Dec. 22 PA Environment Digest Now Available

Dec. 22 PA Environment Digest Now Available.  Click Here To Print Entire Digest

Gov.-Elect Wolf Names More Than 250 To Transition Agency Review Teams

Gov.-elect Wolf Monday named more than 250 people as members of his Agency Review Teams.  Click Here for a complete list of Review Team members.  Here are some key agency review team appointments.

Sen. Brewster, Rep. Harper Propose Severance Tax For Education, Pensions

Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) Tuesday said he will soon introduce a plan that would earmark revenue from a new shale gas extraction tax for public schools while retaining current well impact fees that support local government operations.  Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) announced Thursday she is introducing legislation to place a severance tax on natural gas drilling in the Commonwealth.

Representatives of Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale Coalition and the PA Independent Oil and Gas Association Tuesday held a press conference to again express their opposition to a severance tax on natural gas production.

New York Dept. Of Health Recommends Fracking Ban

The New York Department of Health has completed its public health review of high-volume hydraulic fracturing and Acting DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker recommended Wednesday that high-volume hydraulic fracturing should not move forward in New York State. Dr. Zucker announced his findings and recommendations at a Cabinet Meeting in Albany.

Rep. Godshall, Rep. Harper Plan To Introduce Water Well Standards Bills

Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) have both announced plans to reintroduce legislation setting standards for water well constructions. Legislation-- House Bill 343 (Miller-R-York)-- setting water well standards died in the Senate this year, after passing the House.

DEP Publishes Interim Final Policy Implementing Mandatory Stream Buffer Changes

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 20 PA Bulletin asking for comments on an interim final policy implementing Act 162 of 2014 relating to mandatory stream buffer requirements.  The policy takes effect December 20, but DEP is asking for public comments by February 18.

EPA: Coal Ash Not A Hazardous Waste, Sets New Disposal Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced the first national regulations to provide for the safe disposal of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) from coal-fired power plants.