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For Immediate Release
October 16, 2007
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Committee Approves White Bill Dedicating Hazardous Spill
Fines to Cleanup Fund
Panel also approves new parks and recreation oversight, nears
vote on HSCA funding.
Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) to
ensure that state hazardous spill fines are used to fund cleanup efforts was
approved today by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
White noted that any business which causes a hazardous spill or release is
currently obligated under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) to pay 100
percent of recovery and cleanup costs, and is also liable for significant fines.
Senate Bill 1068 would require the state Department of Environmental Protection
to deposit any HSCA-related fine money into the Hazardous Site Cleanup Fund.
"Pennsylvania has plenty of environmental needs, but cleaning up hazardous
sites is a major priority and money collected from fines should go to support
that effort," said White. "This bill will clarify the law and ensure that those
fines cannot be diverted for other uses."
White, who chairs the committee, said the panel will soon hold a vote on
Senate Bill 1100, to provide a new funding stream for HSCA. Funding for HSCA was
not included in the state budget approved in July, and the bill, sponsored by
Senator White and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), will provide a
dedicated funding stream for HSCA through 2011-2012.
The committee also approved Senate Bill1069, sponsored by White. The
legislation requires state agencies which receive funding under the Keystone
Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key '93) to submit annual reports to the
governor and General Assembly. The reports -- which would include descriptions
of parks and recreation projects receiving state grants, and amounts requested
-- would be posted online.
Senate Bill 1068 and Senate Bill 1069 were sent to the full Senate for
consideration.
CONTACT:
Patrick Henderson
(717) 787-9684 | 
