PA Environment Digest publishes announcements of energy and environmental proposals by Gubernatorial candidates as they become available.  Here are two proposals from Republican candidates Tom Corbett and Sam Rohrer.

Tom Corbett announced Part 2 of his Economic and Job Strategies this week that include proposals related to the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources related to regulatory reform--

Eliminate the permit backlog at state agencies. In recent years DEP has stood for “Don’t Expect Permits” rather than the Department of Environmental Protection. Tom Corbett will re-institute the “Money Back Guarantee” program in DEP and other regulatory agencies to ensure that permits are reviewed and decisions are made in a timely manner.

Require a program effectiveness review within all state agencies. As Governor, Tom Corbett will direct each agency to review every program that impacts economic development in Pennsylvania to ensure every regulatory hindrance is eliminated. Regulations will be risk-based and cost-benefit tested. Tom Corbett’s Administration will work more closely with the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC), heeding the agency’s expert advice for improving regulations while they are in development. As Governor, Tom Corbett will direct his Cabinet officers to seek the input and counsel of lawmakers who serve on their respective Legislative oversight committee and also seek input from business leaders and citizens.

Adopt uniform administration of programs and regulatory consistency. State agencies have adopted thousands of pages of regulations and guidance documents, but have given little direction to regional offices – leaving Pennsylvania businesses and taxpayers to wade through different interpretations of regulations in different regions of the state. Tom Corbett will ensure consistency in the regulatory process and create a central oversight process to guarantee a level playing field throughout Pennsylvania.

Implement compliance assistance. A major focus of Tom Corbett’s Administration will be to achieve regulatory compliance. As Governor, Tom Corbett will direct regulatory agencies to publish an annual Compliance Report summarizing the compliance assistance actions taken by the agency, detailing the most frequent violations and providing plans to increase compliance by regulated entities through education and training.

Reinforce meaningful public participation. To be more accountable to the public, state government must have an open, accessible process for adopting the regulations and policies that govern its citizens. Utilizing technology and the Internet, Tom Corbett will make the work of state agencies transparent and will seek public input whenever possible. All agency advisory committees will be required to give at least one month’s notice of meetings and have agendas and meeting materials available online at least two weeks prior to the meeting. This will help to restore public confidence in the state agencies’ deliberative process. Tom Corbett also will direct agencies to explore the availability of new electronic tools to promote more public involvement in a cost effective manner to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

Sam Rohrer released what he called his Energy Freedom Plan this week with these elements--
-- Defend the rights of private property owners to explore, drill and extract natural gas and coal deposits;

-- Appoint a DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) Secretary who understands the important balance of sensible conservation, private property rights and real job creation;

Link: Tom Corbett, Republican Candidate, On Sustainable/Green Infrastructure

3/22/2010