Committee Conducts Hearing on Marcellus Shale Wastewater Issues

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (Venango), held a public hearing Wednesday on Marcellus Shale natural gas wastewater treatment issues.

The Marcellus Shale is a rock formation that underlies approximately two-thirds of Pennsylvania and portions of the states of New York and West Virginia and is believed to hold trillions of cubic feet of clean-burning natural gas.

Extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation requires a process used in drilling for decades known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." After the well is drilled, large amounts of water, sand and other fluids are pumped into the shale formation under high pressure to fracture the shale around the well, which allows the natural gas to flow freely to the well bore. Once the process is completed, the used water must be reused in the next well or sent to an approved treatment facility.

The committee heard from Department of Environmental Protection officials, industry representatives and others who discussed balancing the clean energy and jobs provided by drilling with the need to protect water supplies.

Increased Fines for Poaching, Improve Hunter Safety Approved by Committee

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Alloway (Franklin), approved legislation last week that would increase fines and penalties, enact stiffer punishments for poachers, and improve hunter safety.

The committee gave unanimous support to Senate Bill 1200, sponsored by Senator Alloway, which would mandate Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Act.  

The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Act is a multi-state effort to ensure that habitual offenders in other states will not commit violations in other states. The legislation would enable Pennsylvania to recognize the revocation of an individual's hunting, fishing or trapping privileges due to a violation of regulations in any other member's state.

The committee also unanimously approved House Bill 1859, which would increase fines and penalties for poaching. Under the bill, violations would range from summary offenses to second-degree felonies depending on the type of violation and any prior offenses.

 

Committee Acts to Implement Corrections Pharmaceutical Savings

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Don White (Indiana) that would authorize the Corrections Department and county prisons to redistribute unopened prescription medicines was unanimously approved last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (Montgomery).

Senate Bill 1044 would authorize correctional facilities to return the medicines to the pharmaceutical wholesaler for credit and potential redistribution to other correctional facilities. Pennsylvania's correctional facilities currently participate in a similar program, but no provisions exist under current law to govern these activities, which have been shown to be safe and save taxpayers $1million annually.

Committee Passes Senator Vogel's Bill to Aid Community Fundraisers

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Elder Vogel (Beaver) to bar the state from citing groups that sell commonly prepared baked goods was unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Brubaker (Lancaster).

Senate Bill 828 eliminates the ability of the Department of Agriculture to cite non-profit community groups such as churches, booster clubs and volunteer fire companies for selling non-potentially hazardous home-baked food at fundraisers.

Senator Vogel introduced Senate Bill 828 after the Department of Agriculture cited a local church for selling homemade baked goods prepared by ladies of the church at a Lenten fish fry fundraiser.
 

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Measure to Resolve Coal Bed Methane Disputes Set for Enactment

Legislation establishing a special review board to arbitrate coal bed methane (CBM) well-location disputes between land owners and gas companies received final legislative approval and is expected to be signed into law.

Sen. Don White (Indiana) authored Senate Bill 275, which called for the creation of a three-member Coal Bed Methane Review Board to consider objections by property owners and reach agreements with gas companies on issues such as the location of coal bed methane wells and/or access roads. Currently, disputes between surface land owners and the holders of mineral rights for those properties are often unresolved as landowners have very little recourse if they do not approve of the location of a CBM well.

The key provisions of SB 275 were amended into House Bill 1847 by the Senate and subsequently approved by the House on January 25.

 

Legislation Introduced to Help Prevent Layoffs

Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (Bucks) introduced legislation that would preserve Pennsylvania jobs by giving employers alternatives to layoffs.

Senate Bill 1205 would allow employers who are facing the prospect of layoffs to implement a temporary shared-work program that would reduce employee hours and allow those employees to receive proportionate unemployment compensation benefits in certain cases.

In cases where at least 10 percent of a unit would be affected by layoffs, the proposal would allow employers to reduce normal weekly hours by no less than 20 percent and no more than 40 percent. The shared-work plan would be voluntary for employers and would have to be reviewed and approved by the Department of Labor and the union of any affected employees.

Participating employers must agree to not lay off employees during the term of the plan and not hire or transfer new workers into the affected unit. 

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Hybrid Vehicle Buyers Face March 6 Deadline for Rebate Program 

Harrisburg – Pennsylvanians who have recently purchased or leased a hybrid electric vehicle or are in the market for one should are facing a deadline to take advantage of a $500 rebate from the commonwealth’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate Program, state Senator John Pippy said today.  

As long as funds are available, rebates will be given for vehicles purchased or leased through March 6. Applications may be submitted up to six months after the date of purchase, however there is no guarantee the money will last that long.  

The program was established in 2004 to promote the use of alternative fuels, improve environmental quality and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. The program provides a rebate to assist with the incremental costs of buying or leasing a new, approved hybrid electric vehicle. 

Vehicles eligible for rebates must have a combined EPA city and highway rating of greater than 55 miles per gallon, with a carbon footprint of fewer than seven tons per year of carbon dioxide. Flexible fuel and diesel vehicles are not eligible for rebates. 

Rebate forms, along with additional information about the rebate program, may be obtained at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Hybrid Vehicle Rebates.  

Consumers may also call the DEP directly at 1-866-294-3854 or e-mail epafiginfo@state.pa.us for more information.

 2009 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Available Now 

Harrisburg – Applications for the state’s Property Tax Rent Rebate program are now available, state Sen. John Pippy (R-37) said today. 

The Property Tax Rent Rebate program provides rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2009. To be eligible, applicants must meet income requirements and be a Pennsylvania resident age 65 and older; a widow or widower age 50 and older; or a permanently disabled individual age 18 or older.  

The program is available to homeowners with a household income of $35,000 or less and renters with a household income of $15,000 or less, excluding one-half of Social Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.  

The household income limits and maximum property tax rebate:  

• $0 to $8,000                      -- $650 max rebate
• $8,001 to $15,000              -- $500 max rebate
• $15,001 to $18,000            -- $300 max rebate
• $18,001 to $35,000            -- $250 max rebate

The household income limits and maximum rent rebate:  

• $0 to $8,000                      -- $650 max rebate
• $8,001 to $15,000              -- $500 max rebate

Information and applications are available online through the state Department of Revenue’s website, www.revenue.state.pa.us, or by calling toll-free 1-888-222-9190. Claimants are reminded to provide all the necessary income and property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly.  

Forms and assistance are also available at Senator Pippy’s district offices:

Moon Township office:  1009 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 210 (412-262-2260)
Mt. Lebanon office:  650 Washington Road, Suite 102 (412-571-3822).