Letter to the editor: Joining RGGI a win for Pa.

I strongly disagree with Rep. Eric Nelson’s position on the Regional Gas Greenhouse Initiative (RGGI) and the use of fossil fuels (“Why is Shapiro so quiet on Pa.’s energy policy?” May 30, TribLIVE). The data on Pennsylvania joining RGGI show a win for our economy, health and environment.

RGGI, a market-based program to cut climate-­altering carbon pollution from power plants, has, since its inception, decreased carbon emissions by more than 50%, raised nearly $6 billion to invest into local communities and added 48,000 job-years in participating states.

Pennsylvania ranked fourth nationally in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. According to research from the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania and Resources for the Future, if Pennsylvania were to adopt RGGI, the state could potentially reduce its electricity sector emissions to 84% below 2020 levels by 2030, generate additional revenue and see minimal to no impact on electricity rates. For Pennsylvanians who can no longer deny the effects of climate change, it means reduced pollutants linked to asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases, developmental delays and cancer.

The Pennsylvania Constitution states: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.” The use of fossil fuel is incompatible with that right. The majority of Pennsylvanians approve of being part of RGGI.

Americans for Prosperity, an organization that actively opposes clean energy and carbon legislation, funded by fossil-­fuel barons the Koch brothers, gives Nelson a 96% approval rating. Enough said.

Patricia Oliver

North Huntingdon