I am grateful to Gov. Tom Wolf for taking action on climate change by working to get Pennsylvania to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Joining RGGI would benefit Pennsylvanians’ health by reducing air pollution. The Department of Environmental Protection estimates that through 2030 up to 639 premature deaths from respiratory illnesses will be prevented because of emission reductions resulting directly from RGGI participation, and 30,000 fewer hospital visits for respiratory illnesses like asthma for children and adults.

While joining RGGI would make great strides reducing greenhouse gas pollution from Pennsylvania’s power sector, a national price on greenhouse gas pollution would do even more to put the entire economy on the path to a healthy, zero-carbon economy.

The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA, House Resolution 2307) would put a national price on greenhouse gas pollution, help improve air quality, prevent jobs from being lost to dirtier countries, reduce carbon pollution 50% by 2030 and put money in your pocket. This bill will save 4.5 million American lives over the next 50 years by reducing pollution. Poor air quality is responsible for as many as 1 in 10 American deaths today and sickens thousands more.

According to a Climate Nexus poll, 72% of Pennsylvanians support RGGI to fight climate change. If you want to see more ambitious, national action on climate change, call Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and Reps. Mike Doyle and Conor Lamb and demand bold climate action. Ask them to support EICDA.

Dana Siler

Squirrel Hill

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