With only a few Session days remaining in it 2014 schedule, the General Assembly passed the $2 per pack cigarette tax for Philadelphia school funding, debated gun control, moved a medical marijuana bill, and took steps to pass a new capital budget authorization. House and Senate leadership are still unable, however, to agree on major initiatives including pension reform or modernization/sales of the state liquor system.

Last week the House approved House Resolution 925 sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp by a 181-11 vote. The Resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to conduct a study and report on the scale and impact of wind turbines in Pennsylvania.

The Senate Appropriations committee unanimously approved The State Agency Green Technology Implementation Act, which provides for testing of new, environmentally beneficial and energy efficient technologies within various state agencies.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane has broadened her review of natural gas royalty payment practices beyond those of Chesapeake Energy Corporation by issuing several administrative subpoenas throughout the state’s shale industry.

The State Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) held a second Committee hearing Thursday to discuss the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to cut carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants.

The National Biodiesel Board released the following statement from Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel after the EPA sent the proposed final rule for the 2014 renewable fuel standard (RFS) to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review.

The state House cancelled its scheduled August voting session days last week, when leaders determined they had insufficient support to take up Philadelphia school funding and perhaps pension reform. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) and Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said the chamber did not have a consensus to put up 102 votes for either issue, with many members expected to offer amendments for other programs.

Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, August 12-14 is the state’s largest outdoor agricultural exhibition. ERG Partners is pleased to participate in the event annually, both as a sponsor and through its membership on the Penn State Ag Council. This year’s Ag Progress Days featured energy conservation, regulation, shale energy development and on-farm renewable energy sources.

On February 20, 2014, the Public Utility Commission adopted a Proposed Rulemaking Order at Docket No. L-2014-2404361, proposing revisions to the Commission’s existing Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards regulations pertaining to the net metering, interconnection and portfolio standards provisions, with the Proposed Rulemaking Order published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on July 5, 2014 at 44 Pa.B. 4179.

House GOP leaders announced Thursday that they will not return to Session next week to vote on a bill that would enable Philadelphia to increase its cigarette tax as a means to funding its public schools, nor to address pension issues.