Environmental Resources and Energy 11/16/04

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday, November 16, 2004, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

HB 2775 (Zug)   The bill establishes a watershed education program.

HB 2804 (Hutchinson) The bill repeals provisions requiring minimum property line set-back for gas wells drilled through workable coal seams.

Environmental Resources and Energy 11/9/04

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday, November 9, 2004, and took action as follows:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

SB 1170 (Mowery)   The bill amends the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act to provide water and sewer connection financial assistance for homeowners.

SR 298 (Greenleaf)   The resolution is urging the Congress of the United States to adopt a national energy policy with emphasis on natural gas supply and energy conservation.

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

SB 983 (Rafferty)   The bill amends the Solid waste Management Act by providing amendments dealing with landfill permits.

SB 1030 (Erickson)   This bill provides the sale of electric energy generated from renewable and environmentally beneficial sources.

HB 148 (Solobay)   This bill would authorize a grant and loan program to cover property damages resulting from underground mine subsidence.

HB 2029 (Cruz)   This bill would create a freestanding act which would allow Philadelphia to impose a maximum fine of $5,000 on short dumping.

HB 2035 (McIlhinney)   This bill would establish energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and equipment sold or installed within the Commonwealth.

HB 2227 (Rubley)   This legislation extends the funding of the Forest Lands Beautification Act.  

HB 2289 (Yudichak)   This legislation will streamline the recovery process used to recover grant moneys that are issued for the clean up of stockpiled waste tires.

Environmental Resources and Energy 6/22/04

The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday June 22, 2004 and unanimously (11-0) voted out the following bill:

SB 1160 PN 1696 (Gordner)   This bill designates the Roaring Creek Tract of the Wyoming State Forest in Northumberland County and Columbia County as the Senator Edward W. Helfrick Area of the Wyoming State Forest.

 

Environmental Resources and Energy 6/9/04

The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Wednesday June 9, 2004 and unanimously (11-0) voted out the following bill:

As Amended:

SB 1102 (PN 1650) (Gordner)   This bill amends Titles 12 (Commerce and Trade) and 64 (Public
Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations), providing for water supply and wastewater infrastructure capitalization and providing for Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Program.
Note: This bill is expected to be the vehicle for the $250 million bond referendum that was approved by the voters in November of 2004. The money will be used to provide grants and loans for the construction and rehabilitation of water-supply and sewage-treatment systems.

This bill was technically amended in committee.

Environmental Resources and Energy 5-12-04

The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Wednesday May, 12 2004 and unanimously (11-0) voted out the following bills:

As Amended:

SB 856 (PN 1056) (Madigan)   This bill would make the sale of "consumer firework" legal.

Amendment 1711   This amendment adds more restrictions on the firework facilities and it provides that the PA state police shall provide back ground checks for all owners and employees.

SB 1040 (PN 1536) (MJ White)   This bill reestablishes the Pa center of Environmental Education.

Amendment 1691   This amendment changes the allocation from $500,000 to $350,000.

SB 1041 (PN 1537) (Pippy)   This bill provides for the continuation of the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps volunteer program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Aging.

Amendment 1678   This amendment adds clarifying language as to how the appropriation is distributed. $150,000 to the department of environmental protection and $150,000 to the Department of Aging.

SB 1042 (PN 1538) (Erickson)   This bill establishes the Pennsylvania Pollution Reduction and Prevention Program

Amendment 1677   This amendment clarifies funding by eliminating the special fund that was supposed to be created withing the Department of Treasury.

Environmental Resources and Energy 3/16/04

The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday March, 16 2004 and unanimously (11-0) voted out the following bills:

As Committed:

HB 1597 (PN 2017) (Crahalla)   This bill repeals Act 28 of 1870 regarding the draining of "swampy and wet lands." the bill is thought to be outdated.

As Amended:

SB 977 (PN 977) (MJ White)   This bill amends the Forest Lands Beautification Act (Act 125 of 1998) to provide for additional funding for the Forest Lands Beautification Program.

Other Business:

HB 60 (2909) (Steil)   An act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and the local government units to preserve, acquire or hold land
for open space uses, further providing for property acquired in fee simple and for local taxing option. This bill was referred to the Local Government Committee. That vote was unanimous (11-0)

 

Environmental Resources and Energy 12/16/03

The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday December 16, 2003 and unanimously (10-0) voted out the following bill:

As Committed:

HB 172 (Bard)   This bill requires the Department of General Services to establish energy profiles for certain state buildings. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is required to report to the General Assembly on problems caused by rising natural gas prices.

Environmental Resources and Energy  10/15/03

The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Wednesday October 15, 2003 and unanimously (9-0, Sen Wozniak did not vote) voted out the following bills:

As Committed:

HB 165 (Bard)   This creates an Act providing for the acquisition of property by the Commonwealth and local government units to mitigate flood hazards.

HR 256 (Lynch)   A concurrent Resolution establishing a task force to study issues concerning the renewal and management of this commonwealths's forests.

HR 394 (Hutchinson)   A Concurrent Resolution directing the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee to undertake a study of the oil and gas leasing activities of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

SR 98 (Musto)   A Concurrent Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to increase the annual Federal capitalization grant to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to better address the tremendous needs across the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Environmental Resources and Energy 5/11/03

On March 11, 2003 The Environmental Resourses Committee met to consider the following nomination:

Michael F. DiBerandinis as Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources. The vote was unanimous (11-0)

The committee also adopted an internal policy on reviewing regulations. The policy authorizes the chair and the minority chair of the committee, where appropriate, to jointly develop and submit comments on regulations on behalf of the committee.

Environmental Resources and Energy 3/26/03

On March 26, 2003 the Environmental Resources Committee met and considered the following nomination:

Kathleen A. McGinty for Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The nomination was reported out by a vote of 10-1 Senator White voted no.