Pa Environment Digest June 13, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates
WinnerOf
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
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Issue#623Harrisburg,PAJune13,2016
Gov.Wolf,HouseGOPAgreeToMakeDEPStartOverOnConventionalDrillingRegs
The
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
Wednesdayvoted18to5toamend
SenateBill279
(HutchinsonRVenango),whichestablishesthePAGradeCrudeDevelopment
AdvisoryCouncil,withlanguageabrogatingDEPsChapter78conventionaldrillingregulations
andforcingtheagencytostarttherulemakingprocessover.
Chapter78adrillingregulations,whichapplytoMarcellusandUticaShaledrilling,will
beallowedtomoveforwardtofinalpublication,accordingtoRep.GarthEverett(RLycoming),
whosupportedtheamendment,butexpressedconcernsaboutthepotentialimpactoftheDEP
regulationscoveringunconventionaldrillingoperations.
Theamendment,agreedtobytheGovernorsOfficeandHouseRepublicans,according
toRep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),MajorityChairoftheCommittee,doesnotlimitthecontent
ofanyfutureregulationsonconventionaldrillingnordoesitamendanyprovisionsoftheAct13
drillinglawwhich
appliestobothconventionalandunconventional
(MarcellusandUticaShale)
drilling.
StateImpactreported
afterthemeeting,Gov.Wolfsspokesman,JeffSheridan,declined
tosaywhethertheadministrationapprovedtheamendment.
Hedidissueastatementlatersaying:Theadministrationcanconfirmthe
unconventionaloilandgasregulationswillbepublishedandwewillcontinuetoworkwiththe
legislaturetoreachagreementontheconventionalregulations.
PartoftheagreementarrivedatbywiththeGovernorsOfficewasfortheHousetoforgo
anyactionon
HouseConcurrentRegulatoryReviewResolution#1
thatwouldkillbothChapter
78and78a.
TheHouseandSenate,infact,losttheirchancetoactontheresolutionwhenitexpired
onJune9.
AttheCommitteemeeting,Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,madeamotionquestioningthe
constitutionalityoftheamendmentbecauseitwouldviolatethesinglesubjectruleincrafting
legislation.
Thatmotionwasvoteddown18to5,withalltheRepublicanssupportingalongwith
threeDemocratsontheCommittee.
SenateBill279wasthenvotedoutofCommitteebythesame18to5vote.
ThemainprovisionsofSenateBill279createthePAGradeCrudeDevelopment
AdvisoryCouncilwhichwilladviseDEPonanyfuturerulemakingsrelatedtoconventional
drillingoperations,andhasnoauthoritytoblockanyregulations.
Onitsown,DEPhadsetupitsown
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
in
Marchoflastyeartoprovideasimilarfunction.
ThebillnowmovestothefullHouseforconsideration.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmental
Committee
andcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
NewsClips:
LawmakersWeighControversialEnergy,EnvironmentalBills
DealPavesTheWayForMarcellusDrillingRulesToTakeEffect
ShaleGasDrillingRulesNearPassageInLegislature
Advocates:WolfDrillingRegsCompromiseThrowsEnvironmentUnderTheBus
HousePanelOKsMeasureToExemptConventionalDrillersFromNewRegs
FellowDemocratBlastsWolfOnEnvironmentalIssues
LawmakersClashOverDrillingRegsAsDeadlineLooms
DelawareCountyLawmakerBlastsWolfAsWeakOnEnvironment
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncil:MuchWorkToDoToModernizeConventionalDrillingRegs
CleanPowerCoalitionDenouncesActionToStallClimateChange,GutDEPDrillingRegs
GovernorsOfficeReachesAgreementWithSenateOnCleanPowerPlanBill
DavittWoodwell,Presidentofthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
,
WednesdayissuedthisstatementinreactiontoHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
actiononDEPs
updateddrillingregulations
ThePennsylvaniaGeneralAssemblytodayallowedanimportant
stepforwardinmanagingunconventionalshalegasdevelopmentin
theCommonwealth.
Bynotupendingthesixyearprocessthatledtoamendmentsof
theOilandGasActforunconventionaloperators,legislatorshave
allowedimplementationoftheirownlawtomoveforwardand,
finally,givenPennsylvaniansadrillingprogramrootedinthe
twentyfirstcentury.
ThisprocessbeganevenbeforeGov.Corbetts
MarcellusShaleCommission
that,in
2011,recommendedmanyoftheprovisionsthatwerethenembeddedinAct13of2012and,
eventually,inthesenewregulations.
Didittaketoolong?Yes.Arewedone?No.
Stillatissuearequestionsabouthowconventionaldrillingoperationswillbe
regulated.
Conventionaldrillinggenerallyreferstooperationsthatdrillverticallyintoareservoir
ofgas.Thetrueconventionaloperationsdonotusefrackingorhorizontaldrillinglike
unconventionaldrillers,excepttheycanunderPennsylvanialaw.
TheGeneralAssemblychosetodefineconventionaldrillingbydepthofoperations,not
bythetechnologyusedtodevelopthewell.Thismeansthereisaloopholeinthedefinitionof
conventionalifthewellisdrilledtoapointabovetheElkSandstoneformation.
Itdoesnotmakesense.
Butnow,asDEPlikelygoesforwardwithasetofstandardsforAct13defined
conventionaloperators,itisincumbentupontheagencytorecognizethatdifferentpractices
bringdifferentrisksandmaycallfordifferingrules.
ThisisanapproachthattheGeneralAssemblyshouldrecognizeandsupportavertical
wellisnotthesameasafrackedverticalwellisnotthesameasahorizontallydrilledand
frackedwell.
Anothercriticalissueonthetableisthequestionofwhatlegacywillbeleftto
Pennsylvanianswhenthewellsinplaytodayendtheirproductionlives,perhapsdecadesfrom
now.
CurrentlawinPennsylvaniasetsbondingrequirementsthatarefarbelowthelevel
neededtoappropriatelyclosethosewellsiftheeventualownerofthewelldefaults.Doesthat
happen?
Therearecurrentlyatleast180,000orphanedandabandonedoilandgaswellsinthe
state.
TheGeneralAssemblydidtherightthinginallowingtheunconventionalregulationsto
moveforward.AsPEChassaidforseveralyears,itisnotallthatwewanted,butitmakes
importantstridesinprotectingtheenvironmentandallowing,forthoseoperatorswhowantto,to
goevenfurtherinimprovingtheirpractices.
Nowitistimetoworkonasimilarsetofrulesfortheconventionaldrillers,asdefined
inAct13,differentiatedbypracticesused,andtoaddressthequestionsofwhatlegacieseven
beyondoilandgaswewillleaveforthenextgenerations.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
Wolf,HouseGOPAgreeToBillMakingDEPStartOverOnConventionalDrillingRegs
GovernorsOfficeReachesAgreementWithSenateOnCleanPowerPlanReviewBill

TheSenateTuesday
adoptedanamendment
to
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)byavoteof
47to3thatrepresentedanagreementbetweentheGovernorsOfficetheSenateonhowanyplan
DEPdevelopsinresponseto
EPAsCleanPowerClimatePlan
willbereviewedbytheGeneral
Assembly.
TheSenatethenpassedthebillWednesdaybyavoteof41to9.Thebillnowgoestothe
Houseforaction.The
islikelytomove
thebillonJune13.
Theamendmentrevisesthe
Act175process
andtimelineforreviewtoaccountforthe
presentU.S.SupremeCourtstayinimplementingEPAPlan,supposedlycuttingtheoverall
reviewtimefortheGeneralAssemblyfrom2426monthsto15months.
NewlanguageprohibitsDEPfromsubmittinganyplantoimplementEPAsruleuntilthe
Courtsstayislifted.
SenateBill1195isacompromiseagreementbetweentheGeneralAssemblyandGov.
Wolfthatprovidesimportantsafeguardsthatprotectlocalenergyproducingindustriesandthe
thousandsofworkerstheyemployfromoverreachingregulationsthatcouldcomewith
PennsylvaniascompliancewiththefederalCleanPowerPlan,saidSen.White.TheU.S.
SupremeCourthassuspendedtheimplementationoftheCleanPowerPlanrulesforfurther
discussionandevaluation,soitonlymakessenseforPennsylvaniatofollowthatapproach.
Asummaryoftheamendment
isavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
OpEd:CutPollutionFromOilAndGasFacilities
RelatedStories:
The
CleanPowerPACoalition
,representingmanyofPennsylvaniasenvironmental,clean
energybusiness,publichealthandconservationcommunity,WednesdaydenouncedtheSenates
passageof
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana),whichwoulddelaymuchneededand
publiclysupportedactiontotackleclimatechange.
Thecoalitionalsostronglycriticized
SenateBill279
(HutchinsonRVenango),whichis
ontracktobeapprovedintheHouseandwouldunravellongfoughtupdatesforstrongeroiland
gasdrillingstandards.
ThecoalitionsaidSenateBill1195andSenateBill279representanunprecedentedeffort
bythePennsylvaniaGeneralAssemblytounderminecriticalenvironmental,cleanenergy,and
publichealthprotections.
Coalitionmembersincluding:SierraClub,PennEnvironment,PennFutureandNatural
ResourcesDefenseCouncilissuedthefollowingstatementtodayregardingSenateBill1195,
SenateBill279andabroaderpackageofbillsquicklymovingthroughthelegislature:
ThePennsylvanialegislatureisadvancingapackageofbillsthatwouldallowthe
Commonwealthsbiggestpolluterstokeeppoisoningourland,water,air,andclimate.Inan
attempttogetastatebudgetpassed,thelegislatureispushingtomakeadealonour
environmentalprotections.Thatsanegregioustradeoffthatputsourcitizenshealthatserious
risk.
ThiscoordinatedlevelofattacksonPennsylvaniasenvironmentandclimateis
extraordinary.Bypassingthesebills,policymakerswillsetbackPennsylvaniasclimatepolicy
byyears,gutourstatesoverwhelminglysuccessfulenergyefficiencyprogram,andstopnew
regulationsonconventionaloilandgasdrilling.Notonlywillthesechangesincreasepollution,
buttheywillalsocreatesignificantbusinessuncertaintyforourcleanenergyindustriesand
potentiallyraiseenergyprices.
Wecallonmembersofthelegislaturetoopposetheseattemptstostallpollution
reductionsandimpedetheexpansionofcleanenergyandenergyefficiencyprograms.Wealso
appreciateGov.Wolfscontinuedeffortstoadvancestrongregulationsonoilandgasdrilling
andtotackleclimatechangethroughtheimplementationoftheCleanPowerPlan,eveninthe
faceofsustainedattacksfrompollutersandtheiralliesinthelegislature.
Thelegislationattackingenvironmentalprotections,climate,andenergyefficiency
programsincludes:
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)wouldallowlegislatorstosubverttheoverwhelming
supportofPennsylvaniansandsignificantlydelaystateactiontoreducecarbonemissionsunder
theCleanPowerPlanbyoverayear.[
Note:
Thebill
wasamendedTuesday
andpassedbythe
SenateWednesdaybyavoteof41to9.Thebillislikelytobeconsideredinthe
House
onJune13.]
SenateBill279
(HutchinsonRVenango)wouldnotallownewoilandgasregulationson
conventionaldrillerstobecomelawafternearly5yearsofpubliccommentsandparticipation,
insteadrestartingtheprocess.[
Note:
Thebillwasamendedand
reportedfromtheHouse
WednesdayandTabled.]
SenateBill562
(GordnerRColumbia)wouldallowlegislatorstoblocktheadvancementof
anyproposedregulationstheydisagreewith,includingcriticalenvironmentalstandards.Itwould
alsoeliminatepublicationofinformationthatcitizensrelyontoengageintheregulatoryprocess.
[Note
:ThebillisontheHouseCalendarforaction.]
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)wouldallowlargecommercialandindustrialentitiesto
optoutofparticipatinginenergyefficiencyprogramsasrequiredbyPennsylvaniaAct129,
increasingourcarbonemissionsandraisingenergypricesforotherconsumers.[
Note:
Thebill
wasamendedandreportedoutoftheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeMondayandremainson
theSenateCalendarforaction.]
Formoreinformation,visitthe
CleanPowerPACoalition
website.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
WillDealOnLiquor,DrillingRegs,ClimateBuildMomentumForStateBudget?
Thesigningintolawof
HouseBill1690
(TurzaiR
Allegheny),thecompromiseliquorandwinesalesreforms
agreedtobytheHouse,SenateandGov.Wolf,wasthe
mosthighprofilesignofbipartisanprogressonan
importantissuethisweekattheCapitol.
Lessnoticeable,excepttotheenvironmental
community,wasanagreementbetweenGov.Wolfand
RepublicanswheretheGovernorbackedawayfromthe
adoptionof
updatedfinalregulationsonconventionaloil
andgasdrilling
in
SenateBill279
(HutchinsonRVenango).
Gov.Wolfalsoagreedtoanewapproach
in
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)forthe
GeneralAssemblysreviewofanyplanDEPcameupwithtoimplementEPACleanPower
ClimatePlan.
ThedrillingregsandtheCleanPowerPlanissuesfeaturedprominentlyintherecent
resignationofDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.
TheannouncementShellwouldbuildanethanecrackerplantinBeaverCountycloseto
thewesternPennsylvaniaMarcellusandUticaShalenaturalgasfieldsgaveaboosttonotonly
economicoptimism,butbipartisanshipaswell.
Gov.Wolfsaidtheupto$66millioninannualtaxcreditsShelliseligibleforinthenext
28yearsfromthestatewaswellworththecostforthistransformationalinvestment.Thetax
creditprogramwasputinplacebyGov.Corbettandabipartisancoalitionoflegislatorsin2012.
PensionReformNext?
TheHouseWednesdayvotedtoput
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh)inpositionfor
adooverinthenearfuture.ThisisthepensionreformbillagreedtobytheSenate
RepublicansandtheGovernor,butvoteddowninDecemberwhenHouseDemocratsfailedto
supportit.
GamingExpansion
TheotherpotentialsourceofrevenuebeingdiscussedtohelpbalancetheFY201617
budgetbyHouseRepublicansisanexpansionofgaming.Byregulatingonlinegaming,putting
slotmachinesinairportsandcertainotherareas,theybelievetheycangeneratesignificant
additionalrevenue.
HouseBill649
(PayneRDauphin)regulatingtheonlinegamingindustryremainsonthe
HouseCalendarifthatChamberissoinclinedtoact.
Therewasalsoasignificantpushtoaddlegalizingvideopokerandothergamesatbars
andtavernsthisweek,butthatgeneratedevenmoreconcerns.
WhatsNext?
WerecominguponthemidpointintheJunesprinttowardtheJuly1deadlinefora
statebudget.WellsoonseeifallthesepositivehappeningshaveanimpactongettingtheFY
201617budgetdoneontime.
NewsClips:
IsCompromiseInAirAsNewBudgetDeadlineLooms?
Sponsors,AdvocatesUrgeSupportForWaterUseFeeBill
WaterUseFeesProposedInPAToPayForStreamCleanup
RecordGunSalesBoostGrantsToWildlifeAgencies
AP:WolfDeclinesToSayWhetherStateWillMeetBudgetDeadline
ItsBudgetTimeAgain,ShouldWeCringe?OrChill?
Hope,SkepticismOnSmootherBudgetTalksThisYear
ItsBack!DeadlineLoomsForNewStateBudget
JohnBaer:SpeakerTurzaisReasonToPlayNice
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feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(June13):
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislative
BudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramto
regulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providing
foranindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill562
(GordnerRColumbia)amendingtheRegulatoryReviewActtogivetheGeneralAssembly
additionaltimetoreviewagencyregulations
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),the
agreedtopensionreformbill.
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(June13):
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingtoassisthomeownerswith
deterioratingprivatesewerlaterals(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)
amendingAct101toauthorizealllocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingservicefee(
sponsor
summary
)
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)killingDEPsfinaldrillingregulations
coveringconventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingtherulemakingprocessover
HouseBill
1325
(MustioRAllegheny)allowingtownshipsofthesecondclasstochargestormwater
managementfees
HouseBill1394
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingboroughstocharge
stormwatermanagementfees
HouseBill1661
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingfirstclass
townshipstochargeastormwatermanagementfee
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)
establishingaPrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary)
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembershipoftheUndergroundStorage
TankIndemnificationBoardfromappointmentsonlybytheGovernortoappointmentsbyboth
theGeneralAssemblyandtheGovernor.<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
Note:
Itsbudgetseason.SenateandHousecommitteemeetingshappenedwithoutwarning.
House:
the
meetstoconsideratleastone
bill
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)furtherprovidingforthereviewofanyplandeveloped
byDEPtoimplementtheEPACleanPowerClimatePlanthe
AgricultureandRuralAffairs
Committee
meetstoconsider
HouseResolution872
(CauserRForest)urgingfederalandstate
regulatoryagenciestousesciencebased,peerrevieweddatawhenevaluatingmodern
agriculturaltechnologytoolsanddevelopingregulations(
sponsorsummary
),
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepoundReidVaporPressurewaiverforgasolinesoldin
PennsylvaniathatexpiredonMay1,2016(
sponsorsummary
)<>
ClickHere
forfullHouse
CommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)
providingfortheadoptingoffeesbytheGameCommission,
SenateBill1168
(EichelbergerR
Blair)providingfortheadoptionoffeesbytheFishandBoatCommission
Environmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)
providingfortheappointmentofalternatesontheInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiver
Basin(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary),
HouseBill1605
(JamesRButler)establishing
DCNRsHeritageAreasPrograminlaw(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary)
the
Consumer
ProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommittee
holdsahearingonthenominationofDavid
SweettoserveonthePublicUtilityCommission<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommittee
Schedule.
Other:JointLegislativeBudget&FinanceCommittee
meetstoreleaseaperformanceaudit
ontheFishandBoatCommission.

BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
Checkthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncilBillTracker
forthestatusandupdatesonpendingstate
legislationandregulationsthataffectenvironmentalandconservationeffortsinPennsylvania.
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
LymeDisease:
SenateBill1299
(GreenleafRMontgomery)providingforpatientaccessto
diagnosticsandtreatmentsforLymedisease(
sponsorsummary
).
BillboardRegulation:
SenateBill1301
(DinnimanDChester)furtherprovidingforthe
regulationofoutdooradvertising.
RollingBackStateEnvironmentalLaws&Regulations:
SenateResolution385
(BrooksR
Crawford)directingtheJointStateGovernmentCommissiontoconductastudytoanalyzeand
identifyingwhichenvironmentallawsandregulationshavemorestringentstandardsthanfederal
lawrequires(
sponsorsummary
).
WaterContaminationAtFmrMilitaryBases:
HouseResolution916
(StephensRMontgomery)urgingEPAandtheDepartmentofDefensetotakeallnecessary
actiontoensuresafedrinkingwateraroundformermilitarybasesinMontgomeryandBucks
CountieswasintroducedandadoptedbytheHouse.
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
June13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
House
June13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction
NaturalGasCompetition:
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgas
completion.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
PublicUtility:
HouseBill1241
(R.BrownRMonroe)exemptingresortsofferingwaterand
sewageservicesfromdefinitionofpublicutility.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryis
available.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
Senate
NaturalGasCompetition:
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgas
completionwasremovedfromtheTableandpassedbytheSenatewithoutamendment.A
House
FiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheGovernorforhisaction.

PublicUtility:
HouseBill1241
(R.BrownRMonroe)exemptingresortsofferingwaterand
sewageservicesfromdefinitionofpublicutilitywaspassedbytheSenatewithoutamendment
andnowgoestotheGovernorforhisaction.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
CleanPowerPlanReview:
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)furtherprovidingforreviewof
anyplanDEPdevelopedtoimplementtheEPACleanPowerPlanrulewas
amendedonthe
SenateFloor
andpassedbytheSenate41to9.ThebillnowgoestotheHouseforaction.The
islikelytoconsiderthebillJune13.
OptingOutOfAct129:
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)optoutofAct129energy
conservationprogram(
sponsorsummary
)wasremovedfromtheTableandreportedinto,
amended,andreportedoutoftheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeandisnowontheSenate
Calendarforaction.
Fish/GameCommissionLicenseFees:
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)authorizingthe
GameCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneral
Assemblyand
SenateBill1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)authorizingtheFishandBoat
CommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneral
AssemblywerebothamendedtoallowtheSenateandHousetopassaconcurrentresolutionto
disapproveafeechangesandpresentittotheGovernorforhisactionandwerereferredtothe
SenateAppropriationsCommittee.TheAppropriationsCommitteeisscheduledtoconsiderboth
billsonJune13.
SenateResolution384
(GreenleafR
Montgomery)urgingthePresidentandCongresstoworktotakeallnecessaryactiontoremedy
watercontaminationproblemsatMontgomeryCountymilitaryfacilitieswasreportedoutofthe
SenateEnvironmentalResources&EnergyCommitteeandwasadoptedbytheSenate.
House
ConstructionCode:
HouseBill1409
(RappRForest)furtherprovidingfortheadoptionand
enforcementbymunicipalitiesandadministrationandenforcementwasreportedfromtheHouse
AppropriationsCommitteeandwaspassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryis
available.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.
DEPDrillingRegs:
SenateBill279
(HutchinsonRVenango)creatingthePAGradeCrude
DevelopmentAdvisoryCouncil
wasamendedandreportedout
oftheHouseEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandTabled.
RegulatoryReviewAct:
SenateBill562
(GordnerRColumbia)amendingtheRegulatory
ReviewActtogivetheGeneralAssemblyadditionaltimetoreviewagencyregulationswas
amendedontheHouseFloor,reportedintoandoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeand
isnowontheHouseCalendarforaction.
HouseResolution916
(StephensR
Montgomery)urgingEPAandtheDepartmentofDefensetotakeallnecessaryactiontoensure
safedrinkingwateraroundformermilitarybasesinMontgomeryandBucksCountieswas
introducedandadoptedbytheHouse.
NewsFromTheCapitol
Rep.SturlaWaterUseFeeBillWouldGenerate$245Million/YearForWaterPrograms
Rep.MikeSturla(DLancaster)MondayannouncedheisintroducingHouseBill2114
(notyet
online)
whichwouldenactawaterresourceusefeeon4.4billiongallonsofdailywater
withdrawalsinPennsylvaniathathasthepotentialtogenerate$245millionannually,basedon
currentusagerates.
Thebillwouldexemptthe1.5billiongallonsofdailywaterwithdrawalsforagricultural
andmunicipalwaterusages.
ThePennsylvaniaConstitutionmakesitclearthatPennsylvaniaspublicnatural
resourcesbelongtothepeopleoftheCommonwealth.Thisbillensuresthatentitiesthatare
currentlyusingourwaterforfreewouldpayanominalfeethatwillbeusedtofundwaterrelated
programsandprojectswhilefreeingupmoneyfortheGeneralAssemblytoclosestructural
deficitsinthestatebudget,Rep.Sturlasaid.
WaterwithdrawnfromCommonwealthwaterwaysinexcessof10,000gallonsadayis
alreadyrequiredtobereportedtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
HouseBill2114wouldresultinachargeof1/100thofacentpergallonifwateris
withdrawnforuseandeventuallyreturnedtothesource.Waterwithdrawnandnotreturned
beyond10,000gallonsadaywouldbecharged1/10thofacentpergallon.
RevenuegeneratedfromHouseBill2114wouldbeusedtofundwaterrelatedprograms
andgeneralgovernmentaloperationsintheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection($30
million),DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources($25million)andFishandBoat
Commission($5million).
Theremainingdollarswouldbeusedtofundwaterrelatedprojectswithin
Pennsylvaniassixmajorwatersheds.
Thereisanadditionaloptiontouseremainingfundstopaydebtserviceona$3billion
bondissueforenvironmentprojects,subjecttoballotreferendum.
Atatimewhenthestateissearchingforrevenuetoimplementcleanwaterprojectsas
wellasnewrevenuetoclosethebudgetdeficit,Ithinkthispieceoflegislationisaviable
option,Rep.Sturlasaid.Iamgratefultoallthosewhovehelpedplayakeyroleindeveloping
thisconceptandfortheirsupporttoday.
JohnArway,executivedirector,FishandBoatCommission,saidthisissueshouldhave
beenraised30yearsago,butnotedtheCommonwealth,overthelast50years,hasbeen
investingmoneyintotheinfrastructuretoprotectthestateswater.
Heexplainedthatconsumptiveuseofwateristhefocusofthelegislation.Hesaid
currentlynooneischargedtousewatertheCommonwealthowns,adding,Ithinkitisanissue
offairnessandresponsibility.
HecitedArticle1Section27ofthePennsylvaniaConstitution,whichhearguesassigns
theresponsibilitytomaintainacleanwatersupplytotheCommonwealth.Hesaidthelegislation
isthefirststeptoaddingvaluetothewaterinPennsylvaniaandtohelpmanagewaterbeforeit
becomesacrisis.
AnnSwanson,ExecutiveDirectoroftheinterstate
ChesapeakeBayCommission
,
explainedthatPennsylvaniahasthehighestdensityofstreamsofanystateinthenation.
WaterisdefininginPennsylvania,soitmakescompletesensethatPennsylvaniawould
beestablishingawaterqualityprotectionfund,saidSwanson.Pennsylvaniaishometoseven
percentofthenationswaterwaysand16percentofthenationsimpairedwaterways.
Shecontendedthatnonpointsourcepollutiondeeplymattersandneedstobe
addressedtocleanuplargebodiesofwater.Shefurtherexpressedherbeliefthatconservation
practicesworkwhenappliedtononpointsources.
Inclosing,shearguedthatpublicfundingneedstobeinvestedinthehealthof
Pennsylvaniawaterways.
WaterFeeStudyResolution
Lastweek,Rep.GarthEverett(RLycoming)
introducedabipartisanresolution
House
Resolution908
callingforastudyofanewwaterusefeetofundwaterqualityimprovement
programs.
AsamemberofthePennsylvaniaDelegationofthe
and
theEnvironmentalResources&Energy,Game&FisheriesandAppropriationsCommittees,I
amacutelyawareofthechallengesfacingourwaterresourcesandwaterqualityherein
Pennsylvaniaandtheneedtocomeupwithinnovativefundingmechanismstoreinvestinour
landandwaterandtheprogramsandagencieschargedwiththeirstewardship,saidRep.
Everett.
Rep.Everettsresolutiondirectsthe
LegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommittee
to
conductastudyoftheestablishment,implementation,andadministrationoffeesforthe
consumptiveuseandtheuseandreturnofwatersoftheCommonwealthbyindustrialand
commercialusers.
Thestudywouldlookattheestablishmentofbotharoyaltyfeefortheconsumptiveuse
ofwaterandaroyaltyfeeforwaterusedandreturned.Itwouldexamineproposedand
successfulattemptsofotherstatestoassessfeesfortheuseofwateridentifytheusestowhich
thefeeswouldapplyestimatetherevenuegeneratingpotentialofthefeesandevaluatehowto
assess,collect,andmanagetheproceedsoftheroyaltyfees.
ThestudywouldalsomakerecommendationsoncreatinganewWaterQuality
ImprovementFundandonhowtheproceedsofthefeesmightbeapportionedamongthemajor
watershedsintheCommonwealthandthedepartmentsandagenciesinvolvedinwaterquality
effortsinPennsylvania.
ExamplesmightbefundingforGrowingGreener,waterqualityimprovementstomeet
ourChesapeakeBayandotherTMDLrequirementsandcleanupofourmanyimpairedstreams.
TheresolutionwasreferredtotheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
Committeeforconsideration.
Rep.SturlaalsorepresentsPennsylvaniaontheinterstate
.
NewsClips:
ResolutionBySen.BrooksWouldStudyStateEnvironmentalLaws,RegsToRollback

Sen.MicheleBrooks(RCrawford)Mondayintroduced
SenateResolution
385
directingtheJointStateGovernmentCommissiontoidentifystate
environmentallawsandregulationsthataremorestringentthanfederal
lawasafirststeptowardrollingbackthoseprotections.
Whilemostcertainlyallofusunderstandtheimportanceofour
environment,thisresolutionisintendedtofindbalancethroughpractical
applicationofthelawsandregulationsandatthesametimepermit
economicgrowthandjobcreation,saidSen.Brooks.Hopefully,this
canbeafirststepinpinpointingcurrentlawsandregulationsthatimpact
hardworkingcitizensandbusinessesandmakePennsylvaniamore
competitiveinattractingnewbusinesses.
The
preamblelanguageintheresolution
alsotakesoutofcontextreferencesin
Governors
ExecutiveOrder19961
andlanguagein
Section6.6ofthestateAirPollution
ControlAct
.
ExecutiveOrder19961doesnotcallfortheautomaticrollbackofstateenvironmental
regulationstofederalstandardswheretheyaremorestringentasreferredtointheresolution.
Infact,thepreambletotheExecutiveOrdersays,WHEREAS,despitetheincreasing
volumeandburdenofregulations,theyremainanappropriateandnecessarymeansofprotecting
thepublichealthandsafety.
TheOrderalsosaysclearlywherestatelawrequiresmorestringentmeasuresorthereis
anarticulablePennsylvaniainterest,morestringentregulationscancertainlybeadopted.
ThegoaloftheExecutiveOrderwastohavemoreeffectiveregulatoryprogramsata
reducedcostofcomplianceforthoseaffectedbythem.
AttheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,thiswasasystematicreviewcarriedout
overseveralyearsthroughthe
RegulatoryBasicsInitiative
byworkingthroughatransparent
processwithDEPsadvisorycommitteesonsectionbysectionreviewsofregulationsand
technicalguidance.
Theresultofthateffortwassavingindividuals,businessesandlocalgovernments$138
millionincompliancecosts,theeliminationofnearly5,000pagesofoutdatedregulationsand
morethan1,700pagesofunneededtechnicalguidanceand29packagesofregulatorychanges.
Incontrast,thelanguageinSen.Brookscosponsormemosaysshewantstousethis
studytopinpointcurrentlawsandregulationsandrollbackthoseprotections.
Sen.BrooksalsotakesoutofcontextSection6.6ofthestateAirPollutionControlAct.
Sheleavesoutthepartthatsays,Thissectionshallnotbeconstruedtoweaken
standardsforindividualsourcesorfacilitiesineffectpriortotheeffectivedateofthisact.
ItisclearthewordsfindbalanceandmakePennsylvaniamorecompetitivearecode
wordsforthecontinuingeffortsbysomemembersoftheSenateandHousetorollback
Pennsylvaniasstatelawsprotectingtheenvironmentandreducingstateenvironmentalprograms
tothelowestcommondenominator.
A
sponsorsummary
isavailable.
HouseCommitteeLikelyToMeetJune13OnSenateCleanPowerPlanReviewBill
The
islikelytomeetonJune13to
consideratleastonebill
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)furtherprovidingforthereview
ofanyplandevelopedbyDEPtoimplementtheEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
ThemeetingislikelybecauseHouseMajorityLeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)said
FridayinamemotomembersoftheHouseSenateBill1195isduetobeconsideredonthe
HouseFloorJune14.
TheSenatelastweekpassedthebill47to3afterSenateRepublicansandGov.Wolf
workedoutamendmentstothebill.
Thelocationandtimeofthemeetinghaveyettobeannounced.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmental
Committee
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeMeetsJune14OnHeritageAreasProgramBill
The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtomeetonJune14to
considerlegislationestablishingDCNRsHeritageAreasPrograminlawandabillon
appointingalternatestotheInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiverBasin.Thebills
include
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)providingfortheappointmentofalternatesontheInterstate
CommissiononthePotomacRiverBasin(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary)
HouseBill1605
(JamesRButler)establishingDCNRsHeritageAreasPrograminlaw
(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).
Itisworthnoting,simplyestablishingaprograminlawisnoguaranteewhatsoeveritwill
befundedbytheGeneralAssembly.Somequickexamples
TheAct339SewageFacilitiesOperatinggrantshavenotbeenfundedformorethanadecade.
ThePACenterforEnvironmentalEducationwas
establishedinlawin2008
,buthasnotbeen
fundedsince2011.
ThePASeniorEnvironmentCorps,whichinvolved20,000seniorsinwaterqualitysampling
andotherprojectsaroundthestate,was
establishedinlawin2004
.Thesameyearitcelebrated
its
10thAnniversary
andafterwinningtheUnitedNationsEnvironmentalProgrammeAward,
theRendellAdministration
eliminateditsfundingin2007
.
NatureAbounds
andDEParenow
tryingtorevivetheprogram.
TheCommitteemeetingwillbeheldinRoom8EBEastWingstartingat9:30.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairofthe
SenateEnvironmental
Committee
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak
(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
NewsClips:
AntiLitterActivistTravelsWithSchuylkillRiverSojourn
DiscoverPresqueIsleAddsNewActivitiesForParkVisitors
TeenFishermanSpotsGatorInLehighCanal
FinalFundingForYorkRailTrailImprovement
HazletonHike,BikeEventWillCelebrateTrailsDay
K&TTrailExpansionToOpenDelawareWaterfront
TownshipOKsResidentialDevelopmentAlongMontourTrail
HundredsOfAcresInPittsburghToBeUsedForAPark
ReorganizationPlanProposedForConneautLakePark
GroundbreakingOnNewTrailsForEriesMcClellanPark
PhillyToUseParkedCarsToProtectBikeLanes
ValleyForge:WhereDisparatePartsOfANationWereUnited
NewsFromAroundTheState
CBFPA:Cameron,Dauphin,Franklin,McKean,MontgomeryJoinCleanWaterCounts
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
applauds5countiesCameron,Dauphin,Franklin,
McKeanandMontgomeryforjoiningthe
CleanWaterCounts
bringingthetotalto24counties
whohavejoined.
CBFandthe
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
launchedtheCleanWaterCountscampaign
in2014,urginglocalgovernmentsacrosstheCommonwealthtopassresolutionsandjoinin
callingonlegislatorsinHarrisburgtoinvestinlocalcleanwaterprogramsandpractices.
Roughly
19,000milesofPennsylvaniawatersareimpaired
.Agricultureisthelargest
sourceofpollutiontotheCommonwealth'sstreamsandrivers.Thatpollutionoccurswhen
nitrogen,phosphorus,andsedimentrunofffarmfieldsintolocalwaterways.
Heresmorebackgroundoneachofthenewcounties
CameronCounty:
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhasidentifiedabout35miles
ofpollutedwaterwaysinCameronCounty.
Sen.JoeScarnati(RJefferson)andRep.MartinCauser(RCameron)representCameron
County.
DauphinCounty:
DEPsaysthereareabout395milesofpollutedwaterwaysinDauphin
County.Almost130milesaredegradedbyagriculture.
Sen.MikeFolmer(RLebanon),Sen.RobTeplitz(DDauphin),Rep.SusanHelm
(RDauphin),Rep.DavidHickernell(RLancaster),Rep.PattyKim(DDauphin),Rep.Ron
Marsico(RDauphin),Rep.JohnPayne(DDauphin)andRep.MikeTobash(RDauphin)
representDauphinCounty.
FranklinCounty:
DEPhasidentifiednearly300milesofpollutedwaterwaysinFranklin
County.About260milesaredegradedbyagriculture.
Sen.RichardAlloway(RAdams),Sen.JohnEichelberger(RBlair),Rep.AdamHarris
(RFranklin),Rep.RobKauffman(RFranklin),Rep.PaulSchemel(RFranklin)andRep.Jesse
Topper(RBedford)representFranklinCounty.
McKeanCounty:
DEPassessmentshaveidentifiedabout150milesofpollutedwaterwaysin
McKeanCounty.Almost70milesaredegradedbyagriculture.
Sen.JoeScarnati(RJefferson)andRep.MartinCauser(RCameron)representMcKean
County.
MontgomeryCounty:
Therearenearly730milesofpollutedwaterwaysinMontgomery
County.About340milesaredegradedbyurban/suburbanrunoffofnitrogen,phosphorus,and
sediment.
Sen.StewartGreenleaf(RMontgomery),Sen.ArtHaywood(RPhiladelphia),Sen.
DaylinLeach(DMontgomery),Sen.BobMensch(RLehigh),SenJohnRafferty
(RMontgomery),Sen.VincentHughes(DPhiladelphia),Rep.KevinBoyle(DMontgomery),
Rep.MatthewBradford(DMontgomery),Rep.TimBriggs(DMontgomery),Rep.MaryJo
Daley(DMontgomery),Rep.MadeleineDean(DMontgomery),Rep.RobertGodshall
(RMontgomery),Rep.KateHarper(RMontgomery),Rep.TimHennessey(RMontgomery),
Rep.StephenMcCarter(DMontgomery),Rep.ThomasMurt(RMontgomery),Rep.Thomas
Quigley(RMontgomery),Rep.JustinSimmons(RMontgomery),Rep.ToddStephens
(RMontgomery),Rep.MarcyToepel(RMontgomery),Rep.MikeVereb(RMontgomery)and
Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware)representMontgomeryCounty.
"Healthyfamilies,strongcommunitiesandathrivingPennsylvaniaeconomydependon
cleanwater,"saidHarryCampbell,CBF'sPennsylvaniaexecutivedirector."Weapplaudand
thankthecommissionersineachofthecountiesforpubliclyvoicingtheirsupportforcleanwater
intheKeystoneState."
ThecountieswhohavejoinedtheprogramincludeBerks,Cameron,Centre,Cumberland,
Dauphin,Erie,Fayette,Franklin,Greene,Indiana,Jefferson,Luzerne,McKean,Montgomery,
Montour,Northumberland,Philadelphia,Schuylkill,Somerset,Venango,Washington,
Westmoreland,Wyoming,andYork.
"WehopeCleanWaterCountscontinuestobuildmomentum,"GrowingGreener
CoalitionExecutiveDirectorAndrewHeathadded."Thecentralregionisextremelyimportantto
motivatinggreaterleadershipfromHarrisburgoncleanwaterissuesandwelookforwardto
workingwiththeothercountiesinadoptingresolutions."
BysupportingtheCleanWaterCountscampaign,thecountiesaretellinglawmakersin
HarrisburgthatcleanwaterisintegraltoPennsylvania'seconomy,communities,andhuman
health.It'salegacyworthleavingfuturegenerations.
Formoreinformationandfindouthowcleanstreamsareinyourcounty,visitCBFPAs
CleanWaterCountsInPennsylvania
webpage.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
NewsClips:
$328KGrantToBenefitStreamsInLoyalhanna,TurtleCreekWatersheds
SevenmileCreekRestorationWillReduceErosion
TrexlerTrustAwards$5.1MInGrantsInAllentownArea
Editorial:AWetlandsWinForPropertyOwners
CongressmanCallForProbeIntoWaterContaminationNearAirStations
DelawareRiverKeeperJune3RiverwatchVideoReport
RaisingAwarenessAboutTheChesapeakeBay
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
LandStudies,OctoraroNativePlantNurseryFoundersOfBusinessesForTheBay
LandStudies,Inc
.andthe
OctoraroNativePlantNursery,Inc
.inLancasterCountywereamong
the21foundingmembersofthe
BusinessesfortheBay
recognizedby
TheAllianceforthe
ChesapeakeBay
Wednesday.
ThroughitsBusinessesfortheBayprogram,theAlliancehelpsbusinesses,bothlarge
andsmall,throughouttheChesapeakeBaywatershedtosupporttheenvironmentbytaking
voluntarilyandmeasurableactionstoimprovethehealthoftheChesapeakeBayandits
watershedlands,rivers,andstreams.
BusinessesfortheBayprovidesanetworkforitsMemberstoshareenvironmental
strategiesandsuccessstorieswitheachotherandpartners,aswellasopportunitiesforMembers
toengagetheiremployeesinenvironmentalefforts.
AllBusinessesfortheBayMemberactionsalignwiththeChesapeakeBayWatershed
Agreement.
Thismembershipassociationisdesignedtomeetcontemporarycorporatesustainability
goalsandhelpthepublicunderstandthecriticalroleofthebusinesscommunityinthe
environment.
ThroughBusinessesfortheBay,theAlliancespotlightsthevaluableroleeachMemberis
playinginBayrestorationefforts.
WesupporteffortsincommunicatingthatEconomicandEnvironmentalbenefits
coexistandcanbeembracedbythebusinesscommunityintangible,substantiveways,said
KellyGutshall,Presidentof
LandStudies,Inc
.Communitiesthatembracethisstrategyare
providingfunctionalopenspacesthatreducefloodingandimprovewaterquality.Weareproud
tobepartofthisprogram.
"Sinceourinception,wehavetakenmeasuresinourdaytodayoperationstoprotectthe
naturalresourcesoftheOctoraroWatershedandtheChesapeakeBay,saidJimMacKenzie,
Presidentof
OctoraroNativePlantNursery
.BusinessesfortheBayprovidesanopportunityto
sharethesestrategieswithotherprogressiveindustryleadersandbegintoquantifytheimpactsof
thesemeasures.
We'reexcitedtobeapartofthisprogramandbelieveithassometremendousupsidefor
theprivatesectortoshowhowit'scontributingtowaterqualityandothercommunityandhealth
benefitsthroughouttheregion,addedMacKenzie.
ThroughBusinessesfortheBay,businessesaremakingapositiveimpacton
ChesapeakeBayrestoration,expandingtheirownsustainabilityprograms,andbeingrecognized
fortheirenvironmentalsuccesses,saidCorinneStephens,theAlliancesBusinessPartnerships
Manager.
ClickHere
foradescriptionofBusinessesfortheBayactivitiesby
LandStudies,Inc
.and
ClickHere
forthe
OctoraroNativePlantNursery,Inc
.
BusinessesfortheBayiscurrentlywelcomingMembers,Sponsors,andNetworking
Partners.
BusinessesfortheBay
webpageand
TheAllianceforthe
ChesapeakeBay
website.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
MasterWatershedStewardProgramLookingForStewardsInNortheast,OtherAreas
ThePennStateExtensionsLuzerne,Wyomingand
Lackawannacountyofficesarenowacceptingapplicationsfor
the2016
MasterWatershedStewardProgram
innortheastern
Pennsylvania.ApplicationsaredueJune17.
Masterwatershedstewardsreceive40hoursoftraining
onwaterquality,streamhealth,nativeplants,recreational
resourcesandgroundwater.
Afterthetraining,studentsfulfill50hoursofvolunteer
serviceandmaintaintheirstatuseachyearthroughvolunteer
timeandcontinuingeducation.
Thetrainingprogrammeets68:30p.m.Wednesdays,fromJune29through
midSeptemberalongwiththreehandsonSaturdayfieldtrips.
Formoreinformationoranapplicationforthesecounties,contactElizabethRosserby
telephoneat5706020607orsendemailto:
emr40@psu.edu
.
TheMasterWatershedStewardProgramisalsoavailableinBerks,Bucks,Chester,
Delaware,Lehigh,Monroe,Montgomery,Northampton,PhiladelphiaandYorkcounties.
Ifyouliveintheparticipatingcountiesorwouldliketoestablishaprograminyour
county,contactErinFrederickat6103919840orsendemailto:
elf145@psu.edu
.
ChiquesWatershedExpoJune22,FarmingForSuccessJune23InLancasterCounty
The
ChiquesCreekWatershedExpo
willbeheldJune22from6p.m.to8p.m.attheLancaster
Liederkranz,722SouthChiquesCreekRoad,Manheim.
The
ChiquesCreekWatershedAlliance
sponsorsthisannualfamilyfriendlyeventonthe
banksofthecreektoteachwatershedresidentsabouthowtoprotectandrestorethewatershed.
Theeventfeaturesfoodandicecreamandlivemusic,andplentyoffunandinteresting
displaysfromthewatershedallianceandotherpartners.
The
PennStateAgricultureandEnvironmentCenter
willbeonhandfortheExpoandthe
nextday,June23,from9a.m.to3p.m.,for
FarmingforSuccess
,aPennStateExtensionfield
dayheldattheSoutheastAgriculturalResearchandExtensionCenter,1446AuctionRoad,
Manheim.
This120acrePennStateresearchfarmisintheheartofLancasterCountyandthe
ChiquesCreekWatershed,andishosttoresearchanddemonstrationsonavarietyofbest
managementpracticestoimprovewaterquality,includingnotill,covercrops,riparianbuffers,
raingardens,andnativepollinatorplantings.
FarmingforSuccesswillbringproducerstogetherwithagindustryrepresentativesto
exploreinnovationsincropproductionandconservation.
TheAECisactivelyworkingintheChiquesCreekWatershedtofacilitateChiques
CreekReenvisioned,arobustpartnershipworkingtorestorewaterquality.
PartnersincludetheChiquesCreekWatershedAlliance,theDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
,
LancasterCounty
ConservationDistrict,
LancasterCountyConservancy
,
LancasterCountyCleanWater
Consortium
,watershedmunicipalities,
LandStudies,Inc.
,
WildResources,Inc.
,
ChesapeakeBay
Foundation
,andmanyothers.
BesuretostopbytomeetAECstaffandlearnaboutourworkintheChiques!
(Reprintedfromthelatest
quarterlynewsletter
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
AEC:ABusySpringForGreeningTheLowerSusquehanna
GreeningtheLowerSusquehannaVolunteerCorps
,aninitiativeofthe
PennStateAgriculture
andEnvironmentCenter
,hasbeenbusythisspringwithmanyexcitingvolunteerevents!
Springisoneofthebusiesttimesofyearforthevolunteergroup,astreeplantingsand
rescues,livestaking,andlitterpickupsarebestdoneinthespringmonths,andvolunteersare
eagertogetoutafteralongwinterinside.
OnMarch21,severalvolunteerscameouttoharvestlivestakesattheStateGameLands
145.Thegroupcutover500livestakes,orcuttingsfromtreesthatcanbeusedinstreambank
restorationprojects,inonlyafewhours!
Thelivestakes,inadditiontootherlivestakesgatheredatMiddleCreekWildlifeRefuge
withanothergroupofvolunteers,wereusedintwostreambankrestorationprojects,oneat
LoganParkinManheimandtheotheratthePennStateHarrisburgcampus.
ThePennStatecampushasaseverelyerodedstreamthatwillbenefitgreatlyfromthe
500+livestakesthatvolunteersplanted.
VolunteersincludedPennStateCampusMaintenanceOperations,variousstudentclubs
andorganizations,andGreeningtheLowerSusquehannastaff.Participantslearnedhowto
harvestandplantlivestakes,aswellasthebenefitsofsuchpracticesinimprovinglocalwater
quality.
AnotherwaythatGreeningtheLowerSusquehannaworkstoimprovelocalwaterquality
isbycoordinatinglitterpickupsnearlocalwaterways.
TocelebrateEarthDaythisyear,GLSpartneredwith
TriCountyConewagoCreek
Association
tohostalitterpickupatAberdeenMillsbeforetheirannualEarthDaycelebration.
Over20volunteershelpedremoveavarietyoflitterincluding:tires,bottlesandcans,
trashbags,andhouseholddebris.
ThediversityoftheGLSvolunteerbasewasreallyevidentatthelitterpickup,asa
varietyofages,fromyoungchildrentoolderadults,joinedtogethertocombatlitterinourlocal
streams.
Followingthelitterpickup,TCCCAhostedagreatfamilyfriendlyEarthDaycelebration
attheMill.
Inadditiontolivestakingandlitterpickups,GLSoperatesatreenurserywhichprovides
treeseedlingstohomeownersandmunicipalitiesinterestedinplantinglargeprojects,suchas
turftoforestconversionorriparianbuffers,thatwillhelpimprovetheirlocalwaterquality.
OneofthemanywaysthatGLSobtainstreesfortheirnurseryisthrougheventscalled
treerescues.AtreerescueconsistsofawillinglandownerinthelowerSusquehannaregion
whohasasignificantnumberofnativetreeseedlingssproutupinanunwantedplace,suchasa
gardenorlawn.
ThelandownercontactsGLSandagroupofvolunteerswillgotothelandownershome
andrescuetheseedlings.GLSthennursestheseedlingsthroughoutthesummersotheyare
readyforpermanenthomesinthefall.Itsaveryfunexperience,thatvolunteersenjoybeinga
partof!
GLShasmanymorevolunteereventsplannedthroughoutthecomingmonths!
TobeaddedtothevolunteeremaillistcontactJennFetterbysendingemailto:
jrf21@psu.edu
.Welookforwardtoyoujoiningus!
(Reprintedfromthelatest
quarterlynewsletter
.
ClickHere
PennStateAgriculture&EnvironmentCenterQuarterlyNewsletterNowAvailable
The
quarterlynewsletterisnowavailable
featuringstorieson
StudentsBalticStudyAbroadOffersLessonsForChesapeakeBay
PennStateExtensionFarmingForSuccessWorkshopsJune23
Spotlight:AECWelcomesSummerInterns
JoinAECJune22InChiquesCreekWatershedInLancasterCounty
ABusySpringForGreeningTheLowerSusquehanna
ButterfliesAndCleanWaterInChocolatetown
LookForTheAECAtAgProgressDaysAug.1618
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
HeadwatersTrustAwarded$1.35MForWatershedWorkInElk,JeffersonCounties
HeadwatersCharitableTrust
Wednesdayannounceditwillreceive$1,356,840fromthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionfor4restorationprojectsintheMillCreekandToby
Creekwatersheds.
Projectsinbothwatershedsaddresstherehabilitationofabandonedminedrainage
treatmentsystems.GrantapplicationsweresubmittedtothePAGrowingGreenerProgramon
behalfofMillCreekCoalitionofClarionandJeffersoncountiesandtheTobyCreekWatershed
AssociationofElkandJeffersoncounties.
MillCreekCoalitionhasworkedfor26yearstorestoretheMillCreekwatershedwhich
washeavilyimpactedbyabandonedminedrainage.
AccordingtotheFishandBoatCommissionsfishsurveycompletedin2013,wildtrout
arenowpresentinallbutthelastseveralmilesofthestream.
PeteDalby,presidentoftheCoalitioncommentedthatthisfundingiscriticaltokeeping
ourtreatmentsystemsfunctioningtoprotectthehealthofthefishery.
TheTobyCreekWatershedAssociationhasbeenworkingtorestoreLittleTobyCreek
andtheClarionRiverforover40years.
BillSabatose,presidentoftheassociationhasworkedtirelesslytoincorporateinnovative
treatmentstrategiestoaddressAMDimpactedstreamsusingbothactiveandpassivetreatments
technologies.
Mr.Sabatoseacknowledgesthatthereisadireneedtoprovideupkeeptoexisting
treatmentsystemsbutalsotoestablishoperationandmaintenancefundingtoprotectthe
investmentsmade.
AccordingtotheExecutiveDirectoratHeadwatersCharitableTrust,JanieFrench,she
agreesabouttheeffectofprotectingthefisheriesinPennsylvaniabysaying:IconcurwithMr.
Sabatosesassessment.Theprotectionofrestoredfisheriesisimportanttoourvibranttourism
industry.Itaddsvaluetoourcommunitiesthroughnotonlytheeconomicopportunitiesbutalso
forecologicalhealthandtheenjoymentgainedthroughspendingtimeonthestream.Therefore,
HeadwatersCharitableTrustiscommittedtoraisingthenecessaryfundstoestablishan
operationandmaintenanceendowmentfund.
HeadwatersCharitableTrust
website.
IndependenceConservancyReceivesWashingtonCountyFoundationPresidentsAward
IndependenceConservancy
recentlyreceivedthePresidents
ChoiceAwardanda$10,000unrestrictedgrantfrom
Washington
CountyCommunityFoundation
tosupportestablishingthe
LangelothValleyConservationAreanearBurgettstown.
Notingherstrongsupportforconservationand
environmentalpreservation,theWashingtonCountyCommunity
FoundationsPresident,BetsieTrew,saidIndependence
Conservancyhassteppeduptofillavoidinlandstewardshipin
WashingtonCountyanditsworktomitigatemineandindustrial
threatstowatersuppliesimpactseverylivingcreaturewithinthe
(RaccoonCreek)Watershed.
ThePresidentsChoiceAwardassistssmallbut
developingcharitiesinthemannerthattheWashingtonCountyCommunityFoundations
earliestdonorshelpedit.
(Photo:IndependenceConservancyViceChairmanPegSchweinsbergandmemberGary
StokumaccepttheWashingtonCountyCommunityFoundationsPresidentsChoiceAward.)
Besidesprogramquality,applicantsarejudgedoncommunityimpactandimprovement
intheorganizationsfinancesoveraperiodofyears.
UsinglandtrustStandardsandPractices,theIndependenceConservancypreservesland
inSouthwesternPennsylvaniatoprotectopenspace,wildlifehabitat,naturalandcultural
resources,scenicviewsandqualityoflife.
Endeavoringtoimprovewaterquality,itownsandmanagestheAbandonedMine
Discharge(AMD)treatmentsystemsintheRaccoonCreekWatershed,whichhasitsoriginsin
WashingtonCounty.
TheConservancyestablishedtheLangelothValleyConservationArea,near
Burgettstown,whichwillpermanentlypreserve73acresofwoodlands,wetlandsandstreams
southoftheformerAmericanZinc&ChemicalCo.smeltersiteinSmithTownship.
The
FoundationforPennsylvaniaWatersheds
,basedinHuntingdon,PA,hascontributed
anadditional$7500insupportfortheLangelothValleyConservationAreawhichwill
permanentlyprotecttheLangelothBoreholeAMDTreatmentSystem.
Thesystemremovesover200tonsofironandotherpollutantsyearlyfromthe
headwatersofRaccoonCreek,allowingaquaticlifetothrivedownstream.
TheConservancyhasachievedover$1.5millionofenvironmentalreclamationandland
preservationsinceitsfoundingin1999.
Withthehelpofcommunitypartners,landowners,volunteersandothers,the
ConservancysvisionistoprotectandconservelandintheRaccoonCreekRegioninperpetuity.
IndependenceConservancy
website.
BrodheadWatershedAssn:June26MasterGardenerRainGardenWorkshopInMonroe
OnJune26,
PennStateMasterGardeners
ofMonroeCountywillholdaworkshopaboutrain
gardens,atForEvergreenNaturePreserve,CherryLaneRoad,Analomink,MonroeCounty.
Theworkshopisheldinconjunctionwith
BrodheadWatershedAssociation
.Theagenda
fortheworkshopincludes
Registrationbeginsat8:45a.m.
9:30a.m.:ReasonsforPlantingaRainGardenbyMasterGardenerBobStalcoskie
Whatisaraingarden?Whyshouldyouplantone?Learnabouttheseusefulandbeautiful
gardensenvironmentalbenefitsandhowtopromotetheirbiodiversity.
10a.m.:SelectingPlantsforaRainGardenbyMasterGardenerAmyGirardi
Raingardensbeautifyyourlandscape,controlstormwater,andaddwildlifevalue.Butthereare
specialconsiderationswhenselectingplantsforyourraingarden.
10:30to11a.m.:BuildingaRainBarrelbyMasterGardenerCathyLittle
Wewillguideyouthroughtheprocessofconstructingyourownfullyfunctioningrain
barrelausefuldevicetoconservewaterforyourgarden.
Thesepresentationsarefreetothepublic.A$5donationwouldbeappreciatedtocover
thecostofprintedhandoutsandgardensupplies.Therewillbealimitednumberofrainbarrels
availableforsaleafterthepresentation,for$25.
ForinformationonthisandotherPennStateExtensioneventsanddirectionstothe
garden,calltheMonroeCountyExtensionofficeat5704216430orsendemailto:
monroeExt@psu.edu
.
Forinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingprograms,visitthe
website.
DontGiveUpTheDripRainBarrelsEncourageErieResidentsToConserveWater
Auniqueartprojectwithanenvironmentalmessagecan
beseenaroundbusinessesandotherbuildingsaround
Erie.Morethan30localartistsdecoratedrainbarrelsthat
areinstalledaroundthecityaspartofthe"
Don'tGiveUp
theDrip
"campaign.
Thisuniqueprojectleadbythe
ErieCounty
ConservationDistrict
and
EnvironmentErie
was
coordinatedwiththe
ErieArtMuseum
tohelpthepublic
learnaboutwaterconservationandhowtopreventnonpointsourcepollutioninawaythatisfun
andinteresting.
Italsohelpstoincreasecustomertrafficatparticipatingbusinessesandsupportsthe
strongartcommunityintheEriearea.
Theprojecthasbeensuchasuccessthatmembersofthepublichavebeenbuyingplain
rainbarrelsfromtheConservationDistrictandcommissioningtheartiststodecoratethebarrels
forplacementattheirhomes.
Theprojectwassupportedwithfundingfrom
DEPsOfficeoftheGreatLakes
and
CoastalResourcesManagementProgram
.
TherainbarrelswereofficiallyrevealedattheErieHomeandGardenExpoonMarch18,
butarestillbeinginstalledatlocationsaroundErie.
Formoreinformation,visittheErieCountyConservationDistricts"
Don'tGiveUpthe
Drip
"webpage.
(Photo:KristinCurrierwiththeErieConservationDistrictandTimothyBruno,chiefofDEP's
OfficeoftheGreatLakes,posebesidearainbarrelcreatedbyartistBryanToy.Itwasinstalled
atthedistrict'soffice.)
(Reprintedfrom
June9DEPNews
.
ClickHere
June6WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
June6WatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennStateExtensionfeaturing
articleson
ViewArchivedWebinarDiscussingNewStreamHealthAssessmentTool
ChesapeakeBayHealthImprovesIn2015
ProjectsToTestWaterforLead,OtherImpuritiesInUnderservedPACounties
HowAlgaeCouldSavePlantsFromThemselves
WaterYieldsFromSouthernAppalachianWatershedsInDeclineSince1970s
CelebratingWorldEnvironmentDayJune5
ClickHere
OpEd:CleaningTheChesapeakeBayStartsWithImprovingWaterQualityInPA
By
RussellRedding
,SecretaryDepartment
ofAgriculture,
PatrickMcDonnell
,Acting
SecretaryofDEPand
CindyAdamsDunn
,
SecretaryDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResources
Pauseforamomentandconsideryournearest
stream.Doyouknowwhereitgoes?Chances
are,ifyouliveinoneofthe41countiescoveringcentralPennsylvania,thatwaterfindsitsway
totheSusquehannaRiverandtheChesapeakeBay.
Thisweek,June511,marksthefirstever
ChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeek
.Itsatime
tocelebratetheBaywatershedsdiversewaterwaysandlandscapes,richhistory,immense
economicimpact,andtheaestheticandrecreationalofferingsitandallofitslocalwatersprovide
tothe18millionpeoplewholiveinitswatershed.
TheactionswetakeindividuallyandcollectivelyhereinPennsylvaniahaveaprofound
influenceonwaterqualityinourbackyardsandintheBay.
Thereareanumberoffactorsthatimpactwaterquality,fromagriculturalandurban
stormwaterrunoff,todevelopment,andtheuseoflawnfertilizers,amongothers.
Becausetherearesomanyfactorsinfluencingwaterquality,weneedeveryonetohelp
addresstheimpactoftheseactivitiesandtomeetthechallengeofcleaningupourstreams.
Pennsylvaniahasreneweditscommitmenttoimprovingourstreamsandimprovinglocal
waterqualityandthehealthoftheBay.
Tocoordinatethisapproachandimproveourlocalwaterways,theWolfadministration
hasestablisheda
ChesapeakeBayOffice
withintheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
WiththeDepartmentofAgricultureandtheStateConservationCommission,wehave
begunconnectingwithfarmerstobetterunderstandtheworktheyhavealreadydonetoreduce
runoffandimprovelocalwaterquality,andtoidentifywhatweneedtodotoimplement
lowcost,highvaluebestmanagementpracticestocontinuethisgoodwork.
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesisleadinganefforttoworkwith
numerousagencies,partnersandlandownersto
expandforestbuffersalongwaterways
inthe
Commonwealthasoneofthosebestpractices.
Weareworkingwithmunicipalitiestobettermanageurbanstormwater.
ManyofourMunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystemsaregettingreadytoimplement
newpermitrequirementsandwill,forthefirsttime,beobligatedtoachievespecificstormwater
pollutantreductionsin2018.
Tohelpthesecommunitiesunderstandtheseobligations,
DEPisplanningaseriesof
workshops
acrosstheCommonwealththissummer.
Weneedallthehelpwecangettocelebratethesuccessesandfocusonthechallenges.
Therearesomesimplethingsyoucandotosupportourstreamsandreducetheimpact
weallhaveontheBay.
Forexample,bejudiciouswhenapplyingfertilizerandpesticidesonyourlawns,gardens
andfarmfields.Installaraingardentomanagewaterfromyourguttersinsteadofsendingitinto
thestreet.
Disposeofwasteproperly.Donotflushmedicationsdownthetoilet.Compostyouryard
waste,orparticipateinalocalcleanup.
Finally,makesureyoutakeadvantageofthevastopportunitiesthatexistwithin
Pennsylvaniasriversandstreams.
Gofishing.Rentakayak.Hikealongarailtrail.Visitastatepark.
Wepromiseyouthatasyouconnectwiththeseresources,youllcometothesame
conclusionwehave:itisworththeefforttoimprovePennsylvaniasstreamsandrivers,andjoin
theefforttocleanuptheChesapeakeBay.
FormoreinformationonPennsylvaniaBayrelatedefforts,visitDEPs
ChesapeakeBay
Strategy
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
RelatedStories:
EPAAdministratorMcCarthyCallsPAsLaggingChesapeakeBayCleanupDiscouraging
CBFPAWelcomes$25MillionGrowingGreenerInvestmentInCleanWaterProjects
PAGrowingGreenerCoalitionOutlinesPrioritiesForComingStateBudgetTalks
DCNR:PAMustInstall95KAcresOfForestBuffersInChesapeakeBayWatershedIn9Years
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA:PAUpdate,TakingPrideInPlantingTrees
ChesapeakeBayJournal:DespiteProgress,StatesToFallShortOfBayCleanupTargets
DEP,ConservationDistrictsWorkOnFarmInspectionsInChesapeakeBayWatershed
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
DamsOnSusquehannaAreUndoingProgressInReducingPollutionToChesapeakeBay
AgenciesUnveilNewChesapeakeBayCleanupStrategy
DCNRLeadingStatewideForestBufferEffortToImproveWaterQuality
PACoalitionEmergesToSupportFarmersInEffortToCleanUpChesapeakeBay
CBFPA:LackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
CBFOpEd:FarmBureauCanChooseToBeASoreLoserOrPartOfTheSolution
RockLititzProjectReducesSediment,NutrientRunoffWithoutTaxpayerMoney
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionMeetsJune16OnWaterWithdrawals,Fees
The
willholdsitsquarterlybusinessmeetingJune16
startingat9:00a.m.,DoubleTreebyHiltonResortLancaster,TerraceRoom,2400WillowStreet
Pike,Lancaster.Themeetingisopentothepublic.
TheCommissionerswillactonseveralagendaitems,including22projectapplications
regulatorycompliancematterwithNewEnterpriseStone&LimeCo.,Inc.considerationto
changethenameoftheComplianceReserveFundandamendsaidpolicyadoptionofa
proposedguidanceforterminatingreviewofaprojectapplicationandaproposedguidancefor
expiringprojectapprovalsapprovalofcontractsandagreementswhichSRBCproposestoenter
preliminaryfiscalyear2018budgetregulatoryprogramfeescheduleforfiscalyear2017
adoptionoftheWaterResourcesProgramamendmentoftheComprehensivePlanfortheWater
ResourcesoftheSusquehannaRiverBasinandelectionofnewofficers.
SRBCwillalsohostaninformationalpresentationofinteresttothewaterresourcesofthe
LowerSusquehannasubbasin.
Opportunitiesforpubliccommentonprojectapplications,feeschedule,guidancesand
theComprehensivePlanwerepreviouslyprovidedandwillnotbeacceptedatthemeeting.
However,theCommissionersmayacceptgeneralpubliccommentsattheconclusionofthe
meeting.
SRBCsRulesofConductforquarterlybusinessmeetingsinclude:
Attendeesmustsigninandshowphotoidentification.
Signage,posters,bannersorotherdisplaymediawillbepermittedonlyindesignatedareas.
Thepresswillbepermittedtosetupandusevideoandrecordingdevicesinadesignatedarea.
Thepublicwillbepermittedtousesmall,handhelddevicesthatremainintheirpossession
andareusedinanondisruptivemanner.
Toviewthecompleteagendawiththelistofprojectapplicationsandthefullsetofrules
ofconduct,visitSRBCs
PublicParticipationCenter
webpage.
DelawareRiverBasinCommissionHearingOnWaterProjectReviewFeesJuly27
TheDelawareRiverBasinCommission
publishednotice
ofproposedregulationschangingits
rulesofpracticeandprocedureconcerningregulatoryprogramfees,watersupplycharges
invitingpubliccommentsintheJune11PABulletin.
AninformationalmeetingontheproposedchangeswillbeheldJune15from2p.m.to4
p.m.attheWashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,Washington
Crossing,Pa.
ThismeetingwillincludepresentationsbyDRBCstaffaswellasaquestionandanswer
period.Oralcommentsfortherecordwillnotbeacceptedatthisinformationalmeeting.
DRBChasalsoscheduledapublichearingontheproposalonJuly27attheDRBC
Office25StatePoliceDrive,WestTrenton,NJstartingat1:00.
PubliccommentswillbeacceptedthroughAugust12.
Background
DRBC'scurrentprojectreviewfeestructurewasadoptedbytheCommissionin2009.
Forprojectsinvolvingtotalcostsof$250,000orless,itconsistsofaflatprojectreviewfeeof
$1,000forprivatelysponsoredprojectsand$500forpubliclysponsoredprojects.
Forprojectswithtotalcostsgreaterthan$250,000,DRBC'scurrentprojectreviewfeeis
baseduponapercentageofthecostsoftheprojectattributabletoprojectcomponentsphysically
locatedwithinthebasin,andiscappedat$75,000.
However,projectsforwhichthereviewisexceptionallyinvolvedmaybecharged
DRBC'sactualcosts,whichmayexceed$75,000.
Thecurrentfeestructuregeneratesanunevenrevenuestreamthatproducedaverage
annualrevenuesof$610,843fortheyears2011through2015.
TheCommission'stotalcostassociatedwithprojectreviewsrequiredbytheDelaware
RiverBasinCompactandDRBCregulationsisestimatedtoequal$1.15millionannually.
Thisestimatetakesintoconsiderationadministrativecostsavingsexpectedtoaccompany
implementationofthe
OneProcess/OnePermitProgram
recentlyauthorizedbytheCommission
throughitsadoptionoftheonepermitprogramrule.
DRBC'swatersupplychargesareusedtopaydebtservice,annualoperationand
maintenancecosts,andthecostsofrequiredimprovements,repairsandreplacementsassociated
withwatersupplystorageownedbytheCommissionintworeservoirsBlueMarshand
BeltzvillelocatedinPennsylvaniaandoperatedbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.
WatersupplychargesrevenuesalsosupportDRBCactivitiesrelatedtowatersupply
planningandoperations.DRBC'scurrentwatersupplychargesrates,ineffectsinceJanuary1,
2011,are$80permilliongallonsforconsumptiveuseand$0.80permilliongallonsfor
nonconsumptiveuse.
Thepreviousrates,$60permilliongallonsforconsumptiveuseand$0.60permillion
gallonsfornonconsumptiveuse,wereadoptedin1978andremainedunchangedformorethan
30years.DRBC'swatersupplychargesrevenueshavelaggedsignificantlybehindinflation.
Theproposedprojectreviewfeerestructuringincludes:forwastewaterdischarge
projects,eliminationofDRBCprojectreviewfeesforapplicationsthatundergocoordinated
reviewpursuanttotheOneProcess/OnePermitProgramandforwaterwithdrawalprojects,(1)
forthoseprojectsforwhichDRBCcontinuestoactasleadreviewagency,replacementofthe
currentfeestructurewithfeesbasedonmonthlywaterallocationlimitsand(2)forrenewals
subjecttocoordinatedreviewunderOneProcess/OnePermit,eliminationoftheprojectreview
fee.
DRBCissimultaneouslyproposinganAnnualMonitoringandCoordinationFeeforall
waterwithdrawalandwastewaterdischargeprojectssubjecttoDRBCreviewandapproval,
includingprojectsthatreceivepermitsfromasignatorypartyagencyundertheOneProcess/One
PermitProgram.
Theannualfeewillrangefrom$300to$1,000peryear,dependinguponthepermitted
dischargecapacityormonthlywaterallocation.ThefeeforDRBC'sreviewof''Other''
projectsthosethatinvolvenoongoingwithdrawalsordischargeswillcontinuetobe
calculatedonthebasisofprojectcost.
TheAnnualMonitoringandCoordinationFeewillnotapplytosuch''Other''projects.
IninstanceswheretheCommission'sactivitiesandrelatedcostsassociatedwiththe
reviewofanexistingorproposedprojectareexpectedtoinvolveextraordinarytimeand
expense,theExecutiveDirectorwillcontinueundertheproposedruletohavethediscretionto
imposeanAlternativeReviewFeeequaltotheCommission'sactualcosts.
Anannual,indexed,automaticinflationadjustmentisproposedformostprojectreview
fees.
Theproposedregulatoryprogramfeesstructureisexpectedtoprovideamorepredictable
andsustainablesourceofrevenuesandtohelpclosetheannualgapinfundingneededtosupport
DRBC'sprojectreviewprogram.
NoincreaseisproposedtoDRBC'scurrentwatersupplychargesrates,setforthat18
CFR420.41.However,anannual,indexed,automaticinflationadjustmentisproposed,
applicabletoboththeconsumptiveandnonconsumptiveuseratesforsurfacewater
withdrawals.
Formoreinformationandacopyoftheregulationchanges,visitDRBCs
WaterFee
Changes
webpage.
NortheastEnvironmentalPartnershipAwardNominationsDueJuly1
TheNortheastEnvironmentalPartnersareseekingnominationsforthe26thannual
Northeast
EnvironmentalPartnershipAwards
.NominationsarenowdueJuly1.
Nowinits26thyear,theregionallyacclaimedawardsprogrampaystributetothose
organizationsandindividualsofNortheasternPennsylvaniathathaveachievedenvironmental
protectionorconservationthroughpartneringwithothers.
ThisyearseventwillbeheldonOctober20attheWoodlandsInn&Resortin
WilkesBarre,Pa.,wheretherecipientsofthe2016EnvironmentalPartnershipAwards,the2016
ThomasP.ShelburneEnvironmentalLeadershipAward,andthe2016EmergingEnvironmental
LeaderAwardwillbehonored.
Theawardsareopentoanygroup,individual,company,program,ororganizationlocated
inNortheastPennsylvaniawhoseworkhashadapositiveimpactontheregionsenvironment.
Bypresentingtheseawards,theEnvironmentalPartnersNortheasternPennsylvania
Alliance,DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,DepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,
PAEnvironmentalCouncils
NortheastOffice,PPLCorporation,Procter&Gamble
PaperProductsCompany,andWilkesUniversityhopetoencourageothersinthecommunityto
emulatethemethodsandachievementsofthehonorees.
Thiseventhasbecomeoneofthemostanticipatedeventsontheregionalcalendar.Atthe
2015Dinner,morethan300peoplecametogethertosalutetheaccomplishmentsofthe
awardees.
TheAwards:ABriefHistory
TheannualEnvironmentalPartnershipAwardswereestablishedin1990,asanEarthDay
projectoftheNortheasternPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalPartners.Inthetimesince,theyhave
becomeahighlycovetedhonor.
Theirintentnow,asitwasthen,istosalutethosewhobringdiversegroupsand
individualstogethertosolveproblemsofcommoninterestandtorecognizethosewhouse
partneringastheirprimarymethodtoachieveenvironmentalprogress.
In1995,thePartnersestablishedtheThomasP.ShelburneEnvironmentalLeadership
AwardandpresentedittoTom,posthumously.Mr.Shelburnewasahighlyrespectedcommunity
leader,whodevotedhimself,overfourdecades,totheprotectionandimprovementof
Pennsylvaniasenvironment.
Eachyear,thisawardhonorsanindividualwho,likeTom,hasdevotedalargepartof
his/herlifetoenvironmentalprotection,andwho,overthelongterm,hasproventobean
inspiringleaderandachampionofpartnering.
In2012,thePartnersestablishedtheEmergingEnvironmentalLeaderAward.Thisaward
honorsastudentwhodemonstratesyoungenvironmentalleadership,creativity,anddedicationto
inspireotherstoadoptsimilaractionstoprotecttheenvironment.
TheannualEveningforNortheasternPennsylvaniasEnvironment,atwhichtheawards
arepresented,hasgrownfromasmallgatheringontheWilkesUniversityCommons,toanevent
knownstatewide.
Eachyear,theEveningbringstogetherhundredsofpeoplewhoshareastrongand
personalinterestintheenvironment.
ClickHere
foralistofpastawardwinners.
Tonominateanindividualororganization,visitthe
NortheastEnvironmentalPartnership
Award
webpage.
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
StudentsFromDickinson,Gettysburg,Haverford,LafayetteSelectedForEPAFellowships
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencythisweekannouncedtwostudentsfrom
Lafayette
College
inEaston,NorthamptonCounty,onestudent
HaverfordCollege
inDelawareCounty,
onestudent
GettysburgCollege
inAdamsCounty,andtwostudentsfrom
DickinsonCollege
in
Carlisle,CumberlandCountywillreceiveEPA
GreaterResearchOpportunitiesFellowships
to
supportenvironmentalstudies.
FromDickinson:CarolineKanaskie,anenvironmentalsciencemajorandKeziah
GrothTuft,asocialsciencemajor,willeachreceivea$50,000GROFellowship.
Kanaskiewillusethisfundingtocontinueherresearchontheimpactsofcitizenscience
projectsandGrothTuftwillusethefundingtostudyhowinternationalcommunitiesare
impactedbywaterpollutionandlimitedwaterresources.
FromGettysburg:MicaelaEdelson,aneconomicsstudent,willreceivea$50,000GRO
Fellowship,toconductresearchonthepotentialrisksthatagriculturalmigrantworkersfacefrom
pesticides.
FromHaverford:HannahKrohn,apoliticalsciencemajorwithapassionforthe
environment,willreceivea$39,500fellowshiptoexploreenvironmentalpolicyandtoexamine
howsoundsciencecanbeusedforfuturelegislativedecisions.
FromLafayette:RachelElias,achemicalengineeringmajorandAlizaFurneaux,an
environmentalsciencemajor,willeachreceivea$50,000GROFellowship.
Eliaswillusethisfundingforresearchonoptimizingtheuseofbiodieselenginesin
colderclimatesandFurneauxwillusethefundingforresearchontheimpactsofnitrogenasa
pollutant.
Withthehelpofthisfunding,undergraduatescanexploretheirpassioninenvironmental
scienceandcultivatetheirresearchskills,saidEPAMidAtlanticRegionalAdministrator
ShawnM.Garvin.EPAknowstoday'sstudentsaretomorrow'senvironmentalscientistsand
engineerswhowillleadthewayinprotectinghumanhealthandtheenvironment.
Thefellowshipprovidesamaximumof$50,000foruptotwoyearstoeachstudentanda
summerinternshipatanEPAfacilitywherestudentscanworkalongsideEPAsengineersand
scientists.
Thesestudentsarepursuingdegreesinenvironmentalscienceandotherrelatedfields,
includingengineering,environmentalhealth,andthephysicalsciences.
Sinceitsinceptionin1981,theGROFellowshipprogramhasawardedmorethan$13
millioninfundingtonearly400students.Thisyear,fellowshipswereawardedto34
undergraduatestudentsat28collegesanduniversitiesacrossthenation.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAs
GROFellows
and
GROProgram
webpages.
NewsClips:
DelawareCountyCommunityCollegeToTrainStudentsForNaturalGasJobs
EnvironmentalQualityBoardMeetsJune21OnFinalAirQuality,ColiformRegs
The
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
isscheduledtomeetonfinalairqualityregulationsdealing
withvolatileorganicemissionsandfinaldrinkingwaterregulationssettingrevisedcoliform
standards.Theregulationsinclude
FinalVOCRegulationsCoveringSurfaceCoatingProcess
FinalVOCRegulationsCoveringVehicleAssemblyCoatingOperations
FinalRevisedTotalColiformRule
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingstartingat9:00
a.m.
ThenextscheduledmeetingoftheEQBisJuly19.
Formoreinformationandavailablehandouts,visitthe
webpageorcontactLauraEdingerbycalling7177723277orsendemailto:
edinger@pa.gov
.

DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilToGetOverviewOfChesapeakeBayWatershedSampling
DEPs
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meetsonJune21tohearapresentationfromtheU.S.G.S.on
its
waterqualitysamplingprogramintheChesapeakeBayWatershed
.
AlsoontheagendaisapresentationfromDEPonits
LegacyWellClimateEmissions
Study
.
DEPprovidedCouncilwithits
monthlyreportonactionsandactivities
.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00
a.m.
ClickHere
tojointhemeetingbywebinar.
ThenextscheduledmeetingoftheCACisJuly19.
Formoreinformationandavailablehandouts,visitDEPs
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
webpageorcontactKatieHetheringtonCunferbycalling7177052693orsendemailto:
khethering@pa.gov
.
InsuranceCommissionerUpdatesBoroughsOnFloodInsuranceIssue
InsuranceCommissionerTeresaMillerMondayupdatedboroughleadersfromacross
PennsylvaniaontheWolfAdministration'ssupportfor
privatemarketfloodinsurance
and
encouragedboroughofficialstotakethisinformationtotheirconstituentstohelphomeowners
savemoneyandpreservepropertyvalues.
"Iencourageboroughofficialstojoinusinmakinginformationonfloodcoverage
availabletotheirconstituents,tohelphomeownersfindthecoveragethatbestsuitstheirneedsat
thelowestcost,"CommissionerMillersaid."Thisisanimportantissueforboroughleaders,as
loweringpropertyvaluescanimpacttheamountofrevenueavailabletoprovideimportant
communityservices,suchaspoliceandfireprotection,snowremoval,andstreetmaintenance."
Inaspeechtothe
PAStateAssociationofBoroughs
attheirannualconferencein
Hershey,CommissionerMillerbriefedboroughleadersonherdepartment'srecentcreationofa
onestop
webpageforfloodinsurance
.
ThiswebpageincludescontactinformationforbothinsurerslicensedinPennsylvania
whoarenowsellingprivateresidentialfloodcoverage,andcompanieslicensedelsewhereselling
thiscoveragethroughwhatisknownassurpluslinesinsurance.
Priorto2013,residentialfloodinsurancewassoldalmostexclusivelythroughthefederal
governmentrunNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP).Underthisprogram,higherrisk
propertiesreceivedsubsidiestokeeptheirpremiumslower.
However,dueinparttooverwhelmingclaimsfromHurricaneKatrinaandSuperstorm
Sandy,theNFIPhasfallenapproximately$24billionindebt.ThisledCongresstopassalaw
phasingoutsubsidies,leadingtorisingpremiumsformanyhomeowners.
CommissionerMillernotedthatatthesametimesubsidiesarebeingphasedout,the
FederalEmergencyManagementAgencyremappedthecountry,using100yearflood
projections,placingmanypropertiesinfloodzonesthatwerenottherepreviously.
Homesinfederallydesignatedfloodzoneswithmortgagesbackedbythefederal
governmentarerequiredtohavefloodinsurance,meaningmanyhomeownersnowmust
purchasefloodcoveragewhoneverneededitbefore.
"ThecombinationofrisingpremiumsforNFIPinsurance,andmanyhomeownersbeing
mappedintofloodzoneswhohaverarelyorneverexperiencedflooding,isbringingprivate
insurersintotheresidentialfloodinsurancemarketforthefirsttime,"CommissionerMillersaid.
"Wearefinding,inmanycases,comparableprivatecoverageisavailableforsignificantlylower
costthanNFIPinsurance."
Forexample,CommissionerMillerfoundthatinoneinstance,ahomeownerinDauphin
Countywhohadownedhishomefor17yearsandneverexperiencedsignificantflooding,was
notifiedbyhisbankthathehadbeenmappedintoafloodzone,andnowneededfloodinsurance.
NFIPinsurancewouldhavecostthishomeowner$2,700ayear,buthewasabletofind
privatecoverageforjust$718annually.
Inanothercase,ahomeownerinCarbonCountytoldherlocalnewspapermuchofher
communityhadbeenremappedintoafloodzone,andaneighboringproperty,appraisedfive
yearsagoat$110,000,soldforjust$45,000,duetothehighcostoffloodinsurance.
HomeownerscanappealafloodzonedesignationtoFEMA.
Thehomeownermustshowthatthelowestadjacentgradetotheirhomeorthelowest
groundthatactuallytouchesthestructureisabovethebaseelevationtowhichwateris
projectedtoriseinthe100yearfloodprojectionusedtocreatethefloodzonemap.
Thepropertyownermustfiletheappeal,andlikelywouldneedtohireaprofessional
geologistorsurveyortodeterminewhetherthedesignationisaccurate.
However,amunicipalitycanassistahomeownerorgroupofhomeownerswithpreparing
theappeal.
Itisimportanttonotethatprivateinsurancemaynotbeavailableforhigherrisk
properties.Also,ahomeownerwhonowhasNFIPcoveragewithasubsidyandmovestoprivate
insurance,willlikelynotbeeligibleforasubsidyshouldthecoverageswitchbacktoNFIP.
Federalgrantsforfloodmitigationwork,suchasraisingahomeonstilts,arecurrently
onlyavailableforpropertiescoveredbyNFIPplans.
Formoreinformation,visittheInsuranceDepartments
FloodInsurance
webpagefor
moreinformation.
NewsClips:
DownpoursFloodRoadsInWesternPA
LigonierBasementsSaturatedByFlashFlood
LawmakersToFEMA:FloodPlanOverhaulTooLittle,TooLate
MayfieldFloodplainExpansionMayNegativelyAffectPropertyOwners
LuzerneAuthorityStillTallyingWyomingLeveeFeeHike
RedCrossOffersAidAfterCentralPAFloods
TornadoTouchedDownInWarrenCountySunday
PAInsuranceCommissioner:HomeownerTipsOnSevereWeatherPreparation
InsuranceCommissionerTeresaMillerThursdayofferedadvicetohelpconsumersstayprepared
astemperaturesriseandseveredestructivestormsbecomemorefrequent.
"Stronganddamagingstormscanappearatrandomduringthesummermonths,"said
CommissionerMiller."Whileyoucan'talwayscontrolastorm'simpactonyourproperty,you
cantakestepstoprotectyourselfandbepreparedtoactquicklyifdamageoccurs."
CommissionerMillerrecentlyissuedaconsumeralertoutliningthestepsaconsumercan
taketogetaheadofpotentialstormdamageandeasetherecoveryprocess,shoulditbe
necessary.Consumersarestronglyencouragedtofollowthesestepsandtaketimetoplanahead
beforethesummer'ssevereweatherbecomesmorefrequent.
Homeownersshouldreviewtheirinsurancepoliciessotheyknowwhatisorisn'tcovered
ifdamageoccursduringastorm.TheNationalAssociationofInsuranceCommissioners(NAIC)
adviseshomeowners
toinsuretheirpropertyatreplacementvalueratherthanactualcashvalue,
whichmaynotbeenoughtocoverextensiverepairsorafullreplacement.
Consumersshouldmaintainaninventoryofpersonalproperty,especiallyvaluables,so
informationisreadyiftheyneedtobeinvolvedinaclaim.Makenoteofbrandname,pricepaid,
dateofpurchase,makeandmodel,andserialnumberswheneverpossible.
Photosofitemsbeforedamagecanalsohelptheinsurancecompanyaccessyourclaim,
andalwaysbeawareoflimitsinyourpolicythatcouldimpactclaimsonexpensiveitems.If
necessary,additionalcoveragecanbepurchasedforthoseitems.
CommissionerMilleralsoremindedconsumersthatflooddamageisnotcoveredbya
typicalhomeownersinsurancepolicy.
FloodinsurancemaybeobtainedthroughtheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram(NFIP),
whichisadministeredbytheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency,orthroughaprivate
broker.
Moreinformationon
floodinsurance
canbefoundontheInsuranceDepartment's
website.
Ifyourentyourhouseorapartment,youshouldcontactaninsuranceagentaboutrenters
insurance.Asatenant,yourlandlord'shomeownersinsurancewillnotcoveryourpersonal
belongings,soitisimportantthatyoupurchaseapolicytoprotectyourpersonalbelongingsfrom
anydamagethatmayoccur.Makesuretomaintainaninventoryofwhatiscoveredbythe
rentersinsurancepolicy.
Ifdamagedoesoccur,contactyourinsurancecompanyimmediatelytoreportyourloss
andbegintheclaimsprocess.Makesuretodocumentdamageorlosswithphotographsorvideo
beforebeginningtocleanup.
Ifyourcarisdamagedbyhailordebrisfromthestorm,makesuretoreportthistoyour
autoinsurancecompany.Damagebynatureistypicallycoveredunderacomprehensive
coveragepolicy.
"Documentinganystormdamagetoyourhomeorpropertyisextremelyimportant,"said
CommissionerMiller."Thiscanhelpyouprovidethemostdetailedandaccuraterepresentation
ofthestorm'simpacttoyourinsurancecompanyandwillassistintheclaimsprocess."
Claimsshouldbefiledwithyourinsurancecompanyassoonaspossibleasyour
insurancecompanymayhaveatimelimitforwhenyouneedtofileaclaim.Besuretotakesteps
topreventfurtherdamagetoyourhomeandpropertybymakinganynecessarytemporaryrepairs
ifthehomeisstillsafetoinhabit.Yourinsurancecompanytypicallyreimbursesthesecostsas
partofyourclaim.
CommissionerMilleralsoremindedconsumerstobecautiouswhenselectinga
contractortocompleterepairs.Requestlicensinginformationandreferences,andyoushouldget
importantinformationlikeestimatesinwritingbeforeallowingworktobegin.Donotsignwitha
contractorbeforetheinsurancecompany'sclaimsadjusterhasexaminedtheproperty.
Formoreinformationonhomeownersinsuranceandsevereweatherpreparation,visitthe
DepartmentofInsurance
SevereWeather
webpageorcall18778816388.
NewsClips:
June14HearingOnGroundwaterContaminationRemediationPlanInFranklinCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillhostapublichearingJune14onthe
reopeningoftheadministrativerecordandrevisiontothestatementofdecisiontoextenda
publicwaterlinetohomesinWashingtonTownshipaffectedbygroundwatercontamination.
Thehearingwilltakeplacefrom7:00p.m.to9:00p.m.attheWashingtonTownship
MunicipalBuilding,13013WeltyRoad,Waynesboro,PA.
DEPisrevisingitsinitialdecisiontoconnecthomesaffectedbygroundwater
contaminatedbytrichloroethylene(TCE)andperchloroethylene(PCE)inexcessoffivepartsper
billion.
ThehomesarealongWeltyRoadbetweenAnthonyHighwayandHollengreenDrive,
twohomesonLyonsRoad,andoneonAnthonyHighway.
Thesourceofthecontaminationisstillbeingdetermined.DEPspriorityisensuring
accesstocleandrinkingwaterfortheaffectedresidents.
TheinitialresponseplancalledforthehomestobeconnectedtotheWashington
Townshippublicwatersystem.However,theactualcostestimatefortheprojectwasnearlyfour
timestheinitialestimateof$350,000.
DEPsrevisedplancallsforawaterlineextensiontoallbuttwohomes,whichwill
receiveindividualpointofentrytreatmentsystems.Bottledwaterwillcontinuetobesupplied
untilallremediationworkhasbeencompleted.
Thepurposeofthehearingwillbetotaketestimonyrelatedtothismatterfromthe
public.ConcernedcitizenswhowishtooffertestimonycanpreregisterbynotifyingJohn
Repetz,CommunityRelationsCoordinatorbysendingemailto:
jrepetz@pa.gov
.
Writtencommentsandtestimonywillbeaccepteduntil4:00p.m.onJune22.Those
commentscanbeaddressedtoSteveDeMars,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton
Avenue,Harrisburg,PA17110orbyemailto:
sdemars@pa.gov
.
VotingBeginsJune13ForYourFavoriteGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideo
Yourhelpisneededtochoosethewinnersofthe4ndAnnualGreatAmericanCleanupofPA
VideoContest.FromJune13toJune23Likeyourfavoritesonthe
KeepPABeautifuls
Facebook
page.
The
GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
ismorethanjustthenumberofvolunteers,pounds
oftrashcollected,oreventreesplanted,saidShannonReiter,presidentofKeepPABeautiful.
Itsaboutourcommunitystoryandwhatkindofstorywewanttotellourchildren,family,
friendsandneighbors.
Thiscontestbringsthesestoriestolifeandthisyearsentriestellamazingtalesof
partnerships,resilience,andinnovation.Frommiddleschoolersraisingfundsforclassroom
recyclingeffortstoselfproclaimedriverratsfightingfortheislandstheylovewecouldntbe
morepleasedtosharethesestoriesthroughthevideocontest,saidReiter.Weareanxiousto
seewhoischosenasthisyearswinnerandcongratulateandthankallofthisyearsstorytellers.
ThankyouforsharinginourmissionandvisionofacleanandbeautifulPennsylvania!
KeepPABeautifulreceived11entriesthatarerepresentativeofthediversegrassroots
networkthatparticipatesintheGreatAmericanCleanupofPA.
WinnerswillbeannouncedJune24thonFacebook.Sospreadthewordgetyour
friends,familymembersandcolleaguestoVOTEforyourfavoritevideo.
Cashprizes,sponsoredbythePAWasteIndustriesAssociation,are$200forthewinning
entryand$100eachfortworunnersup.
AdditionalsponsorsforthevideocontestareKeepPABeautifulandtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection.
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
NewsClip:
PARecyclingMarketsCenterSurvey:6.8MillionTubeTVs,CRTsInPAToBeRecycled
The
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
Fridayreleasedtheresults
ofasurveyshowingthereareabout6.8milliontubeTVsand
CRTmonitorswithanestimatedweightof396million
poundsremaininginPennsylvaniathatwillatsomepoint
needtoberecycledthroughanelectronicswasterecycling
program.
Thatnumberisactuallydownfromanestimated8.2
milliontubeTVsandCRTmonitorsfroma2015survey.
Thesurveyalsofoundthereareatotalofabout694
millionelectronicdevicescomputers,printers,ereaders,
tablets,laptops,smartphones,etc.weighingabout1billionpoundsintheCommonwealththat
couldbeavailableforrecyclinginthecomingyears.
TheCenterssurveysaidonly32collectionsitesstatewideacceptallcoveredelectronic
devicesatnochargetotheconsumerforrecycling.
Partofthesurveyalsolookedatpublicawarenessofelectronicswasterecycling,finding
LessthanhalfofPennsylvanians44.4percentknowwheretorecycleelectronics
65percentofPennsylvaniansarewillingtotravel10milesorlesstorecycleelectronicsand
50percentofPennsylvaniansreportedtheydonotwanttopayanythingtorecycletheir
electronics.
CenterAnalysis
ThePARecyclingMarketsCenterofferedtheseobservationsfromthesurveyresultsand
itsotherworkontheelectronicswasterecyclingissue
Withfewnochargecollectionsitesacrossthestatethatacceptallelectronicsspecified
inPennsylvaniasrecyclinglaw,therelativelyshortdistancethepubliciswillingtotraveland
halfofPennsylvaniansnotwillingtoacceptanelectronicsrecyclingcharge,electronics
recyclingischallengingatbest.
Itisimportanttoknowthissurveydidnotdefineconsumerintentanddoesnotaccount
forwhenaPennsylvanianmaychoosetorecycletheirelectronicdevice,itmaybethisyearor
anyothertimeinthefuture.
Withlimitedlocationsthatarereasonablyaccessibleforrecoveryofleadglasscomputer
monitorsandtubeTVsandwithsignificantamountsoftheseandnewerelectronicsinour
recycling,itiseasilydemonstratedwhyPennsylvanianeedsaconsolidatedelectronicsrecycling
law.
Unfortunately,underPennsylvaniasCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct,Act108of2010,
consumeroutletsforrecyclingofwasteelectronicscontinuestodecline.
AccordingtoPennsylvaniaRecyclingMarketsCenter2016findings,only32collection
sitesstatewideacceptallcoveredelectronicdevicesatnochargetotheconsumerasspecifiedin
theAct.
Whatisneededtofindasolutionthatprovidesrelieftothiseconomy?Weofferafew
ideastoconsider:
Aconsolidated,specificlaw,thatisnotdeeplylayered,thatdoesnotleadtointerpretation
Fair,competitive,andbalancedcriteriaforestablishingandsustainingcollection,
transportation,andrecoveryofelectronics
ExpandedoptionsformanagementoftubeTVandcomputermonitorleadcontainingglass
Requirereportingdetailsthatallowfordatatrackingandtrendanalysis,suchthatbusiness
forecastingandscientificreviewcanbedoneand
Offersound,organized,infrastructuresuchthatadisposalbanofelectronicswasteisnotaban
withoutaplan.
BackgroundOnTheIssue
OnMay9,Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),theoriginalsponsoroftheCoveredDevice
RecyclingAct,
introducedHouseBill1900withsomepotentialfixes
totheewasterecycling
program.
OnMarch30,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedachangeinpolicy
sayingitwould
allowelectronicswasterecyclerstochargeconsumersafee
forrecycling,aslong
asthematerialcollecteddidnotcounttowardthemandatedrecyclingprogramsestablishedin
theCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct.
OnMarch21theJointHouseSenateLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControland
ConservationCommitteeheldapublichearing
ontheissuewherealmostallwitnessesagreedthe
statesElectronicsWasteRecyclingProgramhasallbutcollapsed.
AlsoinMarch,KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
launchedanewwebsite
www.eWastePA.org
toeducatethepublicontheirelectronicwasterecyclingoptions.
The
PAResourcesCouncilurgedthepublictocalllegislators
inFebruaryencouraging
themtokeepfreeandconvenientaccesstoelectronicswasteapriority.
InFebruary,KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
wrotetoeverymemberoftheHouseand
Senate
saying2016couldseerecordbreakingdumpingofelectronicswastebecausefree
recyclingoptionsaresimplynotavailable.
InJanuary,theElectronicsRecyclingAssociationofPAissuedacallforactiontomake
changestotheelectronicswasterecyclinglawsayingtheexistingprogram
isbrokenand
shrinkingdramatically
.
Todate,noactionhasbeentakenbyeithertheHouseorSenateonpotentialfixesfor
Pennsylvaniaselectronicswasterecyclingprogram.
Formoreinformationontheexistingewasterecyclingprogram,visitDEPs
Covered
DeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
NoShortageOfAllentownWasteDisposalAlternatives
KeystoneLandfillZoningChallengeReachesCourt
TimeRunningOutToRegisterForPROPsRecycling&OrganicsConferenceJuly2729
Timeisrunningout,thereisonly6weeksremaininguntilthe
ProfessionalRecyclersof
Pennsylvanias
26th
AnnualRecyclingandOrganicsConference
,beingheldJuly27th29that
theBestWesternPremier,Harrisburg.
AttendeeswillbeabletolearnabouttheNewHorizonsforHarrisburgCreatingaClean
CityfromtheGroundUp,SingleStream,LitterManagement,RecyclingMarkets,21stCentury
MaterialsManagement,NextGenerationMaterials,NewECyclingOpportunities,TheOther
RReUse,aswellasLegislativeupdates,andupdatesfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection.
ClickHere
forthefullschedule.
Ofcoursetherewillbethe
AnnualFilmFestival
(deadlineforentriesJuly8),aJam
sessiononthepatio,TriviaNight,andofcourseCertificationclasses,preconferenceaswellas
severalopportunitiestoacquirecontinuingeducationunitsduringtheconference.
LetusnotforgetthatwewillhaveexhibitorsfromacrossPennsylvaniaaswellasaround
thecountryandCanadaavailabletoshowyouwhatisnewandhowtomakethemostoutofyour
programswiththeirproducts.
PROPalsohas
opportunitiestosponsorsessionsandplenaries
,aswellasotheritemsat
theconference,suchasmealsandnetworkingevents.PROPisaccepting
adsfortheconference
booklet
throughJune24.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,visitPROPs
Recycling&OrganicsConference
webpage.
NewsClips:
PAResourcesCouncilJuneNewsletterNowAvailable
TheJuneedition
ofthe
PAResourcesCouncil
newsletterisnowavailablefeaturingstories
on
FarmersMarketOffersNewRecycling
OptionsInNewtownSquare
GreenFilmScreeningInPittsburgh
ContinuesJune17
PittsburghMarathonSetsWasteReductionRecord
June18ReuseFestWin/WinInPittsburgh
JoinTheTeam!PRCEmploymentOpportunities
ClickHere
forPRCsCalendarofEvents/Workshops
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ShellToBuildEthanePlantInBeaver,CouldQualifyFor$1.8BillionStateTaxCredit
RoyalDutchShellannouncedTuesday
itwillbuildanethanecrackerpetrochemicalplantin
BeaverCounty,potentiallyqualifyingfora$1.8billionstatetaxcreditover28years.
In2012,the
GeneralAssemblypassedandGov.Corbett
signedintolaw
HouseBill761
whichcreatedanewResourceManufacturingTaxCreditworthuptoabout$66millionperyear
over28yearsstartinginDecemberof2016andendinginDecemberof2044.
Thetaxcreditisequalto5centspergallonofethanepurchasedandusedin
manufacturingethyleneintheCommonwealth.
Toqualifyforthetaxcredit,acompanymustinvestatleast$1billioninafacility,create
atleast2,500fulltimeequivalentjobsduringconstructionandmeetotherrequirements.
Reaction
Gov.TomWolf
releasedthisstatementinreaction:Overthepastfouryears,the
CommonwealthofPennsylvaniahasworkedwithRoyalDutchShelltofinalizeplansto
constructanethanecrackerplantinWesternPennsylvania,andthismorningIwasnotifiedthat
Shellhastakenthefinalsteptomoveaheadwiththisgamechangingplantandcreatethousands
ofjobsinPennsylvania.
TheCommonwealthbeganitseffortsonthisprojectin2012,andIwouldliketothank
formerGovernorTomCorbettandhisSecretaryofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentC.
AlanWalkerforalloftheireffortstobringtheplanttoWesternPennsylvania.
Sincefirsttakingoffice,IhaveworkedinclosecollaborationwithmySecretaryof
CommunityandEconomicDevelopmentDennisDavin,thePittsburghRegionalAlliance,local
officialsinWesternPennsylvania,andRoyalDutchShelltomaketheproposedplantareality.
Thecommonwealthengagedthecompanywiththegoalofcreatingjobs,spurringeconomic
development,andtakingthenextstepstoconnecttheenergyindustrywithlongterm,
sustainableeconomicgrowth.
Myadministrationiscommittedtocreatingjobsintheenergyindustrythrough
responsible,wellregulatedextractionandlongterm,creativeindustrialgrowth.Wehave
workedtodevelopstrategiesforsafeandresponsiblepipelinedevelopmentthatbringsresources
tomarketsandfacilitiesandwehaveprioritizedtheShellplanttoshowtheworldthat
Pennsylvaniaisaleaderinenergymanufacturinganddownstreamproduction.
Thesuccessofthisprojectispartofamuchneeded,longertermplantotranslateour
abundantresourcestomakePennsylvaniaaleaderindownstreamproduction.Thecommitment
oftheShellcrackerplantinWesternPennsylvaniaisanimportantsteptowardthisgoal.
Thiscriticaleffortspannedfouryears,andtwoadministrations,andtodayIwantto
congratulateallofthoseinvolved,includingbothRepublicanandDemocraticofficials,and
thankRoyalDutchShellforprovidingthisuniqueandexcitingeconomicdevelopment
opportunitytothepeopleofWesternPennsylvania.
SpeakeroftheHouseMikeTurzai(RAllegheny)
issuedthisstatement:Wehave
consistentlysaidthatthefocusondevelopingnaturalgasshouldbeonusageinourstate,said
Turzai.WeapplaudShellforitsdecisiontobuildinBeaverCounty,andweareverypleased
thatAct85of2012hasledtothisfinaldevelopment.
WehaveneededaprogrowthenergypolicyinPennsylvaniaonethatbrings
familysustainingjobstoourCommonwealth,affordableenergypricesforourconsumersanda
realopportunitytobringenergyindependencetoournation,saidTurzai.
MarcellusShaleCoalition
presidentDavidSpigelmyer
releasedthefollowing
statement:Shellsdecisiontomoveforwardwiththisworldclassfacility,whichwillput
thousandstoworkacrossourregionthroughutilizingcleanburningdomesticnaturalgasfor
decadestocome,iswelcomednews,especiallygiventhechallengingmarketconditions.
Thisinvestmentalsoreflectsthatfactthatdomesticmanufacturingspotentialisnear
limitlessthankstoourabundantandstableenergysuppliesfromnaturalgas.
Welookforwardtocontinuingtoworkcloselywithourmembercompany,Shell,and
countlessotherstakeholdersincludinglocalbusinessesaswellasbuildingandconstruction
tradesthatwillmakethisjobcreatingfacilityanditseconomicbenefitsarealityfortheregion
andtheCommonwealth.
NewsClips:
ShellMovesAheadWithEthanePlantInBeaverCounty
ShellSaysMarcellusCrackerIsAGo
ShellDecisionOnEthanePlantMeansNextEraToBeginInWesternPA
AP:ShellCommitsToPAPetrochemicalPlant
ShellToBuild$6BillionEthaneCrackerInPA
ShellAnnouncesPlantWithHelpOf$66MTaxCredit
NotEveryonePraisingShellsDecisionToBuildEthanePlant
2YearsTooLate,ButCorbettAccomplishesHisGoals
TaxIncentivePlanPlayedMajorRoleInLuringShellPlant
ShellPlantToProvide600JobsWhenItOpens
WorkforceReadiesForShellPlantConstruction
PittsburghAirportEyesExpansionFromShell,WestinghouseDeal
ONeill:NoShellGame,CrackerPlantWillDeliver
Editorial:ShellPlant,ANewRenaissance?
Editorial:ShellPlantIsAGreatBoon
Editorial:StatePlaysShellGameWithTaxesOnEthanePlant
PennState:WebsiteExploresRuralImpactsOfMarcellusGasDevelopment
Anewwebsiteisgivingpeopleinrural
Pennsylvaniaandbeyond
hightechtoolstolearnaboutMarcellus
Shalegasdevelopmentintheir
backyards.
Thewebsite,
Marcellusby
Design
,introducessomeofthecomplex
issuessurroundingtheindustrysdevelopment,andthroughinteractivegamesandother
resources,showsthatcommunitiescanplayaroleintheprocess.
PennStateresearcherswilltakethenewtechnologytoruralcommunitiesacrossthestate
thissummeraspartof"MarcellusMatters:EngagingAdultsinScienceandEnergy,"alarger
projectthatseekstoboostscientificliteracyamongadults.
Ourwholeprojectisgearedtowardgivingcommunitymemberstheknowledgethey
needtounderstandtheycanhaveimpactswithintheircommunitiesasfarasdevelopment
issues,saidTerryNoll,projectcoordinatorandaresearcherinPennStates
Earthand
EnvironmentalSystemsInstitute
.
Nollandherteamhavecrisscrossedthestatehostingdiscussions,lessonsandfieldtrips
sincetheprojectstartedin2012witha$2.5milliongrantfromtheNationalScienceFoundation.
Now,withthewebsite,theycanreachmorepeoplethanever.
Wewantedtocreateadigitalrecord,saidTimothyMurtha,aPennStatelandscape
architectureprofessorandamemberoftheMarcellusMattersproject.Therearecommunitiesin
Pennsylvaniawehaventhadachancetoworkwith,orotherplacesintheU.S.,thatcanlookat
theplanningthattookplaceandsomeofthecreativeideasourstudentshad.
Thewebsite,developedbyMurthaandBrianOrland,aformerPennStateprofessornow
attheUniversityofGeorgia,isbasedpartlyontheworkofPennStatelandscapearchitecture
students.
Theirworkseekstoshowcommunitiestheenvironmental,economic,sociologicaland
aestheticfactorsthatgointoplanningforenergydevelopment,andhowtoweightheseissues
andmakeinformeddecisionsabouttheirland.
Weengagedinaseriesofdesignstudiesinlandscapearchitectureandaskedstudentsto
engagecommunitiesaboutthingstheyfoundtobeimportantintheirlandscapeinthecontextof
change,Murthasaid.Thestudentsdevelopedbroadmasterplanningideaslikehowto
reconcilewonderslikethePennsylvaniaWildsandtheenergyindustrysneedfornaturalgas
extraction.
Basedontheseconversations,thestudentscreateddetailedstorymapsthatexaminehow
Marcellusdevelopmentaffectedspecificcommunities.Thestoriesexaminehowdevelopment
affectseverythingfromtourismtowaterquality.
Alsoincludedonthewebsiteareinteractivegames,ahistoryofenergyindustriesin
Pennsylvania,andinterviewswithdiversestakeholdersinnaturalgasdevelopment,likewell
workers,environmentaladvocatesandcountyplanners.
Forus,itwashowtogetasmuchinformationfromasmanystakeholdersaspossible
andbringittogetherandillustrateittothecommunity,Murthasaid.Landscapeplanningis
morethanwheretoputawellhead.Therearelotsoffactors.
Nollsaidpeoplewhoattendherworkshopsareoftensurprisedbyhowmanyvariables
therearewhenmakinglandscapedecisionsaboutgasdevelopment.Thewebsite,withits
interactivegamesandotherresources,areagoodstarttoputtingthepuzzletogether,shesaid.
Idontthinkpeopleunderstandthatcommunitiescanstatetheirdesires,Nollsaid.
Theycanworkwithgascompaniestofindwhatshopefullybeneficialtobothparties.Wewant
themtounderstandthattheycanprovideinputduringtheprocess.
Formoreinformation,visitPennStates
MarcellusbyDesign
website.
NewsClip:
NewWebsiteExploresImpactsOfMarcellusGasDevelopment

ShaleInsightConferenceSupportedByNewRegionalOil&GasPartnership
The
MarcellusShaleCoalition
,theOhioOilandGasAssociationandtheWestVirginiaOiland
NaturalGasAssociation,arepleasedtoannounceajointpartnershiptohostthesixthannual
SHALEINSIGHTConference
.
ThisindustryleadingeventwilltakeplaceintheheartoftheMarcellusandUticashale
gasplaysonSeptember21and22attheDavidL.LawrenceConventionCenterinPittsburgh.
"Bypartneringwithkeyregionaltradegroupsinthreeofthetopenergyproducingstates
inthenation,SHALEINSIGHT2016issuretobethepremierindustryconferencethisyear,and
willfurtherenhancetheconference'sprogrammingbyhighlightingthechallengesand
opportunitiesintheAppalachianBasin,presentinggreatervaluetoattendees,"saidMSC
presidentDavidSpigelmyer."TheSHALEINSIGHTconferencehasbeenattheforefrontof
showcasingemergingtrends,especiallyrelatedtotechnologiesandbestpractices,whilebringing
togetherthoughtleaders,topexecutivesaswellaspublicofficialstodiscussandofferimpactful
analysis."
Thefocusofthisyear'sconferenceisthenextphaseoftheshalerevolutionandwill
emphasizeenduseandconnectingthemarketplacethroughinfrastructure.
Theconferencewillfeaturekeynotepresentations,aninteractiveandrobustexhibitfloor,
tailoredpaneldiscussions,theTechnologyShowcaseandaNaturalGasUseMarketplace,which
allpresentnetworkingopportunitiesforattendees.
"Thisisatremendousopportunitytoshowcaseourregion,andwe'reexcitedtobe
collaboratingwiththeMSCandWVONGAthisyearforSHALEINSIGHT,"saidOOGA
executivevicepresidentShawnBennett."Whileourindustrycontinuestofacesignificant
challenges,thecurrentandfutureprospectsfortheAppalachianBasinremainverypromising.
Thisconferencecreatesanimportantforumtoexchangeideas,sharebestpracticesandheighten
thedialoguearoundcommonsenseenergypolicies,andwe'regladtobepartofitscontinued
success."
Inadditiontoseveralkeynotepresentations,theconferencewillfeaturedailyeducational
sessionsexploringvarioustechnicalandpublicaffairsrelatedtopics.
"AnumberofenergyproducersaswellassuppliersandvendorsacrossAppalachiaare
activeinmorethanonestate,sothiscombinedeffortabsolutelyaddsvalueforattendees,"said
WVONGAexecutivedirectorCorkyDeMarco."We'reveryeagertocontributetotheconference
andlookforwardtoworkingalongsideourregionalpartnertradegroupstomakethisyear's
eventworthwhileforallinvolved."
Registrationisnowopen,offeringspecialmemberandearlybirdrates.Avarietyof
sponsorshipsofferingcomprehensiveentitlementsareavailable,includinggeneralsession
presentations,luncheons,networkingeventsandotherbrandingandmarketingopportunities.
TalenEnergyToCoFireMontourPowerPlantWithNaturalGas,Coal
TalenEnergyCorporation
Tuesday
announcedithascompletedafeasibility
assessmentrelatedtobringingnaturalgasto
the
Montourplant
inMontourCountyand
installingboilermodificationstoenableadualfuel,alsoknownascofiring,capabilityto
operateoncoal,naturalgasorincombination.
Engineeringanddesignworkisalreadyinprogressand,basedonobtainingallnecessary
permittingandregulatoryapproval,theanticipatedcompletiondateisthesecondquarterof
2018.
BasedontheresultsofacompetitiveRFPprocess,thecompanyiscurrentlyinthe
processofselectingaqualifiedthirdpartytoconstruct,ownandoperatea15milelateral
pipelinetobringnaturalgastothe1,500megawattMontourplant.
Theestimatedcapitalexpenditureforplantmodificationsisapproximately$70million
withadditionalpipelineexpensesandpaymentstobemadetothethirdpartyconstructingthe
pipelineandregulatingandmeteringstation.
"MontourisasignificantassetintheTalenEnergyfleetandwearemakingthenecessary
investmentstoimproveitscompetitivepositioninthemarket,"saidPaulFarr,TalenEnergy
PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficer."TheMontourplantislocatedincloseproximitytoone
ofthelargestnaturalgasformationsintheworld,theMarcellusShale.Cofiringtheplantto
burnnaturalgas,producedinPennsylvania,enablesTalenEnergytoleveragethestrategic
locationoftheplant."
ThepipelinecompanyselectedbyTalenEnergywillberesponsibleforobtainingall
necessaryenvironmentalandconstructionpermittingfromtheappropriatefederal,stateandlocal
agencies.
TalenEnergyexpectstoannounceadditionaldetailsrelatedtothepipeline,contractor
andnextstepsaspartofitstypicalquarterlyreportingasthosedetailsbecomeavailable.
NewsClips:
IMGMidstreamSeesGrowthInPowerPlantsUsingGas,Renewables
GlatfelterPaperCompleting$63MNaturalGasConversion
PUCOKsAcceleratedReplacementOfPGWNaturalGasPipelinesInPhiladelphia
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedamodifiedinfrastructureimprovementplan,
alongwithaonetimeadjustmenttoarelatedcustomercharge,intendedtodramatically
acceleratethereplacementofagingnaturalgaspipelinesinPhiladelphia.
TheCommissionvoted40toapprovea
LongTermInfrastructureImprovementPlan
submittedbythe
PhiladelphiaGasWorks
(PGW),whichoutlinesanadditional$11millionin
pipelinereplacementspendingperyeartargetedatPGWsagingcastironmains.
Thoseaddedfundsareexpectedtoacceleratethetimelineforreplacementofatrisk
pipelinesbynearly40years.
Asnotedina
2015PUCstaffreport
,PGWhasthehighestpercentageofatriskpipeof
anyregulatedgascompanyinPennsylvaniabyatleastafactoroftwo.Inthatreport,thePUC
reportidentifiednumerousmechanismstoincreasethepaceofpipelinereplacementin
Philadelphia.
TheCommissionalsovoted40toapproveaPGWrequestrelatedtothe
Distribution
SystemImprovementCharge(DSIC)
,whichisbeingusedtofundtheexpandedpipeline
replacementaddressingaonetime$11.4millionundercollectionoftheDSICduring2015
whichcouldhaveimpactedthetempooffuturepipelinereplacementefforts.
FormoreinformationonDSIC,visitthePUCs
DistributionSystemImprovement
Charges
webpage.
NewsClips:
PUCGrantsPGWTemporary$11.4MRateBoost
DEPAirTestingFindsNoHealthRiskFromWestmorelandPipelineExplosion
ColumbiaGasToSpend$2MToReplaceOldPittsburghPipeline
DistributionSystemImprovementChargesOKdForFirstEnergyElectricUtilities
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedthepetitionsofPennsylvaniaPower
Company(PennPower),PennsylvaniaElectricCompany(Penelec),MetropolitanEdison
Company(MetEd)andWestPennPowerCompany(WestPennPower),collectivelyreferredto
astheFirstEnergyPennsylvaniaCompanies,toimplement
distributionsystemimprovement
charges
(DSICs).
TheCommissionvoted40toapprovetheFirstEnergyPennsylvaniaCompanies
petitions,whichwerefiledpursuanttoAct11of2012(Act11).
Act11requiresandprovidesforutilitiestofilelongterminfrastructureimprovement
plans(LTIIPs)aspartofanyactiontoestablishaDSICtorecoverreasonableandprudentcosts
incurredtorepair,improveorreplacecertaineligibledistributionpropertythatispartofa
utilitysdistributionsystem.
TheCommissionapprovedthecompaniesLTIIPs,whicharerequiredbeforeenactinga
DSIC,onFeb.11,2016.Thecompaniesplantoaccelerateinfrastructurereplacementovera
periodoffiveyears.
PennPower:
OnFeb.16,2016,PennPower
filedapetition
toestablishandimplementa
DSICriderwithaneffectivedateofJuly1,2016.PennPowerestimatesaninitialDSICcharge
of0.30percentofcustomerdistributioncharges.
Penelec:
OnFeb.16,2016,PennPower
filedapetition
toestablishandimplementaDSIC
riderwithaneffectivedateofJuly1,2016.PenelecestimatesaninitialDSICchargeof0.04
percentofcustomerdistributioncharges.
MetEd:
OnFeb.16,2016,MetEd
filedapetition
toestablishandimplementaDSICrider
withaneffectivedateofJuly1,2016.MetEdestimatesaninitialDSICchargeof0.03percentof
customerdistributioncharges.
WestPennPower:
OnFeb.16,2016,WestPennPower
filedapetition
toestablishand
implementaDSICriderwithaneffectivedateofJuly1,2016.WestPennPowerestimatesan
initialDSICchargeof0.06percentofcustomerdistributioncharges.
FormoreinformationonDSIC,visitthePUCs
DistributionSystemImprovement
Charges
webpage.
NewsClip:
PUCToInvestigateFirstEnergyRateHikeRequests
PennStateHelpsKickOffUniversityCoalitionForFossilEnergyResearch
Representativesofnineuniversitiesandthe
NationalEnergyTechnologyLaboratory
oftheU.S.
DepartmentofEnergymetatPennStatetokickoffthe
UniversityCoalitionforFossilEnergy
Research
,asixyearprogramfundedbyNETLfor$20millionthatwillexploreabroadrangeof
researchincoal,naturalgasandoilincludingcarbondioxidecapture,storageanduse.
"ThisisagreattimeforPennState,"saidNeilSharkey,vicepresidentforresearch,Penn
State."Wehavearealfocusonenergyatthispointandwereallywanttomakethisprojecta
workingcollaborative.PennStatetakesitsmissionseriouslyandwewanttoworkcloselywith
NETLandourpartneruniversities."
ThemeetingwithNETL,attendedbyrepresentativesofeightoftheninemember
universitiesinvolved,includingTechnicalAdvisoryCouncilMembers,wastodiscussthevision,
missionanddirectionandtosetthegroundrulesforUCFERoperation.
PennStateleadsUCFERforadvancingbasicandappliedresearchoncleancarbonbased
energy.
"NETLisfocusedondrivingfossilenergytechnologiesthatenhancethenation'senergy
foundationwhileprotectingtheenvironmentforfuturegenerations,"saidGraceBochenek,
director,NETL,U.S.DepartmentofEnergy."Webelievestrongcollaborationsareamajorway
ofachievingthatgoal.Walkingawayfromthepotentialofcleanfossilfuelisnottheanswer.
Thiscollaborativeeffortisanewopportunitytobringastronggrouptogethertoachievethe
energychallengesthatfaceourcountry.Formorethan100years,ourLaboratoryhasdeveloped
toolsandprocessestoprovideclean,reliableandaffordableenergytotheAmericanpeople.This
initiativeisalogicalextensionofthatsuccess."
UCFERwillsolicitproposalsandfundthebestonesfromthememberuniversitiesin
collaborationwithNETLtoaddressspecificareasofresearchneedformoreefficientandcleaner
usesofcoal,oilandnaturalgas,includingnewapproachestothecapture,storageanduseof
carbondioxideemittedfromfossilenergy.
Evenbeforethemeeting,memberrepresentativesandNETLworkedtogethertosetup
thebasicframeworkfortheUCFERprogram.PennStaterepresentativesexplainedanewly
createdwebsiteandonlinesubmissionsystemforproposals.
ThefirstUCFERcallforproposalsoncarbonuseandreuse,carbonstorage,recoveryof
rareearthelementsfromcoalandcrosscuttingresearchandanalysiswasissuedinlateApril.
ResearchersinthoseuniversitiesthatarepartofUCFERmayapplyforthesegrants,
whichincludecollaborationwithNETL.
Proposalsinvolvingindustrycollaborationarealsoencouraged.
"Thevisionoftheprogramisasecure,reliableandaffordableenergyfuturewiththe
moreenvironmentallyfriendlyandmoreefficientproductionanduseoffossilfuelsincluding
carbondioxidecapture,storageanduse/reuse,"saidChunshanSong,directorofNETLUCFER
anddirectorof
PennState'sEnergyInstitute
intheCollegeofEarthandMineralSciences."The
challengesofthe21stcenturyaretosupplycleanfuels,electricityandwatertomeetgrowing
energydemandincreaseefficiency,eliminateenvironmentalpollutants,minimizegreenhouse
gasemissions,anddevelopsustainableenergyandsustainableorganicmaterials."
Songnotedthatthereisnosilverbulletforthefutureofenergyintheforeseeablefuture.
Bothfossilfuelslikecoal,oil,gasandshaleandrenewablesourceslikesolar,wind,biomass,
hydroelectricandgeothermalwillbenecessary.
"Manyofthefossilenergytechnologieswewillworkoncanbetranslatedtoorare
directlyapplicabletodevelopingrenewableenergytechnologies,"saidSong,whoisalso
distinguishedprofessoroffuelscienceandchemicalengineering."Theseincludetranslations
suchasfromcoaltobiomassandfromnaturalgastobiogas.
"Whileweworktodevelopmorerenewableenergy,wealsoneedtocontinuetheR&D
onmoreenvironmentallyfriendlyandmoreefficientutilizationofcarbonbasedresources,
whichprovideover80percentofourenergysupplyandbuildourbridgetothesustainable
energyfuture."
BesidesPennState,theotheruniversitiesthatmakeupUCFERincludeMassachusetts
InstituteofTechnology,PrincetonUniversity,TexasA&MUniversity,UniversityofKentucky,
UniversityofSouthernCalifornia,UniversityofTulsa,UniversityofWyomingandVirginia
Tech.
TheTechnicalAdvisoryCouncilmemberofthesenineuniversitieshavebeenworking
closelytogetherfortheUCFER.
UniversityCoalitionforFossilEnergyResearch
website
orcontactDr.Songbysendingemailto:
csong@psu.edu
.
ExelonAnnouncesPlansToExtendPeachBottomNuclearPowerPlantAnother20Years
ExelonCorporation
Tuesdayannounceditwassubmitting
anapplicationtotheNuclearRegulatoryCommissionto
extendtheoperatinglicenseforthe
PeachBottomAtomic
PowerStation
inYorkCountyanother20years.
JoiningExelonCEOChristopherM.Craneatthe
announcementintheRotundaoftheCapitolBuilding
wereHouseSpeakerMikeTurzai(RAllegheny),Sen.
ScottWagner(RYork),ActingDEPSecretaryPatrick
McDonnellandPublicUtilityCommissionChairGladys
Brown.
ThisapplicationisgreatnewsforPeachBottom
workers,ourneighborsandthestate'seconomy,'said
Crane."Pennsylvaniawillsoonbecraftingambitiousbutattainablecarbonreductiongoalsto
meettherequirementsoftheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency'sCleanPowerPlan.Exelon's
nuclearstationsincludingPeachBottomcanhelpthestatemeetthosegoalsandcontinue
poweringtheeconomyfordecadestocome."
OperatingPeachBottomforanadditional20yearswillpreservethousandsof
goodpayingjobsandprovidelongtermsupportforPennsylvania'slocalandregionaleconomy.
PeachBottomemploysmorethan800fulltimeworkerswholiveincommunities
surroundingthestationandwhosupportlocalbusinesses.Annualrefuelingoutagesbringmore
than2,500additionalworkerstotheplant,manyofwhomstayintheareaandpatronizelocal
businesses.
Inthecomingweeks,ExelonwillnotifytheNRCofitsintenttofiletheformal
applicationin2018withadecisionexpectedby2020or2021.PeachBottom'stwocurrent
operatinglicenseswillexpirein2033and2034.
Ifapproved,theextendedoperatinglicensewillallowtheplanttooperateuntil2053and
2054,aslongasitcontinuestomeettheNRC'sstringentrequirementsforsafetyandoperational
performance.
U.S.nuclearenergyfacilitiesareinitiallylicensedtooperatefor40yearsandanNRC
ruleallowslicenseestoapplyforextensionsofupto20yearsaftertheinitial40yearterm.
Alicensealonedoesnotallowanuclearstationtorun.Itismerelyaperiodoftimefor
whichtheplantisallowedtooperateaslongasitcomplieswithNRCsafetyregulations.
IfanyU.S.nuclearfacilityfailstorunsafelyatanytimeduringthelicensedperiod,the
NRCcanshutitdown.
TheNRC'slicenserenewalprocesswilltakemanyyearsandwillrequirea
comprehensivereviewoftheplant'srobustdesignandmultiple,redundantsafetysystems,as
wellasapubliccommentperiod.
SpeakerTurzaisaidhewashonoredtobewiththeCEOofExelonandthemany
employeesfromPeachBottomwhohavejourneyedtoHarrisburg.HetoldofhowPeachBottom
isonlythesecondnuclearfacilitytoapplytothefederalgovernmentforasecondlicense
renewal.
SpeakerTurzaialsoexpressedtheimportanceofkeepingPennsylvaniaaleaderinenergy
productionandindependenceandsaidhewasgratefulthatExelonhasmadesubstantial
investmentstoensurethesegoalsaremetthroughnuclearpowerplantsatLimerick,Peach
BottomandThreeMileIsland.
Heclosedbystressingthatnuclearenergyproducedbythesefacilitiesiscarbonfreeand
resultsinhighpayingjobs.
Sen.Wagnerthankedeveryoneforattendingandcelebratedthe870employeesfromthe
PeachBottomplantwhohesaidoperateinhislegislativedistrict.Hetoldofhowtheemployees
theresupportmanycommunityandeducationprojectsinYorkCountyandhowthecompany
recentlydonated$75,000totheYorkLightuptheNightcampaign.
HestressedthisisthetypeofcompanythestateneedsandthatYorkCountyisproudto
bethehomeofPeachBottom.
ActingSecretaryfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionPatrickMcDonnell
addressedthepressconferencesayinghisbackgroundencompassesbothenvironmentalconcerns
aswellasworkwiththePublicUtilityCommission.
HesaidPeachBottomproduceszerocarbonemissionsandthatthedepartmentenjoysa
greatrelationshipwithExelon.Explainingtheapplicationforlicenserenewalisamultiyear
process,heexpressedconfidencethatExelonwoulddowhatisneededtosecuretherenewal.
ChairmanofthePublicUtilityCommissionGladysBrownsaidwhilethePUCdoesnot
regulatenuclearpower,itisactiveinensuringthatcitizenshaveaffordablesourcesofenergy.
ShespokeofPeachBottomsefficiencyandreliabilityasaproducerofelectricandsaid
sheisveryhappytheplantisseekingalicensurerenewal.
KevinSunday,fromthePAChamberofBusinessandIndustry,spokeofhow
Pennsylvaniahasalwaysbeenaleaderinenergyfromhavingthefirstoilwelltohavingthefirst
gasstationandisnowsecondinthenationinbothnaturalgasproductionandnuclearenergy.
Sundayclosedbyarguingthestatesenergyresourceswillbewhatdrawsandretainscompanies
inthestatethatallowustobecompetitive.
ClickHere
toaccessdocumentshandedoutduringthepressconference.
NewsClips:
Crable:ExelonToSeekRenewalOfPeachBottomNuclearPlant
ExelonSeeksToExtendLicenseForPeachBottomNuclearPlant
ExelonSeeking20YearExtensionAtPeachBottom
Crable:June13PeachBottomNuclearPlantInformationNight
ThreeMileIslandVulnerableToClosure,CEOSays
OpEd:MoreNuclearPower,NotLess,LeadsToCleanerAir
OpEd:PA,NationStillNeedNuclearPower
WillNJConsumersBeHitWithZeroEmissionsSurchargeForNuclear?
PUCRevises,ResubmitsFinalNetMeteringRuleToIRRCForReview
PublicUtilityCommissionThursdayvotedtomodifyitspreviouslyapprovedregulationsrelated
totheAlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandardsActof2004,
addressingobjectionsrecentlyraised
bythestatesIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission.
TheCommissionvoted40toadopttherevisedRulemakingOrder,whichclarifiesissues
relatedtonetmetering,interconnectionandcomplianceprovisions.
The148pageorderwasoriginally
approvedinFebruary2016
,followingmorethantwo
yearsofpublicinputanddiscussion,duringwhichtheCommissioncarefullyconsidered
commentsfromindividuals,businesses,governmentagencies,utilitiesandotherconcerned
parties.
ThePUCactionstrikesasinglesectionfromtherulemaking,whichproposedalimiton
systemsthatareeligiblefornetmeteringbasedon200percentoftheirhistoricload.
AsnotedbyIRRCduringitsreview,theintentofthePUCsactionwastostrikea
balancebetweenpromotingthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyandimportantconsumer
protections,butthepercentagelimitresultedinobjectionsregardingstatutoryauthority.
TherulemakingaddressesnumerousissuesrelatedtoAEPSstandards,including
Theadditionofdefinitionsforaggregator,defaultserviceprovider,gridemergencies,
microgridsandmovingwaterimpoundments
RevisionstonetmeteringrulesandinclusionofaprocessforobtainingCommissionapproval
tonetmeteralternativeenergysystemswithanameplatecapacityof500kilowattsorgreater
Clarificationofthevirtualmeteraggregationlanguage
Clarificationofnetmeteringcompensationforcustomergeneratorsreceivinggeneration
servicefromelectricdistributioncompanies,defaultserviceprovidersandelectricgeneration
suppliers
AdditionofprovisionsforadjustingTierIcomplianceobligationsonaquarterlybasisto
complywiththeAct129of2008amendmentsand
Clarificationoftheauthoritygiventotheprogramadministratortosuspendorrevokethe
qualificationofanalternativeenergysystemandtowithholdorretirepast,currentorfuture
alternativeenergycreditsforviolations.
ThechangesadoptedbytheCommissionwillnowbesubmittedtoIRRCandthe
designatedcommitteesofbothhousesoftheGeneralAssembly.Ifapproved,therulemakingwill
bereviewedbytheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralandtheGovernorsBudgetOfficeandwould
becomeeffectiveuponpublicationinthePennsylvaniaBulletin.
NewsClips:
PUCDropsCapFromNetMeteringRegulations
PUCDropsNetMeteringCapFromAlternativeEnergyRules
PACanLearnFromGermanysExperienceWithRenewableEnergy
ASolarStruggleInZelienople
TaxingElectricVehiclesInPA
RelatedStory:
IRRCUnanimouslyDisapprovesPUCNetMeteringFinalRegulation

FirstEnergyIssues2016SustainabilityReportOnEnvironmentalAchievements
FirstEnergyCorp.Thursdayannouncedithasissuedits
2016SustainabilityReport
,detailing
howthecompanyismakingaswitchtoacleanerenergyfutureasitcontinuestoprovidesafe
andreliableelectricservicetocustomers.
"AtFirstEnergy,ourmissionistomakecustomers'livesbrighter,theenvironmentbetter
andourcommunitiesstronger,"saidCharlesE.Jones,presidentandchiefexecutiveofficerof
FirstEnergy."TheinformationintheSustainabilityReportillustrateswhatFirstEnergyalready
hasaccomplishedintermsofenvironmentalachievementsandwhatourgoalsareforcleanerand
moresustainableenergyinthefuture."
FirstEnergy'srecentkeyenvironmentalmilestonesinclude:
Generatingnearly100percentofitselectricitythroughnonorlowemittingresources.
Beingoneoftheregion'slargestprovidersofrenewableenergyfromcontractedwindand
solarandpumpedstoragehydroresources.
ProvidingtheClevelandIndianswith100percentGreeneEnergyCertifiedwindenergyto
powerProgressiveField,whichsignificantlyreducesthecarbonfootprintoftheballpark,along
withAkronradiostationsWAKR/WONEpoweringtheirstudioswithsimilarcleanenergy.
Establishingcompanywidegoalstoreducecarbonemissionsbyatleast90percentbelow
2005levelsby2045.Thecompanyhasalreadybegunthetransitiontocleanergenerationby
closing11older,lessefficientcoalplantssince2012.
Continuingtobuildonalonghistoryofenvironmentalstewardshipandinvestmentsinclean
energy,includingmorethan$10billiontoenhanceenvironmentalperformanceofitsgenerating
fleetsincetheCleanAirActbecamelawin1970.
InstallingnewLEDsignageatopitsheadquartersbuildingindowntownAkron,Ohio,whichis
expectedtobeseventimesmoreenergyefficientthanthepreviousneonbasedsignage.
Implementingenergyefficiencyprogramsforits10utilitycompaniestohelpcustomersbetter
manageenergyusage.
AchievingLEEDcertificationfromtheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncilforthreenew
FirstEnergyfacilities.
The70pageSustainabilityReportalsoincludesinformationaboutFirstEnergy's
economicdevelopmentefforts,safetyrecord,customerservicereliabilityandcontributionsmade
bythe
FirstEnergyFoundation
tocommunitybasedorganizations.
TheSustainabilityReportcomplementstheenvironmentalcampaignFirstEnergy
launchedearlierthisyear.
"
TheSwitchisOn
"highlightsFirstEnergy'senvironmentalaccomplishments,its
transitiontocleanerenergysourcesandagreenenergyoptionfromFirstEnergySolutionsfor
residentialcustomersinOhioandPennsylvania.
FirstEnergysupportstheenvironmentalcampaignwithenhancedenvironmental
messagingonitscorporatewebsiteandthroughitssocialmediachannelswithinformationsuch
astipsforconsumersonhowtoconserveenergyandupdatesonthecompany'senvironmental
initiatives.
Acopyofthereport
isavailableonline
.
NewsClip:

PAEnvironmentalCouncil:IsDeepDecarbonizationRightForPAsElectricityFuture?
Climatechangeimpactseveryfacetofenvironmental
protectionandexacerbateschallengeswealreadyface,
rangingfromairqualitytostormwatermanagementto
invasivespecies.
Pennsylvaniascontributiontoglobalclimatechangeis
significant,asshouldbeitsroleinlimitingthatchangeandits
impacts.
The
isconcernedthatthepresent
levelandscopeofactivityandthinkinginthe
Commonwealthisnotrobustenoughtoputusonaviable
pathtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsatapacethatpreventsworstcasescenarioimpactsof
climatechange.
Forexample,currenteffortstomeettherequirementsofthe
CleanPowerPlan
will
reducegreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsbyaboutonethirdby2030,andcanbelargely
achievedbyreplacementofsomePennsylvaniacoalwithnaturalgas,andamoderaterenewables
scaleup.
Datingbackto2015,PEChasplacedarenewedfocusontheideaofdeep
decarbonization,apathwaytotheendgoalofeliminatingcarbonemissionsaltogether.
Butthisleavesasignificantshortfallinreachingtherecommended80percentcutsby
2050.Gettingtothelatterbenchmark,andbeyond,mayrequiregreatersystemicchanges,while
stilldeliveringreliableandaffordableenergytoconsumers.
Whiletherearemanywaystoreducecarbonemissions,thechallengeisdetermining
whichstrategies,orcombinationofactions,willbeeffectiveinobtainingsufficientemission
reductions.
Complicatingthisisthefactthatinfrastructureinvestmentsbeingmadetodaycanlockin
energychoicesfordecadestocome,withoutachievingsignificantGHGreductions.
Putanotherway,incrementaldecisionsmadeinthenextdecademayeitherfacilitate
virtualeliminationofcarbon,orpushusintodeadendsthatmakethatoutcomeimpossibleor
unaffordable.
Emergingthinkingisfocusingontheideaofdeepdecarbonizationapathwaytotheend
goalofeliminatingcarbonemissionsaltogether.
Inlate2015,PECbeganworktoexaminetheefficacyofdeepdecarbonizationasan
optionforPennsylvaniaselectricityfuture,planningatwodayconferenceforanopenand
honestdiscussionaroundthechallengesofdeepdecarbonizationasapotentialstrategyfor
Pennsylvania.
Theeventwillstartaconversationaboutwhetherdeepdecarbonizationmakessensefor
Pennsylvaniaand,ifso,whatwillbethecomponentsofthisstrategy,andwhatpoliciesand
programsareneededtogetthere.
ThiseventisbeingplannedforMarch2017(tentative).
ClickHere
foralistoftheDeep
DecarbonizationConferenceAdvisoryCommitteemembers.
Whileeffortswillneedtobemadetodecarbonizeallsectorsoftheeconomy,including
transportation,manufacturing,andagriculture,thiseventwillfocusprimarilyondeep
decarbonizationoftheelectricitysector,whichaccountsfor40percentofPennsylvaniasCO2
emissions.
Wewillexploreactivitiesinthefollowingfourareas:renewableenergy,carboncapture
andstorageforfossilfuels,energyefficiency,andnuclearpower.
PennsylvaniaisthethirdlargestemitterofCO2inthecountry.Withapproximately200
majorelectricitygenerationfacilities,theCommonwealthrankssecondinthenationin
electricitygeneration,fourthincoalproduction,andsecondinbothnuclearandnaturalgas
production.
AstheNo.1stateinthenationforelectricityexports,electricitygenerationin
Pennsylvaniahasimpactsonneighboringstatesandbeyond.
MarketconditionsalonemaygetusclosetoPennsylvaniastargetunderthe
CleanPower
Plan
ofa33percentreductioningreenhousegasemissionsby2030.
However,areductionof80percentby2050,and100percentsoonthereafter,ismorein
linewithinternationalandnationalestimatesofthereductionrequiredtopreventdisastrous
impacts.
PEChasalonghistoryofconveningdiversepartiesaroundcomplexissuesforhonest
dialogue.
Wehavebegunexploringdeepdecarbonizationandhowthisapproachmighthelp
guidePennsylvania(andbeyond)toachievesignificantcarbonemissionsreductions,whilestill
ensuringaffordableanddependableenergysuppliesandsupportingahealthyeconomy.
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
NewsClip:
June9DEPNewsIsNowAvailable
TheJune9editionoftheDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
Gov.WolfAnnouncesShellCrackerPlantComingToPA
DEPExtendsCommentPeriodForPermitsRelatedToAtlanticSunrisePipeline
OpEd:CleaningTheChesapeakeBayStartsWithImprovingWaterQualityInPA
WestNileVirusCarryingMosquitoSamplesDetected
DontGiveUpTheDripRainBarrelsEncourageErieResidentsToConserveWater
RiverSweepSeekingVolunteersForJune18CleanupInWesternPA
ClickHere
Formoreinformation,visit
DEPswebsite
,
LikeDEPonFacebook
,
FollowDEPon
Twitter
andvisit
DEPsYouTubeChannel
.
SenateDemocraticPolicyCommitteeHearingOnZikaVirus,PAHas19ConfirmedCases
AttherequestofSen.JudySchwank(DBerks),the
Senate
DemocraticPolicyCommittee
heldaroundtablediscussion
ThursdayonPennsylvania's
ZikaVirusresponseplan
thatfocusedonmeasuresavailablefor
state,localandhealthofficialstoeducatethepublicaboutpotentialhealthimpacts.
"WhileI'mpleasedtoseethatourstatehasalreadyputanextensiveplanintoplace,itis
imperativethatwedoallwecantotrackthespreadofthisvirusandtokeeppeopleinformed
abouthowtheycanbestprotectthemselves,"saidSen.LisaBoscola(DLehigh),Chairofthe
Committee."Today'shearingisaimedatmakingsuregovernmentisdoingallitcanto
coordinatethebestpossiblestatewideresponse."
Sen.Schwank,whoservesastheMinoritychairoftheSenateAgricultureandRural
AffairsCommittee,said"thiseffortwillrequireagreatdealofcooperationandcoordination
betweenstate,federalandlocalagencies.Itisimperativethatwegetthisrightanddothisright."
JoiningtheSenatorsfortheroundtablediscussionwere:
Dr.LorenRobinson,
DeputySecretaryforHealthPromotionandDiseasePrevention,PA
DepartmentofHealth
DanaAunkst,
DeputySecretaryofWaterPrograms,PADepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection
Dr.JasonRasgon,
Assoc.Prof.ofEntomologyandDiseaseEpidemiology,Pennsylvania
StateUniversity
Dr.RobertS.Jones,
D.O.,MedicalDirector,InfectionPrevention,ReadingHealthSystem
MarieKeim,
DirectorofEpidemiology,InfectionControlandPrevention,ReadingHospital
and
DeanDruckenmiller,
DistrictExecutive,BerksCountyConservationDistrict.
TheZikaviruswasfirstdetectedinBraziloverayearago.Spreadbyinfectedmosquitos,
thevirusgenerallycausesverymildsymptomsandrarelyleadstoserioussideeffects.However,
itdoesposeaseriousthreattopregnantwomenbecausetheinfectioncancausebirthdefects.
ExpertsatthehearingsaidtheriskforPennsylvaniansislow,buttheEbolascaretaught
lessonsaboutbeingpreparedforthingstochange.
"Asacommunityandasastate,we'regoingtocollaborate.It'scriticalthatour
communicationisclearandthatitprovideshonestinformation,"saidMarieKeim,Directorof
Epidemiology,InfectionControlandPrevention,ReadingHospital."Whetherit'stwitter,
whetherit'sfacebook,whetherit'sthenews,it'simportantthatwe'regettingitoutinalanguage
thatiseasytounderstand.
AsofMay2,therewerenoreportsofthevirusbeingspreadbymosquitoesinthe
continentalUnitedStatesyet.However,Pennsylvaniadoeshave19confirmedcasesofpeople
whohavetheviruswith178testresultsstillpending.
Dr.JasonRasgon,AssociateProfessorofEntomologyandDiseaseEpidemiologyatPenn
StateUniversitynotedtherapidmannerinwhichresearchandinformationonZikaevolves."I
wouldsaysomethinganditwouldbeoutdatedthenextday,"Dr.Rasgonsaid."That'show
quicklythingsarechanging."
TheWolfAdministrationhasalreadyestablishedaZikaresponseplanthatoutlinesthe
phasesofeducation,tracking,andresponseactivitiesthataretooccurbasedonvariouslevelsof
mosquitoactivityinPennsylvania.
Sen.Boscolacreditedtheplanforincludingpublicawarenessandeducation.Shealso
saiditwouldbecriticalforgovernmentagenciestoworkcloselytogethertoassurethatthestate
isaspreparedaspossible.
Thebestwaytopreventmosquitobitesistouseaninsectrepellant,takestepstokeep
mosquitoesoutofyourhomereducestandingwateroutsideandwearlongsleevesandpants
outdoors.
Formoreinformation,visittheDepartmentofHealths
ZikaViruswebsite
.
CopiesofwrittentestimonyreceivedbytheCommitteeareusuallypostedonthe
Senate
DemocraticPolicyCommittee
webpage.
NewsClips:
Dept.OfHealthMonitoringZikaVirusInPA
PittLabWorkerContractsZikaFromNeedleStick
AlleghenyCountyTreatsCatchBasinsToPreventWestNileVirus
PAEnvironmentalCouncilInCaseYouMissedItInMay
The
MayeditionofInCaseYouMissedIt
isnowavailable
fromthe
featuringarticleson
WesternPAEnvironmentalAwards
PECOrganized24CleanupsOfIllegalDumpsitesIn
Northeast
SchuylkillRiverTownProgramKickedOffWithTrail
Events
ThirdNortheastTrailsSymposiumBringsTogetherTrail
Planners,Builders
46thAnnualPECEnvironmentalPartnershipDinnerJune
15InPhiladelphia
PatrickStarrReceivesDelawareRiverCityServiceAward
ClickHere
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
PAAdds26Farms,Nearly2,000AcresToFarmlandPreservationProgram
ThestateAgriculturalLandPreservationBoardThursdayaddedanadditional1,926acreson26
farmsin16countiestothestatesnationleading
FarmlandPreservationProgram
duringitsJune
boardmeeting.
Sincetheprogrambeganin1988,federal,state,countyandlocalgovernmentshave
investedmorethan$1.3billiontopreserve522,545acreson4,977farmsin57countiesfor
futureagriculturalproduction.
Preservingfarmlandprotectsourvitalnaturalresources,ensuringthatwehavetheland
neededtohelpmaintainastablefoodsupply,saidAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding.The
growthofthisprogramisexciting,andIamextremelyproudthatweareanticipatingthe
preservationofour5,000thfarmthissummer.
Theboardpreservedfarmsin16counties:Adams,Berks,Bucks,Carbon,Chester,
Cumberland,Franklin,Lancaster,Lehigh,Mercer,Montgomery,Northampton,Schuylkill,
Tioga,UnionandYork.
ThePennsylvaniaAgriculturalConservationEasementPurchaseProgramidentifies
propertiesandslowsthelossofprimefarmlandtononagriculturaluses.
Itenablesstate,countyandlocalgovernmentstopurchaseconservationeasements,also
calleddevelopmentrights,fromownersofqualityfarmland.
Formoreinformation,visitAgricultures
FarmlandPreservationProgram
webpage.
PAParks&ForestsFoundationThroughTheSeasonsPhotoContestNowOpen
The
PAParksandForestsFoundation
isnowacceptingentriesforits
2016StateParksandForestsThroughtheSeasonsPhotoContest
throughSeptember13.
Therearesevendifferentcategoriesandthreephotographs
fromeachcategorywillbeawardedaprize
ThetopvotegetterwillbenamedPeoplesChoiceinthat
category.
Secondprizeinthecategorywilllikewisebechosenbypopular
vote.
PPFFsblueribbonpanelofexperts(chosensolelyatPPFFs
discretion)willselectaCritics
Choiceineachcategory.
Thisyearthecategoriesofentrantsinclude
FriendsandFamilyFun
Fur,Feathers,FinsandScales
LearnAboutourPast/HistoricLandmarks
MyParkandForests
NaturesColors
YoungPhotographers(914)
YoungPhotographers(1521)
Entrieswillbevotedonthroughthe
PPFFsFacebookpage
fromSeptember14to21.
Forallthedetails,visitthePPFFs
StateParksandForestsThroughtheSeasonsPhoto
Contest
webpage.
PAParks&
ForestsFoundation
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheFoundation,
LikethemonFacebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.
(Photo:2015Friends&FamilyFunCriticsChoice,DianeLynch,
BaldEagleStatePark
.)
NewsClips:
SummerPennsStewardsNewsletterAvailableFromPAParks&ForestsFoundation
The
SummereditionofPennsStewards
,the
newsletterfromthe
PAParksandForests
Foundation
isnowavailablefeaturingarticleson
HowFarWeveTravelledSinceTheEarlyDays
OfRecreation(
ReallyGoodArticle
)
10thAnnualParks&ForestsAwards
FriendsGroupsInAction
WhatDoesVolunteeringDoForME?
SnapshotInTime:RobertS.Conklin&Ruth
MyrtlePatrick
InMemoryOf..WendelCasselandRichard
Light
Parks&ForestsThroughTheSeasonsPhotoContest
UpcomingCalendarOfEvents
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheFoundation.
PAParks&
ForestsFoundation
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheFoundation,
LikethemonFacebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.
(Photo:OreHoleswimmingareaat
PineGroveFurnaceStatePark
in1950s.)
NewsClips:
June8DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable
The
June8Resourcenewsletter
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesfeaturingarticleson
CampingOpportunitiesBeckonThoseLookingToConnectWithNatureAtNight
NewSummerExperiencesAwaitVisitorsToManyStateParks
DCNR,OthersSaluteStandingStoneTrailAsTrailOfTheYea
r

DCNR,DEPDedicateATVTrailAfterMineReclamationInSproulStateForest
PennsylvaniansEncouragedToGetOutdoorsThisSaturday
DelawareCountySchoolWins2016PAStateEnvirothon
OpEd:ChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeek
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).
July8PrescribeATrailEventsInDelawareCounty
Join
JeffersonsIntegrativeMedicines
Dr.RashnaStaidfor
PrescribeATrailwalk
onthe
RadnorTrailonJuly8inDelawareCountystartingat9:00a.m.
Jeffersonsexpertswillguideyouonthetrailandshareadviceonhowyoucanachieve
maximumhealththroughthemindbodyconnection.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
HardwoodsDevelopmentCouncilOpensPAForestIndustryCareersWebsite
The
PAHardwoodsDevelopmentCouncil
Tuesday
announcedtheopeningofa
PAForestryIndustry
Careers
websitetohelpindividualsfindjobsinthe
industry,educationalprogramsandmuchmore.
Click
Here
tofindoutmore.
NewsClip:
EmeraldAshBorerFoundInLackawannaCounty
PikeMonroeWoodlandOwnersGroupForestryProjectTourJuly9InMonroe
The
PikeMonroeWoodlandOwnersGroup
ishostingaNaturalResourceConservationService
projecttourat
ResicaFallsBoyScoutCamp
inMonroeCountyonJuly9from9a.m.Noon.
Attendeeswillbetouringapropertywithavarietyofforestrypracticesthatwere
completedwiththehelpofNRCSandtheEQIPForestryprogram.
Topicswillincludecovercroptreerelease,herbicideapplication,foreststand
improvementandanerosionandsedimentationcontrolproject.
ResicaFallsforester,RobinWildermuth,willbeleadingthetour.Attendeeswillalso
haveachancetoseeandhearsuccessstoriesfromalocallandowner,andaskquestionsabout
applyingforfundingfortheirownprojects.
Theeventisfreeandopentothepublic,butpriorregistrationisrequired.Registerby
June30withGarrettBeers,PADCNRServiceForester,bysendingemailto:
garbeers@pa.gov
.
PikeMonroeWoodlandOwnersGroup
webpage.
NewsClip:
PAHorticulturalSocietyNowAcceptingEntriesForGardening&GreeningContest

The
PAHorticulturalSociety
isnowacceptingentriesfor
the
GardeningandGreeningContest
throughJune20.
EachyearthePHScelebratestheaccomplishments
ofgardenersinPennsylvania,NewJersey,andDelaware
withthePHSGardeningandGreeningContest.The
contestinvitesbackyardgardeners,communitygardeners,
andallwhoarepassionateaboutgreeningpublicspacesto
enter.
EntriesthroughoutPennsylvania,NewJersey,and
Delawarewillbejudgedonmaintenanceandhorticultural
practices,aswellasthevariety,color,andsuitabilityof
plantings.
Designandtotalvisualeffectswillalsobeconsidered,withextrapointsawardedfor
creativityandsustainablepractices.Volunteerjudgeswillbechosenfortheirexpertiseand
achievements.
Participantswillincludehomegardenerswithinground,combination,containeror
rooftopgardens.
Childrensgardens,maintainedbyschoolagechildrenunderthesupervisionofanadult,
arealsowelcometoenter.
Communitygardenersmayentervegetableandflowergardens,gardenblocks,
publicspaceplantings,andparks.
Businessesthathavebeautifiedtheirpropertiesareeligibleaswell.Municipalitiesthat
haveinitiatedenvironmentalprojects,suchasstormwatermanagementortreeplantings,may
alsoparticipate.
Thetencontestcategoriesinclude:ChildrensGardenCombinationGardenContainer
GardenEnvironmentalInitiativesFlowerGardenGardenBlockPublicSpace:Planting/Parks
RooftopGardensUrbanFarmandVegetableGarden.
Gardenerswhoseprojectsarechosenforrecognitionwillbeinvitedtoanawards
reception,wherephotosofthewinninggardenswillbeshowcased.
Formoreinformationandtoenterthecontest,visitthePHSs
GardeningandGreening
Contest
webpage,call2159888897,orsendemailto:
ggcontest@pennhort.org
.
PhiladelphiasNeighborhoodGardensTrustCommunityGardensDayJune18
The
NeighborhoodGardensTrust
,
Philadelphiaslargestlandtrust,willhost
thethirdannual
CommunityGardensDay
,
acelebrationofthesharedgrowingspaces
thatbringsomanybenefitstothecity,on
June18,from10a.m.to1p.m.(Raindate
isJune19.)
Morethan40gardenswillwelcome
visitorsandoffertours,gardenadvice,
demonstrationsandotheractivities.
Fromtranquilspotsfilledwithflowersandtreestobountifulvegetablegardens,
communitygardensareanessentialelementoftheneighborhoodfabric,environmentalhealth,
andlocalfoodsysteminPhiladelphia.
CommunityGardensDayisorganizedbyNGT,alandtrustdedicatedtopreserving
communitygardensandsharedopenspacestoenhancequalityoflifeinPhiladelphias
neighborhoods.
NGT,anaffiliateofthe
PAHorticulturalSociety
,iscelebratingits30thanniversarythis
year.
Highlightsofthecelebrationwillinclude:
CommunityGarden/MuralArtsTrolleyTour,whichwillvisitavarietyofbeautifulmuralsand
threeofthecitysmostvibrantcommunitygardens.
HiddenCityPhiladelphiaCommunityGardenBikeTourandWestPhillyCommunityGarden
WalkingTour.
WorkshoponhowtobuildaraisedbedpresentedbytheWestPhillyToolLibraryatthe
ChesterAvenueCommunityGarden,47134715ChesterAve.
TheFranklinInstituteStaffandResearchGardenwillhavehandsonscienceactivitiesand
willdemonstratetheozonemonitoringproject,21standWinterSts.
PicklingworkshopatWoodlandsCommunityGarden,4000WoodlandAve.,andherbaltours
andmintteaatWarringtonCommunityGarden,4731WarringtonAve.
YogaintheGardenattheEastPassyunkCrossingCommunityGarden,accessedfromthe
1000blockofWatkinsStreet,onthecampusofNeumannGorettiHighSchoolanddanceclass
attheSmartGarden,826N.40thSt.
Formoreinformationandamapofparticipatinggardensandtheiractivities,visitthe
NGTs
CommunityGardensDay
webpage.
FortIndiantownGapHostsToursOfRegalFritillaryButterflyHabitatInLebanon
ThisJuly,visitorsareinvitedtoseetheonlypopulationofrare
regalfritillarybutterfliesin
PennsylvaniaatFortIndiantown
Gap
,nearAnnville,LebanonCounty.
The
freeguided2016tours
willdepartpromptlyat10
a.m.onJuly1,2,8and9.Thosewishingtoattendshould
arrivenolaterthan9:30a.m.tofilloutnecessarypaperwork,
attendamandatorysafety/orientationbriefingandreceive
drivinginstructions.
Tourswilllastapproximatelythreehours,butattendees
canleaveearlierifneeded.Attendeesshouldbepreparedto
providevehiclemake,model,yearandcolor,alongwithlicenseplatestate/numberandinsurance
carrierinformation.
ParticipantsmustgatherattheFortIndiantownGapRecreationCenterinBuilding
13190,locatedattheintersectionofAsherMinerRoad,ClementAvenueandRoute443(GPS
coordinatesindecimaldegrees:North40.431,West76.591).
Uponarrivaltotheinstallation,wildlifeeventsignswillhelptodirectattendeestothe
parkingareaadjacenttotherecreationcenterinthepicnicgrovewhereparkingattendantswill
provideadditionalinstructions.
Thetours,whichhavebeenofferedformorethan10years,allowthepublictoseethis
rarebutterflyanditsassociatedraregrasslandhabitatonmilitarytrainingranges,aswellas
manyothernaturalwondersonthe17,000acremilitarypost,whichservesasthePennsylvania
NationalGuardsheadquarters.
Visitorsofallagesandabilitiesareencouragedtobringcamerasandbinocularsand
shouldwearappropriateclothingandfootwearforanaturewalkongraveltrailsormowedpaths.
Theyshouldalsoconsiderbringinginsectrepellent,sunscreenandotherpersonalcomfortitems.
Drinkingwaterwillbeprovided.Noreservationsarerequiredandnoraindateswillbe
scheduled.
Thetoursalsowillincludeinformationrelatedtocurrenteffortstorestorenative
grasslandhabitatacrossPennsylvaniaandcurrenteffortstoraiseregalfritillarycaterpillarsfrom
eggsinalabwithsupportfromthe
PAWildResourceConservationProgram
andinpartnership
with
ZooAmericaNorthAmericanWildlifePark
andTempleUniversity.
Theultimategoalistoreturntheregalfritillarytoareaswheretheywerelocated
historically.
Ourannualtoursallowthepublictowitnessupclosesomeofthenaturalmarvelsthat
canbefoundonFortIndiantownGapsrangesandobservethedirectconnectionbetween80
plusyearsofmilitarytrainingandtheraregrasslandhabitatthattheregalrequires,saidCol.
RobertHepner,garrisoncommander.LastyearwewerethebusiestNationalGuardtrainingsite
inthenationandtrainedfourtimesmoresoldiersonaperacrebasisthansitesexceeding50,000
acres.Itisnosurprisetomethatwehaveincreasedtheamountoftrainingandnumberof
butterfliesoverthepast15years.
Theregalfritillaryisjustoneofthemanyrarespeciesthatcanbefoundhereandisthe
officialsymbolforthe
PANaturalHeritageProgram
.
FortIndiantownGapalsoprovidesawidevarietyofhabitatsfor40speciesofmammals,
143breedingspeciesofbirds,36speciesofreptilesandamphibians,27speciesoffish,more
than800speciesofplantsandmanynotablespeciesofinvertebratestoinclude86speciesof
butterfliesand386speciesofmoths.
FortIndiantownGapalsoprovideshabitatformorethan100speciesofconservation
concerninPennsylvania.
ThemajorityofspeciesofconservationconcerninPennsylvaniarequireearly
successionalhabitatlikegrasslands,thickets,shrublandsandyoungforests.Thistypeofhabitat
isfoundatFortIndiantownGapduetofiresanddisturbancefromyearsofmilitarytraining
thatcreatedandmaintained1,000acresofscruboakandpitchpinebarrensandover4,500acres
ofnativegrasslandhabitatthelargestinthestate.
FortIndiantownGapistheonlylivefire,maneuvermilitarytrainingfacilityin
Pennsylvania.Itbalancesoneoftheregionsmostecologicallydiverseareaswithamilitary
missionthatannuallysupports19,000PennsylvaniaNationalGuardpersonnelandmorethan
130,000otherstatesguard,military,lawenforcement,andcivilianpersonneleachyear.
Formoreinformationaboutthetoursortheregalfritillarybutterfly,visittheFort
IndiantownGap
ButterflyTours
webpage.Generalinquiriesaboutthetourcanbesentbyemail
to:
RADMVAWildlife@pa.gov
orcall7178612449.
NewsClips:
ButterfliesFlutterIntoNewNationalAviaryExhibit
Schneck:14ThingsYouDontKnowAboutFireflies

BrodheadWatershedAssn.HostsCherryValleyFestivalJune11InStroudsburg
The
willcelebratethebeautyofCherryValleyonJune11,at
thesixthannual
CherryValleyFestival
.
Thefamilyfriendlyeventwillbeheld10a.m.to5p.m.rainorshineatthe
JosiePorter
Farm
,6514CherryValleyRoad,Stroudsburg,MonroeCounty.
Thefunfilleddaydesignedtohighlighttheuniquevalleyenvironmentandraise
awarenessofconservationeffortswillincludenaturewalks,farmtours,artsandcrafts,
demonstrationsandenvironmentallythemedvendors.
EducationalpresentationswillincludeArtisanCoffee,HistoryofGarlicandAll
AboutBats!
Foodandbeverageswillbeavailable.Liveentertainmentthroughoutthedaywillbe
providedbystrollingmusiciansfromthe
PoconoBluegrass&FolkSociety
.
Proceedsfromthepopularsilentauctionfundraiserwillbededicatedtosupportingthe
eventandthehostfarm.TheJosiePorterFarmaimstoconnectpeopletotheearththrough
agriculture,educationandcommunitywhilefosteringasustainablefoodsystem.
Admissionisfreeplentyofparkingandagolfcartshuttleservicemakeiteasytoget
around.
DirectionsanddetailsareavailableontheJosiePorterFarm
CherryValleyFestival
webpage.Forinformation,contactGaryBlossbysendingemailto:
jpfarm@ptd.net
orcall
5709925731.
Mumford,GoodNamedToPUCOfficeOfCompetitiveMarketOversight
The
PublicUtilityCommission
ThursdayappointedDanielJ.MumfordasDirectorofitsOffice
ofCompetitiveMarketOversightandMeganG.GoodasDeputyDirector.
Mumford,ofDauphinCounty,servedpreviouslyasOCMOsDeputyDirectorandas
ActingDirectorsincetheretirementofH.KirkHouseonApril1,2016.
AsDirector,Mumfordwillcontinuetoleadamultibureauofficethatsupportsthe
Commissionsongoingeffortstobolsterretailcompetitionandstrengthenconsumerprotections
intheCommonwealthselectricandnaturalgasmarkets.
SinceelectricandgascompetitioncametoPennsylvaniainthelate90s,Danhasplayed
anintegralroleinhelpingtostructure,growandregulateourcompetitivemarkets,said
CommissionChairmanGladysM.Brown.Inrecentyears,hehashelpedtheCommission
navigatestatewideretailmarketinvestigationsforbothelectricandnaturalgasandbringabout
neededregulatorychangesintheaftermathoftwoPolarVorticesinthewinterof2014.Those
regulatorychangesservedconsumerswellbyenhancingsupplierdisclosurerequirements,
strengtheningconsumerprotectionsandreducingthetimeneededtoswitchsuppliers.As
Pennsylvaniasmarketscontinuetoevolve,wearepleasedtohaveDanatthehelmleading
OCMO.
Mumfordspent26yearswiththeCommissionsBureauofConsumerServices,including
sixyearsasManagerofthebureausinformalComplianceandCompetitionUnit.Hehasbeena
memberofOCMOsinceitsinceptionin2009,providingtechnicalassistanceandexpertiseon
consumerprotectionissues.
Amonghismanyaccomplishments,Mumfordservedastheleadtechnicalexpertin
finalizingregulationsthatmoreclearlydefinesalesandmarketingpracticesofcompetitive
suppliersandenhancedcontractdisclosureandnotificationrequirements.
AnativeofPennsylvaniasnortherntier,MumfordreceivedhisBachelorofArtsdegree
inpoliticalsciencefromMansfieldUniversity.HelaterearnedaMasterofPublicAdministration
degreefromShippensburgUniversity.
CommissionerstodayalsonamedMeganGood,ofDauphinCounty,asOCMOsDeputy
Director.AnanalystwiththeCommissionsBureauofTechnicalUtilityServices(TUS),Good
alsohasprovidedexpertiseandtechnicalassistancetoOCMOsinceitsinception.
GoodisanativeofcentralPennsylvaniaanda2008graduateofElizabethtownCollege,
wheresheearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreeinbiologywithaminorinbusiness
administration.
A2014graduateoftheCommissionsEmergingLeadersprogram,Goodcompletedher
mastersdegreeinenvironmentalengineeringfromPennStateHarrisburginDecember2015.
GovernorsAdvisoryCouncilSeeksCandidatesForGameCommissionBoard
TheGovernorsAdvisoryCouncilforHunting,FishingandConservationFridayannounceditis
seekingaqualifiedcandidatetorepresentDistrict6ontheGameCommissionsboardof
directors.ApplicationswillbeaccepteduntilSeptember9
District6includesthecountiesofAdams,Cumberland,Dauphin,Franklin,Juniata,
Lancaster,Lebanon,Mifflin,Perry,SnyderandYork.
ThedistrictiscurrentlyrepresentedbyRonaldWeaner,ofBiglerville,AdamsCounty.
WhileCommissionerWeanerstermexpiredonJune3,heispermittedtoserveasixmonth
extensionwhilehisreplacementissought.
TheGovernorisreachingouttothehuntingandtrappingcommunityinDistrict6to
findadiversegroupofapplicants,oneofwhichwillbenominatedbytheGovernortofillthis
vacancy,saidRobbMiller,directoroftheadvisorycouncil.Wereencouraginganyone
interestedinvolunteeringtoserveontheboardtosendusaletterofintentandaresume.
AccordingtotheGameCode,applicantsmustbewellinformedonthesubjectofwildlife
conservationandrestorationandberesidentsofthedistrict.Commissionersserveafouryear
termandmaybereappointedforamaximumoftwoadditionalterms.Theyreceiveno
compensationfortheirservices,butarereimbursedfortravelexpenses.
Candidateswillbeinterviewedbytheadvisorycouncilandratedontheirresponses,as
wellasontheirprofessionalandvolunteerexperiencewithwildlifeconservationandrelated
activities.Gov.WolfwillselectthefinalcandidatetobepresentedtotheSenatefor
confirmation.
Individualsinterestedinapplyingshouldsendaresumeanddetailedcoverletter
explainingtheirdesiretoservetoRobbMiller,GovernorsAdvisoryCouncilforHunting,
FishingandConservation,400MarketSt.,7thFloor,Harrisburg,PA171012301.Individuals
canalsoemailtheinformationtoRobbMillerat:
robmille@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
WildOutdoorsKettleCreekWonderfulForAngling
LatrobeWildlifeBiologistTakesAimAtRabies
SchuylkillHavenWildlifeCenterNursesInjuredBaldEagle
LetsTalkAboutBirds:SpringOnTheWing
BirdCountsTrackSpecies,EnvironmentalHealthInLehighValley
HelpWanted:ChesterConservationDistrictWatershedCoordinator
The
ChesterCountyConservationDistrict
isseekingcandidatestofillthepositionofWatershed
Coordinator.Applicationswillbeaccepteduntilthepositionisfilled.
ClickHere
forallthe
details.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
Note:
Itsbudgetseason.SenateandHousecommitteemeetingshappenedwithoutwarning.
June1217
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournLaceyvilletoShickshinny
.
June13
NEW
.
meetstoconsiderat
leastonebill
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)furtherprovidingforthereviewofanyplan
developedbyDEPtoimplementtheEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.LTBA.TimeToBe
Announced.
June13
NEW
.
SenateAppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)providingfortheadoptingoffeesbytheGameCommission,
SenateBill
1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)providingfortheadoptionoffeesbytheFishandBoat
Commission.RulesRoom.OfftheFloor.
June14
NEW
.
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)providingfortheappointmentofalternatesontheInterstate
CommissiononthePotomacRiverBasin(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary),
HouseBill1605
(JamesRButler)establishingDCNRsHeritageAreasPrograminlaw(
HouseFiscalNote
and
summary).Room8EBEastWing.9:30.
June14
Canceled.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,New
Stanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June14
Canceled
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Bureauof
LaboratoriesBuilding,Room206,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.DEPContact:AarenAlgerat
717346822orsendemailto:
aaalger@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June14
NEW
.
DEPHearingOnGroundwaterContaminationRemediationPlanIn
WashingtonTownship,FranklinCounty
.WashingtonTownshipMunicipalBuilding,13013
WeltyRoad,Waynesboro.7:00to9:00p.m.DEPContact:JohnRepetz,CommunityRelations
Coordinator,bysendingemailto:jrepetz@pa.gov.
June14
AllianceForTheChesapeakeBay
HampdenTwp.WatershedFestival
.Hampden
Twp.Park,Mechanicsburg,CumberlandCounty.
June14or15
DEPMS4StormwaterWorkshops
.Uniontown.
June15
NEW
.
HouseAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittee
meetstoconsider
House
Resolution872
(CauserRForest)urgingfederalandstateregulatoryagenciestouse
sciencebased,peerrevieweddatawhenevaluatingmodernagriculturaltechnologytoolsand
developingregulations(
sponsorsummary
),
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendsthe
onepoundReidVaporPressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatexpiredonMay1,
2016(
sponsorsummary
).Room140.9:30.
June15
NEW
.
SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommittee
holdsa
hearingonthenominationofDavidSweettoserveonthePublicUtilityCommission.Room
461MainCapitol.10:00.
June15
JointLegislativeBudget&FinanceCommittee
meetstoreleaseaperformanceaudit
ontheFishandBoatCommission.Room8EBEastWing.10:00.
June15
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
holdsabusinessmeetingonwaterwithdrawal
requestsandadoptingguidelinesforcertaindeterminationsmadeundertheCommissionswater
qualityregulations.WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,
WashingtonCrossing,PA.10:30.
(
formalnotice
)
June15
informational
meetingonproposedchangesto
projectreviewfeestructure
.
WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter
,1112River
Road,WashingtonCrossing,BucksCounty.2:004:00p.m.DRBChearingontheproposed
changesJuly27.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
June15
GameCommissionWebinarOnRoleOfPrescribedBurns
.Noon.
June16
NEW
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
Regulation,Legislationand
TechnicalCommitteemeetingondraftpermitfees.14thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:DanielE.Snowden,7177838846orsendemailto:
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(formalnotice)
June16
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
June16
meets.DoubleTreeResort,Lancaster.9:00.
Contact:JasonE.Oyler,GeneralCounsel,7172380423,Ext.1312
(
formalnoticeandagenda
)
Proposed2017RegulatoryProgramFeeSchedule
AmendmentToComprehensiveWaterResourcesPlan
PresentationOnLowerSusquehannaSubbasin
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
June16
3RiversWetWeather
GreenInfrastructureGroundTruthing:MonitoringResults
CaseStudiesFromAcrossTheCountryMunicipalWorkshop
.GreenTreeMunicipalBuilding,
Pittsburgh.9:0011:00a.m.
June16
PennTAPPollutionPrevention,EnergyEfficiencyWebinar
.Noon.
June1719
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournShickshinnyToSunbury
.
June18
RiverSweepCleanupInWesternPA
.
June18
PAResourcesCouncil
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest.Mt.Lebanon.
June18
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
CREPMaintenanceFieldDay
.Wernersville.
June18
NEW
.
PhiladelphiasNeighborhoodGardensTrustCommunityGardensDay
.
June1825
DelawareRiverSojourn
.
June20
DEPPublicMeeting,HearingOnChangesToAirPermitForLackawannaEnergy
Center,LLCNaturalGasPowerPlantInJessupBorough,LackawannaCounty
.ValleyView
HighSchool,Archbald,LackawannaCounty.6:00to9:30p.m.
June21
AgendaPosted
.
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
FinalVOCRegulationsCoveringSurfaceCoatingProcess
FinalVOCRegulationsCoveringVehicleAssemblyCoatingOperations
FinalRevisedTotalColiformRule
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
June21
AgendaPosted
.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
ClickHere
tojointhemeeting
bywebinar.
PresentationFromUSGSOn
WaterQualitySamplingInChesapeakeBayWatershed
PresentationFromDEPOnIts
LegacyWellClimateEmissionsStudy
.
ClickHere
toreadacopyofDEPsMonthlyReportToCouncil
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
June21
DEPMeeting/HearingOnCPVFairviewsProposedNaturalGasFiredPowerPlantIn
JacksonTwp.,CambriaCounty.JacksonTownshipVolunteerFireHall,176AdamsAve.,
MineralPoint.6:009:00p.m.Contact:JohnPoister,
jpoister@pa.gov
.
June21or22
.Scranton.
June22
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
mets.DEPBureauofLaboratories
Building,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.DEPContact:LeeMcDonnell,7177875017or
sendemailto:
lmcdonnell@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June22
NEW
.
ChiquesCreekWatershedExpo
.LancasterCounty.
June2223
2016PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference
.IndianaUniversityofPA,
Indiana.
June23
DraftAgenda
.Jointmeetingofthe
and
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
.
DEPMoshannonDistrictOffice,186EnterpriseDr.,
Philipsburg.10:00.DEPContact:ToddWallace,OilandGasProgram,bycalling7177839438
orsendemailto:
twallace@pa.gov
.
DiscussionOfDraftFormsToImplementTheChapter78aRegulations
DiscussionOfDraftTechnicalGuidanceToImplementTheChapter78aRegulations
ProposedMethaneReductionStandards&ImpactsOnOilAndGasIndustry
DiscussionOfChangesToOilAndGasComplianceReportViewer
UpdateOnProposedChapter78,SubchapterDRulemaking
Foravailablehandouts,checktherespectiveAdvisoryCommitteeandBoardwebpages.
June23
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Susquehanna
Room,Fish&BoatCommissionBuilding,1601ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.DEPContact:
DawnHissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formalnotice
)
June23
NEW
.
FarmingForSuccess
Workshop
.SoutheastAgriculturalResearchandExtensionCenter,1446AuctionRd.,Manheim,
LancasterCounty.
June2425
YoughioghenyRiverSymposium
.
PennStateUniversityFayette
.Uniontown.
June2429
WildlandsConservancy
LehighRiverSojourn
.
June25
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.LTBA,AlleghenyCounty.
June25
BlakesleeNaturalAreaGetOutdoorsPoconosHike
.
MonroeCounty.
June26
LearnToFlyFishTheBrodheadCreek
.Monroe
County.
June26
NEW
.
BrodheadWatershedAssn
MasterGardenerRainGardenWorkshop
.
Analomink,MonroeCounty.
June28
DEPpublichearingonupgradetoCalpineMidMeritLLCnaturalgaspowerplantin
YorkCountyfrom760to830MW.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,
Harrisburg.9:00.
(
May28PABulletin,page2703
)(
June4PABulletin,page2885
)
June28
DEPhearingonSammyMar,LLCsproposedPovlik#1injectionwellHuston,
ClearfieldCounty.PennfieldGrangeHall,12255BennettsValleyHighway,Penfield.6:009:00
p.m.Contact:JohnPoister,
jpoister@pa.gov
.
June28or29
.Wyomissing.
June29
StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.11thFloor
ConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,
BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.
June30
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
riashley@pa.gov
.
June30
DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoards
Regulatory,legislativeandTechnicalCommittee
meets.14thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.Themeetingwillalsobeoffered
byWeb/Conferencecall.1:00.DEPContact:DanielSnowden,7177838846orsendemailto:
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
July7
DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
July8
NEW
.
JeffersonsIntegrativeMedicinesPrescribeATrailWalk
.RadnorTrail,
DelawareCounty.
July9
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.WashingtonCounty,
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
July9
NEW
.
PikeMonroeWoodlandOwnersGroupForestryProjectTour
.ResicaFallsBoy
ScoutCamp,MonroeCounty.
July13
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.DEPContact:MollyAdams,LandRecyclingProgram,
7177831566.Email:
moadams@pa.gov
.
July13
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMiningEquipment
meeting.
WestmorelandRoom,DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEP
Contact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
July16
GreyTowersHeritageAssn.SummerLectureSeries
:JervisMcEntee,ThePinchot
FamilyAndTheHudsonRiverSchoolOfArt.
GreyTowersNationalHistoricSite
,Milford,
PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
July1821
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuaryTeacherWorkshops
.PhiladelphiaRegion.
July19
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.DEP
Contact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
July19
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
Note:
NextscheduledmeetingisSeptember
20.
July19or20
.Lewisburg.
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.
July27
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
.12thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,
7177839269orsendemailto:
nherb@pa.gov
.
July27
NEW
.
TheDelawareRiverBasinCommissionholdsahearingproposedregulations
changingitsrulesofpracticeandprocedureconcerningregulatoryprogramfees,watersupply
chargesinvitingpubliccomments.DRBCOffices,25StatePoliceDrive,WestTrenton,NJ.
1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
July2729
PROPRecycling&OrganicsConference
.Harrisburg.
August2
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.DEPContact:CarlJones,Director,DEPsOfficeof
EnvironmentalJustice,4842505818orsendemailto:
caejone@pa.gov
.
August4
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,7177839269orsendemail
to:
nherb@pa.gov
.
August13
PAResourcesCouncil
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August13
LacawacSanctuary50thAnniversaryFarmToPlateDinner
.WayneCounty.
August16
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
August18
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
August20
PAResourcesCouncil
.WestMifflin,Allegheny
County.
August24
CANCELED
.DEP
meeting.DEP
Contact:
ToddWallace,OilandGasProgram,bycalling7177839438orsendemailto:
twallace@pa.gov
.
August25
CANCELED
.DEP
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPContact:
ToddWallace,OilandGasProgram,bycalling7177839438orsendemailto:
twallace@pa.gov
.
August27
:TheSpiritualityOfGifford
Pinchot.
GreyTowersNationalHistoricSite
,Milford,PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
September1518
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
WomenandTheirWoodsEducational
Retreat
.Milanville,WayneCounty.
September17
PAResourcesCouncil
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September17
:TheClearestWayInto
TheUniverse:NaturesMeaningInThePhotographsOfAnselAdams.
GreyTowersNational
HistoricSite
,Milford,PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
September2122
NEW
.
ShaleInsightConference
.Pittsburgh.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
riashley@pa.gov
.
September22
Canceled
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,Room206,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.DEPContact:
AarenAlgerat717346822orsendemailto:
aaalger@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
September22
RegistrationOpen
.PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducator
Summit
.TheCentralHotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October1
PAResourcesCouncil
.RobinsonTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.
October8
PAResourcesCouncil
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
October2628
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
VisitDEPs
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
Checkthe
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
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.
June15
PAHorticulturalSocietyGardening&GreeningContest
June17
SinnemahoningCreekWatershedGrants
June20
NEW
.
PAHorticulturalSocietyGardening&GreeningContest
June23
NEW
.
KeepPABeautifulGreatAmericanCleanupVideoContestVotingEnds
June24
NRCSPAConservationInnovationGrants
June30
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30
CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30
CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July1
NEW
.
NortheastEnvironmentalPartnershipAwards
July
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
July
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
July8
ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
July8
PROPRecyclingFilmFestival
July31
KeepPABeautifulFreshPaintDaysPAGrants
September13
NEW
.
PPFFStateParks&ForestsThruTheSeasonsPhotoContest
September
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
September
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants
Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
ActingDEPSecretaryPatrickMcDonnellExpectedToAvoidRufflingFeathers
RecommendationsForRestoringPAAsEnvironmentalLeader
Letter:Sen.YudichaksEnvironmentalStewardshipEvidentInPlymouth
Air
ConnecticutAsksEPAToControlBrunnerIslandEmissions
Crable:DEPApprovalOfPerduePlantInLancasterChallenged
LancasterResidentsArgueDEPAbusesDiscretionInPerduePermi
t
AlternativeEnergy
ShipleyAddingCNGFuelingStationInYorkCounty
Beautification
BillWouldToughenDigitalBillboardRegs
Biodiversity/InvasiveSpecies
Washington&JeffersonArboretum:ALivingLaboratory
Budget
IsCompromiseInAirAsNewBudgetDeadlineLooms?
AP:WolfDeclinesToSayWhetherStateWillMeetBudgetDeadline
ItsBudgetTimeAgain,ShouldWeCringe?OrChill?
Hope,SkepticismOnSmootherBudgetTalksThisYear
ItsBack!DeadlineLoomsForNewStateBudget
JohnBaer:SpeakerTurzaisReasonToPlayNice
ChesapeakeBay
Climate
ComplianceAction
PUCFilesComplaintAgainstFairViewEnergyLLC
DrinkingWater
CouncilMemberBillsWouldGetLeadOutOfPhillyWater
PhiladelphiaCouncilBillsTargetLeadInCity
LeadHearingCallsForMoreVigilanceInPhiladelphia
WaterRatesToRise10PercentInPhiladelphia
AP:WolfToMilitary:FundBloodTestsFor70KOverTaintedWater
NavyPressedToFundBloodTestsForWaterContaminants
Fountains,SinksShutDownAfterLeadConcernsInScranton
PennStateAgTestingForLeadAndMore
AP:NestleAbandonsPlannedPAWaterExtractionFacility
EconomicDevelopment
GettingByAfterTheNaturalGasBoom
Editorial:AHomesteadActForAppalachiaPlantsSeeds
Education
EmergencyResponse
OilTrainDerailmentDrillInMontcoThisWeekend
Energy
Crable:ExelonToSeekRenewalOfPeachBottomNuclearPlant
ExelonSeeksToExtendLicenseForPeachBottomNuclearPlant
ExelonSeeking20YearExtensionAtPeachBottom
Crable:June13PeachBottomNuclearPlantInformationNight
ThreeMileIslandVulnerableToClosure,CEOSays
WillNJConsumersBeHitWithZeroEmissionsSurchargeForNuclear?
OpEd:PA,NationStillNeedNuclearPower
Editorial:AHomesteadActForAppalachiaPlantsSeeds
PUCGrantsPGWTemporary$11.4MRateBoost
PUCFilesComplaintAgainstFairViewEnergyLLC
TalenCEOCouldBeInLineForBigPayday
Flooding/Storms
Forests
GrowingGreener
HazardousSitesCleanup
AP:WolfToMilitary:FundBloodTestsFor70KOverTaintedWater
NavyPressedToFundBloodTestsForWaterContaminants
LandConservation
Litter/IllegalDumping
MineReclamation
RegulatorsFear$1BillionCoalReclamationCleanupBill
WestVirginia,BankruptAlphaPropose$300MDealOnMineCleanup
Oil&Gas
WhoKilledDEPsLargestFineAgainstADrillingCompany?
DontFrackTheRich?CommentPutsFocusOnEnvironmentalJustice
CourtHearsDisputeOverOil&GasWellPermitPolicies
CourtHearsConventionalDrillingIndustryChallengeToRulesProtectingPublicResources
PennFutureUrgesTownshipToScrapGasDrillingOrdinance
IMGMidstreamSeesGrowthInPowerPlantsUsingGas,Renewables
EnvironmentalGroupQuestionsSEPTAProposalForNaturalGasPlant
Utica,MarcellusShalePermitsSlowInMayAgain
ChesapeakeEnergySeeksToMoveLawsuitToFederalCourt
GettingByAfterTheNaturalGasBoom
AlleghenyFront:Faces,PlacesOfTheFrackingBoom
LandownerChallengeCouldOpenDoorToDrillingInDelawareWatershed
OilTrainDerailmentDrillInMontcoThisWeekend
LowestGasolinePricesIn11YearsGreetDrivers
Pipelines
ColumbiaGasToSpend$2MToReplaceOldPittsburghPipeline
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
RenewableEnergy
SchuylkillRiver
Sustainability
SmartCityChallenge:PittsburghMakesPushFor$50Million
WatershedProtection
ClickHere
Wildlife
WildOutdoorsKettleCreekWonderfulForAngling
LatrobeWildlifeBiologistTakesAimAtRabies
SchuylkillHavenWildlifeCenterNursesInjuredBaldEagle
LetsTalkAboutBirds:SpringOnTheWing
BirdCountsTrackSpecies,EnvironmentalHealthInLehighValley
ZikaVirus/WestNileVirus
Dept.OfHealthMonitoringZikaVirusInPA
PittLabWorkerContractsZikaFromNeedleStick
AlleghenyCountyTreatsCatchBasinsToPreventWestNileVirus
Other
PhillyCouncilAdvancesProBillboardLegislation
ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
publishednotice
ofproposedstreamredesignationsinBerks,
Chester,Monroe,NorthamptonandSusquehannacountiesforpubliccommentintheJune11PA
Bulletin.
PennsylvaniaBulletinJune11,2016
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
Checkthe
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheJune11PABulletinof
proposedtechnicalguidanceontheBeneficialUseOfGeneralPermitMaterialsAtActiveCoal
MinesandGovernmentFinancedConstruction(MineReclamation)Contractsforcomment.
DEPID:5632112001.Title:BeneficialUseofGeneralPermit(GP)MaterialsatActive
CoalMines.
Description:ThisguidanceexplainshowtheBureauofMiningPrograms
implementsthebeneficialuseofmaterialsauthorizedbyaBureauofWasteManagementGPfor
asitecoveredunderacoalminingpermit.Itclarifiestheprocedureforobtainingapprovalfrom
theDepartmenttousethesematerialsforcoalminereclamationandtheguidelinesformaking
theapprovaldetermination.
WrittenComments:Interestedpersonsmaysubmitwrittencommentsonthisdraft
technicalguidancedocumentbyJuly11,2016.Commentssubmittedbyfacsimilewillnotbe
accepted.Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyemail,mustincludetheoriginator's
nameandaddress.CommentatorsareurgedtosubmitcommentsusingtheDepartment'sonline
eCommentat
www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment
.
Writtencommentsshouldbesubmittedto
ecomment@pa.gov
ortheTechnicalGuidance
Coordinator,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PolicyOffice,RachelCarsonStateOffice
Building,P.O.Box2063,Harrisburg,PA171052063.
Contact:Questionsregardingthistechnicalguidancedocumentshouldbedirectedto
SharonHillat(717)7876842or
shill@pa.gov
.
DEPID:5632000001.Title:GovernmentFinancedConstructionContracts.
Description:
Thisguidancedefinesproceduresforauthorizingincidentalandnecessarycoalextraction,coal
refuseremovalandutilizationofexcessspoilfromanactivemineforreclaimingabandoned
minelandsunderagovernmentfinancedconstructioncontract.
Thesubstantiverevisionsmadetotheguidanceincludethefollowing:expandthe
methodologyforevaluatingprojecteligibilitytoreflecttherequirementsintheSurfaceMining
ConservationandReclamationAct(52P.S.1396.11396.19b)theapplicationprocessing
procedurescontractenforcementandthedeletionofAppendicesBandH,whichhavebeen
replacedbyDepartmentalforms.
WrittenComments:Interestedpersonsmaysubmitwrittencommentsonthisdraft
technicalguidancedocumentonorbyJuly11,2016.Commentssubmittedbyfacsimilewillnot
beaccepted.Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyemail,mustincludetheoriginator's
nameandaddress.CommentatorsareurgedtosubmitcommentsusingtheDepartment'sonline
eCommentat
www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment
.
Writtencommentsshouldbesubmittedto
ecomment@pa.gov
ortheTechnicalGuidance
Coordinator,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PolicyOffice,RachelCarsonStateOffice
Building,P.O.Box2063,Harrisburg,PA171052063.
Contact:ChrisYeakleat(814)7971191or
cyeakle@pa.gov
.
The
publishednotice
ofproposedregulationschangingits
rulesofpracticeandprocedureconcerningregulatoryprogramfees,watersupplycharges
invitingpubliccomments.ApublicinformationmeetingisscheduledforJune15inWashington
Crossing,PA.ApublichearingisscheduledforJuly27attheDRBCOffice25StatePolice
Drive,WestTrenton,NJstartingat1:00.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
DEPalsopublishednoticeofproposedchangestothelistofcompaniescertifiedtoperform
radonrelatedactivitiesintheJune1PABulletin(
page3029
).
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPs
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
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