Greenleaf Bill to Prohibit Civilian Use of Willow Grove Runway Passes Senate

HARRISBURG—Today, legislation introduced by State Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (Montgomery/Bucks) to ensure that civilian air use is clearly barred in any lease agreement between federal entities and the commonwealth regarding plans for a state-operated security hub at Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base passed the Pennsylvania Senate.  Greenleaf's legislation, Senate Bill 1016, restricts use of the base to the Pennsylvania National Guard, the Department of Defense, and federal, state, and local governments for national defense, homeland security and emergency preparedness missions.

Greenleaf said residents have spoken out in large numbers in opposition to the idea of commercial flights at the facility.

As the result of a war spending bill recently signed into law by the President, the U.S. Navy will turn land at the base over to the U.S. Air Force when the Navy vacates the premises in 2011.  The law fits into the plans of Gov. Ed Rendell to utilize a portion of the base land as a security center and keep the 8,000 foot runway as a government / military airfield.  The Governor has stated that he does not support use of the runway for commercial passenger or cargo transport. 

Greenleaf said that, although all parties involved have good intentions, he wants assurance in the form of a law and in writing as part of any lease agreement that the airfield will be restricted to government-related usage.  "We need to have this stipulation in writing now, because we don't want to have any surprises in 2011," Greenleaf said. 

"I welcome the retention of a military presence at Willow Grove and look forward to hearing the details of the security hub plans, but don't think local residents or the local governments feel comfortable with any agreement that leaves open the potential of civilian air use of the runway at Willow Grove."