Pa Environment Digest May 2, 2011

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 May 2, 2011
Gov. Corbett Announces 2011 Environmental Excellence Award Winners
Gov. Tom Corbett this week announced 13 environmental projects from

across the state will be awarded the 2011 Environmental Excellence
Award.
The projects include abandoned mine drainage reclamation, solar
panel installation, and reducing the environmental impact of glass
processing.
“These businesses, schools and organizations have demonstrated a
commitment to finding new approaches to reduce our impact on the
environment,” Corbett said. “I commend them for their efforts, as these
projects certainly raise the bar for all citizens, businesses, and
organizations to be more environmentally conscious.”
Any business, school, government agency, trade organization, non-profit or agribusiness
involved in efforts to promote environmental stewardship and economic development in the state
was urged to apply for the award program. Applications were then reviewed in conjunction by
the Department of Environmental Protection and the non-profit Pennsylvania Environmental
Council.
The award winners were honored at a dinner hosted Thursday by the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council, with DEP Secretary Michael Krancer offering keynote remarks.
“It is no secret that innovation is paramount to our ability to craft a sensible
environmental policy,” Krancer said. “We applaud the forward-thinking of these organizations
and businesses.”
The winners include:
-- Allegheny County - Allegheny Land Trust: Allegheny Land Trust collaborated with
the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation and addressed a community need
to improve and expand the park system on Mount Washington.
Formerly known as "Coal Hill" because of the many mines that operated there, Mount
Washington was once stripped of vegetation. Now, Mount Washington embraces Pittsburgh with
a unique urban forested natural backdrop, and provides a host of environmental benefits such as
carbon sequestration and stormwater management ─ two very important natural functions for a
city striving to improve air and water quality.
-- Cambria County - Vessels Coal Gas, Inc.: Vessels Coal is a Denver-based company
developing and operating coal mine methane producing properties in the Rocky Mountain and
Appalachian coal basins. Vessels operates a coal mine methane recovery property in Cambria
County that began production in May of 2008. The site of the operation is at the Cambria 33
mine, a very large abandoned underground coal mine where mining operations ceased around
1995.
The methane gas is collected from the mine workings, preventing its release to the
atmosphere. The plant has since sold more than 330 million cubic feet of pipeline quality natural
gas to Peoples Natural Gas, a Pittsburgh based natural gas utility. Through this process the
project has produced over 120,000 tons of Certified Emission Reductions by reducing the same
volume of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from being released to the atmosphere.
As an extension to this project Vessels has recently installed an electrical generation unit
capable of producing 750 kilowatts per hour of electricity. This phase of the project will further
increase the volume of CERs from the project.
-- Columbia County - Rieter Automotive: Ninety percent of the residual waste generated from
manufacturing carpet is carpet scrap. This includes the trim from molding and die-cutting
operations, quality assurance samples, roll ends and excess primary backing. Rieter
Automotive has used a recycling system for years to utilize carpet scrap as an ingredient in
secondary backing. Rieter Automotive is capable of recycling 50,000 pounds of scrap carpet on a
daily basis.
Last year, the company’s team eliminated 6,000 tons of material from entering a landfill
and saved over $3 million in raw material purchases. To date, the company has recycled 12
million pounds of scrap carpet. Rieter Automotive will continue to develop its recycling
operations, which are a key component to the company’s environmental commitment and
mission statement.
-- Crawford County - Optical Filters USA LLC: Optical Filters was nominated for a project
designed by their own in-house engineers that recovers waste water and heat from a glass-
processing line. The process removes grinding debris and then cycles the recovered water
through heat exchangers to warm the water used again in the glass processing line. The heat is
recovered from the hot waste-cooling water from a glass laminating autoclave, enabling another
recycling process of cooling water from the autoclave. The process was implemented in phases
beginning in January 2010. Optical Filters continues to refine the process based on system
performance.
-- Cumberland County - Carlisle Area School District: The Carlisle Area School
District installed 5,178 solar panels and seven inverters on 6.2 acres of its main campus. The
project is expected to generate 1.5 million kilowatt-hours per year, or 17 percent of the district’s
annual electrical usage. It will also save the district $150,000 per year in energy costs and avoid
air emissions from traditional electricity generation.
The district established a renewable energy lab and a website, to educate students and the
community. The district has partnered with Dickinson College to share resources and expertise
with respect to energy generation, efficiency, conservation and career development. The district
matched a PEDA-ARRA grant of $1 million with more than $3.8 million of additional funds.
-- Erie County - Engineered Plastics, Inc.: Engineered Plastics, Inc. developed a post-industrial
materials recycling program that has helped the company weather a recession that forced many
other plastics manufacturers to lay off employees, outsource jobs overseas or go out of business.
With the help of a Recycling Markets Infrastructure Development grant from DEP and
technical assistance from Penn State’s Plastics Engineering Department, EPI developed and then
expanded a plastics recycling program that has become an integral part of EPI’s business where
it has not only filled a void in post-industrial recycling locally, but is expanding nationally.
EPI matched a $500,000 DEP grant with almost $700,000 of its own investment to
purchase processing equipment and develop the facilities necessary to process plastic waste for
reuse as manufacturing feedstock material, thereby reducing landfilling costs, helping customers
meet environmental and cost reduction goals, and creating demand for new recycled materials.
-- Lebanon County - Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority: The Greater Lebanon Refuse
Authority is responsible for managing a comprehensive solid waste disposal system for the
county, and must be in accordance with the 2000 Lebanon County Solid Waste Management
Plan. The GLRA operates the county's solid waste disposal facility.
In fall of 2009, GLRA worked with PA Cleanways/Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to
complete an inventory of illegal dumps in Lebanon County. In July 2010, Keep Pennsylvania
Beautiful released the Illegal Dump Survey for Lebanon County that identified 43 dumps with 36
tons of trash. GLRA systematically cleaned up all 43 dumps with the aid of volunteers solicited
through its newsletter.
The authority also took action to prevent future dumping with video cameras and media
coverage. Throughout the process the authority involved the local media which included several
newspaper articles and a television news clip.
-- Lehigh and Northampton counties - Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation:

In 2010, the Lehigh Valley Land Recycling Initiative was awarded one of only six EPA
Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grants for $1 million.
The effort also secured $1.2 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
funds through EPA Cleanup RLF Grants for the region. LVLRI brings together the two counties,
three cities, and the development community. It fosters large projects such as Sand Island Park in
Bethlehem, the Simon Silk Mill in Easton and assists on smaller projects like Sal’s Spaghetti
house. LVLRI provides the technical assistance that is often needed for a municipality to deal
with the environmental concerns on brownfields.
LVLRI balances economic growth with the environmental health of the Lehigh Valley. In
2009, LVLRI was awarded Program of the year by the Northeast Economic Development
Association. In 2008, LVLRI won an Environmental Achievement Award by the EPA Region 3
for the work that is done in partnership in the Lehigh Valley.
-- Lycoming County - East Lycoming County School District: The East Lycoming School
District has taken several steps toward a reduction in its carbon footprint and carbon emissions,
saving money and providing educational resources for their students.
The district’s mission is to reduce its impact on the environment, save taxpayers money
by lowering heating costs and help other schools and businesses become greener by providing a
local example in energy efficiency. The district also wants to use the new technology to educate
and involve the students in the growth of the community.
The utilization of biomass will allow the district to grow its own energy source on school
grounds and burn them to heat the high school. The district is harnessing wind power to provide
a completely carbon-neutral solution that uses the natural resources of the earth. The district has
invested in geothermal power to heat and cool Ferrell Elementary.
ELSD has teamed up with PPL Renewable Energy as part of a power-purchase
agreement. The company will provide $1.4 million in matching funds to the school’s $1 million
already invested in the project to install a new, ground-mounted solar field near Hughesville
High School. The solar facility will have a generating capacity of 700,000 kilowatt-hours per
year, according to PPL Renewable Energy, supplying about 50-percent of the school’s energy
usage.
-- Monroe County - Pocono Raceway: Roughly 4,000 American-made solar panels spread
across 25 acres comprise Pennsylvania’s largest solar farm, as well as being the world’s largest-
such project at a sports venue. This 3-megawatt (3,000 kilowatt) solar farm was funded without
state incentives and largely done as a hedge against increased electricity costs in the post-rate cap
era of energy deregulation, which held the potential to increase the annual electric bill at Pocono
Raceway by as much as $500,000.
The project went online generating electricity in August, 2010. By December 2010, the
project had already produced one-million kilowatt hours of electricity and is expected to produce
more than 72-million kilowatt hours of electricity in the next 20 years. Beyond meeting the needs
of Pocono Raceway, this project will supply enough electricity to meet the needs of 1,000 homes
and will displace the production of more than 3,400 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
-- Philadelphia County - Philadelphia International Airport: The Philadelphia International

Airport’s Ground Service Equipment Electrification Project, which is part of the airport’s
comprehensive Green Airport/Environmental Stewardship Program. It partnered with airlines to
replace 48 diesel-powered ground service equipment vehicles (baggage tractors) with electric
baggage tractors and install 15 recharging stations to service those vehicles. This project will
greatly reduce fuel use and will avoid over 250 tons of nitrogen oxides, 16 tons of volatile
organic compounds, and 15 tons of fine particulates over the lifetime of the equipment. The
emission reductions achieved at the airport will allow the state to continue to make progress in
attaining and maintaining the health-based ozone and fine particulate matter national ambient air
quality standards. This voluntary program has also reduced the exposure of airport employees,
travelers, and the local community to harmful diesel exhaust emissions and has reduced fuel use.
-- Schuylkill County - Schuylkill Headwaters: The Schuylkill Headwaters Association,

working with a multitude of partners, has implemented several innovative projects. These
projects use both anoxic and oxic limestone drains, retaining basins, and/or wetlands to greatly
reduce AMD flow by thousands of gallons per minute into the Schuylkill headwaters. By
decreasing acidity and iron sedimentation in this water resource, these projects will restore and
protect aquatic habitats, and ensure eco-based economic security and recreational enjoyment for
present and future generations. Partners include the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) Acid
Mine Drainage (AMD) Workgroup - the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, the Schuylkill
Conservation District, the United States Geological Survey, and the state Department of
Environmental Protection, with support from the Philadelphia Water Department, Aqua
Pennsylvania, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
-- Washington & Jefferson counties - Oxford Mining Company: The Oxford Mining
Company project involves full reclamation of mining site including abandoned, pre-law
highwalls and wetland restoration.
Prior to mining, the site had approximately 2,800 feet of abandoned highwall and water
impounded in abandoned mine pits. Highwalls were removed and reclaimed to stable slopes and
a wetland was temporarily dewatered to allow mining without flooding the active operation. The
wetland was enlarged and restored as part of the site reclamation.
Benefits to the landowner and local community include safer site conditions and
increased wildlife habitat. The site is located on the Pennsylvania/ West Virginia border. The
project required coordination among state environmental agencies.
NewsClips: Pocono Raceway Wins State Environmental Award
Sen. Scarnati Announces Proposed Marcellus Shale Drilling Impact Fee
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) this week

unveiled a Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal he said will generate
$121.6 million in FY 2011-12, more, he said, than the proposal many
Senate Republicans were willing to support during last year's discussions.
The proposal would have a base fee of $10,000 per well, plus an
additional factor for gas production and the price of gas. Over time, Sen.
Scarnati said, as production and the price of natural gas increases to $5 per
MCF, his proposal could generate $1 billion in revenue over five years.
The Public Utility Commission would be in charge of
administering the fee and distributing the proceeds to county and local governments impacted by
drilling and to the statewide restoration programs included in the plan.
"Since the beginning, I have felt that a majority of revenues from the industry needs to
remain local, and this proposal clearly provides that parameter," Sen. Scarnati stated. "A fee
assisting those communities where the drilling takes place and where road improvements, water
and safety enhancements are needed makes a tremendous amount of sense."
Sixty percent of impact fee revenue would go to a newly established Local Services Fund
for counties and local governments affected by drilling operations: 36 percent for counties with
producing wells, 37 percent municipalities with producing wells and 27 percent to municipalities
without producing wells, but located in counties with producing wells.
These funds could be used by counties for:
-- Reconstruction, maintenance and repair of municipal roadways and bridges;
-- Preservation and improvement of municipal water supplies;
-- Maintenance and capital improvements to municipal waste and sewage systems;
-- Preservation and reclamation of the surface waters of the municipality; and
-- Other lawful purposes reasonably related to the health, welfare and safety consequences of
severing natural gas in the municipality.
The remaining 40 percent of the fee revenue would go to:
-- County conservation districts, perhaps as much as half of this amount; and
-- Statewide environmental and infrastructure impacts, including environmental cleanup projects
distributed through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, water and sewer infrastructure,
impacted state highway improvements and hazardous sites cleanup.
Sen. Scarnati said he is open to discussing changes to the proposal, but would not look to
reduce the 60 percent share of revenue going directly to impacted local governments.
"While not all communities have Marcellus shale, it is my sincere belief that everyone
will be impacted by this developing industry," Sen. Scarnati added. "There is little question that
the goal of this proposal is not only to help our local communities, but it is also to help protect
our environment statewide."
The proposal would also direct the Public Utility Commission to publish a model
municipal zoning ordinance to regulate Marcellus drilling operations within their existing
authority. Any county or municipality adopting measures which go beyond this model ordinance
would be ineligible for impact fee revenue.
The $121.6 million revenue estimate for the proposal's first year are based on collecting
the new fee for both 2010 and 2011 from Marcellus Shale drilling companies. It uses a natural
gas price of $4.50 per MCF and assumes 1,500 new wells per year will be drilled in the state
beginning this year.
Sen. Scarnati said he met with Gov. Corbett on Monday and talked about the proposal in
detail, saying he got a "yellow light" from the Governor, not a green light or red light, a yellow
light.
Late Friday, Gov. Corbett was quoted by Capitolwire.com as saying his Marcellus Shale
Commission is documenting the impacts from drilling and until those impacts are identified no
legislation should be written.
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, who chairs the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission,
called the Scarnati proposal, "a starting point for conversation, but it also becomes the target for
all the slings and arrows everyone might wich to throw at it. I commend Joe (Scarnati) for
stepping forward with a proposal. We're going to take a look at all the proposals and make the
best, most prudent recommendation to the governor that we can."
With respect to the House, Sen. Scarnati said, "I cannot see how we get a state budget
process done with all the cuts without addressing an impact fee on this industry." The public has
connected the dots, he said, between big budget cuts and the drilling industry not paying a fee or
tax and he's confident House Leadership will too.
The Associated Press reported Steve Miskin, a spokesman for Speaker Sam Smith (R-
Jefferson) and Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), said the $27.3 billion budget
proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett is an appropriate amount to fund government operations.
Besides, imposing a Marcellus Shale fee or tax does not enjoy broad support among the House's
112 Republican members in the 203-seat chamber.
"Do we as a caucus feel we have to pass a Marcellus tax or fee? No, that does not have
102 (Republican) votes," Miskin said.
Sen. Scarnati said he hopes to introduce the proposal in bill form in about a week and
looks to move it out of committee after the May 17 Primary Election break with a final Senate
vote in early June.
"Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity with the Marcellus shale industry, but we
must be vigilant in ensuring our communities and the environment are preserved now and in the
future." Sen. Scarnati said. "This is a common sense proposal, and it is a responsible first step in
the state's partnership with this industry."
A summary of Sen. Scarnati's proposal is available online, along with revenue
estimates for coming fiscal years. Listen to a portion of Sen. Scarnati's conference call with
reporters announcing the proposal.
Here's a sampling of the reaction to the Scarnati proposal.
County Commissioners
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania expressed its support for the
conceptual outline of the natural gas impact fee released by Sen. Scarnati.
While the Association said it awaits the specific language of the proposal, it notes that the
outline presented by the Senator, augmented by his commentary in a media briefing, meets the
needs the organization has expressed for funding to address local impacts resulting from
exploration and development of Marcellus Shale and other natural gas reserves.
The Association has sought revenues from restoration of property tax assessability of
natural gas (lost to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision in 2002), a severance tax or an
impact fee for this purpose.
Information developed by the Association shows diverse impacts on counties and
municipalities, including bridge and highway infrastructure, emergency management and
hazardous materials planning and response, 911 services, human services, criminal justice,
records management and others.
The Association commented that the outline offered by the Senator meets its policy
position calling for dedicated and meaningful funding for host counties, host municipalities, and
non-host municipalities in host counties, and appropriately recognizes the broad diversity of
local impacts.
The Association termed the funding levels and fund administrative procedures
appropriate for local needs while not overburdening the industry. Counties and municipalities
would be permitted to use the funds for highway, bridge, water and sewer infrastructure, and for
public health, safety and welfare services reasonably related to natural gas development.
As such, they said, it would reduce the burden placed on local property tax payers for
increased county and municipal services and expenditures generated by industry activities.
The Association also supports the outline’s allocation of some funding proceeds
statewide to conservation districts and some environmental programs.
PA Environmental Council
"It is time for Pennsylvania to adopt a reasonable severance tax or impact fee on the
natural gas industry," said Paul King, President, PA Environmental Council. 'It does not matter
what you call it, but we need new revenues from the industry to pay for the prevention and
mitigation of impacts created by drilling. We commend Sen. Scarnati and other legislators who
have stepped up to address this need.
“A severance tax or impact fee should not be used to lessen the responsibility that
operators have for direct impacts. It can and should, however, be effectively used to help prevent
those potential impacts before they occur, and to offset indirect and cumulative impacts in the
future.
“It’s clear that much work remains to be done to ensure that the growth of the gas drilling
industry is managed responsibly. There are many documented cases of direct costs to specific
communities as well as indirect costs to the Commonwealth, and leaders in the industry have
already stated their support for a tax or fee to address these costs.
“The Pennsylvania Environmental Council supports a reasonable tax or fee that:
-- Provides additional support and staffing to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, Fish and Boat Commission, and county conservation districts for improved
management of the industry and to ensure public safety and natural resource protection.
-- Supports local and state efforts to collect better information and develop sound regional
planning on proposed well site locations prior to the start of drilling and extraction.
-- Funds the successful Growing Greener program to continue restoration and preservation work
that helps citizens and communities address environmental legacy issues and ongoing challenges.
“A severance tax or impact fee should not be used to lessen the responsibility that
operators have for direct impacts. It can and should, however, be effectively used to help prevent
those potential impacts before they occur, and to offset indirect and cumulative impacts in the
future.”
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Matt Ehrhart, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania office of the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation released the following statement in response to President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati's
release of his local impact fee legislation:
“We want to thank the Senator for his leadership on this issue, and for proposing
legislation that will address a number of critical funding needs, including environmental
protection. Sen. Scarnati’s proposal provides a framework for addressing environmental, and
conservation concerns, and provides resources to communities being directly impacted by the
development of natural gas.
“Sen. Scarnati’s proposal, as part of a larger funding solution, will address funding
shortfalls for key community and environmental issues including: much-needed upgrades to our
wastewater treatment plants; improvements to local water quality; restoration of our streams and
rivers; increased funding for county conservation districts; and local dollars to be allocated
toward meeting Chesapeake Bay restoration requirements.
“However, in order to fully address the current needs, funding for environmental
programs must be fully restored. This proposal, combined with funding from the Oil and Gas
Fund to address DCNR and other environmental program needs, and funding for the
Environmental Stewardship Fund, as proposed by Sen. Don White, would secure the
Commonwealth with the ability to restore and protect our environment for future generations.”
“We thank Sen. Scarnati along with Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Rep. Camille
George (D-Clearfield), Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware),
who have also proposed funding mechanisms for environmental funding, for their perseverance
in bringing this issue to the attention of the Governor and the full Legislature.”
Sen. Jay Costa
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said of the Scarnati proposal:
“Senate Democrats have strongly stressed the need to assess a reasonable and responsible tax on
shale drillers. The Marcellus Shale gas play is a state resource and all taxpayers should receive
the benefits of an extraction fee or tax.
“While I’m pleased that the Senate Republicans recognize the need for natural gas
drillers to contribute back to the state for extracting our natural resources, it seems that Senator
Scarnati’s plan includes a local distribution formula that creates winners and losers. There is no
doubt that the distribution formula, as well as the amount of the levy itself and how it is assessed,
will be a focal point of debate as the plan is considered in the Senate.”
Sen. Dominic Pileggi
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) appeared to be lukewarm on the
fee which would not provide funding to counties where drilling isn't taking place and told WITF
Radio reporter Scott Detrow, “My view is that the entire Commonwealth needs to benefit from
an extraction tax, regardless of whether or not communities have wells or pipelines in their own
area."
Sen. John Yudichak
Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources
and Energy Committee, said, "I am encouraged by the bi-partisan consensus that is building in
Harrisburg to impose a Marcellus shale tax or fee to protect local communities and
Pennsylvania's environment.
"I applaud Senator Scarnati for weighing into the debate with a serious proposal that
recognizes that the natural gas corporations must pay their fair share toward the responsible
development of the Marcellus shale industry in Pennsylvania. While I have some concerns with
this proposal and the limited resources it may generate, I look forward to working with Sen.
Scarnati and the Administration to get comprehensive Marcellus shale policy in place by end of
this years' budget process."
Sen. Yudichak introduced Senate Bill 905 with Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) that
would impose a production based – severance tax starting at 2 percent and growing to 5 percent.
The funding from Sen. Yudichak's proposal, similar to Sen. Scarnati's impact fee proposal,
would not go to the state general fund budget; it would be directed to impacted local
communities and statewide environmental protection programs.
Rep. Camille George
Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield), Minority Chair of the House Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee, said Sen. Scarnati's proposed "local impact fee" on Marcellus
shale gas drillers is a welcome first step toward fairness for Pennsylvania taxpayers.
"Acknowledgement by Senate GOP leadership that the Marcellus industry must step to
the plate to address its gas-extraction responsibilities is an overdue but needed step in the
process," said Rep. George. "At least now we can move past the boilerplate refusal to consider
fair fees.
"What we see today from Sen. Scarnati contains promising aspects," Rep. George said.
"However, I have deep concerns with the funding levels, potential intrusion on local control and
the mechanisms that would be employed to implement the policies."
"Several key parts of this bill are very similar to my severance tax proposal," Rep.
George said. "My House Bill 833, the Natural Gas Severance Tax Act, allocates a majority of the
funding to local governments, with the rest being distributed to infrastructure and environmental
programs and efforts.
"Both of our measures do not send money to the General Fund," Rep. George said.
"Unfortunately, most similarities end there."
Rep. George questioned the ability and suitability of the Public Utility Commission
crafting a model zoning ordinance that local governments could not exceed and still receive local
impact fees. The proposal also calls on the PUC to collect and distribute the revenues.
"This could be outright scary, and I've yet to deduce what qualifies the PUC to write local
zoning ordinances for drilling," Rep. George said. "The Oil and Gas Act already outlines to what
extent local governments can regulate gas drilling."
Rep. George said funding for environmental cleanups falls short of what is needed, and
funneling it through the Commonwealth Financing Authority seemingly could expose it to
political wheeling and dealing.
"When the bill is introduced and I can see the actual language, I will provide more
information," Rep. George said. "I hope to provide a comprehensive comparison of Sen.
Scarnati's impact fee versus my House Bill 833 severance tax.
"Overall, I think this could be a positive beginning to the end of Pennsylvania taxpayers
bearing the brunt of the risks and costs of Marcellus shale gas extraction."
Former DEP Secretary
Former Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David E. Hess released this
statement in response to the Scarnati proposal.
"Sen. Scarnati's proposal includes many of the key provisions asked for by many
environmental groups, communities and major companies in the Marcellus Shale industry--
support for local governments facing unprecedented pressures from drilling operations and
funding for environmental restoration programs that are part of the state's core mission.
"His proposal is one of only a hand full in the last nine years to generate a net gain in
funding for environmental restoration programs. It's in stark contrast to the last eight years when
$1.3 billion in state environmental funding was diverted to balance the budget or fund programs
which could not get funded on their own.
"His proposal also comes at a critical time because programs like Growing Greener,
which funds mine reclamation, watershed restoration and installation of best management
practices on farms, is all but out of money. It is also important to help us comply with the federal
mandate to reduce nutrients going to the Chesapeake Bay and cleanup 19,000 miles of
Pennsylvania rivers and streams that do not meet water quality standards.
"Sen. Scarnati is to be congratulated for his leadership on this issue. His is one of several
proposals now pending in the General Assembly by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Rep. Kate
Harper (R-Montgomery) and Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield) which could provide much-
needed funding to support communities dealing with drilling impacts and to fund environmental
restoration programs.
"While there are many details yet to come, and other parts to the environmental funding
puzzle, I hope this issue is resolved and on the Governor's desk by June 30 along with next year's
state budget."
NewsClips: Senate Bill Would Place Impact Fee On Gas Drilling
Scarnati Unveils Drilling Impact Fee
Sen. Scarnati Unveils Plan For Local Impact Fee On Gas Drillers
Senator Proposes Per Well Impact Fee
Scarnati's Bill Sets $10,000 Fee On Gas Wells
Lawmaker Thinks Fees On Marcellus Shale Drillers Unavoidable
Scarnati Reveals Proposal For Fee On Marcellus Shale
Votes For Drillers' Fee, Budget Cuts May Be Linked
Reaction To Scarnati's Fee, What Happens Next
PennFuture Welcomes Scarnati Proposal, Debate On Driller Fees
Lawmakers Offer Plans To Get Revenue From Shale Drillers
Flurry Of Marcellus Tax, Fee Bills Prep Capitol For Debate
Growing Greener Pushing For More Green (Video)
Study: Drillers Avoid PA Corporate Tax
Taxes Paid By Drillers Disputed
Study: Energy Companies Paid Less In Taxes
Group Admits Errors In Energy Tax Report
Think Tanks Battle On Marcellus Shale Tax Policy
Corbett Tells Universities To Consider Shale Drilling
Bumsted: Corbett's No To Shale Tax Cast In Stone
Editorial: Corbett's Reluctance To Tax Drillers Undermines Confidence
Editorial: Pandering Instead Of Severance Tax
Editorial: Corbett Still Wrong On Taxing Gas Extraction
Editorial: Keep Growing Greener Green
Related Stories
Rep. Harper Introduces Marcellus Shale Severance Tax Proposal
Rep. George Marcellus Shale Severance Tax Proposal Funds Variety Of Programs
New Poll Shows Wide Support For Taxing Marcellus Shale Drilling Companies
Study: Natural Gas Drilling Companies Pay Little In State, Local Taxes
Senators Yudichak, Erickson Introduce Bipartisan Marcellus Shale Severance Tax
Sen. Yaw To Introduce Bill To Tax Natural Gas Holdings To Benefit Communities
Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) this week introduced House Bill

1406 to impose a severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania
to fund environmental programs, the local communities impacted by the
drilling and education in the Commonwealth.
“As we continue to experience the growth of the natural gas
industry in Pennsylvania, we must ensure that the drilling is done safely,
that the local communities impacted by the drilling are able to take care of
their roads and water supplies, and that the drilling companies pay a fair
share toward environmental programs to deal with accidents and ill effects
from the fracking process,” Rep. Harper said. “Additionally, we should
also be able to soften some of the education budget cuts in the governor's proposed budget.”
The revenue would go into a Natural Gas Severance Tax Account to be distributed as
follows:
-- 36 percent to environmental programs, including the Environmental Stewardship Fund which
funds the popular Growing Greener program, Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, the Fish and Boat
Commission and other agencies;
-- 32 percent to the Local Government Services Account, to be further distributed to counties and
municipalities affected by natural gas drilling with a portion going to the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency; and
-- 32 percent to the Education Supplemental Account. Two-thirds would be used to support basic
education, while the remaining one-third would support community colleges and higher
education in the Commonwealth.
Rep. Harper noted natural gas drilling companies pay a severance tax in virtually every
other state in which drilling takes place, so enacting such a tax in Pennsylvania, as long as it is
fair and competitive, will not hamper job growth related to the industry in the Commonwealth.
“Drilling in the Marcellus Shale is proving to be a real economic boon to communities in
rural Pennsylvania where jobs have been scarce for many years,” Rep. Harper said. “I do not
want to cripple job creation in that area. My proposal will not do that because I am proposing a
modest rate for the early days of the well production, rising to a rate equal to our closest
competing states later. It means, for the first time, this industry will pay its fair share.”
Rep. Harper structured her proposal using a formula similar to that of Arkansas. It would
assess a tax of 1.5 percent of the gross value of units severed at the wellhead for the first 60
months of production and 5 percent of the gross value of units severed thereafter on wells that
produce natural gas in excess of 90,000 cubic feet per day.
Rep. Harper can be contacted through her website.
Related Stories
House Bill 833, introduced by Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield),

Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee, would impose a Marcellus Shale natural gas production
severance tax to help fund Growing Greener, support for communities
affected by drilling and fund transportation and other infrastructure.
Rep. George estimates his proposal would generate $343 million in
FY 2011-12 to be distributed to the following programs--
-- 10 percent to PennDOT road and bridge fund-- $34.3 million;
-- 20 percent to PennVEST for wastewater plant upgrades, including
funding drilling wastewater treatment facilities-- $68.6 million;
-- 6 percent to the PennDOT Liquid Fuels account for local transportation projects-- $20.5
million;
-- 35 percent to a Local Government Services Account for counties, municipalities and the PA
Emergency Management Agency-- $120 million;
-- 15 percent to the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund-- $51 million;
-- 3 percent to Conservation District Fund-- $10.2 million;
-- 3 percent to Fish and Boat Commission-- $10.2 million;
-- 2 percent to Game Commission-- $8.6 million;
-- 2 percent for LIHEAP Energy Assistance at DPW-- $6.8 million;
-- 2 percent to Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund-- 6.8 million; and
-- 2 percent to a new Oil and Gas Environmental Disaster Recovery Account-- $6.8 million.
Rep. George can be contacted through his website.
Related Stories
A new poll released by Quinnipiac University this week again shows wide support for a tax on
Marcellus Shale drilling companies-- 69 percent support, 22 percent oppose.
Three other recent polls had similar results supporting a Marcellus Shale production tax:
70 percent, including 62 percent of Republicans, by Susquehanna Polling; 62 percent in a
Franklin & Marshall Poll; 53 percent in a Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates and Public
Opinion Strategies poll which also found 87 percent supported dedicating a significant portion of
a Marcellus tax to conservation programs to protect land, water and wildlife.
The same poll also gauged the public's support/opposition for budget cutting/saving
measures--
-- Oppose 50 - 43 percent state worker layoffs;
-- Oppose 53 - 36 percent selling or leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike;
-- Support 64 - 28 percent selling state liquor stores;
-- Oppose 64 - 32 percent cutting state funding for state and state-related universities; and
-- Support 68 - 27 percent freezing the wages of state employees.
While 39 percent of Pennsylvania voters approve of the job Gov. Tom Corbett is doing,
37 percent disapprove, a statistical tie, according to the new Quinnipiac University poll. This is a
big jump in his negative ratings from a 39 - 11 percent job approval rating in a February 16
survey.
Pennsylvania voters say 50 - 39 percent that Gov. Corbett's budget-cutting proposals are
unfair to people like them, the independent Quinnipiac University survey finds.
There is a large gender gap as men say the cuts are fair 45 - 43 percent, a tie, while
women say unfair 55 - 34 percent. Republicans say 59 - 27 percent the cuts are fair, but
Democrats say unfair 69 - 22 percent and independent voters say unfair 47 - 41 percent.
Still, voters say 55 - 39 percent that balancing the state budget should be done by
spending cuts only and not by a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts.
Detailed poll results are available online.
Of the 783 natural gas drilling companies to file Pennsylvania corporate net income tax returns
in 2008, 85 percent paid nothing in taxes, according to a new study by the PA Budget and Policy
Center.
Many other drillers, including nine of the top 10 permit holders in the Marcellus Shale,
structure their businesses so that they pay the much lower personal income tax, avoiding the
corporate net income tax altogether.
In response to the report, the Department of Revenue said the data used in the report were
old and purposely narrow. The agency said it does not capture the full picture of drilling's
economic benefits and would be producing its own report within the next week.
The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry group, also countered the report saying an
earlier study by Penn State University concluded the industry generated $785 million in 2008,
although that included the income and sales taxes paid by Marcellus company employees.
"Drillers profiting from the rich gas reserves of Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale are
getting a free pass," said Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.
"Federal incentives significantly cut their tax bills at all levels. Most drilling corporations pay no
corporate income taxes, and the majority of all big oil and gas companies in the Marcellus Shale
are paying the same tax rate as the person serving coffee at the corner diner."
The industry claims Marcellus Shale production has generated more than $1 billion in
state and local tax revenue, but the Department of Revenue data show the oil and gas industry
paid only $38.8 million in state business taxes in 2008. That includes $17.8 million in corporate
net income taxes, $13 million in personal income taxes and $8 million in capital stock and
franchise taxes.
In 2009, oil and gas drillers in Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia paid considerably
more in state and local taxes than they did in Pennsylvania. Drillers paid $44 million in
Pennsylvania sales and business taxes, while in Texas, they paid $8.8 billion in drilling, property,
sales and corporate taxes.
"Texas has about 34 times as much oil and gas drilling as Pennsylvania, but took in 200
times as much in taxes from the industry," Ward said. "Clearly, drillers are getting big tax breaks
in Pennsylvania that they don't enjoy anywhere else."
In drilling and property taxes alone, oil and gas drillers paid $820 million in Louisiana
and $183 million in West Virginia. (Data on business and sales taxes paid by oil and gas drillers
in those states were not available).
The center's report recommends that Pennsylvania policymakers follow the lead of every
other major gas-producing state in the nation and enact a single statewide drilling tax, without
costly upfront tax exemptions. It also recommends closing a court-imposed tax loophole that
prevents local governments from assessing property taxes on oil and gas reserves.
"Virtually every other state with natural gas reserves is able to marry robust economic
growth with a boost in tax revenue to support schools, health care, the environment and other
investments in the state's long-term prosperity," Ward said. "Pennsylvania should do the same."
Tax Breaks For Drillers
Generous federal tax incentives for energy production sharply reduce the state and federal
income taxes paid by drillers. For example, Range Resources, the No. 2 Marcellus Shale well
driller in Pennsylvania, had an average federal income tax rate of 0.4 percent from 2005 to 2008,
due in large part to these giveaways.
But federal incentives are only part of the picture. Loopholes, tax breaks and other
giveaways in Pennsylvania's antiquated tax system make this a very favorable tax state for the
industry.
Drillers operating as corporations can shift income earned here to tax-haven states like
Delaware, leaving little or no income on the books in Pennsylvania. This is one reason why 85
percent of the drilling companies that filed corporate tax returns in 2008 paid no corporate
income taxes at all.
A much larger number of drillers structure their businesses as limited liability companies
(LLCs) or limited partnerships (LPs) to avoid corporate income taxes altogether and instead pay
the much lower personal income tax rate on profits. At least 80 percent of all permit-holding
drilling companies are now operated by LLCs or LPs.
While many drillers also paid capital stock and franchise taxes in 2008, this levy's days
are numbered. The tax will be completely phased out by 2014, amounting to yet another tax
break for gas drillers in Pennsylvania.
Drillers also pay state sales taxes on non-drilling items like computers and office chairs,
but a manufacturing exemption in the tax means much larger purchases, including fracking
chemicals, drilling equipment, testing equipment, and pollution control devices, are tax free in
Pennsylvania.
At the local level, drillers also enjoy generous tax breaks and exemptions.
A 2002 court decision prohibited municipalities and school districts from collecting
property taxes on oil and gas reserves. Unlike in most states, Pennsylvania's property tax also
exempts trucks, equipment and supplies in the drilling process.
Other local tax breaks further reduce drillers' tax bills:
-- Drillers avoid paying local business privilege taxes since gas drilling falls under a
manufacturing exemption to that tax;
-- Net profits earned by drilling corporations are exempted from local earned income taxes; and
-- State and local hotel taxes are waived on the long-term rental of living quarters for out-of-state
industry workers.
The full report is available online.
NewsClips: Study: Drillers Avoid PA Corporate Tax
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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
Here is the Senate and House schedule-- 24 voting days until budget deadline.
Senate
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24
June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
House
May 2, 3, 4, 9. 10, 11, 23, 24, and 25
June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, and 30
Bill Calendars
House (May 2): House Resolution 87 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) calling on the Region III office of
the U.S. Environmental Protection to cease the unlawful review of NPDES water quality
permits. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (May 2): Senate Bill 263 (Erickson-R-Delaware) requiring proposed regulations to be
supported with empirical, replicable and testable data. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill
Calendar.
Committees
House: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee informational meeting with
DEP Secretary Michael Krancer; the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
Committee holds an informational meeting on emergency preparedness involving nuclear power
plant facilities; the State Government Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 726 (Saylor-R-
York) establishing the Performance, Accountability and Results Act requiring state agency
performance audits Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee considers the nomination of
Richard Allan as Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources and these bills: Senate Bill
292 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) increasing bid limits for flood control projects, Senate Bill
308 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) further providing for the eligibility of sewer laterals for
funding, Senate Bill 367 (D.White-R-Indiana) authorizing the leasing of mineral rights on other
state lands and depositing the proceeds in the Environmental Stewardship Fund, Senate Bill
460 (Yaw-R-Bradford) further providing for oil and gas leasing payments, Senate Bill
469 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available for
public recreation, Senate Bill 618 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing independent counsel for
Environmental Quality Board, Senate Bill 791 (Earll-R-Erie) further providing for bluff setbacks
along Lake Erie, Senate Bill 898 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) further providing for the temporary
cession of noncoal mining operations; the Game and Fisheries Committee holds a hearing on
classification of waters, fishing license modifications, sources of alternative funding for Fish and
Boat Commission. <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced this week--
House
Energy Efficiency Assistance: House Bill 1368 (Watson-R-Bucks) amends the Housing
Finance Agency Law to establish an energy efficient home assistance pilot program.
REAP Tax Credit: House Bill 1392 (Stern-R-Blair) increasing the Resource Enhancement and
Protection Tax Credit (REAP) from $10 to $20 million.
Recycling CFLs: House Bill 1394 (Quinn-R-Bucks) adding fluorescent lamps to state recycling
program.
Gas Royalties: House Bill 1410 (George-D-Clearfield) further providing for minimum gas lease
royalties
Senate
Energy Service Grants: Senate Bill 686 (Wozniak-D-Cambria) amending the Alternative
Energy Investment Act to re-allocate $5 million for energy service project grants for political
subdivisions.
Green Work Force Training: Senate Bill 687 (Kitchen-D-Philadelphia) amending the
Alternative Energy Investment Act to re-allocate $15 million to Labor and Industry for green
work force training.
Clean Energy Supply Change Initiatives: Senate Bill 688 (Solobay-D-Washington) amending
the Alternative Energy Investment Act to develop clean energy supply chain initiatives.
High Hazard Dams: Senate Bill 690 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) amending the H20 PA Act to re-
allocate $15 million more for repair of high hazard dams.
Gas Well Emergency Response: Senate Bill 995 (Baker-R-Luzerne) further providing for oil
and gas well emergency response procedures.
Sewage Sludge Testing: Senate Bill 1022 (Waugh-R-York) further providing for testing of
sewage sludge.
Water Infrastructure Funding: Senate Resolution 30 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) directing the

Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review the PennVEST water infrastructure
funding programs.
Senate/House Bills Moving
The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--
House
Natural Gas Well/Coal Spacing: Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango) updates the Coal and
Gas Resource Coordination Act to establishing adequate and safe spacing between Marcellus
Shale natural gas well clusters and workable coal seams was passed unchanged by the House and
now goes to the Governor for his action.
Arbor Day: House Resolution 174 (Marsico-R-Dauphin) designating April 29 as Arbor Day.
Senate
Nominations: The Senate voted 50 to 0 to confirm Michael Krancer, Secretary of Environmental

Protection.
On The Governor's Desk
The following bill was given final action and is now on the Governor's desk for his approval or
veto--
Natural Gas Well/Coal Spacing: Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango) updates the Coal and
Gas Resource Coordination Act to establishing adequate and safe spacing between Marcellus
Shale natural gas well clusters and workable coal seams was passed unchanged by the House and
News From The Capitol
Senate Unanimously Confirms Michael Krancer As DEP Secretary
The Senate this week unanimously confirmed Michael Krancer, 53

of Bryn Mawr, Montgomery County, to be the fifth Secretary of
the Department of Environmental Protection since 1995.
Secretary Krancer served as a Judge on the Environmental
Hearing Board, which is a statewide trial and appellate court for
environmental cases. He was nominated to serve on the EHB by
Gov. Tom Ridge in 1999, and in 2003 was named by Gov. Rendell
as Chief Judge and Chairman of the EHB.
Krancer stepped down from the EHB in April 2007 to devote full time to his campaign
for Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He was then Assistant General Counsel for the
Exelon Corporation from June 2008 through October 2009.
Judge Krancer returned as a Judge on the EHB in 2009 after being nominated by
Governor Rendell to continue his service.
Prior to becoming a judge, Krancer was a litigation partner at the Dilworth Paxson and
Blank Rome firms in Philadelphia.
When nominating Secretary Krancer in January, Gov. Tom Corbett said, “Judge Krancer
has been nominated to the Environmental Hearing Board by governors of both parties and has a
reputation of being fair, practical, speedy and intellectual. He has also worked with both parties
in both houses of the legislature and will be a great asset to the Corbett/Cawley administration.”
Krancer received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia and
his J.D. from the Washington and Lee School of Law where he was first in his class.
Krancer and his wife, Barbara, have been married for 17 years and have four children.
Bill On Coordinating Natural Gas, Coal Mining Heads To Governor
Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango), establishing adequate and safe spacing between natural
gas well clusters and workable coal seams, was passed unchanged by the House this week and
The bill amends the Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act to create adequate and safe
spacing between gas well clusters and workable coal seams. No permit for a gas well covered by
the act would be issued unless the well cluster is located at least 2,000 feet from the nearest well
cluster, unless the permit applicant and the owner of the workable coal seam consent in writing.
"With the increase in natural gas development, Pennsylvania needs to have clear
standards in place for the safe, ordered extraction of these valuable energy sources," said Sen.
White. "Enactment of this new law will provide organized development between natural gas
wells and workable coal seams."
Under Senate Bill 265, absent an agreement, either the coal operator or well applicant
may activate a dispute resolution process to resolve the spacing issue.
The bill also requires the department to commission an independent study to conduct a
comprehensive evaluation and update of the Joint Coal and Gas Committee Gas Well Pillar
Study. The study would assess appropriate pillar size around an active/inactive well or well
cluster to protect the workable coal seam and ensure the safety of coal miners, as well as any
additional criteria or standards that should be considered by the department when considering the
approval of pillars around an oil or gas well which penetrates a workable coal seam.
Sen. White serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee.
House Committee Hears Update On Stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, Water Planning
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week heard an update on
stormwater management, meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup mandates and state water planning
efforts from John Hines, Department of Environmental Protection Executive Deputy Secretary
for Programs.
In written testimony, Hines said DEP completed the State Water Plan in 2008 as required
by Act 220 in 2002. The agency is now focused on developing three critical area resource plans
for watersheds in Adams County- Marsh Creek and Rock Creek; Fayette County- Back Creek;
and in Somerset County- Laurel Hill Creek.
As a result of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load federal mandate,
Pennsylvania will have to totally revamp the state's Comprehensive Stormwater Policy and its
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) process to reduce nutrients and pollution
going into the state's waterways.
DEP is now in discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve
the permit process under MS4 and DEP's PAG-13 general permit. Hines said he believes the
disagreements between DEP and EPA over the scope of the PAG-13 is on its way to being
resolved.
Hines cautioned, however, EPA has proposed in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL to double
the 700 communities in the state now subject to MS4 requirements.
On the federal mandate to reduce nutrients and sediment going to the Chesapeake Bay,
Hines said DEP is working with a variety of groups and counties to develop the next level of
more detailed plans needed to implement the Watershed Implementation Plan approved by EPA
last year.
He noted DEP will be targeting counties first which contribute the most to nutrient and
sediment problems. He pointed to programs in Lancaster, Lycoming and York counties as
potential models to implement key elements of the Chesapeake Bay plan.
Hines stressed Pennsylvania is not backing away from its duty to implement the federal
mandates, but that DEP is looking to do meet these requirements in the most efficient and
effective way.
A copy of the written testimony is available online.
Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep.
Camille George (D-Clearfield) serves as Minority Chair.
Infrastructure Repair Funding Topic Of House Consumer Affairs Committee Hearing
The House Consumer Affairs Committee this week held a hearing on House Bill 1294
(Godshall-R-Montgomery) which would authorize the Public Utility Commission to establish a
distribution system improvement charge (DSIC) as an alternative to a regular rate cases to
recover costs associated with replacing pipelines and other infrastructure for all public utilities--
electric, natural gas, water and wastewater companies.
Robert Powelson, Chair of the PUC, offered strong support for the legislation which he
said was needed to help upgrade the state's aging natural gas and utility distribution
infrastructure. He pointed to the success water distribution companies were having with a
similar DSIC system.
Kimberly Joyce, Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Rate Counsel for Aqua America,
outlined the benefits and the track record of water companies in using the DSIC system to
recover their infrastructure replacement costs. She also pointed to a provision in the bill that
would allow owners of drinking water and wastewater systems in the same community to
consolidate revenue in rate making cases to help lower overall costs for consumers.
Kathy Pape, President and CEO of PA American Water, supported the DSIC system
saying using the process has speeded up much needed replacements of water infrastructure.
Terrance Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of the Energy Association of PA, said DSIC
would benefit the public interest by allowing more prompt recovery of costs incurred by natural
gas utilities and electric systems so they could modernize their systems.
David DeCampli, President PPL Electric Utilities, said a DSIC system would allow
utilities to upgrade their electric distribution systems.
Sonny Popowsky, PA Consumer Advocate, expressed opposition to the proposed
legislation saying the bill would eliminate many of the statutory rate making requirements
protecting Pennsylvania's utility customers.
Also providing comments were Fred Eichenmiller, Duquesne Light Company; Nancy
Krajovic, Columbia Gas; Morgan O'Brien, Peoples Natural Gas; Stephen Hershey, Philadelphia
Gas Works; the National Association of Water Companies-PA Chapter; and the Utility Law
Project.
Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Joseph Preston
(D-Allegheny) serves as Minority Chair.
Senate Environmental Committee To Consider DCNR Secretary Nomination, 8 Bills
On May 3 the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will consider the
nomination of Richard Allan as Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources and eight bills
on a variety of topics. They include:
-- Senate Bill 292 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) increasing bid limits for flood control projects;
-- Senate Bill 308 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) further providing for the eligibility of sewer laterals for
funding;
-- Senate Bill 367 (D.White-R-Indiana) authorizing the leasing of mineral rights on other state
lands and depositing the proceeds in the Environmental Stewardship Fund;
-- Senate Bill 460 (Yaw-R-Bradford) further providing for oil and gas leasing payments;
-- Senate Bill 469 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) encouraging landowners to make land and water areas
available for public recreation;
-- Senate Bill 618 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing independent counsel for Environmental
Quality Board;
-- Senate Bill 791 (Earll-R-Erie) further providing for bluff setbacks along Lake Erie; and
-- Senate Bill 898 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) further providing for the temporary cession of noncoal
mining operations.
The meeting will be held in the Senate Majority Caucus Room starting at 9:30.
Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair and Sen. John Yudichak (D-
Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.
For more information, visit the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee webpage.
House Environmental Committee To Hear From DEP Secretary Krancer
On May 3 DEP Secretary Michael Krancer will appear before the House Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee to discuss a variety of environmental topics important to
Pennsylvania, according to Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Committee.
The meeting will be held in Room 60 East Wing starting at 9:00.
Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.
April Environmental Synopsis Features Waste Tire Recycling
The April edition of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter features a summary of a recent Joint
Conservation Committee hearing on waste tire recycling.
The newsletter also includes articles on: ethanol fuels, California clean air regulations,
power plants and greenhouse gas limits, mercury emissions and more.
The Committee's next Environmental Issues Forum is set for June 13 and will feature a
discussion of a Pennsylvania initiative to establish a network of electric car charging stations
across the Commonwealth.
The May 2 Environmental Issues Forum has been cancelled.
Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Joint Legislative Air and
Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.
News From Around The State
Marcellus Commission Hears Presentations On Environmental Impact Of Drilling
The full Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission met this week to hear progress
reports from its individual work groups and several presentations on the environmental impact of
drilling on Pennsylvania's State Forests, water resources and habitats.
The Commission meeting was chaired by Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley along with Patrick
Henderson, the Governor's Energy Executive, and Michael Krancer, Secretary of the Department
of Environmental Protection.
Here's a quick summary of the presentations on the environmental impact of drilling.
Water Quality Impacts
Dr. Jerry Mead, from the Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Academy of
Natural Sciences, gave an overview of a pilot study the Center did in 2010 to begin to document
the impacts Marcellus Shale drilling was having in southwestern Susquehanna County.
Acknowledging that water and macroinvertebrate samples were small, the study
suggested an association between increases in natural gas well density with decreases in water
quality indicators like total dissolved solids, algae presence and numbers of macroinvertebrates.
There was also a correlation between increasing well density and the loss of certain
physical characteristics like forest cover and riparian canopy.
The study concluded: "Increased well density is associated with elevated levels of
chemical contaminants (specific conductance and total dissolved solids) and the degradation of
macroinvertebrate community structure. Moreover, the negative impacts were only evident in
sites with high drilling densities; there were no statistically discernable differences between sites
in catchments with low drilling densities and those with none.
"This last finding suggests that there is an operational threshold of drilling intensity
below which the impacts on surface waters are sustainable. Increasing well density increases the
cumulative impacts of extraction as well as increases the probability of an environmentally
damaging event like a blowout or large volume leak occurring in a given watershed."
A copy of the presentation is available online.
Habitat Impacts
Nels Johnson, Deputy State Director of The Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania Chapter,
gave a presentation on the results of a study TNC released in November outlining some of the
potential impacts Marcellus Shale and wind energy development could have on wildlife habitats
in the state.
The study concluded some of Pennsylvania's most valuable ecological resources lie
squarely in the path of this development.
“We can no longer protect nature without thinking about energy development,” said Nels
Johnson, Deputy Director for The Nature Conservancy’s Pennsylvania Chapter and lead author
of the energy analysis.
About 3,500 acres of forest have been cleared and an estimated 8,500 additional acres of
habitat degraded because of the energy development that has spread through Pennsylvania’s
forests in recent years, according to a Conservancy analysis of aerial photographs. Without
action to improve planning for energy development, many times that amount could be lost,
Johnson said.
Because of the scale of Marcellus development, about 40 percent of the state’s largest
and most ecologically valuable forest areas in Pennsylvania could see serious impacts from
energy development.
These impacts could include degradation of Pennsylvania breeding habitat for vulnerable species
such as northern goshawk, wood thrush and Northern flying squirrel, as well as development
within most of the watersheds of the state’s remaining healthy brook trout streams.
“If energy companies, regulators, and the conservation community don’t take this
information into account, some of the special places that we’re working so hard to protect may
not long exist,” Johnson said. “Pennsylvanians have the tools to make a difference, but if we
don’t act soon, there are going to be serious conflicts between energy and habitat conservation,
and conservation is likely to lose.”
A copy of the presentation is available online.
State Forest Land
Dan Devlin, Director of the Bureau of Forestry in DCNR, gave a detailed presentation on
how the state manages its Marcellus Shale natural gas leasing program to protect sensitive areas
and avoid, minimize and mitigate negative impacts on the environment.
DCNR has leased over 138,000 acres of State Forest land for Marcellus Shale
development bringing in over $413 million in upfront payments. Most of those monies were re-
appropriated from DCNR's Oil and Gas Fund to help balance the state budget over the last three
years.
He noted DCNR has been leasing oil and gas rights under State Forest land for 60 years,
but Marcellus Shale has allowed them to bring in more money in just the first three major leases
than the agency collected between 1955 and 2008.
DCNR just completed a comprehensive 156-page set of Oil and Gas Guidelines which
will guide the agency in managing gas drilling activities in State Forests. Those guidelines were
posted just this week on the agency's website.
Devlin described the efforts taken by DCNR before, during and after drilling to avoid or
minimize the impacts of drilling, including doing an environmental assessment of drilling pad
locations, access roads and related infrastructure and requiring buffers from streams, sensitive
habitats or recreation facilities. More details are available online.
DCNR has put together a special webpage to answer questions about how the agency
manages oil and gas operations.
Copies of all presentations and handouts from this and other Commission meetings are
available on the Commission meetings webpage.
In the afternoon, the Commission opened the floor for comments for about 2 hours as
more than 60 individuals offered comments to the Commission members.
The next full meeting of the Commission will be May 20. Additional Work Group
conference calls will be scheduled in the coming week.
For more information, visit the Marcellus Shale Commission webpage.
NewsClips: DCNR Official Talks Of Limiting Drilling In State Forests
Chesapeake Energy Spill Heightens Pressures
Gas Driller's Response Team Came From Texas To PA
Corbett Defends Advisers On Marcellus Shale
Governor Asked Chesapeake Energy To Quit Commission
Blog: Environmentalists Picket Shale Commission Meeting
Activists Line Up In Front Of Drilling Panel
Stilp, Fellow Activists Disrupt Shale Meeting
Protesters Disrupt Marcellus Meeting
DCNR Releases New Guidelines For Marcellus Shale Development On State Forest Lands
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week
released new guidelines covering the management of oil and gas
operations on State Forest Lands as part of a presentation before
the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.
Dan Devlin, Director of the Bureau of Forestry, said the
comprehensive 156-page document starts with an overall set of
principles DCNR will use in management operations, including the
statement: The Bureau of Forestry will promote forest sustainability for managing the social and
ecological impacts of oil and gas development according to lease agreements and the rights
afforded to private owners of subsurface oil and gas interests.
The guidance covers general topics like public safety, ecosystem and multiple-resource
management and record-keeping and right-to-know issues.
The meat of the guidelines are a set of best management practices covering all aspects of
oil and gas development: seismic surveys, well pad sites, water acquisition, transport and
storage, water disposal, roads, pipelines, compressor stations vegetation management, invasive
plants, restoration and recreation.
The document also spells out the review and approval process, sets guidelines for routine
field inspections and reporting and responding to emergency and pollution incidents.
A copy of the document is available online.
For more on how DCNR manages oil and gas operations on State Forest and State Park
lands, visit DCNR's Natural Gas Exploration On State Forest Land webpage.
Clinton County Natural Gas Task Force Sponsors Career Fair, Community Meeting May 5
The Clinton County Natural Gas Task Force is sponsoring a community meeting and career fair
on May 5 at Keystone Central School District's Career and Technology Center in Lock Haven,
PA. Also on hand that day will be the Mobile Energy Education Training Unit (MEET-U) and
again on May 7 at the Lycoming Fair Grounds.
The natural gas industry has created many opportunities and challenges not only on a
local level, but has also received both statewide and national attention. As we struggle to
understand the complexity and enormity of the many issues related to the industry, the best way
for every citizen to make informed decisions is through education of the facts.
In an ongoing effort to further inform local citizens, the public education sub-committee
of the Clinton County Natural Gas Task Force has been publishing articles from leading
authorities on numerous topics, coordinating public outreach and providing access to its
members for various needs.
In conjunction with the Central Susquehanna Oil and Gas Expo committee, Rep. Mike
Hanna, Keystone Central School District’s Career and Technology Center and the Clinton
County CareerLink, the Natural Gas Task Force is helping to coordinate several important
upcoming education outreach efforts.
Thursday May 5th will feature a natural gas community meeting in conjunction with a
career fair at the school district’s Career and Technology Center.
The Career and Technology Center and PA CareerLink – Clinton County are hosting the
career exploration fair at the Central Mountain High School gym that will run from 9:00 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. primarily for students and again from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to allow for participation from
the general public.
The career fair will allow students from grades 9-12 a chance to visit with a variety of
local businesses and industries to see firsthand the opportunities available to them as a result of
the education they are receiving.
Many of the local industries, including the natural gas industry, will have literature and
representatives on hand to discuss employment opportunities with the students as they start
making their career decisions or to better prepare themselves for the future.
As noted, the daytime session is open only to the Keystone Central students, however in
the evening the career fair will be open to the public. This will allow residents and parents to see
what is available to their students, as well as what the driving industries of the local community
are.
Jim Ladlee, Clinton County Penn State Cooperative Extension Director, will be on hand
to discuss how students access the more than 150 different careers necessary to bring an
unconventional natural gas well into production. Career options range from rig hand (roughneck)
to geologist and environmental compliance technician to engineer.
Many of the employee characteristics valued by natural gas sector are the same
characteristics most well run businesses look for. Most people who are successful getting a job
with oil, gas, and energy service businesses have a strong work ethic, are problem solvers, have
some basic industry knowledge and safety training, and can pass a drug screening test.
Students can demonstrate some of the basic characteristics by staying in school, showing
up on-time for class every day, staying off drugs, and demonstrating they are problem solvers
through their school and community activities like sports, scouts, 4-H, FFA, and other clubs.
MEET-U Education Trailer
Through a sponsorship from The WorkCenter at Susquehanna Health, the MEET-U
mobile educational trailer will be available at Central Mountain High School for the duration of
the Career Fair.
The MEET-U is an interactive educational exhibit on the energy industry with
information leading up to the most recent natural gas industry. The exhibit helps people realize
how energy is used in many places and gives them a better understanding of where energy comes
from. Not only is there information on natural gas extraction, but the energy industry as a whole
including solar, wind and coal.
Through initial funding efforts of the Friends of Drake Well, the MEET-U was designed
to educate youth about energy issues, history of energy use and the future of energy extraction.
Complete with interactive screens, 15 television monitors and push button stations, the MEET-U
not only teaches students about the energy industry but has activities for adults, too.
Energy education helps people understand where energy comes from, how it is produced
and what happens when we turn the light switch on, light the gas stove or push the button to open
the garage door.
New MEET-U improvements for 2011 include the trailer being divided into 3 zones: the
using zone, finding/production zone and the energy zone. The energy zone is designed to
describe the pros and cons of each energy source for the future.
During 2010, the MEET-U mobile trailer and staff travelled nearly 7,100 miles across PA
and visited with over 16,000 students and 30,000 adults. The MEET-U and its staff will be
available in the evening for the general public from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on May 5 at Central
Mountain High School.
The 44-foot trailer will be hard to miss in its colorful display in the parking lot. Should
you be unable to visit the unit on May 5th, the MEET-U will be on display during the Central
Susquehanna Oil and Gas Expo at the Lycoming County fairgrounds on Saturday May 7th from
10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
There is no cost to attend either event and everyone is encouraged to come out and visit
the exhibit.
Meeting With Rep. Hanna
During the evening session of the Career Fair, Rep. Mike Hanna will be hosting an
information meeting about natural gas exploration. This is the third such meeting held in Rep.
Hanna’s 76th State House District.
The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the first hour open for attendees to
meet with local and state agencies, natural gas industry representatives and natural gas industry
experts.
Some of the state agencies include the Department of Environmental Protection,
Department of Transportation, State Police, and Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources. Representatives from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Marcellus Center
for Outreach and Research, Penn State Extension Office, PA Career Link-Clinton County and
local natural gas industry companies will be on hand for presentations and provide information
for the general public.
The second hour of the event will feature a panel discussion and allow for a question and
answer session for community members in the audience. The panel and exhibit members are all
on hand to help discuss the current issues and to provide information to help community
members make informed decisions about natural gas opportunities and challenges.
All of these events are geared to educate – to educate the youth of today on educational
and career choices available to them; to educate the general public on the natural gas industry; to
educate the community on what the state and local agencies are doing to protect its residents; to
educate the natural gas industry about what the community values; and to educate the public on
available resources as this industry continues to develop around us.
This column is presented weekly by the Public Education sub-committee of the Clinton
County Natural Gas Task Force in an effort to provide accurate, up-to-date information on
activities surrounding the Marcellus Shale formation and the natural gas exploration industry.
For more information on Task Force activities, visit the Task Force webpage on the
Clinton County government website.
(Written by Matt Henderson, a business consultant with the Lock Haven University Small
Business Development Center.)
Foundation For PA Watersheds Awards Nearly $184,000 In Grants
The Foundation for PA Watersheds this week approved grants totaling $183,935 for 16 projects
which leveraged $2,594,380 in local, state and federal funds.
Letters of Intent for the fall grant round are due August 26.
The projects include:
-- Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association—Whiskey Run AMD project ($15,000): This
project will assist in constructing an AMD project at the Whiskey Run #9 discharge. The project
will assist in restoring seven AMD-impacted stream miles.
-- Botanic Garden of Pittsburgh—The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden ($10,000): This project will
assist with AMD abatement at the developing garden. This project is a creative restoration of a
452 acre brownfields project.
-- Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance—Ard’s Farm Market Wetland ($10,000): This project will
be used to increase the understanding of wetland benefits relating to nutrient reduction. Buffalo
Creek is significantly impacted by nonpoint source pollution originating from agriculture and
acid deposition.
-- Citizens Coal Council—SMCRA Clinic ($15,000): This project intends to provide a legal
foundation for understanding the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and will provide
participants with information on provisions under SMCRA that can assist organizations in
environmental protection and restoration.
-- Clearfield Creek Watershed Association—Swank AMD project ($3,800): This project is an
enhancement to a mine reclamation project that was completed several years ago. Funds will
specifically be used to install a limestone channel to treat a small discharge originated from the
reclamation site.
-- Clearfield County Conservation District—Deer Creek Powerline AMD project ($10,000):
Foundation funds will be used to leverage design dollars for the Deer Creek Powerline discharge.
Once completed, the AMD system will restore three AMD-impacted stream miles.
-- Downtown West Newton, Inc.—Simeral Square ($15,000): This project supports riparian
restoration along a restored brownfield site. The overall project intent is to establish a stabilized
bank, a riparian buffer, and an enhancement of water quality within the Lower Youghiogheny
Watershed.
-- Juniata Clean Water Partnership—Pinecroft Wetland project ($7,500): Project funds will assist
with the preservation of a 35 acre Exceptional Value (EV) wetland. Additionally, the project will
preserve a 15 acre riparian buffer along Sandy Run—a Coldwater Fishery resource of the Little
Juniata.
-- Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper—Conowingo Dam project ($10,000): This project will assist
with efforts to remove sediments trapped behind the Conowingo Dam. This is of significance as
the sediments, if released by a catastrophic storm event, could negatively impact the Chesapeake
Bay. The project also supports Resource Recovery as the sediments could be used to produce
‘light-weight aggregate’.
-- Lycoming College—Unassessed Waters project ($8,000): Project funds will be used to
provide funding for student participation in the Fish and Boat Commission’s Unassessed Waters
Program. To date the Fish and Boat Commission has surveyed 22,000 stream miles. This project
is aimed at increasing surveyed streams, and upgrading streams for enhanced protection.
-- PA Association of Conservation Districts—Watershed Specialist Training ($20,000): Project
funds will be used to provide education on available programming via USDA, the Farm Bill, and
other ‘under utilized’ funds that can assist with environmental restoration efforts throughout
Pennsylvania. Additionally, the trainings will enhance basic watershed specialist training to
include courses on agronomy, engineering practices, preservation and planning, and stream water
ecology.
-- Penn State Center for Watershed Stewardship—Spruce and Halfmoon Creek project
($10,000): This project supports continuing efforts that address agricultural runoff and
sedimentation within the watersheds. The project incorporates natural stream channel design
principles, and riparian plantings to reduce sediment and nutrient loadings throughout the
watersheds.
-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association—QHUP project ($15,000): This project provides
funding to complete a Qualified Hydrologic Unit Plan (QHUP), which will allow the group to
access Abandoned Mine Land Fund (AMLF) dollars. QHUPs are mandated to receive AMLF
project dollars.
-- Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team ($9,600): This project supports on-going water quality
monitoring efforts that lead to AMD treatment system development and funding procurement.
-- Susquehanna University—Unassessed Waters project ($10,000): Project funds will be used to
provide funding for student participation in the Fish and Boat Commission’s Unassessed Waters
Program. To date Fish and Boat Commission has surveyed 22,000 stream miles. This project is
aimed at increasing surveyed streams, and upgrading streams for enhanced protection.
-- Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation—Emergency Response Fund
($15,000): This grant leverages Growing Greener funds that are dedicated to fixing AMD
treatment system emergencies that may result from storm damage, vandalism, or other
catastrophic event.
The Foundation board of directors also re-elected Larry Selzer, Scott Izzo, and Neil
Korostoff to the Board for three-year terms. Officers for the 2011 calendar year are: Mike Kane,
Chairperson; Scott Izzo, Treasurer and Development Chair; and Skip Wieder, Secretary. Officers
are elected on an annual basis.
For more information, visit the Foundation for PA Watersheds website.
Texas Company Pays $208,625 For Polluting Creeks In Clearfield County
A Texas company has paid a total of $208,625 in three settlements in lieu of fines and civil
damages to the Fish and Boat Commission as a result of the company’s pollution of Clearfield
County’s Alex Branch and Little Laurel Run in 2009 and 2010.
EOG Resources, Inc. agreed to pay the settlements following investigations by PFBC
waterways conservation officers and the Department of Environmental Protection which
determined that the substances the company released were deleterious, destructive or poisonous
to fish.
Alex Branch and Little Laurel Run are both designated as high quality waters under DEP
regulations.
The settlements reached with EOG involved three separate pollution incidents.
During the period of August 25, 2009, through October 30, 2009, EOG allowed fluid
from a pit to enter a spring located at the Sykesville Hunting Camp on Alex Branch and its
tributaries. EOG paid $99,125 for this incident. Approximately $40,000 of the settlement has
been placed into a PFBC dedicated fund for the annual purchase of limestone sand at Parker
Dam State Park.
Local sportsmen’s organizations have historically bought the sand, which is applied each
year to Laurel Run immediately upstream of the Parker Dam inlet by the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources. The limestone sand helps neutralize the water quality
within the impoundment, which allows the PFBC to manage the waterway as an approved
stocked trout water.
On October 10 and 11, 2009, EOG allowed well wash fluid containing surfactant to enter
Alex Branch and its tributaries. Surfactant is a chemical wetting agent which reduces surface
tension and aids in the drilling process. EOG paid $10,000 for this incident.
During the period of June 3, 2010, through August 16, 2010, EOG allowed gas and a
mixture of fresh water and well flowback water to flow into Little Laurel Run. EOG has paid
$99,500 for this incident.
Earlier this month, the PFBC introduced a new toll-free hotline for the public to report
suspected pollution incidents or fish kills. The number – 1-855-FISH-KIL (1-855-347-4545) –
provides the public with a way to quickly alert PFBC staff to suspected environmental incidents.
Settlement monies are deposited into the PFBC’s Fish Fund.
The PFBC relies almost entirely on fishing licenses, boat registrations and federal
funding tied to fishing and boating to support its mission. It receives no funding from the state’s
general fund.
PA American Water President Offers Public-Private Infrastructure Solutions
In the keynote address to the 2011 Pennsylvania Infrastructure Summit, Pennsylvania American
Water President Kathy L. Pape said this week that expecting government bailouts is not a
realistic, long-term solution to fix aging water and wastewater systems, which require tens of
billions of dollars of capital investment.
Instead, she proposed a number of public-private solutions to help tackle the costly
infrastructure challenges facing many communities in the commonwealth and across the
country.
In light of the massive federal debt and Pennsylvania facing a $4 billion budget deficit,
Pape said adequate government funding is simply not available to replace aging pipeline,
rehabilitate outdated treatment facilities or build new plants to comply with stricter water quality
regulations.
She noted that President Obama’s proposed 2012 budget slashed approximately $1
billion from the Environmental Protection Agency’s infrastructure funding.
“Looking to Washington or Harrisburg for a financial bailout is not the answer. The
reality is that many communities are faced with tough decisions when it comes to investing
limited dollars. Unfortunately, too many systems’ capital needs have been neglected over time,
unless a federal or state grant is provided,” said Pape.
“We need to change this cycle of rewarding inefficiency, which leads to bad management
practices,” she said. “Government grants typically give higher priority to systems under consent
orders for noncompliance with environmental regulations, thereby rewarding poor
performance.”
Appointed to the 2008 Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force, Pape
said the panel found that Pennsylvania’s water and wastewater systems need $36.5 billion for
capital repairs and upgrades over the next 20 years. What’s more, Pennsylvania’s water and
wastewater infrastructure earned a D-plus grade in the American Society of Civil Engineers 2010
report card.
Pennsylvania American Water provides water and wastewater services to approximately
2.2 million people in 36 counties across the Commonwealth. To address aging infrastructure,
Pape said the company invested approximately $200 million in 2010 alone for water system
improvements, including the replacement of nearly 80 miles of water main. The company’s
capital investments between 2005 and 2010 surpassed $1 billion.
She advocated public-private partnerships to address the lack of government funds for
infrastructure improvements. Although approximately 85 percent of water systems are
municipally owned, the private sector has a long-standing record of bringing much-needed
capital, efficiencies and innovations to municipal partnerships.
“We must open the way for new approaches, such as public-private partnerships and
nontraditional funding mechanisms to leverage the power of the private sector,” said Pape. “By
reducing constraints on private sector investment, municipalities could access the resources they
need to help their financially distressed water systems repair, upgrade and operate their facilities
– a true partnership.
“Although some people contend that this would allow private companies to ‘own’ water
resources in the future, nothing could be further from the truth. Water is a public resource that
will forever be regulated by the federal and state government,” she said.
She also called for reintroduction of the federal Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Investment Act, which would remove water and wastewater from limitations that have been
placed on private investment through the use of private activity bonds. These bonds provide low-
cost financing for water and wastewater projects.
The legislation passed the U.S. House twice, but failed to reach the Senate floor for a
vote in 2010. Caps placed on private activity bonds in 1986 have never been updated, and the
lifting of state volume caps would enable local governments to tap into much-needed private
sector capital.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported that the nation’s water utilities
need $335 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 20 years to replace aging water
infrastructure and comply with stricter water quality standards.
"Investing in reliable water service not only benefits the customers, but it also contributes
to a community's economic well-being," said Pape. According to a study commissioned by the
U.S. Conference of Mayors, every dollar invested in water and sewer infrastructure increases the
Gross Domestic Product by $6.35 in the long term. For every new job in water and sewer, almost
four other positions are added to the national economy to support that job, the same study
shows.
In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign
to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap.
Lehigh Valley Clean Water Summit May 21 In Bangor
The Northampton County Conservation District and its partners will be hosting the Lehigh
Valley Clean Water Summit from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on May 21 at the Bangor Area High
School Cafeteria, 187 Five Points Richmond Road, Bangor.
Other partners include: the Upper Mount Bethel Township Environmental Advisory
Council, Portland Borough Authority, the Water Resources Education Network and the Martins-
Jacoby Watershed Association.
This program is designed to provide tools and resources on drinking water protection for
county and municipal officials, councils, commissions and boards; community watershed
organizations; public water providers; and other interested groups and individuals.
Representatives from the Water Resources Education Network, Department of
Environmental Protection, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Wilkes University and others
will address regulatory and non-regulatory ways to protect drinking water sources.
Registration for the Lehigh Valley Clean Water Summit is $20, which includes workshop
attendance, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments.
This program has been funded by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen
Education Fund through a Section 319 federal Clean Water Act grant from the Department of
Environmental Protection, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with
additional funding provided by the Martins-Jacoby Watershed Association, Martins Creek,
Pennsylvania.
The complete agenda and registration form are available online.
For more information, contact Jim Wilson, Watershed Specialist with the Northampton
County Conservation District, at 610-746-1971 or send email to: james-
wilson@northamptoncd.org.
Urban Sustainability Forum: We Are Our Water, Use Water Wisely, Philadelphia May 19
The Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum is sponsoring another in its series of Urban
Sustainability Forums, this time the topic is "We Are Our Water, How To Use Water Wisely" at
the Academy of Natural Sciences Auditorium in Philadelphia starting at 6:00 p.m.
Not managing water wisely can have grave public health consequences, cause havoc in
our homes, and affect the bottom line of businesses and consumers alike.
It’s one of the most powerful elements on the planet, capable of mass destruction but also
necessary for life….why is it that we take it for granted? Who is protecting our water quality?
Who is responsible for us having enough of it? What are we supposed to do when we have too
much? What does it cost and why?
Join representatives from the Philadelphia Water Department, major builder owners and
operators, and community groups to find out how Philadelphia is leading the way on water, and
what you can do to help.
More information and registration is available online.
Northeast PA Environmental Partnership Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
Nominations are now being accepted for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental
Partnership Award and Thomas P. Shelburne Award, two prestigious environmental
achievements. Nominations are due June 1.
Winners of the awards will be honored at the Northeast Environmental Partners’ “21st
Annual Evening for Pennsylvania’s Environment” on October 27, at the Woodlands Inn &
Resort, Wilkes-Barre.
For the 21st year, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partnership Award will
recognize achievements of individuals or organizations who, through partnerships, achieve
excellence in environmental protection or conservation.
The recipient of the Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award was
established by NEPA Environmental Partners to recognize an individual for long-term
commitment to environmental quality through inspirational leadership, dedication and
commitment to partnering.
"This event gives us the perfect opportunity to recognize the efforts of individuals and
organizations making positive impacts to the environment and the people of Northeastern
Pennsylvania," said Meg Welker, supervisor of public programs at PPL Corporation and dinner
planning committee chairperson. “We just need everyone’s help in identifying those unsung
heroes.”
The Northeast Environmental Partners include the Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance,
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Protection,
Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Northeast Office, PPL Corporation, Procter & Gamble
Paper Products Co. and Wilkes University.
Awards are open to any group, individual, company, program, or organization whose
work has had a positive impact on the environment in Northeastern Pennsylvania’s following
counties: Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour,
Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming.
During the past 20 years, honors have been bestowed on over 150 individuals and groups
involved in agriculture, forestry, business, industry, education, science, environmental
awareness, community service, and government.
Nominations may be made by a person or persons involved in the activity, or by a third
party.
Nomination materials will be added to the PA Environmental Council’s website.
To receive information on attending or sponsoring this event, contact PEC’s Northeast
Office at 570-718-6507 or send email to: eferretti@pecpa.org.
Wildlands Conservancy Now Accepting Nominations For Friend Of The Lehigh River
Award
Wildlands Conservancy is seeking nominations for its Friend of the Lehigh River Awards to
recognize individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, institutions, or government entities that
deserve recognition for their commitment to preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the
Lehigh River and its watershed.
The deadline for nominations is May 20.
Nominations can be submitted by a one-page summary of the nominee’s
accomplishments and justification for receiving the award. Contact information of the nominee
and the group or individual making the nomination should be included.
This year’s award winners will be announced during Wildlands Conservancy’s Lehigh
River Sojourn Closing Ceremony held at the Allentown Brew Works on June 27.
Last year’s Friend of the Lehigh River Award winners were: Eastern PA Coalition for
Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Jan Creedon from County of Lehigh; the late John Schneller; and
Diane Kripas from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Send nominations to: Friend of the Lehigh River Award Nomination Committee, c/o
Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049 or email nominations
to: emckinney@wildlandspa.org.
CBF: Vote For Your Favorite Chesapeake Bay Photo
Now it's your turn to select your favorite photo in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Save the
Bay Photo Contest. Click here to vote your one of 13 finalists you think should win the contest.
The deadline for voting is May 6.
Spotlight
Community-Based Watershed Organizations Working For Positive Local Outcomes
Community-based watershed organizations are locally-based groups of volunteers who are

committed to improving water quality in a specific watershed.
Participants are usually a mix of local leaders, agency representatives, and private
citizens who live in or have a personal connection to the watershed. A research project conducted
in 2002 identified more than 500 community-based watershed organizations in Pennsylvania!
These organizations primarily identify environmental outcomes as their goals, but it is
equally important to recognize the benefits they can have for their communities. Here we
summarize some of the main impacts of community watershed organizations identified in that
research project:
-- Improving Ecosystem Health: Measuring a group’s direct impact on water quality can be
difficult, due to a time lag between actions taken by the group and the measurement of change in
water quality. However, over time, watershed groups can improve water quality, particularly
related to remediation of acid mine drainage.
The completion of projects that are likely to lead to environmental improvements are also
important outcomes, such as installation of systems to treat runoff from abandoned mines, cost-
sharing and volunteer installation of agricultural best management practices such as streambank
fencing or riparian buffers, wetland construction, streambank stabilization, and clean-up of
illegal dumps.
-- Monitoring: Community watershed groups can become ‘watchdogs’. In some cases, members
investigate and report environmental violations to regulatory agencies; in others, local residents
report observed illegal activity to the watershed organization. The presence of the watershed
organization can push others to monitor their own behavior and report problems to regulatory
agencies.
-- Environmental Education: Community watershed groups work to improve individual
knowledge of and behavior in the watershed. For example, some groups educate boaters on
techniques to prevent the spread of invasive species; others teach farmers new management
strategies to minimize sediment and nutrient loss. Most groups hold educational events
(presentations, hikes, fishing workshops, stream clean-ups, canoe trips, etc.) that teach about the
resource and its history.
-- Youth education: Most groups focus on future resource users, children. They work through
the school districts to provide curriculum and youth service opportunities as well as through
youth organizations (such as scouts). Projects such as monitoring can have profound impacts on
all participants.
-- Building individual capacity: Leaders of community watershed groups gain significant
knowledge of the resource and the scientific processes related to water. As a result, they have
become experts on the local environment and assets to their communities. Leaders also gain key
leadership skills, such as communication, negotiation, partnership development, and political
advocacy.
They also expand their personal networks that offer social support and friendship –
essential to creating a feeling of belonging within a community – as well as networks of people
they can mobilize when needed for watershed action or other community work.
-- Building CWO capacity: Strengthening the organization so that it can survive and thrive into
the future should be recognized as an accomplishment. For example, organizations work to
improve their membership base, leadership skills, or organizational management (financial
reporting, etc.). Community watershed groups have been critical for developing other watershed
groups or regional partnerships that can have impacts across a broader area or multiple issues.
-- Building community capacity: Community watershed organizations are especially important
for developing relationships with organizations across the community, region, and state. These
relationships are essential for facilitating discussion of local environmental problems that can
lead to collaborative solutions, prioritization of environmental projects, and stakeholder groups
that can successfully attract funding. Community watershed organization leaders also become
skilled volunteers on government boards, committees, and advisory groups.
-- Building Political Capacity: As a result of their level of organization, their activities, and
their non-confrontational tactics, some community watershed groups can affect local politics and
decision-making. Watershed groups are organized forces that can generate publicity through
letter-writing and phone campaigns, and create public discussion of an environmental issue.
Community watershed organizations can have profoundly positive impacts on the
ecosystem and the surrounding community; both types of impacts need to be recognized and
celebrated.
For more information, visit Penn State's Watershed Winds Newsletter webpage.
A copy of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania profile of watershed groups is available
online.
(Written by: Kathryn Brasier, Assistant Professor, Rural Sociology, Penn State University)
DEP Accepting Comments On Proposed TMDLs In 6 Watersheds In 9 Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting comments on proposed Total

Maximum Daily Load Plans in six watersheds in nine counties. DEP has also scheduled public
meetings in each of these watersheds on very short notice.
The watersheds include:
-- Delaware Run Watershed, Lycoming and Northumberland counties: There will be a public
meeting May 2 to accept comments on the plan in Watsontown. Contact: Bill Brown, DEP,
717-783-2951.
-- Kishacoquillas Creek Watershed, Mifflin, Snyder and Centre counties: There will be a
public meeting May 11 to accept comments on the plan in Belleville. Contact: Bill Brown, DEP,
717-783-2951.
-- Mahoning Creek Watershed, Columbia and Montour counties: There will be a public
meeting on May 4 to accept comments on the plan in Danville. Contact: Bill Brown, DEP,
717-783-2951.
-- Muddy Run Watershed, Northumberland County. There will be a public meeting May 5 to
accept comments on the plan in Milton. Contact: Bill Brown, DEP, 717-783-2951.
-- Warriors Mark Run Watershed, Huntingdon and Centre counties: There will be a public
meeting on May 12 to accept comments on the plan in Warriors Mark. Contact: Bill Brown,
DEP, 717-783-2951.
-- West Branch Chillisquaque Creek Watershed, Columbia, Montour and Northumberland
counties: There will be a public meeting May 9 to accept comments on the plan in Turbotville.
Contact: Bill Brown, DEP, 717-783-2951.
Formal notices of these proposed TMDLs start on page 2281 PA Bulletin.
For more information and copies of the proposed TMDLs, visit DEP's TMDL webpage.
Spotlight
Wildlands Conservancy Helps Restore Trout Creek In Allentown
This year the Wildlands Conservancy, in cooperation with the City

of Allentown, will complete a large-scale ecological restoration
project on the nearly 1.5 miles of Trout Creek that flows through
the City's Trout Creek Park.
Trout Creek is a large tributary to the Little Lehigh that
originates from a series of springs surrounded by the protected
woodlands of South Mountain.
Trout Creek suffers from the non-point source pollution and habitat degradation typical
of an urban stream and, as a result, is included on the Department of Environmental Protection's
list of impaired waters.
Throughout the Park the Creek is cut off from its floodplain by long expanses of
crumbling gabion basket walls and is artificially widened and slowed by the presence of several
obsolete concrete dams and abandoned bridge abutments.
Much of the reach completely lacks riparian vegetation and the streamside vegetative
communities that are important to maintaining a healthy stream system.
As a result, the Creek lacks the shad necessary for water temperature moderation; the leaf
littler inputs necessary to support a healthy aquatic insect community; and the in-stream
structural diversity to provide sufficient fish habitat.
Wildlands Conservancy received two competitive grants to help complete this project,
one from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and one from the Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources.
The City of Allentown and the Fish & Boat Commission will provide significant time,
resources and expertise to the project.
Together, the Conservancy will remove man-made structures to return the stream channel
and floodplain to its natural state, replace the expansive invasive plant communities with native
ones, and install man-made habitat structures to encourage the return of wildlife.
The project is scheduled to be complete in the Fall of 2011.
Wildlands Conservancy envisions Trout Creek Park as a place where City residents can
enjoy a clean, clear stream full of native trout and a protected riparian corridor of native trees
that provides a home for a wide variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
To learn more about restoring and protecting the environment in the Lehigh Valley,
participate in the 2011 Lehigh River Sojourn from June 24-27, take advantage of the
Conservancy's educational programs or visit the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary.
River Towns Workshop Offered At Montour Preserve May 23, June 28
The SEDA-COG Community Resource Center and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership are
presenting a workshop series geared towards river towns as part of the River Towns on May 23
and June 28 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at PPL Montour Preserve Environmental Education
Center Auditorium in Danville, Montour County.
The workshops are designed to provide information for river towns to decide each one’s
unique course as it prepares for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Multiple spaces are available if more than one person from your organization should
choose to attend. The cost of each individual workshop is $15. Follow the RSVP schedule below
in order to allow us to accommodate for lunch.
The registration form is available online. Contact Becky Digan at 570-524-4491.
ClearWater Conservancy Receives DCNR Grant To Protect Galbraith Gap Watershed
ClearWater Conservancy has been awarded a $350,000 state

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for the
purchase and permanent conservation of 152 acres of land in the
Galbraith Gap area of Harris Township, Centre County.
“We are very pleased to receive this grant because it
provides us with half of the necessary funding to purchase the
property,” said ClearWater’s conservation biologist Katie
Ombalski. “Permanently conserving this property will protect important wildlife habitat, water
quality and a locally treasured recreational gateway for future generations.”
ClearWater has an agreement to buy the Tussey Mountain property, owned by Chip
Aikens of Bellefonte, for $685,440. With closing costs and related expenses, the total cost of
acquisition is approximately $706,000. Once the purchase is complete, ClearWater Conservancy
will convey the property to DCNR Bureau of Forestry for incorporation into the adjacent
Rothrock State Forest.
The Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant is the third grant ClearWater
has received for the purchase. A National Fish and Wildlife Federation grant for $94,000 and a
$9,000 Huplits Trust grant distributed by the Sierra Club were previously awarded. ClearWater
plans to raise the rest of the funds needed through other means, including public fundraising.
The purchase of Aikens’ property will benefit residents and visitors to Centre County and
the native flora and fauna inhabiting the sensitive habitats of Galbraith Gap.
The gap serves as the main recreational gateway to Rothrock State Forest for hikers,
birdwatchers, mountain bikers, hunters and cross country skiers. Conservation of the Aikens
parcel will allow the expansion of existing trail systems and provide new and exciting
recreational opportunities within a few minutes of State College and its surrounding
communities.
The Aikens tract is within the Greater Tussey Mountain and Stone Mountain Important
Bird Areas and Central Mountains Important Mammal Area. Conservation of the property will
also buffer the adjacent Shingletown Gap Biological Diversity Area.
The 2,400- foot long unnamed tributary to Galbraith Gap Run coursing through the center
of Aikens’ land will be fully protected, as will the eastern hemlocks that cool the water of the
tributary with their shade before it reaches Galbraith Gap Run, making it possible for native
brook trout to thrive there.
Galbraith Gap Run is one of only five remaining in the Spring Creek Watershed with a
reproducing wild brook trout population. Threatened by the woody adelgid, an insect
transplanted from Asia which feeds on hemlocks and can kill them, the hemlocks in Galbraith
Gap will be overseen and managed by professional foresters once the land is transferred to
DCNR.
The parcel is home to many wildlife species of interest, some of which are on the decline.
Birds listed on the State Wildlife Action Plan that can be found on Aikens’ property include
Acadian flycatcher, Louisiana waterthrush, worm-eating warbler, blue-headed vireo, wood,
thrush and scarlet tanager. It is a known foraging habitat and potential critical habitat for timber
rattlesnake and likely foraging and breeding habitat for eastern small-footed bats and northern
long-eared bats.
ClearWater Conservancy's Land Conservation Program seeks to balance the rapid growth
of central Pennsylvania with the conservation of important ecological, cultural, and historic
places. We work with landowners and managers to determine appropriate conservation methods,
including land management recommendations, conservation easements, and land acquisition.
To make a monetary donation to the project, please contact ClearWater Conservancy at
814-237-0400.
For more information about the Galbraith Gap land acquisition, visit the ClearWater
Conservancy website.
Delaware Conservation District, PRC Offer Clean Water, Energy Conservation

Workshops
The Delaware County Conservation District and the PA Resources Council are partnering to
offer county residents a series of five We All Live Downstream workshop in May and June and
five Bringing Green Energy Home workshops in July and August.
We All Live Downstream
“We All Live Downstream” will combine multimedia, interactive presentations to inform
residents on water conservation and storm water management practices for households,
businesses and municipalities.
Residents will learn about conserving water in the home, environmentally friendly auto
care, sump pump drainage retrofits and proper function of storm water management basins. The
series will also discuss the benefits of native landscaping for water conservation, rain gardens
and rain barrels.
Five “We All Live Downstream” workshops will be conducted May through June. All
workshops are 7 to 8:30 p.m. The workshops are scheduled for:
-- May 5 at Upper Darby Municipal Building, 100 Garrett Road;
-- May 23 at Upper Chichester Building, 2187 Furey Road, Boothwyn;
-- June 6 at Pennsylvania Resources Council, 3606 Providence Road, Newtown Square;
-- June 23 at Radnor Municipal Building, 301 Ivan Avenue, Wayne; and
-- June 29 at Thornbury Municipal Building, 6 Township Drive, Cheyney.
Bringing Green Energy Home
The “Bringing Green Energy Home” series aims to educate homeowners and renters on
alternative energy technologies, which include compact fluorescent light bulbs, solar-powered
water heaters, hybrid vehicles and more.
Five “Bringing Green Energy Home” workshops will be conducted July through August;
also held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The workshops are scheduled for:
-- July 13 at Swarthmore Borough Hall, 121 Park Ave.;
-- July 28 at Radnor Municipal Building, 301 Iven Ave., Wayne;
-- August 4 at Thornbury Township Municipal Building, 6 Township Drive, Cheyney;
-- August 11 at Middletown Township Building, 27 N. Pennell Road, Lima; and
-- August 22 at Pennsylvania Resources Council, 3606 Providence Road, Newtown Square.
During the program, the Pennsylvania Resource Council’s trained environmental
educators will present 90-minute multimedia and interactive presentations discussing all aspects
of energy use in the home.
The workshop will benefit homeowners as well as business owners and landlords.
Both traditional and non-traditional household energy conservation methods will be discussed.
Residents can learn about Energy Star appliances, insulation, low-e windows, and
computerized regulation of thermostats and lighting. Environmental educators will be available
to answer questions after every workshop.
Up to 80 participants per workshop will return home with a complimentary compact
fluorescent light bulb and course materials to help establish energy conservation efforts. One
lucky participant per workshop will also win a home energy audit worth $250.
For more information or to register, visit the Delaware County Conservation
District website or or call the District at 610-892-9484.
High School Students Again Vie For Envirothon Honors At Shikellamy State Park
The 130-acre Shikellamy State Park will be drawing high school students from throughout the
state to Snyder County late next month when the 28th annual Pennsylvania State Envirothon
kicks off in a variety of outdoors classrooms nestled along the banks of the Susquehanna River.
Sixty-six teams of high school students are expected to compete at this year’s event, May
24 and 25. Traditional testing stations will be at Shikellamy State Park, Shamokin Dam, Snyder
County, and oral presentations will be at Susquehanna University in nearby Selinsgrove.
An environmental education and natural resource program, the Envirothon sees winning
teams from participating counties compete for recognition and scholarships by demonstrating
knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management.
Competition centers on four universal testing categories: soils/land use, aquatic ecology,
forestry, and wildlife, as well as a current environmental issue.
The event is designed to help educators and students move beyond the classroom into the
outdoors, preparing them to complete written exams and sample hands-on experiences developed
by soil scientists, aquatic biologists, foresters, wildlife managers and natural resource
professionals.
Conservation districts from Pennsylvania’s 66 counties are expected to sponsor county
level Envirothon events reaching over 15,000 youth from over 700 high schools. Five-member
Envirothon teams prepare for competition from late autumn until spring before working their
way through the county Envirothon events.
Winning county Envirothon teams earn the honor to represent their county and travel to
Susquehanna University and Shikellamy State Park to participate in the state competition for
scholarships and other prizes.
The Pennsylvania Envirothon partners with the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, DCNR’s bureaus of
Forestry and State Parks, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of
Agriculture.
These partners provide educational reference materials to participating high school teams
as well as technical expertise, knowledge, and manpower at not only the state event but also at
66 county events, assuring the continued success of the program.
Pennsylvania’s sixty-six county conservation districts, the State Conservation
Commission and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts sponsor the Envirothon
program.
Corporate sponsorship from PPL Corporation, The Hershey Company, Nestle Waters
North America, Air Products Foundation, Talisman Energy USA, Bayer HealthCare, PA
Outdoor Writers Association, PA Trapper’s Association, Friends of Envirothon, Larson Design
Group, Canon Envirothon, Cargill, Dwight Lewis Lumber, and Lewis Lumber Products along
with state grants allows the Pennsylvania Envirothon Board of Directors to continue to ensure a
quality event for all those who participate. Sponsors and partners of the program award the top
ten teams.
Again this year, team members of the overall winning first-, second- and third-place
teams receive scholarships that can be used toward post-secondary education. The scholarships
are funded by The Hershey Company.
The highest scoring team in upcoming state competition achieves the ultimate goal to
represent Pennsylvania at the Canon Envirothon, North America’s largest environmental
competition for high school students.
That event takes place July 24 -29 at Mount Allison University, Sackville, New
Brunswick. Pennsylvania teams have won 11 of 23 Canon Envirothon events.
For more information, visit the PA Envirothon website or call Lorelle Steach, program
coordinator at 814-623-7900, ext. 111; or send email to: paenvirothon@pennswoods.net.
Southwestern PA Gearing Up For Annual Great Outdoors Week Beginning May 13

Pedaling, paddling, sailing, climbing. All that and a lot more are planned next month in the
Pittsburgh area when “Great Outdoors Week” marks its 10th year, beginning May 13.
Organized by Sustainable Pittsburgh and its outdoor recreation partners, Great Outdoors
Week provides the public with opportunities to participate in a variety of outdoor-related
activities within a concentrated time frame.
The week also highlights the parks, trails, waterways and many other outdoors amenities
available in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Outdoors groups throughout the region are planning GOW activities that feature cycling,
climbing, running, sailing, and much more. Five signature events are part of GOW this year,
beginning with the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon on May 15.
Rounding out the rest of the week: May 20: National Bike to Work Day; May 20: Learn
to Row and Paddle; May 21: Venture Outdoors Festival; May 22: Pedal Pittsburgh.
Over 60 GOW activities for all ages and skill levels are scheduled each year, promoting
outdoor recreation as part of a healthy and sustainable community.
Organizers tout outdoor recreation for its contributions to healthier lifestyles; attraction
and retention of regional talent; a stronger local economy; and a sense of stewardship for
regional parks, trails, and waterways.
Outdoors groups planning special GOW activities are encouraged to list them online and
help promote GOW by downloading the poster and linking to the Great Outdoors Week
webpage.
For more information, visit the Great Outdoors Week webpage or call Sustainable
Pittsburgh at 412-258-6646.
Children's Drawings Create Blueprint For Playground In Erie
On April 27, the City of Erie, the PA League of Cities and Municipalities, Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources and organizers from national non-profit KaBOOM! hosted
a playground Design Day for local area children.
The Design Day, which accompanied the announcement of a new community playground
for Erie, took place at Emerson-Gridley Elementary School.
At the Design Day, children from Erie put crayon to paper and drew their dream
playgrounds, which will ultimately become a reality. Elements from the children’s drawings will
be incorporated into the final design for the new community playground to be built on June 21 at
Gridley Park by mayors and city officials from across the state in conjunction with the league’s
112th Annual Convention.
Volunteers for the playground build will be able to sign up online soon. Volunteers with
questions can contact John Brenner at 717-236-9469 or send email to: jbrenner@plcm.org.
Sustainable Landscapes Bus Tour In Lehigh Valley June 15
The PA Sustainable Lands Partnership Lehigh Valley is sponsoring a Sustainable Landscapes

Bus Tour on June 15.
The tour will feature visits to 8 examples of ways to plan and manage land in a healthier,
more environmentally friendly way while saving money.
The sites include: Emmaus Community Park, Wildlands Conservancy Pool Wildlife
Sanctuary, Jordan Creek Greenway, Ironton Rail Trail, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Trexler
Nature Preserve, Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery and Penn's Meadow.
The cost of the tour is $35. Download the the tour poster for a list of sponsors.
For more information, visit the Lehigh Bus Tour webpage or call Cammy Kiechel at
610-391-9583 ext. 22.
PHMC Invites Groups, Public To Help Build Next Statewide Historic Preservation Plan
Trail and conservation organizations as well as the general public are encouraged to participate
in an upcoming public forum, the feedback from which will help shape the new Statewide
Historic Preservation Plan.
The regional public forums will present the results of last year’s value survey and
moderate a discussion to identify how to best preserve those values through the
Commonwealth’s historic preservation-related programs.
The primary goal of the planning process is for the public to inform the Pennsylvania’s
State Historic Preservation Office of what they value in their community in order to determine
the preservation priorities of people who live and work in Pennsylvania.
The plan will help the state identify, prioritize and address historic preservation needs
over the course of the next five years.
The remaining public forums:
-- May 4-- 1:30-4 p.m. – Titusville. Northwest Commission Connect to Communities, Cross
Creek Resort, 3815 State Route 8, Titusville. Click Here to register;
-- May 5-- 1-4 p.m. - Moon Township. Municipal Building, 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Moon
Township
-- May 18-- 1:30-4:30 p.m. – Harrisburg. The State of the State Plenary Session, Statewide
Conference on Heritage, PHMC State Museum, 300 North Street, Harrisburg. Click Here to
register.
-- June 8-- 1-4 p.m. – Philadelphia. Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, 190 N.
Independence Mall West, 8th Floor, Philadelphia
-- June 9-- 12:30-3:30 p.m. – Ambler. Ambler Theater 108 E. Butler Ave, Ambler, PA 19002
For more information, visit the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan webpage or call
Hannah Charlton at 717-783-2698.
DEP Invites Applications For County Waste Planning Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting applications for county waste planning
grants. This is the beginning of an open application period. (PA Bulletin page 2280)
Planning grants are awarded to counties for 80 percent of approved costs for preparing
municipal waste management plans as required by Act 101, for carrying out related studies,
surveys, investigations, inquiries, research and analysis, including those related to siting,
environmental mediation, education programs on pollution prevention and household hazardous
waste and providing technical assistance to small businesses for pollution prevention.
Grants may be awarded for feasibility studies and project development for municipal
waste processing or disposal facilities, except for facilities for the combustion of municipal waste
that are not proposed to be operated for the recovery of energy.
Potential applicants are required to meet with their DEP Regional Planning and
Recycling Coordinator prior to submitting an application for funding consideration.
Applications can be obtained from the DEP Coordinator or from the Department’s
website.
Inquiries concerning this notice should be directed to Mark Vottero, Bureau of Waste
Management, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building,
PO Box 8472, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472 or send email to: mvottero@state.pa.us.
Southeast Air Quality Partnership Lawn Mower Trade-In May 7
The Air Quality Partnership of the Delaware Valley will hold a gasoline-powered lawn mower
turn in event May 7 at the Springfield Township High School parking lot in Montgomery County
starting at 9:30.
The event also kicks off the 2011 Ozone Season by recognizing Upper Merion Township
and GlaxoSmithKline with Air Quality Excellence Awards.
Participants dropping off gasoline lawn mowers will be able to purchase a new electric or
battery-powered Black and Decker mower at the event at a discount.
The Air Quality Partnership is a program of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning
Commission, which educates residents about the dangerous effects of ground-level ozone, and
provides air quality forecasts to the public.
Gas-powered lawn mowers are a major contributor to ground-level ozone, and purchasing
an electric mower is just one way the public can help the environment.
To sign-up for air quality forecasts and alerts, and for tips on how to reduce air pollution,
visit the Partnership's newly redesigned website.
Onorato Highlights Allegheny County Green Accomplishments On Earth Day
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato this week, in honor of Earth Day, introduced the
Allegheny Green Bulletin, a bi-monthly newsletter that highlights ways that County employees
and departments are promoting sustainable practices.
The first edition of the newsletter features stories about the green roof on the County
Office Building, as well as the County’s energy conservation initiative, which is expected to save
taxpayers $2 million annually and reduce electricity and water usage.
“County employees have enthusiastically embraced our sustainability efforts, and the
Allegheny Green Bulletin provides an opportunity for us to showcase the results of the
sustainable practices we’re implementing,” said Onorato. “For example, the County’s green roof
is already saving energy, reducing stormwater runoff, and cutting down on the amount of
pollution reaching our rivers. We hope the Allegheny Green Bulletin will inspire our residents
and employees to take more steps to benefit the environment.”
This Earth Day, Onorato is also highlighting numerous accomplishments related to
Allegheny Green, his comprehensive initiative to promote sustainable practices within County
government and through countywide policies and programs.
“As we take time on Earth Day to think about our planet, there is progress to celebrate,”
added Onorato. “As a community, we’ve taken steps to clean our air, water and land and to
promote sustainable development, but we can and must do more. Through the Allegheny Green
initiative, County government is leading by example, and we’re encouraging residents,
businesses and municipalities to join us in realizing the environmental and economic benefits of
going green.”
The following are Allegheny County’s major sustainability efforts and milestones during
the past year--
-- Stormwater Management Symposium: In April 2010, the County Executive hosted a
regional water symposium to discuss stormwater challenges for municipalities. The Pennsylvania
Environmental Council and 3 Rivers Wet Weather joined Allegheny County in an effort to
develop a coordinated regional approach for stormwater management. The symposium addressed
several municipal stormwater challenges, including capacity, the consent decree and planning
process, governance, cost allocation models, and green infrastructure. Municipal officials,
engineers, and ALCOSAN participated in panel discussions.
-- Chapman Commerce Center: In May 2010, Onorato broke ground on the Chapman
Commerce Center, a 302-acre brownfield development in Findlay Township. Formerly used for
strip mining, the mixed use project will include a 93,000 square-foot warehouse that will be
LEED-certified.
-- Five-Minute Idling Limit: Also in May 2010, Onorato approved an air quality regulation
adopted by the Allegheny County Health Department. The regulation limits diesel-fueled off-
road vehicles to no more than five consecutive minutes of idling. The rule applies to any person
or business that owns or operates diesel-fueled compression ignition engines of 25 horsepower or
greater that power vehicles not designed to be driven on the road or not registered for on-road
use and operated in Allegheny County. These vehicles are typically used in construction,
mining, landfilling, manufacturing, warehousing, airport ground support and other industrial
operations.
-- World Environment Day: In June 2010, the County Executive welcomed the world to
Pittsburgh, which was selected as the North American host city for World Environment Day
2010 by the United Nations Environment Programme. The main event was the Water Matters!
Global Water Conference held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Experts from
around the world discussed the importance of water to health, energy and the economy. As a
reflection of the importance of water, Venture Outdoors organized “Paddle at the Point,” where
participants set a Guinness World Record with a flotilla of 1619 canoes and kayaks.
-- Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Also in June 2010, the County Executive announced the results
of a comprehensive baseline inventory of the annual greenhouse gas emissions resulting from
County government operations. Developing the report required gathering all cost and utilization
data related to energy, water consumption, vehicle fleet, waste hauling, and a variety of
additional carbon and greenhouse gas-generating items, such as fuel tanks, fire suppression
systems and mechanical equipment. The report included recommendations on how Allegheny
County could reduce emissions, some of which have already been implemented in County
buildings. They include purchasing more electricity from renewable energy sources, installing
low-flow plumbing features, using LED fixtures, and using timers and management systems to
control HVAC equipment and lighting.
-- Appliance Recycling Program: In July 2010, the Allegheny County Health Department
sponsored free pickup and recycling of refrigerant-containing appliances that needed to be
discarded, including refrigerators, dehumidifiers, water coolers and air conditioners. Recycling
such appliances not only cuts down on illegal dumping and saves valuable landfill space, but also
prevents the release of refrigerant gases that deplete the ozone layer.
-- County Office Building Green Roof: In August 2010, the County Executive dedicated the
green roof on the County Office Building located at 542 Forbes Avenue in Downtown
Pittsburgh. The green roof is the first of its kind on a public building in Allegheny County. Half
of the County Office Building’s roof, an area of 8400 square feet, was covered in waterproof
fabric, various insulating and water-trapping materials, and soil and plants native to
Southwestern Pennsylvania. It features four distinct types of green roofing methods, including
mat and tray systems, as well as semi-intensive and intensive systems. The green roof absorbs
rainwater, thereby alleviating stress on Pittsburgh’s combined sewer system and reducing
pollutants entering the rivers.
-- Energy & Utility Audit Recommendations: Also in August 2010, the County Executive
announced plans to improve energy efficiency in the Allegheny County Jail and the four Kane
Regional Centers, as recommended by the investment-grade audit of electricity, steam, natural
gas and water usage conducted by NORESCO, an energy service company. To reduce electricity
consumption, the County will upgrade lighting and install room occupancy sensors in the Jail
and Kane Regional Centers.
Additionally, the County will upgrade HVAC, the steam and waste disposal systems,
replace chillers and boilers, and improve plumbing controls and water conservation measures.
These improvements will reduce Allegheny County’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by
4,629,246 pounds of carbon dioxide, 188 pounds of nitrogen oxides, and 1,411 pounds of sulfur
oxides.
-- PJM Interconnection Demand Response Program: In August 2010, the County Executive
announced Allegheny County’s participation in the PJM Interconnection’s Demand Response
Program to aid in the reliability of the regional electricity grid. The PJM Interconnection is a
regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all
or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North
Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
PJM serves 51 million people. Through the program, successful participants receive payments
for voluntarily reducing their electricity use when heavy demand threatens the PJM electricity
grid and brownouts or blackouts are imminent.
-- Allegheny Green & Innovation Festival: Also in August 2010, Allegheny County hosted the
first Allegheny Green & Innovation Festival at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. The free
event celebrated the County’s evolution to a green economy and featured ways for residents to
become more sustainable in their everyday lives. The festival was a zero-waste event, which
included earth-friendly food and product vendors, crafts, green living demonstrations, musical
entertainment and children’s activities.
-- FarmCorps Season-End Celebration: In October 2010, Onorato celebrated the successful
season of the Allegheny FarmCorps. The County Executive established the Allegheny
FarmCorps in April 2010 to provide education, training and hands-on experience in sustainable
farming to students and volunteers. Operating out of a two-acre plot in Round Hill Park, the
FarmCorps grew okra, collard greens, and several varieties of beans, kale and mustard greens.
These crops were grown at the request of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which
will receive all produce grown by FarmCorps.
-- Christmas Tree Recycling Program: For the third year in a row, Allegheny County ran a
Christmas tree recycling program from December 26, 2010, through January 22, 2011. Residents
dropped off trees at Boyce, North, Settler’s Cabin and South parks for recycling and mulching.
-- NACo Energy Efficiency Forum: In January 2011, the County Executive and Sustainability
Manager Jeaneen Zappa were featured speakers at the National Association of Counties’ 2011
Forum on Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy in Los Angeles. They discussed energy
conservation projects funded by an $8.1 million Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant
(EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy. With these funds, Allegheny County conducted
energy audits of its largest buildings and is installing energy saving features, such as upgraded
lighting, room occupancy sensors, HVAC upgrades, and new boilers and condensers. All
counties represented at the forum have received either EECBG funding or similar grants.
-- Allegheny Grows Expansion: In February 2011, the County Executive announced that
Bellevue, Penn Hills and Wilkinsburg were selected to join Allegheny Grows, an initiative to
encourage urban farming and community gardening on vacant lots and blighted properties. The
three municipalities joined nine others that participated in year one of the program – Bridgeville,
Elizabeth Borough, McKees Rocks, Millvale, Sharpsburg, Stowe Township, Swissvale,
Tarentum and Verona.
-- Active Allegheny Plan: Also in February 2011, Onorato announced the completion of Active
Allegheny, the County’s first comprehensive active transportation plan. Active Allegheny
integrates non-vehicular modes of transportation, specifically walking and biking, into the
County’s transportation system.
Visit the Allegheny County Green webpage for more about Allegheny County’s green
initiatives.
Philly Major Opens Philadelphia's First Solar PV Installation
Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, local and federal officials celebrated the completion of a
new solar PV installation this week, the first owned by the City of Philadelphia, at the
Philadelphia Water Department’s Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant.
The PWD installed a 250kW solar photovoltaic system, which was completed as a result
of Philadelphia’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities
program.
The solar array, which produces enough energy to power 28 homes each year, also
contributes to a goal of the Greenworks Philadelphia sustainability plan, to purchase or generate
20 percent of electricity used in the city from alternative energy sources by 2015.
“Producing solar energy at this City-owned water treatment plant reduces our greenhouse
gas emissions, creates new jobs, and lowers our electricity bill. This is a smart investment that
will help the city reach the goals set in Greenworks Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter. “I would
like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy for helping Philadelphia to invest in renewable
energies and to build upon our momentum to become the greenest city in America.”
“Philadelphia’s leadership in deploying solar energy highlights the important role local
communities can play in expanding the U.S. solar industry and bringing more renewable energy
online,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “This new solar energy installation will serve as
a model for how cities across the country can partner with the federal government and the private
sector to develop new sources of clean energy.”
The system at the PWD’s Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant is ground mounted
and covers more than an acre of previously unused land. The treatment plant will use all of the
solar power generated on-site, and PWD owns the Solar Renewable Energy Credits.
The project was made possible by $850,000 from the City’s Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant from the DOE and $850,000 from the PWD and technical assistance
from DOE’s Solar America Cities program.
The PWD, the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities and the Mayor’s Office of
Sustainability were instrumental in identifying the site and acquiring funding for the project.
“By installing one of the first large-scale solar projects in Philadelphia, the City is
demonstrating that alternative generation is both feasible and beneficial,” said Deputy Mayor for
Transportation and Utilities Rina Cutler.
Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department Howard Neukrug added, “Water
treatment uses large amounts of electricity. PWD is proud to use clean, sustainable power
generated on-site. Because this project was so successful, we’re planning to replicate it at other
treatment plants.”
E-Power House Debuts May 1 At Da Vinci Science Center In Allentown
Visitors to the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown will get an up-close look at energy
efficiency thanks to a new educational exhibit from PPL Electric Utilities.
The E-power House, which takes its name from the utility's menu of energy efficiency
and conservation programs, is a 15-foot-tall cutaway model home that will debut May 1.
Visitors will be able to look into all the rooms in the home and see important energy-
saving tips and information. In addition, a bicycle in front of the model home will allow children
to use pedal power to light up side-by-side incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED light
bulbs.
"This partnership with the Da Vinci Science Center is a great way to teach visitors about
the value of energy efficiency and give them information they can use in their daily lives," said
Thomas C. Stathos, director of Customer Programs and Services for PPL Electric Utilities.
"Most of the center's visitors are children, and this exhibit focuses on them. These youngsters can
influence energy efficiency in their own homes right now. They are the tenants and homeowners
of the future, so it's important they become educated energy consumers."
The E-power House, located on the center's first floor, features a bathroom, bedroom,
laundry room, kitchen and living room. Features include rooftop solar panels, examples of attic
insulation, a ceiling fan and a computer.
"The E-power House is a first-rate addition to the Da Vinci Science Center experience,"
said Troy A. Thrash, the center's executive director and chief executive officer. "Electricity is
vital to all we do, for our necessities and life's conveniences. Using energy efficiently is vital as
well and this exhibit shows visitors how they can be smart energy consumers."
PPL Electric Utilities' parent company, PPL Corporation, also has been a long-time
supporter of the science center and sponsors the "Watt's Up?" section of the center where the E-
power House is located. James H. Miller, PPL Corporation's chairman, president and chief
executive officer, will receive the center's Science Hall of Fame Grand Maestro Award on April
30.
The Da Vinci Science Center is open seven days a week and is located at 3145 Hamilton
Blvd. Bypass, Allentown. Find out more by calling 484-664-1002 or by visiting online.
PUC Launches Investigation Into PA's Competitive Electricity Market
The Public Utility Commission this week issued additional details on how it will proceed with its
investigation into the state’s competitive electricity retail market.
The Commission voted 4-1 to approve a joint motion by Chairman Robert F. Powelson
and Vice Chairman John F. Coleman to officially launch the statewide investigation, first
announced during the Commission’s approval of the FirstEnergy/Allegheny Power merger on
February 24, 2011.
“One of the great challenges for regulators is keeping up with the industries and markets
they regulate,” said Chairman Powelson. “Our goal during this statewide investigation is to
make recommendations for improvements to ensure a properly functioning and workable
competitive retail electricity market exists in the state.”
"This statewide investigation gives the Commission an opportunity to assess the status of
the market and to make the necessary adjustments for a more robust electricity shopping
experience for Pennsylvania consumers," added Vice Chairman Coleman. “This investigation
will detail how to best address and resolve the issues identified.”
The Commission will conduct the investigation in two phases. The first phase is
designed to assess the status of the current retail market and explore what changes need to be
made to allow customers to best realize the benefits of competition. At the conclusion of this
first phase the Commission will initiate the second phase to examine and address how to best
resolve the issues raised and implement the prudent changes identified based upon its review of
the comments received.
Interested parties are directed to answer specific questions. Comments are to be filed with
the Commission’s Secretary’s Bureau, Attn: Secretary Rosemary Chiavetta, Public Utility
Commission, 2nd floor, PO Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265 at this docket by June 3,
2011.
Upon receipt and review of comments from all interested parties, the Commission will
initiate the second phase of the investigation by organizing working groups to be headed by the
Commission’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight. These working groups will be tasked
with studying how best to address and resolve the issues identified by the Commission as being
most relevant to improving the current retail market.
Upon conclusion of the investigation, the working groups will provide recommendations
outlining specific courses of action to be taken by the Commission to improve the retail
electricity market.
The Commission will also hold two en banc hearings, one for each stage of the
investigation, to allow invited parties the opportunity to discuss the topics raised in this
proceeding. The first en banc hearing is scheduled for June 8. The Commission will schedule a
subsequent en banc hearing upon launching the second phase of the investigation.
Spring Edition Of PUC's Keystone Connection Report Now Available

The Public Utility Commission this week released the spring edition of the Keystone Connection
report.
The quarterly report represents the PUC’s efforts to provide beneficial information to the
public about important developments in the electric, natural gas, transportation,
telecommunications and water markets.
The publication's format contains coverage of all utilities under the PUC’s jurisdiction,
including news on consumer issues and general information on Commission happenings.
A copy of the newsletter is available online.
PEC: Ultimate Urban Adventure Race Coming To Pittsburgh June 25
The excitement and popularity of the rapidly-growing sport of urban adventure racing is coming
to Pittsburgh this summer.
The Merrell Oyster Racing Series has announced the “Ultimate Urban Adventure Race”
will be held in Pittsburgh on June 25. This day-long race will combine pure athleticism with
thought-provoking strategy, guiding racers through a series of crazy athletic stunts in a race
around Pittsburgh, while they solve city-specific clues and completing challenges.
Proceeds from the race will benefit the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Covering a total distance of 20-30 miles in four to six hours, on foot and on bike, the
Oyster Race is the ultimate urban adventure race taking teams of three to six people through a
top secret, high-adrenaline course in a race around the city.
Want to scavenger around the zoo, blind taste test beers at the pub, or zip down a slip ‘n
slide in your next race? The Oyster delivers just that kind of experience.
For racers who are unsure of their endurance levels, the Oyster also offers a relay division
with teams of four to six people, ideal for friends and corporate groups looking for team building
activities. This option provides members with an opportunity to strategically compete in legs
where they’re strongest and allows other team members to catch their breath. The “Half Oyster”
division also delivers a scaled-down full Oyster course at about half the length.
The leader in the urban adventure race category, the Merrell Oyster Racing Series
includes two separate races with the goal to hit the endurance level of every athlete: the original
Oyster, which requires higher endurance for people looking to mix up their triathlon and
duathlon racing schedules; and the Oyster Shooter, new in 2011, which requires less endurance
for people looking to have fun with fitness and shake up their tired road races.
The Oyster Shooter is a sprint version of the original Oyster. Individuals race on foot in
the city over a 5-mile course with Oyster obstacles along the way.
Registration is now open for teams and individuals of all ages. For more information or to
register, visit the Oyster Racing Series website.
Celebrity Golf Event To Benefit Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation May 20
Celebrities including former Philadelphia Eagles Nick Haden and Frank LeMaster will join the
field at Indian Lake Golf Club, a Central City, Somerset County, course with a bit of celebrity of
its own, on May 20.
The Shade Central City Chamber of Commerce and the Wildlife for Everyone
Endowment Foundation, a non-profit organization working for the benefit of wildlife in
Pennsylvania, have teamed together to host the foursome event, with registration at 11 a.m. and a
shotgun start at noon.
Indian Lake, with its 18 challenging, tree-lined holes and spectacular lake vistas, was golfing
legend Arnold Palmer's first course design.
It lies close to attractions like the Flight 93 Memorial and the adjacent State Game Lands
93, acreage for which the WFEEF and partners like Waste Management Inc. helped to assemble
and donate to the Game Commission.
The day at Indian Lake will include a putting challenge on the practice green, two longest
drive contests, a closest to the pin challenge and a chip'n challenge on the practice green. A few
additional spots and foursomes, at $100 per golfer, remain for the event, which also includes
cart, dinner, door prizes and awards.
Registration forms are available at the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation website. For
more information, call 814-238-8138. Golfers may register as foursomes or be assigned to pick-
up foursomes. Deadline to sign up is May 2.
Alisa Harris Appointed DEP Deputy For External Affairs
Alisa Harris has been appointed by Gov. Tom Corbett to serve as Special Deputy Secretary for
External Affairs in the Department of Environmental Protection.
As Special Deputy Secretary, Ms. Harris serves as a liaison between the agency and
outside stakeholders whose interests are directly related to or impacted by the agency’s mission.
Ms. Harris oversees special projects that have department-wide significance, including projects
that cross program lines.
Ms. Harris has more than 20 years of experience in the environmental field through
various public and private sector roles in communications, policy development and permit
management.
Prior to her appointment as Special Deputy Secretary, Ms. Harris served as the
Environmental Policy Manager for Exelon Generation and was responsible for establishing and
maintaining relationships with environmental and transportation regulators, as well as providing
guidance on environmental regulations and policies.
Preceding her time at Exelon, Ms. Harris served as the Regulatory and Community
Affairs Manager for Waste Management of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Before transitioning to the private sector, Ms. Harris worked for the Department of
Environmental Protection serving as the Director of the Office of Environmental Advocacy.
Utilizing her environmental policy, communication, and mediation skills, she developed a multi-
stakeholder environmental justice work group.
In addition, Ms. Harris has served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for
Water Management and Regional Community Relations Manager.
Ms. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from James Madison
University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Shalom House of Harrisburg, a
non-profit homeless shelter service provider, for women and their children.
In addition to Ms. Harris, DEP's executive staff includes: John Hines, Executive Deputy
for Programs; Jeff Logan, Executive Deputy for Administration and Management; Denise
Brinley, Deputy Secretary for Community Revitalization and Local Government Support; David
Raphael, Chief Counsel; Ken Reisinger, Acting Deputy for Waste, Air and Radiation
Management; Dana Aunkst, Acting Deputy for Field Operations; and Kelly Heffner, Acting
Deputy for Water Management.
The Deputy Secretary positions for Mineral Resources Management and the Office of
Energy and Technology Development are vacant.
Help Wanted: Hydrogeologist, Susquehanna River Basin Commission
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission seeks a career Hydrogeologist for its office in
Harrisburg. This mid-level position requires a current Professional Geologist license.
The position includes but is not limited to the following duties: reviewing ground water
withdrawal applications and aquifer test plans & hydrogeologic reports and data and interacting
with project sponsors and their consultants and the general public to include formal oral and
written responses.
Only candidates with the following eligibility requirements will be considered: minimum
of a bachelor’s degree in hydrogeology, geology, or other related field required. Master’s degree
a plus.
Professional Geologist license required; two to eight years experience in aquifer test planning,
performance and interpretations; public water supply assessments; groundwater resource
development and regulations; excellent oral and written communication skills with considerable
knowledge of GIS technology and Microsoft Office applications; self-motivated individual with
the ability to organize and review multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Competitive salary and benefits package available to include health care insurance and
participation in the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System.
Send cover letter, resume, and salary expectations by email to: employment@srbc.net by
May 14 to Attn: Mid-Level Hydrogeologist; Amy Myers, HR Manager; Susquehanna River
Basin Commission; 1721 N. Front Street; Harrisburg, PA 17102. SRBC is an equal opportunity
employer.
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.
May 2-- ConocoPhillips/Penn State Energy Prize

May 2-- EPA Environmental Education Grants
May 2-- Audubon/Toyota Alliance Conservation Leadership/Project Grants
May 2-- Common Waters Foundation Upper Delaware Forest Landowner Grants
May 6-- NEW. Voting For CBF Save The Bay Photo Contest
May 9-- John C. Oliver Environmental Leadership Award
May 18-- PROP 2011 Waste Watcher Awards
May 19-- DCNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Program
May 20-- NEW. Wildlands Conservancy Friend Of The Lehigh Award
May 26-- EPA i6 Green Challenge Grants
May 31-- Fish & Boat Commission Boating Facility Grants
Unknown-- EPA Be An Energy Star Video Contest
June 1-- NEW. NE Environmental Partnership Awards
June 17-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
June 30-- DEP Nitrogen Tire Inflation System Grants
July 11-- PROP Annual Recycling FilmFest Competition
No Deadline-- NEW. DEP County Waste Planning Grants
August-- EPA/American Rivers Potomac Highlands Restoration Grants
August 26-- Foundation for PA Watersheds Grants
September 4-- Chester County Green Business Awards
December 31-- President's Environmental Youth Awards
-- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial
assistance for environmental projects.
Quick Clips
Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--
Budget
Senate Bill Would Place Impact Fee On Gas Drilling
Growing Greener Pushing For More Green (Video)
Editorial: Keep Growing Greener Green
Flurry Of Marcellus Tax, Fee Bills Prep Capitol For Debate
Shale Tax, Fee Debate Heats Up
Bumsted: Corbett's No To Shale Tax Cast In Stone
Editorial: Corbett's Reluctance To Tax Drillers Undermines Confidence
Other
Editorial: Recycle State Recycling Law
Keystone College Scores High Marks For Environment
Centre Volunteers Celebrate Earth Day With Cleanup
Environmental Groups Build Community
Op-Ed: Earth Day Message Should Carry All Year
PEC Receives York County Foundation Grant
DEP Fines Trucking Firm $31,000 For I-80 Accident
Clean Coal Demonstration Plant To Be Built In Harmar
Northampton Power Plant Balks At Pollution Controls
NJ To Portland Power Plant: Clean Up Your Act
Western PA Gets An F For Air Pollution
Erie Air Quality Still Poor
NE Air Pollution Levels Better, But Still Bad
Nuclear Regulators Found Safety Violations In Beaver
Op-Ed: Priority Is To Develop Rigid Nuclear Power Safety Standards
Op-Ed: Nation Can't Afford To Halt Nuclear Power
BP Wind Energy Opens Wyoming County Office
Northampton Solar Panel Course Latest In Ed Innovations
Ross Township To Install Solar Panel To Save Money
Mine Subsidence Ruled Out In North Versailles Trench
Countryside Conservancy Moves On Abingtons Hiking Trail
22,000 Acres Of Land In Tunkhannock Preserved
Urban Forest Study Shows Value Of Scranton's Trees
Pike Environmental Agency Notes 5 Years Of Success
Piping Plover Spotted At Presque Isle State Park
Environmental Steward, Philanthropist Joseph Ibberson Dies
Marcellus Shale NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---
Fracking's Environmental Footprint To Transform PA Landscape

Number Crunching The Footprint Of The Fracking Boom
PA Utility Regulator Cheers On Shale Drilling
DEP Leaves Emergency Planning To Drillers
EPA Steps Into Probe Of Fracking Spill In Bradford
DEP Secretary: End Nears For Drilling Wastewater Releases
Drillers Back End Of Dumping Brine Into Rivers
End Near For Drilling Wastewater Pollution
PA EPA Cracks Down On Marcellus Drillers
Editorial: Solve Gas Drilling's Wastewater Problem
Editorial: State Coddles Drillers Instead Of Environment
Editorial: The Public Deserves A Marcellus Shale Incentive
Marcellus Commission
DCNR Official Talks Of Limiting Drilling In State Forests
Chesapeake Energy Spill Heightens Pressures
Gas Driller's Response Team Came From Texas To PA
Corbett Defends Advisers On Marcellus Shale
Governor Asked Chesapeake Energy To Quit Commission
Blog: Environmentalists Picket Shale Commission Meeting
Activists Line Up In Front Of Drilling Panel
Stilp, Fellow Activists Disrupt Shale Meeting
Protesters Disrupt Marcellus Meeting
Advice To Marcellus Task Force: Don't Hold Your Questions
Impact Fee
Senate Bill Would Place Impact Fee On Gas Drilling
Other
Former State Official Fears Drilling Could Harm State Parks, Forests
House Democratic Policy Committee Looking Into Marcellus Shale
Shale Drilling Protested At Oakland Meeting
Mon River Group: Action Needed On Gas Drilling
Benton Gas Well Hearing Canceled, Protesters Crowd Center
Wyoming Drilling Wastewater Consultant On Spot
Fate Of Wyoming Valley Drilling Wastewater In Doubt
Company Ends Plans For Wyoming Valley Drilling Water Treatment Plant
Take Action, Drilling Critics Urge
Corbett Tells Gas Drillers He Opposes Forced Pooling
Governor Tells Drillers He Opposes Forced Pooling
Corbett Opposes Forced Pooling Of Natural Gas
Gas Panel Members Rack Up Violations
What The Frack Is Hydraulic Fracturing?
State Geologists Mapping Deep Aquifers
Shale Drilling Sets Up Potential Regulatory War
Workers Continue Efforts To Seal Bradford Gas Well
Bradford Gas Well Response Time Questioned
PA Ponders Penalties Over Bradford County Drilling Site Mishap
Residents Claim Negligence, Sue Chesapeake Energy
PA, Feds Still Seeking Answers On Marcellus Well Blowout
Op-Ed: PA Well Prepared To Regulate Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling
Murrysville Shale Gas Drilling Ordinance A Work In Progress
Rally Planned Before Gas Drilling Hearing In Benton Twp
Lehman Twp Officials Working On Drilling Ordinance
Proposed Pipeline Placement Prompts Litigation In NE
Resistance To Gas Drilling Rises On Unlikely Soil
Learning The Ropes For Roustabout Work: A Shale Profile
CCAC Offers Training For Jobs In Gas Extraction
2 Injured In Drilling Explosion Sue
Editorial: Just So Much Gas
Editorial: State Regime Coddles Drillers
Other States
NY Watchdog Group Compiles Fracking Petition
Fracking Debate Heats Up In New York
Financial
Range Resources Announces First Quarter Results
Cabot Oil Quarterly Profit Drops 55 Percent
Marcellus Activity Boosts EQTs Bottom Line
Consol Energy Profits Jumped 92 Percent
Watershed NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--
Group Targets Raising Quality Of Water In Conewago Creek

Nutrient Credit Trading Cornerstone Of Lycoming County Bay Plan
Pair Behind Fishing Derby Hope To Spur River Stewardship
Public Can Help Judge Save The Bay Photo Contest
Bucknell Environmental Center: Take Me To The River
Mon River Group: Action Needed On Gas Drilling
Crews Work To Cleanup Susquehanna Railroad Fuel Spill
Grant Funds Green Roof On Chambersburg Senior High
EPA Proposes Stricter Controls On Water Pollution
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a proposed designation of
Allegheny, Beaver, Indiana and Warren counties for the 1-hour sulfur dioxide standard. For
more information, contact Connie Hartlaub at 717-787-9495.
Pennsylvania Bulletin - April 30, 2011
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Rolling Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance & Permits
No new guidance was published this week.
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Copies Of Draft Technical Guidance - 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.
May 2-- CANCELED. Environmental Issues Forum, Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution
Control and Conservation Committee, hears a presentation on the new electronics recycling law.
Room G-50 Irvis Building. 12:00.
May 3-- Agenda Items Added. Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
considers the nomination of Richard Allan as Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources
and these bills: Senate Bill 292 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) increasing bid limits for flood control
projects, Senate Bill 308 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) further providing for the eligibility of sewer
laterals for funding, Senate Bill 367 (D.White-R-Indiana) authorizing the leasing of mineral
rights on other state lands and depositing the proceeds in the Environmental Stewardship Fund,
Senate Bill 460 (Yaw-R-Bradford) further providing for oil and gas leasing payments, Senate
Bill 469 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available
for public recreation, Senate Bill 618 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing independent counsel for
Environmental Quality Board, Senate Bill 791 (Earll-R-Erie) further providing for bluff setbacks
along Lake Erie, Senate Bill 898 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) further providing for the temporary
cession of noncoal mining operations. Majority Caucus Room. 9:30.
May 3-- NEW. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee informational meeting
with DEP Secretary Michael Krancer. Room 60 East Wing. 9:00.
May 3-- Agenda Released. DEP Chesapeake Bay Advisory Committee meeting. DEP
Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 10:00.
May 4-- House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee holds an
informational meeting on emergency preparedness involving nuclear power plant facilities.
Room G-50 Irvis Building. 9:00.
May 5-- House State Government Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 726 (Saylor-R-
York) establishing the Performance, Accountability and Results Act requiring state agency
performance audits. Room B-31. 9:00.
May 6-- NEW. Senate Game and Fisheries Committee holds a hearing on classification of
waters, fishing license modifications, sources of alternative funding for Fish and Boat
Commission. HR Stackhouse School of Fisheries, Bellefonte. 9:00.
May 11-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission holds a hearing on the Flexible Flow
Management Plan and considers other water withdrawals. West Trenton, NJ. (formal notice)
May 12-- House Democratic Policy Committee holds a hearing Marcellus shale natural gas
drilling tax. Bethlehem City Hall Town Hall, 10 East Church St., Bethlehem. 1:00.
June 10-- CANCELED. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice)
August 23-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. (formal notice)
September 16-- CANCELED. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice)
December 6-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. (formal notice)
DEP Calendar of Events
Environmental Education Workshop/Training Calendar (PA Center for Environmental

Education)
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 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 to the clients of Crisci Associates, a
Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500
companies and non-profit organizations. For more information on Crisci Associates, call
717-234-1716.
PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators'

2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.
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.

Pa Environment Digest May 2, 2011

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PA

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa May 2, 2011

Gov. Corbett Announces 2011 Environmental Excellence Award Winners

Gov. Tom Corbett this week announced 13 environmental projects from

-- Lehigh and Northampton counties - Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation:

-- Philadelphia County - Philadelphia International Airport: The Philadelphia International

-- Schuylkill County - Schuylkill Headwaters: The Schuylkill Headwaters Association,

Sen. Scarnati Announces Proposed Marcellus Shale Drilling Impact Fee

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) this week

Rep. Harper Introduces Marcellus Shale Severance Tax Proposal

Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) this week introduced House Bill

House Bill 833, introduced by Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield),

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

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

Water Infrastructure Funding: Senate Resolution 30 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) directing the

Senate/House Bills Moving

Nominations: The Senate voted 50 to 0 to confirm Michael Krancer, Secretary of Environmental

On The Governor's Desk

News From The Capitol

Senate Unanimously Confirms Michael Krancer As DEP Secretary

The Senate this week unanimously confirmed Michael Krancer, 53

Bill On Coordinating Natural Gas, Coal Mining Heads To Governor

House Committee Hears Update On Stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, Water Planning

Infrastructure Repair Funding Topic Of House Consumer Affairs Committee Hearing

Senate Environmental Committee To Consider DCNR Secretary Nomination, 8 Bills

House Environmental Committee To Hear From DEP Secretary Krancer

April Environmental Synopsis Features Waste Tire Recycling

News From Around The State

Marcellus Commission Hears Presentations On Environmental Impact Of Drilling

Foundation For PA Watersheds Awards Nearly $184,000 In Grants

Texas Company Pays $208,625 For Polluting Creeks In Clearfield County

PA American Water President Offers Public-Private Infrastructure Solutions

Lehigh Valley Clean Water Summit May 21 In Bangor

Northeast PA Environmental Partnership Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

Community-Based Watershed Organizations Working For Positive Local Outcomes

Community-based watershed organizations are locally-based groups of volunteers who are

DEP Accepting Comments On Proposed TMDLs In 6 Watersheds In 9 Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting comments on proposed Total

Wildlands Conservancy Helps Restore Trout Creek In Allentown

This year the Wildlands Conservancy, in cooperation with the City

River Towns Workshop Offered At Montour Preserve May 23, June 28

ClearWater Conservancy Receives DCNR Grant To Protect Galbraith Gap Watershed

ClearWater Conservancy has been awarded a $350,000 state

Delaware Conservation District, PRC Offer Clean Water, Energy Conservation

Southwestern PA Gearing Up For Annual Great Outdoors Week Beginning May 13

Children's Drawings Create Blueprint For Playground In Erie

Sustainable Landscapes Bus Tour In Lehigh Valley June 15

The PA Sustainable Lands Partnership Lehigh Valley is sponsoring a Sustainable Landscapes

DEP Invites Applications For County Waste Planning Grants

Southeast Air Quality Partnership Lawn Mower Trade-In May 7

Onorato Highlights Allegheny County Green Accomplishments On Earth Day

Philly Major Opens Philadelphia's First Solar PV Installation

E-Power House Debuts May 1 At Da Vinci Science Center In Allentown

PUC Launches Investigation Into PA's Competitive Electricity Market

Spring Edition Of PUC's Keystone Connection Report Now Available

PEC: Ultimate Urban Adventure Race Coming To Pittsburgh June 25

Alisa Harris Appointed DEP Deputy For External Affairs

Help Wanted: Hydrogeologist, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Grants & Awards

May 2-- ConocoPhillips/Penn State Energy Prize