The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week reported out Senate Bill 149 (MJ.White- R-Venango) to provide $34 million a year in funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund. The bill was put in position for final Senate passage the week of February 14.

The proposal restores the earmark of one-quarter mill from the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax on business that originally funded part of the program until 2002. The legislation allows the transfer of funds for the current fiscal year, addressing a major concern about the program running out of money.

Earlier the Department of Environmental Protection indicated the Hazardous Sites Fund may need as much as $50 to $60 million a year to continue current expenditures.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meanwhile reported out House Bill 2 and House Bill 3, the House Republican Green PA Plan without amendments after a very lively, partisan two hour debate.

The Committee voted to report the bills along strict party lines, after defeating an amendment to House Bill 2 that would strip out the reference to the bond being paid off by “existing waste disposal fees.”

Rep. Adolph (R-Delaware), chair of the Committee, said the bills may be considered by the full House as early as next week.

"It was important for the committee to move forward on this legislative package today in order for the proposal to be able make its way through the legislative process and come before the voters of Pennsylvania this spring," said Adolph.

House Democrats said the Republican plan was a “death knell” for Growing Greener.

Minority Whip Mike Veon (D-Beaver) said, “The Republican plan would tie the hands of the legislature and the governor, denying the state needed resources that would be available without huge tax or fee increases. Not only is the ‘Green PA’ plan bad for the state’s environment, it would be an economic anchor when the funding ran out. We cannot mortgage the future for an inadequate plan today. We need to make real investments that keep Pennsylvania green.”

Rep. George (D-Clearfield) and 38 co-sponsors introduced Gov. Rendell’s proposed Growing Greener II bond issue proposal in the form of House Bill 260 that was referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee later Tuesday.

George’s bill would put an $800 million bond issue question on the ballot, and dividing the money this way-- $330,000,000 for parks, open space, farmland preservation and the improvement of facilities for the Fish and Boat and Game Commissions, up to $300,000,000 for environmental cleanup, and up to $170,000,000 for revitalization of communities.

The House Bill 260 bond question includes a reference to the bond being paid by “fees on pollution and waste disposal activities.”

Rep. Adolph also announced a meeting of the bipartisan Green Ribbon Commission for February 14 to discuss specific recommendations for environmental spending.

NewsClips: House Dems Call GOP Plan 7-Year Death for Growing Greener

GOP Green Plan Heads to House Floor

Consensus draws near on state environment

Green PA is a promising sign

DEP, DCNR Comparison of Green Plan, Growing Greener II

2/11/2005