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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 5, 2016 11:53 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Donald C. White |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Clean Power Plan Extension |
| I plan to introduce legislation to extend the amount of time the General Assembly would have to review Pennsylvania’s compliance plan for the Federal Clean Power Plan. Review and approval of the plan would be extended from 100 to 180 days before submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is slated for September, 2016. The Clean Power Plan proposes rules to limit carbon emissions from existing power plants, calling for a 25 percent reduction of greenhouse gas pollution by 2030. As one who represents a region where energy-related jobs are essential to the economy, these impending federal regulations—if not modified by the state plan—will have a devastating impact. As an example, it is estimated that nearly half of Pennsylvania’s counties would be in violation of the stricter emission limits. Given that our electric generation plants are already stressed by federal regulations, these new rules would put their long-term future and the good jobs they provide at risk. While we have taken steps to ensure the General Assembly has input on this important issue, passing Act 175 of 2014 (Pennsylvania Gas Regulation Implementation Act) so we can oversee the process and have final approval of the state plan, we cannot lose the momentum. To ensure there is sufficient time to fully vet this issue, my bill would extend the review time by 80 additional days. The language proposed in my bill was previously included in the Fiscal Code (HB 1327), which is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. Because of the uncertainty of the Fiscal Code’s enactment, I believe it is important the provision extending review time for Pennsylvania’s power plan be proposed separately. It is imperative we tackle this issue with the care and thoroughness necessary to protect the jobs and livelihood of thousands of coal and electric generation workers across the state who could potentially be impacted by the impending federal regulations. Please join me in ensuring the General Assembly has ample time to review Pennsylvania’s compliance plan for the Federal Clean Power Plan by cosponsoring this bill. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anne Achenbach, of my staff, at 7-4404 or at aachenbach@pasen.gov. |
Introduced as SB1195