Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) announced his appointment as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

“I am honored to be able to further serve the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in this capacity. Protecting our environment has always been one of my top priorities as a legislator and I look forward to continuing that work as Minority Chair of the ERE,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These issues affect everyone in Pennsylvania, and contribute to the quality of life we experience every day.”

In addition, as Minority Chair of the Committee, Sen. Santarsiero serves on the Environmental Quality Board, which considers for approval all environmental regulations.

“Senator Santarsiero was the natural choice when we needed a new chair for the Energy and Environmental Resources Committee,” said Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa. “In his short time in the Senate, he's taken a lead on clean energy policy - building on the work he began as a member of the House. I'm looking forward to his stewardship of this committee on behalf of our caucus.”

In his first year as a Senator, Sen. Santarsiero introduced multiple pieces of legislation aimed at environmental protection, including Senate Bills 707, 708, and 709 to provide the Office of the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction in environmental crimes under the Solid Waste Management Act, Clean Streams Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act, respectively.

The Senator also sponsored bipartisan legislation-- Senate Bill 600-- which aims to modernize Pennsylvania’s renewable energy standards, increasing the standard from 8 percent to 30 percent by 2030.

In 2017, prior to his election to the Senate, Sen. Santarsiero was appointed by Attorney General Josh Shapiro to serve as the first Chief Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania.

In this role, Sen. Santarsiero was responsible for the prosecution of environmental crimes, and fought against proposed rollbacks in vital environmental protections.

“In our state constitution, citizens are guaranteed the right to clean air, pure water, and the protection of our natural resources. It’s long overdue for these measures to be enforced, not just for us, but for the sake of our planet and future generations,” said Sen. Santarsiero.

Continuing his environmental advocacy, Sen. Santarsiero was appointed to chair the energy and environment review subcommittee as part of the transition team for the commissioners of Bucks County.

In this volunteer position, Sen. Santarsiero works with other local leaders on these issues to offer a comprehensive set of recommendations for action to the commissioners, with the goal of preserving the environment while also promoting sustainable development.

Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) can be contacted by calling 717-787-7305 or sending email to: senatorsantarsiero@pasenate.com.

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