The state senate has approved legislation to repeal the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, also known as RGGI.
Six years ago, then-Governor Tom Wolf tried to force the state through an executive order to join the multi-state compact that required fossil fuel power plants with capacity greater than 25 megawatts to purchase allowances for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit per year. The Senate Republican Caucus said that this would impact the average consumer by increasing electricity rates, and it would also cut energy and manufacturing jobs in the state and force the closure of some of Pennsylvania’s power plants.
In 2023, Commonwealth Court ruled that the state’ s entrance to RGGI could only happen via an act by the General Assembly, and not through an executive order. That ruling has been appealed to the State Supreme Court by current Governor Josh Shapiro.
State senator Joe Pittman has been a long-time opponent of RGGI, and said on the floor of the senate earlier this week that if power plants would close due to the compact, it would be a big hit to the tax base, especially in our area.
He said that Shapiro essentially has three options concerning RGGI.
The bill passed by a 31-18 vote and is now in the Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee of the state house.
