Senator Comitta and Representative Herrin Introduce Companion Bills to Make Critical RGGI Investments in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA (June 14, 2021) – This morning, Senator Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, and Representative Dianne Herrin (D-Chester) introduced companion legislation, Senate Bill 15 and House Bill 1565, that would amend the Air Pollution Control Act and make critical reinvestment decisions for the Commonwealth. These bills complement the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) ongoing rulemaking process to cut carbon pollution from Pennsylvania power plants and participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Pennsylvania participation in RGGI – beginning in 2022 – is projected to lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in annual proceeds over the next decade. In addition to funding important renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, SB 15 and HB 1565 would also create the Energy Communities Trust Fund and the Environmental Justice Communities Trust Fund, which would foster investments in: bill assistance for low-income ratepayers; support for environmental justice communities; and support for workers and communities transitioning to a post-coal world.

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

“I applaud Senator Comitta and Representative Herrin for showing real leadership on this important issue. We’ve heard odd complaints that the legislature has somehow been cut out of the conversation on reducing carbon pollution in Pennsylvania. On the contrary, the General Assembly can and should play a constructive role to ensure all Pennsylvanians share in the benefits of RGGI participation. In particular, with the few remaining coal plants set to retire with or without RGGI – most recently the Cheswick Generating Station in Allegheny County announced last week it plans to close in September – SB 15 and HB 1565 represent actual proactive policy to implement a just transition. These bills also highlight the need to invest resources into communities that have borne a disproportionate burden of environmental and public health impacts from our legacy of fossil fuel pollution.

SB 15 and HB 1565 make critical investment decisions that serve a broad set of social and economic purposes, in addition to driving further emission reductions. Pennsylvania has a lot of work to do, but this legislation charts a path for the Commonwealth to recover and thrive for years to come.”