Harry Campbell, executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, issued this statement Friday in support of the concept of a water use fee that would go toward reducing pollution in the Commonwealth’s rivers and streams.

The bipartisan Pennsylvania members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission wrote to legislators in the state Senate and House, proposing a dedicated Clean Water Fund for Pennsylvania.

Supporters indicate that the proposed fee on water withdrawals that exceed 10,000 gallons per day, would apply most often to large-scale commercial operations and would generate an estimated $245 million annually for clean water efforts.

Mr. Campbell said:

“While details of such a fee require more study, CBF sees merit in having an equitable water use fee with revenue directed toward proven and cost-effective measures that reduce pollution and restore our waterways. This withdrawal fee is also not a burden on individual taxpayers.

“According to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), roughly 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are damaged by pollution. DEP has also stated that Pennsylvania will not meet its goal of having 60 percent of pollution reduction practices in place by the end of 2017. For the Commonwealth to have 100 percent of practices in place by 2025, as it committed to in its Clean Water Blueprint, Pennsylvania must make a greater investment of financial and technical resources.

“Pennsylvania’s clean water strategy includes a framework for success, but lacks sustainable funding streams.

“Revenue generated by a water use fee could elevate and accelerate Pennsylvania’s contributions to the improved health of the Chesapeake Bay, as noted in CBF’s latest State of the Bay report. While there is good news, work in Pennsylvania is far from finished.

“A water use fee like the one suggested by Bay Commission members, dedicated to cleaning up our polluted waterways, will help improve and protect the health and economic well-being of every Pennsylvanian.”

For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage.  Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column).  Click Here for a copy of CBF-PA’s most recent newsletter.

NewsClips:

Bay Journal: PA Lawmakers Proposed Water Fee To Raise Cleanup Funds

Thompson: Wolf’s Challenge: How To Balance Budget Without Broad Tax Increase

AP: Grim New Forecast Sees Nearly $3B Budget Gap In PA

Independent Report Shows PA Revenues Down Yet Again

AP: Wolf To Consolidate Health, Aging, Drug, Human Services Agencies

PA Budget Crunch: Wolf Wants To Merge 4 Departments

Murphy: Wolf To Propose Consolidating 4 Agencies Into 1

Revenue From Drilling Impact Fees Expected To Fall Again This Year

Washington County Commissioner To HBG: Keep Act 13 Impact Fee

Wolf To Push Again For Severance Tax On Natural Gas Industry

McKelvey: Harrisburg Revs Up For Natural Gas Severance Tax Fight

New Year, Another Round Of Natural Gas Severance Tax Proposals, Nothing For Environment

Editorial: Natural Gas Severance Tax A Nonstarter

Crable: EPA Pick Says He Will Support, Enforce Chesapeake Bay Cleanup, More Funding

Trump Team Plans Big Cuts At EPA

AP: Official: Trump Wants To Slash EPA Workforce, Budget

Crable: State Parks Increase Fees For Camping, Swimming, Add Transaction Fees

Related Stories:

PA Chesapeake Bay Commission Members Spotlight Need For Clean Water Fund In PA

Natural Gas Impact Fee Revenue Shrinks Another $13.1 Million For 2016

Severance Tax Proposals So Far Offer Nothing For The Environment

IFO: State Budget Deficit Legislators Need To Make Up Could Be As High As $3 Billion

[Posted: Jan. 27, 2017]

1/30/2017