The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee met this week to consider the nominations of Ellen M. Ferretti as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and E. Christopher Abruzzo as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  Both were reported favorably to the full Senate for confirmation.

The House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee held a hearing to discuss legislation that would impose pollution controls on certain “demand response” generators. House Bill 1699 would require backup generators that participate in profitable demand response programs to register with the Department of Environmental Protection and certify compliance with emissions limits.

The long winding road carrying the comprehensive transportation package finally came to a positive destination on Thursday, as the House voted 113-85 to approve a package negotiated among legislative leaders over the past several weeks. Yesterday the Senate voted to insert an amendment to HB 1060 offered by Senate Majority Chairman John Rafferty (R-Montgomery). The measure passed by a margin of 43-7, and contains similar language to an amendment offered in by House Majority Transportation Chairman Nick Micozzie (R-Delaware) earlier in the week to House Bill 106.

Last week Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), and environmental groups called for the passage of passage of SB 1171. The bill, sponsored by Leach, would increase state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards act Tier 1 standard and solar carve out.

After a brief one week break, the state House may be nearing a vote on a comprehensive state transportation funding plan.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources convened the first meeting of the Natural Gas Advisory Committee this week in State College to fulfill a recommendation in the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission Report.

Emerging technologies allowing for the making of biofuels from perennial grass crops, woody material and other organic carbon sources – known as biomass – could give Pennsylvania farmers and businesses that support them a boost while increasing domestic energy reserves. Officials say the method may be a viable alternative to corn-based ethanol production, which local agriculture has profited from for years.

The House and Senate returned for fall session this week, and on Monday, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said he planned to call for a straight up-or-down vote on Senate Bill 1, the $2.5 billion transportation funding plan passed by the Senate last spring.

Governor Corbett has nominated E. Christopher Abruzzo as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, and Ellen M. Ferretti as Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee on Tuesday “strongly” recommended Gladys J. Brown of Harrisburg to the full Senate for her nomination to the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC).