Pa Environment Digest Nov. 19, 2018

Issue #751 Harrisburg, PA Nov.
19, 2018
PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed Facebook Page
Nov. 20 PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee Meeting To Focus

On Stormwater
The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Planning Steering Committee will meet
on November 20 in Room 105 of the
Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg
from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Most of the agenda for the meeting
will be a review and discussion of the
Stormwater Workgroup recommendations
and a progress report on the local clean
water pilot planning initiatives in Adams, Franklin, Lancaster and York counties.
Among the recommendations made by the Stormwater Workgroup are--
-- Require 1,000 industrial facilities covered by individual or PAG-03 General Permits to
implement stormwater pollution reductions needed by MS4 communities and other sectors;
-- DEP develop a county or regional permitting approach for future MS4 permits;
-- Require subsequent MS4 permits to implement green infrastructure to both reduce nutrients
and sediment, along with control the rate and volume of water with more opportunities for
county or watershed solutions;
-- Provide incentives for establishing new riparian forest buffers outside urban areas in the MS4
permit process;
-- Credit the upgrade of existing Chapter 102 best management practices toward required
pollution reductions for a proposed development site;
-- PennVEST should create a special financing program in which counties could establish a
revolving fund to provide low interest loans to municipalities for BMP easements;
-- Authorize county and local governments to grant tax reductions to landowners who provide
easements on their property to municipalities for stormwater management;
-- Enforce the requirements in the Stormwater Management Act (Act 167);
-- Discussion of requiring stormwater pollution reductions from developed land not just
urbanized areas expanding the area to be regulated; and
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-- Pass legislation to regulate fertilizer applications-- Senate Bill 792.
The group looked at lots of options for achieving the required reductions and provided a
discussion of various combinations in their report to the Steering Committee.
Click Here to register to attend the meeting by webinar. Participants will also need to
call in 1-650-479-3208, PASSCODE 643 952 548.
For more information, visit the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering
Committee webpage.
hoto: B
(P utterfly Acres stormwater management, groundwater recharge project, Lancaster
County.)
Green Infrastructure Links:
Feature: Parks To The Rescue On Stormwater, Flooding
Economic Ecology - LandStudies
Green Infrastructure Offers Triple Benefits, Cost Effective Solutions To Stormwater Pollution,
Reducing Flood Damage
The Economic Value Of Green Infrastructure: Calculating A Return On Investments In Parks,
Watershed Restoration, Farmland BMPs, Open Space
Economic Impact Of Natural Resource Conservation In Somerset County
Related Stories This Week:
Leadership Opportunity: Next City: Stormwater Greening Is Good For Business, Philadelphia’s
Green City, Clean Waters Initiative
NewsClips:
Bay Journal: Morelli: To Save Farmland In Cumberland County, Officials Look To Lancaster
Hell-Bent On Saving The Eastern Hellbender
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
PA Solar Future Plan Recommends Dramatic Increase In AEPS Solar Mandate Of Up To

8%
On November 15, the Department of Environmental

Protection released a set of 15 strategies to increase
the state’s solar energy electricity generation to 10
percent of Pennsylvania’s electricity production by
2030.
One of the key recommendations in the
Pennsylvania’s Solar Future Plan is to increase the
Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards mandate on
electric utilities to provide 4 to 8 percent of the
electricity they sell to customers from solar energy;
an increase from 0.5 percent currently.
Installing enough solar energy systems and related infrastructure to meet the 10 percent
electricity generation goal will require about 124 square miles of land, according to the
recommendations.
That’s a land area a little smaller than the size of Montour County (130.24 square miles)
or the City of Philadelphia (130.2 square miles).
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The report points out that locations such as landlls and abandoned mine land could also
host grid scale solar installations.
“States all around us and across the country have recognized that increasing solar energy
can be a real economic development driver, in addition to providing tremendous benefits to
public health and in addressing climate,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “This plan
demonstrates that we can pursue Pennsylvania’s solar future in a cost-effective manner that
complements our position as an energy leader.”
The main finding from the planning study is that, while installation of rooftop and other
distributed systems can continue at the current pace, grid-scale development will need to
accelerate.
Seven strategies, in addition to increasing the AEPS mandate, combine grid-scale and
distributed solar energy systems. They include:
-- Expanding loan products to residential and commercial projects to enable solar ownership;
-- Providing loan guarantees to lower interest rates and incentivize solar deployment;
-- Implementing a carbon pricing program and investing the proceeds in renewable energy and
energy efciency measures;
-- Creating uniform solar project siting and land-use policies while encouraging conservation;
-- Evaluating state tax policy for possible exemptions to encourage the development of
distributed and grid-scale solar systems; and
-- Helping solar project sponsors take full advantage of federal tax incentives or connect with
investors who can.
Eight additional strategies tap either grid-scale or distributed systems.
Pennsylvania’s Solar Future predicts that approximately 60,000 to 100,000 new jobs will
be created in rural, urban, and suburban areas.
Additional economic development opportunities will arise from siting solar development
to complement the working landscape and rural economy, such as already disturbed lands or in
conjunction with grazing or pollinator-friendly perennials.
A modest increase in overall annual energy spending to build and interconnect solar
energy systems (private generation investments and distribution system upgrades) may be
required, and approximately 124 square miles of land (less than .5 percent of Pennsylvania's total
land area) may be needed to increase grid solar sufciently to generate 10 percent of electricity.
Electricity generation emits nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in
Pennsylvania.
Although solar energy is growing in Pennsylvania, the state currently generates less than
1 percent of our electricity from solar resources, while an increasing number of states have
achieved 5 percent or 10 percent of their electricity from this clean, reliable, and renewable
energy source.
“For Pennsylvania to achieve leadership in renewable energy generation from solar, we’ll
require more intensive leadership, investment, and recognition of the long-range economic and
environmental benefits. I’m proud of the leadership DEP and our partners are providing on this
important aspect of our state’s energy mix,” said Secretary McDonnell.
The project partners are now working on a detailed list of action items for stakeholders
and solar industry advocates to begin making progress on implementing these strategies.
The Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future planning project was funded by a $550,000
grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.
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A complete copy of the plan, an executive summary and a comment/ response document
summarizing feedback the project received are available on the Pennsylvania’s Solar Future Plan
webpage. (formal notice)
NewsClips:
Cusick: New Plan Calls For 10 Percent Solar Power In PA By 2030
Legere: Report: Big Shift To Solar Power Possible In PA, With Right Policies
PA DEP Solar Plan Aims For 10% Solar Generation By 2030
From Coal To Solar: Former Mine Land Could Become Panel Farm
Solar, Water Sources Help Derry Twp Clan Bypass Power Grid
Penn State Wind Energy Club Takes Home National Titles In DOE Wind Competition
PJM, States Clash Over Market Jurisdiction At NARUC Conference
Lazard: Renewables Can Challenge Existing Coal Plants On Price
Related Stories:
Leadership Opportunity: Competitive Imperative: Choices For Pennsylvania’s Energy Future
Leadership Opportunity: Re-Imagining Energy: Generation, Storing, Catching Carbon, Built
Environment, Pulling It All Together
Leadership Opportunity: Pennsylvania Should Make Mine Water Geothermal A Key Part Of Its
Clean Energy Transformation
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
DEP Fines EQT $294,000 For Release Of 4 Million Gallons Of Abandoned Mine Drainage
Into Monongahela River
On November 13, the Department of Environmental Protection announced EQT Production

Company has paid a $294,000 civil penalty prescribed in a consent order and agreement for
Clean Streams Law violations in Allegheny County.
On January 29, 2017, EQT was using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to bore a hole
under State Route 136 for the construction of its Monongahela to Rostosky Waterline located in
Forward Township, Allegheny County.
During boring activities, EQT inadvertently bored into the abandoned Gallatin mine
causing a discharge of abandoned mine drainage (AMD) into the Monongahela River.
EQT planned to use the waterline to transport freshwater from the Monongahela River to
the Rostosky well site for use in unconventional well development.
Up to the time that EQT stopped the discharge on January 31, 2018, approximately four
million gallons of AMD were illegally discharged through the waterline borehole to unnamed
tributaries to the Monongahela River, the Monongahela River, and associated wetlands.
When EQT applied for an Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit authorization
for earth disturbance associated with this waterline project in July 2016, EQT stated that several
abandoned coal mines were within the limit of disturbance of the site.
EQT had relied on regional mapping that generally described mine pools as “not flooded
or unknown,” but did not undertake any further investigation. There were seeps of orange water
near the area of the waterline borehole.
EQT has stated that since the incident, it has implemented an internal multi-department
process to prevent future mine water releases.
EQT also constructed a subsurface collection and conveyance system to reestablish the
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collection and drainage system in place at the time of the release.
This and all violations in the COA were corrected by August 17, 2017. EQT also agreed
to establish a $100,000 fund with the Clean Streams Foundation to provide for the maintenance,
operation, and replacement of the system.
Click Here for copy of the signed consent order and agreement.
NewsClips:
EQT Production Fined For Polluting Mon River
Litvak: EQT Fined For Causing 4 Million Gallons Of Mine Water To Flow Into Mon River
Sisk: EQT Fined For Hitting Abandoned Mine Causing Leak During Pipeline Construction
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
DCNR Invests $50 Million In 280 Recreation, Conservation, Natural Resource Projects
On November 15, Gov. Tom Wolf announced an

investment of $50 million for 280 projects across
Pennsylvania that will create new recreational
opportunities, conserve natural resources and help
revitalize local communities by DCNR’s Community
Conservation Partnerships Program.
Investments are being made in a variety of proposals,
including: 39 trail projects; protecting nearly 4,172
acres of open space; 10 projects for planting riparian
buffers along streams; 16 projects for rivers
conservation; and 126 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park and conservation areas
and facilities.
“Many of the projects being funded – improvements to local parks, trails and river access
– bring opportunities for outdoor recreation closer to home, and are the features that help attract
families, visitors, and businesses that provide jobs to communities,” Gov. Wolf said. “This $50
million in grants will support communities throughout Pennsylvania working to protect and
improve natural amenities for our citizens.”
Funding comes from the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty
transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile
Fund generated through fees for licenses; and federal monies including the Land and Water
Conservation Fund.
In addition, more than $2.1million is being provided to PA Heritage Areas for projects
including advancing river and trail towns, closing gaps in Pennsylvanian’s destination trails,
developing heritage tourism initiatives, improving educational and interpretative signage and
planning and marketing heritage tourism events.
The grants are administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Click Here for a list of projects funded by county.
New DCNR Grant Round
To learn more about other available grant opportunities to support riparian buffer, trail
and recreation projects, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program webpage. A new
grant round is opening January 22.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit
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DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured
DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other
social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
hoto: M
(P ontour Trail in Allegheny, Washington Counties, 2 017 PA Trail Of The Year.)
NewsClips:
Sen. Yaw Announces State Investments In Local Park, Recreation Opportunities
Chester County Conservation, Recreation Project Get Funding Infusion
Related Stories:
DCNR Blog: Citizen Science Program Leads To Discovery Of New Moth In PA
Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Henry Bronson, Tioga County Hiker, Angler, Hunter
DCNR’s Matt Keefer Honored As Chesapeake Bay Forest Champion
Dec. 14 Vendor Forum At Denton Hill State Park, Potter County
Pinchot State Forest District Meeting On Resource Management Plan Now Dec. 5 In
Lackawanna County
DCNR Accepting Bids For Former Buchanan Forest Office, Fulton County
Nov. 14 Resource Newsletter From DCNR Now Available
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Henry Bronson, 71, of Millerton, [Tioga County], has always had a

love of the outdoors and spent most of his life hiking and
backpacking. He jokingly said, “If you look in the dictionary for
outdoor activities, you’ll likely find my name.”
Henry does it all, including hunting, fishing, mountain
biking, kayaking; however, it is his hiking pursuits that have
recently earned him both the Pennsylvania Hiking Award and the
Western Pennsylvania Hiking Award at the Keystone Trails
Association’s (KTA) annual fall meeting.
Katherine Barker, KTA secretary of the board of directors,
honored Bronson, saying, “Henry started his quest in August of
2016 on the Black Forest Trail. Along the way, he hiked on the
Golden Eagle, Lost Turkey, Loyalsock, Pinchot, West Rim,
Standing Stone, Mid State, Chuck Keiper, John Saylor, and Susquehannock Trails, as well as the
Old Logger Path. For the Western Pennsylvania Hiking Award, he hiked the Bucktail, Chuck
Keiper, Hickory Creek, John Saylor, and Susquehannock trails.”
Henry really never thought about receiving an award for hiking until he joined a local
hiking club, Asaph Trail Club, and met fellow member Daryl Warren, who also was working
towards hiking awards. He said, “It just kind of happened on its own.”
The fresh air, scenery, challenge of hiking, and camaraderie with other hikers is what
keeps Henry hiking. He said it’s a low-impact exercise for him and he experiences a sense of
euphoria being out in the wild and deep in nature.
When asked about a favorite trail, Henry says, “I generally enjoy the trail I’m hiking at
the time, but the trail I go back to is the Black Forest Trail.” He said the challenge of it, the
elevation, change of scenery, and the pine trees and hemlocks keep him coming back.
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Henry is just three trails shy of the State Forest Trails Award, which recognizes hikers
who complete the entire 798 miles of the State Forest Hiking Trail system.
Henry said having a goal is an impetus to “get off your duff.”
To get started on your own quest for a hiking award, Henry says, “Pick one trail and
break it down into manageable pieces. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and the
next thing you know, you have a trail done...If I can do it [referring to his age], anyone can.”
He said it also helps to connect with other hikers that have the knowledge and enthusiasm
to help you, such as a local hiking club. Henry also volunteers to help maintain several local
trails, so they can be enjoyed by others.
For more information on the hiking awards, visit the Keystone Trails Association
website.
Know of a good natured Pennsylvanian who is passionate about outdoor recreation and/or
conservation that we should feature? Send suggestions to DCNR by email to:
ra-resource@pa.gov to nominate someone.
Explore PA Trails
To explore hiking, biking and water trails near you, visit the Explore PA Trails website.
DCNR Grants
Related Stories:
Lackawanna County
(Reprinted from the Nov. 14 DCNR Resource newsletter. C

lick Here to sign up for your own
copy.)
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Three Chesapeake Forest Champions were recognized for

their efforts to conserve forests in the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed at the Chesapeake Watershed Forum the first
week in November.
The Champions are selected through a partnership of the
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Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the U.S. Forest Service.
Matt Keefer, an assistant state forester with DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry was recognized
as the Forest Champion with the Greatest On The Ground Impact.
Using funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keefer created partnerships with
Penn State University and the University of Montana to identify landowners who would likely
adopt conservation practices, including riparian forest buffers.
He also created the DCNR Riparian Buffer Advisory Committee at DCNR to provide a
forum for restoration professionals to network and share outreach and implementation best
practices.
To fund the planting of more forest buffers, Keefer helped develop DCNR’s buffer grant
program and is helping the department develop innovative incentives for buffer adoption.
To keep the restoration momentum strong, he championed the creation of the riparian
buffer coordinator position at DCNR through, of course, federal and non-governmental
partnerships.
Click Here for information about the other award winners.
For more information on the clean water benefits of sustainable forest management, visit
the Forests For The Chesapeake Bay Program webpage.
New DCNR Grant Round
Related Stories:
Lackawanna County
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Each year in July, since 2011, biologists from the PA

Natural Heritage Program have participated in a global
citizen science project for National Moth Week.
This year, their participation led to an important new
discovery in southwestern Pennsylvania!
Heitzman's Dagger Moth
In late July, PNHP staff were testing a new light set up
to attract moths to prepare for a program and survey.
While they were viewing and photographing moths
attracted to the light station at an Allegheny County
woodlot, they noticed an unfamiliar-looking dagger moth, so named for black, dagger-like wing
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markings.
After further study and consulting with experts, they confirmed a new moth species for
Pennsylvania, Heitzman’s dagger moth (Acronicta heitzmani).
Heitzman’s dagger moth is a rare species known from the Midwest U.S., first collected in
Missouri in 1964. The moth appears to occur in oak-hickory forest and woodlands, as was the
case in Allegheny County.
On the same night, a Heitzman’s dagger moth also was documented at a National Moth
Week event at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County.
Discovery Raises New Questions
As is the case with many scientific discoveries, they often lead to more questions
requiring further investigation. Here are some:
-- Why was this species only discovered now?
-- Why were the first occurrences on the same night?
-- What host plants support this species?
-- Is its range expanding, or is the species just very rare or difficult to detect?
Why Care About Moths?
Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth. Scientists estimate
there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species.
Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage.
Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand.
Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen -- others fly like
butterflies during the day.
After dark, moths and bats take over the night shift for pollination. Nocturnal flowers
with pale or white flowers heavy with fragrance attract these pollinating insects.
National Moth Week
Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark.
Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.
National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths. “Moth-ers”
of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their
backyards, parks, and neighborhoods.
Organizers encourage participation by registering an event. The week in 2019 will be
July 20-28.
Citizen Science
National Moth Week offers everyone, everywhere a unique opportunity to become a
citizen scientist and contribute scientific data about moths.
Citizen science involves people taking part in the collection of information that helps
increase scientific knowledge.
Pennsylvania state parks offer a number of opportunities throughout the year for the
public to participate in citizen science. The next upcoming opportunity will be Operation Feeder
Watch listed on the DCNR Calendar of Events.
PA Natural Heritage Program
DCNR is a partner in the PA Natural Heritage Program, which conducts inventories and
collects data on the Commonwealth’s biological diversity.
This article was adapted from a Wild Heritage News article by David Yeany,
Conservation Planning Specialist & Ornithologist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program,
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Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
To stay in touch with the work of the program, sign up for their newsletter.
Other Citizen Science Training Opportunities:
EnviroDIY.org
Leaf Pack Network
Stroud Water Research Center Citizen Science Programs
Penn State Extension: Master Well Owner Network
Penn State Extension: Master Watershed Stewards
Penn State Extension: Master Gardeners
DCNR TreeVitalize Tree Tenders Training
Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program
iConserve PA Citizen Science Opportunities
PA Audubon Citizen Science Programs
Citizen Science - Audubon Of Western PA
DCNR Citizen Science Events In State Parks, Forests
There are many more….
Related Stories:
Lackawanna County

copy.)
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Times-Tribune: Teen Girl Scout Earns Silver Award With Trail Project In Lackawanna
County
On November 4, the S cranton Times-Tribune published a

profile of 13-year-old Hannah Puttcamp by Gia Mazure, a
Girl Scout to earn the G irl Scouts’ Silver Award for
community service by building a section of the Tunnel
Trail in Lackawanna State Park in Lackawanna County.
Here’s the beginning of the article--
Hannah Puttcamp never slows down.
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The 13-year-old Waverly Twp. resident quells her adventurous spirit through a variety of
sports and activities, including softball; field hockey; tap, jazz and lyrical dance; skiing; Girl
Scouts and mountain biking with her co-ed team, Keystone Composite.
Most recently, she flexed her leadership skills through a project in which she spent 50
hours building a section of the Tunnel Trail at Lackawanna State Park, North Abington Twp.
This project fulfilled requirements for the Girl Scouts’ Silver Award as well as moved
Hannah a step closer to Teen Trail Corps captain status, achievable through advocacy work,
leadership and skill-building through the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and
International Mountain Biking Association.
“I was trying to get my Silver Award, and (the requirements were) to make the
community better and be something that everyone could use or benefit from,” the Abington
Heights Middle School eighth-grader said on a recent afternoon along the trail she built. “I
obviously care about the trail and use it, and it’s something everyone in the community could
use, so why not? As I was doing the work, we realized most of the hours could count toward
Teen Trail Captain. It just made sense.”
Click Here to read the full article.
[Editor’s Note: Puttcamp’s initiatives parallel projects undertaken by Peter Livengood, a 12th
Grade student and Boy Scout from Ohiopyle, Fayette County to earn the Boy Scout’s William T.
Hornaday Silver Award. These stories and others from DCNR’s PA Outdoor Corps are inspiring
examples of how young people all across Pennsylvania are actively working to protect and
restore the environment.]
NewsClip:
Teen Girl Scout Earns Silver Award With Trail Project In Lackawanna County
Related Story:
New RiverStewards Blog Posts Support Susquehanna River Student Storytelling Project
[Posted: Nov. 12, 2018]
New RiverStewards Blog Posts Support Susquehanna River Student Storytelling Project
The RiverStewards organization is

working with students at Millersville
University on Susquehanna
Storytelling-- a series of blog articles,
videos, and other means of educating
people on what makes the
Susquehanna River so special and
important to the economy, the
environment, and to our quality of
life.
In the most recent post, student Kyle
Steffish interviewed staff at Susquehanna Heritage, the organization that is spearheading the
effort to get National Heritage Corridor designation for the Susquehanna River. The article said
in part--
“The potential exists here, if we preserve the right places, enhance the right places, and
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promote it the right way to create a destination for people to come and both immerse themselves
in history and access the outdoors in fun ways-- through trails, parks, and preserves,” said Mark
Platts, President of Susquehanna Heritage.
Three other posts in this series include--
-- Susquehanna Stories - Millersville Students Float To Write - Prof. Justin Mando, Millersville
-- What Is Environmental Advocacy? - Millersville Student Maddie Giardina
-- The Treasure Of The Susquehanna Video - Millersville Student Gabrielle Redcay
Click Here to check the RiverStewards Blog for more in stories in the Susquehanna
Storytelling project.
Stories Invited
If you are a college professor located at an institute of higher learning within the
Susquehanna River watershed and would like to have your students involved in Susquehanna
Storytelling, please contact Jessica Aiello by sending email to: jessica@riverstewards.info.
RiverStewards is a consortium of educational institutions, private sector companies,
non-profit organizations, communities, government agencies and individuals working to
conserve one of our most significant ecological, economic and recreational resources in central
Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna River.
Related Stories:
Times-Tribune: Teen Girl Scout Earns Silver Award With Trail Project In Lackawanna County
Boy Scout Takes On 4 Conservation Projects To Qualify For William T. Hornaday Silver Award
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Game Commission Accepting Comments Until Jan. 25 On Proposal To List 3 Bat Species
As Endangered, Make Other Listing Changes
The Game Commission published notice in the November

17 PA Bulletin saying it will accept public comment until
January 25 on changes to state endangered species listing
for three cave bats decimated by white nose syndrome, as
well as changes in the status of three wild birds. The
previous deadline had been December31.
The agency’s Board of Game Commissioners in late
September preliminarily approved a measure to update the
state’s list of threatened and endangered species by adding
the northern long-eared bat, tri-colored bat and little brown
bat.
As part of the overall state status-change package, the board also preliminarily agreed to
upgrade the peregrine falcon from endangered to threatened; upgrade the piping plover from
extirpated to endangered; and add the red knot-- already listed federally as threatened-- as a
threatened species.
The northern long-eared bat already had been listed federally as a threatened species for
more than three years. In addition, tri-colored bats and little brown bats currently are being
evaluated for U.S. Endangered Species Act protection.
The Board of Game Commissioners will also accept public comment-- limited to five
minutes-- at its January 27 and 28 meetings. Final adoption of the proposal will be considered at
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the Board’s January 29 meeting.
Public comments on the bat listings should be emailed to: batcomments@pa.gov;
comments on bird listings should be sent to: peregrinecomments@pa.gov. Both accounts accept
email attachments.
Questions should be directed to Randy Shoup at 717-783-6526.
Background
These listings historically have ensured the Game Commission and other resource
agencies work with industry if projects could be affected by the presence of endangered or
threatened species.
All projects are screened for potential conflicts through a state environmental review,
which has been in place since the early 1980s and now is called the Pennsylvania Natural
Diversity Inventory (PNDI).
PNDI was established to provide current, reliable, objective information to help inform
environmental decisions and guide conservation work and land-use planning. Resource agencies
continually update PNDI’s species records to ensure the best guidance and conservation possible.
Northern long-eared bats currently are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species
Act. If they become state listed, the Game Commission will continue to defer comments on
potential impacts to northern long-eared bats to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. No additional
coordination with the Game Commission will occur.
Since tri-colored and little brown bats currently are not federally listed and the Game
Commission, as part of its status-change package, proposes to protect mothers and their young in
summer (maternity) habitat by requiring consultation with the PGC for projects located within
300 meters of known roost locations.
Likewise, projects located with 300 meters of known hibernacula that do not contain
federally listed bats will trigger Game Commission consultation.
“Sites that held these bats prior to the arrival of white-nose syndrome, but not since,
won’t affect projects,” said Dan Brauning, Wildlife Diversity Division supervisor. “That
distinction alone immediately reduces the potential for conflicts when you consider bats have
lost upward of 97 percent of their historic populations in Pennsylvania.”
For perspective, there are about 30 hibernacula and 120 maternity sites known to support
little brown and tri-colored bats that will be added to PNDI.
Prior to white nose syndrome appearing in 2008 in Pennsylvania, there were about 250
bat hibernacula and 300 maternity sites listed in PNDI, according to Greg Turner, Game
Commission Endangered and Nongame Mammals Section supervisor.
The Game Commission will continue to coordinate with applicants to resolve conflicts,
agency Executive Director Bryan Burhans Brauning pointed out.
“The Game Commission strives to work whenever possible with industry, to save jobs,
and be a part of sound state government,” emphasized Burhans. “But we cannot look the other
way as bats tumble toward extinction. This agency has statutory and state constitutional
commitments to represent and conserve all wildlife for today and tomorrow.”
What works against these cave bats is their annual reproduction provides limited
replacement. Most female cave bats have one pup per year, a rate that would place their potential
recovery more than a century away.
The peregrine falcon has seen a steady statewide recovery, which qualifies its status to be
upgraded to threatened under the agency’s Peregrine Falcon Management Plan. This upgrade
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would keep PNDI screening and Game Commission coordination at status quo.
Upgrading the piping plover’s status to endangered recognizes its return to breeding in
Pennsylvania. After more than 60 years of absence, piping plover pairs successfully nested at
Presque Isle State Park in 2017 and 2018.
And changing the status of the red knot – a rare migrant bird found in Pennsylvania
mostly at Presque Isle State Park in Erie – recognizes its vulnerability to further declines.
Both piping plovers and red knots currently are federally listed. The Game Commission
would continue to defer potential conflict coordination for both species to the USFWS.
For more information on animal species of concern, visit the Game Commission’s
Threatened & Endangered Species webpage.
(Photo: Little brown bat.)
NewsClips:
Hayes: New Fish & Boat Commission Director Aims To Get Agency Back On Sound Financial
Footing
Hayes: 3-Species Hybrid Bird Discovered By Amateur Birder Near Altoona Baffles Experts
Schneck: Bear, Deer Hunting: 20 Things That Are Illegal
Bird Lovers Flock to Conowingo Dam For Eagle Day
Frye: Project FeederWatch Is Here And Seeking Citizen Scientists
Schneck: Hunt For Monster Catfish On Susquehanna River
Frye: Wild Brook Trout Gill Lice Parasite Controversy Taking On New Form
Wildlife Fled The Sky During 2017 Eclipse
AP: Stranger Things: Exotic Animals Only Loosely Protected
Editorial: Vanishing Wildlife: Humans Must Be Stewards For Other Creatures
Camel Seen On Route 309 During Snowstorm In Bucks County
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
Op-Ed: Pinchot Institute For Conservation: Putting Out Wildfires
By: Will Price & Brian Kittler, Pinchot Institute
Last weekend, while giving honor to the

heroes of WWI, our President took a moment
to tell the residents of California who were
fleeing burning landscapes and homes, that the
federal government may decide not to help. He
blamed poor forest management.
This was actually an improvement on
the last White House tweet on wildfires, in
which he faulted a mythical problem with
finding water, because it was “being diverted
to the Pacific Ocean” by environmentalists.
His most recent tweet was closer to the mark, but still wrong.
In the last two days, following outrage from devastated Californians and people around
the country, pronouncements from the White House have become more helpful and informed.
Unfortunately the sword was already drawn.
14
The fires are in two regions. In Southern California the fires are happening in grasslands
and chaparral, not in forests.
For years scientists have been warning that changing conditions--yes to some extent
driven by climate change--will increase the intensity and severity of wildfires in these areas, with
tragic consequences.
More homes and people living in these ecosystems pose management challenges,
especially when the management of chaparral is scientifically challenging.
So while there probably should not be five million homes beautifully tucked into this
landscape, they are there, and our President should console and assure them the American people
will do whatever we can to restore their lives.
There are vegetation management options for reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires
in chaparral ecosystems (prescribed burning or vegetation removal).
They are expensive and sometimes dangerous, and come with the potential to destroy the
richness (fully one third of California’s plant species) and beauty of these ecosystems.
A foolproof approach for preventing the loss of life and property when fires rage is to not
rebuild in these ecosystems, in the exact same sense that we should avoid rebuilding along
coastlines and floodplains where the U.S. repeatedly deploys billions in tax dollars through
FEMA.
It is a tough sell and a hard decision for people who have long-held properties and
memories in these risky places.
The irony of course is that this “better management” solution has been advocated by the
environmental community and blocked by developers.
This administration, and a President who fought and flaunted environmental regulations
for developments on the eastern seaboard, need to consider restricting development and
appreciate the science of managing natural resources.
In Northern California the fires are also happening in grasslands and chaparral, as well as
forests.
The suspected point of ignition for the devastating Camp Fire is a hillside of scrubby and
open forests interspersed with grasslands, as is the terrain between there and the ravaged town of
Paradise.
The fire has ripped across all lands and has been devastating, taking lives and property.
Fires like this were predicted. Repeated droughts make vegetation of all kinds dry as kindling.
The California Department of Forestry and the United States Forest Service and others
responsible for forests have been enumerating the dead and dying trees in the Sierras (125
million), in some instances trying to spur the development of new businesses that could use this
resource.
Other times they have resorted to harvesting, trucking, and preemptive burning (in
“curtain burners”). This is an expensive waste of wood that everyone hopes could be put to a
better use.
None of these agencies has the budget or political support necessary to deal with the scale
of the problem.
In fact, in recent years fire has burned through more than half of the federal Forest
Service’s budget--such that there were scant dollars and fewer people to manage the problem
through planning and treatments.
Many administrations have not addressed this problem.
15
The tragedy we are witnessing in the California Sierras is only partially a consequence of
the inability to identify and act on management priorities that are actually shared by many
environmental groups, scientists, agencies, and companies.
Pitting different interests against each other now will be a setback, as will dismissing the
science that in recent years has become a means to forge consensus and accelerate action.
The fires are also undeniably intensified by climate change. According to almost all
scientists it is not debatable, and perhaps it need not be debated.
Rather let’s take the lesson of what we are witnessing with longer, drier, warmer
summers in the region.
Across the western U.S., the fire season has increased by two and half months since the
1980s, while in California the season is now year round. Models reflect these observations and
we would be fools not to use their predictions to design restoration actions that result in more
resilient forest ecosystems.
Make no mistake, even fire scientists who study the same incidents in the same places
have disagreements over everything that must be done--e.g. whether thinning trees always
reduces fuel loads, or in some areas may actually leave drier tinder that invites fire.
Creating the consensus needed for “no-regrets action” is certainly not helped by sparking
even greater discord.
Contrary to the partisan criticism the state of California is doing its part, investing
billions of dollars for forest health and resilience treatments over the next decade.
Just as the latest round of fires rage, the California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection is preparing to invest $155 million in 2019 treatments of this kind--using proceeds
from the state’s cap and trade program that limits greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to
drought and forest decline.
Another initiative in the Lake Tahoe basin leverages $4 million in private investments
from foundations, an insurance company, and an investment firm.
The investors expect a 4 percent return from annual payments from a public water utility,
a local water agency, and the state, whose reduced wildfire risk will save them untold expenses
in the future.
California and other states dealing with catastrophic wildfire need more infusions of
resources and creative financing like this, not less.
There will be families and towns in California whose lives can never be restored. This is
tragic.
What can be recovered immediately is a sense of decency and restraint--not letting these
terrible events become opportunities to restate tired and only partially-informed ideas of what is
needed in these places.
Let’s put away swords.
Yes, in some places we will have to sharpen axes--but this is not the only solution, and
certainly not one that works without scientifically-informed, and consensus-based work on land
use and forestry.
We need to work together to conserve landscapes that include troubled forest ecosystems
and suffering people.
(Photo: California wildfires.)
William C. Price is President of the Pinchot Institute and can be contacted by sending email to:
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willprice@pinchot.org.
Brian Kittler is Director of the Western Regional Office of the Institute and can be contacted by
sending email to: bkittler@pinchot.org.
The Pinchot Institute for Conservation was founded in 1961 on the legacy of Pennsylvania Gov.
Gifford Pinchot, the first head of the U.S. Forest Service. Click Here to watch a documentary on
Pinchot from the P A Conservation Heritage Project.
The mission of the Institute is to strengthen forest conservation thought, policy, and
action by developing innovative, practical, and broadly-supported solutions to conservation
challenges and opportunities.
It accomplishes this through nonpartisan research, education, and technical assistance on
key issues influencing the future of conservation and sustainable natural resource management.
Click Here to sign up for the Institute’s regular updates.
Also visit the Grey Towers Heritage Association website for programs at Gov. Pinchot’s
home in Pike County. Click Here to sign up for updates from the Association, Like them on
Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, become part of their Google+
Circle and follow them on Instagram.
Learn more about Pennsylvania’s wildfire fighting efforts by visiting DCNR’s Wildfire
webpage.
NewsClips:
AP: Trump Threatens To Withhold Federal Payments Saying Forest Management Is So Poor
Editorial: California Wildfire Catastrophe
Death Toll Grows To 63, With 631 People Missing In California Wildfires
California’s Ferocious Wildfires Spark Concern Over Health Consequences
National Guard Troops Search For More California Wildfire Victims: 56 Dead
AP: California Wildfire Death Toll At 48, Hundreds Still Missing
AP: Dead In Cars, Homes: Northern California Wildfire Toll At 42
Devastation As Deadly California Blaze Tallies Grim Stats
Death Toll Rises To 31 In California Wildfires, 228 Missing
AP: Death Toll Jumps to 25 In California Wildfires, Search For More Victims Continues
AP: Deadly Fire Leveled Paradise, California In Less Than A Day
Mega-Wildfires More Frequent Because Of Climate Change, Forest Management
Worst Wildfires In California History
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule
Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees
scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (All Bills Died): House Bill 1401 (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends Title 58 to
impose a sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on
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natural gas production (NO money for environmental programs) and includes provisions related
to minimum landowner oil and gas royalties; House Bill 1446 (Quinn-R- Bucks) encouraging
infrastructure for electric and natural gas fueled vehicles; House Bill 2105 (Fritz-R-
Susquehanna) abolishing certain “obsolete” boards and commissions; House Bill 2638
(Stephens-R-Montgomery) which would authorize new local authorities to cleanup former
military installations or land having water, sewer or stormwater pollution identified by the
Department of Environmental Protection or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency financed
by tax refunds by businesses and individuals working in the remediation area was amended to
eliminate its application to all properties with pollution to just those involving former military
installations (Senate Fiscal Note and summary) House Resolution 284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging
Congress to repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s MS4 Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Program (sponsor summary); House Resolution 943 (Tallman-R-Adams) urging the
federal Food And Drug Administration to promptly consider candidates for Lyme disease
vaccinations; House Resolution 1112 (Barrar-R-Delaware) calling on federal government to
recognize the importance of durable, flood-resilient infrastructure (sponsor summary). <> Click
Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (All Bills Died): Senate Bill 820 (Aument-R- Lancaster) providing liability protection for
owners and operators of on-farm agritourism activities (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 930
(Dinniman-D- Chester) sets notification requirements related to pipeline emergencies (sponsor
summary); Senate Bill 931 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of automatic or
remote controlled safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas; Senate Bill
1199 (Rafferty-R- Montgomery) providing for a landowners’ bill of rights in cases of eminent
domain, including by private entities like pipeline companies (sponsor summary); Senate Bill
1270 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne), (Baker-R-Luzerne) requiring universal lead testing for children
(sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 214 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) urging Pennsylvania
natural gas producers to export gas to European countries in an effort to curtail the monopoly
that Russia has on supply to that region (sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 373 (Rafferty-R-
Montgomery) is a concurrent Senate-House resolution to establish a Senate-House legislative
Commission to Study Pipeline Construction and Operations and to recommend improvements
for the safe transport of oil, natural gas and other hazardous liquids through pipelines; House Bill
86 (Lawrence-R-Chester) eliminating tailpipe emissions testing for 1992-1995 vehicles in
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas (House Fiscal Note and summary); House Bill 2154
(Causer-R-Cameron) which would weaken environmental standards for conventional (not Shale)
oil and gas drilling (Senate Fiscal Note, House Fiscal Note and summaries). <> Click Here for
full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
All committees have been dissolved and will not be re-established until January/February.
House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
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Bills Pending In Key Committees
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
January 1
House
January 1
Governor’s Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
News From The Capitol
Independent Fiscal Office: State Faces Over $1.7 Billion Budget Deficit In FY 2019-20
On November 15, the Independent Fiscal Office reported in its Economic & Budget Outlook
Report state government faces over $8 billion in deficits over the next 5 fiscal years due to rising
costs, and in spite of better than expected increases in state revenue.
IFO projects a $1.71 billion deficit in FY 2019-20, a $1.56 billion deficit in 2020-21, a
$1.44 billion deficit in 2021-22, a $1.75 billion deficit in 2022-23 and a $1.58 billion deficit in
2023-24.
The report blames the same old culprits-- $1 billion in one-time funding sources used to
balance the FY 2018-19 budget and increasing health and human service program costs.
Interestingly, the same IFO report in November of 2017 projected a “structural deficit” in
FY 2019-20 budget of $1.86 billion, a 2020-21 deficit of $1.77 billion, a $1.78 billion deficit in
2021-22 and a $2.18 billion deficit in 2022-23.
So a year brought some improvement, but clearly the structural deficit problem has not
gone away.
“Expenditures are expected to increase by $2.70 billion in FY 2019-20, which is roughly
$1.70 billion more than the projected increase in net revenues,” said Matthew Knittel, Director of
the IFO. “The factors driving the unusually large growth in expenditures in the budget year are
associated with more than $1.0 billion in one-time funding sources used to balance the FY
2018-19 budget, as well as FY 2019-20 increases in state costs associated with health and human
service programs.”
In addition, a new sales and use tax transfer to the Public Transportation Trust Fund
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beginning in FY 2022- 23 reduces revenue by approximately $500 million annually and
contributes to the shortfall in the final two years of the forecast.
The IFO described the imbalance as “potential” because policymakers have various tools
to control expenditures on a temporary or permanent basis.
The IFO said several other factors affect projections of the Commonwealth’s fiscal
condition in the forecast period, including--
-- The projections include mandatory (also referred to as the cost-to-carry) and non-mandatory
expenditures. The potential FY 2019-20 imbalance is estimated at $1.48 billion if the financial
statement incorporated only mandatory expenditures.
-- Over the last four years of the forecast (FY 2020-21 through 2023-24), three factors drive
lower growth in expenditures: (1) SERS and PSERS employer contribution rates stabilize, (2) a
contraction of the school age population restrains the growth of Pre-K-12 expenditures and (3)
the aging of the Commonwealth’s workforce (high wage employees retire and are replaced with
less experienced, lower wage staff).
Recession Caution
The IFO said the report does not assume that a recession occurs over the five-year budget
window, therefore, the economic forecast represents a “best case” scenario. However, the report
includes a cautionary note on the economic and revenue implications of a recession.
A recent survey of economists by the Wall Street Journal indicates that most economists
believe that a recession is more likely than not to occur over the next three years.
Click Here for a copy of the report.
NewsClip:
Footing
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
PA Senate, House Republicans, Democrats Elect 2019-20 Leadership Teams
The Senate and House Republicans and Democrats last week elected their leadership teams for
the 2019-20 legislative session and lots of familiar faces are returning.
Senate
The Senate held leadership elections Wednesday with no changes in the Republican and
Democratic line-ups, except one--
Senate Republicans--
-- President Pro Tempore: Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson), re-elected
-- Majority Leader: Jake Corman (R-Centre), re-elected
-- Majority Whip: John Gordner (R-Columbia), re-elected
-- Majority Appropriations Chair: Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), re-elected
-- Caucus Chair: Robert Mensch (R-Montgomery), re-elected
-- Caucus Secretary: Richard Alloway (R-Adams), re-elected
-- Caucus Administrator: [To Be Named ]
-- Policy Committee Chair: David Argall (R-Schuylkill), re-elected
Senate Democrats--
-- Minority Leader: Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), re-elected
-- Minority Whip: Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), re-elected
20
-- Minority Appropriations Chair: Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), re-elected
-- Caucus Chair: Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), re-elected
-- Caucus Secretary: Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia), re-elected
-- Caucus Administrator: John Blake (D-Lackawanna), re-elected
-- Policy Committee Chair: Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh), re-elected
House
The House held leadership elections Tuesday for the new legislative session starting in
January--
House Republicans picked--
-- Speaker: Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), re-elected
-- Majority Leader: Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), previously served as Whip
-- Majority Whip: Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre), previously served as Policy Chair
-- Majority Appropriations Chair: Stan Saylor (R-York), re-elected
-- Caucus Chair: Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), re-elected
-- Policy Committee Chair: Donna Oberlander (R-Armstrong), served as Caucus Secretary
-- Caucus Administrator: Kurt Masser (R-Columbia), re-elected
-- Caucus Secretary: Mike Reese (R-Somerset)
The new House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler highlighted 3 priorities Republicans will
be working on starting in January-- career and technical education, expansion of the EITC
Education Tax Credit Program and enacting the regulatory reform package two of the new
members of the new leadership team were promoting-- Reps. Benninghoff and Oberlander.
Rep. Cutler said he is focused on finding solutions to problems and reaching across the
political aisle on issues were Republicans have common ground with Democrats, like on
education funding and jobs.
House Democrats picked--
-- Majority Leader: Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny), re-elected
-- Majority Whip: Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia)
-- Majority Appropriations Chair: Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery)
-- Caucus Chair: Joanna McClinton (D-Delaware)
-- Policy Committee Chair: Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), re-elected
-- Caucus Administrator: Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill), re-elected
-- Caucus Secretary: Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia) re-elected
NewsClips:
Senate Republicans, Democrats Elect Same Leadership Teams, Except One
AP: Senate Republican, Democratic Leadership To Return Intact
Meyer: Senate Republicans, Democrats Re-Elect Leaders With Little Fanfare
AP-Scolforo: House Leadership Elections Bring Change To Harrisburg
Thompson: Lancaster Republican Elected House Majority Leader
Thompson: House Democrats Revamp Leadership Team With Philly Tilt
In House, Democrats From Philly, Suburbs Gain Political Muscle
AP-Scolforo: Pension, Gambling Laws Among Legislative Session Highlights
Links:
Click Here for a Week’s Worth Of Political NewsClips
November Joint Conservation Committee Newsletter Now Available
21
The November newsletter from the Joint Legislative Air and Water
Pollution Control and Conservation Committee is now available featuring
stories on--
-- Neighborhood Blight
-- Changes In Vehicles You See On Showroom Floors
-- Reforestation Efforts For Long-Term Goals
-- 2018 Environmental Performance Index: U.S. 27th Out Of 180
-- Costs And Results Of Water Quality Improvements
-- Americans Support Reducing Plastic Straw Use, Less Sure Of Ban
-- Click Here to read this month’s copy
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) served as Chair of the Joint Conservation Committee
in the 2017-18 legislative session.
For more information, visit the Joint Conservation Committee website, Like them on
Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Committee.
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
News From Around The State
Pittsburgh Water Authority Releases 12-Year Plan Outline For Solving Lead, Stormwater,
Other Problems
On November 15, the Pittsburgh Water and

Sewer Authority released a 12-year plan
outline for Pittsburgh’s water future entitled
PGH2O 2030.
At the request of Mayor William Peduto, this
plan outlines PWSA’s vision for Pittsburgh’s
water future, through 2030 and beyond.
The Authority said its goals are--
-- To responsibly, sustainably manage
Pittsburgh’s water for the next 12 years, and
well beyond 2030;
-- To provide safe, reliable water 24/7/365 to
our customers and to provide them with excellent customer service;
-- To renew and upgrade our drinking water, stormwater, and sewer infrastructure to exceed all
compliance standards;
-- To prioritize public health and replace all lead service lines;
-- To make water service accessible through customer assistance to our lower-income customers
and continue a moratorium on winter water shut-offs;
-- To be accountable, accessible, and fully transparent to our customers;
-- To fairly and equitably charge each customer based on their usage of our system; and
-- To be a valued regional environmental steward of our most precious resource.
“Pittsburgh’s past and future are tied to water. As public servants and residents of
22
Pittsburgh ourselves, our top priority is providing safe, reliable water to every customer -
regardless of their income,” said Robert A. Weimar, Executive Director of PWSA. “PWSA has
fallen short in the past, but we are committed to excellent customer service and upgrading our
drinking water, stormwater, and sewer systems. We are building water infrastructure for the next
generation of Pittsburghers.”
Paul Leger, Board Chairman of PWSA, said: “As we invest in infrastructure that is built
to last, we’re mindful that PWSA must be a strong financial steward of a critical asset for city
residents. The 2030 plan details PWSA’s strategy to pay for needed upgrades in a way that is
smart and responsible. With a good credit rating, we can continue to borrow at low interest rates,
while we simultaneously improve our cash flow. The future of PWSA is bright.”
Centered around transparency, accountability, and reliable water service, the 2030 plan
covers several areas: PWSA’s vision and goals; history of Pittsburgh’s water systems and the
path that brought us to today; current financial status; and plans for investing in drinking water,
stormwater, and sewer infrastructure.
Additional details are also available in documents previously submitted to the Public
Utility Commission, including PWSA’s Long-term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP) and
Compliance Plan.
Click Here for a copy of the full plan.
For more information, visit the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority website.
NewsClips:
Pittsburgh Water Authority Releases 12-Year Plan For Serving Customers
Maykuth: PA American Water Buys Steelton Water System For $22.5 Million
Op-Ed: If Philly Wants To Protect Kids From Lead, It Should Join Lawsuits Against Paint
Companies
Report Card: PA Highway, Water, Transportation Infrastructure Is Just As Bad As it Was 4
Years Ago
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
PA, NY Delaware River Groups Push For New Actions On Flooding, Erosion In Online
Petition
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Friends of the

Upper Delaware River, New York League of
Conservation Voters and Citizens Campaign for the
Environment have posted on online petition urging the
Governors of all 4 Delaware Watershed states to do more
to regulate water flows in the river to protect water
quality and river habitats.
In particular, they are urging New York Gov. Andrew
Cuomo to "to stand with our neighboring states to protect
and restore the Delaware River Basin"--
"One of our state's most important water resources, the Delaware River Watershed, is
threatened by flooding, stream erosion, and sediment pollution.
“The Upper Delaware River Watershed is the source of 60 percent of New York City's
water supply and supports a world-renowned wild trout fishery in Delaware and Sullivan
23
Counties that is worth more than $400 million annually.
“The river needs greater attention if we're going to keep this waterway safe and healthy
for all the families, communities, and wildlife that depend on it. Protecting the Delaware River is
important to me, as I hope it is to you.
“Please meet with your fellow governors from across the watershed in the first-of-its-kind
summit early in 2019 to create a new vision and plan to protect the Delaware River and its
surrounding waterways for generations to come.
“The Delaware River headwaters are in New York, and we need you to be at the
summit."
Click Here for more information.
NewsClips:
Philly Will Get 950 More Street Trees Planted This Weekend
Seaport Museum Ties Its Fortunes To The Delaware River Exhibit In Philadelphia
Delaware RiverKeeper Nov. 16 RiverWatch Video Report
[Posted: Nov. 14, 2018]
DEP Invites Submission Of Water Quality Data In Review Of Streams In Carbon County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin

inviting the submission of water quality data that will assist in the review of water quality
standards for Bear Creek and Nesquehoning and Mahoning creeks in Carbon County.
Data should be submitted by December 17. Submissions and questions should be
directed to Mark Brickner, 717-787-9637 or send email to: mbrickner@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
Leadership Opportunity: Next City: Stormwater Greening Is Good For Business,

Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Initiative
On November 5, N ext City published an in depth

profile of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean
Waters Green Infrastructure Initiative in
Stormwater Greening Is Good For Business by
James A. Anderson. The subtitle tells you
Anderson’s approach to the story-- Digging into
the successes and stumbles of Philly’s ambitious
25-year stormwater mitigation plan. Here’s a
good read on green infrastructure--
Five years ago, Philadelphia civil engineer Dennis Shelly glimpsed a business opportunity lying
out in the open-- or more precisely, he spied that opportunity from 22,000 miles in orbit. Satellite
images made plain an idea back on Earth that has since helped him grow a business that moves
water around just below the planet’s surface.
Shelly heads PEER Environmental, an engineering and design firm that in its fifth year is
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well on the way to revenues of $1 million.
PEER’s specialty is green infrastructure-- green rooftops, rain gardens or infiltration
beds-- on big plots of land. This, to shift stormwater so that it’s absorbed into the ground and
kept out of the city sewers.
Shelly’s clients are rewarded handsomely by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD),
which not only cuts their water bills-- by as much as 80 percent, which can translate to tens of
thousands of dollars per year-- but also supplies grant funding to execute the projects.
His job is the behind-the-scenes (well, underground, mostly) work of using gravity, stone,
pipes, dirt and plants to manage how fast water seeps into the ground, where it can soak in
gradually or even evaporate.
Click Here to read the entire article.
Green Infrastructure Links:
Feature: Parks To The Rescue On Stormwater, Flooding
Economic Ecology - LandStudies
Green Infrastructure Offers Triple Benefits, Cost Effective Solutions To Stormwater Pollution,
Reducing Flood Damage
The Economic Value Of Green Infrastructure: Calculating A Return On Investments In Parks,
Watershed Restoration, Farmland BMPs, Open Space
Economic Impact Of Natural Resource Conservation In Somerset County
NewsClips:
Op-Ed: Clean Water Helps Create Healthy Communities - Wissahickon Creek
Related Stories:
Act Now
How Good Is The Water Quality In Streams In Your Community? Take A Look, Then Act
[Posted: Nov. 14, 2018]
Pittsburgh's New Riverfront Zoning Bill Sets Standards For Sustainable Development
The City of Pittsburgh has set new standards for

development along the three rivers that rim its urban
center-- the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny
Rivers.
Designed to incentivize developers and property
owners to create a more economically,
environmentally, and socially sustainable riverfront,
the RIV Riverfront Zoning Bill will guide
development and protect public access along the
city’s 33 miles of riverfronts, including 13 miles along downtown Pittsburgh and the city’s
iconic Strip District.
25
Included in the bill are standards for how close developers can build around existing
wharves and marinas, and a performance points system that encourages public benefits and
environmental improvements such as public trails, affordable housing and public art.
The RIV legislation will encourage the restoration of riverfront habitat through more
sustainable riverfront development and will preserve the unique character of riverfront
neighborhoods by regulating building’s size and distance from rivers.
The new zoning codes give developers and property owners points for making
sustainable investments in their properties that translate into larger buildings or closer riverfront
properties.
Those points allow developers to build closer than allotted to the river or above the height
restrictions. Examples of point-earning additions include public restrooms or water fountains
along river trails, stormwater infrastructure, and on-site energy generation.
The Department of City Planning developed the RIV Riverfront Zoning Bill over the
course of two and a half years, with input from thousands of Pittsburghers and stakeholders,
including Riverlife, a nonprofit committed to making Pittsburgh’s riverfronts environmentally,
socially, and economically sustainable.
The planning process included dozens of meetings and surveys with community
members, property owners, and other stakeholders.
Pittsburgh’s industrial past shaped its riverfront development. The rivers have been
traditionally zoned for industrial use; however, after the 1980s collapse of steel, the city
experienced a mass population loss, leaving behind industrial remnants like mills and
transportation infrastructure that separated neighborhoods from accessing the riverfronts.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, city leaders began working on a vision plan to redevelop
the riverfronts in a way that diversified their uses to include recreation, entertainment, residential
housing and corporate headquarters alongside industry on the waterfront.
The pace of development on the riverfronts has accelerated over the past decade, which
led City Planning to begin the process to refine and update the city’s riverfront zoning standards
for the first time in a generation.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Sustainable
Pittsburgh website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates. Like them on Facebook, Follow
them on Twitter. Click Here to support their work.
To learn more about green innovation in the Pittsburgh Region, visit the Pittsburgh Green
Story website.
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
PA Environment Digest Sponsors 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation/National

Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference
PA Environment Digest has become a sponsor of

the combined 2019 PA Abandoned Mine
Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine
Lands Program Conference to be held in
Pittsburgh on September 8-11.
With the theme of Restore, Transform,
Revitalize, the Conference will for the first time
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bring together the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs, the National
Association of State Land Reclamationists and Pennsylvania’s own Statewide Abandoned Mine
Reclamation community.
These three organizations share common goals and interests focused on successful
reclamation and environmental restoration of previously and currently mined sites including the
abatement or treatment of mine drainage.
The multi-organization focus will provide conference attendees a broader range of
mining and reclamation topics and issues from across the United States as well as increased
opportunities for both networking and sponsor & exhibitor outreach.
Call For Papers
The Conference organizers have issued a call for papers to be presented at the Conference
on a variety of topics. The deadline for proposals in May 10. Click Here for more information.
Sponsor & Exhibit Opportunities
Click Here for information on sponsor or exhibitor information for the Conference.
For more information, visit the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National
Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference website.
NewsClips:
Amid Black Landscape, Site Of New Wilkes-Barre High School Takes Shape
EcoIslands Cleans Up Mine Drainage With Wetlands In A Box In Blair
Hole From Abandoned Mine Filled In Washington Twp., Berks County
Allegheny Front: WV National Guard Invests $5M+ To Grow Apple Trees On Mine Site
Zinke Effect: How U.S. Interior Dept. Became A Tool Of Industry
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Coca-Cola, Keep America Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Public Spaces
Recycling Bin Grants
On November 15, Keep America Beautiful and the

Coca-Cola Foundation announced they are now accepting
applications for their Public Spaces Recycling Bin Grants.
The deadline for applications is December 20.
Eligible recipients include government agencies,
colleges and universities, civic organizations, public and
local nonprofit groups throughout the United States.
Keep America Beautiful will award the grants in
mid-January 2019 and make arrangements with suppliers to
deliver recycling bins directly to the recipients in the first quarter of 2019.
"Community recycling is one of the key ways The Coca-Cola Foundation is helping
communities address litter and support the environment. In partnership with Keep America
Beautiful, we can help communities reduce litter by offering grants for recycling bins in parks,
recreation areas, campuses and city streets," said Helen Smith Price, President of The Coca-Cola
Foundation.
"Since its inception in 2007, the grant program has made impressive strides toward
expanding recycling in public spaces," said Randy Hartmann, senior director of affiliate
27
operations for Keep America Beautiful. "Through these grants, The Coca-Cola Foundation is
reducing two of the primary barriers for on-the-go recycling – accessibility and convenience."
The program will distribute 4,500 recycling bins in public space locations ranging from
athletic fields to fairs and festivals to downtown streetscapes and playgrounds and other
on-the-go settings.
The program is funded through a $350,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation to
Keep America Beautiful, which in turn awards recycling bins through a competitive, merit-based
application process.
For all the details, visit the Public Spaces Recycling Bin Grants website.
NewsClips:
Major Recycler CarbonLITE To Open Lehigh Valley Facility, Create 200 Jobs
Op-Ed: How You Can Help Philly Cut Recycling Costs
$100M Landfill Gas Refinery On Track For 2019 Completion In Throop, Lackawanna
Related Story:
America Recycles Day! Keep PA Beautiful Urges You To Take The Pledge!
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
America Recycles Day! Keep PA Beautiful Urges You To Take The Pledge!
November 15 was America Recycles Day to

recognize the economic, environmental and
social benefits of recycling, while raising
awareness about the value of reducing, reusing
and recycling-- every day.
“We invite all Pennsylvanian’s to take
the pledge and continue to be mindful of how
our waste is handled 365 days a year. Recycling
helps protect our environment by saving natural
resources such as trees, water and minerals and
reduces the amount of waste sent to our
landfills. Recycling helps keep our
neighborhoods clean and beautiful,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania
Beautiful.
Visit America Recycles Day and join thousands of people just like you who have taken
the pledge to Learn what materials are collected in your neighborhood, Act by reducing the
amount of waste produced and promising to recycle more and Share the pledge link with family
and friends.
Keep America Beautiful offers a wide variety of tools and resources to make planning an
event easy and successful. Become part of the national network of America Recycles Day events
and register your event.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member. Click Here to sign up for
regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on
Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
28
communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.
NewsClips:
Major Recycler CarbonLITE To Open Lehigh Valley Facility, Create 200 Jobs
Related Story:
Coca-Cola, Keep America Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Public Spaces Recycling
Bin Grants
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Volunteers Move Mountains (Of Tires) In Susquehanna County
By: Josh Raulerson, PA Environmental Council
The site of Barbara Bradford’s home near

Canawacta Creek in Lanesboro, Susquehanna
County, is as historic as it is picturesque.
Built in the 1830s, the small stone house
stands among the remnants of a small commercial
district-- complete with blacksmith and livery
stable-- that once occupied this spot.
Though the home has been lovingly
restored along with its original stonework and
even many of its original stained-glass windows,
little remains of the accompanying buildings other
than bits of half-buried foundation.
Far more visible, unfortunately, is the residue of a more recent era: thousands of old car
tires and debris discarded here throughout the 20th century.
Juxtaposed with the otherwise scenic wooded landscape of Barbara’s property, the tires
create an unsightly vista that’s all too common in this part of Pennsylvania, where the lush green
hills and valleys-- now streaked with vivid blazes of fall color-- are often blemished by illegal or
illicit dumpsites.
“This used to be the Grant Brown junkyard here in Lanesboro,” says Stan Rockwell, a
neighbor who’s out on this chilly Saturday to help clean up the historic eyesore. “Back in the
‘50s and ‘60s this used to be filled with junk cars, and people from the area would come around
and take car parts. So now here we are, picking up tires.”
“I saw some old aerial photos recently that showed this whole area was lined with cars,”
adds Dana Rockwell. “They must have just put all the tires here. But unfortunately it connects to
Canawacta Creek, only about a quarter mile from the Susquehanna River. So if we get them
cleaned up, that’ll prevent any flooding washing them into the river eventually.”
Stan and Dana are among 23 volunteers donating a portion of their weekend to PEC’s
Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program, which organizes events like this one all over the region in
conjunction with Keep Northeastern Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Today’s cleanup is part of a years-long restoration effort undertaken by Bradford when
she bought the property. Though she was able to pay for renovation of the residence, removing a
29
half-century’s worth of accumulated junk along the creek proved beyond her means.
“This is amazing!” Barbara exclaims. “One hour in, we’ve got one dumpster full and
we’re working on the second. I’m so pleased.”
By day’s end, volunteers will have filled four thirty-yard dumpsters with mostly
deteriorated tires. Tomorrow they’ll fill two more, bringing the total haul to 3,627 tires weighing
in at more than 43 and a half tons.
“We got a lot of tires here,” Dana observes. “Wish we had a bigger machine!”
“Because of the condition of the tires they could not be recycled,” says PEC program coordinator
Palmira Miller, “So we worked with DEP and Waste Management to get them into the Alliance
Landfill where they will be split and disposed of.”
The good news: though it took decades to build this mountain of rotting rubber, it only
took a weekend – a total of 153 volunteer hours – to move it.
“Hopefully this is the last time we pick up tires here,” says Stan
To learn more about cleanup programs in the Northeast, contact Palmira Miller, Program
Coordinator, by calling 570-718-6507 or send email to: pmiller@pecpa.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
updates from PEC.
NewsClips:
Kiski Watershed Assn Needs Volunteers For Parks Twp Litter Cleanup Nov. 17
Addressing Philadelphia’s Litter Problem
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
Dec. 18 DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For East Penn
Manufacturing, Berks County
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing [if needed] on the RACT II Air
Quality Plan for East Penn Manufacturing in Richmond Township, Berks County on December
18. (Nov. 17 PA Bulletin, page 7237)
The hearing will be held at the DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue
in Harrisburg starting at 10:00.
To register to speak at the hearing, please contact Dawne Wilkes at 717-705-4702.
Speakers must pre-register in order to testify at the hearing. The last day to pre-register to speak
at the hearing will be December 11.
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information. (N ov. 17 PA Bulletin, page
7237)
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
DEP Accepting Driving PA Forward Grants/Rebate Applications For Clean Trucks, Buses;
2 How To Apply Webinars Set
On November 15, the Department of Environmental

Protection announced it is accepting applications for 2 new
grant and rebate programs for trucks and buses through the
30
Driving PA Forward Initiative.
$6.4 million in competitive grants and $12 million in rebates are available for trucks and
buses with diesel engines to be replaced or repowered with cleaner-burning alternatives.
“Replacing or repowering vehicles like school buses and local delivery trucks with
cleaner alternatives, as well as tractor trailers hauling cargo across Pennsylvania highways, is
critical to improving air quality and protecting public health across the state,” said DEP
Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “These grants and rebates are excellent opportunities for schools
and businesses to cut down on emissions.”
Grants are available for Class 8 vehicles like tractor trailers and transit buses to be either
replaced or repowered. The deadlines for applications are: January 11, May 10 and September
23.
Rebates are available for Class 4-7 trucks, school buses, and other vehicles. This is a
first-come, first-served program. DEP did not set a deadline for applications.
The new vehicle or engine may be powered by natural gas, clean diesel, full electric, or
other alternative fuels.
Eligible applicants include school districts, municipal authorities, political subdivisions,
nonprofit entities, corporations, air quality or transportation organizations, and others.
Funds for the grants and rebates are from the $118 million settlement with Volkswagen,
relating to emissions cheating.
Mobile source emissions in Pennsylvania account for nearly half of NOx pollution, which
can lead to ground-level ozone formation and poor air quality. Children and elderly residents are
especially susceptible to health impacts such as asthma from poor air quality.
Application Webinars
DEP will hold 2 webinars for interested applicants for the rebates on December 3 at
10:30 a.m. and the grants on December 4 at 10:30 a.m. Registration details can be found at the
Driving PA Forward Initiative website.
Other Clean Vehicle Grants/Rebates
Application periods are open for several other clean vehicle, charging station grants or
rebates, including--
-- December 14: DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (First-Come)
-- December 14: DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
-- January 25: DEP Zero Emission Vehicle, Electric Charging Station Rebates
-- February 9: FAST Act Alternative Fuels Corridor Infrastructure Grants
-- March 31: DEP Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebates
Visit DEP’s Driving PA Forward website for more information on clean vehicle
initiatives.
Related Story:
EPA Awards $1.3 Million In Grants For Clean Diesel Grants In Mid-Atlantic, Including PA
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
EPA Awards $1.3 Million In Grants For Clean Diesel In Mid-Atlantic, Including PA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced funding for three clean diesel
projects totaling $4.7 million to reduce air pollution from aging diesel engines in the
Mid-Atlantic region.
31
The grants include $1.3 million to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management
Association which covers Pennsylvania.
The MARAMA grant will provide incentives to dray truck owners serving the ports and
rail yards of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware for voluntary early
replacement of 40 drayage trucks with older (1997-2006) engines.
Replacement trucks will have model year 2013 or newer engines with the latest
particulate and NOx reducing technology. This initiative will reduce emissions by 197 tons of
NOx, 11.5 tons of PM, 75 tons of CO, as well as air toxics in areas that are not currently
attaining federal health-based air quality standards.
“Taking steps to reduce emissions from older diesel engines rates among some of the
most cost-effective measures we can take to improve the air we all breathe,” said EPA Regional
Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “These grants are prioritizing clean diesel activities to areas that
have complex air quality challenges in the Mid-Atlantic region, so they can help reduce health
and environmental harm from diesel emissions.”
EPA’s Clean Diesel Program provides support for projects that protect human health and
improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines. This program includes
grants and rebates funded under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act .
DERA funding has supported nearly 25,000 cleaner buses across the country for
America’s schoolchildren.
Cumulatively, this funding will result in overall lifetime emissions reductions of more
than 1,013 tons of ozone-forming oxides of nitrogen (NOx): 58.7 tons of particulate matter (PM);
more than 240 tons of carbon monoxide (CO): 724 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2); and, will save
more than 91,000 gallons of fuel.
Click Here to learn more about these EPA Clean Diesel Programs.
Related Story:
DEP Accepting Driving PA Forward Grants/Rebate Applications For Clean Trucks, Buses; 2
How To Apply Webinars Set
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
National Fuel Gas Company Accepts EPA Methane Challenge
National Fuel Gas Company and five of its subsidiaries, spanning all key sectors of the natural
gas value chain, announced their recent acceptance into the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program.
This voluntary program within the energy industry is designed to provide a transparent
platform for utilities, pipeline and storage companies, and energy producers to make, track, and
communicate commitments to reduce methane emissions.
“For more than 116 years, National Fuel, its affiliates, and employees have been
committed to operating safely and responsibly as important members of our local, national, and
world communities,” said Ronald J. Tanski, President and Chief Executive Officer at National
Fuel Gas Company. “As one of our Company’s guiding principles, environmental stewardship
reflects our understanding and deep appreciation for the vital role we play in upholding standards
of environmental protection. Our participation in the Methane Challenge is further evidence of
our commitment to protecting the environment and natural resources.”
Each participating subsidiary of National Fuel is making independent commitments under
32
the Methane Challenge Best Management Practices that are appropriate to its business with the
expectation to further reduce methane emissions.
National Fuel’s companies have committed to analyze new and innovative approaches for
further emission reduction and to explore the applicability of future best management practices
or expansions of current best practices.
Seneca Resources Company, LLC, the Company’s exploration and production subsidiary,
is committed to continuous improvement efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit its
potential environmental footprint.
Since 2015, Seneca has partnered with the EPA to voluntarily reduce methane emissions
through its participation in the Natural Gas STAR Program and committed to implementing a
number of best management practices for reducing methane emissions where feasible, often
beyond regulatory requirements, and has reported methane reduction actions annually to the
EPA.
National Fuel’s midstream operations, comprised of National Fuel Gas Supply
Corporation, Empire Pipeline, Inc., National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC, work to
expand the pipeline network to satisfy the growing demand for natural gas supplies.
Across these businesses, engineers have been focused on developing best management
practices and utilizing the best available technologies and materials that mitigate and reduce
emissions from our new facilities.
A particular emphasis has been on the design, construction, and operation of compressor
station facilities with investment in technologies that meet and often go beyond what is required
by stringent federal and state regulations.
National Fuel’s utility subsidiary National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation has been
focused on improving safety while reducing methane emissions from utility mains and service
lines through system modernization, as well as initiatives to lower our customers’ carbon
footprint through energy efficiency and conservation.
The Company’s replacement of older natural gas infrastructure with more modern
materials and technologies has resulted in fewer leaks across the system and should continue to
lower methane emissions.
From 2012 through 2017, the utility has seen a 17.4 percent reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions, primarily methane, as reported to the U.S. EPA under subpart W of 40 CFR Part 98.
“With each well we drill, every pipeline we build, and as we continually replace older
utility infrastructure, National Fuel’s employees are dedicated to protecting the environment and
the health and safety of the members of our communities,” Tanski said.
For more information on EPA’s methane reduction program, visit the Natural Gas STAR
Methane Challenge Program webpage.
[Posted: Nov. 14, 2018]
PPL Utilities, GE Power To Test Software To Manage Renewable, Stored Energy Sources
PPL Electric Utilities and GE Power Digital Tuesday announced a joint initiative to develop and
test software to manage and control electricity from renewable and stored energy sources.
The initiative will enable both companies to learn more about the impact of this type of
power-- called Distributed Energy Resources (DER)-- on grid management and accelerate the
advancement of technology to support it.
33
DERs are local electricity generation, storage and other energy resources typically
connected to the grid at the distribution level. With the growth of renewable resources, such as
wind and solar, DERs play a growing role in the grid and make network operations more
dynamic and complex for utilities like PPL.
Challenges exist because energy resources like wind and solar are not constantly
available. At the same time, the grid must be able to assimilate the power while still providing
safe and reliable service for all customers.
Planning for, monitoring and controlling DERs while maintaining reliability requires
in-depth system knowledge combined with advanced technologies.
GE's DER Orchestration software uses automated and adaptive technologies to manage
the impact of distributed generation. GE was recently recognized by IDC MarketScape as a
leader in DER management systems.
PPL will adopt GE's DER Orchestration and integrate it with the utility's Advanced
Distribution Management Solutions (ADMS). This combination will enable the utility to model
and improve grid operations, maintain grid reliability, enhance load forecasting and improve
bi-directional communication with DERs.
PPL and GE will test the software within the utility's service territory for assistance with
future product development and verification for others within the industry considering DERMs
solutions.
Matt Green, chief information officer at PPL, commented, "There will be more change in
the electric utility industry over the next 10 years than we have experienced in the prior 100
years. Distributed energy will be everywhere, but we'll still need the grid. With the proper
investments to successfully orchestrate DERs, the grid will become more valuable. Utilities are
best positioned to provide the platform of the future and enable emerging technologies to thrive.
To accomplish this, we need long-term strategic relationships such as the one we have
established with GE."
Responding to changes in the grid while maintaining reliability is a key focus for PPL.
Their investments to date include installing smart grid technology, designing data analytics
models to improve equipment maintenance and replacement and installing better protection
against damage from lightning strikes.
PPL is ranked in the top 10 percent nationally and first in the Mid-Atlantic region in
keeping the lights on for its customers, according to system average outage frequency figures
from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Reliability is directly related to customer satisfaction. PPL routinely ranks among
national leaders in customer satisfaction, according to a noted national study. The study
measures utility customer satisfaction by examining key factors, with power quality and
reliability having the highest weight.
"Distributed energy brings with it variability that places new stresses on the grid. To
address this challenge, new approaches to business and operating models along with advanced
software solutions are critical," said Jeff Wright, vice president of product management for GE
Power. "We're glad to be working directly alongside a forward-thinking utility like PPL. Not
only are they focused on innovating for the future, they're focused on doing it the right way for
their customers – safely and reliably."
NewsClips:
PPL, GE Collaborating On Better Power Grid Management
34
Winter Weather Causes Widespread Power Outages In Western PA
Thousands Still Without Power In Midstate In Wake Of Winter Storm
PUC Reports 97,000 People In PA Without Power, Primarily In Southwest
Power For Some May Be Out For Butler County Residents Until Sunday
For Some In Western PA, Power Outages Could Linger Thru The Weekend
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
Leadership Opportunity: Pennsylvania Should Make Mine Water Geothermal A Key Part
Of Its Clean Energy Transformation
By: Michael C. Korb, P.E., Senior Mining Engineer, Tetra Tech, Inc.
In a November 7. 2018 paper, Competitive Imperative

- Choices for Pennsylvania's Energy Future, Christina
Simeone, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy writes
“Pennsylvania should develop a strategy to assist
individuals and communities impacted by the
downturn in coal demand.
“Such a strategy could consider at least two paths. The
first should focus on immediate to medium-term
transitional needs of individuals most significantly
impacted by coal’s downturn. The second would be a
community-based approach focused on long-term economic diversification and recovery of
communities formerly dependent on coal.”
One of the tactics the Commonwealth could utilize to help this strategy is to boost the use
of Mine-Water Geothermal Heating and Cooling and district heating systems utilizing it.
In a 2007 the U.S. Department of Energy presentation U.S. Mining Regions –The Saudi
Arabia of Geothermal Energy, the authors Terry E. Ackman and George Watzlaf wrote “Water
from a mine is a terrible thing to waste.”
Geothermal heating and cooling with heat pumps (GHPs) are proven, well-established
systems that provide extremely efficient levels of indoor heating and cooling at a very
economical price, and with a small carbon footprint.
Public buildings such as universities, hospitals, low-income housing and commercial
facilities would be ideal settings for GHPs because of their year-round and around-the-clock
heating and cooling needs.
GHPs utilize a ground or water source to take advantage of the ground or groundwater’s
constant temperature, approximately 55°F, to heat and cool a building. This makes GHPs far
more energy efficient than conventional air-source heat pumps, which must compensate for wide
seasonal variations in air temperature.
Many public buildings and industrial facilities are looking at retrofitting their HVAC
systems with geothermal. Notre Dame University recently announced plans to join more than
100 colleges in the U.S. that use geothermal as a campus energy source.
Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania uses mine pool water pumped to a heat
exchanger to cool one of its campus buildings, and water GHPs are especially suited for
applications such as data centers which require cooling year-round.
35
In Pittsburgh, a 2006 project at the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church constructed a
geothermal circuit to capture the energy from mine drainage to heat and cool the church, and to
provide for heating and cooling to a potential development next to it.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems can save 40 to 65 percent in heating costs, 30
percent in cooling costs and 15 percent for hot water costs when compared to conventional
air-source heat pumps or natural gas systems.
A geothermal-served facility’s carbon footprint for heating, cooling and hot water would
be also reduced by 55 to 70 percent.
Water-source heat pumps are the easiest, fastest and least expensive type of geothermal
system to install. Water provides better heat transfer than earth and a large waterbody provides
an excellent heat sink.
Water-source geothermal projects do not require the extensive digging and trenching that
is needed for burying ground loop pipelines needed for ground-source projects. Water-source
heat pumps are not practical without a good aquifer or large body of water nearby.
One of Pennsylvania’s potential sources of water for geothermal systems is mine-water
pools. Heating and cooling buildings with mine-water makes use of what was previously thought
of as a dirty problem.
Application of this technology is also proven for almost 40 years.
Mine-water geothermal can give many areas of the Commonwealth a rather remarkable
source of heating/cooling which is perhaps the most economical, energy-efficient, low carbon
footprint scheme.
Marywood University’s system is typical of a mine-water source geothermal system. The
Geothermal Energy System design would include supply well(s) and recharge well(s).
The supply wells would each house a submersible pump and the recharge wells would
extend back into the mine, serving as a path for the water to be discharged back into the mine
pool.
Water from the supply well is pumped to and through plate and frame heat exchangers
which heat/cool a separate isolated fluid loop that serves the building's heating and cooling
needs.
The mine-water does not have any changes in chemistry and does not see “the light of
day” nor does it see oxygen to create precipitates.
Perhaps, in the best scenario for the environment, the water would be treated and
discharged to waters of the Commonwealth.
There are currently mine-water geothermal operating systems in Nova Scotia, Scotland,
Netherlands, Missouri; and Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The Kingston Community Recreation Center in Luzerne County has been heated and
cooled with a mine-pool geothermal heat pump for more than 40 years.
Mines that are flooded with water - mine pools - are essentially almost unlimited
aquifers. Mine-water geothermal projects are feasible when there is a mine pool located nearby.
Much of Southeastern and Northeastern Pennsylvania are over water-filled mines. Areas
around Washington, Indiana, Johnstown, and Greensburg; and the Eastern, Western and
Southern suburbs, and the southern part and selected sites in the City of Pittsburgh; are located
over or near abandoned underground mines that may be full of water.
The cities of Scranton, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre Pittston, Pottsville, and Carbondale in the
Anthracite Region are all over mine-water pools.
36
Pennsylvania should recognize that mine pools are underutilized energy sources, should
be considered community assets, and should encourage their use for future sustainable energy
projects.
District heating and cooling utilizing mine-water geothermal could be a
“community-based approach focused on long-term economic diversification and recovery of
communities formerly dependent on coal.”
Water from a mine IS a terrible thing to waste.
Resource Link:
Minepool Geothermal In Pennsylvania, by Michael C. Korb August 2012
Michael C. Korb, P.E has had a 50-year long career working in the mining and mine reclamation
field and has been committed to public outreach and education on a wide range of mining and
reclamation issues. He can be contact by sending email to: mikekorb@pa.metrocast.net.
NewsClips:
Moxie Freedom Natural Gas Power Plant Now Online In Luzerne
Another Natural Gas Power Plant Proposed In Bradford County
Cusick: Wolf Joins Governors Calling For Unified, National Power Grid
Transource Power Line Company Plants Trees In York, Franklin Counties
FERC Nominee To Seek Counsel If Coal Bailout Plan Returns
FERC Nominee Distances Himself From Trump Coal Bailout At Hearing
New Study Reveals Natural Solutions Can Reduce Global Warming
Report: Closing Nuclear Plants Risks Rise In Greenhouse Gas Emissions
DOE To Fund Coal FIRST Initiative, Critics Say It’s Political Not Practical
IEA: World Has No Capacity To Absorb New Fossil Fuel Plants
Related Stories:
PA Solar Future Plan Recommends Dramatic Increase In AEPS Solar Mandate Of Up To 8%
37
[Posted: Nov. 14, 2018]
Leadership Opportunity: Re-Imagining Energy: Generation, Storing, Catching Carbon,

Built Environment, Pulling It All Together
By Penn State News
As the land-grant university for the energy-rich

state of Pennsylvania, it isn’t surprising that
Penn State University counts among its core
strengths a broad and deep expertise in
energy-related research.
Today, in areas from materials science to
policy, from environmental chemistry to
architectural and electrical engineering, the
range and quality of our research make Penn
State a world leader in energy research.
Penn State News has produced a package
of five stories that capture just a sliver of that expertise, briefly sampling some of the more
innovative ideas of Penn State researchers working together to solve key questions of making
and using energy.
-- Generating Energy-- tapping natural processes to power our future;
-- Storing Energy—revolutions in materials to make batteries that charge faster, last longer, and
are safer than conventional batteries;
-- Catching Carbon—new technology to capture CO2 before it gets into the atmosphere and
either sequester it or use it to create new products;
-- The Built Environment—how new inventions and design principles are making our buildings
and appliances more energy-efficient; and
-- Pulling It All Together—integrating new sources of energy with the traditional electric grid
to provide reliable, sustainable power for homes and businesses.
Questions about this series should be directed to Cherie Winner, Penn State News, by
sending email to: clw43@psu.edu or call 814-863-4750.
(Photo: Lewis Katz Building, LEED-certified, Penn State University, State College, one of more
than 2 dozen on campus.).
[Editor’s Note: Supporters of the bipartisan legislative initiatives to expand and update the Act
129 Energy Conservation Program, authorize community solar energy projects and develop the
infrastructure for electric, hydrogen and natural gas vehicles will have to regroup with the
election loss of their prime sponsors on November 6. Bipartisan legislation was also introduced
to promote microgrids last session. These initiatives present just some of the real opportunities
for leadership on energy issues in the state when the new General Assembly reconvenes in
January and all bills have to be reintroduced and start over.]
NewsClips:
38
Related Stories:
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
Leadership Opportunity: Competitive Imperative: Choices For Pennsylvania’s Energy

Future
By Christina Simeone, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy
From carbon pricing, to improving distribution

system cybersecurity and resilience —here are
choices to guide Pennsylvania’s energy future.
This policy paper published November 7
explores some of the options Pennsylvania has to
shape that future.
39
No other state in the nation—besides Texas—produces more energy than Pennsylvania.
In 2016, the Commonwealth ranked second in the nation on natural gas production and
nuclear power generation, ranked third on coal production and overall power generation, had a
small (but growing) portfolio of renewable power assets, and was a net energy exporter (U.S.
Energy Information Administration 2018).
Critically, maintaining leadership in the energy sector is not a passive endeavor,
especially given the dynamic nature of technologies, economics, and societal and investor
expectations.
The goal of this report is to identify a portfolio of carefully weighed energy policy
priorities for Pennsylvania policymakers and stakeholders to consider pursuing, based on critical
needs and complicated tradeoffs.
Click Here to read the complete paper.
Conclusion
States like California are pursuing 100 percent carbon free energy policies that honor
international commitments and will drive low-carbon innovations in America.
While states like Texas are leading the nation in oil and gas development, providing
energy resources both at home and abroad.
But, Pennsylvania energy policies and politics do not resemble those of California or
Texas; the Commonwealth is unique. Energy policy progress in Pennsylvania will look and feel
different compared to these states.
However, this should not dissuade the pursuit of improvement. Rather, advancement in
Pennsylvania requires mutual compromises that focus on long-term growth (advanced energy
future), core competencies (security and resilience), and responsible protections (communities
and consumers).
[Editor’s Note: Bipartisan legislative initiatives to expand and update the Act 129 Energy
Conservation Program, authorize community solar energy projects and develop the infrastructure
for electric, hydrogen and natural gas vehicles will have to regroup with the election loss of their
prime sponsors on November 6. Bipartisan legislation was also introduced to promote
microgrids. These initiatives present just some of the real opportunities for leadership on energy
issues in the state when the new General Assembly reconvenes in January and all bills have to be
reintroduced and start over.]
Christina Simeone is the Director of Policy and External Affairs at the Kleinman Center for
Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. She can be contacted by sending email to:
csimeone@upenn.edu or calling 215-573-4096.
NewsClips:
40
Related Stories:
[Posted: Nov. 12, 2018]
South Mountain Partnership Seeks Spirit Of South Mountain Award Nominations
The South Mountain Partnership is asking the

public to submit nominations for the 7th Spirit
of South Mountain Award covering Adams,
Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties. The
deadline for nominations is January 18.
Nominees can be individuals, projects, or
organizations that have made significant
contributions to advance a positive and sustainable future for the South Mountain Landscape.
Last year, the award went to the Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council, which is an
all-volunteer, non-profit, charitable corporation dedicated to conservation, historic preservation,
recreation and alternative transportation in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania through the
development of multi-use trails along former railroad corridors.
CVRTC received the award for their collective work over the past 25+ years to build and
expand the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, which was designated a National Recreational Trail in
2010.
The Spirit of South Mountain award will be presented at the 8th Annual Power of the
41
Partnership Year-End Celebration on February 1, at the new Franklin County Visitors Center in
Chambersburg.
Award nominations will be judged based on the degree to which they:
-- Enrich the quality of life and sense of place of the region's citizens and communities
-- Advance the conservation goals within the South Mountain region
-- Conserve the natural, cultural, recreational and agricultural resources that make the South
Mountain landscape unique
-- Elevate public awareness of the natural, cultural, recreational, and agricultural resources
-- Encourage collaboration among residents, businesses, public agencies, local governments and
nonprofit and community organizations
Click Here to nominate a project, individual or organization or for more information.
Email the completed nomination form to Katie Hess at: khess@appalachiantrail.org or direct
your questions to her by calling 717-258-5771.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events and how you
can become involved, visit the South Mountain Partnership website.
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
Lackawanna County
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will now hold the public meeting on the
Pinchot State Forest District Resource Management Plan on December 5 at the District Office,
1841 Abington Road, North Abington Township, Lackawanna County from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
It was rescheduled from November 13.
Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to provide input related to the new draft
Pinchot State Forest Management Plan. The meeting is open-house format; attendees may drop
in at any time during the proceedings.
Questions or comments about the public meeting or the Pinchot SFRMP can be directed
to the district office by sending email to: FD11@pa.gov or by calling 570-945-7133, press ‘9’.
One other State Forest Management Plan meeting remains--
-- December 12-- Bald Eagle State Forest, District Office, 18865 Old Turnpike Road, Millmont,
Union County. 6:00 to 8:00.
For a listing of meetings and more information, visit DCNR’s State Forest Resource
Management Plan webpage.
NewsClips:
Central PA Christmas Tree Auction Prices Up 30 Percent Over Last Year
Nov. 16 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Related Stories:
42
[Posted: Nov. 14, 2018]
DCNR Holds Vendor Forum Dec. 14 For Denton Hill State Park, Potter County
The Department of Conservation and

Natural Resources will hold a Vendor
Forum for Denton Hill State Park in Potter
County.
With $10 million in capital improvements
earmarked for the requisite site
improvements necessary to support
downhill skiing at the park and the
completion of the Park Master Plan,
DCNR is now seeking input from
interested vendors regarding additional development at the 700-acre park.
The forum discussion topics will include:
-- Review of current and future site enhancement
-- Current industry standards and best management practices
-- Vendor community insight and expertise
The forum is designed to encourage vendors to consider expanding their scope of
operation, and include proposals for innovative four-season recreational opportunities and
amenities when solicitation for proposals is issued in 2019.
Vendors are invited to provide their perspective about how to best utilize the
commonwealth’s investment, and to help develop a viable vision that includes four-season
recreational operation at Denton Hill.
All vendors are encouraged to participate in a tour of the facilities following the forum.
Additional information about the vendor forum and master plan is available at the Denton Hill
State Park webpage.
The Vendor Forum will be held at the ski lodge at Denton Hill State Park, Route 6,
Ulysses, Potter County starting at 10:00 a.m. Interested parties should R.S.V.P by December 3 to
Judy Deiter, 717-705-3958 or send email to: jdeiter@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
Loyalhanna Trail Receives $500K Grant From State
Surfing At Presque Isle State Park In Erie
Presque Isle State Park Lake Erie Beaches Suffer Early Erosion
DCNR Names 3 New Managers Of State Parks In Berks, Monroe, Clinton Counties
43
Related Stories:
Lackawanna County

copy.)
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
Pocono Heritage Land Trust Tree Identification & Leaf Peeping Hike Nov. 18 In Monroe
County
The Pocono Heritage Land Trust will host a Tree

Identification and Leaf Peeping Hike on November 18
at the Pocono Creek Nature Preserve located at 219 Old
Mill Road in Tannersville, Monroe County from 1:00 to
4:00 p.m.
The hike will be led by Don Miller, local naturalist and
PHLT board member. It is walk #25 in PHLT's Natural
Places and Open Spaces guided walks.
The Pocono Creek Preserve, nestled between Weis
Market in Tannersville and the former Northampton
Community College campus, is a nature oasis in the
midst of a heavily developed area of the county.
This walk is an easy, family friendly stroll, highlighting the diversity of plant life that
exists where water, land and human expansion come together. Young children and those who
enjoy learning about the natural world are welcome, but energetic youngsters may find the slow
pace challenging.
Registration is encouraged. Click Here to register online.
For more information, visit the Tree Identification and Leaf Peeping Hike webpage.
More information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events is available at the
Pocono Heritage Land Trust website.
NewsClips:
Veterans In Crisis Embark On Odyssey At Semper Fi Outdoor Odyssey In Somerset
Allegheny Twp. Wants Trails Group To Acquire Old Rail Bridge
PSU: Improving City Parks May Be One Path To Help Make Residents More Active
New Washington County Playground Equipment Vandalized
Safe Sidewalk Coming To Connect Lackawanna River Trail To Downtown
Archbald Bans Tobacco In Parks, Playgrounds
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
44
Conservation & Outdoor Recreation News From The Laurel Highlands
The latest issue of the Laurel Highlands

Conservation Landscape newsletter is now
available from the PA Environmental Council
featuring stories on outdoor recreation and
conservation in the region.
A sustainability tour in Ohiopyle, a podcast
about Johnstown, a Land Trust Alliance Rally,
the new Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail, the
Johnstown Inclined Plane Grand Reopening, a
recap of the Laurel Highlands Trail Summit, info about Laurel Highlands Visitor Bureau Grants
and much more are included.
The Laurel Highlands includes Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland and portions of Bedford
and Cambria counties.
You can contribute to the newsletter or subscribe by contacting Laura Bray at
412-481-9400 or send email to: lbray@pecpa.org.
Visit DCNR’s Laurel Highlands Landscape webpage or PEC’s Laurel Highlands
Landscape webpage for more information.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
updates from PEC.
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
The November 14 Resource newsletter is now

available from the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources featuring articles on--
-- DCNR Blog: Citizen Science Program Leads To
Discovery Of New Moth In PA
-- State Forester Visits SCI Rockview To Tout
Program Preparing Inmates For Careers In Tree
Maintenance
-- STEM Competition Challenges High School
Students To Combat Spotted Lanternfly
-- DCNR Names 3 New State Park Managers In Berks, Monroe, Clinton Counties
-- Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Henry Bronson, Tioga County Hiker, Angler, Hunter
-- Dec. 14 Vendor Forum At Denton Hill State Park, Potter County
-- Falls Trail At Ricketts Glen State Park Closed For Ice Season
-- Conservation Tip: National Recycling Week
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy
DCNR Grants
45
DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click
Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:
Snow Making Starts At Seven Springs As Wintry Weather Expected
Montage Ski Resort Dreams Of White Slopes On Black Friday
Trump’s National Park Service Pick To Be Grilled On Whether Protesters Should Pay For
Security Costs
Related Stories:
Lackawanna County
[Posted: Nov. 15, 2018]
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is accepting bids for the purchase of
0.71 acres of land and a building that was the Buchanan State Forest District Office, 440
Buchanan Trail, McConnellsburg in Fulton County. The deadline for bids is December 20.
(formal notice)
Related Stories:
46
Lackawanna County
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
Help Wanted: PA Lake Management Society Executive Director
The PA Lake Management Society is seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of
Executive Director.
This position is a contract, part-time position, and therefore will have no office location.
Applicants should be prepared to travel to various locations throughout the state to complete job
tasks and attend meetings.
The PALMS mission is to promote the further understanding of ponds, lakes, reservoirs
and impoundments and their watersheds; the ecosystem of which they are a part; and their
protection, restoration and management.
Click Here for all the details.
[Posted: Nov. 16, 2018]
Help Wanted: Chester County Water Resources Authority: Planner
The Chester County Water Resources Authority is seeking candidates for a Water Resources
Planner. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
The individual would assist in technical analyses, planning, field activities, and
public/stakeholder coordination for water resources management related to flood control
infrastructure, floodplain management, stormwater management, water use, source water
protection, watershed restoration, and natural resources management.
Click Here for all the details.
[Posted: Nov. 13, 2018]
Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add PaEnviroDigest Google+ to your Circle.
Politics
Senate Republicans, Democrats Elect Same Leadership Teams, Except One
AP: Senate Republican, Democratic Leadership To Return Intact
Meyer: Senate Republicans, Democrats Re-Elect Leaders With Little Fanfare
AP-Scolforo: House Leadership Elections Bring Change To Harrisburg
Thompson: Lancaster Republican Elected House Majority Leader
Thompson: House Democrats Revamp Leadership Team With Philly Tilt
In House, Democrats From Philly, Suburbs Gain Political Muscle
47
AP-Scolforo: Pension, Gambling Laws Among Legislative Session Highlights
Link:
Politics
Air
Awards & Recognition
Graham Academy Wins PA Horticultural Society’s Garden Award
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
WITF Smart Talk: Climate Change And Loss Of Biodiversity
Budget
Footing
Independent Fiscal Office: State Faces Over $1.7 Billion Budget Deficit In FY 2019-20
Chesapeake Bay
Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal On Facebook
Climate
WITF Smart Talk: Climate Change And Loss Of Biodiversity
Op-Ed: Threats To Nature Have Brought Residents, Native Americans, Environmental Activists
Together
G20 Nations Still Led By Fossil Fuel Industry, Climate Report Finds
Climate - Weather
Snowstorm Dumps More Than 13 Inches In Erie County
Coal Mining
Congress Spent Millions To Revive Coal Country, Did It Work? - PA Focus
Compliance Action
48
Allentown Fined By Fish & Boat Commission For Allowing Polluted Stormwater Into Golf
Course Creek
Delaware River
Drinking Water
Pittsburgh Water Authority Releases 12-Year Plan For Serving Customers
Maykuth: PA American Water Buys Steelton Water System For $22.5 Million
Op-Ed: If Philly Wants To Protect Kids From Lead, It Should Join Lawsuits Against Paint
Companies
Years Ago
Economic Development
Major Recycler CarbonLITE to Open Lehigh Valley Facility, Create 200 Jobs
Education
To Bolster Academics, Philly Schools Turning To The Outdoors
Putting The Heart Into Science: Dallas STEM Event Lets Students Outside The Box
Schneck: Is There A Massive Meteor Storm On The Horizon?
Energy
49
Farming
Crable: Experts Say Dairy Crisis Won’t End Soon, Urge Farmers To Pursue Niche Markets
Graham Academy Wins PA Horticultural Society’s Garden Award
Esack: PA’s Farming Economy Soaked By Trump Tariffs, Rain, Low Prices
Flooding
Overnight Rain Monday Triggers Flooding In Southeast PA
Quick Action Prevented Worse Flood Damage At Emmaus High School
Duncansville Engineer Recommends Applying For Flood Hazard Mitigation Money
Lackawanna River Banks Still Bear Unsightly Evidence Of Summer Floods
So You Think It Rained A Lot This Year?
Flooding - Hurricanes
Hurricane Michael Looks Even More Violent On Closer Scrutiny
USGS Report: Hurricane Florence Set At Last 28 Flood Records
Forests
Central PA Christmas Tree Auction Prices Up 30 Percent Over Last Year
Forests - Wildfires
AP: Trump Threatens To Withhold Federal Payments Saying Forest Management Is So Poor
Editorial: California Wildfire Catastrophe
Death Toll Grows To 63, With 631 People Missing In California Wildfires
California’s Ferocious Wildfires Spark Concern Over Health Consequences
National Guard Troops Search For More California Wildfire Victims: 56 Dead
AP: California Wildfire Death Toll At 48, Hundreds Still Missing
AP: Dead In Cars, Homes: Northern California Wildfire Toll At 42
Devastation As Deadly California Blaze Tallies Grim Stats
Death Toll Rises To 31 In California Wildfires, 228 Missing
AP: Death Toll Jumps to 25 In California Wildfires, Search For More Victims Continues
AP: Deadly Fire Leveled Paradise, California In Less Than A Day
Mega-Wildfires More Frequent Because Of Climate Change, Forest Management
Worst Wildfires In California History
Green Infrastructure
Land Conservation
50
Lower Nazareth Considers Referendum To Fund Open Space
Littering/Illegal Dumping
Addressing Philadelphia’s Litter Problem
Mine Reclamation
Amid Black Landscape, Site Of New Wilkes-Barre High School Takes Shape
Hole From Abandoned Mine Filled In Washington Twp., Berks County
Allegheny Front: WV National Guard Invests $5M+ To Grow Apple Trees On Mine Site
Oil & Gas
Penn Twp Drilling Permit Decision Upheld In Court
Editorial: Allegheny Twp Drilling Case Has No Legs, Taxpayers Stuck With The Bill
Accident Kills Rig Worker On Shell Drilling Pad In Tioga County
Natural Gas Prices Soar 20% On Concerns About Winter Supplies
Pennsylvania’s Locally Produced Natural Gas Discount Fading As Pipelines Taking Gas
Out-Of-State
Litvak: EQT Completes Split Into 2 Firms To Boost Value Of Each Business
Pipelines
Hurdle: 12-Inch Mariner East Pipeline Passed Safety Inspections, PUC Tells Schools
PennEast Pipeline Faces Uphill Battle A Year After FERC Approval
Editorial Keystone XL Pipeline Stalls
Radiation Protection
$500M Parks Twp. Nuclear Waste Removal Is A Go In Armstrong County
PSU: DOE Grant Aimed At Improving Process To Reduce Nuclear Fuel Waste
Recreation
51
Snow Making Starts At Seven Springs As Wintry Weather Expected
Montage Ski Resort Dreams Of White Slopes On Black Friday
Trump’s National Park Service Pick To Be Grilled On Whether Protesters Should Pay For
Security Costs
Recycling/Waste
Major Recycler CarbonLITE to Open Lehigh Valley Facility, Create 200 Jobs
Renewable Energy
Wastewater Facilities
Years Ago
Watershed Protection
Allentown Fined By Fish & Boat Commission For Allowing Polluted Stormwater Into Golf
Course Creek
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal On Facebook
Wildlife
Footing
Hayes: 3-Species Hybrid Bird Discovered By Amateur Birder Near Altoona Baffles Experts
Schneck: Bear, Deer Hunting: 20 Things That Are Illegal
Bird Lovers Flock to Conowingo Dam For Eagle Day
Frye: Project FeederWatch Is Here And Seeking Citizen Scientists
52
Schneck: Hunt For Monster Catfish On Susquehanna River
Frye: Wild Brook Trout Gill Lice Parasite Controversy Taking On New Form
AP: Stranger Things: Exotic Animals Only Loosely Protected
Editorial: Vanishing Wildlife: Humans Must Be Stewards For Other Creatures
Camel Seen On Route 309 During Snowstorm In Bucks County
Federal Policy
Letter: EPA Needs To Get Back To Protecting
Letter: Conservatives And Conservation
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events
This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
November 17-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Day. Wallenpaupack Environmental

Learning Center, Hawley, Wayne County.
November 17-- Westmoreland Cleanways & Recycling Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Event. Westmoreland Recycling Center, 113 Innovative Lane, Latrobe. 9:00 to 1:00.
Pre-Registration Required.
November 17-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper A Year In The Life Of The Loyalsock Creek.
Plunketts Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, 327 Dunwoody Road,
Williamsport, Lycoming County. 2:00.
November 18-- Brodhead Watershed Association. Leavitt Branch Dry Dam Walk-And-Talk
Tour. Monroe County. 10:00.
November 20-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee meeting. Room
105 of the Rachel Carson Building. 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Click Here to pre-register to join the
meeting by webcast. Participants will also need to call in 1-650-479-3208, PASSCODE 643 952
548.
November 20-- South Mountain Partnership Trails Workshop - Building Strong Community
Connections. Shippensburg University, Cumberland County. 8:30 to 5:00.
November 26-- DEP Hearing On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Pipeline Compressor Station In
Jefferson Township, Mercer County. DEP’s Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street in
Meadville, Crawford County. 10:00.
November 27-- Municipal Stormwater Pollution Reduction Workshop. Londonderry Township

53
Building, 783 S. Geyers Church Road, Middletown, Dauphin County. 9:00 to 2:00
November 28-- PA Senate Democratic Policy Committee Hearing On Addressing Climate
Change In Pennsylvania By Controlling Carbon Emissions. IBEW Local #5, 5 Hot Metal Street,
Suite 100, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
November 28-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On Karns City Refining RACT II Air Quality Plan,
Butler County. DEP Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street in Meadville, Crawford
County. 9:00
November 28-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On Lord Corporation RACT II Air Quality Plan,
Crawford County. DEP Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street in Meadville, Crawford
County. 10:00
November 28-- DEP Hearing On Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, Little Blue Run Waste
Impoundment NPDES Discharge Permit. South Side Area School District Middle/High School
Auditorium, 4949 PA State Route 151, Hookstown, Beaver County. 6:00. (O ct. 27 PA Bulletin
page 6927)
November 28-- NEW. DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DCNR Contact: Gretchen Leslie, 717-772-9084 or send
email to: gleslie@pa.gov. (f ormal notice)
November 28-- Morris Arboretum Designing Native And Ecological Plant Communities
Workshop. Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia. 9:00 to 3:30.
November 29-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson, 717-787-3730, diawilson@pa.gov. (f ormal notice)
November 29-- Stroud Water Research Center Water’s Edge Gala - Freshwater Excellence
Award Celebration. Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Winterthur, Delaware.
November 29-- Academy Of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Delaware Watershed

Research Conference. Academy Offices in Philadelphia.
November 29-- PA Section-American Water Works Assn./PaWARN 3rd Annual Security &
Risk Management Symposium. Doubletree By Hilton Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard,
Monroeville, Allegheny County. 7:30 to 4:00.
November 30-- Gov. Wolf’s PFAS Action Team Public Meeting. LTBA.
December 1-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Volunteer Training Day. Inn At
Lackawaxen, 188 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen, Wayne County. 9:00 to 1:00.
December 3-- NEW. DEP Webinar On How To Apply For Class 8 Truck & Transit Clean
54
Vehicle Grants. 10:30.
December 4-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Lindsay Byron, 717-772-8951, lbyron@pa.gov. (f ormal notice)
December 4-- DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Ebensburg Office, 286 Industrial
Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Margaret Scheloske, 724-404-3143,
mscheloske@pa.gov.
December 4-- NEW. DEP Webinar On How To Apply For Class 4-7 Truck, School Bus and
Other Clean Vehicle Rebates. 10:30.
December 4-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For East Penn
Manufacturing, Berks County. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave,
Harrisburg. 10:00.
December 4-- DEP Hearing On New Adelphia Natural Gas Pipeline Compressor Station, Bucks
County. West Rockhill Township Municipal Building, 1028 Ridge Road, Sellersville, Bucks
County. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
December 4-- DEP Hearing On New Adelphia Natural Gas Pipeline Compressor Station,
Delaware County. Lower Chichester Township Municipal Building, 1410 Market Street,
Linwood, Montgomery County. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
December 5-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kris Shiffer 717-772-5809 or send email to: kshiffer@pa.gov.
(formal notice)
December 5-- DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. DEP Laboratory
Building, 2575 Interstate Dr. Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Aaren Alger, 717-346-8212 or
send email to: aaalger@pa.gov. (f ormal notice)
December 5-- NEW. DCNR Pinchot State Forest District Resource Management Plan Meeting.
District Office, 1841 Abington Road, North Abington Township, Lackawanna County. 4:30 to
6:30.
December 6-- CANCELED. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Michael Maddigan, 717-772-3609,
mmaddigan@pa.gov. (formal notice)
December 6-- Location Added. Susquehanna River Basin Commission business meeting on
proposed water withdrawal permits and other actions (Click Here for agenda). SRBC Office,
4423 North Front Street, Harrisburg. 9:00. SRBC Contact: Ava Stoops, 717-238-0423. (f ormal
notice) (formal notice-correction) Click Here for more.
55
December 6-- Westminster College Student Symposium On The Environment. Westminster
College, McKelvey Campus Center, New Wilmington, Lawrence County. 5:30 to 9:00.
December 6-- 10,000 Friends Of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards Dinner. ArtsQuest,

Bethlehem.
December 7-- Penn State Extension Understanding Dairy Business For Conservation
Professionals Workshop. Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster.
10:00 to 2:00
December 11-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Monroe Energy
Facility, Delaware County. DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown.
10:00.
December 11-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Exelon Croydon
Power Plant, Bucks County. DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown.
2:00.
December 11-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Arcelormittal Plate
Company, Montgomery County. DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street,
Norristown. 8:00 a.m.
December 12-- DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators
meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Edgar
Chescattie, 717-772-2814, eshescattie@pa.gov.
December 12-- DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee & Recycling Fund Advisory Committee
meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, 717-772-5713,
lahenry@pa.gov.
December 12-- DEP Holds Dec. 12 Hearing [If Needed] On Delaware County Nonattainment
Maintenance Plan For Fine Particulate. DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street in
Norristown, Montgomery County. 10:00.
December 12-- DCNR State Forest District Management Plan Meetings - Bald Eagle State
Forest, District Office, 18865 Old Turnpike Road, Millmont, Union County. 6:00 to 8:00.
December 12-- Delaware River Basin Commission business meeting. Washington Crossing
Historic Park Visitor Center, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA.10:30. Click Here for
an agenda. (f ormal notice)
December 13-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, 717-772-3436 or send email to:
kdalal@pa.gov. (formal notice)
-- Draft regulations setting methane emission limits for oil and gas operations
56
December 17-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 1:00. Click Here to register to join the meeting by webinar.
Participants also need to call in 1-650-479-3208, PASSCODE 644 895 237.
December 18-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
9:00. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
December 18-- NEW. DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For East Penn
Manufacturing In Berks County. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg. 10:00.
January 12-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Bus Tour. 10:00 to 1:00, Click
Here for more.
January 26-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Bus Tour. Noon to 1:00. Click
Here for more.
January 27-30-- Partnership For The Delaware Estuary. 2019 Delaware Estuary Science &
Environmental Summit. Cape May, NJ.
February 2-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Watch Bus Tour. 10:00 to 1:00. Click
Here for more.
February 6-9-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture. Pennsylvania Sustainable

Agriculture Conference. Lancaster County Convention Center, Lancaster.
February 12-13-- Advanced Watershed Educator Workshops For Non-Formal Educators.

Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin,
Dauphin County. Click Here to register.
March 2-- PA Wilds. Retailers, Producers, Public 3rd Annual PA Wilds Buyer’s Market.
Gemmell Student Complex Multi-Purpose Room, Clarion University.
March 9-- 2019 Watershed Congress Along The Schuylkill River. Montgomery County
Community College campus in Pottstown.
March 21-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Todd Wallace, 717-783-9438, twallace@pa.gov. (f ormal
notice)
March 27-28-- Advanced Watershed Educator Workshops For Non-Formal Educators. Jennings
Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, Slippery Rock, Butler County. Click
Here to register.
57
April 7-9-- CMU Mascaro Center For Sustainable Innovation. 2019 Engineering Sustainability
Conference. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
April 29 to May 2-- Center for Watershed Protection. 2019 National Watershed and Stormwater
Conference. South Carolina.
May 8-10-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals. 2019 Annual Conference - Growth
Through Collaboration. State College.
May 16-18-- PA Land Trust Association. Land Conservation Conference. Monroe County.
July 24-26-- Professional Recyclers Of PA. Annual Recycling & Organics Conference.
Harrisburg.
Related Tools ----------------
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.

Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.
Visit DEP Connects for opportunities to interact with DEP staff at field offices.
Click Here to sign up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other
recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.
November 20-- PA Visitors Bureau Scenic Beauty Photo Contest In 5 Counties
December 1-- PHMC Historical Marker Nominations
December 1-- USDA Rural Community Water Infrastructure Funding (Rolling Deadline)
December 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
December 14-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (First-Come)
December 14-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
December 14-- FEMA/PEMA Pre-Disaster & Flood Mitigation Grants
December 15-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grants
December 17-- Governor’s Awards For Environmental Excellence
December 17-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation 2019 Awards
December 20-- NEW. Coca-Cola, Keep America Beautiful Public Spaces Recycling Bin Grants
December 21-- ORSANCO Ohio River Sweep Student Poster Contest
December 31-- DEP County Act 101 Waste Planning, HHW, Education Grants
January 11-- NEW. DEP Class 8 Truck/Transit Bus Clean Vehicle Grants
January 11-- PennDOT Green Light-Go Program, LED Light Upgrades
58
January 11-- DEP Environmental Education Grants
January 16-- West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund Project Funding
January 18-- NEW. South Mountain Partnership Spirit Of South Mountain Award
January 18-- PA Land Trust Assn. Lifetime Achievement Award
January 25-- DEP Grants/Rebates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
January 31-- NFWF Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Grants
February 8-- DEP FAST Act Alternative Fuels Corridor Infrastructure Grants
February 11-- PA Land Trust Assn. Government Leadership Award
March 1-- West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Investment Funding (Rolling Deadline)
March 31-- DEP Level 2 Electric Charging Station Rebates (First-Come)
May 10-- NEW. DEP Class 8 Truck/Transit Bus Clean Vehicle Grants
July 15-- DEP Grants/Rebates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
December 16-- DEP Grants/Rebates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
March 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
March 22-- DEP Act 101 Recycling Implementation Grants
June 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
September 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
September 23-- NEW. DEP Class 8 Truck/Transit Bus Clean Vehicle Grants
December 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical

guidance and permits.
Regulations -----------------------
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 17, 2018
Technical Guidance -------------------
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin

of proposed changes to 2 technical guidance documents in the Drinking Water Program--
-- Lead and Copper - A Working Guide To The Lead and Copper Rule (DEP
ID: 393-0300-001). Public comments are due January 2. Questions should be directed to:
Deborah Rotz, 717-705-6352 or send email to: drotz@pa.gov.
-- Water Quality Parameter Reporting Instructions For The Lead And Copper Rule (DEP
ID: 393-3301-008). Public comments are due January 2. Questions should be directed to
Pauline Risser, 717-772-5970 or send email to: parisser@pa.gov.
59
DEP published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin of changes to the list of companies
certified to perform radon-related activities (page 7263) .
Permits ------------
Note: The Department of Environmental Protection published 40 pages of public notices related
to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the November 17 PA Bulletin -
pages 7223 to 7263.
Related Tools ----------------------
Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.
DEP Proposals Out For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
August 4, 2018 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4733
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2018)- DEP webpage
CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest
CLICK HERE to View or Print the entire PA Environment Digest. This Digest is 62 pages long.
60
Stories Invited - About PA Environment Digest
Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or
programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.
PA Environment Digest is a publication of PA Environment News LLC and is edited by

David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. He can
be contacted by sending email to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.
Did you know you can search back issues of PA Environment Digest since May 28, 2004 on
dozens of topics, by county and on any keyword you choose? Just click on the search page.
PA Environment Digest weekly was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental

Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.
Also take advantage of these related publications--
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and announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and
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©2018 PA Environment News LLC, All Rights Reserved
Note: Content is gladly shared. For permission, send email to:

DHess@PaEnvironmentNews.com.
Sponsor: 2019 PA/National Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference
PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and
National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September
8-11.
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Issue #751 Harrisburg, PA Nov.

PA Environment Digest Blog​​ ​Twitter Feed​​ ​ Facebook Page

Nov. 20 PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee Meeting To Focus

The ​PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed

PA Solar Future Plan Recommends Dramatic Increase In AEPS Solar Mandate Of Up To

On November 15, the Department of Environmental

On November 13, the Department of Environmental Protection announced EQT Production

On November 15, Gov. Tom Wolf announced an

Henry Bronson, 71, of Millerton, [Tioga County], has always had a

(Reprinted from the ​Nov. 14 DCNR Resource​ newsletter. C

DCNR’s Matt Keefer Honored As Chesapeake Bay Forest Champion

Three ​Chesapeake Forest Champions​ were recognized for

DCNR Blog: Citizen Science Program Leads To Discovery Of New Moth In PA

Each year in July, since 2011, biologists from the ​PA

(Reprinted from the ​Nov. 14 DCNR Resource​ newsletter. C

On November 4, the S​ cranton Times-Tribune published a

Hannah Puttcamp never slows down.

The ​RiverStewards​ organization is

The Game Commission ​published notice in the November

Op-Ed: Pinchot Institute For Conservation: Putting Out Wildfires

By: Will Price & Brian Kittler, ​Pinchot Institute

Last weekend, while giving honor to the

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House:​​ <> ​Click Here​ for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate:​​ <> ​Click Here​ for full Senate Committee Schedule.

News From The Capitol

PA Senate, House Republicans, Democrats Elect 2019-20 Leadership Teams

November Joint Conservation Committee Newsletter Now Available

News From Around The State

On November 15, the ​Pittsburgh Water and

The ​Delaware Highlands Conservancy​, ​Friends of the

The Department of Environmental Protection ​published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin

Leadership Opportunity: Next City: Stormwater Greening Is Good For Business,

On November 5, N ​ ext City​ published an in depth

The City of Pittsburgh has set new standards for

PA Environment Digest Sponsors 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation/National

PA Environment Digest​ has become a sponsor of

On November 15, ​Keep America Beautiful​ and the

November 15 was ​America Recycles Day​ to

Volunteers Move Mountains (Of Tires) In Susquehanna County

By: ​Josh Raulerson​, PA Environmental Council

The site of Barbara Bradford’s home near

On November 15, the Department of Environmental

National Fuel Gas Company Accepts EPA Methane Challenge

In a November 7. 2018 paper, ​Competitive Imperative

Leadership Opportunity: Re-Imagining Energy: Generation, Storing, Catching Carbon,

By Penn State News

As the land-grant university for the energy-rich

Leadership Opportunity: Competitive Imperative: Choices For Pennsylvania’s Energy

By Christina Simeone, ​Kleinman Center for Energy Policy

From carbon pricing, to improving distribution

South Mountain Partnership Seeks Spirit Of South Mountain Award Nominations

The ​South Mountain Partnership​ is asking the

The Department of Conservation and

(Reprinted from the ​Nov. 14 DCNR Resource​ newsletter. C

The ​Pocono Heritage Land Trust​ will host a ​Tree

The latest issue of the ​Laurel Highlands

Nov. 14 Resource Newsletter From DCNR Now Available

The ​November 14 Resource​ newsletter is now

Help Wanted: PA Lake Management Society Executive Director

Help Wanted: Chester County Water Resources Authority: Planner

Environmental NewsClips - All Topics

Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed Facebook Page

The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed

(Reprinted from the Nov. 14 DCNR Resource newsletter. C

Three Chesapeake Forest Champions were recognized for

Each year in July, since 2011, biologists from the PA

(Reprinted from the Nov. 14 DCNR Resource newsletter. C

On November 4, the S cranton Times-Tribune published a

The RiverStewards organization is

The Game Commission published notice in the November

By: Will Price & Brian Kittler, Pinchot Institute

House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

On November 15, the Pittsburgh Water and

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Friends of the

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin

On November 5, N ext City published an in depth

PA Environment Digest has become a sponsor of

On November 15, Keep America Beautiful and the

November 15 was America Recycles Day to

By: Josh Raulerson, PA Environmental Council

In a November 7. 2018 paper, Competitive Imperative

By Christina Simeone, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy

The South Mountain Partnership is asking the

(Reprinted from the Nov. 14 DCNR Resource newsletter. C

The Pocono Heritage Land Trust will host a Tree

The latest issue of the Laurel Highlands

The November 14 Resource newsletter is now

November 17-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Day. Wallenpaupack Environmental

November 27-- Municipal Stormwater Pollution Reduction Workshop. Londonderry Township

November 29-- Academy Of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Delaware Watershed

December 6-- 10,000 Friends Of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards Dinner. ArtsQuest,

February 6-9-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture. Pennsylvania Sustainable

February 12-13-- Advanced Watershed Educator Workshops For Non-Formal Educators.

Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 17 PA Bulletin

Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.

PA Environment Digest is a publication of PA Environment News LLC and is edited by

PA Environment Digest weekly was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental

Note: Content is gladly shared. For permission, send email to:

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers