LWVPA Statement on Recent Proposed Environmental Legislation

LWVPA has been closely tracking two pieces of environmental legislation which have been dramatically changed via the legislative amendment process:

First HB652, sponsored by Rep. Bullock (D) of Philadelphia and co-signed by 39 other representatives, would significantly bolster our environmental permitting process in Pennsylvania. The bill specifies that cumulative effects of pollution should be considered in all Department of Environmental Protection permitting. These cumulative effects were not previously considered in permitting. We know that pollution does not adhere to geographic boundaries. If an industry emits carbon pollution, it travels across municipal and county lines.  The original bill used the term “burdened communities.” However, the bill was amended, and “burdened communities” was changed to “environmental justice communities.” This change strengthens and clarifies this bill by calling out the burdened communities as those with low-income and diverse populations, as defined by the Office of Environmental Justice of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Second, the Railroad Safety Act of 2023 proposed the transition from DOT-111 tank cars considering the East Palestine derailment of February 3, 2023.  The act specified a phase-out of the old tank cars by May 2025. However, Senator Vance of Ohio changed the phase-out date to December 2028. He did this using an “amendment as a substitute,” in which an entirely new bill replaces the pre-existing text. The only way one would know the date was changed is if they knew the earlier date and compared the full text against the original Bill. 

LWVPA supports the changes made to HB562 and opposes those made to the Railroad Safety Act. We urge you to contact your legislators today.