Friday, November 28, 2008

Dec. 1 PA Environment Digest Headlines

Here are just some of the PA Environment Digest headlines this week. (click here for full copy)
Consider Holiday Gifts That Help Conservation
Video: DEP Norristown Office Good Example Of Green Building Design
Report Shows Challenge Ahead To Cleanup Chesapeake Bay
10 PA Watershed Restoration and Land Conservation Success Stories
DCNR Sets Workshops For Community Conservation Partnership Grants
Value Of Recycled Materials Plunge

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

2009 Philadelphia Sustainability Award Nominations

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and seven other regional organizations today announced they are now accepting nominations for the 2009 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards from businesses, individuals, academic institutions, community groups and government agencies from the greater Philadelphia region. Nominations are due January 9. (click for more)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

DRBC Expected To Withdraw Flexible Flow Rules

Delaware River Basin Commission Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced the five-member agency comprised of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and the Federal Government is expected to withdraw its proposed regulations to codify the Flexible Flow Management Program at its public meeting on December 10. (click here for more)

Holiday Gifts That Benefit The Environment

If you are looking for a gift that will bring a smile to someone's face this holiday season and help to conserve our natural resources, cleanup abandoned mine discharges, improve recreation facilities and restore wildlife habitat, here are a few suggestions. Or you could get someone another tie.
Click here for the PA Environment Digest Special Holiday Gift Guide

Monday, November 24, 2008

Zebra Mussel Found In Lower Susquehanna

Environmental Protection and Fish and Boat Commission officials today confirmed the discovery of a zebra mussel at the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam in Maryland; the first time the Driessena polymorpha has been found in the lower Susquehanna River. (click for more)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Nov. 24 PA Environment Digest Headlines

Go To PA Environment Digest. (Click To Print Complete Digest)

$1- $2 Billion Budget Deficit, Hints At Using Marcellus Shale $$
Video Blog - A Winter Walk At The Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
On the Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
House, Senate Leadership Elections Mean Geographic Shift In Power
Senate Policy Committee Hearing On Marcellus Shale Drilling
Environmental Synopsis Newsletter Features Oil 150 Celebration
EPA Outlines Plans to Set Pollution Caps for the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay Wastewater Plant Compliance Costs Over $1.4 Billion
Rep. Hershey Pushes For Accelerated Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Penn State Agricultural Council Hears Watershed Report
PA Mine Reclamation,Well Plugging Projects On EPA Website
PEC Tree Planting Nov. 22 in Luzerne County, One Completed
DEP Recognizes 8 Aqua Pennsylvania Water Systems
DEP Recognizes Easton Suburban Water Authority
Aquatic Resource Education Grant Applications Now Being Accepted
ClearWater Conservancy Honors Good Works Of Members
DCNR - $44 Million Investment In Recreation, Conservation Projects
Committee Releases Review Of Farmland Preservation Program
Scranton, Dunmore Students in Greensylvania Recycling Competition
Chester County Invites Local Officials To Recycling Showcase Dec. 3
New Program To Help Turn Waste Into Raw Materials
DEP Looking To Ban More Materials From Landfills
Coca-Cola, National Recycling Coalition Recycling Bin Grants
Lake Erie Cleanup Sets Record for Volunteers, Trash Collected
Verizon PA Fleet Greener With 15 Hybrid Vehicles in Philadelphia
Federal Renewable Fuel Standard Increased for 2009
DEP Recommendations to Reduce Electricity Costs
PUC Agenda For Dec. 18 Hearing, Extends Comment Period
Philadelphia Housing Authority Opens Green Seniors Building
PA Home Energy Hosts Solar Training Workshop December 9
DEP Citizens Advisory Council Fall 2008 Newsletter Now Online
DEP Bidding Opportunities For Well Plugging, Channel Access
Help Wanted: PA Center for Environmental Education
PA Oil and Gas Industry Generates $7.1 Billion Annually
Game Commission Countdown To 2008 Deer Season

Aquatic Education Grants Available

The Fish and Boat Commission is looking for sportfishing, boating, and aquatic education programs that could use some financial assistance. As part of its efforts to re-engage youth, the PFBC is offering grants to organizations and local agencies involved in providing these types of programs. The deadline for submitting grant applications is January 31. (click for more)

Friday, November 14, 2008

Nov. 17 PA Environment Digest Headlines

Read this week's PA Environment Digest. (Print a Copy)

PRC Recognizes Michael DiBerardinis, 9 Others
2008 Chester County Green Business Award Winners
Game Commission Delivers More Information About Deer
Wetlands & Wonder: Reconnecting Children With Nearby Nature
Senate Rep. Policy Committee Hearing On Marcellus Shale Drilling
Chesapeake Bay Program Partners Launch Forestry for the Bay
Watershed Forestry Resource Guide Webinar on December 2
U.S. F&WS Habitat Restoration Grants To PA Wildlife Foundation
WPCAMR Promotes Reclamation Successes
Mine Reclamation Project OK'd In Cameron County
PA American Water $10.2 Million Reservoir Rehabilitation
PA Land Trust Assn. Nominations For Conservation Award
PA CleanWays Surpasses 10,000 Tons Of Waste Removed
Volunteers Needed for November 20 Cleanup In Elk County
Sustainable Energy Fund Announces Solar Scholars Awardees
Daniel Boone School District Builds Energy-Saving Annex
PUC Solicits Comments, Working Group On Energy Conservation
$500 Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebates Still Available From DEP
Auditor General Wagner- Deficiencies LIHEAP
Southwest Air Quality Partnership Members Meet December 5
EPA Region's Fall Land Revitalization Update Newsletter
Spotlight - Celebrating America Recycles Day - Nov. 15
RecycleBank's Recycling Reward Program Celebrates
American Beverage Assn. Encourages Thinking Inside The Bin

Thursday, November 13, 2008

$500 Hybrid Vehicle Rebates Still Available

Gov. Rendell today reminded would-be car buyers -- or those who have purchased an eligible vehicle in the past six months -- that $500 rebates are still available to make fuel-efficient electric hybrid vehicles more affordable. DEP Rebate webpage. (click for announcement)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Game Commission Delivers More Information On Deer

Continuing its ongoing outreach and educational efforts to heighten the understanding of deer management and whitetails, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced the agency has expanded its website's deer management section, created a new deer periodical and posted a deer management video on YouTube. (click for more)

Forestry for the Bay Program Launched

To show how their well-managed woodlands can lead to cleaner streams and rivers, and the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is encouraging private landowners to join the "Forestry for the Bay" Program. (click here for more)

Friday, November 7, 2008

Nov. 10 PA Environment Digest Headlines

See www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com all articles. (Click here to Print entire Digest)

PA Voters Overwhelmingly Say “Yes” to Clean Water
Voters Also Approve $92 Million+ In Local Environmental Funding
Pennsylvanians Elect Trails In www.iConservePA.org Special Election
WPSU Tackles Cleaning Up Chesapeake Bay
Lehigh Valley Land Recycling Receives 2008 Ark Award
Free Technical Assistance Available for AMD Projects
Western PA Watershed Mini Grant Program
DEP Invites Comments On TMDL Plan In Carbon, Luzerne Counties
DEP Declares Drought Watch in 29 Western, North Central Counties
24,000 Volunteers Took Part in Pittsburgh Fall Clean-up Events
PA Parks and Forest Foundation Accepting Nominations For Awards
New Federal Tax Law Can Help Protect Water, Land and Habitats
PA Center For Environmental Ed Director at Sustainability Conference
November PA Center For Environmental Education Newsletter
Penn State Natural Resources Online Forestry Seminar Series
2008 EPA Green Building Design Award Winners
Sustainable Energy Fund Elects Officers, 2008 Accomplishments
PUC 3rd Hearing On Trends In Wholesale Electricity Market
PUC Approves Energy Conservation Plan For FirstEnergy
Marcellus Shale Find May Be Larger Than Earlier Estimate, Conference
2009 Local Government Excellence Awards Due November 21
Local Historic Preservation Grants Available
Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project Bid Opportunity, Butler County
Climate Change Projected to Affect Restoration of Chesapeake Bay
Game Commission Releases Rehabilitated Bald Eagle

PUC Sets Dec. 18 Hearing On Wholesale Electric Market

The Public Utility Commission today said it will hold an additional en banc hearing on December 18, to discuss current trends in the wholesale electricity markets.
The hearing will be on similar topics as those addressed during the en banc hearings held on October 23 and November 6, although different speakers and viewpoints will be represented.
The announcement is to save the date. An agenda and comment period information will follow soon on the Wholesale Energy Markets page of the PUC website as it becomes available.
The hearing will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg. (click here for announcement)

DEP Issues Drought Watch For 29 Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch today for 29 Pennsylvania counties as precipitation deficits continue and stream flow levels fall in the western and north central areas of the state.
The drought watch covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. (click here for more)

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Tech Assistance Available For AMD Projects

Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce it is continuing its Abandoned Mine Drainage Technical Assistance Program and is now accepting requests for assistance.
Funding provided by the DEP’s Growing Greener Watershed Grant Program.
The types of free technical assistance being offered include the following:
-- Rapid characterization of mine drainage;
-- Rapid watershed assessment;
-- Conceptual design of AMD treatment systems;
-- Existing treatment system evaluation and recommendations ;
-- Construction oversight;
-- Pre- and/or post-construction biological and/or habitat surveys; and
-- Other, as treated on a case-by-case basis.
(click here for more)

PA Invests In Zack and Miri Make A Porno

For each of the last two years a $75 million tax credit to support film and TV program development and a $10 million Resource Enhancement and Resource Protection (REAP) tax credit program to fund farm conservation projects have been on the books.
But what are we investing in?
Each year the REAP tax credits were snapped up in hours by farmers to install stream buffers, manure handling facilities and buy no-till plowing equipment to reduce nutrients and sediment going into our rivers and streams.
The film development tax credit was used to invest $5.7 million in the current film Zack and Miri Make A Porno.