On June 6, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) circulated a co-sponsor memo announcing he is introducing legislation to require the Environmental Quality Board to enact a limit on carbon pollution from the power sector.

The goal is to establish a market-based “cap-and-invest program” to reduce power sector carbon pollution by 90 percent by 2040 relative to baseline emissions.

“The federal government has abdicated responsibility on climate change— states, local governments, private companies and citizens must take the lead in enacting equitable policies to mitigate the growing impacts of climate change,” said Sen. Costa.

“Pennsylvania has already made important strides towards reducing greenhouse gases, and mayors from Pennsylvania’s two largest cities have already committed to reducing carbon emissions,” added Sen. Costa. “But more work is needed to achieve the emission reductions targeted by Governor Wolf’s Executive Order 2019-01, “Commonwealth Leadership in Addressing Climate Change and Promoting Energy Conservation and Sustainable Governance,” and to make sure Pennsylvania isn’t left behind in the burgeoning growth of clean energy technologies and jobs.

“My legislation will instruct the Environmental Quality Board to reduce carbon pollution emissions from the electric power sector – the largest source of emissions in Pennsylvania – by at least 90 percent by 2040 relative to baseline emissions.

“The Board can develop a market-based carbon pollution limit, which ensures a technology neutral, flexible approach that incentivizes the most cost-effective emission reductions and generates revenue for investments in economic development, workforce training, energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy affordability. This will be known as a cap and invest program.

“The legislation also enables the Board to adopt mechanisms that facilitate deployment of zero—emissions technologies, measures that provide for ongoing assessment of emission sources in the electric power sector that adversely affect disadvantaged communities and for reductions in harmful air pollution affecting the communities, protect against emissions leakage, and join one or more multijurisdictional programs for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Further, the bill provides that revenue generated from the program be directed towards programs that promote clean air, mitigate utility bill impacts and protect low-income consumers, increase energy efficiency, and assist workers and communities impacted by the closure of power plants or mines.

“To protect Pennsylvanians’ rights under Article I, Section 27 of the State Constitution, we must act to prevent the worst impacts of global climate change. As Pennsylvania’s 2018 Climate Action Plan details, we are already seeing the many changes occurring to our planet's environment, landscape, ecology and weather. Unabated, this will only get worse and severely impact our economy. Pennsylvania can be the leader that our current federal government elected officials are not willing to be.”

Pennsylvania is the third largest greenhouse gas polluting state and is home to the fifth dirtiest power sector in the nation.

Reaction

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council has advocated for an approach that is technology-neutral and adaptive to incentivize the most cost-effective emission reductions and generate revenue for investments in energy efficiency and affordability, renewable technologies, and economic and job development.

“In January of this year PEC expressly called, among other measures, for Pennsylvania to join RGGI [Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative] to set a price on carbon emissions.

Other recent efforts like the Department of Environmental Protection’s Climate Action Plan (April 2019) have also identified a market-based approach as an effective option for the Commonwealth.

“Sen. Costa’s legislation matches squarely with PEC’s approach and would establish a key piece of the larger framework Pennsylvania needs to get to a zero-emissions profile by mid-century.

“PEC applauds the introduction of this legislation, and looks forward to working with members of the General Assembly and governor in the months ahead to advance workable solutions to address climate change.”

Click Here for a copy of the complete statement.

Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel of the Clean Air Council, said,  “I commend Senator Costa for his leadership on this important issue.  The electric power sector is responsible for over one-third of Pennsylvania’s net greenhouse gas emissions, and our power plants emit more CO2 than those in all nine current RGGI states combined.  Putting a price on carbon and capping emissions from the power sector is a critical, concrete policy step that will help Pennsylvania meet the GHG reduction goals set by Governor Wolf. We have a lot of work to do, but the Energy Innovation and Investment Act is a game changer.”

“Placing a limit on power sector carbon emissions is the most effective way for Pennsylvania to value zero- and low-emission power generation assets,” said Mandy Warner, Senior Manager of Climate and Air Policy, Environmental Defense Fund.  “Implementing a competitive market-driven system will set Pennsylvania on the road toward meeting Gov. Wolf’s climate goals, guarantee the critical reductions in pollution needed from the power sector and begin to develop the policy framework necessary to achieve a carbon free economy by mid-century.”

Click Here for a copy of the co-sponsor memo.

NewsClips:

WITF Smart Talk: PA’s Climate Goals, DEP Secretary McDonnell

Op-Ed: Pennsylvania Must Replace Natural Gas With Non-Fossil Energy ASAP

Kummer: Some Of PA’s Iconic Tree Species Might Not Survive Climate Change

Chesapeake Bay Program: Planning For A Changing Climate

Cusick: PA’s Had A Lot Of Tornadoes This Year, But Scientists Don’t Know If There’s A Climate Change Link

Wildfires, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earthquakes: How Utilities Are Preparing For A Summer Of Storms

Cusick: Scientists Race To Figure Out How Fast A Pennsylvania-Sized Glacier Could Melt

The Thwaites Glacier Is Melting, Here’s Why The Philly Region Should Care

Cusick: PJM Looks To Plug Leaks Sprouting From Patchwork Of State Carbon Policies

Bloomberg Donates $500M To Campaign To Close Every U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plant By 2030

AP: U.S. Court Weighs If Climate Change Violates Children’s Rights

Teen Activists Face U.S. Government In Crucial Court Hearing Over Climate

Trump Blames India, China For Climate Change: “No Sense Of Cleanliness”

After Talk With Charles, Trump Says Climate Changes Goes Both Ways

Related Stories:

Gov. Wolf Sets Goal Of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 80% By 2050 From 2005 Levels

Gov. Wolf, Legislators Announce New Climate Action Plan, Including Endorsing Cap-And-Trade For Power Generation, Keeping Nuclear Power Plants Open

EQB Accepts Cap-And-Trade Petition For Evaluation; State Does Have Authority To Adopt A Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program

Related Stories This Week:

Environmental Quality Board To Hear Update On Climate Cap-And-Trade, PFOA Petitions + 2 New Rulemaking Petitions June 18

DEP Citizens Advisory Council To Hear Presentations On DEP Climate Plan, Cap-And-Trade Petition, Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee June 18

[Posted: June 6, 2019]

6/10/2019