PA Environment Digest Blog: Senate Republicans Pass Bill Taking ‘Protection’ Out Of The Name Of Department Of Environmental Protection; But DEP Doesn’t Have To Change Its Signs Until They Wear Out

On June 7, Senate Republicans passed Senate Bill 691 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) dropping ‘Protection’ from the name of the Department of Environmental Protection and changing it to the Department of Environmental Services.

The bill was passed in a party-line vote of 28 to 22, Republicans supporting

Before passage, the bill was amended with provisions Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee, said would provide for a “slow transition.”

The bill now says--

-- Signs on buildings and other locations “may not” be changed until they wear out;

-- The agency name on badges, licenses, contracts, deeds, stationary and any other officials documents will not be affected until supplies run out;

-- DEP may substitute the new name on documents and materials on a scheduled it deems appropriate;

-- The name on existing licenses, contracts, deeds and other officials documents will not be affected; and

-- Computer systems are not affected by the name change until routine upgrades are made.

In explaining the need to change the name of DEP, Sen. Yaw said previously--

“The word “protection” carries a law enforcement or security connotation rather than that of an environmental resource and partner to the citizens of Pennsylvania.

“Unfortunately, enforcer has become the prevalent view of the department, overshadowing other work which is detrimental to an open relationship between the citizenry and their government regarding environmental issues.

“Emphasizing that this department is focused on “services” will be a huge step forward in instituting a needed culture change.

“This name change will have no effect on the jurisdiction or enforcement obligations of the department.”

The bill now goes to the House for action.

DEP Reforms/Changes:

-- Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Proposes Major Initiative To Speed Up DEP Permit Reviews/ Inspections; Double Oil & Gas Fund Investment In State Parks/Forests Infrastructure [PaEN]

-- DEP Budget Testimony: Increasing Permitting Efficiency, Cleaning Up Legacy Pollution, Investing In Communities, Holding Companies Accountable [PaEN]

-- DEP Offers 10 Point Plan To Improve Permit Reviews; Climate/Energy Work Group Co-Chairs Announced; Work Group Formed To Prevent New Oil & Gas Well Abandonments [PaEN]

-- DEP Acting Secretary Wants To Encourage A Culture Of Being User-Friendly At DEP And Used The Train Derailment Response As An Example [PaEN]

-- DEP Acting Secretary Negrin: All Climate Change Is Local - We Are Guardians Of Our Neighborhoods, We Are To Act In Service To Our Neighbors [PaEN]

-- House Budget Hearing: Acting DEP Secretary Outlines His Views On Environmental Justice, Announces Fernando Treviño As Special Deputy For Environmental Justice [PaEN]

DEP-Related Compliance Actions Since January:

-- DEP Signs Consent Order Including $10 Million In Penalties, Local Payments With Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County To Resolve Air Quality Violations; Plant To Restart May 24