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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 October 7, 2013

    DEP Citizens Advisory Council Oct. 15 Meeting Features Endangered Species Panel

    On October 15 DEPs Citizens Advisory Council will hear from a panel of agency, industry and

    environmental speakers who will discuss how threatened and endangered species are considered in

    environmental permit reviews and how pending legislation-- House Bill 1576 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) and

    Senate Bill 1047 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson)-- will fundamentally change this process.The House Game and Fisheries and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees have

    held two public hearings on the House version of the bill taking comments both for and against.

    The hunting and angling community and environmental groups have opposed the bills and the

    Marcellus Shale and coal industries have supported the legislation along with Pennsylvania business

    groups.

    The Council also has on its agenda--

    -- Chesapeake Bay Program Update, Kelly Heffner, Deputy Secretary for Water Management and

    -- Act 54 Report, Longwall Mining Update, Tom Callaghan, Director Bureau of Mining Programs.

    The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.-- not 11:00 a.m.-- in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson

    Building, Harrisburg.

    For more information, visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage.

    Analysis: Have You Thought About How State Government Spends Your Money?

    We live in a political environment today that rewards cutting government budgets at all levels, reducing

    the size of government, managing public dollars more efficiently and effectively and relying more on

    competition to reduce the strain on taxpayers.

    But have you ever taken a look at what actually happens?

    Film Tax Credit - $60 Million/Year, Proposed: Unlimited

    This week the Senate Finance Committee reported out Senate Bill 1035 (Pileggi-R- Delaware),

    legislation that would uncap and expand a tax credit program for the film and television production

    industry which, up until now, had a $60 million per year limit.This program allows film and television production companies to forego paying taxes they would

    ordinarily pay to the state for individual movies and television shows they shoot in Pennsylvania. An

    amendment added in Committee would also expand the credit to producing games and other individual

    digital productions.

    State taxpayers have helped pay forsuch memorable movies like Zack & Miri Make A Porno

    and TV programs like the QVC home shopping network. The most recent Batman movie filmed in

    Pittsburgh, interestingly, was not supported by the credit.

    http://goo.gl/FetZTJhttp://goo.gl/FetZTJhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fcitizens_advisory_council%2F14019&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF9oYZJjwH_HdKdy-xvEEOmDb5Dnghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D11953&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFSPEUcwhnqVJLvxVyzABsEHAreLQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D20826&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxE-VLKgpDKMRs_5tmyVFLy6mKlghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26BN%3D1035&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFZt1TynFNaohtU3xe0VkYbLG0xIwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fcitizens_advisory_council%2F14019&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF9oYZJjwH_HdKdy-xvEEOmDb5Dnghttp://goo.gl/FetZTJhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26BN%3D1047&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG1pXEFZpuelvxY-PNsH9PmwwlyWAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26BN%3D1576&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEyTP97hB-GuJBVv4dcI9ST1IkZ6ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fcitizens_advisory_council%2F14019&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF9oYZJjwH_HdKdy-xvEEOmDb5Dnghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D11953&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFSPEUcwhnqVJLvxVyzABsEHAreLQ
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    More interesting, the tax credit is not for actual production facilities, bricks and mortar. Its for

    the individual productions themselves, temporary jobs that last months at most.

    While it is true the $10 million/yearResource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm

    conservation tax credit-- which funds permanent projects-- would not have been passed without the

    film tax credit in 2007, should legislators really be considering a blank check?

    Manure Management System Subsidy- Tens Of Millions/YearAnother proposal now before the Senate in Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver), which on the

    surface injects more competition in meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup requirements, would actually rig

    the system to require taxpayers to fund only expensive manure management technologies to meet the

    requirements..

    The kicker? Any pollution reductions made after investing all those taxpayers dollars in the

    manure technology would not count toward meeting federal Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones. It

    would also force taxpayers to buy these reductions, that will not count, at three times what anyone else

    would pay in the free market.

    The proposal could potentially involve tens of millions of taxpayer dollars and many more.

    Although technically not funded, when have you seen a program created by the state which wasnt later

    funded?Ethane Manufacturing Tax Credit- $66 Million/Year For 30+ Years

    In 2012 the General Assembly adopted the Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit for ethane

    manufacturing which would provide up to $66 million a year over 30 years-- nearly $2 billion if the

    facility is up and in the next three years or so.

    While there are certainly tight restrictions on what a company must do to qualify for the credit,

    the company looking at setting up an ethane manufacturing facility in Western Pennsylvania said it did

    not ask for the tax credit, Pennsylvania offered.

    Prevailing Wage- Up to $2 Billion/Year

    Also consider another state program: prevailing wage.

    Taxpayers may not know it, but the states Prevailing Wage law requires most projects

    undertaken by the state or local government and, importantly most grant recipients, to pay prevailing

    wages to construct those projects.

    That includes roads, bridges, buildings, mine reclamation and stream restoration projects,

    schools and most any other bricks and mortar-type project funded by the state.

    According to some estimates, requiring the use of artificially-set prevailing wages increase the

    cost of construction projects by 10 to 17 percent over what they would cost if real bidding and

    competition were used for these projects.

    Some estimates say state taxpayers would save up to $2 billion a yearif prevailing wage was

    reformed.

    To put this in perspective, the states General Fund budget is about $28.4 billion a yearand the

    Senate-proposed transportation funding package would raise an additional $2.3 billion annually.Again, the politics of prevailing wage are difficult, but the math on potential savings is not.

    Vehicle Fuel Subsidies- $13.9 Million/Year

    There are bills now on the House Calendar that would help fund vehicle conversions to cleaner

    fuels and provide a 10 cent per gallon subsidy to biofuel producers which total $13.9 million or so.

    The bills are: House Bill 302 (Moul-R-Adams), House Bill 303 (Moul-R-Adams), House Bill

    304 (Marshall-R-Beaver), House Bill 306 (Pickett-R-Bradford) and House Bill 308 (Saylor-R-York).

    Yes, there good political reasons for spending these dollars in these ways-- They help create

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D308&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHGqOXrNceNDDAtp961TjKqcKUjaghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D306&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEQ5XpIBNrlB1W6z90SCPXEL1US7Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D304&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEz6nfUxMvHGMUHQFcVTeU0z2eMvghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D304&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEz6nfUxMvHGMUHQFcVTeU0z2eMvghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D303&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHYKfA5IGo1ZJ70hfx8ptv0FJNdghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D302&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHudtyRQc1qIXWr2XYhEEE94ODKlghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D25673&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmtwsaYHvZDRqB2g4TFdKnJRWZoAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D25923&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxTEugN_CX-aROZcTZgZ6nwAPvdQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fopinion%2Findex.ssf%2F2013%2F04%2Feliminating_prevailing_wage_will_make_government_more_efficient_as_i_see_it.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5gYColsKiMnYpeUnsjJxvvlQvFQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pahousegop.com%2FNewsItem.aspx%3FNewsID%3D18466&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEIi8bZ3SUhgLyEHbT4Cj-YtCyd5whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FBI%2FSFN%2F2011%2F0%2FHB0761P3883.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE1MfFnCuK_tEs7GEmG-Y7cem1mkQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D25801&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEOsSsyaRXbLpV7dStXnVyClJ3fgQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D25802&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEZwhNRIDxbhHZeieCX-hTaru2dsQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D25802&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEZwhNRIDxbhHZeieCX-hTaru2dsQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26BN%3D0994&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGNK7PJW6HoRHbb9M1_edN8hzY9LAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D7294&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEaWJUlqUu7lSoPRwKyEw6lNZcmLQ
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    jobs, but thats true of most government spending, directly or indirectly. Its no coincidence they are

    heavily promoted by the interests involved and backed up by reams of economic studies.

    Meanwhile, of course, $1.9 billion has been cut or diverted from environmental programs alone

    over the last 11 years and just about 20 percent of the staff positions at the Department of

    Environmental Protection have been eliminated.

    The question is, in this era of smaller is better, is money used to make a movie like Zack & MiriMake A Porno or paying inflated prevailing wages the best use of scarce state taxpayer dollars?

    What these items clearly illustrate is this-- dont believe anyone that says theres no money. If

    they can spend it on movies like Zack & Miri Make A Porno and to support manure technology that

    doesnt count, they could also do things that might make a real, lasting difference.

    So far, though, things have come down on the side of Zack & Miri.

    Did You Know You Can Search 9 Years Of Digests On Any Topic?

    Did you know you can search 9 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of

    topics, by county and on any keyword you choose. Just click on the search page.

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

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

    PAEnviroDigest.

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

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

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

    alerting you to new items posted on this blog.

    PA Environment Digest Video Blog: showcases original and published videos from environmental

    groups and agencies around the state. Sign up to receive as they are posted updates through your

    favorite RSS read. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this

    blog.

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

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

    updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you to

    new items posted on this blog.

    PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest Twitter feedto get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

    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--

    http://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%2Fpacapitoldigestcrisci.blogspot.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsEHXOUzs6gT1RCKAugVwOVKqPwAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvirodigestvideo.blogspot.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmKqFvZOkdb3_B7R1MBSPh3LLnzAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFRzy2G1pqBkPajQhREHSFOtt9DyQhttp://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_c7n4BmGVntccrLXM7eghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fsearch.asp&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG3YMJhJTavF8eWahj5px0Dtv-fMQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D25926&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHd7gdU_pnv4U2MnV_XfbivtTWw9Q
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    Session Schedule

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

    House

    October 15, 16, 17 (Non-Voting), 21, 22, 23November 12, 13, 18, 19, 20

    December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 (Non-Voting)

    Senate

    October 15, 16, 21, 22, 23

    November 12, 13, 18, 19, 20

    December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11

    Bill Calendars

    House (October 15): House Bill 302 (Moul-R-Adams) transferring $5 million to DEP for acompetitive grant program to convert small mass transit bus fleets to natural gas House Bill 303

    (Moul-R-Adams) transferring $7.5 million to DEP for a competitive grant program to convert large

    mass transit fleets to natural gas House Bill 304 (Marshall-R-Beaver) funding conversions of transit

    buses to natural gas House Bill 306 (Pickett-R-Bradford) redirecting $5.3 million from the Alternative

    Fuels Incentive Fund to create the Keystone Fuel Incentive Program to fund conversions of vehicles to

    natural gas and provide a 10 cent per gallon biofuels production subsidy House Bill 308

    (Saylor-R-York) redirecting $6 million annually from the Clean Air Fund to finance vehicle conversions

    to natural gas. Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

    Senate (October 15): . Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

    Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

    House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

    Senate: Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

    Bills Pending In Key Committees

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

    House

    Appropriations

    Education

    Environmental Resources and Energy

    Consumer Affairs

    Gaming Oversight

    Human Services

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    Judiciary

    Liquor Control

    Transportation

    Links for all other Standing House Committees

    SenateAppropriations

    Environmental Resources and Energy

    Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

    Community, Economic and Recreational Development

    Education

    Judiciary

    Law and Justice

    Public Health and Welfare

    Transportation

    Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

    Bills Introduced

    The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

    Prohibiting Involuntary Oil & Gas Pooling:House Bill 1731 (Brooks-R-Crawford) repealing

    involuntary polling provisions in the Oil and Gas Conservation Law-- summary and House Bill 1732

    (Brooks) amending the Oil and Gas Lease Act to prohibit involuntary pooling-- summary.

    Senate/House Bills Moving

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

    House

    Slag Recycling:House Bill 1527 (Evankovich-R-Armstrong) providing for the reuse of steel blast

    furnace slag was passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for action. A summary and House

    Fiscal Note are available. NewsClip:House OKs Bill To Recycle Steel Slag

    Land Preservation:House Bill 1523 (Toepel-R-Montgomery) further providing for land preservation

    by local governments was removed from the Table, referred into and out of the House Appropriations

    Committee and passed by the House. The bill now goes to the Senate for action. A summary andHouse Fiscal Note are available.

    Energy Efficient Technology: House Bill 1672 (R.Miller-R-York) providing for the testing of new,

    environmentally beneficial and energy efficient technologies-- summary-- was reported out of the House

    Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Tabled.

    Recycling: House Resolution 425 (R.Miller-R-York) urging the DEP to review its recycling programs

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    and make recommendations for improvement was amended and reported out of the House

    Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Tabled.

    Geospatial Council: House Bill 1285 (Cutler-R-Lancaster) establishing the State Geospatial

    Coordination Board was amended and reported out of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency

    Preparedness Committee and Tabled.

    News From The Capitol

    Bill To Clarify Royalty Minimums Introduced In House

    Legislation that seeks to protect the interests of landowners with royalty agreements has been

    introduced in the state House, according to four members of the House of Representatives who are

    spearheading the measure.

    House Bill 1684, sponsored by Reps. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), Matt Baker (R-Bradford),

    Tina Pickett (R-Bradford) and Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna), seeks to clarify state law regarding the

    minimum royalty payment for landowners so that the deduction of post-production costs from

    unconventional wells may not result in royalty payments less than the guaranteed minimum.

    "My colleagues and I have heard from hundreds of lease holders here in the Marcellus Shale

    area whose royalty payments are below the guaranteed state minimum all because of post-production

    costs," Rep. Everett said. "Our issue with this is that these landowners were never given notice from the

    gas companies about how these post-production costs were to be deducted, and to us, that is not

    operating in good faith. We want residents to be treated fairly, and that is the intent behind our

    legislation."

    According to a 1979 state law, a minimum royalty payment of one-eighth for oil, natural gas, or

    gas of any other designation was guaranteed, helping to ensure fairness and protect landowners from

    deceptive leases."This legislation is all about protecting the rights of consumers, ensuring they have all the facts

    and guaranteeing royalties that are rightfully theirs," Rep. Pickett said. "The minimum royalty of 12.5

    percent should be upheld by law as just that the minimum. All costs charged back to the landowner

    beyond the amount guaranteed in state law should be fully clarified so that everyone is apprised of all

    costs."

    In the past few months, some natural gas companies have attempted to reduce royalties below

    the statutory minimum by transferring post-production costs to royalty owners. These are costs that are

    incurred between the wellhead and a final market point of sale and typically include dehydration and

    transportation. When these expenses are deducted, final payments often result in royalty shares of less

    than one-eighth, which is equivalent to about 12.5 percent.

    "This is an issue that was brought to our attention some time ago by landowners who noticed adiscrepancy in their payments," said Rep. Baker. "Those of us in the northern tier joined together to

    draft this measure and rally support for this legislation. I am pleased we are making such swift progress

    in having this move through the Legislature."

    "Landowners simply want to be treated fairly and receive the amount of payment they were

    promised when they entered into their agreement with the natural gas companies," said Rep. Major.

    "This measure will ensure Pennsylvania landowners are protected from these types of unfair practices."

    Similar legislation was announced last week in the Senate.

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    NewsClip:Bills Aim To Curb Gas Royalty Check Deductions

    House Environmental Committee OKs Recycling, Green Technology Bills

    The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Wednesday reported out legislation urgingDEP to review its recycling program and make recommendations for improvements and establish a state

    program to evaluate green technologies. The bills include--

    -- House Bill 1672 (R.Miller-R-York) providing for the testing of new, environmentally beneficial and

    energy efficient technologies-- summary and

    -- House Resolution 425 (R.Miller-R-York) urging the DEP to review its recycling programs and make

    recommendations for improvements-- summary (as amended).

    The bills were then Tabled.

    Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep. Greg Vitali

    (D-Delaware) serve as Minority Chair.

    Budget & Finance Committee Releases Performance Audit Of Fish & Boat Commission

    On Wednesday the Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee released a performance audit of

    the Fish and Boat Commission recommending the Commission continue its efforts to streamline its

    strategic plan to focus on core functions and review its organizational structure.

    The full audit is available online. Click Here for an executive summary.

    News From Around The State

    CBF: Nearly 20,000 Miles Of PA Streams Polluted

    The Pennsylvania Office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

    this week put out the second in a series of fact sheets on water

    quality issues facing Pennsylvania saying nearly 20,000 miles of

    rivers and streams in the state are polluted and do not meet

    water quality standards.

    Although much focus has been on the Chesapeake Bay

    Clean Water Blueprint, many may not realize there are

    thousands of stream miles and hundreds of acres of lakes all

    across Pennsylvania that are considered impaired under the

    federal Clean Water Act that either have or will require what is known as a Total Maximum Daily Load

    (TMDL).When a waterbody is called impaired, it does not meet scientifically established water quality

    criteria. Simply stated, a TMDL scientifically answers the question of how much pollution is too

    much?

    Over 7,200 miles of streams have TMDLs in Pennsylvania and more are being added.

    According to the Department of Environmental Protections most recent assessment, more than

    19,600 stream miles and nearly 67,990 acres of lakes in Pennsylvania are impaired. This represents

    roughly 23 percent of all streams and approximately 42 percent of all lakes in the Commonwealth.

    http://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.cbf.org%2Fhow-we-save-the-bay%2Fchesapeake-clean-water-blueprint%2Fwhat-is-the-chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFT1auH3sH7n9Hvw70pOVivIupTLQhttp://goo.gl/LuLikkhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fpa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSWPVAaMesqRihAJwZTyppW6zgVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flbfc.legis.state.pa.us%2Freports%2F2013%2F83fs.PDF&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHrRYK3p0xZKPSzW2npbWC0n64aOQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flbfc.legis.state.pa.us%2Freports%2F2013%2F83.PDF&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGrnhfXOWsmL1V-3X0M_pVWB-XDNghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flbfc.legis.state.pa.us%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEGmQvehinwXH8Oy7q1XITMnZnJDghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D12876&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGOJzi1EUXdhZDW2TxSe3Pt-G0IQAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DR%26bn%3D425&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGIaADkX7dDKZN45sFsebMqMaCdawhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D12678&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGb67Q6NV-XO5HZr51WAfvV3Sz-MAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1672&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF_aZ1TbYAMQB-IxtoE8CTIyhg71ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F10%2F01%2Fbill-aims-to-curb-royalty-check-deductions%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHQ-QGVcG89Hm-9BJzvSwTc4z1TDA
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    The three primary causes of impairment are: agricultural runoff (5,705 miles), abandoned mine

    drainage (5,596 miles) and urban/suburban stormwater runoff (4,103). Sediment from these sources of

    pollution is the leading carrier of pollution.

    The effort to Save the Bay starts with the small streams of Pennsylvania. The benefits of

    better water quality, whether they be improved agricultural productivity, reduced flooding, improved

    sewer and water infrastructure, or downtown revitalization are investments for Pennsylvanians byPennsylvanians.

    To date, the Commonwealth has made sound investments in practices to help reduce pollution

    sources to local rivers and streams. These practices are also the same practices that can be found in

    Pennsylvanias phase 1 and 2 Chesapeake Bay plans, called Watershed Implementation Plans, and the

    associated 2-year Milestone commitments.

    By galvanizing our efforts, and our funding, on conservation practices that count toward

    meeting the Commonwealths obligations under the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint, we are

    also helping to ensure clean water to local communities in the Bay watershed.

    A copy of the TMDL fact sheet is available online.

    The first fact sheet-- A Primer On Pollutants Of Concern-- outlines the contributions

    Pennsylvanias portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed makes to nitrogen, phosphorus and sedimentpollution to the Bay.

    Susquehanna River Basin Commission To Hold First Water Science Forum Oct. 7-8

    The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold the 2013 Susquehanna Water Science Forum

    From Science to Sustainable Water Resources Management on October 7 and 8 at the Radisson Hotel

    Harrisburg in Camp Hill, across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg.

    This first-of-its-kind Forum is designed to encourage, publicize and disseminate research to

    ensure that the best available scientific information is used to establish priorities and support sustainable

    water resource management in the Susquehanna River Basin.

    Water resource professionals and researchers will share current water resource research in the

    Susquehanna basin. Public and private interests will focus on applied research in water resource

    management, providing a catalyst for continued coordination and development.

    Forum topics include: Identifying Greatest Stressors to Aquatic Ecosystem Integrity Evaluating

    Effects of Stressors Balancing Competing Uses for Long-term Sustainability and Using Science to

    Achieve Balanced Policy and Regulation.

    Forum research presentations of particular interest to the public include: Special session on the

    river's Smallmouth Bass population Researching the potential impacts of natural gas drilling on river

    ecosystems and water resources Pharmaceutical by-products in river ecosystems and Impacts of

    atmospheric mercury deposition and accumulation in Pennsylvania watersheds.

    The Forum will host more than 25 distinguished panelists and speakers, including waterresource leaders, academics, planners, biologists, engineers, hydrologists and other professionals.

    Keynote speakers include Dr. Donald Boesch, president of the University of Maryland Center

    for Environmental Science Dr. Robert Hirsch, research hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Dr.

    Raymond Najjar, professor of oceanography at Pennsylvania State University, Department of

    Meteorology, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and Dr. James Richenderfer, deputy executive

    director and director of technical programs for SRBC.

    Keynote Speakers will address climate change in the Susquehanna River, long-term changes in

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.srbc.net%2Fwaterscienceforum%2Fregistration.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEH8FvAaB3lixhSjBmaGRQj5X9Y-whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fdocument.doc%3Fid%3D1754&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHAwm00hjbQZqWZaXIO0HflG5L7nAhttp://goo.gl/LuLikk
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    river flow (and flooding) and water quality of the Susquehanna River, and the Susquehanna River's

    impact on the Chesapeake Bay.

    Sponsors for the Forum include McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC Metro Bank QBN

    Development Group, LLC Runwell Solutions, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors and Wevodau Insurance &

    Benefit Strategies, Inc.

    For more information, visit the Susquehanna Water Science Forum webpage.

    Source Water Protection In The Delaware Webinar Oct. 24

    The Delaware River Basin Source Water Collaborative is hosting a free webinarhighlighting examples

    of source water protection funding in the Delaware River Basin on October 24 at 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

    This is the fourth in an ongoing series of free webinars dedicated to source water protection

    throughout the Delaware River Basin.

    Tom Davidock, Coordinator for the Schuylkill River Action Networkand Tim Fenchel, Grants

    Coordinator for the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area will discuss how the SAN funding

    structure and the SRHAs Schuylkill Restoration Fund help local private, public, and non-profit

    organizations leverage funding to protect drinking water in the Schuylkill River Watershed.Kelly Anderson from the Source Water Protection Program at Philadelphia Water Department

    will provide a water utilitys perspective on working with the SAN and SRHA on overall watershed

    funding strategies.

    For more information, visit the October 24 webinarwebpage.

    Dauphin County Conservation District To Host Watershed Association Summit Oct. 26

    On October 26 the Dauphin County Conservation District will hold a Watershed Association Summit to

    bring together those working toward improving the health of waterways in Dauphin County.

    The Summit will last from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be held at the Dauphin County

    Agricultural and Natural Resources Center, located at 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin, Pa.

    The agenda includes presentations about streambank stabilization, illegal dumpsite and litter

    enforcement and cleanup, volunteer retention, and funding for watershed groups.

    A guided tour of DCCDs Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Trail will conclude

    the Summit.

    The Dauphin County Watershed Association Summit will be a great learning and networking

    opportunity for those that are member, or interested in being involved, in their local watershed groups.

    This event is funded by an Environmental Education Grant from the Department of

    Environmental Protection.

    The Summit is free to attend, but please RSVP by October 24 by contacting Megan Blackmon

    by phone at 717-921-8100 or send email to: [email protected] more information, visit the Watershed Association Summit webpage.

    Independence Conservancy Seeks Input On Watershed Conservation Plan, E-Newsletter

    Independence Conservancy is seeking input to the Raccoon Creek Watershed Conservation Plan in

    Beaver County through an innovative News & Notes e-newsletter and an online citizen survey.

    TheNews & Notes e-newsletterlinks people to conservation efforts in the Raccoon Creek

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Farchive.constantcontact.com%2Ffs103%2F1115032642974%2Farchive%2F1115139245777.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF4rCMPpDBbkzPwAI2X1WsaDt7glwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independenceconservancy.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEjE8nWjRvFsgd8GHpkwugCABUJHAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dauphincd.org%2Fgeneral%2Fwatershed%2520summit.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHljJDvdo9WORAjuEHA50fDsoDX8Qmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dauphincd.org%2Fgeneral%2Fwatershed%2520summit.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHljJDvdo9WORAjuEHA50fDsoDX8Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dauphincd.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE-mDTbefLDnPB8xLzRJSmQxf1QCAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawarebasindrinkingwater.org%2Fevents%2Fwebinar-funding-projects-source-water-protection-october-24-2013-1000-1100am%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFKk7knUR8NLPg2tdGRzJoROnvYpwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillywatersheds.org%2Fwhat_were_doing%2Fsource_water_protection&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHF85A38qPRPHK6Syyz42E3o7GvoQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schuylkillwaters.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEjPQF9VLvph7TiAroLj4tEQzv2awhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawarebasindrinkingwater.org%2Fevents%2Fwebinar-funding-projects-source-water-protection-october-24-2013-1000-1100am%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFKk7knUR8NLPg2tdGRzJoROnvYpwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delawarebasindrinkingwater.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF6OZ3hzzBeXcWbWDtArPVWogFe4ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.srbc.net%2Fwaterscienceforum%2Fregistration.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEH8FvAaB3lixhSjBmaGRQj5X9Y-w
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    Watershed in Beaver, Washington and Allegheny Counties. Matt Kramer, Wildlife Conservation Officer

    for Southern Beaver County, called the site "...very nicely done, a good source of information about

    Raccoon Creek and an easy way for people to take part in the Raccoon Creek Watershed

    Conservation Plan."

    Vicky Michaels, Executive Director of Independence Conservancy, touts an added incentive for

    people to take the online Citizen Survey."Anyone who takes the Citizen Survey by November 30th, answers all the questions and

    provides some contact info is eligible to win a $75 Visa gift card. But be sure to answer all the questions

    - a good Plan depends on thoughtful public input. What's your vision for the future of Raccoon Creek?"

    iConservePA.org Video: Lancaster Green Efforts Capture Stormwater

    A new video by iConservePA.org tells how the City of Lancaster is using greening efforts to capture

    millions of gallons of stormwater runoff that would otherwise overwhelm its sewer system. Click Here

    to watch the video.

    Open House, Meeting On Providing Water To Lancaster Community Oct. 17

    The Department of Environmental Protection will hold an open house and public meeting on October

    17, to present and discuss plans to install a public water system in the Village of Intercourse, Leacock

    Township, Lancaster County.

    The combined open house and meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Pequea

    Valley High School auditorium at 4033 East Newport Rd., Kinzers.

    The department is proposing the installation of a public water system to address extensive

    groundwater contamination found under the Village of Intercourse, DEP Southcentral Regional

    Director Lynn Langer said. This meeting will give residents an opportunity to learn about the

    contamination, the public water service area, and plans for construction.

    In the summer of 2004, elevated levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical commonly used

    as a solvent to degrease metal, were discovered in two public water supply wells that had been recently

    drilled for a residential subdivision.

    From September 2004 to January 2005, DEP and the Environmental Protection Agency

    conducted extensive testing throughout the village, which showed 42 out of 190 samples having elevated

    levels of TCE.

    In April 2006, DEP responded by providing bottled water or treatment systems for residents

    with contaminated wells. Twelve water treatment systems were installed on homes that had five times

    the acceptable level for TCE. Bottled water was also offered to any home with TCE levels anywhere

    above the acceptable level. DEP is currently providing bottled water to 51 homes.

    Starting in September 2006, and intermittently continuing into May 2008, additional rounds ofsampling revealed levels of TCE had risen in some wells, and had been detected in additional wells,

    while some results had not changed from previous sampling.

    To further study the area, twelve monitoring wells were installed throughout the village.

    Rounds of vapor testing also were conducted in November 2009 for homes constructed above the

    plume of TCE. Test results showed that vapor intrusion was not a threat.

    Due to the extent of the groundwater contamination, it has been recommended and approved

    by both DEP and Leacock Township that a new public water system will be installed to provide water

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnps5zTUGsE&feature=youtu.behttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iconservepa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhyJ5tEd-W3MeE2mfIIZF-fWKIbwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fs%2FXS6V3RM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHEW2821oMY2hqMLvSlz086OkeBYQ
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    to residents within the contaminated area. In addition, the township has chosen to expand the water

    system at its expense to the entire village growth area.

    Exploration wells have been drilled for the future water supply, with a total of three wells being

    considered to provide the water. Construction of the new water system is scheduled to begin in January

    2015

    At 6:30 p.m. on October 17, the open house portion of the evening will begin withrepresentatives from DEP, Leacock Township and Leidos Engineering on hand to informally discuss

    maps and diagrams of the proposed system with residents.

    Immediately following, at 7 p.m., DEP staff will give a presentation, and answer the publics

    questions about the new water system.

    The administrative record on the site contamination and proposed project is available for review

    by appointment, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DEPs Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton

    Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110. Call Anne Krasevic at 717-705-4852 to make an appointment.

    The record is also available for review from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Leacock Township

    Municipal Building by calling 717-768-8471.

    For more information, call 717-705-4832.

    Keep PA Beautiful, Partners Support Recycling At Work Website

    Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful along with supporting partners like Keep America Beautiful have launched

    a new Recycling At Workwebsite to reinforce its national Recycling at Work initiative.

    Recycling at Work is designed to encourage businesses, organizations and institutions around

    the country to pledge to increase workplace recycling. The site features a host of tools and resources,

    including recycling bin discounts.

    By taking the Recycling at Work pledge, entities can receive an exclusive 15 percent discount

    when ordering recycling bins from Recycle Away and Busch Systems, and can access valuable

    resources ranging from recycling best practices to employee engagement activities to customizable

    promotional materials.

    Recycling at Work is a joint Clinton Global Initiative commitment between KAB and Alcoa

    Foundation, one of the funders of the program, to increase U.S. recycling rates.

    Keep America Beautiful is soliciting businesses and other organizations to pledge to a 10

    percent increase in the recycling of beverage containers, paper products, electronics and other

    commonly generated recyclable materials found in the workplace. Counted among KABs nearly 150

    pledge partners to date are Clorox, City of Missouri City and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, among

    others.

    In partnership with Keep America Beautiful, Alcoa Foundation is excited to sponsor Recycling

    at Work to help promote sustainable practices in the workplace, said Tricia Napor, vice president,

    Alcoa Foundation. Alcoa is committed to increasing U.S. recycling rates to 75 percent by 2015 andsupporting workplace recycling helps advance this goal.

    Based on workplace waste audits we have conducted, we learned that up to 90 percent of the

    material being put in the trash is easily recyclable, said Brad Molotsky, Recycling at Work advisory

    council member. By making some infrastructure improvements along with educating employees, we

    have achieved a recycling rate of over 70 percent for our office-generated waste.

    KABs Recycling at Work initiative, which provides tools and shares best practices, will

    provide much-needed support to office building owners, operators and tenants to increase recycling at

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Frecyclingatwork.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGcHinlPW14sC-SeqycTbAC7PKZwwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEnAJ8HoIN9W5G3EykJCU7tXW5k8Q
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    work. said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. For existing programs,

    Recycling at Work provides a unique opportunity to renew an organizations commitment to recycling

    and provides valuable tools to augment what is already in place.

    Recycling At Work Webinar

    Businesses interested in taking the Recycling at Work pledge are encouraged to attend a

    webinar on October 9. The session will offer ways to promote recycling in the workplace and tocelebrate the pledge as part ofAmerica Recycles Day, which takes place on and around November 15.

    America Recycles Day, an initiative of KAB, is the only day dedicated to a national celebration

    of recycling.

    Industry leaders Microsoft, through its Greener IT Challenge and Alcoa Foundation are proud

    to make Recycling at Work possible.

    Visit the Recycling at Workwebsite to take the pledge or attend the upcoming webinar.

    Centre County Prescription Drug Take Back Oct. 26

    A Drug Take Back Program sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of

    Diversion Control, and will be held on October 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at several locations inCentre County--

    -- Rockview State Police Barracks, 745 S. Eagle Valley Road, Bellefonte

    -- the Giant Food Store located at 255 Northland Center, State College and

    -- Weis Market, 510 N. Centre Street, Philipsburg.

    The Drug Take Back Program has been designed for those who have unwanted, unused,

    prescription drugs and would like to safely dispose of them.

    For more information and other event locations, visit the Drug Take Back Program webpage.

    Corbetts Request For Federal Aid Granted For Storm Damage

    Gov. Tom Corbett announced Wednesday the President of the United States has approved his request

    for a federal disaster declaration for those Pennsylvanians severely impacted by storms and flooding

    from June 26 to July 11.

    We are grateful that these communities will be receiving the assistance they so badly need,

    Corbett said. The federal government has committed more than $18 million to Pennsylvania that will be

    used to repair damaged properties and communities across the state.

    The federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments, as well as certain

    nonprofit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of

    facilities damaged in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Fayette, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Lawrence,

    Venango, and Wayne counties.

    Federal funding is also available for hazard mitigation measures for all counties in the state.These funds can assist in the elevation of homes or purchase of destroyed homes subject to repeated

    flooding.

    Pennsylvania Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be

    meeting with applicants to help facilitate the process.

    NewsClip:Federal Disaster Declared After Summer Storms

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Fnews%2F879141%2FDisaster-declared-after-Pa.-summer-storms&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFA8YGJ8xLGlSh_Ra-SqJSK68P8Vwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deadiversion.usdoj.gov%2Fdrug_disposal%2Ftakeback%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEt7SDNhis_J1yRFgbcQ1fw8QiJlAhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww1.gotomeeting.com%2Fregister%2F208568585&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGCABbt0uFheNnhDstoNQ2jBuhVoghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Frecyclingatwork.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGcHinlPW14sC-SeqycTbAC7PKZwwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alcoa.com%2Fglobal%2Fen%2Fcommunity%2Ffoundation%2Finfo_page%2Fhome.asp&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGAgoLs-B_fd1keMlHfTYmGpsIGpAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fmicrosoft.greeneritchallenge.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFJD-EjtpIsnV0qbjibpYIIe1vavwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.americarecyclesday.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH7QmDRwH0QgLDzFSS_S_soDCLIyQhttps://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww1.gotomeeting.com%2Fregister%2F208568585&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGCABbt0uFheNnhDstoNQ2jBuhVog
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    Report: Coal Production To Drop 25%, Gas Production To Increase 800% By 2017

    A new 164-page report released this week by DEP shows coal production will drop by 25 percent and

    natural gas production will increase nearly 800 percent by 2017 (using 2000 as a base year) causing a

    significant shift in the mix of fuels used in Pennsylvania to produce electricity and for other uses.

    Projections in the report show that by 2017 coal and nuclear power plants are likely to be tiedin terms of their share of the electric generation market, with the use of natural gas increasing at the rate

    of 19.3 percent a year, twenty times the volume used to generate electricity in 2000 (54 billion kilowatt

    hours vs. 2.7 billion in 2000).

    The report notes in 2000, renewable sources contributed an estimated 5.0 million megawatt

    hours of electricity generation in Pennsylvania. By 2011, the volume of electricity generated by

    renewable sources increased to 7.4 million megawatt hours. This growth is more substantial than in any

    of Pennsylvanias neighboring states.

    The report concludes, The implications of implementing forward-looking energy strategies in

    Pennsylvania are simply massive. Sound policy would promote greater energy exports, enhanced

    efficiency, an improved local and global environment, job creation, income formation and associated

    business development opportunities. This report serves as a foundational element to the strategies thatwill ultimately be developed, refined and implemented in the Commonwealth.

    The report was completed in February by a consultant, Commonwealth Economics LLC, and

    forms the information base on which a State Energy Plan will be completed. The Plan is likely to be

    released later this year.

    A copy of the report is available online.

    NewsClips:

    PA Releases Energy Consumption, Production Report

    FirstEnergy Affirms Plan To Shutter 2 Power Plants

    PSU Expert On Climate Issues Sues Bloggers For Libel

    Editorial: New Climate Report Reflects Greater Certainty

    Solar Energy Credits Cast Shadow Over PA Sales

    Solar Power Will Continue To Generate Growth

    Wind Industry Could Lose Its Tax Credits

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Coal Company President Sees Industry Renaissance

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Editorial: War On Coal Is In Markets

    Editorial: Allegheny Should Leave South Park Coal Alone

    Editorial: EPA Right To Focus On New Plant Emissions

    Robert Kennedy, Jr. Calls Natural Gas A Catastrophe

    Corbett Administration Recognized With National Energy Efficiency Award

    On behalf of Gov. Tom Corbett, the Department of Environmental Protection will accept the Alliance to

    Save Energys Andromeda Star of Energy Efficiency Award for its Keystone Home Energy Loan

    Program (HELP).

    The administration was recognized Wednesday at the Alliance to Save Energys 21st annual

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fase.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFgP0HyNW87Kr9r5mAnJWQwTKVraQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keystonehelp.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEceJIIXBwQ56E6yIGAYY5s0AjRnAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keystonehelp.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEceJIIXBwQ56E6yIGAYY5s0AjRnAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F10%2F03%2Frobert-f-kennedy-jr-calls-natural-gas-a-catastrophe%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGOj4um7MBMfIo3IY0oYPpE8-r68Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fclimate-for-change-the-epa-is-right-to-focus-on-new-plant-emissions-705394%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG2yHrFM53aji39PlMPN7Gyr9ZcvAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fpeace-of-mine-county-leaders-should-leave-south-park-coal-alone-705482%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG7237qi0GPk4Hc89kgfbeKy2thzQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fopinion%2Fwar-on-coal-is-in-markets-1.1560561&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE-Wr65r0k7qREIczKmbfbSQfmMOwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.pennlive.com%2Fcapitol-notebook%2F2013%2F10%2Fcorbett_admin_throws_in_with_a.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGc5Mh8Dy8J_7wrAXRYA0WDmfLbKwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcitizensvoice.com%2Fnews%2Fcoal-company-president-sees-industry-renaissance-1.1559751&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9AljnhhFGTeq5RMxVU8PtqA0abQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.pennlive.com%2Fcapitol-notebook%2F2013%2F10%2Fcorbett_admin_throws_in_with_a.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGc5Mh8Dy8J_7wrAXRYA0WDmfLbKwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2Fwind-industry-could-lose-its-tax-credits-705856%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGR702OQcUtQtXBTaKcGnXR2LygfQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fq-a-solar-power-will-continue-to-generate-growth-1.1560146&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHT-ut7eksNxbGOR5tbOWnmro4OQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fsolar-business-still-sunny-but-energy-credits-cast-shadow-over-pa-sales-1.1560148&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkweQt1dCmQKvvJwOKcZuqWBnwJwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fno-denying-a-new-climate-report-reflects-greater-certainty-705593%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9pgyG1hXneseXRtNUU17rIkJJNAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2Fpsu-expert-on-global-warming-sues-bloggers-for-libel-705779%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEC99ZeOHqIRrCg1-sIFJK4Eqvk7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fwestmoreland%2F4819037-74%2Fplants-power-firstenergy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEZ1Na4yT00DNYowJZqa05LrNSDjwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2Fpa-energy-consumption-production-gap-narrows-705939%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEJYyMt5iFh-eO-lvcbGNt5J41kJQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdsweb%2FGet%2FDocument-96943%2FFinal%2520PA%2520Comprehensive%2520Energy%2520Analysis.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGi-miYmwILbEuSLPWIJKT3QaQ3XQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdsweb%2FGet%2FDocument-96943%2FFinal%2520PA%2520Comprehensive%2520Energy%2520Analysis.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGi-miYmwILbEuSLPWIJKT3QaQ3XQ
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    awards dinner, held in Washington, D.C.

    Keystone HELP provides low-cost financing to homeowners for Energy Star home

    improvements. Projects include whole house energy improvements, such as upgrading an HVAC unit,

    adding insulation or installing a geothermal heat pump, among other improvements.

    Keystone HELP has made energy-efficiency upgrades possible for more than 12,000

    Pennsylvanians, Acting DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. On behalf of Gov. Tom Corbett, DEP ispleased to accept this award, which brings much-deserved recognition for this innovative program.

    As of December 2012, Keystone HELP has made more than 12,000 secured and unsecured

    loans totaling more than $100 million. The Pennsylvania Treasury estimates that the completed home

    improvement projects are saving consumers $2.5 million a year on energy bills.

    Keystone HELP receives interest rate and credit support from DEP and is administered by

    AFC First Financial Corporation. Funding has been provided from the U.S. Department of Energys

    State Energy Program. It is also supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury and the

    Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

    The Andromeda Star of Energy Efficiency Award recognizes outstanding achievements in

    Energy Efficiency for entities earning less than $10 million in annual revenue. Dan Lapato, DEPs

    Deputy Director for the Office of External Affairs, accepted the award on behalf of Corbett.The Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency

    worldwide through research, education and advocacy. They encourage business, government,

    environmental and consumer leaders to use energy efficiency as a means to achieve a healthier

    economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security.

    PPL: Discover What Powers Your Life, National Energy Awareness Month

    The United States is one cool country. And it should be. We use more energy for air conditioning than

    any other country in the world.

    So it stands to reason that space cooling is the No. 1 use of electricity in the U.S., at about 19

    percent of residential energy consumption. Next are lighting, water heating and refrigeration, in that

    order. Space heating accounts for 6 percent of electricity consumption, according to the U.S. Energy

    Information Administration.

    Knowing how much energy you use and where you use it is important. October, National

    Energy Awareness Month, is a great time for customers to learn how they can use energy more wisely

    and more efficiently.

    Increasing our customers energy awareness is always important, and we have a long history of

    helping them to be more energy-efficient, said Joe Mezlo, manager of PPL Electric Utilities E-power

    energy efficiency and conservation programs. Understanding how you use energy is the first step to

    using it more efficiently. And if youd like to learn more, now is a great time to get started.

    PPL Electric Utilities Energy Analyzer tool provides customers with an easy and convenientway to monitor and manage their electricity use. Beyond that, a menu of E-power programs helps

    educate customers on no-cost and low-cost ways to save electricity, assess their energy use and

    purchase energy-efficient appliances and equipment.

    Part of our mission is to spread the word about the value of energy efficiency. Sometimes that

    means getting more information. Sometimes it can be a lifestyle change. Or, it can mean purchasing

    more modern appliances and recycling their energy-guzzling predecessors, Mezlo said. Regardless,

    being more energy-efficient helps customers save energy and money.

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    During October, PPL Electric Utilities will share energy-efficiency tips on its website and

    through social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. Customers can check the website for

    appearances in their area by the E-power Team. More than two dozen appearances are scheduled in

    October.

    Customers also are reminded that the utilitys paperless billing initiative remains under way until

    Dec. 15. Any existing customer who signs up for electronic billing for the first time will receive a freeLED light bulb, while supplies last.

    Going paperless is free, easy, secure and convenient, Mezlo said. And the highly efficient

    LED bulb is a great way to help customers start their energy savings.

    The utilitys website also offers a wealth of useful energy information.

    FirstEnergy Issues Request For Solar Energy Credits In Pennsylvania

    FirstEnergy Corp. Wednesday announced a Request for Proposal will be issued to purchase 13,500

    Solar Photovoltaic Alternative Energy Certificates (SPAECs) annually over a 10-year period on behalf

    of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania Utilities Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric

    Company, and Pennsylvania Power Company.The RFP is a competitive process that will be conducted by The Brattle Group and will take

    place in October and November, with qualifying applications due by October 24 and bids due by

    November 14.

    Bidders in this RFP can offer to sell tranches of SPAECs, where each tranche represents a

    commitment to sell 500 SPAECs annually over a 10-year period. Based on the RFP results,

    FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities are expected to enter into separate agreement(s) with winning

    suppliers to purchase the necessary quantities of SPAECs.

    The SPAEC RFP is available on FirstEnergy's website.

    NewsClips:

    Solar Energy Credits Cast Shadow Over PA Sales

    Solar Power Will Continue To Generate Growth

    PSU Expert On Climate Issues Sues Bloggers For Libel

    Editorial: New Climate Report Reflects Greater Certainty

    FirstEnergy Affirms Plan To Shutter 2 Power Plants

    PA Releases Energy Consumption, Production Report

    Wind Industry Could Lose Its Tax Credits

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Coal Company President Sees Industry Renaissance

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Editorial: War On Coal Is In MarketsEditorial: Allegheny Should Leave South Park Coal Alone

    Editorial: EPA Right To Focus On New Plant Emissions

    Robert Kennedy, Jr. Calls Natural Gas A Catastrophe

    PUC: Questions Remain About Closure Of FirstEnergy Power Plants

    As part of her testimony before the House Consumer Affairs Committee, Public Utility Commissioner

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F10%2F03%2Frobert-f-kennedy-jr-calls-natural-gas-a-catastrophe%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGOj4um7MBMfIo3IY0oYPpE8-r68Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fclimate-for-change-the-epa-is-right-to-focus-on-new-plant-emissions-705394%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG2yHrFM53aji39PlMPN7Gyr9ZcvAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fpeace-of-mine-county-leaders-should-leave-south-park-coal-alone-705482%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG7237qi0GPk4Hc89kgfbeKy2thzQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fopinion%2Fwar-on-coal-is-in-markets-1.1560561&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE-Wr65r0k7qREIczKmbfbSQfmMOwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.pennlive.com%2Fcapitol-notebook%2F2013%2F10%2Fcorbett_admin_throws_in_with_a.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGc5Mh8Dy8J_7wrAXRYA0WDmfLbKwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcitizensvoice.com%2Fnews%2Fcoal-company-president-sees-industry-renaissance-1.1559751&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9AljnhhFGTeq5RMxVU8PtqA0abQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.pennlive.com%2Fcapitol-notebook%2F2013%2F10%2Fcorbett_admin_throws_in_with_a.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGc5Mh8Dy8J_7wrAXRYA0WDmfLbKwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2Fwind-industry-could-lose-its-tax-credits-705856%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGR702OQcUtQtXBTaKcGnXR2LygfQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2Fpa-energy-consumption-production-gap-narrows-705939%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEJYyMt5iFh-eO-lvcbGNt5J41kJQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fwestmoreland%2F4819037-74%2Fplants-power-firstenergy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEZ1Na4yT00DNYowJZqa05LrNSDjwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fno-denying-a-new-climate-report-reflects-greater-certainty-705593%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9pgyG1hXneseXRtNUU17rIkJJNAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2Fpsu-expert-on-global-warming-sues-bloggers-for-libel-705779%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEC99ZeOHqIRrCg1-sIFJK4Eqvk7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fq-a-solar-power-will-continue-to-generate-growth-1.1560146&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHT-ut7eksNxbGOR5tbOWnmro4OQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fsolar-business-still-sunny-but-energy-credits-cast-shadow-over-pa-sales-1.1560148&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkweQt1dCmQKvvJwOKcZuqWBnwJwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstenergycorp.com%2FPA2013SPAECRFP&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGf4jBEhvKnaGbjW4aahdbUvY-TxAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstenergycorp.com%2FPA2013SPAECRFP&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGf4jBEhvKnaGbjW4aahdbUvY-TxAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pplelectric.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF7ZODEWiicxcTKLQrKo5YYRt77_Q
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    Pamela A. Witmer Thursday highlighted that many questions are left unanswered by FirstEnergy on its

    decision to close the Hatfields Ferry and Mitchell power plants in western Pennsylvania.

    The PUCs role is to ensure reliability of the electric service at reasonable rates for consumers

    and also balance the needs of utility companies, but these two facilities both generate together about

    2,000 MW of power and that base load of generation is enough to power about a million and a half

    Pennsylvania homes for a year, said Commissioner Witmer in a video news release. We areconcerned that there will not be enough power for reliability of the grid for consumers.

    In her testimony, Commissioner Witmer said it was her obligation as a PUC Commissioner to

    ask tough questions and ensure that every possible alternative short of closure has been fully explored

    and vetted. The PUC supports the restructured electricity market in Pennsylvania, she said. However,

    part of the PUCs mission is to balance the needs of consumers and utilities while at the same time

    working to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates protect the public interestand

    further economic development.

    Commissioner Witmer also probed why the company seems unwilling to explore options such

    as converting the operations to natural gas or selling the facilities to other interested parties who would

    be willing to make the necessary environmental upgrades.

    Other CommentsRep. Peter Daley (D-Washington), Minority Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee

    said at the hearing, Thursdays hearing revealed what many have suspected the shutdowns would

    pose risks to the regional economy, the electricity grid and the future of coal in Pennsylvania. The case

    has been made that FirstEnergy should reconsider its decision to shutter the plants.

    No one should concede an inch or an ounce of coal on these issues. We will reinforce our

    steadfast belief in the region, its workers and the long-term viability of coal as a foundation of any

    sensible energy policy.

    Valid concerns have been raised that FirstEnergy is searching for excuses to justify the

    shutdowns rather than presenting sound economic reasons. Until those concerns are addressed, the

    shutdowns should be delayed indefinitely.

    NewsClips:

    FirstEnergy Affirms Plan To Shutter 2 Power Plants

    PAs Energy Market Shifts As 2 Power Plants Close

    PSU Expert On Climate Issues Sues Bloggers For Libel

    Penn State Climate Scientist: Dont Call Me Sandusky

    Editorial: New Climate Report Reflects Greater Certainty

    PA Releases Energy Consumption, Production Report

    Solar Energy Credits Cast Shadow Over PA Sales

    Solar Power Will Continue To Generate Growth

    Wind Industry Could Lose Its Tax CreditsDEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Coal Company President Sees Industry Renaissance

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Editorial: War On Coal Is In Markets

    Editorial: Allegheny Should Leave South Park Coal Alone

    Editorial: EPA Right To Focus On New Plant Emissions

    Robert Kennedy, Jr. Calls Natural Gas A Catastrophe

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F10%2F03%2Frobert-f-kennedy-jr-calls-natural-gas-a-catastrophe%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGOj4um7MBMfIo3IY0oYPpE8-r68Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fclimate-for-change-the-epa-is-right-to-focus-on-new-plant-emissions-705394%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG2yHrFM53aji39PlMPN7Gyr9ZcvAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fpeace-of-mine-county-leaders-should-leave-south-park-coal-alone-705482%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG7237qi0GPk4Hc89kgfbeKy2thzQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fopinion%2Fwar-on-coal-is-in-markets-1.1560561&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE-Wr65r0k7qREIczKmbfbSQfmMOwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.pennlive.com%2Fcapitol-notebook%2F2013%2F10%2Fcorbett_admin_throws_in_with_a.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGc5Mh8Dy8J_7wrAXRYA0WDmfLbKwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcitizensvoice.com%2Fnews%2Fcoal-company-president-sees-industry-renaissance-1.1559751&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9AljnhhFGTeq5RMxVU8PtqA0abQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.pennlive.com%2Fcapitol-notebook%2F2013%2F10%2Fcorbett_admin_throws_in_with_a.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGc5Mh8Dy8J_7wrAXRYA0WDmfLbKwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2Fwind-industry-could-lose-its-tax-credits-705856%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGR702OQcUtQtXBTaKcGnXR2LygfQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fq-a-solar-power-will-continue-to-generate-growth-1.1560146&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHT-ut7eksNxbGOR5tbOWnmro4OQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fsolar-business-still-sunny-but-energy-credits-cast-shadow-over-pa-sales-1.1560148&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkweQt1dCmQKvvJwOKcZuqWBnwJwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2Fpa-energy-consumption-production-gap-narrows-705939%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEJYyMt5iFh-eO-lvcbGNt5J41kJQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2Fno-denying-a-new-climate-report-reflects-greater-certainty-705593%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH9pgyG1hXneseXRtNUU17rIkJJNAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2013%2F10%2Fpenn_state_climate_scientist_c.html%23incart_river_default&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFoNLlTdjbGaLEXvBDYJDE1sxdwmghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fstories%2Fnews%2Fenvironment%2Fpsu-expert-on-global-warming-sues-bloggers-for-libel-705779%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEC99ZeOHqIRrCg1-sIFJK4Eqvk7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F10%2F04%2Fa-shift-in-pa-s-energy-market-as-two-power-plants-move-toward-closure%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEp6SZ3kMwvBhdmH1cOodGPwQwyfAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fwestmoreland%2F4819037-74%2Fplants-power-firstenergy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEZ1Na4yT00DNYowJZqa05LrNSDjwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puc.pa.gov%2FGeneral%2Fpdf%2FTestimony%2FWitmer-Plant_Closures_100313.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFREJmseeZtlzv07iNmzvgamVQfVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puc.pa.gov%2Fabout_puc%2F2013_pr_videos.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH5rt9pO7N820s7fh2pBoK42NZyVA
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    Sustainable Communities Collaborative Will Bring Green Town-Gown Initiatives

    The Sustainable Communities Collaborative announces a partnership with the State College Borough

    that will engage students at University Park with the community in a pilot program that links

    community-based sustainability projects with existing courses across the University.Six projects will be addressed through five Collaboration Teams in this falls pilot connecting a

    variety of government services with academic disciplines campus wide.

    The fall projects are: Management of Human Capitol (Talent Acquisition), led by Tom Hogan

    Biking in the Region (Reducing the Barriers to Cycling), led by Lori Francis, associate professor,

    Department of Biobehavioral Health Storm Water Management (Visualizing the Potentials), led by

    associate professor Stuart Echols, Stuckeman School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and

    Graphic Design Sustainable Asset Management (Closed Loop Inventory and Surplus Goods) led by

    Felisa Preciado, clinical associate professor, Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems,

    Smeal College of Business and Way-finding in Community Design and Planning (Reducing Auto

    Emissions) led by associate professor Mallika Bose, Stuckeman School of Architecture, Landscape

    Architecture and Graphic Design.The Sustainable Communities Collaborative will join the Light Step, Right Step festival in

    downtown State College this year to publicly announce the partnership.

    Speakers Nancy Franklin of Penn States Sustainability Institute Tom Hogan, professor of

    human resource management in the School of Labor and Employment Relations at Penn State and

    State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham will discuss the collaboration. Students and faculty taking part

    in the projects will also be on hand to talk about their work with the borough.

    Find out more about the Sustainable Communities Collaborative online.

    Stroud Scientist To Advise Army Corps On Climate-Based, Water-Sustainability Project

    Pennsylvania-based Stroud Water Research Centerwelcomes Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., its newest

    associate research scientist, who is already making a name for herself and her work at the Center.

    Since joining the Centers staff, Daniels has been appointed by Secretary of Defense Chuck

    Hagel to serve on the Environmental Advisory Board to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Her term

    begins in December.

    Moreover, she has secured a lead PI position working under a grant from the National Science

    Foundation allowing her to investigate water sustainability in the Smoky Hill basin in the U.S. Central

    Great Plains.

    The goal of the project is to predict the potential impact of climate change and other activities on

    water resources, develop a policy optimization strategy, and orchestrate community outreach.

    Formerly a professor at Kansas State University, Daniels brings to the Center a wealth ofexpertise in how landscape-wide physical changes affect river systems. Daniels heads the new Fluvial

    Geomorphology Group, occupying the laboratory previously overseen by Denis Newbold, research

    scientist emeritus.

    Center Director Bernard Sweeney, Ph.D., commented, Melindas work complements and

    adds a new dimension to the research already under way at Stroud Water Research Center. With her

    bright mind, unique ideas, and creative approach to freshwater science, shes an excellent addition to

    our team of scientists.

    http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stroudcenter.org%2Fnewsletters%2F2013%2Fissue4%2Fsmoky-hills-project.shtm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWpfDJ9Ms8Sae1u1_2vISP690Zbghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stroudcenter.org%2Fnewsletters%2F2013%2Fissue2%2Fmelindadaniels.shtm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE_oMK7PrKjckLlbQkz5tcPSm70mAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stroudcenter.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFzhZrJjGEefv5BKHl70cHFsDceQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fsustainability.psu.edu%2Fsustainable-communities&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHoW7eZXJDY116Z_HW0b6Sh2NNwmAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.statecollegepa.us%2Findex.aspx%3FNID%3D2488&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE1pUDQJkyE728ZMDioOZa5kBWokAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fsustainability.psu.edu%2Fsustainable-communities&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHoW7eZXJDY116Z_HW0b6Sh2NNwmA
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    For more information, visit the Stroud Water Research Centerwebsite.

    NewsClips:

    PSU Expert On Climate Issues Sues Bloggers For Libel

    Penn State Climate Scientist: Dont Call Me Sandusky

    Editorial: New Climate Report Reflects Greater CertaintyFirstEnergy Affirms Plan To Shutter 2 Power Plants

    PAs Energy Market Shifts As 2 Power Plants Close

    PA Releases Energy Consumption, Production Report

    Solar Energy Credits Cast Shadow Over PA Sales

    Solar Power Will Continue To Generate Growth

    Wind Industry Could Lose Its Tax Credits

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Coal Company President Sees Industry Renaissance

    DEP Joins Other States In Opposing EPA Power Plant Rules

    Editorial: War On Coal Is In Markets

    Editorial: Allegheny Should Leave South Park Coal AloneEditorial: EPA Right To Focus On New Plant Emissions

    Robert Kennedy, Jr. Calls Natural Gas A Catastrophe

    EPA Listening Session On Reducing Carbon Pollution Oct. 18 Philadelphia

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold 11 public listening sessions across the country,

    including one in Philadelphia, to solicit ideas and input from the public and stakeholders about the best

    Clean Air Act approaches to reducing carbon pollution from existing power plants.

    Power plants are t