Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order Tuesday setting the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050 from their 2005 levels.
Wolf established the GreenGov Council to achieve this goal. The council will be tasked with encouraging and coordinating environmentally sustainable practices in government policy, achieving state agency performance goals and will work with agencies to reduce energy use and improve the energy efficiency of state buildings and vehicles.
The performance goals are to use renewable energy to offset annual electricity use by at least 40 percent, reduce overall energy consumption by 21 percent by 2025 and replace 25 percent of the state passenger-car fleet with battery electric and plug-in electric hybrid cars by 2025.
The councils co-chairmen will be the secretaries of the departments of General Services, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources.
The move is supported by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
“As part of our member-driven agenda, the PA Chamber supports environmental policies that are based on sound science and allow market-based approaches to seek attainment of environmental goals while also pursuing economic growth,” Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr said. “Time and again, Pennsylvania employers have proven their dedication to environmental awareness by developing innovative solutions to improve efficiency, savings, and safety while minimizing water and energy waste at their facilities. By embracing competitive markets, Pennsylvania has reduced greenhouse gas emissions more than the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regulatory construct without the need for government mandates. Any approach to greenhouse gas regulations should be balanced, making sure to leverage the state’s great energy assets and encourage private sector competition without stifling potential economic growth.”