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In this Update:
Senate Acts to Address Electric Generation Shortfall, Expand Energy Development
Reliable and affordable electricity is a fundamental need for families and the businesses that provide their jobs. The Senate recently passed legislation to streamline energy generation projects and preserve the reliability of our region’s power grid. Senate Bill 704 directs the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection to work together to identify suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects. The goal is to address electricity generation shortages in the PJM power grid and attract investment by speeding up site preparation. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Other measures we passed to promote access to affordable energy prevented the creation of a new electricity tax and would authorize creation of a Pennsylvania Independent Energy Office to ensure a more cohesive strategy for managing energy resources. Measure to Speed Up Plugging of Abandoned Wells Approved by Senate
There are an estimated 350,000 abandoned oil and gas wells statewide posing safety and environmental risks. The Senate approved legislation to streamline plugging operations, eliminating uncertainty and accelerating cleanup efforts. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requires well pluggers to clean out a well to its total depth before plugging. Senate Bill 712 removes longstanding roadblocks by defining what constitutes a reasonable effort to reach the attainable bottom of a well, eliminating ambiguity that has led to costly delays. This clarity will help Pennsylvania fully leverage nearly $400 million in federal funding to plug more wells in less time. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) Grant Application Tips
The annual Community Conservation Partnerships (C2P2) Program grant application period is open through 4 PM on Thursday, April 30. Your first task when applying is choosing which grant to apply for. Different grant types ask different questions and require different documents. That means starting your application in the wrong grant type can hurt your score. A common example concerns trails. If your project involves a long-distance trail, then “Non-motorized Trails” is usually the best option. But for a loop trail in your local park, it’s better to apply under “Park Rehabilitation and Development.” How do you know which grant to apply for? The C2P2 grant workshop videos are a good place to start. Your regional advisor can also help you decide — one more reason to reach out to them early in your application process. To apply for the C2P2 grant or to learn more, click here. Poultry Owners Urged to Continue Efforts to Combat Avian Influenza
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners – backyard flock owners and commercial producers – to continue taking steps to protect their birds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since the current outbreak began in 2022, Pennsylvania has lost more than 14.3 million birds, with approximately half of these lost since the beginning of 2026. Steps to reduce HPAI risk include:
Poultry owners should report sick birds or unexplained deaths to 717-772-2852. Anyone encountering sick or dead wild birds should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD. You can find more information here. Next Commonwealth Vehicle Auction is April 14
Used commonwealth fleet vehicle auctions featuring more than 200 vehicles are open to the public, including dealers. The next auction is April 14. The auctions are conducted at the Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 488 Firehouse Road in Grantville, Dauphin County. Auctions begin at 10 a.m. and prospective buyers should register on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before the sale. There is no registration on sale day. You can see what was sold at prior auctions and the most updated offerings, along with registration information and more here. Additional information, including payment options, can be found in the auction policies or by calling 717-469-7900 Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Nearly two million Pennsylvanians proudly claim Irish ancestry, reflecting generations of families, workers and community leaders who helped shape our commonwealth’s heritage. Whether you’re Irish or Irish-for-a-day, I hope you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Out and About in the 30th DistrictReinford Farm Tour I had the opportunity to tour the Reinford Farm in Juniata County. Brett Reinford and Rich Walters showed me around the farm and the digesters at the facility.
Legislative Bear Trip What a wonderful time joining my colleagues and the Pennsylvania Game Commission for the annual legislative bear trip! This trip provides an opportunity for legislators to meet with Game Commission officials and biologists who are devoted to protecting the population of Pennsylvania’s black bears.
Blair School of Martial Arts Ribbon Cutting Congratulations to Certified Master Instructor Chelsi Tedeschi on the opening of her new location of the Blair School of Martial Arts in Duncansville, Blair County. Chelsi is a 6th-degree black belt with over 20 years of experience in Tang Soo Do. Class instruction focuses on traditional Tang Soo Do as its core program. The school also offers cardio/fitness classes, kickboxing and team-building group self-defense private lessons.
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