Pa Environment Digest Sept. 29, 2014

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaSeptember29,2014
PECUrgesSenateToPassWaterWellStandardsBillToProtectRuralWaterSupplies
ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilFridayurgedmembersofthe
PennsylvaniaSenatetopassHouseBill343(MillerRYork)
designedtohelpprotectruralwatersuppliesbyrequiringthe
adoptionofconstructionanddecommissioningstandardsfor
privatewaterwells.
Thelegislation,sponsoredbyRep.RonMiller
(RYork),MajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommittee,passedthestateHouse
byanoverwhelmingbipartisanvote.
Thisisapublichealthandenvironmentalpriorityfor
Pennsylvania,saidDavittWoodwell,PresidentandCEOof
PEC.Atatimewhenweareworriedaboutimpactsto
watersuppliesfromnaturalgasdevelopmentandother
activities,weneedtotakeeveryreasonablestepnecessary
toprotectdrinkingwatersuppliesforeveryone.
WeonlyhaveafewsessiondaysleftintheGeneralAssemblybeforeweneedtostartallover
again.ThislegislationhasthesupportofprivateandpublicstakeholdersthroughouttheCommonwealth,
andhasalreadyreceivedrobustapprovalintheHouse.WeneedtheSenatetogetthislegislationacross
thefinishline,saidWoodwell.
VideoOnWaterWellBill
AspartoftheirmessagetomembersoftheSenate,PECreleasedavideointerviewwiththe
legislationssponsorRep.RonMillertoexplainthebillsintentandsubstance.
MorethanthreemillionPennsylvaniansrelyonprivatewellsfordrinkingwater,saidRep.
Miller.Ourcitizenshavearighttocleandrinkingwater,andmybilladdressesthehealthrisks
associatedwithanunsafewatersupply.
Icommendthelocalwaterandmunicipalauthoritiesaroundthestatethathavetakeninto
accountthebestinterestsoftheirresidentsandalreadyestablishedtheirownstandards,Rep.Miller
added.Theseaffectedcountiesandmunicipalitieswouldbeallowedtokeepinplacetheircurrent
waterwellregulations.
Nowhereinmybillarewatermetering,feesforprivatewaterusage,shuttingoffexistingwells
orregulationofwaterusagementioned,Rep.Millerpointedout.Thefirstattempttomovethis
legislation12yearsagowasshutdownbyacampaignofmisinformationbasedonthesebeliefs,and
theseallegationsareuntrue.
Rep.MillernotedPennsylvaniaisoneoftwostatesinthenationthathasnotadoptedsuch
standards.
Wearesimplylookingtoprotectourcitizensrighttosafedrinkingwatergoingforward,said
Rep.Miller.
TextOfPECMessageToSenate
ThetextofPECsmessagetoSenatemembersfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,Iamwritingtoexpressourstrong
supportforHouseBill343(P.N.2004),whichwouldestablishwaterwellconstructionand
decommissioningstandards.ThislegislationpassedtheHouseinJunewithstrongbipartisansupport,
andnowfacesaveryshortvotingopportunityintheSenate.
Pennsylvaniaremainsoneofonlytwostatesinthenationthathasnotenactedprivatewaterwell
standards.Withoutquestion,thisisacriticalpublichealthconcernforalargepercentageof
PennsylvaniansthroughouttheCommonwealth.
Improperlyconstructedwaterwellscanleadtopoorwaterqualitybyprovidingpathwaysfor
bacteriaandcontaminantssuchasmethanegastomigrateintowatersupplies.Ensuringthatwellsare
constructedproperlyfromthestartwillhelptopreventwaterqualityandpublichealthproblemsinthe
future.
HouseBill343isabalancedapproachtothisissue,anddoesnotrequiremeteringofprivate
wells(prohibitedpursuanttoAct220of2002).Rep.RonMiller,thebillssponsor,joinedusfora
videointerviewabouttheneedforthislegislation.Youcanviewtheinterviewhere.
Thislegislationhasbroadanddiversesupport,anddeservesSenateconsiderationbeforethe
endofthisyear.Werespectfullyaskthatyouensurethisimportantbillisconsideredinthelimited
numberofsessiondaysremaining.Thankyouforyourconsideration.
JohnWalliser,VicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs,PAEnvironmentalCouncil
BackgroundOnWaterWellsInPA
AccordingtothePennStateCooperativeExtension,morethan1millionwaterwellsserveover
3.5millionresidentsinPennsylvania(secondonlytoMichigan),withapproximately20,000newwater
wellsdrilledeachyear.
Accordingtoa2009CenterforRuralPAStudy,approximately41percentofprivatewater
wellsinPennsylvaniafailedtomeetatleastoneofthehealthbaseddrinkingwaterstandards.
Poorlyorimproperlyconstructedwaterwellscanresultinpathwaysforbacteriaandother
contaminants,suchasnaturallyoccurringshallowmethane,tomigrateintothepotablewatersupply.
Pennsylvaniaremainsoneofonlytwostateswithoutstatewideprivatewaterwellconstruction
standards.
In2011,theGovernorsMarcellusShaleAdvisoryCommissionbecamethelatestgroupto
recommendtheadoptionofdrinkingwaterwellstandards.
Checkoutthesedrinkingwaterwellresources:
PAGeologicSurvey'sGaryFleegerstepsthroughhowawellisdrilledandwhattolookfortokeep
yourwatersourceingoodshape.ClickHeretowatchthisiConservePA.orgvideo.
PennStateExtension:MaintainingPrivateWaterSupplyWells
PennStateExtension:DecommissioningWaterWellsSafely
PennState:PreDrillingWaterDataDemonstratesNeedForPrivateWellTesting
PennStateExtension:MasterWellOwnerNetwork
CenterforRuralPAStudyShowsImprovements,ProblemsInPrivateWaterWells
DEPsPrivateWaterWellswebpage.
CBFPA:HousePassesBillRollingBackProtectionForCleanWater119To79
HarryCampbell,PennsylvaniaDirectorfortheChesapeakeBay
FoundationissuedthefollowingstatementMondayinresponseto
HousepassageofHouseBill1565(HahnRNorthampton)
eliminatingthenearly4yearoldrequirementforstreambuffersin
HighQualityandExceptionalValuestreams.
CBFisdisappointedthattheHouseofRepresentativeshas
passedHouseBill1565,whichremovesprotectionsfor
Pennsylvaniasmostpristinestreamsbyallowingdeveloperstocut
downstreamsidetrees.Thebillisahugestepbackwardforthe
Commonwealthscleanwaterefforts.
Pennsylvaniahasacommitmenttocleanwater,andstreamsideforestedbuffersareoneofthe
mostcosteffective,commonsensesolutionstoreducingpollution,managingfloods,andmaintaining
iconicandeconomicallyimportantfish,likethebrooktrout.Itsimplydoesnotmakesensetoallow
developerstocutdownexistingtrees,ortonotrequiretheybeplanted,onlanddevelopmentlarger
thanoneacre.
Thescienceisclearplantingandpreservingtreesalongstreamshasinnumerablebenefitsand
hasbeenwidelyadoptedasastandardpractice.Thousandsoffarmersandhundredsofdevelopers,
localgovernments,andbusinessesthroughoutthestatehavealreadyplantedandpreservedbuffers.
Theseinvestmentshaveallbeenmadewiththegoalofmanagingpollutedrunoff,reducingflooding,and
enhancingpropertyvaluesintheKeystoneState.
Wearesaddenedatthedecisiontopassthisbill,andwillworkwithourmembers,advocates,
andpartnerstostopthebillintheSenate.
ThebillwasalsoopposedbyPAEnvironmentalCouncil,ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA,
WesternPennsylvaniaConservancy,thePAChapterofTheNatureConservancy,theFishandBoat
Commission,PACouncilofTroutUnlimitedandPALeagueofWomenVoters.
ThebillisexpectedtobetakenupbytheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
CommitteewhentheSenatereturnstovotingsessionOctober6.
NewsClips:
Letter:StrippingProtectionsFromStreamsIsABadIdea
EPAReleases5YearGreatLakesCleanupPlan
EPAUnveilsPlanToReverseGreatLakesDamage
Editorial:NextGovernorMustProtectLakeErie
ChesapeakeBayStatesGettingFederalFundingForBay
YorkCountyOKsRegionalAgreementToReduceBayPollution
PartnershipAimsAtSavingFreshwaterMussels
MusselsMovedFromFrenchCreekBridgeSite
SwataraCreekCelebratesCabins75thAnniversary
FindingValueInMineWaterToHeatBuildings
PollutedMiningLandSproutsIntoPAsNewestPublicGarden
PAEnvironmentalCouncilCallsForOppositionToBufferRollbackBill
ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilMondaywrotetomembersoftheHouseMondayopposingHouseBill
1565(HahnRNorthampton)eliminatingthenearly4yearoldrequirementforstreambuffersinHigh
QualityandExceptionalValuestreams.
TheCounciljoinstheChesapeakeBayFoundationPA,WesternPennsylvaniaConservancy,
thePAChapterofTheNatureConservancy,FishandBoatCommission,PACouncilofTrout
UnlimitedandthePALeagueofWomenVotersinopposingthebill.
Thetextoftheirletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil(PEC),Iamwritingtoexpressour
oppositiontoHouseBill1565.Thislegislationwouldeliminatetheexistingrequirementofariparian
bufferorforestedriparianbufferfornewdevelopmentrequiringaNationalPollutionDischarge
EliminationSystem(NPDES)permitinaHighQualityorExceptionalValuewatershed.
Itisimportanttonotethattheexistingbufferrequirementisonlytriggeredbytheneedforan
NPDESpermitandthereforedoesnotapplytoexistinglandownersandtheircurrentlanduse.Further,
PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(PaDEP)regulations(25PaCodeSection
102.14)alreadyprovidealonglistofexceptionstothebufferrequirement.Thisrequirementcanalsobe
exemptedthroughawaiverfromthePaDEP.InherJanuary29,2014testimonybeforetheHouse
EnvironmentalResources&EnergyCommittee,DeputySecretaryforWaterManagementKelly
Heffnercouldnotrecallasingleinstancewheresuchawaiverwasdenied.
Inotherwords,existinglawalreadyprovidesampleflexibility.Passageofthislegislationcouldin
factinvitenewfederalreviewofpermittingactivitiesinPennsylvaniaparticularlyintheSusquehanna/
ChesapeakeBaywatershedwheretargetedpollutionreductionrequirementsandstrategiesarealready
inplay.
Riparianbufferspreventpropertydamageandtheexpenseoffloodingdramaticallyreduce
stormwatermanagementcostshelpkeeppristinestreamscleanreducethecostoftreatingwaterfor
potableusesandingeneral,promoteandsustainhealthiercommunities.Statelawalreadyprovides
ampleflexibilityforensuringthatappropriatesafeguardsareinplacewhileallowingforaccommodation.
HouseBill1565isanunnecessarybillthatcouldresultinundesiredconsequencesfor
Pennsylvania.Westronglyurgeyoutoopposethisbill.Thankyouforyourconsideration.
From:JohnWalliser,VicePresidentforLegalandGovernmentalAffairs
NewsClip:Letter:StrippingProtectionsFromStreamsIsABadIdea
Fish&BoatCommission:SupportWaterResources,OpposeHouseBill1565
ThefollowingletterwassentbyJohnArway,ExecutiveDirectoroftheFishandBoatCommission,to
allmembersoftheHouseurgingthemtosupportwaterresourcesandopposeHouseBill1565
(HahnRNorthampton)eliminatingthenearly4yearoldrequirementforstreambuffersinHighQuality
andExceptionalValuestreams.
TheCommissionjoinstheChesapeakeBayFoundationPA,PAEnvironmentalCouncil,
WesternPennsylvaniaConservancy,thePAChapterofTheNatureConservancy,PACouncilofTrout
UnlimitedandthePALeagueofWomenVotersinopposingthebill.
Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofPennsylvaniasaquaticresources,1.1millionanglers,andmorethanthreemillion
boaters,thePennsylvaniaFishandBoatCommission(PFBC)respectfullyasksyoutoconsidervoting
noonHouseBill1565(PrintersNumber4116).Whileweappreciatetheamendmentsofferedtothe
bill,enactingHB1565wouldbeastepbackwardsandunnecessarilyjeopardizetheCommonwealths
mostsensitivewaters.
Riparianbuffersservemultipleandvariedfunctionsfortheprotectionandconservationof
waterwaysandthefishandpeoplewhorelyonthem.Theyareanessentialcomponentofwatershed
management,providingnumerousphysical,chemical,andbiologicalbenefitsthatinclude,butarenot
limitedto,reductionofnonpointsourcerunoff,attenuationoffloodflows,andmaintenanceofstream
watertemperaturesandaquatichabitat.
Withourmissiontoprotect,conserve,andenhanceaquaticresourcesandprovidefishingand
boatingopportunities,thePFBCisinauniquepositiontounderstandtheimportanceofriparianbuffers
tothecoldwateraquaticresourcesoftheCommonwealth.Weareespeciallyconcernedwiththe
maintenanceofbuffersbecausewemanageover15,000milesofstreamsfortroutfishing.
Bytheirverynatureasbeingdesignatedthebestofthebest,theHighQualityandExceptional
Valuestreamsforwhichbuffersarecurrentlyrequiredrepresentaminorityofwaters.Furtherlimitingits
scope,theexistingrequirementonlyappliestonewdevelopmentandincludesanumberofexceptions.
Thus,thecurrentscaleofrequiredbuffersisalreadyrelativelyminimalstatewide.
Riparianbuffersaretheleastexpensive,mosteffective,andlowestmaintenanceapproachto
sustainingwaterqualityandreducingtheharmfulimpactsoferosion,sedimentation,andflooding.Our
agencywholeheartedlyendorsedtheestablishmentofriparianbufferprotectionswhentheywerebeing
debatedin2010,andoursupportfortherequirementsisunwavering.
Thankyouforconsideringtheundisputedrolethatriparianbufferscontributetothelongterm
healthandmaintenanceofPennsylvaniaswaterresources,therecreationalandecologicalfunctionsthey
support,andthedownstreamcommunitiestheyserve.
PALeagueOfWomenVotersOpposesAntiBufferHouseBill
ThePALeagueofWomenVoterswrotetomembersoftheHouseSundayopposingHouseBill1565
(HahnRNorthampton)eliminatingthenearly4yearoldrequirementforstreambuffersinHighQuality
andExceptionalValuestreams.
TheyjointhePAEnvironmentalCouncil,ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA,ChesapeakeBay
FoundationPA,WesternPennsylvaniaConservancy,PACouncilofTroutUnlimited,FishandBoat
CommissionandthePAChapterofTheNatureConservancyinopposingthebill.
Thetextoftheirmessagefollows
Subject:PleaseVoteNoOnHouseBill1565AndProtectOurCommonwealthsSpecialProtection
Streams
TheLeagueofWomenVotersoftheUSandtheLeagueofPennsylvaniahaveadvocatedfor
protectionofourdrinkingwaterresourcesformorethanfivedecades.
Wetherefore,stronglyurgeyoutocontinuethecurrentrequirementof150feetofvegetated
riparianbuffersforHighQualityandExceptionalValuestreamsandweaskthatyounotshortenthis
distanceforanyreason.
Thesebuffersareneededastheyarenowmandated,notonlytoprotectthehighqualityof
drinkingwaterneededbypeopledownstream,butalsotopreventseriouserosionthatwouldaddto
floodrelateddamage.
Allowingdevelopmenttooclosetoastreamremovestheecologicalstructurethatisneededto
supportourhealthieststreamsandthus,ourdrinkingwater.
WealsofeelthattheAmendments(9397)exceptionsandstillshorterthancurrent150feet
presentdistancesallowedwouldnotadequatelyaddresstheseandothercriticalissuesthatarecovered
undercurrentstatuteintheCleanStreamAct.Anytradeoffswherecurrentbufferswouldbereplaced
bybuffersplacedelsewherewouldalsonotbeasufficientprotection/remedy.
Thankyouforconsideringthisinput.
DEPCommitsToActionPlanToImproveStateWaters,ChesapeakeBay
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayannounced
itscommitmentworkwithbaypartnersandinterested
stakeholderstodeveloptoanactionplantoreachthegoals
outlinedintherecentlysignedChesapeakeBayWatershed
Agreement.
TheagreementwassignedbyGov.TomCorbett,alongwiththe
governorsofDelaware,Maryland,NewYork,Virginia,West
Virginia,themayoroftheDistrictofColumbia,theadministrator
oftheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandthechairmanofthe
ChesapeakeBayCommissiononJune16.
SigningtheagreementwasthefirststeptowardreinforcingPennsylvaniascommitmentto
improvingstatewaterwaysandultimatelytheChesapeakeBay,DEPSecretaryE.Christopher
Abruzzosaid.Thisnewactionplanwillbeourroadmaptocontinuetoprotectwaterqualityforall
Pennsylvanians.
Theactionplanwillconsistofmanagementstrategiesthataddresssustainablefisheries,vital
habitats,waterquality,toxiccontaminants,healthywatersheds,stewardship,landconservation,public
access,environmentalliteracyandresiliencyofthebayecosystem.
Overthenextninemonths,DEP,aswellasotherstateandfederalpartners,willcraftthese
managementstrategiestomeetthegoalsoftherecentlysignedChesapeakeBayWatershed
Agreement.
WehaveandwillcontinuetobeactivelyengagedwithourwatershedpartnersinPennsylvania
toidentifyneedsandfindopportunitiestosuccessfullyimplementthisplan,DEPDeputySecretaryfor
WaterManagementKellyHeffnersaid.Thesepartnershipsareacriticalcomponenttoimplementing
themanagementstrategiesandmeetingthegoalssetforthintheChesapeakeBayWatershed
Agreement.
Since1985,Pennsylvaniahasdirectedmorethan$4billionbywayofgrants,loansand
programinvestmentstowardChesapeakeBayrestorationeffortsandhascontinuedtoseeadownward
trendforallthreepollutantsofconcern:phosphorous,nitrogenandsediment.
Citizenscanfindoutaboutwhatisbeingdone,whatneedstobedoneandoffertheirinputon
theseplansbyvisitingtheChesapeakeBayProgramswebsite.
FormoreinformationonPennsylvaniasefforts,visitDEPsChesapeakeBayProgram
webpage.
NewsClips:
CBFPA:Berks,LuzerneCountiesPassCleanWaterCounts!Resolutions
TheChesapeakeBayFoundationPAMondayapplaudedtheBerksandLuzerneCounty
CommissionersforadoptingaCleanWaterCounts!resolution,callingonstateofficialstomakeclean
wateratoppriorityfortheKeystoneState.
TheyjoinWestmoreland,WyomingandYorkcountiesinpassingCleanWaterCounts!
resolutions.
BerksCounty
Healthyfamilies,strongcommunities,andathrivingPennsylvaniaeconomydependonclean
water,saidHarryCampbell,CBFsPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirector.Weapplaudandthankthe
CommissionersofBerksCountyforpubliclyvoicingtheirsupportforcleanwaterintheKeystone
State.
LuzerneCounty
InLuzerneCounty,streamsliketheNescopeckandSugarloaf,eventhemightyLackawanna
River,whichisamajortributaryoftheSusquehannaRiver,arepollutedbyacidminedrainage.Intotal,
165ofthe1,238milesofwaterwaysflowingthroughtheCountyaredevastatedbyAMD.
Othersourcesofpollutionincludeurbanandsuburbanrunoff,whichaccountsfor32milesof
impairment,andsourcescategorizedasunknownandother,whichtogetheraccountfor60milesof
pollution.
Fornearlytwodecades,theEasternPACoalitionforAbandonedMineReclamationhasbeen
workinginLuzerneCounty,andinothercommunitiesthroughoutthenortheasternandnorthcentral
coalregionsofPennsylvaniatoeducateresidents,andtoassistwiththereclamationofthelands,
streams,andothernaturalresourcespollutedbyAMD.
RobertHughes,Directoroftheprogram,iscommittedtoturningthingsaroundintheregionand
inLuzerneCounty.
WeregratefulforthispublicsupportofcleanwaterbytheLuzerneCouncilmembers,said
Hughes.Outofthetop20prioritizedabandonedminedischargeswithintheAnthraciteRegionofthe
SusquehannaRiverBasin,12ofthemhaveconcentrated,devastatingimpactsinLuzerneCounty.Its
EPCAMRsmissiontoeducate,seekfundingforreclamation,andtohelpimproveourlocal
communities.LuzerneCountysnewCleanWaterCountsresolutionwillsupportusinthosedaily
efforts.
CBFembarkedontheCleanWaterCountscampaigninresponsetothePennsylvania
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections(DEP)mostrecentstatewidesurfacewatersassessment.The
resultsshowthatofthe86,000milesofwaterwaysflowingthroughtheCommonwealth,nearly20,000
milesarepolluted.Theyalsoreportedthatthetoppollutionsourcesareagriculturalactivities,
abandonedminedrainage,andrunofffromurbanandsuburbancommunities.
Throughpubliceducationandengagement,CBFisurgingstateofficialstomakecleanwatera
priorityandtocommittheneededfundingandprogramstoensurethatthewatersthatwerelyonfor
drinkingandhouseholduses,recreation,andtogrowourfood,allmeetcleanwaterstandards.
Inadditiontocallingonlocalofficialstopassresolutions,CBFisalsoaskingsomethingof
citizens.
WereaskingallPennsylvaniaresidentstoshowtheirsupportforcleanwaterbysigningthe
CleanWaterCountsonlinepetition,saidCampbell.Ittakesonlyafewminutes,butyoursignaturewill
goalongwaytowarddemonstratingtheimportanceofcleanwatertoourelectedofficials.
OnlinepetitionsignatureswillbeacceptedthroughOctober18th,theanniversaryoftheClean
WaterAct.TolearnmoreaboutthecampaigngotoCBFsCleanWaterCounts!webpage.
NewsClips:
Sen.Pileggi:PensionReform,LiquorPrivatizationNotLikely,SeveranceTaxComing
SenateMajorityLeaderDominicPileggi(RDelaware)toldahometownnewspaperneitherliquor
privatizationnorpensionreform,twopriorityitemsforGov.Corbett,arelikelytogototheGovernors
deskbeforethevotingsessionendsonOctober15.
Hesaidhewasdisappointedlawmakershavebeenunabletoreachagreementonpensions,
Wedonthavethevotestomakethattransition(toadefinedcontributionplan).
Onliquorprivatization,Sen.Pileggithebiggestimpedimentstoprivatizingstatestoreslieswith
thebusinessownerswhohavepurchasedlicensestosellbeerandwineanddontwanttoseethose
investmentsdevalued.
Alsoleftfornextsessionisanaturalgasseverancetaxwhichhesaidwillprobablyhappennext
year.Weknowitscomingsoonerthanlater.
Sen.PileggicalledGov.Corbettspromisetoavoidanextractiontaxwasamistakeandnoted
itcontributedtotheGovernorslowpollnumbersandaddedhethoughtitwaspossibleforGov.
CorbetttoclosethegapwithDemocraticchallengerTomWolf,butotherdisagree.
OnchancestheRepublicanSenatewillchangeparties,Sen.Pileggisaidthatisunlikely,although
theGOPmayloseaseatortwo.
TheSenateandHousehavejust5votingdaysleftthissessionOctober6,7,8,14,15.
37daysremaintotheNovember4election.
NewsClip:Sen.PileggiTalksStateIssuesWithBPA
DamagingEnvironmentalBillsMayBeHeadedToGovernorInLast5DaysOfSession
WithjustfivevotingdaysleftthissessionfortheHouseandSenateOctober6,7,8,14,15the
GeneralAssemblyispoisedtoendtheyearbyputtingdamaginglegislationontheGovernorsdesk
whentheyreturnOctober6.
BadEnvironmentalBills
FromthewatchlistpublishedonSeptember15byPAEnvironmentDigest,thesearethemost
likelyandmostdamagingenvironmentalbillstomove
Senate:EliminationOfBufferRequirement:HouseBill1565(HahnRNorthampton)
eliminatingthecurrentrequirementforstreambuffersinHighQualityandExceptionalValuestreams.
TheHousepassedthisbill119to79beforeadjourningfortheweekandtheSenateEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommitteeverylikelytotakeitupwhentheyreturn.ClickHerefor
backgroundonthebill.
Senate:LegislativeApprovalOfDEPClimatePlan:HouseBill2354(SnyderDFayette)which
requiresSenateandHouseapprovalofanyplanDEPsubmitstotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtection
Agencytoreducegreenhousegasemissionsfromexistingpowerplantsisalsolikelytobetakeupinthe
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteewhenitreturns.ClickHereforbackground
onthebill.
Senate:EliminatingProtectionsForEndangeredSpecies:SenateBill1047(ScarnatiR
Jefferson)wouldeliminatesomeprotectionsforendangeredspeciesandsetadditionalrequirementsfor
adoptingWildTroutStreams.ThebillisintheSenateGameandFisheriesCommittee.ClickHerefor
backgroundonthebill.
House:EliminatingProtectionsForEndangeredSpecies:HouseBill1576(PyleRArmstrong)
wouldeliminatesomeprotectionsforendangeredspeciesandsetadditionalrequirementsforadopting
WildTroutStreams.ThebillwasremovedfromtheTableintheHouseSeptember16andisnowon
theHouseCalendarforaction.ClickHereforbackgroundonthebill.
WatchListBillsMoving
ThesebillsfromtheSeptember15watchlistsawactioninthelasttwoweeks
AggregateAdvisoryBoard:SenateBill1155(ScarnatiRJefferson)creatingaAggregate
AdvisoryBoardwithinDEPwaspassedbytheHousethisweekandtheGovernorsignedthebillinto
lawasAct137.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
LocalRecreationFees:HouseBill1052(FreemanDLehigh)furtherauthorizesusesforlocal
recreationfeeswaspassedbytheSenate,concurredinbytheHouseandtheGovernorsignedthebill
intolawasAct135.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
ImpactOfWindTurbines:HouseResolution925(RappRForest)directingtheJointState
GovernmentCommissiontostudytheimpactofwindturbinesinPennsylvania,inparticulartheimpact
onmigratorybirdsandofforestremovalwasamendedbytheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommitteetoincludeacomparisonwithotherformsofenergy,includingnaturalgas,nuclear,
coalandoilandpassedbytheHouse.Nofurtheractionisneeded.
NuclearReactorFees:SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingfeespaidbynuclear
reactorstofundDEPoversightprogramwasamendedandreportedfromtheHouseEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnowontheHouseCalendarforaction.
WatchTheseClosely
Theseotherbillsgoodandbadareworthwatchingclosely
House
ConventionalWellRegulation:HouseBill2350(CauserRCameron)regulatingconventionaloil
andgaswellsdifferentlythanunconventional,MarcellusShalewells.ThebillremainsTabledinthe
HouseAprovisionsimilartothiswasincludedintheFiscalCodebillsignedintolawinJuly,butthe
HousestillmovedthisbillMonday.ClickHereforbackgroundonthebill.
Sewer/WaterP2Partnerships:HouseBill2239(EvankovichRArmstrong)authorizing
publicprivatepartnershipsforsewer,water,schooldistrictprojectswasreportedoutoftheHouse
RulesCommitteeMondayandTabled.
LeasingStateLandsForMineralDevelopment:SenateBill1443(WhiteRIndiana)amending
theIndigenousMineralResourcesDevelopmentActtoauthorizedstateagencies(otherthanDCNR)to
releasemineralrightswhethertheyownedthesurfacerightsornotisintheHouseEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
NaturalGasRoyalties:HouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimum
royaltypaymentinstatelawhasbeenontheHouseCalendarforaction.
NaturalGasRoyalties:SenateBill1236wouldexpandupontheOilandGasLeaseActby
allowingroyaltyinterestownerstheopportunitytoinspectrecordsofnaturalgascompaniestoverify
properpayments.Inaddition,thebillrequiresallroyaltypaymentsbemadewithin60daysof
productionunlessotherwisestatedinthecontract.Anydelinquentpaymentsaretobepaidwith
interest.ThebillisintheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
NaturalGasRoyalties:SenateBill1237wouldprohibitagascompanyfromretaliatingagainstany
royaltyinterestownerbyterminatingtheirleaseagreementorceasingdevelopmentonleasedproperty
becausearoyaltyinterestownerquestionstheaccuracyofcurrentroyaltypayments.Companiesfound
tohaveviolatedtheprovisionsofthisactfacecivilpenaltiesofupto$1,000perday.Thebillisinthe
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
NaturalGasRoyalties:SenateBill1238wouldrequireagascompanytorecordasurrender
documentinthecountyRecorderofDeedsofficewheretheoilandgaswellislocatedwithin30days
uponexpiration,termination,orforfeitureofanoilandgaslease.Thesurrenderdocumentwillrelease
thegascompanysinterestsintheoilandgas.Thisissimilartowhatamortgagecompanywouldbe
requiredtodoafteramortgagewaspaidinfull.ThebillisintheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee.
VariableElectricRateContracts:HouseBill2104(GodshallRMontgomery)furtherproviding
forconsumerprotectionsinvariablerateelectricsuppliercontractsisontheHouseCalendarforaction.
StateGeospatialCoordinatingBoard:SenateBill771(GordnerRColumbia)establishingthe
StateGeospatialCoordinatingBoardisontheHouseCalendarforaction.
NorthAmericanOilReserves:HouseResolution249(SwangerRLebanon)supporting
increaseddevelopmentanddeliveryofoilfromNorthAmericanoilreservessponsorsummaryison
theHouseCalendarforaction.
Senate
DrinkingWaterWellStandards:HouseBill343(MillerRYork)settingstandardsfordrinking
waterwellsisintheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
ConventionalWellRegulation:SenateBill1378(ScarnatiRJefferson)regulatingconventionaloil
andgaswellsdifferentlythanunconventional,MarcellusShalewells,isintheSenateAppropriations
Committee.AprovisionsimilartothiswasincludedintheFiscalCodebillsignedintolawinJuly,but
theHousestillmoveditsversionofthebillMonday.ClickHereforbackgroundonthebill.
NutrientReductionWatershedScheme:SenateBill994(VogelRBeaver)wouldconstructan
unaffordableschemetofundonetechnologythatclaimstoreducenutrientsfrommanure.Thebillwas
TabledintheSenate.ClickHereforbackgroundonthebill.
PAGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncil:SenateBill1310(HutchinsonRVenango)
creatingthePAGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilwithinDEPisintheSenate
AppropriationsCommittee.
LeasingDCNRLandForAlternativeEnergyDevelopment:SenateBill684(WozniakD
Cambria)furtherprovidingfortheleasingofDCNRlandsforwind,solarandotherenergyprojectsisin
theSenateAppropriationsCommittee.
NuclearReactorFees:HouseBill2264(MillerRYork)increasingfeespaidbynuclearreactors
tofundDEPoversightprogramisintheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.The
SenatecompanionbillSenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)wasmovedoutoftheHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteethisweekandisnowontheSenateCalendarfor
action.
BackupGenerators:HouseBill1699(RossRChester)settingairqualitystandardsforbackup
generatorsisintheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
GreenStateBuildings:HouseBill34(HarperRMontgomery)settinggreenbuildingstandardsfor
stateownedorleasedbuildingsisintheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
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(October6):HouseBill202(HarperRMontgomery)prohibitingstandbywaterservice
chargesforfirecompaniesHouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimum
royaltypaymentinstatelawHouseBill1576(PyleRArmstrong)wouldeliminatesomeprotectionsfor
endangeredspeciesandsetadditionalrequirementsforadoptingWildTroutStreamsHouseBill2104
(GodshallRMontgomery)furtherprovidingforconsumerprotectionsinvariablerateelectricsupplier
contractsHouseBill2393(KampfRChester)providingaprogramtoextendnaturalgasdeliveryto
unservedorunderservedareassponsorsummaryHouseBill2419(TurzaiRAllegheny),reducingthe
spendingcapforCapitalBudgetProjectsby$4billionHouseBill2478(AdolphRDelaware)itemized
listofCapitalBudgetProjectsfor201415HouseResolution249(SwangerRLebanon)supporting
increaseddevelopmentanddeliveryofoilfromNorthAmericanoilreservessponsorsummarySenate
Bill771(GordnerRColumbia)establishingtheStateGeospatialCoordinatingBoardSenateBill1355
(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearreactorandnuclearfueltransportationfees.<>ClickHerefor
fullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(October6):HouseBill1672(MillerRYork)providingfortestingofenergyefficiency
technologies.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:theSenateDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingontrackingandreportingpublic
healthcomplaintsinPAinWilkesBarre.<>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
WasteFeesToFundAutism:HouseBill2502(MurtRMontgomery)increasingthewastedisposal
feefrom$4to$7pertonandimposinganew$3/tonfeetofundautismprogramssponsorsummary.
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
House
October6,7,8,14,15
November12
Senate
October6,7,8,14,15
November12
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowontheGovernor's
deskforaction
AggregateAdvisoryBoard:SenateBill1155(ScarnatiRJefferson)creatingaAggregateAdvisory
BoardwithinDEP.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.TheGovernorsignedthebillinto
lawasAct137.
recreationfees.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.TheGovernorsignedthebillintolaw
asAct135.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
House
AggregateAdvisoryBoard:SenateBill1155(ScarnatiRJefferson)creatingaAggregateAdvisory
BoardwithinDEPwasreportedfromtheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse
withoutchanges.ThebillnowgoestotheGovernorforhisaction.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNote
areavailable.
recreationfeeswasconcurredinbytheHouseandisnowontheGovernorsdeskforhisaction.A
summaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
EliminatingStreamBufferRequirement:HouseBill1565(HahnRNorthampton)eliminatingthe
nearly4yearoldrequirementforstreambuffersinHighQualityandExceptionalValuestreamswas
reportedoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.Asummaryand
HouseFiscalNoteareavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforconsideration.NewsClip:Letter:
StrippingProtectionsFromStreamsIsABadIdea
CapitalBudgetLimitations:HouseBill2420(BenninghoffRMifflin)reducingthespendingcapon
theRedevelopmentAssistanceProjectFundingwerereportedfromtheHouseAppropriations
CommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.Thebillnow
goestotheSenateforconsideration.
CapitalBudgetProjects:HouseBill2419(TurzaiRAllegheny),reducingthespendingcapfor
CapitalBudgetProjectsby$4billion(asummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable)andHouseBill
2478(AdolphRDelaware)itemizedlistofCapitalBudgetProjectsfor201415(asummaryand
HouseFiscalNoteareavailable)werereferredintotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee,amended
andreportedfromCommitteeandarenowontheHouseCalendarforaction.
NuclearFeeIncreases:SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearreactorandnuclear
fueltransportationfeeswasamendedandreportedoutoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommitteeandisontheHouseCalendarforaction.
OilandGasTestingTechnology:HouseResolution913(MustioRAllegheny)urgingDEPtouse
thelatesttechnologytotestforradioactivityrelatedtooilandgasproductionactivitiessponsor
summarywasreportedoutoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnow
ontheHouseCalendarforaction.
NaturalGasAvailabilityToConsumers:HouseBill2393(KampfRChester)providinga
programtoextendnaturalgasdeliverytounservedorunderservedareassponsorsummarywas
amendedandreportedoutoftheHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteeandisontheHouseCalendarfor
action.
Senate
DisasterAssistanceProgram:SenateBill720(BakerRLuzerne)creatinganIndividualandPublic
DisasterAssistanceGrantProgramwaspassedbytheSenateandgoestotheHouseforaction.A
summaryandSenateFiscalNoteareavailable.
TestingEnergyEfficiencyTechnology:HouseBill1672(MillerRYork)providingfortestingof
energyefficiencytechnologieswasreportedfromtheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeandisnowon
theSenateCalendarforaction.
NewsFromTheCapitol
GovernorSignsBillGivingMunicipalitiesFlexibilityToBetterMaintainLocalParks
Rep.RobertFreeman(DLehigh)saidGov.TomCorbetthassignedHouseBill1052
(FreemanDLehigh)intolawgivesmunicipalitiestheabilitytodirectrecreationfeesforthebenefitofall
residentsoftheircommunities.
Thenewlaw,Act135of2014,permitsmunicipalitiestouserecreationfeesreceivedfromnew
developmenttooperate,maintainorexpandanyrecreationalfacilitieswithinthemunicipality.Priorto
thislaw,municipalitieswererequiredtousethatmoneytoprovideaparkinthedevelopmentwherethe
recreationfeewasgenerated,whichRep.Freemansaidtendedtoresultincreationofpocketparksthat
endedupbeingunderutilized.
"Parks,playgroundsandotherrecreationalfacilitiesareimportanttoourqualityoflife,"said
Freeman,DNorthampton."Theypromotegreenspaceinthecommunity,safeguardtheenvironment
andgivepeopleofallagesaplaceforexerciseandrecreation.
"Byallowingthosefeestogotoanyparkorrecreationfacilityinacommunity,thosedollarscan
bemorewiselyusedtoprovidequalityrecreationalopportunitiesforthebenefitofallresidentsofa
municipality.
Thebillgoesintoeffectin60days.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
BillCreatingDEPAggregateAdvisoryBoardSignedIntoLaw
TheHousegavefinalapprovalthisweektoSenateBill1155(ScarnatiRJefferson)creatinga
AggregateAdvisoryBoardwithinDEPsendingthebilltotheGovernorforhisaction.TheGovernor
signedthebillintolawasAct137.
Sen.JoeScarnati,whospearheadedthemeasureintroducedasSenateBill1155lastOctober,
explainedthatthenewAggregateAdvisoryBoardwilladvisethePennsylvaniaDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionregardingthePennsylvaniaaggregateminingindustry.
IampleasedthatSenateBill1155hasreceivedsuchoverwhelmingbipartisansupportbyboth
theSenateandHouseofRepresentatives,Sen.Scarnatisaid.TheBoardwillplayanimportantrole
inadvisingthePADEPSecretaryandstaffonallmatterspertainingtotheaggregateminingindustryin
Pennsylvania.Inaddition,theBoardwillmakerecommendationstothedepartmentinthedevelopment
ofexperimentalpractices,methodsofbackfilling,solutionsforpreexistingpollutionliability,alterationof
reclamationplans,theaggregateminingpermittingprocess,feestructureandbondingrates.
AccordingtoSen.Scarnati,theAggregateAdvisoryBoardwillbecomposedofexpertsfrom
thePennsylvaniaaggregateminingindustry,citizenadvisorygroups,countyconservationagencies,
environmentalconsultants,andrepresentativesfromthefourcaucusesoftheGeneralAssembly.
MembershipoftheBoardwillbeasFollows:
TheSecretaryofDEPwillserveasChairoftheBoard
Threeaggregatesurfaceminingoperators(AppointedbytheChair)
FourpublicmembersfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCouncil(AppointedbytheCouncil)
OnememberfromtheCountyConservationDistricts(AppointedbytheStateConservation
Commission)
FourmembersoftheGeneralAssembly,twofromeachchamber,onememberfromthemajority
partyandonememberfromtheminorityparty(AppointedbythePresidentProTemporeandthe
SpeakeroftheHouse)
Sen.ScarnatinotedthattheboardwillbemodeledafterthesuccessfulMiningandReclamation
AdvisoryBoardwhichadvisestheSecretaryofDEPonmattersrelatedtosurfacecoalminingand
reclamation.
Thecreationofthisadvisoryboardwillassurethatthepolicydecisionsandchangesfromthe
DEPregardingaggregateminingwillbemadewithinputfromstakeholders,bothfromtheaggregate
miningindustryandPennsylvaniaresidents,Sen.Scarnatistated.
TheBoardwillberequiredtomeetatleastonceperquarterandwillalsosubmitanannual
reporttotheGeneralAssembly.
Thelawtakeseffectin60days.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.
SenatePassesBillToHelpTownsRecoverFromDisasters
TheSenateTuesdaypassedSenateBill720(BakerRLuzerne)whichcreatesastatedisaster
assistanceprogramtoprovidegrantstocountyandmunicipalgovernmentssufferingfromflashfloods,
tornadoesandotherlocalizeddisasters.
Inasmallcommunitylossescanfarexceedmeans,whetherthedisasteraffectedonestreetor
100,saidSen.LisaBaker.However,todaysdisasterassistanceprogramsonlyapplywhenthe
tragedyislargeenoughtodrawafederaldeclaration.
Theprogramwouldgivestategrantstopublicentitiestocopewithuninsuredlossescausedby
flashfloods,fires,snowstorms,tornadoes,landslides,hazardousmaterialspills,andotheremergencies,
butthatfallbelowthestates$17.5millionthresholdforfederalaid.
Anestimated2,500smalldisastersoccurintheCommonwealtheachyear,accordingto
estimatesfromnonprofitdisasterrelieforganizations.
Althoughjudgedtobesmallbyfederalstandards,thesedisasterswerebigintermsofour
smallneighborhoodsandtheirlimitedbudgets,Sen.Bakersaid.Thestateshouldplayarolein
recoveringfromthesesituations.Thegapsinaidbetweenfederalprogramsandprivateinsuranceare
hurtingregionswhohavealreadylostsomuch.
UnderanewlyamendedversionofSenateBill720,stateassistancewouldbelimitedtogrants
tohelprepairdamagetopublicfacilities,suchasroads,bridgesandwastewatertreatmentplants.
Grantswouldbederivedfroma$3millionappropriationincludedinthisyearsstatebudget,
whichGov.TomCorbetthasbeenholdinginreserve.
ThemoneycouldhelpmunicipalitiessuchasChoconutandForestLakeTownshipsin
SusquehannaCounty,wherelocalemergencymanagementofficialsreportedthattheirinfrastructure
sustainedmorethan$400,000indamagefromanAugustflashflood.
DuringaSeptember2011hearinghostedbytheSenateVeteransAffairsandEmergency
PreparednessCommittee,leadersfromthePennsylvaniaEmergencyManagementAgency,theCounty
CommissionersAssociationofPennsylvania,thePennsylvaniaStateAssociationofTownship
Supervisors,andotherlocalofficialstestifiedtotheneedforsuchaprogram,andexpressedtheirstrong
support.
Sen.Bakersaidsheisalsoworkingoncompanionlegislationtohelpbusinessesandindividuals
whohavebeenstruckbydisaster.
ThebillnowmovestotheHouseforconsideration.AsummaryandSenateFiscalNoteare
available.
NewsClip:DisasterAidBillAdvancesToHouse
HouseCommitteeOKsNuclearFeeBill,Oil&GasProductionTestingResolution
TheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeTuesdayreportedoutabillincreasing
nuclearreactorandnuclearfueltransportationfeesandaresolutionurgingDEPtousethelatest
technologytotestforradioactivityrelatedtooilandgasproduction
SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearreactorandnuclearfueltransportationfees
(wasamended)andisontheHouseCalendarforactionand
HouseResolution913(MustioRAllegheny)urgingDEPtousethelatesttechnologytotestfor
radioactivityrelatedtooilandgasproductionactivitiessponsorsummaryandisontheHouse
Calendarforaction.
Rep.RonMiller(RYork)servesasMajorityChairandRep.GregVitali(DDelaware)serves
asMinorityChair.
BillToExpandNaturalGasAvailabilityToConsumersOKdByHouseCommittee
HouseBill2393(KampfRChester)providingaprogramtoextendnaturalgasdeliverytounservedor
underservedareassponsorsummarywasreportedoutoftheHouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
TuesdayandTabled.
Ihaveheardfrommanyconstituentsthattheywouldliketotakeadvantageofnaturalgas
serviceintheirneighborhoods,butcurrentlytherearetoomanybarrierstoentry,Rep.WarrenKampf
said.Thiscommonsensereformwillmakenaturalgaslineextensionprojectsmoreaffordableto
consumerswithoutplacingadditionalfinancialburdensonexistingratepayers.
Thecostofaddinggasservicetoaneighborhoodcancurrentlyexceed$20,000perhome,and
thesecostsmustbepaidinadvanceoftheservicebeingcompleted.HouseBill2393extendspayment
termstoallowgreateraffordabilityforconsumerswhowouldliketousePennsylvaniasabundant
naturalgasresources.
Rep.KampfslegislationwouldalsorequirenaturalgasutilitiestofileaplanwiththePublic
UtilityCommissionproposingapilotorpermanentprogramtoextendnaturalgasdistributionserviceto
unservedandunderservedareasoftheCommonwealth.
Theplanfiledbyeachnaturalgasdistributioncompanywouldcontainaprogramtoenhancethe
affordabilityofnaturalgaslineextensionstoconsumers,includingonbillpaymentoptions.
Theavailabilityoflowcostnaturalgassupplyhasincreasedthedemandforgasdistribution
lineextensionsamongresidentialconsumers,Rep.Kampfsaid.Wemustmakeiteasierforconsumers
totapthisaffordable,abundantenergysource.
Oct.6EnvironmentalIssuesForum:KeepPABeautifulAntiDumpingRecommendations
TheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommitteewillholdan
EnvironmentalIssuesForumonOctober6featuringrecommendationsforsignificantlyreducingillegal
dumpinginPennsylvaniabyKeepPABeautiful.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulcompletedacountybycountysurveyofillegaldumpsitesin
2013.Thesurveyidentifiedover6,000illegaldumpsitesinPennsylvania,witheachsitecostingan
averageof$2,947toremediate.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulreleasedafollowupreportwithspecificrecommendationsfor
reducingdumpsitesattheSolidWasteAssociationofNorthAmericaconferenceearlierthismonth.
PresentersfortheOctoberForumincludeShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvania
Beautiful,andMichelleNestorofNestorResources.TheywilldiscusstheseverityofPennsylvanias
illegaldumpingproblem,andofferrecommendationsforreducingdumpsitesacrossthe
Commonwealth.
TheForumwillbeheldinHearingRoom8EAEastWingoftheCapitolBuildinginHarrisburg
startingatNoon.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointConservationCommittee.
NewsFromAroundTheState
FederalAgenciesAnnounce5YearGreatLakesRestorationActionPlan
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyAdministratorGina
McCarthyWednesdayreleasedanewGreatLakes
RestorationInitiative(GLRI)ActionPlanthatlaysoutsteps
thatfederalagencieswilltakeduringthenextfiveyearsto
protectwaterquality,controlinvasivespeciesandrestore
habitatinthelargestsurfacefreshwatersystemintheworld.
McCarthy,whochairsthefederalGreatLakesInteragency
TaskForce,releasedtheplanatameetingofGreatLakes
MayorsinChicago.
ThenewGreatLakesRestorationInitiativeActionPlanlaysoutthestepsweneedtotaketo
getusclosertothedaywhenallGreatLakesfishwillbesafetoeat,allbeacheswillbesafefor
swimmersandharmfulalgalbloomswillnotthreatenourdrinkingwatersupplies,saidMcCarthy.
Duringthenextfiveyears,federalagencieswillcontinuetouseGreatLakesRestorationInitiative
resourcestostrategicallytargetthebiggestthreatstotheGreatLakesecosystemandtoaccelerate
progresstowardlongtermgoals.
"We'recurrentlyengagedinthelargestconservationinitiativeinAmericanhistory,withmore
farmerstakingactiontopreservecleanlandandwaterthaneverbefore.Aspartofthathistoriceffort,
manyfarmersintheGreatLakesregionareworkinghardtohelpimprovewaterqualitydownstream,"
saidU.S.AgricultureSecretaryTomVilsack."We'reproudtopartnerwithfarmersandthemany
othersengagedinvoluntaryeffortstorestorethehealthoftheGreatLakes.Supportingsound
conservationpracticessuchasplantingcovercrops,rotatingcrops,installingfilterstripsandrestoring
wetlandsnotonlyhelpskeepourwaterclean,itcanhelpcreatejobsandgrowtheeconomyinlocal
communities."
"TheArmyCorpsisproudtobeanintegralpartofthiscollaboration,ensuringpositiveactions
producepositivebenefits.TheGreatLakesRestorationInitiativecontinuestohighlightthediversityof
theCorpsofEngineers'capabilitiesfortheplanning,designandconstructionofenvironmental
restorationprojects,saidAssistantSecretaryoftheArmyforCivilWorks,JoEllenDarcy.
"TheDepartmentoftheInteriorisaproudpartnerintheGreatLakesRestorationInitiative,"
saidAssistantSecretaryoftheInteriorforWaterandScienceAnneCastle."OurGreatLakesplans
andprojectsinvolvepollutionpreventionandcleanupofthemostadverselyaffectedareas,increasing
understandingandmanagementofinvasivespecies,andafirstevercomprehensiveassessmentofthe
entire530,000acresofGreatLakescoastalwetlandshabitatforthepurposeofstrategicallytargeting
wildliferestorationandprotectionefforts.TheGreatLakesareakeyeconomicdriverandInterioris
committedtohelprestorehealthywatershedsintheregion."
TheGreatLakesRestorationInitiativewaslaunchedin2010toaccelerateeffortstoprotectand
restorethelargestsurfacefreshwatersystemintheworldtoprovideadditionalresourcestomake
progresstowardthemostcriticallongtermgoalsforthisimportantecosystem.
TheGLRIActionPlanannouncedtodaysummarizestheactionsfederalagenciesplanto
implementduringFiscalYears2015through2019usingGLRIfunding.Theywillbuildonrestoration
andprotectionworkcarriedoutunderthefirstActionPlan,withamajorfocuson:
CleaningupGreatLakesAreasofConcern
Preventingandcontrollinginvasivespecies
Reducingnutrientrunoffthatcontributestoharmfulandnuisancealgalbloomsand
Restoringhabitattoprotectnativespecies.
GreatLakesRestorationInitiativeresourceshavehelpedfundcleanupactionsrequiredtodelist
fiveGreatLakesAreasofConcernandtoformallydelistthePresqueIsleBayAreaofConcerna
majorchangefromthe25yearsbeforetheInitiative,duringwhichonlyoneAreaofConcernwas
cleanedupanddelisted.
GreatLakesRestorationInitiativeresourceshavealsobeenusedtodoubletheacreageenrolled
inagriculturalconservationprogramsinwatershedswherephosphorousrunoffcontributestoharmful
algalbloomsinwesternLakeErie,SaginawBayandGreenBay.
Sofar,GLRIresourceshavebeenusedtofundover2,000projectstoimprovewaterquality,
toprotectandrestorenativehabitatandspecies,topreventandcontrolinvasivespeciesandtoaddress
otherGreatLakesenvironmentalproblems.
TheGreatLakesInteragencyTaskForceischairedbytheEPAAdministratorandincludesthe
WhiteHouseCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality,theDepartmentsofAgriculture,Commerce,Defense,
HealthandHumanServices,HomelandSecurity,HousingandUrbanDevelopment,Interior,Stateand
Transportation.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAsGreatLakesRestorationInitiativeorGLRIActionPlan
webpages.
NewsClips:
PennVEST,DEPAnnounceResultsOfNutrientCreditTradingAuction
ThePAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthorityandtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,alongwith
financialinformationservicescompanyMarkit,haveheldthethirdforwardauctionin2014forthesale
andpurchaseofnutrientcreditsinPennsylvaniasChesapeakeBaywatershed.
AforwardauctionmeansthatthecertifiedcreditssoldonSept.10willbedeliveredlaterand
appliedtothe201415complianceyears.Theauctionaffordswastewatertreatmentplantsandother
regulatedentitiestheopportunitytopurchasecreditstomeettheirnitrogenandphosphorusdischarge
limitsforthesecomplianceyears.
PennVESTsandDEPscommitmenttohelpingPennsylvaniameetitsnutrientdischargegoals
fortheChesapeakeBaywatershedwerefurtherenhancedbythisauction,PennVESTexecutive
directorPaulMarchettisaid.Wecontinuetoworktogetherandwithallpartiesinterestedintradingto
createacosteffectiveandusefultoolforPennsylvaniacommunities,farmersand,mostimportantly,our
rivers,streamsandultimatelythebay.
PennVESThoststheauctionstoencouragethetradingofnutrientcreditsintheSusquehanna
andPotomacwatersheds.DEPsnutrientcredittradingprogramoffersacosteffectivewayforfacilities
thataresubjecttonitrogenandphosphoruslimitstomeetthoselimitsbyworkingwithotherfacilities,
nonpointsourcesorboth.
Foritsauctions,PennVESTissupportedbyMarkit,whichprovidestheplatformforenrollment
andeligibility,auctionsandregistryservices.Markitprovidesoperationsandinfrastructureservicesto
environmentalprogramsworldwide.
Thiswasatworoundauction,withthefirstroundbeingheldinthemorningandthesecondin
theafternoon.
Inthefirstround,thefollowingcreditswereboughtandsold:Susquehannaphosphorous,2014:
1,456creditsfor$2.00percredit
Inthesecondround,thefollowingcreditswereboughtandsold:Susquehannaphosphorous,
2014:2,000creditsfor$2.00percredit
PennVESTencouragesthetradingofnutrientcreditsbyactingasaclearinghouseinthecredit
market,enteringintocontractstobuyandsellcredits.Byparticipatinginthesetransactions,PennVEST
providesmarketcertaintytobuyersandsellers,whichencouragesmoreactivityinthemarket.Hosting
periodicauctionsisonewayforPENNVESTtofacilitatethesenutrientcredittrades.
PennVESTsnextauctionisscheduledforNovember5.Thiswillbeaspotauctionofverified
creditstobeappliedtowardsmeetingnutrientdischargelimitsduringthe2014complianceyear.The
enrollmentperiodforthatauctionisexpectedtobeginonSeptember22andcloseonOctober15.
Formoreinformation,visitPennVESTsNutrientCreditTradingProgramwebpageorcall
7177834493.
NewsClips:
CBFPA,PartnersScheduleTreePlantingsInLancaster,LebanonCounties
Fallisintheair,andthatmeansitistreeplantingseason!,saidKateAustin,ChesapeakeBay
FoundationPAGrassrootsFieldSpecialist.Perhapsthere'snothingmorerewardingandmore
importantforBayrestorationandtheChesapeakeCleanWaterBlueprintthanplantingatree.
Treesandotherplantsareoneofthebestnaturaltoolswehavetohelpcleanupourriversand
streams.Theyimprovehabitat,keeppollutantsoutofcreeks,increaseastream'sabilitytopurifywater,
andprovideshadeandcoolerwatertemperaturescriticalforaquaticlife!
CBFPAhasthreegreatvolunteerplantingsapproachingalleventsarefreeandfamily
friendly!
ManorTownshipTreePlanting,October4,9a.m.12p.m.Wewillbeplantingmorethan950
nativetreesandshrubs.ThiseventisapartnershipwiththeLancasterCountyConservationDistrictand
ManorTownship.PleaseregisterbyemailingKateAustinat:kaustin@cbf.org.
QuittapahillaWetlandPreservePlanting,October18,9a.m.12p.m.Wewillbeplanting
severalhundredtreesandshrubsthroughouttheQuittapahillaCreekWetlandPreserve.Wetlandswork
toprotectwaterqualitybyfilteringsedimentandnutrientsfromwater.PleaseregisterbyemailingKate
Austinat:kaustin@cbf.org.
NewHollandTreePlanting,November8,9a.m.12p.m.Wewillbeplantingabout200trees
alongMillCreekinNewHolland,PA.Thisplantingwillfillinandexpandtheriparianbufferaspartofa
streamrestorationproject.PleaseregisterbyemailingKristenKylerat:klk343@psu.edu.
ThankyouforallthatyoudoforPennsylvania'srivers,streams,andtheChesapeakeBay.If
youhaveanyquestionspleasecontactKateAustin,CBFPA,bysendingemailto:kaustin@cbf.org.
NewsClips:
MartinsMillBridgeParkTreePlantingVolunteerEventOct.11InFranklinCounty
Lookingforafunfamilyeventthisautumn?ComeonoutandplantatreeatAntrimTownshipsMartins
MillBridgeParkonSaturdayOctober11beginningat9:00a.m.
TheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBayandAntrimTownshipwillbeplantingover100native
treesandshrubsalongtheConococheagueCreekandseeksvolunteerhelp.Thiseventisagreat
opportunitytolearnaboutnativeplantsandlocalwatershedsallwhileenjoyingthegreatoutdoors.
WiththeguidanceofAlliancefortheChesapeakeBayandAntrimTownshipstaff,volunteers
willbeplantingcontainerizedtreesandshrubsinpredugholesthroughouttheMartinsMillBridge
sectionoftheAntrimTownshipMunicipalPark.
Thesenativeplantswillassistinfilteringstormwaterrunoff,reducelocalflooding,andcoolthe
temperatureoftheConococheaguetoenhancethehabitatofthelocaltroutpopulations.Volunteerswill
alsolearnaboutpestcontrolandsetupdeerfencingtoensurethedevelopmentandgrowthofthese
youngtreesandshrubs.
TheMartinsMillBridgeparkplantingeventispartofFranklinCountysTreesforTomorrow
Program,acountywideefforttoplant150,000newtreesintheConococheaguewatershedby2016.
Thebenefitsoftreesarenumerousforbothpeopleandtheenvironment.TheTreesfor
TomorrowProgramisajointinitiativeofFranklinCountyCommissionersandnumerousnonprofits,
includingtheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBay,whichisbeingfundedthroughgrantsreceivedfromthe
NationalFishandWildlifeFoundationandtheFoundationforPennsylvaniaWatersheds.
Volunteersshouldcomedressedforoutdooractivity,andmaybringitemslikeglovesiftheyso
desire.MartinsMillBridgeislocatedat3505EastWeaverRoad,AntrimTownship,andtheParkis
accessiblebydrivingpastthebridge,northalongEastWeaverRoad.
Allvolunteersarewelcome!Ifyouareinterestedinparticipating,pleasecontactKimberly
Slaughterat7177378622,Ext2,orsendemailto:kslaughter@allianceforthebay.org.
NewsClips:
DEPInvitesInformationForStreamStudiesInCambria,Delaware,MonroeCounties
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeitisconductingstreamredesignationsfor
streamsinDelawareandMonroecountiesandCambriaCounty.
DEPinvitedpersonswithtechnicaldataconcerningthewaterquality,instreamhabitator
biologicalconditionofthisstreamsectionareencouragedtomakeitavailabletotheDepartmentfor
considerationintheassessment.ThisassessmentmayleadtoarecommendationtotheBoardfor
redesignation.
SeptemberCatalystNowAvailableFromSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
TheSeptembereditionofTheCatalystnewsletterisnowavailablefromtheSlipperyRockWatershed
CoalitioninButlerCountyfeaturingarticleson
ComeSupportOurStudentsAtOct9SRWCMeeting
FossilFreeEnergyFairEnergizesCrowd
AutumnAdventuresComingToJenningsEnvironmentalEdCenter
TheKidsCatalystPumpkinColoringFun!
ClickHeretosignupforyourownCatalyst
PennStateExtensionSept.24WatershedWindsNewsletter
TheSeptember24issueofWatershedWindsnewsletterisnowavailablefromPennStateExtension
featuringarticleson
PrivateWaterWellLegislationPassesHouse
NationalDrugTakeBackDaySept.27
ManagingOnLotSepticSystems
ThousandCankersDiseaseDetectedInChesterCounty
SepticSmartWeekIsSept.2327
RoadsideSpringLegalIssuesToBeConsidered
ClickHeretoreceiveyourowncopyofWatershedWinds
PASectionAmericanWaterResourcesAssn.AnnualConferenceOct.17
ThePASectionoftheAmericanWaterResourcesAssociationwillholditsAnnualConferenceon
October17attheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionoffices,4423N.FrontSt.,inHarrisburg
startingat9:00.
KellyHeffner,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaterManagementwillpresentthekeynoteaddress
followedbypaneldiscussionsonrecentchangestostateandfederalwaterpoliciesandstormwater
managementinPennsylvania.
ClickHereforadetailagendaandtoregister.
EPAAwardsExcellenceInSiteReuseAwardToLehighGapNatureCenter
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyMidAtlanticRegionalAdministratorShawnM.GarvinFriday
presentedtheLehighGapNatureCenterinLehighCountyanditsExecutiveDirectorDanKunklewith
a2014ExcellenceinSiteReuseAward.
TheEPARegionalawardrecognizestheworkthatledtotheredevelopmentofamajorportion
ofthePalmertonZincSuperfundSiteintoawildlifepreserveandhabitat,promotingconservation,
educationandresearch.
TheLehighGapNatureCenter,undertheleadershipofDanKunkle,hasworkedtirelesslyto
achievetheultimateenvironmentalgoalofturningaformerlycontaminatedsitebacktonature,said
EPAsMidAtlanticRegionalAdministratorShawnM.Garvin.Icommendthemfortheirboldvision,
dedicationandsuccessincreatingaplacethatthecommunitycanenjoyforgenerations.EPAstrongly
supportstheinnovativeandbeneficialreuseofsites,suchasPalmerton,asakeycomponentfor
protectingpeopleshealthandourenvironment.
Thenaturepreserveandhabitatconsistsofa2.5milestretchontheKittatinnyRidgebetween
theAppalachianTrailandtheDelawareandLehighNationalHeritageCorridorTrail,whichparallel
eachother,thenintersectatLehighGapneartheNatureCentersOspreyHouse.
Since2002,propertyownedbytheLehighGapNatureCenterhasbeentransformedfroma
barrenlandscapeintovaluablehabitatforresidentspecies,andacorridorandstopoversitefor
migratoryspecies,especiallyraptorsandNeotropicalsongbirds.
ThishabitatwascreatedbytherevegetationandreforestationofthePalmertonsitewithnative
warmseasongrassesand13,000trees,including4,000ofthenearlyextinctAmericanChestnuttree.
EPAscleanupdecisiontousethisapproachwasinfluencedbytheCentersvisionandits
cooperationwithpartiespotentiallyresponsibleforthecleanupof750acresonBlueMountain.
Thewildlifehabitatisaplaceforresearchcarriedoutbycenterstaffandvolunteersinpartnershipwith
localcollegesanduniversities.
TheCenterisanoutdoorclassroomformanylocaleducationalprograms.Inaddition,people
usetheareaforrecreationalactivitiesincludinghiking,wildlifewatching,andphotography.
CollaborationbetweentheLehighGapNatureCenter,EPA,theDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,thepotentiallyresponsibleparties,localandotherpartnershascreatedavaluablereuseof
thesitewithbothecologicalandcommunitybenefits.
EPAestablishedtheExcellenceinSiteReuseawardtorecognizethosewhohavecreated
extraordinaryresultsinrevitalizingandreusingformerlycontaminatedsites.
Formoreinformation,visittheLehighGapNatureCenterwebsiteandEPAsPalmerton
SuperfundSitewebpage.
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshopsSetInOctober,November,December
SeveralProjectWETeducatorworkshopshavebeenscheduledinOctober,Novemberand
December
October11:EducatorTraining,WildlandsConservancy,Emmaus.Toregisterorformore
informationcontactDianeMotel,DirectorofEducationProgramsbysendingemailto:
DMotel@wildlandspa.orgorcall6109654397x118.
October18&November15:WaterACriticalIssue,FernHollowNatureCenter,Sewickley.
ToregisterorformoreinformationcontactChristineMillsbysendingemailto:phyblog@yahool.com.
December6:ProjectWETEducatorTraining,DauphinCountyAgriculture&NaturalResources
Center,Dauphin.Onlineregistrationavailable.FormoreinformationcontactJenniferFetter,
Watershed/YouthDevelopmentEducatorbysendingemailto4HWater@psu.eduorcall
7179218803.
SeptemberEEResourcesNewsletterFromPAAssn.OfEnvironmentalEducators
TheSeptemberissueofEEResourcesnewsletterisnowavailablefromthePAAssociationof
EnvironmentalEducatorsfeaturingarticleson
2014PABotanySymposiumNov.78
OlewineNatureCenterPlansEducatorWorkshops
GreenTeacherMediaLiteracy&SustainabilityEducationWebinarOct.2
FreeNationalGeographicWatershedEducationCourse
ClickHereforotherPAEEeducationresources
ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyofEEResources
DEPRemindsStudentsToSubmitEntriesForNationalRadonPosterContest
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayurgedPennsylvaniastudents,agesnineto14,
toenteranationalradonpostercontestdesignedtohelpraiseawarenessaboutthedangersofradon.
ThedeadlinetoenterisOctober31.
Radonexposurecausesnearly21,000lungcancerdeathsintheU.S.eachyear,and40percent
ofhomesinPennsylvaniahaveradonlevelsabovetheEPAguidelineoffourpicocuriesperliter.
Radonisanaturallyoccurringradioactivegasproducedbythebreakdownofuraniuminrocks
andsoil.Itentershomesthroughtinycracksinbasementsandfoundations,buthomemitigationsystems
canquicklyandsignificantlyreduceradonlevels.
KansasStateUniversitysNationalRadonProgramServicessponsorsthepostercontest,
whichisopentoallstudentsenrolledinapublic,private,territorial,tribal,DepartmentofDefense,or
homeschoolorthroughasponsoringclub,suchasanart,computerorscienceclubscouting
organizationor4Hclub.
Thepostertopicsinclude:
Whatisradon?
Wheredoesradoncomefrom?
Howdoesradongetintoourhomes?
Radoncancauselungcancer.
Testyourhomeforradon.
Judgingwillbebasedoncontentaccuracy,visualcommunicationoftopic,reproducibilityand
originality.
Nationalwinnerswillreceiveawardplaquesandgiftcardsintheamountof$1,000forfirst
place,$600forsecond,$400forthirdand$400forspecialonlinevotingrecognition.Thesewinners
willalsoberecognizedintheirhomearea,andtheposterswillbereproducedanddistributednationally
topromoteradonawareness.
Awinningsubmissionandrunnerupwillbechosenforentryintothenationalcontestfromeach
stateandU.S.territory.
ClickHereforanonlineentryform.Formoreinformationonradon,visitDEPsRadon
webpageorcall180023RADON.
EPA:TrainingChildcareWorkersToProtectChildrenFromEnvironmentalHazards
Childcareprofessionalsareinvitedtoaonedaytrainingcourseaimedatcreatinghealthierenvironments
inandaroundchildcarefacilities,byU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencywhichiscosponsoringthe
workshop.
TheworkshopwillbeconductedbytheNationalCenterforHealthyHousingusingan
establishedenvironmentalchildcareprogram.Theworkshopwillbeheldfrom9a.m.to4p.m.on
Tuesday,September23atthePennStateCenter,675SamsonStreetindowntownPhiladelphia.
Theclassisfreeandopentochildcareproviders,childcarelicensingand/orresourcestaff,and
childcarehealth/nurseconsultants.Attendeeswilllearnfreeorlowcoststepstheycantaketoprotect
childrenintheircarefromcommonenvironmentalhazards.Professionalswhocompletethecoursewill
earncontinuingeducationunits.
Researchincreasinglyshowsthatthefirstyearsofachildslifearecriticaltoshapingtheirfuture
healthanddevelopment.Childcareprofessionalscanmakesmallchangesthatwillhaveabigimpacton
thechildrenwithintheircare.
Byreducingtoxics,suchaschemicalsincertaincleaningproductsandweedkillers,providers
helppreventillnesseslikeasthma,certainlearningdisabilities,andevensomeformsofcancer.Forthese
reasons,providinganenvironmentallyhealthy,lowtoxicsettingisparticularlyimportantinplaces
childrenspendthemajorityoftheirtime.
Thisworkshopwillcreatehealthierenvironmentsinandaroundchildcarefacilities,whichwill,in
turn,createhealthierkids.
ThiscourseissponsoredbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyincollaborationwiththe
AgencyforToxicSubstancesandDiseaseRegistryandthePhiladelphiaSchoolandCommunity
PartnershipofthePennsylvaniaIntegratedPestManagementProgram,PennStateUniversity.
Forregistrationandotherinformation,contactPrentissWardat2158142813oremailto:
ward.prentiss@epa.gov.
DEPReleasesDraftConventional,UnconventionalOil&GasWellRegulationSplit
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayreleasedrevisedChapter78drillingregulations
whichsplitconventionalwellstandardsinanewChapter78andunconventional(MarcellusShale)well
requirementsinChapter78aduringtheOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.
ThesplitwasrequiredbyaprovisionincludedintheFiscalCodebillatthelastminuteright
beforetheGeneralAssemblyadjournedforthesummer.
DEPSecretaryChrisAbruzzotoldtheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilinJuly,Idontthinkthere
willbesubstantivechangesintheregulations.Itsachangeinformat.Imdisappointedthatitwilldelay
theregulations.
NewsClips:
DEPForcedToSplitRegulationsForConventional,UnconventionalWells
DEP:NewDrillingRulesWillHelpFind,CapAbandonedWells
PAOilAndGasRegulationsUnderConsideration
DEPInspectorsKeyToMarcellusRegulation
ADayInTheLifeOfALongtimeDEPInspector
Trial,ErrorApproachLeavesMarcellusShaleWounds
SystemForTrackingMarcellusWellComplianceInDisrepair
DrillersDidNotReportHalfTheSpillsLeadingToFines
Spreadsheet:TotalMarcellusShaleWellFines
Spreadsheet:AllMarcellusShaleWellFines
NegativePublicityDoesMoreDamageToDrillersThanFines
MarkWestFined$150,000ForGasFlaringInWashingtonCounty
DEPFinesMarkWest,NationalFuelGasForViolations
DEPFinesPipelineCompany$250,000ForViolationsInLycoming
Corbett:HasntSeenAnyIntentionalViolationsByGasIndustry
AuditorGeneral:DontRelyOnDEPForGoodInformation
DEPFinesNFGMidstream$250,000ForPipelineConstructionViolationsinLycoming
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayannouncedithasfinedNFGMidstreamTrout
RunLLCofErie$250,000formultipleviolationsoftheCleanStreamsLawanddepartmentregulations
duringconstructionoftheTroutRunGatheringSystempipelineinfiveLycomingCountymunicipalities
during2011and2012.
Departmentstaffdocumentedcontinuingviolationsatmultiplelocationsduringasevenmonth
period,DEPDirectorofDistrictOilandGasOperationsJohnRydersaid.NFGsfailureto
implementandmaintainerosionandsedimentcontrolbestmanagementpracticesresultedinseveral
sedimentdischargesintounnamedtributariestoMillCreekandLycomingCreek,LycomingCreek,and
anexceptionalvaluewetland.
ThedepartmentsinvestigationbeganinOctober2011wheninspectorsdiscoveredsedimenton
StateRoute973,notemporarystabilization,andineffectivebestmanagementpracticesusedtocontrol
erosionandsedimentationissues.
PeriodicinspectionsbyDEPstaffduringconstructionofthe16milegatheringlineresultedinthe
issuanceof13NoticesofViolationtoNFG,including12violationsforsedimentdischargestowatersof
theCommonwealth,manyofwhichareclassifiedasexceptionalvalueorhighqualitywaterways.
InNovember2011,alandslideinthecompanysrightofwayaboveRinglerRoadinLewis
Townshipcausedtheroadtobeclosedtemporarily.
AdditionaldischargesoccurredtoanunnamedtributarytoLycomingCreek,anexceptional
valuestream,belowtheroad.ThesedimentdischargeviolationscontinuedtooccuruntilJan.18,2012.
Whilethesedimentdischargesdidimpactthewaterways,thedepartmentdidnotdocumentany
impacttofishorotheraquaticlifefromanyoftheviolations.NFGhasinstitutedadditional
environmentalprotocolssincethistimeandhasaddressedtheenvironmentalissuesidentifiedonthis
project.
ThepipelinewasbuiltinGamble,Hepburn,Lewis,LoyalsockandMcIntyretownships.It
beginsataSenecaResourceswellpadinMcIntyreTownshipandendsataninterconnectstationatthe
TranscotransmissionpipelineinLoyalsockTownship.
NFGpaidthepenaltyonSeptember18.
Formoreinformationcall5703273636.
NewsClips:
PipelineCompanyMakesOffersAlongLancasterRoute
AgingNaturalGasPipelinesPoseHiddenThreat
ReplacementCostsGoFarBeyondPipeForGasCompanies
PANaturalGasLeaksAmongWorstInNation
LocationOfNaturalGasLinesShroudedFromPublic
BalancingGasPipelineExpansion,EnvironmentalUnease
PipelineReportIgnoresPreservedFarmsInLancaster
CourtAllowsCondemnationForYorkGasPipelineWork
Consol,NobleSpinoffRaises$385MForPipelines
OpEd:PipelineCompanyDoesntHaveMyInterestsInMind
Editorial:DEPSlapsShaleDrillerWithRecordFine
AuditorGeneralReleasesCitizensGuideToDrillingRelatedWaterComplaints
AsafollowuptoarecentlyreleasedauditthatwascriticaloftheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionsoversightofshalegasdevelopmentandresponsetocitizencomplaints,AuditorGeneral
EugeneDePasqualeThursdayreleaseda4pageCitizensGuidetoShaleGasDevelopmentand
WaterQualityComplaints.
Theguideshouldhelppeopleunderstandwhatinformationisavailabletothemandwhatthey
shoulddoiftheynoticechangesinthequalityoftheirwater,DePasqualesaid.Thecontentforthe
guidewasdevelopedbyourauditstaffbaseduponwhattheylearnedwhiletryingtonavigatetheDEPs
administrativeandregulatoryprocessesandwebsite.However,thisguidecanbehelpfultoeveryone
notjustpeopleinareaswhereshalegasdevelopmentisunderway.
Theaudit,whichwasreleasedinJuly,showedthatshalegasdrillingboomcaughttheDEP
unpreparedtoeffectivelyadministerlawsandregulationstoprotectdrinkingwaterandunableto
efficientlyrespondtocitizencomplaints.
AuditorsreportedthatDEPdidapoorjobincommunicatingitsinvestigationresultstocitizens
whoregisteredcomplaintswiththedepartment.Theagencywasnotalwaystimelyinmeetingstatutory
timeframesforresponsetocomplaintsitdidreceive.
TheauditalsorevealedthatDEPfailedtoconsistentlyissueofficialorderstowelloperators
whohadbeendeterminedbyDEPtohaveadverselyimpactedwatersupplies.
Inaddition,theauditreportnotedthatDEPdoesnotposttoitswebsiteallstatutorilyrequired
inspectioninformation.Whenthedatawastestedforaccuracy,theauditorsfounderrorsofmorethan
25percentinkeydatafields,andthatasmanyas76percentofinspectorscommentswereomitted
fromtheonlineinspectionreporting.
AuditorsalsonotedthatDEPscomplainttrackingsystem,whichisusedtomonitorall
environmentalcomplaints,includingthosethatareoilandgasrelated,wasineffectiveasitdidnot
providemanagementwithreliableinformationtoeffectivelymanagetheprogram.
Topicscoveredinthecitizensguideinclude:
Allowingagaswelloperatortotestwater
DEPsresponsibilitiesconcerningpotentialimpactstowaterqualityfromshalegasdrilling
Howtokeepinformedaboutdrillingoperations
Changestolookforinwaterqualityand
Whattodoandwhotocontactifwatercontaminationissuspected.
TheCitizensGuidetoShaleGasDevelopmentandWaterQualityComplaintsisavailable
online.
NewsClips:
PGPowerSource:DayInTheLifeOfDEPOil&GasInspector
ThePostGazettePowerSourceTuesdaypublishedanarticleonthedayinthelifeofalongtime
PennsylvaniaDEPoilandgasinspectorJohnSengle.Thestoryprovidesaglimpseintothedaytoday
jobofenforcingDEPsoilandgasregulations.Herearelinkstothearticleandrelatedstories
OtherNewsClips:
DEPNaturalGasVehicleWorkshopInMontgomeryCountyOct.10
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,alongwithpartnersatEasternPennsylvaniaAlliancefor
CleanTransportation,invitesfleetmanagers,municipalitiesandbusinessownerstoanaturalgasvehicle
lunchandlearnworkshopfrom11:30a.m.until2p.m.onOctober10,atDEPsSoutheastRegional
Office,2E.MainSt.,Norristown.
WorkshopattendeeswillhearfromindustryexpertshownaturalgasishelpingPennsylvania
moveawayfromimportedpetroleumfuelstothishomegrown,cleanerburning,affordablealternative.
DEPstaffwillalsoprovideinformationonthefinancialincentivesavailabletohelpmakethe
switchtocompressednaturalgas(CNG)orliquefiednaturalgas(LNG)undertheagencysAct13
NaturalGasVehicleProgram.
Thereisnochargeforthisworkshop,andlunchwillbeprovided.Seatingislimitedand
registrationisrequired.
TheAct13NaturalGasVehiclesProgramisfundedbyimpactfeespaidbynaturalgas
operators,andauthorizedDEPtodevelopandimplementtheNaturalGasEnergyDevelopment
program.Theprogramdistributesupto$20millioningrantsoverthreeyears,tohelppayforthe
incrementalpurchaseandconversioncostsofheavydutynaturalgasfleetvehicles.
Thethirdroundofthisprogramoffersanestimated$6milliontohelppayfortheincremental
purchaseandconversioncostsofheavydutynaturalgasfleetvehicles.
GrantapplicationsaredueNov.14andwillbeawardedthiswinter.
EPACT,formerlytheGreaterPhiladelphiaCleanCitiesProgram,hasbeenassistingfleetswith
theirtransitiontoalternativefuelsformorethan20years.Theorganizationnowassistsfleetsand
municipalitiesworktodisplacepetroleumincentralandeasternPennsylvania.
Toregisterforthisworkshop,orlearnmoreabouttheAct13grantprogram,visitDEPs
NaturalGasVehicleGrantProgramwebpage.
CallForPresentations:2015PAEnvironmentalProfessionalsConferenceMay68
ThePAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalsissolicitingproposalsforpresentationsandposters
forits2015AnnualConferencetobeheldMay68atToftreesResortinStateCollege,Pa.The
deadlineforsubmissionsisNovember8.
Haveyourecentlyworkedonapaperorprojectthatyoufeelwouldbeofinteresttoour
attendees?Istheresomethinginnovativeornewhappeninginyourprofession/fieldofexpertisethatyou
wouldliketopresentonorhaveapaneldiscussionabout?Isthereatopicyouwouldliketohear/learn
moreabout?
Feelfreetovolunteeryourself,aspeakeryouhaveheardinthepast,acolleague,orastudent
thatyouthinkmightbeagreatadditiontoourspeaker/posterlineup.
NewCallForPosters
Also,newthisyearisaCallforPosters.Theobjectiveofthepostersessionsistogive
attendeesabrieflookintosomethingthatmaybenew,improved,orsimplysomethingindustryrelated
thatyouarepersonallypassionateabout.
ClickHeretosubmitpresentationorposterproposal.
EPAAnnouncesGrantOpportunitiesToReduceDieselEmissionsAtPorts
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyMondayannouncedtheavailabilityofupto$5millionin
grantfundingtoestablishcleandieselprojectsaimedatreducingemissionsfrommarineandinlandwater
portslocatedinareasofpoorairquality.
AllproposalsmustbereceivedbyDecember11
Communitiessurroundingportsoftenfaceseriousairqualityandotherenvironmental
challenges,saidJanetMcCabe,ActingAssistantAdministratorfortheOfficeofAirandRadiation.
Byworkingwithfleetownerstoreplaceorupdateolderequipmentwithcleanertechnologies,wecan
findcollaborativesolutionsthatfosterbotheconomicgrowthandimprovepublichealth.
Olderdieselenginesemitlargeamountsofairpollutantssuchasnitrogenoxides(NOX)and
particulatematter(PM).Thesepollutantsarelinkedtoarangeofserioushealthproblemsincluding
asthma,lungandheartdisease,andotherrespiratoryailments.
Mostofthecountrysbusiestportsarelocatednearlargemetropolitanareasand,asaresult,
peopleinneighboringcommunitiesareexposedtohighlevelsofdieselemissions.Sincemostshipsand
equipmentatportsrunondieselengines,cleandieselprojectsatportswillproduceimmediateemissions
reductionsandprovidehealthbenefitstothoselivingandworkinginthearea.
ThisisthesecondgrantcompetitiontofocusonreducingemissionsatportsundertheDiesel
EmissionReductionAct(DERA).Underthiscompetition,EPAanticipatesawardingbetweentwoand
fiveassistanceagreements.
Applicantsmayrequestupto$2millioninfundingtowardeligibleprojects.Portauthorities,
governmentalorquasigovernmentalpublicagenciesthatoperateports,andstateandlocalgovernments
withjurisdictionovertransportationorairqualityareeligibletoapply.
Communitygroups,terminaloperators,shippingcarriers,andotherrelatedentitiesare
encouragedtoparticipatethroughpartnershipswitheligibleapplicants.Projectsmayincludedrayage
trucks,marineengines,locomotives,andcargohandlingequipmentatmarineorinlandwaterports.
Fundingislimitedtoprojectsatportslocatedinareasofpoorairquality,asdeterminedbythe
Administrator.ThelistofeligibleareasforthisRFPcanbefoundonline.
FormoreinformationandtoaccesstheRequestforProposalsandotherdocuments,please
visitEPAsFundingforProjectstoImproveAirQualityatPortswebpage.
PPLElectricUtilitiesUnveilsNewestToolForSavingEnergyAndMoney
TheresanewtoolforPPLElectricUtilitiesresidentialcustomerslookingtosaveenergyandmoney.
Personalizedenergyusevideosarenowavailable,givingresidentialcustomersauniqueview
intotheirelectricityusehowitcomparestothepriorseason,andhowitcomparestotheaverageuse
forallcustomers.
Thevideosjoinourenergyefficiencyprogramsandshoppingforelectricitysupplyasprimary
wayscustomerscanstretchtheirenergydollar,saidPeteCleff,manageroftheutilitysenergy
efficiencyprograms.Weencourageeveryonetotakeadvantageofallthesetoolstogetthebest
results.
Sincetwothirdsoftheaverageresidentialbillisforelectricitysupply,PPLElectricUtilities
urgesallofitscustomerstoshopforthedealthatsbestforthem.Morethan650,000customers
alreadyshop.
Thenewcustomervideoscanhelpresidentialcustomersseehowmuchpowertheyareusing
duringaparticularseason.Theutilitysenergyefficiencyprogramscanhelpthemusethatelectricity
wisely.
Theinformationinthevideoservesasaprompttocustomerssotheycandetermineiftheir
electricityuseforthatseasonisreasonablefortheirsituation.Italsoremindscustomersofthemany
toolsPPLElectricUtilitieshasonitswebsitetohelpthemmonitorandreducetheirelectricityuseand
managetheirelectricaccount,Cleffsaid.
CustomerswhohavealreadyregisteredonPPLElectricUtilitieswebsitereceivedanemailwith
alinktotheirpersonalizedvideo.
ThosewhodonthaveanonlineprofilewithusstillcangettheirvideobyvisitingPPLsMy
EnergyUsewebpage.Alltheyneedtodoisentertheiraccountnumber,nameandemailaddress.Their
customvideowillbegeneratedinstantly,Cleffsaid.
Theenergyusevideoscomeatanopportunetime.Lastwintersextremecoldwontbeeasily
forgotten.Thosefrigidconditionsalonecausedelectricityusetospike,Cleffnoted.Butforsome
customersonvariablepriceelectricitysupplycontracts,theeffectsweremultipliedbecauseofspiking
powerpricesthatresultedinextremelyhighbills.
Shoppingcustomersareremindedtodoublecheckthattheyrebuyingpowerthewaythey
want.
Thereisapriceriskassociatedwithvariablerateelectricitysupplycontracts,andcustomers
havetodecidewhatlevelofrisktheyrecomfortablewith,Cleffsaid.Wewantthemtobesureto
understandthetermsoftheircurrentorpotentialcontractandalsofindoutwhetherthereareearly
terminationfees.
Customerscancheckallelectricitysupplyoffersbothfixedrateandvariableratefor
theirareaatwww.PAPowerSwitch.com.PPLElectricUtilitieswilldeliverpowerfromanysupplier
customerschoose.
NewsClips:
PowerCompaniesNotOnBoardWithPlansForPolarVortex
DuquesneLightTurnsOnLEDStreetlightPlan
SymposiumsToSpotlightPittsburghsEnergyRole
OpEd:FutureOfEnergyServiceInPAAllAboutYou
OilIndustryOffersCrudeOilTrainTestingStandards
ClimateChangeRallyHeldInErie
OpEd:AClimateChangeStopgapMeasureTrees
OpEd:ObamaClimatePoliciesWillHurtThePoor
Editorial:U.S.,China,OthersMustActTogetherOnClimateChange
Editorial:TheClimateSummit,DownForTheCount
CoalGatheringOpensWithDourAssessment
MurrayCEOPredictsDoomForCoal
MinePermitApplicationWithdrawnForWestmoreland,Fayette
Editorial:OrderSeeksToCutClairtonCokeEmissions
3FirstEnergyUtilitiesIssueRFPForSolarPhotovoltaicAlternativeEnergyCredits
FirstEnergyCorp.WednesdayannouncedaRequestforProposalwillbeissuedtopurchase48,500
SolarPhotovoltaicAlternativeEnergyCertificatesannuallyoveratwoyearperiodonbehalfofthreeof
FirstEnergy'sPennsylvaniautilitiesPennsylvaniaPowerCompany,PennsylvaniaElectricCompany,
andMetropolitanEdisonCompany.
TheRFPprocesswillbeconductedbyTheBrattleGroupandwilltakeplaceinOctoberand
November,withqualifyingapplicationsduebyOctober16andbidsduebyNovember6.Biddersin
thisRFPcanoffertoselltranchesofSPAECs,whereeachtrancherepresentsacommitmenttosell500
SPAECsannuallyoveratwoyearperiod.
BasedontheRFPresults,FirstEnergy'sPennsylvaniautilitieswillenterintoseparate
agreement(s)withwinningsupplierstopurchasethenecessaryquantitiesofSPAECs.
FurtherinformationabouttheSPAECRFPisavailableonFirstEnergy'swebsite.
NewsClips:
PUCToHold2ndHearingOnCombinedHeatAndPowerTechnologyOct.7
ThePublicUtilityCommissionwillholdanenbanchearingontheuseofcombinedheatandpower
(CHP)technologyonOctober7attheUniversityofPittsburgh.
ThehearingisafollowuptotheCommissionsenbancCHPhearingheldMay5atDrexel
UniversityinPhiladelphia.There,panelistsdiscussedCHPeconomicssocialcostsandbenefitsand
regulatorypoliciesthatimpacttheapplicationofthetechnology.
Thesecondhearing,tobeheldOctober7intheWilliamPittUnionBuildingattheUniversityof
Pittsburghfrom1:30to4:30p.m.,willfurtherexplorecurrentissuesanddiscussregulatorypolicies
impactinggreateradoptionofCHPintheCommonwealth.
ThreepanelswillfeaturediscussionsbyCHPexperts,projectdevelopers,technologyvendors
andrepresentativesfromPeoplesNaturalGasandDuquesneLightCompany.PUCChairmanRobert
F.Powelsonwillattend,aswellasViceChairmanJohnF.Coleman,Jr.,andCommissionersGladys
M.BrownandPamelaA.Witmer.
CHPisanefficientapproachtogeneratingelectricpowerandthermalenergyfromasinglefuel
source,providingcosteffectiveenergyservicestocommercialbusinessessuchashotels,universities
andhospitals.
Inadditiontoimprovingmanufacturingcompetitivenessandreducinggreenhousegasemissions,
CHPbenefitsbusinessesbyreducingenergycostsandenhancingenergyreliabilityfortheuser.
Currently,thereisapproximately3,300megawatts(MW)ofinstalledCHPcapacityin
Pennsylvania.ThetechnicalpotentialforadditionalCHPsystemsintheCommonwealth,primarilyin
existingindustrialandcommercialfacilities,iscloseto11,000MW.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUCsCombinedHeatandPowerwebpage.
NewsClips:
ExelonRecognizedForCorporateSustainabilityPerformance
ExelonhasbeennamedtotwoindependentindexestheDowJonesSustainabilityIndicesandCDP
inrecognitionofitscorporatesustainabilityperformanceandreportingofclimaterelatedinformation.
DJSIandsustainabilityinvestingspecialistRobecoSAMnamedExelontotheDowJones
SustainabilityNorthAmericaIndexfortheninthyearinarow.Basedonananalysisofthecompanys
economic,environmentalandsocialperformance,theindexidentifiescompanieswhoseleadership,
innovationandproductivitybestpreparethemtorecognizeandrespondtoglobalsustainabilitytrends.
Exelonwasoneoffiveutilitycompanies,outof600totalNorthAmericancompaniesevaluated,
tobenamedtotheNorthAmericaIndex,basedonacomprehensiveassessmentcoveringcorporate
governance,riskmanagement,environmentalperformance,humanresourcesdevelopment,corporate
citizenship,andhealthandsafety.
Wearehonoredtoreceivethisrecognitionasitvalidatestheprogresswevemadeinoperating
ourbusinessinawaythatiseconomically,environmentallyandsociallysustainable,saidChrisCrane,
presidentandCEOofExelon.Asaleaderintheenergyindustry,wearededicatedtotransparency
andcreatingvalueforourcustomers,shareholders,communitiesandemployees.
ExelonalsohasbeennamedtoCDPsS&P500ClimateDisclosureLeadershipIndex(CDLI),
markingthefifthtimethatCDPhasrecognizedExeloninthiscategory.ExelonisoneoffourS&P500
utilitycompaniestoappearonthelist,whichrecognizescompaniesdemonstratingahighlevelof
transparencyanddataqualityintheirdisclosureofclimaterelatedinformation.
Companydisclosuresarescoredona100pointscaleforcompletenessanddataquality,with
highscoresindicatingthatacompanyhasprovidedrobustclimatedataandconveyedastrong
understandingofcorporateclimaterelatedissues.
Thetop10percentofrespondingcompaniesarenamedtotheindex.Thisyeareachcompany
featuredontheCDLIreceivedascoreof97orhigher.
Theneedfordisclosureofcorporateclimatechangeimpactsandstrategiestoreducethemhas
neverbeengreater.Forthisreason,wecongratulatethosebusinessesthathaveachievedapositionon
CDPsS&P500ClimateDisclosureLeadershipIndex,saidPaulSimpson,chiefexecutiveofficerof
CDP.Thesecompaniesarerespondingtotheevergrowingdemandforenvironmentalaccountability
andhelpingtoinspireotherstofollowsuit.
Exelonhadnumerousachievementsintheareaofcorporatesustainabilitylastyearthat
contributingtotheserecognitions.Forexample,thecompany:
AchieveditsExelon2020carbonabatementgoalsevenyearsearlybyreducingoravoidingmore
than18millionmetrictonsofgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsin2013.
Producedrecordgenerationoutputfromitsfleetofnuclearenergyfacilities,whichhada94.1percent
capacityfactor.Exelonownednucleargenerationavoidedanestimated87millionmetrictonsofGHG
emissionsequivalenttotheannualemissionsofmorethan18millionpassengervehicles.(Source:U.S.
EPAGreenhouseGasEquivalenciesCalculator)
Producedmorethan5.8millionmegawatthoursofelectricityfromrenewablesourcesandadded
153megawattsofnewsolarcapacity.
DelivereditsbesteverOSHArecordablerateforemployeesafety.
Providedmorethan$32.3millioningrantsandmorethan96,000employeevolunteerhoursto
nonprofitorganizationsinitscommunities.
Purchased$906millioningoodsandserviceswithdiversitycertifiedsuppliers.
Exelonssustainabilityperformanceisdetailedinits2013CorporateSustainabilityReport.
NewsClip:LancasterSustainableBusinessHoldCapitalDay
DEPCommendsUndergroundMiningIndustryForSafety
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannouncedithasbeenoverfiveyearssincethe
lastfatalityoccurredataPennsylvaniaundergroundminingoperation.Thisincludesanthracite,
bituminousandindustrialmineralsundergroundminesthroughoutthestate.
Pennsylvaniasundergroundminingoperationshavegoneanunprecedentedfiveyearswithout
afatality,DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzosaid.IamproudoftheworkbeingdonebyDEPs
BureauofMineSafety,theminingindustryandlaborgroupstoensurethecontinuedsafetyofthese
hardworkingPennsylvanians.
DEPsBureauofMineSafetyhostsinhouseminertrainingaboutfirstaidtechniques,
emergencyresponse,gasdetectionawareness,ventilation,selfcontainedbreathingapparatus,blasting
awarenessandCPR.
Coalmineoperatorsarerequiredbylawtoreportallaccidents,orunanticipatedevents,to
DEPsBureauofCoalMineSafetywithin15minutesofoccurrence.Thisinformationprovidesinsight
onwhatcanbedonetopreventsimilaraccidents.
Theminingindustrysskilledworkforce,improvedindustrypractices,andDEPoversighthave
playedacrucialroleinthissafetyachievement,DEPDeputySecretaryforActiveandAbandoned
MineOperationsJohnStefankosaid.
Thelastundergroundminingrelatedfatalityoccurredinthebituminousregion63monthsagoon
June23,2009.Ithasbeen75monthsintheanthraciteregionand73monthsintheindustrialminerals
regionsincethelastundergroundfatality.
Nationwide,therewere14workrelatedfatalitiesinundergroundcoalminesin2013andthere
aresevenfatalitiestodatein2014,accordingtothefederalMineSafetyandHealthAdministration.
Pennsylvaniaisthenationsfourthlargestcoalproducingstate.In2013,itproducedmorethan
67.1milliontonsofcoal,46.7milliontonsofwhichcamefromundergroundmines.Theunderground
miningindustryemploysmorethan5,600Pennsylvanians.
Formoreinformationonundergroundminesafety,visitDEPsMineSafetywebpage.
WestmorelandLandTrust:5YearsOfPreservingOpenSpace
TheWestmorelandLandTrustishostingacelebrationonOctober3markingthenonprofit
organizationsfifthanniversaryofacquiringopenspaceforthecitizensofWestmorelandCountyand
officiallyturningitslatestacquisitions,threeparcelstotaling74.8acres,overtoMurrysvilletoexpand
themunicipalitysDuffPark.
ThePiecesAreComingTogethercelebrationwillbeheldinthepavilionatDuffPark,
beginningat11a.m.OfficialsfromtheWestmorelandLandTrust,theDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResources,andtheMunicipalityofMurrysvillewillpresentabriefprogram.Lightrefreshments
willbeserved,followedbywalkingtoursofthepark.Theeventisopentothepublicandwillbeheld
rainorshine.
TheWestmorelandLandTruststhreemostrecentlyacquiredparcelsincreasethesize
ofDuffParkbysome45percent,fromapproximately162acresto237acres,andbringthe
youngorganizationstotalcountywidepreservationeffortsto184acresinfivedistinct
communities.TheWestmorelandLandTrusttodatehasacquired:
The59acreOttoandMagdaleneAckermannNaturePreserveinArdara,NorthHuntingdon
Township,
22acresinMurrysvilleadjacenttotheLillianKellmanNatureReserve,*
21acresinRostraverTownshipalongtheYoughioghenyRiver,
3.5acresintheCityofGreensburgnearCabinHillDrive,
4acresinLigonierTownshipalongRoute30(conservedinpartnershipwiththeWestern
PennsylvaniaConservancyandtheLoyalhannaWatershedAssociation),
9acresinMurrysvilleadjacenttoDuffPark,
16.5acresinMurrysvilleadjacenttoDuffPark(apropertyformerlyknownastheNorbitrolPlanof
Lots),and
49acresinMurrysvilleadjacenttoDuffParkandaccessiblefromRoundTopRoad.
Preservingupwardsof200acresinourfirstfiveyearsofexistenceisasignificant
accomplishment,saidCharlesDuritsa,chairoftheorganizationthatwasformedin2007topreserve
landofspecialvalueinWestmorelandCounty.
TheWestmorelandLandTrustaccomplisheditslatestacquisitionsbypurchasingtwoproperties
fromprivateowners,CynthiaYerickandRDELandCo.,LLC,withgrantfundsfromtheDepartment
ofConservationandNaturalResources.
ThethirdpropertywasdonatedbylongtimeMurrysvilleresidentsTheoandPiavandeVenne,
andservedastherequiredmatchfortheDCNRgrant.Allthreeparcelsofnewparklandwillbenefit
arearesidentsandvisitorsinperpetuity.
DuffParkisanextraordinarynaturalareathathasbeendesignatedasaPennsylvaniaWildPlant
Sanctuary.ItalsoishomeofoneofPennsylvaniasfewremainingdeciduousoldgrowthforestsareas
(withtreesofestimatedageof215to240years).ManyvisitDuffParktoenjoyitsforestandnative
wildflowers,numerouswalkingtrails,andscenicviewsoverlookingTurtleCreek.
Inthenottoodistantfuture,visitorstoDuffParkwillalsobeabletoenjoyuseofarecreational
railtrail,withtheconstructionoftheTurtleCreekTrail,whichwillrunalongsideTurtleCreekfromthe
westernedgeofLincolnAvenueinExporttoTrafford,passingthroughMurrysville,Monroeville,and
PennTownshipalongtheway.TheWestmorelandLandTrustisapartnerintheTurtleCreekTrail
project.
TheorganizationalsosponsoredateamintheMarchforParksfundraiserthispastspring,
contributingnearly$2,000ofthe$33,000raisedforthis9.5miletrailproject,andplacingamongthe
top10fundraisingteams.
TheWestmorelandLandTrustisanindependent,nonprofit,allvolunteerorganizationthat
seekstopreserveawidevarietyoftypesofland,including:
Landthatoffersscenicvistas,
TractsthathelptocreatelargergreenwaycorridorsthroughWestmorelandCounty,
Landthathasecological,historical,orculturalvalue,and
Sensitiveareasthatareunderpressurefordevelopment.
Formoreinformation,visittheWestmorelandLandTrustwebsite.
FriendsOfTheWissahickonScheduleOctoberWalksInThePark
EnjoyOctoberintheWissahickon,whenFriendsoftheWissahickonTrailAmbassadorsareoffering
freehikesinWissahickonValleyParkinPhiladelphia.ClickHereforacompletescheduleofactivities.
PinnacleOverlookInLancasterCountyNowInStateParkSystem
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauofStateDavidKemmererMonday
announcedthedepartmentwillnowmanagethe80acrePinnacleOverlookinLancasterCountyafter
finalizingacooperativeagreementwiththeLancasterCountyConservancy.
TheoverlookoffersviewsoftheSusquehannaRiverandsurroundingLancasterandYork
counties.ThepropertywillbecomeapartofacomplexincludingSamLewisandthenearby
Susquehannockstateparks.
AddingthePinnacleOverlooktoourstateparksystemdramaticallyincreasestheviewweare
abletoprovidetoourvisitorsofthebeautifulSusquehannaRivervalley,Kemmerersaid.The
managementagreementbetweentheLancasterCountyConservancyandDCNRwillcontinuepublic
accesstotheoverlookforvisitorstoourstateparks,theSusquehannaRiverlandsregionandtheJohn
SmithNationalHistoricWaterTrail.
ThePinnacleOverlookispartofalandtransferfromPPLsHoltwoodhydroelectricplantto
theLancasterCountyConservancy.
Thelandtransferssupportaregionalinitiativetoconserveagreenwaycorridorofriverlands,
knownastheSusquehannaRiverlands,alongthelowerSusquehannaRiver.
KateGonick,DirectorofLandProtectionfortheLancasterCountyConservancynotedthat
theincorporationoftheseactiverecreationlandsinthestateparksystemispartoftheprivatepublic
partnershiptoprotecttheSusquehannaRiverlandsthatwasstartedbyDCNRandTheConservation
Fundintheearly1990sandwillensurethattheselandsaremaintainedforthepublicbenefitandusein
perpetuity.PinnacleOverlookwillnowbemanagedinconcertwiththeotherDCNRoverlooksthat
togetherprovideanopportunitytoviewallsectionsofthescenicSusquehannaRiverlands.
DCNR,PartnersCelebrateDedicationOfChesterCountyTrailSegment
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryEllenFerrettiThursdayjoinedChester
CountyofficialsincelebratingcompletionofakeysegmentoftheChesterValleyTrailinWest
WhitelandTownship,ChesterCounty.
DCNRinvested$500,000throughitsCommunityConservationPartnershipsPrograminthis
sectionofatrailthateventuallywillextend18.5milesfromtheDowningtownareaeasttoMontgomery
CountyandaconnectionwiththeSchuylkillRiverTrail.
OurdepartmentisproudtopartneronprojectssuchasthisinChesterCountyasweknowthe
commitmentandtheinterestishere,Ferrettitoldthededicationgathering.Recentsurveydatashows
trailsrankedasthenumberonerecreationalinterestamongPennsylvanians,andpeoplewantthemclose
tohome.
Pennsylvaniahasthousandsofmilesoftrailsavailabletoconnectcitizenswiththewondersof
theoutdoors.Builtthroughpartnershipswithlocalcommunitiesandstakeholders,theyoffer
opportunitiesforfitnessandstewardship,andsimplyanenjoyablewalk,runorhikeforresidentsand
visitorsofallagesandabilities,Ferrettisaid.
NotingtheChesterValleyTrailprojectdatesbackto1991,whenrepresentativesofChester
andMontgomerycountiesandPennDOTenvisionedasoontobeabandonedraillineasamajortrail,
Ferrettisaidrecenteconomicimpactstudiesshowrailstrailsofferastrongeconomicboosttolocal
communities,generatingsubstantialuserspendingannually.
Trailsareallaboutconnectionsandweknowusersthatcomewillbemakingthose
connectionstothetowns,totheabundantnaturalresourcesfoundalongtheway,andtobusinesses
offeringaplacetostopforacoffeeormealendlesspossibilities,Ferrettisaid.
SpeakingatthetrailsExtonParktrailhead,ChesterCountyCommissionersKathiCozzoneand
TerenceFarrellacknowledgedDCNRandotherpartiesthatcontributedtothedesignandconstruction
ofthislatestsectionoftheChesterValleyTrail.
Whileitmaybeshorterindistancethanthefirsttwosectionsofthetrail,thecompletionof
phasethreeisavitallinkintheChesterValleyTrailproject,saidCommissionerCozzone.Itconnects
sectionsoftheexistingtrailonbothsidesofRoute100andrunsthroughcorporateparkbuildingsand
shoppingcentersaswellasprovidingevenmoreneighborhoodaccess.
TheadditionofphasethreebringsthetotallengthoftheChesterValleyTrailinChesterCounty
to13.5miles.Theprojectincludedtherebuildingofapproximatelyhalfamileofanunpaved
demonstrationtrailsectionbetweenShipRoadandtheExtonParksite,andasignalizedtrailcrossingof
BusinessRoute30atNorthShipRoad.
WeknowthathundredsofthousandsofpeopleusetheChesterValleyTraileveryyear,
CommissionerFarrellsaid,andasitexpands,sotoodoesthenumberofpeopleusingitforcommuting
aswellasforrecreation.
Specifically,DCNRfundingcoveredconstructionofapproximately1.2milesoftrail,ADA
access,landscaping,projectsignageandotherrelatedsiteimprovements.Thisthirdphaseextendswest
fromtheExtonParksiteonChurchFarmLanetoIronLakeBoulevardandtheMainStreetatExton
retailarea.
Totalconstructioncostwas$1.14million,withtheDelawareValleyRegionalPlanning
Commissionalsocontributinga$500,000grant.
Anotherfuturesectionofthetrailwillbeapproximatelyonemileinlengthandcontinuethetrail
fromMainSt.atExton,westtotheOaklandsCorporateCenter.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRsCommunityConservationPartnershipsProgramwebpage.
SouthMountainSpeakersToFocusOnRecreatingTheCiderIndustryOnOct.45,1112
Auniqueandgrowingaspectoffruitproductionintheregionwillbethetopicofthenextlectureinthe
SouthMountainSpeakersSeriesonOctober45and1112,attheNationalAppleHarvestFestivalin
Arendtsville,AdamsCounty.
TheChangingFaceofAgricultureintheSouthMountainRegion:RecreatingtheCider
Industry,willbeheldat2p.m.oneachofthefourdaysofthefestivalattheSouthMountain
Fairgrounds.ThelectureswillbeheldalongtheDemoStretchofthefairgrounds,nexttotheKettle
Korn.
Thispaneldiscussionwillexplorehowfourfamilyfarmsarefindingrenewedeconomicsuccess
byturningbacktoproducingsweetandhardcider,saidJonPeterson,aplannerwiththeAppalachian
TrailConservancywhoiscoordinatingthecommitteeonthespeakerseries.TheproductsoftheFruit
BeltcenteredinAdamsCountymostlyapplesandpeachesaretheprimaryreasonPennsylvania
ranksnearthetopofallstatesinfruitproduction.
ThepaneldiscussionwillincluderepresentativesfromHauserEstateWinerywhowilloutline
howtheirhardciderproductionistransitioningtheirfarmandbusinessReidsWinerywilldiscussthe
plantinganduseofheirloomciderapplesforitsproductionBigHillWineryandCiderWorkswilltalk
aboutcreatingamodernfarmbusinessbasedontheoldvalueaddedproductofciderand
representativesofOylersOrganicFarmandMarketwilldiscusstransitioningfromconventionalto
organicapplegrowingandsweetciderproduction.
ThiseventissupportedbytheGettysburgWineandFruitTrailandtheSouthMountain
Partnership.
Thepaneldiscussionisfree,howeverthereisachargetoenterthefestivalgrounds.
TheannualSouthMountainSpeakersSeriesisenvisionedasarevivalofthetalksgivenby
JosephRothrockinthelate19thcenturyaspartofhisworktopreserveandrestorePennsylvanias
forestsandnaturallandscape.ThefifthseasonoftheSpeakersSeriesissponsoredbytheCumberland
ValleyVisitorsBureau.
Nov.13Lecture
Thefinallecturethisyearwillbe:ChangingClimateandtheSouthMountainRegion,
November13atDickinsonCollege.
TheSouthMountainPartnershipisapublicprivatepartnershipbetweenDCNRandthe
AppalachianTrailConservancy,andhasgrownintoacoalitionofcitizens,businesses,nonprofit
organizationsandgovernmentrepresentativesinAdams,Cumberland,FranklinandYorkcounties,
workingtogethertoprotectandenhancetheSouthMountainlandscape.
SouthMountainisatthenorthernendoftheBlueRidgeMountains.Communitiesinthe
400,000acreregionhavethrivedofffertilelimestoneagriculturallands,thetimberthatfediron
furnaces,plentifulgameandwildlife,andabundantpurespringwaterthatiscapturedbythemountains
permeablesoilsandreleasedintothevalleys.
Formoreinformation,visittheSouthMountainSpeakersSerieswebpageorcallthe
AppalachianTrailConservancyat7172585771.
SomeoftheearlierlecturesinthespeakerseriescanbefoundonYouTube.
GameCommissionBoardTablesRecreationUsePermitOnGameLandsProposal
TheBoardofGameCommissionersTuesdaytabledaproposaltocreateapermitthatwouldbe
requiredforthosewhodontholdavalidhuntingorfurtakerlicense,butwhousedesignatedtrailson
stategamelandsforbicycling,snowmobilingorhorsebackriding.
ThecommissionersdirectedtheExecutiveDirectortoworkwithstafftoreevaluatethe
proposalandbringnewrecommendationstotheboardattheworkinggroupmeetingDecember11at
theGameCommissionsHarrisburgheadquarters.
Amongotherthings,thecommissionerssaidtheywanttomakeclearintheproposalthatthose
usingpreviouslyapprovedtrailssuchasRailstoTrailswouldbeexemptedfromneedingthepermit.
Manyontheboardsaidtheycontinuetobelieveactionisnecessarytocurbdamageoccurring
ongamelandsthroughheavierimpactusesthatoccurnotonlyonauthorizedtrails,butinotherareasof
gamelandswheresuchusesareunauthorizedandillegal.Byrequiringapermit,theGameCommission
wouldhaveavehicleforprovidinginformationaboutgamelandsandtheregulationsthatapplythere,
commissionerssaid.
ThepermititselfdoesmoretobenefittheGameCommissionthanthefeeassociatedwithit,
saidCommissionerBrianHoover,whorecommendedthefeasibilitystudyintotheproposedpermit.
CommissionerDavidPutnamalsorecommendedsteppedupenforcementonunauthorizedtrail
useongamelandsasameansofdirectlyaddressingthedestructionofwildlifehabitatcausedby
unlawfulrecreationalriding.
Inreworkingtheproposal,GameCommissionstaffwillinventoryauthorizedandunauthorized
trailsongamelands,aswellasthepresenceofsignagemarkingthetrails.
Theproposalthatwastabledwouldhaveaddedtheprivilegetousedesignatedtrailsongame
landstothoseprovidedbytheexisting$30permitthatenablespurchaserstouseshootingrangeson
stategamelands.
Whilenonhuntingrecreationalusestraditionallyhavebeenallowedongamelandsonalimited
basis,theprimaryuseofstategamelandsistoprovidewildlifehabitatandcreatehuntingandtrapping
opportunitiesforthePennsylvanians.
Stategamelandsareunlikestatecountyparks,whichoftenarepurchasedwithtaxdollars.
Pennsylvaniasmorethan1.4millionacrestategamelandssystemwascreatedprimarilywithfunding
providedbythestateshuntersandtrappers,throughlicensesalesandothermeans.
Thepermitproposedseekstorecoversomeofthemoneyspentontrailmaintenanceassociated
withrecreationalridingthatsnotrelatedtohunting,andpreservethegamelandsasprimewildlife
habitat.
Inotheractions,theBoard
GameCommissionAcquires170AcresOfLand
BoardApproves2EnergyLeases
FalconersAllowedChanceAtArcticPeregrines
NewOnlineOptionForHunterEducationExplored
ClickHereforacompletesummaryofBoardactions.
NewsClips:
GameCommissionBoardTablesRecreationPermitProposal
GameCommissionPostponeActionOnStateGameLandUserPermit
21stAnnualWildlifeArtAuctionAtNedSmithCenterOct.4
TheNedSmithCenterforNatureandArtwillholdits21stAnnualWildlifeArtAuctiononOctober4
intheCentersOlewineGalleryinMillersburg,DauphinCounty.
Over150beautifulpiecesofartwillbeonauction,includingdozensofNedSmithprintsand
originals.OtherworksfromsomeofAmericasmostcelebratedwildlifeartistslikeRobertBateman,
R.C.Kray,LauraMarkFinbergandGeraldPuttwillbeavailable.
TheCenterwillalsohostaFallFamilyFunDayonOctober11.
InvitationToBidOnDCNR,DEPProjects
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcespublishednoticeofaninvitationtobidon
projectsinClarionandYorkcounties.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofaninvitationtobidonwellplugging
projectsinErieCountyandMcKeanCounty,
HelpWanted:WebWriter/SocialMediaManagerAllianceForChesapeakeBay
TheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBayseeksaWebWriter/ContentManager/SocialMediaSpecialist
fortheChesapeakeBayProgramCommunicationsOfficeinAnnapolis,Maryland.
ThispositionisanintegralpartoftheoverallCBPCommunicationsOfficeteam,iscentralto
oursuccessfulonlinecommunicationseffortsandisresponsibleforthecreation,maintenanceand
marketingofconsistenthighqualitywebcontentfortheChesapeakeBayProgramwebsite.The
deadlineforapplicationsisOctober2.ClickHereforallthedetails.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming
advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased.Italsogivesyouaheadsupon
HouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,conferencesandotherinterestingevents.Meetingsarein
Harrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
October1SenateDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingontrackingandreportingpublic
healthcomplaintsinPA.KingsCollege,133N.RiverSt.,WilkesBarre.11:00.
October2AgendaReleased.DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
StatusofCommercialLLRWDisposalFacilities
StatusofNRCofProposedDisposalFacilityLicensingRule
ReviewofLLRWGenerationInformation
UpdateonDEPRadiationStudyforOilandGasOperations(TENORM)
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts
October6EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointConservationCommittee.KeepPABeautifulwill
presentitsrecommendationsforsignificantlyreducingillegaldumpinginPennsylvania.Room8EAEast
Wing.Noon.(Notetime.)
October7NEW.AgendaReleased.PublicUtilityCommissionCombinedHeatandPowerEnBanc
Hearing.WilliamPittUnionBuilding,UniversityofPittsburghfrom1:30to4:30p.m.
October8CANCELED.DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipmentfor
deepmining.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00.(formalnotice)
October9DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.
October15DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard.14thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
October15DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
October15DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipmentfordeepmining.
DEPOffice,131BroadviewRd,NewStanton.10:00.(formalnotice)
October16DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.
October16AgendaReleased.DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystems
Operatorsmeeting10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October17NEW.PASectionoftheAmericanWaterResourcesAssociationAnnualConference.
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionOffices,4423N.FrontSt.,Harrisburg9:00.
October21EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
October21DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October22LocationChange.DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.
EmergingTechnologyApplicationsCenter,NorthamptonCommunityCollege,511EastThirdSt.,
Bethlehem.10:00.(formalnotice)
October23DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
October27SenateGameandFisheriesCommitteeholdsapublichearingonLymedisease,
GeisingerMedicationTakeBackProgram,GreatLakesFisherymicrobeadban,roundgobyimpacton
PAwaterways.TomRidgeEnvironmentalCenter,301PeninsulaDr.,Erie.9:00.
October27CANCELED.DEPhearingonHilcorpEnergygaspoolingrequestsinLawrence,
Mercercounties.AlbertP.GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernment
Center,AssemblyRoom,349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00.
October28DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,
October28CANCELED.DEPhearingonHilcorpEnergygaspoolingrequestsinLawrence,
Mercercounties.AlbertP.GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernment
Center,AssemblyRoom,349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00.
November5DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
November5DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:30.
November12DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:30.
November18EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
November18DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
December2DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
December9DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,
December9DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Road,Ebensburg.10:00.
December10AgendaReleased.DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewater
SystemsOperatorsmeeting10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
December11DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.
December17DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
December18DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105
December22DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOperatorsmeeting.11th
FloorConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
May68NEW.PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalsAnnualConference.Toftrees
Resort,StateCollege.
VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor
EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state
budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof
EnvironmentalEducators'website.
SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule
YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition
programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.
September30DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
October3PECOGreenRegionEnvironmentalGrants
October8FishCommissionStateWildlifeGrantsOhioRiverBasin
October20DEPCoastalResourcesGrants
October23PEMAFireCompany&AmbulanceServicesGrants
October31HawkMountainSanctuaryDigitalPhotoContest
October31PRCLensOnLitterPhotoContest
October31NEW.NationalStudentRadonPosterContest
November7DCNR2015TrailoftheYearNominations
November14DEPNaturalGasVehicleGrants
December11NEW.EPACleanDieselGrantsForPorts
December19ColdwaterHeritageConservationGrants
December31DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates(oruntiltheylast)
VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance
forenvironmentalprojects.
GeneralEnvironmental/BudgetNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
DEPSecretaryImplicatedInExplicitEmailExchange
CorbettAsksAGForSexuallySuggestiveEmails
CorbettCallsRacyEmailsUnacceptable
WolfSurprisedCorbettCabinetMembersReceivedExplicitEmails
Editorial:AGsRandyEmailsSelectiveDisclosure
GasIndustryGroupLaunchesElectionAdBlitz
Editorial:Corbett,WolfShouldGiveStraightAnswersOnFracking
PAUrbanPolicyNeedsTurnaroundSaysWolf
Budget
Sen.Pileggi:NaturalGasSeveranceTaxLikelyNextYear
Other
DisasterAidBillAdvancesToHouse
DunmoreWouldGetWindfallFromNewLandfillContract
TaylorFireStartedAtIllegalDumpingGround
MineSubsidenceStudyFindsLittlerRiskFromLandfillExpansion
Editorial:DontLetDealBuildTrashMountain
ExpertsPredictGasolinePricesBelow$3ByYearEnd
LancasterSustainableBusinessHoldCapitalDay
PAWilds:ChoosingPAOverColorado
LackawannaEcoTrolleyTourPlannedForSaturday
EmeraldAshBorersTakingTollInArmstrongCounty
GameCommissionBoardTablesRecreationPermitProposal
GameCommissionPostponeActionOnStateGameLandUserPermit
GameCommissionToHearCommentsOnRecreationalFee
MoraineStateParkTaggingEventNetsOnly1Butterfly
DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling
PipelineCompanyMakesOffersAlongLancasterRoute
CourtAllowsCondemnationForYorkGasPipelineWork
AgingNaturalGasPipelinesPoseHiddenThreat
ReplacementCostsGoFarBeyondPipeForGasCompanies
PANaturalGasLeaksAmongWorstInNation
LocationOfNaturalGasLinesShroudedFromPublic
BalancingGasPipelineExpansion,EnvironmentalUnease
PipelineReportIgnoresPreservedFarmsInLancaster
Consol,NobleSpinoffRaises$385MForPipelines
OpEd:PipelineCompanyDoesntHaveMyInterestsInMind
Editorial:DEPSlapsShaleDrillerWithRecordFine
StateEnergyOfficial:DoorIsOpenForEnvironmentalGroups
AntiFrackingDemonstratorsPleadGuiltyToBlockingRoad
ShaleGasExtractionIssuesGoBeyondFracking
Ridge:Drillers,EnergyIndustryMustProtectAgainstHackers
MarcellusShaleConferenceClosesWithBigNames
WestMifflinPressuresCountyOnAirportDrilling
GasIndustryRemediesBrainDrainInWesternPA
SludgeSpillUnderInvestigationInLittleMingoCreek
MarcellusShaleFuelingNeedForSnakeHandlers
GasIndustryGroupLaunchesElectionAdBlitz
Editorial:Corbett,WolfShouldGiveStraightAnswersOnFracking
GEToGivePennState$10MForGasDrillingCenter
Financial/OtherStates
MoodysCutsPriceAssumptionsForNaturalGasThru2015
ChemicalsSectorSeesOpportunitiesForInnovation
AlcoaMakesPushForLighterDrillPipe
Study:TreatedFrackingWaterCouldStillThreatenDrinkingWater
Watershed/FloodingNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
Flooding
Editorial:FalsePromisesAboutFloodProtection
OtherWatershedNewsClips
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewregulationspublishedthisweek.PennsylvaniaBulletinSeptember27,2014
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeoffinaltechnicalguidanceonSewage
EnforcementOfficerCertificationandTrainingProgramGuidance.
DEPalsopublishednoticeofafederalCoastalZoneManagementconsistencydeterminationfora
dredgingprojectintheDelawareRiverbyWasteManagement.
ThePublicUtilityCommissionpublishedatentativeordersettingstandardsfortheparticipationof
demandsidemanagementresourcestechnicalreferencemanualupdate.
DEPID:3852314002.Title:SewageEnforcementOfficerCertificationandTrainingProgram
Guidance.Description:ThisdocumentestablishestheframeworkforaSewageEnforcementOfficer
(SEO)certificationandtrainingprogramthatwillproduceaknowledgeableandskilledSEO
community.TheDepartmentreceivedcommentsonthedrafttechnicalguidanceandprepareda
commentresponsedocumentwhichisavailableoneLibrary.Contact: JohnDiehlat7177878184or
jdiehl@pa.gov.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
CLICKHEREToPrintEntirePAEnvironmentDigest
CLICKHEREtoPrintTheEntirePAEnvironmentDigest.
StoriesInvited
Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesorprogramsfor
publicationinthePAEnvironmentDigestto:DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.
PAEnvironmentDigestiseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceofCrisciAssociates,aHarrisburgbased
governmentandpublicaffairsfirmwhoseclientsincludeFortune500companiesandnonprofit
organizations.
Didyouknowyoucansearch10yearsofbackissuesofthePAEnvironmentDigestondozensof
topics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose?Justclickonthesearchpage.
PAEnvironmentDigestweeklywasthewinnerofthePAAssociationofEnvironmental
Educators'2009BusinessPartneroftheYearAward.
AlsosignupfortheseotherservicesfromCrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom:
PAEnviroDigest.
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand
announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas
theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail
alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including
NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted
updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto
newitemspostedonthisblog.
PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed
togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol.
SupportingMemberPAOutdoorWritersAssn./PATroutUnlimited
PAEnvironmentDigestisasupportingmemberofthePennsylvaniaOutdoorWritersAssociation,
PennsylvaniaCouncilTroutUnlimitedandtheDocFritcheyChapterTroutUnlimited.

Pa Environment Digest Sept. 29, 2014

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pa Environment Digest Sept. 29, 2014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PAEnvironmentDigest

You might also like