Pa Environment Digest Nov. 16, 2015

8/20/2019 Pa Environment Digest Nov. 16, 2015

1/49

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


2/49


3/49

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


4/49

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


5/49

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


6/49

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

Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA

. Let us join your

Circle.

Google+ now combines all the news you now get through the PA Environment Digest,Weekly, Blog, Twitter and Video sites into one resource.

You’ll receive as-it-happens postings on Pennsylvania environmental news, daily

NewsClips and links to the weekly Digest and videos.

Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates --

PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from:

http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://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-yearhttp://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/voting-to-open-for-2016-pennsylvania-river-of-the-yearhttp://pariveroftheyear.org/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/index.htmhttp://pawatersheds.org/on-the-water/sojourns/http://www.conewangocreek.org/http://www.conewangocreek.org/


7/49

PAEnviroDigest.

PA Environment Daily Blog: provides daily environmental NewsClips and significant stories

and announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and

receive as they are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a

once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. NEW! Add your constructivecomment to any blog posting.

PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government,

including NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they

are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily

email alerting you to new items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest

Twitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State

Capitol.

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/


8/49

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


9/49

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


10/49

Tricky Politics Of Hillary Clinton’s Plan To Modernize Coal Country

Shift To Lower-Carbon Energy Is Too Slow Report Warns


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


11/49


12/49

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:

[email protected] .

NewsClips:



Stormwater Pioneer: Business Makes Smart Move, Helps Our Rivers Capital Region Water Seeks Input On Paxton Creek TMDL







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/


13/49

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:


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

http://capitalregionwater.com/paxtoncreekstrategy/#sthash.2Jx4lIkc.dpbshttp://capitalregionwater.com/http://www.phillywatersheds.org/out-pasture-philly-tours-farms-protecting-our-source-waterhttps://www.aquaamerica.com/our-states/pennsylvania.aspxhttps://www.aquaamerica.com/our-states/pennsylvania.aspx


14/49

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







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


15/49



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/


16/49

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


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


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/


17/49

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:









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


18/49

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:


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/


19/49

Susquehanna Could Be Flowing Toward River Of The Year





Volunteers Plant Trees In Forty Fort To Benefit Environment Berks Nature Focuses On The Value Of Watersheds





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


20/49

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


21/49

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


22/49

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/


23/49

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

Date post:	07-Aug-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	wwwpaenvironmentdigestcom
View:	214 times
Download:	0 times

Pa Environment Digest Nov. 16, 2015

Documents