Thank you for your leadership!
— Westminster College Honors Student Research And Creative Works At 18th Student Symposium On The Environment [PaEN]
— Kensington Teens Win $17,000 Grant To Turn Trash-Filled, Empty Lot Into Public Garden To Prevent Dumping In Philadelphia [PaEN]
— Unionville H.S. Rowing Club Finds New Home With Chester Water Authority On The Octoraro Reservoir; Student Service Projects Help Protect Reservoir [PaEN]
— Slippery Rock University: Luzerne County Student Helps Improve Sustainability At Slippery Rock University
— The Power Of Master Watershed Stewards – Program Accomplishments In 2025; Sign Up For Spring Training Now; More Extension Resources [PaEN]
— Republican Herald: Schuylkill County Conservation District Volunteer Audrey Wells Hosts Sketchers Nature Walk To Spark Connection With Outdoors [PDF of Article]
— York Dispatch: Community Mourns Passing Of Former York Water President Jeff Hines After Brief Illness
— Fly Fishing Magazine: Big Spring Creek Conservationists Fight To Save Wild Trout From Warehouse Development In Cumberland County
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: PA River Of The Year Finalist Chillisquaque Creek Offers Microcosm Of Issues And Opportunities For Bigger Susquehanna River System
— Educators Invited To Southwest PA Environmental Literacy Coalition Online Meeting Jan. 6 [PaEN]
— DEP: MarkWest Liberty Midstream Reports 69,000 Gallon Pipeline Construction Fluid Loss Into Mine Voids Under Washington County; 476,600 Gallons Lost So Far [PaEN]
— PennLive: PA DEP Staffing Lagging As State Faces Natural Gas Fracking, Air, Water Pollution Issues: Report
— Inside Climate News – Kiley Bense/Peter Aldhous: Tracking Oil And Gas Industry Waste In Pennsylvania Is Still A ‘Logistical Mess’ [Part I]
— Inside Climate News – Kiley Bense/Peter Aldhous: 20 Years Into Shale Gas Fracking, Pennsylvania Has Yet To Reckon With Its Radioactive Waste [Part II]
— Inside Climate News – Kiley Bense: Pennsylvania Is Still Cleaning Up Decades’ Worth Of Abandoned Coal Mine Pollution, Now It Must Contend With Millions Of Tons Of Oil & Gas Waste [Part III]
— Inside Climate News Video: Reporter Kiley Bense Talks About Her 3 Part Series On Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Waste [Video]
— Spotlight PA/Inside Climate News: Outdated, Disconnected Systems Leave PA Unable To Comprehensively Track Toxic Oil And Gas Industry Waste
— Farm and Dairy: Shale Gas Well Pad Setback Petition Finally Moves On To PA DEP For Study
— Warren Times: US Forest Service Closes American Refining Group Facility In Highland Twp., Elk County, Declares Them Unsafe Due To Hazardous Materials, Structurally Unsound Buildings [PDF of Article]
— PUC Approves $50,000 Penalty Settlement With Peoples Natural Gas Following 2022 Johnstown Pipeline Damage, Fire Incident
— WTAJ: Peoples Natural Gas To Pay Up For 2022 Pipeline Fire Incident
— WHYY: Delaware City Refinery Failed To Immediately Report Accurate Butane Emissions
— Environmental Groups, Our Children’s Trust Appeal Air Quality Permit For Homer City A.I. Data Center 4.5 GW Natural Gas Power Plant In Indiana County [PaEN]
— Indiana Gazette: Environmental Advocates, PA Youths Appeal Permit For 4.5 GW Natural Gas Power Plant For 3,200 Acre Homer City A.I. Data Center Campus
— Our Children’s Trust Files Appeal Of DEP Air Quality Permit For Homer City A.I. Data Center Power Plant
— Public Citizen: President’s LNG Gas Energy Export Policy Costs Households $12 Billion In First 9 Months Of 2025 [Warning]
— Bloomberg: American LNG Export Boom Means Goodbye To Cheap US Natural Gas
— Inside Climate News: LNG Gas Exports Driving Up Americans’ Energy Bills, Report Says
— Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Energy [Natural Gas] Will Make America Affordable Again – By US Secretary Of Commerce Howard Lutnick
— PJM Electricity Auction Prices Again At Cap Imposed By Gov. Shapiro’s Lawsuit Settlement, Without It Prices Would Be 59% Higher Driven By A.I. Data Center Demand; Grid Reliability Now Questioned [PaEN]
— Reuters: Prices In PJM Power Auction Hit New Record, Signaling Higher Utility Bills Ahead
— Bloomberg: Pressure Mounts To Fix PJM Grid As Electricity Costs Hit New Highs
— Bloomberg: Latest PJM Power Auction Set To Deepen Affordability Concerns
— WHYY – Sophia Schmidt: PA, NJ, DE Could See Increased Risk Of Power Outages Due To PJM Supply And Demand Crunch On Regional Grid
— Bloomberg: New York Utility Says Queue For A.I. Data Center Power Users Has Tripled [Will Pull More PA Power]
— WGEM: Illinois State Regulators Warn Of Impending Energy Shortfalls As PJM Capacity Prices Rise Again
— KSDK: A.I. Data Centers Are Sucking Illinois’ Power Grid Dry, Official Report Warns [PJM Service Area [Warning]
— WESA – Rachel McDevitt: Pennsylvanians Have Until Dec. 22 To Comment On Proposed PUC A.I. Data Center Model Tariff For Utilities
— PUC Votes To Develop Rulemaking To Modernize Electric Interconnection Regulations; Proposed Rule Due In March [PaEN]
— PJM Outlines Long-Term Electric Transmission Plan In FERC Filing
— Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Orders PJM To Allow A.I. Data Centers To Connect Directly To Power Plants, Expedite Connections For Shovel-Ready Projects, Enhance Load Forecasting [PaEN] [Warning]
— AP: FERC Orders PJM To Allow A.I. Data Centers To Plug Right Into Power Plants In Scramble For Energy
— Utility Dive: FERC Orders PJM To Craft New A.I. Data Center Colocation Connection Rules
— Reuters: FERC Directs PJM To Set New A.I. Data Center Rules On Direct Connection To Power Plants
— PA Capital-Star: FERC Says More Clarity Needed On How A.I. Data Centers Connect To Power Sources
— Utility Dive: Electric Utility Large Load Tariffs Could Streamline Interconnection By Shrinking Queues, Report [Now, Anyone With An Acre Of Land For A Data Center Is Putting In An Interconnection Request]
— Altoona Mirror: Groups Urge Shapiro To Dial Back Support For A.I. Data Centers [PDF of Article]
— Morning Call/Inquirer: Poll: How Pennsylvanians Feel About A.I. Data Centers: 70% Concerned About Water Use; 71% Concerned About Electricity Use
— Post-Gazette: Survey Says Pennsylvanians See The A.I. Revolution As A ‘Significant Threat To Humanity’
— Scranton Times Chris Kelly Opinion: Welcome To ‘Data Center Valley’ – 84 A.I. Data Center Structures Proposed In Lackawanna County [PDF of Article]
— Nonprofit Quarterly: A Canary In A Coal Mine: Amazon’s Luzerne County A.I. Data Center
— Republican Herald: PPL Plans New 37-Mile High Voltage Line Between Sunbury And Frackville To Service A.I. Data Centers [PDF of Article]
— LancasterOnline: Lancaster City Fire Dept. Making Plans For A.I. Data Center Battery Fires, Based On Experiences In Virginia [PDF of Article]
— KDKA: PA Lawmakers Exploring How To Regulate A.I. Data Centers, Which Drive Up Resident’s Utility Bills
— Pottstown Mercury: Sen. Pennycuick, Rep. Ciresi Say State Efforts Will Continue To Regulate A.I. Despite President’s Executive Order
— PA Capital-Star: PA’s Republican Attorney General, Lawmakers Contend With President’s Order Blocking A.I. Regulations
— Chesapeake Bay Journal: Maryland Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto Of Bills To Study Costs Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions In MD; Economic, Energy, Environmental Impacts Of A.I. Data Centers, Setting Up State Energy Office
— Post-Gazette – Laura Legere: US Energy Secretary Touts $1 Billion Taxpayer Loan To Restart Undamaged Three Mile Island Nuclear Reactor To Feed Microsoft A.I. Data Centers [Warning]
— WITF: US Energy Secretary Says Restart Of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Is ‘Poster Child’ Of President’s Energy, A.I. Agenda [Dedicated To Feeding Energy To Microsoft A.I. Data Centers]
— PA Capital-Star: US Energy Secretary Says Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Restart Delivers On President’s Promises [Will Provide Power To Feed Microsoft A.I. Data Centers]
— PennLive – Charles Thompson: US Energy Secretary Visits Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, Now Helped By Federal Taxpayer Money [Will Provide Power To Feed Microsoft A.I. Data Centers]
— Pennsylvania BRIGHT Expands Statewide To Remove Barriers To Bringing Affordable Solar Energy To PA Homeowners Left Out Of Transition To Clean Energy Options [PaEN]
— Philadelphia Solar Energy Association: New Solar Schools Toolkit, Solar Toolkit For Nonprofits, Local Governments Available To Help Deal With Soaring Electricity Costs [PaEN]
— TribLive: Westmoreland County Housing Authority Plans To Lease Former State Prison Site, Warehouse Rooftop For Solar Energy Facilities [‘There’s Only One Direction (Electric Prices) Are Going – That’s Up’]
— Scranton Times: Old Forge School District Seeks Proposals For Solar Energy Facility
— Planet Philadelphia Radio: Dec. 19: Hopeful Sustainability Projects, 4:00 p.m.
— Tribune-Democrat Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Must Be Prepared To Meet Energy Challenges After RGGI – By Tom Gilbert, PA Environmental Council [PDF of Article]
— PoliticoPro: Carbon Prices Jump After Pennsylvania Opts Out Of RGGI Program [Never Implemented In PA]
— WHYY – Susan Phillips: PA, NJ, DE Join Lawsuit Asking President’s Administration To Release Funds For Electric Vehicle Chargers
— Utility Dive: Federal Court Agrees To Rehear $14 Billion Federal Climate Funding Freeze Case
— DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of The NPDES Wastewater Permit For The BET Associates IV, LLC Anthracite Mining Discharge In Schuylkill, Carbon Counties Affecting 7,479 Acres [PaEN]
— Pittsburgh Business Times: Core Nature Resources WV Coal Mine Reopens After Year-Long Closure From Explosion, Fire
— Altoona Mirror: Blair County Planning Commission Opposes Glass Bagging Enterprises Noncoal Surface Mining Permit In Frankstown Twp.
— Commonwealth Financing Authority Invests More Than $14 Million In Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee Revenue In Watershed Restoration, Recreation, Sewage And Flood Mitigation Projects [PaEN]
— USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Jan. 15 Deadline To Apply For Major Conservation Assistance Program, Including Regenerative Pilot Program [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension: Conservation Pros: Join In Ag Literacy Week – March 16-20
— LancasterOnline: PA Counties Near Farmland Have Higher Melanoma Cancer Rates, Penn State Researchers Find [PDF of Article]
— Reading Eagle: PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Gilbertsville Elementary School Water
— Inquirer – Frank Kummer: Gilbertsville Montgomery County School In Shadow Of Toxic Boyertown Landfill Finds PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Its Water
— WHYY: Philadelphia Water Department Wants To Know Whether Your Drinking Water Pipes Are Lead-Free
— TribLive: Winfield Mobile Home Park Faces Water Troubles Again After Monthlong ‘Do Not Use’ Notice In Butler County
— LancasterOnline: Environmental Groups Challenge FERC Permit For Cuffs Run Pump Storage Hydroelectric Facility On Susquehanna River In York County
— Chesapeake Bay Journal: ‘PERMIT’ Bill In US House Could Weaken EPA Enforcement Of Chesapeake Bay Cleanup [Warning]
— The Allegheny Front: EPA Hears Competing Views On New Proposed Rollbacks For Federal Wetlands, Water Protections [Warning]
— TribLive: US Army Corps Receives Another $32 Million For Nuclear Waste Cleanup In Parks Twp., Armstrong County
— LancasterOnline: DEP Halts Operations At Penn Twp. Compost Plant During Days-Long Fire
— Centre Daily Times Guest Essay: How To Help Shape The Future Of Recycling In Centre County – By Amy Schirf, Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority
— Inquirer: How Pennsylvania Farms 720,000 Christmas Trees A Year
— PennLive: President’s Tariffs Tank Pennsylvania’s Lumber Industry, Now Seeking A Bailout
— Post-Gazette/PennLive: President’s Tariffs Tank Pennsylvania’s Lumber Industry; Now It Seeks A Bailout
— Penn State Extension Hosts Jan. 27 Community Forestry Webinar – Forester’s Featured Working Tree Solutions [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension Feb. 13 Webinar On Making Cover Crops Pay – How Regenified Certification Works [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension: Making Cover Crops Pay: Feb. 20 Webinar On Understanding What Each Cover Crop Contributes To Soil Health [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension In-Person Southeast PA Green Industry Conference March 5 In Montgomery County [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension March 16 Webinar On Elm Zigzag Sawfly Update – Frontiers Of Forest Health [PaEN]
— DCNR Hosts First Day Hikes On New Year’s Day Across The Commonwealth
— DCNR Completes Upgrades To Point State Park Fountain In Pittsburgh Ahead Of NFL Draft
— Commonwealth Financing Authority Invests More Than $14 Million In Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee Revenue In Watershed Restoration, Recreation, Sewage And Flood Mitigation Projects [PaEN]
— Pennsylvania Environmental Council Awards $50,000 In Cycling Mini-Grants [PaEN]
— Tribune-Democrat: Sen. Langerholc Announces $150,000 Trail Maintenance Grant For Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority
— Clean Air Council: Feet First Philly Awards 16 Public Space Enhancement Project Mini-Grants To Improve Walkability In Communities Across Philadelphia
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: PA River Of The Year Finalist Chillisquaque Creek Offers Microcosm Of Issues And Opportunities For Bigger Susquehanna River System
— Tribune-Democrat: Pittsburgh Foundation Funds Flight Path Upgrades At Flight 93 Memorial In Somerset County
— Lehigh Valley-Based Wildlands Conservancy Upcoming Programs: Flying Squirrel Research; Winter Bird Walk; Winter Wildlife Meet & Greet
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: 2026 Middle Susquehanna Naturalist Calendar Now Available For Order
— Warren Times: Hearts Content Area Of Allegheny National Forest Backdrop For Author Heather Kaminski [PDF of Article]
— Post-Gazette – Mary Ann Thomas: Rare Hummingbird At A Pittsburgh Feeder Part Of A New Migration Trend
— TribLive – Jack Troy: Annual Christmas Bird Count Channels ‘Addictive’ Activity For Scientific Good
— Morning Call: Hundreds Of Snow Geese Dead At Northampton County Quarry, Suspected Victims Of Bird Flu
— Erie Times – Brian Whipkey: About 400 Dead Snow Geese Found In Northampton County Quarry, Avian Influenza Suspected
— Pocono Record: Will Cold Weather Kill Ticks? You May Be Disappointed With The Answer
Visit the PA Environment Digest website to learn more.
REAL Leadership:
— 120 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 116 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 110 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 86 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 96 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 69 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 130 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 132 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 131 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 164 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 155 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 118 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 172 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 139 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 145 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 129 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 158 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 141 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 192 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 166 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 183 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 161 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 172 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 146 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 153 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 204 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 153 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 149 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 139 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 134 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 121 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 189 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 171 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 136 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 111 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 164 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 141 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 126 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 151 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 104 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 139 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 101 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 104 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 128 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 104 New Stories – REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 5,895 Stories In 2024 – Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
— 4,258 Stories In 2023 – Environmental & Conservation Leadership PA
— 3,190 Stories In 2022 – Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA
[Posted: December 21, 2025] PA Environment Digest