Pennsylvania Environmental Council

10/13/2026

We’re hiring a Vice President of Eastern Pennsylvania and Water Programs!

This position will direct programs in the northeast and southeast region of Pennsylvania and guide our statewide priorities for water quality, watershed restoration, source water protection, stormwater management, sustainable water management, and recreational access. Additionally, this role will oversee PEC’s work supporting the Poconos Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape and play a role in developing fundraising strategies to support regional programs and statewide water initiatives.

The deadline to apply is November 13th, 2026. Head to our website for more details.

10/12/2026

Fall is one of PEC’s busiest seasons. We are in the thick of planning award ceremonies, hosting bike rides, and preparing for the new year ahead. 🍂

At the beginning of each month, we send out our e-newsletter, In Case You Missed It, to update you on everything that happened at PEC in the previous month. In September we hosted the 2026 Public Lands Ride in Black Moshannon State Park, announced several mini-grant opportunities, attended important statewide events, and produced a new episode of our podcast, Pennsylvania Legacies.

Our newsletter is a great way to stay updated on our work, but it’s also an opportunity to learn about new employment and mini-grant opportunities. Catch all the details in October’s edition of In Case You Missed It. Sign up here: https://buff.ly/Qt7v1aU

10/09/2026

Exciting news! Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Sec. Dunn this week announced $81 million in new state grants for conservation and outdoor recreation projects across PA, including PEC's work developing sustainable and accessible trail networks, convening partners in two Conservation Landscapes, and supporting Water Trails throughout the state. More:

Gov. Shapiro and DCNR Invest to Improve PA Trails, Parks, and Public Lands

10/08/2026

PEC appreciated the chance to participate in a panel discussion yesterday as part of a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission briefing event on the Pennsylvania Accelerated Transmission and Energy Redevelopment (PATER) study, which just completed preliminary analysis and is now open for public comment.

This important study, led by Tom Murphy at Team PA and Brian Anderson at KeyLogic, is examining opportunities tying together brownfield redevelopment, new energy generation, and transmission improvements. The study and panel discussion highlighted key needs in improving our energy system through policy drivers, grid management reform, emerging technologies like battery storage and advanced transmission technologies, community engagement, and much more.

We look forward to next steps of this critical work.

The preliminary analysis, with opportunity to comment, can be found here: https://buff.ly/PPYQSnx

10/06/2026

Monarch butterflies are an iconic species found throughout North America, but they're also in decline. To try and boost populations, Monarch Waystations are popping up all over the world. In western Pennsylvania, Melissa Reckner, a Program Manager at the Brandywine Conservancy is to thank for the growing number of Monarch Waystations in the area.

Listen to our recent episode of Pennsylvania Legacies to learn more about how PEC is helping establish Monarch Waystations in the Laurel Highlands.

Listen now: https://buff.ly/KUXSeot

10/05/2026

PEC and Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, have announced a fourth round of “Protect Your Drinking Water” grants!

The grant program will provide funding from $2,500 to $10,000 for watershed protection and education projects that address pollutants of concern to public water supplies, such as fertilizer runoff, road salts, and pathogens.

The grant cycle will open on Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 and close on Friday, January 15th, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.

Learn more:

PEC and Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, are pleased to announce a fourth round of Protect Your Drinking Water Grants.

10/05/2026

♿️ Making river access more accessible for everyone! 🛶

SGP is excited to announce the completion of our West Branch Susquehanna River ADA & Universal Accessibility Study. With no existing Pennsylvania template for evaluating accessibility at river access sites, this project helps fill an important gap—and provides a model for future accessibility work along the Susquehanna River Water Trail and beyond.

A huge thank you to our project partners and funders, for helping make this work possible!

💙Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
💙Pennsylvania Environmental Council
💙Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Read the full study and explore the resources ⬇️
https://susquehannagreenway.org/news-and-stories/susquehanna-greenway-partnership-completes-first-of-its-kind-accessibility-study-of-west-branch-river-access-sites/

10/02/2026

Congratulations to Schuylkill River Greenways NHA for designating the Schuylkill River as our first (and only!) National Water Trail in Pennsylvania!

PEC staff attended the ribbon cutting to celebrate this monumental achievement. After the event, we joined our partners on the water for a post event paddle on the trail.

This was a special occasion, especially since PEC was able to help create informative signage at Reeser’s Landing through our PA Water Trails Mini Grant.

It’s a great day when we can connect with our partners and get out on the water. 💙

10/02/2026

We had a wonderful time celebrating Pennsylvania’s first and only National Water Trail with Schuylkill River Greenways NHA!🥳

10/02/2026

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to help fund 31 grid-improvement projects in 26 states as part of their Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative. PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and Duquesne Light Company, two PA based electric companies, were among the selected projects to receive funding.

With a $1.9 billion total federal investment, recipients are expected to reconductor or rebuild more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) across nearly 21,000 miles.

Read more:

The department expects the projects will add 23 GW in grid capacity and will come online in “record time” to improve the existing transmission system.