Pennsylvanians Eager to Make Their Voices Heard, Embrace Virtual Public Hearings on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

(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, 21^st 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.