HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The group tasked by Gov. Josh Shapiro with creating a state-level plan to combat local weather change met for the primary time this week, a step the Democrat promised to take when he questioned his predecessor’s technique to make Pennsylvania the primary main fossil gas state to undertake carbon pricing.
The group met Tuesday, unannounced, at a time when Shapiro is strolling a tightrope between allies: those that assist capping planet-warming greenhouse gasoline emissions from energy crops and labor unions whose members work on coal and pure gasoline websites.
The group is chaired by Jackson Morris of the Pure Assets Protection Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, and Mike Dunleavy, a retired enterprise supervisor of the Worldwide Brotherhood of Electrical Employees Native 5 in Pittsburgh.
Shapiro’s workplace declined to determine every other members of the group or talk about the directions that the governor gave to the working group.
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Additional, Shapiro’s workplace stated the governor gave the working group no timeline to give you suggestions, and is letting the group meet privately, with out holding public minutes of its conferences.
Pressed for particulars about what, precisely, the working group is meant to do, Shapiro’s workplace pointed again to his criticism as a candidate of the centerpiece of then-Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to combat local weather change.
It may damage the state’s vitality business, drive up electrical costs and do little to curtail greenhouse gases, Shapiro has stated.
“Governor Shapiro is concentrated on creating a complete local weather and vitality coverage that protects and creates vitality jobs, takes actual motion to handle local weather change, protects customers and ensures Pennsylvania has dependable, inexpensive, and clear energy for the long run,” Shapiro’s workplace stated. “As he dedicated to doing whereas operating for this workplace, the governor has convened a bunch of environmental, labor and enterprise leaders to work collectively and suggest options that meet this take a look at.”
Shapiro’s most well-defined clean-energy aim is a pledge to make sure that Pennsylvania makes use of 30% of its electrical energy from renewable energy sources by 2030, up from the present 8% in state legislation.
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Nevertheless, that concept faces a steep climb within the Legislature, the place the Republican-controlled Senate has been protecting of hometown coal and pure gasoline industries within the nation’s No. 2 gasoline state.
For this half, Wolf went across the Legislature.
To attempt to scale back greenhouse gases, Wolf used his regulatory authority to affix the Regional Greenhouse Fuel Initiative, a consortium of 12 states that imposes a value and declining cap on carbon dioxide emissions from energy crops.
Wolf referred to as it a “historic, proactive and progressive method.” His administration estimated it could reduce as much as 225 million tons of carbon dioxide by way of 2030, in comparison with its estimate that Pennsylvania emitted 269 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2018.
For now, Wolf’s plan is on maintain in court docket as judges think about authorized challenges by Republican lawmakers and fossil-fuel pursuits.
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Wolf’s plan was supported by environmental advocates, together with the Pure Assets Protection Council, and photo voltaic, wind and nuclear energy producers. But it surely acquired sustained pushback from Republican lawmakers who accused Wolf of missing the authorized authority both to affix the consortium and impose the payment with out legislative approval.
It was additionally opposed by coal- and gas-related pursuits that feared larger enter prices, industrial and industrial energy customers that feared larger electrical energy payments and labor unions that feared its staff will lose jobs.
Publicly, Shapiro’s administration has remained noncommittal about whether or not it’s going to observe by way of on Wolf’s carbon-pricing plan.
Nonetheless, Shapiro’s appearing environmental safety secretary, Wealthy Negrin, acknowledged throughout legislative hearings final month that Shapiro’s administration will proceed defending Wolf’s plan in court docket.
He referred to as the Regional Greenhouse Fuel Initiative “a automobile” that might assist meet Shapiro’s “robust and really aspirational targets” to assist the surroundings.
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Shapiro’s administration additionally raised eyebrows by writing $663 million into its finances plan for subsequent 12 months from the credit that should be purchased by polluting energy crops beneath the multistate consortium.
Wolf had proposed utilizing cash from air pollution credit for environmental enhancements and vitality effectivity applications to decrease electrical energy payments.
Pressed in a listening to to clarify the impact of Wolf’s plan on on a regular basis electrical ratepayers, Negrin put the onus on the working group.
“I believe each single a kind of questions is an effective, robust, legitimate query that must be answered by the working group,” Negrin stated. “And I believe that’s precisely what they’re speaking about.”
As the Fourth of July approaches, the Pennsylvania State Police in Troop L, covering Berks, Lebanon, and Schuylkill Counties, have announced a heightened enforcement of the Pennsylvania vehicle code to ensure highway safety and promote safe travel.
During this period, troopers will focus on areas that impact road safety, including DUI, aggressive driving, tailgating, seatbelt usage, and speeding. The enforcement aims to reduce accidents and encourage responsible driving behaviors during the holiday weekend, which typically sees increased traffic volume.
Motorists are urged to adhere to all traffic regulations, remain vigilant, and drive safely to ensure a celebratory and incident-free holiday. The Pennsylvania State Police remind everyone to buckle up, avoid distractions, and never drive under the influence.
HARRISBURG, June 28 – Pennsylvania would have an official Poet Laureate under legislation that passed the state House of Representatives today, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Robert Freeman.
“Poetry is a literary art form widely celebrated by the United States and 47 states by designating an official poet laureate. Gov. Robert Casey appointed Samuel Hazo as Pennsylvania Poet Laureate in 1993 but the position has since been effectively terminated,” said Freeman, D-Northampton.
“Many local governments in the commonwealth, including Philadelphia, York, and Erie County honor their local poets by designating them poet laureates. Through creating the position of Pennsylvania Poet Laureate, we would recognize important contemporary contributors to the literary arts and promote our commonwealth’s cultural heritage.”
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Freeman’s legislation (H.B. 2308) would create the official position of Pennsylvania Poet Laureate and establish a selection process where a committee would send a list of nominees to the governor to make a final decision.
The Pennsylvania Poet Laureate, an unpaid position, would serve at official functions, such as reading a poem at the governor’s inauguration.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
Information provided to TVL by: Tom Andrews House Democratic Communications Office
A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Sunday at 11:52 a.m. for strong thunderstorms until 12:15 p.m. for Northern Lycoming and Southern Lycoming as well as Sullivan and Columbia counties.
Prepare for pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 11:51 a.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Montoursville, moving east at 45 mph. Other storms were forming just west of this storm,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Williamsport, Montoursville, Hughesville, Duboistown, Jamison City, Kettle Creek Gorge, Ricketts Glen State Park, Central, Biggertown, Muncy Valley, Barbours, Loyalsockville, South Williamsport, Picture Rocks, Laporte, Eagles Mere, Williamsport Airport and Little League World Series Complex.
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The weather service adds, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. for central and north central Pennsylvania.”
Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, keep these recommendations in mind:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
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Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.
Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain
When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:
Beware of rapid water flow:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
Maintain safe driving distances:
The two-second rule for following distance is your ally in heavy rain. Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
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Reduce speed and drive cautiously:
On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Visibility matters:
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Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
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Mind your windshield wipers:
Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered spots.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
