Pa Environment Digest Aug. 24, 2015

8/20/2019 Pa Environment Digest Aug. 24, 2015

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa August 24, 2015

Environmental Heritage:

30 Years: Chesapeake Bay Commission, June 25, 1985 Act 25

30 Years: Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact, Dec. 22, 1985 Act 120

50 Years: Open Space Act Preferential Property Tax Assessments, Jan. 13, 1965 Act 515

70 Years: Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, May 31, 1945 Act 418

Gov. Wolf Releases Oil Train Safety Report With 27 Recommendations

Gov. Tom Wolf Monday released a report written by Dr.

Allan Zarembski focused on the safety of Pennsylvanians and

protecting people from the potential of Bakken crude oil train

derailments. In the report, Assessment of Crude by Rail

Safety Issues in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , Dr.

Zarembski presents 27 recommendations.

“Every week, roughly sixty to seventy trains carrying

crude oil travel through Pennsylvania destined for

Philadelphia or another East Coast refinery, and I haveexpressed grave concern regarding the transportation of this oil and have taken several steps to

prevent potential oil train derailments,” said Gov. Wolf. “Protecting Pennsylvanians is my top

priority and Dr. Zarembski’s report is important in helping my administration take the necessary

steps. I will also continue to work with CSX and Norfolk Southern, both of which have

demonstrated concern for rail safety and an interest in working with my administration. I would

also like to thank Dr. Zarembski for his hard work in writing this report and for producing

numerous recommendations that will help my administration prepare.”

Assessment of Crude by Rail (CBR) Safety Issues in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Executive Summary:

As the volume of Crude By Rail (CBR) shipments have increased over the past several

years, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has become increasingly concerned about the risks ofa CBR incident occurring on a rail line that goes through populated areas within the state.

This is particularly important for the Commonwealth since large volumes of CBR are

shipped through the state by two major Class 1 railroads, Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX

Transportation (CSX).

While the recent actions taken by the railroad industry and the Department of

Transportation have been of great value, there is still concern about the level of risk present on

these rail lines.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/274852355/Assessment-of-Crude-by-Rail-CBR-Safety-Issues-in-Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvaniahttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953https://www.scribd.com/doc/274852355/Assessment-of-Crude-by-Rail-CBR-Safety-Issues-in-Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvaniahttps://www.scribd.com/doc/274852355/Assessment-of-Crude-by-Rail-CBR-Safety-Issues-in-Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvaniahttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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Because of the concern about the level of risk present on these rail lines, the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania asked the University of Delaware to look at the current level of

risk and advise as to how to reduce the risk of a CBR incident in the Commonwealth. This report

presents the results of this assessment.

This assessment addresses three major areas of CBR safety in the Commonwealth:

Derailment Risk; Tank Car Breach/Rupture Risk; and Regulatory Oversight.This assessment also addresses the effect of proposed new Department of Transportation

and industry standards for tank car design and train operations and operating systems to include

speed reduction, use of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) Brakes and Positive Train

Control (PTC).

For a catastrophic CBR event to take place, several elements are necessary:

-- First a derailment must occur, usually unrelated to the CBR equipment itself;

-- Second a breach or rupture of the tank car shell must occur and a release of the crude take

place; and

-- Third, conditions must be present and the volatility of the commodity must be such as to ignite

or explode after the rupture of the tank car.

In the area of Derailment Risk, this assessment looked at the distribution of derailments by major categories (Track, Operations/Human Factors, Equipment, Signals, etc.) and

subcategories (e.g. broken rail, wide gauge, etc.) both in the state of Pennsylvania and

Nationwide.

For those derailment categories that are high risk, i.e. with a significant number of annual

occurrences or significant potential for occurrence of major tank car failure, the University of

Delaware team identified opportunities for improvement in inspection and/or maintenance

practices, based on state of the art industry practice as well as specific practices of railroads

operating CBR trains in the State of Pennsylvania.

In the area of Tank Car Breach/Rupture Risk, the assessment examined the proposed

improvements to the tank car such as: Improved head shields; Increased tank shell

thickness/external jacket; Valve Protection (top and bottom valves); and Reduction in train speed

In the area of Regulatory Oversight, the assessment reviewed the current safety oversight

capabilities and resources of the Public Utility Commission as well as those of other neighboring

states and identified opportunities for improvement of safety and Emergency Response.

The report noted that the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad

Administration has primary responsibility for rail safety and inspection under a 1970 federal law

which pre-empted rail safety regulation.

Recommendations

A total of 27 recommendations are presented in this report; divided into primary (18) and

secondary (9) categories.

Primary categories are those expected to have direct safety results and which can beimplemented by the railroads directly working with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by

the Commonwealth itself.

Secondary categories include activities which are more difficult to implement or which

may require action by a party other than the railroad or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Primary Recommendations - Railroad

1. It is recommended that the routes over which CBR trains operate in Pennsylvania be tested at

a rate such that the service defect rate is maintained at 0.04 to 0.06 service failures/mile/year. In


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all cases, rail on these routes should be tested no less than three times a year.

2. It is recommended that the routes over which CBR trains operate in Pennsylvania be tested by

a railroad owned Track Geometry Car at a minimum of four times a year.

3. It is recommended that the routes over which CBR trains operate in Pennsylvania be tested by

a vision based joint bar inspection system at least once per year, this test to be in lieu of one of

the required on-foot inspections, as permitted by FRA.4. It is recommended that NS and CSX adopt the BNSF Railway voluntary speed reduction to 35

mph for crude oil trains through cities with a population greater than 100,000 people.

5. It is recommended that the railroad have sufficient Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) units

in place to monitor all loaded oil train cars along their entire route within Pennsylvania, such that

any track location on an oil train route within the state should have a WILD unit no more than

200 miles preceding (in the loaded direction) that location.

a. If a WILD measurement exceeds 120 Kips, the train should be safely stopped, the

wheel inspected, and then if condition of the wheel allows, the train proceed at a reduced speed

of 30 mph until the alerting car can set out at an appropriate location until repairs are made.

b. If the WILD measurement is greater than 90 Kips, the car should be flagged and the

identified wheels replaced as soon as possible but no later than 1500 miles of additional travel.6. It is recommended that the railroads have sufficient Hot Bearing Detector (HBD) units in

place as to monitor all loaded oil train cars along their entire route within Pennsylvania, with a

maximum spacing of 25 miles between Hot Box detectors.

7. It is recommended that the railroad have at least one Acoustic Bearing Detector unit in place

to monitor all loaded oil trains along their entire route within Pennsylvania.

8. It is recommended that those yards and sidings that handle a significant number of CBR cars

be inspected by the Railroad inspectors at a level of track tighter than the assigned FRA track

class. Thus Yards that are FRA Class 1 should be inspected at a FRA Class 2 level to provide

railroads with early warning of potential track conditions that can cause problems.

9. It is recommended that oil trains in Pennsylvania, not equipped with Electronically Controlled

Pneumatic (ECP) Brakes, use two way end of train devices (TWEOT) or Distributed Power (DP)

to improve braking performance.

10. It is recommended that CSX and NS complete their initial route analysis of High-hazard

flammable train (HHFT) routes in Pennsylvania as quickly as possible, taking into account

proximity to populated areas and safety considerations as outlined by DOT.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

11. It is recommended that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designate appropriate state and

local officials to work with CSX and NS to provide all needed information and to assist in the

route analysis.

12. It is recommended that Public Utility Commission inspectors, in coordination with FRA

inspectors, focus on inspection of major CBR routes, to include track, equipment, hazmat, andoperating practices. In particular, track inspectors should prioritize main line turnouts and yards

and sidings that see a significant number of crude oil cars, to include both major railroads and the

refineries themselves.

13. It is recommended that the Pennsylvania PUC and their track inspectors which are part of

the PUC’s Transportation Division coordinate with the Federal Railroad Administration and try

to schedule the FRA’s T-18 Gage Restraint Measurement System (GRMS) test vehicle to inspect

all routes over which CBR trains operate in Pennsylvania at least once a year. This test should


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include both GRMS and conventional track geometry measurements.

14. It is recommended that Pennsylvania PUC fill their existing track inspector vacancy with a

qualified inspector with railroad experience. Given the fact that most major refineries are in the

eastern part of the state, where SEPTA and Amtrak are located as well, it may be necessary to

add a third inspector to the eastern part of the state, pending filling of the existing eastern

vacancy.15. It is recommended that PEMA continue to actively work with both railroads to roll out

information sharing technology tools and make these tools available to all emergency responders

on CBR routes (PEMA is actively working in this area).

16. It is recommended that PEMA coordinate full scale emergency response exercise involving

emergency responders from communities along the key oil train routes.

17. It is recommended that PEMA work with and insure that all communities along the CBR

routes have appropriate emergency response plans.

18. It is recommended that PEMA work with NS and CSX to obtain an inventory of emergency

response resources along routes over which Crude Oil Trains operate to include locations for the

staging of emergency response equipment (PEMA is actively working in this area).

Secondary Recommendations - Railroad19. It is recommended that conventional track geometry car tests on routes over which CBR

trains operate in Pennsylvania be supplemented by Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement

(ATGM) and/or Vehicle/Track Interaction (VTI) measurement systems.

20. It is recommended that NS and CSX verify that they have sufficient Hot Wheel Detectors

on the Oil Train Routes to allow for the identification of overheated wheels on terrain where this

can be a cause of wheel failure.

21. It is recommended that the railroad have at least one Truck Defect Detector or equivalent in

place to monitor all loaded oil train cars along their entire route within Pennsylvania.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

22. It is recommended that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania encourage both NS and CSX to

implement Positive Train Control (PTC) on Oil Train routes in the Commonwealth as

expeditiously as possible, in accordance with government mandated schedules.

23. It is recommended that State of Pennsylvania Track inspectors focus attention on the

condition of turnouts on major CBR routes in the state.

24. It is recommended that Pennsylvania state inspectors include yards and sidings that handle a

significant number of CBR cars as part of their inspection program. All such inspections to be

coordinated with the FRA inspection program.

25. It is recommended that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lend its support to a set of

national Minimum Characteristic Standards for all Crude by Rail (CBR) with defined target

characteristics.

26. It is recommended that Pennsylvania PUC coordinate with FRA and NS and CSX BridgeDepartments to insure that the railroads are maintaining a Bridge Safety Management Program

in accordance with 49 CFR 237.

27. It is recommended that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lend its support to increasing the

tank car thermal protection standard to 800 minutes for a pool fire.

Dr. Zarembski, who was hired by the governor in late-April and started in mid-May, is an

internationally recognized expert in the area of railway track and structures, vehicle-track

dynamics, failure and risk analysis, safety, railway operations, and maintenance.

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In May, Gov. Wolf sent a letter to oil train companies , CSX Transportation and Norfolk

Southern Railway, urging them to adopt improved safety initiatives for all trains with

crude-by-rail cars operating in Pennsylvania and to fully and expeditiously comply with the U.S.

Department of Transportation’s announced Final Rule.

In February, Gov. Wolf sent a letter to President Obama urging expedited federal

regulatory action in several areas to better ensure safety. And in his first full week in office, thegovernor conducted an emergency table-top planning exercise to model the state’s response in

the event of a crude oil train derailment in an urban area.

Gov. Wolf has personally met with executives from Norfolk Southern and CSX

Corporation to discuss safety measures that could lower the risk of derailments. He has also

directed the Pennsylvania Office of the Fire Commissioner to examine how an oil train fire could

be extinguished to protect public safety, and the Wolf Administration has undertaken a review of

the frequency and the procedures associated with rail infrastructure inspections by federal and

state inspectors.

A copy of the report is available online.

PUC Reacts To Report

In response to the release Monday of a final report and assessment of Crude by Railsafety in Pennsylvania, the Public Utility Commission underscored its commitment to rail safety

efforts and vowed ongoing cooperation with the Wolf Administration and General Assembly in

addressing the recommendations outlined in the report.

“The PUC is part of a multi-layered system that works to ensure the safe transportation of

goods and passengers by rail across our state,” said Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “The inspection

and engineering work performed by members of the PUC’s Rail Safety Section are part of the

daily behind-the-scenes efforts to prevent incidents and reduce risks in Pennsylvania – work that

also includes the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the railroads, and numerous other

agencies.”

Chairman Brown noted that the rail safety assessment, prepared by Dr. Allan M.

Zarembski for the Wolf Administration, contains 27 recommendations, including several that

address work performed by the PUC.

“Several of the recommendations related to the PUC, such as coordinating with the FRA

to focus additional attention on the inspection of major oil train routes and the filling of existing

staff vacancies, are already underway,” noted Chairman Brown. “Other items, such as the hiring

of additional PUC inspectors, are being evaluated to determine how they can best be

implemented.”

Chairman Brown noted that in 2014, PUC Rail Safety Inspectors filed 941 Inspection

Reports with the FRA after examining more than 82,000 individual items – ranging from pieces

of rail and components on a locomotive or rail car, to safety practices, crew certifications or clear

radio communications.Additionally, Commission Rail Safety Engineers were involved in 200 actions related to

highway-railroad crossing projects, addressing more than $600 million in infrastructure

improvements.

The PUC is committed to enhancing rail safety throughout Pennsylvania, and works

closely with the FRA, railroads and other agencies to monitor a variety of factors that can impact

the safe movement of trains, cargo and passengers – including track, motive power and

equipment, operating practices, hazardous materials and grade crossings.

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/gov-wolf-releases-oil-train-safety.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/gov-wolf-releases-oil-train-safety.htmlhttps://www.scribd.com/doc/274852355/Assessment-of-Crude-by-Rail-CBR-Safety-Issues-in-Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvaniahttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31456http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32308


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For more information, visit the PUC's Rail Safety webpage.

NewsClips:

Report Makes Recommendations On Oil Train Safety

Wolf Issues Oil Train Recommendations

Expert Assesses Risk Of Oil Train Accidents

Carriers Weigh Routing Oil Trains Around PA Report Urges 2 Dozen Changes To Make Oil Trains Safer

Idea For Slowing Oil Trains Resisted In PA

Editorial: Implement Oil Train Proposals

Oil Trains And Pope, Not Perfect Together?

Op-Ed: Oil Exports Would Harm U.S. Energy Independence

Marcus Hook Refinery Fortunes Rest On Natural Gas

Editorial: Keystone Pipeline, Get On With It!

Barrel Of U.S. Crude Drops Below $40

No End In Sight For Oil Glut

Energy Slowdown Hits PA Town Hard

Related Story:Senate Panels Hear Testimony On Efforts To Improve Safety Of Crude Oil Trains

EPA Proposes New Standards To Reduce Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Operations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced proposed standards to reduce

emissions of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds from the oil and natural gas

industry.

The proposal is a part of the Administration’s strategy under President Obama’s Climate

Action Plan to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45 percent from 2012

levels by 2025.

Methane, the key constituent of natural gas, is a potent GHG with a global warming

potential more than 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Methane is the second most

prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the United States from human activities, and nearly 30

percent of those emissions come from oil production and the production, transmission and

distribution of natural gas.

“Today, through our cost-effective proposed standards, we are underscoring our

commitment to reducing the pollution fueling climate change and protecting public health while

supporting responsible energy development, transparency and accountability,” said EPA

Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Cleaner-burning energy sources like natural gas are key

compliance options for our Clean Power Plan and we are committed to ensuring safe and

responsible production that supports a robust clean energy economy.”The proposed standards for new and modified sources are expected to reduce 340,000 to

400,000 short tons of methane in 2025, the equivalent of reducing 7.7 to 9 million metric tons of

carbon dioxide.

EPA estimates the rule will yield net climate benefits of $120 to $150 million in 2025.

Those standards are also expected to reduce 170,000 to 180,000 tons of ozone-forming VOCs in

2025, along with 1,900 to 2,500 tons of air toxics, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and

xylene.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/strategy_to_reduce_methane_emissions_2014-03-28_final.pdfhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/strategy_to_reduce_methane_emissions_2014-03-28_final.pdfhttp://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.htmlhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32475http://www.wsj.com/articles/energy-slowdown-hits-one-town-hard-1440008970http://www.wsj.com/articles/no-end-in-sight-for-oil-glut-1440113703http://lancasteronline.com/news/national/barrel-of-us-crude-drops-below/article_296bdcd4-28b9-513a-9ac4-fc87274ca07d.htmlhttp://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8910405-74/keystone-administration-decisionhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/08/blackbeard_then_oil_now_gas_fe.html#incart_m-rpt-2http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150817_Oil_exports_would_harm_U_S__energy_independence.htmlhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/20/oil-trains-and-pope-francis-not-perfect-together/http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/implement-oil-train-proposals-1.1928070http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8930458-74/crude-report-speedhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/17/report-urges-more-than-two-dozen-measures-to-make-oil-trains-safer/http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/17/Report-makes-recommendations-to-improve-oil-train-safety/stories/201508170135http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-oil-train-safety-tips-20150817-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/wolf-issues-oil-train-recommendations-1.1928395http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/17/Report-makes-recommendations-to-improve-oil-train-safety/stories/201508170135http://www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/transportation/rail_safety.aspxhttp://www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/transportation/rail_safety.aspx


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Ozone is linked to a variety of serious public health effects, including reduced lung

function, asthma attacks, asthma development, emergency room visits and hospital admissions,

and early death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes. Air toxics include chemicals that are

known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects.

The proposed standards will complement voluntary efforts, including EPA’s Methane

Challenge Program

, and are based on practices and technology currently used by industry. To cutmethane and VOC emissions, the proposal requires:

— Finding and repairing leaks;

— Capturing natural gas from the completion of hydraulically fractured oil wells;

— Limiting emissions from new and modified pneumatic pumps; and

— Limiting emissions from several types of equipment used at natural gas transmission

compressor stations, including compressors and pneumatic controllers.

EPA’s Methane Challenge Program that was proposed earlier this year expands on the

successful Natural Gas STAR Program, which serves as a platform for companies who want to

make an ambitious and transparent commitments to address methane emissions.

This flexible program has the potential to foster significant cost-effective emission

reductions across the oil and gas sector and to provide transparency on the progress partnercompanies are making to reduce emissions.

As part of the proposal announced today, the agency is updating the 2012 New Source

Performance Standards to address methane as well as VOC emissions for sources covered in that

rule.

EPA’s proposal would also require that industry reduce VOC and methane emissions

from hydraulically fractured and refractured oil wells, which can contain significant amounts of

natural gas along with oil.

In addition, the proposal means methane and VOC reductions “downstream” from wells

and production sites, covering equipment in the natural gas transmission segment of the industry

that was not regulated in the agency’s 2012 oil and natural gas rules.

Additionally, the agency proposes to clarify and streamline Clean Air Act permitting

requirements in states and Indian country.

The proposal includes proposed guidelines for states to reduce VOC emissions from

existing oil and gas sources in certain ozone nonattainment areas as well as mid-Atlantic and

Northeast states, like Pennsylvania, that are part of the Ozone Transport Region.

EPA will take comment on the proposals for 60 days after they are published in the

Federal Register. The agency will hold public hearings and will announce details soon.

DEP/PA Industry Reaction

The Department of Environmental Protection said it would review the proposal and look

at what other gas-producing states are doing.

“We are working to develop a robust approach to limiting methane emissions inPennsylvania,” said DEP Secretary John Quigley. “DEP has compiled data on methane

emissions and has started research into possible methods of identifying sources of methane

emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells, among other sources.”

“It cannot be lost on anyone that shale-related methane emissions continue to steeply

drop as natural gas production sharply climbs,” said Dave Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus

Shale Coalition . “These positive results are a function of the industry's widespread use of

operational best practices and continuous investments aimed at protecting and enhancing our

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environment, especially air quality.”

For more information, visit EPA’s Regulatory Actions webpage.

NewsClips:

EPA Proposes Cut To Oil & Gas Methane Emissions

EPA Proposes To Curb Methane Emissions From Oil & Gas Industry

EPA Proposes Cutting Methane Emissions Nearly In Half EPA Methane Plan Puts Pressure On States For Bigger Cuts

Editorial: Less Methane Best Policy

Methane Rules, Oil Trains Topics On WITF’s Smart Talk


Natural Gas Power Plants Bring Jobs, Cleaner Air To PA

Related Stories:

PEC: EPA Announces Important Methane Controls, It’s Time For PA To Do The Same

Nature Abounds Welcomes EPA Methane Regulations Covering Oil & Gas Operations

Environmental Defense Fund Statement On Proposed EPA Oil & Gas Methane Rule


The PA Environmental Council issued the following statement by John Walliser, Vice President

for Legal & Government Affairs, in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s

proposed methane emission reduction rule covering oil and gas operations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [Tuesday] announced the first-ever proposed

federal methane pollution standards for new and modified oil and gas facilities – a landmark

announcement and critical first step in reducing the growth of methane and smog-forming

emissions from the industry.

It’s a terrific start, but it only will get us part of the way. What the proposed rule does not

address is emissions from existing operations, which in a state like Pennsylvania where there has

already been tremendous development, is a really big deal. In fact, the majority of emissions in

our state over the next decade will come from existing sources, and will not be subject to the

proposed federal rule.

That’s why PEC is urging Pennsylvania to enact comprehensive, mandatory regulations

that cover both existing and new sources of methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

Studies on methane emissions demonstrate that this is a growing problem for the industry and the

environment.

In fact, a study released today [Tuesday] shows that previously unrecorded emissions

from thousands of gathering facilities are eight times higher than estimates. According to the

study, this escaped gas could heat 3.2 million homes.

This is not only a wasted resource, it’s a huge climate problem. Methane is a potentgreenhouse gas that traps more than 80 times as much heat over a 20-year period than carbon

dioxide; that short term climate impact is equivalent to 160 coal-fired power plants.

Cutting these emissions is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce

greenhouse gases.

A study by ICF International has found that the oil and gas industry could reduce

methane emissions by 40 percent for about one penny per thousand cubic feet of natural gas

produced. And many of the measures to reduce these emissions are as basic as monitoring leaks

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-proposes-new-standards-to-reduce.htmlhttp://pecpa.org/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/environmental-defense-fund-statement-on.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/nature-abounds-welcomes-epa-methane.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pec-epa-announces-important-methane.htmlhttp://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2015-08-20_new-natural-gas-plants-bring-hundreds-jobs-cleaner-air-pennsylvaniahttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/20/talking-methane-rules-oil-trains-on-witfs-smart-talk/http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/18/epas-methane-plan-puts-pressure-on-states-to-achieve-bigger-cuts-advocates-say/http://www.timesonline.com/news/energy/epa-proposes-cutting-methane-emissions-nearly-in-half-by/article_75fa65b8-4757-11e5-b959-b34808d4af35.htmlhttp://triblive.com/business/headlines/8936412-74/gas-rules-emissionshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/18/EPA-unveils-new-rules-for-methane-VOC-emissions-for-oil-and-gas-sources/stories/201508180150http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.html


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and prioritizing repairs.

States like Colorado, among others, have already proven that you can have robust

emission controls without affecting production.

It’s time for Pennsylvania to step up and join other leading states in addressing both

current and future methane emissions. It’s cost effective, will prevent the waste of an important

energy resource, and will pay huge dividends in reducing our greenhouse gas footprint.(Reprinted from the PA Environmental Council Blog .)

NewsClips:



EPA Proposes Cutting Methane Emissions Nearly In Half

EPA Methane Plan Puts Pressure On States For Bigger Cuts


Methane Rules, Oil Trains Topics On WITF’s Smart Talk



Related Stories: Nature Abounds Welcomes EPA Methane Regulations Covering Oil & Gas Operations



The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following statement in response to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed methane emission reduction rule covering oil and

gas operations.

“This is critical step toward protecting our climate and public health. EPA is taking on a

pollutant responsible for 25 percent of the warming we are experiencing today," said EDF

President Fred Krupp.

“The nation’s oil and gas companies emit over seven million tons of methane pollution

every year, equal to the greenhouse gas pollution of about 160 coal fired power plants over the

next twenty years. This proposal begins the important work of ensuring that the oil and gas

industry reduces this pollution.

“There is ample evidence that technologies and practices exist to significantly cut

methane pollution from the oil and gas industry. Some leading companies have adopted these

practices, but too few have, which is why emissions remain unacceptably high. That’s why we

need sensible standards to set a level playing field for everyone.

“Setting the first national standards for methane emissions from the oil and gas industry

is an important move, but it can’t be the last. This proposal addresses methane emissions fromnewly built and modified oil and gas operations, but not from the existing facilities that account

for all of today's emissions and will still account for 90 percent of the problem by 2018.

“In January, the President set a goal of reducing methane pollution 40-45% by 2025.

Additional actions by government are needed to achieve this goal. The question to ask of any

proposal is how far does it take us toward achieving a 45 percent reduction, and how quickly

does it get us there?”

For more information, visit EDF’s Natural Gas Impacts webpage.

https://www.edf.org/climate/natural-gashttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-proposes-new-standards-to-reduce.htmlhttps://www.edf.org/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/environmental-defense-fund-statement-on.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/nature-abounds-welcomes-epa-methane.htmlhttp://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2015-08-20_new-natural-gas-plants-bring-hundreds-jobs-cleaner-air-pennsylvaniahttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/20/talking-methane-rules-oil-trains-on-witfs-smart-talk/http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/18/epas-methane-plan-puts-pressure-on-states-to-achieve-bigger-cuts-advocates-say/http://www.timesonline.com/news/energy/epa-proposes-cutting-methane-emissions-nearly-in-half-by/article_75fa65b8-4757-11e5-b959-b34808d4af35.htmlhttp://triblive.com/business/headlines/8936412-74/gas-rules-emissionshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/18/EPA-unveils-new-rules-for-methane-VOC-emissions-for-oil-and-gas-sources/stories/201508180150http://pecpa.org/pec-blog/


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NewsClips:





Editorial: Less Methane Best Policy Methane Rules, Oil Trains Topics On WITF’s Smart Talk



Related Stories:




Nature Abounds issued this statement in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

proposal to reduce methane emissions

from oil and gas operations—"The proposed rules are pretty common-sense. For example, under the new rules energy

companies are mandated to find and repair leaks,” said Nature Abounds' President Melinda

Hughes-Wert. “Companies would also have to capture the natural gas when completing a

fracked well and they would have to limit emissions from other types of fracking-related

equipment such as pneumatic pumps. It's sad that industry has to be regulated to control the

emissions, but unfortunately many companies do not do so currently."

While some industry experts may believe that the new regulations may hurt the economy,

Hughes-Wert doesn't think this is the case.

"The new methane emissions rules makes sense economically. They promote a more

efficient system which should equal more earning opportunities for the industry. We believe

these rules are a great step to a healthier future for all. We would love to see these rules applied

to existing sources as well as the new ones."

Nature Abounds is a nonprofit environmental organization based in DuBois, Clearfield

County.

NewsClips:






Methane Rules, Oil Trains Topics On WITF’s Smart Talk Editorial: Less Methane Best Policy


Related Stories:



AP: House GOP Plans Veto Override Votes Tuesday On Parts Of State Budget

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/environmental-defense-fund-statement-on.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pec-epa-announces-important-methane.htmlhttp://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2015-08-20_new-natural-gas-plants-bring-hundreds-jobs-cleaner-air-pennsylvaniahttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/20/talking-methane-rules-oil-trains-on-witfs-smart-talk/http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/18/epas-methane-plan-puts-pressure-on-states-to-achieve-bigger-cuts-advocates-say/http://www.timesonline.com/news/energy/epa-proposes-cutting-methane-emissions-nearly-in-half-by/article_75fa65b8-4757-11e5-b959-b34808d4af35.htmlhttp://triblive.com/business/headlines/8936412-74/gas-rules-emissionshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/18/EPA-unveils-new-rules-for-methane-VOC-emissions-for-oil-and-gas-sources/stories/201508180150http://www.natureabounds.org/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-proposes-new-standards-to-reduce.htmlhttp://www.natureabounds.org/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/nature-abounds-welcomes-epa-methane.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pec-epa-announces-important-methane.htmlhttp://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2015-08-20_new-natural-gas-plants-bring-hundreds-jobs-cleaner-air-pennsylvaniahttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/20/talking-methane-rules-oil-trains-on-witfs-smart-talk/http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/less-methane-best-policy-1.1929219https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/18/epas-methane-plan-puts-pressure-on-states-to-achieve-bigger-cuts-advocates-say/http://www.timesonline.com/news/energy/epa-proposes-cutting-methane-emissions-nearly-in-half-by/article_75fa65b8-4757-11e5-b959-b34808d4af35.htmlhttp://triblive.com/business/headlines/8936412-74/gas-rules-emissionshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/18/EPA-unveils-new-rules-for-methane-VOC-emissions-for-oil-and-gas-sources/stories/201508180150


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The Associated Press reported Friday House Republicans plan to hold votes on Tuesday to

override Gov. Wolf veto of the Republican budget passed in June one section at a time.

Republicans would need 17 Democratic votes to be successful on any veto overrides.

Democrats have said the piecemeal votes to override the Governor’s veto are

unconstitutional and a Duquesne University law professor agrees.Capitolwire.com Friday reported: “Wasting more time with another round of

unconstitutional stunts on the floor of the House, and trying to pick winners and losers, is not

going to make human service providers and their vulnerable clients whole,” said House Minority

Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny), in a statement reacting to the House GOP plan. “It’s time

to negotiate an honest budget that restores the devastating cuts Republicans made in the past and

provides predictable and sustainable funding to meet Pennsylvania’s critical needs.”

The Wolf Administration is of the same opinion.

“It’s time for the gimmicks and games to stop,” said Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan about

the potential line-item veto overrides. “While Gov. Wolf takes a serious look at their proposal,

the Republicans are trying to undercut any progress by continuing to play games like this when

they know their override threats are unconstitutional, as clearly laid out under Article IV, Section15 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

“These continued stunts by Republicans are doing a disservice to the people of

Pennsylvania. We need them to get serious for once,” Sheridan added.

The House is only scheduled to be in voting session on Tuesday next week and does not

return to full voting session, when the Senate does, until September 21.

Earlier In The Week

Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced his support for an appropriation to be included in

a final budget to reimburse school districts and small nonprofits for the interest payments

incurred on loans as a result of the budget impasse, but not much else happened this week.

Sure, the Republicans presented Gov. Wolf with a “take it or leave it” proposal on

education funding and pensions, but those were immediately panned by the state’s largest

teachers union and apparently didn’t get traction with Democratic lawmakers.

Besides that, not much progress.

On the issue of interest payment reimbursements, the Commonwealth already provides

reimbursement to qualified small businesses for interest when the Commonwealth does not pay

an invoice for 45 days. The governor supports this being extended to school districts, similar to

the reimbursement provided in the 2003 budget, and to small nonprofits.

“I understand the situation that school districts and human services agencies are

experiencing as a result of the budget impasse, and that’s why I am proposing that any final

budget include an appropriation to reimburse districts and small nonprofits for the interest

payments incurred on loans as a result of the impasse,” said Gov. Wolf. “I am fighting to reach afinal agreement on a comprehensive budget that restores funding for schools and human services

agencies and I know the challenges that each have faced as a result of drastic cuts to funding

over the past four years. That’s why my budget is a hugely important step in restoring these state

funds.”

Under the governor’s proposal, a small nonprofit must be an independently owned and

operated entity that employs 100 or fewer employees and cannot be a subsidiary or affiliate of

either of a corporation or of a nonprofit that employs more than 100 people.

http://www.capitolwire.com/http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/8956427-74/override-wolf-bill#axzz3jFAL3m5A


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The small nonprofit organization must have a contract or grant either directly with the

Commonwealth or with a county program that receives and passes through state grant funds to

the non-profit (ex: a mental health program under contract with a grant to a county) and the state

program funding must provide more than 50 percent of the nonprofit’s annual operating

revenues.

NewsClips:House GOP Plans Veto Override Votes On Parts Of Budget

House Republicans Look To Override Parts Of Wolf Budget

Feds Show PA Drilling Revenues Sharply Lower Than Other States

Wolf Not Fazed By GOP’s Take It Or Leave It Offer

Wolf Weighs $400M School Funding Offer From GOP

Republicans Offer Wolf Education, Pension Proposals

GOP Pension Deal Met With Chilly Reception By Some Dems

Corman Reports No Progress, Wolf: GOP Doesn’t Want Compromise

Video: Wolf Talks Pensions, Education, Latest Budget Meeting

Lawmakers See Own Funds Dwindle In Budget Fight

United Way Survey Shows Budget Stalemate Impact On Nonprofits Wolf Wants Nonprofit Costs Covered

StateImpact: U.S. EIA Reports PA Drilling Revenues Much Lower Than Other States

StateImpact reported Friday a U.S. Energy Information Agency study found Pennsylvania

receives much less revenue than other states from oil and gas drilling operations; less than 1

percent of state revenues are from the Act 13 drilling impact fee.

The average revenue received by other states is two percent or less. Other states are

much more depended on oil and gas severance tax revenues, for example, Alaska receives 90

percent of its budget from oil and gas taxes, North Dakota about 14 percent, Wyoming nearly 40

percent and Texas about 11 percent.

A copy of study is available online .

NewsClips:

Feds Show PA Drilling Revenues Sharply Lower Than Other States

House GOP Plans Veto Override Votes On Parts Of Budget

House Republicans Look To Override Parts Of Wolf Budget

Wolf Not Fazed By GOP’s Take It Or Leave It Offer

Wolf Weighs $400M School Funding Offer From GOP

Republicans Offer Wolf Education, Pension Proposals

GOP Pension Deal Met With Chilly Reception By Some Dems

Corman Reports No Progress, Wolf: GOP Doesn’t Want Compromise Video: Wolf Talks Pensions, Education, Latest Budget Meeting

Lawmakers See Own Funds Dwindle In Budget Fight

United Way Survey Shows Budget Stalemate Impact On Nonprofits

Wolf Wants Nonprofit Costs Covered

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/wolf-wants-nonprofit-costs-covered-1.1929303http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/united-way-survey-shows-budget-stalemate-impact-on-nonprofits-1.1928411http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-budget-lawmakers-money-20150820-story.htmlhttp://theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/864/VIDEO-Wolf-talks-pensions-education-after-latest-budget-meeting-.aspxhttp://theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/863/In-budget-meeting-primer-Wolf-accuses-Republicans-of-having-no-desire-to-work-together-toward-compromise-plan.aspxhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/868/GOP-modified-pension-reform-plan-met-with-chilly-reception-by-some-Democrats.aspxhttp://theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/865/Republicans-offer-governor%E2%80%99s-desired-education-funding-for-modified-pension-reform-plan.aspxhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/wolf_weighs_gop_offer_that_inc.html#incart_2box_topmobilehttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/870/Gov-Wolf-not-fazed-by-GOP%E2%80%99s-take-it-or-leave-it-education-for-pension-reform-offer.aspxhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/08/legislative_republicans_look_t.html#incart_riverhttp://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/8956427-74/override-wolf-bill#axzz3jFAL3m5Ahttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/21/feds-show-pennsylvania-gas-revenues-sharply-lower-than-other-leading-producers/http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22612http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=22612https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/21/feds-show-pennsylvania-gas-revenues-sharply-lower-than-other-leading-producers/#more-35937http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/wolf-wants-nonprofit-costs-covered-1.1929303http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/united-way-survey-shows-budget-stalemate-impact-on-nonprofits-1.1928411http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-budget-lawmakers-money-20150820-story.htmlhttp://theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/864/VIDEO-Wolf-talks-pensions-education-after-latest-budget-meeting-.aspxhttp://theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/863/In-budget-meeting-primer-Wolf-accuses-Republicans-of-having-no-desire-to-work-together-toward-compromise-plan.aspxhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/868/GOP-modified-pension-reform-plan-met-with-chilly-reception-by-some-Democrats.aspxhttp://theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/865/Republicans-offer-governor%E2%80%99s-desired-education-funding-for-modified-pension-reform-plan.aspxhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/wolf_weighs_gop_offer_that_inc.html#incart_2box_topmobilehttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/870/Gov-Wolf-not-fazed-by-GOP%E2%80%99s-take-it-or-leave-it-education-for-pension-reform-offer.aspxhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/21/feds-show-pennsylvania-gas-revenues-sharply-lower-than-other-leading-producers/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/08/legislative_republicans_look_t.html#incart_riverhttp://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/8956427-74/override-wolf-bill#axzz3jFAL3m5A


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Analysis: Electronics Recycling Effort Shrinking In PA, The Law Needs To Be Fixed

Pennsylvania’s electronics recycling law passed with fanfare in

2010 has so far failed to provide the robust electronics recycling

opportunities intended by its supporters.

Pennsylvania’s most populous counties: Philadelphia,Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery have, in fact,

discontinued electronics recycling, others have operated

recycling programs without support from the recycling law

because the system is broken.

DEP notified the hardware manufacturers who fund the

program in June that 18 counties had no electronics recycling opportunities: Armstrong, Bucks,

Bradford, Cameron, Carbon, Chester, Clinton, Cumberland, Delaware, Huntingdon,

Montgomery, Montour, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming.

It’s expected to be worse for the coming year.

Pennsylvania now has about 560 electronics recycling locations, down from close to

1,000 during the first years of the program.The cause of the failure is simple: makers of desktop computers, laptop computers,

computer monitors, computer peripherals and televisions sold to consumers in Pennsylvania are

not required by law to pay the true cost of recycling these electronic devices, in particular

old-style CRT televisions with leaded glass screens.

Hardware manufacturers make contracts with communities and recyclers to recycle their

share of electronics up to an amount set each year based on the weight of the new products they

sell the previous year. ( Click Here for a DEP fact sheet on how the process works.)

Hardware makers are not only not required by law to pay the actual cost of recycling,

they also do not have to pay to recycle all the electronics collected by local programs they help

fund, just their share by weight.

As a result, some communities have been stuck with electronics they collected because

manufacturers did not pay for more than their share. In other cases, they stop accepting some

electronic devices because they are simply too costly to recycle.

The leaded glass in CRT televisions in particular has been a problem, since they are

heavy and difficult and expensive to recycle and must be shipped out of Pennsylvania for safe

processing.

Because manufacturers do not pay for the actual cost of recycling, this has lead to many

CRTs collected as a result of the recycling law to be simply stored in warehouses and truck

trailers all over the state, almost in every county.

In one case, there is a warehouse with an estimated 8 million pounds of leaded glass

waiting to be recycled, but, in reality, it is just being stored.By law, leaded glass from CRTs being warehoused for a period of time without being

recycled is considered a hazardous waste and must be cleaned up accordingly.

Ultimately, the hardware manufacturers that fund the program are responsible, under the

law, for seeing that the materials they pay to have collected are actually recycled and can be held

liable for cleanup if the materials are simply warehoused.

To date, DEP has not taken any enforcement action against hardware manufacturers

related to the warehousing of leaded glass CRTs.

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/electronics_recycling_management_program/20342/consumer_information/980753http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-96988/2520-FS-DEP4324.pdfhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/electronics_recycling_management_program/20342


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In a provision unique in state environmental law, the electronics recycling law requires

DEP to seek authorization from the Office of Attorney General to undertake enforcement

actions. DEP is now seeking that authorization, but has so far it has not been received.

Another unintended consequence of the law not requiring hardware makers to pay the

true cost of recycling, is it has forced some recyclers to drop out of the hardware

maker-supported recycling program altogether and return to a fee-for-service model that chargesconsumers for recycling.

This is obviously not what the law had in mind, but it has been the only way to make

electronics recycling available in some areas, in particular in Western Pennsylvania.

In other words, to provide for electronics recycling, communities and recyclers in some

areas have had to avoid the Pennsylvania electronics recycling program entirely.

The dwindling number of electronics recycling opportunities is also leading to more

frequent reports of roadside dumping of electronics, and CRT televisions in particular, because

the electronics recycling law also bans the disposal of electronics in landfills, according to Keep

Pennsylvania Beautiful.

Other states, like Connecticut , set a minimum recycling price hardware makers must pay

that is much closer to the actual cost of recycling making the program viable.It would take a major change in Pennsylvania’s electronics recycling law to really fix the

many problems with the program.

These problems are not new, but they have been mostly inside baseball, known only to

those folks directly involved.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , however, did report on some of these problems in May and

CBS Pittsburgh TV just did a story on the challenge of recycling old TVs on August 19.

On August 31 the reports are due to DEP from hardware makers on the number of pounds

they are prepared to pay to have recycled in the coming year based on last year’s sales of new

products.

The overall weight they report will continue to drop because no one sells heavy CRTs

anymore and with it hardware makers will pay for even fewer pounds of Pennsylvania’s

electronics to be recycled.

As the official state electronics recycling program continues to shrink, will we find even

more CRT televisions and other electronic waste dumped by the side of the road or stored

warehouses and truck trailers around the state?

The answer is yes, unless we take action to fix Pennsylvania’s electronics recycling law.

For more information on the existing electronics recycling program, visit DEP’s

Electronic Recycling Management Program webpage.

Check with your County Recycling Coordinators

for legitimate electronics recycling

opportunities in your area.

Also outside of the state electronics recycling program, but an effective option for somedevices, are computer and other device recycling services, often free, from retailers like Best

Buy and Staples .

NewsClip: Recycling Old TVs A Real Challenge In PA

PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA . Let us join your

https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/08/19/recycling-old-televisions-a-real-challenge-in-pennsylvania/#.VdYmLskT7Ao.mailtohttp://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/easy-on-the-planet/recycling-and-eco-services.htmlhttp://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/recycling-electronics/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025http://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/recycling-electronics/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_resources/14067/county_recycling_coordinators/589547http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/electronics_recycling_management_program/20342http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/08/19/recycling-old-televisions-a-real-challenge-in-pennsylvania/#.VdYmLskT7Ao.mailtohttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/05/19/Too-many-TVs-too-little-capacity-to-recycle-them/stories/201505180002http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2714&q=397480&deepNav_GID=1645%20http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/2010/0/0108..HTM


15/48

Circle.

Google+ now combines all the news you now get through the PA Environment Digest,

Weekly, Blog, Twitter and Video sites into one resource.

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

NewsClips and links to the weekly Digest and videos.

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

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

PAEnviroDigest.

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

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

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

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

comment to any blog posting.

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

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

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

email alerting you to new items posted on this blog.

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

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

Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as

well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Bill Calendars

House (August 25): House Bill 48 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting standards for drinking

water well construction; Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for an independent

counsel for the Environmental Quality Board. Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (September 21): Senate Resolution 54 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) urging Congress to imposetariffs on imported anthracite coal (sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 55 (Hutchinson-R-

Venango) a concurrent resolution establishing a Forestry Task Force associated with the Joint

Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee (sponsor summary ).

Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=17546http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=55http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16954http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=54http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/


16/48

House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in

each--

House

Appropriations

Education

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

JudiciaryLiquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate (unless sooner recalled)September 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

October 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

November 16, 17, 18

December 7, 8, 9

House (unless sooner recalled)

August 25

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=19&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=33&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=29&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=39&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=31&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=7&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=9&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=3&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=38&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=28&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=24&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=56&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=54&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=10&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=8&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=12&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=4&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTM


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September 21, 22, 28 (Non-Voting), 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

November 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 (Non-Voting)

December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

Governor’s Schedule

Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day

will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public

Appearances.

News From The Capitol

Joint Conservation Committee Issues Green Paper On Fluoridation

The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee Friday

issued one of its periodic Green Paper Environmental Issue Monographs; the topic this time is

the fluoridation of public drinking water .

The Green Paper reviews the latest science and benefits of fluoridation, recent pending

legislation and fluoridation trends in Pennsylvania.

Click Here to read a copy of this Green Paper. Click Here to sign up for the Joint

Committee’s monthly newsletter and notices of Committee activities and papers.

Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Joint Conservation

Committee.

NewsClip: Editorial: Water Disruption In Wyoming Valley Highlights Aging Pipes

News From Around The State

Apply Now For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program

Pennsylvania farmers who want to use best management

practices or purchase on-farm conservation equipment can

now apply for 2015-16 Resource Enhancement and Protection

(REAP) Program tax credits.

This is a first-come, first-served program until available

funding is gone; there are no application rankings.

REAP is a tax credit program for agricultural producers who

install best management practices or make equipment purchases that reduce erosion and sedimentation that impacts

Pennsylvania’s streams and watersheds.

The program, administered by the State Conservation Commission , gives agriculture

producers an incentive to purchase conservation equipment and materials to better protect the

environment.

“Pennsylvania is facing challenging times, particularly with the upcoming 2017

mid-point assessment for our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan, and it’s up to

http://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/StateConservationCommission/Pages/default.aspx#.VdO4zbSM44Nhttp://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/StateConservationCommission/REAP/Pages/default.aspx#.VdO4YrSM44Mhttp://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/StateConservationCommission/REAP/Pages/default.aspx#.VdO4YrSM44Mhttp://timesleader.com/opinion/editorials/378187/our-opinion-water-disruption-in-wyoming-valley-puts-focus-on-precious-resource-and-aging-pipeshttp://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/current-events.cfmhttp://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/resources/ftp/documents/reports/Green%20Paper%20-%20Summer%202015%20-%20Flouridation%20of%20Drinking%20Water.pdfhttp://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/resources/ftp/documents/reports/Green%20Paper%20-%20Summer%202015%20-%20Flouridation%20of%20Drinking%20Water.pdfhttp://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBx


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agriculture to meet the challenge,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “The agriculture

industry is expected to make 75 percent of Pennsylvania’s total nutrient load reductions, in large

part because we show the greatest opportunity for achieving restoration of the bay.”

“We’re doing great work already to safeguard our local waterways, but there’s more

work to be done. I encourage farmers to take advantage of the funding REAP provides to help

you continue to make conservation-minded capital improvements and management changes,”Redding said.

Private investors may act as a sponsor by providing capital to producers as a project is

approved in return for tax credits. Any individual or business subject to taxation through

Personal Income Tax, Corporate Net Income Tax, Bank Shares Tax or others is eligible to

participate in REAP.

Since the program began in 2007, REAP has awarded tax credits to 3,900 projects

totaling $50.7 million. Public and private enterprises investments in REAP have contributed to

the conservation projects, worth more than $128 million.

From 2010 to 2014, REAP has helped reduce an estimated runoff of nearly 1.4 million

pounds of nitrogen, 84,000 pounds of phosphorus and 9,000 tons of sediment.

Farmers may receive tax credits of up to $150,000 per agricultural operation for 50 or 75 percent of the total project cost. The most common projects approved are for no-till planting

equipment, waste storage facilities, conservation plans, nutrient management plans, and

protecting heavy animal use areas like barnyards.

Applications for the tax credit program are available on Agriculture’s REAP Program

webpage or by contacting Joel Semke at 717-705-4032 or send email to: [email protected].

NewsClips:

Farmers Preparing For Potentially Devastating Bird Flu

PUC Urges Utilities To Take Precautions On Avian Flu

EPA, Delaware County Authority Resolve Water Quality Violations Thru Settlement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice Monday

announced a settlement with the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority

resolving alleged Clean Water Act violations involving combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the

Delaware River and its tributaries.

In a proposed consent decree, DELCORA has agreed to develop and implement a plan to

control and significantly reduce overflows from its sewer system, which will improve the water

quality of the Delaware River, Chester Creek and Ridley Creek near Philadelphia.

Based on information submitted by DELCORA, EPA estimates that the Authority could

spend as much as $200 million to implement an overflow control plan that complies with the

terms of the Clean Water Act.Once the specific pollution control measures are selected and approved, the settlement

requires DELCORA to implement the plan as quickly as possible, with a 20-year deadline from

when the settlement is filed in court to complete the necessary controls.

DELCORA must also pay a $1.375 million penalty for prior violations, which will be

split between the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a co-plaintiff in this

case.

“This settlement means cleaner water for communities in the greater Philadelphia area,

http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/delaware-county-regional-water-quality-control-authority-clean-water-act-settlementhttps://www.delcora.org/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/08/come_in_contact_with_a_poultry.html#incart_riverhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/08/farmers-preparing-for-potentially-devastating-bird-flu.phpmailto:[email protected]://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/StateConservationCommission/REAP/Pages/default.aspx#.VdO4YrSM44M


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including many that have historically been overburdened by water pollution,” said Cynthia Giles,

assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “These

communities have demonstrated how effective long-term planning and public participation can

protect clean water in a way that’s achievable and cost effective.”

“This important agreement will protect residents from sewers that discharge raw sewage

and other contaminants into local waterways,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Crudenfor the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “It is the latest in a

series of settlements with municipalities across the country to address aging and inadequate

sewer infrastructure, particularly in older communities where residents have had to deal with

sewer overflows for generations. Agreements like this one are a victory for environmental

justice.”

The settlement stands to address longstanding problems with DELCORA’s combined

sewer system, which when inundated with stormwater, discharges raw sewage, industrial waste,

nitrogen, phosphorus, and polluted stormwater into Chester Creek, Ridley Creek, and the

Delaware River.

According to DELCORA, the volume of combined sewage that overflows from the

system is approximately 739 million gallons annually.Exposure to raw sewage can cause a range of illnesses from stomach cramps and diarrhea

to life-threatening ailments such as cholera, dysentery, infectious hepatitis, and severe

gastroenteritis.

Children, the elderly, people with weaker immune systems, and pregnant women face

greater risks to the health impacts of exposure to sewage.

DELCORA’s wastewater facilities serve approximately 500,000 people in the greater

Philadelphia area, including many low-income communities.

Once fully implemented, the settlement will help reduce the direct exposure of

low-income and minority populations in the service area to raw sewage. DELCORA must also

seek input from the public on the long-term control plan, including from Chester and

surrounding communities that have historically been overburdened by pollution.

The consent decree also requires DELCORA to notify the public of CSO discharges

using a visual notification system, including warning lights and flags at CSO outfalls, where a

sewer empties into local waterways.

“We take our commitment to the environment and our customers very seriously,” said

Robert Willert, Executive Director of DELCORA. “During a 10-year period, from 1999 to 2009

DELCORA developed a long-term control plan and invested $5 million in infrastructure

improvements to address the issues of overflows during rain events that impacted the combined

wastewater system in Chester.”

Willert said that the $5 million infrastructure investment included upgrades to regulators,

which control the flow and discharge of wastewater during rain events. DELCORA also paid theCity of Chester $750,000 to put in place new storm water inlets on city streets that help stop

trash and debris from flowing into the combined system, which could lead to backups and the

unnecessary discharge of wastewater from the system.

Willert noted that industrial wastewater is kept separate from the combined system and

that DELCORA has worked to mitigate the problem by requiring that new projects – such as

PPL Park and the reconstruction of Route 291 – divert water to a separate stormwater system that

is distinct from the combined system that exists throughout most of Chester.


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DELCORA has brought on a team of experts to help develop the long-term control plan,

including an engineering firm that specializes in the issue of combined wastewater systems and a

municipal and financial service firm to help develop a rate model for customers to fund the

needed improvements.

Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of the waters of the United States

is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives. EPA is working to reduce discharges fromsewer overflows by securing commitments from cities to implement timely, affordable solutions.

The proposed consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court

approval after it is published in the Federal Register.

A copy of the proposed consent decree is available online.

NewsClips:

Delco Agency Pays $1.4M Penalty Over Polluting Claim

DeNaples Firm Cited By DEP For Building Bridge Without Permit

Ephrata Area Authority Receives Recognition From Partnership For Safe Water

The Ephrata Area Joint Authority

water treatment plant, located in Lancaster County, recentlyreceived the “President’s Award” from the national Partnership for Safe Water . The treatment

plant provides drinking water service to approximately 17,937 people.

The President's Award recognizes achievement in stringent individual filter performance

goals for turbidity. The Ephrata Area Joint Authority is the ninth plant to receive this award from

the PSW in Pennsylvania.

The PSW is made up of DEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the

Pennsylvania Section American Water Works Association, and other drinking water

organizations. Its goal is to implement preventative measures that are based on optimizing

treatment plant performance and maximizing the protection of public health.

Only 22 water treatment plants in the nation have received the President’s Award from

the PSW.

For more information, visit DEP’s Partnership for Safe Water webpage or contact Kevin

Anderson at 717-783-9764 or send email to: [email protected] .

(Reprinted from the August 20 DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Register Now For River Alert Information Network Source Water Protection Conference

Registration is now open for the River Alert

Information Network

Source Water Protection

Conference

on September 17 in Pittsburgh. The themeof the Conference is Celebrating and Enhancing Source

Water Protection.

The event will focus on early warning spill

detection and source water protection in western PA

and northern West Virginia. Sessions will cover

practical, collaborative and cost-saving steps to protect

drinking water, now and for future generations.

http://www.rainmatters.org/rain-conference/http://www.rainmatters.org/rain-conference/http://www.rainmatters.org/http://www.rainmatters.org/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/News_and_Events/21504/DEP_Newsletter/1714475http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/august-20-dep-news-now-available.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/partnership_for_safe_water/21166http://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-and-wastewater-utility-management/partnership-for-safe-water.aspxhttp://www.ephrataboro.org/2146/Ephrata-Area-Joint-Authorityhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dep-issues-violation-notice-to-denaples-firm-for-building-bridge-without-permit-1.1930028http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20150818_Delco_agency_pays__1_4M_over_polluting_claim.htmlhttp://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/delaware-county-regional-water-quality-control-authority-clean-water-act-settlement


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The Conference is open to RAIN member water systems, utilities, municipal and other

local officials, county and municipal planners, watershed protection organizations, engineers,

industry and large river water users and citizens.

For more information or to register, download the Conference flyer , visit the RAIN

Source Water Protection Conference webpage or direct your questions to Sherene Hess, RAIN,

724-762-4162 or send email to: [email protected]

.

Manada Conservancy: How Healthy Is Your Stream? Sept. 8 In Hershey

The Manada Conservancy and Penn State Extension will hold a hands-on outdoor workshop on

September 8 in Hershey to teach participants how to check up on the health of your local stream.

The First Investigation of Stream Health Protocol (F.I.S.H.), taught in the workshop, is

designed to be used by landowners to make observations about stream health indicators like

water clarity, growth of vegetation and signs of wildlife.

The workshop will be held at Swatara Creek Park, 151 South Hanover Street in Hershey,

Dauphin County, from 6-9:00 p.m.

Please R.S.V.P. to the Manada Conservancy office if you plan to attend by sending emailto: [email protected] or call 717-566-4122.

NewsClips:

Editorial: Region Must Go Greener To Fix Its Sewers


Man Kayaks Entire Susquehanna To Bring Attention To Water Quality

Video: Fast Trip Down Schuykill River To Philly

Lake Erie Algae Blooms Continue To Be A Concern

DEP Documents Lake Erie Shipwrecks Special Habitats

Video: DEP Underwater Camera Exploring Lake Erie Shipwrecks

Editorial: Great Lakes Need New Icebreaker

Johnstown Reconsiders Its Industrial Rivers

Balancing Flood Protection, Fun In PA’s River Towns

Butterflies Welcomed At Lackawanna River Event

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

DEP Studies Shipwreck Habitat In Lake Erie

On August 12, staff from the Department of Environmental

Protection went aboard the Regional Science Consortium

boat to study the S. K. Martin shipwreck site in Lake Erie.Each year, DEP staff visit several shipwreck sites in Lake

Erie to document ecological habitats and historical artifacts.

DEP deploys a remote operated vehicle to depths of up to 60

feet to observe the shipwrecks’ present condition and to

record the presence of any species using the sites as habitat,

including invasive gobies and mussels.

This annual initiative is managed by DEP's Coastal

https://www.dep.state.pa.us/river/czmp.htmhttp://www.regsciconsort.com/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/butterflies-welcomed-at-lackawanna-river-event-1.1927881http://crossroads.newsworks.org/index.php/keystone-crossroads/item/85283-how-to-balance-flood-protection-and-riverfront-fun-on-a-budgethttp://crossroads.newsworks.org/index.php/keystone-crossroads/item/72910http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/08/17/Frozen-commerce-Great-Lakes-businesses-need-a-new-icebreaker/stories/201508160117http://www.goerie.com/?tout_uid=h4c3mh&widget_uid=ab5404&security[signature]=b998ec71bc7f700bde516be91c1e20ad&security[tout_uid]=h4c3mh&security[widget_uid]=ab5404#tout_widget_ab5404http://www.goerie.com/dep-project-documents-lake-erie-shipwrecks-special-habitatshttp://www.goerie.com/algae-blooms-in-lake-erie-continue-to-be-a-concernhttp://crossroads.newsworks.org/index.php/keystone-crossroads/item/85334-video-fast-trip-down-the-schuylkill-river-to-phillyhttp://abc27.com/2015/08/17/man-kayaks-entire-susquehanna-river-brings-attention-to-water-quality/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20150818_Delco_agency_pays__1_4M_over_polluting_claim.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/08/16/Green-grants-But-the-region-must-go-greener-to-fix-its-sewers/stories/201508290007mailto:[email protected]://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/watershed-education/watershed-evaluation/fishhttp://www.manada.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.rainmatters.org/rain-conference/http://www.rainmatters.org/uploads/media/RAIN_9-17-15Conference_Flyer.pdf


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Resources Management Program and funded by a Section 309 Enhancement Grant from the

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The S.K. Martin was first launched in 1883 as a passenger ship. It was converted to a

bulk freighter in 1888 and was sunk when it sailed through a northwest gale while fully loaded

with coal.

NewsClips:DEP Documents Lake Erie Shipwrecks Special Habitats




(Reprinted from the August 20 DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

CBF-PA Teams With Heroes On The Water, Trout Unlimited For Paddling Event Aug. 29

Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA is teaming up with Heroes on the Water and local Trout

Unlimited

chapters on August 29 to celebrate and salute our veterans through a day of fishingand paddling on the Susquehanna!

Veterans, community members, paddlers, fishermen, friends, and families are all

welcome to discover and appreciate the Susquehanna from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. on August 29, followed

by a dinner and open bar with live music.

All activities are free and open to the public. The dinner/open bar is available for just a

small $5 fee. The event kicks off at Shank's Mare Outfitters, Wrightsville, York County.

Click Here to reserve your spot today.

NewsClips:

Editorial: Region Must Go Greener To Fix Its Sewers


Man Kayaks Entire Susquehanna To Bring Attention To Water Quality

Video: Fast Trip Down Schuykill River To Philly


DEP Documents Lake Erie Shipwrecks Special Habitats



Johnstown Reconsiders Its Industrial Rivers

Balancing Flood Protection, Fun In PA’s River Towns

Butterflies Welcomed At Lackawanna River Event

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here

to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

Aug. 17 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The August 17 issue of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State

Extension featuring articles on--

-- Pitt Report: Fortifying Stormwater Systems With Gr