PA Environment Digest Blog: Senate Committee Meets Feb. 27 On Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities, Limiting 1 Use Of PFAS Chemicals, Resolution Calling For Restart Of Keystone XL Pipeline

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet February 27 on legislation setting decommissioning standards for solar energy facilities, a resolution calling for the restart of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and addressing one of thousands of uses of PFAS “forcver chemicals.”

The bills include--

-- PFAS In Firefighting Foams: Senate Bill 144 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) would restrict the use of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foams, which is only a very small use for the chemicals that can be found in thousands of products. [Read more here about the threats posed by PFAS chemicals and their spread in the environment. “For the general public, the main sources of PFAS exposure are from drinking water and food, such as eating fish, eggs, or milk, or livestock that has fed on contaminated land. Direct exposure can also come via cosmetics, sprays or dust from consumer products, but little is known of the impacts through these pathways.”]

-- Decommissioning Solar Energy Facilities: Senate Bill 211 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) the bill-- the former Senate Bill 284-- sets decommissioning rules for utility-scale solar energy facilities, including preempting local ordinances and regulations on decommissioning; and requiring compliance with the federal Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

-- Repealing California Diesel Vehicle Standards: Senate Bill 254 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) would suspend DEP’s regulations setting heavy-duty diesel emissions standards based on California standards. DEP already did this in November 2021 allowing federal standards to remain in place. Read more here.

-- Restart Keystone XL Pipeline Construction: Senate Resolution 9 (Langerholc-R-Cambria) urging President Biden to restart construction of Keystone XL Pipeline, which is not in Pennsylvania. TC Energy abandoned its plans for the Keystone XL Pipeline for good in June 2021 to carry Canadian oil to Steele City, Kansas. The existing Keystone Pipeline system is still functioning delivering Canadian oil to Oklahoma, Houston and Illinois. The Keystone Pipeline shutdown in January after spilling 600,000 gallons of oil which will cost an estimated $480 million to clean up. The pipeline has experienced nearly two dozen accidents since going into service in 2010.

The meeting will be held off the floor, meaning there is no set time to meet, in the Senate Rules Room which has no live online video coverage.

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.

(Photo: 600,000 gallons Keystone Pipeline oil spill in January.)

Resource Links:

-- The Guardian: What Are PFAS, How Toxic Are They And How Do You Become Exposed?

-- The Guardian: U.S. Averaging One Chemical Accident Every 2 Days From Train Derailments, Pipeline Ruptures, Truck Crashes, Industrial Spills

-- Citizen Complaints Result In DEP Issuing PA General Energy More Violations At Loyalsock Creek Gas Pipeline/Water Withdrawal Construction Site In Lycoming County [12.16.22]

-- Senate Budget Hearings: PA’s Experience With New Pipeline Construction Shows State Laws Not Strong Enough To Prevent Environmental Damage, Protect Public Safety [PaEN]

-- House Committee Fails To Address $70 Million In Penalties On Natural Gas Pipelines Or Real Concerns Of People Living Near Gas Production & Distribution Facilities [PaEN]

-- Natural Gas, Hazardous Liquids Pipelines Are NOT Required To Carry Insurance Or Show They Can Pay For Damages If They Explode, Leak Or Kill Someone [PaEN]

-- Oil & Gas Industry Impacts: Navy Veterans Patrick & Helen Robinson Relate Their 7-Year Struggle Dealing With Impacts Of Mariner East Pipeline Construction In Indiana County, And They Continue [PaEN]

-- Oil & Gas Industry Impacts: Cambria County Family Sues Sunoco After 3 Years Of Dealing With Damage To Home, Well, Septic System, Property From Mariner East Pipeline Construction [PaEN]