Lycoming News

Senator Gene Yaw, a Republican representing Pennsylvania's 23rd district and chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, has been re-elected to lead the Pennsylvania delegation of the Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC). This tri-state commission focuses on policies for restoring the Chesapeake Bay.

Yaw expressed his commitment to Pennsylvania's role in these efforts. "The Pennsylvania members on the Commission are helping to establish Pennsylvania’s status as a leader in the Bay restoration effort," he stated. He emphasized the commission's long-standing bipartisan approach: "The Commission has a 40-year track record of working in a cooperative, bi-partisan manner to find solutions that work in local communities while also helping the Bay. I am proud to be part of its leadership team."

Previously, Yaw chaired this delegation from 2019-2021 and again in 2024. In 2020, he served as chair of the full 21-member CBC for one year. His current role as delegation chair also positions him as vice chair of the entire commission, alongside Delegate David Bulova from Virginia and Senator Sara Love from Maryland, who will serve as chair.

Anna Killius, Executive Director of CBC, highlighted Yaw's valuable perspective: “Representing Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier, Sen. Yaw brings an important perspective from an area of the watershed far removed from the Bay,” she said. “We are excited to have him back as a part of our executive team.”

Rep. Carol Hill-Evans was elected vice chair of Pennsylvania's delegation. Other members include Sen. Scott Martin, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, Rep. Nikki Rivera, Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley from the Department of Environmental Protection, and citizen member Warren Elliott.

The Chesapeake Bay Commission serves as a policy leader dedicated to restoring the bay by advising state governments on critical environmental needs and ensuring necessary actions at both state and federal levels.

For more information about state-related news or updates from Senator Yaw's office, constituents can visit his website or follow him on social media platforms.