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February 16, 2004
Herald-Standard

Rendell's environmental plan draws local support

Area environmentalists and legislators say the growth of Fayette and Greene counties depends on the reclaiming of abandoned mines and the cleaning of polluted waterways.

So, they are excited about Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed 2004-2005 spending plan, which proposes millions for environmental cleanup, as well as a federal proposal to shift more funding for mine reclamation projects to states like Pennsylvania.

Rendell's $22.7 billion spending blueprint advocates $300 million to be divided among four cleanup areas:  $40 million for cleaning brownfields, $80 million for supporting alternative energy development, $100 to clean up abandoned mine sites and $80 million for river and stream cleanup.

Rendell plans to spend nearly $1 billion on the environment over the next four years.

The bulk of the money needed to fund his plan would come from an $800 million, voter-approved bond that could be put on the ballot as early as this fall.  Also, Rendell plans to pay for the program with a $5 fee on each ton of waste going into the state's landfills and by charging manufacturers 15 cents for every ton of toxic chemicals they emit.

The funding, if passed and allotted, would work toward moving up the cleanup timetable possibly by as much as 20 years, while current levels of federal funding would provide for reclamation of the highest priority sites in about 50 to 60 years, said Karl Lasher, a state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) spokesman.

Lasher said the estimated cost of cleaning up just the highest priority industrial sites in Pennsylvania is more than $1 billion.

As Rendell works to gain approval of his budget plan, President Bush is pushing for federal legislation that would shift money in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation fund to states like Pennsylvania that have the largest proportion of abandoned mine sites.

According to the federal Office of Surface Mining, Pennsylvania has about 4,600 abandoned mines that are considered dangerous or environmentally harmful, about 4 1/2 times as many as the top three coal states:  Wyoming, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

Overall, Pennsylvania's coal production is comparatively low, so the state receives less money from the mining industry but tops the list of states with traditional mining problems because the 150-year-old coal production industry was at its peak years ago.  Thus, Pennsylvania would receive much of the funding to be gained from mostly western states, such as Wyoming, where coal production remains high.

Both plans seem to be generating enthusiasm among environmentalists and local legislators.

Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar) supports what he calls an "aggressive initiative" by Rendell, but he said his main concerns are how the borrowed funds will be repaid and where southwestern Pennsylvania stands on the project priority list.

"The $100 million to be used for cleaning up our abandoned mines and acid mine drainage is certainly important to this area.  Why, with Redstone Creek and Morgan Run and slate dumps and ash dumps, the problems are numerous," said Kasunic.  "But, the big question that is on the minds of the legislators and, in part, the voters is how are we going to pay for it?"

Kasunic said the legislation detailing how the bond will be repaid, including further information on the tipping fees, is expected to be drafted during future appropriations committee meetings, and he plans to scrutinize it.

State Rep. Peter J. Daley (D-California) supports the governor's plan and said he considers it an important step toward a better economy.

Daley sees cleaning up "unsightly" gob and slate piles as a top priority.

"If you drive through some of these small patches and towns, you'll see a big slate dump right in the middle of town," said Daley.  "It's something that we have learned to live with.  We tolerate it , but we will not tolerate it any longer."

He said he doesn't see a problem when it comes to voters approving the $800 million bond since he has viewed a taxpayer tendency to approve past bond issues.

"I think the Legislature will pass the plan and the taxpayers will welcome it," said Daley.

Another supporter of the program, House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Waynesburg), called Rendell's plan a "great investment for Pennsylvania."

"How can we expect people to come here and make their homes and educate their children if we don't have clean water?" he asked.

However, state Rep. James Shaner (D-Dunbar) said he sees things differently.

From an insider's perspective, Shaner said the governor speaks more of problems in the state's northeastern anthracite coal region rather than the southwest area.  He expressed concern that if Rendell's plan were passed, the increased tipping fee imposed on garbage haulers would be passed on to taxpayers, forcing them to help repay the bond but not receive the cleanup benefits in their area.

"It puts you in between a rock and a hard place," he said.  "You haven't told us how much is coming to southwestern Pennsylvania, but our people will pay for it.  I do not intend to tax my people unnecessarily. ...But, the big word is 'if.'  If it is passed, we'll fight for our fair share in Pennsylvania."

Although the DEP has targeted locations in the southwestern and northeastern part of the state as areas that endured high levels of mining activity, that doesn't mean that those areas have the best chance of gaining funding if the state plan is passed.

Lasher said all the details are not ironed out, but if the proposal were passed, the DEP would distribute funds through an extension of the state's popular Growing Greener program, initiatied by former Gov. Tom Ridge, to sites that pose the most health and safety risks on a case-by-case basis.  The areas that pose the most danger, no matter what part of the state they are in, will receive funding first, Lasher said.

"There are a lot of mines that come in close proximity to local towns and residents," he said.  "And there are features on those sites, such as old mine entries or subsidence pits, that pose a great risk.  If there's a lot of recreational activity, like ATV riding or hiking, going on around those sites, it is a high safety and health hazard."

Environmentalists are equally enthusiastic about Rendell's plan, but they still remain unchanged in the belief that many steps remain before the problem is solved.

"It's good news," said Mark Killar, board member of the Greater Redstone Clearwater Initiative, which continues to work to clean Redstone Creek in Fayette County.  "We have been fighting with Congress to do so for a while, pushing them to release additional funds.  The only thing is they say this is a $1 billion problem, and this still won't meet the cost."

Wyona Coleman, a member of the Tri-State Citizens Mining Network and the Sierra Club, is active in pushing for state legislation to regulate mining and provide for protection of resources.

"Cleaning up the environment cleans up the quality of life," said Coleman.  "We have been pushing hard to get it changed on how funds are distributed."

As far as the $800 million bond issue, Coleman said, "Anyone who wants to save the environment should be willing to pay a little."

"We've been a very careless society, and I think we all need to be more or less aware that we need to take care of our problems and somebody's going to pay," Coleman added.  "But I think we need to think of it in terms that if it's going to create a more sustainable future, we all should be willing to pay a little."