthishandsoncampattendeeswillleavewithanindepthunderstandingofhowsolar
PVunitsfunctionanderecta3kWsolararray.
Biomass:
This3daytechnicalsessionwillprovideparticipantswithatheoreticaland
interactiveintroductiontobiomassandbiofuelsincludingconductingbiomassgasificationand
creationofbiofuelinthelab.
PassiveHouseStrategies:
Thelecturebasedcampwillcoverpassivehousedesignprinciples
usedtoattainaquantifiableandrigorouslevelofenergyefficiencywithinaspecificquantifiable
comfortlevel.ThiscourseisapprovedforAIAandBPIcontinuingeducationcredits.
MicroHydro:
AttendeeswilllearnaboutMicrohydroelectricity,anunderutilizedtechnology
thathasthepotentialtodeliversubstantialenergywithasmallpowersystemandminimal
environmentalimpacts.
FuelCell/EnergyStorage:
This3daycampwillprovideparticipantswithanunderstanding
ofFuelCellTechnologyandEnergyStorageSystemsaswellashowtheyintegratetogetherto
makesustainablesystems.
Energypath2016runsfromJuly28throughJuly29andwillfeaturerenowned
futurologistJackUldrichastheEnergypathDinnerkeynotespeaker.
StudentScienceFair
InadditiontoEnergyCamps,Energypathalsoincludespaneldiscussions,presentations
anda
sciencefairformiddleandhighschoolstudents
.
EnergySproutCompetition
Theconferencealsofeaturesacompetitionforinnovativeproductsandbusinessmodels,
EnergySprout
.Thecompetitionwillawardatopgrantof$100,000toabusinessorindividual.
ProposalsaredueMay3.
Formoreinformationandhowtoregister,visittheSEFs
EnergyCamps
webpage.
Conferenceinformationisavailableatthe
Energypath2016
website.
NewsClips:
PECOCreatesSolarCollaborative
WilkesBarreStudentsToInstall12SolarPanels
SEPTAToAdd25ElectricBusesNextYear

WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrictStudentEnvirothonApril25

OnApril25,75studentsfromsevenWestmorelandCountyhighschoolswillcompeteatTwin
LakesParkinGreensburgtoseewhichteamhasthemostknowledgeofthenaturalworld.The
winningteamwillgoontocompeteinthestatecompetition.
Thisexcitingacademicevent,knownastheEnvirothon,hasbeenhostedbythe
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
since1986.
Teamsof9ththrough12thgradestudentscompeteinoutdoorsettingsthattesttheir

knowledgeofthenaturalworld.
Duringthehandsoncompetition,studentsmaybeaskedtoidentifyabirdcall,measurea
tree,orfeelhandfulsofsoiltoidentifythetype.
Theywillworkasateamtoanswerquestionsoffactandusetheircriticalthinkingskills
tofindsolutionstorealitybasedchallenges,suchashowtobalanceuseandconservationofour
naturalresources.
Topicsinthecompetitionincludeforestry,soilandlanduse,aquaticecology,wildlife,
andthisyearscurrentenvironmentalissue:invasivespecies.
The75studentsscheduledtoparticipateinthisyearscompetitionrepresentBurrellHigh
School,FranklinRegionalSeniorHighSchool,GreaterLatrobeSeniorHighSchool,Mount
PleasantAreaJuniorSeniorHighSchool,NorwinHighSchool,SouthmorelandHighSchool,
andYoughSeniorHighSchool.
ThewinningWestmorelandCountyteamwillgoontocompeteinthe
PennsylvaniaState
Envirothon
atSusquehannaUniversityinSelinsgroveandCampMt.LutherinMifflinburgon
May24and25.
ThisyearsWestmorelandCountyEnvirothonreceivedfundingsupportfromthe
PennsylvaniaEnvirothon,Inc
.,
ApexEnergy,LLC
,andSmithfield.
AnumberofcooperatingagenciesalsoassisttheWestmorelandConservationDistrictin
hostingtheevent,including:theGameCommission,FishandBoatCommission,theDepartment
ofConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauofForestry,DepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,WestmorelandCountyBureauofParksandRecreation,andtheUSDANatural
ResourcesConservationService.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,trainingandotherspecialevents,visitthe
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
website.
ClickHere
tosignupfortheDistricts
newsletter(bottomofrightcolumnonhomepage).
ForinformationontheStateEnvirothon,visitthe
PAEnvirothon
website.
ClickHere
to
signupforthePAEnvirothonnewsletter(bottomofthepage).
NewsClips:
Crable:LancasterNaturalistsInspireOthers
Hooked:LocalStudentsAreLearning,LovingToRaiseTrout
EasternYorkStudentsLearnHandsOnInCanoesByCBFPA
ChambersburgStudentsSortTreesForAHealthEnvironment
CarnegieScienceCenterExpandingExhibitCapacity
CarnegieScienceCenterRaisingFundsForBigExpansion

PAWildsTeam:11ReceivePAWildsChampionAwards

Elevenresidents,businessowners,andorganizationsfromacrossthe
PennsylvaniaWilds
region
willberecognizedwithawardslaterthismonthfortheircontributionshelpinggrowtheregions
natureandheritagetourismindustry.
ThePAWildsChampionAwardsaregivenoutannuallyaspartofthePAWilds
ConservationLandscapemovement,agroundbreakingpartnershipthatbeganin2003togrow
theregionsoutdoorsindustryinawaythatcreatesjobs,diversifieslocaleconomies,inspires
stewardshipandimprovesqualityoflife.
ClickHere
foralistofall11awardwinnersandtheiraccomplishments.

ThisyearsPAWildsChampionshailfromallcornersoftheregionandtheirawards
reflectvaluespromotedthroughthelandscapework:partnerships,creativity,stewardship,giving
back,creatingnewopportunitiesandlocalleadership.
ThepeopleandcommunitiesacrossthePennsylvaniaWildscontributeinmanywaysto
thisexcitingConservationLandscapeInitiative,saidJimWeaver,ChairofthePAWilds
PlanningTeam,whichorganizestheawards.Byidentifyingandcelebratingthewonderfulwork
thatisbeingdoneacrosstheregionthePAWildsTeamhopestoinspireotherstocatchand
harnesstheenthusiasmthatistheessenceofourruralcommunities.
April28AwardsDinner
Theawardeeswillberecognizedatthe
PAWildsAnnualDinner&AwardsBanquet
April28attheRedFerninSt.Marys,ElkCounty.
SpecialguestsatthisyearsdinnerwillincludeCindyDunn,SecretaryoftheDepartment
ofConservation&NaturalResourcesDennisDavin,SecretaryoftheDept.ofCommunity&
EconomicDevelopmentandPennDOTDeputySecretaryTobyFauver.
ThisyearsthemeisCelebratingOurPublicLands,andwillincludeakeynoteby
MarciMowery,Presidentofthe
PAParks&ForestFoundation
.
WestPennPowerSustainable
EnergyFund
isthisyearsdinnersponsor.Networkingwillbeginat4p.m.,programstarts
promptlyat5p.m.
ThePennsylvaniaWilds,oneofthestates11officialtourismregions,coversabouta
quarteroftheCommonwealthandincludesthecountiesofWarren,McKean,Potter,Tioga,
Lycoming,Clinton,Cameron,Elk,Forest,Clarion,Jefferson,Clearfieldandthenorthernpartof
Centrecounty.
Theregionisknownforitsmorethan2millionacresofpublicland,andalsoboaststwo
NationalWild&ScenicRivers,someofthedarkestskiesinthecountryandthelargestwildelk
herdintheNortheast.Visitorsspendanestimated$1.7billionintheregioneachyear,according
tothemostrecentstatistics.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
PennsylvaniaWilds
website.

PAOrganizationForWatersheds&Rivers2016RiverSojournSchedule

The
PAOrganizationForWatershedsandRivers
Friday
madeavailableits
2016scheduleofriversojourns
across
thestate.
Riversojournsareguidedpaddlingtrips,
sponsoredbyPOWRwithfundingsupportthroughthe
DepartmentofConservationofNaturalResourcesandthe
AmericanCanoeAssociation.
SojournseasontypicallyrunsfromMaythrough
September,andyoucanchoosewhethertopaddlejust
onedayorthewholetrip.
Formoreinformation,visitthePOWR
RiverSojourns
webpage.
Moreinformationisavailableonotherprograms,initiativesandupcomingeventsby
visitingthe
PAOrganizationForWatershedsandRivers
.
ClickHere
tosignupforregular
updatesfromPOWR(leftsideofthepage).


NaturalLandsTrustBuysLandToConnectThunTrailToFrenchCreekStatePark

InMarch,the
NaturalLandsTrust
purchasedasmallbutsignificantparceloflandthatwillbe
transferredto
FrenchCreekStatePark
inChesterCounty.
The2.3acresofwoodlandsareacriticallinkneededtoconnectthesoontobecompleted
twomilesectionoftheBigWoodsTrailrunningthroughFrenchCreekStateParktothe
Thun
Trail
(pronouncedtune)sectionoftheSchuylkillRiverTrail.
Thiskeypurchaseprovesthateventwoacresofforestcanmakeabigdifference,said
MollyMorrison,NaturalLandsTrustspresident.Thislandisanimportantlinkinthe
SchuylkillRiverTrailSystem
whichhasthepotentialtoconnectcommunitiesfromPhiladelphia
throughPottsville.
The2.3acrepropertylieswithinaregionknownastheHopewellBigWoodsthe
largestblockofcontiguousforestbetweenNewYorkandWashington,D.C.whichhasbeena
focusofconservationeffortsbyNaturalLandsTrustandmorethan50privateandpublic
partnersoverthepastdecade.
Itsalsoapartofthe
SchuylkillHighlandsConservationLandscape
,anareaatthe
intersectionofthePAHighlandsandtheSchuylkillRiverWatershedthathasbeendesignatedby
theDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesasapriorityforconservation,
recreationalaccess,andcompatibleeconomicdevelopment.
SeventyonepercentofPennsylvaniasforestsareprivatelyowned,whichputsthemat
riskfordevelopment.
ThispropertyisthecriticallinkneededforDCNRtoconnectFrenchCreek,avery
popularstateparkwithalmostamillionvisitorsannually,totheSchuylkillRiverTrail,PA
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnsaid.Thetraillinkwillexpandoutdoorrecreation
opportunitiesattheparkandprovideanalternatetransportationrouteforvisitoraccess.
ThislandpurchasemarkstheeighththatNaturalLandsTrusthasfacilitatedforFrench
CreekStateParktodate,theorganizationhasworkedwithDCNRtoadd386acrestothepark.
OnJune30,2015,NaturalLandsTrustpurchasedandtransferreda54acreparcelofland
tothepark,allowingofficialstorerouteaportionofthe140mileHorseshoeTrailfromland
ownedbytheSouthBirdsboroGunClubtolandownedbythepark.
SupportforthisconservationsuccesswasprovidedbytheDepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesandtheVirginiaCretellaMarsFoundation.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthe
Natural
LandsTrust
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforregulatorupdatesfromtheTrust.
NewsClip:
CovetedWestChesterLandBecomesPark

April30TreePlantingOnOldMineSiteInWeiserStateForestColumbiaCounty

The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
willholdatreeplanting
onanoldminingsiteinthe
WeiserStateForest
in
ColumbiaCountyonApril30.
Thoughtheyareclosednow,decadesoldmine
siteslocatedintheWeiserStateForestnearAristes

remainnearlybarren,andnearbywaterwaysaresotoxicthatnothingcansurviveinthem,
includingfishandinsects.
Treesplantedinstrategicareascancreatehabitatfornativeplantsandanimalsandhelp
restorewaterquality.
ParticipantsshouldmeetattheStateForestOffice,16WeiserLane,inAristesat8:30
a.m.
ClickHere
formoreinformationandtoregister.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
DCNRAsksResidentsToRefrainFromBurning
Warm,DryWeatherSparksWildfiresInState
RainCouldOfferReliefFromSouthwesternPAWildfires
PoconosBrushFiresSpreadWithLittleFlame,LotsOfSmoke
CrewsBattleBrushFiresInMonroeCounty
MidstateWillBeUnderWildfireWatchThisWeek
WildfireDangerIsHigh
DCNRSaysTinderboxConditionsLeadingToSWWildfires
Planting60,000TreesInErieAndCounting
UnitsBattleWildfireAtopLaurelMountain
NatureLoversLearnSecretsOfVernalPool
NewPAMapleKingHasSyrupInHisVeins

PAHorticulturalSocietyTreeTendersToPlant889Trees,OtherEarthDayEventsSet

Volunteerstrainedbythe
PAHorticulturalSociety
willplant889treesinPhiladelphiaand
surroundingcountiesaspartofEarthWeekactivitiesintheregion.Theplantingswillbe
conductedby28TreeTendergroupsinPhiladelphiaand28groupsinthesurroundingcounties.
Theplantingsinthecitywillinclude:
18treesplantedbythenewAPMTreeTendersinNorthPhiladelphia
31treesplantedbythenewChestnutHillTreeTendersgroupand
80treesplantedbyUCGreenTreeTendersandtheUniversityofPennsylvaniainMantuaand
otherWestPhiladelphianeighborhoods.
Theplantingsinthecountieswillinclude:
50treesinHaverfordTownship,DelawareCounty
30treesplantedinUpperDublinTownship,MontgomeryCounty
20treesplantedinAbingtonTownship,MontgomeryCounty..
The
PHSTreeTenders
willpickupthebareroottreesthisweekatthePHSWarehouseat
theNavyYard,andplantthetreesonApril22to24.
ClickHere
foramapofthetreeplanting
locations.
Theseeffortsarepartof
PlantOneMillion
,thecampaigntorestoretheregionstree
canopy.PlantOneMillionreachedthehalfwaymarklastfall,withtheplantingofthe500,000th
treetocommemoratethevisitofPopeFrancistoPhiladelphia.
Thecampaignencompasses13countiesinthreestatesandisledbyPHS,
Philadelphia

Parks&Recreation
,the
TreeVitalizeProgram
oftheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources,theNewJerseyTreeFoundation,andtheDelawareCenterforHorticulture.
OtherEarthDayEvents
PHShastheseotherEarthDayeventsplanned
GetaFreeRainBarrelApril23
:Attendanupcomingworkshoptoreceiveafreerainbarrel!
TwoclassesareavailablethisweekatPHSHeadquarters:April23at11a.m.
EnjoyaPHSMemberPerkApril30
:OnApril30,from10a.m.4p.m.,PHSMembers
areinvitedtovisitMt.CubaCenterfreeofcharge,onPHSMembersAppreciationDay.Thisisa
onedayonlyoffertotourthegorgeousgardensforfree.ClickTakeaClasstoaccessthis
exclusivebenefit!
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
PA
HorticulturalSociety
website.
NewsClips:
DCNRAsksResidentsToRefrainFromBurning
Warm,DryWeatherSparksWildfiresInState
RainCouldOfferReliefFromSouthwesternPAWildfires
PoconosBrushFiresSpreadWithLittleFlame,LotsOfSmoke
CrewsBattleBrushFiresInMonroeCounty
MidstateWillBeUnderWildfireWatchThisWeek
WildfireDangerIsHigh
DCNRSaysTinderboxConditionsLeadingToSWWildfires
Planting60,000TreesInErieAndCounting
UnitsBattleWildfireAtopLaurelMountain
NatureLoversLearnSecretsOfVernalPool
NewPAMapleKingHasSyrupInHisVeins

TheKeyToLongTermUrbanTreeSurvivalWorkshopMay1819InAllentown

The
PAUrbanandCommunityForestryCouncil
willholda
KeyToLongTermUrbanTree
SurvivalWorkshop
onMay1819inAllentown.
Communityhealthandlivabilityiscodependentontheserviceandcareofitsforest
canopy.Researchprovidesawealthofinformationonthesocial,health,andecologicalbenefits
thattreesprovide.
What'sUnderground?TheKeytoLongTermUrbanTreeSurvivalisatwoday
conferencepresentinginformationessentialtothecareofcommunitytreesandprovidingan
opportunitytoshareideaswithforesters,arborists,shadetreecommissioners,andothers.
Day1includesavarietyofpresentationsonthecareofcommunitytrees,followedbyan
eveningsocialattheLehighValleyHeritageMuseum.
Day2takesusoutsideforfielddemonstrationsofrootexcavation,charcoalmaking,
biocharapplication,amunicipalyardwasterecyclingprogram,andaportablesawmill.
TakeadvantageofearlybirdregistrationbyMay4.
ClickHere
formoreinformation,thefullworkshopagendaandhowtoregister.
NewsClips:
DCNRAsksResidentsToRefrainFromBurning
Warm,DryWeatherSparksWildfiresInState

RainCouldOfferReliefFromSouthwesternPAWildfires
PoconosBrushFiresSpreadWithLittleFlame,LotsOfSmoke
CrewsBattleBrushFiresInMonroeCounty
MidstateWillBeUnderWildfireWatchThisWeek
WildfireDangerIsHigh
DCNRSaysTinderboxConditionsLeadingToSWWildfires
Planting60,000TreesInErieAndCounting
UnitsBattleWildfireAtopLaurelMountain
NatureLoversLearnSecretsOfVernalPool
NewPAMapleKingHasSyrupInHisVeins

GrowPittsburgh,WesternPAConservancyCommunityGardenGrantsDueMay13

GrowPittsburgh
andthe
WesternPAConservancy
Mondayannouncedthe
2016CommunityGardenSustainabilityFund
willbeacceptingapplications
throughMay13.
Thisfundprovidestheopportunityforexistingcommunityfoodgardensin
AlleghenyCountytocompleteprojectsthatcontributetotheirsustainability.
Anycommunityfocusedfoodgardengroupisencouragedtoapply
including:schools,communityorganizations,churchesandshelters.
Groupscanapplyformaterialssuchasfencing,raisedbeds,compostand
topsoil,signage,rainbarrels,and/ortechnicalassistanceservicesliketilling
orsoiltesting.ThinkBIG!
ClickHere
forallthedetails.Directanyquestionsbyemailto:
rayden@growpittsburgh.org
orcall4123624769ext113.
NewsClip:
NEMasterGardenersGiveGrowingTips

WestmorelandLandTrust:May12CelebrationOfNewAdditionToCedarCreekPark

DroneswithcamerasandTVscreensalongwithradiocontrolledmodelhelicopters,jets,and
giantscaleplaneswillbeflyingat
CedarCreekPark
,RostraverTownship,onMay12to
celebratetheadditionof28moreacresoflandtothispopularWestmorelandCountypark.
ThepublicisinvitedtothisTheSkystheLimitcelebration,whichwillbeheldfrom4
p.m.to7p.m.onthenewproperty,locatedatthetopofCedarCreekGorgeanddirectlynextto
theparksradiocontrolledairfieldonTimmsLane.
InadditiontotheactionpackedairshowconductedbymembersoftheMonValley
RadioControlClub,otheractivitiesincludebalsawoodairplaneflyingcontestsand
naturejournalmakingforkidswildflowerwalksinthebeautifulCedarCreekGorgeanda
raffleforaHubsandronewithFPV($500value).
Popcorn,hotdogs,andotherfunfoodswillbeavailable,andtheeventisfreeandopento
thepublic.
TheSkystheLimitwillbeginwithadeedtransferceremonyandremarksfrom
representativesoftheWestmorelandCountyCommissioners,theDepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResources,thestatelegislature,andotherdignitaries.

TheWestmorelandLandTrustandtheWestmorelandCountyBureauofParksand
Recreationworkedtogethertoacquirethisnewpropertybecauseofitsnoteworthyecological
andrecreationalvalue,explainedChuckDuritsa,chairmanofthe
WestmorelandLandTrust
.
LocatedontopofasteepslopeattheeasternedgeofCedarCreekGorge,thenew
propertyprovidesanimportant,undevelopedbufferforthegorge,whichisaNaturalHabitat
AreaandadesignatedBiodiversityAreaofExceptionalSignificanceknownforitsspectacular
wildflowers.
Thepropertyalsowillprovidemorerecreationopportunitiesforparkvisitors,including
newtrailsand,becauseofitselevation,newscenicoutlooks,aswellasroomforenhancements
totheexistingradiocontrolledmodelairfieldadjacenttoitonthenorth.
CedarCreekParkisthesecondmostfrequentlyusedWestmorelandCountyPark.It
offersprimeaccesstotheYoughioghenyRiverandtheGreatAlleghenyPassagehiking/biking
trail,andfeaturesballandsoccerfields,aboatlaunch,anamphitheaterand19pavilions.The
newacquisitionwillincreasethesizeoftheparkto480acres.
FundingtoacquirethenewpropertywasobtainedbytheWestmorelandLandTrustand
theWestmorelandCountyBureauofParksandRecreationthroughcompetitivegrantsawarded
bytheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauofRecreationand
Conservationandthe
ColcomFoundation
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
WestmorelandLandTrust
website.

RachelCarsonHomesteadToPresentFreeLectureAtHawkMountainApril30

HawkMountainSanctuary
inBerksCountywillwelcomeJean
Cecilofthe
RachelCarsonHomestead
forafreespringlecture
RachelCarson:ASenseofWonderonApril30at5p.m.inthe
VisitorCentergallery.
ThetalkandslideshowwillhighlightCarsonsmanyconservation
accomplishmentsandincludeavirtualtouroftheNationalHistoric
PlaceinSpringdale,AlleghenyCounty,thatwasherchildhood
home.
RachelCarsonwasaworldrenownedmarinebiologist,
environmentalistactivist,andarguablythemostinfluentialnature
writerofourtime.Noticingchangesintheenvironment,shewas
oneoftheearliestscientiststobeginresearchontheeffectsof
pesticidesonwildlife.
Herworkculminatedinthe1962publicationofthelandmarkbook"SilentSpring,"in
whichshealsoincludeddatafromHawkMountainSanctuarythatdocumentedadeclineinthe
numberofjuvenilebaldeaglesseenonmigration.
AlthoughshewaswidelypersecutedforSilentSpring,thebookledtothecreationofa
presidentialcommissionthatlargelyendorsedherfindingsandthebanningofthepesticideDDT.
HerworkalsohelpedtoshapeagrowingenvironmentalconsciousnessintheUnited
Statesandtodaysheisconsideredthefounderofthemodernenvironmentalmovement.
Registrationisnotrequiredbutrecommendedforthiseventbycalling6107566961.
The2,500acre
HawkMountainSanctuary
istheworldsfirstrefugeforbirdsofpreyand

isopentothepublicyearroundbytrailfeeormembership,whichinturnsupportsthenonprofit
organizationsraptorconservationmissionandlocaltoglobalresearch,training,andeducation
programs.
Tolearnmoreaboutprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
websiteorcall6107566961.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates
fromtheSanctuary.
Visitthe
RachelCarsonHomestead
websiteformoreinformationononeof
Pennsylvaniasmostfamousenvironmentalresearchersandwriters.
NewsClips:
HarmarBaldEagleNestBuzzingWithActivity
CrawfordCountyBecomingPlaceToSeeSandhillCranes
PresqueIsle:LookButDontStressOwlFamilies
Schneck:CicadaInvasionAboutToSwarmAcrossPA

PhotoofRachelCarsonatNorthLookoutatHawkMountainbyShirleyBriggsandusedwith
permissionoftheLindaLearCenterforArchivesandSpecialCollectionsatConnecticut
College.

PennsylvaniaSocietyToHonorPatrickJ.SolanoWithDistinguishedCitizenAward

The
CitizensVoicereportedThursday
PatrickJ.Solanowillberecognized
bythe
PennsylvaniaSociety
withitsprestigiousDistinguishedCitizenof
theCommonwealthAward.
ClickHere
toreadtheentirearticle.
SolanograduatedfromPittstonTownshipHighSchoolandjoined
theArmyAirCorps,wherehesawcombatin23missions.Basedwiththe
8thU.S.AirForceHeavyBombardmentGroupinEngland,heflew
missionsoverseveralEuropeannations,includingthebombingofBerlinin
late1944.
HewasawardedtheGroupPresidentialCitation,theAirForce
MedalwithtwoOakLeafClusters,andtheEuropeanCombatTheatreMedal.
SolanowasaPittstonTownshipschooldirector.Helaterbecameexecutivedirectorfor
theGeneralStateAuthority,whichafterthe1968constitutionalconventionbecamethe
DepartmentofGeneralServices.SolanobecameDeputySecretaryoftheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalResources,andservedasseniorcounselortoGovernorsTomRidgeandMark
Schweiker.
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
presenteditsThomasP.ShelbourneAwardtoSolano.He
alsoreceivedtheUnitedStatesArmyEngineersCommanderAward.
In2013,GovernorTomCorbettnamedthenewenvironmentaleducationfacilityat
FrancesSlocumStatePark,ThePatrickJ.SolanoEnvironmentalEducationCenter.Misericordia
UniversitynamedhimanhonoraryDoctorofHumaneLetters.
Solano,90,residesinHughestownwithhiswifeof61years,theformerMarieNocito.
SocietyPresidentNickDeBenedictisannouncedSolanowillbepresentedthehighaward
April22,atthePennsylvaniaSocietyannualmembershipluncheon,whichthisyearisbeingheld
attheScrantonCulturalCenter.Morethan400guestsareexpectedtoattend.
NewsClip:

PASocietyToHonorPatrickJ.SolanoWithDistinguishedCitizenAward

OpportunityToBidOnDEPMineReclamationProjectInClearfieldCounty

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheApril23PABulletinofan
opportunitytobidonaminereclamationprojectinClearfieldCounty.

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.

NOTE:
TheSenateandHouseareonabreakfortheApril26Primaryelection.

April2230

PhiladelphiaScienceFestival
.Philadelphia.

April2224

NEW
.
3rdAnnualHawleyEarthFes
t.PikeCounty.

April23

CentreCountyWatershedCleanupDay
.

April23

FrenchCreekCleanupDay
.MontgomeryCounty.

April23
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.

April25

AgendaPosted
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
ProposedIncreasesInPermitReviewFeesMRABRecommendations
CommitteeReportsOnPolicy,Regulations,Legislation&TechnicalGuidance,Reclamation
ProposedTechnicalGuidanceRevisionOnPreApplicationReview
ProfessionalLicensureandPermitReview
RegularProgramUpdates
BondRateGuidelinesUpdate
FederalAMLGrantFundingStatus
2015ReclamationAndReminingIncentivesReport
JulyFieldTrip:Flight93AMDTreatmentFacilityOtherSites

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

April25

EnergyAllianceOfGreaterPittsburghAnnualMeeting
.Pittsburgh.

April25

NEW
.
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrictEnvirothonCompetition
.
Greensburg.

April2526

DelawareHighlandsConservancy

WomenAndTheirWoodsWorkshop
.Milford,
PikeCounty.

April26
PennsylvaniaPrimaryElection.

April27

NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
DEPClimateChangeActionPlan
Act101RecyclingActPast,PresentFuture
CRTGlassManagement&CoveredDevice(EWaste)RecyclingAct
RecapofJointConservationCommitteeHearingonEWasteRecycling

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

April27

AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,Bureauof
AirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
SmallBusinessOmbudsmanReport
EnvironmentalManagementAssistanceProgramReport
ProposedRegSettingVOCEmissionStandardsForIndustrialCleaningSolvents
FinalRegSettingMetalPartsSurfaceCoatingStandards
FinalRegForAutomobile,LightDutyTruckCoatingStandards

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

April28
CANCELED
.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.TheJune1meetingoftheboardhasbeenrescheduledtoJune23.DEPContact:Dawn
Hissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.

(
formal
notice
)

April28
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict

StormwaterPublicInputSession
.
AlleghenyTownshipCommunityBuilding,136CommunityBuildingRoad,Leechburg.
6:308:30p.m.

April28

NEW
.
PAWildsAnnualDinner&AwardsBanquet
.St.Marys,ElkCounty.

April29

GetOutdoorsPA

NationalGetOutdoorsDayWebinar
.1:00to2:00p.m.

April30

PAResourcesCouncil

PharmaceuticalCollectionEventsInAlleghenyCounty
.4
Locations.10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.

April30

FoodsOfTheDelawareHighlandsDinner
.Hawley,WayneCounty.

April30

ChesterRidleyCrumWatersheds

StreamsCleanupDay
.ChesterandDelaware
Counties.

April30

WissahickonCreekWatershedCleanup
.Montgomery,PhiladelphiaCounties.

April30

NEW
.
PAEnvironmentalCouncil

OldMiningSiteTreePlantingInWeiserState
Forest
.ColumbiaCounty.

April30

ActivatePhoenixvillePrescribeATrailEvent
.
SchuylkillRiverTrail
,Chester
County.

April30

NEW
.
HawkMountainSanctuary

RachelCarsonHomesteadPresentation
.Berks
County.

May3

CANCELED
.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meets.RescheduledforMay
17.DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

May3
NEW
.
AcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexelUniversity

WhatsInOurWater
Discussion
.Philadelphia.

May4

SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
holdsahearing.EastHanoverTownship
MunicipalBuilding,8848JonestownRoad,Grantville,DauphinCounty.7:00p.m.SRBC
Contact:JasonOyler,GeneralCounsel,7172380423x1312.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)
ProposedGuidanceForExpiringProjectApprovals
ProposedGuidanceForTerminatingReviewOfProjectApplications
ProposedAmendmentsToRegulatoryProgramFeeSchedule
ComprehensivePlanForTheWaterResourcesOfTheSusquehannaRiverBasin
IndividualWaterWithdrawalRequests

ClickHere
togotoSRBCsPublicParticipationCenterformoredetails.

May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May5
SenateDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsaroundtablediscussiononnaturalgas
extractionintheLakeErieWatershed.LocationTBAinErie.10:00.

May6
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
DEPCoalandClayMineSubsidenceInsuranceBoard
meeting.
5thFloorConferenceRoomA,RachelCarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.10:00.DEPContact:
LawrenceRuane,DEPBureauofMiningPrograms,Harrisburg,7177839586orsendemailto:
lruane@pa.gov.

(
formalnotice
)
ClaimandRefundPaymentResolution

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

May68
KettleCreekWatershedAssociation
Disabled/RecoveringVeteransFlyFishing
Event
.Tioga,PotterandClintoncounties.

May7

PAResourcesCouncil

HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
NorthParkSwimmingPool.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.


May7

ManadaConservancys

AnnualSpringNativePlantSale
.DauphinCounty.

May7

CapitalRegionWater

ConsiderTheSourceLitterCleanup&DrinkingWaterTour
.
Harrisburg.

May7

GiffordPinchotGreyTowersFlyFishingEvent
.Milford,PikeCounty.

May10

WildlifeforEveryone

GovernorTomRidgeWetlandsThruTheCameraLensStudent
Program
.CentreCounty.

May1012

PAAmericanWaterWorksAssociationAnnualConferenc
e.BethlehemSands
HotelandCasino,Bethlehem.

May11

PAParks&ForestsFoundation2016AwardsBanquet
.CampHill,Cumberland
County.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

May12

NEW
.
WestmorelandLandTrust

CelebratingAdditionToCedarCreekPark
.
WestmorelandCounty.

May1315

PAOutdoorWritersAssociation

SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.

May1315

SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournSayertoSugarRun
.

May14
PAResourcesCouncil

HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.FrazerTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.

May14

FoundationforSustainableForests

LovingTheLandThroughWorkingForests
.
Corry,ErieCounty.

May17

EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,Environmental
QualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.

May17

DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.

May17

DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meets.16thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

May17
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.

May18
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

May1819

NEW
.
PAUrban&CommunityForestryCouncil

KeyToLongTermUrbanTree
SurvivalWorkshop
.Allentown.

May19

DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

May19

FriendsOfTheWissahickon
Lessons
BenefitsOfPark,GardenEcosystems
.
MontgomeryCounty.

May21

PAResourcesCouncil

HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.CambriaCounty,
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorp.ETFFacility,Johnstown.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

June1
CANCELED
.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.
MeetingrescheduledtoJune23.DEPContact:DawnHissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinking
Water,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.

(
formalnotice
)

June3

AppalachianTrailMuseum

HallOfFameBanquet
.
AllenberryResort
,Boiling
Springs,CumberlandCounty.

June35

PAEnvironmentalCouncil

EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.

June410

18thAnnualSchuylkillRiverSojourn
.

June412

ChesapeakeBayWatershedAwarenessWeek
.

June7

DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)
withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

June9
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.

June1217

SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournLaceyvilletoShickshinny
.

June14
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

June16
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.

June1719

SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournShickshinnyToSunbury
.

June18

PAResourcesCouncil
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest.Mt.Lebanon.

June1825

DelawareRiverSojourn
.

June21

EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,Environmental
QualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.

June21

DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.

June2223

NEW
.
2016PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference
.IndianaUniversityof
PA,Indiana.

June23
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Susquehanna
Room,Fish&BoatCommissionBuilding,1601ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.DEPContact:
DawnHissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formalnotice
)

June29

StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.11thFloor
ConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,
BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.

June25
PAResourcesCouncil

HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.LTBA,AlleghenyCounty.

June30

DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

July9

PAResourcesCouncil

HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.WashingtonCounty,
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

July21

AgendaPosted
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Cambria
DistrictMiningOffice,286IndustrialparkRoad,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:Daniel
Snowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.

July2529

TheSustainableEnergyFund

EnergypathRenewableEnergyConference,Student
EnergyCamps,ScienceFair
.PennStaterHotelandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

August13

PAResourcesCouncil

HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

August20
PAResourcesCouncil

HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.WestMifflin,Allegheny
County.

September1518

DelawareHighlandsConservancy

WomenandTheirWoodsEducational
Retreat
.Milanville,WayneCounty.

September17

PAResourcesCouncil

HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.

October1
PAResourcesCouncil

HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.RobinsonTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.

October7

DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.

October8

PAResourcesCouncil

HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

October2628

PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand

regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

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.

April25

PECPoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
April26

EPACleanDieselGrants
April30

TreesForTomorrowFranklin,DauphinCumberlandCounties
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30

NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
April30

YorkLancasterCountiesHabitatImprovementGrants
May
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3

EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May10
NRCSRegionalConservationPartnershipGrants
May13

NEW
.
GrowPittsburgh,WPCCommunityGardensGrants
May16

EPAPresidentialEnvironmentalEducationInnovationAward
May19

DCNRVolunteerFireCompanyGrants
May19

SchuylkillHighlandsConservationLandscapeMiniGrantProgram
May31

$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
May31

PAWasteWatcherAwardsProgram
May31

DominionFoundationHigherEducation,K12EducationGrants
June3

GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June17
NEW
.
SinnemahoningCreekWatershedGrants
June30

SusquehannaGreenwayPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30

CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30

CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30

CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30

CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30

CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30

EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
July

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
July8

ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
July8

PROPRecyclingFilmFestival
September
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
September

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants

Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics

HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.

PASocietyToHonorPatrickJ.SolanoWithDistinguishedCitizenAward
Politics
CandidatesForAttorneyGeneralWeighInOnFracking
Air
PACitiesHaveSomeOfWorstAirPollutionInTheCountry
WesternPAAirIsGettingCleaner,RoomForImprovement
CentralPAMetroAreaRemainsAmongNationsWorst
Report:LehighValleyAirStillBad,ButImproving
ErieCountyFlunksOzonePollutionReportCard
YorkAirRanksAmongWorstInCountry
Crable:LancastersSootPollutionWorstEastOfUtah
NortheastAirQualityImprovingStudySays
Alternative/RenewableEnergy
PECOCreatesSolarCollaborative
WilkesBarreStudentsToInstall12SolarPanels
SEPTAToAdd25ElectricBusesNextYear
Biodiversity/InvasiveSpecies
NatureLoversLearnSecretsOfVernalPool
BlackFlies
Crable:Berks,Chester,Dauphin,Lancaster,YorkSupportBlackFlySpraying
Budget
Report:StatesShouldPutDrillingMoneyInTrustInsteadOfUsingIt
GreeneCountyUsesAct13ImpactFeesToRepairCourthousePorch
ArmstrongCountyGivesImpactFeeGrantsToNonprofits
AP:WolfLetsBudgetBillBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature
10MonthsOverdue,201516FiscalCodeBillBecomesLaw
StateBudgetSeasonToStart
WolfSignsBills,FiscalCodeBillNotAmongThem
PAHasNationsHighestMotorFuelTaxes
BudgetRememberWhen?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyFunded4,125AcresOfMineReclamation/YearNot
1,368?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundAn11,000ParticipantCitizen
VolunteerWaterQualityMonitoringProgram?


RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFund$50Million/YearInWatershed
RestorationGrants,Not$27MOrLess?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundPollutionPreventionProgramsSaving
BillionsOfGallonsOfWater&Btus?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundAComprehensiveDEPPublic
ParticipationProgram?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundADEPChiefInformationOfficerTo
UpgradeITOperations?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundCreativeEnvironmentalEducation
Efforts?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundDEPSoItHadTheStaffToBuild
PartnershipsToReduce,EliminatePollution?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyCreatedThePACenterForEnvironmental
EducationInLawAndDidntFundIt?

RememberWhenTheGeneralAssemblyUsedToFundDEPAtLevelsAllowing
WorldClassInnovation?
ChesapeakeBay
DespiteProgress,ChesapeakeBayCleanupLags,EspeciallyInPA
EasternYorkStudentsLearnHandsOnInCanoesByCBFPA
ScrantonMayChargeRainTax,FormStormwaterAuthority
EarthDay46YearsOn,HowFarWeveCome,HowFarToGo
Editorial:ScrantonsStormwaterOpportunity
Climate
Forbes:NaturalGasCutPAsCO2Emissions30Percent
OnEarthDay,NationsSignOffOnClimatePact
OpEd:ActiveCarbonEmissionReductionMustFollowClimateAgreement
OpEd:FarmersSeeBitterHarvestGrowingOutOfClimateChange
Editorial:DontWasteYourEnergy
Bloomberg:ParisClimatePact:TooLittle,TooLate?
EarthsTemperatureJustShatteredTheThermometer
DelawareRiver
DelawareRiverKeeperApril15RiverWatchVideoReport
DrinkingWater
EarthDay:ThinkAboutHowAWaterUtilityCanHelpOurPlanet
OpEd:FocusShouldBeOnLeadPaint,NotLeadPipes
HBGCouncilDismayedOverCompetitionForVolunteerSeatOnWaterBoard
EarthDay
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn:5WaysToCelebrateEarthDay
Outdoors:EarthDayIsATimeToCelebrate
TheEvolutionOfEarthDay
VintagePhotosFromFirstEarthDayIn1970
MeadvilleStudentsDecorateGroceryBagsForEarthDay
Crable:LancasterNaturalistsInspireOthers
WesternPAEarthDayCelebrationsMarkAdvances
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay

EarthDay:ThinkAboutHowAWaterUtilityCanHelpOurPlanet
CelebrateEarthDayWithJoAnnaConnellInErie
ChambersburgStudentsSortTreesForAHealthEnvironment
Video:DCNR,VolunteersRecognizeEarthDay,ArborDayAllYearLong
EconomicDevelopment
DropInShaleDrillingPutsSomeHotelsOnMarket
AP:AdjustingToLifeAfterNaturalGasBoomInPA
Editorial:StateMissesGasBoom,AbsorbsBust
SouthHuntingdonNaturalGasPowerPlantToCreateJobs
Education
Crable:LancasterNaturalistsInspireOthers
Hooked:LocalStudentsAreLearning,LovingToRaiseTrout
EasternYorkStudentsLearnHandsOnInCanoesByCBFPA
ChambersburgStudentsSortTreesForAHealthEnvironment
CarnegieScienceCenterExpandingExhibitCapacity
CarnegieScienceCenterRaisingFundsForBigExpansion
Energy
ConstructionBeginsOn$780MSouthHuntingdonPowerPlant
ConsolClosesResearch&DevelopmentCenterInSouthPark
Editorial:DigAHoleForU.S.Coal
Editorial:DontWasteYourEnergy
NuclearWasteStorageExpansionApprovedAtBerwick
TalenEnergyAppealsPermitDenialForSpentNuclearFuelStorageExpansion
Editorial:NuclearWasteNoLocalIssue
NRC:PeachBottomNuclearPlantMustUpgradeSafetyEquipment
NewFilmOnTMIAccidentHosts70sPartyInMiddletown
SteamHeatFacilitiesEyedByStateRegulators
PenelecElectricalWorkerProgramFinishesFirstYear
PPLCompletes$350MPoconosTransmissionProject
U.S.SenateOKsBillToPromoteVarietyOfEnergySources
Farming
SavingThePlanetOneCowBurpAtATime
OrganicPracticesWidenPathToGreaterBounty
OpEd:FarmersSeeBitterHarvestGrowingOutOfClimateChange
ControversialPigFacilityApprovedInCumberlandCounty
Forests
DCNRAsksResidentsToRefrainFromBurning
Warm,DryWeatherSparksWildfiresInState
RainCouldOfferReliefFromSouthwesternPAWildfires
PoconosBrushFiresSpreadWithLittleFlame,LotsOfSmoke
CrewsBattleBrushFiresInMonroeCounty
MidstateWillBeUnderWildfireWatchThisWeek
WildfireDangerIsHigh
DCNRSaysTinderboxConditionsLeadingToSWWildfires
Planting60,000TreesInErieAndCounting

UnitsBattleWildfireAtopLaurelMountain
NatureLoversLearnSecretsOfVernalPool
NewPAMapleKingHasSyrupInHisVeins
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
$24MillionInUnspentStateGreenBuildingFundsUntouched
PPGWillPhaseOutLeadFromAllPaintsBy2020
InformationManagement
WolfToSignOpenDataExecutiveOrder
LandUsePlanning
ReadingReceivesNationalCompleteStreetsPolicyRecognition
Litter/IllegalDumping
VolunteersCleanUpNorthBelleVernonPark
GirlScoutsToCleanUpGreenStreetParkInHanoverTwp
BradfordAreaGroupsHelpEnvironmentByCleaningUpLocally
Editorial:PutOnSomeGlovesAndCleanup,Outdoors
Oil&Gas
DrillingRegsMoveForwardAfter7HourMeeting,MoreConflictLooms
CommissionOKsEnvironmentalRulesForDrilling
RegulatoryReviewersApproveMajorUpdateToDrillingRules
PennsylvaniaOilProducersChallengeDrillingRegulations
DrillingRegulationsCouldSparkNewPoliticalSlugfest
OpEd:PAsFossilFueledLegislatureShouldSupportDrillingRegs
OpEd:SupportUpdatesToDEPsOilAndGasRegulations
OpEd:FrackingBanWouldIncreaseCost,Pollution
OpEd:WeCanProduceEnergyAndStillProtectTheEnvironment
Forbes:NaturalGasCutPAsCO2Emissions30Percent
DoesRangeResourcesAvoidRichNeighborhoods?
GasExecApologizesForRemarkAboutAvoidingNeighborhoods
RangeResourcesExecutiveApologizesForSarcasticRemark
Editorial:QuipFromDrillerShowsACommonInequity
SRBCReport:DrillingDidntStrainWaterSupplyInSusquehannaBasin
PetersTwpWeighsLastStepsForPotentialGasDrilling
PennTwpCitizensGroupOpposesDrillingOrdinance
DrillingCoalitionBringsQuiltProjectToDallasApril25
KaneLawsuitDelaysGasRoyaltiesSettlementPayment
ConsolPredicts2EthaneCrackerPlansForWesternPA
InvenergyPurchaseOfJessupParcelsFinalized
InvenergyNaturalGasPowerPlantToBreakGround
ConstructionBeginsOn$780MSouthHuntingdonPowerPlant
SouthHuntingdonNaturalGasPowerPlantToCreateJobs
NoVoteOnProposedNaturalGasPlantInElizabethTwp
DropInShaleDrillingPutsSomeHotelsOnMarket
AP:AdjustingToLifeAfterNaturalGasBoomInPA
Editorial:StateMissesGasBoom,AbsorbsBust
NaturalGasProductionSeenReturningIn18Months

FederalCourtHearsArgumentsOverLNGExports
DrillingCompanySettlesOvertimePaySuitFor$400K
Report:StatesShouldPutDrillingMoneyInTrustInsteadOfUsingIt
CandidatesForAttorneyGeneralWeighInOnFracking
NaturalGasExplosionDamagesForestHillsHome
CheapestSummerGasolinePricesIn12YearsExpected
WhyAreGasolinePricesUp?
PittsburghGasolinePricesUpAnother8Cents
PAHasNationsHighestMotorFuelTaxes
LowerU.S.SupplyToUnderpinOilPriceDespiteFailureOfTalks
Pipelines
PipelineTaskForceWasFrustratingProcessIndustrySays
PennEastPipelineCrewAllegedlyThreatenedInNJ
NYDeniesConstitutionPipelinePermitHaltingConstruction
KinderMorganPullsPlugOnNortheastEnergyDirectPipeline
Recreation
TheCircuitTrailAsCatalystForPhillyAreaDevelopment
5FamilyFriendlyBikeTrailsInNorthwestPhilly
PhillyExpandsBikeshareProgramAfterABoomingFirstYea
r
Editorial:HeyDrivers,GiveBicyclistsABreak!
RegisterForBikeAroundPresqueIsleBay
CovetedWestChesterLandBecomesPark
StateMoneyAidsGoalOfKeepingAlleghenyRiverLocksOpenForLeisure
FreeAdmissionToSteamtownNationalHistoricSiteForWeek
Recycling/Waste
ScrantonRecyclingCenterAcceptingElectronicsThruApril
Editorial:KeystoneLandfillSewerLineCaseRequiresInvestigation
PhillyPrisonersGetTheirHandsDirtyForEarthDay
RidYourHomeOfUnusedDrugsOnApril30
Stormwater
ScrantonMayChargeRainTax,FormStormwaterAuthority
Editorial:ScrantonsStormwaterOpportunity
StormwaterAbatementToRemainKeyToPittsburghDevelopment
SusquehannaRiver
SRBCReport:DrillingDidntStrainWaterSupplyInSusquehannaBasin
DecisionOnDiseasedSusquehannaBassDelayed
ScrantonMayChargeRainTax,FormStormwaterAuthority
Editorial:ScrantonsStormwaterOpportunity
InterfaithGroupsCelebrateGiftOfWaterBySusquehanna
WastewaterFacilities
Editorial:IssueReducesScrantonSewerSaleDealsValue
HBGCouncilDismayedOverCompetitionForVolunteerSeatOnWaterBoard
WatershedProtection
DespiteProgress,ChesapeakeBayCleanupLags,EspeciallyInPA
ChesapeakeBayFoundationUrgesActionOnSusquehanna

DecisionOnDiseasedSusquehannaBassDelayed
InterfaithGroupsCelebrateGiftOfWaterBySusquehanna
EasternYorkStudentsLearnHandsOnInCanoesByCBFPA
EarthDay46YearsOn,HowFarWeveCome,HowFarToGo
DelawareRiverKeeperApril15RiverWatchVideoReport
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
WestNileVirus/Mosquito/TickBorneDiseases
FreeLymeDiseasePresentationThursdayInScranton
HealthSecretaryToLeadLymeDiseaseSeminarMay4
Wildlife
DecisionOnDiseasedSusquehannaBassDelayed
AnglersCastLinesForTroutInErieOnOpeningDay
AnglersFloodNEStreams,LakesForTroutSeason
HarmarBaldEagleNestBuzzingWithActivity
PresqueIsle:LookButDontStressOwlFamilies
Schneck:BearCubWandersIntoHomeDepotParkingLot
Schneck:CicadaInvasionAboutToSwarmAcrossPA
CrawfordCountyBecomingPlaceToSeeSandhillCranes
ZikaVirus
BattleAgainstZikaVirusIsOnInLehighValley
HowToProtectYourselfFromZikaVirus
PittResearchersFormInternationalTeamToFightZika
Other
NEMasterGardenersGiveGrowingTips
SimpleGreenBurialsCreateSereneFinalRestingSpots

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
publishednotice
offinalregulationssettingnewReasonably
AvailableControlTechnologyRequirementsforMajorSourcesofnitrogenoxidesandvolatile
organiccompoundsintheApril23PABulletin.

PennsylvaniaBulletinApril23,2016

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage

RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheApril23PABulletinitwill
notproceedwithproposedmodificationstoGeneralPermitBWEWGP8relatedtoTemporary
RoadCrossingsandtheexistingGeneralPermitwillremainineffect.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

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Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesor
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PAEnvironmentDigest
to:
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.


PAEnvironmentDigest
iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
CrisciAssociates
,a
HarrisburgbasedgovernmentandpublicaffairsfirmwhoseclientsincludeFortune500
companiesandnonprofitorganizations.

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