Wednesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 6.17.26

“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

June 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 28, 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

June 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

Anything Can Happen: June State Budget Marathon Happening NOW!

TODAY 10:00: - House Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 2380 (Rivera-D- Lancaster) requiring electric utilities to set targets and procure grid-stabilizing battery energy storage; House Bill 2595 (Inglis-D-Allegheny) establishes deadline requirements for the interconnection safety reviews of small-scale energy projects [draft amendment]; House Bill 2539 (Steele-D-Allegheny) requires data centers seeking sales tax exemptions to obtain recognized energy efficiency certifications, such as LEED, Energy Star, Green Globes, or International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Room 523 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

June 23-- Agenda Posted. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. 12:30 p.m. Contact: Ian Irvin iirvin@pa.gov or 717-579-0329.

June 24-- Community Advocates For Clean Energy Of Greater Philadelphia Webinar On How To Move A Community Energy Project From An Idea To Action. Noon.

June 24-- Virtual. Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy and the Built Environment Webinar on Getting The Most From Your Building: Smart Assessment And Monitoring. 11:00 a.m. to Noon

June 25-- DEP Hearing On Air Permit For ETC Northeast Pipeline Cryo II Project At The Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas Processing Plant In Smith Twp., Washington County.  Burgettstown Area Middle/High School Campus, LGI Room, 100 Bavington Road in Burgettstown from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

June 25-- In-Person. ReImagine Appalachia, Ohio River Valley Institute, Partners Host Workshop On Applying For DEP’s RISE PA Industrial Decarbonization Funding. Pittsburgh. 9:00 a.m. to Noon

June 26-27-- In-Person. PA Firefly Festival Exhibits & Entertainment In Downtown Tionesta, Forest County 

-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association Celebrates 35 Years Of Restoring Water Quality In Westmoreland County On Aug. 7  [PaEN]

-- PA House Passes Legislation Authorizing Virtual Power Plants To Use Existing Energy Resources More Effectively, Address Grid Reliability, Rising Energy Bills; 16 House Energy Bills Now In Senate  [PaEN] 

-- The Center Square: PA’s Energy Future A Defining Issue In Gubernatorial Race 

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Seeking Volunteers To Provide Peer-To-Peer Support To Congregations, Community Groups Looking To Plan Their First Or Next Tree Planting Project  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension: July 22 Webinar On Diagnosing Common Well Water Issues; August 19 Webinar On Choosing The Right Water Treatment Device  [PaEN] 

-- The Conversation: Microplastics Are Everywhere In Pennsylvania’s Water - But There May Be A Little Bit Of Hope - By Penn State Professors Nathaniel Warner, Lisa Emili and Raymond Najjar 

-- PA American Water Holds Summer Camps To Help High School Students Explore Water Industry Careers; Contact American Water For Your Career Fair  [PaEN]  

-- PA American Water Launches Lead Service Line ID Program In Milton Service Area, Northumberland County

-- Allegheny County To Host June 24 Virtual Meeting Inviting Public Input On The County's First-Ever Climate Action Plan  [PaEN]  

-- First United Presbyterian Church Of Crafton Heights In Pittsburgh Cut Energy Bills By More Than 2/3, Now Invests More In People, The Community  [PaEN]  

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Eos Energy Energy Storage Company Starts Production At 2nd Facility In Pittsburgh Area

-- Planet Philadelphia Radio Show June 19: Sustainability At Colleges & Universities, 4:00 p.m. 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Somerset Commissioners Request PA Turnpike Commission Review Of Emergency Response To Truck Fire In Allegheny Tunnel Citing Problems With Emergency Water System, Ventilation, Communication

-- Erie Times: Presque Isle State Park Beaches To Get Federal Funding For Sand Replenishment In Reversal

-- Reading Eagle: Schuylkill River Sojourn Travels Into Berks County [In Photos]

-- PennLive: PA House Passes Bill Targeting Illegal Dirt Bikes, ATVs 

-- KYW: Vacant Lots In Delaware County Could Transform Into Green Spaces Thanks To An Expanding Initiative

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Awards Scholarship To Elizabeth Bailey, Delaware Valley High School, Pike County  [PaEN] 

-- WNEP: Snakes Take Center Stage At Noxen’s Annual Rattlesnake Round-Up In Wyoming County 

-- PA Sea Grant: Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz Set For June 29 to July 12; Clean Your Gear!  [PaEN] 

-- Post-Gazette: The Scoop On Pennsylvania’s Ice Cream Trail

 A.I. /Data Centers

-- Scranton Times: Wildcat Ridge A.I. Data Center Developers Conclude Testimony, Turn Floor Over To Residents In Archbald; Valley View School District Approved As Intervenor In Proceeding  [PDF of Article]

-- Scranton Times - Chris Kelly Opinion: ‘Wildly Unpopular, Obscenely Invasive’ Wildcat Ridge A.I. Data Center Developers Rests Its Comically Unconvincing Case In Archbald Hearing  [PDF of Article]

-- WVIA: Another Night Of Questions As A.I. Data Center Developer Rests Its Case In Archbald Zoning Hearing

-- PennLive: Dauphin County Golf Course In Swatara Twp. Sold To Texas Company For $45.6 Million For A.I. Data Center

-- TribLive: Assistance Available As Electric Bill Costs Rise Faster Than Inflation Rate 

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations

-- Today’s Violations: DEP issues Delta Inland Oil Res LLC six more violations for abandoning, not plugging conventional wells in Warren County, Sugar Grove Twp. bringing total violations for abandoning wells since May to 27.  Example DEP inspection report. 

-- Today’s Violations: DEP issued EQT Production Co violations for abandoning, not plugging two conventional wells in Washington County, West Bethlehem and Amwell Twps. Example DEP inspection report. 

-- Today’s Violations: DEP found William Sadowski conventional well in Fayette County, Washington Twp. still abandoned, not plugged and leaking gas since May 7, 2024-- 766 days and counting. DEP inspection report.

 

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- June 17: PA Average AAA Gasoline Prices Down 2 Pennies From Yesterday, Now $4.17/Gallon - $1.06/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Elk County Average Price Now Highest at $4.65]  

-- June 17: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $4.02 Ohio- $3.97  PA- $4.17

-- Feb. 27: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $2.98  Ohio- $2.79  PA- $3.11

Federal Administration

-- ProPublicia: President Plans To Protect Methane-Leaking Conventional /Stripper Oil & Gas Wells, Hilcorp Oil & Gas Company Owner To Benefit  [Hilcorp Operates In PA] 

-- Inside Climate News: President’s Administration Abandons Fight Against Wind Energy As Much Needed Clean Energy Output Surges  

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- The Center Square: PA’s Energy Future A Defining Issue In Gubernatorial Race

-- TribLive: PA Supreme Court Ruling Could Spur Legislative Action On ‘Skill’ Gambling Games, Officials Say

-- TribLive Editorial: PA ‘Skill’ Gambling Games Limbo In Lawmakers’ Hands

-- Morning Call: Lehigh County Executive Unveils Anti-ICE Rules: ‘We Will Not Let Ourselves Become The Next Minnesota’ 

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: June 17, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

PA Sea Grant: Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz Set For June 29 to July 12; Clean Your Gear!

This summer, boaters have the opportunity to engage in prevention activities through the annual Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz, a binational, multi-agency effort aimed at raising public awareness and promoting prevention. 

The Blitz takes place June 29 through July 12, 2026, in Pennsylvania and other Great Lakes states in the U.S. and Canada.

This initiative brings together volunteers, state agencies, lake associations, and watercraft inspectors to educate boaters and anglers about AIS and ways to prevent their spread. 

In 2025, more than 125,000 boat inspections were held, and more than 130,000 people learned about AIS.

Your organization does not need to be located in the Great Lakes watershed to take part in this regional effort. 

Participation is free, and educational supplies, trainings, and outreach materials are provided to support volunteers and local events.

If you're considering planning an AIS Landing Blitz activity, or want to learn more, reach out to Pennsylvania Sea Grant's Extension Leader, Sara Stahlman at sstahlman@psu.edu.

Click Here for the announcement.

Visit the PA Sea Grant Prevention & Management Of Invasive Species webpage for more information on this topic.

Visit the Fish & Boat Commission’s Clean Your Gear webpage to learn to prevent the spread of invasive species.

[Posted: June 17, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

PA American Water Holds Summer Camps To Help High School Students Explore Water Industry Careers; Contact American Water For Your Career Fair

On June 16, Pennsylvania American Water launched its 2026 Flow Forward Summer Camp Program, offering high school sophomores, juniors and seniors a multi-day workforce development experience. 

This year, the company will host the camp in two locations for students to explore career pathways and participate in hands-on opportunities and mentorship-- in McMurray, Washington County from June 16-18 and in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County from June 23-25.

"Investing in our youth is an investment in the future of our workforce," said Pennsylvania American Water President Justin Ladner. "By creating opportunities for young people to gain real-world experience, we are helping develop the next generation of water and wastewater leaders who will keep our communities strong and our essential services moving forward." 

The Flow Forward students will participate in skill-building workshops and learning activities, facility tours, resume and interview preparation and have opportunities to network and speak with company staff and industry experts, providing real-world experience and career exploration in the water and wastewater industries. 

Internship Program

Pennsylvania American Water also offers the Future Wavemakers Internship Program for college students. 

Designed to cultivate the next generation of water and wastewater industry leaders, this initiative is built on the foundation of mentorship, professional development and real-world projects that align with both students' academic backgrounds and American Water's organizational goals. 

Interns participate in capstone projects, networking events and skill-building workshops, all while contributing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the company. 

This year, the program welcomed 16 college interns at Pennsylvania American Water workplaces across the state, offering hands-on experience in engineering, finance, operations, health and safety, communications and more. 

Requests For Career Fairs

In addition to internship experiences, the company conducts outreach throughout the year to educate students and adults alike about career paths and job opportunities in the water and wastewater industry. 

The company also partners with schools, colleges, elected officials, government agencies and non-profits and statewide organizations to promote careers in the water industry through participation at school presentations, facility tours, career fairs, community events and more. 

To request a Pennsylvania American Water representative at an upcoming career fair or outreach event, interested groups can contact pa.communityrelations@amwater.com.  

Pennsylvania American Water remains dedicated to strengthening its talent pipeline and building stronger communities through innovative workforce development programs. 

Learn more about the company's workforce here.  

Click Here to learn more about working at American Water or to view open positions.

Click Here for the PA American Water announcement.

Related Articles This Week:

-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association Celebrates 35 Years Of Restoring Water Quality In Westmoreland County On Aug. 7  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Master Watershed Steward Ken Pledger's Enthusiasm For The Environment Takes Root In Projects In Adams, Cumberland Counties  [PaEN] 

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Seeking Volunteers To Provide Peer-To-Peer Support To Congregations, Community Groups Looking To Plan Their First Or Next Tree Planting Project  [PaEN]  

-- Penn State Extension July 14 Webinar: Preview Of 2026 Watershed-Friendly Tree And Shrub Sale To Help You Choose Plants Confidently  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension July 15 Webinar On Private Water Supply Testing Packages Available From Penn State's Agricultural Analytical Services Lab  [PaEN]  

-- Penn State Extension: July 22 Webinar On Diagnosing Common Well Water Issues; August 19 Webinar On Choosing The Right Water Treatment Device  [PaEN]   

-- Save The Date: Penn State Ag Progress Days - August 11-13 

NewsClips:

-- The Allegheny Front: ALCOSAN Said They Would Remove Sewage From Pittsburgh’s Waterways - How’s It Going?  

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Stormwater Project Aims To Reduce Flooding In South Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

-- TribLive Letter: Let’s Correct The Record, LCT Energy Does Have Violations At Its Rustic Ridge No. 1 Underground Coal Mine In Westmoreland, Fayette Counties - By Stacey Magda, Mountain Watershed Association  

-- PA Capital-Star: Schuylkill County Wrestles With Spectre Of ICE Warehouse Immigrant Detention Center Plan In Tremont 

-- Spotlight PA: Emails Detail How Berks County Leaders Worked Behind The Scenes After Federal ICE Warehouse Detention Facility Surprise

[Posted: June 16, 2026]  PA Environment Digest