The Citizens Advisory Council to the State Department of Environmental Protection yesterday became the second advisory committee to vote against Governor Tom Wolf’s executive order to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)– also known as “Reggie”.
By a margin of 9-4 with one abstention, the council recommended that DEP not move forward with Wolf’s plan. On May 7th, the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee also voted against the proposal.
State Representative Jim Struzzi said he’s “very happy and thankful” with the decision and that he would ask House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Darryl Metcalfe, to bring his House Bill 2025 to a vote before the committee.
Struzzi’s bill would require legislative authorization before Pennsylvania could impose a carbon tax on employers engaged in electric generation, manufacturing, or other industries. It would also forbid the state from entering into any multi-state program, such as RGGI, that would impose such a tax.
Representative Metcalfe says he will work with Struzzi to advance the bill, saying it would “begin the process of reigning in the rogue governor’s unlawful executive order….”
Senator Joe Pittman has introduced a companion bill in the State Senate.
FROM REPRESENTATIVE JIM STRUZZI:
“I’m very happy and thankful to see the CAC’s decision today to help protect Pennsylvania’s energy jobs. This industry is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy and the livelihoods of thousands of Pennsylvanians. I would now ask House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman, Darryl Metcalfe, to bring my House Bill 2025 to a vote before the committee.”
FROM REPRESENTATIVE DARRYL METCALFE:
“RGGI is GUARANTEED to increase energy prices and kill family-sustaining jobs through excessive carbon emissions taxation and overregulation. I am looking forward to working together with Rep. Struzzi to advance his legislation which would begin the process of reigning in the rogue governor’s unlawful executive order to enter Pennsylvania into this false science-driven compact without the Constitutionally-required approval of the people’s Legislature.”
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