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Senator Ray Musto |
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LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Below is legislation Senator Musto was instrumental as a prime sponsor or leading cosponsor.
· Act 101 of 1988 – The Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act. An amendment to this legislation by Senator Musto created Pennsylvania’s nationally recognized curbside recycling program, the largest in the country. County and local governments have received millions of dollars since the enactment of this legislation for recycling planning and start-up costs, education, and equipment.
· Act 33 of 1989 – The Plumbing System Lead Ban and Notification Act. Seeking to ensure better protection of our drinking water, Senator Musto prime sponsored this legislation that prohibits the sale and use of lead plumbing fixtures in drinking water systems to reduce the possibility of lead contamination from water supplies. The law also requires water suppliers to provide public information relating to lead contamination in drinking water.
· Act 165 of 1990 – The Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning and Response Act. Thanks to this legislation prime sponsored by Senator Musto, counties across Pennsylvania are better prepared to respond to any hazardous material spill that threatens public health and safety.
· Act 95 of 1992 – The Air Pollution Control Act. Pennsylvania’s air quality has seen steady improvement since the passage of amendments to this act. This legislation, prime sponsored by Senator Musto, which passed both the House and the Senate without a negative vote, keeps Pennsylvania in compliance with federal Clean Air Act requirements.
· Act 24 of 1993 – The Pennsylvania Environmental Education Act. Young people in Pennsylvania now have access to a broad range of environmental education programs because of this legislation prime sponsored by Senator Musto. The act established a grant program to allocate funds to school districts and other organizations that provide environmental education programs. Funding for the grant program comes from fines and penalties paid by violators of the state’s environmental laws.
· Acts 2, 3, and 4 of 1995 – Laws creating Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Program. Senator Musto was a leading advocate for these laws that allow for the productive re-use of inactive and abandoned industrial sites. Since its enactment, the program has become a national model for the rest of the country. In 1997 the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government, gave the program its prestigious Innovations in American Government Award as an example of an original and effective government effort.
· Act 68 of 1999 – The Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act. Senator Musto played a key role in this landmark environmental legislation. Better known as the “Growing Greener” program, the act committed nearly $650 million in new state funding over a five-year period to a wide range of initiatives, including protecting open space, cleaning up abandoned mines, preserving farmland, restoring watersheds, improving maintenance in state parks, developing new and updated water and sewer systems, helping communities deal with land use issues and funding recreational trails and local parks.
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS RECEIVED BY SENATOR MUSTO
· Outstanding Service to Environmental Education Award (1993) – This award was presented to Senator Musto by the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education for the senator’s sponsorship of the Pennsylvania Environmental Education Act, Act 24 of 1993.
· Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Award (1998) – The Susquehanna River Basin Commission gave Senator Musto this award in recognition for his long standing commitment to environmental protection through water supply management, water quality protection, air quality protection, hazardous and municipal waste reduction and environmental education.
· Legislator of the Year (2000) – Senator Musto received this honor from the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation for his significant contributions to the conservation of natural resources in Pennsylvania.
· Distinguished Service Award (2000) – Awarded to Senator Musto by the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, this honor is for the senator’s longtime support of enhanced funding for environmental infrastructure, particularly sewer and water projects.
· James McGirr Kelly Annual Award (2000) – The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Water Companies presented this award to Senator Musto as the resident of Pennsylvania who most exemplifies dedication to promoting the availability of safe drinking water at reasonable prices in the state.
· Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award (2001) – This award is presented annually by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partners to an individual who stands out in the community for his/her commitment to environmental quality and who, over the long term, has proven to be an inspiring leader and champion of partnering.
· Government Award (2002) – The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society gave this annual award to Senator Musto in recognition of his outstanding leadership and support in the advancement of parks, recreation, and conservation in Pennsylvania.
