Another day, another accident
Online reports indicate there was another Marcellus Shale accident this morning, this time in Tioga County on the Lick Run Road off the Elk Run Road in Gaines Township, directly south of Watrous. It appears it was near, but not in, a State Forest. Reports say that two people were injured. Medics and an air ambulance were dispatched to the scene.
Showdown at the IRRC Corral
Yesterday the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved two vital water protection rules that will safeguard drinking water and the state's rivers and streams. Lined up on the side in favor of the rules were the conservation community, anglers, the state's water companies, and DEP. On the other: the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the coal industry, developers, and the Chambers of (some) Commerce.
The bipartisan vote in favor of both rules was 4-1, with the House Republican appointee to the board voting "no" on each regulation, and the appointees of Governor Rendell, the Senate Republicans, the Senate Democrats, and the House Democrats voting "yes."
One rule requires that gas drillers treat their toxic and salt-laden wastewater to drinking water standards. The other rule requires developers to maintain or create a 150-foot natural vegetative buffer alongside Pennsylvania's best streams--those designated as Exceptional Value or High Quality.
The rules will become final in the near future unless the House or Senate takes extraordinary action to disapprove them.
Third time the charm?
This week House Democratic leaders made a second push to force their members to vote on a severance tax bill with insufficient funding for environmental programs. The result was the same: No dice.
Now House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chair Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield) will move a revised severance tax bill out of his committee on Monday afternoon. It could set the stage for a vote later in the week on a severance tax plan that both addresses this year's difficult budget and makes lasting investments in Pennsylvania's land, water, wildlife and communities.
Clean Energy and Green Jobs Bill on tap for House votes
Next week will be critical for House Bill 2405, the Clean Energy and Green Jobs Bill, as House Democratic leaders have added the bill to the voting schedule. House Bill 2405 must first run a dangerous gauntlet of 35 amendments (and counting), many of which damage or destroy the bill. These amendments are expected to be considered on Tuesday. Please contact your House member to urge support for this vital legislation.
We need clean energy now
Oil spills, gas well blow-outs, bursting pipelines vividly demonstrate the need for a speedy transition to clean, renewable sources of energy. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released new data this week showing that May's combined ocean and land temperatures were the warmest on record. So far this year, every single month has broken the all-time temperature record.
Fasten your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumpy ride
Starting Monday, the General Assembly will remain in Harrisburg for voting session most or all of the time until the state budget is approved and legislators consider a wide range of bills. It is a time of long days, hot temps and sometimes short tempers as legislators wrestle with many critical decisions affecting Pennsylvania's environment and economy.
PennFuture will be working round the clock over the next few weeks on clean energy, responsible drilling and many other issues. Coffee may help keep us alert (see what our Policy Director Steve Stroman wears under his suit during June and July), but what really sustains us during these long days and nights is knowing that so many citizens are also standing guard with us. We'll need you watchdogs near your computers and phones, ready to make sure the public interest is served. Look for legislative updates and action alerts on how you can make a difference.
House approves e-waste recycling bill
This week the House approved the electronics recycling bill by a vote of 169-30; this measure requires producers of computer equipment and televisions to arrange to recycle them. House Bill 708 was sponsored by Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester), who worked skillfully to build legislative consensus with manufacturers, retailers, the Department of Environmental Protection, recyclers and other stakeholders.
House Bill 708 will create green jobs in Pennsylvania. It will promote the reuse of electronic equipment, the recovery of metals and other valuable resources, and ensure proper recycling of toxic materials that are often either inappropriately disposed in landfills or exported to developing countries that lack safeguards for workers and the environment.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Green building bills on the move
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chaired by Senator Mary Jo White (R-Venango) will consider two bills that require high performance green building standards for many state-owned and state-funded buildings. The committee will consider Senate Bill 728 sponsored by Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) and House Bill 444 sponsored by Representative Matt Smith (D-Allegheny). PennFuture appreciates Senator White scheduling a vote on the bills.
Go to bat for PennFuture with the Camden Riversharks
Sunday, June 20, is Go Green Day at Campbell's Field on the Delaware River, and the Camden Riversharks invite you to bat for PennFuture at the 1:05 p.m. game against the Bridgeport Bluefish. For every $11 ticket sold online to folks who identify themselves with PennFuture, the Riversharks will donate $5 to us.
Visit our web site for further information.
Be a Power of 32
Your help is needed to make the Regional Visioning Project in the west a success. More than 100 volunteer facilitators are needed to lead community conversations - forums that will bring together residents of the 32 counties to discuss the assets and challenges to the region. Go to project's website for more information and to sign up. THE POWER OF 32 - 32 COUNTIES. 4 STATES. 1 VISION.
Podcast of the Week: Jan Jarrett, Fearless Leader
This week's podcast comes from our friend Dave Hess and his very snazzy video blog. He captured PennFuture's President and CEO, Jan Jarrett, leading the troops at this week's lobby day on Marcellus Shale drilling. She must have done a terrific job - the next day, the IRRC voted for the new clean water rules.
PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn't it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you won't miss any podcasts if you subscribe to them through iTunes.
Won't you be our friend? See us www.facebook.com/PennFuture. Or at least tweet along with us - our Twitter handle is @PennFuture.
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