These environmental bills of interest were considered by the Senate and House this week—

Senate

Deep Mine Safety: Senate Bill 949 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) making the first comprehensive revisions to the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act in 45 years, in-part based on recommendations made after the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue, was passed by the Senate and now goes to the House for action.

Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Costs: Senate Resolution 224 (Vance-R-Cumberland) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the cost for wastewater treatment plants to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy was adopted by the Senate. (See separate stories on Cleanup Funding and Policy Committee hearing.)

Game Commission Board: The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee amended and reported out the House Bill 1214 (Surra-D-Elk) changing the terms of Game Commissioners from eight to four years. The bill is on the Senate Calendar for action.

Tresspass Fines: Senate Bill 1096 (Gordner-R-Columbia) providing for the disposition of fines for trespass in an account reserved for snowmobiles and ATVs was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Licensed Geologists: Senate Bill 1264 (Boscola-D-Lehigh) providing for geologists in training was reported from the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Home Heating Assistance: Senate Bill 1248 (Rhoades-R-Schuylkill) providing for a home heating rebate program was amended and reported out of the Senate Finance Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

House

Energy Conservation: House Bill 2200 (George-D-Clearfield) requiring utilities to adopt energy efficiency and demand-side management programs was amended on the floor of the House, passed and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Governor’s Energy Proposal: Special Session House Bill 1 (DePasquale-D-York) establishing a grant program and authorizing indebtedness for Energy Development Authority was amended on Second Consideration on the House floor and will not be considered until the Special Session resumes the week of March 10.

Portfolio Standards: Special Session House Bill 13 (Bennington-R-Mifflin) amends the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to provide for increased use of energy efficiency, extends the compliance period from 15 to 21 years and providing additional milestones for the use of alternative energy was reported from the House Appropriations Committee and is on the House Special Session Calendar for action.

Poultry Feed: House Resolution 300 (Bennington-D-Allegheny) banning the use of arsenic in poultry feed was reported from the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

2/15/2008