Here's a quick update on some other environmental bills moving through the General Assembly--

Green School Buildings: The House Education Committee approved House Bill 1914 (Leach-D-Montgomery) that allows school districts to exclude the additional cost involved in the building construction of a school that meets the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards as published by the United States Green Building Council from the limits set by the Department of Education for school construction or renovation.

Emissions Inspection: The House Transportation Committee reported out House Bill 2696 (Reichley-R-Berks) that would require the posting of signs showing the cost of an emissions inspection after amending it to be consistent with existing signage requirements in PennDOT regulations.

Agricultural Security Areas: The House Agriculture Committee took action on two bills relating to farmland preservation-- House Bill 2608 (Reichley-R-Berks) amending the Agricultural Area Security Law further providing for purchase of agricultural conservation easements was reported out with no changes; House Bill 2801 (Hershey-R-Chester) Amends the Agricultural Area Security Law further providing for definitions, limiting local regulations and for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements. The bill was amended to include commercial equine operations as eligible under the program and to take out changes related to conservation easements.

GIS Strategic Planning: The House Intergovernmental Affairs met and reported out House Resolution 882 (McIlhinney-R-Chester) urging the Administration to establish a GIS strategic planning, effort after amending the resolution to include specific local government groups.

Bills Introduced

Global Climate Change: Rep. Vitalil (D-Delaware) introduced House Bill 2905 requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to report on global warming impacts, outline economic opportunities presented by climate change, conduct an inventory of greenhouse gases and develop a plan of action for dealing with the issue. The bill was referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Infrastructure Task Force: Rep. Hutchinson (R-Venango) introduced House Resolution 904 to establish a task force to study issues concerning sewage management and treatment at publicly owned treatment facilities and systems throughout Pennsylvania.

10/22/2004