Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Collected Over 57,000 Pounds Of Household Hazardous Waste During April Collection Event

More than 57,000 pounds of hazardous materials were collected during the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event held on April 24-25 at the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority. 

A total of 983 vehicles participated in the free drop-off event, with residents representing 32 Centre County municipalities, along with many visitors from surrounding counties. 

MXI Environmental Services of Langhorne, PA served as the event contractor.

Residents shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the event, particularly the smooth traffic flow and efficient process. 

Many participants noted they were in and out of the facility within minutes and appreciated being greeted by staff upon arrival. 

Attendees also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to safely and responsibly dispose of hazardous materials from their homes.

“We were happy to wrap up Earth Month with this valued community event,” said Mimi Cooper, CCRRA Recycling Coordinator. “Between the Green Community Partnership Luncheon, Watershed Cleanup Day, and now our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, we are continuing to do our part to help keep Centre County a clean and green place to live.”

The total cost of the event was approximately $100,000 and was shared between the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Agriculture’s  CHEMSWEEP Program. 

In addition, CCRRA received more than $1,000 in generous donations from attendees to help support the Authority’s Education Endowment Fund. 

Residents who missed this year’s collection are encouraged to watch for details early next year. 

CCRRA plans to host another Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in spring 2027.

Visit the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority website to learn more about recycling and waste management in Centre County.

[Posted: May 13, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Registration Open! Delaware Highlands Conservancy Women And Their Woods Educational Retreat For Women Forest Landowners Sept. 11-13, Hawley, Wayne County

Women across the mid-Atlantic region who own, care for, or are interested in learning more about forestland are invited to register now for the Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat, taking place September 11–13 at Lukan’s Farm Resort in Hawley, Wayne County.

Hosted by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, the retreat is an in-depth, fun, engaging, and thought-provoking workshop focused on caring for woodlands now and into the future. 

No matter the size of your woodlands or if you’re not yet an owner, join us for learning, networking, and hands-on experiences designed to help participants navigate the challenges and rewards of forestland ownership.

Attendees learn about forest stewardship, build confidence in managing their woods, and connect with others in a friendly, peer-learning environment. 

Workshops are led by forestry and conservation professionals from organizations including the Wayne County Conservation District, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Club, and others.

Indoor and outdoor sessions will explore topics including forest plant identification and ecology, forest stewardship and land management goals, chainsaw safety, invasive plant identification and control, cultivating wildlife habitat, and deer population management.

The retreat will be held at Lukan’s Farm Resort in scenic Wayne County, Pennsylvania. 

Attendees will stay in comfortable accommodations with Wi-Fi access and enjoy forested hiking trails throughout the property. 

Family-style meals featuring seasonal vegetables grown in the on-site garden provide additional opportunities for conversation and connection among participants.

The cost to attend is $650 per person and includes two nights of lodging, all meals, workshop materials, and all retreat programming. 

A commuter option for $300 is also available for participants who do not require overnight accommodations. 

Space is limited, and applications are due by August 30, 2026.

The Women and Their Woods Retreat is sponsored by Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Funding support is provided by the Wayne County Community Foundation.

For more information, visit the Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat webpage or contact Lydia Freethy at lydia@delawarehighlands.org or 570-226-3164 ext. 4.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Delaware Highlands Conservancy website or call 570-226-3164 or 845-583-1010.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like on Facebook and Follow on Twitter. Learn about the Green Lodging Partnership initiative.  Click Here to support their work.

[Posted: May 13, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Wednesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 5.13.26

“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 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 28, 29, 30

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

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

TODAY 9:30: Agenda Posted. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30 a.m.  See agenda for options to join the meeting remotely.  [Onlot Septic System Regulations, Chesapeake Bay Farm Inspections]

TODAY Noon: Virtual. Community Choice Aggregation Working Group Hosts Webinar On How Boroughs Can And Other Municipalities Could Purchase Power For Their Residents, Business And Lower Electric Bills. Noon.

TODAY 7:00: Virtual. Better Path Coalition A.I. Data Centers Virtual Town Hall Meeting, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

May 14-- Agenda Posted. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:15 a.m.  [Heavy Duty Diesel Program]

May 19-- Agenda Posted. DEP Statewide Water Resources Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00 a.m.  (formal notice)

May 20-- Agenda Posted. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00 a.m.

May 21-- In-Person. DEP Informal Conference To Take Comments On The Proposed Addition Of 7,154 Acres To The Rosebud Mining Company Penfield Coal Mine In Clearfield County  

May 21-- Agenda Posted. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00 a.m.

May 27-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On RACT III Title V Air Quality Permit For the Domtar Paper Company Johnsonburg Mill In Elk County. DEP Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville. 10:00 a.m.

May 27-- NEW. Agenda Posted. DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council meeting. Berks Nature Nature Place, 575 St. Bernadine Street, Reading. 10:00 a.m. to Noon.  

Read more here on agenda.

-- Rep. Abigail Salisbury Recognizes Humane Action Pennsylvania In Allegheny County With Keep PA Beautiful Community Pride Award  [PaEN] 

-- Philadelphia Energy Authority Energy Campaign Achieves $2 Billion In Economic Impact, Creates 11,000 Jobs, Over $1.4 Billion In Energy Savings In First 10 Year, Exceeding Initial Goals  [PaEN]  

-- Inquirer: Philly Says Clean Energy Campaign Generated $1 Billion In Investment, Created More than 11,000 Jobs

-- PennLive - John Beauge: DEP Pulls Plug On Permit For PA General Energy Shale Gas Well Access Road, Staging Area In Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County

-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: Philadelphia Gas Commission Rejects PGW’s Expanded Port Richmond LNG Gas Plant Until Further Study

-- Guest Essay: Lessons From A Children's Story: If You Give The Oil & Gas Industry A Wellpad, It Will Lead To An Escalating Chain Of More Polluting Gas Infrastructure - By Melissa Ostroff, EarthWorks   [PaEN] 

-- Planet Philadelphia Radio: May 15 - What’s The Deal With Microgrids? 4:00 p.m.

-- Inquirer: Rep. Greg Vitali Represented Delaware County Since 1993, His Primary Opponent Says The District Needs A Fresh Face

-- Call For Presentations: American Ground Water Trust Mid-Atlantic & The Carolinas Groundwater Conference Aug. 18-19, Richmond, VA, Deadline June 5

-- PA Environmental Council: Honoring 2026 Winners Of Governor’s Award For Environmental Excellence, June 25, Harrisburg

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets May 27 To Hear Presentations On Pennsylvania Heritage Areas - Conservation Of Living Landscapes  [PaEN]

-- TheDerrick.com: Allegheny River Trail Active With People Enjoying Warm Sunny Weather 

A.I. /Data Centers

-- TribLive: Natural Gas Pipeline For 3,200 Acre Homer City A.I. Data Center 4.5 GW Power Plant Draws Fierce Pushback At DEP Hearing In Indiana County 

-- Scranton Times: A.I. Data Center Developer Seeks Approval For 3 Natural Gas Data Center Power Plants In Dickson City, Lackawanna County; Hearings Set  [In Addition To Proposed 400MW Power Plant]

-- Clean Air Board Of Central PA To Host May 21 Community Forum On A.I. Data Centers - What Citizens Should Ask Of Data Centers In Carlisle, Cumberland County And Online  [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Commissioner Launches Anti-Data Center Ad Campaign With TV Spots, Website  [Show Up Lackawanna website]

-- PennLive: Developer Withdraws Plan To Rezone Property To Build A.I. Data Center In South Annville Twp.,  Lebanon County

-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: Philadelphia Utility Customers Call On City Council To Help Rein In Bills: ‘The System Is Failing Us’ 

-- The Center Square: May 13 Data Center Citizens Town Hall Invite Shunned By Gov. Shapiro’s Office

-- TribLive Guest Essay: How To Save Billions On Energy Bills - Set PJM Price Cap At $175/MWday Not Present $325 - By Kevin Walker, President, Duquesne Light Co

-- Utility Dive: Constellation Energy Enters 5 GW Of Nuclear, Natural Gas, Battery Capacity In PJM Queue 

-- Inside Climate News: President’s EPA Seeks Looser Air Pollution Permitting Rules For Natural Gas Power Plants, Data Centers And Factories; Allow Construction Before Permits Are Issued

-- EPA Issues Guidance On’Streamlining’ Air Pollution Operating Permits To Expedite Approvals

-- Bloomberg: US Power Prices Climb 61% Faster Than Inflation As Data Center Demand Surges

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations

-- DEP Issues 12 Violations To Delta Inland Oil Res LLC For Abandoning, Not Plugging Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Warren County; 223 Abandonment Violations Issued In 2026, So Far  [PaEN] 

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- May 13: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 More Penny From Yesterday, Now $1.54/Gallon Higher To $4.65 Since Feb. 27  [Allegheny County Average Price Still Highest at $4.81] 

-- May 13: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $4.51 Ohio- $4.64  PA- $4.65

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

-- TribLive: Rising Fuel Costs, Asphalt Prices, Salt Usage Strain Local Road Budgets

-- Reuters: European Union Warns Rising Reliance On US Natural Gas Brings Dependency, Price Risks 

-- Reuters: EIA: US Natural Gas Output To Hit Record High In 2026, While Demand Declines 

Federal Administration

-- Inside Climate News: President’s EPA Seeks Looser Air Pollution Permitting Rules For Natural Gas Power Plants, Data Centers And Factories; Allow Construction Before Permits Are Issued

-- EPA Issues Guidance On’Streamlining’ Air Pollution Operating Permits To Expedite Approvals

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- WHYY: Years After COVID Pandemic, Learning Loss Has Left PA Schools Lagging Behind Much Of The US 

-- Spotlight PA: Lebanon County Man Arrested For Making ‘Politically Violent’ Threats Against 20 Democratic State Lawmakers For Being ‘Gun Grabbing Communists!’

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[Posted: May 13, 2026]  PA Environment Digest