DEP To Hold 14 Listening Sessions On Developing PA’s Clean Power Climate Plan

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced 14 listening sessions and a 2-month comment period on the federal Clean Power Plan to hear from Pennsylvanians about the plan to cut carbon pollution.

DEP will also hold a webinar on September 9 on the Clean Power Plan and accept written comments on general and specific issues by November 12.

“We want to hear from the people of Pennsylvania and all stakeholders as we prepare a Pennsylvania-centric plan to comply with the Clean Power Plan,” said DEP Secretary John Quigley. “Gov. Wolf is committed to making the Clean Power Plan work for Pennsylvania and these listening sessions will help meet that goal. We strongly believe we can reduce carbon emissions statewide and address climate change in fair and smart ways that take into account legitimate concerns of all parties.”

Listening Session Schedule

Participants wishing to speak at the listening sessions must register at 717-783-8727.

— September 15: Dauphin County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Department of Environmental Protection South Central Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17110

— September 21: Allegheny County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Carnegie Mellon University, Roberts Hall – Singleton Room, 4th Floor, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

— September 22: Cambria County, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Conference Center at University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown, Heritage Hall A, 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904

— September 22: Greene County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Waynesburg Central High School, Auditorium, 30 Zimmerman Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370

— September 28: Luzerne County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Wilkes University, Henry Student Center Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA  18701

— September 30: Philadelphia County, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., University of Pennsylvania, Kleinman Center, Fisher Fine Arts Building, Room 401, 220 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

— September 30: Delaware County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Marcus Hook Community Center, 7 West Delaware Avenue, Marcus Hook, PA 19061

— October 5: York County, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wyndham Garden York, White Rose Event Center, Crystal Ballroom, 2000 Loucks Road, York, PA 17408

— October 22: Lehigh County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Muhlenberg College, Trumbower 130, 2238 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104

— October 28: Schuylkill County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Penn State Schuylkill, John E. Morgan Auditorium, 200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

— October 29: Erie County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Hirt Auditorium at Blasco Library, 160 East Front Street, Erie, PA 16507

— October 30: Clarion County, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Clarion University, Corner of Payne St & Wilson Ave, Clarion, PA 16214

— October 30: Clearfield County, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Penn State Dubois, 7 Hiller Building – Auditorium, One College Place, Dubois, PA 15801

— November 4: Lycoming County, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Penn College – Williamsport, Mountain Laurel Room, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701.

Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should  contact the Department at 717-783-8727, or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD users), or 1-800-654-5988 (voice users), to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

September 9 Webinar

The Department of Environmental Protection will also hold a webinar on the Clean Power Plan at 10 a.m. on September 9. Speakers will include DEP Secretary John Quigley and DEP Policy Director Patrick McDonnell. To register, please Click Here.

Specific Questions DEP Is Asking

DEP is soliciting comments on the Clean Energy Incentive Program component of the CPP and on the EPA-proposed Federal Plan that serves as a model rule for states developing their state plans.

DEP is also soliciting comments on specific compliance related questions as part of this process--

-- Compliance Targets/Timeline

-- Should the state plan use rate-based (expressed in pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt-hour) or mass-based (total tons of carbon dioxide) targets?

-- How should allowances be allocated under a mass-based approach?

-- Should new natural gas plants be included within a mass-based target?

-- What methods should be used to measure compliance?

-- Participation in Trading

-- Should Pennsylvania adopt a trade-ready program without a formal multi-state agreement?

-- Should Pennsylvania, join a formal multi-state trading collaborative?

-- Should Pennsylvania manage carbon emissions without trading at all?

-- Energy Efficiency & Renewables

-- How can the state best use renewable energy in meeting its compliance obligations?

-- How can the state best use energy efficiency in meeting its compliance obligations?

-- Should the state participate in the Clean Energy Incentive Program?

-- Should the state set aside allowances or credits to participate in the Clean Energy Incentive Program?

-- What other energy conservation measures could be considered?

-- Least-Cost Compliance and Reliability Issues

-- What compliance pathway represents the least-cost option for Pennsylvania?

-- How can Pennsylvania meet its objective of prioritizing indigenous resources?

-- How can Pennsylvania maintain a diverse fuel mix?

-- How can Pennsylvania protect the commonwealth's position as a net energy exporter?

-- How can Pennsylvania ensure electric reliability?

-- Vulnerable, Over-Burdened, and Environmental Justice Communities

-- What specific Pennsylvania communities may currently be experiencing adverse, disproportionate impacts of climate change and air pollution?

-- What specific Pennsylvania communities may experience economic concerns over the implementation of the state plan?

-- What additional steps can be taken by DEP to effectively reach out to these vulnerable communities to ensure that their concerns are taken into consideration?

-- How can Pennsylvania ensure that these communities are not disproportionately impacted by the state plan?

Written Comments

In addition to the listening sessions, DEP will accept comments on Pennsylvania’s compliance with EPA’s Clean Power Plan through November 12, 2015.

Comment submissions can be made through DEP’s eComment system or emailed to: ecomment@pa.gov or mailed to 400 Market Street P.O. Box 2063 Harrisburg, PA 17105.

For questions concerning the comment period and listening sessions, contact the DEP Policy Office at 717-783-8727.

For more information and background, visit DEP’s Climate Change webpage.