pa environment digest aug. 10, 2015

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa August 10, 2015

Environmental Heritage:

Delaware River Basin Commission Compact, July 7, 1961 Act 268

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Compact, July 17, 1968 Act 181

Great Lakes Protection Fund Act, July 6, 1989 Act 34

EPA Clean Power Climate Plan: What Happens Now In Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania, specifically, the Department of Environmental

Protection, now has the job of putting together a set of actions to

meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Section 111(d)

Clean Power Plan released on Monday.

The Clean Power Plan sets a nationwide goal of cutting

carbon emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, with

progress towards those reductions by 2022.

The specific actions needed to achieve that goal are being

left to each state to adopt in the form of an amendment to the State

Air Quality Implementation Plan by June 30, 2016.So what comes next?

In announcing his support for the EPA action, Gov. Wolf said Pennsylvania will use this

as an opportunity to write a plan that could improve public health, address climate change, and

improve Pennsylvania’s economy and power system.

Gov. Wolf explained, “My administration looks forward to working with industry leaders

and legislators as well as citizens to find the right balance and develop an effective and

responsible state plan.”

DEP, he added, will give all stakeholders every opportunity to provide input into drafting

a Clean Power Plan that is tailored to fit Pennsylvania's economy.

Pennsylvanians will have multiple options for input as the Department of Environmental

Protection formulates a state-specific plan to comply with the EPA rule, he said.A public comment period on the EPA rule will begin in early September, with additional

comment periods over the next three years as the Pennsylvania plan is drafted and finalized.

The Governor said DEP staff have already begun assessing the implications of the Clean

Power Plan through the National Governors Association Policy Academy , which is developing

detailed economic modeling to find solutions that meet Pennsylvania's needs. Pennsylvania was

one of four states, including Michigan, Missouri and Utah, to receive tailored modeling of their

electricity sector to assess compliance options.

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These modeling exercises will continue now that the details of the plan have been

released.

The final EPA rule will be published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2015, and

public comment will be available for the following 60 days. Public hearings will also be held

across the state, with details to be released, DEP said.

State Air Pollution Control ActAll amendments to the state Air Quality State Implementation Plan are reviewed by

DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee and subject to public hearings as required by

the state Air Pollution Control Act.

Any regulations required to implement the revision to the State Implementation Plan are,

in addition, also reviewed by the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee and DEP’s Citizens

Advisory Council, require approval by the 20-member Environmental Quality Board, review by

the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the environmental committees of the

House and Senate under the state Regulatory Review Act.

Regulations can be disapproved by the IRRC and the House and Senate can pass a

resolution, just like a piece of legislation, to kill the regulations and present it to the Governor for

his action.Any changes in state law required to implement the EPA Section 111(d) requirements

would have to be passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.

PA Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation Act

In addition to these basic reviews, the PA Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation

Act passed in 2014 establishes a review process by the General Assembly and a one-House veto

of any Section 111(d) climate plan DEP would develop in response to a final EPA regulation.

The law was promoted by Pennsylvania’s coal industry as a way to protect their interests

in any Section 111(d) plan developed by DEP.

The Act also outlines a series of 12 factors DEP is to take into consideration in

developing a Section 111(d) plan.

A new measure-- House Resolution 259 (Neuman-D-Washington)-- was introduced in

April in the House to create yet another tool for the General Assembly to dictate the content of

any Section 111(d) plans in Pennsylvania.

The resolution would create a Joint Senate-House Select Committee on the

Implementation of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Regulation to “examine, investigate and complete a

report on the most appropriate manner in which to comply with the federal carbon dioxide rule.”

In addition, the resolution says, “It is the intention of this Select Committee to further

direct the Department of Environmental Protection in the development of the State

Implementation Plan that will ultimately be submitted to the House of Representatives and the

Senate for approval.”

The resolution is in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. ClickHere for a sponsor summary.

PA Climate Change Act

Under the 2008 PA Climate Change Act, DEP was directed to developed and has

developed a Climate Change Action Plan with recommendations on how to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions in the state.

A Climate Change Advisory Committee was formed to help in that process and has been

helping guide DEP in the development of the Action Plan, an adaptation plan, a greenhouse gas

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/climate_change_advisory_committee/21894http://www.cleanair.org/sites/default/files/CLIMATE_CHANGE_ACT_ACT_70.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17860http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17860http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=R&bn=0259http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30216http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30216http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1420700/apca_pdfhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/air_quality_technical_advisory_committee/21797


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inventory and other work plans associated with its responsibility.

Look for more information on DEP’s path forward in developing a state plan to

implement the new Section 111(d) climate requirements as soon as the September 26 scheduled

visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia.

In June Pope Francis issued an encyclical letter on the environment which took a strong

position on the need for action on climate issues, as well as on the issue of clean water, biodiversity and environmental education.

Visit EPA’s Clean Power Plan webpage for more details.

NewsClips:

Wolf Praises President’s Clean Power Plan

PA Officials Respond To EPA Clean Power Plan

Mixed PA Reaction Follows Release Of EPA Clean Power Plan

Final Clean Power Plan, What Does It Mean For PA?

Coal Will Remain Vital PA Energy Source Despite Climate Plan

PA Coal Company Announces Bankruptcy

PA Carbon Emissions Target More Stringent Than U.S. Average

PA, 15 Other States Get Stricter Carbon Reduction Standards Carbon Tax Idea In EPA Plan, But Unlike To Fly In PA

FirstEnergy Reviewing EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Health Advocates Endorse EPA Clean Power Plan

Editorial: The Climate Reuse, A Warped Dimension

Editorial: Pollution Carries A Price

Editorial: State Pushing Back On EPA

Obama Clean Power Plan Doesn’t Change Much, Opponents Firm

Obama Unveils Final Version Of Clean Power Plan

Impact Of EPA’s Emissions Rule On Industry To Vary

Move To Fight Obama’s Climate Plan Started Early

Obama’s New Climate Regulation To Alter, Challenge Industry

Clean Energy Debate Pitted Ambition Against Legal Worries

Who Wins, Loses Under Obama’s Stricter Power Plant Limits

Editorial: Better Fuels Than Fossils

Report: Methane In Atmosphere May Greatly Exceed Estimates

Related Stories:

Wolf: EPA Clean Power Plan Presents New Opportunities For PA Energy

PUC To Study Utility Policy Impact Of EPA Clean Power Plan

Pennsylvania Has Already Cut Carbon Dioxide Emissions By Using Natural Gas

PA Chamber: EPA’s Clean Power Plan Will Jeopardize State’s Position As Energy Leader

PEC: EPA Clean Power Plan: A Time For Action, Not Angst Reactions To EPA Clean Power Plan Organized By Several PA Environmental Groups

6 Things Everyone Should Know About Final EPA Clean Power Plan On Climate


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday released the Clean Power Plan .

Pennsylvania will use this as an opportunity to write a plan that could improve public health,

http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epas-final-clean-power-plan-to-reduce.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/reaction-from-several-pa-environmental.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-plan-time-for-action.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pa-chamber-epas-clean-power-plan-will.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pennsylvania-has-already-cut-carbon.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/puc-to-study-utility-policy-impact-of.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/wolf-epa-clean-power-plan-presents-new.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/science/methane-in-atmosphere-may-greatly-exceed-estimates-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150803_Better_fuels_than_fossils.htmlhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:9dbd1053ec4f4aa786767d8ad08db270http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/internal-debate-over-clean-energy-plan-pitted-ambition-against-legal-worries/2015/08/02/9e0c1c94-3966-11e5-9c2d-ed991d848c48_story.htmlhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/us/obama-unveils-plan-to-sharply-limit-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0http://www.wsj.com/articles/impact-of-epas-emissions-rule-on-industry-to-vary-1438645662http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8851882-74/plan-power-coalhttp://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8827043-74/epa-emissions-stateshttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pollution-carries-price-1.1922084http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8857800-74/bastardi-dimension-antihttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/08/health-advocates-support-clean-power-plan.phphttp://www.goerie.com/first-energy-reviewing-epas-clean-power-planhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/05/carbon-tax-idea-reappears-in-epa-plan-but-is-unlikely-to-fly-in-pennsylvania/http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/896316/States--targets-shift-in-final-Obama-climate-change-plan.html?isap=1&nav=5020http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-obama-climate-change-pa-impact-20150803-story.html#navtype=outfithttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/pa-coal-operator-announces-bankruptcy/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/coal-will-remain-vital-source-of-pa-energy-despite-new-federal-plan-trade-group-says/http://pfenergycenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-final-clean-power-plan-is-here.htmlhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/844/Mixed-PA-reaction-follows-release-of-EPA-Clean-Power-Plan.aspxhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-officials-respond-to-plan-to-lower-emissions-from-power-plants-1.1922236http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32625


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address climate change, and improve our economy and power system. Pennsylvania's

Department of Environmental Protection will give all stakeholders every opportunity to provide

input into drafting a Clean Power Plan that is tailored to fit Pennsylvania's economy.

"My administration is committed to making the Clean Power Plan work for

Pennsylvania," said Gov. Wolf. "Working with the legislature, industry leaders and citizens we

will create a plan to ensure these new rules are applied fairly, allow for adjustments, and thatthey create economic opportunities for the commonwealth's energy economy. Today's plan sets

ambitious but achievable goals for reducing carbon emissions statewide and addressing climate

change in fair and smart ways that takes into account legitimate concerns of all parties."

"Pennsylvania is a leader in energy, and we need to do everything in our power to

advance the next generation of energy production while protecting jobs in Pennsylvania,"

continued Gov. Wolf. "Clean coal is a part of our energy portfolio, as is natural gas, solar, wind,

and other sources of power, and all of this has to be part of a comprehensive strategy. My

administration looks forward to working with industry leaders and legislators as well as citizens

to find the right balance and develop an effective and responsible state plan."

Pennsylvanians will have multiple options for input as the Department of Environmental

Protection formulates a state-specific plan to comply with the EPA rule. A public comment period on the EPA rule will begin in early September, with additional comment periods over the

next three years as the Pennsylvania plan is drafted and finalized.

"We will make certain that we craft a Pennsylvania solution that protects the state's vital

role as a net electricity exporter," said DEP Secretary John Quigley. "Our strategy must ensure

we are protecting our diverse resources and creating economic opportunities. We'll explore

different methods of reaching the required reductions, options of partnering with fellow states,

and other considerations."

DEP staff have already begun assessing the implications of the Clean Power Plan through

the National Governors Association Policy Academy, which is developing detailed economic

modeling to find solutions that meet Pennsylvania's needs. These modeling exercises will

continue now that the details of the plan have been released.

"Cutting pollution from power plants, utilizing natural gas, supporting nuclear power

plants, increasing the amount of renewable energy in Pennsylvania, and improving energy

efficiency statewide all can fight climate change and be an economic driver," said Sec. Quigley.

"When our businesses upgrade power plants, install solar panels or improve energy efficiency,

that's a win for the environment and a win for Pennsylvania's economy."

The Clean Power Plan sets a nationwide goal of cutting carbon emissions by 32 percent

from 2005 levels by 2030, with progress towards those reductions by 2022.

"Pennsylvania is committed to achieving our target emission reductions, and we will

develop the right tools and smart policies to do so," said Quigley.

The final EPA rule will be published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2015, and public comment will be available for the following 60 days. Public hearings will also be held

across the state, with details to be released.


NewsClips:




http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/844/Mixed-PA-reaction-follows-release-of-EPA-Clean-Power-Plan.aspxhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-officials-respond-to-plan-to-lower-emissions-from-power-plants-1.1922236http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan


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PA, 15 Other States Get Stricter Carbon Reduction Standards

Carbon Tax Idea In EPA Plan, But Unlike To Fly In PA FirstEnergy Reviewing EPA’s Clean Power Plan










Clean Energy Debate Pitted Ambition Against Legal Worries Who Wins, Loses Under Obama’s Stricter Power Plant Limits



Related Stories:





PEC: EPA Clean Power Plan: A Time For Action, Not Angst

Reactions To EPA Clean Power Plan Organized By Several PA Environmental Groups



The Public Utility Commission said Monday it will thoroughly evaluate the impact on both

Pennsylvania’s utilities and consumers of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean

Power Plan .

“These new EPA rules impact numerous stakeholders – including government agencies

and regulators; power generators and utilities; and consumers and businesses,” said PUC

Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “As part of the Commission’s responsibility to ensure safe, reliable

and affordable utility service, we will carefully examine the potential impact of these new EPArules on the utility market in Pennsylvania. We are happy to see the revisions to the original

proposal, including the ‘safety valve’ feature, which will help to prevent power disruptions.”

“Throughout this process, the PUC has been focused on our key responsibilities,

including the reliability of the electric grid and the potential cost impact on Pennsylvania

consumers – including residential, commercial and industrial,” explained Chairman Brown. “We

will also carefully evaluate how these new federal rules potentially interact with a wide range of

successful state programs, including our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, which

http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epas-final-clean-power-plan-to-reduce.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/reaction-from-several-pa-environmental.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-plan-time-for-action.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pa-chamber-epas-clean-power-plan-will.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pennsylvania-has-already-cut-carbon.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/puc-to-study-utility-policy-impact-of.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-climate-plan-what.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/science/methane-in-atmosphere-may-greatly-exceed-estimates-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150803_Better_fuels_than_fossils.htmlhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:9dbd1053ec4f4aa786767d8ad08db270http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/internal-debate-over-clean-energy-plan-pitted-ambition-against-legal-worries/2015/08/02/9e0c1c94-3966-11e5-9c2d-ed991d848c48_story.htmlhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/us/obama-unveils-plan-to-sharply-limit-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0http://www.wsj.com/articles/impact-of-epas-emissions-rule-on-industry-to-vary-1438645662http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8851882-74/plan-power-coalhttp://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8827043-74/epa-emissions-stateshttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pollution-carries-price-1.1922084http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8857800-74/bastardi-dimension-antihttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/08/health-advocates-support-clean-power-plan.phphttp://www.goerie.com/first-energy-reviewing-epas-clean-power-planhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/05/carbon-tax-idea-reappears-in-epa-plan-but-is-unlikely-to-fly-in-pennsylvania/http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/896316/States--targets-shift-in-final-Obama-climate-change-plan.html?isap=1&nav=5020http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-obama-climate-change-pa-impact-20150803-story.html#navtype=outfithttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/pa-coal-operator-announces-bankruptcy/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/coal-will-remain-vital-source-of-pa-energy-despite-new-federal-plan-trade-group-says/http://pfenergycenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-final-clean-power-plan-is-here.html


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requires electric distribution companies to draw on a steadily increasing percentage of alternative

energy.”

Brown underscored the Governor and the Department of Environmental Protection have

the primary roles in implementing the new rules. Additionally, action by the General Assembly

could be required in situations where new federal rules conflict with existing Pennsylvania law.

The Chairman added that “the Commission looks forward to working with DEP as wellas other stakeholders – including other government agencies, industry and consumers – as this

process moves forward toward the creation of a plan best suited for Pennsylvania.”

NewsClip:


Related Stories:






Reactions To EPA Clean Power Plan Organized By Several PA Environmental Groups 6 Things Everyone Should Know About Final EPA Clean Power Plan On Climate

PEC: EPA Clean Power Climate Plan: A Time For Action, Not Angst

By Davitt Woodwell, President & CEO PA Environmental Council

With the finalization of the Clean Power Plan, the United States has taken a bold step toward

addressing climate change. It is only one of many steps that will be necessary, and the time to act

is running out.

It now falls on the Environmental Protection Agency and the states to move the plan into

practice and policy.

As with just about anything that the EPA does, the Clean Power Plan has been, and will

continue to be, contentious. Battle lines have been drawn, lawsuits already filed and dismissed,

and passions inflamed. But it should not be that way.

The Clean Power Plan offers opportunities – chances for states to guide their energy

futures and balance the realities of climate change with the quickly changing landscape of energy

production and distribution.

The world of electricity production is rife with these changes: coal use is down, natural

gas use is gaining, solar is ever less expensive, distributed renewable generation is increasing,

and storage and smart grid technologies continue to evolve.

With the Clean Power Plan, states have the ability, and the responsibility, to show howthey will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from electricity production to more sustainable

levels.

This requirement has already generated a whole lot of heat from all sides and now it is

time for that heat to transform to light.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection will have the job of

identifying how it sees the future unfolding for electricity generation and use in the

Commonwealth.

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This will not be an easy task, but it is one that can position Pennsylvania as a leader in

understanding and projecting the continuing shifts in electric generation.

Pennsylvania is, arguably, uniquely situated in the world given our role as a provider of

so much energy feedstock (coal, natural gas, biomass), electricity production (including nuclear,

wind, solar, anaerobic digestion, hydro, et al), and emissions of about one percent of the global

emissions of greenhouse gases. In fact, our state is a net exporter of energy. Nonetheless, Pennsylvania is well-positioned to reduce emissions and meet, or even

exceed, the targets set by the Clean Power Plan.

Existing programs and policies have already provided a good start, such as the Act 129

energy efficiency program and our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards. To date, Act 129 has

successfully saved 2,500,000 MWh of electricity, with a savings of nearly $3 for every dollar

invested, making it a win-win for the environment and ratepayers. Similarly AEPS has

successfully driven development of renewable energy resources.

While leading at the time of its adoption in 2004, it’s now time to revisit and expand

renewable energy requirements and investment. Not only will it reduce greenhouse gas

emissions, it will continue to create businesses and jobs.

Similarly, we must remain committed to improved energy efficiency standards which benefit all Pennsylvanians.

In 2007, PEC released its Climate Roadmap for Pennsylvania. In that document, we

called for a number of steps that could be taken to reduce the Commonwealth’s impacts on

global climate.

The Clean Power Plan finally provides a mechanism to force action on some of those

recommendations.

We look forward to following DEP’s efforts to make the tough choices about the future

of Pennsylvania’s electricity generating fleet, and stand ready to provide input on those choices

as well as to engage in productive conversations about how to make it all happen.

It is time for the posturing to end and the work to begin.

Related Stories:








Reaction To Clean Power Plan Organized By Several PA Environmental Groups

Elected officials, labor organizations, health experts, faith leaders, clean energy businesspeople,

and environmental advocates from across the Commonwealth highlighted the benefits of the

Environmental Protection Agency's newly-released Clean Power Plan in a telephone press

conference Monday hosted by PennFuture, a statewide environmental advocacy organization.

The EPA's Clean Power Plan is the first-ever standard to cut carbon emissions from

power plants, the nation's single largest source of climate-disrupting carbon pollution.

The Clean Power Plan will cut carbon pollution by 32 percent by 2030 (below 2005

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levels), providing up to $45 billion in climate and public health benefits, with every $1 invested

yielding $7 in benefits from soot and smog reductions alone.

The EPA projects these carbon pollution limits will prevent up to 3,600 premature deaths,

up to 90,000 asthma attacks in children, and up to 300,000 missed work and school days in 2030.

In addition, an analysis by the National Resources Defense Council found that

Pennsylvania would see the creation of 5,100 jobs under the Clean Power Plan."The Clean Power Plan is an essential step toward mitigating climate change and

improving air quality," said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of PennFuture. "The

Commonwealth must use this opportunity to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon, clean

energy future by creating a state-based plan that is both aspirational and well suited to

Pennsylvania. Our children's futures depend on it."

"Energy efficiency is the easiest and cheapest first step toward savings on electric bills

and a reduced carbon footprint," said Jeaneen Zappa, executive director of Conservation

Consultants, Inc . "Residential and commercial buildings combined are responsible for 41 percent

of total U.S. energy consumption, and 20 percent of that energy in buildings is being wasted.

Consumers large and small will win by embracing the energy efficiency measures that will help

define the Clean Power Plan.""Climate change is the most significant health issue of our century according to the

World Health Organization," said Dr. Alan Peterson, emeritus director of environmental and

community medicine for Lancaster General Health . "Global warming is related to a broad range

of adverse health effects including illnesses and death from extreme heat. It's easy to see why the

Clean Power Plan and its goal to reduce carbon pollution and slow the effects of climate change

is a win for Pennsylvania's most vulnerable populations."

"Pennsylvania has already cut almost 15 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions in the

last decade and now with this long awaited standard on carbon dioxide pollution from existing

power plants, we can finally get serious about slowing climate change," said Joe Minott,

executive director of the Clean Air Council. "An easy, cost-effective step would be to update

building codes, which could cut electricity consumption by 15 percent and be the centerpiece of

our State Implementation Plan."

"The EPA has announced an historic effort to finally slash the largest source global

warming pollution in Pennsylvania by putting us on the path towards a future that uses the

energy of the sun and movement of the wind to power our home and businesses," said Adam

Garber, field director of PennEnvironment.

Kelly Schwinghammer , Executive Vice President of the BlueGreen Alliance also

participated in the call.

The groups said the final Clean Power Plan rule reflects a lengthy public comment and

review period where the EPA incorporated numerous stakeholder comments.

Using the targets established by the Clean Power Plan, each state must now design andimplement a compliance plan based on its unique situation. Department of Environmental

Protection is responsible for submitting the Commonwealth's Plan to both the Pennsylvania

General Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency.


Related Stories:



http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-plan-time-for-action.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-climate-plan-what.htmlhttp://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://www.bluegreenalliance.org/news/latest/statement-bluegreen-alliance-on-the-clean-power-planhttp://www.pennenvironment.org/http://www.cleanair.org/http://lancastergeneralhealth.org/http://www.ccicenter.org/http://www.ccicenter.org/http://www.pennfuture.org/


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The PA Chamber of Business and Industry Monday expressed concerns with the potential

negative impacts the final version of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power

Plan will have on the state’s economy.

The EPA’s Clean Power Plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the

electricity sector by mandating significant emissions reductions from new and existing coal-fired

power plants, as well as requiring wholesale changes to the state’s energy portfolio with little

consideration of costs or practicality.

The proposal would impact the way Pennsylvania produces energy, likely leading to a

negative impact on the business community and potentially threatening reliability across theenergy grid should regulators require an overabundance of alternative energy.

“By any reasonable measure, these aggressive, far-reaching rules will increase energy

costs for consumers and businesses in order to produce a negligible reduction in global carbon

emissions,” said PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr. “The EPA has previously admitted

that this rule will result in relatively small reductions in global emissions of less than two

percent. Further, an over-reliance on alternative energy resources, whose energy production is

variable and extremely costly, will only exacerbate the challenge to Pennsylvania’s electric grid

and to our economy.”

The final plan’s mandate on Pennsylvania is one of the steepest in the nation. The EPA

had, in its proposed rules released last year, estimated that its plan will increase energy prices

nationwide by 6 to 7 percent over the next five years.

Additionally, according to EPA estimates, by 2020 the energy sector will pay between

$5.4 billion and $7.4 billion in compliance costs. An independent economic analysis by NERA

Economic Consulting showed that Pennsylvania’s electricity prices could increase by more than

14 percent.

Knowing the negative impact this plan could have on the state’s economy and energy

prices, the PA Chamber joined many other stakeholder groups – including trade labor unions – in

advocating for the passage of Act 175 of 2014. This Act, which had strong bipartisan support,

requires that Pennsylvania’s compliance plan must prioritize least-cost compliance options and

must be approved by the General Assembly prior to going to the EPA for approval.

“The EPA’s Clean Power Plan jeopardizes Pennsylvania’s role as an energy leader,” Barradded. “Continued government mandates and regulations distort the market and provide little

benefit to human health – all while raising energy costs on consumers. Despite hundreds of

millions of dollars of state and federal subsidies and mandated purchases, renewable energy has

yet to demonstrate it can compete on its own. In order to have a strong and robust electric grid

that can affordably and reliably provide power, we need to embrace all forms of energy

production and recognize the important role that coal, nuclear and natural gas play in our energy

portfolio.”

http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epas-final-clean-power-plan-to-reduce.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pa-chamber-epas-clean-power-plan-will.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pennsylvania-has-already-cut-carbon.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/puc-to-study-utility-policy-impact-of.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/wolf-epa-clean-power-plan-presents-new.html


10/51

Related Stories:





PEC: EPA Clean Power Plan: A Time For Action, Not Angst Reactions To EPA Clean Power Plan Organized By Several PA Environmental Groups



In July 2014, DEP estimated the use of coal to generate electricity in Pennsylvania would have to

drop by 75 percent or 10.5 million tons a year to meet the 2030 reductions called for in EPA’s

original Clean Power Plan.

Vince Brisini, then Deputy Secretary for Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation, told

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council at the time that this same reduction in the use of coal is

anticipated if the current prices and trends in the use of natural gas to generate electricitycontinue through 2030.

In June, the Public Utility Commission reported the continuing dramatic shift to the use

of natural gas to generate electricity. From 1997 to 2013 natural gas use to generate electricity

increased from 3 percent to 38 percent. About 24 percent of generating capacity-- 10,0003

MW-- is now fueled by natural gas in Pennsylvania with another 11,609 MW of new generating

capacity being proposed.

Significant progress has already been made in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by the

switch from coal to natural gas to generate electricity.

The 2013 update to Pennsylvania’s Climate Change Action Plan projected carbon dioxide

emissions in the Commonwealth in 2020 will be lower than in 2000 due to the retirement of

coal-fired power plants resulting in a 12 million ton reduction of CO2 and the substitution of

natural gas for new generating capacity for a net saving of 5.5 million tons of CO2.

NewsClips:








PA, 15 Other States Get Stricter Carbon Reduction Standards Carbon Tax Idea In EPA Plan, But Unlike To Fly In PA







http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8851882-74/plan-power-coalhttp://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8827043-74/epa-emissions-stateshttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pollution-carries-price-1.1922084http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8857800-74/bastardi-dimension-antihttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/08/health-advocates-support-clean-power-plan.phphttp://www.goerie.com/first-energy-reviewing-epas-clean-power-planhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/05/carbon-tax-idea-reappears-in-epa-plan-but-is-unlikely-to-fly-in-pennsylvania/http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/896316/States--targets-shift-in-final-Obama-climate-change-plan.html?isap=1&nav=5020http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-obama-climate-change-pa-impact-20150803-story.html#navtype=outfithttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/pa-coal-operator-announces-bankruptcy/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/coal-will-remain-vital-source-of-pa-energy-despite-new-federal-plan-trade-group-says/http://pfenergycenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-final-clean-power-plan-is-here.htmlhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/844/Mixed-PA-reaction-follows-release-of-EPA-Clean-Power-Plan.aspxhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-officials-respond-to-plan-to-lower-emissions-from-power-plants-1.1922236http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Air/AirQuality/AQPortalFiles/Advisory%20Committees/CCAC/Docs/Final_Climate_Change_Action_Plan_Update.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32564http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Citizens%20Advisory%20Council/CACPortalFiles/Meetings/2014_07/EPA%27s%20Proposed%20Clean%20Power%20Plan.pdfhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epas-final-clean-power-plan-to-reduce.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/reaction-from-several-pa-environmental.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-plan-time-for-action.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/puc-to-study-utility-policy-impact-of.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/wolf-epa-clean-power-plan-presents-new.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pennsylvania-has-already-cut-carbon.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-climate-plan-what.html


11/51






Who Wins, Loses Under Obama’s Stricter Power Plant Limits Editorial: Better Fuels Than Fossils


Related Stories:









The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday released this fact sheet on six things every

American should know about the Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon pollution ahead of the

formal announcement today.

1. It Slashes The Carbon Pollution Fueling Climate Change: Carbon pollution from power

plants is our nation’s biggest driver of climate change—and it threatens what matters most – the

health of our kids, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the ability of Americans to earn a living.

The Clean Power Plan sets common sense, achievable state-by-state goals to cut carbon

pollution from power plants across the country. Building on proven local and state efforts, the

Plan puts our nation on track to cut carbon pollution from the power sector 32 percent below

2005 levels by 2030, all while keeping energy reliable and affordable.

2. It Protects Families’ Health: Cuts to smog and soot that come along with reducing carbon

pollution will bring major health benefits for American families. In 2030, this will mean up to

3,600 fewer premature deaths; 90,000 fewer asthma attacks in children; 1,700 fewer hospital

admissions; and avoiding 300,000 missed days of school and work. The Clean Power Plan is a

historic step forward to give our kids and grandkids the cleaner, safer future they deserve.

3. It Puts States In The Driver’s Seat: The Clean Power Plan sets uniform carbon pollution

standards for power plants across the country—but sets individual state goals based on states’

current energy mix and where they have opportunities to cut pollution.

States then customize plans to meet their goals in ways that make sense for theircommunities, businesses and utilities. States can run their more efficient plants more often,

switch to cleaner fuels, use more renewable energy, and take advantage of emissions trading and

energy efficiency options.

Because states requested it, EPA is also proposing a model rule states can adopt right

away--one that’s cost-effective, guarantees they meet EPA’s requirements, and will let their

power plants use interstate trading right away. But states don’t have to use our plan—they can

cut carbon pollution in whatever way makes the most sense for them.

http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplanhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epas-final-clean-power-plan-to-reduce.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/reaction-from-several-pa-environmental.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-plan-time-for-action.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pa-chamber-epas-clean-power-plan-will.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/puc-to-study-utility-policy-impact-of.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/wolf-epa-clean-power-plan-presents-new.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-climate-plan-what.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/science/methane-in-atmosphere-may-greatly-exceed-estimates-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150803_Better_fuels_than_fossils.htmlhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:9dbd1053ec4f4aa786767d8ad08db270http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/internal-debate-over-clean-energy-plan-pitted-ambition-against-legal-worries/2015/08/02/9e0c1c94-3966-11e5-9c2d-ed991d848c48_story.htmlhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/us/obama-unveils-plan-to-sharply-limit-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0http://www.wsj.com/articles/impact-of-epas-emissions-rule-on-industry-to-vary-1438645662http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131


12/51

The uniform national rates in the Clean Power Plan are reasonable and achievable,

because no plant has to meet them alone or all at once. Instead, they have to meet them as part of

the grid and over time. In short, the Clean Power Plan puts states in the driver’s seat.

4. It’s Built On Input From Millions Of Americans: The Clean Power Plan reflects

unprecedented input from the American people, including 4.3 million comments on the draft

plan and input from hundreds of meetings with states, utilities, communities, and others. Whenfolks raised questions about equity and fairness, we listened. That’s why EPA is setting uniform

standards to make sure similar plants are treated the same across the country.

When states and utilities expressed concern about how fast states would need to cut

emissions under the draft Plan, we listened. That’s why the Clean Power Plan extends the

timeframe for mandatory emissions reductions to begin by two years, until 2022, so utilities will

have time to make the upgrades and investments they need to.

But to encourage states to stay ahead of the curve and not delay planned investments, or

delay starting programs that need time to pay off, we’re creating a Clean Energy Incentive

Program to help states transition to clean energy faster.

It’s a voluntary matching fund program states can use to encourage early investment in

wind and solar power projects, as well as energy efficiency projects in low-income communities.Thanks to the valuable input we heard from the public, the final rule is even more fair and more

flexible, while cutting more pollution.

5. It Will Save Us Billions Of Dollars Every Year: With the Clean Power Plan, America is

leading by example—showing the world that climate action is an incredible economic

opportunity. By 2030, the net public health and climate-related benefits from the Clean Power

Plan are estimated to be worth $45 billion every year.

And, by design, the Clean Power Plan is projected to cut the average American’s monthly

electricity bill by 7 percent in 2030. We’ll get these savings by cutting energy waste and beefing

up energy efficiency across the board—steps that make sense for our health, our future, and our

wallets.

6. It Puts The U.S. In A Position To Lead On Climate Action: Today, the U.S. is generating

three times more wind energy and 20 times more solar power than when President Obama took

office. And the solar industry is adding jobs 10 times faster than the rest of the economy. For the

first time in nearly three decades, we're importing less foreign oil than we're producing

domestically—and using less overall.

Our country’s clean energy transition is happening faster than anyone anticipated—even

as of last year when we proposed this rule. The accelerating trend toward clean power, and the

growing success of energy efficiency efforts, mean carbon emissions are already going down,

and the pace is picking up. The Clean Power Plan will secure and accelerate these trends,

building momentum for a cleaner energy future.

Climate change is a global problem that demands a global solution. With the CleanPower Plan, we’re putting America in a position to lead. Since the Plan was proposed last year,

the U.S., China and Brazil - three of the world’s largest economies - have announced

commitments to significantly reduce carbon pollution. We’re confident other nations will come

to the table ready to reach an international climate agreement in Paris later this year.


NewsClips:


http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan


13/51






PA Carbon Emissions Target More Stringent Than U.S. Average PA, 15 Other States Get Stricter Carbon Reduction Standards

Carbon Tax Idea In EPA Plan, But Unlike To Fly In PA









Move To Fight Obama’s Climate Plan Started Early Obama’s New Climate Regulation To Alter, Challenge Industry


Who Wins, Loses Under Obama’s Stricter Power Plant Limits



Related Stories:








Post-Gazette: Conventional Drillers Oppose Any DEP Drilling Regulation Update

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday representatives

of conventional oil and gas drillers on DEP’s Conventional Oil

and Gas Advisory Committee wrote to DEP’s Deputy Secretary

for Oil and Gas Management in July saying they would not

support the Chapter 78 update of drilling regulations

citing onlycomments made by other conventional drillers.

The July 7 letter repeated industry claims DEP did not

comply with rulemaking standards in providing an extra

comment period and hearings on the draft final regulations known as an advanced notice of final

rulemaking.

The conventional drillers also said DEP did not comply with a 2014 state law-- Act 126--

requiring the agency to separate out regulations related to the conventional and unconventional

http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/docs/3042/RELATED/3042%2007-07-15%20COGAC.pdfhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_resources/20303/surface_regulations/1587188http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/conventional_oil_and_gas_advisory_committee/21984http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/conventional_oil_and_gas_advisory_committee/21984http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/04/Conventional-oil-and-gas-panel-set-to-oppose-new-DEP-drilling-regulations-Pennsylvania-shale/stories/201508040006http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/reaction-from-several-pa-environmental.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-plan-time-for-action.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pa-chamber-epas-clean-power-plan-will.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/pennsylvania-has-already-cut-carbon.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/puc-to-study-utility-policy-impact-of.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/wolf-epa-clean-power-plan-presents-new.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/08/epa-clean-power-climate-plan-what.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/science/methane-in-atmosphere-may-greatly-exceed-estimates-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150803_Better_fuels_than_fossils.htmlhttp://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:9dbd1053ec4f4aa786767d8ad08db270http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/internal-debate-over-clean-energy-plan-pitted-ambition-against-legal-worries/2015/08/02/9e0c1c94-3966-11e5-9c2d-ed991d848c48_story.htmlhttp://www.wsj.com/articles/obamas-new-climate-change-regulations-to-alter-challenge-industry-1438560433http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/04/us/obama-unveils-plan-to-sharply-limit-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0http://www.wsj.com/articles/impact-of-epas-emissions-rule-on-industry-to-vary-1438645662http://powersource.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/08/03/Obama-to-unveil-tougher-climate-change-plan-global-warming-power-plants-emissions/stories/201508030131http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8851882-74/plan-power-coalhttp://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8827043-74/epa-emissions-stateshttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pollution-carries-price-1.1922084http://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8857800-74/bastardi-dimension-antihttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/08/health-advocates-support-clean-power-plan.phphttp://www.goerie.com/first-energy-reviewing-epas-clean-power-planhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/05/carbon-tax-idea-reappears-in-epa-plan-but-is-unlikely-to-fly-in-pennsylvania/http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/896316/States--targets-shift-in-final-Obama-climate-change-plan.html?isap=1&nav=5020http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-obama-climate-change-pa-impact-20150803-story.html#navtype=outfithttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/pa-coal-operator-announces-bankruptcy/https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/03/coal-will-remain-vital-source-of-pa-energy-despite-new-federal-plan-trade-group-says/http://pfenergycenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-final-clean-power-plan-is-here.htmlhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/844/Mixed-PA-reaction-follows-release-of-EPA-Clean-Power-Plan.aspxhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-officials-respond-to-plan-to-lower-emissions-from-power-plants-1.1922236


14/51

oil and gas drilling industry.

“For all of these reasons, the voting members of COGAC will not be able to support the

Department’s submission of the regulatory package to the [Environmental Quality Board] for

adoption as a final rule, regardless of revisions that DEP may or may not make before that

submission (emphasis added).”

In a statement, DEP Secretary John Quigley touted the “unprecedented public process”that went into developing the proposed rules, including the participation of “tens of thousands of

Pennsylvanians” in public comment periods and hearings.

“COGAC’s opposition will not hinder the progress of the final rule, and I hope when they

meet in August that they are prepared to engage with us as we finalize the rule,” Mr. Quigley

said.

DEP continues to document through hundreds of photographs and in its most recent Oil

and Gas Annual Report how conventional oil and gas drillers have at least 3 times the violations

of unconventional (Marcellus Shale) drillers over the years.

The fact is DEP did separate its drilling regulations into those affecting conventional

drillers-- Chapter 78-- and those covering unconventional drillers-- Chapter 78A-- as required by

the requirements of Act 126, plus held three public hearings.It is ironic that conventional drillers are so concerned about the regulatory process, when

this provision requiring the separation of the regulations was slipped into the Fiscal Code bill in

2014 without public review or notice based on legislation that neither the House nor the Senate

ever voted on.

The conventional drilling industry has maintained since the original Oil and Gas Act was

passed in 1984 that its actions have a benign impact on the environment. In fact in legislation

sponsored last year-- Senate Bill 1378 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) and House Bill 2350

(Causer-R-Cameron)-- they said so.

This myth is exactly that, a myth . The facts are--

1. Conventional wells cause water loss and contamination just like unconventional wells;

2. Conventional wells have more violations than unconventional wells;

3. Both kinds of wells use fracking;

4. Conventional wells are drilled through the same sensitive aquifers;

5. Conventional wells create a bigger footprint on the land; and

6. Smaller companies with fewer resources to deal with problems drill conventional wells.

The next scheduled meeting of DEP’s Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee is

August 27 starting at 10:00 in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg.

NewsClips:

Oil & Gas Panel Set To Oppose New DEP Drilling Regulations


Groups Appeal Shell Air Permit For Ethane Cracker Enviro Groups Appeal Shell Ethane Cracker Air Permit

Shell Shovels Millions Into Beaver County Site

Unmapped, Unregulated Rural Pipelines Poses Hidden Risks

Pipeline Worker Killed On Bradford-Tioga Line

Editorial: Accurately Map Pipelines

Oklahoma Acts To Limit Earthquake Risk From Oil & Gas Wells

Continental Sends 2-Thirds Of Oil By Pipeline, Not Rail

http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/08/06/Continental-Resources-heavy-pipe-use-to-move-oil-bad-for-railroads-shale/stories/201508060192http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/us/oklahoma-acts-to-limit-earthquake-risk-at-oil-and-gas-wells.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/accurately-map-pipelines-1.1922948http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/pipeline-worker-killed-on-bradford-tioga-line-1.1922488https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/04/unmapped-unregulated-maze-of-rural-pipelines-poses-hidden-risks/http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8658597-74/shell-site-countyhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/06/enviro-groups-appeal-air-permit-for-shells-ethane-cracker/http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8860759-74/environmental-permit-shellhttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/science/methane-in-atmosphere-may-greatly-exceed-estimates-report-says.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-sharehttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/08/04/Conventional-oil-and-gas-panel-set-to-oppose-new-DEP-drilling-regulations-Pennsylvania-shale/stories/201508040006http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/conventional_oil_and_gas_advisory_committee/21984http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31809http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2350http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=2350http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2013&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1378http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=29278http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32700http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32700http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/04/19/Drillers-are-getting-photo-evidence-from-Pennsylvania-DEP-of-well-violations-But-industry-says-they-don-t-tell-whole-story/stories/201504190092


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Mystery Of The Unexploded Oil Train

Revived Sunoco Refinery Could Be Worth $1 Billion

Philadelphia Energy Solutions Postpones IPO

Drop In Oil Prices Pushes Down Gasoline Prices In Pittsburgh

Fire Sale On Stuff That Burns: Oil, Natural Gas, Coal Down

Rex Energy Posts $155M Loss On Low Gas Prices Rex Energy Hunkers Down To Weather Downturn

EQT Exploring Gas Drilling In Pittsburgh Suburbs

Day 41 Without A State Budget: Groundhog Day Redux

Various combinations of legislative leaders and

Gov. Wolf met this week to talk about the

budget impasse, but judging from public

statements it was all just a rehash of what each

side said and heard before.

The meetings weren’t even long enoughto order pizza, let alone agree on who would buy

or even decide on toppings. (With Gov. Wolf’s

gift ban, it is likely everyone would pay for their

own.)

Gov. Wolf said he’s not backing down on his proposals to provide a dramatic increase in

basic school funding via a severance tax on natural gas; a reduction in property taxes; and other

ideas for dealing with the ongoing state deficit without “smoke and mirrors” like the

Republicans.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) said Wolf’s plan to enact a

natural gas severance tax will cost Pennsylvania 250,000 jobs and suggested Wolf switch from

campaign mode to “governing mode.” He thought the “smoke and mirrors” comment was

insulting.

Paying members and staff of the Senate and House again came into the open this week as

some legislative leaders mentioned their concerns about how much longer their funding reserves

will last-- mid-September was someone’s guess, if they haven’t run out already-- and what

options there are to fill that gap.

The State Treasurer’s office said they would treat each branch of government equally in

terms of providing funding. They already provide funding to pay Executive Branch state

workers without a budget.

Some Republicans said they thought having the State Treasurer loan them money

violated the separation of powers principle. I guess we’ll see where they are on that along aboutDecember.

There was also scattered talk about other possible options for temporary budget relief this

week, including a 3-month budget or a continuing resolution-type action to at least provide some

funding at last year’s levels for a limited period of time.

The reaction to most of these suggestions was-- what would it really get us?

Despite the budget stalemate, a handful of House members decided they could still go on

a week-long junket to Israel. The members include: Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York), Rep. Matthew

http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/consumers-powersource/2015/08/07/EQT-exploring-Pittsburgh-s-eastern-suburbs-for-potential-gas-drilling/stories/201508070059http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/08/06/Rex-Energy-hunkers-down-to-weather-the-oil-and-gas-downturn-Marcellus-Shale-Pennsylvania/stories/201508060054http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8860748-74/gas-million-losshttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/08/04/Fire-sale-on-stuff-that-burns-Oil-natural-gas-coal-down-2/stories/201508040158http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/consumers-powersource/2015/08/03/Drop-in-oil-prices-pushing-down-gasoline-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201508030128http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20150807_Phila__Energy_Solutions_postpones_IPO.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20150806_Revived_Sunoco_refinery_could_be_worth__1_billion_plus.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20150802_Mystery_of_the_unexploded_oil_train.html


16/51

Bradford (D-Montgomery), House Minority Whip Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Centre), Rep. Brian

Sims (D-Philadelphia) Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Michael Schlossberg

(D-Lehigh).

House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) canceled participation in the trip because of

ongoing, if unproductive, budget talks.

Of course while all this is going on, regular citizens and businesses still paid their taxes--$2.2 billion in July to be precise as reported by the state Department of Revenue this week.

This rather irked some editorial writers, county and local governments, school districts

and regular vendors who aren’t being paid, but are still providing social and other services to the

public.

Stay tuned for what happens in week 6….

They say we're young and we don't know

We won't find out until we're grown

Well I don't know if all that's true

'Cause you got me, and baby I got you

Babe

I got you babe I got you babe

NewsClips:

Scarnati Says Severance Tax Would Cost 250,000 Jobs

Letter: A Reasonable Severance Tax To Help Fund Clean Water

Wolf, Scarnati Underscore Differences Holding Up Budget

Wolf, Scarnati Discuss Budget Impasse On WITF

Lawmakers Consider 3-Month Budget As Stalemate Continues

Wolf: I’m Not Going To Just Roll Over On Budget

No Budget, But PA Collects $2 Billion Plus In Taxes

Bumsted: Winners, Losers In PA Budget Siege

GOP, Dems Hear Same Advice From Constituents: Hold Your Ground

Senators Back Multiyear Film Tax Incentive

PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA . Let us join your

Circle.

Google+ now combines all the news you now get through the PA Environment Digest,

Weekly, Blog, Twitter and Video sites into one resource.

You’ll receive as-it-happens postings on Pennsylvania environmental news, daily

NewsClips and links to the weekly Digest and videos.

Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates --

PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from:

PAEnviroDigest.

PA Environment Daily Blog: provides daily environmental NewsClips and significant stories

http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/8867257-74/film-pittsburgh-industryhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/republicans_democrats_hear_sam.htmlhttp://triblive.com/opinion/bradbumsted/8832409-74/state-districts-budgethttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150803_ap_6722a92f65e3487683090cb6357d38a6.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/08/gov_tom_wolf_on_budget_negotia.html#incart_2box_topmobilehttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-lawmakers-consider-a-3-month-budget-as-budget-stalemate-enters-day-36-1.1922847http://www.witf.org/smart-talk/2015/08/smart-talk-gov-wolf-and-sen-scarnati-talk-budget.phphttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/08/05/In-radio-interviews-Wolf-and-Scarnati-underscore-differences-holding-up-Pennsylvania-budget/stories/201508050136http://www.publicopiniononline.com/opinion/ci_28590366/letter-reasonable-gas-taxhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/08/05/scarnati-says-natural-gas-tax-would-cost-pa-250000-jobs/


17/51

and announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and

receive as they are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a

once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. NEW! Add your constructive

comment to any blog posting.

PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government,including NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they

are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily

email alerting you to new items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest

Twitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State

Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest--

Bill Calendars

House (August 25): House Bill 48 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting standards for drinking

water well construction; Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for an independent

counsel for the Environmental Quality Board. Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (September 21): Senate Resolution 54 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) urging Congress to impose

tariffs on imported anthracite coal (sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 55 (Hutchinson-R-

Venango) a concurrent resolution establishing a Forestry Task Force associated with the JointLegislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee (sponsor summary ).

Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in

each--

House

Appropriations

Education

Environmental Resources and Energy

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=8&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=12&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=4&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=17546http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=55http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16954http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=54http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/


18/51

Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

Judiciary

Liquor Control

TransportationLinks for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and WelfareTransportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate (unless sooner recalled)

September 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

October 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

November 16, 17, 18

December 7, 8, 9

House (unless sooner recalled)

August 25

September 21, 22, 28 (Non-Voting), 29, 30

October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

November 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 (Non-Voting)

December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16

Governor’s Schedule

Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day

will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public

Appearances.

News From Around The State

http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBxhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=19&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=33&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=29&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=39&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=31&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=7&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=9&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=3&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=38&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=28&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=24&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=56&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=54&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=10&CteeBody=H


19/51

DEP Publishes Another Agenda Of Upcoming Technical Guidance In Development

The Department of Environmental Protection published its first Non-Regulatory Agenda of

technical guidance in development in the August 8 PA Bulletin (starting on page 4546 ending on

page 4557) in compliance with its interim final Policy for Development and Publication of

Technical Guidance

.DEP published its original Non-Regulatory Agenda on June 27 with a different set of

technical guidance mentioned.

This agenda was developed in response to a recommendation from DEP’s Citizens

Advisory Council as a tool to increase public participation and transparency and is similar to the

Regulatory Agenda published in July by DEP.

The Agenda was published as part of the Governor’s Office updated Catalog of

Nonregulatory Documents in the same PA Bulletin (starting on page 4493 ) covering all state

agencies.

Among the new technical guidance being developed are--

-- Proposed Beneficial Use of General Permit Material At Active Coal Mines (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Coal Surface Mining Activity Permit Pre-Application Review (3rd Quarter)-- Proposed Engineering Manual For Mining Operations (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Government Finance Reclamation Contracts (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Civil Penalty Assessments for Mining Operations (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Underground Storage Tank Cathodic Protection (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Land Recycling Program Vapor Intrusion Standards (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Instructions for Compliance with Air Quality Exemption 38, GP-5 (3rd Quarter)

-- Proposed Public Resources Implementation Policy for Oil and Gas Operations (4th Quarter)

-- Proposed Unconventional Oil and Gas Operations Noise Mitigation (4th Quarter)

-- Proposed Water Supply Replacement Oil and Gas Program (4th Quarter)

-- Proposed Area of Review In Oil and Gas Program (4th Quarter)

-- Proposed Compensation Policy Under Chapter 105 (4th Quarter)

-- Final PA Wetland Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment (4th Quarter)

-- Final PA Riverine Condition Level 2 Rapid Assessment (4th Quarter)

-- Proposed Revised Total Coliform Rule (1st Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Revised Surface Water Identification Protocol (1st Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Closure Requirements for Underground Tank Systems (1st Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Closure Requirements for Aboveground Tank Systems (1st Quarter 2016)

-- Final Management of Clean or Regulated Fill (1st Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Defective Cement Policy in Oil and Gas Program (2nd Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Pressure Barrier Guidance in Oil and Gas Program (2nd Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Radioactivity Monitoring At Solid Waste Facilities ( 2nd Quarter 2016)-- Proposed Compliance Sampling for Low RVP Gasoline (2nd Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Stage II Penalty Assessment (2nd Quarter 2016)

-- Proposed Stage II Testing Requirements (2nd Quarter 2016)

The full 11-page DEP Non-Regulatory Agenda of technical guidance in development is

in the August 8 PA Bulletin (starting on page 4546 ). The original Non-Regulatory Agenda

published on June 27 is also available.

http://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Technical%20Guidance/NonReg%20Agenda_6_26_15.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Technical%20Guidance/NonReg%20Agenda_6_26_15.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Technical%20Guidance/NonReg%20Agenda_6_26_15.pdfhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-32/45-32.pdfhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-32/45-32.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32839http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30907http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30907http://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Technical%20Guidance/NonReg%20Agenda_6_26_15.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Technical%20Guidance/NonReg%20Agenda_6_26_15.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32350http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32350http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-32/45-32.pdf


20/51

Apply Now For Urban Stormwater Project Grants In Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 8 PA Bulletin it is

now accepting applications for for the construction of urban stormwater Best Management

Practices (BMP) to reduce the discharge of nutrients and sediments delivered to local waters and

to the Chesapeake Bay. ( formal notice ) Applications are due October 9.

Counties, cities, boroughs, townships, incorporated towns and municipal authorities

within the Chesapeake Bay drainage area are eligible to apply. Other parties interested in

promoting stormwater BMP construction are encouraged to approach local officials and offer to

assist in application development and project management.

The maximum funding amount per applicant is $200,000. Construction must be complete

within 2 years. Federal requirements will apply to construction procurement. Funding recipients

will be selected on a competitive basis.

Projects must be located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and either: Within

urbanized areas according to the latest Decennial Census in which National Pollutant Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage is required for the discharge of stormwater frommunicipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4); or discharges from combined sewer overflows

through combined sewer systems (CSS).

Projects cannot be associated with new development. In addition new detention basins

are not eligible.

Projects must result in structural, on-the-ground BMPs that meet the requirements of

Pennsylvania's Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (363-0300-002), as applicable,

and have been demonstrated to reduce the discharge of nutrient or sediment loads, or both, to

surface waters.

Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: Bioretention/raingardens; Bioswales;

Permeable pavement; Urban nutrient management; Urban stream restoration; Urban tree

planting; Vegetated open channels; Vegetated roofs; Wet ponds and wetlands; Other projects that

reduce the flow of stormwater into MS4s or CSSs

More information and a copy of the application will be posted on DEP’s MS4

Stormwater webpage. Questions should be directed to Leif Rowles at DEP by calling

717-783-2290 or send email to: [email protected].

NewsClips:

Villanova, Philadelphia Water Team Up On Stormwater Runoff

Dormont Looks To Stormwater User Fees

Pennsylvania’s Watershed Plan For Farmers

Letter: Here’s How PA Can Help Save The Chesapeake Ba