PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates

Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward

Issue#600Harrisburg,PaDecember28,2015

Gov.WolfNotSayingWhatHellDoWithRepublicanBudgetBill,DecisionNextWeek

Thisweekwasonelongrollercoasterride,withsome
loopdeloopsthrowninforgoodmeasure.Onesure
thing,theoftencollapsedagreedtobudget
frameworkisnomore.
ThebottomlineisGov.Wolfnowhasa$30.2
billion+Republicanbudgetonhisdesk
HouseBill
1460
(AdolphRDelaware)hemustnowdecidehow
tohandle.HisstatementinreactiontotheSenate
RepublicanspassingtheHouseRepublicanbudgeton
Wednesdaygaveusnoclues
Yesterday,theHouseadvancedaresponsiblebudget
withhistoriceducationfundingandplaceditonthevergeofpassage.Itisdeeplydisappointing
thattodaytheSenatehascavedtothosesameHouseleadersandextremeintereststocontinue
thefailedstatusquoandharmourschoolsandchildrenbydenyingthemthesecriticaladditional
funds.
Ahistoriccompromisebudgetthatincludedthelargestincreaseineducationfundingin
history,reformsinpublicpensions,andareductioninthedeficitwaswithinreach.Itseemsthat
theRepublicanlegislatureisintentoncontinuingtheHarrisburgstatusquoandgettingoutof
towntogoonvacationinsteadofcontinuingthehardworktomovePennsylvaniaforward.
Changeisdifficult,andclearlymoresogiventhislegislature,butwemustcontinueour
fightforhistoriceducationfundingthatwillbegintorestorethecutsfromfiveyearsago,anda
budgetthatisbalanced,paidfor,andfixesourdeficit.
ButWolfhasbeensendingoutTwittermessagessayinghowtheRepublicanbudget
cutsbasiceducationfunding$95millionandaskingfolkstoreTweetthatmessageifthey
wanttofightformoreschoolfunding.
HouseMajorityLeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)counterTweetedtheRepublicanbudget
raisesstatespendingforpreKthrough12fundingby$400million.
WilltheGovernorsignthebudgetbillsoschooldistricts,socialserviceproviders,state
vendorsandlandlordsandfundingstarvedlocalgovernmentsandnonprofitscangettheir
funding?Orwillhelineitemveto,saytheGeneralAssemblysfunding,tokeepthepressureon
theSenateandHousetogivehimsomeofwhathewants?
AsSenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)said,Gov.Wolfstillhasother

leverageovertheSenateandHousebecausenoneofthenonpreferredappropriationsbillswere
passedandcannotbepasseduntilthereisafinalbudgetagreement.
NonpreferredsincludeappropriationstoPennStateUniversity(inSen.Cormans
district),UniversityofPittsburgh,TempleUniversityandLincolnUniversity.
Now Gov. Wolf has to decide whether to sign it, veto it in part or in full, a decision he
said will come next week, possibly as early as Monday.

WhatsInTheRepublicanBudget
TheRepublicanGeneralFundbudgettotalsover$30.2billion$600millionlessthan
theagreedtobudgetand$300millionmorethanGov.WolfproposedinMarch.
Itneedsnonewtaxestofundit,exceptforthequestionofhowtofundthenonpreferreds
ofcourse.
Ontheenvironmentalside,theRepublicanbudgetbeginstheprocessofweaningthe
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesoffOilandGasFundrevenuestopayfor
personnelandadministrationcostsandproposesotherincreaseshereandthere.Thechanges
include
DEP
SewageFacilitiesGrants:$900,000increase,zeroedoutinFY201415
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission:$100,00less$473,000
Total:$4.2millionincrease
EnvironmentalHearingBoard:$124,000increase
DCNR
GeneralGovernmentOperations:$6.5millionlessmovedfromOil&GasFund
StateParkOperations:$31millionlessmovedfromOil&GasFund
StateForestOperations:$10.1millionlessmovedfromOil&GasFund
HeritageParks:sameasFY201415$2.25million
Total:$47.6millionincrease
Agriculture
Total:$24.5millionincreasefromFY201415
ClickHere
foracopyoftheHouseRepublicanbudgetspreadsheetforHouseBill1460.
SummaryOfWhatHappenedThisWeek
Heresasummaryofwhathappenedthisweekonthebudgetforthoseinterestedinthe
gorydetails.
ActIPensionBillShotDown
OnSaturday,December19,theHousefailedtopassapensionreformbill
SenateBill
1071
(BrowneRLehigh),akeypartoftheagreedtobudgetframework,byawidemargin
52to149.HouseDemocratsuniformlyopposedthebillguaranteeingitsfate.
Pointingtothatfailure,HouseMajorityLeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)immediately
announcedtheHousewouldconsiderastopgapbudgetbillwhenthefullHousenextreconvenes,
whichturnedouttobeTuesday,December22.
AfewminutesafterRep.Reedannouncedthestopgapstrategy,SenateMajorityLeader
JakeCorman(RCentre)toldreportershiscaucuswillnotacceptastopgapbudgetanditisnow
uptotheHouseRepublicanstocomeupwitha12monthbudgetwithoutanynewrevenues.
Sen.Cormanadded,anynewtaxesaredeadwithoutpensionreformapositionSenate
Republicanshaveconsistentlyheld.
Gov.TomWolfagreedsaying:Letmebeclear.Astopgapisnottheanswer.Weneeda

fullyearbudget.Letsgetbacktowork.Allofus.Letsgetthisdonenow.
Inotherwords,ifHouseRepublicansactedonastopgapandtheSenatewentalong,they
facedacertainveto,again.
ActIIHouseHopsBetween2Budgets
OnMonday,December21,theHouseAppropriationsCommitteeamendedandreported
outbyapartylinevotetheSenatesagreedtoGeneralFundbudgetvehicle
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)amendingittoincludewhatHouseRepublicanscalledan11monthbudget.
JeffreySheridan,Gov.WolfsPressSecretary,almostimmediately
releasedacopyofa
letter
theGovernorsenttoallmembersoftheHouseoutliningthedetrimentalconsequencesthe
HouseRepublicanstopgapbudgetwillhaveonPennsylvania.Sheridansaid
Asyouknow,yesterday,GovernorWolfannouncedhewouldvetotheHouse
Republicanstopgapbudgetifitreachedhisdesk.Heurgedeveryonetogetbacktoworktopass
afullyearbudgetnowthatinvestsineducation,isbalancedandbeginstofixthedeficit.
AstopgapbudgetdoesnotchangethestatusquothatHarrisburghasacceptedfortoo
long.Itdoesnotrestorefundingtoourschools,anditdoesnotbegintofixourdeficit.
HerearesomeoftheconsequencesoftheHouseRepublicanstopgapbudget:
Thefurloughof8,000CommonwealthemployeeswiththebiggestimpactonCorrectionsand
ProbationandParoleandtheStatePolice
$455millioncuttoourschools,comparedtothepreviousyear.Thiswillleadtofurther
programcutsandlayoffs
$47.5millioncuttocountyhumanserviceprograms
$100millioncuttoHomeandCommunityServices,denyingover2,150individualswith
disabilitiesandautismtheopportunitytoremainintheirhomesand
$8millioncuttovocationalrehabilitation,whichwillleadtotheforfeitureof$30millionin
federalfunding.
AcopyoftheGovernorsletter
isavailableonline
.
ActIIIHouseReversesDirection
Inadramatic100to99vote,thefullHouseTuesday,December22votedtodo
somethingnooneexpected,theHouserevertedtotheSenatesagreedto$30.8billionGeneral
Fundbudgetbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)andthenvoted100to97tomovethe
billupsoafinalvotecouldhappenthenextday.
AblockofRepublicansrevoltedandjoinedDemocratsinsuccessfullygettingthemotion
passed.
ConservativemembersoftheHousewereaghastatthesuccessofthemotion.
Thevotewastaintedbychargesofghostvotingothermemberspushingthevoting
switchforHousemembersnotontheFloor.
Theallegedghostsincluded:Rep.LeslieAcosta(DPhiladelphia),whowasinNicaragua
Rep.PeterDaley(DWashington),whowasoutoftownonbusinessandRep.JohnMaher
(RAllegheny),whowasinhisoffice.Allthreewerevotedinfavorofthemotiontoreverttothe
agreedtobudget.
TheHouseRulesCommitteealsoamendedtheEducationCodebill
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset)inapartylinevotetoguaranteeallschooldistrictsaminimumof90
percentoftheBasicEducationCommissionfundingformula,reverttocapprovisionsforcharter
schoolstocurrentlawandmakesotherchanges.
AndtheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)wasamendedinpartyline

votestomakechangesandcorrectionsconsistentwiththeagreedtoGeneralFund
appropriationsbillvotedTuesdayintheHouse.
HouseMajorityLeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)toldreporterslaterTuesdayevening
HouseRepublicanshaddecidedtheycantvotetosendtheamended,agreedtoGeneralFund
budgetbilltotheGovernoruntilthereisaTaxCodebilltopayforit.
Rep.ReedsaidtheHouseiswaitingforaTaxCodebillfromtheSenateaswellasthe
outcomeofnegotiationsonapensionreformbillbetweentheSenateRepublicansandHouse
Democrats.
TheSenatethenannounceditwascomingintovotingsessionWednesday,December23
at1:00.
ActIVHouseWereGoingHome
OnWednesday,December23,afterpostponingthebeginningofvotingsessionseveral
timesintotheafternoon,SpeakeroftheHouseMikeTurzai(RAllegheny)finallyannouncedon
theHouseFloortheHousewouldadjournwithouttakingafinalvoteonanystatebudgetbilland
isgoingona6hourcall.
Thisledtoafirestormofprotestandcondemnationfrommanyquarters,butitputthe
Senateinabox.Shouldtheygoaheadmovingthefewpiecesoftheagreedtobudgetpackage
theyhadtoworkonandgohome,donothingandputmorepressureonHouseRepublicans,or
takesomeotheractionknowingtheHouselefttownleavingthebudgetissuehanging.
ActVSenateExecutesClassicReverse
AfterstoicallyclingingtotheagreedtobudgetframeworksinceNovember9,no
matterhowmanytimesthatframeworkcollapsedorchanged,SenateRepublicansultimatelyfelt
theyneededtoactbeforetheendoftheyearonbehalfoftheschooldistricts,nonprofitgroups
andmanyothersstuckforalmost6monthswithoutstatefunding.
FacedwithanintractablefoeHouseRepublicansSenateRepublicansdidaclassic
maneuverthereverse.
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)lateWednesdayafternoonmovedto
striptheagreedto$30.8billionbudgetfrom
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)andrevert
totheHousepassed$30.2billionbudgettheHouseRepublicanshavebeenadvocatingforin
ordertogetabudgetbilldirectlytotheGovernorsdeskforhisaction.
Themotionpassedonapartylinevoteof31to19.
TheSenatethenpassedHouseBill1460withoutamendmentonamostlypartylinevote
of33to17.SenatorsJudySchwank(DBerks)andAndrewDinniman(DChester)crossedparty
lines.ThebillwenttotheGovernorforhisaction.
Sen.Cormansaiditwastheonlywaytogetstatemoneyflowingtoschooldistrictsand
othersthatneedit.
Atthesametime,hesaiditdoesntmeanitistheendofbudgetdiscussions,although,he
didnotnote,itdoesviolatethebudgetframeworkSenateRepublicansandDemocrats,House
DemocratsandGov.Wolfatonepointagreedto,howevertenuously.
Sen.VincentHughes(DPhiladelphia),MinorityChairoftheSenateAppropriations
Committee,saiditwasnotfairtoletoneofthefivepartiesinthebudgetprocessHouse
Republicansdictatethestatesbudget.
Infollowupmediainterviews,Sen.CormansaidGov.Wolfstillhasleverageoverthe
SenateandHousebecausenoneofthenonpreferredappropriationsbillswerepassedandcannot
bepasseduntilthereisafinalbudgetagreement.

NonpreferredsincludeappropriationstoPennStateUniversity,UniversityofPittsburgh,
TempleUniversityandLincolnUniversity.
ActVIInterimFinalAct:WillHeOrWontHe?
Now the Governor has to decide whether to sign it, veto it in part or in full, a decision he
said will come next week, possibly as early as Monday.
NewsClips:

AP:NoBudgetDecisionLikelyBeforeMonday
WolfMumOnWhatHePlansToDoWithBudgetBill
SenateSends$30.3BBudgetToWolf
PLS:SurpriseBudgetHitsGovernorsDeskAndUncertainFuture
AP:LegislativeLeavesWolfWithDecisionOnBudgetHeOpposes
SenatePassesAnotherBudgetToGov.Wolf
IsThisTheEndOfBudgetImpasse?WellSee
BudgetBillSentToWolf,FightFarFromOver
WhatInvestorsThinkOfPAsRecordForLongestBudgetImpasse
AP:HouseGOPsInterimBudgetPlanDrawsVetoThreat
DespiteVetoThreat,HouseMovesAheadWithStopgapBudget
PLS:HouseMovesEmergencyFundingMeasureAmidPromisedVeto
DivisionsDeepenOverStateBudgetImpasse
AP:HouseGOPsTurnToSolvePABudgetStalemate
Wolf,Senate:NoStopgapBudget
AP:LawmakersConsideringOptionsAmidWreckageOfBudgetDeal

BudgetTimeline:HowHopesForAnAgreedToStateBudgetVanished,SoFar

Heresatimelineofsignificantactionstakenonthebudgetandrelated
billssincetheGovernorsbudgetaddressonMarch3thatchronicles
how
GeneralFundBudgetGrew:
TheproposedGeneralFundbudget
grewfromwhatGov.Wolfproposed$29.9billiontothe
agreedtobudgetof$30.8billionandbackdownto$30.2billion
Governor,ALLLegislativeLeadersAgreedThenDidnt
Deliver:
LeadersofALLfourlegislativeCaucusesstoodwithGov.
WolftwiceatpressconferencesinNovembertosaytheyhadan
agreementonabudgetframeworkthatincludedGeneralFund,school
propertytaxrelief,liquorprivatizationandpensionreformelements,butnotanaturalgas
severancetax.Inalateragreedtobudgetframeworktheydroppedschoolpropertytaxrelief
becauserankandfilevoteswerenottheretosupportit
RepublicansPassed2BudgetPackagesGovernorSaidHeWouldVetoAndDid:
Senate
andHouseRepublicansputaGeneralFundbudgetpackageandthenastopgapbudgetpackage
ontheGovernorsdeskinthefaceofavetothreatandthenhedidwhathesaidvetoedthebills
SenateAndHouseVetoOverridesFailed:
SenateandHouseRepublicansattemptedto
overrideGov.Wolfsvetoesofgeneralandstopgapbudgetbillsatseparatetimeswithout
success,andtheSenatethreatenedathirdtime
HouseDsSunkPensionReform,HouseRsMoveStopgap,Again:
HouseDemocrats

opposedtheagreedtopensionreformbillandsunkit52to149.HouseRepublicansthen
movedastopgapbudgetthatGov.Wolfhas,again,threatenedtoveto,butthistimewithSenate
Republicansupporterssayingtheywantafullyearbudget.ThisonenevergotoutoftheHouse.
HouseWhenHomeForTheHolidaysWithoutABudgetVote:
Afterdramatically
revertingtotheagreedtoGeneralFundbudgetbill100to99,theHousedecidesthenextday
togohomefortheholidayswithouttakinganyfurtherbudgetvotes.
SenateRepublicansReverseCourse,SendHouseGOPBudgetToGovernor:
Senate
RepublicanslateWednesdayreversedcourseandmovedtostriptheagreedto$30.8billion
budgetfrom
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)andreverttotheHousepassed$30.2billion
budgettheHouseRepublicanshavebeenadvocatingforinordertogetabudgetbilldirectlyto
theGovernorsdeskforhisaction.
Heresthetimeline

March:

Gov.Wolfunveilsa$29.9billion
FY201516GeneralFundbudgetproposal
(althoughthatssomewhatmisleadingbecauseofthewaytheoverallspendingpackageis
proposed)thatincludesaproposedPersonalIncomeTaxincreasefrom3to3.7percent,aSales
Taxincreasefrom6to6.6percent(alsoeliminating45currentexemptionsfromthetax),a$1
perpackincreaseinthecigarettetax,anew40percenttaxonsmokelesstobacco,largecigars,
loosetobaccoandecigarettesanda5percent/4.7percentpervolumenaturalgasseverancetax
primarilyforbasiceducationfunding.Theproposalwouldincreasesupportforbasiceducation
by$1billion,reduceschoolpropertytaxesby$3.8billion,raisetheminimumwageandmake
$1.75billioninvestmentsinnewinfrastructure,amongotherthings.
June1:
HouseRepublicansputGov.Wolfsfullproposedtaxpackageupforavoteinthe
Houseasanamendmentto
HouseBill283
(F.KellerRSnyder)anditfailedbyavoteof0to
193.Notasinglemembervotedforit.HouseDemocratscalleditapoliticaltrick.
June30:
SenateandHouseRepublicanssenttheirfirstpackageofbudgetbillstothe
Governorwitha$30.2billionGeneralFundbudget(Note:thats$200millionMOREthanGov.
WolfproposedinMarch):
HouseBill1192
(AdolphRDelaware)(
SenateFiscalNote
and
summary)
SenateBill655
(BrowneRLehigh)FiscalCodebill(
HouseFiscalNote
and
summary)
HouseBill762
(RoeRCrawford)EducationCodebill(
SenateFiscalNote
and
summary)
SenateBill1
(CormanRCentre)pensionreportbill(
HouseFiscalNote
and
summary
ActuarialNote
)and
HouseBill466
(TurzaiRAllegheny)liquorprivatizationbill
(
SenateFiscalNote
andsummary).TheGovernorvetoedthesebillsintheirentiretyonJune30,
thesamedaytheyweregiventohim.
Summaryofbasicitems
.
Summaryofenvironmental
items
.

August:
HouseRepublicansfailin14attemptstooverridetheGovernorsvetoofHouseBill
1192oncertainlineitemsRepublicanssaidwereagreedtobyalmostidenticalsvotesof115
to83.
Summaryofitems
.
InhislastcommentsbeforethefinalvotewastakenonAugust25,Rep.BillAdolph
(RDelaware),MajorityChairoftheHouseAppropriationsCommittee,toldmembers,Theend
isNOTnearintermsofanoverallbudgetagreement.Howprophetic.

September:
SenateandHouseRepublicanspassapackageofstopgapbudgetbillsSeptember
28,includingwhattheysaidweremanyagreedtoitems.Thestopgapbudgetbillsincluded
SenateBill1000
(BrowneRLehigh)GeneralFundStopgapBudgetBill(summaryand
Senate
FiscalNote
)
SenateBill1001
(BrowneRLehigh)FiscalCodeStopgapBill(summaryand
SenateFiscalNote)
andamended
HouseBill224
(ChristianaRBeaver)withtheEducation

CodeStopgapBill(summaryand
SenateFiscalNote
).TheGovernorvetoedallthebillssaying
hewantsafullbudget.

October:
HouseRepublicansputGov.WolfsrevisedtaxpackageupforavoteintheHouse
asanamendmentto
HouseBill283
(F.KellerRSnyder).
Theamendment
failedbyavoteof73
to127onOctober7.ThepackageincludedwhatWolfandHouseDemocratssaidwasa
compromisebudgetrevenuepackagethatwouldraisethePersonalIncomeTaxandimposea
newseverancetaxonnaturalgasproducerstohelpfilla$2.3billionstructuralbudgetdeficitand
provideanadditional$400millionforbasiceducation.
OnOctober28theSenateattemptedtooverridetheGovernorsvetoofthestopgap
budgetbillSenateBill1000butfell3votesshort30to19.

November10:
Gov.WolfandleadersofALLfourlegislativecaucusesagreetoadraftbudget
frameworkthatprovides$1.4billionofnewpropertytaxrelieffundedbyaSalesTaxincreaseof
1.25percent$350millioninnewbasiceducationfundingand$50millionforspecialeducation
aPensionReformbillaliquorprivatizationbill(bothtobedevelopedlater)andnonaturalgas
severancetax.

November19:
Housepasses
HouseBill1690
(TurzaiRAllegheny)liquorprivatizationbill
virtuallyidenticaltothebillvetobyGov.WolfinJuneasavehicleforfurtheraction.

November23:
Anamendment
to
HouseBill683
(RappRForest),basedon
SenateBill76
(ArgallRSchuylkill),toraise$13billiontoeliminatetheschooldistrictpropertytaxesby
increasingthePersonalIncomeTaxfrom3.07to4.95percentandtheSalesTaxfrom6to7
percentfailedintheSenatebyatievotebrokenbytheLt.Governorwhovotedno.Thevote
wasatestofwhetherbroadbasedtaxincreasecouldbeusedtosupportschoolpropertytax
reductions.ThebesttheHouseeverdidonschoolpropertytaxreformwaswhenitpassed
HouseBill504
(GablerRClearfield)inMaywhichincreasedthePersonalIncomeandSales
taxesenoughtoprovide$5billionworthofrelief.

November23:
Budgetframeworkagreementfallsapartforvariousreasons,includingthelack
ofsupportforincreasingbroadbasedtaxestoprovideforlessthan100percenteliminationof
schoolpropertytaxes.SomeHouseRepublicanssuggestabarebones$30.2billionGeneral
FundbudgetwithoutincreasingthePersonalIncomeorSalestaxes.Gov.Wolfsaideitherpass
thebillsagreedtoonNovember10inthebudgetframeworkorhewouldacceptanybudgetbill
passedbytheSenate/HousebyDecember4.(Noonetookhimuponhisoffer.)

November25:
ArevisedbudgetframeworkisagainagreedtobyGov.WolfandALLfour
CaucusesafterSenateRepublicansthreatenedtoattemptanothervotetooverridetheGovernors
vetoofthestopgapfundingbill.Thenewbudgetframeworkeliminatesanyschoolpropertytax
reliefandtheuseoftheSalesTaxtofundtheestimated$600millioninnewrevenuestosupport
thenew,agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudget.(Note:thats$900millionMOREthan
theGovernorsproposaland$600millionMOREthantheHouseRepublicanbarebones
budget.)

December4:
Senatepassesanotherpensionreformbillvehicle
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh)anditmovestotheHouse.

December710:
TheSenatepassessecondfullbudgetpackagecontainingtheagreedto
$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetin
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh),butwithouta
supportingtaxpackagetoanuncertainfutureintheHouse(
spreadsheet
).Afewdayslaterthe
Senatepassedtheremainderofthepackage:FiscalCode
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)
AdministrativeCode
HouseBill941
(ReganRCumberland)liquorprivatization
HouseBill

1690
(TurzaiRAllegheny)pensionreform
SenateBill1082
(BrowneRLehigh)Welfare
Code
HouseBill1322
(KauferRLuzerne)andEducationCode
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset).
HouseRepublicans,inturn,passtheirbarebones$30.2billionGeneralFundbudget
December8in
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)andsendittotheSenate.Withinhours,
theSenateamendstheHousebudgetbillwiththeagreedto$30.8billionbudgetwhereit
remainsontheSenateCalendarforafinalvote.

December14:
HousesendstheWelfareCodebill
HouseBill1322
(KauferRLuzerne)to
theGovernorforhisactionandamendstheAdministrativeCode
HouseBill941
(ReganR
Cumberland)andsendsitbacktotheSenate.

December18:
SenatepassesTaxCodevehicle
HouseBill1198
(DunbarRWestmoreland).

December19:
Housefailstopasstheagreedtopensionreform
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh)byavoteof52to149withHouseDemocratsopposingthebill.Budget
frameworkfallsapartforthethirdtimesinceNovember10.

December21:
HouseRepublicansamend
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh),theGeneral
Fundbill,byapartylinevoteintheAppropriationsCommitteetoincludethe11month,stopgap
budget,takingouttheagreedtoGeneralFundbudgetprovisionsandreportedittothefull
House.
TheRulesCommittee,againbyapartylinevote,amended
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike),theFiscalCodebill,and
tookoutmanyoftheprovisionsadded
aspartofthe
agreedtobudgetintheSenateandreportedittothefullHouse.
TheytookoutprovisionsrelatedtogivingtheGeneralAssemblyextratimetoreview
PennsylvaniasplanformeetingEPAsCleanPowerClimateRule,killingtheconventionaloil
andgasregulationsonthevergeofbeingfinalizedbyDEP,a$12millionNaturalGas
InfrastructureDevelopmentFundand$22millionforsmallwaterandwastewaterproject
fundingfortheCommonwealthFinancingAuthority.

December22:
Inadramatic100to99vote,thefullHouseTuesdayvotedtoreverttothe
Senatesagreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)andthenvoted100to97tomovethebillupforwhatcouldbeafinal
December23.
TheHouseRulesCommitteealsoconsideredtheEducationCodebill
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset)whichwasamendedtoguaranteeallschooldistrictsaminimumof90
percentoftheBasicEducationCommissionfundingformula,revertstocapprovisionsfor
charterschoolstocurrentlawandotherchangesandtheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)wasamendedinpartylinevotestomakechangesandcorrectionsconsistent
withtheagreedtoGeneralFundappropriationsbillvotedTuesdayintheHouse.
ProvisionsrelatedtogivingtheGeneralAssemblyextratimetoreviewPennsylvanias
planformeetingEPAsCleanPowerClimateRule,killingtheconventionaloilandgas
regulationsonthevergeofbeingfinalizedbyDEP,a$12millionNaturalGasInfrastructure
DevelopmentFundand$22millionforsmallwaterandwastewaterprojectfundingforthe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthoritywereputbackintotheFiscalCodebillbytheHouse.
BothbillswerereportedtothefullHouse.
TheSenateannounceditwascomingbackintosessionDecember23.

December23:
Theagreedtobudgetframeworkhasnowfallenapartforthefourthtimeas
theHouseadjournstogohomefortheholidayswithouttakingavoteonanystatebudgetbill.

Technically,theyreona6hourcall.

December23ActII:
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)lateWednesday
reversedcourseandmovedtostriptheagreedto$30.8billionbudgetfrom
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)andreverttotheHousepassed$30.2billionbudgettheHouse
RepublicanshavebeenadvocatingforinordertogetabudgetbilldirectlytotheGovernors
deskforhisaction.
TheSenatevoted30to19,alongpartylines,toapprovethemotiontorevert,and33to
17tosendthebilltotheGovernorforhisaction(withSenatorsSchwank(DBerks)and
Dinniman(DChester)defecting).
Althoughclearlyoutsidetheagreedtobudgetframework,Sen.Cormansaid
negotiationsarenotdoneonthebudgetandtherecanbenotfinalbudgetagreementunlessissues
likethenonpreferredsaredealtwith,includingfundingforPennStateUniversityinSen.
Cormansdistrict.
Thestatusoftheagreedtobudgetframeworkcannowbestbedescribedbythisscene
fromthemovie
ThePrincessBride

Miracle Max:
Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend
here is only MOSTLY dead. There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly
dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do.
Inigo Montoya:
What's that?
Miracle Max:
Go through his clothes and look for loose change.
Now Gov. Wolf has to decide whether to sign it, veto it in part or in full, a decision he
said will come next week, possibly as early as Monday.

Oil&GasAdvisoryBoardAcceptsNonVotingMember,PublicDrillingRegComments

The
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
Tuesdayvotedunanimouslytoacceptthecomments
ofitsnonvotingmembersonthereporttheBoardissubmittingtotheEnvironmentalQuality
BoardontheChapter78Adrillingregulations.
Beforethismeeting,votingmembersoftheBoardhadresistedincludinganycomments
ontheChapter78Aregulationsfromthenonvotingmembers.Thenonvotingmemberswere
addedtotheBoardbyDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleytoprovidemorediversityofopinionin
reviewsofoilandgasissuesfacingtheDepartment.
Nonvotingmembersinclude:MichaelGriffin,Ph.D.,DepartmentofEngineeringand
PublicPolicy,CarnegieMellonUniversityEmilyKrafjack,ConnectionforOil,Gas,&
EnvironmentintheNorthernTier(COGENT)BarbaraG.Kutchko,Ph.D.,NationalEnergy
TechnologyLaboratoryandJohnWalliser,Esq.,PAEnvironmentalCouncil.
TheBoardalsovotedtoacceptcommentsontheChapter78Aregulationsfromthe
public.Commentsshouldbesentbyemailto:
RAepOilandGas@pa.gov
.
ThetimelineisveryshorttosubmitcommentstotheBoard.DEPexpectstofinalizethe
Chapter78and78Aregulation,comment/responsedocumentandregulatoryanalysisformand
sendittotheEQBonoraboutJanuary6.TheEQBisscheduledtomeetontheregulation
February3.
TheAdvisoryBoardscommentsontheregulationaresubmittedtotheEQBwiththe
otherpartsofthefinalrulemakingpackage.
ConventionalDrillers

The
ConventionalAdvisoryCommittee
metbyconferencecallforabout40minutes
TuesdaytofinalizeitscommentstotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardontheChapter78
regulations.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
OilandGasRegulations
webpageorcontactKurt
Klapkowskibycalling7177722199orsendemailto:
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
AuditorGeneral:WhereIsDrillingImpactMoneyGoingLocally?
JessupGrantsConditionalUsePermitForPowerPlant
JessupPowerPlantGrantedKeyAirQualityPermit
NewLackawannaCountyGasFiredPowerPlantGetsAirPermit
GroupClaimsDEPRadioactivityStudyNeedsRedone
AppealsCourtReinstatesAccidentLawsuitAgainstDriller
GasRoyaltyAdvocatesApplaudAGsChesapeakeEnergyLawsuit
FERCBeginsEnvironmentalReviewOfPennEastPipeline
RiceEnergyGets$500MInvestmentForMidstreamUnit
ShaleGasHitPeaksIn2015,ButDrillersPulledBack
RigCountDrops,DrillersPullBackProduction
UGI Gas Leak Causes Loss Of Gas, Electric, Phone Service In WB
GasLeakVideoRevealsGrowingEnvironmentalDisasterInL.A.
LehighBiofuelCompanyOwnersChargesInCleanEnergyScam
AveragePriceOfGasolineFallsBelow$2,NotInPA
OilHasRealityCheckForThoseElatedByClimateDeal
GasolinePricesDropLowerInPittsburgh
WhyOilPricesKeepFalling
EnergyStocksHigherAsOilPricesRebound
OpEd:TapPotentialOfResourcesOnU.S.Lands

EPRI:LeastCostOptionForPAToMeetEPAClimateRuleIsNaturalGas

ElectricPowerResearchInstitute
modelinghasconcludedthe
leastcostoptionforPennsylvaniatomeetthe
EPAClean
PowerClimateRule
by2030istousemorelowcost($6or
less)naturalgasforelectricpowergenerationandthemass
balanceapproachtoregulatinggreenhousegasreductions.
But,tomeetbroaderclimategoalsofreducing
climatechangingemissionsby80percentby2050,amixof
energyefficiency,renewablesandnewnocarbonnuclear
powerplantsandextendingthelifeofexistingnuclearplants
andotherstepswillberequired.
AndaRay,EPRIVicePresidentforEnvironmentandtheChiefSustainabilityOfficer,
made
thesecommentsinapresentation
beforemembersofthePublicUtilityCommissionand
thepubliconDecember17inHarrisburg.
RaynotedEPAsCleanPowerClimaterulehasalongleadtimeformeetingits
requirements15yearsnotingthepaceofchangeintechnologyinthetransmissionsystemand
generation,theprocessesforregulatingelectricpowerandthemarketisoccurringveryrapidly.

Think,shesaid,abouthowdifferentthingsarenowthantheywerein2000.
ShesaidtherecentlysignedParisclimateagreementwillguidewhatnationswilldoin
regulatinggreenhousegasemissionsfromallsectorsoftheeconomy,butitisalsojustthe
beginningoftheprocess.
Rayurgedthoseinvolvedintheissuetolooknotjustat2030theCleanPowerPlan
deadlinebuttowardthebroaderclimateissuewherein2050evenmorereductionswillbe
requiredtomeetthegoalofreducingemissionstoachievealessthan2degreeincreaseinglobal
temperatures.
Withrespecttocoal,shesaidEPRIsmodelsshowcoalallbutdisappearinginthemixof
energysourcesneededtomeetthe2050reductions.Askedaboutcarboncapturetechnology,
Raysaid,inheropinion,itismorelikelytobeinstalledonnaturalgasfiredpowerplantsthan
coalbecauseofthecostsinvolved.
Raysummarizedherpresentationinfourtakeawaymessages
Climateisaglobalissueandpolicywillbesetataglobalscale
Electrificationofothersectors,liketransportation,isasignificantelementinachievingthe
broader80percentreductioningreenhousegasemissionsneededtomeettemperaturegoalsin
2050
Integratingenergyefficiency,demandsidemanagementandrenewableswillbeimportantin
meetinga2050goaland
Buildingnewnocarbonnuclearplantsandextendingthelifeofexistingplantswillbecritical
tomeetingthelongertermgoal.
ClickHere
foracopyofRaysPowerPointpresentation.
WhatDEPHasSaid
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyhassaidmanyofthesamethingsRaysaidinher
presentationintalkingaboutmeeting
EPAsCleanPowerClimatePlanRule
fortheelectric
generationsectoranddevelopingabroaderupdatecoveringallsectorsinPennsylvaniasClimate
ChangeActionPlan.
OnDecember8
inthePittsburghPostGazette,
Quigleyseparatedthemuchnarrower
goalofmeetingEPAsCleanPowerPlanlimitsandtakingthenextstepontheClimateAction
Plan.
...(T)heCommonwealthisstillintheearlystagesofdevelopingitsfinalimplementation
plan(fortheCleanPowerRule)soitisnotacomponentoftheClimateActionPlan.However,
manyofthecarbonstrategiesforelectricitywithinthisdocument(thePlan)shouldultimately
supportthedevelopmentofthestatesplan.
SecretaryQuigleywasquotedassayingrelyingonthecarbonbenefitsofburningnatural
gasinsteadofcoalisshortsightedinmeetingthebroaderclimatechangegoal.
AtapressconferenceinNovember,QuigleysaidPennsylvaniadoesnothavethatfarto
gotomeetthenarrowerEPACleanPowerPlan,notingthefinalCleanPowerrulerequires
Pennsylvaniatoreducecarbondioxideemissionsby1milliontonsannuallyby2022(7years
fromnow)andanother15milliontonsannuallyby2030(15yearsfromnow).
QuigleysaidcarbondioxideemissionsinPennsylvaniahavealreadybeen
reducedby27
milliontons
annuallyinjust7years,a20percentfrom2007to2014,toatotalofabout107
milliontonsannually.
Thereductionscameprimarilyasaresultofswitchingfromcoaltonaturalgasto
generateelectricityandadditionalEPAcontrolsonmercuryemissionsatcoalfiredpowerplants.

ThefirstmilestoneintheEPACleanPowerruleis2022,Quigleysaid,whichrequires
PennsylvaniatoreduceCO2emissionsto106milliontons,about1milliontonsbelowwherethe
stateisnow.
By2030,thestatemusttakestepstoreduceemissionsto91milliontons,onlyabout15
milliontonsmore.
From1997to2013naturalgasusetogenerateelectricityincreased
from3percentto38
percent
,accordingtothePublicUtilityCommission.About10,003MWofgeneratingcapacity
isnowfueledbynaturalgasinPennsylvaniawithanother11,609MWofnewgenerating
capacitybeingproposed,althoughnotalloftheproposedcapacityistypicallybuilt.
InJuly2014,DEPacknowledgedinapresentationbeforetheCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
thatcoaluseinPennsylvaniacould
dropby75percentby2030anyway
,withouttheEPAClean
PowerClimatePlan,duetotheswitchtonaturalgasforelectricpowergenerationbecauseof
marketconditions,ifnaturalgaspricesremainaboutthesame.
FormoreinformationonclimatechangeactivitiesinPennsylvania,visitDEPs
Climate
ChangeEPACleanPowerPlanRule
and
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClimateChange:TheGoodNewsForPhiladelphia
PhiladelphiaRallyCryToFeedOffClimateChangePact
OpEd:IsClimateDealSmartPolicy?
OpEd:EnergyRevolutionReducingEmissions
MajorPAResortsOpenForSkiingAmidWarmWeather
GasLeakVideoRevealsGrowingEnvironmentalDisasterInL.A.
OilHasRealityCheckForThoseElatedByClimateDeal
HalfWorldsCoalMayGoUnminedToMeetClimateTarget
ExtremeWeatherPosesIncreasingThreatToU.S.PowerGrid
RecordHighTempsSetShortlyAfterMidnight

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/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(???):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinkingwaterwell
construction
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset)EducationCodebillwithmuchofthe
agreedtolanguagestillremaining,butwithchanges

HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)further
providingforliabilityprotectionforlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsor
summary
)
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)FiscalCodebillwithagreedtobudgetlanguage
restored,plussomeextras
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingthe
LegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestates
programtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge

SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)
updatingandimprovingtheTransitRevitalizationinvestmentDistrict

SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQuality
Board
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill
1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill.

<>
ClickHere
forfull
HouseBillCalendar.

Senate(???):

SenateBill201
(SchwankDBerks)authorizingtheleasingofpropertyinthe
CleanandGreenProgramtoaruralenterprise(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlargeelectricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgascompetition(
sponsor
summar
y).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.

CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

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

DEPPermitTracking:

SenateBill1092
(VogelRBeaver)requiredDEPtocreateanonline
permittrackingsystemavailabletoapplicantsfortrackingthestatusofpermitapplications,
includingnoticetopermitholders60daysbeforetheirpermitsexpire(
sponsorsummary
).Note:
DEPalreadyhasthissystemavailabletoeveryone,includingapplicantscreatedin2001.They
arecalled
eFACTS
environmentalcompliancetrackingsystemandthe
eNOTICE
systems,but
thecurrentsystemsdoneedsignificantupdating.Nofundingforaddingfeaturestothesystems
isprovidedinthebill.

SessionSchedule

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

Senate
Senateisona6hourcall.

House
Houseisona6hourcall.

GovernorsSchedule

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

BillsOnGovernor'sDesk

ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction

$30.2BillionGeneralFundBudget:

HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)$30.2billion+
HouseRepublicanbudget.

Senate/HouseBillsMoving

ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate

House

Stopgap General Fund Budget:

S
enateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedto$30.8
billionGeneralFundbudgetwasamendedtoinsertan11monthstopgapbudgetinapartyline
votebyHouseRepublicansandreportedfromtheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.Onthe
HouseFloorsomeRepublicansandHouseDemocratsbandedtogetherandpassedamotion100
to99toreverttothe$30.8billionagreedtoGeneralFundbudget.Thebillremainsonthe
HouseCalendarinpositionforafinalvote.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
Agreed-To Fiscal Code Bill:
HouseBill1327

(PeiferRPike)wasamendedbytheHouse

RulesCommitteeonDecember21tostripoutmuchoftheagreedtolanguage,including
provisionsrelatedtogivingtheGeneralAssemblyextratimetoreviewPennsylvaniasplanfor
meetingEPAsCleanPowerClimateRule,killingtheconventionaloilandgasregulationson
thevergeofbeingfinalizedbyDEP,a$12millionNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFund
and$22millionforsmallwaterandwastewaterprojectfundingfortheCommonwealth
FinancingAuthority,andreportedoutofCommittee.
ThebillwasthenrecommittedtotheHouseRulesCommitteewhichputbackinthe
agreedtolanguage(includingtheenvironmentalprovisionsabove)plusoneortwoextrasand
reportedbackoutofCommittee.
ItremainsontheHouseCalendarforaction.

Agreed-To Pension Reform Bill:

SenateBill1071

(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedto

pensionreformbillremainsontheHouseCalendaraftertheHousefailedtopassthebill52to
149December19.Amotiontoreconsiderthevotewasmadeimmediatelyanditremainsonthe
HouseCalendar.

TaxCodeBill:

HouseBill1198
(DunbarRWestmoreland),theTaxCodevehicle,was
reportedfromtheHouseRulesCommitteewithoutchanges,nonconcurredinbyavoteof173to
27onDecember19.ThebillreturnedtotheSenatewhichthenvotedtoinsistonits
amendments,settingthestageforaHouseSenateconferencecommitteeontheTaxCode
changesneededtofundwhateverGeneralFundbudgettheywantto.

SenateNonPreferredAppropriations:
SenateBills912to916,nonpreferredappropriations
billsforstaterelateduniversities,werereportedfromtheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeand
remainontheHouseCalendarforaction.

201516CapitalBudget:
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516CapitalBudget
billwasreportedoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandisnowontheHouseCalendar
foraction.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.

UtilityTaxCalculations:

HouseBill1436
(GodshallRMontgomery)relatedtothe
computationoftaxexpenseforratemakingpurposesforutilities(
sponsorsummary
)was
amendedandreportedoutoftheHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteeandwasTabled.

Senate

$30.2BillionGeneralFundBudget:

HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)amotiononthe
SenateFloorstrippedoutthe$30.8billionagreedtoGeneralFundbudgetandreinstatedthe
$30.2billionHouseRepublicanbudgetbyapartylinevoteof30to19.TheSenatethen
approvedthebill33to17(SenatorsSchwankandDinnimancrossingpartylinestovoteforit)
andsentittotheGovernorforhisaction.

NotQuiteAgreedToAdministrativeCode:

HouseBill941
(ReganRCumberland)
AdministrativeCodevehicleremainsintheSenateRulesCommitteeonconcurrence.A
House
FiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.

NewsFromAroundTheState

TakeASurvey:SchuylkillActionNetworkWouldLikeYourOpinion

The
SchuylkillActionNetwork
wantstohearfromthepeoplewholivenearthisincredible
naturalresourceanddependonthewaterwayfordrinkingwater.
SchuylkillActionNetworkiscollaborativenetworkofover100organization,including
federal,state,andlocalgovernmentpartners,schoolsandmoreallworkingtoprotectand
restoretheSchuylkillRiverwatershed.
Rightnow,theyaredevelopinga5yearstrategicplantoimprovethisamazingregional

treasure.Andtheywantyourinputtomakethatplanthebestthatitcanbe.
SANputtogether
ashortsurvey
tolearnwhatpeoplethinkabouttheSchuylkillRiver
anditstributariesandwhattheregioncandotohelptokeepitclean.
Ifyoucareaboutthewatershed,orevenifyoujustliketojogdowntheSchuylkillRiver
TrailalongKellyDrive,pleasetakeafewminutestoprovidesomefeedbackby
VisitingHere
andansweringsomequestions.
TheSchuylkillRiverisanincrediblyimportantpartofPennsylvaniaswatersystem,so
themorevoicesthatcontributetothisvisionforitsfuture,thebetter.
Formoreinformationontheprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Schuylkill
ActionNetwork
website.
VisitHere
tolearnhowyoucangetinvolvedandreceiveregular
updatesfromSAN.
NewsClips:
Editorial:MitigateScrantonStormwaterWithGrants
DelawareRiverkeeperDec.18RiverWatchVideoReport
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

Dec.21WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension

The
December21WatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennStateExtension
featuringstorieson

PrepareYourRainBarrelForColdWeather

IdeasForControllingAquaticInvadersFromLakeGeorgeInNewYork

Federal/StatePartnershipsAdvanceUnderstandingOfContaminantsContext

GroundwaterQualityInPrincipalAquifersInU.S.19912010

AssessingEnvironmentalChemicalMixturesInU.S.Streams

LongTermStudyFindsEndocrineDisruptingChemicalsInUrbanWaterways

EndocrineDisruptors,ParasitesLikeCausesForBassDeclineInSusquehanna

Pharmaceuticals,HormonesMoveFromSepticSystemsToGroundwater

DoYouKnowTheLocationOfYourWell,SepticSystem?

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

GreenSchools,HealthySchoolsJan.19WebinarOnSchoolsAndOutdoorAirQuality

JoinLornaRosenberg,GreenandHealthySchoolsCoordinatorattheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgency,alongwithherpartnersandcolleaguesastheypresenta
webinaronschools
andoutdoorairquality
onJanuary19from3to4p.m.
Learnwaystoreduceexposurethroughawareness,managingschedules,andmaking
goodplanningdecisions.ThewebinarwillhighlightthreeEPAprogramsthattargetexposureto
outdoorairqualityandhowtoreduceexposuretopooroutdoorairquality.
Act48creditisavailable.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.Checkthe
UpcomingWebinars
webpageofthe
Green
SchoolsBlueWaters
websiteforinformationonotherwebinarsandtowatcharchivedcopies
ofpreviousprograms.

DEPIssuesAirPermitForGasPowerPlantInLackawanna,WaterPermitHearingJan.4

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdaysaidithasissuedanairqualityplan
approvaltoLackawannaEnergyCenter,LLCofChicago,toconstructandoperatea
1500megawattnaturalgasfiredpowerplantinLackawannaCounty.
ThefacilitywillbelocatedonIndustrialDriveinJessup,LackawannaCounty.
Thedepartmentconductedathoroughandcompletereviewoftheapplicationand
determineditmetalloftheairqualityregulations,saidMikeBedrin,DirectoroftheDEP
NortheastRegionalOfficeinWilkesBarre.Thisplantwillalsohaveemissionstesting,
recordkeepingandcontinuousemissionmonitoringrequirementstoassistDEPinmonitoring
emissionsfromthefacilitytohelpensurecompliance.
Aspartofthereviewprocess,thecompanywasrequiredtoperformanairquality
analysisthatdemonstratedtheproposedfacilitywouldnotcauseorcontributetoairpollutionin
violationoftheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandards.
ThedepartmentreceivedtheoriginalplanapprovalapplicationfromLackawannaEnergy
Center,LLConJune11,2014.ArevisedapplicationwaslatersubmittedonNovember3,2014.
NotificationofreceiptofbotheditionsoftheapplicationwaspublishedinthePABulletinand
thepublicwasprovidedanopportunitytoprovidecomments.
Apublicmeetingandhearingregardingtheplanapprovalapplicationwasheldon
September2,2015.
Acopyoftheairqualityplanapprovalandapplication,alongwiththecommentresponse
document,canbeviewedat
DEPsNortheastRegionalOffice
webpageorattheofficein
WilkesBarre.
Thosewishingtomakeanappointmenttoviewthedocumentscandosobetweenthe
hoursof8:00a.m.and4:00p.m.bycalling5708262511.
WaterPermitHearing
ThedepartmentisalsostillreviewingLackawannaEnergyCentersapplicationfora
NationalPollutantDischargeElimination(NPDES)permittodischargetreatedwastewaterfrom
thefacilityintoGrassyIslandCreek.
ApublicmeetingandhearingonthatapplicationissetforJanuary4from6:00p.m.to
9:30p.m.atValleyViewHighSchoolinArchbald.
NewsClips:
JessupPowerPlantGrantedKeyAirQualityPermit
NewLackawannaCountyGasFiredPowerPlantGetsAirPermit

Briefing:UndergroundNaturalGasStorageFieldsInPennsylvania

Themassiveleakthathasgoneonnowformorethantwo
monthsfroma
naturalgasstoragefacilitynearLos
Angeles
hasputnaturalgasstoragefacilitiesinthenews.
Pennsylvaniasown
ConnectionforOil,Gas&
EnvironmentintheNorthernTier
(C.O.G.E.N.T.)has
alsopostedinformationabouttheleaksinL.A.
Pennsylvaniahas774,309millioncubicfeetof
undergroundnaturalgasstoragefacilitycapacity,more

thanCaliforniaat599,711(Mcf)andthefourthlargestcapacityintheUnitedStatesfollowing
Michigan,IllinoisandTexas,accordingtothe
U.S.EnergyInformationAgency
.
Thereareapproximately60undergroundgasstoragefieldsin26countiesinthestate,
mostlyinWesternandNorthcentralPennsylvania,accordingtoa
DEPfactsheet
.Amapofthe
facilitiesinPennsylvaniaisavailablefromtheU.S.EIA(above).
Storagereservoirsaretypicallydepletedhydrocarbonreservoirsorbodiesofrockwhose
geologicalandengineeringcharacteristicsmakethemreadilycapableofholdinginjectednatural
gas.
Gasisstoredinlargequantitiesinthesummermonthsandwithdrawnforsaleinthe
wintermonths.
NaturalgashasbeenusedasanenergysourceinPennsylvaniaformorethan100years.
Itwasnotuntilthelate1880sthatamarketfornaturalgasevolvedsufficientlyenoughto
encouragedevelopmentofgasreservoirsinPennsylvania.
Inthe1920s,Pennsylvaniabeganconsumingmoregasthanitproduced.Thisledto
purchasingtheneededgasfromotherAppalachianstates.
Atthesametime,thefirstgasstoragefieldwasdevelopedbytheUnitedNaturalGas
CompanyinWarrenandForestcounties.Bythe1940s,gaswascommonlydeliveredto
Pennsylvaniafromthewesternpartofthecountry.
Recentadvancesinwelldrillingandstimulationtechniqueshaveonceagainchangedthe
naturalgasmarketinPennsylvania,leadingtoextensivedevelopmentoftheMarcellusShaleand
asurplusofgasinthestate.
Regulation
Regulationofundergroundgasstoragefieldsbeganin1955withthepassageoftheGas
OperationsWellDrillingPetroleumandCoalMiningAct.
Substantivechangesfollowedin1985withthepassageoftheOilandGasAct.Gas
storageregulationswereadoptedin1994withsomerelatedchangesfollowingin2011.TheOil
andGasActwasmostrecentlyamendedbythe2012OilandGasAct(Act13).
Act13maintainedtheoriginalOilandGasActsrequirementsforgasstorageoperations,
andnonewsubstantiveprovisionsapplicabletotheoperationofstoragefieldswereincludedin
the2012legislation.
Act13requirestheexchangeofimportantinformationaboutsafetybetweenunderground
gasstorageoperators,ownersoroperatorsofundergroundcoalminesandtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection.
Inparticular,thelocationsandconditionofwellsusedintheoperationofunderground
gasstoragefieldsandthelocationsofundergroundcoalminesmustbecommunicated.Gas
storageoperatorsandcoalmineoperatorsarealsoallowedtoinspecteachothersrecordsand
facilities.
Thestatutedoesnotapplytostriporaugerminesoperatingfromthesurfaceandthe
storageofgasorliquidsincaverns.
Injectionofgasforstorageintoworkablecoalseamsisalsoprohibited.The1994
regulationsaddedadditionalsafetyrequirementsforgasstorageoperations.
Regulationsadoptedin2011enhancedwellconstructionstandardsfornewwellsdrilled
inoperatingstoragefields.Gasstoragefacilityoperatorsarepresentlyrequiredto:
Caseandcementgasstoragewellstoensurenogascanleakfromthem
Conductmonthlyinspectionsofallgasstoragewellsandallwellsusedforobservation

Annuallyinspectthegasstoragereservoirandstorageprotectiveareatomakesurenogasis
leakingorotherhazardousconditionexists
Implementgasstoragewellmonitoringandintegritytestingprogramsonceeveryfiveyears
Notexceedpressuresthatmaycausethegastobeginleaking
NotifyDEPwithin24hoursofmakingemergencyrepairstogasstoragewellsandsubmita
writtenexplanationoftheemergencyandwhatactionwastakenwithinfivedays
Keeprecordsofwellinspectionresultsandpressuredata,integritytestingdata,and
inspectionsofabandonedandpluggedwellsand
NotifyDEP15daysbeforethegasstoragewellispluggedtopreventmigrationofgasor
otherfluidswithinoroutsideofthewell.
QuestionsaboutundergroundnaturalgasstorageareascanbedirectedtoDEPsOiland
GasManagementProgrambysendingemailto:
raepoilandgas@pa.gov
orbycallingthe
HarrisburgOfficeat7177722199,MeadvilleOfficeat8143326860,PittsburghOfficeat
4124424024ortheWilliamsportOfficeat5703273636.
Citizenswithoilandgasrelatedcomplaintscancallthestatewidetollfreenumber
18662555158.
Formoreinformationonoilandgasregulationgenerally,visitDEPs
OilandGas
Programs
webpage.
Resources:
DEPFactSheet:UndergroundGasStorageFieldsInPennsylvania
U.S.EIA:TheBasicsOfUndergroundNaturalGasStorage
U.S.EIA:PennsylvaniaEnergyProfile
NewsClip:
GasLeakVideoRevealsGrowingEnvironmentalDisasterInL.A.

Jan.20WorkshopOnEnergyAssetScoreToolForLocalGovernmentsInPittsburgh

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandPennStatearehostingaworkshopJanuary20
inPittsburghforlocalgovernmentandschooldistrictofficialsontheuseoftheU.S.Department
ofEnergysnew
EnergyAssetScoreTool
.
Thisworkshopisforyouifyouown,manage,oroperateoneormorepublicbuildings
andwouldliketounderstandtheenergyefficiencyofthephysicalstructureandsystemsofeach
buildingascomparedtoothersimilarbuildings.
PennStatewillprovidetechnicalassistancetoallattendeesfollowingtheWorkshopto
scoreyourbuilding(s).
Theworkshopwillbeheldfrom10:00toNoonatDEPsSouthwestRegionalOffice,500
WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.
ClickHere
toregisterandformoredetails.Formoreinformation,contactLisaShulock
at:
LShulock@engr.psu.edu
orHeidiKunkaat:
hkunka@pa.gov
.

PUCSurveyShows24,175HomesWithoutHeatRelatedUtilities

ThePublicUtilityCommissionTuesdayreleasedtheresultsofitsannualColdWeatherSurvey,
whichshowedthatmorethan24,175Pennsylvaniahouseholdsareenteringthewinterseason
withoutheatrelatedutilityserviceorusingunsafeheatingsources.

In2014,thesamesurvey
found23,213homes
withoutheatrelatedutilities,
in2013
19,653
and
in201215,983
.
Inconjunctionwiththereleaseofthatreport,thePUCurgedconsumerstocontacttheir
utilitiesassoonaspossibleaboutvariousprogramstohelpthemaffordandmaintainessential
utilityservices.
Thecoldestmonthsoftheyearhavearrivedandtherearethousandsofindividualsand
familiesacrossPennsylvaniacurrentlywithoutelectricornaturalgasserviceorrelyingonunsafe
heatingsources,saidPUCChairmanGladysM.Brown.Weurgethoseresidentstotake
advantageofthenumerousprogramsavailabletohelpthemrestoreutilityserviceinordertostay
connected,warmandsafethiswinter.
The2015ColdWeatherSurveyshowedthefollowing,asofDecember15:
9,169residencesarewithoutsafeelectricheating,including8,755householdswithoutelectric
serviceand414householdsthatareheatingwithpotentiallyunsafeheatingsourcesand
15,006residencesarewithoutsafenaturalgasheating,including13,555householdswithout
naturalgasserviceand1,451householdsthatareheatingwithpotentiallyunsafeheatingsources.
Additionally,14,144residenceswhereelectricservicewasterminatedand5,720residences
wherenaturalgasservicewasterminatednowappeartobevacant.
Somehouseholdsmaybewithoutbothelectricandnaturalgasservice,resultingina
doublecountingofsomehouseholds.
The
PUCreleasedcharts
showingthenumberofresidentialpropertieswithoutservicefor
eachofthemajor,regulatedelectricandnaturalgasdistributioncompaniesinthe
Commonwealth.
EveryyearthestateselectricandnaturalgasdistributioncompaniesunderthePUCs
jurisdictionarerequiredtosurveyresidentialpropertieswhereservicehasbeenterminatedand
hasnotbeenreconnectedduringthecourseofthiscalendaryear.EveryDecember,thePUC
releasesthosecoldweathersurveyresults.
Thesurveyassessesthenumberofhouseholdswithoutheatrelatedserviceenteringthe
wintermonths.Aspartofthesurvey,theutilityoritsrepresentativemakefourattemptsto
contactconsumerswhoareknowntobewithoutheatrelatedutilityservice.
Theattemptsmayincludetelephonecalls,lettersandpersonalvisitstotheresidenceand
aredoneondifferentdaysoftheweekanddifferenttimesoftheday.
Ifthefirstthreecontactsareunsuccessful,thePUCrequeststhatthefourthattemptbean
inpersonvisittotheresidence.
Homesusingpotentiallyunsafeheatingsourcesarereportedseparatelyinthesurvey
becauseofadditionalrisksinthosesituations.AccordingtotheNationalFireProtection
Association,potentiallyunsafesourcesofheatincludekeroseneheaters,kitchenstovesorovens,
electricspaceheaters,fireplacesandconnectingextensioncordstoneighborshomes.
AspartofthePUCsannual
PrepareNow
campaign,consumersonlimitedorfixed
incomesareencouragedtocalltheirutilitiesabout
programstohelpheattheirhomes
orpaytheir
energybillssuchasCustomerAssistancePrograms(CAPs)andLowIncomeUsageReduction
Programs(LIURP).
TheCommissionhasalsoappealedtoutilitiestoincreasetheireffortstoeducate
consumersaboutotheravailableresources,suchasgrantsunderthe
federalLowIncomeHome
EnergyAssistanceProgram
whichisadministeredbytheDepartmentofHumanServices
withinformationavailablethroughlocalCountyAssistanceOfficesorviatheLIHEAPhotlineat

18668577095.
ThePUCemphasizesthatconsumerswithoututilityserviceshouldunderstandtheir
rightsandresponsibilities
,includingadditionaloptionsthatmaybeavailableforthosewhoare
seriouslyillorarefacingotheruniquecircumstances,suchasaprotectionfromabuseorder.
Consumersshouldcalltheirutilityfirsttomakearrangementstopaytheirbill.Iftheyare
unabletoreachanagreementwiththeutility,thePUCmaybeabletoprovideassistance.The
PUCcanbereachedtollfreeat18006927380.
NewsClips:
24,000+PAHomesHeatDeficient
PennsylvaniansUrgedToUseHeatingAssistancePrograms

Gov.WolfEncouragesPennsylvaniansToPrepareForWinterWeather

Gov.TomWolfTuesdayurgedallPennsylvanianstousetheunseasonablywarmstartofwinter
astimetoprepareforfutureseverecoldandwinterconditions.
Whetheritfeelslikeitnowornot,winteriscoming,GovernorWolfsaid.
Pennsylvanianscanusethistimeofwarmerthanusualweathertoprepareforwhatwill
eventuallycome:extremecoldtemperatureandadversewinterweather.Wecanavoidbigger
issuesforourfamiliesbybeingprepared.
Gov.Wolfnotedthatmultiplestateagenciesreachthepubliconmanydifferentaspects
ofwinterweatherfromPennDOTplowstotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsenergy
efficiencyprograms,aswellasotheragencies,includingtheDepartmentofHealthandthePA
EmergencyManagementAgency.
PreparingYourFamilyforaWinterEmergency
ThePAEmergencyManagementAgency
offersmanytipsforPennsylvanians
onhow
besttohandleawinterstorm.Beingpreparedforamajorwinterstormcansaveyourfamilyboth
moneyandheartache.Herearesometipsonhowyoucanprepare:
Stockyourpantrywithenoughfoodandwaterforyouandyourfamilyforaminimumof
threedays.
Checkandupdateyourfamily'semergencysupplykitbeforewinterapproachesandaddthe
followingsuppliesinpreparationforwinterweather:Rocksalttomelticeonwalkways,sandto
improvetraction,snowshovelsandothersnowremovalequipment,alternatesourcesofheat
(likefirewood)andlight(likeflashlightsandotherbatterypoweredlights),andadequate
clothingandblanketstokeepyouandyourfamilywarm.

Makeanemergencyplanforyouandyourfamily
.
PreparingYourCarforAdverseRoadConditions
PennDOT
remindsmotoriststopreparetheirvehicles
forwinterweatherandto
remembertocheckroadconditions:
WithmanymotoriststravelingPennsylvaniahighwaysthisholidayandtoprepareforthe
monthsahead,driversshouldhavetheirvehicleservicedbyamechanictheytrust.
Aproperlytrainedmechaniccancheckthecoolingsystem,battery,hoses,drivebelts,tires
andwiperbladestoensuretheyareingoodconditionandfunctioningproperly.Throughoutthe
season,motoristsshouldfrequentlycheckallfluidlevels,lightsandwiperblades.
Tiresshouldalsobecheckedoftenforthecorrectlevelofairpressureandadequatetiretread
depthtoperformoniceandsnow.

Ifyouliveinanareapronetoheavysnow,driversmaywanttoconsiderusingdedicated
snowtiresorcarryingasetoftirechains.Ataminimum,allseasontiresshouldberatedforuse
inmudandsnow.
Anemergencykitshouldincludeitemssuchasnonperishablefood,water,firstaidsupplies,
warmclothes,ablanket,cellphonechargerandasmallsnowshovel.However,motoristsshould
tailortheirkitstoanyspecificneedsthattheyortheirfamiliesmayhave.Consideraddingsuch
itemsasbabysupplies,extramedication,petsupplies,orevenchildren'sgames.
Motoristscancheckconditionsonmorethan40,000roadwaymiles,includingcolorcoded
winterconditionson2,900miles,byvisiting
www.511PA.com
.
Learnmoretips
fromPennDOT
onwinteroperationsandsafety.
PreparingYourHomeforColdWeather
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalprotectionencouragesPennsylvanianstostaysafeand
warmthiswinter
byproperlypreparingtheirhomes
.Homewinterizationcanhelpkeepyour
homewarmer,whileusinglessenergyandcostinglessmoney:
Themostcosteffectivewaytosaveenergyinthehomeistoairsealandinsulate:
Besuretoairsealbeforeinsulatingasinsulationmaterialwillnotblockleaks.
Findandsealairleakswithcaulkaroundwindows,doors,gapsaroundchimneys,and
recessedlightsininsulatedceilings.
Considerthesetipsthiswintertokeepyourhomerunningefficiently:
Setbackthethermostatwhenyourenothomeeachdegreeloweredcansaveupto3percent
onheating.
Cleanwarmairregisters,baseboardheaters,andradiatorsregularlyandmakesuretheyare
notblockedbyfurniture,carpeting,ordrapes.
Weatherstripwindowsandexteriordoorswhereyoucanfeelairleaking.
Usethesunlighttoheatyourhomebyopeningthecurtainsonsouthfacingwindowsduring
sunnydaysandcloseallcurtainsatnight.
PreparingYourFamilytoStayHealthyThisWinter
TheDepartmentofHealthprovidesresourcesandinformationtokeepyourfamily
healthyduringthewinterandfreezingtemperatures:
Getaflushot.
Stayaswarmaspossibleasexposuretocoldtemperatures,whetherindoorsoroutdoors,can
causeseriousorlifethreateninghealthproblems.
InfantsandolderPennsylvaniansareatgreaterriskofseriouscoldrelatedhealthproblems.
Theyshouldbecheckedfrequentlytoensuretheyarewarmenoughduringcoldweather.
Preventsnowremovalinjuries,andifyouoryourlovedoneshavechestpain,shortnessof
breath,orothersymptomsofaheartattackwhileshovelingsnow,call911immediately.
Whenpossible,pushsnowinsteadofliftingit.Ifyoumustlift,bendyourlegsandnotyour
back.Alsoavoidtwistingmotionsthatcanstressyourback.
Neveruseanelectricgenerator,campstove,orsimilardeviceindoors,nearwindows,orvents
sincetheyproducecarbonmonoxideanodorless,colorlessgasthatbuildsupinclosedspaces
andisdeadly.
NewsClips:
24,000+PAHomesHeatDeficient
PennsylvaniansUrgedToUseHeatingAssistancePrograms

Funding,ExpertsAvailableToHelpFarmersTransitionToOrganicProduction

Farmersconsideringthetransitiontoorganicproductioncanapplyforfundingtohelpensurea
smoothprocessthroughtheOrganicTransitionAssistanceProgram,thenewestofferinginthe
DepartmentofAgriculturesexpandingsuiteofeconomicdevelopmentassistanceforfarmsand
agribusinesses.
Theprogramisavailabletoforprofitenterprisesinnonorganicagriculturalproduction
orinprocessingagriculturalproductsthatarenotcurrentlycertifiedorganic.Auniquetransition
teamwillbespeciallytailoredforeachproducertoaddresstheirparticularneeds.
Aspartoftheprocess,upto$1,500willbereimbursedforcostsassociatedwiththe
transitionprocess.
DeputySecretaryforMarketandEconomicDevelopmentHannahSmithBrubaker
announcedthedevelopmentoftheprogramatthisweeks
GrowingPennsylvaniasOrganic
FarmsConference
.
HostedbythedepartmentandPennsylvaniaFarmLink,thetwodayconferenceprovided
organicproducersavarietyofeducationalsessionsledbyregionaluniversityfacultyandother
expertsrangingfrommarketingtonutritiontosoilandnutrientmanagement.
Organicproductionisanincreasinglyimportantsegmentofagriculture,andwere
seeingaparticularlystrongdemandfororganicgrainproduction,saidSmithBrubaker,who
operatesherownorganicfarminJuniataCounty.Sincefarmersinthetransitionprocesscan
experiencebottlenecksandtheremaybeimplicationsforprofitmarginsduringthistime,hiringa
teamofexpertstoguideproducersandprocessorstominimizethoseriskscanbeextremely
helpful.Thisprogrammakesshoulderingthatcostalittleeasier.
Applicationswillbeavailableinspring2016.Fundingreimbursementperiodswilllast
for12monthsforeachapplicant.Teamsshouldmeetatleasttwiceduringthat12monthperiod.
ThisprogramisthenewestinitiativestemmingfromthePathtoOrganicProgram.
$45,000willbeavailabletoassistfarmsandagribusinessesmakingthetransitiontoorganic.
TheseprogramsarepartofPAgrows,thedepartmentscenterforofferingavarietyof
lowinterestloans,grantsandtechnicalassistancetohelpproducersandagribusinessesput
togetherthepiecesofthelendingpuzzle.
FromtheOrganicCostShareProgramtotheNextGenerationFarmerLoanProgram,
withmorethanadozenotherfundingopportunitiesinbetween,thereisawaytoassistmost
agriculturaloperations.
FormoreinformationontheOrganicTransitionAssistanceProgramoranyofthe
departmentsothereconomicdevelopmentprogramsandopportunitiesvisitAgricultures
PAgrows
website.

DelawareHighlandsConservancySeeksPublicCommentsForAccreditationRenewal

The
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
ispleasedtoannounceitisapplyingforrenewalofits
accreditationundertheLandTrustAccreditationProgramandapubliccommentperiodisnow
open.
TheConservancyearnedaccreditationin2011.TheProgramrecognizesland
conservationorganizationsthatmeetnationalqualitystandardsforprotectingimportantnatural
placesandworkinglandsforever.

The
LandTrustAccreditationCommission
,anindependentprogramoftheLandTrust
Alliance,conductsanextensivereviewofeachapplicantspoliciesandprograms.
"Forthelandownerswhochoosetoworkwithustoprotecttheircherishedproperties,the
donorswhoinvestinourmission,andthemembersofourcommunitywhotrustustooperate
ethicallyandwithintegrity,ouraccreditationprovidestransparencyandpeaceofmind,"stated
SueCurrier,ExecutiveDirectoroftheDelawareHighlandsConservancy."Itmeansthatwe
provideexpertprofessionalguidanceandoperatewiththehighestprofessionalstandardsinthe
landtrustcommunity."
TheCommissioninvitespublicinputandacceptssigned,writtencommentsonpending
applications.CommentsmustrelatetohowtheDelawareHighlandsConservancycomplieswith
nationalqualitystandards
.Thesestandardsaddresstheethicalandtechnicaloperationofaland
trust.
Tolearnmoreabouttheaccreditationprogramandtosubmitacomment,visitthe
Land
TrustAccreditationCommission
websiteoremailyourcommentto
info@landtrustaccreditation.org
.CommentsmayalsobefaxedormailedtotheLandTrust
AccreditationCommission,Attn:PublicComments:(fax)5185873183(mail)112Spring
Street,Suite204,SaratogaSprings,NY12866.
CommentsonDelawareHighlandsConservancysapplicationwillbemostusefulby
May29,2016.

WildlandsConservancyOffersVarietyOfProgramsInJanuary

The
WildlandsConservancy
inEmmaus,LehighCounty,offersavarietyofprogramsforpeople
ofallages,includingsongbirdbanding,chemistryinnature,firstdayhikeatSouthMountain,
animalsandtrackingandmuchmore.
ClickHere
fortheConservancysCalendarofEvents.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy.

NorthcentralPAConservancyFinalizesConservationEasementInMontourCounty

The
NorthcentralPAConservancy
announcedWednesdayit
hasfinalizedaconservationeasementona46acreproperty
knownastheMexicoRoadPropertywithfrontageon
ChillisquaqueCreekinMontourCountyinordertoprotecta
portionofthestream.
Thepropertycontainssevenacresofprimeagriculturalsoils
and37acresofagriculturalsoilsofstatewideimportancethe
fieldshavebeenleasedtoaneighboringfarmerandwill
remaininagriculturalproduction.
Thereareapproximatelyfiveacresofwoodlandonan
excellentgrowingsitethatcompriseariparianbufferbetweenthecroplandandChillisquaque
Creek.Riparianbufferssuchasthisprotectwaterqualitybyfilteringoutthesiltandchemicals
beforetheyenterthestream.
Theeasementdonorsfamilyhasownedthepropertyformanyyears,althoughhehas
livedoutofstate.But,hefeltitwastimetomoveoninlifeandpassthepropertyontosomeone
else.Atthesametime,housingdevelopmenthasbeenmovingintowhathadbeenanareaof

familyfarms,andtheownerwantedtoinsurethatthepropertywouldnotbecomepartofa
roadsidehousingdevelopment.
NowthereisaconservationeasementonthepropertyheldbyNPCandtheeasement
donorwillbesellingthepropertytoanearbyfarmerwhoisenlarginghisoperations.
Theconservationeasementslimitondevelopmentmadethepropertymoreaffordable
foragriculturalpurposes.Theconservationeasementrequiresuseofbestmanagementpractices
oncroplandandprotectstheexistingriparianbuffer.
ChillisquaqueCreekoriginatesintheMuncyHillsontheLycoming/ColumbiaCounty
line,butformostofitslengthpassesthroughMontourCountybeforeitfinallyflowsintothe
SusquehannaRiversWestBranchsouthofMilton.
Unfortunately,formuchofitslengththestreamisheavilyimpactedbyagriculture.
The
MontourCountyConservationDistrict
hasbeenactivelyworkingwithlandowners
alongtheCreekanditstributariestoreducetheagriculturalimpactsandimprovewaterquality.
ManyoftheseprojectshavebeendonethroughthestreamrestorationpartnershipNPCis
involvedwith.
Formoreinformationaboutprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
NorthcentralPAConservancy
websiteor
Facebookpage
.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularemail
updatesfromtheConservancy.

PAForestHeritageAssn.QuarterlyNewsletterNowAvailable

The
4thQuarternewsletter
ofthe
PAForestHeritageAssociation
(formerlythePAForestFire
MuseumAssociation)isnowavailablefeaturingarticleson
Dr.PeterLinehanTakesOverAsNewPresidentOfTheAssociation
NewNameAdoptedByTheAssociation
NewChiefOfDCNRsDivisionOfForestFireProtectionMikeKern
HistoryFeatureYearsGoneBy
ForestFireStatisticsFor2015
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PAForestHeritageAssociation
websiteor
Facebook
page
.

CongressVotesToRenewFederalLandAndWaterConservationFund

By:BillKunze,ExecutiveDirector,
PAChapteroftheNatureConservancy

Aftermonthsofuncertainty,Congressgaveabreathofliferecentlytoaprogramthathas
successfullysafeguardedthelandsandwatersinPennsylvaniaandthroughoutthecountryfor50
years:the
LandandWaterConservationFund
.
ThespendingbilljustapprovedbyCongressincludesathreeyearreauthorizationof
LWCFand$450millionforthecomingfiscalyear.Thatsastepintherightdirection,ensuring
thatLWCFwillcontinueinvestinginAmericaslandsandwaters,creatingamyriadof
longlastingbenefitsforyouandme.
TherearemanypeopletothankforthisoutcomeincludingmembersofourPennsylvania
Congressionaldelegation,andthemanyPennsylvaniaresidentswhovoicedtheirsupport.
WhathasmadeLWCFworksowellalltheseyearsisitsfundingsource:Asmallportion

offederalrevenuesfromoffshoreoilandgasleases.Itusesrevenuesfromthesaleofone
nationalresourcetoinvestinoursharednaturalresourcesandiconiclandmarks,ensuring
outdoorrecreation,cleanwaterandhealthylandsforallAmericans.
HereinPennsylvania,LWCFhasprovidednearly$300millioninfundingoverthepast
fivedecades,protectingplacessuchas
DelawareWaterGapNationalRecreationArea
,
Valley
ForgeNationalHistoricalPark
,the
AppalachianNationalScenicTrail
,the
AlleghenyNational
Forest
,andmorerecentlythe
CherryValleyNationalWildlifeRefuge
.
LWCFhashelpedall50statesand98percentofallU.S.counties,supportingprotection
of3millionacresofrecreationlandsandmorethan29,000recreationfacilities,matchedbylocal
moniesanddrivenbylocalpriorities.
WhileitsarelieftoseeLWCFfundedforanotheryear,letsmakesureCongress
providespermanentstayingpowerforAmericasmostpopularconservationprogram.
Conservingournationslandsandwatersisnotashorttermneeditisalongtermfoundation
forourfuture.
VisitHere
forexamplesofLandandWaterConservationFundprojectsinPennsylvania.
FormoreinformationonTNCprojects,programs,initiativesandspecialeventsin
Pennsylvania,visitthe
PAChapteroftheNatureConservancy
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignup
forregularupdatesfromTNCPennsylvania.

VoteByCongressMakesFederalLandConservationTaxCreditPermanent

DelawareHighlandsConservancy
TuesdaypraisedabipartisanvoteinCongressthatmakes
permanentafederaltaxincentivesupportinglandconservation.
Farmers,ranchersandthepublicwilldirectlybenefitfromtheincentivethatencourages
landownerstoplaceaconservationeasementontheirlandtoprotectimportantnatural,scenic
andhistoricresources.
TheDelawareHighlandsConservancywasamongthe1,100landtruststosupportthe
incentivethroughacollaborative,multiyearcampaign.
Theenhancedincentivewillempowermorelocallandownerstoprotecttheircherished
propertiesforfuturegenerations,saidSueCurrier,ExecutiveDirectoroftheDelaware
HighlandsConservancy.Wevesharedtheinspiringstoriesofsomeofthelandownerswho
haveconservedtheirlandsasaresultoftheenhancedincentiveinthepast
onourwebsite
.
TheDelawareHighlandsConservancyisamemberofthe
LandTrustAlliance
,the
nationallandconservationorganizationthatledthecampaignforpermanence.
Theimportanceofthisvoteandthisincentivecannotbeoverstated,saidRand
Wentworth,theAlliancespresident.Thisisthesinglegreatestlegislativeactionindecadesto
supportlandconservation.Itstates,unequivocally,thatweasanationtreasureourlandsand
mustconservetheirmanybenefitsforallfuturegenerations.
Inastrongbipartisanaction,theU.S.Housevoted318109andtheU.S.Senatevoted
6533topassthebillsthatincludedthetaxincentive.
TheDelawareHighlandsConservancythanksUSSenatorsCasey,Gillibrand,and
SchumerandRepresentativesMarinoandGibsonfortheirsupportofthebill.
Firstenactedasatemporaryprovisionin2006,theincentiveisdirectlyresponsiblefor
conservingmorethan2millionacresofAmericasnaturaloutdoorheritage.Theincentivegrants
certaintaxbenefitstolandownerswhosignaconservationeasement.

Suchprivate,voluntaryagreementswithlocallandtrustspermanentlylimitusesofthe
landinordertoprotectitsconservationvalues.Landsplacedintoconservationeasementscan
continuetobefarmed,huntedorusedforotherspecifiedpurposes.Thelandsalsoremainon
countytaxrolls,strengtheninglocaleconomies.
Oncesignedintolaw,theincentivewillbeappliedretroactivelytoJan.1,2015.An
earlierversionoftheincentiveexpiredDec.31,2014.
TheincentiveadvancedthroughCongressaspartoftheAmericaGivesMoreAct,a
packageoftaxincentivestoencouragecharitablegiving.ItpassedtheHouseearlierthisyear,
279137.
Astandaloneversionoftheincentive,theConservationEasementIncentiveAct,earned
52Senatesponsorsthisyear,including26Democrats,24Republicansand2Independents.
Theagreementannouncedthisweekadditionallyencouragesdonationstofoodbanksand
facilitatescharitabledeductionsfromIRAs.

2016YouthWildlifeArtContestAcceptingEntries

Pennsylvaniasyoungartists,ingrades6through12,are
beingencouragedbytheGameCommissiontoparticipatein
the
2016YouthWildlifeArtContest
.EntriesaredueJanuary
29.
MiddleandHighSchoolcategorieswillbejudgedseparately.
FirstplacetoHonorableMentionawardswillbeprovidedintheMiddleSchoolcategoryandthe
HighSchoolcategory.Prizesinclude:FirstPlace$500SecondPlace$300:ThirdPlace$100
FourthPlace$50HonorableMention:Certificate
TheannualYouthWildlifeArtContestfocusesonPennsylvanias
Endangeredand
ThreatenedSpecies
.
Submittedartworkmaybehorizontalorverticalon12inchx9inchheavyweightpaper,
whichisnomorethanaquarterinchthick.Acceptedmediumsincludeoils,pastels,color
pencils,watercolors,acrylic,charcoal,graphite,blackandwhiteorcolor.
Forthe
entryform
andmoreinformation,visittheGameCommissions
2016Youth
WildlifeArtContest
webpage.
NewsClips:
AudubonsAnnualChristmasBirdCountStartsDec.26
PAMajorPlayerInAudubonChristmasBirdCount
PresqueIsleAudubonSeeksChristmasBirdCountVolunteers
WingfieldPinesConservationArea:WhereTheBirdsAre
GameCommissionStreamingBaldEagleCamNowAvailable

GameCommission:AudubonChristmasBirdCountUnderway

GameCommissionofficialsareurgingwildlifeenthusiaststojointhetensofthousandsof
volunteersthroughouttheUnitedStatesintheAudubonSocietys116thAnnual
ChristmasBird
Count
,takingplacethroughJanuary5.
Participantsinthisyearscountalreadyareexcitedlyreportingtheirresults.
TheChristmasBirdCountisthelongestrunningcitizensciencesurveyintheworld,and

thedatacollectedthroughthecountallowsresearchers,conservationbiologists,andother
interestedindividualstostudythelongtermhealthandstatusofbirdpopulationsacrossNorth
America.
Localcountswilloccurononeday,sometimeonorbeforeJan.5.Volunteerscanpick
themostconvenientcircle,orparticipateinmorethanonecount.Thereisaspecific
methodologytotheChristmasBirdCount,buteveryonecanparticipate.
ThecounttakesplacewithinCountCircles,whichfocusonspecificgeographical
areas.EachcircleisledbyaCountCompiler,whoisanexperiencedbirdwatcher,enabling
beginningbirderstolearnwhiletheyassist.
ThosewholivewithintheboundariesofaCountCirclecanevenstayathomeandreport
thebirdsthatvisittheirbackyardfeeders.
Ineithercase,thefirststepistolocateaCountCirclethatsseekingparticipantsand
contactthelocalCountCompileronAudubonswebsite,www.audubon.org,tofindouthowyou
canvolunteer.
ThereisnofeetoparticipateintheChristmasBirdCount.
DouglasGross,whoheadsuptheGameCommissionsendangeredandnongamebird
section,saiddatacollectedthroughtheChristmasBirdCountisvaluableinmonitoringthe
distributionofbirdspecies.Theagencycanusethesedatatotrackchangesinspecies
populationsandbettermanageourfeatheredresources.
Inthe2015count,forinstance,Carolinawrensweredetectedinallbutoneofthestates
CountCirclescontinuingapositivetrendforabirdonceregularlyfoundonlyin
Pennsylvaniassoutheasterncounties.
The2015countalsowasabletodocumentapinesiskininvasion,andtrackedcackling
goosenumbersinPennsylvaniaatalltimehighs.
Withtheverymildweatherthiswinter,theremaybemanysurprisesfoundduringthese
counts.Forexample,manymoreAmericanrobinsarebeingfoundinsomecountcirclesdueto
themildweatherandabundanceofsoftmast.
ThedatageneratedfromtheChristmasBirdCountispublishedeachyearontheNational
Audubonwebsiteandsummarizedeachyearinthe
PASocietyforOrnithologys
journal,
PennsylvaniaBirds.
ByreportingtheirresultsineBird,thedataareavailabletoothersandtotheagencyfor
itsmanagement.
Buthelpingtoprovideimportantinformationisnttheonlyreasontoparticipate,Gross
said.
Itsalotoffun,too,hesaid.
Formoreinformation,visittheAudubonSocietys
ChristmasBirdCount
webpage.
NewsClips:
AudubonsAnnualChristmasBirdCountStartsDec.26
PAMajorPlayerInAudubonChristmasBirdCount
PresqueIsleAudubonSeeksChristmasBirdCountVolunteers
WingfieldPinesConservationArea:WhereTheBirdsAre
GameCommissionStreamingBaldEagleCamNowAvailable

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

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

NOTE:
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublisheditsscheduleofadvisory
committeeandboardmeetingsfor2016intheDecember19
PABulletin(page7230)
.Thenext
andfirstmeetingsofeachadvisorycommitteeorboardhasbeenaddedtothissection.

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

100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
.Harrisburg

January12

DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.

January12

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

January13
RescheduledToJan.20.

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

January13

NEW
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGas
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

January13

NEW
.
DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.
DEPContact:StaceyBox,InterstateWatersOffice,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725622,
sbox@pa.gov
.

January13

DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison

Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

January13

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

January14

NEW
.
DEPOilandGas(Marcellus)TechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGas
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

January14

NEW
.
DEPCoalandClayMineSubsidenceInsuranceFundBoard
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:LawrenceRuane,
BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839590,
lruane@pa.gov
.

January19
NEW
.U.S.EPAGreen&HealthySchools
WebinarOnSchoolsAndOutdoorAir
Quality
.3:00.

January20
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.

January20
NEW
.DEP,PennState
EnergyAssetScoreToolWorkshop
.DEPsSouthwest
RegionalOffice,500WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.10:00.

January21

NEW
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.2ndFloor
TrainingRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:DanielSnowden,Bureauof
MiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.

January21

NEW
.
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

January23

DelawareHighlandsConservancyEagleDay
.
ClickHere
forotherBaldEagle
viewingopportunitieswiththeConservancy.

January27

NEW
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:SusanFoster,BureauofAir
Quality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177877019,
sufoster@pa.gov
.

January28

DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:DawnHissner,BureauofSafeDrinking
Water,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722189,
dhissner@pa.gov
.

February2
NEW
.
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,
16thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
DEPContact:CarlJones,OfficeofEnvironmental
Justice,2EastMainStreet,Norristown,PA19401,4842505818,
caejone@pa.gov
.

February3

EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
FinalChapter78&78ADrillingRegulations

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February3

NEW
.
DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoard
meeting.2ndFloorTrainingRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.

February4
DEP
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding
10:00.
DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.

February10

NEW
.
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400Market
Street,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.

February10
NEW
.
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystem
Operators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:
CheriSansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.

February11
NEW
.
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,400Market
Street,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.

February24

NEW
.
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MikeMaddigan,BureauofEnvironmental
CleanupandBrownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723609,
mmaddigan@pa.gov
.

February2627

2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.

March8

NEW
.
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,Bureauof
EnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.

March8
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark

Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

March10

BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve

LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley
University,Doylestown.

March1416

RegistrationOpen
.
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators

Annual
Conference
.TheInnatPoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.

March16

NEW
.
StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.
ConferenceRoom11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,
BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.

March22

DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:30.
DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177832941,
jdiehl@pa.gov
.

March22

NEW
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room206,
DEPBureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:
AarenAlger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,
7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.

April7

NEW
.
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,Bureauof
RadiationProtection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.

April13

DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.

April14
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.

April1415

WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

April19

DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

June35

RegistrationOpen
.
PAEnvironmentalCouncil

EnvironmentRide
.Philadelphiato
BethlehembacktoPhiladelphia.

September22
NEW
.
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

October7

NEW
.
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

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.

December31

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveVehicleRebates
January1

DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(firstcome,firstserved)
January4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramOpens
January7

ChesapeakeBayTrustRFPForTechnicalAssistance
January8

PennDOTAlternativeTransportationProjectFunding
January15

GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence
January15
DCNR/PRPSGreenParksAwards
January15
PALTALifetimeConservationLeadershipAward
January15

PAEnvironmentalEducatorsAwardNominations
January15

BowmansHillPreserveLandEthicsAwards
January15

ChesterCountyGrowingGreenerCommunitiesAward
January15

BayerCropScienceYoungFarmerSustainabilityAward
January29

NEW.

2016YouthWildlifeArtContest
January29

EPASaferChoicePartnerOfTheYearAwards
January29

Fish&BoatCommissionStateWildlifeGrants
January30
DEPAlternativeFuelsVehicleRebates
(OrUntilFundingIsGone)
February1

BenFranklinShaleGasInnovationContest
February4

Delaware&LehighHeritageCorridorMiniGrants
February12

PALTAGovernmentConservationLeadershipAward
February15

AcademyOfNaturalSciencesDelawareRiverResearchGrants
February22

UrbanLandInstituteUrbanOpenSpaceAward
February22

UrbanLandInstituteGlobalExcellenceForRealEstateProjectsAward
March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
March4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramCloses
March31

DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
April13

DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications

May31

$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest

Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics

HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore

PowerOutageAtNorthPolePutsChristmasInJeopardy
Air
JessupPowerPlantGrantedKeyAirQualityPermit
NewLackawannaCountyGasFiredPowerPlantGetsAirPermit
AlternativeFuels
LehighBiofuelCompanyOwnersChargesInCleanEnergyScam
Budget
AP:NoBudgetDecisionLikelyBeforeMonday
WolfMumOnWhatHePlansToDoWithBudgetBill
SenateSends$30.3BBudgetToWolf
PLS:SurpriseBudgetHitsGovernorsDeskAndUncertainFuture
AP:LegislativeLeavesWolfWithDecisionOnBudgetHeOpposes
SenatePassesAnotherBudgetToGov.Wolf
IsThisTheEndOfBudgetImpasse?WellSee
BudgetBillSentToWolf,FightFarFromOver
WhatInvestorsThinkOfPAsRecordForLongestBudgetImpasse
AP:HouseGOPsInterimBudgetPlanDrawsVetoThreat
DespiteVetoThreat,HouseMovesAheadWithStopgapBudget
PLS:HouseMovesEmergencyFundingMeasureAmidPromisedVeto
DivisionsDeepenOverStateBudgetImpasse
AP:HouseGOPsTurnToSolvePABudgetStalemate
Wolf,Senate:NoStopgapBudget
AP:LawmakersConsideringOptionsAmidWreckageOfBudgetDeal
Climate
ClimateChange:TheGoodNewsForPhiladelphia
PhiladelphiaRallyCryToFeedOffClimateChangePact
OpEd:IsClimateDealSmartPolicy?
OpEd:EnergyRevolutionReducingEmissions
MajorPAResortsOpenForSkiingAmidWarmWeather

GasLeakVideoRevealsGrowingEnvironmentalDisasterInL.A.
OilHasRealityCheckForThoseElatedByClimateDeal
HalfWorldsCoalMayGoUnminedToMeetClimateTarget
ExtremeWeatherPosesIncreasingThreatToU.S.PowerGrid
RecordHighTempsSetShortlyAfterMidnight
EconomicDevelopment
RiverfrontSpacesEpicenterOfPittsburghsDevelopment
AlleghenyRiverKeyToFoxburgsEmergingEconomy
Energy
24,000+PAHomesHeatDeficient
PennsylvaniansUrgedToUseHeatingAssistancePrograms
JessupGrantsConditionalUsePermitForPowerPlant
JessupPowerPlantGrantedKeyAirQualityPermit
NewLackawannaCountyGasFiredPowerPlantGetsAirPermit
UGI Gas Leak Causes Loss Of Gas, Electric, Phone Service In WB
UtilitiesCanRaise,CutRatesInOddWeather
PUCApproves4PercentPECORateHike
ExtremeWeatherPosesIncreasingThreatToU.S.PowerGrid
PAPowerCompaniesUnscathedByHackers
AP:U.S.PowerGridVulnerableToForeignHacks
OpEd:TapPotentialOfResourcesOnU.S.Lands
Oil&Gas
AuditorGeneral:WhereIsDrillingImpactMoneyGoingLocally?
JessupGrantsConditionalUsePermitForPowerPlant
JessupPowerPlantGrantedKeyAirQualityPermit
NewLackawannaCountyGasFiredPowerPlantGetsAirPermit
GroupClaimsDEPRadioactivityStudyNeedsRedone
AppealsCourtReinstatesAccidentLawsuitAgainstDriller
GasRoyaltyAdvocatesApplaudAGsChesapeakeEnergyLawsuit
FERCBeginsEnvironmentalReviewOfPennEastPipeline
RiceEnergyGets$500MInvestmentForMidstreamUnit
ShaleGasHitPeaksIn2015,ButDrillersPulledBack
RigCountDrops,DrillersPullBackProduction
UGI Gas Leak Causes Loss Of Gas, Electric, Phone Service In WB
GasLeakVideoRevealsGrowingEnvironmentalDisasterInL.A.
LehighBiofuelCompanyOwnersChargesInCleanEnergyScam
AveragePriceOfGasolineFallsBelow$2,NotInPA
OilHasRealityCheckForThoseElatedByClimateDeal
GasolinePricesDropLowerInPittsburgh
WhyOilPricesKeepFalling
EnergyStocksHigherAsOilPricesRebound
OpEd:TapPotentialOfResourcesOnU.S.Lands
RadiationProtection
GroupClaimsDEPRadioactivityStudyNeedsRedone
ArmstrongCountyNuclearWasteDumpWillBeExcavated

Recreation
MajorPAResortsOpenForSkiingAmidWarmWeather
Recycling/Waste
YorkCountySuspendsElectronicsRecycling
AlleghenyCountyChristmasTreeRecyclingSitesAnnounced
ThriftStoresGrowThriftier,RampUpRecyclingEfforts
WatershedProtection
Editorial:MitigateScrantonStormwaterWithGrants
DelawareRiverkeeperDec.18RiverWatchVideoReport
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
AudubonsAnnualChristmasBirdCountStartsDec.26
PAMajorPlayerInAudubonChristmasBirdCount
PresqueIsleAudubonSeeksChristmasBirdCountVolunteers
WingfieldPinesConservationArea:WhereTheBirdsAre
GameCommissionStreamingBaldEagleCamNowAvailable

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

Nonewregulationspublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinDecember26,2015

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionpublishesnoticesintheDecember26PABulletinof
projects
approvedinNovember
andproject
approvalsrescindedinNovember
.

ThePAHousingFinanceAgency
publishesnotice
intheDecember26PABulletinofthe
revisedplanforfundingunderthePAHousingAffordabilityandRehabilitationEnhancement

FundsupportedbyAct13drillingimpactfees.

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

CLICKHEREToPrintEntirePAEnvironmentDigest

CLICKHERE
toPrintTheEntirePAEnvironmentDigest.

StoriesInvited

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

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

Didyouknowyoucansearch10yearsofbackissuesofthePAEnvironmentDigestondozens
oftopics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose?
Justclickonthesearchpage
.

PAEnvironmentDigest
weeklywasthewinnerofthePAAssociationofEnvironmental
Educators'
2009BusinessPartneroftheYearAward
.

SupportingMemberPAOutdoorWritersAssn./PATroutUnlimited

PAEnvironmentDigest
isasupportingmemberofthe
PennsylvaniaOutdoorWriters
Association
,
PennsylvaniaCouncilTroutUnlimited
andthe
DocFritcheyChapterTrout
Unlimited
.
Sponsor:

2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
,StateCollege,Feb.2627.