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For Immediate Release
December 20, 2006
White
Re-Appointed Chair of Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
Harrisburg – State Senator Mary Jo White (R-21) announced
today that she has been re-appointed chair of the Senate Environmental Resources
and Energy Committee by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25). White
has served as chair of the committee since the 1999-2000 legislative session.
"I am very pleased with this appointment, and I look
forward to continuing the efforts of the Senate to promote sound and responsible
environmental and conservation policies for the Commonwealth," said White.
"I also look forward to working with Senator Ray Musto,
Democratic chair of the Committee, as we work to reach a
consensus on difficult and complex issues."
During the 2005-2006 legislative session, the Committee
advanced legislation to address a host of important environmental and
conservation issues. These included:
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Funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund
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An enhancement of former Governor Tom Ridge's Growing Greener
program, which White sponsored in 1999. The Committee also rejected the
Governor’s proposal to increase taxes by $150 million annually
-
Encouraging development of indigenous dormant oil and gas reserves
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Increased payments in lieu of taxes for public lands
-
Extension of the $2/ton recycling fee
The Committee held numerous public hearings to gather
information on pressing issues. Senator White also created a Committee website
to ensure timely and efficient access by the public to the Committee's
activities. Public hearing and meeting information can be found at
www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.html.
Senator White also outlined several key issues that the
Committee will tackle in the coming session, including:
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Finalizing a state strategy to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired
power plants
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Comprehensive amendments to the state’s mine safety law
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Securing long-term funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund
-
Reforming operations of the Department of Environmental Protection
and Environmental Quality Board
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Reviewing alternative energy and “climate change” policies
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Assuring consumer access to reliable and affordable energy
NOTE: Members of the media and public wishing to join
the Committee’s distribution list and stay informed of the Committee’s public
hearing and meeting activities should send a request, with relevant contact and
affiliation information, to
energy@pasen.gov.
Contact:
Patrick Henderson
(717) 787-9684 or
phenderson@pasen.gov
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