Harrisburg—As
the state legislature left for its summer recess this week, one of the
state’s largest citizen-based environmental groups had mixed reviews for
legislators’ actions regarding Pennsylvania’s
environment. While the legislature helped address global warming and air
pollution issues by funding the state’s public transportation systems and
an effort to raid the Keystone Fund was stymied, the general assembly also
failed to pass several common-sense energy proposals or provide new funding for
the clean-up of toxic waste sites across Pennsylvania.
“While the funding of the state’s public transportation
systems was an important victory for Pennsylvania’s
environment, energy and toxic waste issues are critically important as well and
should have been addressed before the summer recess,” said David Masur,
PennEnvironment Director.
Unfortunately, state legislators failed to act on several critical environmental
issues including:
- * Energy
Efficiency & Renewable Energy. The legislature
pushed off action until September on two bills—HB 1200 and
1201—which would have helped to boost energy efficiency and
renewable energy production in Pennsylvania.
The proposals included measures that require utilities to maximize energy
efficiency efforts before constructing new power plants in order to meet
increased energy demand, support the distribution of “smart”
electric meters to help homeowners cut down on their energy use, and
provide incentives for the production of renewable energy. Energy
efficiency and clean, renewable energy are critical tools in the effort to
cut air pollution, address global warming and protect consumers against
volatile electricity prices. As part of the budget agreement, Gov.
Rendell and legislative leaders agreed to resume debate on these issues in
a special legislative session in September.
- * Toxic
Sites Cleanup. The legislature was unable to come
up with a dedicated and sustainable funding source for the Hazardous Sites
Cleanup Fund—the state’s predominant program for cleaning up
abandoned dumpsites. The program is set to run out of money this
fall. The state senate proposed raiding the Keystone Fund--one of
the Commonwealth’s cornerstone open space conservation programs--in
order to finance the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund. Not surprisingly,
this legislation (SB913) was met with such a loud and rapid backlash by
the general public that it was stopped in the state House.
“Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to choose between protecting
our open spaces and cleaning of toxic pollution—especially in a year when
the state budget had a $650 million surplus,” stated Masur. “When
it comes to funding the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund by raiding the Keystone
Fund, we shouldn’t have to rob Peter to pay Paul.”
Pro-environment legislation that was passed by the general assembly
included the following:
- * Public
Transportation Funding. The legislature passed a
transportation funding package (HB 1590) that included $300 million in initial
annual funding for public transportation agencies across the Commonwealth.
While the funding level fell short of the $760 million that was deemed
necessary by a recent state report, it is a significant improvement over
the current funding system. Public transportation systems can help reduce
air pollution from car trips not taken. A 2002 Federal Highway Administration
study concluded that public transportation produces almost 50 percent less
smog-forming and global warming pollution than private vehicles
transporting the same number of people.
- * Solar
Power. The legislature passed HB 1203, which made
modifications to the state’s alternative energy portfolio standard,
resulting in a boost to the production of clean, renewable solar power in Pennsylvania.
“Vibrant public transportation systems are absolutely critical to
Pennsylvania’s
fight against air pollution and global warming,” said Nathan Willcox,
Energy and Clean Air Advocate for PennEnvironment. “While this new
funding system doesn’t provide as much support for Pennsylvania’s public transportation
systems as is needed, it is a significant improvement over the status
quo.”
“Time and time again, Pennsylvanians have demonstrated that they
want the state doing more to protect our environment and public health, not
less,” said David Masur. “It is unfortunate that our
legislators failed to find a way to address so many critical issues before the
summer recess.”
