Senate Republicans File To Intervene To Oppose The DEP Lawsuit To Publish Final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations

On February 25, Senate Republicans filed a motion with Commonwealth Court to intervene in opposition to the DEP lawsuit against the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish the final Carbon Pollution Reduction regulations covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The motion was filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre), Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) and Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chair Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming.

On January 10, Gov. Wolf vetoed a resolution passed by the Senate and then the House to block publication of the regulation he said was not adopted within the timeframes dictated by the Regulatory Review Act.

Senate Republicans said they have 10 legislative days or 30 calendar days – whichever is longer – to vote to override the governor’s veto.

Although the Senate still has ample time to bring the veto override up for a vote, DEP recently sued the Legislative Reference Bureau and the Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin to force them to publish his RGGI regulation in the Pennsylvania Bulletin immediately.

If successful, the Wolf Administration’s lawsuit would allow the regulation to take immediate effect and prevent the General Assembly from having an opportunity to consider whether to override Gov. Wolf’s veto.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Senate Republicans have yet to come up with their own plan to reduce carbon pollution from power plants or help workers and communities caught in the market-driven transition to clean energy sources.

Related Article This Week:

-- Republican Senators Yaw, Pittman, Langerholc Introduce Resolution Urging Biden To Restart The Keystone XL Pipeline [From American Petroleum Institute Talking Points]

Related Articles:

-- AP: DEP Files Lawsuit Against Reference Bureau To Publish Final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations; PA Could Lose Air Pollution Reductions, $283 Million

-- Critical Budget Issue: How Will The General Assembly Help Communities, Workers Transition To Clean Energy?

-- House Republicans Go Public With A Proposal To Reduce Carbon Pollution From Coal-Fired Power Plants, Help Communities, Workers Impacted By Plant Closures

[Posted: February 25, 2022]  PA Environment Digest