Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 27, 2026

HB 2537: An Act amending the act of January 8, 1960 (1959 P.L.2119, No.787), known as the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for penalties.

This Pennsylvania bill strengthens penalties for violating the state's Air Pollution Control Act, specifically targeting emissions of bad smells or odors. It mandates that anyone who willfully or negligently breaks air pollution rules faces a fine of at least $1,000 or up to two years in prison for each offense. For violations involving malodors, the law sets escalating fines of $150,000, $200,000, and $250,000 for the first, second, and third offenses respectively. Additionally, if a business fails to fix a malodor problem after 30 days, it must stop operations until the issue is resolved and approved by the Department of Environmental Resources. These changes apply to all individuals and entities operating within Pennsylvania and take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens penalties for air pollution violations, specifically targeting emissions of odors, thereby advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2026

HB 2515: An Act providing for commercial data center transparency regarding energy use, water use and noise pollution; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation and the Office of Attorney General; and imposing civil penalties.

This bill, known as the Commercial Data Center Transparency Act, requires large data centers in Pennsylvania to publicly disclose their energy, water, and noise impacts. It specifically targets facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more, mandating that applicants reveal details in their permit applications regarding water usage, wastewater, air quality, and transportation needs. The law also obligates these facilities to report specific water consumption data to the Department of Environmental Protection if they use more than 100,000 gallons per day or consume 20,000 gallons daily. To ensure compliance, the bill imposes civil penalties on entities that knowingly fail to make required disclosures or submit false information.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates transparency for data center energy and water use, promoting efficiency and accountability in energy consumption.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates transparency for data centers on energy, water, and noise, strengthening environmental oversight and resource conservation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates transparency for data centers regarding energy and water use, promoting sustainability and environmental accountability for critical tech infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 1317: 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 updates Pennsylvania's Covered Device Recycling Act by clarifying definitions and expanding the range of electronic items subject to recycling requirements. It specifically adds smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other personal electronics to the list of covered devices while removing mobile phones and landline telephones from the program. The legislation also establishes a sales prohibition mechanism that allows the Department of Environmental Protection to ban the sale of specific brands that fail to meet recycling obligations. Additionally, the bill increases the definition of a small business for program eligibility from 50 to 100 employees and requires manufacturers to report their market share and recycling plans.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands electronic recycling requirements to reduce e-waste and protect natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1322: An Act providing for solar-ready projects involving a warehouse or distribution center; authorizing tax exemptions and special tax provisions; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; and imposing penalties.

This bill requires new large-scale warehouses and distribution centers in Pennsylvania to be built as "solar-ready," meaning their roofs must be designed to easily accommodate solar panels with at least 40% of the area free from obstructions. To enforce this, the Department of Environmental Protection must ensure new projects include specific structural and electrical features, such as reinforced roofs and pre-installed wiring pathways, while denying waivers based on general costs or market factors. The only way to avoid these requirements is to prove that unique site conditions, like severe shading or poor soil, make compliance technically impossible or excessively expensive, a claim that must be supported by detailed engineering reports and independent cost estimates. Additionally, the legislation provides for tax exemptions on eligible solar retrofit costs and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes tax exemptions and special provisions for solar-ready projects, promoting fiscal incentives for green infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates solar-ready infrastructure for warehouses, promoting renewable energy adoption and clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates solar-ready infrastructure for warehouses, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 1337: An Act amending the act of March 1, 1988 (P.L.82, No.16), known as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, further providing for financial assistance; and abrogating regulations.

Senate Bill 1337 modifies the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act to clarify how the state funds water quality projects. The bill specifically allows financial assistance for projects that align with the state's Nonpoint Source Management Program but explicitly prohibits using these funds to refinance existing projects. To support these changes, the legislation removes several outdated regulations that previously defined eligible costs and funding limits. The bill takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides financial assistance for water quality projects, increasing funding for essential public services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill clarifies funding for water quality projects and removes outdated regulations, directly advancing environmental protection efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2026

HB 2516: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in comprehensive plan, providing for comprehensive plan element for commercial data centers; and, in zoning, providing for zoning, commercial data centers and agricultural land protections and for zoning, commercial data centers, approval procedure and minimum standards.

This bill directs Pennsylvania municipalities to update their planning and zoning laws to specifically regulate large commercial data centers, which are defined as facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more. It requires local comprehensive plans to identify suitable sites near existing infrastructure while explicitly protecting prime agricultural land and areas under conservation easements from such development. Additionally, the legislation establishes minimum standards for any data center zoning, including mandatory setbacks of 2,500 feet from residential areas and 300 feet from public roads, along with rules for noise, lighting, water usage, and site restoration. Local governments retain the authority to adopt stricter regulations but must follow these baseline requirements if they choose to permit these facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill regulates data centers to protect agricultural land and ensure infrastructure readiness, supporting sustainable energy infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly protects prime agricultural land and conservation easements from commercial data center development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 2178: An Act amending the act of October 18, 1988 (P.L.756, No.108), known as the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, providing for spill response and residential environmental protection; and, in fund, further providing for Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.

This bill strengthens Pennsylvania's existing hazardous waste laws by creating a new chapter focused on immediate spill response and protecting residential areas. It defines hazardous substances to include petroleum products and other dangerous materials, then imposes strict liability on responsible parties to immediately contain and clean up any discharge that threatens public health or the environment. The Department of Environmental Protection gains expanded authority to issue directives, enter private property, and recover cleanup costs from those who cause spills, ensuring rapid action in residential communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens hazardous waste laws, expands spill response, and imposes strict liability to protect public health and the environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SR 273: A Resolution designating the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as "Conservation District Week" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate resolution designates the week of April 26 through May 2, 2026, as "Conservation District Week" throughout Pennsylvania to raise awareness about local conservation efforts. The measure directly affects Pennsylvania's conservation districts, which are volunteer-led local government units responsible for managing natural resources like soil and water on private and public lands. By officially naming this specific week, the bill aims to highlight the work these districts perform in partnering with landowners, businesses, and other agencies to protect the environment. This action is a commemorative gesture that does not alter existing laws or create new funding, but rather serves to recognize the role of conservation districts in the state.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates a week to raise awareness for conservation districts, promoting environmental stewardship without direct regulatory impact.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HR 508: A Resolution designating the week of June 7 through 13, 2026, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the week of June 7 through 13, 2026, as "Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week" throughout Pennsylvania. It directly affects state residents and officials by encouraging them to hold events and educational programs to highlight the bay's environmental and economic significance. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic gesture to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes environmental awareness of the Chesapeake Bay, encouraging educational programs and highlighting ecological significance.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2316: An Act designating the Scarlet Tanager as the official migratory bird of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This bill designates the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania's official migratory bird, recognizing the species' importance to the state's natural heritage and ecosystems. The legislation formally acknowledges that Pennsylvania supports 17% of the global Scarlet Tanager population during breeding season and provides critical habitat in mature oak forests across the Commonwealth. By establishing this official designation, the bill aims to promote awareness of the bird's habitat needs and underscore the state's commitment to conservation and forest management. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes awareness of bird habitat needs and recognizes importance of mature oak forests, indirectly supporting conservation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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