Legislation would require General Assembly to consider RGGI

State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, re-introduced legislation in the state House of Representatives that would require the General Assembly’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the bill, which passed with bipartisan support, during the 2019-20 session.

RGGI is called “the first mandatory market-based program in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

House Bill 637 would require public comment and consideration by the General Assembly before the state enrolls in RGGI.

“The governor’s continued pursuit of this job-killing initiative as an executive measure needs to end,” Struzzi said. “If he wants to pursue this and be fair, he must give the people of Pennsylvania a voice through the legislature in whether or not they want their state involved in a campaign that is destined to cost taxpayers their livelihoods and drive up energy bills in a way that will place an added burden on household budgets throughout the state.

“The governor is simply not listening to the many, many voices opposed to this measure. Bringing RGGI before the Legislature for a vote is the only fair way to give Pennsylvanians a say in the matter.”