Northeast PA Environmental Partners Recognize Environmental Award Winners; Thomas P. Shelburne Award Winner Ellen Ferretti

The 36th Annual Northeast Environmental Partnership Awards took place on October 29 celebrating those working to conserve and restore Pennsylvania’s natural resources, educating their community on the importance of our environment, and inspiring people to spend time outdoors and explore the wonderful assets the northeast region has to offer.

The Northeast Environmental Partners are comprised of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, and Wilkes University hosted the evening and honored ten impactful award recipients.

Thomas P. Shelburne Award

The Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award was presented to Ellen Ferretti of Luzerne County. 

Ferretti has led a distinguished career spanning various environmental sectors. 

She spent time leading PA Environmental Council’s northeast office and the entire Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

But no matter the position she held, Ferretti excelled in uniting people and agencies to achieve lasting conservation results. 

Learn more about Ellen Ferretti and her impact here. [video]

Emerging Leader Award

The 2026 Emerging Environmental Leader Award was presented to Amanda Kiernan of Wyoming County. 

As the first ever Environmental Educator at one of Pennsylvania’s newest state parks-- Vosburgh Neck State Park-- Kiernan consistently demonstrates what it means to be an environmental leader. 

She connects people to our natural resources through engaging and accessible programming and her captivating passion for nature. 

Learn more about Amanda Kiernan and her impact here. [video]

Environmental Award Recipients

-- Duryea Borough, Luzerne County in recognition of its vision and leadership in transforming the 171-acre Duryea Wetlands Recreation Area and Green Loop Trail into a regional conservation and recreation asset.

-- Craig Lukatch, Wayne County for his exceptional ability to build collaborative partnerships that advance environmental conservation, education, research, and community engagement throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

-- Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), Pike County in recognition of more than 50 years of outstanding commitment to environmental education and community partnership that connect students, educators, families, and community groups to meaningful, hands-on learning within the Delaware River watershed.

-- The Borough of Susquehanna Depot, Susquehanna County, for leading a multi-phased effort to restore contaminated land, improve river access, enhance ecological health, and strengthen community engagement along the Susquehanna River corridor.

-- The Stewards of Twin Lakes, Inc., Pike County for engaging partners and the community to protect and restore the Twin Lakes watershed through hands-on conservation projects, environmental education, and long-term stewardship that will help preserve the lake for future generations.

-- West Park Civic Association of Allentown – West Park Pollinators and You, Lehigh County for engaging community volunteers to restore and expand an urban green space into a pollinator-friendly native plant garden.

-- Williams Energy Company, Wyoming County for partnering with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, local communities, and employee volunteers to strengthen local conservation efforts, protect critical forests and waterways, expand public access to natural lands and enhance quality of life across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

-- YMCA Camp Kresge Outdoor Partners, Luzerne County for advancing conservation and accessible environmental education through innovative partnerships that expand outdoor learning, improve public access to natural resources, and promote long-term environmental and community sustainability.

Click Here for the Northeast Environmental Partners announcement.

[Posted: November 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

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

On November 4, the Department of Environmental Protection did an extensive presentation to the Water Resources Advisory Committee on draft changes to Chapter 105 permitting regulations.

Domenic Rocco, Director of the Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, provided a detailed section by section review of the changes pointing to three areas in particular--

-- Permit waivers, some of which need notice to DEP and others that do not;

-- Replacement of impact resources, like wetlands; and

-- Stream debris maintenance (a new concept).

Major revisions are proposed to waive Chapter 105 permit requirements for a whole series of activities in Section 105.12, subject to certain restrictions in certain locations.

Among the proposed waivers are-

-- A variety of farm conservation practices

-- Recreation, trails, private recreational docks and similar structures

-- Placement, maintenance and removal of temporary mats and pads protecting wetlands

-- Removal of debris projecting into a stream after a storm event

-- Encroachments related to plugging orphan or abandoned wells under contract or grant agreements

-- Certain dam removals.

To better understand the changes and why DEP is proposing them, PA Environment Digest is making an audio recording of Domenic Rocco’s presentation to the Committee available to the public.

Click Here for audio of Rocco’s presentation. [1 hour, 14 minutes]

Also available to follow along with the audio file are--

Click Here for DEP’s Presentation Slides on the Draft Changes

Click Here for the Draft Regulation Changes.

Rocco noted DEP is at the beginning of the regulatory development process and will be making presentations to the Agricultural Advisory Board [December 3] and other DEP groups on the draft changes.

Previous Attempt

DEP started a process to revise the regulations in 2020. It resulted in publishing changes to Chapter 105 in the PA Bulletin on December 5, 2020 for public comment.

Significant comments were received on the regulation, including from the House Environmental Committee and forwarded to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission for consideration.

The two-year deadline for finalizing that version of the regulation expired on February 3, 2023 before DEP completed the package and it was never submitted to the IRRC for review.

Visit the DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee webpage for more information.  Questions should be directed to: Robert Haines at 717-787-7565 or robhaines@pa.gov.

[Posted: November 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Wednesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 11.4.26

“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 9:30: Agenda Posted. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30 a.m. [Draft Revisions To Chapter 105 on the agenda.]  Read more here.

TODAY 10:00: In-Person. DEP Sets Hearing [If Requested] On Reissuance Of Title V Air Quality Permit For The NLMK Pennsylvania, LLC Farrel Steel Plant In Mercer County. 10:00 a.m.

November 5-- CANCELED. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15 a.m.

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

November 5-- Virtual. DCNR Grant Applicant Workshop Webinar.

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.

-- PA Election Results: Democrats Now Control PA Senate, Retain PA House, Governor’s Office  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council, Environmental Justice Advisory Board Meet Nov. 10 On Fossil Fuel Impacts On Communities, Mapping PA’s Energy Infrastructure  [PaEN]

-- LancasterOnline: 300 People Wanted For Purdue University Study Of Radiation Exposure From Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Meltdown

A.I. /Data Centers

-- Scranton Times: Olyphant Boro Cancels Thursday Meeting To Consider $101 Million A.I. Data Center Agreement

-- PennLive: Salem Twp. Solicitor Will Double His Pay To $1.65 Million For Negotiating A Now $22 Million Community Benefits Agreement With Amazon For An A.I. Data Center In The Luzerne County Township  

-- Landgate Report Counts 199 A.I. Data Centers Under Development In Pennsylvania 

-- Utility Dive: PJM’s Revised Backstop Power Procurement Plan Could Be For As Little As 630 MW, Down From 6,800 MW Due To Revised Utility Load Forecasts

-- Reuters: PJM Grid Tackles A.I. Data Center Power Costs In Race To Avoid Shortfalls, Higher Prices

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations/Inspections

-- DEP - Day 609: Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. Failed To Take Actions Or Respond To Violations At 2 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Westmoreland County  [PaEN]  

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- November 4: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 Penny Since Yesterday $4.41/Gallon - $1.30/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver, Greene, Warren Counties $4.67 Highest Average Price] 

-- November 4: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $4.12  Ohio- $4.02  PA- $4.41

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

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- PA Election Results: Democrats Now Control PA Senate, Retain PA House, Governor’s Office  [PaEN] 

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: November 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

DEP - Day 609: Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. Failed To Take Actions Or Respond To Violations At 2 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Westmoreland County

On October 28 & 29, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected two Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. conventional oil and gas wells in Westmoreland County.

On October 29, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Mary Kunkle 5 conventional well in Mount Pleasant Township which has violations dating back to February 27, 2025.

DEP said it found the site in the same condition it was during an August 26 inspection with multiple locations of spills and releases with a storage tank and other equipment on the site.

No cleanup has occurred on the site and there was no response to the violations continued on August 26.

Click Here for well site compliance history.

Multiple violations were continued and a written response was requested by November 17.

Click Here for the October 29 inspection report + photos.

On October 28, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Armstrong 2 conventional oil and gas well in Allegheny Township and found the access road and well site were unchanged from four previous inspections and when violations were issued on September 21, 2026.

DEP found continuing erosion and sedimentation violations on the access road which had rutting and areas where stormwater pooled on the road.

DEP also said erosion had exposed a small pipeline.

The owner also failed to respond to the violations issued in September.

Multiple violations were continued.  A response was requested by November 17.

Click Here for the October 28 inspection report + photos.

Report Violations

To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.

Text photos and the location of abandoned wells to 717-788-8990.

Check These Resources

Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

Sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE service which sends you information on oil and gas and other permits submitted to DEP for review in your community.

Use DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool to find if there are oil and gas wells near or on your property and to find wells using latitude and longitude on well inspection reports.

(Photos: Mary Kunkle 5 well site; Armstrong 2 access road, well site.)

[Note: If you believe your company was listed in error, contact DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]

[Note: These may not be all the NOVs issued to oil and gas companies during this time period.  Additional inspection reports may be added to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.]

Related Articles This Week:

-- DEP - Day 72: INR OPR LLC Still Collecting Contaminated Water, Building Structures To Recover Water At Cooper Shale Gas Pad From August Spill Of 336,000 Gallons Of Fracking Water In Indiana County  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Reports Low-Flow Stream Conditions Trigger Stop To 51 Shale Gas Water Withdrawals, 13 More Put On Watch Status  [PaEN]   

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Now Accepting Applications For Consumptive Use Mitigation Grants; Applicant Webinar Nov. 17  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council, Environmental Justice Advisory Board Meet Nov. 10 On Fossil Fuel Impacts On Communities, Mapping PA’s Energy Infrastructure  [PaEN]

-- PA Election Results: Democrats Now Control PA Senate, Retain PA House, Governor’s Office  [PaEN] 

NewsClip:

-- Rolling Stone - Justin Nobel: Ohio Denies Evidence Of  Fracking Waste In Drinking Water, Its Own Records Show Otherwise

-- Inquirer: A Hard Winter Is Coming For PA Homes That Heat With Oil  

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: How Will EQT’s Plan To Buy Range Resources Affect Natural Gas Market?  [Data Centers, Price Shaped By Global Events] 

-- Wall Street Journal: President Pushes To Restore Russian Natural Gas Sales To Europe Via Ukraine

-- Financial Times: Petrol Prices Set To Hit Record High Under President’s Administration

-- Capital & Main - Audrey Carleton: Can An Independent State Senate Candidate Turn Pennsylvania Senate Blue [Jodi Borello v. Sen. Bartolotta]

[Posted: November 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest