Environmental Protection Acting Secretary John Hanger told a state House panel today that the department is working to maximize the opportunities citizens, communities and companies can realize through the development of the natural gas contained in the Marcellus Shale formation, while also protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources.
“There is no question that the Marcellus Shale holds tremendous economic potential for Pennsylvania’s families and its communities,” Hanger told the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee as he explained how DEP is responding to increased drilling activity in the 5,000- to 8,000-foot-deep geologic formation. “This exciting potential also brings with it the need to act responsibly and ensure that Pennsylvania’s valuable natural resources are not sacrificed in the process.”
The Marcellus Shale formation is estimated to hold as much as 50 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas under Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. (click here for more)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
DEP Secretary: Marcellus Shale Holds Tremendous Opportunity
New Report On Global Warming’s PA Impacts, Risks
A report being released tomorrow by the Union of Concerned Scientists will identify the impacts and risks of global warming in Pennsylvania, underscoring the need for the state to adopt a strong Climate Change Action Plan, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council said today.
The Action Plan is required under legislation passed recently by the State Legislature, and the committee overseeing the plan development met for the first time in September.
“The timing of the UCS report is perfect with the state just beginning its work on a climate-change assessment and action plan,” said John Walliser, Vice President for Legal and Governmental Affairs at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. (click here for more)
DCNR, Partners Sign PA Water Trail Agreement
An agreement to encourage the development and enhancement of Pennsylvania Water Trails was signed today by officials from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the National Park Service.
Pennsylvania has 21 water trails totaling more than 2,000 miles that have been mapped or are under development. (Click here for more)
Tuesday NewsClips
NewsClips on environmental issues from around Pennsylvania
PA Voters To Decide on $400 Million Water, Sewer Bond Issue
Water Quality Has Come A Long Way Since 1988
Erie Program Intends to Trash Litter
Going Green To Make Green
Agriculture: A River Runs Through It
Revolutionary Farm Practices Playing Role In Susquehanna Cleanup
Recycling Focus Of Dunmore, Scranton School Districts Contest
Ailing State Finances Get Boost From Bids On Oil, Gas Drilling
Recycling Raise Green In Kingston
Tire Recycling Effort Gets PENNCREST Kids Out of Class
Future Gets Brighter For Solar Panel Farm
Big Bucks for Pittsburgh In Digital Billboards, Plan Says
Op-Ed: Federal Energy Policy Critical For PA, Kathleen McGinty
Falling Hunting License Sales Remain Hunting's Top Threat
Monday, September 29, 2008
Rendell Releases Growing Greener II Report
Gov. Rendell today released a report detailing investments made during the third year of Pennsylvania’s historic Growing Greene II and said it is still paying dividends for commonwealth citizens and communities three years later.
During 2007-08, Pennsylvania committed $142 million to 397 projects that will preserve farmland, reclaim abandoned mines, protect watersheds, and revitalize communities, among other projects throughout the state. (click here for more) (Click here for report)
Winter Energy Supply Hearing October 1
Public Utility Commission today announced its annual Winter Reliability Assessment meeting, which provides a snapshot of various conditions that may affect natural gas supply, price and service reliability for the upcoming winter, will be held Oct. 1 in Harrisburg.
The Winter Reliability Assessment meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Hearing Room 5 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building.
Representatives from the PUC, Energy Association of Pennsylvania, UGI Energy Services, Texas Eastern Interstate Pipeline, state Department of Public Welfare and Pennsylvania One Call System Inc. will provide information. (click here for more)
Monday NewsClips
Group To Present Plan For Buffalo Creek Watershed
Editorial: Electric Rate Increases
Fish Die After Creek Runs Dry In Eastern PA
Fly Fishing Museum Group Completes Its First Decade
Cumberland Trout Unlimited Dam Removal, Restoration Project
Botanist: Plants Help Presque Isle Dunes
Critters, Foliage, Mushrooms Get Active In Fall
Sunday, September 28, 2008
2008 Ohio River Watershed Celebration
Watch these 10 Video Blog stories from the 2008 Ohio River Watershed Celebration by following this link:
Welcome to the Celebration!, Environmental Award Winners, Wil Taylor, Jennings Environmental Education Center, Alex Petridis, The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife, Gary Stokum, Washington County Watershed Alliance, Luke Elzer, Appalachian Coal County Watershed Team, Kathleen Porter, Water Resources Education Network, Drew Banas & Susan Huba, Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Diane Salvaggio, Turtle Creek Watershed Association, Andy McAllister, Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Sunday NewsClips
Banking On Reflective Roof Coating To Reduce Energy Costs
Natural Gas Industry Transforming Small Susquehanna County Towns
Electric Power Hikes May Be Phased
Outdoors Perspectives: Bats Need To Be Preserved
Part 1 - French Creek - French Creek Steeped In History - Video
Part 2 - French Creek - Creek Carried Young Washington - Video
Part 3 - French Creek - French Creek Goes With The Flow - Video
Part 4 - French Creek Copes With City Life - Video
Editorial: French Creek Comes Alive
Council Cup A Bird Watcher's Delight
Couple Donates 40 Acres For Farm Preservation
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Saturday NewsClips
Pittsburgh's Great Race Most Eco-Friendly Ever
Editorial: Bread and Carp
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Piles Up At Hospitals
Will Your Utility Help You Pay Your Electric Bill?
Headlines from PA Environment Digest 9/29/08
Go to: www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com to read the articles.
A service of Crisci Associates, Harrisburg, Pa
Headlines
Video Blog - Over 950 Attend Ohio River Watershed Celebration
Vote YES! For Clean Water Referendum - Video Blog
Bill Expands REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit To $35 Million
Video Blog - Forum Hears Update On Emerging Water Pollutants
House Committee OKs Transmission Line, Waste Tire,Other Bills
Senate Committee OKs Water Bond Fix, Mercury Thermostat Bills
Report on Developing Lodging Facilities In State Parks
DCNR Carbon Sequestration Plan Topic Of Senate Meeting
House Committee Hearing On Marcellus Shale Drilling
Historic Great Lakes Protection Compact Approved By Congress
Chesapeake Bay States May Delay Clean Up To 2020
CBF Releases Clean Water Agenda For Next President
SRBC Hearing On Streamlined Gas Well Drilling Permits
3 Rivers Wet Weather Sewer Conference Set For October 1-2
DEP Invites Comments On TMDL Plans In 11 Watersheds
Erie Coastal Cleanup Removes Nearly 4 Tons of Trash
10th Annual Delaware Estuary Fundraiser On October 2
Friends of Wissahickon Free Rain Barrel Workshop October 16
New Street Sweeping/Stormdrain Cleanout Study
2009 Environmental Education Grants Due To DEP In December
PA Conservation Corps Grants Available
EPA Proposals Due On Active Aging Environmental Improvement
DCNR Trail Challenge Awards To Hikers
$1 Million Awarded For Pittsburgh Region Parks, Trails
WPC Adds Scenic Property To Ohiopyle State Park
2009 Pennsylvania State Parks Calendar Now On Sale
Ridley Creek State Park Environmental Education Events
Volunteers Pitching In For National Public Lands Day
PA Chamber Climate Change Principles
FERC Decision: Wholesale Electric Prices Are Competitive
Prepayment Option For Met-Ed, PA Electric Customers
PUC Rules On Compliance With Alternative Energy Portfolio
Recovering Energy, Profits From Biomass Conference
EPA Selects Environmental Achievement Award Winners
EPA Grant To Penn State For Integrated Pest Management
EPA 2008 Report on the Environment National Trends
Gov. Rendell Appoints the Board of Coal Mine Safety
Elk Country Visitor Center Breaks Ground
Erie Insurance Deer-Vehicle Collision Losses
How To Avoid Bears Deer-Vehicle Conflicts
Game Commission Test of Point-of-Sale License System
Audubon to Hold Garden Planting at Moraine State Park
Harvest Market Fair Set For John James Audubon Center
Mine Reclamation Bid Opportunity In Luzerne County
Spotlight-Federal Abandoned Reclamation Funds Priorities
Spotlight - 100 Join PA Audubon's Bird Habitat Program
Feature - This iConserve Elementary School Effort
Supporting PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited