Pa Environment Digest Aug. 24, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaAugust24,2015
EnvironmentalHeritage:
30Years:ChesapeakeBayCommission,June25,1985Act25
30Years:AppalachianStatesLowLevelRadioactiveWasteCompact,Dec.22,1985Act120
50Years:OpenSpaceActPreferentialPropertyTaxAssessments,Jan.13,1965Act515
70Years:SurfaceMiningConservationandReclamationAct,May31,1945Act418
Gov.WolfReleasesOilTrainSafetyReportWith27Recommendations
Gov.TomWolfMondayreleasedareportwrittenbyDr.
AllanZarembskifocusedonthesafetyofPennsylvaniansand
protectingpeoplefromthepotentialofBakkencrudeoiltrain
derailments.Inthereport,
AssessmentofCrudebyRail
SafetyIssuesinCommonwealthofPennsylvania
,Dr.
Zarembskipresents27recommendations.
Everyweek,roughlysixtytoseventytrainscarrying
crudeoiltravelthroughPennsylvaniadestinedfor
PhiladelphiaoranotherEastCoastrefinery,andIhave
expressedgraveconcernregardingthetransportationofthisoilandhavetakenseveralstepsto
preventpotentialoiltrainderailments,saidGov.Wolf.ProtectingPennsylvaniansismytop
priorityandDr.Zarembskisreportisimportantinhelpingmyadministrationtakethenecessary
steps.IwillalsocontinuetoworkwithCSXandNorfolkSouthern,bothofwhichhave
demonstratedconcernforrailsafetyandaninterestinworkingwithmyadministration.Iwould
alsoliketothankDr.Zarembskiforhishardworkinwritingthisreportandforproducing
numerousrecommendationsthatwillhelpmyadministrationprepare.
AssessmentofCrudebyRail(CBR)SafetyIssuesinCommonwealthofPennsylvania
ExecutiveSummary:
AsthevolumeofCrudeByRail(CBR)shipmentshaveincreasedoverthepastseveral
years,theCommonwealthofPennsylvaniahasbecomeincreasinglyconcernedabouttherisksof
aCBRincidentoccurringonaraillinethatgoesthroughpopulatedareaswithinthestate.
ThisisparticularlyimportantfortheCommonwealthsincelargevolumesofCBRare
shippedthroughthestatebytwomajorClass1railroads,NorfolkSouthern(NS)andCSX
Transportation(CSX).
WhiletherecentactionstakenbytherailroadindustryandtheDepartmentof
Transportationhavebeenofgreatvalue,thereisstillconcernaboutthelevelofriskpresenton
theseraillines.
Becauseoftheconcernaboutthelevelofriskpresentontheseraillines,the
CommonwealthofPennsylvaniaaskedtheUniversityofDelawaretolookatthecurrentlevelof
riskandadviseastohowtoreducetheriskofaCBRincidentintheCommonwealth.Thisreport
presentstheresultsofthisassessment.
ThisassessmentaddressesthreemajorareasofCBRsafetyintheCommonwealth:
DerailmentRiskTankCarBreach/RuptureRiskandRegulatoryOversight.
ThisassessmentalsoaddressestheeffectofproposednewDepartmentofTransportation
andindustrystandardsfortankcardesignandtrainoperationsandoperatingsystemstoinclude
speedreduction,useofElectronicallyControlledPneumatic(ECP)BrakesandPositiveTrain
Control(PTC).
ForacatastrophicCBReventtotakeplace,severalelementsarenecessary:
Firstaderailmentmustoccur,usuallyunrelatedtotheCBRequipmentitself
Secondabreachorruptureofthetankcarshellmustoccurandareleaseofthecrudetake
placeand
Third,conditionsmustbepresentandthevolatilityofthecommoditymustbesuchastoignite
orexplodeaftertheruptureofthetankcar.
IntheareaofDerailmentRisk,thisassessmentlookedatthedistributionofderailments
bymajorcategories(Track,Operations/HumanFactors,Equipment,Signals,etc.)and
subcategories(e.g.brokenrail,widegauge,etc.)bothinthestateofPennsylvaniaand
Nationwide.
Forthosederailmentcategoriesthatarehighrisk,i.e.withasignificantnumberofannual
occurrencesorsignificantpotentialforoccurrenceofmajortankcarfailure,theUniversityof
Delawareteamidentifiedopportunitiesforimprovementininspectionand/ormaintenance
practices,basedonstateoftheartindustrypracticeaswellasspecificpracticesofrailroads
operatingCBRtrainsintheStateofPennsylvania.
IntheareaofTankCarBreach/RuptureRisk,theassessmentexaminedtheproposed
improvementstothetankcarsuchas:ImprovedheadshieldsIncreasedtankshell
thickness/externaljacketValveProtection(topandbottomvalves)andReductionintrainspeed
IntheareaofRegulatoryOversight,theassessmentreviewedthecurrentsafetyoversight
capabilitiesandresourcesofthePublicUtilityCommissionaswellasthoseofotherneighboring
statesandidentifiedopportunitiesforimprovementofsafetyandEmergencyResponse.
ThereportnotedthattheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation,FederalRailroad
Administrationhasprimaryresponsibilityforrailsafetyandinspectionundera1970federallaw
whichpreemptedrailsafetyregulation.
Recommendations
Atotalof27recommendationsarepresentedinthisreportdividedintoprimary(18)and
secondary(9)categories.
Primarycategoriesarethoseexpectedtohavedirectsafetyresultsandwhichcanbe
implementedbytherailroadsdirectlyworkingwiththeCommonwealthofPennsylvaniaorby
theCommonwealthitself.
Secondarycategoriesincludeactivitieswhicharemoredifficulttoimplementorwhich
mayrequireactionbyapartyotherthantherailroadorCommonwealthofPennsylvania.
PrimaryRecommendationsRailroad
1.ItisrecommendedthattheroutesoverwhichCBRtrainsoperateinPennsylvaniabetestedat
aratesuchthattheservicedefectrateismaintainedat0.04to0.06servicefailures/mile/year.In
allcases,railontheseroutesshouldbetestednolessthanthreetimesayear.
2.ItisrecommendedthattheroutesoverwhichCBRtrainsoperateinPennsylvaniabetestedby
arailroadownedTrackGeometryCarataminimumoffourtimesayear.
3.ItisrecommendedthattheroutesoverwhichCBRtrainsoperateinPennsylvaniabetestedby
avisionbasedjointbarinspectionsystematleastonceperyear,thistesttobeinlieuofoneof
therequiredonfootinspections,aspermittedbyFRA.
4.ItisrecommendedthatNSandCSXadopttheBNSFRailwayvoluntaryspeedreductionto35
mphforcrudeoiltrainsthroughcitieswithapopulationgreaterthan100,000people.
5.ItisrecommendedthattherailroadhavesufficientWheelImpactLoadDetector(WILD)units
inplacetomonitorallloadedoiltraincarsalongtheirentireroutewithinPennsylvania,suchthat
anytracklocationonanoiltrainroutewithinthestateshouldhaveaWILDunitnomorethan
200milespreceding(intheloadeddirection)thatlocation.
a.IfaWILDmeasurementexceeds120Kips,thetrainshouldbesafelystopped,the
wheelinspected,andthenifconditionofthewheelallows,thetrainproceedatareducedspeed
of30mphuntilthealertingcarcansetoutatanappropriatelocationuntilrepairsaremade.
b.IftheWILDmeasurementisgreaterthan90Kips,thecarshouldbeflaggedandthe
identifiedwheelsreplacedassoonaspossiblebutnolaterthan1500milesofadditionaltravel.
6.ItisrecommendedthattherailroadshavesufficientHotBearingDetector(HBD)unitsin
placeastomonitorallloadedoiltraincarsalongtheirentireroutewithinPennsylvania,witha
maximumspacingof25milesbetweenHotBoxdetectors.
7.ItisrecommendedthattherailroadhaveatleastoneAcousticBearingDetectorunitinplace
tomonitorallloadedoiltrainsalongtheirentireroutewithinPennsylvania.
8.ItisrecommendedthatthoseyardsandsidingsthathandleasignificantnumberofCBRcars
beinspectedbytheRailroadinspectorsataleveloftracktighterthantheassignedFRAtrack
class.ThusYardsthatareFRAClass1shouldbeinspectedataFRAClass2leveltoprovide
railroadswithearlywarningofpotentialtrackconditionsthatcancauseproblems.
9.ItisrecommendedthatoiltrainsinPennsylvania,notequippedwithElectronicallyControlled
Pneumatic(ECP)Brakes,usetwowayendoftraindevices(TWEOT)orDistributedPower(DP)
toimprovebrakingperformance.
10.ItisrecommendedthatCSXandNScompletetheirinitialrouteanalysisofHighhazard
flammabletrain(HHFT)routesinPennsylvaniaasquicklyaspossible,takingintoaccount
proximitytopopulatedareasandsafetyconsiderationsasoutlinedbyDOT.
CommonwealthofPennsylvania
11.ItisrecommendedthattheCommonwealthofPennsylvaniadesignateappropriatestateand
localofficialstoworkwithCSXandNStoprovideallneededinformationandtoassistinthe
routeanalysis.
12.ItisrecommendedthatPublicUtilityCommissioninspectors,incoordinationwithFRA
inspectors,focusoninspectionofmajorCBRroutes,toincludetrack,equipment,hazmat,and
operatingpractices.Inparticular,trackinspectorsshouldprioritizemainlineturnoutsandyards
andsidingsthatseeasignificantnumberofcrudeoilcars,toincludebothmajorrailroadsandthe
refineriesthemselves.
13.ItisrecommendedthatthePennsylvaniaPUCandtheirtrackinspectorswhicharepartof
thePUCsTransportationDivisioncoordinatewiththeFederalRailroadAdministrationandtry
toscheduletheFRAsT18GageRestraintMeasurementSystem(GRMS)testvehicletoinspect
allroutesoverwhichCBRtrainsoperateinPennsylvaniaatleastonceayear.Thistestshould
includebothGRMSandconventionaltrackgeometrymeasurements.
14.ItisrecommendedthatPennsylvaniaPUCfilltheirexistingtrackinspectorvacancywitha
qualifiedinspectorwithrailroadexperience.Giventhefactthatmostmajorrefineriesareinthe
easternpartofthestate,whereSEPTAandAmtrakarelocatedaswell,itmaybenecessaryto
addathirdinspectortotheeasternpartofthestate,pendingfillingoftheexistingeastern
vacancy.
15.ItisrecommendedthatPEMAcontinuetoactivelyworkwithbothrailroadstorollout
informationsharingtechnologytoolsandmakethesetoolsavailabletoallemergencyresponders
onCBRroutes(PEMAisactivelyworkinginthisarea).
16.ItisrecommendedthatPEMAcoordinatefullscaleemergencyresponseexerciseinvolving
emergencyrespondersfromcommunitiesalongthekeyoiltrainroutes.
17.ItisrecommendedthatPEMAworkwithandinsurethatallcommunitiesalongtheCBR
routeshaveappropriateemergencyresponseplans.
18.ItisrecommendedthatPEMAworkwithNSandCSXtoobtainaninventoryofemergency
responseresourcesalongroutesoverwhichCrudeOilTrainsoperatetoincludelocationsforthe
stagingofemergencyresponseequipment(PEMAisactivelyworkinginthisarea).
SecondaryRecommendationsRailroad
19.ItisrecommendedthatconventionaltrackgeometrycartestsonroutesoverwhichCBR
trainsoperateinPennsylvaniabesupplementedbyAutonomousTrackGeometryMeasurement
(ATGM)and/orVehicle/TrackInteraction(VTI)measurementsystems.
20.ItisrecommendedthatNSandCSXverifythattheyhavesufficientHotWheelDetectors
ontheOilTrainRoutestoallowfortheidentificationofoverheatedwheelsonterrainwherethis
canbeacauseofwheelfailure.
21.ItisrecommendedthattherailroadhaveatleastoneTruckDefectDetectororequivalentin
placetomonitorallloadedoiltraincarsalongtheirentireroutewithinPennsylvania.
CommonwealthofPennsylvania
22.ItisrecommendedthattheCommonwealthofPennsylvaniaencouragebothNSandCSXto
implementPositiveTrainControl(PTC)onOilTrainroutesintheCommonwealthas
expeditiouslyaspossible,inaccordancewithgovernmentmandatedschedules.
23.ItisrecommendedthatStateofPennsylvaniaTrackinspectorsfocusattentiononthe
conditionofturnoutsonmajorCBRroutesinthestate.
24.ItisrecommendedthatPennsylvaniastateinspectorsincludeyardsandsidingsthathandlea
significantnumberofCBRcarsaspartoftheirinspectionprogram.Allsuchinspectionstobe
coordinatedwiththeFRAinspectionprogram.
25.ItisrecommendedthattheCommonwealthofPennsylvanialenditssupporttoasetof
nationalMinimumCharacteristicStandardsforallCrudebyRail(CBR)withdefinedtarget
characteristics.
26.ItisrecommendedthatPennsylvaniaPUCcoordinatewithFRAandNSandCSXBridge
DepartmentstoinsurethattherailroadsaremaintainingaBridgeSafetyManagementProgram
inaccordancewith49CFR237.
27.ItisrecommendedthattheCommonwealthofPennsylvanialenditssupporttoincreasingthe
tankcarthermalprotectionstandardto800minutesforapoolfire.
Dr.Zarembski,whowas
hiredbythegovernorinlateApril
andstartedinmidMay,isan
internationallyrecognizedexpertintheareaofrailwaytrackandstructures,vehicletrack
dynamics,failureandriskanalysis,safety,railwayoperations,andmaintenance.
InMay,Gov.Wolf
sentalettertooiltraincompanies
,CSXTransportationandNorfolk
SouthernRailway,urgingthemtoadoptimprovedsafetyinitiativesforalltrainswith
crudebyrailcarsoperatinginPennsylvaniaandtofullyandexpeditiouslycomplywiththeU.S.
DepartmentofTransportationsannouncedFinalRule.
InFebruary,Gov.Wolf
sentalettertoPresidentObama
urgingexpeditedfederal
regulatoryactioninseveralareastobetterensuresafety.Andinhisfirstfullweekinoffice,the
governorconductedanemergencytabletopplanningexercisetomodelthestatesresponsein
theeventofacrudeoiltrainderailmentinanurbanarea.
Gov.WolfhaspersonallymetwithexecutivesfromNorfolkSouthernandCSX
Corporationtodiscusssafetymeasuresthatcouldlowertheriskofderailments.Hehasalso
directedthePennsylvaniaOfficeoftheFireCommissionertoexaminehowanoiltrainfirecould
beextinguishedtoprotectpublicsafety,andtheWolfAdministrationhasundertakenareviewof
thefrequencyandtheproceduresassociatedwithrailinfrastructureinspectionsbyfederaland
stateinspectors.
Acopyofthereport
isavailableonline
.
PUCReactsToReport
InresponsetothereleaseMondayofa
finalreportandassessmentofCrudebyRail
safety
inPennsylvania,thePublicUtilityCommissionunderscoreditscommitmenttorailsafety
effortsandvowedongoingcooperationwiththeWolfAdministrationandGeneralAssemblyin
addressingtherecommendationsoutlinedinthereport.
ThePUCispartofamultilayeredsystemthatworkstoensurethesafetransportationof
goodsandpassengersbyrailacrossourstate,saidChairmanGladysM.Brown.Theinspection
andengineeringworkperformedbymembersofthePUCsRailSafetySectionarepartofthe
dailybehindthesceneseffortstopreventincidentsandreducerisksinPennsylvaniaworkthat
alsoincludestheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA),therailroads,andnumerousother
agencies.
ChairmanBrownnotedthattherailsafetyassessment,preparedbyDr.AllanM.
ZarembskifortheWolfAdministration,contains27recommendations,includingseveralthat
addressworkperformedbythePUC.
SeveraloftherecommendationsrelatedtothePUC,suchascoordinatingwiththeFRA
tofocusadditionalattentionontheinspectionofmajoroiltrainroutesandthefillingofexisting
staffvacancies,arealreadyunderway,notedChairmanBrown.Otheritems,suchasthehiring
ofadditionalPUCinspectors,arebeingevaluatedtodeterminehowtheycanbestbe
implemented.
ChairmanBrownnotedthatin2014,PUCRailSafetyInspectorsfiled941Inspection
ReportswiththeFRAafterexaminingmorethan82,000individualitemsrangingfrompieces
ofrailandcomponentsonalocomotiveorrailcar,tosafetypractices,crewcertificationsorclear
radiocommunications.
Additionally,CommissionRailSafetyEngineerswereinvolvedin200actionsrelatedto
highwayrailroadcrossingprojects,addressingmorethan$600millionininfrastructure
improvements.
ThePUCiscommittedtoenhancingrailsafetythroughoutPennsylvania,andworks
closelywiththeFRA,railroadsandotheragenciestomonitoravarietyoffactorsthatcanimpact
thesafemovementoftrains,cargoandpassengersincludingtrack,motivepowerand
equipment,operatingpractices,hazardousmaterialsandgradecrossings.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUC's
RailSafety
webpage.
NewsClips:
ReportMakesRecommendationsOnOilTrainSafety
WolfIssuesOilTrainRecommendations
ExpertAssessesRiskOfOilTrainAccidents
CarriersWeighRoutingOilTrainsAroundPA
ReportUrges2DozenChangesToMakeOilTrainsSafer
IdeaForSlowingOilTrainsResistedInPA
Editorial:ImplementOilTrainProposals
OilTrainsAndPope,NotPerfectTogether?
OpEd:OilExportsWouldHarmU.S.EnergyIndependence
MarcusHookRefineryFortunesRestOnNaturalGas
Editorial:KeystonePipeline,GetOnWithIt!
BarrelOfU.S.CrudeDropsBelow$40
NoEndInSightForOilGlut
EnergySlowdownHitsPATownHard
RelatedStory:
SenatePanelsHearTestimonyOnEffortsToImproveSafetyOfCrudeOilTrains
EPAProposesNewStandardsToReduceMethaneEmissionsFromOil&GasOperations
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyTuesdayannounced
proposedstandardstoreduce
emissions
ofgreenhousegasesandvolatileorganiccompoundsfromtheoilandnaturalgas
industry.
TheproposalisapartoftheAdministrationsstrategyunderPresidentObamas
Climate
ActionPlan
tocutmethaneemissionsfromtheoilandgassectorby40to45percentfrom2012
levelsby2025.
Methane,thekeyconstituentofnaturalgas,isapotentGHGwithaglobalwarming
potentialmorethan25timesgreaterthanthatofcarbondioxide.Methaneisthesecondmost
prevalentgreenhousegasemittedintheUnitedStatesfromhumanactivities,andnearly30
percentofthoseemissionscomefromoilproductionandtheproduction,transmissionand
distributionofnaturalgas.
Today,throughourcosteffectiveproposedstandards,weareunderscoringour
commitmenttoreducingthepollutionfuelingclimatechangeandprotectingpublichealthwhile
supportingresponsibleenergydevelopment,transparencyandaccountability,saidEPA
AdministratorGinaMcCarthy.Cleanerburningenergysourceslikenaturalgasarekey
complianceoptionsforourCleanPowerPlanandwearecommittedtoensuringsafeand
responsibleproductionthatsupportsarobustcleanenergyeconomy.
Theproposedstandardsfornewandmodifiedsourcesareexpectedtoreduce340,000to
400,000shorttonsofmethanein2025,theequivalentofreducing7.7to9millionmetrictonsof
carbondioxide.
EPAestimatestherulewillyieldnetclimatebenefitsof$120to$150millionin2025.
Thosestandardsarealsoexpectedtoreduce170,000to180,000tonsofozoneformingVOCsin
2025,alongwith1,900to2,500tonsofairtoxics,suchasbenzene,toluene,ethylbenzeneand
xylene.
Ozoneislinkedtoavarietyofseriouspublichealtheffects,includingreducedlung
function,asthmaattacks,asthmadevelopment,emergencyroomvisitsandhospitaladmissions,
andearlydeathfromrespiratoryandcardiovascularcauses.Airtoxicsincludechemicalsthatare
knownorsuspectedtocausecancerandotherserioushealtheffects.
Theproposedstandardswillcomplementvoluntaryefforts,including
EPAsMethane
ChallengeProgram
,andarebasedonpracticesandtechnologycurrentlyusedbyindustry.Tocut
methaneandVOCemissions,theproposalrequires:
Findingandrepairingleaks
Capturingnaturalgasfromthecompletionofhydraulicallyfracturedoilwells
Limitingemissionsfromnewandmodifiedpneumaticpumpsand
Limitingemissionsfromseveraltypesofequipmentusedatnaturalgastransmission
compressorstations,includingcompressorsandpneumaticcontrollers.
EPAsMethaneChallengeProgramthatwasproposedearlierthisyearexpandsonthe
successful
NaturalGasSTARProgram
,whichservesasaplatformforcompanieswhowantto
makeanambitiousandtransparentcommitmentstoaddressmethaneemissions.
Thisflexibleprogramhasthepotentialtofostersignificantcosteffectiveemission
reductionsacrosstheoilandgassectorandtoprovidetransparencyontheprogresspartner
companiesaremakingtoreduceemissions.
Aspartoftheproposalannouncedtoday,theagencyisupdatingthe2012NewSource
PerformanceStandardstoaddressmethaneaswellasVOCemissionsforsourcescoveredinthat
rule.
EPAsproposalwouldalsorequirethatindustryreduceVOCandmethaneemissions
fromhydraulicallyfracturedandrefracturedoilwells,whichcancontainsignificantamountsof
naturalgasalongwithoil.
Inaddition,theproposalmeansmethaneandVOCreductionsdownstreamfromwells
andproductionsites,coveringequipmentinthenaturalgastransmissionsegmentoftheindustry
thatwasnotregulatedintheagencys2012oilandnaturalgasrules.
Additionally,theagencyproposestoclarifyandstreamlineCleanAirActpermitting
requirementsinstatesandIndiancountry.
TheproposalincludesproposedguidelinesforstatestoreduceVOCemissionsfrom
existingoilandgassourcesincertainozonenonattainmentareasaswellasmidAtlanticand
Northeaststates,likePennsylvania,thatarepartoftheOzoneTransportRegion.
EPAwilltakecommentontheproposalsfor60daysaftertheyarepublishedinthe
FederalRegister.Theagencywillholdpublichearingsandwillannouncedetailssoon.
DEP/PAIndustryReaction
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsaiditwouldreviewtheproposalandlook
atwhatothergasproducingstatesaredoing.
Weareworkingtodeveloparobustapproachtolimitingmethaneemissionsin
Pennsylvania,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.DEPhascompileddataonmethane
emissionsandhasstartedresearchintopossiblemethodsofidentifyingsourcesofmethane
emissionsfromabandonedoilandgaswells,amongothersources.
Itcannotbelostonanyonethatshalerelatedmethaneemissionscontinuetosteeply
dropasnaturalgasproductionsharplyclimbs,saidDaveSpigelmyer,presidentofthe
Marcellus
ShaleCoalition
.Thesepositiveresultsareafunctionoftheindustry'swidespreaduseof
operationalbestpracticesandcontinuousinvestmentsaimedatprotectingandenhancingour
environment,especiallyairquality.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAs
RegulatoryActions
webpage.
NewsClips:
EPAProposesCutToOil&GasMethaneEmissions
EPAProposesToCurbMethaneEmissionsFromOil&GasIndustry
EPAProposesCuttingMethaneEmissionsNearlyInHalf
EPAMethanePlanPutsPressureOnStatesForBiggerCuts
Editorial:LessMethaneBestPolicy
MethaneRules,OilTrainsTopicsOnWITFsSmartTalk
NaturalGasPowerPlantsBringJobs,CleanerAirToPA
RelatedStories:
PEC:EPAAnnouncesImportantMethaneControls,ItsTimeForPAToDoTheSame
NatureAboundsWelcomesEPAMethaneRegulationsCoveringOil&GasOperations
EnvironmentalDefenseFundStatementOnProposedEPAOil&GasMethaneRule
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
issuedthefollowingstatementbyJohnWalliser,VicePresident
forLegal&GovernmentAffairs,inresponsetotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencys
proposedmethaneemissionreductionrule
coveringoilandgasoperations.
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency[Tuesday]announcedthefirsteverproposed
federalmethanepollutionstandardsfornewandmodifiedoilandgasfacilitiesalandmark
announcementandcriticalfirststepinreducingthegrowthofmethaneandsmogforming
emissionsfromtheindustry.
Itsaterrificstart,butitonlywillgetuspartoftheway.Whattheproposedruledoesnot
addressisemissionsfromexistingoperations,whichinastatelikePennsylvaniawheretherehas
alreadybeentremendousdevelopment,isareallybigdeal.Infact,themajorityofemissionsin
ourstateoverthenextdecadewillcomefromexistingsources,andwillnotbesubjecttothe
proposedfederalrule.
ThatswhyPECisurgingPennsylvaniatoenactcomprehensive,mandatoryregulations
thatcoverbothexistingandnewsourcesofmethaneemissionsfromoilandgasoperations.
Studiesonmethaneemissionsdemonstratethatthisisagrowingproblemfortheindustryandthe
environment.
Infact,astudyreleasedtoday[Tuesday]showsthatpreviouslyunrecordedemissions
fromthousandsofgatheringfacilitiesareeighttimeshigherthanestimates.Accordingtothe
study,thisescapedgascouldheat3.2millionhomes.
Thisisnotonlyawastedresource,itsahugeclimateproblem.Methaneisapotent
greenhousegasthattrapsmorethan80timesasmuchheatovera20yearperiodthancarbon
dioxidethatshorttermclimateimpactisequivalentto160coalfiredpowerplants.
Cuttingtheseemissionsisoneofthefastestandmostcosteffectivewaystoreduce
greenhousegases.
AstudybyICFInternationalhasfoundthattheoilandgasindustrycouldreduce
methaneemissionsby40percentforaboutonepennyperthousandcubicfeetofnaturalgas
produced.Andmanyofthemeasurestoreducetheseemissionsareasbasicasmonitoringleaks
andprioritizingrepairs.
StateslikeColorado,amongothers,havealreadyproventhatyoucanhaverobust
emissioncontrolswithoutaffectingproduction.
ItstimeforPennsylvaniatostepupandjoinotherleadingstatesinaddressingboth
currentandfuturemethaneemissions.Itscosteffective,willpreventthewasteofanimportant
energyresource,andwillpayhugedividendsinreducingourgreenhousegasfootprint.
(Reprintedfromthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncilBlog
.)
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
The
EnvironmentalDefenseFund
issuedthefollowingstatementinresponsetotheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencys
proposedmethaneemissionreductionrule
coveringoiland
gasoperations.
Thisiscriticalsteptowardprotectingourclimateandpublichealth.EPAistakingona
pollutantresponsiblefor25percentofthewarmingweareexperiencingtoday,"saidEDF
PresidentFredKrupp.
Thenationsoilandgascompaniesemitoversevenmilliontonsofmethanepollution
everyyear,equaltothegreenhousegaspollutionofabout160coalfiredpowerplantsoverthe
nexttwentyyears.Thisproposalbeginstheimportantworkofensuringthattheoilandgas
industryreducesthispollution.
Thereisampleevidencethattechnologiesandpracticesexisttosignificantlycut
methanepollutionfromtheoilandgasindustry.Someleadingcompanieshaveadoptedthese
practices,buttoofewhave,whichiswhyemissionsremainunacceptablyhigh.Thatswhywe
needsensiblestandardstosetalevelplayingfieldforeveryone.
Settingthefirstnationalstandardsformethaneemissionsfromtheoilandgasindustry
isanimportantmove,butitcantbethelast.Thisproposaladdressesmethaneemissionsfrom
newlybuiltandmodifiedoilandgasoperations,butnotfromtheexistingfacilitiesthataccount
foralloftoday'semissionsandwillstillaccountfor90percentoftheproblemby2018.
InJanuary,thePresidentsetagoalofreducingmethanepollution4045%by2025.
Additionalactionsbygovernmentareneededtoachievethisgoal.Thequestiontoaskofany
proposalishowfardoesittakeustowardachievinga45percentreduction,andhowquickly
doesitgetusthere?
Formoreinformation,visitEDFs
NaturalGasImpacts
webpage.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
NatureAbounds
issuedthisstatementinsupportoftheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
proposaltoreducemethaneemissions
fromoilandgasoperations
"Theproposedrulesareprettycommonsense.Forexample,underthenewrulesenergy
companiesaremandatedtofindandrepairleaks,saidNatureAbounds'PresidentMelinda
HughesWert.Companieswouldalsohavetocapturethenaturalgaswhencompletinga
frackedwellandtheywouldhavetolimitemissionsfromothertypesoffrackingrelated
equipmentsuchaspneumaticpumps.It'ssadthatindustryhastoberegulatedtocontrolthe
emissions,butunfortunatelymanycompaniesdonotdosocurrently."
Whilesomeindustryexpertsmaybelievethatthenewregulationsmayhurttheeconomy,
HughesWertdoesn'tthinkthisisthecase.
"Thenewmethaneemissionsrulesmakessenseeconomically.Theypromoteamore
efficientsystemwhichshouldequalmoreearningopportunitiesfortheindustry.Webelieve
theserulesareagreatsteptoahealthierfutureforall.Wewouldlovetoseetheserulesapplied
toexistingsourcesaswellasthenewones."
NatureAbounds
isanonprofitenvironmentalorganizationbasedinDuBois,Clearfield
County.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
AP:HouseGOPPlansVetoOverrideVotesTuesdayOnPartsOfStateBudget

The
AssociatedPressreportedFriday
HouseRepublicansplantoholdvotesonTuesdayto
overrideGov.WolfvetooftheRepublicanbudgetpassedinJuneonesectionatatime.
Republicanswouldneed17Democraticvotestobesuccessfulonanyvetooverrides.
DemocratshavesaidthepiecemealvotestooverridetheGovernorsvetoare
unconstitutionalandaDuquesneUniversitylawprofessoragrees.
Capitolwire.com
Fridayreported:Wastingmoretimewithanotherroundof
unconstitutionalstuntsontheflooroftheHouse,andtryingtopickwinnersandlosers,isnot
goingtomakehumanserviceprovidersandtheirvulnerableclientswhole,saidHouseMinority
LeaderFrankDermody(DAllegheny),inastatementreactingtotheHouseGOPplan.Itstime
tonegotiateanhonestbudgetthatrestoresthedevastatingcutsRepublicansmadeinthepastand
providespredictableandsustainablefundingtomeetPennsylvaniascriticalneeds.
TheWolfAdministrationisofthesameopinion.
Itstimeforthegimmicksandgamestostop,saidWolfspokesmanJeffSheridanabout
thepotentiallineitemvetooverrides.WhileGov.Wolftakesaseriouslookattheirproposal,
theRepublicansaretryingtoundercutanyprogressbycontinuingtoplaygameslikethiswhen
theyknowtheiroverridethreatsareunconstitutional,asclearlylaidoutunderArticleIV,Section
15ofthePennsylvaniaConstitution.
ThesecontinuedstuntsbyRepublicansaredoingadisservicetothepeopleof
Pennsylvania.Weneedthemtogetseriousforonce,Sheridanadded.
TheHouseisonlyscheduledtobeinvotingsessiononTuesdaynextweekanddoesnot
returntofullvotingsession,whentheSenatedoes,untilSeptember21.
EarlierInTheWeek
Gov.TomWolfWednesdayannouncedhissupportforanappropriationtobeincludedin
afinalbudgettoreimburseschooldistrictsandsmallnonprofitsfortheinterestpayments
incurredonloansasaresultofthebudgetimpasse,butnotmuchelsehappenedthisweek.
Sure,theRepublicanspresentedGov.Wolfwithatakeitorleaveitproposalon
educationfundingandpensions,butthosewereimmediatelypannedbythestateslargest
teachersunionandapparentlydidntgettractionwithDemocraticlawmakers.
Besidesthat,notmuchprogress.
Ontheissueofinterestpaymentreimbursements,theCommonwealthalreadyprovides
reimbursementtoqualifiedsmallbusinessesforinterestwhentheCommonwealthdoesnotpay
aninvoicefor45days.Thegovernorsupportsthisbeingextendedtoschooldistricts,similarto
thereimbursementprovidedinthe2003budget,andtosmallnonprofits.
Iunderstandthesituationthatschooldistrictsandhumanservicesagenciesare
experiencingasaresultofthebudgetimpasse,andthatswhyIamproposingthatanyfinal
budgetincludeanappropriationtoreimbursedistrictsandsmallnonprofitsfortheinterest
paymentsincurredonloansasaresultoftheimpasse,saidGov.Wolf.Iamfightingtoreacha
finalagreementonacomprehensivebudgetthatrestoresfundingforschoolsandhumanservices
agenciesandIknowthechallengesthateachhavefacedasaresultofdrasticcutstofunding
overthepastfouryears.Thatswhymybudgetisahugelyimportantstepinrestoringthesestate
funds.
Underthegovernorsproposal,asmallnonprofitmustbeanindependentlyownedand
operatedentitythatemploys100orfeweremployeesandcannotbeasubsidiaryoraffiliateof
eitherofacorporationorofanonprofitthatemploysmorethan100people.
Thesmallnonprofitorganizationmusthaveacontractorgranteitherdirectlywiththe
Commonwealthorwithacountyprogramthatreceivesandpassesthroughstategrantfundsto
thenonprofit(ex:amentalhealthprogramundercontractwithagranttoacounty)andthestate
programfundingmustprovidemorethan50percentofthenonprofitsannualoperating
revenues.
NewsClips:
HouseGOPPlansVetoOverrideVotesOnPartsOfBudget
HouseRepublicansLookToOverridePartsOfWolfBudget
FedsShowPADrillingRevenuesSharplyLowerThanOtherStates
WolfNotFazedByGOPsTakeItOrLeaveItOffer
WolfWeighs$400MSchoolFundingOfferFromGOP
RepublicansOfferWolfEducation,PensionProposals
GOPPensionDealMetWithChillyReceptionBySomeDems
CormanReportsNoProgress,Wolf:GOPDoesntWantCompromise
Video:WolfTalksPensions,Education,LatestBudgetMeeting
LawmakersSeeOwnFundsDwindleInBudgetFight
UnitedWaySurveyShowsBudgetStalemateImpactOnNonprofits
WolfWantsNonprofitCostsCovered
StateImpact:U.S.EIAReportsPADrillingRevenuesMuchLowerThanOtherStates
StateImpactreportedFriday
a
U.S.EnergyInformationAgencystudy
foundPennsylvania
receivesmuchlessrevenuethanotherstatesfromoilandgasdrillingoperationslessthan1
percentofstaterevenuesarefromtheAct13drillingimpactfee.
Theaveragerevenuereceivedbyotherstatesistwopercentorless.Otherstatesare
muchmoredependedonoilandgasseverancetaxrevenues,forexample,Alaskareceives90
percentofitsbudgetfromoilandgastaxes,NorthDakotaabout14percent,Wyomingnearly40
percentandTexasabout11percent.
Acopyofstudy
isavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
Pennsylvanias
electronicsrecyclinglaw
passedwithfanfarein
2010hassofarfailedtoprovidetherobustelectronicsrecycling
opportunitiesintendedbyitssupporters.
Pennsylvaniasmostpopulouscounties:Philadelphia,
Bucks,Chester,Delaware,andMontgomeryhave,infact,
discontinuedelectronicsrecycling,othershaveoperated
recyclingprogramswithoutsupportfromtherecyclinglaw
becausethesystemisbroken.
DEPnotifiedthehardwaremanufacturerswhofundthe
programinJunethat18countieshadnoelectronicsrecyclingopportunities:Armstrong,Bucks,
Bradford,Cameron,Carbon,Chester,Clinton,Cumberland,Delaware,Huntingdon,
Montgomery,Montour,Perry,Philadelphia,Pike,Sullivan,Susquehanna,andWyoming.
Itsexpectedtobeworseforthecomingyear.
Pennsylvanianowhasabout560electronicsrecyclinglocations,downfromcloseto
1,000duringthefirstyearsoftheprogram.
Thecauseofthefailureissimple:makersofdesktopcomputers,laptopcomputers,
computermonitors,computerperipheralsandtelevisionssoldtoconsumersinPennsylvaniaare
notrequiredbylawtopaythetruecostofrecyclingtheseelectronicdevices,inparticular
oldstyleCRTtelevisionswithleadedglassscreens.
Hardwaremanufacturersmakecontractswithcommunitiesandrecyclerstorecycletheir
shareofelectronicsuptoanamountseteachyearbasedontheweightofthenewproductsthey
sellthepreviousyear.
(
ClickHere
foraDEPfactsheetonhowtheprocessworks.)
Hardwaremakersarenotonlynotrequiredbylawtopaytheactualcostofrecycling,
theyalsodonothavetopaytorecyclealltheelectronicscollectedbylocalprogramstheyhelp
fund,justtheirsharebyweight.
Asaresult,somecommunitieshavebeenstuckwithelectronicstheycollectedbecause
manufacturersdidnotpayformorethantheirshare.Inothercases,theystopacceptingsome
electronicdevicesbecausetheyaresimplytoocostlytorecycle.
TheleadedglassinCRTtelevisionsinparticularhasbeenaproblem,sincetheyare
heavyanddifficultandexpensivetorecycleandmustbeshippedoutofPennsylvaniaforsafe
processing.
Becausemanufacturersdonotpayfortheactualcostofrecycling,thishasleadtomany
CRTscollectedasaresultoftherecyclinglawtobesimplystoredinwarehousesandtruck
trailersalloverthestate,almostineverycounty.
Inonecase,thereisawarehousewithanestimated8millionpoundsofleadedglass
waitingtoberecycled,but,inreality,itisjustbeingstored.
Bylaw,leadedglassfromCRTsbeingwarehousedforaperiodoftimewithoutbeing
recycled
isconsideredahazardouswaste
andmustbecleanedupaccordingly.
Ultimately,thehardwaremanufacturersthatfundtheprogramareresponsible,underthe
law,forseeingthatthematerialstheypaytohavecollectedareactuallyrecycledandcanbeheld
liableforcleanupifthematerialsaresimplywarehoused.
Todate,DEPhasnottakenanyenforcementactionagainsthardwaremanufacturers
relatedtothewarehousingofleadedglassCRTs.
Inaprovisionuniqueinstateenvironmentallaw,the
electronicsrecyclinglaw
requires
DEPtoseekauthorizationfromtheOfficeofAttorneyGeneraltoundertakeenforcement
actions.DEPisnowseekingthatauthorization,buthassofarithasnotbeenreceived.
Anotherunintendedconsequenceofthelawnotrequiringhardwaremakerstopaythe
truecostofrecycling,isithasforcedsomerecyclerstodropoutofthehardware
makersupportedrecyclingprogramaltogetherandreturntoafeeforservicemodelthatcharges
consumersforrecycling.
Thisisobviouslynotwhatthelawhadinmind,butithasbeentheonlywaytomake
electronicsrecyclingavailableinsomeareas,inparticularinWesternPennsylvania.
Inotherwords,toprovideforelectronicsrecycling,communitiesandrecyclersinsome
areashavehadtoavoidthePennsylvaniaelectronicsrecyclingprogramentirely.
Thedwindlingnumberofelectronicsrecyclingopportunitiesisalsoleadingtomore
frequentreportsofroadsidedumpingofelectronics,andCRTtelevisionsinparticular,because
theelectronicsrecyclinglawalsobansthedisposalofelectronicsinlandfills,accordingto
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
.
Otherstates,
likeConnecticut
,setaminimumrecyclingpricehardwaremakersmustpay
thatismuchclosertotheactualcostofrecyclingmakingtheprogramviable.
ItwouldtakeamajorchangeinPennsylvaniaselectronicsrecyclinglawtoreallyfixthe
manyproblemswiththeprogram.
Theseproblemsarenotnew,buttheyhavebeenmostlyinsidebaseball,knownonlyto
thosefolksdirectlyinvolved.
The
PittsburghPostGazette
,however,didreportonsomeoftheseproblemsinMayand
CBSPittsburghTV
justdidastoryonthechallengeofrecyclingoldTVsonAugust19.
OnAugust31thereportsareduetoDEPfromhardwaremakersonthenumberofpounds
theyarepreparedtopaytohaverecycledinthecomingyearbasedonlastyearssalesofnew
products.
TheoverallweighttheyreportwillcontinuetodropbecausenoonesellsheavyCRTs
anymoreandwithithardwaremakerswillpayforevenfewerpoundsofPennsylvanias
electronicstoberecycled.
Astheofficialstateelectronicsrecyclingprogramcontinuestoshrink,willwefindeven
moreCRTtelevisionsandotherelectronicwastedumpedbythesideoftheroadorstored
warehousesandtrucktrailersaroundthestate?
Theanswerisyes,unlesswetakeactiontofixPennsylvaniaselectronicsrecyclinglaw.
Formoreinformationontheexistingelectronicsrecyclingprogram,visitDEPs
ElectronicRecyclingManagementProgram
webpage.
Checkwithyour
CountyRecyclingCoordinators
forlegitimateelectronicsrecycling
opportunitiesinyourarea.
Alsooutsideofthestateelectronicsrecyclingprogram,butaneffectiveoptionforsome
devices,arecomputerandotherdevicerecyclingservices,oftenfree,fromretailerslike
Best
Buy
and
Staples
.
NewsClip:
RecyclingOldTVsARealChallengeInPA
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
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(August25):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinking
waterwellconstruction
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependent
counselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(September21):
SenateResolution54
(ArgallRSchuylkill)urgingCongresstoimpose
tariffsonimportedanthracitecoal(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateResolution55
(HutchinsonR
Venango)aconcurrentresolutionestablishingaForestryTaskForceassociatedwiththeJoint
LegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee(
sponsorsummary
).
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
(unlesssoonerrecalled)
September21,22,23,28,29,30
October13,14,19,20,21,26,27,28
November16,17,18
December7,8,9
House
(unlesssoonerrecalled)
August25
September21,22,28(NonVoting),29,30
October5,6,7,19,20,21,26,27,28
November16,17,18,23,24,25(NonVoting)
December7,8,9,14,15,16
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
NewsFromTheCapitol
JointConservationCommitteeIssuesGreenPaperOnFluoridation
The
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
Friday
issuedoneofitsperiodicGreenPaperEnvironmentalIssueMonographsthetopicthistimeis
the
fluoridationofpublicdrinkingwater
.
TheGreenPaperreviewsthelatestscienceandbenefitsoffluoridation,recentpending
legislationandfluoridationtrendsinPennsylvania.
ClickHere
toreadacopyofthisGreenPaper.
ClickHere
tosignupfortheJoint
CommitteesmonthlynewsletterandnoticesofCommitteeactivitiesandpapers.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointConservation
Committee.
NewsClip:
Editorial:WaterDisruptionInWyomingValleyHighlightsAgingPipes
NewsFromAroundTheState
ApplyNowForREAPFarmConservationTaxCreditProgram
Pennsylvaniafarmerswhowanttousebestmanagement
practicesorpurchaseonfarmconservationequipmentcan
nowapplyfor201516
ResourceEnhancementandProtection
(REAP)Program
taxcredits.
Thisisafirstcome,firstservedprogramuntilavailable
fundingisgonetherearenoapplicationrankings.
REAPisataxcreditprogramforagriculturalproducerswho
installbestmanagementpracticesormakeequipment
purchasesthatreduceerosionandsedimentationthatimpacts
Pennsylvaniasstreamsandwatersheds.
Theprogram,administeredbythe
StateConservationCommission
,givesagriculture
producersanincentivetopurchaseconservationequipmentandmaterialstobetterprotectthe
environment.
Pennsylvaniaisfacingchallengingtimes,particularlywiththeupcoming2017
midpointassessmentforourChesapeakeBayWatershedImplementationPlan,anditsupto
agriculturetomeetthechallenge,saidAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding.Theagriculture
industryisexpectedtomake75percentofPennsylvaniastotalnutrientloadreductions,inlarge
partbecauseweshowthegreatestopportunityforachievingrestorationofthebay.
Weredoinggreatworkalreadytosafeguardourlocalwaterways,buttheresmore
worktobedone.IencouragefarmerstotakeadvantageofthefundingREAPprovidestohelp
youcontinuetomakeconservationmindedcapitalimprovementsandmanagementchanges,
Reddingsaid.
Privateinvestorsmayactasasponsorbyprovidingcapitaltoproducersasaprojectis
approvedinreturnfortaxcredits.Anyindividualorbusinesssubjecttotaxationthrough
PersonalIncomeTax,CorporateNetIncomeTax,BankSharesTaxorothersiseligibleto
participateinREAP.
Sincetheprogrambeganin2007,REAPhasawardedtaxcreditsto3,900projects
totaling$50.7million.PublicandprivateenterprisesinvestmentsinREAPhavecontributedto
theconservationprojects,worthmorethan$128million.
From2010to2014,REAPhashelpedreduceanestimatedrunoffofnearly1.4million
poundsofnitrogen,84,000poundsofphosphorusand9,000tonsofsediment.
Farmersmayreceivetaxcreditsofupto$150,000peragriculturaloperationfor50or75
percentofthetotalprojectcost.Themostcommonprojectsapprovedarefornotillplanting
equipment,wastestoragefacilities,conservationplans,nutrientmanagementplans,and
protectingheavyanimaluseareaslikebarnyards.
ApplicationsforthetaxcreditprogramareavailableonAgricultures
REAPProgram
webpageorbycontactingJoelSemkeat7177054032orsendemailto:
jsemke@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
FarmersPreparingForPotentiallyDevastatingBirdFlu
PUCUrgesUtilitiesToTakePrecautionsOnAvianFlu
EPA,DelawareCountyAuthorityResolveWaterQualityViolationsThruSettlement
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandtheU.S.DepartmentofJusticeMonday
announcedasettlementwiththe
DelawareCountyRegionalWaterQualityControlAuthority
resolvingallegedCleanWaterActviolationsinvolvingcombinedseweroverflows(CSOs)tothe
DelawareRiveranditstributaries.
Ina
proposedconsentdecree
,DELCORAhasagreedtodevelopandimplementaplanto
controlandsignificantlyreduceoverflowsfromitssewersystem,whichwillimprovethewater
qualityoftheDelawareRiver,ChesterCreekandRidleyCreeknearPhiladelphia.
BasedoninformationsubmittedbyDELCORA,EPAestimatesthattheAuthoritycould
spendasmuchas$200milliontoimplementanoverflowcontrolplanthatcomplieswiththe
termsoftheCleanWaterAct.
Oncethespecificpollutioncontrolmeasuresareselectedandapproved,thesettlement
requiresDELCORAtoimplementtheplanasquicklyaspossible,witha20yeardeadlinefrom
whenthesettlementisfiledincourttocompletethenecessarycontrols.
DELCORAmustalsopaya$1.375millionpenaltyforpriorviolations,whichwillbe
splitbetweentheUnitedStatesandtheCommonwealthofPennsylvania,acoplaintiffinthis
case.
ThissettlementmeanscleanerwaterforcommunitiesinthegreaterPhiladelphiaarea,
includingmanythathavehistoricallybeenoverburdenedbywaterpollution,saidCynthiaGiles,
assistantadministratorforEPAsOfficeofEnforcementandComplianceAssurance.These
communitieshavedemonstratedhoweffectivelongtermplanningandpublicparticipationcan
protectcleanwaterinawaythatsachievableandcosteffective.
Thisimportantagreementwillprotectresidentsfromsewersthatdischargerawsewage
andothercontaminantsintolocalwaterways,saidAssistantAttorneyGeneralJohnC.Cruden
fortheJusticeDepartmentsEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesDivision.Itisthelatestina
seriesofsettlementswithmunicipalitiesacrossthecountrytoaddressagingandinadequate
sewerinfrastructure,particularlyinoldercommunitieswhereresidentshavehadtodealwith
seweroverflowsforgenerations.Agreementslikethisoneareavictoryforenvironmental
justice.
ThesettlementstandstoaddresslongstandingproblemswithDELCORAscombined
sewersystem,whichwheninundatedwithstormwater,dischargesrawsewage,industrialwaste,
nitrogen,phosphorus,andpollutedstormwaterintoChesterCreek,RidleyCreek,andthe
DelawareRiver.
AccordingtoDELCORA,thevolumeofcombinedsewagethatoverflowsfromthe
systemisapproximately739milliongallonsannually.
Exposuretorawsewagecancausearangeofillnessesfromstomachcrampsanddiarrhea
tolifethreateningailmentssuchascholera,dysentery,infectioushepatitis,andsevere
gastroenteritis.
Children,theelderly,peoplewithweakerimmunesystems,andpregnantwomenface
greaterriskstothehealthimpactsofexposuretosewage.
DELCORAswastewaterfacilitiesserveapproximately500,000peopleinthegreater
Philadelphiaarea,includingmanylowincomecommunities.
Oncefullyimplemented,thesettlementwillhelpreducethedirectexposureof
lowincomeandminoritypopulationsintheserviceareatorawsewage.DELCORAmustalso
seekinputfromthepubliconthelongtermcontrolplan,includingfromChesterand
surroundingcommunitiesthathavehistoricallybeenoverburdenedbypollution.
TheconsentdecreealsorequiresDELCORAtonotifythepublicofCSOdischarges
usingavisualnotificationsystem,includingwarninglightsandflagsatCSOoutfalls,wherea
seweremptiesintolocalwaterways.
Wetakeourcommitmenttotheenvironmentandourcustomersveryseriously,said
RobertWillert,ExecutiveDirectorofDELCORA.Duringa10yearperiod,from1999to2009
DELCORAdevelopedalongtermcontrolplanandinvested$5millionininfrastructure
improvementstoaddresstheissuesofoverflowsduringraineventsthatimpactedthecombined
wastewatersysteminChester.
Willertsaidthatthe$5millioninfrastructureinvestmentincludedupgradestoregulators,
whichcontroltheflowanddischargeofwastewaterduringrainevents.DELCORAalsopaidthe
CityofChester$750,000toputinplacenewstormwaterinletsoncitystreetsthathelpstop
trashanddebrisfromflowingintothecombinedsystem,whichcouldleadtobackupsandthe
unnecessarydischargeofwastewaterfromthesystem.
Willertnotedthatindustrialwastewateriskeptseparatefromthecombinedsystemand
thatDELCORAhasworkedtomitigatetheproblembyrequiringthatnewprojectssuchas
PPLParkandthereconstructionofRoute291divertwatertoaseparatestormwatersystemthat
isdistinctfromthecombinedsystemthatexiststhroughoutmostofChester.
DELCORAhasbroughtonateamofexpertstohelpdevelopthelongtermcontrolplan,
includinganengineeringfirmthatspecializesintheissueofcombinedwastewatersystemsanda
municipalandfinancialservicefirmtohelpdeveloparatemodelforcustomerstofundthe
neededimprovements.
KeepingrawsewageandcontaminatedstormwateroutofthewatersoftheUnitedStates
isoneofEPAsNationalEnforcementInitiatives.EPAisworkingtoreducedischargesfrom
seweroverflowsbysecuringcommitmentsfromcitiestoimplementtimely,affordablesolutions.
Theproposedconsentdecreeissubjecttoa30daypubliccommentperiodandcourt
approvalafteritispublishedintheFederalRegister.
Acopyoftheproposedconsentdecree
isavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
DelcoAgencyPays$1.4MPenaltyOverPollutingClaim
DeNaplesFirmCitedByDEPForBuildingBridgeWithoutPermit
EphrataAreaAuthorityReceivesRecognitionFromPartnershipForSafeWater
The
EphrataAreaJointAuthority
watertreatmentplant,locatedinLancasterCounty,recently
receivedthePresidentsAwardfromthenational
PartnershipforSafeWater
.Thetreatment
plantprovidesdrinkingwaterservicetoapproximately17,937people.
ThePresident'sAwardrecognizesachievementinstringentindividualfilterperformance
goalsforturbidity.TheEphrataAreaJointAuthorityistheninthplanttoreceivethisawardfrom
thePSWinPennsylvania.
ThePSWismadeupofDEP,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,the
PennsylvaniaSectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation,andotherdrinkingwater
organizations.Itsgoalistoimplementpreventativemeasuresthatarebasedonoptimizing
treatmentplantperformanceandmaximizingtheprotectionofpublichealth.
Only22watertreatmentplantsinthenationhavereceivedthePresidentsAwardfrom
thePSW.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
PartnershipforSafeWater
webpageorcontactKevin
Andersonat7177839764orsendemailto:
keanderson@pa.gov
.
(Reprintedfromthe
August20DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
RegisterNowForRiverAlertInformationNetworkSourceWaterProtectionConference
Registrationisnowopenforthe
RiverAlert
InformationNetwork
SourceWaterProtection
Conference
onSeptember17inPittsburgh.Thetheme
oftheConferenceisCelebratingandEnhancingSource
WaterProtection.
Theeventwillfocusonearlywarningspill
detectionandsourcewaterprotectioninwesternPA
andnorthernWestVirginia.Sessionswillcover
practical,collaborativeandcostsavingstepstoprotect
drinkingwater,nowandforfuturegenerations.
TheConferenceisopentoRAINmemberwatersystems,utilities,municipalandother
localofficials,countyandmunicipalplanners,watershedprotectionorganizations,engineers,
industryandlargeriverwaterusersandcitizens.
Formoreinformationortoregister,
downloadtheConferenceflyer
,visittheRAIN
SourceWaterProtectionConference
webpageordirectyourquestionstoShereneHess,RAIN,
7247624162orsendemailto:
Sherene.Hess@rainmatters.org
.
ManadaConservancy:HowHealthyIsYourStream?Sept.8InHershey
The
ManadaConservancy
andPennStateExtensionwillholdahandsonoutdoorworkshopon
September8inHersheytoteachparticipantshowtocheckuponthehealthofyourlocalstream.
The
FirstInvestigationofStreamHealthProtocol
(F.I.S.H.),taughtintheworkshop,is
designedtobeusedbylandownerstomakeobservationsaboutstreamhealthindicatorslike
waterclarity,growthofvegetationandsignsofwildlife.
TheworkshopwillbeheldatSwataraCreekPark,151SouthHanoverStreetinHershey,
DauphinCounty,from69:00p.m.
PleaseR.S.V.P.totheManadaConservancyofficeifyouplantoattendbysendingemail
to:
office@manada.org
orcall7175664122.
NewsClips:
Editorial:RegionMustGoGreenerToFixItsSewers
ManKayaksEntireSusquehannaToBringAttentionToWaterQuality
Video:FastTripDownSchuykillRiverToPhilly
LakeErieAlgaeBloomsContinueToBeAConcern
DEPDocumentsLakeErieShipwrecksSpecialHabitats
Video:DEPUnderwaterCameraExploringLakeErieShipwrecks
Editorial:GreatLakesNeedNewIcebreaker
JohnstownReconsidersItsIndustrialRivers
BalancingFloodProtection,FunInPAsRiverTowns
ButterfliesWelcomedAtLackawannaRiverEvent
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
DEPStudiesShipwreckHabitatInLakeErie
OnAugust12,stafffromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionwentaboardthe
RegionalScienceConsortium
boattostudytheS.K.MartinshipwrecksiteinLakeErie.
Eachyear,DEPstaffvisitseveralshipwrecksitesinLake
Erietodocumentecologicalhabitatsandhistoricalartifacts.
DEPdeploysaremoteoperatedvehicletodepthsofupto60
feettoobservetheshipwreckspresentconditionandto
recordthepresenceofanyspeciesusingthesitesashabitat,
includinginvasivegobiesandmussels.
ThisannualinitiativeismanagedbyDEP's
Coastal
ResourcesManagementProgram
andfundedbyaSection309EnhancementGrantfromthe
NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration.
TheS.K.Martinwasfirstlaunchedin1883asapassengership.Itwasconvertedtoa
bulkfreighterin1888andwassunkwhenitsailedthroughanorthwestgalewhilefullyloaded
withcoal.
NewsClips:
(Reprintedfromthe
August20DEPNews
.
ClickHere
CBFPATeamsWithHeroesOnTheWater,TroutUnlimitedForPaddlingEventAug.29
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
isteamingupwith
HeroesontheWater
andlocal
Trout
Unlimited
chaptersonAugust29tocelebrateandsaluteourveteransthroughadayoffishing
andpaddlingontheSusquehanna!
Veterans,communitymembers,paddlers,fishermen,friends,andfamiliesareall
welcometodiscoverandappreciatetheSusquehannafrom3p.m.7p.m.onAugust29,followed
byadinnerandopenbarwithlivemusic.
Allactivitiesarefreeandopentothepublic.Thedinner/openbarisavailableforjusta
small$5fee.Theeventkicksoffat
Shank'sMareOutfitters
,Wrightsville,YorkCounty.
ClickHere
toreserveyourspottoday.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
Aug.17WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
August17issueoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson
PittReport:FortifyingStormwaterSystemsWithGreenInfrastructure
ResourcesForWaterConservationInTheYardAndGarden

ClearingHabitatAroundFarmFieldsFailsToReducePathogens
PennStateWebinarReviewedNewResearchOnWaterWells,ShaleGasDrilling
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
DEPToHold2ndMeetingOfPipelineInfrastructureTaskForceWednesday
The
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
willholdits
secondmeetingonAugust26intheSusquehannaConference
Rooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton
Ave.,Harrisburgstartingat1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
NoagendaforthemeetinghasbeenpostedbyDEPas
oflateFriday.Noinformationisavailableonwhetherthe
meetingwillbewebcast.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
PECTV:EnvironmentalFocusPipelineTaskForceShowNowOnline
PECTV:EnvironmentalFocusPipelineTaskForceShowNowOnline
TheAugusteditionofEnvironmentalFocus,the
PA
EnvironmentalCouncils
monthlyhalfhourtelevisiontalk
show,
isnowavailableonline
.Thetopicofthismonths
programis
DEPsPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
.
TheshowfeaturesDepartmentofEnvironmental
ProtectionSecretaryandtaskforcechairJohnQuigley.
Inhisinterview,Quigleyoutlinesthemissionand
goalsofthe48membertaskforceasitworkstowardsits
February2016deadlinetomakerecommendationstoGov.
TomWolffora21stcenturynaturalgasdistributionsystem.
FollowingQuigleysinterview,aroundtablediscussionontheproblemsoflocatinggas
pipelineswillincludeNelsJohnson,DirectorofNorthAmericaEnergyattheNature
ConservancyandPECPresidentandCEODavittWoodwell,whohimselfwasappointedtothe
taskforce.
PreviouseditionsofEnvironmentalFocushaveincludedtopicssuchasoutdoor
recreationonPennsylvaniaswaterwaysandPennsylvaniasstatebudget.Theshowhasfeatured
distinguishedguestssuchasDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindy
AdamsDunnandformerDEPSecretaryDavidHess.
EnvironmentalFocusfirstairsonthe
PennsylvaniaCableNetwork
monthly.
ClickHere
toviewallthreeepisodesofEnvironmentalFocus.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
DEPToHold2ndMeetingOfPipelineInfrastructureTaskForceWednesday
70%OfNaturalGasDrillersDoNotRespondToSurveyOnUseOfSmallBusinesses
StateSecretaryofGeneralServices,CurtTopperWednesdayannouncedthereleaseofthe
2014
annualreport
asrequiredbyAct13of2012onthenaturalgasindustry'sutilizationofSmall
DiverseBusinessesinnaturalgasextractionacrossPennsylvania.
Outof78producerssurveyed,approximately70percent(54producers)didnotrespond
tothesurveyanactionwhichisrequiredbylaw.
"Act13requiresnaturalgasproducerstotakesomespecificactionsinregardstothe
utilizationofsmalldiversebusinessesaspotentialcontractors,subcontractorsandsuppliers,"
Toppersaid."Toseesuchalowrateofresponsetothesurveyisdisappointing,consideringour
commitmenttoensurethatopportunitiesarebeingaffordedtosmalldiversebusinessesin
Pennsylvania."
AsmalldiversebusinessisanyDGSverifiedminority,woman,veteran,and
servicedisabledveteranownedbusinessenterprise.
Act13of2012requiresthreethingsfromnaturalgasproducers:1)tomaintainpolicies
prohibitingdiscriminationinemploymentandcontractingbasedongender,race,creedorcolor
2)tousethedepartment'sinternetdatabasetoidentifysmalldiversebusinessesaspotential
contractors,subcontractorsandsuppliersand3)torespondtoanannualsurveydistributedby
DGSwithinninety(90)daysofreceipt.
Findingsofthesurveyrevealedthatofthe21producerswhocompletedthesurvey,only
13usedtheDGSsearchableonlinedirectorytoidentifySDBsasrequiredbystatuteandthen
usedSDBsascontractors,subcontractorsandsuppliersduringin2014.
"Whilethefindingsarenotnecessarilywhatwehopedfor,theydoprovideuswiththe
datanecessaryforustotakealookathowAct13isbeingenforcedandprovide
recommendationstotheGeneralAssemblyonhowwecanimprovecompliancewiththelaw,"
Toppersaid.
DGSrecommendsthatAct13beamendedtoenablethedepartmenttoissuesanctionsfor
noncomplianceauditproducerstoensurecomplianceworkwithproducerstolayoutplansfor
thefutureuseofSDBsandtoconsideraddinggoalsfortheuseofSDBsbyproducersand
incentivesforthosewhomeetandexceedthosegoals.
Response
Ourmembercompaniesaredeeplycommittedtosourcingtheirsupplychainneedsand
hiringlocallywhenandwherepossible.Infact,theoilandgasindustryworkswithmorethan
1,300differentbusinessesacrosstheCommonwealth,saidEricaWright,spokeswomanforthe
MarcellusShaleCoalition
,inastatement.Wewillcontinuetomakecollaborativeefforts
workingwithadiversesetofstakeholders,includingtheDepartmentofGeneralServicesto
furtherexpandtheshalesupplychainincommunitiesacrossPennsylvania.
The2014annualreport
isavailableonline
.
NewsClip:
State:DrillingCompaniesIgnoringMinority,FemaleHiringLaw
August20DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheAugust20issueofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEPReleasesLatestRevisionsOfOilAndGasRegulations
DEPStudiesShipwreckInLakeErie
DEPOffersChesapeakeBayWatershedGrantsToReduceStormwaterRunoff
SecretaryQuigleyDiscussesPipelinesOnPCNsEnvironmentalFocusProgram
DEPOpensCoastalZoneGrantProgram
DEPsDanVilelloReceivesCountyCommissionersAward
EphrataAreaAuthorityReceivesRecognitionFromPartnershipForSafeWater
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
FreshCoatOfPaintGrantsAwardedByKeepPABeautiful,Glidden,TheHomeDepot
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
ispleasedtoannouncetheeightgrantrecipientsoftheir
2015Fresh
PaintDaysPennsylvaniaProgram
.Thisyearseventisheldinpartnershipwithsupportfrom
GliddenProfessionalandTheHomeDepot.
Designedtoprovidecommunitygroupswithpaintandpaintingsupplies,theprogram
enablesthesegroupstorenewacommunitystructureinneedintosomethingbeautifulthrough
theapplicationoffreshpaintandalotofelbowgrease.
DuringthemonthofSeptember,thegrantrecipientswilltransformtheirstructure
utilizingupto20gallonsofexteriorpaints,courtesyofGliddenProfessionalandagiftcardfor
paintingsuppliescourtesyofTheHomeDepot.
Thegrantwinnersare:
NorthBraddockCares,Inc.
NorthBraddock,AlleghenyCounty
FriendsAssociationforCare&ProtectionofChildren
WestChester,ChesterCounty
SistersofSt.JosephNeighborhoodNetwork
Erie,ErieCounty
BoroughofAlburtis
Alburtis,LehighCounty
DupontBorough
Dupont,LuzerneCounty
BoroughofCoudersport
Coudersport,PotterCounty
OilRegionAllianceofBusiness,Industry&Tourism
OilCity,VenangoCounty
Washington&JeffersonCollege
Washington,WashingtonCounty
GliddenProfessionalishonoredtobepartneredwithKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.
FreshPaintDaysisavaluableprogramandIwanttocongratulatethewinnersandwelook
forwardtoworkingwitheachofyourorganizations.Arenewedcommunityappearanceaddsto
homevalues,helpsattractbusinessinvestments,andimprovestheneighborhoodsoverall
appearance,saidDanCorumNorthernDivisionSalesManagerforGliddenProfessionalPaints.
ThroughourpartnershipwithGliddenProfessionalandTheHomeDepot,FreshPaint
DaysPennsylvaniaempowerscommunitygroupstotakeadirectroleincommunity
revitalizationefforts,explainsShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.Somethingas
simpleasafreshcoatofpaintonacommunitystructuresendsastrongmessagethatwecare
aboutourcommunities.CongratulationstotherecipientsofthisyearsFreshPaintDays
Pennsylvaniagrants.
Formoreinformation,visittheKeepPABeautiful
FreshPaintDaysPennsylvania
webpage.
NewsClips:
GuttingTheGalleryForRecyclingInPhiladelphia
ResearchIntoRareEarthMineralsInCoalAsh
YukonLandfillFined$70KForNoxiousOdors
SaveTheDate:PAResourcesCouncilAwardsDinnerNov.12
The
PAResourcesCouncil
willholditsannualawardsdinner
onNovember12from69:00p.m.atthe
AcademyofNatural
SciencesofDrexelUniversity
,1900BenjaminFranklin
Parkway,Philadelphia.
Thedinnerwillincludeanetworkingreceptionand
dinner,wineandbeertasting,silentauctionandwildly
deliciouscuisine.
Moreinformationaboutsponsorshipsanddinner
ticketswillbeavailableonthe
PAResourcesCouncil
website
orbycalling6103531555ext.230.
NewsClips:
SaveTheDate:PAEnvironmentalEducatorsConferenceMarch1416PoconoManor
The2016annualconferenceofthe
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
willbeheld
March1416atTheInnatPoconoManorinPoconoManor,MonroeCounty.Thethemewillbe
BreakingBad,CreatingNew.
Atthe2015conference,over150educators,naturalists,schoolteachers,principals,early
childhoodeducators,andstudentsfromacrossPennsylvaniaattendedtheconferencethatfocused
onbuildingconnectionsbetweenstudents,educatorsandnature.
Workshopsandspeakerscovertopicsincluding:Bestpracticesinenvironmental
educationProgramevaluationNaturalhistory&ecologyStafftraining&evaluationand
Educationalresearch
Thisfocusofthisyear'sconferenceisallaboutcombiningpastexperiencesandcurrent
understandingtobreathenewlifeintoourorganizations,programsandstaffs.Theannual
conferenceisagreatchancetocatchupwithcolleagues,meetnewpeople,taketimetoevaluate
yourprogramsandreconnectwithwhatdrivesustobeenvironmentaleducators.
Applicationstopresentaworkshopattheupcomingconferencewillbeavailablesoon,as
wellasinformationaboutregistration.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
website.
NewsClip:
WhyDickinsonCollegeIsOneOfGreenestColleges
VolunteersNeededToPaintWissahickonEnvironmentalCenterPorchAug.29
FriendsoftheWissahickon
isseekingvolunteerstohelppainttheporchofthe
Wissahickon
EnvironmentalCenter
,(theTreeHouse),300W.NorthwesternAve.,PhiladelphiaonAugust
29at9a.m.
TheTreeHouseporchhasbeenrebuilt,agreenroofcreatedbyRoofmeadowhasbeen
installedonthebuildingandallthatslefttobedoneistopainttheporch.Thisareaisprimarily
usedforenvironmentaleducationprogramsattheTreeHouse.
Wellcelebratetheprojectscompletionwithapicniconthelawn.EmailFOWvolunteer
coordinatorJohnHolbackbysendingemailto:
holback@fow.org
toregister.
LacawacSanctuaryWallyLakeFest,OtherUpcomingEducationalPrograms
The
LacawacSanctuary
issponsoringavarietyofeducationalprogramsoverthenextmonthat
the
WallenpaupackEnvironmentalLearningCenter
inHawley,WayneCounty,andother
venues.
Programsinclude:
August22:
CloseEncountersWithLiveBirdsOfPrey
August29
:
WildEdiblesWalk
August30
:TheYoungGeezersConcertaspartofthe
WallyLakeFest
2015.
ClickHere
foralistofjustafewoftheprograms.
PUCFinalizesRuleOnSupplierInformationOnNaturalGasBills
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayfinalizedrecommendationsthatwillprovide
consumerswithmoreinformationfromtheirnaturalgassuppliersontheirutilitybill.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovechangesproposedbythe
PUCsOfficeof
CompetitiveMarketOversight
,whichwillprovideforamoresupplieroriented,consolidated
naturalgasbill.
TheadoptedchangesprovidefortheinclusionoftheNGSslogoonthebillthe
expansionofbillmessagingspaceallottedtoNGSsandtheinclusionofaShoppingInformation
Box,whichwillincludeacustomersaccountorsupplierIDnumber,acustomersrateschedule
and,ifalreadyshopping,aremindertocustomerstoknowtheircontractexpirationdate.
TheCommissionsgoalistoincreasecustomerawarenesswhenparticipatinginthe
competitiveretailnaturalgasmarketandtoprovidemoreinformationfromNGSson
utilityconsolidatedbills.
Ensuringthatwehavemarketdesignsthatallowconsumerstomakeinformedchoices
willbecomeevenmoreimportantasmoreofPennsylvaniaselectricgenerationshiftstoward
naturalgasinlightoftheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencysCleanPowerPlanunderSection
111(d)oftheCleanAirAct,saidCommissioner
PamelaA.Witmerinastatement
.In
Pennsylvania,ourgenerationmixremainsdiversified,butnaturalgasisclosingthegap...
Accordingly,IwholeheartedlysupporttodaysactionandIlookforwardtocontinuedeffortsto
enhanceandencourageactiveparticipationinPennsylvaniasretailnaturalgasmarket.
ThechangeswereproposedbyOCMOasaresultofthePUCsRetailMarkets
Investigation,whichwasintendedtoimprovethestatesretailnaturalgasmarket,andfollow
similarchangesimplementedlastyearforelectricgenerationsuppliers.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUCs
NaturalGas
webpage.
NewsClips:
PUCSetsNewRulesForGasHeatingBills
NaturalGasBillsToEncourageShoppingForSuppliers
StateGivesDuquesneLightMoreTimeOnSwitchingRegs
CourtReviewOfPPLCaseCouldAlterLiability
PUCUrgesUtilitiesToTakePrecautionsToPreventSpreadOfAvianFlu
ThePublicUtilityCommissionWednesdayurgedutilitiesandtheirtruckdriverstounderstand
andpracticebiosecuritymeasureswhenoperatingonornearpoultryfarms,aspartofa
cooperativestatewideefforttosafeguardagainsttheoutbreakof
avianinfluenza
.
Whilehighlypathogenicavianinfluenza(HPAI)virusdoesnotposeathreattohuman
health,itcanhaveadevastatingimpactonthepoultryindustry,anditisvitalforeveryone
movingaroundfarmstotakestepstohelppreventthepossiblespreadofthisdisease,saidPUC
ChairmanGladysM.Brown.ThePennsylvaniaDepartmentofAgricultureisrequestingthatall
farmservicebusinessesincludingutilitiesuseheightenedbiosecuritypracticeswhen
operatingaroundpoultryfarms.ThePUCurgesutilitiestotakethisissueseriously.
Accordingtoagricultureofficials,HPAIhasnotyetbeendetectedinPennsylvania,but
outbreakshavebeenmovingcloserandthereisagreatconcernthatitmayappearinourstate
thisyear.Equipmentandpeoplethattravelfromfarmtofarmmayinadvertentlyspreadthe
virus.
WhilewehavenotbeenimpactedbyHPAIyet,werealizethatwhenbirdsbegin
migratingthisfallthatourchancesofthevirusenteringthestateincrease,saidstateAgriculture
SecretaryRussellRedding.Wehavetocontinuetosafeguardourstates$13billionpoultry
industryandalargepartofthateffortmeansputtingstrongbiosecuritymeasuresinplace.
KeepingHPAIatbayrequirestheassistanceofallPennsylvaniansandthehardworkofeachof
usinvolvedinthepoultryindustry.
Aspartofenhancedbiosecurityefforts,employeesandvisitorsonsomefarms(including
utilityworkers)maybeaskedtotakecertainactions,suchas:
Avoidingcertainareasonthefarms
Allowingtiresandpartsofvehiclestobesprayedwithdisinfectantwhenenteringandleaving
thepropertyand
Wearingprotectiveclothing,suchasdisposablebootsorcoverallswhileworkingonthefarm.
ChairmanBrownnotedthatitisimportantforutilitiestobeabletoaccesstheirlinesand
facilitiesinordertomaintainreliableandsafeservice.Sheurgedallpartiestowork
cooperativelyinaddressingthisuniquebiosecurityconcern,whilealsoensuringdependable
utilityservice.
Formoreinformationoneffectiveprecautions,visitAgricultures
AvianInfluenza
webpage.
NewsClips:
UpdatedDEPScheduleForMosquitoSpraying
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandWestNileProgramsacrossthestate
announcedmosquitospraydatesinthecomingweek.Theyinclude
August24:
BlairCounty
(partsofAlleghenyTownshipandHollidaysburgBorough)
Bucks
County
(partsofBensalemTownshipandBristolTownship)
CumberlandCounty
(partsof
MechanicsburgBoroughandSilverSpringTownship)
YorkCounty
*(partsofManchester
Township)
August25:
AlleghenyCounty
(partsofPittsburghCity)
CumberlandCounty
(partsof
HopewellTownship,NewburgBorough,andNewvilleBorough)and
August26:
CumberlandCounty
(partsofMtHollySpringsBoroughandSouthMiddleton
Township).
ClickHere
foralistofspraydates.Formoreinformation,visitthe
WestNileVirus
website.
NaturalLandsTrustTransfers54AcresForFrenchCreekStatePark
NaturalLandsTrust
haspurchasedandtransferreda54acreparceloflandto
FrenchCreekState
Park
inChesterandBerkscounties,improvingthepublicsaccesstothepopularpark.
PurchasedonJune30,2015,theFranklinL.Smithpropertywillallowtheparktoreroute
aportionofthe140mileHorseshoeTrailfromitscurrentlocation,whichleadsvisitorsthrough
landownedbytheSouthBirdsboroGunClub.
TheStateParkalsohasplanstoinstallaparkinglotonthenewparceltoimprovepark
andtrailaccess.
TheFranklinL.SmithpropertylieswithinthecoreoftheHopewellBigWoodsthe
largestblockofcontiguousforestbetweenNewYorkandWashington,D.C.whichhasbeena
focusofconservationeffortsbyNaturalLandsTrustandmorethan50privateandpublic
partnersoverthepastdecade.
Italsolieswithinthe
SchuylkillHighlandsConservationLandscape
,anareaatthe
intersectionofthePAHighlandsandtheSchuylkillRiverWatershedthathasbeendesignatedby
theDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesasapriorityforconservation,
recreationalaccess,andcompatibleeconomicdevelopment.
Mr.Smithpurchasedthepropertyin1957.
Throughoutthose58yearswewereprivilegedtoliveinharmonywiththeland,flora,
andfauna,saidSteveCondict,soninlawtoFranklinL.Smith.Thisisagreatand
welldeservedadditiontotheparkandHopewellBigWoods.Itisalegacythatbothmyfather
andmywifesfatherwouldheartilyapproveof.
SeventyonepercentofPennsylvaniasforestsareprivatelyowned,aswasthecasewith
theFranklinL.Smithproperty,puttingthematriskfordevelopment.Thedensewoodlandsare
hometoScarletTanagers,IndigoBuntings,boxturtles,matureoaktrees,ladysslipperorchids,
mountainlaurel,andwildazalea.
ThepurchaseisthelatestadditionthatNaturalLandsTrusthashelpedtomaketoFrench
CreekStatePark.Todate,theorganizationhasworkedwithDCNRtoadd384acrestothepark.
Landpreservationsuccesseslikethisoneareonlypossiblewiththesupportofourmany
partners,andfamilieswhochooseconservation,saidMollyMorrison,NaturalLandsTrusts
president.Ourlivesandourlocalenvironmentwouldbesubstantiallydiminishedhadfamilies
liketheCondictsnotmadetheseselflesschoices.
Thisisanexcellentexampleofpartnershipsinactionthatwillbenefitthepublicby
expandingaverypopularandheavilyvisitedstatepark,DCNRsecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
said.Weplantoincorporatethisvaluabletractintotheparksexistingwoodlandwhereitwill
serveasabufferagainstdevelopment,helpwithopenspaceprotection,andconnectresidents
andvisitorstotheoutdoors.
Supportforthisconservationsuccesswasprovidedbythe
KeystoneRecreation,Parkand
ConservationFund
OpenSpaceInstituteHighlandsBayshoreFund
Departmentof
CommunityandEconomicDevelopmentCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauofRecreationandConservation,BureauofState
ParksVirginiaCretellaMarsFoundationandananonymousgiftinmemoryofAbbotF.Low.
NewsClips:
KeystoneStateParkRanks#5InNationForFamilyFishing,Boating
TuscaroraStateParkBeachClosedDueToBacteria
AgricultureSecretaryHighlightsUpdatesToCleanAndGreenTaxReliefProgram
Pennsylvanias
CleanandGreenLaw
hasbeenprovidingPennsylvanianswithvoluntaryrural
propertytaxrelieffornearlyfourdecadesinrecognitionoftheircommitmenttopreservingthe
landinproductionagriculture,openspaceorforestedtracts,AgricultureSecretaryRussell
ReddingremindedPennsylvaniansThursday.
Theregulationswereupdatedearlierthissummer,allowingformoreuniform
administrationoftheprogram.
Propertytaxesincreasewhenadditionalservicesarerequiredforthatarea,whether
thoseareschools,apoliceforce,additionalstreetmaintenance,orotherlocalservices,said
Redding.CleanandGreenrecognizesthatforests,farmlandandotheropenspacesdontrequire
thesamelocalservicecostsasdevelopedareas,andoffersfarmers,homeownersandother
landownerstheopportunitytoreceivepropertytaxrelief.
CleanandGreenisavoluntary,preferentialtaxassessmentprogramthatbasesproperty
taxesonusevaluesratherthanfairmarketvalues.Thisordinarilyresultsinataxsavingsfor
eligiblelandowners.
TheGeneralAssemblyenactedtheprogramin1974asatooltoencourageprotectionof
thecommonwealth'svaluablefarmland,forestlandandopenspaces.Currently,morethan9.3
millionacresareenrolledstatewide.
TheDepartmentofAgricultureupdatedtheprogramthispastJune,providingfurther
guidancethatpromotestheefficientanduniformstatewideadministrationoftheact,updating
andsupplantingoutdatedandinadequateprovisionsandimplementingchangesmadeinthe14
yearssincetheactwaslastupdated.
Itwastimetotakeacloselookattheprovisionsofourregulationsandensuretheymet
thestandardsofthelaw,saidRedding.
Highlightsoftheimprovementsinclude:
Oilandgasdevelopment
:Regulationprovidesforalimitedrollbacktaxonjustthoseareas
permanentlydevotedtotheactivityafterreclamationoccurs
Alternativeenergy
:Regulationincludestieronealternativeenergysystems(includingwind,
solarandbiomass)primarilyforuseonthefarmintheeligibilitydefinitions
Commercialwindenergy
:Regulationprovidesforalimitedrollbacktaxonjustthoseareas
devotedtowinddevelopment
Farmsteadland
:Regulationaddresseshowfarmsteadlandmustbeassessedand
Recreationalleasing
:Regulationprovidesforrecreationalleasingwithoutrollbacktaxes
providedtheleaseoccursonAgriculturalUseorForestReserveproperty.
ToqualifyforCleanandGreen,apropertymustbe10acresinsize,andinAgricultural
Use,AgriculturalReserveorForestReserve.Thesearedefinedas
AgriculturalUse
isforlandusedtoproduceanagriculturalcommodityorenrolledina
federalconservationprogram.
AgriculturalReserveland
isnoncommercialopenspacelandusedforoutdoorrecreationor
enjoymentofscenicornaturalbeautyandopentothepublicforsuchusewithoutchargeorfee.
ForestReserveLand
islandof10acresormorecapableofproducingtimberorotherwood
products.
AgriculturalUseapplicationsmaybelessthan10acresinsizeifthepropertyiscapable
ofgeneratingatleast$2,000annuallyinfarmincome.
LandownersmayvoluntarilyremovetheirlandfromCleanandGreen,butmustpay
sevenyearsofrollbacktaxesthetaxesthatwouldhavebeenowedifthelandwasnotenrolled
inCleanandGreenatsixpercentinterestperyear.
LandenrolledinCleanandGreenforlessthansevenyearsisonlysubjecttorollback
taxesonthoseyearsthelandwasenrolledintheprogram.
TheDepartmentofAgriculturesuppliescountyassessmentofficeswithCleanandGreen
programusevaluesannually.Thecountyhastheoptiontoimplementthesevaluesoruselower
values.
Formoreinformation,visitAgricultures
CleanandGreen
webpage.
NewsClips:
WildlandsConservancyAnnualGreenGalaNov.20,OtherUpcomingEvents
The
WildlandsConservancy
willholditsannual
GreenGala
November20attheUniversity
CenterontheDeSalesUniversitycampusinCenterValley,LehighCounty.
ClickHere
formore
informationonvolunteering,sponsoringandmoreorcontactAlanRaisman,Communications
Associate,6109654397ext.135orsendemailto:
araisman@wildlandspa.org
.
ClickHere
tolearnaboutprogramsandeventsbythe
.
BrodheadWatershedAssn.DevelopsNewWebsiteForPoconoHikers
A
newwebsite
featuringpreservesandtrailsinthePoconosgiveshikersacomprehensive
resourceforfindingoutdooradventuresisnowavailablefromthe
BrodheadWatershed
Association
.
GetOutdoorsPoconos
,agrantfundedseriesthatfeaturesmonthlyhikingeventsrelating
tothenewwebsite.Gotothewebsiteforeventinformation,trailmaps,hikershints,photosand
featurestories.
Afterthemonthlyevents,ahikersarchiveoftrailinformationwillbeavailableonthe
site.ThesesitesandmapsareeasilyaccessedonsmartphonesviaQRcodespostedattrailheads.
GetOutdoorsPoconos
website.
SusquehannaGreenwayIssues2014ProgressReport
The
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnership
thisweekissuedits2014ProgressReportwhich
highlightstheworkitdoeswithmanypartnerstomakeitpossibletowalk,bikeorpaddlefrom
rivertowntorivertownalongtheSusquehannaRiver.
TheReportlistsnewtrails,newpublicriveraccessandmanyotherlocalprojectsbythe
Partnership.
ClickHere
toreadtheProgressReport.
HawkMountainFallRaptorCountNowUnderway
TheFallraptorcountisnowunderwayatthe
HawkMountainSanctuary
inBerksCountywith
regulardaily
reportsareavailableonline
.
ClickHere
tosubscribetoregularemailupdatesfrom
HawkMountain.
NewsClips:
VermontNativeToLeadPGCWildlifeManagement
WildlifeForEveryone:HerefordManorLakeRestorationUnderwayInBeaverCounty
The
WildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundation
haspartneredwith
RestoreHerefordManor
Lake
andthe
BeaverCountySportsmensConservationLeague
tofacilitatethequickrepairof
theHerefordManorLakeDam.
Locatedlessthan30milesfromdowntownPittsburghinFranklinTownship,thelakeand
itssurroundingpropertyencompass428acrescriticaltothecommunityecosystemandonce
valuableforfishing,boating,hunting,hiking,bikingandotherrecreationalactivities.
ThousandsofcitizensutilizedHerefordManorLakeforrecreationalpurposeseachyear.
Infact,itwasthemostfishedtroutlakeinPennsylvania.However,in2011thelakewasdrained
whenthemorethan50yearoldHerefordManorLakedamwasclassifiedasahighhazard,
unsafedam.Now,thesiteisofflimitsandsitsasadriedgrassbasinandthelakes
disappearancehasstrainedthelocaleconomy.
WildlifeForEveryoneprovidesanavenuefortaxdeductiblecontributionstorestorethe
damandlake,recognizingtheimportanceofHerefordManorLakeasacommunityresourceand
wildlifehabitat.HerefordManorLakeprovidesvitalwildlifehabitatforwaterfowlandaquatic
creatures.Italsoservesasanoutletforoutdoorsactivitiesforallgenerations.
Formoreinformationonmakingadonation,visitthe
WildlifeForEveryone
website.
NewsClips:
CentralPAConservancy:SupportPreservationOfLeTortWatershed
The
CentralPennsylvaniaConservancy
hasobtaineda
purchaseoptionon30acresontheLeTortheadwatersin
CumberlandCounty,includingthewatercressfarmand
adjoiningproperty.Thetotalcostoftheacquisitionwillbe$315,000.
Thefundingwillcomeprimarilyfromgrants,butCPCmustcomeupwith$65,000
towardsamatchandothercostsassociatedwiththetransaction.TheConservancyhasalready
paid$10,000forthepurchaseoption,whichwillbeappliedtothepurchase.
Permanentlyprotectinga30acrebufferaroundthiswaterwaywillmitigateimpactsfrom
agricultureanddevelopment,restorethenaturalwetlands,improvetheinstreamhabitatforwild
browntrout,secureaccesstothisprominentdestinationforfishermenandhikers,provide
opportunitiesforenvironmentaleducation,andpreservethehistoryofthesiteasaformer
ShawneevillageandhomesteadofJamesLeTort,CarlislesfirstEuropeansettler.
TheLeTortSpringRunisperhapsoneofthemosthistorictroutstreamsinAmerica.It
wasontheLeTortwhereVinceMarinaro,CharlieFox,EdShenk,andotherspioneered
terrestrialtroutfishing,matchingtheTricohatchandvariousothertechniquesthatmodernfly
anglerstakeforgranted.
TheCPCisspearheadingafallfundraiserwiththetheme,"SupporttheLeTort
PreservingCarlislesConservationLegacy,"onOctober11,47:30p.m.
Theeventwillbeheldatthe
Ironmaster'sMansion
atPineGroveFurnaceStatePark,
Gardners,AdamsCountyandwillincludeafarmtotableharvestdinner,entertainment,astudent
display,andasilentauction.
ClickHere
foronlineregistrationformandmoreinformation.
LookforadditionaldetailsabouttheLeTortinupcomingissuesof
MidAtlanticFly
FishingGuide
.
FishCommissionSpecialMentoredYouthFishing,PhotoContestLaborDayWeekend
Summermaybewindingdown,butfishingopportunitiesforfamiliesandkidsareincreasing,
thankstoWednesdaysannouncementbytheFishandBoatCommissionthatitwillbestocking
troutinfourwatersfora
specialmentoredyouthevent
onLaborDay.
Thefourwatersareinadditionto17PanfishEnhancementlakeswhichwillbeusedto
offerkidsandtheirmentorsaspecialfishingexperienceontheholiday,whichfallson
September7.
Toencourageparticipantstosharetheirexperiences,thePFBCwillholdaspecialphoto
contest
throughitsFacebookpage
beginningonLaborDay.Thephotocontestwillrunfrom
LaborDaythroughSeptember13.Participantsmustbeatleast18yearsold.Prizesincludes
$100,$50and$25giftcardsto
BassProShops
.
Formanypeople,LaborDayoffersthelastlongweekendtobeonthewaterbefore
gettingbacktotheroutineofschool,saidPFBCExecutiveDirectorJohnArway.Butwewant
toremindanglersthatfishingisayearroundsportanddoesntendafterthetraditionaltroutor
bassseasonsorwhenkidsreturntotheclassroom.Weintroducedthepanfishopportunitylast
fall,anddecidedtoexpandtheideathisyearbygivingtroutanglerssomethingtolookforward
to.
Inaddition,thePFBCisofferinga1dayadultresidentornonresidentLaborDaylicense
forjust$1,providinganeasyandaffordablewayforindividualstotakeyounganglersfishing,to
introducefriendstofishingforthefirsttime,ortojustenjoyarelaxingdayonthewaterby
themselves.ThisisthesecondyearthePFBChasoffereda1dayLaborDaylicense.
Thewaterswhichwillbestockedwithtroutinclude:CentreCountyPoeLake,Poe
ValleyStateParkFultonCountyCowansGapLake,CowansGapStateParkHuntingdon
CountyGreenwoodLake,GreenwoodFurnaceStateParkandWayneCountyUpperWoods
Pond.
Eachwaterwillreceiveitsfallorwinterallotmentofstockedtroutearlythisyear.Adults
andchildrencanfishfortrout,butonlykidswithavoluntaryyouthfishinglicenseorfree
mentoredyouthpermitmaykeepuptotwotroutof7orgreater.Adultsmusthaveafishing
license,butatroutstampisnotrequired.
Onthisdaynotroutmaybekeptfromthesefourwatersbyanyoneotherthana
participatingyouth.Thisisachangefromthewaythementoredyouthtroutprogramhasbeen
administeredpreviously.
ThePFBCmodifiedtheprograminresponsetonumerouspositivecommentsaboutthe
youthharvestportionoftheprogramandrelatedcommentssuggestingthatonlychildren,and
notadults,shouldbeallowedtokeepwhattheycatchduringthementoredyouthtroutdays.
ThePanfishEnhancementlakeswerechosenasmentoredyouthfishingopportunities
becausethewatersaremanagedtoincreasethenumberandsizeoffish.Panfishincludebluegill,
pumpkinseed,andredearsunfish,whicharecollectivelycalledsunfishblackandwhitecrappies
andyellowperch.
Kidsshouldcatchalotofsunfish,crappiesandperch,whichmakesthedayfun,Arway
said.Asanaddedincentive,werealsoremovingtheminimumsizelimits,whichareeither
sevenornineinches,dependingonthespecies,forkidsandtheirmentorsonthisday.
The17lakeswillbeopentoallanglersbutonlymentoredyouthparticipants(adultsand
kids)maykeepfishundertheminimumsize.
Thelakesincludedintheprogramare,bycounty:BerksBlueMarshReservoir
CambriaBeaverdamRunReservoir,HinkstonRunReservoir,WilmoreDamCentreFoster
JosephSayersLakeChesterChambersLakeMontourLakeChillisquaqueMonroeBradys
Lake,GouldsboroLakePikeLowerandUpperPromisedLandLakesSomersetHighPoint
Lake,QuemahoningReservoirWashingtonCrossCreekLake:andWestmorelandLower
TwinLake,NorthmorelandLake,UpperTwinLake
WehavearichhistoryoftroutandbassfishingintheCommonwealthandtheopening
daysaretrulytraditionaleventsenjoyedbyfamilies,Arwayadded.Butwealsohavemany
otheroutstandingfishingopportunities,includingpanfish.Fishingdoesntendwhenschool
starts.Wewanttoshowfamilieswheretheycangoandhoweasyitcanbetofitfallfishinginto
theirschedules.
ThePFBCalsoremindsanglersthatiftheyareholdingagiftvoucherforavoluntary
youthfishinglicense,thisisagreattimetoredeemitandparticipateintheLaborDayspecial
opportunities,headded.
Toparticipateinthementoredyouthprogram,adultanglers(16yearsorolder)musthave
avalidfishinglicenseandbeaccompaniedbyayouth.Youthanglersmustobtainafree
PFBCissuedpermitoravoluntaryyouthfishinglicense.
Sofarthisyear,morethan18,700kidshaveobtainedafreepermitandanother9,200
havepurchasedavoluntaryyouthfishinglicense.
GoneFishingPA
website.
NewsClips:
PeterA.YeagerFoundationRemembersFormerDEPEmployeeBySupportingEducation
The
PeterA.YeagerMemorialFoundation
wascreatedin1991toprovidefinancialsupportto
collegestudents,schoolfaculty,andeducationalorganizationsdedicatedtotheprinciplesof
environmentalconservation.
TheFoundationwascreatedinthememoryofPeteYeager,alifelongoutdoorsmanand
aninspirationaladvocateofthepreservation,protection,andenhancementoftheenvironmentof
NorthwestPennsylvania,andbeyond.
TheFoundationhasprovidedscholarshipstodeservinglocalcollegestudents,sponsored
awiderangeofeventssuchaseducationalactivitiesatthe
McKeeverEnvironmentalLearning
Center
,EarthForce'sBikeAroundtheBayeventinErie,theannualFrenchCreekcleanupbythe
FrenchCreekValleyConservancy
,andriparianstreamimprovementprojectsontheupper
FrenchCreek.
ThereisaninterpretivehikingtrailatStainbrookParkjustbelowtheWoodcockDamand
ahandicappedaccessiblefishingrampat
PresqueIsleStatePark
thatbearPete'sname.
ThisyeartheFoundationsponsoredthe
Children'sWaterFestival
attheBehrendPenn
StatecampusinEriebytheWashingtonD.C.basedWaterResourcesCouncil.Itwasattended
byalmost1,7005thgradersand300volunteersfromtheimmediatetristatearea.
TheFoundationalsohelpedtheAudubonSocietypublishabookonthenativeplantsof
theFrenchCreekWatershedandlastyearprovidedagranttothe
FoundationforSustainable
Forests
tohostanAlleghenyCollegeworkshopontimbermanagementinNorthwestPA.
OnSeptember19theFoundationwillholdits
23rdAnnualGolfOutingandScholarship
Picnic
inSaegertown,CrawfordCounty.
Formoreinformationonprograms,activitiesandhowyoucanhelp,visitthe
PeterA
YeagerMemorialFoundation
website.
DEPsDanVilelloReceivesCountyCommissionersFriendOfCountyGovernmentAward
DanVilello,LocalGovernmentLiaisonforDEP's
NorthcentralRegionalOffice
inWilliamsport,was
recentlyhonoredbytheCountyCommissioners
AssociationofPennsylvania'sFriendofCounty
GovernmentAwardduringtheirannualconferencein
PittsburghonAugust4.
(Danisholdingtheplaqueinthephoto.)
TheFriendofCountyGovernmentAwardis
presentedtoanindividualororganizationwhohas
demonstratedacontinuedcommitmenttothe
improvementofcountygovernmentbyassistingCCAPanditsmemberswhilemaintainingthe
highestethicalandmoralstandards.
TheawardisthehighesthonorCCAPbestowsonanonmember.CCAPpresentedthe
awardtoVilelloforbeinganinvaluableresourceandparticipant,andforworkingwithcounties
andCCAPonspecialenvironmentalissuesandprojects.
ThisawardwasacceptedonbehalfofalloftheDEPemployeesacrossthestatewho
strivetofulfillthemissionofthedepartmentandsupportourcounties.Weworkhandinhand
witheconomicdevelopmenttoprotectandincreasejobsinPA,Vilellosaid.
VilellobecametheLocalGovernmentLiaisonforDEP'sNorthcentralRegionalOfficein
2003aftertwotermsasClintonCountyCommissioner.
Inhisposition,Vilelloserves13PennsylvaniacountiesincludingClinton,Potter,Tioga,
Bradford,Cameron,Lycoming,Sullivan,Clearfield,Centre,Union,Snyder,Northumberland,
Montour,andColumbiacounties.
(Reprintedfromthe
August20DEPNews
.
ClickHere
HelpWanted:DelawareEstuaryPartnershipGrantCoordinator,WatershedOutreach
The
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
inWilmington,DE,islookingforqualified
candidatestofillthepositionsofCoordinatorofGrantsandWatershedOutreachSpecialist.
September10thisthedeadlinefortheWatershedOutreachSpecialistandSeptember30th
fortheCoordinatorofGrants.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
August2428
DelawareEstuaryCleanup
.Philadelphia.
August25
CANCELED.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Nextmeeting
isSeptember2.
(
formalnotice
)
August26
CANCELED
.
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.The
nextscheduledmeetingisDecember16.
(
formalnotice
)
August26
[AgendaNotPosted]
meeting.
SusquehannaConferenceRooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,
Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
August27
AgendaPosted
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
Thismeetingwillalsobeconducted
viawebinar.
ClickHere
toregisterforthemorningsessionand
ClickHere
toregisterforthe
afternoonsession.
ConsiderationoffinalChapter78DrillingRegulationChanges
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
August29
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
,HeroesOnTheWater,TroutUnlimitedPaddling
event.Wrightsville,YorkCounty.3:007:00p.m.
ClickHere
formore.
August29
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssn.
hosts2hikesinMonroeCounty.
ClickHere
for
allthedetails.
August29
InvisibleRiverFestival
ontheSchuylkillinPhiladelphia.
ClickHere
forallthe
details.
August29
NEW
.
FriendsoftheWissahickon
PaintThePorchOfTheWissahickon
EnvironmentalCenter
.Philadelphia.
August31
.Philadelphia.
September1
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
holdsahearingonAct129requirementfor
electricdistributioncompaniestomeetenergyefficiencybenchmarks.Room140.1:00.
September1
AgendaPosted.
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
USTIFInsuranceUpdate
SummaryOfCommentsonUSTCathodicProtectionSystemsPolicy
OverviewofRevisedFederalUSTRegulations
ClickHere
September1
.Philadelphia.
September2
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
holdsahearingon
HouseBill1349
(ZimmermanRLancaster)wouldallowanysizedanaerobicdigestertocounttowardthe
AlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandards(
sponsorsummary
).Room140.9:30.
September2
AgendaPosted
.
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
(
formalnotice
)
Themeetingwillalsobewebcast.
ClickHere
to
registerforthemorningsession.
ClickHere
toregisterfortheafternoonsession.
ConsiderationoffinalchangestoChapter78ADrillingRegulations
ClickHere
September2
DEPhearingonproposednaturalgaspowerplantinJessupBorough
,
LackawannaCounty.ValleyViewHighSchool,1ColumbusDrive,Archbald,PA.69:00p.m.
September45
NRCS,HeadwatersRC&DCouncil
AdaptiveGrazingFarmTour
.Tionesta,
ForestCounty.
September8
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286Industrial
ParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
September8
EQBhearingonproposedchangestoregulationsonthe
ControlofVOC
EmissionsfromAutomotiveandTransportationParts
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2East
MainSt.,Norristown.10:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPs
eComment
webpage.
September8
ControlOfVOC
EmissionsfromVehicleCoatingOperations
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,
Norristown.1:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPseComment
webpage.
September8
NEW
.
ManadaConservancy
,PennStateExtension
HowHealthyIsYour
Stream?Workshop
.SwataraCreekPark,151SouthHanoverStreetinHershey,Dauphin
County.69:00p.m.
September9
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.
10:30.
September9
ControlofVOC
.DEPOffice,Room105RachelCarson
Building,Harrisburg.10:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPs
eComment
webpage.
September9
ControlOfVOC
.DEPOffice,Room105RachelCarsonBuilding,
Harrisburg.1:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPseComment
webpage.
September10
ControlofVOC
.DEPPittsburghOffice,400Waterfront
Dr.,Pittsburgh.10:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPs
eComment
webpage.
September10
ControlOfVOC
.DEPPittsburghOffice,400WaterfrontDr.,
Pittsburgh.1:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPseComment
webpage.
September10
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
meeting.
DoubleTreeByHilton,225WaterSt.,Binghamton,NY.9:00.
(
agenda+formalnotice
)
InformationalpresentationofinteresttotheUpperSusquehannaSubbasinarea
AmendmentoftheComprehensivePlanfortheWaterResourcesoftheSusquehannaRiver
Basin
Othermatters
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
September15
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.
September15
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
10:00.
September1516
NEW
.
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
hearingonwaterwithdrawal
requests,
businessmeeting
.DravoAuditorium,ChaseCenterontheRiverfront,815JustisonSt.,
Wilmington,DE.
(
agenda+formalnotice
)
September1620
NationalTroutUnlimitedMeeting.CenterCityHiltonHotelandConvention
Center,Scranton.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September17
DEPWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room105
September18
RainAlertInformationNetwork
SourceWaterProtectionConference.Western
PA.(
moreinformationavailablesoon
)
September19
NEW
.
PeterA.YeagerMemorialFoundation
GolfOutingandScholarship
Picnic
inSaegertown,CrawfordCounty.
September20
PennStateExtensionandthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
willholda
RiparianStreamBufferWorkshop.StroudCenter,970SpencerRoad,Avondale,Chester
County.9:00a.m.
ClickHere
toregisterandformoreinformation.
September2022
2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummit
.HolidayInnandAllegheny
CommunityCenter,Warren.
September21
NEW
.
DEPhearingonproposedchanges
to2011baseyearemissionsinventory
andforhearingsonStateImplementationPlanrevisionsrelatedtononattaimentareasforthe
20088hourozonestandardforAllentownBethlehemEast,Lancaster,Philadelphia
WilmingtonAtlanticCity,PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.DEPSoutheastRegional
Office,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.1:00.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbesubmitted
throughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
September21
NEW
.
WilmingtonAtlanticCity,PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.DEPSouthwestRegional
Office,400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbe
submittedthroughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
September21
NEW
.
WilmingtonAtlanticCity,PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbe
submittedthroughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
September21
AcademyofNaturalSciences
ofDrexelUniversity
ClimateChange:ANew
DialogueForum
.AcademyofNaturalSciences,1900BenjaminFranklinParkway,Philadelphia.
TheForumisfree,but
registrationisrequired
.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September22
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:30.
September23
meeting.SusquehannaConference
Rooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formal
notice
)
September24
DEP
RecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
&
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
September24
CANCELED
.
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.The
nextscheduledmeetingwillbein2016.
(
formalnotice
)
September2527
ChesapeakeBayWatershedForum
.
NationalConservationTrainingCenter
,
Shepherdstown,WV.
September29
NEW
.DEPhearingonproposedtransferanduseofNOx,VOCemission
reductioncreditsfortheYorkEnergyCenternaturalgaspowerplant,YorkCounty.DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnoticeAug.22PA
Bulletin,page4947
).
September30October2
DuquesneUniversityPresidentialConference
onClimateChange.
Pittsburgh.
October2
DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October8
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.
October11
NEW
.
CentralPAConservancy
SupportTheLetortFundraiser
.
Ironmaster's
Mansion
atPineGroveFurnaceStatePark,Gardners,AdamsCounty.
October13
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
2ndAnnualEnvironmentalPolicyConference
.
Harrisburg.
October14
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMiningEquipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
October1415
VillanovaSustainableStormwaterInitiativeSymposium
.Villanova
University,Philadelphia.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
October17
Sen.Alloway,AllianceForChesapeakeBayTreePlanting
.Cumberland,Franklin
Counties.
ClickHere
formoreinformationortovolunteer.
October20
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
October20
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
10:00.
October21
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
October22
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
October27
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
(
formalnotice
)
October28
(
formal
notice
)
October2830
2015PartnershipforSafeWater
2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythe
PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
.Hershey.
October28
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October29
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
(
formalnotice
)
October29
DEPStateBoardForCertificationOfWaterAndWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
November10
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.
10:30.
November12
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
AnnualAwardsDinner
.
AcademyofNatural
SciencesofDrexelUniversity
,1900BenjaminFranklinParkway,Philadelphia.
November1620
U.S.ForestService
StreamSimulationDesignApproachforProviding
AquaticOrganismPassageatRoadStreamCrossingsWorkshop
.StateCollege.
November18
(
formal
notice
)
November20
NEW
.
AnnualGreenGala
.DeSalesUniversitycampus
inCenterValley,LehighCounty.
December16
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
(
formalnotice
)
January13
(
formal
notice
)
February2627
2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.
March1416
NEW
.
AnnualConference
.TheInn
atPoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalPolicyCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
August24
10,000FriendsOfPACommonwealthAwards
September1
PAWildsMiniGrantProgram
September9
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram
(foractionNov.10)
September9
CFARenewableEnergyProgram
(foractionNov.10)
September12
PPFFStateParksandForestsThroughTheSeasonPhotoContest
September12
YellowBreechesWatershedLandscapeMakeoverChallenge
September13
Stormwater Control Measure Recognition Program
September18
PHSTreeVitalizeWatershedGrantsSoutheastPA
September18
FirstEnergySTEMEducationGrants
September30
DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
September30
ProjectLearningTreeGreenWorks!Grants
September30
PRCAntiLitterVideoContestPittsburgh
October1
NEW
.
REAPFarmConservationTaxCredit
(FirstCome,FirstServed)
October2
SustainableForestryInitiativeConservation,CommunityGrants
October9
DEPUrbanStormwaterGrantsChesapeakeBayWatershed
October19
DEPCoastalZoneManagementGrants
October22
OfficeStateFireCommissionFireCompanyGrants
(LimitedInfo)
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveVehicleRebates
January1
DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(firstcome,firstserved)
Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore
Air
StagnantAirInPittsburghBringsRottenEggSmell
Budget
Climate
ComplianceAction
Dams&Encroachments
DrinkingWater
Editorial:WaterDisruptionInWyomingValleyHighlightsAgingPipes
Education
Energy
StateGivesDuquesneLightMoreTimeOnSwitchingRegs
CourtReviewOfPPLCaseCouldAlterLiability
PUCSeeksCommentsOnFirstEnergyUtilitiesPlan
FarmingActivities
Flooding
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
MiningNoncoal
AnotherTeenDiesInLowerMountBethelQuarryWaters
Oil&Gas
DEPSaysMoreOil&GasRulesOnHorizon
ReportMakesRecommendationsOnOilTrainSafety
WolfIssuesOilTrainRecommendations
ExpertAssessesRiskOfOilTrainAccidents
CarriersWeighRoutingOilTrainsAroundPA
ReportUrges2DozenChangesToMakeOilTrainsSafer
IdeaForSlowingOilTrainsResistedInPA
Editorial:ImplementOilTrainProposals
OilTrainsAndPope,NotPerfectTogether?
OpEd:OilExportsWouldHarmU.S.EnergyIndependence
BarrelOfU.S.CrudeDropsBelow$40
NoEndInSightForOilGlut
EnergySlowdownHitsPATownHard
State:DrillingCompaniesIgnoringMinority,FemaleHiringLaw
InNEPA,GasAndPowerMarchTogether
Antero$275MShaleBrineTreatmentPlantInWV
RadiationProtection
BreazealeNuclearReactorPowersPennStateEngineeringProgram
Recreation
KeystoneStateParkRanks#5InNationForFamilyFishing,Boating
TuscaroraStateParkBeachClosedDueToBacteria
Recycling/Waste
WestNileVirus
1stHumanWestNileCaseInErieSince2012
WatershedProtection
ClickHere
WestNileVirus
AlleghenyCountyToSprayForMosquitoes
Wildlife
Other
Aug.19PennStateWebinarToFocusOnBlightInPA
OldTurnpikeMonBeltwayPlanGetsNewStart
DEPsNewsClipswebpage
ClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
publishedfinalregulations
intheAugust22PABulletin
relatingtoLandReclamationFinancialGuaranteesandBioenergyCropBonding.
TheGameCommission
publishednotice
intheAugust22PABulletinofproposedchangesto
regulationsgoverningtheDeerManagementAssistanceProgramforpubliccommentand
proposedchanges
tothereplacementcostforwildlifekilledforpubliccomment.
PennsylvaniaBulletinAugust22,2015

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheGovernorsOfficepublishednoticeintheAugust22PABulletinofarevisedlistofexisting
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontechnicalguidance
(
startingonpage4990
).
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheAugust22PABulletinof
proposedchangesto2011baseyearemissionsinventoryandforhearingsonState
ImplementationPlanrevisionsrelatedtononattaimentareasforthe20088hourozonestandard
forAllentownBethlehemEast,Lancaster,PhiladelphiaWilmingtonAtlanticCity,
PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbesubmitted
throughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
DEP
publishednotice
intheAugust22PABulletinofminorrevisionstotheNPDESPAG10
GeneralPermitforDischargesfromHydrostaticTestingofTanksandPipelines.DEPsaidit
willpostareviseddocument
initseLibrary
.
DEP
publishednotice
ofavailabilityandopportunityintheAugust22PABulletintocomment
onReclamationFeeO&MTrustAccountFiscalYearReport.Copiesareavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedthroughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
intheAugust22PABulletinofInterstateand
GeneralQuarantineOrderrelatedtoavianinfluenza.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
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Pa Environment Digest Aug. 24, 2015

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