September 20, 2007
MEDIA ADVISORY

MONDAY: Senate Committee Hearing on Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund

Harrisburg - The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21), will hold a public hearing Monday on the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.

The hearing will be held Monday, Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m.in Hearing Room 1 of the Capitol's North Office Building. Secretary of Environmental Protection Kathleen A. McGinty has been invited to appear before the Committee to respond to questions regarding the status of the fund.

Senator White called the hearing after members expressed concern over apparently conflicting statements on when the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program would be shut down. The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program is responsible for supporting approximately 250 DEP employees, and serves as the Commonwealth's primary tool to respond to toxic spills and releases affecting local residents.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senator White recently announced their intent to introduce Senate Bill 1100, which will provide funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program. Under the proposal, $15 million would be transferred to the program for the current fiscal year from existing legislative accounts. Additionally, $40 million annually would be made available for the next three fiscal years from the existing Capital Stock and Franchise Tax. Senate Bill 1100 would not affect the commitment of Senate Republicans to phase out the Capital
Stock and Franchise Tax by the end of 2010.