The State House has passed a bill from State Representative Jim Struzzi that would require the state legislature’s approval to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or any other multi-state compact that would result in an increase in energy taxes on state residents.
House Bill 637 passed by a 126-72 vote, representing a bipartisan majority vote. Along with the requirements for the state to join RGGI, there were amendments added to the bill last month. Those amendments include:
- Significant state investment in alternative carbon reduction measures
- Sewer and water infrastructure and mitigation projects, some of which target the reduction of carbon dioxide
- Over $62 million to help workers and communities impacted by power plant closures.
Struzzi has been a vocal opponent to RGGI, saying that it would do a lot of financial damage to Indiana County and other areas due to the closure of coal-fired power plants due to taxes put in place for carbon dioxide emissions. Reports also show that the plan would cost more than originally anticipated, and there would not be any more decreases in carbon dioxide levels. Matthew Knittel, the director of the Independent Fiscal Office, said that their research showed that the DEP’s model would cost energy suppliers almost $800 million, almost four times as much as was originally anticipated. He also said that claims that carbon dioxide emissions going down are false, saying that Pennsylvania without RGGI has reduced emissions by about the same rate as states currently in the compact.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
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