HARRISBURG – State Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria) expressed their support for legislation that will align state law with newly relaxed federal timelines associated with so-called “Clean Power Plan” mandates.
Senate Bill 1195, which was sent to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk Wednesday after passing the House and Senate, sets in statute timelines for the General Assembly to have a voice in setting Pennsylvania’s environmental policy with regard to carbon emissions, which preserves and enhances job opportunities in the Commonwealth, and especially in the local coal industry.
“Act 175 of 2014 required our Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to submit its plan for compliance with so-called federal ‘Clean Power Plan’ mandates to the General Assembly before implementation,” Gabler said.
“[Wednesday’s] action takes into account the U.S. Supreme Court’s order to extend timelines for compliance and accordingly updates the House and Senate’s schedule for evaluating DEP’s proposal before rendering an opinion on it.”
Without this legislation, the Wolf administration will be in violation of state law on June 30 when deadlines contained in Act 175 expire. Senate Bill 1195 inserts flexibility into the process in anticipation of future federal action and preserves the opportunity for House and Senate consideration of DEP’s plan.
“The negative impact that implementation of the legally challenged version of the so-called Clean Power Plan would have on Pennsylvania’s job climate and residents’ household budgets are a statewide problem,” added Sankey.
“That is why this bill drew bipartisan support. Elected officials, serving as the voice of our citizens, have a better handle on this issue than bureaucrats in Harrisburg or Washington, D.C. Senate Bill 1195 ensures citizens’ voices are heard.”