Energy/Environment
Alternative Energy
Alternative Fuels
- Alternative Fuels Data Center
The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)
An online collection of data, including more than 3000 documents and several interactive tools covering the topics of alternative transportation fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, idle reduction technologies, fuel blends, and fuel economy. The AFDC is sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities and Energy Policy Act of 1992 - Alternative Fuel Station Locator (EPAct)
- Lowest Gas Prices and Diesel Fuel by Zip Code
Funding Opportunities
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE USA) Website – Provides comprehensive up-to-date state, federal, and local incentive and grant information.
Fuel Storage Tanks
Website contains information on regulations for aboveground and underground storage tanks. Specific program responsibilities include the following: tank registration and payment of an annual registration fee, certification of tank handling and inspection individuals and companies, permitting of tanks, establishment of technical and operational standards for aboveground and underground storage tank systems, and procedures for reporting of releases and corrective action by tank owners.
Energy Generation
Methane Digesters
The New Math of Energy Production: Cows + Manure = Gas + Electricity
6,800 dairy cows in Blair and Bedford counties could soon be producing 2.5 megawatts of electricity a day, enough to power over 1,700 homes. More
U.S. EPA Anaerobic Digestion Website – FAQ, Tools, Projects and Resoures
Penn State School of Dept. Agriculture & Biological Engineering – Biogas & Anaerobic Digestion
Online PA Wind Energy Resource
The Pennsylvania Wind Working Group, a partnership between government agencies, nonprofit groups and private businesses, has launched a web site to serve as a resource on wind energy in Pennsylvania. The site includes a “Landowner Resources” section for farmers and landowners interested in developing their land for wind power.
The site also contains a link to a model ordinance, unveiled by Governor Rendell on April 24, 2006. The ordinance, intended to help local governments decide how to direct the location and development of wind turbines within municipal borders, lays out several considerations of which farmers and landowners should be aware when contemplating wind energy contracts.
Industry Links
Other Areas
Odor Management
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Odor Management Program
Mining
Tax and Financial:
MSC Business Services
Fee based tax and business planning services. Every county in PA has agents who personally visit farms and agribusinesses to perform tax, business and financial planning services. 717-731-3517 or visit our website for local agents to serve your needs.
Legal:
PA Farm Bureau Legal Services Plan
Attorneys with long-term experience working with members for over 25+ years. Vast experience in representing members in all phases of Oil and Gas leasing, including gas or energy group organization, review and modification of lease terms, negotiation, and estate and tax planning. Contact: Gary Heim, the Mette, Evans & Woodside at 717.232.5000
Coalbed Methane
EPA conducted a study of pollutant discharges from the coalbed methane (CBM) extraction industry and published a report in 2010. Subsequently the Agency initiated a rulemaking to develop effluent guidelines for the CBM industry, but later determined that CBM discharges should be regulated in individual NPDES permits rather than under national effluent guidelines. EPA website
DEP Web Site for Non-Coal Mining
DEP has a website devoted exclusively to Non-Coal Mining in Pennsylvania.
Non-Coal mining includes the extraction, often from quarries, of such minerals as clay, limestone, shale, slate, flagstone, and specialty mineral products such as bluestone, diabase, serpentinite and refractory sand.
The website contains links to Pennsylvania’s NonCoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, annual reports on mineral production, and answers to frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania’s non-coal Mining permitting process, blasting regulations and sinkholes.
Soil & Nutrient Management
- PDA Commercial Manure Hauler and Broker Program
- DEP Waterways, Wetlands and Erosion Control
Penn State Agronomy Guide Online – The new guide addresses: Soil fertility; corn, sorghum, soybean, small grains, and forage management; cover crops; organic crop production; and farm budgets. The latest weed, insect, and disease management guidelines for the major agronomic commodities also are provided. A printed version of the guide is available through most county extension offices.
Plants, Pesticides & Chemicals
Fertilizers
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Fertilizer Page
Penn State Agronomy Guide Online – The new guide addresses: Soil fertility; corn, sorghum, soybean, small grains, and forage management; cover crops; organic crop production; and farm budgets. The latest weed, insect, and disease management guidelines for the major agronomic commodities also are provided. A printed version of the guide is available through most county extension offices.
Pest Management
PA Pesticide Certification and Licensing Program – The PA Department of Agriculture is responsible for pesticide certification and licensing within the Commonwealth.
Penn States’s Stink Bug Tracking Tool – This tool will help producers, nurseryman and homeowners in providing both current and historical information on stink bugs. Information gathered will be used to develop strategies to deal with this pest.
Pesticide Resource Links:
Noxious Weeds & Invasive Species
Governor’s Invasive Species Council
Noxious, Invasive and Poisonous Plant Program
Noxious Weed Complaint Form (pdf)
Water
There are over 978,000 wells providing over 3 million people with their drinking water in Pennsylvania. More than 10,000 new wells are drilled every year. There are, however, no regulations that establish standards for the construction or operation and maintenance of wells. Similarly, there are no requirements for testing water to insure that it is safe to drink. These responsibilities fall to individual well owners.
Master Well Owner Network
he Master Well Owner Network is here to help. The network was created by the Penn State Extension Service to provide well owners with advice on how to maintain wells and keep them safe from contamination.
For copies of informative publications on wells or to contact a member of the Master Well Owner Network in your area, visit the MWO Network webpage
Well Owner.Org: www.wellowner.org Your one-stop resource for information relating to private water well systems and groundwater. Includes information on Well Maintenance and finding a reliable water well contractor.
Wilkes University private wellowner and water testing program for agricultural businesses
Main website is
https://www.water-research.net
Private Well Owner
https://www.water-research.net/watertesting.htm
Agricultural Business
https://www.water-research.net/farmwatertesting.htm
PFB Voluntary Flexible Stream Bank Fencing Brochure
Help lead Pennsylvania agriculture
