Pennsylvania
Shapiro pitches carbon cap-and-invest plan to capitalize on Pennsylvania's energy exports • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Gov. Josh Shapiro said he would immediately pull Pennsylvania out of a multi-state carbon cap-and-trade program if the state Legislature passes his energy plan, which he said Wednesday would reduce carbon emissions while lowering energy costs and creating clean energy jobs.
Instead of participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Pennsylvania would set its own caps on carbon emissions and require power plants to buy credits to burn fossil fuels. The revenue generated would be returned to consumers as electricity bill rebates and invested in power plants and energy efficiency improvements for homes and small businesses, Shapiro said.
“We’ve got to reject the false choice between protecting energy jobs and protecting the planet. We can do both. We must do both. And doing nothing at this moment is not an option,” Shapiro said in an announcement Wednesday in Scranton, known as the Electric City for its early adoption of electrified street cars.
In his announcement, flanked by labor and environmental officials, Shapiro called for two legislative measures to put his energy policy into law.
The Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) would create a cap-and-invest program to incentivize reducing carbon emissions from electrical generation and produce revenue to support the state’s energy transition, the governor’s office said.
Shapiro also called on lawmakers to pass the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) to modernize and expand the commonwealth’s range of alternative energy sources to include next-generation nuclear, fusion, and carbon capture technologies. It would require 35% of Pennsylvania’s electricity to come from clean sources by 2035. The updated standard would open Pennsylvania to new investment and create 14,500 jobs, the governor’s office said.
Shapiro said the energy plan would capitalize on Pennsylvania’s legacy as an energy leader, noting at Wednesday’s press conference that the first U.S. coal mine was in nearby Pittston, and as the largest net exporter of energy in the country. More than 30% of the electricity produced in the commonwealth is sold to homes and businesses in other states, Shapiro said.
“That’s a unique position of strength. And it is a unique opportunity for all of us if we seize this moment. My plan takes advantage of that position to invest the money we get through this plan back into the good people of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said.
Pennsylvania Democrats seek balance between environmental policy and loyalty to labor
Labor leaders from building and construction trades, steamfitters and laborers joined Shapiro for the announcement and praised his advocacy for energy sector workers. Pat Dolan, business manager for United Association Local Union 524, said energy policy is crucial to workers who maintain and improve power plants and upgrade schools and other buildings to make them more efficient.
“That’s job creation that is so key to everything that we do,” Dolan said.
Jackson Morris of the National Resources Defense Council said PACER and PRESS could make Pennsylvania a national leader with a “vibrant and equitable” clean energy economy.
“We – labor, environmentalists, and consumer interests – are all in this together. Because if we don’t act now, Pennsylvania will be left behind,” Morris said.
Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration entered Pennsylvania into the RGGI compact as its 12th state in 2022. Opponents of Pennsylvania’s membership said it constituted an illegal tax on energy consumers and was an overreach of the governor’s executive authority.
In November, a Commonwealth Court panel ruled in favor of power and coal companies and labor unions that sued the Wolf administration, saying the revenue generated by the sale of carbon credits through RGGI was an unconstitutional tax.
The Shapiro administration is appealing the decision in the state Supreme Court.
GOP lawmakers said after Shapiro’s announcement Wednesday that they are focused on energy policy but said Shapiro’s plan falls short of their goals.
“Instead of coming to Pennsylvanians with a mixed bag of half measures, Gov. Shapiro should immediately pull Pennsylvania out of RGGI and work with Republicans in the General Assembly on real and direct ways we can support Pennsylvania’s growing energy economy and lower costs on Pennsylvania’s families and businesses,” House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said.
Cutler’s spokesperson said Republican energy policy for the last 13 years has included increased production of oil and gas in the commonwealth and enhancing the state’s electricity supply with an all-of-the-above strategy to improve grid reliability. House Republicans will continue their efforts with legislation this session, spokesperson Jason Gottesman said.
Shapiro says state will appeal Commonwealth Court’s RGGI decision
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) called on Shapiro to drop the state’s appeal of the Commonwealth Court ruling.
“It now appears the governor agrees with the Commonwealth Court’s ruling asserting a cap-and-trade program for electric generation is a tax on electricity and would require legislative approval,” adding that a cap-and-trade program that applies only to Pennsylvania electricity producers “does not fit the bill.
“Families are feeling the strain of inflation and increased household expenses, which must be a chief concern when implementing any changes to energy policy. Pennsylvania needs to put electric generation, grid reliability and consumer affordability first, and our Senate Republican Majority will continue to focus on initiatives to promote investment and innovation here in Pennsylvania,” Pittman said in a statement.
Shapiro convened a working group of environmental, energy and labor leaders last April to evaluate Pennsylvania’s membership in RGGI in the context of a three-part test considering the goals of protecting and creating energy jobs, action to address climate change, and ensuring affordable and reliable energy for consumers.
It concluded in September that reducing greenhouse gas emissions was necessary and inevitable, and that a cap-and-trade regulation that generates revenue to support the commonwealth’s energy transition would be optimal. It didn’t reach a consensus on whether to pursue those goals through RGGI or an agreement with a smaller number of states.
Shapiro said he would follow the working group’s recommendations to replace RGGI with either a cap-and-invest plan for Pennsylvania alone or incorporating the 13 states in the PJM Interconnect, which coordinates the distribution of wholesale electricity throughout the mid-Atlantic and beyond.
State lawmakers want to peel back the curtain at the nation’s biggest electrical grid operator
Clean energy business associations applauded the plan, saying the goal of 35% clean electricity would maximize the deployment of new energy sources while maintaining a strong foundation of legacy energy industries.
“Gov. Shapiro’s proposal should help jump start conversations in Harrisburg about how best to bring clean energy’s massive economic and jobs benefits to Pennsylvania,” said Nick Bibby, Pennsylvania state lead for Advanced Energy United. “
Power PA Jobs Alliance, a coalition of about 30 local unions and coal-related companies, said that while Shapiro expressed skepticism about RGGI as attorney general and as a candidate, his proposal Wednesday was “virtually the same carbon tax on electric generation.”
The group said Shapiro’s working group stressed that the commonwealth’s energy policy must not cause increased energy costs, job loss, higher localized pollution or allow carbon emitters to move their operations beyond the reach of regulation.
“A Pennsylvania specific carbon tax-and-trade program … would not avoid, but directly lead to these unfavorable environmental and economic outcomes for Pennsylvania,” the group said.
A state trooper was hit by a vehicle in Somerset County.
Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar said the trooper was trying to help a disabled vehicle on Route 31 westbound when they were hit on Saturday.
According to our partners at WJAC, the trooper suffered injuries to their head, leg and pelvis.
The trooper has been released from the hospital.
“This is a stark reminder of the dangers that our first responders face on a daily basis. I encourage everyone to life the trooper and his family up in their thoughts and prayers,” Metzgar said.
Officials said the trooper still has “a long way to go” before returning to duty.
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo
HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.
Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone
With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).
“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”
Spotlight on East Penn Railroad
The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.
The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.
Building a Better Freight Future
East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.
Some of the other key projects include:
- CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
- Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
- NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.
Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.
Why It Matters
Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.
East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.
Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.
A Commitment to Progress
The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.
Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.
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A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water expires Dec. 31.
But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted.
“The message that we’ve been hoping that people really hear is not to panic,” said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.
Utility shutoffs are an experience many Pennsylvania households deal with. In the first 10 months of 2024, utilities in the state disconnected more than 300,000 households and reconnected fewer than three-quarters of them.
In Philadelphia, one in four low-income households spends at least 16% of its income on energy bills — an energy burden that’s considered severe. Black and Hispanic households in Philadelphia spend more of their income on energy than households overall, and national surveys have shown non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic households are disconnected from utility service at higher rates than non-Hispanic white households.
Here’s what you need to know about the sunsetting statute.
Pa.’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter continues
Pennsylvania’s winter shutoff moratorium will continue even after the law expires, because this and other protections are duplicated in another part of state code.
Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission.
Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period.
Gas and electric utilities cannot terminate service for households earning below $3,137 monthly for an individual or $6,500 for a family of four, based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines.
“We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities,” said Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission chairman, in a statement.
There is a partial exception for city gas utilities, which can terminate service for households earning $1,882 to $3,137 monthly for an individual or $3,900 to $6,500 for a family of four, during part of the winter under certain circumstances.
If you can’t pay your utility bills in full, Marx recommends making at least some payment, because utilities consider a positive payment history when setting up payment plans.
“Paying what you can, when you can, is very important, especially even through the winter, when the winter moratorium is in place,” she said.
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