Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Delaware River Basin Commission Calls For Efficient Water Use; Sets Nov. 19 Hearing On Declaring A Water Supply Emergency

On November 6,
Delaware River Basin Commission Executive Director Steve Tambini announced a special hearing to be held on November 19 at 1:30 p.m. for the Commission to accept public input on the persistent dry conditions throughout the Delaware River Basin and how to address them. 

The purpose of the hearing, which will be held virtually, is to seek input from interested parties as the Commission considers declaring a “water supply emergency” if conditions worsen.

A special DRBC business meeting on the issue will be set on or after November 21.

“Many areas in the Delaware River Basin continue to experience significantly below-normal precipitation with resulting effects on streamflows, groundwater levels and reservoir storage,” said Tambini. “These conditions have already prompted the states of New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania to declare drought watches or warnings in most or all of the counties that lie within the Basin.”

Beginning in October, low flows in the Delaware River prompted the DRBC to direct releases of stored water from a federal reservoir, Beltzville (Carbon County., Pa.) to meet the minimum flow objective for the river at Trenton, N.J. “As of 8 a.m. today, approximately 1.12 billion gallons (BG) of water has been released from Beltzville Reservoir to meet the Trenton Flow Objective,” said Amy Shallcross, DRBC’s Water Resource Operations Manager. An additional source of water in the lower basin that is available for use to meet the Trenton Flow Objective is Blue Marsh Reservoir (Berks Co., Pa.).

Salt Front

The purpose of the Trenton Flow Objective is to control the “salt front” in the tidal Delaware River. 

Freshwater is needed to keep salty or brackish water from advancing up the Delaware Bay during low-flow conditions and reaching drinking water intakes for Philadelphia and New Jersey communities, and industrial intakes along the river.

“The salt front is currently 17 river miles upstream from its normal location for this time of year despite the reservoir releases,” said Shallcross. “If more water is needed to address salt front management, we expect continued decreases in reservoir storage and additional drought risks.”

Unless precipitation trends change in the near term, initial drought management actions are reductions in flow objectives for the main stem Delaware River and out-of-basin diversions to conserve reservoir storage. 

In a drought emergency, the drought plan gives the DRBC the authority to call for releases from additional reservoirs to increase river flow.

The Basinwide drought management plan is based on the amount of combined storage in the three New York City reservoirs, the largest in the Delaware River Basin. 

As of 8:00 a.m. November 6, the combined storage in NYC’s Delaware River Basin reservoirs is currently 38 billion gallons above the level that initiates a drought watch. 

The low storage is in part due to NYC’s Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project. NYC is not currently diverting water from the Delaware River Basin reservoirs while the repair is being made. 

The public is encouraged to visit the NYC Department of Environmental Protection website for updates on the Delaware Aqueduct repair project.

Curb Water Use

The DRBC is also urging all water users to voluntarily curb water use in Basin communities where drought watches and warnings have been issued, maximize water efficiency and cooperate with all state-issued alerts. 

“Over 14 million people rely on our shared waters, and while we may believe this resource is limitless the fact is that we never know when the next long-term drought might begin. Collectively we can work toward improving water efficiency every day, not only when we experience dry conditions,” added Tambini.

Visit DRBC’s Special Public Hearing webpage for more information.  The hearing will be available online.

Visit DRBC’s Drought Information webpage for information on regional drought conditions and actions.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for regulator updates.  Follow DRBC on TwitterVisit them on YouTube.

NewsClip:

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Region Remains Under Drought Watch; Here’s What You Need To Know

Resource Links:

-- Pennsylvania Declares Drought Conditions In 35 Counties -- Berks, Schuylkill Counties In Drought Warning, 33 In Drought Watch  [PaEN]

-- Low-Flow Water Conditions Trigger Big Jump In Susquehanna River Basin Water Withdrawal Restrictions, Most Shale Gas-related  [PaEN]

[Posted: November 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Dec. 12 Learn How To Effectively Advocate For Change Workshop In Washington County

The
Center for Coalfield Justice will host a December 12 in-person workshop on How To Effectively Advocate for Change from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Center's office at 31 E. Chestnut Street in Washington, PA.

The Center is inviting leaders in Washington and Greene counties to learn how to advocate for issues that matter to our communities, including where to target advocacy, how to research targets, what a successful meeting looks like, and how to make an ask to someone with power.

With a new slate of elected officials being sworn in to serve you in the 2025-2026 legislative session, now is an excellent time to brush up on your advocacy skills so that we can make lasting changes.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Center for Coalfield Justice website to learn more about programs, initiatives, other upcoming events and how you can get involved.

[Posted: November 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Wednesday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 11.6.24

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

-- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution  [It’s Not A Suggestion]


House Voting Schedule

-- November 12, 13 [End Of Session, All Bills Die]

-- Committee Schedule


Senate Voting Schedule

-- November 13, 14 [End Of Session, All Bills Die]

-- Committee Schedule


TODAY’s Calendar Of Events .


DEP Advisory: DEP is migrating its website to a new platform to launch in mid-December. Updates to the current site will be limited until then.


November 7-- Virtual. DCNR Online Workshop On How To Apply For Recreation, Conservation Grants. 9:00 a.m. 


-- Cecil Township Supervisors In Washington County Adopt 2,500 Foot Setback From Shale Gas Well Pads From Homes, Businesses, 5,000 Foot Setback From Hospitals, Schools   [PaEN] 


-- 2024 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Honors Schuylkill County’s Bill Reichert With Mayfly Award   [PaEN] 


-- Protect PT, Three Rivers Waterkeeper Appeal DEP Permits For CNX Slickville Natural Gas, Shale Gas Wastewater Pipelines Project In Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 


-- Marcellus Drilling News: Coterra Energy Expands Curtailment Of Marcellus Drilling, Fracking; No Rigs In Marcellus Due To Low Prices  [PDF of Article


-- Marcellus Drilling News: Federal Court Agrees The Environmental Hearing Board Can Hear Appeals Of Transco’s Regional Energy Access Expansion Natural Gas Pipeline Project  [PDF of Article


-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: Celebrating 20 Years Of Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Development - By Dave Callahan, Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition & Jeff Kotula, Washington County Chamber of Commerce  [PDF of Article]


-- Western PA Conservancy Now Accepting Applications For BHE GT&S Watershed Mini-Grants  [PaEN] 


-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: USGS PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Study Looks At Which Tissues The Chemicals Build Up In Fish, Plus Land Use, Sources


-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill County Municipal Authority Asks Customers To Reduce Water Use Until Further Notice 


-- Washington & Jefferson College Hosts Nov. 12 Webinar On State Road Budget Impacts Of Electric Vehicle Transition  [PaEN] 


-- LandGate White Paper Catalogs 11 GW Of Solar Energy Facilities Proposed In Pennsylvania  [PaEN] 


-- Times News: DEP Hosts Hearing On Panther Creek Coal Waste Power Plant Permit Renewal In Carbon County


-- Utility Dive: FERC Rejects Interconnection Pact For Amazon Data Center At Talen Nuclear Power Plant In Luzerne County 


-- Utility Dive: FERC’s Amazon, Talen Energy Ruling ‘Not The Final Word’ On Nuclear, Data Center Colocation: Constellation CEO


-- Community Advocates For Clean Energy Host Nov. 13 Webinar On EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program  [PaEN] 


-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In October Now Available  [PaEN]


-- Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Accepting Campaign Signs For Recycling Thru Nov. 15  [PaEN] 


-- ClearWater Conservancy Awarded $750,000 RCAP Funding For New Community Conservation Center In Centre County  [PaEN] 


-- DCNR Prohibits Campfires On State Park, Forest Lands Amid Ongoing Dry Conditions 


-- MCall: Blue Mountain Wildfire Burns Nearly 600 Acres In Northampton County 


-- Warren Times: Warren County Commissioners Enact Burn Ban


-- Delaware County Times: Friends Of Ridley Creek State Park Celebrate 20 Years Of Service 


-- Penn State Extension Hosts Nov. 22 Behind The Scenes Tour Of Game Commission's Howard Tree Nursery In Centre County  [PaEN] 


-- Wild Ones Native Plants Hosts Nov. 10 Native Plant Seed Share In Cumberland County  [PaEN] 


-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Bats Play Important Role In Aquatic Ecosystem, But White Nose Syndrome Likely Reshaping Ripple Effect 


Other States/National/International


-- S&P Global: US Power Generators Pump The Brakes On Coal Plant Retirements


PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- PA Dept. Of State Pennsylvania Election Results (Unofficial)

-- PennLive: Here’s What We Know The Morning After Election 2024: Results, More

-- Attorney General Henry: Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order On Removing Equipment From Pyrex Manufacturing Plant In Charleroi

-- FOX29: 100+ Inmates Released From Philly Jails Due To Severe Staff Shortages

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[Posted:  November 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Penn State Extension Hosts Nov. 22 Behind The Scenes Tour Of Game Commission's Howard Tree Nursery In Centre County

On November 22, the
Penn State Extension will host a Behind The Scenes Tour of the Game Commission's Howard Tree Nursery in Howard, Centre County from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Participants will meet with experienced nursery staff and foresters to discuss the critical role nurseries play in environmental stewardship, focusing on best practices for tree cultivation and integrated pest management. 

This event also highlights career paths and business opportunities in the nursery field, emphasizing the growing need for conservation-focused nurseries throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Who is this for?

-- Individuals interested in starting or working in nurseries

-- Those interested in growing native forest trees

-- Foresters and natural resource managers

-- Wildlife biologists

-- General public

What will you learn?

-- How trees are grown at scale for forest planting

-- Careers and business opportunities in nurseries

-- The need for more conservation-focused nurseries

-- Best practices for tree cultivation

-- Challenges faced by conservation nurseries

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery webpage to learn more about the nursery.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn about many other educational opportunities.

[Posted: November 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Community Advocates For Clean Energy Host Nov. 13 Webinar On EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program

Join us to learn firsthand accounts of the benefits of transitioning your fleet to electric, about available funding options, and what it takes to electrify a depot from Pennsylvania districts that have electrified their buses. 

Electric school buses not only result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air, they also save on maintenance and fuel costs, can provide power back to the grid or buildings during emergencies, and have been linked to improved academic outcomes. 

Speakers include--

-- Joshua Dziubek, Energy Program Specialist at PA Department of Environmental Protection

-- Sydney Stern, EPA Region 3 CSB Team Lead and

-- Charlotte Leon, Project Officer at EPA Region 3

-- James Whitesel, Director of Facilities at Unionville Chadds Ford School District 

-- Mark “J.J.” Carnes, Business Manager at Steelton-Highspire School District

-- Claire Alford, Eastern Regional Manager at Highland Electric Fleets 

-- Kevin Matthews, Head of Electrification at First Student 

This event is brought to you by Community Advocates for Clean Energy, Generation 180 and Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter’s Clean Communities Project.

Click Here to register and for more information.

[Posted: November 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

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