There are no committee meetings next week with the General Assembly not in session. But, the Senate and House took action on these bills this week, along with introducing several bills of interest. Here’s the rundown…

In the Senate…

Recycling Fee: House Bill 1902 (Rubley-R-Chester) extending the $2/ton Recycling Fee sunset date through 2012 was referred to Senate Appropriations.

Increasing Penalties: House Bill 2042 (Reichley-R-Berks), that would increase penalties for water pollution under the Clean Streams Law, was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Regulatory Impacts: House Bill 236 (Pickett-R-Bradford) requiring the review of regulations for their impact on small business by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission was referred to Senate Appropriations Committee.

In the House…

Environmental Covenants: House Bill 1249 (Rubley-R-Chester) establishing uniform environmental covenants provisions was amended and reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

· Video Blog: Rep. Rubley discusses brownfield reuse and her legislation.

Climate Change: House Resolution 692 (Ross-R-Chester) directing the Committee to study and report on the methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a vote of 20 to 8.

· Video Blog: Rep. Ross talks about the resolution and climate change.

Flood Maps: House Bill 936 (Hanna-D-Centre) providing for a review and update of state, county and local flood maps was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee along with a suggestion the Committee hold hearings on updating flood plain mapping.

Nuclear Plant Fees: House Bill 6 (Tigue-D-Lackawanna) increasing fees on nuclear power plant facilities was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee with the request that it be re-referred to the House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

PA Coal Air Quality Tax Credit: House Bill 2771 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) creating the Pennsylvania Coal and Air Quality Tax Credit Program was reported from the House Transportation Committee with the request that it be referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Mine Families First: House Bill 2619 (Bastian-R-Somerset) establishing the Mine Families First Program was referred to House Appropriations Committee.

Bills Introduced

Biorefinery Zones: House Bill 2976 (Good-R-Erie) establishing Keystone Biorefinery Opportunity Zones.

Air Hoses for Fuel Economy: House Bill 2986 (Pistella-D-Allegheny) requiring service stations to have functioning air hoses to check tire pressure to improve fuel economy.

Pollution Reduction/Energy Efficiency: House Bill 2990 (Hershey-R) establishing an energy efficiency and pollution reduction initiative and creating a Keystone Energy and Environmental Excellence Award.

Historic Preservation Grants: House Bill 2993 (Tangretti-D-Westmoreland) establishing a historic preservation grant program.

New Diesel Tax Credit: House Bill 2997 (Beyer-R-Monroe) providing a tax credit of up to $5,000 for new diesel technology.

10/7/2006