The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing yesterday in Pittsburgh, examining the potential economic impact of Governor Wolf’s executive order that Pennsylvania join the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, also known as RGGI.
Chaired by Senator Gene Yaw, the committee grilled leaders of labor unions, energy suppliers and consumers, and community leaders, including from Indiana County.
Chamber of Commerce President Mark Hilliard testified in stark detail how Indiana County would be impacted if the region’s coal-fired power plants were forced to close.
Homer Center School District Superintendent Curtis Whitesel said the $750,000 tax shortfall that the closure of the Homer City Generating Station’s closure would bring about would hit the students most of all.
Senator Joe Pittman, the committee’s vice chairman, said Governor Wolf has not been forthcoming about the effect of RGGI, and refuses to address it.
Yesterday’s hearing came a day after the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing on the same topic. Many of the groups represented at those two hearings will join with others conducting a rally today at 11:30 AM at the Cheswick Power Plant in Allegheny County.
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