Energy
Infrastructure plan: $33-million to clean up hundreds of oil wells in PA
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States have indicated that they would need more than $8 billion to clean up 130,000 other orphaned wells.
WSKG (https://wskg.org/category/news/environment/)
States have indicated that they would need more than $8 billion to clean up 130,000 other orphaned wells.
The groups say the war in Ukraine should not derail the Department of Transportation’s proposal to reinstate limits on LNG-by-rail.
Industry condemns the report, while advocates cite growing climate fears.
“It’ll make homes less affordable than they already are, and that’s already an issue that we have in the city.”
StateImpact Pennsylvania checked in on how climate change and energy issues are playing out in the state’s race for governor.
Companies in Appalachia pursue $8B in infrastructure funds for network of natural gas and ‘blue’ hydrogen
Environmental regulator issues violation notice to the Village of Johnson City.
Among the goals is requiring 85% of homes and commercial buildings to be equipped with electrified heat pumps instead of fossil fuel-based furnaces.
The bill still needs a vote in the Senate and approval from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Lawmakers opposed to joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative promised to fight on in court, while environmental groups hailed the move.
“The Greenidge facility itself, when it’s fully operational, will be emitting over a million tons of CO2 equivalents in the air every year.”
Many wells were abandoned over the last century and are difficult to find and properly plug.
“I appreciate the ambition, but we want to see what the science says, what the facts say on the application and ultimately we’ll make a determination on that and that alone.”
There are still things we can do about climate change, including changes to one of our biggest sources of climate polluting emissions: transportation.
Ten hearings over the plan are being held virtually and around the state.
A Pennsylvania court is holding up the regulation that would let the state join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Environmental activists call the move “political.”
Avian influenza is very rarely transmitted by birds to people, but infected poultry have to be put down to stop the spread.
The measures seek to halt Gov. Tom Wolf’s moratorium on new drilling under state forests.
The New York senator acknowledged the effort to implement a moratorium on some cryptocurrency mining in New York.
The report compares the legal process for implementing a moratorium to the one that was used to temporarily halt high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in 2010.
As warmer temperatures return to the Southern Tier, it’s a sign that ice fishing season is wrapping up. WSKG’s Megan Zerez went out to learn about the sport.
“This is an emergency. Please, people need to act like it’s an emergency.”
A pair of Democrats in the State Senate have apologized after they posed with a banner in Albany on Tuesday that compared the impact of climate change to 9/11 terror attacks in New York City.
Biden Administration touts job-creating potential of wind industry
This strategy is said to ease what’s called “range anxiety” or the fear of running out of “fuel” in an area with no charging station.
An emergency declaration passed by the sewage board allows it to make purchases and sign contracts outside normal procedures.
“What it would do is build a highway network through each small community, or large, and then individual service providers could tap into that network.”
Plant officials say the new facility is still processing sewage and residents should be unaffected.
Hundreds of residents and businesses in Steuben and other counties lost property after flooding last summer. The U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering loans to fill in the gaps. But some are saying the help has arrived too late.
A local coalition is working to salvage materials from some of the older houses being torn down in Ithaca.
Williams said he’s not against cryptocurrency mining altogether, but wants companies to reevaluate their mining process so it doesn’t use as much electricity.
While lanternflies can stress trees, it appears they only kill grapevines and tree of heaven, also an invasive species, directly by feeding on them.
“We are going to be urging in some cases that things go a little bit stronger and faster. But this is a really exciting start.”
Just over 70% of voters cast ballots in favor of adding language to the New York Constitution guaranteeing “clean air and water, and a healthful environment.”
Cayuga Lake has struggled with harmful algal blooms or HABs in recent years, but in 2021 unseasonably warm temperatures and heavy rainfall may have extended their prevalence late into the year.
A debate over cryptocurrency mining on Seneca Lake turned into a broader test of the state’s climate law. That test is likely to come to a head in 2022.
The new law is aimed at cutting down on litter from the non-biodegradable material, better known by its brand name, Styrofoam.
Critics say the one year timeframe for creating new regulations is especially unworkable. New regulations often take up to two years to develop.
“Not only does this put the health of Pennsylvania families at risk, but it also means more methane pollution.”
Hemp processing licenses are once again moving forward with New York state certification, after some were delayed for months following the overhaul of the state’s cannabis law, earlier this year.
The move comes as the DEC is considering renewal of the air pollution permits for Greenidge Generation, a power plant and cryptocurrency mining operation in Yates County.
“The plants literally drowned and died because the roots couldn’t get any oxygen.”
The 470-acre parcel includes the largest piece of undeveloped shoreline on Cayuga Lake.
New York officials say they hope the state can lead by example with more ambitious goals.
The state expects the rule will cost water systems more than $121 million a year for treatment and monitoring.
The City of Binghamton and Johnson City will not receive state funds to cover legal fees associated with settling disputes with contractors for the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant restoration and rehabilitation project.
“I think nothing is more political than to have a single, unitary executive making all the appointments and they are beholden to him to do whatever he wants.”
“Right now juices and Gatorade aren’t covered by the Bottle Bill and we need to see those plastics get back into the recycling stream.”
The Ithaca Common Council voted late Wednesday night to move forward with the city’s plan to electrify thousands of buildings in an effort to decarbonize by the end of the decade.
“Is it or is it not an energy hog. If it is? If it’s undermining our climate goals then we need to take a really really careful look at it, including saying no.”
There are pros and cons to a ballot proposal that would guarantee New Yorkers’ rights to clean air and water.
“It flies as well, but it’s a weak flyer. So the main way it moves from place to place over long distances, is through human movement.”
The candidates strongly differed over the management of the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant.
“15 simple words, each person shall have a right to clean air and clean water and a healthful environment.”
Experts aren’t exactly certain of any specific immediate legal implications of the amendment.
The IBEW’s now outspoken support of Greenidge indicates that opponents may face a broader front in their efforts to pass legislation implementing a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining.
“All eyes are on what happens with this particular facility.”
“These aren’t small repairs. A furnace is anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000.”
Texas-based pipeline builder Energy Transfer faces 48 criminal charges related to construction of its Mariner East pipeline project.
Treatments include “trap-trees” with a synthetic insecticide, a full-year applied pesticide, and treating any egg masses with a soybean-based product.
Company cites lack of environmental permits from New Jersey.
“Gasoline and diesel fuel vehicles are responsible for smog, toxic particulate matter that drives adverse health outcomes.”
“If the auction proceeded, the opportunity to preserve the land for conservation and public access could have been lost forever.”
“There has to be some level of ‘Wow, this property is something that we would like to open to the public.'”
“This is a major, major initiative to deliver clean, healthier air and more electricity to New York City.”
The compounds, known as Neonicotinoids, or “neonics,” have been widely used during the past 15 years in a pre-treatment for corn, soy and wheat seeds.
“I really feel in my heart pretty strongly that my exposure to… the pollution, the things going on after September 11th, have to do with that diagnosis.”
Wegmans said that by making the switch to fiber cartons, it will eliminate 625,000 pounds of foam from its stores every year.
The DEC requested Greenidge specifically outline how its operation will meet the state’s emissions goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
“What’s happening in the watershed in terms of land use and these precipitation patterns means that these boundaries shift.”
This week marks ten years since flood waters from Tropical Storm Lee left residents in Owego displaced, without electricy, and scrambling to save their homes. WSKG is sharing some of their stories.
“Our soils aren’t that deep and are full of rocks and clay – if you try to dig around here, it’s pretty difficult. So our soils saturate rapidly.”
“They lost it once and they knew what it was like and they didn’t want to lose it again.”
“I was like, ‘oh my gosh, oh my gosh, what do I do?'”
“I’ve toured the plant, there’s a huge wall there and they say it’s ready for a thousand year flood. So I’m pretty confident. There’s redundant systems, things are behind concrete walls. So there may be minor destruction but nothing like happened on September 2011.”
Earlier research found oil and gas brines contain harmful material
Students heading back to school may not hear about climate change in the classroom because of outdated science education standards.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says climate change is front-and-center as it plans for the future of the Commonwealth’s parks. CLICK HERE.
“I believe that the benefit, risk ratio is an order of magnitude better for IM3 than it was for SungEel.”
“We had a lot of big storms, a lot of rain during July and so that could have caused nutrients to essentially enter the lake and help facilitate these blooms.”
Pa. adopted rules intended to protect people from market volatility like what Texas saw last winter
“I mean, they’re adorable, but unfortunately… these two tiny birds [could] cause the livelihoods and the property values of a lot of people.”
Natural gas still leads as the nation’s top source of electricity, generating 1,617 kWh last year, or about 40% of U.S. power generation.
Testing has shown some homes in Elmira Heights to have indoor air concentrations as high as 37 micrograms per cubic meter, over seventeen times the EPA’s maximum for homes.
“Our team of wildland firefighting experts are some of the best in the country. I commend them for their bravery and willingness to support ongoing efforts to contain these devastating wildfires.”
Jackson said the amendment will empower citizens to go to court, if necessary, to enforce those rights.
A pollen-sized microparticle can be fed to bees in pollen patties or a sugar syrup to help their bodies safely manage exposure to harmful pesticides.
“If these batteries are really big, can we use elements, can we use materials that are not very dangerous, that are Earth abundant, that are readily available?”
“We’re starting to see it more and more. The weather patterns, I think are changing.”
Sturgeon are native to Lake Ontario and the Genesee River, but habitat loss and overfishing decimated the population, causing it to dwindle to almost nothing by the early 1900s.
Contaminants were regularly used at the plant, especially in metal finishing processes.
Pennsylvania would be among top beneficiaries of cleaner air
“We would like him to remove all dirty fossil fuel solutions, including, for example, the combined heat and power plants, which run on fracked gas. That, under Mr. Tonko’s definition, is clean energy,”
STATEIMPACT PENNSYLVANIA – Companies that drill for natural gas in Pennsylvania have used EPA-approved PFAS or pre-cursors to PFAS in fracking operations in other states, according to a report by Physicians for Social Responsibility. CLICK HERE.
Unconventional wells produced 7.1 trillion cubic feet of gas last year, even as national and regional natural gas prices dipped in response to the pandemic.
With more ticks carrying disease than ever, here’s what you need to know about which ticks to watch out for and what to do if you get bitten.
“It’s good economic sense because that is the future. And that’s where you’re going to see all the economic development and jobs being created.”
Under the tax code section of last month’s budget agreement, any company that builds a center in the Keystone State won’t have to pay sales tax on the thousands of pieces of equipment needed.
Wildlife officials are asking people not to feed birds or provide bird baths amid dozens of reports of mysterious songbird deaths.
“GCNR’s petition does not establish any error of law or fact to support its rehearing request.”
The comments, drafted by the Tompkins County Office of Planning and Sustainability staff, ask the DEC to provide more specifics about implementation.
“Voters are going to be asked a simple question. Should we add to New York state’s bill of rights, the right to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment?”
“The pandemic made it clear that traffic is an important source of pollutants for the air that we breathe. But the fact that we have this data will allow us to understand those interactions better.”
The Students for Solar Act passed with unanimous support in the state Senate, but never reached the floor of the Assembly for a vote.
The invasive worms, which reproduce rapidly, are creating havoc in forests. They thrash around so violently that they can jump out of a person’s hand. They also lose their tail — on purpose.
Originally known as the Niagara Mohawk Power Plant, the facility operated from the 1950s until 2015. Decommissioning began last year.
Pennsylvania hopes to bring down a boom in the gypsy moth population, spraying for the invasive species of caterpillar in 19 counties, including northwest Pennsylvania.
Among those in opposition are union groups.
Any bills passed would require Cuomo’s signature.
A separate piece of legislation by Kelles could possibly come up for a final vote as soon as Monday
“Our goal this year is to complete as much of the project as we can before the winter hits.”
“The car is a way of life here. It is not just for recreational purposes. People need this to go to work. People need this to take care of business.”
“Making polluters pay. That’s what we want to do.”
“We want to make it easier for customers to have access to them wherever you live in New York state, not just in the downstate markets.”
There are strict orders in quarantine counties aimed at stopping the invasive pest’s spread westward or even between municipalities within a county.
The draft plan focuses on a broad array of areas that largely focus on limiting the amount of phosphorus running into the lakes
“We do need to find a way to pay for all the transportation, housing, industrial changes that the state will undertake.”
If passed, a moratorium would be the first statewide restriction on cryptocurrency mining in the U.S.
Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said he was concerned about a proposed fee in the legislation that would charge fossil fuel companies $55 per ton of greenhouse gases.
Fracking caused upheaval over the disruption and environmental degradation in the rural communities surrounding Williamsport, and challenged the rural values of independence and sovereignty over private property.
Environmental experts urge people to cut the ear loops off their masks before throwing them in the trash. Sea turtles, birds, and other marine wildlife can become entangled in the loops.
“We’re working hard on that, and I’m quite optimistic we can meet these goals. But it’s going to take huge participation and buy-in from everyone.”
The vote comes hours after Mayor Rich David announced an agreement to “formally end” privatization plans
In a letter to the president, 12 governors asked that the White House order a ban on greenhouse gas-emitting cars and light trucks within 14 years.
“New York State’s pension fund is at the leading edge of investors addressing climate risk, because investing for the low-carbon future is essential to protect the fund’s long-term value.”
“Jobs in renewables don’t always match up for displaced workers.”
“We’re excited to move forward and we can’t wait to start building.”
Environmental advocates have been pushing back against the proposal.
New York state leaders say an agreement has been reached concerning the decommissioning and cleanup of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in the lower Hudson Valley.
When the ice melts each spring, the ship visits each of the five lakes to measure basic water quality and sample the “lower food web” — the tiny animals, plants, and algae that support fish and other aquatic life.
“And looking at the resolution that was presented I looked and said ‘well this is a much bigger issue here than just a particular project.’”
Salty wastewater produced by fracking for oil and gas has to go somewhere. Often, it’s injected into disposal wells deep underground. But sometimes that wastewater can find its way back to the surface and cause environmental problems.
According to the council president, the issue will be taken up at a work session later this month
The council plans to reconvene Monday, April 12 at 6 p.m. to resume consideration of agreement.
“A car just went by, hopefully not crushing any amphibians.”
Wednesday’s meeting will be conducted over Zoom and will begin at 6 p.m..
By late 2022, adults in the state would be able to buy cannabis in retail stores, and could also sample the drug in tasting rooms.
Critics push PA to set enforceable drinking water levels to protect public health
The company cited what it called a “divisive local political climate.”
A few dozen protestors stood outside the meeting holding signs as members of the planning board entered the building.
A study by Penn State researchers found that songbirds nesting near the sound of natural gas compressors had fewer hatched eggs.
“This may be an uphill battle for us, but we’re starting it.”
If the hemlocks are killed off, or even severely damaged, they could tumble into gorges, bringing severe erosion into many of the watersheds feeding the lakes, and in turn the lakes themselves.
“We know that in particular young children are at risk of neurological and behavioral health consequences associated with developing bodies and that is something that lasts forever.”
“As we have gone through the last year of understanding about systematic racism and historic trauma, it’s time for us to address these historic harms within New York State and within Haudenosaunee territory.”
“I think that will be a gradual change.”
Industry rejects report, calls gas development a ‘game-changer for local economies’
“We have already seen the terrible consequences of poor water quality on communities across New York and we can’t afford to repeat our mistakes.”
Environmental advocates say money in the state budget meant for environmental initiatives needs to stay intact. Advocates want the state to fund the environmental programs they promised.
They say it will be important to find ways for solar farms to store and control how much energy they release to the grid.
“The public comment period just makes it clear that Pennsylvanians are really clamoring for concrete action to reduce climate pollution.”
“We need Joe Biden to demonstrate that he truly is a man that believes in science and believes in honoring the commitment to protect future generations.”
“We should engage in everyday actions and changes in our lifestyle, that reduce our environmental footprint, that often make us healthier and happier and save us money, things we ought to do anyway.”
“As the ash borer population increases and the tree health declines, they become a safety hazard.”
“For the taxpayers, this is going to help fund a lot of their municipalities’ costs in recovering this material.”
Plans include new solar farms and off shore wind turbines, and more transmission lines across the state.
Of the 149 projects granted money from the Growing Greener program, 43 in south central Pennsylvania will get $12 million.
Eco-advocates say there are a lot of opportunities for lawmakers to act on the environment and climate change in the 2021-22 session. The question is whether they have the will to do it.
“You can recycle your Christmas tree in January and then pick it back up as compost in April.”
Possessing a voracious appetite, the biggest concerns with the spotted lanternfly are their impacts on fruit trees, maples, and especially on vineyards.
“This is an important step in the worldwide campaign to stop investments in fossil fuels in order to prevent the worst of global warming.”