Struzzi Calls on Shapiro to Use AG Power to Stop RGGI
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) is asking Attorney General Josh Shapiro to follow through on his opposition to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and stop the initiative’s implementation.
“Attorney General Shapiro has expressed concerns about Gov. Tom Wolf’s desire to enroll Pennsylvania in RGGI,” Struzzi said. “If he’s sincere about those concerns, he has the power to, at the very least, stall the initiative.”
Shapiro questioned whether or not RGGI will protect and create jobs while visiting Indiana County recently, saying he didn’t want to “displace workers.” He is also on record as believing RGGI should be brought up before the General Assembly, something Struzzi’s
House Bill 637 would require.
“I do want to thank the attorney general for validating our claims that RGGI is bad for Pennsylvania,” added Struzzi “He has also acknowledged that the governor’s choice to bypass the proper role of the General Assembly while entering the Commonwealth into this multi-state compact is both unconstitutional and unilateral. Opposition to RGGI is not a one-party issue. All Pennsylvanians will be negatively impacted by what essentially is one man’s crusade to enter Pennsylvania into a program that stands to eliminate jobs, raise utility bills and jeopardize our standing as the No. 1 energy exporting state in the country.”
The General Assembly has voiced its opinions to the extent that it can by moving resolutions which disapprove of the Environmental Quality Board’s opinion that Pennsylvania should enroll in RGGI, which would charge power plants for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit. Both measures of opposition included bipartisan support.
“I’m asking Shapiro to stand up to Gov. Wolf on RGGI, which clearly imposes a tax on two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s electric generation capacity and brings into question its constitutionality,” Struzzi commented. “As our state’s top law enforcement officer, the attorney general has the power to not only render it unconstitutional, but question whether RGGI is being statutorily authorized because it has never been brought before the General Assembly for a vote.
“Gov. Wolf is trying to rush this through. The attorney general has heard concerns from building trade groups like Boilermakers Local 154 about RGGI’s negative impact on labor. If Shapiro has ANY questions about RGGI…and he clearly does…he needs to step in and put the governor’s crusade on hold.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Struzzi’s Indiana district office at 1-724-465-0220.