May 10, 2020 – Issue 107
Gov. Wolf Provides Business
Guidance as Counties Move
to Yellow Phase on May 8
o continue to limit the spread of COVID-19,
Governor Tom Wolf provided guidance
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200504-COVID-19-
Business-Guidance.pdf that details procedures
businesses must follow to conduct in-person
operations in counties slated to move to the yellow
phase of reopening on May 8. All businesses,
including non-profits, permitted to conduct in-
person operations are subject to this guidance. This
guidance is based on the building safety
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/04/20200405-SOH-Building-
Safety-Measures.pdf and business safety
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/04/20200415-SOH-worker-
safety-order.pdf orders, under which nearly all life-
sustaining businesses have been operating during
the red phase.
"Businesses in the 24 counties that may reopen
beginning May 8 must take precautions to protect
their employees, their employees' families, and their
communities," Gov. Wolf said. "First and foremost,
businesses that have been operating using telework
must continue to do so to prevent the spreading of
COVID-19 until the stay-at-home and business
closure orders are fully lifted when we enter a
"green" phase.
"All businesses, but especially those that were
closed completely during the red phase under the
business closure orders, need to carefully review
this guidance and commit to ensuring the health and
safety of their employees and their communities."
Under the yellow phase of reopening, life-
sustaining businesses that could not conduct either
all or part of their operations via telework will
continue to conduct their operations in-person, and
many non-life sustaining businesses will be
permitted to restart their in-person operations
through the loosening of some restrictions under the
stay-at-home and business closure orders.
In counties that have been designated as in the
yellow phase, all businesses, except those categories
specifically listed as remaining closed in the
governor's Plan to Reopen Pennsylvania
https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-
pennsylvania/, are permitted to conduct in-person
operations, as long as they strictly adhere to the
requirements of the guidance.
The guidance includes specific information on
cleaning and disinfecting premises, limiting the
number of employees in common areas and
customers on premises, providing masks and
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sanitizing supplies for employees, installing shields
or other barriers at registers and checkout areas to
physically separate cashiers and customers, and
creating a plan in case a business is exposed to a
probable or confirmed case of COVID-19, among
other provisions.
The full guidance can be found here
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200504-COVID-19-
Business-Guidance.pdf.
Businesses that have questions about whether
this guidance applies to them may contact the
Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-
877-724-3258).
Source: Governor Wolf's Press Office, 5/4/2020
Gov. Wolf Announces 13
Counties will Move to Yellow
Phase of Reopening on May
15
n May 8, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf
announced 13 Pennsylvania counties will
move to the yellow phase of reopening at
12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 15. Those counties
include Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Blair,
Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Indiana,
Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.
On May 1, the governor announced the 24
counties https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/g
ov-wolf-announces-reopening-of-24-counties-
beginning-may-8/ moving into the yellow phase of
reopening beginning today. And, last evening, he
and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed
new orders
https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-
sec-of-health-take-actions-on-stay-at-home-orders-
issue-yellow-phase-orders/ - one for yellow phase
reopening and one to extend the red phase counties'
stay-at-home order, which was set to expire last
night, to June 4. The red phase stay-at-home order
extension does not mean that other counties won't
move to the yellow phase in advance of June 4.
"The reopening plan prioritizes the health and
welfare of Pennsylvanians by using a combination
of factors to gauge how much movement a location
can tolerate before the 2019 novel coronavirus
becomes a threat," Gov. Wolf said "I'd like to
emphasize that this plan is not a one-way route. We
are closely monitoring the 24 counties in the yellow
phase and will re-impose restrictions if danger
arises."
Gov. Wolf reminded residents and business
owners that yellow means caution and that everyone
needs to continue to be mindful of their actions and
how they affect not only themselves, but their
families, friends and community.
"Every contact between two people is a new link
in the chain of potential transmission," Wolf said.
"And if the new case count begins to climb in one
area, restrictions will need to be imposed to prevent
local medical facilities from becoming
overwhelmed. So, Pennsylvanians should continue
to make good choices."
Law enforcement remains focused on achieving
voluntary compliance through education, but
citations are possible for violators depending on the
specific circumstances of an investigation.
In addition to the possible criminal penalties
levied by law enforcement, there may be additional
licensing consequences for violators, in part,
through complaints filed by employees on the
Department of Health portal that allows any
employee who feels their employer is not providing
a safe work environment to fill out an online form.
The Department of Health vets the complaints
and investigates internally or sends the complaint to
the appropriate state agency for investigation. For
example, restaurant complaints are handled by the
Department of Agriculture, which inspects those
facilities; complaints about nursing homes are
handled by the Department of Health, which
inspects and licenses those facilities. Other involved
agencies are the departments of State and Labor &
Industry.
Concerns about a business reopening that may be
in violation of stay-at-home or yellow phase orders
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should be made to local law enforcement non-
emergency numbers or a local elected official.
Read Gov. Wolf's Plan for PA here
https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-
pennsylvania/.
Read business guidance here
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200504-COVID-19-
Business-Guidance.pdf.
Read CDC guidance for child care centers here
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-
childcare.html.
Read FAQs here
https://www.scribd.com/document/452553495/UPD
ATED-5-30-PM-May-8-2020-Life-Sustaining-
Business-FAQs.
View the Carnegie Mellon University Risk-
Based Decision Support Tool here
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200508-CMU-Risk-
Based-Decision-Support-Tool-05-07-2020.pdf.
Source: Governor Wolf's Press Office, 5/8/2020
Gov. Wolf, Sec. of Health
Take Actions on Stay-at-
Home Orders, Issue Yellow
Phase Orders
ith the April 1 statewide stay-at-home
orders set to expire tonight at midnight,
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of
Health Dr. Rachel Levine today extended the orders
for all counties in red, and signed new orders for the
24 counties moving to yellow at 12:01 a.m.
tomorrow morning, May 8.
The extended stay-at-home order remains the
same as the original statewide stay-at-home order
announced on April 1
https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-
sec-of-health-pennsylvania-on-statewide-stay-at-
home-order-beginning-at-8-pm-tonight-most-
prudent-option-to-stop-the-spread/, which was set to
expire tonight at midnight and is now extended to
June 4. The yellow phase order provides guidance
for those counties entering the yellow phase of
reopening tomorrow.
The yellow phase order applies to these 24
counties: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion,
Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest,
Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer,
Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan,
Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.
The yellow phase order also addresses the
limited reopening of businesses in the yellow phase,
detailing those businesses previously deemed non-
life-sustaining as being permitted to reopen if they
follow the guidance for safety for staff, customers,
and facility. The guidance for businesses can be
found here https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200504-COVID-19-
Business-Guidance.pdf.
FAQs for businesses in each phase can be
found here
https://www.scribd.com/document/452553495/UPD
ATED-9-00-AM-May-7-2020-Life-Sustaining-
Business-FAQs.
CDC guidance on child care that reopens
under the yellow phase is here
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-
childcare.html.
Governor's Stay-at-Home Amendment
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200507-TWW-Stay-at-
Home-Order-Amendment.pdf
Health Secretary's Stay-at-Home Amendment
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200507-SOH-Stay-at-
Home-Order-Amendment.pdf
Governor's Yellow Phase Order
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200507-TWW-Yellow-
Phase-Order.pdf
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Health Secretary's Yellow Phase Order
https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/20200507-SOH-Yellow-
Phase-Order.pdf
Source: Governor Wolf's Press Office, 5/7/2020
House Leaders Urge
Governor to Lift Restrictions
ouse Republican leaders issued the
following statement in response to Gov.
Tom Wolf's reopening announcement
today:
"Millions of Pennsylvanians are sitting at home
out of work, while their children are not being
properly educated, and their loved ones in nursing
homes are still not being adequately protected by
the state.
"The governor's go-it-alone approach continues
to unfairly impact Pennsylvanians who want
nothing more than to abide by Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention guidelines and provide for
their families. Pennsylvanians deserve the
opportunity to protect themselves without having
the government shutting down their livelihoods any
longer.
"The counties fortunate enough to be deemed
'yellow' today, despite meeting the newly formed
guidelines weeks ago, will only now start the
pathway to recovering from an economic disaster
they could have avoided if given the opportunity
sooner. Meanwhile, residents in 'red' counties
continue to suffer under the plague of not just a
pandemic, but a state unemployment system that is
cracking under immense pressure.
"The governor has continuously said the timeline
for Pennsylvanians is being determined by the virus.
Well, we cannot wait any longer for the 'virus' to
return our calls.
"Pennsylvanians have passed the test and
flattened the curve.
"Testing for those on the front lines, along with
those interacting with the most vulnerable
populations, is the key to resuming our lives, not a
color-coded map.
"We will continue to push for expanded and
effective testing so we can truly know where our
state's resources should be best used to defeat the
virus, and allow Pennsylvanians to get back to
work, school and places of worship"
Source: House Republican Communications,
5/8/2020
Wolf Administration
Provides Guidance for
Buildings Closed During
COVID-19
s businesses in counties enter the Yellow
Phase of the state's reopening plan, the
Pennsylvania departments of
Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH)
are encouraging owners and operators of dormant
buildings to flush building water systems prior to
reopening. Buildings that have been closed or used
less frequently for an extended period of time may
experience problems with water quality due to
stagnation.
"As buildings have been shut down or used less
frequently as a result of COVID-19 mitigation
efforts, building water quality degradation becomes
a silent but serious issue," said DEP Secretary
Patrick McDonnell. "Legionella, pathogens, lead,
and disinfection byproducts can result when water
sits for an extended period of time, which may lead
to health issues."
In the days leading up to reopening, the
following recommendations and considerations
should be made, and a team of facilities staff or a
water management consultant will be needed to
prepare the water system.
"As we carefully and intentionally determine
which businesses are safe to reopen, we must also
make sure they reopen in a manner that is protective
of employees and customers," said Health Secretary
Dr. Rachel Levine.
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Buildings that have been closed or used less
frequently should consider the following measures:
Develop a flushing plan
Identify where the water enters the building, all
taps (faucets, shower heads, water fountains),
and water-using devices (dishwashers, ice
machines)
Remove any potential cross connections, such
as hoses connected to spigots, to prevent
backflow into plumbing systems
Remove aerators when possible
Flush the entire building
Flush cold water lines before hot water lines
Flush the building zone by zone, beginning
where the water enters the building and moving
outward towards the distal ends
Flushing time will vary based on building size; a
temperature change or chlorine smell may be
used as indicators that fresh water has reached
all fixtures within the building
Clean faucets, shower heads, and other fixtures
Inspect and conduct necessary maintenance on
mechanical equipment such as water heaters,
boilers, storage tanks, backflow prevention
devices, etc. using manufacturer's instructions
Consider developing an ongoing water
management plan to maintain high quality water
at all times
For more information on building water systems
and flushing, please visit the CDC website
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/php/building-water-system.html.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit
the PA Department of Health website
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavir
us/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.
Source: DEP Press Release, 5/8/2020
Limited Services Available
May 8 at Three PennDOT
Driver License Centers in
Yellow Phase Counties
n May 8, 2020, the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
announced that beginning May 8, 2020, the
first three Driver License Centers in yellow phase
counties will reopen, adhering to restrictions on
work and social interaction set by Governor Tom
Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
"PennDOT’s driver and photo license centers are
some of Pennsylvania government’s highest public
touch points, and it was critical that these locations
close in accordance with Governor Wolf’s stay-at-
home order, for the safety of our staff and
customers," said Acting PennDOT Secretary
Yassmin Gramian. "We are pleased to begin
reopening these locations, with safety protocols in
place."
Beginning Friday, May 8, the following driver
license centers will reopen with limited services:
Erie Driver and Photo License Center, 7200
Peach Street, Suite 480, Erie;
Selinsgrove Driver and Photo License Center,
1015 Route 522, Selinsgrove; and
Williamsport Driver and Photo License Center,
1782 East Third Street, Williamsport.
Hours of operation at all these Driver License
Centers will be Tuesday through Saturday from
8:30 AM to 4:15 PM Wednesday and Thursday
between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM will be designated
times for customers 60 years or older.
Additional Driver License and Photo License
Centers will reopen in yellow phase counties in the
next few days. As the centers open, they will offer
limited services. Customers will be able to obtain
the following services as they plan their visit to one
of these centers:
Commercial Driver License (CDL) transactions,
including renewals, replacements, Medical
Examiner’s Certificates (MECs), date of proof
transactions, Hazardous Material
Recertifications, and related transactions;
Initial issuance transactions, including out-of-
state transfers, ID card issuance, and related
transactions;
Photo license services;
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Driver license restoration services that cannot be
completed online or via mail;
Medical-related testing; and
Non-U.S. citizen transaction processing.
Customers seeking renewal of their non-
commercial license or ID should renew online or by
mail to avoid an unnecessary visit to the Driver
License Center.
In an effort to support social distancing and
reduce initial volume and demand at driver license
centers, the following customer services will not be
initially available:
Non-commercial road testing;
REAL ID applications and transactions,
however, pre-verified customers can apply for
REAL ID online; and
Transactions or services that can be completed
online at https://dmv.pa.gov/.
In all reopened driver license centers, the
following COVID-19 safety protocols will be in
place:
Customers will be prescreened and asked brief
questions regarding any potential symptoms of
COVID-19;
Customers will be requested to wear masks
while in the facility;
Seating will be reduced at all Driver License
Centers to make social distancing easier to
maintain six feet distances between each seat;
The number of customers will be limited to
correspond with available counter stations and
available seating in the customer waiting area
only;
Admittance to the facility will be limited to only
the customer requiring service, unless assistance
is needed by an accompanying person;
Plexiglass sneeze guards have been installed at
each counter to protect customers and
employees;
Cleaning protocols have been enhanced to
sanitize facilities on an ongoing basis; and
Markings on floors have been added to assist
with social distancing along with signage to
communicate special instructions to customers.
As PennDOT reopens Driver License and Photo
License Centers, services will be in high demand,
and customers should expect longer than normal
waits. PennDOT staff will work with each customer
when they arrive to plan their visit, with additional
staff serving as greeters to screen documents and
provide information for a smooth and safe
transaction as possible. PennDOT apologizes for
this inconvenience and appreciates customers’
understanding during this transition.
Customers may continue to complete various
transactions and access multiple resources online
at http://www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle
online services are available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and include driver's license, photo ID
and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history
services; changes of address; driver license and
vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay
driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee;
and driver license and photo ID duplicates. There
are no additional fees for using online services.
PennDOT will continue to evaluate these
processes and will continue to reopen other
locations as soon as safely possible. We will
continue to communicate any reopening and
changes with the public.
More COVID-19 information is available at
https://www.health.pa.gov/. For more information,
visit https://dmv.pa.gov/ or https://penndot.gov/.
Source: PennDOT Press Release, 5/8/2020
Limited Services Available at
Additional PennDOT Driver
License and Photo License
Centers in Yellow Phase
Counties
n May 8, 2020, the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
announced that beginning May 9, 2020,
additional Driver License and Photo License
Centers in yellow phase counties will reopen,
adhering to restrictions on work and social
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interaction set by Governor Tom Wolf and the
Pennsylvania Department of Health.
These re-openings are in addition to those
previously announced
https://www.penndot.gov/pages/all-news-
details.aspx?newsid=726 on May 7, 2020.
Beginning Saturday, May 9, the following
Driver License Centers will reopen with limited
services:
Bradford Driver and Photo License Center, 68
Chestnut St, Bradford;
Clearfield Driver and Photo License Center,
Clearfield Mall, 1800 Daisy Street. Unit 380,
Clearfield;
Meadville Driver and Photo License Center,
16942 Patricia Drive, Meadville;
Mercer Driver and Photo License Center, 519B
Greenville Road, Mercer;
Monroeton Driver and Photo License Center, 60
Chiola Lane, Suite 101, Towanda;
New Castle Driver and Photo License Center,
973 Old Youngstown Road, New Castle;
Punxsutawney Driver and Photo License Center,
547 West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney; and
Rockview Driver and Photo License Center, 812
West College Avenue, Pleasant Gap.
Hours of operation at the above locations will be
Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15
PM, and Wednesday and Thursday between 8:30
AM and 10:30 AM will be designated times for
customers 60 years or older.
As the Driver License Centers open, they will
offer limited services. Customers will be able to
obtain the following services as they plan their visit
to one of these centers:
Commercial Driver License (CDL) transactions,
including renewals, replacements, Medical
Examiner’s Certificates (MECs), date of proof
transactions, Hazardous Material
Recertifications, and related transactions;
Initial issuance transactions, including out-of-
state transfers, ID card issuance, and related
transactions;
Photo license services;
Driver license restoration services that cannot be
completed online or via mail;
Medical-related testing; and
Non-U.S. citizen transaction processing.
The following Photo License Centers will open
on starting May 9:
Danville, 308 Railroad Street, Danville,
PA 17821, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30
AM to 4:15 PM;
Laporte, Main Street, Laporte, PA 18626;
Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 4:15
PM;
Lewisburg, 130 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, PA
17837; Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to
4:15 PM;
McElhattan, 1 Outlet Lane, Suite 312, Lock
Haven, PA 17745; Wednesday and Saturday
from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM; and
Tionesta, 668 Elm Street, Tionesta, PA 16353;
Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 4:15
PM.
The following Photo License Center will open
on Monday, May 11:
DuBois, 1203 East Dubois Avenue, Suite 2,
Dubois, PA 15801; Monday through Friday
from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Photo License Centers process photos only, and
individuals must have a camera card for this
service.
For a list of driver license and photo license
centers that will be open during the yellow phase, as
well as their hours of operation, please visit
https://dmv.pa.gov/.
Customers seeking renewal of their non-
commercial license or ID should renew online or by
mail to avoid an unnecessary visit to the Driver
License Center.
In an effort to support social distancing and
reduce initial volume and demand at driver license
centers, the following customer services will not be
initially available:
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Non-commercial road testing;
REAL ID applications and transactions,
however, pre-verified customers can apply for
REAL ID online; and
Transactions or services that can be completed
online at https://dmv.pa.gov/.
In all reopened driver license centers, the
following COVID-19 safety protocols will be in
place:
Customers will be prescreened and asked brief
questions regarding any potential symptoms of
COVID-19;
Customers will be required to wear masks while
in the facility, but must remove them for any
photo services;
Seating will be reduced at all Driver License
Centers to make social distancing easier to
maintain six feet distances between each seat;
The number of customers will be limited to
correspond with available counter stations and
available seating in the customer waiting area
only;
Admittance to the facility will be limited to only
the customer requiring service, unless assistance
is needed by an accompanying person;
Plexiglass sneeze guards have been installed at
each counter to protect customers and
employees;
Cleaning protocols have been enhanced to
sanitize facilities on an ongoing basis; and
Markings on floors have been added to assist
with social distancing along with signage to
communicate special instructions to customers.
As PennDOT reopens Driver License and Photo
License Centers, services will be in high demand,
and customers should expect longer than normal
waits. PennDOT staff will work with each customer
when they arrive to plan their visit, with additional
staff serving as greeters to screen documents and
provide information for a smooth and safe
transaction as possible. PennDOT apologizes for
this inconvenience and appreciates customers’
understanding during this transition.
Customers may continue to complete various
transactions and access multiple resources online
at https://dmv.pa.gov/. Driver and vehicle online
services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week and include driver's license, photo ID and
vehicle registration renewals; driver-history
services; changes of address; driver license and
vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay
driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee;
and driver license and photo ID duplicates. There
are no additional fees for using online services.
PennDOT will continue to evaluate these
processes and will continue to reopen other
locations as soon as safely possible. We will
continue to communicate any reopening and
changes with the public.
More COVID-19 information is available at
https://www.health.pa.gov/. For more information,
visit https://dmv.pa.gov/ or
https://www.penndot.gov/.
Source: PennDOT Press Release, 5/8/2020
PUC to Hold Telephonic
Damage Prevention
Committee Meeting on May
12
he Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
(PUC) will hold a telephonic meeting of the
Damage Prevention Committee (DPC) on
Tuesday, May 12, at 9 a.m.
The meeting agenda
http://www.puc.pa.gov/transport/gassafe/pdf/DPC_
Agendas/2020/DPC051220.pdf is available on the
PUC's website.
Under the unique circumstances presented by the
COVID-19 pandemic, conducting public meetings
and other routine Commission business
telephonically - to help minimize non-essential
personal social contact - is consistent with the
Governor's Proclamation of Disaster Emergency
and the requirements of the Public Utility Code.
About the DPC
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The DPC is a peer-based group of 13
representatives, nominated by their industry or
affiliated organization and appointed by the PUC.
Creation of the committee was authorized by Act 50
of 2017
http://www.puc.pa.gov/about_puc/press_releases.as
px?ShowPR=3918, which enhances Pennsylvania's
Underground Utility Line Protection Act - also
known as the "One Call Law."
Modeled after successful programs in other
states, the focus of the DPC is to reduce the number
of "hits" on underground lines and utilities.
The DPC meets regularly to review alleged
violations of Act 50 and make informal
determinations as to the appropriate response
including, but not limited to, the issuance of
warning letters, mandatory training programs and/or
administrative penalties. The DPC holds public
meetings in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth
Keystone Building in Harrisburg. Each meeting is
livestreamed on the PUC's website
http://www.puc.pa.gov/about_puc/live_streaming_v
ideo.aspx where summaries of actions
http://www.puc.pa.gov/utility_industry/transportatio
n/pa_one_call_enforcement/dpc_agendas_Actions.a
spx taken at those meetings also can be viewed.
Digging Safety - PA One Call
Every year, underground lines across the state
are struck more than 6,000 times - which means that
during the average workday a pipeline or other vital
utility system is hit every 20 minutes. While
underground lines are often "out of sight and out of
mind," every hit poses a risk to the contractors and
homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility
workers and emergency responders who are
mobilized when lines are struck; and to bystanders
who live, work or travel near the locations of the
incidents.
State law requires contractors and residents to
contact PA One Call
https://www.pa1call.org/PA811/Public/ at least
three business days prior to excavation - triggering
alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area
and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities
are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to
connect with the One Call system, while out-of-
state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-
1776.
About the Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement
As the independent investigation and
enforcement bureau of the PUC, I&E enforces state
and federal pipeline safety and motor carrier safety
laws and regulations and represents the public
interest in ratemaking and service matters before the
PUC's Office of Administrative Law Judge. I&E
has the authority to bring enforcement action, seek
emergency orders from the Commission or take
other steps to ensure public safety.
Source: PUC Press Release, 5/7/2020
SRBC to Hold Public
Hearing on Water Project
Applications and
Comprehensive Plan
Written comments accepted through May 27, 2020
he Susquehanna River Basin Commission
(SRBC) will receive public comment at a
hearing on Thursday, May 14, 2020. The
subjects covered by the hearing include applications
for several water withdrawals including three
Commission-initiated project approval
modifications. The Commission will also accept
testimony on amendments to the Comprehensive
Plan for the Water Resources of the Susquehanna
River Basin that will incorporate 2019-2020
projects into the Plan.
The SRBC Commissioners are scheduled to vote
on these and other action items at their next
business meeting on June 19, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the relevant
orders in place in the Commission's member
jurisdictions, the Commission will hold this meeting
telephonically. The hearing will begin at 2:30 p.m.
and end at 5 p.m. or when public testimony
concludes, whichever comes first.
Members of the public who are planning to
present oral testimony at the public hearing are
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encouraged to notify SRBC prior to the hearing of
their intent and to indicate the subject of their
comment. The notices are to be directed to Jason E.
Oyler, General Counsel and Secretary to the
Commission, Susquehanna River Basin
Commission, 4423 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA
17110, Telephone: (717) 238-0423, ext. 1312, Fax:
(717) 238-2436 or [email protected].
The list of 9 project applications along with
options for submitting comments electronically are
all available on SRBC's Public Hearing webpage
https://www.srbc.net/about/meetings-events/public-
hearing.html. SRBC will accept written comments
until May 27, 2020. Comments may be submitted
electronically through SRBC's Meetings & Events
webpage https://www.srbc.net/about/meetings-
events/ or emailed or faxed to Mr. Oyler.
Source: SRBC Press Release, 5/7/2020
State Board for Certification
of Sewage Enforcement
Officers Rescheduled
Meeting
he Department of Environmental
Protection’s State Board for Certification of
Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting
scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2020, has been
rescheduled to Wednesday, July 15, 2020. The
July 15, 2020, meeting will be held as a virtual
meeting and will begin at 10 a.m. Information on
how to join the meeting, as well as agenda and
meeting materials, will be available here
https://www.dep.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
Additional information can be found on the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Source: Pennsylvania Bulletin, 5/8/2020
http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?f
ile=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol50/50-19/641.html
State Board for Certification
of Sewage Enforcement
Officers; Update to
Certification Examination
Schedule
he Department of Environmental
Protection’s State Board for Certification of
Sewage Enforcement Officers updated the
certification examination schedule for the remainder
of 2020. The May 15, 2020, examination has been
rescheduled to Friday, June 26, 2020.
Examination applications may be obtained by
contacting the Department of Environmental
Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building,
400 Market Street, PO Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA
17105-8774, (717) 772-2186.
Additional information can be found on the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Source: Pennsylvania Bulletin, 5/8/2020
http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?f
ile=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol50/50-19/642.html
EQB Virtual Meeting
he Environmental Quality Board meeting
scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2020, will
be held as a virtual meeting and will begin at
9 a.m. Information on how to join the meeting, as
well as agenda and meeting materials, will be
available here
https://www.dep.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
Additional information can be found on the
Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Source: Pennsylvania Bulletin, 5/8/2020
http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?f
ile=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol50/50-19/647.html
Governor’s Office Updates
List of Regulations in
Development by State
Agencies
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he Governor’s Office posted an update to the
Regulatory Agenda which includes an
agency-by-agency listing of regulations in
development by state agencies in the May 9 PA
Bulletin (PA Bulletin page 2481
http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pabulletin
/data/vol50/50-19/50-19.pdf).
The purpose of the Agenda is to provide the
public and stakeholders an early warning of issues
being considered by state agencies so they can get
involved in the public participation process.
The Agenda is the result of Executive Order
1996-1 issued by Gov. Tom Ridge.
The Department of Environmental Protection
posts its own Regulatory Agenda
https://www.dep.pa.gov/PublicParticipation/Enviro
nmentalQuality/Pages/Regulatory-Update.aspx that
is updated frequently.
DEP also posts a similar list of technical
guidance documents in the development process in
a Non-Regulatory Agenda
http://www.depgreenport.state.pa.us/elibrary/GetDo
cument?docId=1466113&DocName=DEP%20NO
N-
REGULATORY%20AGENDA.PDF%20%20%3Cs
pan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3
E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%
22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspa
n%3E .
These agendas include an agency contact person
and an approximate schedule for consideration in
the public participation process.
Regulations in Process
Just some of the environment-related regulations
in development include:
Dept. of Agriculture
Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase
Program
Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources
Snowmobile & ATV Grants
Environmental Hearing Board
Practice & Procedures Update
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Water Supply Replacement Surface Coal
Mining
Coal Refuse Disposal Revisions
Environmental Performance Standards For
Conventional Oil & Gas Wells
Land Recycling Program Update - PFOS
Standard
Water Quality Standard for Manganese
Water Quality & NPDES Permit Review Fees
Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Encroachments
Air Quality Permit Review Fees
Control Of VOC Emissions From Oil & Natural
Gas Sources
Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power
Plants
Source: PA Environmental Digest Blog, 5/8/2020
House Approves Bill to
Restore RTK Offices and
Provide Data
n May 5, 2020, the House approved Rep.
Seth Grove's (R-Dover) House Bill 2463
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo
.cfm?sYear=2019&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=
2463 to require state agencies to answer questions
from the public, and particularly the media, during
emergency declarations. The legislation now goes
to the Senate for approval.
In response to the House vote, Grove issued the
following statement:
"Government transparency cannot stop during
times of crisis. The people have the right to petition
their government and the media has the right to
question government officials.
"Unfortunately, Gov. Tom Wolf has taken the
opportunity afforded to him by the COVID-19 crisis
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to allow state agencies to not answer right-to-know
requests (RTK) by the media and the general public
as required by law. This is unacceptable. The people
and the press have a right to question the
government and, equally important, to receive
answers to their questions.
"House Bill 2463 would require state agencies to
respond to RTK requests. Under the bill, if an
agency has been forced to close its physical
location, it must follow procedures established by
the nonpartisan Office of Open Records (OOR).
These procedures must take into consideration the
difficulties faced by Commonwealth agencies due
to COVID-19 and any potential future emergency
declarations to establish fair policies for responding
to an RTK request.
"The administration's reaction to the crisis has
been marred with controversy and has generated
serious questions. It has been nearly impossible to
get answers to any of the questions because
agencies simply are not answering them. I hope
House Bill 2463 is passed by the Senate and signed
into law to provide the people with an answer to
their questions.
"I appreciate the American Civil Liberties Union
for recognizing this issue and for its support of the
bill."
Source: Rep. Seth Grove Press Release, 5/5/2020
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This newsletter provides general information,
not legal advice as to any specific matter. It
should not be used as a substitute for appropriate
legal advice.
