Senate Local Govt., Environmental Committee Hold May 11 Hearing On Bill To Preempt Local Governments From Requiring New Buildings Use Climate-Friendly Energy Sources

The Senate Local Government and Environmental Resources and Energy Committees are scheduled to hold a hearing May 11 on Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which would prohibit local governments from adopting requirements that new buildings use climate-friendly energy sources.

This legislation is part of a nation-wide initiative by the American Gas Association to get states across the country to adopt legislation to prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances that would block the use of fossil fuels in new homes and commercial construction.  Read more here.

Those expected to present testimony include--

-- Joseph H. Gerdes, III, PA State Association of Township Supervisors

-- Ron Grutza, PA State Association of Boroughs

-- Amy Sturges, PA Municipal League

-- Robert Routh, Clean Air Council

-- Terrance J. Fitzpatrick, Energy Association of Pennsylvania

-- Jamie White, Commercial Real Estate Development Association

-- Michael Butler,Consumer Energy Alliance

-- Jeff Nobers, Builders Guild of Western PA

The hearing will start at 10:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch live.

Sen. Cris Dush (R-Clearfield) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7084 or send email to his chief of staff: jfoust@pasen.gov. Sen. Timothy Kearney (D-Chester) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-1350 or send email to: tim.kearney@pasenate.com. 

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.

Background

This legislation is part of a nation-wide initiative by the American Gas Association to get states across the country to adopt legislation to prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances that would block the use of fossil fuels in new homes and commercial construction.  Read more here.

The issue started when Berkley, California became the first city in the nation to ban natural gas hookups in new construction or substantially renovated structures.

When he announced the introduction of the legislation in January, Sen. Gene Yaw, Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee, said, “Energy policies, if any, throughout the United States vary greatly.  Some states leave major energy policy decisions to the lowest municipal level. 

“With over 2,500 municipal entities in Pennsylvania, such a potential scenario would create a policy founded on an unworkable patchwork of restrictions and further deny residents access to differing energy resources. 

“Given the importance of all energy sources to Pennsylvania, it is simply prudent government policy for the state to preempt this field.”

Among the groups opposing the legislation is the Clean Air Council.

“Pennsylvania municipalities have a constitutional responsibility to protect the health and environment of their residents, but the state legislature has introduced legislation-- Senate Bill 275-- that would strip counties, cities, boroughs, and towns of their independent authority to adopt policies to cut pollution and protect the health of their constituents,” said Katie Edwards of the Clean Air Council. “This is just another in a series of repeated attempts by some in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to take power away from local communities, undermining their authority to enact innovative and locally tailored solutions to local problems.”

“Some communities around the country are using building codes and municipal ordinances to encourage efficient electrification of new homes and other buildings because burning gas inside buildings creates significant indoor and outdoor air pollution, while increasing the risk of children experiencing asthma symptoms by as much as 42 percent,” said Edwards. 

“Senate Bill 275 would prevent local governments from adopting their own building code provisions even if they feel it is in the best interest of their community. The bill is written so broadly that it may even block adoption of energy efficiency programs and prevent cities from offering financial incentives to encourage developers to go all electric.”

“Every Pennsylvania community is different and should have the ability to develop its own policies to reflect the unique needs, views, and values of the people living there. Local residents and local leaders know how to solve local problems—because they see them up close,” said Edwards.  “When they work together to come up with a solution, the state should help them improve it—not strike it down in advance because of special interests’ demands. We should be listening to communities, not corporations.”

Click Here for more information from the Clean Air Council.

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[Posted: May 6, 2021]  PA Environment Digest