On May 7, DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee took no position on DEP's proposed carbon pollution reduction regulation covering power plants.

After a long discussion of the proposal, the 19-member group, which includes representatives of the public, business, environmental groups, industry, health agencies and others, voted 9 to 9 with one abstention on a motion to recommend DEP present the proposed regulation to the Environmental Quality Board for consideration.

Members expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of the proposal, especially given DEP has not yet completed its economic impact evaluation of the program on the state’s economy.

A representative of Earthjustice, the lone abstention, said he could not support the program without better provisions addressing environmental justice issues.

DEP is expected to answer more questions about the proposal at the May 19 meeting of DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council.

Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order directs DEP to present a proposed regulation reducing carbon pollution from power plants to the Environmental Quality Board in July.

For more information on RGGI, visit DEP’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative webpage.

For available handouts, visit the DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee webpage. Questions should be directed to Kirit Dalai by calling 717-772-3436 or sending email to: kdalal@pa.gov.

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[Posted: May 9, 2020]

5/11/2020