The official Twitter account of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Joined October 2016
- Tweets1.7K
- Following66
- Followers1.2K
- Likes183
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Meet Louie. He’s the Funding Concierge.
And yes, there really is a bell.
But behind that bell is a service that can help you navigate nearly 50 DEP funding programs and find opportunities that may fit your environmental project.
Stormwater. Water quality. Recycling. Energy efficiency. Land cleanup. Air quality. There’s a lot to navigate — and the Funding Concierge can help.
Book a free, 30-minute virtual appointment and get personalized funding recommendations and next steps.
bit.ly/4y0p1yT
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Sometimes understanding DEP’s work means looking beneath the surface.
Joe Sassaman, Assistant Director of DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR), recently took members of the policy and legislative team on a tour of Centralia to explore the community’s history, geology and underground mine fire — and to talk about similar mine fires across Pennsylvania.
It’s a great example of how our teams learn from each other and build a deeper understanding of the work happening across DEP.
Behind the scenes, BAMR works every day to address the legacy of abandoned mines and help keep Pennsylvanians safe.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Environmental protection happens every day, often behind the scenes and across every corner of Pennsylvania.
This Labor Day, we’re recognizing the people who inspect, test, restore, respond, study and solve — all in service of protecting the places we call home.
To the DEP employees doing the work: thank you.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Something powerful is coming this October. ⚡
2026 PA Sustainability Week (Oct 5–9) brings together experts from across the state to tackle our biggest energy opportunities—from grid stability and EV expansion to energy efficiency incentives for homes and businesses.
Five days. Five noon-hour sessions. Zero cost.
Keep an eye out for registration links coming soon!
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Clean water quality and wetsuits? Check out Grace's intern story below.
All of our students jumped into real projects this summer and contributed to the data that strengthens decision making, supporting programs that safeguard natural resources, and bringing new energy and ideas to the team.
Congrats to all of the interns at the DEP!
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Cleaning Up for a Better Future: Pennsylvania’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory is available now, highlighting recent decreases in greenhouse gas emissions as we work towards meeting our short- and long-term goals to protect our planet. Read more here: bit.ly/4ij4MYf
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
🦅 Did you know?
Peregrine falcons can dive at speeds of more than 200 mph—making them one of the fastest animals on Earth.
And here in Pennsylvania, they’ve made a remarkable comeback. After disappearing from the state for nearly 30 years, peregrines were removed from Pennsylvania’s threatened species list in 2021.
That’s conservation in action!
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Your service prepared you for work that matters.
Bring your skills in construction, project oversight and field operations to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
We’re hiring an Environmental Projects Construction Inspector in Cambria County.
Veterans are encouraged to apply.
Apply by September 9 (today!): bit.ly/45XsMc9
ALT military veteran construction worker taking measurements
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
.@GovernorShapiro & @PennsylvaniaDEP secured a $15M settlement with Shell over Beaver County air quality violations.
Highlights:
· $7.5M for the new Beaver County Environment & Community Fund
· Mandatory facility repairs & strict emission limits
· Direct funding for Potter Twp
Read more here: bit.ly/4cvAqy2
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
BREAKING: I just signed an Executive Order implementing the strictest standards in the nation for AI data centers — because I will not allow Pennsylvanians to be bullied by greedy developers and bulldozed by the lawyers working for these big tech companies.
Effective immediately, we’re requiring AI data centers to commit to strict environmental and transparency requirements AND receive approval from the local community if they want to build here.
That’s not all: We’re also removing ALL data centers from our Fast Track permit program and stopping any office or agency under my jurisdiction from signing an NDA with AI data center developers.
I’m putting these developers on notice and letting them know that we will not let them bully Pennsylvanians, disregard our constitutional right to clean air and pure water, and drive up our utility bills.
I’m using the full weight of my executive authority to block the objectionable, unwarranted projects and put the nation’s strictest set of protections in place.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
WATCH LIVE: As Governor, it’s my job to listen and use my authority to protect Pennsylvanians.
I’ve heard your concerns on AI data centers. So, in the absence of legislative action, I’m signing an Executive Order to put the nation's strictest requirements in place.
governor.pa.gov/live
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Yesterday we visited Tröegs Independent Brewing (@TroegsBeer) in Dauphin County where Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley (@PADEPSecretary) announced nearly $3.5 million in grants to 15 small businesses across Pennsylvania through the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Small-scale Award Track (SAT).
RISE PA will help businesses cut energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce air pollution.
See how much the projects are expected to save businesses in energy costs and reduce in greenhouse gas emissions 👉 bit.ly/4wfR9MJ
Learn more about RISE PA: dep.pa.gov/rise-pa
Thanks to @SenatorPattyKim and @penntap for joining.
ALT Secretary Jessica Shirley speaking at a lectern at Troegs.
ALT Secretary Shirley, Patty Kim, and attendees listening in to John Troegner tell them about the process.
ALT Chris Trogner speaking about what they did with their RISE PA grant.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Don’t miss the deadline for RISE PA!
The Round 2 RISE PA Medium- and Large-scale Award Track application period was extended through July 31, 4:59 PM.
Look for updated guidance and the application checklist at dep.pa.gov/rise-pa
ALT Round 2 for RISE PA MAT/LAT deadline is July 31.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Positive progress toward improved water quality in PA? We’d call that a win!
DEP’s Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management recently published the Pennsylvania Nonpoint Source 2025 Annual Report, which details the Commonwealth’s progress in reducing nonpoint source water pollution. What’s that? It’s pollution from unspecified sources that’s transported through means like rainfall or snowmelt.
Achievements highlighted in the report include:
• Statewide pollutant load reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment
• Successful implementation of 44 annual objectives for the 2025 fiscal year, including best management practices to reduce pollution in PA agricultural operations and installation of new abandoned mine drainage systems
• Partnership with numerous organizations, programs, and projects that play a role in pollutant reduction
Check out the entire report here: bit.ly/NPS2025AR
ALT Beautiful waterfall into a stream in Pennsylvania wooded area.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Secretary Shirley (@PADEPSecretary) recently joined the Conservation Conversations podcast to talk about how an old mine site is turning into the Tide Trail—a brand new spot for walking, exploring, bird watching, and enjoying the outdoors. And how collaborative grant funded projects like this one can help PA’s local economies.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: open.spotify.com/episode/4Ec…
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Do you love watching the baby falcons on the falcon cam? 🪺👀
Do you want to watch them even closer?
We’re looking for Falcon Watch & Rescue volunteers in Harrisburg!
Dates: June 6-24
Times: Shifts between 5:30 AM – 9 PM
Free training provided.
Volunteers watch the young falcons as they learn to fly and hunt.
If needed, select, trained volunteers help fledglings return to their nest box.
Interested adults, please email: [email protected]
...
@DCNRnews
@PAGameComm
ALT Falcon perched on ledge of building.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
You may have seen the Rachel Carson building falcons referred to as the most productive nest in PA. And for good reason. These falcons have successfully hatched and fledged young every year since 2000. In fact this year's 4th hatch, on Saturday, was the 100th hatch from this nest!
In 27 nesting seasons, 6 different pairs have produced 117 eggs, of which 100 have hatched, and 91 have fledged. 7 offspring from this nest have been identified as nesting adults in 5 states, with four known grandchildren also identified as nesting adults in PA and OH.
Congrats on the 100th hatch!
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Egg-citing update: 🐣Our newest residents to the Rachel Carson building have arrived. They're arriving so fast we can't keep up.
Our first hatch of the 2026 season arrived today at 11:20 AM and our second hatch arrived around 1:00 PM. And a third hatch is possible, too!
The brand new eyases appear to be in good condition and began to snuggle up against unhatched siblings in the shelter of Mom's warmth.
Keep an eye out to see who else enters the chat! bit.ly/DEP-FalconCams
...
@DCNRnews @PAGameComm @FalconChatter
ALT Mother falcon warming her eggs and new babies in their nest.
Secretary Jessica Shirley retweeted
Hey! It looks like hatching has started right on the due date!
Keep an eye on the Falcon Cam for fuzzy chicks soon! 👀 bit.ly/DEP-FalconCams
Pennsylvania is an energy leader, and our energy future is evolving fast.
That's why I'm looking forward to speaking at the PA Energy Summit on 4/16, where we plan to explore all things AI, infrastructure, and workforce impacts that are shaping the Commonwealth.
Connecting with leaders from across Pennsylvania on energy policy, innovation, infrastructure will help us all make the right moves for PA's future.
See you there @CityAndStatePA!
