Republicans On Senate Environmental Committee Approve Letter Urging IRRC To Disapprove Reg. Reducing Carbon Pollution From Power Plants

On February 3, the Republicans on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission recommending they disapprove of a proposed Environmental Quality Board regulation reducing Carbon Pollution from Power Plants.

Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana), an ardent opponent of the regulation, questioned why the hearings on the proposed regulation were not advertised in newspapers across the state.

He apparently was not aware newspaper ads appeared in the Allentown Morning Call 11/7; Altoona Mirror 11/6; Bucks County Courier Times 11/6; Delaware Co. Daily Times 11/7; Erie Times-News 11/7; Harrisburg Patriot News 11/5; Indiana Gazette 11/6 [in Sen. Pittman's hometown paper]; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 11/6; Reading Eagle 11/7; Scranton Times-Tribune 11/7; Wilkes Barre Times Leader 11/7; and Williamsport Sun-Gazette 11/6, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee, wrote a separate letter opposed to the rule to the IRRC.

In fact, 28 Senators-- 27 Republicans and one Independent-- wrote a joint letter opposing the regulation.  Read more here.

Sen. Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee, wrote a letter supporting the regulation.

The Environmental Quality Board public comment period on the regulation ended on January 14.  During 10 public hearing sessions on the regulation, 95 percent of the comments were in favor of the program.  Read more here.

Read more background here.

Visit DEP’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative webpage to learn more about the proposal. 

On February 5, Senate Bill 119 (Pittman-R- Indiana) was introduced that would kill the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants (RGGI).  Gov. Wolf vetoed a similar bill last year.  Read more here.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5709 or sending email to: senatorcomitta@pasenate.com.

Related Articles:

-- Clean Power PA Coalition: 95% Of Commenters At EQB Hearings On Proposed Power Plant Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulation Supported The Proposal

-- Republicans On House Committee OK Letter Urging IRRC To Disapprove Reg. Reducing Carbon Pollution From Power Plants

[Posted: February 3, 2021]  PA Environment Digest