Thursday, March 28, 2024

PA House Republicans Announce Energy Package, Including An Energy Advocate Within DEP To Veto Any Action That Would Impact PA’s Energy Portfolio And An Independent Energy Office With The Same Power

On March 26, House Republicans announced a
nine-bill package of legislation they said would bring “real energy savings for Pennsylvania’s families and small businesses.”

Republican leader Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said the package was in “stark contrast to the plan introduced by Gov. Josh Shapiro in recent weeks and proposals put forward by House Democrats throughout the course of this legislative session.”

“It needs to be more affordable to live in Pennsylvania and the package of bills introduced today will have a direct cost-savings to Pennsylvania’s energy consumers, making it more affordable for families and small businesses to find a home in Pennsylvania,” he said.

“This package of legislation is the exact kind of conversation we need to be having: About how to leverage our resources and our ingenuity to get government out of the way, find real savings for Pennsylvania’s families, and focus on our energy assets to deliver meaningful improvement in the lives of Pennsylvanians.”

[Note: Pennsylvania’s electricity generation lacks the stability and lower costs brought by diversity in our fuel mix.  It depends on one fuel to generate 59% of our electricity.  The price of that fuel is set by foreign markets and can be heavily influenced by the whims of adversarial nations and dictators.  Read more here.

[Energy facility investors are moving in a big way to renewables + storage to bring lower prices, stability and reliability to the regional electric grid.  Read more here.

[The dramatic spikes in natural gas cost as a result of the Russian war in the Ukraine and international markets now setting the price of gas in Pennsylvania are still being felt in Pennsylvania’s electricity rates, as the Public Utility Commission has repeatedly warned electricity consumers.  Read more here.]

Independent Energy Advocate In DEP

One proposal-- not yet drafted-- would establish an Independent Energy Advocate within DEP appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate who must approve any DEP action that “would impact Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio.”

The Republicans said, “DEP has consistently produced regulations and policies that impact our ability to produce electricity while only them with a narrow argument in favor of the specific regulation at hand. This has been done without considering broader energy implications (exact quote).”

[Note: Without seeing the language it’s hard to evaluate the proposal, but off-hand having two Secretaries of DEP does not seem to be a recipe for efficiency.]

Other Proposals

The other proposals in the package include--

-- Create a new independent agency to promote energy development in Pennsylvania which also must “approve any regulation or action of a state agency that would impact Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio.”  [A third DEP Secretary or a second chair of the Public Utility Commission?]

-- Rename the DEP to the Department of Environmental Services.

-- Require government to show how regulations impact affordability for communities at risk for energy poverty by amending the Regulatory Review Act.

-- Authorize new Keystone Opportunity Zones for new energy facilities on closed energy sites [put out of business by competition from natural gas].

-- Set up College 529 or Health Savings Account-type accounts for utility bills.

-- Extend the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program To Account for Utility Costs.

-- Repurpose Act 129 energy efficiency program funding by returning the money to utility bill payers.

-- Direct Pennsylvania to be part of power-exporting state consortium within PJM.

Click Here for the available descriptions of the bills.

Related Articles - Energy Plans:

-- Gov. Shapiro Unveils Cap-And-Invest PA Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative To Reduce Carbon Pollution From Power Plants; Update Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards To Diversify Electric Generation, Improve Reliability  [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro Joins Industry, Labor, Environmental, Consumer Leaders To Highlight New Energy Plan To Create Jobs, Lower Costs For Pennsylvanians  [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro: PA Labor & Industry Leaders Praise Energy/Climate Plan

-- Gov. Shapiro: PA Environmental Leaders Praise Energy/Climate Plan

-- Gov. Shapiro On Republican Reaction To His Energy Plan: They’ve Done Nothing And Power ‘Plants Have Closed On Their Watch;’ They’re ‘Used To Doing Nothing;’ ‘Doing Nothing Is Not Acceptable’ [PaEN]

-- Senate Republicans Reject Gov. Shapiro’s Offer To Work On Legislation To Make The Electric Grid More Reliable, Diversify Our Energy Sources, Lower Energy Costs For Ratepayers, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania’s Electric Grid Is Dependent On One Fuel To Generate 59% Of Our Electricity; Market Moving To Renewables + Storage  [PaEN]

-- US EIA Report Shows How Winter Storms Have Reduced US Natural Gas Production, But Disruptions Can Happen Any Time Of The Year  [PaEN]

-- EPA: Pennsylvania One Of 45 States, MSAs To Submit Priority Climate Action Plans As Part Of $5 Billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program  [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Solar United Neighbors Celebrate House Passage Of Community Solar Energy Bill; Senate Urged To Pass The Bill  [PaEN]

-- DEP Issued Conventional Oil & Gas Operators 663 Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging Wells In Last 15 Months; 392 In 2024 Alone  [PaEN]

-- 89% Of Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners Don’t Comply With Well Integrity Reporting For 34,455 Wells; No Other Industry Disregards The Law More Than Conventional Well Owners  [PaEN] 

-- Republican Rep. Causer Blames DEP Database For Conventional Oil & Gas Operators Abandoning, Not Plugging Their Wells; Industry Wants To Redefine Operator Responsibility For Abandoned Wells  [PaEN] 

-- Residents Express Concerns At US DOE's Listening Session On ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Proposal In PA, WV, OH  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Takes Legal Action To Stop Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Facility In York County  [PaEN] 

-- Save Carbon County Files Lawsuit In Philadelphia Court Against Stronghold Digital, DEP, Governor, PUC Over Cryptocurrency Operations At Panther Creek Power Plant  [PaEN]

-- CFA Awards Over $1 Million In Grants To Extend Natural Gas Service In Susquehanna, Warren Counties [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: PA Solar Center Finds Greensburg, Jeannette Areas Could Save $19 Million Over 25 Years By Switching To Solar Energy 

-- Scranton Times: Clinton Twp. Signs Off On Solar Energy Facility

-- US DOE Awards $6 Billion To Transform Industrial Sector, Slash Planet-Warming Emissions

-- Cleveland.com: Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Plans To Decarbonize Ohio, PA Plants With $575 Million In Federal Funding 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Butler Manufacturer Receives $75 Million For Green-Steel Project

-- Post-Gazette/AP: Federal Energy Agency Announces $6 Billion To Slash Climate Emissions In Industrial Facilities

[Posted: March 28, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Agriculture Secretary Highlights New Consumer Labeling Requirements Of Fertilizer Law To Save Money, Protect Environment

On March 28, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Cashman’s Hardware Store in Adams County to promote Pennsylvania’s updated fertilizer law and
educate consumers on best practices to manage their lawn care in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way.

The revisions to the Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law, signed by Gov. Shapiro in 2023, brought new responsibilities to homeowners and residents who apply fertilizer to their lawns, ensures clearer fertilizer labels to help homeowners understand fertilizer needs and avoid costly over-application, and keeps Pennsylvania on track to meet our Chesapeake Bay goals.

“The agriculture community has long balanced the need for production with the need for environmental stewardship,” said Secretary Redding. “By expanding this responsibility to all who are using and applying fertilizer, we are creating healthier soils and water in the Commonwealth, while promoting an economic savings that can be realized through reviewing and understanding nutrient management.”

Homeowners and residents are required to be aware of and to follow the nutrient application rate limits, fertilizer application location restrictions, and best management practices as specified in the law and written on the product label. 

Overuse of fertilizer not only harms the environment but can wastes products and can be costly to residents.

The modernized law focuses on educating homeowners on proper application, preventing unnecessary spending and runoff that pollutes rivers and streams.

“Excess nutrient runoff from fertilizers can lead to increased levels of nitrates in drinking water and can harm fish and aquatic life in streams and lakes,” DEP Director of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management Jill Whitcomb explained. “These enhancements made to the Fertilizer Law will help residents throughout Pennsylvania improve their local waters, as well as those that flow in the Ohio River, the Delaware River, and the Chesapeake Bay.”

The updates to Pennsylvania’s Fertilizer Law allow the Department of Agriculture to:

-- Empower Consumers: Fertilizer labels will now be clearer, with instructions for proper use, best practices, and guidance on handling, storage, and disposal.

-- Improve Reporting: Enhanced reporting will help track fertilizer use and ensure Pennsylvania meets environmental goals.

The Department has launched a consumer awareness campaign through the Bureau of

Plant Industry, working with partners like Penn State Extension, the State Conservation Commission and the PA Landscape and Nursery Association, to connect residents with education, support, and resources to effectively and efficiently their use of fertilizer and other nutrients.

“Educating consumers on the proper way to apply lawn fertilizer and at appropriate rates will not only protect our water quality in Pennsylvania, but will result in a healthier lawn,” said Gregg Robertson of the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association. “Research by EPA has shown that a healthy lawn will reduce runoff of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment into our rivers and streams.”

Click Here to watch a video on fertilizing your lawn.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Fertilizer Law and how we each can be good

stewards of our land by visiting Agriculture’s Homeowners and Residents Fertilizer Law webpage.

Related Articles - Watershed:

-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Awards $35 Million In Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Grants; Benefits From $4,765,700  [PaEN]

-- EPA Regional Administrator Ortiz Visits Halfmoon Creek Watershed In Centre County To Learn More About Local Conservation Efforts  [PaEN] 

-- Reminder: PennVEST Accepting Chesapeake Bay Watershed Clean Water Procurement Program Proposals Until April 17  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Update: Conowingo Plan Reports Progress, Grant Opportunities, Updates From Counties, More!

-- Agriculture Secretary Highlights New Consumer Labeling Requirements Of Fertilizer Law To Save Money, Protect Environment  [PaEN]

-- Stroud Water Research Center Celebrates World Water Day To Support Healthier Delaware River Watershed  [PaEN] 

-- Mountain Watershed Assn. Files Appeal Of DEP Decision Not To Accept Unsuitable For Mining Petition Covering 11,000 Acres In Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosting Series Of 6 Workshops On Watershed Teaching Tools For Educators Starting April 23  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts April 13 Backyard Stream Repair Series Field Day In McKean County  [PaEN] 

-- April 30 Webinar: Invasive Catfish and PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' - Forever Problems?   [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- LancasterOnline: Mira Lloyd Dock Award Recognizes Marlisa Yoder-Bontrager For Tree Planting Efforts 

-- Alliance For Chesapeake Bay: Got Clean Water?  Partners Receive $1 Million NFWF Grant For Water Quality, Climate change Benefits Dairy Farms In PA, MD, VA

-- Scranton Times: PA American Water Responds To DEP Violation Over Roaring Brook, Lackawanna River Pollution

-- Observer-Reporter: Mon River, Carroll Township Projects Receive $43 Million In Federal Funding

[Posted: March 28, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

DEP, PennDOT, Keep PA Beautiful Encourage Everyone ‘Pick Up Pennsylvania’ During Spring Litter Cleanup

On March 28, the Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation and Keep PA Beautiful encouraged residents, local leaders, businesses, and organizations to join in cleaning up their communities as part of the “
Pick Up Pennsylvania" spring community improvement campaign, now through May 31.

Pick Up Pennsylvania is a year-long initiative, however, events scheduled from March 1 through May 31 receive free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by support from DEP, PennDOT and Keep America Beautiful, as supplies last.

Events may include litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, community greening and beautification, special collections and litter education events. 

Events must be registered at keeppabeautiful.org to receive free cleanup supplies. 

To support their efforts, DEP and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association sponsor no- or low-cost trash disposal at participating landfills for registered events during the month of April.

“Litter impacts our quality of life, the natural environment and economic development in communities all across Pennsylvania. We all need to take responsibility for clean and beautiful neighborhoods." said President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Shannon Reiter. “By working together to pick up a little litter or plant a tree, we can make big improvements in our quality of life. We're hoping even more people turn out for this year's event. It's amazing what can be accomplished in a few short hours."

71,000 Volunteers In 2023

Last year, the Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative welcomed more than 71,000 volunteers who disposed of over 2.9 million pounds of trash, cleaned 8,462 miles of road and waterways and planted more than 8,000 trees, flowers and other greens.

Volunteer Or Organize Your Own Cleanup

To register your own cleanup or volunteer for one near you, visit the Pick Up Pennsylvania webpage.

Adopt-A-Highway

“PennDOT spends around $14 million each year cleaning up litter on our roadways, money that we'd much rather spend maintaining and improving them," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We're thankful for the thousands of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers who every year provide critical support to our efforts to keep Pennsylvania's roads and waterways clean and litter-free."

Groups in PennDOT's Adopt-A-Highway program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year-round, are longtime participants. Adopt-A-Highway volunteers collect litter on a two-mile section of state highway at least twice a year.

 In 2023, the program had over 4,400 participating groups, more than 117,700 registered volunteers, and over 9,000 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways resulting in 32,272 bags of litter collected. 

“Pennsylvania is a beautiful state. Everyone should be able to enjoy our scenic byways, streams and waterways, and state parks without litter obstructing the view," said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP, PennDOT, and other agencies are leading efforts to prevent litter across the Commonwealth. I hope you'll consider joining thousands of other Pennsylvanians to help to pick up PA and reduce litter in our communities. Let's all work to keep Pennsylvania beautiful."

Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, including Scout troops, businesses, watershed organizations, Trout Unlimited, Rod and Gun Clubs, and others, have participated in Pick Up Pennsylvania events for over 20 years. 

PA Fights Dirty

Pick Up Pennsylvania is part of PA Fights Dirty, a larger initiative coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that focuses on both preventing and cleaning up litter. 

Learn more at the PA Fights Dirty website.

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.

The 2024 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative runs through May!  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

[Posted: March 28, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Reminder: PennVEST Accepting Chesapeake Bay Watershed Clean Water Procurement Program Proposals Until April 17

The
PA Infrastructure Investment Authority is now accepting applications for the Clean Water Project Procurement Program.  The deadline to apply is April 17.

The goal of the program is to improve water quality in the Commonwealth through the purchase of verified nutrient (nitrogen/phosphorus) or sediment reduction resulting from the installation of best management practices that are effective and practical to manage nutrient and sediment to protect surface water and groundwater, with the goal of helping the Commonwealth to achieve it Chesapeake Bay TMDL goals for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment.

The qualifications for bidders include--

-- Has a written plan that details the method to be used to verify performance of the Best Management Practice for nutrient or sediment reduction (“Verification Plan”), as further defined under Act 54, which has been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection;

-- Is not listed on the Debarment and Suspension List maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services;

-- Is not in default of a loan or funding agreement administered by PennVEST or any other Commonwealth agency; and

-- Does not have a history of notice of violation of the Act of June 22, 1937 (P.L 1987, No. 394), known as the Clean Streams Law or DEP regulations, including but not limited to, any unresolved violations or current Consent Order and Agreements, Administrative Orders or Field Orders.

Visit PennVEST’s Clean Water Project Procurement Program webpage for all the details and how to apply.

To learn more about other clean water funding opportunities, visit the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority website.

Related Articles - Watershed:

-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Awards $35 Million In Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Grants; Benefits From $4,765,700  [PaEN]

-- EPA Regional Administrator Ortiz Visits Halfmoon Creek Watershed In Centre County To Learn More About Local Conservation Efforts  [PaEN] 

-- Stroud Water Research Center Celebrates World Water Day To Support Healthier Delaware River Watershed  [PaEN] 

-- Mountain Watershed Assn. Files Appeal Of DEP Decision Not To Accept Unsuitable For Mining Petition Covering 11,000 Acres In Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosting Series Of 6 Workshops On Watershed Teaching Tools For Educators Starting April 23  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Hosts April 13 Backyard Stream Repair Series Field Day In McKean County  [PaEN] 

-- April 30 Webinar: Invasive Catfish and PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' - Forever Problems?   [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- LancasterOnline: Mira Lloyd Dock Award Recognizes Marlisa Yoder-Bontrager For Tree Planting Efforts 

-- Alliance For Chesapeake Bay: Got Clean Water?  Partners Receive $1 Million NFWF Grant For Water Quality, Climate change Benefits Dairy Farms In PA, MD, VA

-- Scranton Times: PA American Water Responds To DEP Violation Over Roaring Brook, Lackawanna River Pollution

-- Observer-Reporter: Mon River, Carroll Township Projects Receive $43 Million In Federal Funding

[Posted: March 28, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

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