DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee Endorses Bill Extending Plan Deadline

The advisory committee charged with coming up with a Climate Change Action Plan for Pennsylvania by October 9 voted this week to support legislation sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White extending the deadline for the plan to allow for meaningful public review of the plan.

 

In a split 8 to 5 vote, the Climate Change Advisory Committee supported Senate Bill 829 (MJ White-R-Venango) providing for a 60 day comment period on the proposed action plan and pushing back the October 9 deadline until December.

 

Representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Rep.Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) argued against the measure saying an extension was not needed and that a plan would be delivered to the General Assembly as required and on time.

 

Earlier this month, DEP officials outlined a proposed schedule for the Plan that included a comment period after the Plan was submitted and said no changes would be made in response to the comments received by the agency. (Pa Environment Digest 5/4/09)