Environmental Policy in the 2017-2018 PA Legislative Session - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Environmental Policy in the 2017-2018 PA Legislative Session Joanne Kilgour - Chapter Director PA Legislature: What You Need to Know Introduction to the Pennsylvania Legislature Environmental Bills/Issues Anticipated in 2017-2018 PA
Joanne Kilgour - Chapter Director
▶ Introduction to the Pennsylvania Legislature ▶ Environmental Bills/Issues Anticipated in 2017-2018 ▶ PA Budget 2017 ▶ Questions?
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253 Members of the Legislature
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50 State Senators (34 R, 16 D)
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203 State Representatives (121 R, 82 D)
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Full-Time Legislature, 2-Year Session
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Senate Leadership
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President of the Senate Mike Stack (D)
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President Pro Tempore Joseph B. Scarnati III (R)
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Majority Floor Leader Jake Corman (R)
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Minority Floor Leader Jay Costa (D)
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House Leadership
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House Speaker: Mike Turzai (R)
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Majority Leader: Dave Reed (R)
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Minority Leader: Frank Dermody (D)
Standing Committees
▶ Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
▶ Majority Chair: Senator Yaw (Williamsport) ▶ Minority Chair: Senator Yudichak (Nanticoke)
▶ House Environmental Resources and Energy
▶ Majority Chair: Rep. Maher (Upper St Clair) ▶ Minority Chair: Rep. Carroll (Hughestown)
Ability to Regulate Methane: SB 175
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Introduced by Senator Reschenthaler from SWPA
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Would restrict the ability of PA to have stronger regulations on methane than those of the federal government
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Controlling methane leaks from natural gas operations could reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases, protect human health and save natural gas companies money by reducing the loss of product
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President Trump and Congress may seek to repeal federal rules regulating methane from the natural gas industry
Industrial Opt-Out of Act 129 (former SB 805)
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Pennsylvania’s Act 129 requires the state’s electric utilities to invest in energy efficiency
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Act 129 saved consumers over $2.4 billion in electricity costs
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Last session, Senator Lisa Boscola sponsored Senate Bill 805 that would allow large commercial and industrial users to opt out of Act 129, which would reduce the electricity savings for other customers including families, churches, schools and small businesses – and could raise electricity rates for everyone.
Support PA Solar - (SB 404 – Scavello, R)
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This bill could boost solar energy in Pennsylvania
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Create additional investments in solar by placing PA on a more level playing field with
requirements of our AEPS are met
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Requires a modest, but growing percentage of electricity sold in PA to come solar generate within the borders of the state
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Language has been amended into administrative code
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Riparian Buffers (former SB 560, Rafferty, R)
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Require a 100-ft riparian buffer on each side of a river, stream, or lake
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Require 300-ft buffer on each side of a HQ or EV stream
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Public-Private Partnerships for State Parks (former HB 2013, Ellis, D)
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DCNR currently has discretion to enter into PPP agreements on state lands and has several, such as for vendors and concessioners
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Could create more outside pressure for privatization in land management decisions
▶ Energy Mix: Future of Nuclear Generation and Post-CPP
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Legislative Approval of Regulations - (cosponsor memo DiSanto, R)
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Provides the legislature final approval/disapproval power for any regulatory action over $1M in cost, without Governor’s final signature.
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Safe Drinking Water
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Lead in public water supplies, EPA concerns over DEP ability to implement the Safe Drinking Water Act
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Debate Over Pipeline Permits – stop/slow down vs. expedite
State Budget and Related Legislation
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Overall issues related to insufficient funding for environmental protection, environmental programs
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Concern over the process
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Overdue since June 30
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Fiscal Code ▶ Tax Code
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Administrative Code
Tax Code - Senate Version
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The Tax Code in general provides for revenue and changes to the tax law (or should if done appropriately)
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House Bill 542:
and directs none of the proceeds to the environment.
applications within one year.
would give the majority party in the General Assembly unprecedented and possibly unconstitutional control over the approval of all general operating permits for new unconventional oil and gas operations.
Administrative Code - Senate Version House Bill 118:
allows solar energy generated in other states to satisfy the Pennsylvania solar requirements in our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards law.
limits on manganese with new limits that would exempt dischargers more than 5 miles from a known intake for drinking water. Manganese is a toxin that can impact the central nervous system of both humans and wildlife. These new standards would be 20 times weaker than current federal guidelines if promulgated.
understand the property in question is a 669-acre tract along the Susquehanna River that is owned by the North Branch Land Trust.
Fiscal Code - House Version House Bill 453:
farmland preservation
with Volkswagen when the automaker defrauded the public by selling diesel vehicles that evaded emission standards and released illegal levels of pollution. Pennsylvania’s claims were based on air quality and public health impacts, and the proceeds should be used to improve air quality.
Delaware River Basin Commissions, but forces the commissions to pay for the expensive audits.