108 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 108 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

Thank you for your leadership!

-- We Remember Sept. 11, 2001 - DEP Responds To A National Tragedy  [PaEN]

-- TribLive: We Swore To ‘Never Forget’ 9/11, But Have We Let It Slowly Slip Away?  

-- Post-Gazette - Mary Ann Thomas: At The Scene On 9/11, Shanksville’s Tiny Firehouse Still Welcomes Families Of Flight 93’s Victims In Somerset County

-- Erie Times: This Trail Thru Pennsylvania Turns 9/11 Remembrance Into A Journey

-- PA Municipal Authorities Association Receives 2026 Empowering Women Award  [PaEN]

-- Republican Herald: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Honors First Curator Maurice Broun On His 120th Birthday

-- Stroud Water Research Center Highlights Farm Conservation Success In Small Watersheds; When Dams Come Down; Recognition Of Amy Bowers Cordalis  [PaEN] 

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Pittsburgh Airport Terminal Earns Gold LEED Green Building Designation

-- Altoona Mirror: Cambria Heights School District Unveils Solar Energy Facility In Cambria County, Will Reduce Energy Costs By $2.5 Million Over 20 Years

-- PennDOT, Keep PA Beautiful Announce 30 Young Ambassadors To Promote Environmental Sustainability In Pennsylvania  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive: Tom Ross And His Trusty Kayak Keep Up Fight Against Trash In Ohio River In Pittsburgh 

-- Stories You May Have Missed Last Week:  PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic - September 7 [PaEN]

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

-- New State Budget Forces DEP To Take Money From 7 Other Environmental Programs To Keep The Oil & Gas Regulatory Program Running  [PaEN]   [Caution]

-- State Budget Brief: DEP Oil & Gas Program Enforcement & Permitting Staff Has Been Frozen For Last 10 Years, Meanwhile Drilled Shale Gas Wells Increased By Nearly 50%  [PaEN]  [Warning]

-- Inside Climate News: Energy Transfer/Sunoco Files Lawsuit To Preempt Criminal Charges By PA Attorney General In Bucks County Jet Fuel Pipeline Spill; Asks For State Clean Streams Law To Be Declared Unconstitutional  [PaEN]  [Warning] 

-- DEP: Shell Petrochemical Plant Pays Another $15 Million In Penalties For Latest Air Pollution Violations In Beaver County; Air Pollution Penalties Total $27.6 Million Since Plant Opened  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: An Estimated 336,000 Gallons Of Fracking Flowback Water Was Released During An Uncontrolled Shale Gas Well Incident At The INR OPR LLC Cooper Well Pad In Young Twp., Indiana County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP - Day 1,331: Big Dog Energy LLC Shale Gas Well Pad Lacks Secondary Containment To Contain Spills, Has No Emergency Response Plan In Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP - Day 2,447: American Natural Resources LLC Fails To Comply, Does Not Respond To Order To Plug 6 Conventional Wells It Abandoned In Allegheny County  [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 221: HR McClure Fails To Plug 3 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells It Abandoned  In Greene County; Failed To Submit Production, Waste, Well Integrity Reports For 5 Years  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Contaminated Reuse Water Used In Fracking Overtopped Containment; Tank Truck Carrying Contaminated Water Rolls Over At Range Resources Appalachia Shale Gas Well Pad In Lycoming County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP - Day 545: Oil & Gas MGMT Inc Failed To Finish Cleanup Of Conventional Oil Well Spills Or Respond To DEP Violations In Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Wilmoth Interests Inc. Improperly Disposed Of Oil-Contaminated Soil From A Spill At An Allegheny National Forest Conventional Well Site In Warren County  [PaEN]

-- Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Snapshot - August 29 to September 4  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For Coterra Energy 18.4 Mile, 20-Inch Aboveground Shale Gas Water Pipeline In Susquehanna County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Restarts Comment Period On MarkWest Project To Daylight 4 Natural Gas Pipelines To Prevent Damage From Coal Mining In Washington County  [PaEN] 

-- Organizations Defend Delaware River Basin Commission Shale Gas Fracking Ban  [PaEN] 

-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports 2nd Quarter PA Natural Gas Production Declines Slightly Again; Price Of Natural Gas For Residential Customers Increased By 7.3% From Prior Year  [PaEN] 

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Energy Bills Driven By A.I. Data Centers Threaten PA Small Businesses, Report Says

-- PennLive: PUC: A.I. Data Center Demand Will Increase Industrial Power Use 18.56%; 10% Jump In Residential Electricity Costs Driven By Natural Gas Cost Increases

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh-based Energy Storage Maker Eos Energy Partners With Google On West Virginia Solar Project

-- PA Public Utility Commission Forecasts Data Center-Driven Industrial Electricity Use In Pennsylvania Will Increase 18.56% A Year Thru 2030; Up From 0.22% Annually In 2024  [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: PUC Data Centers To Cause Nearly 19%-A-Year Jump In Electric Demand Over 5 Years

-- PJM Interconnection Extends Hot Weather Alert To Sept. 4; Order Still In Place To Require Data Centers, Large Loads  To Go To Backup Generation, If Needed  [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: PPL Electric Ranked Among Top Utilities For Economic Development [In Particular For Large Load Projects]

-- Morning Call: PPL Electric Investing In Grid Technology To Help Keep The Lights On As Demand Rises; Here’s A Look Inside

-- Local Organizations To Host Sept. 10 Town Hall Meeting On A.I. Data Centers In Fayette County, And Online  [PaEN] 

-- AP: EPA Proposal Could Leave The Public In The Dark On A.I. Data Center, Power Plant Plants  [Warning]

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - September 7  [PaEN] 

-- PennLive: Some PA Lawmakers Regret $1.8 Billion State Tax Break For A.I. Data Centers - So Why Won’t They Kill It?

-- The Center Square: Nearly Half Of Pennsylvania’s ‘Fast Track’ A.I. Data Center Municipalities Signed Nondisclosure Agreements

-- New York Times: Pennsylvania A.I. Gold Rush Meets 2nd Thoughts; Amid Backlash Gov. Shapiro Is Pumping The Brakes On Enormous Data Centers; But Some Welcome Billions In Construction  

-- Financial Times - Bethlehem, PA Project: Pennsylvania Voters Unite Against A.I. Data Centers: ‘People Are Going To Get Screwed’    [PDF of Article] 

-- CNBC: PA Gov. Shapiro Says Too Many A.I. Data Center Developers ‘Don’t Care About Our Communities’

-- Inquirer: PA US Sen. Fetterman Backs President On A.I. Data Centers, Blames China For ‘Misinformation” On A.I. 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: PA MAGA Country Doesn’t Want President’s A.I. Data Center ‘Golden Goose’ - By Oliver Bateman, Pittsburgh Historian

-- Bloomberg: President Says ‘Let Data [Centers] Reign’ In Response To A.I. Data Center Blowback [Communities Not Wanting Data Centers ‘Want To End Up Being Backwards And Poor’] 

-- PennLive/Tribune News: Massive 7,200 Acre PPL Utilities Joint Venture Land Deal In Lackawanna County Paves Way For More Natural Gas Data Center Power Plants  [Not For Public] [On Notice] 

-- Scranton Times: PPL Utilities Joint Venture Purchases 500 Acres In Luzerne County For 2 Natural Gas Data Center Power Plants; No Agreements Signed With Customers Yet [Not For The Public]   [On Notice] 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: NextEra Energy Picks 700 Acre Site In Luzerne Twp.,  Fayette County For 3.75 GW Natural Gas Data Center Power Plant Complex  [Entire Township Over Known Mined Out Coal Mines Subject To Subsidence Risk (DEP)]  [On Notice] 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: NextEra’s $13 Billion Natural Gas Data Center Power Plant Complex In Luzerne Twp., Fayette County To Be A Game Changer For Region  [On Notice] 

-- Post-Gazette: Homer City A.I. Data Center/Power Plant Complex In Indiana County Fueled By 1,800 contractors And Tradespeople

-- PennLive Letter: Research Shows Pennsylvania Needs To Diversify Its Electricity Generation Mix - David Gahl, Solar & Energy Storage Industries Institute 

-- Morning Call Guest Essay: Lehigh Valley Has 2 Reasons To Change How We Get Electricity - Flash Flooding And Data Centers - By Martha Christine, Retired Teacher & Rob Kahn, Citizens’ Climate Education  

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh-based Energy Storage Maker Eos Energy Partners With Google On West Virginia Solar Project

-- Planet Philadelphia Radio Program: Sept. 4 - New Solutions For Large-Scale Technical Environmental Problems - Battery Storage, Fresh Water, 4:30 p.m.

-- DEP Industrial Energy Assessment Program Offering Minimal Cost Energy Audits To Small & Medium Manufacturers, Ag Businesses  [PaEN] 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Takes DEP Officials On Field Tour Of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects In Luzerne County

-- WNEP: Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Tour Highlights Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects Underway In Luzerne County

-- Scranton Times: Sunday [Sept. 6] Forum Against Old Forge Borehole Mine Discharge Hydroelectric Project On Land Also Eyed For A.I. Data Center Projects In Lackawanna County  

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters News: Bedford, Franklin, Lancaster, Snyder, Tioga, York County Clean Water Projects Highlighted  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Agriculture Accepting Applications For Agricultural Research Grants For Farm Conservation, Other Projects Until Oct. 9

-- Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Partners Host Lebanon Valley Clean Water Week Sept. 12-19 [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension: Mid-Atlantic Organic & Sustainable Agricultural Exchange Nov. 9 In Harrisburg  [PaEN]

-- EPA, Army Corps Seek Additional Input On Proposed Waters Of US Definition  [Warning]

-- DEP To Hold Oct. 15 Hearing On Stormwater Permit For SINC Construction LLC Greenwood Acres Residential Community In Tobyhanna Twp., Monroe County  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive: Rural Mobile Home Park Residents Fight For Answers Over Well Water Quality In Westmoreland County

-- PUC: Registration Open For ‘Be Utility Wise’ and ‘Be Wise’ Utility Consumer Education Conferences In PA For Local Organizations  

-- PA Capital-Star: Utility Executives, Cybersecurity Experts Warn PA Lawmakers Of Growing Threats

-- PA Recycling Markets Center: Full Circle Bioconversion - Food Composting At The Little League World Series In Williamsport  [PaEN] 

-- Independence Conservancy To Hold Waste Tire Collection Events In Allegheny, Beaver Counties [Starting Sept. 18]  [PaEN] 

-- Warren Times: Allegheny River Cleanup Seeking Volunteers For Sept. 17, 18, 19 Events

-- Observer-Reporter: Glass Recycling Set For Saturday [Sept. 5] In Washington County

-- PennLive Letters: PA’s Electronics Waste Crisis Deserves The Same Urgency As Data Center Reform - By Edward Heyman, Philadelphia

-- French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Partners With Paul & Cynthia Black To Preserve 78.3 Acres In Chester County  [PaEN]  

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Joe Butkiewicz Named Interim North Branch Land Trust Executive Director

-- Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy Highlights September Educational Events, Experiences

-- Republican Herald: New Appeal Attacks DEP’s ‘Unsafe’ Lake Wynonah Dam Designation In Schuylkill County

-- Forests For The Chesapeake Bay News: Invitation To Readers To Take Survey On Sharing Information 

-- 14th Annual PA Firefly Festival Celebrates Successful 2026 Season In Forest County  [PaEN] 

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: US Forest Service Rule Repeal Could Lead To Logging In PA Allegheny National Forest, Virginia National Forest Wilderness Areas

-- Guest Essay: Ten Days In September - Recent Federal Actions Endanger The Future Of American Public Land Ethic - By Jared Abell, Trust For Public Land  [Warning]

-- DCNR: Skywalk At Kinzua Bridge State Park In PA Wilds Reopens For Fall Foliage Viewing In McKean County 

-- DCNR Offers More Deer Hunting Opportunities In State Forests, State Parks Thru Deer Management Assistance Program

-- DCNR: Rehabilitation Work To Improve Dam, Lake At Lackawanna State Park Beings In September

-- DCNR: Work To Begin On Dam Removal On Neshaminy Creek At Tyler State Park In Bucks County

-- PennLive/LehighValleyLive: 2nd Largest Dam Removal In PA History To Being On Neshaminy Creek At Tyler State Park In Bucks County

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: 225-Foot-Long Dam On Neshaminy Creek At Tyler State Park In Bucks County To Be Removed

-- DCNR: Old Stone House At Jennings Environmental Education Center Transferred To DCNR In Butler County

-- DCNR: Emily Reed Named Assistant Manager For Delaware Canal State Park Complex In Bucks, Northampton Counties

-- Erie Times: Presque Isle State Park Closure Extends To Labor Day Weekend As Massive Storm Cleanup Continues 

-- Sept. 4 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In August: Executive Action On A.I. Data Centers; Interview With Franklin Kury; Ride With PEC; Mini Grant Opportunity; Outdoors For All   [PaEN] 

-- PA Wilds Center Becomes Certified Environmental Partner Of 1% For The Planet 

-- WVIA: Dirt & Gravel Biking Routes Launched Thru Endless Mountains-- Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wyoming Counties  [Watch For Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Contaminated Water]

-- Reading Eagle: Section Filling Schuylkill River Trail Gap Now Complete; 70 Uninterrupted Miles Between Reading And Philadelphia

-- Reading Eagle: Schuylkill River Greenways Receives 2 Grants Totaling $650,000 For Trail Upkeep

-- TribLive Editorial: Do Playground Mistakes By Kids Merit Grown-up Consequences Like Springdale Police Charging Family With Crimes?  

-- Penn State Extension Offers ‘Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania - Free Virtual Walking Program Sept. 14 to Nov. 9 

-- PA Forestry Association: 2026 Walk In Penn’s Woods Oct. 3-4, Register A Walk Today!

-- DCNR State Forests, State Parks: 2026 Walk In Penn’s Woods Experiences Across The State  

-- The PA Capital-Star: PA Republican Lawmakers Explore Increased Public Health Reporting For Tick-Borne Diseases

-- Fish & Boat Commission Statement On Wildlife Management Institute Report On Collaboration Opportunities With Game Commission

-- Game Commission: Wildlife Management Institute Report Outlines Opportunities To Strengthen The Fish & Boat and Game Commissions

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: PA Is Only State To Split Fish And Wildlife Management, Combining Could Save $34 Million A Year

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Dam Removals Give Way To Better Habitat In Chesapeake Bay Region; PA Routinely Leads The Nation In Dam Removals

-- TribLive: Game Commission Seeking Person Who Shot, Killed Juvenile Bald Eagle Found Aug. 25 Along Westmoreland Heritage Trail Near Beaver Run Reservoir

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Bill Proposes Scarlet Tanager As Pennsylvania’s Official Migratory Bird

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Highlights Upcoming Educational Events And Experiences In September 

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary To Hold Annual Fall Native Plant Sale Sept. 19, Kempton, Berks County

Visit the PA Environment Digest website to learn more.

REAL Leadership:

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[Posted: September 6, 2026]   PA Environment Digest