PJM Interconnection Issues Maximum General Alert, Load Management Alert For Sept. 1

On August 31, the PJM Interconnection issued a Maximum General Alert and a Load Management Alert for September 1 to help maintain reliable grid operations through unusually hot and humid weather.

These alerts do not require any action from customers.

A Hot Weather Alert remains in effect for the entire region PJM serves through September 3.  This is the eighth Hot Weather Alert of the summer.  The others were issued for May 18-20, June 5-6, June 11-12, June 18, June 29 to July 5, July 14 to 17 and August 9 to 11.

A Maximum Generation Alert is targeted at transmission/generation owners, who then determine if any maintenance or testing on equipment can be deferred or canceled. 

By deferring maintenance, the units stay online and continue to produce energy that is needed to serve electricity demand within the PJM region. 

This alert is also used to notify neighboring systems that electricity exports from PJM may be curtailed, serving as a procedural step that allows those neighboring regions to plan accordingly.

A Load Management Alert gives advance notification that load management action may be declared, including Pre-Emergency and Emergency Demand Response. 

Demand Response programs pay customers in advance who sign up to allow reduction of their electricity use in emergencies.

Click Here to read more about PJM’s emergency procedures and messages.

Forecasted Load Peaks

PJM's current forecasted load peaks are--

-- September 1 - 150,913 MW (was 154,522 MW)

-- September 2 - 155,966 MW (was 155,046 MW)

-- September 3 - 156,083 MW (was 156,103 MW)

PJM’s peak record was 165,563 MW, set on Aug. 2, 2006.

Click Here for the PJM announcement.

The PJM Interconnection coordinates the wholesale electricity grid and markets for all or parts of 13 states—Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia—plus the District of Columbia.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters News: Bedford, Franklin, Lancaster, Snyder, Tioga, York County Clean Water Projects Highlighted

The latest DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters newsletter highlights clean water projects in Bedford, Franklin, Lancaster, Snyder, Tioga and York counties.

Bedford County

The Bedford County Conservation District has expanded its conservation equipment fleet with the addition of an Interseeder, providing local farmers with another tool to improve soil health, protect water quality, and enhance long-term crop productivity. 

The Interseeder is designed to plant cover crops directly into growing row crops, allowing producers to establish vegetation earlier in the season. 

Franklin County

In April, the Franklin County Conservation District partnered with the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), and the Borough of Mercersburg to complete a stream habitat restoration of the Johnston Run, a warm-water fishery. 

This 675-foot stretch of stream, which lies adjacent to the Johnston Run Streamside Trail, had highly eroded steep banks which were contributing to a decrease in water quality as well as a decrease in ecosystem health. 

Lancaster County

Meaningful water quality improvements rarely happen through a single project. They are built over time through collaboration, commitment, and continued investment.  A Warwick Township livestock farm offers a powerful example. 

For more than a decade, the farm has worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lancaster County Conservation District, TeamAg, Inc., and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to implement conservation practices that protect water quality while improving the farm’s operations.

Lancaster County

Lancaster Clean Water Partners recently celebrated a major milestone: more than 100 organizations working together toward clean and clear water by 2040. The growing network brings together partners from agriculture, local government, conservation, education, business, nonprofits, and other sectors. 

Lancaster County’s water challenges are too complex for any one organization to solve. Each partner brings different expertise, resources, relationships, and perspectives to the work of protecting and restoring Lancaster County’s approximately 1,400 miles of streams.  

Snyder County

The Northcentral Stream Partnership recently wrapped up a streambank stabilization project in Snyder County. 

Here, the landowner owns nearly half a mile of Susquehecka Creek, where erosion had taken a serious toll on the streambank. In some places, there was nearly a six-foot drop from the top of the bank to the stream below. 

The Snyder County Conservation District and Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy combined grant funds to address the entire stretch of stream for the landowner. 

Tioga County

In April, approximately 60 people assisted with a volunteer planting on 200 acres of the Fallbrook mine reforestation site. This project will prevent the increased runoff as well as increase the evapotranspiration as the vegetation matures into a functioning forest ecosystem. 

The native plants and trees that were used for this project will allow the area to return to the forest cover type that existed prior to mineral extraction. 

A key aspect of the project was the ability to work with both public and private landowners cooperatively to re-establish the forest in an unfragmented state.

York County

In partnership with Hanover Borough and the Borough of Hanover Stormwater Authority, two unnamed tributaries to Slagle Run have been restored. 

This project was supported with funding from the York County Stormwater Consortium and the York CAP grant. 

The project work included the removal of approximately 3,500 cubic yards of legacy sediment and other historic fills from the floodplain, restoring of approximately three acres of natural/historic wetlands, and restoring of approximately 1,665 linear feet of unnamed tributaries to Slagle Run.

York County

The York County Rail Trail Authority’s project to restore the Oil Creek floodplain along the Hanover Trolley Trail in Heidelberg Township has earned a 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

The Oil Creek project was completed in coordination with the York County Conservation District and York County Planning Commission, as part of work to construct a new section of the rail trail. As a result of the project, approximately 3,800 linear feet of stream channel in the Oil Creek was restored, creating 11 acres of wetlands.

York County

Congratulations to York County on winning the National Association of Counties 2026 Achievement Award for its innovative Water Quality Monitoring Program. 

The program won the County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability Award. York County is a leader in collaborative water quality improvement to meet federal Chesapeake Bay pollutant reduction requirements through stormwater and agricultural practices.

Click Here to read the entire Healthy Waters newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates on Pennsylvania’s progress.

How Clean Is Your Stream

DEP’s 2026 Water Quality Assessment includes a mapping tool that allows you to check on the status of water quality near you.

Click Here to check how clean your stream is.

(Photos: Row 1-- Franklin County Before/After; Snyder County streambank restoration Before/After; Row 2-- 100 Lancaster Clean Water Partners.;Tioga County reforestation site; York County Slagle Run restoration.)

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Penn State Extension: Mid-Atlantic Organic & Sustainable Agricultural Exchange Nov. 9 In Harrisburg

The Penn State Extension will host the Mid-Atlantic Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Exchange in Harrisburg on November 9.

This engaging Conference was created for organic and regenerative agricultural producers seeking the latest research and practical strategies to strengthen their operations. 

Dedicated educational tracks in grain crops, horticulture, livestock, and dairy will showcase current organic production research alongside proven on-farm applications. 

Participants will gain valuable insights from farmer and grain marketing panels, take part in interactive discussion groups, and connect with exhibitors offering products, services, and solutions designed to support a wide range of agricultural enterprises.

Who is this for?

-- Farmers interested in organic production 

-- Farmers interested in regenerative agriculture 

-- Farmers considering transitioning to organic systems 

-- Agricultural industry representatives 

-- Agricultural professionals

What will you learn?

-- Current research and best management recommendations in organic dairy, grain crop, horticulture, and livestock production 

-- The process of transitioning to organic production systems 

-- Farm biosecurity practices to support herd and crop health 

-- Grain marketing opportunities and strategies 

-- Approaches to improving farm profitability

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

PA Municipal Authorities Association Receives 2026 Empowering Women Award

The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) has received a 2026 Empowering Women award from Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business for its efforts to advance women’s leadership and expand professional opportunities across Pennsylvania’s municipal authority sector. 

PMAA accepted the award at the 2026 Empowering Women and Pennsylvania’s Most Influential Leaders celebration held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading.

The Empowering Women awards recognize organizations that demonstrate meaningful efforts to support women in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. 

PMAA was recognized for addressing the underrepresentation of women in the traditionally male-dominated water, sewer, and solid waste sector, particularly in leadership roles.

A cornerstone of PMAA’s efforts is its WIN (Women, Innovation, Networking) Conference, launched in 2018.

The conference has grown from a targeted networking event into a statewide leadership platform. It highlights women as subject matter experts and leaders in operations, engineering, finance, communications, administration, and executive leadership.

PMAA has also expanded opportunities for women through mentorship, workforce development, committee involvement and its Future Leaders program. 

These efforts help participants build skills, strengthen professional networks and prepare for leadership roles.

“We are incredibly proud to accept this recognition on behalf of PMAA and the women who continue to strengthen our association and our industry,” said PMAA President Melissa Radovanic. “This award reflects our progress and reinforces our responsibility to keep opening doors, developing leaders, and creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders.”

“Women bring tremendous expertise, perspective and leadership to the municipal authority sector, and PMAA is committed to making sure those contributions are recognized and supported,” Radovanic said. “We are grateful to Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business for recognizing this work and motivated to keep building an industry where women can thrive and lead.”

The 2026 Empowering Women Award recognizes PMAA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and professional opportunities across Pennsylvania’s municipal authority sector.

The Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association  has represented more than 2,600 municipal authorities across the Commonwealth. Services provided by the Association include advocacy on governmental affairs issues, education and training, and member benefit programs.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

DEP Industrial Energy Assessment Program Offering Minimal Cost Energy Audits To Small & Medium Manufacturers, Ag Businesses

DEP’s Pennsylvania Industrial Energy Assessment Program provides American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Level 2 energy audits to small- to medium-sized Pennsylvanian manufacturers and agricultural-related businesses at a minimal cost. 

The process delivers technical assistance to help facilities incorporate technologies that enhance energy management and sustainability.

An industrial energy assessment identifies energy-saving upgrades and provides valuable information so that your company decision-makers can not only identify, but can also evaluate and approve energy efficiency, electrification, and other facility retrofits that impact energy use. 

The program can help your facility improve energy performance, reduce operational costs, and pursue available rebates and incentives for upgrades.

Take advantage of 80% off the cost of a detailed energy audit and save up to $10,000! Make the investment today to discover energy conservation measures that could make your facility more efficient.

Click Here for all the details.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Independence Conservancy To Hold Waste Tire Collection Events In Allegheny, Beaver Counties

Need to get rid of tires or wheels from your car or light truck? The Independence Conservancy will hold affordable community tire collections in cooperation with the following municipalities this fall. 

All collections are held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to Noon--

-- September 19:  Crescent Twp. Fire Dept., 225 Spring Run Rd., Crescent, PA 15046

-- September 26: Brighton Twp. Public Works, 1250 Brighton Rd., Beaver, PA 15009

-- October 10: Hookstown Fair Grounds, 1198 State Route 168, Hookstown, PA 15050

Tires on rims are accepted. Individuals and small businesses are welcome. No proof of residency is required, no pre-registration is required, and there is no limit to the number of tires or wheels any one person may bring.

Disposal fees for auto and light truck tires up to 18” off-rim are $5 each; $12 if on-rim.

SUV and light truck tires 19” through 22” off-rim are $7 each. 

Lawn mower and wheel barrow tires on-rim are $15 each. 

Tractor trailer tires up to 22.5” are $30 each. Farm tractor rear tires up to 75 lbs. are $35 each; and over 75 lbs. are priced by weight. 

Pay by cash or check only. No credit cards.

Independence Conservancy offers community tire collections to provide convenient, affordable disposal of scrap tires, thus reducing the risk of West Nile, Zika and other diseases by eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. 

Since 2004, Independence Conservancy has properly disposed of over 67,000 tires through this program, reinvesting all proceeds into clean water and open green space.

The Independence Conservancy is a nonprofit 501c3 land conservation and

environmental stewardship organization active in Beaver, Washington and Allegheny Counties.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Partners With Paul & Cynthia Black To Preserve 78.3 Acres In Chester County

On August 31, the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust announced the permanent protection of 78.3 acres in West Vincent Township in partnership with landowners Paul and Cynthia Black, West Vincent Township, and Chester County. 

This critical conservation easement expands an existing cluster of preserved properties to create a contiguous 236-acre corridor of land protected in perpetuity.

“This is the third project I have had the honor of working on with Paul and Cynthia Black,” noted Pam Brown, Senior Conservation Advisor. “They are true conservation heroes for choosing to protect their land from development.”

Positioned as a prime target for development due to its size and location, this property was eyed for preservation with determination by French & Pickering and West Vincent’s Open Space Committee. 

A project that was more than two decades in the making, this land was the largest unprotected parcel along Pughtown Road. Hope was reignited in 2022 when Paul and Cynthia Black purchased the land with preservation in mind.

“We moved to West Vincent Township in 2015 without realizing that we were moving into the middle of an area that was primed for development,” said Paul Black. “In the decade since then, the 1,500+ acre Bryn Coed estate has been preserved and three contiguous land projects that we have been involved in have eliminated plans for 88 houses and 21 condominiums respectively. It will remain in woods and farmland now forever, a striking contrast to what could have been. French & Pickering were partners for all of it.”

The property is largely comprised of sustainable agricultural farmland but also features woodland and a small stream passage. 

Today it sits protected alongside other French & Pickering-managed easements and in close proximity to Natural Lands’ Bryn Coed Preserve.

“Our West Vincent board, staff, and Open Space Committee cannot thank Paul and Cynthia Black enough for all they have done to ensure their beautiful vistas, farmland, and woodland remain unchanged in our lifetimes and beyond,” said Dana Alan, Chair for the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors. “Our township values open space protection as a very high priority. The board was happy to vote unanimously to use our dedicated open space funds to complete this project. Saving open space cannot happen without landowners who love their property and willingly take action to preserve it for the future. Engaged landowners like the Black family are the reason why West Vincent can continue to maintain its rural culture, beauty, and clean air and water.”

This project marks another win for longstanding partnerships between French & Pickering and West Vincent Township, and Chester County. 

$917,000 in grant funding from West Vincent Township and Chester County, plus a donation of value from Paul and Cynthia Black, was obtained to finalize the conservation easement agreement. 

French & Pickering is grateful to the Black family for their willingness to protect this farmland from future development and to build on a remarkable acreage of preserved landscape.

“Paul and Cynthia Black have been extraordinary partners in conservation. Their commitment has reshaped the future of this part of West Vincent—replacing development pressure with permanently protected farmland, forest, and clean water,” noted Bill Gladden, Executive Director. “This project reflects the very best of community-driven conservation, and French & Pickering is honored to help safeguard a landscape that will benefit residents for generations.”

For questions about this easement, please contact Pam Brown, Senior Conservation Advisor, at 610-310-9499 or email pbrown@frenchandpickering.org. 

The French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust is dedicated to preserving open space and helping people get outside to experience trails and protected landscapes in northern Chester County.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

PennDOT, Keep PA Beautiful Announce 30 Young Ambassadors To Promote Environmental Sustainability In Pennsylvania

On August 31, the Department of Transportation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the 2026-2027 cohort of Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania. 

From September through May 2027, Ambassadors will develop civic leadership skills and gain hands-on experience as they champion and advocate for clean and beautiful communities across Pennsylvania.

Ambassadors were named from Allegheny, Cambria, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Susquehanna, Wayne and York counties.

Now in its fifth year, the Young Ambassadors program is designed to cultivate the passion and leadership of young community stewards. 

Ambassadors are provided access to essential resources, empowering them to promote and pursue a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania within their own communities.

“Across the Commonwealth, PennDOT and our partners are working diligently to prevent the long-term environmental damage caused by litter,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re excited to partner with our most creative and passionate young leaders to clean up Pennsylvania’s environmental future.”

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will award two $1000 scholarships: one to a current senior in the Young Ambassadors program and one to an alum of the program.                                                         

"As the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Young Ambassador Program enters its fifth year, we celebrate the outstanding young leaders who are helping build a brighter future for Pennsylvania. Their creativity, commitment, and determination to make a positive impact inspire us year after year. We are proud to champion and invest in these emerging environmental and community leaders as they work to strengthen and beautify their communities,” said Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Executive Director Shannon Reiter.

The 2026-2027 Young Ambassadors of PA are--

Brady Franklin, 11th grade, Mt. Lebanon High School, Allegheny County

Sydney Morrissey, 10th grade, PACyber, Allegheny County

Brock Wharton, 10th grade, Cambria Heights High School, Cambria County

Shannon Evans, 12th grade, Unionville High School, Chester County

Nick Michel, 11th grade, The Episcopal Academy, Chester County

Nathaniel Gushurst, 12th grade, Unionville High School, Chester County

Claire Mullen, 10th grade, Downingtown STEM Academy, Chester County

Atharv Rajesh, 11th grade, Downingtown STEM Academy, Chester County

Gian Gokul, 11th grade, Great Valley High School, Chester County

Abhinav Naregal, 10th grade, Cumberland Valley High School, Cumberland County

Ranhitha Laxmaiahgari, 11th grade, Cumberland Valley High School, Cumberland County

Tanush Vanamala, 11th grade, Cumberland Valley High School, Cumberland County

Amrutha Davuluri, 12th grade, Cumberland Valley High School, Cumberland County

Zephaniah Weaver, 11th grade, Halifax Area High School, Dauphin County

Nadia, Dougherty, 12th grade, Radnor High School, Delaware County

Ameya Singh, 11th grade, Garnet Valley High School, Delaware County

Aneesha Chennareddy, 11th grade, Garnet Valley High School, Delaware County

Barrett Slye, 10th grade, Malvern Prep, Delaware County

K. Gabler, 12th grade, Saint Marys Area High School, Elk County

Lilly Bernstein, 10th grade, Fairview High School, Erie County

Nyakia Dit, 12th grade, William Allen, Lehigh County

Saraih Garcia, 12th grade, Reach Cyber Charter School, Luzerne County

Brooke Serfass, 11th grade, Pleasant Valley High School, Monroe County

Srijani Saha, 12th grade, North Penn High School, Montgomery County

Ari Goldin, 10th grade, Abington Senior High School, Montgomery County

YuMi Murphy, 10th grade, Abington Senior High School, Montgomery County

Sayna Shah, 10th grade, William Penn Charter School, Montgomery County

JoEllen Jones, 12th grade, Forest City Regional High School, Susquehanna County

Eliana Lothian, 11th grade, Honesdale High School, Wayne County

Emeline Strautin, 10th grade, Central York High School, York County

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will provide education and training to program participants on topics related to the impacts of litter, litter prevention, waste management and recycling, civic engagement and related public policy, volunteer management, and social media marketing. 

Ambassadors will have an opportunity to apply for job shadowing with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Dow. 

Selected students will spend the day in the field with sustainability professionals. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will provide a stipend to participants to support time and travel expenses.

For more information about the program and the Young Ambassadors, visit the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania webpage or contact Kylie McCutcheon at kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org.

PennDOT provides many additional litter cleanup volunteer opportunities, including Adopt-A-Highway, Sponsor-A-Highway and more. 

Learn more on the PennDOT Roadside Beautification webpage.

Click Here for the PennDOT - KPB announcement.

Upcoming Event

-- October 14-15: Keep PA Beautiful Annual Conference In Reading

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel.

[Posted: August 31, 2026]  PA Environment Digest