Wednesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 12.31.25

"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]

Senate Voting Schedule

January 6, 26, 27, 28

February 2, 3 (Governor’s Budget Address), 4

Budget hearings will be held February 23-26, and March 2

March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25

April 20, 21, 22

May 4, 5, 6

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

House Voting Schedule

January 6 (NV), 26, 27, 28

February 2, 3 (Governor's Budget Address, 4

Budget hearings will be held February 23-26, and March 2

March. 23, 24, 25

April 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29

May 4, 5, 6

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 28, 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

January 1-- DCNR Hosts First Day Hikes On New Year’s Day Across The Commonwealth

January 6-- DEP Public Meeting On Project Gravity A.I. Data Center Proposal Water Quality Permits In Archbald Boro, Lackawanna County.  Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Drive Archbald,  5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

January 6-- Southwest PA Environmental Literacy Coalition Online Meeting. 4:00 p.m.

January 13-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. 12:30 p.m. Contact: Ian Irvin iirvin@pa.gov or 717-579-0329.

January 13-- Penn State Extension Webinar - Spotted Lanternfly Research Updates & Panel Discussion. Noon to 1:30 p.m.

January 14-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. 9:30 a.m. Contact: Bob Haines robhaines@pa.gov or 717-787-7565.

January 14-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 9:30 a.m.  Contact: Stacey Box 717-772-5622 or sbox@pa.gov. 

January 14-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered [Coal Mining] Equipment meeting. DEP New Stanton Office. 10:00 a.m. Contact: Peggy Scheloske mscheloske@pa.gov or 724-404-3143.

January 14-- Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper Hosts Data Centers in the Susquehanna River Basin – Let's Talk Water Usage With SRBC.  Wrightsville, York County.  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

February 19-- In-Person/Online. PA League Of Women Voters, Duquesne University Host Shale Gas & Public Health Conference.  Pittsburgh.  8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

-- PA House Committee Approves Legislation Giving Local Officials Greater Say Over Regional-Scale Developments Like A.I. Data Centers, Warehouses  [PaEN] 

-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: New Financing Available For Philly-Area Homeowners Seeking To Install Rooftop Solar Energy Generation 

-- WESA: Guided Hikes In Western PA Parks Lead Pittsburghers Into The New Year

-- Warren Times: Kinzua Dam To Increase Water Releases Due To Rainfall, Snow Melt

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Spitz Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant To Lehman Sanctuary To Support Chesapeake Teachers Training Program In Luzerne County 

-- Post-Gazette: Lyme Disease Cases Continue To Rise In Allegheny County

A.I. /Data Centers

-- Scranton Times: A.I. Data Center Proposed In Ransom Twp., Lackawanna County [86th Data Center Building In The County]  [PDF of Article]

-- Spotlight PA: Map Shows Growing Number Of A.I. Data Centers Planned Across Pennsylvania 

-- PA House Committee Approves Legislation Giving Local Officials Greater Say Over Regional-Scale Developments Like A.I. Data Centers, Warehouses  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive: What To Look For In 2026 In Western PA [Data Centers, 4.5 GW Homer City Power Plant] 

Today’s Oil & Gas Violations

-- Today’s Violation: DEP: Keystone Crude LLC failed to completely clean up wastewater contamination at a conventional oil and gas well site in Robinson Township, Allegheny County since the original violations were issued on August 10, 2023-- 867 days and counting. DEP inspection report.

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- TribLive Editorial: Preparing For The Politics Of 2026

-- City & State PA: Year-Ed Q&A With Republican Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward [Biggest Win - Eliminating RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Program Covering Power Plants That Was Never Implemented]

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Wins For Working Families, PA Economy In 2025 - By Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D)

-- TribLive - Jack Troy: Flu Cases Spiking, Respiratory Illnesses Rising In PA

-- Morning Call Guest Essay: America’s Latest Health Crisis Is Now Here [Caused By Congressional Republican Inaction On Health Insurance] - By Maureene May, PA Nurses

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: December 31, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

PA House Committee Approves Legislation Giving Local Officials Greater Say Over Regional-Scale Developments Like A.I. Data Centers, Warehouses

On December 17, the House Local Government Committee amended and reported out House Bill 1764 (Madden-D-Monroe) by a vote of 14 to 12 that would give local governments a greater say over regional-scale developments under the Municipalities Planning Code. 

Republicans opposed the bill and Democrats supported.

The legislation was then Tabled, as is normal practice.

Rep. Maureen Madden (D-Monroe) said on introducing the bill-- “Throughout Pennsylvania, mega-real estate developers are turning agriculture and open spaces into road-clogging warehouses and other uses that hurt taxpayers through costly infrastructure nightmares. 

“Even worse, residents now must question their own quality of life as they experience more traffic, higher levels of pollution, and land deterioration.

“This is happening because local leaders in host municipalities do not have the tools and resources they need to determine what impact these projects will have on their community. 

“It is time to give local leaders the chance to protect the quality of life, health, and infrastructure of the people they were elected to represent,” said Rep. Madden.

The legislation would amend the Municipalities Planning Code to require--

-- Detailed Impact Analysis/Mitigation Plan: Allow a host municipality to require mega-development developers to provide a detailed analysis of the impacts of development, including the real cost on traffic, future infrastructure costs, emergency management services, sewer, storm water, damage to agricultural lands, parks and open space, impact on neighborhoods, natural resources and wildlife and harm to neighboring properties;

-- Set Conditions Mitigating Impacts: Allow the host municipality to use this analysis to consider conditions which address the impacts and costs of the development; and

-- County, Neighboring Municipalities Express Concerns: Give the county and neighboring municipalities the opportunity to have their concerns addressed by the host municipality.

The requirements would apply to an airport; data center; intermodal terminal; petroleum storage facility; waste-handling facility; quarry; truck stop facility; warehouse; land development of at least 100 acres in a watershed unstudied under the Stormwater Management Act; land development in an area certified as not having sewage capacity for anticipated sewage flows; land development in a municipality of 10,000 or less generating 3,000 vehicle trips per day or an additional 100 or more vehicle trips per day.

The legislation would not apply to any person regulated by state laws related to coal mining or coal refuse operations, the Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act, Noncoal Surface Mining Act or the Oil and Gas Act.

The bill requires a hearing on regional-scale developments where, among other entities, the county and contiguous municipalities and municipalities potentially impacted by the land development are invited to attend.

It authorizes the host municipality or county to provide financial incentives to a developer to mitigate the costs of the impact analysis and mitigation plan.

The host municipality shall develop a revenue sharing plan for contiguous municipalities adversely affected by an approved regional development for additional expenses for police and fire protection, medical services, road maintenance and infrastructure.

Click Here for a copy of the legislation and other background.

Click Here for a video of the Dec. 17 House Local Government Committee meeting.

Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Lehigh) serves as Majority Chair of the House Local Government Committee and can be contacted at 717-783-2152 or send email to: rfreeman@pahouse.net.  Rep. Brett R. Miller (R-Lancaster), serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted at 717-705-7161 or Click Here to contact online. 

(Spotlight PA: Map of proposed A.I. data centers in Pennsylvania.)

Resource Link:

-- Spotlight PA: Map Shows Growing Number Of A.I. Data Centers Planned Across Pennsylvania 

NewsClips:

-- Altoona Mirror: PA House Moves Legislation Giving Local Governments Power Over Projects Of Regional Significance [House Bill 1764]

-- Warren Times: Don’t Count On Lower Electricity Prices In 2026 [Data Centers Driving Increases]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: The Public’s A.I. Power Problem Is Not Electricity, It’s The Failure To Protect Ratepayers From Costs They Did Not Choose- Matt Hasan, Ph.D, CEO of aiRESULTS

-- PennLive Letter: President’s War On Wind Energy Will Make Your Electric Bill Higher - By David Kyle, New Columbia

-- Scranton Times: A.I. Data Center Proposed In Ransom Twp., Lackawanna County [86th Data Center Building In The County]  [PDF of Article]

-- Wall Street Journal: Be Prepared To Keep Paying More For Electricity - A.I. Data Center Demands, Rising Natural Gas Prices, Grid Infrastructure Costs [PDF of Article]

[Posted: December 31, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

Tuesday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 12.30.25

“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]

Senate Voting Schedule

January 6, 26, 27, 28

February 2, 3 (Governor’s Budget Address), 4

Budget hearings will be held February 23-26, and March 2

March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25

April 20, 21, 22

May 4, 5, 6

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

House Voting Schedule

January 6 (NV), 26, 27, 28

February 2, 3 (Governor's Budget Address, 4

Budget hearings will be held February 23-26, and March 2

March. 23, 24, 25

April 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29

May 4, 5, 6

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 28, 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21

November 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule

TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 

January 1-- DCNR Hosts First Day Hikes On New Year’s Day Across The Commonwealth

January 6-- DEP Public Meeting On Project Gravity A.I. Data Center Proposal Water Quality Permits In Archbald Boro, Lackawanna County.  Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Drive Archbald,  5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

January 6-- Southwest PA Environmental Literacy Coalition Online Meeting. 4:00 p.m.

January 13-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. 12:30 p.m. Contact: Ian Irvin iirvin@pa.gov or 717-579-0329.

January 13-- Penn State Extension Webinar - Spotted Lanternfly Research Updates & Panel Discussion. Noon to 1:30 p.m.

January 14-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. 9:30 a.m. Contact: Bob Haines robhaines@pa.gov or 717-787-7565.

January 14-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 9:30 a.m.  Contact: Stacey Box 717-772-5622 or sbox@pa.gov. 

January 14-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered [Coal Mining] Equipment meeting. DEP New Stanton Office. 10:00 a.m. Contact: Peggy Scheloske mscheloske@pa.gov or 724-404-3143.

January 14-- Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper Hosts Data Centers in the Susquehanna River Basin – Let's Talk Water Usage With SRBC.  Wrightsville, York County.  6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

February 19-- In-Person/Online. PA League Of Women Voters, Duquesne University Host Shale Gas & Public Health Conference.  Pittsburgh.  8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Still Experiencing Spills, Releases While New Well Development Continues At Taft Shale Gas Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County For 426 Days And Counting  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies DEP Motion To Dismiss BCD Properties Appeal Over Its Illegal Disposal Of Oil And Gas Wastewater By Road Dumping; Case To Proceed On Its Merits  [PaEN]  

-- Sen. Boscola, Sen. Vogel Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Promote Development Of Much-Needed Solar Energy Electric Generation Facilities And Lower Costs For Consumers  [PaEN] 

-- PennLive Letter: Cleaner Than Coal Isn’t Clean Enough For Pennsylvania’s Future - By Robert Little, Harrisburg

-- Inquirer: PA Was Known For An Arduous Permitting Process, But New Policies At DEP Aim To Accelerate Building Projects

-- EPA To Host Jan. 13 Meeting On Status Of Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site Cleanup In Palmerton, Carbon County  [PaEN] 

-- The News-Item: Annual ‘Coal Drop’ Set For New Year’s Eve In Shamokin, Northumberland County

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Central Hardwood Forest Conference March 3-6 In State College  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension, DCNR Host March 10 Forest Health, Insect And Disease Update Webinar  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Strawberry Hill Animal Ambassador For Jan. 29 In-Person Owls Up Close Workshop In Gettysburg  [PaEN] 

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Land Trust Names Leanna Bird New Executive Director

-- Williamsport Sun: Hyner Mountain Snowmobile Club Safety Course Offered

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Counting Birds, Connecting With People, Serving Nature

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: Fish Commission Survey Findings Note Differences Between Wild Trout, Stocked Trout Anglers

A.I. /Data Centers

-- Warren Times: Don’t Count On Lower Electricity Prices In 2026 [Data Centers Driving Increases]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: The Public’s A.I. Power Problem Is Not Electricity, It’s The Failure To Protect Ratepayers From Costs They Did Not Choose- Matt Hasan, Ph.D, CEO of aiRESULTS

Gas Explosions

-- Bucks Courier Times: Residents Smelled Natural Gas Days Before Nursing Home Explosion In Bucks County; No 911 Calls For Gas Odor

International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

[Energy Independence Means Renewables]

-- Reuters Commentary: The 2025 Energy Transition In 8 Charts - Clean Wins, Dirty Setbacks 

Federal Administration

-- AP: President’s EPA In 2025: A Fossil Fuel-Friendly Approach To Industrial Deregulation

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- AP: After Quiet Off-Year Elections, Democrats Renew Worries About President Interfering In The Midterms

-- The Center Square: Ahead Of Midterms, Pennsylvania Politics Still Swinging

-- PennLive: Republican PA State Treasurer Stacy Garrity Gets Nod From Conservative PAC In Governor Bid

-- The Center Square: PA Public Transit Whiplash Ahead In 2026

-- The Center Square: PA Grabs $193 Million In Federal Funding For Rural Health

-- Republican Herald: Petition Supporting Schuylkill County Man Detained By Federal ICE Attracting Signatures

-- Spotlight PA: Penn State Board Deliberated In Public More Often This Year, Analysis Shows

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Diversity - Equity - Inclusion

[Posted: December 30, 2025]  PA Environment Digest