News Center

O’Mara, Vitali, Zabel announce federal grant to improve West Chester Pike

(Nov 06, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

“Funding like this drives improvements to infrastructure forward,” Vitali said. “As a result, we see less congestion, better air quality, increased commerce and safety improvements for our friends and families who use these roadways. It’s great to see that people in our community were directly involved in the development of this project, keeping our interests at heart. A special thanks to Haverford Township engineer Dave Pennoni for preparing this report and design.” Read more

 

11/1/19 – Climate Change: Should PA Join RGGI? – Havertown

(Nov 01, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Greg Vitali. Read more

 

Vitali holds public hearing on climate change and joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

(Nov 01, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HAVERTOWN, Nov. 1 – State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware/Montgomery, today hosted a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee to discuss Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. “Joining RGGI is the single most important thing Pennsylvania can do to combat climate change,” said Vitali, Democratic chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The RGGI is a 10-state cap-and-trade program designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector. Speakers included Franz Litz , principal, Litz Energy Strategies, LLC; Chris Hoaglend , p rogram manager, Maryland Department of Environment; M. Gary Helm , lead market strategist, PJM Interconnection; Patrick McDonnell , secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; John Hanger , president, Hanger Consulting, LLC; Mark Szybist , senior attorney, Climate and Clean Energy Program , Natural Resources Defense Council; Tanya McCloskey , acting consumer advocate, Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate; and Andrew Williams , director, regulatory and legislative affairs , Environmental Defense Fund. All speakers presenting at the hearing were supportive of Pennsylvania joining RGGI. Acting Consumer Advocate Tanya McCloskey remarked, “I believe that using our generation market mechanisms through a program like RGGI is the best means to Read more

 

Climate Change/RGGI Public Hearing is Nov. 1 in Havertown

(Oct 25, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HARRISBURG, Oct. 25 – State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware/Montgomery, will host a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee on Nov. 1 entitled “Climate Change: Should Pa. Join RGGI?”. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a 10-state cap-and-trade program designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector. “Pennsylvania is a major greenhouse gas emitter and joining RGGI would be perhaps the most important thing that the commonwealth could do to curb its emissions”, said Vitali, Democratic chair of the House Environmental Resource and Energy Committee. On Oct. 3, Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order directing that Pennsylvania commence development of a RGGI-compatible program. The hearing will start at 10 a.m. at the Haverford Township Administration Building, 1014 Darby Road, Havertown, 19083, in the Commissioners Meeting Room. Vitali will be joined by state legislators from across the commonwealth, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Speakers include Franz Litz , p rincipal, Litz Energy Strategies, LLC; Chris Hoaglend , p rogram manager, Maryland Department of Environment; M. Gary Helm , lead market strategist, PJM Interconnection; Patrick McDonnell, secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; John Hanger , president, Hanger Read more

 

Legislators urge Gov. Wolf to act on methane gas emissions

(Sep 20, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HARRISBURG, Sept. 20 – A bipartisan group of over 30 Pennsylvania state House members sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf today urging him to take immediate action on regulations which would reduce methane leakage from natural gas wells in Pennsylvania. The regulations which were part of a methane reduction strategy Wolf announced in January 2016 would apply to the approximately 11,000 unconventional wells drilled in Pennsylvania since 2004. These regulations are already more than two years behind schedule according to Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware/Montgomery, who coordinated the joint letter. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and is responsible for approximately 25 percent of current global warming. “Methane is the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide,” Vitali said. “As the second-largest natural gas producing state, Pennsylvania’s methane emissions have a significant impact on global climate change. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is leaking from these wells and into the atmosphere at well pads, storage tanks, compressor stations, processing facilities, and along pipelines. The Wolf administration must demonstrate a sense of urgency by devoting enough staff and modifying these rules to regulate methane directly in order to quickly present them to the Environmental Quality Board for consideration. It’s time that we considered our environment a top priority.” Read more

 

Vitali to host Spotted Lanternfly Interactive Awareness Event

(Sep 06, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HARRISBURG, Sept. 6 – State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, today announced that he will be hosting a Spotted Lanternfly Interactive Awareness Event along with state Reps. Mary Jo Daley, Tim Briggs, and Pamela DeLissio. “It is crucial that we give our people the tools they need to fight back against this invasive species, and that starts with holding local meetings to learn as much as we can about this insect,” Vitali said. “We must work together to manage the population and get rid of this pest that threatens our agriculture and forest industries.” The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Ludington Library, 5 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, 19010. Featured guest speaker Heather Leach, Spotted Lanternfly Extension Associate for Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been invited to teach residents about how to spot this invasive species, methods of prevention and types of trees impacted. Attendees will also have time to ask questions about the pest during the event. Residents who have questions about the event may call Vitali’s district office at 610-789-3900. ### Attention Editors: Media coverage is invited. Read more

 

Plastic Bags: Public Policy vs. Political Power

(Aug 15, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Plastic Bags: Public Policy vs. Political PowerBy Greg VitaliIn the final days of budget negotiations, a powerful State Senator quietly inserted language in a budget related bill that would prevent Pennsylvania from regulating single use plastic bags. Governor Wolf signed this bill into law on June 28. This is another example of political power trumping environmental policy in Harrisburg.State Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) inserted a provision in the Fiscal Code that would prohibit the Commonwealth and its municipalities from regulating single use plastic bags and other containers for one year- ostensibly to allow more time to study of the issue. The Senator added this language only a week after a Philadelphia City Councilman introduced a bill to ban most single use plastic bags in the city. The new Pennsylvania law would block the Philadelphia ban from going into effect. Senator Corman’s district includes a single use plastic bag manufacturing plant owned by Novolex, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of these bags. Legislation regulating plastic bags is sorely needed. Shoppers worldwide use about 500 billion single-use plastic bags annually. Without significant action there may be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight by 2050, according to a 2016 World Economic Forum report Unlike Pennsylvania, many countries throughout the world and many US municipalities have already begun to address the plastic bag problem. Three hundred forty-nine... Read more

 

July 2019 Newsletter

(Jul 30, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Summer Newsletter 2019 for Rep. Greg Vitali. Read more

 

Pennsylvania budget shortchanges environment

(Jul 11, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed into law a package of budget bills for the commonwealth’s 2019-20 fiscal year. These bills are reflective of a governor and legislative leaders who do not prioritize environmental protection. DEP Staffing Most importantly, the budget failed to address the chronic understaffing of the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection – the state agency charged with enforcing environmental laws. The DEP has suffered almost a 30 percent reduction in staff since 2002, losing over 900 positions. This understaffing has compromised its ability to reduce air and water pollution, regulate oil and gas development, combat climate change, plug abandoned oil and gas wells and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental Fund Transfers Consistent with Governor Wolf’s budget proposal in February, money was taken from three important environmental funds to pay for general governmental operations in the upcoming fiscal year. Over $16 million was taken from the Environmental Stewardship Fund – commonly known as Growing Greener. This fund provides monies for farmland preservation, open space protection, abandoned mine reclamation, watershed protection and restoration, water and sewer infrastructure and community parks and recreational facilities. Ten million dollars was taken from the Recycling Fund, which supports municipal recycling programs by helping to pay for recycling trucks, processing Read more

 

Legislative Journal: 2019-20 State Budget Breakdown

(Jul 10, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

The state budget is done, however, Pa. state Rep. Greg Vitali explains how it’s another plan that is devastating for the environment. Check out his analysis in the latest episode of Legislative Journal. Read more

 

Satellite constituent service office opening in Ardmore library

(Jul 08, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

ARDMORE, July 8 – State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, today announced that he would be opening a satellite office at the Ardmore Library on July 11th. “We are pleased to be able to provide a space that will better serve a variety of constituents,” Vitali said. “All of the services available in our main district office will be available at our satellite location. I look forward to being able to assist constituents in our new office and providing a more convenient location within the district.” The office space is open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ardmore Library, 108 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore, 19003. This office is handicap accessible and located on the lower floor of the library. Examples of services and assistance provided are SEPTA senior key card applications, unclaimed property search and forms, property tax rent rebate applications, notary services, birth certificate forms, PA licensing issues, PACE/PACENET applications, and compass applications for benefits. For more information, please call the district office at 610-789-3900. ### Read more

 

Don’t Raid Environmental Funds to Balance Budget

(Jun 17, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Don’t Raid Environmental Funds to Balance Budget Governor Tom Wolf and legislative leaders are now negotiating the commonwealth budget. An agreement is expected soon. Unfortunately, they are seriously considering removing tens of millions of dollars from important environmental funds to balance the budget. This would be both unwise and unnecessary. In February, Gov. Wolf outlined his fiscal year 2019-20 commonwealth budget proposal. It includes the transfer of over $15 million from the Environmental Stewardship Fund, $30 million from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, $10 million from the Recycling Fund, and almost $70 million from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. These monies would be used to pay for general governmental operations in the upcoming fiscal year. Despite significant opposition, these transfers are still on the negotiating table. The Environmental Stewardship Fund (commonly known as Growing Greener) was established in 2002 and receives revenues from landfill fees. It provides monies for farmland preservation, open space protection, abandoned mine reclamation, watershed protection and restoration, water and sewer infrastructure and community parks and recreational facilities. The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was established in 1993 and receives revenues from the realty transfer tax. It provides monies for state and local parks, recreation facilities, historic sites, zoos, public libraries, nature preserves Read more

 

Gov. Wolf’s Methane proposal falls short

(May 10, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

The Wolf administration’s recent proposal to reduce methane emissions from Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry comes two years after promised. It also falls short of what is needed to address the immediacy of the climate crisis. Methane is the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, and methane emissions are responsible for about 25 percent of current global warming, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Its heat-trapping qualities are about 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, although it stays in the atmosphere for a shorter length of time. As the second-largest natural gas producing state, Pennsylvania’s methane emissions have a significant impact on global climate change. The state’s oil and gas operators leak over 520,000 tons of methane each year, causing the same near-term climate pollution as 11 coal-fired power plants, according to a recent Environmental Defense Fund analysis. As the Wolf administration stated in January 2016, “Reducing methane leaks from the oil and gas sector is one of the essential steps needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impacts of climate change.” Over 11,000 unconventional gas wells have been drilled in Pennsylvania since 2004, when that kind of drilling accelerated. Unconventional drilling, commonly employed in shale formations such as Marcellus is typified by the methodologies of horizontal drilling and fracking. Methane, Read more

 

March 2019 Newsletter

(Mar 11, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Spring 2019 Newsletter Read more

 

1/24/19 – Methane and Climate Change – Havertown

(Jan 24, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

Materials from House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Greg Vitali. Read more

 

Vitali, Sturla hold public hearing on oil and gas industry methane leakage

(Jan 24, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, Jan. 24 – State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware/Montgomery, today hosted a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee to discuss the impact of methane leakage from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry on climate change. The hearing explored ways in which methane affects climate change and how Pennsylvania can better monitor methane leakage from the oil and gas industry. “Methane is the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, and a significant amount of that methane comes from oil and gas development,” Vitali said. Speakers included Dr. Richard Alley , Professor of Geosciences, Penn State University; Professor Don Brown , Scholar in Residence, Widener Law; Dr. Tony Ingraffea , Emeritus Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University; Professor Peter DeCarlo , Associate Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering , Drexel University; Rob Altenburg , Director , PennFuture Energy Center; Andrew Williams , Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy , Environmental Defense Fund; Dr. Arvind Ravikumar , Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering , Harrisburg University of Science and Technology; Leann Leiter , Pennsylvania and Ohio Field Advocate , EarthWorks; and Krish Ramamurthy , Director of Bureau of Air Quality, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Vitali also was joined by fellow state legislators, including House Read more

 

Methane and climate change public hearing is Jan. 24 in Havertown

(Jan 14, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HARRISBURG, Jan. 14 – State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware/ Montgomery, will host a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee on Jan. 24 to discuss the impact of methane leakage from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry on climate change. Vitali is the newly appointed Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resource and Energy Committee. The hearing will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Haverford Township Administration Building, 1014 Darby Road, Havertown, 19083, in the Commissioners Meeting Room. Vitali will be joined by state legislators from across the commonwealth, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Speakers include Dr. Richard Alley , Professor of Geosciences, Penn State University; Professor Don Brown , Scholar in Residence, Widener Law; Dr. Tony Ingraffea , Emeritus Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University; Professor Peter DeCarlo , Associate Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering , Drexel University; Rob Altenburg , Director , PennFuture Energy Center; Andrew Williams , Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy , Environmental Defense Fund; Dr. Arvind Ravikumar , Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering , Harrisburg University of Science and Technology; Leann Leiter , Pennsylvania and Ohio Field Advocate , EarthWorks; and Krish Ramamurthy , Director of Bureau of Air Quality, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Read more

 

Vitali named Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee

(Jan 08, 2019) Rep. Greg Vitali

HARRISBURG, Jan. 8 – State Rep. Greg Vitali was recently named Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2019-20 session. “We must address the serious threats facing our environment,” said Vitali, D-Delaware/Montgomery. “My focus in the legislature has been on environmental policy, and I look forward to the challenge of chairing this committee.” The committee majority chairman is state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler. Vitali said his priorities include increasing funding for the Department of Environmental Protection, reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, and dealing with the climate change impacts of the threatened closing of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. Vitali previously served as a member of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for 24 years, spending the last four of those years as chairman. Read more

 

Wolf budget should properly fund DEP

(Dec 28, 2018) Rep. Greg Vitali

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has been severely underfunded for years. This has compromised the department’s ability to protect public health and the environment. Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed budget should restore needed resources. The DEP has suffered almost a 30 percent reduction in staff since 2002, losing over 900 positions. This has compromised its ability to reduce air and water pollution, regulate oil and gas development, combat climate change, plug abandoned oil and gas wells and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Currently, the Wolf administration is preparing its fiscal year 2019/2020 Commonwealth budget proposal, which it will present to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in early February. This proposal should fully fund environmental protection. Air quality The DEP doesn’t have sufficient personnel to monitor air quality. A 2018 EPA audit determined the DEP’s Air Quality Monitoring Division was “severely understaffed”. This understaffing has increased the risk of harmful pollutant discharge. Fewer companies are now being monitored and the air monitoring data is being viewed less frequently. This adversely affects the health of us all. Oil and gas program The DEP Oil and Gas program has lost 36 positions – down to 190 – since 2016. This program has the responsibility to review drilling permit applications, respond to complaints, inspect well sites, prevent pollution and Read more

 

November 2018 Newsletter

(Nov 21, 2018) Rep. Greg Vitali

Fall 2018 Read more

 

O’Mara, Vitali, Zabel announce federal grant to improve West Chester Pike
Nov 06, 2019

11/1/19 – Climate Change: Should PA Join RGGI? – Havertown
Nov 01, 2019

Vitali holds public hearing on climate change and joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Nov 01, 2019

Climate Change/RGGI Public Hearing is Nov. 1 in Havertown
Oct 25, 2019

Legislators urge Gov. Wolf to act on methane gas emissions
Sep 20, 2019

Vitali to host Spotted Lanternfly Interactive Awareness Event
Sep 06, 2019

Plastic Bags: Public Policy vs. Political Power
Aug 15, 2019

July 2019 Newsletter
Jul 30, 2019

Pennsylvania budget shortchanges environment
Jul 11, 2019

Legislative Journal: 2019-20 State Budget Breakdown
Jul 10, 2019

Satellite constituent service office opening in Ardmore library
Jul 08, 2019

Don’t Raid Environmental Funds to Balance Budget
Jun 17, 2019

Gov. Wolf’s Methane proposal falls short
May 10, 2019

March 2019 Newsletter
Mar 11, 2019

1/24/19 – Methane and Climate Change – Havertown
Jan 24, 2019

Vitali, Sturla hold public hearing on oil and gas industry methane leakage
Jan 24, 2019

Methane and climate change public hearing is Jan. 24 in Havertown
Jan 14, 2019

Vitali named Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
Jan 08, 2019

Wolf budget should properly fund DEP
Dec 28, 2018

November 2018 Newsletter
Nov 21, 2018