With the end of the legislative session in mind, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week unanimouslyapproved extending its review of two regulations proposed by the Environmental Quality Board and recommended a third regulation be disapproved.

The regulations were submitted to the Committee by DEP for its consideration on October 7.

The regulations affected include the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, and the Diesel Truck Idling rulemaking. With respect to diesel idling, it was noted the Senate and House gave final approval to Senate Bill 295 (Browne-R-Lehigh) that deals with the same issue.

The Committee urged the Independent Regulatory Review Commission to reject the Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards after several legislators expressed doubts and concerns over the Department of Environmental Protection's proposal to establish a discharge standard for molybdenum.

Under the review process established by the Regulatory Review Act, the Committee will have an additional 14 days to review the regulation after IRRC acts on the rulemakings, which are tentatively scheduled for IRRC’s November 20 meeting. The EQB is prohibited from finalizing the regulations until after the Committee’s extended review expires.

Since the General Assembly will adjourn on November 30th, the Committee’s review period will extend into February 2009.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.

Additional information is available on the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee’s website.

10/10/2008