To that end, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is holding a series of 14 listening sessions across the state as well as a 2-month comment period on the federal CPP. They want to hear from Pennsylvanians like you.
As the DEP works to prepare a State Implementation Plan that uniquely fits Pennsylvania, there is no doubt that the industry and big polluters will make their opposition known. That is why it is so important that DEP hear from you. As we’ve stated in our fact sheet series, Pennsylvania is well positioned to meet its carbon reduction goals under the CPP, all while becoming a clean energy leader. Your voice matters as we all work toward a zero-carbon clean energy future.
The list below will help you find the next listening session nearby. Participants wishing to speak must register at 717-783-8727.
 |
| PennFuture's Rob Altenburg speaks at the Harrisburg listening session on September 15, 2015 |
Why should you speak?
- The full force of the CPP will be enacted on the state level. The EPA's proposal sets an overall reduction target but does not mandate how Pennsylvania will reach its goal. We believe the commonwealth should not heavily rely on a coal-to-gas shift, but should make early and strong investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
- Pennsylvania is the third largest carbon emitting state. Carbon pollution from power plants is our nation’s biggest driver of climate change. People with heart or lung disease and people living in poverty may be most at risk from the health impacts of climate change.
Not sure what to say? Here are some ideas:
Speak about what you know.
- Do you worry about the health effects of poor air quality on you and your family?
- Do you want to see the state move away from dirty fossil fuels and toward cleaner, renewable sources of energy?
- Do you see the impacts of climate change in your community?
- Do you see addressing climate change as a moral and ethical responsibility?
Keep it to the point.
- You’ll have about 5 minutes or less to make your case. Share that personal story, but be sure to include what you want to see in the state plan.
Know the facts.
- Check out our fact sheets to learn what the plan does and doesn't do.
What is the next step?
Contact DEP at 717-783-8727 to join the speakers list at one or more of the fourteen listening sessions. Please let us know if you intend to speak at one or more of these listening sessions. We hope to see you there!
What if you can’t make it?
While nothing can replace your in-person comments, you can submit your thoughts for the record. You can submit comment in one three ways: either log on to http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/, email to ecomment@pa.gov, or mail to 400 Market Street P.O. Box 2063 Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Detailed information for each of the fourteen listening sessions:
September 15, 2015
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
|
Dauphin
County
|
Department of Environmental
Protection
South Central Regional
Office
909 Elmerton Ave Harrisburg, PA 17110 |
September 21, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Allegheny County
|
Carnegie Mellon University Roberts Hall – Singleton Room 4th Floor 5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
September 22, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
|
Cambria County
|
Conference Center at
University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown
Heritage Hall A 450 Schoolhouse Road Johnstown, PA 15904 |
September 22, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Greene County
|
Waynesburg Central High
School Auditorium
30 Zimmerman Drive Waynesburg, PA 15370 |
September 28, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Luzerne County
|
Wilkes University Henry Student Center Ballroom, 2nd Floor 84 West South Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 |
September 30, 2015
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
|
Philadelphia County
|
University of Pennsylvania
Kleinman Center Fisher Fine Arts Building, Room 401 220 South 34th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
September 30, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Delaware County
|
Marcus Hook Community Center
7 West Delaware Avenue Marcus Hook, PA 19061 |
October 5, 2015
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
York County
|
Wyndham Garden York White Rose Event Center Crystal Ballroom 2000 Loucks Road York, PA 17408 |
October
22, 2015
6:00
p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Lehigh County
|
Muhlenberg College
Trumbower 130 2238 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104 |
October 28, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Schuylkill County
|
Penn State Schuylkill
John E. Morgan Auditorium 200 University Drive Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 |
October 29, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Erie County
|
Hirt Auditorium at Blasco
Library
160 East Front Street Erie, PA 16507 |
October 30, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
|
Clarion County
|
Clarion University
Corner of Payne St & Wilson Ave Clarion, PA 16214 |
October 30, 2015
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
Clearfield County
|
Penn State Dubois
7 Hiller Building – Auditorium One College Place Dubois, PA 15801 |
November 4, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
|
Lycoming County
|
Penn College – Williamsport
Mountain Laurel Room One College Avenue Williamsport, PA 17701 |
Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.
