Legislation aims to stabilize state energy prices

Legislation recently introduced in the state Senate would stabilize energy costs and protect the state’s energy industry.

Senate Bill 1219, the PA Energy Independence Act, would require the Department of Environmental Protection to report to the General Assembly on all rules and regulations affecting the natural gas and coal industries and the economic impact of each regulation.

Any new regulations affecting the natural gas and coal industries would require legislative approval.

The bill would establish an “Intrastate Coal/Natural Gas Use” provision that would state that any environmental regulation of coal extracted and used in Pennsylvania only can be regulated on a state, not a federal, level. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Wastewater Rule and Cross State Air Pollution Rule would be exempted.

The bill would withdraw Pennsylvania from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and end a ban on leases for natural gas and oil development in state-owned lands.

Finally, the bill would increase the transparency of the permit review process and expedite approvals by deeming applications “approved” if a decision is not made within 45 days.

State Sens. Scott Hutchinson (R-Butler/Warren) and Doug Mastriano (R-Adams County) introduced the bill.

“Market volatility will not go away anytime soon,” Hutchinson said. “It’s time to take steps now to assert energy independence.”