HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, majority chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said the panel approved measures that would give municipalities more safeguards against sewage sludge and provide a five-year moratorium on leasing additional state forestland for gas drilling.
“I’ve fought for stronger sludge rules for many years,” said George, D-74 of Clearfield County of his House Bill 1341, the Sewage Sludge Testing Act. “Local governments should be able to assure citizens that the substances being applied around their homes are safe.”
HB 1341 would enable local governments to have tests done on sludged properties with the costs paid by the entity that applied the sewage sludge, the sludge transporter, or the landowner. It also would direct the state Department of Environmental Protection to test sludge sites when a written complaint is received.
The bill was approved on a 17-8 vote.
House Bill 2235, establishing a five-year moratorium on the leasing of state forestland for natural gas exploration, drilling or production, was approved on a 16-9 vote. The bill, introduced by Greg Vitali, D-166 of Delaware County, also directs the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to assess the impact of drilling on state land.
Both bills now face consideration by the full House. House Bill 2109 was not considered by the panel.
