Legislation
This section features pending state or federal legislation likely to affect the local environment. Boldface indicates enactment in current legislative session.
Federal
- S 2337 — Plastic Pellets Free Waters Act — Federal legislation to prohibit plastics manufacturers from discharging plastic pellets (nurdles) into rivers and streams. Sitting in committee.
Pennsylvania
- HB 652 – Would add an additional layer of public hearings on projects in environmental justice areas (like Chester) so citizens can have more of a say. Out of House environmental committee but tabled and recommitted twice to Rules Committee.
- HB 797 — Directs PennDOT to plant native plants along highways. Signed by the Governor.
- HB 1032 — provides grants to schools to install solar panels. Passed PA House 134-69. Signed by the Governor.
- HB 1172 — Allows for alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) of bodies. Passed House 138-67. in Senate ERE Committee.
- HB 1607 — Allows counties to create an electronic waste recycling collection program.
- HB 1740 — provides for transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. In House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
- HB 1842 — provides for community solar projects and grants. Passed House 111-90. In Senate Committee on Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities.
- HB 2238 — provides for the registration, regulation and phasing out of PFAs — forever chemicals — in products sold in Pennsylvania. Voted out of House ERE Committee 06-03-24. In Rules Committee.
- HB 2241 — Establishes a mandatory battery return program with retailers and manufacturers — passed House 115-86. Now in Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
- HB 2338 — Expands ability of PA Energy Development Authority to fund clean energy projects in minority communities and low-income rural areas to provide for new, clean energy jobs. In Senate ERE Committee.
- HB 2525 — Provides for civil action against corporations Engaging in ‘green washing’
- SB 143 — prohibits local municipalities from restricting or barring clean energy services. Passed PA Senate 140-9. In House Local Government Committee.
- SB 199 – Speeds up the permitting process for construction projects. Passed the Senate 28-22. In House committee.
- SB 211 – provides for regulations governing the decommissioning of solar energy facilities. Passed Senate 36-`13. In various House committees.
- SB 422 — establishes a renewable energy transition task force. In Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
- SB 432 — Establishes a water ratepayer bill of rights to protect ratepayers in sales of public water utilities. In Senate consumer Protection Committee.
- SB 656 — State to require a $200 user fee for Electric Vehicles in 2025 and $250 thereafter as substitute for gasoline tax. Signed by Governor.
- SB 831 — Enables injection of carbon dioxide in ground, provides conveyance of surface property for CO2 sequestration purposes. Signed by Governor.
- SB 888 — A companion bill to HB 652, requires developers and DEP to hold public hearings within the affected communities. The bill sits in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.