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April 4, 2012, 12:09 pm
The House Finance and House Environmental Resources and Energy committees this morning held a joint public hearing on the issue of small streams in the Commonwealth, and how best to deal with related flooding problems. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, and the Association of Conservation Districts testified on the problems facing property owners, counties and municipalities in trying to both mitigate and clear up after floods.
Republican members of the committee expressed frustration with difficulties faced by constituents in their efforts to prevent small stream flooding on their own. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre), chairman of the House Finance Committee, indicated the problem as he sees it is not related to a lack of funding but an overabundance of rules and regulations that to the average property owner are impenetrable. Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield), minority chairman of the House Environmental Resources Committee, said more of an emphasis needs to be put on preventing flood damage in the first place, as compared to much costlier remediation and cleanup efforts.
PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
January 4, 2012, 9:39 am
DECEMBER COMES IN BELOW ESTIMATE
Secretary of Revenue Daniel Meuser reported yesterday that Pennsylvania collected $2.3 billion in General Fund revenue in December, which was $141.5 million, or 5.9 percent, less than anticipated, Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $11.6 billion, which is $486.8 million, or four percent, below estimate. Check out the Press Conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full statement.
YORK OFFICIAL TO SEEK PICCOLA SENATE SEAT
According to an article in the Patriot News, York County Clerk of Courts Don O’Shell announced Tuesday he would seek the Republican nomination for the 15th Senatorial District being vacated by the retirement of Sen. Jeffrey Piccola. O’Shell was first elected as clerk of courts in 2003 and was re-elected for a third term in November. With the announcement, O’Shell becomes the second candidate to seek the nomination. Last month, John J. McNally III of Lower Paxton Township, until recently the Dauphin County Republican Party chairman, announced he would also enter the contest. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
SCARNATI WANTS ACTION ON IMPACT FEE
According to an article in the Scranton Times Tribune, a top Senate
Continue reading Eye Opener – January 4, 2012
May 3, 2011, 11:06 am
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this morning met with DEP Secretary Krancer to discuss issues relating to the department. Sec. Krancer reviewed his role at DEP and answered questions from the members, which largely related to ensuring water quality when drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.
March 2, 2011, 11:34 am
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.
September 21, 2010, 12:34 pm
DEP Secretary John Hanger testified before the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee in favor of an amendment to HB 1128, which is still being drafted. The amendment, said Secretary Hanger, would cap costs of peak power prices and create jobs. Chairman Bob Tomlinson informed committee members that even though the amendment isn’t yet in print, he would still like to discuss its contents and hear from Secretary Hanger. Many other members offered comments and asked Secretary Hanger questions, but the bill was passed over at this morning’s meeting. Chairman Tomlinson announced the committee will either meet off the Floor later today or tomorrow to vote on HB 1128. Moving on, the committee then reported out HB 1764, HB 2212 and HB 2041. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
June 7, 2010, 5:34 pm
This afternoon Governor Rendell and DEP Secretary John Hanger provided an update on the Thursday night blowout of a gas well owned by Houston-based EOG Resources in Clearfield County. Secretary Hanger advised it has issued an order to EOG Resources, which the company has said it will comply with, halting all drilling, fraccing, and completing of unfinished wells for various periods of time. Resumption of activities may not resume without DEP approval. EOG’s statewide operations will be reviewed by DEP officials as well as an independent consultant.
Secretary Hanger said that depending on the results of the investigation, fines and reimbursement for the state money spent in containing the blowout may be levied.
On another topic, Governor Rendell also said advisor Kevin Feeley will be returning the $10,000 paid to him out of state coffers for public relations work. He will be reimbursed with money from the Rendell for Governor Campaign fund. Governor Rendell said it was “inappropriate” for Feeley to have been paid with taxpayer dollars, but said the work he is doing itself is appropriate, if needed he will continue to work, and be paid with campaign funds. Check the Press Conferences Section of the Capitol Toolbox
Continue reading Governor and DEP Secretary discuss ramifications of Clearfield gas well blowout
April 22, 2010, 3:42 pm
Earth Day
This afternoon Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery), DEP Secretary John Hanger, the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association and dozens of kids participating in the state’s annual Bring Your Child to Work Day gathered to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Secretary Hanger, who previously ran the environmental advocacy group PennFuture, said Earth Day has changed how people think about the environment in its forty years of existence. He said Pennsylvania has “a great story to tell” in regard to its work developing green energy.
Rep. Briggs, whose resolution HR 734 recognizing April 22 as Earth Day in Pennsylvania was passed unanimously by the House, said “it is our responsibility, and the responsibility of all future generations of Pennsylvanians, to protect and preserve the natural resources of this Commonwealth.”
The Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, in commemoration of the event, is donating 25 sugar maple seedlings to be planted around the Capitol grounds and at state facilities throughout Harrisburg. Government Relations Director Chad Forcey said that through the education of the state’s youth and a re-commitment to the task of conservation and responsible use, “we will keep Pennsylvania’s environment strong and healthy for many years to
Continue reading Briggs, kids, DEP and PA Landscape & Nursery Association mark 40th Earth Day
March 17, 2010, 12:00 pm
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.
March 16, 2010, 11:26 am
The Senate Republican Policy Committee met with various stakeholders from around the state to discuss the permitting process of the Department of Environmental Protection. Several testifiers concurred that standardization and timeliness are the biggest issue with the process, points the secretary said he continues to work on.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.
January 27, 2010, 11:53 am
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.
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