Brownfields Liability: Senate Bill 84 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) extends liability protection to nonprofit corporations in brownfield projects was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Sewer Laterals: Senate Bill 205 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) providing funding for private sewer laterals was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Dam Liability: Senate Bill 232 (Wozniak-D-Cambria) holding Army Corps of Engineers harmless for construction of collapsible dam on Conemaugh River was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Nonstructural Flood Alternatives: Senate Bill 236 (Woniak) amends Stream Clearance, Rectification and Improvement Act to permit use of nonstructural alternatives to address flooding problems was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Coal Bed Methane: Senate Bill 275 (D.White-R-Indiana) establishing the Coal Bed Methane Well Dispute Resolution Act was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  "I am pleased that the Committee expeditiously reported out Senate Bill 275," Sen. Don White continued. "This bill will not change the respective rights and obligations of either party, but rather create a timely, less expensive process that will help clear up these disputes without going to court;"

Bid Limits: Senate Bill 328 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) increasing the threshold for bidding requirements for flood control projects was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Oil & Gas Fund Transfer: Senate Bill 490 (MJ.White-R-Venango) appropriating $174 million from the Oil and Gas Fund to DEP and other agencies to support well permitting was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and was referred to Senate Appropriations Committee.

"Certainly tax credit programs can be beneficial to the state, but I don't believe we should be blindly incorporating them into our budget every year," Rep. Levdansky said. "The state currently has $350 million in tax credit programs, some of which have been in place for decades, and they should be revisited to determine if they are actually achieving their goals in Pennsylvania.

 

"Considering this year's state budget shortfall is projected to be in the billions, it would be irresponsible to continue tax credit programs without determining whether they are actually benefiting Pennsylvania."

 

Last week the Senate passed a similar resolution--Senate Resolution 20 (Pippy-R-Allegheny)-- and the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee already awarded a contract to a firm to do an evaluation on one program- the film development tax credit. The Committee must complete their evaluation in one year.

Earth Hour: House Resolution 146 (Pallone-D-Westmoreland) to recognize 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 28 as Earth Hour 2009 in Pennsylvania was adopted by the House.

Green Building Credit: House Bill 43 (Harper-R-Montgomery) establishing a high-performance, green building construction tax credit was amended and reported out by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and then referred to House Appropriations Committee.

"Tax credits are a way of offering the construction industry carrots to try building green. Believe me, they are ready for this – there is a real excitement about doing green projects, and this bill offers encouragement in an otherwise depressing market," Rep. Harper said;

Green State Buildings: House Bill 444 (M.Smith-D-Allegheny) requiring state funded building projects to meet certain green building standard was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Energy Office: House Bill 786 (George-D-Clearfield) establishing a State Energy Office within the Department of Environmental Protection was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.  "Pennsylvania deserves focused, concentrated efforts on energy development and conservation, and House Bill 786 would enable a State Energy Office to forge a consistent energy policy," said Rep. George.