Saturday, December 7, 2019

Saturday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips 12.7.19

Coraopolis Drinking Water Shows PFAS Contamination Among Highest In PA, But Below Federal Advisory Level [DEP and other states have called the advisory level inadequate to protect public health and are developing their own maximum contaminant level.]
Saturday PA Capitol NewsClips 12.7.19 -- Click Here
Wildfires
National/International
Trump Orders Review Of Water Efficient Toilets, Water Fixtures Rule, Just Like Energy Efficient Light Bulbs [Trump said energy efficient light bulbs make him look orange, what do water efficient toilets do?]
Click Here for latest Environmental NewsClips & News (Daily Subscriber Email 2:00)
Click Here for latest PA Capitol NewsClips & News (Daily Subscriber Email 2:00)
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Friday, December 6, 2019

DEP Sets Hearings [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plans For Facilities In Lancaster, McKean, Westmoreland Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled hearings on RACT II Air Quality Plans for facilities in Lancaster McKean and Westmoreland Counties.
Lancaster County
DEP has scheduled a January 14 public hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for Anvil International in Columbia Borough, Lancaster County. (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7199)
The hearing will be held at DEP Central Office, 400 Market Street in Harrisburg starting at 10:00 a.m.
To register to speak at the hearing, please contact Vincent Pascucci at 717-772-3375. Speakers must pre-register in order to testify at the hearing. The last day to pre-register to speak at the hearing will be January 7.
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for all the details. (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7199)
McKean County
DEP has scheduled a January 14 public hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for American Refining Group in Bradford Township, McKean County. (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7201) and (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7247)
The hearing will be  held at DEP’s Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street in Meadville starting at 10:00 a.m.
To register to speak at a hearing, or to inquire if a hearing will be held, please contact Tom Decker at 814-332-6615. The last day to pre-register to speak at a hearing, if one is held, will be January 6.
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for all the details. (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7201) and (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7247)
Westmoreland County
DEP has scheduled a January 15 public hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air Quality Plan for Chestnut Ridge Foam in Derry Township, Westmoreland County. (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7200)
The hearing will be held at the DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive in Pittsburgh starting at 10:00 a.m.
Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should contact Thomas Joseph at 412-442-4336 at least one week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony. 
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for all the details. (Dec. 7 PA Bulletin, page 7200)
Related Articles:
[Posted: December 6, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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Celebrating 50 Years Of The PA Environmental Council In 2020

During 2020, the PA Environmental Council will celebrate their 50th anniversary.  As part of the celebration, the Council’s website will feature guest posts, commentaries, and recollections from a half-century of history-- not just PEC’s, but the larger story of Pennsylvania’s changing environment and the people who’ve worked, over the years, to protect and restore it. 
PEC will also strive to tell that story through images, videos, and conversations on the Pennsylvania Legacies podcast.
As PEC kicks off its semicentennial year, they invite friends and supporters to celebrate along with them. 
They hope you’ll find inspiration in these stories, as well as a richer understanding of how far we’ve come – and how far we still have to go.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.
[Posted: December 6, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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Help Wanted: Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay PA Agricultural Program Manager

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of PA Agricultural Program Manager.  The deadline for applications is December 16.
This position will work with the Pennsylvania State Director and office on a wide range of water quality improvement projects focused on agricultural conservation, riparian and in-stream conservation, drinking water protection, and more.
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Program Manager will interact often with farmers, other landowners and local residents, and members of the business community, local government, and other nonprofits. 
This position will involve extensive fieldwork and outreach, including meeting with landowners to conducting field assessments and will thus require field-savviness. 
Agricultural programs will be a core focus for this position, specifically the coordination of the Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership, and candidates with skills and field experience in conservation agriculture will be prioritized.
More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events on the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Alliance, Like the Alliance on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, and visit the Alliance’s YouTube Channel.  Click Here to support the Alliance’s work.
Related Articles:
[Posted: December 6, 2019] www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com 
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Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference Attracts Over 175 Participants

The 2019 Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference held on October 15 was an amazing success, with over 175 attendees from agencies, engineering firms, municipalities, private farms and businesses, and watershed associations - an increase of over 25 from 2017. 
Attendees were able to choose from 16 different in-class presentations, ranging from a whole track of technical talks on MS4 Stormwater requirements to a fantastic overview of fresh-water snorkeling in creeks, and green building strategies around the world. 
Ann English offered a keynote address-- Growing A Better Watershed--  on multifunctional buffers, sharing how her family has transformed their farm to incorporate marketable products in their streamside land, and shift to a whole-ecology approach to farming in York County.
An all-day multifunctional buffer track offered the chance to try various types of persimmons and paw-paws, and Jim Mackensie of Octoraro Native Plant Nursery shared his experience on the economics of restoration businesses. 
Two workshops focused on nut-growing in riparian buffers, and on buffer planting and invasive control. 
The Conference was held at the Lehigh University STEPS Building in Bethlehem.
The planning committee is already gathering ideas offered by conference participants to start the planning of the 2021 conference, scheduled for October 12, 2021. 
For more information, visit the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley website.
(Photo: Participants in the riparian buffer planting and maintenance workshop getting ready to plant trees and pull weeds.)
[Posted: December 6, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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PUC PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee Imposes $83,975 In Penalties

On December 6, the Public Utility Commission announced the PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee imposed $83,975 in penalties against 67 underground utility owners, excavators and project owners for violating the PA One Call requirements.
Click Here for a list of individual actions taken.
Every year, underground lines across the state are struck more than 6,000 times – which means that during the average workday a pipeline or other vital utility system is hit every 20 minutes. 
While underground lines are often “out of sight and out of mind,” every hit poses a risk to the contractors and homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized when lines are struck; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents. 
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. 
Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the PA One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.
Visit the PA One Call Damage Prevention Committee webpage for more information.
(Photo: What happens when a backhoe hits a natural gas gathering line.)
[Posted: December 6, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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CFA Accepting Applications For Drinking Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Flood Control Infrastructure Funding

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is accepting applications for funding from the H2O Water and Sewer Program and the PA Small Water and Sewer System Program.  The deadline for applications is December 13.
The H2O PA Water And Sewer Program provides municipalities or authorities with funding for construction of drinking water, wastewater or stormwater projects.
The PA Small Water and Sewer Program provides grants to help with construction improvement, expansion or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, wastewater or flood control projects.
For more information on available funding programs, visit the Commonwealth Financing Authority webpage.
[Posted: December 6, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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Dec. 6 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

The December 6 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on--
-- Winter Women In The Wilds Programs, Sinnemahoning State Park (Cameron, Potter Counties)- February 7-9
-- At Work & Play In State Parks and Forest Event Highlights
-- A “Foxy” Picture of The Week
  For more information on programs, initiatives, special events and how you can get involved, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation,  Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter.  Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.
(Photo: Ramcat Trailhead, Great Allegheny Passage Trail in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.)
[Posted: December 6, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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