Senate Environmental Committee Holds Hearing On Lead Exposure Oct. 30 In Luzerne County

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on lead exposure and mitigation October 30 in Pittston, Luzerne County.

The agenda includes these witnesses--

-- Lisa Daniels, Acting DEP Deputy Secretary for Water Programs

-- Dr. Loren Robinson, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Department of Health

-- Jennifer Berrier, Director, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety, Department of Labor and Industry

-- Michael Lombardo, Vice Chair, Pittston Redevelopment Authority, City of Pittston

-- Henry Radulski, Health Director, City of Wilkes-Barre

-- Cherie Gudz, Vice President, Environment, Health and Safety, SGS

-- David R. Kaufman, Vice President, Engineering, Pennsylvania American Water

The Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 33 sponsored by Sen John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Committee, creating a bipartisan task force to investigate the scope of Pennsylvania’s lead exposure problem.

The resolution establishes a Task Force on lead exposure comprised of the chairs of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee and two members appointed by the Senate President pro tempore and the Minority Leader.

The Joint State Government Commission is also directed to establish an Advisory Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of Pennsylvania law and public policy related to lead exposure and abatement practices and then submit a report to the Task Force and full Senate within 18-months.

The report must assess the age of housing and infrastructure, lead exposure threats, and identify the prevalence of lead in structures where children spend significant time.

The October 30 hearing is an effort to aid the work of the Task Force and Advisory Committee in their work. Witnesses are expected to include state and local officials and private sector individuals experienced with the effects of lead poisoning and remediation.

Sen. Yudichak wants to ensure input from Northeast PA in this process which may have older infrastructure than many areas of the state presenting more of a lead poisoning threat.

The hearing will be held in the John P. Cosgrove Center, Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad Street in Pittston, Luzerne County starting at 11:00.

For more background on the lead issue, visit DEP’s Lead In Drinking Water webpage and the Department of Health’s Lead Poisoning webpage.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.  Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.