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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Jay Purdy |
State Rep. Rick Taylor |
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Taylor’s Willow Grove bill flies to full House
HARRISBURG, July 2 – The state House Transportation Committee today agreed unanimously to send to the full House a bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Taylor, D-Montgomery, that would prohibit future use of the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base for either commercial passenger or cargo flight service.
The naval facility had been slated to close in 2011 as part of a 2005 decision by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission.
There had been fears that the abandonment of naval and Air Force operations would mean the facility would be converted for use as a commercial passenger or air cargo center. Under the Taylor bill, once the Navy ends operations there, Willow Grove would continue on in use as a homeland security aircraft facility serving various state and federal agencies, including the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“I was very pleased to see the level of bipartisan support in the Transportation Committee,” said Taylor. “The residents of Willow Grove and its neighboring communities are now one step closer to having the security of knowing the airfield would never become a busy commercial passenger or air cargo facility.
“The negative effects of such a facility have been well-documented. From air quality to noise pollution, the use of Willow Grove as anything other than a government facility would be a threat to the quality of life for residents of Willow Grove and its surrounding communities.”
Under Taylor’s legislation, Willow Grove would continue playing a critical role in law enforcement, homeland security and in ensuring the preparedness of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“It was critically important to find an effective use for the Willow Grove air base that was not obtrusive to the surrounding community,” Taylor said. “This legislation would help ensure the continued use of the base as a means to make our community more safe and secure.”
The committee inserted an amendment sponsored by Rep. John Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike, and supported by Taylor, that would change the facility’s name to Willow Grove Joint Interagency Installation and close any potential loopholes that might allow commercial operation.
During deliberation of the measure, Rep. Katherine Watson, R-Bucks, whose district is to the east of the airfield, emphasized how important it is to her constituents that the level of use at Willow Grove remain as it is and not be used for commercial passenger or cargo operations.
“I thank Representative Siptroth for sponsoring our amendment to tighten up the restrictions and Representative Watson for asserting her concern for the residents around Willow Grove in both Bucks and Montgomery counties,” Taylor added.
Depending on the timing of action on the new state budget, Taylor’s Willow Grove bill could come up for a House vote before the General Assembly recesses for the summer.
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