Pennsylvania Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Williamsport) said the state Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee he chairs convened for the first time on Monday.
The ERE committee approved two energy-related bills, Yaw said, during its first voting meeting of the 2025-2026 legislation session in Harrisburg.
“It may be the start of a new session, but the committee’s priorities remain the same,” Yaw said. “We are focused on putting forth commonsense energy policy that recognizes and champions Pennsylvania as an energy producer. Each of the bills approved today represent significant steps in ensuring energy reliability, sustainability and affordability for Pennsylvania families and businesses.”
The committee approved Senate Bill 186 which would repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) enacted through executive order under Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019. The multi-state compact would increase electricity rates for consumers, officials said, while cutting energy and manufacturing jobs and leading to the closure of power plants across the state.
The committee also approved Senate Bill 187 that would create an Independent Energy Office in the state. Modeled after the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the IEO would not support or oppose any policy, but analyze policies, Yaw said in a December memo to Senators. The IEO would be charged with giving the legislature impartial “data driven analysis to guide the state in determining and meeting future energy needs, the memo said.
“Pennsylvania has one of the most diverse energy portfolios in the United States,” Yaw continued. “I believe an Independent Energy Office can streamline our approach to responsible energy policy and ensure a more cohesive strategy for managing our vast natural resources.”
The bills will now go before the full Senate for consideration.