PA Environment Digest

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Sen. Comitta, Sen. Santarsiero, Rep. Friel-Otten, Rep. Abney Introduce Gov. Shapiro's Clean Energy/Climate Plan Bills

On May 8, Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks), Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) and Rep. Aerion Abney (D-Allegheny) announced they introduced the PA Climate Emission Reduction Program (PACER) and PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) proposed by Gov. Shapiro in March.

The PA Climate Emission Reduction Program (PACER) proposal was introduced by Sen. Comitta as Senate Bill 1191 (not yet online) and House Bill 2275 by Rep. Abney.

The PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) proposal was introduced by Sen. Santarsiero as Senate Bill 1190 (not yet online) and House Bill 2277 by Rep. Friel-Otten.

"Pennsylvania accounts for about 1 percent of global emissions. As a major energy-producing state, we have a responsibility to lead the way in addressing climate change. PACER is the way forward to cleaner air, job growth, and consumer savings on electricity bills,” said Sen. Comitta, who serves as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “I thank Governor Shapiro, Rep. Abney, and our legislative partners and co-sponsors for their support of this bold and forward-thinking plan.”

PACER

Under PACER, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will calculate a Pennsylvania-specific cap on carbon emissions and hold our own independent PACER credit auctions. The proceeds will be invested as follows--

-- 70 percent returned directly to electricity consumers, including those in rural areas, as an across-the-board, on-bill rebate by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). This reflects the proceeds expected to come from Pennsylvania electricity customers.

-- 30 percent to support energy efficiency projects that reduce air pollution in Pennsylvania, invest in new job-creating clean energy projects, and support low-income energy consumers with their energy bills through a year-round LIHEAP program. Of that project funding, 40 percent will be dedicated to directly benefit Environmental Justice communities.

House Bill 2275 was referred to the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee.

PRESS

PRESS continues all of the successful elements of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) while making it more inclusive—adding nuclear power, next generation technologies like fusion, and clean forms of natural gas for the first time.

This revitalized energy standard will deliver outsized economic value, improve the reliability of our electricity grid, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in the energy arena for the next twenty years.

PRESS raises the target for the cleanest and renewable energy projects in Tier I to 35% by 2035; it raises the target for Tier II to 10%; and it creates a new Tier III that includes important alternative sources or of power like co-blended or low emission natural gas and other step-stone resources with a 5% target by 2035.

In addition, PRESS ensures the continuity of our existing clean energy nuclear fleet by creating a mechanism for those facilities to receive support in the event they are threatened with closure.

House Bill 2277 was referred to the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

(Photos: Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks), Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) and Rep. Aerion Abney (D-Allegheny).)

Resource Links:

-- Gov. Shapiro Unveils Cap-And-Invest PA Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative To Reduce Carbon Pollution From Power Plants; Update Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards To Diversify Electric Generation, Improve Reliability [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro On Republican Reaction To His Energy Plan: They’ve Done Nothing And Power ‘Plants Have Closed On Their Watch;’ They’re ‘Used To Doing Nothing;’ ‘Doing Nothing Is Not Acceptable’ [PaEN]

-- Senate Republicans Reject Gov. Shapiro’s Offer To Work On Legislation To Make The Electric Grid More Reliable, Diversify Our Energy Sources, Lower Energy Costs For Ratepayers, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions [PaEN]

-- Pennsylvania’s Electric Grid Is Dependent On One Fuel To Generate 59% Of Our Electricity; Market Moving To Renewables + Storage [PaEN]

Special Link:

-- We’re Heard This Before: ‘We’re Providing Jobs - Stopping Pollution Threatens Jobs’ - A Brief Review Of Pennsylvania’s Conservation History [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Sen. Comitta, Sen. Santarsiero, Rep. Friel-Otten, Rep. Abney Introduce Gov. Shapiro's Clean Energy/Climate Plan Bills [PaEN]

-- EEN Action/Evangelical Environmental Network: Nearly 33,000 Christians Support Amending PA's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard To Promote Clean Energy, Improve Grid Reliability [PaEN]

-- USDA Rural Energy For America Success Story: Franklin County Dairy Farmer Harvesting Benefits Of Solar Energy [PaEN]

-- Penn State Team Awarded US DOE Grant To Develop Extraction & Recovery Technologies For Rare Earth, Other Critical Materials From Coal, Coal Wastes, Acid Mine Drainage [PaEN]