PA Environment Digest Blog: Sunday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

“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 next voting day April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 39, 30

-- Committee Schedule

Senate next voting day April 8, 9, 10, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events

-- April 8-- Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 831 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) would direct the state to apply for primary authority to regulate Class VI carbon dioxide underground injection wells from the US Environmental Protection Agency and establish a legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization and sequestration in Pennsylvania [Read more here about the bill]; Senate Bill 819 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) increasing penalties for individuals that damage “critical infrastructure” being constructed or built, including electric utility, natural gas pipelines and compressor stations, gas processing plants, natural gas storage facilities [Note: This legislation was originally developed after the public protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline [Read more here]. Rules Committee Room. Off the Flood - Sometime After Session Begins. [No Video Coverage]

-- April 8-- House Republican Policy Committee hearing on “Fueling Pennsylvania’s Future - Liquid Natural Gas” Exports. Room 418 Main Capitol. 10:30 a.m. Click Here to watch online. [Read more here about how PA’s largest gas producer thinks it’s our “duty” to send LNG Gas to support our major competitor China.]

-- April 9-- House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 1943 (McNeill-D-Lehigh) requires disclosure of all chemicals used in oil and gas well fracking (sponsor summary). Room 205 Ryan Building. 10:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

-- April 9-- House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee meets to consider a package of bills related to acquisition of water and sewer systems - House Bill 1862 (Matzie-D-Beaver), House Bill 1863 (Matzie-D-Beaver) and House Bill 1864 (Matzie-D- Beaver), House Bill 1865 (Matzie-D-Beaver) (sponsor summary). Room G-50 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

-- April 9-- House State Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 1169 (Warren-D- Bucks) requiring the installation of water bottle refilling stations in state buildings (sponsor summary). Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

-- 113 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN]

-- Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults [PaEN]

-- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - March 30 to April 5 - 19 Abandoned Well Violations; Venting Gas; Spills; No Containment; Erosion BMP Failures [PaEN]

-- The Intelligencer: Martins Ferry, WV Mayor Says City Narrowly Avoided ‘Disastrous’ Situation From Flooding At Oil & Gas Well Wastewater Plant Owned By PA-Based Austin Master Services

-- WSJ: A Pennsylvania Fracking Boom Weighs On Biden’s Re-Election Chances: ‘Now They’re Voting Red’

-- Financial Times: PA Gov. Josh Shapiro Warns Biden Pause In Permits For New LNG Gas Export Facilities Could Hurt Election Hopes [Export Facility Capacity Will Still Double During Pause]

-- Tribune-Review: Mucky, Orangish Abandoned Mine Water Flows Out Of Hillside Into Johnstown Due To Heavy Rains

-- WGAL: Spreading Awareness While Also Planting Thousands Of Trees In Lancaster

-- Inquirer: Water Privatization Is Coming Under Renewed Scrutiny From PA Lawmakers, Regulators As Consumers Sour On Rate Increases

-- Post-Gazette - John Hayes: Parasitic Wasps, Vibrating Traps, Other Ways Science Is Trying To Destroy Spotted Lanternfly

-- DCNR Announces Opening Of State Park Campgrounds, Overnight Lodging For 2024 Trout Season