Spotlight Erie, PA: Clean Power Plan training and DEP listening session

Erie, Pennsylvania: To most, this city is associated with tourist attractions such as Presque Isle State Park, Dobbins Landing, Waldameer Park, and the family favorite, Splash Lagoon. However, to the people that live here, it’s much more than that.

Like anywhere that’s considered home, it’s a place where they work, raise their kids, and interact with other members of their communities. Therefore, legislation such as the EPA’s Clean Power Plan greatly affects them, and many Erie residents say in a positive way.

For those who may be unfamiliar with this policy, here is a brief background: The Clean Power Plan is a recent effort to mitigate climate change and improve public health by limiting carbon pollution. It’s a flexible, state-driven approach, with Pennsylvania targeted to cut carbon 33.3 percent by 2030. Pennsylvania has until September 6, 2016 to submit their draft on how to achieve its goal and then another two years to submit the final, concrete plan. If Pennsylvania does not submit a plan, the EPA will implement its own federal carbon reduction strategy.

In order to meet these deadlines and craft a strong, customized implementation plan based on Pennsylvania’s unique energy mix, economy, and workforce, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held more than a dozen listening sessions and a 2-month comment period on the plan, open to anyone willing to speak. One of those hearings took place in Erie.

A week prior to the hearing, PennFuture and the NW PA Green Economy Task Force sponsored a free training event open to the public with PennFuture Energy Center’s Director Rob Altenburg speaking about the Clean Power Plan and how it will benefit Erie as well as the rest of Pennsylvania. The demographics of the group of trainees ranged from a senior at Penn State working on his final capstone project that focuses on the lack of an emissions reduction target in the updated Climate Change Action Plan to a member of the Erie County Planning Department. Although everyone’s knowledge of the Clean Power Plan varied, trainees were able to help one another draft their testimonies and providing inspiration to some who were still ambivalent on speaking.

Erie resident Karen Shor was unsure if she should speak or not, but ultimately decided to let her voice be heard. “I am here and will be at the hearing because I believe in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. As a Reform Jew, I don’t necessarily believe in heaven and hell. I believe that the only thing that lives on after we die is the work we do in this life. I want the world to be a better place because I was here. Plus, I firmly believe that ‘we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children’ and I want the children growing up to have a healthier place to live.

Guy McUmber, Northwest Branch Director of the Green Building Alliance (GBA), also attended the training and hearing, and was interested in the Clean Power Plan for other reasons, particularly how the Clean Power Plan can encourage high performance and healthy buildings. In his testimony he stated, “GBA believes the Clean Power Plan is an excellent opportunity for the Commonwealth to develop a progressive and comprehensive plan and related policies on energy efficiency and clean energy. Unfortunately, we have lacked this type of planning on a national and statewide level, although there have been many important programs created by individual states and municipalities. Having a coherent plan that ‘connects all the dots’ will lead to Pennsylvania making real progress in reducing fossil fuel usage and promoting cleaner alternatives.”

The hearing took place on October 29 at Blasco Library’s Hirt Auditorium and involved testimonies from people praising about their solar installations for their homes, as well as more touching anecdotes accompanied with pictures of a grandfather who had died of black lung disease due to unsafe mining practices. Of course, there were a few people in disagreement with the Clean Power Plan, but the majority demonstrating that they were indeed in favor in creating a healthier and safer environment for their community. In fact, according to a recent poll released by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, an average 61 percent of adults say they support the policy.

PennFuture would like to thank all who participated in the training as well as the hearing to help create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable Pennsylvania. 

Annie Regan is western Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Pittsburgh.

Attend a free training to make your voice heard on the Clean Power Plan

A majority of Americans support the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the first ever limit on carbon pollution from power plants. But industry groups and big polluters are already weighing in to make people believe otherwise.

Pennsylvania is the third largest carbon emitting state in the nation and will be required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 33.3 percent by 2030 under the CPP. The rule is flexible, allowing the commonwealth to craft a "state implementation plan,” which must be approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Pennsylvania has the opportunity to chart a path forward that takes into account our unique energy mix, economy, and workforce.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking for feedback from citizens as it prepares its state implementation plan to meet carbon reduction targets that addresses Pennsylvania’s unique opportunities and challenges. PennFuture is teaming up with our partners to offer free advocacy trainings to correspond with listening sessions held by the DEP.

Elected officials are accountable to you – their constituents. Learn proven strategies for making your voice heard at one of these upcoming free trainings.

Allentown

Training: October 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Muhlenberg College, Moyer 106, 2300 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104

Hearing: October 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Muhlenberg College, Trumbower 130, 2238 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104

Erie
Training: October 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at LEAF Education Center, 1501 W. 6th St., Erie, PA 16505
Hearing: October 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hirt Auditorium at Blasco Library, 160 East Front St., Erie, PA 16507

Williamsport
Training: October 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Community Room of the Pajama Factory complex
1307 Park Ave, Williamsport, PA 17701
Hearing: November 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Penn College – Williamsport, Mountain Laurel Room, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701

Attend a training near you to learn quick and effective ways to make your case to policymakers. 

You'll receive sample messaging, fact sheets, and talking points; one-on-one assistance crafting personal narratives about the Clean Power Plan; and participate in a hands-on mock hearing to practice your delivery. 

Participants wishing to speak at one of these DEP listening sessions must register at 717-783-8727. To participate in one of the trainings, please contact Jay Andrews at andrews@pennfuture.org.

If you are unable to attend the trainings and listening sessions or have more to say, you have until November 12, 2015 to submit written comments. Check out this recent post as you craft your response. 

Feedback may be submitted online using DEP’s eComment site, by email to ecomment@pa.gov, or by mail to Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

Lauren Fraley is the director of communications for PennFuture and is based in Pittsburgh. 

Key takeaways from Southeastern Pennsylvania DEP Clean Power Plan listening sessions

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hosted two listening sessions as part of their 14 stop tour to gather public input from citizens throughout the commonwealth on the Clean Power Plan. The first listening session of the day was held in Philadelphia, the second in Marcus Hook. 

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. 

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.

Speak out on the Clean Power Plan. Pennsylvania DEP is listening!

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final Clean Power Plan (CPP) rulemaking, the first ever federal standard on carbon pollution from existing power plants. The commonwealth has the freedom to craft an implementation plan to meet its carbon reduction goal that is tailored to its unique situation. 

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.  

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!