Environment
The General Assembly must take this directive seriously and the Senate Democrats are leading on many fronts.
Fighting Climate Change
Climate Change is real. Denial only delays the inevitable and increases the price tag and
technical difficulty of the eventual solution, if it’s not too late already. Greenhouse gases from human activity are the primary driver of climate change. Worldwide, net emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities increased by 35 percent from 1990 to 2010. Emissions of carbon dioxide, which account for about three-fourths of total emissions, increased by 42 percent over this period. The Senate Democrats have proposed to increase the percentage of renewable energy required to power or electric grid and to enter a regional greenhouse gas initiative that would create a cap and invest program to require reductions in carbon emissions.
Renew Growing Greener
We need fund a new round of Growing Greener programs. This should include renewable
energy investments, cleaning up legacy pollution, protecting and improving watersheds and open spaces, and helping
our agricultural industry.
Pipeline Safety
The Marcellus Shale drilling boom and hydraulic fracking have set off a massive pipeline construction surge that is intruding and threatening many communities. Pipelines are encroaching on residential communities, schools, and water sources creating potential hazards that must be addressed. Environmental laws and regulators must keep up with this new phase of construction to protect communities, families, and our children. And pipeline development need to be held to a high standard and accountable for their construction.
Addressing Drinking & Sewer Water Contamination
Pennsylvania’s drinking water systems are unfortunately repeatedly and dangerously showing signs of age and pollution contamination. Aging pipeline infrastructure that has been found to be leaching lead into our drinking water, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found in municipal water systems across the Commonwealth, and threats from oil and gas drilling are just some of the all too common dangers our citizens are confronting. The Senate Democrats want to find solutions to fund these poisonous situations.
Maintaining the State Forest Drilling Moratorium
Pennsylvania has an amazing treasure in our state forests and parks. Much space has already been leased away in our forests for gas drilling development. What is left must be protected for the enjoyment and use of our many recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and off-roading.
Our Members at Work
Etna EcoDistrict Wins Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence
Etna, PA — October 22, 2020 — On October 13, 2020, the Borough of Etna and the Etna Community Organization (ECO) jointly received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence from the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection on behalf of the Etna...
Senator Katie Muth Asks for Pause in all Drilling Near Marsh Creek Lake, Allow for Comprehensive, Independent Investigation
Royersford, Pa. − August 27, 2020 − Senator Katie Muth called for all drilling near the spill site at Marsh Creek Lake to be halted while the Department of Environmental Protection undergoes a comprehensive, independent investigation. Calls from residents in...
Legislators Call on Wolf Administration to Revoke Mariner East Pipeline Permits in Chester County
Harrisburg – August 2020 – State legislators representing five House districts and three Senatorial districts in Chester County have signed a letter to Secretary Patrick McDonnell of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine of...
Muth, Innamorato Proposes Legislation to Protect Health, Environment
Bills would close the loophole allowing toxic drilling waste in Pennsylvania landfills Harrisburg, PA − August 13, 2020 − In the wake of a scathing Grand Jury report on the public health and environmental harms of fracking in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Sara Innamorato,...
Senator Muth Calls for Mariner East Permits to be Withdrawn, Following Multiple Dangerous Spills
Upper Uwchlan Township, Pa. − August 11, 2020 − Late yesterday afternoon, drilling fluid from a Mariner East horizontal directional drilling (HDD) site upstream of Marsh Creek State Park spilled into a tributary of Marsh Creek Lake and ultimately into the lake...
Senators Santarsiero and Yaw Ask Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to Include Funding for Well Plugging in Next Stimulus Bill
BUCKS COUNTY – August 6, 2020 – State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Gene Yaw (R-23), as chairs of the Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, sent a letter to all members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation requesting...
Senator Costa to Introduce Cap and Invest Bill For Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − July 30, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today introduced Senate Bill 15, creating a “Cap and Invest” program for the state’s electric power sector, along with the support of 17 cosponsors. “The federal government has...
Boscola Announces $2.55 Million in State Grants for Alternative & Clean Energy Projects
Bethlehem, July 14, 2020 − State Sen. Lisa Boscola today announced state funding totaling $2,557,958 for two alternative and clean energy projects in the Lehigh Valley. “I’m pleased to announce the...
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – July 2, 2020 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislative language to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. Leach’s announcement comes days after Attorney General Josh Shapiro...
Dinniman Issues Statement on Pipeline Fine, Settlement
HARRISBURG (January 3, 2020) – State Senator Andy Dinniman today issued the following statement in response to news that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a $30.6 million civil penalty to ETC Northeast Pipeline for violations related...
Senator Maria Collett Joined by More State Legislators Across the Country Committing to Protect Drinking Water
Harrisburg, Pa. – December 3, 2019 – Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) has been joined by legislators in 20 states across the country in introducing legislation to address PFAS contamination in drinking water. PFAS, or "forever chemicals,” are found in...
Innamorato, Muth host briefing on SW PA childhood cancer
HARRISBURG, November 18, 2019 – Over the last decade at least 67 children in rural southwestern Pennsylvania have been diagnosed with rare childhood cancers, diagnoses that coincided with the rapid development of the Marcellus Shale gas fields across the Allegheny region.
FBI Investigation into Pipeline Permits Echoes Dinniman’s Repeated and Long-Standing Concerns
WEST CHESTER (November 15, 2019) – While news that the FBI is investigating how permits were issued for the Sunoco/ET Mariner East pipeline spread across Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the nation this week, for state Senator Andy Dinniman questions about the...
Legislators Introduce Local Solar Program in House and Senate
Harrisburg, Pa − October 22, 2019 − A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators along with advocates and utility providers came together in Harrisburg today to announce plans for a local solar program. “In my district, I have seen a huge spike in folks interested in...
Climate Caucus Praises Governor’s Proposal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
HARRISBURG − October 3, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Steve McCarter (D-154), co-chairs of the bipartisan, bicameral Climate Caucus, along with vice-chair state Representative Carolyn Comitta (D-156) offered praise for Governor...
Senator Costa Applauds Governor’s Move on Environmental Protection, Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 3, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s move today to instruct the PA Department of Environmental Protection to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI is a market-based collaboration among nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change while generating economic growth.
Leach Proposes Constitutional Ban on Fracking
HARRISBURG – October 1, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today announced legislation to create a constitutional amendment banning hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania. “My staff and I have toured fracking sites all over this commonwealth and...
Leach Statement re. Mariner East Pipeline
HARRISBURG, PA – August 23, 2019 – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today issued the following statement regarding the Mariner East Pipeline following Governor Wolf’s Thursday visit to a part of the pipeline route: “Hearing from the...
Williams Speaks Out Against Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ Plan to Close South Philadelphia Refinery
HARRISBURG – June 26, 2019 – Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) spoke out against the news of Philadelphia Energy Solutions’(PES) plans to close the South Philadelphia oil refinery next month. “The decision to close the refinery is extremely disappointing news...
Brewster Applauds Approval of Sunday Hunting Bill
HARRISBURG– June 20, 2019 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) applauded the passage of his Sunday Hunting Bill (Senate Bill 147) out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation, which would authorize the Game Commission to allow Sunday hunting...