Our Message to Pennsylvania Leaders

Dear Governor Shapiro and Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

As businesses and institutions with operations, employees, and economic interests in the Commonwealth, we express our support for Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

RGGI is an effort by eleven neighboring states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. RGGI helps the power sector reduce emissions through a gradually-declining carbon cap and market-derived price signals. This structure provides both certainty and flexibility for businesses to plan ahead and develop innovative, low-carbon energy solutions.

We collectively recognize the importance of reducing carbon emissions. We are taking actions within our own operations, and we appreciate the imperative to work collaboratively, including with policymakers, to tackle this challenge. Failure to rein in carbon emissions presents significant public health and economic risks.

We also recognize the importance of preparing Pennsylvania’s economy to meet the needs of the future. Amid increasing demand for carbon-free energy and an era of unprecedented advancements in energy technology, RGGI can help Pennsylvania bolster economic resilience and embrace innovation. Meanwhile, the proceeds derived from RGGI participation provide opportunities to invest in low-carbon technologies, help Pennsylvanians save on their electricity bills, create sustainable jobs, and support communities affected by the clean energy transition as well as those overburdened by pollution.

RGGI has more than a decade-long history of success. Since 2008, the states participating in RGGI successfully cut power-sector emissions in half, reduced electricity prices, and outpaced the nation in economic growth—all while creating $6.2 billion in net economic gains and nearly 50,000 job-years of employment. RGGI’s success is proof that economic growth and environmental responsibility can and must go hand-in-hand.

RGGI presents one of our most cost-efficient opportunities to accelerate emissions reductions while preserving Pennsylvania’s proud status as an economic powerhouse for the many years to come. We encourage Pennsylvania’s lawmakers and stakeholders to constructively work together to support and swiftly implement the Commonwealth’s participation in this important initiative.