The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority today, supporting proposed regulations to establish a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Budget Trading Program (CDBTP) and the Commonwealth joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI is a collaboration between nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
CBF submitted comments in support of the CDBTP to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission prior to a hearing by the committee considering the program. The CDBTP would limit emissions of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs) and help to combat climate change.
Ms. Gority said:
“This program would help to substantially reduce CO2 emissions, and ultimately help the Commonwealth protect human health and welfare, revitalize communities, mitigate damage from climate change, and support diverse local economies.
“Revenue from the CDBTP could be used to provide funding for agricultural systems to enhance soil health, as well as riparian and upland tree plantings in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes that will simultaneously improve water quality and sequester atmospheric CO2.
“Revenues from this program could also support pollution projects in disadvantaged communities. It is in these Environmental Justice areas that powerplants, manufacturing, and related facilities have often been sited.
“The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has a proven track record of reducing CO2 pollution and returning billions of dollars to households and businesses in energy bill savings and direct bill assistance.
“With this program and the Commonwealth becoming part of RGGI, Pennsylvania will be living up to its Constitutional obligation to provide clean air and pure water to its citizens.
“Our quality of life, health, and economy depend on it.”
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