Snyder praised
Conventional wisdom holds that not much can be expected from new legislators. According to the so-called experts, it takes years for a lawmaker to get his or her feet on the ground and even longer to actually get a major bill passed into law.
Well, state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, must not be paying much attention to conventional wisdom or the so-called experts.
Elected last year after longtime state Rep. Bill DeWeese was forced to step down, Snyder introduced a bill, giving the legislature final approval of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection’s plan for meeting the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s new carbon emissions standards.
The bill was approved by the House in July and on Monday cleared the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by an 8-3 vote. It now goes to the full Senate for a vote. The Senate only has three scheduled days left this year to vote on legislation, but Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi told the Pennsylvania Legislative Services Reporter that Snyder’s bill would be discussed.
“It’s something we’ll caucus on,” said Pileggi. “No final decision has been made.”
It’s interesting that of the eight senators who voted for the bill, seven are Republicans who control the Senate. The three senators who voted against the measure are all Democrats.
Even if the bill isn’t approved and has to start over next year, the fact that the legislation made it this far is a true feather in Snyder’s cap. Just getting a bill through one chamber, never mind two, is a tremendous accomplishment for any legislator, especially for a new member of the state House of Representatives.
And it’s certainly a major, significant bill that Snyder is pushing.
President Obama’s new climate change plan set a goal for Pennsylvania to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent by 2030.
The EPA left it up to the states to decide how to reach their targets.
Snyder says she worries Obama’s efforts to cut carbon emissions would include shutting down coal generated electricity plants, hurting the 50th district she represents, which includes all of Greene County and parts of Washington and Fayette counties.
Under her legislation, Snyder said DEP would be required to hold at least four public hearings to garner input on technologies, energy efficiency programs, working cooperatively with other coal states and employing the best strategies and data available.
DEP also would be directed to consider factors such as:
n Pennsylvania’s unique energy blend.
n Demand-side energy programs.
n Efficiency improvements already implemented at power plants.
n Energy storage technologies.
n Non-emitting sources such as nuclear power as well as renewable energy sources.
n Market-based trading programs.
Snyder said she realizes that Pennsylvania has no choice but to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent by 2030. Snyder said she also knows that if the state doesn’t come up with its own plan, the EPA will intervene and mandate a plan for the commonwealth.
In the end, though, Snyder said under her legislation residents across the commonwealth will, at least, have their voice heard in developing the plan.
“Pennsylvania will have a plan to reduce greenhouse gasses, but my bill aims to ensure it is one that protects our interests, our citizens and our wallets.” said Snyder.
We couldn’t agree more. We think Snyder’s bill is reasonable and well-crafted. We hope that the Senate decides to approve the bill next week, giving residents a voice in such a vital issue that affects many of them in a very direct manner.