Langerholc Announces $1.2 Million State Grant to Create 120 Jobs in Cambria County

HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) today announced the approval of a $1.2 million grant to provide natural gas service to the Jackson Township Business Park in Cambria County and nearby residents. 

Waste Management of Pennsylvania has purchased a lot in the business park to be used for its Laurel Highlands Hauling Company and CNG fueling station. Waste Management has expressed great interest in converting its truck fleet to compressed natural gas. Laurel Highlands Hauling Company will create 120 full-time employees and fuel approximately 90 trucks with compressed natural gas.

Jackson Township, along with Peoples Natural Gas will install a LS station and extend the natural gas line by 25,777 feet from Benshoff Hill Road to the business park located on Laurel Ridge Road. This gas line will also provide 60 residential homeowners and one commercial customer along the route with natural gas service.

“This project will bring immediate jobs to Cambria County and make the Jackson Township Business Park more attractive to other employers,” Langerholc said. “I am proud my advocacy delivered this significant investment into the 35th Senatorial District.”

The funding is made available by the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Pipeline Investment Program. The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs.

 

CONTACT: Gwenn Dando

More Than 200 Area Students Attend Langerholc’s Alternatives to College Expo

 

CAMBRIA COUNTY – More than 200 area high school students explored options for the next chapter in their lives today at the Alternatives to College Expo hosted by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35).

The free event, held at the Hope Fire Company Social Hall in Northern Cambria and featuring more than 30 exhibitors, focused on career paths that do not include a four-year college degree. In addition to high school students, the expo provided an opportunity for those looking to change careers to examine available options. 

Participants were able to speak with representatives of a wide array of fields, including trades unions, manufacturers, state agencies, health care, aviation and more.

“It is important to connect the needs of our workforce with the young people that will be filling the gap,” Langerholc said. “Hopefully our students gain some good leads and insight into many career opportunities that they can have without the need for a four-year degree. I travel the district daily and know firsthand the employment opportunities that are available.”

 

CONTACT: Gwenn Dando

Meeting to consider SB 977 and HB 1284

Senate Transportation Committee

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Room 461, Main Capitol


Agenda

1. S.B. 977 – Farry and Tartaglione – Establishes the Bernard N. Gribbon Law and creates a new offense for
interfering with the operation or movement of public transit vehicles.

2. H.B. 1284 – Neilson – Removes the sunset provisions for Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in
active work zones under PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission as well as Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia.

              Amendment No. 2956 – Langerholc – Provides technical improvements to the automated enforcement of
                  overtaking a stopped school bus; reauthorizes ASE in active work zones under PennDOT and the
                  Turnpike Commission; reauthorizes ASE on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia; and, directs the Local
                  Government Commission to study the expansion of ASE on local highways and streets

Langerholc Announces State Assistance for Major Cambria County Water and Wastewater Projects

HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) today announced the approval of state funding for major water and wastewater improvement projects in Cambria County.

“Water and wastewater projects are critical for public health and thriving communities, but they come with a hefty price tag. I’m very pleased to announce state funding to help local communities pay for these important upgrades,” Langerholc said.

Ebensburg Municipal Authority will receive a combined $8.5 million in grants and low-interest loans to replace more than 23,000 feet of aged cast iron pipe that contain leaded joints with polyvinyl chloride pipe.

Cambria Township Sewer Authority will receive a $1 million low-interest loan to meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. To meet more stringent discharge limits for residual chlorine, the authority will modify its treatment system to replace chlorine disinfection with an ultraviolet unit.

Cresson Township Municipal Authority will receive a $3.3 million grant and $11,688 low-interest loan to extend sewer service to 45 residential customers in Munster Township with failing on-lot systems.

Forest Hills Municipal Authority will receive a $6.9 million grant and $1.7 million low-interest loan to make upgrades to its wastewater system, which serves 4,350 residential customers.

The funding was approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, an independent state agency providing financial assistance to fund construction of drinking water, sewer and stormwater projects in communities throughout Pennsylvania.

 

CONTACT: Gwenn Dando

Meeting to consider SB 934, SB 473, SB 597, SB 799 and SB 897

Senate Transportation Committee

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | 12:30 p.m.

Room 461, Main Capitol


Agenda

1. S.B. 934 – Langerholc – Exempts the Turnpike Commission from local ordinances related to the
     planning, design and construction of linear highway projects and facilities.

2. S.B. 473 – Boscola – Intercepts State lottery winnings (in excess of $2,500) and State income tax
     refunds for unpaid tolls at the Turnpike Commission.

3. S.B. 597 – Laughlin – Modernizes the management of public transit agencies with comprehensive
     reforms to deliver the operating and capital programs.

4. S.B. 799 – Rothman – Permits counties to dedicate supplemental bridge allocations to municipalities
     for maintaining bridges.

  • Amendment No. 1977 – Rothman – Authorizes the money for constructing municipal bridges as well.

5. S.B. 897 – Baker – Increases the safe transportation of children on school buses by creating new
     traffic rules and strengthening penalties for overtaking a school bus.

Public hearing on automated enforcement of traffic violations

Senate Transportation Committee

Monday, September 18, 2023 | 11 a.m.

Room 461, Main Capitol


Agenda

11:00 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks

  • Housekeeping
  • Committee Member Introductions
  • Swearing-in of Testifiers

11:05 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Automated Enforcement Roundtable

  • Honorable Mike Carroll, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation – Testimony
  • Mike Carroll, P.E., Deputy Managing Director of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability, City of Philadelphia – Testimony
  • Gerry Wosewick, Executive Director, Pennsylvania School Bus Association – Testimony

11:55 a.m.: Closing Remarks

Additional Testimony

  • AARP-PA – Testimony
  • Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety – Testimony
  • Associated PA Constructors – Testimony
  • Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Families for Safe Streets – Testimony
  • City of Pittsburgh – Testimony
  • Constructors Association of Western PA – Testimony
  • National Motorists Association:

Langerholc Announces $15.4 Million for Water System Improvements in Cambria and Clearfield Counties

HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) today announced the approval of more than $15 million in state assistance for water system improvement projects in Cambria and Clearfield counties.

The Highland Sewer and Water Authority will receive a $2.2 million low-interest loan and a $11.5 million grant from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

The funds will be used to replace more than 52,000 feet of water lines, 180 water service taps, 265 water service meters and related equipment. The lines provide water to the Tri-Township Water Authority, whose system has aging and deteriorating infrastructure, and is experiencing very high rates of water loss.

The Irvona Municipal Authority will receive a $1.2 million low-interest loan and a $465,568 grant from PENNVEST to replace approximately 14,000 feet of asbestos and cement waterline with new polyvinyl chloride waterline and accessories.

The distribution system was constructed in the 1950s. Several areas of the system leak, causing service interruptions and boil advisories. The system serves 558 households throughout Irvona Borough and Beccaria Township.

“Making safety upgrades such as these are extremely important to the health and economy of a community, but very expensive to undertake,” Langerholc said. “This PENNVEST funding is crucial to bringing water systems into compliance and protecting water supplies for over 10,000 constituents across the counties of Cambria and Clearfield.”

PENNVEST is an independent agency of the Commonwealth providing financial assistance to fund construction of drinking water, sewer and stormwater projects in communities throughout Pennsylvania. PENNVEST is not supported by the state’s General Fund budget, which covers the daily operations and services of the Commonwealth. Langerholc serves on the PENNVEST board of directors.

 

CONTACT: Gwenn Dando

Langerholc to Host Two Free License Plate Replacement Events

CAMBRIA COUNTY – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) is hosting two Free License Plate Replacement Events this month. On Thursday, July 13, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Greater Johnstown High School and Tuesday, July 18, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Ebensburg at the Ghost Town Trail parking lot, S. Julian Street at YPCC entrance.

These events provide area residents the opportunity to have damaged and illegible license plates replaced for free. All Pennsylvania license plates, including personalized and specialty plates are eligible for replacement at no cost through these events.

“If pulled over by the police, residents can be fined $120 for a damaged license plate. I want to make these fines avoidable for constituents,” Langerholc said.

For more information, please call Sen. Langerholc’s office at 814-266-2277.

 

CONTACT:
Gwenn Dando

Meeting to consider HB 1171

Senate Transportation Committee

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | 9:45 a.m.

Room 461, Main Capitol


Agenda

H.B. 1171Hill-Evans –  Increases the distance from 200 feet to 350 feet between an emergency control device and the farthest gas pump at a gas station.

Meeting to consider the nomination of Dr. Keith Leaphart as Commissioner to the PA Turnpike Commission; SB 581, SB 748 and HB 797

Senate Transportation Committee

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | 12 p.m.

Room 461, Main Capitol


Agenda

  • Nomination of Dr. Keith Leaphart as Commissioner to the PA Turnpike Commission – Testimony
     
  • Immediately following the nomination hearing, the Committee will consider:

    1.  S.B. 851 – Langerholc and Flynn – Extends the sunset date of PennDOT’s temporary regulations for one year related to automated enforcement systems for overtaking school buses.

    2.  S.B. 748 – Argall and Schwank – Removes the sunset dates of automated speed enforcement systems in active work zones on Federal-aid highways under PennDOT and Turnpike Commission as well as Roosevelt Boulevard in the City of Philadelphia.

    Amendment No. 1458 – Argall – Changes the overall effective date to immediately, except the $25 fine for a first offense is effective in 120 days.

    3. H.B. 797 – B. Miller Codifies the maintenance of native vegetation in PennDOT’s right-of-way.