The PA Association of Conservation Districts wrote to members of the General Assembly opposing House Bill 1842 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) that redefines water pollution by letting companies decide when to report spills.

The bill is a companion to Senate Bill 545 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) introduced at the request of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation which was unhappy with an April 17, 2017 settlement with DEP over an appeal of a stormwater pollution prevention permit for its West Point, Montgomery County plant (Environmental Hearing Board Docket No. 2015-011-L).

Watch Merck testify in favor of Senate Bill 619 on September 30, 2020 before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Environmental, conservation, wildlife and many other groups have opposed legislation like this for more than two and a half years.  Read more here.

The text of the PACD email to House members follows--

“The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD), representing the state’s 66 conservation districts, opposes HB 1842, currently on the House calendar for consideration.

“This legislation allows for the Environmental Quality Board to develop a threshold for reporting a pollution spill on surface or groundwater. Currently all spills must be reported to DEP.

“HB 1842 also allows individuals and companies who cause pollution to surface or groundwater determine if any spill should be reported.

“In essence, the bill allows polluters to decide if their spills are a pollution event and if they should be reported to DEP.

“Unfortunately, polluters may not know where downstream drinking water intakes are located, and are not in a position to determine if their pollution event is a threat. 

“Finally, HB 1842 would likely cost DEP’s federally delegated authority to implement the federal Clean Water Act.

“Pennsylvania could lose over $8 million a year in federal funding it currently receives to implement the federal Clean Water Act. This would result in fewer staff and having to cut programs, including those that support our county conservation districts and clean water protection efforts.

“PACD is dedicated to preserving and protecting our natural resources and believes that current PA law requiring all spills to be reported to DEP is safer for all of our county citizens. 

“For this reason, we oppose HB 1842 and urge you to vote against the legislation. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.”

 House Bill 1842 was passed by the House and is currently in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5709 or sending email to: senatorcomitta@pasenate.com.

Senate Bill 545 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) is in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and can be contacted at 717-787-1349 or send email to: pbrowne@pasen.gov.  Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted at 717-787-7112 or send email to: vincent.hughes@pasenate.com.

NewsClip:

-- Monroe County Conservation District Speaks Against Changes To State Clean Streams Law

Related Article:

-- Senate Republicans Introduce Bill To Let Companies Decide When To Report Spills That Pollute Receiving Streams, Harm Public Health

[Posted: January 19, 2022]

1/24/2022