Clean Air Council Statement on Governor Shapiro’s PACER and PRESS Programs to Reduce Carbon Pollution and Increase Renewable Energy

PENNSYLVANIA (March 13, 2024) – Today, Governor Shapiro announced an energy plan today that would increase the use of renewable energy and establish a cap-and-invest program for the state’s power sector. The Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) would require clean energy to make up 35% of the state’s energy by 2035. Pennsylvania currently ranks 45th in the nation in renewable energy production; just 3% of Pennsylvania’s energy comes from renewable sources. Expanding and diversifying renewable energy usage requirements for utilities will increase energy reliability, create family-sustaining jobs, and reduce air pollution in the state. 

The Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative (PACER) is the Governor’s plan for a Pennsylvania-specific cap-and-invest program. This program, which is similar to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in design, would set a cap on carbon emissions from Pennsylvania’s largest power plants and require them to purchase credits from the Commonwealth to offset their emissions. PACER will operate within Pennsylvania: the carbon cap and credit price would be set by the state and revenue from the program would go toward consumer electricity bill rebates and energy efficiency investments for large energy producing facilities. 

Clean Air Council Executive Director Alex Bomstein issued the following statement.

“We are enthused that Governor Shapiro is giving long overdue attention to our right to a healthy environment. PACER and PRESS demonstrate the Governor’s commitment to putting Pennsylvanians first. The Governor is taking a critically needed step to increase renewables in the Commonwealth’s energy mix through PRESS, growing the clean energy market, improving energy reliability, and reducing air pollution. We are optimistic that with robust community input, the final version of PRESS will boost only true renewable energy such as wind and solar. And while we still view RGGI as the best power sector cap-and-invest program for Pennsylvania, we are excited to work with the Governor and the legislature on PACER to realize the greatest possible benefits for Pennsylvania residents, ratepayers, and workers alike.”