Good afternoon Supporter,

If you’ve followed PennFuture’s work over the last several years, you’ve likely already heard about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and how important the program is for reducing carbon pollution from our power plants. Linking Pennsylvania to RGGI has been one of our biggest priorities and, after more than two years, we are almost at the finish line. 

Unfortunately, a contingent of lawmakers in Harrisburg continues to do everything in their power to block this from happening. Lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly have drafted bills, resolutions and filed court injunctions to try to stop Pennsylvania from enacting a carbon reduction program here. 

One of their tactics included passing a resolution in December known as Senate Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution 1 (SCRRR1), which was swiftly vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf in January. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the story, because lawmakers are gearing up for a potential override of Gov. Wolf’s veto next week.

Why is that problematic? According to the Pennsylvania Regulatory Review Act, if a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the General Assembly votes to override Gov. Wolf’s veto, the carbon reduction rule linking us to RGGI would be blocked from taking effect. Essentially, any successful veto override in the General Assembly would effectively kill our chances of entering RGGI in Pennsylvania. 

That’s why we need your help to beat back this latest attempt. The science is clear: we need to do everything in our power to lower our carbon emissions, and participating in a program like RGGI is our best and most immediate chance to accomplish that goal in Pennsylvania. That’s not to mention that Pennsylvania’s residents have said, time and again, that they support programs like RGGI and that they expect our elected officials to take action on climate change. 

Do your part and contact your state Senator today to tell them to support Gov. Wolf’s veto of SCRRR1, and to rebuff any attempt made to override that veto. The ability to enter into RGGI literally depends on it.

Thank you.