Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2026

HB 2526: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to operation of vehicles, providing for automated litter enforcement systems in public rights-of-way and highways; and imposing penalties.

This bill allows Pennsylvania state agencies and local municipalities to install automated cameras that issue fines for littering on public roads and highways. To use these systems, local governments must create rules defining enforcement zones, get state approval, and post clear warning signs before the cameras become active. If a vehicle is caught littering, the owner receives a $200 fine that is treated as a civil penalty rather than a criminal conviction. Importantly, this fine does not add points to a driver's record or affect their auto insurance rates.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces littering laws to reduce pollution and protect public spaces, directly advancing environmental cleanliness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 28, 2026

HB 2547: An Act amending the act of November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to officially include linear generators in the state's list of alternative energy sources. It defines linear generators as systems that convert linear motion directly into electricity without flames or sparks, capable of operating on various fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, and biogas. By adding this technology to the "Tier I" category, the legislation ensures that electricity produced by these generators counts toward the renewable energy goals set for electric distribution and supply companies. The changes apply to existing and future energy production methods and will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to include linear generators, thereby strengthening renewable energy infrastructure and diversifying clean energy sources.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands clean energy portfolio by including linear generators, promoting alternative energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands alternative energy sources by including linear generators, advancing clean technology adoption and infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2433: An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Multimodal Fund, further providing for project selection criteria.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's transportation laws to establish specific rules for selecting projects funded by the Multimodal Fund. It requires the Department of Transportation to award grants competitively without reserving a fixed percentage of money for any single applicant before the application process is finished. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department give priority to projects using recycled materials, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement and recycled asphalt shingles. These changes aim to ensure fair competition while encouraging the use of sustainable building materials in state-funded infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill improves fiscal management by establishing competitive grant rules and prioritizing recycled materials, promoting efficient use of transportation funds.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates priority for projects using recycled materials like reclaimed asphalt, directly promoting resource conservation and waste reduction.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes competitive grant rules and prioritizes projects using recycled materials, strengthening multimodal transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1291: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in service and facilities, providing for advanced transmission technologies.

This bill requires electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania to submit evidence showing how they plan to use advanced transmission technologies when applying to build new power lines. Under the new rules, proposed projects will only be approved if the commission determines that feasible and cost-effective technologies are used to achieve at least two specific goals, such as avoiding new construction, increasing system capacity, or reducing environmental impacts. The legislation also allows companies to recover any extra costs associated with these upgrades through approved tariffs and defines specific technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates use of advanced transmission tech to increase capacity and reduce environmental impacts, strengthening energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates use of advanced transmission technologies to reduce environmental impacts and avoid new construction, directly strengthening environmental protection.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates the use of advanced transmission technologies to improve grid capacity and reduce environmental impacts, directly advancing technological adoption in infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 17, 2026

HB 2380: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, providing for energy storage procurement.

This bill requires Pennsylvania electric distribution companies to build a combined 3,000 megawatts of energy storage systems by July 2033, with specific targets for short-duration and long-duration storage. The Public Utility Commission will assign storage goals to each company based on their service area's demand and may adjust these targets if market conditions change. Companies must use open, competitive bidding processes overseen by an independent monitor to purchase this capacity through long-term contracts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates construction of 3,000 MW of energy storage systems, directly advancing energy infrastructure and grid reliability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandating energy storage systems facilitates grid stability and integration of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Energy Storage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2442: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L.206, No.43), known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, providing for temporary operating license; and imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture.

HB 2442 amends Pennsylvania's Safe Drinking Water Act to allow the Department of Agriculture to issue temporary operating licenses to applicants seeking retail food facility permits. To qualify, applicants must prove they have submitted a complete public water system permit application and provide certified lab tests showing their water system meets federal standards. The temporary license remains valid only while the permit application is pending and automatically expires if the permit is issued, denied, or if the applicant fails to submit required compliance tests every six months.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates certified lab tests ensuring water systems meet federal standards, directly protecting public health and water quality.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2539: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Computer Data Center Equipment Incentive Program, further providing for application for certification, for eligibility requirements relating to Sales and Use Tax Refund Program and for eligibility requirements relating to Sales and Use Tax Exemption Program.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's tax incentives for computer data centers by adding new requirements for owners and operators seeking tax refunds or exemptions. To qualify, facilities must submit detailed applications including investment projections and signed affirmations from authorized executives. Additionally, the legislation mandates that certified data centers obtain an environmental certification, such as LEED Silver or Energy Star, within two years of receiving their initial certification.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens the state's fiscal management by adding eligibility requirements and environmental standards to tax incentive programs, promoting responsible use of tax exemptions.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates environmental certifications like Energy Star for data centers, directly promoting energy efficiency.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates environmental certifications like LEED or Energy Star for data centers, promoting green standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1287: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in subdivision and land development, further providing for water supply.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to require developers to prove adequate water supply before approving new subdivisions or land developments. Specifically, it mandates that applicants provide evidence showing water will be supplied by a certified public utility, a cooperative association of lot owners, or a municipal entity, rather than relying solely on private wells. The legislation applies to all municipalities and planning agencies handling land development applications and must be submitted prior to final approval. This change ensures that new communities have access to reliable, regulated water sources as part of the standard development review process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates proof of adequate water supply via public utilities, preventing over-extraction of private wells and conserving natural water resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 11, 2026

HB 2504: An Act amending the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, in other pollutions and potential pollution, further providing for potential pollution.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law to allow specific residential construction sites to request a waiver for certain stormwater discharge permits. It directly affects developers building on land between one and three acres that causes significant ground disturbance. Under the new provision, these sites could apply to bypass standard National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements if they meet specific federal criteria. The change aims to streamline regulatory processes for medium-sized construction projects while maintaining oversight through a formal waiver application process. The law will become effective 60 days after its passage.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill waives stormwater discharge permits for construction sites, weakening pollution controls and environmental protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2553: An Act amending the act of November 23, 2010 (P.L.1083, No.108), known as the Covered Device Recycling Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in duties of manufacturers and retailers, further providing for sales prohibition, for registration and for manufacturer plan and reporting; and, in administration, further providing for duties of department, for annual report and for enforcement.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act to update definitions and strengthen recycling requirements for manufacturers and retailers. It clarifies which electronics count as covered devices, such as computers, smartphones, and printers, while explicitly excluding items like landline phones and devices built into other appliances. The legislation also introduces a sales prohibition mechanism, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain a list of non-compliant brands that cannot be sold in the state. Additionally, the bill mandates stricter registration, reporting, and enforcement duties for companies involved in the sale of covered devices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, reduces e-waste, and protects natural resources by updating definitions and enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens recycling requirements for electronics, promoting environmental sustainability and responsible disposal of technology devices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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