Hi friend,

The state legislature is back in session this week, and there are already multiple attempts to block Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program to cut carbon emissions, improve air quality, and generate millions of dollars to invest back into our public health.

First, both the Senate and House Environmental Committees have passed resolutions disapproving the Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s recent vote in favor of RGGI — a tactic to delay the process so that anti-environment politicians can spread misinformation about the program.

Second, two bills introduced earlier this year that would take away the state’s power to join RGGI could come up for a vote or hearing any day now.

Enough is enough. With recent extreme weather events like Hurricane Ida taking people’s lives, flooding our towns, and causing millions of dollars in damages, the need for Pennsylvania to bring its carbon emissions way down has never been more obvious. RGGI is our best shot at addressing climate change, helping workers, and creating resilient communities — and now is the opportune moment to remind our lawmakers that their constituents support this commonsense initiative.

Will you join us in welcoming our legislators back to Harrisburg with a message urging them to oppose any attempts this session to block Pennsylvania from joining RGGI?

Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top 5 states when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and has the most premature deaths per capita caused by air pollution of any state. Our region’s dirty energy legacy has caused childhood asthma, low birth weights, and autism — and we know that people of color experience these impacts disproportionately. Linking to RGGI would cut carbon pollution by 25%, helping low-income communities have cleaner air so they can spend less money on expensive health care.

In addition to its climate and public health benefits, estimates show that RGGI would generate a net increase of more than 27,000 jobs — many of them sustainable, clean energy jobs — and it will add $1.9 billion to the state’s economy by 2030. By putting a price tag on pollution, RGGI incentivizes energy producers to turn away from fossil fuels, cuts carbon, and creates investments in clean energy.

If we’re going to get the legislature to drop these reckless attacks against RGGI, we need constituents in all corners of the state speaking out.

Friend, show your lawmakers that Pennsylvanians want a clean energy future by urging them to oppose any attacks on RGGI >>

Thanks for speaking out today.

Michelle Giles

Policy Analyst

Conservation Voters of PA