Pa environmentalists set hopes high for Gov-elect Wolf

Pa. State Rep. Kate Harper (see video link below)

Although incoming Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, will need to deal with a conservative, Republican-controlled legislature, environmental organizations believe that adoption of a severance tax on fracking gas may not be impossible to achieve. 

They also are urging the businessman-turned politician to enhance the state’s environment and natural resources through regulation and executive orders.
 
In a joint message to Mr. Wolf yesterday, the Clean Air Council, Clean Air Task Force, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Clean Water Action, Environmental Defense Fund, PennEnvironment, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PennFuture, and The Nature Conservancy – Pennsylvania Chapter all called for action on methane pollution early in
Mr.. Wolf’s upcoming tenure.
 
The groups claimed that recent polling indicates that "70 percent of Pennsylvanians not only have been dissatisfied with the lack of state leadership on natural gas issues, but also support regulating methane emissions in the state."

PennFuture’s Andrew Sharp (link to video at right)
In a recent forum in Harrisburg, PennFuture panelists discussed the recent gubernatorial election and what might be expected from the Wolf administration on the environmental front.
EnviroPolitics caught up with Republican State Rep. Kate Harper and with PennFuture’s Andrew Sharp after the event.

Watch their video interviews:


Related environmental news stories:
PA environmental groups: Time is ripe for action on methane pollution-PennFuture

Tom Wolf’s inauguration: ‘Celebratory attire’ and other details explained – PennLive.com
Back to work: The Legislature and Tom Wolf have much to do – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

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EPA to balky states: Clean up plant emissions or we will


The Environmental Protection Agency sent a message Wednesday to states that don’t want to develop plans to reduce carbon emissions at power plants: If you don’t come up with your own way to do this, we’ll implement one for you.
Kent Hoover reports in The Pittsburgh Business Times😐

"EPA has issued a proposed regulation that would require electric utilities to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. The agency will issue a final rule for existing power plants in mid-summer, according to Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s office of air and radiation. Rules for new and modified power plants will be issued at the same time.

"The EPA’s proposed rule for existing power plants gives states flexibility on how to meet the agency’s carbon reduction goals
"If states don’t submit plans to achieve EPA’s targets for carbon emission reductions, the agency wants to be ready with a backup plan," McCabe said

Read the full story here

Related energy news stories:
EPA to Issue Power-Plant Emissions Rules This Summer – Wall Street Journal 
The EPA Will Delay Its Landmark Climate Rule Until The Summer – ThinkProgress

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A bold Pittsburgh move by Philly law firm, Blank Rome

Blank Rome, an international legal practice based in Philadelphia, will open a Pittsburgh office on Friday with four partners from Duane Morris and a fifth from Reed Smith, Jeff Blumenthal reports today in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
"The office will be led by George M. Medved, who was managing partner of the Pittsburgh office of Duane Morris until he was replaced in June 2013 by Kenneth M. Argentieri. Also joining are Duane Morris partners Amy Joseph Coles, James P. Hollihan, and Joseph T. Moran, along with Reed Smith partner Jayme L. Butcher. All are commercial litigators save for Hollihan, who focuses on employment matters.
"Blank Rome said Pittsburgh is a natural location for its 13th office (it also has a representative office in Shanghai, China) as it gives the firm a presence in Western Pennsylvania, creating a natural connection for its energy practice in Houston and Philadelphia.
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Committee chairmen named in Pennsylvania House

In advance of today’s swearing-in ceremony for the 2015-2015 legislative session, Pa. House Speaker-designate Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) yesterday announced the chairmen of the various legislative committees, including:


Agriculture and Rural Affairs:
Environmental Resources and Energy:

Game and Fisheries:

 
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Committee chairmen named in Pennsylvania House Read More »

Hill Internatl. gets $33M contract for NJ T-Pike facilities

Hill International  announced today that it has received a contract from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) to provide construction management and inspection services in support of NJTA’s Facilities Improvement Program, New Jersey Business reports.

The four-year contract has an estimated value to Hill of approximately $33.7 million.

This new contract is an expansion of the company’s current role, as Hill has been providing program management services for the Facilities Improvement Program since 2012.
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