Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB174

Introduced
1/23/25  

Caption

Providing for erosion and sediment control requirements.

Impact

This legislation will notably change the landscape of state laws regarding environmental protection and construction permits. By instituting a defined process for permit applications and reviews, the bill aims to improve accountability and streamline the approval process for such projects. It also establishes specific timelines within which permit applications must be reviewed, enhancing efficiency and predictability for developers. Additionally, the bill outlines penalties for those who submit deficient applications, further reinforcing the importance of compliance with state environmental standards.

Summary

Senate Bill 174, known as the Erosion and Sediment Control Act, seeks to establish stringent requirements for erosion and sediment control related to construction activities, particularly those associated with oil and gas. The bill mandates that any project causing five acres or more of earth disturbance must obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection or a conservation district. This requirement aims to ensure that significant land disturbance is managed properly to prevent environmental degradation, particularly in sensitive areas.

Sentiment

Responses to SB 174 have been mixed, reflecting divisions among stakeholders in the environment and construction sectors. Proponents, mainly from the environmental advocacy community, view the bill as a necessary step to protect natural resources from development-related degradation. They argue that comprehensive sediment control measures are essential for safeguarding water quality and ecosystems. Conversely, critics, particularly from the construction and oil and gas industries, express concerns that the bill may impose excessive regulatory burdens, potentially delaying projects and increasing costs. These competing views highlight the ongoing debate between environmental protection and economic development.

Contention

Key points of contention revolve around the balance between environmental stewardship and the economic implications of increased regulation. Some stakeholders fear that stringent permit requirements may be overly burdensome for small operators, possibly discouraging investment in the state. There are also apprehensions regarding the bill's potential to slow down crucial oil and gas projects, especially in areas already facing regulatory scrutiny. The quarterly reporting requirements and the need for evaluations add another layer of complexity, with some arguing that they could further complicate the permitting process instead of simplifying it.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB364

Providing for erosion and sediment control requirements.

PA HB559

Providing for an erosion and sediment control permit, for compliance, for an annual report and for duties of the Department of Environmental Protection.

PA HB1275

Providing for protection of existing riparian buffers, for restoration of impaired riparian buffers, for exemptions, for municipal authority, for powers and duties of Department of Environmental Protection, for property inspections, for delegation to a municipality, for municipal action appeals, for penalties, civil action and liability for costs and for effect on other Commonwealth laws or regulations and municipal ordinances.

PA HB782

In subdivision and land development, providing for potentially impacted municipalities and further providing for approval of plats and for completion of improvements or guarantee thereof prerequisite to final plat approval; providing for developments of regional significance and impact; and, in zoning hearing board and other administrative proceedings, further providing for jurisdiction.

PA HB1842

Providing for community solar facilities; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, electric distribution companies and subscriber organizations; and providing for prevailing wage and labor requirements.

PA SB185

In administrative provisions, establishing the Advanced Permit Review Program and the Advanced Permit Review Program Fund; and making an editorial change.

PA HB685

Further providing for applications for preferential assessments.

PA HB2208

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking and for laboratory; and, in Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, further providing for advisory board.

PA HB2370

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for adequacy and tax equity supplements and for accountability to Commonwealth taxpayers and further providing for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

PA HB1661

Further providing for schedules of controlled substances; and providing for secure storage of xylazine.

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