Pennsylvanians Eager to Make Their Voices Heard, Embrace Virtual Public Hearings on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
EDF Statement from Mandy Warner, Director, Climate & Clean Air Policy
(HARRISBURG, Pa. – December 8, 2020) This morning, the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB) opened the first of 10 virtual public hearings to solicit input on a rulemaking that will facilitate Pennsylvania linking to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-invest program. RGGI has allowed participating states to achieve substantial carbon pollution reductions while catalyzing economic development, facilitating investment in infrastructure and clean energy and creating jobs.
The hearings invite public participation for a rule that garnered the support of over 70% of Pennsylvania voters in a September 2020 poll. Hundreds of residents have signed up to testify and represent a diversity of constituencies including frontline, faith and rural communities, business interests and youth climate activists. Farmers, veterans and energy industry workers will also be offering testimony.
Today’s hearings will run from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., with additional hearings on December 9, 10, 11 and 14. Interested parties can follow the hearings online by registering at the EQB’s website.
“The breadth and depth of interest in these public hearings makes clear that Pennsylvanians want action on climate, and they want it now. The citizens of the commonwealth are raising their voices in support of RGGI, which will allow Pennsylvania to fight climate and air pollution while we rebuild better with cleaner, 21st century jobs. As we turn the page on 2020, getting the RGGI rulemaking to the finish line in 2021 can ensure that Pennsylvania continues to lead on climate action, readies itself for the clean energy future and delivers the clean jobs that come with it.”
- Mandy Warner, Director, Climate & Clean Air Policy at EDF.
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
Independent Report Finds that the Trump Administration’s Orders to Keep Coal-fired Power Plants Running Could Cost Consumers between $3-6 Billion a Year
August 14, 2025 -
EDF Strongly Opposes Trump Administration Proposals to Eliminate Protections for Air Pollution from Power Plants
August 13, 2025 -
Some Truck Makers Challenge Vital Clean Truck Partnership with California
August 12, 2025 -
EDF, UCS File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Secret Convening of Climate Skeptics, Use of Their Hidden “Science” Report in Attempt to Overturn Endangerment Finding
August 12, 2025 -
Bill Would Explore Responsible Growth of Domestic Seafood
August 4, 2025 -
Legislation Introduced to Reverse Tax Hikes on Clean Energy
August 2, 2025