The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Environment & Energy NewsClips--

-- Senate Hearing: Body Of Evidence Is 'Large, Growing,’ ‘Consistent’ And 'Compelling' That Shale Gas Development Is Having A Negative Impact On Public Health; PA Must Act

-- House Republicans Side With Conventional Oil & Gas Drillers, Against Taxpayers, To Continue Pre-1985 Exemption From Well Bonding, Prevent Any Increase In Plugging Bond Amounts 

-- Senate Republicans, At Request Of Natural Gas Industry, OK Bill To Take Away Protections In Erosion & Sedimentation Permitting For Oil & Gas Activities

-- At The Request Of Natural Gas Industry, Senate Republicans Reported Out Bill To Prohibit Communities From Moving To Clean, Cheaper Energy Sources To Address Climate Change 

-- Warren Times: House Hearing Focuses On Links Between Oil, Natural Gas And Health Care 

-- Hearing Board Denies Sen. Muth Standing As Legislator To Appeal DEP Permit For Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Susquehanna County; Individual Standing Still Pending  [PaEN]

 -- MCall - Ford Turner: As Gasoline Hits $5/Gallon, PA Lawmakers Hear Bleak Testimony On Inflation [Spiking Fossil Fuel Prices  “Play A Significant Role” In Inflation Figure]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: Inflation Costing PA Consumers $3,000 More A Year On Gasoline, Food [Driven By Spike In Oil, Natural Gas Costs]

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Democrats Introducing Bill Limit Gasoline Price Increases At The Pump - Rep. Bizzarro (D-Erie)

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: A Climate Fight In Harrisburg Shows How Gov. Wolf Wants To Use His Power

-- AP: Publicly Owned Water Utilities Say Bill Passed By Senate Will Force Up Rates

-- WLVR: PA’s 30 Year-Old Recycling Policy Needs To Be Updated, Experts Say

-- Sen. Browne: Senate Passes Illegal Dirt Bike And ATV Seizure And Disposal Bill

-- MCall: Bill Would Allow Cities To Seize Illegally Operated ATVS, Dirt Bikes As Contraband

Top 10 Stories On Harrisburg/PA Politics Last Week--

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week [PaEN]

Senate, House Bills Moving Last Week

The following environmental and energy bills saw movement last week--

Senate 

Imposing Requirements On Publicly-Owned Water Systems: Senate Bill 597 (Stefano-R- Fayette) imposing additional requirements on publicly-owned water and wastewater systems to make it easier to be taken over by private companies was amended and passed by the Senate.  The bill now goes to the House for consideration. Read more here

Child Lead Testing: Senate Bill 522 (Baker-R-Luzerne) providing for universal lead testing for children was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Recreation Land Liability: House Bill 1694 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) further providing for limiting landowner liability for opening property to recreation was reported out of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. 

Fundamentally Changing Oil & Gas Erosion & Sedimentation Permitting: Senate Bill 692 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) which makes fundamental changes in the erosion and sedimentation permitting requirements for conventional and unconventional oil and gas activities, including well pads, pipelines, processing and treatment facilities was reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a party-line vote-- Republicans supporting-- except for Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) who voted yes.  The bill is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  Read more here.

Prohibiting Communities From Supporting Clean, Cheaper Energy Sources To Address Climate Change: House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R- Washington) which prohibits counties, local governments and authorities from promoting clean, cheaper energy sources to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions was reported out of the Senate Local Government Committee by a party-line vote-- Republicans supporting-- and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Requiring In-Person Public Hearings: Senate Bill 1029 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) requiring state agency meetings where public comments are being taken to be in-person, except during a declared disaster emergency was amended and reported out of the Senate State Government Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Heavy-Duty Diesel Emission Standard Suspension: House Bill 2075 (Knowles-R-Schuylkill) would suspend DEP’s regulations setting heavy-duty diesel emissions standards based on California standards. A companion bill-- Senate Bill 1030 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) was passed by the Senate in April. Republicans voted to report the bill out of Committee, Democrats voted against.   [Note: DEP already did this in November 2021 allowing federal standards to remain in place. Read more here.]  Was reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a party-line vote-- Republicans supporting-- and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  Read more here.

Deep Mine Safety Equipment Standard Change: Senate Bill 1255 (Pittman-R-Indiana) would change Pennsylvania’s Deep Mine Safety Program to replace the oil and filter on all diesel-powered equipment used in underground coal mining every 100 hours at the request of the mine operator was reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a bipartisan vote and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  Read more here.

Recycling Program Study: Senate Resolution 285 (Gordner-R-Columbia) would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct an assessment and analysis of public and private recycling infrastructure and operations across the state (sponsor summary). [Note: PA Resources Council, partners announced a plan last week to modernize recycling in Pennsylvania. Read more here.]  Was amended and reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a bipartisan vote and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.  Read more here.

House 

Extending Storage Tank Cleanup Programs: House Bill 1780 (Armanini-R-Clearfield) extending the sunset dates for underground storage tank cleanup program from June 30, 2022 to December 31, 2027 was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee [House Fiscal Note & Summary] and passed by the House 198-0.  The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Stream Dig Out Package:  House Bill 2405 (Pickett-R-Bradford): Would create a program that allows counties to opt in to address hazards within their streams by allowing for emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. This is modeled after a pilot project that has proven successful in Bradford County; House Bill 2406 (Fritz-R- Susquehanna): Would create a permit specific to smaller maintenance projects for the mitigation of flood-related hazards of less than 250 linear feet. This permit would be reviewed and issued by the local county conservation district; House Bill 2408 (Armanini-R-Clearfield): Would declare that no permit or authorization shall be required for maintenance activities conducted on a culvert; House Bill 2409 (O’Neal-R-Washington) would state that no permit shall be required for the removal of flood-related hazards from streams that are deemed to be an emergency by a state or county;  House Bill 2410 (Smith-R- Jefferson): Would state that no permit shall be required for stream maintenance activities conducted 50 feet or less upstream or downstream of a bridge or culvert;  House Bill 2411 (Hershey-R-Mifflin) requires DEP to issue an annual report on flooding and stream restoration.  These bills were reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House on a party-line vote-- Republicans supporting-- and now go to the Senate for action.

House Bill 2404 (Owlett-R-Tioga): Would allow local government organizations to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for a period of at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. This permit would grant an affirmative duty to the local government entity to properly maintain the streams and would not require the local government to get pre-approval for maintenance projects; House Bill 2407 (Hamm-R-Lycoming) would clarify that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has no authority for permitting or enforcement related to stream clearing or maintenance activities. This authority shall belong solely to DEP and the county conservation districts as appropriate.  These bills were recommitted to the House Appropriations Committee. 

Reduce Bonding Amounts For Conventional Oil & Gas Wells: House Bill 2644 (Causer-R-Cameron) was introduced to head off a proposal accepted for study by the Environmental Quality Board in November to increase the well plugging bonding amounts for both conventional oil and gas and unconventional shale gas drillers to what it now costs taxpayers to plug a well when operators walk away from their obligations. The bill was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a party-line vote-- Republicans supporting-- and was referred to the House Rules Committee.   Read more here.

Award Well Plugging Contracts To PA Companies Without Regard To Cost: House Bill 2528 (Struzzi-R-Indiana)-- would mandate DEP award oil and gas well plugging contracts to Pennsylvania contractors, with no regard for cost to taxpayers.  The bill was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a party-line vote-- Republicans supporting-- and was referred to the House Rules Committee.   Read more here.

Prohibiting Communities From Supporting Clean, Cheaper Energy Sources To Address Climate Change:  Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which prohibits counties, local governments and authorities from promoting clean, cheaper energy sources to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions was removed from the Table and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Bill Calendars

Senate (June 13): Senate Bill 522 (Baker-R-Luzerne) providing for universal lead testing for children; Senate Bill 692 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) which makes fundamental changes in the erosion and sedimentation permitting requirements for conventional and unconventional oil and gas activities, including well pads, pipelines, processing and treatment facilities; Senate Bill 718 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) limiting scope of DEP permit appeals [Read more here]; Senate Bill 1029 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) requiring state agency meetings where public comments are being taken to be in-person, except during a declared disaster emergency;  Senate Bill 1188 (Brooks-R-Crawford) requiring insurance coverage for Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses;  Senate Bill 1255 (Pittman-R-Indiana) would change Pennsylvania’s Deep Mine Safety Program to replace the oil and filter on all diesel-powered equipment used in underground coal mining every 100 hours at the request of the mine operator;  Senate Resolution 229 (Dush-R-Jefferson, Yudichak-I-Luzerne, Flynn-D-Lackawanna) was introduced directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the economic, environmental and health impacts related to the development of a critical and rare earth mineral industry in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 285 (Gordner-R-Columbia) would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct an assessment and analysis of public and private recycling infrastructure and operations across the state (sponsor summary); House Bill 1694 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) further providing for limiting landowner liability for opening property to recreation;  House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R- Washington) which prohibits counties, local governments and authorities from promoting clean, cheaper energy sources to reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions; House Bill 2075 (Knowles-R-Schuylkill) would suspend DEP’s regulations setting heavy-duty diesel emissions standards based on California standards.  <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

NEW. House Republican The Week Ahead Floor Action Summary

House (June 13): House Bill 1161 (Mizgorski-R- Allegheny) authorizing the establishment of a local solar energy subscriber program [not preferred by clean energy advocates Read more here];  House Bill 2069 (Cutler-R- Lancaster) Amend Article III, Section 9, to exempt the disapproval of a regulation by the General Assembly from the presentment requirement for the governor’s approval or disapproval [Read more here]; House Bill 2070 (Cutler- R-Lancaster) Amend Article IV, to add a new section providing that any executive order or proclamation issued by the governor, which purports to have the force of law, may not be in effect for more than 21 days, unless extended by concurrent resolution of the General Assembly [Read more here]; House Bill 2528 (Struzzi-R-Indiana)-- would mandate DEP award oil and gas well plugging contracts to Pennsylvania contractors, with no regard for cost to taxpayers; House Bill 2644 (Causer-R-Cameron) was introduced to head off a proposal accepted for study by the Environmental Quality Board in November to increase the well plugging bonding amounts for both conventional oil and gas and unconventional shale gas drillers to what it now costs taxpayers to plug a well when operators walk away from their obligations;  House Resolution 74 (Daley-D-Montgomery) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of wildlife conservation corridors; Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R- Lycoming) which limits the ability of communities to offer new and clean energy sources and energy efficiency programs by locking in the status quo, in particular natural gas   <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar. 

Committee Meetings

House   

June 13-- House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee hearing on management of water pollution caused by stormwater, House Bill 2153 (Boback-R-Luzerne) would allocate $300 million from federal American Rescue Plan funding for municipal stormwater management assistance,  House Bill 2331 (Gleim-R-Cumberland) establishes a limited program to provide water quality testing with the goal of exempting municipalities from MS4 stormwater management program.  Room 515 Irvis Office Building.  9:30 a.m. Click Here to watch online.

June 14-- House Commerce Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 635 (Yudichak-I-Luzerne) which expands the C-PACE energy conservation, water reduction funding program tied to property taxes.  Room 515 Irvis Building. 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.  Read more here.

June 15-- House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 64 (Martin-R-Lancaster) setting aside a portion of farmland preservation funds for use by land trusts.    Room 523 Irvis Building. 9:30 a.m.  Click Here to watch online.

June 15-- House Consumer Affairs Committee hearing on House Bill 1789 (Sankey-R- Clearfield) further providing for price and other disclosures related to competitive electric and natural gas shopping. Room 205 Ryan Building. 10:00 a.m.   Click Here to watch online.

<>  Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate

June 15-- Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee meeting. Agenda TBA.  Room 461 Main Capitol. 9:30.  Click Here to watch online.

 <>  Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Introduced

Expanding Regulatory Review Process: House Bill 2649 (Grove-R-York) expands the membership on the Independent Regulatory Review Commission from five to seven members giving a majority of appointments to the General Assembly.  It would prohibit an agency from promulgating a final regulation if the IRRC disapproved the regulation.

Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week: Senate Resolution 307 (Martin-R-Lancaster) designating the week of June 5 to 11 as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week [actually it’s June 4 to 12].

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate

June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 19, 20, 21

October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26

November 15

House

June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30

September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21

October 24, 25, 26

November 14, 15, 16

[Posted: June 12, 2022]

6/13/2022