Environment

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law to allow construction sites disturbing between one and five acres to request a waiver from certain stormwater discharge permit requirements. Under the new provision, if a construction site meets specific federal criteria for a waiver, the state environmental department must grant it. The change applies to construction projects that would otherwise need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for stormwater runoff. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's vehicle inspection rules by exempting the newest model year vehicles from emission testing for five years and removing the gas cap test requirement for cars manufactured without one. While these newer cars are waived from emission checks, they must still undergo visual inspections to ensure emissions control parts have not been tampered with. Additionally, the legislation directs the state to stop spending money on the enhanced emission inspection program in several specific counties and to submit a revised plan to the federal government proving those areas can still meet air quality standards without it.

SB 1068 removes existing regulations governing the state's CO2 Budget Trading Program, which is a system where businesses buy and sell allowances for carbon emissions. This change directly affects companies participating in the program by eliminating specific compliance rules they previously had to follow. The key provision is the outright abrogation (removal) of these regulations, streamlining the program's operational requirements without creating new rules. The bill passed final passage on October 22, 2025, and was referred to the Environmental & Natural Resource Protection committee for further consideration.