PaEnvironmentDigest June 15, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaJune15,2015
EPA:PASubstantiallyOffTrackMeetingChesapeakeBayCommitments
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyThursdayreported
Pennsylvaniaissubstantiallyoff
track
inmeetingitsnitrogenandsedimentreductionmilestonesforagricultureandurban/
suburbanstormwater,twoofthestatesbiggestsectors.
Moreominously,EPAsaidPennsylvaniaisat
backstopactionlevels
forthesesame
sectors,meaningEPAhasmorethanenoughjustificationtodevelopitsownplanformeeting
ChesapeakeBaymilestonerequirementsinthestate.
WastewatertreatmentplantsinPennsylvania,incontrast,areontracktomeetpermit
limitsandtheirnitrogenandphosphorusreductions.
EPAalsosaidPennsylvaniawillhavetofinalizechangestoitsNutrientCreditTradingto
resolveobjectionsfromEPA.
Theseconclusionsarepartofaninterimassessmentstateprogressinmeetingthe
201415milestonesandimplementationofPennsylvaniasWatershedImplementationPlan.
Formoredetailsandthecompletereport,visitEPAs
ChesapeakeBayTMDL
webpage.
RelatedStories:
CBFPA:PAsEffortsToReduceWaterPollutionFallingShortOfCommitments
Analysis:WillPAShowLeadershipOnWaterCleanupIssues,OrSurrenderToFeds?
NewsClips:
EPAFindsPALaggingBadlyInChesapeakeBayCleanup
EPAReviewsPAAnimalAgriculturePrograms
Editorial:PursueCureForSickSusquehannaRiver
GroupsPushBackOnDelawareCountyRefineryWaterIntakePlan
WesternPAFarmersKeepEyeOnDroughtWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
A
ChesapeakeBayFoundation
reviewofthe
U.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysinterimmilestone
assessment
showsthatPennsylvaniaisfallingdangerously
shortofmeetingthecommitmentsitmadetoreduce
pollutionandrestoretheCommonwealthswaterways.
Aspartofthe
CleanWaterBlueprint
,theBaystates
developedtwoyearincrementalpollutionreductiontargets,
calledmilestones,withthegoalofimplementing60percentoftheprogramsandpractices
necessarytorestorelocalwaterqualityby2017,andfinishthejobby2025.
EPAreviewedPennsylvaniasreportedprogressinits201415milestonesandfoundthat
whileontrackforphosphorusreductiongoals,therearesignificantshortfallsinmeetingnitrogen
andsedimentpollutiongoals.
ThisfollowsPennsylvaniahavingalsomissedthemarkfornitrogenandsedimentinits
201213milestones.
ItispasttimeforPennsylvaniatotakemeaningfulactionsthatwillacceleratepollution
reduction,saidCBFPresidentWilliamC.Baker.IfPennsylvaniadoesnotsignificantly
advancetheireffortstoreducepollutionthenCBFcallsonEPAtospecifytheactionsitintends
totaketoensurepollutionisreduced.Unlessthereareconsequencesforfailure,weareindanger
ofrepeatingthedecadesoffailedBayrestorationeffortsofthefirstthreeBayagreements.
Themostsignificantshortfallisinreducingnitrogenandsedimentpollutionfrom
agriculture.Togetbackontrack,theCommonwealthwouldhavetoreducenitrogenpollutionby
anadditional14.6millionpounds,or22percent,bytheendofthisyear.
TheWolfadministrationinheritedtheissuesidentifiedinEPAsassessmentandhas
acknowledgedthatapollutionreductionrebootoftheCommonwealthseffortsisnecessary.
NowisthetimetogalvanizeleadershipinrestoringPennsylvaniasriversandstreamsandsolve
thisproblem,Bakersaid.Buttheymustbeginnow.Thereisablueprintinplace,anditmust
beimplemented.
Agriculture,ingeneral,isoneoftheleastexpensivesourcesofpollutiontoreduce,and
thesourcethattheCommonwealthisrelyingonmosttoachieveitswaterqualitygoals.Itsalso
theleadingcauseofstreamimpairmentinPennsylvania,withmorethan5,000milesofrivers
andstreamsdamagedasaresultofpollutionfromagriculture.
WhilePennsylvaniahaslonghadrequirementsthatfarmshaveplanstoreducepolluted
runoff,itisestimatedthatnomorethanoneinthreefarmsactuallyhasaplanthatmeetscurrent
standards.
And,atthecurrentpaceofenforcement,itwilltaketheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionmorethan150yearstoreachallfarmsinthestatetoensurecompliance.
ThereportalsofoundthatPennsylvaniawillneedtoadd22,000acresofforestandgrass
bufferstomeetitscommitmentsby2017.Thatcomparestoonly3,000acresachievedin2014.
InPresidentObamasChesapeakeBayExecutiveOrder,theU.S.Departmentof
Agriculturewascalledontotargetfundingtokeywatershedstoassiststatesinmeetingtwoyear
milestonesasidentifiedintheircleanupplans.
CBFcallsonUSDAtofollowthroughonthiscommitmentbyprioritizingtechnicaland
financialresourcestoPennsylvaniatohelpachievemilestonegoalsforforestedstreambuffers
andotherpollutionreductionpractices,saidCBFsPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirectorHarry
Campbell.
Reducingpollutionfromurban/suburbanrunoffisalsoofftrack.Using2009asa
baseline,Pennsylvaniacommittedtoreducingnitrogenpollutionfromurban/suburbanrunoffby
41percentby2025.Asof2014,practiceshavebeenputinplacetoreducenitrogenpollutionby
only1percent.
Aneconomicreport
commissionedbyCBFfoundthatthebenefitsoffully
implementingtheBlueprintintheCommonwealthwouldincreasethevalueofthenatural
servicesby$6.2billionannually,Bakersaid.Restoringwaterqualityinlocalrivers,streams,
andtheChesapeakeBaywillreducehumanhealthrisks,bolsterlocaleconomies,andleavea
lastinglegacyforourchildrenandfuturegenerations.
RelatedStories:
EPA:PASubstantiallyOffTrackInMeetingChesapeakeBayMilestones
NewsClips:
Pennsylvaniahasnthadasustained,seriouseffortto
addressitsnearly20,000milesofpollutedstreamsand
riversinthelast12years.
Sure,therehavebeeninitiativesinfitsandstarts
liketheGrowingGreenerIIbondissue,butthatwas
limitedintimeandmoneyandalsocappedtheoriginal
GrowingGreenerProgrammeanttoaddress
Pennsylvaniasmostsignificantwaterqualityissues,in
particular,nonpointsourcepollution.
TheAct13drillingimpactfeesdidprovidesome
money,butmerelyrestoredjustasmallportionofthe
fundingtoaddresswaterqualityissuescutinpreviousbudgetsandcappedwiththeGrowing
GreenerIIbondissue.
Pennsylvaniahas565days(asofJune15)toputthebestmanagementpracticesonthe
groundneededtoeliminate10millionpoundsofnitrogenand212millionpoundsofsediment
fromgoingintoourriversandstreamstomeetthe2017ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestones.
Pennsylvaniaisevenfurtherbehindbecausewedidnotmeetthe2013pollution
reductionmilestones.
LastJune,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyreportedPennsylvaniaexceededits
2013ChesapeakeBaycleanup
milestoneforphosphorusby242,000pounds,butfellshortin
meetingthenitrogengoalby2millionpoundsandsedimentreductionmilestonebynearly116
millionpounds.
IfPennsylvaniadoesntmeetthemilestones,itleaves
EPAfreetocomeupwithitsown
plan
onhowthestatecanmeetthem,andas
Rep.GarthEverett(RLycoming)said
duringDEPs
budgethearing,Itisntpretty.
ThequestioncomesdowntowhethertheGeneralAssemblyandGov.Wolfwanttoyield
thisresponsibilitytothefederalgovernment.
Buttheresanotherclockticking,thisoneforthestatebudget.
June30isthedeadlineforanewbudgetandifitdoesnotincluderesourcestoaddress
Pennsylvaniascriticalwaterqualitycleanupneeds,wewillhavetowaitanentireyearuntilthey
canbeaddressed.
Whatwillittaketomeetthe2017milestones?Acoherentplanandmoreresources.
WeknowDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyandAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding(now
confirmedbytheSenate)havebeenworkingonaplantomeetthemilestones.
Theyvebeenactivelytalkingtostakeholders,evaluatingtheprogramsnowinplaceand
workingwiththeirstaffsonaplan.
Wehopetheyproduceanoutlinesoon.
UsingtheCommonwealthsreportedaveragerateofChesapeakeBayProgram
implementationfrom2009to2013,heresanestimateofhowmucheachofkeymeasureswould
havetoincreasetomeetthe2017milestones:
Forestedstreambuffersonfarms:from6acresperdaytoover38acres
Farmconservationplandevelopment:from46acresadaytoover589acres
Rotationalgrazingpractices:from8.5acrestoroughly135acresaday
Urbanstormwaterinfiltrationpractices:from7acresto368acresperday
Stormwatertreatmentwetponds&wetlands:from0.4acresto28acresadayand
Dirt&gravelroadrepair:from334feetperdaytoover1,411feetperday.
Agriculture,Pennsylvaniasnumberonesourceofnutrientandsedimentpollution,needs
significanthelpgettingconservationpracticesontheground.Thereductioninfundingand
designhelpsupportedbystateresourcesoverthelast12yearshasputthemfarbehind.
Andfarmersareactivelyseekingtechnicalandfinancialhelpwiththesepracticesinlarge
numbers.Amazingly,
75percentofthosethataskforhelpcannotgetitfromcounty,stateor
federalagencies
.
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
hasbeen
activelysupportingmoresupportfor
farmers
whowanttodotherightthing,butgettinglittleresponse.
Addressingtheseissuesistallorder,butifwedonothing,asthecurrentdiscussionsover
thestatebudgetandnaturalgasseverancetaxindicate,wehavenochanceofmeetingthe
milestones.Notevenclose.
Anotherdangerwefaceisgetting
sidetrackedbymakebelievesolutions
tonutrient
reductionslikeSenateBill724(VogelRBeaver).
Whatweneedisleadership.
Ifwedontgetthatleadership,andsurrenderthisissuetothefederalgovernment,not
onlywillPennsylvaniasenvironmentsuffer,butourfarmers,builders,localgovernmentsand
wastewaterplantratepayerswilltooifEPAgetstoputinplaceitsbackstopplanstomeetour
cleanupmilestones.
Sowhatsitgoingtobe?
Resources:
HowCleanIsYourLocalStream?
RelatedStories:
EPA:PASubstantiallyOffTrackInMeetingChesapeakeBayMilestones
BudgetHearing:PANotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPARespondsToGov.WolfsBudgetProposal
Rep.Everett:IfWeDontMeetChesapeakeBayCleanupMilestone,ItIsntPretty
PrepareForEPAActionIfPADoesNotMeet2017StreamCleanupMilestones
OpEd:Budget:Accelerate,DontNegotiatePAsCleanWaterCommitment
Analysis:PAEnvironmentalFunding,EatYourVegetables,ThenDessert
Analysis:BringConstructiveEmotion,PassionBackToEnvironmentalMovement
NewsClips:
PECBlog:CleanWaterCountsMoreThanEverInPennsylvania
Thefollowing
PAEnvironmentalCouncilBlog
postwaswrittenbyJohnWallizer,Vice
PresidentforLegal&GovernmentAffairsforPEC
Withnearly
20,000milesofstreams
inPennsylvanianotmeetingfederalCleanWater
Actstandards,theCommonwealthcontinuestofaceoneofitsmostsignificantenvironmental
challenges.
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilhasjoinedthe
CleanWaterCounts!
Campaign,
organizedbythe
ChesapeakeBayFoundation
,todrawattentiontotheneedtodomorecleanup
ofthisvitalnaturalandeconomicresource.
ThemostsignificantcausesofwaterpollutioninPennsylvaniaarenotnew.Abandoned
coalmines,whicharethelegacyofdecadesofunregulatedactivity,arethebiggestoffender.Left
intheirwakearedeadstreamsandlandscapesthatwillcosttheCommonwealthbillionsof
dollarstocleanup.
Agriculturalandstormwaterrunoffaretheothertwomajorsourcesofnonpointwater
pollutionthatcontinuetovexourwaterwaysandcommunities.Onceagaintheadageofanounce
ofpreventthroughimplementationofdemonstratedmanagementpractices,green
infrastructure,andriparianprotectionmeasuresprovesitselfasthesensibleapproach.
AnewchallengetowaterqualityinrecentyearsisMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling,
thatnotonlyusesmillionsofgallonsofwatertodevelopeachgaswell,butalsopresentsthreats
intermsofspillsandgroundwatercontamination.
LongoverdueregulationsarenowbeingfinalizedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectiontobetterprotectbothsurfacewaterandgroundwaterbystrengtheningwatersourcing
protectionandwellsitecontainmentandprotectionstandards.
Importantly,theenvironmentalstandardscoveringconventionaloilandgaswelldrilling
arealsobeingenhancedbecauseshallowwellshavetheverysamepotentialforpollutingthe
environment.
Clean,abundantsuppliesofwaterarecriticaltoeconomicdevelopmentanditisherethat
Pennsylvaniahasaclearadvantageovermanyotherregionsofthecountry.Studiesandsurveys
haverepeatedlyshownthesignificantcontributionanglers,hunters,andvacationersmaketo
Pennsylvaniaseconomy,inadditiontofishingincleanwater,boating,canoeingandkayaking
onstreamsandrivers,followingwatertrails,andsimplyenjoyingourbreathtakingscenicareas
wherewaterisaprimefocus.
Wealsoneedclean,dependabledrinkingwaterandwaterforpowerandindustrial
processes.Californiasongoingdroughtandourowncurrentdroughtwatchconditionsarea
reminderofhowimportantwateristoourdailylivesandhowcarefullyweneedtoprotectit.
Cleanwaterdoescount.Weneedtodomuchmoretoensuretheinsultstowaterquality
fromthepastarecleanedupandtoprovideeffectiveprotectionmeasuresforthefuture.
Onewayistojointhe
CleanWaterCounts!
Campaign.Wehave,andwehopeyouwill
too.
Resources:
HowCleanIsYourLocalStream?
NewsClips:
PUCPostsDetailsOn$223.5MillionDrillingImpactFeeDisbursementsFor2014
ThePublicUtilityCommissionWednesday
publishedinformation
onthePUCwebsiteregarding
thefinalapproveddistributionof$223.5millioninAct13drillingimpactfeedisbursements,
downslightlyfromlastyears$225.7million.
Overthepastfouryears,thePUChascollectedanddistributedmorethan$855millionin
impactfees.
ThePUCsAct13reportingwebsiteprovidesadetailedbreakdownofthepaymentsto
countyandmunicipalgovernments,alongwithspecificsonhowmuchmoneyhasbeencollected
foreachyear,since2011howthatmoneyhasbeenallocated,bycategoryandcomparisonsto
previousyears.
Ofthosefunds,$123,300,000willbedistributedtocountyandmunicipalgovernments
whoaredirectlyaffectedbydrilling.
Also,$18millionwillbedistributedtostateagenciesthataredefinedbytheAct
$7.5millionforCountyConservationDistricts
$5milliontoDEP
$1milliontoFishandBoatCommission
$1millioneachtoPUC,andPennDOTand
$750,000eachtoPEMA,OfficeofStateFireCommissioner.
Theremaining$82,200,000willbeplacedintotheMarcellusLegacyFund
$16.4milliontoCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityforacidminedrainage,orphanwell
plugging,watershedrestoration,recreationalandopenspaceandsewagefacilitiesgrants
$20.5milliondividedequallytoPAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthorityandthe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthorityH2OProgramfordrinkingwaterandwastewaterprojects
$20.5milliontorepairorreplacelocalbridges
$12.3millionforrecreation,openspaceandconservationprojects
$8.2milliontoEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)Fundand
$4.1milliontoHazardousSitesCleanupFund.
The
interactivewebsite
providesnumerousreportsregardingthecollectionand
distributionofthesefunds,alongwithgraphicaldataregardingthetoppayingproducers,well
countbreakdownsandtopreceivingcountiesandlocalgovernments.
VisitorstotheAct13websitecansearchanddownloadstatisticssuchasmoneypaidby
producersormoneydisbursedtostate,countyorlocalgovernments.
Theinformationalsobreaksdownthedistributioncalculationsoutlinedinthelawin
areassuchaseligiblewellspercounty/municipalityanddistributionstomunicipalitiesand
countieswithqualifyingwellsandtomunicipalitiesthatarelocatedwithinacountywith
qualifyingwellsandarecontiguoustoamunicipalitywithwellsorwithinfivemilesofa
municipalitywithwells(basedonpopulationandhighwaymilescalculations).
TheImpactFeeproducerpaymentsfor2014total$223,500,000.ThePUChasforwarded
theinformationforpaymentandexpectscheckstobemailedpriortoJuly1,2015.
ProducerImpactFeepaymentsareduetothePUConApril1ofeachyear.Distributions
ofthemoneycollectedbythePUCareduetocountyandmunicipalgovernmentsbyJuly1of
eachyear.Countyandmunicipalgovernmentinformationonhowthe2013ImpactFeemonies
wereallocatedwasduetothePUConApril15,2015.
UndertheUnconventionalGasWellImpactFeeAct,thePUCisresponsiblefor
implementingtheimposition,collectionanddistributionofanunconventionalgaswellfee.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUCs
Act13ImpactFee
webpage.
NewsClips:
PAGOPProjectsImpactFeesAt$223Million
PAToSendOut$224MFromDrillingImpactFee
PUCPostsDetailsOnGasWellFeePayments
PUCOrdersGasDrillerToPay$500KInImpactFees
$48MInImpactFeesComingToWesternPA
ImpactFeesTotal$627KForLehigh,Northampton
ImpactFeesFundParks,TrailsInCumberlandCounty
NEPASeesIncreaseInAct13ImpactFeeDisbursements
Video:Turzai,ChristianaDiscussImpactFeeDistributions
NortheastSeesIncreaseInAct13ImpactFeeDisbursements
HouseSpeakerSaysWolfsSeveranceTaxWouldCostJobs
TurzaiBlastsGovernorsSeveranceTaxProposal
DrillingImpactFeeNumbersCitedBySeveranceTaxFoes
RhetoricHeatsUpOverSeveranceTax
OpEd:HeresWhyLawmakersShouldSupportSeveranceTax
Editorial:WolfsSeveranceTaxInItsTotality
SenateGOPLeadersIssueStatementOn2014DrillingImpactFeeRevenueDisbursements
SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson)andSenateMajorityLeaderJake
Corman(RCentre)issuedthefollowingstatementTuesdayregarding
2014MarcellusShale
impactfeedisbursements
:
With2014MarcellusShaleimpactfeedisbursementswewillagainseeover$223
milliondollarsbeingcollectedfromtheindustryforinvestmentbyourcommunitiesandstate.
ForoverfouryearsourCommonwealthhasexperiencedthesubstantialbenefitsofAct13of
2012bringingthetotalrevenuecollectedtomorethan$850Million.
TheMarcellusShaleimpactfeehasdoneexactlywhatitwascreatedtodoplaceafee
ontheindustryanddirectthemoneybacktocommunitiesthatareaffectedbydrilling,aswellas
tohelpsupportstatewideenvironmentalinitiativesandmonitoringoftheindustry.
Throughtheimpactfeeitisclearthatwehavefoundawaytobalancetheindustry
payingtheirfairshare,whilefosteringstrongeconomicgrowthacrossourstate.Wecontinueto
havesevereconcernsaboutGov.Wolfsseverancetaxandtheextremelydetrimentaleffectthat
itwouldhaveonjobsandsustainedeconomicgrowth.TheIndependentFiscalOfficeanalysis
projectsanaveragetaxrateofover17percentunderWolfsproposedseverancetax.
Theshaleindustryhasbroughttensofthousandsoffamilysustainingjobsand
economicgrowthtoPennsylvania,hopefullyincludingasoontobe$2billionethanecracker
plant.Itisimportantthatwecontinuetoseethissignificanteconomicgrowthwithinourstate.
Acopyofthe2014feedisbursements
isavailableonline
.Formoreinformation,visitthe
PUCs
Act13ImpactFee
webpage.
NewsClips:
Rep.DiGirolamoIntroducesBipartisanMarcellusShaleSeveranceTaxProposal
Rep.GeneDiGirolamo(RBucks)Wednesdayintroduced
HouseBill1321
whichimposesa
severancetaxonunconventionalnaturalgasproduction.
ThebillisstructuredinsuchawayastofundmanyoftheCommonwealthstoppriorities
withoutpassingtheburdenontoworkingfamilies.Itcallsfora3.2percentdrillingtax,while
alsokeepingtheimpactfeecreatedbyAct13of2012tohelpcommunitiesdirectlyaffectedby
drilling.
TheMarcellusShaledevelopmenthasbroughtaboutanumberofpositivesintermsof
jobsandlowercostenergy,butthereareadditionalwaysinwhichwecancapitalize,andmost
residentsagreethatadrillingtaxisonewayfortheindustrytoprovideevenmorebenefitstoall
cornersoftheCommonwealth,Rep.DiGirolamosaid.Inaddition,Ibelievethemajorselling
pointofmyproposal,whichhasreceivedbipartisansupport,isthatitkeepsinplacetheimpact
feeandprotectscommunitieswhentheimpactfeerevenuestartstodropinthecomingyears.
Rep.DiGirolamosaidtheseverancetaxisfarmoresustainablethananimpactfeealone.
Underthecurrentimpactfee,eachwellisassessedafeewhichdeclinesovertimeforthefirst15
yearsofoperation.Allunconventionalwellsdrilledeachyear,nomatterhowmuchnaturalgasis
produced,paythesamefee.
Forwhatisthoughttobeatypicalunconventionalwell,thetotalimpactfeespaidover15
yearsamounttolessthan2percentofthevalueofthenaturalgassoldfromthewell.
Anydrillingtaxproposalweconsidermustbesustainableforfutureyears,andby
addingtothecurrentimpactfee,wecanensurethatfundingisavailableforourmostcritical
needseducation,humanservicesandenvironmentalprograms,headded.
UnderHouseBill1321,thetaxwouldbesetupinawaythatinthefirstyear1percentof
thetaxwillequal$6million,andwouldgrowtomorethan$9millionperpercentagepointby
201920withcontinuedmodestgrowthinproduction.
Revenuewouldbedistributedtothefollowingpriorities:basiceducation,40percent
pensionobligations,35percenthumanservices,15percentandenvironmentalprograms,10
percent.
Thelawmakerbelievesthathisproposalisfairandreasonabletotheindustry,assists
impactedcommunities,makeslongterminvestmentsinnaturalresourcesandenvironmental
programs,strengthensthesafetynetforthoseinneed,andallowseverycitizentobenefit.
JoiningRep.DiGirolamoinsponsoringthebillareReps.HarryReadshaw
(DAllegheny),PamDeLissio(DMontgomery),RobertFreeman(DNorthampton),Curtis
Thomas(DPhiladelphia),TomMurt(RMontgomery).Thereare14bipartisancosponsorsof
thebill.
Pennsylvania,nowthesecondlargestproducerofnaturalgasinthenation,istheonly
majorgasproducingstatethatdoesnotimposeadrillingtax.
A
sponsorsummary
ofthebillisavailable.
NewsClips:
SenatePanelsHearTestimonyOnEffortsToImproveSafetyOfCrudeOilTrains
TheSenateTransportationandEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteesTuesdayheard
GladysBrown,ChairofthePublicUtilityCommission,whichhasresponsibilitytodosafety
inspectionsonabout700raillinesusedbycrudeoiltrains,sayheragencywouldliketoincrease
thenumberofsafetyinspectors.
About
halfofthecrudeoilmovedbyrail
intheUnitedStateisboundforrefineriesnear
Philadelphia,accordingtoanAssociatedPressreport.About60to70trainsaweekgothrough
Pennsylvaniacarryingabout150milliongallonsofcrudeoil.
ClickHere
towatchavideoofthehearing.TheCommitteesheardtestimonyfrom
GladysBrown
,ChairofthePublicUtilityCommission
AllenZarembski
,SpecialAdvisortotheGovernoronCrudeOilTransportation
RudyHusband
,VicePresidentNorfolkSouthern
QuintinKendall
,VicePresidentCSXTransportation(
AttachmenttoTestimony
)
RobertFull
,ChiefDeputyDirector,PAEmergencyManagementAgency
ScottMartin
,LancasterCountyCommissioner
RandyGockley,DirectorOfLancasterCountyEmergencyManagementAgency
ElisabethTreseder
,AmericanPetroleumInstitute
PhilipRinaldi
,CEO,PhiladelphiaEnergySolutions
WrittenTestimony
SierraClubofChesterCounty
BrownsaidthePUCinspectsatotalofabout5,600milesoftrackwith8safety
inspectors,whichisfewerinspectorspermilethanneighboringstates.BrownsaidthePUChas
troubleretaininginspectorsbecauseoncetheygettobecertifiedinspectorstheymovetothe
FederalRailroadAdministrationfordoublethepay.
TheFRAhasprimaryresponsibilityforrailsafetyinspections,investigatingderailments,
doestrackinspectionrecordchecksanddrugandalcoholtests.
RepresentativesofbothCSXTransportationandNorfolkSoutherntoldtheCommittees
theywouldliketoseestrongerstandardsfortankcars.
AllanZarembski,the
GovernorsSpecialAdvisorofRailTransportationSafety
,saidhe
hasjustbegunthedatacollectionphaseofhisworkandwilladdressthreemajorareas:
derailmentrisk,tankcarbreach/ruptureriskandregulatoryoversightcapacityandresources.
LancasterCountyCommissionerScottMartinsaidthethreatofcrudeoiltrain
derailmentshasalowprobability,however,ifitoccurswouldbeaverydangerousandtedious
incident.
Thishearinghasbeenvitalingatheringinformationonhowenergyproducts,including
crudeoil,aremovedthroughPennsylvania,howlocal,stateandfederalgovernmentscanwork
togethertoaddressrailsafety,andwhatresourcesareneededtoprotectcommunities,saidSen.
John.Rafferty(RMontgomery),MajorityChairoftheSenateTransportationCommittee.We
wereinterestedtolearnmoreaboutsafelymovingtheseproductsacrossthestateandwork
swiftlyandproactivelywithvariousstakeholderstoimplementnewsafeguards.
Transportationbyrailisobviouslyreallyimportant,saidSen.GeneYaw
(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
TheUnitedStatesisblessedwithalloftheenergypossibilitiesthatithas,butweneedtogetall
thoseproductstomarket.Railisonewaywecangetthoseproductstomarket.AsCommittee
Chairmen,Sen.RaffertyandIarecontinuouslyworkingtoensurethattheseproductsareshipped
safelyandefficientlyacrosstheCommonwealth.
Followingarashofderailments,accidentsanddisastersincommunitiesthroughoutour
stateandnation,itiscriticalthatwetakestepstoreducetheriskofaccidents,saidSen.John
Yudichak(DLuzerne),MinorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalCommittee.Therewere
morecrudeoiltrainspillslastyearthaninanyyearsincethefederalgovernmentbegan
collectingstatisticsin1975.Itsalsoimportanttoemphasizethat25millionAmericanslive
withintheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationsonemileoiltrainevacuationzone.
Whilesafetyimprovementeffortsareunderway,Iwanttomakesurethatstateand
federalofficialsareworkingtogethertoensurethesafetyofourrailtransportsystem.Weneed
tomakesurethatthetraintracksareadequatelyinspectedandmonitored,andthatemergency
respondersaretrainedandpreparedwhenincidentsdooccur.
Ialsoquestionedtherailindustryexecutivesontherequiredtrainingandcertification
fortheirengineersthataretransportingthecrudeoil.
Thejointcommitteetodayheardfromanumberofdifferentexpertswithamultitudeof
uniqueperspectivesonthesetraintransportsafetyissues.Theirtestimonywillhelpguideour
workontheseissues,helpusshapelegislativeremediesandprovidedirectiononfuture
challenges.
Pennsylvaniahasthemostoperatingrailroadcompaniesofanystate,withatotalof57
acrossthestaterangingfromthelargestClassIrailroads,movinglongtrainsofgoodsalong
busymainlinetrackstosmallshortlinerailroadsthatmayserveashortlistofindustriesina
smallarea,movingafewcarsatatime.
WhiletestifiersemphasizedthatNorthAmericasrailnetworksmovesalmostallofits
hazardousmaterialshipmentstotheirdestinationwithoutincident,theysaidthatcoordination,
planningandbeingpreparedarecrucialtopreventaccidents.
Testifiersalsosaidproactiveeffortsarebeingmadebygovernmentagencies,therailroad
companies,theoilindustryandemergencyresponseagenciestoavoidamajorlossoflife,the
impactofaseriousenvironmentaldisasterandtominimizeconsiderableenergyandutility
losses.
TheyemphasizedthatPennsylvanianeedstotakecomprehensiveapproachtoprevent
trainderailments,complywithnewfederalguidelinesandgivefirstresponderstheknowledge
andtoolstheyneedtorespondtoincidents.
Inrecentyears,wehaveseensignificantincreasestoU.S.oilandnaturalgasproduction
improveeconomicgrowthandpromoteenergyindependence,Sen.Raffertysaid.Wenow
needtocontinueimplementingsoundpolicydecisionstosecureaprosperousCommonwealthfor
thedecadesahead.
Throughcommunication,cooperationandcoordinationwecanmakerailtransportation
evensaferandprovideassurancestocommunitiesthatwehavegoodplansinplacetoaddress
thisimportantissue,Sen.Yawadded.
ClickHere
towatchavideoofthehearing.
Sen.JohnRafferty
(RMontgomery)servesasMajorityChairoftheTransportation
Committee,email:
jrafferty@pasen.gov
,and
Sen.JohnWozniak
(DCambria)servesasMinority
Chair,email:
wozniak@pasenate.com
.
Sen.GeneYaw
(RLycoming)servesastheMajorityChairoftheEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommittee,email:
gyaw@pasen.gov
,and
Sen.JohnYudichak
(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChair,email:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
NewsClips:
Railroads,PUCCallForStricterTankCarStandards,MoreInspectors
LawmakersSeekAnswersOnOilTrainSafety
PANeedsMoreInspectorsForRailLineCarryingCrudeOil
OilFirmsButMillionsInFundForTrainBlastVictims
NaturalGasPipelineRuptureForcesTemporaryEvacuations
NaturalGasLineRuptureForcesTemporaryEvacuations
FedsInvestigatingPipelineExplosionInPA
LycomingGasPipelineRuptureWasSameLineThruLancaster
PipelineCompanyWantsCompressorsInFranklin
NewPipelineCouldMeanTaxBonanzaForNJ,NotPA
Editorial:PipeUpOnLuzerneNaturalGasPipeline
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.
Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom:
PAEnviroDigest.
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.
PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(June15):
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(June15):
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
Note:
It'sbudgettime,Committeemeetingscanbescheduledwithlittlewarning.
House:
the
TransportationCommittee
holdsahearingon
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)
promotingdevelopmentaroundtransitstations.<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommittee
Schedule.
Senate:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)
establishinganindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard(
sponsorsummary
).
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
Other:
Senate,HouseLegislativeCoalCaucusholdjointhearingonEPAsCleanPowerPlan.
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
WetlandsPurchases:
HouseBill333
(DavisDBucks)requiringhearingonDepartmentof
GeneralServicespurchasesofwetlandareas(
sponsorsummary
).
FloodInsurancePremiums:
HouseBill1299
(SantarsieroDcreatingaFloodInsurance
PremiumAssistanceTaskForcetogatherinformationonthefloodinsuranceprogramand
makingareporttotheSenate,HouseandtheGovernor(
sponsorsummary
).
SeveranceTax:
HouseBill1321
(DiGirolamoRBucks)addinga3.2percentseverancetaxto
theAct13impactfeeonnaturalgasproductionwithproceedsgoingto:basiceducation40
percentpensionobligations35percenthumanservices15percentandenvironmental
programs10percent(
sponsorsummary
).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
June15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,29,30
House
June15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
House
LeachateTransport:
HouseBill398
(KillionRDelaware)authorizingthetransportoflandfill
leachatebytruckwasreportedoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbythe
House.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryareavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenatefor
action.
EQBCounsel:
HouseBill1099
(MaherRAllegheny)providingforanindependentcounselfor
theEnvironmentalQualityBoardwasamended,referredintoandoutoftheHouse
AppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryare
available.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.
FloodProgramReport:
SenateBill494
(WardRWestmoreland)eliminatingtherequirement
foranannualfloodinsurancereportwasreferredtotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.
SustainableForestry:
HouseResolution375
(RappRForest)designatingJune5asPA
SustainableForestryInitiativeDay(
sponsorsummary
)waspassedbytheHouse.
Senate
LeachateTransport:
SenateBill513
(McGarrigleRDelaware)providingforthetruck
transportoflandfillleachate(
sponsorsummary
)waspassedbytheSenateandnowgoestothe
Houseforaction.
ConservationEasements:
HouseBill188
(SonneyRErie)authorizeswindenergyprojectson
preservedfarmlandwasamendedontheSenateFloorandpassedbytheSenateandnowgoesto
theHouseforaction.
WaterfrontTaxCredit:
SenateBill282
(VulakovichRAllegheny)establishingthewaterfront
developmenttaxcreditwasreferredtotheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.
NewsFromTheCapitol
Rep.Maher:BillStrengtheningEnvironmentalQualityBoardPassesHouse
TheHousepassed
HouseBill1099
(MaherRAllegheny)Wednesdayestablishingan
independentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.ThebillwassponsoredbyRep.John
Maher(RAllegheny),MajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
Committee.
InPennsylvania,allenvironmentalregulationsareissuedbytheEnvironmentalQuality
Board.Despitethecomplicatedlegalissuesofteninvolved,theEQBhasneverhaditsownlegal
counsel,insteaddependingonlegaljudgmentsoflawyerswhohavenodutytotheEQBorits
members.
HouseBill1099wouldrequiretheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontoappointan
independentlegalcounselwhowouldhaveacleardutytotheEQB.Theindependentcounsel
wouldassistEQBmembersonissuesandactionsbeforetheboard,andwouldprovideadviceon
proceduralmatters.
Cleanair,waterandlandareimportanttoallPennsylvanians,Rep.Mahersaid.The
EnvironmentalQualityBoardiscomprisedofavarietyofcabinetsecretaries,headsofboards
andcommissionsandmembersoftheGeneralAssembly.Itmakesdecisionsthataffectthe
healthandsafetyofourenvironmentandPennsylvaniacitizens,butdespiteitsimportantrole,
theEQBhasnoattorneywithacleardutytocallstraightforwardballsandstrikesonlegal
issues.
InordertoavoidastructuralconflictofinterestrealorperceivedRep.Maheris
proposingtheappointmentofanindependentcounseltotheboard.Toensureindependence,
Rep.Mahersbillwouldalsoprotecttheconfidentialityofcommunicationbetweencounseland
individualmembers.
ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforconsideration.
Asimilarbill
SenateBill307
sponsoredbySen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne),
MinorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,isnowinthe
SenateAppropriationsCommittee.TheCommitteeisduetoconsiderthebillonJune15.
A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryareavailable.
Senate,HouseCoalCaucusHearingJune16OnEPACleanPowerPlan
TheSenateandHouseLegislativeCoalCaucuswillholdajointhearingon
EPAsCleanPower
Plan
June16inHarrisburg.
ThehearingwillfeaturewitnessesfromthePennsylvaniacoalindustryandtheUnited
MineWorkersofferingtheirperspectiveonthechallengesposedbyEPAsproposalincluding
howitwilllimitcoalusage,anditseffectsonjobs,theeconomyandthepriceandreliabilityof
electricsupplies.
ThehearingwillbeheldinRoom140,theHouseMajorityCaucusRoomstartingat8:30.
Formoreinformation,contactAdamPankake,MajorityExecutiveDirectoroftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,bycalling7177873280orsendemailto:
apankake@pasen.gov
.
NewsFromAroundTheState
NominationsForNEPAEnvironmentalAwardsExtendedToJuly1
TheNortheastEnvironmentalPartnersTuesdayannouncedthedeadlinefornominationsforthe
NortheastEnvironmentalPartnershipAwards
hasbeenextendedtoJuly1.
Thewinnersoftheawardwillberecognizedatthe25thAnnualEveningforNortheast
PennsylvaniasEnvironmentonOctober19attheWoodlandsInn&Resort,WilkesBarre.
ThePartnersinclude:NortheasternPennsylvaniaAlliance,DepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResources,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,
PAEnvironmentalCouncils
NortheastOffice,PPLCorporation,Procter&GamblePaperProductsCompany,andWilkes
University.
TheNortheasternPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalPartnershipAwardsarepresented
annuallytorecognizetheachievementsofindividualsororganizationsthat,through
partnerships,haveachievedexcellenceinenvironmentalprotectionorconservation.
TheawardsdinnerwillshowcasetherecipientoftheThomasP.Shelburne
EnvironmentalLeadershipAward.Thisaward,inits21styear,wasestablishedbytheNEPA
EnvironmentalPartnerstorecognizeanindividualwhostandsoutforhisorherlongterm
commitmenttoenvironmentalqualitythroughinspirationalleadership,dedication,and
commitmenttopartnering.
Thisyearwillalsofocusonthe2015EmergingEnvironmentalLeaderAward,whichwill
beawardedtoastudentwhodemonstratesyoungenvironmentalleadership,creativityand,
dedicationtoinspireotherstoadoptsimilaractionstoprotecttheenvironment.
WeresofortunatetoliveinaregionofPennsylvaniawherecollaborationandworking
togetherforthebenefitofourenvironmentcomesnaturally,saidMegWelker,Sr.
EnvironmentalProfessionalatPPLanddinnerplanningcommitteechairperson.Pleasehelpus
findandrecognizethoseleaderswhodemonstratesuccessfulpartnershipsinourcommunities.
Theawardsareopentoanygroup,individual,company,program,ororganizationwhose
workhashadapositiveimpactontheenvironmentinNortheasternPennsylvaniasfollowing
counties:Bradford,Carbon,Columbia,Lackawanna,Lehigh,Luzerne,Monroe,Montour,
Northampton,Northumberland,Pike,Schuylkill,Sullivan,Susquehanna,Wayne,andWyoming.
Duringthepast24years,over175individualsandgroupsinvolvedinagriculture,
forestry,business,industry,education,science,environmentalawareness,communityservice,
andgovernmenthavebeenhonored.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
DEPInvitesCommentsOnRevisedMunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystemPermit
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayinvitedlocalgovernments,engineers,
environmentalgroups,andthegeneralpublictocomment
ontheproposedchanges
tothe
NationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystemGeneralPermitforStormwaterDischarges
fromSmallMunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystems(MS4).
TheproposalupdatestherequirementsforentitiesapplyingfornewMS4permits,newor
reissued,tobettercontrolpollutioncausedbystormwater.Oneoftheupdatesrequiressome
MS4entitiestopreparepollutioncontrolplansbeforesubmittingtheirnextMS4applicationto
DEPandtoapplyapublicparticipationprocesstothoseplans.
Theproposedchangeswillpromotetheuseoftechnologiestobetterremovespecific
typesofpollution.Forexample,MS4swhichimpactstreamsthatareimpairedbyminedrainage,
pathogensororganicchemicalswillberequiredtoapplyspecificcontrolmeasures.
Thosemeasureswillresultinabetterassessmentofthelocalproblemandsetthestage
forimprovedpollutioncontroltechnologiestoaddressthespecifictypeofpollution.
DEPpublishedanoticeofthe60daycommentperiodinthe
PABulletinonMay30
.
CommentsareduebyJuly29.
ThisproposalisthefirsttoutilizeDEPselectronic
eCommentsystem
.EComment
enablesDEPtopublishthecommentsitreceives,bothelectronicallyandinwriting,withinfive
businessdaysofreceivingthem.Italsoprovidesbetteraccesstotheproposalandanysupporting
documentationthatmayberelevanttothecommenters.
ThepublicisencouragedtosubmitcommentsabouttheNationalPollutantDischarge
EliminationSystemGeneralPermitforStormwaterDischargesfromSmallMunicipalSeparate
StormSewerSystemsusingtheneweCommentsystem.
ThepublicmayalsosubmitwrittencommentstoDEPBureauofPointandNonpoint
SourceManagement,P.O.Box8774,Harrisburg,PA171058774.
Commentssubmittedbyfacsimilewillnotbeaccepted.Allcomments,includingthose
submittedbyelectronicmail,mustincludetheoriginatorsnameandaddress.
Formoreinformation,visit
DEPsMS4
webpage.
NewsClips:
VolunteersNeededForCBFPATreePlantingInDauphinCountyJune20
The
willholdatreeplantingonJune20inLondonderry,
DauphinCountystartingat9:00a.m.
About400treesandshrubswillbeplantedalongSwataraCreektohelpcontrol
stormwaterrunoffandreducenutrientandsedimentpollution.
Tovolunteerforthisevent,sendanemailtoKateAustin,PAGrassrootsFieldSpecialist,
at:
kaustin@cbf.org
.
CapitalRC&DHostsFarmConservationProgramFieldDaysJune,July,August
The
CapitalResourceConservation&DevelopmentAreaCouncil
(RC&D)ishostingthreefield
daysinJune,JulyandAugustinFranklinandYorkcountiesdesignedtogivefarmersandother
landownersalookatsuccessfulmaintenanceandmanagementtechniquesforacreageenrolledin
the
ConservationReserveEnhancementProgram
(CREP).
Thefirstwalkwillhighlightawarmseasongrassplantingon
June20
from9:0011:00
a.m.inStewartstown,PA(YorkCounty)thenfollowedbyariparianbuffertouron
July7
in
Dillsburg.TheserieswillconcludewithariparianbufferandnativegrassplantingtourinSpring
Run(Franklin)on
August6
.
ThewarmseasongrassesDanWolfplantedaspartofCREPovertenyearsagoarethe
focusoftheJune20thevent.Priortoenrollingintheprogram,theareasweredifficulttofarm
andoftentoowettoplantinthespring,butnowthattheyareestablishedtheacreageprovides
needederosioncontrolandallowshimtofocusonproductionusinghistopacreage.
Mr.WolfwillleadthetourofhisgrassplantingsandKristopherGoetz,CREPBiologist
inAdamsandYorkCounties,willjoinhimtotalkaboutbeneficialplantsandwildlifebenefitsas
wellasweedidentificationandmaintenanceissues.
RickCsutoras,CountyExecutiveDirectorfortheUSDAYorkCountyFarmService
Agency,willalsobeavailabletoshareremindersaboutCREPrequirementsandanswerprogram
questions.
KrisGoetzwillalsoleaddiscussionduringtheJuly7eveningevent(68:00p.m.)in
Dillsburgthatwillbeginwithabufferwalkthroughatwoyearoldriparianbufferwithsite
ownerSteveWest.
Sessionhighlightsincludeissuescommonlynoticedduringtheestablishmentperiod,
suchastreeshelterdamage,weedidentification,weedcontrolandpestmanagement.Beneficial
plantsandwildlifewillalsobehighlighted.
ThisfreeworkshopsseriesconcludesonthemorningofAugust6(911:00a.m.)witha
touroftwoCREPpracticesincludingnativegrassplantingsandriparianbufferacreage.Thissite
inSpringRun,northernFranklinCounty,willfeaturediscussionaboutpracticebenefits
includingwildlifeandbeneficialplants,butalsoshareweedidentificationandmaintenancetips.
Formoreinformationortoregister,contactCherylBurnsatCapitalRC&Dat
7172414361orviaemailto:
cburns@capitalrcd.org
Visitthe
CapitalResourceConservation&DevelopmentAreaCouncil
websitefor
additionalupcomingworkshopsandfielddays.
NewsClips:
Experts:AvianFluAtPAsDoorstep
DCNR,DickinsonCollegeMonitoringHealthOf3LakesInCumberlandCounty
ResearchersatDickinsonCollegearecollaboratingwiththestateDepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcestostudythreeCumberlandCountylakesthatarepopularspotsforfishing,
boatingandotherrecreationalactivities,DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnsaidMonday.
Thankstoa$27,000minigrantfromDCNRthroughthe
SouthMountainPartnership
,
Dickinsonresearchersareutilizingcuttingedgetechnologytomonitorthehealthandecologyof
LaurelandFullerlakesin
PineGroveFurnaceStatePark
andOpossumLakenearCarlisle.
Theprojectsgoalsarethreefold:provideinsightsintohowstormeventsandweather
affectwaterqualityprovidelakemanagerswithamorecomprehensiveunderstandingofthe
lakesecologyandenhancecommunicationtothepublicbyproducingsignageforlakevisitors.
Potentialsignagetopicsincludelakeecologyandhistory,wildlife,andamapwith
optimalfishingspots.
ProjectssuchasthisdefinetheprimarygoaloftheSouthMountainPartnership
MiniGrantProgramtosustaintheSouthMountainlandscapessenseofplacebyprotecting
andpromotingtheregionsvaluablenaturalresources,saidDCNRSecretaryCindyAdams
Dunn.Tothe334,000visitorswhocometoPineGroveFurnaceStateParkeachyearLaurel
andFullerlakesaremostvaluable,indeed.
OwnedbytheFishandBoatCommission,the59acreOpossumLakeinLower
FrankfordTownshipismanagedbythecommissionforrecreationalpurposesandisespecially
popularwithanglers.
Scientificresearchisthecornerstoneoffisheriesmanagement,andcollaborativeefforts
betweenstategovernmentandcollegeslikeDickinsonarecrucialinoureffortstofully
understandtheenvironment,saidPFBCExecutiveDirectorJohnArway.Thisprojectfitsin
perfectlywithournewS.O.S.SaveOurSusquehannaCampaignandwelookforwardtothe
resultsofthisprojectandusingthedatatohelpusmanageOpossumLakeandtheSusquehanna
Riverwatershed.
Lastmonth,highfrequencysensorsweredeployedatkeylocationsinthethreelakes,
supplyinglakemanagerswithhighresolutiontemperatureandoxygendataoutliningthe
conditionsofthelakeinvarioushabitatzones.
Sensorydatawillberecordedeveryhourthroughoutthesummerandsupplementedby
biweeklymonitoringoflakechemistryandbiologicalcommunitiesinthelake,suchasalgaeand
zooplankton.InSeptember,preliminarydatawillbeanalyzedandreportedtolakemanagers.
InformationfromDickinsonsmonitoringandresearchwillbeusedtoshape
managementeffortsatourtwoparks,Dunnsaid.Forinstance,knowingwhatistriggeringan
influxofsedimentandnutrientswillallowparkandresourcemanagerstodevelopmore
customizedactionoreffort.Examplesmightbeafocusonstreambankstabilizationwithinthe
park,orworkingwithpartnerstomakeimprovementsonalarger,watershedscaleoutsidepark
boundaries.
AccordingtoleadresearcherKristinStrock,anaquaticlimnologistandassistant
professorofenvironmentalstudiesatDickinson,theNortheastU.S.hasexperiencedthemost
substantialincreaseinstormfrequencyandseverityofanyregionintheU.S.since1950.
Raineventscanincreasethedeliveryofsediment,organicmatterandnutrientsfromthe
watershedthatcanreducewaterclarityandinfluenceaquaticcommunities.Whilethethreatof
thesechangestowaterqualityarepotentiallygreat,thereiscurrentlylittleinformationtoinform
lakemanagementstrategies,Strocknoted.
Theselakesareimportant,heavilyusedresourcesintheSouthMountainlandscape,
saidStrock.Theresultsfromthisworkwillhelpustounderstandandcommunicatehowthe
lakesarefunctioningandhowtheymightbechangingovertime.
StrockhassuccessfullycompletedsimilarprojectsinMainesAcadiaNationalParkand
inMinnesotasIsleRoyaleNationalPark.
BypartneringwithDCNR,thisnewknowledgecanhelpinformlakemanagementnow
andinthefuture,shesaid.
DuquesneUniversityReceivesGrantForSharing3RiversQuestWaterQualityData
DuquesneUniversitysroleinaregionalwaterqualitymonitoringinitiativewillbeexpanded,
thankstocontinuedgrantfundingfromthe
ColcomFoundation
.Thenewfundingwillbeusedto
disseminatetheresultsoftheongoingstudytocommunitygroups,governmentagenciesand
individualsinanunderstandableformat.
Thegoalistopromotegreaterpublicunderstandingofwaterqualitydata,whatitisand
whatitmeans,inordertofacilitateappropriateaction,whennecessary.
Duquesneisoneoffourpartnersinthe
3RiversQuest
(3RQ)initiative,whichhas
receivedmorethan$1.6millionfromtheColcomFoundationtoestablishbaselinewaterquality
dataandtotraincitizenscientistsinwatersampling.
Inthisthirdroundoffunding,Duquesnewillreceive$151,580ofthe$350,000from
Colcom,aPittsburghbasedfoundationinterestedinenvironmentalsustainability,toshow
communitymembershowtousetheseonlinedatabases,saidDr.StanKabala,the3RQ
coordinatorbasedinDuquesnesCenterforEnvironmentalResearchandEducation.
Peoplehaverenewedappreciationfortheamenitiesoflivingbyourrivers,Kabala
said,citingthenumbersofboats,kayaksandpaddleboardsspottedalongwithfishermen,hikers
andbikersonriversidetrails.
Thereisnoquestionthatwehaveimprovedtheregionsriverwaterqualityby
addressingissueslikeuntreatedsewageabiologicalissueandabandonedminedrainagea
chemicalissuelikethosewearetracking,Kabalacontinued.Industrymostprominently,
frackingposesachemicalthreattothewatershed.Thereisariskofgoingbackwardafter
decadesofimprovementatatimewhenpeoplevaluetheseamenitiesandrealizewhatatreasure
theseriversare.
Withthelatestfunding,Duquesneandeachpartnerwillhireaparttimecoordinator
bridgingthegapbetweenresearchersandthepublic,sharinginformationandtrainingthose
interestedinusingdatabasesavailableonthe
3RiversQuest
website.
Thisnewprogram,ResearchEnhancingAwarenessviaCommunityHydrology
(REACH),willgivepeopletheabilitytounderstandwhattheyareseeing,Kabalasaid.With
thisabilitytointerpretdata,itsuptothemtotakeittothenextlevelanddemandactionifaction
isrequired.
Inthisway,Kabalasaid,citizensbecomemoreengagedinthedemocraticprogressand
evenmorevestedintheircommunities.Itsdefinitelyaboutcitizenstakingactionandbeing
engagedinthepoliticalprocesseswithafirmbaseofdata.
Since2013,DuquesnehasmonitoredthelowerAlleghenyRiver,workingwiththeIron
FurnaceChapterofTroutUnlimitedasitmonitorstheupperAllegheny.WheelingJesuit
UniversitymonitorstheupperOhioRiverandWestVirginiaUniversity,whichisthe
headquartersfortheinitiative,monitorstheMonongahelaRiver.
AbingtonFriendsSchoolHostsJune17ForumOnWatersOfU.S.RuleInMontgomery
OnJune17the
AbingtonFriendsSchool
willhostaforumontherecentlyfinalized
EPAWaters
oftheU.S.rule
inJenkintown,MontgomeryCounty,575WashingtonLanestartingat5:30.
Scheduledtospeakare:ShawnGarvin,EPARegionIIIAdministrator,BernSweeney,
StroudWaterResearchCenter
,ChristerAnderson,
PhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
,J.Drew
Shaw,MontgomeryCountyPlanningCommissionandStevenMiano,HangleyAronchickSegal
andPudlin.
ClickHere
toregisterforthisevent.
June8WatershedWindsNewsletterAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
June8editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson
RoadsideSpringFactsheetFromPennStateExtension
DEPRevisesPolicyOnDevelopingTechnicalGuidance,InvitesComments
FinalEPAWatersOfTheU.S.RuleIssued,LittleImpactInPAExpected
PennStateExtensionAtGreatLakesChildrensWaterFestival
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
PEC:BillsAllowCommitteesToDelayRegulationsForNoReason,ReduceTransparency
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
wrotetoeverymemberoftheHouseThursdayexpressingits
concernswith
SenateBill562
(GordnerRColumbia)and
HouseBill965
(GodshallR
Montgomery)thatitsaidwouldallSenateorHousecommitteestodelayregulationsforan
indeterminateamountoftimefornoapparentreasonandreducepublicinformationavailableon
regulatoryproposals.
SenateBill562isnowintheHouseStateGovernmentCommitteeandHouseBill965is
intheHouseConsumerAffairsCommittee.
ThetextofPECsletterfollows
DearRepresentative:
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,Iamwritingtoexpressour
concernswithcompanionlegislationSB562(P.N.731)andHB965(P.N.1210)which
currentlyresideintheHouseStateGovernmentandConsumerAffairsCommittees,respectively.
Thislegislationfundamentallyaltersestablishedprocedureforpublicationandreviewof
proposedrulemakingthatfallunderthepurviewoftheIndependentRegulatoryReview
Commission.Ourobjectionstothelegislationareasfollows:
First,thislegislationwouldblockpublicationofagencyStatementsofPurposeinthe
PennsylvaniaBulletin.Thereisnorationaleforthisrevisiontoexistingpracticeinfact,it
decreasestransparencybylimitinginformationprovidedtothepublic.
Second,thislegislationenablesstandingcommitteesoftheGeneralAssemblyto
unilaterallypostponeIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission(IRRC)considerationof
rulemakingproposalswithoutanypredictableorcertaintimeframeforresolution.
Currently,theRegulatoryReviewActgivesstandingcommitteesthepowertofurther
reviewordisapprovearegulatoryproposalaftertheIRRCwhichconsistsoffourlegislative
appointeesandoneappointeeoftheGovernorhasvotedonit.
Moreover,theIRRCdoesnotvoteuntilafteraproposalhasbeenvettedbylegaland
scientificexperts,subjectedtoreviewbythegeneralpublic(includingtheGeneralAssemblyand
AttorneyGeneral),andinsomecasesconsideredbyothergovernmentalagencieslikethe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard(whichincludesrepresentationfromthestandingcommittees).
Underexistinglaw,whenastandingcommitteeinvokesitspowertoreviewor
disapprove,aregulatoryproposalisstayedforadefiniteperiodoftime,andcaneventuallybe
broughttoavotebeforethefulllegislature.Inshort,theGeneralAssemblyscurrentoversight
powerisbothsubstantialandwelldefined.
Bycontrast,SB562andHB965wouldenablestandingcommitteestoinvokethepower
tofurtherreviewproposedregulationsbeforetheIRRCvotes,andprovidesanuncertain
timeframeforsuchreviewbyallowingforthegreaterofasetnumberofcalendarorjointsession
days.
Asweknow,thereareprolongedperiodswheretheGeneralAssemblyisoutofsession,
meaningthatsuchreviewcouldextendoverseveralmonths.Thisisunreasonableandcouldhave
theaffectofinvalidatingrulemakingproposalsmerelybylackofreviewwithinadefinite
timeframe.
Whileweunderstandtheimportanceofensuringthatstandingcommitteesreceiveall
necessaryandsupportinginformationforreviewofregulatoryproposals,SB562andHB965
inhibitsomeofthatsameinformationfrombeingprovidedtothepublicatlarge,andcreate
greateruncertaintyforreviewandfinalizationofproposals.
Webelievethislegislation,ascurrentlywritten,isagainstthepublicinterestandshould
beopposedbymembersoftheHouseofRepresentatives.Thankyouforyourconsideration.
SentbyJohnWalliser,VicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs,Pennsylvania
EnvironmentalCouncil.
ClickHere
forasponsorsummaryofSenateBill562.
ClickHere
forasponsorsummary
ofHouseBill965.
June22PublicMeetingOnIESILandfillExpansionInNorthamptonCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannounceditwillhostapublicmeetingto
answerresidentsquestionsregardingIESILandfillspermitapplicationtoexpanditsexisting
facilityonApplebutterRoadinBethlehem,NorthamptonCounty.
ThemeetingwilltakeplaceJune22from6to9pmatSauconValleyHighSchool
Auditorium,at2100PolkValleyRoad,Hellertown,PA.
Thegoalofthismeetingistohelpresidentsbetterunderstandhowthedepartment
reviewspermitexpansionapplicationslikethis,saidMikeBedrin,directorofDEPsNortheast
RegionalOffice.
IESIfiledtheoriginalexpansionapplicationonJanuary21,2015.Thecompanyis
requestinganexpansionof6acres,with22.5acresovertoppingexistinglandfilledareas.
AcopyofIESIspermitapplicationcanbeviewedatDEPsNortheastRegionalOffice
locatedat2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre,18701ortheDEPsBethlehemDistrictOfficelocated
at4530BathPike,Bethlehem18017.
Thosewishingtomakeanappointmenttoviewthedocumentscandosobetweenthe
hoursof8amand4pmbycallingtheNortheastRegionalOfficeat5708262511orthe
BethlehemDistrictOfficeat6108612070.
IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActof1990shouldcontactColleenConnolly,ormakeaccommodationsthroughthe
PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat18006545984(TDD).
NewsClips:
LuzerneCountyHostingFreeElectronicsRecyclingEvent
DunmoreFailsToActInOpposingKeystoneLandfillGrowth
KeystoneLandfillMakesPitchToPublic
KeystoneLandfillRestsCaseInZoningChallenge
StateSetsHearingOnFreyFarmLandfillExpansionInLancaster
PayAsYouThrowGarbageCollectionCloserInMt.Lebanon
June30HearingOnIncreasedLeadEmissionsFromNorthamptonGeneratingStation
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedTuesdayitwillhostapublichearingon
anapplicationbyNorthamptonGenerating,Inc.locatedinNorthamptonBorough,Northampton
Countytoreviseitsexistingpermitlimitforleademissionsfromitscirculatingfluidizedbed
boiler.
Thehearingwilltakeplacefrom6p.m.to9p.m.onJune30attheNorthampton
MemorialCommunityCenter,at1601LaubachAve.inNorthampton.
Thecompanyhasrequestedanincreaseinitsleademissionlimitfrom.0027poundsper
hourto.0588poundsperhourand0.258tonsperyear.NorthamptonGeneratingburns
tirederivedfuel,propane,anthraciteculm,highcarbonash,coal,residualpaperproducts,virgin
wood,andpetroleumcoketogenerateelectricitytosellbacktothegrid.
Thedepartmentcontinuestoseeaninterestfromthepubliconthisapplicationandthis
isanopportunitytohearfromthem,saidMikeBedrin,DirectorofDEPsNortheastRegional
OfficeinWilkesBarre.
ThedepartmentreceivedNorthamptonGeneratingspermitapplicationonOctober16,
2014.AnoticeofreceiptofthepermitapplicationwaspublishedinthePABulletinon
December20,2014.Thatnoticealsoinformedthepublicofa30daypubliccommentperiodthat
beganonDecember20,2014,andtheopportunitytorequestapublichearing.
Basedoncommentsreceivedandthelevelofpublicinterestintheapplication,the
Departmenthasdecidedtoholdapublichearing.
ThepublichearingwasadvertisedintheMorningCallnewspaperonMay26,May27,
andMay28,2015.Inadditiontothehearing,theDepartmentwillcontinuetoacceptwritten
commentsonNorthamptonGeneratingspermitapplicationuntil4pmonWednesdayJuly15,
2015.
Thosewhocannotattendthepublichearingareencouragedtoparticipateinthepublic
commentprocessbysendingintheirremarkstoMarkWejkszner,AirQualityProgramManager,
2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre,PA18701.Commentscanalsobesentbyemailto:
mwejkszner@pa.gov
.
AcopyofthepermitapplicationcanbeviewedattheDepartmentsNortheastRegional
Office,at2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre,PA18701bycalling5708262511,oratthe
DepartmentsBethlehemDistrictOffice,at4530BathPike,Bethlehem,PA18017bycalling
6108612070.
IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActof1990shouldcontactColleenConnollyormakeaccommodationsthroughthe
PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat8006545984(TDD).
NewsClip:
CourtStrikesDownEPAOzoneRulesToCutCoalPlantPollution
PROPExtendsDeadlineFor2015PAWasteWatcherAwardsToJune30
The
ProfessionalRecyclersofPA
haveextendedthedeadlinefornominationsforthe
2015PA
WasteWatcherAwards
untilJune30.
ThePennsylvaniaWasteWatcherprogramisopentomunicipalities,counties,
businesses/industries,schools/colleges/universities,communitynonprofitgroups,and
individualswhohavemadeasignificantcontributioninrecycling,composting,andwaste
reduction/reuseeffortsduringthe2014calendaryear.
Applicantsmustdemonstratethattheireffortsareaboveandbeyondservicesnormally
requiredortypicallyprovided.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
June11DEPNewsNowAvailable
The
June11editionofDEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
SenateConfirmsJohnQuigleyAsSecretaryOfDEP
ChevronFinedForFatalLancoGasWellFire
DEPHearsTestimonyOnInjectionWellProposalInIndianaCounty
ResidentsExpressOppositionToQuarryPermitInLehighCounty
DEPToBeginDrillingWorkAtMineFireInCarbonCounty
NewPublicCommentPolicyEnhancesPublicParticipation,Transparency
DEPInvitesCommentsOnDraftMunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystemPermit
DEP:HyndmanBoroughAgreesToResolveSafeDrinkingWaterViolations
FirstWestNileVirusCarryingMosquitoSampleDetected
PAOutdoorRecreationPlanUnveiled
2PASchoolsAwardedGreenRibbonStatus
StudentsLearnAboutDamSafetyWithHandsOnLesson

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
EPAReleasesEnvironmentalJusticeScreening,MappingTool
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyWednesday
releasedEJSCREEN
,anenvironmental
justicescreeningandmappingtoolthatuseshighresolutionmapscombinedwithdemographic
andenvironmentaldatatoidentifyplaceswithpotentiallyelevatedenvironmentalburdensand
vulnerablepopulations.
EJSCREENssimpletounderstandcolorcodedmaps,barcharts,andreportsenable
userstobetterunderstandareasinneedofincreasedenvironmentalprotection,healthcare
access,housing,infrastructureimprovement,communityrevitalization,andclimateresilience.
EJSCREENprovidesessentialinformationtoanyoneseekinggreatervisibilityand
awarenessabouttheimpactsofpollutioninAmericancommunities,saidEPAAdministrator
GinaMcCarthy.EJSCREENhasbeenavaluableresourceforEPAtoadvanceourcommitment
toprotectAmericansmostvulnerabletopollution.Imexcitedtosharethistoolwiththepublic
tobroadenitsimpact,buildtransparency,andfostercollaborationwithpartnersworkingto
achieveenvironmentaljustice.
StateenvironmentalagenciesappreciateEPAscollaborativeworkontheuseand
releaseofthisimportanttool,saidDickPedersen,DirectorofOregonsDepartmentof
EnvironmentalQualityandpastPresidentoftheEnvironmentalCouncilofStates.Citizens
havingaccesstoenvironmentalanddemographicdataisextremelyimportantinhelpingstates
implementenvironmentalprogramsandensurepublichealthandenvironmentalprotectionfor
all.Tothatend,EJSCREENfacilitatesvitalcitizenengagement.
EJSCREENcanhelpgovernments,academicinstitutions,localcommunities,andother
stakeholderstohighlightcommunitieswithgreaterriskofexposuretopollutionbasedon8
pollutionandenvironmentalindicators,includingtrafficproximity,particulatematter,and
proximitytosuperfundsites.
TheseindicatorsarecombinedwithdemographicdatafromtheU.S.CensusBureau
AmericanCommunity5yearSummarySurveyenablinguserstoidentifyareaswithminorityor
lowincomepopulationswhoalsofacepotentialpollutionissues.
EJSCREENscapabilitiescouldprovidesupportforeducationalprograms,grantwriting,
andcommunityawarenesseffortssothatuserscanparticipatemeaningfullyindecisionmaking
processesthatimpacttheirhealthandenvironment.
WhileEJSCREENisbeingsharedpubliclytoimproveworkonenvironmentaljustice,
EPAisnotmandatingstategovernmentsorotherentitiesusethetooloritsunderlyingdata.
EJSCREENdoesnotdirectEPAdecisionsitdoesnotprovideabasisforidentifying
areasasEJcommunities,anditisnotanappropriatestandalonetoolformakingarisk
assessment.
Asascreeningtool,itsdatamayhavelevelsofuncertainty,andisthereforeincomplete
incapturingthetotalnumberofpollutionproblemspeopleface.
ThereleaseofEJSCREENinitiatesastakeholderengagementperiodoverthenextsix
months.EPAwillcollectfeedbackonthedatasetsanddesignofthetoolaswellashowit
couldbefurtherenhancedandwillreleasearevisedversionin2016.
Environmentaljusticeisdefinedasthefairtreatmentandmeaningfulinvolvementofall
people,regardlessofraceorincomewithrespecttothedevelopment,implementation,and
enforcementofenvironmentallaws,regulations,andpolicies.
EPAsgoalistoprovideallpeoplewithequalaccesstotheenvironmental
decisionmakingprocesstomaintainahealthyenvironmentinwhichtolive,learn,andwork.
TheEJSCREENtool
isavailableonline
.
DEPaddressesenvironmentaljusticeissuesthroughthe
OfficeofEnvironmental
Advocate
createdin2002andits
EnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
whichrequires
enhancedpublicparticipationinpermitdecisionsinenvironmentaljusticeareasaroundthestate.
AlleghenySolarFestSetForJune20AtMillvilleParkAlleghenyCounty
Inanefforttohighlighttheuntappedpotentialofsolarenergyin
westernPennsylvania,the
SolarUnifiedNetworkofWesternPA
,
theBoroughofMillvaleanddozensofsolarcompaniesand
supportingorganizationsarecosponsoringthesecond
Allegheny
SolarFest
onJune20,from11a.m.to4p.m.atMillvales
RiverfrontPark.
Thisyear,SolarFestwillfeaturesolardemonstrations,
functionalsolarart,livemusic,kidsactivities,foodtrucksanda
microbrewbeergarden.
Sincetherewassomuchinterestinlastyearsfestivalthatdrewmorethan800people
fromacrosstheregion,wewereexcitedtoexpandthisyearsactivities,saidGregWinks,
treasurerofSolarUnifiedNetworkofWesternPennsylvaniaandfestivalleadorganizer.Solar
energyworksverywellinwesternPennsylvania,whichreceivesmuchmoresunthanGermany
theleadingsolarnation.Withthedramaticdropinthecostofsolarenergyoverthepastfew
years,thistechnologyisnowwithinreachofalmostanyonewhocanaffordtheirelectricbill.
SolarFestwillincludelivemusicfromBenShannon,theMapleTigerStringBandand
theBeagleBrothersandexhibitsfrommorethan25vendorstoutingthebenefitsofclean,
healthyenergy,includingsolarinstallers,solarowners,andnonprofits.
Participantswillenjoysolartoycarraces,anElectricCarshowwithaTesla,BMWi3
andVoltcars,interactivekidsactivities,VentureOutdoorclimbingwall,facepainting,
humanpoweredwatercannons,theBreatheMobile,Pittsburghfoodtrucks,aswellasalocal
microbrewsbyGristHouseBrewingofMillvale.
MillvaleBoroughisonceagainhappytocosponsortheSolarFest,especiallysincewe
haveexpandedouruseofsolarenergyatourlibraryandotherbuildingsintheboroughsincelast
year.saidBrianWolovich,MillvaleBoroughCouncilmanandMillvaleCommunityLibrary
President.Millvaleisproudtoshowcaseourcommitmenttotransitioninganolderriverfront
communitytoonethatembracessustainablepracticesthatenhancethequalityoflifeinour
communityforourresidentsandbusinesses.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
AlleghenySolarFest
websiteor
Facebookpage
.
NewsClips:
PittsburghAirportGasolineStationOffersAlternativeFuels
NoOneHappyWithEPAsBiofuelProposal
OpEd:LetsKeepTheTurbinesTurning
PenelecProjectsSupportShaleGasIndustryInCentralPA

AspartofitseffortstohelpsupportPennsylvania'sshalegasindustry,PennsylvaniaElectric
Company(Penelec)isconstructingseveralnewpowerlinesandrebuildingothersatacostof
nearly$6milliontoservenaturalgaspumpingstationsbeingconstructedincentral
Pennsylvania.
Theworkalsowillenhanceservicereliabilityforapproximately3,000Peneleccustomers
intheregion.
Thenewdistributionlineswillrunnearly15milesfromexistingPenelecsubstationsin
McConnellstownandBlainandwillprovideelectricservicetonewnaturalgaspumpingstations
beingbuiltinMarcklesburgandDoylesburg.
Theprojectsincludeinstallingwire,electricalequipmentandmorethan300newsteel,
woodandlaminatepoles.
Theworkisexpectedtobecompletedlaterthissummerandisdesignedtohandlethe
approximately2.8megawattsinnewelectricloadanticipatedonthePenelecsystemwhenthe
pumpingstationsareoperational.
Inaddition,theprojectswillhelpenhanceservicereliabilityforPeneleccustomersin
Blain,JacksonBorough,ToboyneTownship,WalkerTownship,andPennTownship.
"Withthenaturalgasindustrybringingnewemploymentandbusinessdevelopment
opportunitiestoPennsylvania,thesetypesofinfrastructureupgradeswillhelpusmeetthe
growingdemandforsafeandreliableelectricservicenowandinthefuture,"saidScottWyman,
Penelecregionalpresident.
TheworkispartofFirstEnergy'splanstoinvestapproximately$221millionin2015on
servicereliabilityinfrastructureenhancementsandtransmissionprojectsinPenelec'sservice
area.
PUCImplementsPhaseIIIOfAct129EnergyEfficiencyProgram
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedtheimplementationofafiveyearthirdphase
ofthe
Act129EnergyEfficiencyandConservationprograms
,requiringadditional,incremental
reductionsinconsumptionandpeakdemandforPennsylvaniaslargestelectricdistribution
companies.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovetheImplementationOrder,whichaddressesissues
relatedtothedesignandimplementationofthenextphaseoftheEE&Cprograms.Aspartofthe
adoptionofthisOrder,theCommissionwilladoptafiveyearphaseoftheAct129EE&C
ProgramthatwilloperatefromJune1,2016,throughMay31,2021.
ChairmanGladysM.BrownandCommissionerJamesH.Cawley
issuedajointmotion
addressingtheproposedprohibitionondualparticipationinPJMInterconnectionsEmergency
LoadResponseProgram,andAct129sDemandResponseProgram,bythesamecustomer.
Commissioners
RobertF.Powelson
and
PamelaA.Witmer
issuedstatements.
TheEDCscurrent(EE&C)plansarevalidthroughMay31,2016,atwhichtimethelaw
directsthePUCtoreevaluatethecostsandbenefitstodetermineiftheEE&Cprogramsshould
continue.
Byinitiatingthisplanningprocesswellinadvanceof2016,theCommissionintendsto
facilitateasmoothtransitiontominimizeanypossibleprogramlapsesasEDCsmoveintothe
thirdphaseoftheprogram.
TheImplementationOrderaddresses:ThetimelineforimplementingPhaseIIIThe
lengthofPhaseIIIInclusionofconsumptionreductionrequirementsInclusionofpeakdemand
reductionrequirementsInclusionofareductioncarveoutforthegovernment,educationaland
nonprofitsectorInclusionofalowincomesectorreductioncarveoutProgramdesignissues
OthertransitionissuesandProgramcostrecoveryissues.
OnOctober23,2014,theCommissionissueda
SecretarialLetter
seekingcommentson
theimplementationofathirdphaseoftheEE&CProgram.
Inaddition,theCommissionheldastakeholdermeetingonDecember2,2014,toprovide
interestedpartiesanopportunitytoidentifyadditionalissuesandconcernsregardingthedesign
ofanyfutureEE&Cprogramandtoaddressanyquestionsregardingthetopicsandissues
presentedinthePhaseIIISecretarialLetter.
OnMarch11,2015,theCommissionissuedforcommenta
TentativeImplementation
Order
onthefutureofEE&CprogramsestablishedunderAct129.
Act129becamelawonOct.15,2008,andincludedimplementationofEE&Cprograms
thatwouldproduceusagereductionstomeetlegislativelymandatedtargetsthroughMay31,
2013.
OnAugust2,2012,thePUCissuedaFinalImplementationOrderadoptingathreeyear
PhaseIIAct129EE&CProgramthatoperatesfromJune1,2013,throughMay31,2016.
Act129alsoaddressedissuessuchaselectricutilityanddefaultserviceprovider
responsibilitiesconservationserviceproviderssmartmetertechnologytimeofuserates
realtimepricingplansdefaultserviceprocurementmarketmisconductalternativeenergy
sourcesandcostrecovery.
PUCsAct129
webpage.
NewsClips:
WheresTheFurorOverWolfTappingShaleExecForPUC?
GroupsWantStateToRejectCoalAshDisposalPlan
Editorial:PreventNewNuclearReactorNearBerwick
PECOHearsProposedRateHikeCriticism
FERCOKPJMPowerGridReliabilityPlan
AttorneyGeneralChidesElectricityMarketer
AGFilesActionAgainstEthicalElectricForMisleadingAds
HersheyNamedATop10GreenCompanyInU.S.ByNewsweek
TheHersheyCompany
wasrecognizedforitscontinuingcommitmenttoenvironmental
stewardshipin
Newsweeks2015GreenRankings
.Outofthetop500U.S.companiesnamed,
HersheyplacedNo.6,movingup40spotsfromlastyearsranking.
Hersheyscommitmenttooperatingsustainablydatesbacktotheearlydaysofthe
companywhenourfounder,MiltonHershey,firstusedsteampowerintheoriginalfactorylong
beforetheideaofalternativeenergybecamepopular,saidLeighHorner,VicePresident,
CorporateCommunicationsandCorporateSocialResponsibility.Today,morethanacentury
later,ouremployeeslivethislegacyofcaringfortheenvironment,evenaswegrowintoaglobal
companywithoperationsaroundtheworld.
Hersheycontinuestoincreaseitstransparencyanddisclosureofenvironmentalimpacts.
Overthelastseveralyears,thecompanyhasreportedkeyenvironmentalsustainability
achievements:
Reducedwasteby40percentandreducedpackagingwastebyacumulative16millionpounds
throughvariouscompanywideinitiatives.
ReducedgreenhousegasemissionsinU.S.distributionandlogisticsby27percent.
IntroducedHersheysMiniaturespackagingredesignthatreducedwastewhilemaintaining
packagingqualityandfoodsafety.
AchievedzerowastetolandfillstatusatitsElSalto,Mexicofacility,oneof11Hershey
facilitiestoachievethismilestone,with60percentofitsglobalproductionoccurringatZWL
facilities.
Reducedcompanywidewaterconsumptionby70percent.
ToviewthecompletereportandthecompanysotherCSRinitiatives,visit
Hersheys
SharedGoodness
website.
ExelonRecognizedForSustainabilityLeadershipInNewsweekGreenRankings
Exelon
wasrecognizedforitsenvironmentalperformancebyrankingNo.61amongthe500
largestpubliclytradedcompaniesintheU.S.andinthetopfiveamongutilitiesinthe2015
NewsweekGreenRankings
.
ThecompanyrankedNo.105amongthe500largestpubliclytradedcompanies
worldwide,upfromNo.116in2014.
Amajorpartofourbusinessinvolveshelpingcustomersmakesmarteruseofenergy
andinvestinginnewandexistingsourcesofcleanenergy.TheNewsweekGreenRankingsare
recognitionofourcontinuedcommitmenttosustainability.
Exelonhasfocusedsinceitsfoundingonbeingcommittedtooperatinginwaysthat
minimizeimpactstotheenvironment,saidChrisGould,seniorvicepresidentandchief
sustainabilityofficerofExelon.Amajorpartofourbusinessinvolveshelpingcustomersmake
smarteruseofenergyandinvestinginnewandexistingsourcesofcleanenergy.TheNewsweek
GreenRankingsarerecognitionofourcontinuedcommitmenttosustainability.
NewsweeksGreenRankingsevaluatetheworldslargestcompaniesbymarketvalue
andratethembasedonavarietyofcorporatesustainabilityandenvironmentalfactors,suchas
energy,carbon,waterandwasteproductivity.
Therankingsalsoconsidercompanyreputationandboardleveloversightaretheresultof
analysisconductedbyNewsweekandindependentresearchfirmsCorporateKnightsCapitaland
HIPInvestorInc.
Exelonoperatesoneofthenationscleanestpowergenerationfleetsandisamajor
investoranddeveloperofrenewableenergy.Exelonisthenations12thlargestwindenergy
producerandamajordeveloperofsolarenergy,includingthroughitsConstellationbusiness
unit.
In2014,morethan98percentoftheapproximately37.9billiongallonsofwaterusedby
Exelonoperatedfacilitiesperdaywasdirectlyreturnedtothesource.Inaddition,thecompany
increaseditscompanywiderecyclingratetonearly70percentin2014.
In2014,ExelonwasnamedtotheDowJonesSustainabilityNorthAmericaIndexforthe
ninthconsecutiveyearinrecognitionofitsstrongsustainabilityperformance.Thecompanywas
alsonamedin2014toCDPsS&P500ClimateDisclosureLeadershipIndexforreducingcarbon
emissionsandaddressingclimatechange.
Youcanlearnmoreon
ExelonsEnvironment
webpage.
PittsburghSustainableSmallBusinessDesignationsToBeCelebratedJune19
OnJune19,shopandcelebratethe
SustainableSmallBusinessDesignation
ofadozen
businessesalongtheSteelValleyAvenues,thebusinessdistrictcomprisingHomestead,West
Homestead,andMunhallinAlleghenyCounty.
Takeadvantageofsales,raffleprizes,livemusic,andmore!
IndividualsareinvitedtostartatthetentinfrontofDukesUpperDeckCaftopickup
aneventpassport.Theycanthenhavetheirpassportsstampedateachparticipatingbusiness,
thendropoffthecompletedpassportatthetenttoentertowinprizes!
Amongthefestivities,DanKnishkowyfromBrooklynbasedfolk/rockbandAdeline
Hotelwillplaylivemusicalong8thAvenueneartheregistrationtent,localartistBaronBatch
willconductalivepaintingdemonstrationatStudioAM,andBlackMountainSpiritSchoolof
ChineseKungFuwillbeperformingmartialartsdemonstrationsthroughouttheday.
MirrorImageCutsandStyleswillhavecouponsonhandaswellaslightrefreshments
andsnacks.ScreamingCrowTattooandPiercingisofferingajewelryandtshirtsale,andboth
Retroon8thandVoodooBrewerywillholdspecialbusinesshoursandbeopenduringtheevent.
Sustainablebusinessesmanageandoperateinwaysthatsimultaneouslyaregoodfortheir
bottomline,theenvironment,andthesocialfabricoftheircommunities.
TheSouthwesternPASustainableSmallBusinessDesignation,oneofSustainable
Pittsburgh'sawardwinningperformanceprograms,recognizessmallbusinessesthatincorporate
sustainablepracticesastheirstrategyforsuccess.
TheSteelValleyAvenuesCashMobisthefourthcashmobSustainablePittsburghs
ChampionsforSustainabilityprogramhashosted.Atpastcashmobs,over80percentof
participatingbusinessesdoubledtheircustomersandsaleswhenthecashmobhitthem.
Alltold,thereare170establishmentsthathaveearnedtheSustainableSmallBusiness
Designationin30communitiesaroundtheregion.Individualsareencouragedtovisitthemall
fortheirshoppingneeds!
June19CashMob
webpage,orcontactSaharArbabat
4122586652orsendemailto:
sarbab@sustainablepittsburgh.org
.
WildlandsConservancyExtendsDeadlineForLehighSojournSignUp
The
WildlandsConservancy
hasextendedthedeadlinetosignupfortheLehighSojourntoJune
19.
ClickHere
towatchthefun!
ClickHere
toregister.
ClickHere
forascheduleofriver
sojournsaroundPennsylvaniafromthe
PAOrganizationforRiversandWatersheds
.
VolunteersDonate$1MillionWorthOfLaborToStateParks,Forests
The
PAParksandForestsFoundation
Mondayannouncedthe
resultsoftheirannualsurveyof38affiliatedChapterfriends
groups.
Eachyear,eachChapterpreparesareportofthemoney
raisedandhoursofvolunteerlabordonatedtotheirrespective
stateparksandforests.Forthesecondyearinarow,thesededicatedvolunteersdonatedhours
valuedinexcessof$1milliontothesecrucialpubliclands.
"NotonlydidourChaptervolunteersraisemorethan$390,000inrealmoneythrough
donations,hostingspecialevents,andsalesofmerchandiseandcampgoodsbuttheyalsogave
over44,000hoursoftheirtimethroughouttheyear.AccordingtotheBureauofLaborStatistics,
everyoneofthosehoursisvaluedat$23.07makingtheircontributionworth$1,015,495.26,"
saidMarciMowery,PresidentoftheFoundation."Wearesoproudoftheworkthesevolunteers
do.Ineverykindofweather,you'llfindthemworkingontheirparks'andforests'trailsand
picnicareas,buildingplaygroundsandparkbenches,andsharingtheirindividualexpertiseand
passionwithPennsylvaniafamilies."
Otherdatacollectedshowthatthesevolunteershosted133specialevents(everything
frommusic,food,andhistoryfestivalstoEasteregghuntsandotherholidaycelebrationsto
wildflowerhikesandbirdwatchingoutingsabarndanceandasquaredancemarathons,half
marathonsand5krun/walkseducationalprogramsandseasonalfun).
Theeventsbroughtnearly82,000peopleintotheparksandforests,sometimesin
"shoulder"seasonslikeearlyspringandlatefallwhenvisitationnumbershavetraditionally
decreased.
"Allourvolunteershelpinginstateparksandstateforestlandsaremarkedbyapassionto
protect,improveandenhancethenaturalworldaroundthem,"saidDCNRActingSecretary
CindyAdamsDunn."Somanycontributesomuch.Whetherit'sintroducingnewcomerstothe
joysofbirding,helpingothersrelivethepioneerlifeonparklands,ortacklingstateforesttrail
improvementsindrenchingrain,thevolunteerisinvaluabletoDCNR."
PAParks&ForestsFoundationchapters
represent37ofPennsylvania's120stateparks
andfourofthe20stateforestdistricts.TheyoperateasnonprofitaffiliatesoftheFoundation
whichoffersthesevolunteergroupstrainingopportunities,accountingandauditservices,and
publicityandpromotionsupport.
NewaffiliatechaptersarealwayswelcomesimplycontactMarciMowerybysending
emailto:
mmoweryppff@pa.net
forinformationonhowtoformafriendsgroupforyour
favoriteparkorforest.
PAParksandForestsFoundation
website.
NewsClips:
PATopsForTurningOldRailsIntoTrails
Editorial:PittsburghBenefitsFromMoreBikeLanes
OpEd:BikeSharingABigDealInPittsburgh
U.S.HouseVotesToReauthorizeNationalForestFoundation
PennsylvaniaCongressmanGlennThompsonslegislation
H.R.2394
theNationalForest
FoundationReauthorizationActof2015,passedtheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesTuesdayby
voicevote.
Thisbipartisanbillwillreauthorizethe
NationalForestFoundation
ActsotheFoundation
willhavetheresourcesitneedstoprotectandrestoreour193millionacrenationalforest
system,includingPennsylvanias
AlleghenyNationalForest
.
TheNationalForestFoundation,theUSDAsofficialnonprofitpartner,seekstobring
localcommunitiestogethertorestoreandenhanceournationalforestsandgrasslands,said
CongressmanThompson.Throughleveragingpublicandprivatefunds,theFoundationprotects
andkeepsournationalforests,liketheAllegheny,thrivingandviableforgenerationstocome,
addedThompson,ChairmanoftheHouseAgricultureSubcommitteeonConservationand
Forestry.
FriendsofAlleghenyWildernessapplaudsCongressmanThompsonforhissupportfor
theNationalForestFoundation,andtheNationalForestFoundationReauthorizationActof
2015.TheNFFhasperformedimportantworkovertheyearsinhelpingtoprotectwildernessand
engageinecologicalrestorationworkinAmericasnationalforests.CongressmanThompson
deservesallofourthanksforhissupportforthisgoodorganization,saidKirkJohnson,
executivedirectorfortheWarrenbasednonprofitorganizationFriendsofAllegheny
Wilderness.
Sinceitwascreatedin1993,theFoundationhasbeenessentialinhelpingtoaddressthe
challengestheNationalForestSystemfaces.Accomplishmentsinclude:
Over14thousandmilesoftrailrestoredormaintained
Nearly4.4milliontreesandshrubsplanted
Morethan500,000acresoffuelreductioncompletedorplanned
Over120thousandpeoplevolunteeredmorethan1.5millionhourswithanestimatedvalueof
$34million
Over46thousandyouthemployedorengaged
Approximately80thousandacresofinvasiveweedstreated
Over117thousandacresofwildlifehabitatrestoredormaintainedand,
Morethanthreethousandmilesofstreamssurveyedorrestored.
Shortlybeforethevote,CongressmanThompson
spokeontheflooroftheHouse
of
Representativesurginghiscolleaguestosupportthereauthorization.
NewsClips:
CeremonyOpensOhiopyleStateParkOffice/VisitorCenterInFayetteCounty
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnThursday
joinedstateandlocalofficialsandmanycivicpartnersintheformaldedicationofthe
Ohiopyle
StatePark
Office/LaurelHighlandsFallsAreaVisitorCenteranenergyefficientbuilding
servingasthehubofpublicoutreachandinstructionattheincreasinglypopularOhiopyleState
ParkinFayetteCounty.
Itsallhereariverthatthrillstheboaterandanglertrailsthatdelightthehiker,biker
andbirderallenhancedbytherugged,unspoiledbeautythatistheLaurelHighlandss
trademark,Dunnsaid.Allcombiningannuallytodrawalmost1.5millionvisitors,notjustto
thepark,butalsotothemanycommunitieswhoseeconomiesandbusinesstheysupportalong
theirway.
ThenewvisitorcentercastsaspotlightonallthatOhiopyleofferstheoutdoors
enthusiast,thisdedicationcelebrationhighlightsallthepartnershipsandpublicsupportthat
madethisbuildingpossible,saidDunn.
NotingOhiopyleStateParkservesasaninvitingportaltotheregionandits
YoughioghenyRiver,Dunnsaidthenewvisitorcenterenhancesthewealthofnaturalfocal
pointsfoundonandnearRoute381,theLaurelHighlandsScenicByway.
Amongthemare
FrankLloydWrightsFallingwater
,the
HistoricNationalRoad
,
Laurel
HighlandsHikingTrail
,andthe
GreatAlleghenyPassage
.
SincethecenteropenedinearlySeptember2014,parkvisitorshaveenjoyedafullrange
ofinformational,comfort,orientationandinterpretiveservices,thesecretarysaid,whilepark
employeesareaffordedsorelyneededeasyaccesstoapublicdrawntotheparkscaptivating
OhiopyleFallsontheYoughioghenyRiver.
The11,529squarefoot,fullyADAaccessiblebuildingislocatedintheFallsAreaofthe
park,alongthewestsideoftheLaurelHighlandsscenicbywayoverlookingtheYoughiogheny
River,andadjacenttotheBoroughofOhiopyle,akeycommunitygatewayalongtheeastsideof
thebyway.
Thebuildingslayoutservesthepublicyearroundwithalargelobbyforpersonalcontact
withstaff,improved/increasedcomfort/restroomfacilities,largeinterior/exteriorinterpretive
exhibitspace,andinteriorandexteriorscenicviewingoftherivergorge.
Site,structuralandgeotechnicalengineering,surveying,andlandscapearchitecture
servicesallwereundertakenwithaneyetowardachievingLeadershipinEnergy&
EnvironmentalDesignLEEDGoldcertification.
Sustainablefeaturesincludeabiologicalwastewatertreatmentsystemgeothermal
heatingandcoolingtwogreenroofsaidinginadditionalcoolingandstormwaterretentionand
cleaningandotherconstructionandlandscapingfeatures.
Thisvisitorcenterrevealstheachievableresultspossiblewhenexpertsintheirchosen
fieldsworktogethertowardsacommonpurpose,Dunnsaid.DCNRstaff,theNationalRoad
office,PennDOT,constructioncontractors,greenbuilders,interpretiveplanningandexhibit
firms,museumqualitysculpturalartists,andmultimediainteractivespecialistsallworked
togetherinwaysthathavenotbeenaccomplishedpreviously.
A$4milliongrantfromtheFederalHighwayAdministrationsNationalScenicByways
Programhelpedpavethewayformuchoftheproject,undertakeninclosecooperationwiththe
stateDepartmentofTransportationsBywaysandRecreationalTrailsSection.
ThisgrandopeningistheculminationofthecollaborationbetweenPennDOTand
DCNRinbuildingthisproject,saidJoeSzczur,PennDOTsdistrictexecutiveforafourcounty
regioninsouthwesternPennsylvania.Itdemonstratesgoodteamworkanddedicationleadingto
tremendousbenefitsforthecommunity,visitorsandbusinesses.Together,wehavetakenastep
forwardtocallattentiontotheLaurelHighlandsFallsAreaVisitorCenterandrecognizethe
regionsScenicBywaysandnaturalresources.
Amongthecentersmanyfeatures:
Servingastheprimaryinterpretivelensandprovidingfourseasoninteriorandexterior
viewingareasfortwooftheregionskeynaturalassets:OhiopyleFallsandFerncliffPeninsula,
aU.S.DepartmentoftheInteriordesignatedNationalNaturalLandmark
Improvedaccess,informationdissemination,andvisitorflowforapproximately100,000
commercialandprivatewhitewaterboaterslaunchingannuallyontheiconicLower
YoughioghenyRiver
InpartnershipwiththeLaurelHighlandsVisitorsBureau,providethepublicwithacentrally
located,heavilyvisitedlocationforacquiringmaps,accesstoelectronicinformationalkiosks,
comfortfacilitiesandregionalvenuebrochures
Serveastheprimarytrailheadtoorientandprovideinformationtothepublicforaccessing
theGreatAlleghenyPassage(anonmotorized135miletrailforpedestriansandbicyclistfrom
PittsburghtoCumberland,Md.,thatdirectlyconnectstotheNationalParkServicesC&OCanal
TowpaththroughtoWashingtonD.C.),andtheLaurelHighlandsHikingTrail(a70mile
wildernesstrailforbackpackingandcrosscountryskiingalongLaurelRidgefromOhiopyleto
Johnstown).
The20,500acreOhiopyleisPennsylvaniaslargestpark,andisamongtheUnitedStates
mostheavilyvisitedstateparks,welcomingmorethan1.5millionpeopleannually.Withthe
OhiopyleFallsservingasitscenterpieceandtheYoughioghenyRiverflowingthrough,thepark
servesasarecreationandtourismhubamid100,000acresofpubliclands.
Accordingtoa2012analysis,bothlocalandnonlocalvisitorsspentanestimated
$34,880,000ontheirtripstoOhiopylein2010.Thisspendingresultedin$53,427,000insales,
604Jobs,$18,431,000inlaborincomeand$30,374,000invalueadded.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
OhiopyleStatePark
webpage.
NewsClips:
DCNR:JuneEventsHighlightEconomicImpactOfPennsylvaniasOutdoors
OutdoorrecreationareasacrossPennsylvaniaarehostingspecialeventsandactivitiesduring
Juneaspartofastatewide
GreatOutdoorsMonth
observance,DepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnsaidFriday.
TheGreatOutdoorsMonthcelebrationgivesourbureausofstateparksandforestry,as
wellasotheroutdoorrecreationfacilities,achancetoshowcasewhattheyoffertosomany
acrossPennsylvania,Dunnsaid.Pennsylvaniansareurgedtogetoutandenjoyour120state
parks,morethan2.2millionacresofstateforestland,andthousandsoflocalparksandrecreation
venues.Eachyear,ourstateparkssupportoverabilliondollarsineconomicactivityandmore
than12,000jobs.
Gov.TomWolfgavetheeffortstrongmomentumwhenheproclaimedJune2015as
GreatOutdoorsMonthandJune13,asGetOutdoorsDayinPennsylvania.
Hundredsofeventsthroughoutthemonthareshowcasingourspecialoutdoorspaces,
Dunnsaid.Wearesofortunatetohaveplentyofopportunitiestoexplore,andtheseevents
allowpeopletodiscoverplacestheyhaveneverbeenorparticipateinnewformsofoutdoors
recreation.
ThemonthlongobservanceunderscorestheworkofDCNR,otherstateagencies,and
outdoorsorientedgroupsandbusinessestofuelorrenewparticipationinoutdoorsactivities.
RecentstudiesshowthatthetotalcontributionofStateParkvisitorspendingtothestate
economywas$1.145billioninsalesand12,630jobs.Foreverydollarinvestedinstateparks,
$12.41ofvalueaddedincomeisreturnedtoPennsylvania.
ThroughtheGetOutdoorsPAprogram,citizensacrossthestatecanbeconnectedto
hundredsofoutdoorrecreationeventstosuittheirrecreationalinterests,Dunnsaid.Ledby
experiencedtripleaders,theseeventsprovidesafe,funandclosetohomeopportunitiesfor
healthyoutdoorrecreation.
Fishing,wildlifewatching,kayaking,hiking,bikingandspecialtipsforfirsttime
campersarejustafewoftheGetOutdoorsPAactivitiesplannedthroughoutthestate.
SeverallocationsarehostingGetOutdoorsPAeventsonJune13incelebrationofGetOutdoors
Day.
GetOutdoorsPA
websiteevents,or
ClickHere
or
Click
Here
tofindmoregreatoutdoorevents.
NewsClips:
MidAtlanticInvasivePlantCouncilConferenceAugust45InHuntington
The
MidAtlanticInvasivePlantCouncil
willholdits
annualconferenceAugust45
atJuniata
College,EllisHallBallroominHuntingdon.
Joinresearchersandinvasiveplantmanagersastheycometogethertodiscussthelatest
invasiveplantresearchandhowitcanbeusedtoincreasetheeffectivenessofinvasiveplant
managementstrategies.
ManaginginvasiveplantsintheMidAtlanticregioncanbecomplicated.Thearea
encompassesurbanlandsandwildernessareas,stretchesfromcoastalswampstohighmountain
forests,andincludesnumerouswellestablishedinvasivespecies.
Addingtothecomplexityarethethreatsofnewlyemerginginvasivespecies,therecent
additionofbiocontrolvectors,andtheroleofrestorationinrecentlymanagedareas.Withallof
thesefactors,ascientificapproachtomanaginginvasiveplantsiscriticaltosuccess.
Throughanumberofcasestudiesourinvitedspeakerswillpresenttheirrecentapplied
researchoninvasiveplants.Researchtopicswillcoverappliedmanagementatthespecies,
ecosystem,andlandscapelevels.
TheConferencewillcovereffectivecontrolstrategies:biocontrolvectors,preemergent
herbicides,earlydetectionofnewspecies,andcooperativeweedmanagementareas.Restoration
projectsinwildernessareasandurbanhabitatswillbediscussedalongwithinformationon
revegetation,weedriskassessment,andimpactsonpollinators.
Therewillalsohaveafieldsessiontocoverspeciesidentification,mappingtools,and
chemicaltechniques.Timewillbeavailableforquestions,discussion,andnetworkingwith
speakersandattendees.
2015Conference
webpage.
NewsClips:
PoisonHemlockExplodingAcrossLancasterCounty
NewNaturalAreaInLancasterUniqueNatureSpot
EmeraldAshBorerWorkshopJune18InWarren
The
andthe
NationalWildTurkeyFederation
arehostingan
informational
workshopabouttheemeraldashborer
June18from5:30p.m.to8:30p.m.atthe
AlleghenyNationalForestSupervisor'sOffice,4FarmColonyDr.,Warren,Pennsylvania.
Emeraldashborerisanexotic,woodboringbeetlenativetoAsiathatattacksallspecies
ofNorthAmericanashtrees.Ithaskilledanestimated50millionashtreesintheUnitedStates
andCanadasince2002.
Thisworkshopisdesignedtohelparealandownerslearnaboutthisinvasivepestthatis
devastatingallNorthAmericanashspecies,andhasestablishedinfestationsacrossmuchofthe
ANFregion,saidAndreaHille,ForestSilviculturist.
SeveralEABexpertswillpresentinformationonabroadrangeoftopicsregardingEAB,
including:
Emeraldashborerbiology,historyintroductionandspread(Dr.HoupingLiu,Entomologist,
DCNR)
PennsylvaniaAshManagementPlan(Dr.DonaldEggen,DCNR)
Longtermashconservation/seedcollectionprotocols(RobertKarrfalt,USFSNationalSeed
Laboratory)
EABimpactsonforestssurvivorashresistancebreedingprogramandrecommendationsfor
landowners(Dr.CharlieFlower,UniversityofIllinoisatChicago)
Formoreinformationaboutthisworkshop,
ClickHere
fortheannouncementorcontact:
KristenGiger,NationalWildTurkeyFederationat:
kgiger@nwtf.net
orAndreaHille,
AlleghenyNationalForestat:
ahille@fs.fed.us
TheAlleghenyNationalForestisalsoplanningtwoprojectsregardingthestudyand
treatmentoftheemeraldashborer.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
NewsClips:
OpportunityToBidOnMineReclamationProjectsInClinton,LuzerneCounties
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheJune13PABulletinofan
opportunitytobidonaminereclamationprojectsin
ClintonCounty
and
LuzerneCounty
.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
Note:
It'sbudgettime,Committeemeetingscanbescheduledwithlittlewarning.
June15
NEW
.
SenateAppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)establishinganindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
(
sponsorsummary
).RulesRoom.OfTheFloor.
June15
DEP
publicmeetingonKeystoneLandfill
expansionapplication,Lackawanna
County.MidValleyHighSchool,locatedat52UnderwoodRoad,Throop.6to10p.m.
June16
NEW
.Senate,HouseLegislativeCoalCaucusholdsajointhearingonEPAsClean
PowerPlan.Room140.8:30.
June16
CANCELED
.
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
June16
AgendaPosted
.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
Building.10:00.
ElectionOfChair,ViceChair
SecretarysReportJohnQuigley
PresentationOnInterimFinalPolicyForDevelopingTechnicalGuidance
PresentationonDraftNPDESGeneralPermitForStormwaterDischarges(PAG13)
ReportbyAct54ReportReviewCommittee,DiscussionOfDraftCACComments
ReportByCACLegislativeCommittee
DEPJuneReportToCAC
<>
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
June16
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.SusquehannaRooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,
Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
SummaryofStateDisinfectantResidualRequirements
Revised,PreDraftDisinfectantResidualRequirementsAnnexA
<>
ClickHere
June17
NEW
.
HouseTransportationCommittee
holdsahearingon
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)promotingdevelopmentaroundtransitstations.Room140.9:30.
June17
JointLegislativeBudget&FinanceCommittee
meetingtoreleasereportonGame
Commissioncompliancewithitsstrategicplan.HearingRoom2,NorthOfficeBuilding.9:30.
June17
AgendaPosted.
DEPStateBoardForCertificationOfWaterAndWastewaterSystem
Operators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
ApprovalofNew,UpgradesandReciprocityApplications
TreatmentProcessCrosswalk
<>
ClickHere
June17
DEPRegional
KeystoneEnergyEducationProgram
Workshop.
FergusonTownship
ElementarySchool,215WPineSt.,PineGroveMills,CentreCounty
.8:30a.m.to3:30p.m.
June17
NEW
.ForumOnWatersOfTheU.S.Rule.AbingtonFriendsSchool,Jenkintown,
MontgomeryCounty.5:30.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
June18
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Susquehanna
Room,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
ChesapeakeBayProgramUpdate
PresentationbyTechnicalServiceProviders
PorcineEpidemicDiarrheaVirus
EPAWatersoftheU.S.rule
<>
ClickHere
June18
AgendaPosted
.
DEPChesapeakeBayManagementTeam
meeting.Susquehanna
Rooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formal
notice
)
EPAAnalysisOfPAMilestoneProgress
UpdateOnChesapeakeBayAgreement
WatershedBasedSuccessStories
<>
ClickHere
June18
NEW
DEPhearingonFreyFarmLandfillexpansion.ManorTownshipOffice,950
W.FairwayDr.,Lancaster.7:009:00p.m.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
June18
NEW
.
EmeraldAshBorerWorkshop
.
Supervisor'sOffice,
4FarmColonyDr.,Warren.5:30.
June20
NEW
.
treeplanting.Londonderry,DauphinCounty.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
June20
NEW
.
AlleghenySolarFest
.MillvaleRiverfrontPark,AlleghenyCounty.11:00.
June22
NEW
.
DEPpublicmeetingonproposedIESILandfillexpansion
inNorthampton
County.SauconValleyHighSchoolAuditorium,2100PolkValleyRoad,Hellertown.6to9
p.m.
June23
AgendaPosted
.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
FinalRegulations:StandardsForSurfaceFacilities
PresentationonPerformanceBasedCableSafetyRequirements
DiscussionofPotentialFutureRegulations
<>
ClickHere
June24
AgendaPosted
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
.Bureauof
LaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.
DiscussionofChapter252DraftAmendments
StandardQualifierCodeDiscussion
<>
ClickHere
June24
AgendaPosted
.DEP
StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.ConferenceRoom11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
CertificationofNewSEOs
<>
ClickHere
June30
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
June30
NEW
.
DEPhearingonincreaseleademissionsfromNorthamptonGeneratingStation
.
NorthamptonMemorialCommunityCenter,1601LaubachAve,Northampton69:00p.m.
June30
DEPwebinaronproposedrevisionstothe
policyfordevelopingtechnicalguidance
andpublicparticipation
.2:00.
ClickHeretoregister
.
EnvironmentalPolicyCommentSystem
hasacopyoftheproposedrevisions.
July8
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEPNew
StantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
July9
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.PottsvilleDistrictMining
Office,5WestLaurelBlvd,Pottsville.9:00.MRABmemberswillbetakingafieldtripto
severalacidminedrainagetreatmentfacilitiesinSchuylkillCountyonJuly8from10to4
startingfromthePottsvilleOffice.
July13
DEPpublichearingonLetterkennyArmyDepot,FranklinCounty,Reasonably
AvailableControlTechnologydetermination.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton
Ave.,Harrisburg.9:00a.m.
(
June6PABulletin,page2754
)
July20
BackyardCompostingWorkshop
,
PAResourcesCouncil
.
CooperSiegalLibrary
,Fox
Chapel,AlleghenyCounty.10:30.
July21
CANCELED
.
Building.9:00.
July21
RescheduledToAugust18.
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
July22
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommitteeforWaterandWastewaterSystems
Operators
meeting.14thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
July22
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
August4
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
August45
NEW
.
MidAtlanticInvasivePlantCouncil
Conference.JuniataCollege,
HuntingdonCounty.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
August12
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:30.

August18
August18
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
August25
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
August26
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
August27
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
September1620
NationalTroutUnlimitedMeeting.CenterCityHiltonHotelandConvention
Center,Scranton.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September2022
2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummit
.HolidayInnandAllegheny
CommunityCenter,Warren.
September22
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:30.
September24
DEP
RecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
&
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
October2
DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October17
Sen.Alloway,AllianceForChesapeakeBayTreePlanting
.Cumberland,Franklin
Counties.
ClickHere
formoreinformationortovolunteer.
October27
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
(
formalnotice
)
October2830
2015PartnershipforSafeWater
2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythe
PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
.Hershey.
October29
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
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.
June15
PECPoconoForestandWatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
June15
PAHorticulturalSocietyGardening&GreeningContest
June30
NEW
.
PROPWasteWatcherAwards
June30
DCNRWildResourceConservationGrantsProgram
June30
PAStateParks&ForestsFoundation100IconsNominations
June30
CFAWatershedRestorationProtectionGrants
June30
CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatementandTreatmentGrants
June30
CFABaselineWaterQualityDataGrants
June30
CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPluggingGrants
June30
CFASewageFacilitiesGrants
June30
CFAFloodMitigationGrants
June30
CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreationGrants
June30
DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates
(oruntilrebatesrunout)
June30
CampbellFoundationChesapeakeBayWatershedGrants
July1
NEW
.
NortheastPAEnvironmentalPartnershipAwards
July3
PAResourcesCouncilAntiLitterVideoContestForPittsburgh
July10
DEPGrowingGreenerWatershedRestorationGrants
July10
PROPRecyclingFilmFestival
July10
ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
July30
TreeVitalizeInventory,PlantingGrants
July31
KeepPABeautifulFreshPaintDaysPAGrants
July31
CFABusinessInOurSites,Brownfields
September12
PPFFStateParksandForestsThroughTheSeasonPhotoContest
September18
PHSTreeVitalizeWatershedGrantsSoutheastPA
September30
DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
September30
ProjectLearningTreeGreenWorks!Grants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveVehicleRebates
Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore
Air
CourtStrikesDownEPAOzoneRulesToCutCoalPlantPollution
AlternativeFuels
PittsburghAirportGasolineStationOffersAlternativeFuels
NoOneHappyWithEPAsBiofuelProposal
OpEd:LetsKeepTheTurbinesTurning
Biodiversity
Budget
Wolf,GOPLeadersMeetOnBudget,RelatedIssues
Turzai:TheresAWideGulfOnManyBudgetIssues
6KeyIssuesToWatchDuringStateBudgetDebate
WolfProjects$318MShortfallInHisBudget
RecentActivityShedsLittleLightOnStateBudget
WolfsFirstBudgetFacesInfightingInHarrisburg
BudgetBattle2015,HowBadCouldItBe?
WhoAreThePlayersInStateBudgetBattle?
Climate
CourtThrowsOutChallengesToEPAPowerPlantRule
EPAPlansSeriesOfGreenhouseGasEmissionCuts
MethaneCloudsIndustrysPushForNaturalGas
DrinkingWater
DrinkingWaterContaminatedNearChemicalPlantFire
ContaminantsFromFireDestroyedPrimeFishingSpot
AfterTheFire:SubstancesUsedInChemicalPlantCouldKillFish
ThousandsOfFishKilledAfterChemicalPlantFire
WasChemicalFertilizerPlantFireMishandled?
OfficialsScrambleToDealWithCreekContaminationAfterFire
Drought
Energy
GroupsWantStateToRejectCoalAshDisposalPlan
Editorial:PreventNewNuclearReactorNearBerwick
PECOHearsProposedRateHikeCriticism
FERCOKPJMPowerGridReliabilityPlan
AttorneyGeneralChidesElectricityMarketer
AGFilesActionAgainstEthicalElectricForMisleadingAds
FarmIssues
Experts:AvianFluAtPAsDoorstep
Flooding
$4.6MRushbrookCreekFloodProjectInchingForward
ChildrenLearnAbout1915MillCreekFloodInErie
Forests
DCNROffersRewardForSuspiciousWildfiresInLuzerne
NortheastBlanketedByGypsyMoths
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
SurveyPutsPittsburghInMiddleOnGreenBuildings
LymeDisease
PASees25%JumpIn2014CasesOfLymeDisease
HealthDept.RemindsPublicToProtectFromTicks,LymeDisease
LymeDiseaseOnRiseInAlleghenyCounty
MineSubsidence
MineSubsidenceSinksBaseballFieldInUpperSt.Clair
Oil&Gas
NaturalGasPipelineRuptureForcesTemporaryEvacuations
NaturalGasLineRuptureForcesTemporaryEvacuations
FedsInvestigatingPipelineExplosionInPA
LycomingGasPipelineRuptureWasSameLineThruLancaster
PipelineCompanyWantsCompressorsInFranklin
NewPipelineCouldMeanTaxBonanzaForNJ,NotPA
Editorial:PipeUpOnLuzerneNaturalGasPipeline
ReportCitesLackOfDataOnFrackingHealthIssues
AMABlastsSecretShaleRecords
StudyCitesLowBirthWeightsNearDrilling,NoLinkEstablished
PADrinkingWaterImpactsMirrorEPAStudyOnDrilling
CriticsSayEPAStudyOffersLittleToAdvanceFrackingDebate
MethaneCloudsIndustrysPushForNaturalGas
Railroads,PUCCallForStricterTankCarStandards,MoreInspectors
LawmakersSeekAnswersOnOilTrainSafety
PANeedsMoreInspectorsForRailLineCarryingCrudeOil
OilFirmsButMillionsInFundForTrainBlastVictims
BedfordCountyConsidersRoyaltiesLawsuitAgainstChesapeakeEnergy
InvenergyNaturalGasPowerPlantOppositionMeetsWithWolf
McNickle:Zigging,ZaggingOnFrackingImpacts
AmericasShaleCrudeOutputIsShrinking
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
LuzerneCountyHostingFreeElectronicsRecyclingEvent
DunmoreFailsToActInOpposingKeystoneLandfillGrowth
KeystoneLandfillMakesPitchToPublic
KeystoneLandfillRestsCaseInZoningChallenge
StateSetsHearingOnFreyFarmLandfillExpansionInLancaster
PayAsYouThrowGarbageCollectionCloserInMt.Lebanon
WatershedProtection
Wildlife
ContaminantsFromFireDestroyedPrimeFishingSpot
AfterTheFire:SubstancesUsedInChemicalPlantCouldKillFish
ThousandsOfFishKilledAfterChemicalPlantFire
DrinkingWaterContaminatedNearChemicalPlantFire
WasChemicalFertilizerPlantFireMishandled?
OfficialsScrambleToDealWithCreekContaminationAfterFire
DeerOnCollisionCourseWithVehicles
BaldEagleNestCam(FunnyVideo)
YorkEagletSiblingTakesFirstFlight
DEPsNewsClipswebpage
ClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
publishednotice
intheJune13PABulletinofacorrective
amendmenttotheChapter93listofstreamclassificationsfortheOhioRiverBasin.
PennsylvaniaBulletinJune13,2015
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofchangestothelistof
companiescertifiedtoperformradonrelatedactivitiesintheJune13PABulletin
beginningon
page2941
.
TheDepartmentofHumanServices
publishednotice
intheJune13PABulletinofthe
availabilityoftheLowIncomeHOmeEnergyAssistanceProgramplanandthreepublic
hearings.
TheDepartmentofStatepublishednoticeofproposedofficialformsforcharitableorganizations
intheJune13PABulletin
beginningonpage2973
.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnew
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
GetInvolved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
CLICKHEREToPrintEntirePAEnvironmentDigest

CLICKHERE
toPrintTheEntirePAEnvironmentDigest.
StoriesInvited
Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesor
programsforpublicationinthe
PAEnvironmentDigest
to:
DHess@CrisciAssociates.com
.
PAEnvironmentDigest
iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
CrisciAssociates
,a
HarrisburgbasedgovernmentandpublicaffairsfirmwhoseclientsincludeFortune500
companiesandnonprofitorganizations.
Didyouknowyoucansearch10yearsofbackissuesofthePAEnvironmentDigestondozens
oftopics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose?
Justclickonthesearchpage
.
PAEnvironmentDigest
weeklywasthewinnerofthePAAssociationofEnvironmental
Educators'
2009BusinessPartneroftheYearAward
.
SupportingMemberPAOutdoorWritersAssn./PATroutUnlimited
PAEnvironmentDigest
isasupportingmemberofthe
PennsylvaniaOutdoorWriters
Association
,
PennsylvaniaCouncilTroutUnlimited
andthe
DocFritcheyChapterTrout
Unlimited
.

PaEnvironmentDigest June 15, 2015

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

PaEnvironmentDigest June 15, 2015

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PAEnvironmentDigest

You might also like