PA Environment Digest Blog: Friday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips

Notice: PA Environment Digest Will Not Publish Feb. 2 thru Feb. 10

“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

February 3, 4, 5

March 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

April 7, 8, 9, 22, 23, 24

May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 24

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30

-- Committee Schedule

Senate Voting Schedule

February 3, 4, 5

Budget Hearings February 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, March 4, 5, 6

March 24, 25, 26, 31

April 1, 2

May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events

February 3-- House Republican Policy Committee hearing on stopping new energy taxes. Room 418 Main Capitol. 9:30 a.m.

February 4-- House Energy Committee hearing on House Bill 362 (Fiedler-D- Philadelphia) authorizing the PA Energy Development Authority to establish a $156 million federally-funded Solar For All Program (sponsor summary) now prohibited by Fiscal Code bill passed last year with the state budget [Read more here.]. Room B31 Main Capitol. 10:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

February 5-- NEW. House Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 388 (Cerrato-D-Montgomery) authorizing municipalities to replace water and sewer laterals serving residences. Room 205 Ryan Building. 10:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

February 4-- Governor’s Budget Address

-- PUC: Calendar Year 2024 Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees To Remain Same As 2023; Dramatic Decline In Financial Support From Shale Gas Industry Continues [PaEN]

-- DEP Releases 2 Contracts For Bidding In Next Round Of Conventional Oil & Gas Well Plugging: 12 Wells In Kinzua State Park, McKean County, 18 Wells In Warren County [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro Proposes ‘Lightning’ Energy Plan To Increase & Diversify Energy Generation; Reduce Climate Changing Pollution; Lower Energy Costs; Create Jobs [PaEN]

-- AP: Gov. Shapiro Rolls Out Plan To Fast-Track, Subsidize Power Plants, Hydrogen Projects

-- The Center Square: Shapiro’s ‘Lightning’ Energy Plan Lacks Critical Republican Legislative Support

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Shapiro Proposes Overhaul Of PA’s Energy Policies To Spur Economic Growth, Innovation

-- Post-Gazette: Shapiro Outlines 6-Part ‘Lightning Plan’ To Increase Energy Production, Lower Costs

-- Natural Resources Defense Council Blog: ‘Lightning’ Energy Plan And PJM Agreement To Cap Electricity Prices Strike In Pennsylvania

-- PennLive: Shapiro Deal On Electricity Price Caps Will Likely Spur Fresh Debate On Clean Energy

-- The Energy Age Blog: Range Resources & MarkWest Liberty Midstream File Legal Challenges Against 2,500 Foot Shale Gas Setback Ordinance In Cecil Twp., Washington County

-- E&ENews/Politico: EPA Freezes Federal Solar For All Program Funding Until Further Notice [PA Was Due To Receive $156 Million]

-- 10 Government Entities In Centre County Approve Solar Energy Purchase Agreement To Save Local Taxpayers $4.4 Million Over 15 Years [PaEN]

-- WPXI: Proposed Solar Energy Facility In North Sewickley Twp., Beaver County Denied

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: GE Vernova Investing $10 Million In Findlay Twp. Facility, Will Create 270 Jobs To Support Solar Energy Battery Storage

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Transformational Investments In Renewables, Energy Efficiency Are Designed To Lower Energy Costs For Pennsylvania Consumers - By Molly Parzen, Conservation Voters Of PA

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Residents Footing The Bill For Unreliable Power - By Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) [RGGI]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Natural Gas Industry Operations [Wastewater Pipelines] Are Strongly Regulated In PA - By Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition [Shale Gas Wastewater Pipelines are NOT regulated by the PUC for construction, operations and safety. Read more here. ]

-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso: Fiery Resignation By PA’s Consumer Advocate Breeds Fear Office Will Lose Independence

-- Environmental Quality Board Invites Comments On 96 Stream Water Quality Redesignations In 29 Counties; Virtual Hearing March 13 [PaEN]

-- Inquirer: President Wants US To Be ‘Leading’ Producer Of Non-Fuel Minerals; Here’s How PA Could Help; Rare Earth Elements Could Be More Important Than Expansion Of Fracking [PDF of Article]

-- Rodale Institute Accepting Applications For The Good Farmer Award [PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners News: Focus On Cover Crops; 75 Years Of Conservation; MS4 Stormwater Listening Session

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Jan. 31 RiverWatch Video Report

-- February 1 Pennsylvania Bulletin Now Available

-- DCNR: Path Of The Flood Trail In Cambria County Named 2025 Pennsylvania Trail Of The Year [PaEN]

-- Tribune-Democrat: Path Of The Flood Trail Earns State’s Trail Of The Year Award

-- Altoona Mirror: Path Of The Flood Trail Gets State Honor In Cambria County

-- PennLive: Lebanon County Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Trying To Run Over A Fox With A Snowmobile; Unclear With 17-Year Also Involved Was Charged

-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Now Accepting Registrations For Summer Nature Camps For Students Grades 1-6