Climate - League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh

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The LWVPA supports Pennsylvania's participation in
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI - (pronounced, "Reggie")

What is RGGI?

RGGI is a cooperative effort among 10 northeastern states to reduce carbon emissions by capping CO2 emissions from power plants. Under the RGGI agreement,

Power plants are required to pay for their emissions by purchasing "allowances" from the state for each ton of CO2 they emit.
The proceeds from the sale of allowances is then invested in the development of green energy and jobs.
There is a cap on the total emissions for each state, and the cap is gradually reduced from year to year.

RGGI Status

The Pennsylvania General Assembly failed to override the veto of bill preventing the implementation of RGGI.
The Commonwealth Court issued an order placing a stay on the publication of RGGI rules.
This stay has been "dissolved," allowing RGGI implementation to begin.

For the complete schedule of EQB meetings, and supporting documents, click here.

You can read the Regulatory Analysis Form (RAF) for the final version of the CO2 Budget Trading Program here: CO2 Budget Trading RAF

Read the public comments and DEP responses here: Public Comments and DEP Responses

How would RGGI benefit Pennsylvania?

In addition to reducing the rate of climate change, RGGI would benefit the state by reducing other pollutants that contribute to asthma, pre-term births, and other health problems that cost Pennsylvanians 100s of millions of dollars a year. And, with coal and fossil fuel jobs already on the decline due to market forces, investments in the green energy sector can help Pennsylvania adapt and prepare for a strong economic future.

Don Naragon, LWVPA Vice President for Environment, and LWVPGH member, testified in a hearing on RGGI in December 2020. Read his full statement here.

Support for RGGI is in line with the LWVUS position on climate change. Learn more here.

LWVUS Positions- Climate Change

Black & Gold & Green

You can track local air pollution levels at the Allegheny County Health Department's Air Quality page.

Get involved with these local groups to take action for a sustainable future:

GASP - Group Against Smog & Pollution

Smell Pittsburgh
Citizens' Climate Lobby

Sustainable Pittsburgh

Green Building Alliance
ROCIS

Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces (ROCIS)

ROCIS is a non-profit organization that studies the interaction of indoor and outdoor air pollutants with the goal of reducing exposure to outdoor contaminants in homes and workplaces. How can you make your home a safe breathing space? Learn about the opportunity to participate as a citizen scientist in an ongoing research project. With loaned monitoring equipment, you can measure and learn to make simple changes to mitigate pollution levels in your home.

Find out how you can participate in an upcoming cohort at www.rocis.org

Capping Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

The LWVPGH Advocacy Committee attended the presentation by Allegheny County Council on March 31st and heard that the PA Department of Environmental Protection has plans to cap 50 orphaned and abandoned wells in Allegheny County with the infrastructure monies from the Federal Government.

To view the map of the wells currently located in Allegheny County please visit: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/OilandGasMgmt/LegacyWells/Pages/default.aspx

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