VICTORY: The Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, a critical first step

This post is one in a month-long series speaking to 15 of PennFuture's significant victories. It was 15 years ago this September that we began our work to protect the environment and champion a clean energy economy.

Pennsylvania is a big contributor to climate change.

Our state emits more global warming pollution than 105 developing countries combined. Nationally, Pennsylvania ranks third in carbon dioxide emissions.

So, we have a duty to be a big part of the climate change solution, too.

One of PennFuture's key victories, and one for which we’re still fighting today, is the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, which laid a foundation for Pennsylvania's response to global warming.

In July 2008, after years of behind-the-scenes efforts, the fruits of our labor were realized with landmark passage of the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, the first-ever state legislation on global warming. PennFuture worked with Representative Greg Vitali, the driving force behind the bill in the House; Senator Ted Erickson, the bill's prime sponsor in the Senate; and policy makers from both sides of the aisle to secure overwhelming passage in the General Assembly.

The Act requires Pennsylvania to conduct a climate change impact assessment to identify the physical impacts of climate change to the state, along with an action plan for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, both reports to be updated every three years. The Act also created a Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) to advise the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on preparing these reports. PennFuture's Christina Simeone now chairs the CCAC.

In 2009, a year after its passage, the Act's first mandated impact assessment and action plan were published by the Rendell Administration's DEP, confirming that Pennsylvania contributes one percent of the world’s global warming pollution and recommending action steps to policy makers.

Now, four years later, Pennsylvanians are still waiting for the Corbett Administration's updated impact assessment and action plan. What's taking so long? Perhaps it has something to do with a Governor and other high ranking officials who still aren't willing to give straight answers on climate change.

In the meantime, we'll continue to fight for Pennsylvanians and demand that the Governor comply with the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, an essential building block if Pennsylvania is to fulfill its responsibility on climate change.

PennFuture will celebrate 15 years of environmental victories on September 25. Please consider joining us!