PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward Harrisburg,PaMarch31,2014 Sen.YudichakNaturalGasSeveranceTaxProposalFundsEducation,Environment Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne),MinorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmental ResourcesandEnergyCommittee,Thursdayjoinedlocalleadersineducation, environmentalprotectionandbusinessattheNortheasternPennsylvania IndustrialResourceCentertounveildetailsofaplantoenactfairand reasonableseverancetaxproposalontheMarcellusshaleindustry. "InordertofullycapitalizeonthebenefitsoftheMarcellusshaleindustry,we musthaveacomprehensiveeconomicstrategyinplaceandthatstrategy needstoincludeafairandreasonableseverancetax,"Sen.Yudichaksaid."Fair taxesmeanbetterjobs,bettereducationandbetterenvironmentalprotection andaseverancetaxwouldleveltheplayingfieldforallPennsylvaniabusinesses togrowalongwiththeMarcellusshaleindustryandensurethatwedonothave tomakedrasticbudgetcutstoimportantstateprogramseveryJune." Theplanwouldlevyanew5percenttaxontheextractionofMarcellusshalegasandthe revenuegeneratedbythetaxwouldbeusedtofundeducation,protecttheenvironmentandstimulate theeconomy.Itisestimatedthattheseverancetaxwouldgenerate$720millioninthefirstyearalone. Undertheproposal,educationwouldreceivethelargestshareoftherevenuegeneratedbythe severancetax,with$375millioninFY201415,growingto$453millioninFY201516,andmore than$1billionby2020dedicatedtoeducationfunding.Allannualincreasesintaxandfeecollections afterFY201516wouldbededicatedtofundeducation. Roughly$195millionoftherevenueinFY201415,and$250millioneveryyearafterthat, wouldbeusedtofundDCEDprogramsmakeinfrastructureinvestmentsfundlocaleconomic developmentprojectsandimplementnewtaxreductionincentivestoimprovethelocalbusinessclimate. Theproposalwouldalsomakesignificantinvestmentsinenvironmentalprotectionwith$75 milliondedicatedtoGrowingGreenerprogramsand$75milliondedicatedtoreplacethe administration'splantoallowMarcellusdrillingnearstateparksandforestlandinFY201415. InFY201516andeveryyearthereafter,theproposalwouldallocate$120millionfor GrowingGreenerprogramsand$30millionforotherenvironmentalprograms. Sen.JohnBlake(DLackawanna),whowasscheduledtoparticipateintheevent,alsooffered hissupportoftheseverancetaxproposal. "Everyotherstatewithabundantnaturalgasresourcesleviesaseverancetaxontheindustry thatextractsthatnaturalresource.IbelievethetaxpayersofPennsylvaniaarenotbeingadequately compensatedforthevolumeofnaturalgasextractedinthisstate,"Sen.Blakeadded."Theindustry expectedaseverancetaxandiscertainlyabletopayit,provideditisreasonablyandresponsiblylevied

inamannerthatdoesnotunderminethecompetitivepositionoftheindustryorthestate." Sen.VincentHughes(DPhiladelphia),MinorityChairoftheSenateAppropriations Committee,addedhissupport. Weneedtomakesurethatourclassroomshavealltheresourcesnecessaryforourstudentsto besuccessful,saidSen.Hughes.ItsclearthateducationissufferinginPhiladelphiabecauseofstate budgetcuts.Thatneedstochange. Thisplanensuresthatprogramsthatproviderealopportunitiestopeoplearefullyfundedgoing forward,saidSen.Hughes.Ourproposalalsomakessurethatnaturalgasdrillers,whichincludesome ofthelargestcorporationsintheworld,arepayingtheirfairsharegoingforward. SenatorHughesproposalwouldgeneratefarmorerevenuethanthestatecurrentlyreceivesfrom naturalgasdrilling.Thisyear,Pennsylvaniaisonlyprojectedtoreceive$217millionasaresultofthe currentdrillingimpactfee.Theproposedlegislationwouldgenerate$937millionthroughacombination ofboththefeeandseverancetax. Pennsylvaniaistheonlystateinthenationthatdoesnotimposeaseverancetaxonnatural gas,saidSen.Hughes.Thislegislationwillcorrectthispolicyfailureandgeneratefundingforcritical needs,includingeducation. TheplanwillbeintroducedasSenateBill1333. Sen.YudichakwasjoinedbyMikeDziak,President/CEOEarthConservancyAnthony Grieco,LuzerneIntermediateUnit#18executivedirectorandotherlocalleadersineducationand businessatNEPIRCinHanoverIndustrialEstatesfortheevent. NewsClips: YudichakToPushFor5%TaxOnNaturalGas Sen.HughesProposesMarcellusShaleTaxForSchools McCordProposes10PercentDrillersTax OldDebateOverTaxingMarcellusShaleGettingNewLife Editorial:Legislative,CorbettSettleForBottomOnDrillingTaxation LocalGovernmentsPutDrillingFeesToVarietyOfUses Report:PAsEffectiveTaxRateOnNaturalGasLowestOf11States ReadyOrNot,PAConfrontsForcedPooling PARoyaltyLegislationMovesForward GasRoyaltyOwnersGetData DCNRToReleaseDrillingImpactReportNextMonth UnitedShaleAdvocatesGivesMarcellusIndustryCitizensMovement PAsTopDrillingTradeGroupGoingGrassroots ReportFindsEachGasWellCostsThousandsInRoadDamage AddUsToYourGoogle+Circle PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+CirclecalledGreenWorksInPA.Justgotoyour Google+pageandsearchforDHess@CrisciAssociates.com,theemailfortheDigestEditorDavid Hess,andletusjoinyourCircle. Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,Weekly, Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource. YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,dailyNewsClips andlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.

AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto newitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol. Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced BillCalendars House(March31):HouseBill202(HarperRMontgomery)prohibitingstandbywaterservice chargesforfirecompaniesHouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimum royaltypaymentinstatelawHouseResolution583(MolchanyDAllegheny)designatingJanuary 1319Mt.WashingtonEmeraldViewParkTrailWeek.<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar. Senate(March31):SenateBill411(KasunicDSomerset)encouragingthereuseofminedrainage andminepoolwaterfordrillingoperationsSenateBill1149(BrubakerRLancaster0regulating fertilizerforuseonturfSenateBill1236(YawRLycoming)authorizingroyaltyinterestownersofoil andgaswellstoinspectrecordsofgascompaniestoverifyproperpaymentsSenateBill1254 (YudichakDLuzerne)changingthedefinitionofleadfreeunderthePlumbingSystemLeadBanand NotificationActtoconformtofederalrequirementssponsorsummary.<>ClickHereforfullSenate BillCalendar. CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule. Senate:theAppropriationsCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1237(YawRLycoming) prohibitinggascompaniesfromretaliatingagainstroyaltyinterestownersofoilandgaswellsby

terminatingtheirleaseagreementandSenateBill1238(YawRLycoming)requiringgascompaniesto fillasatisfactionpieceinthecountyRecorderofDeedsofficewhenoilandgasleasesareterminated theLocalGovernmentCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1255(EricksonRDelaware) authorizingmunicipalauthoritiestoestablishprogramsthatallowpropertyownerstoreducetheir stormwaterratesandchangesbyimplementingbestmanagementpracticessponsorsummary,House Bill1052(FreemanDLehigh)furtherauthorizinguseoflocalrecreationfeesHouseFiscalNotethe ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingonvariableelectric rates.<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule. BillsPendingInKeyCommittees HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach House Appropriations Education EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerAffairs GamingOversight HumanServices Judiciary LiquorControl Transportation LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees Senate Appropriations EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment Education Judiciary LawandJustice PublicHealthandWelfare Transportation LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees BillsIntroduced Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek SewageSludge:HouseBill2056(HannaDCentre)providingforadditionalnoticeandhearingon permitsforlandapplicationofsewagesludge. OfficialButterfly:HouseResolution2130(MillardRColumbia)designatingtheMonarchbutterflyas

theofficialbutterflyoftheCommonwealthsponsorsummary. CrudeOilCouncil:SenateBill1310(HutchinsonRVenango)establishingthePAGradeCrude DevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilinDEPrelatingtotheconventionaloilandgasdrillingindustry sponsorsummary. SessionSchedule HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse House March31 April1,2,7,8,9,28,29,30 May5,6,7 June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 Senate March31 April1,2,7,8,9,28,29,30 May5,6,7 June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

NewsFromTheCapitol
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeExaminesSewageLineMaintenanceIssues TheHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeheldapublichearingMondaytolistentolocalofficialsand expertsaboutsewagelinemaintenanceissuesatthePittsburghWaterandSewerAuthority,according toPolicyChairmanMikeSturla(DLancaster). Rep.HarryReadshaw(DAllegheny)requestedthehearingandservedascochairman. ReadshawhasintroducedHouseBill703thatwouldallowmunicipalitiestoincludeprivatelateral rehabilitationorreplacementinPennsylvaniaInfrastructureInvestmentAuthorityfundingapplications. HealsointroducedHouseBill704thatwouldallowmunicipalitiestousepublicfundsforthe improvement,extension,repairorrehabilitationofprivatelateralsewagelinesconnectedtopublicsewer systems. "IthankRep.Readshawforcallingforthisimportanthearing,sothePolicyCommitteecan furtherstudytheissuessurroundingsewagelinemaintenance,"Rep.Sturlasaid."Aginginfrastructure issuesareaconcernforallurbanareasalloverPennsylvania." Rep.Readshawadded,"Amajorcauseofwetweatheroverflowsrelatestodeteriorating privatelateralsewagelinesdrainingintothepublicsewersystem,somylegislationwouldhelpcombat thisproblem.Today'shearingfeaturedcompellingtestimonyandtheGeneralAssemblymustdomoreto helpourmunicipalitiesoutinthisarea." Thosetestifyingatthehearingincluded:JamesGood,interimexecutivedirector,Pittsburgh WaterandSewerAuthorityDanMcClain,treasurer,Girty'sRunJointSewerAuthorityJohnBrosious, deputydirector,PennsylvaniaMunicipalAuthoritiesAssociationJenniferSample,capitalbudget

manager,Mayor'sOfficeofManagementandBudget,CityofPittsburghPatrickHassett,assistant directorofBureauofTransportationandEngineering,DepartmentofPublicWorksandJohn Schombert,executivedirector,3RiversWetWeather. HearingtestimonywillbeavailableontheHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteewebsite. NewsClip:BillsToAllowPrivateSewerRepairsGetsHearing Rep.Godshall:ElectricUtilitiesRevealStrategiesToReduceStormRelatedPowerOutages Rep.RobertGodshall(RMontgomery),MajorityChairoftheHouseConsumerAffairsCommittee, heldacommitteemeetingThursdaytoheartestimonyfromelectriccompaniesontheirresponseto recentstormrelatedpoweroutagesandwhattheyaredoingtominimizeoutagesinthefuture. MichaelInnocenzo,chiefoperatingofficeratPECOEnergyCompanyDennisUrban,vice presidentofFinanceandRegulatoryAffairsatPPLElectricUtilitiesandDaveKarafa,presidentof PennsylvaniaOperationsforFirstEnergytestifiedthatlessonslearnedduringHurricanesIreneand Sandymadethembetterpreparedtohandlepoweroutagescausedbytherecentwinterstorms. Thousandsofelectriccustomerssufferedpowerinterruptionsinsoutheasternandcentral Pennsylvaniaduringthiswintersstorms,saidRep.Godshall.Iwasimpressedwiththespeedat whichthesecompanieswereabletomobilizevolunteersfrompowercompaniesalloverthenortheast andmidAtlanticregiontogetpowerrestored. Companyofficialssaidfallingtreelimbsarelargelytoblameforpoweroutages,butwind,ice andanimalcontactcanalsoknockoutpower.Inthesoutheast,about715,000PECOcustomerslost powerduringFebruarysWinterStormNikathesecondmostdamagingstormincompanyhistory. Innocenzosaidhiscompanyhadafewdaystoprepareforthestorm,whichenabledthemto increasestaffingandarrangeforoutsidecrews.Inadditiontowidespreadpoweroutages,Innocenzo saidfallingtreesresultedinmorethan800roadclosuresinPECOterritory. Hesaidduringthecrisiscrewsworkedaroundtheclockwhilethecompanyrespondedto customercallsandkeptthepublicabreastofthesituationthroughthenewsmedia,socialmediaandthe companyscustomercallcenter. Urbantestifiedthatfallingtreelimbsweremostlytoblameforknockingoutpowerto92,000 PPLcustomersduringthesamewinterstorm.About74,000ofthecustomersaffectedwerein LancasterCounty.Urbansaidabout60percenthadtheirpowerrestoredthesamedayandeveryone wasbackonlineinthreedays. Hesaidtimelyandaccuratecustomercommunicationisessentialduringtimesofemergency.In additiontofieldingabout17,000phonecalls,PPLcommunicatedwithmanythousandsofadditional customersviamobiledevices,throughitswebsiteandbysocialmedia. KarafatestifiedthatWinterStormNikainterruptedserviceto136,000orabout25percent ofFirstEnergysMetEdcustomers.Hesaidadvanceplanningandeffectivecommunicationarekeyto hiscompanyseffortstomitigatestormdamageandensurethesafetyandcomfortofitscustomers. KarafasaidFirstEnergywillspendabout$460millionthisyeartoupgradeitsequipmentand infrastructureandtotrimtreesaroundpowerlines. Inall,about925,000electriccustomerslostpowerinthatstorm,whichequatestowellover2 millionPennsylvaniacitizens,saidRep.Godshall.Theweatherpatternswehavebeenexperiencing overthepastseveralyearsarechangingthewayourutilitiesbuildandmaintaintheinfrastructureneeded tokeepthelightson.Iwaspleasedtolearnthattheyaregettingmoreaggressiveincuttingbacktrees andothervegetationaroundutilitylines,andthattheyarealsobeginningtousestrongerlinesandutility

poles. Thepublicisbenefittingfromthelessonslearnedinthesestorms.Improvedcommunication andcoordinationbetweencommunityleaders,emergencypersonnelandtheutilitiesisresultinginfaster restorationofpower.Thepublicisalsoreceivingtimelyinformationontheavailabilityofshelters,water, foodandessentialservices,Rep.Godshallsaid. NewsClips: Lawmakers,UtilitiesReviewIceStormResponse PPLPowerLineOnTargetFor2015Completion PUCRemindsCustomersElectric,GasServiceCanBeTerminatedApril1 Rep.DaleyUrges2WeekDelayInElectric,GasServiceTermination Rep.DaleySeeksTwoWeekReprieveOnGas,ElectricShutoffs Rep.PeterJ.DaleyII(DWashington),MinorityChairoftheHouseConsumerAffairsCommittee, ThursdayurgedgasandelectricutilitiesandthePublicUtilityCommissiontograntatwoweekreprieve onserviceshutoffsthatcanbeginApril1,regardlessofincome. "Theseverewinterandthewelldocumentedproblemswithskyrocketingelectricbillsfor ratepayerscoveredbyvariablerateplansaremorethanenoughreasonsforagraceperiod,"saidRep. Daley."TheLowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgramLIHEAPwasextendedbytwo weeks,andIthinkasimilarreprieveforratepayersiswarranted." Rep.DaleysaidthatbeginningApril1,pastdueelectricandnaturalgasbillscanleadto terminationsregardlessoffinancialsituations.FromDecember1throughMarch31,utilitiesmaynot terminateserviceforcertainlowincomeratepayerswithoutthePUC'sapproval. InalettertothePUCandtheEnergyAssociationofPennsylvania,whosemembersdeliver energytomorethan8.3millionresidential,commercialandindustrialcustomers,Daleyrequestedthatall shutoffsbedelayeduntilApril14. "Naturalandunnaturalforcesthiswinterhaveputmanyratepayersinaterriblefinancialbind, evenposing'heatoreat'dilemmasfortoomanyinPennsylvania,"Rep.Daleywrote."Atwoweek moratoriumonshutoffswouldbearesponsibleandappreciatedresponse." Rep.DaleysaidthatthePUCmentionedhigherutilitybillsfromwinterconditionsinitsrelease todaywarningabouttheApril1shutoffrules. "Weknowconditionswereabysmal,solet'stakeasmallsteptowardeasingthepain,"Rep. Daleysaid."Nolegislationneedbeenactedtobringaboutthisreprieve,justsomebusiness compassion." TheHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteehasscheduledasecondhearingonthevariable electricrateissueforApril10.ThehearingwillbeheldintheGoldRoom,AlleghenyCounty Courthouse,436GrantSt.,inPittsburghstartingat10:00. TheSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteewillholdahearing April1startingat9:30a.m.onvariableelectricrates. NewsClips: Lawmakers,UtilitiesReviewIceStormResponse PPLPowerLineOnTargetFor2015Completion PUCRemindsCustomersElectric,GasServiceCanBeTerminatedApril1 Rep.DaleyUrges2WeekDelayInElectric,GasServiceTermination

SenateCommitteeToConsiderStormwaterBMP,LocalRecreationFeeBills TheSenateLocalGovernmentCommitteeisscheduledtoconsiderSenateBill1255(EricksonR Delaware)authorizingmunicipalauthoritiestoestablishprogramsthatallowpropertyownerstoreduce theirstormwaterratesandchangesbyimplementingbestmanagementpracticesonApril1. AlsoscheduledtobeconsideredisHouseBill1052(FreemanDLehigh)furtherauthorizing useoflocalrecreationfeesHouseFiscalNote. ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom8EAEastWingoftheCapitolBuildingstartingat10:00a.m. Sen.JohnEichelberger(RBlair)servesasMajorityChairandSen.RobTeplitz(DDauphin) servesasMinorityChair. SenateCommitteeApril1HearingOnVariableElectricRates TheSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteewillholdahearingApril1 startingat9:30a.m.onvariableelectricrates. ThehearingisoneofaseriesbeingheldbytheHouseandSenatetoaddressrecentelectricrate spikesforcustomerswithvariablerateelectricgenerationcontractsallowedCommitteememberstoair theconcernsofconsumersandsetacourseforfixingtheproblem. Sen.RobertTomlinson(RBucks)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandSen.Lisa Boscola(DLehigh)servesasMinorityChair. ClickHeretowatchthehearinglive.ClickHereformoreinformationonCommitteeactivities. Rep.PeterJ.DaleyII(DWashington),MinorityChairoftheHouseConsumerAffairs Committee,ThursdayurgedgasandelectricutilitiesandthePublicUtilityCommissiontogranta twoweekreprieveonserviceshutoffsthatcanbeginApril1,regardlessofincome,relatedtothe variablerateissue. TheHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteehasscheduledasecondhearingonthevariable electricrateissueforApril10.ThehearingwillbeheldintheGoldRoom,AlleghenyCounty Courthouse,436GrantSt.,inPittsburghstartingat10:00. NewsClips: PUCRemindsCustomersElectric,GasServiceCanBeTerminatedApril1 Rep.DaleyUrges2WeekDelayInElectric,GasServiceTermination Lawmakers,UtilitiesReviewIceStormResponse PPLPowerLineOnTargetFor2015Completion

NewsFromAroundTheState
NewMilestoneReport:PAContinuesToReducePollutionToChesapeakeBayWatershed TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayannouncedeffortstoreducepollutionin PennsylvaniasChesapeakeBayWatershedcontinuetoyieldprogressbasedontheChesapeakeBay ProgramannualChesapeakeBayWatershedModelprogressrunresultsfor2013. Thesenumbersrepresenttheestimatedamountsofphosphorous,nitrogenandsediment conveyedtotheChesapeakeBay. PennsylvaniashardworkintheChesapeakeBayWatershedhascontinuedtodecreasewater pollution,DEPSecretaryChrisAbruzzosaid.Ibelievewecanachieveevengreaterresultsby

partneringwithstakeholders,helpingthemdevelopplansuniquetotheirwatershedneeds,andengaging localpropertyownerstodotheirpart.Thebaywatershedisavitalresource,notonlytoPennsylvania, buttoallwatershedstates,anditisourjobtoprotectitforgenerationstocome. Pennsylvaniahascontinuedtosuccessfullyreducenutrientandsedimentloadingintothebay watershed.DEPeffortsincludeupdatingnitrogenandphosphorouslimitsinpermitsforwastewater treatmentplants,issuingmunicipalstormwatersystempermitswithnutrientplanningrequirements, fosteringasuccessfulnutrientcredittradingprogramthatincentivizesbestmanagementpractices (BMPs)andconducting10,842farmvisitsinthebaywatershedfromJuly2011throughDecember 2013. TheChesapeakeBayWatershedModelanalyzesthreemainpollutants:phosphorous,nitrogen andsediment.Accordingtothemodelresultsreleasedtoday,Pennsylvaniahasexceededthe WatershedModelMilestoneforphosphorousreductionsbyapproximately5.1percent. Althoughcontinuedreductionshavebeenachieved,theresultsalsoindicatethatthestate narrowlymissed2013milestonesfornitrogenby1.8percentandsedimentby4.8percent. Alsoaccordingtotheresults,Pennsylvaniahascontinuedtoseeadownwardtrendforallthree pollutants.Since1985,thewatershedmodelindicatesthatPennsylvaniahasreducedphosphorous loadingsby25percent,nitrogenby10percentandsedimentby15percent,whileexperiencing significantgrowthintheChesapeakeBasin. ThistrendissupportedbydatalikethelongtermmonitoringconductedbytheSusquehanna RiverBasinCommission,whichindicatespositive,downwardtrendsinphosphorous,nitrogenand sedimentatPennsylvaniamonitoringstationsinthebaywatershed. Pennsylvanias40,000farmersand1,200municipalitiesintheChesapeakeBayWatershed havecontinuedtovoluntarilyinstallBMPssuchasriparianbuffers,greeninfrastructureandcovercrops. However,manyofthesevoluntaryBMPscanbedifficulttotrackandaresometimesnottakeninto accountwhenexaminingPennsylvaniaseffortstoreducepollutioninthebaywatershed. DEPcontinuestoworktoimprovedatacollectionforBMPs,particularlyintheruralandurban sectors,sothattheseimportantvoluntaryeffortsareaccountedforwhensubmittingprogressdatatothe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency. Localinitiatives,liketheYorkCountyCoalitionforCleanWatersandtheConewagoCreek InitiativeinLancasterCounty,havealsoplayedabigroleinpollutionreductioninthebaywatershed. Forexample,theYorkCountyCoalitionforCleanWaterspreparedawatershedimplementationplan thattargetspollutantreducingBMPstohelpmunicipalitiesandotherstakeholdersdeterminehowto efficientlyreducepollutants. TheConewagoCreekInitiativehashelpedcreate21residentialstormwatermanagementplans andinstall60acresofforestedriparianbuffers,183acresofcovercropsand4,700feetofstreambank restoration. SimilarlocalwatershedprojectshavebeenmadepossiblebyfundingfromtheMarcellus LegacyFundandGrowingGreenerGrants.SignedbyGov.TomCorbett,Act13of2012provideda naturalgasimpactfeewhichfundstheMarcellusLegacyFundandprovidedthefirstinfusionofnew moneyintotheGrowingGreenerGrantPrograminoveradecade. MilestonesarepollutionreductiongoalsbasedonEPAmandated2017and2025targetsfor theChesapeakeBay.Everytwoyears,statesinthebaywatershedreevaluatetomeettheirmilestones tohelpensurecontinuedprogressinreducingpollutionintheChesapeakeBay. DEPsaidmoreinformationwouldbeavailableontheChesapeakeBayProgramwebpage. NewsClips:

ProposedEPA/CorpsRuleWouldProtectStreams,Wetlands OpEd:ProtectPennsylvaniaWetlands StateFundProposedForSewerLineRepairs PennStateExtension:ManagingPetWasteForWaterQuality LandTrustBuys8.4AcresToPreserveMontourRun FishKillCauseEludesStateInspectors CBFSupportsProposedEPA/CorpsRuleProtectingWetlands,HeadwaterStreams ChesapeakeBayFoundationVicePresidentKimCobleissuedthisstatementMondayfollowingthe releaseofaproposednewU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency/ArmyCorpsofEngineersrule designedtoprotectisolatedwetlandsandheadwaterstreams.Theruleclarifieswhichwaterbodiesare entitledtofederalprotectionundertheCleanWaterAct. TheChesapeakeBayFoundationwelcomestheproposednewrule,whichweexpecttoplay animportantroleinprotectinglocalwaterways.Thehealthofseasonalandraindependentstreamsand wetlandsnearstreamsandriversiscrucialtothehealthofdownstreamwaterways.Thisprotectionwill helpimplementtheregionsCleanWaterBlueprint. The371pagerulealsocallsforevaluatingwaterswithmoreuncertainconnectionstolocal waterwaysonacasebycasebasis.CBFwillbelookingcloselyatthosedetailstoensurethattheyoffer sufficientprotectionsaswell. NewsClips: ProposedEPA/CorpsRuleWouldProtectStreams,Wetlands OpEd:ProtectPennsylvaniaWetlands StateFundProposedForSewerLineRepairs PennStateExtension:ManagingPetWasteForWaterQuality LandTrustBuys8.4AcresToPreserveMontourRun FishKillCauseEludesStateInspectors PACDAwardsWaterPollutionPreventionMiniGrantsToConservationDistricts ThePAAssociationofConservationDistrictsFridayannouncedtheawardofmorethan$46,000for 26projectsin25countiesthatpromotewaterpollutionpreventionstrategiesthroughtheNonPoint SourcePollutionPreventionEducationalMiniGrantProgram. Conservationdistrictsareonthefrontlineofensuringthereisenoughcleanwaterfor Pennsylvanians,saidRobertMaiden,ExecutiveDirectorofthePAAssociationofConservation Districts.WiththisfundingfromthePennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,the conservationdistrictswillworkwiththousandsofcitizensacrossthestatetohelpthemmakea differenceintheircommunities. Fundingforthegrants,upto$2,000each,isprovidedthroughtheDepartmentofEnvironmental ProtectionunderSection319oftheCleanWaterAct,administeredbytheU.S.Environmental ProtectionAgency. Thefollowingprojectswerefundedasapartofthe20142015NPSPollutionPrevention EducationalMiniGrantround: AlleghenySouthwestProjectGrassGrazingBusTour BeaverStormwaterSolutionsforHomeowners

BerksPreventingNonpointSourcePollutionthroughAdultEducationinBerksCounty BlairTrails,TreesandTV BradfordBradfordCountyNutrientManagementEducationandOutreachStrategy BucksWeAllLiveDownstream:DelawareRiverWatershedMigrationDay CameronImplementingBestManagementPracticesonaTimberHarvest CrawfordPAFarmlandPreservationAssociationConferenceandConservationTour DauphinErosionandSedimentPollutionControlWorkshops ElkBackyardConservationWorkshop GreeneConservationPartnershipstoReduceNPSPollutionBrochure HuntingdonPollinatorGardenatOldCrowWetland LackawannaRainGardenDemonstrationSite LawrenceCountyAgriculturalFieldDay,featuringthePennStateCoverCropInterseeder LehighPollutionPreventionThroughEducation LycomingNoTillandCoverCropFieldDay McKeanPreventionofNPSPollutioninMcKeanCounty MonroeRetaintheRainII:PracticesforPollutionPrevention NorthamptonStoptheMud PotterAWastewaterBufferStripwithBiocharwillReducePollution SnyderNewCoverCroppingIdeas SnyderWomenInAgForumManagingSoilHealth TiogaTiogaCountyAgricultureEducation UnionUrbanLandownerCoverCropping VenangoVenangoCountyAgFieldDay WestmorelandHeadwatersofTurtleCreekBusTour Formoreinformation,visitPACDsNonPointSourceMiniGrantwebpage. AndrewHeathReceivesPARecreation&ParkSocietyPresidentalCitation PennsylvaniaGrowingGreenerCoalitionExecutiveDirectorAndrewHeathrecentlyreceivedthe presidentialcitationfromPARecreation&ParkSocietyboardpresidentWilliamWertforhis leadershipinadvocatingfortheCommonwealthsparks,trailsandopenspaces. ThePennsylvaniaRecreation&ParkSocietyisfortunatetohaveAndrewsleadershipinour effortstoensurethatallPennsylvanianshaveaccesstowellmanagedparksandrecreational opportunities,saidWert.Andrewisatirelessadvocateforourparksandtrailsandiscommittedto makingsurefuturegenerationshaveopportunitiestoenjoyalltheoutdoorrecreationopportunitiesthe Commonwealthhastooffer. HeathhasservedastheexecutivedirectorofGrowingGreenersince2010.Underhis leadership,theCoalitionhashelpedsecurefundingforrecreation,conservationandpreservation throughtheMarcellusLegacyFund. Parksandotherrecreationalopportunitiesprovidenumerouseconomic,environmentaland qualityoflifebenefitsthathelpmaketheCommonwealthagreatplacetolive,workandvisit,said Heath.IamhonoredtoreceivethiscitationandlookforwardtocontinuingtoworkwithPRPSto ensurethatimportantparksandnaturalresourcesremainprotectedforfuturegenerationstoenjoy. Heath,35,isanativeofDelawareCountyandcurrentlylivesinLancaster.Heisagraduateof MessiahCollegeinGrantham,Pa.,whereheearnedhisBAinpolitics.

DEPAwardsGrantToBuildReplacementDrinkingWaterSystemInLancaster TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayannouncedtheawardofa$350,000grantto LeacockTownship,LancasterCounty,toassistwiththeconstructionofanewpublicwatersystem. DEPproposedtobuildanewpublicwatersystemduetoextensivegroundwatercontamination underalargeportionoftheVillageofIntercourse,locatedwithinLeacockTownship,andbecause propertyownersinthearearelyonprivatewells.Oncethesystemisconstructed,LeacockTownship willassumeownership. DEPandLeacockTownshipSupervisorsworkedhandinhandtodeterminewhattypeof drinkingwatersystemwouldbestremedythegroundwaterissuesinthearea,DEPSouthcentral RegionalDirectorLynnLangersaid.AllPennsylvanianshavetherighttocleandrinkingwater,andthis grantwillhelpLeacockTownshiptoprotectthepublicandvisitorsfromthecontamination. Specifically,thegrantwillreimbursethetownshipforanycostsassociatedwithpurchasingland forwellheadprotectionandwatertankstorage,aswellasengineeringandlegalreviewforthewaterline alignmentunderproperties. DEPandtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyconductedextensiveroundsofresidential wellwatersamplinginthetownshipfrom2004to2008.Thesamplesrevealedthegroundwaterwas contaminatedwithtrichloroethylene,achemicalcommonlyusedasasolventtodegreasemetal.DEP didnotdeterminearesponsiblepartyforthecontaminationbutrespondedbyprovidingbottledwateror treatmentsystemstoresidentswithcontaminatedwells. Theconstructionofthenewpublicwatersystem,scheduledtobegininJanuary2015,will eliminatetheneedtoprovidetheseservices,althoughhomeownersmaychoosetokeeptheirwater treatmentsystem. Asidefromthegrant,DEPwillspendapproximately$18millionfromtheHazardousSites CleanupFundtoconstructthesystem.LeacockTownshipwillspendapproximately$3millionto extendthewatersystembeyondthecontaminationplumetotheentireVillageofIntercourse. TheHazardousSitesCleanupAct,Act108of1988,authorizesDEPtoprovidegrantsfromthe HazardousSitesCleanupFundforpurposessuchasthereplacementofpublicandprivatewater suppliestoprotectpublichealthfromcontamination. Formoreinformation,call7177054832orvisitDEPsSouthcentralRegionalOffice CommunityInformationwebpage. SchuylkillScrubbersToSpruceUpPennsylvaniasRiverOfTheYearInAprilMay Volunteersareneededtojointheestimated1,500peoplewhowillparticipateinthetwomonth SchuylkillScrubbypickinguplitterduringnearly100cleanupeventsneartheSchuylkillRiver, PennsylvaniasRiverofYear,inAprilandMay. Inaddition,anyonehostingacleanupbeforeMay31canregistertheireventonline.Thosewho dowillbeeligibletowinamoneysavingrainbarrel. EventsregisteredwithKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulsGreatAmericanCleanupofPAwillalso haveaccesstofreegloves,trashbags,andsafetyvestsatparticipatingevents.Andtheycanbenefit fromfreeorreduceddisposalfeesatparticipatinglandfillsduringPickItUpPADays,fromApril12to May5. ManypeopleareawareofthePhillySpringCleanuponApril5,butwhathappensifyoure

busyduringthosefivehours?saidTomDavidock,anemployeeofthePartnershipfortheDelaware EstuarywhocoordinatestheSchuylkillActionNetwork.ThatswhatssogreatabouttheSchuylkill Scrubyouvegotahundredeventsfromwhichtochoose. ElevenmembersoftheSchuylkillActionNetworkhavejoinedforcestoimproveonlastyears campaign,whichattractedover1,500volunteerstoalmost100littercleanups.Thesespannedalmost 100milesacrossSoutheastPennsylvania,fromdowntownPhiladelphiatoPottsvilleinSchuylkill County. ParticipatingintheSchuylkillScrubcontributestothesuccessofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifuls GreatAmericanCleanupofPA.Lastyear,thisorganizationtrackedover50,000peoplevolunteering ineachofthefivecountiesborderingtheSchuylkillRiver.Togethertheycollectedmorethan900tons oftrashenoughtofillalmost400extralargecommercialdumpsters. TheGreenValleysAssociationandtheHayCreekWatershedAssociationofgreaterPottstown foundedtheSchuylkillScrubin2010.Sincethen,dozensoforganizationshavepartneredtopromote localcleanupsaspartoftheSchuylkillScrub.PerhapsthemostactiveisthePerkiomenWatershed ConservancylocatedinSchwenksville. Approximately2,000squaremilesoflanddraintotheSchuylkillRiver.Thismakesitthe largestinfluenceonthetidalDelawareRiverandBay,otherwiseknownastheDelawareEstuary.Cities alongits130milepathincludeWestPhiladelphia,Norristown,Pottstown,Reading,andPottsville. Over2,400PennsylvaniansselectedtheSchuylkillastheirRiveroftheYearinJanuary. Formoreinformation,visittheSchuylkillScrubwebsite.VolunteerscanalsocallTom DavidockofthePartnershipfortheDelawareEstuaryat8004454935,extension109tolearnhow theycanhelp. CelebrateEarthDayOnApril26WithClearWaterConservancysWatershedCleanup ClearWaterConservancyinCentreCountywillhostitsannualWatershedCleanupDayApril26from8 a.m.toNoonatsitesthroughoutCentralPennsylvaniaandisseekingcommunitymemberstopitchin thatday. Since1997,WatershedCleanupDayvolunteershaveremoved2,857tonsofwastefromlocal streams,roadways,sinkholes,andillegaldumpsites.ThroughapartnershipwithCentreCounty Recycling&RefuseAuthorityandthegenerosityoflocalcontractors,heavyequipmentoperators, businesses,municipalities,CentreRegionParksandRecreationandtheMS4partners,Watershed CleanupDaycontinuestohelppreservePennsylvaniasbeautywhileprotectingitsnaturalresources. Apileoftrashisnotjustunattractive.Trashcandoworsethanspoilthenaturalbeautyofour area.Pollutantsleachingfromtrashcanenterdrinkingwater.Garbagecanalsocauseinjuries,harm wildlife,andthecostofitsremovalcanuseuptaxdollarsthatcouldbeputtootheruses.Removing trashfromourwatershedsnotonlymakesitmorebeautiful,butkeepsthesurroundingcommunity healthy. Everyyear,thiseventprovidesnotonlyavisiblebenefitforourcommunitiesastonsoftrash areremovedfromourlandscape,butalsoaninvisible,environmentalbenefitaswell,saidLoriDavis, waterresourcescoordinatoratClearWaterConservancy. Ifyouwouldliketovolunteerforthisyearsevent,pleasecontactLoriDavis,at8142370400 orsendemailto:lori@clearwaterconservancy.org. ClintonCountyCleanScapesCleanupEventsBeginInApril

ClintonCountyCleanScapeswillsponsoraseriesofcommunitycleanupeventsin2014startingApril5 withtheWestBranchSusquehannaRivergreenwaycleanupinRenovo,ClintonCounty.Otherevents alreadyscheduledinclude April26TireremovalprojectontheLoyalsockCreekfloodplain,GambleTwp.,LycomingCounty. (Landactivity.) May3NatureParktrailenhancementproject,WayneTwp.,ClintonCounty.(Landactivity.) July26Tireremovalproject,BaldEagleCreek,ClintonCounty.(Wateractivity.) September6Tireremovalproject,BaldEagleCreekORWestBranchSusquehannaRiver,Clinton County.(Wateractivity.) Autumneventsareintheinitialplanningstageandwillbeannouncedthissummer. Formoredetails,visittheClintonCountyCleanScapeswebpageorcontactElisabethLynch McCoybysendingemailto:clintoncountycleanscapes@yahoo.com. ChestnutHillTwp.,CloseTheLoopCompanyHostFreeGive/TakeDayApril26 AspartofChestnutHillTownshipsEarthDayActivities,ClosetheLoopCompanywillbe coordinatingaGiveandTakeDayonApril26attheChestnutHillTownshipParkinMonroeCounty onRoute715from11:00a.m.to1:00p.m.GIVE,1:00p.m.to4:00p.m.TAKE. GiveandTakeDaysareagreatwaytoreuseitemsthataretoogoodtothrowawaybutyou justdonthaveauseforthemanymorejustbringalonganyreusableitemsbetween11amand1pm, thentakeawayanythingyouwantfrom1pmto4pmitsfree!(youdonthavetobringsomethingto takesomething). Exampleofwhatyoucanbring:householdgoods,pots/pans,books,CDs,DVDs,toys, bricabrac,bikes,plants,kitchenware,gardentools,furniture(mustbeingoodshapetobeaccepted), gentlyusedclothes,etc. Examplesofthingsthatwillnotbeaccepted:electronics,TVs,computermonitors,tires,HHW, etc.Note:TownshipresidentscantakeelectronicstotheTownshipRecyclingCenteratnocharge. Youmustprovideyourownvehiclefortransportingitems.Therewillbevolunteersassisting andreviewingtheitemsbeingdroppedoff. Formoreinformationandtoseevideosofpastevents,visittheGiveandTakeDaywebpageor tovolunteerpleasecall5706298414. SchoolPlasticBagRecyclingChallengeAHugeSuccessInCentreCounty SixteenStateCollegeAreaElementarySchoolsarecurrently competinginaneightweekPlasticBagRecyclingChallenge whichhassofarrecycledover150,000plasticbagscollected fromtheschoolsover2,000poundsofplasticbagsandfilm. Andthereisnosignofslowingdown. Allsixteenparticipatingschoolswillberewardedwitha Trexrecycledplasticlumberparkbenchmadefrom10,000recycledplasticbagsaswellasaTrex plasticlumberbirdhouse. ThetoptwoschoolswillreceiveenoughTrexrecycledplasticlumbertomakearaisedgarden bed,$50inseedmoneyandcomposttohelptheirgardengrow.

BothWeisMarketsandtheTrexCompanydonatedallofthebenches.LowesHome ImprovementiskickinginthelumberandtheBoyScoutswillbuildtheraisedgardenbed. Youcantjusttossbagsintoacurbsiderecyclingbin,saidMimiCooperoftheCentreRegion CouncilofGovernments.Itsreallyamatteroftrainingusalltotakeplasticbagsandplasticwraps backwhenweshopatthestore.Mostretailstoreshavebinsdesignatedforrecyclingbags.Wejust needtoremembertodoit,andtheresnobetterwaytolearnthanthroughourchildren. TheplasticbagscollectedbytheschoolswillbesenttotheTrexCompanyandrecycledinto plasticlumber. ThewinningschoolwillbeannouncedataPressConferenceonApril21,at10:30a.m.atthe CentreCountyRecycling&RefuseAuthority. Participatingschoolsinclude:CLCCharterSchool,CorlStreetElementary,EasterlyParkway Elementary,FergusonTownshipElementary,TheStateCollegeFriendsSchool,GoddardSchool, GraysWoodsElementary,HouservilleElementary,LemontElementary,Mt.NittanyElementary, NittanyChristianSchool,NittanyValleyCharterSchool,OurLadyofVictoryCatholicSchool,Park ForestElementary,RadioParkElementary,andYoungScholarsCharterSchool Formoreinformation,calltheCentreCountyRecyclingandRefuseAuthorityat 8142387005,orAmySchirfbysendingemailto:aschirf@centrecountyrecycles.org. SeniorEnvironmentCorpsSeekingVolunteersInClearfieldCounty Areyou55yearsorolder,liveinClearfieldCountyandwanttobecome involvedinprotectingourresourcesandeducatingthepubliconthe naturalworld?Ifso,theClearfieldCountySeniorEnvironmentCorps wantsyou. SeniorEnvironmentCorpsmemberscanparticipateinavariety oftasksfrommonitoringwaterquality,observingandreportingon wildlife,reachingouttothepubliconenvironmentalissues,andeven helpingwithofficetasks.Thepossibilitiesareendless. (Photo:ClearfieldSECmembersinthefieldMarianneAtkinson,LyleMillard,and NancyPotts.) TheClearfieldCountyConservationDistrictandNatureAbounds,alocallybasednational nonprofitandnationalparentoftheSeniorEnvironmentCorps,sponsortheClearfieldSEC. TheClearfieldSeniorEnvironmentCorpsmembershavebeenmonitoringthewaterqualityof Clearfieldwaterwayssince2000.Theyalsomentorthenextgenerationofenvironmentalstewardsand helpwithparkcleanupsandtrailrestoration,saidNatureAboundsPresident,MelindaHughesWert. ThegroupinvitesseniorsthatareinterestedintheenvironmenttojointheSEC.Thegroup meetsonthefirstMondayofeverymonth,andonApril6th,thegroupwillalsobeholdingatrainingfor waterqualitymonitoring. FormoreinformationaboutvolunteeringwiththeClearfieldCountySeniorEnvironmentCorps, pleasecontacttheKellyWilliamsoftheClearfieldCountyConservationDistrictat8147652629or sendemailto:kwilliamsccd@atlanticbbn.net. FormoreinformationabouttheSeniorEnvironmentCorpsorNatureAbounds,pleasecontact MelindaHughesWertofNatureAboundsateither8147651453orsendemailto: sec@natureabounds.org.

NortheastPAAudubonAcceptingApplicationsForSummerCampScholarships TheNortheastPennsylvaniaAudubonSocietyisnowacceptingscholarshipapplicationsfortwo differentsummercampexperiencesaFamilyCampScholarshipforaneligibleadultandchildto spendaweekonanislandinMaine,andthreefullenvironmentalcampscholarshipsfor1113and 1417yearolds. ApplicationsmustbereceivedbyApril1.ApplicantsmustresideinLackawanna, Susquehanna,WayneorNorthernPikeCounties. ThescholarshipsarefundedbyNortheastPennsylvaniaAudubon'sannualArtandCrafts FestivalinHawley.ThisyearitwillbeheldattheWallenpaupackAreaHighSchoolontheweekendof July19and20from10a.m.to5p.m.eachday. Thefamilycampscholarshipisavailableforachildaged812andanaccompanyingadult familymembertoattendanenvironmentalcampespeciallydesignedforfamiliesonAudubon'sHog IslandoffthecoastofMaine. Thesession,runningfromAugust12throughAugust17,providesauniqueopportunityfor familymemberstoenjoynaturetogether. ActivitiesincludecruisingMuscongusBaytoseeseabirdsandsealsexaminingaquaticinsects, fish,amphibians,mushrooms,andwildflowersandexploringthelifeoftidepools. Intheevenings,therearenighthikes,campfireprograms,andstargazing.Comfortablelodgingonthe islandanddeliciousfoodaddtothemagicalexperience. Thescholarshipincludesallmeals,housing,instructionandboattrips.Transportationtoand fromthecampistheresponsibilityoftherecipients.Foradditionalinformationandpictures,visitthe HogIslandwebsite. OurAudubonchapterhashadover26yearsofexperienceofferingscholarshipstothis wonderfulisland,saysthegroupspresidentChrisFischer.Inthepastwehaveofferedteenand educatorscholarshipstoHogIsland.Weareespeciallyexcitedtoofferafamilycampscholarshipthis year,headds.Sharingsuchanadventurebetweenadultandchildprovidesacommonbondandan opportunitytobuildupontheexperienceintothefuture. Threefullenvironmentalcampscholarshipsfor1113and1417yearoldsarealsoavailable. ThecampsarerunbytheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationand combineenvironmentaleducation,sportsmaneducationandoutdoorfun. Theyincludehandsonmethodstolearnoutdoorskills,essentialsofbackpacking,camping,and canoeing.Campersexplorediversehabitats,studystreamlife,solvechallenges,andlearnenvironmental concepts.Theycomeawaywithanawarenessoftheimportanceofnatureandacommitmenttothe stewardshipofournaturalresources. ApplicantsmaychooseamongfourcampsrangingfromtheCatskillregiontotheAdirondacks, andmaychooseoneofsevendifferentweeksfromJunethroughAugust.Formoreinformation,visitthe NYDECCampswebsite. ApplicationsforbothscholarshipscanbedownloadedfromtheNortheastPennsylvania Audubonwebsite.Formoreinformation,pleasecall5702539250. PECPennsylvaniaEnvironmentRideSetForMay1618 JointhePAEnvironmentalCouncilfortheannualPennsylvania EnvironmentRideMay1618fromElizabethtownontheSusquehanna

RivertoPhiladelphiaontheDelawareRiver. RidersstartoutfreshfromtheirovernightattheboutiqueLancasterArtsHotel,wellrestedfor theirtwodayexplorationofPennsylvania'srollingandhistoriccountryside.Participantscanexplore PA'sbeautifulsightsandscenery,makefriends,buildrelationships,andhavefun,allwhilesupporting PEC'smissiontobuildgreenwaysandtrailsthroughoutthestate. ClickHereformoreinformationonregistration. HearingDatesMay78OnHilcorpGasWellSpacingUnitsApplication TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionFridayannouncedthehearingsessionsonanApplication forGasWellSpacingUnits,orspacingorder,receivedfromHilcorpEnergyCo.,havebeenscheduled forMay78. Wesuccessfullysecuredadelayinordertoensurethepublicwasproperlyinformedonthis importantmatter,DEPDeputySecretaryScottPerrysaid.Thepostponedhearingsessionswillgive thedepartmenttimetopersonallynotifyallpotentiallyimpactedroyaltyownersandoperatorswellin advanceofthehearingproceedings. HilcorpEnergyCo.isapplyingforawellspacingorderthatestablishesfourgaswelldrilling unitson3,267acrestodrillintotheUticaShaleFormationinPulaskiTownship,LawrenceCountyand ShenangoTownship,MercerCounty. UndertheOilandGasConservationLawof1961,whenaspacingorderapplicationis submitted,anadministrativehearingmustbeheldpriortoenteringanorderestablishingwellspacingand drillingunits. ThehearingsessionsarescheduledforMay7andMay8andwillbeginat10a.m.and9a.m. respectively.TheywillbeheldattheAlbertP.GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrence CountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom,349CountylineSt.,NewCastle. Thefirst,twodayhearingsessionwillaccepttestimony,muchlikeatrial,onthespacingorder applicationfromDEP,Hilcorpandallpropertyownersandoperatorsintheareasubjecttotheorder. Thefirstsessionwillbeopenforthegeneralpublictoattendandobserve. ThesecondhearingsessiononMay8willbeginat6p.m.atthesamelocation.Asrequested previouslybyDEP,anyonefromthegeneralpublicwillhavetheopportunitytoprovideinputaboutthe applicationatthesecondsession. Thedepartmentwillsubmitapublicnoticeoftherescheduledhearingsforpublicationinlocal papersatleasttwoweekspriortothehearingsessions.Althoughnotrequiredbylaw,DEPalsowill directlynotifyallroyaltyownersandoperatorswithintheareasubjecttotherequestedorder. OnMarch21,DEP,alongwithHilcorp,requestedadelayinthehearingprocessinorderto providemorecompletenoticetopotentiallyaffectedpeople.Theassignedhearingofficeracceptedthis jointrequest,delayingthehearingprocess. Formoreinformation,visitDEPsConservationLawwebpage.Pennsylvanianslookingfor moreinformationshouldcall7177722199. Oil&GasEnvironmentalComplianceConferenceMay1314InPittsburgh TheAirandWasteManagementAssociationwillholdtheOilandGasEnvironmentalCompliance ConferenceinPittsburghonMay1314. Thetwodayconferencewilladdressmultimediatopicssuchasairquality,wateruseand

treatment,wastedisposal,spillprotection,localissues,anddatamanagementchallengesthroughoutthe shaleplaysinPennsylvania,Ohio,WestVirginia,andNewYork.Speakerswillincluderegulatory authorities,industryenvironmentalmanagers,environmentalinterestgroups,andindustryexperts. Inadditiontolearningabouthydraulicfrackingandenvironmentalcomplianceintheshalegas industry,thetwodayworkshopwillhelpprofessionals: Refinetheirtechnicalknowledgeofmultimediaenvironmentalregulations. Gettheinsidetrackfromregulatorsonobtainingadministrativelycompletepermitapplication determinations. Learnaboutthenewemergingtechnologiesintheshaleindustry. Developbestpracticesandtoolstomanagetheabundantenvironmentaldataandreportsrequired bystateandfederalregulations. Gaininsightintolocalissuessuchasculturalandsocialimpacts. Discoverinnovativesolutionstomanagingwaterresources,treatment,anddisposal. ObtainupdatesonORANSCOandSRBCwaterqualityprograms. Understandotherfederalandstateairregulationsthatapplytotheoil&gasindustrysuchasLDAR (LeakDetectionandRepair),Flares,GHG(GreenhouseGases),RMP(RiskManagementPlan)/PSM (ProcessSafetyManagement),andRICENSPS(ReciprocatingInternalCombustionEngineNew SourcePerformanceStandards). Discernthebestwaytodevelopandimplementspillprotectionandenvironmentalresponseplans. Advancetheirknowledgeininspectionandenforcementguidelinesfromstateregulators. Formoreinformation,visittheOilandGasEnvironmentalComplianceConferencewebpage. PAEnvironmentalCouncilSupportsFederalEffortsToRegulateMethaneEmissions PaulKing,President&CEOofthePAEnvironmentalCouncilFridayissuedthefollowingstatementon anewfederalstrategytomorecomprehensivelyregulatemethaneemissionstocombatclimatechange ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilispleasedwithtoday'sannouncementfromtheWhite Houseconcerningmethaneemissionsfromoilandgasoperations.Theannouncementbridgesseveral areasofconcernwehaveregardingthegrowthofshalegasoperationsinPennsylvaniaandthepressing needtotakestepstominimizethereleaseofgreenhousegases,particularlymethane. WhilePennsylvaniahasbeenattheforefrontofadvancingstrongcontrolsforshalegas operations,oneareawhereotherstateshavemovedaheadofusisinthereductionofmethaneleaks comingfromtheexploration,production,andtransmissionofnaturalgas.ThestateofColoradorecently enactedasuiteofstandardsformethaneemissionsthatcanserveasamodelforPennsylvaniaandthe nation. Fugitivemethaneemissionswastevaluablenaturalresourcesandmoney.Moreimportantly,as recognizedbytoday'sannouncement,methanereleasedtotheatmospherehasamuchgreaterimpactas agreenhousegasthancarbondioxide. PEClooksforwardtofollowingtheWhiteHouseinitiativeandbelievesthatPennsylvania shouldactivelyembraceanexaminationofitsownregulationsinthewakeoftodaysannouncementas wellastheprogressinthisareaamongotherstates. NewsClip:ObamaUnveilsPlanToCutMethaneEmissions NaturalGasVehicleWorkshopInDauphinCountyApril29

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,alongwiththeEasternPennsylvaniaAllianceforClean Transportation,invitesgovernment,privateandpublicfleetmanagers,municipalities,universitiesand interestedpartiestoanaturalgasvehicle,infrastructureandincentiveworkshopfrom8:30a.m.until2 p.m.onApril29,intheCommonwealthRoomofthePennsylvaniaFarmShowComplex,2300North CameronSt.,Harrisburg. WorkshopattendeeswilllearnfromapanelofexpertshownaturalgasishelpingPennsylvania moveawayfromimportedpetroleumfuelstohomegrownenvironmentallyfriendlyalternatives. DEPstaffwillprovideinformationonthefinancialincentivesavailabletohelpmaketheswitchto compressednaturalgas(CNG)orliquefiednaturalgas(LNG).Manufacturerswillalsobeonhandto demonstratealternativefuelvehiclesandtechnologies. Thereisa$25feeforthisworkshop,whichincludesanetworkinglunch.Pleaseregisteronline byApril22. TheAct13NaturalGasVehiclesProgramauthorizedDEPtodevelopandimplementthe NaturalGasEnergyDevelopmentprogram,fundedbyimpactfeespaidbynaturalgasoperators.The programdistributesupto$20millioningrantsoverthreeyears,tohelppayfortheincrementalpurchase andconversioncostsofheavydutynaturalgasfleetvehicles. TolearnmoreabouttheAct13grantprogram,visitDEPsNaturalGasVehicleGrantProgram webpage. AlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantWorkshopInBradfordCountyMay2 TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitesfleetmanagers,schooldistricts,municipalities, nonprofitentities,andforprofitbusinessestoanAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantworkshopfrom 10:30a.m.untilnoononMay2attheNorthernTierRegionalPlanningandDevelopmentCommission office,312MainSt.,Towanda. DEPishostingthisworkshoptoassistpotentialapplicantsinlearningmoreaboutAFIGgrant programrequirements.Thepresentationwillincludeademonstrationoftheonlineapplicationprocess. DEPstaffwillthenbeavailabletoprovideoneononeassistancetoapplicants. Anestimated$8millionisavailableundertheAFIGprogramtohelppayupto50percentof theincrementalpurchaseorconversioncostsofnaturalgasvehicleswithgrossvehicleweightratingsof 26,000poundsorless.Thereisnoweightrestrictionfortheconversionorpurchaseofallothertypesof alternativefuelvehicles. TheAFIGgrantprogramrequiresaminimumoffivevehiclepurchasesorconversionstoapply. DEPencourageseligibleapplicantswithsmallervehicleprojectstopartnerwitheachotherand aggregatevehiclestomeetthisminimum. TheAFIGfundwasestablishedunderAct166,andisadministeredbyDEPthroughitsOffice ofPollutionPreventionandEnergyAssistance. Theworkshopisfreeandopentoeligibleapplicantsonly.Seatingislimitedandtheregistration deadlineisApril28.Pleaseprovideattendeesnameandorganizationwhenregisteringbycontacting NorthcentralEnergyManagerMichelleFergusonbysendingemailto:miferguson@pa.govorcall 5703273783. Formoreinformation,visitDEPsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgramwebpage. DEPToHoldAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantWorkshopsInNorthwestPA

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitesfleetmanagers,schooldistricts,municipalities, nonprofitentities,andforprofitbusinessestooneofthreeAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantworkshops inNorthwestPennsylvania. Theyarescheduledtobeheldfrom10:00a.m.toNoonattheselocations April10,attheDEPNorthwestRegionalOffice,230ChestnutSt.,Meadville,CrawfordCounty April15,attheCNGEducationCenter,228AlleghenyBlvd.,Brookville,JeffersonCountyand April18,attheCranberryTownshipMunicipalCenter,2525RochesterRoad,Cranberry,Butler County. DEPishostingtheworkshopstoassistpotentialapplicantsinlearningmoreaboutAFIGgrant programrequirements.Thepresentationwillincludeademonstrationoftheonlineapplicationprocess. DEPstaffwillthenbeavailabletoprovideoneononeassistancetoapplicants. Anestimated$8millionisavailableundertheAFIGprogramtohelppayupto50percentof theincrementalpurchaseorconversioncostsofnaturalgasvehicleswithgrossvehicleweightratingsof 26,000poundsorless.Thereisnoweightrestrictionfortheconversionorpurchaseofallothertypesof alternativefuelvehicles. TheAFIGgrantprogramrequiresaminimumoffivevehiclepurchasesorconversionstoapply. DEPencourageseligibleapplicantswithsmallervehicleprojectstopartnerwitheachotherand aggregatevehiclestomeetthisminimum. TheAFIGfundwasestablishedunderAct166,andisadministeredbyDEPthroughitsOffice ofPollutionPreventionandEnergyAssistance. Theworkshopisfreeandopentoeligibleapplicantsonly.Seatingislimitedandtheregistration deadlineisApril28.Pleaseprovideattendeesnameandorganizationwhenregisteringbycontacting NorthwestEnergyManagerGeoffBristow,bysendingemailto:gbristow@pa.gov,orbycalling 8143326681. Formoreinformation,visitDEPsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgramwebpage. PhiladelphiaCityCouncilCommitsToGoalOf20,000SolarRoofs PhiladelphiaCityCouncillastweekunanimouslypassedanambitiousresolutioninsupportofincreasing solarpowergenerationwithinthecityofPhiladelphia.Theresolutionsetsagoalof20,000solarroofs by2025,andoutlinespoliciesthatcanbeusedtoreachthattarget. ThecityofPhiladelphiahasvastuntappedsolarresources,andbenefitsfromover200daysof suneachyear. Intheweekleadinguptothevote,over850Philadelphianssignedapetitioninsupportof makingPhiladelphiaasolarleaderbycommittingtothegoalof20,000solarroofsbytheyear2025. Asthemotherofa17yearolddaughter,Iseepublicpolicythroughtheprismofherfuture, saidCouncilwomanBlondellReynoldsBrown,theresolution'ssponsorandChairoftheCityCouncil CommitteeontheEnvironment.Tothebestofourability,wemustleaveacleaner,moresustainable planetforfuturegenerations.Thatrequiressettingambitiousgoals,likeproducingenoughsolarenergy topower20,000homesby2025,andcommittingtodothenecessaryfollowthrough.Ilookforwardto workingwithadiversegroupofstakeholderstomakethisgoalareality. PhiladelphiaCityCouncilmanJamesKenney,whocosponsoredtheresolution,statedthat increasinguseofsolarenergyisnotonlyimportantforourenvironment,butitcanbeatremendous sourceofjobcreationrighthereinPhiladelphia. Philadelphiahasalreadylaidafoundationforsolarenergy.In2008theU.S.Departmentof

EnergydesignatedPhiladelphiaasaSolarAmericaCity,andhaspartneredwiththeMayorsofficeof SustainabilitytoformtheSolarCityPartnership,designedtofacilitatethedevelopmentofsolarenergy withinthecity.Philadelphiaseffortsarepartofabroadernationaltrend,wheremoresolarhasbeen installedinthepast18monthsthaninthe30yearsprior. Energyfromthesunispollutionfreeandhasnofuelcosts,saidElowynCorby,Global WarmingandCleanEnergyAssociateatPennEnvironment.Bycommittingtoambitiousbutachievable goals,Philadelphiacanreaptheenvironmentalandeconomicbenefitsofthisvirtuallyunlimitedenergy source. "SolarStateswouldliketothankCouncilwomanReynoldsBrownandPennEnvironmentfor workingtogethertoputforththisresolution.Wearegratefulthatotherstakeholdersseethe environmentalandlocaljobbenefitsthatrooftopsolarcanbringtoPhiladelphia,"saidAkilMarsh,head ofBusinessDevelopmentatSolarStates. Theskysthelimitonsolar,concludedCorby.ThankstoCouncilwomanReynoldsBrown andourothersolarchampionsoncitycouncil,aswellasthemorethan850Philadelphianswhohave alreadyspokenoutinsupportofthisgoal,weremakingacriticalcommitmenttosolarthatcantakeit tothenextlevel. CleanEnergyWinsPolicyRoadmapPutsRenewables,ConservationOutFront ThePennFutureEnergyCenterWednesdayannouncedthereleaseoftheCleanEnergyWinsPolicy Roadmaptoprovidenonpartisaneducationtogubernatorialcandidates,policymakersandthegeneral publicabouttheeconomic,jobcreationandenvironmentalbenefitsofcleanenergywhileidentifying practicalpoliciesthatcangrowPennsylvania'scleanenergyeconomy. "Alltoooften,theenergyconversationinPennsylvaniaiscooptedbyfossilfuelinterests includingnaturalgasandcoal,"saidCindyDunn,presidentandchiefexecutiveofficerofPennFuture. "The'energyindependence'argumentfallsshortwhenourleadersarelookingtoexportnaturalgas,and ourairandwatercontinuetobenegativelyimpactedbyfossilfuelextraction,posingevergreaterrisks topublichealth.Renewableenergyandenergyefficiencymusthaveaseatatthetable,andamajorityof ourcitizensagree." TheCleanEnergyWinsinitiativewaslaunchedinJanuary2014withagoalofdevelopingthe roadmapreportandeducatingPennsylvaniagubernatorialcandidates,policymakers,andthegeneral publiconthebenefitsofcleanenergy.Theinitiativeisalsoworkingtoidentifycleanenergyvoters throughouttheCommonwealth. "Weworkedwithstakeholdersinthesolar,windandenergyefficiencyindustriesonalocal, stateandnationalleveltocreatethesepolicyrecommendations,"saidChristinaSimeone,directorofthe PennFutureEnergyCenter."It'stimeforameaningfulconversationonenergyinPennsylvania,andthat hastoincludetrulycleanenergyresourcesandwhattheycandotogrowthestate'seconomywhile safeguardingpublichealthandprotectingourair,landandwater." "Pennsylvaniawasoncealeaderincleanenergydevelopmentbutwehavefallenbehind," continuedSimeone."Theroadmapreportplotsacoursethatwillallowthestatetoregainitscompetitive advantageinrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencyasitunleashesitsmyriadbenefits." Acopyofthefullreportisavailableonline. Eventsthroughoutthestatewithrenewableenergybusinesses,policymakersandcleanenergy voterswillbescheduledoverthecourseoftheyear.

GovernorExtendsHomeHeatingAssistanceProgramForLowIncomeFamilies Gov.TomCorbettannouncedTuesdayPennsylvaniansstrugglingtopayhomeheatingbillswillhave extratime,throughApril18,toapplyforfinancialhelpthroughtheLowIncomeHomeEnergy AssistanceProgram(LIHEAP). ThefederallyfundedprogramwasslatedtoendApril4,butthestate'sefficientmanagementof theprogramhasenabledanextensionthroughApril18. "Pennsylvaniahashadadifficultwinter,andprogramslikeLIHEAPhavehelpedourmost vulnerablehouseholdstoendurethecoldtemperatures,"Corbettsaid."Byprovidingthisextension,our DepartmentofPublicWelfareisabletogiveindividualsadditionaltimetoapplyforhomeheating assistancesotheycankeepwarmfortheremainderoftheseason." SincethebeginningoftheLIHEAPseasononNov.4,thedepartmenthasprocessed approximately357,000applicationsforcashassistancetohelplowincomehouseholdspayforhome heatingfuel.Ithasalsograntedmorethan107,000crisisgrants,whichassistwithheatingemergencies suchasafurnacefailureorunexpectedfuelshortages. Cashgrantsarebasedonhouseholdincome,familysize,typeofheatingfuelandregion.In additiontoproofofincomeandhouseholdsize,applicantsmustprovidearecentbillorastatement fromtheirfueldealerverifyingtheircustomerstatusandthetypeoffuelused. IndividualscanapplyforaLIHEAPgrantonlineorinpersonatcountyassistanceoffices.You mayalsocallthestatewidetollfreehotlineat18668577095withquestionsabouttheprogram. Formoreinformation,visitDPWsLIHEAPwebpage. PUC:Electric,NaturalGasServiceCanBeTerminatedApril1BySuppliers ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayremindedconsumerswhoarebehindontheirelectricand naturalgasbillsthattheirservicemaybeterminatedasofApril1,regardlessofincome. Theseverewintercoldhasmeantweareallusingourheatingsystemsmore,whichmeans higherenergybills,saidPUCChairmanRobertF.Powelson.ManyacrossPennsylvaniaarestruggling topaytheirbills.PastdueelectricandnaturalgasbillscanleadtoterminationasofApril1nomatter whatyourfinancialsituation.Ifconsumersreceiveaterminationnotice,donotignoreit.Takingthesteps toavoidterminationmeanscustomersalsoavoidreconnectionfeesandsecuritydeposits,whichcan addupandmakeservicereconnectionexpensive. ThePUCurgescustomerswhoreceiveaterminationnoticetocalltheutilityimmediately. Resourcesareavailabletohelpconsumersmaintainservice.Ifconsumersarenotsatisfiedwiththeutility response,theyareencouragedtocallthePUCat18006927380. Priortotermination,theutilitycompanywillprovidetwonoticesandgiveconsumersthe opportunitytocontactittomakearrangementstoavoidtermination.Ifserviceisshutoff,thecompany willleavenoticetellingconsumerswhattodotohaveservicerestored. Paymenttorestoreservicewilldependontheconsumershouseholdincomeandpayment history.Consumersmayberequiredtopayasecuritydepositequaltotwoaveragemonthlybills, reconnectionfeeorthefullbalanceofthebill. Rep.PeterJ.DaleyII(DWashington),MinorityChairoftheHouseConsumerAffairs Committee,ThursdayurgedgasandelectricutilitiesandthePublicUtilityCommissiontogranta twoweekreprieveonserviceshutoffsthatcanbeginApril1,regardlessofincome. TheHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteehasscheduledasecondhearingonthevariable

electricrateissueforApril10.ThehearingwillbeheldintheGoldRoom,AlleghenyCounty Courthouse,436GrantSt.,inPittsburghstartingat10:00. TheSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteewillholdahearing April1startingat9:30a.m.onvariableelectricrates. Additionalinformationaboutthelawthatappliestotheterminationandreconnectionofutility servicecanbefoundonthePUCwebsite. NewsClips: Rep.DaleyUrges2WeekDelayInElectric,GasServiceTermination Lawmakers,UtilitiesReviewIceStormResponse PPLPowerLineOnTargetFor2015Completion PennTAPOffersOSHATrainingToPreventWorkplaceChemicalInjuries Anyorganizationthathandles,usesorstoreshazardouschemicalsfromnailsalonsandfuneralhomes tocontractorsandmanufacturersmustcomplywiththelatestversionoftheOccupationalSafetyand HealthAdministrations(OSHA)HazardCommunicationStandardorthecompanyrisksemployee injuryand/orOSHAcitation. OSHAreportsthat43millionworkersinmorethan5millionworkplacesacrossthecountry dealwithhazardouschemicalsandcouldbenefitfromtrainingtounderstandthenewrulesof compliance. ThePennsylvaniaTechnicalAssistanceProgram(PennTAP)atPennStateUniversitywillsoon offerspecializedtrainingforanybusinessthatneedstobecurrentwiththisnewstandard,HazCom 2012. Thistrainingistailoredforfrontlinesupervisors,management,safetycommitteemembersand interestedemployees.Participantswilllearnhowtoreadlabelsandsafetydatasheetsunderthenew formatsotheycanproperlymanagechemicalmaterialswithintheworkplaceandtraintheiremployees tounderstandthenewlabelingandSafetyDataSheetsystem. ThenewHazComchangesbringtheUnitedStatesintoalignmentwiththeGloballyHarmonized SystemofClassificationandLabelingofChemicals(GHS),whichisexpectedtopreventinjuriesand illnesses,savelivesandimprovetradeconditionsforchemicalmanufacturers.ThisnewOSHAstandard isdesignedtoimprovesafetyandhealthforAmericasworkersandcouldpreventmorethan500 workplaceinjuries,illnessesandfatalitiesperyear. PennTAPwilloffertrainingonGHSundertheHazCom2012standardatthefollowing locations: PennStateHazleton:Friday,March28/Friday,July11at103ButlerSeminarRoom,Hazleton PennStateErie:Tuesday,April8/Thursday,July24attheMerwinBuildingatKnowledgePark, Erie PennStateDuBois:Wednesday,April9at209DEFBuilding,1CollegePlace,DuBois PennStateUniversityPark:Thursday,April10/Friday,July25at115The329Buildingat InnovationPark,UniversityPark PennStateYork:Thursday,April17/Thursday,July31attheConferenceCentre,1031Edgecomb Ave.,York Allworkshopsarefrom8a.m.tonoon.Thecostis$99perpersonandfreetoPennState students. PennTAPwasoneof18organizationsacrossthenationthatreceivedtheSusanHarwood

TargetedTrainingGrant.Thegrantprogramsupportsinperson,handsontrainingandeducational opportunitiesforemployersinavarietyofhealthandsafetytopics. PennTAPisfocusingonworkersandemployersinruralPennsylvania.Eachparticipantwill receiveaninstructionalkitforthistraining.MaterialsareavailableinEnglishandSpanish. ClickHereformoreinformationandtoregister. LovingTheLandThroughWorkingForestsConferenceMay1617Meadville TheFoundationforSustainableForestswillholditsLovingTheLandThroughWorkingForests ConferenceMay1617atAlleghenyCollegeinMeadville. ThepopularSpeakersProgramontheeveningofMay16featuresCurtMeine,thebiographer ofAldoLeopold,narratoroftheLeopolddocumentaryfilmGreenFireandanotedconservationistin hisownright. The7p.m.programwillbeheldintheVukovichTheatre,AlleghenyCollege,Meadvilleandis freeandopentothepublic. ThisyearseventalsoincludestheannualPennsylvaniaTreeFarmoftheYearTouraspartof thedaylong,inthefieldprogrammingonMay17 Newfor2014isaFridaymorninginthefieldsessiondevelopedbytheForestGuildand focusedtowardprofessionalforesters,landmanagersandsoontobepractitioners. TheSaturdayinthefieldprogrammingconsistsoffourconcurrentsessionsledbynationally renownedexperts.Eachsessionisdesignedtofostergroupdiscussionandprovidethebestandlatest informationonforestmanagementandrelatedissueswhileappealingtoawiderangeofinterestsand experience. InthefieldprogrammingwillbebasedatWesleyWoodsRusticCamp,500EurekaRoad, GrandValley,about12milesnortheastofTitusvillewiththesessionstakingplaceinaneighboringforest managedtoFoundationstandardsandprinciples.Detaileddirectionswillbesenttoconference registrants. Thereisa$5registrationfee(waivedformembersoftheFoundationforSustainableForests) andpreregistrationisrequiredtoeachdaysinthefieldsessions.Abaglunchwillbeprovided participantsintheFridayprogramandSaturdayfeaturesapicniclunch. ProgrammingforelementaryschoolagechildrenwillbeofferedSaturdaybyIAmAPlanet Kid.Registrationisrequiredforchildren. Forthoseattendingfromoutofthearea,discountroomsareavailableattheComfortInn,511 WCentralAve,Titusville,PA16354(8148270041)andattheDaysInn,18360ConneautLake Road,Meadville,PA16335(8143374264.) Toobtainthediscountwhenreservingorregisteringyoumustinformthemyouareattendingthe FoundationforSustainableForestsconference.TheDaysInnguaranteesroomswiththediscountfor reservationsmadebyMay1.Bothmotelswillhonorthediscountaslongasroomsareavailable. ConferenceregistrationcanbemadeonlineattheFoundationswebsite.Foramailregistration formormoreinformationpleasesendemailto:Info@FoundationForSustainableForests.org. PABotanySymposium:AConsultingBotanistsToolkitApril18Philadelphia TheMorrisArboretuminPhiladelphiawillhostAConsultingBotanistsToolkitWorkshopdeveloped bythePABotanySymposiumPlanningCommitteeonApril18startingat8:30a.m.

Theworkshopwillinstructparticipantsintheskillsneededtocorrectlyconductplantsurveys, documentfindingsforthePennsylvaniaNaturalHeritageProgram,preparereportstosubmittothe DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesandpreparemuseumqualityplantvoucher specimens.Thedaywillincludeamixofclassroominstruction,discussionandhandsonactivities includingatouroftheMorrisArboretumherbarium. TheagendafeaturesapresentationbyKellySitch,M.S.,abotanistfortheDCNRBureauof Forestry,workingprimarilywithSpeciesofSpecialConcernmanagementonstatelandsaswellas vegetationmonitoringinandaroundMarcellusShalegasdevelopmentonStateForestland.He previouslyworkedasanPNDIEnvironmentalReviewSpecialistfor3years.Kellyreceivedhis MastersofScienceinForestryfromPennStateUniversity. AsfeaturedisDr.TimothyA.BlockwhowasappointedtheJohnJ.WillamanChairofBotany attheUniversityofPennsylvaniasMorrisArboretumin2009afterhavingservedasDirectorofBotany since2001.HehasbeenaffiliatedwiththeMorrisArboretumformorethan16yearsandholds appointmentsasAdjunctProfessorintheBiologyDepartmentatPenn,ResearchAssociateatthe AcademyofNaturalSciencesofPhiladelphia,andExpertinBotanyforthePoisonControlCenterat ChildrensHospitalofPhiladelphia. HeiscoauthorofThePlantsofPennsylvania:AnIllustratedManualpublishedin2000withthe secondeditionpublishedin2007,TreesofPennsylvania:ACompleteReferenceGuidepublishedin 2005,andAquaticPlantsofPennsylvania:ACompleteReferenceGuidepublishedbyPennPressin 2011. ThedeadlinetoregisterisApril11andthecostoftheworkshopis$135. Formoreinformationandtoregister,visittheAConsultingBotanistsToolkitWorkshop webpage. KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulWelcomesNewBoardMembers KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulFridayannouncedtheadditionoftwonewmemberstotheirBoardof DirectorsJohnMcGoran,ManagerofMunicipalServiceswithRepublicServicesandMaryWebber, FounderandPrincipalofWebberAssociates. KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulishonoredtowelcomeJohnMcGoranandMaryWebberasnew boardmembers.Eachbringsauniqueanddiverseperspectiveandexperiencefromtheirworkinthe wasteindustryfield.Theirguidanceandleadershipwillenhanceoureffortsacrossthestate,statesJim Bonner,BoardofDirectorsChairforKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.Iknowthattheirservicewill providetremendousbenefitstotheboardandorganizationasawhole. Themembersbringawiderangeofexperiencetotheboard. JohnMcGoranhasbeenanintegralmemberofSolidWasteBoardsinWesternPennsylvaniato assistinthedevelopmentofCountyPlansrequiredbyPAlawtoprojectandsecurefuturedisposal capacityformunicipalwastegeneratedineachcounty.JohnalsoworksdirectlywiththePA DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontodevelopandpresentchangestocurrentwastehaulingand disposalregulations. MaryWebberisthefounderofagovernmentrelationsconsultingfirmprovidinglobbyingand relatedservicestostateassociations,nonprofits,andcorporationsandhasledstrategicplanningand positioningofthePennsylvaniaWasteIndustriesAssociation.Shehasservedontheboardsofawide rangeofnonprofitsincluding,WhitakerCenterforScienceandtheArts,TresBonneAnnee,and HarristownDevelopmentCorporation.

CarolCollierJoinsAcademyOfNaturalSciencesAsSeniorWatershedPolicyAdvisor TheAcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexelUniversityinPhiladelphiaTuesdayannouncedCarolR. Collier,anexperiencedleaderinregionalwatershedmanagementandplanning,hasjoinedtheAcademy asitsSeniorAdvisorforWatershedManagementandPolicy. CollierrecentlyretiredasExecutiveDirectoroftheDelawareRiverBasinCommission,a positionsheheldformorethan15years. AttheAcademy,CollierwillholdanactiveleadershiprolesupportingtheworkofthePatrick CenterforEnvironmentalResearchinmonitoringandimprovingthehealthofwatershedsinthe DelawareRiverBasin. Shewillactastheprincipalliaisonforoutreachandprogramdevelopmenttopartnersandhigh levelcontactsingovernment,business,nongovernmentalorganizationsandfundingorganizations.A majorfocusforCollierisherroleintheAcademyswatershedprotectionresearch. BringingCaroltotheAcademyreaffirmsourroleasacenterforthoughtandactionaround waterscienceandmanagement,saidAcademyPresidentandCEOGeorgeW.Gephart,Jr.Welook forwardtothenewrelationshipsandresourcesthatwilldevelopasshefacilitatesthemanyinteractions ofourwatershedteamwithorganizationsandgovernmentagencies. TheAcademyhasahistoryofmorethan70yearsofnationalleadershipinusingscienceto informtheprotectionofenvironmentalqualityinbothaquaticandterrestrialecosystems.The Academyswatershedresearchusesfieldandlaboratorystudiestoanalyzeandsimulatethefunctioning ofmarineandfreshwateraquaticsystems,integratingmappingwithhydrological,biogeochemical, ecologicalandothermethodsofmeasurementandanalysisatmultiplespatialscales. IhopethatthroughmyroleattheAcademy,Icanhelpthebasincommunityunderstandthe needtoplanforsustainablefuturewaterresourcesandworkwiththemsotheircommunitiesaremore resilienttochange,saidCollier.TherearemanyoverlappingchallengestotheDelawareRiverBasin thatneedtobeaddressed.Theseincludepopulationchanges,increasedwateruse,andthepotentialfor naturalgasdevelopmentintheheadwaters.Ontopoftheseissuesthereistheneedtoensureadequate instreamflowsforaquaticcommunitiesandaccountforimpactsofclimatechangemoreintense storms,potentialsummerdroughtsandsealevelrise.Planningfortheseimpactsisbestdoneatthebasin scale,butimplementationofsolutionswilllikelyoccuratthewatershedandlocalgovernmentlevels. Collierbringstoherroledecadesofleadershipexperienceinenvironmentalprotectionand planning.AsexecutivedirectoroftheDRBCfromAugust1998toMarch2014,Collierledthe fourstateandfederalcommissionprovidingaunifiedapproachtowaterresourcemanagementwithout regardtopoliticalboundaries. DuringheryearsofleadershipatDRBC,thecommissionexpandedcoverageofSpecial ProtectionWatersregulationsledeffortstoaddressPCBpollutioninthetidalDelawareRiverandBay completedtheWaterResourcesPlanfortheDelawareRiverBasinin2004,thatprovidesa30year frameworkofgoalsguidinggovernmentalandnongovernmentalstakeholderswhoseactionsaffect waterresourcesinthebasinandachievednumerousotherimprovementsinwaterconservationand watershedprotection. CollierpreviouslyservedasexecutivedirectorofPennsylvanias21stCenturyEnvironment CommissionandasregionaldirectorofthePennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection SoutheastRegion.PriortoPADEP,sheserved19yearswithBCMEnvironmentalEngineers,Inc., ultimatelyintheroleofvicepresidentofenvironmentalplanning,scienceandrisk.

CollierisaprofessionalplannerlicensedinthestateofNewJersey,amemberoftheAmerican InstituteofCertifiedPlannersandacertifiedseniorecologist.Sheisamemberoftheboardsofthe AmericanWaterResourcesAssociation(ofwhichshewaspresidentlastyear)andtheU.S.Water AllianceandisarecentpastchairoftheBoardforthePinchotInstituteforConservation. IamveryexcitedtobejoiningtheAcademyofNaturalSciencesteam,saidCollier.My mentorandthereasonIchosethepathofwaterresourcesmanagementwasDr.RuthPatrick,alead researcherattheAcademyandforwhomthePatrickCenterisnamed.Duringgraduateschoolat UniversityofPennsylvania,IspentmostofmytimeattheAcademy,sothiswillbegoingbacktomy roots.TheAcademyhasanincredibleteamofaquaticresearchersandIamhumbledtobejoiningthe team. RuthPatrickMemorialSymposium CollierwillbeapresenteratthefreeRuthPatrickMemorialSymposiumattheAcademyon April22. FeatureRememberingTheAccidentAtThreeMileIsland,3:53a.m.,March28,1979 At3:53a.m.,March28,1979,thecascadingfailuresof valves,pumps,gaugesandreactoroperatorscombinedto producetheworstaccidentintheU.S.commercialnuclear powerindustry. TheaccidentoccurredattheThreeMileIsland nuclearpowerplantUnit2nearMiddletown,afewmiles downstreamfromHarrisburg.For48hours,thereactorwas dangerouslyoutofcontrol. AnyonelivinginandaroundT.M.I.remembers exactlywheretheywereonMarch30whentheyheardGov.DickThornburghorderallpreschool childrenandpregnantwomenwithinfivemilesoftheplanttoevacuateandlatereveryonewithin10 milestoclosetheirwindowsandstayindoors. Seventhousandpeoplewereevacuatedandperhapsahundredthousandmorefled. Ahydrogenbubbleformedinthereactorbringingitveryclosetoexploding.Withinafewdays, scientistsreducedthesizeofthebubble.Thecoolingdownprocess,however,tookamonthandthe radioactiveplantwouldtakeyearstodecontaminate. Thoughnoliveswerelostintheaccident,theuncertaintyandfearitcausedgavepeopleanew senseofvulnerability.Thedayaftertheaccident,35,000protestersinHanover,WestGermany, chanted,"WeallliveinPennsylvania." IncontrasttoUnit2,Unit1atThreeMileIslandhasoperatedsuccessfullysinceitfirstbegan commercialoperationsin1974producingelectricityforPennsylvaniaandtheMidAtlanticregion. Asaresultoftheaccident,emergencyplanningandresponseprogramsatthelocal,stateand federallevelweredramaticallyimprovedaroundnuclearplantsandstateeffortstomonitorradiationand providedirectoversightatthesefacilitiesalsounderwentsignificantchanges. Hereareremembrancesfromthatdaybytwoofthepeoplewhoweretouchedinuniqueways bytheaccident ThomasM.Gerusky,thelateDirectoroftheBureauofRadiationProtectionatthe thenDepartmentofEnvironmentalResourcesonMarch28,1979,andwhowasinchargeofthestates technicalresponsetotheaccidentand

JamesM.Seif,formerSecretaryoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,andin1979 administrativeassistanttoGov.DickThornburgh.

ItsaBiggieSomeThoughtsontheAccidentatThreeMileIsland
byThomasM.Gerusky Lastweek,IwasinterviewedbytheproducersofaproposedPublicTelevisionNetworkshowwhich willprovidea20yearupdateontheThreeMileIslandaccident.ThataccidentoccurredonMarch28, 1979. Topreparefortheinterview,Iwentbacktomynotesandpublishedreportsoftheaccidentto refreshmymemory.AsIwanderedthroughthedocuments,thememoriesofthattimeandtheaftermath oftheaccidentcameslowlyintofocus.Thefollowingaresomeofthethoughtsthatreturned. ItisdifficulttodiscusstheaccidentandtheCommonwealthsresponsetoitwithoutreviewing theattitudesofthepublic,thepress,thenuclearindustry,theregulatorsandthetechnicalworld.Nuclear powerwastoutedasthesafestformofsupplyingenergy.Nuclearreactorsweredesignedandoperated torunwithoutaseriousaccident.Newnuclearpowerstationswerebeingproposedalloverthe country. ThestaffoftheBureauofRadiationProtectionandthePennsylvaniaEmergencyManagement Agencyhadpreparedemergencyresponseplansforanaccidentatthosepowerreactorssituatedinthe stateandforaccidentsatotherfacilitiesandonthetransportationroutesforspentfuelandothersources ofradioactivity.Infrequently,transportationaccidentshadtakenplaceandwehadresponded.Inno casewasthereanyseriousreleasetotheenvironmentnoranyexposureofthepublic. AplanhadbeendrawnupfortheThreeMileIslandcomplex.Itisinterestingtonotethata publicmeetingonthatplanwasheldinMiddletown,justnorthofthereactors,onlyashorttimebefore theaccidentandfewpeopleshowedup. Atapproximately7a.m.onthemorningofMarch28,Ireceivedacallfromourbureaus emergencyofficer,BillDornsife,anuclearengineerwhohadpreviouslyworkedatThreeMileIsland, whoinformedmethathehadreceivedacallfromtheislandconcerninganemergencythatwas occurringthere.Hegavemesomedetails,butthewordsIwillalwaysrememberwere"Itsabiggie." Theprocedurewasformetoproceedtotheofficewhileotherstaffmemberscontactedother individualsandagenciestoprovidethemwiththeinformation. Iarrivedattheofficearound7:20a.m.Fromthattimeonandcontinuingforthenext30days, ourofficewasopenandstaffedaroundtheclock.Bureauanddepartmenttechnicalandadministrative staffassistedinprovidingthecoverage.Itbecameateameffortandcontinuedateameffortthroughthe cleanup. Althoughwehadestablishedanopenphonelinewiththereactor,thelackofearlyinformation wasamajorconcern.TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission,thefederalregulatorofthefacility,hadnot yetarrivedonsiteandevenaftertheyarrived,littlenewinformationwasforthcoming. MetropolitanEdisonCompany,theoperatorofTMI,hadstatedthroughitspublicrelations officeinReadingthattheaccidentwasundercontrolandthatnoseriousreleasesofradioactivityhad occurred.Ourinformationfromtheradiationprotectionstaffontheislandindicatedotherwise. Astheseriousnessoftheaccidentbecamemoreapparent,morePennsylvaniaofficialsbecame involved,firstLt.Gov.WilliamScranton,andthenGov.DickThornburgh.Theadministrationhadjust beenswornintoofficethepreviousJanuaryandtheirresponsibilitiesunderemergencyconditionswere

justbecomingknowntothem.Throughoutthecourseoftheaccident,bothmenexhibited professionalismandleadership.Iwasreallyimpressedwiththewaythegovernorlistenedtothe informationhewasreceiving,askedverypointedquestionsandthenmadeuphismindafterreviewing allofthefacts. Twodayslater,Friday,March30,wasadayIwillalwaysremember. Wehadbeenreceivingreportsfromtheislandthatcontrolledreleasesofradioactivegaseswere occurring.Monitoringwasbeingperformedfromahelicoptersituatedabovethereleasepointand offsite. TheinformationconcerningthelevelswasbeingrelayedbyphonetotheNRCemergencydesk atthecommissionsheadquartersinWashington.Therewasconfusionconcerningthedataand Washingtonincorrectlythoughtthatthelevelsreportedatthereleasepointwereoccurringoffsite.Asa result,theycontactedthePennsylvaniaEmergencyManagementAgencyandrecommendedan evacuation.Fromthatpointon,chaosreigneduntilthegovernorcontactedthechairmanoftheNRCto questionitsrecommendation. Onasubsequenttelephonecallfromthechairmantothegovernor,hetoldthegovernorthatthe NRChadnoideawhatwashappeninginsidethatreactorand,whenquestionedabouttheneedforan evacuation,hestatedthatifhiswifeanddaughterwereintheimmediatevicinityofTMI,hewouldget themout. Gov.Thornburghhadnochoice,andstartedavoluntaryevacuationprogramforthemost vulnerableofthepopulation,pregnantwomenandsmallchildren.Thegovernoralsorequestedthat seniorNRCstaffbesenttotheislandtotakeovertheaccidentresponse.ThatbroughtHaroldDenton andmanyNRCstaffmembershere.Someonesaidlaterthatitwasimpossibleto"run"anaccident responsefromWashington. Theensuingdayswerefilledwithtension,thepossibilityofanexplosionfromahydrogenbubble growinginsidethereactor,thevisitofPresidentJimmyCarterandthegovernortotheplant,the planningforamassiveevacuationoftheresidentsoftheareaincasethingsgotworse,continuing releasesofinertradioactivegasesfromthestack,thehoardofpressfromallovertheworld,andfinally, thesubsequentrelaxationoftherecommendationforevacuationbasedupontheknowledgethatthere wasnopotentialforanexplosion. Forus,theNRC,theutilityandthepublicinthevicinityofTMI,thecleanupofthereactorover thenext10years,theneedtoventtheremainingradioactiveKryptonfromthebuildingbeforeanyone couldenter,learningthatthefuelhadmeltedandtheexpenditureofoverabilliondollarskeptthe accidentinourminds. Thereactorhasnowbeenmothballedwithconsiderableradioactivematerialstillinside.Itwill staythatwayuntilitssisterreactor,ThreeMileIslandI,isshutdown.Theywillbedecommissioned together,whenthenextgenerationalsowilllearnwhathappenedonMarch28,1979.

REACTOR!!??
byJamesM.Seif IenjoyedTomGeruskysaccountoftheTMIincident,andwouldliketoaddthreememorable momentsofmyown. Thefirstoccurredabout7:30a.m.onWednesday,March28,1979. Alwaysanearlyriser,IwassettledintomysmallofficeinRoom225,MainCapitol,theofficial

addressoftheGovernorsSuiteinHarrisburg.StateTrooperDennyDeniseviczandIhadjustmadea "freshpot"hishadcookedallnightashetendedtheantiqueGovernorsSwitchboard. IwasadministrativeassistanttoGov.DickThornburgh.Mydutieswereprincipallyas scheduler.(The"AbominableNoMan"asheputit.)Butonlytwomonthshadelapsedsince inauguration,andallofuswerestilltryingtodefineourassignments. Myphonerings.Dennysays,"aguyfromMetEdwantstoreachtheGovernortoreport something."OnethingIdidknowaboutmyjobwastostepinfrontofsuchanonymousreports.Isay, "anonymous"becauseIhadjustmovedtoHarrisburg,andhadnoideathatGPUwasautilityanddidnt knowthatThreeMileIslandwasapowerplantletaloneanuke. Inanycase,themantoldmehisemergencymanualrequiredacalltothegovernorsofficewhen theresa"reportableincidentatourplant." "Okay,whathappened?" "Welostcoolinginthereactor,butitsokaynow.Weveshutdownasaprecaution." "REACTOR!!??"(IstillhopeIdidntsayitthatway.) "Yes,thisisanuclearpowerplant." Iaskedseveralquestions.Didtheycalllocalpolice?StatePolice?Emergencymanagement people?ThenuclearregulatorsinWashington?Yestoall.Wasanyonehurt?No.Whataboutdamage toequipment?Hedidntknow. Giventheanswerstohisquestionsandhiscalmtone,Iconcludedthatthecallwaslittlemore thanhisfollowingthechecklistinhismanualandthe"callthegovernor"itemwasonthechecklistas amatterofpoliticalcautionandnotnecessaryforanyrealemergencypurpose. Itturnsoutthatwas,infact,theoriginofthe"callthegovernor"item,butofcourse,asthecrisis developedinthenexthours,IfeltIhadbeenmisled.IcantrecallnowifImentionedanyofthistoGov. Thornburghornot,butIdidlethimtakeascheduledtripoutoftownthatday,andvaluablehourswere lost. ThesecondrecollectionisfromlateSaturdaynight,March31,whenthecrisisreacheditsmost perilouspoint.Reactortemperaturewasrising,evacuationwasacceleratingandalotofusweregetting tiredandedgy.AfterridingaroundforseveralhourswithStatePoliceCommissionerDanDunn,Iwas especiallytense.DanwasaformerFBISpecialAgent,whomIhadknownforyears,andhewasone ofthedrollestandmostcheerfulpeopleIknew.Butthisnight,hisjawwasclenched. Backinthegovernorsofficewithotherstaff,wecheckedtheTVandSaturdayNightLive, hostedbythecomediansBobandRay,cameon.Toourshock,itopenedbyannouncingacontestto pickanewcapitolofPennsylvania!!!WecalledthenetworkinNewYork,hopingthatthescriptcould bealteredbythenewsofhowseriouswethoughttheproblemhadbecome.Wefiguredthenetwork andcertainlythesponsorswouldnotwanttoaddtoanypanic. Nosuchluck.Anunresponsiveswitchboardoperatorsaidonlythathewouldtrytogeta messagetothetheater.Tothisday,Irecallhimbythenamehecarriesinthatnightsphonelog:FNU LNUFirstNameUnknown,LastNameUnknown.ThiswasFBIlingotaughttomeyearsbefore byDanDunn. Finally,therewasaninterestingpostscript:Aboutsixweeksafterthecrisishadpassed,Another governorcalled.Gov.ThornburghwasontheroadandsoItookthecall. Thisgovernorwasalsoa"rookie"andwascallingtogleansomeofthelessonsofTMI.We spokeabouttheorganizationalissuesofemergencymanagement,localstaterelations,medicalperils (includingpanic),thepoliticaldangerofCongressionalSecondGuessers,themediacircusandsoon. Iwasimpressedbecausehewasoneofthefewpeoplewhowasinterestedinthepolicyand

managerialimplicationsofwhathadhappened,andtheonlygovernorthatIknowofwhoevercalled. Whenwewerefinished,Isaid,"Thankyouforcalling,Gov.Clinton." Hesaid,"ItsBill.Keepupthegoodwork,Dick!" NewsClips: ThornburghRecallsTMIEvents35YearsLater ThreeMileIsland35YearsLater ConferenceMarks35thAnniversaryOfTMIAccident TMIAccidentAsItUnfoldedIn1979 LessonsLearned:ThreeMileIsland WhereWereYouWhenTMIHadItsPartialMeltdown? ReadersReflectOnTMIAccident35YearsLater OpEd:RememberingTheChaosFromThreeMileIsland PPLBringsNuclearReactorBackOnline OpportunityToBidOnDEPMineReclamationProjectInGreeneCounty TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeoftheopportunitytobidonamine reclamationprojectinGreeneCounty.

Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased April2AgendaReleased.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.10:30.(formalnotice) RescissionofAlternativeSystemsGuidanceManual OverviewofdraftSEOCertificationandTrainingProgramGuidance UseofAlternativeTechnologiesAfterPlanning StatusofChapter71,72and73revisions <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts April3AgendaReleased.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuildingHarrisburg.9:15. DraftRulemakingOnLightDutyTruckAssemblyCoatings Updateon2014AmbientAirQualityMonitoringPlan Summaryof2012NaturalGasEmissionsInventory OverviewofEPAsfinalTier3MotorVehicleEmissions,FuelStandards PAsAlternativeFuelsGrantProgram DraftSection111(d)frameworkforaddressinggreenhousegasemissionsfromexistingpowerplants RegulatoryUpdate/StateImplementationPlanRevisions <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts April8AgendaReleased.DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00.

WorkPlanEvaluationTable TechnicalDiscussionandComments Committeevacancyupdate <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. April9DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. April9DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMiningEquipmentmeeting.Fayette CountyHealthCenter,Uniontown,PA.10:00. April10DEPhearingonredesignationrequestandmaintenanceplanforLancasterairquality nonattainmentarea.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice) April11NEW.DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:30.(formalnotice) April15CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 9:00. April15DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April16DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton Ave.,Harrisburg.10:00. April16LocationAdded.DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.CelebrationHall,2280 CommercialBlvd,StateCollege.10:00. April23DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConference Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April24DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. April24DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. May7NEW.DEPhearingsessiononHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00a.m. May8NEW.DEPhearingsessionsonHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00a.m.and6:00p.m.

VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek. March31PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram April4MidAtlanticAquaticInvasiveSpeciesPanelGrants April7PAWildsChampionofthePAWildsAward April11CBFSaveTheBayPhotoContest April15DCNRStudentCareersECOCamp April16DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants April30NortheastPAAudubonSocietyCollegeScholarship April30EPAPresidentsGreenChemistryChallengeAwards May9CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram May9CFARenewableEnergyProgram May9CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram May14PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFinancing May15PhiladelphiaWaterSpokesdogCompetition May16CFAPASmallWaterAndSewerProgram May22DCNRVolunteerFirefighterGrants May23KPBGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest May30DEPAlternativeEnergyVehicleConversionGrants June30DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebateProgram July11CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram July11CFARenewableEnergyProgram July11CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram July21CFASewageFacilitiesProgram July21CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatement July21CFAWatershedRestorationProtection July21CFABaselineWaterQualityDataProgram July21CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreation July21CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPlugging July21CFAFloodMitigationProgram September22CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram September22CFARenewableEnergyProgram September22CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram

October31HawkMountainSanctuaryDigitalPhotoContest October31PRCLensOnLitterPhotoContest VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance forenvironmentalprojects.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle Budget/QuickNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate ThornburghRecallsTMIEvents35YearsLater ThreeMileIsland35YearsLater ConferenceMarks35thAnniversaryOfTMIAccident TMIAccidentAsItUnfoldedIn1979 LessonsLearned:ThreeMileIsland WhereWereYouWhenTMIHadItsPartialMeltdown? ReadersReflectOnTMIAccident35YearsLater OpEd:RememberingTheChaosFromThreeMileIsland PPLBringsNuclearReactorBackOnline Budget YudichakToPushFor5%TaxOnNaturalGas OldDebateOverTaxingMarcellusShaleGettingNewLife LawmakerToProposeMarcellusShaleTaxForSchools McCordProposes10PercentDrillersTax Editorial:Legislative,CorbettSettleForBottomOnDrillingTaxation LocalGovernmentsPutDrillingFeesToVarietyOfUses Report:PAsEffectiveTaxRateOnNaturalGasLowestOf11States Other FTCFilesChargesAgainstPhiladelphiaAreaPropaneDealers ArmstrongHostsHardToRecycleCollectionEvent MillfairRecyclingCenterChangesDays,Hours DecadesOldDuryeaTireDumpNearlyCleanedUp GreenWorkplaceChallengeThursday Editorial:DTEEnergyMustEndItsHorrendousRecord BillsToAllowPrivateSewerRepairsGetsHearing Lawmakers,UtilitiesReviewIceStormResponse PPLPowerLineOnTargetFor2015Completion CoalitionPushingForActionOnNevilleCokePlant CulmFireLikelyBurnedForYears,NoEndInSight MineSubsidenceClosesRoadInAlleghenyCounty DEPInvestigatingPungentOdorBlanketingScranton LandTrustBuys8.4AcresToPreserveMontourRun FutureUncertainFor2StateWildlifeAgencies

Editorial:WasGameCommissionPaymentHushMoney? WorkBeginsOnGarden,ButterflyHabitat MiddleCreekWildlifeManagementAreaVideos YouthBirdingSeriesAtBucksAudubonSocietyInNewHope Editorial:ReturnOfTheBats? InvasiveInsectSpreadingThroughPAForests BearEmergingFromDenCaughtOnGameCamera FirstPittsburghBaldEagleEggHatches DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling YudichakToPushFor5%TaxOnNaturalGas Sen.HughesProposesMarcellusShaleTaxForSchools McCordProposes10PercentDrillersTax OldDebateOverTaxingMarcellusShaleGettingNewLife Editorial:Legislative,CorbettSettleForBottomOnDrillingTaxation LocalGovernmentsPutDrillingFeesToVarietyOfUses Report:PAsEffectiveTaxRateOnNaturalGasLowestOf11States ReadyOrNot,PAConfrontsForcedPooling PARoyaltyLegislationMovesForward GasRoyaltyOwnersGetData DCNRToReleaseDrillingImpactReportNextMonth UnitedShaleAdvocatesGivesMarcellusIndustryCitizensMovement PAsTopDrillingTradeGroupGoingGrassroots ReportFindsEachGasWellCostsThousandsInRoadDamage BailReductionDeniedForMarcellusShaleProtesters CourtRevisesInjunctionAgainstFractivist JudgeOKsNarrowerBanBarringFrackingActivist DrillerDefendsCourtOrderToBanAntifrackingActivist AntiFrackingActivistInCourt,FightsBan FractivistSeeksToHaveCourtOrderTossed DrillerProposesLimitingInjunctionForActivist AntiFrackingActivistAppealsCourtInjunction ShellOutlinesNextStepsForEthaneCracker BusinessesAlreadyBettingOnEthaneCracker Report:PhillyGasUtility2ndWorstForPipelineLeaks DEPToMakeDecisionOnMarsAreaDrillPad CountyExecutivePutsDeerLakesDrillingLeaseOnline FrackingUnderDeerLakesParkCouldRunAfoulOfStateConstitution

FAAOKsPittsburghAirportGasDrilling Editorial:AlleghenyHasGoodDealOnDrillingAtPark BucksCountyPlanningCommissionToDiscussDrilling MarcellusShaleDrillingExpertToSpeakAtWilkesU ForumPromisesFrackingWithoutAllTheFracas Financial/OtherStates ObamaUnveilsPlanToCutMethaneEmissions ChesapeakeEnergyAgainCutsFundingInPAMarcellus UticasNextFrontierMovingToWV,PA RailCarsMovingCrudeOilNeedMakeover

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate Flooding PARiverTownsHitHardByRisingFloodRatesInPA SkyRocketingFloodInsurancePremiumHikeInPeril OtherWatershedNewsClips ProposedEPA/CorpsRuleWouldProtectStreams,Wetlands OpEd:ProtectPennsylvaniaWetlands StateFundProposedForSewerLineRepairs PennStateExtension:ManagingPetWasteForWaterQuality LandTrustBuys8.4AcresToPreserveMontourRun FishKillCauseEludesStateInspectors

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.PennsylvaniaBulletinMarch29,2014 ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishedfinaltechnicalguidanceonStorageTank ModificationandMaintenanceIssuesandnoticeofratesforlongtermoperationandmaintenancefor watersupplyreplacementminingoperations.

DEPID:2630900011.Title:StorageTankModificationandMaintenanceIssues.Description:This technicalguidancedocumentprimarilyassistscertifiedtankinstallersindeterminingwhatconstitutes modificationandmaintenanceactivities.TheDefinitionssectioninthedocumentwasrevisedtobe consistentwiththeregulatorylanguageandeditedforclarity.Severaldefinitionscontainedinregulation wereaddedtothedocument(ContainmentStructureorFacility,EmergencyContainmentand ExcavationZone).Lastly,thedefinitionswereorderedalphabetically.IntheTechnicalGuidancesection ofthedocument,regulatorytextwasaddedforadditionalguidanceontankhandlingactivity,conflictof interest,underdispensercontainmentandreportsubmissiondeadlines.Diagramswerealsorepositioned andseveralrecommendedpracticedocumentsarenowmentioned.ChangestotheExamplessection includeaddingdefinitionsformajorandminormodification,revisinglanguageinexistingexamplestoaid inclarityanddeletingoutdatedterminologyorterms.Finally,severalspecificexamplesofwhatare consideredMajorModification,MinorModificationandMaintenanceActivitieswereaddedor updated,orboth.Minorrevisionstothedocumentweremadeinresponsetopubliccomments received.Contact:QuestionsregardingthisactionshouldbedirectedtoKrisShifferat(717)7725809 orkshiffer@pa.gov. TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar webpage. ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek. March31NEW.SenateAppropriationsCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1237 (YawRLycoming)prohibitinggascompaniesfromretaliatingagainstroyaltyinterestownersofoiland gaswellsbyterminatingtheirleaseagreementandSenateBill1238(YawRLycoming)requiringgas companiestofillasatisfactionpieceinthecountyRecorderofDeedsofficewhenoilandgasleasesare terminated.RulesRoom.OfftheFloor. March31SusquehannaLandAndWaterConservationSummit.PennStateUniversitycampusin Harrisburg. April1NEW.SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingon variableelectricrates.ClickHeretowatchlive.Room8EBEastWing.9:30.

April1NEW.SenateLocalGovernmentCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1255 (EricksonRDelaware)authorizingmunicipalauthoritiestoestablishprogramsthatallowproperty ownerstoreducetheirstormwaterratesandchangesbyimplementingbestmanagementpractices sponsorsummary,HouseBill1052(FreemanDLehigh)furtherauthorizinguseoflocalrecreationfees HouseFiscalNote.Room8EAEastWing.10:00. April2AgendaReleased.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.10:30.(formalnotice) April3AgendaReleased.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuildingHarrisburg.9:15. April7EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointLegislativeConservationCommittee,featuresa presentationbyGregoryBrouse,EasternIndustries,discussingthebenefitsofusingrecycledgroundtire rubberinroadpavingmaterials.Room8EBEastWing.12:00. April7NEW.PAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.1:00.(formalnotice) April8AgendaReleased.DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. April9DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. April9DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMiningEquipmentmeeting.Fayette CountyHealthCenter,Uniontown,PA.10:00. April10HouseConsumerAffairsCommitteeholdsahearingonvariablerateelectricratecontracts. AlleghenyCourtHouse,GoldRoom,436GrantSt.,Pittsburgh.10:00. April10DEPhearingonredesignationrequestandmaintenanceplanforLancasterairquality nonattainmentarea.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice) April10JointConservationCommitteeholdsahearingonpipelineconstructionanditsimpactin ChesterCountyandSoutheastPA.WestPikelandTwp.Building,1645ArtSchoolRoad,Chester Springs.10:00. April1011WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium.ToftreesGolfResortand ConferenceCenter,StateCollege. April11NEW.DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:30.(formalnotice)

April14NEW.HouseRepublicanPolicyCommitteehearingonsmartmetersafetyandinstallation. RoomG50IrvisBuilding.10:00. April15CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 9:00. April15DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April16DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton Ave.,Harrisburg.10:00. April16LocationAdded.DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.CelebrationHall,2280 CommercialBlvd,StateCollege.10:00. April23DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConference Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April24SenateJudiciaryCommitteeholdsahearingonSenateBill1095(FarneseDPhiladelphia) amendingtheantiSLAPPlawsuitprovisionssponsorsummary.PhiladelphiaBarAssociationOffice, 1101MarketFrankfordLine,Philadelphia.9:30. April24DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. April24DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. April29NEW.SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearing onelectricreliability.Room8EAEastWing.9:30. May12PALandConservationConference.CrownePlaza,Reading,BerksCounty. May5EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointConservationCommitteefeaturinganoverviewofthe TreeVitalizeProgram.LTBA. May68PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociationConference.SandsCasinoResort, Bethlehem. May7HouseProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingonHouseBill997(PetriRBucks) establishingalicensingprogramforsoilscientistssponsorsummary.Room60EastWing.9:30. May72014PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium.RamadaInnConferenceCenterinState College. May7NEW.DEPhearingsessiononHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP.

GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00a.m. May8NEW.DEPhearingsessionsonHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00a.m.and6:00p.m. May1518PAOutdoorWritersAssociationSpringConference.InandaroundShippensburg University.ClickHeretoreadanarticleontheconferenceinthePOWAnewsletter.ClickHerefora registrationform. June2627PennsylvaniaAbandonedMineReclamationConference.RamadaInnandConference Center,StateCollege. July2325PROPRecyclingandOrganicsConference.DoubleTreePittsburghMeadowLands, Washington,PA. September25PennStateExtensionYouthWaterEducatorsSummit.TheCentralHoteland ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg. VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof EnvironmentalEducators'website. SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

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