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News From PA House & Senate
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The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week-- Environment & Energy NewsClips-- -- DEP Appeals Commonwealth Court Order Blocking Publication Of Final RGGI Regulation [PaEN] -- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP Appeals To PA Supreme Court To Publish Power Plant Carbon Pollution Rule -- AP: Wolf Administration Appeals Court Order Blocking Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan -- AP: Commonwealth Court Blocks Publication Of DEP RGGI Regulation [Can Be Appealed] -- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Commonwealth Court Pauses PA’s Effort To Enact RGGI Rule --PA Capital-Star: State Court Blocks PA Carbon Pricing Scheme For Power Generators -- PA Capital-Star: Republican Opposition To Wolf Regulations On Carbon Pricing, Private Charter Schools Could Shape Coming Months -- PA Senate Fails To Override Gov. Wolf’s Veto Of A Resolution To Kill RGGI Regulation; Moving House Bill To Block Next? [PaEN] -- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: Gov. Wolf’s Climate Rule Survives Veto Override Attempt In PA Senate; Court Sets May 4 Hearing On Republican Lawsuit To Block Rule -- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Plan To Wean PA Power Plants Off Fossil Fuels Survives PA Senate Override Test -- AP: Republican-Controlled PA Senate Fails To Override Key Element Of Gov. Wolf’s Climate Plan -- Republican Rep. Mehaffie Proposing Bill To Use RGGI Proceeds To Support Development Of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors -- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020 [PaEN] -- 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: ‘Drillers Continue To Return Cash To Shareholders… Rather Than Boost Production’ [PaEN] -- AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race -- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump [Here’s an idea-- actually solve the problem, transition away from fossil fuels] -- Republican State Treasurer Garrity Calls For Biden Administration To Support American Energy Production -- PennLive Guest Essay: Republicans Are Spreading Misinformation On Inflation, Energy Policies - Carl Hisiro, Fmr Assistant Counsel PUC, Fmr Chief Deputy Attorney General For Republican Attorneys General -- Guest Essay - Sen. Yaw: Closing Of Bradford County LNG Project A PA, U.S. Tragedy [Actually, The Company Did Nothing With State Approvals Since 2019. DEP’s Air Permit Was Extended Twice. Real Story Here] -- TribLive Guest Essay: PA Communities Should Be Allowed To Choose Clean Energy - PennEnvironment -- Senate Committee Reports Out Rare Earth Minerals Resolution; Bill Redirecting Coal Mining Penalties [PaEN] -- Post-Gazette: More Parking-Protected Bike Lanes Could Be Built Under House Bill -- Post-Gazette Editorial: Stop Messing Around And Pass Bike Safety Bill -- Courier Times Guest Essay: Protecting Wildlife Corridors Is Good For Environment, Motorists - Poquessing Watershed Assn, PennEnvironment -- Post-Gazette: Republican U.S. Senate Candidate McCormick Sees PA’s Natural Gas As Driver Of State’s Economy -- PA Capital-Star: Q/A With Shapiro On Death Penalty, Climate And Harrisburg -- PA Capital-Star: 5 PA Environmental Advocacy Groups Endorse Shapiro For Governor -- Post-Gazette: Lamb, Kenyatta Split On Fracking, Electability At Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Debate Without Fetterman -- Business Insider: Republican Cong. Scott Perry Voted Against The Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence And Accountability Act -- York Dispatch Editorial: With More Nays, Republican Cong. Scott Perry Fails His District Again Top 10 Stories On Harrisburg/PA Politics Last Week-- Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else-- -- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week [PaEN] Senate, House Bills Moving Last Week Senate Suspending California Diesel Vehicle Regulations: Senate Bill 1030 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) providing for the temporary suspension of the California heavy-duty diesel emissions regulations was passed by the Senate and now goes to the House for action. [Note: A similar legislation-- House Bill 2075 (Knowles-R- Schuylkill)-- was in the Senate Environmental Committee, but the Senate choose not to move that bill.] Blocking Publication Of RGGI Regulations: Senate Regulatory Review Resolution #1 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) Senate attempt to override Gov. Wolf’s veto of this resolution failed by one vote-- 32 to 17. Read more here. Redirecting Coal Mining Penalty Payments: Senate Bill 1038 (Stefano-R-Fayette) redirecting civil penalties related to coal mining to O&M Trust Account for treating postmining pollution discharges (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Read more here. Evaluating Potential For Critical, Rare Earth Minerals: Senate Resolution 229 (Dush-R-Jefferson, Yudichak-I-Luzerne, Flynn-D-Lackawanna) was introduced directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the economic, environmental and health impacts related to the development of a critical and rare earth mineral industry in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Read more here. Bill Calendars Senate (April 11): Senate Bill 284 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) would load up renewable energy projects, energy efficiency products and high-efficiency locomotives with bonds to prevent their development [Read more here]; Senate Bill 597 (Stefano-R-Fayette) would impose conflicting and expensive requirements on small water and wastewater systems for no benefit to their customers and if they can’t comply they would come under the regulation of the Public Utility Commission Read more here]; Senate Bill 1038 (Stefano-R-Fayette) redirecting civil penalties related to coal mining to O&M Trust Account for treating postmining pollution discharges (sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 229 (Dush-R-Jefferson, Yudichak-I-Luzerne, Flynn-D-Lackawanna) was introduced directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the economic, environmental and health impacts related to the development of a critical and rare earth mineral industry in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary); House Bill 221 (Rader-R-Monroe) authorizing use of open space preservation funding for maintenance. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. House (April 11): House Bill 1161 (Mizgorski-R- Allegheny) authorizing the establishment of a local solar energy subscriber program [not preferred by clean energy advocates Read more here]; House Bill 2069 (Cutler-R- Lancaster) Amend Article III, Section 9, to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the governor’s approval or disapproval [Read more here]; House Bill 2070 (Cutler- R-Lancaster) Amend Article IV, to add a new section providing that any executive order or proclamation issued by the governor, which purports to have the force of law, may not be in effect for more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly [Read more here]; House Bill 2458 (White-R-Philadelphia) establishing a Philadelphia LNG Export Task Force to identify obstacles preventing the Port of Philadelphia from becoming an LNG export terminal and develop a plan on the issue within a year; House Resolution 74 (Daley-D-Montgomery) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of wildlife conservation corridors <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar. NEW. House Republican The Week Ahead - House is likely to take final action on these bills-- Unilateral Change To DRBC Voting: House Bill 2450 (Fritz-R-Wayne) proposes to unilaterally change the 1 state 1 vote now in the Delaware River Basin Commission compact to a system awarding votes based on the land area of each state in the Delaware Watershed. It would give Pennsylvania 6 votes, New Jersey 3 votes, New York 2 votes, Delaware 1 vote and the federal government 1 vote. This is another in a years-long attempt by Republicans to reverse the unconventional shale gas fracking moratorium adopted by the Commission in various forms starting in 2010. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee. Read more here. Unilateral Change To DRBC Fracking Ban: House Bill 2451 (Fritz-R-Wayne) proposes to unilaterally change the Delaware River Basin Commission compact by including a provision that would reverse the unconventional shale gas fracking moratorium adopted by the Commission in various forms starting in 2010. The bill in the House Appropriations Committee. Read more here. End Moratorium In Leasing More State Forest Land For Drilling: House Bill 2461 (Owlett-R-Tioga) would end Gov. Wolf’s moratorium on leasing more State Forest land for oil and gas development and directing DCNR to establish a program to lease more lands for drilling (sponsor summary). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee. Read more here. Committee Meetings House April 20-- House Republican Policy Committee hearing on exploring hardwood forestry issues in PA. The Red Fern Banquet & Conference Center, 421 Old Kersey Road, Kersey, Elk County. 1:30 p.m. <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. Senate April 12-- Senate Health & Human Services Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1188 (Brooks-R-Crawford) providing for improved insurance coverage for Lyme Disease testing. Room 461. 10:30 a.m. Click Here to watch live. April 13-- Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Game & Fisheries Committees joint hearing on Chronic Wasting Disease. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch live. <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule. Bills Introduced Lyme Disease Testing Coverage: Senate Bill 1188 (Brooks-R-Crawford) providing for improved insurance coverage for Lyme Disease testing. Bills Pending In Key Committees Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania. Session Schedule Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House-- Senate April 11, 12, 13 May 23, 24, 25 June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 House April 11, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27 May 23, 24, 25 June 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 October 24, 25, 26 November 14, 15, 16 |
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4/11/2022 |
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