PaEnvironmentDigest March 28, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates
WinnerOf
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
BusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAEnvironmentDigestDailyBlog
TwitterFeed
Issue#613Harrisburg,PAMarch28,2016
WinnersOf2016GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellenceAnnounced
Gov.TomWolfMondayannouncedthat17
organizationsinvolvedin14projectsfromacross
theCommonwealthwillreceivetheprestigious
GovernorsAwardforEnvironmentalExcellence
.
Theseawardwinnersrepresentthebestin
usinginnovation,collaboration,andpublicservice
toimproveandprotectPennsylvaniasenvironment.
Pennsylvaniaisblessedwithanabundanceofnaturalbeauty,saidGov.Wolf.The
awardwinnersprovethatPennsylvaniaisalsoblessedwithexcellentenvironmentalstewards.I
applaudeverywinningandnominatedorganizationfortheircommitmenttothecommonwealth
andourenvironment.
Pennsylvaniabusinesses,schools,governmentagencies,tradeornonprofit
organizations,oragribusinessesthathavecompletedprojectstopromoteenvironmental
stewardshipandeconomicdevelopmentwereeligibletoapplyfortheaward.Thewinnerswere
selectedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
DEPreceiveddozensofentriesfromprojectsusinginnovativeapproachestosolve
Pennsylvaniasenvironmentalconcerns,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.The14exemplary
projectsawardedtodaysupportDEPsmissionofprotectingPennsylvaniasland,air,water,and
publichealth.
Thewinnersofthisyearsawardare(listedbycounty)
AlleghenyCounty
AlleghenyLandTrustCommunityAwakeningofDeadMansHollow:
The
Allegheny
LandTrust
engagedresidents,municipalities,businesses,andnonprofitstocompletea
comprehensivelandmanagementplanforthehistoric450acrepropertyatDeadMansHollow,
thelargestprivatelyprotectedconservationareainthecounty.
BoroughofEtnaEtnaGreenStreetscapePhase1:
EtnasGreenStreetscapeprojecthas
installed12newtrees,2,300cubicfeetofundergroundstorage,2,900squarefeetofpervious
pavers,anddownspoutconnectionsallofwhicharestormwatermanagementbestpracticesthat
improvelocalwaterquality.
PittsburghsGreenBuildingAlliancePittsburgh2030District:
The
GreenBuilding
Alliances
Pittsburgh2030Districtisavoluntary,locallydriveninitiativefocusedon
highperformancebuildingstobalanceeconomicprosperityandenvironmentalconcerns.
Click
Here
formoredetails.
DauphinCounty
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPARiparianForestedBufferStewardship:
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundations
RiparianForestedBufferprojectprovidedtensofthousandsof
treestolandownerstofosterthecreationofriparianbuffers,whichwillimprovethewater
qualityoftheSusquehannaWatershed.
PhoenixContactServices,Inc.PhoenixContactEmployee/VisitorElectricVehicle
ChargingStations
:
PhoenixContact
dedicatedeightparkingspacestoelectricvehiclecharging
stations.Thosestationsareavailable,forfree,toemployeesandtothepublictochargeelectric
andhybridvehicles,whichreducefossilfuelusage.
DelawareCounty
PAResourcesCouncil&EasternDelawareCountyStormwaterCollaborativeDarby
CobbsStormwaterInitiative:GettingtotheNewNormal:
The
PAResourcesCouncil
andthe
EasternDelawareStormwaterCollaborative
partneredtoeducatetheresidentsoftheDarbyand
Cobbscreekswatershedsonraingardensandthebestpracticesforstormwatermanagement.
FranklinCounty
PennsylvaniaStateUniversityDepartmentofAnimalScience&FranklinCounty
Conservation2015NorthAmericanManureExpo:
The
NorthAmericanManureExpo
at
Chambersburgattractedlivestockproducersandmanurehandlersfromthestate,midAtlantic
region,andbeyondtomeetwithnationalexpertsonmanurenutrientissues.
LycomingCounty
JerseyShoreAreaHighSchoolJerseyShoreOutdoorClub:
Thevolunteersofthe
Jersey
ShoreAreaHighSchool
OutdoorClubremovedadamagedfloodculvertonatributaryofPine
Creek,cleaneduptheTombFlatsPicnicandCampgroundarea,andrestored28milesthe
TiadaghtonHikingTrail.
MontgomeryCounty
SBMSiteServices(incollaborationwithJonesLangeLaSalle&SustainableWaste
Solutions)FoodWasteCompostingProgramReengineering:
SBMSiteServices
reengineeredwastecompostingprogramsattwolocationsinordertokeep70.76tonsoffood
wasteoutoflandfills.
MontourCounty
GeisingerMedicalCenterJanetWeisChildrensHospitalSolarPanelProject:
Aspart
ofitscommitmenttoasustainablefuture,Geisingerinstalled144solarpanelsontheroofofthe
JanetWeisChildrensHospital
toserveasaneducationaltoolontheenvironmentalbenefitsof
solarenergywhilecreatingacleanerenvironment.
PhiladelphiaCounty
SoutheasternPennsylvaniaTransportationAuthorityGriscomWaysideEnergy
StorageSystem:
SEPTAsGriscomWaysideEnergyStorageSystem
,locatedonSEPTAsmost
heavilytraveledroute,theMarketFrankfordLine,recycledatrainsbrakingenergytoreduce
electricityconsumptionandtogeneraterevenue.
WayneCounty
SustainableEnergyEducationandDevelopmentSupport(SEEDS)ofNortheasternPA
SEEDsFreeEnergyAssessmentProgram(5thSeason):
SEEDSProgramhasofferedfree,
customizedenergyassessmentsofahomesenergyefficienciestotheresidentsofWayneand
Pikecountiessince2010.Todate,SEEDShasassessed200buildingsandhasprovidedsummer
jobsformorethan15areahighschoolstudents.
MultipleCounties
SouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommissionRegionalTrafficSignalProgramCycle2:
The
SouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommissions
RegionalTrafficSignalProgramassisted28
municipalitiesinsevencountieswithoptimizingtrafficlightsat207intersectionsintheregion,
demonstratingacosteffectivewaytoreducefuelconsumptionandemissionswhileimproving
thesafetyoftheregionsroadways.
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
andDEPwill
hostadinnertohonortheawardwinners
onApril19attheHarrisburgHilton.SecretaryQuigleywilldeliverthekeynoteaddress.
Formoreinformationonthisawardsprogram,visitDEPs
GovernorsAwardsfor
EnvironmentalExcellence
webpage.
NewsClips:
JerseyShoreEnvironmentalProjectEarnsGovernorsAward
ManureExpoWinsPAEnvironmentalAward
ErieBenedictinePatLupoHonoredWithWomenInConservationAward
SisterPatLupoHonoredWithWomenInConservationAwardInErie
InrecognitionofWomensHistoryMonth,
PennFuture
,in
conjunctionwiththeNationalWildlifeFederation,
Wednesdaypresentedits2016CelebratingWomenin
ConservationAwardtoSisterPatLupoofthe
Benedictine
SistersofErie
forherdedicationandachievementsinthe
environmentalfield.
Atareceptionatthe
ErieArtMuseum
,PennFuture
presidentandCEO,LarrySchweiger,saidofLupo,"Sister
Patseffortstomitigateclimatechangeandtransitionthe
commonwealthtocleanenergyaredeeplyrootedinher
faithandpassionforeducatingothers.Hertirelessactivismisevidentinthenumerous
organizationswithwhichsheisaffiliatedandherconsistentpresenceinthecommunity."
LupohasservedonGov.TomWolfstransitionteamforenvironmentalprotection,
devoted26yearsasamemberoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsCitizens
AdvisoryCouncil,andwasafinalistfortheGreenBuildingAlliances2015LuminaryAward.
Shehasservedonnumerouslocalandregional,environmentallyfocusedboardssuchas
theCountyOffShoreWindCommittee,ErieVitalSigns,GreatLakesCommission,LakeErie
RegionConservancy,NorthwestPennsylvaniaGreenEconomyTaskForce,OurWaterOur
Rights,PALakeErieWatershedAssociation,PASeaGrant,PresqueIslePAC,andservedon
theEnvironmentalAdvisoryCommitteeforSen.SeanWiley(DErie).
Additionally,Sr.LupoisamemberoftheEmmausGrove,ErieUrbanFarmSchool,and
MountSt.BenedictEnergysteeringcommittees.
"Weallknowthatnoonepersonearnsanawardandthisistrueofthisaward,"saidLupo
assheacceptedthehonor."ThisawardbelongstothepeopleIworkwitheveryday.They,too,
arecommittedtoinspireandtransformthenextgeneration.WithMargaretMeadIamconvinced
thatweshould,'Neverdoubtthatasmallgroupofthoughtful,committedcitizenscanchangethe
worldindeed,itistheonlythingthateverhas.'"
Withthenextgenerationattheheartofherwork,Lupoisasteadfastadvocatefor
environmentaleducationandworkswiththeErieNeighborhoodArtHouseandJohnEHoran
GardenApartmentsleadingGreenTeams,communitygardening,cleanup,recycling,and
volunteerinitiatives.
"Idontthinkthereisanythingmorerewardingthanworkingwithchildrenandyoung
adultsunlessitsmeetingthem10or20yearslaterandseeingthewonderfulpeopletheyhave
become,"saidLupo.
"Ourenvironmentalprogramstrivestohavethechildrenbecomecatalystsforactionin
theirneighborhoods,"addedLupo."Intheprocess,theybecomeawareofenvironmental
conceptsandstrategicplanningtheyworkonprojectswithneighbors,businessesand
governmentofficials.Theylearntheimportanceofsharingtheirknowledgewithothersaswell
assupportingtheworkofothergroupsinourcommunity.Ouryoungpeople,allyoungpeople,
areawesomewhengiventheopportunity."
Unafraidtospeakoutoncriticalissues,Lupohaspennedcountlessblogpostsand
opinionpiecesinlocalandregionalnewspapers,oftenconnectingfaithandtheenvironmentwith
whatshebelievesisamoralobligationforpeopletocarefortheplanet.
"Acalltoactionhasbeenissuedbythefaithleadersinourcommunities,"saidLupo.
"Wehaveamoralimperativetolivesustainablynowsothatahealthy,vibrantEarthcanbe
passedtothenextgenerations.Thiscalltoactionmeansthatwepursuesocialjusticecausesin
legislationinthepublicarena.Itmeansweformnewalliancesandbreakthroughthepartisan
dividesthatthreatenthelifeoftheplanetoneveryside."
Over75membersofthecommunity,includingfaith,environmental,electedleaderswere
onhandtocongratulateLupo,includingErieCountyExecutiveKathyDahlkemper.
"EachyearPennFutureacknowledgesoutstandingcontributionsintheareasof
Pennsylvaniasenvironmentalhealthandconservation,"addedSchweiger."Werethrilledto
recognizethisfearlesschampionandfaithleaderwhoeffectivelyeducatesandmobilizesher
communityinconservationandclimateaction."
NewsClips:
Hearing:ElectronicsManufacturersNeedToPayForEWasteActuallyCollected
The
JointHouseSenateLegislativeAirand
WaterPollutionControlandConservation
Committee
heardtestimonyMondaysayingthe
collapseofthestatesElectronicsWaste
RecyclingProgramresultedfromthefactthat
theamountofmaterialactuallycollectedby
localrecyclingprogramsismanytimesmore
thantheamountofwasteelectronics
manufacturersarerequiredtopayforunderthe
2010CoveredDeviceRecyclingLaw.
ThisproblemisparticularlyacuteinthecaseofoldtubestyleCRTtelevisionsand
monitors.
KenReisinger
,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediation,
reportedover17millionpoundsofCRTswerecollectedandwarehousedinEriealoneawaiting
recyclingandtherearefewaffordableoptionsforCRTrecyclingavailable.
RobertBylone
ofthe
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
saidovertwothirdsofPennsylvania
countiesdonothaveaccesstofreeandconvenientCRTandelectronicsrecycling,addingthis
yearonly32ofthe377collectionsitesexpectedtobeinoperationwillevenacceptall
electronicsandTVsjust8.5percent.
PRMCestimatedlastyearasmanyas9millionCRTsarelefttorecycleacross
Pennsylvania.
Witnessessaidwithnogoodrecyclingoptions,therehasbeenadramaticincreaseinthe
numberofTVsandotherelectronicsjustdumpedinthecountryside.
Wearefindingpilesofstrippedtelevisionscarcassesofbrokenplasticandshardsof
leadedglassscatteredinopenfieldsandondeadendstreets.Peoplehaveresortedtodumping
TVsandotherelectronicdevicesillegallyonvacantlots,inwoodedareas,andoverriverbanks,
said
ShannonReiter
,Presidentof
KeepPABeautiful
.Othersaresneakingthemintonearby
dumpstersorabandoningthematrecyclingdropoffsevenwhenclearlypostedthatthese
materialsarenotaccepted.Allofthisiscostingourcommunitiesvaluableresourcesandis
pollutingourenvironment.
RepresentativesofYorkandElkcountiesoutlinedthedifficultiestheyhavehad
maintainingtheirelectronicsrecyclingprograms.
Forresidentsseekingtorecycletheirelectronicdevicesatnochargeastheact
intendedElkCountyistheonlyoutletwithinthe5,279squaremiles,thatincludesElk,
McKean,Clearfield,Warren,Cameron,JeffersonandForestcounties,said
BekkiTitchner
,
RecyclingCoordinatorforElkCounty.
If100percentofthepopulationisbannedfromthrowingawayaTV,then100percent
ofthepopulationneedstobeprovidedwithfree,convenientaccesstorecycling[not85percent
asitsaysintheCDRA],saidTitchner.Andprocessorsneedtobepaidenoughbythe
manufacturerstocovertheircosts,particularlythecostsspecifictorecyclingoldleadedglass
TVsandmonitors.Theseorphandevicesarentgoingawayanytimesoon,andputtingacapon
marketsharecombinedwithadisposalbanisworkingagainsteverythingthelawintends.
Fromthe[York]Authoritysperspective,theCommonwealthsewastemanagement
frameworkisfundamentallyflawedandtheCDRAshouldbemodified,said
DavidVollero
,
ExecutiveDirectorofthe
YorkSolidWasteandRefuseAuthority
.Mostimportantly,ifthe
GeneralAssemblyspolicyobjectiveiscomprehensiveproducerresponsibilityforewaste,the
equipmentmanufacturerscombinedrecyclingobligationabsolutelymustmatchthetypeand
quantityofmaterialdeliveredforrecycling.
VollerosaidtheyjustreachedagreementMondaywithanelectronicsrecyclertorestart
theirlocalprogram,butcautionedthatmayonlybeatemporarymeasure.
NedEldridge
,CEOof
eLoopLLC
,anelectronicsrecyclerinWesternPennsylvania,said
eveninthebestoftimes,fundingfrommanufacturersonlycovered5055percentofthecostof
recycling,butintodayscommoditymarkets,recyclingprogramscannotbemaintainedunless
thefullcostsofrecyclingarecovered.
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),theoriginalsponsoroftheCDRA,said,Ifyourearound
herelongenough,yougettofixthingsthatgoofftherailswithalawyouhelpedenactandthats
thecasewithCDRA.
Rep.RossisworkingonlegislationHouseBill1900torequireelectronics
manufacturerstopayforsignificantlymoreofthematerialactuallycollectedasatemporary
measuretogetovertheproblemwithrecyclingCRTsinparticular.
Rep.Rosssaidheopposedliftingthebanondumpingelectronicsinlandfillsnowpartof
theCDRAbecausehebelievesitunderminestherecyclingcapacitythestatedoeshaveand
wouldcreatealongtermtimebombwhereleadcouldleachfromthecrushedCRTmonitors.
KenReisinger,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediation,said
hisagencywouldliketoseetheamountofwastecollectedandtheamountofwasteelectronics
manufacturerspayforbroughtbackintoalignmentandrecyclingexpandedtoeverycountyin
thestate.
ReisingernotedCDRAhasresultedinmanufacturerspayingfortherecyclingofover
200millionpoundsofelectronicsoverthelast4yearsandwillagainthisyearcollectandpayfor
another62millionpounds.
TheJointConservationCommitteewillbeacceptingcommentsontheCDRAand
electronicswasterecyclinguntilJune21.Sendcommentsto:
tguerrieri@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
ClickHere
towatchavideoofthehearing.
Amoredetailedsummaryofthenearly3yourhearingandwrittentestimonyfollows.
KeepPABeautiful
Thelackofaccesstoconvenientandaffordabledisposalandrecyclingiscausingacrisis
inPennsylvania,said
ShannonReiter
,Presidentof
KeepPABeautiful
.Thislackofaccessis
bestillustratedbythefactthatweareseeingsomanystandalone,isolatedelectronicsdumped
acrossthestateinurban,suburbanandruralcommunities,instateparks,gamelands,and
forests.
Wearefindingpilesofstrippedtelevisionscarcassesofbrokenplasticandshardsof
leadedglassscatteredinopenfieldsandondeadendstreets.Peoplehaveresortedtodumping
TVsandotherelectronicdevicesillegallyonvacantlots,inwoodedareas,andoverriverbanks,
saidReiter.Othersaresneakingthemintonearbydumpstersorabandoningthematrecycling
dropoffsevenwhenclearlypostedthatthesematerialsarenotaccepted.Allofthisiscosting
ourcommunitiesvaluableresourcesandispollutingourenvironment.
Publicworkscrewsarespendingtimeandmoneyroutinelypickingupabandoned
televisions.TheCityofLancasterhassharedthattheyarecleaningup10to20televisionsa
week.TheCityofAllentownreported40amonth,addedReiter.
FromErietoPhiladelphia,andWashingtontoScranton,andeverywhereinbetweenour
communitiesandourvolunteersarelefttocleanupthesematerials,saidReiter.Weneedyour
help.WeurgeyoutofixtheCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct.
(PhotocourtesyofKeepPABeautiful.)
Just2weeksago,
KeepPABeautiful
launcheda
newelectronicswasterecyclingwebsite
togiveconsumersmoreinformationontheissueandwheretheycanrecycleTVs.
YorkCounty
TheAuthorityseffortstoprovideaffordableewasterecyclingtoYorkCountyhave
likewisebeencomplicatedbyDEPsinterpretationoftheCDRA.SafetosaytheCDRAhas
beenachallengeforDEPaswell,said
DavidVollero
,ExecutiveDirectorofthe
YorkSolid
WasteandRefuseAuthority
.
Forexample,theDepartmentmaintainsthepositionthattheCDRAprohibitscollectors
(e.g.theAuthority)fromchargingcustomerswhodelivercovereddevicestoarecycling
program,whenthatprogramisalsosubsidizedbyanequipmentmanufacturer,saidVollero.
TheAuthority,basedontheadviceofcounsel,disagreeswiththisinterpretationand,infact,
manylocalgovernmentsponsoredewastecollectionprogramsaresubsidizedinsomefashion
byboththeagency(e.g.labor,administrativesupport,andprovisionoffacilities)andequipment
manufacturers.
In2015theAuthorityspentapproximately$50Koflocalfundstosupportourprogram
thatcollectedmorethan3,000,000poundsofewaste.Theprogramwasalsosubsidizedby
equipmentmanufacturers,explainedVollero.WeestimateitwouldhavecosttheAuthority
approximately$1milliontoofferourresidentsthatsameprogramwithoutmanufacturersupport.
Thusconfusionaroundallowableprogramfunding,andotheraspectsoftheCDRA,bringmore
uncertaintyandinstabilitytotheCommonwealthsewasterecyclinginfrastructure.
FromtheAuthoritysperspective,theCommonwealthsewastemanagement
frameworkisfundamentallyflawedandtheCDRAshouldbemodified,saidVollero.Most
importantly,iftheGeneralAssemblyspolicyobjectiveiscomprehensiveproducer
responsibilityforewaste,theequipmentmanufacturerscombinedrecyclingobligation
absolutelymustmatchthetypeandquantityofmaterialdeliveredforrecycling.
Ifcomprehensiveproducerresponsibilityisnotthepolicyobjective,thenthedisposal
ban[nowintheCDRA]shouldbelifted.Responsibleewasterecyclingisrelativelyexpensive,
butevenwithoutthedisposalban,intimesofhighcommoditypricesmostewastewouldbe
recycled,saidVollero.However,inleantimeslikeweseenow,residentscoulddisposeof
unwantedewastesafelyandaffordablyiftherewerenodisposalban.
ElkCounty
Forresidentsseekingtorecycletheirelectronicdevicesatnochargeastheact
intendedElkCountyistheonlyoutletwithinthe5,279squaremiles,thatincludesElk,
McKean,Clearfield,Warren,Cameron,JeffersonandForestcounties,said
BekkiTitchner
,
RecyclingCoordinatorforElkCounty.
ThatdoesntmeanthereisnocosttoElkCounty.Infact,duetoelementsofthe
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct,ourcostsformanagingelectronicscraphavecontinuedto
escalate,saidTitchner.Wewereexpectingrelieffrommanagingthesedevicesonourown
consideringthelawcallsformanufacturerresponsibilitybutwhatwegotinsteadhasamounted
toanunfundedmandate.
Inourfirstnineyearsofoperation,werecycled1.5millionpoundsofelectronicsand
wediditwiththreefulltimestaffandagroupofvolunteersoneSaturdayamonth.Wereliedon
DEPAct190moniestohelpoffsetchargesfromourcontractor,businessescontributed,and
residentsdonated,explainedTitchner.WhentheCDRAtookeffectwerejoiced.Notonly
wouldwenothavetopaythecontractor,weweretoldthatthemanufacturerswouldpayUSfor
ourlaborandhandling!Ourjoywasshortlived.
Weunderestimatedhowmuchwasbeingthrownawayinthelandfilloroverthe
hillside.Weunderestimatedhowmanymorepeoplewouldseekusoutoncetheyhadnoother
choice.Weunderestimatedhowvastourserviceareawouldbecome,saidTitchner.We
overestimatedaswell.Weoverestimatedtherebatesweweretoreceiveandwecertainly
overestimatedhowmanyotherprogramswouldbeavailabletopeopleinourregion.
Nearly70percentofthehalfmillionpoundsofelectronicsweverecycledinthepast
twoyearshavebeentelevisions.Weaskpeoplewheretheyarefromandmanytimeswewillbe
questionedback,IfImnotfromElkCountywillyoustilltakemyTV?
PeopleandentiremunicipalitiescomefromCameronandMcKeancountiesona
regularbasis.Oftentheybringtruckloadsofdevices,saidTitchner.Wehaveaccepted
electronicsfromfolksinJeffersonCountyandwevealsogottencallsfromresidentsofWarren
andForestcountieswhoinquireaboutusingourprogram.
EarlierthismonthamunicipalityinWarrenCountycalledandsaid,Wehearyoutake
TVs.LastmonthweacceptedelectronicsfromCoraopolis,becauseeventheCityofPittsburgh
nolongerhasaccesstoaprogramwheremanufacturerscoverthecost,addTitchner.
Thereisnodoubtthelegislaturetrulywantedtodosomethinggoodwhenitcreatedthis
law.Itwantedtokeeptheseitemsoutofourlandfillsandproperlyrecycled.Butweareallhere
becausethatlaw,thoughwellintended,isntworking,saidTitchner.
If100percentofthepopulationisbannedfromthrowingawayaTV,then100percent
ofthepopulationneedstobeprovidedwithfree,convenientaccesstorecycling[not85percent
asitsaysintheCDRA],saidTitchner.Andprocessorsneedtobepaidenoughbythe
manufacturerstocovertheircosts,particularlythecostsspecifictorecyclingoldleadedglass
TVsandmonitors.Theseorphandevicesarentgoingawayanytimesoon,andputtingacapon
marketsharecombinedwithadisposalbanisworkingagainsteverythingthelawintends.
TheamountofelectronicsgeneratedbytheresidentsofPennsylvaniainagivenyear
shouldberecycled,regardlessofwhatthatnumbermightbe,recommendedTitchner.Ifthatis
notapossibility,thenperhapsthereshouldbethoughtgiventoliftingthedisposalbanonCRT
glassattheveryleastorgiveconsiderationtootherenvironmentallyacceptableandpermitted
options.
Thereismountingfearthatwithoutsomeneartermfixestheewasteinfrastructurein
broadgeographicareascouldimplode.Wearepresentlylivingoutthisneardisasterin
Pennsylvania,warned
RobertBylone
,ExecutiveDirectorofthePARecyclingMarketsCenter.
Ifleftunattended,couldanothertirepilecrisisbebrewing?
ByloneexplainedPennsylvaniasewasterecyclinglawrequiresmanufacturerstofund
recyclingprogramstomeettheweightofewastesoldinthestatetheprioryear,ratherthanpay
fortheirshareofewasteactuallycollectedinrecyclingprograms.Manufacturersarenot
responsibleforpayingforanyelectronicscollectedabovetheirannualcapbylaw.
Asaresult,Bylonesaid,(M)anufacturersbegintoseelongbeforetheendoftheyear
whentheywillexceedthecappedmarketshareweights.Collectionsprogramshavethenbeen
terminatedmidyear.Theprocessorisoftenleftwithunpaidinventoryandunabletofulfill
commitments,leavingourcitizensdeniedaccesstoconvenientrecyclingtheirrightsintendedby
thelaw,andmunicipalitiesfacedwithabacklogofunwanteddevices.
Bylone,whosetestimonywascoauthoredwithMicheleNestor,President,Nestor
ResourcesInc,RMCBoardChair,madeaseriesof14recommendationsforamendingthe
CDRA.
EWasteRecycler
From2010to2012theeconomicswerefavorabletotherecyclerinseveralways.We
maintainedtherelationshipwiththecollectorsatthesourceofthescrap,andprovidedthemwith
alevelofservicethatkeptthemfromgettingbackedupwithloadsofTVs,said
NedEldridge
,
CEOof
eLoopLLC
,anelectronicsrecyclingfromWesternPA.
ByJanuary24,2013thedisposalbanwentintoeffectandfromthatmomentonthe
volumeofTVsatcollectionpointsgrewfasterthatanyonecouldimagineandanobvious
strugglebecameapparentbetweenthemanufacturersandthePADEP,saidEldridge.The
DEPexpectedthemanufacturerstoreceivepoundsatthecollectionsitesnamedintheir
approvedplanfortheentireyear,whilethemanufacturersweredeterminedtomeettheirmarket
sharerequirements,butnotsustaincollectionsitesoncetheirgoalwasmet.
Unfortunately,eLoopwascaughtbetweentheDEPrequestingthesitesstayopenand
themanufacturersdecisiontostoppayingforlbsbeyondfulfillingtheirrequirementfor
pounds,saidEldridge.
Fortheremainderof2013wesustainedourservicetoourcollectorsbasedonthe
contractswehadinplacewiththem.Itwasdoneatourexpense,wedidntwantourproblemto
becometheirproblem,explainedEldridge.InlateOctoberwedidreceivesomemanufacturer
supportfromApplethatkeptusfromendingtheyearoverwhelmedwithCRTglass.
In2015thenumberofcollectionsitesinournetworkdecreasedby5locationsthat
couldnolongersustaintheirprograms,buteLoopwasabletoattractandfulfillcontractsfor2
manufacturerplanadministrators,saidEldridge.
Inthefallof2015planningforthe2016beganandtherewasconcernthattheplan
administratorsthatIhadworkedwithinpastyearsdidnotgetarenewalfromalarge
manufacturer,saidEldridge.Ijustnevergotthecall!
Thenetresultisthatallthelbsallocatedtoservicecountiesinthecentralpartof
Pennsylvaniawereretainedbythatplanadministrator,buttheremainingpoundsrequiredto
service8countiesand12collectionsiteswerenotavailableinwesternPA.Thoselocationswere
closedattheendof2015andtheyarenolongercollectinglbswitheLoop.
TodayeLoopservices15collectionsitesin14counties,saidEldridge.eLoophad
operated26collectionsitesin17counties.
InwesternPennsylvaniawehaveseenanincreaseinillegaldumpingofTVsinrural
areas,offroadways,andinourstateandcountyparksandeLoopcanthelpthem,said
Eldridge.Wealsohavelocalenvironmentalgroupsthatwanttoconducteventsthatcharge
residentsforTVrecycling,butwecanthelpthem.
Itisnotthatwedonthavethecapacityorthecertificationstodothework.Wecant
participateandstopthisenvironmentalproblemfromescalatingbecauseofaDEPinterpretation
ofSection504ofthelaw,saidEldridge.TheinterpretationbasicallystatesthatifeLoop
participatesandacceptsmoneyfromamanufacturersplaninStateCollegePAtheneLoopcant
chargeforthecollection,transportation,orprocessingofTVsinPittsburghPA.
IfIwasfortunateenoughtoretainthelbsthatservicedthisareainthepastitwouldnot
beanissue,butsinceIdidnotgetallocatedlbsIcantparticipateinremediatingtheseproblems
inwesternPAbasedonthecurrentinterpretationofthelaw,saidEldridge.
Oneofthemajorproblemsisthat100percentoftheresidentsinPennsylvaniaare
impactedbythedisposalbanyet100percentoftheresidentsdonthaveaccesstonocost
recyclingofTVs.Thereshouldnotbeabanwithoutaplan,saidEldridge.
Whilenotallcountiesarecreatedequalifadequatelycompensatedtheywouldserveas
collectorsandeducatorsoftheirconstituentsliketheyareforAct101materials,saidEldridge.
Iftheyneededgrantmoneyforequipmentorbuildingsthereshouldbeawayforthemtoapply.
Ifweagreethattheresidentsarethecustomersandthecountiestheserviceprovidersthenthe
abilityforthecountytosolicitanRFPforserviceshouldnotberuledoutasapossibility.
IfthecountypicksthebidderwithoversightfromtheDEPatthestateorregionallevel
thecountywillworkoutpaymentarrangementswiththeDEPoranotherresponsiblepartofthe
stategovernment,saidEldridge.Thestatecanbillthemanufacturersandreceivepayment.The
statethenpaysthecountywhopaystherecyclerandtransporter.
Idontseethebenefitinadetailedplanfromthemanufacturersincewhateveris
collectedbythecountywillbecompensatedbythemanufacturerbasedontheirmarketshare,
saidEldridge.Itplacestheresponsibilityforservingthecustomer/residentdirectlyonthe
countyadministrationandtheDEPandtakestherecycleroutofthemiddletoperformthework
inaneconomicallyandenvironmentallycompliantmanner.
ElectronicsManufacturers
CTAhasbeenmonitoringimplementationoftheCDRAascommoditypricesand
recyclingmarketsforelectronicshavetankednotonlyinPennsylvaniabutaroundtheworld,
said
WalterAlcorn
,
ConsumerElectronicsAssociation
.CTAisveryawareoftheendofthe
glasstoglassrecyclingeraforcathoderaytube(CRT)glasswheremultipleprocessorsand
manufacturersofCRTglassusedinoldertelevisionsetsusedtocallPennsylvaniahome.
Insteadofcreatinganewstaterunsystem(stillpaidforbymanufacturers)forsurplus
covereddevicescollectedbycounties,CTAsuggestsamendingthelawtoauthorizea
manufacturerfinancedandmanufacturerrunSurplusCoveredDeviceClearinghouse.
Alcornmadeaseriesoffourrecommendationsonchangingtheewasteprogramin
Pennsylvania.
SimilartothestateprocurementsystemcalledforinHouseBill1900[Rep.Rosssdraft
oflegislationwhichhasyettobefinalizedandintroduced],thisClearinghousewouldprovidea
meansforallcountiesinPennsylvaniawhohavebeenunabletoobtainanocostcontractwitha
recyclertohavetheircollectedcovereddevicessafelyrecycledbycovereddevice
manufacturers,recommendedAlcorn.
UndertheCTArecommendation,consumers,however,wouldstillbechargedasmall
feetocovercollectioncostsasawayofsharingresponsibilityfortheelectronicsrecycling
program.
AdditionalBackground
The
PAResourcesCouncil
hasreportedonly25percentofstateresidentshaveaccessto
freeTVrecycling,downfrom63percentjustashorttimeago,andthatcoveragecontinuesto
shrink.Inthelast2yearsPRCsaid
Goodwillannouncedit
willnolongeracceptTVsforrecycling
FivecountiesaroundPhiladelphiareporttheywereforcedtosuspendelectronicsprograms
becausenorecyclerswerewillingtosupportthem
ConstructionJunction
inPittsburghcloseditsdoorstoacceptingelectronics
YorkCountyshutsdownallelectronicscollectionssites
eLoop,aPittsburghbasedrecycler,announcesitwill
nolongerofferCDRAsupported
recyclinginwesternPA
and
BestBuyissuesanewsreleaseannouncing
itwillnolongeracceptTVs
forrecyclingatits37
PAstores.
ClickHere
forthePRCactionflyeronewasterecycling.
Thelackofrecyclingopportunitiesandthebanonlandfilldisposalmeansmore
Pennsylvaniansmayresorttoillegaldumping.
KeepPABeautiful
wrotetoeveryHouseandSenatememberearlierinFebruarywarning
2016couldbea
recordbreakingyearforabandonedanddumpedelectronics
ifPennsylvanias
electronicsrecyclinglawisntfixed.
InJanuarytheElectronicsRecyclingAssociationofPA,representingewasterecyclers,
calledforactiontofixthestatesrecyclinglaw
sayingwithoutfundamentalchangesrecycling
opportunitieswillcontinuetodisappear.
CopiesOfTestimony
Copiesofwrittentestimonyareavailableonline
KenReisinger,
DEPDeputySecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediation
Testimony
WalterAlcorn
,ConsumerElectronicsAssociation(manufacturers:
Testimony
.Attachment:
CustomerSurvey
.Attachment:
CRTCapacity
NedEldridge,
CEOof
eLoopLLC
,anelectronicsrecyclerfromWesternPA:
Testimony
DavidVollero,
YorkCountySolidWasteAuthority
:
Testimony
BekkiTitchner,
Recycling&SolidWasteCoordinator,ElkCounty
:
Testimony
ShannonReiter,
President,
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
:
Testimony
and
BobBylone,
President&CEO,andMicheleNestor,President,NestorResourcesInc,Board
Chair,
:
Testimony
.
TheJointConservationCommitteewillbeacceptingcommentsontheCDRAand
electronicswasterecyclinguntilJune21.Sendcommentsto:
tguerrieri@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
ClickHere
towatchavideoofthehearing.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointCommittee.Tosignup
foramonthlyupdatefromtheJointCommittee,sendanemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
Formoreinformationonewasterecycling,visitDEPs
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
PublicCostOfRecyclingTVsSkyrockets
ElectronicsRecyclingComingBackInYorkCounty
TrashPickupBillsMayBeGoingHigherWithWolfProposal
DEPSecretaryQuigley:2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
IllegalDumpInHarrisburgYouHaveToSeeToBelieve
WilkesBarreToTakePartInGreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
NewportTwpVolunteersComeTogetherForGreatAmericanCleanup
OpEd:SpringCleaningThatMountainOfEWaste
YorkPennWasteRecyclingCenterSeeingMoreNeedles
Advocate:KeystoneLandfillExpansionDebateisNationallyImportant
Editorial:KeystoneLandfillCashNoBenefit
DEP:AsbestosFoundInHuberBreakerSoilSamples
DEPToAbandonedPermitsForRecyclingDrillingWaste
RelatedStories:
KeepPABeautifulTestifiesAboutRampantIllegalDumpingOfElectronics
YorkCountySolidWasteAuthorityToReLaunchElectronicsRecyclingProgram
KeepPABeautiful:IllegalDumpingOfElectronicsRunningRampantInPA

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
Monday
providedtestimony
tothe
JointHouseSenateLegislative
AirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
atapublichearingconcerningthe
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct(Act108of2010),urgingmemberstotakeactiontoensurethat
everyresidentinthestatehasaccesstoconvenientandaffordabletrashdisposalandrecycling.
TheCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct(Act108),enactedin2010,prohibitstheacceptance
ofcovereddevicessuchastelevisions,computers,computermonitorsandallperipherals,atall
PAsolidwastefacilities.
Thisprohibitsresidentsfromputtingthemoutatthecurbforpickup.Thelawalso
stipulatesthatrecyclerscannotchargeafeetooffsetthecostofproperdisposalascostsfor
collection,transportationandrecyclingaretobebornebythemanufacturer.
Acombinationoftheseandotherfactorshascreatedanimbalanceofsupplyanddemand
causingmanyelectronicscollectionprogramstoshutdownleavingagrowingnumberof
Pennsylvaniaresidentswithoutaccesstorecyclingoptionsfortheiroutdatedelectronicconsumer
goods,particularlyoldtelevisionsandmonitors.
PeoplehaveresortedtodumpingTVsandotherelectronicdevicesillegallyonvacant
lots,inwoodedareas,andoverriverbanks.Wearefindingpilesofstrippedtelevisionscarcasses
ofbrokenplasticandshardsofleadedglassscatteredinopenfieldsandondeadendstreets,
saidShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.
Weknowthereislessillegaldumpinginareaswherethereisuniversalaccesstowaste
andrecyclingcollection,weknowifresidentscannotdisposeofbulkyitemsatthecurborata
convenientdropoffcenter,publicworkscrewsandvolunteersaremorelikelytoseethem
dumpedalongtheroadsandoverhillsides,saidReiter.
Reitergoesontoexplain,Allofthisiscostingourcommunitiesvaluableresourcesand
ispollutingourenvironment.Remediationofillegaldumpsitescosts$614/tonwiththeaverage
communitycleanupcosting$2,947.Theillegaldumpingofhazardouselectronicwaste,which
oftencontainslead,cadmiumandmercury,posesathreattopublichealth.Theelectronicscrisis
wearefacingisonlymakingmattersworse.
TohelpPennsylvaniansbetterunderstandAct108,KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulhas
launched
www.eWastePA.org
,aconsumerresourceforelectronicsrecyclinginPennsylvania.
Ourgoalistoeducateconsumersaboutthelawitself,explainwhythereisvaluein
recyclingthosematerialsandwhyitisimportanttohandlethesematerialsproperly.Thesite
shareswhatresourcesareavailabletoconsumers,howtodotherightthing,andurgesthem,if
thereisnooutlet,toholdontothematerialsuntilthelawisfixed,explainedReiter.Weknow
Pennsylvanianswanttodotherightthinganddisposeoftheirewasteproperly.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulworkswithcommunitiesallacrossthestatethroughabroad
networkwhichincludesmorethan30countyandmunicipalaffiliatesandthousandsof
communitypartners.
Intotal,morethan2millionvolunteershavecleanedupmorethan121millionpoundsof
trashfromPennsylvaniaroadsides,riverbanks,communityparks,vacantlots,riversandstreams.
Throughvariousspecialcollectionprograms,theKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulnetworkhas
properlydisposedof830,000tiresandrecycledmorethan3millionpoundsofelectronics.
Since1990,ourorganizationhasdevelopedacertainlevelofexpertiseforcleaningup
trashfromroadsidelitterto300tondumpsites.Ourgoal,however,isnttocleanuptrash,itis
topreventthesematerialsfrombeingdumpedinthefirstplace,statedReiter.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventthroughMay31.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
WolfToAllowGOPBudgetBillToBecomeLaw,ButWillVetoFiscalCodeBill
Gov.TomWolfWednesdayannouncedhewouldlettheRepublicanFY201516budgetbill
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)becomelawMarch27withouthissignature.Thebill
contains$6.05billioninsupplementalappropriationsforthecurrentyear.
HewillalsoallowbillstobecomelawthatwouldfundPennState,Pitt,Lincolnandthe
UniversityofPennsylvaniainSenateBills912,913,914,915and916.
Atthesametime,Gov.WolfsaidhewouldvetotheentireFiscalCodebill
HouseBill
1327
(PeiferRPike)citingconstitutionalissueswithsomelanguageandbecauseofconcerns
hehadwithsomeenvironmentalprovisionsinthebill.
Iamgoingtoallowthe20152016budgettobecomelawwithoutmysignature,said
Gov.Wolf.Thiswillallowforfundingtogoouttoschoolsandotherservicesintheshortterm,
butwestillfaceenormousproblemsthatthisbudgetdoesnotevenpretendtoaddress.
Letsbeclear:themathinthisbudgetdoesnotwork.Nextfiscalyearthatalreadyhas
a$2billiondeficitwillnowbeginwithanextra$300milliondeficit.Ratingsagenciesandthe
IndependentFiscalOfficehaveallagreedthatwefaceamassivestructuraldeficit,addedGov.
Wolf.Leftunaddressed,thedeficitwillforcecutstoschoolsandhumanservices,devastating
creditdowngradesthatwillcosttaxpayersmillions,andincreasepropertytaxesforoursenior
citizens.Wemustfacethisrealitythisyearandbalanceourbudgetwithreal,sustainable
revenues.
ThedayafterGov.Wolfmadehisannouncement,
PNCBankissuedanoticewarning
Pennsylvaniascreditratingcouldstillbedowngraded.
Moodys
and
StandardandPoors
followedonitsheelssayingthespendingpackagedoesntresolvethestatesstructuralbudget
deficitoraddressitsloomingpensioncrisis.
RepublicanReaction
AtapressconferencefollowingtheGovernorsannouncement,bothHouseMajority
LeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)andSenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)saidthey
werehappywiththeGovernorsactiontobringtheFY201516budgettoaclosebasedonthe
$30billionRepublicanGeneralFundbudget.
Sen.CormandidsaytheywouldbelookingattheimpactoftheGovernorsvetoofthe
FiscalCodebill.HenotedtheformulafordistributingbasiceducationfundingwasintheFiscal
Codebill,sotheywouldbelookingtoseehowtheGovernordistributesthatfundingtoschools.
Sen.Cormanrepeatedwhathehassaidbeforeinlookingatnextyearsbudgetnew
revenuewillbealastresortforus.
Rep.ReedsaidtheywouldbemeetingassoonasMondaytoworkontheFY201617
budget.HeaddediftherewasaneedtorectifyanyproblemscausedbytheGovernorsvetoof
theFiscalCodebilltheywouldcertainlyconsiderpassingnewlegislationtofixthoseproblems.
TheSenateandHousereturntovotingsessionApril4,sowewilllikelyseewhatthey
haveinstorenext.
GeneralFundBillContents
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)includes$6.05billioninsupplementation
appropriationsfor
Dept.ofAgriculture$83.8million
Dept.ofConservation&NaturalResources$2.25millionHeritageParksProgram
Dept.ofEnvironmentalProtectiondoesNOTrestore$900,000forSewageFacilitiesGrants
Thebudgetcontainsnomoneytoimplementthe
rebootoftheChesapeakeBayProgram
announcedbyGov.WolfinJanuary.
ClickHere
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouse
Republicans.A
SenateFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
FiscalCodeBill
TheGovernorwillvetoallof
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike),theFiscalCodebill,the
provisionsthatwouldNOTbecomelawincludeanewbipartisanbasiceducationfunding
formulaandlanguagethatwouldhavekilledDEPsChapter78conventionaldrillingregulations
andmakeDEPstartover,reducedGrowingGreenerwatershedrestorationfundingby$15
millionthisfiscalyearandslowedconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywiththeEPAClean
PowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldhavealsotransferred$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreen
BuildingsProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
AlsoincludedinthebillwaslanguagerelatedtotransfersfromtheDepartmentof
Agriculturethatcouldaffectsomeagencyprograms.
A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
Thisisthe
fourthbudgetRepublicans
senttotheGovernorsinceJune30oflastyear.
(
ClickHere
forthetimeline.)
TheGeneralFundbudgetwasvetoedentirelybytheGovernorlastJuly.Astopgap
budgetpackageinSeptemberwasvetoedbytheGovernorinitsentirety.Andfinally,$6.8
billionoftheGeneralFundbudgetpassedinDecemberwaslineitemvetoedbytheGovernor.
Inbetweenthosebudgets,theHousefailedin14attemptstooverridetheGovernorsveto
oftheJune30budget.
NewsClips:
DEPSecretary:DEPIsntLean,ItsEmaciated
Thompson:PAsNextBudget,HaveWeLearnedAnything?
Bumsted:Gov.WolfRelentsAfter9MonthBudgetImpasse
AP:GovernorRelentsAfter9MonthBudgetImpasse
PLS:WolfToAllowBudgetToBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature
PAsBudgetWoesBringWarningFromLenders,RatingsAgencies
WolfWarnsOfImpending201617BudgetCrisis
FarmBureauSaysPennStateExtensionOfficesToRemainOpen
AP:DemocratsUrgeWolfToRelentOnBudgetVetoThreat
AP:CatchingBigfoot:WolfPursuesElectionYearTaxIncrease
DemocratsLineUpBehindGOPBudgetBill
PABudgetCrisisCouldCauseYorkCountyAgOffice
NewF&MPoll:WideSupportForNewTaxOnNaturalGasIndustry
LowerGasolinePricesSavingStateTaxpayers$500K/Month
RelatedStories:
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackPAEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
PAEnvironmentalCouncilThanksWolfForVeto,ResourceAgenciesNeedMoreFunding
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayingCleanPowerPlan
Reports:ConventionalOil&GasDrillersFileLawsuitToBlockFinalDEPDrillingRegs
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
DEPTellsHouseChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources
CBFPA:LackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
The
releasedthisstatementThursdaythankingGov.Wolfforvetoing
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike),theFiscalCodebill,andremindedHouseandSenate
lawmakersandtheGovernortheymustprovidedthenecessaryfundingforourresource
protectionagenciestoaddressmandatoryenvironmentalrestorationrequirementsacrossthe
state.
The
CleanPowerPACoalition
alsoapplaudedGov.TomWolfforannouncinghewill
veto
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike).
ClickHere
toreadtheirstatement.
ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilstatementfollows
Pennsylvaniaslongstandingbudgetimpassecameonestepclosertoanendyesterday
whenGov.Wolfannouncedthathewillnotstandinthewayofsupplementalappropriation
legislationpassedbytheGeneralAssembly.
TheGovernordid,however,conveyhisintentiontovetocorrespondingfiscalcode
legislationthatcontainedanumberofbadenvironmentalridersunrelatedtothebudgetprocess.
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilhasconsistentlyopposeduseofthebudget
processtoeffectsubstantivechangestoenvironmentallaw,andwecommendGovernorWolffor
vetoingHouseBill1327.
Thislegislationwouldhavenegatedenvironmentalrulemakingforconventionaloiland
gasoperationsthathasbeenindevelopmentformorethanfouryearsthroughanopenpublic
process.ItwouldalsohaveplacedfurtherdelayonstatepreparationforCleanPowerPlan
implementation.
WhilethebudgetprocessisadifficultandunenviabletaskfortheGovernorandGeneral
Assembly,theynowmustreturntothetableandadvanceadefinitebudgetplanforour
Commonwealth.Thatplanshouldnotincluderollbacksofenvironmentalprotections.
WhatitmustincludeisnecessaryfundingfortheDepartmentofEnvironmental
ProtectionandDepartmentofConservation&NaturalResources,andsufficientresourcesto
addressmandatoryenvironmentalrestorationrequirementsacrossthestate.Thereisnomore
timetowaste.
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
RelatedStories:
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackPAEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
DEPTellsHouseChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
Whilesomearebreathingasighofrelief,theFY201516
budgetrepresentsthe13thyearinarowfundingandstafffor
environmentalprogramshasbeencut,divertedorsimply
heldinplace,whichreallyamountstoyetanothercut.
AsDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
toldtheScrantonTimes
Thursday
,DEPisntleanitsemaciated.Hewasalso
rightwhenhe
saidathisHousebudgethearing
,thestate
cantcutitswaytoimprovingtheenvironment.
DEP,hesaidhasbeenthe
victimofrelentlessand
debilitatingbudgetcutsformorethanadecade
.
SinceFY20022003,morethana40percenthasbeencutfromGeneralFundsupport
fortheDepartmentgoingfrom$245.6millionin20022003to
$142.6millionin20152016
.
Asaresult,theDepartmenthaslost22percentofitsstaff.Thatsmorethan700positions,
includingthe
currenthiringfreeze/capbyGov.Wolf
.
AlthoughDEPcontinuestoproposesignificant
increasesinregulatoryprogrampermit
andinspectionfees
tomakeupsomeoftheselosses,permitchargesstillmakeuponlyabout50
percentofitsbudget.Only22percentcomesfromtheGeneralFundandtheremainderfrom
federalfunds.
Meanwhile,DEPcontinuestoadministerover40stateenvironmentalprotectionand
publichealthandsafetylawsassigningresponsibilitiestotheagency.Nonehaveeverbeen
repealed,butmanyhavebeenreplacedwithnewandmoresignificantrequirements.
AndPennsylvaniasenvironmentalcleanupobligationshaventgoneaway,inparticular
programsrelatedtowaterqualityrestoration.Therearenoplansbyanyoneyettobringinnew
resourcestoaddressthem.
ThereisnofundinginthisyearsbudgetorevenproposedforFY201617to
meetthe
commitmentsPennsylvaniaitselfmade
tocleanuptheSusquehannaandPotomacRiver
WatershedstocomplywithChesapeakeBaymilestones.
Pennsylvaniaagriculture,the
numberonesourceofnutrientsandsedimentpolluting
ChesapeakeBayandstreamsandriversstatewide,isbeingleftoutinthecoldtofendforitself.
Therewillbe
$35millionlessfunding
nextyeargoingtotheEnvironmentalStewardship
(GrowingGreener)Fundtosupportreclaimingabandonedmines,Pennsylvanias
numbertwo
waterqualityproblem
.
AsSecretaryQuigleyandSen.PatBrowne(RLehigh),MajorityChairoftheSenate
AppropriationsCommittee,agreed,
12ofDEPsspecialfunds
,includingtheHazardousSites
CleanupFund,theStorageTankFund,fundssupportingtheAirQualityandcoalandnoncoal
miningprogramsandothers,areduetorunoutofmoneyorwillnothaveenoughtosupporttheir
regulatoryprogramsby2018.
Federalagencies,liketheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandtheU.S.Officeof
SurfaceMining,
havewarnedPennsylvaniathatDEPs
federalprogramsadministeredbythe
agencyareunderstaffedandbecomingineffective,includingtheSafeDrinkingWater,surface
mining,AirQuality,stormwater,ChesapeakeBayandothers.
Overthelastdecade,DEPhasbeentakingstepstobecomemuchmoreefficienttoat
leastretainmostoftheeffectivenessofitscoreenvironmentalprotectionprograms.As
SecretaryQuigleyhassaid,DEPgotridofalltheextrasalongtimeago.
Ithadnochoiceinthefaceofsignificantcutsinfundingandstaff.
Evenwiththesteadydeclineinfundingfor13years,DEPstaffstillmeetthe
Permit
DecisionsGuaranteeProgram
permitreviewdeadlines
89percentofthetime
.True,itisntthe
95percenttheagency
hadbeenachievinginthepast,butwhatprivatebusinesscansaythatafter
a22percentcutintheirresourcesandnochangesinproduct?
TheoneproposalinGov.WolfsFY201617budgetthatwillbegintomakeadifference
isa$2millioninvestmentinnewtechnologytoreplaceDEPsaging
eFACTS
permit
management/publicinformationsystemandtogetnewmobiletechnologyforprogramslikeOil
andGasManagementintothehandsofinspectors.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheboostinefficiencyfromusingmobiletechnology(andthe
backendsystemsthatsupportthem),meansDEP
couldgetalongwithfewerstaff
without
sacrificingeffectiveness.
ThereweresuggestionsduringtheSenateandHousebudgethearingsthisyear,asinpast
years,thatstateagenciesshouldberunmorelikebusinessesorusetheconceptofzerobased
budgetingtoconstructtheirbudgetsfromaplainpieceofpaper.
Thesecommentsreflectafundamentalmisunderstandingoftheresponsibilitiespublic
agencieslikeDEPandDCNRhave.
Inconstructingitsbudget,isDEPtoassumenoneofthe40environmentallawsit
administersexist?Thatithasnolegallybindingobligationstocleananythingup?
ShouldtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesignoretheirresponsibility
ascustodianof2.1millionacresofStateForestand121StateParks?
Thereisnoargumentthatpublicagenciesshouldberunasefficiently,intermsof
operations,astheycanbebecausetheyarealsostewardsoftaxpayermoney.Buteventhatcosts
moneyforthingsliketechnologywhichagencieslikeDEPhaventgottenforadecade.
But,whiletheworldcanprobablygetalongwithoutthelatestnewandimproved
multifunction,grabhandled,rosecoloredthingamawidget,wecantgetalongwithoutclean
air,purewaterandwecantclosedownourresponsibilityasatrusteeforPennsylvaniasgreen
infrastructure.
Beingpublicofficialsmeanssomething.ItdoesntJUSTmeanbeingagoodstewardof
thepublicpurse.ItALSOmeansmakingsurepublicagencieshavetheresourcestheyneedto
dothejobspublicofficialsthemselvesassigntothem.
WithrespecttoPennsylvaniasenvironmentalcommitmentsandresponsibilities,public
officialscannolongerdojusthalftheirjobs.
RelatedStories:
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch
BudgetHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
BudgetHearing:DEP:StateCantCutItsWayToABetterEnvironment
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
DEPToProposedPermitFeeIncreasesForAtLeast6Programs
JustonedayafterGov.Wolfsaidhewouldveto
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)thatincludesa
provisionthatwouldhavekilledacomprehensive
updateofDEPdrillingregulations
covering
conventionaloilandgaswells,the
Pittsburgh
PostGazette
and
TribuneReview
reportedThursday
conventionalwelldrillershavefiledalawsuitto
blocktheregulationsfrombecomingfinal.
The
PAIndependentPetroleumProducers
Association
filedthelawsuitinCommonwealth
CourtallegingDEPviolateda
provisioninthe2014
FiscalCodebill
thatrequiredDEPtopublishseparaterulesforconventionalandunconventional
drilling.
ThetradegroupwasquotedbythePostGazetteassaying,thecomminglingoftherules
madeitnearlyimpossibletostopthembecausepublicandpoliticalsupportforregulatingthe
shalegasindustryisstrong.
Thelawsuitasksthecourttovoidtherulesadoptedasfinalbythe
EnvironmentalQuality
BoardinFebruary
andtodirecttherulemakingboardtobegintheregulatoryprocessanewifit
wantstocreatenewregulationsforconventionalwells.
Thetradegroupalsoaskedforanexpeditedreviewofitspetitionorforthecourttostay
themeetingofthe
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissiononApril21
whereChapter78
and78awillbeontheagendaforaction.
Background
InfactDEPdidseparatetheregulationsChapter78dealswithconventionaldrillingand
Chapter78acoversunconventional(MarcellusShale)drilling.
TheconventionaldrillingoperatorshaveconsistentlyopposedmodernupdatestoDEPs
drillingregulationsbecausetheytheybelievetheirindustryisenvironmentallybenign.Infact,
theyevensaidtheirindustry
wasbenigninlegislation
introducedattheirrequest2yearsago.
Thefactsare
1.ConventionalWellsCauseWaterLoss,ContaminationJustLikeUnconventionalWells:
Conventionalwellsarejustaslikelytocausewaterwelllossandcontaminationas
unconventionalwells,evenmoresobecausetherearemoreconventionalwellsthan
unconventionalwells.
2.ConventionalWellsHaveMoreViolations:
DEPinspectionsfoundconventionaldrillershad
ahigherrateofviolationsoftheexistingregulationsthanunconventionaldrillers.Infact,
conventionalwellshad3timestheviolations
ofunconventionalwellsin2014,accordingto
DEP.
3.BothUseFracking:
Bothconventionalandunconventionalwellsusefrackingtoincrease
productionandconventionalwelldrillersarealsoexploringthe
useofhorizontaldrilling
to
increaseyields.
4.ConventionalWellsAreDrilledThroughSameSensitiveAquifers
:Conventionalwellscan
bedrilledtoa
depthof1,500to21,000feet
andunconventionalwellscanbedrilledtoadepthof
5,000to9,000andthenlaterallyanother10,000feetormore,bothpassingthroughsensitive
groundwateraquifers.
5.ConventionalWellsCreateABiggerFootprint:
Todevelopthesameamountofnaturalgas,
conventionalwelldrillersmustdrill16ormorewells,whileunconventionaldrillersuseasfew
as8in
75percentlesslandarea
.
6.SmallerCompanies,FewerResources:
Conventionaloilandgaswelldrillerstendtobe
smallercompanieswithfewerresourcestodealwithenvironmentalandwaterreplacement
problemswhentheydodevelopandthatmeanstaxpayersmayhavetofootthebillmuchmore
often.
FormoreinformationonChapter78and78adrillingregulations,visitDEPs
OilandGas
Rulemaking
webpage.
NewsClips:
ConventionalDrillingGroupFilesLawsuitToBlockDEPDrillingRegulations
PetroleumGroupSuesToBlockPADrillingRules
PostGazette:ConventionalDrillersOpposeAnyDEPDrillingRegulationUpdate
RelatedStories:
TheClockStarts:DEPDeliversFinalDrillingRegsToHouse,Senate,IRRCForReview
EQBOverwhelminglyApproveschapter78DrillingRegulations
DEP:ConventionalWellsHad3TimesTheViolationsOfUnconventionalWellsIn2014
Analysis:MythConventionalOilAndGasDrillingIsBenign
DEP:FiscalCodeProvisionOnConventionalWellsDelaysDrillingRegs23Months
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andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
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feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
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Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(April4):
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislative
BudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramto
regulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providing
foranindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesD
Philadelphia)FY201516CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),the
agreedtopensionreformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billion
GeneralFundbudgetbill.
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(April4):
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingtoassisthomeownerswith
deterioratingprivatesewerlaterals(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)
allowinganAct129optoutforlargeelectricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill973
(ScavelloRMonroe)increasingthefinesforlittering(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizealllocalgovernmentstochargearecycling
servicefee(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseof
alternativeonlotsepticsystemsonthesewagefacilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)authorizingtheFishandBoatCommissiontoadoptfees
chargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)authorizingtheGameCommissiontoadoptfeescharged
bytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)
House
Bill806
(CauserRCameron)providingforcountyspecificusevaluesforlandinforestreserves
(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishingaPrivateDamFinancial
AssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBill
Calendar.
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
EWasteRecycling:
HouseBill1916
(D.MillerDAllegheny)wouldamendtheCovered
DeviceRecyclingActtorequiremanufacturerstorecycle2poundsofelectronicswastefor
every1poundofnewdevicestheysell(
sponsorsummary
).
HouseLeadTestingPackage:
HouseBill1917
(CruzDPhiladelphia)wouldrequirechildren
under6tobetestedforelevatedleadlevelsintheirblood.Currently,theU.S.Centersfor
DiseaseControlrecommendschildrenbetestedat1,2andagainbefore6
HouseBill1918
(CruzDPhiladelphia)wouldamendthestateSafeDrinkingWaterActtorequiremorefrequent
testingforleadinwater.Undercurrentlaw,wateristestedeverythreeyearsatareducednumber
ofsamplesitesaftertheinitialpassingand
HouseBill1919
(SchlossbergDLehigh)would
requirelessorsofresidentialdwellingsbuiltbefore1978toinspectdwellingsforthepresenceof
leadbasedpaintandhazardousconditionssuchaschippingpaintwhenthosedwellingsbecome
vacantorpriortonewoccupancy.Lessorsmustalsodiscloseallinformationregardinglevelsof
leadandinspectionresults,andprovidethosefindingstoalesseepriortooccupancy.Asponsor
summaryofthis3billpackage
isavailableonline
.
SenateLeadPackage:
SenateBill1173(YudichakDLuzerne)
wouldcreateataskforceto
studythescopeoftheleadissue,includinganaccountingoftheageofthestateshousingstock,
pipelines,schoolbuildingsanddaycarecenters.Itwouldalsostudybestpracticesandmake
recommendations
SenateBill1174(HaywoodDAllegheny)
wouldrequireeveryschool
buildingtobetested(water,paint,soil)forleadbeforeaschoolyearbegins.Testresultswould
besenttoparentsofeveryenrolledchildandpostedonschooldistrictwebsites.Ifaschooltests
atleadlevelshigherthantheCentersforDiseaseControlsacceptableamount,itwouldbe
requiredtosubmitaremediationplantothestateDepartmentofEducation
SenateBill1175
(KitchenDPhiladelphia)
seekstorequireleadtesting(water,paint,soil)indaycarecenters
licensedbytheDepartmentofHumanServices.DHSwouldbeprohibitedfromissuingalicense
toadaycareoperatorifleadlevelsarehigherthanCDCrecommendedreadings
SenateBill
1176(FontanaDAllegheny)
wouldrequireanyagreementofsaleforrealpropertyinthe
commonwealthtoincludeanoptiontohavethewatertestedforlead
SenateBill1177
(HughesDPhiladelphia)
wouldcreateaSuperFundforLeadAbatementthatcouldbeused
byschools,daycarecenters,andotherorganizationstodefrayleadremediationcosts.

Fish&BoatCommissionFees:
SenateBill1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)authorizingtheFish
andBoatCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbythe
GeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
).
GameCommissionFees:
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)authorizingtheGame
CommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneral
Assembly(
sponsorsummary
).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
House
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction
SupplementalFY201516Appropriations:
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05
billioninsupplementalappropriationsforFY201516developedbyRepublicans.
ClickHere
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouseRepublicans.A
SenateFiscal
Note
andsummaryareavailable.TheGovernorwillallowthisbilltobecomelawMarch27
withouthissignature.
FY201516FiscalCodeBill:
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendingtheFiscalCodeto
implementtheFY201516RepublicanGeneralFundbudget.A
HouseFiscalNote
and
summaryareavailable.TheGovernorwillvetothisentirebill.
ThebillamendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEPChapter78conventional
drillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestoration
fundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywith
theEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldalsotransfer$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreenBuildings
ProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
House
TransitRevitalizationDistrict:
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)furtherprovidingfor
TransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrictswasreportedfromtheHouseAppropriations
CommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.Thebill
returnstotheSenateforaconcurrencevote.
USTIFBoard:
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersofthe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationBoardandhowtheyareappointedwasremoved
fromtheTableandreferredtotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.
PotomacRiverBasinCommission:
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)authorizingdesignees
withproxyvotingrightsforcertainmembersofInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiver
Basin(
sponsorsummary
)wasremovedfromtheTableandwasreferredtotheHouse
AppropriationsCommittee.
LandownerLiability:
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)furtherprovidingforliabilityprotection
forlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsorsummary
)wasreferredtotheHouse
AppropriationsCommittee.
ChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeek:
HouseResolution739
(EverettRLycoming)designating
theweekofJune511asChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeekwasadoptedbytheHouse
unanimously.
Fish&BoatCommissionAnniversary:
HouseResolution737
(GillespieRYork)
congratulatingtheFishandBoatCommissiononits150thAnniversary(
sponsorsummary
)was
adoptedbytheHouse.
Senate
USTIFBoard:
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)amendstheStorageTankActtoadd
memberstotheUndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationFundBoardwaspassedbythe
SenateandnowgoestotheHouseforaction.
Extending1PoundWaiver
:
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepoundReid
VaporPressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatisduetoexpireonMay1,2016
waspassedbytheSenateandnowgoestotheHouseforaction.
RecyclingFee:
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizealllocal
governmentstochargearecyclingservicefee(
sponsorsummary
)wasreportedoutoftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
AlternativeSepticSystems:
SenateBill1114
sponsorsummary
)was
reportedoutoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnowonthe
SenateCalendarforaction.
PrivateDamFinancialAssurance:
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishinga
PrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary)wasreportedout
oftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandisnowontheSenate
Calendarforaction.
SewerLateralFunding:
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingtoassisthomeowners
withdeterioratingprivatesewerlaterals(
sponsorsummary
)wasreportedfromtheSenate
AppropriationsCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
IncreaseFinesForLittering:
SenateBill973
(ScavelloRMonroe)increasingthefinesfor
littering(
sponsorsummary
)wasmoveduptoSecondConsiderationontheSenateCalendar.
Fish&BoatCommissionFees:
SenateBill1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)authorizingtheFish
andBoatCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbythe
GeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)wasamendedandreportedfromtheSenateGameand
FisheriesCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
GameCommissionFees:
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)authorizingtheGame
CommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbytheagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneral
Assembly(
sponsorsummary
)fromreportedfromtheSenateGameandFisheriesCommitteeand
isnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
Fish&BoatCommissionAnniversary:
SenateResolution314
(ScavelloRMonroe)
congratulationtheFishandBoatCommissiononits150thAnniversary(
sponsorsummary
)was
adoptedbytheSenate.
NewsFromTheCapitol
HouseUnanimouslyAdoptsChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeekResolution
Reps.GarthEverett(RLycoming),KeithGillespie(RYork)andMichaelSturla(DLancaster),
threeofPennsylvaniasmembersonthe
ChesapeakeBayCommission
,introducedandtheHouse
unanimouslypassed
HouseResolution739
designatingtheweekofJune511ChesapeakeBay
AwarenessWeek.
Thetextoftheresolutionfollows
DesignatingtheweekofJune5through11,2016,as"ChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeek"
inPennsylvania.
WHEREAS,TheChesapeakeBayisthelargestandmostproductiveestuaryinthe
UnitedStates,itswatershedspanningsixstatesandtheDistrictofColumbiaand
WHEREAS,TheChesapeakeBayisfedby50majortributaries,thelargestbeingthe
SusquehannaRiver,whichprovides50percentofthefreshwatertothebayand
WHEREAS,Stretching200milesfromHavredeGrace,Maryland,toNorfolk,Virginia,
theChesapeakeBayhasanaveragedepthof21feetandrangesfrom3.4to35mileswideand
WHEREAS,TheChesapeakeBaysupports348speciesoffinfish,173speciesof
shellfishandmorethan3,600speciesofplantandanimallife,including2,700typesofplants
andmorethan16speciesofunderwatergrassesand
WHEREAS,TheChesapeakeBayproducesmorethan500millionpoundsofseafood
harvesteachyearand
WHEREAS,Thebay'stributariesinthisCommonwealthareanimportantsourceof
drinkingwaterandrecreationalfishingandboatingforthisCommonwealthand
WHEREAS,TheChesapeakeBaywatershedisanextraordinaryandvitalnatural
resource,withsomeofthenation'smostproductivefarmandforestlandsinthis
Commonwealth'sportionofthewatershedand
WHEREAS,Thisproductivitysupportedthesettlementandgrowthofournationandisa
vitalresourceforfuturegenerationsand
WHEREAS,TheChesapeakeBayareaishometomorethan17millionpeople,manyof
whomrelyuponthebayfortheirlivelihoodandrecreationalactivitiesand
WHEREAS,Therichhistory,pivotaleconomicimportanceandastoundingbeautyofthe
ChesapeakeBaywatershedneverceasetoamazeresidentsandvisitorsalikeand
WHEREAS,AllresidentsofthisCommonwealthareencouragedtocommemorate
"ChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeek"witheventsandeducationalprogramsdesignedtoincrease
awarenessoftheimportanceoftheChesapeakeBaytothisCommonwealth,theregionandthe
UnitedStatesthereforebeit
RESOLVED,ThattheHouseofRepresentativesdesignatetheweekofJune5through
11,2016,as"ChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeek"inPennsylvania.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClip:
Crable:Agencies:PAFarmBureausDireWarningNotTrue
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
SenateCommitteeOKsRecyclingFee,SepticSystem,DamFinancialAssuranceBills
The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
reportedthreebillsoutof
CommitteeatitsmeetingTuesday,includingbillsauthorizingalocalrecyclingfee,further
allowingtheuseofalternativesepticsystemsinsewageplanningandestablishingaprivatedam
financialassuranceprogram.Thebillswere
RecyclingFee:
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizealllocal
governmentstochargearecyclingservicefee(
sponsorsummary
)
AlternativeSepticSystems:
SenateBill1114
sponsorsummary
)and
PrivateDamFinancialAssurance:
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishinga
PrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).
ThebillsnowgototheSenateFloorforconsideration.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandcanbe
contactedbysendingemailto:
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)servesas
MinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
DCEDUrgesHouseToKeepIncentivesForNaturalGasVehiclesInPlace
TheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentMondaytoldthe
HouseDemocratic
PolicyCommittee
thereareavarietyofhurdlestothedeploymentofmorenaturalgasfueled
vehiclesinthestateandthe
programcreatedintheAct13of2012
toprovideincentivesshould
bekeptinplace.
DeniseBrinley
,DCEDSpecialAssistanttotheSecretaryforStrategicIndustry
Initiatives,said,Pennsylvanianeedstobecomemorethanaproducerofnaturalgas.The
Commonwealthalsoneedsourbusinessesandresidentstobecomeconsumers.Nowisthetime
forourstatetoharnessourresourcestodriveeconomicprogressbeyondtheboundariesofthe
resourcedevelopmentitself.
Sherecommendthefollowingnaturalgasuses:heatandpowermanufacturingplants
manufacturechemicalsandplasticspowermoreelectricgeneratingplantsheathomesfuel
schoolbusesandfleetvehiclesandmanufacture,distribute,andapplyfertilizerstogrowfood.
DavidAlthoff,Jr
.,ManagerofDEPsOfficeofPollutionPreventionandEnergy
Assistancesaidthe
Act13NaturalGasEnergyDevelopmentProgram
resultedintheconversion
of
987CompressedNaturalGas(CNG)vehiclesweighinggreaterthan14,000lbs
119LiquefiedNaturalGas(LNG)vehiclesweighinggreaterthan14,000lbs
Anestimated13.9milliongasolinegallonequivalents(GGE)ofnaturalgasfuelusedannually,
displacingpetroleumfuel
Vehiclessupporting41newnaturalgasfuelingstationsbuiltinPA(38CNGand3LNG)and
Vehiclessupporting34existingstationsinPennsylvania(30CNGand4LNG).
Asofthebeginningof2016,Althoffexplained,DEPreimbursedgranteesforthe
purchaseorconversionof434heavydutyvehiclestotalingmorethan$8.7millioninprogram
fundsdisbursed.
[
Note:
DEPisnowacceptingapplicationsfornaturalgasconversionsthroughits
AlternativeFuelIncentiveGrantProgram
.ApplicationsaredueApril29.]
RobAltenburg
,director,
PennFutureEnergyCenter
,stated,Pennsylvaniamustworkto
reducedependenceonfossilfuelsandpromotealternativessuchasenergyefficiencyandclean
renewableenergy.Todoso,wemustalignourinvestmentswithourgoalsandavoidunintended
sideeffectsthatpromotepollution.
Altenburgrecommended,Tomakeinformeddecisions,policymakersandthepublic
needtohavereadyaccesstothemagnitudeofexistingsubsidiesandtheirimpacts.We
recommendthatanonpartisan,governmentalorganizationshoulddevelopandperiodically
updateacomprehensivereportonPennsylvaniasenergysubsidies.
MichaelGriffin
,associateresearchprofessorofEngineeringandPublicPolicy,Carnegie
MellonUniversity,said,First,naturalgasisnotabridgefueltoarenewableenergysystem,itis
simplyabridgetonowhere.Second,naturalgasisacleanerburningfuelcomparedtoitsother
fossilcounterparts.
Griffindetailedapaperthatheworkedonthatwasrecentlyacceptedinthejournal
Energy,whichshowsacompleteswitchtonaturalgasfromcoalcanresultinareductionof
monetizedhealthandenvironmentaldamagesofbetween$20and$50billionannually.
Griffinalsocommentedonwhetherincentivesareneededtomakethetransitionfrom
coaltonaturalgasIcantimaginetheCommonwealthcandomuchatreworktheentire
electricitysystemasthisisamassivechangebuttheadoptionofthe
CleanPowerPlan
(CPP)
willbeasteptowardsthistransition.Weshouldexpectsimilarhealthbenefits(butnotaslarge)
canbeexpectedfornaturalgasreplacementofdieselfuelbecauseoftheparticulateemissions
associatedwithdieselcombustion.
TomPeterson
,presidentandCEO,
CenterforClimateStrategies
,statedthatthematrixof
justificationsformarketinterventioncombinedwithmacroeconomicevidenceandstrategy
suggeststhatincentivesfornaturalgasinPennsylvaniamightbemostproductiveundercertain
guidelinesheoutlinedinhistestimony.
DonBrown
,ScholarinResidence,
WidenerUniversityCommonwealthLawSchool
,
offereddetailsonpositivedevelopmentsfromthe2015UnitedNationsClimateChange
ConferenceheldinParis.
Dr.RobertHowarth
,professorofEcologyandEnvironmentalBiology,Cornell
University,stated,Inthepast,industryaswellasmanypoliticianspromotednaturalgas,
includingshalegas,asabridgefuelthatwouldallowsocietytocontinuetousefossilfuelsfor
thenextfewdecadeswhilereducingcarbondioxideemissions.
Hesaidwhilelesscarbondioxideisproducedwhileburningnaturalgasthanistruefor
coalforagivenamountofenergy,methaneemissionsfromtheuseofnaturalgasarefarhigher
thanfromcoal.
Dr.Howarthexplained
methaneisapotentgreenhousegas
,onethatismorethan100
timesaseffectiveascarbondioxideintrappingheatintheatmosphereforthedecadeorso
followingemissionwhenbothgasesremainintheatmosphere.
MarkSzybist
,seniorprogramadvocateforEnergyandTransportation,
NaturalResources
DefenseCouncil
,opposedincentivizingnaturalgasaspartofaplantomeetEPAsCleanPower
ClimatePlan.
Copiesofwrittentestimony
areavailableonline
.
April11Hearing
The
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
willholdahearingonApril11oncleanenergy
jobsinRoom418MainCapitolstartingat10:00a.m.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
webpage.
NewsClip:
HouseDemocratsScrutinizeNaturalGasIncentives
RelatedStory:
DerryTownshipSchoolDistrictAdds3CleanBurningPropaneBusesToFleet

HouseDemocratsIntroduce,CallForSupportOfLeadTestingLegislation
CitingthetragedyunfoldinginFlint,Michigan,Rep.AngelCruz(DPhiladelphia)wasjoinedby
abipartisangroupoflegislatorsTuesdaycallingforsupportofalegislationpackagethataimsto
reducetheriskofleadpoisoninginPennsylvania.
ItsunfortunatethattheeventsinFlinthadtobringthedangersofleadpoisoningtothe
forefront,butthedangerisrealanditsimpactingchildreninPennsylvania,Rep.Cruzsaid.
NumerouscitiesacrossPennsylvania,includingAllentown,Altoona,Easton,Erie,Philadelphia
andPittsburgh,amongothers,aredealingwithelevatedbloodleadlevelsinchildrenatahigher
ratethanwhatweveseeninFlint.Theriskofpermanentdamagetoboththeirmentaland
physicalhealthistoohightoallowthistocontinue.
HouseBill1917
introducedbyCruzwouldrequirechildrenunder6tobetestedfor
elevatedleadlevelsintheirblood.Currently,theU.S.CentersforDiseaseControlrecommends
childrenbetestedat1,2andagainbefore6.
Outofover1millionchildreninPennsylvaniaundertheageof7,lessthan15percent
weretestedforleadexposurein2014,Cruzsaid.Aslegislators,wemustworktoincrease
testing,especiallyconsideringthatthedamagefromleadpoisoningismostsevereinchildren
undertheageof7.
HouseBill1918
(CruzDPhiladelphia)wouldamendthestateSafeDrinkingWaterAct
torequiremorefrequenttestingforleadinwater.Undercurrentlaw,wateristestedeverythree
yearsatareducednumberofsamplesitesaftertheinitialpassing.
Rep.Cruzslegislationwouldrequiretestingtobedoneannuallyatthereducednumber
ofsamplesitesandacompletetestfromallsamplesiteseverythreeyears.
HouseBill1919
(SchlossbergDLehigh)wouldrequirelessorsofresidentialdwellings
builtbefore1978toinspectdwellingsforthepresenceofleadbasedpaintandhazardous
conditionssuchaschippingpaintwhenthosedwellingsbecomevacantorpriortonew
occupancy.
Lessorsmustalsodiscloseallinformationregardinglevelsofleadandinspectionresults,
andprovidethosefindingstoalesseepriortooccupancy.
Therearethousandsofhomesacrossthestatethathavelayersofleadpaintpresent,
possiblywithouttenant'sknowledge.Homeownershavetheinspectionprocesstogivethem
peaceofmind,butrenterscurrentlyhavenoassurancesabouttheirresidences,saidRep.Mike
Schlossberg.
Thisisespeciallytroublingforfamilieswithyoungchildren,whoaremostatriskto
negativeconsequencesduetoleadexposure.Parentshavetheresponsibilitytoprotecttheir
children,butthatcouldonlybedoneiftheyareinformed,saidRep.Schlossberg.My
legislationwouldgiveparentstheinformationtheyneed,byinformingrentersaboutanylead
riskspresentintheirhomessotheycanprotecttheirchildren.
Asponsorsummaryofthis3billpackage
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformationonthehealththreatsoflead,visitDEPs
LeadInDrinkingWater
webpage.
NewsClips:
PLS:LegislatorsSupportLeadTestingLegislation
PAProposalsAimToMinimizeLeadExposure
Swift:HouseBillsCallForMoreLeadTests
4PrivateWaterSystemsInLebanonReceiveEPAAttention
HowSafeIsPhiladelphiasWater?
WaterOfficials:PhiladelphiaNoFlint
NoLeadFoundInWaterTestedByWilkesBarre
LeadNotAProblemInMostLebanonCountyWater
LeadPaintWasBanned40YearsAgo,WhyIsItStillAProblem?
RelatedStory:
SenateDemocratsCallForStatewideTaskForceOnLeadProblem
SenateDemocratsCallForStatewideTaskForceOnLeadProblem
AgroupofDemocraticSenatorsandstatehealthofficialsWednesdayannouncedthe
introductionofapackageof5billstoaddressleadproblemsinPennsylvania.
Whetheritsleadinthewaterorinthepeelingpaintthatstillclingstoaginghomesand
schoolbuildings,webelievewehaveaproblemthatwillonlygrowworseifwedonothingto
helpnow,Sen.VincentHughes(DPhiladelphia)said.Ourfivebillpackagetodaywillhelpus
getabetterunderstandingofleadandhowitisthreateninggenerationsofPennsylvanians.
Theeffectofleadisnotreversible,anditsprettyserious,Sen.Hughessaid.Experts
aretalkingaboutleadspotentialrelationshiptolearningdisabilities,autism,andbehavioral
healthproblems.Wemustdomoretostopthistrend.
SenatorsJohnYudichak(DLuzerne),ArtHaywood(DPhiladelphia),ShirleyKitchen
(DPhiladelphia),WayneFontana(DAllegheny)andSen.Hughesareeachsponsoringonebill
inthefivebillpackage
(notyetonline)
:
SenateBill1173(YudichakDLuzerne)
wouldcreateataskforcetostudythescopeofthe
leadissue,includinganaccountingoftheageofthestateshousingstock,pipelines,school
buildingsanddaycarecenters.Itwouldalsostudybestpracticesandmakerecommendations.
SenateBill1174(HaywoodDAllegheny)
wouldrequireeveryschoolbuildingtobetested
(water,paint,soil)forleadbeforeaschoolyearbegins.Testresultswouldbesenttoparentsof
everyenrolledchildandpostedonschooldistrictwebsites.Ifaschooltestsatleadlevelshigher
thantheCentersforDiseaseControlsacceptableamount,itwouldberequiredtosubmita
remediationplantothestateDepartmentofEducation.
SenateBill1175(KitchenDPhiladelphia)
seekstorequireleadtesting(water,paint,soil)in
daycarecenterslicensedbytheDepartmentofHumanServices.DHSwouldbeprohibitedfrom
issuingalicensetoadaycareoperatorifleadlevelsarehigherthanCDCrecommended
readings.
SenateBill1176(FontanaDAllegheny)
wouldrequireanyagreementofsaleforreal
propertyinthecommonwealthtoincludeanoptiontohavethewatertestedforlead.And,
SenateBill1177(HughesDPhiladelphia)
wouldcreateaSuperFundforLeadAbatement
thatcouldbeusedbyschools,daycarecenters,andotherorganizationstodefraylead
remediationcosts.
In2014,Isponsoredlegislationthatwasenactedtoreducethelevelsofleadindrinking
water.Itisacriticalpublichealthandenvironmentalissue.Weneedtobedoingeverythingwe
cantoreducethepublic'sexposuretolead,Sen.Yudichaksaid.ThatiswhyIamintroducing
SenateBill1173.Thistaskforcewouldlookatallthepathwaysthatthepubliccanbeexposedto
leadandmakerecommendationsastohowwecanreducetheriskofleadexposure.
Justlikewehaveputmechanismsinplacetoalertresidentsaboutthepresenceofradon
orleadbasedpaint,leadinwatercanbeasafetyconcern,especiallyforfamilieswhereamother
ispregnant,theyareexpecting,oryoungchildrenandmiddleagemenandwomenreside,Sen.
FontanasaidabouthisSenateBill1176.Forbetween$20and$50,thatitisasmallpricetopay
forpeaceofmindthatyournewhomesdrinkingwaterissafe.
Whenchildrenconsumeleadtheirchancesforhealthygrowthandavibrantlife
dwindle,Sen.KitchensaidinexplainingwhysheispushingSenateBill1175.Hurting
childrenwithavoidableproblemsissomethingwecannotallowasPennsylvanians,andwemust
makesurethatourbabiesandtoddlersarenotexposedtoleaddangersintheoneplacethey
spendmanyhours:daycare.
WemustdoeverythinginourpowertoensurethatPennsylvania'schildrenaresafe,
Sen.HaywoodunderlinedaboutSenate1174.Monitoringleadlevelsinourschoolsisa
fundamentalstepwecantakeinthatdirection.
DepartmentofHealthDeputySecretaryforHealthPromotionandDiseasePrevention
LorenRobinson,MD,MSHP,spokeaboutthedangerouseffectsofleadexposure,asdid
PennsylvaniaPublicInterestResearchGroupFieldOrganizerMichaelRoles.
Whileshewasunabletoattendthepressconference,Dr.MarshaGerdesfromthe
ChildrensHospitalofPhiladelphiaconfirmedthatleadisaproblemandeffortslikethesemust
happen.
Preventionofexposuretoleadfromoldleadpaintorleadtaintedwatershouldbea
priorityacrossPennsylvania,whichhasahighprevalenceofolderhousingandwatersystems,
saidGerdes,anearlychildhoodpsychologistatCHOP,aswellasaseniorpsychologistatthe
hospitalsPolicyLab.Itisouryoungestchildrenwhoareatthehighestriskofleadexposure
duetodrinkingformulamixedwithtaintedwaterorinhalingpaintdustastheycrawlonthe
floor.Forthosechildrenwhoalreadyshowelevatedlevels,weneedtoensurethattheyare
enrolledintheeducationalservicesormentalhealthservicesthatcanhelpthem.
Formoreinformationonthehealththreatsoflead,visitDEPs
LeadInDrinkingWater
webpage.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
HouseDemocratsIntroduce,CallForSupportOfLeadTestingLegislation
SenateCommitteeReportsBillsToAllowGame,Fish&BoatCommissionsToSetFees
The
SenateGameandFisheriesCommittee
Wednesdayunanimouslyreportedoutbills
authorizingtheGameandFishandBoatCommissionstosetthefeestheychargeratherthan
havingtheGeneralAssemblyestablishthefeesbylaw.
Thebillsinclude
SenateBill1166
(StefanoRFayette)GameCommission(
sponsor
summary
)and
SenateBill1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)Fish&BoatCommission(
sponsor
summary
).
SenateBill1168wasamendedtomakeseveraltechnicalchangesbeforebeingreported
out.
ThebillsnowgotothefullSenateforconsideration.
Sen.MarioScavello(RMonroe)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandcanbe
contactedbysendingemailto:
mscavello@pasen.gov
.Sen.JamesBrewster(DAllegheny)
servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
brewster@pasenate.com
.
OnApril7,the
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
holdsahearingontheissueof
huntinglicensefeesinRoom205oftheRyanBuildingstartingat10:00a.m.
PAEnvironmentalCouncilSupport
OnMonday,the
sentalettertomembersoftheSenateGame
andFisheriesCommitteesupportingbothSenateBill1166andSenateBill1168.
Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePAEnvironmentalCouncil,Iwouldliketoofferourstrongsupportfor
bothSenateBill1166andSenateBill1168.ThislegislationallowstheGameCommissionand
theFish&BoatCommission,respectively,toestablishtheirownfees.
AsindependentagenciesnotsupportedbyGeneralFundrevenues,itisvitalthatboth
Commissionshavesufficientabilitytosupporttheirimportantservicetothepeopleofthe
Commonwealth.
NotonlydotheyhelpmaintainoneofthecornerstonesofourCommonwealthseconomy
recreationandtourismtheyperformvitalconservationworkthatincreasesqualityoflifefor
allPennsylvanians.
BothCommissionssubmitannualreportstotheSenateandHouseGame&Fisheries
Committees,andaresubjecttoperiodicauditsbytheLegislativeBudgetandFinance
Committee.
Further,itisintheinherentbestinterestsofbothCommissionstomaintainafeestructure
thataccommodatesourstatesactiveanddiverserecreationalcommunity.
Wecommendthesponsorsofthislegislation,andthemembersoftheCommittee,for
supportingtheimportantworkofthesetwoCommissions.Weaskthatyousupportthis
legislation.
Thankyouforyourconsideration.
JohnWalliser,SeniorVicePresident,PAEnvironmentalCouncil
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
LegislativeForestryTaskForceMeetsOnInvasiveSpeciesApril14InStateCollege
TheLegislativeForestryTaskForce,aninitiativeofthe
JointAirandWaterPollutionControl
andConservationCommittee
,willmeetinStateCollegeonApril14tohearpresentationson
invasivespeciesandtheirimpactonforesthealth.
Presentersareexpectedtoinclude:Mr.DonEggen,ForestHealthManager,DCNR's
BureauofForestryMr.SvenShichiger,EntomologyProgramManager,Departmentof
AgricultureandDr.SarahJohnson,ConservationGISAnalyst,
TheNature
ConservancyPennsylvaniaChapter
.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom217oftheForestResourcesBuildingonthePenn
StateUniversitycampusinStateCollegestartingat10:00a.m.
UpcomingEvent
April11:
EnvironmentalIssuesForum.TopicToBeAnnounced.Room8EAEastWing.
Noon.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointConservation
Committee.
JointConservationCommittee
website,
Likethemon
Facebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.TobeaddedtotheemaillistfortheCommittee,sendan
emailto:
cengvall@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
NewsClips:
MillcreekRequiresTreePlantingInSomeParkingLots
VisitorsLearnAboutMapleSyrupDuringOpenHouse
BurnBansInEffectInYorkBecauseItsDry,Windy
CrawfordCountyCrewsBattleMultipleBrushFires
MarchEnvironmentalSynopsisNewsletterAvailableFromJointConservationCommittee
The
MarcheditionoftheEnvironmentalSynopsis
newsletterisnowavailablefromthe
Joint
LegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
featuringarticleson
PAToReceive$33.5MillionU.S.FishAndWildlifeServiceGrant
SelectGroupOfTreesHaveTraveledOver238,000Miles
TallerTurbinesCouldUnlockMoreWindPower
AdvancedTreatmentOfDairyFarmWasteStillFallsShort
TheImpact,GrowthOfPAsHeritageAreas
Togetyourowncopy,sendanemailto:
cengvall@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
UpcomingEvents
April11:
EnvironmentalIssuesForum.TopicToBeAnnounced.Room8EAEastWing.
Noon.
April14:
LegislativeForestryTaskForce.Room217ForestResourcesBuilding,PennState
University.StateCollege.10:00.Thetopicofthemeetingwillbeinvasivespeciesandtheir
impactonforesthealth.Presentersforthetaskforcemeetinginclude:Mr.DonEggen,forest
healthmanager,DCNR'sBureauofForestryMr.SvenShichiger,entomologyprogrammanager,
PADepartmentofAgricultureandDr.SarahJohnson,conservationGISanalyst,
TheNature
ConservancyPennsylvaniaChapter.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointConservation
Committee.
JointConservationCommittee
website,
Likethemon
Facebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.
NewsFromAroundTheState

ApplicationsNowBeingAcceptedForREAPFarmConservationTaxCreditProgram
Pennsylvaniafarmerswhowanttoimplementbest
managementpractices(BMPs)orpurchaseonfarm
conservationequipmentareencouragedtoapplyfor
remaining201516
ResourceEnhancementandProtection
(REAP)Program
taxcredits.Thedeadlineforapplications
isApril22(EarthDay).
REAPisataxcreditprogramforagriculturalproducerswho
installBMPsormakeequipmentpurchasesthatreduce
erosionandsedimentationthatimpactsPennsylvanias
streamsandwatersheds.
Theprogram,administeredbythe
StateConservationCommission
,givesagriculture
producersanincentivetopurchaseconservationequipmentandmaterialstobetterprotectthe
environment.
Farmersmayreceivetaxcreditsofupto$150,000peragriculturaloperationfor50to75
percentoftheprojectscost.Themostcommonprojectsapprovedarefornotillplantingand
precisionagequipment,wastestoragefacilities,ConservationPlans,NutrientManagementPlans
andprotectingheavyanimaluseareaslikebarnyards.
REAPcanbeusedinconjunctionwithotherfundingsourcessuchastheNRCS
EnvironmentalQualityIncentiveProgram(EQUIP)
ortheChesapeakeBayProgramfor
purchases.
Withthe
2017midpointassessment
forourChesapeakeBayWatershed
ImplementationPlaninourview,wecontinuetotakestepstobringbalanceandresilienceto
protectingthebaywatershed,saidAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding.Theagriculture
industryisexpectedtomake75percentofPennsylvaniastotalnutrientloadreductions,inlarge
partbecauseweshowthegreatestopportunityforachievingrestorationofthebay.
Weredoinggreatworkalreadytosafeguardourlocalwaterwaysandwereworkingto
highlighttheeffortsofthoseintheindustrydoingthatwork.Butwealsoknowtheresstillmore
worktobedone.IencouragefarmerstotakeadvantageofthefundingREAPprovidestohelp
continuemakingconservationmindedcapitalimprovementswhileweallworktomeetcoequal
goalsofviablefarmsandcleanwater,Reddingadded.
Privateinvestorsmayactasasponsorbyprovidingcapitaltoproducersasaprojectis
approvedinreturnfortaxcredits.Anyindividualorbusinesssubjecttotaxationthrough
PersonalIncomeTax,CorporateNetIncomeTax,BankSharesTaxorothersiseligibleto
participateinREAP.
Sincetheprogrambeganin2007,REAPhasawardedtaxcreditsto3,900projects
totalingmorethan$50million.PublicandprivateenterprisesinvestmentsinREAPhave
contributedtotheconservationprojects,worthmorethan$128million.
From2010to2014,REAPhashelpedreduceanestimatedrunoffofnearly1.4million
poundsofnitrogen,84,000poundsofphosphorusand9,000tonsofsediment.
Earlierthisyear,thedepartmentsofAgricultureandEnvironmentalProtectionunveileda
rebootoftheChesapeakeBayProgram
.Thestrategyfocuseson:
Puttinghighimpact,lowcostBestManagementPractices(BMPs)ontheground,andquantify
undocumentedBMPsinwatershedsimpairedbyagricultureorstormwater.
Improvingreporting,recordkeepinganddatasystemstoprovidebetterandmoreaccessible
documentation.
AddressingnutrientreductionbymeetingEPAsgoalofinspecting10percentoffarmsinthe
watershed,ensuringdevelopmentanduseofmanuremanagementandagriculturalerosionand
sedimentcontrolplans,andenforcementfornoncompliance.
Identifyinglegislative,programmaticorregulatorychangestoprovidetheadditionaltoolsand
resourcesnecessarytomeetfederalpollutionreductiongoalsby2025.
Obtainingadditionalresourcesforwaterqualityimprovement.
Establishinga
DEPChesapeakeBayOffice
tocoordinatethedevelopment,implementation
andfundingoftheCommonwealthsChesapeakeBayefforts.
ChesapeakeBayFarmerSurvey
ProducersareencouragedtoparticipateinaBMPsurveybeingconductedbyPennState
Extensiontohelptellthestoryofagricultureandtheworkproducersaredoingtoprotectwater
qualityinthestate.
Thesurveycanbeaccessedonline
.
Applicationsforthe20152016REAPprogramareaavailableatAgricultures
Resource
EnhancementandProtection(REAP)Program
webpage.QuestionsshouldbedirectedtoJoel
Semkeat7177054032orsendemailto:
jsemke@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
Explainer:WilliamPennFoundationDelawareWatershedProject
LancasterScienceFairChampionTacklesGreywaterRecycling
BrodheadWatershedAssnIsUpQuackCreek
CapitalRegionWaterConsidering$9MLandDeal
DelawareRiverkeeperMarch18RiverwatchVideoReport
StormErosionClosesBridgeInPottstownsRiverfrontPark
ClickHere
ChesapeakeBayFoundation2016PhotoContestNowAcceptingEntries
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundation
announcesits12th
AnnualWatershedPhotoContest
isnowunderway.
PhotosubmissionsarebeingacceptedthroughApril13.
Photographersofallskilllevelsareencouragedto
participatetowincashprizesoffrom$100to$500,and
tohavetheirphotosfeaturedinCBFsawardwinning
publications.
Pennsylvanianowisyourchancetoshowoff
yourlocalwatersheds!
(Photo2015entryfrom
RickettsGlenStatePark
.)
CBFisseekingphotographsthatillustratethepositiveaspectsoftheBayanditsrivers
andstreams.WewanttoseeyourvisionoftheBayregionfromPennsylvaniatoVirginia,from
theShenandoahMountainstotheEasternShore.Imagesdepictingpeople,wildlife,recreation,
andfarmswithinthewatershedwillallbeconsidered.
AllphotosmustincludewaterfromtheChesapeakeBayorariver,stream,creek,orother
bodyofwaterintheChesapeakeBaywatershed.
Iamalwaysamazedbythetalentthecontestantsshowintheirphotos,saidJennifer
Wallace,CBFmanagingeditorandcontestorganizer.Itswonderfultoseehowconnectedand
awarepeopleareofourgreatrivers,streams,andtheBay.
AllwinnerswillreceiveaoneyearmembershiptoCBFandwinningphotosmaybe
displayedonCBFswebsite,inaCBFenewsletter,inCBFs2017calendar,andinCBFs
awardwinningmagazine,SavetheBay.
JudgingwillbeconductedbyapanelofCBFemployeesonthebasisofsubjectmatter,
composition,focus,lighting,uniqueness,andimpact.Thepublicwillalsobeabletovoteonline
fortheirfavoritephotointheViewersChoiceGallery,startingMay5.
Lastyearthejudgesconsideredmorethan1,000entries.ParticipationintheViewers
ChoiceAwardwasoutstanding,too,withmorethan2,400votescast.
ContestrulesanddetailsareavailableatCBFs
WatershedPhotoContest
webpage.
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
ClickHere
foracopy
NewsClips:
ClickHere
CapitalRegionWaterProposesDeHartWatershedConservationPlanInDauphinCounty
OnMonday
CapitalRegionWater
announcedaproposaltoconserveits8,000acreDeHart
WatershedProperty,thesourceofdrinkingwaterforHarrisburginDauphinCounty,by
easementinpartnershipwiththe
WardBurtonWildlifeFoundation
,
TheNature
ConservancyPA
,and
FortIndiantownGap
inLebanonCounty.
Undertheproposal,CapitalRegionWaterwillreceiveapproximately$9millionthrough
theFortIndiantownGap
ArmyCompatibleUseBufferProgram
tograntaconservation
easementlimitingdevelopmentontheproperty.
ThisproposalwillbevotedonatCapitalRegionWater'sBoardofDirectorsmeetingon
April27.PubliccommentswillbeaccepteduntilApril8andcanbesubmittedonline,through
themail,email,andinpersonatpublichearingsonMarch23andMarch29.
ClickHere
tolearnallthedetails.
OtherUpcomingEvents
Volunteersareneededforthe
4thAnnualGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
onApril16
organizedby
CleanandGreenHarrisburg
andKeepHarrisburg/DauphinCountyBeautiful.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
VolunteersarealsoneededfortheConsiderthesourceCleanupinClarksValleyonMay
7foralittercleanupanddrinkingwatertour.
ClickHere
fordetailsandtoregister.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthe
Capital
RegionWater
website.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromCRW,
Followthemon
Twitter
and
LikethemonFacebook
.
NewsClip:
(Reprintedfromthe
March21CapitalRegionWater
newsletter.
ClickHere
tosignupforyour
own.)
Video:ARiverAgain,TheStoryOfTheSchuylkillRiverRestorationProject
ChariTowne,theDelawareRiverkeeperNetworksDirectorof
SchuylkillPrograms,toldthestoryofthemassiverestoration
projecttoreturntheSchuylkillRivertoahealthywaterwayat
therecent
SchuylkillWatershedCongress
.Justareminderof
howfarwehavecome.
ClickHere
towatchthevideo.
SchuylkillSojourn
The
2016SchuylkillRiverSojourn
willrunfromJune
410.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
CBFPACongratulatesFish&BoatCommissionOnIts150thAnniversary
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
issuedthisstatement
ThursdaybyPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirectorHarry
Campbell,asthe
FishandBoatCommission
preparesto
commemorateits150thanniversaryonMarch30.
Overthelast150years,theCommissionhasevolvedfroma
onemanoperationfundedsolelybythegeneralfund,toan
agencywithacomplementof432staff,fundedbyanglers
andboatersthroughlicenseandregistrationfeesandfederal
excisetaxesonfishingandboatingequipment.
Mr.Campbellsaid:
ThePennsylvaniaFishandBoatCommissionwasbornin1866outofconcernsabout
damagetomountainlakesandstreamsduetosedimentationcausedbywholesalelogging,and
forthereductioninAmericanShadrunsintheSusquehannaRiver.Asoneofthenationsoldest
conservationagencies,theCommissionnoblycarriesonitsdutiestoday,toprotect,conserve,
andenhancetheCommonwealthsaquaticresources.
TheCommissionscommitmenttotheresources,andtotheanglersandboatersit
serves,isexemplifiedbyitstakingtheleadineffortstosavethesickSusquehannaRiverandto
haveitdeclaredtobeanimpairedwaterway.
Aswecelebrateourown30thyearofrestoringandsavingPennsylvaniaswaters,the
ChesapeakeBayFoundationstandswiththeFishandBoatCommissioninappreciatingthevalue
thatcleanwateroffersourhealth,economy,andrecreation.
CBFandtheFishandBoatCommissionsharethecommitmenttocleanwaterwaysand
thewildlifethatdependsontheminPennsylvania.AtCBF,wewillcontinuetoworkdiligently
toseetoitthattheCommonwealthachievesits
CleanWaterBlueprint
,whichisdesignedto
restorewaterqualitytolocalriversandstreamsby2025.
VisittheFishandBoatCommissions
150thAnniversary
webpageformoreinformation
ontheagencyshistoryandupcominganniversaryevents.
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
ClickHere
foracopy
NewsClip:
Crable:ColumbiaDamHelpedCreateFish&BoatCommission
RelatedStories:
CBFPAUrgesImpairmentListingForLowerSusquehannaInWakeOfRiverStudy
FishCommission,AbeleFundLaunchSaveOurSusquehannaFundraisingSite
PAEnvironmentalCouncilProvidesUpdateOnWaterResourceProtectionEfforts
The
Tuesdayprovided
avideo
update
onitsprojectsandinitiativestoprotectandrestore
waterresourcesinPennsylvania.
Pennsylvaniaishometo86,000milesofriversand
streams,thesecondmoststreammilesofofanystatein
America.Yet,
19percentofthosemiles
donotsupport
healthyaquaticlife,whilesomearenotfishable,
swimmable,ordrinkable.
ThatswherePECcomesin.
PECworkswithstakeholderstotacklewaterqualityissuesonboththelegislativeand
municipallevels,whilepromotingtheuseofgreenstormwaterinfrastructure.
SueMyerov,PECProgramDirectorforWatersheds,updatesthestatusofPECs
watershedprotectioneffortsonalllevelsacrossthestate.
Ourworkiscriticallyimportant,becausewateristhebasisoflife,andweshoulddoour
besttoprotectourwaterresourceshereinthestateandaroundtheworld.Wedothisnotjustfor
ourselves,butforourfuturegenerations,saidSueMyerov,WatershedsProgramManagerfor
PEC.
ClickHere
towatchtheupdate.TocontactSueMyerov,sendemailto:
smyerov@pecpa.org
orcall2155454570.
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
2016NationalWatershed&StormwaterConferenceApril12
The
CenterforWatershedProtections
2016NationalWatershedandStormwaterInPersonand
WebcastConference
willbeonApril12.
Alongwiththenationalwebcast,theconferencealsofeatureslivehubsinCalifornia,
Connecticut,Georgia,Idaho,Maryland,andNebraska.
Moreinformationaboutthegeneraldetails,includingtheconferenceagenda,visitthe
NationalWatershedandStormwaterConference
webpage.
DEPHoldsDisinfectionRuleStakeholdersWorkGroupMeetingApril15
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholdameetingoftheStakeholderWork
Grouponthe
proposeddisinfectionrequirementsrule
forpublicwatersuppliersonApril15.
TheproposeddisinfectionrulewaspublishedintheFebruary20PABulletin(
page857
)
forpubliccomment.ThreehearingsarebeingheldontheruleMarch28,April5andApril7.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105RachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00a.m.
Formoreinformation,
ClickHere
forthePABulletinnoticeorcontact
DawnHissner,
DEP,bysendingemailto:
dhissner@pa.gov
.
StartOfSpringBringsGreaterRiskOfFloodingInPennsylvania
The
PAEmergencyManagementAgency
Monday
remindedcitizenstopracticefloodsafetyduringthestart
oftheSpringweather.
Floodingisthenumberoneweatherthreatwefacein
Pennsylvania,saidPEMADirectorRichardD.FlinnJr.
Peopleneedtounderstandthatjustafewinchesofwater
canknockoveraperson,andonetotwofeetofwatercan
carryawaymostcars.
(Photo:
JohnstownFlood
in1889killed2,209
people.)
Flinnalsosaiditisimportantforthepublictounderstandthedifferencebetweenaflood
watchandafloodwarningbecauseeachrepresentsadifferentlevelofactiontobetaken.
NationalFloodSafetyAwarenessWeekisMarch2125andisagoodopportunityforthe
publictolearnmoreaboutfloodsafety.
Afloodwatchmeansthatfloodingmayoccur.Residentsshouldstayalertandwatchrivers
andstreams,andbepreparedtomovetohighgroundquickly.
Afloodwarningmeansthatthereisactualflooding.Residentsshouldactatonceandmoveto
highground.
Inaddition,citizensshould:
Learnwhetheryourpropertyisaboveorbelowthefloodstagewaterlevelandbecome
familiarwiththehistoryoffloodingforyourregion
Learnfloodwarningsignsandyourcommunityalertsignalstobebetterpreparedforfloods
andflashfloodsand
Installcheckvalvesinbuildingsewertrapstopreventfloodwatersfrombackingupinsewer
drains.
Planandpracticeanevacuationroute.Individualslivingorworkinginflashfloodareas
shouldhaveseveralalternativeroutesforleavingandgettingtohigherground.
Havedisastersuppliesonhandinyourhome,including:
flashlightsandextrabatteries
portable,batteryoperatedradioandextrabatteries
firstaidkitandmanual
bottledwaterandnonperishablefood
manualcanopener
essentialmedicines/prescriptionsand
cash,creditcardsandimportantlegaldocuments.
Developanemergencycommunicationplanintheeventthatfamilymembersare
separatedfromoneanotherduringfloodsorflashfloodsarealpossibilityduringthedaywhen
adultsareatworkandchildrenareatschoolandhaveaplanforgettingbacktogether.
Freefloodsafetyinformation,includingtemplatesforfamilyemergencyplansand
checklistsforemergencykitsupplies,isavailableat
www.ReadyPA.org
.
Follow@ReadyPAonTwitterandlikeReadyPAon
www.facebook.com/BeReadyPA
for
moreemergencypreparednessinformation.ThefreeReadyPAappisalsoavailableforboth
AppleandAndroiddevices.
AlsovisitDEPs
FloodingResources
webpageforpracticaltipsonhowtorecoverfroma
flood.
NewsClips:
PreparationIsKeyToFloodSafety
1936FloodShowedNeedForLeveesInScranton,WilkesBarre
F&MHighlightsBigSpringRunStream,FloodplainRestorationEffortsInLancaster
BigSpringRun
streamandfloodplainrestorationefforts
inLancasterCountywerehighlightedintheWinter
issueof
Franklin&MarshallsWinterMagazine
.
Theeffortsinvolveusinganewparadigmfor
ecosystemrestorationpioneeredwiththehelpof
DorothyMerrittsandRobertWalterfrom
Franklin&
MarshallsHackmanPhysicalScienceLaboratories
.
UnderthewatchfuleyeofMerritts,Walteranda
collaborativeteamofenvironmentalengineers,
geologists,botanists,landownersandF&Mstudents,Big
SpringRunistransformingintoanewecosystem,one
thatshelpingtorevivetheChesapeakeBayWatersheds
ecologyandchallenginglongheld,butineffective,notionsaboutstreamrestorationin
Pennsylvania.
Howdidtheydoit?Forstarters:removing20,000tonsoflegacysedimentmud,
confirmsMerrittsfromtherestorationsite.
Atfirst,removingtruckloadsofdirtsoundslikeadrasticsolutionforfixingastream
valleystrugglingwitherosionandlossofplantlife.
Itdoesseemradical,Merritts,F&MsHarryW.&MaryB.HuffnagleProfessorof
Geosciences,admitsoftheBigSpringRunrestorationplan.Ontheotherhand,itseemsradical
toustogointothosesamevalleybottomsandlinetheerodingstreambankswithimmense
boulders.
JeffreyHartranft,abotanistbytrade,worksforthePennsylvaniaDEPandispartofthe
BigSpringRunprojectteam.InthecourseofpartneringwithMerrittsandWalter,hewas
excitedtodiscoverthatlyingbeneaththelegacysedimentofBigSpringRunwasapossiblekey
totheenvironmentthathadthrivedthereinthepast.Iwaslookingatthishydricsoilsaying,
Wow,thisisapaleoenvironmentthatgivesusaclueastowhatwasherebeforehand,says
Hartranft,whostudiedtheevidenceofseedsandotherplantlifeunearthedoncethesediment
wasremoved.
Figuringoutthatthesiteshouldberestoredasawetlandatallisanaccomplishmentin
andofitself.Conventionalwisdomhadalwaysheldthatthelandscapesadjacenttostreams
wereforested,explainsHartranft.Wefoundevidencecontrarytothat.
Theteamdiscovered,instead,acomplexecosysteminvolvingmanydifferentstream
channelsandwetlandsedgemeadowsburiedbeneathhundredsofyearsworthofmuck.
ClickHere
toreadthefullarticle.
Franklin&Marshallhas
puttogetherawebsite
detailingtheapproachandtheresultsof
floodplainrestorationintheBigSpringRunWatershed.
ALancasterCountybasedconsultingfirm
Landstudies,Inc
.hasworkedwithFranklin&
Marshallandotherpartnersonfloodplainrestorationandlegacysedimentprojects,like
Big
SpringRun
.
ClickHere
formoreinformationonfloodplainrestoration.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
DEPCitesMonster&Mom&BobosCarWashForIllegalTireDumpInAllegheny
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,partneringwiththemunicipalityofPennHills,
TuesdaycitedMonsterandMomandBobosCarWashLLC,forillegallystoringanestimated
50,000wastetires.
PennHillsPolicediscoveredthetiredump,whichisadjacenttoadaycarecenter.The
operatorsofthetiredumpsolicitedthewastetiresfromthroughoutthearea.
PennHillsPolicefiledsummarycriminalchargesagainsttheownersofMonsterand
MominthePennHillsDistrictJusticesOffice.Afterahearing,theDistrictJusticefound
MonsterandMomguiltyandimposedafine.
InadditiontothePennHillsPolicecourtaction,DEPissuedanorderrequiringthe
immediatecleanupofthesiteandtheproperrecyclingordisposalofthetires.Aninvestigation
intootherincidentsofillegaltiredumpingatthesiteiscontinuing.
Pennsylvaniaregulationsrequireanoperatorofawasteaggregationandstoragefacility
tofirstobtainapermitfromtheDepartment.AreviewofDEPrecordsshowedthatMonsterand
Momdoesnothaveapermittostore,collect,processordisposeofwaste.
MonsterandMomhasaWasteTireHaulerAuthorizationwhichauthorizesonlythe
transportationofwastetiresfromasourcetoapermittedrecyclingordisposalfacility.
Recently,localenvironmentalofficialshavenotedanincreaseinthenumberofillegal
tiredumpsinPittsburghandthesouthwestregion.Thesetiresthatshouldberecycledare
dumpedoverhillsides.
Unlicensedtiretransportersandaggregatorsdumptiresonvacantorprivateproperties.
Thesetiredumpsarepotentialfirehazards,scarthelandandprovideareadybreedingground
formosquitosduringthespringandsummermonths.
Wastetiresources,likegasstationsandtireretailers,havetheresponsibilityof
consigningtheirtirestopermittedhaulersanddisposalfacilities.Thesewastetiregeneratorsalso
mustkeeprecordsdocumentingtheproperhandlingofallwastetires.
DEPregulationsrequirethatalltiresshouldbesentforrecyclingorenergyrecovery.
Detailsoftheagencyswastetireprogramcanbefoundhere.
Formoreinformationonwastetires,visitDEPs
WasteTireProgram
webpage.
StillTimeToDoSomeSpringCleaning,Join2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
ThereisstilltimetodoalittleSpringcleaning
alongroads,streamsandinparksallover
Pennsylvaniabyvolunteeringafewhourstodoa
cleanuporbeautificationprojectaspartofthe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
.
Organizeyourowncleanuporjoinone
happeninginyourareabygoingtothe
Great
AmericanCleanupofPA
.
ClickHere
towatchapublicservice
announcementabouttheprogram.
ClickHere
to
watchaninterviewwithDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyonhowyoucangetinvolved.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventthroughMay31.
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
NewsClips:
The
YorkCountySolidWasteAuthority
MondayannounceditwillrelaunchaResidential
ElectronicsRecyclingPrograminYorkCountybeginninginearlyApril,2016.Theexactstart
datewillbeannouncedsoon.
TheprogramisfreeandopentoYorkCountyresidentsONLYandwillnowbe
conductedTuesdays,WednesdaysandThursdaysfrom3:00p.m.to6:30p.m.everyweekatthe
AuthoritysYardWasteSitelocatedoffofFlourMillRoadinManchesterTownship.
SaturdayeventswillnolongerbeconductedattheYardWasteSite.
Themultipledaysandadditionalhourswillprovideresidentswithgreateropportunity,
flexibilityandefficiencyinrecyclingelectronicdevices.
PennandFairviewTownshipswillalsobeconductingelectronicsrecyclingcollection
programs.BothPennandFairviewwillacceptelectronicsfromallYorkCountyresidentsand
offerweekdayandSaturdaycollectionhours.
Pleasecall,orvisittheirwebsitesfortimesandlocations:
PennTownship
,7176371561,
FairviewTownship
,7179015200.
TheAuthoritysnewescrapmanagementcontractiswithelectronicsrecyclingvendor
ECOvanta
andextendsonlytoDecember31,2016.TheAuthorityispursuingprogram
alternativesfor2017.
Act108bansboththedisposalandcollectionofcertainelectroniccovereddevices.
ElectronicscurrentlybannedfromhaulercollectionanddisposalinPAwastedisposalfacilities
include:televisions,desktopandlaptopcomputers,computermonitorsandcomputerperipherals
(anythingthatconnectstoacomputersuchasamouse,keyboard,printer,etc.).
Materialacceptedintheprogramincludestheseelectroniccovereddevicesaswellas
otherelectronicrecyclablesincludingcellphones,vacuumcleaners,alarmclocks,ironsand
coffeemakersoranythingwithaplugthatdoesnotcontainFreons.
ExamplesofFreoncontainingitemsincluderefrigerators,freezers,airconditionersand
dehumidifiers.
Act108,theCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct,appliesonlytoresidentialsourcesof
electronicdevicesspecifiedintheAct.Assuch,OriginalEquipmentManufacturersproviding
recyclingcapacitytoelectronicsrecyclingvendorswillnotacceptelectronicsfrom
nonresidentialsources.
YorkCountyorganizations,schoolsandbusinessesthatwishtorecycleelectronic
devicesmaycontactelectronicsrecyclingvendorsdirectly.Alistofrecyclingvendors
is
availableonline
.
Forinformationonotherprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
YorkCounty
SolidWasteAuthority
website.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
KeepPABeautifulTestifiesAboutRampantIllegalDumpingOfElectronics
Gov.WolfAnnouncesFederalDisasterFundingFor23Counties
Gov.TomWolfThursdayannouncedthefederalgovernmenthasgrantedhisrequestforfederal
disasterassistancetoreimbursestate,countyandmunicipalgovernmentsandothereligible
privatenonprofitsforcostsassociatedwiththeresponsetothewinterstormthatimpactedparts
ofPennsylvaniaJanuary2223in23counties.
Theexpensesincurredbylocalgovernmentsinrespondingtothishistoricsnowstormin
manycaseswipedoutanentirewinterbudgetforsnowremoval,saidGov.Wolf.We
appreciatethatthefederalgovernmentrecognizedtheimpactofthestormandourneedforthis
typeofassistance.
Thegovernorsaidthefollowingcountiesareincludedinthedisasterdeclaration:Adams,
Bedford,Berks,Blair,Bucks,Chester,Cumberland,Dauphin,Fayette,Franklin,Fulton,Juniata,
Lancaster,Lebanon,Lehigh,Montgomery,Northampton,Perry,Philadelphia,Schuylkill,
Somerset,Westmoreland,andYork.
Overthecomingweeks,stafffromthePennsylvaniaEmergencyManagementAgency
willholdmeetingswithapplicantstothoroughlyreviewallapplicationdocumentationbefore
forwardingittotheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency.
Theprocessisexpectedtotakeseveralweeks,andallreimbursementsarehandled
electronically.
NewsClips:
PAEligibleForFederalDisasterFundsFromWinterStorm
FEMAToAidPACountiesHitByJanuarySnowstorm
WillThereBeMoreSnowDisasterDeclarationsInComingWinters?
DEPIssuesEmergencyContractToStopMineSubsidenceDamageInAlleghenyCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayannounced
ithasauthorizedanemergencycontracttostopseriousmine
subsidenceinPleasantHills,AlleghenyCounty.
TwohomesonBrushglenLanehaveshownconsiderable
structuraldamageduetotheshiftofgroundunderneaththeir
foundations.
DEPinspectorswerefirstalertedtotheproblemonMarch
16.Duringanonsitesurveythefollowingday,theynoted
significantdamagethroughoutthehomesandwereabletotracethe
problemstominesubsidence.
ThehomesarelocatedovertheabandonedPittsburgh
TerminalNo.6mine,whichwasabandonedpriorto1936.
Damagestothehomesincludecracksintheplasterwallsinseveralroomsstuckdoors
andwindowsfloorsthatarenowtiltedandsignificantcracksinfoundations,insomecasesup
tooneinchwide.Thesubsidencecontinuestoimpactthehomes.
TheemergencyauthorizationallowsDEPsBureauofAbandonedMineReclamationto
immediatelygatherestimates,choosethemostqualifiedbidder,andcontracttobeginworkto
stabilizethesite.
QuotesarescheduledtobereceivedbyDEPbythemorningofMarch24,withwork
scheduledtobeginMarch29.Theprojectisanticipatedtotaketwotothreeweekstocomplete.
MineSubsidenceInsuranceAvailable
DEPcontinuestoencourageresidentsoftheimportanceofhaving
minesubsidence
insurance
.
Atypicalhomeownersinsurancepolicyrarelycoversminesubsidencedamage,leaving
thepropertyownerwithrepairexpenseswhichcanoftenexceed$100,000perbuilding.Mine
subsidenceinsuranceisanaffordableoptionthatprotectshomeownersfromthecostofpotential
damagescausedbysubsidence.
Theinsurance,whichisadministeredbyDEP,isinexpensive,atabout55centsforevery
$1,000ofcoverage.Anaveragepolicyof$175,000wouldcostjust$95ayear,about$8amonth
or.25centsaday.
But,despitethelowcost,onlyabout62,000buildingsareinsuredstatewide.
Aspartofanongoingawarenesscampaign,DEPmaileddetailsoftheinsuranceprogram
toPleasantHillsresidentsayearago,alertingthemtothedangerposedbyabandonedcoalmines
underneaththeirproperties.
MuchoftheareainthesouthernandeasternPittsburghneighborhoodsandsuburbsare
undermined.
Anestimated1,000,000buildingsareconstructedoverabandonedminesinPennsylvania.
Becausesubsidencehasntoccurredinaparticularneighborhoodinthepastdoesntmeanit
wonthappeninthefuture.
DetailedinformationabouttheminesubsidenceinsuranceisavailableonDEPs
Mine
SubsidenceInsuranceProgram
webpageorcall18009221678.
NewsClips:
NaturalGasPowerPlantProposedNemacolinMineProperty
PlansReviewedForCleanupAtFormerHuberBreakerSite
DEP:March29Meeting/HearingOnGibraltarRockQuarryPermitMontgomeryCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayannounceditwillhostaninformation
sessionandpublichearingMarch29concerningtherenewalofanIndividualNationalPollution
DischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitinassociationwithminingactivitiesatthe
GibraltarRockQuarry,locatedinNewHanoverTownshipinMontgomeryCounty.
Theeventwilltakeplaceat5:30p.m.atBoyertownAreaJuniorHighSchoolEast,
locatedat2020BigRoad,Gilbertsville,PA19525.
Theeveningwillbeginwithaninformationsessionatwhichtimeattendeesmayask
questionsofDEPstaffformalcommentsandtestimonywillbereceivedbeginningat7:00p.m.
Commentsgivenduringtheformalcommentperiodshouldbedirectlyrelatedtothe
NPDESpermitapplication.
RepresentativesfromboththeDEPPottsvilleDistrictMiningOfficeandtheSoutheast
RegionalOfficewillbeonhandtoanswerquestionsfromthepublicfrom6:007:00p.m.
Inadditiontotestimonygivenbeginningat7:00p.m.,DEPwillalsoacceptwritten
commentsuntilApril28.WrittencommentsmaybesenttoNathanHoutz,PermittingChiefat
theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,5WestLaurelBoulevard,Pottsville,PA17901.
Commentsmayalsobeemailedto:
nhoutz@pa.gov
,withthesubjectclearlystatingthat
theemailisintendedforpublicrecord.
ThosewishingtotestifyinpersonatthehearingshouldcontactCommunityRelations
CoordinatorVirginiaCainat4842505808.
Acopyoftheapplicationisavailableforpublicinspectionatthe
NewHanoverTownship
AdministrativeOffice
at2943NorthCharlotteStreet,Gilbertsville,PA19525duringregular
townshipbusinesshousesandatthe
PottsvilleDistrictMiningOffice
duringregularbusiness
hoursof8:00a.m.to4:00p.m,MondaythroughFriday.
IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActof1990shouldcontactVirginiaCainormakeaccommodationsthroughthe
PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat18006545984(TDD).
DerryTownshipSchoolDistrictAdds3CleanBurning,PropaneBusesToFleet
DerryTownshipSchoolDistrict
inDauphinCounty
introducedthreenewschoolbusesfueledbypropane
intoitsfleetforthe201516schoolyear.TheBlueBird
PropaneVisionbuseshavealreadysavedtheschool
districtmoneybyreducingfuelandmaintenancecosts.
Itsourdepartmentsgoaltosavemoneyin
transportationcoststhatcanbeusedforbetterpurposes.
Ournormalpreventativemaintenancewillcostabout
$240lessperbusperyearwiththepropaneautogas
buses,saidSteveBell,directoroftransportationand
garageoperationsforDerryTownshipSchools.The
downtimeandotherrepaircostswilldefinitelybelessthanourdieselbuses.
Alongwithbeingfiscallyresponsible,Bellsaystheschooldistrictsuseofmore
environmentallyfriendlybusesfitwellintothedistrictseffortstoreduceitscarbonfootprint.
WeredelightedthatDerryTownshipmadeitsfirstpurchaseofBlueBirdPropane
Visionbuses,providingcleaneroperatingtransportationforitsstudentsatloweroperating
costs,saidPhilHorlock,presidentandCEOofBlueBird.
EquippedwithpropaneautogasfuelsystemsmanufacturedbyROUSHCleanTech,the
buseswillreducenitrogenoxideemissionsbyover2,300poundsandparticulatematterbyabout
95poundseachyearcomparedwiththedieselbusestheyreplaced.
Vehiclesfueledbypropaneautogasemit80percentfewersmogproducinghydrocarbons
andvirtuallyeliminateparticulatematterwhencomparedtodiesel.
DerryTownshipSchoolDistrictisthelatestinagrowingcommunityofNorth
Americanschooldistrictstodiscoverthemanybenefitsofpropaneautogas.Itisbetterforthe
environmentaswellasthebottomline,saidBrianCarney,groupaccountdirectorforROUSH
CleanTech.
AnotheradvantageDTSDhasexperiencedwiththepropaneautogasbusesisthequieter
operatingengine.
Whiledieselenginesarecommonlyassociatedwithproducingnoticeableenginenoise,
propaneautogasenginesallowdriverstobetterhearandcommunicatewithstudentsonboard,
andvastlyimprovetheaudioclaritycomingfromonboardcamerasystemsinthebuses.
Ourschooldistrictappreciatesthecleanerairtobreatheandasenseofenvironmental
responsibilityforthewholecommunitythatcomeswiththesebuses,saidBell.Thestudents
andbusdrivers,alongwiththegeneralpublic,enjoythelowernoiselevelswhichwillcontinue
asourdistrictgraduallyreplacesitsdieselbuseswithpropaneautogasmodels.
Laterthisyear,DTSDwilltakedeliveryofthreeadditionalBlueBirdPropaneVision
buses.Thesebuses,whichwillreplaceagingdieselmodels,willbedeployedforthe201617
schoolyear.
Theschooldistrictplanstocontinueaddingpropaneautogasbusestoitsfleetinthe
comingyears.
RelatedStory:
DCEDUrgesHouseToKeepIncentivesForNaturalGasVehiclesInPlace
EnergypathRenewableConference:Futurist,StudentCamps,ScienceFairJuly2529
TheSustainableEnergyFund
ThursdayannouncedJackUldrich,renownedfuturistand
bestsellingauthor,asthekeynotespeakerfor
Energypath2016
inStateCollegeJuly2829.
Uldrichistheauthorof11booksandaregularguestandcontributorforanumberof
nationalnewsoutlets.Healsofrequentlyappearsonthe
ScienceChannelsFutureScape
and
DiscoveryChannelsInsideOut.
Jackisknowntheworldoverforhisassessmentofrenewableenergyandtechnological
trendsandtheireffectonoursociety,saidJohnCostlow,presidentandCEOofSEF.Weare
gladtowelcomesuchadistinguishedthoughtleaderasourkeynotespeaker,andareexcitedto
havehimsharehisinsightintothefutureofrenewableandsustainableenergypractices.
Uldrichisaformernavalintelligenceofficer,andpreviouslyservedasthedirectorofthe
MinnesotaOfficeofStrategicandLongRangePlanning.Uldrichsexpertisehasbeensought
afterbyleadingFortune100corporations,venturecapitalfirms,andstateandregional
governmentsonfivecontinents.
AtEnergypathUldrichwillprovideinsightintoenergytrendswiththepresentation
Foresight20/20:TheTenTrendsTransformingTomorrowandHowTheyWillImpactEnergy.
EnergypathisthelargestsustainableenergyconferenceinPennsylvania,andwillbeheld
fromJuly28toJuly29atthe
PennStaterHotelandConferenceCenter
adjacenttothemain
campusofPennsylvaniaStateUniversityinStateCollege.
Theeventhostsleadingexperts,scholars,entrepreneursandinnovatorstodiscussand
shareresourcesthatengagecommunitiesandbusinessesinsustainableenergypracticesand
renewableenergytechnology.
StudentEnergyCamps,ScienceFair
Inadditiontopaneldiscussionsandpresentations,Energypath2016willfeature
energy
camps
July2527(applynow)anda
sciencefair
July29(deadlinetoapplyJuly1)formiddle
andhighschoolstudents.
EnergySproutCompetition
Theconferencealsofeaturesacompetitionforinnovativeproductsandbusinessmodels,
EnergySprout
.Thecompetitionwillawardatopgrantof$100,000toabusinessorindividual.
Thereisstilltimetoenterthecompetition.ProposalsaredueMay3.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,visitthe
Energypath2016
website.
NewsClips:
ProtestersDemandPECOSupportForSolarInN.Philadelphia
FirstEnergyQuietlyMarketsGreenOffer
QuakerGroupSaysPhillySolarPanelsCouldMeetPECOPowerTarget
EnergyAlliancePittsburghAnnualMeetingApril25
The
EnergyAllianceofGreaterPittsburgh
willholditsannualmeetingonApril25at11
StanwixStreet,Pittsburghfrom8:30to10:30a.m.PUCCommissionerRobertF.Powelsonwill
bethekeynotespeakerforthisspecialevent.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtoregister.
FinalSTEMForSustainableSchoolsTeacherProgramApril11ToMay6
LebanonValleyCollege
andthe
GreenSchoolsBlueWatersProgram
willholdthelastoftheir
threemorecreditgraduatecoursedesignedtoprovideeducatorsingrades3to12withactivities
andresourcestosupport
STEMInvestigationsForSustainableSchools
fromApril11toMay6.
TheonecreditgraduatecourseisentitledSchoolYardHabitat,Gardens,Healthand
Nutrition:April11toMay6(online),withafieldworkshoponApril16th
EducatorswhowouldliketoattendtheSaturdayonlyfieldworkshopscanreceiveAct48
creditforasmallregistrationfee.TheSaturdayfieldworkshopsarefreetoparticipantsnot
interestedinreceivingcreditorAct48.
ClickHere
forregistrationinformationforcreditfrom
LebanonValleyCollege.
TheprogramissupportedbyaDEPEnvironmentalEducationGrant.
ClickHere
forafulldescriptionofthemodule.QuestionsshouldbedirecttoCarrie
Coryer,DirectorMSEbycalling7178676190orsendemailto:
coryer@lvc.edu
.
Forotherenvironmentaleducationprogramsandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities,
visitthe
GreenSchoolsBlueWatersProgram
website.
NewsClips:
PhiladelphiaScienceFestivalTargetsK12Students,TeachersApril2230
The
PhiladelphiaScienceFestival
isacommunitywidecelebration
ofsciencethattakesplaceannually.Thisyearitwillbeheldfrom
April2230.
TheFestivalfeatureslectures,debates,handsonactivities,
specialexhibitionsandavarietyofotherinformalscience
educationexperiencesforPhiladelphiansofallages.
ItaimstoprovideopportunitiesforallPhiladelphiansto
positivelyengagewithandbuildacommunityaroundscience,engineering,andtechnologyby
showcasingtherolethateachplaysinthecityandregion.
TheFestivalseeksparticipationespeciallybyK12students.Professionalscientists,
engineers,andtechnologistsfromeverydisciplineareinvitedtovolunteerthroughoutthe
program.
K12teachersareintegralpartnersclassroomcurriculumandresourcesarein
developmenttofacilitateFestivalinvolvement.ThegoalisfortheFestivaltooffersomethingfor
everyoneinhopesofsparkinginterestandinvolvement.
Environmentalpartnersinclude
TheAcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexelUniversity
,
AudubonPennsylvania
,
TheNatureConservancyPAChapter
,
RiverbendEnvironmental
EducationCenter
,
FairmountWaterWorks
,
JohnHeinzNationalWildlifeRefugeatTinicum
,
NaturalLandsTrust
,
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
,
FishandBoatCommission
,
PhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
,
SustainableBusinessNetworkofGreaterPhiladelphia
,andthe
Tookany,Tacony,FrankfortWatershedAssociation
.
ClickHere
foracalendarofeventscoveringall9daysorganizedbystudents,adults,
educatorsandfamilies.
Forallthedetails,visitthe
website.
NewsClips:
DCNRLaunchesEndangeredSpeciesPermitReviewToolPAConservationExplorer
DepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesSecretaryCindy
AdamsDunnMondayannouncedthe
departmentanditspartnerstodayare
launching
PAConservationExplorer
toassistbusinesses,local
governmentsandcitizenswith
conservationplanning,andimprovetheprocessforenvironmentalreviewsforthreatenedand
endangeredspeciesthatarerequiredduringpermittingforconstructionandotheractivities.
"Agovernmentthatworksefficientlymakesiteasiertoevaluatetheimpactthatprojects
willhaveonourthreatenedandendangeredspeciessothattheycanbeavoidedthroughthe
planningandpermittingprocesses,"Dunnsaid."Forthefirsttime,specieshabitatinformation
willbeavailableonline,andapplicantscansubmitprojectselectronically,replacinga
cumbersomeprocessthatrequiredpapersubmissionstofourdifferentagencies."
PAConservationExplorerreplacesthePANaturalDiversityInventoryEnvironmental
ReviewTool(PNDI).
Thenewtoolprovidesconservationinformationonbiologicaldiversity,protectedlands,
streamsandothernaturalresourcesforplanningpurposes.Italsoallowsuserstoscreenaproject
areaforpotentialimpactstothreatened,endangered,andspecialconcernspeciesoncethey
register.
InPennsylvania,examplesofthreatenedandendangeredspeciesincludethebluespotted
salamanderIndianabatpipingploverbogturtleandtheleafywhiteorchid.
Thetooldoesnotlistspecificlocationsforspecies,butinsteadshowsthespecieshabitat.
UseoftheConservationExplorerasaplanningtoolcanbedonewithoutcharge.Thereis
a$40conveniencechargeperprojecttousePAConservationExplorerandgetdocumentation
forthepermittingprocess.
Userswithoutaccesstoacomputerorwhodonotwishtousetheconvenienceoption
maysubmittheirprojectforreviewdirectlytoeachofthefourjurisdictionalagenciesatno
charge.
Jurisdictionalagenciesare:DCNR,plantsGameCommission,birdsandmammalsFish
andBoatCommission,fish,reptilesandamphibiansandtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,
federallylistedspecies.
TolearnmoreaboutPennsylvania'sdiversityofspeciesandnaturalheritageandaccess
PAConservationExplorer
,visitDCNRs
NaturalHeritage
webpage.
DCNRNowAcceptingApplicationsForFireCompanyGrantsToHelpBattleWildfires
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesis
nowacceptingapplicationsfrom
volunteerfirecompanies
forgrants
tohelpbattlewildfires.Applicationsaredue
May19.
Withspringsarrivalandtheincreasedriskof
forestandbrushfiresacrossthestate,federalgrantsnow
areavailabletohelpPennsylvaniasruralcommunities
betterguardagainstthethreatoffiresinforested,
undevelopedandunprotectedareas.
Springswarmingtemperatures,sunnydaysand
strongwindsallcombinetousherinwildfiredangersthatemphasizethevalueofhaving
welltrainedandwellequippedlocalfirefightingforcesinruralareas,Departmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnsaid.Thesemenandwomen
deservetheverybesttrainingandequipment,andthesegrantshelpthemobtainboth.
In2015,$592,030wasawardedto156volunteerfirecompaniesservingruralareasand
communitieswhereforestandbrushfiresarecommon.Thegrantprogram,offeredthrough
DCNRandpaidthroughfederalgrantsfromtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureForestService,
hasawardedmorethan$11.5millionsinceitbeganin1982.
Localfirefightingforcesinruralareasorcommunitieswithfewerthan10,000residents
qualifyfortheaid,whichisusedfortrainingandequipmentpurchasesdirectlyrelatedtofighting
brushandforestfires.
Inreviewingapplications,DCNRwillplacepriorityonthoserequestsseekingfundsfor
projectsthatincludethepurchaseofwildfiresuppressionequipmentandprotectiveclothing.
Grantsalsomaybeusedforpurchasingmobileorportableradios,installingdryhydrants,
wildfirepreventionandmitigationwork,trainingwildfirefighters,orconvertingandmaintaining
federalexcessvehicles.Thesevehiclesarepresentedtothelocaldepartmentsexhibitingthe
greatestneedsandthosethatcommittooutfittingthemforfiresuppression.
Aidisgrantedonacostsharebasis.Grantsforanyprojectduringafiscalyearcannot
exceed50percentoftheactualexpendituresoflocal,publicandprivatenonprofitorganizations
intheagreement.
Themaximumgrantthatwillbeconsideredfromanyfirecompanyin2016is$7,500.
Toexpediteapplicationanddecisionmakingprocesses,DCNRisaccepting
onlyonline
applications
.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
ResourcesForVolunteerFireDepartments
webpage
orcontactthebureausDivisionofForestFireProtectionat7177872925orsendemailto
raffp@state.pa.us
.
NewsClips:
NaturalLandsTrustMegaTreePlantingPartyApril16ChesterCounty
The
NaturalLandsTrust
isseekingvolunteersforaMega
TreePlantingPartyApril16atthe
ChesLenPreserve
in
Coatesville,ChesterCountyfrom9:00a.m.toNoon.
Thegoalofthe
TreeVitalize
relatedeventistoplant630
trees.
VolunteerswillmeetandparkalongKelsallRoad,between
Route162andCanneryRoad,notattheLenfestCenterinthePreserve.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
Natural
LandsTrust
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheTrustand
Likethemon
Facebook
.
Formoreinformationonsupportforplantingtrees,treetendertrainingandmore,visit
the
TreeVitalize
website.
NewsClips:
PAHorticulturalSocietyTreeTendersClassesComingUpInSoutheast
The
PAHorticulturalSociety
hasscheduledaseriesof
SpringandFallTreeTenderclasses
inthe
5countyPhiladelphiaareatohelpresidentslearntreebiology,identification,planning,proper
careandworkingwithyourcommunitytopromotetreeplanting.Thescheduleincludes
ChesterCountyMarch30,April6,13
MontgomeryCountyMay5,12,19
PhiladelphiaCountyMay9,16,23
BucksCountySeptember22,29andOctober6
DelawareCountySeptember28,October5,19
PhiladelphiaCountySeptember21,28andOctober5
ThetrainingisfreeandISA,PALA,andPLNAcreditisavailable.Thiscourseisnot
appropriateforchildrenunder16.
ClickHere
toregisterforTreeTendertraining.
TreeTendertrainingisalsoavailablethrough
TreePittsburgh
.
ClickHere
forupcoming
courses.
NewsClips:
WildlandsConservancy,Partners:ReturnOnTheEnvironmentWorkshopApril22
The
WildlandsConservancy
anditspartnerswillholdaReturnOnTheEnvironmentWorkshop
April22(EarthDay)at
DeSalesUniversity
,UniversityCenter,2755StationAve.,CenterValley
from8:00to11:00a.m.
TheWildlandsConservancyhasdoneitshomework,andintheLehighValley,money
reallydoesgrowontrees!Asalocalcommunityorbusinessleader,theConservancywantsyou
tobenefitfromthewealthofinformationtheyhavetoshareabouthowgreenmakesthemost
dollarsandsenseforourregionsvitality.
PleasejoinWildlandsConservancyandthe
LehighValleyPlanningCommission
tolearn
firsthandhowtheLehighValleyregionslocalnaturalfeaturesandexistinggrowthopportunities
arethefoundationofahealthierenvironment,astrongereconomyandimprovedqualityoflife.
ClickHere
toregister.Thereisa$30costfortheprogram.
Formoreinformationonotherprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthe
Conservancy.
DelawareValleyPlanningCommissionAwards$7.6MForBikeTrailsInSoutheast
The
DelawareValleyRegionalPlanningCommission
Fridayannouncedithasawarded$7.6
milliontoelevenlocalprojectsinSoutheasternPennsylvaniathroughtheTransportation
AlternativesProgram.
ProjectswerefundedinBucks,Chester,Delaware,MontgomeryandPhiladelphia
counties.
Thefederalprogramfundscommunitybased"nontraditional"projectsdesignedto
strengthenthecultural,aesthetic,andenvironmentalaspectsofthenation'sintermodal
transportationsystem.Selectedprojectsincludetrail,sidewalk,transitstop,andonroadbicycle
improvements.
Theseelevenprojectswillenablecommunitiestobuildmultiusetrails,saferoutesto
schoolandpedestrianpathways,andbikelanesandbikewayprojects,providingtransportation
optionsforawidevarietyofusersthroughoutourregion,saidBarrySeymour,DVRPC
ExecutiveDirector.ThisisonemorestepinourongoingeffortstoimplementTheCircuit,the
regionsambitiousplanfora750milenetworkofconnectedtrails.
ClickHere
foralistofprojectsfunded.
NewsClips:
DVRPAAwards$7.6MForProtectedBikeLanesInSE
YorkRailTrailPartialClosureBeginsMonday
PicnicGroveToBeBuiltAtRailTrailInHazleton
PoliceToMonitorLackawannaRiverTrailViaCameras
BallyhooedBeachesArentPresqueIslesOnlyCharms
BirdingLegendComingToPresqueIsleFestivalInMay
PymatuningDamConstructionToContinue
YorkAreaKayakersPrepForWorldChampionship
PAParks&ForestsFoundationLaunchesNewWebsite
The
PAParksandForestsFoundation
,theonlynonprofitwhosemissionisPennsylvaniasstate
parksandforests,islaunchingitsnewwebsitethisweek.Theyinvitevisitorstoexplorethenew
designandfeatures.
Thenewwebsite,populatedwithbeautifulphotosfromPennsylvaniasstateparksand
forests,hasbeendesignedtoprovideauserfriendlyexperience.Thesiteallowsuserstolearn
moreabouthowtobecomeengageinstateparksandforestsfromattendingevents,joininga
friendsgroup(orperhapsstartingone!),orbecomingaStewardofPennsWoods.
Userscanalsodownloadinformationalfactsheetsandnewsletter,signupforelectronic
newsletters,andwillsoonbeabletofollowourblog.
Awebstore
holdsitemsthatassisttheparkandforestsenthusiastexploretheirstateparks
andforestsfromtheeverpopularPennsylvaniaStateParksandForestsPassporttothefun
wearablechecklistofparksandforests,thereissomethingtoappealtoeveryone.
Weareexcitedtounveilthenewwebsite,saysMarciMowery,Presidentofthe
PennsylvaniaParksandForestsFoundation.Itallowsenthusiaststobecomeinvolvedintheir
parksandforestswhetheratanevent,volunteering,ordonating.Thewebsitealsounveilsthe
newmissionstatementoftheFoundation,whichis"toinspirestewardshipofPennsylvanias
stateparksandforeststhroughpublicengagementinvolunteerism,recreationandconservation.
PAParks&
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website.
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NewsClips:
WesternPAConservancySpringConserveMagazineNowAvailable
The
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,thequarterlymagazinebythe
WesternPAConservancy
,isnow
availablefeaturingarticleson
WPCCampaignAdvancesToProtectImportantForestland,NaturalAreas,ScenicBeauty
ConservingAndRestoringWaterQualityForAll
FallingwatersContinuedLegacyOfEducationAndPreservation
UrbanGreenSpacesConnectPittsburghCommunity,Nature
Moreinformationisavailableonprograms,initiativesandspecialeventsatthe
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FeatureRememberingTheAccidentAtThreeMileIsland,3:53a.m.,March28,1979
At3:53a.m.,March28,1979,thecascadingfailuresof
valves,pumps,gaugesandreactoroperatorscombinedto
producetheworstaccidentintheU.S.commercialnuclear
powerindustry.
TheaccidentoccurredattheThreeMileIsland
nuclearpowerplantUnit2nearMiddletown,afewmiles
downstreamfromHarrisburg.For48hours,thereactor
wasdangerouslyoutofcontrol.
AnyonelivinginandaroundT.M.I.remembers
exactlywheretheywereonMarch30whentheyheardGov.DickThornburghorderall
preschoolchildrenandpregnantwomenwithinfivemilesoftheplanttoevacuateandlater
everyonewithin10milestoclosetheirwindowsandstayindoors.
Seventhousandpeoplewereevacuatedandperhapsahundredthousandmorefled.
Ahydrogenbubbleformedinthereactorbringingitveryclosetoexploding.Withina
fewdays,scientistsreducedthesizeofthebubble.Thecoolingdownprocess,however,tooka
monthandtheradioactiveplantwouldtakeyearstodecontaminate.
Thoughnoliveswerelostintheaccident,theuncertaintyandfearitcausedgavepeoplea
newsenseofvulnerability.Thedayaftertheaccident,35,000protestersinHanover,West
Germany,chanted,"WeallliveinPennsylvania."
IncontrasttoUnit2,Unit1atThreeMileIslandhasoperatedsuccessfullysinceitfirst
begancommercialoperationsin1974producingelectricityforPennsylvaniaandthe
MidAtlanticregion.
Asaresultoftheaccident,emergencyplanningandresponseprogramsatthelocal,state
andfederallevelweredramaticallyimprovedaroundnuclearplantsandstateeffortstomonitor
radiationandprovidedirectoversightatthesefacilitiesalsounderwentsignificantchanges.
Hereareremembrancesfromthatdaybytwoofthepeoplewhoweretouchedinunique
waysbytheaccident
ThomasM.Gerusky
,thelateDirectoroftheBureauofRadiationProtectionatthe
thenDepartmentofEnvironmentalResourcesonMarch28,1979,andwhowasinchargeofthe
statestechnicalresponsetotheaccidentand
JamesM.Seif
,formerSecretaryoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,andin1979
administrativeassistanttoGov.DickThornburgh.
ItsaBiggieSomeThoughtsontheAccidentatThreeMileIsland
ByThomasM.Gerusky
Lastweek,IwasinterviewedbytheproducersofaproposedPublicTelevisionNetworkshow
whichwillprovidea20yearupdateontheThreeMileIslandaccident.Thataccidentoccurred
onMarch28,1979.
Topreparefortheinterview,Iwentbacktomynotesandpublishedreportsofthe
accidenttorefreshmymemory.AsIwanderedthroughthedocuments,thememoriesofthat
timeandtheaftermathoftheaccidentcameslowlyintofocus.Thefollowingaresomeofthe
thoughtsthatreturned.
ItisdifficulttodiscusstheaccidentandtheCommonwealthsresponsetoitwithout
reviewingtheattitudesofthepublic,thepress,thenuclearindustry,theregulatorsandthe
technicalworld.Nuclearpowerwastoutedasthesafestformofsupplyingenergy.Nuclear
reactorsweredesignedandoperatedtorunwithoutaseriousaccident.Newnuclearpower
stationswerebeingproposedalloverthecountry.
ThestaffoftheBureauofRadiationProtectionandthePennsylvaniaEmergency
ManagementAgencyhadpreparedemergencyresponseplansforanaccidentatthosepower
reactorssituatedinthestateandforaccidentsatotherfacilitiesandonthetransportationroutes
forspentfuelandothersourcesofradioactivity.Infrequently,transportationaccidentshadtaken
placeandwehadresponded.Innocasewasthereanyseriousreleasetotheenvironmentnorany
exposureofthepublic.
AplanhadbeendrawnupfortheThreeMileIslandcomplex.Itisinterestingtonotethat
apublicmeetingonthatplanwasheldinMiddletown,justnorthofthereactors,onlyashort
timebeforetheaccidentandfewpeopleshowedup.
Atapproximately7a.m.onthemorningofMarch28,Ireceivedacallfromourbureaus
emergencyofficer,BillDornsife,anuclearengineerwhohadpreviouslyworkedatThreeMile
Island,whoinformedmethathehadreceivedacallfromtheislandconcerninganemergency
thatwasoccurringthere.Hegavemesomedetails,butthewordsIwillalwaysrememberwere
"Itsabiggie."Theprocedurewasformetoproceedtotheofficewhileotherstaffmembers
contactedotherindividualsandagenciestoprovidethemwiththeinformation.
Iarrivedattheofficearound7:20a.m.Fromthattimeonandcontinuingforthenext30
days,ourofficewasopenandstaffedaroundtheclock.Bureauanddepartmenttechnicaland
administrativestaffassistedinprovidingthecoverage.Itbecameateameffortandcontinueda
teameffortthroughthecleanup.
Althoughwehadestablishedanopenphonelinewiththereactor,thelackofearly
informationwasamajorconcern.TheNuclearRegulatoryCommission,thefederalregulatorof
thefacility,hadnotyetarrivedonsiteandevenaftertheyarrived,littlenewinformationwas
forthcoming.
MetropolitanEdisonCompany,theoperatorofTMI,hadstatedthroughitspublic
relationsofficeinReadingthattheaccidentwasundercontrolandthatnoseriousreleasesof
radioactivityhadoccurred.Ourinformationfromtheradiationprotectionstaffontheisland
indicatedotherwise.
Astheseriousnessoftheaccidentbecamemoreapparent,morePennsylvaniaofficials
becameinvolved,firstLt.Gov.WilliamScranton,andthenGov.DickThornburgh.The
administrationhadjustbeenswornintoofficethepreviousJanuaryandtheirresponsibilities
underemergencyconditionswerejustbecomingknowntothem.Throughoutthecourseofthe
accident,bothmenexhibitedprofessionalismandleadership.Iwasreallyimpressedwiththe
waythegovernorlistenedtotheinformationhewasreceiving,askedverypointedquestionsand
thenmadeuphismindafterreviewingallofthefacts.
Twodayslater,Friday,March30,wasadayIwillalwaysremember.
Wehadbeenreceivingreportsfromtheislandthatcontrolledreleasesofradioactive
gaseswereoccurring.Monitoringwasbeingperformedfromahelicoptersituatedabovethe
releasepointandoffsite.
TheinformationconcerningthelevelswasbeingrelayedbyphonetotheNRC
emergencydeskatthecommissionsheadquartersinWashington.Therewasconfusion
concerningthedataandWashingtonincorrectlythoughtthatthelevelsreportedattherelease
pointwereoccurringoffsite.Asaresult,theycontactedthePennsylvaniaEmergency
ManagementAgencyandrecommendedanevacuation.Fromthatpointon,chaosreigneduntil
thegovernorcontactedthechairmanoftheNRCtoquestionitsrecommendation.
Onasubsequenttelephonecallfromthechairmantothegovernor,hetoldthegovernor
thattheNRChadnoideawhatwashappeninginsidethatreactorand,whenquestionedaboutthe
needforanevacuation,hestatedthatifhiswifeanddaughterwereintheimmediatevicinityof
TMI,hewouldgetthemout.
Gov.Thornburghhadnochoice,andstartedavoluntaryevacuationprogramforthemost
vulnerableofthepopulation,pregnantwomenandsmallchildren.Thegovernoralsorequested
thatseniorNRCstaffbesenttotheislandtotakeovertheaccidentresponse.Thatbrought
HaroldDentonandmanyNRCstaffmembershere.Someonesaidlaterthatitwasimpossibleto
"run"anaccidentresponsefromWashington.
Theensuingdayswerefilledwithtension,thepossibilityofanexplosionfroma
hydrogenbubblegrowinginsidethereactor,thevisitofPresidentJimmyCarterandthegovernor
totheplant,theplanningforamassiveevacuationoftheresidentsoftheareaincasethingsgot
worse,continuingreleasesofinertradioactivegasesfromthestack,thehoardofpressfromall
overtheworld,andfinally,thesubsequentrelaxationoftherecommendationforevacuation
basedupontheknowledgethattherewasnopotentialforanexplosion.
Forus,theNRC,theutilityandthepublicinthevicinityofTMI,thecleanupofthe
reactoroverthenext10years,theneedtoventtheremainingradioactiveKryptonfromthe
buildingbeforeanyonecouldenter,learningthatthefuelhadmeltedandtheexpenditureofover
abilliondollarskepttheaccidentinourminds.
Thereactorhasnowbeenmothballedwithconsiderableradioactivematerialstillinside.
Itwillstaythatwayuntilitssisterreactor,ThreeMileIslandI,isshutdown.Theywillbe
decommissionedtogether,whenthenextgenerationalsowilllearnwhathappenedonMarch28,
1979.
REACTOR!!??
byJamesM.Seif
IenjoyedTomGeruskysaccountoftheTMIincident,andwouldliketoaddthreememorable
momentsofmyown.
Thefirstoccurredabout7:30a.m.onWednesday,March28,1979.
Alwaysanearlyriser,IwassettledintomysmallofficeinRoom225,MainCapitol,the
officialaddressoftheGovernorsSuiteinHarrisburg.StateTrooperDennyDeniseviczandIhad
justmadea"freshpot"hishadcookedallnightashetendedtheantiqueGovernors
Switchboard.
IwasadministrativeassistanttoGov.DickThornburgh.Mydutieswereprincipallyas
scheduler.(The"AbominableNoMan"asheputit.)Butonlytwomonthshadelapsedsince
inauguration,andallofuswerestilltryingtodefineourassignments.
Myphonerings.Dennysays,"aguyfromMetEdwantstoreachtheGovernortoreport
something."OnethingIdidknowaboutmyjobwastostepinfrontofsuchanonymousreports.I
say,"anonymous"becauseIhadjustmovedtoHarrisburg,andhadnoideathatGPUwasa
utilityanddidntknowthatThreeMileIslandwasapowerplantletaloneanuke.
Inanycase,themantoldmehisemergencymanualrequiredacalltothegovernors
officewhentheresa"reportableincidentatourplant."
"Okay,whathappened?"
"Welostcoolinginthereactor,butitsokaynow.Weveshutdownasaprecaution."
"REACTOR!!??"(IstillhopeIdidntsayitthatway.)
"Yes,thisisanuclearpowerplant."
Iaskedseveralquestions.Didtheycalllocalpolice?StatePolice?Emergency
managementpeople?ThenuclearregulatorsinWashington?Yestoall.Wasanyonehurt?No.
Whataboutdamagetoequipment?Hedidntknow.
Giventheanswerstohisquestionsandhiscalmtone,Iconcludedthatthecallwaslittle
morethanhisfollowingthechecklistinhismanualandthe"callthegovernor"itemwason
thechecklistasamatterofpoliticalcautionandnotnecessaryforanyrealemergencypurpose.
Itturnsoutthatwas,infact,theoriginofthe"callthegovernor"item,butofcourse,as
thecrisisdevelopedinthenexthours,IfeltIhadbeenmisled.IcantrecallnowifImentioned
anyofthistoGov.Thornburghornot,butIdidlethimtakeascheduledtripoutoftownthat
day,andvaluablehourswerelost.
ThesecondrecollectionisfromlateSaturdaynight,March31,whenthecrisisreachedits
mostperilouspoint.Reactortemperaturewasrising,evacuationwasacceleratingandalotofus
weregettingtiredandedgy.AfterridingaroundforseveralhourswithStatePolice
CommissionerDanDunn,Iwasespeciallytense.DanwasaformerFBISpecialAgent,whomI
hadknownforyears,andhewasoneofthedrollestandmostcheerfulpeopleIknew.Butthis
night,hisjawwasclenched.
Backinthegovernorsofficewithotherstaff,wecheckedtheTVandSaturdayNight
Live,hostedbythecomediansBobandRay,cameon.Toourshock,itopenedbyannouncinga
contesttopickanewcapitolofPennsylvania!!!WecalledthenetworkinNewYork,hopingthat
thescriptcouldbealteredbythenewsofhowseriouswethoughttheproblemhadbecome.We
figuredthenetworkandcertainlythesponsorswouldnotwanttoaddtoanypanic.
Nosuchluck.Anunresponsiveswitchboardoperatorsaidonlythathewouldtrytogeta
messagetothetheater.Tothisday,Irecallhimbythenamehecarriesinthatnightsphonelog:
FNULNUFirstNameUnknown,LastNameUnknown.ThiswasFBIlingotaughttomeyears
beforebyDanDunn.
Finally,therewasaninterestingpostscript:Aboutsixweeksafterthecrisishadpassed,
Anothergovernorcalled.Gov.ThornburghwasontheroadandsoItookthecall.
Thisgovernorwasalsoa"rookie"andwascallingtogleansomeofthelessonsofTMI.
Wespokeabouttheorganizationalissuesofemergencymanagement,localstaterelations,
medicalperils(includingpanic),thepoliticaldangerofCongressionalSecondGuessers,the
mediacircusandsoon.
Iwasimpressedbecausehewasoneofthefewpeoplewhowasinterestedinthepolicy
andmanagerialimplicationsofwhathadhappened,andtheonlygovernorthatIknowofwho
evercalled.
Whenwewerefinished,Isaid,"Thankyouforcalling,Gov.Clinton."
Hesaid,"ItsBill.Keepupthegoodwork,Dick!"
VolunteerWanted:PA/NJChapterAmericanChestnutFoundationTreasurer
The
PA/NJChapterofTheAmericanChestnutFoundation
isseekingavolunteertoserveas
Treasurerwithknowledgeandexperienceinfinanceandaccounting.
TheTreasurerwillbeanappointedmemberoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheChapters
BoardofDirectors.Sheorhewilloverseeandbeacosignatureonfinancialaccountsofthe
Chapter.
TheTreasurerwillworkcloselywiththeChapterAdministratortomaintainthebalance
ofofficecheckingaccountforexpensesunder$1,000,writingchecksforapprovedexpenses
over$1,000(lessthanadozenayear),andsubmittingbiannualreportsofaccountbalancesto
BoardofDirectorsmeetings.
Thetreasurermayworkremotely.Boardattendanceiswelcomedandencouraged,in
personorviaphone,butnotrequired.Therewillbemaintenanceofpastrecordsworkingwith
ChapterAdministratortorefinecategories.Taxfilingisdonebyacontractedaccountingfirm.
Estimatedtimerequiredforthispositionat4to6hoursamonth.
PleaseemailtheChapterAdministrator,JeanNajjarat:
mail@patacf.org
orcallherat
8148637192.Officehoursare9:30amto3:00pmMondaythroughThursday.TheBoard
willfollowupwithinterestedparties.
PA/NJ
ChapterofTheAmericanChestnutFoundation
website.SignupfortheChapteremaillistby
sendingemailto:
mail@patacf.org
.
HelpWanted:McKeanCountyConservationDistrictRecyclingDirector
The
McKeanCountyConservationDistrict
hasanopeningforagrantfundedRecyclingDirector
todirecttheadministrationandmanagementoftheMcKeanCountyRecyclingProgramandthe
componentsoftheMcKeanCountyMunicipalWasteManagementPlan.Thedeadlinefor
applicationsisApril8.
Requirementsinclude:
ABachelorsDegreeineitherPublicAdministration,Marketing,EnvironmentalStudies,
NaturalResourceManagementorrelatedfieldorequivalentexperience.TwoFouryears
relatedexperiencerecommended
Writingandadministeringgrants
Possesstheknowledgeandunderstandingoftheconceptofconservation
Abilitytocommunicateeffectivelybothverballyandinwriting
Workindependentlyintheabsenceofsupervisiontomeetdeadlinesand
Theabilitytoworkirregularhoursincludingeveningsandweekends.
Interestedapplicantsareinvitedtoapplybycompletinganapplicationandresume.
PleaseforwardthemtoKathyRoche,HumanResourcesDirector,McKeanCounty
Courthouse,500WestMainStreet,Smethport,PA16749,oremailto
klroche@mckeancountypa.org
.Weareanequalopportunityemployer,M/F/D/V.
HelpWanted:PAAudubonSocietyExecutiveDirector
AudubonPennsylvania
isseekingcandidatestofillthepositionofVicePresidentandExecutive
Director.
ClickHere
foradetailedjobdescriptionandinstructionsonhowtoapply.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
March26
LittlePaintCreekCleanup
.CambriaCounty.
March28
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,SusquehannaRoom,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
March29
NEW
.
DEPmeeting/hearingonGibraltarRockQuarryNPDESpermitin
MontgomeryCounty
.BoyertownAreaJuniorHighSchoolEast,locatedat2020BigRoad,
Gilbertsville.5:30.
March29
ElkCountyStreamProtection,WaterQualityWorkshop
.
ElkCountyVisitor
Center
,Benezette.9:00a.m.to3:30p.m.
March29
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
LandownersConservationReserve
EnhancementProgramWorkshop
.Greensburg.
March29,30,31
PennStateExtensionCommunityForestryShortCourse
.InPerson,Online.
March30
AgendaPosted
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
UpdateOnStatusOfFinalChapter78,78aDrillingRegulations&TrainingOpportunities
DiscussionofDraftFormsToImplementNewRegulations
DiscussionofDraftTechnicalGuidanceToImplementNewRegulations
DiscussionOfChangesToOilandGasComplianceReportViewer
DiscussionOfEffortsToDevelopNewControlsForUndergroundInjectionWells
UpdateOnChapter78,SubchapterDProposedRulemaking
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
March30
PartnershipForTheDelawareEstuary
Green$avesGreenStormwaterManagement
Workshop
.Phoenixville,ChesterCounty.
March30
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop
.BrandywineRedClayAlliance,WestChester.
March31
AgendaPosted
.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGas
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
UpdateOnStatusOfFinalChapter78,78aDrillingRegulations&PlansForImplementation
UpdateOnChapter78,SubchapterDProposedRulemaking
DiscussionofDraftFormsToImplementNewRegulations
DiscussionofDraftTechnicalGuidanceToImplementNewRegulations
ProposedMethaneReductionStandards
UpdateOnCoal/GasWorkGroup
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
March31
NEW
.Dept.ofLabor&Industry
UniformConstructionCodeReviewandAdvisory
Council
meeting.1stFloor,E100ConferenceRoom,651BoasSt.,Harrisburg.10:00.
(
formal
notice
)
March31
RegionalWatershedWorkshop
.Mechanicsburg.
March31
GreenStormwaterInfrastructurePartnersAwardsProgram
.Philadelphia.
March31April1
GreenBuildingAlliance
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
.Pittsburgh.
April1
HawkMountainSanctuarySpringHawkWatchBegins
.
April2
AllianceForChesapeakeBayProjectCleanStream!
ChesapeakeBayWatershed.
April2
FriendsofFortWashingtonStateParkVolunteerWorkDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April4
SpringBlackHistoryAchievementAwardsBanquetRecognizesRalphElwoodBrock
FirstAfricanAmericanForester
.Coraopolis.
April5
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.
1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableandcommentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
April5
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
April5
DEPPeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
.Harrisburg.
April5
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
LessonsLearnedFromBlackRockForest
.Montgomery
County.
April6
HouseHealthCommittee
holdsaninformationmeetingonLymedisease.Room205
RyanBuilding.10:00.
April6
CANCELED
.
HouseLocalGovernmentCommittee
holdsahearingonHouseBill
1392(DushRIndiana)authorizemunicipalwaterandsewerauthoritiestocollectasecurity
depositfromnewcustomers(
sponsorsummary
).Room140MainCapitol.9:00.
April6
.Scranton.
April6
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.
April6
NEW
.
NaturalLandsTrust
MegaTreePlantingParty
.ChesterCounty.
April67:
PABarAssociationEnvironmentalLawForum
.Harrisburg.
April7
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
hearingonhuntinglicensefees.Room205
RyanBuilding.10:00.
April7
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.
April7
.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,Building500,400
WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
April7
NEW
.
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminar
.Norristown,Montgomery
County.
April8
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.
April8
StateMuseumOfPA,GameCommission
WorkingTogetherForWildlifeArtExhibit
Opens
.Harrisburg.

April9
,
PotterCountyConservationDistrict
IllegalDumpsite
Cleanup
.Galeton,PotterCounty.
April11
NEW.
EnvironmentalIssuesForum,
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommittee
.
TopicToBeAnnounced
.Room8EAEastWing.Noon.
April11
hearingoncleanenergyjobs.Room418Main
Capitol.10:00.
April12
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterPlantOperators
meeting.
10thFloorconferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:CheriSansoni,
BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
April12
NEW
.
2016NationalWatershed&StormwaterConference
.
April13
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April14
NEW
.
LegislativeForestryTaskForce,
JointAirandWaterPollutionControland
ConservationCommittee
.Thetopicofthemeetingwillbeinvasivespeciesandtheirimpacton
foresthealth.Presentersforthetaskforcemeetinginclude:Mr.DonEggen,foresthealth
manager,DCNR'sBureauofForestryMr.SvenShichiger,entomologyprogrammanager,
DepartmentofAgricultureandDr.SarahJohnson,conservationGISanalyst,
TheNature
ConservancyPennsylvaniaChapter
.Room217ForestResourcesBuilding,PennState
University.StateCollege.10:00.
April14
CANCELED.
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April14
NEW
.DEPNorthwestRegionalRoundtablemeeting.DEPNorthwestRegional
Office,230ChestnutSt.,Meadville.10:00a.m.Contact:MelanieWilliams
melanwilli@pa.gov
.
CarlJones,Directorof
DEPsOfficeOfEnvironmentalJustice
isguestspeaker.
April14
.KingofPrussia.
April14
CleanWaterCounts:YorkCountyTownHallReceptionOnWaterQualityIssues
.
Wrightsville.
April1415
RegistrationOpen
.
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.Toftrees
ResortandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
April15
NEW
.
DEPStakeholderWorkGroupMeetingOnProposedDisinfection
RequirementsRule
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.Contact:DawnHissner
dhissner@pa.gov
.
April15
PennStateExtension,
DCNRTreeTendersTraining
.Scranton.
April16
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.Oakdale,Allegheny
County.
April16
Clean&GreenHarrisburg,
KeepHarrisburg/DauphinCountyBeautiful4thAnnual
GreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
.DauphinCounty.
April18
LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.
April19
NEW
.
meeting.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,
EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
April19
NEW
.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
April19
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April19
NEW
.
GovernorsEnvironmentalAwardsDinner
.
Harrisburg.
April20
NEW
.DEPSouthcentralEmployeesAsylumRunCleanup.Adjacenttothe
DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice
,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.Contact:JohnRepetz
jrepetz@pa.gov
.
April21
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
meetstoconsider
finalChapter78
DrillingRegulations
.
333MarketSt.,14thFloor,Harrisburg.9:00a.m.
April22
EarthDay
.
April22
NEW
.
,
LehighValleyPlanningCommission
ReturnOnThe
EnvironmentWorkshop
.CenterValley.
April22
BerksCountyConservationDistrictAnnualTreeSeedlingSale
.
April2230
NEW
.
.Philadelphia.
April23
CentreCountyWatershedCleanupDay
.
April23
FrenchCreekCleanupDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April23
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.
April25
NEW
.
EnergyAllianceOfGreaterPittsburghAnnualMeeting
.Pittsburgh.
April27
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,Bureauof
AirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April30
PAResourcesCouncil
PharmaceuticalCollectionEventsInAlleghenyCounty
.4
Locations.10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
April30
FoodsOfTheDelawareHighlandsDinner
.Hawley,WayneCounty.
May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
May7
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
NorthParkSwimmingPool.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
May7
ManadaConservancys
AnnualSpringNativePlantSale
.DauphinCounty.
May10
WildlifeforEveryone
GovernorTomRidgeWetlandsThruTheCameraLensStudent
Program
.CentreCounty.
May1012
PAAmericanWaterWorksAssociationAnnualConferenc
e.BethlehemSands
HotelandCasino,Bethlehem.
May11
PAParks&ForestsFoundation2016AwardsBanquet
.CampHill,Cumberland
County.
May1113
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.
May1315
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.
May1315
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournSayertoSugarRun
.
May14
PAResourcesCouncil
.FrazerTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
May14
FoundationforSustainableForests
LovingTheLandThroughWorkingForests
.
Corry,ErieCounty.
May17
NEW
.
edinger@pa.gov
.
May17
NEW
.
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
May17
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
May18
NEW
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGas
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
May19
NEW
.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
May19
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
Lessons
BenefitsOfPark,GardenEcosystems
.
MontgomeryCounty.
May21
PAResourcesCouncil
.CambriaCounty,
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorp.ETFFacility,Johnstown.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
June35
EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.
June410
NEW
.
18thAnnualSchuylkillRiverSojourn
.
June7
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)
withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June9
NEW.
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.
June1217
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournLaceyvilletoShickshinny
.
June14
NEW.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286Industrial
ParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Department
ofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA
15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
June16
NEW.
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
June1719
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournShickshinnyToSunbury
.
June18
PAResourcesCouncil
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest.Mt.Lebanon.
June1825
DelawareRiverSojourn
.
June21
NEW
.
edinger@pa.gov
.
June21
NEW
.
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
June29
NEW
.
StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.11th
FloorConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,
BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.
June25
PAResourcesCouncil
.LTBA,AlleghenyCounty.
June30
NEW.
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
July9
PAResourcesCouncil
.WashingtonCounty,
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
July2529
NEW
.
TheSustainableEnergyFund
EnergypathRenewableEnergyConference,
StudentEnergyCamps,ScienceFair
.PennStaterHotelandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
August13
PAResourcesCouncil
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August20
PAResourcesCouncil
.WestMifflin,Allegheny
County.
September17
PAResourcesCouncil
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October1
PAResourcesCouncil
.RobinsonTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.
October8
PAResourcesCouncil
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
October2628
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
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.
March27
EPAToxicsReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
March30
DelawareHighlandsConservancyCollegeScholarships
March30
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest
March31
DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
March31
DelawareWaterResourcesAssn.CollegeScholarship
March31
SchuylkillActionNetworkScholasticDrinkingWaterAwards
March31
USDAFarmConservationPracticesFundingForPA
April1
PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
April1
CFAAlternativeAndCleanEnergyGrants
April1
NortheastPAAudubonEnvironmentalEdScholarship
April1
WildlifeLeadershipAcademyFieldSchools
April8
EPAEnvironmentalEducationGrants
April13
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April15
USDABedford,BlairFarmConservationPracticesFunding
April15
RecyclingPartnershipGrants
April22
NEW
.
REAPFarmConservationTaxCreditProgram
April22
NEW
.
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPhotoContest
April25
PECPoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
April26
EPACleanDieselGrants
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30
NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
April30
YorkLancasterCountiesHabitatImprovementGrants
May
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3
EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May16
EPAPresidentialEnvironmentalEducationInnovationAward
May19
NEW
.
DCNRVolunteerFireCompanyGrants
May31
$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June3
GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30
CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30
CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July
July
July8
ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
September
September
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants
Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Children,AdultsLearnAboutRabbitsAtRidgeEnvironmentalCenter
Schneck:12BeautifulBirdEggsYouWontFindInAnEasterBasket
Air
U.S.SteelAgreesTo$3.9MAirPollutionSettlementWithAlleghenyCounty
CMUSpeckPollutionMonitorsAvailableAtCarnegieLibraries
Editorial:GoToTheLibraryToCheckYourHomeAirQuality
EarlySpringBloomsMaySignalExtendedAllergySeason
Alternative,RenewableEnergy
ProtestersDemandPECOSupportForSolarInN.Philadelphia
Awards&Recognition
Budget
DEPSecretary:DEPIsntLean,ItsEmaciated
Thompson:PAsNextBudget,HaveWeLearnedAnything?
Bumsted:Gov.WolfRelentsAfter9MonthBudgetImpasse
AP:GovernorRelentsAfter9MonthBudgetImpasse
PLS:WolfToAllowBudgetToBecomeLawWithoutHisSignature
PAsBudgetWoesBringWarningFromLenders,RatingsAgencies
WolfWarnsOfImpending201617BudgetCrisis
FarmBureauSaysPennStateExtensionOfficesToRemainOpen
AP:DemocratsUrgeWolfToRelentOnBudgetVetoThreat
AP:CatchingBigfoot:WolfPursuesElectionYearTaxIncrease
DemocratsLineUpBehindGOPBudgetBill
PABudgetCrisisCouldCauseYorkCountyAgOffice
NewF&MPoll:WideSupportForNewTaxOnNaturalGasIndustry
ChesapeakeBay
Climate
DEPSecretary:NEPASnowIndustryCouldMeltAwayBy2050
Poll:MoreAmericansRecognize,FearGlobalWarming
ScientistsWarnOfClimateShiftWithinDecades,NotCenturies
FirstU.S.ClimateRefugeesInLouisiana
ImpactOfClimateChangeExaminedInNewPhillyExhibit
Editorial:LawsuitsWouldCastPallOnScientificProgress
OpponentsQuestionClimateBenefits,MoralityOfNaturalGas
WarmWinterWeatherExplainsEarlyAllergySeason
WithClimateRuleOnHold,ShouldStateWorryAboutDeadlines?
BanksPullFinancing,CoalsFutureGrowsMurkier
ComplianceAction
U.S.SteelAgreesTo$3.9MAirPollutionSettlementWithAlleghenyCounty
MarkWestMidstreamDrillingPracticesUnderInvestigationByFeds
DelawareRiver
DrinkingWater
WhiteHouseSeeksCorporateInvestmentInWaterSupplies
EconomicDevelopment
PittsburghEnergyStartupsBemoanTheValleyOfFundingDeath
OpEd:RezoningPittsburghsRiverbanks
Education
EmergencyResponse
PAEligibleForFederalDisasterFundsFromWinterStorm
FEMAToAidPACountiesHitByJanuarySnowstorm
WindWhippedBrushFiresPlagueCrawfordCounty
Energy
EnergySpotlight:PaulOhodnicki,CMU
PittsburghEnergyStartupsBemoanTheValleyOfFundingDeath
PPLPullsPlugOnCumberlandCountyPowerLineProject
UGISetsHearingForRateHike
BanksPullFinancing,CoalsFutureGrowsMurkier
DCApprovesExelonsTakeoverOfPepco
EnergyConservation
UtilitiesUseIncentivesToToGetCustomersToConserve
PPLEnergyEfficiencyPlanGetsApproval
OpEd:TheGreeningOfPittsburgh,NextUp,Schools
EnvironmentalHeritage
Farming
Crable:LancasterResidentsWantMoreFarmlandPreservation
Flooding
PreparationIsKeyToFloodSafety
Forests
LandConservation
Crable:LancasterResidentsWantMoreFarmlandPreservation
LitterControl/IllegalDumping
MineReclamation
PlansReviewedForCleanupAtFormerHuberBreakerSite
Oil&Gas
DrillingGroupFilesSuitToBlockNewRulesForConventionalWells
PetroleumGroupSuesToBlockPADrillingRules
LuzerneGroupHopesToBringPositiveChangeToDrillingIndustry
OpponentsQuestionClimateBenefits,MoralityOfNaturalGas
ThousandsCallFERCToSupportOfficeOfPublicParticipation
DespiteDownturn,Oil&GasIndustryStillABoostToNonprofits
AlleghenyFront:WhenTheFrackingBoomGoesBust
NEChambersOfCommerceSupportPennEastPipeline
Crable:DecisionOnSunrisePipelineInLancasterDelayedToAsLateAs2017
PeoplesCreatingOwnPipelineConstructionDivision
MarkWestMidstreamDrillingPracticesUnderInvestigationByFeds
UGISetsHearingForRateHike
WesternPAHomeRentalsSlumpWithDrillingDownturn
U.S.,CanadianGasSuppliersJockeyForMarketShare
OilRefineriesPrepareForSummerGasoline
GasolinePricesIncreaseTo$2.06InPittsburgh
Pipelines
NEChambersOfCommerceSupportPennEastPipeline
Crable:DecisionOnSunrisePipelineInLancasterDelayedToAsLateAs2017
PeoplesCreatingOwnPipelineConstructionDivision
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
WatershedProtection
ClickHere
Wildlife
Schneck:12BeautifulBirdEggsYouWontFindInAnEasterBasket
GettingReadyForOpeningOfTroutSeason
HowManyTroutDoesItTakeToStockYorkCountyCreek?
DeerHarvestUpAfterPastStruggles
FirstEagletArrivesInPittsburghBaldEagleNest
FirstPipConfirmedForHaysBaldEagleEgg
Crable:AllEyesOnHanoverEagleCamAsEggsReadyForBreakout
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFindsNewBeau
BirdwatchersStartSpringWithAPrimer
DroneIncidentsAtMiddleCreek,EagleCamMayPromptBan
GameCommissionAsksCourtToKillLawsuitByExExec.Director
Other
AndrewMcElwaine:EnvironmentalJournalismNotDead
PittsburghBotanicGardensBumpyRoadToSuccess
ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinMarch26,2016
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheMarch26PABulletinof
extensionsforgeneralpermitsonthe
BeneficialUseOfBiosolidsByLandApplications
(PAG08)
,
BeneficialUseOfExceptionalQualityBiosolidsByLandApplication(PAG07)
and
BeneficialUseOfResidentialSeptageByLandApplication(PAG09)
.
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
publishednotice
intheMarch26PA
BulletinofrevisionstothescheduleofpricesandfeesforStateParkshootingranges.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
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iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
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