109 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

Here are 109 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!

-- Ag Conservation Pros Recognized At 2026 Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program Conservation Con In Indiana County  [PaEN]

-- Altoona Mirror: Officials Dedicate 114 MW Rogue’s Wind Energy Facility In Cambria County 

-- Altoona Mirror: Shawnee State Park Celebrates 75th Anniversary

-- DEP: Investigation Of A ‘Frac Hit’ Between 3 Seneca Resources Co Shale Gas Well Pads In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County Leads To Contaminated Water Spill  [PaEN]

-- WHYY: Federal Pipeline Regulatory Agency Says Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipelines Have A ‘System-Wide Risk” Of Leaks Similar To The One Discovered In Upper Makefield Twp., Bucks County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP - Day 57: More Water Seeps Break Out From INR OPR LLC Cooper Shale Gas Well Pad Possibly Related To Broken Pad Drainage System In Indiana County, Site Of 336,000 Gallon Frack Water Spill  [PaEN] 

-- DEP - Day 71: Violations Continue At John D. Branch Conventional Well Site For Failing To Have Adequate Spill Containment Around Tanks Holding 42,000 Gallons On Contaminated Water In Warren County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Routine Inspection Finds Overflowing Contaminated Water Tank At Penn View Exploration Conventional Oil & Gas Well In Clearfield County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Ruptured Underground Gathering Line Releases Crude Oil Near Bull Run Resources Conventional Well In Warren County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP - Day 82: McGuffie Oil Co Inc. Abandoned Conventional Gas Well Still Venting Gas, Creating A Hazard To Health, Safety In Allegheny County  [PaEN]  

-- DEP - Day 1,916: Monitoring Of Casing/Cement Failure Continues At Expand Operating Lucarino Shale Gas Well Pad In Bradford County  [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Snapshot - October 10 to 16  [PaEN] 

-- Axios-Pittsburgh: Report: Pennsylvania Natural Gas Power Generation To Grow 15% By 2030 Due To A.I. Data Center Demand

-- Altoona Mirror - Robert Swift: PUC/Team PA Report Identifies 21 Possible Sites For A.I. Data Center Power Plants 

-- PA Capital-Star: PUC/Team PA Study Identifies 21 Potential Sites For A.I. Data Center Power Plants

-- Williamsport Sun: PUC Study Searches For Power Plant Sites To Be Reactivated For Data Centers, Looks At Lock Haven

-- Utility Dive: FERC Proposes Further Easing Regulatory Approvals For Natural Gas Pipeline, LNG Export Projects

-- DEP Issues Chapter 105 Permit For A Seneca Resources Co 16-Inch Shale Gas Water Pipeline Running Through Farmington & Chatham Townships, Tioga County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of State Air Quality Permit For The Oxbow Creek Energy Natural Gas Power Plant In Wyoming County  [PaEN]  [Public Comment]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission To Hold Oct. 28 Hearing On Proposed Fee Increase, Records Policy And Water Withdrawal Requests, Including One For Shale Gas Development  [PaEN]  [Public Comment]

-- PUC Invites Comments On Regulations To Give Electric Utilities New Tools To Manage Data Centers During Emergency Periods Of Strained Electricity Supplies And Curtailments To Maintain Grid Reliability  [PaEN]  [Public Comment]

-- PJM Issues Electric Power Capacity Advisory For Oct. 19 As A Result Of About 72,000 MW Of Planned Generation Outages; About 60% Of Generating Capacity Is Available To Meet Demand  [PaEN]  

-- PJM Reports Operating With Only 66% Of Its Generation Capacity Available During Recent Maximum Generation Alerts; About One-Third Of The Power Plant Outages Were Unexpected  [PaEN]  

-- PJM Extends Maximum Generation Alert To Oct. 14 Due To Unusually Warm Weather, Equipment Outages; Calls On Demand Response To Reduce Power Load  [PaEN]

-- PA Capital-Star: PJM Interconnection Issues Alerts Warning Of Tight Electricity Supplies

-- PJM Issues Maximum Generation Alert For Oct. 13 Due To Unusually Warm Weather, Equipment Outages; Received DOE Order To Switch Data Centers To Backup Generation, If Needed  [PaEN] 

-- Utility Dive: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Rejects Most Of PJM’s ‘Bring Your Own Power’ Data Center Load Plan Saying It Intrudes On State Jurisdiction, May Be Discriminatory  [FERC Rejected PJM’s Backstop Energy Plan Earlier] 

-- The Allegheny Front: FERC Denies Plan That Would Shield Energy Customers From A.I. Data Center Demand To Avoid Blackouts

-- Gov. Shapiro Files Petition To Intervene In PPL Electric Rate Case To Protect Customers From Costs And Reliability Risks From A.I. Data Centers  [PaEN] 

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: What Best Serves Electric Consumers?  FirstEnergy Asks PUC To Return Customers Automatically To Its Default Service When Their Competitive Electric Supply Contracts Expire 

-- PennLive/LehighValleyLive: A.I. Data Centers Have A Shelf Life, Who Pays For Cleanup In PA When They Close Years From Now?

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - October 19  [PaEN] 

-- Fortune: How Rural PA’s $165 Million Data Center Fight Became Representative Of The Bipartisan Battle Against A.I. In Luzerne County [Political Impact]

-- Morning Call: What Do Lehigh Valley’s Legislative Candidates Think About A.I. Data Centers? We Asked Them   [Political Impact]

-- Scranton Times: Sen. Katie Muth: NE PA A.I. Data Center Resistance Is ‘Giving Me Courage’ [Political Impact]

-- New York Times: How Pennsylvania Explains The Forces Shaping The Midterm Elections [Political Impact]

-- The Economist: A.I. Data Centers Are Turning US President’s Voters Into Democrats; Backlash Could Swing Close Races In Midterm Elections  [Political Impact]

-- Financial Times: A.I. Infrastructure Boom Running Into The Real World: Project Delays, Public Backlash, Shaky Investor Confidence  [Political Impact]

-- City & State PA: PA US Sen. McCormick’s Red Tape-Cutting Efforts For Energy, A.I. , Other Projects Take Center Stage In Philadelphia With Industry Stakeholders [One-Sided Conversation Without Citizen Stakeholders]  [Warning]

-- WHYY: PA US Sen. McCormick Offers A Prescription For High Costs: Less Government Red Tape, Eliminating Regulations  [Warning]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: 10.5 Million Words Of Regulations Stand In The Way Of A.I., Energy Development In Pennsylvania - By PA US Sen. Dave McCormick [McCormick’s Wife Is President And Vice Chairman Of Meta/Facebook]  [Warning]

-- DEP To Hold Public Meeting/Hearing Nov. 23 On Chapter 105 Permit For CDE Acquisitions LLC Project Atlas A.I. Data Center Complex In Lehigh County  [PaEN]  [Public Comment]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Individual Stormwater Permit For The CDE Acquisitions LLC  Project Atlas A.I. Data Center Complex In Lehigh County  [PaEN]   [Public Comment]

-- DEP Sets Nov. 20 Hearing On Stormwater Permit For PPL Stanton Summit Transmission Line Rebuild In Lackawanna County   [PaEN]   [Public Comment]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of Title V Air Permit For The Inter Power Ahlcon Partners Coal Waste-Fired Power Plant In Cambria County  [PaEN]    [Public Comment]

-- PUC Schedules Nov. 17, 18 Hearings On Acquisition Of UGI - Electric By Argo Infrastructure Partners [PaEN]   [Public Comment]

-- AP: US Is Reviving Shuttered Nuclear Power Plants To Meet Growing A.I. .Data Center Electricity Demand  [Includes Three Mile Island]   [Public Comment]

-- The Allegheny Front: Allegheny County Health Dept. Hearing On Air Permit For New Hot Strip Steel Mill In Braddock Gets Heated

-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: A Network Of Air Quality Monitors Grows In Formerly Redlined Area Of West Philadelphia, Harrisburg

-- Altoona Mirror: Officials Dedicate 114 MW Rogue’s Wind Energy Facility In Cambria County 

-- Rep. Abigail Salisbury, Construction Junction, PA Solar Center, Partners Held Forum In Pittsburgh On How Solar Energy Can Help Residents Gain Energy Independence, Reduce Energy Costs  [PaEN] 

-- NE PA Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support Program Launches Sustainable Storytelling Video Challenge To Inspire Environmental Action Through Creativity  [PaEN] 

-- Inside Climate News: What Happened To Pennsylvania’s Hydrogen Hubs?

-- TribLive: After Lengthy Delay, Signs Of Progress Appear At Rachel Carson EcoVilliage Site In McCandless, Allegheny County

-- WHYY: Philadelphia-Area Heating Costs Could Rise 9% This Winter, But Not For Everyone

-- PennLive: The Official NOAA Winter Forecast Is Here: PA Warmer, Wetter Than Average

-- WVIA: Diesel Costs Almost $3/Gallon More Than 1 Year Ago; School Districts Struggle With High Prices, Fear For Future Of Small Companies 

-- Altoona Mirror: Running On Empty: Farmers Eye High Diesel Fuel Costs As Fall Harvest Underway

-- Williamsport Sun: Rising Fuel Prices Undercut Promising Year For Crops In Lycoming County  

-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports Gasoline Prices Increased 34%, Diesel Prices 46% April thru July In Pennsylvania 

-- Energy Marketers Of America: IRS Announces Temporary Penalty Relief For Highway Use Of Dyed Diesel Fuel, But Users Are Not Eligible For Any Payment Deferral 

-- PA Capital-Star/The Conversation: The World Oil Market That Sets Today’s Gasoline Prices Was Invented In Western PA

-- WNEP: Water Tanker Set Up In Ashland To Supply Clean Water After Broken Water Main Left Residents On Boil Water Advisory Since Oct. 5 In Schuylkill County

-- WHYY: As Flooding Worsens In Philly Suburbs, Water Rescues Are On The Rise; Firefighters Are Having To Adapt And Fast

-- WHYY: In Philadelphia’s Eastwick Neighborhood, Plans For A Temporary Solution To Flooding Hit A Snag

-- Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg And Chartiers Township Hope To Secure Funding For Crucial Flood Resiliency Project

-- Penn State: Oct. 19 EarthTalks Features Lara Fowler On Building Community-Led Solutions To Flooding Challenges  [PaEN] 

-- WHYY: Schuylkill Environmental Education Center, Partners Complete $1 Million Project To Curb Flooding, Erosion

-- The Daily Pennsylvanian: University Of Pennsylvania Experts Say President’s EPA Rollback Will Drive Nation Off ‘Climate Cliff’

-- Call For Presentations: Westminster College Center For The Environment Is Now Accepting Proposals For The 2026 Student Symposium On The Environment To Be Held Nov. 30 to Dec. 3  [PaEN]

-- DEP Teaching Green News: Fall Into Environmental Education With Activity Ideas, Resources For Formal And Non-Formal Educators  [PaEN] 

-- EPA, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Announce Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed, Innovative Nutrient & Sediment Reduction Grants  [PaEN] 

-- University Of Maryland Issues C+ In Latest Chesapeake Bay And Watershed Report Card, Highest Score Ever Achieved  

-- PennLive: Health Of Chesapeake Bay Receives C+, But Lower Susquehanna Gets D+ In New Report Card 

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Is The Chesapeake Bay The Best It's Ever Been?  There’s More To The Story  [PaEN]

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Harrisburg Capital Region Water Authority Sues To Force PA State Government To Pay Unpaid Stormwater Management Fees 

-- WITF: Capitol Region Water Sues State To Force Payment Of $2.4 Million Of Stormwater Management Fees Owed So Far

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Pennsylvania Should Stand Up For Stormwater Management Systems - By Harry Campbell 

-- Penn State Extension Ag Conservation Currents: Dollar Value Of Local Nutrients; Benefits Of Woody Debris In Streams; Online Learning; Careers In Agricultural Engineering; Job Openings

-- Penn State Extension's 'Brooke Meets A Stream Doctor' Now Includes Free Stream Video  [PaEN]

-- WHYY: Young People In Pennsylvania Face Uncertain Future As Federal Farm Bill Expires

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster Farmland Trust Proposes Turning 309-Year-Old Family Farm Into Community Farm In East Hempfield Twp.

-- Observer-Reporter: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Events Planned For Oct. 24 

-- Erie Times: Have Old Electronics Or Household Chemicals? Erie’s Next Drop-Off Is Oct. 17

-- Republican Herald: Microplastics Trigger Inflammation Linked To Disease, Death; Now Scientists Appear To Have Discovered Why  [Warning]

--  Republican Herald: Natural Soil Products Biosolids Composting Facility Appeals Frailey, Porter Townships Zoning Enforcement Notice In Schuylkill County

-- DCNR Invests $950,000 In Federal Funds To Support Volunteer Fire Companies To Protect Rural Communities From Wildfires

-- Penn State Extension Offering 7-Part, Virtual Tree Tender Training Program Beginning January 6  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension: Dec. 8 Webinar On Understanding And Managing Invasive Plants, 10:00 a.m. to Noon 

-- Reading Eagle: DCNR Invests $1.6 Million In Berks Recreation, Conservation Projects

-- DCNR Plans Whitewater Release Into Tohickon Creek For Boating Event In Bucks County Nov. 7-8

-- DCNR Fall Foliage Report Oct. 15-21: Beautiful Colors Now In All Parts Of Pennsylvania  [PaEN]  

-- TribLive: 76-Year-Old Woman Killed, Another Person Airlifted After Landslide On Great Allegheny Passage Trail In Ohiopyle State Park, Fayette County  [Caution]

-- DCNR Resource News: PA’s Working Forests; Investing $81 Million In Trails, Parks, Public Lands; Celebrating Pipe Creek Rail Trail; Weekly Fall Foliage Reports; Wildlife Snack-o-Lantern

-- Altoona Mirror: Shawnee State Park Celebrates 75th Anniversary

-- Times Of India: Coal Millionaire Donated 3,654 Acres To PA In 1969, State Spent $1.7 Million Reclaiming Mining-Scarred Land To Create Hillman State Park In Washington County 

-- Standard Speaker: Hazelton City Council Purchases Land For Mine Tour, Coal Breaker To Preserve Hazleton’s History 

-- South Mountain Partnership Awards $56,000 In Grants To Support Projects By 10 Local Organizations  [PaEN]  

-- PA Environmental Council: Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Gathering Set For Nov. 6 In Somerset County

-- Republican Herald: Lake Wynonah Dam Safety Battle Drains Neighborhood Unity As Legal Appeals Advance

-- Pittsburgh Quarterly: Explore French Creek In Venango County

-- Altoona Mirror: Blair County Recreational Trail Authority Looking For New Executive Director 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Bird Watching Takes Flight, Drawing A New Generation Of Enthusiasts Eager To Explore Nature 

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Is A Rest Stop For Thousands Of Migrating Birds, Can It Stay That Way? 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Field Notes - Hunting For Breakfast Is For The Birds

-- PA Audubon Council's Bird Town Pennsylvania Awards 30 Communities Mini-Grants For Bird-Related Projects  [PaEN] 

-- Morning Call: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Plans New Visit Center In Berks County

Visit the PA Environment Digest website to learn more.

REAL Leadership:

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-- 142 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

-- 109 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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-- 137 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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-- 118 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA

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[Posted: October 18, 2026]   PA Environment Digest