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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 19, 2018 10:55 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Robert F. Matzie |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Establishing the Baseload Electric Generation Facilities Deactivation Commission |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to establish the Baseload Electric Generation Facilities Deactivation Commission which will be charged with reviewing and investigating the potentially adverse impacts caused by the deactivation of baseload electric generation facilities fueled by coal or nuclear energy operating in the Commonwealth. Over the last several years, we have witnessed the deactivation, or the announced deactivation, of a record number of Pennsylvania based coal and nuclear electric generation facilities. There is, however, no designated local, state or federal agency to assess the economic, reliability and environmental impact of these deactivations. Even worse, there is no requirement to provide any sort of notice to the employees whose livelihoods are forever impacted by the decision to close. The proposed Commission, after hearing from state and local government officials, affected employees, business owners, and other stakeholders, would be required to render final statewide decisions concerning deactivations. In addition, this legislation would require the owner of a coal fired plant to remediate the facility and the surrounding area in order to receive approval to deactivate. Equally important, this legislation provides employee protections such as minimum requirements for severance payments and the continuation of health care benefits. We as elected officials have the responsibility to “keep the lights on” but we also have a responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of this Commonwealth. And I believe that includes state oversight of Pennsylvania based coal or nuclear energy facility deactivations. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |