Letter to the editor: RGGI right step for Pa.
Carbon pollution is the leading greenhouse gas that causes climate change. Pennsylvania is the fifth largest generator of carbon pollution in the country, so it is great news that our state is part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a successful bipartisan effort that cuts carbon pollution coming from power plants.
The RGGI facilitates the purchasing of allowances by power plants equal to the carbon dioxide pollution they produce. Through RGGI, Pennsylvania can cut carbon pollution equal to the impact of removing 4 million cars from the road, while creating more than 30,000 more jobs and adding nearly $2 billion to the state’s economy. This is a critical step in combating climate change.
The fossil fuels, oil and gas industries contribute millions to the political campaigns of Pennsylvania legislators who are denying climate change with the excuse of higher energy costs. The recent Supreme Court decision EPA v. West Virginia, however, will significantly hamper the federal government’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. This decision takes away the EPA’s regulations and allows the fossil- fuels industry freedom to pollute our land.
A lawsuit by coal and gas interests and the efforts of Republican legislators are forcing Pennsylvania out of RGGI. Our state needs swift action by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court to clear the way for our participation in RGGI.
Pennsylvania legislators have the moral responsibility to act in the best interest of their constituents. We have a right to clean air and water and measures that will control climate change.
Judith Flaherty
Brighton Heights
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