PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates

Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward

Issue#598Harrisburg,PaDecember14,2015

AdvicefromMelvinonthecurrentbudget/Kane/Eakin/TrumpcontroversiesinPA:Sellcrazy
someplaceelse.We'reallstockeduphere!

BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelayClimatePlan

TheSenateamendedandpassedaseriesofbillsinthesupposedly
agreedtobudgetpackageWednesdaynightandThursday,oneof
whichwouldkillthe
conventionaldrillingregulations
andforceDEP
tostarttheprocessover,reduceGrowingGreenerwatershed
restorationandrelatedfundingby$15millionnextfiscalyearand
expandsthetimetheGeneralAssemblyhastoreviewanyplanDEP
developstomeet
EPAsCleanPowerClimateRule
underAct175of
2014.
To
quoteSenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman
(RCentre),
TheSenatehasdoneitsjob.WerewaitingontheHouse.Weve
sentthemacompletelistofbills.Letsseewheretheygo.
SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson)saidWednesdaynight
the
budgetisaHousedrillnowbecauseallthemajorbudgetbillsareintheHouse.
HesaidheunderstandstheHousehastogothroughaprocess,buthesaidhehopessome
sanepeoplecometothetableandrealizewevegottogetabudgetdone.Heshopingfor
Christmas.
Gov.WolfissuedasharplywordedstatementFridaycriticalofHouseRepublicansfor
holdingupresolutionofthebudgetimpasse:ItisDecember11th,morethan5monthsafterthe
deadlineforpassingabudget,andtheHouseRepublicans,controlledbyextremerightwing
membersthatkowtowtospecialinterests,continuetoblockabipartisan,responsiblebudget
frompassing.
Aftertheactionsofseveralteapartymembersofthecaucus,ledbySpeakerTurzai,itis
nowclearthatthisimpasseisontheHouseRepublicans.
Theverypeopleholdingupthisbudget,HouseRepublicans,tooktodayoff,manyof
themtravelingtoNewYorkCity,fortheglitzandglamourofPASocietyweekend.Thisis
unconscionable.
ThattheHouseRepublicanssawfittotaketodayoffafterblowingupthe5partybudget
agreementforthesecondtimeisdisgraceful,saidGov.Wolf.Rightnow,HouseRepublicans
arecontrolledbytheteapartyandspecialintereststhatwanttoprotectthatstatusquothathas
resultedinunderfundedschoolsandcaused5downgrades.Theyarethebiggestimpedimentto

passingabudget.
AtapressavailabilityFridayinHarrisburg,
HouseSpeakerMikeTurzai(RAllegheny)
said
,ThereareopenissuesineachandeveryareaofthebudgetpackagesenttotheHouseby
theSenate.Henotedspecificallytheliquorreformbillwouldnotpassinitscurrentformandthe
EducationCodebillneededthemostwork.
4Of5Agree?
SenateRepublicanleaderssaythebillstheypassedwereagreedtobythreeofthefour
legislativecaucusesandGov.Wolfsaidhewouldsignthem,withtheHouseRepublicansbeing
theholdouts.
But,somecrackscanbeseeninthesupposedlyagreedtobudgetbillpackage.
PennLive.comreportedlateThursday
Gov.WolfopposesloadinguptheFiscalCodebill
(criticaltoimplementingabudget)togutoilandgasregulationsorslowimplementationofthe
EPACleanPowerClimatePlan,accordingtohisspokespersonJeffSheridan.
"ThegovernoriscommittedtotheCleanPowerPlan,whichisanimportantopportunity
toreduceemissionsandcombatclimatechange,andensuringproperoversightoftheoilandgas
industrywiththeChapter78process,"headded.
AvetooftheFiscalCodeisapossibility,accordingtotheGovernor'sOffice.
Andthen,ofcourse,morechangesareanalmostcertaintyasaresultofnegotiationswith
HouseRepublicans.
Andbytheway,the
IndependentFiscalOffice
Wednesdayreleasedits
longterm
economicandbudgetoutlookforFY201516throughFY202021
sayingthestatefacesa
deficitofover$3.5billionoverthenexttwofiscalyearsundercurrentlawsandpolicies.
Thisyearsstatebudgetprocess,withallitsmovingparts,isliketryingtogetallthe
colorstolineuponaveryhighstakesRubicsCube.
(CredittoHouseMajorityLeaderDavid
Reed(RIndiana)forthatanalogy.)
Butatleastthereismovementafteralmost6monthsofbudgetimpasse.Thatsgood,
right?
TheSenatewillreturntovotingDecember14(maybe)foronedayonlysofar.The
HouseisscheduledtobeinvotingsessionDecember13,14,15,16(theycanceledDecember
12).
Staytuned...
WhereWeStand
Insignificantbipartisanvotes,theSenatepassedtheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327

48to1theAdministrativeCodebill
HouseBill941
48to2Liquorprivatization
HouseBill
1690
29to21pensionreform
SenateBill1082
(BrowneRLehigh)38to12Welfare
Codebill
HouseBill1322
(KauferRLuzerne)47to3andtheEducationCodechanges
HouseBill530
41to9.
TheamendedversionoftheGeneralFundbudgetbill
HouseBill1460
containingthe
numbersSenateRepublicanssaywereagreedtobythreeofthelegislativecaucusesandGov.
Wolf,butnotHouseRepublicans,isstillontheSenateCalendarpoisedforafinalvoteatany
time.
TheSenatedoesnotplantotakeactionontheTaxCodebill
HouseBill1198
untila
final,final,finalagreementismadesomembersonlyhavetovoteontaxesonce.
FiscalCodeBill
TheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)waschangedintheSenate

AppropriationswithasingleomnibusamendmentandpassedbytheSenate.
ClickHere
fora
copyoftheamendedbill.A
SenateFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.Amongthechanges
relatedtoenvironmentalprogramswere
KillConventionalOil&GasRegulations:
Abrogatetheconventionaloilandgasregulations
developedbyDEPanddeclaringtherulemakingprocessusedtoproposetheregulationsinvalid
makingDEPstarttheprocessover.[Section1741.1E,page34]
ReducesGrowingGreenerFunding$15Million:
Reducesthemoniesdepositedinthe
EnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)FundbytheMarcellusLegacyFundfrom$35
millionto$20millionforFY201516.[Section1608E,page8]
ExtendsGeneralAssemblysReviewTimeForEPACleanPowerImplementationPlan:
DEPisnowrequiredtosubmititsplanforimplementingEPAsCleanPowerClimate
requirementstotheGeneralAssemblyforapproval180,not100daysbeforeitissubmittedto
EPAasrequiredby
Act175of2014
.IfnovoteistakenbytheGeneralAssemblybeforeAugust
22,2016,theplanisdeemedapproved.Ifoneorbothchambersdisapprovetheplan,DEPcan
evaluatethereasonsforthedisapprovaloftheplan,requestanextensionfromEPAfor
submittingtheplan.[Section1723E,page27]
FundingEarmarkedForSmallWater,SewerProjects:
$22milliontotheCommonwealth
FinancingAuthoritytofundwaterandsewerprojectscostingbetween$30,000and$500,000.
[Section1774.1A,page12]
IndividualSpecialWaterInfrastructureProjects:
$400,000foradrinkingwaterprojectin
acountyofthe4thclassand$500,000forupgradingasewagepumpingstationinacityofthe
3rdclassinacountyofthe5thclassfromDEPsGeneralGovernmentOperationsfunds.
CreateSpecialFundToPromoteConversionToNaturalGas:
EstablishesaNaturalGas
InfrastructureDevelopmentFundattheCommonwealthFinancingAuthoritytransferring$12
millionfromtheAlternativeEnergyInvestmentActtofacilitatetheconversionsofschools,
businesses,municipalitiestonaturalgas.[Section1741A.1,page24]
WashingtonCrossingStatePark:
Allocates$2.2millionofDCNRStateParksOperations
fundstotheoperationandmaintenanceofWashingtonCrossingStatePark
Individual,LocalGovernmentDisasterRecoveryAssistance:
Createsa$3millionprogram
inthePAEmergencyManagementtoprovideindividualandlocalgovernmentdisaster
assistance.[Section1735L,page66]
AdministrativeCodeBill
TheAdministrativeCodebill
HouseBill941
(ReganRCumberland)wasamended
andreportedfromtheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeandwaspassedbytheSenate.
Click
Here
foracopyoftheamendedbill.A
SenateFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.Among
thechangeswere:
MakingDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilIndependent:
SpecificallyrequiresDEPs
CitizensAdvisoryCounciltobeanindependentCouncilwiththesolepowertoemployandfix
thecompensationofanexecutivedirector.[Section448,page3]
GeneralFundBudgetBill
TheSenateTuesdayamendedtheHouseRepublicanbudgetbill
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)toincludethesupposedlyagreedtobudgetlanguage.Thebillisnowin
positionforafinalvoteatanytimetosenditbacktotheHouse.
HereisacomparisonofselectedGeneralFundlineitemsfromlastyearsbudgetbill
HouseBill2328
totheversionofthebudgetpassedbytheSenateMonday
SenateBill1073

andtheHouseRepublicanbudgetasapprovedbytheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeMonday
intheoriginalversionof
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)
EnvironmentalProtection
AgreedToand[HouseRepublicanHR]
DEPGeneralOperations$13.1million,slightincrease[HR$13.3million]overlastyear$12.4
million
DEPProtectionOperations$89.3million[HR$87.1million],slightincreaseoverlastyear
$84.4million
DEPProgramManagement$29.5million[HR$28.2million],slightincreaseover$28.6
million
ConservationDistricts$2.5million[HRsame],sameaslastyear
TransferToO&MTrustAccount$500,000[HRnone]
BlackFly$3.3million[HR$3.3million],sameaslastyear
WestNileVirus$3.8million[HR$3.9million],slightlylessthanlastyear$3.9million
SewageFacilitiesGrants$610,000[HR$900,000],slightlessthanlastyear$700,000
DRBC$750,000increase[HR$434,000]over$434,000lastyear
SRBC$573,000[HR$473,000],sameaslastyear
ORSANCO$136,000[HRsame],sameaslastyear
PotomacRiverBasinCommission$46,000[HR$46,000],sameaslastyear
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil$250,000,nolineiteminpreviousyears[HRNone].
ConservationandNaturalResources
DCNRGeneralOperations$12.3million[HRsame(plus$5millionfromOil&GasLease
Fund],increaseover$5.8millionlastyear
StateParksOperations$33.2million[HRsame](plus$21.4millionfromOil&GasLease
Fund[HRsame]),decreaseover$2.2millionlastyear($45millionfromOil&GasLease
Fund)
StateForestOperations$11.1million[HRsame](plus$10.5millionfromOil&GasLease
Fund[HRsame]),increaseover$1millionlastyear(plus$17.5millionfromOil&GasLease
Fund)
HeritageParks$2.7million[HR$2.2million],sameaslastyear
Agriculture
AgricultureGeneralOperations$28.4million[HR$27.6million],increaseover$25.2
million
ConservationDistricts$869,000[HRsame],sameaslastyear.
A
SenateFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
ClickHere
foraSenateRepublicanstaffbudgetspreadsheetforSenateBill1073.
Click
Here
foraHouseDemocraticstaffbudgetspreadsheetforSenateBill1073.
ClickHere
foracopyoftheHouseRepublicanbudgetspreadsheetfortheRepublican
budgetthatwasinHouseBill1460.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations

SenateMovesBudgetFightIntoHousesCourt
WolfSaysHesStickingToBudgetDealAfterHouseRevolt
AfterSplit,SomeDetenteInStateBudgetTalks
SenateToPressCaseInBudgetShowdownWithHouseGOP
PLS:Scarnati:BudgetIsNowAHouseDrill
SenateScuttlesHousePassedBudget,RecommitsToBudgetAgreement
SenateCommitteeGutsHouseBudget,AmendsInAgreedToBudget
HouseGOPLaunchesNewRoundInBudgetBattle
Senate,HouseMoveTowardShowdownOnBudget
ReviewOfSenate,HouseBudgetPlans
SenateOKsBipartisanBudget,HouseFateUnsure
SenateToVoteOnBudgetDespiteHouseGOPsOpposition
PLS:SenateLoadsBudget,PensionBillsFacingUncertainFuture
PABudgetBreakthroughHopesInTheGutter
RelatedStories:
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesNewHurdlestoComplyingWithCleanPowerPlan
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesBudgetBillKillingConventionalDrillingRegulations
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpEd:TheBudget&ProtectingThePublicTrust
EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeRejectionOfLatestBackroomDealInBudgetBill
BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelaysClimatePlan

PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesBudgetBillKillingConventionalDrillingRegulations

TheSenateRepublicansagainaddedaprovisiontotheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)toinvalidatethe
regulationsDEPproposed
toensureconventionaloilandgas
wellsprotecttheenvironmentandmakeDEPstarttheregulatoryprocessover.
TheSenateandHouse
didthesamething
inJulyin
SenateBill655
(BrowneRLehigh)
aspartofthefirstbudget,butGov.Wolfvetoedtheentirepackage.
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilhasconsistently
expresseditsopposition
tothe
provisiontokilltheregulationssayingtheregulationshaveundergonethemostrigorouspublic
reviewprocessofanyregulationinthe45yearhistoryofmodernenvironmentalprograms.
PECwrotetoallmembersoftheSenateThursdayurginglawmakerstoremovethe
provisionfromtheFiscalCodebill.Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,Iamwritingtoconveyour
continuedoppositiontotheuseofFiscalCodelegislationtoinhibitorundoenvironmental
protections.Webelievethispractice,usedwithincreasingfrequencybytheGeneralAssembly,
isagainstthepublicinterestandlikelyunconstitutional.
WednesdayHouseBill1327(P.N.2650)wasamendedtoincludelanguageabrogating
proposedrulemakingbythePennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwithrespect
toconventionaloilandgasoperations.Thisproposedrulemakingwasdevelopedinresponseto
legislationpassedbytheGeneralAssemblyin2012andsignedintolawbyGovernorCorbett
rulemakingthathasbeensubjectto12publichearings,2separatepubliccommentperiods,and
morethanadozenpublicmeetingswiththeoil&gastechnicaladvisoryboard.
Thislegislativeamendmenthasnotbeenaffordedproperpublicconsideration.Instead,it

hasbeenburiedinomnibuslegislationthat,duetolongoverdueresolutionofthe
Commonwealthsbudget,willbevirtuallyimpossibletountangleorbevettedonitsownmerits.
ThereareseriousquestionsastowhetherinclusionofthisprovisionintheFiscalCodeviolates
thesinglesubjectruleofthePennsylvaniaConstitutionnottomentiontheEnvironmentalRights
AmendmentofArticleI,Section27.
WeurgeyoutoremovethisprovisionfromHouseBill1327.
JohnWalliser
SeniorVicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
Email:
jwalliser@pecpa.org
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesNewHurdlestoComplyingWithCleanPowerPlan
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpEd:TheBudget&ProtectingThePublicTrust
EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeRejectionOfLatestBackroomDealInBudgetBill
BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelayClimatePlan
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility
Analysis:MythConventionalOilandGasDrillingIsBenign

PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesNewHurdlesToComplyingWithCleanPowerPlan

TheSenateRepublicansaddedaprovisiontotheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)passedbytheSenateexpandingtheGeneralAssemblysreviewofanyplan
DEPdevelopstocomplywithEPAsCleanPowerClimateRule.
DEPisnowrequiredtosubmititsplanforimplementingEPAsCleanPowerClimate
requirementstotheGeneralAssemblyforapproval180,not100daysbeforeitissubmittedto
EPAasrequiredby
Act175of2014
.
PECsentalettertoallmembersoftheSenateurgingthemtoremovetheprovisionfrom
thebill.Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil(PEC),Iamwritingtoconveyour
oppositiontoanamendmentinfiscalcodelegislation(HouseBill1327P.N.2650)thatexpands
thetimeframeforlegislativereviewoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
(Department)implementationproposalfortheCleanPowerPlan.
AstheGeneralAssemblyshouldknow,failuretosubmitanimplementationproposalby
theprescribeddeadlinerisksimpositionofafederalplan.SubjectingtheDepartmentsplanto
expandedlegislativereviewlegislativereviewwhichitselfisnotguidedbyanyobjective
criteriagreatlymagnifiesthatrisk.
ItisimperativethattheDepartmentbegivensufficientabilitytodevelopandtimely

submitaplanthatmeetsfederalrequirements,andistailoredtotheneeds,challengesand
opportunitiesofPennsylvania.
PECalsoremainsopposedtouseofthefiscalcodeandomnibuslegislationtoaffect
substantiveenvironmentalpolicy.Itisagainstthepublicinterest,andpotentially
unconstitutional.
WeurgeyoutoremovethisprovisionfromHouseBill1327.
JohnWalliser
SeniorVicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesBudgetBillKillingConventionalDrillingRegulations
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpEd:TheBudget&ProtectingThePublicTrust
EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeRejectionOfLatestBackroomDealInBudgetBill
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility
BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelayClimatePlan
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility

EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeRejectionOfBackroomDealInBudgetBill

AFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)approvedbytheSenateAppropriations
CommitteeWednesdaynightwouldgutenvironmentalregulations,subvertthepublicinput
processforcleanairstandards,andgivehandoutstotheoilandgasindustry.
Pennsylvania'senvironmentalandconservationcommunityNationalResourcesDefense
Council,
PennFuture
,UnionofConcernedScientists,
CleanWaterAction
,
SierraClubPA
Chapter
,
CleanAirCouncil
,
PennEnvironment
,
ConservationVotersofPennsylvania
,
BlueGreen
Alliance
,MidAtlanticSolarEnergyIndustriesAssociation/
PennsylvaniaSolarEnergy
IndustriesAssociation
,andNextGenClimateAmericaslammedtheeleventhhourSenate
AppropriationsCommitteeamendmentsas"stategovernmentatitsleasttransparentandmost
hostiletopublichealth,cleanair,andpurewater."
ThegroupsurgedtheGeneralAssemblyandGov.TomWolftorejectpassageofthe
FiscalCodethatwouldlikelydelayPennsylvania'simplementationofthe
EPACleanPower
ClimatePlan
,thefederalplantoreducecarbonemissionsfrompowerplants.
Itwouldalsoexemptconventionaloilandgaswellsfromcompliancewithupdatedhealth
andsafetyregulations,andshiftexistingfundingforrenewableenergysourcestonaturalgas
development.
ThelatestversionoftheFiscalCode,HouseBill1327,wouldgivetheGeneralAssembly
thepowertoholduptheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection'sdevelopmentofastateplan

toreducepowerplantemissionspotentiallydelayingitbyyears.
ItwouldalsprohibitthestateEnvironmentalQualityBoardfromadoptingmuchneeded
andlongoverduemodernizationsofPennsylvania'soilandgasdrillingregulations.
Thebillalsoappropriates$12millionfromtheAlternativeEnergyInvestmentActto
createanew"NaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFund"tofurthersubsidizeanindustrythat
alreadybenefitsfrombillionsofdollarsintaxpayersubsidies.
Pennsylvania'sFiscalCodemustbepassedannuallytoauthorizeexpendituresprovided
forinthebudgetbill.
PennFuturepresidentandCEO,LarrySchweigersaid,"Withanewsenseofurgencyfor
passingabudgettofulfillthebasicfunctionsofgovernmenttoitscitizenswhohavebeenheld
hostageforoverfivemonths,lawmakersareshovingthisFiscalCodethroughsotheycanrun
offtoNewYorkandattendthePennsylvaniaSocietydinnerandrelatedfundraiserswithfunders
whoarelikelytobenefitfromthisbaddealbigoilandgascompanies."
ThisFiscalCodeincludeslanguagewhichcircumventsthepublicinputprocesscurrently
underway.
InthecaseoftheCleanPowerPlan,theDEPjustconcludedapublicinputprocess
consistingof14listeningsessionsaroundthestateanda60daywrittencommentperiod,and
willholdanadditionalcommentperiodin2016.
Andtherehavebeenmultipleopportunitiesforinputintothegasdrillingregulationsover
thelasttwoyears.Moreover,theamendmentsmaybeunconstitutional,becausetheFiscalCode
issupposedtodealwithappropriations,notenvironmentalstandards.
"ImplementationoftheCleanPowerPlanisanissuethataffectsallPennsylvanians,"said
MarkSzybist,SeniorProgramAdvocateforNRDC."Itneedstobeworkedouttransparently,as
theDEPhasbeendoingnotinbackroomdeals."
"TensofthousandsofPennsylvanianssubmittedcommentsandattendedhearingson
climateandgasdrillingregulations,"saidAdamGarber,FieldDirectorforPennEnvironment.
"TheGeneralAssemblyshouldn'tunderminethatrobustdemocraticprocessthroughsecret,back
dooramendmentsinthestatebudget."
"ByattackingtheCleanPowerPlanprocessandtheoilandgasregulationsusing
virtuallyhiddenlanguageinthefiscalcode,thelegislatureiscircumventingthepublicandacting
indirectcontradictiontothewilloftheirconstituents,"saidJoanneKilgour,Directorofthe
SierraClubPAChapter,"Usingthefiscalcodeinthiswaylackstransparency,violatesthe
public'strust,andrunscounterthePennsylvaniaConstitution."
HouseBill1327wasreportedoutbytheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeWednesdayis
expectedtobeconsideredontheSenatefloorThursday.Theenvironmentalandconservation
groupsurgedallstateSenatorsandRepresentativestorejecttheFiscalCodeandcrafta
responsiblestatebudgetforPennsylvania'scitizensandenvironment.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesNewHurdlestoComplyingWithCleanPowerPlan

PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesBudgetBillKillingConventionalDrillingRegulations
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpEd:TheBudget&ProtectingThePublicTrust
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility
BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelayClimatePlan
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility

PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility

PennLive.comreportedlateThursday
Gov.WolfopposesloadinguptheFiscalCodetogutoil
andgasregulationsorslowimplementationoftheEPACleanPowerClimatePlan,accordingto
hisspokespersonJeffSheridan.
"ThegovernoriscommittedtotheCleanPowerPlan,whichisanimportantopportunity
toreduceemissionsandcombatclimatechange,andensuringproperoversightoftheoilandgas
industrywiththeChapter78process,"headded.
Avetoofthefiscalcodeisapossibility,accordingtotheGovernor'sOffice.
TheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)waschangedintheSenate
AppropriationsWednesdaywithasingleomnibusamendment.Amongthechangesrelatedto
environmentalprogramswere
KillConventionalOil&GasRegulations:
Abrogatetheconventionaloilandgasregulations
developedbyDEPanddeclaringtherulemakingprocessusedtoproposetheregulationsinvalid
makingDEPstarttheprocessover.[Section1741.1E,page34]
ReducesGrowingGreenerFunding$15Million:
Reducesthemoniesdepositedinthe
EnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)FundbytheMarcellusLegacyFundfrom$35
millionto$20millionforFY201516.[Section1608E,page8]
ExtendsGeneralAssemblysReviewTimeForEPACleanPowerImplementationPlan:
DEPisnowrequiredtosubmititsplanforimplementingEPAsCleanPowerClimate
requirementstotheGeneralAssemblyforapproval180,not100daysbeforeitissubmittedto
EPAasrequiredby
Act175of2014
.IfnovoteistakenbytheGeneralAssemblybeforeAugust
22,2016,theplanisdeemedapproved.Ifoneorbothchambersdisapprovetheplan,DEPcan
evaluatethereasonsforthedisapprovaloftheplan,requestanextensionfromEPAfor
submittingtheplan.[Section1723E,page27]
ThechangeswerecharacterizedbymanyintheSenateasagreedtobyallpartiestothe
budgettalks,excepttheHouseRepublicans.Clearlythatmaynotbethecase.

ClickHere
foracopyoftheamendedFiscalCodebillwhichisnowintheHousefor
consideration.
ClickHere
forarundownontheentirebudgetpackagepassedbytheSenate.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesNewHurdlesToComplyingWithCleanPowerPlan
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesBudgetBillKillingConventionalDrillingRegulations
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpEd:TheBudget&ProtectingThePublicTrust

EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeRejectionOfLatestBackroomDealInBudgetBill
BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelayClimatePlan

OpEd:TheBudget&ProtectingThePublicTrust

ByDavittWoodwell,President&CEO,
PAEnvironmentalCouncil

Noonewilldisputethatthenowannualspectacleofthe
Commonwealthbudgetreflectspoorlyonthecurrentstateof
governanceinHarrisburg.Whathasntbeenacknowledgedenough,
however,isthesurreptitioususeofthisspectacletoundermine
environmentalprotections.
Overthepastseveralyearsthestatebudgetmoreparticularlythe
stateFiscalCodehasbecomeapreferredvehicletoquicklyand
quietlychangetherulesforenvironmentaloversightandenforcement.Becausethebudgethas
becomeaperennialcrisis,andnecessitatesomnibuslegislationthatisalmostimpossibleto
unraveloncesetinmotion,itbecomesveryeasyforlegislatorstoinsertprovisionsrequestedby
industrythatbypasspublicdisclosureandparticipation,nottomentionindependent
considerationbymembersoftheSenateandHouse.
Themostrecentexamplehappenedthisweek.OnWednesdayeveningtheSenate
insertedprovisionsinFiscalCodelegislation(HouseBill1327)thatabrogatedregulationslong
inthemakingrulemakingforoilandgasoperations,andplacedadditionalconstraintson
implementationofthefederalCleanPowerPlaninPennsylvania.
Inamatterofhours,theSenateswiftlyapprovedthislegislationwithoutanydebateon
themeritsoftheseprovisions,shuttingoutpublicnoticeandinvolvementaltogetherandwithout
asinglepriorvotebytheSenateonthemorethanadozenindividualchangesmadetolawinthe
bill.
NodoubttheHouse,facingsimilardemandsalmostsixmonthspastthedeadlinefor
approvalofastatebudget,willlikelyfollowsuit.
TheCleanPowerPlan,andthestandardsapplicabletooversightoftheoilandgas
industry,havenothingtodowiththebudget.Tomakemattersworse,thereisagrowing
dismissivenessbytheGeneralAssemblytothiswhollyinappropriatepracticeevidenced
yesterdaybyaresponsefromthespokespersonfortheSenateRepublicansonthelanguage
invalidatingenvironmentalrulemaking.
Considerthattherulemakingbeingunderminedisrequiredbylegislationalreadypassed
bytheGeneralAssemblyandsignedintolawin2012.Rulemakingthathasundergonemorethan
threeyearsofpublicanalysisanddialog,including12publichearings,twopubliccomment
periods,andmorethanadozenmeetingsofatechnicaladvisoryboard.Toarbitrarilythrowthis
processandproductoutthewindowwithoutanypublicconsiderationorinvolvementisan
affronttogoodgovernance.
Itisalsolikelyunconstitutional.ArticleIII,Section3ofthePennsylvaniaConstitution
containslanguagethatdirectsthelegislaturetofollowwhatiscommonlyreferredtoasthe
singlesubjectrule.Statedplainly,thelegislatureisnotallowedtouseonepieceoflegislation,
includingomnibusbills,toadvanceseparateorunrelatedprovisions.ThisSectionofthe
Constitutionwasadoptedspecificallytopreventtheveryactivitythatisnowtakingplace

annuallybytheGeneralAssemblywithrespecttoenvironmentallaws.
Thispracticeneedstostop.Thepublichasafundamentalrighttohavefullknowledgeof,
andopportunitytoparticipatein,thelawsthataffecttheirhealthandenvironment.Theselaws
mustbeconsideredontheirownmerits,andinplainsight.
TheGeneralAssemblyhasaclearconstitutionalduty,reflectedinArticleI,Section27of
thestateConstitution,toprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment.Usingthebudgetasameans
tosubvertorsubstantivelychangeenvironmentallawsviolatesthatpublictrust,andiswholly
inappropriatebythelawsofourCommonwealthandtheprinciplesofgoodgovernance.
TheGovernorandGeneralAssemblyshouldtakealleffortstoendthisaffronttoday,
tomorrow,andinyearsandbudgetstocome.Itistheirdutyandresponsibilitytothepeopleof
Pennsylvania.
Nowisthetimetostart.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesNewHurdlesToComplyingWithCleanPowerPlan
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpposesBudgetBillKillingConventionalDrillingRegulations
EnvironmentalGroupsUrgeRejectionOfLatestBackroomDealInBudgetBill
PennLive.com:WolfVetoOfBillKillingDrillingRegs,DelayingClimatePlanAPossibility
BudgetBillsKillDrillingRegs,CutGrowingGreenerFunding,DelayClimatePlan

DEPAcceptingApplicationsFor2016GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvites
Pennsylvaniabusinesses,farms,governmentagencies,
educationalinstitutions,nonprofitorganizationsand
individualstoapplyforthe
2016GovernorsAwardfor
EnvironmentalExcellence
.
ApplicationsaredueJanuary15.
Thisprestigiousawardhonorsthoseprojectsthathavetransformedenvironmental
challengesintoopportunities.
Wewanttoshowcasethekindsofinnovative,energysavingandrestorativeprojects
takingplaceallacrossPennsylvania,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.Theseprojectsandthe
peoplewhodevelopthemwillhelpleadPennsylvaniaintothenexteraofenvironmental
protection.
Awardwinningprojectswillbeselectedbasedoneightcriteria:protection,partnership,
publicservice,environmentaleducationandoutreach,pollutionprevention,economicimpact,
innovativetechnology,andnewthisyear,climatechange.
Pennsylvania'sclimatehasbeensteadilywarmingoverthepastcenturyandifit

continues,suchwarmingwillhavedisastrousimpactstoourenvironmentandeconomy,
Quigleysaid.Weareparticularlyinterestedinprojectsthatactivelyseektolimitorreducethe
rateoflongtermclimatechangethroughthereductionofgreenhousegasemissions.
Tobeeligibleforconsideration,projectsmusthavebeencompletedbetweenAugust1,
2014andJuly31,2015.
Applicationsmustbesubmittedbyemailto:
RAEPgovenviroawards@pa.gov
inorderto
beconsidered.
ProjectguidelinesandapplicationformsareavailableonDEPs
2016GovernorsAward
forEnvironmentalExcellence
webpage.
NewsClip:
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation

PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds

PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.

Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates

PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom:
PAEnviroDigest.

PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.

PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.

PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.

Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule[Updated]/GovsSchedule/Bills
Introduced

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas

wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(December13):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinking
waterwellconstruction
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)furtherprovidingforliability
protectionforlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsorsummary
)

SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)updatingandimprovingtheTransitRevitalizationinvestmentDistrict
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselforthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard.

<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.

Senate(December14):

SenateBill201
(SchwankDBerks)authorizingtheleasingofproperty
intheCleanandGreenProgramtoaruralenterprise(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlargeelectricusers(
sponsorsummary
).
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.

CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

NOTE:
Committeemeetingscanbescheduledatanytimewithlittlenotice.

House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.

Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.

BillsPendingInKeyCommittees

HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each

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

SeveranceTax:
HouseBill1743
(SantoraRDelaware)providingfora4percentnaturalgas
severancetaxwiththeproceedsdirectedtofundingeducationprograms(
sponsorsummary
).

SessionSchedule

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

Senate
December
14
(
maybe
)

House
December
13
,14,15,16

GovernorsSchedule

Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.

Senate/HouseBillsMoving

ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate

House

AmendedHouseGOPGeneralFundBudget:

HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)House
RepublicanGeneralFundvehiclewasamendedinSenateAppropriationsCommitteewiththe
agreedtoGeneralFundbudgetpassedbytheSenateonMondayandreportedfromCommittee
andisontheCalendarforafinalvote.A
SenateFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
Click
Here
foracopyofthebudgetspreadsheetforthesocalledagreedtoGeneralFundbudget.

RuralRecyclingMandateExemption:

HouseBill1533
(RaderRMonroe)exemptingcertain
moreruralcommunitiesfrommandatoryrecyclingwasremovedfromtheTable,referredinto

andoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandwaspassedbytheHouse118to83.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.

LocalStormwaterFees:
HouseBill1325
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizing2ndclass
townshipstoassessstormwatermanagementfeeswithoutforminganauthority(
HouseFiscal
Note
andsummaryisavailable),
HouseBill1394
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingboroughsto
assessstormwatermanagementfeeswithoutforminganauthority(
HouseFiscalNote
and
summaryisavailable)werereportedfromtheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedby
theHouse.ThebillsnowgototheSenateforaction.

HazardousMaterialsPlanning:

HouseBill677
(HannaDCentre)furtherprovidingfor
hazardousmaterialsemergencyplanningandresponse(
sponsorsummary
)wasremovedfrom
theTableandisnowontheHouseCalendarforaction.

Senate

OptOutFromEnergyEfficiencyProgram:

SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowingbig
electricityuserstooptoutoftheAct129energyefficiencyprogram(
sponsorsummary
)was
removedfromtheTableandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.

NewsFromTheCapitol

SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeHearsNeedForChangingSewageFacilitiesAct

The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
Tuesdayheldahearingonissues
andchangesneededinthe1966SewageFacilitiesAct.
(
ClickHere
towatchavideoofthe
hearing.)
DanaAunkst
,DEPDeputyforFieldOperations,outlined8specificareasofchangeDEP
wouldliketheGeneralAssemblytoconsider
Counties,andtheirplanningcommissionsorregionalplanningentities,shouldhaveagreater
roleinthesewageplanningprocess.
ChangestotheActshouldincluderequirementsforthirdpartytestingandcertificationof
newonsitesewagetreatmentanddisposalsystems.
Asmunicipalitiesdevelopandthedensityoftheirpopulationsgrows,theneedforonsite
sewagetreatmentanddisposalsystemstofunctionwelloverthelongtermaspermanent
infrastructurehasbecomeevident.
ChangestotheActshouldrequirethatallmunicipalofficialsewageplansbeevaluatedand
eitheradoptedorreadoptedbythelocalagencyatleasteverytenyears.
TheDepartmenthasexperienced,andiscurrentlyexperiencing,someproblemswithsewage
enforcementofficers(SEOs).Specifically,revisionsshouldincludeprovisionsforamorerobust
SEOcontinuingeducationprogram.
Requestremovaloflanguagerelatedtofees,and,instead,authorizeDEPtoadoptfeesbyway
ofregulation.
Believeitispasttimetoeliminatethetenacrepermitexemption.Thisexemptionallowsnew
landdevelopmentwithoutsewagefacilityplanningonparcelstenacresormoreinsizethat

existedpriortoJanuary10,1987.
AnyrevisionstotheActshouldaddresstheSewageAdvisoryCommittee(SAC).TheSAC's
currentsizeandcompositionneedtobeevaluatedandmodernized.
DuaneMowery
,ChairofDEPs
SewageAdvisoryCommittee
,saidDEPhasnotactively
involvedtheSewageAdvisoryCommitteeinthedevelopmentofregulationsandpoliciesinthe
sewageprogramforalongtime.
IthasbecomeabundantlycleartomethattheonlywaytoeffectchangeintheSAC,
whichhasbecomealmostexclusivelyareactionarycreature,istoengageunderstanding
legislativeforces,ortobefinanciallysecureenoughtobringanappealtotheEnvironmental
HearingBoardtherebyforcingthenecessarychange,heconcluded.Hedescribedthis
disconnectbetweentheagenciesasoneofthegreatestchallengesfacingimprovementstoAct
537.
ElamHerr
,StateAssociationofTownshipSupervisors,saidDEPenforcementof
municipalitycooperationisnotfeasibleduetounfairburdensonresidents.Healsosaidfuture
legislationshouldincludecriteriaforestablishingwhenplantupdatesoccur.
Regardingsewersystems,Herrsaidcentralcollectionsystemsareeconomicallyand
technicallyimpractical.
Thereisinsufficientpopulationdensitytoprovidesuchsystemsatareasonablecostto
theresidents,heexplained.Fundingforsewagesystemconstructionislimitedandmoreis
neededtomeetthemandatestoinstallorprovidesewerserviceimposedbyDEP,headded.
Hewentontomakeaseriesofotherrecommendationsforchanges.
ChrisWood
,Presidentofthe
PASewageEnforcementOfficersAssociation
,saidtheAct
needstobeupdated.Heexpressedconcernandrecommendedchangestoseveraldefinitions,
including:QualifiedRegisteredProfessionalEngineerQualifiedRegisteredProfessional
GeologistQualifiedSoilScientistSoilMottlingThedivisionofsewagedisposalsystemsinto
Conventional,Alternate,andExperimental.
TheDepartmentshouldbepermittedtorequiremunicipalitiestoestablishOperations
andMaintenanceprogramstoensurethelongtermoperationofsewagedisposalsystemswithin
themunicipality,saidWood.However,theDepartmentshouldbeprohibitedfromrequiringa
municipalityfromimposingsuchaprogramonanysewagedisposalsystemconstructedpriorto
programenactment.
RobertWood
,OwnerofRealEstatersofMansfield,requestedthestateallowalternative
systemstobeusedforplanningpurposesthroughouttheCommonwealth.Bynotallowingthe
useofalternatesewagesystemsforplanningpurposes,currentandfuturehomeownersarebeing
hinderedfrombuildinganewhome.Itsbecomeincreasinglymoredifficultfordevelopersto
plannewneighborhoods,hesaid.
BruceWillman
,CertifiedProfessionalSoilScientist,saidtheActiseffective,but
highlightedspecificsectionsoftheActthe
PAAssociationofProfessionalSoilScientists
are
concernedwith,including:definitionsofqualifiedsoilscientist,limitingzone,redoximorphic
features,andsoilmottlingSewageAdvisoryCommitteestructureandsoilmottlingprocedures
JulianMazero
,
AssociatedBuildersandContractorsKeystoneChapter
,saidtheActisan
effectiveregulatorytool,butcitedseveralissuesstuntinggrowth,includingmisinterpretationof
regulations,lackoftraining,slowchangingofregulationsandguidancedocuments,andquick
turnaroundonpermitapplicationreviews.
Arelativelyeasyfixwouldbetoprovidemorefrequenttrainingforbothpublicand

privatepersonswithinthewastewaterfield,hesaid.
Heechoedthedesireforacomprehensivewaterresourcesplanningapproach.Future
comprehensivewaterresourcesplanningprocesswouldbenefitfromadigitalapplicationand
reviewprocess,Mazeroconcluded.
ThaddeusStevens
,amemberof
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
,saidincluding
alternatesystemsintheplanningprocessisaworthyeffort.
Ibelievewecandothatinasurgicalmannerandgetitdonepromptly,headded.This
isneeded.Thesystemswork.
HesaidlanguageisavailablethroughtheCACforimmediateconsideration.Regarding
comprehensivereview,hesaidmanythingscouldbedonethroughalengthyanddetailed
process.
Isuggestyoucompletethatsurgicalcorrection,andthentakeonthelargerprocess,
Stevensconcluded.
Inhiswrittenremarks,StevensincludedalettertheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilsentto
both
DEPSecretaryAbruzzoin2014
andcurrentDEPSecretaryQuigleythisyearoutliningits
concernsabouttheAct537Program.[Unfortunately,copiesofbothlettersarenotontheCAC
webpagebecausetheywereapparentlylostinthetransitiontoanewDEPwebsitedesign.]
StevensalsopointedoutDEPsSewageAdvisoryCommitteehasnotmetsinceMarchof
thisyearandhadameetingcanceledbyDEPinSeptemberthatwassupposedtodealwithAct
537issues.
Copiesofwrittentestimonyandavideoofthehearingare
availableattheCommittees
webpage
.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandcanbe
contactedbysendingemailto:
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)servesas
MinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
NewsClips:
LocalOfficialsSpendALotOfTimeThinkingAboutSewage
LibraryRainReclamationPartOfScrantonDrainageImprovements
DisconnectDownspoutsToAidRiverInScranton
Scranton,DunmoreToNet$120MInSewerAuthoritySale
Editorial:ScrantonSewerDealPromisesLongTermStability
SewerPlantHelpsCreateSnowNearStateCollege
DelawareRiverkeeper:Dec.4RiverwatchVideoReport
OpEd:CleanWaterRuleBenefitsAllPennsylvanians
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

NewsFromAroundTheState

DEPIssuesAirQualityActionDayAlertForDec.12,13InMultipleAreasOfPA

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandits
regional
airqualitypartnerships
forecastaCodeOrangeairquality
actiondayforparticlepollutiononSaturday,December12and
Sunday,December13,forBerks,Cumberland,Dauphin,

Lancaster,Lebanon,Lehigh,Northampton,andYorkcounties,andforSaturday,December12
forBucks,Chester,Delaware,Montgomery,andPhiladelphiacounties.
Onairqualityactiondays,youngchildren,theelderlyandthosewithrespiratory
problems,suchasasthma,emphysemaandbronchitis,areespeciallyvulnerabletotheeffectsof
airpollutionandshouldlimitoutdooractivities.
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysstandardizedairqualityindexusescolors
toreportdailyairquality.Greensignifiesgoodyellowmeansmoderateorangerepresents
unhealthypollutionlevelsforsensitivepeopleandredwarnsofunhealthypollutionlevelsfor
all.
TheairqualityforecastpredictstheweekendtobeCodeOrangeforparticlepollution.
Particlepollution,akeycomponentofsmog,willremainelevatedthroughtheweekendas
unseasonablywarmaircontinuestobuildnorthwardalongtheEastCoast.
Thiswarmerair,alongwithlightwindsatthesurface,willcreateaninversionoverthe
region.Theinversionwillhelptoreducemixing,allowingparticlepollutiontorise.
Tohelpkeeptheairhealthy,residentsandbusinessareencouragedtovoluntarilyrestrict
certainpollutionproducingactivitiesby:Limitingtheuseofwoodstovesintheovernighthours
SettingthermostatstoalowertemperatureCarpoolingorusingpublictransportationand
Combiningerrandstoreducetrips.
Theseforecastsareprovidedinconjunctionwiththe
AirQualityPartnershipofthe
DelawareValley
,the
SouthwestPennsylvaniaAirQualityPartnership
,the
LehighValley/Berks
AirQualityPartnership
andtheSusquehannaValleyAirQualityPartnership.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
AirQualityPartnership
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEP:ExpectUnhealthyAirSaturday
Editorial:EthanolMandate,MorePingThanZing

CBFRespondsToBriefSeekingToOverturnTheChesapeakeBayCleanWaterProgram

ChesapeakeBayFoundation
PresidentWilliamC.BakerissuedthisstatementThursday
concerningabrieffiledby22stateattorneysgeneralaskingtheSupremeCourttooverturnthe
ChesapeakeCleanWaterBlueprint
.
ThebriefisinsupportoftherequestoftheAmericanFarmBureauFederationandits
alliesaskingtheSupremeCourttoheartheappealoftheirlawsuitagainstEPA.
InDecember,2010,theBayjurisdictionsandtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency
announcedpollutionlimitsthatwouldrestorewaterqualityinlocalrivers,streams,andthe
ChesapeakeBay.
Thestatesdevelopedindividualplanstoachievethoselimits,withagoalof60percent
implementationby2017and100percentby2025.Inaddition,thestatescommittedtotaking
specificactionsintwoyearincrementscalledmilestones.
Together,thelimits,plans,andmilestonesmakeuptheChesapeakeCleanWater
Blueprintandrepresentwhatmanyconsiderthemomentintimeforcleanwater.
Withinweeksoftheannouncement,theFarmBureauanditsalliesfiledsuitinfederal
courtclaimingEPAoverreach.CBFintervenedinthatsuit,supportingEPA.Afterlosingin
federalDistrictCourt,theplaintiffsappealedtothefederalThirdCircuitCourtofAppeals.
ThatcourtagreedwiththelowercourtandrejectedtheFarmBureausclaims.

Mr.Bakersaid:Thefederalcourtswerecorrectinrejectingtheclaimthatthe
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyexceededitsauthority.
Remember,thestatesaskedEPAtosetthepollutionlimitstohelprestorewaterquality
inlocalrivers,streams,andtheBay.Thisrequestcameafterdecadesoffailed,voluntary
agreementstodoso.
Thestatesandfederalagenciesworkingtogetherinpartnershipunderabindingdeadline
exhibitexactlythetypeofcooperativefederalismthatCongressintendedwhenitpassedthe
CleanWaterAct,asFederalJudgeSylviaRamboandtheThirdCircuitCourtofAppealsboth
affirmed.
ThestateswhichsupporttheFarmBureauareindirectconflictwiththesixstatesinthe
Baywatershed,allofwhomaredirectlyaffectedbytheBayBlueprint,andnoneofwhom
opposeEPA.
WebelievethattheSupremeCourtwillreaffirmthesignificantfactualandlegalsupport
forBayrestorationestablishedbythelowercourts.
Formorebackground,visitCBFs
ChesapeakeCleanWaterBlueprint
webpage.
NewsClips:
LibraryRainReclamationPartOfScrantonDrainageImprovements
DisconnectDownspoutsToAidRiverInScranton
Scranton,DunmoreToNet$120MInSewerAuthoritySale
Editorial:ScrantonSewerDealPromisesLongTermStability
LocalOfficialsSpendALotOfTimeThinkingAboutSewage
SewerPlantHelpsCreateSnowNearStateCollege
DelawareRiverkeeper:Dec.4RiverwatchVideoReport
OpEd:CleanWaterRuleBenefitsAllPennsylvanians
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStory:
PAFarmBureauJoinsU.S.SupremeCourtChallengeToChesapeakeBayCleanup

Dec.14WebinarOnSmallmouthBassPopulationsInTheSusquehannaRiver

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandFishandBoat
CommissionwillbeholdingawebinaronDecember14startingat
1:00p.m.todiscussthefindingsofamultiyearstudyinvestigating
thecausesofpopulationdeclineamongsmallmouthbassinthe
SusquehannaRiver.
TheCausalAnalysis/DiagnosisDecisionInformationSystem
(CADDIS)processwasusedtoidentifyandeliminatecandidate
causesbehindasmallmouthbasspopulationcrashthatbeganin
2005,aswellasahostofothermaladiesaffectingsmallmouthbassintheSusquehannaRiver
basin.
DEPandPFBCstaffwilloutlinetheneedforthestudyandtheanalysisofcandidate
causesinanonlinepresentation.
ClickHere
toregisterforthewebinar.Questionswillbeacceptedfromcredentialed
mediaattheconclusionofthepresentation.

Formoreinformationontheongoingstudy,visitDEPs
SusquehannaRiverStudy
Updates
webpage.
NewsClips:
LibraryRainReclamationPartOfScrantonDrainageImprovements
DisconnectDownspoutsToAidRiverInScranton
Scranton,DunmoreToNet$120MInSewerAuthoritySale
Editorial:ScrantonSewerDealPromisesLongTermStability
LocalOfficialsSpendALotOfTimeThinkingAboutSewage
SewerPlantHelpsCreateSnowNearStateCollege
DelawareRiverkeeper:Dec.4RiverwatchVideoReport
OpEd:CleanWaterRuleBenefitsAllPennsylvanians
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStory:
CBFPAActionAlert:LowerSusquehannaNeedsToBeListedAsImpaired

BerksConservationDistrictReceivesGrantToHelpLandownersProtectStreams

The
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
wasrecentlyawarded$2,500toworkwithlandowners
topreventpollutioninourlocalstreams,lakes,andrivers.
Theminigrantwasprovidedthroughthe
ConservationReserveEnhancementProgram
(CREP)OutreachProgramOfficeadministeredbythe
PAAssociationofConservationDistricts
.
TheCREPProgrampaysfarmersandotherlandownerstoconserveandenhancetheir
land.
Over12,500landownersinPennsylvaniahavereceivedpaymentssincetheprogram
began.
BerksCountyConservationDistrictwillusethesegrantfundstoholdaworkshopand
fielddayinJuly2016toexplainthefinancialandenvironmentalbenefitsoftheCREPProgram.
Withthisfunding,anyonewhoownslandnexttoawaterwaywillbeinvitedtofindout
iftheyareacandidatetogetpaidtoconserveandenhancetheirland,saidDeanDruckenmiller,
BerksCountyConservationDistrictExecutive.Overthenexttenmonths,weplantoeducate
landownersontheCREPProgramandtohelpthosealreadyenrolledintheprogramwith
maintenanceissues.
Throughthisgrantprogram,twentyprojectsreceivedfundingintwentyonecounties.
Projectsincludefielddays,workshops,andoneononevisits.Amorecompletelistingof
awardedprojects
isavailableonline
.
FinancialandothersupportfortheCREPOutreachProgramOfficeMiniGrantProgram
isprovidedbythePAAssociationofConservationDistricts,Inc.throughaGrowingGreener
WatershedProtectiongrantfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandwith
additionalsupportfromUSDANRCS.
Formoreinformationaboutthe
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
websiteorcall
6103724657.FormoreinformationaboutCREP,visit
PACREPwebsite
.

NewPennStateAg/EnvironmentCenterCitizenScienceProgramForStreamRestoration

Lookingforanewwaytoengagecommunitymembersinstreamsiderestorationefforts?The
PennStateAgricultureandEnvironmentCenter
andPennStateExtensionhaveworkedto
developacitizensciencemonitoringprotocolthatcaneasilyandquicklyshowvolunteersthe
goodthatcomesfrominstallingbestmanagementpractices.
Riparianbuffers,livestockfencing,andstreambankstabilizationstructurescan
dramaticallyimprovethehealthofastream.Unfortunately,mostmonitoringactivitiessample
downstreamandrequiremanyyearsofsamplingtoseeachange.
Thisnewprotocol,
FirstInvestigationofStreamHealth(FISH)
,guideslandownersor
volunteerstorecordimportantenvironmentalfeatures,likevegetationgrowth,wildlifepresence,
andwaterclarityatrestorationsites.Thesecommonmeasuresshowhowthestreamandits
neighboringhabitatarechangingovertime.
FISHisasimple,familyfriendlyactivitythataskseasytoanswerquestionsaboutwhat
youseearoundastream.WhatyourecordwithFISHhelpsyouandothersunderstandhowthe
healthofthestreamhabitatischangingovertime.
YoucanparticipateusingthepaperFISHsurvey,andthankstoapartnershipwith
ChesapeakeCommons,youcannowalsousemobileappsand
aninteractivewebsite
.
FISHisavailableforfree.Itsgreatforlandownerswithastreamontheirpropertyand
alsoforconcernedcitizenvolunteersinterestedinobservingastreamsiteonpubliclandslikea
communitypark.
Streamsectionsthathaverecentlybeenrestoredclearedofinvasiveplants,hadtrees
plantedalongthebank,hadlivestockfencedout,orotherprojects,arethemostlikelytosee
dramaticchangeovertime.
FISHcanencouragenewlandownerstorestoretheirpropertywhenpositivechangesare
recordedataneighboringprojectsite,accordingtoPennStateAECDirectorMattRoyer.High
deerpopulations,excellentfishing,andnewbirdsatthebirdfeedercanbehugemotivatorsfor
landowners,hesays.
FISHwasoriginallydesignedtobecompletedonpaper,butChesapeakeCommons,an
environmentallyfocusedappdeveloper,partneredwiththePennStateAECandPennState
Extensiontocreateasmartphoneappandwebsitetomakedatacollectionasmootherandeasier
process.
Togetstartedrecordingdataonyourstreamoratapublicaccesssite,visitthe
First
InvestigationofStreamHealth(FISH)
website.
FISHwasdevelopedthroughfundingfromtheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation
throughtwolargewatershedfocusedgrantprojects,TheConewagoCreekInitiativeand
GreeningtheLowerSusquehanna.
InputonFISHwasprovidedbymanypartnerorganizations.QuestionsaboutFISHand
thegrantprojectsthatsupporteditcanbedirectedtoKristenKyler,AECProjectCoordinator,by
sendingemailto:
klk343@psu.edu
orcall7179486609.

(Reprintedfromthe
December7WatershedWindsnewsletter
fromPennStateExtension.
Click
Here
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

DelawareRiverClearChoices,CleanWaterEducational,InteractiveWebsiteLaunched

ResidentsandvisitorstotheUpperDelawareRiverregionhaveanew

onlineeducationalresource
ClearChoices,CleanWater:MyDelawareRiver
tolearnmore
aboutwaterconservationandtopledgetotakeactiontoprotectourlakes,rivers,andstreams
frompollution.
Thisnewwebsiteisaneasytouseinteractiveresourcewithsuggestionseveryonecan
implementtoconservewater.
Bothhomeownersandrenterscanlearnhowtodesignandplantaraingardensmall
changestomakearoundthehometoreducewaterusageandsavemoneyonutilitybills
alternativestolawnfertilizersthatcontributetoalgaegrowthhowtofindvolunteer
opportunitiesthroughouttheregionandmuchmore.
Websitevisitorshavetheopportunitytotakeawaterconservationpledgeandput
themselvesonthemaptoseetheimpacttheiractionsarehavingonnearbyriversandstreams,
andseewhatactionstheirneighborsaretakingtoprotectcleanwater.
WeallrelyonthecleanwatersoftheUpperDelawareforourcleandrinkingwaterand
forthewonderfulqualityoflifeandstrongeconomyweenjoyinthisregion,saidSueCurrier,
ExecutiveDirectoroftheDelawareHighlandsConservancy.Wereexcitedtobepartofthis
initiativetohelpindividualslearnmoreabouteverydayactionstheycantaketomakeabig
differenceforthefutureofourlandsandwaters.
ClearChoices,CleanWater:MyDelawareRiverisacooperativeeffortamongthe
DelawareHighlandsConservancy

TheNatureConservancy

WildlandsConservancy

Pocono
HeritageLandTrust
andthe
BrodheadWatershedAssociation
.
Itissupportedbyfundingfromthe
WilliamPennFoundation
andbytheCommunity
ConservationPartnershipsProgramEnvironmentalStewardshipFundundertheadministration
oftheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,BureauofRecreationand
Conservationadministeredthroughthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncils

PoconoForest&Waters
ConservationLandscapeConservationAssistanceProgram
.
Visitthe
ClearChoices,CleanWater:MyDelawareRiver
websiteformoreinformation.

StroudCenter,ChristinaBasin:DoItYourselfEnvironmentalScience&Monitoring

The
EnviroDIY
DoItYourselfEnvironmentalScienceandMonitoringwebsiteisa
collaborationofthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
andthe
ChristinaRiverBasinCriticalZone
Observatory
.
EnviroDIYisanonlinecommunityfordoityourselfenvironmentalmonitoring
enthusiastsmayeventuallyhelpenvironmentalscientistsandplannersaroundtheglobebetter
observeandquantifytheeffectsoflanduseandclimatechange.
ItvisionisthatsharingofideasandexperiencesbytheEnviroDIYcommunitywillresult
inopensourcehardwareandsoftwaresolutionsforobservingourenvironmentthatarelowcost,
easytolearnandeasytouse,whichwillleadtoanexplosionofhighqualityrealtimedatathat
transformsthepracticeofenvironmentalscience,resourcemonitoringandwatershedprotection.
AllEnviroDIYmemberscanshowcasetheirenvironmentalsensinggadgetsordescribe
theirownhomegrownapproachestomonitoring,sensorcalibration,installationhardware,radio
communication,datamanagement,trainingoranynumberofothertopics.
Memberscanposeandanswerquestionsandcannetworkwithininterestgroupsto
collectivelydevelopnewdevices,tutorialsorotherusefulproducts.
EnviroDIYwasinspiredby
DIYDrones
,anonlinecommunityofabout60,000amateur

designersandbuildersofunmannedaerialvehicles
WeatherUnderground
,awebsitethat
aggregatesdatafromthebackyardweatherstationsinstalledbycitizenscientistsand
Public
Lab
,acollaborativecommunitycodevelopingopen,citizensciencetoolsforenvironmental
explorationandinvestigation.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
EnviroDIY
website.
ClickHere
tosignupfordailyor
weeklyupdatesonEnviroDIYactivities(middleofthepage).

DCNRWatershedEducationProgramHasNewWebsite,WaterQualityDatabase

DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretary
CindyAdamsDunnThursdayannouncedimprovementsare
beingmadetoits
WatershedEducationProgram
intendedto
givechildreningrades612aknowledgebaseonwaterrelated
issuesinthehopetheywillbecomefuturecommunityleaders.
Thenewwaterqualitydatabaseandredesignedwebsitewillmakeiteasierforteachers
andstudentstocollectandstoredataonmobiledevices,allowingforrealtimedataentryata
streamsite.
TosupportGov.Wolfspriorityforagovernmentthatworks,itsimportanttoengage
thenextgenerationwiththetoolsthattheyrelateto,DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnsaid.
WeremakingourWatershedEducationProgrammobilefriendlysoitseasierforstudentsto
collectdatatolearnaboutwaterourmostpreciousresourcesothattheyunderstandits
connectiontoweather,climate,energyandpublichealth,andworktoconserveandprotectit.
DevelopedbytheBureauofStateParks,theprogramblendshandsonclassroomand
fieldinvestigationsmodeledonprofessionalresearchmethodologiessostudentsparticipatein
datacollectionandanalysiscommunitynetworkingandpartnershipsstewardshipandservice
learningactivities.
Thecurriculumincludeslessonsthatincorporatelifeandphysicalsciences,mathematics,
geography,history,andlanguageartsskills.
Pennsylvaniasstreamstellastoryofwildlifethatlivesalongmuddybanksorhidein
quietpools,andofpeoplewhomaketheirhomesinitsbasin,quenchthirstfromitswaters,
harnessitspower,irrigatecrops,orenjoyitforrecreation,Dunnsaid.Thesestreamsprovidea
wonderfuleducationalresourcesforstudentsandteachers,andstudyingthembuildsasenseof
stewardshipandcreatespositivepartnershipsbetweenschoolsandcommunities.
ThenewwebsitecomplementstheWatershedEdcurriculumandoffersanupdated
libraryofeducationalresources:
AcalendarofupcomingprofessionaldevelopmentteacherworkshopsinPennsylvaniastate
parks
Waterrelatedresourcesforeducators(suchasprintablemapsandcharts)
BackgroundinformationonPennsylvaniastreams
Informationonphysical,chemical,andbiologicalwatertesting
Resourcesforcreatingclassroomandstudentwatershedportfolios
WETeacherWorkshopemaildistributionlistenrollmentand
Accesstothenewdatabase.
Thedatabaseprovidesonline,interactivestorageforclassroomwaterqualitydata
(conditions,physical,chemical,andbiological).Theonlinedatabaseautomaticallycalculatesa

streamsvolumeofflowandastreamswaterqualitydiversityrating.
Inthefuture,teacherswillbeabletoanalyzeandsharetheirdatausinginteractivecharts
andgraphs.
TheWatershedEducationProgramisofferedin54Pennsylvaniastateparks
highlightedonthismap
.
TeacherslookingtoparticipateinWatershedEdsworkshopsandotherprofessional
developmentopportunitiesshouldvisitthewebsite
CalendarofEvents
orcontactEnvironmental
EducationProgramCoordinatorCarissaLongobysendingemailto:
calongo@pa.gov
or
7177721807.
Tolearnmore,visitDCNRs
WatershedEducationProgram
website.

SRBCApprovesWaterWithdrawalRequests,AdoptsFinalPermitTransferRegulations

The
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
meetDecember4andamongitsactions,SRBC:
AdoptedaresolutionurgingPresidentObamaandUnitedStatesCongresstoprovidefull
fundingfortheGroundwaterandStreamflowInformationProgram,therebysupportingthe
SusquehannaFloodForecastandWarningSystem
Adoptedfinalregulationstosimplifyandrevisetherulesfortransferofapprovals,createa
categoryforminormodifications,andestablishaprocedurefortheCommissiontoissuegeneral
permits
AdoptedaresolutionupdatingSRBCsInvestmentPolicyStatement
AcceptedsettlementoffersforcompliancemattersfromSenecaResourcesCorporationfor
$75,000forfailingtocompleteand/orsubmitrecordsasrequiredbySRBCregulationsand
approvalconditionsandSchreiberFoods,Inc.for$44,500forconsumptivelyusingwaterin
excessofSRBCsregulatorythresholdand
Approved9applications,including1intobasindiversion,andtabled21applications.
Alistofprojectsconsideredatthemeetingandtheirstatus
isavailableonline
.
SRBCsvotingcommissionersandalternateswere:KellyHeffner,SRBCChairand
DeputySecretaryforWaterManagement,PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmental
ProtectionVirginiaKearney,SRBCViceChairandDeputyDirector,WaterManagement
Administration,MarylandDepartmentoftheEnvironmentCol.EdwardChamberlayne,
CommanderandDistrictEngineer,BaltimoreDistrict,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersand
KennethLynch,Director,Region7,NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmental
Conservation.
SRBCstaffalsoreportedondelegatedsettlementswiththefollowingprojectsponsors,
pursuanttoSRBCResolutionNo.201415:
BonAirCountryClub,intheamountof$5,000
BylerGolfManagement,Inc.doingbusinessasIronValleyGolfClub,intheamountof
$4,000
P.H.GlatfelterCompany,intheamountof$7,000
TheLionBrewery,Inc.,intheamountof$1,000and
IremTempleGolfClub,intheamountof$7,500.
Formoreinformationonmeetingsandhearings,visitSRBCs
PublicParticipationCenter
webpage.

DelawareRiverBasinCommission2014AnnualReportNowAvailable

The
2014AnnualReport
fromthe
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
isnowavailable
highlightingaccomplishmentsfromlastyear.
ClickHere
foracopyofthereport.

Dec.7WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension

The
December7WatershedWindsnewsletter
isnowavailablefromPennStateExtension
featuringarticleson

IsBuyingARealChristmasTreeAGoodThing?
(spoilerYES)

AcidRainEffectsOnForestSoilsBeginToReverse

UrbanTreesProvidePollutionSolution

BrookTroutStudyIdentifiesTopClimateChangeFactor

NewCitizenScienceOpportunityForStreamRestoration

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

KeepPABeautiful:SurveillanceCamerasInMichauxStateForestFightIllegalDumping

MichauxStateForest
inAdams,CumberlandandFranklincounties,
hasrecentlyincreasedeffortstocatchandidentifyillegaldumpers
andholdthemaccountable.
Thisyear,theStateForestinstalledseveralsetsof
surveillancecamerasalongtheirroadsandtrails.Onecamerasetis
onloanfrom
KeepPABeautiful
aspartoftheir
IllegalDumpFree
PA
program,acommunityresourceforfightingillegaldumping
locally.
Withevidenceobtainedfromthehiddencameras,AlexJ.
Cline(10/19/95)wasissuedacitationandisawaitingpleafor
scatteringrubbish,RonaldLeeKayhoe(7/28/47)wasissuedacitationandpleadguiltyfor
retrievalanddispositionofkilledorwoundedgameorwildlifeandwasfined$241,andWayne
Catron(10/25/57)wasissuedacitationandisawaitingpleaforscatteringrubbish.
AspartoftheefforttokeepMichauxStateForestbeautiful,theStateForestpartnered
withthe
AntietamWatershedAssociation
andWashingtonTownshipAdministratorsinFranklin
CountyforacleanuponNovember1stalongafourmilestretchofRattlesnakeRunRoad.
Membersfromseveraloftheforestsconstituentgroupswerepresentincluding
GettysburgBicyclegroup,SouthMountainBibleChurchandMichauxsVolunteerTrail
program.
(Photo:SouthMountainBibleChurchvolunteersandTrailvolunteersposeafter
AntietamWatershedcleanupalongRattlesnakeRun.)
Atotalof7,040poundsoftrashandnaturalwasteand1,500poundsofTVswere
cleanedup.Beforethevolunteersdeparted,asignwiththemessageTreesnotTrashwas
installedattheareawheretheheaviestdumpingoccurs.
Thestateforestmaintenancestaffworkeddiligentlythedayafterthecleanuptoremove
litterbroughtroadsidebyvolunteers.TrashwastakentotheWashingtonTownshiptransfer
stationwhichacceptedthewastefreeofcharge.

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful'sinvolvementwithourdumpingproblemhasnotonly
givenusatargetedplanbasedontheiryearsofexperience,buttheywerealsoabletoprovideus
withusefulsurveillanceequipmentthatwehaveusedtocatchdumpersandmonitorproblem
areas,saidToddOttinger,ForestRanger,MichauxStateForest.
Illegaldumpingisnotonlydetrimentaltotheenvironmentbutalsobringsafinancial
burdentoourlocalcommunitiesastheyareoftentheoneslefttocleanupthemess,explained
ShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulfoundthaton
average,itcostslocalcommunities$600/tonornearly$3,000foratypicalillegaldumpcleanup.
Ourforestandparklandsareresourceswemusttreasureandprotect.Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautifulishappytohelpthecleanupandenforcementeffortsalreadyunderwayin
MichauxStateForest,addedReiter.
ForproperdisposaloptionsinFranklinCountycontacttheCountyRecycling
Coordinatorat7172613855orsendemailto:
sclayton@co.franklin.pa.us
.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifuls
IllegalDumpFreePA
,launchedthisyear,provides
communitieswiththetoolsandresourcestheyneedtofightillegaldumpingthroughapublic
educationinitiative,surveillancecameraloanprogramandgrantsfordeterrents.
Theprogramisgainingtractionandhasbeeninstrumentalinprovidinginformation
neededforconvictionsacrossthestate.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
and
KeepPABeautiful
websites.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKeepPABeautiful.
NewsClips:
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation
YorkSolidWasteAuthorityExtendsCovantaContract

PECTV:IllegalDumpsiteCleanupsDiscussedOnEnvironmentalFocusNowOnline

Despiteyearsofprogressinrecyclingandreducingmunicipal
waste,therearestillmorethan6,500illegaldumpsitesin
Pennsylvania,thetopicofNovembersEnvironmental
Focusfromthe
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
.The
programis
nowavailableonline.
Thehalfhourtelevisionshowwelcomesfeatured
guestShannonReiter,executivedirectorof
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
(thestateaffiliateofKeepAmericaBeautiful,Inc.),anorganization
dedicatedtohelpingPennsylvaniansmaketheircommunitiescleanandbeautiful.
Additionally,aroundtablediscussionwasledbyformerSecretaryofthePennsylvania
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulboardmemberDavid
Hess,
KeepYorkBeautiful
executivedirectorTomSmith,andPECvicepresidentJanet
Sweeney.
Topicsdiscussedincludethemeasuresbeingtakentohelpreduceillegaldumping
withaccesstotrashdisposalarecurringproposedsolutionaswellaslookingintothereasons
behindit,andthecostsofillegaldumping,bothenvironmentallyandeconomically.
PreviouseditionsofEnvironmentalFocushavefeaturedtopicssuchasoutdoor
recreationonPennsylvaniaswaterways,Pennsylvaniascapitalbudget,thePennsylvania
PipelineInfrastructureTaskforce,theDelawareRiverConservationProgram,andclimatechange

withguestssuchasPennsylvaniaDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley,PennsylvaniaDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources(DCNR)SecretaryCindyAdamsDunn,andAndrew
JohnsonoftheWilliamPennFoundation.
ToviewpastepisodesofEnvironmentalFocus,
ClickHere
.
ClickHere
tosignupfor
regularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation
YorkSolidWasteAuthorityExtendsCovantaContract

Study:PennsylvaniasRecyclingRateUp22PercentIn5Years

Pennsylvaniahasseena22percentincreaseincollectionofrecyclablesinfiveyearsfrom4.8
milliontonsto5.85milliontons,accordingtoastudyby
PAWasteIndustriesAssociation
.
Singlestreamrecyclingnowaccountsfor43percentofallrecoveredmaterials.
ThePWIAstudy,summarizedatthe2015
PARecyclingIndustriesCongress
in
midNovember,foundthattheperpersonvolumeofrecyclablesinthestateisthreeandahalf
timeshigherthanthenationalaverage.
NewsClips:
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation
YorkSolidWasteAuthorityExtendsCovantaContract
RelatedStory:
CenterForRuralPA:RuralPennsylvaniansRecyclingLessDEPDataSays

DecemberConnectingProfessionalRecyclersNewsletterFromPROPNowAvailable

The
DecemberissueofConnectingProfessionalRecyclers
newsletterisnowavailablefromthe
ProfessionalRecyclersofPennsylvania
featuringarticleson

Study:PAsRecyclingRateUp22PercentIn5Years

IsRecyclingStillWorthwhileGivenExpense,EmissionsAssociatedWithIt?

2PALandfillsFaceResistanceOverExpansionPlans

CleanPowerPlanPromptsTrashFightInPA

EarnYourNationalRecyclingCertificationToday

10DaysOfHolidayGiftsRecycledPlasticsGiveaway

KidsCornerEducationResources

CalendarofUpcomingEvents,CertificationCourses

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

YorkCountyExtendsOperatingContractWithCovantaThru2035

The
YorkCountySolidWasteandRefuseAuthority
,ownerofthe
YorkCountyResource
RecoveryCenter
,and
Covanta
YorkRenewableEnergySystems,LLC,operatoroftheRRC,
Thursdayannouncedtheextensionoftheirlongtermoperationandmaintenancecontractuntil
2035fortheWastetoEnergyfacilitylocatedinManchesterTownship,PA.
Ongoinginvestmentstotaling$30millionwillcontinuetoensurethefacilitymaintains
rigorousperformanceandsafetystandardsandreliableoperationsfordecadestocome.The

extensionreflectsthesuccessfulandmutuallybeneficiallongtermcollaborationbetweenthe
AuthorityandCovanta,thelargestWastetoEnergycompanyinthecountry.
"ThisagreementpositionstheAuthorityandCovantatocontinueservingYorkCounty's
municipalsolidwastemanagementneedswellintothefuturebyensuringreliableand
outstandingoperationoftheRRC,"saidDavidVollero,AuthorityExecutiveDirector.
"Together,we'vegeneratedsignificantvolumesofelectricityforourresidentsfromtrashthat
wouldotherwisegotolandfills.OurpartnershipwithCovantahasplayedanimportantrolein
reducingtheCounty'scarbonfootprintandelevatingtheregionasawastemanagementleader.
We'redelightedtocontinueoursuccessfulcollaboration."
TheagreementtakeseffectJanuary1,2016andcontinuesthroughDecember31,2035,
andisbasedontheframeworkofthecurrentserviceagreementbetweentheAuthorityand
Covanta.
ThisextensionensuresthatCovantawillcontinueprovidingfirstclassmaintenanceand
operationofthefacility,ensuringcontinuedstabilityandreducedbusinessriskintheareaof
wasteandmaterialsmanagementforYorkCounty,itsresidentsandtheAuthority.
"AtCovanta,clientsatisfactionisthecornerstoneofoursuccess.Ourabilitytoextend
mutuallybeneficial,longtermpartnershipswithourhostcommunitieswellintothefuture,such
asthislatestagreementwiththeYorkCountySolidWasteandRefuseAuthority,isamajor
affirmationofthesuccessofpublicprivatepartnershipsandanimportantendorsementof
Covanta'sabilitytomeettheneedsofourclientcommunities,"saidCovantaPresidentandChief
ExecutiveOfficerStephenJones.
Sincethefacilitybeganoperationsin1989,atotalof10,817,313tonsofmunicipalsolid
wastehavebeenconvertedinto5,516,050megawatthoursofenergy.TheRRCservesthe
municipalsolidwasteneedsofthemorethan440,000residentsinYorkCounty,PA.
CovantaacquiredtheoperatingcontractforthefacilityfromVeoliain2009andhassince
managedthefacility'smaintenanceanddailyoperations.Thefacilityisdesignedtoprocessupto
1,344tonsofmunicipalsolidwasteperday.
AccordingtotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,usingwastetoenergyfacilities
reducesgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsfromwastemanagementactivities.
EPAestimatesthatforeverytonofwasteprocessedatawastetoenergyfacility,
emissionofaboutonetonofcarbondioxideequivalents(CO2e)areavoided.In2014,theRRC
processed448,547tonsofwaste,amountingtoavoidedGHGemissionsofapproximately
448,547tonsCO2e.

"WeapplaudYorkCounty'sdecisiontocontinuetheircommitmenttoutilize
EnergyfromWasteforsustainableandenvironmentallyfriendlymunicipalsolidwastedisposal,
whilepromotingalocalsourceofclean,renewableenergy,"commentedJimKlecko,Vice
President,SustainableSolutionsatCovanta."TheYorkCountySolidWasteBoardofDirectors,
thecountyanditsresidentshaveestablished,andinvestedin,afirstrate,reliableandsustainable
wastemanagementsystemwhichwilloperateforyears.WeareproudofCovanta'scontribution
asacriticalcomponentofthissystemandlookforwardtoservingthecommunityforanother20
years."
TheRCCwasinitiallydevelopedinresponsetoconcernsaboutlandfillingaswellasa
communitydesiretousethebestavailablewastemanagementtechnology.
In2002,thefacilitywasawardedtheVoluntaryProtectionProgramStarbythe
OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministrationforoutstandinghealthandsafetyeffortsandhas

maintainedrecertificationstatussince.\Thefacility'senvironmentalmanagementsystemwas
alsorecognizedwithISO14001certificationin2003,arigorousenvironmentalstandard
establishedbytheInternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO).
CovantaisaqualifiedvendorandoperatesfouradditionalWastetoEnergyfacilitiesin
thestateatthefollowinglocations:LancasterCounty,DelawareCounty,Harrisburgand
Plymouth.
TheAuthorityfacilitatesresponsiblesolidwastemanagementinYorkCountythroughan
integratedstrategythatemphasizeswastereduction,reuse,recyclingandresourcerecovery.The
AuthorityistheowneroftheRRC,locatedinManchesterTownship.
Thefacilityhasbeeninoperationfor26yearsandprocessesallofYorkCounty's
householdandcommercialwaste,aswellassomeofitsnonhazardousindustrialwastes.
TheRRCexportsmorethan220,000megawatthoursofelectricityannuallytothelocal
powergrid,enoughtoannuallypowermorethan10percentofthehouseholdsinYorkCounty.
ThatelectricityqualifiesasanalternativeenergysourceunderPennsylvanialaw.
TheAuthorityisselfsufficientthroughitstworevenuestreams:thesaleofelectricity
andfeescollectedfordisposalofwasteattheRRC.
FormoreinformationontheYorkwastetoenergyfacility,visitthe
YorkSolidWaste
Authority
website.
NewsClips:
YorkSolidWasteAuthorityExtendsCovantaContract
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation

PartnersForPlacesNowAcceptingApplicationsFor2016SustainabilityGrants

The
PartnersforPlacesProgram
isnowacceptingapplicationsforits2016grantround.The
ProgramcreatesopportunitiesforcitiesandcountiesintheUnitedStatesandCanadatoimprove
communitiesbybuildingpartnershipsbetweenlocalgovernmentsustainabilityofficesand
placebasedfoundations.
ApplicationsaredueJanuary29.
ThegrantprogramwillprovidepartnershipinvestmentsintheU.S.andCanadafor
between$25,000and$75,000foroneyearprojects,or$50,000and$150,000fortwoyear
projects,witha1:1matchrequiredbyoneormorelocalfoundations.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsonhowtoapply,previousawardeesandmore.
NewsClip:
PastDecadeHasBeenRoughForPACities

December10DEPNewsNowAvailable

The
December10editionoftheDEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionfeaturingarticleson

DEPAcceptingApplicationsFor2016GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence

DEPSetsDec.16PipelineInfrastructureTaskForceMeeting

DEPHostsJan.4MeetingOnJessupPowerPlantWastewaterDischargePermit

JeffersonCountyMineReclamationProjectMovingForward

DEPEmployeesGiveGenerouslyToLocalCharities

ThenextissueofDEPNewswillbeJan.7

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

AGSeeksMillionsInRestitutionFromChesapeakeEnergyForUnderpaidLeaseRoyalties

TheOfficeofindictedAttorneyGeneralKathleenG.KaneWednesdayannouncedithasfileda
lawsuitagainstChesapeakeEnergyCorp.,thecountry'ssecondlargestproducerofnaturalgas,
anditsaffiliatesamidallegationsthecompaniesunderpaidlandowners'royaltiesassociatedwith
fracking.
ThelawsuitallegesthatChesapeakeandotherdefendantsengagedindeceptiveconduct
insecuringfrackingleasesfromPennsylvanialandowners.Theseallegeddeceptivebusiness
practicesoccurredaspartofarushtolockupacreageintheMarcellusShaleregion,the
country'slargestnaturalgasfieldthatrunsthroughmuchoftheCommonwealth.
"Thisallegedconductamountstoa'baitandswitch,'"AttorneyGeneralKanesaid.
"Pennsylvanialandownersweredeceivedinthousandsoftransactionsbyacompanyaccusedof
similarconductinseveralotherstates.Thislawsuitshouldserveasnoticethatwewillnotallow
ourresidentstobeexploited."
Thelawsuit,whichwasfiledintheBradfordCountyCourtofCommonPleas,seeks
restitutionforthousandsofconsumers,civilpenaltiesandlegalcosts.Itwastheresultofan
extensiveinvestigationbytheOfficeofAttorneyGeneral'sAntitrustSectionandBureauof
ConsumerProtection.TheinvestigationfocusedoncountiesinnorthernPennsylvania.
Accordingtothelawsuit,thedefendantsobtainedleasesandpromisedlessorscertain
amountsofroyalties,butthendeliveredsomethingdifferentinroyaltypaymentsaftergaswells
startedproducingandthedefendantsbeganmakingroyaltypaymentstolandowners.
Additionally,thelawsuitallegesthatlandownersweretoldcertainleaseprovisions
preventedthemfromincurringchargesfortheextractingandmarketingofnaturalgas.Theysaid
theywerelatertoldtheleasespermittedsuchcharges.
Asaresultofthemisrepresentations,Chesapeakeandotherdefendantsallegedlytook
deductionsand,insomecases,maderetroactivedeductionsofpostproductionexpensesfrom
royaltychecks.Thesepracticesoccurreddespitelandowners'claimsthattheirleasescontained
thenecessarylanguagetoprohibitsuchdeductions.
TheOfficeofAttorneyGeneral'sinvestigationofthismatterrequiredasignificant
examinationofthefrackingindustrytoidentifytheunfairmethodsofcompetitionandalleged
deceptiveactsorpracticesinviolationoftheUnfairTradePracticesandConsumerProtection
Law.
Hundredsoflandownersalsoplayedanintegralroleintheinvestigationbysharing
informationwiththeOfficeofAttorneyGeneral.
"Thisinvestigationwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthecooperationoflandowners
whospokewithourstaff,"AttorneyGeneralKanesaid.
Thelawsuitrequeststhecourttoorderthedefendantsto:
Payrestitutiontoallpersonswhohavesufferedlossesasaresultofthedefendants'conduct.
Paycivilpenaltiesof$1,000foreachviolationoftheUnfairTradePracticesandConsumer
ProtectionLaw,and$3,000foreachviolationinvolvingaperson60yearsoldorolder.
PermanentlyrefrainfromanypracticethatviolatestheUnfairTradePracticesandConsumer
ProtectionLaw.

InadditiontoChesapeakeEnergyCorp.,theotheraffiliatesnamedasdefendantsinthe
lawsuitareChesapeakeAppalachia,LLCChesapeakeOperating,Inc.andChesapeakeEnergy
Marketing,Inc.WilliamsPartners,LP,whichownsandoperatesinfrastructureusedinthe
frackingindustry,isalsonamedasadefendant.
FilingAdditionalComplaints
Pennsylvanianswhofeeltheywerevictimizedbytheseorothercompaniesshouldfilea
complaintwiththeOfficeofAttorneyGeneral'sAntitrustSectionbycalling7177874530orby
submittingacomplaintatthe
OfficeofAttorneyGeneral
website.
ThelawsuitwasfiledbyChiefDeputyAttorneyGeneralTracyWertz,SeniorDeputy
AttorneyGeneralJosephS.BetskoandSeniorDeputyAttorneyGeneralNormanW.Marden,all
oftheoffice'sAntitrustSection.
TheAntitrustSectionistaskedwithprotectingthefreeenterprisesystembydetecting
anticompetitivepracticesandtakinglegalactiontostopthem.SeniorDeputyAttorneyGeneral
JohnAbel,oftheoffice'sBureauofConsumerProtection,alsoworkedontheinvestigation.
TheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralisalsofilinganamicuscuriaebriefintheU.S.District
CourtfortheMiddleDistrictofPennsylvaniaadvisingthecourtofthislawsuit.Thebriefurges
thecourttorejecttheproposedsettlementoftheDemchakclassactioninitscurrentform.
TheofficerequeststhatthecourtmodifytheDemchakSettlementAgreementand
ReleasetoclarifythattheclassdoesnothavestandingtobringtheclaimsassertedbytheOffice
ofAttorneyGeneralandthereforecannotreleasetheoffice'sclaimsthroughthesettlement.
NewsClips:
AGSuesChesapeakeEnergyOverShaleGasRoyalties
PASuesGasDrillerOverDeceptiveLeases
PAAccusesChesapeakeOfCheatingLandownersOnRoyalties
AGFilesSuitAgainstChesapeakeEnergyOverRoyalties
ChesapeakeEnergyVowsToFightBaselessAllegations

PUCReleasesWinterReliabilityReportsFromNaturalGasDistributionCompanies

ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayreleased2015WinterReliabilityOverviewreports
fromthestatesmajornaturalgasdistributioncompaniesalongwitharelatedReadinessReports
fromtheregionalelectrictransmissionorganization,PJMInterconnection,andtheEnergy
AssociationofPennsylvania.
Thereportsprovideinsightsregardingpreparationsforconditionsthatmayaffectservice
reliability,supplyandpricesandforthewintermonthsincludingtopicssuchassystem
readiness,employeesafety/readiness,communicationsoutreach,gassupplyandplanning,
naturalgasdemandforelectricgeneratorsandananalysisofPolarVortexissues.
AkeypartoftheCommissionsresponsibilitytosafeguardutilityserviceinvolves
preparationforhighdemandandhighstresstimes,saidPUCChairmanGladysM.Brown.
Thesereportsofferinsightsintotheindustryplanstoensuresafeandreliableutilityservice
duringthecomingwintermonths.
Thereportsareavailableonline:
ColumbiaGasofPA
NationalFuelGas
PECOEnergy

PeoplesNaturalGas&PeoplesTWP
PhiladelphiaGasWorks
UGIUtilities/UGIPennNaturalGas/UGICentralPennGas
PJMInterconnection
EnergyAssociationofPA
Formoreinformationonnaturalgasrelatedissues,visitthePUCs
NaturalGas
webpage.
NewsClips:
UGICustomersToSeeDropInNaturalGasHeatingBills
NaturalGasIndustryPromisesBigWinterSavings
Homes,BusinessesBenefitFromNaturalGasInSusquehannaCounty
MSC:LocalNaturalGasConsumerEnergySavings
HeatingOil,PropanePricesWillBeLowerThisWinter
AppalachianLightingToTakeLEDsOverseas
PECOClosingInOnSmartMeterChangeover
TalenEnergysPlansToSell4PowerPlantsApproved
ProppingUpCoalPlantsMightGiveWindPowerAnEdge

DEP:ClimateActionPlanUpdateBroaderThanMeetingEPACleanPowerClimateRule

OnJanuary12
DEPsClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
willmeetforthesecondtimeona
draftupdatetoPennsylvaniaClimateActionPlanmandatedby
Act70of2008
.
TheCommitteehasbeenworkingonaseriesof13differentworkplansand
recommendationssincethe
lastupdatewasissuedinDecemberof2013
.
The
draftupdatepresentedtotheCommitteeinNovember
,whichwillberevisedforthe
January12meeting,saystheClimateActionPlanisdifferentfromtheimplementationplan
requiredtomeetEPAsCleanPowerClimatePlanregulations.
...(T)heCommonwealthisstillintheearlystagesofdevelopingitsfinalimplementation
plan(fortheCleanPowerRule)soitisnotacomponentoftheClimateActionPlan.However,
manyofthecarbonstrategiesforelectricitywithinthisdocumentshouldultimatelysupportthe
developmentofthestatesplan.
The
PittsburghPostGazettereportedTuesday
theWolfAdministrationwillrelymuch
moreheavilyonincreasingtheuseofalternativewind,solarandrenewableenergy,controlling
methaneleaksfrompipelinesandcoalmines,moreefficientuseofenergy,newforestpreserves
andmorewastemadeintousefulenergyinthenewClimatePlanupdate.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleywasquotedassayingrelyingonthecarbonbenefitsof
burningnaturalgasinsteadofcoalisshortsighted.
Thereisopportunitytogrowtherenewableenergyeconomyandoneofthedriversthat
weshouldbeusingisnaturalgas,whichhecalledtheperfectcomplementtointermittent
renewablesourceslikewindandsolarbecauseitcanbedispatchedquicklytorespondto
demand.
AtapressconferenceinearlyNovember,SecretaryQuigleycreditedtheswitchfrom
coaltonaturalgasforelectricgenerationastheprimaryreasongreenhousegasemissionswere
reducedby
27milliontonsayear
from2007to2014toabout107milliontonsandputthestate
withinreasonablestrikingdistanceofthemeetingEPAsCleanPowerClimatePlanreductions.
HesaidthefinalEPACleanPowerClimatePlanrequiresPennsylvaniatoreducecarbon

dioxideemissionsby1milliontonsannuallyby2022(7yearsfromnow)and
another15million
tons
annuallyby2030(15yearsfromnow).
DEPisdistillingtheinformationgleanedfromits
14listeningsessions
onEPAsClean
Powerruletoputtogethertherequired16milliontonemissionreductionlimitforPennsylvania,
accordingtoQuigley.
TheJanuary12meetingoftheAdvisoryCommitteewillbeinthe12thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburg.Themeetingsnormallybeginat10:00.Thelast
meetingwasavailablethroughWEBEXonline,butnoinformationwasprovidedyetonthenext
meeting.
FormoreinformationandotherreportsanddocumentsreleasedbyDEPonclimate,visit
DEPsClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
webpageorcontactMarkBrojakowski,DEP,
7177723429orsendemailto:
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAFocusesOnRenewablesInLatestEnergyPlan
APittsburghFilmmakersTripToUNClimateTalks
AlleghenyFront:TalkingToKidsAboutClimateChange
NewDraftOfClimateAccordLeavesBigIssuesUnresolved
ClimateDelegatesAgreeOnDraftDealText
ClimateChangeConferenceDraftLeavesMajorIssues
ClimateTalks:AfricanNationsPledgeToRestoreForests
HowWillCleanPowerClimatePlanPowerSector?
StudySeesPossibleDipInWorldCarbonDioxideEmissions
GoodNews:GreenhouseGasPollutionDroppedThisYear
PeriodOfSoaringGreenhouseGasEmissionsMayBeEnding
PopeMayNudgeClimateTalksInParis
JewishGroupTacklesClimateChangeIssues
OpEd:ExxonMobilIsOKWithACarbonTax
OpEd:ASecretWeaponToFightClimateChangeDirt
OpEd:Liberals&Conservativesvs.ClimateChange
Editorial:ClimateChangeEffortsHitCongressionalHeadwinds
Editorial:ClimatePactPathMurky
Editorial:ClimateOpaqueness:ReleaseNOAAEmails

DEP:AlternativeFuelsProgramVehicleRebatesStillAvailable

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionlastSaturdayannouncedrebatesarestillavailable
tohelpindividualswithpurchasinganalternativefuelvehicleunderthe
AlternativeFuelVehicle
RebateProgram
.
(
formalnotice)
Thefollowingrebatesarestillavailable:
$2,000rebateforapluginhybridelectricvehicle(PHEV)(batterysystemcapacity
equal/greaterthan10kWh)orbatteryelectricvehicle(EV)(batterysystemcapacity
equal/greaterthan10kWh)(doesnotincludeelectricmotorcycle,scooter,allterrainvehicle
(ATV)orlowspeedelectricvehicle)(Note:Thereareonlyalimitednumberofrebatesavailable
at$2,000.Theprogramofferedwillbereassesseduponpaymentofthefirst250rebatesat

$2,000orJune30,2016,whicheveroccursfirst.).
$1,000rebateforaPHEVorEV(batterysystemcapacitylessthan10kWh)(doesnotinclude
electricmotorcycle,scooter,ATVorlowspeedelectricvehicle).
$1,000rebateforanaturalgasfueledvehicle.Originalequipmentmanufacturer
(OEM)/certifiedretrofitonly.
$1,000rebateforapropanefueledvehicle.OEM/certifiedretrofitonly.
$1,000rebateforahydrogenorfuelcellvehicle,orboth.
$500rebateforanelectricmotorcycle,scooter,ATVorotherlowspeedEVifregisteredin
thisCommonwealth.
Toqualifyfortherebate,thealternativefuelvehiclemustberegisteredinthe
CommonwealthandbeoperatedprimarilywithinthisCommonwealth.
Therebatewillbeofferedonafirstcome,firstservedbasisintheorderinwhichthey
arereceived.Rebaterequestformsandrequireddocumentationmustbesubmittedtothe
Departmentnolaterthan6monthsafterthevehicleispurchased.
Forallthedetails,visitDEPs
AlternativeFuelVehicleRebateProgram
webpage.
NewsClips:
PAFocusesOnRenewablesInLatestEnergyPlan
ProppingUpCoalPlantsMightGiveWindPowerAnEdge

DEPCommitteeOKsMovingAheadWithRepealingLowRVPGasolineInPittsburgh

OnDecember10,DEPs
AirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
recommendedDEPtake
theproposedregulationrepealingthelowRVP(ReidVaporPressure)gasolinerequirementin
thesevencountyPittsburghRegiontotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardforadoption.
ThelowRVPrequirementaffectsAllegheny,Armstrong,Beaver,Butler,Fayette,
WashingtonandWestmoreland.
Theregulationroutinelycausedgasolinetobeatleast10to15centspergallonmore
expensiveinthePittsburghregionthaninnearbystatesandcounties.
DEPconductedatechnicalanalysistodeterminethecontributionthelowRVPgasoline
requirementmakestoreducingvolatileorganiccompoundemissions.DEPfoundtheemissions
benefitdifferencebetweenlowRVP7.8gasolineandthe8.7RVPgasolinerequiredinother
partsofthestatewasonly0.126tonsperdayin2017(25.2pounds).
JoyceEpps,DirectorofDEPBureauofAirQuality,andDEPAirQualitystaffnotedin
themeetingthelowRVPgasolineinthePittsburghRegioncontributedminimalandtrendingto
noairqualitybenefitsfortheregion.
Act50of2014
directedDEPtostarttheprocessofrepealingtherequirement,butonlyif
offsettingairemissionsreductionscouldbefound.
Ina
presentationtotheCommittee
,DEPsaiditwouldoffsetanyemissionreductionslost
bytherepealoftherequirementbytakingcreditforregulationsalreadyonthebooks,butfor
whichDEPhasnotyettakenanycreditintheStateAirQualityImplementationPlan.
ThenextstepintheprocessisforDEPtodeveloptheregulatorypackageontherule
repealforactionbytheEnvironmentalQualityBoard,whichadoptsallofDEPsregulations.
Formoreinformationandcopiesofthe
proposedregulation
and
presentation
,visitDEPs
AirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.
NewsClips:

DEP:ExpectUnhealthyAirSaturday
Editorial:EthanolMandate,MorePingThanZing

PAEnvironmentalCouncilExpressesConcernsWithPAConstructionCodeBill

The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
MondaywrotealettertoallmembersoftheHouseLaborand
IndustryCommitteeexpressingitsconcernswith
HouseBill635
(EvankovichRAllegheny)
whichwouldmakechangestothewaythe
PAConstructionCode
ischanged,includingits
provisionsrelatedtoenergyconservationstandards.Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,Iamwritingtoexpressour
concernswithHouseBill635(P.N.735),currentlybeforetheLaborandIndustryCommittee.
WhilethereisadefiniteneedtoamendthePennsylvaniaConstructionCodeAct,webelieve
HouseBill635doesnottakethecorrectapproach.
AmendmentstothePennsylvaniaConstructionCodeActin2011madeitextraordinarily
difficulttoupdatethestatesbuildingcodeforthemostuptodatesafety,health,andenergy
provisions.
Priortothe2011amendment,theReviewandAdvisoryCouncil(RAC)reviewedand
adoptedthemostcurrenteditionoftheUniversalConstructionCode(UCC)infull,withthe
exceptionofanyprovisionsspecificallyexcludedbyRAC.
Incontrast,the2011amendmentchangedtheprocesstorequireatwothirdsvoteinfavor
ofeachprovisioninorderforittobeadopted.
ThischangedrasticallyincreasedtheamountofworkfortheRAC,whosemembersare
almostentirelyvolunteers,andhasledPennsylvaniatoastandstillonimprovementsto
PennsylvaniasUniformConstructionCode.
HouseBill635doesnotresolvethisdilemma.Infact,thelegislationpotentiallyfurther
inhibitsimprovementsbyproposingtoextendreviewoftheUCCfromthecurrentthreeyear
scheduletoasixyearschedule.
Inaddition,HouseBill635expandstheRACreviewperiodfromonetotwoyears.
PostponingreviewandadoptionofcodeupdatesmeansPennsylvaniahomes,schools,and
officesarebeingbuiltandrenovatedwithoutdatedsafetyandenergyguidance.
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilbelieveshavinguptodatebuildingcodesis
moreimportantthaneverforanumberofreasons:
TheUCCincludesprovisionstoimproveresiliencyinthefaceofincreasingnaturaldisasters
andflooding.Thestates2015PennsylvaniaClimateImpactsAssessmentUpdateindicates
flooding,suchasthatseenduringHurricaneSandyandHurricaneIvan,willincrease.Thecosts
ofthesedisastersarebornebyourstateshomeownersandtaxpayers.The2015codesinclude
manyfloodrelatedprovisions,includingchangestothe2015InternationalResidentialCode
supportedbytheU.S.FederalEmergencyManagementAgencysSuperstormSandyanalysis
report.
Uptodatecodesspurinnovationandinvestmentinthemanufacturingsector.Pennsylvaniais
hometobuildingsectormanufacturingcompanieslikeEaton,TycoandLutron,contributingjobs
forPennsylvaniaresidentsandtaxdollarstothemunicipalitiesinwhichtheyarelocated.Infact,
PennsylvaniamanufacturermembersoftheNationalElectricalManufacturersAssociationalone
representover14,000jobs.Weshouldbedoingallwecantoencouragethissector,ratherthan
deferringtoinvestmentinotherstatesthatareembracingsafer,greenerbuildingpractices.

UptodatebuildingcodessavePennsylvaniansmoneythroughimprovedenergyefficiency.In
fact,accordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,the2015UCCwouldsaveconsumersbetween
$4,000$24,000overthecourseofa30yearmortgage(ascomparedtothe2009UCC),allwhile
reducingairpollutionandgreenhousegasemissions.
Weurgeyoutorejectthesepiecemealchangesinfavorofamorecomprehensivechange
thatrestoresafunctionalcodeadoptionprocess.Thereiscurrentlyexistinglegislationinthe
House
HouseBill1645
,sponsoredbyRepresentativeHarperwhichmoreappropriately
amendsthePennsylvaniaUniformConstructionCodeAct.
Thankyouforyourconsideration.
JohnWalliser,SeniorVicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
website.
ClickHere
tosignup
forregularupdatesfromPEC.

NovemberPAEnvironmentalCouncilsInCaseYouMissedIt

TheNovembereditionofthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncils

InCaseYouMissedIt
isnow
availablefeaturingactivities,policydiscussionsandeventsPECwasinvolvedinduringthepast
month
PECPutOut4VideosOnItsWorkOnWater,Energy&Climate,RecreationAndPolicy

NewEnvironmentalFocusTVProgramOnIllegalDumpingInPA

OpeningOfTheManayunkBridge,KeyElementInTheCircuitTrailNetworkInSE

PECSubmittedCommentsToDEPOnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan

PAOrganizationForWatersheds&RiversOpensVotingOnRiverOfTheYear

ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPEC.

BenFranklinShaleGasInnovationCenterAnnualContestWillAward$80KInPrizes

The
BenFranklinShaleGasInnovationandCommercializationCenter
announcedthatthis
yearsFifth
AnnualShaleGasInnovationContest
willawardatotalof$80,000incashprizes.
Theprizemoneywillbesharedamongthefourbestshaleenergyorientedinnovations,
newproductideas,orserviceconceptsthatareeitherinthedevelopmentstageorrecently
launched.
EntriesaredueFebruary1.
Researchers,entrepreneurs,orsmallbusinessesinPennsylvaniaandWestVirginia,who
arefocusedondevelopinganewproductorservicefortheshaleenergyspacearewelcometo
apply.
TheSGICCwouldliketorecognizethegeneroussupportoftheBenedumFoundation
foragainhelpingtoextendthecontesttoincludeWestVirginia.BillHall,SGICCDirector
Inadditiontothecashprizes,successfulapplicantswillgainexposuretoinvestors,potential
partners,andindustrysponsors.
TheFinalsEvent,alreadyscheduledtotakeplaceonMay18th,2016attheHilton
GardenInninSouthpointe,PA,willincludeapostersessiontohighlightsomeofthemost
promisingtechnologiesunderdevelopmentatregionaluniversitiesandresearchcenters.
ThisFifthAnnualShaleGasInnovationContestsGOLDSponsoris
BenFranklin
TechnologyPartners
.

Industrysponsorsinclude:
AquaTech
,
ChevronTechnologyVentures
,
EQTCorporation
,
FirstNationalBank
,
GEOil&Gas
,
InflectionEnergy
,
LPREnergy
,
LPRLandServices
,the
MarcellusShaleCoalition
,
PPGIndustries
,
Praxair
,
Steptoe&JohnsonPLLC
,and
Williams
.
Nonprofitsponsorsinclude:CarnegieMellonUniversitys
ScottInstituteforEnergy
Innovation
,andPennStateUniversitys
InstituteforNaturalGasResearch
.
BillHall,DirectoroftheSGICCcommented,Thechallengingpricingenvironmentthat
theindustryisfacing,theeverincreasingemphasisonenvironmentalcompliance,andgaining
thesociallicensetooperateacrosstheMarcellusandUticaShaleRegion,arefactorsthat
continuetomakenewinnovationsallthemoreimportant.Therapidpaceofinnovationadoption
acrosstheshaleenergyplaysinthisareahasbeenamazing!Throughthiscontest,SGICCshines
alightonthebestnewinnovationsbeingdevelopedinourregion.
Anyideaoralreadycommercializedproductorservicerelatedtotheshaleenergyspace
iseligible.
ExamplesincludewellpadEH&Sproducts/services,novelmaterialsorchemicalsto
enhanceperformance,preventcorrosion,orimproveproductyieldremotesitemonitoring
technologies,naturalgasorNGLconversiontechnologies,andwatermanagementor
remediationtechnologies.
Finalistswillbechosenbyapanelofindustryexperts.Todownloadanapplication,visit
the
AnnualShaleGasInnovationContest
website.Fordetailsregardingeligibilityorother
questions,contactBillHallateither8149338203orsendemailto:
billhall@psu.edu
.

33Farms,2,652AcresProtectedByStateFarmlandPreservationProgram

Highqualityfarmlandin18Pennsylvaniacountieswillremaininagriculturalproductionthanks
tothestates
AgriculturalLandPreservationBoard
.DuringThursdaysmeeting,theboardtook
actiontosafeguard2,652additionalacreson33farmsthroughthestatesnationleading
farmlandpreservationprogram.
Sincetheprogrambeganin1988,federal,state,countyandlocalgovernmentshave
investedmorethan$1.3billiontopreserve516,417acreson4,892farmsin57countiesfor
futureagriculturalproduction.
AgriculturehasbeenpartofthefabricofthislandsincethedaysofPennsWoods,and
theactionsoftheboardtodayhelpedensurethatitwillremainthecornerstoneofoureconomy
forgenerationstocome,saidAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding.Thisinvestmentinthe
finite,preciousresourceoffarmlandshowsPennsylvaniascommitmenttoalocallygrownfood
sourcethatisinstrumentalinfeedingagrowingpopulation.
Theboardpreservedfarmsin18counties:Berks,Bradford,Bucks,Butler,Centre,
Chester,Cumberland,Erie,Huntingdon,Lancaster,Lehigh,Northumberland,Perry,Snyder,
Somerset,Tioga,WestmorelandandYork.
ThePAAgriculturalConservationEasementPurchaseProgramidentifiespropertiesand
slowsthelossofprimefarmlandtononagriculturaluses.Itenablesstate,countyandlocal
governmentstopurchaseconservationeasements,alsocalleddevelopmentrights,fromowners
ofqualityfarmland.
Formoreinformation,visitAgricultures
FarmlandPreservation
webpage.

Fish&BoatCommissionNowAcceptingApplicationsForStateWildlifeGrants


TheFishandBoatCommissionTuesdayannouncedaninvitationforprojectapplicationstothe
StateandTribalWildlifeGrantsProgram
.ApplicationsaredueJanuary29.
TheseprojectswillhelpaddresstwopriorityconservationneedsinPennsylvania:
Evaluatingthestatusofcrayfishspecies,especiallyinwesternPennsylvania,and
Assessingthestatusoftworaremusselspecies,theBrookFloaterandEasternLampmussel.
CrayfishareimportanttotheecologyofPennsylvaniasstreams,butbasicinformation
suchasnativecontemporarycrayfishdistributionislacking,especiallyinwestern
Pennsylvania,saidChrisUrban,ChiefofthePFBCDivisionofNaturalDiversity.Gathering
thisinformationwillhelpassesstheconservationstatusofcrayfishspeciesandguide
managementandprotectionefforts.
FreshwaterMusselsareamongthemostimperiledaquaticanimalsintheUnitedStates.
Inrecentyears,thePFBCandpartnershavebeenactivelysurveyingriversandstreamsinthe
Commonwealth.
ThisprojectwillcontinuethesesurveyeffortsfocusingontheBrookFloaterandEastern
Lampmussel,bothofwhichareconsideredcriticallyimperiledinPennsylvania.
ThePFBCanticipatesfinalselectionofprojectsbymidFebruary,2016.
FederaldollarsforthisprogramareawardedtothePFBCfromtheU.S.FishandWildlife
ServicethroughtheStateandTribalWildlifeGrantsProgram.Awardingfundsforselected
projectswillbecontingentuponavailabilityoffunds.
Formoreinformationandanapplicationpacket,visittheFishandBoatCommissions
StateWildlifeGrantProgram
webpage.
NewsClips:
YearlongProjectTeachesErieStudentsAboutBirds
PostingOfNunsTrophyDeerDrawsBacklash
Editorial:TheHuntingNun,ALostMoment

DEPsRichardMorrisonToRetireDecember24

DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyThursdayannouncedRichardMorrison,DeputySecretaryfor
ActiveandAbandonedMineOperationswillretirefromstateserviceDecember24.
JohnStefanko,ExecutiveDeputySecretaryforPrograms,willassumeMorrisonsduties
intheinterim.
MorrisonwasappointedtotheDeputySecretarypositioninOctoberafterservingas
DEPsactingChiefCounselsinceMarch.PriortothatheservedasChiefCounselinthe
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources.
HefirstjoinedDEPinJanuary2005asprogramcounselforDEPsMiningProgramsand
servedinseveralcapacitiesatDEP,includingExecutiveDeputyChiefCounselforDEP'sOffice
ofChiefCounsel,andassistantdirectorofDEPsBureauofRegulatoryCounsel.
PriortojoiningDEP,Mr.MorrisonwasinprivatepracticeintheNewJerseyofficeof
Ballard,Spahr,AndrewsandIngersollwherehepracticedenvironmentallitigationandfranchise
law.
From200104,hewasanassistantcounseltothePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalHearing
Board.Heisa1994honorsgraduateofRutgersSchoolofLaw,Camden.

HelpWanted:DepartmentOfEnvironmentalProtection,VariousPositions

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionrecentlyannouncednumerousvacancies
throughouttheCommonwealth.Opportunitiesinclude:
AirQualityEngineeringSpecialistTestAnnouncement2015143:
Thisisprofessional
environmentalengineeringworkinthefieldofairquality.Dutiesincludeprotectingthe
environment,publichealth,andsafetybyperformingavarietyofjourneylevelairquality
engineeringworkassignments,suchasconductingfieldstudiesandsurveysincludingstack
testing,ambientairmonitoring,riskassessment,andemissionsmonitoring,andinspectingthe
operationandmaintenanceoffacilitiesandrecommendingactiononpermitapplications.Work
isperformedinaregionalairqualityprogramorinthecentralofficeinHarrisburg.Positionsare
locatedinCrawfordandDauphincounties
EnvironmentalEngineerTestAnnouncement2015138:
Thisisprofessionaland
advancedprofessionalenvironmentalengineeringpositionsthatworkinanenvironmental
regulatory,resourcemanagement,conservation,orconstructionprogramarea.Dutiesmay
includeperformingenvironmentalengineeringfunctionssuchaswastewatertreatmentsanitary
sewercollectionandconveyancesolidwastetreatment,processing,storage,anddisposalwater
distribution,filtration,storage,andpumpingandairpollutioncontrol.Positionsarelocatedin
Allegheny,Dauphin,Luzerne,andMontgomerycounties.
RadiationHealthPhysicistandRadiationProtectionProgramSupervisorTest
Announcement2015131:
Thesejobtitlesperformatdifferentresponsibilitylevelswithduties
thatincludemonitoringandcontrollingradiologicalhealthhazardstoensurecompliancewith
federalandstatelawsandregulationsandreviewingapplicationsforxrayregistration,
radioactivemateriallicenses,acceleratorlicenses,orradontesting/mitigation/laboratory
certifications.PositionsarelocatedinAlleghenyandDauphincounties.
Pleasevisitthe
PAStateCivilServiceCommission
websitefordetailedinformation
abouteachtestannouncementincludingthestartingsalary,thenatureofthework,theminimum
experienceandtrainingrequirementsneededtoqualify,andhowtoapply.
YoucanviewthetestannouncementbyclickingontheOpenTestAnnouncementforthe
EngineeringandEnvironmentalControl
category.

HelpWanted:DelawareRiverBasinCommissionWaterResourceEngineer

The
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
isseekingcandidatestofillaWaterResourceEngineer
position.SubmissionsmustbemadebyJanuary15.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.

NOTE:
Committeemeetingscanbescheduledatanytimewithlittlenotice.

December13

BrodheadWatershedAssn
.
StrollAlongBrodheadCreek
.

December14

NEW
.DEP,Fish&BoatCommission
WebinarOnSmallmouthBass
PopulationsInTheSusquehannaRiver
.1:00.
ClickHere
toregister.

December15
CANCELED.

EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)

December16
AgendaPosted
.
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.
ClickHere
toviewalive
webcastofthemeeting.Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
DiscussionofdraftTaskForceReport

ChartShowing
SuggestedLeadAgenciesForImplementingEachRecommendation

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts

December16
CANCELED
.
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)(
formalnotice
)

December16
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcement
Officers
meeting.ConferenceRoom11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

December16

AgendaPosted
.
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPBureauof
Laboratories,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
Contact:TomJuengst,
7177725646or
tjuengst@pa.gov
.
UpdateOnAvianInfluenza
UpdateOnAgricultureImpairedWaters
DEPNonCAFOAgInspectionForm
CAFOWinterManureSpreadingUpdate
ChesapeakeBayProgramUpdate

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

December17

AgendaPosted.

DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.Contact:DawnHissner7177722189.
DisinfectionRequirementsRuleStateUpdate
DiscussionofRevisedtotalColiformRulepredraftDocuments

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

December17
PublicUtilityCommissionnoticeof
ElectricPowerResearchInstitute
briefing
onEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)

December18

NEW
.
DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoard
Regulatory,LegislativeandTechnical
Subcommitteemeeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.Contact:
DanielSnowden,DEP,7177838846or
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

January1

BrodheadWatershedAssn
.
NewYearsDayHikesInMonroeCounty
.


January4
DEPmeeting/hearingondraftNPDESpermitfordischargefromJessupnatural
gasfiredpowerplantinLackawannaCounty.ValleyViewHighSchool,1ColumbusDr.,
Archbald.6to9p.m.Contact:5708262511.
(
Nov.21PABulletin,page6752
)

January7
DEPhearingontheMattCanestraleContracting,Inc.NPDESfor9outfallslocated
inLuzerneTownship,FayetteCountyandBethlehemTownship,WashingtonCounty.LaBelle
VolunteerFireDepartment,1101LaBelleRoad,LaBelle,FayetteCounty.6:00to8:00p.m.
Contact:BonnieHerbert,DEP,7247691100.
(
PABulletin,page6858
).

January916

NEW
.
100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
.Harrisburg

January12

DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.ContactMarkBrojakowski,7177723429orsendemail
to:
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.

January12

SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.BlairsvilleCommunityCenter,101EastNorthLane,
Blairsville,PA,9:00a.m.toNoon.

January13
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.DixonUniversityCenter,2986
N.SecondSt.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.

January13

DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.

January13

SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.CranberryTownshipMunicipalCenter,2525Rochester
Road,CranberryTownship,PA.9:00a.m.toNoon.

February3

EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
FinalChapter78&78ADrillingRegulations

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February2627

2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.

March10

BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve

LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley
University,Doylestown.

March1416

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators

AnnualConference
.TheInnat
PoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.

April1415

WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

June35

PAEnvironmentalCouncil

EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.

SenateCommitteeSchedule

HouseCommitteeSchedule

Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Grants&Awards

Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.

December14

VotingForPA2016RiverOfTheYear
December18

PAParks&ForestsFoundationAnnualAwards
December18

ColdwaterHeritagePartnershipGrants
December18

EPABrownfieldsGrants
December18
DEPEnvironmentalEducationGrants
December31

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveVehicleRebates
January1

DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(firstcome,firstserved)
January7

ChesapeakeBayTrustRFPForTechnicalAssistance
January8

PennDOTAlternativeTransportationProjectFunding
January15

NEW
.
GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence
January15
DCNR/PRPSGreenParksAwards
January15
PALTALifetimeConservationLeadershipAward
January15

BowmansHillPreserveLandEthicsAwards
January15

ChesterCountyGrowingGreenerCommunitiesAward
January15

BayerCropScienceYoungFarmerSustainabilityAward
January29

EPASaferChoicePartnerOfTheYearAwards
January29

NEW
.
Fish&BoatCommissionStateWildlifeGrants
January30
NEW
.
DEPAlternativeFuelsVehicleRebates
(OrUntilFundingIsGone)
February1

NEW
.
BenFranklinShaleGasInnovationContest
February4

Delaware&LehighHeritageCorridorMiniGrants
February12

PALTAGovernmentConservationLeadershipAward
February22

UrbanLandInstituteUrbanOpenSpaceAward
February22

UrbanLandInstituteGlobalExcellenceForRealEstateProjectsAward
March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
April13

DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
May31

$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms

Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics

HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore

Air
DEP:ExpectUnhealthyAirSaturday
Editorial:EthanolMandate,MorePingThanZing
AlternativeEnergy
PAFocusesOnRenewablesInLatestEnergyPlan
ProppingUpCoalPlantsMightGiveWindPowerAnEdge
Awards&Recognition
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation
Budget
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
SenateMovesBudgetFightIntoHousesCourt
WolfSaysHesStickingToBudgetDealAfterHouseRevolt
AfterSplit,SomeDetenteInStateBudgetTalks
SenateToPressCaseInBudgetShowdownWithHouseGOP
PLS:Scarnati:BudgetIsNowAHouseDrill
SenateScuttlesHousePassedBudget,RecommitsToBudgetAgreement
SenateCommitteeGutsHouseBudget,AmendsInAgreedToBudget
HouseGOPLaunchesNewRoundInBudgetBattle
Senate,HouseMoveTowardShowdownOnBudget
ReviewOfSenate,HouseBudgetPlans
SenateOKsBipartisanBudget,HouseFateUnsure
SenateToVoteOnBudgetDespiteHouseGOPsOpposition
PLS:SenateLoadsBudget,PensionBillsFacingUncertainFuture
PABudgetBreakthroughHopesInTheGutter
Climate
Critics:BudgetBillWouldImpedeEmissionReductionPlan
PAFocusesOnRenewablesInLatestEnergyPlan
APittsburghFilmmakersTripToUNClimateTalks
AlleghenyFront:TalkingToKidsAboutClimateChange
NewDraftOfClimateAccordLeavesBigIssuesUnresolved
ClimateDelegatesAgreeOnDraftDealText
ClimateChangeConferenceDraftLeavesMajorIssues
ClimateTalks:AfricanNationsPledgeToRestoreForests

HowWillCleanPowerClimatePlanPowerSector?
StudySeesPossibleDipInWorldCarbonDioxideEmissions
GoodNews:GreenhouseGasPollutionDroppedThisYear
PeriodOfSoaringGreenhouseGasEmissionsMayBeEnding
PopeMayNudgeClimateTalksInParis
JewishGroupTacklesClimateChangeIssues
OpEd:ExxonMobilIsOKWithACarbonTax
OpEd:ASecretWeaponToFightClimateChangeDirt
OpEd:Liberals&Conservativesvs.ClimateChange
Editorial:ClimateChangeEffortsHitCongressionalHeadwinds
Editorial:ClimatePactPathMurky
Editorial:ClimateOpaqueness:ReleaseNOAAEmails
DrinkingWater
DRBCApprovesChesterCountyDrinkingWaterWithdrawal
Energy
UGICustomersToSeeDropInNaturalGasHeatingBills
NaturalGasIndustryPromisesBigWinterSavings
Homes,BusinessesBenefitFromNaturalGasInSusquehannaCounty
MSC:LocalNaturalGasConsumerEnergySavings
HeatingOil,PropanePricesWillBeLowerThisWinter
AppalachianLightingToTakeLEDsOverseas
PECOClosingInOnSmartMeterChangeover
TalenEnergysPlansToSell4PowerPlantsApproved
ProppingUpCoalPlantsMightGiveWindPowerAnEdge
EnvironmentalHistory
ExhibitMarksPAsWorstMineDisasterInWestmoreland
Flooding
CommentsExtendedForCheltenhamFloodStudy
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
InsideNewFrickEnvironmentalCenterGreenBuilding
Oil&Gas
PAGOPUsingBudgetToDerailConventionalOil,GasRegulations
BackdoorAmendmentGivesMillionsToNewNaturalGasFund
Rep.ChristianaDiscussesPossibilityOfSeveranceTax
Column:Fleecing,Subsidizing,TaxingNaturalGas
DeclineInDrillingSoftensBoomForWesternPABusinesses
DrillingsDownAsNaturalGasSuppliesMount
ProposedGasWellDrillingInJeffersonHillsRaisesQuestions
Court:CompanyIsntResponsibleForContaminatedWater
AppealOfWaterContaminationCaseAgainstRangeResourcesSetBack
SouthAnnvilleWontOpposeNaturalGasPipeline
OpEd:WolfsPipelineTaskForcePutPublicLast
AGSuesChesapeakeEnergyOverShaleGasRoyalties
PASuesGasDrillerOverDeceptiveLeases
PAAccusesChesapeakeOfCheatingLandownersOnRoyalties

AGFilesSuitAgainstChesapeakeEnergyOverRoyalties
ChesapeakeEnergyVowsToFightBaselessAllegations
DEPSetsJan.4MeetingOnInvenergysWaterDischargePermit
ShaleRegionHousingProgramGetsStatewideRollout
AmongHandcrafts,ATouchOfFrackingArt
UGICustomersToSeeDropInNaturalGasHeatingBills
NaturalGasIndustryPromisesBigWinterSavings
Homes,BusinessesBenefitFromNaturalGasInSusquehannaCounty
MSC:LocalNaturalGasConsumerEnergySavings
EQTReducesMarcellusDrillingPlansFor2016
LolaEnergyGetsFundingForMarcellus,UticaOperations
WexfordDrillingSecures$250MCommitmentFromDenhamCapital
DespiteDrillingSlowdown,RentsStillHighInBoomtowns
GasolinePricesFallAsCrudeOilHtsLowMark
Editorial:EthanolMandate,MorePingThanZing
EnergyCompaniesLeadDeclineAsCrudeOilSlumps
Recreation
Mt.WashingtonTrailBuildingProgramToBranchOut
FallingwaterRollsOutWelcomeMatForCelebrities
Recycling/Waste
YorkSolidWasteAuthorityExtendsCovantaContract
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulReceivesNationalAffiliation
WatershedProtection
LibraryRainReclamationPartOfScrantonDrainageImprovements
DisconnectDownspoutsToAidRiverInScranton
Scranton,DunmoreToNet$120MInSewerAuthoritySale
Editorial:ScrantonSewerDealPromisesLongTermStability
LocalOfficialsSpendALotOfTimeThinkingAboutSewage
SewerPlantHelpsCreateSnowNearStateCollege
DelawareRiverkeeper:Dec.4RiverwatchVideoReport
OpEd:CleanWaterRuleBenefitsAllPennsylvanians
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
YearlongProjectTeachesErieStudentsAboutBirds
PostingOfNunsTrophyDeerDrawsBacklash
Editorial:TheHuntingNun,ALostMoment
Other
PastDecadeHasBeenRoughForPACities

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

Nonewregulationspublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinDecember12,2015

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheDecember12PABulletinit
wasextendingthepubliccommentperiodonthePipelineInfrastructureTaskForceuntil
December29.

ThePublicUtilityCommission
publishednotice
intheDecember12PABulletinlisting
companiesthatsubmittedAct129EnergyEfficiencyandConservationPlans.

TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
publishednotice
intheDecember12PABulletin
listingwaterallocationpermitsitrescindedinOctober.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

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toPrintTheEntirePAEnvironmentDigest.

StoriesInvited

Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesor
programsforpublicationinthe
PAEnvironmentDigest
to:
DHess@CrisciAssociates.com
.

PAEnvironmentDigest
iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
CrisciAssociates
,a
HarrisburgbasedgovernmentandpublicaffairsfirmwhoseclientsincludeFortune500
companiesandnonprofitorganizations.

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oftopics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose?
Justclickonthesearchpage
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2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
,StateCollege,Feb.2627.