HARRISBURG, Pa. - StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Rachel McDevitt reports lawmakers heard from stakeholders the day after Governor Tom Wolf granted an extension for his administration to draft a plan to join the effort.
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy committee invited regulators, industry representatives, and environmental advocates to talk about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or RGGI.
Under the program, power plants have to pay for the carbon dioxide they emit.
Opponents say that will kill Pennsylvania coal jobs prematurely and hurt surrounding communities.
Supporters say joining is necessary to help cut emissions and prevent the worst effects of climate change.
Tom Schuster, with the Sierra Club’s Pennsylvania Chapter, says while RGGI would speed up coal’s decline, it would also bring in money that the state wouldn’t see otherwise.
“And a significant portion of that can and should be invested in ways that help diversify local economies and employ workers in areas where power plants retire,” said Schuster.
The governor is trying to join RGGI through executive order.
Republican lawmakers are hoping to stop the process through legislation.
RM, SIPA