Environmental Resources & Energy 2023-2024
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Monday, February 5, 2024 to consider the following:
SB 1058 (Yaw): An Act providing for the abrogation of regulations relating to the CO2 Budget Trading Program, also known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
- This legislation was passed 7-4, along party lines.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 to consider the following:
SB 832 (Yaw): An act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in boards and offices, establishing the Independent Energy Office.
- Amendment A03242 (Yaw): This adds “nuclear and other energy technologies” under the jurisdiction of the IEO. It also allows for access of information. The amendment passed by a party line vote of 7-4.
- SB832, as amended, was voted out of a committee by a party line vote of 7-4.
We also considered the following Environmental Hearing Board Nominees:
- Maryanne Wesdock — Her nomination was voted out favorably by a unanimous vote.
- Paul J. Bruder — His nomination was voted out favorably by a party line vote of 7-4.
- Senator Comitta made a motion to table the vote on Bruder’s nomination. This motion failed on a party line vote of 7-4.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 to consider the following:
SB265 (Laughlin): Amending the act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L. 1535, No.537), known as the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, providing for garage drains; and abrogating regulations.
- This legislation was passed 7-4, along party lines.
HB1246 (Malagari): An act providing for regulation lowering the temperature of cremation from 1800 to 1600 degrees.
- This legislation was passed unanimously.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Thursday, June 29, 2023 to consider the following:
SB382 (Laughlin): A bill that would amending the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, further providing for definitions and for projects affecting submerged lands of the Commonwealth.
- A01610: This amendment would reinstate the fee but charge a fee that does not exceed $250 instead of the current $750 that DEP charges.
- The amendment passed by a 10-1 vote.
- This legislation as amended passed on a vote of 9-2, Sens. Cappelletti and Muth voting in the negative.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 to consider the following:
SR 116 (Yaw): A Resolution to direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and create a report on the issue of consolidated billing in the retail electricity markets in PA.
- A01481: This amendment would change the LBFC study to not only look at consolidated billing for retail electricity markets but include language “and other energy markets.” This amendment also removes the requirement for the LBFC to submit the report to the Chairs of the House Professional Licensure Committee.
- This amendment passed with a 9-2 vote, Sens. Muth and Saval voting in the negative.
- This legislation as amended passed on a party-line vote of 7-4.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met on Monday, June 26, 2023 to consider the following:
SB 832 (Yaw): An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in boards and offices, establishing the Independent Energy Office.
- This legislation went over.
SR 116 (Yaw): A Resolution to direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the issue of consolidated billing in the retail electricity markets in PA.
- This legislation went over.
The nomination of Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Richard Negrin. The nomination was reported out unanimously with a favorable recommendation.
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee met on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 to consider the following legislation:
SB 286 (Yaw): An Act amending the Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, providing for notice of discharge endangering public health or environment.
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party line vote.
SB 831 (Yaw): An Act providing for the injection of carbon dioxide into an underground reservoir for the purpose of carbon sequestration, for the ownership of pore space in strata below surface lands and waters of the Commonwealth, for conveyance of the surface ownership of real property; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and establishing the Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fund
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party line vote.
SB 832 (Yaw): An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in boards and offices, establishing the Independent Energy Office.
- This legislation went over.
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee met on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 to consider the following nomination:
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Cindy Dunn.
The nomination was reported out unanimously with a favorable recommendation.
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 to consider the following legislation:
SB 198 (Bartolotta): Amends the act of July 13, 1988 (P.L.530, No.94), known as the Environmental Hearing Board Act, further providing for definitions and for jurisdiction.
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
SB 199 (Bartolotta): Amends the act of July 13, 1988 (P.L.530, No.94), known as the Environmental Hearing Board Act, further providing for Environmental Hearing Board membership reconfirmation by the Senate.
- This bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
SB 689 (Yaw): Amends the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L.1375, No.325), known as the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, providing for issuance of and conditions for continuous maintenance permits.
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
SB 690 (Yaw): The legislation will 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.
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 8-3, Sens. Cappelletti, Muth, and Saval voting in the negative.
SB 691 (Yaw): Amends the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in renaming the Department of Environmental Resources to the Department of Environmental Services.
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a voting meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023, Off-The-Floor to consider the following legislation:
SB 44 (Yaw): Prohibiting the use of certain class B firefighting foams under certain circumstances; and imposing powers and duties on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the State Fire Commissioner
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
SB 211 (Yaw): Establishes decommissioning and bonding requirements for project developers who seek to install or operate commercial solar electric generation facilities in PA.
- This bill was reported out of committee by a vote of 8-3, Sens. Cappelletti, Muth, and Saval voting in the negative.
SB 254 (Yaw): Temporarily suspends Pennsylvania’s regulations adopting California regulations related to heavy-duty vehicle diesel controls, leaving the Federal standards to govern while the suspension is in effect.
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
SR 9 (Langerholc): Resolution to Restart the Keystone XL Pipeline
- The bill was reported out of committee by a 7-4, party-line vote.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a voting meeting on Wednesday January 18th, 2023 to consider the following:
SB115 (Stefano): Amending Pennsylvania’s Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act to provide the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Bureau of Mine Safety the flexibility in the schedule of maintenance for the replacement of oil and oil filter on diesel-powered equipment.
- The bill was reported out as committed unanimously.
SR9 (Langerholc): A resolution to urge the President of the United States to restart and expedite the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline.
- This legislation went over.
Senator Carolyn Comitta
Committee Chair