DEP Climate Change Committee Meets April 22 On Microgrids, Abandoned Oil & Gas Well Plugging, Update On Federal Clean Energy, Climate Funding Programs

The DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on April 22 and on the agenda are presentations on resilient microgrids, abandoned oil and gas well plugging and updates on federal clean energy and climate program funding.

Available meeting presentations--

-- DEP Microgrid Study Presentation

-- DEP Abandoned Oil & Gas Well Plugging Presentation

-- April 22 Meeting Slides

Public Comments

Members of the public who wish to provide comments are requested to register at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by emailing or calling the liaison Lindsay Byron at lbyron@pa.gov  or calling 717-772-8951. 

Joining The Meeting

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 9:00 a.m. Click Here to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

Visit DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee webpage for available handouts and more information.  Questions should be directed to Lindsay Byron at lbyron@pa.gov  or calling 717-772-8951. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets April 8 On Climate Action Plan, Solar Panel Recycling, Chesapeake Bay Updates  [PaEN] 

-- DEP To Use General Permit To Implement New Federal Oil & Gas Facility Methane Reduction Regulation  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Health Project Releases New White Paper: PA's Shale Gas - What We Can Do Now To Better Protect Public Health  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Health Project: Lois Bower-Bjornson Shares Her First-Hand Experiences With Shale Gas Health, Environmental Impacts In Washington County  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies EQT Shale Gas Motion To Exclude Evidence Of Medical Conditions, Toxicology Reports Related To A Landowner Appeal Of A DEP Water Supply Contamination Determination  [PaEN]

-- Sustainable Pittsburgh: April 10 Webinar On Tracking Federal Policy Shifts & Funding Opportunities For Sustainability Initiatives  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: Solar Projects Go Commercial, Growth Up, Power Costs Down 

-- TribLive: East Huntingdon Twp. Solar Farm  Ordinance Faces Court Challenge From Erie-Based Company In Westmoreland

-- MCall: Bethlehem Area School District Keeps Clean Energy Rolling With Electric Buses

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Karl Blankenship: Report Says Pennsylvania Poised To Be Geothermal Energy Leader

-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Health Advocates Say Gov. Shapiro Has Let Residents Down On Shale Gas Fracking Protections

-- The Center Square: Critics: Climate Change Lawsuit Against Oil & Gas Companies On Tenuous Legal Grounds  [Bucks County Example]

-- Inside Climate News: Faith Leaders Push Back After EPA Head Disparages Climate Action As ‘Religion’  [Includes PA] 

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Youth Respond To US Supreme Court Denying Youth Climate Lawsuit Appeal 

[Posted: April 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets April 8 On Climate Action Plan, Solar Panel Recycling, Chesapeake Bay Updates

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet April 8 to hear presentations on the state Climate Action Plan, solar panel recycling and from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The agenda includes these presenters--

-- State Climate Action Plan: Colleen Unroe, DEP Policy Office [Read more here]

-- Solar Panel Recycling: Steve Figgatt, Sycamore Sustainable Electronics Recycling

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Harry Campbell, CBF Science Policy & Advocacy Director. [Read more here.]

Also available are--

-- Draft DEP April Report to Council

-- Draft CAC Annual Report for 2024

-- Draft CAC Comments On Reforestation of Mined Lands

An agency update from the DEP Secretary is not mentioned on the agenda.

Public Comments

Individuals interested in providing public comment during the meeting must sign up 24-hours in advance of the meeting by contacting Ian Irvin at iirvin@pa.gov.  

Commenters are asked to limit comments to 3 minutes to accommodate other commenters and the rest of the agenda. 

Join The Meeting

The meeting will be held in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 12:30 p.m.

Click Here to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams [Meeting ID: 294 074 298 872  Passcode: SE7Z728B] or by telephone 267-332-8737  ID #: 320 494 978#

Visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage for available handouts.  Questions should be directed to Ian Irvin, Executive Director, iirvin@pa.gov or (717) 787-8171.

Related Article This Week:

-- DEP Climate Change Committee Meets April 22 On Microgrids, Abandoned Oil & Gas Well Plugging, Update On Federal Clean Energy, Climate Funding Programs  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

DCNR Resource Highlights New Forests For All Plan; Explore PA State Parks, Forests Recreation Options; Expanding PA Outdoor Corps; Tips-Trout Season Opens April 5

The latest Resource newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources features articles on--

-- Forests For All - DCNR Unveils New Plan To Connect People To PA Forests

-- With Some Federal Recreation Facilities Closed Due To Staff Cuts, Explore PA State Park, Forest Camping, Recreation Options

-- PA Outdoor Corps Youth Workforce Development Program Expanding

-- New Program Launches To Replace Invasive Trees, Shrubs With Natives

-- Conservation Tip: Trout Season Opens April 5, Prevent The Spread Of Invasives

Click Here to read the entire Resource.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

Visit DCNR’s Conservation Education Opportunities webpage for more on programs and opportunities for people of all ages in all regions.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

  For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website.

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Reports Campsite Reservations Up 30% As People Try To Find Alternatives To Federal Recreation Facilities Closed By Staff Cuts; Gift Certificates Available  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Grants Update: Fmr Golf Course Remade Into Public Park; Kids Introduced To Mountain Biking; Route 6 Advances To Final 4 Scenic Byways Contest; Grant Opportunities 

-- Western PA Conservancy Now Accepting Grant Applications For Canoe, Kayak Access Projects In Western PA [PaEN] 

-- Volunteers Needed!  PA Forestry Assn. Sproul State Forest Tree Planting Ramble April 12 In Centre County  [PaEN] 

-- Erie Times: Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation Names Barbara Chaffee CEO 

NewsClips:

-- Williamsport Sun: PA’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Has Been Growing

-- Reading Eagle: Registration Open For 2025 Schuylkill River Sojourn

-- Pike Conservation District: April 26 Hikes In Pike Spring Hike On Fossil Trail At Pocono Environmental Education Center

-- WTAE: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Announces New 5-Year Strategic Plan Ahead Of 30th Anniversary

-- The Nature Conservancy PA: Celebrate Earth Month With A Trash-Tastice Cleanup!  Meet Nature Renaissance Man George Gress; Celebrate Migratory Bird Day May 10 With TNC

[Posted: April 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

Volunteers Needed! PA Forestry Assn. Sproul State Forest Tree Planting Ramble April 12 In Centre County

The Pennsylvania Forestry Association invites volunteers to the 33rd Annual Sproul Tree Planting Ramble on April 12 in the Sproul State Forest off the Snow Shoe Exit of I-80 in Centre County from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00. p.m.

This replant continues to support regrowth of trees in the Sproul State Forest after the Two Rock Run forest fires in Clinton County.

These tree planting rambles are possible due to two longtime committed life members of the PA Forestry Association. 

Norm LaCasse, and his spearheading of this effort and his friend Henry 'Hank' Wessel. 

Hank established a fund to expand planting efforts on state forest land across the Commonwealth. 

Mr. Wessel continued this legacy with an endowment that allows us to continue their work.

Due to their generous donations we are able to purchase 1,500 seedlings and will be providing lunch as well.

Please plan for the weather (boots, hats, jackets, sunscreen, planting gloves)!

The meeting spot for the tree planting is off the Snow Shoe exit of I-80 in Centre County.

If you are a seasoned tree planter feel free to bring the equipment that best suits you.  We welcome skill levels of all types. 

If you have any questions please reach out to Celesta at: thepfa@paforestry.org  or Doug D'Amore at: doug@winterberryforestry.com. 

Click Here to register and for more information.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming and more, visit the PA Forestry Association website. Follow them on Facebook.   Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

[Posted: April 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

PEMA, Delaware River Basin Commission Hosting 3 Middle Delaware Flood Hazard Mitigation Webinars Starting April 9

The Delaware River Basin Commission and PA Emergency Management Agency are hosting three Middle Delaware Flood Hazard Mitigation starting April 9

The webinars are geared for municipal employees, floodplain managers, engineers, planners and other professionals looking to learn about accessing funding to support community preparedness against hazards. 

They will also give attendees an opportunity to learn from lead state hazard mitigation planning professionals. 

Schedule

The webinars will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.--

-- April 9: Hazard Mitigation Planning 101
-- May 9: Green Infrastructure & Mitigation
-- May 27: Acquisitions & Elevations 

Visit the Middle Delaware Flood Mitigation Assistance Workshops webpage for more information.

[Posted: April 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

Sustainable Pittsburgh: April 10 Webinar On Tracking Federal Policy Shifts & Funding Opportunities For Sustainability Initiatives

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh and guest speakers for an April 10 webinar on Tracking Federal Policy Shifts & Funding Opportunities for Sustainability Initiatives--  a timely discussion exploring recent federal policy changes and funding opportunities that impact local sustainability efforts from Noon to 1:25 p.m.

With the freeze on some federal funding lifted, Pennsylvania stands to regain access to critical resources. 

However, uncertainty remains as new executive orders and pending legislation continue to shape the federal landscape. 

This session will provide an overview of current federal policies and their impact on both municipalities and partner organizations seeking to advance sustainable development initiatives.

Experts will share strategies for navigating existing federal funding streams and adapting to evolving federal regulations. 

Participants will also explore best practices to collaborate, share resources, and strengthen local sustainability initiatives in this shifting environment.

Featured speakers include--

-- Zealan Hoover, External Advisor, Environmental Protection Network

-- Annabelle Rosser, Senior Policy Analyst, Atlas Public Policy

-- Sawyer Sidelinger, Program Manager and Systems Administrator, Sustainable Pittsburgh

-- John Ukenye, J.D., Senior Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Sustainable Pittsburgh

Who Should Attend

-- Local Government Leaders

-- Municipal Managers/Planners

-- Community Sustainability Practitioners

-- Local Government Consultants

-- Leaders and Professionals interested in Federal Policy & Funding Opportunities

Click Here to register and for more information.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Sustainable Pittsburgh website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates. Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter.  Click Here to support their work.

NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Federal Mine Safety Research, Respirator Certification Staff At NIOSH Being Cut ‘To Make America Healthier’

-- WESA: Federal HHS Layoffs Hit NIOSH Mine Safety Research Facility Near Pittsburgh

-- TribLive: Mass Firing Of Federal Health Workers Includes Pittsburgh Region [Mine Safety Research]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Federal National Institute Of Occupational Safety & Health’s Pittsburgh Mining Research Division Lays Off 200 Employees; Studies Worker Safety, Health Issues In Mining Industry

-- The Guardian: National RiverKeeper Network On EPA Cuts: ‘A Pandemic-Level Shock To The System’

[Posted: April 2, 2025]  PA Environment Digest