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OCTOBER 2008
Message from Executive Director Bill Sturges
 On Sept. 30, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary John Hanger told a state House panel that the department is working to maximize the opportunities citizens, communities and companies can realize through the development of the natural gas contained in the Marcellus Shale formation, while also protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources. The Marcellus Shale formation is estimated to hold as much as 50 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas under Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. Penn State University estimates the economic value of the formation at $1 trillion and that, for every $1 billion in royalties paid to Pennsylvania residents, nearly 8,000 new jobs will be created each year over the next three years. Extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale requires a process known as horizontal drilling, which uses far greater amounts of water than traditional natural gas exploration. The water can come from various sources, including municipal suppliers or streams. Concerns about the effects of large water withdrawals on streams and aquifers have prompted the need to regulate planned withdrawals at drilling operations. In May, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inspectors found environmental violations at drilling sites in Lycoming County. The department quickly responded and has worked with the Susquehanna and Delaware river basin commissions, as well as with the oil and gas industry, to create a consistent statewide application process for Marcellus Shale drilling permits that requires gas well operators to protect Pennsylvania’s water resources. Under the enhanced process, drilling operators must provide additional information, including the sources and locations of water to be used in the drilling process, anticipated impacts of drilling on water resources, and locations of facilities where drilling fluids will be taken for treatment and disposal. Since Aug. 15, DEP has issued 83 permits containing the enhanced water management requirements to companies seeking to drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. DEP has created a Web page specific to the Marcellus Shale that features resources for industry and information on drilling questions for landowners and the public. The page is available at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Oil and Gas, then click on "Marcellus Page."
News from Around PA and the Nation
Ag and Rural Youth Grant Program Deadline is Oct. 31
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 Agricultural and Rural Youth Grant Program. The grant supports projects that increase the knowledge and awareness of agricultural and rural issues in Pennsylvania, particularly among youth. Eligible applicants are youth organizations, which are primarily comprised of persons who are 18 years old or younger and are organized within Pennsylvania to promote development in the areas of agriculture, rural community leadership, vocational training or peer fellowship. Direct grant awards are up to $2,500 and matching grant awards are up to $10,000. The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2008. For more information, contact contact Kristi Rooker, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, at (717) 787-5342 or (717) 787-6041, email krooker@state.pa.us, or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=128621
Better Kid Care Program For Caregivers
Childcare providers, parents and employers throughout Pennsylvania are encouraged to take advantage of the Better Kid Care Program, which offers about 200,000 hours of professional development each year. The program, an outreach and education effort of Penn State Cooperative Extension, aims to improve the availability, accessibility and quality of childcare through a website, satellite workshops, video distance education units, on-site training and a toll-free mentoring helpline. The program is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, a joint office of the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare. For more information, visit www.betterkidcare.psu.edu or call (800) 452-9108.
LIHEAP Grants Open Nov. 3
The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low income residents pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants and crisis grants, will open Nov. 3, 2008. For more information, contact your local County Assistance Office http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/CashAsstEmployment/003670281.htm or call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886).
LTAP Expertise Available to Local Governments
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds municipalities across Pennsylvania to take full advantage of the technical transportation expertise, road maintenance training courses and other services offered through PennDOT’s local technical assistance program, or LTAP. Since 1983, LTAP has been providing a knowledge base for local governments. One of the most popular services is training courses that discuss topics that range from winter maintenance to work zone traffic control to managing roadside vegetation. In addition to regularly scheduled courses held around the state, municipalities can also request to have courses taught at their own sites. Local governments requesting their own course must guarantee at least 10 participants from either their own municipality or from surrounding communities. Most courses offered through the program are free. However, a per-person fee is charged if specialized training materials must be purchased or if equipment or space must be leased. LTAP also gives local governments free access to engineers and other technical specialists to help troubleshoot specific roadway or highway safety maintenance concerns. Through this service, local governments have access to professionals who will help them solve specific issues that their communities may be struggling with, such as drainage or traffic control. PennDOT approves all courses and other materials offered through LTAP, and courses are taught by knowledgeable and experienced instructors through a contract with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. To learn more about LTAP, visit www.ltap.state.pa.us or call 1-800-FOR-LTAP (1-800-367-5827). Local government staff can e-mail LTAP at LTAP@state.pa.us
Prescription Assistance Website
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance works to bring together pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that is right for them. For information call 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or go to https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php
National Gardening Association Youth Garden Grants Due Nov. 1
The National Gardening Association and the Home Depot are accepting applications for the 2009 Youth Garden Grants™ Program. Eligible applicants are schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. The application deadline is Nov. 1, 2008. For more information, visit www.kidsgardening.com/YGG.asp
Conferences and Events
October 29
Managing Stormwater Locally: A Workshop for Municipal Officials sponsored by Penn State Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission at Harrisburg Area Community College\Wildwood Conference Center, Harrisburg, PA. To register for the workshop, call (717) 948-6558 or email: jlw61@psu.edu
November 12
Reclaiming Our Communities: Reducing Drug Use in Rural Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. A live broadcast from WITF-TV Harrisburg to seven sites throughout Pennsylvania. For more information, call (814) 863-8214 or visit www.porh.psu.edu
November 18 – 19
2008 Homes Within Reach Conference, sponsored by the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania at the Hilton Harrisburg and Towers, Harrisburg, PA. For more information, visit www.housingalliancepa.org
December 10 – 11
Natural Gas Summit, an outreach program of Penn State University, and sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Independent Oil and Gas Association of PA, Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center at Penn State Dickinson School of Law, County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, and the Governor's Interagency Team on Marcellus Shale Gas at the Ramada Inn, State College, PA. For more information and registration, visit www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/natural-gas/index.html
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