Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionAir Quality Technical Advisory Committee
The Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee was established by Pennsylvania’s Air Pollution Control Act and its members provide advice to the Department of Environmental Protection on its regulations and technical guidance. This group is also briefed on national issues including ambient air quality, standards, and federal efforts.
Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee
The Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee is DEP’s second advisory group established under Pennsylvania’s Air Pollution Control Act. This committee holds the charge of providing feedback on DEP’s policies, guidelines, and regulations that may impact small businesses in Pennsylvania.
Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board
The Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board assists DEP with developing statewide health standards, selecting appropriate statistically and scientifically valid procedures, determining appropriate risk factors, and providing technical advice as needed to implement the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2 of 1995).
Storage Tank Advisory Committee
The Storage Tank Advisory Committee assists DEP in the its development of policies, regulations, and implementation of Pennsylvania’s storage tank and spill prevention program.
Climate Change Advisory Committee
The Climate Change Advisory Committee was established under the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act (Act 70 of 2008). This committee is charged with providing advice regarding the implementation of the Act, such as the formation of DEP’s Climate Change Action Plan and annual greenhouse gas emission inventory. The committee also provides feedback to DEP on various policies and regulations related to climate change efforts.
Environmental Justice Advisory Board
The Environmental Justice Advisory Board provides a public forum for protecting the health of communities, especially communities with the greatest concentration of environmental risks. This Board assists DEP with maintaining a proactive approach to environmental justice issues, eliminating environmental disparities in minority and low-income communities, engaging communities to actively participate in permit processes, and ensuring equitable enforcement of regulations and statutes.
Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee
The Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee was established under the Pennsylvania Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Act of 2002. This committee provides technical assistance and recommendations to DEP on the adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules, regulations, standards, criteria, and procedures as it deems necessary to implement the act.
Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board
The Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board assists the DEP Secretary with all matters pertaining to surface coal mining and reclamation such as experimental practices, alternate methods of backfilling, selection of reclamation projects, alternate reclamation methods, obligations for pre-existing pollution liability, alternation of reclamation loans, fees, and bonding rates.
Aggregate Advisory Board
The Aggregate Advisory Board was created to assist DEP with carrying out the Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act. This Board advises DEP on all matters relating to surface mining including, experimental practices, alternate methods of backfilling, obligations for pre-existing pollution liability, alteration of reclamation plans, fees, and bonds.
Board of Coal Mine Safety
The Board of Coal Mine Safety is a rulemaking board. Similar to the Environmental Quality Board, the Board of Coal Mine Safety is unique in that it holds the authority to promulgate regulations that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Pennsylvanians. The Board considers promulgating regulations related to mine safety and mine safety standards.
Coal and Clay Mine Subsidence Insurance Board
The Coal and Clay Mine Subsidence Insurance Board administers funds as a reliable source of compensation for insured losses caused by the collapse of underground coal and clay mines. This board maintains broad powers to establish provisions of the insurance policy, establish premium rates, establish monetary reserves to assure financial solvency, and direct payment of damage claims to reimburse DEP for administrative costs of the program.
Mine Families First Response and Communication Advisory Council
The Mine Families First Response and Communication Advisory Council assists DEP with developing a communication plan that will be exercised in the event of a mine emergency. The council frequently reviews the plan for adequacy and provides recommendations to DEP as needed.
Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment is authorized under Pennsylvania’s Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act to advise DEP on the use of diesel-powered equipment, evaluate technology or methods for meeting the requirements for diesel-powered equipment, provide technical assistance to operators regarding diesel-powered equipment, conduct investigations, and provide training on diesel equipment emission controls and testing.
Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board
The Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board was established by the Oil and Gast Act of 2012. This act charges DEP with consulting the board during the formulation of regulations of a technical nature.
PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council
The Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory Council is overseen by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. This council is required to examine and make recommendations regarding regulations and policies developed by the Department of Environmental Protection. The council is charged with exploring the development of a regulatory framework for environmental oversight and enforcement for the conventional oil and gas industry.
Radiation Protection Advisory Committee
The Radiation Protection Advisory Committee was established under the Radiation Protection Act of 1984. The committee reviews DEP’s regulations in both draft and final-form and advises DEP on radiation-related issues.
Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee
The Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee was established in 1988 to review and provide feedback on DEP’s draft regulations. The committee reviews and comments on operator selection, including the proposed standards developed by DEP for the qualifications and compliance history of the operator. The committee also assists DEP with policies and issues regarding the implementation of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Act.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee works closely with DEP to develop programs, policies, and regulations that effectively implement solid waste management and recycling programs. The committee may recommend rules, regulations, standards, criteria, and procedures it deems necessary for statewide solid waste management initiatives.
Recycling Fund Advisory Committee
The Recycling Fund Advisory Committee is authorized under the Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act to advise DEP on expenditures from, and administration of, the Recycling Fund. The committee may recommend priorities on expenditures from the fund and advise DEP on associated activities concerning fund administration.
Agricultural Advisory Board
The Agricultural Advisory Board provides advice and expertise to DEP regarding agriculture in Pennsylvania. The board also reviews and provides feedback on DEP’s policies, rules, and regulations that impact the agricultural community.
Water Resources Advisory Committee
The Water Resources Advisory Committee provides technical advice to DEP on the environmental, economic, and other social impacts of existing, new, or proposed regulations, policies, and control techniques or technologies affecting water resource management. The committee may request a review of DEP policies, guidance, or regulations needed to implement the Office of Water Management.
Coastal Zone Advisory Committee
The Coastal Zone Advisory Committee provides technical advice to, and promotes coordination with, DEP’s coastal zone management program. This coordination helps ensure consistent implementation of state and local activities significantly impacting Lake Erie or the Delaware Estuary coastal zones.
Sewage Advisory Committee
The Sewage Advisory Committee shall have the opportunity to review proposed rules, regulations, standards and procedures and shall review existing rules, regulations, standards and procedures of the Department pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act of 1996. This committee affords the regulated community and stakeholders the opportunity to participate in the development of such documents.
Public Water System Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
The Public Water System Technical Assistance Center Board provides direction and advice to the Department of Environmental Protection on water systems technical and management assistance programs; and to comment on policies, guidance and regulations as they may affect all public water systems, with an emphasis on the unique effects on small public water systems.
State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers
The State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers (SEO) is authorized under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act to administer a certification program for individuals who wish to become SEOs.
State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater System Operators
The State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater System Operators is granted with statutory powers and duties to administer DEP’s state certification program for individuals who wish to become water and wastewater system operators.
Certification Program Advisory Committee
The Certification Program Advisory Committee is charged with providing written comments and recommendations to DEP and the State Board of Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators on regulatory proposals and technical guidance.