Here’s the rundown on environmental bills moving in the General Assembly this week….

Senate

REAP: Senate Bill 690 (Waugh-R-York, O’Pake-D-Berks) establishing the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act to give farmers tax credits for installing conservation practices was amended and reported from the Senate Finance Committee.

Alternative Energy Standards: Senate Bill 715 (Musto-D-Luzerne) amends the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act incorporating the Governor’s Energy Independence Proposal changes was amended and reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action.

Fee/Penalty Funds: Senate Bill 913 (MJWhite-R-Venango) authorizing the transfer of certain excess fine and penalty revenues to the General Fund was amended and reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action.

Regulation Justification: The Senate State Government Committee reported out Senate Bill 752 (Erickson-R-Delaware) requiring a description of data used to justify regulations before the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. The bill was then re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee.

House

Neighborhood Developments: House Bill 1280 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) amending the Municipalities Planning Code to further define traditional neighborhood development was reported from the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

Main Street Program: House Bill 420 (Hickernell-R-Lancaster) revising the definition of “downtown” under the Main Street Program to include mixed uses was reported from the House Appropriations Committee, passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Transmission Lines: House Resolution 297 (DeWeese-D-Greene) expressing opposition to the designation of national interest electric transmission corridors was adopted to the House.

Hybrid Vehicles: House Resolution 106 (Cohen-D-Philadelphia) urging auto makers to develop and produce plug-in hybrid vehicles was adopted by the House.

Energy Efficiency: House Bill 543 (Watson-R-Bucks) establishing an energy efficiency home assistance program in the PA Housing Finance Agency was refered to the House Appropriations Committee.

PA Energy Development Authority: The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out House Bill 1200 (DePasquale-D-York) making changes to the responsibilities of the PA Energy Development Authority consistent with the Governor’s Energy Independence Initiative.

Renewable Transportation Fuels: House Bill 1202 (Gerber-D-Montgomery) requiring transportation fuels to have renewable content was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Alternative Energy Standards: House Bill 1203 (Hornaman-D-Erie) amending the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act in line with Gov. Rendell’s Energy Independence Proposal was reported from the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Wind Farms: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee reported out House Bill 656 (Bastian-R-Somerset) that would allow farms preserved under the state Clean and Green law to allow the development of wind farms after amending the bill to remove language that would have prohibit a municipality from denying a permit for any reason other than a failure to comply with permit procedures.

Nuclear Plant Fees: House Bill 496 (George-D-Clearfield) that would increase fees on nuclear power plants and for transportation escorts was reported from House Appropriations Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.

Keystone Fund: The House Finance Committee reported out House Bill 1295 (Hanna-D-Clinton) to amend the Keystone Recretaion, Park and Conservation Fund Act to restore the allocation of funds for fiscal year 2006-07 to the State System for Higher Education.

Green Schools: House Bill 894 (Leach-D-Montgomery) authorizing the Department of Education to provide extra reimbursement for school building construction meeting LEED green building standards was amended and reported from the House Education Committee and re-committed to the House Rules Committee.

Electric Meter Loan Program: House Bill 1297 (Leach-D-Montgomery) establishing an electric meter lending program in local liabraries was reported out of the House Education Committee with a request the bill be referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

6/15/2007