Pennsylvania recently joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state, bipartisan program to cut carbon pollution coming from power plants. This pollution is a leading contributor to climate change, and Pennsylvania produces more of it than all but four other states in the country. RGGI has been a big success in 11 other northeastern states.
Pennsylvania needs these pollution cuts now more than ever. The impacts of climate change, like stronger storms and more flooding, have hit the state hard. Climate change also is harming Pennsylvanians’ health. Higher temperatures make smog worse, threatening children and adults with respiratory and cardiac problems.
RGGI will reduce Pennsylvania’s carbon pollution by 25%. Since power companies pay under the program for the pollution they create, funds will be available to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy, which will cut pollution even further, reduce consumers’ electric bills and create jobs.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has said that Pennsylvania must “take real action to address climate change, protect and create energy jobs and ensure Pennsylvania has reliable, affordable and clean power for the long term.”
That’s exactly what RGGI does. Tell the governor to protect this critical program.
Bruce Cooper
Cranberry Township
The writer is group leader of the Slippery Rock chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.