Protecting Our Environment
From voting to protect our natural resources to supporting our nation’s first increase in fuel efficiency standards in more than 30 years, protecting our environment is one of Congressman Gerlach’s top priorities. As a vocal advocate for establishing a balance between growth and development, Congressman Gerlach has been a consistent voice for preserving open space and farmland, ensuring the purity of our air and reducing traffic congestion on our roadways.
Open Space and Farmland Preservation
In rapidly-developing areas like Southeastern Pennsylvania, one of the most pressing challenges facing this region is figuring out ways to preserve our pristine farm lands and open spaces. Without open spaces to collect and absorb storm water runoff, flooding and pollution could become major concerns.
House Land Conservation Caucus Co-Chair
Congressman Gerlach is a Co-Chair of the Land Conservation Caucus. The Caucus seeks to educate Members of Congress and their staffs about issues of importance to the conservation and preservation of open space and to encourage policy that promotes this end in order to preserve the beauty and regional charms of our country, maintain clean air and clean water, and promote the public health of our communities.
H.R. 1152, Open Space and Farmland Preservation Act
Congressman Gerlach has introduced H.R.1152, the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Act, which would establish a federal challenge grant program to give local communities and governments more power to purchase land development easements. Similar to programs already in place in many Pennsylvania communities, the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Act would provide matching federal dollars for preservation efforts that are already receiving state and local funds.
Tax Incentive for Conservation Easements
Congressman Gerlach is a stalwart supporter of the federal tax incentive for conservation easements that allow landowners to donate their land for preservation purposes. Jim co-sponsored H.R. 1156 to make permanent an important tax incentive that encourages the purchase of conservation easements – a tool supported by groups such as the North American Land Trust in Chadds Ford, Penna.
The Farm Bill enacted earlier in 2008 included a provision to do just that.
The legislation Congressman Gerlach helped enact will increase Investment in conservation programs to $7.9 billion, which is a roughly 33 percent increase over current funding levels. The five-year Farm Bill also will help with the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay, providing $188 million per year to Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Virginia.
Keeping our Air Clean
Clean air is a vital to protecting our public health and a key issue in the suburban areas of Southeastern PA. From introducing measures to combat highway congestion and car pollution to fighting TCE emissions in Montgomery County, Congressman Gerlach remains committed to preserving air quality for his constituents.
Fighting TCE Emissions in Collegeville, Montgomery County
Since the January 2007 discovery of excess trichloroethylene (TCE) levels in Collegeville, PA, Congressman Gerlach has pressured the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update their TCE regulations and has been deeply involved in mediations between the EPA and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about the issue.
This controversy arose from an Environmental Protection Agency regulation regarding the National Air Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants that exempts three industry sectors from tough emission limitations. Local companies like Superior Tube and Accelent, which are both narrow tube industrial degreasing companies, fall under this exemption.
In January 2008, Congressman Gerlach praised the EPA’s announcement that it is providing $ 269,166 to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to help them expand their efforts to test air samplings in the Collegeville region. The decision follows requests by Congressman Gerlach and other elected officials and residents following the numerous reports of higher than normal readings of TCE near Superior Tube facility over the past year.
On February 13, 2008, Superior Tube Company announced it will phase out use of the chemical. Accellent has made no plans public to eliminate TCE, but has announced it is currently installing the second of two carbon adsorption units at its plant which has the potential to reduce its TCE emissions by as much as 95 percent, according to the Pennsylvania DEP.
H.R. 2296, the Future Fuels Act
Congressman Gerlach introduced H.R.2296, the proposed Future Fuels Act. The bill includes provisions to encourage development of increasingly fuel efficient, advanced technology vehicles, which promise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants. The bill would also create the following innovative pilot projects to reduce vehicle miles traveled and highway congestion:
- Highway Congestion Tolling Evaluation Study
Evaluate projects in at least six metropolitan areas to determine how technology can best be applied to assess mileage-based road user changes on major highways at peak-commuting times to reduce oil usage.
- Parking Cash-Out Evaluation Project -- A national evaluation project to assess how offering commuters the option to receive the cash value of their workplace parking place, if any, instead of free parking can reduce oil usage.
Combating Climate Change
Congressman Gerlach believes we have a responsibility as legislators and citizens to reduce our imprint on the Earth and reverse the effects of science-based climate change for both current and future generations. He also believes we must do this in a manner that successfully balances long-term environmental goals with the needs of America’s economy.
Improved Fuel Efficiency Standards
On December 18, 2007, Congressman Gerlach voted in support of H.R.6, the Energy Independence and Security Act, which was signed by the President the following day. This important piece of legislation provided the first increase in the automobile fuel economy standards in more than 30 years, requiring cars and light trucks to achieve a fuel efficiency standard of 27.5 mpg by 2012, followed by an increase to 35 mpg for model year 2018 automobiles.
The improved fuel economy standards will reduce global warming pollution by almost 200 million metric tons per year in 2020. They will also save at least 1.1 million of barrels of oil a day in 2020 and save consumers $22 billion at the pump every year starting in 2020.
H.R.4226, the Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007
Congressman Gerlach is a cosponsor of H.R.4226, the proposed Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007, which was introduced in a bipartisan effort. The bill would establish a science-based, long-term, declining cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It would also establish a Carbon Market Efficiency Board, modeled after the Federal Reserve Board, to monitor and—when necessary—mitigate the impacts of a carbon cap-and-trade program on the U.S. economy.
Additional Environmental Work
Delaware River Basin Task Force
Pennsylvania’s 6th district lies within the Delaware River Basin, which supports a total of 15 million people and is the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi. Recognizing the scope and importance of the basin, Congressman Gerlach is an active member of the bipartisan Congressional Delaware River Basin Task Force, which works to promote the health and well-being of the Delaware’s natural resources through education briefings, formulating joint-responses to emergencies, and coordinating legislative efforts.
To learn more about the Delaware River Basin and Delaware River Basin Commission’s activities click here http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/
Recognition of Leadership on Environmental Issues
- As a state Senator, Jim was the prime sponsor of historic land-use reform legislation (Act 67 and 68 of 2000) providing municipalities “smart growth” planning and zoning tools to address sprawl development.
- 1995 - Green Valleys Association Environmental Award in recognition of Jim’s record in preserving and protecting the Commonwealth’s environment.
- 2001 - Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Land Use Award for work in securing landmark land use reform legislation (Act 67 and 68 of 2000).
- 2002 – Delaware Valley Planning Commission Regional Elected Official of the Year for work on land use and water resource management legislation.
- 2003 – PA Recreation and Parks Society Local Government Award for efforts in assisting municipalities preserve open space as a state legislator.
- 2005 – National Lands Trust Highlands Coalition Award for help enacting Highlands Conservation Act to preserve and protect the Highlands ecosystem stretching from Pennsylvania to Connecticut.
- 2006 – American Farm Bureau Federation “Friend of Farm Bureau” recognition for pro-agricultural voting record in the 109th Congress.
- 2008 – Land Trust Alliance recognition for “leadership in renewing the enhanced tax incentives for donations of conservation easements” included in the recently enacted Farm Bill.
