Pennsylvania House Democrats will be focused on advancing an energy and environment package proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) when the legislature reconvenes in September.
Shapiro, who could potentially be on the Democratic presidential ticket by then, says the legislation would protect and create nearly 15,000 energy jobs, lower utility bills and reduce carbon pollution. It also aims to save ratepayers $252 million in the first five years while generating $5.1 billion in investment in clean, reliable energy sources.
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D), who sponsored one half of the two-bill package, said most of the 102 House Democrats have lined up to back her measure, known as the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard, or PRESS.
“My team and I worked closely with Governor Shapiro’s team on this legislation, and I am proud to have the support of both the administration and 72 of my colleagues in the House who have signed on as cosponsors,” Otten said in a statement provided by her office.
If the House passes the bills, there will likely be more friction in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Under Otten’s bill, the state would be required to get 35% of electricity from sources deemed clean energy sources, including solar, wind, low-impact hydropower, advanced nuclear reactors and coal mine methane; 10% would come from sources including coal or natural gas generation and clean hydrogen; and 5% would come from sources such as municipal solid waste and wood byproducts, such as bark.
The measure would revamp Pennsylvania’s 20-year-old alternative energy portfolio standard, which required the state to get 8% of its power from renewable sources by 2021.
The other bill, called the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act, or PACER, would establish a Pennsylvania-specific cap-and-invest program that allows the state to determine its own carbon cap and invest directly in lowering consumers’ electricity bills.
Other states have taken similar steps to update their clean energy goals. Vermont last month became the 15th state to enact a 100% clean or renewable energy law. Similar legislation is pending in New Jersey.
New York is working on launching a cap-and-invest program, while California, Quebec and Washington State are exploring linking their carbon markets.
Shapiro and his policies are receiving increased scrutiny now that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is considering him for her running mate.
The bills reflect a desire to address climate change but also represent a measured approach from an energy-state governor. Pennsylvania has a long history of oil and gas exploration and has seen a boom in recent years in gas drilling using fracking, which extracts gas deep underground using a high-pressure solution.
Pennsylvania gets most of its energy from natural gas, producing more than any other state except for Texas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It’s also a top exporter of natural gas, coal, refined petroleum products and electricity to other states.
At a House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing last month, Jacob Finkel, a member of Shapiro’s staff who advised him on the package, said Otten’s bill “embodies Governor Shapiro’s all-of-the-above energy philosophy.”
Republicans on the committee, led by ranking member Martin Causer (R), said it would raise energy prices and harm the state’s economy.
The panel is scheduled to hold another hearing on the bill Monday.
“It’s important to hold hearings on this bill so that members on both sides of the aisle can hear the strong economic and environmental case for PRESS and provide their input to improve the bill,” Otten told Pluribus News. “The House returns to session on Sept. 23, so this fall would be the first opportunity for the bill to advance.”
The other bill is designed to side-step a court battle over whether Pennsylvania can fully join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cooperative effort among 11 Eastern states focused on reducing carbon emissions from power plants.
Pennsylvania sought to join the interstate initiative in 2022 under a 2019 executive order issued by then-Gov. Tom Wolf (D). But opponents including Republicans, power producers and coal mine owners sued to prevent the state from joining. That case is now before the state Supreme Court.
The bill would allow Pennsylvania to determine its own carbon cap, hold its own credit auction and use the proceeds to lower consumers’ electricity bills. Shapiro has proposed that 70% of the revenue raisers be returned to consumers in a rebate deducted from residents’ electric bills. That could total $252 million in the first five years.
The other 30% would be used to fund energy efficiency projects that reduce air pollution, invest in new job-creating clean energy projects and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, which helps low-income residents heat and cool their homes.
Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D), the bill’s Senate sponsor, said in a statement when she introduced the bill in May that the state accounts for about 1% of global emissions.
“As a major energy-producing state, we have a responsibility to lead the way in addressing climate change.” Comitta said. “PACER is the way forward to cleaner air, job growth, and consumer savings on electricity bills.”