May. 19, 2020
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) today stated his support and gratitude for the Citizens Advisory Council’s (CAC) vote against recommending that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) move forward with Gov. Tom Wolf’s plans to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
The CAC voted against the recommendation by a margin of 9-4 with one abstention, making it the second advisory committee to reject a RGGI recommendation. On May 7, the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee voted against the recommendation as well.
“I’m very happy and thankful to see the CAC’s decision today to help protect Pennsylvania’s energy jobs. This industry is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy and the livelihoods of thousands of Pennsylvanians,” said Struzzi. “I would now ask House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman, Darryl Metcalfe, to bring my House Bill 2025 to a vote before the committee.”
House Bill 2025, authored by Struzzi, would require legislative authorization before Pennsylvania could impose a carbon tax on employers engaged in electric generation, manufacturing or other industries operating in the Commonwealth, or enter into any multi-state program, such as RGGI, that would impose such a tax.
“RGGI is GUARANTEED to increase energy prices and kill family-sustaining jobs through excessive carbon emissions taxation and overregulation,” said Chairman Metcalfe. “I am looking forward to working together with Rep. Struzzi to advance his legislation which would begin the process of reigning in the rogue governor’s unlawful executive order to enter Pennsylvania into this false science-driven compact without the Constitutionally-required approval of the people’s Legislature.”
Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives