PA Environment Digest Blog

Monday, November 4, 2013

Drilling Industry Starts Own Study Of Radioactivity Levels In Shale Operations

The Marcellus Shale Coalition and the PA Independent Oil and Gas Association Monday announced their joint efforts to conduct an extensive study of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and Technologically Enhanced NORM (TENORM) in shale production-related activities.

This study will complement one currently underway by the Department of Environmental Protection.

“We are encouraging our members to participate in this study, along with DEP’s ongoing evaluation,” PIOGA President Lou D’Amico said. “Our organizations will provide our results to the DEP and work closely with the department to continue to make certain that Pennsylvania’s environment is effectively protected and enhanced alongside safe, responsible shale development.”

“This study’s sampling plan exhaustively covers the exploration and production process. Its results, and other sources of sound data, will help our industry more fully understand and proactively address this important issue,” MSC President David Spigelmyer said. “We are focused on continuously evaluating and improving our operations aimed at protecting our workers and our communities, and these collaborative efforts are just another example of this strong commitment.”

Shale production creates produced water, flowback water and drill cuttings that could potentially contain NORM and TENORM. The study’s sampling will analyze these elements in detail as well as various operational practices and equipment used in the tightly regulated shale development process.

The organizations will work with accredited laboratories to analyze samples.

A copy of the Field Sampling Plan is available online.

PennFuture Announces Cindy Dunn As New President

PennFuture Monday announced the appointment of Cindy Adams Dunn as president and CEO of the statewide environmental advocacy organization after a four-month national search.

Dunn comes to PennFuture from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where she was deputy secretary for conservation and technical services.

"We're delighted to have Cindy with us as she is eminently qualified to lead the organization's work tackling air, land and water issues throughout the Commonwealth," said David Lane, chair of PennFuture's board of directors. "Her skills as a manager combined with passion for the environment will prove invaluable as we continue to address climate change and promote a clean energy economy. The board is confident she's the right fit."

Dunn previously served as director of DCNR's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and is a past executive director of Audubon Pennsylvania. She held a key management post at the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for 10 years.

The Pennsylvania native and graduate of Shippensburg College is an avid outdoorswoman, regularly hiking the Appalachian Trail and fishing the Susquehanna River.

"I look forward to working actively with my new colleagues on the issue of climate change," said Dunn. "We share a great sense of urgency to protect Pennsylvania's landscape and water resources. PennFuture is well positioned to address the issues of the day, and our actions will have lasting impacts. There's a reason it's called PennFuture."

For more information, visit the PennFuture website.

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath congratulated Cindy Adams Dunn on her appointment as President and CEO of PennFuture: “Cindy Dunn is an excellent choice as the chief executive of PennFuture and the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition congratulates her on this prestigious appointment.

“Cindy has decades of experience in outdoor recreation, conservation of natural resources, environmental protection and will be a strong leader for PennFuture, an organization that has a track record of success in enforcing environmental laws and advocating for strong environmental and public health policies.

“Since 2008, the Growing Greener Coalition has been working with groups like PennFuture to protect land, water, wildlife and historic sites. We look forward to working with Cindy and her colleagues at PennFuture to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities throughout the state by advocating for funding to support the protection of land, water, wildlife and air quality.”

Monday NewsClips

PA Taxpayers Foot Growing Bill For Natural Gas Subsidies

Lawmakers Divided On Chesapeake Energy Landowner Settlement

Contaminated Soil Cleanup Nearing Completion In Carbondale

Wet Wipes Creating Problems For Sewage Systems

Bill Would Delay Flood Insurance Rate Law

Op-Ed: Rehab Our Inland Waterways

Martin Guitar Seeking Sustainable Future

Groups Aim To Preserve Land Along Susquehanna River
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Sunday, November 3, 2013

Sunday NewsClips

Drillers To Begin Mechanical Integrity Well Inspections

Drilling Company Blocked From Removing Water Buffalo

Experts Say Nuclear Power Needed to Slow Warming

Visitors Shape Look Of Flight 93 Memorial

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Saturday, November 2, 2013

Saturday NewsClips

Gas Drillers Point To Safety Of Barges For Wastewater

Supporters Urge Wind Farm Development Near Erie

Centralia Residents Split $349,500 Settlement

New Gas Pipeline Begins Service In PA, NJ

Editorial: Even Consol Sess Future Is Natural Gas

Clean Air Council Offers Comments On EPA Carbon Rule

Op-Ed: Public Needs To Come Out Of Dark On Carbon Pollution

Dull Leaf Hues Called Climate Change Omen

Climate Activist To Visit Pittsburgh

New Section Of Lackawanna River Trail Opens

Penn State Prof. Diefenbach Recognized For Wildlife Research
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Friday, November 1, 2013

Nov. 4 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Nov. 4 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click Here to print entire Digest.

William Penn Foundation To Fund Creation Of A New Vision For Delaware Watershed

In a major development for the Delaware River Watershed, Laura Sparks, chief financial officer of the William Penn Foundation, announced Tuesday the Foundation is directing significant funding toward impacting the entire watershed and is interested in creating a "Vision for the Watershed."

The Foundation plans to impact the Delaware basin by addressing watershed-wide issues; protecting and restoring places of ecological significance; and building the constituency for the watershed by engaging people.

Sparks was part of a two-day event held October 28-29 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and hosted by the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed with the generous support of the Foundation.

Coalition partners PennFuture and New Jersey Audubon helped spearhead the event at which well over 200 individuals attended sessions on preserving and protecting the Delaware River Watershed.

In all, over 60 NGOs, eight federal agencies, state and local regulators, academia, and foundations were represented at "Accelerating Action: The Delaware River Watershed Forum."

The Delaware River Basin is an ecological and economic jewel. It encompasses 13,000 square acres and provides 5 percent of the drinking water of the United States. The basin has an annual economic value of $25 billion and its ecosystem services are valued at $683 billion.

It is also the engine for 600,000 jobs. President John Fry of Drexel University noted, "There are few things more important that preserving and protecting our Delaware River Watershed." He added that protection of "watersheds require a commitment to the long-view."

The interactive forum include facilitated discussion to identify current opportunities, obstacles, challenges, priorities and needs for forests, agriculture, and urban and suburban landscapes as well as issues related to monitoring, policy, and restoration.

Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis noted at the plenary, "This is a time of great challenges but also great opportunities," and added that it was vital to develop a conservation ethic while establishing connections between diverse communities and the River.

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, talked about the significant impact that climate change will have on the Delaware, saying, "We are moving the planet outside the human experience to a time of climate consequence." His comments were particularly poignant in light of the one-year anniversary today of Superstorm Sandy.

During the luncheon keynote this afternoon, Jerry Kauffman, professor of water science and policy at the University of Delaware, declared, "an ounce of prevention or protection of the pristine headwaters is worth a pound of cure by way of restoration after the fact," noting the incredible economic value of a clean Delaware River. He closed the forum by quoting Winston Churchill, noting, "this is just the end of the beginning."

Western PA Conservancy, Dominion Seeking Proposals For Watershed Mini Grants

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Dominion are accepting proposals for the 2013-14 Watershed Mini Grant Program, which provides assistance to the region’s grassroots watershed groups. Proposals are due December 20.

The program offers funding to watershed organizations in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, McKean, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The Watershed Mini Grants cover expenses in three areas: operating costs, watershed restoration and organizational promotion and outreach. A cash or non-cash match is preferred but not required.

Grants of up to $1,000 may be awarded for operating expenses and grants of up to $2,500 may be awarded for restoration or promotion and outreach projects.

This year’s program includes a showcase project, which may award one $5,000 grant for a larger restoration project that focuses on stream corridor and water quality improvement technologies.

Financial support for this program is provided by the Dominion Foundation.

For more information, the grant application and proposal guidelines, visit the WPC Watershed Mini Grant webpage. Grant applications must be mailed to: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, c/o Danielle Sheppard, 1067 Philadelphia Street, Suite 101, Indiana, PA 15701 or call 724-471-7202, ext. 5110 for more information.

DEP Now Accepting Environmental Education Grant Applications

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its 2014 Environmental Education Grants Program. The deadline for applications is January 6. (formal notice)

Grants of up to $3,000 will provide environmental education on timely and critically important topics, including the following:

— Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Education—Organizations are encouraged to develop environmental education programs that promote the reduction of non-point source pollution, such as nutrient and sediment loads, along with other water-related education programs.

— Air Quality—Organizations are encouraged to develop air quality education and outreach programs.

— Energy Education—Organizations are encouraged to develop educational programs on energy efficiency and conservation, as well as natural gas, coal, wind, solar and other energy sources and technologies.

— Brownfields—Organizations are encouraged to develop education and outreach programs for students, youth, educators, community members, community groups, developers, property owners and others that are interested in brownfield redevelopment and sustainable communities.

— Environmental Literacy Planning and Programming—Applicants are encouraged to engage educators and stakeholders in content standards and field-based environmental education. Areas of specific focus should include graduation requirements, professional development on environmental education content knowledge and field-based pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, partnering to build capacity, identifying existing resources and sustainability of programs.

Additionally, projects may focus on high performing green schools and buildings; providing high quality programming for children, youth or adults, or both (programs to include STEM, outdoor education, service learning, ensuring access for participants with disabilities); professional development for formal and nonformal educators; environmental service learning programs for youth and adults; and environmental careers/green jobs.

— Formal and Non-formal EE Certification—Applicants are encouraged to develop and implement institutionalized and community-based certification programs designed for teachers, naturalists and educators working in schools and environmental education facilities at parks, county conservation districts, nature/EE centers, conservancies and more. It gives educators in these arenas access to a formal credential that standardizes and upgrades professional development, allowing educators to address academic standards in a meaningful and relevant way.

— STEM Education—Applicants are encouraged to develop environmental education programs integrating STEM program instruction (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) into programs.

— Curriculum Integration Projects—Applicants are encouraged to articulate the Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology into the formal K-12 curriculum, including energy education, for the entire school district, private school or charter school.

— Curriculum Revision Projects—Applicants are encouraged to revise current (or write new) lesson plans or units to meet the changes identified in the alignment to the Environment and Ecology Standards, energy education and provide a means for classroom assessment.

— Outdoor Learning Resource Projects—Applicants are encouraged to develop resources such as trails, agricultural demonstration areas, energy demonstration areas, ponds, wetland areas, sheltered learning stations, and the like, as well as similar nearby community resources as a framework within which students can learn about natural systems and the interrelationship among natural and manmade communities.

— Natural Landscaping and Trees—Applicants are encouraged to develop educational programs on landscaping with native plants; the social, economic and environmental benefits of trees; and invasive plant management, along with information on how to sustainably maintain these natural landscapes.

— Connecting Children to Nature—Applicants are encouraged to develop and facilitate educational programs or infrastructure for such programs designed to align science, environment and ecology and resource learning with immersive activities in the out-of-doors. Students within these programs should receive regular time outdoors during instruction or during healthful play.

The Program was established by the Environmental Education Act which mandates setting aside 5 percent of the pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department for environmental education in this Commonwealth.