Unfortunately, lawmakers and fossil-fuel interests can still somehow frame environmental progress as being anti-jobs. Consider the article “Union members join industry groups to rally against state caps on power plant emissions” (Aug. 26, TribLIVE), which aired a one-sided, flawed argument against the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a proven market-based program that reduces carbon pollution, cleans up our air and invests to create jobs and cut electricity bills.
RGGI can help families and communities already impacted by Pennsylvania’s rapidly changing energy industry. The article omitted a key fact: Coal has long been declining in Pennsylvania, plummeting from 57% of electric generation in 2010 to 25% in 2018. Meanwhile, fracked gas increased its market share from 18% to 43% in that same time frame, effectively replacing coal as markets and consumers sought out far cheaper power. Gas will continue closing heavily polluting coal plants in Pennsylvania, with or without RGGI participation.
The question we should be asking lawmakers is, “What are you going to do?” Gov. Tom Wolf proposes RGGI participation, which will create over $300 million in revenue for Pennsylvania in 2022 and over $2 billion by 2030. If state lawmakers cared more about public policy than talking points, they could ensure RGGI funds provide fairness for communities inevitably transitioning to a post-coal world. That includes providing family-sustaining, high-paying jobs.
So, opponents, where’s your plan?
Andrew Woomer
Wilkinsburg
The writer is advocacy coordinator with the Clean Air Council.