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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 8, 2019 04:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator John P. Blake |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Power Plant Host Community Standards |
| It has come to my attention that Pennsylvania law lacks any minimum standards for power plant host agreements, so I will be introducing legislation to do just that. Such host fees and environmental standards would provide much needed predictability for both host communities and power plant developers, thus removing an often-contentious issue at the local level and adequately compensating and protecting residents. This bill will also require opportunities for the citizens of the host municipality, school district and county to provide meaningful public input into any host agreement negotiated with the owner of a power plant subject to this legislation. 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 limits 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. Acceptable uses for the monies include, but are not limited to:
It is certainly not the intent of this legislation to discourage development of power plants in Pennsylvania. It is, however, the intention of this legislation to provide a set of standards to guide local government officials in what are often complex negotiations with power plant owners and developers. This legislation is also intended to create a nexus between sources of local funding and uses of local funding to otherwise improve the quality of life for citizens and taxpayers in Pennsylvania and to enhance state and local capacities for environmental protection. Rep. Kyle Mullins intends to offer companion legislation in the PA House of Representatives, and we ask that you please join us in cosponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as SB1086