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For Immediate Release
November 16, 1999

Senate Approves Sen. White’s Environmental Funding Bill

Based on Gov. Ridge’s "Growing Greener" Initiative

Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) that would create a five-year, $625 million fund to boost Pennsylvania’s environmental protection efforts was unanimously approved tonight by the state Senate.

White said Senate Bill 800 – the Watershed Protection and Environmental Stewardship Act – is based on Gov. Tom Ridge’s "Growing Greener" initiative.

The initiative creates the Environmental Stewardship Fund, to be used for improving watersheds; cleaning up abandoned mines; rehabilitating state parks; helping communities improve drinking water and wastewater systems; preserving open space; and plugging abandoned and orphan oil and gas wells.

It would also provide an additional $80 million for farmland preservation.

"This represents a compromise between our dreams and our realities," said White, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy. "It invests a significant amount of money, without raising any taxes or fees, to address the substantial environmental concerns facing Pennsylvania."

The senator said the Environmental Stewardship Fund would be in part funded by transferring money from existing, underused programs, including the state Recycling Fund. However, it would ensure that the funding for recycling programs will not fall below 1999-2000 spending level, and extends the $2 ton tipping fee that funds recycling in Pennsylvania by one year.

It also dedicates a portion of the existing Real Estate transfer tax.

Funding for sewage treatment operating grants would be capped slightly higher than current levels. Communities that already receive grants will continue to receive reimbursement for existing equipment until it is replaced or removed from service.

"I believe we have crafted a sound, bipartisan, landmark bill that balances the need to protect the environment and protect public health with the need to protect our children from being left with the bill for another costly government program," said White. "I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in passing this sweeping initiative so we can start the 21st century on sound environmental footing."