PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

On Friday, April 14th, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell signed House Bill 213, which amends the state's criminal code to include the offense of "ecoterrorism." HB 213 increases the severity of penalties for pre-established crimes, such a criminal trespass, vandalism and arson, based on the motivation of the actor and the fact that the conduct is in some way related to an activity involving animals or natural resources.  A sizable coalition of interests lobbied on behalf of a bill, including the pharmaceutical industry, biotech industry, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Forestry Association, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pennsylvania.

[  read more | previous article | previous Rustbelt Radio coverage | HB 213 text ]