The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Community, Economic and Recreation Development Committees are scheduled to hold a joint hearing March 21 on the economic impacts of the federal regulation establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The hearing is likely to focus on a February 28 request by Senators Gene Yaw (R-Lyoming) and John Yudichak (I-Luzerne) sent a letter to the Independent Fiscal Office last week requesting an audit of modeling used to justify Pennsylvania’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

“The IFO’s impartial analysis has been regarded as among the most trustworthy perspectives in state government for more than a decade,” Sen. Yaw said. “The office’s projections will offer clarity on RGGI’s true economic impacts, given the Wolf administration’s repeated unwillingness to do so.”

The Senators requested an IFO review after the Department of Environmental Protection refused an invitation to testify before the the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, of which Sen. Yaw is chairman, about skyrocketing RGGI costs not contemplated by prior modeling.

The hearing will be held in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building starting at 1:00 p.m.  Click Here to watch live.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5709 or sending email to: senatorcomitta@pasenate.com.

Sen. John Yudichak (I-Luzerne) serves as Majority Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee and can be contacted at 717-787-7105 or send email to: John@pasen.gov.   Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted at 717-787-5544 or send email to: cappelletti@pasenate.com.

Resource Link:

-- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Allowance Costs Increase To $13.50 From $13 In March 9 Auction

Related Articles:

-- Senators Yaw, Yudichak Request Independent Fiscal Office To Audit Modeling Done By DEP To Justify Final RGGI Regulations Reducing Carbon Pollution From Power Plants

-- AP: DEP Files Lawsuit Against Reference Bureau To Publish Final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations; PA Could Lose Air Pollution Reductions, $283 Million

-- Senate Republicans File To Intervene To Oppose The DEP Lawsuit To Publish Final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations

-- Gov. Wolf Vetoes Resolution That Would Kill Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants; General Assembly Failed To Act Within Statutory Deadlines

-- How Did We Get Here: Background On The Final EQB Regulation Reducing Carbon Pollution From Power Plants [RGGI]

[Posted: March 8, 2022]

3/14/2022