Harrisburg – June 13, 2017 – Committed to positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the battle against global climate change, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), along with Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto today outlined legislation to support the continuation of the Obama Clean Power Plan.
“The recent actions of President Trump to dismiss the realities of climate change and abandon the Paris climate accord will be felt from Pennsylvania to Paris,” Costa said. “We have a moral and ethical responsibility as elected officials to do the right thing, at the right time for the right reasons.
“Ensuring a healthy future for our children IS the right reason — and the time is now.”
Legislation being introduced by Costa, Fontana and Williams would ensure that Pennsylvania continue to fulfill its responsibility in fighting global climate change, meet commitments under the Paris climate accord and attains the goals set forth in the Obama Clean Power Plan.
Under the Clean Power Plan, Pennsylvania was required to reduce its emissions by 29 million tons, or 24 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. Pennsylvania is well-positioned to meet this target given its current transition from coal generation and growing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The legislation would require the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to revisit the plan it was pursuing just months ago for submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rather than submit the plan to the EPA, the bill would require the DEP to submit it to the General Assembly for final approval and subsequent implementation statewide.
Fontana again called on the president to reconsider his decision and the impact it will have for generations to come, after using Pittsburgh as an example in his announcement to leave the Paris accord.
“Again, I urge President Trump to visit Pittsburgh and meet with city and business leaders to get a better understanding of our city’s transformation from a gritty industrial town to a thriving and economically diverse metropolis,” Fontana said. “They can also explain to him how the Paris Agreement would strengthen Pittsburgh, our region and our country.”
Williams said that the president’s decision to leave the Paris agreement will have significant local impact.
“The Paris climate accord should not be a partisan issue and removing the United States from the agreement was a mistake,” Williams said. “The impact of this decision has significant local impact. Children in the city and suburbs, those with asthma and other breathing disorders, low income families and others will be deeply affected because of the change in the climate.
“We need a singular voice and vision on climate change because it is real and it has such a wide reach. Given the decision on the federal level, Pennsylvania lawmakers have little choice but to move forward on their own and fix the problem.”
Following the president’s decision, mayors from across the nation, including Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto joined forces and redoubled their collective efforts to combat climate change.
“Pittsburgh — and Pennsylvania — need to keep being leaders in fighting climate change, despite poor decision-making by the President. I want to thank Senators Costa, Fontana and Williams for their commitment to our planet, and to future generations of Pennsylvanians.”
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Harrisburg – June 3, 2017 – Stunned at President Donald J. Trump’s dismissal of climate change and abandonment of the Paris climate accord, Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today stated their intentions to position Pennsylvania to lead by example, absent federal leadership on environmental protection.
“Like you, Mr. President, I too was elected to represent the people of Pittsburgh – but I’m going to stick to my word. In the absence of federal leadership, I’m going to take steps to ensure a future for our children, providing an environment where people can grow, thrive and live healthy lives with an expectation that the water they’re drinking and the air they’re breathing is clean and safe.
“Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from the smoky city it once was to a modern, high-tech economy that treasures its clean environment. I refuse to idly sit back and be a spectator to this ill-conceived, short-sighted decision to turn back the dial on global progress. This decision needs to be seen for exactly what it is – an attack on humanity and future generations. It’s wrong and counterproductive.”
In response to the president’s announcement, Costa plans to introduce legislation to keep Pa on a steady path in the battle against climate change, requiring the state Department of Environmental Protection to adopt the requirements set forth in the Obama Clean Power Plan. Finalized during the Obama Administration, the plan was designed by the EPA to reduce greenhouse emissions by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
Under the plan, states were given individual targets, with Pa directed to reduce emissions by 29 million tons by 2030. Based on Pa’s transition from fossil fuels, plus its turn to natural gas production, investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency, the state is well positioned to meet the assigned target.
Costa’s legislation and focus on adopting the requirements of the Obama Clean Power Plan will extend beyond simply protecting the environment. It will recognize the potential of the plan to help grow jobs and build the economy.
“What the president failed to acknowledge while trying to make an example of Pittsburgh is that we are, along with the entire western region, a primary source of energy resources. From coal, to gas, nuclear, hydro and wind, there are benefits beyond measure of pursuing the entire portfolio of existing and renewable energy sources.
“I question why the president would want to stand in the way of progress and put the lives of Americans, especially our children at risk. That would seem in direct conflict with making America great again.”
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) added, “With the dubious exception of Syria and Nicaragua, all the nations of the world have joined together to do something about climate change. It’s sad and embarrassing that our nation is abandoning this worthy effort – and that our president used Pittsburgh as his example for why he made such a profoundly wrong decision.”
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Harrisburg, April 21, 2017 — Efforts to educate local students about environmental issues will be bolstered by more than $50,000 in state Environmental Education Grant funding, Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today.
“There is nothing more important than providing our children with a solid education focused on science and the environment,” Costa said. “Investments in our schools, our children and their education pay dividends far beyond the classroom. The opportunities provided to our students through these grants further our commitment to STEAM-based education – focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math.
“Most importantly, these grants fund critical programs and community organizations that will open doors to the future that many children otherwise would not have had.”
The grant funds announced today were made available through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Grant Program. The program uses funds collected annually for environmental education which are collected from pollution fines and penalties.
Since 1993, the program has awarded more than $11 million in environmental education grants.
According to Costa, the following local projects received grant awards:
- School District of Pittsburgh, Trout in the Classroom, $2,952 to improve student performance on the Pennsylvania Biology Keystone Exam and increase student engagement in science related course work;
- Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Creative Environmental Field Trips, $2,863 to provide field trip opportunities for area students to learn about the importance of reuse as a strategy for reducing negative environmental impacts; and
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Frick Environmental Center), Sustainable “Freedom Garden” Teaches All of Us, $50,000 for the construction of an interactive outdoor garden and walking trail with wild botanical plants and flowers that honor the horticultural experience of previously enslaved Freedom Seekers from the 1850s in the United States.
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Harrisburg – October 23, 2013 – More than $5 million in low-interest loans for sewer projects in the City of Pittsburgh were approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) today, according to state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny.)
“The new funds for these important projects make environmental and economic sense,” Costa said. “There is a critical need to separate storm water drainage from sanitary sewers.
“The funds that will aid the redevelopment of the former Civic Arena site have the potential to leverage more than $10 million in private development and create in excess of 100 jobs.”
The first loan of $2.72 million will pay for the installation of 24 storm inlets and catch basins in addition to 3,500 feet of new storm sewers in various sections of Pittsburgh. The project will help address the needs of 95,000 customers in a low-and-middle-income area.
A second loan of $2.3 million will help fund the construction of 1,800 feet of concrete storm sewer pipe to separate storm and sanitary sewers at the site of the former Civic Arena.
Costa, who serves as Senate Democratic leader, said that combined sewers have been an issue in the region for years and that both projects are in compliance with a Department of Environmental Protection Consent Order and Agreement.
The lawmaker said there are a number of important benefits of the projects. Not only will storm water be segregated and prevented from overflowing into sanitary sewers thereby reducing stress on sewage treatment facilities, but it will also help prevent flow of untreated sewage into the Monongahela River.
“For many years we have been seeking ways to infuse new dollars to address environmental concerns related to combined sewers and also pave the way for new development,” Costa said. “I am pleased that PENNVEST has approved these projects and that we can begin working on solving the problem.”
Costa said that they both loans have an interest rate of one percent.
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