Nov. 19, 2019
HARRISBURG – Legislation to remove local surcharges that ratepayers and taxpayers have been paying for clean water is on its way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law, said Rep. Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks), who co-sponsored the legislation.
“I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation that would not only provide clean water but also come at no expense to those who consume it,” said Polinchock. “It is completely unacceptable that our communities are paying to have their water decontaminated when the federal government created this issue.”
House Bill 1410 would redirect state tax revenue generated on and around the prior Willow Grove Naval Air Station to create a new municipal authority that would be responsible for the funds to eliminate local surcharges, while also decontaminating the water and working to redevelop the former military base to make the land viable again.
This legislation would also direct funds to PennVEST so they are able to create a program that would address harmful chemicals in water across the entire Commonwealth.
In 2006, the federal government closed the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Montgomery County. During the process, the surrounding areas declined in environmental quality and the federal government recognized communities within Montgomery and Bucks County now had contaminated water due to the use of firefighting foam at the military base.
House Bill 1410 now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Representative Todd Polinchock
144th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepPolinchock.com /
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