March 21, 2021 - Issue 150 - Albright College
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March 21, 2021 – Issue 150
career because Jeff and I shared an office space here
Pyle to Retire in the Capitol," Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler
(R-Lancaster) said. "I learned exactly what it takes
O
n March 16, 2021, Rep. Jeff Pyle (R- to be a successful representative. Keeping your door
Armstrong/Indiana/Butler) announced he open to constituents and ensuring their voices are
will be retiring as a member of the heard. Even in recent years, when Rep. Pyle faced
Pennsylvania House of Representatives effective at his own challenges, he never wavered in his
the close of business today due to health issues. relentless efforts to improve the lives of those he
represents, and he set an example for each of us to
Pyle was diagnosed with kidney cancer in try and follow. He was a great member and best
February 2005. It returned in his chest in October friend."
2017. He suffered a stroke in 2020, and he
continues his rehabilitation and cancer treatment. "Jeff Pyle is one-of-a-kind," said Sen. Joe
Pittman (R-41). "Not only is he a passionate
"It has been a privilege to serve the residents of advocate for the 60th House District but most
the 60th Legislative District for more than 16 years importantly, a trusted friend and ally in Harrisburg.
but it's time to now put my health first," Pyle said. He has served the people of his district faithfully for
"I will miss advocating for my constituents and many years. Despite the challenges placed in front
working to improve the lives of those living and of him, he continues to overcome them. He was
working in our area. As a young boy growing up in elected to fight for the constituents of the 60th
Armstrong County, I would never have dreamed district and he has made his voice heard loud and
that I would be elected to represent my community clear throughout Harrisburg. I am honored to call
in Harrisburg. What an honor it has been." him a friend and I also stand with him as he
continues to fight through this battle."
"I was fortunate enough to get a firsthand look at
how Rep. Pyle approached his work early in my"Rep. Jeff Pyle has always put the people of his
district first and has been a champion the people of PUC Chairman Gladys
Western Pennsylvania and Armstrong County in Brown Dutrieuille Honored
particular," said House Majority Leader Kerry
Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin). "Rep. Pyle has for Leadership in State
never forgotten his roots and always brought to bear
his experiences as an educator when discussing a Government as Part of
topic or advancing an issue. We will miss his Women’s History Month
unique perspectives, his hearty laugh, and the
passion he brought for serving Pennsylvanians." Presented with the Distinguished Crystal Bird
Fauset Leadership Award by PA Legislative Black
Pyle was first elected to the House in November Caucus; Has Served as PUC Chairman since 2015
2004 and has served two sessions as chair of the
House Liquor Control Committee. He previously
chaired the House Gaming Oversight Committee.
Pyle led the Second Amendment Caucus and Coal
Caucus each for 10 years. He is the only
Pennsylvania legislator on record for 16 consecutive
P ennsylvania Public Utility Commission
(PUC) Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille
was honored on March 18, 2021 by the
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC)
with the Crystal Bird Fauset Leadership Award
years to receive an A+ rating from National Rifle recognizing her long career of distinguished
Association leadership in state government.
During his time in the House, Pyle authored As one of three honorees, Chairman Dutrieuille
seven laws on such topics as clarifying provisions was recognized by the PLBC
regarding emergency medical personnel in https://www.pahouse.com/PLBC/InTheNews/News
operating underground mines (Act 16 of 2018); Release/?id=118820 during a virtual event held in
regulating unmanned aircraft for safety and privacy conjunction with Women’s History Month. The
(Act 78 of 2018); and providing veterans with a Crystal Bird Fauset Leadership Award celebrates
veteran’s designation on their Pennsylvania driver's the first Black woman elected to serve in the
license (Act 176 of 2012). He is credited with Pennsylvania General Assembly (or elected to any
legislating and funding the reopening of river locks state legislature) and recognizes current and former
on the Allegheny River using a public-private Black women leaders in Pennsylvania state
partnership. His model has been copied in six other government.
states. Most recently, he was successful in attracting
Butler County Community College to bring a In her acceptance video, Chairman Dutrieuille
campus to Ford City. thanked the PLBC and specifically highlighted her
past mentoring experiences as an integral part of her
The 60th Legislative District includes Bethel, successful career path.
Boggs, Burrell, Cadogan, East Franklin,
Gilpin, Kiskiminetas, Kittanning, Manor, North “Those are the types of things I love doing in
Buffalo, Rayburn, South Bend, South Buffalo, our community - to be able to educate individuals to
Valley and West Franklin townships and the have an understanding of what they can do to
boroughs of Applewold, Ford City, Ford Cliff, educate themselves, but also to pass that
Freeport, Kittanning, Manorville, North Apollo, information along the way,” Chairman Dutrieuille
West Kittanning and Worthington in Armstrong said. “It is with this that I truly understand what my
County; Buffalo and Winfield townships in Butler mother said to me: ‘to whom much is given, much
County and Blacklick, Conemaugh and Young is required.’”
townships in Indiana County.
The other honorees for this year’s inaugural
Source: Rep. Pyle Press Release, 3/16/2021 PLBC leadership award are former state Sen.
LeAnna Washington and former state Rep. Rosita
Youngblood.
2Church in Harrisburg. She is also an active member
Chairman Dutrieuille is now serving her second in Epsilon Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa
term as a Commissioner for the Public Utility Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Harrisburg Chapter of
Commission. She began her service at the PUC in AABE (American Association of Blacks in
2013 and was first appointed as Chairman of the Energy).
Commission in 2015. On April 15, 2019, Gov. Tom
Wolf reappointed her as Chairman. About the PUC
In June 2020, Chairman Dutrieuille was The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
appointed as Mid-Atlantic Conference of balances the needs of consumers and utilities;
Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC) ensures safe and reliable utility service at
Second Vice President. She is also a member of the reasonable rates; protects the public interest;
recently-created National Association of Regulatory educates consumers to make independent and
Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Task Force on informed utility choices; furthers economic
Emergency Preparedness, Recovery and Resiliency, development; and fosters new technologies and
leading its Subcommittee on Black Sky, in addition competitive markets in an environmentally sound
to leading the NARUC Committee on Critical manner.
Infrastructure.
Prior to joining the PUC, Chairman Dutrieuille For recent news releases and video of select
served as counsel to the Senate Democratic Leader Commission proceedings or more information about
where she worked on many of the major utility the PUC, visit our website
issues that have been considered by the General at http://www.puc.pa.gov/. Follow the PUC on
Assembly in the last two decades including all of Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like”
the major deregulation bills for telecommunications, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on
electricity and natural gas; Act 201 of 2004, which Facebook for easy access to information on utility
added Chapter 14 to the Public Utility Code and issues.
changed the handling of consumer terminations and
reconnections; Act 129 of 2008, which addressed Source: PUC Press Release, 3/19/2021
energy efficiency and procurement; and Act 11 of
2012, which expanded use of the distribution
system improvement charge. Understanding IRRC’s Role
on Proposed Rulemakings
Before her work with the Senate, Chairman
Dutrieuille served as an assistant counsel for the
2
021 stands to be a year during which the
Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in Independent Regulatory Review Commission
the Pennsylvania Department of State and as a clerk (Commission) will review, issue comments,
for the late Honorable Paul A Simmons, Judge for and possibly vote on the final versions of a number
the U.S. District Court, Western District of of new regulations which may affect important
Pennsylvania. aspects of the lives of many Pennsylvanians. Most
recently, these rulemakings include, but are not
A native of Middletown, Pa., Chairman limited to, proposed regulations from the
Dutrieuille earned her bachelor’s and juris doctorate Environmental Quality Board, “CO2 Budget
degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Trading Program” (IRRC #3274), on which the
member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She Commission’s recent comments issued in
also is a member of the Dauphin County Bar accordance with the process described below have
Association, the James S. Bowman Inns of Court generated much attention and speculation, and
and the Keystone Bar Association, and serves on “Dam Safety and Waterway Management” (IRRC
the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Governance #3278), as well as, “Medical Marijuana” regulations
Committee following three terms on that from the Department of Health (IRRC #3290).
organization’s Board of Directors. She is an active
member at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal
3With these and other regulations in mind, we feel Boards and agencies are required to respond to
that it is important for the public to clearly all comments when delivering their final-form
understand the role of the Commission and the regulations. In most cases, this process leads to
comments we issue pursuant to Pennsylvania’s changes which improve the final regulation. The
Regulatory Review Act. The Commission was Commission’s comments are intended to elicit a
created in 1982 to provide an effective and comprehensive response from the board or agency
independent review of Pennsylvania rulemakings. to help us fully prepare for consideration of the
The Commission is an independent, non-partisan final-form regulation when it comes before us for
agency that determines whether regulations approval or disapproval at a public meeting. Lastly,
proposed by Pennsylvania boards and agencies are this process is intended to leave no stone unturned
in the public interest. The Commission aims to do in attempting to reach a consensus between all
that by objectively reviewing each regulation and interested parties, as we are charged to do by the
applying criteria established by the General Regulatory Review Act.
Assembly and set forth in Pennsylvania’s
Regulatory Review Act. These criteria include As we review the regulations referenced above,
statutory authority, legislative intent, economic and and others, we urge interested parties to carefully
fiscal impacts, and feasibility, reasonableness, and refer directly to the text of our official comments,
clarity. rather than outside interpretations or summaries.
The Commission’s comments on all regulations,
Most regulations have a public comment period together with copies of each regulation, public
during which those most directly affected by the comments, and other important information, can be
regulations, the public in general, and the legislature found on our website: http://www.irrc.state.pa.us.
can weigh in on the proposed rule. This allows the Our website offers a subscription function allowing
Commission to hear from the public and the the public to receive alerts on specific regulations,
General Assembly about their concerns and with by agency, or on others matters including our
their suggestions. Following the public comment meeting agendas. All of the Commission’s meetings
period, the Commission issues its own comments are live-streamed on our website and open to the
identifying potential areas of concern based upon public.
the review criteria contained in Pennsylvania’s
Regulatory Review Act. These comments are not The Commission has performed an independent
directives by the Commission to any board or review of Pennsylvania rulemakings for almost 40
agency, nor do they represent a final determination years. We assure the public and all interested parties
of any issue relating to the proposal. Instead, the that the neutrality of our review process will
Commission highlights concerns raised in the continue.
comments submitted during the public comment
period while providing an objective application of Source: IRRC Press Release, 3/18/2021
the statutory criteria of Pennsylvania’s Regulatory
Review Act. Often, the Commission may also
request additional explanation or information from Wolf Administration
the board or agency to better evaluate whether the Expands Partnership with
proposal is in the public interest. Based on
information received and subject to further Rite Aid Pharmacy to
discussion, the Commission’s comments may
advance possible alternative approaches for a board Vaccinate Pennsylvanians
or agency to consider. The Commission’s Enrolled in Long-Term
comments are offered by the Commission solely
with the intent that the board or agency give due Services and Supports
consideration to all potential issues and possible
approaches in crafting a final1form regulation for Programs
our further review.
4D epartment of Human Services (DHS)
Secretary Teresa Miller announced that
Pennsylvania will expand its partnership
with Rite Aid Pharmacy to vaccinate 9,000
individuals with physical disabilities and older
treatment facilities licensed by the Department of
Drug and Alcohol Programs.
DHS oversees two programs designed to provide
older Pennsylvanians and people with physical
Pennsylvanians participating in DHS’ home and disabilities who prefer to live in their community
community-based long-term services and supports rather than a residential facility with services,
program during vaccination clinics through March supports, and daily care they need to safely live in
and April. their own home: Community HealthChoices (CHC)
and the Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE)
This effort continues the Wolf Administration’s program, which serve approximately 350,000 and
work to ease barriers to vaccine access for 7,000 people statewide, respectively. Both programs
Pennsylvania’s seniors and people with disabilities serve lower income people who qualify for
who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. Since the Medicaid, and targeting vaccinations to populations
first approved vaccine arrived in Pennsylvania on served by these programs helps Pennsylvania reach
December 14, more than 3.7 million individuals communities that have a significant risk of
have been vaccinated with a first dose, including complications if they contract COVID-19 but may
more than 1.1 million individuals over the age of not have the resources to secure an appointment or
65, more than 397,000 doses administered through travel to a vaccination site on their own.
the Federal Pharmacy Partnership to long-term care
facilities, and more than 20,000 vaccines Vaccination clinics for program participants will
administered through the DHS/Rite Aid partnership be held around the commonwealth in
to residents and staff of long-term and congregate coordination with CHC managed care organizations
care settings. (MCOs) – AmeriHealth Caritas, PA Health &
Wellness, and UPMC CHC – and LIFE program
“As Pennsylvania continues to make progress providers. This effort is limited to certain CHC and
vaccinating people in Phase 1A, we know that there LIFE program participants and is not open to the
are people who want a vaccine, but may need extra public. CHC participants who will be vaccinated
help to safely get to a vaccination site. These clinics through this partnership are being identified and
will ease access for people who may not be as well- contacted by their MCO, which coordinates care
resourced or connected to other options for and services on behalf of program participants.
vaccines, and because of this, ensure people who MCOs are identifying participants who have not yet
are most at-risk are safe and vaccinated,” said received a COVID-19 vaccine and prioritizing
Secretary Miller. “I want to acknowledge and thank based upon participants’ risk of contracting
Rite Aid as well as our Community HealthChoices COVID-19 and are focusing on reaching
managed care organizations and LIFE Program communities of color that have been
partners that are making this effort possible. This disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. The
partnership is ensuring that we are getting vaccine CHC MCOs are coordinating scheduling and
supply to communities and people that have been transportation for both vaccine doses for their
most affected by COVID-19 – a necessity for an members. LIFE provider staff who work with high-
equitable vaccination process.” risk people in 1A will also have the opportunity to
be vaccinated through these clinics if they have not
In January, Pennsylvania established a been yet. Rite Aid will administer vaccines at these
partnership with Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid clinics.
Pharmacy to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to
residents and staff of DHS-licensed long-term and Learn more about the partnership with Rite Aid
congregate care settings serving seniors, people and view more data here
with intellectual disabilities, and people with mental https://www.dhs.pa.gov/covid19vaccine/Pages/Distr
illness and other behavioral needs. This partnership ibution-Data.aspx.
was expanded in February to include residential
5For more information on COVID-19 an application at Green Energy Loan Fund
vaccinations, visit the Department of Health’s https://www.reinvestment.com/gelf/.
website at
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavir In preparation for financing, GELF offers
us/Vaccine/Pages/Vaccine.aspx. borrowers technical assistance to help building
owners identify the most efficient, effective
Source: Governor Wolf’s Press Office, 3/16/2021 solutions to improve their building's energy
performance.
DEP Makes It Easier to Get Two new improvements make it easier for
Low-Interest Loans for borrowers to obtain funding. First, borrowers may
get even further reduced interest rates if they
High-Impact Energy commit to performing a retro-commissioning
several years after installation of their energy-
Efficiency Projects saving project. Retro-commissioning ensures that a
project continues to function optimally and achieve
$1.8 million in funding currently available for local maximum savings and emission reductions over its
governments, businesses, school districts, hospitals, lifetime.
nonprofits
In addition, Reinvestment Fund can now
O
n March 19, 2021, the Pennsylvania leverage GELF funding against other capital they
Department of Environmental Protection offer, increasing the total potential resources
(DEP) announced it's revamped the Green available to borrowers.
Energy Loan Fund (GELF) to make it easier for
commercial property owners to get low-interest The fund prioritizes local community
loans for large-scale, high-impact energy efficiency development efforts and seeks to support projects in
projects. Approximately $1.8 million is currently Environmental Justice areas. Nearly 30 percent of
available in funding. funded projects have been in buildings owned or
controlled by persons of color or with low income,
"For commercial building owners who want to and more than half have been located in low-income
go big on energy efficiency, the Green Energy Loan census tracts.
Fund is an ideal resource," said DEP Secretary
Patrick McDonnell. "We support projects that take Job creation is a related benefit. The latest data
energy efficiency above and beyond building code available
standards, which other lenders may be less willing https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/NewsRoomPublic/Sear
to support. This enables property owners to achieve chResults.aspx?id=21851&typeid=1 show that
significant long-term energy conservation, growth in clean energy jobs outpaced the overall job
greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and cost growth rate statewide in 2019, and the energy
savings in their utility bills." efficiency industry was the biggest clean energy
employer. Over 71,400 Pennsylvanians worked in
Reinvestment Fund manages the Green Energy jobs related to ENERGY STAR® appliances,
Loan Fund for DEP and works with building lighting, and HVAC systems; building and
owners to ensure projects meet minimum energy insulation materials; solar water heating and
savings requirements. New equipment must reduce cooling; and other components of energy efficient
energy use at least 25 percent, and whole building systems.
projects must reduce energy use more than 10
percent over current building energy code. The Green Energy Loan Fund has financed 16
projects for a total of $23 million in improvements
Local governments, businesses, school districts, to 2.1 million square feet of building space since
hospitals, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to DEP and Reinvestment Fund launched the program
apply for GELF loans and can find instructions and in 2009 with U.S. Department of Energy funds. The
6financing has enabled a carbon dioxide emissions sponsor, DRBC represents the Commonwealth of
reduction of 110,000 tons over the life of these Pennsylvania and all Commission members. The
projects. study is looking at whether or not the dam may be
modified or better managed to allow water in the
The Punxsutawney Health Center, Esperanza reservoir to be used for additional purposes, for
College, Drexel University, the Lehigh Valley example, to augment low flows during drought,
Charter School for the Arts, and other building while maintaining its recreation and flood
owners have benefited from energy efficiency management authorizations. The dam is owned by
projects supported by GELF funding. See project the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and located in
stories https://padep- White Haven, Carbon County, Pa.
1.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Shortlist/index.html?appid
=ca732f9eb29948378a0fe21ceb234012. “Short-term weather patterns and longer-
term climate patterns are changing and affecting the
"As a revolving loan fund, the Green Energy water cycle in the Basin. It is prudent to begin to
Loan Fund continues its impact over time," said evaluate and plan for the impacts the Basin may
Andy Rachlin, Managing Director at Reinvestment experience in the future as a result of these
Fund. "GELF has returned more than $9 million to changes. At the same time, DRBC
the original capital pool that DEP put together in supports maintaining the existing uses of the
2009, allowing us to keep adding new projects and reservoir for flood risk management and
generating positive community and environmental recreation and recognizes their value to the
outcomes." region. These uses should be protected,” said
Kavanagh in her written remarks.
For more information, visit Pennsylvania Green
Energy Loan Fund / Reinvestment Fund Any recommendations that result from the study
https://www.reinvestment.com/gelf/. that suggest changes to the structure or operation of
the dam and reservoir would require additional
Source: DEP Press Release, 3/19/2021 review at multiple government levels. For example,
congressional approval would be required to add or
change any authorized uses. Changes that would
DRBC Says Existing Uses at impact DRBC’s Comprehensive Plan for the water
F.E. Walter Should be resources of the Basin would require Commission
approval.
Protected
“We know how much this water and this
Deputy Executive Director Kavanagh Provides reservoir mean to the region, to
Testimony on Reservoir Study Pennsylvania, and its residents, and we look
forward to working with the Commonwealth and
K risten Bowman Kavanagh, P.E., deputy
executive director of the Delaware River
Basin Commission (DRBC), provided
written testimony to the Pennsylvania House
Majority Policy Committee reaffirming DRBC’s
all stakeholders to sustainably manage, protect and
improve our critical water resources – including
F.E. Walter Reservoir – for our residents, public
safety and a healthy environment,” Kavanagh
continued in her written remarks.
position that the Francis E. (F.E.) Walter Dam’s
existing, congressionally authorized purposes of The hearing, originally scheduled for September
recreation and flood risk management should be 2020, was held virtually today. DRBC was initially
protected. An ongoing study of the Dam was the invited to provide oral testimony at the hearing and
subject of a Committee hearing this morning, was planning to participate. At the request of the
sponsored by Pa. State Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-122). Committee, the Commission was recently notified
to submit written testimony only.
The DRBC is a non-federal sponsor of the F. E.
Walter Dam Re-evaluation Study. As a study
7For DRBC’s complete written testimony, please Source: DRBC, 3/19/2021
visit
https://www.nj.gov/drbc/library/documents/Kavana #######
gh_testimony_FEWalterStudy_031821.pdf.
This newsletter provides general information,
The DRBC is an interstate-federal government not legal advice as to any specific matter. It
agency created in 1961 by concurrent compact should not be used as a substitute for appropriate
legislation, marking the first time that the federal legal advice.
government and a group of states joined together as
equal partners in a river basin planning,
development and regulatory agency. The five
Commission members are the governors of the
basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York and
Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who
represents the federal government.
To learn more about the Commission, please
visit http://www.drbc.gov/.
Source: DRBC Press Release, 3/18/2021
Info available from DRBC's
March 16 Water
Management Advisory
Committee Meeting
T hank you to all who attended, participated in
Tuesday’s Water Management Advisory
Committee Meeting. Information presented
is available at
https://www.nj.gov/drbc/about/advisory/WMAC_m
ar162021.html.
Also, the committee is looking for non-reserved
members representing industry, fisheries and an
environmental organization. If you are interested,
please visit
https://www.nj.gov/drbc/about/advisory/committee-
openings.html to learn more.
The committee will next meet in June and also in
October. Details about those meetings are
forthcoming.
Please contact Michael Thompson
michael.thompson@drbc.gov, with any questions.
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