Monday, December 23, 2024

Physicians For Social Responsibility- PA: Jan. 22 Webinar On How To Talk To Your Doctor About Environmental Threats To Your Health

Join physicians and patients as presenters discuss the ways the environment can impact your health, the barriers to environmental medicine and offer solutions for providers and patients to increase communication and improve outcomes for those experiencing health impacts.

Speakers include--

-- Laura Dagley, RN, Medical & Environmental Health Writer, PSR PA

-- Hilary Flint, Unity Council For [Norfolk Southern] Train Derailment

-- Dr. Ned Ketyer, President PSR PA

-- Dr. Poune Saberi, Occupational Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

-- Diana Steck, Westmoreland County resident

Click Here to register and for more information.

PSR-PA has been very active on health and environmental issues related to shale gas development in Pennsylvania.  Read more here.

Visit the Physicians for Social Responsibility- PA website to learn more about their programs, initiatives, other upcoming events and how you can get involved.

[Posted: December 23, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Penn State Extension Hosts Jan. 29 Webinar On Ice Melter Impacts And Reduction Strategy

The
Penn State Extension will host another in its Water Cooler Talk series of webinars January 29 on Ice Melter Impacts and Reduction Strategy from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

The widespread use of road salt and other ice melters during winter has become a cornerstone of maintaining safety on roadways and sidewalks, but it comes at a cost. 

While these substances effectively lower the freezing point of water, they are corrosive to infrastructure and pose significant environmental risks. 

Winter salts can accumulate in the soil and runoff into watersheds, impacting ecosystems, human health, and water quality. 

This presentation will explore the detrimental effects of ice melters and provide practical strategies to reduce their use without compromising public safety, offering a balanced approach to winter weather management.

The presenters include--

-- Tyler Groh, Assistant Research Professor, Watershed Management Extension Specialist

Penn State Extension

-- Jason Swope, Coordinator Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program

Who is this for?

-- Individuals interested in water resources

-- Professionals working in the water field

-- People with a general interest in water

What will you learn?

-- Learn about current work in the water resource field

-- Discuss the impacts of ice melters on human health and the environment

-- Exchange ideas with professionals across Pennsylvania

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

Upcoming Event:

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts Jan. 16 Webinar On Winter Salting and Local Waterway Impacts: Opportunities To Work For Change  [PaEN]

Resource Link:

-- Pike Conservation District: Sliding Into Winter! One 12 Ounce Mug Of Salt Is All You Need To Prevent Ice From Forming On A 20 Foot Driveway  [PaEN]

[Posted: December 23, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals: Level 1 Certification Training Registration Now Open

The
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals are now accepting registrations for Level 1 certification training sessions beginning February 11.

CBLP promotes sustainable landscape practices in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Level 1 is the baseline credential that covers design, installation, and management of sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. 

Each class, led by regional experts, incorporates classroom work with a field-based practicum and BMP inspection/verification training. CBLP emphasizes critical thinking, interactive learning, and collaborative practice.

Click Here for more information on the training sessions and to register.

Visit the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals website to learn more about this program and to find certified landscape professionals.

[Posted: December 23, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Monday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 12.23.24

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

-- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution  [It’s Not A Suggestion]


House Voting Schedule

January 7, 27, 28, 29

February 3, 4, 5

March 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

April 7, 8, 9, 22, 23, 24

May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 24

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30

-- Committee Schedule


Senate Voting Schedule

January 7, 27, 28, 29

Budget Hearings February 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, March 4, 5, 6

February 3, 4, 5

March 24, 25, 26, 31

April 1, 2

May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule


TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 


January 4-11-- Pennsylvania Farm Show. Harrisburg.


February 26-- House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing: 1:00- Department of Agriculture.  House Floor.


February 27-- House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing: 10:00- Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  House Floor.


March 3-- House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing: 1:00- Public Utility Commission.  House Floor.


DEP Advisory: DEP’s New Website Is Online [Not All Webpages Updated Yet]


DCNR Advisory: DCNR’s New Website Is Online


-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 14 to 20 -- Shale Gas Wells Abandoned For 42 Months; Failure To Cleanup Conventional Well Spill For 19 Months; Gas Pipeline Land Slump  [PaEN] 


-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind:  DEP: Diversified Production LLC Failed To Plug 2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells For 42 Months + At Least 9 Other Shale Gas Wells Abandoned  [PaEN] 


-- DEP: Apollo Resources, LLC Failed To Comply With Order To Cleanup Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill 19 Months After It Was Discovered In Fayette County  [PaEN] 


-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - December 21 [PaEN]


-- DEP Posted 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In December 21 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 


-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Shale Gas Industry Consent Agreements Set Groundwork For Future Methane Regulations


-- Spotlight PA: Rural PA Counties Still Recovering From Tropical Storm Debby As Officials Eye Ways To Mitigate Future Damage


-- WHYY -  Sophia Schmidt: PA Utility Shutoff Law Is Expiring, Here’s What You Need To Know


-- The Allegheny Front/WPSU: Worried About Gas Stoves? An Induction Cooking Class Explores An Alternative


-- Reading Eagle: Waste Processing Facility Proposed For Kirtland Farms In Southern Berks County


6th Oil/Natural Gas Spike: True Energy Independence Means Renewables

[There Is No Limit To What Oil/Natural Gas Industry Can Make You Pay]


-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Prices Rise With Clock Ticking Toward Expiring Ukraine, Russia Pipeline Transit Deal Jan. 1


Other States/National/International


-- WESA/WPSU: New US Farm Bill Still Out Of Reach, Leaving Programs Unsettled


-- Financial Times: Methane Pollution At US’s Biggest Oilfield Plunges 26% After Biden Crackdown


PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- WESA: PA Supreme Court Retention The Next Ugly Political Fight

-- Warren Times Editorial: Kids For Cash Judge Clemency Appalling

-- PA Capital-Star: 5 Top Stories From PA House In 2024

-- Post-Gazette: Western PA Governments Push To Commit The Last Of The COVID Relief Funds

-- Post-Gazette - Ford Turner: New PA Commission Quietly Delves Into ‘Transforming’ State Approach To Education

-- Erie Times: How Republican Administration Plan To Disband Federal Dept. Of Education Would Impact Pennsylvania

-- PennLive/WPost: Thousands More Native Americans Died At Boarding Schools Than Originally Disclosed, Report [Including In Carlisle]

Click Here for latest PA Environmental News

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Read Weekly PA Environment Digest

[Posted: December 23, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

December 23 - Weekly PA Environment Digest Now Available

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” 

-- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution  [It’s Not A Suggestion]


Click Here To View Or Print The Entire December 23 PA Environment Digest


125 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA


Stories You May Have Missed Last Week: PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic


Chesapeake Bay Journal: Veteran Reporter Ad Crable Wraps Up 4 Decades Of Environmental Journalism


DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians To Trek Into 2025 During New Year's Day First Day Hikes Across The Commonwealth


PA State Conservation Commission Wins Natural Resource Education Champion Award


Anthracite Mining Heritage Month Celebrated In January; Schedule Of Events Now Available


Save The Date: Feb. 27 - Shale Gas And Public Health Conference, Duquesne University


DEP To Review Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit Under Environmental Justice Policy Enhanced Public Participation Process


PUBLIC NOTICE: Proposed Oil & Gas Well Plugging Settlement With Diversified Energy, EQT May Affect Pennsylvania Surface Landowner Rights; Apply To Have A Well Plugged


What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind: DEP: Diversified Production LLC Failed To Plug 2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells For 42 Months + At Least 9 Other Shale Gas Wells Abandoned


DEP: Apollo Resources, LLC Failed To Comply With Order To Cleanup Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill 19 Months After It Was Discovered In Fayette County


PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 14 to 20 -- Shale Gas Wells Abandoned For 42 Months; Failure To Cleanup Conventional Well Spill For 19 Months; Gas Pipeline Land Slump


PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - December 21


EarthWorks Blog: Common Sense Needed In The Commonwealth - How To Protect Pennsylvanians From The Environmental, Health Impacts Of The Oil & Gas Industry


EPA, DOE Award $850 Million To Support Oil & Gas Sector Methane Pollution Reduction, Including $10 Million Grant To Penn State


DEP: Revised Application, Instructions Available For Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares Air Quality General Permit


PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank Appointed Chair Of National Assn. Of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Committee On Natural Gas


PUC Urges Natural Gas Customers To Explore Ways To Reduce Heating Costs; All But One Major Gas Utility Has Increased Cost Of Gas In PA


US DOE Releases LNG Gas Export Study: Facilities Already Approved Will Meet Global Demand For Decades; Unfettered Exports Would Increase Domestic Natural Gas Prices; Electricity Prices; Costs To Manufacturers


North American Electric Reliability Corp: AI Poses Threat To North American Electricity Grid


DEP Publishes Advisory Committee, Board Meeting Schedules For 2025


US Fish And Wildlife & Wildlife Seeks Public Comment On Proposed Listing Of Eastern Hellbender As Endangered - PA’s Clean Water Ambassador


DEP Awards $19.6 Million To Support 8 Local Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Projects In 6 Counties


The Daily Item Guest Essay: Potential Cuts To Federal Funding For Abandoned Mine Cleanup


DEP Chesapeake Bay Update Highlights Funding Opportunities, County Water Restoration Projects


Choose Clean Coalition Now Accepting Presentation Proposals For 2025 Conference On Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Issues, May 19-21 In Virginia


Presentation Proposals Invited: 2025 Penn State Extension Dive Deeper Summit For Water Educators Sept. 25 In Harrisburg


Ag Conservation Professionals! Get Your Passport To 2025 PA Farm Show, Enhance Your Conservation Skills Starting Jan. 4


Conservation Pros: Join In Ag Literacy Week By Volunteering To Read ‘The Soil In Jackie’s Garden’ March 17-21


Federal Ohio River Protection Act Legislation Would Address Pressing Water Quality, Conservation Needs In Ohio River Watershed


DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Designation Of Areas Not Meeting Health-Based Standards For Particulate Matter (PM2.5) - 3 Hearings Scheduled


Coalition For Community Solar Access Applauds New Effort To Open Community Solar Market In Pennsylvania


DEP Shared Energy Manager Program Accepting Applications For Energy Assessment, Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation Work With Local Governments, Authorities, School Districts


PA Solar Center Accepting Applications For G.E.T. Solar Schools Technical Assistance Program To Help Apply For Solar For Schools, Other Funding


Sustainable Pittsburgh: Report On Clean Energy Workforce - Needs And Opportunities For Southwestern PA


Dept. Of Education Now Accepting Applications for Pennsylvania’s Green Ribbon Schools


DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order For Precision National Plating Site, Lackawanna County


DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Interim Response At Tub Mill Farm, Clearview Farm Waste Site, Somerset County


PA Resources Council Announces Winners Of 2024 Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest


Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, PA Turnpike Commission Celebrate Success In Reducing Cigarette Litter At 17 Service Plazas


Dec. 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation


Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program Awards $40,000 To Recreation, Signage, & Education Projects


Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture Now Accepting Proposals For Brook Trout Conservation Projects


PA Natural Heritage Program Newsletter Highlights Monitoring The Upper Middle Allegheny River; Weasel Survey; Monitoring Vernal Pools; Invasive Jumping Worms; Mussel Restoration


Mentors Wanted: Wildlife Leadership Academy Seeks Adult Mentors For Summer Field Schools


Seasonal Help Wanted: Fish & Boat Commission Fisheries Biologist Aide


Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults


Now On Demand: Penn State Extension Webinar On PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Land-Applied Biosolids - Research Update


PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts Jan. 16 Webinar On Winter Salting and Local Waterway Impacts: Opportunities To Work For Change


Penn State Extension Jan. 16 Webinar On Forest Carbon Markets And Payment Programs Expert Panel


Jan. 22 Webinar: How Invasive Plants Drive An Insect Invasion, Penn State Extension


Penn State Extension Conservation Cornerstone: Jan. 28 Webinar On Climate-Smart Ag Project (CARAT)


Larkspur Design To Offer Yearlong Permaculture Design Certification Course In Pittsburgh


News From PA House & Senate


The Feds - New Administration


Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events


Grants & Awards


PA Bulletin Public Notices - December 21


Stories Invited - About PA Environment


Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn.; PA Trout Unlimited; PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers


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PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: Update on PA environmental issues.

PA Environment Daily Blog: Update on PA environmental issues.

Click Here for a Calendar of Upcoming Events.

Click Here to search back issues of the Digest.

Questions? Email: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com

[Posted: December 23, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

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