PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates

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Issue#606Harrisburg,PaFebruary8,2016

WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney

The
PittsburghPostGazettereported
lateTuesdaytheGovernorsBudgetOfficehasimposed
whatitsaidwasatemporaryfreezeonfilling200vacantpositionswithintheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,includingfillinganyofits24vacantpositionswithintheOilandGas
Program.
DEPwillonlybeabletofilljust34vacantpositionsinitsoverallcomplementof2,495
andnoneofthe24vacantpositionsintheOilandGasProgram,eventhoughthatprogramis
supportedbypermitfees.
TheareasofDEPhardesthitintheworkforcereduction,accordingtothearticle,are
openpositionsrangingfromchemistsandclerkstoenvironmentalemergencyresponse
coordinatorsfundedintheEnvironmentalProtectionOperationslineitem.
AspokespersonfortheGovernorsOfficesaidthemovewasnecessarybecausethe
budgetGov.WolfsignedinDecembersignificantlyunderfundscriticalfunctionsofstate
government.
But
numbersreleasedbytheGovernorsBudgetOffice
inDecembershowDEPreceived
$3.3millionmoreinthethreeGeneralFundlineitemsrelatedtopersonnelcosts$128.6
millionvs.$125.3millionlastyearandoverallDEPreceiveda2.4percentincreaseinfunding.
ThesenewnumbersmeanDEPsauthorizedcomplementhasshrunkfrom3,200in
200203toitscurrent2,495,about705positions22percentasDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
mentionedina
videoreporttoDEPemployees
lastweekinawaythatheconsideredthemlost.
ThesereductionsatDEP,iftheystand,arethelargestsince
Gov.Rendellfurloughed138
DEPemployeesin2009
andeliminated120vacantpositionswhenJohnHangerwasDEP
Secretary(nowGov.Wolf'sSecretaryforPolicy)..
TherewerenofurloughsofDEPorDCNRemployeesunderGov.Corbett,although
vacantpositionscontinuedtobereducedatDEP.
Note:NohardinformationisavailableonvacancylossesfromDCNR,butspeculation
putsitatabout60positions.
NewsClips:
WolfImposesLimitsFillingVacantPositions,200AtDEP
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall

LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
NewSeveranceTaxProposalFromDrillingCountry
Thompson:BracingForTheBudget:HeadedForWolfWarII?
201617SpendingPlanSetToJoinPABudgetMess
PLS:Reed,CostaAgreeOnPossibleRevenueSources?
PLS:Reed:2BudgetsWontPutHouseGOPOffTheirAgenda
JanuaryStateRevenue$2.5B,$6.2MMoreThanAnticipated
StateBudgetStuckInRestartMode
Bumsted:WolfsBudgetOptionsLimited
InBudgetBattles,CompromiseHasBecomeTaboo
TransitFundingExpectedToFall$6BShortInPA
OpEd:NewFederalTransportationBillPutsPAOnRightTrack
OpEd:FilmTaxCreditBenefitsAreMisleading
NorthDakotaOrdersCutsAmid$1BillionBudgetShortfall
RelatedStories:
WhatsInWolfsBudgetAddressForTheEnvironment?5ThingsToWatchforFeb.9
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

WhatsInWolfsBudgetAddressForTheEnvironment?5ThingsToWatchForFeb.9

TheFY201516statebudgetisntfinishedyet,butGov.Wolfwillbetalkingabouthissecond
setofbudgetrecommendationsonFebruary9.Howwilltheybedifferent?Howwilltheybe
thesame?
WiththeannouncementlateTuesday
Gov.Wolffrozeanother200vacanciesatDEP
bringingthetotalreductionofpositionstoover700since200203,thebudgetnewsthisweek
wasnotgood.
ThesecondstrikewasthePUCannouncingtheAct13
impactfeewillbegoingdownby
$5,000perwell
whichmayresultindecreasingincomefromthefeebyasmuchas$34million.
ThethirdstrikewasaIndependentFiscalOfficereportsayingroyaltyincomefrom
naturalgaswellsonDCNR
StateForestlandwoulddeclineby40percent
inthecurrentfiscal
year.
Withfundingandstaffingforenvironmentalprogramsdecliningevenbeforethebudget
address,theCommonwealthisstillfacinglegallymandatedactionstocleanupthe
environmentlike
19,000milesofpollutedstreams
inPennsylvaniaandthe
ChesapeakeBay
Watershed
cleanup.
HowwillGov.Wolfsnewbudgetproposaladdressthem?
WillanyoftheproposalshavebipartisanbackingintheGeneralAssembly?Orwillthe
budgetchaoscontinue?
Hereare5thingstolookforinGov.Wolfssecondbudgetaddress


1.WillTheDownwardSpiralOfFunding/StaffForDEPChange?
AstandardpartofDEP
Secretary
JohnQuigleysstumpspeech
hasbeenhowDEPhasbeensingledoutforbudgetcuts
overthelast8yearsthatresultedinthelossof14percentofitsstaff,whiletheaverageacrossall
agenciesis6percent.
HesaidathisfirstbudgethearingDEPhasbeen
hollowedoutbybudgetcuts
.
SecretaryQuigleyalsoputfundingissuesrightoutfrontinthe
January21Chesapeake
BayProgramrebootannouncement
,wherehemadeitclearmanymoreresourceswereneededif
PennsylvaniawastomeetitscommitmentstocleaningupstreamsandriversinPennsylvania.
HeisnotaloneinexpressingconcernsaboutDEPfundingandstaffing.
In2007,thenDEPSecretaryKatieMcGinty(formerChiefofStaffforGov.Wolf)said
Gov.Rendellsbudgetrequestforheragencythatyear
cutthroughthemeatandintothebone
.
In2010,DEPSecretaryJohnHanger(currentlySecretaryofPolicyforGov.Wolf)said
duringhisbudgethearing,
nowwearedowntotheboneorclosetothebone
intermsof
havingtheresourcesneededtoaccomplishhisagencysmission.
ThebudgetsituationforDEPisnowworse
,muchworse.
The
PittsburghPostGazettereported
lateTuesdayGov.Wolfhasimposedwhatitsaid
wasatemporaryfreezeonfilling200vacantpositionswithintheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,includingfillinganyofits24vacantpositionswithintheOilandGasProgram.
ThesenewnumbersmeanDEPsauthorizedcomplementhasshrunkfrom3,200in
200203toitscurrent2,495,about705positions22percentasDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
mentionedina
videoreporttoDEPemployees
lastweekinawaythatheconsideredthemlost.
But
numbersreleasedbytheGovernorsBudgetOffice
inDecembershowDEPreceived
$3.3millionmoreinthethreeGeneralFundlineitemsrelatedtopersonnelcosts$128.6
millionvs.$125.3millionlastyearandoverallDEPreceiveda2.4percentincreaseinfunding.
Inhisbudgetproposallastyear,Gov.Wolfdidproposetoadd50newpositionsforthe
OilandGasProgramfundedbyanewnaturalgasseverancetax,butthatfellbythewayside
duringbudgetnegotiationsandwithadownturnintheoilandgasindustry.
ThesereductionsatDEP,iftheystand,arethelargestsince
Gov.Rendellfurloughed138
DEPemployeesin2009
andeliminated120vacantpositionswhenJohnHangerwasDEP
Secretary.
TherewerenofurloughsofDEPorDCNRemployeesunderGov.Corbett,although
vacantpositionscontinuedtobereducedatDEP.
DEPreceivedabout$164.4millionin199495fromtheGeneralFundwhichincreasedto
ahighof$245.6millionin200203.Inthe201415budget,DEPsGeneralFundtotalwas
$141.4million,afterbottomingoutin201213at$126.8million,abouthalfthehighwatermark
in200203.
InthebudgetGov.WolfsignedinDecember,
DEPreceived142.6million
inGeneral
Fundmoney.
DEPattemptedtomakeupforsomeofthesecutswithover$30millioninpermitreview
andadministrationfeeincreasesandbychargingmorecoststospecialfunds,butitstillcomes
upshort.Andmorefeeincreasesareintheworks,especiallyfortheminingregulation
programs.
Thetotalfundingdeficitforenvironmentalprogramssince200203isnowsomewhere
around$2.4billionnotcountingthisyearbecausethebudgetisntfinal.Ifyouwantalistofthe

cutsanddiversionsofenvironmentalfundsforotherpurposes,just
ClickHere
.
Thisdramaticrollbackinsupportofenvironmentalprotectionhasoccurredduringatime
whentheresponsibilitiesofAgriculture,DEPandDCNRhaveincreased,notdecreased.No
environmentallawsorprogramshavebeenrepealedtomatchthefundingcuts,norwouldmany
advocaterepealingourenvironmentalprotectionlaws.
ButthissteadyerosioninsupportbeginstoraisethequestionofwhetherDEPcan
continuetomeetfederalrequirementsforadministeringitssurfaceminingandwaterquality
programs,amongothers,puttingthemindangerof
beingyankedbackbythefeds
.
WhatwilltheWolfAdministrationdoinitssecondbudgetproposaltobegintochange
thisdownwardslideinstaffandfunding?Dowereallywantthefedstotakeoverour
environmentalprograms?Shouldweprepareforfederaldomination?
(
See:

Analysis:StateEnvironmentalAgencyFundingHasntCaughtUpTo2Decades
Ago

Rep.Everett:IfWeDontMeetChesapeakeBayCleanupMilestones,ItIsntPretty
.)

2.WillTheNextGrowingGreenerProposalFocusOnRestoringTheEnvironment?
The
WolfAdministrationwasexpectedtounveilthenextgenerationoftheGrowingGreener
Programtofundamajorsetofenvironmental,energyandotherinitiativesaspartofthe
Governorsnewbudgetproposal.
ButatabillsigningeventWednesday,Gov.Wolfsaidinresponsetoaquestionabouta
rebootoftheGrowingGreenerProgram,Iminfavorofthestatemakinganinvestmentinthe
environment.Wearenotatthepointwherewehavethedetailsonthat,butIamsupportiveof
theCommonwealthmakinganinvestmentjustasGov.Ridgedid,asGov.Rendelldid.This
wouldbethethirdinstallmentofthat.
The
January21StrategyPaper
announcingtheChesapeakeBaycleanupprogramreboot,
saidtheAdministrationwasobtainingadditionalresourcesforwaterqualityimprovementby
participatinginplanninganewroundofGrowingGreenerfunding,whichwillhaveBay
complianceasaprimarygoal,potentiallymakingavailableseveralhundredmilliondollarsto
devotetolocalwaterqualityissuesandultimatelyBaycompliance.
ItistheworstkeptsecretinHarrisburgtheAdministrationhasbeenmeetingwith
environmentalgroupstoworkupanextgenerationGrowingGreenerproposal.
The
originalGrowingGreenerProgram
passedin1999duringtheRidgeAdministration
andwasfocusedonPennsylvaniasrealenvironmentalproblemswatershedrestoration,mine
reclamation,protectingcriticalfarmlandandopenspace,pluggingabandonedwells,funding
waterandwastewaterprojectsandimprovingstateandlocalrecreationinfrastructure.
Theinitiativeprovidedcontinuousfundingtosupporttheseprogram,andwaslater
expandedbya$4.25feeoneverytonofwastedisposedinPennsylvaniaduringtheSchweiker
Administration.
Itremainsthe
largestsingleinvestmentevermade
inrestoringPennsylvanias
environment.
ThesecondGrowingGreenerProgramin200405bytheRendellAdministrationcapped
theoriginalprogrambydivertingthewastefeeproceedstopaydebtserviceona$625million
bondissuetobespentover6years.ThebondwontbepaidoffuntilFY202829.
Theusesofthefundsexpandedtoincludebrownfieldscleanup,renewableenergy,Game
andFishandBoatCommissionprojectsandeconomicdevelopmentprojectslikeaparking
garageinScranton.Italsoprovidedfundingtocountiesforsimilarprojectswithlittleoversight

onhowthefundswerespent.
(
ClickHere
forasummary.)
ALegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteereviewoftheGrowingGreenerIIbond
issueprogram
isavailableonline
.
In2012,theGeneralAssemblypassedAct13andimposedadrillingimpactfeeon
unconventionalnaturalgasdrillers.
(
ClickHere
forasummary.)
AportionofthefundingwasearmarkedfortheGrowingGreenerProgram,asestablished
inGrowingGreenerII,but60percentoftheimpactfeerevenuewasalsodirectedtocounties
andlocalgovernmentsforpurposesfarbeyondtheoriginalenvironmentalpurposesofthe
programandagainwith
littleaccountabilityforhowfundsarespent
.
BeyondtheusesoutlinedinGrowingGreenerII,theimpactfeemoneywenttosuch
diverseprogramsashousingassistance,railfreightassistance,naturalgasinfrastructure
development,theStateFireCommissioner,highwayandbridgeimprovementsandfornewgrant
programsatthelegislativelycontrol
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.
OnJanuary30,thePublicUtilityCommissionannouncedthe2015per
wellimpactfee
woulddropby$5,000awell
,followingtheformulainAct13.Theresultinglossofrevenueto
theprogramsfundedbytheimpactfee
couldbeashighas$34million
foratotalincomeof
$189.6million.Lastyearthe2014feegenerated$223.5million.
SincetheoriginalGrowingGreenerProgramwaspassed,thenamehasbeenusedto
coveranincreasingbroadergroupofprograms,manyofwhichhavenothingtodowithrestoring
Pennsylvaniasenvironment.Ithasalsobeenatoolforspendingmoney,fromabondissue,for
example,onprogramsthatshouldbeintheregularbudgetsofagencies.
WillthenextGrowingGreenerproposal,ifthereisone,spreadmoneyacrossmany,
manyprograms,someofwhomhavenothingtodowithrestoringPennsylvaniasenvironment,
orwillitbefocusedonprioritiesthatmakearealimpactinprotectingtheenvironmentandfund
thingswemustdo,likemeetthecommitmentstocleanup19,000milesofstreamsandthe
ChesapeakeBayWatershed?(
ClickHere
toseehowcleanstreamsinyourareaare.)
Howwillitbefunded?Willitbeanotheronetimebondissuetobespentinafewyears
andend,orwillitprovidecontinuousfunding?
Thisissueisstillverymuchupintheair.
(
See:
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurStreams,ReclaimingOurAbandonedMines
QuicklyEnough
.)

3.InvestingDCNRsOil&GasFundInConservation,NotOperations:
TheIndependent
FiscalOffice
reportedJanuary27
revenuefromnaturalgasleasesonStateForestlandwill
declineby38percentinFY201516andwillnotrecoverforanother3or4years.Thisfunding
iscriticalbecauseDCNRhasbeendependentofthisrevenuetofundpersonnelandother
operationalcosts.
InFY201415theOilandGasLeaseFundsupported$122.6millioninoperatingcosts
andtheGeneralFundonly$14.5million.InFY200809theGeneralFundsupportforDCNR
was$113millionandOilandGasLeaseFundrevenue$11.8million,nearlythereverse.
Lastyear,Gov.WolfproposedtobegintheprocessofweaningDCNRofftheOiland
GasLeaseFundtopayformoreadministrativecostswitha
$21.8millionGeneralFund
appropriation
.
HisproposalwasincludedintheRepublicanbudgetpassedinDecemberand
signedinto
lawbytheGovernor
with$48.7millionmoreinGeneralFundmoneyforDCNR'sGeneral

Government,StateParksandStateForestOperationslineitems.
WilltherebemoreGeneralFundmoneytosupportDCNRoperationsthisyear,
especiallyinthefaceofdecliningOilandGasFundrevenues?

4.KeepTheKeystone,Recycling,StorageTankAndOtherEnvironmentalFundsWhole:
Atvarioustimesoverthelast13years,Governorsand/ortheSenateandHousehave
taken
moneyfromavarietyofspecialenvironmentalfunds
tobalancethestatebudget.
InadditiontotheOilandGasFundandtheEnvironmentalStewardship(Growing
Greener)Fund,moneyhasbeentakenoutoftheKeystoneRecreation,ParksandConservation
Fund,Act101RecyclingFund,the
StateTimberFund,AlternativeEnergyInvestmentAct
ProgramandborrowedfromtheUndergroundStorageTankInsuranceFund.
Gov.WolfandtheGeneralAssemblyhavesofarnotmadeattemptstoborrowfromthese
specialfundstobalancetheFY201516budget,butthatbudgetisnotdoneyet.
Acommitmenttokeepthesefundswholewouldbeanotherpositivestep.

5.WillANewSeveranceTaxProposalReturnDrillingRevenuesToHelpThe
Environment?:
Therehasbeennoappetiteforaseverancetaxonnaturalgasproductioninthe
SenateandHouse,especiallygiventhegeneraldeclineoftheindustryoverthelastyeardueto
marketconditions.Expectedrevenuefromanyseverancetaxwouldalsonotbringinthekindof
revenueitwouldhaveinyearspast.
Gov.
Wolfsseverancetaxproposallastyear
onlyhadonedropoffundingforprotecting
theenvironment,theoverwhelmingmajorityofthefundswenttofundbasiceducation,muchto
thedisappointmentoftheenvironmentalcommunity.
WillthenewseverancetaxtheGovernorsaidhewouldintroducethisyearbedifferent?

Gov.Wolftooksomesteps
toaddressshortcomingsinenvironmentalfunding
inhisfirst
budgetwhichwerewelcomedbytheenvironmentalcommunity.But,hegotmixedresultssofar
inthebudgetchaosthathasbeenhisfirstyear..
Somewhatironically,
inlastyears5Things,
wesaid,Yes,thestatesbudgetisa
jumbleofcompetinginterests
,petprojectsandnewpriorities,butnoothersetofstateprograms
havebeencutaslongorasdeeplyoverthelast12yearsasenvironmentalprograms.
(emphasis
added)
Littledidwerealizethatjumblewouldmeanwedontyethaveastatebudget.
Pennsylvaniacandobetter.
Perhapsredirectingsomecorporatewelfare,likethe$60millionayeartheyspendto
supportmovieproductionslike
ZackandMiriMakeAPorno
,wouldbeagoodstart.
Theenvironmentalcommunityislookingatreversingwhathasbeenadismaltrendover
thelast12yearswithGovernorsandmembersoftheSenateandHouseofbothpoliticalparties.
WearestillhopefulFebruary9baresatleastsomefruitoratthevery,veryleastdoesnt
hurttheenvironmentanymore.
Toborrowaphrase,Youcantkeeptakingresourcesawayfromthismostimportant
functionandgettoagoodoutcome.
ClickHere
towatchtheGovernorsbudgetaddresslivestartingat11:30.
Ifyouwantmorebackgroundonthebudgetfromthisweek,
ClickHere
.
NewsClips:

Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
WolfImposesLimitsFillingVacantPositions,200AtDEP
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
NewSeveranceTaxProposalFromDrillingCountry
Thompson:BracingForTheBudget:HeadedForWolfWarII?
201617SpendingPlanSetToJoinPABudgetMess
PLS:Reed,CostaAgreeOnPossibleRevenueSources?
PLS:Reed:2BudgetsWontPutHouseGOPOffTheirAgenda
JanuaryStateRevenue$2.5B,$6.2MMoreThanAnticipated
StateBudgetStuckInRestartMode
Bumsted:WolfsBudgetOptionsLimited
InBudgetBattles,CompromiseHasBecomeTaboo
TransitFundingExpectedToFall$6BShortInPA
OpEd:NewFederalTransportationBillPutsPAOnRightTrack
OpEd:FilmTaxCreditBenefitsAreMisleading
NorthDakotaOrdersCutsAmid$1BillionBudgetShortfall
RelatedStories:
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan

ByHarryCampbell,PAExecutiveDirector,
ChesapeakeBayFoundation

Pennsylvaniahasunveiledanewstrategyforcleaningupits
pollutedwaterways,anditwilltakethenecessary
investmentsfromleadersinHarrisburg,andaunifiedeffort
acrosstheCommonwealth,fortheplantosucceed.
Whilethisrebootedeffortestablishesaframework
forsuccess,itisjustthefirstchapterofalongstory.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
acknowledgedthatitalonecannotprovideandprotectclean
waterascalledforinthenewplan.
Theplanssuccessrequiresacomprehensiveapproachinvolvingthefarmers,businesses,
andhomeowners.Resources,leadership,andcommitmentfromGovernorTomWolfandthe
legislatureareessentialtogetPennsylvaniabackontracktowarditscleanwatergoals.
In2010,theBaystatesandthefederalEnvironmentalProtectionAgencysetpollution
limitsthatwouldrestorewaterqualityinlocalrivers,streams,andtheChesapeakeBay,andeach

statedevelopeditsownplantomeetthoselimits.Thiscameaftermorethan30yearsoffailed
restorationcommitments.
Thestatesalsomadetwoyearmilestonecommitmentstotakespecificactionstoensure
progresstowardreducingpollution.Thegoalistoimplement60percentofpracticestorestore
localwaterqualityintheCommonwealthby2017,and100percentimplementationby2025.
Unfortunately,thestatewillnotmeetits2017goal,as
acknowledgedbyDEPSecretaryJohn
Quigley
.
Roughly19,000milesofriversandstreamsinPennsylvaniahavebeendamagedby
pollution.Effortstoreducenitrogenandsedimentpollutionfromagricultureandurbanpolluted
runoffareofftrackbymillionsofpounds.
Thenewplandefinessiximmediateandlongertermactionsdesignedtoget
Pennsylvaniabackontrack.
TheCommonwealthintendstosignificantlyincreasethenumberoffarminspectionsand
establishacultureofcompliance.
AtcurrentDEPstaffinglevels
,itwouldtakealmost57years
foreachfarmtobeinspectedjustonce.
TheDEPwilluseconservationdistrictstaffanditsownstafftoaccelerateitsinspection
ratetomeettheEPArecommendationofinspecting10percentoffarmsannually.DEPinspected
lessthan2percentoffarmsin2014.
Avoluntaryfarmsurvey,conductedbyapartnershipofagriculturalentities,seeksto
locate,quantifyandverifypreviouslyundocumentedpollutionreductionpracticesthathavebeen
putintoplace.Theplanalsoestablishesa
ChesapeakeBayOffice
withintheDEPinorderto
improvemanagementfocusandaccountability.
Thenewplanalsocallsforacceleratingtheplantingofstreamsidebuffers,themost
affordablesolutionforfilteringandreducingtheamountofnitrogen,phosphorus,andsediment
pollution.
Theplanaddressesthechallengesofpollutedrunofffromurban/suburbanareas,
includingupdatedpermitrequirementsandimplementationplansbylocalgovernments,andthe
developmentofinnovativefinancingopportunities.
Ifthisnewplanhasaweakness,itisinidentifyingsustainablefundingsources.
Accordingto
aPennStatestudy
,itwillcostnearly$380millionperyear,or$3.8billionoverthe
next10years,toimplementjusttheagriculturalpracticesthatwouldgetPennsylvaniabackon
tracktomeetitscleanwatergoalsfor2025.
IfPennsylvaniaistomakeprogressinprovidingandprotectingcleanerwater,the
Commonwealthmustinvestinthenewplan,in
Gov.Wolfs201617budget
andinthe
legislaturesfollowthrough.AnewGrowingGreenerinitiativewouldbeadownpaymentfor
suchefforts,butmoreresourceswillbeneeded.
Investingincleanwaterpaysdividends.Conservationpracticesnotonlyimprovewater
quality,butcanimprovefarmproductionandherdhealth,reducenuisancefloodingin
communities,improvehuntingandfishing,beautifyurbancenters,andevencleantheair.
A2014economicanalysisfoundthatfullyimplementingPennsylvaniascleanwater
planswillresultinanincreaseinthe
valueofnaturalbenefitsby$6.2billionannually
.
Adequatefundingandtechnicalassistancearecriticaltothesuccessofthisplan.The
GovernorandlegislaturemuststepupandensurethattheCommonwealthlivesuptotheclean
watercommitmentsitmadetofellowPennsylvanians.
CleanwatercountsinPennsylvania
.Healthyfamilies,strongcommunities,andathriving

economydependonit.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
WolfImposesLimitsFillingVacantPositions,200AtDEP
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue
RelatedStories:
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

EQBOverwhelminglyApprovesFinalChapter78DrillingRegulations

TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardWednesdayvotedoverwhelmingly(15to4)toapproveDEPs
Chapter78(conventional)and78A(unconventional)drillingregulations
,aftervotingdown17
amendmentstotheregulationbythreeofthelegislativemembersoftheBoard.
Thefinalregulationsaddresssurfaceactivitiesatwellsites,andcenteronfivecoreareas:
ImproveprotectionofwaterresourcesAddpublicresourcesconsiderationsProtectpublic
healthandsafetyAddresslandownerconcernsandEnhancetransparencyandimprovedata
management.
ThefinalrulemakingrepresentthefirstcomprehensivechangestoDEPsdrilling
regulationsin15years,since2001andwasdevelopedinresponsetochangesindrilling
technologyandpracticesandlegislationpassedbytheGeneralAssemblyin2012andsignedinto
lawbyGov.Corbett.
Theregulationhasbeensubjecttothemostextensivepublicparticipationprocessin
DEPshistory12publichearings,2separatepubliccommentperiods,andmorethanadozen
publicmeetingswiththeoil&gastechnicaladvisoryboards.
EQBConsiderationOfRegulation
HeresaquickoverviewoftheEQBconsiderationoftheregulations
JohnArway
,ExecutiveDirectoroftheFishandBoatCommission,saidhehasprofessional
experienceworkingfortheCommissiondealingwithoilandgasissuesaswellaspersonal
experiencebeingalandownerwhereoilandgasdrillingisbeingdone.HeurgedtheEQBto
approvetheregulation
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)
,MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee,askedwhyDEPwasgoingaheadwiththeregulationwhentwoofits
advisorycommitteesrecommendednotto.ScottPerry,DEPDeputySecretaryforOilandGas

Management,saidDEPdoeshaveadisagreementwiththepanelsoverseveralissues,including
onrestoringdrinkingwatersuppliespollutedbydrilling,standardsusedforcleaningupspills
andonlocatingabandonedwells.Perrynotedlater,thedrillingindustryrefusedtoprovideDEP
withtheirmapsidentifyingabandonedwellswhichleadtotheprovisionsinthefinalregulation.
BurtWaite,

DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
andamemberof
DEPsConventionalOiland
GasAdvisoryCommittee
,offeredanamendmenttobifurcatetheregulationforvotingbythe
Boardintoconventional(Chapter78)andunconventional(Chapter78A).Themotionfailed5
to14.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)
,MajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee,offereda
seriesof9amendments
totheregulationsallofwhichwerevoted
downbytheBoardbyvotesgenerallyof5or6to13or14.Thosevotingfortheamendments,
sometimesindifferentcombinations,includedRep.Maher,Sen.Yaw,Sen.JohnYudichaks
representative(MinorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee),
BillFink,ChairofDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil,andBurtWaite,DEPsCitizensAdvisory
CouncilandsometimesDonWelsh,DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)
offered
aseriesof3amendments
totheregulation,allof
whichwerevoteddownbytheBoard,againbyvotesgenerallyof5or6to13or14.
Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)
alternateoffered
aseriesof5amendments
tothe
regulation,allofwhichwerevoteddownbytheBoardbyvotesgenerallyof5or6to13or14.
Rep.Maher:
Inafinalstatement,Rep.MahersaidtheEQBwasbeingaskedtobreakthelaw
byvotingforthisfinalregulationbecausecertaininformationwasnotprovidedtoadvisoryand
otherdecisionmakingbodiesduringtherulemakingprocess.Thishesaid,isnotthetransparency
alwaysbeingtalkedabout.KimChilde,DEPDirectorofRegulatoryCounsel,advisedBoard
membersDEPhasmetitslegalobligationsandproceduresduringtherulemakingprocessandit
wasentirelyappropriatetovoteontheregulation.
Sen.Yaw:
Incomments,Sen.YawsaidseveralmembersofhisCommitteehasconcernsabout
thewaytheregulationswereputtogether,sayingsomeprovisionswereasolutioninsearchofa
problem.
ThenextstepinfinalizingtheregulationsisreviewbytheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralfor
formandlegalityandthenforwardingtothe
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
and
theSenateandHousefortheirreviewundertheRegulatoryReviewAct.
Acopyoftheregulationchanges,anExecutiveSummary,comment/responsedocuments,
aonepagesummary,theRegulatoryAnalysisFormsummarizingthecostoftherules,reports
fromDEPsunconventionalandconventionaloilandgasadvisoriescommentsandafactsheet
ontheregulationisonthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
webpage.
NewsClips:
WillDrillingRegsFaceOppositionInSenate,HouseCommittees?
BoardApprovesNewEnvironmentalRulesForDrillers
StateBoardApprovesMajorRevisionsToDrillingRules
BoardApprovesStatesNewOil&GasRegulations
BoardApprovesNewRulesForGas,OilDrillers
WillDrillingRegsFaceOppositionInSenate,HouseCommittees?

ChallengeToUseOfOil&GasFundMoniesToBeHeardByPASupremeCourtMarch9

OnMarch9thePASupremeCourtwillhearanappealofa
2015CommonwealthCourtdecision
upholdingtherightoftheGeneralAssemblyandthegovernortotransfermoniesfromDCNRs
OilandGasFundtotheGeneralFundandtheuseofthosefundsforDCNRStateParkandState
ForestOperations.
The
PAEnvironmentalDefenseFoundation
filedtheoriginallawsuitagainstGov.
Rendellforhis
leasingofnearly137,000acres
ofStateForestlandforMarcellusShalenatural
gasdrillingandthen
transferring$383millionoftheproceeds
fromtheOilandGasFundtothe
GeneralFundtobalancethestatebudget.
Gov.RendellalsousedOilandGasFundrevenuetofundadministrativeandpersonnel
costsofStateParksandStateForestOperations.ThepracticecontinuedduringtheCorbett
Administration.
PEDFbaseditslawsuit,inpart,onPennsylvaniasEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentto
thestateConstitution.
WiththemakeupofthePASupremeCourtnowdramaticallychangedasaresultofthe
November3election,itwillbeinterestingtoseehowtheCourtdecidesthisissue.
The
PASupremeCourts2013decision
overturningportionsoftheAct13drillinglaw
wasbased,againinpart,ontheEnvironmentalRightsAmendment.Thenewcourt,withnew
members,maybemore
sympathetictothatargument
.
OnWednesday,the
IndependentFiscalOffice
releasedits
economicoutlookandstate
revenueforecast
thathighlightedprojectedrevenuegoingintotheOilandGasLeaseFundare
expectedtodrop38percentinthecurrentFY201516to$71millionfrom$115millionlast
fiscalyear
(page46)
.Revenueswillincreaseslowlyinthecomingyearsandnotrecoverto$118
millionuntilFY201819
(page73)
.
InFY201415theOilandGasLeaseFundsupported$122.6millioninoperatingcosts
andtheGeneralFundonly$14.5million.InFY200809theGeneralFundsupportforDCNR
was$113millionandOilandGasLeaseFundrevenue$11.8million,nearlythereverse.
Gov.Wolfproposedlastyearinhisbudgetproposaltobegintheprocessofweaning
DCNRoffoftheOilandGasLeaseFundtopayforadministrativecostswitha
$21.8million
GeneralFundappropriation
.
HisproposalwasincludedintheRepublicanbudgetpassedinDecemberand
signedinto
lawbytheGovernor
with$48.7millionmoreinGeneralFundmoneyforDCNR'sGeneral
Government,StateParksandStateForestOperationslineitems.
Forupdatesontheprogressofthelawsuit,visitthe
PAEnvironmentalDefense
Foundation
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularnewsfromPEDF.
Formoreinformationondrilling,visitDCNRs
NaturalGasDevelopmentandState
Forests
webpage.
NewsClips:
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
NewSeveranceTaxProposalFromDrillingCountry
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds

CFAAcceptingApplicationsForWaterRelated,RecreationGrantsStartingMarch1

TheCommonwealthFinancingAuthoritywillbeacceptingthenextroundofapplicationsfor
grantsfundedbyAct13
forwatershedrestoration,abandonedminedrainageabatement,baseline
waterqualitydata,orphanorabandonedwellplugging,sewagefacilitiesandfloodmitigation
programsstartingMarch1.ThedeadlineforapplicationsisJune30.
Heresaquicksummaryofwhatsavailableandthelinksformoredetails

WatershedRestoration
:TheoverallgoaloftheWatershedRestorationandProtectionProgram
istorestore,andmaintainrestoredstreamreachesimpairedbytheuncontrolleddischargeof
nonpointsourcepollutedrunoff,andultimatelytoremovethesestreamsfromtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionsImpairedWaterslist.

AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementandTreatment
:Projectswhichinvolvethereclamation
ofAbandonedMineWell(s),constructionofanewAMDsite,remediationandrepairofexisting
AMDprojectsites,operationandmaintenancemaintainingcurrentAMDremediationsites,
establishmentoftrustfundtoensureongoingmaintenanceisachieved,andmonitoringofwater
qualitytotrackorcontinuetotracenonpointsourceloadreductionsresultingfromAMD
remediationprojects.

OrphanorAbandonedWellPluggingProgram
:Projectswhichinvolvethecleaningoutand
pluggingofabandonedandorphanoilandgaswellsstraygasmitigationsystemsandwell
ventingprojects.

BaselineWaterQualityData
:Projectswhichinvolvepracticesforwatersamplecollectionand
analysistodocumentexistinggroundwaterqualityconditionsonprivatewatersupplies.

SewageFacilitiesProgram
:CostsassociatedwiththeplanningworkrequiredunderAct537
SewageFacilitiesAct.

FloodMitigation
:Projectsauthorizedbyafloodprotectionauthority,theDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection(DEP),theU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers(Corps)ortheU.S.
DepartmentofAgriculture'sNaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)oridentifiedbya
localgovernmentforfloodmitigationareeligiblefortheprogram.

Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationProgram
:Projectswhichinvolvedevelopment,
rehabilitationandimprovementstopublicparks,recreationareas,greenways,trailsandriver
conservation.
ApplicantsarestronglyurgedtocontacttheirHouseandSenatemembertomakethem
awareyouintendtosubmitanapplicationforfundingunderthesesprograms.
Theapplicationsinthisroundwillbeconsideredatthe
SeptemberCFABoardmeeting
.
Formoreinformationandinstructionsonhowtoapply,visittheCommonwealth
FinancingAuthority
Act13Programs
webpage.Questionsshouldbedirectedto7177876245.
NewsClip:
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue

PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds

PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.

YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.

Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates

PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom:
PAEnviroDigest.

PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.

PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.

PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.

Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(Feb.8):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinkingwater
wellconstruction
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)furtherprovidingforliabilityprotectionfor
landownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconducta
comprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)updatingandimprovingtheTransitRevitalization
investmentDistrict

SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounsel
fortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516
CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill.

<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.

Senate(Feb.8):

SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlarge
electricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfor
naturalgascompetition(
sponsorsummar
y).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.


CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

House:
the
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
holdsaninformationalmeeting
on
HouseBill1536
(PetriRBucks)imposesa5.5percentseverancetax,eliminatestheAct13
drillingimpactfeeanddistributestherevenuebasedontheprovisionsofAct13.Anyadditional
revenuewouldbedepositedintheGeneralFund(
sponsorsummary
),
HouseBill82
(HarperR
Montgomery)imposesa3.5percentseverancetaxandleavesinplacetheexistingAct13drilling
impactfee.Revenuewouldfundpublicschoolemployeepensions(
sponsorsummary
)the
AppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill1436
(GodshallRMontgomery)
providingforthecomputationofincometaxexpenseforutilityratemakingpurposes,
HouseBill
1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishingaPrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgramthe
Local
GovernmentCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill1392
(DushRIndiana)authoritieswater
andsewerauthoritiestochargeasecuritydepositonnewcustomers(
sponsorsummary
),
House
Bill914
(RossRChester)removingthepermitexemptinspectionfeecapinSewageFacilities
Act(
sponsorsummary
),
HouseBill1605
(JamesRButler)establishingtheHeritageAreas
Programinlaw(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.

Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.

Other:
Gov.WolfsSecondBudgetAddress.11:30.
ClickHere
towatchlive.

BillsPendingInKeyCommittees

HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each

House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees

Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education

Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees

BillsIntroduced

Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek

ChangesInFEMAFloodplainMap:
HouseBill1648
(Davisrequiringnotificationof
residentialpropertyownersofchangestoofficialFEMAfloodplainmaps(
sponsorsummary
).

MineReclamationLiability:

HouseBill1825
(SankeyRCambria)amendingAct2Land
RecyclingandEnvironmentalRemediationStandardsActtoprovideliabilityprotectionfor
conservationdistrictsandprivatefirmsreclaimingabandonedminesites(
sponsorsummary
).

SessionSchedule

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

Senate
February8,9,10
BudgetHearings:Feb.22,23,24,25,26,29,March1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11(nosessionduring
hearings)
March14,15,16,21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

House
February8,9,10
March14,15,16,21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

GovernorsSchedule

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

BillsOnGovernor'sDesk

ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction

FloodInsuranceReport:

SenateBill494
(WardRWestmoreland)eliminatingtherequirement
fortheFloodInsuranceReporttotheGeneralAssembly.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryis
available.ThebillwassignedintolawasAct2.

NewsFromTheCapitol

HouseBudgetHearingForDEPChangedToMarch1

The
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
hasrescheduledthebudgethearingfortheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionToMarch1at9:30a.m.IthadbeenscheduledforMarch8.Other
environmentalbudgethearingswillbeheld
February24:
SenateDept.ofConservation&NaturalResources,10:00
February24:
HousePublicUtilityCommission,1:00
February25:
SenateDept.ofEnvironmentalProtection,10:00
February29:
HouseDept.ofConservation&NaturalResources,2:00
March1:
SenateDept.ofAgriculture,3:00
March1:

NEW
.HouseDept.ofEnvironmentalProtection,9:30and
March9:
HouseDept.ofAgriculture,1:30.
HousebudgethearingsareheldinRoom140(MajorityCaucusRoom)andtheSenate
budgethearingsareheldinHearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.
Thecompleteschedulesareavailableonthe
SenateAppropriationsCommittee
and
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
webpages.

Sen.StefanoIntroducesResolutionToDelayPACleanPowerPlan2Years

CitingconcernsaboutthepotentialeconomicimpactonPennsylvania,Sen.PatStefano
(RFayette)hasintroducedSenateResolution277
(notyetonline,
textavailable
)
urgingthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontodelayimplementationoftheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionsCleanPowerClimateRulefortwoyears.
Notingthat27stateshavejoinedalawsuitseekingtoblockthefederalmandate,Sen.
StefanosaidGov.Wolfsdecisiontofasttrackcompliancecouldhavedisastrousconsequences
onPennsylvaniaasanexporterofelectricpowergeneration,resultinjoblosses,andcripplethe
stateseconomy.
Untillegalchallengestothisrulehavebeendecidedandafullreviewoftheeconomic
impactsofthisruleonPennsylvaniahavebeencompleted,Ibelieveitisinthebestinterestof
Pennsylvaniatorequestanextensionforsubmittingafinalplantocomply,Sen.Stefanosaid.
Throughthismandate,theEPAisoversteppingitsauthorityasaregulatorandinstead
attemptingtoforceenergypoliciesonstates.
Sen.StefanosresolutionwouldalsorequiretheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceAgency
toconductacostcompliancestudypriortosubmissionofafinalimplementationplan.
Thisstudywouldfocusontheimpactsandcostsoftheimplementationplanonnewand
existingelectricgenerationunits,aswellasothercomponents,includingreliability,ratepayer

impact,feasibilityandotherfactors.
Inmydistrict,whichismadeupofmanycoalpatchtowns,wehaveseenminesidled,
powerplantsclosedandfamilieslivescompletelyupendedastheylosttheirfamilysustaining
jobsinthecoalindustry,Sen.Stefanosaid.Thisshouldserveasacautionarytalethatmaking
rapidchangesinenergypolicycanhavefarreachingconsequences.Myresolutionwouldensure
thatdecisionswhichhavesuchahugeandlongtermimpactonjobsandtheeconomyaremade
carefullyandtakeintoaccountmitigatingfactors.
Thetextoftheresolution
isavailableonline
.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaidDEPisontracktohaveadraftPACleanPowerPlan
availableforpubliccommentaroundMemorialDaywiththeintentofsubmittingthefinal
versioninSeptembertomeetEPAsinitialdeadline.
InSeptember,OctoberandNovemberoflastyear,DEP
completed14listeningsessions
aroundthestateseekingideasonhowPennsylvaniashouldmeettheEPACleanPowerClimate
Rule.
Resolutionsdonothavetheforceoflaw.AresolutionexpressesthewilloftheSenate.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
ClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
Reminder:DEPClimateActionPlanUpdateCommentsDueMarch30
ActivistsBringMethanePetitionInBoxesToDEP
ActivistsWantWolfsPlanToReduceMethaneEmissions
LaidOffCoalMinersMakeTransitionToComputerProgramming
RelatedStories:
DEPReleasesClimateChangeActionPlanUpdateForPublicComment
Gov.WolfAnnouncesNewMethaneRegulationsOnOil&GasIndustry
EPRI:LeastCostOptionForPAToMeetEPAClimateRuleIsNaturalGas

HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeInformationalMeetingOn2SeveranceTaxBillsFeb.8

The
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
willholdaninformationalmeeting
onFebruary8ontwobillsthatwouldimposeaseverancetaxonnaturalgasproduction.The
billsontheagendainclude

HouseBill1536
(PetriRBucks)imposesa5.5percentseverancetax,eliminatestheAct13
drillingimpactfeeanddistributestherevenuebasedontheprovisionsofAct13.Anyadditional
revenuewouldbedepositedintheGeneralFund(
sponsorsummary
)and

HouseBill82
(HarperRMontgomery)imposesa3.5percentseverancetaxandleavesin
placetheexistingAct13drillingimpactfee.Revenuewouldfundpublicschoolemployee
pensions(
sponsorsummary
).
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom140MainCapitolstartingat11:00a.m.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairandcanbecontactedby
sendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
,andRep.GregVitali(DDelaware)servesas
MinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
NewsClips:
NewSeveranceTaxProposalFromDrillingCountry
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue

Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot

NewsFromAroundTheState

WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure

ThedepartmentsofHealthandEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayreleasedthisoverviewof
howPennsylvaniaaddresstheissueofleadexposureinthewakeofeventsinFlint,Michigan
overthelastseveralweeks
NationaleventsaboutleadexposurehavegeneratednewconcernsforPennsylvanians
relatedtothesafetyoftheirhomesandwater.TheWolfAdministrationtakestheissueoflead
exposureveryseriouslyandstateagencieswillcontinuetoworktogetherontheircoordinated
responsetoaddressleadexposureincommunitiesacrosstheCommonwealth.
TheDepartmentsofHealthandEnvironmentalProtectionbothworkdiligentlytoprotect
childrenfromleadexposureandhavemanyresourcesavailableforresidentstolearnmoreand
takeactiononlead.
AccordingtoDepartmentofHealth,theprimarysourceofchildhoodleadpoisoningin
Pennsylvaniacontinuestobeexposuretoaging,deterioratingleadbasedpaint(chipsanddust),
andnotdrinkingwater.
TheageofPennsylvania'shousingstockcontributestothisproblem.Whileleadwas
bannedfrompaintin1978,manyolderdwellingsstillcontainlayersofpre1978paint.
Accordingto2010Censusdata,Pennsylvaniaranksthirdinthenationforhavingthe
mosthousingunitsidentifiedashavingbeenbuiltbefore1950(whenleadwasmoreprevalent)
andfourthinthenationforhousingunitsidentifiedashavingbeenbuiltbefore1978,according
toa2014DepartmentofHealthreport.
TheDepartmentofHealthisveryconcernedaboutelevatedleadlevelsinchildren
wherevertheymayoccur.Ourcommunityhealthnursesworkcloselywithhealthcareproviders
andfamilieseverydaytoprovideeducationaboutleadexposureandfacilitatehomeinspections
ifneededtoidentifythesourceoftheexposure,saidHealthSecretaryDr.KarenMurphy.
Protectingthestate'swaterandthehealthandsafetyofourcitizensisDEP'smission,said
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSecretaryJohnQuigley.Ensuringthesafetyofour
drinkingwaterisessential.Wehavepoliciesandprogramsinplacealreadytoprotect
Pennsylvanians.
DepartmentofHealth
TheDepartmentofHealthprovidesatollfree
LeadInformationLine
(1800440LEAD)
torespondtocallerquestionsandprovideelectronicmaterialsaboutleadpoisoningandother
environmentalhazards.Formoreinformation,pleasealsovisitthe
HealthyHomesandLead
PoisoningPreventionFAQ
.
Residentsshouldbeproactiveandfollowstepstoensurethehealthandthesafetyof
childrenintheirresidencesandcanfindalltheresources
DOHprovideshere
.
DOH'sLeadSurveillanceProgramtracksandmonitorschildhoodleadactivitythrough
thePennsylvaniaNationalElectronicDiseaseSurveillanceSystem(PANEDSS).PANEDSSis
awebbasedapplicationsystemthatreceivesallleadreportsonPennsylvania'schildren.
ThroughPANEDSS,theDivisionofChildandAdultHealthServicescanidentify
possiblehighriskareas,locateareasofundertesting,andidentifyotherpotentialservicegaps.

DOHsCommunityHealthNurses(CHN)monitorelevatedleadlevelsinchildrenages
sevenandunderlivinginPennsylvania.
TheCHNscontactthefamilytoprovideeducationonlaboratoryresults,sourcesoflead
exposure,actionstotaketoprevent/decreasetheriskofexposureandhelpfacilitatefollowup
testingbetweenclientsandtheirpediatricians.
Incaseswherethereissignificantleadexposure,CHNswillworkwiththepediatrician
andfacilitatereferralstoobtainhomeinspectionswhichcanidentifythesourceofexposureas
wellasprovidehandsoneducationtoparents.
Formoreinformation,visittheDepartmentofHealths
LeadPoisoning
webpage.
DepartmentofEnvironmentProtection
Federalandstateregulationsrequirethatpublicdrinkingwatersuppliersregularlytestfor
contaminantsincludinglead.DEPmonitorswatersupplierstoensurethattheyarecomplying
withtestingrequirementstosafeguardourpublicdrinkingwatersupplies.
DEPalsoprovidesinformationtoprivatewellwaterusersonhowtoproperlymaintain
theirsystemstoreducetheirexposuretolead.
DEPhascreateda
newsectionoftheirwebsite
forinformationonleadindrinkingwater
forconsumershere.
Sinceleadexposureindrinkingwatertypicallycomesfromyourplumbingfixturesand
notthesourceofyourwatersupply,itsimportantforbothpublicdrinkingwatercustomersas
wellasprivatewellwateruserstofollowthesetipstoreduceyourexposuretolead:
Runyourwatertoflushoutlead.Ifwaterhasntbeenusedforseveralhours,runwaterfor
1530secondsoruntilitbecomescoldorreachesasteadytemperaturebeforeusingitfor
drinkingorcooking.Thisflushesoutanystagnantwaterinyourhomeplumbingandreplacesit
withfreshwaterfromthewatermaininyourstreet.
Usecoldwaterforcookingandpreparingbabyformula.Donotcookwithordrinkwaterfrom
thehotwatertapleaddissolvesmoreeasilyintohotwater.Donotusewaterfromthehotwater
taptomakebabyformula.
Donotboilwatertoremovelead.Boilingwaterwillnotreducelead.Infact,lead
concentrationswillbehigherinwaterthatisboiledsincesomeofthewaterisremovedassteam.
Testyourwaterforlead.Contactyourwatersystemformoreinformationaboutgettingyour
watertested.Somewatersystemsmayoffertotestyourwaterfreeofcharge.Yourwater
systemcanalsoprovideinformationaboutlocallaboratoriesthatconductleadtesting.Ifyourea
privatewellwateruser,youshouldcontactaDEPaccreditedlabforinformationaboutwater
testing.
Hereisthelinktoalisting
ofDEPaccreditedlabs.
Identifywhetheryouryourhouse'splumbingfixturescontainlead.Thereareleadcheckswabs
thatcandetectleadonplumbingsurfacessuchassolderandpipes.Theseswabscanbe
purchasedatplumbingandhomeimprovementstores.
Monitoringfrequenciesforleadandcoppervarybasedonprevioussampleresults.
Anewwatersystemistestedevery6monthsuntiltheyhave2consecutiveperiodsof
compliance(soitcouldbethefirst2tests)afterthattheygotoannualmonitoring,andif,after3
yearsofcleanannualtests,theycangotoaonceeverythreeyearmonitoringschedule.
Alllargewatersystems(servingmorethan50,000)andthosesmall/mediumwater
systemsthathaveinstalledcorrosioncontroltreatmentarealsorequiredtomonitorforwater
qualityparameterstoensurethatcorrosioncontroltreatmentisbeingproperlyoperatedand
maintained.

Ifleadconcentrationsexceedthelegallyacceptablelevelinmorethan10%ofcustomer
tapssampled,thesystemmustundertakeanumberofadditionalactionstocontrolcorrosion.
Theseactionsincludecompletionofacorrosioncontroltreatmentfeasibilitystudy,
submissionofapermitapplication,andconstructionormodificationofcorrosioncontrol
treatmentfacilities.
Iftheactionlevelforleadisexceeded,thesystemmustalsoinformthepublicaboutsteps
theyshouldtaketoprotecttheirhealthandmayhavetoreplaceleadservicelinesundertheir
control.
Ifleadactionlevelisexceeded,publicwatersystemsarerequiredtoimplementapublic
educationprogramwithin60days.Printedmaterialsmustbedeliveredtoallcustomers,the
localorstatehealthdepartment,andotherorganizations.
Inaddition,watersuppliersmustprovidetheresultsofallleadtestingperformedon
individualhomestothehomeownerwithin30days,alongwithanexplanationofthehealth
effectsoflead,alistofstepsconsumerscantaketoreduceexposuretolead,andcontactinfofor
thewatersystem.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
LeadInDrinkingWater
webpage.
NewsClips:
IsLeadPoisoningInPA,NJWorseThanFlint?
LeadProblemFocusShiftsToCitiesLikeAllentown
WhatYouNeedToKnowAboutLeadInYourHome
WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure
CentralPADoesNotAppearToFaceCrisisOfLeadInDrinkingWater
LeadIssueLeadsToLackOfTrustInPittsburghWaterAuthority
18CitiesInPAReportHigherBloodLevelsOfLeadExposureThanFlint
ScrantonHas3rdHighestPercentageOfElevatedLeadLevels
Editorial:Sebring,OHProvidesLessonsOnLead
OpEd:MoreImportantThanEverToAdoptStrictWaterWellStandards
RelatedStories:
PennStateExtensionPresentsFeb.10WebinarsOnLeadInDrinkingWater
OpEd:PennsylvaniaNeedsWaterWellStandardsToProtectPublicHealth

PennStateExtensionPresentsFeb.10WebinarsOnLeadInDrinkingWater

Inresponsetotheincreasedattentionthatleadindrinkingwaterhasreceivedoverthepastfew
weeksinFlint,Michigan,PennStateExtensionwillprovideaneducationalwaterwebinar
entitled,
LeadinDrinkingWaterfromPrivateWells,SpringsandCisternsWhatYouShould
Know
onFebruary10from12:00to1:00p.m.andrepeatedfrom7:00to8:00p.m..
Thewebinarwillfocusonthepotentialforleadindrinkingwaterfromprivatewater
wells,springsandcisterns,althoughsomebasicinformationonleadinpublicwatersupplieswill
alsobepresented.
ThereareaboutonemillionhomesusingtheseprivatewatersuppliesinPennsylvania
andPennStateresearchhasshownthatleadcanbeasignificantwaterqualityproblem.
Thewebinarwillshareresearchresultsfromthe1980sthrough2015,showingthe
occurrenceofcorrosivewater,copperandleadinprivatedrinkingwatersuppliesandthe
commoncausesfortheseproblems.

Watertestingtodetermineleadlevels,alongwithwatertreatmenttopreventorremove
lead,willalsobediscussed.
Thepresentationwillconcludewithlinkstovariouseducationalmaterialscreatedby
PennStateExtensiontoincreaseawarenessofleadindrinkingwater.
Theselivewaterwebinarsarefreeandcanbeaccessedateither12:00p.m.or7:00p.m.
by
ClickingHere
.SimplyenteryournameintheGuestBoxandclickEnterRoomtojointhe
livewebinar.
Youwillneedacomputerwithspeakerstolistentotheaudioportionofthewebinar.If
youareunabletojoinoneofthelivewebinarsessions,youwillbeabletoviewa
recorded
versionofthiswebinaronline.
PennStateExtensionalsohasawrittenfactsheeton
LeadinDrinkingWater
online.
Ateachsessionofthewebinar,
FREEwatertestkitsforlead
willbegiventothree
attendees(atotalofsixattendeesatthetwowebinarsessions).Thesedrinkingwaterkitswillbe
fromthe
AgriculturalAnalyticalServicesLab
atPennStateUniversityastateaccreditedwater
testinglaboratory.
The
PennStateExtensionWaterResources
teamandits
MasterWellOwner
volunteers
provideeducationandassistanceforthousandsofprivatewaterwellandspringownersacross
Pennsylvaniaeachyear.
TuneinonFebruary10tolearnmoreabouthowtoprotectyourfamilyfromleadin
drinkingwater.
Formoreinformation,visitPennStateExtensions
LeadinDrinkingWaterWebinar
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforupdatesonPennStateExtensionwaterrelatedprograms.

(WrittenBy:BryanSwistock,WaterResourcesSpecialist,RenewableNaturalResources,Penn
StateExtension,DepartmentofEcosystemScienceandManagement.)

NewsClips:
IsLeadPoisoningInPA,NJWorseThanFlint?
LeadProblemFocusShiftsToCitiesLikeAllentown
WhatYouNeedToKnowAboutLeadInYourHome
WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure
CentralPADoesNotAppearToFaceCrisisOfLeadInDrinkingWater
LeadIssueLeadsToLackOfTrustInPittsburghWaterAuthority
18CitiesInPAReportHigherBloodLevelsOfLeadExposureThanFlint
ScrantonHas3rdHighestPercentageOfElevatedLeadLevels
Editorial:Sebring,OHProvidesLessonsOnLead
OpEd:MoreImportantThanEverToAdoptStrictWaterWellStandards
RelatedStories:
WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure
OpEd:PennsylvaniaNeedsWaterWellStandardsToProtectPublicHealth

OpEd:PennsylvaniaNeedsWaterWellStandardsToProtectPublicHealth

By:LarryJ.Schweiger,
PennFuture
PresidentandCEO

ThewatercrisisinFlint,Michiganshinesamuchneededspotlightonpublicdrinkingwater
quality.Publicoutragesurroundingthiscrisisisunderstandablewhenregulationsandstandards
intendedtoprotectpublichealtharesacrificedtosavemoney.
Inthiscase,leadiscausingirreparableharmto10,000Flintchildrenwithdeveloping
brainsandwillcontinuetoimpacttheunborn,infantsandchildrenfortheforeseeablefuture.
Wemaynotknowthefullcostsforyearsastherippleeffectcouldresultinageneration
inneedofincreasedsocialservicesandbroadsocialcostsaswellasalessproductiveworkforce.
TheWorldHealthOrganizationlinksleadpoisoningtoimpairedmentaldevelopment
(includinglowerIQ),behavioralproblems(suchashyperactivity,shortenedattentionspanand
antisocialbehavior),andphysicaleffects(likestuntedgrowth,kidneydamage,hypertension,
hearingproblems,andanemia).
ArecentVoxreview
ofPennsylvaniaDepartmentofHealthdatareveals17citiesinthe
statewhereover10percentofchildrentestedpositivefordangerouslyelevatedlevelsofleadin
theirblood.
Whilethewholestoryhasyettobewritten,itisabundantlyclearthatwecannotwaitto
reexamineprocedures.Wemustincreaseprotectionsatthelocal,state,andfederallevels.
Thereis,however,arelatedissuethataffectsmuchofourstate,especiallysuburbanand
ruralcommunities.Pennsylvaniaisoneofjusttwostateswithnoconstructionstandardsfor
privatewaterwells.
AccordingtothePennStateExtension,
3.5millionresidents
,mostlyinruralareas,rely
onwellwater.Thatis34timesthepopulationofFlint.Coupledwiththe20,000newwells
drilledeachyear,unsafewellwatercanquicklybecomeamajorstatewidepublichealthconcern.
Arecentstudy
bythePennsylvaniaGeneralAssemblysCenterforRuralPennsylvania
notesthat40percentofwellshaveatleastonewaterqualityissueduetopoorconstruction,
includingbacteria,lead,arsenic,andradoncontamination.
Improperlyconstructedwaterwellsandolduncappedwellscanprovideeasyaccessfor
pollutedsurfacerunoff,contaminants,andbacteriafromsepticsystemstogetintoaresidents,
orevenaneighbors,drinkingwatersupply.
Unfortunatelyandseeminglywithoutreason,effortstoimprovewaterwellsafetyhave
stalledtimeandtimeagaininthestatelegislaturefordecades.
HouseBill48
,sponsoredbystateRep.RobertGodshall(RMontgomery),addresses
manyoftheknownissueswithwellwatersafetybyorderingthePennsylvaniaDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionsEnvironmentalQualityBoardtocreaterulesidenticalorsimilarto
recommendationsbythe
NationalGroundWaterAssociation
.
HouseBill48employsnationalbestpracticesby(1)advancingnewwellconstruction
standards,(2)advancingabandonedwelldecommissioningstandards,(3)providinggeneral
assemblyoversight,(4)authorizingpenaltiesagainstthosewhofailtoadheretothe
aforementionedstandards,and(5)keepingwaterwellregulationsseparatefromoilandgaswell
padregulations,whicharecoveredunderdifferentlegislation.
WhobettertostandupforthisissueimpactingsuburbanandruralPennsylvaniathan
someonewhowaspersonallysickenedbycontaminatedwellwater?
Rep.Godshall,whohasbonecancer,tookupthisissueafterbeingseverelysickened
afterdrinkingfromwellwaterathisTiogaCountycabin.Thenewlydrilledwellwas
contaminatedwithecoliandcoliformbacteria.Wesupporthisefforttoprotectpublichealthand
bringallwellwatertothesafestandards.

Thislegislationdoesntcomprehensivelyaddressallleadpoisoning,norwouldithave
avertedacrisislikethatinFlint.ButHouseBill48isanecessarysteptoprotectthe
commonwealthsgroundwatersupplyonethatnearlyeveryotherstatehasalreadytaken.
ThisbilliscurrentlyundersecondconsiderationbeforetheHouseofRepresentativesand
deservesafullvote.
Aslegislatorsreturntosession,joinmeinarenewedcallforclean,safedrinkingwater
forallPennsylvaniansbecauseweallrich,poor,urban,andruraldeservesafedrinkingwater.
NewsClips:
IsLeadPoisoningInPA,NJWorseThanFlint?
LeadProblemFocusShiftsToCitiesLikeAllentown
WhatYouNeedToKnowAboutLeadInYourHome
WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure
CentralPADoesNotAppearToFaceCrisisOfLeadInDrinkingWater
LeadIssueLeadsToLackOfTrustInPittsburghWaterAuthority
18CitiesInPAReportHigherBloodLevelsOfLeadExposureThanFlint
ScrantonHas3rdHighestPercentageOfElevatedLeadLevels
Editorial:Sebring,OHProvidesLessonsOnLead
OpEd:MoreImportantThanEverToAdoptStrictWaterWellStandards
RelatedStories:
WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure
PennStateExtensionPresentsFeb.10WebinarsOnLeadInDrinkingWater

CongressmenWant$1BillionFromAMLFundForStrugglingCoalCommunities

AnewbillintroducedWednesdayinCongressaimstotake$1billioninfundinginthe
AbandonedMineReclamation(AML)Fundtogivetocoalcommunitieshardesthitbythe
downturnofthecoalindustry.
TheRECLAIMAct
:RevitalizingtheEconomyofCoalCommunitiesbyLeveraging
LocalActivitiesandInvestingMore,wasfiledbyCongressmenHalRogers(RKy.),
Matt
Cartwright(DPa.)
,EvanJenkins(RWV.),DonBeyer(DVa.),andMorganGriffith(RVa.).
CoalcommunitiesthroughouttheUnitedStateshavebeenstrugglingtocopewith
significantjoblossesafteradecreaseinnationwidecoalproductioninrecentyears,andthe
RECLAIMActaimstosupporteconomicandcommunitydevelopmentprojectsintheseareas.
Specifically,thelegislationreleases$1billionfromtheexistingbalanceintheAML
Fundtoassistcommunitiesthathavetraditionallyreliedonthecoalindustryforemploymentor
haverecentlyexperiencedsignificantcoaljoblosses.
Undertheplan,$200millionwillbedistributedtoparticipatingstatesannuallyforfive
years,andthelegislationempowersStatesandIndiantribestoworkwithlocalcommunitiesto
identifyandfundeconomicdevelopmentprojectsonAMLsites.
"InKentuckyalone,we'velostmorethan11,000coalminingjobssince2009.Insteadof
allowingthosefundstogounused,nowisthetimetohelpourcoalproducingstatesreinvestin
thecoalfieldswithprojectsthatcancreatenewjobsandreinvigorateoureconomy,"saidRep.
Rogers."ManycoalcommunitiesinAppalachiasimplydonothavetheresourcestoreclaimthe
abandonedminesiteswithintheirborders.Thisbillallowsthesecommunitiestobeproactivein
restoringthesesitesandutilizethemtoputourpeoplebacktowork."

Passageofthislegislationwillcomplimentothercongressionaleffortsthathaveaimedto
supporteconomicdevelopmentincoalcommunities,suchasincreasedandtargetedfundingfor
theEconomicDevelopmentAdministrationandtheAppalachianRegionalCommission.
TheRECLAIMActmirrorsasectionoftheWhiteHousesPOWER+proposalthat
requiresastatutorychangetotheSurfaceMiningControlandReclamationAct(SMCRA).
Appalachianstatescontinuetofacethecombinedcalamityofacollapsingcoalindustry
andtheenvironmentallegacyofoveracenturyofmining.Forthefamiliesthatdependedon
miningjobs,benefits,andpensionsthathavedisappearedascoalcompanieshaveclosedtheir
operations,wemustacttoprovidenewopportunities,said
Rep.Cartwright.
Additionally,we
mustaddresstheenvironmentallegacyleftbyabandonedmines.Acrossnortheastern
Pennsylvania,therearethousandsofmilesofstreamsimpactedbyminedrainage,manyof
whicharetotallydevoidofaquaticlife.Itstimetoactuallyspendthemoneywehavebeen
collectingfordecadesinthetrustfund.Wemustcleanupourregionandhelprejuvenatesmall
communitiesacrossAppalachia.
ThemajorityofthefundingwillbedirectlydistributedbytheSecretaryoftheInteriorto
stateswithunmetreclamationneeds.Meanwhile,$5millioneachyearwillbeprovidedthrough
grantsforcoalproducingstatesthatnolongerhaveabandonedminelands.
Regrettably,recentyearsinthecoalfieldsofSouthwestVirginiaandthroughout
Appalachiahavebeendifficult,saidRep.Griffith.Afterall,lifeabovegroundisimpacted
whenworkstopsundergroundastheresultofaregulatoryonslaughtoncoalregions,thelow
costofcompetitivefuel,andasluggishworldeconomy.TheRECLAIMActisanimperative
efforttohelpreinvigorateourhardhitcommunitiesthrougheconomicandcommunity
development.IwillcontinuefightingalongwithCongressmanRogersandotherstoadvance
economicdevelopmentstrategiessuchasthiswhichwouldhelpkeepandgrowjobsin
Appalachia.
Aftertwoyears,eachstatewillhavetheopportunitytoapplyforbonuspaymentsforany
remainingAMLfundsthathavenotbeenutilized.
AsLieutenantGovernorandgubernatorialcandidate,Ispentnineyearstouring
Virginiascoalcounties.Iwitnessedtheharsheffectsofaneconomicdownturnaswellasthe
degradationoftheland,saidRep.Beyer.Byreinvestingthismoneyinthesecommunities,we
willprovideaccesstomuchneededjobsandhelptorestoreunusedandabandonedmines.
TheRECLAIMActalsocomesontheheelsofasimilarAMLPilotProjectincludedin
the2016Omnibusbill.The$90millionpilotwhichwillbeimplementedinKentucky,
PennsylvaniaandWestVirginiawillprovidecoalcommunitieswithgrantstoreclaim
abandonedminelandswitheconomicdevelopmentpurposesinmind,createnewjob
opportunitiesandstimulatethelocaleconomy.
ThousandsofWestVirginiacoalminershavelosttheirjobsinthepastfiveyears,and
ourcommunitieshavebeendecimatedbythestrugglingcoalmarket.Nowhereisthisproblem
morecriticalthanAppalachia,especiallyinmydistrictinSouthernWestVirginia,"saidRep.
Jenkins."Oursmalltownsandfamiliesneedtheresourcestorebuild,attractnewemployers,
createjobs,andgivehopetothepeoplewhocallAppalachiahome.IcommendChairman
Rogersandmyfellowcosponsorsfortheirpassionforthisissueandtheirbeliefthatwemust
getoureconomymovingagain.
Asummaryofthebill
isavailableonline
.
NewsClip:

LawmakersSeek$1BillionForStrugglingCoalStates

WPCAMRTestifiedInCongressOnBillPromotingCoalWasteToGenerateElectricity

WesternCoalitionforAbandonedMineReclamation
President,
DennyBeck
,testifiedbeforea
subcommitteeoftheU.S.HouseCommitteeonEnergyandCommerceWednesdayinsupportof
H.R.3797,the
SatisfyingEnergyNeedsandSavingtheEnvironment(SENSE)Act
.
ThebillaimstoestablishthebasisbywhichtheAdministratoroftheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgencywouldissue,implement,andenforcecertainemissionlimitationsand
allocationsforexistingelectricutilitysteamgeneratingunitsthatconvertcoalrefuseintoenergy.
Morespecifically,SENSEseekstoestablishalternativecompliancestandardsforcoal
refusefacilitiesbasedupontheremovalandcontrolofsulfurdioxiderelativetotheMercuryand
AirToxicsStandardsRule(MATS).
TheSENSEActalsoseekstoprovidecoalrefusefiredpowerplantswiththesameS02
allocationsinPhaseIIasinPhaseIoftheCrossStateAirPollutionRule(CSAPR)while
ensuringthatCSAPRdoesnotincreasetheoverallstatelevelCSAPRSO2budget.
Beckstestimonynotedthattherearetwotypesofcoalfiredelectricitygeneratingplants:
largecoalfiredpowerplantsthatusedeepminedcoalandsurfaceminedcoaltoproduceenergy
versussmallwastecoaltoenergyplantsthatcleanthepollutionleftbehindbytheregions
formerunregulatedcoalminingpractices.TheSENSEActfocusesonthesecondcategory.
Beckalsotestifiedthatrunofffromwastecoalpilespollutessurfaceandgroundwater
withheavymetalsandchangesinpHandifleftunreclaimed,thepileshavethepotentialtoself
ignitespewingthesesamechemicalsintotheair.
Beckgavethefollowingpersonalexperiencehehashadwiththewastecoalindustry
"The3CoGenerationplantsinmycounty(wastecoalburning),havesignificantlyimpactedour
county:Theyhave:
Burnedover25milliontonsofwastecoal,supplyingelectricityto280,000residences,
directlyemploy200peopleandindirectly300morecountyresidents
Reclaimedover525acresofabandonedminelands
Contributedover$25milliontothelocalcommunitiesand
WonnumerousStateandNationalEnvironmentalandSafetyawardssince1992.
Hewentontodescribetoprojectsthathiscountyhasbenefittedfrom:
"InRevloc(CambriaCounty)theBlacklickCreekwasadeadstreamforseveraldecades.
Sinceithasbeenrestored,over100acreshavebeenreturnedtoproductiveuse.Runoffpollution
hasbeenreducedtotheSouthbranchofBlacklickcreekanditisnowdesignatedasaCold
WaterFisherybytheFishandBoatCommission.Theareaisalsonowsubdividedforhousing.
InWashingtonTwp(CambriaCounty),3.5milliontonsofwastecoalhavebeen
removedandinitsplacearenow4ballfields,2.5milesofwalkingtrails,acommunityhall,a
CoalMinersmonument,andabelltower.Itisnowagatheringplacefortheentirecommunity,
bothyoungandold,improvingthevitalityofaoncedyingcommunity.Acontractorhasalso
subdividednumerousacresforhousinggrowth.
AlloftheseandotherreclaimedacreshavebeenatNOCOSTtothetaxpayer.
Ifwastecoalfiredplantsareforcedtocloseduetounreasonableregulations,streams
willcontinuetobecontaminated,publicsafetywillcontinuetobeatriskduetothedangersthe
pilespose,pileswillcontinuetoselfigniteandspewthesamepollutantsintotheairthatthe

regulationsaretryingtocurtail,andcommunitieswillcontinuetobeshadowedbytheunsightly
blackmountains.Allofthiswouldbeataxpayerburden.
WPCAMRsupportstheequitableregulationsproposedintheSENSEActthatwillhelp
thewastecoalindustrystayinbusinessandcontinuetohelpourcommunitiesrecoverfromour
unregulatedcoalmininghistoryandprosperintothefuture.
LettersfromthepubliccanbesenttoyourCongressmanand/orCongressmanRothfus,
thesponsoroftheSENSEAct.
AcopyofBeckstestimony
isavailableonline
.
ClickHere
foracopyofH.R.3797.
ClickHere
forotherremarkspresentedattheSubcommitteehearing.

(WrittenBy:AnneDaymut,WatershedCoordinator,
WesternCoalitionForAbandonedMine
Reclamation
.
ClickHere
tosignuptoreceiveregularupdatesfromWCAMR.)

U.S.SenatorCaseyUrgesObamaAdministrationToSupportChesapeakeBayPrograms

WednesdayU.S.SenatorsBenCardin(DMD)andBobCasey(DPA)
andCongressmenChrisVanHollen(DMD)andBobbyScott(DVA)
urgedtheObamaAdministrationtostronglysupportagricultural
conservationprogramstoensureacleanChesapeakeBayinitsFY2017
federalbudget.
Toincreasetheeconomicbenefitsfromthelandsandwaters
throughouttheBayswatershed,statesareworkingtoachievethe
ChesapeakeBayCleanWaterBlueprint
,butprogressisinjeopardyif
programsarenotsufficientlyfunded.
Greatprogresshasbeenmadeinthelastsixyears
Unfortunately,recentprogramreviewsconductedbytheChesapeake
BayProgramrevealthatinparticulargeographies,wearenotontracktomeetthegoalsofthe
Blueprint,theMemberswroteinalettertoOfficeofManagementandBudgetDirectorShaun
Donovan.Allthathasbeenaccomplished,andallthatstandstobeaccomplished,willbe
threatenedifourruralareascannotreceivethesupportandassistancetheyneedatthiscritical
time.
ThefulllettertoDirectorDonovanisbelow:
DearDirectorDonovan:
WewriteconcerningtheongoingeffortstocleanuptheChesapeakeBay.Weappreciate
theObamaAdministrationscommitmenttoworkingwithourstatesandcommunitiesandthe
entirewatershedtoachieveahealthyBayby2025.
Asyouknow,ExecutiveOrder13508onChesapeakeBayRestorationandProtection
states,[t]heChesapeakeBayisanationaltreasureconstitutingthelargestestuaryintheUnited
Statesandoneofthelargestandmostbiologicallyproductiveestuariesintheworld.
AnimportantelementofthisinitiativeistheChesapeakeBayCleanWaterBlueprint,as
theChesapeakeBayTMDLhascometobecalled,whichwhenimplementedwillincreasethe
economicbenefitsfromtheselandsandwatersthroughouttheChesapeakeBayregionby$22
Billionperyear,to$129Billion.
ThisBlueprintwasdevelopedwithfederalleadershipthroughtheChesapeakeBay
ProgramincollaborationwithBaywatershedstatesin2010,anditwasindependentlyratifiedby

allBaywatershedstates.
Greatprogresshasbeenmadeinthelastsixyears.Wecommendthecommitmentand
hardworkofstateandlocalgovernmentsthroughouttheregion.Thefederalgovernmenthas
alsobeenacriticalpartner,andweparticularlywanttohighlightthecontributionsmadebythe
DepartmentofAgriculturethroughtheconservationprograms.
Unfortunately,recentprogramreviewsconductedbytheChesapeakeBayProgramreveal
thatinparticulargeographies,wearenotontracktomeetthegoalsoftheBlueprint.
Specifically,muchoftheoutstandingworkinvolveshelpingfarmersandruralcommunitiesin
PennsylvaniatakethestepsneededtoreduceharmfulagriculturalpollutionoftheBay.
Thiscanbedonewithoutharmingthefarmeconomy,butatthistimeleadershipfromthe
Federalgovernmentiscritical.
WearewritingtoencourageyoutoincludestrongsupportsfortheUSDAconservation
programsinthefiscalyear2017budget.Farmersinthewatershed,andparticularlyinthe
SusquehannaRiverBasin,needassistancetoachievethenitrogengoalsrequiredforthehealthof
theBay.
Significantly,thisactionisconsistentnotonlywiththeExecutiveOrder,butalsowiththe
Administrationspoliciesforadaptingtoclimatechangeandenhancingsoilhealth.The
practicesthatneedtobeimplementedonagriculturallandsundertheBlueprintinPennsylvania
andthroughoutthewatershedarethesamepracticesthatwillhelpsoilsbecomemoreresilientto
extremeweathereventsandultimatelybecomemoreproductive,whilerequiringlessfertilizer
andreducingnutrientandsedimentpollutiontoriversandstreamsandtheBay.
ThegoalsoftheExecutiveOrderandBlueprintcanbeachieved,andtheChesapeakeBay
canbeashiningexampleofhowprotectionofournaturalresourcesandeconomicdevelopment
canbothbeserved.
Yetallthathasbeenaccomplished,andallthatstandstobeaccomplished,willbe
threatenedifourruralareascannotreceivethesupportandassistancetheyneedatthiscritical
time.Weurgeyourattentiontothismatter.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
$6.9MLawsuitFiledOverMillerChemicalPlantFire
YorkCountyKeepingEyeOnSusquehannaRiverIce
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStories:

EPARestores$3MillionInDEPChesapeakeBayFundingBasedOnNewStrategy
CBFPAWelcomesRestoredFundingForChesapeakeBayWatershedCleanupInPA
AllianceForChesapeakeBayLaunchesNewBusinessesForTheBayPartnership
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
WhatsInWolfsBudgetAddressForTheEnvironment?5ThingsToWatchForFeb.9
CFAAcceptingApplicationsForWaterRelated,RecreationGrantsStartingMarch1

EPARestores$3MillionInDEPChesapeakeBayFundingBasedOnNewStrategy

TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasrestored$3millioninprogramfundingtothe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionbasedonthenewstrategiesCommonwealthagencies
announcedonJanuary21
.
TheCommonwealthscomprehensivestrategywasdevelopedcollaborativelybetween
DEPandPennsylvaniadepartmentsofAgricultureandConservationandNaturalResources.
Thefundingwillprimarilysupportinstallationofbestmanagementpracticesbyfarmers
andtheoperationsofCountyConservationDistricts.EPAwillawardthefundstoDEPwhen
Federalbudgetauthorityforthenewfiscalyearisfinalized.
InaletterdatedJanuary20,2016,toDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley,EPARegional
AdministratorShawnGarvinwrote,EPAappreciatesPennsylvaniascommitmenttogetback
ontrackwithnutrientreductionmeasuresnecessarytoachievetheChesapeakeBaygoals.The
submission,18monthstrategyanddraftimplementationplancontainmanyactionsthatcan
serveasbuildingblockstoacceleratethepaceofimplementation.
Pennsylvaniawasnotontracktomeetnutrientreductiontargets,andEPAmadeclearin
2015thatitwouldwithholdfundingduetothatlackofprogress.DEPworkedwithoursister
agenciesandwroteaplanthatwillputusontrack,saidQuigley.
ThisrestoredfundingwillbetargetedbyDEPtobeginimplementationofourrebooted
strategy.Itisastartbutonlythat.Wehavealongwaytogoinoureffortstoassemble
additionalresourcesandtodotheworktoimprovelocalwaterqualityinPennsylvania,andthat
oftheChesapeakeBay.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
ChesapeakeBayStrategy
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
$6.9MLawsuitFiledOverMillerChemicalPlantFire
YorkCountyKeepingEyeOnSusquehannaRiverIce
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStories:

U.S.SenatorCaseyUrgesObamaAdministrationToSupportChesapeakeBayPrograms
CBFPAWelcomesRestoredFundingForChesapeakeBayWatershedCleanupInPA
AllianceForChesapeakeBayLaunchesNewBusinessesForTheBayPartnership
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
WhatsInWolfsBudgetAddressForTheEnvironment?5ThingsToWatchForFeb.9
CFAAcceptingApplicationsForWaterRelated,RecreationGrantsStartingMarch1

CBFPAWelcomesRestoredFundingForChesapeakeBayWatershedCleanupInPA

The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
Tuesdaywelcomedthenewsthe
U.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgencyrestored$3million
inprogramfundingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,andseesitasanothersteptogettheCommonwealthbackontracktowarditsclean
watercommitments.
EPArestoredthefundingaftertheCommonwealthrecentlyunveiledanewplanto
achieveitspollutionreductiongoals.Thefederalagencyhadwithheldthefundingbecauseof
Pennsylvaniaslackofprogressinreducingpollution.
Pennsylvaniasnewplantoreducewaterpollutionincludestheframeworkforsuccess,
butgettingtheCommonwealthbackontracktowardmeetingitscleanwatercommitments
requiresthefundingtomakeithappen,saidHarryCampbell,CBFsPennsylvaniaExecutive
Director.
Roughly19,000milesofriversandstreamsinPennsylvaniahavebeendamagedby
pollution.Effortstoreducenitrogenandsedimentpollutionfromagricultureandurbanpolluted
runoffremainofftrackbymillionsofpounds.
DEP
SecretaryJohnQuigleyhasacknowledged
thatthestatewillnotmeetits2017goal.
IfPennsylvaniaistomakerealprogressinprovidingandprotectingcleanerwater,the
Commonwealthmustimplementthenewplan,Campbelladded.WelookforwardtoGovernor
Wolfs201617budgettobeannouncednextweek,andthelegislaturesfollowthrough,to
providethenecessaryinvestmentssothattheplancansucceed.
AccordingtoDEP,the$3millioninrestoredfundingbytheEPAwillgotosupport
conservationdistrictsthataredirectedinthenewplantoconductmoreinspectionsoffarms.The
additionalfundingwillalsoallowfarmerstoinstallmorepollutionreductionpractices.
TheDEPestimatesonlyabout30percentoffarmsintheCommonwealtharecurrently
incompliancewithPennsylvaniasexistingcleanwaterlaws,someofwhichhavebeeninplace
fordecades,Campbellsaid.Moreinspectorsaresorelyneeded.Atcurrentstaffinglevels,it
wouldtakealmost57yearsforeachfarmtobeinspectedjustonce.
Thenewplanalsocallsforacceleratingtheplantingofstreamsidebuffers,themost
affordablesolutionforfilteringandreducingrunoffofnitrogen,phosphorusandsediment.
Theplanalsoproposesessentialstepsandinnovationstoaddressthechallengesof
pollutedrunofffromurban/suburbanareas,includingupdatedpermitrequirementsand
implementationplansbylocalgovernmentsandthedevelopmentofinnovativefinancing
opportunities.
A2014economicanalysisfoundthatfullyimplementingPennsylvaniascleanwater
planswillresultinanincreaseinthe
valueofnaturalbenefitsintheCommonwealthby$6.2
billion
annually.
Investingincleanwaterpaysdividends.Conservationpracticesnotonlyimprovewater

quality,butcanimprovefarmproductionandherdhealth,reducenuisancefloodingin
communities,improvehuntingandfishing,beautifyurbancenters,andevencleantheair.
Adequatefundingandtechnicalassistancearekeyaspectsforthesuccessofthisplan,
Campbellsaid.TheGovernorandlegislaturemuststepinandensurethattheCommonwealth
livesuptothecommitmentsitmadetofellowPennsylvanians.
VisitCBFPAs
CleanWaterCounts
webpagetolearnhowyoucanbecomeinvolvedin
cleaningupstreamsnearyou.Youcanalsocheckoutwhichstreamsinyourcountydontmeet
waterqualitystandards.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
$6.9MLawsuitFiledOverMillerChemicalPlantFire
YorkCountyKeepingEyeOnSusquehannaRiverIce
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStories:
U.S.SenatorCaseyUrgesObamaAdministrationToSupportChesapeakeBayPrograms
EPARestores$3MillionInDEPChesapeakeBayFundingBasedOnNewStrategy
AllianceForChesapeakeBayLaunchesNewBusinessesForTheBayPartnership
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
WhatsInWolfsBudgetAddressForTheEnvironment?5ThingsToWatchForFeb.9
CFAAcceptingApplicationsForWaterRelated,RecreationGrantsStartingMarch1

AllianceForChesapeakeBayLaunchesNewBusinessesForTheBayPartnership

The
AlliancefortheChesapeakeBay
andmembersofthe
businesscommunityannouncetheofficiallaunchof
Businesses
fortheBay
.Thisnewandinnovativebusinessassociationis
welcomingNewMembersandSponsors.
MembershipprovidestheChesapeakeregionsbusiness
communitywithauniqueopportunitytonetwork,berecognized,
takeaction,andencourageemployeestosupportenvironmentalefforts.
BusinessfortheBaygivesitsmembersaforumwheretheycanmaketheirvoicesheard
andlearnaboutandsharebestpractices,andcreatesvolunteeropportunitiesforemployeesin
environmentalstewardship.

BusinessesfortheBaypromotesandrecognizes,inahighlyvisibleway,the
environmentaleffortsimportanttoitsMembers,theircustomers,andtheircommunities.
BusinessesfortheBayisdesignedtomeetcontemporarycorporatesustainabilitygoals
andencouragebusinessestotakevoluntaryactionsthatimprovetheChesapeakeanditsrivers
andstreams,andhelpthepublicunderstandthevaluableroleofthebusinesscommunityinthe
environment.
EveryBusinessesfortheBayMembercommitstoatleastoneactionthatistiedtothe
ChesapeakeBayWatershedAgreementandismeasuredbytheAllianceduringtheannual
Membershiprenewalprocess.
BusinessesfortheBayhelpsbothlargeandsmallbusinessesgobeyondcompliance.All
actionsarecompiledtoshowcaseMembersprogramresults.
BusinessesfortheBaywascreatedwiththeguidanceofaSteeringCommitteeof
regionalbusinessleadersandtheinputfromparticipantsatChesapeakeBusinessForumsin2014
and2015.ThreemoreForumsareplannedin2016.
DavidGunnarson,LockheedMartin,SeniorStaffEnvironmentalEngineerand
BusinessesfortheBaySteeringCommitteeMembernoted,BusinessesfortheBayprovidesus
anopportunitytoshowcaseourenvironmentalpractices,todemonstratehowtheyrelate,and
makeadifference,fortheChesapeakeBay,andtoworkwithotherstobettertheenvironmentin
whichwelive.
ThroughournewBusinessesfortheBayprogram,wecanhelpbusinesseshavea
positiveimpactontheChesapeakeBay,expandtheirsustainabilityprograms,andberecognized
fortheirenvironmentalsuccess,saidCorinneStephens,AlliancefortheChesapeakeBay
BusinessPartnershipsManager.
Tolearnmoreaboutmembershipandtheprogram,visitthe
BusinessesfortheBay
webpageorcontactCorinneStephens,AlliancefortheChesapeakeBayBusinessPartnerships
Manager,bysendingemailto:
cstephens@allianceforthebay.org
.
NewsClips:
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
$6.9MLawsuitFiledOverMillerChemicalPlantFire
YorkCountyKeepingEyeOnSusquehannaRiverIce
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStories:
U.S.SenatorCaseyUrgesObamaAdministrationToSupportChesapeakeBayPrograms
EPARestores$3MillionInDEPChesapeakeBayFundingBasedOnNewStrategy
CBFPAWelcomesRestoredFundingForChesapeakeBayWatershedCleanupInPA
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney

WhatsInWolfsBudgetAddressForTheEnvironment?5ThingsToWatchForFeb.9
CFAAcceptingApplicationsForWaterRelated,RecreationGrantsStartingMarch1

PhiladelphiasGreenCity,CleanWatersProgramWillHave$3.1BEconomicBenefit

Areportreleased
Mondaybythe
SustainableBusinessNetworkofGreaterPhiladelphia
concluded
PhiladelphiasGreenCity,CleanWatersProgram
willhavea$3.1billioneconomic
benefittothecommunityforaninvestmentof$1.2billionover25years.
Thishighlyanticipatedreportby
EconsultSolutions
hasinterestfrommanylocal,
regional,andnationalorganizations,aswellasmembersofPhiladelphiaCityCouncil.
TheGreenCity,CleanWatersProgramismanagedbythe
PhiladelphiaWater
Department
andaddressesfederalCleanWaterActregulationswithdecentralized,neighborhood
scale,naturalsystems,otherwiseknownasgreenstormwaterinfrastructure.
Just5yearsintothisambitious,daring,andinnovative25yearplantoaddressfederal
waterqualityrequirements,GCCWisalreadydemonstratingpresentresultsandfuture
potential,saidJamieGauthier,ExecutiveDirector,SustainableBusinessNetworkofGreater
Philadelphia
UsingtheGSIPartners,asubsetofSBNmembers,asaproxyforthelargerindustry,the
reportshowslocaleconomicgrowthisresultingfromthepublicandprivateinvestmentsinGSI
thatarebeingcatalyzedbytheplan.
TheGSIPartnersexperienceddoubledigitannualrevenuegrowthfrom2013to2014.
Weestimatethattheselocalbusinessescurrentlyrepresentanannualeconomicimpactofalmost
$60millionwithintheCityofPhiladelphia,supporting430localjobsandgeneratingnearly$1
millioninlocaltaxrevenues,saidAnnaShipp,GSIPartnersProjectManager,Sustainable
BusinessNetworkofGreaterPhiladelphia
Thereportalsomakesprojectionsofwhatcanbeexpectedwithcontinuedinvestmentin
GSI.Indicatorsoflocaleconomicgrowthgobeyondthegrowthofthebusinesseswithinthe
industry,sothereportalsoevaluatestherealestatemarketaswellasneighborhoodlevelbenefits
thathaveresultedfromthepublicandprivateinvestmentcatalyzedbyGreenCity,CleanWaters.
Conservatively,overthelifeofGCCW,publicandprivateinvestmentsinGSIare
projectedtoproducea$3.1billionimpactinthePhiladelphiaeconomy,supportingroughly
1,000jobsperyearandgenerating$2millionperyearinlocaltaxrevenues,saidLeeHuang,
SeniorVicePresidentandPrincipal,EconsultSolutions,Inc.
SBNwillbriefCityCouncilonFebruary24thontheresultsofthereport,andwilluse
thisreportintheircontinuedeffortstosupportthemaximumtriplebottomlinesuccessofGreen
City,CleanWaters.
Acopyofthefullreport
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformationontheinitiativeitself,visitthePhiladelphiaWaterDepartments
GreenCity,CleanWatersProgram
webpage.
NewsClips:
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority

CRCWatershedsAssnBackyardSolutionsForHealthyStreamsProgramFeb.28

The
ChesterRidleyCrumWatershedsAssociation
inChesterandDelawarecountiesandPenn
StateUniversityBrandywineinvitearearesidentstojointhemonFebruary28for
Backyard
SolutionsforHealthyStreams
:Lessonsfrom
PhiladelphiasGreenCity,CleanWatersProgram
.
Thetalkbeginsat2:00pmatPennStateBrandywinesTomezskoBuildingauditorium
andfeaturesMaggieDunnofthe
PhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
.Theprogramisfreeandopen
tothepublicandadvanceregistrationisrecommendedduetolimitedspace.
BackyardSolutionsforHealthyStreamswillhighlighttheinnovativeapproachesbeing
usedintheCityofPhiladelphiaonresidentialpropertiestoreducepollutedrunoffandimprove
waterqualityinstreams.
GreenCity,CleanWatersisshowingthatevenownersofsmallresidentiallotscantake
meaningfulstepstoimprovethewaterqualityintheirlocalstreams,saidCRCsExecutive
Director,BrianByrnes.WearethrilledtogiveresidentsinDelawareandChesterCountiesan
opportunitytoseewhatisworkinginthecityandgatherideasonhowtheycancontributein
theircommunities.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,visitthe
BackyardSolutionsforHealthyStreams
webpage,calltheCRCofficeat6103591440orsendemailto:
info@crcwatersheds.org
to
reserveaspot.
Forinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherspecialevents,visitthe
ChesterRidley
CrumWatershedsAssociation
website.
ClickHere
forthelatestcopyoftheCRCnewsletteror
visitthemonFacebook
.
NewsClips:
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority

AppsNowBeingAcceptedForPAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram

PAAmericanWater
isnowacceptingapplicationsforits
2016EnvironmentalGrantProgram
fromgroupswithinitsserviceterritory.ThedeadlineforapplicationsisApril1.
Establishedin2005,PAAmericanWatersEnvironmentalGrantProgramoffersfunds
forinnovative,communitybasedenvironmentalprojectsthatimprove,restoreorprotectthe
watersheds,surfacewaterand/orgroundwatersuppliesthroughpartnerships.
Toqualify,proposedprojectsmust:
Addressasourcewaterorwatershedprotectionneedinthecommunity
BecompletedbetweenMay1,2016andNovember29,2016
Beaneworinnovativeprogramforthecommunity,orserveasasignificantexpansiontoan
existingprogram
Becarriedoutbyaformalorinformalpartnershipbetweentwoormoreorganizations
Provideevidenceofsustainability(continuedexistenceaftertheAmericanWatergrant
moniesareutilized)and
BelocatedwithinoneofAmericanWater'sserviceareasinPennsylvania.
ClickHere
foracopyofthe2016EnvironmentalGrantProgrambrochure.
ClickHere
forthegrantapplicationform.
Formoreinformation,visitPAAmericanWaters
EnvironmentalGrantProgram
webpage.
RelatedCommunityPrograms

PAAmericanWateralsohastheseprogramsavailablewithinitsserviceterritory
March21:

DeadlineforStreamofLearningStudentScholarships
March30:

DeadlineForProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest

PennStateExtensionWaterResourcesMonthlyWebinarsIn2016

The
PennStateWaterResourcesExtensionTeam
Mondayreleaseditsinitialscheduleof
monthlywebinarsonemergingwaterresourcesfor2016.
PennStateExtensionhasbeenconductingwaterresourceswebinars2010andtypically
offeredliveonthelastWednesdayofeachmonthfrom12:00p.m.to1:00p.m.
Theupcomingwebinarsscheduledsofarinclude
February23:
TheEffectsofHydraulicFracturingonPropertyValuesofNearbyHomes
UsingPublicandPrivateWaterSources
,Dr.CharliesAbdalla,PennStateUniversity.Theuseof
unconventionalmethods(hydraulicfracturingandhorizontaldrilling)toextractoiland/or
naturalgasfromdeepshaleshasproducedpositiveandnegative(e.g.,nuisance,environmental)
impactsatthelocallevel.Quantifyinglocaleconomicbenefits(e.g.,incomefromroyalties)has
receivedgreaterattentionfromresearchersthanworkdocumentingnegativeeconomicimpacts.
Thiswebinarwillreviewpeerreviewedstudiesthathaveusedrealestatetransactiondatato
quantifynegativeimpactsthathydraulicfracturinghasbeenfoundtohaveonpropertyvaluesof
nearbyresidences.Thisresearchalsohasrevealedthatahome'swatersource(publicvs.private)
influencesbuyers'perceptionsoftheenvironmentalriskofhydraulicfracturingtothevalueof
theproperty.Thewebinarwilldescribethemethodsandresultsofthisresearchandwillidentify
thestudies'strengthsandweaknesses.Implicationsforstakeholdersandpolicyoptionsthatcould
addresslocalpositiveandnegativeeconomicimpactswillbediscussed.
March30:
BuyingaHomewithaPrivateWellandSepticSystem
,AmyGalford,PennState
Extension.Homesinruralandsuburbanareasoftenrelyonprivatewellsforthehouseholdwater
supplyandonlotsepticsystemsforwastewatermanagement.Abuyermaynotnoticeproblems
withtheseessentialsystemswhenpurchasingahome,orproblemswiththemcanderaila
mortgageandclosing.Thispresentationwillcoversomebasicsabouthowthesesystemswork,
inspectionandtestingoptions,andexamplesfromPennsylvania
April27:
EmpoweringVirginia'sWellandSpringUsers:TheVirginiaHouseholdWater
QualityProgram
,ErinLing,VirginiaTechUniversity.About1.7millionVirginians(22%)use
privatewatersuppliessuchaswells,springsandcisterns.Thispresentationwillprovidean
overviewofaVirginiaCooperativeExtensionprogram,theVirginiaHouseholdWaterQuality
Program(VAHWQP),whichprovidesaffordablewatertestingandeducationtothese
individuals.Wewillsummarizeimpacts,keypartnerships,lessonslearned,andprovidean
overviewofwaterqualityanalysisresults
May25:
FirstInvestigationofStreamHealthANewCitizenScienceActivity
,Jennifer
FetterandKristenKyler,PennStateExtension.Wouldyouliketolearnhowtospottheevidence
ofgoodthingshappeninginnature?ThewebinaronMay25thwillexplorehowanewcitizen
scienceprotocol,FirstInvestigationofStreamHealth(FISH)canbeusedtoengagelandowners
andvolunteersaboutthegoodthatcomesfrominstallingstreamsideimprovementprojects.FISH
isasimple,familyfriendlyactivitythataskseasytoanswerquestionsaboutwhatyousee
aroundastream.ThewebinarwillcoverhowFISHcanbeusedtomonitorpositivechangesin
theenvironmentandhowitcanbeusedtoshowlandownershowimportanttheiractionsare

locallyandregionally.
June21:
HarmfulAlgaeBloomsinPennsylvaniaPondsandLakesResultsfromaPenn
StateExtensionProject
,BryanSwistock,PennStateExtension.Nuisancealgaegrowthisoneof
themostcommonproblemsreportedbypondandlakeownersinPennsylvania.Ofgreatest
concernarealgaebloomsthatarecausedbymicroscopicbluegreenalgaewhicharecapableof
producingtoxins.Thesetoxinscansickenanimalsandhumansthatcontactthewaterandmay
causethedeathoffishorotheraquaticlife.Thiswebinarwilldiscussarecentprojectcompleted
byPennStateExtensiontosurveytheoccurrenceofharmfulalgaebloomsininlandpondsand
lakesandprovideoutreachtopondandlakeowners.
July27:
AnalysisofEcosystemServiceValuation,LawandPolicyDrivers,andPotential
PolicyDesignofWaterQualityImprovementsAssociatedWithPerennialGrassesandCover
Crops
,
KatherineZipp,AssistantProfessorofEnvironmentalandResourceEconomics,Penn
StateUniversity.Waterqualitybenefitsassociatedwithbiomasscrops(specificallygrasseslike
switchgrassandwintercropslikewinterryeandwinteroilseedslikecanolaandpotentially
pennycress)canbeconceptualizedasanenvironmentalcoproductforbiofuel.Paymentsfor
thesewaterqualityservices(e.g.throughwaterqualityincentiveprograms)canreducebiomass
feedstockpricesandoverallsystemcosts,makingbiofuelrefiningmoreaffordable.Our
preliminaryworkaimsto:(1)quantifythewaterqualitybenefitsassociatedwithperennial
grassesandwinterenergycropsandinfutureworkto(2)usepotentialpoliciestoleveragethe
waterqualitybenefitsofcertainbiomasscropstohelpsupportthecostsofconvertingthose
cropsintoalternativefuels.
August31:
TheLittleConestogaPartnership:ACommunityWatershedApproachto
StormwaterManagement
,MattRoyer,PennStateUniversity.Inanimpairedwatershedin
LancasterCounty,Pennsylvania.Adynamic,locallyledpartnershipknownastheLittle
ConestogaPartnershipworkedcollaborativelyoverathreeyearperiodfrom20132015toassist
municipalitiesandsuburban/urbanlandownerswithinnovative,costeffectivetoolsand
approachestoachieveandmaintainreductionsinstormwaterpollution.Thiscasestudyexplores
themethodologyandaccomplishmentsofthePartnership,andprovideslessonslearnedtoguide
municipalitiesconsideringworkingtogethertoaddressstormwaterobligations.
Toregisterforthesewebinarsandforthelatestwebinarscheduleandtowatcharchived
copiesofpreviouswebinars,visitthePennStateExtension
WaterResourcesWebinars
webpage.

(WrittenBy:BryanSwistock,WaterResourcesSpecialist,RenewableNaturalResources,Penn
StateExtension,DepartmentofEcosystemScienceandManagementandreprintedfromthe
February1WatershedWinds
newsletterfromPennStateExtension.
ClickHere
tosignupfor
yourowncopy.)

SignUpForMontgomeryCountyMasterWatershedStewards,OrIn12OtherCounties

The
MontgomeryCountyConservationDistrict
isnowacceptingapplicationsforits
2016Master
WatershedStewards
trainingclass.
MasterWatershedStewards
isavolunteerprogramledbyPennStateExtensionwiththe
goalofbuildingcapacityforwatershedprotectionandrestorationbytrainingvolunteerswhocan
makeanimpact.
MasterWatershedStewardsreceiveextensivetrainingonwaterresourcestewardshipand

thenputtheirexpertisetousehelpingandleadingprojectstoprotectandenhancewaterquality.
InPennsylvania,theprogramwasstartedinLehighandNorthamptonCounties,andthen
MontgomeryCountysteppeduptohelpspreadtheprogram,graduating11MasterWatershed
Stewardsin2014.
PennStateExtensionisofferingorwillsoonoffertheMasterWatershedSteward
Programin:Berks,Bucks,Chester,Delaware,Lackawanna,Lehigh,Luzerne,Monroe,
Montgomery,Northampton,Philadelphia,WyomingandYorkcounties.
Stewardsarenowaidinglocalwatershedorganizations,municipalEnvironmental
AdvisoryCouncils,andotherswithrestorationprojects,creekmonitoring,andeducation
programs.
Withthesuccessofthefirstclasses,theprogramisnowbeingofferedinmanycounties
throughoutsoutheastPAandtherestofthestate,withthegoalofgoingstatewide.
FormoreinformationontheMontgomeryCountyProgram,visitthe
MontgomeryMaster
WatershedStewards
webpage.
Ifyouliveintheparticipatingcountiesorwouldliketoestablishaprograminyour
county,visitthePennStateExtensions
MasterWatershedStewards
webpageorcontactErin
Frederickat6103919840orsendemailto:
elf145@psu.edu
.
RelatedPrograms:
PennStateExtensionMasterWellOwnerNetwork
PennStateExtensionMasterGardenerProgram

Tookany/TaconyFrankfordWatershedPartnershipOffersEdProgramsForAllAges

The
Tookany/TaconyFrankfordWatershed
Partnership
inMontgomeryandPhiladelphiacounties
isofferingseveralwatershedandenvironmental
educationprogramsinthecomingweeks.They
include
February1216:

GreatBackyardBirdCount

February15:

PresidentsDayBirdwalk

February18:

RainGardenWorkshop

February25:

UnderstandingTheUrban
WatershedWorkshopForEducators

March3:
RainGardenWorkshop
and
March5:

NaturesHiddenSurprises:FromTreeToTableMapleSugaring
.
TTFsmissionistoimprovethehealthandvitalityofourwatershedbyengagingour
communitiesineducation,stewardship,restoration,andadvocacy.Theyinitiateandsupport
effortstorestorethehealthofthewatershed,andmobilizewatershedstewardsthroughoutreach,
education,andhandsonprojects.
ThewatershedincludesneighborhoodsinNorth,Northeast,andNorthwestPhiladelphia
andthecommunitiesofAbington,Cheltenham,Jenkintown,Rockledge,andSpringfieldin
MontgomeryCounty.
Workingcloselywithcommunities,TTFsupportsthePhiladelphiaWaterDepartments
GreenCityCleanWaters25yearplantoprotectourwatershedbymanagingstormwaterthrough
innovativegreeninfrastructure.

Theyimplementandencouragethesesamestrategieswithourpartnersinourupstream
communities.
Currently,TTFisworkingcloselywithkeystakeholdersincludingthePhiladelphia
WaterDepartment,PhiladelphiaParks&Recreation,CheltenhamTownship,thePennsylvania
HorticulturalSociety,PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary,theAbingtonSchoolDistrictand
otherstosupportoverallgreeninfrastructureandstreamrestorationinitiativesintheregion.
TTFisproudtoserveastheconnectorbetweentheseorganizationsandwatershed
neighbors,sharinginformationandonthegroundeducationtoassistwithadoptionofthese
measures.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherspecialevents,visitthe
Tookany/TaconyFrankfordWatershedPartnership
website,
LikethemonFaceboo
k,
followTTF
onTwitter
and
visitthemonInstagram
.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromTTF
(rightpanel,bottom).
NewsClip:
WallenpaupackTeacherFinalistFor$1MillionPrize

PAAmericanWaterAcceptingEntriesForProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest

PAAmericanWater
announcedTuesdayitisnowacceptingentriesforits14thAnnual
Protect
OurWatershedsStudentArtContest
.ThedeadlineforentriesisMarch30.
Allfourth,fifth,andsixthgradestudentsinschoolsservedbyPAAmericanWaterare
eligible,aswellasindividualstudentswholiveinthecompanysservicearea.
Thecontestencouragesstudentstotapintotheirartistictalentstoexpresstheimportance
ofprotectingPennsylvaniaswaterresources.
Studentsarelearningaboutenvironmentalstewardshipandtheirroleinprotectingour
resourceseveryday,saidPennsylvaniaAmericanWaterPresidentKathyL.Pape.Through
thiscontest,wereencouragingstudentstocreativelydepicttheimportanceofourwatersheds
andhowtheycanprotectthem.
PAAmericanWateriscurrentlysendingcontestinformationandapplicationstoteachers
innearly500schoolsinitsserviceterritory.
Winnerswillbeselectedbasedoncreativevision,artistictalent,understandingof
watershedprotectionandtheabilitytocommunicatethatunderstanding.Aspartoftheirentry,
studentsmustwriteabriefnarrativeonthepersonalimpactofwatershedprotection.
In2015,thecompanyreceivedmorethan500entriesfromstudentsacrossthestate.The
grandprizewinnerwasNovaDouglasfromJeffersonCounty.
Intotal,sixstudentswillberecognized,withafirst,secondandthirdplacewinner
selectedfromeasternandwesternPennsylvania.Firstplacewinnerswillberewardedwitha
$100giftcardtoBarnes&Noble.Twosecondandthirdplacewinnerswillbeawardeda$50
and$25giftcard,respectively.
Inaddition,theoverallgrandprizewinnerwillhaveher/hisartworkfeaturedon
BloomercardsdistributedbyPennsylvaniaAmericanWater.Bloomercardsareseedfilled
packetsthat,whenplantedandtended,produceavarietyofwildflowers.
AllentrantswillreceiveaWatershedChampioncertificate.Awardswillbepresentedin
MayaspartofNationalDrinkingWaterWeekactivities.
ContestguidelinesandentryformsareavailableonthePAAmericanWaters

CommunityPrograms
webpage.
RelatedCommunityPrograms
PAAmericanWateralsohastheseprogramsavailablewithinitsserviceterritory
March21:

DeadlineforStreamofLearningStudentScholarships
April1:

DeadlineforEnvironmentalGrantProgram
NewsClip:
WallenpaupackTeacherFinalistFor$1MillionPrize

ReadingWaterAuthorityPlantCompletes3rdPhasePartnershipForSafeWater

The
ReadingAreaWaterAuthoritys
MaidencreekwatertreatmentplantinBerks
County,recentlycompletedthethirdphaseof
the
PartnershipforSafeWaterProgram
,a
voluntaryefforttoprovidesafedrinkingwater.
Presently,theplantprovidesdrinking
waterservicetoapproximately87,000people.
(Photo:ReadingAreaWaterAuthority's
DeanMiller,HelenPiccone,BrianReadinger,
ErinSnihur,GeneKoontz,GaryPhillips,
PatrickBauer,JesseGoldberg,BarbMartin,
MaxKurbjun,andWalterCieplinski,andDEP's
KevinAnderson.)
ThePartnershipforSafeWaterismadeupofDEP,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtection
Agency,the
PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
andotherdrinkingwater
organizations.Itsgoalistoimplementpreventativemeasuresthatarebasedonoptimizing
treatmentplantperformance.
PhaseIIIentailsadetailed,peerreviewedreportthatsummarizestherigorous
selfassessmentportionoftheprogram.
Thisphaseisspecificallygearedtowardidentifyingweaknessesinplantoperation,design
andadministrationthatcouldleadtoabreakthroughofwaterbornediseasecausingorganisms
intothefinishedwaterthatisdistributedtoconsumers.Correctingtheseweaknesseshelps
preventwaterbornediseaseoutbreaksfrompathogenicorganismslikeCryptosporidiumand
Giardia.
Bycompletingthisphaseoftheprogram,theMaidencreekplantprovidesanadditional
measureofprotectiontodrinkingwaterconsumers.
TheMaidencreekwatertreatmentplantisnowoneof60plantstocompletethisphaseof
thepartnershipinPennsylvania.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
PartnershipforSafeWaterProgram
webpage.

(Reprintedfromthe

Feb.4DEPNews
.

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

Feb.1WatershedWindsNewsletterFromPennStateExtensionNowAvailable

The
February1WatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennStateExtension

featuringarticleson

ExtensionWaterResourcesWebinarTopicsFor2016

DCNRReviews2015AgencyAccomplishments

AsianCarpCouldCauseLakeErieFishToDecline,OthersIncrease

TakingOnTheRisingProblemOfStormwaterRunoff

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

Feb.2ChesapeakeBayJournalNewsNowAvailable

The
February2ChesapeakeBayJournalNews
isnowavailablefeaturingarticleson

EPAPostsDraft201617MilestonesOnWebsite

U.S.Fish&WildlifeServiceCreatesUrbanSummerInternships

BayJournalCalendarOfEvents

ClickHere
tosubscribetothe
ChesapeakeBayJournal

InsuranceCommissioner:PrivateFloodInsuranceMayOfferSubstantialSavings

InsuranceCommissionerTeresaMillerTuesdaysaidPennsylvaniahomeowners,whomaybe
facingsteeplyrisingpremiumsunderthefederalgovernment'sfloodinsuranceprogram,maybe
unawaretheycangetprivatemarketfloodcoverage,inmanycasesatsubstantialsavingsas
comparedtothefederalgovernmentcoverage.
Tohelptheseconsumers,CommissionerMillerannouncedthe
creationofanew
webpage
,providingaonestopshopforinformationonfloodinsuranceavailableto
Pennsylvaniahomeownersandrenters.
"FormostPennsylvanianstryingtobuyindividualfloodinsurancecoverage,especially
fortheirhomes,theNationalFloodInsuranceProgramrunbythefederalgovernmentwas
thoughttobetheonlyoption,"CommissionerMillersaid."ButwithCongressmandatingfederal
subsidiesendforNFIPcoverage,andpremiumsbebasedontheproperty'sactualrisk,premiums
forthiscoveragearerisingandmaybecomedifficultformanyhomeownerstoafford."
"Withpremiumsforthefederalgovernment'sfloodinsuranceprogramrising,and
redrawnFederalEmergencyManagementAgencymapsplacingmanypropertiesinfloodzones
thathadnotbeentherebefore,Gov.WolfandIarecommittedtofindingwaystohelpconsumers
identifylowercostcoverage,"CommissionerMillersaid.
CommissionerMillersaidtheNFIPfellbillionsofdollarsindebtfromoverwhelming
claimsfollowinghurricanesKatrinaandSandy,leadingCongresstotakeaction.
ThegoodnewsforPennsylvaniaconsumersistherapidlyrisingNFIPpremiumsare
makingfloodinsurancemoreattractiveforprivatemarketinsurers,withprivatecoverage
availableinmanycasesatdrasticallylowerratesthanthefederalgovernmentinsurance.
MostprivatemarketresidentialfloodinsuranceinPennsylvaniaissoldbywhatarecalled
"surpluslines"insurers.Theseareinsurerslicensedinotherstatesorcountries,butnotlicensed
inPennsylvania,whotypicallyofferinsurancecoveragethatisconsideredhigherrisk,andthat
manylicensedcompaniesdonotoffer.Thus,privatemarketfloodinsuranceisdifficultformost
consumerstofind.
Thewebpage
hasfloodinsurancelinksforsurpluslinesinsurerssellingcoveragein
Pennsylvania,aswellasPennsylvanialicensedinsurerssellingfloodinsurance.Licensed

insurerstypicallyprovidecoverageforonlyaverylimitedmarketatthistime.
ThepagealsohasalinktotheNFIP,whichmayremaintheonlyoptionforhighrisk
properties.
Thewebpagealsoliststhetypeofcoveragewrittenbyeachlicensedinsurer.For
example,someinsurersonlyoffercontentscoverageforrenters,whileothersoffercoveragefor
boththedwellinganditscontents,forhomeowners.
CommissionerMillermadetheannouncementstandingnearasmallstream,acrossthe
streetfromthehomeofMichaelMegoulas,ahomeownerinHershey,DauphinCounty.
Mr.Megoulashaslivedinhishomesince1999,andneverexperiencedflooding,getting
onlyarelativelyminoramountofwaterinhisbasementwhenmuchofPennsylvania,including
theHersheyarea,sufferedseverefloodingin2011fromtropicalstormsIvanandLee.
"In2012,mypropertywasremappedintoafloodzone,andIwastoldIhadtobuyflood
insurancetokeepmymortgage,"saidMr.Megoulas,whoworksintheHersheychocolate
factory."NFIPinsurancewouldhavecostme$2,700ayear,butIwasabletofindprivate
coverageforonly$718annually."
"IhavesoldhundredsofpoliciestohomeownersthroughoutPennsylvaniainthelastfew
years,andbelievemanymorehomeownerssuchasMr.Megoulascanfindgoodcoverageat
substantialsavings,byexploringtheprivatemarket,"saidEvanHecht,whosellsfloodinsurance
fromLloyd'sofLondon,throughthesurpluslinesmarket.
"MygoalistomakesurePennsylvanianscanfindgoodcoverageataffordableprices,
andthisonestopwebsitewillhelphomeownersandrentersbeabletodothis,"Commissioner
Millersaid.
Sheaddedlicensedandsurpluslinesinsurerssellingprivatefloodcoveragein
Pennsylvaniacanbeaddedtothewebsitebyemailing:
rainproducer@pa.gov
.
CommissionerMillerlastmonth
testifiedbeforeaCongressionalsubcommittee
in
supportofproposedfederallegislationthatwouldhelpfacilitatetheentryofadditionalcarriers
intotheprivatefloodinsurancemarketandprovideconsumerswithaccesstoadditionaloptions
forfloodinsurance.
Formoreinformation,visittheInsuranceDepartments
FloodInsurance
webpage.
NewsClip:
PrivateFloodInsuranceCouldSaveHomeownersMoney

BestBuyNoLongerAcceptingTVs,ComputerMonitorsInPAForRecycling

BestBuy,theelectronicsretailer,
announcedMonday
it
wouldnolongerbeacceptingTVsorcomputermonitors
forrecyclingintheirstoresinPennsylvaniabecausethe
stateselectronicswasterecyclinglawdoesnotallow
thestoresfromchargingfeesforrecyclingtheseitems.
Fromthecompanyannouncement
Thisweekweintroducedchangesinourinstore
recyclingprogramthatallowustocontinuetoprovide
thisserviceforourcustomers.
Wearenowchargingcustomers$25foreachTV
andcomputermonitortheyrecycleatourstores.Andin

twostatesIllinoisandPennsylvaniawearenolongerrecyclingtheseparticularproducts
becauseoflawsthatpreventusfromcollectingfeestohelprunourprogram.
Allotherproductssuchasbatteries,inkcartridges,computers,printersandhundredsof
otheritemscontinuetoberecycledforfreeatallofourstores.
Since2009,BestBuyhasvoluntarilyoperatedthemostcomprehensiveewasterecycling
serviceintheUnitedStates.Weremainanindustryleaderandtheonlynationalretailerto
providethisservice.Wearefullycommittedtobeingaconvenientlocalresourceforpeopleto
safelydisposeoftheirconsumerelectronicsandappliances.
Fromtimetotime,though,wewillmakechangestoensuretheserviceitselfis
sustainable,includingchargingfeestorecyclecertainproductsforwhichrecyclingcostshave
risensharply.Andwewillcontinuetoworkcloselywiththeconsumerelectronicsindustryto
developmoreandbetterrecyclingoptions.
Ourgoalhasalwaysbeentosimplybreakevenonourrecyclingprogram,andwerenot
theretoday.ThenewfeeswillhelpcovertheincreasingcostofmanagingTVandmonitor
disposalthroughournetworkofstores,distributioncentersandrecyclingpartners.
Ewastevolumeisrising,commoditypricesarefallingandglobaloutletsforrecycled
glass,akeycomponentofTVsandmonitors,havedramaticallydeclined.Moreandmorecities
andcountieshavecuttheirrecyclingprogramsforbudgetreasons,limitingconsumeroptions
evenfurther.
Whileprovidingrecyclingsolutionsforourcustomersisapriority,BestBuyshouldnot
bethesoleecyclingproviderinanygivenarea,norshouldweassumetheentirecost.
WeareparticularlydisappointedthatwecannolongerhelpourcustomersinIllinoisand
PennsylvaniawithTVandmonitorrecyclingsimplybecausethesestatelawsrestrictretailers
fromoperatingrecyclingprogramswherenominalfeesarechargedtohelpoffsetrisingcosts.
Customersinthesestatescancontinuetorecyclehundredsofotherproductsfreeatour
stores,aswellastakeadvantageofinhomehaulawayoptionsfortheirTVsandlarge
appliances.
FormoreinformationabouttheitemsBestBuyacceptsforrecycling,visit
BestBuy.com/Recycle
.Ifwereunabletoacceptyourproduct,call1800RECYCLING
(8007329254)forotherlocalrecyclingoptions.
LauraBishopisBestBuysVicePresidentofPublicAffairs&Sustainability.
ForinformationonPennsylvaniaselectronicsrecyclingprogram,visitDEPs
Covered
DeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
BestBuyLocationsNoLongerAcceptingTVs,MonitorsInPA
BestBuyStopsRecyclingTVsInPennsylvania
WhereToDisposeOfOldElectronicsInLehighValley
PrivateHaulersAgreeToGiveUp2HBGTrashAccounts
ErieTrashBusinessGetsMonthToCleanUp
PlaintiffsPursuingKerrMcGeeToxicWasteCase
RelatedStories:
ElectronicsRecyclingAssnOfPACallsForActionOnPAsEWasteLaw
eLoopElectronicsRecyclingCompanyPullsOutOfStateEWasteRecyclingProgram
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
OpEd:PennsylvaniaElectronicsRecyclingRulesNotEasilyMet

Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed

KeepPABeautiful:PACouldSeeRecordBreakingDumpingOfElectronicsWaste

Ina
lettertoallHouseandSenatemembers
Thursday,
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulsaid2016couldbea
recordbreakingyearforabandonedanddumped
electronicsifPennsylvaniaselectronicsrecycling
lawisntfixed.
Itseemseveryweekwelearnofanother
electronicscollectionprogramclosingdown,leavinga
growingnumberofPAresidentswithoutaccessto
recyclingoptionsfortheiroutdatedelectronic
consumergoods,saidKPBPresidentShannonReiter.
Iurgeyoutoreview
DEPsReporttotheGeneralAssembly
ontheCoveredDevice
RecyclingAct(CDRA)2014.TheReportoutlinesthecurrentchallengeswiththelawandits
impactonconsumers,localmunicipalitiesandsomanymore,saidReiter.
Acopyoftheletter
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB.Alsovisit
theI
llegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanupcommunitiesandkeep
themclean.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventfromMarch1toMay31.
ForinformationonPennsylvaniaselectronicsrecyclingprogram,visitDEPs
Covered
DeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
BestBuyLocationsNoLongerAcceptingTVs,MonitorsInPA
BestBuyStopsRecyclingTVsInPennsylvania
WhereToDisposeOfOldElectronicsInLehighValley
PrivateHaulersAgreeToGiveUp2HBGTrashAccounts
ErieTrashBusinessGetsMonthToCleanUp
PlaintiffsPursuingKerrMcGeeToxicWasteCase
RelatedStories:
BestBuyNoLongerAcceptingTVs,ComputerMonitorsInPAForRecycling
ElectronicsRecyclingAssnOfPACallsForActionOnPAsEWasteLaw
eLoopElectronicsRecyclingCompanyPullsOutOfStateEWasteRecyclingProgram
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
OpEd:PennsylvaniaElectronicsRecyclingRulesNotEasilyMet
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed

2015WinnersOfLensOnLitterPhotoContestAnnouncedByPAResourcesCouncil

The
PAResourcesCouncil
announcedthewinnersofthe
2015Lens
onLitterPhotoContest
andbeganacceptingentriesforthe2016

contest.NewentriesaredueOctober31.
Inthestudentcategory,thewinnerofthe$1,000FirstPlacecashprizewasTimPrice
ofHazleton,an18yr.old12thgradestudentfromHazletonAreaCareerCenter(photo).Tims
phototitledFencedOutshowsalineoffencingcatchingblownlitter.
ThejudgesawardedtheSecondPlaceprizeof$500toHannahChop,a14yr.old9th
gradestudentfromCanonMcMillanHighSchoolinCanonsburg.Hannahwasalsoa3rdplace
studentwinnerin2014.HerphototitledLitteringGetsMeDownintheDumpsdepictsa
woodedareausedasadumpingground.
TheThirdPlaceprizeof$250waswonbyAndrewYenchick,a10yr.old5thgrade
studentfromHolyFamilyAcademyinHazleton.AndrewsphototitledWhichSideofthe
FenceAreYouOn?showstrashaccumulatedatthebottomofafence.
Thewinnerofthe$1,000FirstPlacecashprizeintheadultcategorywasMarina
MeunierofMorton.HerphototitledDeciduousshowsarowoftreeswhichappeartobe
droppinglitterinsteadofleaves.
AnthonySidariofHazleTownshipwasawardedtheSecondPlaceprizeof$500forhis
phototitledWorkingTogetherLetsCANLitterdepictinganupsettrashcanspewinglitter.
Anthonywasalsoa2ndplacestudentwinnerasaseniorin2014anda3rdplacestudentwinner
in2013.
ThejudgesawardedtheThirdPlaceprizeof$250toRitaLaceyofPittsburgh.Herphoto
titledARealJerkyThingtoDo!showsapondwithafloatingbeefjerkypackage.
Winnersfrom2015and2014areavailableonthe
LensOnLitterPhotoContest
webpage,
alongwiththeinstructionsforsubmittingentriesforthe2016contest.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
NewsClips:
BestBuyLocationsNoLongerAcceptingTVs,MonitorsInPA
BestBuyStopsRecyclingTVsInPennsylvania
WhereToDisposeOfOldElectronicsInLehighValley
PrivateHaulersAgreeToGiveUp2HBGTrashAccounts
ErieTrashBusinessGetsMonthToCleanUp
PlaintiffsPursuingKerrMcGeeToxicWasteCase

KPBRecognizesVolunteersInAllegheny,Blair,McKean,Mifflin,PhiladelphiaCounties

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
ThursdayannouncedocalvolunteersinAllegheny,Blair,McKean,
Mifflin,Philadelphiawererecognizedfortheiroutstandingeffortsinbeautifyingandcleaningup
theircommunities.
Eachyear,KPBprovidesanopportunityforitsstatewideaffiliatestorecognizethe
outstandingeffortsoftheirvolunteers.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifuls2015AffiliateVolunteersoftheYearinclude:

AlleghenyCleanWays
:RichardGrace
forhiscontributionstoenhancetheDumpBusters
program
KeepBlairCountyBeautifulFrankHibernik
forraisingawarenessofaffiliateeventsand
forhisinvaluableassistancewithallonedayspecialcollectioneventsheldin2015

PACleanWaysofMcKeanCounty
:JodiTanner,
McKeanCountyAdultProbation,for
providingassistancewithvolunteerrecruitmentforcleanupandspecialcollectioneventssince
2005

PACleanWaysofMifflinCounty
:EarlTabb
forhisparticipationinlocalcleanupsand
recyclingeventsthroughtheyears,includingprovidinginkindresourcesandplanningfuture
events

KeepRoyalGardensBeautiful,Philadelphia
:TracyleaByford
andProjectM.E.O.W.for
findinghomesforadoptablecatsandestablishingaTNR(trap,neuter,return)programin
projectareas.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulbelievesthatcleanandbeautifulcommunitiesarethe
bedrockforbuildingstrongermorevibrantcommunitiesandthatbyengagingvolunteers,we
extendthereachofoureducationaleffortsandmultiplytheimpactofouractions.Iwouldliketo
acknowledgetheoutstandingeffortsofourvolunteersoftheyearandthankthemformaking
theircommunitiesclean,beautifulandmorevibrant,statedShannonReiter,KeepPABeautiful
President.
AwardwinnersandtheirprogramscanbefoundonKPBs
Grants&Awards
webpage.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB.Alsovisit
theI
llegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanupcommunitiesandkeep
themclean.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventfromMarch1toMay31.
NewsClips:
BestBuyLocationsNoLongerAcceptingTVs,MonitorsInPA
BestBuyStopsRecyclingTVsInPennsylvania
WhereToDisposeOfOldElectronicsInLehighValley
PrivateHaulersAgreeToGiveUp2HBGTrashAccounts
ErieTrashBusinessGetsMonthToCleanUp
PlaintiffsPursuingKerrMcGeeToxicWasteCase

PAResourcesCouncilFebruaryNewsletterNowAvailable

The
Februarynewsletter
fromthe
PAResourcesCouncil
isnowavailablefeaturingarticleson

ZeroWasteProgramEnablesBuildingToTripleWasteDiversion

PRCLaunchesPittsburghFilmSeriesInMarch

PRC/PECO:SaveEnergyThisWinter

ReuseCentralConnectsDonorsWithNonprofitGroups

PRCAnnouncesWinnersOf2015LensOnLitterPhotoContest

PRCEventsCalendar

ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
LikethemonFacebook
.

DEPPublishesUpdateToAgendaOfTechnicalGuidanceInDevelopment

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheFebruary6PABulletin
(
page726
)sayinganupdatetotheagencys
NonRegulatoryAgenda
isnowavailableonDEPs

website.
TheAgendaprovidesnoticeofchangestoornewtechnicalguidancetheagencyis
consideringandhasindevelopment.
SomeitemsofinterestfromtheAgenda
BMPsforNoiseControlAtUnconventionalGasWells2ndQuarterDraft
WaterQualityToxicsManagementStrategy4thQuarterDraft
ClosureRequirementsForUndergroundStorageTankSystems3rdQuarterDraft
ClosureRequirementsForAbovegroundStorageTankSystems3rdQuarterDraft
LandRecyclingVaporIntrusionIntoBuildings3rdQuarterFinal
LandRecyclingProgramTechnicalManual4thQuarterDraft
ManagementOfFill1stQuarterFinal
RadioactivityMonitoringAtWasteFacilities2ndQuarterDraft
PARadonMitigationStandards4thQuarterDraft
AirQualityPermitReviewProtocol3rdQuarterDraft
RescindingPittsburghLowRVPGasolineRequirement2ndQuarter
StageIIPenaltyAssessmentGuidance2ndQuarterDraft
StageIITestingRequirements2ndQuarterDraft
DEPpublisheditsfirstNonRegulatoryAgendaonAugust8oflastyear(
PABulletin
page4546
).
TheAgendawasdevelopedinresponsetoarecommendationfrom
DEPsCitizens
AdvisoryCouncil
asatooltoincreasepublicparticipationandtransparencyandissimilartothe
RegulatoryAgenda
publishedinJulybyDEP.
ThenewupdatedAgendawillbeavailableon
DEPswebsite
.

February4DEPNewsNowAvailable

TheFebruary4DEPNewsisnowavailablefeaturingstorieson

EnvironmentalQualityBoardPassesUpdatesToOil&GasRegulations

WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure

EPARestoresFundingToHelpPAFarmersMeetWatershedGoals

DEP,OtherAgenciesRespondToHeatingOilTankReleaseInPhiladelphia

DEPAwardsContractForFloodControlProjectInDuryea

VogelWasteHaulingPays$682,500Penalty

DEPReleasesFindingOfScrantonSewerSystemOdorInvestigation

ReadingWaterAuthorityPlantCompletes3rdPhasePartnershipForSafeWater

PAToHostGreenSchoolsConference&ExpoInPittsburgh

2016PABrownfieldsConferenceOct.2628InLancaster

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

GreenSchoolsBlueWatersSTEMForSustainableSchoolsTeacherProgramInFebruary

LebanonValleyCollege
andthe
GreenSchoolsBlueWatersProgram
aresponsoringthreemore
creditgraduatecoursedesignedtoprovideeducatorsingrades3to12withactivitiesand
resourcestosupport
STEMInvestigationsForSustainableSchools
.
Thegraduatecourseincludesthreemoreonecredithybridsessions:

Recycling,WasteReductionandEnvironmentalQuality:February15toMarch4(online),
withafieldworkshoponFebruary20th
WaterQualityandStormwaterManagement:March14toApril1(online),withafield
workshoponMarch19th
SchoolYardHabitat,Gardens,HealthandNutrition:April11toMay6(online),withafield
workshoponApril16th
EducatorswhowouldliketoattendtheSaturdayonlyfieldworkshopscanreceiveAct48
creditforasmallregistrationfee.TheSaturdayfieldworkshopsarefreetoparticipantsnot
interestedinreceivingcreditorAct48.
ClickHere
forregistrationinformationforcreditfrom
LebanonValleyCollege.
TheprogramissupportedbyaDEPEnvironmentalEducationGrant.
ClickHere
forafulldescriptionofthemodules.QuestionsshouldbedirecttoCarrie
Coryer,DirectorMSEbycalling7178676190orsendemailto:
coryer@lvc.edu
.
Forotherenvironmentaleducationprogramsandprofessionaldevelopmentopportunities,
visitthe
GreenSchoolsBlueWatersProgram
website.
NewsClip:
WallenpaupackTeacherFinalistFor$1MillionPrize

PUCToHostSustainableEnergyBoardAnnualMeetingFeb.11

The
PASustainableEnergyBoard
,inconjunctionwiththePublicUtilityCommission,willhold
itsannualmeetingat11a.m.,February11inHearingRoom4oftheCommonwealthKeystone
Building,400NorthSt.,Harrisburg.
Intheeventofinclementweather,theannualmeetingwillbeheldThursday,Feb.25,
2016,atthesamelocationandtime.
ThemeetingwillprovideupdatesfromtheregionalSustainableEnergyFunds(SEFs)
andupdateCommonwealthagenciesandotherinterestedgroupsonthefunds'activities.
Someoftheprojectsbeingdiscussedatthemeetingwillincludethefollowing:
The
MetropolitanEdisonCo.andPennsylvaniaElectricCo.SEF
willhighlightan$18.9
millionTitaniumMillrelocation/reconstructionenergyefficiencyproject,itsongoingenergy
auditprogram,anenergyefficiencygrantto
PoconoEnvironmentalEducationCenter
,andother
keyactivitiesfrom2015.
The
WestPennPowerCo.SEF
willprovideanoverviewofprogramsandprojectsithas
supported,includingrecentlycompletedprojectssuchastheElkCountryVisitorCenterandthe
GeisingerHealthSystem.
The
PPLSustainableEnergyFund
willhighlightitsnonprofitenergysavingsagreement
program.
ThePECOSustainableDevelopmentFundwillpresentinformationonitscommunitysolar
projectinthePhiladelphiaNavyYard,aproposedlandfillgas/cokeovengasprojectin
WestmorelandCountyanditsbuildingenergyconservationfinancingprogram.
ChairmanGladysM.Brownwillprovideopeningremarks.Representativesfromthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,theOfficeofConsumerAdvocate,theDepartmentof
CommunityandEconomicDevelopmentandthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
havebeeninvited
toattend.
ThePASEBwasoriginallyestablishedbytheCommissionin1999toprovideoversight,

guidanceandtechnicalassistancetotheregionalsustainableenergyboardsthatfundprojects
suchaswindfarms,solarpowersystems,smartthermostatprogramsandtheconstructionof
buildingsusingenergyefficienttechnologies.
OnAug.7,2003,theCommissionissuedanorderfurtherdefiningtheroleofthe
PASEB.ThatorderchargedthePASEBwithholdinganannualmeetingenhancing
communicationsamongthefourfundsandstateagenciesandestablishingbylawsanda"best
businesspractices"model.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUCs
PASustainableEnergyBoard
webpage.
NewsClips:
RenewablesTopplingDominanceOfFossilFuelsInU.S.Power
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation

NJRCleanEnergyVenturesAnnouncesNew39.9MWWindFarmInSomersetCounty

NJRCleanEnergyVentures
WednesdayannounceditsfourthonshorewindprojecttheRinger
HillWindFarmislocatedalongthePennsylvaniaMarylandborderinSomersetCounty,
Pennsylvania,approximately60milessoutheastofPittsburgh.
NJRCEVwillinvestapproximately$84milliontoconstruct,ownandoperatethewind
farmconsistingof14GEturbineswithatotalcapacityof39.9megawatts.NJRCEVexpectsthis
windfarmtobeoperationalduringthefirstquarteroffiscal2017.
Whenthisprojectiscomplete,NJRCEVsonshorewindportfoliowilltotalmorethan
120MW,capableofproducingenoughenergytopower37,500homesperyear.
Windisanincreasinglyimportantsegmentofournationsenergymixandweare
pleasedtodoourparttobringrenewableenergytothemarketplace,saidLaurenceM.Downes,
chairmanandCEOofNewJerseyResources.OurinvestmentinRingerHillfurtherdiversifies
ourdistributedpowerportfolio,representsthecontinuationofourCompanyslongtermgrowth
strategyandprovidesvaluetoourshareowners.
Themajorityoftheenergyproducedwillbehedgedundera15yearagreementwithan
industrialcounterparty.Additionally,NJRCEVexpectsthewindfarmwillqualifyforfederal
productiontaxcredits(PTCs),whicharebasedonkilowatthouroutput.AllPTCsgeneratedby
theRingerHillWindFarmwillbeusedbyNJR.
NJRCEVsotheronshorewindprojectsincludetheAlexanderWindFarminRush
County,KansaswhichbeganoperatinginDecember2015theCarrollAreaWindFarm,located
inIowa,whichcameonlineinFebruary2015and,theMontanabasedTwoDotWindFarm,
whichhasbeeninservicesinceJune2014.
NJRCEVinvestsin,ownsandoperatesdistributedpowerprojectsthatgenerateclean
energyandprovidelowcarbonenergysolutions.Theseinvestmentsbenefitcustomers,while
providinggrowthopportunitiesforshareholders.
Todate,NJRCEVsapproachhasfocusedoncommercialandresidentialsolarproject
developmentinNewJerseyandonshorewindprojectsacrossthecountry.
NewsClips:
RenewablesTopplingDominanceOfFossilFuelsInU.S.Power
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation

Feature:GermanEnergiewende:InformingPennsylvaniasCleanEnergyPolicy


By
LindsayBaxter
,PECProgramManagerForEnergy&Climate

Iampleasedtohavetheopportunitytoshare
TheGerman
Energiewende:InformingPennsylvaniasCleanEnergyPolicy
,the
finalpaperculminatingfrommytravelandresearchinGermanyinthe
fallof2015.
ThisworkwasfundedbytheAmericanCouncilonGermany,
througha
McCloyFellowshipinEnvironmentalPolicy
.
ThereportprovidesbackgroundontheGermanenergiewende,
orenergytransitionrecordsobservationsfrominterviewsandsite
visitsinGermanyandoffersinsighttowardspolicydevelopmentin
theUnitedStatesandPennsylvania,specifically.
Surprisingly,manyoftheGermanswithwhomImetexpressedanopinionthattheU.S.
hadmanyadvantagesinembarkingonanenergytransition,ascomparedtoGermany,severalof
whichapplydirectlytoPennsylvania.Theseinclude:
Domesticnaturalgassupply,which,pairedwithpoliciestoencourageshiftingtolowor
zerocarbonenergysources,canbeanaffordablebridgefueltowardsarenewableenergyfuture.
Incontrast,Germanymustimportnaturalgas,increasingitsdependenceonothernations.
Nuclearpower,ofwhichPennsylvaniahasfiveplants,producingoveronethirdofthestates
electricity,providingazeroemissionsbaseloadpowersourcetorelyonasitembarkson
decarbonizationefforts.Incontrast,Germanyisintheprocessofretiringitsentirenuclearfleet,
tobecompletedby2022.Althoughthismoveiswidelysupportedbythepublic,manyexperts
recognizethatitmakesitmoredifficultforGermanytoreachbothitsrenewableenergyand
GHGreductiontargets.
Morespaceforenergydevelopment,production,andtransportation.Aswell,thediversityof
energysourcesavailableacrossthecountry,andevenwithinthePJMterritory,isabenefitto
energytransitioneffortsinPennsylvania.
Smartgridtechnologies,inwhichtheU.S.hasseengreaterinvestmentthanGermany.Infact,
43percentofhomesintheU.S.areequippedwithsmartmeters,farmorethaninGermany.
Havingthistechnologyalreadyinplacebetterlendsitselftoutilizingtimevariantoreven
realtimepricingtosendaccuratemarketsignalstousers,facilitatingmoredemandside
flexibility.
Whatemergedmostclearlyininterviewswasthechallengeofmeetingmultiplegoals
simultaneously.Specifically,progresstowardsrenewableenergytargetshasnothadtheeffectof
significantlyfurtheringprogresstowardsgreenhousegasreductiontargets.
ThesefindingssuggesttheneedforacentralgoalinPennsylvaniaand/ortheUnited
Statestosteerenergywork.
Todayenergyconversationsshiftfrombenefitsinclimateprotection,toairquality,to
jobscreated.Interviewsindicatedthataclear,ambitiousgoalempowersactorsinallareasofthe
electricitysectortomakeinformeddecisionsonhowtobestreachthatgoal.
AlthoughmuchofmyworkexploreschallengesencounteredinGermany,Ihavethe
utmostrespectforthecountryseffortstocompletelytransitiontoasustainableenergysystem.
AsIwriteinthepaper,Anylargescaletransitiontakestimeandencountersunexpected
challenges.ThehurdlesencounteredbyGermanytodateshouldnotbetakenasindicatorsthat

theenergiewendewillnotbesuccessful,butratherasbumpsintheroadonaverylongjourney.
IlookforwardtokeepingintouchwithsomeofmynewGermancolleaguesintothe
futuretocontinuetoshareinformationandlearnfromoneanother.
ClickHere
toreadLindsaysreport.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesonPECprograms,activitiesandspecial
events.)
NewsClips:
RenewablesTopplingDominanceOfFossilFuelsInU.S.Power
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation
Reminder:DEPClimateActionPlanUpdateCommentsDueMarch30
ActivistsBringMethanePetitionInBoxesToDEP
ActivistsWantWolfsPlanToReduceMethaneEmissions
LaidOffCoalMinersMakeTransitionToComputerProgramming

Reminder:DEPClimateChangeActionPlanUpdateCommentsDueMarch30

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheJanuary30PABulletin
sayingthenext
updatetothePennsylvaniaClimateChangeActionPlan
isnowavailablefor
publicreview.CommentsaredueMarch30.
ThePlanisrequiredto:
Identifygreenhousegas(GHG)emissionandsequestrationtrendsandbaselinesinthis
Commonwealth
EvaluatecosteffectivestrategiesforreducingoroffsettingGHGemissionsfromvarious
sectorsinthisCommonwealth
Identifycosts,benefitsandcobenefitsofGHGreductionstrategiesrecommendedbythe
Plan,includingtheimpactonthecapabilityofmeetingfutureenergydemandwithinthis
Commonwealth
IdentifyareasofagreementanddisagreementamongcommitteemembersaboutthePlanand
RecommendtotheGeneralAssemblylegislativechangesnecessarytoimplementthePlan.
ClimatePlanUpdateSections
PartofthePlanUpdatewillinclude13workgroupreportsmakingrecommendations
covering:
CombinedHeatandPower
,
ManureDigesters
,
GeoExchangeSystems
,
HeatingOil
ConservationandFuelSwitching
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
SemiTruckFreight
Transportation
,
BuildingEnergyCodes
,
HighPerformanceBuildings
,
CoalMineMethane
Recovery
,
UrbanandCommunityForestryRoleinClimateChangeMitigation
,
Act129Phase
IV&V
,
ManufacturingEnergyTechnicalAssistance
and
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
.
KeyFactsFromUpdate
HerearesomekeyfactsfromtheClimatePlanUpdate
Overall,Pennsylvaniasgreenhousegasemissionsin2030areexpectedtobelowerthanin
2000.
Between2000and2012totalstatewidegreenhousegasemissionsinPennsylvaniadeclinedby
35.58milliontoncarbondioxideequivalentsorby11.02percentfrom322.96MMTCO2eto
287.38MMTCO2e.

The13specificWorkPlansincludedintheUpdateareexpectedtoreducegreenhousegas
emissionsby337.69milliontoncarbondioxideequivalents.
TheWorkPlanswiththemostcosteffectiverecommendations,accordingtotheanalysisdone
intheUpdateare:
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
,
SemiTruckFreightTransportation
,
GeoExchange
Systems
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuelSwitching
and
HighPerformanceBuildings

(see
page6)
.
TheWorkPlanswiththehighestpotentialreductionsare:
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
,
High
PerformanceBuildings
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuel
Switching
,and
GeoExchangeSystems
(seepage6)
.[Note:4of5overlap.]
Acopyofthe
ClimatePlanUpdateforcomment
isavailableonline.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyhassaidtheClimateChangeActionPlanandits
updatesare
broaderinscope
thanthespecificrequirementtomeet
EPAsCleanPowerClimateRule
requirements.DEPisjustnowputtingtogetherPennsylvaniasplantomeettheCleanPower
Rule.
Commentscanbesubmitthrough
DEPseComment
webpageorbysendingemailto:
ecomment@pa.gov
orinwritingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PolicyOffice,
RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box2063,Harrisburg,PA171052063.
AcopyofthePlanupdateispostedon
DEPseComment
webpage.Questionsaboutthe
PlanupdateshouldbedirectedtoMarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
MorebackgroundontheClimateChangePlanandotherreportsisavailableonDEPs
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.ThenextmeetingoftheCommitteeissetfor
March8.
FormoreinformationonPAclimaterelatedissues,visit
DEPsClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
ActivistsBringMethanePetitionInBoxesToDEP
ActivistsWantWolfsPlanToReduceMethaneEmissions
LaidOffCoalMinersMakeTransitionToComputerProgramming

CFAAcceptingApplicationsForAlternative,CleanEnergyGrantsStartingFeb.1

The
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
willbeacceptingapplicationsforits
Alternativeand
CleanEnergyGrantProgram
startingFebruary1.ApplicationsaredueApril1.
Theprogramfundsactivitiestopromotetheutilization,developmentandconstructionof
alternativeandcleanenergyprojects,infrastructureassociatedwithcompressednaturalgasand
liquifiednaturalgasfuelingstations,plusenergyefficiencyandenergyconservationprojectsin
thestate.
ApplicantsarestronglyurgedtocontacttheirHouseandSenatemembertomakethem
awareyouintendtosubmitanapplicationforfundingunderthesesprograms.
TheCFABoardwillconsidertheseapplications
atitsMaymeeting
.
Formoreinformationandinstructionsonhowtoapply,visittheCommonwealth
FinancingAuthority
AlternativeandCleanEnergyGrantProgram
webpage.Eligibleapplicants
areencouragedtocall7177876245todiscusspotentialprojects.
NewsClips:

RenewablesTopplingDominanceOfFossilFuelsInU.S.Power
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation

CFAAcceptingApplicationsForGreenBuilding,RenewableEnergyGrants

The
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
isnowacceptingapplicationsforitsHighPerformance
BuildingandRenewableEnergyGrantProgramsthroughout2016.Heresaquickrundownon
theprograms

RenewableEnergyGeothermalandWind
:Activitiestoassistwithgeothermaltechnologies
andwindenergyprojects.About$5.5millionisavailable.Eligibleapplicantsareencouragedto
contactBlakeSwettat7177207344todiscusspotentialprojects.

HighPerformanceBuildingProgram
:Activitiestoassistwiththeconstructionorrenovation
associatedwithahighperformancebuilding.About$24.5millionisavailable.Eligible
applicantsareencouragedtocontactBrianEckertat7177876245todiscusspotentialprojects
beforecommencingtheapplicationprocess.
Applicationsfortheseprogramsaredueatleast60dayspriortothescheduledmeetings
oftheCFAboard.
NOTE:
NoCFAboardmeetingshavebeenscheduledyetfor2016,butthey
arelookingatholdingmeetingsinMay,July,SeptemberandNovember.Pleaseplan
accordingly.
ApplicantsarestronglyurgedtocontacttheirHouseandSenatemembertomakethem
awareyouintendtosubmitanapplicationforfundingunderthesesprograms.
Formoreinformationandinstructionsonhowtoapply,visittheCommonwealth
FinancingAuthority
EnergyPrograms
webpage.
NewsClips:
RenewablesTopplingDominanceOfFossilFuelsInU.S.Power
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation

ImportantMeetingsOnDEPCoal,NonCoalMiningPermitFeeIncreasesComingUp

AttheFebruary18AggregateAdvisoryBoardandFebruary23MiningandReclamation
AdvisoryBoardmeetings,willholdimportantdiscussionsonfinalizingtheirrecommendations
onproposalsbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontoincreasepermitreviewand
administrationfees.
DEPstaffsaidthefeeincreasesareneededbecauseofacontinuingdeclineinGeneral
FundsupportinthebudgetforDEPprograms.
TheAggregateAdvisoryBoardmeetingwebpageincludesa
feescheduleproposedby
DEP
.TheBoardhasbeendiscussingpossiblefeeincreasessincelastMay.
NothingisyetpostedontheMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardpage,butthe
BoardhasalsobeendiscussingfeeincreasessincelastMay.
The
AggregateAdvisoryBoard
willmeetFebruary18in
Room105RachelCarson
BuildinginHarrisburgstartingat9:00foracommitteemeetingand10:00forthefullBoard.
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
The
MiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
willmeetFebruary23inthe2ndFloor
TrainingRoom,RachelCarsonBuildingstartingat9:00foracommitteemeetingand10:00for
thefullBoard.
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

TheDEPcontactforbothboardsis:DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.

PSU:MethodOfExtractingRareEarthElementsFromCoalFoundByResearchers

TheU.S.couldsoondecreaseitsdependenceonimportingvaluablerareearthelementsthatare
widelyusedinmanyindustries,accordingtoateamofPennStateandU.S.Departmentof
Energyresearcherswhofoundacosteffectiveandenvironmentallyfriendlywaytoextractthese
metalsfromcoalbyproducts.
Rareearthelementsareasetofseventeenmetalssuchasscandium,yttrium,
lanthanumandceriumnecessarytoproducehightechequipmentusedinhealthcare,
transportation,electronicsandnumerousotherindustries.
Theysupportmorethan$329billionofeconomicoutputinNorthAmerica,accordingto
theAmericanChemistryCouncil,andtheU.S.GeologicalSurveyexpectsworldwidedemand
forREEstogrowmorethan5percentannuallythrough2020.
Chinaproducesmorethan85percentoftheworld'srareearthelements,andtheU.S.
producesthesecondmostatjustover6percent,accordingtotheUSGS.
"Wehaveknownformanydecadesthatrareearthelementsarefoundincoalseamsand
nearothermineralveins,"saidSarmaPisupati,professorofenergyandmineralengineering,
PennState."However,itwascostlytoextractthematerialsandtherewasrelativelylowdemand
untilrecently.Today,werelyonrareearthelementsfortheproductionofmanynecessaryand
alsoluxuryitems,includingcomputers,smartphones,rechargeablebatteries,electricvehicles,
magnetsandchemicalcatalysts.Wewantedtotakeafreshlookatthefeasibilityofextracting
REEsfromcoalbecauseitissoabundantintheU.S."
UsingbyproductsofcoalproductionfromtheNorthernAppalachianregionoftheU.S.,
theteaminvestigatedwhetherachemicalprocesscalledionexchangecouldextractREEsina
safermannerthanotherextractionmethods.
Forexample,pastresearchhasexamined"roasting,"aprocessthatisenergyintensive
andrequiresexposuretoconcentratedacids.Incontrast,ionexchangeismoreenvironmentally
friendlyandrequireslessenergy.Ionexchangeinvolvesrinsingthecoalwithasolutionthat
releasestheREEsthatareboundtothecoal.
"Essentially,REEsarestickingtothesurfaceofmoleculesfoundincoal,andweusea
specialsolutiontopluckthemout,"saidPisupati."Weexperimentedwithmanysolventstofind
onethatisbothinexpensiveandenvironmentallyfriendly."
Theteamreportedintheirfindings,publishedinthecurrentissueof
Metallurgicaland
MaterialsTransactionsE
,thatammoniumsulfatewasbothenvironmentallyfriendlyandableto
extractthehighestamountofREEs.
Extracting2percentoftheavailableREEswouldprovideaneconomicboonto
companies,theteamsaid.
"Wewereabletoveryeasilyextract0.5percentofREEsinthispreliminarystudyusinga
basicionexchangemethodinthelab,"saidPisupati.Weareconfidentthatwecanincreasethat
to2percentthroughadvancedionexchangemethods."
Theresearchersusedcoalbyproductsintheirstudy,someofwhichwerediscardedor
markedasrefuseduringminingoperationsduetopoorquality.Findingmoreusesfordiscarded
coalcouldprovideyetanothereconomicbenefittocompanies.

Intheirstudy,theteamalsoidentifiedthelocationswithinthecoalseamthatcontained
thehighestamountsofREEs.Oftenthehighestconcentrationisfoundinthepoorestquality
coal,saidPisupati.
"YoufindsomeREEsinthecoalitself,butthehighestconcentrationisinwhatwecall
thecoalshale,orthetoplayerofacoalseam.Knowingthis,wecanfurthertargetouroperations
tobemoreefficient,"hesaid.
TheteamisnowcollaboratingwithseveralPennsylvaniacoalminingcompaniesto
exploretheviabilityofacommercialREEextractionoperation.
PeterRozelle,DOEOfficeofFossilEnergy,ledthisstudy.CollaboratorsfromPenn
StateincludedAditiKhadilkarandNariSoundarrajan,graduatestudents,NuerxidaPulati,
postdoctoralresearcher,andMarkKlima,professor.MorganMosserandCharlesMiller,DOE
NationalEnergyTechnologyLaboratory,alsocollaboratedontheresearch.
U.S.DOEsupportedthiswork.
Acopyofthepaper
isavailableonline
.Dr.Pisupaticanbecontactedbysendingemail
to:
sxp17@psu.edu
orcall8148650874.

AirQualityAdvisoryCommitteeToGet1stLookAtMethaneReductionProgramFeb.11

The
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meetsFebruary11andwillgiveits
membersandthepublicthefirstlookatsomeoftheconceptsDEPwillusetoregulatemethane
emissionsfromoilandgasoperations.
Theafternoonagendaincludes:ProposedStrategySettingMethaneLimitsOnOil&Gas
IndustryConceptsforProposedGeneralPermitForWellPadsandConceptsforProposedGP5
Revisions.(Noneofthedocumentshavebeenposted,butcheckbacklater.)
Themorningagendahastheseitemslisted:DraftFinalVOCEmissionsLimitsFor
VehicleAssemblyCoatingOperationsDraftFinalVOCEmissionsForMetalPartsCoating
DraftProposedIndustrialCleaningSolventsLimitsDEPCommentsOnEPAsCrossStateAir
PollutionRuleUpdateandReportOnRulemakings/StateImplementationPlanRevisions.
ThemeetingwillbeinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburgstartingat
9:15.Thereisnooptionyettowatchthemeetingonline.
Formoreinformationandcopiesofavailablehandouts,visitthe
DEPAirQuality
TechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.TheDEPContactis:NancyHerb,BureauofAir
Quality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
ActivistsBringMethanePetitionInBoxesToDEP
ActivistsWantWolfsPlanToReduceMethaneEmissions

DEPHoldsHearingOnProposedClearfieldCountyInjectionDisposalWellFeb.16

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholdapublichearingonaproposedWindfall
OilandGasinjectiondisposalwellinBradyTownship,ClearfieldCountyonFebruary16
startingat6:00.
DEPwillacceptcommentsatthehearingorwithin5daysafterthehearingwhichcanbe
submittedbyemailto:
tdonahue@pa.gov
orbyfaxto4124424328.
Eachwrittenstatementmustincludeaname,address,telephoneforthepersonsubmitting

it,identificationofthepermitapplication(Frank&SusanZelmanNo.1)andaconcisestatement
oftheobjectionstothepermitapplicationandtherelevantfactsuponwhichtheyarebased.
Therewillalsobeanopportunitytosignuptotestifybeforethehearingoratthedoor
beforethestartofthehearing.Organizationsareencouragedtodesignateonewitnesstopresent
testimonyonbehalfoftheorganization.
ThehearingwillbeheldinHillerAuditorium,PennStateDuBois,CollegePlace,
DuBois.
Formoreinformationortoreserveaspottotestify,contactJohnPoister,DEP's
SouthwesternRegionalOfficebycalling4124424203orsendemailto:
jpoister@pa.gov
.
NewsClip:
DEPHearingOnWindfallsInjectionDisposalWellApplicationFeb.16

PAEnvironmentalCouncil:InCaseYouMissedItForJanuary

The
PAEnvironmentalCouncils

InCaseYouMissedIt
newsletterisnowavailablefeaturinga
summaryofPECactivitiesinJanuary

PECApplaudsGov.Wolf/DEPOnProposedOil&GasMethaneLimits

PECUrgedTheEnvironmentalQualityBoardToOKFinalDrillingRegUpdates

JanuaryEnvironmentalFocusTVProgramOnPATrailNetworks

NorthBranchSusquehannaRiverNamedPARiverOfTheYear

PECNowAcceptingWesternPAEnvironmentalAwardNominations
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAEnvironmental
Council
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePEConFacebook
.
Click
Here
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.)

DuquesneEcoTheologistExploresOnePlanet,ManyReligions,SharedCosmicGood

Weshareoneglobethat
PopeFrancis
,theUnitedNations,world
leaders,scientistsandclimatechangeactivistseachappealthatwe
protectbetter.Butinourworldofdifferentreligiousbeliefs,how
dothespecialqualitiesofourplanetplayout?
Dr.DanielScheid,assistantprofessoroftheologyat
DuquesneUniversity,depictshowmultiplereligionsintersectatthe
crossroadsofcaringfortheEarthanditsinhabitantsinhisnewbook,
TheCosmicCommonGood:ReligiousGroundsforEcological
Ethics
(OxfordUniversityPress).
Theresnotoneglobaltheology,Scheidsaid,buttheresa
globalethicofsustainingtheEarthandothernonhumans,ofpreservingitforfuture
generations.
InthecurrentZeitgeist,hisworkwillappealtothosewhoseeecologyandsustainability
askeyissueswithrolesinbusinesses,classroomsanddailyconsumerdecisions,sharinghow
Catholics,Buddhists,HindusandNativeAmericansinteractwiththeEarth.
Thecosmiccommongoodacknowledgesandrecognizestherealityandtheutilityofthe
nonhumanworldallcreaturesuseeachotherforsurvival,Scheidtellshisreaders.Butitalso
celebratesthegoodnessofnonhumansandthelifesupportingcontextsinwhichtheydwell,for

whatandwhotheyare,forwhowearewhenwearewiththem,andthatonlytogetherarewe
trulyus.
Nosinglereligionhasamonopolyonthisconcept.
Catholictheologianswillrecognizethemselves,butwillalsolearnaboutHindu,
Buddhistandindigenoustraditions,Scheidsaid.Therearedifferences,butsimilarities.Ispeak
fromwithinmyCatholictradition,butindialoguewiththeologiansinothertraditionswhoare
similarlyreorientingtheirtraditionsecologically.Bycultivatingthesetraditions,wehopetofind
aspectstoenergizeandmotivatepeopletoworktowardecologicalsustainability.
ScheidsworkisbasedonCatholicsocialthought,inkeepingwiththerecent
ecoencyclicalofPopeFrancis.Hehascontributedtotheurgencyofaclimatedeal,Scheid
observed.Myhopeistheconversationisreachingacriticalmass.Thisisnotjustaboutthe
wildernessoutthere,butthecommongoodandhumansarepartofit.
Negativeenvironmentalimpactsareoftenexperienceddisproportionatelybythepoor
andbydevelopingnations,Scheidwrote,andthisisclearlytrueofclimatechange,inwhich
thosewhosufferthemostaretheleastresponsibleforbringingitabout.

ZikaVirusPromptsPAHealthAlertForPregnantWomenTravelingToAffectedAreas

TheDepartmentofHealthFridaysaiditisincreasingitseffortstomonitorandidentifypotential
Zikaviruscases
intheCommonwealth.NocasesofZikavirushavebeenreportedin
Pennsylvania.Testingofindividualswhohavetravelledtoaffectedareasandhaveexperienced
symptomsisongoing.
ThedepartmentismonitoringtheguidanceoftheCentersforDiseaseControland
Prevention(CDC),whichFridayissuednewinformationonpreventingsexualtransmissionof
Zikavirus.Theguidancewaspublishedfollowinglaboratorytestsconfirmedthefirstcaseof
ZikavirusinfectioninanontravelerinthecontinentalU.S.
TheDepartmentofHealthisconcernedaboutthehealthofallPennsylvanianswhoare
potentiallyatriskfromZikavirus,saidHealthSecretaryDr.KarenMurphy.Wearefollowing
theguidelinessetforthbytheexpertsattheCDCandarefullycommittedtotakingextra
vigilanceagainstthisemerginghealththreat.
AlthoughsexualtransmissionofZikavirusinfectionispossible,mosquitobitesremain
theprimarywaythatZikavirusistransmitted.Becausetherecurrentlyisnovaccineortreatment
forZikavirus,thebestwaytoavoidZikavirusinfectionisto
preventmosquitobites
,according
totheCDC.
Forpregnantwomen
,andformenwithpregnantsexpartnerswholiveinorhavetraveled
toZikaaffectedareas,theCDCrecommendsthefollowing:
Pregnantwomenandtheirmalesexpartnersshoulddiscussthemalepartnerspotential
exposuresandhistoryofZikalikeillnesswiththepregnantwomanshealthcareprovider.
ProvidersshouldconsultCDCs
guidelinesforevaluationandtesting
ofpregnantwomen.
MenwithapregnantsexpartnerwhoresideinorhavetraveledtoanareaofactiveZikavirus
transmissionshouldconsistentlyandcorrectlyusecondomsduringsexualactivityorabstain
fromsexualactivityforthedurationofthepregnancy.Consistentandcorrectuseoflatex
condomsreducestheriskofsexualtransmissionofmanyinfections,includingthosecausedby
otherviruses.
Fornonpregnantwomen,andmenwithnonpregnantsexualpartnerswholiveinorhave

traveledtoZikaaffectedareas,theCDCrecommendscouplesinwhichamanresidesinorhas
traveledtoanareaofactiveZikavirustransmissionwhoareconcernedaboutsexual
transmissionofZikavirusmayconsiderusingcondomsconsistentlyandcorrectlyduringsexor
abstainingfromsexualactivity.
TheCDChas
issuedatravelalert
forpeopletravelingtoareaswhereZikavirus
transmissionisongoing.Travelersshouldconsultthe
CDCsZikawebpage
forupdated
informationasnewaffectedcountriesorregionsareidentified.
Concernabouttheviruswaselevatedfollowingreportsofincreasedcasesofaserious
birthdefectknownasmicrocephalythatmaybeassociatedwithZikavirusinfectionamong
pregnantwomen.
TheCDCrecommendsthatpregnantwomenshouldconsiderpostponingtraveltothese
affectedareas.Pregnantwomenwhomusttraveltothoseareasshouldtalktotheirhealthcare
providerfirstandfollowthesestepstopreventmosquitobitesduringthetrip:
Dressinlongsleevedshirtsandlongpants.
Stayindoorswhenmosquitoesaremostactive.
UseinsectrepellantproductscontainingDEET.
Donotoveruserepellantonlyapplyasmuchasyouneedtoprovideprotection.
Readandfollowlabeldirectionsbeforeyouuseanykindofrepellant.
TheDepartmentofHealthisactivelyconsultingwithhealthcareprovidersacrossthe
commonwealthandistrackingtestresultsforPennsylvaniaresidentswhomayhavecomeinto
contactwithZikawhiletravelingtotheaffectedareas.Theresultsofthosetestswillbeposted
weeklyon
thedepartmentswebsite
.
AccordingtotheCDC,thevirusisprimarilytransmittedbymosquitosandcannotbe
transmittedbycasualpersontopersoncontact.Uptothistime,themosquitothatcarriesthe
diseasehasnotbeenfoundinPennsylvania.
ArelatedtypeofmosquitothatcanpotentiallycarrydiseasessimilartoZikahasbeen
foundinsouthernandsoutheasternPennsylvania,butisnotactiveinwintermonths.The
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionisevaluatingtheresourcerequirementsandscientific
protocolsneededtodesignaresponse.
Onlyoneinfiveindividualswhocontractthevirusexhibitsymptoms.Symptomsinclude
fever,rash,jointpainorconjunctivitis(redeyes)andtypicallybegintwotosevendaysafter
beingbittenbyaninfectedmosquito.
Contactyourhealthcareproviderifyouexperienceanyofthesesymptomswithintwo
weeksafterreturningfromtravelingtoanaffectedcountry.
Individualscantakeanumberofprecautionarymeasuresaroundtheirhomestohelp
eliminatebothmosquitobreedingareas,including:
Disposeofcans,buckets,plasticcontainers,ceramicpots,orsimilarcontainersthathold
water.
Properlydisposeofdiscardedtiresthatcancollectwater.Stagnantwateriswheremost
mosquitoesbreed.
Drillholesinthebottomofoutdoorrecyclingcontainers.
Havecloggedroofgutterscleanedeveryyearastheleavesfromsurroundingtreeshavea
tendencytoplugdrains.
Turnoverplasticwadingpoolswhennotinuse.
Turnoverwheelbarrowsanddon'tletwaterstagnateinbirdbaths.

Aerateornamentalpoolsorstockthemwithfish.
Cleanandchlorinateswimmingpoolsnotinuseandremoveanywaterthatmaycollecton
poolcovers.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
CDCsZikawebpage
orthe
PADepartmentofHealths
ZikaVirus
webpage.
NewsClips:
PAWarnsOfSexuallyTransmittedZikaVirus
PAAwaitsTestResultsForZikaVirus
StateHealthDept.TracksZikaVirusCasesOnline
PAWaitingForResultsOfZikaVirusCases
HigherTempsMakeZikaMosquitoSpreadDiseaseMore
ZikaInfectionsReportedToBeTransmittedBySex
PhillyHealthWorkersPrepareForZika
FloridaDeclaresZikaVirusEmergencyIn4Counties

AppsForMiniGrantsInLaurelHighlandsConservationLandscapeNowBeingAccepted

The
NationalRoadHeritageCorridor
announcedaMiniGrantOpportunityfornonprofit
organizations,municipalities,andfriendsgroupsofstateparks/forestswhoarelocatedalongthe
HistoricNationalRoad
orinthe
LaurelHighlandsConservationLandscape
region(Somerset,
Westmoreland,Fayette,andportionsofCambriaandBedfordcounties).
ApplicationsaredueFebruary29.AwardeeswillbenotifiedbytheweekofMarch28.
ProjectslocatedincommunitiesandparksconnectedtotheLaurelRidge,Chestnut
Ridge,greaterJohnstownarea,andthe
GreatAlleghenyPassage
oralongtheHistoricNational
Roadwillbegivenapriority.
TheNationalRoadHeritageCorridorsmultifacetedmissionandassociatedwork
includesadvocatingfor,buildingawarenessof,andencouragingtheconservationofthecultural,
historic,natural,recreationalandeconomicresourcesalongtheHistoricNationalRoadin
Pennsylvaniaandthroughouttheregionthrougheducationandinterpretationvisvis
communitydevelopment.
Workingwithpartners,theNRHCleveragesfinancialandhumancapitalresourcesto
delivereconomicbenefit.
Fullyengagedinrestorationanddevelopmentofkeyregionalassetsandamenitiesthat
arethelynchpinofatourisminfrastructure,theNRHCsworksupportsPennsylvaniastourism
productoneofthetoptwoleadingindustryintheCommonwealth.
TheLaurelHighlandsConservationLandscapeisaDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesproject.
Theinitiativeisapartnershipthatstrivestoraisetheregionslivabilitywhilecraftinga
modelofsustainabledevelopmenttiedtothenaturalandculturalassetsoftheregion.It
connectscommunitieswithstateagenciesandfundingpartnerstoconserveandenhancethe
regionseconomicviability.
FundingforthisopportunitycomesfromtheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources.Atotalof$75,000inminigrantfundingisavailable.Grantawardswillbe$1,000to
$10,000andwillrequirea1:1matcheithercashmatch,noncashmatchoracombinationofthe
two.

ApplicationsshouldbemailedtotheNationalRoadHeritageCorridor65WestMain
Street,Suite103,Uniontown,PA15401orhanddeliverednolaterthan4:00p.m.onFebruary
29.NoticeofAwardwillbemadenolaterthantheweekofMarch28,2016.
ClickHere
forMiniGrantGuidelines.
ClickHere
fortheapplication.Questionsshould
bedirectedtoNRHCExecutiveDirector,DonnaHoldorfbyemail:
donnah@nationalroadpa.org
orbycalling7244379877.

WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkAddedToPAStateParkSystem

DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnTuesday
announcedPennsylvanianowhas121stateparkswiththeadditionof
WashingtonCrossing
HistoricPark
inBucksCounty.
The500acreparkthatliesalongtheDelawareRiverwastransferredtoDCNRfromthe
PAHistoricandMuseumCommissionaspartoflegislationthatsupportsthestatebudgetand
fiscalcode.
"Manyofourstateparksprotectareasorbuildingsthathaveculturalandhistorical
significance,soweareequippedtotakeontheresponsibilityofconservingthesiteofGeorge
Washington'sdramaticboatcrossingoftheDelawareRiverduringtheAmericanRevolution,"
Dunnsaid."WashingtonCrossingalsoprovidesthecommunityandvisitorswithmanytypesof
outdoorrecreation,whichisanaturalfitwithDCNR'smission."
DunnsaidGeorgeCalaba,mostrecentlyanassistantparkmanageratDelawareCanal
StateParkcomplex,isnowtheparkmanageratWashingtonCrossing.
DCNRhasbeenworkingwithPHMCsince2013toplanforthetransition.
"DCNRpossessestheextraresourcesneededtomaintainthevastnaturalareasof
WashingtonCrossingandcontinuethepreservationofthesite'shistoriclegacyforthepublic's
educationandenrichment,"saidPHMCExecutiveDirectorJamesVaughan.
Alsoinvolvedinthetransitionagreementaremajorstakeholders,includingthe
Friendsof
WashingtonCrossingHistoricPark
,whichcurrentlyoperatesthevisitorcenterand
Bowman's
HillWildflowerPreserve
,whichisincludedontheproperty.
CalababeganhiscareerwithDCNRin2000asaparkmanagertrainee.Sincethen,he
hasheldmanagementpositionsatseveralstateparksincludingKeystoneNockamixon
ChapmanandtheColonelDenningandDelawareCanalparkcomplexes.
CalabaisaveteranoftheU.S.Navy.HeattendedtheUniversityofPittsburghand
IndianaUniversityofPennsylvania,withadvanceddegreesingeographyandregionalplanning.
"IamthrilledforthisopportunitytobuildonwhatthePHMChasaccomplishedoverthe
pastdecadesandlookforwardtothechallengesofmanagingthismostvaluedhistoric,
educational,andrecreationalresource,"Calabasaid."Onlythroughcontinuedpartnerships,will
weensureitsfuturesuccess."
WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkisaNationalHistoricLandmark.Theparkhasan
upperandalowersection.TogethertheyincludeColonialbuildingsthatgivemanycluesabout
livingconditionsduringtheRevolutionaryera.
Opportunitiesforrecreationincluderiveraccessforboatingfishingwalkingtrailsand
pavilionsforpicnicking.Theparkprovideshistoricalandenvironmentaleducationprograms,as
wellashostingspecialeventsandreenactments.
WashingtonCrossingwasoriginallyestablishedasastateparkinJuly1917.Thepark

wastransferredtoPHMCin1971,andnowreturnstothestateparksystemtobemanagedby
DCNR'sBureauofStateParks.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
WashingtonCrossingHistoricPark
webpage.
Click
Here
tosignupforupdatesonparkactivities(bottomofthepage).
NewsClips:
OhiopyleStateParkCancelsWinterfestForLackOfSnow
YorksRailTrailImprovementsComingInMarch
EffortToMakePhillysSchuylkillRiverTrailSafer
HeadwatersTrustAgreementToPurchaseKnow,KaneRailCorridor
RetiredPoliceOfficer,FirefighterFindPeaceHikingTrails

DCNRIncreasingSomeParkFacilitiesFeesEffectiveFeb.16

TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
publishednotice
intheFebruary6PA
BulletinitisincreasingStateParkfeesforshootingranges,clarifyingswimmingpoolfamily
passesandimplementinganonrefundabletransactionfeeforallStateParkandotherreservations
madethroughitsreservationsystemeffectiveFebruary16.
ClickHere
forcurrentDCNRfees.

GroundbreakingResearchPresentedAtBureauOfForestrysAnnualConference

BlackCherryandadaptingtochangehighlighted
DCNRsBureauofForestrysannualWinter
ManagementConferenceheldlastmonthinState
College.Attendeesweretreatedtoawiderangeof
presentersthatcoveredmanycurrentandkey
issuesinforestmanagement.
Dr.SusanStout
,
RobertLong
,and
Dr.
ScottStoleson
oftheU.S.ForestService
Northern
ResearchStation
gaveafascinatingpresentation
onwhyBlackCherrywhichhasbeenaprized
woodinthestatesnortherntierisfailingtoregrownewstands.
Thiscriticalresearchshowedthatoneoftheprobablecausescouldbecleanerairandless
nitrogendeposition.ThenitrogenloadspriortothefederalCleanAirActquitepossiblygave
BlackCherryacompetitiveadvantage,buttheyarelookingatmanyotherhypothesesaswell.
Theresearchonthisisstillbeingdeveloped.
BlackCherryisanextremelyimportantspeciesinPennsWoods.Manygamebirds,
songbirds,andmammals,includingblackbear,eatthefruitsandseeds.Additionally,thehard
reddishbrownwoodishighlyprizedforqualityfurnitureandinteriortrim.
TheimportanceofBlackCherrytoPennsylvaniasforestsisreflectedinthe
Woods
ThatWorkeffort
,whichincludesthe
GreenRibbonTaskForce
aDCNRledinitiativethatis
lookingatwaystoconserveandbettermanageworkingforestlandsupportandexpandgood
jobsintheforestproductsindustrypromotePa.manufacturedwoodproductsas
environmentallyresponsibleandpromoteandexpandgoodjobsinforestrelatedareas.
Otherfeaturedpresentationsincludedthecurrenttrendsinthetimbermarket,forest
managementpracticesthatbenefitbirds,andresearchonthehistoryofwildlandfiresin

Pennsylvania.
Theyearlyconferenceisdesignedtoincreaseprofessionalcapacityandinstitutional
understandingonimportantissues,aswellasfostercommunicationsandnetworking
opportunitiesamongstaff.
Eachyearatimelythemeischosentoprovideaframeworkforthemeeting.The2016
themewasAdaptingtoanEverChangingLandscape,anditfocusedonnotjustthenatural
landscape,butalsotheprofessionalone.
Alongtheselines,thepresentersincludedDr.BruceStein,whoistheSeniorDirectorfor
ClimateAdaptationandResiliencewiththeNationalWildlifeFederation.
Ontheprofessionaldevelopmentside,TomDavidsonwhoishimselfaforesteraswell
asaleadershipexpertgaveapresentationonadaptingtoworkrelatedchangeduringthecourse
ofacareer.
Healsogaveaveryengagingpresentationonworkplaceprofessionalismthatresonated
wellwiththestaffandresultedinadatasetthatshowswhattheyconsiderprofessionalisminthe
workplacetobe.
Abouthalfofthestaffpresentedpostersduringasessionthatshowcasedsomeoftheir
workinthelastyear.Thepostersessionisagreatwayforstafftolearnaboutworkthatis
occurringacrosstheentirebureauincludingotherstateforestsandthebureauscentraloffice.It
isavaluedopportunityforstafftocommingleanddiscusssuccessstoriesaswellaslessons
learnedintheirdaytodaywork.
RoundingouttheconferencewaskeynotespeakerChuckFergus.Chuckisanaward
winningauthorandnaturalistandPennsylvanianativewhonowresidesinVermontandhis
addresswasentitled
LearningaNewLand
.
Thisconferencehighlightprovidedmoreinsightintohowtoadaptandviewchange.In
closing,StateforesterDanDevlinhadthisadvicefortheparticipantsAsdauntingaschangecan
be,Iencourageyoutoembraceitandtofindtheopportunityinit.Lookforinnovativewaysto
manageandcareforalandscapethatistrulyeverchanging.
NewsClips:
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
DrillingInStateForests,GroupsAskForMorePublicInput

(WrittenBy:JeffWoleslage,CommunicationsSectionChief,DCNRBureauofForestryand
reprintedfromthe
February3Resourcenewsletter
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy
(bottomofthepage).)

Feb.3DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable

The
February3Resourcenewsletter
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesfeaturingarticleson

Gov.WolfAnnounces$28MToImproveRecreation,CommunityRevitalization

WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkAddedToStateParkSystemInBucks

AgenciesUnveilNewStrategyToImproveWaterQualityInChesapeakeBayWatershed

DCNR,SevensSpringsMarkProgressOnLaurelMountainSkiResort

GroundbreakingResearchPresentedAtBureauOfForestrysAnnualConference

Gov.WolfAnnouncesNewJobs,StateInvestmentsInJohnstown


GetOutdoorsPAMiniGrantsAvailable

SusquehannaRiversNorthBranchNamedPARiverOfTheYear

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).

Runners,WalkersSoughtForGreyTowers8KApril23InPikeCounty

Registrationisnowopenforparticipantsinthe
GreyTowers
HeritageAssociation

8KRun/Walk
plannedforApril23inPike
County.Participantsatalllevelsofexpertiseareencouragedto
takepartinthisannualspringtimeseasonkickoff.
OrganizedbytheGreyTowersHeritageAssociationandthe
U.S.ForestServiceatGreyTowers,theracewillstartandendat
GreyTowersandincludepartsofthePinchotGreenwayinthe
BoroughofMilfordandtheMilfordBeachinthe
Delaware
WaterGapNationalRecreationArea
.
Pleasenotethatrunnerswillberunningonopenstreetsandaportionoftheraceisalong
adirtroad.Coursemonitorswillbeinplacetoensuresafestreetcrossings.
WinterwarmuppracticewalksalongthecourseareplannedforThursdaysat10a.m.,
beginningFebruary25.ContacttheGTHAforinformationortosignupforthose.
ThisisacertifiedUSATF8Kcourse.EntryandChronotrackFees:Adult
PreRegistration:$25(+Fees)beforeApril1Entries:$30(+Fees)afterApril1Youth17and
under:$15(+Fees)childrenunder12(accompaniedbyanadult):$5Awardswillbegiventothe
topplacedrunnersineachagecategory(MaleandFemale):14andunder152021293039
40495059606970+
ThisisthefourthyearthatGTHAisorganizingthisevent.Lastyearsparticipationwas
sosuccessfultheeventisbeingimprovedandrepeated!ProceedswillbeusedtohelptheUS
ForestServicepreserveandprotectthemassiveandhistoricEuropeanCopperBeechtreesonthe
estategrounds.
VolunteersNeeded
VolunteersaresoughttohelponthecourseoratGreyTowers.TheGreyTowers
mansionwillbeopenforbriefwalkthroughvisitsonthemorningoftherace.
Formoreinformationontheraceorthewinterwarmupwalks,ortoregisteronline,visit
the
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation

8KRun/Walk
webpage,call5702969625orsendemail
to:
info@greytowers.org
.
Moreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherspecialeventsisavailableonthe
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthe
Association.

GameCommissionReceives$14.6MillionFromNewNaturalGasLeases

AnagreementapprovedTuesdaybytheBoardofGameCommissionerssolidifiesmorethan
$14.6millioninrevenuethathadbeenanticipatedinthebudgetforthecurrentfiscalyear.
Commissionerssaid,giventheagency'sfiscalcrisis,whichresultsfromlicensefeesnot
beingadjustedforinflationinmorethan17years,it'simportanttounderstandthesumhas
alreadybeenbuiltintothebudget,andisnotasuddeninfluxofrevenuethatwillfixfiscal

problems.
TheagreementinvolvestheleaseoftheGameCommission'soilandgasrightsunder
5,870acresofStateGameLands12and36inOvertonandElklandtownshipsinBradfordand
Sullivancounties.
TheagreementistheresultofacompetitivebidthatwasannouncedinNovemberand
openedinDecember.
ChiefExplorationandDevelopmentLLCofDallas,Texaswasthelonebidder,agreeing
topayaonetimebonuspaymentof$2,500peracreforafiveyearpaidupprimaryterm,and
20.55percentinroyaltiesforalloil/gasandotherliquidsorcondensatesproducedandsoldfrom
theproposedtract.
Additionally,thebidprovidestheGameCommissionawellpadlocationfeeof$75,000
perwellpad,ifwellpadsarenecessaryonthegamelandssurface.Theagreementrestricts
surfaceusetotwowellpadsandaccesstheretofordevelopment.
OilandgasdevelopmentwillberegulatedbytheCommonwealth'sOilandGas
RegulationsandtheGameCommission'sStandardRestrictedSurfaceUseOilandGas
DevelopmentCooperativeAgreementtoincludea$50,000performancebond.
Theagreementwillincludestandardwildlifeandenvironmentalprotectionmeasures.
Thetotalbonuspaymentwillamounttoapproximately$14,675,000.Further,the
commissionwillreceiveanannualpaymentof$1,400inlieuoffreegasusage.
CommissionerJamesDaley,whoasaconsultantworkswithseveralfirmsinthe
Marcellusshaleindustry,complimentedGameCommissionstaffforthetermstheynegotiatedin
theagreement,notingthatcontractscarryingroyaltyratesandbonuspaymentsatthislevelare
rareintoday'smarket.
Inaseparatevote,thecommissionersapprovedanagreementwithEQTProductionthat
willresultina$917,000bonuspayment.
EQT,ofCanonsburg,Pa.,requestedtheGameCommissionofferitsoilandgasrights
underanearly306acreportionofStateGameLands245inEastFinleyTownship,Washington
County.
EQThasastrong,privatelyownedoil/gasleasepositionsurroundingthisportionofthe
gamelands.Thecompanyhasinitiatedunconventionalwelldrillinganddevelopmentinthe
vicinityoftheproposedtract,andalsohastheabilitytounitizeanddeveloptheGame
Commission'soilandgasreserveundertheproposedtractbyhorizontaldrillingwithnosurface
useordisturbancetothegamelands.
ThetermsoftheagreementareafiveyearpaidupNonSurfaceUseOilandGas
Agreement,a$3,000pernetoilandgasacrebonuspaymentand20percentroyaltyforall
oil/gasandotherliquidsorcondensatesproducedandsoldfromtheproposedtract.
ThebonuspaymentmaybedepositedeitherintotheGameFundorintoan
interestbearingescrowaccounttobeusedforthefuturepurchaseofwildlifehabitats,landsor
otherusesincidentaltohunting,furtakingandwildliferesourcemanagement.
FuturerentalsandroyaltiesowedtheCommissionshallbedirectlydepositedintothe
GameFund.
ThecommissionersalsoapprovedacoalminingagreementthatwillpermitAmerikohl
Mining,Inc.,ofButlerPa.,tomineandremoveapproximately15acresofLowerKittanningcoal
beneathaportionofStateGameLands153locatedinWestWheatfieldTownship,Indiana
County.

TheGameCommissionownsthesurfaceandsurfacesupportrights,butdoesnotownthe
coal.Amerikohlhassecuredaleasewiththecoalowner.Thetermsareafiveyearagreement,a
royaltyrateof6percentoftheF.O.B.pitpriceforallcoalminedandsoldfromthepremises,or
$2.50perton,whicheverthegreater.
Inexchangefortheagreement,andtooffsetthesurfaceimpacttothegamelands,
AmerikohlshallconveytotheGameCommissionaminimumof30acresofacceptableland.
Royaltieswillbecreditedagainstthelandvalueandoncereached,paymentofroyaltieswill
beginatthegreateroftheratesnotedabove.
AllcoalroyaltypaymentswillbedepositedintheGameFund.Miningwillberegulated
bytheCommonwealth'sMiningRegulationsandtheCommission'sStandardSurfaceCoal
MiningAgreement.
AcompletesummaryoftheactiontakenbytheGameCommissionBoard
areavailable
online
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,tobuyhuntinglicensesandotherproducts,visitthe
GameCommission
website.Youcanalsowatcha
baldeaglenestlive
online.

PeregrineFalconNestingSeasonToBeginMidFeb

AroundmidFebruary,theperegrinefalconadultsnesting
ontheRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburgwillfittingly
renewtheirpairbondandspendmoretimetogetheratthe
nestledge.
Viewerscanobservethefalconpairexhibiting
ritualcourtshipbehavior.Thiscourtshipbehaviorincludes
vocalinteractions,huntingskills,foodofferingsand
spectaculardisplaysofflight.
Themaledoestheseactsseeminglytodemonstratehisabilitytobeagoodprovider.The
firsteggshouldarrivearoundmidMarch.
Themaleisenteringhis13thyear.HefledgedfromtheWaltWhitmanBridgein
Philadelphiain2003.Thenearly7yearoldfemalefledgedfromthePA/NJTurnpikeBridgein
BucksCountyin2009.
ClickHere
fornewsandstillphotosonthefalconnestontheRachelCarsonBuilding
falcons.
ClickHere
tofollowonTwitter.
NewsClip:
NestCam:BaldEagleEggLayingProbablyDaysAway

DiakonWildernessSchool:PlantingForWildlife,TeachingForChange

KimPattendirectsthe
WildernessGreenhouse&Native
PlantNursery
,aprogramofthe
DiakonWildernessSchool
locatedjustoutsideofBoilingSpringsinCumberland
County.
Whilenewtoprofessionalhorticulture,Kimhasbeena
gardener,educatorandavidenvironmentalistformany
years,havingspent15yearswiththe
ChesapeakeBay

Foundation
,teachinghandsonwatershededucationandengagingcitizensinenvironmental
advocacyandrestorationprojectstoprotectourwaterquality.
ShecurrentlyservesontheBoardofDirectorsforthe
ChesapeakeConservation
LandscapingCouncil
(CCLC).
TheDiakonWildernessSchool,aprogramof
DiakonLutheranSocialMinistries
,has
beenservingatriskyouthofcentralPennsylvaniaforover30years.
Whilethegreenhouseoffersmorethan200differentspeciesoffloweringplants,ferns,
grasses,shrubsandtreesforbothretailandwholesalecustomers,firstandforemost,the
greenhouseisateachingnursery,offeringstudentsanopportunitytolearnvaluableskills,gain
workplaceexperience,anddeepentheirunderstandingoftherelationshipsintheworldaround
them.
KimfrequentlytalkstogroupsaboutthedevelopmentoftheWildernessGreenhouse
nativeplantprogramandwillprovidesomehelpfulhintsonspecificplantsthatwecan
incorporateintoourlandscapestoencourageandsupportbirdsandwildlife.
OnMarch17,Kimwillgiveapresentationatthe
AppalachianAudubonSociety
program
entitledGoNativeattheChristPresbyterianChurch,421DeerfieldRoad,CampHill,
CumberlandCountystartingat7:00p.m.
Formoreinformationontheprogram,visitthe
WildernessGreenhouse&NativePlant
Nursery
webpage.

(Reprintedfromthe
February/MarchKingfisherCourier
newsletterfromtheAppalachian
AudubonSociety.)

HawkMountainSanctuaryToHostKestrelWebcamWorkshopMarch25

Wanttoaddabitofnatureintoyourclassroom?
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
inBerksCountywillhostaprofessional
educatorworkshopdesignedforPennsylvaniaelementaryand
middleschoolteachersonhowtouseitslivekestrelwebcamas
alearningtool.
TheworkshopisfreeandwilltakeplaceonMarch25from9
a.m.to3p.m.intheHawkMountainEducationBuilding.To
register,callDirectorofEducationErinBrownat6107566000
x208.
SponsoredbyLyricWildBirdSeed,teacherswillenjoyalightcomplimentarybreakfast
thenreviewwithHawkMountaineducatorsthekestrelwebcamanditsfootage,thelessonplans
andjournalingoptions,andlearnhowtousethematerialsinconjunctionwithliveinternet
footageorrecordedvideolinks.
TheworkshopalsowillincludeapresentationbySeniorResearchBiologistDr.
JeanFrancoisTherrienwhocoordinatestheSanctuaryslongtermAmericankestrelstudy.
Allparticipantswillreceivecomplimentaryclassroomposter,books,andmapsalong
withcopiesofthecurriculaandlearningactivitiesandeveryparticipantwillbeinvitedtojoin
Dr.Therrieninthefieldduringsummermonthstotagkestrelchicks.
Teacherswhocompletelessonplansorjournalingwiththeirstudentswillalsoearnafree
classroomvisitbyaSanctuaryeducatorandaliveAmericankestrel.

ErinBrown,DirectorofEducationatHawkMountain,saysthatraptoreducation
workshopshelptoeliminatemisconceptionsaboutbirdsofpreyandhelptheSanctuarytoreach
alargeraudience.
"Ourgoalistoshareourmostcurrentresearchanddiscoveriesandincorporatethatinto
uniqueteachingtools.Curriculathatusesourwebcamisagreatwaytohelpyoungpeople
understandtheroleofraptorsintheenvironment,"shesays.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherspecialevents,visitthe
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromHawkMountain.
NewsClips:
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
AP:PerfectCase:FilmTellsStoryOfFamedCentreCountyAngler
NestCam:BaldEagleEggLayingProbablyDaysAway
After4EmptyYears,SpeedwellForgeLakeBeingFilled
BlackBearWithMangeEuthanizedInKittanning
WhenWillSnowGeeseShowUpAtMiddleCreek?
F&MProfPartOfTeamStudyingDeclineOfWildBees

BeatCabinFever,ComeToHawkMountainFeb.13ForBirdFeederFrenzy

Tiredofbeingcoopedup?Headoutsideto
HawkMountain
Sanctuary
inBerksCountyonFebruary13foradaylongevent
focusedonfeedingbirdsduringthelongwintermonths.
Alleventsarefreebutatrailfeeappliesforthosewho
wishtohiketoscenicoverlooksortoparticipateintheguided
winterwalk.
Winterisagreattimetobeoutsideandyougetto
enjoyadifferentperspective,saysMaryLinkevich,directorof
communicationsattheSanctuary.Thetrailsarepeaceful,the
viewiscrystalclear,anditsafantastictimetotakephotosand
lookforwildlifetracks.
AlookoutthelargewindowsattheVisitorCenterwilldemonstratehowthecoldmonths
bringonafeederfrenzy,aslargenumbersofwinterbirdsgathertocollectseedanddrinkat
theheatedbirdbathatoneoftwowellmaintainedbirdfeedingstations.
Avolunteernaturalistwillhelpidentifybirdspeciesandprovideinformationonhow
anyonecanparticipateinthe
GreatBackyardBirdCount
.
Otherprogramsincludetwoliveraptorprogramsat11a.m.and2p.m.,aguidedwinter
treewalkat12:30and1:30(trailfeeappliesages12andolder),andcomplimentary
birdfriendlycoffeeandhotchocolatethroughouttheday.
Thekidsalsowillenjoymakingtwowinterthemedcraftsbetweennoonand2pmor
takingpartinanoutdoorwinterscavengerhuntatnoonor1p.m.
The2,500acreHawkMountainSanctuaryistheworldsfirstrefugeforbirdsofpreyand
isopentothepublicyearroundbytrailfeeormembership,whichinturnsupportsthenonprofit
organizationsraptorconservationmissionandlocaltoglobalresearch,training,andeducation

programs.
Tolearnmore,visitthe
HawkMountainSanctuary
websitefortrailfees,directions,or
otherinformationorcall6107566961.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromHawk
Mountain.
NewsClips:
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
AP:PerfectCase:FilmTellsStoryOfFamedCentreCountyAngler
NestCam:BaldEagleEggLayingProbablyDaysAway
After4EmptyYears,SpeedwellForgeLakeBeingFilled
BlackBearWithMangeEuthanizedInKittanning
WhenWillSnowGeeseShowUpAtMiddleCreek?
F&MProfPartOfTeamStudyingDeclineOfWildBees

HelpWanted:WesternPAConservancyLandStewardshipCoordinator

The
WesternPAConservancy
isseekingqualifiedcandidatestofillaLandStewardship
CoordinatorpositionservingthePittsburghRegionandNorthwestPA.Applicationsaredue
February26.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.

HelpWanted:AllianceForTheChesapeakeBayPAProgramManager

The
AlliancefortheChesapeakeBay
seeksanenthusiasticandcreativepersontojointhe
PennsylvaniastafftoleadprogramdevelopmentandprojectmanagementinitseffortstoEngage
LocalCommunities,ConnectPeople,andHealtheLandandWaterinCentralPennsylvaniaand
throughouttheChesapeakeBayWatershed.
ThePennsylvaniaProgramManagerhastheopportunitytobringtheirindividualskills
andexpertisetotheorganizationtoshapefutureenvironmentalefforts.
ApplicationsaredueFebruary18.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.TheAllianceisanequal
opportunityemployer.

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

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

February8

NEW
.
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
holdsan
informationalmeetingon
HouseBill1536
(PetriRBucks)imposesa5.5percentseverancetax,
eliminatestheAct13drillingimpactfeeanddistributestherevenuebasedontheprovisionsof
Act13.AnyadditionalrevenuewouldbedepositedintheGeneralFund(
sponsorsummary
),
HouseBill82
(HarperRMontgomery)imposesa3.5percentseverancetaxandleavesinplace
theexistingAct13drillingimpactfee.Revenuewouldfundpublicschoolemployeepensions

(
sponsorsummary
).Room140MainCapitol.11:00a.m.
ClickHere
towatchlive.

February8

NEW
.
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill1436
(GodshallRMontgomery)providingforthecomputationofincometaxexpenseforutility
ratemakingpurposes,
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishingaPrivateDam
FinancialAssuranceProgram.Room140MainCapitol.OfftheFloor.

February9
Gov.WolfsSecondBudgetAddress.11:30.
ClickHere
towatchlive.[Also
FastnachtDay
,a.k.a.FatTuesday]

February10

NEW
.
HouseLocalGovernmentCommittee
meetstoconsider
HouseBill1392
(DushRIndiana)authoritieswaterandsewerauthoritiestochargeasecuritydepositonnew
customers(
sponsorsummary
),
HouseBill914
(RossRChester)removingthepermitexempt
inspectionfeecapinSewageFacilitiesAct(
sponsorsummary
),
HouseBill1605
(JamesR
Butler)establishingtheHeritageAreasPrograminlaw(
sponsorsummary
).Room205Ryan
Building.10:00.

February10

CANCELED.RescheduledtoMarch24
.
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisory
Committee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,
OfficeofWaterManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

February10
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewater
SystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:CheriSansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400Market
Street,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.

February10

AgendaPosted
.
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
hearingonwaterwithdrawal
requestsandotherissues(below).WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112
RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.1:30.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)
AuthorizingtheExecutiveDirectortoenterintoacontractwiththelowestqualifiedbidderfor
theanalysisofperiphytonsamplesfromthenontidalDelawareRiver
AuthorizingtheExecutiveDirectortoenterintoanadministrativeagreementwiththeNew
YorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationforthereviewofwaterwithdrawaland
wastewaterdischargeprojectsintheNewYorkportionoftheBasinand
AdoptingtheWaterResourcesProgram20162018

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February10

NEW
.
PennStateExtensionLeadInDrinkingWaterWebinars
.Noonto1:00and
7:00to8:00.

February11
AgendaPosted.

DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
DraftFinalVOCEmissionsLimitsForVehicleAssemblyCoatingOperations

DraftFinalVOCEmissionsForMetalPartsCoating
DraftProposedIndustrialCleaningSolventsLimits
DEPCommentsOnEPAsCrossStateAirPollutionRuleUpdate
ReportOnRulemakings/StateImplementationPlanRevisions
ProposedStrategySettingMethaneLimitsOnOil&GasIndustry
ConceptsforProposedGeneralPermitForWellPads
ConceptsforProposedGP5Revisions

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts

Febinary11
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrantWebinar
.10:00a.m.

February11

NEW
.PublicUtilityCommissionHosts
PASustainableEnergyBoardmeeting
.
HearingRoom4,KeystoneBuilding,Harrisburg.11:00.

February13

NEW
.
HawkMountainSanctuaryBirdFeederFrenzy
.BerksCounty.

February16

NEW
.
DEPHearingOnProposedWindfallOilandGasinjectiondisposalwell
in
BradyTownship,ClearfieldCounty.HillerAuditorium,PennStateDuBois,CollegePlace,
DuBois.6:00.DEPContact:JohnPoister,DEP'sSouthwesternRegionalOffice,4124424203
orsendemailto:
jpoister@pa.gov
.

February17

NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Nancy
Herb,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
RegularUpdates:SmallBusinessOmbudsman,EnvironmentalManagementAssistance
Program
DraftRegulationRepealingGasolineVolatilityLimitInPittsburghRegion
ProposedTotalColiformRegulationUpdate
EPACleanPowerPlanOverview
FederalOzoneStandardUpdate

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February18

Updated.

DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105,RachelCarson
Building.9:00Regulatory,LegislativeandTechnicalCommittee10:00Boardmeeting.
DEP
Contact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
ProposalsToIncreasePermitRelatedFees

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February19

ComputerRecycling,AssetManagementConference
.Greensburg.

February22

SenateAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearings:10:00GovernorsBudget
Office1:00IndependentFiscalOfficeEconomicOutlook&RevenueOverview.Hearing
Room1,NorthOfficeBuilding.


February23

NEW
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting&Regulation,
LegislationandTechnicalCommitteemeeting.2ndFloorTrainingRoom,RachelCarson
Building.9:00Committee.10:00Board.DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMining
Programs,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
ProposalsToIncreasePermitRelatedFees

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February23

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

February24

SenateAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearings:10:00Dept.of
Conservation&NaturalResources.HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.

February24

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:1:00PublicUtility
Commission3:00PUCConsumerAdvocateandSmallBusinessAdvocate.Room140Main
Capitol.

February24

DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MikeMaddigan,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723609,
mmaddigan@pa.gov
.

February25

DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.DEPContact:TomJuengst,DivisionofPlanningand
Conservation,7177725646,
tjuengst@pa.gov
.

February25

SenateAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearings:10:00Dept.of
EnvironmentalProtection.HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.

February2526

StroudWaterResearchCenter,SouthernChesterConservancyWild&Scenic
FilmFestival
.WestChester.

February2627
RegistrationOpen.

2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.

February27

GetOutdoorsPoconos
:
ZimmerWildlifeSanctuaryHike
,MonroeCounty.

February29

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:2:00Dept.ofConservation
&NaturalResources.Room140MainCapitol.

February29

LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.

March1

SenateAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearings:3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.
HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.


March1

Change
.
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:
9:30Dept.of
EnvironmentalProtection
.Room140MainCapitol.

March3

PublicUtilityCommissionEnBancHearingOnAlternativeUtilityRatemaking
Methods
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.9:00.

March8

Change
.
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:
9:30Dept.of
EnvironmentalProtection
.Room140MainCapitol.

March8

DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.10:00.DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAir
Quality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.

March8

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

March8
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

March9

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:1:30Dept.ofAgriculture.Room
140MainCapitol.

March10

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:9:30BudgetSecretary.Room
140MainCapitol.

March10

LocationAdded.
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
businessmeeting.
UniversityCenter,Rooms130/131,1201TechnologyDrive,Aberdeen,MD.ContactJason
Oyler,SRBCGeneralCounsel,7172380423,Ext.1312,fax7172382436.
(
formalnotice
)

March10

BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve

LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley
University,Doylestown.

March12

RegistrationOpen.

2016SchuylkillRiverWatershedCongress
.Montgomery
CountyCommunityCollegePottstownCampus.

March1316

RegistrationOpen.

PARecreation&ParkSocietyAnnualConference
.Seven
Springs,SomersetCounty.

March1416

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators

AnnualConference
.TheInnat

PoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.

March16

NEW
.
HouseTourismandRecreationalDevelopment
and
SenateCommunity,
EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
CommitteesholdajointhearingonPAstourism
budget,HeritageAreasandtourismmarketing.HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.9:00.

March16

StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.Conference
Room11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,Bureauof
PointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.

March16

AgendaPosted
.
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
meetingonwaterwithdrawal
requestsandotherissues(below).WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112
RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.10:30.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)
AuthorizingtheExecutiveDirectortoenterintoacontractwiththelowestqualifiedbidderfor
theanalysisofperiphytonsamplesfromthenontidalDelawareRiver
AuthorizingtheExecutiveDirectortoenterintoanadministrativeagreementwiththeNew
YorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationforthereviewofwaterwithdrawaland
wastewaterdischargeprojectsintheNewYorkportionoftheBasinand
AdoptingtheWaterResourcesProgram20162018.

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

March16
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop.PoconoManor
.

March17
NEW
.
AppalachianAudubonSociety
:
GoNativepresentationbyKimPatten,
WildernessGreenhouse&NativePlantNursery
.ChristPresbyterianChurch,421Deerfield
Road,CampHill,CumberlandCounty.7:00p.m.

March22

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

March22

DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room206,DEP
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:Aaren
Alger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.

March22

LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.

March24

DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

March25

NEW
.
HawkMountainSanctuaryKestrelWebcamEducatorsWorkshop
.Berks
County.


March30

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

March31

NEW
.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

March30
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop
.BrandywineRedClayAlliance,WestChester.

March31April1
GreenBuildingAlliance
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
.Pittsburgh.

April7

DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.

April12
NEW
.
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterPlantOperators
meeting.10thFloorconferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.

April13

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

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

April1415

WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

April18

LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.

April19

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

April23
NEW
.
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.

April27

NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Nancy
Herb,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.


May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

May1315

PAOutdoorWritersAssociation

SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.

June35

PAEnvironmentalCouncil

EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.

September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.

October7

DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.

October2628

NEW
.
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

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

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.

SenateCommitteeSchedule

HouseCommitteeSchedule

Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Grants&Awards

Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.

February12

PALTAGovernmentConservationLeadershipAward
February12

PECWesternPAEnvironmentalAwards
February15

AcademyOfNaturalSciencesDelawareRiverResearchGrants
February15

StroudCriticalZoneScienceStudent,TeacherExperience
February19

PittsburghBusinessTimesEnergyLeadershipAwards
February22

UrbanLandInstituteUrbanOpenSpaceAward
February22

UrbanLandInstituteGlobalExcellenceForRealEstateProjectsAward
February26

POWR2016SojournGrants
February29

NEW
.
LaurelHighlandsConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
February29

SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
March
NEW
.
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
March

NEW
.
CBFHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
March1
SusquehannaUFreshwaterResearchInitiativeRFPs
March1
PAHouseofRepresentativesCollegeScholarship

March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
March4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramCloses
March14

PHMCHistoricPreservationGrants
March18

PittsburghTreeVitalizeGrantsInAlleghenyCounty
March18

OpenSpaceInstituteDelawareWatershedCapitalGrants
March21

PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March25

MidAtlanticPanelOnAquaticInvasiveSpeciesGrantProposals
March30

DelawareHighlandsConservancyCollegeScholarships
March30
NEW
.
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest
March31

DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
March31
DelawareWaterResourcesAssn.CollegeScholarship
April1

NEW
.
PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
April1

NEW
.
CFAAlternativeAndCleanEnergyGrants
April1
NortheastPAAudubonEnvironmentalEdScholarship
April13

DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30

NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
May
NEW
.
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May

NEW
.
CBFHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3

EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May31

$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June3

GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June30
NEW
.
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30

NEW
.
CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30

NEW
.
CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
NEW
.
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30

NEW
.
CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30

NEW
.
CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30

NEW
.
CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
July
NEW
.
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
July

NEW
.
CBFHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
September
NEW
.
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
September

NEW
.
CBFHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
October31
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest

Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics


HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore

Politics
GOPAttacksMcGintyOverEnergy,UtilityDonors
DidMcGintyBlowSmokeOnFossilFuelSupport?
Air
EthanolMandateFacesRisingOpposition
Editorial:CleanAirLawsuitPressuresU.S.Steel
AlternativeEnergy
RenewablesTopplingDominanceOfFossilFuelsInU.S.Power
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation
Budget
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
WolfImposesLimitsFillingVacantPositions,200AtDEP
AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
NewSeveranceTaxProposalFromDrillingCountry
Thompson:BracingForTheBudget:HeadedForWolfWarII?
201617SpendingPlanSetToJoinPABudgetMess
PLS:Reed,CostaAgreeOnPossibleRevenueSources?
PLS:Reed:2BudgetsWontPutHouseGOPOffTheirAgenda
JanuaryStateRevenue$2.5B,$6.2MMoreThanAnticipated
StateBudgetStuckInRestartMode
Bumsted:WolfsBudgetOptionsLimited
InBudgetBattles,CompromiseHasBecomeTaboo
TransitFundingExpectedToFall$6BShortInPA
OpEd:NewFederalTransportationBillPutsPAOnRightTrack
OpEd:FilmTaxCreditBenefitsAreMisleading
NorthDakotaOrdersCutsAmid$1BillionBudgetShortfall
Climate
Reminder:DEPClimateActionPlanUpdateCommentsDueMarch30
ActivistsBringMethanePetitionInBoxesToDEP
ActivistsWantWolfsPlanToReduceMethaneEmissions
LaidOffCoalMinersMakeTransitionToComputerProgramming
DeepMineSafety
DEPOrdersMiningStoppedInDanaMineToPreventWorkerAccidents
DrinkingWater/Lead
IsLeadPoisoningInPA,NJWorseThanFlint?
LeadProblemFocusShiftsToCitiesLikeAllentown
WhatYouNeedToKnowAboutLeadInYourHome

WolfAdministrationHighlightsStepsToReduceLeadExposure
CentralPADoesNotAppearToFaceCrisisOfLeadInDrinkingWater
LeadIssueLeadsToLackOfTrustInPittsburghWaterAuthority
18CitiesInPAReportHigherBloodLevelsOfLeadExposureThanFlint
ScrantonHas3rdHighestPercentageOfElevatedLeadLevels
Editorial:Sebring,OHProvidesLessonsOnLead
OpEd:MoreImportantThanEverToAdoptStrictWaterWellStandards
Education
WallenpaupackTeacherFinalistFor$1MillionPrize
EmergencyResponse
YorkCountyKeepingEyeOnSusquehannaRiverIce
SchuylkillClearedOfOilSpill,SchuylkillTrailReopened
WhatWentWrongOnTurnpikeDuringBlizzard?
Editorial:TurnpikeShouldHaveBeenClosed
Energy
LowNaturalGasPricesCutsImpactFeeRevenue
HeatingOilPricesPlunge,MigrationToNaturalGasSlows
NationalFuelLowersPriceOfNaturalGas
JessupCountyCommitsToDiscussPowerPlantHostAgreement
ProposedElizabethTwpPowerPlantFacesHurdles
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
OpEd:NuclearPowerEffective,Affordable,Reliable
OpEd:ShouldU.S.RelyOnNuclearPower?
PPLWantsReimbursedForArmyBlimpDamage
BillWouldLimitAccessToSmartMeterData
PPG,BridgestonePartnerOnEnergyEfficientTruckTires
FederalCoalSalesMoratoriumShakesIndustryStronghold
LaidOffCoalMinersMakeTransitionToComputerProgramming
TalenEnergyCompletesSaleOfLebanonGasFiredPowerPlant
FirstEnergyInvested$95MInMetEdServiceAreaIn2015
FirstEnergyInvests$197MIn2015PenelecServiceImprovements
WestPennPowerSpent$171MillionOnGridIn2015
FirstEnergyInvests$171MIn2015InWestPennPowerServiceImprovements
DominionResourcesBuyingQuestarFor$4.4Billion
EnvironmentalHistory
ProgramAimsToEducateStaffOnFlight93LostHeroes
IceHarvestReCreatedByDescendantsOfTheWorkersInTobyhanna
Farming
SustainableAgGroupPlansToOpenTrainingHubs
F&MProfPartOfTeamStudyingDeclineOfWildBees
Flooding
PrivateFloodInsuranceCouldSaveHomeownersMoney
Forests

AP:NaturalGasIncomeFromStateForestsTakesBigFall
DrillingInStateForests,GroupsAskForMorePublicInput
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
GrowingGreener
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
LandConservation
DunbarCreekFeederStreamReceivesLongTermProtection
WesternPAConservancyToLookAfterNunRetreat/WildlifeHabitat
Mining
NewFederalCoalMineDustRulesTakingEffect
Oil&Gas
WillDrillingRegsFaceOppositionInSenate,HouseCommittees?
BoardApprovesNewEnvironmentalRulesForDrillers
StateBoardApprovesMajorRevisionsToDrillingRules
BoardApprovesStatesNewOil&GasRegulations
BoardApprovesNewRulesForGas,OilDrillers
WillDrillingRegsFaceOppositionInSenate,HouseCommittees?
DrillingInStateForests,GroupsAskForMorePublicInput
JessupCountyCommitsToDiscussPowerPlantHostAgreement
ProposedElizabethTwpPowerPlantFacesHurdles
NorthDakotaOrdersCutsAmid$1BBudgetShortfall
OpEd:TimeToStandUpToShaleIndustryBullies
PipelineSqueezingOutSusquehannaCountyMapleSugarFarm
ConstitutionPipelineGetsOKToCutTreesInPA,NotNY
LandownersBraceForConstitutionPipelineTreeCutting
RegulatorsNixConstitutionPipelinesTreeCuttingRequest
ActivistsWantWolfsPlanToReduceMethaneEmissions
ActivistsBringMethanePetitionInBoxesToDEP
NaturalGasRigCountInPALowestSince2010
RangeResourcesLayingOff55Workers
EQTFightsWasteDisposalBanInWV
EQTWidensLossInFourthQuarter
DrillerCostsVaryWildly,SomeProfitAt$30Oil
AtHoustonHobnob,NoFreebiesAllowedForWolfAide
SchuylkillClearedOfOilSpill,SchuylkillTrailReopened
EthanolMandateFacesRisingOpposition
ToomeyAgainAimsToEliminateCornEthanolMandates
PittsburghGasolinePricesTumbleTo$2/Gallon
Bloomberg:OilPricesCouldJump50%ByEndOf2016
HowMuchOilOutputHaltedDueToLowPrices:0.1%
ObamaSeeks$10/BarrelOilTaxToFundCleanTransportation
WarmWeather,LowPricesHitEnergyRailTraffic
PPG,BridgestonePartnerOnEnergyEfficientTruckTires
LAProsecutorChargesUtilityForHugeGasLeakWithCrime

HorseheadFilesForBankruptcyProtection
PublicParticipation
DrillingInStateForests,GroupsAskForMorePublicInput
Recreation
OhiopyleStateParkCancelsWinterfestForLackOfSnow
YorksRailTrailImprovementsComingInMarch
EffortToMakePhillysSchuylkillRiverTrailSafer
HeadwatersTrustAgreementToPurchaseKnow,KaneRailCorridor
RetiredPoliceOfficer,FirefighterFindPeaceHikingTrails
Recycling/Waste
BestBuyLocationsNoLongerAcceptingTVs,MonitorsInPA
BestBuyStopsRecyclingTVsInPennsylvania
WhereToDisposeOfOldElectronicsInLehighValley
PrivateHaulersAgreeToGiveUp2HBGTrashAccounts
ErieTrashBusinessGetsMonthToCleanUp
PlaintiffsPursuingKerrMcGeeToxicWasteCase
WastewaterSystems
BidForScrantonSewerSystemTwiceMarketValue
DEPWithdrawsOKForSewageSludgeOnUpperMountBethelFarms
WatershedProtection
Swift:WolfConsidersGrowingGreenerReboot
DEPsRevisedChesapeakeBayStrategyDraws$3MInFederalFunds
FedsRestore$3MToPAForChesapeakeBayCleanup
DEPGets$3MToHelpCleanUpChesapeakeBayWatershed
TheEconomicBenefitsOfGreenCity,CleanWaterInPhiladelphia
YorkCountyLooksTowardStormwaterAuthority
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
$6.9MLawsuitFiledOverMillerChemicalPlantFire
YorkCountyKeepingEyeOnSusquehannaRiverIce
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
BrunnerIslandGlitchKills1,000+FishInSusquehanna
PowerPlantsReleaseOfColdWaterKillsFish
BrunnerIslandHasLongHistoryOfFishKills
AP:PerfectCase:FilmTellsStoryOfFamedCentreCountyAngler
NestCam:BaldEagleEggLayingProbablyDaysAway
After4EmptyYears,SpeedwellForgeLakeBeingFilled
BlackBearWithMangeEuthanizedInKittanning
WhenWillSnowGeeseShowUpAtMiddleCreek?
F&MProfPartOfTeamStudyingDeclineOfWildBees
ZikaVirus
(DEPHasLeadOnWestNileVirus)
PAWarnsOfSexuallyTransmittedZikaVirus

PAAwaitsTestResultsForZikaVirus
StateHealthDept.TracksZikaVirusCasesOnline
PAWaitingForResultsOfZikaVirusCases
HigherTempsMakeZikaMosquitoSpreadDiseaseMore
ZikaInfectionsReportedToBeTransmittedBySex
PhillyHealthWorkersPrepareForZika
FloridaDeclaresZikaVirusEmergencyIn4Counties

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

ThePublicUtilityCommissionpublishednoticesintheFebruary6PABulletinofproposed
ElectricSafety
and
SteamHeatDistributionSystem
safetyregulations.

PennsylvaniaBulletinFebruary6,2016

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

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheFebruary6PABulletin
(
page726
)sayinganupdatetotheagencys
NonRegulatoryAgenda
isavailableonDEPs
website.

TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
publishednotice
intheFebruary6PA
BulletinitisincreasingStateParkfeesforshootingranges,clarifyingswimmingpoolfamily
passesandimplementinganonrefundabletransactionfeeforallStateParkandotherreservations
madethroughitsreservationsystemeffectiveFebruary16.
ClickHere
forcurrentDCNRfees.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage

SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

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toPrintTheEntirePAEnvironmentDigest.

StoriesInvited

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

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