Jul. 29, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) today introduced legislation to establish the Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The office would assist small and medium-sized businesses in complying with environmental statutes, regulations and policies by working with them to determine applicable environmental requirements, as well as conduct training events across the Commonwealth.
“Many small businesses struggle through their first few years of establishment and often don’t have the staff or resources to understand and comply with environmental regulations. The Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention would work side-by-side with these businesses, helping them meet regulations before violations occur and unnecessary fines and penalties are issued,” said Struzzi. “This is good, commonsense legislation that will foster business growth and entrepreneurship while simultaneously helping our businesses act as good stewards of our environment.”
Struzzi noted that his legislation would not confer immunity from enforcement based on information obtained by the office.
“Regulatory and permitting reform is a key component of economic recovery, as we have outlined in our Bringing PA Back initiative’s policy recommendations to put this state on the road to long-term economic success in the wake of the pandemic,” added Gene Barr, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative the regulated community have open lines of communications with DEP to understand how to move forward with projects while stewarding natural resources. The PA Chamber supports this proposal and thanks Rep. Struzzi for its introduction.”
The legislation was introduced as
House Bill 2742.
Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Kevin DiGuiseppe
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