PALCV PRESS RELEASE: House Environmental Committee Full of Potential

Harrisburg, PA - After a tumultuous start to the 191st session of the

General Assembly, it appears the House of Representatives is ready to return

to a more open government with a healthier and better utilized committee

system.

"We're pleased to see a diverse group of legislators tapped to serve on the

House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee," said Michael Fedor,

executive director of the Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters. "In

the coming weeks, we'll be unveiling our priorities for conservation in

Pennsylvania. I'm looking forward to working with each member of the

committee on those priorities."

Facts about the new Environmental Resources and Energy Committee:

- Majority Chairman Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) has a career

environmental score of 83 and was listed as a champion for conservation in

2005-06.

- Minority Chairman Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) has a career

environmental score of 19 and was listed as a worst offender on the

environment in 2005-06.

- 11 members of the committee were endorsed by PALCV-PAC in 2004 or 2006.

- Of the 20 veteran legislators on the committee, 13 have career scores

better than 50% on the environment.

- 9 members of the committee are new to the legislature this year.

- Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong) is the only member of the committee with a

career score of 0 on the environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Majority Chairman:

Camille "Bud" George

Majority Secretary:

Scott Conklin

Subcommittee Chair-Energy:

Michael Gerber

Subcommittee Chair-Mining:

James Wansacz

Subcommittee Chair-Parks & Forests:

John Yudichak

Lisa Bennington

Michael Carroll

Eugene DePasquale

Robert Freeman

John Hornaman

Daylin Leach

David Levdansky

Jennifer Mann

Michael McGeehan

Tim Seip

Greg Vitali

Minority Chairman:

Scott Hutchinson

Martin Causer

Garth Everett

Kate Harper

Ronald Miller

Jay Moyer

Jeffrey Pyle

Kathy Rapp

Dave Reed

Chris Ross

Carole Rubley

Richard Stevenson

Randy Vulakovich

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The Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters is the political arm of the

Pennsylvania environmental community. PALCV is a non-profit with a mission

to educate Pennsylvania voters about the environmental records and positions

of elected officials and to help elect pro-environment candidates to office.

Visit the web site at