Here are 111 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 February 28, DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley told the House Appropriations Committee funding for DEP’s Oil and Gas Regulatory Program will be in the red by Fall and an “all sectors” greenhouse gas reduction program will not be recommended to implement the PA Climate Change Action Plan.

The following remarks by DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley were prepared for presentation to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on Gov. Shapiro’s FY 2024-25 budget request.

The following remarks by DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn were prepared for presentation to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on Gov. Shapiro’s FY 2024-25 budget request.

The Clean Air Council, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and Mountain Watershed Association announced new regulations and guidance covering the construction of natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines will take effect in Pennsylvania.

Appeals have been filed by 40 individuals with the Environmental Hearing Board over DEP’s permit for the Catalyst Energy, Inc.’s oil and gas wastewater injection well near Cyclone in Keating Township, McKean County.

On February 28, the US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Appeals Board allowa appeal by Protect PT and Three Rivers Waterkeeper of the Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC oil and gas wastewater injection well in Plum Borough, Allegheny County to move forward.

On February 26, 2024, DEP notified CNX Midstream Operating Company LLC that its application for the Slickville fracking wastewater and natural gas pipelines project is considered withdrawn because CNX failed to provide the information needed to complete the application within 60 days and start its review.

The following DEP notices were published in the March 2 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

On February 29, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Lower Reno 6 conventional oil well site and wastewater storage tanks operated by Petro Erie, Inc. in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County and found no progress in remediation of the spill that contaminated the Village of Reno water supply in July 2023-- seven months ago..

On February 29, DEP reported the clay-like material polluting Marsh Creek is not bentonite from the Mariner East Pipeline construction, but a naturally-occurring substance and Sunoco/Energy Transfer has completed its remediation of the stream leading to Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County.

From February 24 to March 1, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 732 inspection entries.

On February 28, Chemstream Inc. announced agreed to fully comply with the collaboration between Gov. Josh Shapiro and CNX Resources Corporation disclosing information about all of its proprietary chemicals, including those used in natural gas drilling.

By Rep. Greg Vitali, Majority Chair, House Environmental Committee

On March 15 the PA Utility Law Project will hold a second webinar on the impacts of LNG natural gas exports on energy costs for Pennsylvania families from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On March 1, Bloomberg Government reported Gov. Josh Shapiro said in an interview the Biden Administration's recent pause on permits for new LNG gas export facilities should be limited in time, but stopping north of outright criticizing a Pause that would undermine job creation in the state.

On February 26, the Independent Fiscal Office reported 2023 Pennsylvania natural gas production was up 1.0% over 2022, thanks to a 4.5% increase in the fourth quarter, but production is still below 2021 numbers.

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on March 12 to consider revised Land Recycling Program cleanup standards and a rulemaking petition for Fletcher Run in Greene County submitted by the CONSOL coal company.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on March 12 to hear presentations on a variety of topics including--

On February 22, the Choose Clean Water Coalition, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and PennFuture released the 2024-25 Pennsylvania Clean Water Legislative Briefing Book, a comprehensive guide to protecting and restoring Pennsylvania's rivers and streams.

For nearly 30 years, the man-made wetlands on the Saint Vincent College Archabbey property [in Westmoreland County] have helped improve local streams by naturally treating the water that drains from abandoned mines.

The latest edition of The Catalyst from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition features articles on Improving The Prairie Day and new employee Natalie Lamagna.  Kids!  Don’t forget the Super Solar Eclipse Word Search!

On February 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a third and final wave of more than $1 billion for cleanup projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at more than 100 Superfund sites across the country as part of the Investing in America agenda. 

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 2 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act agreement for the Ridge Run PFAS Site in East and West Rockhill Townships in Bucks County.  (PA Bulletin, page 1121)

The Department of Environmental Protection published  notice in the March 2 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act consent order and agreements related to the Topton Site in the Borough of Topton, Berks County. (PA Bulletin, page 1122)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 2 PA Bulletin that MTM Trading LLC (Tagital) is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 1136)

Penn State Extension will host another in its series of virtual Water Cooler Talks on Algae and Microplastics Stick Together March 22 Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Audubon Pennsylvania will kick off a series of Pennsylvania policy-focused events starting with solar energy on March 3 at the John James Audubon Center in Audubon, Montgomery County from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

The Washington & Jefferson College’s Center for Energy Policy and Management in Washington County will host a free webinar Thursday, March 7, on the basics of carbon capture and direct air capture as part of its Energy Lecture Series starting at 11:00 a.m..

 Penn State Extension will host a March 22 webinar on Forest Management and Climate Change - A Women's Perspective from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

On March 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Reading to highlight grants available through the Community Conservation Partnership Program to plant trees in underserved cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

On February 28, PA Wilds Center For Entrepreneurship announced Saint Marys in Elk County and Williamsport, Lycoming County will be the 2024 hosts for The Wilds Are Working Remote Lifestyle Experience Initiative.

The PA Environmental Council’s In Case You Missed It In February is now available featuring articles on--

The Neighborhood Gardens Trust kicked off the new year with the preservation of the Peace Garden, their 53rd protected green space.

On March 14, the Frick Environmental Center in Pittsburgh will host the 2nd Annual Symposium on What Does Ecologically Responsible Land Stewardship Look Like? From 5:00 to 830 p.m.

By Jerry Hassinger

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

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 March 2 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.