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For immediate release January 10, 2023 Contact: Josh Raulerson, Director of Communications 412-209-7982 PEC Applauds Governor-Elect Shapiro’s Nominations for DCNR and DEP Building Agency Strengths Sets the Right Tone Pittsburgh — The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) praised Governor-elect Josh Shapiro’s nomination of Cindy Dunn to continue as Secretary of the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR), and Richard Negrin as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Davitt Woodwell, President of PEC, offered the following statement in support of the nominations. Secretary Dunn’s leadership at DCNR over the past eight years has been a tremendous asset to our…

In November 2021 Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $1.2 trillion package includes funding for a range of energy, transportation, water quality, climate resiliency, conservation, and legacy pollution cleanup projects. Naturally, many of these grant programs are germane to work currently being planned or carried out in Pennsylvania by nonprofit organizations like PEC, as well as by state and local governments, researchers, landowners, and other stakeholders. But with such a vast and wide-ranging piece of legislation, prospective grantees may not be able to readily identify exactly what funding prospects exist, which ones hold…

PEC, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, submitted the attached letter to the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee in opposition to House Bill 1847. The Committee was scheduled to consider the bill on January 25, 2022. Similar to companion legislation in the Senate, this bill substantially affects rules governing unintended releases of contaminants from permitted sites and facilities. The language of this bill creates uncertainty over if or when releases would need to be reported to the state, and could potentially invalidate existing protection criteria and emergency response plans.

Senate Bill 545 (P.N. 563) pertains to reporting requirements of unintended releases (for example, spills or discharges) of substances (chemicals, wastes, or other products) at permitted sites or operations. This bill is a reintroduction of legislation from last session (then Senate Bill 619) that PEC opposed. Last year’s bill was much more far-reaching in that it curtailed the long-standing definition of ‘pollution’ under the Clean Streams Law. SB 545 takes a different approach by tasking the Environmental Quality Board with promulgating standards for reporting of releases. While the design of SB545 is more functional, there are still many unresolved issues…

PEC supported Senate Bill 251 when initially introduced in 2021. However, the bill has been amended and we are now neutral on the legislation.

PEC submitted the following letter to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, which will be considering HB2004 on May 5, 2020.

PEC and the Environmental Defense Fund sent the following letter to members of the state House of Representatives today in opposition to House Bill 2416, which could indefinitely delay agency rulemakings necessary for the protection of the environment and public health.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council submitted the attached letter to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in advance of their hearing (February 5, 2020) to consider Senate Bill 915.

PEC and the Environmental Defense Fund sent the following letter to the House of Representative today in opposition to House Bills 1106 and 1107.

PEC submitted the following letter to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Senate Bill 763. This bill would limit reporting on the environmental impacts of long wall mining on aquatic resources, public infrastructure, and private water supplies. The Committee is scheduled to consider the bill on June 25, 2019.

PEC submitted the following letter to the House Game & Fisheries Committee in support of House Bill 1003, which will improve the Fish and Boat Commission’s ability to address safety and signage issues with low-head dams.

Congress has missed its last opportunity in 2018 to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a landmark conservation and recreation program that has funded projects throughout Pennsylvania and across the nation since it began in 1965. Despite strong bipartisan support, including from the Pennsylvania delegation, the Continuing Resolution passed by the Senate this week did not include LWCF. To date, Congress has already left nearly $200 million – more than $2 million per day – on the table; money that would have been made available to communities to build and enhance public recreational opportunities, and to help protect our…