Emily Pomilio, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org, (480) 286-0401
Tom Schuster, tom.schuster@sierraclub.org, (814) 915-4231
Harrisburg, P.A. - Today, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the modeling analysis results for Pennsylvania’s proposed draft rule to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The draft rule would eliminate 180 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution from power plants by 2030, while keeping the state a leading exporter of electricity.
If the rule is approved and finalized, Pennsylvania will be the 12th state to join the program in 2022, following New Jersey in 2020 and Virgina in 2021. Between 2015 and 2017, the nine participating RGGI states saw a net increase in economic activity of $1.4 billion due to program implementation.
In response, Tom Schuster, Clean Energy Program Director for the Sierra Club’s Pennsylvania Chapter said:
“For the sake of protecting our communities against the most severe consequences of a changing climate, and safeguarding our health, it is critical that we do our fair share to limit carbon pollution from power plants. We applaud Governor Wolf for initiating and moving forward on this economically beneficial policy. Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI was common sense before this pandemic, and it makes even more sense now by creating a path toward a more stable climate, healthier air, a robust energy economy, and lower electricity bills.
“Chronic exposure to air pollution has been demonstrated to cause higher COVID-19 mortality rates, meaning RGGI represents an investment in our health, safety, and resiliency in the future.
While the pandemic has decimated thousands of efficiency and solar industry jobs, RGGI is expected to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars annually, which could revive those local clean energy jobs and reduce the amount of money households throughout the Commonwealth spend on energy.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.