Legislation

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2011

RGGC: Governor’s Impact Fee Proposal Falls Short
Group Looks to House and Senate to Restore Funding for Critical Environmental Program

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to Governor Corbett’s Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal.

“The Coalition is pleased that the Governor has come to realize there should be an impact fee on Marcellus Shale drilling and that he will strengthen certain regulations to protect Pennsylvania’s environment from the dangers of natural gas drilling.

“Moreover, the Coalition is pleased that the Corbett administration is setting aside funds for plugging abandoned wells, a function of the Growing Greener program, which has invested $14.7 million in plugging more than 2,100 wells across the Commonwealth. …

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2011 

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Commends Reps. Murt, DiGirolamo for Standing Up for Growing Greener
Coalition Looks Forward to Details of Marcellus Shale Drilling Severance Tax Legislation

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today commended State Reps. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery) and Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) for plans to introduce legislation establishing a severance tax on natural gas drilling that includes funding for the state’s Growing Greener program.

Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath issued the following statement:

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition commends Reps. Murt and DiGirolamo for standing up for Growing Greener. We are encouraged by their proposal for a severance tax on Marcellus Shale drilling and that they call for a portion of the revenues to be used for offsetting the statewide impacts that drilling will have on our water, air and land.

“The Coalition agrees that it is long past time that Pennsylvania assess a reasonable tax or fee on deep gas drilling and is pleased that the legislators recognize the importance of making long-term investments in our natural resources and environmental programs. …

For Immediate Release:  June 15, 2011

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Applauds Rep. Quinn for Including Funding for Environment in Impact Fee Legislation

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today commended State Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) for proposing local impact fee legislation (HB1700) that includes funding for the state’s Growing Greener program through the Environmental Stewardship Fund.  Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath issued the following statement:

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is pleased with legislation proposed by Representative Quinn that provides dedicated funding for the state’s Growing Greener program through the Environmental Stewardship Fund and also takes care of our conservation districts, which are our first line of defense for our waterways. …

For Immediate Release:  June 14, 2011

State’s Largest Environmental Coalition Calls Amended Impact Fee Legislation
“Unfortunate Step Backward”
Coalition Urges Legislators toRestore Critical Funding to Protect Environment

(Harrisburg, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today expressed disappointment in amended legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-25) that calls for an impact fee on natural gas drilling, but fails to include funding for key programs to protect the environment.

Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath issued the following statement:

“The amended Scarnati impact fee legislation is an unfortunate step backward. By removing critical funding for key environmental programs, the legislation leaves the future of our natural resources, community vitality, and economy at risk. …

For Immediate Release: June 10, 2011

State Faces Dangerous Scenario; Environmental Stewardship Funds Urgently Needed
Impassioned Testimony Offered at House Democratic Policy Hearing

(Philadelphia, PA) – Today, Renew Growing Greener Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath provided testimony at the House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.  The following are excerpts from Heath’s remarks:

“When Governor Ridge first signed Growing Greener into law in 1999, we all thought that it was a program with potential, but none of us could have imagined the impact this essential initiative has had over the past 12 years.  In 2005, Governor Rendell expanded this program by creating Growing Greener II, a bond initiative that infused an additional $625 million worth of investments over five years. …

For Immediate Release: June 6, 2011

State’s Largest Environmental Coalition Commends Rep. Quinn for Including Funding for Environment in Impact Fee Proposal
Coalition Looks Forward to Learning the Details of the Plan

(Harrisburg, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition today commended State Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) for putting forth a local impact fee proposal that includes funding for the state’s Growing Greener program.

Coalition Executive Director Andrew Heath issued the following statement:

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is encouraged by the proposal put forth by Representative Quinn that would provide dedicated funding for the state’s Growing Greener program through the Environmental Stewardship Fund by establishing a local impact fee on natural gas drillers. …

For Immediate Release: May 26, 2011

State’s Largest Environmental Coalition Recognizes Senator Scarnati’s Improved Impact Fee Proposal

SB1100 Expanded to Include More Environmental Programs;
Coalition Still Concerned with Details

(Harrisburg, PA) The Renew Growing Greener (RGG) Coalition today recognized Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-25) for expanding critical environmental, conservation and recreation programs in his proposed Marcellus Shale Impact Fee legislation, but reiterated concerns over the amount of revenue generated, programs still not being funded, and funding the existing programs through the Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA) as the current legislation provides. …

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2011

Renew Growing Greener Coalition Recognizes Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati for Introducing Marcellus Shale Impact Fee

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Renew Growing Greener Coalition issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati’s release of his Marcellus Shale Impact Fee last week:

“The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is pleased that Senator Scarnati is getting involved in the Marcellus Shale discussion – this is a positive step forward.  We also appreciate that Senator Scarnati has made numerous comments in the press over the past year expressing the importance of funding Growing Greener. …