pa environment digest dec. 7, 2015

8/20/2019 Pa Environment Digest Dec. 7, 2015

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PA Environment DigestAn Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. He ss, Crisci Associ ates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Issue #597 Harrisburg, Pa December 4, 2015

Not A Single Vote Yet On Any Budget Bills, Where Will They Find $600 Million?

The state budget situation is very fluid at this point. As of late Fridayevening, the Senate and House have adjourned without taking a single voteon any final budget related bill. They have plans for working through the

weekend, but so far-- nada.Senate President Pr o Tempore Joe Scarnati (R -Jefferson) summed up whatwas happening very nicely early Friday evening when he told PALegislative Services they have t o get veh icles in position to move, butnothing is in ink yet.

The latest news will be continuously available at the PA Environment Digest Daily Blog ,Twitter Feed and on Google+ Circle .

Not Much NewHere’s what we know so far, which is not much different than what we knew before

Thanksgiving.Senate and House Republicans are working hard to find the votes to pass the budget they

and Gov. Wolf agreed to l ast week. The hardest nut to crack is raising $600 million, not to provide any property tax relief, but to balance what is expected to be a $30.7 billion GeneralFund budget and help fund $350 million in new education spending.

They have already, for the most part, ruled out raising the Personal Income and Sales Taxrates or enacting a new natural gas severance tax.

The one solution they’ve talked about is eliminating a laundry list of exemptions to theSales Tax, including taxing items like museums, symphonies and businesses such as bowlingalleys, amusement parks, golf courses, ski slopes and campgrounds, gym trainers and more.

Also on the table is an increase in the cigarette tax and other tobacco.But nothing has been decided as of this writing.In one possible bright spot, maybe, Philly.com reported Friday Gov. Wolf said there was

an agreement with Senate and House Republicans on how to distribute the additional schoolfunding to be included in the budget.

Talks also continue on changes to the state and school employee pension systems toincorporate a new 401(k)-type plan for new employees, but again, nothing is yet in the form oflegislation.

Capitolwire.com reported late Friday pension language may not be ready to consider untillate next week since it requires an actuarial note by the Public Employee RetirementCommission .

http://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/news&id=360566911https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/1032/Budget-deal-still-on%E2%80%A6for-now.aspx#.VmIY6TamCmQ.twitterhttp://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/1032/Budget-deal-still-on%E2%80%A6for-now.aspx#.VmIY6TamCmQ.twitterhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.perc.state.pa.us/http://www.perc.state.pa.us/http://capitolwire.com/http://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/news&id=360566911https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttps://twitter.com/PaEnviroDigesthttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/1032/Budget-deal-still-on%E2%80%A6for-now.aspx#.VmIY6TamCmQ.twitterhttp://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/1032/Budget-deal-still-on%E2%80%A6for-now.aspx#.VmIY6TamCmQ.twitterhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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PennLive.com reported Friday , many lawmakers did not support making reforms in theirown pensions, however.

A “lighter” version of liquor reform is also being discussed, but legislators are still faraway from being ready to vote on any language. House Republicans continue to push for full

privatization of the system, but Senate Republicans have not supported the House proposal.

Gov. Wolf has been opposed to complete privatization.Federal Funds ReleasedThe Wolf Administration this week released federal funds , in this instance to fund local

domestic violence shelters, at the apparent request of federal officials.$30.4 Billion Already SpentAt a press conference Thursday, a group of conservative lawmakers unveiled a report

saying the Wolf Administration has spent $30.4 billion in state and federal funding (mostlyfederal) since the budget impasse began on July 1.

At least $2.7 billion, they said, was through the use of waivers for spending previousfiscal year funds granted by the Administration.

"We've heard countless promises from Gov. Wolf pledging openness, accountability andtransparency in his administration's operations," said Rep. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson). "This reportclearly demonstrates an absolute betrayal of those promises to the people of this Commonwealth.Beyond the governor's lack of transparency to the people, he is circumventing the responsibilityof the executive branch to be accountable to the Legislature. He is not a king. The Legislaturewrites the laws. His responsibility is to execute those laws. This is a Republic, not adictatorship."

Counties Withhold FundsChester County joined Bucks County in withholding payments of fines, fees and other

monies they normally pass along to the state until the budget impasse is resolved. For Chesterthat means about $4 million a month is being withheld from the state.

By the way, the state collected $1.8 billion more in tax revenue in November.Stay tuned for more….

NewsClips:AP: As Weekend Nears, Lawmakers Test Budget Options Sen. Scarnati: Budget Deal Still On For Now? All Sides Look To See If Budget Framework Can Be Turned Into A Deal Wolf: PA Will Have A Budget Well Before Christmas Drillers Get Off Cheap With Impact Fees Hanger: Severance Tax Will Be In Next Wolf Budget Reed: House Has A Lot Of Tough Decisions to Make GOP Leader Says House Considering Broader Sales Tax

PA Budget Impasse Lingers, Few Details Final Budget May Erase Longstanding Sales Tax Exemptions AP: Thanksgiving Break Ends, Budget Stalemate Remains PLS: Work Continues On House Of Cards Budget State Budget Seems Unlikely This Week PA Budget Fight’s Bottom Line-- Taxes Some Lawmakers Go Hunting Despite Budget Impasse Game Commission Reaps Revenue From Shale Gas

http://triblive.com/business/headlines/9504996-74/game-commission-gashttp://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2015/11/28/some-lawmakers-hunt-despite-budget-impasse/76445100/http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=cbNBcEFfhttp://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/governor/2015/11/30/pa-budget-week-seems-unlikely/76586474/http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/1022/Work-continues-on-details-of-%E2%80%9Chouse-of-cards%E2%80%9D-budget.aspxhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=cAcVYIkChttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/11/how_to_close_a_budget_pa_talks.html#incart_2box_topmobilehttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20151202_Few_details_as_Pa__budget_impasse_hits_6_months.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=9xzg4wWlhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/12/state_budget_update_we_have_a.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/12/severance_tax_100_percent_guar.html#incart_2boxhttp://timesleader.com/news/business/496534/frackings-promise-when-it-comes-to-impact-fees-nepa-drillers-get-off-cheaphttp://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/news/politics&id=360427651http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/12/pa_senate_to_return_to_session.html#incart_river_homehttp://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/1032/Budget-deal-still-on%E2%80%A6for-now.aspx#.VmIY6TamCmQ.twitterhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=7mRfPCKEhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/state-collects-18-billion-in-taxes.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151204_Chesco_joins_budget_protest__cuts_off_funds_to_state.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.repgrove.com/Display/SiteFiles/103/OtherDocuments/Grove%20Administration%20Spending%20Report%20Final%20.pdfhttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/12/02/Federal-government-orders-state-to-release-funds-to-domestic-violence-shelters-penssylvania-budget/stories/201512020166http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/12/lawmakers_support_pension_refo.html#incart_river_home


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Congress Finalizes 5-Year Transportation Funding Bill

DEP Extends Comment Period On Draft Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Report

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has extended the public

comment period on the 184 recommendations in the draft Pipeline Infrastructure Task ForceReport by 2 weeks to December 29.

DEP is accepting comments from the public through DEP’s eComment webpage .DEP has also scheduled an additional meeting of the Task Force on December 16. The

meeting will be held at DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office at 909 Elmerton Ave. in Harrisburgstarting at 1:00. Click Here to view a live webcast of the meeting.

The group of 48 experts and stakeholders, led by DEP Secretary John Quigley, willrecommend policies, guidelines, and best practices to guide the anticipated and unprecedented

build-out of pipeline infrastructure expected to take place across Pennsylvania during the nextdecade.

The group’s report is due to Gov. Wolf by February 2016.For more information, visit the DEP Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force webpage.

NewsClips:Pipelines Familiar Reality For School District, Park System Q&A With PennEast Pipeline Representative Legal Battle On Pipeline Eminent Domain Moves To Lebanon County Op-Ed: Wolf Pipeline Task Force Is Overreach At Its Worst Op-Ed: Killing Keystone XL Pipeline Hurts The Environment

Feature: Alexandra Cousteau: Freshwater Issues The Greatest Crisis Of Our Time

On November 19, Stroud Water Research Center in ChesterCounty, conferred the Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence toAlexandra Cousteau during its annual Water’s Edge gala presented

by Wilmington Trust at Longwood Gardens .During her acceptance speech, Alexandra Cousteau shared

a childhood memory she described as “one of those turning pointsin my life.”

During a visit to the Mediterranean Sea, her famousgrandfather, Jacques, outfitted the seven-year-old with anold-fashioned rubber face mask, secured a small compressed air tank to her back and placed aregulator, which covered most of her face, in her mouth.

“When I shuffled to the edge of the boat in my little, red, rubber fins and peered downinto the dark water, I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to die.’”She didn’t. Instead she discovered a passion that defined the rest of her life.“When I looked up, I saw the sunlight shimmering through the water. Then I saw a

school of fish swimming towards me. They enveloped me for a moment, and when I put myhand out, they would move away in unison, and I thought, ‘This is so cool.’ I had a sense of aweand wonder.”

Now, Cousteau continues her family’s legacy by sharing that sense of awe and wonder

http://longwoodgardens.org/http://www.stroudcenter.org/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151203_Killing_pipeline_actually_hurts_the_environment.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/12/wolf_pipeline_task_force_is_go.html#incart_river_indexhttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/12/judge-hears-pipeline-dispute.phphttp://citizensvoice.com/news/q-a-with-penneast-representatives-1.1977179http://citizensvoice.com/news/pipelines-a-familiar-reality-for-school-district-park-system-1.1977134http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.Vkzs6N-rRBxhttp://enews.state.pa.us/q/gddaiP-nILmS4fh2TNk2MME0EqXJc5xXjVhdjvrs-79WPVlG9qDaDJ9Hfhttp://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/http://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdfhttp://wapo.st/1ImQNLz


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with the rest of the world.Through Blue Legacy , a nonprofit organization she founded in 2009, Cousteau tells

immersive, personal stories that explore the interconnectivity of freshwater and ocean issuesaround the globe. Her goal is to inspire and empower people to reclaim and restore waterresources.

In 2009, she traveled across five continents for 100 days, with a team of filmmakers and journalists. The next year she led an 18,000-mile expedition around North America creatingshort films, raising money and talking to the news media.

That’s why Cousteau was selected to receive the Stroud Award for FreshwaterExcellence, said Director Bernard W. Sweeney, Ph.D., when he introduced her during thenonprofit’s annual Water’s Edge gala on November 19.

Each year, since 2011, Stroud Center has conferred the award on someone who has madean outstanding contribution that protects freshwater resources; improves the quantity and qualityof fresh water globally; or helps secure clean, fresh water for future generations.

“Alexandra’s done it all,” declared Sweeney.Cousteau said receiving the award was nice, but she was most excited about touring

Stroud Center’s research and education complex and meeting its scientists.“Scientists accompanied us during all of our expeditions,” she said. “Everything I’ve seen

at Stroud Center is what I’ve been dreaming, thinking and writing about.”During a facilities tour earlier that day, Cousteau was introduced to Stroud Center’s

citizen science water-monitoring tools, such as Monitor My Watershed ®, part of theWikiWatershed ® online suite that will allow people across the country to explore what is knownabout their regional watershed.

She also learned about EnviroDIY ™, an online community hosted by Stroud Center,where people can collaborate to create affordable, open-source data loggers and sensors thatenable them to monitor water quality locally.

Cousteau was also introduced to Stroud Center’s Leaf Pack Experiment Stream EcologyKit that teaches people how to assess water quality by noting the numbers and types of aquaticinsects that colonize leaf packs.

“When we ask, do we have enough water when we need it and where we need it, and isthe water quality good enough for our children to swim in, drink from and fish in, too often thatanswer is no, ” she said.

Cousteau added that one of the things she loved about the United States is its appetite forcourageous ideas and willingness to think outside the box. For that reason, she believes theUnited States could provide leadership to the rest of the world in “solving the greatest crisis ofour time and that is the quantity and quality of our freshwater resources.”

In closing, Cousteau promised, “This is just a beginning of a long relationship. I already

invited myself back.” She said she would visit Stroud Center again in May, with her family.“My 4-year-old daughter is going to get such a kick out of looking for bugs in your stream.”(Photo: Director Bernard W. Sweeney, Ph.D presents the award to Alexandra Cousteau.)For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water

Research Center website.

(Reprinted from the December UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center .Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

http://www.stroudcenter.org/subscribe/http://www.stroudcenter.org/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-upstream-newsletter-now.htmlhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/http://www.stroudcenter.org/http://www.leafpacknetwork.org/lpn/resources/equipment.shtmhttp://www.leafpacknetwork.org/lpn/resources/equipment.shtmhttp://www.envirodiy.org/http://wikiwatershed.org/http://www.wikiwatershed.org/monitorhttps://www.youtube.com/user/ExpeditionBluePlanet


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PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

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

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.

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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 theyare posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once dailyemail 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 DigestTwitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania StateCapitol.

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

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest aswell as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Bill Calendars

House (December 5): House Bill 48 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting standards for drinkingwater well construction; Senate Bill 385 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) updating and improving theTransit Revitalization investment District; Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing foran independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board. Click Here for full House BillCalendar.

Senate (December 5): Senate Bill 201 (Schwank-D-Berks) authorizing the leasing of property inthe Clean and Green Program to a rural enterprise ( sponsor summary ); Senate Bill 805

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0805http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=15642http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=201http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0385http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/posts


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(Boscola-D-Lehigh) allowing an Act 129 opt-out for large electric users ( sponsorsummary ). Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

NOTE: Committee meetings can be scheduled at any time since the House and Senate will be incontinuous session through December 9.

House: the Appropriations Committee meets to consider House Bill 1394 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing the imposition of stormwater fees by Boroughs, House Bill1325 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing the imposition of stormwater fees by townships ofsecond class were removed. Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee holds a hearing on SewageFacilities Act (Act 537) . 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 ineach--

HouseAppropriations EducationEnvironmental Resources and EnergyConsumer AffairsGaming OversightHuman ServicesJudiciaryLiquor ControlTransportationLinks for all other Standing House Committees

SenateAppropriationsEnvironmental Resources and EnergyConsumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational DevelopmentEducationJudiciaryLaw and JusticePublic Health and WelfareTransportationLinks for all other Standing Senate Committees

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://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/senate-environmental-committee-sets.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/senate-environmental-committee-sets.htmlhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1325http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1325http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1394http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088


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Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

Dam Repair Funding: House Bill 1712 (R-Brown-R-Monroe) establishing the Private Dam

Financial Assurance Program ( sponsor summary ).

Natural Gas Energy Zone: House Bill 1731 (Turzai-R-Allegheny) creates a Keystone EnergyAuthority and provides for the designation of up to 20 Keystone Energy Enhancement Zoneswhere companies would be eligible for a variety of local tax exemptions and other tax credits(sponsor summary ).

Safe Pharmaceutical Destruction: House Bill 1737 (Maher-R-Allegheny) adopting the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency requirement for providing for the safe destruction of unwantedand unused pharmaceutical drugs in waste to energy facilities ( sponsor summary ).

Session Schedule

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

SenateDecember 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

HouseDecember 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16

Governor’s Schedule

Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the daywill be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and PublicAppearances.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

House

Stormwater Fees: House Bill 1394 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing the imposition ofstormwater fees by Boroughs, House Bill 1325 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) authorizing the impositionof stormwater fees by townships of second class were removed from the Table, changed with atechnical amendment on the Floor and were then referred to the House AppropriationsCommittee.

News From The Capitol

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1325http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1394http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBxhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=18486http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1737http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19089http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1731http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19217http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1712


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Senate Environmental Committee Sets Hearing On Sewage Facilities Act Dec. 8

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on the SewageFacilities Act (Act 537) on December 8 in Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol Building in Harrisburg

starting at 9:30.Those scheduled to testify before the Committee include--

-- Dana Aunkst, DEP Deputy Secretary for Field Operations-- Duane Mowery, Chairman, DEP Sewage Advisory Committee-- Elam Herr, PA State Association of Township Supervisors-- PA Sewage Enforcement Officers Assn: Chris Wood, PASEO President, Roger Lehmann,PASEO Past President, Jim Sanders, PASEO Board Member-- Robert Wood, PA Realtors Association-- Bruce P. Willman, CPSS, PA Association of Professional Soil Scientists-- Julian A. Mazero, Associated Builders and Contractors, Keystone Chapter-- Thaddeus Stevens, Member, DEP Citizens Advisory Council

Act 537 was originally passed in 1968 to provide for the planning, permitting and designof all types of sewage facilities including onlot septic systems.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council has been active in recent years urging DEP toundertake a comprehensive review of the Act 573 planning process and approve the use of testedand proven alternative technology systems as part of its regular onlot sewage planning program.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can becontacted by sending email to: [email protected] . Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves asMinority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: [email protected] .

News From Around The State

CBF-PA Action Alert: Lower Susquehanna Needs To Be Listed As Impaired

From the Desk Of: Harry Campbell, PA Director Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Lower Susquehanna River is sick and so are the fish withinit—just look at the sightings of intersex and lesion-coveredsmallmouth bass found in the waters.We all know this story. For far too long, agricultural runoff, acidmine drainage, and polluted urban runoff have been fouling theSusquehanna River. This toxic brew threatens a powerful

economic engine, a part of Pennsylvania’s heritage, and the crittersthat call the river home.

In the coming weeks, Pennsylvania’s leaders have a chance to step in and start cleaningup our river, but if we want them to act, we must speak out in these next few crucial days.

Stand with CBF-PA and its partners in urging Gov. Wolf and the Department ofEnvironmental Protection to save our river by listing the Lower Susquehanna River as impaired.

Listing the Susquehanna as “impaired” isn’t about recognition for a problem we alreadyknow about. It’s the first step to getting the state to act.

http://www.cbf.org/pamailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Y3VQLxjkxOMGh0Vkc2RkdQQXc/edithttp://environmental.pasenategop.com/


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DEP is preparing draft recommendations for the 2016 “Impaired Waters List”—a list thatidentifies waterways that are polluted and starts the process of developing plans to make themhealthy again.

If DEP were to add the Lower Susquehanna to the list, it would be provided a new levelof restoration, resource investment, and pollution study for the river.

DEP intends to make its final recommendations by the end of the year.Click Here now to urge DEP and Gov. Wolf to take action to restore the Susquehanna's

health. They’re making their decision on which waterways need help any day now, and our rivercan’t wait any longer.

It’s far past time that the Lower Susquehanna River see the resources and attention itneeds to be the healthy, swimmable, and fishable waterway that it once was and can be again.

Just Part Of The ProblemThe Susquehanna’s problems are emblematic of the nearly 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania

streams that are impaired.The Commonwealth must accelerate efforts to restore these waterways through the

Pennsylvania Clean Water Blueprint , the science-based federal/state strategy to reduce pollution.If the Wolf Administration doesn’t deliver its Commonwealth-wide action plan soon, we

will be asking your help in urging them to do so.For more information on Pennsylvania and Chesapeake Bay issues, visit the

CBF-Pennsylvania webpage. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from CBF-PA (bottom ofleft panel).NewsClips:Education Program Shares MS4 Stormwater Information Philadelphia’s Green Approach To Stormwater Pollution In Spotlight Delaware Riverkeeper: Nov. 27 RiverWatch Scranton Sewer System Closer To Sale Or Lease Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

Carol Parenzan Named Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper For North, West Branches

The North and West Branches of the Susquehanna River have a newset of eyes watching it. The Waterkeeper Alliance Board of Directorshas approved Carol Parenzan as the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper .As the newly appointed Riverkeeper, she will work to protect and

preserve the Main and West Branches of the Susquehanna River.Parenzan will combine her firsthand knowledge of the waterway with

an unwavering commitment to the rights of the community and to therule of law.“Waterkeeper Alliance is thrilled to have Carol Parenzan to be the

eyes, ears, and voice for this vital watershed,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Waterkeeper AlliancePresident. “The theft of our public waters by polluters not acceptable. Carol Parenzan is the rightleader to fight for clean water in the region.”

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper will be a full-time advocate for the SusquehannaRiver and its tributaries, protecting and restoring water quality through community action and

http://www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/sewer-authority-closer-to-system-sale-or-lease-1.1978178https://youtu.be/vyeb8SRX80Yhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly%E2%80%99s-green-approach-stormwater-pollution-draws-national-spotlighthttp://ttfwatershed.org/2015/11/23/improving-water-quality-educational-program-shares-ms4-information/http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/update-on-local-efforts/pennsylvaniahttp://takeaction.cbf.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17699


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enforcement.“The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper’s aim,” said Parenzan, “is to provide strong

advocacy that will result in an improved quality of life for all citizens, whether they rely on theSusquehanna for drinking water or recreation, or whether they simply value the river’s continuedwell-being.”

“Carol Parenzan will have a big job. Waterkeepers defend their communities againstanyone who threatens their right to clean water—from law-breaking polluters to irresponsiblegovernments,” stated Marc Yaggi, Executive Director, Waterkeeper Alliance. “Until our publicagencies have the means necessary to protect us from polluters and the will to enforce our laws,we need to stand up with grassroots advocates like the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper andfight for our right to clean water.”

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper will work on watershed-related issues on theSusquehanna River, commencing at the dam at Sunbury and traveling north on the Main Branchof the Susquehanna River to the New York State border and west on the West Branch of theSusquehanna River to its source in the Allegheny Mountains.

Pennsylvania native Carol Parenzan is returning to Pennsylvania as the MiddleSusquehanna Riverkeeper. Born and raised in Hershey, she is a graduate of Hershey High Schooland Penn State University, where she earned an environmental engineering degree with a focuson water with honors.

In addition to being an avid paddler and an open water swimmer, Parenzan is a children’s book author, and her work includes creative nonfiction materials for schools and libraries thatfocus on the environment.

“The river is an ideal classroom,” explained Parenzan. “The Susquehanna can teach usmany things about our world and ourselves.”

Parenzan plans to write books and create educational programs about her new role andthe river she is passionate about.

The Lewisburg-based Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) pending organization, was formed to support the efforts of its Riverkeeper.

The organization will be hosting a series of “Meet the Keeper” events throughout thewatershed over the next months to introduce Carol Parenzan and the Riverkeeper program and tosolicit input from the community which it serves.

“I look forward to partnering with individuals, communities, colleges and universities,and other environmental organizations and programs throughout the watershed,” sharedParenzan. “It’s an honor to be coming home to Pennsylvania to take care of our river. TheSusquehanna is a Pennsylvania treasure and deserves our attention and commitment to protectand preserve it.”

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement uniting more than 260 Waterkeeper

Organizations in 33 countries and focusing citizen advocacy on the issues that affect ourwaterways, from pollution to climate change.Waterkeepers patrol more than 1.5 million square miles of rivers, streams, and coastlines

in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Waterkeeper Alliance was founded in 1999 by veteran Waterkeepers and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Learn more at the Waterkeeper website or follow @Waterkeeper on Twitter andFacebook.

Coming soon: Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper website. Contact Parenzan by calling

http://www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/http://www.waterkeeper.org/


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570-768-6300.NewsClips:Education Program Shares MS4 Stormwater Information Philadelphia’s Green Approach To Stormwater Pollution In Spotlight Delaware Riverkeeper: Nov. 27 RiverWatch

Scranton Sewer System Closer To Sale Or Lease Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

CBF-PA Urges Passage Of House Bill 1737 - Safe Destruction Of Prescription Drugs

Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources andEnergy Committee, is showing his support for clean water in Pennsylvania with the introductionof House Bill 1737 which would allow operators of some waste-to-energy plants in theCommonwealth to run programs offering free and safe disposal of pharmaceuticals, thereby

preventing the contamination of surface and drinking waters.The Chesapeake Bay Foundation supports House Bill 1737 and urges passage of this

legislation.Scientists are finding that pharmaceuticals and their by-products are found not only in our

rivers and streams, but in treated drinking water as well.An investigation by the Associated Press in 2008, found a total of 56 pharmaceuticals or

byproducts - antibiotics, pain relievers, and heart, mind, and veterinary drugs - in the City ofPhiladelphia’s drinking water.

There’s no reason to believe that this is isolated to Philadelphia.In fact, small quantities of drugs, including antibiotics, sex hormones, and anti-seizure

compounds, were detected in public drinking water supplied to over 40 million Americans acrossthe country.

Private wells, which may also harbor pharmaceuticals, often receive limited to notreatment before consumption.

While 70 percent of all antibiotics are used are for agriculture and animal husbandry, theU.S. Geological Survey found that within the lower Susquehanna River Basin that the greatestsource of pharmaceuticals in the rivers and streams is sewage treatment plants.

While treatment plants may remove 95 to 98 percent of pharmaceuticals from sewage,low concentrations are still active biologically. No one treatment method can currently removeall pharmaceuticals.

Pharmaceutical collection events are cost-effective, excellent ways to reduce thesehazards. However, under Act 190 of 1996, pharmaceuticals collected by such safe disposal

programs are defined as hazardous waste and therefore they cannot be sent for destruction atPennsylvania waste to energy facilities.House Bill 1737 will amend Act 190 to enable Pennsylvania’s waste-to-energy facilities

to provide an important step in the destruction of pharmaceuticals and thus, help to protect our precious water supplies and rivers and streams.

Covanta Energy operates 5 waste-to-energy facilities in Pennsylvania in Dauphin,Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and York counties. Covanta also developed the Rx4SafetyProgram to provide for safe destruction of unused, unwanted prescription drugs.

http://www.covanta.com/about-covanta/community-engagement/rx4-safety.aspxhttp://www.covanta.com/about-covanta/community-engagement/rx4-safety.aspxhttp://www.covanta.com/http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1737http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/sewer-authority-closer-to-system-sale-or-lease-1.1978178https://youtu.be/vyeb8SRX80Yhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly%E2%80%99s-green-approach-stormwater-pollution-draws-national-spotlighthttp://ttfwatershed.org/2015/11/23/improving-water-quality-educational-program-shares-ms4-information/


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For more information on Pennsylvania and Chesapeake Bay issues, visit theCBF-Pennsylvania webpage. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from CBF-PA (bottom ofleft panel).NewsClips:Education Program Shares MS4 Stormwater Information

Philadelphia’s Green Approach To Stormwater Pollution In Spotlight Delaware Riverkeeper: Nov. 27 RiverWatch Scranton Sewer System Closer To Sale Or Lease Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay JournalWesleyville Cracks Down On Illegal Dumping In Erie County Michaux State Forest Yields 3+ Tons Of Trash Related Stories:CBF-PA: Presence Of Pharmaceuticals In PA Waters Double Dose Of Reality (Note: Crisci Associates represents both Covanta Energy and the Chesapeake Bay

Foundation-PA.)

DEP Invites Data For Streams In Adams, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Union Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published an invitation to submit water quality,instream habitat or biological technical data to be used as part of the process for re-evaluatingcertain stream classifications in Adams, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Union counties in theDecember 5 PA Bulletin.

The streams include---- Laurel Run, tributary to Penns Creek in Centre, Union;-- Rapid Run, tributary to Buffalo Creek in Centre, Union;-- White Deer Hole Creek (source to Circle J Road) in Lycoming, Clinton, Union;-- Hyner Run in Clinton;-- Middle Creek (source to Swamp Creek) tributary to Toms Creek in Adams; and-- Swamp Creek tributary to Middle Creek in Adams.

Data should be submitted to Mark Brickner, Division of Water Quality Standards, Bureauof Point and NonPoint Source Management, P. O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774,[email protected] . Data should be submitted by January 4. Questions concerning thisevaluation can be directed to Mark Brickner at 717-787-9637 or [email protected] .

Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition 20th Anniversary Celebration

One day just wasn’t adequate to mark the 20-yearanniversary of the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition (inButler County). A celebration was held October 9-10 tohighlight the remarkable work by the many dedicatedindividuals who have worked to address water qualityissues impacting Slippery Rock Creek and its tributaries.

Because of these efforts, over 15 miles of streamshave been greatly improved due to the

http://www.srwc.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-49/2139.htmlhttp://www.crisciassociates.com/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34103http://www.publicopiniononline.com/story/news/local/2015/11/25/michaux-state-forest-yields-3-tons-trash/76363380/http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/wesleyville-cracks-down-on-illegal-dumpinghttp://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/sewer-authority-closer-to-system-sale-or-lease-1.1978178https://youtu.be/vyeb8SRX80Yhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly%E2%80%99s-green-approach-stormwater-pollution-draws-national-spotlighthttp://ttfwatershed.org/2015/11/23/improving-water-quality-educational-program-shares-ms4-information/http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pa


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environmentally-friendly treatment of billions of gallons of degraded water from abandoned coalmines.

On Friday October 9, the individuals and organizations most involved in restoring thewatershed were thanked. SRWC participant Cliff Denholm of Stream Restoration Incorporated gave a “State of the Watershed” address, sharing water quality data from the 1990s to today,

which showed a remarkable improvement in the quality of streams, thanks to the continuousoperation of the passive treatment systems.

Co-founder Margaret Dunn was reduced to tears as she recounted and publicly thankedmany of the people who have supported the SRWC, most notably through significant

public-private partnerships.Others who spoke at Friday’s celebration included Wil Taylor, Manager, and Dave

Johnson, former Manager, Jennings Environmental Education Center ; Robert C. Dolence, formerDEP Deputy Secretary; Tim Gillen, DEP; Tim Danehy, BioMost, Inc.; Dr. Dean DiNicola,Biologist, Slippery Rock University ; Dr. Helen Boylan, Chemistry, Westminster College ; Dr.Fred Brenner, Biologist, Grove City College ; and Dr. Valentine Kefeli, Biologist, Robert MorrisUniversity .

A delicious lunch was provided and several poster displays were set up for folks to learnmore about the latest efforts of the SRWC and Clean Creek Products .

After lunch, the group boarded a bus to tour the passive treatment systems at SR114 ,which has been continuously operational for over 20 years and at Erico Bridge (photo), whichwas recently rehabilitated after more than a decade of operation.

Saturday October 10 marked Day 2 of the Celebration, as Jennings EnvironmentalEducation Center opened its doors to the general public for anyone and everyone interested in

joining the festivities.Dozens of people came to Jenings on a gorgeous autumn day to enjoy hands-on family

activities, stream “stomps,” wetland hikes and more.Beautiful blue skies and all the colors of Fall were a breathtaking site for those who took

part in the passive treatment system bus tours and walks around the Center.A tour of the erico Bridge and McIntire systems were provided, as visitors were given

explanations of the history of these sites and all the basics of passive treatment for acide minedrainage.

Cliff Denholm served as the designated tour guide providing educational explanations onthe design, construction, monitoring and maintenance of the passive treatment systems.

Stephanie Taylor and Shaun Busler, SRWC, led individuals on a fun kayak sojourn, paddling portions of Slippery Rock Creek. Shaun shared information on stream bank restoration,data loggers and other projects as they floated by each respective location.

The Watershed Science Lab in the Jennings classroom was opened throughout the day

and hosted kids and adults who enjoyed the chance to perform some fun experiments and participate in hands-on learning activities. Cookies, cake, cheese trays and other goodies were provided to all visitors.

Thanks to all who came out to share in the festivities of our 20th Anniversary.Thank you to our sponsors the Foundation for PA Watersheds , an anonymous donor and

Campbell Bus Company .A special thanks to the Jennings staff, without whom, the event would not have been

possible.

http://www.campbelltours.com/http://pennsylvaniawatersheds.org/http://www2.datashed.org/erico-bridge-restoration-area/http://www2.datashed.org/sr-114/http://www.cleancreek.org/http://www.rmu.edu/http://www.rmu.edu/http://www.gcc.edu/https://www.westminstercollege.edu/https://www.sru.edu/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/jennings/http://www.streamrestorationinc.org/


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The Slippery Rock Creek watershed is located North of Pittsburgh and is 410-squaremiles encompassing portions of Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Beaver counties.

For more information on initiative, special events and how you can help, visit theSlippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.

Support mine water treatment efforts by visiting Clean Creek Products for pottery and

other unique gifts made with pigments created from mine drainage treatment.NewsClips:Latrobe Company Bets On Waste Coal Despite Outlook From Mine Runoff To Art At Wyoming Seminary

(Reprinted from the November issue of The Catalyst from the Slippery Rock WatershedCoalition . Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

LandStudies Presented Regional Approach To Flood Reduction In Lancaster Dec. 4

Municipal officials, developers and community stakeholders can learn about cost-effectivesolutions for flooding, stormwater compliance, pollutant removal, TMDL and MS4 issues in a

presentation by Mark Gutshall from LandStudies in Lancaster December 4.The presentation was part of the Lancaster County Planning Commission’s Green

Infrastructure and Stormwater Management Speaker Series.Through case studies, the presentation explored how communities can support economic

development and simultaneously enhance natural resources.The series is co-sponsored by the Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium . Questions

about the series should be directed to the Lancaster County Planning Commission.For more information, visit the LandStudies website.

NewsClip:Report: PA Better Prepared For Climate-Driven Threats

Winslow Township Mine Reclamation Project Moving Forward In Jefferson County

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it has selected P & N CoalCompany, Inc. of Punxsutawney for a mine reclamation project in Winslow Township, JeffersonCounty.

The project will help eliminate safety hazards, promote positive drainage and contributeto the improved use of the property for wildlife.

“We continue to reclaim abandoned mine sites in Pennsylvania,” says Roger Bowman,Section Chief from the Knox office of the DEP. “This is another example of cleaning up old

mines and restoring the natural habitat.”The project will include the incidental removal of coal and the reclamation of 35 acres ofabandoned deep mine and subsidence areas. The reclamation work will occur within theRedbank Creek sub basin, and will eliminate safety hazards, promote positive drainage to FehleyRun and contribute to the improved use of the property for wildlife habitat.

Located on the north side of State Route 1002, near the community of Rathmel, the project area is part of an abandoned deep mine from the 1920’s on the Lower Freeport coal seam.

The project will take 36 months to complete and is estimated to cost $193,700.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/report-pennsylvania-among-best-prepared-states-for-climate-driven-weather/article_c4623582-978e-11e5-842f-13ce16be4767.htmlhttp://www.landstudies.com/http://www.lccwc.com/http://www.landstudies.com/http://www.srwc.org/publications/catalyst-sign-up/http://www.srwc.org/http://www.srwc.org/http://www.srwc.org/publications/newsletter/2015-2/http://timesleader.com/news/local/497223/from-mine-run-off-to-art-at-wyoming-seminaryhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/12/02/Latrobe-company-Robindale-Energy-bets-on-waste-coal-NRG-Seward-Pennsylvania/stories/201512020230http://www.cleancreek.org/http://www.srwc.org/


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The Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) approved an amendment to Pennsylvania’sAbandoned Mine Landfill Plan on March 26, 1999, to authorize the Department to enter intoGFCC, to remove incidental and necessary coal on reclamation contracts that are less than 50

percent federally funded as a means of enhancing the environment and aesthetic values of theCommonwealth.

NewsClips:Latrobe Company Bets On Waste Coal Despite Outlook From Mine Runoff To Art At Wyoming Seminary

Only 1 Week Left To Vote For 2016 PA River Of The Year!

December 14 is the deadline for casting your vote for the2016 PA River of the Year . Nominated rivers include theKiski-Conemaugh River, Lackawanna River, Lehigh River,Ohio River and the Susquehanna River - North Branch.

“This is a wonderful and unique opportunity for residentsacross the Commonwealth to show support for their localriver by taking part in the voting process for the 2016 Riverof the Year,” said Janet Sweeney, PA Organization forWatersheds and Rivers .

After a waterway is chosen for this annual honor, local groups implement a year-roundslate of activities and events to celebrate the river, including a paddling trip, or sojourn. Theorganization nominating the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant to help fundtheir River of the Year activities.

The PA River of the Year Program is a project of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.

DCNR and POWR also support the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program , a unique series ofmore than a dozen river trips on the state’s rivers organized by local sponsors.

Click Here to learn more about each River of the Year nominee. Click Here to vote.For more information on initiatives and special programs, visit DCNR’s Rivers

Conservation Program webpage or the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website.

Nominations For Bayer CropScience Young Farmer Sustainability Award Due Jan. 15

Bayer CropScience is seeking young agricultural producers that demonstrate leadership andexcellence in the areas of business and environmental sustainability through the 2016 YoungFarmer Sustainability Award .

Nominations are due January 15.Any farmer or rancher age 40 and under who receives at least half of his or her incomefrom farming and farm-related ventures is eligible to apply.

Award applicants will be judged by a panel of industry experts on the following criteria:their entrepreneurial initiative and adoption of new approaches to farming (50 percent), theirenvironmental and other on-farm sustainability efforts (30 percent), and their economic stabilityand sustainability (20 percent).

The winning entrant will receive a 360 SOILSCAN™ portable soil testing system, an

http://bayercropscience.us/YFSA2016http://bayercropscience.us/YFSA2016http://www.cropscience.bayer.com/http://pawatersheds.org/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/conservation/rivers/riverresourceprogram/riversconservation/http://pariveroftheyear.org/vote-for-a-2016-river-of-the-year/http://pariveroftheyear.org/2016-river-of-the-year-nominees/http://pawatersheds.org/on-the-water/sojourns/http://pawatersheds.org/http://pawatersheds.org/http://pariveroftheyear.org/2016-river-of-the-year-nominees/http://timesleader.com/news/local/497223/from-mine-run-off-to-art-at-wyoming-seminaryhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/12/02/Latrobe-company-Robindale-Energy-bets-on-waste-coal-NRG-Seward-Pennsylvania/stories/201512020230


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all-expense paid trip to the 2016 Ag Issues Forum and Commodity Classic in New Orleans, andcredit towards a Farm Journal learning event.

"The next generation of farmers has a tough task ahead of them. They must meet thechallenge of supporting a growing population through technology and innovation, and they mustdo it in a sustainable manner," said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP.

"The Young Farmer Sustainability Award recognizes the next generation of growers who areapplying the latest and greatest innovations on their farms to ensure that their business, theircommunity and the environment will prosper."

The next Young Sustainable Farmer will be selected in late January 2016, and the winnerwill be announced at the annual Bayer Ag Issues Forum, March 1 – 2 in New Orleans, just priorto the 2016 Commodity Classic.

2016 will mark the sixth year of the Young Farmer Sustainability Award.Applications may be accessed and completed online at Bayer’s 2016 Young Farmer

Sustainability Award webpage. Bayer’s U.S. headquarters is in Pittsburgh.NewsClip:Winners Announced In Green Workplace Challenge

Penn State Extension Rain To Drain Stormwater Curriculum Now Available

Rain to Drain - Slow the Flow is a hands-on stormwater education curriculumavailable from Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania 4-H.This experiment style series of activities leads youth and adults to a betterunderstanding of the movement of stormwater in natural and developedcommunities. It's also a great introduction to green infrastructure andstormwater best management practices.It is designed to be used by middle-school aged youth; it is also easilyadaptable to older and younger youth and also for adults.It is easy to use in classrooms, 4-H clubs, afterschool programs, nature

centers, scout meetings and even independently.The materials needed to complete the activities are easy to find around the house or in

most grocery and craft stores. They are also minimal and affordable.Click Here for all the details.

NewsClips:Education Program Shares MS4 Stormwater Information Philadelphia’s Green Approach To Stormwater Pollution In Spotlight Delaware Riverkeeper: Nov. 27 RiverWatch Scranton Sewer System Closer To Sale Or Lease

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal Dickinson Students Promote Sustainability 1 Cup Of Coffee At A Time

November Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition

The November issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Slippery RockWatershed Coalition in Butler County featuring articles on--

http://www.srwc.org/http://www.srwc.org/http://www.srwc.org/download/Catalyst/2015/cat%2011-15.pdfhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/dickinson_students_try_to_make.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/sewer-authority-closer-to-system-sale-or-lease-1.1978178https://youtu.be/vyeb8SRX80Yhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly%E2%80%99s-green-approach-stormwater-pollution-draws-national-spotlighthttp://ttfwatershed.org/2015/11/23/improving-water-quality-educational-program-shares-ms4-information/http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/youth/rain-to-drainhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/youth/rain-to-drainhttp://triblive.com/business/headlines/9553276-74/energy-pittsburgh-challengehttp://www.bayer.us/http://bayercropscience.us/YFSA2016http://bayercropscience.us/YFSA2016


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-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition 20th Anniversary Celebration -- Celebrating 10 Years At The NW PA GIS Conference-- The KIDS Catalyst: Turkey Time-- Westminster College Students Present Passive Treatment System Data-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

December UpStream Newsletter Now Available From Stroud Water Research Center

The December issue of UpStream newsletter from the Stroud WaterResearch Center is now available featuring on---- Stream Monitoring Technology Saves Time, Keeps Scientists Safe -- Alexandra Cousteau: Freshwater Issues The Greatest Crisis Of OurTime -- Did You Know Trout Grow On Trees? -- Stroud Education Department Highlights -- Matt Ehrhart Re-Elected As Penn State Agricultural Council

President -- 2015 Publications From Stroud -- Calendar of Events for 2016 -- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

PA: Not That Far To Go To Meet EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Emission Limits

With the United Nations Climate Conference beginning in Paris this week, it might be a goodtime to review where Pennsylvania is in reducing climate-changing greenhouse gas emissionsand how much more the state has to do to meet the EPA Clean Power Climate Plan . Justconsider---- 27 Million Ton Reduction Already: The final EPA Clean Power Climate Plan requiresPennsylvania to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1 million tons annually by 2022 (7 yearsfrom now) and another 15 million tons annually by 2030 (15 years from now).

Carbon dioxide emissions in Pennsylvania have already been reduced by 27 million tons annually in just 7 years, a 20 percent from 2007 to 2014, to a total of about 107 million tonsannually.

The reductions came primarily as a result of switching from coal to natural gas togenerate electricity and additional EPA controls on mercury emissions at coal-fired power plants.

The first milestone in the EPA Clean Power rule is 2022 which requires Pennsylvania toreduce CO2 emissions to 106 million tons, about 1 million tons below where the state is now.

By 2030, the state must take steps to reduce emissions to 91 million tons, only about 15million tons more.-- PA Use Of Natural Gas For Electric Power Generation Still Increasing: From 1997 to2013 natural gas use to generate electricity increased from 3 percent to 38 percent , according tothe Public Utility Commission. About 10,003 MW of generating capacity is now fueled bynatural gas in Pennsylvania with another 11,609 MW of new generating capacity being

proposed, although not all of the proposed capacity is typically built.-- Coal Switch Happening Anyway: In July 2014, DEP acknowledged in a presentation before

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32564http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=33885http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.Vlr-OoSa10chttp://www.stroudcenter.org/subscribe/http://www.stroudcenter.org/Events/http://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/publications.shtmhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/ehrhart-reelected.shtmhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/ehrhart-reelected.shtmhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/education-highlights.shtmhttp://troutgrowontrees.org/introduction/http://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/alexandra-cousteau.shtmhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/alexandra-cousteau.shtmhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/newsletters/2015/issue7/monitoring-tech.shtmhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/http://www.stroudcenter.org/http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=3d77fd7cc0af16769522e0fd7&id=90750285a0&e=0945dd75fdhttp://www.srwc.org/publications/catalyst-sign-up/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/slippery-rock-watershed-coalition-20th.html


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the Citizens Advisory Council that coal use in Pennsylvania could drop by 75 percent by 2030anyway , without the EPA Clean Power Climate Plan, due to the switch to natural gas for electric

power generation because of market conditions, if natural gas prices remain about the same.For more information, visit DEP’s Climate Change webpage.

NewsClips:

PA Hopes To Be Among First To Comply With EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Paris Climate Talks From A PA Perspective Report: PA Better Prepared For Climate-Driven Threats Philadelphia Issues First Climate Change Adaptation Report Pittsburgh Mayor Heads To Paris For Climate Summit Philly Has Much To Gain, Lose From Paris Climate Talks Erie Benedictines Pledge To Reduce Carbon Pollution Climate Change: The Engineer’s Dilemma In Philadelphia Petitioners Press Penn State For More Action On Climate Meteorologist: Warmest Start To Winter Since 1953 McGinty Wants US To Lead Climate Talks Op-Ed: Casey Again Strong On Climate Issues Op-Ed: US Must Do Its Share To Back Green Climate Fund Op-Ed: Ask Alexander Hamilton About Climate Change Op-Ed: Nuclear Power Essential To Countering Climate Change Editorial: Climate Matters, In York And Beyond Editorial: The Climate Nuts Meet Editorial: UN Climate Conference Must Produce Plan Reagan, Bush Reveal Contrast With Today’s GOP On Climate, Environment How Mayors From Seattle To Shenzhen Lead On Pollution Developing Nations Resist Bid For Carbon Goals 11 Countries Haven’t Made Pledges For Climate Deal U.S. House Votes To Thwart Power Plant Climate Rule Bloomberg: Obama’s Climate Push Likely To Survive GOP Foes AP: Climate Negotiators Take Obama Comments To Heart Climate Talks: What Happened, What’s Next Climate Talks Get Down To Tough Business Of Compromise Obama Urges World Action On Climate Change A Path Beyond The Paris Climate Change Talks Unusual Allies In Carbon-Tax Debate Appalachia Grasps For Hope As Coal Loses Its Grip Bloomberg: Big Oil’s War On King Coal

Clean Coal Technology Fails To Capture World’s Attention Key Lawmaker Opens New Front In Climate Report Fight Paris Climate Deal More Likely After Terror Attacks Bloomberg: Momentum Growing For A Climate Deal Key Sticking Points In UN Climate Talks Legal Limbo Awaits Millions Of Future Climate Refugees Hollande, Activists Gear Up For Climate Conference Paris Deal Would Be Important First Step On Climate Change

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/us/politics/paris-climate-talks.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2015/11/29/Hollande-activists-gear-up-for-climate-conference/stories/201511290158http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:27d5598004b041658eafdc58aae7c91bhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:00e438c3fd5b41f7adffb8e672383a36http://bloom.bg/1XzumV2http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34950442http://wapo.st/1OqEXB9http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/clean-coal-technology-fails-capture-worlds-attention-35549485http://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2015-12-01/big-oil-is-going-to-war-on-king-coalhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:87d12d8195324708a2ca87143758c7b4http://www.wsj.com/articles/carbon-tax-debate-brings-together-unusual-allies-1448936246http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/science/beyond-paris-climate-change-talks.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://wapo.st/1TnoP3ehttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:a36bc811285a45d3b66070ffc81534bbhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:3cf942e3a23d490aa14315779438d406http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:3b753d6b5e5e4a5fa192f01caec348cdhttp://bloom.bg/1TtyTYwhttp://triblive.com/usworld/nation/9548982-74/power-climate-obama#axzz3t3UKRKU1http://lancasteronline.com/news/world/the-countries-that-haven-t-made-pledges-for-climate-deal/article_be13de3c-a2e1-525f-8eeb-32279cc56829.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/12/03/Developing-nations-resist-bid-for-long-term-carbon-goals/stories/201512030111http://bloom.bg/1Nt6hcLhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/12/03/reagan-bush-41-memos-reveal-how-republicans-used-to-think-about-climate-change-and-the-environment/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/11/29/Climate-for-change-The-U-N-conference-must-produce-a-global-plan/stories/201511300045http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/9538691-74/climate-nuts-happenshttp://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2015/11/30/editorial-climate-matters-york-and-beyond/76582966/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/11/30/Nuclear-power-is-essential-to-countering-climate-change/stories/201511250011http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/12/02/The-green-tech-solution/stories/201512020054http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151202_U_S__must_do_its_share_to_back_Green_Climate_Fund.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151202_Casey_again_is_strong_on_climate_issues.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.politicspa.com/pa-sen-mcginty-wants-u-s-to-lead-climate-talks/71044/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-el-nino-warm-weather-20151201-story.htmlhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/03/petitioners-press-penn-state-for-more-action-on-climate-change/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/30/climate-change-the-engineers-dilemma/http://www.goerie.com/erie-benedictines-pledge-to-reduce-carbon-pollutionhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly-has-much-gain%E2%80%94and-lose%E2%80%94-paris-climate-talkshttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/12/02/Mayor-Peduto-heads-to-Paris-for-climate-summit-pittsburgh/stories/201512020192https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/01/report-climate-change-brings-hotter-summers-wetter-winters-to-philadelphia/http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/report-pennsylvania-among-best-prepared-states-for-climate-driven-weather/article_c4623582-978e-11e5-842f-13ce16be4767.htmlhttp://wesa.fm/post/paris-climate-talks-pennsylvania-perspective?utm_content=buffereb930&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferhttp://www.eenews.net/stories/1060028979/printhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.Vlr-OoSa10chttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32957http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32957


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A copy of the report is available online .For more information on climate issues in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s Climate Change and

the Climate Change Advisory Committee webpages.NewsClips:Report: PA Better Prepared For Climate-Driven Threats

PA Hopes To Be Among First To Comply With EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Paris Climate Talks From A PA Perspective Philadelphia Issues First Climate Change Adaptation Report Pittsburgh Mayor Heads To Paris For Climate Summit Philly Has Much To Gain, Lose From Paris Climate Talks Erie Benedictines Pledge To Reduce Carbon Pollution Climate Change: The Engineer’s Dilemma In Philadelphia Petitioners Press Penn State For More Action On Climate Meteorologist: Warmest Start To Winter Since 1953 McGinty Wants US To Lead Climate Talks Op-Ed: Casey Again Strong On Climate Issues Op-Ed: US Must Do Its Share To Back Green Climate Fund Op-Ed: Ask Alexander Hamilton About Climate Change Op-Ed: Nuclear Power Essential To Countering Climate Change Editorial: Climate Matters, In York And Beyond Editorial: The Climate Nuts Meet Editorial: UN Climate Conference Must Produce Plan Reagan, Bush Reveal Contrast With Today’s GOP On Climate, Environment How Mayors From Seattle To Shenzhen Lead On Pollution Developing Nations Resist Bid For Carbon Goals 11 Countries Haven’t Made Pledges For Climate Deal U.S. House Votes To Thwart Power Plant Climate Rule Bloomberg: Obama’s Climate Push Likely To Survive GOP Foes AP: Climate Negotiators Take Obama Comments To Heart Climate Talks: What Happened, What’s Next Climate Talks Get Down To Tough Business Of Compromise Obama Urges World Action On Climate Change A Path Beyond The Paris Climate Change Talks Unusual Allies In Carbon-Tax Debate Appalachia Grasps For Hope As Coal Loses Its Grip Bloomberg: Big Oil’s War On King Coal Clean Coal Technology Fails To Capture World’s Attention

Key Lawmaker Opens New Front In Climate Report Fight Paris Climate Deal More Likely After Terror Attacks Bloomberg: Momentum Growing For A Climate Deal Key Sticking Points In UN Climate Talks Legal Limbo Awaits Millions Of Future Climate Refugees Hollande, Activists Gear Up For Climate Conference Paris Deal Would Be Important First Step On Climate Change Short Answers To Hard Questions About Climate Change

http://nyti.ms/1NBc6Lxhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/us/politics/paris-climate-talks.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2015/11/29/Hollande-activists-gear-up-for-climate-conference/stories/201511290158http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:27d5598004b041658eafdc58aae7c91bhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:00e438c3fd5b41f7adffb8e672383a36http://bloom.bg/1XzumV2http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34950442http://wapo.st/1OqEXB9http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/clean-coal-technology-fails-capture-worlds-attention-35549485http://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2015-12-01/big-oil-is-going-to-war-on-king-coalhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:87d12d8195324708a2ca87143758c7b4http://www.wsj.com/articles/carbon-tax-debate-brings-together-unusual-allies-1448936246http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/science/beyond-paris-climate-change-talks.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://wapo.st/1TnoP3ehttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:a36bc811285a45d3b66070ffc81534bbhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:3cf942e3a23d490aa14315779438d406http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:3b753d6b5e5e4a5fa192f01caec348cdhttp://bloom.bg/1TtyTYwhttp://triblive.com/usworld/nation/9548982-74/power-climate-obama#axzz3t3UKRKU1http://lancasteronline.com/news/world/the-countries-that-haven-t-made-pledges-for-climate-deal/article_be13de3c-a2e1-525f-8eeb-32279cc56829.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/12/03/Developing-nations-resist-bid-for-long-term-carbon-goals/stories/201512030111http://bloom.bg/1Nt6hcLhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/12/03/reagan-bush-41-memos-reveal-how-republicans-used-to-think-about-climate-change-and-the-environment/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/11/29/Climate-for-change-The-U-N-conference-must-produce-a-global-plan/stories/201511300045http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/9538691-74/climate-nuts-happenshttp://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2015/11/30/editorial-climate-matters-york-and-beyond/76582966/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/11/30/Nuclear-power-is-essential-to-countering-climate-change/stories/201511250011http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/12/02/The-green-tech-solution/stories/201512020054http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151202_U_S__must_do_its_share_to_back_Green_Climate_Fund.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151202_Casey_again_is_strong_on_climate_issues.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.politicspa.com/pa-sen-mcginty-wants-u-s-to-lead-climate-talks/71044/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-el-nino-warm-weather-20151201-story.htmlhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/03/petitioners-press-penn-state-for-more-action-on-climate-change/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/30/climate-change-the-engineers-dilemma/http://www.goerie.com/erie-benedictines-pledge-to-reduce-carbon-pollutionhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly-has-much-gain%E2%80%94and-lose%E2%80%94-paris-climate-talkshttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/12/02/Mayor-Peduto-heads-to-Paris-for-climate-summit-pittsburgh/stories/201512020192https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/01/report-climate-change-brings-hotter-summers-wetter-winters-to-philadelphia/http://wesa.fm/post/paris-climate-talks-pennsylvania-perspective?utm_content=buffereb930&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferhttp://www.eenews.net/stories/1060028979/printhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/report-pennsylvania-among-best-prepared-states-for-climate-driven-weather/article_c4623582-978e-11e5-842f-13ce16be4767.htmlhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/AdvisoryGroups/CCAC/Pages/default.aspx#.Vl2tX4Sa10chttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.Vl2snoSa10chttp://www.climatecentral.org/gallery/maps/is-your-state-prepared-for-climate-change


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What You Need To Know About The Paris Climate Summit Paris Climate Talks Avoid Scientists’ Idea Of Carbon Budget Climate Change Pledges, Will They Fix Anything? Holding Warming Under 2 Degrees May Already Be Too Late Scientists Dispute 2 Degree Climate Model

Another Danger Of Climate Change: Giant Flying Boulders? Obama’s Legacy At Stake In Paris Talks On Climate Accord Paris Summit Already A Win For Obama, Planet Remains In Danger Obama, Gates To Lead Major Effort On Climate Research Bill Nye Tells You About Climate Change BBC: 6 Graphics Explain Climate Change Related Stories:PA Doesn’t Have That Far To Go To Meet EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Limits Philadelphia Releases First Climate Adaptation Report Academy Of Natural Sciences’ Carol Collier On Beginning Of The UN Climate Conference DEP Comment Period On EPA Clean Power Plan Closed, You Can Read What Others Said Report: Another 3,048 MW Of Wind Power Could Be Built In PA, Offshore In Erie Hershey Expands Sustainable Sourcing Efforts With New Deforestation Commitments Weis Markets Becomes 2nd Food Retailer To Receive Grocery Stewardship Certification Pittsburgh Green Workplace Challenge Highest Scoring Organizations Recognized Duquesne University’s Sustainability MBA Lands On Another Top 10 Listing PUC Video: Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits, Tips On Saving Energy Op-Ed: Climate Change A National Security Threat, Tom Ridge

Philadelphia Releases First Climate Adaptation Report

The City of Philadelphia Tuesday released its first climate adaptation report, Growing Stronger:Toward a Climate-Ready Philadelphia .

An important first step toward preparing for a warmer, wetter future, the report details theimpacts of climate change on municipal operations, assets, programs and policies and lays outactions that the City can take to mitigate those impacts.

“While world leaders are gathered in Paris to negotiate an international agreement, we arefocused on what we can and need to do at the local level,” said Katherine Gajewski, Director ofSustainability for the City of Philadelphia. “The effects of a changing climate are alreadyapparent in Philadelphia. We need to understand what climate change will look like on theground and how to advance smart, proactive initiatives that will help us to prepare. Climateactions often come with a host of co-benefits that we are eager to identify and incorporate into

how we make decisions and investments.”Growing Stronger is the culmination of a multi-year planning process convened by theMayor’s Office of Sustainability with the participation of a broad set of City departments andagencies.

The report includes:-- Detailed climate projections for Philadelphia: MOS worked with climate scientists to developdetailed projections of the warmer and wetter climate the Philadelphia region can expect over thenext 85 years.

http://www.phila.gov/green/pdfs/Growing%20Stronger.pdfhttp://www.phila.gov/green/pdfs/Growing%20Stronger.pdfhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/02/tom_ridge_joins_group_calling.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/puc-video-do-it-yourself-home-energy.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/duquesne-universitys-sustainability-mba.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/pittsburgh-green-workplace-challenge.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/weis-markets-becomes-2nd-food-retailer.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/hershey-expands-sustainable-sourcing.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/report-another-3048-mw-of-wind-power.htmlhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=33996http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34163http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/12/philadelphia-releases-first-climate.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/pa-doesnt-have-that-far-to-go-to-meet.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-5aceb360-8bc3-4741-99f0-2e4f76ca02bbhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151202-bill-nye-climate-change-101-video-science/http://wapo.st/1Ithrx1http://wapo.st/1lmGnB5http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/us/politics/obama-takes-second-term-resolve-on-climate-to-paris.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://wapo.st/1IpdwBihttp://www.wsj.com/articles/scientists-dispute-2-degree-model-guiding-climate-talks-1448829047http://wapo.st/1PUGUHthttp://nyti.ms/1SWkp2Chttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/science/earth/paris-climate-talks-avoid-scientists-goal-of-carbon-budget.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/11/12/paris-climate-talks_n_8678276.html


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-- Vulnerability assessment for city-owned assets: Data provided by City departments allowedMOS to evaluate how climate stressors (extreme heat, an increase in winter precipitation, and sealevel rise, among others) will impact existing city-owned assets.-- Early implementation adaptation strategies: While ensuring Philadelphia continues to growand thrive as the climate changes is a long-term process, Growing Stronger identifies strategies

the City can undertake now to build resilience into existing programs and future assets.A copy of the report is available online .For more information on Philadelphia’s green initiatives, visit the Mayor’s Office of

Sustainability webpage.NewsClips:Philadelphia Issues First Climate Change Adaptation Report PA Hopes To Be Among First To Comply With EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Paris Climate Talks From A PA Perspective Report: PA Better Prepared For Climate-Driven Threats Pittsburgh Mayor Heads To Paris For Climate Summit Philly Has Much To Gain, Lose From Paris Climate Talks Erie Benedictines Pledge To Reduce Carbon Pollution Climate Change: The Engineer’s Dilemma In Philadelphia Petitioners Press Penn State For More Action On Climate Meteorologist: Warmest Start To Winter Since 1953 McGinty Wants US To Lead Climate Talks Op-Ed: Casey Again Strong On Climate Issues Op-Ed: US Must Do Its Share To Back Green Climate Fund Op-Ed: Ask Alexander Hamilton About Climate Change Op-Ed: Nuclear Power Essential To Countering Climate Change Editorial: Climate Matters, In York And Beyond Editorial: The Climate Nuts Meet Editorial: UN Climate Conference Must Produce Plan Reagan, Bush Reveal Contrast With Today’s GOP On Climate, Environment How Mayors From Seattle To Shenzhen Lead On Pollution Developing Nations Resist Bid For Carbon Goals 11 Countries Haven’t Made Pledges For Climate Deal U.S. House Votes To Thwart Power Plant Climate Rule Bloomberg: Obama’s Climate Push Likely To Survive GOP Foes AP: Climate Negotiators Take Obama Comments To Heart Climate Talks: What Happened, What’s Next Climate Talks Get Down To Tough Business Of Compromise

Obama Urges World Action On Climate Change A Path Beyond The Paris Climate Change Talks Unusual Allies In Carbon-Tax Debate Appalachia Grasps For Hope As Coal Loses Its Grip Bloomberg: Big Oil’s War On King Coal Clean Coal Technology Fails To Capture World’s Attention Key Lawmaker Opens New Front In Climate Report Fight Paris Climate Deal More Likely After Terror Attacks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34950442http://wapo.st/1OqEXB9http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/clean-coal-technology-fails-capture-worlds-attention-35549485http://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2015-12-01/big-oil-is-going-to-war-on-king-coalhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:87d12d8195324708a2ca87143758c7b4http://www.wsj.com/articles/carbon-tax-debate-brings-together-unusual-allies-1448936246http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/science/beyond-paris-climate-change-talks.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://wapo.st/1TnoP3ehttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:a36bc811285a45d3b66070ffc81534bbhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:3cf942e3a23d490aa14315779438d406http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:3b753d6b5e5e4a5fa192f01caec348cdhttp://bloom.bg/1TtyTYwhttp://triblive.com/usworld/nation/9548982-74/power-climate-obama#axzz3t3UKRKU1http://lancasteronline.com/news/world/the-countries-that-haven-t-made-pledges-for-climate-deal/article_be13de3c-a2e1-525f-8eeb-32279cc56829.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/12/03/Developing-nations-resist-bid-for-long-term-carbon-goals/stories/201512030111http://bloom.bg/1Nt6hcLhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/12/03/reagan-bush-41-memos-reveal-how-republicans-used-to-think-about-climate-change-and-the-environment/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/11/29/Climate-for-change-The-U-N-conference-must-produce-a-global-plan/stories/201511300045http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/9538691-74/climate-nuts-happenshttp://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2015/11/30/editorial-climate-matters-york-and-beyond/76582966/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/11/30/Nuclear-power-is-essential-to-countering-climate-change/stories/201511250011http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/12/02/The-green-tech-solution/stories/201512020054http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151202_U_S__must_do_its_share_to_back_Green_Climate_Fund.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20151202_Casey_again_is_strong_on_climate_issues.html?betaPreview=redesignhttp://www.politicspa.com/pa-sen-mcginty-wants-u-s-to-lead-climate-talks/71044/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-el-nino-warm-weather-20151201-story.htmlhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/03/petitioners-press-penn-state-for-more-action-on-climate-change/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/30/climate-change-the-engineers-dilemma/http://www.goerie.com/erie-benedictines-pledge-to-reduce-carbon-pollutionhttp://www.phillywatersheds.org/philly-has-much-gain%E2%80%94and-lose%E2%80%94-paris-climate-talkshttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/12/02/Mayor-Peduto-heads-to-Paris-for-climate-summit-pittsburgh/stories/201512020192http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/report-pennsylvania-among-best-prepared-states-for-climate-driven-weather/article_c4623582-978e-11e5-842f-13ce16be4767.htmlhttp://wesa.fm/post/paris-climate-talks-pennsylvania-perspective?utm_content=buffereb930&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferhttp://www.eenews.net/stories/1060028979/printhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/01/report-climate-change-brings-hotter-summers-wetter-winters-to-philadelphia/http://www.phila.gov/green/index.htmlhttp://www.phila.gov/green/index.htmlhttp://www.phila.gov/green/pdfs/Growing%20Stronger.pdf


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Academy Of Natural Sciences’ Carol Collier On Beginning Of The UN Climate Conference

Carol Collier, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University ’s SeniorWatershed Policy Advisor and a Board Member of The NatureConservancy in Pennsylvania , is attending the United Nations ClimateConference in Paris.

She provided this observations at the beginning of the Conference

this week--FridayCollier Friday morning Tweeted the latest version of the United

Nations Climate Conference agreement from Paris.ThursdayHere is what I have learned so far about the process.There are really three levels of engagement:

1) There are high level ministers and negotiators who are working through an agreement that wi