MONROE CO. (WOLF) — Sunday’s roundtable discussion was centered around addressing Northeastern Pennsylvania issues and how Rep. Bresnahan plans to work with the Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the need for balanced regulations that consider both environmental and economic concerns.
“We want to be smart about any regulations coming out of the federal government, ensuring we heed the calls of the American public demanding smart policy, commonsense, and pragmatism. Even if you are an agency like the EPA, where your core mission is protecting human health and the environment, you can’t be out of touch with the concerns across America and the state of this economy,” said Zeldin.
One of the major points of discussion was property rights and drilling regulations within the Delaware River Basin Commission.
State Senator Lisa Baker and Representative John Fritz both raised concerns over what they see as unfair policies.
“The unfairness and the taking of property rights from landowners in the Delaware Basin Commission in Wayne County,” said Senator Baker.
‘I’m saying yes to drilling in two of those, but in the third, the Delaware River Basin, we’re saying no. It just speaks to this fundamental unfairness. If it’s safe enough to be done in two river basins, why not in the third? It deprives people of their property rights and speaks glaringly of hypocrisy,” said Rep. Fritz.
When asked about potentially joining the Delaware River Watershed Caucus, Representative Bresnahan expressed openness to exploring collaborative efforts.
“There’s a pragmatic way that all of the different things we spoke about today could be achieved. I’d be happy to look into that different caucus and find different opportunities for that, because I think there’s going to be incredible opportunities to invest and coinhabit the Delaware River Basin,” said Rep. Bresnahan.
Another major concern raised was stormwater fees – charges imposed on property owners to fund local stormwater management programs. Some in attendance questioned whether these fees should be federally mandated.
“My concern is, is it going to continue to be a federal mandate and an unfunded federal mandate to do this and why doesn’t everybody have to participate if that’s the case?” said Rep. Brenda Pugh.