Tornados tear through Wayne and Pike

WAYNE AND PIKE COUNTIES, PA — Violent storms that slashed through parts of Wayne and Pike County on July 23 left extensive damage requiring ongoing cleanup and repair. Causing the greatest upheaval were three tornados confirmed by the National Weather Service following the storms. Four buildings at P and L Transmissions in Beach Lake were destroyed by one storm classified as EF-2, with winds between 115 and 125 mph. Forty other structures along the storm’s path were damaged. Mature trees were toppled like twigs and power losses were experienced by thousands of residents in various locations. PPL crews worked around the clock to restore power. Two smaller EF-1 storms with winds under 100 mph moved from Susquehanna County into Wayne County, then tracked through Lackawaxen Township in Pike County, where this photo was taken in Rowland. No injuries were reported. For an explanation of the EF scale visit www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale.

Appropriation for cumulative impact study makes headway

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) have secured approval from a key House panel of $1 million for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a cumulative impact study on water withdrawals for hydraulic fracturing of Marcellus Shale natural gas wells in the Delaware River Basin. The House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies this week approved the funding for the study, which would be conducted in partnership with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC).

“It is estimated that more than 30,000 natural gas wells could be developed in the Upper Delaware River Basin in the coming years, and it is critical that we understand the impacts of these proposed activities upon the water resources of the basin,” said Hinchey, who in April called on the DRBC to conduct a cumulative impact study.

The bill must now be approved by the full appropriations committee and the full house. The senate will also be taking up its own version of the bill.

Conservation tips for business

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — A new website, Wayne Businesses Conserve! (WBC), has been set up at waynebusinessesconserve.weebly.com. The site is a pilot program supporting local businesses that are practicing energy conservation and is sponsored by SEEDS, Workforce Wayne and PPL Electric Utilities.

In the resource section of the site, there is information on financing and monetary incentives for energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy installation, and a calculator to help estimate savings achieved by implementing various practices. One section of the website is devoted to “Local Partners”—organizations, contractors, solar installers, energy auditors—who can help businesses save energy, increase their efficiency and their overall sustainability.

“We want to demonstrate that there are plenty of products and jobs associated with energy conservation and renewable energy that can be filled right here in our own community,” said WBC intern Danielle Hoffman.

For more information email wbc.seeds@gmail.com with questions.

Renaissance awards ceremony slated for August 9

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan Renaissance 2010 Awards Ceremony will honor the volunteers who are improving communities throughout Sullivan County on Monday, August 9 at the Monticello High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with light refreshments; the program begins at 6:45 p.m.

Dozens of projects have been underway since April, and volunteer groups judged the most successful in completing their efforts will be announced at the ceremony and receive additional grants between $1,000 and $50,000. All Sullivan Renaissance participants will be acknowledged, with three Community Development Grants receiving special recognition. Scholarships for Sullivan Renaissance volunteers will be announced by the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties and the Sullivan County Community College Foundation.

New York State Senator John J. Bonacic was instrumental in obtaining funding for large community development projects in Category C. One of these communities will also receive the $50,000 “Golden Feather Grant” secured by Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther.

For more information visit www.sullivanrenaissance.org or call 845/295-2445.

Library to present “option B”

MILFORD, PA — “Option B”, a plan to build a new main headquarters for Pike County Public Library on the East Harford Street property owned by the library, will be presented on Monday, August 2 at the monthly Milford Borough Council meeting, starting at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will be held in the Milford Borough Hall, located on West Catharine Street in Milford.