The arguments used for and against the resolution were the same familiar and often repeated comments on the economic and environmental impacts heard on the regulation since the concept was first suggested in 2019 by Gov. Wolf. Read more here.
Senate Republicans also failed again to suggest any alternative to RGGI to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants or to help workers and communities caught in the market-driven clean energy transition. Read more here.
The new wrinkle was an attempt by the natural gas industry and their politicians to promote their agenda to lock Pennsylvania consumers more firmly into foreign energy markets and demand that sets the price we pay for natural gas and oil-- with no limit-- regardless of how much we drill. Read more here.
As national and international media have reported repeatedly from the oil/natural gas companies themselves and investors-- “The fracking revolution revived the energy industry in Texas and the U.S., ushering in years of cheap oil and gas. But don’t count on frackers riding to the rescue this time.” Read more here.
House Legislation?
The Senate now has the opportunity to take action on House Bill 637 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) that would also block the RGGI, but it also includes a one-time allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan funding to address, somewhat, worker, community and clean energy issues--
-- $125 million for research, development, construction or site development of carbon dioxide and methane reduction technologies, including carbon capture, micro-grid nuclear power plants, sequestration and hydrogen fuel projects. At least $12.5 million is to be used for methane abatement projects from plugging abandoned gas wells.
-- $62.5 million for sewer and water infrastructure and stormwater mitigation, including riparian planting for carbon dioxide reduction, stream buffering and streambank restoration.
-- $62.5 million for assisting workers and communities impacted by electric generation or manufacturing plant closures, including training projects, extended unemployment benefits and investments in projects to redevelop the closed plant sites.
House Bill 637 is now in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee which already has a meeting scheduled for April 6. The bill is not yet on the advertised agenda. Read more here.
Senate Republican Lawsuit
In other related actions-- on March 29, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Senate Republicans filed a petition with Commonwealth Court asking for an injunction to block publication of the regulations in the PA Bulletin so they would not go into effect. Read more here.
On April 4, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Commonwealth Court set a May 4 hearing on the Senate Republican lawsuit. Read more here.
On February 3, the Associated Press reported the Department of Environmental Protection filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court to compel the publication of the final regulations in the PA Bulletin so they would become effective. Read more here.
This lawsuit is still pending.
NewsClips:
-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: Gov. Wolf’s Climate Rule Survives Veto Override Attempt In PA Senate; Court Sets May 4 Hearing On Republican Lawsuit To Block Rule
-- AP: Republican-Controlled PA Senate Fails To Override Key Element Of Gov. Wolf’s Climate Plan
-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Plan To Wean PA Power Plants Off Fossil Fuels Survives PA Senate Override Test
-- Republican Rep. Mehaffie Proposing Bill To Use RGGI Proceeds To Support Development Of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Related Articles:
-- Majority Chair Of Senate Committee Calls Opponents Of Natural Gas Infrastructure ‘Radical Environmentalists,’ Arguments By Of Supporters Of RGGI ‘Hysteria’ [PaEN]
-- Republican Chair Of House Environmental Committee Believes Opponents Of Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects ‘Just Need To Be Ignored And Politically Ran Over’ [PaEN]
-- Senate Committees Hear Familiar Pro/Con Comments On Economic, Environmental Impacts Of EQB’s Final Carbon Pollution Reduction Program Covering Power Plants - RGGI [PaEN]
-- Republicans On House Committee Move Bills To Unleash Natural Gas Industry In Pennsylvania, Kill RGGI [PaEN]
[Posted: April 4, 2022] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment