As we've written before, the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is a federal standard that provides states the flexibility to develop their own carbon reduction strategy. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal sets an overall reduction of 33.3 percent for Pennsylvania, but does not mandate how Pennsylvania must reach its goal. The DEP is using the public listening sessions to inform how they craft Pennsylvania's state climate plan.
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| Policy Director, Matt Stepp, giving testimony at the Philadelphia hearing. More photos may be found on PF's Facebook page. |
There were some key takeaways from the two sessions that are worth highlighting:
- Speakers at both sessions overwhelmingly supported the CPP.
- While news coverage of sessions like these tend to highlight speakers on both sides of the argument, its important to note that the number of supportive speakers far outweighed those against the CPP. Of the approximately 60 speakers at both sessions, only 5 testifiers did not fully support the CPP. What's more, the opposing testimonies came from only three different speakers, as two of them gave repeat performances. The makeup of the listening sessions was indicative of what we've already learned from earlier polling: Pennsylvania voters overwhelming support the CPP.
- Supporters of the CPP represent diverse interests and backgrounds.
- Speakers who spoke in favor of the CPP represented many different perspectives - business, faith, environment, public health, parents and grandparents, and youth. A common thread unifying supportive speakers was each person's interest in creating a sustainable environmental and economic future for the commonwealth.
- Pennsylvanians are ready for a transition to a zero-carbon energy future.
- Many speakers urged the DEP to think of Pennsylvania's 33.3 percent carbon reduction goal as a floor, rather than a ceiling. Speakers urged the DEP not to rely heavily on natural gas as we transition away from carbon pollution-producing energy sources. Instead, the state must strive toward additional investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Bolstering Act 129 and increasing our goals under Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) were oft-cited measures that the General Assembly should take in order to facilitate the commonwealth's transition to a clean energy economy under the CPP.
For those who could not make it to these Southeastern PA listening sessions, you have the option of speaking at any of the remaining 7 listening sessions or you may submit written comments by November 12.
Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.
