"Feds want full disclosure of chemicals used in drilling"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Feds want full disclosure of chemicals used in drilling," by Gary Weckselblatt, Intelligencer, July 27, 2009:

Both houses of Congress are considering bills to give federal oversight of the chemicals companies use to release oil and natural gas trapped deep underground.

Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania sponsored the Senate bill, and 8th District Rep. Patrick Murphy is a co-sponsor of the House plan.

The two Democrats favor the bill, known as the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act and repeal an exemption for hydraulic fracturing.

"Seeking input on plans for cell towers"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Seeking input on plans for cell towers," by Freda Savana, Intelligencer, July 27, 2009:

Cell phone companies hoping to build towers or add antennas to existing ones are reaching out to customers in a new way.

Legal ads are popping up in newspapers asking residents to comment on the potential impact of the towers on their properties.

T-Mobile has taken out notices for proposed projects in Plumstead and Richlandtown explaining their plans, detailing the height and location of the tower and offering homeowners an opportunity to voice any concerns they might have. . . .

"Part of sewer suit could soon be settled"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Part of sewer suit could soon be settled," by Christina Kristofic, Intelligencer, July 27, 2009:

Property owners who have had to put building projects on hold and business owners who have had to wait to move because of the ongoing dispute between Doylestown and the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority could soon be free to grow.

The borough has allowed the authority to look at its building records and, in exchange, the authority has agreed to issue letters telling property owners whether they can connect to the sewer. The agreement was reached last month after conferences with Judge Diane Gibbons; the authority's deadline is Aug. 6.

The agreement could settle part of the suit Doylestown filed against the authority in May. . . .

"Power line approval met with disappointment"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Power line approval met with disappointment," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, July 24, 2009:

Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve construction of a new PPL power line along a route that's been vehemently opposed by communities in Upper Bucks County.

The plan will string power lines along seven miles of the Tohickon Creek in Springfield and Richland townships and plant a substation on seven acres of wetlands.

"States digging deep to monitor water"

PhillyBurbs.com: "States digging deep to monitor water," by David Tirrell-Wysocki, Associated Press/Intelligencer, July 5, 2009:

About a quarter mile into dense woods, geologists watch as a drilling rig twists a shaft deep into the granite bedrock of southeastern New Hampshire. They are searching for water _ not to drink _ but to watch.

State and federal agencies have been watching, or monitoring, lakes and rivers for more than a century, but less attention has gone to vast amounts of water in cracks and rock fissures deep underground, leaving a void in understanding a resource growing in importance as demands for water increase and surface water sources are being used to the fullest in many areas.

New Hampshire is drilling a series of wells to monitor groundwater in cracks in granite hundreds of feet below the surface. The goal is to allow scientists to check for contamination; learn about how long it takes for rainfall or melting snow to make its way into the supply; and keep tabs on how climate change, population growth and development affect the water.

State Geologist David Wunsch would like to share the information as part of a nationwide network.

"In the future, your water may come from hundreds of miles away, so in order to get that national picture of 'Are we depleting some area for the sake of another region?,' you need to have that national picture," said Wunsch, who represented state geologists on a national committee that has developed a national groundwater monitoring plan.

Groundwater provides drinking water for 130 million Americans and 42 percent of the nation's irrigation water, and while many states have monitored groundwater, they have done so for state-specific reasons, using different criteria. So, while groundwater supplies spread beneath large regions, monitoring generally stops at state lines.

"Some states have several hundred wells and sample them four times a year. Others have absolutely nothing," said Wunsch.

The goal of forming a network got a boost this year as Congress approved the SECURE Water Act, directing the U.S. Geologic Survey to work with states to develop a national monitoring program for underground water supplies, known as aquifers.

Water and sewer grants awarded

PhillyBurbs.com: "Region rakes in water, sewer grants," by Rich Pietras, Intelligencer, July 16, 2009:

Bucks and Montgomery counties were big winners this week as the state announced that $500 million is being distributed for water and sewer projects.

The funding, part of the "H2O PA" program, was allocated through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The authority received 728 applications from across the state totaling $2.6 billion in requests and approved $500 million for projects on Tuesday. . . .

H2O PA was created in 2008 to fund water and sewer projects, as well as storm water projects, flood control projects and dam repairs.

The funding is provided through an $800 million bond financed by 5 percent of gaming revenue deposited in the Pennsylvania Gaming and Economic Development and Tourism Fund. The bond issue is expected to be floated soon and funds could be made available by the fall.

To be eligible for funding, a project must be owned by a municipality or authority and must include local matching funds.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority evaluates applications, with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority providing technical review and assistance.

The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority is receiving $128,666 for the Plumstead surge tank.

Energy industry misleads Congress

"Energy industry sways Congress with misleading data," by Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, July 8, 2009: "The two key arguments that the oil and gas industry is using to fight federal regulation of the natural gas drilling process called hydraulic fracturing -- that the costs would cripple their business and that state regulations are already strong -- are challenged by the same data and reports the industry is using to bolster its position. . . ."

"Construction site yields safety concerns"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Construction site yields safety concerns," by Theresa Hegel, Intelligencer, July 9, 2009:

TH Properties resumed work on the final five townhouses in Bedminster's Cliffside Manor development last week, leaving some residents concerned about public safety issues. . . .

Among the issues are a large mound of dirt that could adversely affect groundwater and propane tanks that are not blocked from public access. . . .

"More funds ready for open space"

PhillyBurbs.com: "More funds ready for open space," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, July 5, 2009:

Thanks to a federal grant, the county will now have more money on hand to purchase open space in Upper Bucks.

As part of the Highlands Conservation Act Amendment, $700,000 will go to protecting farmland surrounding the Cooks Creek Watershed.

The $2 million additional funds designated by the House doubles the Highlands Coalition allocation to $4 million in President Obama's 2010 budget.

The Senate is currently working on its own version of the bill.

"Certainly it's a priority for us in Bucks County, but to get recognized on a national level is pretty significant," said Kris Kern, open space coordinator for the county.

The Highlands is a heavily forested and mountainous region that stretches across 3.5 million acres in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey; it is nationally significant because of the species it supports and the drinking water and recreational opportunities it provides.

It cuts through Cooks Creek Watershed in Upper Bucks, which runs the length of Durham and well into Springfield. Its 30-square-mile watershed is considered a critical natural resource. . . .

"Funding will help clean up leaking tank sites"

PhillyBurbs.com: "Funding will help clean up leaking tank sites," by Rich Pietras, Intelligencer, July 3, 2009:

The state is applying for $6.1 million in federal funds to clean up 71 leaking underground storage tanks, including some in Warrington, Horsham and Springfield.

Open space funds discussed

PhillyBurbs.com:  "Environmentalists, officials discuss open space funds," by Bill Devlin, Intelligencer, July 1, 2009:

The Bucks County Planning Commission Tuesday night held what was billed as the "Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County Workshop" at its offices in Doylestown Township.

In reality, it was a night for the birds - and trees, reptiles, flowers and insects.

Representatives from environmental advisory committees, conservation groups and local government were on hand to discuss the Natural Areas Inventory, the document that guides county officials in the use of open space funds. . . .