The grants were awarded through the Natural Gas Energy Development Program, created as part of Act 13 of 2012.   Scarnati, a chief architect of Act 13, explained that the program is designed to help reduce Pennsylvania’s dependence on imported oil and improve air quality, by reducing vehicle emissions of carbon monoxide.  The Natural Gas Energy Development Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“Through the development of the Marcellus Shale industry, Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to become a leader in energy advancement initiatives,” Scarnati said.  “Embracing new and innovative technology is an integral part of making our state energy independent and continuing to reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”

According to Scarnati, a $500,000 grant is being awarded to Crossett, Inc., located in Warren, and will aid in the conversion of all 75 of their tractor trailers to natural gas, as well as the construction of publicly accessible CNG fueling stations located in Warren and Bradford.  Since 1928, Crossett, Inc. has been a leader in the region and transport industry.

A $250,000 grant is also being awarded to Hoopes Turf Farm, Inc., located in Ulysses, to be used for the installation of a new, onsite 16,000 gallon public access fueling mechanism and the deployment of 10 natural gas fueled heavy duty trucks.

“These grants provide a significant investment in two local businesses, both of which are important employers within our region,” Scarnati stated.  “Converting heavy duty vehicles to operate on natural gas and allowing for the building of natural gas fueling stations will help us to use environmentally friendly energy made here in the United States, while keeping jobs in our community.”

The Natural Gas Energy Development Program grants are funded through revenue generated by the annual impact fee assessed on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction.  Over the next three years, this program will make $20 million in grant funds available on a competitive basis, to purchase or convert eligible vehicles to natural gas.

Applications for this first round of grants were due on February 1, 2013.  More information on the Natural Gas Energy Development Program can be found on the DEP website.

CONTACT:

Drew Crompton (717) 787-7084

As I have traveled throughout my Senatorial District lately, I have spoken with many individuals and groups who are supportive of increased consumer choice and convenience when it comes to purchasing alcohol in Pennsylvania.  I share this goal.

That is why many were encouraged when, after years of hard work and long debate on the issue, the House of Representatives recently passed HB790.  While far from perfect, passage of this legislation was an important first step in advancing the cause of privatizing our state liquor system, which I also support.

However, something no one should support is rushing to enact legislation with the potential to create an equally burdensome and inconvenient system while threatening the existence of our small businesses and decreasing access to Pennsylvanians living in rural areas.

What I have heard most often from people is that they just want to be able to pick up their groceries, a bottle of wine and some beer at the same location.  It is important to understand that HB790 will not afford Pennsylvanians that convenience.

In order to sell wine, a grocery store will need to spend up to nearly $200,000 for a Wine Only License.  As if that cost wasn’t burdensome enough for most grocers, if they want to sell beer as well, then they would need to also purchase a separate Restaurant License which would allow them to sell no more than two twelve packs to-go.

In addition, to even be eligible for a Restaurant License, the grocer must first erect a minimum 400 sq ft area separated from the rest of the store by a four foot high barrier, containing a minimum thirty seat restaurant which sells meals available for consumption on the premises to be paid for at separate cash registers.

Got all that?

Me neither.

And that’s part of the problem.

One thing Pennsylvanians aren’t asking for is a system even more confusing than the current one.  In addition to being overly complicated for consumers and retailers, these numerous rules, requirements and regulations make it far too expensive for most private business owners to participate, especially those in rural areas.

Anyone who has traveled to other states and purchased alcohol can tell you, Pennsylvania’s current system is flawed.  At the same time, it is important to recognize that this is the system we have operated under since 1933.

Dramatically changing that system without negatively impacting private small business owners and their employees will take a delicate balance.  Many beer distributors have been operated by the same families for generations and they have invested their entire livelihoods in their success.

Currently in Pennsylvania, there are approximately 1,200 distributors licensed to sell beer in the state.  These small business owners have, in most cases, paid tens of thousands of dollars for the right to sell alcohol in our Commonwealth.  HB790 would flood the market with thousands of new licenses, greatly devaluing current distributor licenses.

Beer distributors I have spoken with cannot afford the exorbitant cost of the new wine and spirits licenses needed in order to even attempt to compete in the new marketplace.  Moreover, they do not have the space required to stock the additional product, nor the capital available to expand their current businesses to accommodate for it.

All of the aforementioned issues will be magnified in rural areas of the Commonwealth, such as the 25^th Senatorial District, which I represent.  If privatization isn’t done appropriately, elimination of the state liquor stores could result in my constituents having to drive longer distances to reach fewer outlets, selling a decreased selection of products.

I will continue to work alongside Senate Law & Justice Committee Chairman Chuck McIlhinney and the rest of our Senate Republican colleagues to craft a privatization proposal which increases consumer choice and convenience for all areas of the Commonwealth, while protecting our small business owners who have invested so much in their communities.

Pennsylvanians who have been waiting eighty years deserve nothing less.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati is currently serving his 4th term in the Pennsylvania Senate.  As President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Joe holds the third-highest constitutional office in the State.  He was born and raised in Brockway, Pennsylvania and represents the 25th Senatorial District, which includes Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and portions of Clearfield and Warren Counties.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Final Reapportionment Plan for State Legislative Senate and House Districts is a positive development for Pennsylvania citizens,” Scarnati stated.

“Throughout the redistricting process, my primary concern has been that residents in every area of the Commonwealth are fairly represented and that district lines are based on accurate population fluctuations,” Scarnati said.  “These approved Legislative maps are well balanced and well within the parameters set forth in our Constitution.”

“I commend Chief Justice Castille, Justice Saylor, Justice Eakin, Justice Baer, Justice Todd and Justice McCaffery for their diligent efforts to ensure that citizens across the Commonwealth receive the accurate representation granted to them by our Constitution,” Scarnati stated. “Each of our Supreme Court Justices, Senator Dominic Pileggi and House commission members have invested significant time into making certain that the Final Reapportionment Plan accurately reflects recent population shifts.”

In Pennsylvania the redistricting process takes place following the Census every ten years.  During that period the 50 State Senate seats and 203 House of Representative seats must be examined and adjusted to make sure they reflect the current population distribution, Scarnati explained.

“The reapportionment process began in 2011, and over the past two years has been extremely open and transparent with numerous public hearings,” Scarnati said. “The process was extended, in part, due to the fact that significant effort was made to solicit and respond to legitimate concerns.”

The Final Revised Reapportionment Plan, approved today, was voted by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission on June 8, 2012.

Scarnati noted that the upheld Reapportionment Plan accurately provides for proper representation in areas like western Pennsylvania, where there has been significant population growth over the past decade.

Scarnati said that under the new redistricting plan, his legislative district will remain the largest geographic Senate district in Pennsylvania. The 25^th Senatorial District will comprise all of Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Tioga Counties, and part of Clearfield County.

The approved redistricting maps shall have the force of law beginning with the 2014 election cycle.

More information on the redistricting process and copies of the new legislative maps can be found on the PA Legislative Reapportionment Commission website: http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/index.cfm.

CONTACT:

Drew Crompton (717) 787-7084

“I am pleased to announce that Merritt is the newest member of the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission; she will serve the Commission and the Commonwealth in an honorable, diligent manner,” Scarnati stated.

According to Scarnati, Reitzel was officially appointed to the Commission on March 4, 2013 and attended her first meeting as a Commissioner of the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission this week.

For over 40 years, the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission has recommended improvement measures of pre-auditing and post-auditing of the financial affairs of the Commonwealth. The Commission plays an important role in examining the standards of audits of affairs of the General Assembly and legislative agencies and provides annual reports of their recommendations.

“Merritt’s understanding and experience within both Pennsylvania’s judicial system and private practice law will be an asset to the Commission,” Scarnati said.  “Merritt will prove to be an effective communicator and voice for helping state government become more open and transparent.”

Pursuant to the provisions of Act 151 of 1970, the Commission consists of an eight-member board. These members include a majority and minority member of the Senate and two public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as a majority and minority member of the House of Representatives and two public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“I am honored that Senator Scarnati has named me to the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission,” Reitzel said.  “My decisions and recommendations while serving on this board will reflect an understanding of what is in the best interest of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth.”

Reitzel replaces former Commissioner Mark Freemer, of DuBois, who served on the Commission from 2007 through 2012.

Commission Members for 2013 include, Senator Patrick M. Browne, Senator Vincent Hughes, Representative Gordon Denlinger, Representative Flo Fabrizio, Merritt C. Reitzel, Ira Weiss, Jacqueline Whitcomb and Kevin Mitchell.

About Meritt C. Reitzel

Attorney Merritt C. Reitzel practices general litigation, including commercial and real estate law and provides support in employment and family law.

Prior to joining Serratelli, Schiffman & Brown, P.C. in September 2007, Ms. Reitzel was employed as a law clerk to Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin. Ms. Reitzel began her legal career in 2003 as a law clerk to The Honorable Bruce F. Bratton in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.

Ms. Reitzel received her undergraduate degree from The University of Pittsburgh in 1999. She received her law degree in 2003 from The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2003.

Ms. Reitzel is a member of the Dauphin County Bar Association, and is a monitor for the Dauphin County Pro Bono Guardianship Monitoring Program.  For more information about the Law Offices of Serratelli, Schiffman & Brown, P.C, visit http://www.ssbc-law.com/index.html.

CONTACT:

Drew Crompton (717) 787-7084

Scarnati said that Senate Bill 10 was introduced in response in part to the tragic school shooting that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, last December.

“This legislation takes a crucial step to provide schools with the funding they need to protect students and teachers, through the expansion of targeted grants for School Resource Officers, School Police Officers, violence prevention programs and emergency preparedness initiatives,” Scarnati said.

Scarnati’s legislation paves the way for increasing the Safe Schools line item in the state budget.  Currently, roughly $500,000 a year is awarded in Safe Schools Targeted Grants.  Scarnati has proposed increasing that amount to a total of approximately $10 million per year.

“A core responsibility of government is to ensure the greatest level of security possible in our schools,” Scarnati said.  “Protecting our children is not a partisan issue; this is an issue of importance for every school district, urban, suburban and rural.”

According to Scarnati, many school districts across the Commonwealth currently employ armed police and school resource officers.  “These trained professionals provide an invaluable contribution to their schools, offering far more than just protection from physical harm,” Scarnati explained.  “Such skilled school leaders also play a central role in creating a safer environment at academic institutions, by engaging students and preventing bullying.”

Senate Bill 10 was thoroughly vetted earlier this year during the Senate Education Committee and Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee joint hearings on the issue of school safety and violence prevention.

Scarnati said there has been significant support and encouragement for Senate Bill 10, from parents, teachers, school administrators, superintendents and public safety officials across the State.  In addition, the bill is supported by the State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

“I am pleased that this important legislation to help guard our students and educators has received such widespread support,” Scarnati said.  “We must step up as a Commonwealth and take the lead in protecting the most vulnerable and precious in our society, our children.” Scarnati said.

Senate Bill 10 will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

In the video above Senator Scarnati offers
floor remarks prior to the final Senate passage of Senate Bill 10.

 CONTACT:

Casey Long (717) 787-7084

The bills, sponsored by President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and State Government Committee Chairman Lloyd Smucker (R-13), now move to the House for consideration.

Senate Bill 308 (Scarnati) will require lobbyists and principals to register and report expenditures electronically, making this information available quicker and more accurately. Many reports are still filed on paper; those reports must be entered manually. SB 308 also requires the Department of State to post the information on its public website within a week.

“In the past, it has often taken months after lobbyist disclosure documents were completed and filed before the information was posted on the department’s website,” Senator Scarnati said. “Publishing all of this information on the Internet in a timely manner is an important part of improving transparency in state government.”

Under Senate Bill 120 (Pileggi), all campaign finance reports filed with the Department of State must be submitted electronically. Only about 35 percent of reports are currently filed electronically. SB 120 also requires any candidate committee or PAC which raises or spends $10,000 or more in a calendar year to file additional reports. Fees for late filing are increased from a maximum of $250 to a maximum of $500.

“This bill reflects our ongoing commitment to reform, transparency and accountability,” Senator Pileggi said. “Electronic filing also provides the additional benefits of improving accuracy and cutting costs. The majority of states already require electronic filing of campaign finance information, and we should do the same.”

Senate Bill 37 (Smucker) will allow residents to register to vote online through a system developed by the Department of State. About 16 other states now provide online voter registration as an option. Most have reported significant cost savings as a result.

The Department of State has spent more than a year preparing to implement the online voter registration system by working on technical and security-related issues.

“The idea is to make it easier to register to vote and to increase participation in voting,” Senator Smucker said. “This will also modernize the registration process and cut costs for counties. It’s been proven to work in other states, and the time is right for Pennsylvania to join them.”

More information about state issues is available at the Senate Republican website, www.PASenateGOP.com or on Twitter at twitter.com/PASenateGOP.

CONTACT:

Drew Crompton -Senator Scarnati (717) 787-7084

Erik Arneson – Senator Pileggi (717) 787-4712

Matt Parido – Senator Smucker (717) 787-6535

This year’s recipients were selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC).

According to Scarnati, in Elk County, four organizations have been named for their work with the Dents Run Restoration Project. The four groups include Bennett Branch Watershed Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and P&N Coal Company, Inc.  Dents Run is a 25 square mile watershed located in Benezette Township.

In Potter County, Hoopes Turf Farm, Inc. has been selected as an award recipient for their work with the Ulysses Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicle Diesel Reduction Project.  Hoopes Turf Farm has been a pioneer in bringing liquid natural gas (LNG) to Pennsylvania and in 2012, they replaced ten of their heavy-duty, long-haul, diesel-fueled fleet tractors, with ten powered by LNG.

“I am pleased to see that the outstanding work undertaken by these five organizations within the 25^th Senatorial District is being recognized,” Scarnati said. “Strengthening and promoting environmental stewardship within the region is an important way in which we can protect our environment and help our communities thrive for years to come.”

Scarnati said a total of 19 organizations across the state have been chosen as recipients of the 2013 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.  These include Pennsylvania businesses, schools, government agencies, trade organizations, non-profit organizations and agribusinesses.

More information on Environmental Excellence Awards can be found on DEP’s website.

CONTACT:

Kate Eckhart (717) 787-7084

The fee revenue for 2012 was due to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) by April 1^st, 2013.  Under the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee, Act 13 of 2012, the PUC is responsible for the collection and distribution of impact fees.

“I am pleased to see the positive effect that the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee revenue funds are having across our state,” Scarnati said.  “This reasonable impact fee on the industry provides the necessary funding to protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources, particularly during a time when we continue needing to find ways to stretch our tax dollars.”

Senator Scarnati was a chief architect of the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee legislation, which was enacted last year after considerable discussion among state government, local government, citizens, representatives of environmental groups and representatives of the industry. The law protects the environment by providing for environmental safeguards, while also imposing a reasonable annual impact fee on each well.

“The passage of Act 13 last year was a major achievement for Pennsylvania residents,” Scarnati said. “The Marcellus Shale Impact Fee legislation is the result of great collaboration between Governor Corbett, members of the House of Representatives and my colleagues in the Senate.”

Scarnati stated that the natural gas industry is a tremendous economic driver for the Commonwealth and has proven that they are here to stay – responsible for over 125,000 jobs in PA directly related to the industry, huge economic benefits and the potential for energy independence.

“The provisions laid forth in Act 13 are ensuring that our environment is protected, counties and municipalities receive the funding they need and also place an increased level of transparency on natural gas drilling,” Scarnati said.  “The feedback and response we have received from individuals regarding Act 13 is extremely positive, yet I am amazed that there are local officials in Derry Township Westmoreland County, for example, who are actually complaining about receiving millions of dollars for local projects.”

Scarnati also stated that the zoning provisions laid forth in Act 13 are currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court. “The shale industry has brought tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs and economic growth to Pennsylvania, hopefully including a soon-to-be $2 billion ethane cracker plant. It is important that we continue to see this significant economic growth within our state.  It is my hope that the Supreme Court will recognize the importance of providing the industry with increased stability through validating the zoning provisions in Act 13.”

Background on Act 13 Revenue Distribution

The impact fee legislation requires that approximately $25.5 million of the annual revenue go to state agencies to offset the statewide impact of drilling.  These agencies include the State Conservation Commission, County Conservation Districts, PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Emergency Management Agency, Office of State Fire Commissioners, PA Department of Transportation, Natural Gas Energy Development, Housing Affordability & Rehab Enforcement Fund, PUC and DEP.

The residual revenue will be distributed with 60 percent of the remaining funds being sent to counties and municipalities where drilling takes place.  Counties and municipalities may utilize the funds in several ways, including for roadways, public safety, environmental programs, agriculture preservation and career and technical job training.

The remaining 40 percent is placed into the Marcellus Legacy Fund which serves as funding for statewide initiatives with local impacts.  The Marcellus Legacy Fund includes the Commonwealth Financing Authority, Environmental Stewardship Fund, Highway Bridge Improvement Fund, PennVEST and H2O Program and the Department of Community & Economic Development.

The PUC is required to distribute the collected impact fee revenue for 2012 to counties and municipalities by July 1, 2013.  More information regarding the Act 13 revenue collections can be found on the new PUC interactive website.

CONTACT:

Drew Crompton (717) 787-7084

At a special meeting of The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) on March 22, 2013, the Board voted unanimously to keep the Oswayo Hatchery in Potter County and the Bellefonte Hatchery in Centre County open for at least an additional two years.  This decision reverses the PFBC’s previous vote in January 2013 to close both hatcheries by the end of 2014.

Prior to January and the PFBC’s initial announcement of plans to close the hatcheries, the General Assembly was unaware that shutting down these hatcheries was being considered by the PFBC, Scarnati said.

“Fish hatcheries play an important role in helping provide the fish necessary to support recreational fishing for anglers,” Scarnati said.  “Investing in our local hatcheries is a significant way to encourage ongoing economic growth throughout the region.  I am pleased that the PFBC realized the negative implications their decision would have for rural Pennsylvania and I look forward to continuing discussions with the PFBC as to how we can best fund these important local hatcheries.”

Originally established in 1968, the Oswayo Fish Hatchery is located on fourteen developed acres of land owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the Fish and Boat Commission.  The hatchery employs nine individuals and produces an average of 181,261 pounds of fish per year, including brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and golden rainbow trout.

A total of fifteen fish hatcheries are strategically located across the Commonwealth to take advantage of high-quality water supplies and maximize fish stocking logistics.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the American Sportsfishing Association estimate fishing and fishing related activities generate more than $1.6 billion for Pennsylvania’s economy each year.  The Center for Rural Pennsylvania projects the positive economic impact at $4.7 billion.

The Oswayo Hatchery is open to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

CONTACT:

Kate Eckhart (717) 787-7084

Scarnati said staff at his district office in Kane will be available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, to provide answers to constituents’ questions regarding state government programs and offer assistance with state-related issues.

Senator Scarnati’s Kane Office
21A Field Street
Kane, PA 16735
Phone: 814-837-1026
Fax: 814-837-1029

“It is essential that we provide residents with direct contact to state government resources, while also ensuring that their tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently,” Scarnati said. “The Kane office will help offer constituents of the 25^th district increased local access to state government, which is an extremely important component of providing effective governmental service.”

The 25^th Senatorial District consists of eight counties, including Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and portions of Clearfield and Warren. The 25^th Senatorial District also represents the largest geographic region of any of the 50 Senatorial Districts in Pennsylvania.

According to Scarnati, his district office in Warren was closed at the end of 2012 and relocated to Kane, to provide greater accessibility to residents of the 25^th Senatorial District. The Kane office is now the third district office in the 25^th Senatorial district, joining the offices in Brockway and Wellsboro.

More information regarding Senator Scarnati’s office locations and constituent services can be found at www.senatorscarnati.com.

CONTACT:

Drew Crompton (717) 787-7084