Clean Air Council Lauds the Independent Regulatory Review Commission for Approving Pennsylvania’s CO2 Budget Trading Program
Harrisburg, PA (September 1, 2021) This afternoon, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) voted to approve the final-form regulation that will link Pennsylvania to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) beginning in 2022. Under state law, IRRC’s role is to determine whether an agency has statutory authority to promulgate a regulation and whether that regulation is in the public interest. Because of IRRC’s approval, the final-form regulation will now be presented to the Office of Attorney General for review as to form and legality. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is also afforded time for a final review before the regulation takes effect. IRRC’s approval is one of the last stages of the regulatory review process.
Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council, issued the following statement:
“IRRC’s approval of Governor Wolf’s CO2 Budget Trading Program represents a major milestone in Pennsylvania’s efforts to combat climate change and is yet another critical step forward in this long regulatory review process. It’s clearer now than ever before – Pennsylvania will officially participate in RGGI in just a few months. IRRC fulfilled its statutory and constitutional role ably, as this final-form regulation is obviously in the public interest. Pennsylvania participation in RGGI will cut up to 227 million tons of carbon pollution from power plants 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 efficiency, and lower electricity bills, as well as further eliminate air pollution.
After nearly two years of public outreach and stakeholder engagement, Clean Air Council urges the Pennsylvania legislature to ensure this popular, proven program takes effect without delay.”
