Clean Air Council Denounces Final Passage of HB 2025

Harrisburg, PA (September 9, 2020) Today, the Pennsylvania Senate approved House Bill 2025 (Struzzi-R-Indiana), a radical piece of anti-environmental legislation that would strip the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of its existing authority to control carbon pollution and block Governor Tom Wolf’s efforts to have Pennsylvania participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  The bill now goes to Governor Wolf’s desk.

Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council, issued the following statement:

“HB 2025, framed as a mere process bill designed to give the General Assembly a ‘voice,’ is instead extremist climate denier policy that would strip DEP of its existing power to control carbon pollution in Pennsylvania.  The bill’s sponsors obviously want to block Pennsylvania from establishing a program to control air pollution from power plants and participate in RGGI, but HB 2025 hamstrings DEP’s efforts to take any action to limit carbon pollution from any source going forward.

Meanwhile, RGGI participation would significantly curb climate pollution, result in major public health benefits, and generate over $2 billion to re-invest in Pennsylvania businesses and communities.  The General Assembly can, in fact, play an important role in shaping this program, as evidenced by Senate Bill 15, a constructive approach to benefit all Pennsylvanians.  But HB 2025 is not constructive.  It is disastrous policy, and we look forward to Governor Wolf’s veto.  We also look forward to the Environmental Quality Board adopting the proposed RGGI rulemaking next week; that will open a public comment period and allow for robust participation across the Commonwealth on this critical issue.”

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