PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Republicans in the Pennsylvania State Senate have voted to block a major piece of Gov. Tom Wolf’s environmental plan.
Wolf has called joining 11 neighboring Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states in RGGI, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an important part of his plan to reign in Pennsylvania’s carbon emissions.
The plan would set limits and charge companies based on the level of emissions.
Republicans in the State Senate voted for a resolution against RGGI, arguing it’s a job killer and would force electricity prices to rise.
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“The reality is we have virtually nothing in common with the RGGI states we’re proposing to join up with," said Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Union counties).
They also argue it’s a tax, and any tax needs legislative approval.
“Just because this governor hasn’t made the case to the legislature to get us to pass this to enter into this compact, doesn’t give them the authority to end-run the legislature,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre, Huntingdon, Juniata, and Mifflin counties).
Democrats argue Pennsylvania has been held hostage by the energy lobby for too long, and a transition away from carbon-based energy is overdue. They say RGGI provides that bridge.
“History will not look kindly on those who stand in the way of progress and climate justice," said Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery County).
They added the market for coal is dissolving because of other cheaper alternatives, not because of environmental measures. They also argue this is a waste of time as the governor will veto the resolution.
The vote came as Pennsylvania Attorney General and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro said while he believes Pennsylvania needs to address climate change, he doesn’t think RGGI is the answer.
Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester County) said it’s just posturing for the 2022 election.
“The radical narrative that’s gonna be spewed all over mailers bought and paid for by the gas and oil industry and its supporters, that’s what today’s about," Muth said.
"It’s a bullying tactic. And it’s crap.”
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Governor Wolf's administration shared this statement in full:
"Yesterday’s vote confirms what we have known for months: the Senate Republican caucus is united in opposition to the most significant step Pennsylvania can take to address the primary environmental threat facing the world. They have no plan, and have advanced nothing to try to address this increasingly critical threat which is impacting Pennsylvanians every day. The vote also confirms that the vast majority of Senate Democrats, like the vast majority of Pennsylvanians, support taking action to reduce emissions, and invest in our clean energy future. The governor remains strongly committed to addressing climate change and seeing this regulation take effect."