Pa. legislators must get serious about global warming

When future generations are asked about this generation’s worst behaviors, the single most cited will be the failure to address global warming effectively when we had the chance to mitigate it.

That is why Gov. Wolf’s recent executive order that directs Pennsylvania to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a big deal.

Pennsylvania is a huge emitter of greenhouse gases. The RGGI, a consortium of states from Maine to Maryland, is dedicated to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, especially from the power sector. Since the early 2000s, RGGI states have reduced carbon dioxide emissions significantly. Because of greater energy efficiencies, businesses and households benefit from lower electricity bills. The overall economic impact is very positive.

Unfortunately, some Harrisburg legislators are challenging the governor’s authority to make this decision. They claim, incorrectly, that steps taken under the RGGI would raise costs for consumers. They deny climate change and ignore the air, soil, and groundwater pollution caused by older coal-fired power plants, reckless fracking, and poorly maintained gas pipelines. Coincidently, many of these legislators receive generous campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry.

Lets urge our legislators to take this issue seriously and support the governor’s initiative to join the RGGI. Our descendants will appreciate it.