Monday, February 28, 2022

Register Now For Brodhead Watershed Assn. Volunteer StreamWatcher Training March 24 & 26 In Monroe County

The
Brodhead Watershed Association is seeking new "water warriors" for its popular StreamWatch Program in Monroe County.

StreamWatchers are vital volunteers who spend one to two hours per month collecting water quality data from streams near their homes. Their findings help generate graphic, long-term snapshots of stream health.

Volunteer training sessions for Brodhead Watershed residents will be held on Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at Northampton Community College Monroe Campus and on Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center

This year’s events will feature a new, simplified program approximately one hour in length. Light refreshments will be served.

For more than 30 years, StreamWatch volunteers have been the “eyes and ears” of Monroe County’s local streams on a monthly basis. Now, with more than 70 volunteers in seven sub-watershed regions of the Brodhead Watershed, almost 100 sites are monitored. 

New volunteers are always welcome to join the efforts to ensure clean and abundant water.

Click Here to register and select the Streamwatch training date of your choice; or email RSVP to info@brodheadwatershed.org.  Remote learning options will be available. 

Questions should be directed to the Brodhead Watershed Association at 570-839-1120.

Visit the Brodhead Watershed Association’s StreamWatch Program webpage to learn more about the program.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website or Follow them on FacebookClick Here to sign up for regular updates from the Association.  Click Here to become a member.

[Posted: February 28, 2022]  PA Environment Digest

Senators Yaw, Yudichak Request Independent Fiscal Office To Audit Modeling Done By DEP To Justify Final RGGI Regulations Reducing Carbon Pollution From Power Plants

On February 28, Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and John Yudichak (I-Luzerne)
sent a letter to the Independent Fiscal Office last week requesting an audit of modeling used to justify Pennsylvania’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

“The IFO’s impartial analysis has been regarded as among the most trustworthy perspectives in state government for more than a decade,” Sen. Yaw said. “The office’s projections will offer clarity on RGGI’s true economic impacts, given the Wolf administration’s repeated unwillingness to do so.”

The Senators requested an IFO review after the Department of Environmental Protection refused an invitation to testify before the before the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, of which Sen. Yaw is chairman, about skyrocketing RGGI costs not contemplated by prior modeling.

Sen. Yudichak, as chairman of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, is planning to host a joint hearing with Yaw’s ERE Committee next month to discuss the IFO’s findings.

“Pennsylvania taxpayers, consumers and businesses deserve honest, accurate information about the proposed RGGI program and how it will impact their everyday lives,” said Sen. Yudichak. “The plan is expected to substantially increase utility bills for every small business and homeowner in Pennsylvania.”

When Gov. Tom Wolf signed the 2019 executive order that required DEP to develop regulations to reduce carbon pollution from power plants consistent with RGGI, auction clearing prices ­– the amount energy producers pay to buy “credits” to offset their emissions – were $3.24 per short ton.  

At that time, taxpayer-funded analysts insisted prices would stay under $4 through 2030.

The most recent auction clearing price set on Dec. 1, however, exceeded $13 per short ton, more than four times what the department estimated and 40 percent above the Sept. 8 clearing price alone [Read more here]. 

Inflationary pressures show no sign of slowing down anytime soon, either, meaning prices will continue to climb.

“This de facto carbon tax will translate into electricity bills spiking by double digits, ballooning fuel costs and price increases on just about everything we use daily,” Sen. Yaw said. “Thousands of jobs will disappear. And zero carbon emissions will be removed from the atmosphere. Taxpayers deserve to know the true cost of Wolf administration’s out-of-touch policies.”

Click Here for the Senators’ letter to the IFO.

Visit the Independent Fiscal Office website to learn more about that agency.

Related Articles:

-- AP: DEP Files Lawsuit Against Reference Bureau To Publish Final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations; PA Could Lose Air Pollution Reductions, $283 Million

-- Senate Republicans File To Intervene To Oppose The DEP Lawsuit To Publish Final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations

-- Gov. Wolf Vetoes Resolution That Would Kill Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants; General Assembly Failed To Act Within Statutory Deadlines

-- Critical Budget Issue: How Will The General Assembly Help Communities, Workers Transition To Clean Energy?

[February 28, 2022]  PA Environment Digest

PUC Partners On Virtual Consumer Education Workshops In SE PA On Energy Shopping, Conservation, Customer Assistance On March 2, 9, 16

The
Public Utility Commission is partnering with legislators in Southeastern Pennsylvania on a series of virtual consumer education workshops focused on energy issues, including customer assistance programs (CAPs) through local utilities, energy efficiency and conservation, and consumer choice with electric generation and natural gas supply.

-- March 2 @ 6:00 p.m. - How to Stay Connected to Your Utilities & Ways to Save Energy Workshop

The PUC joins state Sen. Katie Muth (parts of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties) on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. for a virtual workshop on “How to Stay Connected to Your Utilities & Ways to Save Energy.”  

Consumers interested in participating in the workshop can watch live at either SenatorMuth.com/Live or on Facebook.com/SenatorMuth.

-- March 9 and March 16 @ 6:00 p.m.  - Helpful Tips to Shop for Your Electric or Natural Gas Suppliers in Pennsylvania Workshop

The PUC is also partnering with legislators on two educational workshops highlighting “Helpful Tips to Shop for Your Electric or Natural Gas Suppliers in Pennsylvania.”   

On Wednesday, March 9 at 6 p.m. the Commission and state Rep. Chris Quinn (Delaware County) sponsor a virtual workshop – with consumers able to access the workshop at http://repchrisquinn.com/

Additionally, the PUC joins Sen. Muth again on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. for the workshop on choosing a competitive electric generation or natural gas supplier – with consumers able to access the workshop at either SenatorMuth.com/Live or on Facebook.com/SenatorMuth.

#CallUtilitiesNow

Through its ongoing #CallUtilitiesNow campaign, the Commission continues encouraging consumers and small businesses experiencing financial difficulty to #KeepUtlitiesOn by contacting their utilities – whether the financial difficulties are related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing state and national recovery, or other challenging circumstances.  

The PUC emphasizes that direct conversations between customers and utilities are the best “first step” to get needed information and discuss options to remain connected to vital utility services.

NewsClips:

Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Natural Gas Utility Bills Soaring In Philly Region And So Is Customer Outrage- PECO Gas Up 38%, PGW Up 17%  [PA Needs True Energy Independence, Not Energy Sources Whose Price Is Controlled By Foreign Markets And Despots]

-- Reuters: Oil/Natural Gas Prices Soar As Russian Energy Supply Fears Intensify 

-- The Economist: If Russian Natural Gas Was Cut Off To Europe, Could LNG Plug The Gap? [Spoiler - Not From The U.S. Which Is Already Exporting At Near Full Capacity]

Related Article:

-- True Energy Independence Means More Renewables, Not Letting Foreign Markets Or Despots Dictate What We Pay For Energy

[Posted: February 28, 2022]  PA Environment News

DEP Budget Testimony: Significant Investments In Environmental Cleanup, Improving Permit Review Times, Holding Polluters Responsible, Relief To Those Harmed By Pollution

This is the text of
DEP’s budget testimony presented to the House Appropriations Committee by Secretary Patrick McDonnell--

Good morning Chairman Saylor, Chairman Bradford, Chairman Metcalfe, Chairman Vitali, and members. Thank you for the opportunity to present Governor Wolf's proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

As always, I want to begin by acknowledging the public servants who work every day to achieve the Department’s mission. 

Every one of us commits daily to “protect Pennsylvania’s air, land and water from pollution, and to provide for the health and safety of our citizens.” 

I begin my testimony with this every year, and I want to take one last opportunity to emphasize that the success that DEP has had under my tenure would not be possible without their contributions.

This year, DEP’s budget request includes $211,387,000 from the General Fund and a total spending authorization of $1.557 billion. The proposal includes $652.844 million of special fund authorizations as well as $554.077 million in Federal spending authority.

Investing in Pennsylvania’s Future 

The Governor’s budget presents an investment in the future of DEP and in Pennsylvania’s environment. 

DEP staffing has been a challenge for years, and the requested $5 million increase for new positions will help us continue to provide consistent high-quality service for inspections and permit reviews.

Our prior investments into electronic permit submission and additional tools for inspectors continue to pay dividends. 

In the 2021-22 fiscal year, DEP has conducted more than 57,000 inspections, taken final action on more than 25,000 permit applications and authorizations, and responded to 139 environmental emergencies so far. 

To take a broader look, in the 2021 calendar year DEP conducted more than 93,000 inspections, took final action on nearly 40,000 permit applications and authorizations, and responded to 252 environmental emergencies. 

I would also like to note that, despite staff shortages, existing permitting staff committed over 19,000 hours of overtime in the 2021 calendar year to eliminate permit application backlogs across the different program areas.

To help address these staff shortages and ensure a reliable and sustainable workforce, Governor Wolf has proposed a $5 million increase to our operating budget to hire more staff in the Dam Safety and Clean Water programs. 

This investment is necessary to ensure the safety of Pennsylvania’s dams and other water control structures and to complete work like permit review and inspections.

Other investments that will pay dividends for Pennsylvanians far into the future are being made by the federal government as well, with record investments into watershed restoration, orphan oil and gas well plugging, and abandoned mine land restoration. 

Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed in November 2021 by President Biden, will provide hundreds of millions of dollars for Pennsylvania through a variety of programs.

Through the IIJA, Pennsylvania will be able to radically increase the pace of plugging orphan and abandoned oil and gas wells. 

There are nearly 27,000 such wells currently on the books, with tens of thousands more that could qualify. 

An initial $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior will allow DEP to address high-priority wells and work to identify more that will need to be plugged. 

This investment cannot be understated – Pennsylvania qualifies for $25 million in funding in the first year and could possibly qualify for more than $300 million in additional funding over a multi-year period under a formula grant, $40 million in performance grants, and $30 million in matching grants. 

For context, DEP spent $37 million plugging approximately 3,000 wells from 1989 through 2021. DEP is collaborating with the oil and gas industry to assess interest, availability, and technical ability to aid in plugging Pennsylvania’s orphan and abandoned oil and gas wells

The IIJA also invests in reclaiming and restoring abandoned mine lands. 

These lands are an unfortunate legacy of Pennsylvania’s contributions to the Industrial Revolution and the building of the American economy, but today they present environmental hazards and eyesores to local communities. 

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently visited northeastern Pennsylvania to see some of these sites firsthand and reaffirm the Biden administration’s commitment to helping clean up these areas. 

The IIJA will invest an additional $244.9 million over the next 15 years to address abandoned mine land cleanup beyond other sources of funding.

Additional resources are available from the IIJA for addressing invasive species and harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, and for drinking water system upgrades like lead service line replacement and improvements to treatment systems to help protect against emerging contaminants. 

DEP awaits final guidance from the federal government on some of these programs but is prepared to put these dollars to good use in Pennsylvania communities once received.

I also want to highlight some early returns on an investment the General Assembly made last year into the Black Fly Program. 

This program is responsible for the control operations that reduce the number of black flies – or gnats – that breed in Pennsylvania rivers and streams. 

They are, as many of you are aware, a nuisance in every sense of the word, driving families indoors and turning away tourists. 

Last year, thanks to a doubling of the program budget, DEP’s Black Fly Program was able to nearly double the number of days with control operations and will be able to treat rivers and streams from April through September this year without interruption. 

And I can tell you that we knew it was working when the number of complaints about black flies dropped from more than 7,000 in 2020 to fewer than 300 in 2021. 

It is rare to be able to see the fruits of that kind of investment so quickly, and I wanted to thank you and share this positive development with you all.

Promoting Diversity and Environmental Justice

Investing in the future is more than just financial investment; it is also putting in the time and energy to create a culture that attracts and retains talent and reflects the communities it serves.

DEP continues to build on our work to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the Department. 

We have engaged staff at all levels of the Department to improve the diversity of the talents and backgrounds within DEP. We are also looking outside of the agency to connect with community groups and stakeholders about how DEP can better meet their needs.

DEP is committed to ensuring Pennsylvania’s environmental justice communities are included in decisions affecting their local environment. 

In October 2021, Governor Wolf signed an executive order permanently establishing the Office of Environmental Justice at DEP, as well as formally establishing the Environmental Justice Advisory Board and an Environmental Justice Interagency Council.

These actions will further cement environmental justice into all of DEP’s work – and help ensure that low-income communities and communities of color are not unduly burdened with pollution.

DEP will soon be accepting feedback on a revised Environmental Justice Public Participation Policy that will better assist residents and communities in participating in the decision-making process for certain permits and authorizations.

Fighting Climate Change for Pennsylvania

The reality of climate change is here for Pennsylvania. Warmer winters, hotter summers, stronger storms, and other impacts of global climate change are already being felt in Pennsylvania.

To be clear – these impacts are not part of a far-off future. They are here, now. 

Climate change will continue to affect businesses, communities, and residents; but there are still opportunities to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution behind climate change and avoid some of the worst impacts.

Throughout the Wolf administration, DEP has worked to reduce greenhouse gas pollution through a variety of means. 

We cut down on methane pollution from new gas wells and compressor stations through new permitting requirements. We are finalizing regulations that will address existing unconventional wells and prevent methane leakage.

Through our Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants and Driving PA Forward program we funded the installation of hundreds of electric vehicle chargers, building the needed infrastructure for the electric cars, trucks, and SUVs that dominated the realm of vehicles advertised during this year’s Super Bowl.

The administration is making progress through the GreenGov Council to reduce the carbon footprint of the Commonwealth government, while saving taxpayers money.

We have finalized the regulation to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from electric power plants by allowing Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). 

This is a vital part of reducing emissions from one of the biggest sources – electric generation.

Participating in RGGI will reduce the carbon pollution coming from Pennsylvania. It will also reduce other air pollutants like NOx and SOx, which will prevent hundreds of premature deaths tied to respiratory illnesses. 

It will also create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced, lead to nearly $2 billion in additional economic growth, provide billions of dollars in cumulative health benefits, and lower electricity bills.

These measures are important steps to fighting climate change and adapting Pennsylvania communities and industries to the climate realities now. 

Pennsylvania will not solve the climate crisis alone, but the world will not solve the climate crisis without Pennsylvania, and we must continue to invest in a future that reduces carbon pollution. 

Protecting Pennsylvanians from emerging contaminants

At the beginning of this administration in 2015, very few people knew what PFOS or PFOA were, much less the entire family of chemicals they belong to, called Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS. 

Today we are in the early days of a public comment period taking feedback on a draft Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water that will be the first of its kind developed solely by Pennsylvania. 

The road to get to this point was long, and, unlike other MCLs, we did not have a federal limit to fall back on.

This effort began in 2018 with the formation of the PFAS Action Team as directed by Governor Wolf’s September 2018 executive order, spurred in part by a growing awareness of the threat of these chemicals and inaction at the federal level, where almost all drinking water standards are set. 

What followed was an extensive process to determine how to best protect Pennsylvanian’s drinking water.

More than 400 samples were taken from drinking water and background sites from around the state to identify the prevalence of PFAS chemicals already present in groundwater resources.

Toxicological research was conducted by Drexel University on the health impacts of the chemicals and factored into the limits we are proposing. DEP’s Policy Office and Safe Drinking Water Program then drafted a new Pennsylvania-specific limit for PFOS and PFOA.

In addition to drinking water standards, DEP has set soil cleanup standards for PFAS chemicals and established limits for specific wastewater discharges. We are continuing to explore concerns like disposal of PFAS chemicals in landfills.

Setting a drinking water MCL and taking other actions to protect Pennsylvanians from PFAS chemicals is an investment that will pay dividends for generations to come.

Meeting the promise for local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay

For the first time since the development of the Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan began, Pennsylvania can show that there is a path to achieving the pollution reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

This is due to the tremendous work of DEP, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, as well as county government and conservation districts and other on-the-ground partners. 

The most recent draft Integrated Water Quality Report shows that waterways in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are improving. 

These improvements are cleaning up streams and rivers in Pennsylvania with noticeable reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the watershed. 

There is still a way to go, but investments into the watershed are showing results for farmers, communities, and downstream neighbors.

Federal American Rescue Plan Funds

The Governor’s recent announcement of a plan to help Pennsylvania fully recover from the pandemic through the American Rescue Plan Act funds included a proposed investment of $450 million in conservation, outdoor recreation, and preservation through a Growing Greener III.

Growing Greener funding will accelerate the program’s historic work to support farmers in their efforts to protect soil and water resources; reduce the maintenance backlog in state parks; clean  up abandoned mines and restore watersheds; provide funds for recreational trails and local parks; help communities address land use; and provide new and upgraded water and sewer systems.

Conclusion

As always, I have barely scratched the surface of what DEP has accomplished and will accomplish in the future.

Throughout this administration we have improved permitting times, digitized a previously paper intensive department, held polluters responsible and brought relief to those harmed by that pollution. 

There have been many challenges throughout, but the staff at DEP have time and time again risen to face and, more importantly, overcome those challenges.

DEP is in a much stronger position to fulfill its mission of protecting Pennsylvania's air, land, and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its residents through a cleaner environment than it was in 2015. 

The investments that have been made throughout this administration have already shown dividends and will continue to have positive returns well into the future. 

Click Here for a copy of DEP’s budget testimony.

Resource Links:

-- Budget Briefing: Senate, House Budget Hearings Should Talk About Once-In-A-Generation Investments In Cleaning Up The Environment; Oil & Gas Program At A Crossroads 

-- DCNR Posts Budget Hearing Materials

-- DEP Posts Budget Hearing Materials

Related Articles - Budget Briefing:

-- Two Bipartisan Bills Just Sitting In Senate Waiting To Address Record Number Of Water Quality Impaired Streams Reported In 2022

-- Gov. Wolf Proposes $450 Million Growing Greener III Initiative Funded By Federal American Rescue Plan; Bipartisan Support Building For Conservation Allocation

-- In 2021 Initiatives By The Biden Administration, Congress Make Historic Investments In Cleaning Up PA’s Environment; How To Invest $11 Billion Remains Up In The Air

-- Gov. Wolf Announced PA Received The Initial $244.9 Million From The Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Clean Up Abandoned Mine Lands

-- DEP Receives First $25 Million From Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law For Plugging Oil & Gas Wells Abandon By Conventional Drillers

-- DEP Outlines 2022 Priorities: Make Up Deficit In Oil & Gas Funding; Get Resources Needed To Invest New Federal Mine Reclamation, Oil & Gas Well Plugging Funds

-- DCNR Blog: Gov. Wolf’s Proposed Budget Supports Conservation And Recreation

-- DCNR Secretary Outlines 2022 Priorities To Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council, Including Need For $1.4 Billion In Infrastructure Improvements

-- General Assembly Diverted $3.602 Billion From Environmental Infrastructure Projects And Programs Into State Budget Black Hole

-- True Energy Independence Means More Renewables, Not Letting Foreign Markets Or Despots Dictate What We Pay For Energy

-- New Abandoned Wells: DEP Records Show Abandoning Oil & Gas Wells Without Plugging Them Is Pervasive In Conventional Drilling Industry; Who Is Protecting Taxpayers? 

-- Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers Pay Only $46,100 Of The $10,600,000 It Costs DEP To Regulate That Industry; Taxpayers May Be Asked To Pay The Difference 

-- Conventional Oil & Gas Well Drillers Press DEP To Reduce Environmental Safeguards For Drilling And Treat Them The Same As Wind, Solar Energy Facilities 

-- DEP Draft Rule Does Not Ban Road Spreading Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater; Industry Objects To Waste Reporting Provisions 

-- Millions Of Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Spread Illegally On Dirt Roads, Companies Fail To Comply With DEP Waste Regulations 

-- The Science Says: Spreading Conventional Drilling Wastewater On Dirt & Gravel Roads Can Harm Aquatic Life, Poses Health Risks To Humans - And It Damages The Roads  

-- Preliminary Results From New Penn State Study Find Increased Cancer, Health Risks From Road Dumping Conventional Drilling Wastewater, Especially For Children 

[Posted: February 28, 2022]  PA Environment Digest

Monday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips 2.28.22

Is Your Story Being Told?

House returns to session [Budget Hearings]  March 21, 22, 23

     -- Committee Schedule

Senate returns to session [Budget Hearings] March 28, 29, 30

     -- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events


TODAY 10:00:  House Appropriations Committee budget hearing: Department of Environmental Protection.  House Floor.  Click Here to watch live.


-- Budget Briefing: Senate, House Budget Hearings Should Talk About Once-In-A-Generation Investments In Cleaning Up The Environment; Oil & Gas Program At A Crossroads   [PaEN]


WEDNESDAY: Senate Appropriations Committee state budget hearings: 10:00 - Department of Conservation & Natural Resources; 2:30 - Department of Environmental Protection. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building.  Click Here to watch live.


WEDNESDAY 10:00: House Appropriations Committee budget hearing: Department of Agriculture.  House Floor.  Click Here to watch live.


THURSDAY 10:00: Senate Appropriations Committee state budget hearings: 10:00 - Department of Agriculture. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building.  Click Here to watch live.


-- February 28 PA Environment Digest Now Available  [PaEN]


-- This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues  [PaEN]


-- PG - Anya Litvak: EQT Natural Gas Producer Putting Its Money Into ‘Energy Transition’ -- Fuel Cells That Chemically Produce Energy To Power Homes, Businesses 


-- Pocono Record: Proposed Rules Would Allow For Delaware River Water To Be Exported For Fracking


-- Penn State Researchers To Study Links Between Fracking, Water Contamination In Southwestern PA; Follows Similar Study In NE PA That Found Water Contamination  [PaEN]


-- Register Now For 2022 Shale Network Workshop In State College May 12-13  [PaEN]


-- Republican Herald: Help Available For Pennsylvanians Struggling To Pay Water, Sewer Bills


-- PennLive Editorial: State Must Find Money To Stop Sewage Flowing Into Susquehanna River


-- WESA: New Permanent Glass Recycling Stations Opening In Allegheny County Thanks To Partnership Of PA Resources Council, Municipalities


-- ScrantonT: Maple Syrup Season Nearing Peak Production


-- PennLive - Marcus Schneck: When Will Bald Eagle Eggs Hatch At Livestreamed Nests?


-- Warren Times: Wildlife Feeding Prohibition Remains In Place In Allegheny National Forest


-- Warren Times: Help Wanted: U.S. Forest Service - Allegheny National Forest


True Energy Independence Means More Renewables

 

-- True Energy Independence Means More Renewables, Not Letting Foreign Markets Or Despots Dictate What We Pay For Energy  [PaEN]

 

-- Reuters: Oil/Natural Gas Prices Soar As Russian Energy Supply Fears Intensify 

 

-- The Economist: If Russian Natural Gas Was Cut Off To Europe, Could LNG Plug The Gap? [Spoiler - Not From The U.S. Which Is Already Exporting At Near Full Capacity]

 

-- Reuters: Analysis: Russian Risks Stoke Fears For European Winter Natural Gas Supplies

 

-- WSJ: Russian Fossil Fuel Giants Gazprom, Rosneft Fuel Moscow’s State Coffers

 

-- Daily Mail: Missiles Hit Nuclear Waste Disposal Site In Kyiv

 

-- MCall: Ukraine Invasion Could Lead To ‘A Crippling Cyberattack On U.S., Lehigh Valley Political Leaders Warn

 

American Rescue Plan Funding

 

-- $11 Billion In Federal American Rescue Plan Funding To PA State Government, Local Governments Has Yet To Be Invested.  What’s Your Community Doing?

 

Other States/National/International


--IPCC: New UN Report Warns Of Deadly Climate Change Consequences


-- AP: UN Climate Report: ‘Atlas Of Human Suffering’ Worse, Bigger


-- WPost: Humanity Has A ‘Brief And Rapidly Closing Window’ To Avoid A Hotter, Deadly Future, UN Climate Report Says


-- NYT: Climate Change Is Harming The Planet Faster Than We Can Adapt, UN Warns


-- WPost Guest Essay: We Can Reduce Global Temperatures Faster Than We Once Thought, If We Act How - Michael E. Mann (Penn State), Mark Hertsgaard, Saleemul Huq


-- Reuters: China Sees Biggest Growth In Energy, Coal Use Since 2011


-- AP: U.S. Supreme Court To Weigh Limits To EPA Efforts On Climate Change


PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- WHYY: PA’s Legislative Redistricting Is Done, But Local Impacts Still Unfolding

-- TribLive: Western PA Republicans Blast New Congressional Districts Map; Democrats Invigorated By Changes

-- York Dispatch Editorial: Enforce U.S. House Subpoena Against Republican Sen. Mastriano On Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- AP: Many Trials Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Hinge On First Trial’s Outcome [PA included]

-- WBTimes Guest Essay: General Assembly Needs To Act On $1.7 Billion In Federal Aid Now - Gov. Wolf

-- PA Cap-Star Guest Essay: Wolf Drops State Police Fee In Budget Proposal, But The Problem Remains

-- Gov. Wolf Urges Liquor Control Board To Remove And Stop Selling Russian-Sourced Products

-- TribLive: LCB Removes Russian-Made Products From State Store Shelves

-- PennLive: Liquor Control Board Removes All Russian-Made Alcohol From Stores

-- PA Cap-Star: PA Liquor Control Board Will Yank Russian Products From Its Shelves

-- MCall: Ukraine Invasion Could Lead To ‘A Crippling Cyberattack On U.S., Lehigh Valley Political Leaders Warn

-- PennLive: $100,000 Club: Who Are State Government’s Top Wage Earners?

-- PG: Western PA Leaders And Activists See Hope In State’s Marijuana Hearings

-- LancasterOnline: Elizabethtown School Board Continues Discussion Of Book Ban

-- PG: Pittsburgh Schools’ Interim Superintendent Says District Is Exploring Options To Curb Unrest

-- Altoona Mirror: PA Supreme Court Scraps Procedures That Protected Minors Who Committed Murder From Life Without Parole

-- AP: PA Man Freed After Nearly 14 Years In Prison After New Trial, Charges Dropped

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Biden’s Supreme Court Pick Offers Lessons On Representation For PA Judiciary - Why Courts Matter-PA

-- ScrantonT Editorial: Police Can’t Investigate Themselves

-- PG Editorial: Venango County Killing Demands Attention, Clarity

-- Spotlight PA: PA Isn’t Likely To See More Local Health Depts Anytime Soon, We Found Out Why

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: Learn From Failures Of Free COVID Testing Program For Schools

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Residents Tell Why They Quit Jobs During The Pandemic

-- ErieT: Erie Group Rolls Out Plan To Invest Millions In East Side Neighborhood

-- MCall: This Employment Agency Helps Companies Diversity Staff In The Lehigh Valley

Click Here for latest PA Environmental News

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[Posted: February 28, 2022]  PA Environment Digest

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