The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Environment & Energy NewsClips--

-- Federal Appeals Court Rejects PA Senate Republican Caucus Challenge To Delaware River Basin Commission Natural Gas Fracking Ban  [PaEN]

-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: Fracking Ban In Delaware River Basin Survives PA Republican Lawmakers’ Challenge In Federal Court

-- Reuters: Delaware River Basin Fracking Ban Challenge By PA Republican Caucus Rejected By Court

-- IRRC Votes 4 To 1 To Disapprove A Final Manganese Water Quality Standard Regulation DEP Said Would Protect Public Health  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: IRRC Votes Down Rule To Limit Manganese In Streams To Protect Public Health

-- House Committee Meets Sept. 13 On Letter To IRRC Disapproving A Final Manganese Water Quality Standard Protecting Public Health  [PaEN]

-- Senate Environmental Committee To Hold Sept. 19 Info Meeting On Carbon Capture Technology  [PaEN]

-- Senate Committee Meets Sept. 20 To Consider Solar Energy Subscriber Program Bill  [PaEN]

-- Law360: Commonwealth Court Considers Time Limit For Senate, House To Block PA State Regulations [RGGI Case]

-- PennEnvironment, PA Resources Council Host Sept. 21 Webinar On A Plan To Reduce Waste, Improve Recycling Efforts, And Meet Modern Waste Challenges  [PaEN]

-- The Guardian: Right-Wing ALEC Group, U.S. Lobbyists Help Craft Slew Of Anti-Protest Fossil Fuel Bills [PA Bills Introduced]

-- Post-Gazette - John Hayes: Rep. Conklin Challenges Proposed Increase In Fishing License Fee

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

The following environmental and energy bills saw movement last week-- 

House

Conflicts With Federal Stormwater Program: House Bill 2331 (Gleim-R-Cumberland) that conflicts with federal MS4 Stormwater Program requirements and could risk $7 million in much needed funding to support DEP’s water quality permitting program was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House in a nearly party-line vote, Republicans supporting.  The bill now goes to the Senate for action.   Read more here.

LIHEAP Changes: House Bill 2691 (Matzie-D-Beaver) Expend all federal Low-Income Energy Assistance Program funding it receives was reported from the House Rules Committee and Tabled.

Land Trust Funding: Senate Bill 64 (Martin-R-Lancaster) set aside a portion of farmland preservation funding for use by land trusts was removed from the Table and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Bill Calendars

NEW!  House Republican The Week Ahead Anticipated Legislative Floor Actions

House (September 19): 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 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.

Senate (September 19): Senate Bill 1249 (Comitta-D-Chester) establishing a Pollinator Habitat Program Fund and Program in PennDOT.  <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meetings

House   

September 20-- House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing on Wellhead to Stovetop - Conveying Energy in PA. Room G-50 Irvis Building. 9:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.  Read more here.

September 21-- House Children & Youth Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 522 (Baker-R-Luzerne) universal lead testing for children and pregnant women.  Room B-31 Main Capitol.  9:30 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate

September 19-- Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee informational meeting on carbon capture utilization and storage.  Room 8E-B East Wing. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch live.  Read more here.

September 20-- Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee meets to consider House Bill 1161 (Mizgorski-R-Allegheny County) establishing a solar energy subscription program.  Room 461 Main Capitol.  12:30 p.m.  Click Here to watch live.  Read more here.

 <>  Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Introduced

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Affordability Package: House Bill 2801 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery), House Bill 2802 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery), House Bill 2803 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery), House Bill 2804 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery), House Bill 2805 (Ciresi-D-Montgomery) - (Sponsor Summary of each bill)

Expanding Industrial Site Reuse Grants: House Bill 2826 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) expanding the eligibility of sites for Industrial Site Reuse Grants for environmental assessments and cleanup and repealing Act 4 of 1995.

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--

House

September 19, 20, 21

October 24, 25, 26

November 14, 15, 16

Senate

September 19 [non-voting], 20, 21

October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

November 15

[Posted: September 18, 2022]

9/19/2022