A sportsman, a union leader, and a clean energy professional walk into a bar -- no, a legislator’s office

Last week, PennFuture lead a group of diverse Pennsylvanians to Washington, D.C. for lobby visits to members of the state's congressional delegation around the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan (CPP). Each advocate gave their unique perspective on why Pennsylvania’s elected leaders should do everything in their power to protect the CPP from legislative attacks. 

From left to right: Claire Borzner, Senator Casey’s Office; Katie Bartolotta, PennFuture; Dewitt Walton, United Steelworkers; Alison Steele, Conservation Consultants Inc.; Dave Imgrund, National Wildlife Federation; Bernie McGurl, Lackawanna River Corridor Association; Derek Miller, Senator Casey’s Office, Liz Hermsen, Senator Casey’s Office; and Ted Popovich, Allegheny Clean Air Now. 

Participants included: 

• Dewitt Walton, assistant to the international president of the United Steelworkers who gave the labor perspective on why the CPP is important for mitigating climate change and the need for a just transition for displaced employees in the coal industry; 
• Alison Steele, advocacy manager for Conservation Consultants Inc. who championed the benefits of Pennsylvania’s clean energy economy and opportunities for expansion under the CPP; 
• Dave Imgrund, sportsmen organizer for the National Wildlife Federation who talked about the observable impacts of climate change on waterways and wildlife and the important role the CPP will play in preserving Pennsylvania’s rich outdoor heritage for future generations; 
• Bernie McGurl, executive director of the Lackawanna River Corridor Association who underscored the need for the CPP by giving a comprehensive overview the legacy of coal in northeast Pennsylvania with an emphasis on its negative effects on the Lackawanna River; 
• and Ted Popovich, co-founder of Allegheny County Clean Air Now who detailed the negative public health and climate change impacts caused by air pollution from coke plants and power plants in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

Visits were made to the offices of U.S. Senator Bob Casey, U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwright, Patrick Meehan, Ryan Costello, Brendan Boyle, and Mike Doyle. Additional photos of the day’s events may be found here. 

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.  

EPA Clean Power Plan final rule: Reactions from PA on this historic event.

On Monday, August 3, 2015, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency announced the centerpiece of the administration’s strategy to combat climate change -- the Clean Power Plan. The final Clean Power Plan rule establishes the first-ever limit on carbon pollution from existing power plants in the U.S. 

The Clean Power Plan will:

• Cut carbon pollution by 32 percent by 2030 (below 2005 levels);
• Provide up to $45 billion in climate and public health benefits;
• Prevent up to 3,600 premature deaths, up to 90,000 asthma attacks in children, and up to 300,000 missed work and school days;
• And create 5,100 Pennsylvania jobs according to an analysis by the National Resources Defense Council.

Adjusted figures above reflect changes from preliminary versions of the rule.

In Pennsylvania, key influencers weighed in on the final rule release. Elected officials largely fell along party lines in their support for the Clean Power Plan. Notably, Gov. Tom Wolf gave a very strong statement in support of the plan, while Sen. Bob Casey reaffirmed his strong support of climate action. 

An excerpt from Gov. Wolf’s press release on the Clean Power Plan:

“My administration is committed to making the Clean Power Plan work for Pennsylvania. Working with the legislature, industry leaders and citizens we will create a plan to ensure these new rules are applied fairly, allow for adjustments, and that they create economic opportunities for the commonwealth’s energy economy. Today’s plan sets ambitious but achievable goals for reducing carbon emissions statewide and addressing climate change in fair and smart ways that takes into account legitimate concerns of all parties.”

An excerpt from Sen. Casey’s statement on the Clean Power Plan:

“Addressing climate change is key for our nation’s economic security, national security, public health and the health of our environment. Today, the President laid out a substantial plan to address the challenges of climate change. In November, I wrote the Administration a letter outlining the need to strike the right balance in formulating this plan. I appreciate the consideration that the Administration has given to the needs of states like Pennsylvania when it comes to implementation.”

Unsurprisingly, Sen. Pat Toomey, through a spokesperson, reiterated his support of coal.

Immediately following the final rule release, PennFuture convened a diverse group of labor organizations, health experts, faith leaders, clean energy industry representatives, and environmental advocates from across the Commonwealth for a telephone press conference to highlight the myriad benefits of the plan. 

Below are statements from some of the speakers that participated on the call. 

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of PennFuture: 

“The Clean Power Plan is an essential step toward mitigating climate change and improving air quality. The Commonwealth must use this opportunity to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon, clean energy future by creating a state-based plan that is both aspirational and well suited to Pennsylvania. Our children’s futures depend on it.”

Jeaneen Zappa, executive director of Conservation Consultants, Inc.: 

“Energy efficiency is the easiest and cheapest first step toward savings on electric bills and a reduced carbon footprint. Residential and commercial buildings combined are responsible for 41 percent of total U.S. energy consumption, and 20 percent of that energy in buildings is being wasted. Consumers large and small will win by embracing the energy efficiency measures that will help define the Clean Power Plan.”

Dr. Alan Peterson, emeritus director of environmental and community medicine for Lancaster General Health: 

“Climate change is the most significant health issue of our century according to the World Health Organization. Global warming is related to a broad range of adverse health effects including illnesses and death from extreme heat. It's easy to see why the Clean Power Plan and its goal to reduce carbon pollution and slow the effects of climate change is a win for Pennsylvania's most vulnerable populations.”

In closing, we wanted to remind everyone of last week’s post where we mentioned how critical our U.S. senators will be in determining the fate of the Clean Power Plan. We’ve since set up an action alert for supporters to send letters to both Sens. Casey and Toomey calling on them to publicly support the final rule. Make your voice heard on this important issue!

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.