Sen. Brightbill’s legal and political career in Lebanon County and statewide covered over 40 years.
During his Senate career, Sen. Brightbill served as Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Majority Leader of the Senate.
He was the chief legislative architect of Pennsylvania’s nationally-recognized Land Recycling Program that provides for the clean up and redevelopment of brownfield sites enacted in 1995 and signed into law by Gov. Ridge.
Since it was created,10,730 sites have been cleaned up, primarily at private expense, and over 150,000 jobs were established on those properties-- the most successful cleanup and economic development initiative ever created in Pennsylvania.
Sen. Brightbill was also instrumental in passing legislation creating the Departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources; adopting major changes to the state’s Air Pollution Control Act to comply with the federal Clean Air Act requirements; creating the Small Water Systems Technical and Management Assistance Program and putting a $350 million water infrastructure bond issue on the ballot that passed overwhelmingly; and the landmark electric deregulation legislation.
He also helped add Pine Creek, the Yellow Breeches and Tulpehocken Creeks to the state’s Scenic Rivers System; helped create the state Environmental Education Program and Fund supported by DEP fines and penalties; established DEP’s Agricultural Advisory Board; passed legislation requiring compensation for structures and the replacement of water supplies affected by underground coal mining and expanded environmental cleanup coverage under the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, among other environmental legislation.
Rememberances
Gov. Tom Ridge: "Chip Brightbill helped to shape and shepherd some of the most significant accomplishments of my Administration-- brownfield reclamation, electric deregulation and creation of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pennsylvanians owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.
“As a Majority Leader, he fiercely defended his colleagues, caucus and the institution of the Senate. As a legislator, he prioritized the people of his Lebanon County district. Michele and I send our sympathies to Chip's family and friends."
James M. Seif, former Secretary of DEP, "Sen. Brightbill was an intelligent, energetic, affable and effective public servant.
“At DEP, his style of Departmental oversight was patient, constructive and supportive of the Department's mission. I enjoyed my professional relationship with him and treasured my personal one. Chip: Rest in Peace!"
David Hess, former Senate Environmental Committee Executive Director and Secretary of DEP: “I learned a lot working for Sen. Brightbill-- writing legislation, legislative strategy and above all working with all kinds of people to solve problems in a bipartisan way.
“His leadership on environmental issues-- like the Land Recycling Program-- came from real-world experiences, like trying to turn a former Bethlehem Steel plant site in Lebanon into a productive business site again.
“His leadership was instrumental in the many legislative successes on environmental issues during the Ridge and Schweiker Administrations.
“He was the right person at the right time on many environmental problems and his approach to leadership is very much missing today.”
Click Here to watch a video on Sen. Brightbill on his retirement from the Senate in 2006.
Resource Links:
-- Obituary for Sen. David ‘Chip’ Brightill, Former District Attorney & State Senate Leader
-- Lebtown.com: Lebanon County mourns David ‘Chip’ Brightill, Whose Leadership Secured Governor Dick Park And Shaped Region
-- PennLive: PA Senate Leader David ‘Chip’ Brightbill Was A Champion For The Economy, The Environment And His Constituents
-- WITF: Former PA Senate Republican Leader ‘Chip’ Brightbill Dies At 83
-- PA Senate Republicans Remember Former Senate Majority Leader Chip Brightbill
[Posted: November 7, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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