PA Environment Digest Blog

Friday, December 19, 2025

Pennsylvania Environmental Council Awards $50,000 In Cycling Mini-Grants

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council recently announced the award of $50,000 through the 2026 Cycling Activation in PA Mini Grant Program.

This is a new mini grant program that provides $1,000 to $15,000 for projects or events that activate existing cycling assets through programming, promotion, or providing informational resources for cycling opportunities centered on gravel roads, mountain bike trails, and multi-use pathways throughout Pennsylvania.

The program was open to applicants statewide, and project types may include gravel or bikepacking route development, promotional materials, interpretive signage, mapping, or events and programming.

Projects will engage local stakeholders in planning and implementation, strengthen partnerships, promote stewardship, engage new audiences, foster inclusivity, and support the outdoor recreation economy.

The Cycling Activation in PA Mini-Grant awardees are--

-- Agile Rascal Theater – $7,500 for Schuylkill River Trail Bike Play Project: Funding will help support the development, planning, and performance of Middle Twilight, a play in which the actors and audience travel by bicycle along the Schuylkill River Trail. This project blends cycling and the arts and encourages new audiences to try cycling all while showcasing local trail infrastructure.

-- Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust – $5,227 for All Access Railbike Initiative: Pedaling into a Better Future Together: Funds will go towards the acquisition of railbikes designed to introduce a cycling experience that is fully inclusive of blind individuals, people with disabilities, those new to exercise, and others who may not otherwise try cycling. This initiative aims to provide the benefits of outdoor recreation in a safe and accessible way.

-- Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau – $5,227 for Cumberland Valley Cycling & Outdoor Recreation Map: Funding will support the creation of a pocket-sized, fold-out map highlighting Cumberland County’s outdoor recreation opportunities, with an emphasis on cycling routes and assets. Purple Lizard Maps will bring award-winning cartography skills to the project, and routes will highlight local businesses and points of interest.

-- Endless Mountains Heritage Region – $10,000 for Endless Mountains Gravel PA Single-Day Gravel Loops: This project will focus on the development of 15 gravel day routes in the Endless Mountains region to complement the Endless Mountains 430, 250, and 115-mile loops. The routes will extend from community hubs within the region, connecting to business, heritage sites, parks, and other points of interest, and will cater to a variety of skill and fitness levels. The route creation process will include meeting with stakeholders, field work to scout and refine routes, and publishing the routes on Ride With GPS.

-- Hawk Rock Cycling Association – $8,708 for Susquenita Trail Signage & Wayfinding Project: Creating Safe, Welcoming Access to Trails for Our Community: The grant will fund the development and installation of a comprehensive signage and wayfinding system to make a new trail system on school property in Perry County safe and welcoming for all users. The project is student-led and will be the first publicly accessible mountain bike trail in the county.

-- IM ABLE Foundation – $13,337 for Ride Without Limits: IM ABLE’s Adaptive Athletes and Rally Point Riders: Funding will support the placement of a storage trailer for off-road adaptive cycles at Berks County Park to alleviate logistical barriers and empower adaptive cyclists to utilize the equipment independently, without the need for transport to and from the trailhead. It will also support IM ABLE’s inclusive ride programming, which targets riders of varied abilities with a focus on veterans and first-time adaptive cyclists.

Funding for the Cycling Activation Mini-Grant Program is provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through their Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2).

Click Here for the PEC announcement.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

Commonwealth Financing Authority Invests More Than $14 Million In Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee Revenue In Local Watershed Restoration, Recreation, Sewage And Flood Mitigation Projects

On December 19, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced the award of more than $14 million in Act 13 drilling impact fee revenue to support 135 local watershed restoration, recreation, sewage and flood mitigation projects.

“By investing in projects that protect our environment and strengthen our infrastructure, we’re building safer, healthier, and stronger communities across Pennsylvania,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “From flood mitigation and watershed restoration to sewage facilities improvements and supporting our recreational trails, these initiatives are delivering real results that improve quality of life for all Pennsylvanians and continue our economic momentum.”

The Act 13 Program funding includes--

-- Flood Mitigation Program (FMP) – Five projects approved; $813,520 total funding. The program provides funding for statewide initiatives to assist with flood mitigation projects. For example, Tioga County was approved for $265,380 for the Mansfield Flood Mitigation Project.

-- Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) – 119 projects approved; $12,122,417 total funding. The program provides funding for the planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks, and beautification projects. For example, Hampden Township was approved for $100,000 in funding for pedestrian improvements to Srouji Park in Cumberland County.

-- Sewage Facilities Program (SFP) – Two projects approved; $77,529 total funding. The program provides funding for statewide initiatives for complying with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. For example, Lowell Township in Lehigh County was approved for $52,529 for planning costs associated with the update to their Act 537 plan.

-- Watershed Restoration Protection Program (WRPP) – Nine projects approved; $1,095,895 total funding. The program provides funding for watershed restoration and protection projects. For example, O’Hara Township was approved for $100,000 in funding for Woodland Park pond improvements in Allegheny County.

Click Here for the list of projects approved.

Act 13 drilling impact fees are paid by shale gas well drillers. Conventional oil and gas well owners pay nothing.

Next Round Opens Feb. 1

Applications for Act 13 Program funding are usually accepted from February 1 to May 31 each year.

For more information, visit the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Act 13 Programs webpage.

Click Here for the CFA announcement.

PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - December 20

The following notices were published in the December 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 published notice in the December 20 PA Bulletin announcing the approval of three water withdrawals related to shale gas development bringing the 2025 total to 22. Read more here.

-- The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the December 20 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 31 general water use permits in November for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Blair, Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Susquehanna and Tioga counties. So far in 2025, SRBC issued or renewed 429 general water use permits for shale gas development. Read more here.

Land Recycling/Brownfield Cleanups

-- Range Resources Appalachia, LLC - Laurel Hill E Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP received a Final Report on remediation of soil contaminated with wastewater to meet the Statewide Health and Background Standards at the pad located in Jackson Twp. Lycoming County. (PA Bulletin, page 8693)

-- Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC - DeCristo D Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP received a Final Report on the remediation of soil contaminated with wastewater to meet the Statewide Health Standards at the pad located in Sullivan Twp., Tioga County. (PA Bulletin, page 8693)

-- EQT Corporation - Mingo Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP approved a Final Report on remediation of soil contaminated with wastewater (aluminum, barium, boron, chloride, iron, lithium, manganese, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc) to meet the Statewide Health Standard located in Union Twp., Washington County. (PA Bulletin, page 8694)

-- Consol Coal/CNX Gas Company - Coal Refuse Disposal Area #7: DEP issued a technical deficiency letter on a Final Report on remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with oil and gas wastewater that did not prove the site met the Site-Specific cleanup standards at the disposal area located in Morris Twp., Greene County. (PA Bulletin, page 8694) Read more here.

2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups

So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 172 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups.

Air Quality Permits - Comments

-- KC Midstream Solutions, LLC - Compressor Station: DEP invites comments on a renewal of a State Only Air Quality Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Wayne Twp., Erie County. (PA Bulletin, page 8674)

Air Quality Permits - Issued

-- JKLM Energy, LLC - Compression-Ignition Engine: DEP issued a GP-15 General Air Quality Permit for the installation of a nonroad compression-ignition engine at a facility located in Tioga Twp., Tioga County. (PA Bulletin, page 8695)

-- PA General Energy Company, LLC - Horton Run Road Compressor Station: DEP issued a GP-5 Air Quality General Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Wharton Twp., Potter County. (PA Bulletin, page 8695)

-- Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC - Union City Compressor Station: DEP issued a GP-5 Air Quality General permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Union Twp., Erie County. (PA Bulletin, page 8695)

-- Hilcorp Energy Company - Mahoning-Siegel Central Facility: DEP issued a GP-5 Air Quality General Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Mahoning Twp., Lawrence County. (PA Bulletin, page 8695)

-- Energy Transfer Marketing & Terminals, LP - Twin Oaks Petroleum Products Terminal: DEP issued a GP-2 Air Quality General Permit covering two 30,000 gallon storage tanks located at the facility in Upper Chichester Twp., Delaware County. (PA Bulletin, page 8695)

-- Peoples Natural Gas Company, LLC - Merwin Compressor Station: DEP reauthorized the GP-5 Air Quality General Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Washington Twp., Westmoreland County. (PA Bulletin, page 8695)

-- NFG Midstream Covington, LLC - Cruttenden 846 Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP revoked the GP-5A Air Quality General Permit after the removal of all air contamination sources at the facility located in Middlebury Twp., Tioga County. (PA Bulletin, page 8699)

Chapter 105 Encroachment Permits

-- Hyperion Midstream LLC - Titan Shale Gas Well Pad to Athena Valve Site 2 mile, 12-inch Natural Gas Pipeline: DEP issued a Chapter 105 permit covering a pipeline project impacting Thorn Run (High Quality), Steels Run (High Quality), the Beaver Run Reservoir and Exceptional Value wetlands located in Murraysville Boro and Washington Twp., Westmoreland County. (PA Bulletin, page 8703)

Erosion & Sedimentation Permits - Comments

-- Monroe Energy, LLC - Trainer Refinery: DEP invites comments on an Individual Stormwater Management Permit covering the installation of the North Side Cooling Tower III and associated chemical storage located in Trainer and Marcus Hook Boroughs, Delaware County. (PA Bulletin, page 8668)

Erosion & Sedimentation Permits - Issued

-- XTO Energy Inc. - Unknown Project: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Coal Run located in Summit Twp., Butler County. (PA Bulletin, page 8704)

Oil & Gas Well Drilling Permits [12.12.25]*

-- Last Week - Permits: DEP issued 4 conventional and 5 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Permits: DEP issued 174 conventional and 605 unconventional

-- Last Week - Wells Drilled: ZERO conventional, 17 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Wells Drilled: 130 conventional and 433 unconventional

*Weekly Workload Report - 12.12.25

*DEP’s Weekly Oil & Gas Program Workload Report - Most Recent

DEP Issued These New/Renewed Oil & Gas Permits *

This is a list of conventional oil and gas and shale gas well permits DEP issued from December 6 to 12 by county--

Allegheny County

-- Frazer Twp.: Range Resources Appalachia LLC - 2 Shale Gas Wells

Forest County

-- Howe Twp.: Cameron Energy Co - 4 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells

Susquehanna County

-- Auburn Twp.: Expand OPER LLC - 1 Shale Gas Well

*Click Here to find oil and gas well permits recently issued near you

Did you know DEP can send you email notices when permit applications are submitted to DEP in your community?

This is the only way you can get notified of when oil and gas-related permits are submitted to DEP.

You’ll also get notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations.

Click Here to sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE today!

Act 14 Notices To Municipalities

Many communities and citizens are not aware that a state law passed in 1984 gives them the first chance to comment on Department of Environmental Protection permit applications even before they are submitted to the agency. Read more here.

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard- Dec. 13 to 20 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - December 20 [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approves 3 Shale Gas Water Withdrawal Requests; 22 Total For 2025 [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 31 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In November; 429 In 2025 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 51 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In December 20 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of The NPDES Wastewater Permit For The BET Associates IV, LLC Anthracite Mining Discharge In Schuylkill, Carbon Counties Affecting 7,479 Acres [PaEN]