Saturday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 7.11.26

“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

July 11 (Appropriations Meeting - 7:00), 12 (voting - Noon) 

-- Adjourned to Sept. 28 - Call Of The House Speaker

September 28, 29, 30

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

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

July 11 (voting - 5:00), 12 (voting - Noon)

-- Call Of The Senate President Pro Tempore

​​September 28, 29, 30

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

November 17, 18

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

Anything Can Happen: State Budget Marathon Continues!

July 14-- Agenda Posted. Environmental Quality Board meeting. 9:00 a.m. Contact: Laura Griffin, Regulatory Coordinator, laurgriffi@pa.gov,  (717) 772-3277.  Read more here on agenda.

July 14--  Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar: Preview Of 2026 Watershed-Friendly Tree And Shrub Sale To Help You Choose Plants Confidently. 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

July 15-- Agenda Posted. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30 a.m.

July 15-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On Private Water Supply Testing Packages Available From Penn State's Agricultural Analytical Services Lab. 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

July 15-16-- In-Person. PA Sea Grant Aquaponics Educator Workshop. Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie.

July 16--  In-Person. Penn State Extension Workshop  On Understanding PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Private Water Supplies. Uniontown, Fayette County. 1:00 p.m.

July 16-- In-Person. Powering America's Next 250 Years Energypath Conference Set For At Moravian University

-- Read Carefully!   PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - July 11 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Issues Final Water Quality Permits For The Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage Appalachian Reliability Natural Gas Pipeline Project In Armstrong, Greene and Westmoreland Counties  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On A Chapter 105 Permit For A Seneca Resources Co 16-Inch Shale Gas Water Pipeline Running Through Farmington & Chatham Townships, Tioga County  [PaEN] 

-- Energy Transfer Asks PUC To Dissolve Sunoco Pipeline Company And Transfer Assets To 2 New Companies-- One For Natural Gas Liquids Pipelines Like Mariner East Pipelines And Another For Refined Petroleum Product Pipelines  [PaEN] 

-- DEP published notice in the July 11 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Mothball Plan notification received from PEI Power, LLC on a Title V Air Quality Permit for two landfill gas fired turbines in Archbald Boro, Lackawanna County.   (PA Bulletin, Page 4180)

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Hearing July 30 On Water Withdrawal Requests, Including 2 Related To Shale Gas Development  [PaEN]  

-- Lots Going On!  DEP Posted 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 11 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]

-- DEP Restarts Comment Period On Corrected Major Amendment To Homer City Generation Data Center Project Industrial Wastewater Facility Permit In Indiana County  [PaEN]

-- DEP To Hold Aug. 4 Hearing On Major Modification To Waste Permit For Blythe Recycling & Demolition Waste Site Landfill In Schuylkill County  [PaEN] 

-- FracTracker Alliance, Halt The Harm Network Now Accepting Nominations For 2026 Community Sentinel Award  [PaEN]  

-- Protect PT, Partners To Host July 23 Webinar On Landfill Leachate Radiation Hazards From Oil & Gas Waste  [PaEN] 

-- WPXI: Reports Of Radioactive Material Near Oil & Gas Waste Facility Near Montour Trail Bring Conflicting Claims In Washington County

-- Blue-Green Coalition Calls On PA Senate To Pass Legislation To Encourage Solar Energy Facilities On  Warehouses To Lower Energy Costs  [PaEN]  

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Aug. 17 Webinar On Large-Scale Solar Energy Facilities - Where Will They Be, What Do They Look Like?  [PaEN] 

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: Lancaster County Came Together After Storms, Now, Elected Officials Must Act To Counter Climate Change

-- DEP Launches New Penn Heat Pump Pathways Heat Pump/HVAC Workforce Development Program 

-- Tribune-Democrat: PA Turnpike Selects Company To Manage Project To Cut Massive Gash Through The Allegheny Mountain To Avoid Existing Tunnel

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: Half Of Philly Businesses Aren’t Complying With Plastic Bag Laws, Report Says

-- The Allegheny Front: With Obsolete Dams Gone, Bedford Sees Less Flooding, Improved Habitat 

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Rooted In Pennsylvania, Planting The 10 Millionth Tree

-- July Is Prairie Month At DCNR’s Jennings Environmental Education Center In Butler County - Celebrate The Bloom! July 25  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Names Corie Eckman Manager Of The New Laurel Caverns State Park In Fayette County 

-- Republican Herald: Volunteers Breathe New Life Into Historic ‘Pumpy’ Reservoir Outdoor Recreation Opportunities In Schuylkill County

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: How State Game Lands Boost PA Economy; Game Commission Buys 1,600 Acres

-- Game Commission: Highlights Of Actions Taken By Game Commission Board At July 10 Meeting

 A.I. /Data Centers

-- WNEP: Residents Of Archbald Borough Take A Break From Fighting 51 Proposed A.I. Data Center Buildings To Celebrate Their Community 

-- Citizens’ Voice: PUC To Hold 4 Hearings, Visit Sites Of Proposed Eminent Domain For PPL Transmission Lines To Serve A.I. Data Centers In Sugarloaf Twp., Luzerne County

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Republican State Senator, Chair Of PA Republican Party Said He Had Nothing To Do With $300 Million Cumberland County A.I. Data Center Land Deal-- But Still Got Paid

-- Erie Times: Millcreek Township Eyes Regulations For A.I. Data Centers In Erie County

-- AP: As Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants Rise To Power A.I. Data Centers, Renewable Energy Allies Are Fighting For Cleaner Alternatives  [PA Included]

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- July 11: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 Penny Since Yesterday, Now $3.98/Gallon - $.87/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver County Average Price Still Highest at $4.32]

-- July 11: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.88  Ohio- $3.85  PA- $3.98

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

-- WPSU/WITF: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations In PA/NJ Backed By President Raise Prices 10 Cents To $3.57, Keep Ownership A Secret

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs-- 17-- Same For Last 9 Weeks

Federal Administration [923 Days Remaining]

-- TribLive/AP: President’s Administration Rolls Back Key Protection Of Imperiled Wildlife From Oil & Gas Drilling, Logging, Mining

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- Spotlight PA: Lawmakers Aim To Finish PA’s Late State Budget This Weekend

-- The Center Square: Could A State Budget Deal Be Close In Harrisburg?  Shapiro Thinks So

-- Tribune-Democrat: PA Lawmakers Return To Capitol For Rare Weekend Session, Potential Budget Resolution

-- PennLive: PA Lawmakers Launch Weekend Of Work On Emerging State Budget Deal

-- Post-Gazette: PA Businesses Brace For Upheaval Ahead Of Crucial ‘Skill’ Gambling Games Deadline

-- The Center Square: Officials Condemn Arson Attack At Philadelphia Mosque

-- TribLive: Allegheny County DA’s Office Accuses Public Defender Of Threatening Alleged Victim’s Immigration Status 

-- Post-Gazette: PA State-Owned Universities Are Set To Increase Tuition Again, Pending State Budget Deal

-- TribLive: University of Pittsburgh Hikes Tuition For 2026-27 Academic Year

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: July 11, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

July Is Prairie Month At DCNR’s Jennings Environmental Education Center In Butler County - Celebrate The Bloom! July 25

July is Prairie Month at DCNR’s Jennings Environmental Education Center featuring special events like Celebrate the Bloom! on July 25, guided evening prairie walks,  self-guided prairie wildflower walkabout and summer camps for kids.

The 20+ acre prairie at the Jennings Center is one of the few remaining pockets of a once greater extension of the true Midwestern prairie.  

A combination of the glacial history of the area and climatic changes that took place over the last million years allowed the Midwestern prairie plant community to extend into Pennsylvania about 2000 BC.   

The Jennings area was established in the late 1950’s to protect and conserve a beautiful prairie flower, the blazing star.  

It was the first reserve established in Pennsylvania to protect an individual plant species and remains the only public and protected prairie in the Commonwealth.  

The hot midsummer weather will bring the spectacular blazing star and other prairie flowers to peak bloom during late July and early August.

Evening Prairie Bloom Walks Starting July 16

Walks will be held on Thursday, July 16, Thursday, August 20, and Thursday, September 17 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. These guided 90-minute casual walks will focus on the plants currently blooming but will also highlight some of the animals, history and geology of the prairie. 

The walks are free and no registration is required.

Self-Guided Prairie Walks Starting July 18

From Saturday, July 18 through Sunday, August 2 during peak prairie bloom, visitors can pick up free guide and follow a designated route to discover the tales these flowers have to tell. 

With incredible adaptations in a harsh environment, to intricate connections between the plants, bugs, birds, and more, the prairie’s blooms on view are sure to impress in both their beauty and importance.

No registration is required, but visitors wishing to receive the guide electronically may contact jenningssp@pa.gov or call 724-794-6011. 

The printed guide and experience are available from sunrise to sunset.

Celebrate The Bloom July 25

Celebrate the Bloom! Will be held on July 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which features the blooming of the most noteworthy and spectacular prairie flower is the blazing star.

This annual festival at Jennings includes nature explorations (i.e. bird, butterfly and wildflower walks), engaging demonstrations, local artisans and food, and musical guests.

The event is produced in cooperation with 3MJC (the friends group and funding partner of Jennings).  Music is presented by Lonesome No More Productions/Dennis McCurdy.

Summer Camp!

This year’s summer camp, Creepy, Crawly, Cool!, is a summer nature day camp for students ages 4 – 7 and ages 8 – 12.  

This camp will allow young explorers to witness the curiosities of nature’s nasties throughout the summer, with two sessions each in June, July, and August. 

With hands-on activities, up-close nature discoveries, and thematic games, this camp is the perfect way for kids to connect with the natural world.  

Join us for one session or follow along all summer to learn about these various creatures and their fascinating features!

What’s Blooming?

Click Here for a written guide to what’s blooming at Jennings.

Click Here for photos of what’s blooming.

Visit DCNR’s Jennings Environmental Education Center webpage for much more information about the prairie and events happening at the Center year round. Send an email to: jenningssp@pa.gov to sign up for regular updates from Jennings.

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

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

  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.

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets July 22 To Hear About Glamping In State Parks, Other Updates  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Seeks Applicants For NextGen Advisory Council  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Resource Highlights Statewide Outdoors For All Events; Wildlife Corridors; Trail Of The Year Nominations; Making State Parks, Forests More Accessible  [PaEN] 

-- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Now Accepting Applications For Trout Tank Grants To Support PA Outdoor Businesses; July 15 Applicant Webinar  [PaEN]  

-- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Hosts July 27 Webinar On Outdoor Participation Trends And What They Mean For Your Business  [PaEN] 

-- Landforce Now Accepting Applications For Fall Crew Member Training; Hire A Landforce Crew; 2025 Impact Report Released  [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania Wilds/Purple Lizard Maps: New Dark Skies Map Highlights One Of Pennsylvania’s Most Remote Landscapes [PaEN] 

-- Susquehanna Greenway Outdoor Expo Aug. 1 At Shikellamy State Park Marina Sunbury, Northumberland County 

-- Penn State Extension To Host Inaugural Keystone Invasive Species Forum Sept. 16 In Boalsburg, Centre County  [PaEN]

-- Hartwood Acres Park In Allegheny County Inducted Into The Old-Growth Forest Network  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Erie Times: Presque Isle Beach Ranked No. 1 In US For Etiquette; No. 71 Overall 

-- Altoona Mirror: PA Outdoor Corps Members Cleanup Holy Trinity Rain Garden In Altoona

-- WHYY: Devil’s Pool Attracts Locals Trying To Beat Philly Heat In Wissahickon Valley Park, But Should They Swim There?

-- The News-Item: Northumberland County Gets ‘Whaleback’ Coal Education Site In Land Swap With Reading Anthracite Co. 

-- TribLive: West Mifflin Segment Of Great Allegheny Passage Trail To Close Temporarily For Maintenance In Westmoreland County

-- York Daily Record: Police Seek Identity Of Dirt Bike Rider Accused Of Shooting At Vehicle

-- PennLive: Which PA Roads Are Most Dangerous For Wildlife Crossings? State Work Group Seeks To Find Out

-- PA Capital-Star: Wildlife Road Crossings And Habitat Will Be Focus Of State Working Group 

-- WPSU: PA’s Elk Herd Featured On Season Premiere Of Discovery Channel Travel Show 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Southmount Takes Tree Inventory, Looking For Volunteers To Keep Eye On Street Tree Health In Cambria County 

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay: Fireflies: Tiny Lanterns Of The Summer Night 

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay: Summer Is Here: Find Healing Through Nature And Creation Care

-- KDKA: Allegheny County DA Investigating 35 Cases Of Deed Fraud, Deeds Transferred To An LLC Without Homeowners’ Knowledge [Also Happens With Oil & Gas Property Rights] 

-- PennLive Guest Essay: PA Lawmakers Shouldn’t Overturn PA Supreme Court Decision Restoring Oil & Gas Property Rights To Their Rightful Owners - By Sherman Powell, Member Of Proctor Family Who Regained Their Property Unlawfully Taken 

[Posted: July 11, 2026]  PA Environment Digest