PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PA

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award Harrisburg, Pa Member Of DCNRs Conservation Advisory Council Resigns The Patriot-News reported Thursday Paulette Viola, a member of DCNRs Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council since the mid-1990s, resigned from her position saying the Corbett Administration made it impossible for the Council to effectively and efficiently meet the spirit of the law or its responsibility to the public. Viola was quoted by the Patriot-News as saying the council has lost its independence as an advisory body, has lost its executive director and its secretary, has had its budget disproportionately slashed and has been slowly starved of information and greeted with a "hostile atmosphere created by the administration for public input." She told the Patriot-News she believed what's happening to the council goes well beyond budget concerns. "We were provided information that the Secretary believed we acted outside our jurisdiction," she said. "He suggested that we were only to comment on things in DCNR and not on resources in Pennsylvania in general." Viola said in the past the council has commented on the deer population and it's effect on regeneration of the forest, believing it an appropriate concern for DCNR. More recently, she said, the council has been investigating drilling. She said the council has held at least two day-long field trips to drilling sites and hosted public forums on drilling on public lands. "Of all the resource management topics, that is the one we've spent the most time on," she said. Since its creation, the primary concern of the council, Viola said, has always been effective public input on policy issues. That mission, she said, is now in jeopardy. A spokesperson for DCNR said, Paulette has served many years on Council and we thank her for those years of service. DCNR welcomes feedback and input from council members, including Paulette's unique perspective. However, DCNR does not believe the points made in her resignation letter are factual, nor do we agree with them. DCNR will continue to support the work of the council, and we value its advice and recommendations. We look forward to working with the new council appointee and will welcome a fresh perspective. Viola was appointed to the DCNR Advisory Council during the Ridge Administration. The Council was formed in 1995 when the former Department of Environmental Resources was reorganized into the Department of Environmental Protection and DCNR. October 8, 2012

In addition to the Secretary of DCNR, the Council is made up of 18 members appointed by Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. The Council is charged with giving advice to DCNR on conservation issues and shall review all conservation and natural resources laws of the Commonwealth and make appropriate suggestions for the revision, modification and codification. NewsClips: DCNR State Parks Director Stepping Down DCNR Resignations Point To Fissures, Frustration Did You Know You Can Search 8 Years Of Digests On Any Topic? Did you know you can search 8 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any key word 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 feed to 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-Session Schedule (New)

The Senate has three and the House has four voting session days left staring October 15. They took off next week to celebrate Columbus Day. Any legislation that doesnt make it to the Governors desk this month has to start over in January. Neither the Senate nor the House Leadership said they would vote on legislation after the November 7 election. Senate October 15, 16, 17 November 14 (Leadership Elections) House October 15, 16, 17, 18 November 13, 14, 19, 20 Senate released their 2013 session day schedule through June-January 1, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 February 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30 May 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 Bill Calendars House (October 15):; House Bill 1926 (Preston-D-Allegheny) further providing for regulating natural gas gathering lines; House Bill 1659 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) providing for a uniform permit review and consideration process within DEP; House Bill 1916 (Millard-R-Columbia) itemized flood repair projects; Senate Bill 1261 (Erickson-R-Delaware) specifically authorizing the formation of municipal authorities for stormwater management purposes; House Resolution 438 (Cruz-D-Philadelphia) urging Philadelphia to establish a waste tire removal and disposal program; House Resolution 423 (Petri-R-Bucks) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study state funding formulas and how they impact counties; House Resolution 505 (Preston-D- Allegheny) disapproving the PUC regulation on natural gas competition. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar. Senate (October 15): Senate Bill 1298 (Smucker-R-Lancaster) providing for composting facilities on Act 319 farmlands; Senate Bill 1346 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) providing for the reuse of mine drainage for drilling water; Senate Bill 1532 (Vogel-R-Beaver) providing more exemptions from vehicle emission inspection program; House Bill 1813 (Tobash-R-Berks) authorizing a financial guarantee option covering mine reclamation; House Bill 1991 (CutlerR-Lancaster) further requiring accountability measures for Energy Conservation and Assistance Act; House Bill 2224 (Cutler-R-Lancaster) further providing for the disposition of municipallyowned property. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. Committees

House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule. Bills Introduced The following bills of interest were introduced this week-Restore Federal Reclamation Funding: House Resolution 899 (Hutchinson-R-Venango) urging Congress to restore federal abandoned mine reclamation funding.

Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the Governor's desk for action-Drilling On Other State Lands: Senate Bill 367 (D.White-R-Indiana) authorizing the leasing of mineral rights on other state lands. Proceeds from drilling on State System of Higher Education lands would remain with the state universities. Proceeds from drilling on other state lands (not including those owned by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions) would be allocated according to this formula: 60 percent to the Oil and Gas Lease Fund; 25 percent to the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority with language authorizing the funding of non-point source best management practices to implement the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan or TMDL watershed plans; and 15 percent to the drilling agency. Capital Budget: Senate Bill 1480 (Corman-R-Centre) providing for the 2012-13 Capital Budget. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate-Senate Nominations: The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Wednesday favorably reported out the nomination of Steven C. Beckman to the Environmental Hearing Board who was then confirmed by the full Senate. Municipal Parkland: House Bill 2224 (Cutler-R-Lancaster) further providing for the disposition of municipally-owned property was amended on the Senate Floor and NewsClip: Editorial: Protect Public Park Land Mine Reclamation: House Bill 1813 (Tobash-R-Berks) authorizing a financial guarantee option covering mine reclamation was amended and reported out of the Senate Appropriations

Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available. Mine Drainage Reuse: Senate Bill 1346 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) providing for the reuse of mine drainage for drilling water was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available. Vehicle Emission Inspections: Senate Bill 1532 (Vogel-R-Beaver) providing more exemptions from vehicle emission inspection program was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. A summary and Senate Fiscal Note are available. "Once government lays down the law it's a long hard process to get it changed, even after it has outlived its purpose," Sen. Wozniak said. "So the movement this week is great news and part of a long process that will end up saving Pennsylvania drivers millions of dollars." "Pennsylvania is one of only 12 states that still have safety inspections at all," Sen. Wozniak said. "And Pennsylvania drivers pay close to $50 million per year for it, before you count any repairs. For new cars, the safety inspection is pretty much wasted money." "People who buy new cars are paying dearly for the latest fuel efficiency and pollution cutting technology," Sen. Wozniak said. "They shouldn't be forced to pay again for a test that tells them what they already know. The only reason new cars have to be tested for emissions is bureaucracy." Energy Conservation: House Bill 1991 (Cutler-R-Lancaster) further requiring accountability measures for Energy Conservation and Assistance Act was amended and reported out of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. House Capital Budget: Senate Bill 1480 (Corman-R-Centre) providing for the 2012-13 Capital Budget was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Farm Composting: Senate Bill 1298 (Smucker-R-Lancaster) providing for composting facilities on Act 319 farmlands was passed by the House. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. The bill was reported out of the Senate Rules Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for a concurrence vote. Lyme Disease: House Bill 272 (Hess-R-Bedford) establishing a task force on Lyme disease and related maladies was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. Emissions Inspection: Senate Resolution 246 (Wozniak-D-Cambria) Concurrent resolution memorializing Congress to re-evaluate the enhanced vehicle emission inspection program was concurred in by the House. The resolution was now approved by both the Senate and House.

Stormwater Management: Senate Bill 1261 (Erickson-R-Delaware) specifically authorizing the formation of municipal authorities for stormwater management purposes was reported out of the House Local Government Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action. Extending Permits: House Bill 2470 (Evankovich-R-Armstrong) amending the Fiscal Code to extend the deadline for extending permits which would otherwise expire until July 2, 2018 was removed from the Table and was referred to the House Appropriations Committee. Flood Damage Repair: House Bill 1916 (Millard-R-Columbia) itemized flood repair projects was reported out of the House Rules Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.

News From Around The State

Bucknell To Host 7th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium Oct. 12-13 Bucknell University in Lewisburg will host the 7th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium, "Wasn't That A Mighty Storm! Flooding in the Susquehanna watershed," October 12 and 13 in the Terrace Room (Room 256) of the Elaine Langone Center. All events in this symposium are free and open to the public without registration. The symposium is sponsored by the Susquehanna River Initiative of the Bucknell University Environmental Center and the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies, a group of faculty and students from local universities whose research focuses on the Susquehanna River. Because of its geographic location with respect to sources of hurricanes and tropical storms, the enormous size of the watershed, and hydrology and morphology of channel, the Susquehanna River is one of the most flood-prone rivers in the United States, according to Benjamin Hayes, director of Bucknell's Susquehanna River Initiative and chair of this year's symposium. "Many of us remember clearly the devastation and deaths related to Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and other floods including the ice floods of 1972 and January 1996 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004. In early September of last year, Tropical Storm Lee dumped more than 18 inches of rain in the watershed, which was already water-logged from Hurricane Irene which swept through the basin several weeks earlier. "Lee was the flood of record in our region. The flooding closed Bucknell's campus, displaced more than 100,000 people, caused massive amounts of erosion and sedimentation, and destroyed more than 100 miles of roads and bridges, farm fields and communities. Understanding the causes of flooding and their impact on streams, aquatic ecosystems, and human life is of great interest to people in our region," he said. The goal of this symposium is to bring together students, faculty, scientists, engineers, planners, and community leaders to explore flooding in the Susquehanna watershed and its impacts on human and aquatic life, infrastructure, tributary stream channels, and areas downstream, including the Chesapeake Bay. Various speakers also will address the latest technologies and approaches to flood forecasting, floodplain management, and risk reduction. Among the featured speakers are--

-- H.W. "Skip" Wieder, director of the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies, will speak on the importance of university research and collaborative partnerships in the watershed; -- Paul Swartz, executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, will give the keynote address, "Floods, droughts and everything in between;" and -- Matthew J. Ehrhart, Pennsylvania executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, will give the talk, "The Connection to the Chesapeake Bay." For more information on the agenda and to register, visit the Susquehanna River Symposium webpage. Chesapeake Bay Program Offers 2 New Stormwater Videos The Chesapeake Bay Program is now promoting two new videos on stormwater management and solutions. Bay 101: Stormwater Runoff is an introduction of stormwater and the water quality problems it can cause. Redirecting Rainwater From Downspouts is a how-to video on how homeowners can take steps to control stormwater runoff from their properties. NewsClip: Chesapeake Restoration Plan Challenged In Court Friends Of Wissahicken, Partners Hold Planting Day October 24 The Friends of the Wissahickon is partnering with REI Conshohocken and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for a Planting Day at Cresheim Creek on October 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will plant native plants along a portion of Cresheim Creek near the Telner/ St. Martin's Bridge that was recently restored through a joint effort by the Philadelphia Water Department and PPR. The original stone bridge at the site was destroyed by storms in 2004. PWD built a new bridge in 2011 and planted native shrubs and plants on the banks of Cresheim Creek. Necessary repairs to the bridge earlier this year resulted in a loss of vegetation at the site that volunteers will replace during the Planting Day with natives donated by PPR. To register, contact FOW Volunteer Coordinator Dan Mercer by sending email to: mercer@fow.org. Volunteers should wear clothes suitable for outdoor work and sturdy boots. The terrain at the site is mildly steep, but easy to traverse with proper shoes. FOW will provide tools, gloves, water, coffee, and a light snack. Volunteers will be given a brief description of the project and a lesson on proper planting technique before being organized into work groups. Directions: Meet at the Telner/St. Martin's Bridge across Cresheim Creek. Parking is available along the access road located at the end of St. Martin's Lane. Follow the access road downhill to the project site. Link to map showing work location is available online. Cancellation: Workdays are cancelled in the event of steady rain, extreme high temperatures, or thunderstorms. Visit FOW's Facebook page or website for updates. Penn State Extension: How To Spot Wet Basements

Suppose you are thinking about buying a house with a basement, how can you tell if it might have water problems? First stand in the yard and look downhill. If there is no downhill direction, expect a wet basement. If there is a downhill direction, take a small level and go to the lowest place on the lot. Look at a basement window while sighting along the level. Put a mark on the window pane where your line of sight intersects the window. Go inside the basement, if your eye is now higher than the mark then gravity drainage of water away from the basement is theoretically possible, but if your eye is now lower than the mark then a sump pump is required. So what constitutes waterproof basement construction? Well, a house rests upon its foundation which is a concrete beam placed under the basement walls. On the outside of the foundation there should be a drain. Often a perforated, corrugated, plastic drainage pipe four inches in diameter is used. In new construction this drain may be incorporated into the form for the concrete. The pipe should encircle the foundation and drain to the ground surface. This drain is the essential element for a dry basement. The basement wall is constructed on the foundation and must be sealed on the outside to prevent moisture from migrating through the wall into the living space. The walls can be made even more waterproof by sheeting them with rubber roofing. After the house is complete the basement walls are back filled. The material covering the foundation drain pipe and placed next to the wall should be crushed stone. This allows water next to the wall to move vertically downward to the drain and be carried away from the basement. It is fairly common to omit the outlet for the footing drain. Instead the drain discharges to a sump which is usually placed inside the basement. Basements constructed in areas where the soils are deep and well drained may stay dry even without a sump pump, however less well drained soils will need a sump pump. During exceptional rainfall events homes without gravity drainage will be dependent on electricity to keep the basement dry. This can be a problem if the exceptional storm that put water in the sump also causes a power outage. Some signs of basement water problems include efflorescence or a white powdery substance on the floor or walls. This results from water movement through the floor or wall dissolving minerals from the concrete and then evaporating, leaving the minerals behind as a deposit. Mold growth is also evidence of a damp basement. Molds are fungi and require organic matter for growth. They begin growing from tiny spores and become noticeable when enough growth has occurred to form a colony. Now you have identified the problem, how do you fix it? Slope the yard away from the house. Divert roof water far away from the house. Install a perimeter drain around the house at least as deep as the basement floor and drain it to the ground surface at a lower elevation. This could be done close to the house rather than right next to the house - exposing the basement wall. Although exposing the wall would allow it to be water proofed. If gravity drainage isnt possible then a pump can be used. Pumps with battery backup are available. The perimeter drain can be installed on the inside of the wall but now the results are less certain. You are depending on perfectly sealed walls and floor in order for the water to go to the sump without entering the living space.

Within the living space it is important to take the steps noted above to eliminate the source of dampness as much as possible. Dehumidifiers also aid in keeping basements dry by removing moisture vapor from the air. Moldy basements can be cleaned with a strong bleach solution after removing as much as possible of the material that supported the growth of the mold. It is important to use a wet cleaning process for mold removal to avoid spreading the mold spores which are a respiratory irritant for many people. Along with damp basements often come house centipedes, bristletails and other basement dwellers. Centipedes are scarier looking than harmful, but cleaning and eliminating moisture in the basement can reduce their numbers. When building a new house you may wish to work with your contractor to get rid of storm water by gravity on the outside of the house if at all possible. An alternative may be to do away with the basement altogether and build more space above ground. (Written By: Dana Rizzo, Westmoreland County Water Resources Educator, Penn State Extension, Original document by Tom McCarty, reprinted from the Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter.) New Well Owners Booklet Answers Many Questions Brian Oram, a professional geologist and soil scientist and founder of B.F. Environmental Consultants, announced Monday the firm is making available The Pennsylvania Guide for Groundwater for Private Well Owners: What Do the Numbers Mean? through the Water Research Center Portal. The goal of this booklet is to help educate and inform citizens on issues related to water conservation, ensuring that private water supply systems produce safe drinking water for your family, protecting the long-term quality of our streams and drinking water sources, and helping you to understand the potential sources of pollution to our water resources, Oram said. The booklet provides general information explaining certified water testing, chain-ofcustody, and drinking water regulations and standards. It provides information related to the health (primary standards) or aesthetic (secondary standards) concerns for each parameter and provides information on water quality parameters that do not specifically have a drinking water limit. This reference is a guide to understanding water quality that works by providing guidance on selecting water quality testing parameters for baseline testing from a citizen's perspective and by serving as a tool to help interpret water quality data, Oram added. In some cases, the document provides guidance on what actions a homeowner may want to consider in light of test results. The booklet is part of the effort to support the Citizens Groundwater and Surface water Database, a grassroots effort to track change in groundwater quality in Pennsylvania. A copy of the booklet is available online. To learn more, visit the Citizen Groundwater/ Surfacewater Database. Register Now For PA Section-American Water Resources Assn. Conference October 11

The PA Section of the American Water Resources Association will hold its annual Water Quality in Pennsylvania Conference on October 11 at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg starting at 8:00 a.m. Conference presentations will revolve around sources of water quality impairment and efforts to address them. The keynote address will be given by Rich Batiuk, Associate Director of Science, EPA Region 3 Chesapeake Bay Program Office. For more information and to register, visit the Conference webpage. Attorney General Files Charges Against Elk County Treatment Plant Worker Agents from the Attorney Generals Environmental Crimes Section have filed criminal charges against an Elk County man in connection with alleged falsified environmental reports submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for the James City Sewage Treatment Plant. Attorney General Linda Kelly identified the defendant as Charles Vaughn, 75, 426 Pennsylvania Ave., James City. Vaughn is a certified sewage treatment plant operator at the James City Sewage Treatment Plant, which is owned and operated by the Highland Township Municipal Authority. Kelly explained that sewage treatment plants are required by law to monitor their discharge. Plant operators are required to measure the daily flow, pH level and total residual chlorine in the discharge, and report this information monthly to the DEP. Monitoring is required to certify that the sewage treatment plants are operating within the legal limits that were established in order to protect water quality in the Commonwealth. Kelly said that an investigation by agents from the Environmental Crimes Section determined that the James city Sewage Treatment Plant was being operated by a non-certified plant operator/trainee, and not Vaughn, the only certified operator. According to the criminal complaint, an unauthorized bypass pipe was installed at the headworks of the plant, which allowed raw sewage to be redirected away from the plant and discharged directly into an unnamed tributary leading to Wolf Run. Investigators estimate that from 2007 to 2010 Vaughn allowed more than 10 million gallons of wastewater to be discharged in the unnamed tributary. Kelly said that DEP requires certified sewage treatment plant operators to report sewage that it bypassed through a plant. Vaughn allegedly did not report any sewage that bypassed through the treatment plant and into the tributary. Vaughn is charged with two counts of tampering with public records or information, two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities and one count of unlawful conduct pursuant to the Clean Streams Law. He was preliminary arraigned before Johnsonburg Magisterial District Judge George King and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. The case will be prosecuted in Elk County by Deputy Attorney General Amy Carnicella of the Attorney Generals Environmental Crimes Section. Federation Of Sportsmen's Clubs Held Keystone Energy Forum

Monday, the Keystone Energy Forum, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, held its 2nd Annual Outdoors Forum focusing on natural gas development and its interaction with Pennsylvanias countryside. Communication and cooperation between the outdoor community and energy industry in Pennsylvania is extremely important as we continue to grow a stronger relationship between both groups, stated Bill Stewart, Director of the Keystone Energy Forum. "Today's second annual outdoors forum continues this proactive communication and interaction." The 2nd Annual Outdoors Forum took place in Johnstown in conjunction with the semiannual convention of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmens Clubs. The forum consisted of two panel discussions with representatives from the energy industry, Pennsylvania regulatory agencies and outdoor associations. A lunch presentation was given by Mike Zagata, former President of the Conservation Alliance of New York and recently retired President and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society. The Federation's partnership with the Keystone Energy Forum continues to help foster a better dialogue and open lines of communication with the energy industry and outdoor community, said Chuck Lombaerde, President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmens Clubs. Information that was shared at today's forum was crucial for our members to know as they head out into the field during the height of the 2012-2013 hunting season." The KEF is focused on energy production in Pennsylvania. The Energy Forum will serve as a resource for making local opinions count. The Forum will be available to Pennsylvanians as a venue to help create balanced energy policies. The Keystone Energy Forum is designed as a venue for concerned citizens, coalition groups and partners who are committed to improving the public's understanding of, and support for, both the many opportunities and challenges presented by the Marcellus Shale natural gas development here in Pennsylvania, concluded KEF Director Bill Stewart. Visit the Keystone Energy Forum website to participate in the forum and for facts on the Marcellus Shale, hydraulic fracturing and other Pennsylvania and national energy issues. PPL: October Is National Energy Awareness Month, Special Events Planned From farms to factories, hospitals to homes and everything in between, life as we know it would not be possible without energy. And that energy gets top billing this month during National Energy Awareness Month, a time meant to take stock of the vital role that all energy including electricity plays in our lives. The month-long observance spotlights the essential role of energy in society and encourages ways to use it more efficiently. As the electric delivery company for nearly 1.4 million customers in central and eastern Pennsylvania, PPL Electric Utilities understands the vital role power plays in the everyday lives of the communities it serves. Weve been in the business of educating customers about energy efficiency for a long time. Its always been the right thing to do, said Thomas C. Stathos, director of Customer Programs and Services for the utility. National Energy Awareness Month lets us focus on that part of our job even more and continue to spread the word on how easy it can be to save energy and money. During the month, visit pplelectric.com for energy efficiency tips. Tips also can be found on the PPL Electric Utilities Twitter feed (@pplelectric) and on the utilitys Facebook page.

And, customers always can benefit from using PPL Electric Utilities Energy Analyzer, a tool that tracks energy use and provides timely information and tips. In addition, the utilitys E-power team will be at more than 30 locations during the month with energy-savings information and compact fluorescent light bulb giveaways. More energy learning opportunities also are scheduled. PPLs Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center will present a free program at 10 a.m. on October 13 on how the lake was built and how it generates electricity. The program, which also discusses the recreational opportunities around the lake, includes a tour of the dam. It will be held rain or shine. For more details, call 570-253-7076 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. The PPL Susquehanna Energy Information Center near Berwick will host a free program at 1 p.m. October 27 on home energy efficiency. A new SmartHouse will demonstrate energy efficiency techniques using video displays and interactive cutouts. Children also can participate in energy games and learn how to stay safe around electricity. All participants will receive a free CFL light bulb for attending. For more information, call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. With more and more appliances and electronic devices in homes, electric demand continues to rise, making efficiency more important than ever. PPL Electric Utilities energy education and efficiency programs and services strive to reach diverse demographics. Our offerings range from focusing on energy efficiency education for students and teachers to programs to help low-income customers, residential and business customers, and much more, Stathos said. Every customer sector can benefit. To help keep electric service safe and reliable, the utility plans to invest more than $3.6 billion over the next five years in its delivery network. The work includes building new lines and substations, upgrading others, and installing automated equipment to help the system work smarter and faster. Philadelphia Housing Authority Recognized For Green Housing Project Paschall Village, the Philadelphia Housing Authoritys highperformance, green development in southwest Philadelphia, has received top honors from the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. Paschall captured PAHRAs Bellamy Award for Housing, which recognizes the very best in design and new construction by affordable housing agencies across the state, in a close contest. Only one housing authority can win this singular, exclusive award. Pennsylvania has 89 housing authorities. We are thrilled to receive this award from our fellow professionals, said Kelvin Jeremiah, PHAs Interim Executive Director. Its always our goal to make a lasting, positive impact on neighborhoods and become a catalyst for long-term, local economic growth. Receiving this type of recognition from your peers for a sustainable, environmentally friendly housing development is a great honor and PHA is committed to doing more of this work in the future. Paschall Village, which opened in late November 2011, is PHAs most ambitious green development to date. It features high performance green products including central geothermal

heating and cooling, solar domestic hot water, solar panels, rainwater harvesting/irrigation system, and Energy Star fixtures and equipment. Projected savings at Paschall Village are 30 percent per month for a 2 bedroom unit and 35% per month for a 3 bedroom unit. Energy costs, relative to similar conventionally built properties, will be greatly reduced over time with greater long-term asset value, especially as energy costs increase. Scientists from Drexel Universitys Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering provided technical assistance related to identifying and assessing energy efficiency strategies. The final product certainly improved the quality of life for [PHA] residents, said Frank Aggazio, President of PAHRA. He also said that the judges were also impressed with the multiple sources of funding and the number of partnerships PHA formed to make this highperforming development possible. PHA addressed indoor air quality health issues at Paschall by using materials like low- or no Volatile Organic Compound paints, primers, adhesives, and sealants; urea formaldehyde-free composite wood; bathroom exhaust fans equipped with a humidistat sensor or timer; kitchen exhaust fans; and insulation that results in more efficient heating and air conditioning. Carpets were eliminated from the development to avoid issues with dust mites. The use of green technology throughout Paschall Village helps the City of Philadelphia reduce its carbon footprint. The use of open space, trees, a rainwater harvesting/irrigation system, and pervious concrete fits in with the Citys wastewater management program, which was recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The new development has over 92,000 square feet of pervious space/materials, a 47-fold increase over the old site. Paschall Village also improves the aesthetics of the neighborhood with an attractive network of open space. The design created a greater sense of community and improved safety conditions while strengthening the neighborhoods character. The new development replaced Paschall Apartments, which was built in the mid-1960s and was outmoded and energy inefficient. Paschall Village is bounded by 72nd Street, Paschall Avenue, Cobbs Creek Parkway, and Lloyd Street in Southwest Philadelphia. PA Ranked Most Improved State In New Energy Efficiency Rankings Wednesday the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy released their annual scorecard, ranking Pennsylvania 20th in the nation for energy efficiency policy and performance. The state improved by five spots from last year tying it for 4th most improved state in the country. Much of the states progress can be linked to the Energy Savings Act, or Act 129, a program overseen by the Public Utility Commission that requires all Pennsylvania utilities to offer programs to customers that result in 3 percent energy savings by 2013. A recent decision by the PUC to extend this successful initiative by three years to 2016 played a role in the new ranking, as did the utilities strong performance over the last two years. This improvement is great news for Pennsylvanias families and businesses who are saving more money and breathing cleaner air as a result. This should inspire the PUC and the legislature to do even more to help consumers stop losing money on wasted energy and further improve our ranking, said Tom Schuster, Pennsylvania Representative for the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal Campaign.

To date, most utilities in the state are on track to exceed that target with only West Penn Power failing to meet the interim program goals. In just the first two years of the program consumers saved $278 million each year, or $8 for every $1 invested in energy efficiency, and over 4,000 jobs were created, according to a study commissioned by PennFuture. Energy efficiency is the cleanest and cheapest energy resource available and it creates more jobs per unit of energy than conventional generation, said Schuster. Despite the recent progress on efficiency in the Commonwealth, there is much room for improvement if it wants to move up further in the rankings. Legal obstacles prevent the adoption of more energy efficient building codes, and the Energy Savings Act excludes gas conservation measures and has a cap that limits utility spending on cost-effective energy efficiency. For the sake of lower energy bills, economic competitiveness, job creation, and cleaner air, Pennsylvania should aspire to be a national leader in energy efficiency. Were making progress, but still have a long way to go to modernize our building codes, allow greater investments in cost effective efficiency programs and ensure our PUC holds utilities accountable for helping families and businesses cut wasted energy and wasted dollars, said Schuster. Petroleum Distributors Honor Corbett For Keeping PA Refineries The PA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, Empire State Petroleum Association of New York and the Petroleum Marketers Association of America honored Gov. Tom Corbett for his efforts to keep a strong refinery presence in Southeast Pennsylvania as part of their annual convention and trade show at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center Tuesday. In 2011 ConocoPhillips and Sunoco announced plans to permanently close their refineries in South Philadelphia, Marcus Hook and Trainer unless buyers were found, not only directly putting at risk 2,500 good-paying jobs, but another 25,000 jobs in Southeastern Pennsylvania. For petroleum product distributors, this would have meant fewer refineries to supply gasoline, heating oil and diesel fuel to customers in the Mid-Atlantic Region leading to the potential of not only higher prices, but petroleum product shortages. However, in May Gov. Corbett announced the Commonwealth would help support the sale of the refinery in Trainer to Delta Air Lines preventing its permanent closure. In July Gov. Corbett was a key player in closing the deal for selling the Sunocos Philadelphia refinery to the Carlyle Group and continuing its operation as a reborn facility to process Marcellus Shale natural gas products. "Had the refineries in Southeastern Pennsylvania closed, it would have had a domino effect on motor fuel and heating oil supply and price along the whole East Coast," said Dan Gilligan, President, Petroleum Marketers Association of America. "PMAA commends Gov. Corbett for his leadership role in maintaining a strong petroleum presence in the region. Marketers in New York were extremely concerned when the potential closings of the Southeast Pennsylvania refineries were announced last fall, said Thomas J Peters, Executive Vice President, Empire State Petroleum Association, the New York trade group. Gov. Corbett's action to maintain oil refinery production in the Philadelphia area provides stability in the markets not just in Pennsylvania, but the Mid-Atlantic region as well, Most people are not aware that the supply system in Pennsylvania for gasoline, heating oil and diesel fuel has primarily consisted of pipelines that transport product from the Southeast to pipeline terminals in the west and north, said John V Kulik, Executive Vice President,

PPMCSA. Our members transport the petroleum products from the terminals to customers across the state. According to industry observers and the federal government, had all the refineries closed this past summer, consumers across the Commonwealth would no doubt have been jolted by spot supply outages gasoline price spikes and difficulties-perhaps crossing the five dollar a gallon threshold, explained Kulik. The Governor is to be commended for his leadership in keeping the refineries operating in the Southeast and preserving jobs in that region, said Kulik. But his action resonated far beyond that immediate area. Pennsylvania would have been dependent on Gulf Coast refineries, a pipeline that crosses 11 states, and increased import from Asia. It is far better for the economy of Pennsylvania and the surrounding states to have a refinery nearby than to depend exclusively on imports from thousands-and tens of thousand miles away, added Kulik. We thank Gov. Corbett for keeping Pennsylvania moving. The PPMCSA/ESPA Trade Show annually attracts over 1,000 attendees from Pennsylvania, New York and around the United States. DEP Calls Clean Air Council Refinery Lawsuit Stab In The Back To Workers The Clean Air Council is challenging a decision by environmental regulators to allow the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery to claim credit for a reduction in emissions caused by the closure of Sunoco's Marcus Hook refinery. The council last week sued to stop the Department of Environmental Protection from considering the Philadelphia refinery and the closed Marcus Hook refinery as one single airpollution source. The decision would allow the new owners of the Philadelphia refinery to emit more pollution, at least temporarily. The arrangement to give the Philadelphia refinery credit for the Marcus Hook emissions was one of the cornerstones of a deal to induce the Carlyle Group to take over operating Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery. The Carlyle-Sunoco joint venture, known as Philadelphia Energy Solutions, became official this month. DEP Reaction DEP Secretary Mike Krancer issued the following statement late Friday in response to the Clean Air Council's legal action: "This baseless suit by the so-called "Clean Air Council" stabs in the back 22,000 union and other workers and their families in Southeastern PA. A year ago, we faced the death of this refinery and along with it, tens of thousands of local jobs; a way of life in the Delaware Valley; and a real threat to our nation's security in our own ability to refine oil on shore. Today, through Governor Corbett's leadership and bipartisan work between federal and state officials, as well as labor, management and the private sector investment firm, we found a solution which saved the refinery and protected the environment. "Ultimately, overall emissions will be lower through, among other things, the use of lower sulfur Bakken Crude oil from North Dakota, which is extracted by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and the facility's use of Pennsylvania natural gas for on-site power generation. It is shameful that this out-of-touch, extreme organization would for no reason jeopardize the livelihoods and way of life of so many people and also jeopardize America's ability to refine oil on our own shores." Steelworkers

United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard offered the following statement in response to a suit filed by the Clean Air Council: "While we value the work of the Clean Air Council, and have long shared its goal of a cleaner, healthier environment, we respectfully disagree with its actions in this case. "The compromise that allowed the Philadelphia refinery to be sold was a positive outcome after months of hard work by USW members, local, state and national leaders, and environmental officials. This agreement will mean nearly 1,000 good-paying jobs at the plant, as well as thousands more jobs created or saved in the community and along the supply chain. "At a time when unemployment and other economic hardships are still a reality for so many families, we believe it is in the best interests of everyone involved to allow this agreement to go forward. "In addition, this arrangement will, over the long term, mean cleaner overall emissions and cleaner air through the use of lower-sulfur crude oil and the use of natural gas for power generation." PA Coal Association The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance joined the United Steelworkers in condemning a Philadelphia Clean Air Council challenge to the joint public-private effort to save nearly 1,000 jobs at the former Sunoco Philadelphia refinery. "We're compelled to speak out in defense of a common sense policy to preserve and increase domestic energy production," said John Pippy, Coal Alliance CEO. "We in the coal industry saw the cooperative public-private efforts to save the Sunoco plant and hundreds of well-paying jobs as a positive sign that regulators at the local, state and federal level could work cooperatively with industry to reduce pollution while increasing domestic production." Pippy called the Clean Air Council intervention effort "misguided and ultimately harmful to workers and consumers." Still Time To Register For 2012 PA Brownfields Conference October 29-31 Register now for the 2012 PA Brownfields Conference on October 29-31 in Monroeville near Pittsburgh. This special event will focus on the technical, and economic aspects of brownfields reclamation and development and the opportunities for community redevelopment. The conference program will focus on the main actions of brownfields development: Public Health; Regulatory Framework; Community & Public Engagement; Energy & Sustainability; Planning; Site Characterization; Site Remediation; and Marketing & Finance. To register and detail conference agenda, download the Conference brochure. Lt. Gov. Cawley Sees Potential For Jobs On Brownfields From Cracker Plant Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley toured brownfields along the Ohio River Thursday that once were home to a closed steel mill. They are now ready to serve new companies looking to do business with the proposed Shell ethane cracker. The 400-acre property is located along a 4.5 mile stretch of the Ohio River, 30 miles north of Pittsburgh and within a few miles of the proposed site of the Shell ethane cracker plant. When we talk about the cracker creating jobs downstream, this is exactly what we mean. Companies that make everything from pipes to packaging to paint need ethylene and they will want to locate right here, said Cawley.

In 1993, C.J. Betters Enterprises purchased the property which included the LTV Steel Aliquippa Works. The mill was demolished and the land reclaimed. Last year, CJBE invested $5 million in a new dock, with $2.5 million in state assistance. The dock will give companies easy access to barge transport along the river. The American Chemistry Council estimates that the proposed petrochemical plant will create 17,000 permanent jobs, $1.2 billion in wages and $4.8 billion in chemical industry output, making Pennsylvania the seventh largest chemical-producing state in the nation. We will be a leader in natural gas production, a leader in energy independence, a leader in chemical production and a leader in job creation. And you will see it all, right here in Aliquippa, said Cawley. Cawley also toured Beaver Valley Slag, which mines and processes the slag, which is a byproduct of producing steel, left behind by the old steel mill. The company employs about 30 people and mines approximately 800,000 tons of steel slag every year. NewsClips: Shell Cracker Plant Offers To Pay $7.6 Million In Lieu Of Taxes Shell Cracker Plant Offers To Compensate For Tax Loses Positioning For A Boom From Cracker Plant DEP Releases Final Oil And Gas Air Aggregation Guidance For Drilling Activities Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer announced Friday the agency has finalized guidance on air quality permitting decisions for oil and gas operations. The guidance applies to permitting sources of emissions from the exploration, extraction and production of oil and gas. DEP published a version of the guidance for public comment last fall. Notice of the final guidance will appear in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on October 6 and discusses how DEP decides when to separately permit emission sources, such as natural gas compressor stations, and when to aggregate them. Our guidance provides a common-sense approach to air aggregation, also known as single-source determinations, based on existing law, Krancer said. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys misuse of the aggregation test for natural gas exploration, extraction and production earned the EPA a sharply worded rebuke from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The courts opinion in Summit Petroleum v. EPA, which dealt with the aggregation of separate natural gas facilities in Michigan, made very clear that Pennsylvanias approach is the correct interpretation and application of the law, he said. The Summit Petroleum courts decision characterized EPAs interpretation as unreasonable and inconsistent with the regulatory history that established the regulatory test. A Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board Judge recently called the analysis of the Summit Petroleum case persuasive. The West Virginia Air Quality Board also recently affirmed an approach similar to DEPs. Our Air Quality program will use a practical, common-sense and legally sound approach as it makes aggregation determinations on a case-by-case basis, weighing all of the factors the law provides, Krancer said. We in Pennsylvania have a lengthy and successful history of regulating the oil and gas industry, and we are ensuring that this state and this country realize the full promise of abundant, domestic, cheap, clean-burning natural gas extracted and brought to market in an environmentally sensitive manner.

DEP regulates air emissions in the oil and gas industry through air quality plan approvals and general and operating permits. In the coming months, the agency will also announce a revised general permit for oil and gas compressor stations, which authorizes the operation of minor emission sources. In keeping with how DEP issues and implements technical guidance, the agency published an interim final version of the air aggregation guidance for a 30-day public comment period last fall and began implementing it October 21, 2011. DEP will finalize the guidance effective October 6, the day it will be published in the Bulletin. A copy of the guidance will be available from DEPs eLibrary Air Quality webpage. Chatham University Hosts Pathway To Sustainability Lecture Series Chatham Universitys Office of Career Development and the Rachel Carson Institute are sponsoring a series of sustainability leadership lectures to illustrate the pathways environmental leaders have followed to success. The lectures, held from 5 to 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month from October to April in the Welker Room of the Laughlin Music Hall on the Shadyside Campus (unless otherwise noted), will discuss career opportunities in environmental fields. The schedule of lectures and speakers follows below. -- October 16: Andrew Butcher, Founding Partner, GTech Strategies; -- November 13: Lalit Chordia, President, Thar Industries; -- December 11: Christine Mondor, principal, evolve EA;> -- January 8: Bridget McCourt, community relations manager, LANXESS (speaker subject to change); -- February 12: Tom Peters, executive vice president, Scalo Solar Solutions, LLC; and -- TBA: Georgia Berner, CEO, Berner International Corp and Berner Energy Recovery, Inc. Butcher co-founded GTECH Strategies in 2007. He is an accomplished social entrepreneur with expertise in the fields of community development, renewable energy, social innovation, and environmental justice. Butcher holds a masters degree in public policy and management from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelors degree in political science from American University. Chordia has personally financed the 11-year presence of Thar Technologies with the help of one additional investor. He received his bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1980 and his doctorate in chemical engineering from CMU in 1985. Mondor has taught architecture, landscape design, and sustainability concepts at CMU SlipperyRock University, and Chatham. She supports organizations that promote design and the environment and currently serves as vice president for the Green Building Alliance Board of Directors and is former board chair at the Design Center of Pittsburgh. McCourt is the LANXESS community relations manager and previously served as the companys communications and public affairs manager. She graduated from St. Marys of Notre Dame in 1993 with bachelors degree in history. Peters coordinates the academic advisory team for the Sunscape Energy Demonstration Project, guestlectures at Penn States Solar Financing course for graduate architects and engineers, and will do the same this year for Duquesne Universitys Sustainability MBA

candidates. He is also a member of Chathams Rachel Carson Institute Committee, sponsoring the first ever roundtable forum on removing institutional barriers to renewable energy systems in Pittsburgh this year. Berner is owner and CEO of Berner International Corporation and Berner Energy Recovery, Inc. She also serves on the Executive Advisory Board of Women Impacting Public Policy. Berner graduated from Hollins University with bachelors degree in political science and masters degrees in English literature and social psychology. Ava DeMarco, president of Little Earth Productions, LLC, kicked off the series on September 18. The Pittsburgh company transforms recycled tires and license plates into fashion creations that have been featured by media outlets like CNN, Inc. magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. Lectures are open to the public; admission is $25. Chatham students and faculty can attend for free, though RSVP is requested. For more information contact Monica Ritter in the Office of Career Development at 412-365-1280. Dr. Priscilla Sands To Speak On Sustainability At Springside Chestnut Hill Academy The Friends of the Wissahickon will host a Community Forum on Sustainability in the Wissahickon Watershed with Dr. Priscilla Sands on October 23 at Valley Green Inn. The lecture will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Dr. Priscilla Sands will discuss Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's sustainability efforts within the Wissahickon watershed. Dr. Sands received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and has lived and worked almost her entire life in the Philadelphia area. For 15 years she served as Head of Springside School and is currently President of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. A dedicated philanthropist, she supports Boys Latin Charter School, Southern Poverty Law Center, Susan B. Komen for the Cure, and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Valley Green Inn is located on Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park. Register for this event by contacting FOW Outreach Coordinator Sarah Marley at marley@fow.org or 215247-0414 ext. 109. Spaces are limited. Penn State Receives $11.9 Million Climate Risk Management Program Grant An interdisciplinary team of scholars has received an $11.9 million award from the National Science Foundation to support the establishment of a multi-institution research network on Sustainable Climate Risk Management strategies. Part of the NSF's Sustainability Research Networks initiative, the network is centered at Penn State and spans nine additional U.S. universities and research institutes. "Our vision is to produce fundamentally improved analysis frameworks, to develop and mentor the next generation of diverse researchers, and to inform decisions for managing climaterelated risks in the Anthropocene," said Klaus Keller, principal investigator, SRN director and associate professor of geosciences at Penn State. The co-principal investigators for the network are Robert Lempert, RAND Corp.; Chris Forest Department of Meteorology, and Karen Fisher-Vanden, Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, both at Penn State; and James Edmonds, Pacific

Northwest National Laboratory. Scientists and policymakers alike have identified the potential for climate-threshold responses to anthropogenic climate forcings. Examples of such potential responses include a disintegration of the West Antarctic or Greenland ice sheets, persistent changes in the North Atlantic the rmohaline circulation, release of carbon stored in permafrost and a dieback of the Amazon rainforest. "Proposed approaches to the management of climate-related risks through adaptation, mitigation, and geoengineering differ in their distributions of costs and benefits, and their vulnerability to deep uncertainties," said Keller. The Sustainability Research Networks will generate knowledge and tools to help address the challenges of formulating sustainable climate risk management strategies. "Our goal is to advance the foundations of sustainability research through an integrated and quantitative approach that links the social, economic, and environmental components of climate risk management," Keller added. For example, the economic component will contribute to research on sound axiomatic foundations of sustainability and the potential consequences of different representations of sustainability in integrated assessment models. The environmental component will provide assessments of the different strategies as well as potential definitions of sustainability. The social component will analyze issues such as the ethical dimensions of inter- and intra-generational equity and diversity of ethical frameworks. Earth system modeling will be used to analyze possible futures and interactions among the system components. Uncertainty quantification, a central theme across models and methods, will be used to assess risk quantitatively across the wide range of transdisciplinary projects. The Sustainability Research Networks will provide dedicated cyberinfrastructure for collaborative modeling, data sharing and synthesis across projects and will be tightly integrated with a network of collaborators in the U.S. and beyond to gather the experts required to address these broad challenges. The networks will engage and reach out to students and teachers by sharing research results and insights through supported climate- and energy-focused professional development workshops and online educational resources. More information is available at the Sustainability Research Network website. Sen. Smucker Honored With Historic Preservation Award The states largest nonprofit historical preservation group Monday honored Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) for his efforts to protect and rehabilitate historically significant buildings in Pennsylvania. Preservation Pennsylvania named Sen. Smucker as the recipient of its Leadership in State Government and State Issues Award. The award was announced as part of the 2012 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards designed to honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in the field of historic preservation. Earlier this year, Sen. Smucker authored a new law incorporated into the Tax Code bill passed in July establishing an historic preservation tax credit program in Pennsylvania. The new program will provide an incentive to rehabilitate historically significant buildings for commercial use. The creation of this program was the culmination of many years of dedicated work by legislators, advocates and concerned citizens, and it is an honor to be recognized for the success

of these legislative efforts, Sen. Smucker said. Finally seeing this proposal signed into law was a great first step toward ensuring the buildings that contribute to the character and heritage of our communities remain in productive use for future generations. Tom Ridge Center To Present John C. Oliver Leadership Award October 26 The Friends of Tom Ridge Environmental Center will present the 2012 John C. Oliver Environmental Leadership Award at a special celebration on October 26 at the Center in Erie. Information about attending the event and sponsorships is available online. PHMC Honors PennDOT Employee For Preservation Efforts The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recently presented the 2012 Visionary in Preservation Award to Ira Beckerman at the annual Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony hosted by Preservation Pennsylvania. The Visionary in Historic Preservation Award is Pennsylvanias top historic preservation award. It is presented annually to an individual or organization that demonstrates leadership in helping Pennsylvania communities embrace strong preservation values. The award honors stewards that have shown extraordinary effort and innovation in educating and planning for the future of the states historic and cultural resources. Iras vision, advocacy, patience and persistence has demonstrated how a state can strengthen its partnerships and systems so that its cultural resources can be best evaluated and protected, said James Vaughan, PHMC Executive Director. Beckerman, a registered professional archaeologist with a doctorate in anthropology, is employed at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. He has led numerous innovative historic preservation programs and cooperative efforts at PennDOT. Beckermans work has led to many improvements including a statewide agreement that streamlined historic preservation and transportation projects. He also worked to improve technology to connect citizens with transportation projects online and allow internet-based public involvement. The results of his vision have significantly improved the way the states historic properties are preserved and he has helped to insure projects are completed on-time and onbudget. Nov. 8 South Mountain Lecture Focuses On Water Quality, Quantity The final lecture of the year in the South Mountain Speaker Series will focus on the challenges of conserving water quality and quantity in the region on November 8, in Memorial Auditorium at Shippensburg University. From trout fishing in our spring-fed creeks to the ice cold glass we enjoy on a hot summer's day, water is at the heart of our quality of life here in the South Mountain region, said Allen Dieterich-Ward, an associate professor of history at Shippensburg University and the chair of the South Mountain Partnership committee on the speaker series. Over the years, new demands on ground and surface water have created challenges for conserving these important resources.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring displays by local watershed and advocacy groups. At 7 p.m., Pat Bowling, a hydrologist with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will describe water challenges and then join a panel of local experts to discuss ways to protect our water supply for future generations. The panel will include Dr. Christopher Woltemade, a professor in Shippensburgs Department of Geography/Earth Science, and Michael Christopher, manager of Washington Township, Franklin County. This event is sponsored by the Adams, Cumberland and Franklin county conservation districts; Shippensburg University; DCNR; and the South Mountain Partnership. This is the third year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19th century as part of his work to preserve and restore Pennsylvanias forests and natural landscape. The series is anticipated to return in 2013. Sparked by DCNRs Conservation Landscape Initiative, the South Mountain Partnership is an effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and funding opportunities to conserve high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing the regions economic viability. For more information about the speaker series, visit the South Mountain Partnership website or call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at 717-258-5771. Some of the earlier lectures in the speaker series can now be found on YouTube. New Field Notes Podcast Available From Western PA Conservancy Episode 6 of the Field Notes podcast,a spoken word podcast that details anecdotal stories by Charles Bier, the senior director of conservation science, is available from the Western PA Conservancy. The title of this podcast is Seek Natures Truth and Fear Not! Click Here for a list of all the podcasts available in this series. iConservePA.org Shares Walking Through Penns Woods Video Join DCNR Bureau of Forest Botanist Ed Dix on a hike through the early fall forests of Pennsylvania in this new iConservePA.org video. Click Here to watch the video. Click Here for more information about the best times to see Pennsylvanias fall forest colors. Fall eConserve Magazine Now Available From Western PA Conservancy The Western PA Conservancy Fall issue of eConserve Magazine is now available. Read about WPCs work in the Allegheny National Forest, a sustainable forestry project on preserved land, WPC urban forestry work and much more. Fish & Boat Commission To Launch New Mentored Youth Fishing Program At its quarterly business meeting today, the Fish and Boat Commission previewed a mentored youth pilot program it will launch next spring on the Saturday preceding the southeast regional opening day of trout season.

Its a program agency leaders believe will generate excitement with kids and their parents, ultimately drawing more participants to the sport and increasing license sales. We know from research that children who fish typically learn from their parents or other family members, said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. Research also shows that the positive experience from a mentoring program creates a big influence on kids and their adult mentors, making it more likely that they will continue in the sport. Under the program, kids under the age of 16 would register for the program and join a mentor angler, who must have a current fishing license and trout permit. They would then be able to fish on the Saturday before the southeast opener on select waters within the 18-county area. The waters will be stocked to ensure a plentiful supply of fish to catch for the youth day and the regular season to follow. Each person will be allowed to keep a combined species total of two fish. Mentoring opportunities differ from educational programs in that they go beyond one instructional period, said Laurel Anders, PFBC Director of Boating and Outreach. Mentors talk to the kids as they plan the trip, show them how to fish during the day, and follow up with them again when they day is over. Special youth opportunities engage both youth and their parents or other mentors. The waters for the pilot program are still being reviewed. The list of waters and additional information including details on how to register are expected to be finalized by early January. The regional trout season for southeastern counties was introduced in 2007 and opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. The 18 counties include: Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and York. Game Commission Proposes No Further Action To List Bats Following significant public comment, Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe Thursday announced the agency will not be moving forward to draft regulatory changes to place three species of bats on the Commonwealth's endangered species list. While some comments supported listing bats, Roe said more discussion, research and coordination need to be done before the agency takes such action. "The Game Commission has sought to be more transparent and open about ideas that may be presented to our independent Board of Game Commissioners for consideration," Roe said. "To that end, we recently solicited public comment through an announcement in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that we were considering actions to protect three species of bats being impacted by white-nose syndrome. "We accepted and tabulated public comments far beyond the 30-day window and, based on that public comment, have decided that we will not be drafting any proposals to put before the Board to change the status of three bat species. More discussion, research and coordination needs to be done, and we now have many questions that we can add to those we had developed internally as we seek to manage the state's wildlife resources." Roe noted that the decision to include the request for public comment in the Pennsylvania Bulletin was intentional, as it is the Commonwealth's official gazette for information and rulemaking, and goes above and beyond the agency's statutory requirements for allowing for

public comment. "The Pennsylvania Bulletin is an important means of reaching anyone who follows state government, and is closely followed by representatives of various industries and conservation interests," Roe said. "To expand on our statutory requirements for public comment, we recently have begun taking advantage of this opportunity made available to state government agencies so that we can gather input before we as a staff begin to draft regulatory changes to take to the Board. "Through this process, we heard from various wildlife organizations and representatives from the timber, oil, coal and gas industries, as well as legislators. At the present time, it is clear that more discussion, research and coordination need to be done on WNS and the other outside factors that are impacting our bat populations, as well as how we can craft solutions that protect bats without threatening the industries that employ thousands of Pennsylvanians." Roe also noted that the Game Commission will be holding a public meeting with the House Game and Fisheries Committee later this month for the purpose of receiving additional input from members on this issue. Roe noted that Game Commission biologists have been at the forefront of research into WNS, but that no treatments have been identified to eradicate the disease. In 2007, the Game Commission began working with wind energy developers to find ways to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts on bat and bird populations through a voluntary cooperative agreement, to which 33 wind developers have signed on. "As the Commonwealth agency charged with protecting and conserving wild birds and mammals, we have an obligation to all Pennsylvanians to manage both game and nongame species," Roe said. "While we rely on sound science to guide our actions, we also consider public input and the resulting impacts of our actions. We look forward to working with concerned parties on both sides of the issue." Opportunity To Bid On DEP Projects The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation projects in Cambria County, Clarion County and Schuylkill County.

Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released October 10-- Agenda Released (Post Oct. 4). DEP Technical Advisory Committee on DieselPowered Mining Equipment meeting. Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown. 10:00. -- the agenda includes discussion of 8 different models of diesel mine equipment October 10-- No Agenda Yet. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. October 11-- CANCELED. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15. (formal notice)

October 15-- Agenda Released (Posted Oct. 2). DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. Hayes Livestock Evaluation Center, State College. 10:00. -- Briefing on Delaware CREP Proposal -- Briefing on Mushroom Manual -- State Report on Phase I Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan -- Update on CAFO General Permit renewal <> Click Here for any handouts October 15-- CANCELED. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) October 16-- Agenda Release (Posted Oct. 2). Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. -- Final Chapter 105 Dam Safety, Waterway Management Fees -- Final ultra low sulfur limits for fuel oil -- Withdrawal of Drinking Water Program fees <> Click Here for handouts October 16-- No Agenda Yet. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 11:00. October 18-- No Agenda Yet. DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. October 24-- No Agenda Yet. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. October 25-- No Agenda Yet. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. November 13-- NEW. No Agenda Yet. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15. (formal notice) November 15-- No Agenda Yet. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. December 11-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. 2nd Floor Auditorium, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. -- Discussion of Chapter 78 Drilling Environmental Protection Performance Standards

Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week. October 15-- DEP Coastal Zone Management Grants

October 19-- NRCS Farm Conservation Programs October 19-- PEMA Fire Company & Volunteer Ambulance Service Grants October 26-- DEP Growing Greener Grants October 30-- Schuylkill River Network Photo Contest October 31-- PA Resources Council Lens On Litter Contest November 2-- PHFA Marcellus Shale Housing Grants November 19-- EPA Brownfields Grants December 1-- PHMC Historical Marker Nominations December 13-- DEP Environmental Education Grants December 14-- EPA College Campus RainWorks Challenge December 14-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grants December 31-- Fish & Boat Commission Photo Contest January 9-- West Penn Sustainable Energy Fund Financing January 16-- Great American Can Roundup School Challenge May 1-- Keep PA Beautiful Sue Wiseman Scholarship Grant -- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial assistance for environmental projects.

Budget/Quick Clips
Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state-DCNR State Parks Director Stepping Down DCNR Resignations Point To Fissures, Frustration Budget Shell Cracker Plant Offers To Pay $7.6 Million In Lieu Of Taxes Shell Cracker Plant Offers To Compensate For Tax Loses Editorial: Corbett MIA On Transportation Funding State Tax Collections Were Up A Tad In September Other DEP Accused Of Permit Notice Dishonesty Litterbugs Keep Volunteers Busy Cleaning Up Roadsides Paddlers Clean Up Allegheny Riverbanks New Landfill Gas Wells Supply Methane To New Holland Vegetable Oil to Fight Contamination At LSI Site Editorial: Preparing For The Worst Is The Best Plan Experts: Gasoline Prices Could Keep Setting Records Energy Industry Opens Jobs, Interest Is Low Electric Line, Whats At Stake For Delaware Water Gap? PJM Implements Pay For Performance Model For Regulatory Service Susquehanna-Roseland Transmission Line Gets Final OK PA Environmental Council To Launch Energy Audit Program Wyoming Wind Farm To Be Operational By New Year Casks Planned To Store Nuclear Fuel At Shippingport Editorial: Mosquitoes Have Become Major Concern

PA Environmental Council Awards Pocono Grants Canoe Creek State Park Improvements Require Lake Drainage Editorial: Protect Public Park Land Earth Conservancy Turns 4,010 Acres Into Green Space Indiana Commissioners Approve Trails, Recreation Facilities PennDOT Promotes Safe Walking, Bicycling Bass Fishing, Gas Drilling Meet In Pittsburgh PA To Sell Multi-Year Fishing Licenses Feds Revise Schedule For Crafting Asian Carp Plan Pittsburgh National Aviary 60th Anniversary Ned Smith Center Wildlife Art Auction Oct. 6 Friends Of Drake Well Honor Preservationist

Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling--Are Leaking Gas Wells Letting Methane Into Dimocks Water? Cabots Study Links Tainted Water Wells To Gas Fracking Cabot Beats EPA To Punch On Wells Water Shell Cracker Plant Offers To Pay $7.6 Million In Lieu Of Taxes Shell Cracker Plant Offers To Compensate For Tax Loses Positioning For A Boom From Cracker Plant Six PA Counties Account For Most Gas Production Leases For Gas Drillers Dont Last Forever Wyoming Pipeline Now Up And Running PVR Starts Operating Marcellus Shale Pipeline In PA Keystone Landfill Asks To Double Intake Of Drilling Waste Noise From Gas Dehydration Station Startles Neighbors Faulty Sensor Shut Down Natural Gas Station Bass Fishing, Gas Drilling Meet In Pittsburgh Marcellus Suits Claim Pay Abuses Financial/Other States Rulemaking Will Likely Delay NY Drilling Shift By NY On Drilling Prompts Anger, Praise NY Expected To Miss Fracking Deadline Chesapeake Energy Violated Clean Water Act In WV Fewer Drill Rigs, Shale Gas Production Rises Utica Shale May Hold 38 Trillion Cubic Feet Of Gas

Flooding/Watershed NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state-Flooding Doubts Raised Over Legitimacy Of Levee Fees

Other Watershed NewsClips Chesapeake Restoration Plan Challenged In Court Feds Revise Schedule For Crafting Asian Carp Plan Map Takes Visitors Along Loyalhanna Creek Dams, Locks Deteriorating Faster Than Being Replaced

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board meets October 16 to consider Final Chapter 105 Dam Safety, Waterway Management Fees, Final ultra low sulfur limits for fuel oil and the withdrawal of Drinking Water Program fees. No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - October 6, 2012 Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage DEP Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance & Permits

The Department of Environmental Protection published a notice of final technical guidance on single stationary source determinations for the oil and gas industry and draft guidance on permitting of bulk water hauling systems, a notice extending the Waste Management General Permit for processing electronic equipment (WMGR081), a notice of proposed amendments to Municipal and Residual Waste General Permit for Beneficial Uses of Waste (WMGR097), notice of certification requests under the Nutrient Credit Trading Program, notice of availability of NPDES General Permit for Aquatic Animal Production Facilities (PAG-11). Final: DEP ID:270-0810-006. Title:Guidance for Performing Single Stationary Source Determinations for the Oil and Gas Industry. Description:The Department announces the availability of its final technical guidance for performing single source determinations for the oil and gas industries. This guidance will assist the Department's air program permitting staff in making single source determinations for the oil and gas industries. Draft: DEP ID:383-2127-103. Title:Permitting of Bulk Water Hauling Systems Guidance. Description:This guidance document establishes procedures that the Department staff will follow in the implementation of permitting activities for bulk water hauling systems. Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage

Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Calendar Of Events
Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW means new from last week. Go to the online Calendar webpage. Click on Agenda Released on calendar entries to see the NEW meeting agendas published this week. October 10-- CANCELED. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. (formal notice) October 11-- CANCELED. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15. (formal notice) October 15-- House Game and Fisheries Committee holds an information session with the Game Commission regarding the potential for the expansion of protection of certain species of bats. Room 60 East Wing. 10:30. October 15-- CANCELED. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) October 25-- NEW. Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee hearing on the impacts of Marcellus Shale development on housing. Penn Stater, State College. 12:00. November 13-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15. (formal notice) November 28-- NEW. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. (formal notice) December 11-- NEW. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. 2nd Floor Auditorium, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) DEP Calendar of Events Note: The Environmental Education Workshop Calendar is no longer available from the PA Center for Environmental Education because funding for the Center was eliminated in the FY 2011-12 state budget. The PCEE website was also shutdown, but some content was moved to the PA Association of Environmental Educators' website. Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule

You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

Stories Invited
Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com. PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and is published as a service of Crisci Associates, a Harrisburgbased government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit the newly updated Crisci Associates website or call 717-234-1716. PA Environment Digest weekly was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award. Also sign up for these other 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: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest Twitter feed by going to: www.Twitter.com/PaCapitolDigest or click on this link for the regular daily PA Capitol Digest Blog to get other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.