Attorney General Tom Corbett this week praised members of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for their approval of a bill-- House Bill 2042 (Reichley-R-Berks)-- that enhances Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law, increasing penalties for polluters who compromise the quality of the Commonwealth's waterways.

Corbett said the legislation will strengthen the ability of the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Section to investigate and prosecute polluters. Additionally, Corbett said the increased penalties included in the bill will help prevent Pennsylvania from becoming an attractive dumping ground for polluters who face tougher penalties in

neighboring states.

"We need to send a clear message to polluters that Pennsylvania is not a dumping ground for their waste," Corbett said. "These changes will enhance our efforts to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes and also ensure that the punishment fits their crime."

Corbett said current law treats most water pollution cases as third-degree misdemeanors -- the lowest level of misdemeanor offense under Pennsylvania law. The proposed legislation would make intentional violations a felony and substantially increase the penalties, to a maximum of seven years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.

Corbett said the current law is inadequate to effectively deter pollution, and may actually make Pennsylvania an attractive dumping ground for polluters who face much tougher penalties in neighboring states such as New Jersey, New York and Maryland.

"Pennsylvania should not be a safe haven for out-of-state polluters, who may be tempted to dump their waste here in order to escape harsher penalties in their home states," Corbett said. "These amendments bring our Clean Streams Law more closely in line with our neighbors and with federal environmental law."

Corbett said the legislation would also increase the statute of limitations for violations of the Clean Streams Law from two years to five years, giving authorities additional time to investigate pollution, identify violators and prosecute cases.

Corbett said the legislation, House Bill 2042, was approved unanimously (196-0) by members of the House of Representatives in May 2006.

"I urge the full Senate to quickly bring this important bill to a vote, and send it on to the Governor for final approval," Corbett said.

A companion bill, House Bill 2043 (Reichley-R-Berks) that would increase penalties for waste violations in Solid Waste Management Act, is still in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to session October 16. This is the Senate’s last scheduled week in session before the November 7 election. The House is in session both the weeks of October 16 and 23.

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda

· Senate/House Action/Bills Introduced

· House Committee OKs Climate Change, Covenant, Nuclear Fee Bills – Video Blog

Other News

· Congress Fails to Act on Abandoned Mine Fee Reauthorization – Video Blog

· PA-AWRA Water Resources Conference Set for October 20

· Washington County Mine Reclamation Project Designed by DEP Wins Award

· SRBC Releases Results of Morrison Cove Valley Stream Assessment, Blair, Bedford

· Tour, Workshop to Showcase Schuylkill Watershed Enhancements October 12

· Statewide Survey of Private Well Owners Underway

· Lancaster Watershed Groups Make Watershed Education “Float”

· Briefing Set for October 18 on Codorus Watershed Projects in York County

· Workshop on Pervious Concrete Set for October 25 in Lebanon County

· Students Build Model Green Home in Lancaster

· PPL Publishes Corporate Responsibility, Environmental Performance Report

· How Many Light Bulbs Does It Take to Protect the Environment and Save $30?

· Register Now for Free Industrial Energy Assessments from DOE

· Sustainable Energy Field Day Set for Westmoreland October 26

· Seminar to Help Manufacturers Manage Energy as Resource, Cut Utility Costs

· Apply Now for 2007 Environmental Education Grants

· Strategies for Managing Organics in Your Community Workshops

· Northeast Regional Recycling Conference Will Feature PA Presenters

· “Sustainability: Urban and Rural” Theme of PRC’s Awards Dinner November 15

· DCNR Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Greenways Preservation

· Game Commissions Acts on Priority Wildlife Projects, Acquisitions

· DEP Citizens Advisory Council Publishes Fall Newsletter

· DEP Reorganizes District Mining Office Service Areas

· Help Wanted: Project Coordinator for ALLARM, DEP Bureau Director

Video Blog

· Climate Change, Environmental Covenants Topics on This Week’s Video Blog

Feature

· Pennsylvania Birders Still Needed to Help With Atlas, By Joe Kosack, Pennsylvania Game Commission

Regulations

· Final Mercury Rule, Stream Redesignations Highlight EQB October 17 Agenda

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

10/7/2006