PEC Position on Senate Bill 32 (P.N. 13)

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council opposes Senate Bill 32 (P.N. 13) as currently written because it continues a long trend of cutting resources and funding available to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to perform its obligations to the Commonwealth. SB 32 places no limitation on how moneys redirected to the General Fund will be spent.

Over the past 13 years, DEP’s General Fund budget has shrunk by 40 percent, and 22 percent of its staff positions have been eliminated.

If the General Assembly and Governor renew their commitment to provide DEP and other resource protection agencies the resources needed to perform their mission, then direction and ultimate use of specific enforcement fees is not at issue.

You can view all environmental legislation on PEC’s Policy Tracker.