PA Environment Digest

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AP: Gov. Wolf: Cap-And-Trade Climate Plan May Be Something PA Should Adopt

On December 7, the Associated Press reported Gov. Tom Wolf is considering whether to support a petition submitted to the Environmental Quality Board November 27 creating a cap-and-trade greenhouse gas reduction plan to address climate change Pennsylvania.

The AP said Wolf “...hasn’t come to a conclusion on it, but he agrees climate change is a problem and that a cap-and-trade program may be something Pennsylvania should adopt.”

The 407-page petition, submitted by more than 61 individuals, would eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from major sources in Pennsylvania by 2052.

Cap-And-Trade Recommendations

The recommendation to adopt a cap-and-trade program to put a price carbon has also been included in two other recent reports.

On November 30, the Senate-House Nuclear Energy Caucus issued a report on the impact of prematurely closing the state’s nuclear power plants which recommended, as one option, putting a price on carbon (greenhouse gas) emissions which the report said could be done if Pennsylvania adopted a cap-and-trade program. Click Here to read more.

On December 4, members of DEP’s Climate Change Advisory Committee reviewed a draft update to the state’s Climate Change Action Plan prepared by a DEP consultant which also made a recommendation to adopt a cap-and-trade program to put a price on carbon. A final report is due out by mid-February. Click Here to read more.

Other PA Climate Actions

There have also been a series of other recent climate-related actions in Pennsylvania.

On November 28, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh on local and state efforts to address climate change.

“In the absence of federal leadership on climate change, it is imperative that Pennsylvania continue to participate in cooperative efforts to stave off the catastrophic consequences of global warming,” said Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “We need to maintain efforts to keep Pennsylvania on track to combat climate change.” Click Here to read more.

On December 3, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale announced plans to prepare a special report exploring how Pennsylvania is responding to climate change in light of a failure by national leaders to recognize and act on the issue.

DePasquale said his report will focus on state government’s response to climate change and steps that can better prepare the state for the future, noting that the problem will impact communities of all sizes. Click Here to read more.

DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet December 13 on a draft regulation to set limits on volatile organic compound emissions-- with the “co-benefit” of reducing methane emissions-- from existing well sites, pumps, storage and other equipment at oil and gas facilities. Click Here to read more.

Visit DEP’s Climate Change webpage for more information on climate-related actions.

NewsClips:

AP: Gov. Wolf: Cap-And-Trade Climate Plan May Be Something PA Should Adopt

AP: Gov. Wolf Eyes Greenhouse Gas Cap-And-Trade Climate Plan

Cusick: Wolf On Climate Change: We Are Having Real Problems

Legere: Draft PA Climate Plan Update Envisions Dramatic Shift In PA’s Energy Mix

Role Of Coal, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power Questioned In DEP Climate Plan Update

Cusick: Auditor General To Look At State Response To Climate Change

Auditor General On Climate Change: Future Generations Will Ask Did They Do Something?

Auditor General To Review Climate Change’s Likely Impact In PA

Hopey: Paris To Pittsburgh Documentary Puts Pittsburgh In Leading Role In Climate Change Efforts

Philly Affirms Commitment To Reduce Climate-Changing Greenhouse Gas Emissions