Pennsylvania Statewide Policy Priorities
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A large portion of the pollution that impacts Pennsylvania’s waterways comes from nonpoint source pollution, often taking the form of runoff from agriculture lands and stormwater runoff from developed surfaces.
To mitigate pollution, the Coalition is advocating for a dedicated source of funding for clean water, the Clean Streams Fund, which will support projects that include water quality at all levels in the watershed, benefitting downstream urban communities and rural areas upstream.
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Making the Case for Clean Water: PA's Growing Greener III & The Clean Streams Fund
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Over the last 15 years, state funding for the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (DEP) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has been cut substantially.
DCNR oversees hundreds of programs and parks that benefit rivers, trails, greenways, open space, and natural areas. Maintaining funding for DCNR has a direct impact on the wellbeing the Commonwealth’s water and its recreational, environmental, and economic value.
Cuts in DEP funding are particularly threatening because the agency is tasked with enforcing environmental regulations. Less support for DEP could lead to a higher risk of unchecked pollutants entering our air and waterways and could threaten Pennsylvania’s access to matching federal dollars.
State Lead, PennFuture, leads an annual Clean Water Education Day in Harrisburg, the State capital for CDRW members to advocate for increased agency funding, codification of DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice, and passage of legislation that protects Pennsylvania’s water resources, including protection of riparian buffers. PennFuture also worked with coalition members to develop a Legislative Briefing Book, that has been instrumental in supporting legislative education efforts.
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Championing a Statewide Agenda for Protecting and Restoring Pennsylvania’s Waterways
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The Delaware Basin Commission (DRBC) is a regulatory body operated by Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and the federal government. The DRBC monitors water quality, conducts comprehensive resource planning, and manages drinking water supplies for over 13.3 million Americans.
In 1988, the DRBC commissioners reached an agreement by which states and federal government would appropriate sufficient funds in their annual budgets to support the functions of the commission, yet Pennsylvania has not contributed its fair share of funding since 2014.
The Coalition is engaging members to ensure Pennsylvania begins appropriating more funds in its annual budget toward the DRBC so that this key collaborative agency can continue protecting the health and availability of Pennsylvania’s water.
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Pennsylvania Falls Short of Their Funding Commitment to the DRBC
The DRBC: Making Connections to the Delaware River for 60 Years
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CDRW and its partners were successful in securing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in early 2022. This initiative will help move the state forward in implementing comprehensive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth, a major factor in climate change.
While a lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI proceeds, the Governor released a proposal to adopt a RGGI-like carbon-pricing program in the state that also includes a requirement for the purchase of electricity from sources that are primarily carbon-free.
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Pennsylvania Joins 11 Other States in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
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The Coalition is engaging with members to ensure that federal legislation and funding champions clean water protections and CDRW priorities. This includes supporting federal Farm Bill proposals that promote climate-smart agriculture funding and other sustainable protections for Pennsylvania’s farms and environment and participating in events to educate federal representatives.