Phone: 814-535-7655
RGGI Reality

RGGI: Carbon Tax Impacts Pennsylvania Jobs

Governor Tom Wolf is working unilaterally to impose a “carbon tax” that will be paid for by Pennsylvania consumers. By joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a carbon tax would be levied on the emissions from fossil fueled power plants, which are some of the most reliable and efficient providers of energy in the Commonwealth. This tax would lead to the closure of several of these power plants, resulting in the direct elimination of thousands of family sustaining jobs and increases in the cost of electricity for all the Commonwealth’s energy consumers.

The adverse impact that a carbon tax would have on the greater economy of Pennsylvania is significant. Aside from the thousands of jobs lost at shuttered power plants, even more would be lost in manufacturing plants, transportation logistics servicing power plants and manufacturers, producers of raw materials and manufactured products and raw materials, vendor services, and all the jobs that support these core industrial activities. Entire communities will be harmed due to the loss of the indirect and direct jobs, all as a consequence of Governor Wolf’s unilateral action.

Pennsylvania continues to witness the positive environmental impacts that clean, reliable, and affordable energy provides in a deregulated electricity market. Pennsylvania is already ahead of the carbon dioxide emission reduction goals established under Governor Wolf’s Climate Action Plan. In fact, Pennsylvania carbon dioxide emission form the electric power sector have decreased 33% since 2009. Historically, studies have proven carbon taxes have done little to effect environmental change, but they do however impose a significant cost upon consumers in the form of a new tax.

Governor Wolf is not only pursuing a carbon tax on power plants, he also has Pennsylvania slated to participate in the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) that would add more taxes on the purchase of gasoline and diesel with the intent of reducing carbon emissions from cars and trucks. Pennsylvanians already pay the second highest gas taxes in the country, but Governor Wolf obviously has his eyes on surpassing California for the first spot.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is pushing back on Governor Wolf’s unilateral policy initiatives and needs your support. A carbon tax is a significant public policy proposal and should be debated through proper legislative procedure. Tell your lawmakers to support Senate Bill 950 and House Bill 2025 requiring legislative approval before the Pennsylvania Executive Branch is allowed to unilaterally impose a carbon tax or enter any multi-state compact, such as RGGI or TCI, that would impose a significant cost on Pennsylvania consumers and businesses.


The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) will determine whether to approve or disapprove the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regulation on September 1, 2021.
The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) will determine whether to approve or disapprove the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regulation on September 1, 2021. Working in partnership with the Power PA Jobs Alliance - a coalition of labor, consumer and business leaders - we have set up a TAKE ACTION WEBSITE that will allow you to send your comments IRRC in opposition to RGGI to IRRC. Please click on the following link - https://powerpajobs.com/engage/oppose-rggi - and communicate your strong opposition to RGGI ASAP. And PLEASE pass this along to friends, family, neighbors who share your support for blue collar energy jobs and commitment to ensure that all electricity consumers continue to have access to reliable, low cost power. As explained on the Power PA Jobs Alliance website, if not stopped, RGGI will prematurely eliminate thousands of blue collar jobs who work in and support Pennsylvania coal and natural gas electric generation plants. It will also effectively preclude the construction of new natural gas plants within Pennsylvania. Organized labor built $14 billion worth of natural gas plants in the past 10 years. Many of these jobs will be lost to neighboring, pro-coal and pro-natural gas states, like Ohio and West Virginia. Additionally, electric rates will increase for Pennsylvania consumers - residential, commercial and industrial - as much as 18 percent as a result of RGGI. Please take action now. Thank you.
The Senate today (June 14) approved, by a solid 35-15 bipartisan, veto-proof vote, a bill introduced by Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) that would require Legislative approval of the Governor’s proposal to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Here is the link to the Power PA Jobs Alliance “TAKE ACTION” site.  Please click the link below to send an email or letter to support PA. Senate Bill 119. https://powerpajobs.com/engage/oppose-unilateral-energy-tax Please share this email with as many as possible.
Coal industry lauds second strike against Governors Wolf’s proposed unilateral carbon tax HARRISBURG, Pa.
Download: Media Statement - PA Coal Alliance on RGGI 5-19-20 .pdf
IMPORTANT: ACTION NEEDED FROM LOCAL 459 MEMBERS - STEP 2 OF 4 TO STOP RGGI WHAT:            The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) will meet to consider, among other items, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) draft RGGI regulation. WHEN:           Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
  May 7, 2020 Local 459 Members took time to send a message to PA Governor Wolf. The Union workforce that provides the 24/7 coverage required to keep some of the largest electric generating stations in the United States running, took part during the Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
RGGI Effect to 459 Dec. 2019 Aric Baker, Sr. Business Rep.                    On October 3, 2019 Governor Wolf announced his intentions to enter PA into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which is essentially a carbon tax on fossil fuel generating stations. By doing this Gov.
November 19, 2019 IBEW Local Support for 3 Bills that have a major impact on members Since 2004, the Seward Power Plant has been a key player in the removal of millions of tons of coal refuse (boney), reclaiming thousands of acres of mine scarred land and restoring hundreds of miles of impaired streams.



Page Last Updated: Aug 18, 2021 (06:40:00)
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Contact Info
IBEW Local 459
408 Broad St
Johnstown, PA 15906
  814-535-7655

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