Contact: Mollie Michel, mmichel@momscleanairforce.org, 267-981-1648
(HARRISBURG, PA) — Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Environmental Quality Board (EQB) kicks off a series of 10 virtual public hearings scheduled on December 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14 on a proposed rulemaking that will enable the state to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector by linking to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
In advance of the hearings, Patrice Tomcik, Moms Clean Air Force Project Manager for State Campaigns, released this statement:
“Moms across the Commonwealth will be speaking up in support of Governor Wolf’s proposed rule linking Pennsylvania to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. As the third largest greenhouse-gas-polluting state and home to the fifth dirtiest electric sector, Pennsylvania has an outsize responsibility to cut climate-warming carbon emissions. Reductions in carbon and the associated harmful air pollution from the power sector can improve public health by reducing asthma attacks, heart disease, respiratory disease, preterm births, and low birth weight. We will not make meaningful progress in cleaning up our air to protect children’s health and the climate until we clean up our power sector.”
Dozens of Moms Clean Air Force members, including faith leaders, scientists, health professionals, frontline community members, and legislators, will be testifying in favor of quickly moving forward with Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI throughout the week. Quotes from their testimonies provided upon request.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a multi-state cap and invest program designed to cut carbon pollution from power plants that generate electricity from across 10 of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
English
Spanish