Download - Pa Environment Digest Nov. 16, 2015
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PA Environment Digest
An Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award
Issue #594 Harrisburg, Pa November 16, 2015
DEP Announces Release Of Draft Pipeline Task Force Report For Public Comment
The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday
announced the release of the first draft of the Pipeline
Infrastructure Task Force report which will open a 30-day
public comment period beginning November 14. ( formal notice )This draft report is the first product of Gov. Tom Wolf’s
Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force , chaired by DEP Secretary
John Quigley.
“This is an important first milestone in developing the
framework to help guide responsible pipeline development in
Pennsylvania,” said Quigley. “This draft report is the culmination of hundreds, if not thousands,
of hours of work done by the members of this task force and by the volunteers on the 12
workgroups.”
The workgroups provided the following 184 recommendations found in the draft report.
The task force and DEP will accept public comments on the recommendations in the report,
starting on November 14, and continuing for 30 days. The public comment period closes onDecember 14.
“The recommendations in this draft report have been put together by the sectors affected
by pipeline development. Agriculture; communities; environmentalists; cultural resource
advocates, industry officials; local, state, and federal agencies, emergency responders; and more
are all represented in these pages,” said Quigley. “It is important to remember that the report is
not meant to be the final word. When we present our report to the Governor in February 2016, I
anticipate that the next step will be to determine the feasibility and implementation strategies for
each recommendation.”
DEP will be accepting comments on the report from November 14 to December 14
through DEP’s eComment webpage.
The draft report will be discussed at the next Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force meeting,scheduled for November 18 at 1 p.m. at the DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton
Avenue in Harrisburg. As with all task force meetings, it will be webcast.
The draft report can be found here.
NewsClips:
Pipeline Task Force Calls For Better Maps
Pipeline Task Force Report As Big As Expected Buildout
Pipeline Task Force Releases Report
http://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.VkDl0q6rRBwhttp://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.VkDl0q6rRBwhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/panel-releases-pipeline-report-1.1970643https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/11/pipeline-task-force-report-as-massive-as-scale-of-expected-buildout/http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/10/Pennsylvania-Pipeline-task-force-calls-for-better-maps-Marcellus-Utica-Shale-natural-gas/stories/201511100013http://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://pacast.com/players/live_dep.asphttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.VkDl0q6rRBwhttp://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.VkDl0q6rRBwhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-46/2011.htmlhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953
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actually protecting or restoring Pennsylvania’s environment directly. Gov. Wolf was quoted
Thursday as saying he would continue to pursue a tax on Marcellus Shale production in the
future. Perhaps to fund a Growing Greener III?
-- No Word Yet On: There was also a proposal in Gov. Wolf’s March budget for a new $500
million revenue bond to be issued through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority, a $17.1
million increase in DCNR’s budget for State Park and Forestry Operations to start weaning theagency off oil and gas royalty income and $100,000 for a drilling related health registry, but no
word yet on these Wolf initiatives. $2.2 million in Heritage Parks Program funding was also
zeroed out in Gov. Wolf’s proposal, but it typically restored by House and Senate Republicans.
Comments
“An awful lot of details still need to be worked out and it will take a couple weeks for
everything to be passed, but included in the framework are pension reform, liquor privatization,
an increase of $350 million for basic education, property tax reform as well as tighter controls on
future property tax increases,” said House Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana). “There will
also likely be a vote on Senate Bill 76 (Argall-R-Schuylkill)/House Bill 76 [ from last session ] for
complete elimination of property taxes to gauge support to go further than the reductions on the
table, whether it be with the budget or not; I am supportive of this proposal as well.“With divided government, compromise can sometimes be elusive and I have yet to see
the perfect budget deal, but a lot of issues that have been talked about for decades are hopefully
about to become reality.”
Given the scope of the potential deal, Rep. Reed said 30 to 40 separate bills would be
needed to implement the entire budget deal, once it is all agreed to.
Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said, "While there is more work ahead,
I am pleased that a budget framework is in place that may put us in position to consider a
comprehensive budget agreement in the near future. What we announced with the governor
today was an outline of a plan that leaders of both parties can take to their members once details
are finalized.
"The hope is that the process can be concluded shortly and that a full general budget plus
historic agreements on key issues will be before the General Assembly within the next couple
weeks.
"Today's announcement was a positive development. Clearly, there is momentum and
both Democrat and Republican leaders are working with the governor to reach consensus on the
details of a spending plan that addresses key priorities."
If all this seems a little thin, it is. There are lots more details to work out that will take
time.
The House is scheduled to come back to voting session on November 16, 17, 18, 23, 24
and December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16.
The Senate is now only scheduled to be in session for six voting days for the remainderof the year-- November 16, 17, 18 and December 7, 8, 9.
Both the House and Senate can change their schedule at any time, assuming there is
something to vote on.
NewsClips:
Wolf Defends Budget Deal As One Pennsylvanians Will Like
Wolf: Budget Compromise Moves PA Forward
Wolf, Leaders Reaffirm Commitment To Budget Framework
http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/990/Gov-Wolf-legislative-leaders-reaffirm-commitment-to-budget-framework.aspxhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/gov-tom-wolf-budget-compromise-moves-pennsylvania-forward-with-higher/article_34b1f58c-8968-11e5-9de0-c37cbe167cb7.htmlhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=1WqmsGiohttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2013&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0076http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0076http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31526http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=1WqmsGio
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Wolf: Outlines Of Budget Deal In Place
Answers To 5 Questions About Proposed Budget Framework
State Budget Package Is Tall Order
Some Mid-State Lawmakers Keep Open Mine On Tax Proposal
Higher Sales Tax Pitch For PA Draws Concern
Column: Pennsylvanians Getting Drilled All Over Again On Budget Proposed Shale Tax Casualty Of Budget Compromise
Severance Tax Unlikely Part Of Tentative Budget Deal
Renters May Bear Bigger Burden In Half A Loaf Budget Deal
John Baer: PA Budget Facing Two Paths
Editorial: All That Waiting Is This Is What We Get From Wolf?
Related Story:
PennFuture: With No Natural Gas Severance Tax, Pennsylvanians Will Pay
PennFuture: With No Natural Gas Severance Tax, Pennsylvanians Will Pay
With reports of a severance tax on natural gas drillers excluded from a potential budget deal, statewide environmental advocacy organization
PennFuture president and CEO, Larry J. Schweiger, released the
following statement late Tuesday:
“A budget that does not include a severance tax not only ignores
the will of a majority of Pennsylvanians, but also shifts much of the tax
burden squarely on their backs. Rather than listening to their constituents,
lawmakers are listening to well-funded industry interests at the expense of
our environment.
“Pennsylvania is the only gas producing state in the nation without such a tax. Even with
the current impact fee, the state is giving away a finite natural resource at the lowest rate in the
nation. The scales are clearly stacked against Pennsylvania’s citizens, public health, air, land, and
water.
“Marcellus shale extraction was sold to Pennsylvania taxpayers as an economic panacea,
but in reality drillers have benefited from subsidies, giveaways and special deals and citizens of
the commonwealth are footing the bill. With the potential for much of the natural gas to be sent
overseas, we should be instead focusing on diversifying our energy portfolio and upping our
investments in renewables and energy efficiency. The reported concessions stand to do more
long-term harm than benefits.
“PennFuture recognizes the need for policymakers to move forward with a responsible
budget, but this is no such thing. It isn’t a responsible budget for the environment, public health
and safety from these industrial operations, and for taxpayers who won’t see any additional jobs but will see more money out of their pockets because the industry isn’t paying its fair share.
“Pennsylvanians pay when the industry doesn’t. This potential deal points to a
continuation of that unfortunate legacy.”
[Editor's Note: As proposed by Gov. Wolf, the natural gas severance tax had very little
funding for environmental protection programs. Almost all the new revenue generated went to
funding basic education anyway.]
NewsClips:
http://www.pennfuture.org/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/pennfuture-wolf-democrats-abandon.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/11/state_budget_wolf_gives_up_a_lot.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151109_Pa__budget_facing_two_paths.htmlhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=n0Zx5WKghttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/10/gas-tax-unlikely-part-of-tentative-budget-deal/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/12/wolf-spokesman-proposed-shale-tax-a-casualty-of-compromise/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Pennsylvanians-getting-fracked-all-over-again.htmlhttp://www.ydr.com/story/money/business/2015/11/12/concern-over-higher-sales-tax-pitch/75647322/http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/i_will_be_a_no-vote_and_other.html#incart_river_homehttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/budget-package-is-tall-order-1.1969870http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/11/five_questions_about_the_pabud.html#incart_river_homehttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=We40wY1p
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Wolf Defends Budget Deal As One Pennsylvanians Will Like
Wolf: Budget Compromise Moves PA Forward
Wolf, Leaders Reaffirm Commitment To Budget Framework
Wolf: Outlines Of Budget Deal In Place
Answers To 5 Questions About Proposed Budget Framework
State Budget Package Is Tall Order Some Mid-State Lawmakers Keep Open Mine On Tax Proposal
Higher Sales Tax Pitch For PA Draws Concern
Column: Pennsylvanians Getting Drilled All Over Again On Budget
Proposed Shale Tax Casualty Of Budget Compromise
Severance Tax Unlikely Part Of Tentative Budget Deal
Renters May Bear Bigger Burden In Half A Loaf Budget Deal
John Baer: PA Budget Facing Two Paths
Editorial: All That Waiting Is This Is What We Get From Wolf?
Vote For Pennsylvania’s 2016 River Of The Year Nov 13 Thru Dec. 14
The public is invited to again vote online for the 2016
Pennsylvania River of the Year , choosing from among five
waterways nominated across the state.
Nominated rivers include the Kiski-Conemaugh River,
Lackawanna River, Lehigh River, Ohio River and the
Susquehanna River - North Branch.
The public can vote for their favorite state waterway beginning
November 13 through 5 p.m. December 14.
“In all of these nominated waterways there are showcased so
many unique natural resources, recreational opportunities and incentives boosting local
economies,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “They demonstrate just how blessed
Pennsylvanians are with a wealth of major rivers and streams and how so many are willing to
support them.” “The online public selection process continues to be increasingly popular as it
enters its sixth year,” Dunn said. “This spirit of good-natured competition rallies community
support around our deserving waterways and puts them in the public limelight across our state.”
Nominations were based on each waterway’s conservation needs and successes, as well
as celebration plans should the nominee be voted 2016 River of the Year.
In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices is overseen by the PA
Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
, an affiliate of the PA Environmental Council.
POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the River of
the Year program with funding from DCNR. Presented annually since 1983, this year’s 2015designation was awarded to the Conewango Creek in northwest Pennsylvania.
“This is a wonderful and unique opportunity for residents across the Commonwealth to
show support for their local river by taking part in the voting process for the 2016 River of the
Year,” said Janet Sweeney, PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.
"Being PA River of the Year and engaging in our ROY activities gave the Conewango
Creek Watershed monumental exposure to a wide audience from multiple states, and helped put
our watershed in rural Northwest PA on the must-do list for future recreationalists,
http://pecpa.org/http://pawatersheds.org/http://pawatersheds.org/http://pariveroftheyear.org/http://pariveroftheyear.org/http://pariveroftheyear.org/http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/11/state_budget_wolf_gives_up_a_lot.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151109_Pa__budget_facing_two_paths.htmlhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=n0Zx5WKghttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/10/gas-tax-unlikely-part-of-tentative-budget-deal/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/12/wolf-spokesman-proposed-shale-tax-a-casualty-of-compromise/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Pennsylvanians-getting-fracked-all-over-again.htmlhttp://www.ydr.com/story/money/business/2015/11/12/concern-over-higher-sales-tax-pitch/75647322/http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/i_will_be_a_no-vote_and_other.html#incart_river_homehttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/budget-package-is-tall-order-1.1969870http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/11/five_questions_about_the_pabud.html#incart_river_homehttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=We40wY1phttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/990/Gov-Wolf-legislative-leaders-reaffirm-commitment-to-budget-framework.aspxhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/gov-tom-wolf-budget-compromise-moves-pennsylvania-forward-with-higher/article_34b1f58c-8968-11e5-9de0-c37cbe167cb7.htmlhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=1WqmsGio
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environmentalists, and travelers,” said Ron Keeney Board Member Conewango Creek
Watershed Association . “And Warren being the host city for the PA Trails Conference made our
name even more recognizable.”
After a waterway is chosen for the annual honor, local groups implement a year-round
slate of activities and events to celebrate the river, including a paddling trip, or sojourn. The
organization nominating the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant to help fundtheir River of the Year activities.
POWR and DCNR also work with local organizations to create a free, commemorative
poster celebrating the River of the Year.
The River of the Year sojourn is just one of many paddling trips supported by DCNR and
POWR each year. An independent program, the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program , is a unique
series of a dozen such trips on the state’s rivers.
These water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers and others raise awareness of the
environmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.
For more information in rivers programs at DCNR, visit the Rivers Conservation
Program webpage.
To vote and learn more about the program, visit the Pennsylvania River of the Year website. Voting will be managed through Woobox, an online contest application that restricts
voting to one vote per email address.
NewsClips:
Voting Open For 2016 PA River Of The Year
Susquehanna Could Be Flowing Toward River Of The Year
Green Team Finds Storm Overflow Solutions
Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers
Capital Region Water Seeks Input On Paxton Creek TMDL
Volunteers Plant Trees In Forty Fort To Benefit Environment
Berks Nature Focuses On The Value Of Watersheds
Nov. 13 Delaware Riverkeeper Riverwatch Video
Public Input On Lock Program In Armstrong County
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced
Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as
well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (November 16): House Bill 48 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting standards for drinking
water well construction; Senate Bill 385 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) updating and improving the
Transit Revitalization investment District;
Senate Bill 307
(Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing foran independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board. Click Here for full House Bill
Calendar.
Senate (November 16): Senate Bill 201 (Schwank-D-Berks) authorizing the leasing of property
in the Clean and Green Program to a rural enterprise ( sponsor summary ); Senate Bill 805
(Boscola-D-Lehigh) allowing an Act 129 opt-out for large electric users (sponsor
summary ). Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
Note: Budget-related bills are likely to be flying around the next two weeks. Expect short-noticecommittee meetings to be scheduled.
House: the Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 1533 (Rader-R-
Monroe) exempting certain more rural communities from mandatory recycling ( sponsor
summary ), House Bill 1325 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing 2nd class townships to assess
stormwater management fees without forming an authority (sponsor summary ), House Bill 1394
(Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing boroughs to assess stormwater management fees without
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1394http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18450http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1325http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18833http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18833http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1533http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0805http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=15642http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=201http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0385http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/
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forming an authority (sponsor summary ), House Bill 1661 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing 1st
class townships to assess stormwater management fees without forming an authority ( sponsor
summary ); the Transportation and Game and Fisheries Committees hold a joint
informational meeting on the Fish and Boat Commission plan to use funds from the Oil
Company Franchise Tax. Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: the Senate Democratic Policy Committee meets on Senate Bill 282 (Vulakovich-R-
Allegheny) establishing a waterfront development tax credit (sponsor summary ). Click
Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Other: Environmental Issues Forum, Joint Conservation Committee , presentation by PA
Sustainable Forestry Initiative ; House, Senate Coal Caucus hearing on EPA Clean Power
Climate Plan .
Bills Pending In Key Committees
Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending ineach--
House
Appropriations
Education
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Affairs
Gaming Oversight
Human Services
Judiciary
Liquor Control
Transportation
Links for all other Standing House Committees
Senate
Appropriations
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Community, Economic and Recreational Development
Education
JudiciaryLaw and Justice
Public Health and Welfare
Transportation
Links for all other Standing Senate Committees
Session Schedule
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=19&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=33&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=29&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=39&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=31&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=7&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=9&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=3&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=38&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=28&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=24&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=56&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=54&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=10&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=8&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=12&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=4&CteeBody=Hhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/senate-house-coal-caucuses-hold-nov-17.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/senate-house-coal-caucuses-hold-nov-17.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/10/nov-16-joint-conservation-committee.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/10/nov-16-joint-conservation-committee.htmlhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16058http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0282http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19130http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19130http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1661http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18599
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Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
November 16, 17, 18
December 7, 8, 9
House
November 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 (Non-Voting)
December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16
Governor’s Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
News From The Capitol
Senate, House Coal Caucuses Hold Nov. 17 Hearing On EPA Clean Power Climate Plan
The House and Senate Coal Caucuses will hold a hearing on EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan
November 17 in the Senate Majority Caucus Room starting at 9:00 a.m.
The published agenda includes testimony on these topics—
— Impact of Compliance on Coal Demand: Emily Medine, Principal, Energy Ventures Analysis;
— Impact of Compliance on Coal-Fired Power Generation: GE / Homer City Generation LP;
— Impact of Compliance on the Coal Industry: John Pippy, Chief Executive Officer,
Pennsylvania Coal Alliance; Cliff Forrest, President, Rosebud Mining; — Impact of Compliance on Employees / Associated Industries: Walter Schroth, Owner, Schroth
Industries; Kevin Moore, Employee, Alpha Natural Resources.
This hearing is similar to the one held by the Coal Caucuses in June on the draft EPA
Clean Power Plan.
The House and Senate Coal Caucuses are co-chaired by Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong),
Rep. Ted Harhai (D-Westmoreland), Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Sen. John Wozniak
(D-Cambria).
For more information, contact Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) by calling 717-787-3280 or
send email to: [email protected].
NewsClips:
Environmentalists Urge Feds To Enforce Power Plant Emission Cuts EPA Hearings In Pittsburgh Bring Out Climate Activists
Climate Change Threatens Pennsylvania’s Forests
EPA: Climate Change Destroying Trout, Salmon Fisheries
Peabody Reaches Deal With NY AG On Climate Disclosures
NY Probes Exxon, Peabody Climate Statements
Column: Exxon Mobil Prosecution Over A Postulation?
Hillary Clinton Plan To Help Coal Country Adapt To Climate Policy
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=WBlGtUDghttp://triblive.com/opinion/colinmcnickle/9352893-74/climate-government-warminghttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/06/Official-NY-probes-Exxon-Peabody-climate-statements/stories/201511060241http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/09/Peabody-reaches-deal-with-New-York-AG-on-climate-disclosures/stories/201511100046http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/epa-climate-change-destroying-trout-salmon-fisheries/2015/06http://citizensvoice.com/news/climate-change-threatens-pennsylvania-s-forests-1.1968649https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/12/epa-hearings-in-pittsburgh-bring-out-climate-activists/http://triblive.com/business/headlines/9424858-74/states-power-emissionsmailto:[email protected]://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32562http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBx
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Tricky Politics Of Hillary Clinton’s Plan To Modernize Coal Country
Shift To Lower-Carbon Energy Is Too Slow Report Warns
EPA: Climate Change Destroying Trout, Salmon Fisheries
World Temp Could Be 1 Degree C Above 19th Century Average
Report: Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Levels Hit Record
Half Of All Power Plants Built Last Year Were Green Related Story:
PA Coal Alliance Opposes EPA Clean Power rule In Coal Caucus Hearing
Comment Period On EPA Clean Power Plan Closed, But You Can Read What Others Said
House Committee To Consider Recycling Exemption, Stormwater Fee Bills Nov. 18
The House Local Government Committee is scheduled to meet on November 18 to consider bills
to exempt certain more rural communities from mandatory recycling and authorize local
governments to impose stormwater management fees without forming a municipal authorities.
The bills include--
-- House Bill 1533
(Rader-R-Monroe) exempting certain more rural communities frommandatory recycling (sponsor summary ). One or more amendments are expected to the bill; and
-- House Bill 1325 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing 2nd class townships to assess stormwater
management fees without forming an authority (sponsor summary), House Bill 1394 (Mustio-R-
Allegheny) authorizing boroughs to assess stormwater management fees without forming an
authority ( sponsor summary ), House Bill 1661 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing 1st class
townships to assess stormwater management fees without forming an authority (sponsor
summary ).
The meeting will be held in Room 205 Ryan Building starting at 9:30.
Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair and can be contacted by
sending email to: [email protected]. Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Lehigh) serves as
Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: [email protected].
NewsClips:
Transforming Food Waste Into Environmental Treasure
Wilson College, Volvo Will Compost Food Waste
City Launches Philly Leaf And Recycling Program Former HBG Incinerator Gets $8.6 Million Makeover
HBG Rolls Out New Trash Trucks For Commercial Customers
Beverage Companies Divert 338,000 Tons Of Waste From Landfills
Heavy Fire Put Out At Ellwood City Battery Recycling Plant
Cleanup Begins At Ellwood City Recycling Plant That Burned
News From Around The State
DEP Finalizes New Statewide Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 14 PA Bulletin
it has finalized an update to its statewide Nonpoint Source Management Plan.
The Plan is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to describe how the
http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-46/2014.htmlhttp://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/9409061-74/fire-ellwood-inmetcohttp://triblive.com/news/adminpage/9402862-74/fire-ellwood-inmetcohttp://www.ameribev.org/blog/2015/11/americas-beverage-companies-celebrate-america-recycles-day-as-leaders-on-environmental-sustainability/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/11/harrisburg_new_front-end_loadi.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/11/harrisburg_incinerator_upgrade.html#incart_river_homehttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/09/city-launches-philly-leaf-and-recycling-program/http://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/wilson-college-and-volvo-will-compost-food-waste.phphttp://www.lancasterfarming.com/Transforming-Food-Waste-Into-Environmental-Treasuremailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19130http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19130http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1661http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18599http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1394http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18450http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1325http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18833http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1533http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?Code=30&CteeBody=Hhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/comments-on-epa-clean-power-plan-closed.htmlhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32562http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/10/renewable-power-plants_n_8522506.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/11/science/atmospheric-greenhouse-gas-levels-hit-record-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2015/11/10/This-year-could-be-1-degree-C-above-19th-century-average/stories/201511100102http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/epa-climate-change-destroying-trout-salmon-fisheries/2015/06http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/10/business/energy-environment/shift-to-lower-carbon-energy-is-too-slow-report-warns.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/9429514-74/coal-clinton-obama
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projects they are involved in to advance Bay health.
Joe Carnahan, General Manager of Emerging Businesses at Luck Stone, remarked, “Luck
Ecosystems’ priority is to improve the outdoor environment in the communities we serve. We
were excited to join together with other regional leaders at the Forum and to sponsor Businesses
for the Bay program so that we can help businesses connect their everyday actions to the health,
protection, and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.”Corinne Stephens, the Alliance’s Business Partnerships Manager, said, “Businesses want
to play a role in caring for the environment and in Bay restoration. We’re supporting their efforts
though our new Businesses for the Bay program, helping businesses to find and share successful
environmental initiatives.”
For more information, visit the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay website or contact
Corinne Stephens, Business Partnerships Manager, 443-949-0575 or send email to:
NewsClips:
Green Team Finds Storm Overflow Solutions
Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers Capital Region Water Seeks Input On Paxton Creek TMDL
Volunteers Plant Trees In Forty Fort To Benefit Environment
Berks Nature Focuses On The Value Of Watersheds
Nov. 13 Delaware Riverkeeper Riverwatch Video
Public Input On Lock Program In Armstrong County
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Aqua America Receives Green Vision Award From PENJERDEL
Aqua America, Inc.
President and CEO Christopher Franklin accepted the Green Vision Award
from PENJERDEL for the company’s corporate commitment to environmental quality through
its long history of superior performance in providing high quality drinking water and wastewater
treatment.
The award was presented to Franklin by Cofounder and First Managing Partner of Manko
Gold Katcher Fox LLP Bruce Katcher at PENJERDEL’s 60th Annual Awards Luncheon held
November 8 in Philadelphia.
“Over the past few years, we’ve invested in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and
now have 48 such vehicles in service in Pennsylvania and have a CNG fill station at each of our
three operations centers in southeastern Pennsylvania”
Franklin cited staples of the company’s environmental efforts in his acceptance speech.“We are replacing hundreds of miles of old main to reduce the loss of clean water due to
leaking pipes. We’re investing in new, more efficient pumping and treatment systems at our
plants to reduce the amount of energy required to treat and deliver water, and to treat wastewater.
Four of our water treatment plants, two in Pennsylvania and two in New Jersey, have solar farms
that complement their traditional energy source.”
“Over the past few years, we’ve invested in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and
now have 48 such vehicles in service in Pennsylvania and have a CNG fill station at each of our
http://www.penjerdel.org/https://www.aquaamerica.com/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/armstrong/9393080-74/ardc-lock-operationshttps://youtu.be/IqVwT_VjuxE?list=PL3yVl0q9sFIyUShoCaXnd1xVzzz6VRiXBhttp://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-nature-focuses-on-the-value-of-watershedshttp://timesleader.com/news/local/493821/students-volunteers-plant-trees-in-forty-fort-to-beautify-street-benefit-environmenthttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/capital_region_water_seeks_inp.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivershttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/out-pasture-philly-tours-farms-protecting-our-source-waterhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/08/PWSA-Green-Team-showcases-stormwater-solutions/stories/201511090008mailto:[email protected]://allianceforthebay.org/
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three operations centers in southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Franklin, who credited Aqua’s
workforce with the company’s achievements.
“The work of our current employees, as well as that of their predecessors, has allowed us
to become one of the fastest-growing water and wastewater utilities in the country. And it is the
dedication, skill and professionalism of our employees that has enabled us to achieve and
maintain our reputation as a leader in our industry and to become a “go-to” company for waterand wastewater companies that face operations challenges.”
PENJERDEL is a business council that supplements and supports issues which affect the
entire southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware tri-state region. It
provides its members an opportunity to receive and exchange the latest information on current
political, economic and cultural developments in the tri-state region.
For more information on water and wastewater systems in Pennsylvania, visit the Aqua
Pennsylvania webpage.
NewsClip:
Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Capital Region Water Seeks Comments On Paxton Creek Watershed TMDL
Capital Region Water , Lower Paxton Township, and Susquehanna Township in Dauphin County
have committed, by virtue of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement, to working together
on the Paxton Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Strategy to reduce sediment from
stormwater discharges and stream bank erosion and improve the health of Paxton Creek.
“We thank Lower Paxton Township and Susquehanna Township for working
collaboratively with us on the Paxton Creek TMDL and the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection for allowing it to happen,” said Capital Region Water CEO Shannon
Williams. “This regional approach will yield cost savings for all our customers and a healthier
Paxton Creek.”
In 2013, the Department of Environmental Protection determined that 20 miles of Paxton
Creek (approximately 40 percent) are considered impaired by sediment, with over 86 percent of
the sediment contributed by stream erosion.
To address this impairment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published a
TMDL Report that requires all entities discharging stormwater or combined sewer overflows to
Paxton Creek to collectively reduce sediment loads by 35 percent.
DEP requires entities discharging to a stream subject to a TMDL to prepare and
implement a 2-phase TMDL Plan, consisting of--
— A TMDL Strategy (due December 31, 2015) that outlines the type and extent of projects,
operational practices, and/or policies they plan to implement to meet the TMDL.
— A TMDL Design Details Plan (Due September 2017) that provides site-specific informationand an implementation schedule for the proposed controls.
As the primary dischargers to Paxton Creek, Capital Region Water, Lower Paxton
Township, and Susquehanna Township proposed, and DEP agreed, that a single TMDL Strategy
for the entire watershed would satisfy permit requirements and be more cost effective than
separate initiatives.
Draft Strategy
A public review draft of the TMDL Strategy proposes the following strategy for meeting
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the TMDL:
— Streambank and/or riparian restoration along 11 miles of Paxton Creek.
— New or retrofit stormwater management controls for 10 percent of the drainage area within
the Paxton Creek watershed in a manner that reduces sediment load and improves the Paxton
Creek flow regime.
— Control of CRW’s combined sewer overflows in a manner that reduces sediment load andimproves the Paxton Creek flow regime.
— Enhanced riparian preservation practices, construction site erosion and sediment control,
post-construction stormwater control for development/redevelopment projects, and maintenance
of MS4s.
— Further collaboration among the three partner Jurisdictions, other dischargers to Paxton
Creek, funding agencies, and Paxton Creek stakeholders to support Plan development and
implementation.
Public Comments
Individuals interested in reviewing a copy of the Watershed TMDL Strategy may do so at
the following locations:
— Capital Region Water’s website: www.capitalregionwater.com/paxtoncreekstrategy — Capital Region Water, 212 Locust Street, Suite 500, Harrisburg, PA
— Lower Paxton Township, 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA
— Susquehanna Township, 1900 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA.
Written public comment is encouraged by December 14, 2015, and may be provided in
the following manner:
— Capital Region Water’s website
— By email: [email protected]
By Mail:
— Capital Region Water, 212 Locust Street, Suite 500, Harrisburg, PA 17101;
— Lower Paxton Township, 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109;
— Susquehanna Township, 1900 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Verbal public comment may be offered at any of three regularly scheduled meetings:
— November 17, 2015, 7:30 pm, Lower Paxton Township, 425 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA
— November 18, 2015, 5:00 pm, Capital Region Water, 212 Locust St., First Floor, Harrisburg
PA
— December 10, 2015, 7:30 pm, Susquehanna Township, 1900 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg,
PA
For more information, visit Capital Region Water’s Paxton Creek Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL) Strategy
webpage.
NewsClips:
Capital Region Water Seeks Input On Paxton Creek TMDL Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Green Team Finds Storm Overflow Solutions
Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers
Volunteers Plant Trees In Forty Fort To Benefit Environment
Berks Nature Focuses On The Value Of Watersheds
Nov. 13 Delaware Riverkeeper Riverwatch Video
Public Input On Lock Program In Armstrong County
http://triblive.com/news/armstrong/9393080-74/ardc-lock-operationshttps://youtu.be/IqVwT_VjuxE?list=PL3yVl0q9sFIyUShoCaXnd1xVzzz6VRiXBhttp://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-nature-focuses-on-the-value-of-watershedshttp://timesleader.com/news/local/493821/students-volunteers-plant-trees-in-forty-fort-to-beautify-street-benefit-environmenthttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivershttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/08/PWSA-Green-Team-showcases-stormwater-solutions/stories/201511090008http://www.phillywatersheds.org/out-pasture-philly-tours-farms-protecting-our-source-waterhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/capital_region_water_seeks_inp.html#incart_river_homehttp://capitalregionwater.com/paxtoncreekstrategy/#sthash.2Jx4lIkc.dpbshttp://capitalregionwater.com/paxtoncreekstrategy/#sthash.2Jx4lIkc.dpbsmailto:[email protected]://capitalregionwater.com/paxtoncreekstrategy/#sthash.2Jx4lIkc.dpbs
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Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
PACD: $48K Awarded To Conservation Districts To Help Landowners Protect Streams
Pennsylvania’s County Conservation Districts recently awarded morethan $48,000 provided by the Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program (CREP) Mini-Grant Program for 20 projects in 21 counties.
Conservation districts will use these grants to work with landowners to
prevent pollution in our streams, lakes, and rivers. Projects will take
place over the next 10 months.
The CREP Program pays farmers and other landowners to conserve and
enhance their land. Over 12,500 landowners in Pennsylvania have received payments since the
program began.
“We are thankful to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for making this project possible. The CREP
Program helps to ensure clean water for everyone. These projects are a great opportunity forlandowners to learn more about the CREP program from their local conservation district,” said
Brenda Shambaugh, Executive Director for the PA Association of Conservation Districts .
Projects include field days, workshops and one-on-one visits. Participants can ask
questions about the CREP program and learn how to maintain land already in the program.
The CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by PACD through a
Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Additional support is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
A list of grants awarded is available online.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events involving county
conservation districts, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website.
PA Carbon Reduction Fund Supports Planting Trees, Shrubs In Philadelphia Watershed
On November 7, 90 volunteers joined the
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership for a
Community Planting Day at Ethel Jordan Park along the
Jenkintown Creek in Philadelphia.
Aiming to beautify the area, improve water quality,
prevent erosion and create a new wildlife habitat along the
Tookany Creek tributary, community members planted 270
trees and shrubs.“Establishing this creekside buffer is essential for the
health of the watershed,” said Julie Slavet, executive director
for TFF Watershed. “It was wonderful to see so many neighbors out in the chilly, damp
November weather taking an interest in greening the area and learning about the watershed.”
The planting was supported in part by a mini-grant from the PA Carbon Reduction Fund,
managed by the PA Environmental Council and funded by WGL Energy and Sterling Planet.
Consumers in metropolitan Philadelphia, by choosing natural gas matched with PA
https://www.sterlingplanet.com/https://www.wglenergy.com/http://pecpa.org/http://pecpa.org/program/the-pennsylvania-carbon-reduction-fund/http://ttfwatershed.org/http://pacd.org/http://pacd.org/2015/11/pacd-awards-48000-to-conservation-districts-to-promote-crep-program/http://pacd.org/http://www.creppa.org/http://pacd.org/2015/09/new-crep-mini-grant-program-to-offer-2500-for-outreach/http://pacd.org/2015/09/new-crep-mini-grant-program-to-offer-2500-for-outreach/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/
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Carbon Offsets from WGL Energy, generate funding for clean air and water projects such as tree
plantings in the greater Philadelphia area.
PEC, a leading statewide environmental advocacy organization, manages the Fund;
identifying eligible tree planting projects that align with water quality objectives. The PA Carbon
Reduction Fund mini-grant matched funds obtained from a TreeVitalize Watersheds Grant
Program.“This unique partnership with WGL Energy is helping watershed organizations in the
greater Philadelphia area,” said Patrick Starr, executive vice president for PEC. “By thinking
creatively and aligning our common goals, this unlikely pairing of an energy company with
watershed restoration objectives has been impactful in greening Pennsylvania while addressing
the challenge of climate change.”
While natural gas is one of the cleanest fuel sources, it still has a significant carbon
footprint which WGL Energy customers can choose to counterbalance with carbon offsets, as
well as support additional carbon reduction projects through this unique partnership with PEC.
To date, grants have been made to the TTF Watershed Partnership and the Wissahickon
Valley Watershed Association for a first order tributary of the Jenkintown Creek and the Four
Mills Preserve respectively.Additional funds targeted to upstream suburban Philadelphia watersheds will be allocated
in the Spring of 2016.
For more information, visit the PA Carbon Reduction Fund and the PA Environmental
Council websites.
NewsClips:
Environmentalists Urge Feds To Enforce Power Plant Emission Cuts
EPA Hearings In Pittsburgh Bring Out Climate Activists
Climate Change Threatens Pennsylvania’s Forests
EPA: Climate Change Destroying Trout, Salmon Fisheries
Peabody Reaches Deal With NY AG On Climate Disclosures
NY Probes Exxon, Peabody Climate Statements
Column: Exxon Mobil Prosecution Over A Postulation?
Hillary Clinton Plan To Help Coal Country Adapt To Climate Policy
Tricky Politics Of Hillary Clinton’s Plan To Modernize Coal Country
Shift To Lower-Carbon Energy Is Too Slow Report Warns
EPA: Climate Change Destroying Trout, Salmon Fisheries
World Temp Could Be 1 Degree C Above 19th Century Average
Report: Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Levels Hit Record
Half Of All Power Plants Built Last Year Were Green
PEC Describes Work It Does To Protect Pennsylvania’s Rivers And Streams
Pennsylvania is home to 86,000 miles of rivers and streams, the second most stream miles of of
any state in America. Yet, 19 percent of those miles do not support healthy aquatic life, while
some are not fishable, swimmable, or drinkable.
That's where the PA Environmental Council comes in.
PEC works with stakeholders to tackle water quality issues on both the legislative and
municipal levels, while promoting the use of green stormwater infrastructure.
http://pecpa.org/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/10/renewable-power-plants_n_8522506.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/11/science/atmospheric-greenhouse-gas-levels-hit-record-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2015/11/10/This-year-could-be-1-degree-C-above-19th-century-average/stories/201511100102http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/epa-climate-change-destroying-trout-salmon-fisheries/2015/06http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/10/business/energy-environment/shift-to-lower-carbon-energy-is-too-slow-report-warns.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/9429514-74/coal-clinton-obamahttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=WBlGtUDghttp://triblive.com/opinion/colinmcnickle/9352893-74/climate-government-warminghttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/06/Official-NY-probes-Exxon-Peabody-climate-statements/stories/201511060241http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/09/Peabody-reaches-deal-with-New-York-AG-on-climate-disclosures/stories/201511100046http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/epa-climate-change-destroying-trout-salmon-fisheries/2015/06http://citizensvoice.com/news/climate-change-threatens-pennsylvania-s-forests-1.1968649https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/12/epa-hearings-in-pittsburgh-bring-out-climate-activists/http://triblive.com/business/headlines/9424858-74/states-power-emissionshttp://pecpa.org/http://pecpa.org/http://pecpa.org/program/the-pennsylvania-carbon-reduction-fund/http://www.wvwa.org/http://www.wvwa.org/http://www.treevitalize.net/http://www.treevitalize.net/
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Sue Myerov, PEC Program Director for Watersheds, discusses PEC's watershed
protection efforts on all levels in the first of four videos this month highlighting different
branches of PEC's work in trails and recreation, energy and climate, and policy.
"Our work is critically important, because water is the basis of life, and we should do our
best to protect our water resources here in the state and around the world. We do this not just for
ourselves, but for our future generations," said Sue Myerov.Click Here to watch her video.
NewsClips:
Green Team Finds Storm Overflow Solutions
Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers
Capital Region Water Seeks Input On Paxton Creek TMDL
Volunteers Plant Trees In Forty Fort To Benefit Environment
Berks Nature Focuses On The Value Of Watersheds
Nov. 13 Delaware Riverkeeper Riverwatch Video
Public Input On Lock Program In Armstrong County
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
EPA, Partners Launch Challenge To Recycle Nutrients From Livestock Waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, pork and dairy producers, and environmental and scientific experts to launch the
Nutrient Recycling Challenge , a competition to develop affordable technologies that recycle
nutrients from livestock waste.
Every year, livestock producers manage more than one billion tons of manure, which
contains valuable nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus – that plants need to grow. Challenge
participants will develop technologies that extract nutrients from livestock manure to generate
products with environmental and economic benefits that farmers can use or sell.
“Scientists and engineers are already building technologies that can recover nutrients, but
further development is needed to make them more effective and affordable,” said EPA
Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The Nutrient Recycling Challenge will harness the power of
competition to find solutions that are a win-win for farmers, the environment, and the economy.”
During the four-phase competition, innovators will turn their concepts into designs and
eventually into working technologies that livestock farms will use in pilot projects.
Phase I, which begins November 16 and ends January 15, calls for papers outlining ideas
for these technologies. Phase I prizes will be announced in March and include up to $20,000 cash
to be split between up to four semi-finalists; invitation to a two-day partnering and investorsummit in Washington, DC; and entry into subsequent phases of the challenge with larger
awards.
Final awards will be announced January 2017, with farm demonstration pilots to follow.
Partners in the Nutrient Recycling Challenge are: American Biogas Council; American
Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers; Ben & Jerry’s; Cabot Creamery Cooperative;
Cooper Farms; CowPots; Dairy Farmers of America; Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy; Iowa
State University; Marquette University; National Milk Producers Federation; National Pork
http://www.nutrientrecyclingchallenge.org/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/armstrong/9393080-74/ardc-lock-operationshttps://youtu.be/IqVwT_VjuxE?list=PL3yVl0q9sFIyUShoCaXnd1xVzzz6VRiXBhttp://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-nature-focuses-on-the-value-of-watershedshttp://timesleader.com/news/local/493821/students-volunteers-plant-trees-in-forty-fort-to-beautify-street-benefit-environmenthttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/capital_region_water_seeks_inp.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivershttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/out-pasture-philly-tours-farms-protecting-our-source-waterhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/08/PWSA-Green-Team-showcases-stormwater-solutions/stories/201511090008https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Lz_jBpC20
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Producers Council; Newtrient LLC; Smithfield Foods; Strategic Conservation Solutions; Tyson
Foods; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Washington State University; Water Environment
Research Federation; World Wildlife Fund
For more information, visit EPA’s Nutrient Recycling Challenge webpage.
NewsClip:
Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Nov. 9 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension
The November 9 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State
Extension featuring articles on--
-- Getting Past BMP Adoption For Agricultural Conservation
-- Online Pesticide Sales Raising New Concerns
-- Extension Water Information Shared At Senior Expos
-- Pennsylvania Farm To School Program Webinar Nov. 17
-- Invasive Species As Junk Food For Predators
-- Penn State Webinar Discussed Modelling Pollution -- Penn State Online Pond Course Open For Registration
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
Nov. 10 Chesapeake Bay Journal Now Available
The November 10 Chesapeake Bay Journal is now available featuring articles on--
-- Farm Bureau Appeals Bay Cleanup Plan To Supreme Court
-- Cities Going Underground To Look For Nutrient Reduction Credits
-- Visit the Bay Journal Calendar Of Events
-- Click Here to sign up for your own Chesapeake Bay Journal .
Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meets December 4
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold its next meeting on December 4
in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building, Harrisburg starting at 9:00 a.m. ( formal notice )
The meeting agenda includes--
-- Resolution concerning Fiscal Year 2017 Federal funding of the Susquehanna Flood Forecast
and Warning System and Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program;
-- Rulemaking action to amend Commission regulations to simplify and clarify the process for
transferring approvals and to add sections pertaining to general permits and minor modifications
to approvals;-- Update to the Commission's Investment Policy Statement;
-- Regulatory compliance matters for Seneca Resources Corporation and Schreiber Foods, Inc.;
and
-- Regulatory Program projects.
For more information, visit the SRBC’s Public Participation Center webpage. The Rules
of Conduct for Meetings are also available.
NewsClips:
http://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/docs/RulesofConductforMtgsRev121013.pdfhttp://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/docs/RulesofConductforMtgsRev121013.pdfhttp://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/publicparticipation.htmhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-46/2038.htmlhttp://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/publicparticipation.htmhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/calendarhttp://www.bayjournal.com/article/14498http://www.bayjournal.com/article/farm_bureau_appeals_to_supreme_courthttp://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b17f916d2763f0738a1910143&id=79ecfd6045&e=49bc155bbdhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/subscribehttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/2016-penn-state-on-line-pond-course-open-for-registrationhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/penn-state-webinar-discusses-modelling-pollutionhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/invasive-species-as-junk-food-for-predators-native-prey-necessary-for-predators-to-stay-healthy-and-prosperhttp://www.greenschools-bluewaters.info/upcoming-webinars/http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/extension-water-information-shared-at-senior-exposhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/online-pesticide-sales-raising-new-concernshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/getting-past-bmp-adoption-for-agricultural-conservationhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news?utm_campaign=Watershed+Winds+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_view_onlinehttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/out-pasture-philly-tours-farms-protecting-our-source-waterhttp://www.nutrientrecyclingchallenge.org/
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Susquehanna Could Be Flowing Toward River Of The Year
Green Team Finds Storm Overflow Solutions
Philly Water Tours Farms Protecting Their Source Water
Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers
Capital Region Water Seeks Input On Paxton Creek TMDL
Volunteers Plant Trees In Forty Fort To Benefit Environment Berks Nature Focuses On The Value Of Watersheds
Nov. 13 Delaware Riverkeeper Riverwatch Video
Public Input On Lock Program In Armstrong County
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Call For Chester County Growing Greener Communities Award Nominations
Natural Lands Trust and the Chester County Association of Township Officials are calling for
nominations for the Growing Greener Communities Award , which honors conservation-minded
accomplishments by townships in Chester County. Nominations must be received by January 15.
The Natural Lands Trust Growing Greener Communities Award was developed in 2013
to recognize municipalities that have engaged in dynamic initiatives to save land, steward natural
resources, and/or connect people to nature.
The awards will be presented at the spring CCATO conference on March 10.
“Chester Counties’ communities have been true leaders in open space preservation, smart
growth, and sustainable environmental policy,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands
Trust. “We believe it’s important to recognize the excellent work happening at the township
level and celebrate the dedicated officials, staff, and volunteers who make it possible.”
“CCATO is pleased to be able to highlight the efforts and true dedication of our local
government members, the County of Chester, and Natural Lands Trust in the area of open space
preservation and maintenance,” said Ernie Holling, president of CCATO. “Efforts to preserve
open space will help to maintain the character of Chester County for years to come.”
Last year, West Pikeland Township received the Growing Greener Communities Award
in recognition of the municipality’s most recent conservation achievements.
West Pikeland’s qualifying projects included the purchase of a trail easement on 27
private acres of along Street Road, which the Township had identified as a Priority Scenic
Roadway in its Conservation and Open Space plans.
The easement will enable the Township to connect Natural Lands Trust’s Binky Lee
Preserve to the north and the Township’s Pine Creek Park to the south by trail.
Also in 2014, the Township hired a landscape architecture firm to consult on a 67-acre property that the Township bought in 2013 for $5.2 million. The future park is the largest parcel
the Township has ever purchased with its Open Space funds.
Examples of qualifying projects include:
— Dynamic utilization of open space, such as a community garden or multi-use trail
— Efforts to care for land and water, such as a stream cleanup, riparian buffer planting, meadow
naturalization, or environmentally sensitive stormwater management
— Progressive, conservation-minded planning, such as ordinances that preserve community
http://www.natlands.org/ggcawardhttp://ccato.org/https://natlands.org/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/news/armstrong/9393080-74/ardc-lock-operationshttps://youtu.be/IqVwT_VjuxE?list=PL3yVl0q9sFIyUShoCaXnd1xVzzz6VRiXBhttp://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-nature-focuses-on-the-value-of-watershedshttp://timesleader.com/news/local/493821/students-volunteers-plant-trees-in-forty-fort-to-beautify-street-benefit-environmenthttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/capital_region_water_seeks_inp.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/stormwater-pioneer-business-makes-smart-move-helps-our-rivershttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/out-pasture-philly-tours-farms-protecting-our-source-waterhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/11/08/PWSA-Green-Team-showcases-stormwater-solutions/stories/201511090008http://timesleader.com/news/local/493885/susquehanna-could-be-flowing-toward-river-of-the-year
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green space or improve commercial corridors with shade trees and other greening elements
Details on the award program and nomination forms can be found on the Chester county
Growing Greener Communities Award webpage, or by calling 610-353-5587 ext. 267.
NewsClip:
Lancaster Mayor Receives 10,000 Friends Smart-Growth Award
PRC, SW Air Quality Partnership Student Let’s Clear The Air Poster Challenge
Students attending schools in 10 southwestern Pennsylvania counties will
have the opportunity to show how they will make a difference in the area’s
air quality by participating in the sixth annual “ Let’s Clear the Air Poster
Challenge ” sponsored by the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality
Partnership, Inc. and the PA Resources Council, Inc.
All schools in southwestern Pennsylvania – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver,
Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland
– are invited to participate.
(Photo: 2015 First Place Winner in the Elementary Category-- NancyWeeks from Spring Valley, Fayette County.)
The topic of the 2015/2016 competition will be promoting clean air and
alternative transportation such as carpooling, using public transit, walking or bicycling.
“This poster challenge is designed to encourage students and teachers in southwestern
Pennsylvania to learn about the effects of air pollution, how to reduce their exposure and to
encourage them to take action,” according to Al DePaoli of SPAQP. “Through this creative
project, students will learn about ground-level ozone, energy conservation, ways to avoid
exposure to air pollution and much more.”
The contest will involve students in grades 4 – 12 at public, parochial and private
schools. Teachers representing the first 35 classes to register by the November 30 deadline will
receive gift cards to purchase art supplies.
Participating schools will receive program resources and have access to age/grade
specific lesson plans.
The challenge is open to teachers of all disciplines, including Science, History and Art.
Contest categories are split into three groups: 4th and 5th upper elementary, 6th thru 8th
middle school, and 9th through 12th grade high school.
The Poster Challenge curriculum covers topics including ground-level ozone and fine
particulate matter, transportation and energy conservation, ways to avoid exposure to air
pollution and tips to reduce air pollution.
Teachers at each school will pick the top three posters and send them to the PRC by
March 1. The SPAQP Board will evaluate all of the posters received and choose a first- andsecond-place winner from each of the three categories.
The top winner from each of the three categories will win a bicycle (to help promote
alternative transportation), a $100 gift certificate to a school supply store for his/her teacher and
an Air Quality Magic Show assembly for the school (a favorite of past winners).
The three second-place winners will receive a gift card to a local store that places an
emphasis on outdoor recreation and a “Be Aware of the Air” or “Recycling is Magic Show”
assembly program for the school.
http://prc.org/http://www.spaqp.org/http://www.spaqp.org/http://www.prc.org/posterchallengehttp://www.prc.org/posterchallengehttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-mayor-gray-being-given-smart-growth-award/article_7b9402bc-87db-11e5-b329-3f289ea156b4.htmlhttp://www.natlands.org/ggcaward
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Last year, more than 2,500 students attending 50 area schools participated in the poster
contest.
In the spring, the winning posters will be displayed at local venues including shopping
malls, hospitals and government buildings as well as posted online.
For more information, visit PRC’s Clear The Air Poster Challenge or call PRC at
412-773-7156.NewsClip:
Go STEAM Activities For Children Focus On Science, Engineering
EPA Awards Environmental Education Grants In PA, Other States
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced the award of the latest round of
35 Environmental Education Grants in 24 states, including one in Pennsylvania.
The grant in Pennsylvania went to Allegheny College in Meadville to fund an $89,693
education project on agriculture’s role in human and environmental health for public middle
school students.
The agency funded grants ranging from $40,000 to $192,200, for a total of approximately$3.3 million.
Since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 million and $3.5 million in grant funding per
year, for a total of approximately $65.5 million supporting more than 3,600 grant projects.
This year, EPA distributed two types of grants under the EE Grants Program. Projects
awarded under the Model Grants Request for Proposals are intended to serve as model,
replicable projects; each project will be implemented in at least two states. Local Grant awards
fund locally focused EE projects. EPA anticipates issuing a new RFP for Local Grants in the
winter of 2015-2016.
The grantees were selected from more than 400 applications received in February and
March of this year. This longstanding, highly competitive grants program supports EE projects
that increase public awareness about environmental issues and provide participants with the
skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment.
The program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or
disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques.
For more information, visit EPA’s Environmental Education Grants webpage.
NewsClip:
Go STEAM Activities For Children Focus On Science, Engineering
PEC TV: Illegal Dumpsite Cleanups Discussed In Nov. 15 Environmental Focus On PCN
Despite years of progress in recycling and reducing municipalwaste, there are still more than 6,500 illegal dumpsites in
Pennsylvania, the topic of November’s “Environmental Focus.”
This month’s edition of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s
monthly environmental affairs program airs on the Pennsylvania
Cable Network (PCN) on Sunday, November 15 at 4 p.m.
The half-hour television show welcomes featured guest Shannon Reiter, executive
director of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc.), an
http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/https://pcntv.com/https://pcntv.com/http://pecpa.org/http://www.pennlive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2015/11/go_steam.html#incart_river_homehttp://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grantshttp://www2.epa.gov/education/profiles-environmental-education-grants-awarded-organizations-pennsylvaniahttp://www2.epa.gov/education/profiles-environmental-education-grants-awarded-organizations-pennsylvaniahttp://allegheny.edu/http://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grantshttp://www.pennlive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2015/11/go_steam.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.prc.org/posterchallenge
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organization dedicated to helping Pennsylvanians make their communities clean and beautiful.
Additionally, a roundtable discussion was led by former Secretary of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful board member David
Hess, Keep York Beautiful executive director Tom Smith, and PEC vice president Janet
Sweeney.
Topics discussed include the measures being taken to help reduce illegal dumping —with access to trash disposal a recurring proposed solution — as well as looking into the reasons
behind it, and the costs of illegal dumping, both environmentally and economically.
Previous editions of “Environmental Focus” have featured topics such as outdoor
recreation on Pennsylvania’s waterways, Pennsylvania’s capital budget, the Pennsylvania
Pipeline Infrastructure Taskforce, the Delaware River Conservation Program, and climate change
with guests such as Pennsylvania DEP Secretary John Quigley, Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, and Andrew
Johnson of the William Penn Foundation.
To view past episodes of “Environmental Focus,” Click Here .
Keep PA Beautiful: America Recycles Day Nov. 15, Don’t Trash Our Recycling Drop-Offs
How will you celebrate America Recycles Day? America Recycles Day, a Keep America
Beautiful initiative, takes place annually on and around November 15 to recognize the benefits of
recycling while providing an educational platform that helps raise awareness about the value of
reducing, reusing and recycling – every day – throughout the year.
This year Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful wants to encourage Pennsylvania's to recycle
right and not trash our recycling drop-offs thereby making our local recycling drop-off collection
programs more sustainable.
Surveillance support cameras on loan from Keep PA Beautiful's Surveillance Camera
Loan Program have recently aided in the prosecution of 18 individuals dumping furniture,
electronics and household waste at a self-serve recycling drop-off center in Wesleyville
Borough, Erie County.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. When individuals deposit electronics,
household waste and furniture at recycling drop-off facilities they are technically stealing
service.
To cover the fixed cost of services, honest citizens end up paying more per home for
waste and recycling collection to subsidize the loss of revenue. Additionally, countless recycling
drop-off locations across the state have closed as a result of this illegal dumping.
“In addition to more public education about where to take materials, ensuring that all
residents have access to affordable, convenient waste disposal and recycling options will help
alleviate the financial burden to residents and local governments who foot the bill for properlydisposing items that are dumped illegally,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful.
“Whether that means expanding curbside collections; developing staffed, convenient drop-off
facilities; or providing for collection of bulky items and appliances at curbside or at convenient
drop-off facilities, our waste needs to be managed differently.”
For county by county listing of recycling and disposal options for electronics and other
recycling related resources, visit DEP’s Recycling and Disposal webpage.
Enter “I Will Recycle” Sweepstakes
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/RecyclingDisposal/Pages/default.aspx#.VkJOLoSa10chttp://illegaldumpfreepa.org/%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BCsurveillance-camera-loan-program-grant-online-application/http://illegaldumpfreepa.org/%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BCsurveillance-camera-loan-program-grant-online-application/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://americarecyclesday.org/http://pecpa.org/press-releases/environmental-focus-media-center/https://www.facebook.com/KeepYorkBeautiful/
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During America Recycles Day 2015, individuals are encouraged to take the “I Will
Recycle” Pledge. From now through November 20, the America Recycles Day “I Will Recycle”
Sweepstakes will provide four people the chance to win an Apple Certified Refurbished iPad
mini 3.
For more information about registering your event or taking the I Will Recycle pledge,
visit the America Recycles Day
website.NewsClips:
Transforming Food Waste Into Environmental Treasure
Wilson College, Volvo Will Compost Food Waste
City Launches Philly Leaf And Recycling Program Former HBG Incinerator Gets $8.6 Million Makeover
HBG Rolls Out New Trash Trucks For Commercial Customers
Beverage Companies Divert 338,000 Tons Of Waste From Landfills
Heavy Fire Put Out At Ellwood City Battery Recycling Plant
Cleanup Begins At Ellwood City Recycling Plant That Burned
Related Story:
Help Celebrate America Recycles Day Nov. 15
EPA Recognizes Philadelphia Prison System For Food Recovery Efforts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday recognized the waste reduction
accomplishments of 29 participants in and endorsers of EPA’s WasteWise program and EPA’s
Food Recovery Challenge, including the Philadelphia Prison System for food recovery.
These collaborative initiatives apply sustainable materials management practices to
decrease wasted food and municipal and industrial wastes in the United States, leading to
economic and environmental improvements.
The Philadelphia Prison system consists of six facilities with an average daily inmate
population of 8,250 and approximately 2,600 employees. The Riverside Correctional Facility
and
House of Corrections facilities together produce 1.35 tons of wasted food a day, which is now
being sent to a composting facility, saving the city $31,000 per year in landfill fees.
Finished compost is donated to the local community and used in the Philadelphia Prisons
Orchard Program, which produces fruit for the prison system and for donation, as well as
providing a job training opportunity for inmates.
EPA provides tools, resources and support to help participants establish baselines, set
objectives, track progress and realize their waste prevention and reduction goals. EPA reviews
the data submitted by participants by employing an extensive quality assurance process.
“Food Recovery Challenge participants diverted nearly 606,000 tons of wasted food from
entering landfills or incinerators in 2014, nearly 88,600 tons of which were donated to people inneed,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response. “These innovative efforts will help us achieve our ambitious national
wasted food reduction goal – a 50 percent reduction by 2030. I encourage other organizations to
follow their lead by joining the Food Recovery Challenge.”
For more informati