FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa DePaoli, lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org, 724-229-3550, ext. 3
CCJ APPLAUDS GOV SHAPIRO’S DECISION TO APPEAL COURT’S BLOCK OF RGGI
Washington, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced that it will appeal the order of the Commonwealth Court to block Pennsylvania’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The decision of the Commonwealth Court, put in place by the Wolf administration, was limited to questions of executive authority. Governor Shapiro’s office states that he must “protect that important authority for this Administration and all future governors.”
The RGGI Working Group, convened by Governor Shapiro and consisting of a diverse group of stakeholders, had reached a consensus on the need to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and identified a market-based power sector carbon pollution cap-and-invest program as the best approach to achieve this goal. Governor Shapiro’s decision to appeal the Commonwealth Court decision shows his commitment to a clean energy plan that protects and creates energy jobs, addresses climate change, protects public health, and ensures reliable, affordable power for consumers in the long term.
Ethan Story, Advocacy Director for the Center for Coalfield Justice, stated “We are excited that the Governor has made this decision. Pennsylvania communities need this for many reasons. Although RGGI is not the perfect answer for our state, it is a step in the right direction toward a just transition. RGGI is something that most residents want and deserve. It also would bring incredible environmental benefits. It is unclear how the state would use the funds to bring frontline and coal communities the help they need and deserve. CCJ will continue to advocate for these funds to be invested into these communities.”
Joining RGGI will position Pennsylvania as a leader in the energy economy of the future and create long-term economic opportunities for constituents. By not participating, we have already missed out on massive health and climate benefits, plus $1.5 billion of program payments that could have directly helped Pennsylvanians. We look forward to the conversation about how best to invest RGGI proceeds to cut harmful pollution, protect the health of Pennsylvania families, and find ways to invest in clean energy jobs and technology to position our state as a leader in the clean energy economy of the future.
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