HARRISBURG, Pa., March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor
Tom Wolf's 2015-16 Budget released
today will make Pennsylvania an
energy leader through new investments to take full and responsible
advantage of our rich natural resources, including natural gas,
coal, wind, solar, and timber. In addition, the plan also invests
millions more to protect, clean and conserve the commonwealth's
land, air and water.
"To take the reins as the nation's energy leader, we must expand
and develop new markets for Pennsylvania's energy technologies, services
and fuels, and this budget makes historic investments to bolster
and transform our energy economy," Acting Secretary of
Environmental Protection John
Quigley said, "Governor Wolf's budget attests to his
commitment to create new jobs and protect public health and our
environment, all of which strengthens Pennsylvania's economy."
Acting Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources
Cindy Dunn added, "Governor Wolf's
budget prioritizes investing in our parks, forests and open spaces.
Our award-winning state park system generates more than a billion
dollars annually for local economies and supports 13,000 jobs that
pay."
The proposed spending plan includes a new $225 million energy investment initiative as part
of the Governor's larger economic growth package to ensure a
comprehensive energy portfolio that supports gas, coal, oil and
renewables, and encourages conservation and clean technology
alternatives.
Responsible Shale Development
Governor Wolf's budget proposal provides for the agency's safe
and responsible development of Pennsylvania's shale gas resources, while
providing a renewed focus on clean energy production. $225 million in revenue from a new severance tax
will be preserved to assist local communities and governments
manage the impact of natural gas extraction.
The Governor's proposal invests $10
million for additional inspection and oversight of oil and
gas operations.
Advancing Clean Energy
Governor Wolf's energy investment initiative includes
$50 million to re-launch the PA
Sunshine Solar program that provides rebates on qualifying solar
projects. Another $50 million will
provide grants for projects to improve energy efficiency at small
businesses, local government units, schools and non-profits, with
larger grants awarded for collaborative projects.
The energy investment also includes:
- $30 million for a combined heat
and power competitive grant program;
- $30 million to the Pennsylvania
Energy Development Authority for clean energy market
development;
- $20 million for clean energy and
energy efficiency projects in the agriculture sector;
- $25 million for a "last mile"
natural gas distribution line fund to provide access to natural gas
to Pennsylvania's manufacturing
sector; and
- $20 million for a wind energy
generation program.
The governor's spending proposal also restores more than
$7.8 million to the Department of
Environmental Protection's (DEP) $147
million general fund budget to protect water and air
quality, address abandoned mine reclamation, and improve
enforcement of Pennsylvania's
environmental laws.
Protecting Our Parks and Forests
The proposed budget for the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources (DCNR) includes an increase in General Fund
appropriations of about $20 million,
which previously came from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund.
Activities that provide monitoring and oversight of the
department's lands that were previously leased for gas development
include:
- A monitoring program to track, detect and report on the impacts
of shale gas development on state forest lands to continue to
improve management practices;
- A major upgrade of the environmental review tool that
identifies threatened and endangered species for protection;
- Improvements in seismic monitoring to enhance the
sophistication of our geological information; and
- A robust auditing program to ensure the commonwealth is
adequately compensated for shale gas activities on DCNR lands.
Governor Wolf's proposal maintains the budget for the Bureau of
State Parks at about $93 million, the
Bureau of Forestry at about $71
million, and anticipates an additional $1.4 million for the Keystone Fund to support
DCNR's grant program for conservation and recreation in local
communities, bringing it to about $51
million total.
The proposal includes 22 new full-time positions in the Bureau
of State Parks, primarily to support the transfer of Washington
Crossing Historic Park in Bucks
County into the state park system and for Point State Park
in Pittsburgh.
Dunn added that additional budget highlights include a continued
attention to maintaining the department's vast infrastructure and
improving its energy efficiency, support for a gypsy moth spraying
program to counter the cyclical pest that impacts public and
private forests, and continuing to improve cost efficiencies
related to workforce safety.
DCNR's proposed 2015-16 budget from all revenue sources is
$342.6 million, which includes
$34.2 million from the General
Fund.
For more information about DCNR, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us. For
more information about DEP, visit www.dep.state.pa.us.
MEDIA CONTACT: Christina
Novak, DCNR, 717-772-9101
Julie Lalo, DEP, 717-787-1323
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-governors-budget-invests-in-energy-development-conservation-of-state-environmental-and-recreational-resources-300044889.html
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection;
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources