PA Senate Passes Energy Choice Bill; House Companion Bill Moves Out Of Committee
On October 27, the Senate passed The Energy Choice bill– Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)– by a vote of 35 -15.
The bill, also known as the Ban the Ban bill, would preempt municipalities from adopting regulations that would prohibit or regulate energy sources within their jurisdictions.
The bill is in response to reports of local governments in other states banning the use of natural gas and heating oil.
An amendment was incorporated into the Yaw bill that was designed to address the concerns of some local government groups who felt the language original bill may have unintentionally curtailed municipalities from regulating land use and other regulatory powers.
The associations representing township and boroughs signed off on the changes. However, groups representing large cities and municipalities are still opposing the legislation, as are the environmental groups. It is unclear at this time whether the Governor would sign or veto the bill if it got to his desk.
This legislation is a top priority of PPA-which submitted testimony in support of it at a public hearing in the spring. PPA will continue to press for passage of the bill.
House Companion
A companion bill– House Bill 1947— was introduced by Representative O’Neal (R-Washington) was voted out of the House Local Government Committee on October 26 and was Tabled.
The bill was not amended before being reported out of Committee.
Please visit the PPA Bills We’re Watching page for a complete overview of legislation being monitored by the Association.
