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PA Energy Policy | The PCN Capitol Preview 06/16/26

On Tuesday's episode of The PCN Capitol Preview, House Energy Committee Chairs, Majority Chair Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and Minority Chair Rep. Martin Causer, discuss the state’s energy policy. Later, Rep. Greg Scott talks about his bill to regulate PFAS forever chemical usage in PA.

Caption Text Below:    

00:00 - The following program is sponsored in part by

00:04 - customer's bank.

00:16 - Welcome to the pcn capital preview I'm Larry Casper

00:20 - our subject today is energy policy in Pennsylvania but first we're joined by Cara

00:26 - jeffers

00:27 - Harrisburg correspondent at Lilly broadcasting welcome to our program.

00:33 - Thank you

00:33 - Cara you filed a story about a cannabis control board plan

00:38 - that was voted down by the senate but first

00:41 - tell us what purpose

00:42 - was this panel to have served.

00:46 - The cannabis control board

00:47 - sb forty nine was introduced by sen Dan laughlin he's republican up from erie county

00:54 - one of the few Republicans in

00:56 - the state senate who is vocal about his support for

01:00 - legalizing

01:01 - cannabis and adult use canvas

01:03 - Pennsylvania already has a medical program.

01:06 - That is kind of controlled by the department of health

01:09 - it has been a long time conversation of if we should

01:13 - legalize full adult use cannabis it's been

01:16 - talks about revenue and what sources would that help fill in

01:20 - the state cover full legalization hasn't had

01:23 - as much conversation this year the thing that

01:26 - has been brought up by laughlin is this cannabis control board

01:31 - for him at this board is not about legalizing cannabis but it's kind of creating the

01:36 - government

01:37 - entity

01:38 - a framework where

01:40 - all things cannabis in the state

01:42 - would be

01:43 - entitled governed enforced regulate

01:46 - by this

01:47 - control board you could imagine we have our liquor control board we have gaming

01:51 - control boards this just beat the cannabis control board

01:55 - the medical department that

01:56 - the medical program that is currently in the department

01:59 - of health would come under control of this new board

02:02 - and and

02:03 - there is this.

02:05 - Hemp

02:06 - is is

02:07 - federally legal definitions are changing

02:09 - soon at the federal level but this is kind of

02:11 - when you go into gas stations and you see delta

02:13 - eight and you're like why is this fully accessible in

02:17 - a

02:17 - Gas stations

02:19 - kind of those types of cannabis products could be

02:21 - regulated by this board is what law from this that

02:24 - and then if

02:25 - cannabis was ever fully legalized in the future it

02:28 - would also fall under this authority so that is the

02:31 - purpose of the control board as laughlin has described it

02:35 - or governor shapiro asked the Democratic party in the senate to vote no

02:39 - on this control panel why did he do that.

02:43 - I did get a statement from the governor's office

02:46 - they said that again

02:47 - the governor's really pushing for a

02:50 - full regulation full regulatory

02:54 - legalization of

02:56 - adult use cannabis full use

02:58 - and the idea is that if we can

03:00 - legalize it then we can also tax it

03:03 - if we can tax it and that's another source of revenue.

03:06 - Cannabis.

03:08 - Legislation has a long history

03:11 - throughout the entire country of what does this mean for criminal justice as well

03:15 - so it sounds like the ship your administration sent down.

03:18 - There were multiple democrats who were

03:21 - co-sponsors on the senate legislation.

03:24 - We had I believe at least six

03:27 - and

03:27 - and

03:28 - most of the I think there were two

03:30 - senate democrats who voted in favor of the legislation but everyone else voted against

03:34 - again because shapiro it mister administration

03:38 - asking

03:38 - for them to not

03:39 - put that vote out.

03:41 - That.

03:42 - I'd leave whenever I got that statement from his office

03:46 - definitely this belief that there can be a more robust.

03:50 - System in place they don't necessarily want the cannabis control board as

03:55 - either this compromise situation or they might not like

03:58 - the.

04:00 - Having that entity as the one controlling canvas for the future

04:04 - well let's get back to governor shapiro just

04:06 - for a minute consider that he had proposed

04:08 - putting the agriculture department in charge of

04:11 - cannabis programs and what's the reaction from lawmakers how do they feel about it.

04:17 - So and I guess to set up a bit of this was

04:20 - quite a bit of political.

04:22 - Intrigue when it happened last week

04:25 - very rarely do senate Republicans who have the majority in

04:28 - the senate bring up a bill that they're not sure will pass

04:31 - and this was one of those bills that

04:33 - we weren't sure if it would pass and sure enough

04:35 - we had six republican senators who voted against it

04:38 - the idea was that hey there are senate democrats who support this maybe they'll

04:42 - come through and they'll get the bill to go through

04:45 - and so when senate democrats fell through the question

04:48 - was kind of made of like oh

04:49 - I guess this

04:50 - is not passing that was where the politics kind of came into play

04:55 - and like you said there are a lot

04:57 - have ideas on

04:58 - how

04:59 - cannabis should be regulated within the state

05:02 - even within

05:03 - house democrats and senate democrats there's been different ideas on if we want

05:08 - state controlled stores to be selling these products or do we want the.

05:13 - Products

05:13 - of

05:14 - Existing medical dispensaries to maybe have like first

05:17 - dibs on some of the licensing agreements that are there

05:20 - so

05:21 - There's still this ideological split within a Harrisburg on

05:26 - do we even

05:27 - legalized full adult use cannabis you might have

05:29 - some Republicans who are still in that legalized.

05:32 - In that more ideological split

05:34 - however there are a lot of

05:35 - ideas on

05:36 - how to regular hate it and I think that contributed to.

05:40 - The governor's asking for a no vote on this

05:42 - as well as the multitude of opinions that you hear from lawmakers who

05:47 - they like the idea of cannabis legalization

05:49 - there's just lots of ways to go about it

05:51 - for our viewers who are just tuning into this issue Kara

05:55 - can you review what the problems are within the medical marijuana pra.

06:00 - Program here in Pennsylvania that lawmakers want to resolve.

06:04 - Yeah that's something I haven't written about

06:07 - quite as much but I said

06:08 - I know when listening into health committees and talking with

06:12 - lawmakers

06:13 - there is concern that.

06:15 - Medical our medical program is it is.

06:19 - Easy

06:19 - to get a card

06:21 - and say hey I have a medical issue I think it can be helped with

06:24 - marijuana

06:25 - and cannabis and

06:27 - allow me to go to these dispensaries that exist and

06:30 - test that out.

06:31 - There's not really a lot

06:33 - of specific prescription

06:35 - that happens

06:36 - and if someone says I have anxiety or I get headaches the solution is to well here's

06:42 - a card and you can basically go shop for yourself

06:44 - at these medical dispensaries and

06:46 - kind of self medicate what you think is the right way to address your medical issues

06:52 - so there's kind of some concern from people that we

06:55 - call it a medical program but we're not sure how how.

06:59 - Medically

07:00 - designed

07:02 - it is

07:02 - it's not the denial that their research does

07:05 - show that cannabis can assist in different.

07:08 - Health areas and health issues

07:10 - but

07:11 - our program isn't necessarily.

07:14 - Designed

07:15 - to operate with that way so there's a question on if

07:18 - we could do some reform within that

07:19 - what would that look like if we got

07:21 - full adult use would anything change in how our medical system operates

07:26 - Cara jeffers Harrisburg correspondent

07:28 - Lilly broadcasting thanks for being here.

07:32 - Thank you

07:33 - more of the pcn cap it a preview after

07:36 - a short break.

07:38 - Welcome back our guests are represented Martin causer

07:42 - the minority chair of the pa house energy committee

07:46 - and representative Elizabeth Fiedler

07:48 - majority chair

07:49 - of the pa house energy

07:51 - committee welcome to our program.

07:54 - Good morning.

07:56 - Thank you for having us represent a Fiedler let's start

07:59 - with you data centers are coming to Pennsylvania to

08:02 - accommodate the demand for artificial intelligence

08:06 - they're going to need a lot of energy namely water

08:09 - and electricity just how ready is Pennsylvania for them.

08:14 - So data centres are something that a lot of

08:16 - people are talking about but of course in Harrisburg

08:19 - but also here in my district in south Philly

08:21 - and as you said we know that

08:24 - a lot of the technology that folks rely on in their daily life

08:28 - are part of those developments that we're talking about artificial intelligence

08:32 - video conferencing all these things I have very

08:34 - high demand of energy a very high energy needs.

08:38 - These are things that are part of regular life whether it's that we're talking about

08:42 - students doing research and online classes

08:44 - or folks whose job is

08:46 - online people who want to experience virtual

08:49 - reality or rather artificial intelligence all those sorts of things that no one could

08:54 - have imagined ten twenty fifty years ago

08:57 - so we are using a lot of energy and that is expected to only increase data centers

09:02 - are certainly a piece of it and we are very proud to have passed I

09:06 - have got eighteen thirty four this is legislation

09:09 - that belongs to my colleague Rob maxey

09:11 - that passed the house one afford four to ninety five and it re really creates the

09:15 - very first framework in Pennsylvania

09:17 - for data centers operating here

09:20 - and it calls on those huge developers to be good

09:22 - neighbors to the people who are already here

09:24 - and that absolutely includes

09:26 - use of natural resources like you mentioned

09:29 - that includes.

09:30 - Making sure that they are getting more renewable energy online making sure that they

09:34 - are general writing their own energy and not taking it from the grid

09:37 - which is something that we all rely on

09:39 - making sure they aren't doing that

09:41 - and also has them contribute to

09:43 - lie heap which is a program that helps a lot of people in need

09:47 - in this commonwealth be able to keep their utilities on

09:50 - so it's really

09:51 - it's a large bill again it is the first regulatory framework passed

09:55 - in Pennsylvania I am proud that we passed this in the house

09:58 - and

09:59 - the exit is a bigger key piece of

10:01 - regulatory infrastructure the protections we need to put in place

10:05 - here in Pennsylvania

10:06 - at these huge developments come in and

10:09 - move rather quickly I'll also mention that we passed house

10:11 - bill twenty one fifty one which belongs to my colleague.

10:15 - Here from the Scranton area but past one twenty four to seventy seven we picked up

10:20 - quite a few votes on both sides of the aisle

10:22 - and it creates an optional model ordinance I want to emphasize

10:26 - optional

10:27 - and model

10:28 - so we know one size does not fit all for different

10:31 - municipalities across the commonwealth but this is

10:34 - optional language that look elected officials could look at

10:37 - if one of these data centers is proposed for their area they could look at it

10:41 - pick and choose which pieces are relevant to their needs to help them protect their

10:45 - community get the benefits that they need

10:47 - and really put in place what however strict or.

10:51 - Measures they want and it really just provides

10:53 - them with language you know does look old

10:55 - officials are expected to juggle an awful lot

10:58 - and this is just a tool that we can give them as the state

11:01 - or how about you represent them cause they're represented Fiedler.

11:04 - Said that ten years ago we couldn't have imagined

11:07 - this demand on our energy grid as far as data center

11:11 - preparedness goes.

11:13 - While.

11:14 - I

11:14 - Agree with the chairwoman that we couldn't have imagined the

11:17 - activity right now

11:18 - but we should have been laying the groundwork

11:21 - for additional energy opportunities in the state

11:23 - and now

11:25 - we know the data centers are coming to Pennsylvania we we also know that there

11:29 - are

11:30 - there are large consumers of energy

11:32 - and we need energy policy that

11:35 - that

11:35 - provides for for that growth and development

11:39 - I think it's important for us to recognize that

11:42 - these data centers are coming many of them are already here

11:45 - and more are coming

11:47 - we need to

11:48 - to make sure that first and foremost we're protecting.

11:52 - Consumers and pencil pena we know that

11:55 - electric bills are increasing

11:57 - and

11:58 - we have a supply and demand issue in Pennsylvania where

12:02 - demand for energy is increasing.

12:05 - Supply.

12:07 - Has been decreasing and I think that we need energy policy

12:11 - that provides for additional

12:14 - us supply in Pennsylvania so that to what whether it's data

12:18 - centers or other industry that's coming to Pennsylvania

12:22 - we can be prepared

12:24 - for that growth and development

12:26 - and having a policy of having energy policy in Pennsylvania that

12:31 - that

12:32 - provides real base load any rg

12:34 - is something that I've been pushing for for a

12:37 - very long time and many of my colleagues do.

12:41 - So

12:42 - That we can

12:43 - increase the energy supply

12:45 - we can.

12:46 - Work to bring down

12:48 - electric bills for folks across the commonwealth

12:51 - and that's certainly

12:53 - certainly are

12:54 - already

12:55 - and before we consider how much energy is required

12:58 - in a data center list of our viewers an idea

13:02 - of

13:02 - How big a so called mega

13:05 - data center can be how much space they take up

13:08 - how many square feet

13:10 - before we get an idea of how much energy it takes to run such a place.

13:16 - Representing people or if you would.

13:21 - I'm sorry could you repeat the question please yes I'm happy to repeat the question

13:25 - before we get into the energy required to run a data center

13:29 - let's give our viewers a clear idea of just how big

13:32 - a data centre can be now I'm hearing about mega

13:35 - data centers how many acres how many square feet do they take up.

13:40 - Sure so a single

13:41 - you know AI focus data center one of these larger ones that we're talking about.

13:46 - I.

13:47 - Can drive much power as.

13:49 - I

13:50 - Potentially have like one hundred thousand households with some of the massive

13:54 - hyperscale facilities consuming up to one megawatt so we are talking about

13:58 - theory energy intensity of elements and I think that is why

14:03 - this is something that I think chairman causer and I agree on and we've seen a huge

14:07 - support across the aisle these are.

14:10 - These are sites they're using tremendous amounts of energy and so the developers of

14:14 - these facilities really need to be accountable for getting finding away if they want

14:18 - to develop that somebody's neighbourhood

14:20 - in someone's city and someone's municipality make sure that that company is getting

14:25 - that energy generating the energy that they need

14:27 - because it can have a huge impact potentially on

14:30 - the grid and the energy that we all rely on and we want to make sure that.

14:34 - As the chairman said we are protecting people's rights and also making sure that

14:39 - their reliability is not jeopardized by these because it can have

14:42 - a significant impact absolutely.

14:47 - Go ahead representative causer

14:49 - yeah just like to add to that because I certainly

14:51 - I certainly agree and and with many

14:54 - respects with the chairwoman Fiedler and

14:56 - the the fact that

14:57 - we need to be prepared

14:59 - and I think that that

15:01 - preparation is important

15:02 - it's all about having energy policy that actually

15:05 - suppose port's growth in the commonwealth

15:07 - while protecting the ratepayers

15:10 - with their with their energy costs

15:12 - and

15:13 - if we have additional supply in the state then that

15:16 - will help the ratepayers and will also help with the

15:19 - supplying these operations

15:21 - but when we talk about data centers

15:23 - we really need them to bring their own energy

15:25 - and

15:26 - bringing their own energy for any proposed project

15:29 - is is going to be critical

15:32 - to not only make the project successful but to protect the ratepayers and I think

15:37 - many of these projects will be bringing their their own

15:40 - their own energy

15:42 - and not only does that provide energy for the data center

15:45 - but it provides

15:47 - more energy for the grid in general and and I

15:49 - think that that is beneficial for our commonwealth

15:53 - and so

15:54 - having guard rails in place

15:56 - and to make sure that we're providing the energy that's needed for the commonwealth

16:01 - that we're protecting the ratepayers.

16:04 - Is critically important

16:05 - now that

16:06 - the chairwoman mentioned

16:07 - house bill eighteen thirty four

16:09 - and there are many things in the house bill eighteen thirty four that to

16:12 - that I think are beneficial

16:14 - of you know making sure that.

16:17 - They bring their own energy making sure that

16:20 - when

16:21 - electric facilities have to be upgraded

16:23 - that the the the the the galloper is actually paying for that and I think that that

16:29 - is important again to protect the ratepayers

16:33 - but there are a number of things in that bill that I

16:35 - that I found problematic for example mandates that

16:38 - and

16:39 - that

16:40 - require thirty two percent of the energy to come from.

16:44 - Renewable sources for example which I think

16:46 - I is problematic

16:49 - going forward

16:50 - I don't think that we should be that selective and where the energy comes from

16:55 - we need real base load energy and we have opportunities

16:58 - in this commonwealth work from natural gas for example

17:02 - to provide real base load energy

17:05 - and plaything the mandates like like a huge.

17:09 - Renewable.

17:10 - Mandate is is

17:12 - is as I said problematic

17:14 - it also

17:15 - provides

17:16 - provide that particular bill

17:18 - also has some significant fees included

17:21 - and so

17:22 - concerns with that particular bill but in general

17:25 - we need guide rails on these projects and

17:28 - certainly I'm

17:29 - I'm focusing on that.

17:31 - I represent Fiedler another basic question about data centers are viewers understand

17:35 - that data centers require a lot of electricity to operate

17:39 - but what about the water

17:40 - whether they need all that water for.

17:44 - So much of it is used for cooling we do know

17:46 - that there are other technological advances.

17:50 - That make it possible to.

17:52 - I

17:54 - Cool and in other ways that are much less water intensive

17:58 - that said we do think that ensuring that.

18:01 - Water usage and

18:03 - the cleanliness of water safety of water should absolutely be.

18:07 - At the very very top of the list and ensuring that if

18:10 - these developments do come to someone city someone's town

18:13 - make sure that water usage is.

18:15 - Not going to have a negative impact on the

18:17 - folks who are already there and I think that is

18:19 - absolutely something we should be doing

18:21 - as the chairman sad guard rails

18:23 - are very very important

18:25 - and I think I do want to follow up and say that the renewable energy piece that is an

18:29 - eighteen thirty four I think is actually tremendously important

18:32 - people see their bills going through the roof and

18:35 - folks at least in Philadelphia have already turned on their air conditioners.

18:39 - So we know that energy

18:41 - prices are going up we know people's bills are going up and I think we've got to do

18:44 - everything we can to get more energy online

18:47 - and when we talk about.

18:49 - All of the above energy solution and

18:52 - embracing all kinds of energy

18:54 - I think that absolutely needs to include renewables they

18:56 - are relatively cheap they're relatively fast to get online

18:59 - and if renewable energy can help to lower

19:01 - people's bills I believe a majority of the common

19:04 - would like to see that happen.

19:05 - All as far as a source of water is concerned for data

19:09 - centers do some data centers rely on a natural body of water

19:12 - that is nearby.

19:19 - They

19:19 - are talking about specific projects and

19:22 - and I think that

19:23 - as as

19:24 - representative cause or can you think of any example where there's a

19:27 - a natural body a lot of it's being drawn on by data centers.

19:31 - I don't know of any project specifically of that nature but.

19:35 - They may be getting water from multiple sources but as chair

19:38 - chairwoman Fiedler said.

19:41 - There's a lot of misinformation out there also

19:43 - and and many of these projects recycle water.

19:46 - So I think you have to look specifically at the project

19:49 - the scale of the project

19:50 - exactly how much water are they using where is the water coming from

19:54 - and I think

19:56 - those are all important components

19:58 - really when we're looking at data centers

20:01 - there's a lot to consider I mean.

20:03 - We number one have to look at

20:05 - the energy that's used at the facility and where

20:07 - the energy is coming from and of course resp.

20:10 - Aires

20:11 - and protecting the ratepayers that are that are paying.

20:14 - For energy in their community we also have

20:17 - to look at water usage where it's coming from

20:19 - how much is being used how much

20:21 - recycled

20:22 - and the third component

20:24 - is respecting local control in our communities I think

20:28 - it's vitally important

20:30 - that to

20:31 - that we maintain local control with local officials

20:34 - because they know their community best

20:37 - and many of these communities are not prepared for data centers

20:41 - many of them are trying to get up to speed

20:44 - with local ordinances

20:46 - placing guardrails in place but I I do think that it's vitally important that we

20:51 - maintain that level of local control

20:54 - and and not take away authority from local

20:56 - officials because they know their communities best

20:59 - and.

21:01 - House Republicans I know are fighting very

21:03 - hard to maintain that level of local control

21:06 - for local officials

21:07 - are represented cause of the governor's

21:09 - proposing tax breaks for data centers that locate

21:12 - here in Pennsylvania

21:14 - what is your caucasus position on that.

21:17 - While we're taking a look at that right now and you know that's an existing tax

21:20 - credit that's been in place for data centers across the commonwealth there's

21:24 - certainly a lot of question about

21:26 - do we still need this tax credit

21:28 - is it structured appropriately

21:30 - and I think those are legitimate questions that to

21:34 - that need to be investigated

21:35 - and

21:36 - and.

21:38 - Certainly

21:39 - with the budgetary

21:40 - situation that we're or in.

21:42 - All things are on the table and I think that we

21:44 - need to look at all aspects of that tax credit.

21:49 - A representative Fiedler the governor is talking about a sales and use tax

21:53 - for data centers

21:55 - what is your position there.

21:58 - So as chairman concert said this is an existing tax credit and my understanding is

22:02 - that the governor's grid proposal what places.

22:05 - Restrictions and protections on that existing tax credit

22:09 - those restrictions and protections relate to workforce economic development and

22:14 - making sure that the jobs are local.

22:17 - Environmental protections along the lines of

22:19 - the things that we are already talking about

22:21 - offsetting emissions air pollution stripped water usage requirements as well as as we

22:27 - said and I think the chairman and I agree on the bring your own energy component

22:31 - of these large developments want to come and move into an existing

22:35 - area existing town existing city they should be bringing their own energy they should

22:39 - generate it and it should be in charge of that

22:41 - and it should not have a negative impact on the folks who are already there the small

22:44 - business owners and homeowners and families

22:47 - so I think that the transparency the community

22:49 - benefits and engagement pieces of grit are

22:52 - you know layers on top of an existing tax credit it's an effort to

22:55 - make very very clear that if these devout minutes

22:58 - you know if local officials decide

23:00 - I and these developments are cited in a location those folks should be good neighbors

23:05 - to the people who are already there

23:06 - and I could not agree with the chairman caused her more about

23:10 - the fact that local elected officials know their neighborhood they know their

23:14 - community better than anyone else and I think in that regard

23:17 - we are on the same page of saying that it should be up to folks

23:21 - locally there is not a one size fits all

23:23 - solution for for really anything in Pennsylvania

23:26 - will represent a

23:27 - that considering the governor wants data centers to bring their own source of power

23:32 - could that speed up or even slow down development

23:35 - might it be a hindrance instead of a help

23:38 - maybe some data centers won't want to come here under those conditions.

23:44 - I think it really relates to the big picture which we've been talking about the whole

23:47 - time we need to get more energy online

23:49 - we know that we live in a very energy intensive

23:52 - world society country

23:55 - where people are expected to be able to log onto video conferencing without a problem

23:59 - people use artificial intelligence electric vehicles all of this stuff

24:03 - we are using a lot of energy

24:05 - and so we need to do everything we can to get more

24:07 - generation online now obviously chairman causer and I

24:10 - disagree a little bit on whether we want to see renewables be.

24:14 - As much of a piece of that I do believe renewables are clean energy

24:19 - they are relatively cheap and fast to get online and I think if people see their

24:22 - utility the bells climb this summer

24:25 - they want to see more energy online

24:27 - and they are they are happy with it to be renewables

24:29 - if that means that it makes the grid more reliable

24:32 - fewer blackouts and brownouts and.

24:35 - Ultimately keeps people's bills as low as possible

24:38 - because there are a lot of folks out there and

24:39 - both of our districts in all of our districts who

24:41 - already can't afford their utila the bills

24:44 - they come into all of our district offices estate reps and say

24:47 - here's my bill and here's my paycheck I'm not earning enough to be able to afford

24:51 - everything right now

24:52 - and those folks are putting terrible terrible

24:55 - positions right there are people who are

24:57 - choosing between medicine and paying their electric bill to keep the

25:00 - the air conditioning on

25:02 - and as temperatures climb we say you know

25:04 - times get to ninety five up to one hundred like

25:07 - that is

25:08 - that is very dangerous territory for folks especially seniors and children who might

25:12 - be sitting inside their house without air conditioning I mean that

25:16 - the loss of life and the health impact will be tremendous

25:20 - especially if we see people not

25:23 - have sir service because of blackouts and brownouts

25:25 - because we haven't done enough to get energy on line

25:28 - and to make our greatest sustainable and reliable as possible

25:31 - representative cars are then let's let's get right to the

25:33 - bottom line then as far as energy ratepayers are concerned

25:37 - what's the effect that if data centers do bring their own source of power

25:41 - what's the news

25:42 - for ratepayer there's.

25:45 - We're talking a lot about data centers today and energy use and that's

25:48 - that's a critical component for data centers

25:51 - but I really think that we have to have a broader

25:53 - discussion about energy policy in general.

25:56 - As a commonwealth we need to get more energy onto the grid

26:01 - we know that our grid is not as secure as it should be

26:04 - we know that we need need more energy in this state

26:07 - one of the concerns that I have is

26:09 - is placing mandates on certain forms of energy because I think that

26:14 - if you mandate a certain source of energy like some

26:17 - renewables and some of the bills that we've seen

26:20 - that

26:20 - that particular mandate actually causes

26:24 - causes and increased costs aus to our

26:26 - to our energy production

26:28 - we need real base load energy in this commonwealth and

26:32 - and that can come from multiple sources I

26:34 - mentioned one earlier natural gas natural gas is a

26:38 - source that you can put a lot of base load energy on the grid

26:41 - there are other sources there are other sources that are coming small modular or

26:46 - nuclear is coming

26:48 - additional nuclear is coming nearby the capital here with the

26:52 - three mile island being restarted I mean it's there are multiple sources out there

26:57 - that can provide real base load energy

26:59 - and we need an energy policy that actually supports that growth and development

27:04 - and so that we can can get more energy on the grid

27:07 - and support multiple industries in Pennsylvania.

27:11 - Because it's not just about data centers we we need to grow the economy and the state

27:16 - that's what's going to cause us to be

27:18 - to be successful.

27:20 - Look at the states around us

27:22 - they have some really poor energy policy

27:25 - new Jersey Rosie

27:26 - Maryland for example

27:28 - you know they're they're enacting mandates they're enacting

27:31 - policies

27:32 - that actually restrict

27:34 - energy development

27:35 - and Pennsylvania is still a major exporter of energy

27:40 - my number one concern is that we have

27:42 - an energy policy in Pennsylvania that supports

27:45 - energy growth

27:47 - to support ratepayers in the state

27:49 - and and to not let poor energy policy in other states.

27:53 - Harm the ratepayers here in our state

27:55 - I represent Fiedler and represent them cause I thank you very much

27:59 - we're going to talk more about the governor's plans for energy after

28:03 - I gave you a short break

28:05 - because we're going to look at program notes

28:07 - for pcn.

28:09 - A journalist roundtable this week our guests will

28:12 - be in a gen Eli from capital wire state affairs

28:16 - got bolus from wv I a

28:19 - and Zach koops from penn live there'll be here Thursday

28:23 - at seven pm June tenth day of freedom is a program organized by

28:28 - susquehanna the university

28:30 - that will be on Thursday at seven thirty pm.

28:34 - On the history and culture side of programming will have the script writer

28:38 - of the Ken burns documentary the American revolution

28:41 - Geoffrey ward

28:43 - he'll be here on Tuesday at eight pm.

28:47 - It's history explores the Pittsburgh revolution

28:50 - a new fort pitt museum exhibit about western Pennsylvania his pivotal role

28:55 - in the revolutionary war

28:57 - and that'll be all Wednesday at nine pm.

29:00 - I will examine the life of August Wilson

29:03 - pulitzer prize winning playwright whose work

29:06 - focused on the struggle goals and dreams

29:08 - of Pittsburgh's black community

29:10 - that's on Friday at six pm

29:13 - or you can launch this show and all our public affairs programming free of charge

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29:39 - we're talking about energy policy here in Pennsylvania

29:43 - and this is the last question about data centers I guess I promise

29:47 - and I just want you to consider

29:49 - Stacy garrity has an idea she's the treasure here in

29:52 - Pennsylvania she is calling for a pause on data control

29:56 - on

29:57 - Data center

29:58 - projects she thinks she's

30:00 - we're moving along too quickly

30:01 - what do you think of

30:03 - taking a break before we go any farther represented Fiedler.

30:07 - So I think in the days and weeks

30:10 - to come.

30:11 - We only have a week and a half

30:12 - days certainly to come you will see legislation to further regulate data centers

30:19 - coming out.

30:21 - Committees in the house and and ultimately hopefully to the floor.

30:25 - I that will.

30:28 - I.

30:29 - Helped to put in place even more strict

30:33 - guardrails and protections along those lines

30:36 - we do have a bill

30:37 - prohibiting non disclosure agreements

30:39 - for developers to access the tax credit that's something we expect to

30:43 - put out of our committee tomorrow and there are

30:45 - other bills that are expected to be coming out of.

30:48 - I

30:49 - Grid coming out and then also a bill coming out of

30:51 - local government that would accomplish something similar

30:54 - you know I think it is a recognition that

30:57 - as I said in the very beginning local elected officials are overwhelmed these are

31:01 - huge developments these are companies that have

31:04 - teams of lawyers and other folks who you know

31:08 - come into these these

31:09 - towns and municipalities

31:11 - and in many ways overwhelm

31:14 - the local elected officials

31:15 - these are people the local elected do a tremendous job

31:18 - of covering a lot of different things but we need to

31:22 - give them the time and the tools and the support

31:24 - as a state to make the best decision for their

31:27 - their law local.

31:29 - Municipality and I think

31:31 - we will see some things moving along that line and you

31:33 - know governorship your house put out is putting out.

31:37 - Grid which I think is a

31:39 - strong piece of legislation that we expect to move in the house that will help to

31:43 - further ensure accountability on these projects

31:45 - or what do you think representative cause or should

31:47 - Pennsylvania press the pause button for data centers.

31:51 - It's important for us to have guard rails in place

31:53 - and I think that's what we're focused on right now

31:56 - guard rails to make sure that.

31:59 - Our local communities have the tools they need

32:02 - to make

32:02 - decisions regarding their own communities

32:05 - I think we're working very hard.

32:07 - On the

32:08 - energy side of things to make sure they bring

32:10 - their own energy I think it's import isn't

32:12 - as the chairman said that we

32:14 - provide resources for

32:16 - for local communities to be able to to make these decisions

32:19 - the one thing that I do want to point out is

32:22 - our governor also proposed a site

32:24 - for energy projects which I think that

32:27 - hasn't gotten much attention lately but this is a piece

32:30 - of legislation that I would have taken away local control

32:34 - as it

32:35 - as it

32:36 - deals with where to site energy projects and that would have taken away

32:40 - and

32:41 - be.

32:43 - Authority of local officials in the siting decisions and and I think that

32:48 - that that is particularly problematic we need to make sure

32:51 - that local officials local township supervisors and borough council members and

32:57 - and county commissioners

32:59 - local officials.

33:00 - Who know their communities best

33:02 - habits

33:03 - have a say

33:04 - in

33:05 - Where these projects are cited

33:07 - and guard rails in place

33:09 - to protect their own communities

33:12 - while we continue growth in our communities we we need growth in this commonwealth

33:17 - and whether we're talking about data centers or other projects

33:21 - we need policies that support the growth in the commonwealth.

33:25 - Or the governor is proposing an energy program called the lightning plan and has

33:30 - several points to it and one of them has to do

33:32 - with changing the state's energy portfolio in other words

33:37 - changing the balance of different forms of energy

33:40 - a representative Fiedler

33:42 - what can you tell us about that.

33:45 - The lesson plan is a proposal from the administration that's been out there for

33:49 - awhile a number of the bills from

33:51 - that package did come to our committee including the one that I'm.

33:57 - Chairman concert just mentioned reset which was the siting board

34:01 - you know I think.

34:02 - Ultimately we need to in my opinion we need to get more energy online and that

34:07 - absolutely includes renewable energy

34:09 - I do think that there's a role for the state to

34:11 - play but quite honestly I hadn't focused very much.

34:14 - On the bills that are in our committee either ones were voting out in the next few

34:18 - days or bills that we've already voted out

34:21 - so I think there are many other opportunities that we

34:23 - can pursue I including small modular reactors which

34:26 - the chairman mentioned I was proud I believe that came out

34:29 - unanimously that is a

34:31 - future you know looking to the future the near future and saying what other sources

34:35 - of energy can we get online and not sm arbil bell belongs to my colleague rep

34:39 - Jose draw we also have geothermal legislation from rep then cat

34:44 - we have legislation too

34:46 - from Jacqueline roughneck house bill

34:48 - twelve sixty that would require that large

34:51 - warehouses in the commonwealth be built solar ready

34:54 - and that's actually really smart business decision we know from the industry group

34:58 - that represents these folks that these large warehouse sites that

35:01 - it's actually easier for them to lease out a large where house if it's solar ready

35:05 - because it's so common sense for them to be able to put panels up

35:09 - and generate their own energy this is on top of a warehouse so maybe not as

35:12 - controversial as some other locations for

35:15 - solar panels in different communities but

35:17 - certainly a great source of free energy the sun is shining down and so these

35:21 - warehouse folks say yes absolutely we'll use that energy in our building

35:25 - so I think there are absolutely things that we are

35:27 - doing certainly doing in the energy committee and

35:30 - when we can doing it on a bipartisan basis quite honestly and that is not always the

35:34 - case it's not always possible as the chairman knows

35:38 - but we do strive to do that there are other bills that we have like house bill twenty

35:41 - five ninety five that we're voting out tomorrow

35:44 - for rep angles

35:45 - that would speed up the interconnection process hope to get more energy online

35:50 - cutting the red tape and making sure that

35:52 - developers are not sitting waiting for months and years to see whether they can put

35:56 - some of this clean energy on the grid but to expedite that process

35:59 - so you know I know the lightning clan was it did include a number of pieces of

36:03 - legislation I some of them are still out there

36:05 - that said we are working very very hard on the

36:08 - pieces in front of us in our community right now.

36:11 - Represented cause what do you think of the state's

36:13 - energy portfolio and would you like to change the balance

36:16 - of different forms of energy within the.

36:19 - I biggest concerns

36:21 - centers around mandates and

36:24 - changes to the alternative energy portfolio standards

36:27 - are essentially a mandate to get certain

36:30 - a certain amount of energy from certain sources and I'm one of the few members that

36:35 - was in the legislature when the original.

36:38 - Hps was passed years ago and

36:41 - and now to

36:43 - to see what the governor's

36:44 - is proposing

36:46 - would be a huge mandate to get energy from certain sources

36:50 - I think that will have the effect

36:52 - of

36:52 - Increasing energy costs in the commonwealth so I have serious concerns with

36:57 - with the governor's proposal

36:59 - without parole curricular bill

37:01 - and

37:01 - I think that we need an all of the above strategy when it comes to energy

37:05 - I don't think that we need to pick winners and losers

37:08 - and a change to the ps

37:11 - is a huge mandate that will increase costs

37:15 - you know some of the other things that we need to be focused on

37:18 - and I think we've made some progress you know getting rid of Reggie for example

37:22 - with his is huge progress in this state.

37:25 - Because Reggie was holding us back

37:27 - and we've made some progress on the permitting side of things.

37:32 - Or.

37:33 - As it relates to energy projects

37:35 - but I really think that we can do more

37:38 - to encourage energy growth and development in the state

37:41 - chairwoman Fiedler mentioned some some bipartisan efforts that that

37:44 - we have.

37:46 - That we worked together on

37:48 - I think there will be more biber bipartisan effort

37:51 - and

37:52 - but we really need to to get more energy on the grid

37:56 - and we don't need costly.

37:58 - Expensive mandates

38:00 - that are going to mandate certain forms of energy.

38:04 - Represents cause he pointed out that

38:06 - Pennsylvania is out of the Reggie

38:09 - program r a g g I and that's the

38:11 - limiting

38:12 - carbon emissions from power plants

38:14 - however there is another version being proposed

38:17 - and that's

38:17 - the pacer program p a c e r

38:20 - what's the feedback on that is still is that still

38:23 - being considered by lawmakers represent of causing.

38:27 - Well

38:28 - we we dealt with Reggie for

38:30 - several years and.

38:32 - I fought hard against Reggie and as you stated Reggie is gone

38:36 - and

38:37 - the governor

38:38 - and part of his lightning plan

38:40 - immediately turned around and and created or

38:44 - proposed his own

38:45 - form of Reggie which will be a statewide

38:48 - carbon tax

38:50 - which would have the same effect

38:52 - damaging if the fact that Reggie would have so I think

38:55 - I think that.

38:57 - That takes us in the wrong direction

38:59 - I'm firmly opposed to that we need energy policy

39:02 - that actually supports

39:04 - growth

39:05 - and development in Pennsylvania

39:07 - and.

39:09 - That particular bill is as misguided and I don't

39:12 - I don't

39:12 - think there is bipartisan opposition

39:15 - to that particular proposal

39:17 - represent Fiedler what do you think of the

39:18 - pacer program which would limit carbon emissions

39:22 - at least it's goal would be to limit carbon emissions from power plants.

39:26 - I think there are valuable pieces of both pacer and crafts I that would you know make

39:32 - sure that we're talking about jobs here in Pennsylvania making sure that we have a

39:36 - highly trained workforce making sure we aren't limiting air and water pollution

39:40 - that's incredibly important make sure we aren't getting more renewable energy online

39:44 - so I think there are pieces of both of those pieces up ledge nestle should not are

39:48 - valuable and should be part of our path forward

39:51 - that said I think you know we are in a moment that is

39:54 - both an affordability crisis and an energy crisis and it's the working class middle

40:00 - class and poor people in our districts for a feeling at

40:03 - the hardest right now but it's really only going to spread as bills go up and so I

40:06 - think this moment is one in which

40:08 - you know chairman concert and I might disagree

40:10 - about details but we do agree we need to

40:13 - strengthen our grid make it more reliable we need to get more energy online and we

40:17 - need to squeeze as much energy out of our existing grid as possible we also have to

40:22 - build called the eighty ti's advanced transportation technologies

40:26 - which passed the house house unanimously

40:28 - unanimously

40:30 - and for energy policy that I think that should count as

40:32 - like doubly impressive because that is very hard to do

40:36 - that said it is hardware and software upgrades to

40:38 - our existing transmission lines the life that you see

40:41 - running in front of your house and it really gets the

40:44 - most out of those existing lines so we're not losing any

40:47 - process of it being transferred

40:49 - that is an energy efficiency measure

40:51 - that we should be taking as a commonwealth and some of

40:54 - the house can pass that unanimously I see no

40:56 - reason that we wouldn't be able to get it through

40:58 - hopefully in the upper chamber and it would result in

41:01 - savings for people regular people in all of our district so

41:04 - I know for me that is where my mind is that is where I am focuses on the work of the

41:09 - this these pieces of legislation that we are

41:11 - trying to get out get out with bipartisan support

41:14 - and to try to save people money

41:16 - and so I think we've got a lot of legislation we have done in the committee I'm

41:20 - grateful to the chairman and his staff for

41:22 - being good partners and talking these things through and when we can get to agreement

41:26 - we do and we work really hard to get it over the line

41:28 - let's talk more about the consumers of energy and the idea that the governor is

41:34 - considering pulling Pennsylvania out of pjm that's a power grid company but

41:39 - how about a brief refresher on what pj and his

41:43 - and the wide significant to ratepayers in Pennsylvania.

41:48 - Representative causer would you like to take that.

41:51 - Bizarre regional grid operator and they operate in thirteen states and

41:55 - and

41:55 - so they're like the traffic controller of the grid

41:58 - and there have been multiple concerns about

42:01 - operations of pjm and and.

42:04 - There have been concerns about.

42:07 - The length of time it takes to get more energy on the grid so

42:11 - I but I think it's

42:13 - a lot of that

42:14 - while it's being directed a pjm and some of

42:16 - the criticism certainly belongs with them but

42:20 - but a lot of it revolves around poor energy policy some states as I mentioned

42:25 - have but

42:25 - an extremely HP poor energy policy Maryland for example.

42:30 - Has enacted

42:31 - and

42:32 - you know plans

42:33 - that

42:34 - actually restrict energy production in the state

42:37 - and and are relying on other states like Pennsylvania for their energy and in

42:42 - new Jersey is the same way.

42:45 - My concern is

42:47 - that.

42:48 - War policy in other states shouldn't affect ratepayers in Pennsylvania

42:53 - and

42:54 - my focus is protecting.

42:57 - Ratepayers in Pennsylvania so that their electric bills are not going up

43:01 - just because of poor decisions in other states and

43:05 - and and we need to do everything we can to preach protect the ratepayers in

43:08 - Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is an energy powerhouse we have always been

43:13 - an ex border of energy

43:15 - we need to make sure that we maintain that status

43:18 - and and actually grow it because we have more opportunity in the state

43:23 - we can produce way more energy than what we're producing right now

43:26 - so

43:27 - Not only can we strengthen the grid in this state

43:30 - and

43:31 - we can actually benefit every state around us

43:33 - but what we really need to do is strengthen the grid in this state

43:37 - to protect the ratepayers in this state

43:40 - and grow our opportunities in this state

43:42 - are represented Fiedler what are your concerns about pjm.

43:47 - So I think many of the concerns that as lawmakers we hear from folks.

43:53 - In Harrisburg and also in our districts

43:55 - related to pjm many of the concerns are similar

43:58 - as you heard from chairman cost it correctly this is

44:01 - a regional organization that seeks to cover thirteen states so that is.

44:06 - A large task in and of itself knowing that all these states have different needs and

44:10 - have different energy policies as as I think the chairman rightfully pointed out

44:14 - and

44:15 - one of the largest problems that people voice with pjm

44:18 - interconnection queue

44:19 - which has

44:20 - historically been

44:21 - long and taken a very long time

44:24 - and that is important because that gets back to the

44:26 - original point of the need to get more energy online

44:29 - and so we need to make sure that if there are obstacles to

44:32 - getting more energy online making sure people have reliable

44:35 - service making sure we keep their bills in check

44:38 - then we are taking a hard look at those things and I think pjm could potentially be

44:42 - one of those pieces you've heard the governor talk about it

44:45 - I know my colleague.

44:47 - Rob maxie had house

44:49 - resolution three sixty one

44:51 - which just earlier this month we passed unanimously out of the house

44:56 - this resolution for

44:57 - chairman Max he would

44:59 - direct the the commonwealth to study the financial benefits and the costs of

45:04 - remaining in pjm and so I think it's a legislature

45:07 - we are doing the hard and important work of taking

45:10 - a look at the status quo the existing structure

45:13 - and

45:13 - trying to figure out if it makes sense for the folks we represent back home

45:17 - I don't think that we have that answer ultimately and I

45:19 - do know that the governor himself and the administration

45:22 - is taking a hard look as well to figure out is this a model that makes sense for us

45:27 - especially as we anticipate that the affordability and energy crisis probably will

45:32 - continue I until some things change and some of those things that may change are out

45:36 - of our control whether all of these projects come on line technological advances

45:41 - and whether we get more energy generation online

45:43 - and those are all pieces that are you know

45:46 - it's quite a complex picture to try to predict future so I will hesitate to

45:50 - I would hesitate to do that but I think we need to do everything we can right now to

45:54 - try to keep people's bells in check and their service as reliable as possible

45:58 - we have about two minutes left in our program and I hope

46:01 - both of you can find time to answer the following question

46:04 - represent of a Fiddler you first how much progress

46:07 - have you seen been moving from

46:09 - fossil fuels to

46:10 - cleaner and sustainable forms of energy.

46:14 - I think we are making progress I think that there are many shared goals in both sides

46:19 - on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers making sure that the workforce that

46:23 - builds and

46:24 - maintains energy infrastructure is highly qualified highly trained ideally from here

46:29 - in Pennsylvania I think that is a shared goal

46:32 - I think we are making progress I think it is essential two keeping people's bills

46:36 - as low as possible

46:38 - and as I said to getting energy online quickly

46:41 - and for a relatively low cost that is a benefit

46:43 - of renewable energy we know what is true

46:46 - and I am hopeful that we can continue to move in that direction that said we do know

46:50 - that different forms of energy play different roles

46:53 - and have different value in our lives and stuff we've got a cold snap in the winter

46:56 - we might be relying on a different kind of energy that

46:59 - you know a more mild day in may

47:01 - so I think it is it is a complex mix we need to have open minds and open

47:05 - hearts and I

47:07 - continue to work really hard because the people back home are counting on us to make

47:10 - smart decisions and to come to the table when we can

47:13 - and representative cause or how do you feel about.

47:16 - Moving from fossil fuels to cleaner and renewable

47:19 - energy is that an inevitable thing that we're pursuing in Pennsylvania.

47:24 - We have a huge opportunity in Pennsylvania when it comes to energy production

47:28 - we need more energy on the grid

47:29 - fossil fuels provide

47:31 - the majority of the energy that we use them this commonwealth

47:34 - and we have more opportunity with fossil fuels across the state

47:38 - we the bottom line is

47:40 - we need to get more energy on the grid

47:42 - sources of energy like nat natural gas

47:45 - our sources that we can put on the grid quickly

47:48 - and provide real base load energy so fossil fuels are

47:52 - a huge component of our energy industry

47:56 - I think that we can do more with fossil fuels

47:58 - I think that we need to get multiple sources of energy on the grid

48:02 - we can strengthen our grid we can have additional

48:05 - growth and opportunity in this commonwealth

48:08 - if we

48:08 - broaden our energy policy

48:11 - if we are open to the fact that

48:13 - we can put more

48:14 - fossil fuels on the grid like natural gas

48:17 - and this will will increase our supply of energy

48:21 - that will ultimately bring down the cost of energy strength then our grid

48:25 - and provide more opportunity across the commonwealth

48:28 - our guests have been representative Martin causer

48:31 - the minority chair of the pa house energy committee

48:34 - and representative Elizabeth Fiedler majority chair

48:38 - of the pa house energy committee thanks for joining us thank you so much and

48:43 - thank you very much p CNN's Ellen fronds talk to representative Greg Scott about a

48:48 - bill that addresses so called forever chemicals.

48:53 - Welcome to our program

48:54 - he has proposed legislation to ban p f a s forever

48:57 - chemicals from certain products in Pennsylvania

49:00 - what are these chemicals.

49:03 - Great question so these are common chemicals that we may

49:06 - all use we just don't even know so you're a cook a fry and

49:10 - cook an egg in a fry pan a non-stick coating

49:12 - typically there is something like that how about an iron

49:15 - when you go to iron your clothes there in products like that

49:18 - you ever flown an airplane the the rubber in the coils that go through

49:23 - the rubber

49:24 - for the airplanes typically.

49:26 - It is coated with p face laden chemicals p face is a chemical

49:30 - that is and acts as an adhesive and it repels water

49:34 - essentially and that's at a high level of how to describe what it is

49:38 - now what health risks do these chemicals impose on the general public.

49:42 - Great I mean pie people are incredibly effective at with their

49:46 - with their supposed to do keeping water out

49:48 - and

49:49 - keeping

49:50 - products going

49:51 - but when that.

49:53 - Fabric is broken and the pfs is able to escape out of those

49:58 - it can be very harmful

50:00 - to human beings so we're seeing it in well water

50:03 - where there's a chemical spill

50:05 - or near a multi.

50:07 - Large

50:08 - multinational corporations and they have an industrial

50:12 - discharge and then that water that gets in the the water

50:15 - and that's a problem

50:16 - and so.

50:18 - I.

50:19 - P face

50:20 - on a hole

50:21 - and

50:22 - it can be effective if used appropriately the problem is

50:26 - it's getting ingested in in human beings and so we want to make sure

50:29 - that we're protecting consumers has as much as we possibly can

50:33 - buy these harmful products if we want to remove them not from everything

50:36 - but from four specific categories from dental products

50:39 - we don't believe there should be a floss because

50:41 - if it breaks and it's in your mouth thick easy the da

50:44 - easily to digest

50:46 - also cosmetic and makeup products

50:48 - how about menstrual products tampons if it's

50:50 - going inside of your body maybe we shouldn't

50:53 - have a chemical that if it breaks down

50:55 - can cause you

50:56 - several cancer or other potential cancers

50:58 - and the last category that we're doing

51:00 - is also in juvenile products think of pacifiers

51:03 - I think

51:04 - products like that if it's going into a baby

51:06 - we don't want these harmful chemicals

51:08 - and and in those four categories

51:11 - so how would this bill work would it prevent

51:14 - products with these chemicals from being sold in Pennsylvania or

51:18 - from being created in Pennsylvania how can Pennsylvania monitor

51:21 - the usage of these chemicals

51:23 - to great question the first

51:24 - this

51:25 - legislation aims to do is raise a level of awareness a lot of folks especially

51:28 - consumers at my brand new father myself

51:31 - have a nine month old I didn't even know that this was

51:33 - that these things were in baby products or that my

51:35 - baby can be exposed to so adding a level of awareness

51:38 - the second thing that this legislation aims to do

51:40 - is to make sure that businesses and corporations

51:43 - are aware that the the

51:44 - the state is watching

51:46 - and we want them to do better you can build these products without p fast it's safer

51:51 - and may cost a little bit more money

51:52 - we want to make sure that consumers have an option so this bill

51:56 - will simply

51:56 - say that hey if you're going to sell those

51:58 - products one we've got to make sure they're labeled

52:00 - and if you're going to sell them here there should be.

52:03 - There should be a level that count ability with respect to manufacturers

52:07 - and the consumers knowing that those products exist.

52:10 - Are there other states with legislation like this in place.

52:14 - There are other states that are considering or have proposed and some like Maine have

52:18 - implemented their own can consumer wide ban on consumer products statewide

52:23 - so there are other sister certainly considering this

52:26 - this is the first bill that has narrowed it down to these four specific categories.

52:31 - Lastly where is this bill in the legislative process currently.

52:36 - Too great question

52:37 - this bill currently I just passed the house commerce committee not too long ago

52:42 - it passed in a bipartisan fashion

52:44 - unanimously

52:45 - across committee

52:47 - and now it awaits for

52:48 - consideration

52:49 - and the full house which we anticipate

52:52 - or hope to have

52:53 - in the the late

52:54 - the fall so hopefully November October

52:57 - November is when we anticipate that this bill will run that's our hope at least

53:01 - representative Greg Scott thank you for joining us.

53:04 - Thank you so much.

53:07 - Thanks to Ellen for that interview

53:09 - before we go

53:10 - here's a reminder about journalists roundtable this week

53:14 - our guests will be nn Janelle a from capitol wire state affairs cat

53:19 - bolus from wv I a

53:22 - and Zach hoops

53:23 - from penn live

53:25 - they'll be here Thursday

53:26 - at sec even pm.

53:28 - That said for the

53:29 - and capital preview on Larry Casper thanks for watching.

53:35 - Hmm.

53:49 - It.


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