These permits are currently under review by DEP.
DEP also posted a list of Disposed Trigger Permits [2 permits] where the agency already made a decision.
Visit DEP’s Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy webpage for more information.
(Reprinted from DEP’s latest Environmental Justice newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment Digest
Rashida Lovely has lived in Scranton for more than a decade and has brought a wealth of environmental and arts education to the area.
She serves as the Director of Operations for the Black Chamber of Commerce and the NEPA Pan African Coalition.
A biologist and dancer by training, Rashida is the embodiment of an EJ Champion in that she brings environmental justice and environmental awareness to her community in approachable and creative ways.
What encouraged you to take action in your community?
There’s a gap that needs to be filled. The government plays a role in ensuring that people are aware of best practices to preserve the environment. But communities of color and underserved communities are often missed in the circulation of that information. I like to reach into the community centers and daycare centers – the places where people are.
What are you working on now? Can you tell us about a recent or ongoing project that you are excited about?
I am excited about our Summer STEAM program. It’s an ongoing program where we really encompass the EJ work. Kids learn how to plant and grow foods. And we also work with engineers and scientists in the community as mentors to the kids who participate. Our goal is for the lessons and awareness from the program to become a part of everyday life for the students.
What are the greatest environmental justice challenges that still need to be tackled?
It’s always about the underserved community and connecting with them on their level. We need to support the organizations that are serving people on the ground.
Also important is providing a safe space -- creating spaces in nature where communities of color feel safe even though they don’t own the land. It’s important to the protection of the environment that we create spaces where kids and others can connect to the land.
Suggest An EJ Champion
Is there an EJ champion in your community? Does your community have a success story you would like to share? Email DEP your story for publication in the next Your Environment, Your Voice newsletter-- RA-EPOEJ@pa.gov!
(Reprinted from DEP’s latest Environmental Justice newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment Digest
Vote now through January 14.
The Catawissa Creek, Connoquenessing Creek, French Creek, and the Monongahela River are the nominations for the 2022 River of the Year.
Click Here to vote and for more information on each nominee. Questions should be directed to Angela Vitkoski at avitkoski@pecpa.org.
Nominations were based on each waterway’s conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans if the nominee is voted 2022 River of the Year.
“The value of our waterways has shined brighter than ever during this pandemic as people have visited Pennsylvania’s river and streams in unprecedented numbers seeking the natural refuge they supply,” Dunn said. “This annual competition is so much more than a popularity contest. All of our rivers and streams have truly unique attributes, offer incredible recreational opportunities, and offer significant boosts to local economies. This competition shares those wonderful attributes and helps build community support around our rivers and streams, showing just how much they have to offer to the public.”
In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices is overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR). Dunn noted that the online public selection process continues to be increasingly popular as it enters its twelfth year.
A POWR website enables voting and offers details on nominated waterways and the River of the Year program. Voting is managed through Woobox, an online contest application restricting voting to one email address.
POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the River of the Year program with funding from DCNR. Presented annually since 1983, this year’s 2021 designation was awarded to the Shenango River.
“We are excited to once again kick off the public online voting process for Pennsylvania River of the Year,” said Janet Sweeney, Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. “As we all continue to spend more time outdoors and deepen our appreciation for the beautiful natural resources of Pennsylvania, the annual River of the Year voting process is a fun way to rally behind and support your favorite waterway.”
After a waterway is chosen for the annual honor, local groups implement a year-round slate of activities and events to celebrate the river, including a paddling trip, or sojourn. The organization nominating the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant from DCNR to help fund River of the Year activities.
POWR and DCNR also work with local organizations to create a free, commemorative poster celebrating the River of the Year.
The River of the Year sojourn is among many paddling trips supported each year by DCNR and POWR.
An independent program, the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program, is a unique series of a dozen such trips on the state’s rivers. The water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers and others raise awareness of the environmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.
Visit the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program webpage to learn more.
To learn more about DCNR’s Rivers Program, visit DCNR’s Water webpage.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment DigestStudent Category
-- 1st Place ($500 prize): Zoe Broyles, Pittsburgh, 16, 11th-grade student at Fox Chapel Area High School, “Rachel Carson’s Dream”
-- 2nd Place ($250 prize): Brendan Davis, Columbus, 10, 6th-grade student at Corry Alliance Academy, “Junk Exhaustion”
-- 3rd Place ($100 prize): Brianna Smithwick, Swissvale, 10, 4th-grade student at Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy, “Let’s Snap Up Litter!”
Adult Category
-- 1st Place ($500 prize): Richard Oberndorf, Wexford, “Teach Your Babies to Respect Our Waterways!”
-- 2nd Place ($250 prize):Nancy Furbee, Sewickley, “Barreling Along to Remove Trash on the Shenango”
-- 3rd Place ($100 prize): Carye Bye, Pittsburgh, “Happy un-Earth Day!”
PRC experienced an enthusiastic response from residents across the Commonwealth participating in the competition, which divided entries into student and adult categories.
Since exposure leads to prevention, the objective of PRC’s Lens on Litter Photo Contest is to focus public attention on the problems of litter in Pennsylvania.
Photos help to heighten litter consciousness by showing how it threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets and wildlife.
PRC thanks sponsors of Lens on Litter 2021: Carolyn Capaldi, Robert & Mary Capaldi, Wawa, Inc., Sheetz, Inc., Wegmans and the Warren County Visitors Bureau!
2022 Contest
PRC’s Lens On Litter Contest will begin accepting entries for the 2022 contest on January 1. The deadline for entries is October 31.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook. Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar. Click Here to support their work.
PRC is Pennsylvania’s oldest grassroots environmental organization founded in 1939. PRC has worked to protect resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling, waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns and other initiatives.
[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment Digest
This is one of a series of hearings the Senate and House have had on decommissioning and siting solar and wind energy facilities.
House Bill
On November 30, the Committee specifically added House Bill 2104 (Rapp-R-Warren) that would set minimum requirements for solar and wind energy facility agreements with landowners, proof of financial assurance, minimum standards for decommissioning plans and preemption of local ordinances covering the same requirements.
Senate Hearings
One of the objectives of the Senate hearings is to build support for legislation like Senate Bill 284 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) that would impose extra bonding requirements on solar, wind, biomass, coal waste, other renewable energy projects as well as makers of energy efficiency products, research and development facilities and high-efficiency locomotives. Read more here.
So far, there has been no discussion of putting extra bonding requirements to cover decommissioning nuclear, coal, natural gas and oil-fired power plants.
Comments so far on Senate Bill 284 have not supported the overly broad scope, how it duplicates landowners leases and adds new government bureaucracy.
The PA Farm Bureau and the solar energy industry supports legislation that would codify the existing industry practice of restoration and reclamation bonds for solar and wind facilities setting minimum requirements. Read more here
Stifling Renewable Energy
Senate Bill 284 is one of several initiatives by Republicans to artificially stifle the growth of renewable energy in Pennsylvania in favor of fossil fuels by interfering in the free market to make it more expensive or prohibit it altogether.
Other bills include--
-- Prohibit State Govt. From Buying/Using Renewable Energy Credits: Senate Bill 945 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which directs state government to sell all its Renewable Energy Credits and deposit the proceeds in the Marcellus Legacy Fund for use to plug oil and gas wells abandoned by the industry and left to taxpayers to pay for plugging costs. Read more here.
-- Require Recycling Solar Panels Thru A Recycling Program That Doesn’t Work: Senate Bill 530 (Dush-R- Jefferson) and House Bill 266 (James-R-Venango) would require the recycling of solar panels through the broken state electronic waste recycling program to drive up solar energy costs. Read more here from last session.
-- Prohibit The Ability Of Communities To Promote Clean Energy: Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) which would limit the ability of communities to offer new and clean energy sources and energy efficiency programs by locking in the status quo, in particular natural gas was passed by the Senate and now goes to the House for action. Read more here. The bill is now in the House Local Government Committee.
A companion bill in the House-- House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R- Washington)-- was reported out of the House Local Government Committee and was Tabled.
The Committee hearing will be held in Room G-50 Irvis Building starting at 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch the hearing live online.
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1707 or sending email to: dmetcalf@pahousegop.com. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net.
Related Article:
[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment Digest
This special event is being held in a hybrid and in-person format November 29 to December 2.
Video Showcase Open
Today, the Symposium's Video Showcase opens and will run through December 1.
Videos are categorized by playlist: Environmental Science Research, Sustainability & Environmental Studies Projects, Environmental Internships, Buzzfeed (#1-3), and Photo Gallery & Contest
Viewers Choice Award goes to the video with the most interactivity, so we encourage you to comment and/or ask questions to engage our presenters.
Also please like and share your favorite videos!
Click Here to go to the Video Showcase.
The in-person event takes place at Westminster College on Thursday, December 1 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. COVID vaccination and masking are required of all in-person attendees.
For more information, visit the 2021 Student Symposium on the Environment webpage.
[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment Digest
Senate returns to session Dec. 13, 14, 15
-- Updated 2022 Voting Session Day Schedule
TODAY’s Calendar Of Events
-- November 29 PA Environment Digest Now Available [PaEN]
-- Fox News: PA Braces For Huge Energy Price Hikes [Due To Natural Gas Price Increases] As Winter Looms
-- WHYY: SEPTA Moving To Zero Emissions Future
-- WBTimes/AP: Community Systems Offer Alternative Paths For Solar Energy Growth [Legislation Would Authorize Community Solar Systems In PA - Read more here.]
-- YorkDispatch/AP: Solar Power Makes Inroads As A Community Resource [Legislation Would Authorize Community Solar Systems In PA - Read more here.]
-- PG: Pittsburgh Street Project Receives $963,000 State Grant To Reduce Stormwater Impact
-- PennLive Editorial: We Must Find The Money To Stop Raw Sewage From Flowing Into The Susquehanna River
-- YorkDispatch: Horn Farm Center For Agricultural Education Begins Rebuilding Process After ‘A Difficult Year’
-- Lackawanna College Announces Spring Session Of The Conservation & Natural Resource Certificate Program [PaEN]
-- WBTimes: Wolf Administration Releases First-Ever Statewide Litter Action Plan
-- DEP Posted 36 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Nov. 27 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
-- WESA: Since The Pandemic Began, Protecting Urban Green Spaces Has Become Even More Important In Pittsburgh
-- WHYY: Delaware County To Buy 213-Acre Former Catholic School Property That’s Mostly Open Space
-- PG: Neighbors Meet In Sharpsburg To Plan Riverfront Park In Allegheny County
-- PA Outdoor Sports: Retirement Hasn't Slowed John Away, For Fish & Boat Commission Executive Director
-- ReadingE: Changes To PA’s Hunting Schedule Have Drawn More People To The Sport
-- WJAC: 71-Year Old Hunter Killed By Minor Relative In Cambria County
National/International
-- WilliamsportS Editorial: High Gasoline Prices Need Long-Term Strategy
-- WSJ: Nissan To Spend $17.6 Billion On Battery-Powered Vehicles Over 5 Years
-- NYT: Hunt For The ‘Blood Diamond Of Batteries’ In Congo Impedes Green Energy Push
PA Politics
-- WHYY: PA Lawmakers Prepare For A Month Of Intense Redistricting Negotiations
-- York Dispatch Editorial: Senate Republicans ‘Audit’ Choice - Good Money After Bad Idea
-- ScrantonT Editorial: Senate Republicans - Don’t Redact Anything From Election ‘Audit’ Contract
-- ReadingE: Berks County Officials Say Distrust In Elections Is Damaging The Process
-- PennLive: Implicit Racial Bias Is Another Barrier To Quality Health Care
-- WHYY: As PA School Funding Trial Resumes, Here’s A Cheat Sheet On What’s Happened So Far
-- TribLive: Cyberattack Forces Closure Of Butler County Community College Monday, Tuesday
-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Faculty Retirements At State Universities Double Typical Year
-- PG: Allegheny County Grapples With Another Year Of Triple-Digit Homicides
-- PennLive Guest Essay: We Can Solve The Opioid Crisis That COVID Made Worse [Republican General Assembly Ended PA’s Opioid Emergency Declaration On Aug. 25]
-- PG: Grim Outlook For Gravestone Manufacturers Amid Supply Chain Squeeze
-- WilliamsportS: Wolf Works To Push Up Worker Pay, Minimum Wage
-- PA Cap-Star: Junior Achievement Of Western PA Teaches Career Skills To Fayette County Students
-- PA Cap-Star: Report - PA Ranks 39th For Condition, Cost-Effectiveness Of Its Highways
-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Philly Is 44% Black, Yet Black Companies Get Less Than 12% Of City Contracts
New COVID Variant
-- Reuters: Omicron COVID Variant Poses Very High Global Risk, World Must Prepare - WHO
-- WPost: Omicron Variant Now In North America As First Cases Found In Canada
-- The Guardian: Dr. Fauci - U.S. Could Face ‘Fifth Wave’ Of COVID As Omicron Variant Nears
-- AP: What We Know And Don’t Know About New COVID Variant
-- WPost: U.S. Focuses On Booster Shots As Best Strategy Against New COVID Variant
-- Fox5: New York Governor Directs Nursing Homes, Adult Care Facilities To Make COVID Booster Shots Available To All Residents [Republican General Assembly Ended PA’s COVID Emergency Declaration On June 15]
-- AP: Wary, Weary World Slams Doors Shut In Face Of New Variant
-- WSJ: Stock Futures, Oil Rise As Investors Weigh New Variant
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[Posted: November 29, 2021] PA Environment Digest
