PRESS RELEASE
Clean Power PA Coalition Applauds Governor Wolf’s Commitment to Climate Action, Urges Concrete Steps on Policies to Increase Renewables and Cap Carbon Emissions
HARRISBURG-- (APRIL 29, 2019) –Governor Tom Wolf announced today that he will be joining the United States Climate Alliance, making Pennsylvania the 24th state in a coalition committed to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. The announcement coincided with the release of the updated Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan, the Commonwealth’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The Clean Power PA Coalition issued the following statement in response to today’s climate-focused announcements:
“We are pleased by Governor Wolf’s decision to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, as it represents an important symbol of Pennsylvania’s commitment to comprehensive climate change solutions. This is the third in a series of commitments Governor Wolf has made on climate action, including his Executive Order earlier this year setting the first-ever carbon emission reduction goals for the state and his addition of Pennsylvania to the Transportation Climate Initiative in late 2018. We are heartened by Governor Wolf’s continued steps toward tackling climate change for Pennsylvania families now and for future generations.
“It is also imperative that we continually advance the work set forth in Pennsylvania’s Climate Action Plan. We commend Secretary McDonnell and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for this commitment to reduce the pollution driving climate change and its serious impacts across the commonwealth.
“We still need action from the executive branch and especially our elected officials in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to advance policies that will significantly scale up the deployment of renewable energy as well as set a declining, enforceable limit on carbon pollution from power plants. Both steps are necessary elements of a comprehensive solution to tackle climate change and will benefit Pennsylvanians by building a clean energy future that protects public health, powers a strong economy focused on renewable energy and ensures a resilient environment.
“Our coalition supports Senate Bill 600 and House Bill 1195, legislation that will modernize Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) by increasing the Tier I target for renewable energy such as wind and solar to 30% by 2030. We also support the development of legislation or regulation that would set enforceable and declining limits on carbon pollution and urge immediate action to move forward on such a policy.
“Scientists tell us we have a small window of time left in order to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change beyond the dangerous impacts we are already experiencing. With leadership from Governor Wolf and the General Assembly, we can build on the strong commitments that have already been made and couple them with equally strong policies that will create jobs and keep our families healthy.”
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The Clean Power PA Coalition is a group of clean energy, business, faith, and community leaders committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment and powering its economy through clean energy. The coalition includes the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), PennFuture, Clean Air Council, Moms Clean Air Force, Penn Environment, NextGen Climate America, Conservation Voters of PA, Clean Water Action, Voces Verdes, Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Audubon Pennsylvania, Physicians for Social Responsibility-Philadelphia , Climate Parents, Partnership for Policy Integrity, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Sustainable Pittsburgh and Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
For more information, visit www.cleanpowerpa.org