Water Utility Council of the PA-Section, American Water WUC Works Association (PA-AWWA)

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UPDATE From Gmerek Government Relations, Inc.

212 Locust Street  Suite 300  Harrisburg, PA 17101  Phone: 717-234-8525  Cell: 717-574-3963  Fax: 717-234-8812  Erik A. Ross, Senior Lobbyist  www.ggrgov.com Harrisburg, PA [email protected] January 12, 2015 -- Issue 924

PA- Section, American Water Works Association National Association of Water Companies Water Works Operators' Association of

Schoch added that motorists should frequently Winter Driving Awareness check all fluid levels, lights and wiper blades. Tires Week Reinforces Driver should also be checked often for the correct level of air pressure and adequate tire-tread depth to Safety, Preparation perform on ice and snow.

ith Pennsylvania experiencing winter Now is also a good time for motorists to prepare weather and freezing temperatures, or restock their vehicle emergency kit. The kit W PennDOT is marking the state's Winter should contain items such as non-perishable food, Driving Awareness Week by encouraging drivers to water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, be sure they're ready this season. cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. Additionally, motorists should tailor their kits to Winter Driving Awareness Week, Jan. 11-17, any specific needs that they or their families have highlights the need for motorists to keep safety in such as baby supplies, extra medication and pet mind throughout the winter season. supplies.

"Winter Driving Awareness Week calls our When winter weather is occurring, PennDOT attention to the need for increased preparation and asks drivers to be extra cautious around operating caution during the season," PennDOT Secretary snow-removal equipment. When encountering a Barry J. Schoch said. "We all have the plow truck, drivers should: responsibility to be sure our vehicles are ready to deal with winter driving before we leave home."  Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is "If they haven't already done so, drivers should wider than the truck. get their vehicles serviced by a mechanic they  Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much trust," Schoch added. "A properly trained mechanic more slowly than other traffic. can check the cooling system, battery, hoses, drive  When a plow truck is traveling toward you, belts, tires and wiper blades to ensure they are in move as far away from the center of the road as good condition and functioning properly." is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width.  Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a "plow train." The Pennsylvania’s Energy weight of the snow thrown from the plow can Resources quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles. he Department of Environmental  Never travel next to a plow truck since there are Protection’s (DEP) exhibit for the 99th blind spots where the operator can't see and they T annual Pennsylvania Farm Show will focus can occasionally be moved sideways when on Pennsylvania’s energy resources, featuring a van hitting drifts or heavy snowpack. fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), an electric  Keep your lights on to help the operator better vehicle (EV), an all-new animated unconventional see your vehicle. Also remember that under drilling video and the garage from its award- Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be winning DEP at Home exhibit. The exhibit will be on every time a vehicle's wipers are on due to in the Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show inclement weather. Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg from Jan. 10 to 17. To help make decisions as to whether to travel during winter weather, motorists are encouraged to The exhibit will include a Ford E-350 that has "Know Before You Go" by checking conditions on been converted to run on CNG. Visitors will have more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color- the opportunity to “fill up” the van by using a real coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting CNG pump. www.511PA.com.511PA , which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay A Nissan Leaf, an all-electric car, will return to warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed the exhibit after making its debut during last year’s information and access to more than 700 traffic farm show. The Leaf was manufactured at a Nissan cameras. plant in Tennessee. Farm Show visitors will be able to use the EV charger to “power” the car. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by Produced by Commonwealth Media Services, calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts DEP’s new animated video explains the complex accessible on the 511PA website. unconventional drilling process in an easy-to- understand and visual format. The video also details For more information on safe winter travel, an how DEP regulates the unconventional drilling emergency kit checklist and information on process and ensures compliance with strict PennDOT's winter operations including a video environmental standards. It is the latest in DEP’s released this winter, visit series of educational videos that are available on www.dot.state.pa.us/winter. Additional winter DEP’s YouTube page. driving and other highway safety information is available at www.JustDrivePA.com . The DEP at Home garage includes flooring made from recycled tires, a green wall covered in living Follow PennDOT on Twitter at plants, information about proper disposal of www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and like the household hazardous waste, as well as landscaping department on Facebook at with native plants, and tips on proper pest www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTra management. nsportation . Visitors will also be able to see a working radon Source: PennDOT Press Release, 1/9/2015 mitigation unit, in honor of Radon Action Month, which is held every January. DEP Educates Farm Show Residents that are interested in purchasing an Attendees about alternative fuel vehicle should consider taking advantage of DEP’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle 2 Rebate Program, which provides rebates to "These House committees will tackle the serious Pennsylvania residents that purchase certain types issues facing Pennsylvania and, through public of alternative fuel vehicles. hearings and meetings, vet those issues and proposed solutions with the public," Turzai said. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs Jan. 10 to 16 "These men and women of both caucuses will lead from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Jan. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 the way in preparing legislation for the full House p.m. Admission is free and parking is $10. The to consider." Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessed from nearby Interstate 81. Committees are outlined in the House Rules that are enacted for each session. DEP created the exhibit through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Turzai made the following appointments, which Program. The video was funded by the state’s well are unofficial until announced on the House floor: plugging fund, financed by oil and gas permit fees and penalties. Aging and Older Adult Services

To learn more about the Alternative Fuel Rebate  Republican: Rep. , 26th Program, visit www.dep.state.pa.us , Keyword: Legislative District, Chester and Montgomery Alternative Fuels. counties.  Democrat: Rep. , 135th To view the latest educational video, visit Legislative District, Lehigh and Northampton www.youtube.com/PennsylvaniaDEP . counties.

For more information about DEP at Home, visit Agriculture and Rural Affairs www.dep.state.pa.us and click the “DEP at Home” button.  Republican: Rep. , 67th Legislative District, Cameron, Potter and Source: DEP Press Release, 1/7/2015 McKean counties.  Democrat: Rep. John P. Sabatina, 174th Speaker-Designate Turzai Legislative District, .

Announces House Children and Youth

Committee Chairs for the  Republican: Rep. Kathy Watson, 144th 2015-16 Session Legislative District, Bucks County.  Democrat: Rep. Louise Bishop, 192nd n January 5, 2015, Speaker-Designate Rep. Legislative District, Philadelphia County. (R-Allegheny County) O announced the appointments of both Commerce Republican and Democratic committee chairmen for the 2015-16 Legislative Session, which begins  Republican: Rep. Adam Harris, 82nd Jan. 6. Legislative District, Franklin, Juniata and Mifflin counties. House committees study each bill and determine  Democrat: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, 181st which proposals will go to the full House. They Legislative District, Philadelphia County. conduct public hearings on key issues, allowing citizens and interested groups to have a say in the Consumer Affairs legislative process, and they serve as a resource for members and others.  Republican: Rep. Robert Godshall, 53rd Legislative District, Montgomery County.

3  Democrat: Rep. Peter J. Daley, 49th Legislative  Democrat: Rep. , 180th Legislative District, Fayette and Washington counties. District, Philadelphia County.

Education Insurance

 Republican: Rep. , 94th Legislative  Republican: Rep. , 110th District, York County. Legislative District, Bradford, Sullivan and  Democrat: Rep. James Roebuck, 188th Susquehanna counties. Legislative District, Philadelphia County.  Democrat: Rep. Tony DeLuca, 32nd Legislative District, Allegheny County. Environmental Resources and Energy Judiciary  Republican: Rep. John Maher, 40th Legislative District, Allegheny and Washington counties.  Republican: Rep. Ron Marsico, 105th  Democrat: Rep. , 166th Legislative Legislative District, Dauphin County. District, Delaware and Montgomery counties.  Democrat: Rep. Joseph A. Petrarca, 55th Legislative District, Armstrong, Indiana and Finance Westmoreland counties.

 Republican: Rep. Bernie O'Neill, 29th Labor and Industry Legislative District, Bucks County.  Democrat: Rep. , 19th Legislative  Republican: Rep. Mauree Gingrich, 101st District, Allegheny County. Legislative District, Lebanon County.  Democrat: Rep. Marc J. Gergely, 35th Game and Fisheries Legislative District, Allegheny County.

 Republican: Rep. Keith Gillespie, 47th Liquor Control Legislative District, York County.  Democrat: Rep. Ted Harhai, 58th Legislative  Republican: Rep. Chris Ross, 158th Legislative District, Westmoreland County. District, Chester County.  Democrat: Rep. Paul Costa, 34th Legislative Gaming Oversight District, Allegheny County.

 Republican: Rep. John Payne, 106th Legislative Local Government District, Dauphin County.  Democrat: Rep. Nick Kotik, 45th District,  Republican: Rep. Kate Harper, 61st Legislative Allegheny County. District, Montgomery County.  Democrat: Rep. Bob Freeman, 136th Legislative Health District, Northampton County.

 Republican: Rep. Matt Baker, 68th Legislative Professional Licensure District, Bradford, Potter and Tioga counties.  Democrat: Rep. Florindo (Flo) Fabrizio, 2nd  Republican: Rep. Julie Harhart, 183rd Legislative District, Erie County. Legislative District, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Human Services  Democrat: Rep. Harry Readshaw, 36th Legislative District, Allegheny County.  Republican: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, 18th Legislative District, Bucks County.

4 State Government Standing committees are tasked with reviewing each legislative proposal sent to them and  Republican: Rep. , 12th determining which bills will be sent to the full Legislative District, Butler County. Senate for consideration.  Democrat: Rep. Mark Cohen, 202nd Legislative District, Philadelphia County. With Senate Republicans holding a 30-20 majority in the Senate, three members of the Tourism and Recreational Development Democratic Caucus must chair two committees each: Senators (D-Allegheny), Sean  Republican: Rep. Dave Hickernell, 98th Wiley (D-Erie), and Minority Leader (D- Legislative District, Lancaster and Dauphin Allegheny). counties.  Democrat: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, 159th Below is a list of the Senate Standing Committee Legislative District, Delaware County. Chair Assignments:

Transportation Aging & Youth

 Republican: Rep. John Taylor, 177th Legislative  Senator (R-Mercer) District, Philadelphia County.  Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery)  Democrat: Rep. William F. Keller, 184th Legislative District, Philadelphia. Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Urban Affairs  Senator (R-Beaver)  Senator (D-Berks)  Republican: Rep. Scott Petri, 178th Legislative District, Bucks County. Appropriations

 Democrat: Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, 127th  Senator (R-Lehigh) Legislative District, Berks County  Senator (D-Philadelphia)

Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Banking & Insurance

 Republican: Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, 160th  Senator Don White (R-Indiana) Legislative District, Chester and Delaware  Senator Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) counties.

 Democrat: Rep. Christopher Sainato, 9th Communications & Technology Legislative District, Lawrence County.

 Senator (R-Venango) Source: House Republican Caucus, 1/5/2015  Senator Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia)

Senate Committee Chairs for Community, Economic & Recreational Development 2015-2016 Session  Senator (R-Westmoreland) n January 9, 2015, Senate President Pro  Senator Sean Wiley (D-Erie) Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and O Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Allegheny) announced the Republican and Democratic Chairs for the 22 Senate Standing  Senator Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks) Committees for the 2015-2016 legislative session.  Senator (D-Northampton)

5 Education Rules & Executive Nominations

 Senator Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster)  Senator (R-Centre)  Senator Andy Dinniman (D-Chester)  Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)

Environmental Resources & Energy State Government

 Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming)  Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon)  Senator (D-Luzerne)  Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia)

Finance Transportation

 Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair)  Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery)  Senator John Blake (D-Lackawanna)  Senator John Wozniak (D-Cambria)

Game & Fisheries Urban Affairs & Housing

 Senator (R-Monroe)  Senator Scott Wagner (R-York)  Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny)  Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny)

Intergovernmental Operations Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

 Senator (R-Lancaster)  Senator Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny)  Senator Sean Wiley (D-Erie)  Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)

Judiciary Source: GGR, 1/9/2015

 Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)  Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) EPA Publishes Microbial Risk Assessment Framework Labor & Industry for Waterborne Pathogens  Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)  Senator (D-Philadelphia) PA has published the document, Microbial Risk Assessment Tools, Methods, and Law & Justice E Approaches for Water Media, to assist risk assessors and scientists in the development of  Senator Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks) rigorous and scientifically defensible risk  Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) assessments for waterborne pathogens.

Local Government The document describes a human health risk assessment framework for microbial hazards in  Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) water media - pathogens in treated drinking water,  Senator Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin) source water for drinking water, recreational waters, shellfish waters, and biosolids - that is compatible Public Health & Welfare with other existing risk assessment frameworks for human health and chemical hazards. Risk  Senator Patricia Vance (R-Cumberland) assessment is a science-based tool and is used to  Senator Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) help managers explore the relative merits of various management alternatives, identify important gaps in

6 knowledge, and inform regulatory actions. Learn  March 17 - Holiday Inn Lansdale, 1750 more here. Sumneytown Pike, Kulpsville  March 19 - Inn at Leola Village, 38 Deborah Source: EPA Water Headlines, 1/6/2015 Drive, Leola  March 25 - The Woodlands Inn, 1073 Highway DEP Announces Series of 315, Wilkes-Barre  April 1 - Marriott North, 100 Municipal Separate Storm Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township

Sewer System Permit Sign in for each training session will begin at Training Sessions; Eight 8:30 a.m. Training will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:30 p.m. Lunch is included in this free Sessions to be Held across training. the State These sessions are being conducted with logistical support from Century Engineering, Inc. he Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites municipal managers, other Attendees are strongly encouraged to review T public officials and engineers to attend free their Individual or General NPDES MS4 permit, training sessions designed to help local and to view DEP's MS4 webinars before attending governments comply with water pollution control any of these sessions. The webinars are available on requirements associated with municipal separate DEP's website at: storm sewer systems (MS4). http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/MS4 .

The training sessions will be held across the state Space is limited, so registrations will be accepted this winter. The first four sessions will provide on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is information on the basics of MS4 permit required. To register, contact Joyce Rivers at compliance. The second four sessions will Century Engineering, Inc., at 717-901-7055 or at emphasize additional MS4 requirements which [email protected] . Deadline for apply to MS4 permittees with Total Maximum registration is two weeks prior to the date of the Daily Load (TMDL) and Chesapeake Bay Pollutant session. Reduction Plan obligations. A list of the training sessions follows: Source: DEP Press Release, 1/6/2015

MS4 Permit Compliance Sessions: EPA Recommends radon  Feb. 10 - Best Western, Central Hotel and testing in January Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive,

Harrisburg he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  Feb. 12 - The Woodlands Inn, 1073 Highway has designated January as national Radon 315, Wilkes-Barre Action Month, a perfect time for you to  Feb. 18 - Holiday Inn, Morgantown/PA T protect your family by testing your home for radon. Turnpike, 6170 Morgantown Road, Morgantown Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, so  Feb. 25 - Pittsburgh Marriott North, 100 testing is the only way to know if radon is present in Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township your home or school. Test kits are available in home improvement centers, hardware stores and online. TMDL Plan / Chesapeake Bay Pollutant They cost approximately $20. The kits are simple to Reduction Plan Sessions: use with easy testing and mailing instructions.

7 "Testing for radon is an easy and important step in protecting the health of your family," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Region Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "By reducing radon exposure, we can make our homes, schools and communities healthier places to live, learn, work and play."

Winter is an especially good time to test because windows and doors are closed and families tend to spend more time inside where radon can be trapped.

Buying or building a new home? EPA recommends including radon testing as part of any real estate transactions and consider having your newly constructed home built with radon resistant features.

Unsafe levels of radon can lead to serious illness. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States with an estimated 21,000 deaths a year. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. By making simple fixes in a home or building people can lower their health risks from radon.

The mid-Atlantic region had a reminder earlier this year about just how important it is to get homes tested for radon when a home in Lehigh County, Pa. recorded the highest radon level ever in Pennsylvania. The concentration measured was 3,715 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Several other homes in the area have had measured concentrations over 1,000 pCi/L. EPA recommends that any dwelling or structure with a radon concentration of more than 4 pCi/L be remediated to lower the radon concentration.

For more information about radon and radon testing see: http://www.epa.gov/radon/ .

Source: EPA Press Release, 1/8/2015

# # # # # # #

This newsletter provides general information, not legal advice as to any specific matter. It should not be used as a substitute for appropriate legal advice.

8