Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) Friday announced he was reappointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) to serve as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2015-16 legislative session.

“I am pleased to appoint Sen. Yaw to serve as Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2015-16 legislative session,” Sen. Scarnati said.  “Sen. Yaw has provided great leadership for environmental and energy issues in the past, and I am confident that he will continue to provide strong direction for the Committee over the next two years.”

“It is an honor to again be appointed by Sen. Joe Scarnati to serve as chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee,” Sen. Yaw said.  “The Committee will continue working to address legislation, policies and issues dealing with Pennsylvania’s natural resources, including regulations, conservation, strategic reserves and standards; public lands and their renewable resources; surface mining, coal, oil, and gas, and mineral leasing; air and water resources.”

During the 2013-14 legislative session, the Senate Committee examined several important issues including:  the questionable deduction of natural gas royalty payments by specific gas companies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed clean energy policy, and flood mitigation and stormwater management, to name a few. 

The Committee also reported out 30 pieces of legislation, 13 of which were signed by Gov. Tom Corbett.

Under Sen. Yaw’s direction, the Committee will again pursue legislative measures to expand natural gas service for unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania, in addition to other important initiatives.

“Improving the accessibility and availability of natural gas service throughout the state will give more residents the opportunity to benefit from this low-cost fuel,” Sen. Yaw added.

1/12/2015