Legislation that would promote the construction of environmentally friendly buildings by the Commonwealth has been recently approved by the Pennsylvania House. Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), prime sponsor of the bill said she was pleased to see bipartisan support for the measure that would require construction and renovation projects for state owned or leased buildings to meet higher energy efficiency standards. Mike Davies reports, wrap and stand alone bite available.

Legislation that would impose a severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania was introduced Wednesday by Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery). Harper noted that natural gas severance taxes exist in virtually every other state in which drilling takes place, and that enacting such a tax in Pennsylvania would provide much needed funding to support environmental programs and other pressing needs within the Commonwealth. Mike Davies reports, wrap and stand alone bite available.

As debate on the Marcellus Shale Severance Tax bill continues in Harrisburg, at least one amendment to the legislation was adopted to improve the amount of funding provided for environmental protections. Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) said she is glad that House members saw fit to support her amendment that makes needed changes to the bill. Senate Bill 1155 faces a final vote on the House floor, before the state Senate considers the House amendments. Mike Davies reports – story and cut available.

Legislation to give volunteer fire companies an exemption for the costs of maintaining a sprinkler system in their own firehouse has been introduced in Harrisburg. Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) says she feels local volunteers deserve a break. Harper said a fire chief told her that without an exemption, local volunteers would have to sell as many as 5000 hoagies annually, just to raise enough money to maintain a sprinkler system in their own facility. Chuck Nichols reports – story and cut available.

Development of recreational trail systems in Montgomery and Bucks Counties will get a boost from legislation recently signed into law in Harrisburg. Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) said the bill to allow surplus state land to be used for expanding trails will also make the area more attractive to young professionals seeking outdoor recreational opportunities. Mike Davies reports – story and cut available.