Pushing Back on Onerous, Job-Killing EPA Regulations
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Working to Preserve Pennsylvania Jobs
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I met Oct. 12 with the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin and spoke with him about a number of matters of importance to Pennsylvania.
Our discussion included the future of three refineries in Philadelphia, Marcus Hook and Trainer, whose owners have announced within the last month that they plan to sell, and if no buyers are found, close down.
Some of the biggest expenses facing the facilities are related to environmental compliance. At the Trainer facility, the EPA may mandate the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to require the installment of new cooling towers, which will likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The EPA has also proposed new rules on water intake structures that may cost millions more.
If these refineries are forced to close, more than 2,600 people will lose their jobs. Another 5,000 to 6,000 workers - largely employees of contractors and suppliers - indirectly rely on these facilities for their paychecks and would be impacted by their closures. In addition, local townships and school districts would be hurt by the loss of tax revenue.
I stressed to Mr. Garvin how important it is that the EPA works with my office, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and stakeholders to play an appropriate role in this issue. Past refinery sales, including one in Delaware, were made possible because the EPA was willing to work with state regulators and potential buyers to find reasonable regulatory solutions that made those sales feasible.
I look forward to working with Mr. Garvin, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the refinery owners to make every effort possible to keep these refineries in operation and their Pennsylvania employees at work.
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Advising and Consenting on PA Judges
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 The Senate approved three new U.S. District judges for Pennsylvania in October, helping to fill critical judiciary vacancies in our state.
Mark Hornak and Cathy Bissoon will U.S. District judges for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Robert Mariani will be a U.S. District judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet separately with all three of these judicial nominees, and I am very confident of their intellect, their experience, their integrity, their temperament, their commitment to public service and their understanding of the proper role of a judge.
Cathy Bissoon's strong work ethic, discipline and in particular her experience in labor and employment law make her well qualified to preside over cases in the Western District of Pennsylvania, a district with a heavy employment caseload. Mark Hornak has been a careful student of the law throughout his career and has demonstrated an intellectual curiosity and a commitment to integrity, which I know will serve him well. Robert Mariani's diligence, professionalism and knowledge of the law will be an asset to the bench.
I believe these character traits and this range of experience will enable them to effectively serve the people of Pennsylvania.
To watch a speech I delivered on the Senate floor about these judicial nominees, please click here.
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Creating Jobs and Opportunities in PA
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 The Senate passed three long-awaited free trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama Oct. 12. I was pleased to support these job-creating agreements, which will expand the market for Pennsylvania's products, boost our economy and put people back to work.
The passage of these free trade agreements is a fine example of how the president and Congress can advance policies in a bipartisan manner that will help turn our economy around. Rather than wasting more time on another stimulus bill that won't create jobs, I am pleased that both parties worked together to pass these three job-creating free trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama.
As President Obama has noted, these free trade agreements will open up international markets to U.S. products, make American companies more competitive and help our businesses create new jobs. Many Pennsylvania employers and workers will benefit from the passage of job-creating agreements, especially in the state's vital manufacturing and agriculture industries.
I recently wrote an Erie Times-News op-ed with John Macaulay, plant manager at GE Transportation in Erie, extolling the benefits of these free trade agreements. To read my op-ed, please click here.
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Protecting Our Veterans
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 A June 2011 Government Accountability Office Report found serious lapses in the reporting of sexual assault in Veterans Affairs facilities and hospitals, due, in part, to the lack of clear definitions, requirements and a central database for collecting and storing reports of assault.
Our veterans deserve better.
To protect VA facility patients from sexual assault, I introduced the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act Oct. 12.
This bill will address these and other issues found in the GAO report by providing a new standard of care and protection for patients at VA facilities in Pennsylvania and across the country.
The GAO report was an eye-opener, highlighting serious lapses in the reporting of sexual assault at VA facilities. This bill will implement much-needed improvements in our VA facilities and will offer our veterans the care and protection they deserve. I am hopeful that the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act will receive broad, bipartisan support in the Senate, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important issue.
This legislation enjoys support from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America. The House of Representatives passed a companion bill, H.R. 2074, by voice vote Oct. 11.
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Speaking with NBC 10 in Philly
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 I appeared on NBC 10's "@Issue" Sunday morning show with Steve Highsmith in Philly Oct. 2. I spoke about the super committee's ongoing work, the political climate in Washington, the proposed Electoral College changes in Pennsylvania, and the 2012 elections.
To watch part one of my interview, please click here.
To watch part two of my interview, please click here.
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