Thursday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 11.5.26

“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

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

November 17, 18

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

TODAY 5:30: DEP To Host Hearing On Natural Soil Products Biosolids Composting Permit In Schuylkill County. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

November 6-- In-Person. PA Environmental Council: Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Gathering In Somerset County

November 7-- In-Person. PA Forestry Association Annual Forest Symposium In State College  

November 10-- Agenda Posted. Joint DEP Citizens Advisory Council + DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 12:30 a.m.  Read more here on agenda.

November 10-- In-Person. DEP meeting/hearing on renewal of NPDES Water Quality Mining Activities for the LCT Energy Rustic Ridge #1 underground coal mine in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County and Saltlick Township, Fayette County.  St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish, 170 School House Lane, Donegal. 6:00 p.m.

November 10-- Virtual. Environmental Health Project, Food & Water Watch, Partners Host Webinar On Shale Gas Fracking, Data Centers And Your Health. 7:00 p.m.

November 10-- In-Person. Penn State Extension To Hold In-Person Workshop On Solar Energy Trends - Siting, Law And Local Impact On Communities. Youngsville, Warren County.  6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

November 10-- In-Person. Green Building Alliance Hosts Resilient Reading Progress Report -- Revitalizing Buildings And Strengthening Community In Berks County

November 11-- In-Person. Penn State Extension To Hold In-Person Workshop On Solar Energy Trends - Siting, Law And Local Impact On Communities. Smethport, McKean County.  6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

November 12-- DEP Public Water System Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Next scheduled meeting Nov. 12.  (formal notice)

November 12-- In-Person. PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts In-Person Southeast Regional Watersheds Workshop In Montgomery County. 

November 12-- Virtual. PA Interfaith Power & Light, Partners Host Webinar -- Canopy Calling: Tree Equity From The Roots Up, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

November 12-- In-Person. Penn State Extension To Hold In-Person Workshop On Solar Energy Trends - Siting, Law And Local Impact On Communities. Tionesta, Forest County.  6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

November 13-- WeConservePA: 2026 Municipal Open Space Summit.  Chester Springs, Chester County.

November 14-- In-Person. Regenall Climate Summit In Lancaster County.  8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

November 14-- In-Person. Penn State Extension Volunteer Riparian Buffer Plantings. City of Lancaster, Lancaster County. 9:00 a.m.

November 16-- DEP - PA Energy Development Authority Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00 a.m.

November 16-- Virtual. Western PA Conservancy Webinar On Freshwater Mussel Conservation Plan To Help Guide Conservation Efforts In Pennsylvania. Noon.

November 17-- In-Person/Virtual. Public Utility Commission To Hold Technical Conference On Utility Costs Driven By A.I. Data Centers, Other Large Loads. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

November 18-- Agenda Posted. DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Nov. 18 On Conservation And Wildlife Law Enforcement.  10:00 a.m.  Read more here.

November 18-- In-Person. DEP hearing on proposed revisions to the State Air Quality Implementation Maintenance Plan for the Lancaster Nonattainment Area for Fine Particulate.  DEP Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 1:00 p.m.  (formal notice)

-- Northeast PA Environmental Partners Recognize Environmental Award Winners; Thomas P. Shelburne Award Winner Ellen Ferretti  [PaEN] 

-- The Center Square: A.I. Data Center Disgust Played Significant Role In State Senate Flip, Winners Say

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Data Centers, Energy Costs, Fracking Issues Loom As Democrats Finally Get Full Control Of PA Legislature

-- TheDerrick.com Guest Essay: Fossil Fuel Industry Follows Big Tobacco’s Disinformation - By Kathy Mulvey, InsideSources.com 

-- TribLive: Water Getting Into Peoples Natural Gas Pipelines Blocking Service To Hempfield Twp. Residents In Westmoreland County 

-- The Allegheny Front: How A Baseball Owner’s Sport-Shooting Range Polluted A Once ‘Exceptional’ PA Stream With Lead In Somerset County 

-- Observer-Reporter: Glass Recycling Saturday [Nov.7] In Washington, PA

-- DEP Briefing: Overview Of Draft Chapter 105 Changes Highlighting New Waivers, Replacement Of Impacted Resources, Stream Debris Maintenance  [PaEN]  

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Southwest PA Flood Victims Eligible For Federal Low-Interest Loans

-- WHYY: Award-Winning Women In Natural Sciences Program Spins From Academy Of Natural Sciences At Drexel University

-- WVIA: Susquehanna University Announces Free Tuition For Eligible Students With Family Income Of Up To $100,000 In 10 PA Counties  

-- Lancaster Conservancy Preserves 24 Acre Property Along Conestoga River  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Nov. 18 On Conservation And Wildlife Law Enforcement; Dec. 8 Webinar On Trending Recreational Uses  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Grant News: Susquehanna River Accessibility Study; Northcentral ATV Trail Capacity; Volunteer Fire Company Grants 

-- The Nature Conservancy PA News: Find Your Volunteer Opportunity; Explore Accessible Nature Experiences; Conserving Natural Areas

A.I. /Data Centers

-- PennLive: Swatara Twp. Supervisors Approve First Of 2 A.I. Data Center Projects In Dauphin County As Part Of $120 Million Community Benefits Package Supervisors Accepted Earlier

-- Altoona Mirror: Blair County Resident Hosts Meeting To Air Concerns About A.I. Data Center Proposal In Taylor Township

-- Altoona Mirror: Taylor Township Supervisors Report Pushes Back On Perceived Threats Over Proposed A.I. Data Center

-- The Center Square: A.I. Data Center Disgust Played Significant role In State Senate Flip, Winners Say [Comment: It Wasn’t $15 Minimum Wage That Flipped These Seats] 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Data Centers, Energy Costs, Fracking Issues Loom As Democrats Finally Get Full Control Of PA Legislature

-- TribLive Editorial: What Is The Message Of PA’s Trifecta? If There Aren’t Solutions To Data Centers, Skill Games, State Budget It’s All On Democrats Now 

-- Utility Dive: President’s Order Banning Foreign Grid Components Sparks Industry Concern Over Cost, Practicality  

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations/Inspections

-- DEP - Day 135: Contaminated Water Discharges Continue, Still Fails To Comply With Cleanup Order At Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Richter Impoundment In Greene County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Routine Inspections Find 6 More Anderson Energy SVC LLC Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned, Not Plugged In Venango County  [PaEN]  

-- TheDerrick.com Guest Essay: Don’t Allow The Negligent Dumping Of Conventional Oil & Gas Well Brine On Roads - By David E. Hess, former Secretary of DEP 

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- November 5: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 Penny Since Yesterday $4.40/Gallon - $1.29/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver County $4.66 Highest Average Price] 

-- November 5: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $4.10  Ohio- $3.97  PA- $4.40

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

-- Financial Times: President’s Diesel Fuel Deal With Russia Falters As 2 Tanks Change Course Away From US 

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- The Center Square: A.I. Data Center Disgust Played Significant Role In State Senate Flip, Winners Say  [Comment: It Wasn’t $15 Minimum Wage That Flipped These Seats] 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Data Centers, Energy Costs, Fracking Issues Loom As Democrats Finally Get Full Control Of PA Legislature 

-- TribLive Editorial: What Is The Message Of PA’s Trifecta? If There Aren’t Solutions To Data Centers, Skill Games, State Budget It’s All On Democrats Now 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader Editorial: A Message To The Region’s New And Returning Lawmakers - We Need Competence, Cooperation, Civil Disagreement

-- City & State PA: Gov. Shapiro Lays Out Priorities With New Mandate In Harrisburg: Raising Minimum Wage, Codifying Abortion Rights In Constitution, Mass Transit Funding, Housing Investments 

-- PennLive: PA Dems Won Big, First Priority Is Increasing Minimum Wage To $15, Putting Right To An Abortion In State Constitution, Mass Transit Funding, Build More Housing

-- PA Capital-Star: What Will PA Democrats Do With A Trifecta In Harrisburg: Increase Minimum Wage To $15, Putting Right To An Abortion In State Constitution, Paid Family Leave

-- WHYY: There Will Be No More Republicans Representing Chester, Delaware, Montgomery Counties In PA Senate, House

-- PennLive: Democrats’ US Senate Majority Makes Fettermand ‘Irrelevant’

-- PA Capital-Star: In Warren County, PA A Reflection Of Rural Healthcare’s Turmoil

-- WVIA: Susquehanna University Announces Free Tuition For Eligible Students With Family Income Of Up To $100,000 In 10 PA Counties  

-- Inquirer: PA Police Rushing To Help President’s ICE With Immigration Enforcement, Agreements Have Nearly Doubled In 6 Months

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[Posted: November 5, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Lancaster Conservancy Preserves 24 Acre Property Along Conestoga River

On November 5, the Lancaster Conservancy, working with a landowner in Lancaster County, has protected a new conservation easement along the Conestoga River. 

The almost 24-acre property located south of Lancaster City includes forestland and tributaries to the Conestoga as well as approximately one-third of a mile of shoreline along the river.

“The owners of this property have worked with and supported the Conservancy for years in an effort to protect their forested lands along the Conestoga. We are incredibly grateful to have partners like these and others who see the value in conserving lands through conservation easements,” said Kate Gonick, Lancaster Conservancy senior vice president of land protection and general counsel.

The Conestoga River, which was named Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year, provides recreational opportunities including kayaking and fishing, is a source of drinking water, and offers habitat for wildlife. 

This easement will help maintain the scenic forested viewshed for paddlers on the Conestoga River Water Trail. 

Natural lands along the Conestoga River also help to protect and improve the quality of this important waterway-- as well as the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay downstream.

These protected natural areas provide additional habitat for species such as waterfowl and other nesting birds, including eagles, which have occupied this land for decades.

This easement lies within a designated Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Area of Lancaster County, located along the Conestoga River where it makes a series of tight bends south of Lancaster City. 

This stretch of the Conestoga River contains two species of concern, which are dependent on the abundant food sources in the river and its tributaries along with breeding areas in the adjacent upland forest. 

To maintain these species of concern, it is critical to preserve and improve the water quality of the Conestoga River and to protect and expand the natural vegetation buffer along the river and its tributaries.

“The Lancaster Conservancy recognizes the important role private landowners play in protecting our streams and rivers. The owners of this property are setting an example for good stewardship as our community works to restore the Conestoga watershed,” said Lancaster Conservancy President & CEO Fritz Schroeder.

“As stewards of God’s creation we are pleased to keep this valuable piece of woodland in its natural state,” said the property owners.

The Conservancy protects our natural landscape through two main methods – purchasing or receiving donations of properties which typically become nature preserves and helping landowners protect their own lands through conservation easements. 

A conservation easement is a legally binding agreement tied to the property deed that ensures the land will never be developed and protects the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of the property.

The Conservancy’s nature preserves are owned and managed by the Conservancy and often open for public recreation. 

Property owners wishing to preserve their land without providing public access and retain ownership may protect their land through a conservation easement.

If you are interested in protecting your property through an easement, contact the Conservancy’s Land Protection department by calling (717) 392-7891.

The Lancaster Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that has protected over 11,000 acres of natural lands in Lancaster and York counties. 

Managing over 50 nature preserves and more than 60 miles of trails open free of charge from dawn to dusk, the Conservancy strives to protect and restore our region’s natural landscape and provide opportunities for everyone to experience the outdoors. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Nov. 18 On Conservation And Wildlife Law Enforcement; Dec. 8 Webinar On Trending Recreational Uses  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Grant News: Susquehanna River Accessibility Study; Northcentral ATV Trail Capacity; Volunteer Fire Company Grants 

-- PA Outdoor Business Alliance: Nov. 30 Webinar On Working With Content Creators 101, Noon to 1:00 p.m. 

NewsClips:

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: RiverLife Nonprofit Surpasses $30 Million  Fundraising Goal For Remaking Pittsburgh’s Riverfronts

-- The Nature Conservancy PA News: Find Your Volunteer Opportunity; Explore Accessible Nature Experiences; Conserving Natural Areas

-- National Park Service: Native Tree Plantings At Flight 93 Memorial In Somerset County Have Resulted In Largest Concentration Of Restoration American Chestnut Trees In North America 

[Posted: November 5, 2026]  PA Environment Digest