“You get the behavior you encourage and reward”

Washington– In case you missed it, today Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) was live on Fox & Friends First to share his thoughts on a federal judge’s recent ruling that Governor Wolf’s shutdown mandates were unconstitutional as well as the lawlessness occurring in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

(Click to watch video)

Congressman Keller stated that he denounced the governor’s unilateral shutdown orders from the beginning and this ruling is a good first step in providing checks and balances to the governor’s unchecked power.

On the federal judge ruling Governor Wolf’s mandates unconstitutional:

I think the court did exactly what it needed to do in making sure there was a balance. We said from the beginning that Governor Wolf couldn’t do these one-sided mandates without consulting other elected officials in the Commonwealth and respecting the rights of individuals.

 We’re happy that the court saw what we were seeing all along with this.

 The governor got it wrong when he says there’s been inaction by the federal government. The President, early on, took decisive and preventative actions.

 People do what they do best; they keep themselves, their neighbors, and family and friends safe. We can do that.

 I think the people of Pennsylvania are very thoughtful and resourceful and care enough to take the appropriate precautions.

 The fact of the matter is that the governor just doesn’t trust the people of the Commonwealth to be able to make those decisions when they are given the guidance to do so.

Congressman Keller also weighed in the police officer-involved shooting in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, explaining that the officer was justified in his actions and the resulting violent unrest, like the riots that have occurred in cities across the nation, is a consequence of liberal elected officials failing to maintain law and order.

On the violent protests and lawlessness occurring in Lancaster, Pennsylvania:

The first thing we need to do is respect law enforcement.

 When you look at the body cam, as horrific as it is, the officer had to protect his life and potentially the lives of people that might have been in danger by a person running down the street with a deadly weapon.

 For people not to recognize the whole situation and be rushing to judgement, now we’re having rioting in Lancaster. When you don’t address this appropriately, you get the behavior you encourage and reward.

 It’s time we stand up for law enforcement when they make the right decisions and not rush to judgement.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of $20 million in grant funding through the COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program for cultural organizations and museums to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pennsylvania’s museums and cultural organizations provide education, entertainment, and meaningful experiences to both residents and travelers alike, and the COVID-19 pandemic severely inhibited their ability to fulfill their cultural mission,” said Gov. Wolf. “This funding will be used to offset the impact the pandemic had on these organizations and will help them move forward in their recovery efforts as they begin to welcome visitors back in their doors.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) today approved 164 projects in 36 counties. The program will administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

A list of recipients can be found online.

Under the program, funds may be used to offset lost revenue for eligible cultural organizations and museums that were subject to closure by the proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the Governor on March 6, 2020, and any renewal of the state of disaster emergency and that experienced a loss of revenue related to the closure. Funds cannot be used to offset revenue, which has already been offset from other sources, including philanthropic and federal, state, and local government sources.

Eligible cultural organizations or museums included children’s museums, general museums with at least two equally significant disciplines, history museums or historical sites, military or maritime museums, natural history museums, accredited zoos, planetariums, science and technology centers, orchestras, art museums, and performing arts organizations.

More information about the Commonwealth Financing Authority can be found on the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) website. To stay up-to-date on all Pennsylvania economic development news, follow DCED on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and be sure to sign up for the department’s monthly e-newsletter.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Agriculture today released data related to COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions from September 7 through September 13, 2020. The information is specific to COVID-19 mitigation requirements for restaurants including social distancing, masking, and occupancy limits.

These numbers include actions taken during routine food safety inspections and inspections prompted by consumer complaints.

From September 7 through September 13, the Bureau of Food Safety performed 520 total inspections, 27 of which were complaint-driven, 12 were COVID-19 specific complaints. The bureau distributed 36 COVID-19 complaint-driven educational letters. Five COVID-19 related complaints were referred to local and county health jurisdictions. Two formal Warning Letters were issued.

A county by county breakdown of COVID-19 restaurant enforcement actions can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s website. The data will be updated weekly, with data from the previous week.

Among other requirements, all businesses in the restaurant and retail food service industry authorized to conduct in-person activities are mandated to:

• Require all customers to wear a mask while entering, exiting, or otherwise traveling through the restaurant or retail food service business (mask may be removed while seated).
• Employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

The Bureau of Food Safety has always operated with an education-first model, and always works to educate and correct on-site before taking official action. Businesses unwilling to correct on-site will first receive a warning letter, followed by monetary citations ranging from $25 to $300 per offense. Following an initial warning, food safety inspectors will follow up with unannounced inspections to ensure compliance or issue citations as necessary.

Consumers with general food safety complaints or concerns about non-compliance for COVID-19 mitigation can file a report online. COVID-19 mitigation restaurant enforcement actions will be released on a weekly basis.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 response, visit agriculture.pa.gov/covid.

Governor Tom Wolf speaks during a press conference addressing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania, inside PEMA headquarters on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Allow earlier processing of mail-in ballots before election day
Voters encouraged to sign up now for a mail-in ballot, return it well before the Nov. 3 election
In-person voting remains safe

Harrisburg, PA – With only seven weeks left before the Nov. 3 election, Governor Tom Wolf is urging immediate legislative action to ensure voters receive their mail-in ballots early and give counties more time to process and count ballots before election day. The governor also reassured Pennsylvanians that in-person voting is safe, and all eligible votes will be counted.

“Voting during a pandemic will be different for all of us, but I remain confident that no matter how you vote – our state’s election systems are safe and secure,” said Gov. Wolf. “Counting a record number of votes may not be complete on election night, but what’s most important is that every vote is counted, and the results are accurate, even if it takes more time than usual.

“We’ve made great improvements in our elections with mail-in ballots, more security and new voting systems with a paper trail. But this will be a historic election and the nation is watching, so the legislature should take immediate action to make it better. The smart changes I have outlined will strengthen our elections, help people to vote safely from home and allow counties to more efficiently process the surge in ballots so results are available faster.”

Gov. Wolf’s recommended election improvements include:

• Allowing counties to start pre-canvassing ballots 21 days before the election day to get accurate results faster. The current law restricts counties from beginning this process until 7 a.m. on election day. The time-consuming procedure involves scanning and verifying the ballot envelope, checking the voter’s eligibility, opening the mail and secrecy envelopes, and removing and scanning the ballot. Counties would not tabulate or report vote totals until polls close at 8 p.m. on election day.
• Allowing counties to count eligible ballots postmarked by election day and received by the Friday following election day to ensure that all ballots mailed by the deadline are counted.
• Requiring counties to start sending mail-in ballots at least 28 days before the election rather than 14 days as currently required. Many counties mail ballots to voters even earlier, but this change ensures voters who apply early have at least four weeks to receive and return their ballot.
• Letting counties appoint poll workers to vacant positions earlier than five days before an election. More poll workers are still needed, and the Department of State is encouraging businesses, colleges and organizations to reach out to their county elections office and volunteer at their local precincts.

“A year ago, we made the biggest improvement to our election laws in 80 years, including the option to vote by mail,” said Gov. Wolf. “That historic agreement is making voting more convenient and more secure for millions of Pennsylvanians. Now is the time for another historic agreement. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.”

Joining the governor for a news conference at the York Grace Brethren Church, a York County polling place, were Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, York County Commissioner Doug Hoke, Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Rep. Kevin Boyle, Democratic Chairman of the House State Government Committee, and Rep. Carol Hill-Evans.

“Pennsylvanians have more secure, accessible and convenient voting options for the 2020 election than ever before,” Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said. “They can cast their ballot by mail. In a few weeks, they can vote early in person at their county election offices. Or they can vote at their local polling place on election day. The additional reforms we seek will enhance these options, provide additional safeguards so that all eligible votes may be counted, and ensure we can provide timely election results.”

Voters overwhelmingly embraced mail-in voting in the June Primary, the first time it was an option under Act 77 of 2019, which Gov. Wolf signed last year. Nearly 1.5 million votes were cast by mail, more than voted in-person at polling places.

“We have a responsibility as lawmakers to ensure free and fair elections,” said Senator Anthony Williams, Democratic Chairman of the Senate State Government Committee. “Now is the time to make vital changes to the election code that will support counties’ ability to count ballots and staff polling places, not put roadblocks in the way of Pennsylvanians exercising their right to vote.”

The Department of State and counties, which administer Pennsylvania’s elections, continue making improvements. Many counties will use high-speed scanners and other technology to quickly process millions of mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 election.

The Department of State is providing counties with masks and face shields for poll workers, along with hand sanitizer, floor marking tape for social distancing, plastic “sneeze guards” and other supplies so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 emergency.

The Department of State is also launching a public awareness campaign explaining how to apply for a mail-in ballot and will partner with the Philadelphia 76ers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Allegheny and Philadelphia counties on voting initiatives.

Eligible Pennsylvanians can register to vote by Oct. 19 and apply for their mail-in or absentee ballot by Oct. 27 online at votespa.com, in person at their county election offices, or by paper forms submitted by mail. Online application for mail-in and absentee ballots are also available in Spanish. Pennsylvania is not automatically sending ballots to voters.

After verifying the voter’s eligibility, counties send the voter a mail-in ballot with return postage paid by the Department of State, so casting a ballot is free to voters. Voters can return their ballot by mail, in person at their county election offices or at other authorized drop-off locations, which many counties expect to provide.

For voters who prefer to vote in person, polling places will be available in all counties on election day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Commission on Affairs, joined by the Commissions on African American Affairs, Latino Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, and Women, sent a letter to the General Assembly last week urging passage of legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June ruled the federal Civil Rights Act provides protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. However, currently, the PHRA does not provide those same protections under Pennsylvania law. There also is no protection in state or federal law against such discrimination in housing or public accommodations.

While members of the LGBTQ community were pleased to see the Supreme Court rule in Bostock v. Clayton County, that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the term ‘sex’ includes sexual orientation and gender identity when it comes to workplace discrimination,  many Pennsylvanians are still not protected. Title VII applies to workplaces with 15 or more employees, leaving many Pennsylvanians vulnerable to discrimination. The Bostock ruling also does not protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing and public accommodations. Amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to include gender identity and sexual orientation would provide those critical protections, which are already in place in most of our neighboring states.

“For too long LGBTQ Pennsylvanians have waited for action from the General Assembly on protections from discrimination and harassment,” said Rafael Álvarez Febo, executive director for the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. “The General Assembly’s historic inaction to include sexual orientation and gender identity as a protected class within the PHRA has placed countless Pennsylvanian at risk for unnecessary hardships and trauma. With the increasingly divisive political climate in our nation, now more than ever we need Pennsylvanians to know that we are a commonwealth that will not stand for discrimination or bigotry.”

The full letter is as follows:

To the Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs is joined in unity by the Commission for Women and Governor’s Advisory Commissions on African American Affairs, Latino Affairs and Asian Pacific American Affairs, along with all LGBTQ Pennsylvanians  to act on legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to include protections for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Three bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to accomplish this, and all three await a vote:

• HB1404 (Representative Frankel)
• SB614 (Senator Farnese)
• SB224 (Senator Browne)

On June 8, 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that the term “sex” includes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity for federal employment discrimination cases. The Bostock ruling has confirmed what many legal experts had already concluded; Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity should be considered protected classes under discrimination laws. However, the Bostock case currently only impacts the application of one federal employment law and does not provide protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, public spaces, and employment, as our state law already does for over a dozen protected classes.

The movements to include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) date back to 1976. For nearly 45 years Pennsylvanians have understood that PHRA protections were needed to preserve the civil rights of all Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast that does not provide legal protections for LGBTQ people. This puts our Commonwealth at a competitive disadvantage and discourages employers and employees alike from participating in the state’s economic growth.

In Governor Wolf’s 2020 budget address, he called on the General Assembly to finally amend the PHRA to right this long-standing wrong. The Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, along with the Commissions for Pennsylvania Women, African American, Latino, and Asian Pacific American Affairs also agree that the time is now to amend the PHRA to ensure equal opportunity to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness under the law for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.

Respectfully,

Rafael Álvarez Febo – Executive Director, Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs
Jalila Parker – Executive Director, Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs
Moriah Hathaway  – Executive Director, Pennsylvania Commission for Women
Luz Colon – Executive Director, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs
Stephanie Sun – Executive Director, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs

cc:  Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data.

“Contact tracing is an important tool in the public health toolbox to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and we appreciate that Pennsylvanians are doing their part to answer the call,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “For case investigations, it is important for our fellow Pennsylvanians to pick up the phone when public health professionals call to ensure that public health staff can inform you of important steps you can take to protect your community and those close to you. If you are a close contact, we need you to answer the call in order to stop this virus in its tracks before it could affect your loved ones, co-workers or friends across the state.”

The contact tracing process is not possible without a case investigation by a public health professional. Between Sunday, August 30 and Saturday, September 4, there were 5,735 COVID-19 cases statewide and 79 percent of all cases had a case investigation started within 24 hours of receiving the positive report.

During the case investigation, public health professionals spend 30 to 60 minutes asking questions to ensure all potential close contacts are identified. They collect information about who the case came in contact with and where they went while they were infectious. Information collected during the case investigation process is not shared publicly unless doing so would further the response.

After the initial case investigation is complete, contact tracing begins. Within the same time period of August 30 to September 4, there were 1,308 contact tracing staff working with local and county health entities, partner organizations and the Regional Response Health Collaboration Program within the Department of Human Services. Currently 290 paid employees are being onboarded through a partnership with Insight Global.

Of the current 1,308 contact tracers there are 67 volunteers, 10 care resource managers, and 20 contact tracing supervisors. These staff monitored 9,124 contacts that were identified during the case investigations.

As of the August 2020 report released today, August 14, there were 1,032 contact tracing staff in operation with the following breakdown in each regional health district in Pennsylvania:

• Northcentral: 32 contact tracing staff
• Northeast: 114 contact tracing staff
• Northwest: 52 contact tracing staff
• Southcentral: 62 contact tracing staff
• Southeast: 408 contact tracing staff
• Southwest: 74 contact tracing staff

As the contact tracing program expands, the Department of Health continues to work in partnership with over 150 organizations, in addition to the county and municipal health departments, through regional partnerships to help gather and answer questions, identify problems and find solutions to improve contact tracing efforts within the region. Each regional partnership has met at least once, and includes public health staff, health providers, academic institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in helping to coordinate and engage around contact tracing efforts.

Organizations and entities interested in partnering in these efforts should reach out to RA-DHCONTACTTRACING@pa.gov.

You can find more information on the state’s contact tracing efforts and all available contact tracing positions at the Department of Health’s website here.

Pennsylvanians are reminded that mask-wearing is required when visiting businesses or in any setting outside the home where social distancing is difficult. Remember: My mask protects you; your mask protects me.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard. Updates are released each Monday.

The update includes the following:

• Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
• Data on cases among 5 to 18-year-olds.
• Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
• Updated travel recommendations.

The dashboard is designed to provide early warning signs of factors affecting the state’s mitigation efforts. The data available on the early warning monitoring dashboard includes week-over-week case differences, incidence rates, test percent-positivity, and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations and emergency room visits tied to COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period of September 4 – September 10 to the previous seven days, August 28 – September 3.

“Our percent positivity increased again this week, even while the number of new cases dropped, a sign that this virus continues to affect Pennsylvanians,” Gov. Wolf said. “We must continue our focus on taking actions to protect ourselves and others, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing our hands and avoiding large gatherings. Together, Pennsylvanians can be united to work to prevent the spread of the virus.”

As of Thursday, September 10, the state has seen a seven-day case increase of 5,012; the previous seven-day increase was 5,502, indicating a 490-case decrease across the state over the past week.

The statewide percent-positivity went up to 4.2% from 4.0% last week. Counties with concerning percent-positivity include Columbia (13.4%), Indiana (10.7%), Juniata (10.3%), Centre (9.2%), York (7.4%), Fulton (6.7%), Armstrong (6.5%), Chester (6.5%), Butler (6.2%), Franklin (6.2%), Montour (6.2%), Beaver (5.7%), Clarion (5.5%), Mercer (5.4%), Dauphin (5.2%), Greene (5.1%), and Lycoming (5.1%). Each of these counties bears watching as the state continues to monitor all available data.

Community Transmission
As of Friday’s data, Centre, Columbia, Indiana and Juniata counties were in the substantial level with known sources of outbreaks contributing to community transmission. The departments of Education and Health will speak with school district representatives in each county to discuss the implications of this level of transmission.

For the week ending September 10, 20 counties were in the low level of transmission, 43 counties in the moderate level, with four with substantial transmission:

• Low – Bradford, Cameron, Carbon, Clarion, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Fulton, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Perry, Potter, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Wyoming
• Moderate – Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Clearfield, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, York
• Substantial – Centre, Columbia, Indiana, Juniata

Cases Among 5 to 18-Year-Olds
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of statewide cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.

Throughout the pandemic, there have been 8,175 total cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of that total, 387 occurred between September 4 – September 10. For the week of August 28 – September 3, there were 486 cases of COVID among 5 to 18-year-olds.

Cases by demographic can be found here.

Business Visits
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators that they spent time at business establishments (restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

Of the 5,735 confirmed cases reported between August 30 and September 5, 37 percent (2,154) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.

Of those who did provide an answer, 13 percent, or 274, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms:

• 51.5 percent (141) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
• 23 percent (64) of those who said yes reported going to some other business establishment;
• 14 percent (38) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
• 14 percent (38) of those who said yes reported going to a gym/fitness center; and
• 8 percent (23) of those who said yes reported going to a salon/barbershop.

Of the 5,735 confirmed cases, 38 percent (2,176) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 38 percent, more than 12 percent (264) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.

Compared to data reported on September 8, this week’s data saw an increase in people going to a bar (14 percent vs. 11 percent), going to some other business (23 percent vs. 21 percent) and going to a salon or barbershop (8 percent vs. 7 percent) .Numbers went down for this week’s data for people who reported visiting a restaurant (51.5 percent vs. 60 percent). Numbers stayed the same for those who reported going to a gym/fitness center (14 percent vs. 14 percent). The number of those who attended a mass gathering or other large event went down slightly from nearly 13 percent to 12 percent.

On July 13 contact tracers began asking more specific questions on the types of businesses visited and if individuals attended a mass gathering, defined as more than 250 people in attendance outdoors or more than 25 indoors.

The numbers above highlight business settings and mass gatherings as possible sites for transmission. With less than half of those asked about what types of businesses they visited or if they attended a mass gathering responding to the question, the department is reminding Pennsylvanians that it is essential that people answer the phone when case investigators call and to provide full and complete information to these clinical professionals.

Travel Recommendations
Also today, the Department of Health updated its travel recommendations, originally announced on July 2. Hawaii, North Carolina and Texas were removed from the list of states travelers returning to Pennsylvania from are recommended to quarantine for 14 days.

It is important that people understand that this recommendation is in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A concerning number of recent cases have been linked to travel, and if people are going to travel, we need them to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community, and that involves quarantining.

Gov. Wolf continues to prioritize the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvanians should continue to take actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, regardless of in what county they live. This includes wearing a mask or face covering anytime they are in public. COVID-19 has been shown to spread easily in the air and contagious carriers can be asymptomatic.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women has awarded funds to Lycoming College.

A grant in the amount of $300,000 will go toward combating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on its campus by enhancing victim services, implementing prevention and education programs, and developing and strengthening security and investigation strategies.

On the awarding of the grant, Congressman Fred Keller made the following statement:

“Congratulations to Lycoming College on being awarded this important funding. We must always strive to ensure that our higher education systems promote an environment where all students can pursue learning free from harassment and sexual violence. This grant will support Lycoming College’s mission to combat all forms of domestic violence and sexual assault and allow them to continue offering their students a world-class education.”

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

Harrisburg, PA – Natural gas production in Pennsylvania increased while new well drilling decreased in 2019, according to the 2019 Oil and Gas Annual Report released today by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The report also notes improved permit review efficiency. DEP is also exploring new partnerships to address orphan wells, identifying better restoration practices, and developing better ways to manage stormwater on well sites.

Production from natural gas wells continues to increase. More than 6 billion Mcf of natural gas was produced, continuing an upward trend from previous years.

Other details from the annual report:

• 1,705 drilling permits were issued; 1,475 unconventional and 230 conventional
• There were 787 wells drilled; 615 unconventional and 172 conventional
• DEP conducted 35,324 inspections and found 5,496 violations
• DEP collected $4.1 million in fines and penalties in 2019

“DEP will continue to improve environmental protections for oil and gas development while providing certainty for operators and the people that live, work, and play near Pennsylvania’s oil and gas communities,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “We are remaining vigilant in our oversight of the industry and bringing enforcement actions against companies that violate the laws and regulations of Pennsylvania.”

DEP continues to identify and plug orphan and abandoned wells in Pennsylvania, many of which predate regulatory oversight – a result of Pennsylvania’s 160-year history of oil and gas development. DEP estimates that there may be as many 200,000 abandoned oil and gas wells in the state, which can leak methane into the air and possibly contaminate groundwater or surface water. DEP and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) have begun a field study in the Cornplanter State Forest to measure methane leakage from identified orphan wells. This research will help DEP better estimate methane emissions from the thousands of orphaned and abandoned wells in Pennsylvania.

“We know there are thousands of old, abandoned wells in Pennsylvania, but we don’t know how to quantify the threat these wells pose to our environment, especially from a climate change angle,” said McDonnell. “This research will help us put that into perspective and help guide how to prioritize well-plugging in the future.”

To see the full 2019 Annual Report please click here.