Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said in reaction to the plan, “I commend the work of the members of the Climate Change Advisory Committee, and recognize that a significant amount of time and effort has gone into the draft action plan to date.

"However, it is important to note that today is the deadline for DEP to issue a final climate change action plan – not a draft. The timeframe laid out in Act 70 of 2008 is a statutory obligation on DEP, not a mere suggestion from the legislature. DEP was aware of their obligation, and I remain mystified why they have continually obstructed legislation (Senate Bill 829) that would have given DEP more time and the public more input into the action plan.

"I am also very concerned with reports that DEP is attempting to dissuade members of the Climate Change Advisory Committee from participating in or crafting a minority report. When we drafted the language to create an Advisory Committee in the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, we intended the committee to function independently of DEP.

"The law mandates that the report consider all views relative to climate change, and specifically encourages any member to put forth a minority report should the committee fail to reach a consensus on what steps Pennsylvania needs to take to address climate change.

"Many of the recommendations put forth by DEP will require legislative approval. It is imperative, therefore, that all views and comments be considered by DEP, and that such an important report receives the deliberation it deserves.”

The Department will accept comments submitted by mail or by email. A return name and address must be included in each email transmission. E-mail comments should be submitted to: epclimatereportcomments@state.pa.us.

Written comments should be submitted to Joseph Sherrick, by means of the USPS to the Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17105. The Department will not accept comments submitted by facsimile.

DEP said the Action Plan will be posted on the DEP website. Questions regarding the Plan should be directed to Joseph Sherrick by sending email to: josherrick@state.pa.us or Kim Hoover by sending email to: khoover@state.pa.us or call 717-772-8911.(formal notice)