07/15/24 - 152 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/45529742
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Governor's Race - Earth Day
|
|
Auditor General (and Democratic candidate for Governor) Jack Wagner issued the following Earth Day statement this week-- Pennsylvanians Celebrate Earth Day - A Message From Auditor General Jack Wagner
Pennsylvania is blessed to have some of the best natural resources in the world. Our green places, landscapes, farmlands, forests, and water are a true strength in this great Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania's next Governor has a responsibility to protect those resources. Throughout my career, I have established an unmatched track record of protecting the environment. As a Democratic candidate for Governor and an avid fisherman, on this day when we celebrate Mother Earth, I want to share my record with you and my commitment to protect our environment.
As a State Senator, I voted for just about every conservation and environmental protection law currently on the books.
I am particularly proud of my support for landmark legislation such as Growing Greener, the Conservation and Preservation Easements Act, the creation of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the reauthorization of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps, the development of the state's first water use management plan in 25 years, and the creation of both the Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Program and the State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators, as well as the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, the Waste Tire Recycling Act, the Forest Lands Beautification Act, the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, and the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act.
When I was President of Pittsburgh City Council, we placed a priority on cleaning up brownfields, old mill sites, and industrial areas for reuse relating to modern technology. As a board member of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), I was a strong advocate of the expansion and improvement of wastewater treatment within Allegheny County, which involved a major expansion of the capacity of the ALCOSAN plant. Those improvements have resulted in significant water quality enhancements in the Pittsburgh river system. As a matter of interest and achievement, the Bassmasters Tour was held in Pittsburgh several years ago.
More recently, in my current position as Auditor General, I have audited state agencies to ensure that they are enforcing the laws. For example, our first-ever special performance audit of the Department of Environmental Protection found that its oversight of dam and levee safety inspections was lax. Crumbling infrastructure is particularly important given the demands that will be placed on our environment by the development of the new Marcellus Shale energy resources. As a safety engineer by training, I am very sensitive to this issue.
We must protect our environment first with all forms of energy, including the new Marcellus Shale. I will make sure that the industry understands that the new Marcellus Shale resources belong to all Pennsylvanians, that we – not outsiders – intend to reap the benefits, and that we will not tolerate any harm to our precious environment. I oppose drilling on state park lands.
I will also insist that the costs of the increased government oversight necessary to build and monitor this new industry be borne by the industry itself. I support a reasonable severance tax, with a portion of the revenues dedicated to environmental restoration, preservation, enforcement, and oversight at the state and local levels. The industry must help local governments address the many impacts caused by drilling, such as infrastructure, human services, and, of course, the environment.
In addition, I believe that local governments should have a role in the approval and oversight of environmental issues affecting their communities, such as the permitting and application review process related to Marcellus Shale drilling sites. The Department of Environmental Protection must also increase the number of technical review personnel and field personnel to property oversee this new industry.
I will make the Pennsylvania Turnpike the first multi-fuel highway in the country, with the infrastructure to support vehicles powered by electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel. Clean energy will help us get off oil and, at the same time, stimulate the green economy. I will partner with the governors of our neighboring states in this important effort. Alternative fuel vehicles must have fueling and recharging stations. Pennsylvania will be the first.
I can also assure you that open space preservation and urban revitalization will be key components of my administration's efforts to improve the quality of life and create economic development opportunities.
Finally, I want you to know that I strongly believe that the enforcement of existing laws and penalties is a key component in protecting our environment and natural resources. Laws have no significant impact if they are not aggressively enforced. As Governor, I will implement my audit recommendations and other ideas in order to generate significant savings in the state budget that could be used to ensure that the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and other agencies have the resources that they need to achieve their vital missions.
Thank you for taking the time to read about these important issues on this day when we celebrate our earth.
|
|
|
4/26/2010 |
|
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
