Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 2246: An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in water resources planning, further providing for State water plan and providing for covered data centers; and promulgating regulations.

HB 2246 would require large data centers in Pennsylvania to report water usage and undergo environmental reviews before construction. It mandates pre-application notification to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including detailed water use estimates, source assessments, and proof that withdrawals won’t harm other water users or water quality. The bill adds new permit conditions under the Clean Streams Law, requiring data centers to implement water conservation measures like closed-loop systems and water recycling. These provisions apply specifically to "covered data centers" (large facilities with significant water needs) and aim to protect local water resources while enabling data center development.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires data centers to report water use, undergo environmental reviews, and implement conservation measures to protect water quality and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2208: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for prohibition on expenditures for emission inspection program.

HB 2208 removes counties with populations between 168,000 and 169,000 (based on the latest census) from Pennsylvania’s enhanced vehicle emission inspection program. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to submit a revised state plan to the EPA by January 1, 2026, proving these counties can meet air quality standards without the inspection program. The plan must comply with federal requirements and avoid negatively impacting air quality goals or funding. The department must also notify specific legislative committees about the EPA submission.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory vehicle emission inspections, weakening air quality regulations without guaranteed replacement measures.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill eliminates counties from emission inspection program, weakening vehicle regulation requirements under Title 75 (Vehicles)90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 2249: An Act amending the act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste Management Act, in general provisions, further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of the department and for powers and duties of the Environmental Quality Board.

HB 2249 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify the definition of "biosolid" and establish new requirements for its management. The bill prohibits land application of biosolids if levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exceed state limits, and mandates resampling and treatment before land application if those limits are exceeded. It also creates regulations for the beneficial use of municipal waste, requiring monitoring for up to one year, notification of property changes, and departmental oversight for waste stored beyond that period. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to propose a state fund for hazardous waste site cleanup if federal funding proves inadequate.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits biosolid land application exceeding PFOS/PFOA limits and mandates resampling/treatment, strengthening pollution controls under waste management regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 1157: 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.

SB 1157 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to require immediate action for hazardous substance spills in residential areas. The bill mandates that responsible parties (such as owners, operators, or transporters) must promptly contain, clean up, and remove discharges threatening public health, drinking water, or residential environments. It imposes strict liability on these parties without requiring proof of fault and authorizes the Department of Environmental Resources to issue cleanup directives. The law aims to ensure faster responses to spills endangering homes, water supplies, and residents, aligning with Pennsylvania's constitutional environmental protections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates immediate hazardous spill cleanup in residential areas with strict liability, strengthening environmental protection and public health safeguards under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1158: An Act amending the act of March 1, 1974 (P.L.90, No.24), known as the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973, providing for prohibited pesticides.

SB 1158 prohibits the use of paraquat and its salts (including methyl viologen and paraquat bismethylsulfate) as pesticides in Pennsylvania. It amends the state's pesticide law to make it unlawful to use these chemicals, defined by their chemical identifier (CAS number 4685-14-7). This directly affects farmers, agricultural businesses, and pest control professionals who currently use paraquat for crop management or other purposes. The prohibition takes effect one year after enactment, replacing any conflicting regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits paraquat (a toxic pesticide linked to environmental harm) under Pennsylvania's pesticide law, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection per the topic description.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2229: An Act amending the act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste Management Act, in general provisions, further providing for powers and duties of the department.

HB 2229 amends Pennsylvania's Solid Waste Management Act to clarify and expand the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) authority. It requires the DEP to propose a state fund funded by facility surcharges if federal hazardous waste cleanup funding proves inadequate, targeting abandoned or closed hazardous waste sites. The bill also establishes new regulations for the "beneficial use" of municipal and residual waste, including mandatory monitoring for waste stored longer than one year and requiring facilities to report changes in waste properties. Additionally, it mandates that the DEP forward EPA violation notices to affected municipalities and allows municipalities to opt out of receiving these notices. These changes directly affect waste management facilities, municipalities handling residual waste, and the DEP's enforcement processes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands DEP authority for hazardous waste cleanup, mandates monitoring for waste storage, and creates state fund to address federal funding gaps - strengthening environmental protections for waste sites.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Waste Management

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 8, 2026

HB 2119: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in game or wildlife protection, further providing for killing game or wildlife to protect property.

This bill narrows who can legally kill wildlife to protect farm property in Pennsylvania. It restricts the definition of "person" to only: (1) owners/lessees of farms under the state's Right-to-Farm Law, (2) their immediate family living on the farm, (3) household members residing there, or (4) employees regularly working the farm. Previously, broader categories like general land cultivators were included, but this amendment limits the exception strictly to active agricultural operations. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts who can kill wildlife for property protection, limiting unnecessary harm to wildlife populations per environmental conservation focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1131: An Act providing for geothermal energy development; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; promulgating regulations; establishing the Geothermal Energy Development Fund; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania. It creates the Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support projects, requires the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate regulations for geothermal operations, and defines key terms like "geothermal resource" and "geothermal well." The law directly affects developers seeking to extract geothermal energy (heat from the earth), landowners with geothermal resources, and the Department of Environmental Protection, which gains new duties to oversee projects. Key provisions include requiring permits for geothermal projects, setting liability rules for well operators, and imposing civil penalties for violations of the regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Geothermal Energy Development Fund, creates regulatory framework for geothermal projects, and mandates DEP regulations - directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support clean energy projects and establishes DEP regulations for environmental oversight during geothermal development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 2145: An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for consumer protection and prohibiting the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in certain products; and imposing penalties.

HB 2145 prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in specific consumer products sold in Pennsylvania, directly affecting manufacturers of these items. The bill bans intentionally added PFAS in cosmetics, dental floss, juvenile products (like baby mattresses and strollers), and menstrual products, while defining these terms precisely in Chapter 71 of Pennsylvania’s Commerce and Trade code. The Department of Environmental Protection will enforce the ban and impose penalties for violations. This law aims to protect consumers from potential health risks associated with PFAS chemicals, which are linked to environmental contamination and health concerns.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals in consumer products to reduce environmental pollution and protect ecosystems, directly strengthening environmental regulations through DEP enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2151: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for data center ordinance assistance.

HB 2151 requires Pennsylvania's Center for Local Government Services to create a model zoning ordinance for data centers within six months. The model must include specific rules like building size limits, minimum distances from residential areas, landscape buffers, noise restrictions, and requirements for water/energy use. This helps local governments (townships, boroughs, cities) regulate data center development to address community concerns. Municipalities can request the Center's assistance when updating zoning rules for data centers, and the model must be updated annually.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates water/energy use requirements in data center zoning, promoting resource conservation and reducing environmental impact.85% confidence

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