Saturday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 6.27.26

“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 27 (non-voting), 28 (non-voting), 29, 30

September 28, 29, 30

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

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

June - Call Of The Senate President Pro Tempore

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

Anything Can Happen: June State Budget Marathon Happening NOW!

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

June 30-- House Communications & Technology Committee informational meeting on - Is There Life Beyond Earth? What Science And Government Are Doing To Find Out.  Room 205 Ryan Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

June 30-- In-Person. PUC Announces 2 Hearings On Proposed PPL Utilities Transmission Line Projects In Hazle Twp., Luzerne County Serving Project Hazelnut A.I. Data Centers. 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.

June 30-- In-Person. Penn State Extension Workshop  On Understanding PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Private Water Supplies. Punxsutawney, Jefferson County. 1:00 p.m.

July 8-- Agenda Posted. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30 a.m.

July 8-- DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00 a.m.

July 8-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered [Mining] Equipment Meeting. DEP New Stanton Office.  10:00 a.m.

July 9-- DCNR Delaware Canal State Park Advisory Committee meeting. Delaware Canal State Park, Bucks & Northampton Counties. 10:30 a.m.  Contact for Location: 610-982-5560 or ra-nrspdela@pa.gov. (formal notice)

July 10-- Telephonic. Public Utility Commission Hearing On PPL Condemnation Of 30 Properties For The Sugarloaf 500/230KV Transmission Line In Luzerne County To Serve Data Centers 10:00 a.m.

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

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.

-- Read Carefully!  PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - June 27 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Significant Modification To Title V Air Quality Permit For Constellation Energy Eddystone Natural Gas Power Plant In Delaware County  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 34 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In May; 167 In 2026  [PaEN]  

-- Lots Going On!  DEP Posted 67 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 27 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Major Amendment To Homer City Generation Data Center Industrial Wastewater Facility Permit Changing Wastestreams Flowing To Discharge In Indiana County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For Construction Of QTS Salem, LLC A.I. Data Center Campus In Salem Twp., Luzerne County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Permit For PPL Electric Montour-Columbia 230 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project In Montour, Columbia Counties  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Permit For PPL Electric Wescosville-Allentown 138 kV Transmission Line Project In South Whitehall Twp., Lehigh County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Permit For PPL Electric Juni-Bern Laydown Yard In Carroll Twp., Perry County To Serve Construction Of Utility Upgrades  [PaEN] 

-- Delaware County Times: Proposed LNG Natural Gas Export Facility Moving Ahead In Eddystone, Environmentalists Say  

-- Gov. Shapiro Announces RISE PA Grant To Support Sanofi Pasteur Project To Replace Natural Gas-Fired Dehydrators With A Cleaner, More Efficient Option In Monroe County; RISE PA Applications Being Accepted Now  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Continues To 'Get Stuff Done' At The Speed Of Business, 2 More Permits Issued Under SPEED - Streamlining Permits For Economic Expansion And Development  - Program  [PaEN]

-- Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Partners Hosting Sept. 15-17 NTTP Passive Mine Drainage Treatment Course In State College  [PaEN] 

-- Inquirer: Chester County Lake Planned For Draining As Dam Decommissioned To Restore Chester Creek’s Natural Path

-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: East Dunkard Water Authority Turnaround In Southwest PA - By Jared Edgreen, Greene County Commissioner

-- The GIANT Company, Keep PA Beautiful Award 21 Community Grants Totalling $100,000 To Support Local Native Plant Projects  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Invests $500,000 To Expand Musser Gap Trail, Build 50 Mile Trail Network In Rothrock State Forest, Centre & Huntingdon Counties [PaEN]

-- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Approves $4.55 Million To Advance The Circuit Trails Network In Philadelphia Region 

-- Warren Times: Knox & Kane Rail Trail Completed From Forest County Line To Kinzua Bridge

-- Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available

-- Penn State Extension July 18 Webinar On Natural Colors - Using Plant Materials To Dye, 9:30 a.m. to Noon

 A.I. /Data Centers

-- The Center Square: A.I. Data Center Developer’s Proposed $10,000 Per Household Payment To Hazle Twp. Residents In Luzerne County Called ‘Bribe’ For Local Approval 

-- Scranton Times: A.I. Data Center Developer Tells Court Olyphant Boro Public Hearings An Unnecessary Delay, Asks Judge To Compel Boro To Approve Zoning Permit; Residents Disgusted By Company

-- Scranton Times: What’s In Republican Sen. Brown’s ‘Residents First’ A.I. Data Center Legislation Setting Limits On An Industry That’s Inundating Communities In Her District

-- TribLive: PA Senate Passes Its Version Of Repealing State Data Center Sales Tax Exemption, 6% Gross Receipts Tax On Electricity, Education Tax Credit Reform, More 

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: People Under 30 Are Concerned About The Environmental Impact Of Data Centers, Very Worried About Climate Change - Sanya Carley, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy, University Of Pennsylvania 

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- June 27: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 Penny From Yesterday, Now $4.02/Gallon - $.91/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver County Average Price Still Highest at $4.53]

-- June 27: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.87 Ohio- $3.86  PA- $4.02

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

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs - 17 - Same For Last 7 Weeks

-- Financial Times: Exelon CEO Warns US Faces Blackouts As Soon As 2027 Due To Power Supply Shortfall As A Result Of Data Center Power Demands [PDF of Article]

-- Bloomberg: Solar And Batteries Are Coming For Natural Gas’ Crown On Texas Power Grid

Federal Administration

-- Reuters: Federal Court Rejects EPA Bid To Ease Regulations For Coal-Fired Power Plants

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- LancasterOnline: As PA State Budget Deadline Nears, Here’s Where Negotiations Stand Among Divided General Assembly

-- PennLive: Republican PA Con. Scott Perry Proposes Legislation To Eliminate Funding For Peace Corps

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: June 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

DCNR Invests $500,000 To Expand Musser Gap Trail, Build 50 Mile Trail Network In Rothrock State Forest, Centre & Huntingdon Counties

On June 25, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, alongside trail volunteers and local officials, officially opened the second 11-mile stretch of the new Musser Gap Trail in Rothrock State Forest, Centre County – marking the latest significant step in the development of approximately 50 new miles of sustainable trails connecting communities and providing outdoor adventure in Centre and Huntingdon counties. 

DCNR has invested nearly $3 million in land acquisitions, trail development, and the extension of the Musser Gap Trail, including $500,000 for the second phase. 

This effort is made possible through collaboration with the Rothrock Trail Alliance (RTA), ClearWater Conservancy, local governments, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and other private supporters. 

“Investing in sustainable trails like this connects people to nature and strengthens Pennsylvania’s $20.4 billion outdoor recreation economy-we are proud to work with community leaders like the Rothrock Trail Alliance, the ClearWater Conservancy, Centre County Commissioners and other leaders who recognize that outdoor access and economic vitality go hand in hand,” said Secretary Dunn. 

“The Musser Gap Trail is a powerful example of what we can achieve when passionate communities, public agencies, and local organizations come together with a shared vision.” 

The long-term vision for the new trail is a 50-mile loop system of natural-surface, sustainable biking, hiking, and equestrian paths that will connect with hundreds of existing miles of trails throughout Rothrock State Forest. 

The project aligns with Governor Shapiro’s broader strategy to improve quality of life and economic opportunity in the Commonwealth by supporting infrastructure that encourages outdoor recreation, all modes of transportation, and vibrant main streets. 

DCNR awarded $375,000 to the RTA for the third phase of the Musser Gap Trail, which would connect the trail to Greenwood Furnace State Park. 

This new connection would create access to Greenwood Lake and ample camping opportunities at the park and would bring the length of the new trails to about 30 miles. 

The Rothrock Trail Alliance is seeking volunteers to assist in a variety of ways, including trail finish work, website maintenance, social media, capital campaign support, membership tracking, communications, and more.  

“It’s our community that made this happen. They’re the ones, whether it’s the business, our elected officials, our citizens, that made this happen,” said Jay Ziegler, Rothrock Trail Alliance Board Chair. “Together with previous work, the community has built a total of 18 miles of trail in Rothrock State Forest.”

“This work has been a labor of love for nearly a decade … We have a commitment to shared-use trails that allow more people to access the forest with less impact on the forest itself,” said Elizbeth Crisfield, executive director of the ClearWater Conservancy. “ClearWater is proud to be the nonprofit home for the Rothrock Trail Alliance and to work for equitable access to nature across all our programs, especially including our land protection program and Centered Outdoors.”

“The Center County Commissioners have supported this project through ClearWater Conservancy, the Rothrock Trail Alliance’s nonprofit home, for five years — we jumped in with both feet,” said Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins. “The loop system will connect Centre and Huntingdon counties, which will expand opportunities in Rothrock State Forest. [Tourism] has now gone to an over $1 billion industry just in Centre County, employing over 8,000 people. Pre-covid, it was only 6,000, so that’s like a 33 percent increase in employment in a major industry.”

“This project represents more than 11 miles of trail we’re here to celebrate today — it represents the kind of infrastructure investment that makes our region stronger,” said Eric Engelbart II, President and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. 

“These trails are built first and foremost for the people who live here, for the families, the hikers, the runners, the cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, and residents who want the beauty of the Rothrock State Forest in a new way. At the same time, projects like this strengthen our visitor economy. 

“When we invest in outdoor recreation, we create experiences that attract people to Happy Valley and the surrounding region. Visitors come here to explore, stay in hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in our communities and support local businesses,” said Engelbart.

“We have thousands of miles of existing trails in Huntingdon County … and we’ve made a commitment as a visitors bureau to supporting our trails,” said Matt Price, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “This project accomplishes two major goals in the Huntingdon County Active Transportation Plan: Establishing trail connections to our neighboring counties … and we’re also making connections to our communities and our parks, like Whipple Dam.” 

Click Here for the DCNR announcement.

Upcoming Event

-- July 7 -- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Hosts Webinar On Accessing Funding For Your Outdoor Business  

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 Now Accepting Nominations For 2027 Pennsylvania Trail Of The Year  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Commemorates Juneteenth At Historic Mifflin Farm In York County, Highlights Investment In Future Susquehanna National Heritage Area Park

-- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Hosts July 7 Webinar On Accessing Funding For Your Outdoor Business  [PaEN] 

-- Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Now Accepting Applications For Community Tree Project Technical Assistance; Apply For Free Trees  [PaEN]  

-- PA House Passes Bill To Encourage Pollinator, Native Insect Habitat On State-Owned Property  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Names Alana Jajko Executive Director  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Pennsylvanians Agree On This - Our State Parks Need Funding Now - By Bradley Mallory, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Board Member

-- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Approves $4.55 Million To Advance The Circuit Trails Network In Philadelphia Region

-- PennLive: Lancaster Conservancy To Purchase 31 Acres To Add To Robert A. Kinsley Nature Preserve In Hellam Twp., York County 

-- WITF - The Spark: PA Author Tory Mather Highlights Hidden Natural Wonders Across The Commonwealth

-- Tribune-Democrat: Celebration Will Mark 50th Anniversary Of Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: ‘Amazing Asset’ 

-- Tribune-Democrat: 9/11 Trail Alliance Acquires Portage Property, Eyes ‘Much Better Route’ Through Cambria

-- TribLive: Armstrong County Trail Groups Say Vandalism Diverts Resources From Improvements And Maintenance 

-- WVIA: Luzerne County Native Hits Halfway Point In Trek From Georgia To Maine On Appalachian Trail

-- Observer-Reporter: North Strabane Twp. To Assess Land For Recreation Complex In Washington County 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Field Notes - Thankful For Pennsylvania Parks

[Posted: June 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest