Dec. 7 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Dec. 7 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click here to print this Digest.

The City of Philadelphia this week announced a new partnership with RecycleBank to reward residents with up to $240 a year for recycling and saving the City millions of dollars in landfill fees. Click here to read story.

Mining Discharges Now Thought To Be Involved In Dunkard Creek Fishkill

Updating a story posted earlier in the week: A new preliminary report issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week pointed to mine discharges as the most likely source of pollution which promoted the growth of golden algae that caused the fishkill in Dunkard Creek. 32 miles of the stream was all but sterilized in Southwest PA. Click here for the report.
It was also reported the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Section is investigating the fiskill.
NewsClips: Feds: Mine Discharges Led To Algae That Killed Dunkard Creek Life
Attorney General To Conduct Criminal Probe Into Dunkard Fishkill

WPCAMR Seeking Regional Coordinator

The Western Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation is seeking a motivated individual for a Regional Coordinator position.
The positions requires partnering with government and non-profits to encourage, implement abandoned mine reclamation/restoration of acid mine drainage degraded watersheds in Western Pennsylvania. Salary $40-50k. Click here for complete job description.
Send resume/cover letter by December 28 to Westmoreland Conservation District, 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg.

Small Business Energy, Pollution Prevention Grants Now Available

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for the Small Business Advantage Grant Program for pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects.
DEP will begin accepting applications December 7 and the deadline for applications is January 15.
Small Business Advantage is a grant program providing up to 50 percent matching grants, to a maximum of $7,500, to enable a small business in this Commonwealth to adopt or acquire equipment or processes that result in energy efficiency or pollution prevention. Well designed energy efficient or pollution prevention projects can help small businesses cut costs while simultaneously protecting the environment.
An eligible applicant must be a for-profit small business owner whose business or facility is located within this Commonwealth. Most small businesses in this Commonwealth are eligible, including manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns.
The project must save the business at least 20 percent annually in energy or pollution related expenses. All projects must be completed before June 30, 2010.
The Department will not accept an application submitted by fax or by other electronic means. Funds for this program will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application in as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed for funding in the order in which they are received.
For questions regarding the eligibility of projects, contact Dave Barnes, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, Small Business Ombudsman's Office, 717-783-8411 or send email to: epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us before submitting an application.
Applications will be available online or by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, 717-783-8411. (formal notice)

Friday NewsClips

Attorney General To Investigate Dunkard Creek Fishkill
Coast Guard Great Lakes Ballast Plan
Solar Panels, Green Roof To Generate Rebate
PPL Nuke Plant Maintenance To Open Temporary Jobs
Editorial: Incinerator Board Owes Us Transparency, Better Governance

Thursday NewsClips

Feds: Mine Discharges Led To Algae That Killed Dunkard Creek Life
Dunkard Creek Still Has Carp Population
Drilling Right Into A Heated Environmental Debate
Erie Wants To Use Abundant Water Resources To Attract Companies
Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Man Brings Clean Water To Afghan Villages
Mine Reclamation Award Given To CenterPoint
Trail Status Eyed For Crawford County Waterway
PSU Professor Feels Fallout Of Climategate Emails
Emails Fueling Climate Debate
Nothing To Hide Says Penn State Climatologist
Philadelphia Goes Into Recycling Overdrive
Exelon Closing Two PA Fossil Fuel Power Plants
Proposed State Wood Boiler Regulations Anger Owners
Pittsburgh Aviary Rolls Back Plans For Expansion
Lack Of Visitors Dooms Windber Coal Heritage Center
Penn State Nuclear Reactor Licensed Renewed For 20 Years
New Drilling Frac Water Treatment
Editorial: Waterdogs Just The Start Of Gas Field Regulation
Gas Boom Spurs Railroad Growth In Region
Cong. Carney Hears Natural Gas Concerns
Environmental Groups Push Increased Oversight Of Drilling
Another Hefty Natural Gas Deal Struck In Wayne
Workshop To Highlight Progress On Schuylkill Watershed
PPL Nuclear Plant Reports Water Leak From Cooling Tower
Editorial: Renewable Energy
Progress Made In Stormwater Issue In Honesdale
Environmental Awards IN Abington
Sen. Argall Tours Rausch Creek AMD Treatment Plant

Wednesday NewsClips

Call For Better Protection For Waterways From Drilling
Environmental Group, Congressman Push For More Marcellus Shale Oversight
First Marcellus Shale Gas Well Drilled In Lackawanna County
Editorial: Oversight Of Drilling Industry Wrong Job For Amateurs
Newest Gold Rush Breeds Next Generation Of Prospectors
Allegheny Energy Alliance Focuses On Jobs
Energy Alliance Aimed At Boosting Energy Industry
Climatologist Leaves Post In Inquiry Over Email Leaks
Editorial: Climate Scientists Aren't Above Scandal
Activists Argue For Extended Electric Rate Caps
Activists Call For Relief From Soaring Electric Bills
PPL In Activists Sights
Wildlife Facility Offers $200 For Details On Hawk Shooting
Climategate Effects Unclear
Watsontown To See Small Spike In Electric Rates
Penn College Campus to Offer Marcellus Shale-Related Training
Clearfield To List Vacant Properties Available For Marcellus Drillers
Legislators: Balance Needed to Protect Environment From Drilling
Lawsuit Challenges Cabot's Drilling Practices In Marcellus Shale
Montgomery County Goes Greener
Environmental Group Offers Gas Drilling Protections
An Ill Wind blowing On Gamesa Windmill Company

OSM/VISTA Volunteer Positions For Susquehanna Greenway Partnership

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership has received grants to support two full-time VISTA volunteer positions for work along the West Branch Susquehanna River.
Applications are due December 7.
One VISTA, as these positions are called, will work out of SGP’s office in Lewisburg and be supervised by Susquehanna Greenway Partnership . The other VISTA will work of the Trout Unlimited office in Lock Haven and be supervised by Trout Unlimited .
Both VISTAs are supported by a special initiative of the Office of Surface Mining and the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team.
The objective of these positions is to help low-income communities dealing with contaminated streams, depressed economies and other issues related to abandoned mine lands. These VISTAs will assist SGP and TU with educational programs and projects to make sustainable environmental change at the grassroots level. They will assist with planning and conducting the West Branch River Sojourn and other greenway projects.
The VISTAs will receive experience in AMD remediation, community building, volunteer recruitment, event planning, fundraising, and educational program development. They will also receive a small living stipend, health insurance, student loan forebearance and the choice of a $4725 education award or $1200 cash stipend at the one-year term completion.
Please send applications to: Trish Carothers, Development & Outreach Officer, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or send email to: tcarothers@susquehannagreenway.org.

Tuesday NewsClips

Natural Gas Drillers Criticize Citizen Training For Spotting Drilling Problems
Environmental Report On Western PA Planned
State Shoots For Balance During Hunting Season
Limerick Nuclear Power Plant To Undergo Major Facelift
Climate Theory Emails Missing
PSU To Look At Climate Emails
Greek Solar Panel Company Plans Navy Yard Facility
With PA Boost, Solar Cell Plant Set For Navy Yard
Gas Drilling Underway In Owl's Nest
64 Marcellus Shale Gas Wells Started In First 2 Weeks Of November