Friday, February 13, 2026
Gov. Shapiro Secures 2 Year Extension Of PJM Price Cap, Collar On Electricity Capacity Auctions
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Thursday PA Environment & Energy Articles - NewsClips: 2.12.26
Articles & NewsClips Posted So Far This Week
“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
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
House Voting Schedule
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
TODAY’s Calendar Of Events
TODAY 10:00: Agenda Posted. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 10:00 a.m. Contact: Lucas Hershey luchershey@pa.gov.
February 17-- DEP Meeting/Hearing On Revised Water Quality Permit For 1,300 Acre Project Hazelnut A.I. Data Center Project In Hazle Twp., Luzerne County
February 18-- Agenda Posted. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. 10:00 a.m. Contact: Daniel E. Snowden (717) 783-8846 or RA-EPMININGADVISORY@pa.gov.
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.
February 19-- Agenda Posted. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. 9:00 a.m. Contact: Lindsay Byron lbyron@pa.gov.
February 26-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing: 1:00 - Department of Environmental Protection.
March 2-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearing: 1:00 - Departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources. Click Here to watch live.
March 3-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing: 1:00 - Public Utility Commission.
March 5-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearing: 1:00 - Public Utility Commission. Click Here to watch live.
-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Reports ‘Settlement In Principle’ To Purchase Venango Water Company [Fallout From Public Water Supply Contamination By Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Continues] [PaEN]
-- US EIA Increases Natural Gas Price Projection For 2026 By 40% Due To Large Withdrawals From Gas Storage [PaEN]
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Here’s Why Electric Bills Are Getting More Expensive In PA
-- Gov. Shapiro: Gov. Shapiro Appears On CNBC Describing His Efforts to Lower PA’s Electricity Prices, Pressing PJM Leadership To Protect Consumers
-- PUC Chairman DeFrank Leads National Effort To Support Federal Funding For The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
-- PUC Commissioner Zerfuss Leads National Effort To Recognize Renewable Natural Gas As A Strategic Energy Resources
-- Altoona Mirror: Windmill Parts Loads To Travel Through Bedford, Blair, Cambria And Somerset Counties This Week
-- Green Building Alliance: Masano Auto Park Adaptive Reuse And Sustainability Innovations Tour March 4, Reading, Berks County. Noon to 2:00 p.m.
-- Columbia Gas Of PA Now Accepting Applications For 2026 Environmental Action Grants [PaEN]
-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, EPA Award $44.2 Million In Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient/Sediment Reduction, Small Watershed Grants; Over $19 Million In PA [PaEN]
-- The Citizens Voice: Luzerne County EMA: Susquehanna River Is Iced Over, But Not A Flood Threat At This Time
-- Chester County Press: Octoraro Watershed Assn. Photo Contest Seeks Entries [Chester, Lancaster Counties]
-- Forests For The Chesapeake Bay News: Hobbyist’s Guide To Maple Sugaring; Upcoming Events
-- DCNR Grants News: 340+ Grant Projects Completed In 2025; ATV/Snowmobile Grants Open; Trail Education Grants; PRPS Conference; PA Land Conference
-- Warren Times: Public Input Sought For Northwest PA Outdoor Recreation Study
-- TribLive: McCandless, Allegheny County, Named 96th Bird Town In Pennsylvania
A.I. /Data Centers
-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Why This Cumberland County Farmer Said No To $15 Million From A.I. Data Center Developers [PDF of Article]
-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Jenkins Twp. Supervisors Deny Forza Holdings Rezoning, Announce Proposed Data Center Ordinance In Luzerne County
-- Scranton Times: Scranton Council Questions Tapping PA American Water Lake Scranton Reservoir To Cool A.I. Data Centers [PDF of Article]
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: A.I. Data Center Developers Zeroing In On A New Target - Converting Bitcoin Mining Operations [PDF of Article]
-- RealClear Pennsylvania: A.I. Data Centers Are A Repeat Of History In PA’s Coal Region - Devastated Landscapes, Broken Local Economies, Finally Industry Collapse - By Jake Wynn
-- Gov. Shapiro: Gov. Shapiro Appears On CNBC Describing His Efforts to Lower PA’s Electricity Prices, Pressing PJM Leadership To Protect Consumers
Train Derailments
-- Post-Gazette: As East Palestine Grapples With Norfolk Southern Train Derailment’s Toxic Aftermath, A US House Bill Threatens To Gut Some Protections
Other States/National
PA Politics - Everything Is Connected
-- ABC27: Senate, House Siting On $307 Million Cash Reserve In Their Legislative Accounts, Audit Report
-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Under Josh Shapiro, Our Commonwealth Is Struggling - By Stacy Garrity, Republican Candidate for Governor
-- Inquirer: Chester County Makes Another Election Error In Mail-In Ballot Lists, Reversed First, Last Names
-- Post-Gazette: Why A $193 Million Injection For Rural Health Care In PA Isn’t Easing Closure Worries
-- Independent Fiscal Office Long-Term Budget Outlook: Even With Governor’s ‘Skill’ Games, Spending Policy Changes, Deficits Will Not Clear Up Until After 2029-30
-- TribLive Guest Essay: Is PA Gaming Control Board Playing Loose With The Rules - By Jason Lias
-- WESA: Fear Of President’s ICE Surges Grips Pittsburgh Public Schools Classrooms
-- The Guardian: President’s Border Patrol Chief Praised Federal Agent Who Shot US Citizen In Chicago
-- WHYY: New Jersey Residents Can Upload Videos Of President’s ICE Activity To New State Portal
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[Posted: February 12, 2026] PA Environment Digest
The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Reports ‘Settlement In Principle’ To Purchase Venango Water Company [Fallout From Public Water Supply Contamination By Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Continues]
Aqua Pennsylvania has notified the Public Utility Commission it has reached a “settlement in principle” with the Rhodes Estate and Randal and Kevin Rhodes to purchase the Venango Water Company and other water systems owned by the Rhodes Estate.
The notification was included in a February 3 status report by Aqua to the PUC on its temporary operation of the seven Rhodes water systems under emergency receivership orders issued by the Commission dating back to August 11, 2023.
The Rhodes Estate water systems include--
-- Venango Water Company, Venango County
-- Sugarcreek Water Company, Sugarcreek Boro, Venango County
-- West Hickory Water Company, Harmony Twp., Forest County
-- Plumer Water Company, Cornplanter Twp., Venango County
-- Fryburg Water Company, Pinegrove Twp., Venango County; Washington Twp., Clarion County
-- Cooperstown Water Company, Cooperstown Boro & Jackson Twp., Venango County
-- Blaine E. Rhodes Sewer Company, Sugarcreek Boro, Venango County.
Aqua Pennsylvania was ordered to take over operation of the Venango Water Company after a July 2023 spill of conventional oil well wastewater from wells owned by Petro Erie, Inc. that contaminated Bellows Spring, one of two water resources used by the company to serve the Village of Reno, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.
[The circumstances surrounding this spill have been the subject of a criminal investigation by the state Office of Attorney General since March 2025. Read more here.]
Randall and Kevin Rhodes then announced they were resigning as operators of all the Rhodes Estate water companies and the PUC ordered Aqua to temporarily operate those systems so customers could continue receiving water service.
The February 3 report says Aqua Pennsylvania originally notified PUC Administrative Law Judge Mark J. Hoyer of the settlement on August 1, 2025.
Aqua explained that “for various reasons, the parties have not yet been able to finalize all of the necessary documents required for submission of the settlement to the ALJ and the Commission for review.”
Some of those reasons included “the September announcement of the proposed merger of Aqua’s parent, Essential Utilities, Inc. with American Water and the ensuing end-of-year holidays,” according to the report.
Aqua said it “continues to work diligently with the parties to finalize the sale-related documents, along with the settlement documents, for filing with the Commission.”
Contacted for this story, Aqua Pennsylvania said, “We don’t have any comment currently.”
Judge Hoyer has been handling the formal proceeding to determine the future ownership and management of the Rhodes water systems since March 20, 2024.
Last March, Judge Hoyer urged the parties to “seriously explore” a settlement in which Aqua Pennsylvania or another entity would take over ownership and operation of the water companies without the need for further litigation. [Read more here.]
After Judge Hoyer receives and reviews the settlement documents from Aqua Pennsylvania, he will then decide what comes next in the proceeding.
Aqua Pennsylvania will continue to operate Venango Water Company and the six other Rhodes Estate water systems and make improvements and repairs where necessary to provide customers with drinking and wastewater services under the temporary receivership orders issued by the PUC.
In a status report to the PUC last July, Aqua said the Venango Water Company and the six other Rhodes Estate water systems need more than $5.5 million in capital improvements over the next three years to meet state regulations. [Read more here.]
These capital costs are in addition to the ongoing operational and repair costs already incurred by Aqua Pennsylvania in running the systems which will be recovered from water system customers in the future rate cases considered by the Public Utility Commission.
(Photos: Top- Petro Erie, Inc. Reno conventional well wastewater spill; Bottom- Aqua Pennsylvania hauling water to Venango Water Company to make up losses from contaminated spring.)
NewsClip:
-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Reaches Settlement To Buy Venango Water Company [PDF of Article]
Resource Links - Conventional Wastewater Spill:
-- DEP Investigates Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Leak As Possible Source Of Village Of Reno Water Supply Contamination In Venango County; Customers Under Do Not Consume Advisory For 2+ Weeks [8.5.23]
-- The Derrick: DEP Issues Order To Petro Erie, Inc. To Restore Village Of Reno Water System, Cleanup Contamination Caused By Its Conventional Well Wastewater Release; 1 Month Without Clean Water [8.19.23]
-- The Derrick: Public Utility Commission Starts Investigation Into Possible Order For Another Utility To Permanently Acquire Venango Water Company Impacted By Conventional Oil Well Spill [3.12.24]
-- The Derrick: PUC Judge Issues Emergency Order Appointing Aqua Pennsylvania As Temporary Operator For 6 Rhodes Estate Water Companies [Serious Community Impacts Continue From Conventional Oil Well Spill In Venango County] [10.19.24]
-- The Derrick: State Attorney General Launches Criminal Investigation Into Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill That Contaminated Venango Water Company Spring [3.8.25]
-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Details $5.5 Million Upgrade Costs For Rhodes Estates Water Systems In Venango County Area; Fallout Continues From Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill [7.10.25]
-- 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] [2.22.25]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Montour County Commissioners Vote To Reject Talen Energy's Request To Rezone 800 Acres Of Agricultural Land For Industrial A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Approves Limerick Nuclear Power Plant Digital Modernization Plan For Safety, Diagnostic Systems; Data Center Proposed Next Door [PaEN]
-- Guest Comments: How Is PA General Energy Allowed To Destroy Natural Forest Values To Which I Am Entitled To Enjoy With Its Shale Gas Well Pad And Access Road Project In Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County? - By Cynthia Bower, Resident [PaEN]
-- Guest Comments: PA General Energy Shale Gas Road, Well Pads Project Would Close Access To State Forest Land, Threaten Already Threatened Forest Bird Species In Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County -- By Bruce Buckle, President, Lycoming Audubon Society [PaEN]
-- Williamsport Sun: Public Testifies Against PA General Energy Project Industrializing Loyalsock State Forest They Cherish; Natural Gas Industry Highlights Jobs, Economic Development [PDF of Article]
-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Reports ‘Settlement In Principle’ To Purchase Venango Water Company [Fallout From Public Water Supply Contamination By Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Continues] [PaEN]
-- US EIA Increases Natural Gas Price Projection For 2026 By 40% Due To Large Withdrawals From Gas Storage [PaEN]
-- 12th Annual Pennsylvania Renewables Summit Set For March 16-17 In Harrisburg Area [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Reuters: Montour County Commissioners Deny Rezoning Request For Talen Energy Data Center Development
-- The Center Square: Shapiro’s Power Plans Draw Mixed Reactions
-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: Why Gov. Shapiro Wants To Scrutinize Electric, Gas Utility Profits
-- Scranton Times: Archbald (Wednesday), Dickson City (Thursday) Hearings This Week Focus On Data Center Proposals [PDF of Article]
-- Scranton Times: A.I. Data Center Developer Appeals Jessup Boro Denial Of Breaker Street Data Center Proposal To Lackawanna County Court [PDF of Article]
-- The Citizens Voice: Proposed Hollenback Twp. Zoning Ordinance Allows For A.I. Data Centers With Conditions In Luzerne County [PDF of Article]
-- WJAC: Homer City’s Natural Gas Power Plant, Data Center Reboot In Indiana County - Part I
-- WJAC: Activists Challenge Air Permit For Homer City 4.5 GW Natural Gas Power Plant For Data Center - Part II
-- Observer-Reporter: South Strabane Twp. Shares Draft Ordinance For A.I. Data Centers In Washington County [PDF of Article]
-- Erie Times: Proposal For Underwater Electric Transmission Line From Canada To Erie County Seeking Government Approvals
-- Utility Dive: New Jersey Board Of Public Utilities Launches Virtual Power Plant Initiative With Distributed Energy Resources
-- E&ENews/Politico: US Natural Gas Exporters Brace For Global Glut
[Posted: February 12, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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