MAKING POLLUTERS PAY IS GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH AND GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
It is important that Pennsylvania put in place a cap-and-invest program that protects and creates energy jobs, addresses climate change, brings relief to consumers, and ensures long-term power reliability for consumers.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the best cap-and-invest option for Pennsylvanians.
RGGI has been a big success in the 10 states where it is in place, cutting climate pollution by a third and raising nearly $3 billion to invest in clean energy and other purposes. It is time for Pennsylvania to tap into this record of success, cut carbon pollution that causes climate change, and create thousands of new jobs, by participating in RGGI.
RGGI will cut pollution produced by power plants by 188 million tons (the same impact as taking 4 million cars off the road), create 27,000 jobs and boost the state’s economy by nearly $2 billion.
Climate
Expert analysis conducted for PA Department of Environmental Protection estimates that PA's carbon pollution will be cut 21%, or 180 million tons with RGGI by2030. That’s a reduction equal to taking more than 4 million cars off the road for that period.
Economy
An in-depth analysis for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed that Pennsylvania would see a similar benefit to other states: RGGI will lead to a net increase of more than 27,000 jobs and add $1.9 billion to the state’s economy.
Health
Pennsylvania would also be healthier thanks to RGGI: reduced pollution will produce $6 billion in health benefits through 2030, more than 45,000 fewer asthma attacks and more than 1,000 fewer cases of childhood bronchitis among children.
Transition
A portion of the proceeds from RGGI in Pennsylvania could be used to help workers and communities who will be affected by the ongoing and inevitable transition of the energy market away from coal to natural gas and renewables.
Another option for a cap and invest program is one proposed by Governor Shapiro called the PA Climate Emissions Reduction Program, or PACER. PACER is a PA-specific cap-and-invest program that sets a cap on carbon pollution from power plants. It requires power plants to pay for the pollution they emit (without passing that cost on to consumers) and invests the proceeds directly in lowering consumers’ electricity bills, reducing air pollution through energy efficiency, and job-creating clean energy projects. Under PACER, Pennsylvania determines its own cap on carbon pollution, giving the Commonwealth control over its own energy future.
PACER builds on the recommendations of the Governor’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Working Group, made up of representatives of labor, the energy industry, environmental groups, and consumer advocates.
Whichever program is adopted, RGGI or PACER, must heavily direct investments to low- and moderate-income families and communities disproportionately harmed by pollution today and in the past.
Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face. It is occurring because of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. We’re already starting to see the effects here in Pennsylvania, like stronger storms and more flooding.
A carbon pollution control cap and invest program can reduce harmful climate-changing CO2 emissions, protect public health, and, together with a commitment to investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, position Pennsylvania as a leader in the growing clean energy economy.
Pennsylvania could receive hundreds of millions of dollars in proceeds annually from either of these proposed programs. These funds would be invested in targeted efforts to eliminate air pollution, spur job creation, support working Pennsylvanians, and help boost the state’s long-term economic health.
It’s time for Pennsylvania to tap into this record of success and reduce its carbon pollution by implementing a cap and invest
program.