pa environment digest feb. 9, 2015

8/9/2019 Pa Environment Digest Feb. 9, 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 February 9, 2015

Motion Denied: Court Reconsideration Of Ruling On Transfer Of Oil & Gas Fund Monies

Commonwealth Court Tuesday denied an application by the PA Environmental Defense

Foundation to reconsider its Januar y 7 ruling upholding the state’s ability to shift funds out of

DCNR’s Oil and Gas Fund to balance the state budget.

The reconsideration asked the court to reconsider because the judges did not address itsfundamental claim: that the state failed to perform its constitutional duty to evaluate the likely

environmental impact before leasing tens of thousands of acres of state forests for natural gas

extraction and transferring the money out of the conservation fund controlled by the Department

of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The FY 2014-15 state budget still anticipates another $95 million in revenue will be

pulled from the Oil and Gas Fund to balance the budget.

NewsClips:

Court Rejects Appeal On State Forest Leasing

Editorial: Wolf Protects Public Lands From Drilling

New House Bill Links Severance Tax, Impact Fee

Bipartisan Lawmakers Want 3.2% Natural Gas Tax New Year, New Severance Tax Proposals

Legislators Push Severance Tax To Fund Public Education

Op-Ed: Fracking Moratorium Good Step, Severance Tax Needed

Obama Proposes Extra $200M For Mine Reclamation

Obama Seeks $50M Cut In Great Lakes Restoration

Obama Proposes More Pipeline Safety Money

Obama Budget Helps Underfunded Mine Worker Pensions

PUC: Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees Will Increase For Calendar 2014

The Act 13 drilling impact fees will increase for calendar year 2014 as a result of an increase inthe average annual cost of natural gas, according to a notice published in the February 7 PA

Bulletin by the Public Utility Commission. The revised fee schedule will be--

1st Year $50,300* $10,100**

2nd Year $40,200 $ 8,000

3rd Year $30,200 $ 6,000

4th Year $20,100 $ 4,000

*Horizontal wells **Vertical Wells

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The fees for calendar year 2013 were--

Year 1 $ 50,000* $10,000**

Year 2 $ 40,000 $ 8,000

Year 3 $ 30,000 $ 6,000

*Horizontal wells **Vertical Wells

The NYMEX average annual price of natural gas was $4.415 in 2014. In 2013 theaverage price was $3.652.

There were 1,372 unconventional gas wells spud in 2014 and 1,207 unconventional gas

wells spud in 2013. There were 1,347 unconventional wells spud in 2012 and 1,205

unconventional wells spud in 2013.

For more information, visit the PUC’s Act 13 Impact Fee webpage.

NewsClips:

Court Rejects Appeal On State Forest Leasing

Editorial: Wolf Protects Public Lands From Drilling


Bipartisan Lawmakers Want 3.2% Natural Gas Tax

New Year, New Severance Tax Proposals Legislators Push Severance Tax To Fund Public Education


Obama Proposes Extra $200M For Mine Reclamation

Obama Seeks $50M Cut In Great Lakes Restoration

Obama Proposes More Pipeline Safety Money

Obama Budget Helps Underfunded Mine Worker Pensions

Feb. 17 Citizens Advisory Council Meeting Features Underground Mining Impact Report

The February 17 DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting agenda will feature presentations on

the 2008-2013 Act 54 Underground Mining Impact Report by the University of Pittsburgh, the

author of the report, and DEP.

The report includes information that documents and assesses the surface impacts

resulting from both longwall and traditional room and pillar underground bituminous coal

mining, including damage to surface structures and impacts to aquatic life, pH and conductivity

of streams and the loss of domestic water supplies from mining in Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria,

Clearfield, Elk, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Somerset and Washington counties.

The CAC is accepting public comments

on the report until March 31 and has set aside

time during its March 17 meeting to hear public testimony on the report.

Also on the Council’s agenda are--

-- Presentation on the Keep PA Beautiful report: Illegal Dumping in PA: Recommended Policiesand Programs for Future Prevention and Enforcement ; and

-- Presentation on DEP’s Recycling Convenience Center Grant Program.

Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley will provide Council with the Department’s regular

monthly report on agency activities. Click Here for a copy of DEP’s written February report to

Council.

For more information, visit DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.depweb.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fmeetings%2F21513&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNErz7Fk1sruAy8PULAmLRdDu9YXJghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.dep.state.pa.us%2FPublicParticipation%2FCitizens%2520Advisory%2520Council%2FCACPortalFiles%2FMeetings%2F2015_02%2FFINAL_Feb%25202015%2520DEP%2520Report%2520to%2520CAC_02022015.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGWa3xP9iCXdbMyqLc9EH1NIb6TIwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2FPortals%2F0%2FPDFs%2FKPB%2520Recommendations%2520August%25202014.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFi_U4IQsESXLKwaaMOqxeXY_q_aghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2FPortals%2F0%2FPDFs%2FKPB%2520Recommendations%2520August%25202014.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFi_U4IQsESXLKwaaMOqxeXY_q_aghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEnAJ8HoIN9W5G3EykJCU7tXW5k8Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D31069&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHS0G7LRGu-7wVWO9Uj1b-ifj3cJghttp://goo.gl/nF54zBhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.dep.state.pa.us%2FPublicParticipation%2FCitizens%2520Advisory%2520Council%2FCACPortalFiles%2FMeetings%2F2015_02%2FFebruary_17_2015_CAC_Agenda.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXczF2t45vSz7CE8e_9_7xcooTlghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.depweb.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fmeetings%2F21513&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNErz7Fk1sruAy8PULAmLRdDu9YXJghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2015%2F02%2F03%2FPresident-s-budget-provides-help-for-underfunded-pensions-for-100-000-mine-workers%2Fstories%2F201502020190&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHasiG-gWsIJat_nnPXuTwsDOdZlghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fnews%2Fbreaking%2Fmc-obama-federal-budget-gas-pipelines-20150202-story.html%23navtype%3Doutfit&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGzx-kNa5AI0Wb4nv-N1wKpinLkXghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2F2015%2F02%2F02%2FObama-seeks-50-million-cut-in-Great-Lakes-restoration-effort%2Fstories%2F201502020151&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEjxgDtMaliBePFgoJoCIsBH0n4Ighttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcitizensvoice.com%2Fnews%2Fextra-200m-available-for-mine-lands-in-obama-administration-proposal-1.1826763&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGygOfs8Yd8F3p5UiNBJrLsmn6nnQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fopinion%2F2015%2F02%2Fwolfs_fracking_moratorium_is_a.html%23incart_river&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFpK_qnRnELt1S29zgG29ixQc2WhAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.cbslocal.com%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Fsome-pa-state-officials-push-to-tax-marcellus-shale-drilling-in-effort-to-raise-money-for-public-schools%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG0q8dszPgREQ2LqTV7lw968RIttQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Fnew-year-new-severance-tax-proposals%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHdbPZk0UmhizZdO2YICioCoT5AVQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fscrapple.lancasteronline.com%2F2015%2F02%2F02%2Fbipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-want-3-2-percent-natural-gas-tax%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5jd5pxd9tjPah4aMM5p1VjE_LPghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fnew-state-house-bill-links-severance-tax-impact-fee-1.1827796&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9_kUWlpjt8_NIGPIYx-MRHtI1Mwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2F2015%2F02%2F02%2FOut-of-the-woods-Gov-Wolf-revives-sensible-protection-on-drilling%2Fstories%2F201501310054&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF-0r0Dyxue1UoOq2mUSpTHZldYUQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F03%2Fcommonwealth-court-rejects-appeal-on-state-forest-leasing%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEnkrxIykCm3Q3iJNwo1uYorrn7Ughttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puc.state.pa.us%2Ffiling_resources%2Fissues_laws_regulations%2Fact_13_impact_fee_.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHaIZruWMrjx1trMSbsWu-micruYAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puc.state.pa.us%2FNaturalGas%2Fpdf%2FMarcellusShale%2FAct13_Producer_Fees-CY2013.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXkH1AI4PIrzM61QP0jK9pZ1GuQw


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Registration Is Now Open For The 2015 Great American Cleanup Of PA

Keep PA Beautiful Tuesday announced registration is now open for the 2015 Great American

Cleanup of PA which runs from Marcy 1 to May 31.

This annual event is held in conjunction with Keep America Beautiful’s Great American

Cleanup and in partnership with support from the Department of Environmental Protection,PennDOT, PA Waste Industries Association, the PA Food Merchants Association, Weis

Markets, Inc., Wawa, Inc., Sheetz, ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer.

Additional 2015 event supporters include: Steel Recycling Institute, Lancaster County

Solid Waste Management Authority, Giant Eagle Inc., Giant Food Stores, Inc., Republic

Services and Wegmans Food Markets.

“We are so grateful to our volunteers and sponsors who help make the Great American

Cleanup of PA possible.” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful. “We are hoping

to get even more Pennsylvania’s to make the Great American Cleanup of PA an annual event.”

“DEP is proud to sponsor this annual cleanup event that does so much good for

Pennsylvania’s environment,” DEP Acting Secretary John Quigley said. “By getting involved in

a local cleanup, volunteers help us protect our roadsides and waterways from pollution, andimprove our quality of life.”

During the cleanup, registered events can get free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests

from PennDOT district offices, as supplies last. Events can be litter cleanups, illegal dump

cleanups, beautification projects, special collections, and educational events and must be

registered through the Great American Cleanup of PA website to receive free cleanup supplies.

As part of this event, the Department of Environmental Protection and PA Waste

Industries Association are sponsoring Let’s Pick It Up PA – Everyday.

During the Pick It Up PA Days, registered event coordinators will be able to take the

trash collected during their cleanup to participating landfills for free disposal. The Let’s Pick It

Up PA – Everyday event will begin on April 11th and end on May 4th. The focus day will be

April 25th.

All 67 counties in Pennsylvania were represented in the 2014 Great American Cleanup of

PA. In total, there were 5,349 events with 136,507 volunteers.

Volunteers collected 6,359,872 pounds of trash. They cleaned 13,603 miles of roads,

railroad tracks, trails, waterways, and shorelines, and 9,113 acres of park and/or wetlands.

Additionally, volunteers planted 31,406 trees, bulbs, and plants in an effort to keep

Pennsylvania beautiful.

A copy of the 2014 Great American Cleanup of PA final report is available online

.

Since the inception of this event in 2004, 1,565,967 volunteers removed 80,575,227

pounds of litter and planted 136,321 trees, bulbs, and flowers.

For more information or to register your events, visit the Great American Cleanup of PA website or contact Michelle Dunn, Great American Cleanup of PA Program Coordinator, at

1-877-772-3673 ext. 113 or send email to: [email protected] .

Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA. Just go to your

Google+ page and search for [email protected], the email for the Digest Editor

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gacofpa.or&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFZqrtdBd7nbkE4oqsh2KYyQgbXGQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fgacofpa.org%2FPortals%2Fgacofpa%2FPDFs%2FFinalReports%2F2014gacpafinalreport.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE7dE8090c-h3pCq4JVIlmSUSlRughttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gacofpa.or&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFZqrtdBd7nbkE4oqsh2KYyQgbXGQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gacofpa.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH00X94LrS6piKqpC8dbzP2C_mYlghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gacofpa.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH00X94LrS6piKqpC8dbzP2C_mYlghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEnAJ8HoIN9W5G3EykJCU7tXW5k8Q


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David Hess, and let us join your 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 --

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

Capitol.

Governor’s Schedule

Friday Gov. Wolf posted his work calendar from January 21, 2015 through February 6, 2015,

online. Going forward, Gov. Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public

schedule for the day will be posted each morning.

"I firmly believe that creating a government that works starts with making sure public

officials are held accountable for their actions," said Gov. Wolf. "I was hired by the people of

Pennsylvania, and they deserve to know how I serve through my office. It's time to restore the

public's trust in our government by pushing for reforms and initiatives that increase openness and

transparency."

Click Here

to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public Appearances.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.governor.pa.gov%2FSchedule%2FPages%2Fschedule.aspx%23.VNVGE0K4lBx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGxJEaz-i-3YWQ4LR6WPh-2Yek2Aghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2FPaCapitolDigest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGWrE0J29KeaafDM7MJyMC8ers1CAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2Fcategory%2Fcapitol-blog%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEr34LqbrgLctLRRFIpQj8389er0Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2Fcategory%2Fenvironment-blog%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFbHV5G7iUyBtnZtTKN4KGsug3TQQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXriPf7nAwCc24P4VynFe1LpqWFghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXIVMkGh_c7n4BmGVntccrLXM7eg


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House (February 9): Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (February 17): Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meets to consider House Bill 188

(Sonney-R-Erie) allowing for wind power generation systems on preserved farmland ( sponsor

summary ). 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

Judiciary

Liquor 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 JusticePublic Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2FStandingCommittees.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEC58agufzJmhvE4RnWHsK0a7ZX_ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D19%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHYexuTKRMSJJuBXd_OihjSSIbxzghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D33%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFjDz5OMb9vRkkZfsgptcHsAAoQIghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D29%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFRblqtaEenQ0VT95qBN99spSVughttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D39%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGen44rvRCPWPNWdkE78IRMtdYD8Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D23%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFX6wadL86stvoAjqp_6XVmIr3CPQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D31%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGWo5gPwUqwjzbCCyXJsXuHG9LBQwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D7%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGgl8oWuYIE7IS-GPdHIkQnMbzMTghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D9%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH8Oe-V64S3ruX2jiyUpOyg7imNJghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D3%26CteeBody%3DS&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG3mRHkOALJiQh5zbZfq4w6uhsOGghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2FStandingCommittees.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE0OH51wmcZ0tLzkVBDYDfFkI-Vdwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2FStandingCommittees.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE0OH51wmcZ0tLzkVBDYDfFkI-Vdwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D38%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG766DjTIHBb4RERLenJpHLZjl_zQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D28%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE8laLY8-2fNFQwO2I3GM8xy67vNAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D24%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEj0T4DMvS-Do_PTGnG1M1IMJZd7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D56%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGtzO07uQSwtQoHuuk14hWq3d60gwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D54%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNETvX_kv57bKi9X1aUnj7T000SRiwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D10%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFTt-ARiXW9soyui0IvrazqU61quAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D8%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxUAkR70KgxtgUTF3f8bVMWtCySghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D12%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHChd4URUtlhk9tHinZDzI9l2PFSAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D4%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMLwVjcUxZLx4Cw4D2aell4MHkRAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FSM%2FCOSM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGm2MqrSWvfq9tan4rDgY7fJhcc2Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FHM%2FCOHM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHN4VHsg-7-WbaLdRZFal9NTpr5vQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20150%26cosponId%3D16498&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsjyJNqRauSJsYAam_V5xepyuXLAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20150%26cosponId%3D16498&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsjyJNqRauSJsYAam_V5xepyuXLAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2015%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0188&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGxxXMEwp--n4W0v26MhSctQW_N0Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dg


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Replacing Land Lost To Pipelines: House Bill 151 (Thomas-D-Philadelphia) requiring

replacement of land lost to pipeline routes (sponsor summary ).

Marcellus Health Registry: House Bill 252 (Boback-R-Lackawanna) establishing a Marcellus

Shale Health Registry Act (

sponsor summary

).

Water, Wastewater Bond Issue: Senate Bill 381 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) authorizing a $600

million bond issue to fund water and wastewater system improvements ( sponsor summary ).

Severance Tax For Education: Senate Bill 395 (Brewster-D-Allegheny) adopting a 5 percent

severance tax all devoted to education funding, while keeping the impact fee, but crediting what

producers pay to the severance tax (sponsor summary).

Session Schedule

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

Senate

February 17, 18, 23, 24, 25

March 2, 3, 4

April 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30

House

February 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25

March 2, 3, 4, 30, 31

April 1, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

News From The Capitol

Rep. DiGirolamo Unveils Severance Tax Proposal, Only 10% For The Environment

In seeking to raise necessary funds for some of the Commonwealth's top priorities without

passing the burden onto working families, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) Wednesday held a

press conference to discuss legislation to impose a drilling tax within the Marcellus Shale and

distribute those proceeds to statewide initiatives.

In keeping with policies in other states with large natural gas reserves, Rep. DiGirolamo's

proposal calls for a 3.2 percent drilling tax, while also keeping the impact fee created by Act 13

to help communities directly affected by drilling.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DS%26SPick%3D20150%26cosponId%3D15950&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFvQvLA9419iokhl2aQJxv8W74gOQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2015%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0395&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF1gh8nzDCH_Z_gfF6fj8vi_Pm4rQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DS%26SPick%3D20150%26cosponId%3D16380&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGOll3DYK5k07xiBcxT2uHGXmZMhghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2015%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0381&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHhBiSF0El2DVosK1KondJPrJY5hghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20150%26cosponId%3D15787&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHiFHaYLxXPYycMKhFtFimRDiBxQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2015%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0252&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFMKVAXEXWJt1eRAK3r64Dlnq6UFghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20150%26cosponId%3D16291&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHX2dt5jMcRlpbfOlgyVd6PWW5wnQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2015%26sind%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D151&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHUmXD9AKikeI-vyaDLKgx1SZ7LXA


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Revenue would be distributed to the following priorities: basic education, 40 percent;

pension obligations, 35 percent; human services, 15 percent; and environmental programs, 10

percent--

-- Basic Education -- $226 million

-- Pensions -- $197 million

-- Human Services -- $85 million-- Environmental programs -- $56 million

"Most Pennsylvanians agree that we should enact a drilling tax as a matter of sound

public policy, but the discussion at this point is what that tax will look like and what priorities it

would fund," Rep. DiGirolamo said. "In addition, it's important to keep the impact fee in place so

that communities directly dealing with drilling can still be protected. This legislation is a start to

the conversation, and one that I believe will continue throughout this session."

Rep. DiGirolamo was joined at the press conference in Harrisburg by three leading

co-sponsors of his proposal, Reps. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery), Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny)

and Pam DeLissio (D-Montgomery).

Rep. DiGirolamo also believes that the drilling tax is far more sustainable than an impact

fee alone. Under the current impact fee, each well is assessed a fee which declines over time forthe first 15 years of operation. All unconventional wells drilled each year, no matter how much

natural gas is produced, pay the same fee.

For what is thought to be a typical unconventional well, the total impact fees paid over

15 years amount to less than 2 percent of the value of the natural gas sold from the well.

"As the value of production grows, so would the severance tax revenue," Rep.

DiGirolamo added. "This would provide needed additional funding dollars for education, human

services and environmental programs, while also helping to make the required increase in

pension contributions more manageable."

According to Rep. DiGirolamo's legislation, the tax would be set up in a way that in the

first year 1 percent of the tax will equal $6 million, and would grow to more than $9 million per

percentage point by 2019-20 with continued modest growth in production.

The lawmaker believes that his proposal is fair and reasonable to the industry, assists

impacted communities, makes long-term investments in natural resources and environmental

programs, strengthens the safety net for those in need, and allows every citizen to benefit.

Pennsylvania, now the second largest producer of natural gas in the nation, is the only

major gas producing state that does not impose a drilling tax.

Click Here to watch a video of the press conference.

NewsClips:



New Year, New Severance Tax Proposals Legislators Push Severance Tax To Fund Public Education


Senate Democrats Propose 8% Severance Tax, Only 10% For Environment

Senators Art Haywood (D-Montgomery) and Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) Thursday

announced legislation to impose an 8 percent tax on Marcellus Shale gas along with the 1.9

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fopinion%2F2015%2F02%2Fwolfs_fracking_moratorium_is_a.html%23incart_river&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFpK_qnRnELt1S29zgG29ixQc2WhAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.cbslocal.com%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Fsome-pa-state-officials-push-to-tax-marcellus-shale-drilling-in-effort-to-raise-money-for-public-schools%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG0q8dszPgREQ2LqTV7lw968RIttQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Fnew-year-new-severance-tax-proposals%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHdbPZk0UmhizZdO2YICioCoT5AVQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fscrapple.lancasteronline.com%2F2015%2F02%2F02%2Fbipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-want-3-2-percent-natural-gas-tax%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5jd5pxd9tjPah4aMM5p1VjE_LPghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fnew-state-house-bill-links-severance-tax-impact-fee-1.1827796&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9_kUWlpjt8_NIGPIYx-MRHtI1Mwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theplsreporter.com%2FHome%2FTabId%2F56%2FArtMID%2F472%2FArticleID%2F541%2FVIDEO-Proposed-Marcellus-drilling-tax-distributes-proceeds-to-other-statewide-initiatives-.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEBgPCSdPvjEbnhSSjMZtNgN-rK2Q


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percent impact fee.

Joined by Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Haywood and Hughes said most of the

revenue, which could reach nearly $2 billion a year within a few years, will go toward public

education, the underfunded pension liability and environmental protection.

“When many of our most critical programs are underfunded, yet we have an abundance

of natural resources, what we really have is a compassion deficit,” Sen. Haywood said. “As oneof the top producers of natural gas in the nation, it is time to join a vast majority of

gas-producing states and enact a shale tax that strengthens our shared future.”

Sen. Hughes, Minority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Chairman, said the bill could

generate more than $1 billion for next year’s budget.

From the revenue raised in the proposal:

— $100 million dollars would go to the Growing Greener Program;

— 60 percent of the money would go to fund Public Schools; and

— 40 percent would go towards reducing the unfunded pension liability.

“The policy of the last four years is no longer acceptable and Pennsylvanians have made

that abundantly clear in recent months,” Sen. Hughes said. “A fresh start for our state begins

with a system of taxation that is fair, sustainable and accountable to the people.”In addition to the tax, the bill would retain a 1.9 percent impact fee in order to continue

payments to local governments affected by the drilling.

Sen. Haywood said the most critical need for the funding is public education.

“With the second highest shale production in the country, there is no reason our schools

should lack basic resources, while extraction goes untaxed. We cannot allow industry to invest in

our state without investing in our children’s future,” he said.

Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers joined the senators at

the conference in support of the proposal, stressing the need for increased funding in a district

where some schools no longer have the resources to teach subjects that are crucial for state

exams.

Judith Grant, a teacher at Spring Garden Elementary School, said that in the current

underfunded state “teachers have to reach into our own pockets to provide resources for our

students. There is a difference between providing something extra and providing basic

necessities like pencils and paper.”

Cheltenham Township School Board Director Bill England also spoke in support of the

proposal, saying it is “an opportunity to move our state forward" from one of the lowest in the

nation for school funding.

“Deteriorating public schools and short-funded pensions are two dark clouds that hang

over young Pennsylvanians and we owe it to them to make sure we don’t pass them on,” Sen.

Hughes said. “It’s time to step up and make the tough decisions that will ensure opportunity for

every child in every school in every school district.”NewsClips:



New Year, New Severance Tax Proposals

Legislators Push Severance Tax To Fund Public Education


http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fopinion%2F2015%2F02%2Fwolfs_fracking_moratorium_is_a.html%23incart_river&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFpK_qnRnELt1S29zgG29ixQc2WhAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fphiladelphia.cbslocal.com%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Fsome-pa-state-officials-push-to-tax-marcellus-shale-drilling-in-effort-to-raise-money-for-public-schools%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG0q8dszPgREQ2LqTV7lw968RIttQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Fnew-year-new-severance-tax-proposals%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHdbPZk0UmhizZdO2YICioCoT5AVQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fscrapple.lancasteronline.com%2F2015%2F02%2F02%2Fbipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-want-3-2-percent-natural-gas-tax%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5jd5pxd9tjPah4aMM5p1VjE_LPghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fnew-state-house-bill-links-severance-tax-impact-fee-1.1827796&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9_kUWlpjt8_NIGPIYx-MRHtI1Mw


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News From Around The State

CBF-PA: 1 In 4 Pennsylvania Rivers Significantly Damaged By Pollution

The Winter issue of the Bay Bound quarterly newsletter from the Chesapeake Bay

Foundation-PA is now available featuring articles on---- Pollution Significantly Damages One In Four PA Rivers

-- Video: 2014 State Of The Bay Report

-- The World Is Our Oyster

-- The Problem With Chicken Poop

-- Read Save The Bay Magazine Online

-- Check CBF’s Online Calendar Of Activities

-- Click Here for CBF-PA Activities

-- Click Here to sign up for your own Bay Bound newsletter.

690 Days To Meet PA 2017 Stream Cleanup Milestone

Pennsylvania has 690 days to put the best management practices on the ground needed to

eliminate 10 million pounds of nitrogen and 212 million pounds of sediment from going into our

rivers and streams to meet the 2017 Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

Last June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported Pennsylvania exceeded its

2013 Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestone for phosphorus by 242,000 pounds, but fell short in

meeting the nitrogen goal by 2 million pounds and sediment reduction milestone by nearly 116

million pounds.

If Pennsylvania does not meet the 2017 milestones, EPA has the authority to impose

additional reduction requirements directly on wastewater treatment plants and set additional

controls on farmland and stormwater runoff.For more information, visit the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint webpage.

DEP Sets 4 Webinars On March 10, 11 On New Act 162 Stream Buffer Requirements

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a series of four webinars on the

implementation of new stream buffer requirements as a result of Act 162—

— March 10: Riparian Buffer Equivalency . 10:00.

— March 10: Riparian Buffer Offsets . 1:00.

— March 11: Riparian Buffer Equivalency . 10:00.

— March 11: Riparian Buffer Offsets . 1:00.

Click on the webinar title to register for these events.February 18 is the deadline for commenting on DEP’s interim policy for implementing

the new buffer requirements in Act 162. Two more guidance documents for implementing Act

162 are expected to published for public comment in the near future.

For more information, visit DEP’s Act 162 webpage.

(Reprinted from Feb. 5 DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2FNews_and_Events%2F21504%2FDEP_Newsletter%2F1714475&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNElhCInUnBt5iuuqv_KGOJnocpi5Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2FPA%2Flibrary%2F2015%2F2015020577.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5rQuROxmeL6pPpvBFr4RNKztZEQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fnpdes_construction_erosion_control%2F21657%2Fact_162%2F1950384&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFQ1-rg9fdFME9lwFKKbhygNCcK5ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D30770&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGti-rbJqpcea1jtEBKOlBY4SYKyQhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fcopa.webex.com%2Fmw0307l%2Fmywebex%2Fdefault.do%3Fnomenu%3Dtrue%26siteurl%3Dcopa%26service%3D6%26rnd%3D0.9875042672943649%26main_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fcopa.webex.com%252Fec0606l%252Feventcenter%252Fevent%252FeventAction.do%253FtheAction%253Ddetail%2526confViewID%253D1953759375%2526%2526EMK%253D4832534b00000002c5d843085066aff67376b67259aea2a3737eb25221d4a2fd7b4f36801562c7c0%2526%2526%2526siteurl%253Dcopa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFRKFkBX75D_v97QNbNeyGmbpq_bAhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fcopa.webex.com%2Fmw0307l%2Fmywebex%2Fdefault.do%3Fnomenu%3Dtrue%26siteurl%3Dcopa%26service%3D6%26rnd%3D0.4084670250908806%26main_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fcopa.webex.com%252Fec0606l%252Feventcenter%252Fevent%252FeventAction.do%253FtheAction%253Ddetail%2526confViewID%253D1953759015%2526%2526EMK%253D4832534b00000002c892ded2b595b511aacdf8c1e33b41ceb9ed823e814b901f5b0e55f71f5c5c5c%2526%2526%2526siteurl%253Dcopa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHxIyAgW26XlMDjPAOiSGUrGpjVIghttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fcopa.webex.com%2Fmw0307l%2Fmywebex%2Fdefault.do%3Fnomenu%3Dtrue%26siteurl%3Dcopa%26service%3D6%26rnd%3D0.9894178759874371%26main_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fcopa.webex.com%252Fec0606l%252Feventcenter%252Fevent%252FeventAction.do%253FtheAction%253Ddetail%2526confViewID%253D1953758571%2526%2526EMK%253D4832534b00000002096e903094cb977460e087fb45054aadc9dd408e1c9ef1405c43749ec25b3466%2526%2526%2526siteurl%253Dcopa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFVBWziBc3SvWCFCwzFfieuUJ0KvQhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fcopa.webex.com%2Fmw0307l%2Fmywebex%2Fdefault.do%3Fnomenu%3Dtrue%26siteurl%3Dcopa%26service%3D6%26rnd%3D0.2503670215927306%26main_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fcopa.webex.com%252Fec0606l%252Feventcenter%252Fevent%252FeventAction.do%253FtheAction%253Ddetail%2526confViewID%253D1953757354%2526%2526EMK%253D4832534b00000002cf1b3995b2053c1e520f2f82afe0934da0ae6b7a4195b233afe5f95bdfb577e6%2526%2526%2526siteurl%253Dcopa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPpYxMD-x7dkh9CkTvruY8Z49CCghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fhow-we-save-the-bay%2Fchesapeake-clean-water-blueprint%2Fwhat-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFT1auH3sH7n9Hvw70pOVivIupTLQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29204&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEppXaSfoV7lLMlE8XdzCPqU-BnYQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fnews-media%2Fenewsletters%2Fregistration&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEkxy8q-AjwS3k3oRa7LVZ0yxlCnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fabout-cbf%2Foffices-operations%2Fharrisburg-pennsylvania&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGTRhoRcFkD4IC7GO1GIjbbVwGvOQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fevents%2Fcalendar%3Ferid%3D38279157%26trid%3Df7dcb409-b2ca-483f-b3a9-93fcdc90cbff&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH4y6MPcGMwi2UI7595QGqJrshxBAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fnews-media%2Ffeatures-publications%2Fsave-the-bay-magazine%2Fwinter-2014%3Ferid%3D38279157%26trid%3Df7dcb409-b2ca-483f-b3a9-93fcdc90cbff&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXpwzRWoq21azmxlij9R6mRz1a9Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fopinions%2Fa-manure-solution-for-the-chesapeake-bay%2F2015%2F01%2F09%2F5cc1ff26-8d57-11e4-8ff4-fb93129c9c8b_story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEgLwHjllfT0P1oq2wmIqIww9ICSwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fabout-cbf%2Foffices-operations%2Foyster-restoration-sites-map%3Ferid%3D38279157%26trid%3Df7dcb409-b2ca-483f-b3a9-93fcdc90cbff&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHo__U7fQYFM-jB3tt2_-gE3TGtmQhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fabout-the-bay%2Fstate-of-the-bay-report-2014%3Fsrctid%3D1%26erid%3D38279157%26trid%3Df7dcb409-b2ca-483f-b3a9-93fcdc90cbff&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGcWs_4f2nwV4EJIcqEDGaxtk0SPQhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fabout-cbf%2Foffices-operations%2Fharrisburg-pennsylvania%2Ffrom-the-desk-of-harry-campbell%3Fsrctid%3D1%26erid%3D38279157%26trid%3Df7dcb409-b2ca-483f-b3a9-93fcdc90cbff&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFBz3j21HZWAD8BFBQH321XipnWdghttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Femailviewonwebpage.aspx%3Ferid%3D38279157%26trid%3Df7dcb409-b2ca-483f-b3a9-93fcdc90cbff&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGtHTo2iChX94zjZtoBMZKEhzF9mQ


10/38

Keystone Clean Water Team Receives National Designation

The Keystone Clean Water Team, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization dedicated to improving

the health, safety, and welfare of our community and the environment based in Carbon County,

recently received national recognition from the Nebraska-based Groundwater Foundation, which

designated the organization as a Groundwater Guardian Community.This is the 15th consecutive year the group has received the award.

“Our ROA, results oriented activities, in 2014 included the development of a social

media program, Citizen Groundwater Database, and Private Well Owner Informational

Workshops in Pennsylvania,” said Brian Oram, president of the Keystone Clean Water Team’s

board of directors. “There is no better place to get the facts and learn from other citizens about

our water resources and about protecting the health, safety and welfare of our community.

Oram said that one of the greatest risks residents face stems from a general lack of awareness of

the problems that, if left unchecked, can threaten the health and safety of their families.

“Information is our greatest asset and our new site will allow us to share it more

efficiently and with more people than ever before,” Oram said. “We can help area residents keep

their drinking water safe and learn more about conservation efforts that will protect thisimportant natural resource for future generations.”

For more information, visit the Keystone Clean Water Team website.

PG: Pennsylvania Removes More Dams Than Any Other State In 2014

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sunday Pennsylvania removed more dams in 2014 than

any other state marking the 12th year in a row in the number one position.

According to American Rivers, 17 Pennsylvania dams topped the list of 72 dams

removed across the nation in 2014, restoring more than 740 miles of rivers and streams. In the

last 20 years the DEP has participated in the removal of approximately 350 dams statewide.

“Eliminating these dams eliminates public safety concerns and provides vital

environmental benefits by returning streams to their natural free-flowing purposes,” said DEP

spokesperson Amanda Witman.

Click Here for a list of dams removed in 2014.

Norristown Water Treatment Plant Receives Partnership For Safe Water Award

The Norristown Water Treatment Plant in Montgomery County recently received the “Presidents

Award” from the Partnership for Safe Water , a voluntary effort to provide safe drinking water.

The plant provides drinking water service to approximately 93,000 people.

The Presidents Award recognizes achieving stringent individual filter performance goalsfor turbidity. Norristown is the sixth water treatment plant to receive this award from the

partnership in Pennsylvania.

There are four phases for the program. The “Presidents Award” is an intermediate award

between Phase III and Phase IV, the highest level of performance recognized. Only two plants in

Pennsylvania have achieved Phase IV.

PFSW is made up of representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

DEP, the Pennsylvania Section American Water Works Association, and other drinking water

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fpartnership_for_safe_water%2F21166&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF64kOQjWCysuPIXsCnCPxphuFQ7Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fstate%2F2015%2F02%2F01%2FList-of-Pennsylvania-dams-removed-in-2014%2Fstories%2F201501300097&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGV9SlQxEPzNV9bdCI10Bd7OgEz-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.americanrivers.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE8oP3FAqOiSI7pY7apxZTvVy4pXQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fstate%2F2015%2F02%2F01%2FDam-removal-in-Pennsylvania-tops-for-12th-year-in-a-row%2Fstories%2F201501300014&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGDx0qFYPMWuN7CxVjAATSS6mIC0Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fkeystone.carbonwaters.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUe8MyMzfhjHJxFUEk2rGJb1p_Wwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fkeystone.carbonwaters.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUe8MyMzfhjHJxFUEk2rGJb1p_Ww


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

treatment plant performance and maximizing the protection of public health.

The PSW includes DEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the PA 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.

For more information, visit DEP’s Surface Water Filtration

webpage, or contact KevinAnderson at 717-783-9764 or send email to: [email protected] .


PA American Water Seeks Creative Kids For Protect Our Watersheds Art Contest

Pennsylvania American Water announced Wednesday entries are now being accepted for its 13th

Annual Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest. The deadline for submissions is April 10.

All fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American

Water are eligible, as well as individual students who live in the company’s service area. The

contest encourages students to tap into their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting Pennsylvania’s water resources.

Pennsylvania American Water is currently sending contest information and applications

to teachers in nearly 500 schools in its service territory. Winners will be selected based on

creative vision, artistic talent, understanding of watershed protection and the ability to

communicate that understanding. As part of their entry, students must write a brief narrative on

the personal impact of watershed protection.

“Each year, we are amazed by the students’ incredible creativity in expressing how all of

us play a role in protecting the environment,” said Pennsylvania American Water President

Kathy L. Pape. “This contest is a fun, creative way for children to learn about our precious water

resources and the importance of protecting our watersheds.”

In 2014, the company received more than 500 entries from students across the state. The

grand prize winner was Owen Kagle from Chartiers Valley Intermediate School in Allegheny

County.

In total, six students will be recognized, with a first-, second- and third-place winner

selected from eastern and western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will be rewarded with a

$100 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Two second- and third-place winners will be awarded a $50

and $25 gift card, respectively.

In addition, the overall grand prize winner will have her/his artwork featured on

“Bloomer” cards distributed by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomer cards are seed-filled

packets that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers.

All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion certificate. Awards will be presented inMay as part of National Drinking Water Week activities.

For contest guidelines and entry forms, visit PA American Water’s Protect Our

Watersheds Student Art Contest webpage.

February Chesapeake Currents From Chesapeake Bay Program Now Available

The February issue of the Chesapeake Currents newsletter is now available from EPA’s

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chesapeakebay.net%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEIqGtlFupEBply_FDYdfFlQTQJmghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fus6.campaign-archive2.com%2F%3Fu%3Df8c6c5815e1e73e0561b6f0f6%26id%3Dd7791f5c42%26e%3D4d1b0594be&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHYSYr8t22NJUzrXxmtjrdRqrnhCQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amwater.com%2Fpaaw%2Fabout-us%2Fcommunity-involvement%2Fprograms.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFiLqVr5qgiVnpTH814rpE9uGbT-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amwater.com%2Fpaaw%2Fabout-us%2Fcommunity-involvement%2Fprograms.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFiLqVr5qgiVnpTH814rpE9uGbT-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amwater.com%2Fpaaw%2Fabout-us%2Fcommunity-involvement%2Fprograms.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFiLqVr5qgiVnpTH814rpE9uGbT-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennsylvaniaamwater.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5uPJZH47gJ-9l-xzuaOI9UEVqSQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2FNews_and_Events%2F21504%2FDEP_Newsletter%2F1714475&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNElhCInUnBt5iuuqv_KGOJnocpi5Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2FPA%2Flibrary%2F2015%2F2015020577.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5rQuROxmeL6pPpvBFr4RNKztZEQmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fpublic_drinking_water%2F21162%2Fsurface_water_filtration%2F1258967&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH6Z92IXrOIRaag0l9ygbFu8KM_CAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paawwa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFzX6dH9HwbN3KwIkh6mYFbE1jxVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paawwa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFzX6dH9HwbN3KwIkh6mYFbE1jxVA


12/38

Chesapeake Bay Program featuring articles on--

-- Working Together To Rebuild Watershed Resilience

-- Chesapeake Bay An Ecosystem In Recovery

-- Pollution Levels In 9 Rivers Remain Below Long-Term Average In 2013

-- Bay Restoration Projects Receive $24.3 Million In Grant Funding

-- Restoration Of Public Access At Crow’s Nest Preserve-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Penn State Extension Green Infrastructure Webinars Feb. 10, 25

Learn how Green Infrastructure, such as open space, forests, parks, street trees, rain gardens,

green roofs, permeable pavers, and rain barrels are helping to conserve viable natural resources

and capture, infiltrate and evapo-transpire rain where it falls in two upcoming webinars by Penn

State Extension.

On February 10 at Noon, Green Infrastructure Planning At Multiple Scales will feature a

presentation by Karen Firehock, an environmental planner with more than 26 years of experience

in natural resources management.On February 25 also at Noon, Ecosystem Services Provided By Green Infrastructure will

feature an introduction to the i-Tree Tools application designed to simulate the effects of changes

in tree and impervious cover characteristics within a watershed.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service,

Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership, Green Infrastructure Center, City of Lancaster, and

Stroud Water Research Center are partnering with penn State Extension to present these free

webinars.

Profile: St. Francis University Center For Watershed Research And Service

The Center for Watershed Research and Service

at St.

Francis University in Loretto, Cambria County was

founded in 2011 with support from the Foundation of

Pennsylvania Watersheds through the 2011 GenOn

Energy Inc. settlement agreement.

The Center’s mission is to provide expert

assistance and manpower to amplify the watershed

restoration efforts of domestic and international nonprofit

organizations and to advance the watershed restoration

body of knowledge through--

-- Real class projects in the service of nonprofit partners;-- Student-professor research teams investigating fundamental and applied research questions of

interest to nonprofit partners;

-- Service-learning internships pairing student interns and mentoring professors with nonprofit

partners; and

-- Mobilization of the SFU student body for large volunteer events held by nonprofit partners.

The Center’s most recent newsletter includes articles on just a few of the Center’s recent

projects--

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffrancis.edu%2FuploadedFiles%2FContent%2FHome%2FAbout_Us%2FOutreach_Centers%2FWatershed_Research%2FWatershed%2520Newsletter%2520draft%25204%252011.5.14WHS111814%2520-%2520final.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNETBwhAxSvQpAmFRgjE-6_HXQcYgQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpennsylvaniawatersheds.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEG2WfJuuUU_vV2JTUHa0ciAKakkQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpennsylvaniawatersheds.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEG2WfJuuUU_vV2JTUHa0ciAKakkQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffrancis.edu%2Fcenter-for-watershed-research-and-service%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEXDYF-kbmUAM8mh-g-BApeXYCgLghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fforests%2Fevents%2Fecosystem-services-provided-by-green-infrastructure-using-itree-hydro-20150225&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFdQELCGAOXQ9kQuTI2TM8oyP7t5whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fforests%2Fevents%2Fgreen-infrastructure-planning-at-multiple-scales-from-landscape-to-site-20150210&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5HDVQgExbRP6nc1twbYdeftl7Zwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chesapeakebay.net%2Fnews%2Fnewsletters%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHZSiNb11RduR-Ct0uh3nKvo2Ox7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chesapeakebay.net%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEIqGtlFupEBply_FDYdfFlQTQJmg


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-- Measuring water quality in Bradley Run near the Gallitzin Municipal Wastewater Plant;

-- Studying acid mine drainage and remediation at the Swank 13 mine near Frugality, PA;

-- Installing weirs to measure stream flows near Indiana, Portage and Windber;

-- Eliminating invasive species along the Stonycreek River; and

-- Working with partners: Clearfield Creek Watershed Association , Kiski Conemaugh Stream

Team, Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition

, Sandyvale Memorial Gardens

, and Natural Biodiversity .

(Photo: Derek, Rafaela, Bruna, Ryan and Andrew posing by their recently-installed weir

at the Swallow Farms acid mine drainage treatment system. This will save Shade Creek

Watershed Association time and money while helping improve data quality.)

Nonprofit organizations who could use technical assistance or volunteers, please contact

Debra Nagel, the Center for Watershed Research and Service’s Communications Coordinator, by

calling 814-471-1143 or sending email to: [email protected] .

Feb. 2 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The February 2 issue of the Watershed Winds

newsletter is now available from Penn StateExtension featuring articles on--

-- Replay Of Webinar Discussing Tree Planting To Improve Streams

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council Completes Transition Report

-- 2015 WREN Source Water Protection Grant Proposals Due March 20

-- POWR Accepting 2015 PA Sojourn Grants

-- Private Forest Landowners Conference March 20-21

-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Coal Refuse Pile Fire Extinguished In Lackawanna County

A coal refuse pile fire that began as burning garbage in a

park in the Lackawanna County community of Archbald

has been extinguished.

The fire was discovered in November by visitors

to Ed Staback Park. The fire was too large for the local

volunteer fire company to extinguish so they called

DEP's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation for

help. DEP assessed the extent of the file to determine if

it was also spreading underground.

DEP hired Leeward Construction of Honesdale,

Wayne County, to dig out the area around the fire andextinguish it. The company also drilled boreholes nearly 100-feet deep and sprayed water and

foam on the blaze. The fire was officially declared “extinguished” on January 20.

Leeward was awarded a 500-thousand contract for the work, but total costs are still being

determine. The construction company will spend the next few weeks backfilling the area where

the fire burned.

This is the second large coal refuse fire DEP's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation

has successfully extinguished in Northeast Pennsylvania during the past year. Last winter, it

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%2Fsubscribe&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGH_KACadvgA46Y9Wmd9llGVUcctwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%2F2015%2Fown-woodlands-have-questions-remember-march-20-and-21&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHCoacgMlrYiPg_Xh43yqwdOW62LQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%2F2015%2Fpowr-is-now-accepting-applications-for-2015-pa-sojourn-grants&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHpWL1I1BsQvCdPzC8gXGmnJWDmRghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%2F2015%2F2015-wren-source-water-protection-collaborative-and-watershed-education-grants&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH0VE6MSbLKc6AITn55xDibUOwejQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%2F2015%2Fdep-citizens-advisory-council-completes-transition-report-to-new-dep-secretary&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEX6QoVgrLm0ZiA5o9z-SmHjVHeMwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%2F2015%2Fpenn-state-webinar-discusses-live-staking-to-improve-streams&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG-Y-wSMcsjHxl4rYHTckFiMqDJAwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fnews%3Futm_campaign%3DWatershed%2BWinds%2BNewsletter%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dnewsletter%26utm_content%3Dnewsletter_view_online&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHe3ucpwTsAPnDQsX_8i4moXu4aDAmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffrancis.edu%2Fcenter-for-watershed-research-and-service%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEXDYF-kbmUAM8mh-g-BApeXYCgLghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadecreekwatershed.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHNdAQc3DRrh39e4DIYs37MJFBpKQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shadecreekwatershed.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHNdAQc3DRrh39e4DIYs37MJFBpKQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.naturalbiodiversity.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH7jsE3eiTyM9FoyhZYVrE7YwLzcAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sandyvalememorialgardens.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNED38ypEoyibV3WwwtRdPDfzVEB9Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpecpa.org%2Fprogram%2Flaurel-highlands-conservation-landscape-initiative%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEBUSoLoRn7HQX-0A_yDksjFqzBJAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org%2Fconservation%2Fkcst.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHSsoHU-11e06MrRFpzLjwiLbQQiwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org%2Fconservation%2Fkcst.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHSsoHU-11e06MrRFpzLjwiLbQQiwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clearfieldcreekwatershed.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFI7_g_2nvCnogTdILqEHDs2sqhJg


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took two months to put out a fire on more than 20 acres of old coal land in Simpson,

Lackawanna County.


Acting DEP Secretary Tours DEP Lab, Meets With Staff

DEP Acting Secretary John Quigley toured the department’s nationally accredited Bureau of

Laboratories in Harrisburg on January 28 and talked with staff about their analytical work that

supports Pennsylvania’s environmental programs.

Quigley toured the various sections of the lab that provide inorganic, organic, radiation

and biological services, and got a look at DEP’s four mobilabs that provide on-site

environmental testing during environmental emergencies.

DEP’s Bureau of Laboratories logs on average about 1 million tests per year. That’s

4,000 tests per working day with about 50 analysts on the job.

Their work is featured in one of DEP’s educational videos posted on the department’s

YouTube channel.


DEP Hearing Feb. 17 On Operating Permit For Sunoco Pump Station In Lebanon County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing on February 17, to

accept comments on an operating permit for a natural gas liquids pump station in West Cornwall

Township, Lebanon County.

The 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. hearing will be at the Quentin Volunteer Fire Company Hall, 20

South Lebanon St., Lebanon.

“This hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to make comments about the

operations and proposed permit conditions at this particular pump station,” DEP Southcentral

Regional Director Lynn Langer said. “All written and oral comments received will be considered

with the final review of the permit application.”

Sunoco has proposed to construct and operate a pump station along an existing pipeline

that the company operates. A pump station monitors the flow, adjusts the pressure and pumps the

liquid gas along the pipeline.

The potential emissions from the facility, including emissions from equipment leaks and

operation of an enclosed flare, are estimated at 0.25 tons per year of Volatile Organic

Compounds, 0.01 tons per year of Nitrogen Oxide and 0.2 tons per year of Carbon Monoxide.

The low level of emissions qualified the pump station for a Request for Determination(RFD) approval which allowed for the installation of equipment without a DEP air quality

construction permit.

Nevertheless, at the time of the RFD approval, DEP determined that the facility should

also obtain a State Only Operating Permit (SOOP) to cover the ongoing operation of the

equipment.

The purpose of the SOOP is to ensure emission limits, work practice standards, and

recordkeeping and reporting requirements are followed at the pump station in accordance with

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2FNews_and_Events%2F21504%2FDEP_Newsletter%2F1714475&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNElhCInUnBt5iuuqv_KGOJnocpi5Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2FPA%2Flibrary%2F2015%2F2015020577.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5rQuROxmeL6pPpvBFr4RNKztZEQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=95tfUmb-CKQ&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3ffeature%3dplayer_detailpage%26v%3d95tfUmb-CKQ&utm_campaign=DEP+News+for+Feb.+5%2c+2015http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2FNews_and_Events%2F21504%2FDEP_Newsletter%2F1714475&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNElhCInUnBt5iuuqv_KGOJnocpi5Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2FPA%2Flibrary%2F2015%2F2015020577.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5rQuROxmeL6pPpvBFr4RNKztZEQ


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air quality regulations.

The RFD for the installation was approved on April 3, 2014. Sunoco submitted its SOOP

application on May 22, 2014, and DEP released a draft permit for public comment on Sept. 20,

2014.

At the public hearing, attendees will have an opportunity to present oral testimony, up to

five minutes per person. To ensure that all speakers have a fair and equal opportunity to presenttheir testimony, relinquishing of time to other speakers will be prohibited, and groups are asked

to designate one speaker. All presenters should bring two copies of their comments and exhibits

for submission to DEP.

Those who wish to present testimony during the hearing are asked to register in advance

by contacting Eileen Bitting in DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office at 717-705-4703. Individuals

who register in advance will be given priority on the agenda. If time permits at the hearing, those

who did not register in advance will be given the opportunity to testify.

Individuals who are in need of an accommodation for the hearing as provided for in the

Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Bitting at the number provided above or make

accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).

Those who prefer to present their comments in writing or are unable to attend the hearingmay submit written testimony by 4 p.m. on February 24 to Thomas J. Hanlon, DEP South-central

Regional Office, Air Quality Program, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

DEP will provide a written response to all relevant testimony and comments provided

during the public hearing and public comment period, and will consider relevant comments in its

review of the application.

The permit application, DEP review memo and draft permit are available for review on

DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office webpage.

Range Resources Withdraws 3 Well Pad Permits In Washington County

Range Resources Tuesday withdrew three conditional use permit applications for unconventional

well pads in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, the morning before another hearing

was scheduled to consider the applications.

Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future has represented residents opposed to the pads, two of

which would have been located within one mile of the Fort Cherry school campus in a

residentially-zoned district.

JoAnne Wagner, an area resident and mother with children at the school, expressed relief

at the company's decision.

"Gas drilling is a heavy industrial operation that does not belong everywhere in our

township. It certainly doesn't belong near schools where our vulnerable children spend so much

of their time," said Ms. Wagner. "As a mother and school board member, it keeps me awake atnight thinking how we could possibly assure other parents that their children are safe, with

drilling so nearby."

George Jugovic, Jr., PennFuture's chief counsel, emphasized that Mt. Pleasant Township

faces the same challenge as many municipalities around Pennsylvania – how to strike a balance

between shale gas development and protection of the environment and the public's health and

safety.

"The Supreme Court has made clear that municipalities cannot allow non-conforming

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fsouth-central_regional_office%2F13781%2Fcommunity_information%2F592731&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMiEXsv-Hcfwj2R_jklti3d3OHaw


16/38

uses in residentially-zoned districts – and there can be no question that shale gas development is

not a residential land use," Jugovic said.

"Mount Pleasant citizens got involved in the permitting process in order to exercise their

constitutionally protected right to ensure their children will have clean air, land and water.

Natural gas drilling, with the accompanying truck traffic and diesel generators, is an industrial

activity that does not belong near their homes and schools," said John Norbeck, acting presidentand CEO of PennFuture.

Mt. Pleasant Township modified its land use ordinance to allow natural gas development

across all zoned districts prior to enactment of the state natural gas law (Act 13). In the Robinson

Township case, the Supreme Court struck down those portions of Act 13 that compelled local

municipalities to allow natural gas development across all zoned districts. Mt. Pleasant Township

is in the process of revising its land use ordinance.

UGI Open Houses Feb. 24, 25 On Proposed Sunbury Pipeline

UGI Energy Services will hold two public meetings this month on a proposed 20-inch, 35-mile

Sunbury natural gas pipeline.If approved by federal regulators, the Sunbury Pipeline would begin in Lycoming County

and end at a proposed natural gas-fired power plant near Shamokin Dam, in Snyder County.

The company’s team of experts will be available at various stations, including safety,

pipeline engineering and construction, land and restoration. The meetings will be held--

-- February 24: Lairdsville Volunteer Fire Department, 143 School Lane, Lairdsville, Lycoming

County. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

-- February 25 : Sunbury Social Club, 352 East Drive, Sunbury, Northumberland County. The

event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Sunbury Pipeline website.

NewsClips:

UGI Hosts Public Meetings On Sunbury Pipeline Feb. 24, 25

Proposed Pipeline Comes Close To Susquehanna Levee System

Lancaster Pipeline Protesters Plead Guilty To Trespassing

Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition Warns Of Pipeline Problems

Crowd Expresses Concerns About PennEast Pipeline

Sunoco: Natural Gas Pipeline Means $4.2 Billion For Economy

Op-Ed: Coalition’s Anti-Pipeline Presentation Leaves Impression

Midstream Conference Predicts Marcellus, Utica Growth

PECO Plans To Upgrade Gas Mains Sooner

PECO Submits Plan To PUC To Modernize Natural Gas Distribution System

PECO has filed a request with the Public Utility Commission for approval to accelerate the

modernization of the company’s natural gas distribution system. PECO’s plan would increase the

company’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan from $34 million per year to $61

million per year.

For our customers, this means PECO would accelerate the replacement of existing cast

iron, bare steel, wrought iron and ductile iron gas main and bare steel service line from 34 years

https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.peco.com%2FSafetyandEducation%2FUnderstandingEnergy%2FPages%2FNaturalGas.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEq1Qroz1PRANU3iSLK9C2Tp79OWghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fbusiness%2Fhomepage%2F20150206_Peco_plans_to_speed_gas-main_upgrades.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF1QjlxNVrjTEHueCT5eQGLqtS3Kghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pabusinesscentral.com%2F2015-marcellus-utica-midstream-conference-forecasts-growth%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH-XdFpuyuQ7TWQ8N7f_p7ViJXxqghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Feditorial-ouropinion%2F151628349%2FOUR-VIEW-Valley-gets-wake-up-call-on-pipeline&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGR9jj6a3hJnUmiQS3l3nX0Fhy1pwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delcotimes.com%2Fgeneral-news%2F20150205%2Fsunoco-consultant-predicts-marcellus-shale-will-result-in-42-billion-for-state-economy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEyID6QB9iRPZlev5jDpllwF-JAcQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fmc-natural-gas-meeting-0205-20150205-story.html%23navtype%3Doutfit&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFDsXtF8OYbBHrYKDhwQd2grB8SCAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness-home_top-local-news%2F151671309%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF1t2YYdyIwHrIpoKmu6O2hgZto6Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F05%2Flancaster-county-pipeline-protesters-plead-guilty-to-trespassing%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGf1QthC_sHNGvjCtUbNI6v8WsW9Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Flocal-news-news%2F151589871%2FAuthority-wont-stand-for-pipeline-in-levee-area&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGtIWx1aU-QKUKV5b5Nkw0WmcleTghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F03%2Fugi-to-host-public-meetings-on-sunbury-pipeline%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFYxb5CeGe7LbbpdZ9P8nBH_l9i2Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fsunburypipeline.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH7117iJjedLY_I92V82pJRX4jjEwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fsunburypipeline.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH7117iJjedLY_I92V82pJRX4jjEw


17/38

to 20 years.

Although PECO’s natural gas distribution system continues to perform well, PECO has

accelerated work to replace this main and service line with plastic piping, which is more durable

and improves service reliability.

PECO also would relocate all indoor natural gas meters to the exterior of customer

properties, complying with the PUC’s requirement to move all indoor natural gas meters outside by 2034.

Under the proposed plan, replacement of natural gas main would increase from about 30

miles per year to more than 50 miles per year by 2018. Bare steel service line replacement would

remain at about 4,000 lines per year.

“We know our customers count on us to provide them with safe and reliable gas service,

and this investment is part of our continued efforts to deliver on that expectation,” said PECO

President and CEO Craig Adams. “Through this effort to modernize our natural gas system, we

are working to ensure we continue to meet customer demand for this clean, efficient and

economic energy source.”

PECO also filed a plan with the PUC in November of last year, requesting approval of

three initiatives to provide more incentives to customers interested in switching to natural gasservice. If approved, local customers would pay significantly less to have natural gas installed at

their homes and businesses.

PECO works to provide safe and reliable service to its customers, and its natural gas

distribution system is continually regarded as one of the safest and most reliable systems in the

country.

Each year, PECO invests more than $90 million to ensure safe and reliable service for

more than 500,000 customers through a rigorous maintenance and inspection program.

The company operates and maintains more than 12,000 miles of natural gas distribution

and service lines, and 31 miles of natural gas transportation lines in Bucks, Chester, Delaware,

Montgomery and Lancaster counties.

For more information, visit the PUC’s System Improvement Charges Act 11

webpage.

NewsClips:

PECO Plans To Upgrade Gas Mains Sooner

Proposed Pipeline Comes Close To Susquehanna Levee System

Lancaster Pipeline Protesters Plead Guilty To Trespassing

Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition Warns Of Pipeline Problems

Crowd Expresses Concerns About PennEast Pipeline

Sunoco: Natural Gas Pipeline Means $4.2 Billion For Economy

Op-Ed: Coalition’s Anti-Pipeline Presentation Leaves Impression

Midstream Conference Predicts Marcellus, Utica Growth

UGI Hosts Public Meetings On Sunbury Pipeline Feb. 24, 25

DEP Denies Phase I Siting Application For Bucks County Hazardous Waste Facility

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it has denied Elcon

Recycling Services’ Phase I siting application for its proposed liquid hazardous waste treatment

facility for a site in the Keystone Industrial Port Complex (KIPC) in Falls Township, Bucks

County.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2015%2F02%2F03%2Fugi-to-host-public-meetings-on-sunbury-pipeline%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFYxb5CeGe7LbbpdZ9P8nBH_l9i2Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pabusinesscentral.com%2F2015-marcellus-utica-midstream-conference-forecasts-growth%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH-XdFpuyuQ7TWQ8N7f_p7ViJXxqghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Feditorial-ouropinion%2F151628349%2FOUR-VIEW-Valley-gets-wake-up-call-on-pipeline&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGR9jj6a3hJnUmiQS3l3nX0Fhy1pwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delcotimes.com%2Fgeneral-news%2F20150205%2Fsunoco-consultant-predicts-marcellus-shale-will-result-in-42-billion-fo

pa environment digest feb. 9, 2015

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