Trending...
- ResC4EU Final Event at KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2026 – Building Resilient European Supply Chains
- HW Foundation Opens Nominations for Inaugural 50 Under 50 in AI; Deadline Oct. 16
- BJJ App mmaGPT Expands Academy Program to Support Jiu-Jitsu Instructors with AI Technique Coaching
Governor Tom Wolf today admonished the House Republicans' actions to disapprove Pennsylvania's effort to update its volatile organic compound (VOC) regulation for conventional oil and gas wells — as required under the federal Clean Air Act — causing a delay in the process that will put Pennsylvania at risk of losing nearly a billion dollars in critical federal transportation funding.
"It's simply a disgrace that House Republicans are jeopardizing road and bridge repairs by holding up the administration's efforts to make federally required updates," Gov. Wolf said. "They hastily held a committee meeting this week without advance notice or transparency for the sole purpose of thwarting this regulation, which will jeopardize nearly a billion dollars in federal funding."
On Monday, the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee chaired by state Representative Daryl Metcalfe convened an unannounced meeting to send a disapproval letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) regarding the conventional oil and gas VOC rulemaking. Under Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act, this triggers a 14-day waiting period following the meeting of the Independent Regulatory Review Committee where the regulation is considered, currently scheduled for November 17. Because the 14-day waiting period will expire after November 30, when the General Assembly has adjourned, the regulation that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has moved forward cannot be finalized before the sanction trigger date of December 16.
More on The PennZone
"As a result of the House Republicans' actions, state and local governments across the commonwealth will lose the authorization to spend hundreds of millions of dollars of federal transportation funding on affected projects," Gov. Wolf said. "Because these regulations are required under the Clean Air Act, failure to submit them in final form to U.S. EPA by December 16, 2022, will result in EPA imposing non-discretionary sanctions, and the federal government would thus withhold nearly $1 billion of transportation funding – funding that cannot be recuperated. Sanctions can threaten a variety of projects, including highway expansion, new roadway construction, and many highway/bridge restoration and maintenance projects. This could result in some roads and bridges being closed or weight limited, longer commutes, longer ambulance response times, more wear and tear on Pennsylvanians' cars, and Pennsylvanians' federal gasoline tax dollars going to other states.
"This regulation is not controversial. It is a federally mandated, technology-based standard. There is no good reason to block the rulemaking but there are extreme consequences for doing so. We have been sounding the alarm for months about the real consequences of these actions and yet they insisted on disapproving the state's VOC rule.
More on The PennZone
"My administration is reviewing all options to prevent the sanctions from being implemented."
Gov. Wolf has served for two terms as a leader consistently at work for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the commonwealth's comeback, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
"It's simply a disgrace that House Republicans are jeopardizing road and bridge repairs by holding up the administration's efforts to make federally required updates," Gov. Wolf said. "They hastily held a committee meeting this week without advance notice or transparency for the sole purpose of thwarting this regulation, which will jeopardize nearly a billion dollars in federal funding."
On Monday, the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee chaired by state Representative Daryl Metcalfe convened an unannounced meeting to send a disapproval letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) regarding the conventional oil and gas VOC rulemaking. Under Pennsylvania's Regulatory Review Act, this triggers a 14-day waiting period following the meeting of the Independent Regulatory Review Committee where the regulation is considered, currently scheduled for November 17. Because the 14-day waiting period will expire after November 30, when the General Assembly has adjourned, the regulation that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has moved forward cannot be finalized before the sanction trigger date of December 16.
More on The PennZone
- Coinfiliate Launches Platform to Helps Shoppers Earn Cashback and Creators Earn Referral Rewards
- Champions for Education to Honor United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Induct Three Leaders
- Holiday Gambling Spending Expected to Rise 12% in December
- RAS AP Consulting Issues National Compliance Alert and Launches Q4 2026 AP Readiness Program Ahead of IRS FIRE → IRIS Cutover
- Free Senior Housing Webinar Helps Families Plan for Aging Before a Crisis Forces Difficult Decisions
"As a result of the House Republicans' actions, state and local governments across the commonwealth will lose the authorization to spend hundreds of millions of dollars of federal transportation funding on affected projects," Gov. Wolf said. "Because these regulations are required under the Clean Air Act, failure to submit them in final form to U.S. EPA by December 16, 2022, will result in EPA imposing non-discretionary sanctions, and the federal government would thus withhold nearly $1 billion of transportation funding – funding that cannot be recuperated. Sanctions can threaten a variety of projects, including highway expansion, new roadway construction, and many highway/bridge restoration and maintenance projects. This could result in some roads and bridges being closed or weight limited, longer commutes, longer ambulance response times, more wear and tear on Pennsylvanians' cars, and Pennsylvanians' federal gasoline tax dollars going to other states.
"This regulation is not controversial. It is a federally mandated, technology-based standard. There is no good reason to block the rulemaking but there are extreme consequences for doing so. We have been sounding the alarm for months about the real consequences of these actions and yet they insisted on disapproving the state's VOC rule.
More on The PennZone
- Claude Zdanow named Managing Director in Miami, Florida
- YWCA Hanover Celebrates Opening of New Children's Learning Academy
- Pregis Launches Sharp InfinX: On-Demand Rightsized Mailing System Delivering a Precision-Sized Mailer for Every Order
- netElastic Announces vBNG And CGNAT 2.0 General Availability
- Postmortem Pathology Highlights Private Autopsy Options for Las Vegas Families During Summer Months
"My administration is reviewing all options to prevent the sanctions from being implemented."
Gov. Wolf has served for two terms as a leader consistently at work for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the commonwealth's comeback, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
0 Comments
Latest on The PennZone
- ClassicCarJobs.us Launches Automotive Career Marketplace for Specialty Shops
- Guardian Data Opens 42,000-Square-Foot Moonachie Facility, Doubling New Jersey Capacity
- Dutch Mill Bulbs Launches Pink Ribbon Tulip Fundraise ~ National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®
- SecureMaine 2026 is Here -- Thursday October 8th!
- Bluestone Laundromat Makes a Difference in the Archbald Community
- HW Foundation Opens Nominations for Inaugural 50 Under 50 in AI; Deadline Oct. 16
- Pavillon 30 Years of Addiction Recovery in Western North Carolina, Earns National Accreditation
- ResC4EU Final Event at KOMPOZYT-EXPO 2026 – Building Resilient European Supply Chains
- BJJ App mmaGPT Expands Academy Program to Support Jiu-Jitsu Instructors with AI Technique Coaching
- Ten Ten Ten Announces Maximizing Clinical Operations
- Turnstone Creative Welcomes Giovanni Amodei as Manager of Strategic Growth
- CardsNearby Launches Free Nationwide Directory of Card Shows and Local Card Shops for Collectors
- American Garden Rose Selections™ Announces 2027 Winners
- Crossroads4Hope Launches Blood Cancer Resource Hub
- Wilson Venture Capital to Launch News Organization; Will Name Trevor Wilson CEO
- NIL Club Data Shows Brands Are Looking Beyond Follower Counts in College Sports
- Georgia's Magical Nights of Lights Bigger and Brighter for 2026
- Bicentennial Occult Outing Alternative History Video Series Launches for Spooky Season
- Harvard Educated Board Certified Endodontist Joins Pearlfection Dentistry
- NYC Banners Delivers High-Stakes UN General Assembly Backdrop for the US Department of State Event