This page was last updated on February 11, 2017.
Protect rights of citizens, not oil-and-gas industry; Dan Sainovich (DS); Beaver County Times; January 29, 2017.
Confusion I had dealing with “Dan/Danny Sainovich” letters from Industry/Ohioville is over. After he read an April 2011 critique of one of his letters, Mr. Sainovich was kind enough to clear things up. In an e-mail note, Mr. Sainovich wrote, “I thought I would shed some light on Dan vs Danny Sainovich. Danny is my father and we both live in Ohioville. His name is Danny and mine is Dan - you are correct that we do have opposite views on politics. Actually there is no jr or sr but we have come to an agreement to use jr and sr so that folks don’t get us mixed up.”
Previous critiques of Mr. Sainovich’s letters are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Mr. Sainovich is/was an administrative organizer for SEIU District 1199P. According to its 2012 LM-2 report, SEIU National Headquarters spent $113.8 million for “Political Activities and Lobbying.” In 2010, 2008, and 2006, that figure was $55 million, $67 million, and $27 million, respectively.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“To the residents in Beaver and the state who may be worried that there may be odors, at minimum, and whatever else coming from the future Shell ethane cracker plant: If you remember, all of the politicians said it will be regulated, clean and environmentally friendly.
“As folks are aware, President Donald Trump is in the process of gutting the Environmental Protection Agency and plans on reducing regulations by 75 percent. He doesn’t say where the reductions are coming from, but it is somewhat obvious that he is very friendly to the fossil-fuels industry.”
[RWC] DS implies DT will reduce EPA regs by 75%. That is false. According to NPR, “As part of an effort to make America more business-friendly, Trump said: ‘We think we can cut regulations by 75 percent. Maybe more, but by 75 percent.’”
It stands to reason if any regulation reductions occur they will vary by department.
“Here is something to think about: We rely on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to keep our air, water and soil safe, as guaranteed in the Pennsylvania Constitution. There is legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate that contains language that the DEP cannot promulgate any regulations that are more strict than any federal EPA regulations.”
[RWC] False. Senate Bill 1327 (Session of 2015) applies only to methane and says the PA DEP “may not impose permit or plan approval conditions, for methane that are more stringent than those promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for new sources.”
I’m glad DS mentioned the Pennsylvania Constitution. The PA Constitution (Article III, Section 1) says, “No law shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall be so altered or amended, on its passage through either House, as to change its original purpose.” Regulations are laws, which means regulations promulgated by bureaucrats are unconstitutional. If we adhered to the PA Constitution, all regulations would require approval by the GA and the Governor just like all other laws. There are good reasons both constitutions grant lawmaking authority only to the legislature. First, we don’t want unelected bureaucrats who don’t have to answer to the voters making our laws. Second, far more laws will be enacted by this process than by the process described by the PA and U.S. constitutions. That’s one reason PA and U.S. founders made the lawmaking process – including constitutional amendments – difficult.
“Senate Bill 1327 was introduced by Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-37, Jefferson Hills, and co-sponsored by our own Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47, New Sewickley Township.”
[RWC] Here’s a better solution than SB 1327. First, acknowledge all current PA regulations that do not adhere to Article III, Section 1 are unconstitutional. Second, enact a law requiring all existing unconstitutional regulations to be run through the same process as all other laws. Third, to make sure there’s no foot-dragging, enact a law that automatically repeals all non-compliant regulations within a couple of years.
“My suggestion is if you have any questions or think this isn’t such a good idea, give his office a call. It appears that this bill, which is in committee, may become law.
“To set the record straight, I am not against industrial development; just protect the environment and the citizens of the commonwealth and not the interests of the oil-and-gas industry’s investment of $9.5 million that has been contributed to our state political candidates since 2009.”
[RWC] Blah, blah, blah, unless DS holds the same position for the millions of dollars his union’s management contributes to political candidates.
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