Friday, September 28, 2012

Oct. 1 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The October 1 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Click Here to print entire Digest.

Sen. Scarnati Working On Marcellus Shale Health Advisory Panel Bill

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) circulated a memo to members of the Senate this week announcing his intent to develop legislation to create a Marcellus Shale Health Advisory Panel.
The panel, he said, would “be tasked with thoroughly investigating and studying advancements in science, technology and public health data in order to provide Pennsylvania elected officials, regulators and the general public with information, analysis and recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of unconventional natural gas reserves in the Commonwealth.”
Sen. Scarnati noted, “There has been much discussion regarding the potential effects of Marcellus Shale drilling on public health and safety.  The creation of an advisory panel composed of experts from a wide range of fields including doctors, scientists, academics and industry leaders will provide Pennsylvania with a critical asset in addressing any current or future impacts arising from the development of Marcellus Shale.”
The creation of a permanent health advisory panel was a suggestion of the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission he explained.
In fact, the language used by Sen. Scarnati to describe his proposal advisory panel was very close to the recommendation in the Commission report--
“In recognition of the tremendous breadth and scope of issues affected by Marcellus Shale natural gas, as well as the significant pace of technology and best management practice advancements occurring within the industry, the Commission strongly encourages Governor Corbett to consider creating a permanent advisory panel or committee to monitor the impacts of this industry, thoroughly investigate advancements in science, public health data and technology, and provide the Commonwealth’s elected officials, policymakers, regulators and members of the public with real-time information, analysis and recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of unconventional natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania.”
The Commission also recommended the Commonwealth establish a health registry to track the any impacts drilling was having around well sites-- “The Department of Health should create, or oversee the creation of, a population-based health registry with the purpose of characterizing and following over time individuals who live in close proximity (i.e. one mile radius) to gas drilling and production sites.”
Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, proposed supporting the creation of a health registry as part of his drilling fee proposal in Senate Bill 1519.
He said he would propose a panel consisting of nine members including the Secretary of Health and individuals appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House and House and Senate Minority Leaders.
Sen. Scarnati led the effort to establish a responsible drilling fee and additional environmental protection standards during both the Rendell and Corbett Administrations.
A copy of Sen. Scarnati’s memo is available online.

Applications Now Being Accepted For DEP Environmental Education Grants

Applications for the 2013 Environmental Education Grants Program are now available from the Department of Environmental Protection.  The deadline for applications is December 13. (formal notice)
The grants provide funding to public and incorporated private schools, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, incorporated nonprofit organizations, along with incorporated conservation and education organizations and institutions, businesses, municipalities and municipal authorities to create or develop projects that support environmental education.
Grants will provide environmental education on timely and critically important topics, including the following:

-- Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Education—Organizations are encouraged to develop environmental education programs that promote the reduction of nonpoint source pollution, such as nutrient and sediment loads, along with other water-related education programs.

-- Air Quality—Organizations are encouraged to develop air quality education and outreach programs.

-- Energy Education—Organizations are encouraged to develop educational programs on energy efficiency and conservation, as well as natural gas, coal, wind, solar and other energy sources and technologies.

-- Brownfields—Organizations are encouraged to develop education and outreach programs for students, youth, educators, community members, community groups, developers, property owners and others that are interested in brownfield redevelopment and sustainable communities, along with developing green spaces.

-- Environmental Literacy Planning and Programming—Organizations are encouraged to engage educators and stakeholders in content standards and field-based environmental education. Areas of specific focus should include: graduation requirements, professional development on environmental education content knowledge and field-based pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, partnering to build capacity, identifying existing resources and sustainability of programs.

Additionally, projects may focus on high performing green schools and buildings; providing high quality programming for children, youth or adults, or both (programs to include STEM, outdoor education, service learning, ensuring access for participants with disabilities); professional development for formal and nonformal educators; environmental service learning programs for youth and adults; and environmental careers/green jobs.

-- Formal and Non-formal EE Certification—Organizations are encouraged to develop and implement institutionalized and community-based certification programs designed for teachers, naturalists and educators working in schools and environmental education facilities at parks, county conservation districts, nature/EE centers, conservancies and more. It gives educators in these arenas access to a formal credential that standardizes and upgrades professional development, allowing educators to address academic standards in a meaningful and relevant way.

-- STEM Education—Organizations are encouraged to develop environmental education programs integrating STEM program instruction (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) into programs.

-- Curriculum Integration Projects—Organizations are encouraged to articulate the Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology into the formal K-12 curriculum, including Energy Education, for the entire school district, private school or charter school, using the model developed by the Department of Education's Office of Environment and Ecology.

-- Curriculum Revision Projects—Organizations are encouraged to revise current (or write new) lesson plans or units to meet the changes identified in the alignment to the Environment and Ecology Standards, Energy Education and provide a means for classroom assessment.

-- Outdoor Learning Resource Projects—Organizations are encouraged to develop resources such as trails, agricultural demonstration areas, energy demonstration areas, ponds, wetland areas, sheltered learning stations, and the like, as well as similar nearby community resources as a framework within which students can learn about natural systems and the interrelationship among natural and man-made communities.

The Program was established by the Environmental Education Act which mandates setting aside 5 percent of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department for environmental education in this Commonwealth.
Environmental Education Grant awards are limited to $7,500.
Applications for the 2013 program will be available on DEP’s Environmental Education webpage or by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Education Grants Program, P. O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063 or call 717-772-1828.

Friday NewsClips

DEP Secretary: Critics Of DEP Are Outsiders Without Facts
Editorial: Independently Assess Drilling Impact On Health
Editorial: Drillng Concerns Deserve Respect
Who’s Filling Challenges Against Local Drilling Ordinances?
PUC To Review Local Marcellus Drilling Laws
Lycoming Truck Spills 3,600  Gallons Of Fracking Fluid
Op-Ed: Marcellus Find Transforms Pennsylvania
USGS Tests Confirm Contamination From Fracking In Wyoming
School Drilling Lease Bill Heads To Corbett
Gas Industry, Anti-Drillers In Flap Over Logos
Recap Of Marcellus Shale Conference In Philadelphia
UGI Moves On West Wyoming Compressor Station
Western PA Gas Bills Expected To Keep Falling
Wilkes-Barre Approves $6 Million Energy Savings Project
Allegheny College’s Big-School Sustainability Impact
Cleanup From Storms, Flooding Continues In SW
Plants Reclaim Speedwell Forge Lake At Least For Now
Girl Scouts To Plant 100 Trees In Pittsburgh
U.S. Gives $1.2 Million For Flight 93 Memorial Access Road
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sen. Scarnati Working On Marcellus Shale Health Advisory Panel Bill

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) circulated a memo to members of the Senate this week announcing his intent to develop legislation to create a Marcellus Shale Health Advisory Panel.
The panel, he said, would “be tasked with thoroughly investigating and studying advancements in science, technology and public health data in order to provide Pennsylvania elected officials, regulators and the general public with information, analysis and recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of unconventional natural gas reserves in the Commonwealth.”
Sen. Scarnati noted, “There has been much discussion regarding the potential effects of Marcellus Shale drilling on public health and safety.  The creation of an advisory panel composed of experts from a wide range of fields including doctors, scientists, academics and industry leaders will provide Pennsylvania with a critical asset in addressing any current or future impacts arising from the development of Marcellus Shale.”
The creation of a permanent health advisory panel was a suggestion of the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission he explained.
In fact, the language used by Sen. Scarnati to describe his proposal advisory panel was very close to the recommendation in the Commission report--

“In recognition of the tremendous breadth and scope of issues affected by Marcellus Shale natural gas, as well as the significant pace of technology and best management practice advancements occurring within the industry, the Commission strongly encourages Governor Corbett to consider creating a permanent advisory panel or committee to monitor the impacts of this industry, thoroughly investigate advancements in science, public health data and technology, and provide the Commonwealth’s elected officials, policymakers, regulators and members of the public with real-time information, analysis and recommendations regarding the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible extraction and use of unconventional natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania.”
The Commission also recommended the Commonwealth establish a health registry to track the any impacts drilling was having around well sites-- “The Department of Health should create, or oversee the creation of, a population-based health registry with the purpose of characterizing and following over time individuals who live in close proximity (i.e. one mile radius) to gas drilling and production sites.”
Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, proposed supporting the creation of a health registry as part of his drilling fee proposal in Senate Bill 1519.
He said he would propose a panel consisting of nine members including the Secretary of Health and individuals appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House and House and Senate Minority Leaders.
Sen. Scarnati led the effort to establish a responsible drilling fee and additional environmental protection standards during both the Rendell and Corbett Administrations.
A copy of Sen. Scarnati’s memo is available online.

Wednesday NewsClips

Sen. Scarnati Proposing Shale Health Advisory Panel
Bill Will Allow Mining, Drilling On Other State Land
SW PA To Play Role In Export Of Gas To Europe
Chemical Day Heralds Industry Return In Western PA
Judge Rejects NY Drilling Lawsuit Against Feds
Environmental Group Says States Fail To Oversee Fracking
Gamesa, Other Wind Jobs To Be Lost This Year
Pequea Creek Watershed Will Host Mini Golf Tourney
Rep. Mundy Convenes Meeting On Floodplain Management
DEP Wants Fuel Oil Cleanup, Landowner Opposed
Bill Would Place Parks At Whim Of Pols
Voters Remain Sour On Corbett
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

Friday, September 21, 2012

Sept. 24 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The September 24 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Click Here to print entire Digest.

Presentation To DEP Citizens Advisory Council Highlights Asian Carp Threat

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday heard presentations on several environmental issues facing Pennsylvania, including the threat posed by the invasive species Asian Carp, the lack of drinking water well standards, a study highlighting the impact of longwall mining on streams and an update on investigating lower Susquehanna River water quality problems.
Dr. Tim Schaeffer, Director of Policy and Planning at the Fish and Boat Commission, told the Council it was not a question of if, but probably when, Asian Carp are found in Pennsylvania waters if strong steps are not taken to prevent their entry into the Commonwealth.  Click Here for a copy of his presentation.
He said Asian carp have had a devastating impact in the Mississippi River system and now pose this threat to the Great Lakes basin. As AIS species, these fish do not naturally occur in Pennsylvania waters and would only occur if transported and released.
These carp species are a threat due to there large size (some can grow to more than 100 pounds and five feet in length), reproductive success, habitat damage and large, year-round food consumption. In additon, silver carp, when startled, can jump up to 10 feet out of the water striking boaters, causing severe injury.
Schaeffer said in rivers where Asian Carp have taken hold up to 80 percent of the biomass of the aquatic environment is made up of these invasive species which would destroy much of the progress the state and watershed groups have made in restoring Pennsylvania streams.
In addition to the presentations, the Council took action to support DEP’s proposed draft final regulation setting sulfur limits for heating oil.
Walliser Re-elected As Chair
The Council also re-elected John Walliser, PA Environmental Council, as Chair and Burt Waite, Moody & Associates, Inc., as Vice Chair.
Annual Report
The 2011 Annual Report on Council activities was also made available recapping its accomplishments last year.
The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for October 16 at 11:00 in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg.
For more information, visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage.

Friday NewsClips

EPA Praises Rachel Carson’s Vision
Corbett: PA Is Getting It Right On Marcellus Shale
Corbett: Anti-Drilling Activists Are Unreasoning Opposition
Corbett Praises Gas Drillers, Slams Critics
Corbett Praises Marcellus Industry At Conference
PA Reaping Bounty In Marcellus Shale
Corbett Urges Gas Drillers To Think Far Ahead
Marcellus Gas: Fortune, Failures, Dimock
Anti-Drilling Organizers See Civil Disobedience In Future
Group Presents Study On Effects Of Drilling
DCED: PA At Center Of Energy Revolution
Other Companies Considering Cracker In PA
Allegheny County Requests Airport Gas Drilling Bids
Pittsburgh Airport Seeking Drilling Bids
PPL To Hire Thousands, Spend Billions To Reduce Emissions
No Radiation Release As TMI Shutdown
DEP: Scranton Hole Mine Subsidence
West Pittstown $2.56 Loan For Flood Repairs
Pittston Riverfest Will Explore Local History
Eat, Play, Ride On Armstrong Trail
Harrisburg Tears Down Community Garden Prompting Outrage
Light Show Raises Concerns For Conservationists
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

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