PA Environment Digest Blog

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

PUC Urges 13,928 Customers Without Heat To Act Now

With the end of winter nowhere in sight, the Public Utility Commission reminds the 13,298 consumers without use of a central heating system or using a potentially unsafe heating source in their homes to call about programs to help restore natural gas or electric service.

“Resources are available to help consumers restore and maintain service,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “A colder winter and increased use of heating systems also means many people who have never struggled to pay their bills are struggling now. While utilities are not permitted to terminate service for utility customers with household incomes at or below 250 percent of the Federal poverty level during a period of time through March 31, as of April 1 forward, utilities can terminate customers for past due balances regardless of income, so we encourage customers having trouble making payments to contact their utility to set up a payment arrangement.”

The PUC encourages consumers without utility service to know their rights and responsibilities. Consumers should obtain information about programs available to help them restore and maintain utility service. Consumers with a seriously ill resident in the household or a protection from abuse order may have additional options for service restoration.

As of Feb. 3, 2014, the total number of homes not using a central heating system was 13,298, a 38 percent reduction from the Dec. 16, 2013, total of 21,281. The information is a follow up to the annual Cold Weather Survey results. Some households may be without both electric and natural gas service, resulting in a double counting of some households.

Consumers should call their utility first to make arrangements to pay their bill. If they are unable to reach an agreement with the utility, the PUC may be able to provide assistance. The PUC can be reached toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.

This winter marks the PUC’s eleventh “Prepare Now” campaign where the message is simple: “Prepare Now” for higher energy costs this winter. Learn about changes in the law related to utility terminations and reconnections and know your rights. Save money by learning how to conserve energy. Heat your home safely. Explore budget billing options.

Look into programs that help low-income customers restore and maintain service. Call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380 for more information.

DEP Calls Air Quality Action Day For Pittsburgh Region Feb. 12

The Department of Environmental Protection and its Regional Air Quality Partnerships have called an Air Quality Action Day for the Pittsburgh Region on Wednesday, February 12. Click Here for details.

Tuesday NewsClips

Power Restored To 99 Percent Of Homes

Rising Diesel Fuel Prices Link To Heating Oil Demand

Editorial: Distant States Should Nose Out Of Bay Cleanup Effort

Lancaster Considering Stormwater Fees On Properties

Poll: Majority Of PA Voters Support Drilling, Done Safely

DCED Chief Hands Out Marcellus Shale Innovation Grants

Column: Duels Over Environment Key In Governor’s Race

Bills Allows State To Choose Your Electricity Provider

Businesses Receive State Energy Efficiency Grants
Lawmakers Pepper Budget Secretary On Corbett Spending Plan
Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest News Clips

Monday, February 10, 2014

CBF-PA Hosts Awards, Clean Water, Healthy Lands Workshop

On February 12, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA will host “Clean Water, Healthy Lands,” a workshop about streamside forests; their value and how to care for them. The workshop will be held at the Wysox Fire Hall, 111 Lake Rd., Wysox, Bradford County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

At the workshop CBF also will recognize the achievements of local US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service offices by presenting them with the first-ever “Golden Tree” and “Golden Cow” awards.

The workshop will provide attendees a wealth of knowledge about streamside forested buffers, how to properly care for and maintain them, how to properly use pesticides, related agricultural regulations, and conservation planning.

The awards ceremony will honor conservation professionals work diligently to help farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, while also improving land management and farm viability.

Golden Tree Award

The “Golden Tree” award honors staff for their efforts and successes through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Pennsylvania farmers and landowners have successfully reforested thousands of miles of local streams. Many partners contribute to the success, but FSA and NRCS staff are the foundation of the program’s success.

The Golden Tree Award will be presented to:

-- The Bradford & Sullivan County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners, and farmers, they have established 3,652 acres of streamside forested buffers in Bradford & Sullivan Counties.

-- The Lycoming County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners and farmers, they have established 903 acres of streamside forested buffers.

-- The Susquehanna County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, with partners, and farmers, they have established 1,609 acres of streamside forested buffers.

-- The Tioga County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners, and farmers they have established 1,850 acres of streamside forested buffers in Tioga County.

-- The Wyoming County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners and farmers, they have established 292 acres of streamside forested buffers.

Golden Cow Award

The “Golden Cow” award is being presented to partners in the very successful Buffer Bonus program. Thanks to the support, dedication, and technical expertise from these conservation professionals more than 40 farms have established 36 miles of streamside forested buffers in the region. Additionally, 200 other on-farm conservation projects were installed to help improve water quality and farm viability.

CBF recognizes all of these efforts and will award local FSA and NRCS offices with the following:

The Golden Cow Award will be presented to the following partners in the Buffer Bonus Program:

-- The Bradford & Sullivan County NRCS office

-- The Bradford County Conservation District

-- The Lycoming County NRCS office

-- Pheasants Forever

-- The Susquehanna County NRCS office

-- The Wyoming County NRCS office

-- Mike Lovegreen, former Bradford County Conservation District Manager

-- Ed Zygmunt, retired Conservation Consultant

Workshop Presenters

Workshop presenters include:

-- Dr. Bernard W. Sweeney: Dr. Bernard W. Sweeney is Director, President, and Senior Research Scientist at the Stroud Water Research Center, an independent research institution focused on stream and river ecology located in Pennsylvania.

-- Art Gover: Art is a Research Support Associate with the Wildland Weed Management program in the Department of Plant Science at the Penn State University.

-- Mike Hanawalt: Mike is the Supervisory District Conservationist in Bradford and Sullivan County for the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He is active in a wide range of projects from riparian forest buffers, grazing systems, to agricultural waste facility projects.

-- Kevin Brown: Kevin is an Agricultural Resource Specialist with the Conservation District and works with nutrient management, no-till, and other farm related topics.

-- Miranda Neville: Miranda is a Chesapeake Bay Technician/Ag Resource Specialist at the Bradford County Conservation District.

Partners in the workshop include the Bradford County Conservation District, Endless Mountains, Resource Conservation & Development Council, Bradford Sullivan Forest Landowners Association, USDA Farm Service Agency, Pheasants Forever, and the Sullivan County Conservation District.

A similar workshop and award ceremony will be hosted in Centre County on February 14 in Centre Hall, PA.

SRBC Releases Report On Water Quality Conditions 2010-2012

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monday released its second data report on water quality conditions in small watersheds in the Marcellus Shale region of the Susquehanna River Basin.

Prior to 2010 when SRBC began collecting the data through its state-of-the-art Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network, little to no water quality data existed for many smaller streams in northern Pennsylvania and southern tier New York.

SRBC’s first data report in 2012 established preliminary baseline, or existing, conditions within the first 37 of 58 watersheds that SRBC is monitoring through the RWQMN. This second data report provides a more comprehensive report of conditions across the full monitoring network.

“The Commission takes very seriously one of its core functions of monitoring water quality conditions in the streams and rivers of the Susquehanna Basin,” said SRBC Executive Director Andrew Dehoff. “This second report provides more information on the data collected as part of the Commission’s effort to evaluate whether or not water quality conditions are reflecting impacts associated with natural gas drilling.”

Each RWQMN station is equipped with sensors that can continuously detect subtle changes in water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductance (ability to conduct electricity, which typically increases as levels of dissolved solids increase) and turbidity (water clarity).

The water quality parameters are measured at 5-minute intervals and transmitted to SRBC headquarters in Harrisburg every 2 to 4 hours. The raw, unadjusted data are then made available to the public online. A user-friendly map, graphs and charts are key features for viewing and understanding the data.

The data report outlines the process SRBC is using to characterize conditions for the monitored watersheds, including analyses based on ecoregion group, water chemistry, and trend analyses for three stations with sufficient data records of three full years.

The parameters of primary interest in areas of natural gas drilling are conductance and turbidity since those are the most likely to rise if local streams are being impacted by drilling activities. SRBC also collects quarterly samples for more than 20 other parameters for lab analysis, some of which serve as more specific indicators of natural gas drilling activities.

Of the 50 watersheds covered in this data report, SRBC has not observed any unusual results outside of some existing pollution issues such as those associated with mine drainage, road salting, and agricultural/urban runoff, as well as some isolated incidents associated with brief turbidity spikes as a result of pipeline construction activity.

As more stations accumulate three years of continuous data, SRBC staff will be able to detect any longer-term water quality trends in addition to immediate impacts. The first three stations undergoing these statistical analyses showed no definitive trends, with no obvious correlation to drilling activity.

Upcoming assessments include performing trend analyses on a larger set of data from 37 stations that reached the 3-year data record mark at the end of 2013. In addition, the Commission continues to collect more refined data at select stations to better understand fluctuations in water chemistry.

Lastly, future reports will also start to look more closely at results from aquatic biological community data collected at all stations.

SRBC’s overarching objective of the RWQMN is to apply good science to track changes in water quality conditions over time and to allow for timely responses in the case of pollution events.

Other objectives are to reduce the cost of data collection by using advanced technologies, to enhance water supply protection through source water monitoring, and to be responsive to public concerns.

For more information, visit SRBC’s Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network webpage.

DEP Awards Energy Efficiency, Pollution Prevention Grants

Gov. Corbett Monday announced the Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $996,713 in grants to help 134 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

“These grants are yet another example of my administration’s commitment to supporting small business owners in Pennsylvania.” Corbett said. “I am pleased to bolster businesses, like these, that are working hard to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.”

Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program, funded through the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, helps businesses with 100 or fewer employees. It provides 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $9,500 to implement projects that will save 25 percent annually in pollution-prevention or energy-related costs.

The grants will create more than $3.7 million in private-sector investment in small businesses.

Examples of eligible projects include high-efficiency HVAC and insulation upgrades, high-efficiency lighting to save energy, installation of energy-efficient heat pumps and new auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines.

Since 2004, the program has awarded in excess of $8.5 million in more than 1776 small businesses statewide.

A list of grants awarded is available online.

For more information about how the DEP can help support small businesses or about future Small Business Advantage Grant Programs, contact DEP’s Office of the Small Business Ombudsman at 717-772-8909 or send email to: epadvantagegrant@pa.gov.

PA American Water Opens Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest

Pennsylvania American Water Monday announced entries are now being accepted for its 12th Annual "Protect Our Watersheds" Art Contest. The deadline for entries is March 28.

All fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water are eligible, as well as individual students who live in the company's service area. The contest encourages students to draw on their artistic talents to convey the importance of protecting Pennsylvania's watersheds and water resources.

This month, Pennsylvania American Water is mailing contest applications to teachers in nearly 500 schools in its service territory. Winners will be selected based on creative vision, artistic talent, understanding of watershed protection and the ability to communicate that understanding. As part of their entry, students must write a brief narrative on the personal impact of watershed protection.

"Each year, an overwhelming number of students use their creativity to express their ideas for protecting our environment," said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. "Pennsylvania American Water's vision is to be the trusted steward of our most precious resource -- water, and this contest is a fun and creative way for students to learn how precious it truly is and the importance of protecting it."

In 2013, the company received more than 500 entries from students across the state. The grand prize winner was Shannon Baransky of Abington Heights Middle School in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County.

In total, six students will be recognized, with a first-, second- and third-place winner selected from eastern and western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will be rewarded with a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Two second- and third-place winners will be awarded a $50 and $25 gift card, respectively.

In addition, the overall grand prize winner will have her/his artwork featured on "Bloomer" cards distributed by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomer cards are seed-filled packets that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers. All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion certificate. Awards will be presented in May as part of National Drinking Water Week activities.