The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing September 24 on the issue of funding Hazardous Sites Cleanups.

Sen. White has invited DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty before the Committee after Senate members expressed concern over apparently conflicting statements on when the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program would be shut down. The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program is responsible for supporting approximately 250 DEP employees, and serves as the Commonwealth’s primary tool to respond to toxic spills and releases affecting local residents.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) and Senator White recently announced their intent to introduce Senate Bill 1100, which will provide funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program.

Under the proposal, $15 million would be transferred to the program for the current fiscal year from existing legislative accounts. Additionally, $40 million annually would be made available for the next three fiscal years from the existing Capital Stock and Franchise Tax, the source of funding for the Hazardous Sites Program for the 12 years prior to 2002. Senate Bill 1100 would not affect the commitment of Senate Republicans to phase out the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax by the end of 2010.

The Committee chairs are Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne).

9/22/2007