Latest news with #BobMerski
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Local officials remind residents of their rights, responsibilities as gun owners
People in Greene Township had the opportunity to learn about gun safety Wednesday night. A 'know your rights and responsibilities on legal firearm ownership' forum took place at the Greene Township Municipal Building Wednesday evening. Conneaut Lake students debut original books at red carpet event The event discussed the Second Amendment in detail with various topics such as 'the right to open and conceal carry', illegal guns, and how to properly store guns to keep everyone safe. 'We have a proud tradition in western Pennsylvania of a lot of hunters, and a lot of gun owners, and we wanted to make sure they knew their rights and responsibilities, so it's always good to have a refresher,' said State Rep. Bob Merski. Pennsylvania State Police, the Erie County Sheriff's Office and the Erie County District Attorney's Office were also at Wednesday night's event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lake Erie wind turbines discussion gains attention again
Wind turbines on Lake Erie have long been a hot-button issue and the issue has resurfaced. Legislation to lease submerged lands in Lake Erie for offshore energy generation has been proposed for years. Erie Co. awarded $400K grant for Housing Rehabilitation Program 'When Rep. Sonny retired, I picked it up. I think Erie is a natural place with our wind, with our wave action that there's potential there for jobs, potential to generate electricity,' said State Rep. Bob Merski. The bill again failed to pass last year. So this year, Representative Merski took a more conservative approach, proposing a feasibility study on the issue. 'We want to make sure we're not in the path of migratory birds. We want to make sure it doesn't disrupt shipping lanes. We want to make sure it doesn't disrupt the fishing industry,' Merski said. The S.O.N.S of Lake Erie has been a vocal opponent of wind turbines in the lake. New wind turbine legislation passed by PA Environmental and Renewable Energy committee 'It's our water supply, it's our beauty. It's the thing that makes Erie what's Erie,' said Jerry Skrypzak, president of the S.O.N.S of Lake Erie Skrypzak worries about earthquakes and exacerbating industrial pollution on the lake bottom. 'I'm afraid if we're gonna start disturbing the bottom of the lake, we're gonna stir all those contaminants up,' he explained. Penn Environment supports the legislation, its executive director said more renewable energy sources are needed. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'It's cleaner. It tackles climate change. More and more it's cheaper which is great for those of us who care about our electricity bill,' said David Masur, executive director of PennEnviornment. With artificial intelligence putting additional strain on the grid, Representative Merski said he will continue to have an 'all of the above' approach when it comes to energy. 'I don't think people understand the energy crisis this country is going to face,' Merski went on to say. Snap-tite Hose donates instruments to local veterans State Representative Bob Merski's resolution passed committee 19 to 7 and is headed to the House floor for a vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Resolution to develop renewable energy on Lake Erie advances out of Pa. House committee
(The Center Square) ― Studying the viability of renewable energy projects on Lake Erie was the topic of discussion at a recent House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee meeting. Despite some concerns, the committee voted 19-7 to advance House Resolution 53, sponsored by Rep. Bob Merski, of Erie, D-2nd Dist. The resolution proposes that the Joint State Government Commission conduct a study on the feasibility, benefits and drawbacks of developing hydropower, solar and wind energy on Pennsylvania's portion of Lake Erie. 2024: A green energy invention will be tested on Lake Erie. How it works Merski said the study is a response to feedback and constructive criticism received on House Bill 254, legislation he introduced last session that proposed leasing submerged lands of the lake for offshore wind, solar and kinetic energy generation. Stressing that he took concerns regarding such projects and their impact on bird habitats and aquatic life seriously, the study was developed in collaboration with stakeholders from all sides to address these issues. He highlighted a prototype already in place in his district, in which kinetic energy projects in Harborcreek Township are generating electricity from waves on Lake Erie. Regardless of the study's outcome, Merski said, gathering more information will help guide future decisions. Seven of the 12 Republican committee members voted the measure down. Minority Chair Jack Rader, of Reeders, Monroe County, R-176th Dist., acknowledged Merski's intentions but questioned the initiative's effectiveness due to the limited amount of Lake Erie that Pennsylvania owns. He expressed concerns about its effect on outdoor recreation, shipping and tourism and noted the opposition he has heard from area representatives. Merski responded that the state owns hundreds of thousands of acres along a 50-mile stretch and explained that projects would not be near land and would not affect Presque Isle State Park, the most visited Department of Conservation and Natural Resources parks in the state. He said the study's purpose was to ensure that groups such as the Presque Isle State Park Advisory Committee, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie and the Audubon Society — with whom he said he has met — are supportive of moving forward. He warned that the governor could decide to proceed without their approval and underscored the importance of the legislature's involvement in securing the best deal for the commonwealth. Speaking in support of the legislation, Rep. Abigail Salisbury, of Braddock, D-34th Dist., noted the lake's role as a tourism and transportation asset that benefits the community. She also emphasized the importance of studying its potential for energy production. 'We need to know about it because you can't make good decisions without good information," Salisbury said. More: Pennsylvania trails in race among states to be first with Great Lakes wind farm Rep. Mandy Steele, of Cheswick, D-33rd Dist., said there is significant interest in harnessing the Allegheny River's power through underwater turbines in her district. However, she said that balancing recreational activities and energy generation is important. She believes this balance can be achieved and that the study would yield useful information that can be applied across the commonwealth. Merski said his legislation would help diversify Pennsylvania's energy portfolio while prioritizing the use of clean, renewable energy to efficiently power Pennsylvania without increasing utility prices for consumers. More: NOAA seeks advisory council for proposed marine sanctuary in Pa. portion of Lake Erie 'The Erie region has a tremendous opportunity to be a leader in the development of green energy,' Merski said. 'This bill would put us in a position to rise to the occasion by creating a vast, reliable energy network that will reduce our carbon footprint. 'Additionally, the economic impact of this legislation would be a boon for the Erie area as the projects would be an incredible source of family-sustaining jobs. This is a win-win for our region, and I look forward to championing this vital bill throughout its legislative journey.' The bill heads to the House floor for consideration. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lake Erie green energy development bill advances in PA House
