The April 28 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click Here to print entire Digest.
In Memoriam: Sen. Ray Musto, Democratic Chair Senate Environmental Committee
Former Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne), long-time Democratic Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, passed away Thursday at the age of 85. He retired from the Senate in 2010.
For many years Sen. Musto has been the regarded as a leading voice on environmental issues in the Senate and as a fierce advocate for his district. He has been involved in the passage of every major state environmental law and program for the last 30 years.
Oil And Gas Industry, Business Concerned About Bipartisan Severance Tax Proposals
Representatives of the oil and gas industry and business Tuesday said they are concerned about bipartisan discussion in the General Assembly on the adoption of a severance tax on natural gas production as part of an effort to deal with the state’s budget shortfalls.
Local Govts Missed Deadline To Report How $17.4 Million In Drilling Fees Were Spent
StateImpact Pennsylvania Friday reported nearly half the townships and a quarter of the counties receiving funds from the Act 13 drilling impact fee missed the April 15 deadline for reporting how they spent $17.4 million of last year’s money. Reports were filed covering $81.8 million.
DEP Reports 15,882 Miles Of Streams Impaired, Down Slightly From 2012
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice that its draft 2014 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report is available for public comment listing rivers, streams and lakes with impaired water quality.
The Monongahela River, which was impaired for potable water use, will be removed from the impairment list because the in-stream level of sulfates now meets Pennsylvania’s water quality standards.
CBF-PA Urges Governor, Attorney General To Act Now To Support Bay Cleanup Plans
Harry Campbell, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania Executive Director Friday issued a statement to Gov. Tom Corbett and Attorney General Kathleen Kane urging them to join with other Bay states in filing a amicus brief in court to support Chesapeake Bay cleanup plans.
Philadelphia Wednesday join six other major cities and other groups in filing a brief supporting Bay cleanup plans.
Governor’s 2014 Environmental Excellence Award Winners Honored
On Tuesday the 23 organizations involved in 19 environmental projects from across the state were honored with the 2014 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council hosted a dinner to recognize the award winners and featured keynote speaker Chris Abruzzo, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and opening remarks by Ellen Ferretti, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
