PA Environment Digest Blog

Friday, July 23, 2021

DEP Teaching Green Newsletter: Education Grants Opening Sept. 10, Examples Of Environmental Ed Projects, Professional Development, Lots Of Other Resources

DEP’s latest Teaching Green newsletter highlights lots of resources for environmental educators, including an upcoming Environmental Education Grant round, examples of how education grants were used, professional development opportunities, and much more.

Environmental Ed Grants

DEP said the next application period for Environmental Education Grants will open September 10 and close on December 10. Questions about the program should be directed to: RA-epEEgrants@pa.gov.

Examples of projects funded where also included--

-- Butler Area School District used their mini-grant on a project in which high School students created a rainbow trout nursery and released about 250 trout in Thorn Creek. The students also worked in teams to research and design riparian buffer improvements and planted 400 livestakes to help improve stream habitat and reduce runoff water pollution.

-- The Allegheny College Creek Connections program used a mini-grant to hold a virtual summer institute for teachers and then distributed macroinvertebrate sampling equipment sets. The project established weekly “Creek Chats” with teachers via Zoom, offering guest presenters and virtual field visits. Once a hybrid school model was implemented, project staff collected stream samples and dropped them off at schools. Creek Connections also hosted a virtual Student Research Symposium engaging approximately 1,300 students!

-- The PA Association of Conservation Districts developed “Healthy Streams” interpretive sign templates with mini-grant support. The templates present educational information on macroinvertebrate life, fish habitat structures, and vegetative buffers. The templates can be customized by county conservation districts and installed statewide.

-- The Franklin Institute hosted a virtual Youth Climate Summit over four days in April with help from a general grant. Eighteen teacher/student teams in southeast Pennsylvania (13 in Environmental Justice areas) participated in the summit to learn about the science of climate change, its local impacts, and solutions. During the culminating session, the teams designed a climate action plan specific to their school community.

-- Nurture Nature Center, working with the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards Program, used their general grant to develop a Watershed Friendly Properties certification program designed to address stormwater runoff and pollution, conserve water, and support wildlife and pollinators. The site provides the program’s application and resources as well as a photo gallery of certified properties.

For more information, visit DEP’s Environmental Education Grants webpage.

Other Resources

Just some of the other resources in the newsletter--

-- Farming & Energy Use Educational Handouts

-- Funding For Cleaner Fuel Transportation Available

-- Fall Pick Up Pennsylvania Campaign Starts September 1

-- New Interactive River Runner Map Shows Route A Raindrop Takes

-- Meaningful Watershed Education Professional Development Opportunities

-- Penn State Extension: Dive Deeper Water Educators Summit - Sept. 23

Click Here to read the entire newsletter.

For more environmental ed resources, visit DEP’s Environmental Education webpage. Questions should be directed to Bert Myers, DEP Environmental Education and Information Center, call 717-772-1828 or send email to: gimyers@pa.gov. Click Here to sign up for the DEP Teaching Green newsletter.

[Posted: July 23, 2021] PA Environment Digest

DEP Posts Update To Non-Regulatory Agenda Showing Status Of Technical Guidance In Development

On July 24, the Department of Environmental Protection posted an update to its Non-Regulatory Agenda showing the status of technical guidance in development. (formal notice)

The Agenda serves as a guide and resource to the regulated community, the public, Department staff and members of the Department's advisory committees regarding the focus of the Department's policy development for the coming year.

The types of documents listed in the Agenda include policies and technical guidance documents that provide directives, guidance or other relevant compliance-related information.

The Agenda is similar to the Regulatory Agenda published by DEP showing regulations in development.

Click Here for up-to-date versions of both the Regulatory and Non-Regulatory Agendas.

Questions about the Non-Regulatory Agenda should be directed to Abbey Cadden, DEP Policy Office, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, ra-epthepolicyoffice@pa.gov or 717-783-8727.

-- On Transparency: What If The Senate And House Had To Adopt Laws Like DEP Adopts Regulations?

[Posted: July 23, 2021] PA Environment Digest

DEP Now Accepting Applications For Driving PA Forward Truck & Bus Fleet Grants, Onroad Rebates To Reduce Diesel Emissions

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for two Driving PA Forward funding programs-- the Truck and Bus Fleet Grants and Onroad Rebates to reduce diesel emissions.

Truck & Bus Fleet Grants

DEP is now accepting applications for Driving PA Forward Truck and Bus Fleet Grants to reduce diesel emissions. The deadline for applications is October 9. (formal notice)

The Department is seeking applications for projects that will replace or repower eligible diesel-powered Class 4—8 trucks, school buses, shuttle buses or transit buses. The majority of the fleet's annual operation time must occur within this Commonwealth.

Public and private entities that operate eligible diesel-powered vehicles throughout the State should apply.

These entities may include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, State agencies, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth, air quality or transportation organizations, and metropolitan or rural planning organizations.

More information is available on the Driving PA Forward’s Grant & Rebate Programs webpage. Questions should be directed to ra-epvwmitigation@pa.gov or 717-787-9495.

Onroad Rebate Program

DEP is now accepting applications for $6 million in rebates to support diesel vehicle replacement or repower projects that improve air quality. The deadline for applications is November 12. (formal notice)

The Department is seeking applications for projects that will replace or repower eligible diesel-powered Class 4—8 trucks, school buses, shuttle buses or transit buses. The new vehicles or engines may be powered by clean diesel, electric, natural gas, propane or other alternative fuels.

Eligible applicants include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions, other State agencies, nonprofit entities, corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships incorporated or registered in this Commonwealth, air quality or transportation organizations, and metropolitan or rural planning organizations.

More information is available on the Driving PA Forward’s Grant & Rebate Programs webpage. Questions should be directed to ra-epvwmitigation@pa.gov or 717-787-9495.

Other Funding

These other cleaner fuels funding opportunities are also open--

December 31-- DEP Alternative Fueled Vehicle Rebates (apply anytime)

December 31-- DEP Energy Efficiency Loan Fund (apply anytime)

December 31-- DEP Fast Charging Hydrogen Fueling Grants (first-come, first-served)

December 31-- DEP Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebates (apply anytime)

[Posted: July 23, 2021] PA Environment Digest

DEP Accepting Applications For Small Business Advantage Grants To Support Water Quality Restoration, Energy Efficiency, Pollution Prevention Projects

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for up to $1 million Small Business Advantage Grants on a first-come, first-served basis. (formal notice)

The Program assists small businesses undertaking energy efficiency, pollution prevention or natural resource conservation projects.

The Program is a first-come, first-served grant program that provides up to 50% matching grants, up to a maximum of $5,000 for all project types. Eligible projects must save the small business a minimum of $500 per year and at least 25% in annual energy consumption or pollution-related expenses.

Natural resource protection projects are exempt from the minimum savings requirements. However, projects must quantify the sediment and nutrient diversion from the directly related receiving waterway to be eligible.

For more information, visit DEP’s Small Business Advantage Grants webpage. Questions should be directed to DEP’s Small Business Ombudsman by sending email to: RA-epAdvantageGrant@pa.gov or calling 717-783-9640.