Clean Air Council Celebrates Final Publication of Pennsylvania’s CO2 Budget Trading Program
Harrisburg, PA (April 22, 2022) This morning, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) final-form regulation that links Pennsylvania with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was published in the online version of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The lengthy regulatory review process under state law is now complete. Pennsylvania’s CO2 Budget Trading Program has the full force and effect of law, and the state is on track to participate in RGGI’s upcoming regional auction in September.
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council, issued the following statement:
“It has been a long time coming, but what a monumental day. Pennsylvania has officially taken the most significant policy step to combat climate change in its history. From now on, the costs of carbon pollution emitted by fossil fuel-fired power plants in the Commonwealth will also be borne by polluters, not solely by the residents and taxpayers who suffer the impacts of that pollution. Governor Wolf issued his executive order directing DEP to draft this regulation over two-and-a-half years ago now. This has been an exhaustive regulatory process featuring overwhelming public support and participation. Pennsylvania’s program is projected to cut up to 227 million tons of carbon pollution by 2030, deliver billions of dollars in public health benefits, and provide hundreds of millions of dollars annually for reinvestment in Pennsylvania’s families and communities. These investments can help improve housing quality, increase energy efficiency, and lower electricity bills, as well as further eliminate air pollution. Now, the hard work begins to implement this program and allocate those RGGI proceeds to communities most in need.
I want to extend my deep thanks and congratulations to Governor Wolf and his administration. There is so much more work to be done to combat the climate crisis – at all levels of government – but today is worth celebrating.”
