June 29, 2010, 10:41 am
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee considered a number of bills this morning, dealing with several hot topics such as mineral rights and the creation of state offices for energy efficiency standards. The two most debated bills focused on the creation of an Energy Procurement and Development Agency and strengthened mandates on oil heating standards. While Chairman Camille George stressed the need to create job opportunities in the energy industry in state to ensure that they’re not moving out of state, several committee members argued that stronger regulations on the energy market is going to hurt the workers and consumers more than help them.
HB 1436, HB 2601, HB 1909, HB 2578 and HB 2591 were reported as committed, and HB 1450 was reported as amended. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story.
June 21, 2010, 2:10 pm
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this afternoon adopted an amendment to HB 1489 that would levy a 35 cents per thousand cubic tax on the extraction of natural gas. Chairman George announced this bill will “play a key role” in the budget this year. The amendment provides for distribution of revenues to the General Fund, municipalities and counties, as well as other state agencies and to LIHEAP.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
June 15, 2010, 12:13 pm
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to exercise their prerogative to review Independent Regulatory Review Committee (IRRC) final regulation #2783/Environmental Quality Board #7-440 for two weeks. The Chairman told members the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee had also voted to review the final form regulation prior to it going to IRRC for final disposition. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
June 8, 2010, 11:41 am
This morning the House ERE Committee reported HB 2405 as amended by a vote of 17-9. All votes on amendments and the final reporting of the bill as amended were not unanimous. The bill is the “new HB 80″ and prime sponsor Eugene DePasquale (D-York) said there have been tweaks made to allow for flexibility. There have been other changes made to reflect members’ concerns, as well, he explained. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
May 25, 2010, 12:30 pm
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met this morning to consider three bills. HB 2234 and HB 2213 were reported as amended. HB 2214 was reported as committed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
March 24, 2010, 11:03 am
The committee voted out two bills, including Rep. Vitali’s HB 2235, which places a five-year moratorium on leasing State forest lands. Rep. Reed withdrew his amendments to the bill and there was heavy discussion on it. Whether voting for or against the bill, many members agreed the best place to hash out its contents is on the House Floor. In addition, several members urged Chairman George to conduct more public hearings. The bill was reported as committed with nine members voting against it. The committee also passed HB 1341. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
January 20, 2010, 3:40 pm
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing this afternoon on HB 1909, which would establish a Commonwealth Energy Advocate. Among its various duties, the new office would represent Pennsylvania’s retail electric customers before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and regional transmission organization PJM Interconnection to ensure reasonable rates in the face of ongoing electricity deregulation in the state. Among those testifying in support of the measure were Consumer Advocate Sonny Popowsky and PUC Chairman Ty Christy. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
December 16, 2009, 11:55 am
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing this morning to listen to alternative uses for biosolids other than the land application of sewage sludge. Testifying against the use of sewage sludge for land application was a Georgia farmer whose land was destroyed, and Dr. Murray McBride from Cornell University who has spent his career investigating and researching the uses and dangers of sewage sludge and other biosolids for land application. Water treatment facility owners and operators argued in support of turning sewage sludge into biosolids as a clean and cost effective fuel and energy source. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
August 19, 2009, 9:43 am
House Finance met this morning and voted four bills out of committee. A fifth – HB 368 by Rep. Siptroth, was passed over due to his absence. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
July 22, 2009, 8:52 am
The committee met to consider two bills. HB 1847 and HB 1624 were reported as committed. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
