A Pennsylvania Judge on Monday reinstated an order that will block the state from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Reports say that Commonwealth Court Judge Michael Wojcik once again issued an order that stops the state from implementing, administering or enforcing any final rulemaking that would join the state to RGGI. The order was initially put in place on July 8th but that order was placed on a temporary hold pending appeals from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Quality Board. Judge Wojcik’s reason for reinstating the block is because the lawmakers who filed one of the two challenges against the Wolf Administration’s plans had “satisfied their burden of proof to establish the requirements” to end the temporary hold.
Those in favor of the state’s plan say it will play a key part in reducing carbon emissions in the state, and would speed up Pennsylvania’s transition to a clean-energy-based economy. Opponents say that joining the multi-state compact would cause the state to lose jobs, force coal-fired power plants to close, and increase consumer electric bills. Many members of state government against the move say that Governor Wolf cut the legislative branch out of the decision-making process.
Wojcik will next hold hearings on three cases that are based around the same legal arguments on his original decision on July 8th. One hearing will be in September, and another will be in November. They are based on the lawsuits filed by Republican lawmakers in one case and a coalition of energy and labor unions in the other.
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