The Oct. 6 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click Here to print entire Digest.
Gov. Corbett Accepts Resignation Of DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo, Glenn Parno
Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday accepted the resignation of DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo, effective immediately. Secretary Abruzzo said he made his decision based on the best interest of the important mission of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Glenn Parno, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Coordinator, also resigned Thursday. Parno came to DEP from the Environmental Crimes Section in the Office of Attorney General.
Gov. Corbett Names Dana Aunkst Acting Secretary Of DEP
Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday named Dana Aunkst Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Aunkst previously served as Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, the number two position in the agency.
As the Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs he planned, directed, integrated and evaluated all of the core environmental protection programs for the agency. This includes building effective relationships with public officials, non-government organizations, the regulated community and other partners to further the agency's strategic agenda.
Senate Committee Puts Two Bad Environmental Bills On Agenda For Monday
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet Monday, October 6 to consider two bad environmental bills-- House Bill 1565 (Hahn-R-Northampton) eliminating the nearly 4 year old requirement for stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value streams and House Bill 2354 (Snyder-D-Fayette) which authorizes one House of the General Assembly to veto any greenhouse gas emission reduction plan required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Committee failed to list House Bill 343 (Miller-R-York) which would set standards for the construction and abandonment of private water wells for any action.
Click Here to find your Senator and tell them to vote NO on House Bill 1565, House Bill 2354 and to bring House Bill 343 up for a vote before it’s too late.
DEP Proposes Changes To Oil & Gas Program Enforcement Policy, Spill Reporting
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of draft technical guidance for public comment in the October 4 PA Bulletin changing the policy for identifying, tracking and resolving oil and gas violations and for coordinating immediate responses and final remediation of spills and releases of substances into soils. Comments are due on the proposed changes by November 3.
Keep PA Beautiful Invites Schools To Participate In The Litter Free School Zone Program
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites schools in Pennsylvania to participate in the Litter Free School Zone Program, a comprehensive program that can complement lessons designed around recycling, litter awareness, and community stewardship.