Acting DEP Secretary to speak at PEC Annual Members Meeting

John Hanger, recently sworn in as Acting Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection, will address attendees at PEC’s Annual Members Meeting on September 17 in Harrisburg.

Hanger joins other regional and national climate change and policy experts to speak about the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act (Act 70). Act 70 was enacted on July 9, 2008 and requires Pennsylvania to engage the issue of climate change by performing an analysis of potential environmental and economic impacts resulting climate change, as well as developing an action plan to address those impacts. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware/Chester) in the Senate and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) in the House.

Last year PEC released its Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania, which serves as a blueprint for the activities the state has been charged with under Act 70.

“This legislation will help Pennsylvania address both the significant challenges and the potential opportunities associated with climate change,” said John Walliser, Vice President for Legal and Governmental Affairs for PEC. “Climate change will affect our economy, environment, and our quality of life; we commend Senator Erickson, Representative Vitali, and the other sponsors of the legislation for taking leadership on this immediate, critical issue.”

Walliser will provide an introduction of Act 70 during the meeting. Other scheduled presenters include Nancy Cole, Director of Climate Outreach, Union of Concerned Scientists to discuss climate change impacts to Pennsylvania; Robert Barkanic, Director, Environmental Management, PPL Corporation to discuss perspectives on Act 70 of 2008; and John Quigley, Chief of Staff, PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources to speak about carbon sequestration opportunities & challenges in Pennsylvania. Acting Secretary Hanger will give final remarks.

Non-PEC members are welcome to attend this event.