By Jay Breneman, U.S. Army Veteran, Iraq War

This op-ed originally appeared in the York Daily Record on February 12, 2021--

I know I am not alone in feeling exasperated by the prevalence of shortsighted policy that blithely ignores the deterioration of our environment, particularly the unequal impact on marginalized communities here in the Erie area where I live.

This is manifested in how Pennsylvania approaches emissions of CO2 [carbon dioxide], a potent and long-lived greenhouse gas.

The Keystone State ranks third in total greenhouse gas pollution and its power sector is the fourth dirtiest in the nation.

This pollution fouls the air, harms public health, and accelerates climate change.

Year round, we are seeing the impacts of this climate-harming pollution in extreme weather such as floods, hurricanes, droughts and reduced agricultural yields.

We rely upon the National Guard to help communities recover from these disasters, yet they cannot keep up with the wave of disasters which will only increase if we fail to act.

The U.S. Department of Defense has officially called climate change a “threat multiplier.” It is our soldiers who are on the front lines on our behalf-- fulfilling a solemn oath they hold sacred.

I know the weight of that burden from both sides of the coin: when I served our nation in uniform in the U.S. Army, and now as a veteran living and working in Erie.

As Americans, we must support our service members via common-sense, forward-thinking policy.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a way for our electric power sector to capitalize on emissions reductions while reducing air pollution in affected communities and advancing the global movement to mitigate climate change.

RGGI’s cap-and-invest model has proven successful in the 10 Northeastern states currently participating, and program proceeds have been a boon for job creation in renewable energy and energy efficiency as investments are steered toward cleaning the air.

We have a small window of opportunity to re-imagine how we conduct business, be at the forefront of environmental solutions that will bring long-term sustainability and reinvest in our communities with more than just a paycheck but cleaner, brighter places to live.

Time and again, we see veteran employment and hiring initiatives at the forefront of companies.

However, I personally cannot name a single veteran who does not care about the values and a sense of purpose that must come from their work, and this includes the values and integrity of the companies for which they work.

It is also worth mentioning that veterans-- perhaps more than most-- realize the need to move quickly into a 21st century economy that prioritizes energy independence, a value that is unachievable without robust investment in clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind.

The data is clear: The cost of renewables has been falling dramatically over the last decade. This should not be partisan; our decision making should be pragmatic.

It makes sense that in linking to RGGI, we would want to prioritize energy sources that bring maximal benefit to the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians and position the commonwealth to capture the clean energy jobs of the future.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently held virtual public hearings on RGGI.

The virtual format made it possible for voices from around the state and nation to weigh in on an issue that has the support of over 70 percent of Pennsylvanians in a September 2020 poll.

Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI is long overdue as the state’s 89 million tons per year of carbon pollution exceed that of the 10 RGGI states combined.

That pollution is a threat to everyone in the U.S. if left unchecked.

Absent a better proposed approach for Pennsylvania, we would be well served to act on the wishes of the vast majority of Pennsylvanians who want their leaders to act on climate.

Gov. Tom Wolf has done the right thing in launching the RGGI rulemaking.

Now, DEP must move with all deliberate speed to get the rule finalized in the interest of the health, safety and security of all Americans.

Jay Breneman is a social work educator, and U.S. Army veteran of the Iraq War. He lives in Erie with his wife and their three children.

Related Articles:

-- Clean Power PA Coalition: 95% Of Commenters At EQB Hearings On Proposed Power Plant Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulation Supported The Proposal

-- PA Environmental Council Renews Call For Pennsylvania To Lead On Climate Change And Reducing Carbon Pollution

-- Wolf Budget Proposes Energy Communities Trust Fund To Ease Transition Of Workers, Communities Impacted By Power Plant Closures

[Posted: February 15, 2021]

2/22/2021