On January 15, Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) was named Democratic Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, a leadership position that brings new opportunities to continue and expand her long-standing record of service as an environmental champion.

“Protecting our environment and safeguarding our natural resources is a tremendous responsibility, one that I deeply respect and continue to hold near and dear to my heart,” Sen. Comitta said. “Every day we are reminded that we only get one planet and that our environment has significant and long-standing impacts on our public health, safety, economy, and nearly every aspect of life in our communities. I am honored to be appointed minority chair of this committee and look forward to working in a bipartisan manner for a cleaner, greener, and brighter future for all of Pennsylvania.”

Sen. Comitta said her top environmental priorities include addressing the growing climate crisis by supporting Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and updating the Commonwealth’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act.

She said that taking urgent action to reduce carbon emissions and invest in the clean energy economy would help drive Pennsylvania toward the goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

“I’m confident that Senator Comitta will take her years of experience in the private sector and in the Pennsylvania House to immediately get to work as Democratic chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. In her short time as a Senator already, she has proposed excellent initiatives in this field and I know she will guide this committee expertly,” said Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic Leader.

Prior to being elected State Senator, Comitta served as State Representative for the 156th Legislative District.

There, she served as Secretary of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and in leadership positions on the Pennsylvania Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee and the Climate Caucus.

In the Senate, she continues to support the work of the Joint Conservation Committee and serves on the Climate Caucus.

In addition to being named minority chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Sen. Comitta was appointed to serve on the following committees: Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.

Sen. Comitta said she continues to focus her efforts on combating the significant and extensive public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic by supporting and launching initiatives that will help Pennsylvania defeat the virus and emerge stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

“The vaccine is here, but we must redouble our efforts to stop the spread while we work to make it available to everyone,” she said. “The more lives we save through prevention now, the more lives we can protect through vaccination later.”

In November, Sen. Comitta was elected to the 19th District, the seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester). She is the first woman to hold the seat.

Sen. Comitta will serve with Democratic committee members Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh), Katie Muth (D-Montgomery) and Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks).

Republican leadership has again named Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) Majority Chair of the Committee, but have not yet named Republican members of the Committee.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5709 or sending email to: senatorcomitta@pasenate.com.

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[Posted: January 16, 2021

1/18/2021