On May 11, Gov. Tom Wolf wrote to Republican members of the Senate urging them to work "collaboratively with DEP" to develop a carbon pollution reduction program for power plants that benefits all Pennsylvanians.

He also pointed out his concerns with Senate Bill 950 (Pittman-R-Indiana) -- and its companion bill House Bill 2025 (Strazzi-R-Indiana) due to be taken up by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee TODAY at 10:00 a.m. Read more here.

The bills were introduced last November to take away DEP's authority to develop any carbon pollution reduction program and would allow Pennsylvania to join the northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and do not offer any alternative plan to achieve needed carbon emission reductions.  Read more here.

Wolf's letter was in response to a letter sent to him by 18 Senate Republicans asking him to withdraw his October 2019 Executive Order directing DEP to establish a carbon pollution reduction program saying the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reshaped Pennsylvania’s economy.  Read more here.

A similar letter was written to the Governor by 48 Republican members of the House and 10 Democratic members.  Read more here.

In his letter, Gov. Wolf noted Pennsylvania is the "fourth-leading carbon dioxide emitter in the country, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a responsibility on behalf of Pennsylvania’s residents to take action to reduce emissions.

"Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) participation not only addresses emissions, it offers a host of other benefits to the Commonwealth that span environmental improvements, resident health, and economic advantages.”

In response to concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Wolf said,”DEP continues to fulfill its mission of protecting public health and the environment during the pandemic, including reviewing permit applications, responding to complaints and environmental emergencies, and conducting inspections. Read more here.

“Furthermore, DEP also has an obligation to maintain and develop regulations to further this mission, part of which includes continuing efforts toward submitting a proposed rulemaking to the Environmental Quality Board to participate in RGGI.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a renewed focus on climate change, local air quality impacts, and opportunities for economic development, all areas where RGGI can provide value. RGGI is necessary for our environment, our health, and our future economy.”

Significant Health, Environmental Benefits

Gov. Wolf said a carbon emission reduction program covering power plants will have significant health and environmental benefits for Pennsylvanians.

“Through RGGI, Pennsylvania could reduce CO2 emissions by 180 million tons by 2030 - 10 times as much as we would have otherwise without participating in RGGI. Emission reductions expected from RGGI participation do not only benefit the health of our air, water, and lands.

“Our residents – including those most often impacted by marginal air quality, such as communities of color – will see an improvement in their health through better air quality. Reductions in emissions from power plants come with a host of co-benefits, including reductions of NOx, SO2, and PM 2.5 pollution.

“These are precursors to ground level ozone, which is a significant contributor to respiratory illness.

“Additionally, emerging evidence links chronic exposure to air pollution with higher rates of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. As such, reductions in CO2 are even more relevant.”

[Editor’s Note: Using EPA’s methodology, the public health benefits to the Commonwealth of avoided pollution range between $2.79 billion to $6.3 billion by 2030, averaging between $232 million to $525 million per year.

[It is estimated that between 282 and 639 premature deaths will be avoided in the Commonwealth through 2030 due to emissions reductions directly resulting from this proposed rulemaking.

[There are also estimated to be 31,000 fewer incidences of upper and lower respiratory symptoms, which would lead to reduced emergency department visits and avoided hospital admissions.

[The incidences of minor restricted-activity days for children decline by almost 500,000 days between now and 2030.

[The methodology projects over 83,000 avoided lost work days due to health impacts.]

RGGI Necessary To Meeting Climate Targets

“The RGGI-related CO2 reductions by 2030 are imperative to advance Pennsylvania’s climate goals.

“These targets were set to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Changing climate patterns have caused and will continue to cause impacts in Pennsylvania to public health, infrastructure, emergency services, and  major economic contributors like agriculture, tourism, and recreation.

“Impacts include increased damage from flooding, more extreme weather events, worsening air quality, agricultural losses, and expansion of vector-borne diseases like Lyme Disease.

“Reductions expected from our participation in RGGI will facilitate our ability to meet the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas reduction goals as established last year:  26 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050 (compared to 2005 levels).  Read more here.

“Without RGGI action on emissions, Pennsylvania would not be able to meet even the interim goal, posing a great risk to the Commonwealth.”

RGGI Improves Economy, Creates Local Jobs

“Climate change will have a drastic impact on Pennsylvania’s economy- a trend we have the opportunity to reverse through participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

“Common assumptions by RGGI opponents (such as negative economic impacts, large spikes in electricity prices, erosion of our position as a leading energy exporter) are not reflected in our RGGI modeling, nor are they seen in RGGI’s ten-year history.

“RGGI has had a positive net economic impact on participating states.

“RGGI investments in energy efficiency create local jobs that cannot be outsourced and, leveraged among other programs, put Pennsylvanians back to work and spur the economy while achieving emissions reductions goals.

“Though Pennsylvania’s participation would not begin until January of 2022, moving forward ensures that we are well-positioned for the environmental, health, and economic gains to come.”

[Editor’s Note: The modeling estimates that from 2022 to 2030, this proposed rulemaking would lead to an increase in Gross State Product of $1.9 billion and a net increase of 27,752 jobs in this Commonwealth.]

Plenty Of Opportunities For Public Comment

“Since October, DEP has met with and continues to meet with interested stakeholders and regulated entities to gather their perspectives on Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI.

“This diverse group so far includes coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plant operators; waste-coal cogeneration plant operators; industry representatives; community organizations; environmental equity groups; environmental nongovernmental organizations; other state agencies; and legislators.

“In the last few weeks, DEP has further increased communication and education around the draft proposed regulation and associated modeling.

“Utilizing an online webinar format allowed DEP to reach far more stakeholders than our traditional in person advisory committee meetings.

“We have yet to formally begin the regulatory process, which will begin this summer. DEP will follow the public comment requirements as outlined in the Regulatory Review Act – including additional comment and engagement with the environmental justice community and other stakeholders.”

[Editor’s Note: The Senate and House have themselves had multiple information meetings and hearings.  Read more here. At a May 19 DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting on the proposal, more than 40 commenters from all sides of the issue had to opportunity to present their concerns and support.  Read more here.]

Benefits For Transitioning Employees, Communities

“One notable result of Pennsylvania’s modeling efforts is the decline of Pennsylvania’s coal generation from 47 percent of our electricity portfolio to barely one percent of generation in 2030.

“This impact will occur irrespective of participation in RGGI and is driven strictly by current market forces.

“Thus, Pennsylvania’s coal communities will suffer huge losses as the energy sector transitions over the next ten years, unless there is early intervention to facilitate a smooth transition from coal. RGGI offers a solution.

“RGGI functions as a cap-and-invest program, which allows proceeds from the sale of Pennsylvania’s CO2 allowances in the regional auction to return to Pennsylvania for investment. DEP projects that if Pennsylvania begins participation in RGGI on January 1, 2022, the Commonwealth could receive nearly $300 million in RGGI auction revenue in 2022.

“Under DEP’s existing legislative authority, this revenue can be used for reducing air pollution in the Commonwealth.

“Further collaboration between DEP and the General Assembly could ensure that communities and employees impacted by the energy sector transition have resources and options to aid in the transition between now and 2030.

“RGGI participation provides the resources to make this assistance possible.”

Conclusion

“In closing, the direction to the Department of Environmental Protection to advance a regulation for participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative stands, and work towards Pennsylvania’s climate goals must and will continue.

“This work is now more important than ever. There are opportunities to expand the reach and impact of these RGGI investments, including assisting communities with future energy transitions.

“I invite all members of the General Assembly to engage collaboratively with DEP in these conversations so that together we may develop a plan that truly benefits all Pennsylvanians.”

Click Here for a copy of the Governor’s letter.

Recent Actions

On June 8, Gov. Tom Wolf said at a press conference on an unrelated issue he will veto House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R- Indiana) which would take away DEP’s authority to enact any program to reduce carbon pollution emissions. Read more here.

 Also on June 8, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Fund wrote to members of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee urging them to oppose House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R- Indiana) to take away DEP’s authority to enact any program to reduce carbon pollution emissions. Read more here.

Related Articles:

-- Republicans Move Bill Taking Away DEP’s Authority To Enact Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants

-- Gov. Wolf Will Veto Bill Taking Away DEP's Authority To Enact Program To Reduce Carbon Pollution Emissions From Power Plants

-- PEC, EDF Urge House Members To Oppose Bill Taking Away DEP’s Authority To Enact Any Program To Reduce Carbon Pollution Emissions

-- Organizations Urge PA Lawmakers To Create Clean Energy Jobs With Carbon Pollution Reduction Program

-- Reminder: EQB Virtual Hearings On Reg. Controlling VOCs/Methane From Existing Oil, Gas Operations June 23, 24, 25

-- YaleEnvironment360: How Small Family Forests Can Help Meet The Climate Challenge

Related Articles - Carbon Pollution:

-- Modeling For Carbon Pollution Reduction Proposal Shows 180M Ton Reduction In CO2, 3% Increase In Electric, Coal Use Drops Either Way

-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council Votes Against Moving Proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants To EQB

-- New PA Poll: 72% Of Pennsylvania Voters Say It's Important Their Electricity Comes From Energy Not Creating Carbon Emissions

-- New Poll Finds 79% Of Pennsylvania Voters Support Limits On Carbon Pollution From Power Plants

-- U.S. EIA Expects Coal-Fired Electric Generation To Fall By 25% In 2020; 11% Increase In Renewables; Natural Gas Flat

-- Republican House Members Sign Letter Urging Governor To Halt Efforts To Join Regional Carbon Pollution Reduction Program

-- 18 Senate Republicans Ask Gov. Wolf To Withdrawn His Executive Order Asking DEP To Establish A Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants

-- Senate Hearing: DEP - No Decision Made On Joining Regional Transportation Climate Initiative Reducing Vehicle Carbon Dioxide Emissions

-- New PEC Podcast: Fmr Gov. Tom Ridge On Conservatives Being Out Of Touch On The Environment

-- Op-Ed:My Fellow Conservatives Are Out Of Touch On The Environment - Fmr. Gov. Tom Ridge

[Posted: June 9, 2020]

6/15/2020