PennFuture Applauds Gov. Wolf, State Legislators For Bipartisan 'Restore Pennsylvania' Plan

PennFuture applauds Governor Tom Wolf and legislators in the General Assembly for introducing the ambitious “Restore Pennsylvania” plan.

The plan calls for a number of programs and initiatives supported by PennFuture, including green infrastructure development, flood control and prevention projects, stormwater infrastructure improvements, and projects to increase energy efficiency across Pennsylvania, among others.

The bipartisan bills - sponsored in the House of Representatives by Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery, Philadelphia) and Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny) and in the Senate by Tom Killion (R-Chester, Delaware) and John Yudichak (D-Carbon, Luzerne) - is a sensible approach toward restoring Pennsylvania’s communities with a focus on environmentally-sound practices and projects.

“Restore Pennsylvania puts forth an ambitious body of projects and vision for green infrastructure from the Governor and a powerful bipartisan group of legislators. PennFuture applauds the tremendous potential for more renewable energy projects, climate resiliency, land protection, watershed restoration and other environmental protection in Restore Pennsylvania,” said PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo. “Getting Pennsylvania’s infrastructure needs addressed through Restore Pennsylvania will greatly benefit communities in need, bolster Pennsylvania businesses in tourism and recreation, and move us to be competitive with neighboring states making much higher levels of investments in renewable energy projects.”

Specifically, House Bill 1585 and Senate Bill 725 will provide significant funding for stormwater infrastructure improvements that will help protect water quality in both the Delaware and Ohio River basins by allowing urban and suburban communities to improve their stormwater infrastructure.

The funding will also help those communities meet or exceed stormwater infrastructure goals set by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency, and will also help fund cleanup efforts for the Chesapeake Bay.

Another extremely important aspect of the act is funding for flood mitigation efforts. Last year proved to be the wettest year on record for Pennsylvania, and the changing climate could make the situation worse in years to come.

Finally, “Restore Pennsylvania” calls for funding to remediate lead contamination in the drinking water of schools and child care centers, acid mine drainage remediation and for plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells, and for stream restoration and maintenance projects.

About PennFuture
PennFuture is leading the transition to a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania, fighting big polluters with legal muscle, enforcing environmental laws, and supporting legislative policy that protects public health. PennFuture is engaging and educating citizens about the realities of climate change, and giving them the tools needed to influence lawmakers on the issues. For more information, visit www.pennfuture.org.