Pennsylvania recently joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multistate, bipartisan program to cut carbon pollution coming from power plants, which Pennsylvania produces more of than all but four other states. The RGGI is a big success in 11 other states.
Statistics show RGGI will reduce Pennsylvania’s carbon pollution by 25%. Power companies would pay under the program for the pollution they create, and funds will be available to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy, which would cut pollution even further, reduce consumers’ electric bills and create jobs.
The EPA also proposed a new rule that will set standards for cutting carbon pollution from new and most existing fossil fuel-fired power plants, requiring them to operate more cleanly. States are then given the flexibility to decide how facilities meet that target. The EPA has signaled openness to allowing mechanisms like RGGI to serve as a state’s pathway for complying with its standards.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has said Pennsylvania must “take action to address climate change, create energy jobs and ensure Pennsylvania has reliable, affordable and clean power for the long term.” RGGI can do just that.
Michael “Spike” Lewis
Scott