REP. VITALI ADVOCATES CALL FOR PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1500
Feb 5, 2014 18:41:16 GMT -5
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Post by melody on Feb 5, 2014 18:41:16 GMT -5
REP. VITALI ADVOCATES CALL FOR PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1500
By Jason Gottesman, PLS
1/30/14
Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, was joined by environmental advocates in a news conference Thursday to call for passage of House Bill 1500.
HB 1500 An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in unconventional gas well fee, further providing for distribution of fee; in Oil and Gas Lease Fund, further providing for definitions; providing for establishment and projects; further providing for appropriation of money and for funds; and making related repeals.
Rep. Vitali said they are calling on Gov. Corbett to not use the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to fund the General Fund budget by introducing House Bill 1500, which would prohibit transfers for non-conservation purposes. “It’s been increasingly problematic in years’ past where the Oil and Gas Lease Fund has been used to fund the functions of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, a prohibited use,” he said. He noted the purpose of the fund is to use the money collected to put it back into state lands with the Act being clear that the money is to be used for conservation purposes and serve as a counterbalance to diminishing value of state land as development continues.
Rep. Vitali indicated $106 million was used last year to fund the department, but the funds needed for current conservation projects could be as high as $1 billion. He argued using these funds for general operating expenses is like using a retirement account for groceries and further said there is a conflict of interest in funding the department through the development of state land.
Rep. Vitali said the legislation makes clear that the funds must be used for conservation, recreation, dam, and fund control projects. He further said the legislation makes clear that the department shall have the sole authority to make the disbursements, not the General Assembly. He also explained the bill makes adjustments to how the Environmental Stewardship Fund is funded.
Joanne Kilgour, executive director, Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the bill recognizes the need to invest in the future of the Commonwealth by investing in conservation. Kilgour also said the Oil and Gas Lease Fund was developed to reinvest development money in conservation projects, but noted there is now an unmanageable backlog of such projects due to inappropriate transfers out of the fund. She stated the legislation will prohibit the governor from making such future transfers out of the fund to fill General Fund obligations for the department.
Adam Garber, field director for PennEnvironment, stated Pennsylvania has a long tradition of protecting state parks, but that legacy is put at risk with the backlog of conservation projects. “If we don’t change that trajectory, we might not have those beautiful resources for people to use,” he said. He stated House Bill 1500 will change that trajectory by reinvesting the money back into its original purpose.
Nathan Sooy, of Clean Water Action, said the drilling operations in state lands are leaving scars and will continue to do so. He noted the problem of abandoned wells by mining and oil and gas operators “running away from their obligations.” He said it will be the responsibility of the people to pay for the costs of mitigation.
Ralph Kisberg, of the Responsible Drilling Alliance, said state forests and parks are key components of living in Pennsylvania and provide more than just recreational opportunities. “All our forests in Pennsylvania provide vital life-giving services,” he stated. He opined the choice to disregard the wisdom of prior policymakers who saw the destruction of state forests and parks is unwise. He explained two major tree species are having problems sustaining themselves in Pennsylvania, including the state tree, the hemlock. “These funds—we need them in many ways we don’t even know. What we really have to recognize is that this was truly a bipartisan effort in raiding the funds and changing their intent,” he said. He stated there are other ways to get revenue out of the industry and posited Pennsylvania continues to be a “laughing stock” within the oil and gas industry due to the state’s refusal to get more money out of the industry. He said the legislation is a great chance to change how state forests and parks are cared for in the future.
John Norbeck, of PennFuture, said Pennsylvanians are blessed with a fantastic park and public land system. He stated it is the Commonwealth’s responsibility as trustee of these resources to ensure the lands are passed on the future generations in as good as shape as they were received, if not better. He argued House Bill 1500 accomplishes this goal by putting the money back in efforts where it belongs.
Dick Martin, of the Pennsylvania Forest Coalition, spoke on behalf of the Environmental Defense Foundation and said the governor does not have the authority to use the development money for efforts other than conservation projects. He noted a current lawsuit that would accomplish the same goal of House Bill 1500.
The Pennsylvania Audubon Foundation was also in attendance in support of the legislation.
By Jason Gottesman, PLS
1/30/14
Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, was joined by environmental advocates in a news conference Thursday to call for passage of House Bill 1500.
HB 1500 An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in unconventional gas well fee, further providing for distribution of fee; in Oil and Gas Lease Fund, further providing for definitions; providing for establishment and projects; further providing for appropriation of money and for funds; and making related repeals.
Rep. Vitali said they are calling on Gov. Corbett to not use the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to fund the General Fund budget by introducing House Bill 1500, which would prohibit transfers for non-conservation purposes. “It’s been increasingly problematic in years’ past where the Oil and Gas Lease Fund has been used to fund the functions of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, a prohibited use,” he said. He noted the purpose of the fund is to use the money collected to put it back into state lands with the Act being clear that the money is to be used for conservation purposes and serve as a counterbalance to diminishing value of state land as development continues.
Rep. Vitali indicated $106 million was used last year to fund the department, but the funds needed for current conservation projects could be as high as $1 billion. He argued using these funds for general operating expenses is like using a retirement account for groceries and further said there is a conflict of interest in funding the department through the development of state land.
Rep. Vitali said the legislation makes clear that the funds must be used for conservation, recreation, dam, and fund control projects. He further said the legislation makes clear that the department shall have the sole authority to make the disbursements, not the General Assembly. He also explained the bill makes adjustments to how the Environmental Stewardship Fund is funded.
Joanne Kilgour, executive director, Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the bill recognizes the need to invest in the future of the Commonwealth by investing in conservation. Kilgour also said the Oil and Gas Lease Fund was developed to reinvest development money in conservation projects, but noted there is now an unmanageable backlog of such projects due to inappropriate transfers out of the fund. She stated the legislation will prohibit the governor from making such future transfers out of the fund to fill General Fund obligations for the department.
Adam Garber, field director for PennEnvironment, stated Pennsylvania has a long tradition of protecting state parks, but that legacy is put at risk with the backlog of conservation projects. “If we don’t change that trajectory, we might not have those beautiful resources for people to use,” he said. He stated House Bill 1500 will change that trajectory by reinvesting the money back into its original purpose.
Nathan Sooy, of Clean Water Action, said the drilling operations in state lands are leaving scars and will continue to do so. He noted the problem of abandoned wells by mining and oil and gas operators “running away from their obligations.” He said it will be the responsibility of the people to pay for the costs of mitigation.
Ralph Kisberg, of the Responsible Drilling Alliance, said state forests and parks are key components of living in Pennsylvania and provide more than just recreational opportunities. “All our forests in Pennsylvania provide vital life-giving services,” he stated. He opined the choice to disregard the wisdom of prior policymakers who saw the destruction of state forests and parks is unwise. He explained two major tree species are having problems sustaining themselves in Pennsylvania, including the state tree, the hemlock. “These funds—we need them in many ways we don’t even know. What we really have to recognize is that this was truly a bipartisan effort in raiding the funds and changing their intent,” he said. He stated there are other ways to get revenue out of the industry and posited Pennsylvania continues to be a “laughing stock” within the oil and gas industry due to the state’s refusal to get more money out of the industry. He said the legislation is a great chance to change how state forests and parks are cared for in the future.
John Norbeck, of PennFuture, said Pennsylvanians are blessed with a fantastic park and public land system. He stated it is the Commonwealth’s responsibility as trustee of these resources to ensure the lands are passed on the future generations in as good as shape as they were received, if not better. He argued House Bill 1500 accomplishes this goal by putting the money back in efforts where it belongs.
Dick Martin, of the Pennsylvania Forest Coalition, spoke on behalf of the Environmental Defense Foundation and said the governor does not have the authority to use the development money for efforts other than conservation projects. He noted a current lawsuit that would accomplish the same goal of House Bill 1500.
The Pennsylvania Audubon Foundation was also in attendance in support of the legislation.