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PRINTER'S NO. 138
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
279
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY HUTCHINSON, SCARNATI, AUMENT, STEFANO, WARD,
WHITE, VOGEL AND VULAKOVICH, JANUARY 16, 2015
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JANUARY 16, 2015
AN ACT
Establishing the Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council; and providing for duties of the Pennsylvania Grade
Crude Development Advisory Council and the Department of
Environmental Protection and for administrative support.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
Grade Crude Development Advisory Council Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in the section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Council." The Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council.
"Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
the Commonwealth.
Section 3. Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council.
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(a) Establishment.--There is established the Pennsylvania
Grade Crude Development Advisory Council.
(b) Composition.--The council shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or the secretary's designee.
(2) The Secretary of Environmental Protection or the
secretary's designee.
(3) One member of the Senate appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate.
(4) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
(5) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(6) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(7) The following members appointed by the Governor:
(i) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania
Independent Petroleum Producers.
(ii) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania
Independent Oil and Gas Association.
(iii) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania Grade
Crude Oil Coalition.
(iv) Two representatives of refineries of
Pennsylvania grade crude oil.
(v) One representative of a nonprofit corporation,
which has the purpose of promoting the history and
economic benefits of the conventional oil and gas
industry in this Commonwealth.
(vi) One representative of academia who is a
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geologist with an expertise in petroleum geology.
(vii) One representative of academia who is a
hydrologist.
(c) Chairperson.--The council shall elect a chairperson from
among its members.
(d) Meetings.--The council shall meet upon the call of the
chairperson, but not less than semiannually. A simple majority
of the members shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Terms.--
(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), the
legislative members of the council shall serve two-year terms
commencing with the first Tuesday in January of odd-numbered
years and may be reappointed upon reelection to office.
(2) Of the initial members appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate,
the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives, members shall serve
until the first Tuesday in January of the first odd-numbered
year after the end of the year during which this section
takes effect.
(3) Of the initial members appointed by the Governor:
(i) Four members shall serve initial terms of one
year.
(ii) Four members shall serve initial terms of two
years.
(iii) Three members shall serve initial terms of
three years.
(4) After the initial terms, individuals appointed by
the Governor shall serve for a term of three years.
(5) Individuals appointed by the Governor may be
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appointed to successive terms.
(f) Vacancies.--Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder
of an unexpired term in the same manner as original
appointments. A member, upon expiration of the term, shall
continue to hold office until a successor is appointed.
(g) Quorum.--A majority of the membership of the council
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Action may be taken on a matter before the council by a majority
vote of the full membership of the council.
(h) Compensation.--Council members may not receive
compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all
necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of their duties as members.
Section 4. Duties of council.
(a) Duties.--The council shall:
(1) Examine and make recommendations regarding existing
technical regulations promulgated under 58 Pa.C.S. (relating
to oil and gas) and policies implemented by the department
that impact the conventional oil and gas industry of this
Commonwealth.
(2) Explore the development of a regulatory scheme that
provides for environmental oversight and enforcement
specifically applicable to the conventional oil and gas
industry.
(3) Promote the long-term viability of the conventional
oil and gas industry.
(4) Assist the Secretary of Environmental Protection
with and provide written comments on new departmental policy
that will impact the conventional oil and gas industry of
this Commonwealth, including economic consequences.
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(5) Review and comment on the formulation and drafting
of all technical regulations proposed under 58 Pa.C.S.
(6) Provide institutional support for the conventional
oil and gas industry of this Commonwealth by ensuring
effective cooperation and communication among governmental
agencies and the academic and research community.
(7) Recommend appropriate measures relating to the
promotion and development of the conventional oil and gas
industry of this Commonwealth.
(8) Develop a plan to increase Pennsylvania grade crude
oil production in an environmentally responsible way to more
adequately supply the refineries which depend on Pennsylvania
grade crude oil.
(9) Develop a joint working group with the department to
explore and develop an environmentally responsible and
economically viable production water management option.
(10) Perform other duties as necessary or appropriate to
effect the intent and purposes of this act.
(b) Report.--The council shall annually issue a report of
its activities and recommendations under subsection (a) to all
of the following:
(1) The Governor.
(2) The President pro tempore of the Senate.
(3) The Minority Leader of the Senate.
(4) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the Senate.
(5) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(6) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(7) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the House of
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Representatives.
Section 5. Duties of department.
The department shall have the following duties:
(1) To consult with the council on all policies and
technical regulations promulgated under 58 Pa.C.S. (relating
to oil and gas).
(2) To include any written comments of the council
received before the department's submission of a proposed
rulemaking package of technical regulations under 58 Pa.C.S.
to the Environmental Quality Board, as part of its submission
to the Environmental Quality Board.
(3) To provide technical assistance required by the
council to carry out its duties under this act.
Section 6. Administrative support.
The Department of Community and Economic Development shall
provide administrative support, office space and any other
technical assistance required by the council to carry out its
duties under this act.
Section 7. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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