The February 8 PA Environment Digest is now available. Here are just a few of the headlines--
The FY 2015-16 state budget isn’t finished yet, but Gov. Wolf will be talking about his second set of budget recommendations on February 9. How will they be different? How will they be the same?
By Harry Campbell, PA Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Pennsylvania has unveiled a new strategy for cleaning up its polluted waterways, and it will take the necessary investments from leaders in Harrisburg, and a unified effort across the Commonwealth, for the plan to succeed.
While this “rebooted” effort establishes a framework for success, it is just the first chapter of a long story.
The Environmental Quality Board Wednesday voted overwhelmingly (15 to 4) to approve DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78A (unconventional) drilling regulations, after voting down 17 amendments to the regulation by three of the legislative members of the Board.
The final regulations address surface activities at well sites, and center on five core areas: Improve protection of water resources; Add public resources considerations; Protect public health and safety; Address landowner concerns; and Enhance transparency and improve data management.
On March 9 the PA Supreme Court will hear an appeal of a 2015 Commonwealth Court decision upholding the right of the General Assembly and the governor to transfer monies from DCNR’s Oil and Gas Fund to the General Fund and the use of those funds for DCNR State Park and State Forest Operations.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority will be accepting the next round of applications for grants funded by Act 13 for watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage abatement, baseline water quality data, orphan or abandoned well plugging, sewage facilities and flood mitigation programs starting March 1. The deadline for applications is June 30.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority will be accepting applications for its Alternative and Clean Energy Grant Program starting February 1. Applications are due April 1.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications for its High Performance Building and Renewable Energy Grant Programs throughout 2016. Here’s a quick rundown on the programs--
The departments of Health and Environmental Protection Thursday released this overview of how Pennsylvania address the issue of lead exposure in the wake of events in Flint, Michigan over the last several weeks--
In response to the increased attention that lead in drinking water has received over the past few weeks in Flint, Michigan, Penn State Extension will provide an educational water webinar entitled, “Lead in Drinking Water from Private Wells, Springs and Cisterns – What You Should Know” on February 10 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and repeated from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m..
Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation President, Denny Beck, testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Wednesday in support of H.R. 3797, the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act.
In a letter to all House and Senate members Thursday, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful said 2016 could be a “record-breaking year for abandoned and dumped electronics” if Pennsylvania’s electronics recycling law isn’t fixed.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday announced ocal volunteers in Allegheny, Blair, McKean, Mifflin, Philadelphia were recognized for their outstanding efforts in beautifying and cleaning up their communities.
The Department of Health Friday said it is increasing its efforts to monitor and identify potential Zika virus cases in the Commonwealth. No cases of Zika virus have been reported in Pennsylvania. Testing of individuals who have travelled to affected areas and have experienced symptoms is ongoing
To read the Digest, visit: www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com. Click Here to print the entire Digest.
PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates.
PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.
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