HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) has been reappointed to serve as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session. Yaw has served as chairman of the committee since 2013 and was reappointed to the post by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39).
“As a legislator, I take very seriously my role in advancing measures that I believe will unleash Pennsylvania’s energy potential while improving our environment and protecting it for future generations,” Yaw said. “I thank Sen. Ward for placing her continued trust in me to lead this important committee in the new session.”
The Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has broad jurisdiction over the state’s energy resources and development. This includes regulations and conservation efforts, initiatives related to public lands and their renewable resources, policies impacting surface mining, coal, oil, gas and mineral leasing and broad oversight of air and water resources.
“Sen. Yaw is a proven expert when it comes to environmental and energy policy and I am pleased to reappoint him as chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2025-2026 Senate legislative session,” said Ward. “Pennsylvania is an energy powerhouse, and I am confident under Sen. Yaw’s leadership we can work together to create an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy that will position Pennsylvania’s economy to be more prosperous now and for future generations of Pennsylvanians.”
Yaw’s environmental accomplishments during the previous session include adoption of the following bills:
- Senate Bill 831 of 2023 (Act 87) – Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Primacy Act
- Senate Bill 185 of 2023 (Included in 2024-25 State Budget) – Establishes a mechanism for expanded review of permits.
- Establishment of a $50 million annual recurring investment in the state’s Clean Streams Fund – Included as part of the 2024-25 State Budget.
For Yaw, priorities for the new session include continuing his ongoing work related to responsible energy development and protecting the reliability of the PJM electric grid. Yaw plans to reintroduce his legislation to establish the Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund, create Pennsylvania’s Independent Energy Office, change the name of the Department of Environmental Protection and increase fines to protect the power grid from purposeful damage. Additionally, Yaw will again introduce legislation to give counties and municipalities greater flexibility in addressing obstructions and flood-related hazards in local waterways.
Yaw serves on several related boards and commissions including as vice chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and chair of the Commission’s Pennsylvania delegation, a member of the Environmental Quality Board, a member of the Pennsylvania Aggregate Advisory Board and a member of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280