Legislation to implement the $625 million Growing Greener bond issue passed by voters May 17 will be a topic of discussion when the Senate and House return June 6, in particular how to pay for it and how to spend the money.

In an interview this week, Gov. Rendell repeated his belief the bond issue could be paid for without imposing new fees. He mentioned one option is extending the existing $4/ton Growing Greener fee on municipal waste disposed in the state beyond its current 2012 expiration.

This option would follow the Green PA Plan House Republicans proposed and the House adopted which used the $4/ton fee to finance a proposed $800 million bond issue.

Gov. Rendell listed his priorities for funding as: the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund (which was not included as part of his original spending plan for the bond, but was included in the Green PA Plan), farmland and open space preservation, cleaning up acid mine drainage, infrastructure repairs for the Game and Fish & Boat Commissions and to fix up urban parks and trails.

The idea proposed by Senate Republicans to earmark some of the bond funds for counties to spend “is a mistake,” according to Gov. Rendell. He said while Philadelphia would make out well in a county program, other counties would not.

The primary author of the idea for county grants, Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, this week sent letters to every county commissioner in the state asking for their input into how to design a county-level Growing Greener Program.

With three weeks left in June and the budget to resolve, few people are talking about passing the implementing legislation before the General Assembly goes home for the summer. This is likely to be an issue for the Fall.

NewsClip: Referendum Passes, But What’s Next?

Budget Clock Ticking

• 13 voting days are scheduled through the June 30 budget deadline in the House

• 14 voting days in the Senate

Contents – On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Waugh & Wenger Unveil Major Agricultural Initiative, Manure Use Technologies

· Senate Hearing Set on Rendell Nominees for Public Utility Commission

Other News

· Pennsylvania’s 10 Years of Success in Addressing ‘Brownfield’ Sites

· How to Stay Cool and Comfortable AND Save Energy, Money at Home

· Last Call -Energy Efficiency, P2 Assessment Grants Available Only Thru June 30

· Are You A Green Builder? GBA Looking to Form Green Builders Group

· Two PA Projects Win American Institute of Architect’s Green Project Awards

· Industrial and Office Properties Green Development Award Noms Due June 20

· Green Communities Initiative Provides Funding, Technical Help

· Recycling Performance Grant Applications Due September 30

· When Will the Peregrine Falcons Fly?

· Second Breeding Bird Atlas Survey Documents Important Changes

· Chesapeake Bay Program Launches Newsletter on Restoration Activities

· Come On Out and Enjoy The Slippery Rock Watershed Festival

· Brian Hill Returns to PEC, Janet Sweeney Heads Northeast Regional Office

· Fish & Boat Commission Looking for a Few Good…. People

Double Feature

· Reclaimed Water Offers Solutions to Water Quality, Water Demand Problems

· Equipment Rental Program Helps Promote No-Till Farming, Other Programs

Taking Positive Action

· Dennis Tubbs, PA CleanWays Show the Way for Others to Follow

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

6/3/2005