Recognizing the opportunities that a new governor in Pennsylvania can embark upon, PennFuture
staff analyzed and evaluated potential environmental, conservation and
energy policy actions that Gov. Tom Wolf can take or initiate, most
within the first 100 days of his administration. We've called it A Fresh Start for Pennsylvania: 26 steps that Governor Wolf can take to improve Pennsylvania's environment and economy.
The 26 policy recommendations variously address stormwater management, well constructions standards, and green building standards, among other issues. This post is a synopsis of our recommendation to reduce carbon pollution.
Make robust efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Recommendation
Governor
Wolf should make climate change a priority for not only the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), but for the entire administration. This vital work needs to
be bolstered and elevated in profile. The Wolf administration should
immediately commence its climate planning and greenhouse gas reduction efforts
in conjunction with the forthcoming requirements of the Pennsylvania Climate
Change Act and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan.
A robust state climate policy will make our economy more energy efficient, saving our citizens money. Reducing carbon pollution also reduces smog, ozone, and other traditional air pollutants.
Recent
modeling from our grid operator PJM has shown that a multi-state approach to
reducing carbon pollution can be as much as 30 percent less expensive than a
state specific plan. For this reason,
the administration should investigate joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) or a similar organization. This would not only simplify
compliance with federal requirements, it would also bring money into the state that
could support additional programs to reduce carbon pollution.
Because increases in energy efficiency
will return money directly to consumers while lowering carbon pollution,
Pennsylvania should focus on achievable efficiency measures. This could include
building on the success of existing efficiency programs such as Pennsylvania’s
Act 129, bringing our building codes up to current standards and promoting
energy efficiency financing programs such as Energy Savings Performance
Contracting (ESPC), Keystone HELP, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), and
on-bill finance programs.
In addition to efficiency, Pennsylvania
could do more to encourage renewable energy. While Pennsylvania’s Alternative
Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) program made the state an early leader, nearby
states have since set higher targets for clean and renewable energy. By
renewing its leadership in this field, Pennsylvania would create more jobs,
lower energy prices, and reduce not just carbon pollution but protect public
health by reducing air toxics, water pollution, and waste.
Joy Bergey is PennFuture's federal policy director. She is based in Philadelphia and tweets @joybergey.
Joy Bergey is PennFuture's federal policy director. She is based in Philadelphia and tweets @joybergey.
