PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates

Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward

Issue#592Harrisburg,PaNovember2,2015

MarcellusDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeDoesNOTBlockDrillingRegsGoingToEQB

OnTuesdaythefivevotingmembersof
DEPsOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard

adopteda
motion
tomoveDEPs
Chapter78(Conventional)and78A(Unconventional)drilling
regulations
totheEnvironmentalQualityBoardforfinalconsideration,withindustrycomments.
ThemotionsaidthatcommentsontheregulationsbythevotingmembersoftheBoard
andanycommentsthat
DEPsConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
hadonthe
regulationswouldbeforwardedtotheEQB.
The
votingmembersoftheBoard
includefourrepresentativesofcompaniesinvolved
withthedrillingindustryandarepresentativefromthe
PennStateMarcellusCenterforOutreach
andResearch
.
JohnWalliser,fromthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
andanonvotingmemberofthe
TAB,askedBoardchairmanBryanMcConnell,Tenaska,Inc.,whetherhewouldaccepta
minorityreportrespondingtothecommentsofferedbyindustrysincetheywereincorporating
thecommentsofCOGAwhowasalsoappointedbyDEP.
McConnellrefused.
OthernonvotingmembersoftheBoardaddedbyDEPthisyearincludeDr.Michael
Griffin,CarnegieMellonUniversity,EmilyKrafjack,
ConnectionforOil,Gas&Environmentin
theNorthernTier
andBarbaraKutchko,
NationalEnergyTechnologyLaboratory
.
TABsroleistoadviseDEPonrulemakings,andisnotrequiredtoapprovearegulatory
proposalbeforeitgoestotheEQB.
PennLive.comreported
lateThursdaytheChapter78regulationswillgotothe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
foractionatitsNovember17meeting.DuringtheConventional
OilandGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting,DEPstaffsaidtheymaygototheEQBinJanuaryor
February.
Formoreinformation,visit
DEPsOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
and
Chapter78
(Conventional)and78A(Unconventional)drillingregulations
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPCommitteeAdvancesNewDrillingRegulations
Oil&GasAdvisoryBoardDoesNotEndorseDrillingRules
RelatedStories:
ConventionalAdvisoryCommitteeVotesToBlockDrillingRegsGoingToEQB
DraftReportOfPipelineInfrastructureTaskForceToBeAvailableNov.6

ConventionalDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeVotesToBlockDrillingRegsGoingToEQB


Thevotingmembersof
DEPsConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
Thursdayadopted
aresolutionurgingDEPtorestarttherulemakingprocessforthe
Chapter78and78adrilling
regulations
thathavebeenunderdevelopmentsincetheAct13drillinglawwasadoptedin2012.
Thevotingmemberssaidiftheprocessisnotrestarted,DEPshouldnotforwardthe
regulationstotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardforfinalactionandCommitteeshouldbegiven
anadditionalninemonthsofreview.
[Note:TheadditionalreviewtimewouldalsorequirearestartoftheChapter78
developmentprocessbecauseitputsthembeyondthetwoyeardeadlineintheRegulatory
ReviewActtoadoptrulemakings.]
Thevotingmemberssaidtoreviewtheregulationseffectivelyduringtheadditional
reviewtimetheywouldneedtobeprovidedmuchmoreinformationabouttheproposedchanges,
amongtheinformationtheysaidtheneededwas
Astatementoftheneedfortheregulationsandthechangesbeingproposedasrequiredbythe
RegulatoryReviewAct
Providetheacceptabledata(
requiredbyAct60
)onwhichtheproposedchangesandnew
requirementsintheregulationsweremade
Ananalysisoftheimpacttheregulationonsmallbusinessandadiscussionofalternative
methodsofachievingthegoalsforsmallbusinessasrequiredbytheRegulatoryReviewActand
Copiesofallformsneededtoimplementthenewregulations.
TheCommitteebroughtup
similarpointsinaletter
totheIndependentRegulatory
ReviewCommissioninJuly.TheCommissionitself,in
19pagesofcomments
theysenttoDEP
inApriloflastyear,raisedsomeofthesameissues.
Aspartoftheresolution,thevotingmembersitemizedtheinformationtheythoughtthey
neededtoeffectivelyreviewtheregulation,butwerenotgivenbyDEP.Thelistwasthesameas
thelistabove.
TheactiontakenbytheCommitteewasafterafiveandahalfhourreviewofthechanges
DEPmadetotheregulationinresponsetoindustry,publicandothercomments.
TherewasnocommentfromDEPstaffattheCommitteemeetingonthemotion.
TheCommitteesroleistoadviseDEPonrulemakings,andisnotrequiredtoapprovea
regulatoryproposalbeforeitgoestotheEQB.TheCommitteewascreatedinMarchbyDEP
specificallytoadviseDEPonregulationscoveringtheconventionaloilandgasindustry.
DEPnotedthatsincepassageoftheAct13drillinglawin2012thatthesedrilling
regulationsimplement,Chapter78changeshavebeenconsideredbythreeSecretariesofDEP,at
morethanadozenpublicmeetingsoftheTABandCOGA,12publichearingsandtwopublic
commentperiods.
Thisrulemakinghasundergonemorepublicreviewthananyotherenvironmental
regulationinthe45yearhistoryofmodernenvironmentalprograms.
PennLive.comreported
lateThursdaytheChapter78regulationswillgotothe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
foractionatitsNovember17meeting.DuringtheConventional
OilandGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting,DEPstaffsaidtheymaygototheEQBinJanuaryor
February.
NewsClips:
DEPCommitteeAdvancesNewDrillingRegulations
Oil&GasAdvisoryBoardDoesNotEndorseDrillingRules

RelatedStories:
MarcellusAdvisoryCommitteeDoesNOTBlockRegsGoingToEQB
DraftReportOfPipelineInfrastructureTaskForceToBeAvailableNov.6

DraftReportOfPipelineInfrastructureTaskForceToBeAvailableNov.6

MorethantwodozencommentersparticipatedinthefourthmeetingofGov.TomWolfs
PipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
WednesdayheldatDEP'sSouthcentralRegionalOfficein
Harrisburg.
Themeeting,chairedbyDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley,wasthemostwellattended
meetingofthetaskforcetodate.
Inadditiontohearingcommentsfromthepublic,membersheardpresentationsfromthe
U.S.FishandWildlifeService,theU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers,FishandBoatCommission,
andtheGameCommission.
Recommendationsbymembersofthe11workgroupsaredueNovember2.Adraft
reportwillbeavailableforpubliccommentonNovember6.Thegroupsfinalreportisdueto
Gov.WolfbyFebruary2016.
Videoofthemeetingwillbeavailableonthe
TaskForcemeeting
webpage.
ThenextmeetingoftheTaskForceisNovember18.Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
PipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
webpage.
NewsClips:
ProtestersCallOnWolfToShutdownPipelineTaskForce
ProtestersTargetWolfsGasPipelineTaskForce
WilliamsCitedFor10ViolationsForGasPipelineWork
Report:PipelineTaskForceIsStackedInFavorOfIndustry
LuzerneTwpResidentsFormGroupToProtestPipelinePlan
UGICompletesAuburnNaturalGasPipeline
NoiseMufflingLooksLikeCommonBuildingsAtCompressorStations
RelatedStories:
ConventionalAdvisoryCommitteeVotesToBlockDrillingRegsGoingToEQB
MarcellusAdvisoryCommitteeDoesNOTBlockRegsGoingToEQB

(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

Day125WithoutAStateBudget,ButTheStateStillSpent$27BillionSinceJuly1

TheStateTreasurerconfirmedMondaystate
governmenthasspentabout
$27billionsinceJuly1
,
evenwithoutanofficialstatebudget.Thatnumberis
almostequaltotheentireGeneralFundbudgetinan
averageyear.
The$27billionincludespayroll,certainwelfare
expenses,specialfundexpenditureslikethestatelottery,
propertytaxrelieffromcasinotaxesandsomefederal
funds.

SenateRepublicansFailInVetoOverride
Respondingtogrowingpleasfromschoolsandcommunitygroupstoreleaseoverdue
statefunding,SenateRepublicansWednesdayledanefforttooverrideGov.Wolfsvetoofan
emergencybudgetpassedlastmonthbytheGeneralAssembly,butfell3votesshort.
Gov.WolfsvetoofourEmergencyFundingBudgetlastmonthshowedhisrefusalto
puttheneedsofourschoolsandsocialserviceorganizationsfirst,saidSenatePresidentPro
TemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson).Ourschoolsandhumanserviceorganizationsarein
criticalneedoffundingtokeeptheirdoorsopenandshouldnotbeheldhostageduringthis
budgetimpasse.Aslegislators,wehaveadutytohelpourcommunitiesandtodaysveto
overridevoteoftheEmergencyFundinglegislationtookanecessarysteptoprovidevitalsupport
whileafinalbudgetisnegotiated.Aswecontinuetomoveforward,weremaincommittedto
ensuringthatthefinal201516budgetrespectstaxpayersandhardworkingfamiliesacross
Pennsylvania.
Hoursbeforethevote,AuditorGeneralEugeneDePasqualetoldmembersoftheSenate
DemocratPolicyCommitteethatthelackofstatefundingishavinga
devastatingfinancial
impact
onschoolsthroughoutPennsylvania.
Schooldistrictshavealreadyborrowednearlyahalfbilliondollarsplusinterest
paymentsof$15millionbecauseofthebudgetimpasse,andthatnumbermaydoubleby
Thanksgiving.
Thishardshipiscompletelyunnecessarythemoneyisthereandthestatehasnt
stoppedcollectingtaxes,saidSenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre).Gov.Wolfis
holdingschools,foodbanks,rapecrisiscentersandothersocialserviceagencieshostagetohis
planforhugetaxincreasesthatsimplyhavenosupport.Weareallfrustrated.Therealityisthat
budgetissuesaregoingtotakeadditionaltimetoresolve.Thisisaboutgettingmoneytothe
schoolsandthoseinourcommunitieswhoneedit.
PennsylvaniacannotaffordtheGovernorsmassivetaxhikesandrecordhighspending
levels,SenateAppropriationsCommitteeMajorityChairPatBrowne(RLehigh)said.
However,schooldistricts,nonprofitsandagenciesshouldnotbepunishedwhileafinalbudget
agreementcontinuestobenegotiated.Wehavearesponsibilitytofundthesevitalservicesand
thisvotetodayonanemergencybudgetwouldhaveensuredthatwemeetthoseobligationsto
provideforthecitizensoftheCommonwealth.
ThevotemarksthefifthtimesinceJune30thRepublicanlegislatorshaveattemptedto
haveafiscallyresponsiblebudgetenactedandkeepmoneyflowingtoschoolsandorganizations.
HouseDTriesTablingAllBillsButBudget
MeanwhileintheHouseRep.BrianSims(DPhiladelphia)madeamotiontotableall
nonbudgetrelatedlegislationuntilastatebudgetisputbeforetheHouse.Itfailed.
Gov.Wolf
OnaPittsburghradioprogramThursday,
Gov.Wolfsaid
,Itsnottimeforpartisanship.
WereallyneedtorecognizethethingswehaveincommonwhichisagoodPennsylvaniaand
cometosomeagreementonwhatweneedtodotomovePennsylvaniaforward.
WolfsaidhewaswaitingfortheGeneralAssemblytocomeforwardwithanotherbudget
plan.
NextSteps
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)saidWednesdayfollowingthefailureof
thevetooverride,heandotherRepublicansareworking
onatwoyearbudgetplan
.

RepublicanssaidtheyareputtingtogetheranotherFY201516budgettheyintendtovote
onwhenboththeSenateandHousereturntosessionduringtheweekofNovember16.
Thepackageislikelytoincludeabudgetwithsomelimitedrevenueenhancements,
alongwithanotherpensionandliquorprivatizationproposal.
TheintentistoputthepackageagainontheGovernorsdesktoseewhathewilldo.
WhosToBlame?
A
Franklin&Marshallpoll
releasedThursdayhadvotersputtingtheblameforthe
budgetimpasseontheLegislature51percentandGov.Wolf32percent.Fully62percent
ofthosesurveysaidPennsylvaniawasheadinginthewrongdirection.
SessionSchedule
BoththeSenateandHousedonothavevotingsessionnextweekduetotheNovember3
election.
TheSenaterecesseduntilNovember16.Itnowhasonlysixmorevotingdaysscheduled
forthiscalendaryear,althoughmorecanbeaddedifneededNovember16,17,18and
December7,8,9.
TheHouseisscheduledtocomebacktovotingsessiononNovember9and10.Itis
scheduledtobeinvotingsessionNovember17,18,23,24andDecember7,8,9,14,15,16.
(BudgetPumpkin:EricHeisler,WHTMTVphotojournalist.)
NewsClips:
DEP: We Have A Lot Of Rebuilding To Do
EnvironmentalAgenciesFeelPinchOfBudgetImpasse
BudgetImpasseEnters5thMonth,ButSignsOfProgress
GOPBudgetDiscussionsRemainInAPreliminaryPhase
IncreaseInSales,IncomeTaxSeeAsUnlikelyInBudgetDeal
StateBudgetWoesDeepen
PASpends$27BillionDuringBudgetImpasse
StateHiresStateMeteorologistAndPaysForForecasting
HiringOfStateMeteorologistDrawsStormyResponse
SenateRs,DsTakeOut$9MLoanToPayTheirEmployees
Legislature,WithNoBudget,PreparesForVacation
NoStateBudget,ButLawmakersContinueToRaiseCash

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Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule[Updated]/GovsSchedule/Bills
Introduced

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(November9):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinking
waterwellconstruction
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)updatingandimprovingthe
TransitRevitalizationinvestmentDistrict

SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingfor
anindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.

<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBill
Calendar.

Senate(November16):

SenateBill201
(SchwankDBerks)authorizingtheleasingofproperty
intheCleanandGreenProgramtoaruralenterprise(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlargeelectricusers(
sponsor
summary
).<>
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

BillsIntroduced

Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek

DEPPermitTrackingSystem:

HouseBill1666
(ZimmermanRLancaster)requireDEPto
developanonlinepermitstatusapplication(perhapsliketheexisting
eFACTSsystem
?)(
sponsor
summary
).Nofundingwasincludedintheproposal.

WellProductionReporting:

HouseBill1674
(SonneyRErie)furtherprovidingforoilandgas
wellreporting(
sponsorsummary
).

RegulatingPipelines:

SenateBill1044
(BakerRLuzerne)extendingthejurisdictionofthe
PublicUtilityCommissiontoClass1unconventionalnaturalgasgatheringpipelines(
sponsor
summary
).

SessionSchedule
(
Change
)

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

Senate

November16,17,18
December7,8,9

House
(
Change
)
November
4&5(nonvoting)
,9,10,16,17,18,23,24,25(NonVoting)
December7,8,9,14,15,16

GovernorsSchedule

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

Senate/HouseBillsMoving

ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate

House

TransitRevitalizationDistrict:

SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)updatingandimproving
theTransitRevitalizationinvestmentDistrictwasamendedandreportedfromtheHouse
TransportationCommitteeandisnowontheHouseCalendarforaction.

Senate

Act129OptOut:
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlarge
electricusers(
sponsorsummary
)wasreportedfromtheSenateConsumerProtectionand
ProfessionalLicensureCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.

FarmlandPreservation:

SenateBill201
(SchwankDBerks)authorizingtheleasingof
propertyintheCleanandGreenProgramtoaruralenterprise(
sponsorsummary
)wasreported
fromtheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.

NewsFromTheCapitol

Nov.16JointConservationCommitteeEnvironmentalForumOnSustainableForestry

Thenext
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
EnvironmentalForumwillbeheldonNovember16andwillfeatureapresentationbyChuck
Coup,ProgramManagerforthe
PennsylvaniaSustainableForestryInitiative
.
Currentlycelebratingtheir20thanniversary,thePASFIisanorganizationcommittedto
promotingsustainableforestmanagementandresponsibleforestrypracticesthroughoutthe
Commonwealth.
Oneoftheirmostacclaimedinitiativesisthe
ProfessionalTimberHarvesterTraining
Program
whichtodatehastrainedover7,000loggersinsustainabletreeharvestingtechniques.

Theorganizationalsoconductsextensiveworkwithprivatelandownerswhocomprise
over70percentofthestatestotalforestownershipbase.
TheForumwillbeheldinHearingRoom8EAoftheEastWingCapitolBuilding
startingatnoon.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointCommittee.
NewsClips:
AmericanChestnutsRiseWhereOtherTreesFailOnPAMiningSites
FallFoliage:YourLastBestChanceOf2015
FallColorsBrightenErieRegion
KeystoneCollegeWorkshopToDiscussHemlock

NewsFromAroundTheState

PECExpressesOppositionInSenateToBillMakingItEasierToBlockRegulations

LastMonday,the
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
wrotetoallmembersofthe
PennsylvaniaSenateexpressingitsobjectionsto
HouseBill965
(GodshallRMontgomery)that
wouldmakeitmucheasierfortheGeneralAssemblytoblockstateagencyregulationsand
statementsofpolicy.
HereisthetextofthelettertoallstateSenatorsbyJohnWalliser,PECVicePresidentfor
Legal&GovernmentAffairs
DearSenators:
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,Iamwritingtoexpressour
oppositiontoHouseBill965(P.N.1885),whichmaycomeupforavotesoonintheSenate.This
legislationfundamentallyaltersestablishedprocedureforpublicationandreviewofproposed
rulemakingthatfallunderthepurviewoftheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission.
Ourobjectionstothelegislationareasfollows:
First,thislegislationwouldblockpublicationofagencyStatementsofPurposeinthe
PennsylvaniaBulletin.Thereisnorationaleforthisrevisiontoexistingpracticeinfact,it
decreasestransparencybylimitinginformationprovidedtothepublic.
Second,thislegislationenablesstandingcommitteesoftheGeneralAssemblyto
unilaterallypostponeIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission(IRRC)considerationof
rulemakingproposalswithoutanypredictableorcertaintimeframeforresolution.
Currently,theRegulatoryReviewActgivesstandingcommitteesthepowertofurther
reviewordisapprovearegulatoryproposalaftertheIRRCwhichconsistsoffourlegislative
appointeesandoneappointeeoftheGovernorhasvotedonit.
Moreover,theIRRCdoesnotvoteuntilafteraproposalhasbeenvettedbylegaland
scientificexperts,subjectedtoreviewbythegeneralpublic(includingtheGeneralAssemblyand
AttorneyGeneral),and,insomecases,consideredbyothergovernmentalagencieslikethe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard(whichincludesrepresentationfromthestandingcommittees).
Underexistinglaw,whenastandingcommitteeinvokesitspowertoreviewor
disapprove,aregulatoryproposalisstayedforadefiniteperiodoftime,andcaneventuallybe
broughttoavotebeforethefulllegislature.Inshort,theGeneralAssemblyscurrentoversight
powerisbothsubstantialandwelldefined.
Bycontrast,HouseBill965wouldenablestandingcommitteestoinvokethepowerto

furtherreviewproposedregulationsbeforetheIRRCvotes,andprovidesanuncertain
timeframeforsuchreviewbyallowingforthegreaterofasetnumberofcalendarorjointsession
days.
Asweknow,thereareprolongedperiodswheretheGeneralAssemblyisoutofsession,
meaningthatsuchreviewcouldextendoverseveralmonths.Thisisunreasonableandcouldhave
theaffectofinvalidatingrulemakingproposalsmerelybylackofreviewwithinadefinite
timeframe.
Whileweunderstandtheimportanceofensuringthatstandingcommitteesreceiveall
necessaryandsupportinginformationforreviewofregulatoryproposals,HouseBill965
preventssomeofthatsameinformationfrombeingprovidedtothepublicatlarge,andcreates
greateruncertaintyforreviewandfinalizationofproposals.
Webelievethislegislationisagainstthepublicinterestandshouldbeopposedby
membersoftheSenate.Thankyouforyourconsideration.
JohnWalliser
VicePresident,LegalandGovernmentAffairs
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforfreeupdatesonPECactivitiesand
howyoucanbecomeinvolved.

DEPInvitesCommentsOnNewPolicyForAssessing,ReportingStreamQuality

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheOctober31PABulletin
announcingtheavailabilityofdrafttechnicalguidanceonDocumentingandReporting
Measurable,IncrementalImprovementsinWaterQualityofStreams,RiversandLakes.
ThepurposeoftheseguidelinesistoexplaintheprocessfortheDepartmentstaff,and
othersinvolvedinwaterqualitymonitoring,indocumentingandreportingmeasurable,
incrementalimprovementsforwaterqualityinstreams,riversandlakestowardsanimpairment
freecondition.
Theinformationcollectedthroughtheguidelineswillbeusedtodevelopthe
Department'sbiennial
PennsylvaniaImprovingWatersReport
,whichisnotmeanttoreplace
thebiennial
PennsylvaniaIntegratedWaterQualityMonitoringandAssessment
(Sections305(b)
and303(d))ReporttotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
Instead,thePennsylvaniaImprovingWatersReportwillillustratewaterquality
attainmentsuccessesdescribedintheIntegratedReportandshareinformationaboutsurface
watersthatshowincrementalimprovement.
CommentsonthetechnicalguidancearedueNovember30.
Acopyofthedrafttechnicalguidancewillbeavailableon
DEPseComment
webpage
andcommentsmaybesubmittedviathatsamepage.
Formoreinformation,contactDianeWilsonbycalling7177873730orsendemail:
diawilson@pa.gov
.

DEPTestifiesAtCongressionalHearingOnGoodSamaritanMineReclamation

DEPBureauofAbandonedMineReclamationDirectorEric

CavazzatestifiedbeforetheU.S.HouseTransportationandInfrastructureCommitteesWater
ResourcesandEnvironmentSubcommitteeonOctober21aboutopportunitiesforand
impedimentsforgoodSamaritanminereclamation.
Cavazzatestifiedonbehalfofthe
InterstateMiningCompactCommission
andthe
NationalAssociationofAbandonedMineLandPrograms
.Hetoldmembersofthe
SubcommitteeonWaterResourcesandEnvironmentthattheenactmentofGoodSamaritan
legislationwouldbeimmenselyhelpfultotheStatesandTribesongoingeffortstoremediate
thevastquantitiesofAMLsitesremaining,andthosecontinuingtomanifest.
"WehaveseentheresultsfromthistypeofapproachinstatessuchasPennsylvania,
whichenacteditsownGoodSamaritanlawtoprovideprotectionsandimmunitiesrelatedtostate
cleanwaterrequirementsforthosegroupsandindividualswhowerenotlegallyresponsiblebut
whovoluntarilyundertookthereclamationofabandonedminelandsorabatementofmine
drainage,"Cavazzasaid."However,underthePennsylvaniaGoodSamaritanprogram,these
groupsarestillexposedtopotentialliabilityunderthefederalCleanWaterActfortheirgood
deeds,whichishavingachillingeffectonwatershedcleanupefforts."
ClickHere
foracopyofCavazzastestimony.
PennsylvaniasGoodSamaritanlawhasresultedinthereclamationofover250mining
sitesthroughouttheCommonwealth.
TroutUnlimitedCEOandPresidentChrisWood
testifiedatthesamehearing
and
describedthesuccessPennsylvaniahashadwithitsowngoodSamaritanreclamationprovision.
ClickHere
towatchavideoofthehearingandforotherwrittentestimony.
NewsClip:
AmericanChestnutsRiseWhereOtherTreesFailOnPAMiningSites

(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

JohnStefankoMakesPresentationToBrazilOnDEPsAbandonedMineReclamation

DEPExecutiveDeputySecretaryJohnStefankogavea
presentationviathewebOctober12totheannualIV
RegionalSeminaryonCoalMiningReclamationin
Cricima,Brazil.
Stefankodiscussedthecoalminingindustryin
Pennsylvania,itshistoricimpactonthestatesair,land
andwater,andprojectsthathavesuccessfullyremediated
damagedonebypastmining.
Therearenearly250,000acresoflandandmore
than5,500streammilesnegativelyimpactedbypre1977mininginPennsylvania.
Fortunately,DEPhasarobustabandonedminereclamationprogramstaffedwithabout
150geologists,engineers,biologists,andotherswhoworktirelesslytocleanupdegradedmine
sites.
ClickHere
toviewStefankospresentationandtolearnmoreaboutabandonedmine
reclamationinPennsylvania.
NewsClip:
AmericanChestnutsRiseWhereOtherTreesFailOnPAMiningSites


(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

LackawannaCountyStreambankFencingInstallationPromotesWaterQuality

DEP'sNortheastRegional
WaterwaysandWetlandsProgram
staffrecentlyinstalledapproximately200feetofstreambank
fencingattheHullFarminCovingtonTownship,Lackawanna
CountynearScranton.
Thefourthgenerationfarmprovidesshelterforhorses,andatone
timeraisedlivestockforagriculturalpurposes.
Streambankfencinginvolvesinstallingfencingaroundabodyof
water(pond,lakeorstream)topreventlivestockfromentering
anddepositingcontaminantssuchasfertilizerorfluids.
Thepracticenotonlyprotectslocalwaterways,butwaterthatultimatelyfeedsintothe
ChesapeakeBay.StreambankfencingalsoprovidescreditstothestateforitsNutrientCredit
Program.
WithintheChesapeakeBaywatershed,streambankfencingisfundedthroughthe
ChesapeakeAgriculturalAbatementGrant.
NewsClips:
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
CleanWaterCountsInYorkCounty
RainGardenImprovesEnvironment,PlaygroundAtErieSchool
PittsburghStormwaterDisputeGets2ndRoundOfScrutiny
SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
OriginOfTheNameSusquehanna
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

SaveTheDate:2016WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposiumApril1415

The2016
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
willbeheldonApril1415atthe
ToftreesResortandConferenceCenterinStateCollege.
The
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationCoalition
and
TroutUnlimited
have
sponsoredthistwodaygettogetherfororganizationsandindividualsworkingtorestorethe
WestBranchoftheSusquehannaRivertoexchangeinformationandcelebratesuccesses.
EachSymposiumfeaturesstudentposters,exhibitionspacefornonprofitsandcompanies,
aswellasthefamousorangerockawards.TheWBSRCandTroutUnlimitedworktoalso
provideaworkshoporhandsonfieldexperiencethatwillbenefitthemembergroups.
Throughoutthetwodaysparticipantsalsohavetimetonetworkwithotherorganizations
workingwithintheWestBranchoftheSusquehannaRiver.
Watchthe
WestBranchRestorationSymposium
webpageformoreinformation.

NewsClips:
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
CleanWaterCountsInYorkCounty
RainGardenImprovesEnvironment,PlaygroundAtErieSchool
PittsburghStormwaterDisputeGets2ndRoundOfScrutiny
SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
OriginOfTheNameSusquehanna
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

MasterWellOwnerNetworkEducatesThousandsOfWaterWellOwners

The
PennStateMasterWellOwnerNetwork
hadanothersuccessfulyearofeducationforprivate
watersystemownersacrossPennsylvania.
MWONisavolunteerprogramdedicatedtoprovidingunbiased,researchbased
educationforthemillionsofprivatewaterwellownersinPennsylvania.
FundingisprovidedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandthe
PennsylvaniaGroundWaterAssociation
.
MWONtrained38newvolunteersthisyearwhojoin232activeMWONvolunteersin57
counties.ActiveMWONvolunteersreportedspending1,307hourseducating3,260privatewater
supplyownersinPennsylvania.
Seventyeightpercentofvolunteerseducatedwatersupplyownersthroughoneonone
conversationswhile22percentutilizedthetabletopdisplayateventsand25percentgave
presentationstosmallgroups.
Sinceitsinception,684MWONvolunteersfrom66countieshavededicated10,432
hoursoftheirtimetodirectlyeducate39,872privatewatersupplyowners.
Additionalindirecteducationthroughnewsletters,newspapersandpublicationshasbeen
providedtoover100,000privatewatersupplyownersthroughoutthestate.
MWONpartneredwithvariousagenciesthisyeartoprovide25SafeDrinkingWater
Clinicsorothereducationalworkshopsto743privatewatersupplyownersandfreewatertesting
to211households.
AnewyouthdrinkingwaterprogramwasalsopresentedbyMWONstateandregional
coordinatorsandotherPennStateExtensionEducatorsto200youthinschoolsand4Hclubs.
InMay2015MWONpartneredwithnumerousagenciestopresentthe2015
PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposiuminStateCollegefor251groundwaterprofessionals.
Planningisalreadyunderwayforthe
2016PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium
onMay4at
theRamadaInninStateCollege,PA.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PennStateMasterWellOwnerNetwork
webpageor
contactBryanSwistock,WaterResourcesSpecialist,RenewableNaturalResources,PennState
Extension,DepartmentofEcosystemScienceandManagement,8148630194orsendemailto:
brs@psu.edu
.
NewsClip:
BillingProblemBlamedOnNewWaterMetersInPittsburgh

(WrittenBy:BryanSwistock,WaterResourcesSpecialist,RenewableNaturalResources,Penn
StateExtension,DepartmentofEcosystemScienceandManagement,andreprintedfromthe
October26WatershedWindsnewsletter
fromPennStateExtension.
ClickHere
tosignupfor
yourowncopy.)

ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAQuarterlyUpdateNowAvailable

The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA

quarterlyupdate
isnowavailablefeaturingstorieson

RebootOfPennsylvaniasCleanWaterEffortsNeeded

FarmBureauToAskU.S.SupremeCourtToThrowOutBayCleanWaterBlueprint

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofleftpanel).
NewsClips:
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
CleanWaterCountsInYorkCounty
RainGardenImprovesEnvironment,PlaygroundAtErieSchool
PittsburghStormwaterDisputeGets2ndRoundOfScrutiny
SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
OriginOfTheNameSusquehanna
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

AllianceForChesapeakeBay:HowToBuildARainGardenAndReduceStormwater

The
AlliancefortheChesapeakeBay
hasa
guideonhow
homeowners
canreducestormwaterrunoffbyconstructinga
raingarden.
Raingardensareaneasyandeffectivetoolthatwe
canusetohelpreducestormwaterrunofffromresidential
properties.Thesegardensarestrategicallyplacedtointercept
pollutantladen
stormwaterrunoff
untilitcanbefully
absorbedintotheground.
Theirdesignallowstheraingardentoservealmost
asabowlthatcollectswaterfromdownspoutsoroverland
flowacrossaproperty.Thewateristhenabletoslowlyinfiltrateintotheunderlyingsoil.
Raingardenscancomeinalldifferentshapesandsizesbutarebestwhenplantedwith
nativeplants
thatare
indigenous
totheChesapeakeBaywatershed.Theseplantsrequirelittle
maintenanceonceestablished,havedeeprootsthatsoakuplotsofwater,providefoodand
habitattowildlife,andarebeautiful.
ClickHere
towatchavideoonhowtoinstallaraingarden.
ClickHere
tolearnmore.
NewsClips:
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
CleanWaterCountsInYorkCounty
RainGardenImprovesEnvironment,PlaygroundAtErieSchool
PittsburghStormwaterDisputeGets2ndRoundOfScrutiny

SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
OriginOfTheNameSusquehanna
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA:NativePlantsACoolChoiceForFallPlanting

ByHarryCampbell,
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
OfficeDirector

Asyoufindtimetoputawaydeckfurniture,winterizegardens,and
givethelawnitslastgoodmowing,consideraddingnativeplantsto
thelandscaping.Theycanpaydividendsforyearstocome.
AccordingtoourChesapeakeBayFoundationrestoration
specialists,whoknowathingortwoaboutplants,nowthrough
Thanksgivingcanbethebesttimetoputbeneficialnativeplantsinto
theground.
NativePennsylvaniaplantsarecommonlydefinedasthose
thatgrewintheCommonwealthbeforeEuropeansettlersarrived.
Whetheritbeflowers,trees,shrubs,orgrasses,thereisa
nativeplantforeverypurposeanddesire.
(PhotobyClair
Ryan/ChesapeakeBayFoundation.)
Plantsplantedinthefall,especiallytreesandshrubs,tendto
puttheirenergyintorootgrowth,insteadofleafgrowth,saysClairRyan,ourwatershed
restorationprogrammanagerinHarrisburg.Thisgivesthemastrongfoundationforrapid
growthinthespring.
Manyplantsalsogodormantinthefallandwinteranddontrequiremuchmoistureto
surviveuntilthespring.Withplantsalreadyintheground,theyarereadytotakeadvantageof
springrains.
Nativeflowersandherbaceousplantsoftenneedlesswater,fertilizerandother
maintenance.Nativeplantsabsorbandfilterwater,asignificantfactorinreducingtheamountof
harmfulnitrogen,phosphorus,andsedimentrunoffthatpollutesPennsylvaniawaterways.
Foodandhabitatareamongotherbenefitsnativeplantsprovide.
Nativeplantsofferournativewildlifeafoodsourcethattheyareusedtoandneed,
saysAshleySpotts,whoworksinYork,Lancaster,Lebanon,andChestercounties.Itsthe
beginningofthefoodchain.
Nativescanusuallytolerateextremeheat,cold,drought,andfloodingbetterthan
nonnatives,becausetheyareadaptedtothearea,FrankRohreradds.Thismeansless
replacementofdeadandinjuredplantsforhomeowners.
FrankworksinCentre,Clinton,Lycoming,Union,Snyder,JuniataandMifflincounties.
Nativewarmseasongrassesprovidenestingandwintercoverformanytypesofwildlife.
Theirsturdy,thickstemsprovideashieldfromsnow,weather,andpredatorsbetterthan
shortgrowing,nonnativegrasses.
Plantinginwetareasinthefallshouldbeavoidedatallcosts.SteveSmithsays,
dependingontheseverityofthewinter,plantsinstalledinthefalltendtoheaveoutofthe

ground,sometimescompletely,resultinginhighmortality.
SteveisinPotter,TiogaandBradfordcounties.KristenKitchenworksinCumberland,
Dauphin,andFranklincounties.JenniferJohnsworksinBradford,Susquehanna,Sullivan,and
Wyomingcounties.
Fallisthebesttimeforplantingcontainerizedseedlings,whilebarerootseedlingsdo
bestinthespring.ClairRyanaddsthatfortreesandshrubs,usingstakesandshelterscanprovide
supportandprotectionfromwildlifedamage.Thesepracticesareoftenusedinestablishing
buffers.
SteveSmithsuggestsconsideringseveralfactorswhenselectingnativeplants.Whatare
yourprioritiesfortheplantingarea,heasks.Areyoutryingtoenhanceanareanearastream?
Doyouprefercertainspeciessuchaspollinators,songbirds,instreamcritters,fishspecies,or
wildlifeingeneral?Arefruitandnutproductsimportant?
Thinkaboutthesoilandtheplantingareaitself.Donotplantatreethatneedsupland
typesoilinawetland.Becarefultochooseshadetolerantspeciesforshadyareasandthosethat
likefullsuninsunnyareas.
Selectplantsthatwillsurviveinyourcoldhardinesszone,FrankRohrersuggests.
Considerthesizeoftheplantsatmaturityandbesuretochoosespeciesthatwillnotgetinthe
wayofdriveways,fences,paths,orroadsides.
Fromthemyriadflowers,trees,shrubs,grasses,andferns,thereisanativeplanttoserve
everypurposeanddesire.
Aterrificresourceforselectingandinstallingnativeplantscanbefoundatthe
Native
PlantCenter
website.ThereyoucanfindtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceGuide,
Native
PlantsforWildlifeHabitatandConservationLandscapingChesapeakeBayWatershed
.
Takeitfromtheproswhoknow.Gettingbacktobasicswithnativeplantscanmakeour
waterscleaner,andlifeeasierforthegardener.
RelatedLinks:
BayScaping:LandscapingToBenefitPeople,Wildlife,ChesapeakeBay
BayScaping:GoingTheWholeYardToHelpTheChesapeakeBay
BayScapingForTheLongTerm:AHomeownersGuide
DCNR:LandscapingWithNativePlants
NewsClips:
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
CleanWaterCountsInYorkCounty
RainGardenImprovesEnvironment,PlaygroundAtErieSchool
PittsburghStormwaterDisputeGets2ndRoundOfScrutiny
SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
OriginOfTheNameSusquehanna
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

DEP:FinalCoastalResourcesManagementStrategyNowAvailable

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheOctober31PABulletin
announcingtheavailabilityofthefinalCoastalResourcesManagementAssessmentandStrategy

fortheCommonwealthrequiredbytheFederalCoastalZoneManagementProgram.
Thisassessmentispartofavoluntarycoastalzoneenhancementgrantsprogramthat
encouragesstatesandterritoriestodevelopprogramchangesinoneormoreofthefollowing
ninecoastalenhancementareas:coastalwetlandscoastalhazardspublicaccessmarinedebris
cumulativeandsecondaryimpactsspecialareamanagementplanningocean/GreatLakes
resourcesenergyandgovernmentfacilitysitingandactivitiesandaquaculture.
ThenoticesaidacopyoftheStrategywillbeavailableonDEPs
CoastalResources
Management
webpage.

SaveTheDate:2016PAGroundwaterSymposiumMay4,CallForAbstractsInNovember

PennStateExtensionanditspartnerswillholdthe
2016PAGroundwaterSymposium
onMay4
attheRamadaInnConferenceCenterinStateCollege.
TheSymposiumwillprovideaforumforresearchers,students,professionalsand
educatorsworkinginthegroundwaterfieldtoexchangeinformationandpromoteprotectionof
groundwaterresourcesthroughoutthestate.
Thedaylongsymposiumwillbeginat8:30a.m.withopeningremarksandaplenary
sessionofpresentationsonemerginggroundwatertopics.Morningandafternoonconcurrent
sessionswillalsobeprovidedalongwithtwopaneldiscussionsonKarstGroundwatertopicsand
ShaleGasIssues.
Abuffetlunchwillbeprovidedforallattendeesandthesymposiumwillclosewith
anotherplenarysessionofspeakers.
CallForAbstracts
AcallforabstractswillbedistributedinmidNovemberforpresentationsatthe
symposium.Staytunedtothe
Symposiumwebpage
forthecallforabstractsandregistration
informationinthecomingmonths.
ThefullagendaandonlineregistrationwillbereleasedinmidFebruary2016andwillbe
limitedtothefirst250registrants.AttendeescanalsoregistertoreceiveCEUcreditsfor
attendingthesymposium.
Anominalregistrationfeeofjust$40ismadepossiblethroughthegeneroussupportof
thesymposiumsponsorsincludingPennStateExtension,the
PennsylvaniaWaterResources
ResearchCenter
,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,andthe
PennsylvaniaGround
WaterAssociation
.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
2016PAGroundwaterSymposium
webpage.

(WrittenBy:BryanSwistock,WaterResourcesSpecialist,RenewableNaturalResources,Penn
StateExtension,DepartmentofEcosystemScienceandManagement,andreprintedfromthe
October26WatershedWindsnewsletter
fromPennStateExtension.
ClickHere
tosignupfor
yourowncopy.)

Oct.26WatershedsWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension

The
October26issueoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson

StrategiesToKeepPollutantsOutOfStormwaterPonds


DrugResiduesInWastewater,HouseholdsMainlyResponsible

SaveTheDate:2016PAGroundwaterSymposiumMay4

PennStateLabReleasesUpdatedWaterQualitySummaries

MasterWellOwnerNetworkEducationsThousandsOfWaterWellOwners

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

OctoberUpStreamNewsletterNowAvailableFromStroudWaterResearchCenter

The
OctoberissueofUpStream
,themonthlynewsletterfromthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
inAvondale,ChesterCountyis
nowavailablefeaturingstorieson

StroudConnectsInternationalLeadersWithFreshwater
Solutions

StroudScientistTakesRotatorPostAtNationalScienceFoundation

PouringWaterQualityIntoBhutansGrossNationalHappinessIndex

UpcomingEvents

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardMeetingLocationMovedForNov.5

TheNovember5meetingof
DEPsEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
willnowbeheld
at
DEPsSoutheastRegionalOffice,DelawareRoom,2EastMainStreetinNorristownstartingat
9:00.
DEPwillnowalsowebcastthismeeting.
ClickHere
toregister.
Theagenda
forthemeetingincludesintroducingthenewEnvironmentalJusticeDirector
CarlE.Jones,Jr.
,discussionofEJABcommentsontheEPACleanPowerClimatePlan,
LegislativeandPolicyupdatesandotheritems.
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

GreenSchoolsBlueWatersPAFarmsToSchoolsProgramWebinarNov.17

The
GreenSchoolsBlueWatersInitiative
willhosta
PAFarmsToSchoolsProgram
webinaron
November17startingat3:00.
JoinElaineMcDonnell,CoordinatorofProjectPAatPennStateUniversity,asshe
presentsawebinaronthePAFarmtoSchoolInitiative.Learnabouttheinitiative,school
districtsthathaveimplementedsuccessfulFarmToSchoolprograms,andtipstodevelopinga
FarmtoSchoolprogramatyourschool.Ms.McDonnellisaRegisteredDietitianandhasher
mastersdegreefromPennStateUniversity.
TheprogramisproducedbytheCenterforSchoolsandCommunitiesthroughtheCentral
SusquehannaIntermediateUnitfundedbyNOAA/ChesapeakeBayFund.
ClickHere
toregisterforthisprogram.
Formoreinformationonresourcesandprograms,visitthe
GreenSchoolsBlueWaters
Initiative
website.

PAEnvironmentalEducatorsExtendDeadlineForSubmittingProposalsForConference


The
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
haveextendthedeadlineforsubmitting
proposalsforpresentationsatthe
2016annualconference
onMarch1416inPoconoManor,
MonroeCounty.ThenewdeadlineisNovember16.
Areasoffocusinclude:BestpracticesinEEprograms,e.g.Naturejournalingwater
samplingNaturalhistory&ecology,e.g.ThestoryoftheAmericanChestnutand
Organizationalmanagement,e.g.Socialmedia&fundraising.
Atthe2015conference,over150educators,naturalists,schoolteachers,principals,early
childhoodeducators,andstudentsfromacrossPennsylvaniaattendedtheconferencethatfocused
onbuildingconnectionsbetweenstudents,educatorsandnature.
ClickHere
todownloadtheConferencePresentersform.Pleasesubmitcompletedforms
byemailto:
info@eeresources.net
withthesubjectlineworkshopproposal.
Formoreinformationonprogramsandactivities,visitthe
PAAssociationof
EnvironmentalEducators
website.

DCNR,DEPHeldHighSchoolCareerExpoInHarrisburg

HighschoolstudentsfromtheHarrisburgareavisited
theRachelCarsonStateOfficeBuildinginHarrisburg
onOctober28totakepartinDEPsandDCNRs
HighSchoolCareerExpo.
Thestudentsheardfromprofessionalsinboth
agenciesaboutthenumerouscareeropportunities
fromairqualityinspectorstoforesterstowater
specialiststhattheycouldpursueaftergraduation
fromcollege.
Weneedsmart,talentedyoungpeoplelikeyoutocontinuethegoodworkofthe
agency,SecretaryQuigleytoldthenearly50studentsinattendance.
Forcollegestudents,
ClickHere
tolearnhowyoucanapplyforinternshipsatDEP.

(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

DEPOffersSummerInternshipsForCollegeStudents

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionofferssummerinternshipsinavarietyofareas,
includingengineering,scientificandtechnicalandgovernmentservice.Thedeadlinefor
applicationsisMarch1.Visit
DEPsInternships
webpageforallthedetailsonhowtoapply.

KeepPABeautifulReports50%ReductionInCigaretteLitterAtEriePortFacilities

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
Wednesdayannouncedtherewasa50percentreductionin
cigarettelitteratthefacilitiesoftheErieWesternPennsylvaniaPortAuthorityinErieCountyas
aresultofimplementingaCigaretteLitterPreventionProgram.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulpartneredwithKeepAmericaBeautifultoawarda$5,000
granttothePortofErietoinstall37ashreceptaclesatsevenprominentlocationsincluding

LibertyPark,avenuethatattractscrowdsthroughoutthesummermonthsforfreeconcertsand
DobbinsLanding,apopulartouristarealocatedalongPresqueIsleBay.
Aninitialscanofcigarettelitterwasconductedbeforeinstallingcigarettelittertrash
receptacles.Afollowupscanoftheprogramareaswasconductedafterthereceptacleswerein
placefortwomonths.Theresultsreporteda50percentoverallreductionincigarettebutts.
Wearegratefulfortheopportunitytobringthesevaluableantilitterresourcesto
Pennsylvania.WithsupportfromKeepAmericaBeautiful,wedemonstratedthatwiththe
appropriatetoolsandresources,wereallycanchangepeoplesbehaviorwhenitcomesto
cigarettelitter,explainedShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.Through
publiceducationandaccesstoreceptacles,wearelesseningtheeffectthatcigarettelitterhason
ourlandsandwaterways.
The"
GuidetoCigaretteLitterPrevention
"providesinformationaboutstartingand
maintaininga
CigaretteLitterPreventionProgram
inyourcommunityandcanbefoundonline.
Formoreinformationonotherprogramsandinitiatives,visitthe
KeepPABeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforacopyofKPBsBeautifulnewsletter.
NewsClips:
DEPTellsKeystoneLandfillWhichBenefitsItWillConsider
FriendsOfLackawannaAppealsKeystoneLandfillZoning
KeystoneLandfillLeachateNotLikelySourceOfStench
LandfillSpent$95KOnLowerSauconTwp.CouncilElection
EnvironmentalGroupAppealsFirstEnergyCoalAshPermit

PROPRecyclingEducationAndSocialMediaWorkshopNov.4InBellefonte

The
ProfessionalRecyclersofPA
arehostinga
RecyclingEducationandSocialMedia
Workshop
onNovember4atthe
CentreCountyRefuseandRecyclingAuthority
Office,253
TransferRoadinBellefonte,PA.
Participantswillreceive.5CEUstowardRecyclingProfessionalCertificationfor
participatinginthisworkshop.
ClickHere
foraWorkshopbrochure.ClickHereforregistrationinformation.
Formoreinformationonothertrainingopportunities,programsandinitiatives,visitthe
ProfessionalRecyclersofPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignuptoreceivePROPsmonthly
enewsletterandperiodicalerts.
NewsClips:
DEPTellsKeystoneLandfillWhichBenefitsItWillConsider
FriendsOfLackawannaAppealsKeystoneLandfillZoning
KeystoneLandfillLeachateNotLikelySourceOfStench
LandfillSpent$95KOnLowerSauconTwp.CouncilElection
EnvironmentalGroupAppealsFirstEnergyCoalAshPermit

PARecyclingIndustriesCongressNov.17InHarrisburg

The
PAWasteIndustriesAssociation
andthe
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
willhostthe2015
PARecyclingIndustriesCongressintheCapitolBuildingHarrisburgonNovember17from8:00
a.m.to3:00p.m.

ExhibitorswillbeintheEastWingRotundaoftheCapitoltoshowcaseinnovative
Pennsylvaniaproductsmadefromrecyclablematerials.
TherewillbeabreakoutsessionfromNoonuntil1:00p.m.onElectronicsRecycling:
RealitiesofthePennsylvaniaMarketplaceinRoom14EastWingoftheCapitol.
Formoreinformation,contactthePARecyclingMarketsCenterbycalling7179486660
orcontactRobertBylone,ExecutiveDirectorofthePRMC,bysendingemailto:
rjb128@psu.edu
.
RelatedStories:
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
NewsClips:
DEPTellsKeystoneLandfillWhichBenefitsItWillConsider
FriendsOfLackawannaAppealsKeystoneLandfillZoning
KeystoneLandfillLeachateNotLikelySourceOfStench
LandfillSpent$95KOnLowerSauconTwp.CouncilElection
EnvironmentalGroupAppealsFirstEnergyCoalAshPermit

UpdateOnDEPInvestigationIntoScrantonSewerMalodorEvent

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdaysaidithasidentifiedthechemicals
withinthemalodoroussubstancediscoveredintheScrantonsewersysteminthevicinityofthe
GreenridgesectionofthecityonthenightofSeptember24.DEPiscontinuingtoinvestigatethe
sourceofthesubstance.
Afteranalysis,DEPhasdeterminedthatthemalodoroussubstanceisachemicalmixture
ofapetroleumproduct,similartodieselfuelorhomeheatingoilandanumberofother
chemicals,suchas,terpenesandmethylatedcyclosiloxanes,whicharenottypicallyassociated
withpetroleumproducts.
Terpenesareaclassoforganiccompoundsoftenfoundincitrusbasedcleaningproducts
andaromatherapyoils.Methylatedcyclosiloxanesmaybeusedintheproductionofsilicone
rubbers,asanalternativedrycleaningsolvent,and/orasaningredientincosmeticapplications
likeskincreamsanddeodorants.
Fivesamplesofthesubstancefoundinthesewersystemandanothersampleofthe
substancefloatingonthesurfaceoftheScrantonSewerAuthoritytreatmentplanthavebeen
collectedandanalyzedbyDEPsBureauofLaboratoriesinHarrisburg.
Inaddition,foursamplesofrawandtreatedleachatefromKeystoneLandfillwere
collectedandanalyzedaspartofDEPsinvestigation.
Basedontheanalysis,anumberofthechemicalsidentifiedareknowntohavestrong
odors.However,DEPhasnotbeenabletodeterminewhichspecificchemicalorcombinationof
chemicalscausedthemalodor.
DEPhasalsodetermined,throughthelabanalysis,thatthematerialspresentinthe
samplesofthemalodoroussubstancearenotthesameasmaterialspresentintheleachate
samples.
TheScrantonSewerAuthorityhasdeterminedthatthesubstancehasnotcompromised
theoperationsofthesewagetreatmentplantorthesewerline.
DEPwillcontinuetoworkcloselywiththeScrantonSewerAuthorityandtheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencytodeterminehowthesubstancewasintroducedintothesewer

line.
NewsClip:
KeystoneLandfillLeachateNotLikelySourceOfStench

StateImpact:PASupremeCourtToHearMoreArgumentsOnAct13DrillingLaw

StateImpactPAreportedFriday
thePASupremeCourtTuesdayissuedanordersayingitwill
hearchallengestotheAct13drillinglawrelatedtodoctoraccesstofrackingchemical
information,eminentdomainfornaturalgasstoragefacilitiesandcertainexclusionsfrom
notificationofspillsforownersandresidentsrelyingonprivatewatersources.
ThesethreeissueswereremandedbytheSupremeCourtbackto
CommonwealthCourt
forrehearing
after
theDecember2013decision
whichinvalidatedlimitsonlocalregulationof
drillingthroughzoning.
Attherehearing,CommonwealthCourtdecidedagainstenvironmentalinterestsonall
threeissuesandtheyappealedthedecision.
TheSupremeCourtalsoagreedtohearargumentsrelatedto
anappealbythePublic
UtilityCommission
onitsroleindenyingdrillingimpactfeepaymentstomunicipalitiesthat
enactlocalordinancesrestrictingdrilling.
StateImpactsaidtheSupremeCourtwillnotrevisitits2013interpretationofthestates
EnvironmentalRightsAmendmentasinvalidatingAct13slimitsonregulatingoilandgas
activitiesthroughlocalzoning.
NewsClip:
PASupremeCourtToHearMoreArgumentsOnAct13DrillingLaw

OpEd:DespitePennLive.comShaleSeries,PAIsProtectingYourAirAndWater

ByJohnQuigley,Secretary,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection

Thefollowingisanoped
byDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyinresponseto
a
seriespublishedlastweekinbyPennLive/ThePatriotNews
regarding
theregulationofnaturalgasdrillinginPennsylvania.
WhenPatriotNewsreportersstartedaskingfordatasetsand
requestinginterviewswithstaffofthePennsylvaniaDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection(DEP),wewereproudtoprovideinformation
abouttheworkofouragency.GovernorWolfprioritizedtransparency
andintegrityinmyJanuaryinterviewforthecabinetpost,anditremains
ahallmarkofhisadministration.
Unconventionalnaturalgasdevelopmentpresentsbothchallengesandopportunitiesfor
Pennsylvania.Itsourchallengetoensurethatindustryaccessesthisresourceinwaysthat
protectourcitizensandourenvironmentwhilefeedingtheenergyneedsofcitizensandbusiness
intheCommonwealthandbeyond.Anditsouropportunitytotakefulleconomicadvantageof
thisimmenseenergyresourcewhileensuringthattheextractionandtransmissionofitisdone
responsibly.
Thispastweek,ThePatriotNews/PennLive.compublishedaseriesofstoriesonthe
issuessurroundingthedevelopmentofPennsylvania'sMarcellusshaledeposits.Itsanimportant

subjectforeveryPennsylvaniantounderstandbecausethetechnologyonlycameofageadecade
agoandhastakenoff.
Since2008,Pennsylvania'snaturalgasproductionhasincreaseddramatically,and
Pennsylvaniahasbecomethesecondlargestsupplierofnaturalgasinthenation.
EveryPennsylvanianshouldhaveaccesstoaccurateinformationabouttheindustry,and
abouttheagenciesthatregulatethatindustry.
Butwedonotfeelthatthisrecentseriesaccuratelyreflectedthefullpictureof
tremendousworkandeffortofDEPoverthepastyearandbeyondtoimproveoureffortsto
protecttheenvironment.
Wewelcomethescrutinyofthisagency,butthehardworkingwomenandmenofDEP
deservetohavethewholestorybetold.
Inthisadministration,westrivetocontinuallyimproveourperformanceinprotecting
Pennsylvania'sair,land,water,andpublichealth.
Inotonlyagreewithfeedbackaimedtoensurethatweupholdourmissiondaily,and
throughtheworkofeachagencyemployee,Iencourageit.
Beyondthelistofinaccuraciesinthisseriesofstories,though,there'ssomething
importantmissing.
Forinstance,wehavebeenworkinghardsinceDecember2013tomodernizethe
regulationsunderwhichthisindustryoperates,andimplementAct13of2012.
SincetheinitialreleaseofadraftrulemakingtoamendThePennsylvaniaCode
(specifically,Chapter78:OilandGasWellsunderTitle25:EnvironmentalProtection)in
December2013,we'vetakeninalmost30,000publiccomments.Manycameduringthe12
publichearingsweheldonthissubject,orweredeliveredtousonlineorbymail.
Thiswasanunprecedentedexpressionofthepublic'sinterestinthismatter,andwe've
consideredeveryoneofthosecomments.
We'veusedthepubliccomments,aswellasouryearsofexperiencewiththeindustry,to
proposechangesthatwillhavealastingimpactonPennsylvania'speople,environment,and
energyeconomy,andthatIbelievearebalanced,incrementalandappropriateforactivitieswe
overseewithintheOilandGasProgram.
InanotherexampleofhowfarDEPisgoingtoensurethepublicisheard,weareinthe
midstofa14stoplisteningtourtogetinputonaCleanPowerPlanthatfitsPennsylvania.
Trackingthethousandsofwellsthathavebeendrilledduringtheshaleboomisa
dauntingtask.
Addintheotherinformationthatthepublicneedslikethechemicalsused,thesource
ofthewaterforthehydraulicfracturing,andinformationaboutanyviolationsoraccidentsthat
haveoccurredatawellsiteandtheresultisaliteralmountainofpaper.
OneofthekeygoalsofDEPundermyleadershipistomakethatinformationmore
transparentandaccessible.
Thisisnotaquicklyaccomplishedtask,norisitaneasyone.DEPisanagencystill
transitioningfrompaperrecordsand1990stechnologyatbesttofullydigitalandsearchable
archives.
Whenthetransitioniscomplete,Pennsylvanianswillhaveeasyaccesstoeverything
aboutthewellsinthestate,fromthedaytheyarestartedtothedaytheyareplugged.
Thatmodernizationtakesfunding.Theseriesdidn'tnotethatGovernorWolfinheriteda
decimatedDEPbudget.DEPlost14percentofitsstaffcomplementoverthelast10years,well

overtwicethestategovernmentaverage.
Anothersignthatthisadministrationiscommittedtoimprovingprotectionisthatthe
Governorproposedabudgetthatprovidesamorethan5percentincreaseoverDEP'scurrent
budgettoimproveenforcementofPennsylvania'senvironmentallaws.
IfundamentallydisagreemostwiththePatriotNews'characterizationthattheindustry
"haslargelyskatedthroughthehallsofpowerforadecadewithnoonetheretosay'No.'"
Thisagency,andinparticular,thisadministration,knowsfullwellitsresponsibilityto
protectPennsylvania'sair,landandwaterfrompollutionandtoprovideforthehealthandsafety
ofitscitizensthroughacleanerenvironment.Andweworkhardtofulfillthatresponsibility
everyday.
NewsClips:
DEPSecretaryRespondsToPatriotNewsMarcellusShaleSeries
MarcellusShaleCoalitionRespondsToPatriotMarcellusShaleSeries
MarcellusShaleCoalition:FactCheckingPatriotNewsSeries
Editorial:5ThingsWillMakeShaleDrillingBetterForPA
DEP: We Have A Lot Of Rebuilding To Do

(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

FracTracker,ForestEthicsHostOilTrainResponseConferenceNov.13

FracTracker
and
ForestEthics
willhostan
OilTrainResponse2015Conference
onNovember13
attheWyndhamPittsburghUniversityCenterinPittsburgh.
TheonedayconferencepresentedbyTheHeinzEndowmentsinvitesallinterestgroups
tohearfromexpertsaboutthescaleandscopeofthischallenge,aswellasupdatesonthecurrent
regulatoryandlegalframeworksconsidercasestudiesabouttheactions/measurestakenby
variouscommunitiesinresponseand,participateindiscussionsessionstoexploresolutionsto
bettersafeguardcommunities.
Electedofficials,regulators,andemergencyresponseprofessionalsfromPennsylvania
andbeyondareespeciallyencouragedtoattendtotakeadvantageofthisimportantlearningand
networkingopportunity.
Thesesamegroupswillalsohostatwodaytrainingworkshopforgrassrootsand
nonprofitorganizationleaderstoprovidethemwithskillsfordealingwiththiscriticalissue.
TheprogramisfundedbyTheHeinzEndowmentsandthe
FoundationforPennsylvania
Watersheds
.
ClickHere
toregister.Formoreinformation,visitthe
OilTrainResponse2015
webpage.

PUCUrgesUtilitiesToHelpConsumersPrepareNowForWinter,HigherHeatingBills

Aspartofits13thyearof
PrepareNow
educationefforts,thePublicUtilityCommission
Thursdayurgedutilitiestotakeextrastepstohelpconsumersespeciallythoseonlimitedand
fixedincomestoprepareforwinterheatingcosts.
Alettersigned
bythefivePUCCommissionershasbeensenttoallofPennsylvanias
electricandnaturalgasutilitycompaniesunderthePUCsjurisdiction,askingthemtojointhe
Commissionineducatingconsumersaboutthemanywinterassistanceprogramsandservices

thatareavailable.
Theletteralsoincludesspecificsuggestionsforutilitycompaniesandemphasizesthat
theyhavemoreflexibilitytomakeallowancesforpaymenttroubledcustomersthanthePUC
does,underthelaw.
ThePUCsPrepareNowcampaignprovidesconsumerswithsimpletipstolowertheir
energybills,includingshoppingforelectricityandnaturalgas,aswellaswaystoconserve
energyaroundthehouse.
Italsooffersinformationaboutlowincomeprogramsthathelpconsumersrestoreand
maintainservice.
Manyutilityconsumerswhoneedassistancearestillunawareoftheprogramsavailable
tohelpthemrestoreormaintainutilityservice.JustastheCommissionwillbereminding
consumerswhocallusabouttheavailabilityofsuchprograms,weurgeallutilitiestoincrease
theiroutreacheffortstomakesurethatconsumersreceiveinformationaboutanyprogramfor
whichtheymaybeeligible,theCommissionerswrote.
ThePrepareNowcampaignencouragesconsumersonlimitedorfixedincomestocall
theirutilityabout
programstohelpheattheirhomes
orpaytheirenergybillssuchasCustomer
AssistancePrograms(CAPs)andLowIncomeUsageReductionPrograms(LIURP).
Italsoappealstothecompaniestoincreaseeffortstoeducateconsumersaboutother
programs,suchasgrantsunderthefederal
LowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram
(LIHEAP)administeredbytheDepartmentofHumanServices.
LIHEAPapplicationswillbeacceptedstartingNovember2.
Atthesametime,theCommissionisremindingallpartiesconsumersandutilitiesalike
thatChapter56ofthePublicUtilityCodeimposesanobligationofgoodfaith,honestyandfair
dealing.
ThePUCsmessageissimple
PrepareNow
forwinterenergycosts:
Learnmoreaboutconservation
Checkyourelectricandnaturalgasbillsandsuppliercontracts
Use
PAPowerSwitch.com
(electric)and
PAGasSwitch.com
toshopforservices
Lookintoprogramsthathelplowincomecustomersmaintainserviceand
Exploreotherstepstoreducelongtermheatingandenergyconsumptionsuchas
weatherizationprograms,theadditionofinsulationand/ortheinstallationofenergyefficient
appliancesandlighting,whichmanyconsumerscandothemselves.
Consumersinterestedinmoreinformationabouttheseimportantprogramscanvisitthe
PUCs"
PrepareNow
"webpagefollowsocialmediamessagesthatcontainthe#PrepareNow
tagorcallthePUCat18006927380.
ConsumeroutreachspecialistsfromthePUCareactiveacrossthestate,conductingor
participatinginworkshopevents,freeseminars,roundtablediscussionsandcommunityfairs.
Duringthoseevents,plainlanguagematerialsandliteraturedesignedtoeducate
consumersaboutassistanceprogramsandtheirrightsarehandedout.
Materialsincludeinformationonconsumerrightsindealingwithterminationsand
reconnections,availablelowincomeprogramsandtipsonhowtoPrepareNowforwinter.
FormoreinformationonhostingaPUCconsumeroutreachspecialistatacommunity
event,pleasecall7177875722.
NewsClips:
HowToHelpNEPAPeopleStrugglingWithEnergyBills

CompanyTakesClientCenteredApproachToEnergyEfficiency
OfficialsPushFirstEnergysLEDStreetLightingProgram
VampirePower:SuckingTheLifeOutOfElectronicDevices

StartApplyingForLowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceNov.2

Familiesstrugglingtopayheatingbillsorwakinguptoabrokenfurnaceoraserviceshutdown
canstartapplyingforthe
LowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram
(LIHEAP)November
2.
Ifyou'relivinginafamilyoffourandhaveahouseholdincomelessthan$36,375,you
qualifyforLIHEAP.
ClickHere
tofindoutifyourhouseholdiseligible.
Visitthe
Compasswebsite
toapplyforLIHEAPorcontact
yourcountyassistanceoffice
ortheLIHEAPhotlineat18668577095,MondaythroughFriday(individualswithhearing
impairmentsmaycalltheTDDnumberat18004515886).
NewsClips:
HowToHelpNEPAPeopleStrugglingWithEnergyBills
CompanyTakesClientCenteredApproachToEnergyEfficiency
OfficialsPushFirstEnergysLEDStreetLightingProgram
VampirePower:SuckingTheLifeOutOfElectronicDevices

PECExpressesOppositionToBillAllowingOptOutOfEnergyEfficiencyProgram

The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
Mondayexpresseditsoppositionto
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)whichwouldallowlargecommercialandindustrialelectriccustomersto
optoutoftheAct129EnergyEfficiencyandConservationProgram.
ThetextofthelettertomembersoftheSenateConsumerProtectionandLicensure
CommitteefromJohnWalliser,PECsVicePresidentForLegalandGovernmentAffairs
follows
DearMembersoftheCommittee:
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil(PEC)Iamwritingtoexpressour
concernswithSenateBill805(P.N.922),whichwillbeconsideredbytheCommitteetomorrow.
ThislegislationallowslargecommercialandindustrialcustomerstooptoutoftheAct129
EnergyEfficiencyandConservationProgram.
SenateBill805threatenstheeffectivenessofAct129,whichrequiresthestateselectric
distributioncompanies(EDCs)toinvestinenergyefficiencymeasuresacrossallsectorstomeet
specificelectricitysavingstargetsbyyear.
TheprogramhasbeenverysuccessfulinloweringelectricityratesforallPennsylvanians.
Infact,totalavoidedcostsinPhaseIoftheprogramwere$4.2billion,whileimplementation
coststotaled$1.75billion.
Thesefiguresdonotaccountforassociatedwaterandnaturalgassavings,nordothey
includeenvironmentalandpublichealthbenefits.
TheproposedoptoutprovisioninSenateBill805hasthepotentialtoradicallyalterthe
effectivenessoftheprogram.Webelievethislegislationisnotinthepublicinterestforthe
followingreasons:
EnergyefficiencyimprovementsunderAct129benefitallusersacrossthesystemthrough

lowerelectricitycosts.TheSponsorMemorandumstatesthatlargecustomersaremorelikelyto
beabletomakeefficiencyimprovementsindependentoftheAct129programandtherefore
shouldnothavetoparticipate.
However,byallowingthis,SenateBill805permitstheseuserstocontinuetobenefit
financiallyfromtheprogramwithoutcontributingtoit.Thismeanslessassistanceisavailable
forcustomerswhoneedthefinancialsupportoftheAct129programtomakeefficiency
improvements.Thesesmallercustomersincludehomes,churches,smallbusinesses,andschools.
AccordingtoPJM,demandresponsereducedconsumerelectricitycostsby$11.8billionin
the20132014residualauction.Largeindustrialandcommercialusersarethosemostlikelyto
participateintheDemandResponseportionofAct129.Allowinglargecustomerstooptoutof
theprogramreducesthepotentialforthesebenefitstoallPennsylvaniaratepayers.
Allowinglargecustomerstooptoutofparticipationwilldecreasebenefitsavailabletoother
participants,includingsmallbusinesses,schools,andfamilies.Thisisbecauseenergyefficiency
improvementsatlargecommercialandindustrialsitestypicallycostlessperkilowatthoursaved
thanthoseatsmallercustomersites.
ByallowingEDCstobundlelargeandsmallercustomerprojects,theyarecurrentlyable
toreapgreaterenergysavingswhilestayingunderthespendingcap.S.B.805wouldendthese
efficiencies.
EDCsarenotcurrentlymandatedtomeetaseparatetargetforlargeindustrialcustomers.
Therefore,ifanEDCsapprovedplanincludesasignificantportionofenergysavingsresulting
fromthissector,anoptoutbythosecustomerswoulddrasticallyreducethetotalamountof
energysavings,defeatingtheoriginalintentoftheprogram.
Finally,theproposedlegislationwouldchangethelengthofAct129PhaseIII
implementationfromfiveyearstothreeyears.Thischangemeansthatmoreresourcesareused
onplandevelopmentandreview,ratherthanonprogramimplementationthatresultsinactual
energysavings.
Inshort,takinglargecustomersoutofthemixnegativelyimpactstheoverallprogram.
Webelievethislegislation,ascurrentlywritten,willonlybenefitasmallnumberofcustomers
andisnotinthebestinterestofPennsylvania.Weurgeyoutoopposeit.
Thankyouforyourconsideration.
JohnWalliser
VicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
ClickHere
forasponsorsummaryofthebill.
ThebillwasreportedoutoftheSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
CommitteeTuesdayandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforfreeupdatesonPECactivitiesand
howyoucanbecomeinvolved.

SunburyCoalPowerPlantToBeReplacedWith1,124MWNaturalGasPlant

PandaPowerFunds
announcedWednesdayithasfinancedthe1,124megawattPandaHummel
Stationpowerplantoneofthelargestcoaltonaturalgaspowerconversionprojectsinthe
UnitedStates.

TheplantwillbelocatedatthesiteoftheretiredSunburycoalfiredpowerplantnear
ShamokinDaminSnyderCounty,Pennsylvania.
The400MW,65yearoldplantwasshutteredin2014inresponsetolownaturalgas
pricesandtheonsetofstrictenvironmentalregulationspromulgatedbytheObama
Administration.
ThePandaHummelgeneratingstationwillbefueledwithMarcellusShalegas,whichis
expectedtoprovidetheprojectwithasignificantoperatingcostadvantage.Theplantisexpected
tosupplylargepowermarkets,includingPhiladelphiaandtheNewYorkmetropolitanarea,
whenitenterscommercialoperationsinthefirstquarterof2018.
Thenaturalgasrevolutionhasarrivedintheheartofcoalcountry,saidToddW.
Carter,presidentandseniorpartnerofPandaPowerFunds.ImproudPandaisleadingtheway
towardcleannaturalgasfueledgeneration.Werereadytotakewhatwevelearnedin
Pennsylvaniaandapplyittoothercoalfiredprojectsacrossthenation.
PandasHummelgeneratingstationisexpectedtobringsignificantbenefitstotheregion
duringconstructionandthelifeofthefacility.Approximately900jobswillbecreatedto
constructthepowerplantoveratwoandahalfyearperiod.
Thegeneratingstationwillcreateapproximately35direct,longtermjobstorunthe
facilityandanestimated52indirectjobswithinthecommunitytosupporttheplant.
Byservingastheanchortenantinthe192acreSunburyKeystoneOpportunity
ExpansionZone,HummelStationshouldalsosupportadditionalinvestmentatthesiteofthe
retiredcoalplant.
ThepowerfacilitywillalsohelpsupportalongtermmarketforPennsylvaniaMarcellus
Shalegasproducersandroyaltyowners.
ThestateoftheartHummelStationgeneratingfacilitywillutilizethelatest,most
advancedemissionscontroltechnologymakingitoneofthecleanestnaturalgasfueled
powerplantsinthenation.
Whilethenewpowerstationwillsupply180percentmorepowerthanthecoalplantit
replaces,SO2andNOXemissionswillbereducedbymorethan90percent.
ThePandaHummelgeneratingstationwillalsohelppreservePennsylvaniasfreshwater
resourcesbyusing97percentlesswaterforcoolingpurposesthantheretiredcoalfiredSunbury
plant.
PandaPowerFundsselectedaconstructionconsortiumofSiemensEnergyInc.and
BechtelPowerCorp.tobuildtheHummelfacilityonaturnkeybasis.Siemenswillprovidethe
powerislandpackageincludingthenaturalgasturbines,steamturbine,generators,heatrecovery
steamgenerators,andinstrumentationandcontrolssystems.
TheturbinesfortheHummelgeneratingstationwillbemanufacturedatSiemens
manufacturingfacilityinCharlotte,NorthCarolina.
Bechtelwillberesponsiblefortheengineeringandprocurementforthebalanceofthe
plant,andtheinstallation,constructionandcommissioningofthefacility.
ThePandaHummelStationpowerplantwillaccessnaturalgasthroughtheMARC1and
Transcontinentalregionalgaspipelines.
HummelStationwillbenefitfromitscloseproximitytotheSusquehannaRoseland
ElectricReliabilityTransmissionProject,arecentlycompleted146mile,500kVelectric
transmissionlinethatwasoneofsevennationwideprojectsfasttrackedbytheObama
AdministrationsRapidResponseTeamforTransmission.

ThegeneratingstationwillbelocatedonthewestbankoftheSusquehannaRiverin
ShamokinDamBoroughonthesiteof,andimmediatelyadjacentto,theretiredSunburycoal
plant.ThePandaHummelpowerplantwillutilizeexistinginfrastructureatthesiteforthe
electricalinterconnection,waterintakeandstormwaterrunoffsystems.
Constructionwilltakeapproximately30months.
PandaPowerFundshastwogeneratingstationscurrentlyunderconstructioninBradford
andLycomingcounties.
The829megawatt
Libertypowerplant
,locatedinTowanda,Pennsylvania,isexpected
toentercommercialoperationsinthefirstquarterof2016.The829megawatt
Patriotpower
plant
,locatednearWilliamsport,Pennsylvania,isexpectedtoentercommercialoperationsinthe
secondquarterof2016.
ThePandaLibertyandPandaPatriotpowerplantswerethefirsttwopowerprojects
specificallydevelopedtotakeadvantageoftheirproximitytotheMarcellusShalegasformation.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PandaPowerFunds
website.
NewsClips:
NaturalGasPowerPlantToReplaceShutteredCoalPlant
InvenergyEmergencyPlanDetailsWorstCaseScenario

PennStateNaturalGasUtilizationConferenceExploredInfrastructure,Demand,Tech

Nearly250nationalleadersinenergy,business,academiaandgovernmentgatheredin
Southpointe,WashingtonCountyThursdayforthefifthannual
PennStateNaturalGas
UtilizationConference
.
Thisoneofakind,twodaysummitonnaturalgasuseisbeingpresentedby
Americas
NaturalGasAlliance
,
PennStateExtension
,
PennStateMarcellusCenterforOutreachand
Research
,and
BenFranklinShaleGasInnovation&CommercializationCenter
.
Americasnaturalgassupplyofferscountlesseconomicopportunitiesforthecountry,
especiallyinthemidAtlanticandnortheast,explainsANGARegionalDirectorPaulHartman.
However,weneedtheenergyinfrastructureinplacetotakefulladvantageoflow,localnatural
gasprices.
Hartmancontinues,DespiteitsproximitytoAppalachianshalegas,arecentstudy
concludedthatNewEnglandsnaturalgasandelectricitypricesareamongthehighestinthe
U.S.Infact,failingtoexpandtheregionsinfrastructurewillcosttheregion$5.4billionin
higherenergycosts.FocusingonregionssuchasNewEnglandandlocalindustrieswhere
abundantnaturalgassuppliescanmeetgrowingdemandiswhatmakesthisannualconferenceso
important.
TheNaturalGasUtilizationConferenceisaddressingawiderangeofnaturalgastopics.
Expertswilldiscusstheeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitsofnaturalgasuse,aswellas
opportunitiestodelivernaturalgastomorecommunitiesbothdomesticallyandabroad.
Dominatingthisyearsdiscussionareissuesaffectingthetransportationofnaturalgas
andtheimpactinfrastructuredevelopmentishavingonexpandednaturalgasuse.
Attendeesheardoverviewsofexistingandproposedpipelineprojects,naturalgasexport
analyses,updatesonpoliciessurroundingtheroleofnaturalgasinpowergenerationandnatural
gasadoptiontrends.
RecentexchangeswithArgentina,CanadaandEuropehavegivenmeaclearviewofthe

hugeamountofattentiontheworldispayingtotheMarcellus,Utica,Devonianandother
northeastshaleformations,saysTomMurphy,directorofMCOR.Werepleasedtohavea
large,diverseaudienceatthisconferencetobuildnewrelationshipsandfosternewideasonhow
tomorrowseconomycanbefueledinpartbyAppalachianandAmericannaturalgas.
Americahasaonceinalifetimeopportunitytobecometheworldsstrongesteconomy,
thankstorobustshalereserves,addsBillHall,directorofSGICC.Newpipelinescanbebuilt
safely,andifwedosointimelyfashion,countlessindustries,governmentfacilities,schoolsand
nonprofitswillbenefitfromlowcostnaturalgas.Gaswillfueltheirenergyneedsandeasethe
burdenontheiroperatingcosts.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
2015PennStateNaturalGasUtilization
website.
NewsClips:
MarketForNaturalGasIncludesLocal,GlobalReach
PhiladelphiaReapingBenefitsOfNaturalGasBoom
U.S.NaturalGasStockpilesNearRecord,PriceDrops
NaturalGasNeedsBoneChillingWinterForPricesToRebound
CovePointTerminalSetToRelieveNaturalGasGlut
AlmostABillionCubicFeetOfGasShutDownByLowPrices

PPLProposesNew475MilePANYTransmissionLineStartingInLackawannaCounty

PPLElectricUtilitiesCorporation
hasbeguntheapplicationandapprovalprocessforthefirst
segmentofProjectCompassamajornewtransmissionlineproposedbyPPLElectricUtilities
toprovidesignificantbenefitsforconsumers.
Thefirstsegmentisa95mile,$500millionto$600millionlinebetweenBlakely,
LackawannaCounty,andRamapo,N.Y.
Theproposed345kilovoltlinkbetweenthePJMInterconnectionandtheNewYork
IndependentSystemOperatorisintendedtomaketheelectricgridmorereliableandsecurefor
peoplethroughouttheregion,andtoprovideanestimatedsavingsofatleast$200millionper
yearforNewYorkconsumersbyreducingtransmissioncongestion.
PPLElectricUtilitiesfiledaninterconnectionapplicationwithNYISOOctober27.
AdditionalapprovalsareneededfromthePennsylvaniaPublicUtilityCommission,theNew
YorkPublicServiceCommission,PJMandotheragencies.
"Thislinewouldprovideanimportantadditiontothenation'stransmission
infrastructure,"saidGregoryN.Dudkin,presidentofPPLElectricUtilities.Henotedthatthe
companyhasextensiveexperienceplanning,obtainingapprovalforandbuildingmajorregional
transmissionlines,includingtherecentlyenergizedSusquehannaRoselandlineandthenearly
completeNortheastPoconoReliabilityProject.
AmongthebenefitsofthefirstsegmentofProjectCompassare:
Lowerelectricbills:PPLElectricUtilitiesestimatesthatelectriccustomersinNewYork
couldsaveatleast$200millionperyearbecausethepowerlinewillreducetransmission
congestionandlowerthewholesalepriceforelectricity.
Betterelectricservice:Thelineisdesignedtomaketheelectricgridmorereliableandmore
secureforpeoplethroughouttheregion.
Newjobsandeconomicdevelopment:Amultiyearconstructionperiodforthepowerline,if
approved,wouldcreatejobsandprovidebenefitsforservicebusinessesandtheregional

economy.
TheexactrouteofthefirstsegmentofProjectCompasshasnotyetbeendetermined,and
mustbeapprovedbyregulatorsinbothstates.PPLElectricUtilitieswillconsiderpublicinput
andworkcarefullywithallappropriateregulatorsandenvironmentalpermittingagenciestofind
thebestroute.
Thecurrentschedulecallsforthefirstsegmenttobeinserviceby2023.
Whilethefirstsegmentcanstandaloneasavaluablegridimprovement,PPLElectric
UtilitiescontinuestorefinetheoverallplanfortherestofProjectCompass.
Ascurrentlyenvisioned,thefullprojectwouldrunabout475milesfromwestern
PennsylvaniaintosoutheasternNewYork.
ThecostofProjectCompassisestimatedat$3billionto$4billion.Capitalexpenditures
forProjectCompassarenotincludedinPPLCorporation'smostrecentcapitalexpenditure
projections.
NewsClip:
PPLSeeksToStartMassiveTransmissionLineProject

9PASchoolsLeadingInEPAAthleticConferenceGreenPowerChallenge

NinePennsylvaniaschoolsareleadingsofarthisseasonintheU.S.EnvironmentalProtection
Agencys
CollegeandUniversityGreenPowerConferenceChallenge
.
Throughoutthe20152016academicyear,
EPA'sGreenPowerPartnership
willtrackthe
collegiateathleticconferenceswiththehighestcombinedgreenpowerusageinthenation.
Sofarthisyearherearethestandings
IvyLeague:
UniversityofPennsylvania(54%greenpower)
UniversityAthleticAssociation:
CarnegieMellonUniversity(101%greenpower)
ColonialAthleticAssociation:
DrexelUniversity(100%greenpower)
CentennialConference:
DickinsonCollege(90%greenpower)
Atlantic10:
DuquesneUniversity(36%greenpower)
NorthCoastAthleticConference:
AlleghenyCollege(100%greenpower)
CentralAtlanticCollegiateConference:
PhiladelphiaUniversity(100%greenpower)
MiddleAtlanticConference:
LebanonValleyCollege(100%greenpower)and
PAAthleticConference:
MercyhurstUniversity(105%greenpower).
CheckEPAs
CollegeandUniversityGreenPowerConferenceChallenge
webpagefor
thelatestrankings.
NewsClip:
ChescoSolarProjectTalksMayRestart

DEPsLastListeningSessionOnEPAsCleanPowerClimatePlanNov.4InWilliamsport

Thelastintheseriesof
14listeningsessions
DEPisholdingonthefederalCleanPowerPlanto
reducecarbonemissionsfrompowerplantswillbeheldonNovember4inWilliamsport,
LycomingCounty,atPennCollege,MountainLaurelRoom,OneCollegeAvenuefrom6:00to
9:00p.m.
DEPissolicitingcommentsontheCleanEnergyIncentiveProgramcomponentofthe
CPPandontheEPAproposedfederalplanthatservesasamodelruleforstatesdevelopingtheir

stateplans.
Herearejustafewofthecommentssubmittedsofar

PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil

KeystoneEnergyEfficiencyAlliance

EnergyCoordinatingAgencyinPhiladelphia
(Nonprofit)

BernardMcGurl,NortheastPA

RobertB.McKinstry,Jr.,Esq.

WasteToEnergyRecoveryCouncil

ExelonCorporation

AmericanLungAssociationPA

GreaterPhiladelphiaChamberofCommerce

PACoalAlliance

UnitedMineWorkersUnion

PAManufacturersAssociation

ConsumerEnergyAlliance

MichaelHanlon,AmericansForProsperity
ThedeadlineforallcommentsisNovember12.CommentsontheCleanPowerPlan
can
besubmittedonline
.
ClickHere
toseecommentssubmittedbyotherssofar.
Formorebackground,visitDEPs
ClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClip:
$2.4MGrantToBeUsedToStudyClimateChange

Oct.29DEPNewsNowAvailable

TheOctober29issueofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingstorieson

OpEd:DespiteThePennLive.comShaleSeries,DEPIsProtectionAir,Land,Water

DEPSecretaryConvenes4thMeetingOfPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce

UpdateOnDEPInvestigationIntoScrantonSewerMalodorEvent

DEP:KeystoneLandfillToAnswerUnresolvedIssuesInExpansionApplication

GoodSamaritanAbandonedMineReclamationFocusOfCongressionalHearing

JohnStefankoMakesPresentationToBrazilOnDEPsAbandonedMineReclamation

DEPToHostNov.5MeetingOnJeanesvilleMineFireInLackawannaCounty

LackawannaStreambankFencingInstallationPromotesWaterQuality

DEPsHeidiKunkaHonoredWithGreenestAppleAwardByGreenBuildingCouncil

DEP,DCNRHoldHighSchoolCareerExpoInHarrisburg

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

U.S.ArmyAnnouncesClaimsProcessForDamagesSustainedInRunawayBlimpIncident

ThePAEmergencyManagementAgencyannouncedFridaytheU.S.Armyhasestablisheda
processforfilingclaims
bycitizenswhosustaineddamagesorlossesrelatedtotherunaway
JLENSblimpincidentoverEasternPennsylvaniaonOctober28.
Inquiriesregardingtheclaimsprocesscanbedirectedbyemailto:
usarmy.apg.usag.mbx.legalassistance@mail.mil,orcall4102789849orwrite:Commander,

USArmyGarrisonAberdeenProvingGround,ATTN:AMCLCAPGJAL,4305Susquehanna
Avenue,3rdFloor,AberdeenProvingGround,MD21005.
InstructionsforfilingaclaimcanbefoundontheU.S.Armys
PotentialJLENS/Blimp
Claims
webpage.
NewsClips:
27,000LeftWithoutPowerByRunawayMilitaryBlimp
ArmyStartsToTakeDamageClaimsOverWaywardBlimp

PECsFirstPAEnvironmentalistLooksAtConservationThroughCooperation

Theinauguralissueof
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalist
fromthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
examinesPECsbrandof
advocacyembodiedinthesimplephrase,Conservation
ThroughCooperation.
For45years,ConservationThroughCooperationhasbeen
theguidingprinciplebehindPECsmissionandhas
distinguisheditfromvirtuallyeveryotherenvironmental
advocacyorganization,notonlyinPennsylvania,but
nationally.
IthasearnedPECareputationasanhonestbrokerofideasandopeneddoorstodialogue
betweendisparatepartiesinawiderangeofenvironmentaldebatesbetweendeeplyentrenched
opponents.
Tocasualobserversandtheuninitiated,PECsmantrahassometimesbeenconveniently
misinterpretedasapseudonymforproindustry,orworse.Buttheresnodenyingitsinfluence
insuccessfullyfindingsolutionstootherwiseunsolvableenvironmentalproblems.
Tobesure,PECstrackrecordingettingopposingpointsofviewtocooperateforthe
commongoodonsuchintractableissuesashazardouswaste,brownfielddevelopment,
unconventionalnaturalgasdrilling,waterquality,andahostofothersisbothlongand
undeniable.
Itsanuncommon,ifnotextraordinarystrategyforbringingaboutenvironmentalchange,
andonethatotherenvironmentalnonprofitorganizationshavesetasthestandard.
Inthisissueof
ThePAEnvironmentalist
,wehearfromavarietyofvoicesreflectingon
PECsapproachtoprotectingandrestoringtheenvironment.
ClickHere
toreadtheentireissue.
Formoreinformationonprograms,eventsandinitiatives,visitthe
PAEnvironmental
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupformonthlyupdatesfromPEC.Alsovisitthe
PECBlog
forregularupdatesbetweenthemonthlyupdatespublishedbyPEC.

PAWildsProgramAwardsMiniGrantsToPromoteTourismInThe13CountyRegion

The
PAWildsProgramTeam
Fridayannouncedtheawardofgrantsunderits2015MiniGrant
Program.
ThePAWildsTeamhad$25,000totaltoaward,andawardedallofthatacrossfive
projects,leveragingatotalof$45,500inmatchcontributionsmorethantherequired
dollarfordollarmatch.Morethan$130,000infundingrequestswerereceived.

Grantsweregivento:
PARoute6
FordevelopmentofDarkSkyorientationkitswithinformationonthedark
skies,mapstothepark,skymapsforhomeviewing,redfiltersforflashlightsandasticker
identifyingstargazers.ThekitswillbedistributedtoGaletonschoolchildren,madeavailable
atlocalbusinessesandatfestivalsfreeofcharge.
OhMyStars,EndlessMountainsMusicFest
Supportsartsandmusicprogrammingin
conjunctionwithstateparkprogrammingandeventsat
CherrySpringsStatePark
inPotter
County,amajorattractioninthePennsylvaniaWilds.
CameronCountyIndustrialDevelopmentAuthority
Thisprojectwillcoverexpensesto
professionallylandscapetheNorthernTierCommunityActionCorp.building,ahistoric
landmarkinthetownthatisimportanttocommunityrevitalizationefforts.
ElkCountyStriders
TosupportthecontinuedgrowthoftheBolderDash,a20miletrail
runthathighlightssomeofthemostdramaticwoodsinElkCountydrawingrunners,walkersand
hikersfromlocalareasandoutsidetheregion.
PAWildsCenterforEntrepreneurship
Fordevelopmentofanexternalbrandingand
marketingstrategyforthe
PAWildsArtisanTrail
.
CommunityProjectTeamsthatparticipatedintwopastworkshopsofferedbythePA
WildsTeam,in2007and2012,wereinvitedtoapplytotheminigrantprogram.
The2007workshopentitledBalancingCommerceandNatureforSustainable
CommunityDevelopmentincludedseventeamsofcommunityleaderstoaddressissuesof
specificconcerntotheirareasandtocreatevisiontoactionplanstoguidecollaborationamong
diverseinterestsintheircommunities.
The2012workshopentitledConnectingNature,Economy,andCommunityCharacter,
includednineteamsfromseveraldifferentcountieslookingtoadvancesustainabletourism
projectsimportanttotheirareasandthatrevolvearoundtheregionsnaturalandculturalassets.
FundingforthePlanningTeams2015MiniGrantProgramwasprovidedthroughthe
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesCommunityConservationandPartnerships
GrantProgramandthereforemustadheretoallstatewiderulesandregulations.
Awardeeshaveoneyeartocompletetheirproject.
ThePennsylvaniaWildsregionincludesthecountiesofWarren,Forest,Elk,Potter,
McKean,Tioga,Clinton,Lycoming,Clearfield,Jefferson,CameronandClarion,Northern
Centre.
Formoreinformationprograms,initiativesandevents,visitthe
PAWildsTeam
.
Click
Here
tosignupformonthlyupdatesfromPAWilds.
NewsClips:
FallFoliage:YourLastBestChanceOf2015
FallFoliage:SomeSpotsOfBrilliantColorRemainInPA
FallColorsBrightenErieRegion
7ReasonsToVisitThePennsylvaniaGrandCanyon
NescopeckStateParkOpensNaturePlayArea
ASereneCanalPathWhereWashingtonCrossedTheDelaware
PartsOf3RiversHeritageTrailOpenInThePittsburgh
HundredsFillLackawannaTrailWithSMores,Scarecrows
TrailPittsburghVolunteersDevoteHourstoMaintenance
OpEd:LearningTheOutdoorsIsStillAMust

SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
EastStreetProjectWillMakeRoomForBikeLanes
PhillyBikeShareAimsToServeLowerIncomeNeighborhoods
CyclingGroupPleadsForSafetyMeasuresInOakland
McCandlessWetlandParkIdeaDebated

BrodheadWatershedAssn.AutumnWanderNov.15InMonroeCounty

BrodheadWatershedAssociation
and
PoconoHeritageLandTrust
naturalistswillleadand
AutumnWanderonNovember15throughthenaturedecorated777acre
ParadisePrice
Preserve
,agemintheMonroeCountyOpenSpaceProgramthatfeaturesnaturalhistoryand
abundantbeauty.
Inadditiontoprotectingsignificantheadwaterlands,smalltributarystreams,forested
wetlandsandnumerouscoldwatersprings,thisnaturalareaincludesthebeautifulTargaFallson
BrodheadCreek,andconnectsopenspacelandsacrossPrice,ParadiseandBarretttownships,
formingnearly1,600contiguousacres.
HikeleadersDonMillerandBillSweeneywillintroduceparticipantstoseveraltrailsand
naturalfeaturesonthisandotherprotectedpropertiesintheCranberryCreekwatershed.Hikers
canalsovisitnearbyTargaFalls.
Thewalkwillbeonleveltoslightlyuphillterrain,bothonandofftrail.Participants
shouldbecomfortableinanoutdoorsettingforseveralhours,anddresscomfortablytobe
outdoorswithfootwearappropriateforwalkinginthewoods.
Meet:FromRoutes940and191inParadiseValley(nearCrescentLodge),take
CranberryRoadtoHenrysCrossingRoad.ThetrailheadparkingareaisoffHenrysCrossing
Road,justaftercrossingtheDelawareandLackawannaRailroad.
Cost:Suggesteddonationsare$5formembers,$10fornonmemberschildren12and
underwalkforfree.
Registration:ContactPHLTat5704241514orsendemailto:
info@phlt.org
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,eventsandinitiatives,visitthe
BrodheadWatershed
Association
website.
ClickHere
tosignupfortheAssociationsquarterlynewsletter.

WesternPASocietyForConservationBiologyAnnualConferenceNov.7InClarion

The
WesternPAChapteroftheSocietyforConservationBiology
willhold
itsannualconference
atClarionUniversity
inClariononNovember7from9:30a.m.to5:00p.m.
Theconferencetheme,"CrossingBorders:ConservationthroughInterdisciplinary
Science,"willfocusonwhitetaileddeer.
ThomasSimmons,professorofbiologyatIndianaStateUniversity,willpresenthis
researchonticksandLymediseaseasthekeynotespeaker.
Initsthirdyear,theeventbringstogetherconservationistsfromtheregionandchallenge
themtothinkmorebroadlyaboutthedifficultiesfacedinmodernconservationefforts.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.

ManadaConservancyHostsForestInsectPestsOfPAWorkshopNov.10

The
ManadaConservancy
willhostapublicworkshoponForestInsectPestsofPAon
November10atthePerkingPointintheGiantShoppingCenteronRt.39at257HersheyRoad
inHummelstowninDauphinCounty.
Forestinsectpestsadverselyaffectforestandlandscapesettings.Whenforesttreesare
impacted,itcanchangeanentireecosystemandalsoresultinsignificanteconomiclosses.
JointheConservancytolearnandaskyourquestionsaboutcurrentpestinfestations
happeningaroundPennsylvaniarightnowincludingtheEmeraldAshBorer,HemlockWoolly
Adelgid,Gypsymoth,ahandfulofnativecaterpillars,andtheSpottedLanternflywithTim
MarascooftheDCNRBureauofForestry.
Pleaseregisterbysendingemailto:
office@manada.org
orcall7175664122.
Formoreinformationonotherprogramsandinitiatives,visitthe
ManadaConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheConservancysmailinglist(leftpanel).

DelawareHighlandsConservancyEagleWatchTrainingDayDec.5InPikeCounty

The
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
ispleasedtoannouncean
EagleWatchVolunteer
TrainingDay
onDecember5,from9:00a.m.1p.m.inLackawaxen,PikeCounty.
NewvolunteerswillmeetattheUpperDelawareVisitorCenter(176ScenicDrive,
Lackawaxen)at9a.m.Then,newandexistingvolunteerswillgathernextdoorattheInnat
Lackawaxenatfrom10a.m.12p.m.From12p.m.1p.m.,attendeeswillvisittheeagle
observationareas.
Takeadvantageofawonderfulopportunitytolearnmoreaboutourmagnificentnational
bird,tohelpprotecteaglesintheirhabitat,andtoassistineducatingthepublicaboutsharingour
regionwitheagles.
Volunteersaretrainedtomonitorandcollectdataaboutthelargepopulationofeagles
thatmigratetothisregioneverywinter.Volunteersalsolearnhowtohelpthethousandsof
peoplewhowanttoviewtheeaglesinthesafestandleastintrusivemanner,andshareEagle
Etiquettetips.
VolunteersarealsoneededtohelpstafftheVisitorCenteronweekends.Interactwith
likemindedeagleenthusiasts,withoutneedingtobeoutinthecold!
Binoculars,spottingscopes,trainingmanuals,dataforms,andhandwarmersare
providedbytheConservancy.ThewinterEagleWatchprogramrunsthroughJanuaryand
February,weekendsonly.Volunteersmaycovermorningorafternoonshifts.
ThemainmonitoringareasaretheMongaupReservoirandtheDelawareRiverat
MinisinkFallsandtheZaneGreyboatlaunchatLackawaxen.
Trainedeaglevolunteersarealsoneededthroughouttheyeartohelpstaffbooths,
participateinworkshops,andbeapartofothereaglerelatedConservancyevents.
Itishighlyrecommendedthatallnewvolunteersattendthetrainingday.Pleasedress
warmlywaterproofboots,hatsandgloves.Ifyoucannotattend,pleasecontactustomake
alternatearrangements.Volunteersshouldbeabletowithstandcoldtemperaturesandenjoy
interactingwiththepublic.
TheConservancysEagleWatchprogramissupportedinpartbygrantfundingfromthe
AmericanEagleFoundation
the
LandTrustAlliance

OrangeandRockland
SullivanCounty
and
ThePhiladelphiaFoundation
.
AdvanceregistrationfortheTrainingDayisrequired.Sendanemailto

volunteer@delawarehighlands.org
,orcall5702263164or8455831010.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
EagleWatchVolunteerTrainingDay
webpage.For
moreinformationonprograms,eventsandactivities,visitthe
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosignupfortheConservancysemaillist.

AmericanKestrelsReturnToStroudPreserveInChesterCounty

Byofferingprotectednestingspaceat
StroudPreserve
,
Natural
LandsTrust
hasgivenAmericanKestrelsareasontoreturntoWest
ChesterinChesterCounty.
Thispastspring,StroudPreserveManagerMikeCollmade
thedecisiontoclosethewalkingtrailthroughBobolinkMeadow
duringbirdbreedingseason(AprilAugust).
ThismeantthattheBobolinkMeadowwasreservedforthe
breedingofsensitivebirdspecies,includingtheBobolinks,which
aregroundnestingbirdsthatcanbeeasilydisturbedbyhumansor
dogs.
ClosingthistrailalsogavetheAmericanKestrelanopportunitytoreproduceinanesting
boxinstalledonthepreserve.
CountsofmigrantAmericanKestrelssuggestdecliningnumbersinthenortheast,making
conservationeffortsinthisregioncritical.
AmericanKestrelsgenerallynestinopenareas,andasdevelopmentmovesin,the
Kestrelmovesout.PermanentlyprotectedlandlikeStroudPreserveoneof42naturepreserves
ownedandmanagedbyNaturalLandsTrustprovideanessentialhabitatforKestrelsandhelp
stabilizetheirpopulation.
PreserveManagerMikeCollsaidKestrelsareeasilydisturbedbyhumansand,although
aboxhadbeenpresentatStroudforanumberofyears,IhadneverobservedKestrelsnesting
thereuntilthisyear.Thetrailpreviouslycamealmostdirectlybeneaththeboxanditslikelythat
thiswasthereasontheyhadntusedit.
YoucanviewaNaturalLandsTrustvideoofthe
birdsinthenestonline
.
Formoreinformationonevents,programsandinitiatives,visitthe
NaturalLandsTrust
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforNLTactivities.

GameCommission:HighTechCamerasScaryEffectiveInProtectingBats

Analertsoundsthroughasmartphonespeaker.A
realtimetrailcameraphotohasjustbeensentbytext
messagetoaGameCommissionwildlifeconservation
officer.Peoplearetrespassingagainatanabandonedmine
site,perhapsnotevenrealizinganybreachintothemine
posesaseriousandpotentiallylethalthreatto
alreadybeleagueredcavebatpopulationsthere.
Withthealertsent,theofficermakesittothemineintime
toheadoffthetrespassers.
Soonwordspreadsthatofficersseemtomaking

appearancesattheminejustabouteverytimesomeoneshowsupthere.Peoplestopgoingthere.
And,inwhataredarkdaysforbatsinPennsylvaniaandthroughouttheeasternUnited
States,everybatintheminehasabetterchanceofsurvivingbecauseofit.
ThisisascenariothathasplayedouttimeandagaininPennsylvaniainthepastyear.
AndthankstogenerousdonationsfromtheU.S.Fish&WildlifeServiceandthe
WildlifeFor
EveryoneEndowmentFoundation
,evenmoreofthestatesimportantbatsitescanbegiven
roundtheclockprotectionthroughthewatchfuleyesofthesehightechcameras.
TheTroublewithTrespassers
Since2009,Pennsylvaniasbatpopulationshavebeendecimatedbywhitenose
syndrome,aconditionthatcausesbatstorouseduringhibernation,burningthefatreservesthey
dependontomakeitthroughwinterand,ultimately,killingthem.
Somebatspecieshaveexperienceda99percentpopulationdecline,saidGregTurner,a
batbiologistwiththeGameCommissionwhoisamongthoseleadingresearchintothedisease.
Whitenosesyndrome
iscausedbyacoldlovingfungusthatcontaminatesthecavesand
abandonedmineswheremanybatshibernateandreproduce.Atpresent,allofPennsylvanias
bathibernationsitesarepresumedtobecontaminatedwiththefungus,Turnersaid.
Althoughthediseasehashaddevastatingimpacts,survivorsremain,andcontinueto
hibernateattheseinfectedsitesyearafteryear.
Eliminatingthechancethesesurvivorsaredisturbedbypeopleenteringcavesandmines
forrecreationcouldbethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathforbats,Turnersaid.Any
disturbancethatcausesbatstorousedecreasestheirchancesofsurvivingthroughthewinter,he
said.
Itdoesntmatterwhothepersonis,orwhattheirmotivationisforgoingintoacaveor
mine,Turnersaid.Allanybodywouldhavetodoiswalkintooneofthesecavesandtalk,or
walkintooneandshinealightaround,andwhilethattypedisturbancemightseemsmall,it
almostcertainlywouldrousebatsanditmightwellpushthembeyondanychanceofsurviving
throughthewinter.
HelpingUsHelpBats
TheGameCommissionforyearshasgonetolengthstokeeppeopleoutofcavesand
minesthatareimportanttohibernatingbats.
Gatesthatarefriendlytobatsbutrestrictpeoplefromenteringhavebeenplacedatcave
entrances.AreasleadingtocaveshavebeenpostedNoTrespassing.Andlawenforcement
patrolsnearcavesiteshavebeensteppedupinanefforttocatchtrespassers.
Hundredsofthousandsofdollarshavebeenspent.Yet,intrusionscontinued,andin
someareas,theystilldo.
Morerecently,however,anewtoolbecameavailabletotheGameCommissionin
addressingthesecontinuingproblems:Cameras,thatnotonlycancapturevisualevidenceof
trespassingcrimesatsensitivebatcaves,butthatsendtextmessagestoalertondutyofficersand
radiodispatchersanintrusionistakingplace.
TheU.S.Fish&WildlifeServicelenttheGameCommissiontwosuchcamerasand,
sinceJanuary,thecamerasresultedinmorethan50contactsbetweenofficersandsuspected
trespassers,andmorethan20citationswereissuedasaresult.
Andtheyalsoprovedhelpfulinmonitoringotherillegalactivityonstategamelands.
Still,morecameraswereneededtomonitormoreprotectedareaswherebreachestoo
frequentlyoccur.Therewasoneproblematabout$1,200each,thecamerasarentcheapand

theGameCommissionalreadyisoperatingonatightbudgetthatwouldmakethepurchaseof
additionalcamerasimpossible.
ThatswheretheU.S.Fish&WildlifeServiceandtheWildlifeForEveryone
EndowmentFoundationsteppedin,combiningtopurchase12camerasfortheGame
Commission,withtwocamerasgoingtoeachoftheagencyssixregions.
LoraZimmerman,whosupervisestheU.S.Fish&WildlifeServicesPennsylvaniaField
Office,saidtheagencywasproudtopartnerintheinitiative.
Aswecontinuetolookforsolutionstowhitenosesyndrome,itisessentialthatwe
minimizeotherthreatsespeciallyprotectinghibernacula,wherebatscongregateinlarge
numbers,Zimmermansaid.TheU.S.Fish&WildlifeServiceisgratefulfortheGame
Commission'sinitiativeandcommitmenttoprotectingtheseimportantspeciesandtheirhabitat.
VernRoss,theexecutivedirectoroftheWildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundation,
saidsteppingintohelppurchasethecamerasfitswiththenonprofitsmissiontopreserveall
wildlifeforallPennsylvanians.
WildlifeForEveryoneproudlysupportsthePennsylvaniaGameCommissionandthis
particularendeavorwithoutanyhesitation,Rosssaid.Wheneveraspeciesisthreatened,itis
ourresponsibilityasanorganizationandwildlifeenthusiaststoprotectthosevaluablecreatures
andtheirhabitats.
DavidJ.Putnam,presidentofthePennsylvaniaBoardofGameCommissioners,said
peoplehavegonetoextraordinarylengthstobreachsitesthathavebeenfortifiedtoprotectbats.
Theyhavebrokenthroughlockedgates,tunneledaroundthem,cutthroughfencesandignored
numeroussignsinstructingthemtokeepoutofcavesandmines.
Thecamerasworktoaddressalloftheseproblems,Putnamsaid,andincreasethe
chancesofsurvivalforhibernatingbatsandtheiryoung.Mostwhitenosesyndromemortality
occursduringhibernation,anddisturbancescanleadtohighermortality.
Wehavehadreportsforyearsofpeopletrespassingatthesesites,evenoneswith
federallylistedendangeredbatsinthem,butthosepeoplehavebeendifficulttocatch,Putnam
said.Nowwehavetheadvantage.
Thisaggressive,statewidelawenforcementeffortisthefirstofitskind,andwillprotect
batswheretheyaremostvulnerable,Putnamsaid.Andbydoingeverythingwecantoprotect
batsatalltimesofyear,wemaximizetheirchancesforrecovery.
WordAboutPicturesSpreads
InnortheasternPennsylvania,throughanopeninginarockyslopethatleadsintoanold
coalmine,isoneofPennsylvaniasmostimportantsitesforhibernatingbats.
Justsevenyearsago,upwardof75,000batswouldwinterthere.Sixdifferentspecies,
includingthefederallyendangeredIndianabatandthefederallythreatenednorthernlongeared
batweredocumentedthere.
Sincetheonsetofwhitenosesyndrome,however,wintertotalsatthesitehavedropped
toabout1,500.
Turnersaiditsimportanttonote,though,whilefewerbatsarehibernatingatthesite,
survivorsdocontinuetoreturnthereyearafteryear.
Andwemustdowhateverwecantoprotectthem,andtheiryoung,hesaid.
Atthisminealone,officersissued24citationsfortrespassingandotherillegalactivity,
saidMarkRutkowski,lawenforcementsupervisorfortheGameCommissionsNortheast
Region.Andifthetrespassingtookplaceduringthemonthsbatswerehibernatingthere,

citationswereissuednotonlyforignoringnoentrysigns,butfordisturbanceofwildlife.
Inmorethanafewcases,thejudgeenactedamaximumfineof$1,500againstthosewho
werecharged,Rutkowskisaid.
Andasmorearrestsweremade,activityneartheminesitebegantodropsharply,hesaid.
Inrecentmonthstheresbeennaryatext.Peopletooknotice.
Withtextsbeingsentfromthecameras,weweregettingtherequickly,andeventhose
fewtimeswewerenttherequitequickenoughtocatchtrespassersintheact,wehadenough
evidencetolaunchinvestigationsintotheincidents,Rutkowskisaid.Weveseenadramatic
reductioninthenumberofincidentssincewebeganourcameraaidedenforcement.
Infact,itsbeenawhilesinceanyofourofficersintheregionhavegottenoneofthose
textsfromthecameras,Rutkowskisaid.Butthenexttimetheydo,theyllcertainlybereadyto
respond.
EnforcingBroadly
WiththeeightcamerasdonatedbytheWildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundation,
andtheadditionalfourdonatedbyU.S.Fish&WildlifeService,importantbatsitesstatewide
canbemonitoredinthesamemanner,andtrespassingproblemserased,saidR.MatthewHough,
executivedirectorfortheGameCommission.
Thebiggestbenefitwillbeexperiencedbythestatesbats,andthemillionsof
Pennsylvanians,someofwhommightnotevenrealizeallofwhatbatsprovideincontrolling
mosquitoesandotherinsects.
WetrulyaregratefultotheWildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundationandU.S.
Fish&WildlifeServicefortheirgenerousdonations,Houghsaid.Withouttheirhelp,we
couldntaffordsuchapurchaseduringpaperthinbudgetyearslikethisone.Sotoeachofyou,
thankyou.
Thesecamerashaveproveneffectiveinstoppingintrusionsatimportantbatsitesata
timewhenourbatsneedallthehelptheycanget,Houghsaid.AndIamproudwehave
partnersnotonlywhorecognizethatfact,butwhostepuptodosomethingaboutitandmakea
tangibledifference.Youexemplifywhatconservationpartnershipsareallabout.
Formoreinformation,visittheGameCommissions
PennsylvaniaBats
and
WhiteNose
Syndrome
webpages.

DEPLaunchingNewWebsiteOnNovember6

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillbe
launchinganewwebsite
onNovember6.
Usersoftheexistingwebsitemayseeaninterruptionofserviceattheoldsite.
Theexistingsitewillalsobeupdatedsothesearchenginespointtowebpageonthenew
site.Ifyouhaveanytroublelocatingcontentonthenewwebsite,sendemailto:
RAepcontactus@pa.gov
.

DEPsHeidiKunkaHonoredWithGreenestAppleAwardByGreenBuildingCouncil

The
CentralPAChapteroftheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil
honoredDEP
EnergyProgramSpecialistHeidiKunkawithitsGreenestAppleaward
atit'sOctober22ForeverGreenAwards.
Theawardhonorsavolunteerwhohashelpedmakegreatstridesin

promotinggreenerschoolsintheregion.
Kunkahasplayedanactiveroleinpromotingenvironmentallyfriendly,energyefficient
practicesinschoolsacrossthestate.Sheisontheadvisorycouncilforthe
PAGreenandHealthy
SchoolsPartnership
,wheresheisalsochairpersonfortheSchoolEngagementTaskForce.
Earlierthisyear,sheledeffortstohostPennsylvaniasfirsteverstatewiderecognition
ceremonyforU.S.DepartmentofEducation
GreenRibbonSchool
honorees.Shehasalsoserved
asareviewerforGreenRibbonSchoolsand
KeystoneEnergyEfficiencyAlliances
Movingto
theHeadoftheClassAward.
AsanEnergyProgramSpecialistinDEPsOfficeofPollutionPreventionandEnergy
Assistance,Kunkahasplayedakeyroleincreatingandimplementingvariousworkshopsfor
educatorsandbuildingmanagerstolearnhowtoimplementenergyefficientpracticesintheir
buildings.
KunkahasalsohelpedorganizeandpresentgreeneducationsessionsatthePA
AssociationofSchoolBusinessOfficialsconferences.
KunkaisaLEED(LeadershipinEnergy&EnvironmentalDesign)Accredited
Professionalanddevotesmuchofherfreetimevolunteeringforgreeninitiatives.Shehelped
organizetheOctober3GreenAppleDayofServiceatInfinityCharterSchool.Sheisalsoonthe
USGBCCentralPABoardofDirectors.

(Reprintedfromthe
Oct.29DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

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

November2
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.Camp
HillBoroughBuilding,ProsserHall,2145WalnutSt.,CampHill.9:30to12:30.

November3
EnvironmentalQualityBoardhearingonproposedchangestotheChapter109
TotalColiformRule.DEPsNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)

November3
WebcastMeeting.

AgendaPosted.

DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10:00.Thismeetingwillnowbewebcast.
ClickHere
toregisterforthe10:00morning
session.
ClickHere
toregisterforthe1:00afternoonsession.Contact:MarkBrojakowski,DEP,
7177723429or
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
OverviewDiscussionOfEPACleanPowerClimatePlan
ReviewOf2015ClimateChangeActionPlanUpdate
MacroeconomicAnalysisPresentationAndDiscussion
WorkPlanVotingRecordReview

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

November3

DCNRpublicmeetingtoreviewdraftStateForestManagementPlan
.State
College,RamadaInnNittanyRoom.6:30.

November3

ElectionDay
.

November4

DEPListeningSessionOnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan
.LycomingCounty,
PennCollegeWilliamsport,MountainLaurelRoom,OneCollegeAvenue,Williamsport,PA
17701.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.

November4
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.Pine
CommunityCenter,100PineParkDrive,Wexford.9:30to12:30.

November4

PAResourcesCouncilVermicompostingWorkshop
inAlleghenyCounty.
ChurchillBoroughOffice.7:00p.m.

November4

NEW
.
PROPRecyclingEducationandSocialMediaWorkshop
.Bellefonte,
CentreCounty.

November5
CANCELED
.
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
holdsahearingonPJMsrole
intheregionalelectricalgrid.Room60EastWing.10:00.

November5
EnvironmentalQualityBoardhearingonproposedchangestotheChapter109
TotalColiformRule.DEPsSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)

November5
Location/TimeChange.

AgendaPosted
.

DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisory
Board
meeting.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,DelawareRoom,2EastMainStreet
Norristown.9:00.
New:
DEPwillnowwebcastthismeeting.
ClickHere
toregister.
IntroduceoftheNewEnvironmentalJusticeDirector,ExecutiveStaff
AgencyUpdateByDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
EJABCommunicationsTeamUpdate
PolicyUpdate
EJABCommentsonEPACleanPowerClimatePlan
LegislativeUpdate
KeystoneLandfillExpansionPublicEngagement
UrbanStormwaterManagement

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

November5

AgendaPosted
.
DEPDrinkingWaterPlantOperatorCertificationProgram
AdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni7177725158.
(
formalnotice
)
2015OperatorCertificationExternalSurveyResults
CommitteeActiononExternalReviewReport

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts

November5
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.

Quality
InnEvent&BanquetCenter,1411LibertySt.,Franklin.9:30to12:30.

November5

DEPpublicmeetingonJeansvilleMineFire
,LuzerneCounty.Tresckow
VolunteerFireCompany,26EastOakSt.,Tresckow,PA18254.6:00.

November7

PAResourcesCouncilVermicompostingWorkshop
inAlleghenyCounty.Mt.
LebanonLibrary.11:00a.m.

November7

TreePittsburgh1stPittsburghGinkgoFest
.HighlandPark,AlleghenyCounty.
1:00.

November7

KeystoneCollegeEnvironmentalEducationInstitute

ProtectingandRestoring
ForestsandWaterwaysImpactedbyHemlockTrees
.LackawannaHallatKeystoneCollegein
LaPlume,LackawannaCounty.9:30to12:30.

November7

NEW
.
WesternPAChapterSocietyForConservationBiology

Annual
Conference
.ClarionUniversity,Clarion.

November9

FirstEnergy,DEPLEDStreetLightsWorkshop
.Cabela'sConferenceCenter,100
CabelaDrive,Hamburg.10:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

November9

TrailTownProgram

TripPlanningandMarketingWorkshop
inEmlenton,
VenangoCounty.1:00to4:30.

November10
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.Contact:DanielSnowden,DEP,7177838846or
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

November10

DCNRpublicmeetingtoreviewdraftStateForestManagementPlan
.Carlisle,
ComfortSuites.6:30.

November10

CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.
10:30.

November10

DelawareRiverBasinCommission
holdsahearingonproposedwater
withdrawalanddischargesrequests.[Additionaldetailswillbe
postedonthiswebpage
.]
WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.
1:30.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)

November10

NEW
.
ManadaConservancy

ForestInsectPestsOfPAWorkshop
.
Hummelstown,DauphinCounty.

November12
PAResourcesCouncil

AnnualAwardsDinner
.
AcademyofNaturalSciencesof
DrexelUniversity
,1900BenjaminFranklinParkway,Philadelphia.


November12
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.
LuzerneCountyCommunityCollege,Building10,EducationalConferenceCenter,1333South
ProspectSt.,Nanticoke.9:30to12:30.

November12

DCNRpublicmeetingtoreviewdraftStateForestManagementPlan
.
Williamsport,GenettiHotelTerraceRoom.6:30.

November12
RecyclingMarketsDevelopmentCenterElectronicsWasteSummit
.Hilton
GardenInn,Harrisburg.9:00a.m.to4:00p.m.

November1314
10thAnnualSusquehannaRiverSymposium
.BucknellUniversity,
Lewisburg,UnionCounty.

November15

NEW
.
BrodheadWatershedAssociation

AutumnWander,ParadisePrice
Preserve
.MonroeCounty.

November16

CANCELED
.
HouseLaborandIndustryCommittee
holdsahearingon
House
Bill635
(EvankovichRAllegheny)changingtheproceduresforadoptionoftheUniform
ConstructionCode(
sponsorsummary
).RoomG50IrvisBuilding.10:00.

November16

NEW
.EnvironmentalIssuesForum,
JointConservationCommittee
.
PresentationbyPASustainableForestryInitiative
.Room8EAoftheEastWingCapitol
Building.Noon.

November16

TrailTownProgram

Bikes,KayaksandMoreandRunningASustainable
BusinessWorkshop
.Ohiopyle,FayetteCounty.10:30to3:30.

November1620
U.S.ForestService
StreamSimulationDesignApproachforProviding
AquaticOrganismPassageatRoadStreamCrossingsWorkshop
.StateCollege.

November17
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.

November17

DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.

November17
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.

The
HistoricAldieMansion,85OldDublinPike,Doylestown.9:30to12:30.

November17

PAResourcesCouncilBackyardCompostingWorkshop
.NationalAviary,
AlleghenyCounty.11:00a.m.to12:30p.m.

November17

NEW
.PAWasteIndustriesAssn.&RecyclingMarketsDevelopmentCenter
PARecyclingIndustriesCongress
.EastWingRotunda,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.8:00a.m.

to3:00p.m.

November17

RecyclingMarketsDevelopmentCenterSocialMediaandEnvironmental
SustainabilityWebinar
.1:30to2:45.

November18

NEW
.
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.ConferenceRoom,
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionoffices,4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg.9:30.Contact:
SeanGimbel,7177834693orsendemailto:
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

November18

DCNRpublicmeetingtoreviewdraftStateForestManagementPlan
.
Harrisburg,RachelCarsonBuilding.1:30.

November18
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.SusquehannaConference
Rooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formal
notice
)

November18
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.The
PennStaterConferenceCenterHotel,215InnovationBlvd.,StateCollege.9:30to12:30.

November18
Fish&BoatCommission
meetingonKettleCreekWatershedregulation
changes
,Potter,Tiogacounties.The

WildlifeCenteratSinnemahoningStatePark
,locatedat
4843ParkRoad,Austin,PA.6:30p.m.

November19

NEW
.SenateDemocraticPolicyCommitteemeetson
SenateBill282
(VulakovichRAllegheny)establishingawaterfrontdevelopmenttaxcredit(
sponsorsummary
).
HolyFamilyUniversity,Philadelphia.11:00.

November20

WildlandsConservancy's

AnnualGreenGala
.DeSalesUniversitycampusin
CenterValley,LehighCounty.

November30

PAResourcesCouncilVermicompostingWorkshop
inAlleghenyCounty.
CastleShannonLibrary.7:00p.m.

December4
DEPhearingontheMattCanestraleContracting,Inc.NPDESfor9outfalls
locatedinLuzerneTownship,FayetteCountyandBethlehemTownship,WashingtonCounty.
LaBelleVolunteerFireDepartment,1101LaBelleRoad,LaBelle,FayetteCounty.1:003:00
p.m.Contact:BonnieHerbert,DEP,7247691100.
(
PABulletin,page6331
).

December5

NEW
.
DelawareHighlandsConservancy

EagleWatchTrainingDay
.
Lackawaxen,PikeCounty.

December8

NEW
.
HouseLaborandIndustryCommittee
holdsahearingon
HouseBill635
(EvankovichRAllegheny)changingtheprocessforadoptingtheUniformConstructionCode
updates(
sponsorsummary
).Room205RyanBuilding.8:30.

December8

DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.

December8

DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286Industrial
ParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.

December9

DelawareRiverBasinCommission
holdsabusinessmeetingonproposedwater
withdrawalanddischargesrequests.[Additionaldetailswillbe
postedonthiswebpage
.]
WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)

December10
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.

December10

DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

December15
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.

December16
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)

December16
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.
ConferenceRoom11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

December17

DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.

January12

SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.BlairsvilleCommunityCenter,101EastNorthLane,
Blairsville,PA,9:00a.m.toNoon.

January13
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.DixonUniversityCenter,2986
N.SecondSt.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.

January13

SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.CranberryTownshipMunicipalCenter,2525Rochester
Road,CranberryTownship,PA.9:00a.m.toNoon.

February2627

2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.

March10

BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve

LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley

University,Doylestown.

March1416

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators

AnnualConference
.TheInnat
PoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.

April1415

NEW
.
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May4
NEW
.
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
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.

November3

PrudentialSpiritOfCommunityStudentAwards
November6

DCNR2016TrailOfTheYear
November20

DEPSection902RecyclingImplementationGrants
December1

GovernorsAwardsforLocalGovernmentExcellence
December1

YouthGardenGrants
December18

ColdwaterHeritagePartnershipGrants
December18
DEPEnvironmentalEducationGrants
December31

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveVehicleRebates
January1

DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(firstcome,firstserved)
January15
DCNR/PRPSGreenParksAwards
January15

BowmansHillPreserveLandEthicsAwards
March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
April13

DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram

Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics

HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore

Anew
Franklin&MarshallPoll
releasedThursdayfound62percentofvotersbelievethestateis
onthewrongtrack,an8pointincreasefrom2monthsago.Only36percentsaidGov.Wolfwas
doingagoodorexcellentjob,but51percentblamedstatelegislatorsfortheongoingbudget
impasse.67percentfavoredataxonnaturalgas.

AlternativeEnergy
ChescoSolarProjectTalksMayRestart

Awards&Recognition
PhiladelphiaMakes15GreenestCitiesList
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
Biodiversity
CarlisleGetsNewNativePlantGarden
Budget
DEP: We Have A Lot Of Rebuilding To Do
EnvironmentalAgenciesFeelPinchOfBudgetImpasse
BudgetImpasseEnters5thMonth,ButSignsOfProgress
GOPBudgetDiscussionsRemainInAPreliminaryPhase
IncreaseInSales,IncomeTaxSeeAsUnlikelyInBudgetDeal
StateBudgetWoesDeepen
PASpends$27BillionDuringBudgetImpasse
StateHiresStateMeteorologistAndPaysForForecasting
HiringOfStateMeteorologistDrawsStormyResponse
SenateRs,DsTakeOut$9MLoanToPayTheirEmployees
Legislature,WithNoBudget,PreparesForVacation
NoStateBudget,ButLawmakersContinueToRaiseCash
Climate
$2.4MGrantToBeUsedToStudyClimateChange
DelawareRiver
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
DrinkingWater
BillingProblemBlamedOnNewWaterMetersInPittsburgh
EmergencyResponse
TrainCarsHaulingCoalDerailedInFayetteCounty
CoalTrainCarsDerailInBrownsville
27,000LeftWithoutPowerByRunawayMilitaryBlimp
ArmyStartsToTakeDamageClaimsOverWaywardBlimp
Energy
NaturalGasPowerPlantToReplaceShutteredCoalPlant
InvenergyEmergencyPlanDetailsWorstCaseScenario
TMIReactorShutsDownForMaintenance
TheEconomist:TheFutureOfNuclearEnergy
HowToHelpNEPAPeopleStrugglingWithEnergyBills
CompanyTakesClientCenteredApproachToEnergyEfficiency
OfficialsPushFirstEnergysLEDStreetLightingProgram
VampirePower:SuckingTheLifeOutOfElectronicDevices
27,000LeftWithoutPowerByRunawayMilitaryBlimp
PPLSeeksToStartMassiveTransmissionLineProject
EnvironmentalGroupAppealsFirstEnergyCoalAshPermit
TreatsAtTheGasolinePumpShouldContinueIntoNovember
FallingFuelPricesCouldResultInAddedService
ConsolEnergySpinoffReportsRiseInProfits
WestinghouseDealMayOpenPathToMoreNuclearProjects

EnvironmentalEducation
OpEd:LearningTheOutdoorsIsStillAMust
FarmingActivities
DickinsonUsesRestaurantToEducateCommunityAboutFarming
Forests
AmericanChestnutsRiseWhereOtherTreesFailOnPAMiningSites
FallFoliage:YourLastBestChanceOf2015
FallColorsBrightenErieRegion
KeystoneCollegeWorkshopToDiscussHemlock
MineReclamation
AmericanChestnutsRiseWhereOtherTreesFailOnPAMiningSites
Oil&Gas
DEPCommitteeAdvancesNewDrillingRegulations
Oil&GasAdvisoryBoardDoesNotEndorseDrillingRules
PASupremeCourtToHearArgumentsOnAct13DrillingLaw
DEPSecretaryRespondsToPatriotNewsMarcellusShaleSeries
MarcellusShaleCoalitionRespondsToPatriotMarcellusShaleSeries
MarcellusShaleCoalition:FactCheckingPatriotNewsSeries
Editorial:5ThingsWillMakeShaleDrillingBetterForPA
ProtestersCallOnWolfToShutdownPipelineTaskForce
ProtestersTargetWolfsGasPipelineTaskForce
WilliamsCitedFor10ViolationsForGasPipelineWork
Report:PipelineTaskForceIsStackedInFavorOfIndustry
LuzerneTwpResidentsFormGroupToProtestPipelinePlan
UGICompletesAuburnNaturalGasPipeline
NoiseMufflingLooksLikeCommonBuildingsAtCompressorStations
PADrillersAdjustToLifeUnderAGovernorTheyOppose
OpEd:Pittsburgh,HomeOfTheNaturalGasApp
NaturalGasPowerPlantToReplaceShutteredCoalPlant
PhillyCouncilMemberSponsorsMarcellusShaleTour
MarcellusShaleHousingAssistanceProgramExpandedStatewide
EPAProposesToExpandToxicReportingToOil&GasFacilities
NewEPARuleRequiresNaturalGasPlantsToReportToxicEmissions
WhyDoesFirewoodCostSoMuch?FrackingsPartOfIt
FirewoodGoingFastInMidstate,NotBecauseOfFracking
MarketForNaturalGasIncludesLocal,GlobalReach
PhiladelphiaReapingBenefitsOfNaturalGasBoom
U.S.NaturalGasStockpilesNearRecord,PriceDrops
NaturalGasNeedsBoneChillingWinterForPricesToRebound
CovePointTerminalSetToRelieveNaturalGasGlut
AlmostABillionCubicFeetOfGasShutDownByLowPrices
RangeResourcesLookingToSellNonNaturalGasAssets
RangeSwingsToLossInThirdQuarter
CrowdfundingOilAndGasDevelopment
Experts:RestructuringOfEnergyLoansLikely

Recreation
FallFoliage:YourLastBestChanceOf2015
FallFoliage:SomeSpotsOfBrilliantColorRemainInPA
FallColorsBrightenErieRegion
7ReasonsToVisitThePennsylvaniaGrandCanyon
NescopeckStateParkOpensNaturePlayArea
ASereneCanalPathWhereWashingtonCrossedTheDelaware
PartsOf3RiversHeritageTrailOpenInThePittsburgh
HundredsFillLackawannaTrailWithSMores,Scarecrows
TrailPittsburghVolunteersDevoteHourstoMaintenance
OpEd:LearningTheOutdoorsIsStillAMust
SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
EastStreetProjectWillMakeRoomForBikeLanes
PhillyBikeShareAimsToServeLowerIncomeNeighborhoods
CyclingGroupPleadsForSafetyMeasuresInOakland
McCandlessWetlandParkIdeaDebated
Recycling/Waste
DEPTellsKeystoneLandfillWhichBenefitsItWillConsider
FriendsOfLackawannaAppealsKeystoneLandfillZoning
KeystoneLandfillLeachateNotLikelySourceOfStench
LandfillSpent$95KOnLowerSauconTwp.CouncilElection
EnvironmentalGroupAppealsFirstEnergyCoalAshPermit
WatershedProtection
BethlehemAuthorityHonoredForWatershedProject
CleanWaterCountsInYorkCounty
RainGardenImprovesEnvironment,PlaygroundAtErieSchool
PittsburghStormwaterDisputeGets2ndRoundOfScrutiny
SewickleyCreekBoatAccessReadyForLaunch
OriginOfTheNameSusquehanna
Video:Oct.30EditionOfDelawareRiverWatch
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
NationalAviaryPraisedForTransformationalChanges
HowStateMoneyImpactsSteelheadFishingInErie
ElkCamDownAfterEndOfBuglingSeason

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

DEPsNewsClipswebpage

ClickHere

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits


Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinOctober31,2015

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheOctober31PABulletin
announcingtheavailabilityofdrafttechnicalguidanceonDocumentingandReporting
Measurable,IncrementalImprovementsinWaterQualityofStreams,RiversandLakes.
CommentsaredueNovember30.Contact:DianeWilson,7177873730,
diawilson@pa.gov
.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

VisitDEPsnew

PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
GetInvolved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

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StoriesInvited

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

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iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
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,a
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2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
,StateCollege,Feb.2627.