Saturday NewsClips

NW PA Fracking Firm Lays Off 40 Over Low Prices
Gassing Up With Natural Gas Might Be In NE PA's Future
Chesapeake Energy: Could This Be Next Enron?
New Fracking Rule Issued By Obama Administration For Public Land
Allegheny National Forest Unaffected By New Drilling Rules
Do Pronghorns Give Clues To PA Wildlife's Response To Drilling?
Delaware River Rock Snot Bloom Approaches Easton
Rock Snot Has Spread Farther Than Thought In Delaware
Latrobe Officials Float To Promote Loyalhanna Creek
11 Teams Compete In Westmoreland Envirothon
PPL Seeking 16.5 Percent Rate Increase
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

May 7 PA Environment Digest Now Available

April 30 PA Environment Digest now available.  Click Here to print this entire Digest.

White House Honors Champions Of Greening Cities, Towns, Including 2 From PA

The White House honored nine individuals on April 25 as Champions of Change for Greening our Cities and Towns as part of President Obama’s “Winning the Future” initiative.  Two of the nine individuals recognized were from Pennsylvania-- Marian Robidas, principal of Jonestown Elementary School in the Northern Lebanon School District, and Lindsay Baxter, Project Manager for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

            Champions of Change were recognized because they demonstrated a commitment to advancing innovative approaches to promote energy efficiency, revitalize outdoor spaces and waterways and adopt transportation solutions that conserve natural resources, improve walkability and improve other quality of life aspects of towns and cities.

            “These Americans are helping our country rise to the many challenges of the 21st century,” said Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama. “The White House is proud to feature the stories of these Americans who are doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and to out-build the rest of the world.”

            Marian Robidas has been the principal of Jonestown Elementary School in the Northern Lebanon School District since 2005. Throughout her twenty-two years in education, she has been a strong proponent for active and authentic real-world learning, and for creating opportunities that allow students to do their own problem solving. 

            Mrs. Robidas believes that a school cannot reach its maximum potential in educating students without the help of the community and that it is never too early for students to begin learning about their community and how to best serve it. 

            She is being honored as a Champion of Change for her innovative energy priorities and sustainable living practices making a greener community a possibility in any American city or town.

            Lindsay Baxter is a Project Manager for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. In this role she works with communities ranging in population from 75 to over 300,000, to implement sustainability efforts that reduce environmental impact and climate change, help local governments save money, and improve quality of life for local residents. 

            Key programs she works on include: the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative and the Mon River Town Program, a community and economic development initiative along the Monongahela River in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

            Prior to joining the PEC, Baxter served as the first sustainability coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh, in the Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Lindsay Baxter is being honored as a Champion of Change for her innovative energy priorities and sustainable living practices making a greener community a possibility in any American city or town.

            Champions spoke passionately about the work happening throughout their communities and among the various organizations and agencies they represent. 

            Lindsay Baxter, project manager for PEC spoke about the leadership of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in establishing the first Office of Sustainability for the city, the value of taking an integrated approach to the issues and leading by example. 

            For more information, visit the Champions Of Change webpage.

Friday NewsClips

April Tax Shower Brings May Debate Over Spending
Editorial: General Assembly: Stop Hoarding Public's Cash
Politicians Highlight PA Funding Cuts, Transit Woes
DEP Secretary Calls Delaware Officials Dogs On Drilling Issue
PA Official Takes Aim At Delaware's Drilling Stance
Gas Compressor Station Planned In West Wyoming
Wyoming Got EPA To Delay Fracking Finding
Study: Pollution Trading Could Trim Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Costs
Nutrient Trading Could Cut Costs Of Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Op-Ed: Susquehanna River Impairment Means More Cost, Regulations
Governor Tours Cardboard Box Plant
Allentown's Clean Sweep, Littering Fine Now $100
Gasoline Prices Expected To Drop, Or Remain Steady
$37 Million Payday For Ex-Sunoco Chief?
State Forest Crews Battle Vandalism, Dumping
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

John Hines To Receive James McGirr Kelly Award For Excellence

The PA Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies will recognize former DEP Executive Deputy Secretary John Hines with the James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence at their annual meeting and awards luncheon on May 8.

            The program will also feature panel discussions on the latest issues facing water companies in Hearing Room 1, Keystone Building beginning at 9:00 a.m.

            John T. Hines currently serves as a Government Relations Advisor to the Shell Oil Company.  In this capacity, coordinates various activities related to the Shell Oil Company business in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. 

            Prior to joining Shell Oil, Mr. Hines spent over eighteen years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), capping off his career as the Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs.  In this capacity, he oversaw all statewide policy and program development related to all aspects of DEP’s activities.

            Mr. Hines served twelve of his 18 years in senior and executive management at DEP.  Mr. Hines has served as the Deputy Secretary for Water Management; as Executive Director of the Water Planning Office and as the Acting Director of Watershed Management, and as the DEP’s Policy Director.  

            Mr. Hines has done so many small things, most of which have gone unrecognized, that have resulted in improvements to water quality statewide.  However, most recognize that he has overseen numerous Departmental efforts including the passage of a number of initiatives to protect Pennsylvania’s water resources.  

            Specifically, he served as a lead negotiator for DEP in the final stage of the passage of the Water Resources Planning Act (Act 220 of 2002).  Mr. Hines was also critical to the drafting of Annex 2001, an agreement to protect the Great Lakes that was signed by the eight Great Lakes States and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

            Over the course of his career at DEP, Mr. Hines was instrumental in leading DEP’s efforts, now 26-years running, to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.  

            With 46-percent of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Pennsylvania, Mr. Hines played a pivotal role in bringing stakeholders together to forge a Pennsylvania strategy to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan for cleaning up the bay.  

            In particular, he helped devise a point and non-point source strategy for Pennsylvania’s wastewater plants and farmers, including a Nutrient Credit Trading Program which has helped stakeholders meet mandatory reductions in nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment in a cost-effective way.

            Whether he was protecting our source water from gas drilling wastewater and other sources of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) or ensuring that our drinking waters meet the Safe Drinking Water Act standards, John Hines has exemplified dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.   

            In 2001, the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) recognized Mr. Hines with the Pyramid Award.  The Pyramid Award recognizes nationally outstanding young professionals in the fi eld of water resources.  

            In 1999, both the Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP) and Great Lakes Commission recognized Mr. Hines for his efforts in establishing the “Partnership for the 21st Century” agreement among river basin commissions nationally and his work on developing the ICWP Interstate Water Resources Standing Committee.  He has also earned two “Secretary Pins” for his outstanding work on DEP initiatives.  

            Mr. Hines has served as Pennsylvania’s State Coordinator for the Delaware Estuary Program, as Executive Director of the Greene County Solid Waste Authority and as a Socioeconomic Planner with L. Robert Kimball and Associates in Ebensburg, Cambria County.  

            A Presidential Scholar, Mr. Hines holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences and a Masters Degree in Geography and Regional Planning.

            A native of Greene County, Mr. Hines currently resides in Palmyra, Lebanon County, with his wife, Amy, and his children, Alexis and Matthew.  He has volunteered for numerous church and community organizations.  

            Mr. Hines currently serves as the Leadership Chair of Gravel Hill United Methodist Church.  He has also served for over sixteen years on the Campbelltown Palmyra Youth Soccer Club and is a State Certified “D” level soccer coach.

            The James McGirr Kelly Award for Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by the National Association of Water Companies – Pennsylvania Chapter.  The award is presented each year to the resident of Pennsylvania who most exemplified dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.

            The Annual Award for Excellence was named for the late James McGirr Kelly, Senior United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Judge Kelly was a former member of the Public Utility Commission and former vice president of American Water Works Service Company, Inc.  He was the first recipient of the award in 1983.

             Past award winners include: 2011 John Hanger, DEP Secretary, 2010 former PUC Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli, 2009 Rep. Bud George, 2008 Rick Rogers, U.S. EPA Region 3, 2007 Paul K. Marchetti, 2005 Rep. Carole Rubley, 2004 Terrance J. Fitzpatrick, former Chair PUC, 2003 Fredrick A. Marrocco, DEP, 2002 David E. Hess, DEP Secretary, 2001 John M. Quain, former Chair PUC, 2000 Sen. Raphael J. Musto, 1999 Walter A. Lyon, 1998 Michael D. Klein, 1997 David A. Long, PhD, 1996 Gov. Tom Ridge, 1995 Sen. David J. Brightbill, 1994 Wendell F. Holland, 1993 William R. Shane, 1992 William R. Lloyd, 1991 Edith D. Stevens, 1990 Dr. Ruth Patrick, 1989 Gov. Robert P. Casey, 1988 Sen. D. Michael Fisher, 1987 George I. Bloom, 1986 Clifford L. Jones, DER Secretary, 1985 Dr. Maurice K. Goddard, DER Secretary, and in 1984 Gov. Dick Thornburgh.

            A copy of the meeting agenda is available online.

Thursday NewsClips

Industry Coalition Releases New Drilling Standards
House Democrats Push To Revise Gas Drilling Law
Possible Drilling Raises Concerns In Blair/Cambria
Local Airport Relies On Marcellus Shale Industry
Editorial: Oil Industry Moves Good For Philly Region
Municipalities: Harrisburg Soaked Us On Sewage Bills
PPL Looks For Changes In Power Purchasing Plan
Shad Tournament Wanes Through The Run Continues
Stowe Footbridge Could Play Key Role In Trail Extension
Hawk's Nest Drama In Philadelphia
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

Wednesday NewsClips

State Revenues Hint At Upswing
More Tax Income May Soften PA Budget Cuts
April Tax Revenue Millions Ahead Of Estimate
Legislators Have $121 Million Surplus
Krancer Calls Delaware's Stance On Drilling Political
Geisinger Using Patient Database To Assess Fracking Harm
Chesapeake Energy Strips CEO Of Chairmanship
Contractors To Plant 3,400 Trees In SE PA
Delta Plans To Reopen PA Refinery By Labor Day
Delta's Road To The Refinery Business
Fish & Boat Commission: Too Soon To Diagnose Fish Black Spots
Presque Isle Battling Phragmites Invasion
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

April Revenue Collections $98.9 Million Over Estimates

Pennsylvania collected $3.4 billion in General Fund revenue in April, which was $98.9 million, or 3 percent, more than anticipated, Secretary of Revenue Daniel Meuser reported Tuesday. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $23 billion, which is $288.4 million, or 1.2 percent, below estimate.

            Sales tax receipts totaled $777.3 million for April, $35.7 million above estimate. Year-to-date sales tax collections total $7.3 billion, which is $74.1 million, or 1 percent, more than anticipated.

            Personal income tax revenue in April was $1.7 billion, $26.4 million below estimate. This brings year-to-date PIT collections to $9 billion, which is $224.5 million, or 2.4 percent, below estimate.    

            April corporation tax revenue of $587.2 million was $68.7 million, above estimate. Year-to-date corporation tax collections total $4.2 billion, which is $122.3 million, or 2.8 percent, below estimate.

            Inheritance tax revenue for the month was $68.2 million, $1.4 million below estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $670.3 million, which is $11.7 million, or 1.7 percent, below estimate.

            Realty transfer tax revenue was $23.8 million for April, $3.2 million above estimate, bringing the fiscal-year total to $235 million, which is $5.4 million, or 2.2 percent, less than anticipated.

            Other General Fund tax revenue, including cigarette, malt beverage, liquor and table games taxes, totaled $125.1 million for the month, $4.6 million below estimate and bringing the year-to-date total to $1.2 billion, which is $5.9 million, or 0.5 percent, below estimate.

            Non-tax revenue totaled $160.2 million for the month, $23.7 million above estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $358 million, which is $7.4 million, or 2.1 percent, above estimate.

            In addition to the General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund received $260.1 million for the month, $8.9 million above estimate. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund – which include the commonly known gas and diesel taxes, as well as other license, fine and fee revenues – total $2 billion, which is $9.1 million, or 0.5 percent, above estimate.

Independent Fiscal Office: FY 2012-13 Revenue $1 Billion Higher Than Governor's Office

The Independent Fiscal Office said Tuesday its estimate of FY 2012-13 General Fund revenues is $1.02 billion higher than the estimate by the Governor's Office-- $28.16 billion versus the Governor's proposed budget of $27.14 billion.
            IFO and Governor's Office were closer in their estimates for the current FY 2011-12 fiscal year.  The IFO said the state would collect $27.05 billion in General Fund revenues in the current fiscal year and the Governor's Office estimated $27.095 billion.

            A copy of the IFO estimate is available online.  A copy of the Governor's budget is also available.
            Here's the summary of General Fund revenues discussion from the Independent Fiscal Office report issued today:

            General Fund

            The General Fund includes tax and non-tax revenue sources.  For General Fund tax revenues, the initial revenue estimate for FY 2011-12 is $27.05 billion, an increase of $585 million (2.2 percent) over FY 2010-11.  For FY 2012-13, the initial revenue estimate is $28.16 billion, an increase of $1.11 billion (4.1 percent) over the prior fiscal year.

            Five tax levies comprise roughly 90 percent of General Fund tax revenues: corporate net income, gross receipts, sales and use, cigarette and personal income.  For FY 2012-13, the revenue estimate projects relatively strong growth for personal income tax collections (5.1 percent) due to the economic forecast’s projection of  Pennsylvania wage income (4.5 percent) and solid growth for business net income and capital gains and dividends.  The revenue projection for sales and use taxes (4.4 percent) is motivated by the continued economic expansion, improving consumer confidence and continued strength in motor vehicle sales.  

            Cigarette tax collections (-0.4 percent) remain flat because they are levied on a per pack basis and generally do not respond to macroeconomic conditions.  Gross receipts taxes (3.2 percent) are affected by timing issues related to the remittance of estimated and annual payments.  

            Corporate net income taxes (19.9 percent) increase significantly due to higher profits, the reversal of a previous investment incentive (100 percent bonus) and the add back of a current investment incentive (50 percent bonus).  

            Additional detail  regarding the modeling of major tax revenues can be found in the methodology section of this report.

            General Fund non-tax revenues can be decomposed into three parts: (1) liquor store profits, (2) fines, penalties and interest and (3) licenses, fees and other miscellaneous revenues.  

            Due to one-time transfers into the General Fund for FY 2010-11, the revenue estimate projects that non-tax revenues will decline by $541 million (-52.2 percent) for FY 2011-12 and decline again in FY 2012-13 by $7 million (-1.4 percent).  Additional detail for non-tax revenue can be found in the tables that accompany this section of the report.

Tuesday NewsClips

April Tax Revenue $40-$50 Million Ahead Of Estimates
Strengthening PA Revenues Could Ease Proposed Budget Cuts
Court Ruling Allows DEP To Do Its Job
Editorial: Court Makes Right Call On DEP Staffers
White House Honors Pittsburgh, Johnstown For Greening Cities
Mapping PA's Drilling Impact Fee Revenue
Residents Flee Bad Water In Shale Drilling Areas
2,000+ Truck Trips Removed From Road By Marcellus Water Pipeline
Op-Ed: Just Rebuilding Oyster Reefs Won't Save Chesapeake Bay
Monongahela River Sojourn June 9
What Happens After It Rains (Video)
Penn State Extension: Control Of Filamentous Algae
Fine Possible For Hempfield Twp's Work At Stream
Mother, Son Sued For Illegal Sludge Disposal
Wilkes-Barre Flood Recovery Projects Are Beginning
Sunoco To Be Bought By Energy Transfer Partners
PA Taxpayers Could Pitch In $30 Million In Refinery Deal
Delta To Buy ConocoPhillips Refinery For $180 Million
Delta Buys PA Refinery In Bid To Cut Its Fuel Bill
A Tree For Every Phillies Home Run
Crews Battle Wildfire In Upper Dauphin County
Event Set To Raise Funds For Flight 93 Memorial
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips