PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2019 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing today in Pittsburgh on strategies for combatting climate change by reducing methane gas emissions.
“Methane has a huge impact on global warming,” Costa said. “As the second largest gas-producing state in the nation, it is imperative that Pennsylvania do all it can to reduce methane emissions.”
Fontana added, “While our federal government should be taking the lead on developing policies, emissions reduction goals and coordinating a national response on climate change, our president’s shameful abandonment of the Paris climate accord makes it imperative that state leaders take the helm on this critical issue.”
Methane is an odorless, colorless, flammable greenhouse gas (CH4) that is used as fuel. It is also an important source of hydrogen and part of a wide variety of organic compounds. Methane is a huge component of natural gas and can remain in the atmosphere for about 9 to 15 years.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, methane warms our planet 86 times more than carbon emissions. Earlier this month, Andrew Williams, who serves as director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the Environmental Defense Fund, criticized the Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection’s revised draft rule because it would only mandate the capture of 21 percent of methane emissions. If the rule were adopted, Williams claims Pennsylvania would have the least protective methane rule in the nation.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), who chairs the committee, argued that the issue should not pit Pennsylvania’s environment against its economy.
“Controlling carbon emissions and building a strong economy are not competing interests,” she said. “As alternative energy sources become more reliable, affordable and efficient, we must be ready to embrace and capitalize on the economic opportunities that accompany these promising technological advances. This doesn’t need to be framed as some dire choice between poverty and pollution.
In withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017, President Donald Trump defended his decision by claiming he was “elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” Costa and Fontana (D-Allegheny) immediately criticized the president’s decision.
In the accord, the United States had committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent below the 2005 level in 2025, and to make “best efforts” to reduce emissions by 28 percent. That would include curbs on carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride, all of which contribute to global warming.
Several state bills and proposals were introduced to supplement existing environmental protection efforts included in the decade-old Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation law (Act 129).
Williams urged the legislature to support Gov. Tom Wolf’s greenhouse gas reduction commitments, implement a viable methane existing source regulation and defend the Department of Environmental Protection’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
Rob Altenburg, Director, PennFuture Energy Center, said, “The natural gas industry is going to be part of the Pennsylvania economy for many years, but we are no longer in an era where we can ignore pollution as a natural consequence of economic growth. Avoiding the worst impacts of global warming requires that we remain under a set carbon budget – and that means that any additional emissions from the natural gas sector are emissions we will need to account for later or face the costs.
Arvind Ravikumar, an Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering for the University of Harrisburg, told the senators, “With the profusion of new technology in the methane space, falling costs for renewable energy, and competitive electric vehicle prices, protecting the environment almost becomes secondary to the potential for thousands of high-paying, clean energy jobs. The best way to give Pennsylvania businesses and industry a leg up is to help them prepare for the transition through well-crafted, cost-effective state policies.”
Today’s hearing was the second in a series of Policy Committee hearings on climate change. The committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh last November, focusing on carbon emissions.
Joining Fontana, Costa and Boscola at the hearing were Senators Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
Hearing participants included the following:
- Andrew Williams, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund;
- Rebecca Kiernan, Senior Resilience Coordinator, City of Pittsburgh;
- Arvind Ravikumar, Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering, University of Harrisburg of Science and Technology;
- Jared Metcalf, USA Operations Manager, Target Emission Services;
- Rob Altenburg, Director, PennFuture Energy Center; and
- Jane Worthington and Dale Tiberie, residents of Washington County.
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Pittsburgh, PA – March 29, 2019 – Earlier today, Governor Tom Wolf nominated Allegheny County Public Defender Elliot Howsie to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Donna Jo McDaniel.
“I was honored to recommend Elliot Howsie,” said Senator Jay Costa, Jr. “Mr. Howsie has the incredible breadth of work and life experience for this position, and I believe he will be an invaluable addition to the bench. His peers agree, and in addition to my and the Governor’s support, he has the highest recommendation of the Bar Association.
“He possesses the requisite temperament and intellect for the job, and I look forward to his confirmation process in the coming weeks.”
Howsie grew up in Wilkinsburg, and after graduating from Central Catholic High School, Elliot attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice.
As he pursued his master’s degree in criminal justice, Elliot worked in social services teaching decision making and reintegration skills to the children at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.
Elliot went on to serve as an Assistant District Attorney for five years in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, where he focused on prosecuting cases involving child abuse. After leaving the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, he established his own law firm. He worked as a sole practitioner specializing in criminal defense as well as personal injury cases in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
On March 19, 2012, Elliot Howsie was appointed by Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, to be Allegheny County’s first African American Chief Public Defender.
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Hazelwood, Pa – March 27, 2019 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced $10 million in state funding for Hazelwood.
“This is the kind of development and investment that Hazelwood needs,” said Senator Costa. “A project of this magnitude can help this region truly thrive as it will provide jobs through construction and in its completed state as a research facility.”
The funding will be distributed to the RIDC of Southwestern Pennsylvania as a $4 million grant and a $6 million loan to be used at Mill 19 Phase C. Funds will be used to develop a three-story building on the site, part of a project to redevelop a 12.6 acre former steel mill in Hazelwood Green.
The building will include a garage, lab and workshop space. The possible tenant for the facility is a high-tech company that does research and development in the vehicle space.
Funding for this project comes from the Business In Our Sites (BOS) Grants and Loans program through the State Department of Community and Economic Development. BOS grants are intended to empower communities to attract growing and expanding businesses by helping build an inventory of ready sites. These sites must be previously utilized property or undeveloped property that is planned and zoned for development.
For more information on this funding project and other grant opportunities, visit dced.pa.gov.
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HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. and local state representatives announced funding of more than $1.5 million for multi-modal transportation projects.
“We have a growing region, but to continue that development we have to make sure that folks can get around – whether they are walking or riding,” said Senator Costa. “Safe, accessible pedestrian walkways are needed in our region, and I’m proud to support the grants that will help them move forward.”
Multimodal grants awarded today include:
- $500,000 to the City of Pittsburgh for the Bigelow Boulevard Streetscape
- $500,000 to the City of Pittsburgh for the 21st Street Project
- $390,000 to the Borough of Verona for First Street reconstruction
- $250,000 to the Borough of Mt. Oliver for the Brownsville Road Streetscape, Phase 3
“These projects will increase safety along these two busy corridors and promote additional regional economic development,” said Rep. Readshaw, who represents the area covered by the 21st Street project and the Borough of Mt. Oliver. “Both of these projects [in my district] are important to their local communities, and I am pleased to announce they will be receiving an investment from the state.”
“Due to this allocation, not only will a local borough benefit from the reconstruction of a heavily traveled roadway,” said Rep. DeLuca, who represents Verona.
Additional grants will be awarded to Pittsburgh, including:
- $327,950 to the Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Development, LLC for the Freedom Plaza and pedestrian walkway
- $350,000 to the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for the I-579 Cap Urban Connector Project
“This support from the state recognizes the worthiness of these development projects and complements local efforts to ensure they progress as expeditiously and responsibly as possible,” said Senator Fontana, who represents those parts of the City.
The funding for these projects were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through its Multimodal Transportation Fund. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure safe transportation is available to all Pennsylvania residents.
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Democrats from the Pennsylvania House and Senate today introduced a package of legislation aimed to curb harassment in the workplace, along with support from Governor Tom Wolf and Victim’s Advocate Jennifer Storm.
“As a caucus, we’ve worked with stakeholders and advocates and our own employees to craft a package of legislation that we believe can curb sexual harassment and do more to protect its victims,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Each of our bills in this package is aimed at expanding protections to individuals regardless of the size or type of their employment, because time is up on workplace harassment.”
“Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination didn’t begin overnight, and so it will take some time to properly correct,” Gov. Wolf said. “It’s not as easy as putting a few big-name figures in jail. We need to identify the everyday behaviors and correct them if we want Pennsylvania to be a great place to live and work. People can’t do their best work when they feel uncomfortable. You deserve to be treated in a way that meets basic standards that represent how we want all workers in Pennsylvania to act, and you should be treated with the respect and dignity that all workers in Pennsylvania deserve. That’s why I’m advocating for legislation to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination in both the public and private sectors.”
The bills will be introduced in identical form in each chamber. They do the following:
- Cover contractors and unpaid interns under the protections of the Human Relations Act
- Amend the Human Relations Act to require employers to provide training to employees and to require standardized fair practice postings to specifically include examples of harassment and discrimination
- Require sexual harassment training for lobbyists
- Extend the Human Relations Act to include domestic workers
- Provide right to jury trial, punitive damages and an extended statute of limitations under the Whistleblower Bill
- Expand the Human Relations Act to include coverage from four employees to one employee, add the right to a jury trial, punitive damages, attorney fees and extend the statute of limitations
- Require employers to adopt written workplace harassment policies and reporting procedures
- Add sexual orientation and gender expression or identity to the list of classifications protected under the Pa. Human Relations Act
“For years, workplace harassment has been a pervasive issue in career fields across Pennsylvania and this nation. We need to harness the momentum and strength of the #MeToo movement and reverse years of discrimination in the workplace,” said Senator Larry Farnese. “No one, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, should be pressured by, or suffer from, the weight of workplace harassment.”
“We need to make it clear that there is no place for any form of harassment and there will be no tolerance for it either,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “With this legislative package, we are taking definitive steps that both send a strong message and back it up with substantive changes to how harassment can be prevented, how it should be handled and how victims should be treated.”
“Protecting whistleblowers on workplace harassment and discrimination is a small part of the solution to change our culture.” said Senator Haywood. “I am introducing this legislation again knowing that we have a long way to go.”
“In today’s business climate, when employers often turn to independent contractors and unpaid interns to fulfill their staffing needs, Pennsylvania law must account for and protect all worker classifications. Everyone is entitled to a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination,” Senator Tartaglione said.
For more information, visit PaSenate.com/harassment
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Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 14, 2019 − Senators Lindsey M. Williams, Jay Costa, and Vincent J. Hughes, joined by local elected officials, Allegheny County Labor Council members, and a crowd of union workers, announced the introduction of the Workplace Freedom Act today at the Allegheny County Courthouse.
The Workplace Freedom Act legislation protects Pennsylvania workers by strengthening collective bargaining in two ways. First, it eliminates the requirement for a two-tiered election process by allowing for a simple card check where expressing majority support would be sufficient. Second, it requires access to certified unions to new employees so that union membership benefits can be clearly explained.
“I get really fired up when someone says ‘I’m not anti-union. I love those building trades. I just don’t like public sector unions,’” said Senator Williams. “But that isn’t how being pro-union works. First, an injury to one is an injury to all. Second, the statement that ‘I don’t like public sector unions’ vastly discounts the wide variety of public sector workers represented by unions, including our firefighters, 911 operators, police officers, Fish and Boat Commission officers, and even public works employees, electricians, and carpenters at government agencies across the Commonwealth.”
“Unions have long helped workers earn better wages, health care, safety and retirement benefits, which is why we want to ensure unions can continue to work for future members,” Sen. Hughes said. “Pennsylvania workers have seen their greatest gains through the negotiating power of the unions and will not tolerate further erosion of these critical institutions that put worker benefits first.”
“It’s time for elected officials to take a stand,” said Senator Costa. “Working families need elected leaders to stand up to attacks on union rights, and instead create more opportunities for Pennsylvanians to have the freedom to join and form unions. That’s why I’m signing on to the PA Workforce Freedom Act.”
Representative Dan Miller also spoke at the press conference, as well as SEIU members Caitlin Schroering, Pitt Graduate Student Organizing Committee and fourth year Ph.D. candidate; Nick Theis, UPMC Worker Organizing Committee and Medical Researcher at UPMC; Pam Johnston, SEIU 32BJ Executive Board Member and building cleaner at the University of Pittsburgh; and Wanda Smith, SEIU 668 Chapter Chair and supervisor at the Allegheny County Assistance Office.
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