The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Thursday finalized provisions of Act 13 related to the collection and disbursement of the impact fee for unconventional natural gas well drilling.

The House Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing to discuss House Bill 2188, which would allow customers to opt-out of smart meter technology.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection will host a June 13 auction for the sale and purchase of nutrient credits in the Susquehanna and Potomac watersheds.

Pennsylvania’s primary and special elections results showed some major surprises in the vote totals, a few which will have serious impacts in the fall and the future in Harrisburg. Two incumbent Congressmen and six sitting members of the state House of Representatives saw their House careers end with the results. Incumbents who lost by and large were centrist candidates, opposed by Tea Party/conservatives on the Republican ballot and more liberal opponents on the Democratic side of the aisle.

As the Marcellus natural gas play unfolds in Pennsylvania, several trends are becoming increasingly clear, according to Penn State researchers.

Late Tuesday, U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced plans to postpone the farm bill mark-up hearing originally scheduled for Wednesday. In a statement Sen. Stabenow said, “The Agriculture Committee has made significant progress and have bipartisan agreement on the bulk of the Farm Bill. We are committed to continuing to work together in a bipartisan way as we come to agreement on a few outstanding issues. This is a bill that impacts 16 million jobs and a huge sector of America’s economy, and it is important that we move prudently to create the best possible product.”

The decision by Shell Oil Co. to build an ethylene processing plant outside Pittsburgh is being seen as a major victory for the entire southwestern PA region by labor and business alike. It is expected to provide a huge economic boost in jobs and spending among supply chain businesses and construction companies.

The Liberty Financing Authority legislation was voted out of the Senate Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee this week with amendments.

The Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously reported out the nomination of Public Utility Commissioner John Coleman for a second term.

The Public Utility Commission seeking comments on the future of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) programs established under Act 129 of 2008. By a secretarial letter, the Commission requested input into future program areas as detailed on the links below.