Republicans celebrate end of Pennsylvania’s carbon tax

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The $50 billion Pennsylvania budget was more than legislative Republicans wanted to spend, but they did it because Democrats agreed to stop pursuing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is a tax on carbon polluters.

“It was a nail not only in the Boilermakers coffin when RGGI came into play, it was a nail in our knees,” said Shawn Steffee, business agent for Boilermakers Local 154 Pittsburgh.

In 2019, then Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed an executive order seeking to join RGGI. The compact with 11 other states sets a goal to reduce planet-warming emissions and requires power plants to purchase allowances to release carbon dioxide.

It has been paused since then as it went through court challenges, never coming into effect in Pennsylvania.

Now, GOP lawmakers said they’ve charted a new path for the state that will welcome power producers promising trade jobs and lower electric bills.

“This is a total reset for what is the dominant economic driver of this Commonwealth, and that’s the production of energy and electricity,” said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R).

But some Democrats are frustrated with their party’s concession. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware County) called Republican colleagues “climate deniers.”

Vitali’s anger extends to his own party and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), too.

“The reason why RGGI was on the chopping block was Governor Shapiro never supported it,” Vitali said.

Shapiro insists the state can both promote energy production and protect the environment. There’s no argument against that from Republicans.

“I believe the climate is changing as it has changed for millions and millions of years,” Pittman said. “When we bring new technologies to the marketplace, we do in fact reduce emissions while increasing output.”

Supports said the state has now rolled out the welcome mat for new business. It’s unclear when the stampede will begin at the State Capitol.