The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee today reported as amended House Bill 1950, the Marcellus Shale bill that had passed the House. The committee approved an amendment offered by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) which removed the language in the bill and inserted the language from Senate Bill 1100 which the Senate approved last month. The legislation will now go to the floor for further action as negotiations on the bill continue. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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Posted by Jeff | Tags: environmental safety, impact fees, local government initiatives, local ordinances, marcellus shale, state government initiatives | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this morning approved an amendment to Sen. Scarnati’s Marcellus Shale impact fee legislation and moved the bill out of committee. Chairman White said her amendment makes the proposal a true fee, as it is based on the number of wells and not the amount of gas extracted, and the revenue is dedicated on the impacts of drilling. Several members offered their support for the amended bill, but indicated it is not yet a finished product. The committee also moved forward a nominee to the Environmental Hearing Board. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: impact fee, marcellus shale, water | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this morning voted unanimously to report out the nomination of Michael Krancer as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. In introducing Krancer, who resides in his district, Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) spoke to the former judge’s “depth of knowledge” in the field and the pace at which he has adjusted to running the department. During the confirmation hearing Krancer fielded questions ranging from nutrient credit trading and the Chesapeake Bay to the Marcellus Shale and a recent New York Times story alleging a host of environmental oversights with respect to wastewater fracking in the Commonwealth. Following the positive vote Krancer’s nomination moves to consideration by the full Senate. PLS Subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Chesapeake Bay, DEP, fracking, marcellus shale, nutrient credit trading | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing this morning to hear from DEP Secretary Hanger and representatives of the Marcellus Shale Coalition to discuss safety issues relating to drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. All sides agreed with the need to develop a culture of safety in the industry, noting the black eye that a recent blowout in Clearfield County and the leak in the Gulf have given the industry. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: marcellus shale, natural gas, safety | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted unanimously to move the confirmation of DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley. Prior to voting, members asked the acting secretary about a variety of issues, including Marcellus Shale drilling, carbon sequestration, and the impact of funding cuts on state parks. The confirmation process now heads to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, where another vote must be taken before it is put before the full Senate. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later on for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: carbon sequestration, DCNR, marcellus shale, state parks | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy & Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees received an update from the EPA, and Secretaries Redding and Hanger, on the implications of the new Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), designed to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution in the bay. John Capacasa, Director of the EPA’s Water Protection Division, along with Robert Koroncai, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Manager, noted full controls on the three pollutants are due by 2025, giving Pennsylvania and the other bay states 15 years to comply, with milestones to be reviewed by the EPA every two years. Members raised concerns regarding the cost of implementing the controls, the relative lack of federal funding, and the questionable nature of direct benefits for the commonwealth. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: agriculture, Chesapeake Bay, DEP, EPA, pollution, total maximum daily solids | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing to discuss the treatment of wastewater generated as a byproduct of drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Large quantities of water are needed for the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process that enables recovery of natural gas in the shale, and representatives from DEP, the drilling industry, water treatment companies and environmental advocates testified on safety concerns and other issues surrounding the topic. Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) commented that he believes “American ingenuity” will play a large part in rising to the challenge of treating so much wastewater. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: DEP, marcellus shale, natural gas, wastewater | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met today to listen to a briefing by Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) Acting- Secretary John Quigley on the department’s budget for the upcoming year, as well as more information on state park land leasing for natural gas drilling. During the meeting, Secretary Quigley explained how budget cuts have forced the department to forgo many projects such as road maintenance, pest control, and eduction services. Secretary Quigley also discussed at length the various drilling-related activities in the Marcellus Shale region, specifically how the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and DCNR are involved in regulating and maintaining the land in question. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Tags: Budget, international trade agreements, marcellus shale, weatherization | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
House Democrats said Tuesday they plan to conduct “business as usual” on the floor despite news the attorney general will announce another round of “Bonusgate” charges at 1 p.m. Â ”It’s going to be a busy day, but we think we’re going to get a lot done,” said Bob Caton, spokesman for Keith McCall. He said the House has no plans to abandon table games legislation, set to come up for a vote on third consideration later today. Caton also said the House does not plan to suspend the rules to consider bill earlier today. Posted by Kim | Category: Capitol View, LBFC, News and Views, Senate Education, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a meeting this morning to address certain nominations to the Environmental Hearing Board. The committee unanimously reported out all nominations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the story. Posted by intern | Category: Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
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