Here are 117 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

PA Environment Digest Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On April 15, the Department of Environmental Protection announced 22 projects completed by schools, businesses, and community organizations around the state were recognized with the 2024 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. 

On April 19, Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the filing of charges against Shell Falcon Pipeline LP for violations of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law regarding construction of a 45-mile pipeline in western Pennsylvania.

On April 17, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing to examine the environmental and public health impacts from disposing of conventional oil and gas wastewater on public roads..

On April 17, a Penn State expert told the Senate Democratic Policy Committee-- “There’s no more research that needs to be done” to justify adopting a state ban on the road dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater.

On April 17, Siri Lawson from Farmington Township, Warren County provided the Senate Democratic Policy Committee a first-hand account of the health and environmental impacts from road dumping conventional oil and gas wastewater-- it’s literally like “inhaling oil and gas wastewater 24-hours per day.”

On April 17, Karen Feridun from the Better Path Coalition told the Senate Democratic Policy Committee 3.5 million gallons of conventional oil and gas wastewater has been dumped on Pennsylvania’s public roads since DEP’s ‘moratorium’ on dumping started six years ago.

On April 17, the Department of Environmental Protection submitted written testimony to the Senate Democratic Policy Committee saying-- “The Department intends to evaluate this data and any additional information brought to our attention for use in decision making about brine-spreading on Pennsylvania roadways.”

The agenda for the April 25 meeting of DCED’s PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council features a discussion dumping conventional oil and gas well wastewater on public roads for disposal, an update on taxpayer funded well plugging grant programs and DEP regulations limiting methane emissions from conventional wells.

From April 13 to 19, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 661 inspection entries. DEP also added inspection reports from the previous week.

On April 16, Commonwealth Court issued an opinion affirming a decision by the Environmental Hearing Board that Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester) did not have legal standing to appeal a DEP permit for the Eureka Resources, LLC oil and gas wastewater treatment facility in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County.

Westmoreland County-based Protect PT and Food & Water Watch are holding an online training April 30 at 7:00 p.m. for municipal leaders on the dangers of fracking waste and injection wells and most importantly what your municipal leaders can do about them.

The following DEP notices were published in the April 20 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a hearing May 2 on water use requests, including seven shale gas drilling-related requests in Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.     

In a statement to PA Environment Digest on April 12, David Callahan, President of the Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition, again laid out his group’s support for “unleashing US LNG” exports and agreeing with the position of Pittsburgh-based EQT Corporation that the US has a “duty” to supply gas to China, our economic and military competitor.

By John Quigley, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy, University of Pennsylvania

On April 18, Texas-based Encina Development Group announced it will not move forward with its chemical plastics recycling plant in Northumberland County "at the current time."  The company said it will pursue other projects in the US, Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia.

The Department of Environmental Protection will open the next round of Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grants on April 22.  The deadline for applications is June 21.  (formal notice- Growing Greener Plus)  (formal notice - Section 319)

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for Act 13 Program watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphaned or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities, flood mitigation programs and recreation grants.

On April 16, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced today more than $124.8 million in fiscal year 2024 abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation fee-based grants available to states and Tribes for AML reclamation efforts that continue to protect the health and safety of Americans and restore the environment.

On April 16, Robert Bonnie, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation announced the availability of an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA State Conservationist Denise Coleman is conducting a rapid survey in Western Pennsylvania Counties under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to determine if the impacts of flooding from the April 2024 rainfall events have caused a watershed impairment and has left property owners at risk.

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” June 4-6 at Toftrees Golf Resort, located at 1 Country Club Lane in State College.

The latest episode of Lancaster Clean Water Partners Clean Water Conversations podcast features a conversation with EPA Region 3 Administrator Adam Ortiz guided by Allyson Gibson, Executive Director, and Kenn Bennett, Communications Coordinator, from the Partners.

The Natural Areas Association will host a two-part webinar series April 22 and May 7 on Embracing The Power Of Nature For Watershed Recovery at Noon both days.

Penn State Extension is now accepting registrations for the 11th Annual Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium to be held May 23 in Harrisburg.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 20 PA Bulletin inviting comments on five draft stream evaluation reports for watersheds located in Chester, Fulton, Greene, Lancaster, Lycoming and Sullivan counties.

Stream health is crucial for maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems and the overall well-being of surrounding environments.

Five years ago this month and clad in a blue “HELLBENDER DEFENDER” t-shirt, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation designating the Eastern hellbender as Pennsylvania’s official state amphibian.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on May 8 and a business meeting on June 5.  (formal notice)

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a June 10 hearing on the RACT 3 Air Quality Permit for the Pixelle Specialty Solutions, LLC paper making plant in Spring Grove Borough, York County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2128) 

The Pennsylvania Solar Center is hosting an April 25 webinar starting at Noon for businesses, schools, municipalities and nonprofits interested in transitioning to solar energy to reduce costs and eliminate natural gas prices spikes.

Join the Pennsylvania Solar Center and workforce experts to learn about the different programs and pathways that are supporting the need for a strong Pennsylvania solar workforce during an April 25 webinar starting at Noon.

On April 18, PPL Corporation released its 2023 Sustainability Report highlighting the company's progress in executing its utility of the future strategy.

Ashish Sharma, climate and urban sustainability lead for the Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois, will give the talk, “Climate Science to Actionable Urban Solutions,” at 4 p.m. Monday, April 22, via Zoom.

On April 22, more than one billion people around the world will celebrate Earth Day, which annually encourages individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to take action to protect the planet. 

In celebration of Earth Day-- April 22-- Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful encourages residents to join the 2024 Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council will launch its 2024 household chemical collection campaign in Western PA on May 4 by hosting a drive-thru event in Allegheny County.

On April 19, the Little Juniata River Association held its 19th Annual River Bank Clean Up that attracted over 100 volunteers to clean up 30 miles of river banks from Barrie, Huntingdon County to Altoona, Blair County.

Through a partnership between Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. and Keep America Beautiful, Route 209 in the Pottsville area of Schuylkill County received extra care and attention by way of a roadway cleanup project.

The PA Chapter of the American Planning Association is accepting nominations for Great Places In Pennsylvania in two categories: Great Public Spaces and Great Transformations.  The deadline for submissions is May 17.

On April 17, Shapiro Administration officials worked with members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps on a project to improve the Joyce Kilmer Trail in Union County in Bald Eagle State Forest.

 The Conservation Fund has transferred more than 19,800 acres of forestland along the Clarion River in Elk County and Kinzua Creek in McKean County to the Western PA Conservancy.

On April 19, the Allegheny Land Trust announced the conservation of 90 acres of woodlands in Collier Township and 24 acres of green space in Ross Township, Allegheny County.

On April 15, the Keystone Trails Association is pleased to announce the appointment of three new staff members: Al Germann as Regional Trail Care Coordinator in the PA Wilds, Kate Prisby as Manager of Events and Programs, and Haley Feaster as Manager of Communications and Development.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, in conjunction with New Trail Brewing, is excited to announce a new “I Love My State Parks” craft brew celebrating the importance of the nation’s state park system.

Berks County-based Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s official spring migration count kicked off on April 1, and will continue through May 15.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania has partnered with Bird Town Pennsylvania to make our ‘Burgh (even more) Bird Friendly.

The Greater Erie City Nature Challenge is back for its third year, taking place from April 26 – 29, 2024 throughout Erie County.  This 4-day international community science event challenges us to explore the biodiversity around us.

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

The April issue of DCNR State Parks Environmental Education newsletter helps educator celebrate Earth Month with features like this--

The PA Association of Environmental Educators and the North American Association for Environmental Education Affiliate Network have relaunched a pledge campaign called Outside for 5 encouraging teachers, administrators, nonformal educators, youth development leaders, and parents in Pennsylvania to engage students and children in outdoor learning for at least five minutes a day, five days a week, or any meaningful amount of time.

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action--

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the April 20 PA Bulletin--

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.