Feb. 2 PA Environment Digest Now Available

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Selected headlines-
Bad Budget news Keeps Coming Ahead Of Budget Address
Alternative Energy, Climate Change Bill Unveiled
PJM Study Says Federal Climate Bills Will Dramatically Increase Electric Costs
Study From Leading Climate Scientists Says Climate Change Now Irreversible
WTAE-TV, PEC Earth Friend Awards - Video
Online Webinar- Manure Du Jour
Game Commission Presents Annual Report
Watch Punxsutawney Phil's Predictions
Commonwealth Court Invalidates PA Mercury Emissions Rule
Nominations Due For Governor's Environmental Awards
Philadelphia Sustainability Awards Name 12 Finalists
Illegal Dump Cleanup Grant Training Program
RecycleBank Sees Massive Growth In 2008
PUC Electric Price Comparison Report
Allegheny Power Launches Enrollment For Wind Energy Program
Free Radon Tests In Allentown
Fish & Boat Commission Sets Public Meetings
Opinion - DEP Proposes Weakening Clean Water Protections

Friday NewsClips

House GOP: Rendell Siting On Millions In Fund
Rendell: Painful Cuts Needed To Make Budget Work
Environmental Groups Rip Pair Of Energy Bills
Editorial: PA Makes Wise Move Toward Clean Coal, We're Ready
New, Energy-Efficient Homes Ready To Sell
PA Trolley Museum Is Going Solar
Carneigie Science Awards Announced
Free Radon Test Kits In Allentown
New Panel To Guide Philadelphia Riverfront Development
Local Champion Sought To Blaze Iroquois Trail In Tunkhannock
Bradford To Define Change Of Use Under Clean And Green For Drilling
Energy Expo Set On Feb. 25 In Delaware County

Thursday NewsClips

Lycoming County Looks For Funding For Nutrient Credit Trading
Farm Manure Turns Green
PA Would Have Leading Role In Clean Coal Technology Under Bill
$$$ For Landowners In Greenhouse Gas Market?
Editorial: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Local Incubator Could Help Develop New Coal Technology
Chief Oil & Gas Donates $8,000 For Home Heating Assistance
Pike County Gas Leases Multiply
Editorial: Natural Gas Drilling Interconnections
Numbers Shout For Change In Electricity Lifestyles
Energy Audit To Be Completed For Southern Fulton School District
How Would New Auto Emission Rules Affect Us?
Philadelphia Trash Service Could Be Budget Victim
Punxsutawney Phil Reaches Out To Kids

Governor's Award Nominations Due

The Department of Environmental Protection announced today it is now accepting applications for the 2009 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. Nominations are due March 9.
“These awards recognize businesses and organizations that believe a clean environment leads to a competitive and vibrant economy,” said Gov. Rendell. “Past awards recipients are working to make our communities stronger. The projects they’ve undertaken are reducing pollution, fostering a cleaner environment, using more emission-free energy sources, and preparing a whole new generation of Pennsylvanians to be better stewards of our resources. (Click here for the full announcement)

Rendell Warns Of Furloughs, Deficit Much Worse

Gov. Rendell gave state worker unions 30 days notice of possible furloughs and a reduction in work hours as the budget crisis deepens.
House Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) said the real state budget deficit number was $5.6 billion since the General Assembly and the Governor have to solve not only the current year's deficit, but fiscal next year's as well.
NewsClips: Rendell Notifies Unions Of Possible Layoffs
Rendell Warns Of Possible Furloughs
PA Says It May Furlough Workers
More Bad News For State Workers
Auditor General Uncovers 14 Percent Error Rate In State Medicaid Payments
Editorial: Rendell Spending

Wednesday NewsClips

House Dem Budget Leader Outlines $5.6 Billion Budget Problem
Rendell: 2,000 State Jobs Could Go
Editorial: Amid Squabbling Over Natural Gas, Couple Sets Example
Collision Ahead On Auto Emissions Regulations
PA Residents Can Give Input On Climate Change
Aviary CEO Quits, Questions Diversity, Transparency
83 Septic Tanks Need Pumped In Nuangola
Landis Homes Plans $60 Million Green Expansion
Op-Ed: Sierra Club's Zero Cut Policy Hurts Wilderness Efforts
1,000 Acres In Monroe County Added to Game Lands
PPL Selling Less Land To Conservancy
Regulating Windmills

Tuesday NewsClips

State Budget: Universal Pain
Climate Harm Called Irreversible
Western PA Drought Watch Lifted
We've Become Conservation Advocates
Wildlife Expert Warns Of Ecological Risks With Drilling
Emmaus Environmental Charter School Faces Denial
Rendell Praises Obama's Step On Vehicle Emissions
Pottstown Recycling Program Shows Promise
Editorial: You Should Get What You Pay For, Recycling Included
Some Hunters To Get Extra Incentives This Fall

DEP Lifts Drought Watch

Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary John Hanger lifted the drought watch declaration for 29 counties today in western and north central Pennsylvania citing improved groundwater and streamflow levels.
The affected counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. (Click here for complete announcement)
Visit DEP's Drought Information Center

DEP Invites Climate Experts To Contribute

The Climate Change Advisory Committee is inviting technical experts and members of the public to help develop recommendations that may be included in an action plan for Pennsylvania to address this pressing environmental and economic challenge.
“The complexity of the challenge before us demands that we bring together the highest level of expertise possible and invite the public to offer their input during this important process,” said Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary John Hanger. “This is an opportunity to help develop an action plan that will play a critical role in keeping our economy competitive and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for our children and future generations.”
Acting Secretary Hanger added that everyone is encouraged to participate, regardless of their level of technical expertise.
Those interested in serving in a technical or sector-specific should send their name, contact information, resume and the subcommittee on they wish to serve by email to: epclimatecommittee@state.pa.us.(Click here for full announcement.)