PA Environment Digest Blog: 121 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 121 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!

-- PA Envirothon Team From Penncrest High School In Delaware County Placed 4th In the 2026 International NCF-Envirothon Competition! [PaEN]

-- DEP Intern Experiences: Hafsah Goes To Penn State Harrisburg And Is Working On A New DEP Website Search Hub [Video]

-- Gov. Shapiro Honors Commonwealth Employees With Governor's Award For Excellence, Including Staff From DEP, DCNR [PaEN]

-- DCNR: Responses To Wildfires In Cumberland, Carbon Counties Earns 2 DCNR Groups Governor’s Awards For Excellence

-- Tribune-Democrat: Quecreek Mine Rescue Remembered Quietly On 24th Anniversary; Plans In Place For Larger Celebration Next Year

-- Lenape Nation Of Pennsylvania - Rising Nation River Journey On Delaware River Aug. 2 to 15 [PaEN]

-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land - Landowners Tell Their Stories: Remembering Working Forest Landowner Robert Crawford [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: Voters In PA Passed Referendums Raising $1.13 Billion To Protect Farmland And Open Space Since 1996 [PaEN]

-- DCNR Celebrates Induction Of 2 State Parks Into National Old-Growth Forest Network: Ole Bull State Park, Potter County, Tuscarora State Park, Schuylkill County

-- Citizens Coal Council: PA Act 54 Promised Structures, Stream Damage From Coal Mining Would Be Identified, Tracked, Repaired - After 30 Years That Promise Remains Undocumented, Unverified And In Most Cases Unmet [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Water Quality Permits For A Consol Coal Company Pipeline To Dispose Of Coal Refuse Disposal Area Sediment Pond Overflow Into Underground Mine Workings In Washington County [PaEN]

-- WVIA: Hazleton Aims To Bring Coal Mining History To Life Through New Tour

-- DEP: Apollo Resources Reports Release Of 3,200 Gallons Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Oil & Gas Well Storage Tank In Snow Shoe Twp., Centre County [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 33: Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Fails To Comply With Order To Prevent Migration Of Contaminated Water Release Offsite At Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP Issues Violations To John D. Branch For Failing To Comply With Spill Containment Regulations Around Storage Tanks Holding 42,000 Gallons Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Wells In Warren County [PaEN]

-- WESA: PA DEP Says Landfill Leachate From Oil/Gas Wastes Poses No Health Risk; Environmentalists Aren’t So Sure [DEP Said Its Results Were Based On ‘Limited’ Data, More Analysis Is Warranted ]

-- Phys.org: Pennsylvania Roads Are Being Coated In Radioactive Oil & Gas Wastewater - Here’s Why - By William Burgos, Nathaniel Warner, Penn State University, The Conversation

-- Courier Times: Energy Transfer/Sunoco Jet Fuel Pipeline Leak Leaves Lingering Effects For Some In Upper Makefield Twp., Bucks County

-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts In-Person Aug. 5 Shale Gas Fracking And Public Health 101 - The People's Cancer Incidence Screening Tool In Washington County [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: Center For Coalfield Justice To Hold Aug. 5 Shale Gas Fracking And Public Health 101 Event

-- Americans-Dream.com: EQT Natural Gas & Toby Rice Should Have A Heart And Pave West Pike Run Twp. Road In Washington County, Parents Fear For Disabled Son’s Safety

-- Observer-Reporter: DEP, Washington Conservation District Visit West Pike Run Twp. To Inspect Road Deteriorating Under The Impact Of Heavy Shale Gas Development Truck Traffic

-- Penn State Extension To Hold Sept. 23 Webinar On A Statewide Road Salt Initiative To Promote Smarter Winter Maintenance, Pollution Reduction [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter: DEP To Develop New Methane Rules For Oil & Gas Operations

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Shell Petrochemical Plant Delivers Record Performance In 2nd Quarter

-- Ohio River Valley Institute: Shell Petrochemical Plant Bad Deal For Beaver County; Violated Air Pollution Limits Every Month Since It Began Operations [Warning]

-- The Center Square: Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Endorses Statewide Moratorium On A.I. Data Center Development Amid Eminent Domain, Farmland Preservation Worries [PaEN]

-- The Center Square: State Lawmakers Denied Entry To Talen Energy/Amazon Data Center In Luzerne County [Warning]

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: ‘We Will Not Be Bullied:’ Plymouth Township Pushes Back Against Developer Or Proposed A.I. Data Center In Montgomery County [Warning]

-- Scranton Times - Chris Kelly Opinion: Coldwell Banker A.I Data Center Developer Calls Local Opponents Of Data Centers ‘Cave People’ [Warning]

-- Scranton Times: Archbald’s Latest A.I. Data Center Developer PNK Group Distances Itself From Russian Origins

-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports Average Cost Of Electricity In PA Jumped 14.6% Over Past Year, Total Average PA Electricity Bill Has Increased 20.6% Since 2024 [PaEN]

-- FYI: -- A.I. Data Center Legislative Scorecard: Pennsylvania Failed To Finalize Meaningful Legislation On Energy Affordability, To Increase Electric Generation And Give Communities The Tools They Need To Cope With A.I. Proposals [PaEN]

-- Erie Times/USAToday: Pennsylvania Electric Bills Rise 20% In 2 Years [Driven By Surge In Power Demands From Data Centers]

-- Capital & Main: In Pennsylvania, The A.I. Data Center Wars Hit The Ballot Box; Voters Angry About Rising Electricity Bills

-- Warren Times Editorial: Rising Electricity Rates Keep Shocking Customers

-- PA Capital-Star: Leftover Low-Income Energy Assistance Funds Used To Give PA Enrollees $100 Supplemental Benefit In Face Of Spiking, Data Center-Driven Energy Costs

-- PJM Interconnection Proposes One-Time Backstop General Capacity Auction In September With A $555/MW-Day Cap On Prices - Nearly 71% Higher Than Current $325 Cap [PaEN]

-- Spotlight PA: PJM, Power Grid Can’t Handle A.I. Boom Demands As Summer Heat Triggers Emergency Orders [Warning]

-- The Shenandoah Sentinel: PPL Follows Through With Threat, Begins Eminent Domain Proceedings For Grid Improvements Paid For By Ratepayers To Feed Proposed A.I. Data Center In Luzerne County

-- Scranton Times: PPL Corp, Blackstone Spend $40.4 Million To Purchase 500 Acres In Jenkins, Plains, Salem Twps. On Possible A.I. Data Center Power Plants In Luzerne County

-- Utility Dive: FirstEnergy’s Mon Power, Potomac Edison Plan To Assess A Surcharge On Their Ratepayers To Help Finance $2.7 Billion In Generation In West Virginia For A.I. Data Centers [Warning]

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Three Mile Island Nuclear Data Center Power Plant Restart Continues Checking Boxes, Stoking Fears

-- PA Capital-Star: Concerns Persist As Three Mile Island Nuclear Data Center Power Plant Progresses Toward 2027 Restart

-- TribLive: Data Center Dash: A.I. Data Center Industry Expands Hopes In Western PA, But Its Future Remains Uncertain

-- TribLive: Wary Of A.I. Data Center Boom, Pittsburgh And Allegheny County Proceed With Caution

-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: More A.I. Data Centers Will Mean More Shale Gas Fracking In PA; These Advocates Want Better Health, Environmental Protections For Citizens

-- DEP Invites Comments On Water Quality Permit For Fill, Utility Lines Related To Aligned Data Centers Project, Shippingport Boro & Raccoon Twp., Beaver County [PaEN]

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Concerned Citizen Involvement Is Vital In Addressing A.I. Data Center Projects And There Are Many Ways To Get Involved

-- Environmental Health Project Blog: Strategies From The Front Lines - How Communities Fight Data Centers - One Person's Experience From Springdale, Allegheny County

-- The Water Center, University Of Pennsylvania: Research Examines Case Studies On The Local Impact Of A.I.- Driven Data Center Growth In PA And Water Use, Energy, Communities

-- PennLive Guest Essay: A.I. Data Center Are Coming To PA, Here’s How Watts Twp., Perry County Can Protect Itself While Benefiting - By Jim Enders, Member Plumbers, Pipefitters Local 520 [Who Construct These Facilities And Move On, Rarely Living With The Consequences]

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - August 3 [PaEN]

-- TribLive: State Spending $6 Million To Support GE Vernova Expansion Of Manufacturing Critical Grid Infrastructure For The Booming A.I. Data Center Industry

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Westinghouse Nuclear Technology Company Files To Become Public Company [Riding Hope Of Nuclear Power Renaissance With A.I. Data Centers]

-- EPA: Promoting Data Centers, ‘Safeguarding Communities’ By Exempting Power Plants Not Connected To The Grid [And Serving Data Centers] From Acid Rain Clean Air Act Requirements [Warning]

-- WIRED: President’s EPA Wants To Change Public Engagement Rules For Polluters, Requiring Little Or No Public Notice To Benefit Gas Power Plants, Data Centers [Warning]

-- The Guardian: US Environmental Groups Urge EPA To Reject New PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ To Cool A.I. Data Centers [Warning]

-- Spotlight PA: Where Governor Candidates Garrity, Shapiro Stand On Energy Costs, The Environment, More

-- PennLive: Republican Candidate For Governor Garrity Uses Farm Plan To Knock Data Centers, Distances Herself From President’s Tariffs

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/AP: Democratic Candidate [Cognetti] For PA Swing Congressional Seat Targets A.I. Data Centers To Oust Republican [Bresnahan]

-- Scranton Times: Republican Con. Bresnahan Calls For Local Control Of A.I. Data Center Development

-- Capital & Main: In Pennsylvania, The A.I. Data Center Wars Hit The Ballot Box; Voters Angry About Rising Electricity Bills

-- North Museum Of Play In Beaver Falls Flips The Switch On New Solar Energy Installation In Beaver County [PaEN]

-- Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. Flips The Switch On New Solar Energy System To Save $4,543 A Year On Electricity Costs In Allegheny County [PaEN]

-- Erie Times: Erie County Tech School Solar Energy Facility To Begin Construction; School District To Save $5.9 Million; Funded By Solar For Schools Grant

-- Erie Times: $263 Million, 1,200 Acre Solar Energy Facility Nears Final Approval In 4 Erie County Townships

-- Solarize Greater Philadelphia, Partners Host Aug. 19 Webinar For Municipalities On How To Take Advantage Of Solar Energy To Make Energy Costs More Predictable [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times Letter: Solar Energy On Abandoned Mine Lands Solution For Soaring Energy Costs - By Robert Hughes, Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation

-- Utility Dive: President’s ‘Vindictive’ Use Of $7.6 Billion In Energy, Other Grants Sparks Backlash [Warning]

-- Altoona Mirror: SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center Set Up In Tyrone Thru Aug. 13 For Victims Of July 5-6 Flash Flooding In Blair County

-- PEMA: SBA, State Disaster Assistance Loans, Grants Available To Flood Victims In Blair, Surrounding Bedford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon Counties

-- Morning Call: Storms Dump Up To 7 Inches Of Rain On Part Of Lehigh Valley Causing Flash Flooding, Mudslide

-- TribLive: Flood-Prone Hempfield Twp. Home Will Be Razed After Flooding More Than A Dozen Times Since 1996

-- Post-Gazette: Why The Pittsburgh Region Is On The Verge Of Setting An Annual Record For Tornadoes

-- The Allegheny Front: Pittsburgh Trees Help Cool Neighborhoods As Advocates Try To Plant More

-- WITF: How To Become A Master Watershed Steward

-- Tribune-Democrat: Tubmill Trout Unlimited Club Completes Hendricks Creek Stream Restoration Project In Westmoreland County

-- Penn State Extension Aug. 12 Webinar On PAOneStop: Developing Farm Maps, Nutrient, Conservation Plans

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Aug. 25 Webinar For Forestland Owners On Opportunities Available In Forest Carbon Credit Programs [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts 5-Part Woodland Stewardship - Guided Engagement With Your Land Webinar Series Beginning Sept. 23 [PaEN]

-- Mountain Watershed Association To Hold Aug. 1 Community Remembrance Event For Blue Hole Creek, Somerset County, Now Contaminated With Lead From Shooting Range [PaEN]

-- Three Rivers WaterKeeper, Upper Chartiers Creek Watershed Assn. File Intent To Sue PA Transformer Technology, LLC For Alleged Discharges Of PCBs In Washington County [PaEN]

-- TribLive: Experts Say Pittsburgh-Area Rivers Healthier Than Ever, But There’s Still Work To Do

-- University Of Pittsburgh Times: Environmental Science Professor Dives Into Swimming, Fishing Potential Of Pittsburgh’s Rivers

-- TribLive: Hundreds Sign Up For Westmoreland Water Authority Lead Drinking Water Line Replacement Program

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Sept. 2 Our Founding Waters Celebration Community River Festival, Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center, Bucks County, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

-- Meagan Birkenmaier Named Director Of The Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed [PaEN]

-- PUC: 2026 Pipeline, Electric & Cybersecurity Safety Conference Set For Sept. 9-10 In State College

-- Sen. Fetterman Adds PA Projects To Federal Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act

-- WITF: Aug. 1 RIVERZILLA Community Day Invites Reading Residents To Clean Up Schuylkill River

-- Centre Daily Times: Centre County Recycling, Refuse Authority, Partners Expands Propane Cylinder Recycling Program

-- DEP Cancels, To Reschedule Aug. 4 Hearing On Blythe Recycling & Demolition Site Waste Permit In Schuylkill County

-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of Natural Soil Products Biosolids Composting Permit For Facility In Frailey Twp., Schuylkill County [PaEN]

-- York Daily Record: Republic Services Ordered To Pay $9.2 Million Penalty For Violations At York County Landfill As A Result Of Lawsuit By Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper

-- PennLive: Republic Services Faces $9.2 Million Penalty For Repeated Violations At York County Landfill As A Result Of Lawsuit By Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper

-- York Daily Record: Commonwealth Court Finds Troubled J&K Salvage Junkyard Owner Broke Child Labor Laws Endangering Workers

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order With Chevron USA For A Site In Springdale Boro. Allegheny County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Revised Hazardous Sites Cleanup Plan For The Keystone Metals Reduction Site In Cheswick Boro, Allegheny County [PaEN]

-- Western PA Conservancy Easement Protects More Farmland, Forestland In Westmoreland County [PaEN]

-- Morning Call: 11 Lehigh County Farms Slated To Be Saved From Development

-- Centre Daily Times - Mark Nale - Afield: Why It May Be Time To Rethink Lawn Care, Sizes In Pennsylvania

-- The Allegheny Front: Wavyleaf Basketgrass: New Invasive Plant Threatens PA Forests, Here’s How You Can Help

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness: 4 Former Chiefs Of US Forest Service Support Keeping Roadless Area Conservation Rule For America's National Forests

-- DCNR Grants News: Register Now For Nov. 5 Grants Workshop; Outdoor Business Alliance Grants; Learn About Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape Project

-- Spotlight PA: Republican House Bill Would Redirect Timber Sale, Oil & Gas Lease Monies Supporting DCNR Operations To Local Governments, School Districts With Publicly Owned Land In Addition To In-lieu Of Tax Payments [Warning]

-- PA Parks And Forests Foundation Celebrates New Accessible Canoe & Kayak Launch At Locust Lake State Park In Schuylkill County [PaEN]

-- July 31 Take Five Fridays With Pam PA Parks & Forests Foundation Now Available

-- Spotlight PA: Camping With Air Conditioning? DCNR Launches Glamping Pilot To Woo Newcomers To Outdoor Fun

-- The Allegheny Front: Discover The Carnivorous Plants Of Spruce Flats Bog At Laurel Summit State Park In Westmoreland County

-- The Allegheny Front: Take ‘The Long Walk’ In Nature Through Art At Frick Environmental Center In Pittsburgh

-- Courier Times: Bucks County Named One Of Nation’s Top Fall Foliage Destinations

-- TheDerrick.com: 6-Day, 105-Mile Allegheny River Odyssey From Warren To Emlenton Launches

-- TheDerrick.com: Epic Allegheny River Odyssey Marks Halfway Point With Dinner, Presentation In Oil City

-- Republican Herald: Outdoor Wildlife Learning’s Summer Nature Camps Help Students Learn About Nature, Environment, Art

-- Discover NE PA: PA Environmental Council Trail Spotlight: Susquehanna Warrior Trail

-- Tribune-Democrat: Salisbury-Area Man Dies In Somerset County ATV Crash