Posted: | April 7, 2021 10:55 AM |
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From: | Representative Kyle J. Mullins |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Power Plant Host Community Standards (Former HB2312) |
It has come to my attention that Pennsylvania law lacks any minimum standards for host agreements between power plants and their surrounding communities, so I will be re-introducing legislation (HB2312 from the prior session) to do just that. Although opinions on energy exploration and production vary and are often deeply held, we should all be able to agree on the following:
While this bill would require that minimum payments be made to host municipalities, school districts and counties where plants are sited, it would also set parameters on how political subdivisions could spend monies that are collected. Host municipalities would receive a minimum upfront payment of $1,000 per megawatt and a minimum annual payment of $700 per megawatt. Host counties would receive a minimum upfront payment of $200 per megawatt and a minimum annual payment of $500 per megawatt. School districts would receive a minimum annual payment of $500 per megawatt. The Department of Environmental Protection would receive an annual fee of $300 per megawatt to cover its expenses for administering this program, and for developing air and water quality monitoring programs in consultation with the host municipality and county – perhaps the most critical component of this proposal. Host community uses for the proceeds include, but are not limited to:
Please join me in cosponsoring this important measure that will protect communities while still enabling responsible energy production. |
Introduced as HB1740