House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week approved and reported out legislation related to climate change, creating a State Energy Office, promoting electronics recycling and extending benefits for certain DCNR employees. The bills are:

· House Bill 110 (Vitali-D-Delaware) providing for a registry and inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, authorizing a stakeholder process and a report on global warming impacts and economic opportunities, was reported out by a vote of 18-8;

· House Bill 786 (Hutchinson-R-Venango) extending benefits to certain DCNR law enforcement officers;

· House Bill 366 (George-D-Clearfield) establishing a State Energy Office within the Department of Environmental Protection; and

· House Resolution 112 (Mann-D-Lehigh) directing DEP to implement policies that encourage electronic waste recycling.

Commenting on House Bill 110, Rep. Vitali said, “This bill, which has bipartisan support and nearly 80 co-sponsors, would provide a detailed and organized action plan for dealing with the impact of global warming, and set greenhouse gas standards and a timetable to achieve goals to reduce the state’s contribution to the problem. And since Pennsylvania produces a full 1 percent of the world’s greenhouse gasses, it is critical for the state to begin formulating a plan right away.

“It will allow us to inventory our greenhouse gas emissions and determine exactly how much each sector – industry, government, energy production, etc. – are contributing to global warming here in Pennsylvania. If we can obtain a good accounting of our greenhouse gas emissions, we can formulate appropriate plans to reduce those emissions.”

“There are many businesses throughout the state that are taking action beyond what is required by law. This bill would record the good things that are being done and give credit to those businesses that are taking a proactive approach to the global warming issue.”

The Majority Chair of the Committee is Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) and the Minority Chair is Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango).

5/11/2007