Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approves 8 Shale Gas Drilling Water Withdrawals, Adopts New General Permit For Cooperative Fish Nurseries

On March 14, the
Susquehanna River Basin Commission approved eight shale gas drilling water withdrawals and adopted a new general permit for cooperative fish nurseries.

The shale gas water withdrawals include--

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Beech Resources, LLC (Lycoming Creek), Lycoming Township, Lycoming County, PA. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 1.500 mgd (peak day).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC (Susquehanna River), Braintrim Township, Wyoming County, PA. Application for renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 3.000 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20190303).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC (Susquehanna River), Wysox Township, Bradford County, PA. Modification to increase surface water withdrawal by an additional 2.001 mgd (peak day), for a total withdrawal of up to 3.000 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20220603).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Greylock Production, LLC (Genesee Forks), Hector Township, Potter County, PA. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 1.440 mgd (peak day).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Greylock Production, LLC (Pine Creek), Ulysses Township, Potter County, PA. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 2.592 mgd (peak day).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Seneca Resources Company, LLC (Cowanesque River), Westfield Township, Tioga County, PA. Application for renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.375 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20190311).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: Sugar Hollow Water Services, LLC (Martins Creek), Hop Bottom Borough, Susquehanna County, PA. Application for renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.360 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20190310).

-- Project Sponsor and Facility: SWN Production Company, LLC (Martins Creek), Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna County, PA. Application for renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.997 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20190312).

Click Here for more information on the applications.

Click Here for the complete summary of actions taken at the business meeting.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

(Photos: PA General Energy constructed an SRBC-approved water withdrawal in the Exceptional Value Loyalsock Creek attracting notices of violation from DEP and the Fish and Boat Commission.  DEP and SRBC discovered after the withdrawal was built, PGE violated its permits and constructed the withdrawal larger than permitted. No penalties were assessed.  Read more here.) 

Related Article:

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approves 30 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wyoming Counties  [PaEN]

[Posted: March 19, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Insurance Dept.: Stay Protected With Flood Insurance During Flood Awareness Week

On March 18,  the Insurance Department and the PA Emergency Management Agency reminded consumers about the importance of
flood insurance to protect consumers from the costly repairs often associated with flood damage and urged property owners to consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their homes, businesses and possessions.

All of Pennsylvania's 67 counties have seen destructive flooding, yet just about 1 percent of households in the state are currently insured against flooding.

"After flooding disasters, PID hears devastating stories from residents who thought they were covered for flood damage through their homeowners' insurance policy but were not," said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. "As we begin Pennsylvania's Flood Awareness Week, we want to help consumers understand that flood insurance is generally not included in a standard homeowners' or renters' insurance policy. We encourage consumers to consider flood coverage to protect against potentially costly repairs."

Humphreys, chair of the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force that was established by Act 22 of 2023, which Governor Shapiro signed into law, added, "Our Task Force has been laser-focused on how to potentially reduce flood insurance costs for Pennsylvanians and strategies to raise flood insurance awareness. My colleagues at the Departments of Banking and PEMA, Senators Baker and Santarsiero, and Representatives Warren and Zimmerman have been focused on these very issues that PID is highlighting today as the Task Force works towards a set of recommendations that will be made to the Governor and the General Assembly this summer."

PID reminds consumers that just one inch of rain can cause $25,000 of damage to a home, and even Pennsylvanians who do not live in a Special Flood Hazard Area (an area with a higher chance of experiencing a flood), or areas where flood insurance is required, should consider purchasing flood insurance.

"You're more likely to experience a flood in your home than you are a house fire," said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. "Flood insurance can give you the peace of mind that your losses could be covered in the event that you experience a flood."

Flood insurance, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurers, can be purchased to cover almost any building and its contents, including rental property and condominiums. 

Renters also can buy flood insurance protection for their possessions.

Flood insurance policies may not be active immediately. To combat the purchase of flood insurance as a storm is headed in the direction of a property, Congress implemented a 30-day waiting period before a policy goes into effect. 

There are some exceptions, such as making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage.

Information on both the NFIP and private flood insurance is available on the Insurance Department's one-stop Flood Insurance webpage.

The Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force has been holding public meetings since February, with the next meeting set for April 3. 

More information on the Task Force's meetings can be found on PID's website.

Consumers with questions or wishing to file a complaint can contact PID's Consumer Services Bureau, or by calling 1-877-881-6388.

[Posted: March 19, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets March 27 To Hear Update On Grant Programs, State Budget

DCNR's
Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on March 27 to hear a presentation on the state budget and to get an update on the Community Conservation Partnership Grant Program.

Michael Walsh, Deputy Secretary of Administration and Xia Wang, Director of Administrative Services will provide the update on the budget.

Josh VanBrakle will give an overview of the C2P2 grant program.

A panel discussion on grants will feature Doug Knauss from Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County and Anne Harnish and Kate Gonick from the Lancaster Conservancy.

ATV Pilot Comments

After its fall field trip to the ATV Regional Connector Pilot, CNRAC issued a memo to DCNR outlining its observations and recommendations. 

At the end of the year, DCNR issued its report on the pilot to the General Assembly, and on January 18 announced it will operate the ATV Regional Trail Connector through the 2025 riding season.

Public Comment

There will be two opportunities for public comment at the meeting.  

If you are interested in presenting comments, please advise by email to nfaraguna@pa.gov  no later than 5 p.m. on March 26.  

You can provide comments at the beginning of the meeting or at the end of the meeting.  

You may also provide comments or questions after the meeting by emailing the same address or through the Council's webpage.

Joining The Meeting

The meeting will be held in person in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 10:00 a.m.

There is also an option to join the meeting online via Microsoft Teams.  Click Here to register.

For more information, visit DCNR's Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council webpage.

[Posted: March 19, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 3.18.24

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

-- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution  [It’s Not A Suggestion]


Senate next voting day March 18, 19, 20, April 8, 9, 10, 29, 30

-- Committee Schedule

House next voting day March 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, April 8, 9, 10

-- Committee Schedule


TODAY’s Calendar Of Events 


TODAY 10:00: House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee hearing on solar energy and economic development.  Room G-50 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.


March 19-- House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 254 (Merski-D-Erie) leasing certain areas of Lake Erie for wind energy development (sponsor summary); House Bill 597 (Kim-D-Dauphin) authorizing a county recycling and waste management fee (sponsor summary); House Bill 1166 (Steele-D-Allegheny) prohibit use of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt pavement sealers (sponsor summary). Room 205 Ryan Building.  9:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.


March 19-- House Consumer, Technology & Utilities Committee meets to consider House Bill 1842 (Schweyer-D-Lehigh) authorize a community solar energy facility program [Read more here]. Room G-50 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.  


March 19-- Agenda Posted. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting.  Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00 a.m. Visit the Board webpage for options to join the meeting remotely.  Contact: Todd M. Wallace, at twallace@pa.gov  or (717) 783-6395.  Read more here on agenda.


March 19-- House Game & Fisheries Committee informational meeting on Fish & Boat Commission’s 2023 Annual Report.  Room 523, Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.


March 20--  Senate Game and Fisheries Committee meets to consider House Bill 1409 (Kulik-D -Allegheny) renew the authority of Fish and Boat Commission to set its own fees for 10 years (House Fiscal Note & Summary). Room 8E-A East Wing. 9:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.


March 20-- House Game & Fisheries Committee informational meeting on Game Commission’s 2023 Annual Report.  Room 523, Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch online.


-- March 18 PA Environment Digest Now Available  [PaEN]


-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - March 9 to 15  - Home Explosion; 140 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Methane In Water Supply; Porcupine Causes Wastewater Spill  [PaEN]


-- DEP Cites Conventional Oil & Gas Well Operators For Abandoning, Not Plugging 140 More Wells Last Week; Total Now 380 Wells This Year  [PaEN] 


-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - March 16 [PaEN]


-- DEP Posted 76  Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 16 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 


-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Shapiro Has Work To Do To Win Senate Republicans’ Support For His Energy/Climate Plan


-- Observer-Reporter Letter: Shale Gas Fracking Leaves A Trail Of Destruction - By Megan McDonough


-- Inside Climate News: A Window Into Persistent Inequities Of Environmental Policy - Clairton Coke [Coal] Works In Allegheny County


-- CONSOL Energy Releases 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report


-- Republican Herald: Pine Grove Junior ROTC Students Clear Tires From Illegal Dump Site In Schuylkill County


-- Centre Daily Times: Recycling: Why Isn’t Centre County A Single Stream Program?  Recycling Rules In The County


-- Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Highlights Jennings Environmental Ed Center Beavers; March 25 & April 8 Eclipse; More Activities  [PaEN]


-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Programming Planned At City Parks 


-- Inquirer: Don’t Fear The Wild Mushroom, PA Woman Wants To Demystify Mycology  


Train Derailments


-- Warren Times Editorial: Don’t Wait For The Next Train Derailment


PA Politics - Everything Is Connected

-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso: Shapiro Wants To Add Money To Home Repair Program; Attack PA’s Housing Crisis

-- Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh-Area High Schoolers Try To Get Peers Registered To Vote, Stay Engaged In Politics

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[Posted: March 18, 2024]  PA Environment Digest

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