Awards/Recognition
-- WGAL8: 9th Generation Brothers Preserve Pennsylvania’s Oldest Farm After 309 Years In Lancaster County
-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators Announce Recipients Of 2026 PAEE Awards, Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Awards [PaEN]
-- The Allegheny Front: Profile: Carol Parenzan, From Environmental Engineer To ‘Water Healer’
-- Ayana Elizabeth Johnson To Receive Dickinson College’s Rose-Walters Prize for Environmental Activism [PaEN]
-- WeConservePA: Lebanon County Conservation District Recognizes Calvin Miller With Steward Of The Land Lifetime Award [PaEN]
Grants
-- Volunteers, Fish & Boat Commission, DEP Stock Trout In Conowingo Creek, Lancaster County Restored With Help Of State, Federal Funding; New Grant Round Opens April 22 [PaEN]
-- Local Governments: Apply To DEP’s Community Energy Development Program By April 15 For Help In Developing Energy Transition Plans [PaEN]
-- DCNR Grants News: McCahill Park Improves Recreation, Stormwater Management; Lumber Region Anniversary; Open Space A Catalyst For Community Impact Webinar
Help Wanted
-- DCNR Linkedin: Recognizing The Impact Of Conservation Volunteers On Pennsylvania’s Public Lands - By DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn [PDF of Article]
-- Help Wanted: PA Environmental Council Mapping/Program Coordinator [PaEN]
Upcoming Events
-- PA Resources Council: Celebrate Earth Day By Attending PRC’s April Events On Backyard Composting, Native Plants, Recycling And Waste Reduction, Much More
-- ClearWater Conservancy Kicks Off 10th Season Of Centred Outdoors - Free Guided Outings, Wellness Programs, Adventure Hikes [PaEN]
-- PennLive: From Cuddling Goats To Exploring Caves, Earth Day Events Bloom Across Central PA
-- Warren Times: Allegheny National Forest To Host April 18 Invasive Plant Removal Earth Day Event
-- DCNR Kicks Off America250PA GeoCache Trail Through 25 PA State Parks [PaEN]
-- Gov. Shapiro, America250PA Announce 5-City Commonwealth Free Concert Series Tour Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Role Through 250 Years Of America
-- DEP Falcon Cam: The Hatch Watch Is On! Rachel Carson Building Peregrine Falcons Have A Clutch Of 5 Eggs That May Start Hatching April 29 [Watch Live]
-- WHYY: Scarlet Tanagers Proposed As PA’s Official Migratory Bird: ‘The Jewels Of The Forest’
-- PennFuture, Partners Host April 10 Webinar On PUC A.I. Data Centers Large Load Model Tariff [PaEN]
-- House Energy Committee To Meet April 13 To Consider GeoThermal Energy, Advanced Transmission Line Technology, PA Energy Development Authority Bills; Sets April 14 Hearing On Net Metering [PaEN]
-- DEP Hosts April 15 Webinar On How To Do Trenchless Pipeline Construction Safely After Major Incidents In 2025 Causing The Release Of 1.2 Million Gallons Of Drilling Fluids Into Abandoned Mine Voids In Washington County. 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
-- PA Solar Center, Partners Host April 17 Webinar On How Energy Storage, Solar Energy Create Resilient Communities Featuring DEP's Report On Microgrids, Energy Storage [PaEN]
-- Wildlands Conservation April 17 Eco-Tour Of The Maple Tract Preserve Prescribed Burn Tract In Monroe County
-- DEP State Water Plan Program Hosting 4 Upcoming Webinars On Dry Cooling; Developing Local Climate Action Plans; Overview Of The PUC Water Programs; Coastal Zone Grants [PaEN]
-- Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Earth Day Trail Run/Walk Race Set For April 18 In Montgomery County [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension, Tri-County Conewago Creek Assn. Hold April 25 Volunteer Riparian Buffer Planting In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County. 1:00 p.m.
-- Independence Conservancy To Hold 3 Waste Tire Collection Events In Allegheny, Beaver Counties Starting April 25 [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Free Earth Day Celebration Set At Bradford Woods Reserve April 25, Allegheny County
-- FCFreePressPA.com: Buttonwood Nature Center Presents 35th Earth Day Celebration April 25 In Franklin County
Public Participation
-- LOTS GOING ON! PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 11 [PaEN]
-- READ CAREFULLY! DEP Posted 64 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 11 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
-- PUC Publishes Proposed Rule Regulating Electric Distributed Energy, Aggregation Resources, Virtual Power Plant Participation In Wholesale Energy Markets [PaEN]
-- Scranton Times: PPL Open House Now April 21 On Proposed Power Line/Substation Projects To Serve Proposed A.I. Data Center Projects In Archbald Boro
-- DEP To Hold May 11 Hearing On North Centre Twp. PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Hazardous Site Response In 12 Municipalities In Columbia County Involving Contaminated Sewage Sludge [PaEN]
-- DEP To Hold May 12 Hearing On Individual Stormwater Permit For The 5.8 Mile HCPP 30-Inch Natural Gas Pipeline Serving The 4.5 GW Homer City A.I. Data Center Power Plant In Indiana County [PaEN]
-- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Seeks Comments On Environmental Impacts Of Proposed Constitution Natural Gas Pipeline Project Impacting Susquehanna County, PA; New York And Delaware [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On CNX Midstream Project To Prevent Damage To 4 Natural Gas Gathering Pipelines From Longwall Coal Mining In Greene County [PaEN]
-- TribLive - Joe Napsha: CNX Midstream Seeks To Tap Beaver Run Drinking Water Reservoir For Fracking Water In Westmoreland County
-- DEP: A.I. Data Center Developer Edged Energy Submits Notice Of Intent To Remediate Site In South Whitehall Twp., Lehigh County [PaEN]
-- Scranton Times: Municipalities To Hold 5 A.I. Data Center Meetings, Hearings This Month: Archbald Boro, Olyphant Boro, Fell, Greenfield And Scott Townships
-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Plan Approval To Reactivate Engines, Oil-Fired Boilers, Cooling Towers At Three Mile Island Nuclear Data Center Power Plant In Dauphin County [PaEN]
-- York Daily Record: Three Mile Island Nuclear Data Center Power Plant Wants To Draw More Water From Susquehanna River For Its Restart
-- PUC Sets July 7 Hearings On Greater Hazleton CAN DO Request To Supply 350,000 Gallons Of Recycled Water/Day To A Proposed A.I. Data Center Campus In The Humboldt Industrial Park, Luzerne County [PaEN]
-- The Shenandoah Sentinel: Hearings Set As PUC Considers Request To Provide Water Service To Hazleton Area A.I. Data Centers
Programs/Information
-- PA Recycling Markets Center Study: Recycling Industries Support Over 319,000 Jobs; Contributes $130.5 Billion To The Economy - Over 3 Times That Of The Shale Gas Industry [PaEN]
-- PA Bar Association Quarterly: Examining The Evolution Of The PA Environmental Rights Amendment Through A Municipal Lens
-- DEP: Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Brings Clean Drinking Water To Community In Lancaster County Contaminated By Trichloroethylene (TCE); Future Cleanup Funding In Doubt [PaEN]
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Businesses, Individuals Who Paid The President’s Illegal Tariffs May Be Able To Start Applying For $166 Billion In Refunds By April 20
-- DEP: Recent Precipitation Leads To Improved Drought Conditions, But Additional Recovery Is Needed [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Submission Of Water Quality Data For Evaluation Of 34 Wild Trout Stream Designations In 19 Counties [PaEN]
-- Stroud Water Research Center: New Clean Water Partnership With University Of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary School At New Bolton Center; Bringing Back Eastern Brook Trout; LaMotte Company Honored [PaEN]
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Research Shows Chesapeake Bay Watershed Streams Are Getting Saltier
-- Gov. Shapiro, DCNR Announce Grand Opening Of Laurel Caverns State Park In Fayette County, Pennsylvania’s First Underground State Park [PaEN]
-- DCNR Resource News: Laurel Caverns State Park Opening; Volunteer Opportunities; Replace Invasive Plants, Much More!
-- Observer-Reporter: Laurel Caverns Becomes First Subterranean State Park In PA
-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: Pennsylvania’s First Underground State Park Opens To Public
-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Laurel Caverns Belongs To All Pennsylvanians
-- Tribune-Democrat: Cambria Recreation Authority To Celebrate Completion Of Ghost Town Trail Loop
-- Pennsylvania Invests More Than $10.2 Million To Ensure 31 Farms, 2,645 Acres Of Prime Farmland In 20 Counties Stay Farms Forever [PaEN]
-- DCNR Forecast For April 11 Shows Higher Wildfire Danger Levels In Southern Half Of Pennsylvania
-- PennLive: Wildfire Season Is Here: Why Spring Is So Dangerous In PA And How You Can Help
-- TribLive: Forecasters Caution Of Wildfire Risk In Allegheny County
-- The Allegheny Front: Is The Rare PA Hawthorn Tree Ready For Its Moment In The Sun?
-- Wildlands Conservancy Brings Prescribed Fire Back To Maple Tract Preserve In Monroe County
-- PennWATCH: Pennsylvania Braces For ‘High-Risk’ Tick Season As Spring Temperatures Rise
-- WESA: Ticks, Lyme Disease Are The Backyard Threat SW PA Homeowners Keep Ignoring
-- Tribune-Democrat: Birdwatching ‘Nest’ Planned For Lake Somerset
-- Morning Call Guest Essay: Easter, Spring Weather Bring Thoughts Of Renewal And Gardening - By George Ball, Chairman, PA-based W. Atlee Burpee Company
A.I./Data Centers
-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - April 13 [PaEN]
-- House Energy Committee To Meet April 13 To Consider GeoThermal Energy, Advanced Transmission Line Technology, PA Energy Development Authority Bills; Sets April 14 Hearing On Net Metering [PaEN]
-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: PA A.I. Data Centers: How State Lawmakers Are Responding, From Electricity And Water Use To Proposing More Tax Breaks
-- Williamsport Sun: Panelists Compare Coming A.I. Data Centers To What Shale Gas Did To The Region; ‘This Isn’t Something That You Stop’ Said PPL President ‘It’s Something You Are Responsible With’ [PDF of Article]
-- The Center Square: Non-Disclosure Agreements With Local Officials On A.I. Data Centers Spur Talk Of ‘Secret Deals’
-- Utility Dive: Pennsylvania DEP Seeks Potential Fast-Track Energy Storage, Generation Projects In Response To PJM Expedited Interconnection Track
-- Tribune-Democrat: DEP Seeks Proposals For Expedited Energy Projects To Buttress PJM Power Grid
-- Bloomberg: PJM Interconnection Announces Emergency Proposal Seeking 15 Gigawatts Of New Power Supplies To Address Potential Shortages Caused By A.I. Data Center Demand [PaEN]
-- Utility Dive: Supply Crunch For Natural Gas Power Plant Turbines Set To Raise Prices 195% By 2027; 5 Year Wait For Large Turbines, Report
-- The Citizens’ Voice: Hunlock Creek 146-MW Natural Gas Power Plant Expresses Interest In Building A.I. Data Center In Hunlock Twp., Luzerne County
-- DEP To Hold May 12 Hearing On Individual Stormwater Permit For The 5.8 Mile HCPP 30-Inch Natural Gas Pipeline Serving The 4.5 GW Homer City A.I. Data Center Power Plant In Indiana County [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Plan Approval To Reactivate Engines, Oil-Fired Boilers, Cooling Towers At Three Mile Island Nuclear Data Center Power Plant In Dauphin County [PaEN]
-- PUC Sets July 7 Hearings On Greater Hazleton CAN DO Request To Supply 350,000 Gallons Of Recycled Water/Day To A Proposed A.I. Data Center Campus In The Humboldt Industrial Park, Luzerne County [PaEN]
-- PUC Publishes Proposed Rule Regulating Electric Distributed Energy, Aggregation Resources, Virtual Power Plant Participation In Wholesale Energy Markets [PaEN]
-- WHYY: Gov. Shapiro Calls PECO ‘s Proposed 12.5% Electric, 11.4% Natural Gas Increase ‘Pure Greed’
-- PUC Raises Cost, Other Concerns With Proposed 222 Mile Kammer Juniata Electric Transmission Line Project Going Through 10 PA Counties [To Help Feed A.I. Data Center Demands In Eastern PA] [PaEN]
-- The Guardian: Oil And Natural Gas Crisis From US President’s War On Iran Worse Than 1973, 1979 And 2022 Together, Says IEA
-- US EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook As Of April 7
-- PA Data Center Hearings & Meetings - Physicians For Social Responsibility PA
Background On Issues
-- DEP/Environmental Quality Board Withdraws Proposed Regulation Changing Notification Requirements For Spills, Releases Saying Technical Guidance Is More Appropriate [PaEN]
-- DEP: Wastewater Spill At Repsol Oil & Gas USA Shale Gas Well Pad In Bradford County Results In Recovery Of 166,729 Gallons Of Contaminated Water, So Far [PaEN]
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: DEP Fines Eureka Resources $100,000 For Oil & Gas Wastewater Spills, Other Violations In Bradford, Lycoming County
-- Observer-Reporter: Equitrans [EQT] Appeals Court Ruling Denying Request To Dismiss State Criminal Charges Involving A 2018 Greene County Methane House Explosion Causing Serious Burns To 3 People, Including a 4-Year Old [PDF of Article]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: PA Is One Of The World’s Top Energy Producers, So Why Can’t It Build Pipelines? - By T.J. Rooney, Lobbyist, Tri State Strategies [DEP Permits Not The Problem; Pipelines Fined Over $71 Million + Multiple Criminal Charges]
-- EPA Moves To Weaken Rule To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations [PaEN]
-- PA Extends Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Application Period To May 8; President Calls For Eliminating The Program Next Year [PaEN]
-- PennLive: Pennsylvanians Could Lose Millions Used To Help People Pay Heating Bills Under President’s Proposed Budget Cuts
-- Inquirer: Energy Prices Are Up, These Smart Moves Can Help Your Business Save Money
-- Inside Climate News: US Department Of Agriculture Lost 21% Of Its Workforce In 2025
-- Williamsport Sun: US Forest Service To Shutdown Williamsport Office Involved In Research On Forest Health, Sustainable Management
-- Inside Climate News: President’s Budget Proposes Massive Cuts For Environmental Programs [Again]
-- Utility Dive: US Dept. Of Energy Slashing Non-Defense Spending On Energy By Cutting ‘Green New Scam Initiatives’
-- Post-Gazette/AP: President’s EPA Proposes Gutting Rules Targeting Coal Plant Ash Pollution That Threatens Groundwater
-- NRDC: EPA Proposes To Weaken Safeguards Against Coal Ash Pollution In Groundwater
-- EPA Proposes More Changes To Disposal Of Coal Combustion Residuals And Beneficial Use Requirements
-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Joins Lawsuit Over Federal Repeal Of Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding [PaEN]
-- DCED Awards $125,625 Grant To Bucks County Redevelopment Authority To Make A Site Safe For New Residential Development In Sellersville Borough [PaEN]
-- City Of Pittsburgh To Develop Solar Energy Facility On Steel Slag Disposal Area In Swisshelm Park To Cut Energy Costs By $2.6 Million At 4 Public Schools [PaEN]
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Brownfields To Become Solar Energy Facility Powering 4 Schools
-- TribLive: Solar Energy Facility Planned In Swisshelm Park Would Power 4 Pittsburgh Public Schools
-- TheDerrick.com: Oil City Hears From Solar Energy Company On Proposed Installation Near High School In Venango County
-- Altoona Mirror: Logan Township Approves Solar Energy Facility Off Old Sixth Avenue Road
-- US EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook As Of April 7
-- Post-Gazette: Sustainable Sip-Off Brings Together Regional Breweries For A Competition During Pittsburgh NFL Draft Week
-- Courier Express: Toby Creek Watershed Assn. Highlights Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Efforts In Jefferson County
-- FOX43: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Gives Students Hands-On Education On The Conodoguinet Creek
-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Rain Garden Construction Underway At Luzerne County’s Operations Building In Wyoming
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases 2025 Annual Report Highlighting Data Center, Natural Gas Water Use, Climate Change, Road Salt Study, More [PaEN]
-- TribLive: Volunteers Replace 10 Invasive Trees With Native Ones Along Freeport Road In Blawnox, Allegheny County
-- TribLive: Small Space, Big Environmental Impact: Aspinwall Resident To Plant Public Pollinator Garden In Allegheny County
Visit the DEP Calendar of Events; PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.
Visit DEP’s Teaching Green webpage to learn about more environmental education resources.
Visit the PA Environment Digest Calendar Of Events for more opportunities.
[Posted: April 12, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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