Tuesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 6.9.26

“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 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 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

Anything Can Happen: June State Budget Marathon Happening NOW!

June 5-15--  PA Society For Ornithology 2026 Breeding Bird Blitz 

TODAY 1:00: Penn State Extension Webinar On Creating Connections Through Citizen - Community Science. 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

June 11-- Virtual. Team PA Webinar On Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Roadmap. 11:30 a.m.  Click Here for more on Nuclear Roadmap 

June 16-- Virtual. ReImagine Appalachia, Ohio River Valley Institute, Partners Host Webinar On Applying For DEP’s RISE PA Industrial Decarbonization Funding. 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

June 23-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. 12:30 p.m. Contact: Ian Irvin iirvin@pa.gov or 717-579-0329.

June 25-- DEP Hearing On Air Permit For ETC Northeast Pipeline Cryo II Project At The Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas Processing Plant In Smith Twp., Washington County.  Burgettstown Area Middle/High School Campus, LGI Room, 100 Bavington Road in Burgettstown from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

June 25-- In-Person. ReImagine Appalachia, Ohio River Valley Institute, Partners Host Workshop On Applying For DEP’s RISE PA Industrial Decarbonization Funding. Pittsburgh. 9:00 a.m. to Noon

-- PennLive - John Beauge: Attorney General Sunday Files Criminal Charges Against Eureka Resources For Oil & Gas Wastewater Leaks From Its Now Closed Standing Stone Facility In Wysox Twp., Bradford County 

-- House Committee Moves Bills To Prohibit Road Dumping Contaminated Groundwater Released By Conventional Oil & Gas Well Drilling; Setting Minimum Standards For Power Plant Community Benefit Agreements; Encouraging Native Insect Habitats  [PaEN] 

-- State Budget Brief: DEP Oil & Gas Program Enforcement & Permitting Staff Has Been Frozen For Last 10 Years, Meanwhile Drilled Shale Gas Wells Increased By Nearly 50%  [PaEN]

-- House Passes Bill To Ban Toxic PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Baby, Personal Care Products With Bipartisan Support  [PaEN]

-- The Center Square: Banning PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Consumer Products Gets Overwhelming Support In PA House

-- Spotlight PA/Grist: Meat Plant Spreads Thousands Of Gallons Of Animal Blood On Fields In 2019, Fouling Water Supplies In Loganton, Clinton County

-- Erie Times: Erie Experiences City-Wide Penelec Power Outages June 5, 6

-- TribLive: West Nile Virus Confirmed In Allegheny County Mosquitoes 

-- DEP West Nile Virus Map: 9 Counties Have Confirmed West Nile Virus Mosquito Results [Allegheny Added]

-- Morning Call: Smoke From New Jersey Wildfire Drifts Into Lehigh Valley  

-- EPA AirNow Wildfire And Smoke Map Showing Present Conditions

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Diane Rosencrance Leaving After 10 Years Of Service To Take A New Position; Trey Talley To Serve As Acting Executive Director  [PaEN]

-- Tribune-Democrat: Well-Known Outdoor Writer, Photographer Tim Flanigan Dies From Heart Surgery Complications

-- LancasterOnline: 2 Eaglets Fledge From Lancaster County Bald Eagle Nest 

A.I. /Data Centers

-- Scranton Times: Public Hearings In Archbald Will Determine Fate Of Nearly 2 Dozen A.I. Data Centers, Natural Gas Power Plant

-- Observer-Reporter: South Strabane Twp. To Hold June 9 Hearing On Proposed A.I. Data Center Ordinance In Washington County 

-- River Reporter: A.I. Data Center Proposal In Clinton Twp., Wayne County Includes 21 Buildings

-- Tri-County Independent: Linde’s Proposed 520 Acre A.I. Data Center And Power Plant In Wayne County Would Have 21 Buildings 

-- Williamsport Sun: Group Seeks To Put A.I. Data Center In Muncy Twp., Lycoming County Despite Assurances In April No Plan Was Submitted By Twp. Supervisor   [PDF of Article]

-- Williamsport Sun: PPL Transmission Line Project To Feed A.I. Data Center Draws Residents’ Questions In Lycoming/Union Counties  [PDF of Article]

-- Williamsport Sun Letter: Protect Our State Game Lands From PPL Transmission Line Project - By Matthew DeWire, Allenwood, Union County

-- Erie Times: Erie County Proposes Rules For A.I. Data Centers, Where Would They Apply?

-- Morning Call: Reports From Local Agencies Reveal Concerns Over A.I. Data Center Proposal Near School In South Whitehall Twp., Lehigh County 

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Republican Candidate For Governor Garrity Breaks With Shapiro As She Calls For Pause In A.I. Data Center Development 

-- Morning Call: State Sen. Coleman Hosting June 10 Telephone Town Hall On A.I. Data Centers, Here’s How To Join

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations

-- Today’s Violations: DEP notified of another wastewater spill at the Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC Ugliuzza L shale gas well pad in Bradford County, Pike Township due to valve malfunction. A 166,729 gallon spill occurred at this same pad in March, contamination remains. Violations issued. DEP inspection report.

-- Today’s Violations: DEP: Inspection of 1 Fairman Corp conventional well in Clearfield County, Bell Twp. found patched bullet holes in a contaminated groundwater storage tank were leaking on the ground. Violations issued. DEP inspection report.

-- Today’s Violations: DEP follow-up inspection of First Amer Energy Inc. conventional well in the Allegheny National Forest in McKean County, Foster Twp. found cleanup of contaminated soil not completed, soil stored improperly for 61 days and counting.  Violations continued. DEP inspection report 

-- Today’s Violations: On June 5 DEP  assessed a civil penalty on Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. owner of 163 conventional wells based in Allegheny County for failure to submit annual production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports.  [Not online]  [Same address as Washington Energy Co LLC]

-- Today’s Violations: On June 5 DEP assessed a civil penalty on Washington Energy Co LLC owner of 118 conventional wells (including 6 abandoned wells) based in Allegheny County for failure to submit annual production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports.  [Not online]  [Same address as Oil & Gas MGMT Inc.]

Storms/Power Outages

-- TribLive: 6 Tornadoes Confirmed In Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington Counties 

-- Pennsylvania Power Outages

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

--  June 9: PA Average AAA Gasoline Prices Dropped 2 Cents From Yesterday, Now $4.31/Gallon - $1.20/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Venango County Average Price Still Highest at $4.70]

-- June 9: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $4.16 Ohio- $4.11  PA- $4.31

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

Federal Administration

-- PA Capital-Star: Bill Requiring Owners To Lock Up Guns Advances To PA House Over Republican Objections

-- The Center Square: Lt. Gov. Davis Says Shapiro Administration Will ‘Halt’ Federal ICE Plans For Warehouse Detention Centers

-- The Allegheny Front: How President’s $700 Million Coal Industry Funding Could Impact Pennsylvania [No Power Plants In PA]

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- LancasterOnline: 16 More Measles Cases Report In Lancaster County In Past Week; 36 Cases This Year

-- TribLive: US Commerce Secretary Touts Nippon Steel Investments In Mon Valley Works

-- TribLive: Report Projects Job, Tax Boon From Nippon Investments In Mon Valley Works

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: June 9, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

House Passes Bill To Ban Toxic PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Baby, Personal Care Products With Bipartisan Support

On June 8, the PA House passed House Bill 2145 (Scott-D-Montgomery, Mihalek-R-Allegheny) to ban PFAS chemicals in personal care in infant products by a bipartisan vote of 188 to 13.

PFAS are also known as“forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down, instead building up in the human body and the environment over time. 

These toxic compounds are so widespread that nearly every American has them in their blood. 

PFAS exposure–even in small amounts over time– can cause significant health problems, including kidney cancer, thyroid disruption, immune suppression, reproductive issues and developmental issues. 

"As research continues to advance, we’re learning that PFAS contamination extends far beyond water supplies,” said Rep. Greg Scott.  “These chemicals are present in the manufacturing of everyday products-- from cosmetics to menstrual and infant care items — meaning that nearly all of us encounter them regularly, including our children. 

“Access to safe, healthy products should never be a luxury. Manufacturers have a responsibility to prioritize the well‑being of consumers, and this legislation aims to ensure they take that responsibility seriously.” 

"For me, the worst part of this subject is that consumers really don’t have a choice. These dangerous chemicals are everywhere, and in many cases, “forever chemical”-free products are either not available or completely unaffordable,” said Rep. Natalie Mihalek.  

“When there is fact-based evidence that chemicals in products being used by Pennsylvania citizens are dangerous, it is up to elected officials to take action, and we have been warned about these poisons long enough.”

“When changing a diaper or flossing their teeth, Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to worry if they are putting the health of themselves, their children or their loved ones at risk,” said Stephanie Wein, PennEnvironment.  “If we’re going to protect our health and the health of our loved ones, we have to get PFAS out of the personal care and baby products that we use every day. 

“The type of products addressed by the bill are particularly impactful ones-- products like baby wipes and infant pajamas that are used by our young children, who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of PFAS, and products we apply to some of the most absorptive and sensitive parts of our bodies like menstrual products, cosmetics and dental floss.”

Steve Hvozdovich, Clean Water Action said-- “Knowing what we do about the dangerous health effects of PFAS and what the studies show about how prevalent PFAS is in our products, the question that remains before us is why we would continue to allow the manufacture and sale of products in Pennsylvania that come into direct contact with our bodies to contain this toxic chemical. 

“Today’s bipartisan vote on House Bill 2145 is an initial response that we won’t. Now it’s up to the State Senate to answer this call in a similar fashion.”

The bill now goes to the Senate for action

NewsClip:

The Center Square: Banning PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Consumer Products Gets Overwhelming Support In PA House

[Posted: June 8, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Diane Rosencrance Leaving After 10 Years Of Service To Take A New Position; Trey Talley To Serve As Acting Executive Director

On June 8, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy Board of Directors announced Executive Director Diane Rosencrance will conclude ten years of leadership with the Conservancy after accepting the position of Executive Director at Bolsa Chica Land Trust in Huntington Beach, California.

While the Board of Directors conducts a formal search for the organization’s next Executive Director, Trey Talley, Senior Land Protection Coordinator, will serve as Acting Executive Director of the Conservancy. 

Rosencrance will remain available to support the organization during the transition.

Diane Rosencrance

During her tenure, Rosencrance helped guide significant growth for the Conservancy, expanding land protection and environmental education efforts throughout the Upper Delaware River region. 

Under her leadership, the Conservancy protected nearly 5,000 additional acres of land in Pennsylvania and New York, grew from five to nine full-time staff members, and secured substantial grants to support conservation initiatives. 

The Conservancy was also gifted the 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, which has been transformed into a major conservation resource open daily to the public.

“We are immensely grateful for all Diane has accomplished during her ten years with us,” stated Board President Jacqueline Sailer. “Without Diane’s bold vision and dedication, the Conservancy would not have undertaken the creation of the Van Scott Nature Reserve.

“Now the Reserve is our nature center, with beautiful meadows and forests that serve as an outdoor classroom and a place for quiet walks and contemplation, as well as gatherings under the new and beautiful Pavilion, with its gorgeous hilltop views. 

“The Van Scott Nature Reserve has enabled us to develop a robust education program covering all aspects of nature and conservation for schools and the community at large. We will miss Diane and the energy she has brought to the Conservancy’s mission.”

"It has been a privilege to work alongside the communities of the Upper Delaware River region over the last ten years," Rosencrance stated. "I am proud of the conservation successes we've achieved together, and value the relationships I’ve had with our members, partners, landowners, and supporters. 

“I look forward to the continued success of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and the future impact of its amazing and dedicated staff and Board of Directors.”

Trey Talley

Talley joined the Conservancy in 2018 and brings extensive experience in land protection, environmental finance, advocacy, strategic planning, and community development. 

A University of Chicago graduate, he holds a master’s degree in City & Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

He is a resident of Wayne County, PA, where his family moved when he joined the Conservancy staff.

“I am excited to lead the Conservancy’s staff and work with the Board of Directors as we continue to conserve land, provide educational programming, and serve our community during this time of transition,” Talley stated. 

“Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Diane on organizational planning, land protection projects, and the expansion of regional partnerships with other conservation organizations. 

“We are deeply grateful to Diane for her many contributions to the Conservancy and look forward to continuing to build upon the foundation she helped establish,”.

The leadership transition comes during a period of continued momentum for the Conservancy in its regional land conservation and environmental education initiatives. 

Support includes a landmark $1 million grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and significant grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Protection, and the New York State Conservation Partnership Program.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s mission is to conserve the forests, farmland, clean waters, and wildlife habitat of the Upper Delaware River region for present and future generations and to foster environmental stewardship through community engagement. 

Since its founding in 1994, the Conservancy has helped landowners protect 19,380 acres in Pennsylvania and New York.

[Posted: June 8, 2026]  PA Environment Digest