Environment (Air Quality)

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 · House Oct 6, 2025

HR 280: A Resolution directing the Department of Corrections to conduct an environmental study of each State correctional institution to determine if individuals housed in each State correctional institution are being exposed to harmful, hazardous or unsanitary conditions and to ensure that individuals housed in each State correctional institution are receiving clean air and pure water.

HR 280 is a resolution requiring Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections to conduct environmental studies at all state correctional facilities. The studies must identify health hazards like poor air quality, mold, pests, or unsafe water, and assess their impact on both incarcerated individuals and staff. The resolution mandates the Department to collaborate with environmental and health agencies, estimate repair costs, and provide improvement recommendations. The Department must submit a final report to legislative leaders within 24 months. This resolution directly affects all individuals housed in Pennsylvania's state correctional institutions by addressing environmental conditions they currently face.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates environmental studies in prisons to address health hazards (air, water, sanitation), improving correctional facility conditions as part of criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental studies to address air/water quality hazards in prisons, aligning with pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Air Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 27: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, providing for surgical smoke evacuation systems.

HB 27 amends the Health Care Facilities Act to require hospitals and surgical clinics to install systems that remove smoke generated during certain medical procedures. This directly affects healthcare facilities performing surgeries where smoke is produced, such as those using lasers or electrosurgery. The bill mandates these evacuation systems as part of facility licensing standards under the existing 1979 law. The change focuses on improving air quality and safety for both patients and medical staff during operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates surgical smoke evacuation systems in healthcare facilities to improve air quality, directly reducing a specific indoor pollutant (surgical smoke) under pollution control, aligning with environmental topic's pollution control focus.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates surgical smoke evacuation systems to improve air quality and safety for patients/staff, directly enhancing healthcare facility safety standards under existing law.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates surgical smoke evacuation systems in healthcare facilities, directly improving workplace safety for medical staff per bill summary's focus on safety for 'medical...' personnel.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 8, 2025

HR 271: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee and conduct a comprehensive study regarding the indoor air quality for seniors and children in this Commonwealth.

HR 271 is a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee and study indoor air quality concerns affecting seniors and children in the Commonwealth. It requires the commission to conduct a formal review of current air quality standards and potential health impacts in these vulnerable groups' living environments. The key mechanism involves creating a committee to gather data, analyze risks, and recommend improvements to indoor air quality policies. This resolution does not create new laws but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs study on indoor air quality for vulnerable groups, aiming to improve policies and reduce indoor pollutants, aligning with pollution control under environmental protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1167: An Act prohibiting solar radiation modification or sunlight reflection methods, cloud seeding and polluting atmospheric interventions within this Commonwealth; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police and sheriffs; and imposing penalties.

HB 1167, titled the Clean Air Preservation Act, bans cloud seeding, solar radiation modification, and other polluting atmospheric interventions within Pennsylvania. It directly affects any person or organization (including government agencies, corporations, or individuals) conducting such activities. The law requires Pennsylvania State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for suspected violations, treating these orders as court-enforceable. Violators face felony charges with penalties of at least $500,000 fines or two years in prison per violation, plus potential additional penalties under Pennsylvania’s existing Air Pollution Control Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans atmospheric pollution methods (cloud seeding, solar radiation modification) to protect air quality, directly advancing environmental protection per Clean Air Preservation Act title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 685: 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 powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for civil penalties.

SB 685 amends Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act to update requirements for certain industrial facilities and increase civil penalties for violations. The bill mandates that "major facilities" develop municipal notification plans to alert their host and adjacent communities within 12 hours of an air pollution event caused by equipment breakdown or accident that poses a significant health risk. These plans must also outline risk mitigation measures for residents and be updated annually. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum daily civil penalty for violations of the act from $25,000 to $37,500 for infractions occurring after the fifth year of enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates notification plans and increases penalties for air pollution violations, strengthening environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1656: An Act promoting indoor air quality in facilities housing or serving vulnerable populations; providing for tax credits, for certification programs, for public education and for data collection; and imposing duties on the Department of Health.

HB 1656 requires facilities serving vulnerable populations (like nursing homes, shelters, or group homes) to improve indoor air quality through specific measures. It provides tax credits to help these facilities cover costs for air quality upgrades, establishes certification programs for facilities meeting standards, and funds public education campaigns about air quality benefits. The bill also mandates the Department of Health to collect data on indoor air quality conditions across these facilities. These provisions aim to create cleaner indoor environments for residents without specifying outcome predictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits to facilities for air quality upgrades, directly using tax policy to fund improvements and support vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates improved indoor air quality in facilities, reducing indoor pollution - a form of pollution control under environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates indoor air quality improvements in healthcare facilities (nursing homes, shelters) serving vulnerable populations, providing tax credits and data collection to protect health outcomes - directly strengthens healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1187: 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 powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection and for civil penalties.

HB 1187 amends Pennsylvania's Air Pollution Control Act to require major facilities (as defined in state code) to create and maintain municipal notification plans. These plans must alert nearby municipalities within 12 hours of air pollution incidents posing health risks, including communication methods, public safety measures, and annual updates. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations, raising daily fines to $37,500 after the fifth year of implementation based on factors like severity and environmental damage. This affects industrial facilities and their adjacent communities by mandating faster emergency communication and strengthening enforcement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires facilities to notify municipalities of air pollution health risks within 12 hours and increases civil penalties, strengthening enforcement of PA's Air Pollution Control Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 508: An Act prohibiting solar radiation modification or sunlight reflection methods, cloud seeding and polluting atmospheric interventions within this Commonwealth; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania State Police and sheriffs; and imposing penalties.

SB 508, the Clean Air Preservation Act, prohibits cloud seeding, solar radiation modification (like reflecting sunlight), and any polluting atmospheric interventions within Pennsylvania. It directly affects any entity - individuals, companies, or government agencies - conducting these activities in the state. The bill requires Pennsylvania State Police or sheriffs to issue immediate cease-and-desist orders for suspected violations, treating them as court orders. Violators face felony charges with fines of at least $500,000 per day or up to two years in prison, plus penalties under Pennsylvania’s existing Air Pollution Control Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits polluting atmospheric interventions (cloud seeding, solar radiation modification) to preserve air quality, directly aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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