PA Environment Digest Blog: Tuesday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips 10.18.22

Are You Telling Your Story?

Senate returns to session October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, November 15 [Adjourn for year]

House returns to session October 24, 25, 26, November 14, 15, 16 [Adjourn for year]

TODAY 9:30: Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1331 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) would deny counties revenue from the Act 13 drilling impact fee if they ban fracking on county-owned lands. This is in reaction to a ban Allegheny County enacted for its park land earlier this year which makes up less than 1 percent of the land area in the county. But the big picture is this-- 99% of land remaining in the County could be leased for shale gas drilling, but that’s not enough, apparently. Read more here.; House Bill 2458 (White-R-Philadelphia) create a taskforce to study the exportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to supply the energy needs of allies around the world and what obstacles are currently preventing Philadelphia from becoming a leader in exporting LNG. [Forbes: LNG exports lead to record U.S. natural gas prices, higher heating bills + Facilities take years to build]; House Bill 2528 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) would mandate DEP award oil and gas well plugging contracts to Pennsylvania contractors [with no regard for cost to taxpayers]; Read more here about other agenda items. Room 461. 9:30 a.m. Click Here to watch live.

TODAY 11:30: Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee hearing to consider PUC nominees Katie Zerfuss, John F. Coleman, Jr. (Incumbent) and Stephen DeFrank. Room 461. Click Here to watch live.

TODAY 12:30: Agenda Posted. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 12:30 p.m. See webpage for remote options to join the meeting. Contact: Keith Salador, Executive Director, ksalador@pa.gov. Read more here on the agenda.

TODAY 6:00: PA Association of Environmental Educators Professional Development Webinar: Setback Distances For Unconventional Shale Gas Well Pads - How Close Is Too Close? 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

-- Senate Committee Meets Oct. 18 To Consider Bill To Deny Counties Drilling Impact Fee Revenue If Only 99% Of The Land In Their County Is Available For Shale Gas Leasing; Other Bills [PaEN]

-- Senate Committee To Hold Oct. 27 Hearing On The Role Of LNG In U.S. Energy Security On World Stage [PaEN]

-- StateImpactPA - Reid Frazier: Sen. Bartolotta (R) Urged State Dept. Of Health To Drop Out Of Public Forum On Shale Gas Health Studies

-- Post-Gazette: Rice-Backed Landfill Gas Firm Archaea Energy To Become Part Of BP In $4.1 Billion Deal

-- Net-Zero Manufacturing Initiative, Venango County Trails Project Among Appalachian Regional Commission Grants To Support Coal-Impacted Communities In PA [PaEN]

-- Inquirer: Students Pressure University Of Pennsylvania To Cut Ties With Fossil Fuel Companies

-- TribLive Editorial: Electric Vehicle Highway Tax Decisions Should Come Before Charging Stations

-- CFA Accepting ARPA-Funded H2O Applications For Water Supply, Wastewater, Stormwater Projects [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Sen. Baker Announces State Grants Available For Water, Sewer, Stormwater Projects

-- DEP: Drought Watch Remains In Effect For 20 Counties, Lifted For 16 Counties [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Protect PT Westmoreland Will Host Radon Information Workshop Oct. 20 Via Zoom, Offer Sensor Rentals