U.S. Senators Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and John Fetterman, D-Braddock, and U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans, D-PA-3, Madeleine Dean, D-PA-4, and Chrissy Houlahan, D-PA-6, this week delivered $37,543,000 from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act to make Pennsylvania’s drinking water safer and cleaner.
The funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will remove contaminants — like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — from drinking water in Pennsylvania communities hit hard by these “forever chemicals.”
“Thanks to the infrastructure law, Pennsylvania is finally able to tackle the scourge of ‘forever chemicals’ in our drinking water,” said Sen. Casey. “This investment brings us one step closer to realizing the promise of our state constitution — that all Pennsylvanians have a right to pure water.”
“This landmark funding will help us tackle water contamination head-on in Pennsylvania by implementing vital testing projects to identify and rectify PFAS and other harmful substances from breaching Pennsylvania households,” said Sen. Fetterman. “Everyone deserves access to safe and clean water. We have to make sure no community is left behind. This isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about equity and environmental justice. Together with Sen. Casey, we’re securing resources to protect our public water systems, particularly in small and disadvantaged communities across the commonwealth. “
“This federal funding will be helpful in meeting the new federal standards on clean water and PFAS, and I’m pleased to see the Biden Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that I voted for once again delivering tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Evans.
“The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees our right to clean water, and as lawmakers, we have an obligation to fulfill that promise across our commonwealth—that includes combating PFAS,” said Rep. Dean. “For too long ‘forever chemicals’ have harmed communities in Pennsylvania, like mine. The historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a major step in environmental justice and in protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.”
In February 2023, Senators Casey and Fetterman announced over $75 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for testing and treatment to address contaminants like PFAS in Pennsylvania’s drinking water.
In April of that year, Casey and Fetterman secured $266 million from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act to remove contaminants like PFAS from Pennsylvania’s water supply and upgrade Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure.
In July, the senators introduced the Veterans Exposed to Toxic (VET) PFAS Act to provide health care services and disability benefits to veterans exposed to these chemicals at military installations.
In the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, Casey and Fetterman included multiple provisions to advance a path towards remediation of toxic exposure to PFAS.
In January, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) gave the green light for $78 million worth of projects all over Pennsylvania, funded by the infrastructure law.
In April, PENNVEST approved $73 million for more projects to improve the safety and cleanliness of drinking water across the Commonwealth.
U.S. Defense officials cancel Low Military Operations over the Pennsylvania Wilds
Operations over the Pennsylvania Wilds
Gov. Josh Shapiro and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week praised the decision by the U.S. Air Force and National Guard Bureau (NGB) to repeal the proposal to establish the Duke Low Military Operations Area (MOA) over the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The Pennsylvania Wilds is a long-term collaboration built on public and private investments; a place many call home and millions more visit each year to experience its vast wilderness, rural character, and rich heritage.
“The Pennsylvania Wilds, which is nearly as large as Yellowstone National Park, is home to dozens of state parks, game lands, forests, and an impressive array of wildlife. These remarkable natural landmarks help sustain a $1.7 billion outdoor recreation and tourism industry that is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Gov. Shapiro. “My Administration fought to protect the Wilds — and I am glad that this final decision protects our people, our environment, our natural resources, and this entire region that is so critical to our Commonwealth.”
For nearly five years, DCNR and a diverse and bipartisan collection of partner organizations, elected officials, and constituents, fought the Duke Low MOA plan, which was intended to accommodate myriad military aircraft at close to ground level, specifically the A-10 Warthog flown by the Maryland ANG and F-16s flown by New Jersey and District of Columbia guard units.
In 2022, the U.S. Air Force announced the decommissioning of the A-10 Warthogs. DCNR voiced concerns about the establishment of an airspace intended primarily for an obsolete aircraft that would be out of commission within just a few years.
Pennsylvania counties within the proposed Duke Low MOA footprint included Cameron, Clinton, McKean, Potter, and Tioga. This portion of the Pennsylvania Wilds region includes 10 state parks, among them an internationally renowned dark sky preserve.
Just beyond the proposed low-flying area are five additional state parks, 395,647 acres of state forests, 35,690 acres of state game lands, the Hammersley Wild Area, an ever-growing population of majestic elk, the Austin Dam, the Pine Creek Gorge and more.
“The Pennsylvania Wilds is a destination with a thriving outdoor recreation economy, which is why we are so pleased to see this plan rescinded,” Dunn said. “The coalition of partners understood that the plan to fly planes at low altitudes over the Pennsylvania Wilds would drastically alter the character of the region, adversely impacting residents, visitors, and the businesses that rely on the natural aesthetics for their livelihoods. We applaud the decision of the Air National Guard to rescind their proposal and we thank the local, county, state, and federal officials and partners who spoke out on behalf of protecting this beloved landscape.”
DCNR expressed worries that the proposal would harm the wildlife and natural resources of the area and the quality of life valued by many residents and visitors. They also called for more transparency in the process, asking for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), public meetings in the region, and a thorough analysis of the long-term effects.
Senate approves Langerholc bill to
boost Pa. youth hunting and fishing
The Pa. Senate this week unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr., R-35, to introduce a new license plate for Pennsylvania sportsmen, using the proceeds to support youth hunting and fishing education.
The Pennsylvania Sportsman plate would honor hunters and fishermen. According to Senate Bill 916, the plate would be created by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
The Pennsylvania Sportsman registration plate would be priced at $40, plus the registration fee, with $14 going to a Youth Hunting and Fishing Restricted Account, split equally between the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to promote youth hunting and fishing activities.
“This license plate allows our rich heritage of hunting and fishing to be proudly displayed by motorists while raising money for future generations of hunters and fishermen,” stated Langerholc.
