104 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 104  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!

-- Gov. Shapiro Formally Nominates Jessica Shirley To Be DEP Secretary  [PaEN]

-- Inquirer: Fred de Long, Longtime Director Of Community Farm Program For Willistown Conservation Trust, Has Died At 55

-- Republican Herald: Appalachian Trail Conservancy Turns 100 In March

-- The Derrick: Aqua PA Spells Out Venango Water Co. Expenses Since Its PUC-Ordered Emergency Role [Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill Cost Water Customers $900,000, So Far, In Venango County]  [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 15 to 21 -- Shale Gas Wells Seismic Investigation; Conventional Well Spill Cost Water Co. Customers $900,000 So Far; Oil & Gas Waste Plant Fails To Report Wastewater  [PaEN]

-- The Derrick: GCI Water Solutions Fails To Report How Much Oil & Gas Wastewater It Is Treating Thru Titusville's Wastewater Plant In Crawford County  [PaEN]  

-- The Derrick: GCI Water Fails To Report To Titusville Boro On How Much Oil & Gas Wastewater It Is Treating Thru The Boro’s Wastewater Plant, DEP Reporting May Not Be Accurate  [PDF of Article] 

-- Part I - Environmental Impacts: State Dept. Of Health, Penn State Medical Webinars On Caring For Persons Living & Working In Communities With Oil & Natural Gas Extraction  [PaEN]

-- Part II - Health Impacts: State Dept. Of Health, Penn State Medical Webinars On Caring For Persons Living & Working In Communities With Oil & Natural Gas Extraction  [PaEN]

-- Courier Times: Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline In Bucks County Operational Again After Leaking Fuel For 16 Months,  Some Are Worried 

-- Courier Times: More Wells In Bucks County Contaminated, Residents Fear Impact Of Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline Leak Spreading 

-- The Center Square: PA Shale Gas Wastewater Could Be A Significant Source Of Lithium, A Key Component In Making Electronic Devices

-- PUC Approves $9,000 Penalty Against Columbia Gas For Defective Welding At Gas Regulator Station In Beaver County  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Stay The Course On Federal, State Rules To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil And Gas Operations - By John Walliser, PA Environmental Council  

-- MCall Guest Essay: US Dept. Of Energy LNG Gas Export Facility Plans Will Pollute Communities, Raise Prices - By Alex Bomstein, Clean Air Council

-- Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Black Appalachian Coalition, PennFuture, Partners Host March 4 Webinar -- Why Is My Electricity Bill So High?  And Going Higher?  [PaEN]

-- Washington & Jefferson College Hosts March 19 Webinar On Meeting The Challenges Of The Electric Grid - PJM's Role  [PaEN] 

-- MCall: As Consumers Prepare For Rising Electricity Bills, PA Debates Whether More Solar Power, Energy Storage Could Help Reduce Costs

-- DailyEnergyInsider.com: Let PA Regulated Utilities Invest In And Own Electric Generation Resources, Says PPL Electric President  

-- LehighValleyNews.com  Guest Essay: Ex-PUC Chairmen Say The ‘New PPL’ Wants PA To Go Backward And Own Electric Generation - By James Cawley, Robert Powelson, Glen Thomas

-- Reuters: New US Energy Council Chief Calls On Power Plants To Produce 10% to 15% More Electricity To Meet A.I., Data Center Demands

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: EQT Sees Growing Demand From A.I. Companies For Natural Gas Power

-- PennLive: Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Owner Says Reopening Of Plant Is On Schedule 

-- WITF/LancasterOnline: New Owner Plans A.I. Data Centers In Former Donnelley Printing Plants In Lancaster

-- Financial Times: Pollution From Big Tech’s Data Centre Boom Costs US Public Health $5.4 Billion  

-- PUC Be Utility Wise 2025: A Powerful Gathering For Utility Consumer Advocacy & Community Support On March 19 In Philadelphia

-- PUC To Investigate Proposed 10.8% UGI Natural Gas Rate Increase  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Integrity Project: President Orders Hundreds Of Energy Emergency Reviews Of US Army Corps Of Engineers Project Permits, Including Dozens In PA  [PaEN]  [Warning]

-- DEP Soliciting Proposals For 6 Professional Services Related To Plugging Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells; Federal Funding At Risk  [PaEN]

-- WTAE: Investigation Reveals Dozens Of Dangerous Abandoned Coal Mines In Western PA  [Federal Funds Now At Risk] 

-- Registration Open! ACAP Ag Conservation Conference Set For April 1-3 In Harrisburg  [PaEN]

-- Foundation For PA Watersheds Accepting Letters Of Funding Interest For New Grant Round Until March 15  [PaEN] 

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay Holds Faith & Waters Restoration Forum April 3 In Maryland  [PaEN] 

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Karl Blankenship: Water Quality In Chesapeake’s Small Watersheds Get A Closer Look  

-- Three Rivers Waterkeeper Releases 2024 Swim Guide Report Highlighting E. coli Concerns And Health Of The Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio Rivers  [PaEN]  

-- TribLive Letter: The Youghiogheny River Deserves River Of The Year  

-- Franklin County Free Press: Using Live Stake Nurseries To Engage Communities In Stream Health - By Natalie Marioni, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts March 6 Lawn To Meadow Conversions Webinar  [PaEN]

-- March 11 Webinar On Lawn Care For Clean Water, Penn State Extension  [PaEN]

-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy Blog: Reframing Conservation Agriculture - A Focus On Economic And Environmental Impact

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Releases 2025 Annual Report On The State Of The Delaware River Watershed  [PaEN] 

-- Republican Herald: Water Users In Berks, Schuylkill Asked To Conserve Water As Drought Drags On

-- PA DEP Current Drought Declaration Status

-- TribLive: DEP Issues Violation To Lower Burrell Steel Plant For Spill Into Allegheny River, Two Weeks After A Fatal Explosion At The Facility  

-- WTAE: Ex-Manager At Ambridge Water Authority Sentenced For $1 Million Fraud, To Spend Over 2 Years In Jail

-- Spotlight PA - Marley Parish: County Judge Orders PA American Water To Take Over Private Rural Water Company Due To ‘Imminent Health Threats,’ PUC Approval Still Required  

-- Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority To Begin Project To Connect Properties Impacted By Navy PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Contamination To Public Water  [PaEN]

-- DEP Announces Public Outreach Workshops On Pennsylvania's 2024 Priority Climate Action Plan To Qualify For Federal Funding That Is Now At Risk  [PaEN] 

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Chesapeake Bay States Shatter Records For Warmest Year On Record In 2024

-- Tribune-Democrat Publishes Series On How Region Is Using Solar Energy, Energy Efficiency To Reduce Energy Costs, Move To A More Sustainable Future  [PaEN] 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Solar Energy Project Rising In Bedford County To Help Power Natural Gas Pipeline Compressor Station  [PDF of article] 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Energy-Saving Solar Energy, Energy Efficiency Projects Heating Up At Regional School Districts To Reduce Energy Costs  [PDF of Article]

-- Tribune-Democrat: Greater Johnstown CTC Solar Array Operating Better Than Expected, School Leaders Say

-- Tribune-Democrat: Cambria Schools Moving Forward With Solar Projects

-- Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County Explores Solar Energy At Prison Complex

-- Tribune-Democrat: Waste Coal-Fired Seward Power Plant Faces Regulatory Challenge

-- Tribune-Democrat: Governments Look To Adapt As Electric Vehicles Slowly Change Local Landscape

-- Erie Times: Solar Business Fuels $100 Million Expansion At Crawford County Glass Plant: ‘It’s A Win-Win’  

-- LancasterOnline: Solar Energy Projects On Manheim Twp. School Campus Could Save $10 Million 

-- Planet Philadelphia Radio Show: Feb. 21- Deploying Solar Energy Facilities Successfully 

-- The Allegheny Front: Could Solar For All Be Doomed In Pennsylvania?

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Reason For Hope In Turbulent Times - When The Public Demands Better, Change Can Happen - By Kartik Amarnath, Vote Solar

-- PUC To Invite Comments On Future Of Act 129 Energy Efficiency Program [PaEN]

-- MCall Guest Essay: President’s Policies Spell Disaster For The Environment - By Kimberly Heiman, Muhlenberg College

-- PA Capital-Star: Shapiro Administration Taking ‘Aggressive Wait And See’ Approach To Federal Funding Freeze

-- Inquirer: PA Programs In Limbo From Federal Freeze Are All Environmental, Energy  

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: President’s Attack On Environment, Climate Policy Having Immediate Impacts 

-- The Center Square: 95% Of PEMA, PA Crisis Management Agency Budgets Comes From Federal Funds Now At Risk

-- The Allegheny Front: Could Solar For All Be Doomed In Pennsylvania?

-- Inquirer: President’s Funding Freeze Suspended Millions For Electric Cranes At Philly’s Port, Now Money Is Available Again

-- CBS News: Federal Mine Safety Inspector In Western PA Has A Message For Elon Musk On Firing Federal Workers: ‘This Isn’t Just About A Government Budget - This Is Life And Death’  

-- Post-Gazette: PA Farmers Feel Federal Funding Pinch As Freeze Triggers Labor And Infrastructure Instability 

-- Warren Times: US Forest Service Layoffs May Affect Allegheny National Forest; Wildfire Prevention Staff Eliminated

-- Scranton Times: President’s Federal Firings Reach Steamtown National Historic Site

-- Gettysburg Connection: National Park Service Job Cuts Include Gettysburg

-- Inquirer: President’s Firings Reach Independence Hall, Other PA Natural Historic Sites

-- Citizens Voice Editorial: Federal Cuts Thoughtlessly Target Jewels Of National And Local Heritage  

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: DEP Tested Air For 6 Chemical Compounds Near Industrial Fire, Philly Tested For 2 Dozen; DEP Opens Webpage 

-- DEP Opens Webpage On SPS Technologies Industrial Fire In Montgomery County  

-- York Dispatch: State Of York County’s Air Quality: No Time To Breathe A Sigh Of Relief

-- Erie Times: Where Does $1 Million+ Environmental Cleanup At Erie’s Quin-T Property Stand?  

-- DEP Invites Comments At March 19 Hearing On Hazardous Sites Cleanup Interim Response At The North Centre Twp. PFAS Investigation Site In Columbia County  [PaEN]  

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: How An Apple, CMU Research Partnership Led To A New Company Tackling Electronic Waste [eLoop] 

-- WNEP: Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center In Monroe County Looks Forward To Maple Syrup Season 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Statewide Tree-Tapping Ceremony Hosted In Somerset Kicks Off Maple Syrup Season 

-- TribLive: Fern Hollow Nature Center Set To Break Ground On Expansion This Fall In Allegheny County  

-- City Of Reading Opens Applications For Spring Reading Conservation Corps  [PaEN]

-- Republican Herald: Lifesaving ATV Children’s Safety Courses Hard To Find In Northeast PA 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: March 20 Public Meeting On D&L Black Diamond Trail Improvements 

-- Altoona Mirror: Blair County To Create Trail, Park Authority

-- MCall: Lehigh Valley Community Developing Plan To Preserve 275-Year-Old Park  

-- Scranton Times: Nay Aug Park Projects Include Disabled-Accessible Playground

-- WNEP: Gov. Shapiro Proposes Reopening Glen Onoko Falls Trail

-- PA Wilds Center: Explore PA Wilds Made Products, Services, Branded Goods And Local Shops In 2025 Buyer’s Guide  

-- WeConservePA: Buck Hill Conservation Foundation Protects 687.5 Acres With Metzgars Conservation Easement In Monroe County  [PaEN] 

-- ClearWater Conservancy Preserves 100 Acres Of Beaver Branch Property To Enhance Conservation Efforts In Centre County  [PaEN] 

-- Western PA Conservancy Protects 97 Acres To Expand Popular Outdoor Recreation Areas In Fayette County  [PaEN] 

-- WeConservePA: Lebanon Valley Conservancy Partnered With Brehm Family To Safeguard 78 Acre Farm In Union Twp., Lebanon County  [PaEN] 

-- WeConservePA: Heritage Conservancy Preserves 60 Acres Of Land In Bucks County  [PaEN] 

-- Lancaster Conservancy Partners With Graham Family To Protect 56 Acres In York County  [PaEN]

-- French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Partnered With Alleva Family To Preserve 20 Acres In Chester County  [PaEN] 

-- PA Society For Ornithology: Still Time To Submit Projects For Funding As Part Of 2025 Breeding Bird Blitz June 6-16  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive: Pine Township, Allegheny County Officially Recognized As An Audubon Bird Town

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster Bald Eagle Nest Has 3 Eggs, Watch Online

-- LancasterOnline: Game Commission Investigating Snow Geese Killing In West Hempfield Twp.

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: New Master Hunter Program Will Help PA Hunters Gain Permission To Hunt On Private Lands

-- TribLive: National Aviary In Pittsburgh To Take Over Shady Side Academy Middle School 

-- Warren Times: Bird Feeders And The Joy Of Casual Birding

-- Williamsport - Bill Bower: Reflections In Nature: Birds Take Advantage Of Opportunities Provided By Other Species

-- AP: Crow Is Not The Only Thing They Eat At Wild Game Dinner In Rural PA

-- Williamsport Sun: Non-native vs. Invasive: How Each Impacts Our Environment

-- Williamsport Sun: Gardening As A Revolutionary Act: Transforming Yards With Foodscaping

Visit the PA Environment Digest website to learn more.

REAL Leadership:

-- 104 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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-- 101 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

-- 104 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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-- 104 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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[Posted: February 23, 2025]   PA Environment Digest