There were activities on several fronts on Gov. Rendell’s Growing Greener III spending initiative, but they go in different directions.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing on Gov. Rendell’s environmental funding proposal featuring testimony by DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty and DCNR Secretary Michael DiBernardinis.

Committee chair Senator Mary Jo White (R-Venango) opened the hearing with a statement reminding the Secretaries that what Gov. Rendell proposed was really Growing Greener III. The original Growing Greener Program was passed in 1999 and extended to a $1.24 billion program in 2002. She noted there was $700 million yet to spend in the current program.

“The Governor is not only asking us to put this on the ballot, he’s asking us to impose fees and we have to take a look at the economic impact of that,” said Sen. White.

Acknowledging there were more funds to spend, both Secretaries said the question is really whether there is enough funding given Pennsylvania’s needs and then they both outlined what the new spending levels would buy in terms of environmental benefits.

Sen. White also noted there was duplication between the Governor’s environmental proposals and the recently passed economic stimulus package, particularly in the area of brownfield cleanup.

The draft guidelines for the Business in Our Sites Program released this week by the Commonwealth Financing Authority did confirm that duplication.

Sen. Wozniak (D-Cambria) noted the debate over Growing Greener was a little like the old saying, “Everyone wants to get into Heaven, but nobody wants to die.” Everyone agrees with the goals, but no one wants to pay for it.

In response to a question from Sen. Wozniak about the potential for imposing fees at State parks, Secretary DiBernadinis said there is broad discussion of where DCNR can generate more revenue in their system and fees are on the table.

Rendell Administration officials continued their efforts to raise awareness of the Growing Greener III proposals around the state this week and several environmental groups announced their general support for additional environmental spending.

Many groups were like the Pennsylvania Resources Council which sent a letter to House and Senate members supporting the spending, but either staying silent on how to pay for the proposed bond issue or, in the case of PRC, expressing concerns.

“We (PRC) strongly support the Governor’s proposed Growing Greener program and accelerated approach to address the lengthy list of remaining environmental liabilities. However, PRC has serious concerns with the Governor’s proposal to fund the bond indebtedness by imposing additional new taxes on Pennsylvania businesses through increased fees on their wastes.”

House Majority Leader Rep. Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) said on Friday, “I think it’s fair to say that we are willing to expand the program – but only from existing resources. Raising fees, taxes or borrowing is not under consideration. Growing Greener is a good program and it’s responsible to ‘pay as you go.’”

Meanwhile on Tuesday there will be a rally of Growing Greener III supporters in the Capitol Rotunda at noon.

NewsClips: At State Parks, Beauty May Have Its Price

We Can’t Afford Growing Greener II

6/18/2004