The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week reported out bills to create the Mine Families First Program and to increase fees on nuclear power plants, including:

· House Bill 496 (George-D-Clearfield) that would increase fees on nuclear power plants and for transport escorts was amended to make it identical to the companion Senate Bill 782; and

· House Bill 483 (Bastion-R-Somerset) creating the Mine Families First Program to provide assistance to families involved in mine rescue incidents

The Committee is chaired by Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) and Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango).

4/27/2007