The state Senate confirmed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s pick to oversee the commonwealth’s environmental issues on Tuesday. Rich Negrin won wide, bipartisan support in his nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. There were 48 yes votes, one no (from Republican Doug Mastriano of Franklin County) and one senator absent.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently posted detailed information about this year’s distribution of impact fees on natural gas producers – totaling $278,881,450.

The economic benefits of the MVP highlight the need to increase the development of natural gas pipelines across the country, providing clean and reliable energy that benefits all Americans. A predictable and efficient permitting process for all pipeline projects would support this expansion.

The White House sees more work to be done on overhauling the federal permitting process after reaching a deal to include permitting changes in legislation to increase the federal debt limit. The deal reached over the weekend by the Biden administration and congressional Republicans includes provisions to speed up energy permitting under the National Environmental Policy Act and to approve the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline from West Virginia into Virginia. Congressional leaders are now racing to get the debt limit legislation passed this week.

PIOGA President & Executive Director, Dan Weaver, addresses the significant debate in Harrisburg over a long-standing and misrepresented issue facing Pennsylvania in its role as the birthplace of the world’s oil and natural gas industry.

In the near future, Pennsylvania State Senator Gene Yaw will introduce legislation that will change the name of the “Department of Environmental Protection” to the “Department of Environmental Services”. Yaw explained - "The word 'protection' carries a law enforcement or security connotation rather than that of an environmental resource and partner to the citizens of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, enforcer has become the prevalent view of the department, overshadowing other work which is detrimental to an open relationship between the citizenry and their government regarding environmental issues."

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will host five more town halls across the commonwealth this month to hear from environmental justice communities about efforts to combat climate change.

House Republicans passed legislation Thursday that would increase oil drilling and mining on public lands and waters, defying President Biden’s climate agenda and fulfilling a campaign promise to focus on lowering gasoline prices ahead of the 2024 election.