125 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 125 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

Thank you for your leadership!

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Veteran Reporter Ad Crable Wraps Up 4 Decades Of Environmental Journalism  [PaEN] 

-- LancasterOnline: Ad Crable Signs Off After More Than 37 Years Of Outdoors Columns  [PDF of Article] 

-- PA State Conservation Commission Wins Natural Resource Education Champion Award  [PaEN] 

-- River Reporter: Barbara Yeaman, Founder Of Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Turns 100 

-- PennLive: Capital Area Greenbelt In Harrisburg Born More Than A Century Ago

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: 50 Years Of Federal Safe Drinking Water Act - From Reducing Waterborne Diseases to Battlling Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’  [40 Years Of PA Safe Drinking Water Act - PA Used To Lead The Nation In Waterborne Disease Outbreaks]

-- ​​Anthracite Mining Heritage Month Celebrated In January; Schedule Of Events Now Available  [PaEN]

-- Ohio River Valley Institute - 2024 Year In Review

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay: Reflection On A Remarkable 2024 

-- PUC Celebrates Record-Breaking Year Of Service And Accomplishments In 2024

-- US Fish And Wildlife & Service Seeks Public Comment On Proposed Listing Of Eastern Hellbender As Endangered; PA’s Clean Water Ambassador  [PaEN] 

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Endangered Species Status Proposed For Eastern Hellbenders

-- WITF/StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Endangered Status Proposed For Eastern Hellbender

-- Williamsport Sun: Fish & Wildlife Service Seeks Public Comment On Proposed Listing Of Hellbender As Endangered

-- Save The Date: Feb. 27 - Shale Gas And Public Health Conference, Duquesne University  [PaEN]  

-- WHYY: Top Climate Stories Of 2024 - Fracking In PA Hasn’t Gone As Well As Some Might Think

-- EarthWorks Blog: Common Sense Needed In The Commonwealth - How To Protect Pennsylvanians From The Environmental, Health Impacts Of The Oil & Gas Industry - By Melissa Ostroff & Charlie Palladino, EarthWorks  [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 14 to 20 -- Shale Gas Wells Abandoned For 42 Months; Failure To Cleanup Conventional Well Spill For 19 Months; Gas Pipeline Land Slump  [PaEN]

-- What The Shale Gas Industry Is Leaving Behind:  DEP: Diversified Production LLC Failed To Plug 2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells For 42 Months + At Least 9 Other Shale Gas Wells Abandoned  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Apollo Resources, LLC Failed To Comply With Order To Cleanup Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill 19 Months After It Was Discovered In Fayette County  [PaEN]

-- PUBLIC NOTICE: Proposed Oil & Gas Well Plugging Settlement With Diversified Energy, EQT May Affect Pennsylvania Surface Landowner Rights; Apply To Have A Well Plugged  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive: Additional Hearing Required For Proposed Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In Plum Borough, Allegheny County That Doesn’t Meet Setbacks

-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: Aqua PA Cites Existing Problems At Rhodes Utilities Water Companies  [PDF of Article]  [Water Companies Related To Venango County Conventional Well Spill Incident]   

-- PUC Urges Natural Gas Customers To Explore Ways To Reduce Heating Costs; All But One Major Gas Utility Has Increased Cost Of Gas In PA  [PaEN]

-- PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank Appointed Chair Of National Assn. Of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Committee On Natural Gas  [PaEN] 

-- Post-Gazette: PA Lawmakers Talk Of Requiring Natural Gas Detectors In Buildings After Explosion That Killed 7 In Reading 

-- TribLive: Residents Of Mt. Peasant Personal Care Homes Start Returning Hours After Natural Gas Leak In Westmoreland 

-- Columbia Gas Offers Safety And Energy-Saving Tips For Cold Weather

-- North American Electric Reliability Corp: AI Poses Threat To North American Electricity Grid  [PaEN] 

-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp Adopts Standards To Boost Extreme Weather Reliability   [Follow Up To Report Raising Alarm Over Winter Natural Gas Supplies ] 

-- Financial Times: North American Electric Reliability Corp: AI Poses Threat To North American Electricity Grid, Watchdog Warns

-- Bloomberg: Blackout Risk Is Rising For North American Grids, NERC Study Says

-- Utility Dive: NERC - ‘Explosive’ Demand Growth Puts More Than Half Of North America At Risk Of Blackouts 

-- Utility Dive: FERC: American Efficient Faces $722 Million Penalty For Providing Capacity From Energy Efficiency Resources That Did Not Reduce Energy Use In PJM, Midcontinent Electric Grids 

-- US DOE Releases LNG Gas Export Study: Facilities Already Approved Will Meet Global Demand For Decades; Unfettered Exports Would Increase Domestic Natural Gas Prices; Electricity Prices; Costs To Manufacturers  [PaEN]  

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak, et al: Expanding Natural Gas Exports Will Increase Prices, Pollution, Report Says 

-- Marcellus Drilling News: Energy & Business Groups Respond To US DOE LNG Gas Export Study  [PDF of Article]

-- Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition Calls For Immediate Lift Of LNG Export Facility Permit Review Ban  [EQT, PA Shale Gas Says We Have A ‘Duty’ To Sell More Gas To China Our Economic, Military Competitor]

-- IEEFA: US Natural Gas Prices Linked To International LNG Gas Prices Cost US Consumers More Than $100 Billion Dollars Over 16 Months At The Beginning Of Russian War In Ukraine

-- Forbes Guest Essay: Pennsylvanians Struggle To Strike Balance On Fracking Regulations - By Daniel Markind, Attorney

-- EPA, DOE Award $850 Million To Support Oil & Gas Sector Methane Pollution Reduction, Including $10 Million Grant To Penn State  [PaEN] 

-- DEP To Review Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit Under Environmental Justice Policy Enhanced Public Participation Process  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Revised Application, Instructions Available For Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares Air Quality General Permit  [PaEN] 

-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: How To Move Forward - Western PA Through The Lens Of Sustainable Development - By Rowan Curry, Dickson College Student  [PDF of Article]

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Update Highlights Funding Opportunities, County Water Restoration Projects  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Karl Blankenship: Martha Shimkin Stepping Down As EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Director 

-- Federal Ohio River Protection Act Legislation Would Address Pressing Water Quality, Conservation Needs In Ohio River Watershed  [PaEN]

-- E&E News/Politico: Congressional Lawmakers Push For Federal Focus On Ohio River Watershed Water Quality Woes

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Dec. 20 RiverWatch Video Report

-- Post-Gazette: PA Farmers Turning To No-Till Farming Focusing On Bottom Line, Human Health  

-- Penn State Extension Conservation Cornerstone: Jan. 28 Webinar On Climate-Smart Ag Project (CARAT)   [PaEN]  

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Pennsylvania To Get Nearly $1 Billion In Federal Funds For Climate-Smart Ag Practices

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Newsletter: Looking Back On 2024 And Looking Forward 

-- Ag Conservation Professionals! Get Your Passport To 2025 PA Farm Show, Enhance Your Conservation Skills Starting Jan. 4  [PaEN] 

-- Conservation Pros: Join In Ag Literacy Week By Volunteering To Read ‘The Soil In Jackie’s Garden’ March 17-21  [PaEN]

-- Choose Clean Coalition Now Accepting Presentation Proposals For 2025 Conference On Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Issues, May 19-21 In Virginia  [PaEN] 

-- Presentation Proposals Invited: 2025 Penn State Extension Dive Deeper Summit For Water Educators  [PaEN] 

-- Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture Now Accepting Proposals For Brook Trout Conservation Projects  [PaEN]  

-- Penn State Extension Jan. 16 Webinar On Forest Carbon Markets And Payment Programs Expert Panel  [PaEN]

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts Jan. 16 Webinar On Winter Salting and Local Waterway Impacts: Opportunities To Work For Change  [PaEN] 

-- Now On Demand: Penn State Extension Webinar On PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Land-Applied Biosolids - Research Update  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Awards $19.6 Million To Support 8 Local Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Projects In 6 Counties  [PaEN] 

-- Scranton Times: Nearly $7 Million In Federal Funds Awarded To Reclaim Mine Land In Dickson City, Blakely 

-- WNEP: Massive Mine Subsidence Swallows Schuylkill County Family’s Backyard Swimming Pool

 -- Republican Herald: Sinkhole Breaks Water Main In Mahanoy Twp., Schuylkill County; Possible Abandoned Mine Subsidence

-- Republican Herald: Sinkhole In Mahanoy Twp., Schuylkill County Linked To Abandoned Mines

-- WNEP: DEP Crews Working To Fill Mine Subsidence Sinkhole In Schuylkill County That Swallowed Swimming Pool 

-- The Daily Item Guest Essay: Potential Cuts To Federal Funding For Abandoned Mine Cleanup - By Sophia Evans, Dickinson College Student  [PDF of article]

-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy: Realizing Technology’s Full Potential To Improve Energy And Environmental Policymaking - By John Quigley, Senior Fellow, Kleinman Center 

-- PA Solar Center Accepting Applications For G.E.T. Solar Schools Technical Assistance Program To Help Apply For Solar For Schools, Other Funding  [PaEN]

-- WITF/StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Schools Can Apply For State Grants To Install Solar Energy, Save Money

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Lowering Barriers To Residential Solar Is Good For Pittsburgh

-- Coalition For Community Solar Access Applauds New Effort To Open Community Solar Market In Pennsylvania  [PaEN]  

-- TribLive: Proposed Unity Twp. Solar Farm Nixed By 3-2 Zoning Board Vote In Westmoreland County

-- KDKA: Attempt To Cut Down On Energy Bills Turns Into Financial Nightmare For Beaver Falls Man

-- DEP Shared Energy Manager Program Accepting Applications For Energy Assessment, Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation Work With Local Governments, School Districts  [PaEN] 

-- Sustainable Pittsburgh: Report On Clean Energy Workforce - Needs And Opportunities For Southwestern PA  [PaEN] 

-- Lancaster Farming: Environmental Groups Ask For Susquehanna River Pump Storage Hydro Permit Rehearing

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Will Nuclear Power Make A Comeback In Chesapeake Bay Region? 

-- WHYY- Sophia Schmidt: PECO Moves Transformer Flooded During Hurricane Ida To Prepare For More Extreme Weather

-- PennDOT Opens 2 New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Under Federal Program In Butler, Lebanon Counties

-- Public News Service: Clean Trucks Campaign Touts Benefits Of Electric Vehicles For Pennsylvania

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Designation Of Areas Not Meeting Health-Based Standards For Particulate Matter (PM2.5);  3 Hearings Scheduled  [PaEN]

-- Inquirer: How Bad Is Air Quality In Underground SEPTA Transit Stations?

-- NextPittsburgh: Is Pittsburgh’s Air Quality Really That Bad? 

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: In Sweden, Broad Consensus On Climate Action Spurs an Energy Transition In Manufacturing

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh-Area Dry Cleaners React To EPA Chemicals Ban

-- Dept. Of Education Now Accepting Applications for Pennsylvania’s Green Ribbon Schools  [PaEN] 

-- CBS21: Future Of Student Farming Program Uncertain After Harrisburg City Schools Terminates Contract

-- Seasonal Help Wanted: Fish & Boat Commission Fisheries Biologist Aide  [PaEN]

-- Mentors Wanted: Wildlife Leadership Academy Seeks Adult Mentors For Summer Field Schools  [PaEN] 

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Young Mom Writes Children’s Book Inspired By Adventures With Daughter Along The River  [Donation From Sales Helps RiverKeeper] 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Mountain Laurel Chapter Of Trout Unlimited Hosts Free Fly-Tying Classes

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Interim Response At Tub Mill Farm, Clearview Farm Waste Site, Somerset County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order For Precision National Plating Site, Lackawanna County  [PaEN]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: Cartwright Calls For Investigation Into 'Strikingly High’ Cancer Cases Among Former Employees Of Several Companies In Lackawanna County

-- PA Resources Council Announces Winners Of 2024 Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest  [PaEN] 

-- Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, PA Turnpike Commission Celebrate Success In Reducing Cigarette Litter At 17 Service Plazas  [PaEN] 

-- WPXI: PA Turnpike Says New Program Successfully Reduced Cigarette Litter At Service Plazas

-- Centre Daily Times: Know The Myths And Realities Of Recycling In Centre County

-- TribLive: Western PA Boom Towns Battle Strain On Services, Streets And Schools 

-- MCall: Easton Residents Denounce Plans For Massive Warehouse At Old Pfizer Plant Near Residential Area

-- DCNR Encourages Pennsylvanians To Trek Into 2025 During New Year's Day First Day Hikes Across The Commonwealth  [PaEN] 

-- Warren Times - Audubon Community Nature Center: The Importance Of Getting Outside 

-- LancasterOnline: Your Guide To Outdoor Safety During Hunting Seasons In PA Woods

-- Dec. 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Environmental Group Files Lawsuit To Ban ATVs In PA State Forests 

-- LehighValleyLive.com: Lawsuit Seeks To Once Again Ban ATVs From PA State Forests

-- Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program Awards $40,000 To Recreation, Signage, & Education Projects [PaEN] 

-- Williamsport Sun: Susquehanna Bridges Help Build Connections Across Susquehanna Greenway

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Seeks Volunteers For New Park Ambassadors Program 

-- TribLive: Vandalism Does $50,000 Damage To Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Vehicles In Frick Park 

-- Tribune-Democrat: ‘Resiliency’ Project To Replace Struggling Flight 93 Memorial Tree Grove Moving Forward, US Park Service Says

-- Planet Philadelphia Radio Show Dec. 20: Using Land From Cities To Farms To Increase Sustainability, 4:00 p.m.

-- North Branch Land Trust: Jan. 18 Tree ID Hike In Forest Echo Bird Sanctuary, Luzerne County

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation: Bob Ross Happy Little 5K (Virtual) Run Registration Kicks Off To Support Tree Plantings 

-- Inquirer: How Taxpayers Raised $20 Million To Beat Developers And Turn Crebilly Farm Into A Park In Chester County 

-- AP: American Chestnuts Are Part Of Yuletide Lore; But In The US They’ve Nearly Been Wiped Out 

-- Nuts For Natives Blog: Heartwood Nursery In York County Propagating Native Holly, Other Plants Since 1987

-- Larkspur Design To Offer Yearlong Permaculture Design Certification Course In Pittsburgh  [PaEN]

-- PA Natural Heritage Program Newsletter Highlights Monitoring The Upper Middle Allegheny River; Weasel Survey; Monitoring Vernal Pools; Invasive Jumping Worms; Mussel Restoration  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: This Dog Will Hunt For Rare Flowers In Bay Watershed 

-- Warren Times: USDA Releases More Hungry Beetles In Allegheny National Forest To Combat Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

-- Jan. 22 Webinar: How Invasive Plants Drive An Insect Invasion, Penn State Extension  [PaEN] 

-- Post-Gazette - Mary Ann Thomas: Deer Decimating Crops As Game Commission Considers Revamping Tag Program 

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: 600+ Fish, 6 Eels, Nearly 200 Bass Discovered In Small Pools Left In Fish Passage Near Sunbury Dam During Rescue, Study 

-- Republican Herald: It’s Time For Annual Christmas Bird Count

Visit the PA Environment Digest website to learn more.

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[Posted: December 22, 2024]   PA Environment Digest