Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Senate, House Members Call For Early Action On Bills To Require State To Reach 100% Renewable Energy Generation By 2050

On September 21, members of the Senate and House called for early action on legislation-- House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 872--  to require Pennsylvania to reach 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2050.
The legislators included Senators Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery) and Katie Muth (D-Chester); and Representatives Christopher Rabb (D-Philadelphia) and Danielle Friel Otten (D-Chester). 

“We have a responsibility to take action to protect the quality of life, not just for ourselves, but for future generations – and to do that we need to both stop the degradation of our environment now and implement policies that build a safer, greener future,” Sen. Muth said. “Go100PA is a critical step in stopping further harm from global warming caused by fossil fuel industry pollution and ensuring a safe and sustainable future for Pennsylvania.  Urgent action is needed NOW, and I am honored to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate on this life- and earth-saving initiative.”

Already, 9 states representing more than 85 million people have passed similar policies, including New York, Illinois, Oregon, and Virginia. The sentiment of urgency was echoed by the Senator’s colleagues.

“Going 100 percent renewable is an existential imperative. Doing it justly is a moral imperative. And as legislators, it is at the heart of the oath we took to uphold our state’s constitution, one of only two in the nation that explicitly demands environmental stewardship,” said Rep. Rabb. “Aggressive, creative and just climate action is the embattled bridge we must cross to the only future that allows humanity to persist in alignment with Earth, lest Earth relegates us to fossils from an era of unmitigated mass ecological destruction.”

Transition must begin now. The vast majority of Pennsylvania voters are concerned about air and water pollution. The legislators also voiced their concern for public health impacts of climate change.

“Our policy solutions must be long term and prioritize public health. Climate change’s very real effects are destroying our homes and health. Go 100 PA will provide the much needed framework for Pennsylvania to boldly address climate change and begin our transition to 100% renewable energy,” said Sen. Cappelletti. “This is one of the biggest concerns of my constituents and I will continue to fight for investments in clean energy.”

Advocates agreed that constituents are asking for climate action.

“It’s time for politicians to stop listening to fossil fuel lobbyists who are holding our planet hostage with 19th century energy technologies,” stated Flora Cardoni, Field Director for PennEnvironment. “They need to listen to their constituents who want to tap into our 21st century solutions to climate change and move the Commonwealth to 100 percent clean, renewable energy.”

For more information, visit the Go100PA website.

Related Article:

-- Gov. Wolf: Releases 2021 Update To PA Climate Action Plan, Calls For Statewide Action Now On Climate Change

[Posted: September 22, 2021]  PA Environment Digest

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