Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 13, 2021 01:17 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kristine C. Howard |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Penalizing Polluters |
| Recent Grand Jury investigations revealed two natural gas producers and a pipeline operator willfully and wantonly violated the Commonwealth’s environmental laws. While it is important to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions – both as a public safety measure and to dissuade others from following in their footsteps – current law severely limits the penalties that can be meted out for these crimes. We, as legislators, have a constitutional responsibility to do all we can to prevent further environmental damage and better ensure the health and safety of the residents of Pennsylvania. Therefore, I plan to introduce legislation that would double the maximum fines for both general and willful violations of the oil and gas development provisions of Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Additionally, this legislation would prohibit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from waiving fines issued against oil and gas companies. We can no longer let polluters off with a slap on the wrist. Please join me in supporting this effort to ensure that violators of our environmental laws are held accountable for their actions. |
Introduced as HB2323