The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is currently reviewing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program initiated by an executive order from the Wolf Administration in 2019. This review follows a decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in 2023, which stated that Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI requires legislation passed by the General Assembly, rather than rulemaking by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). Governor Shapiro has appealed this ruling to the state’s highest court.
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman expressed strong opinions on the matter. “The illegal attempt to put Pennsylvania into RGGI – started by the Wolf Administration and continued by the Shapiro Administration – has been a complete disaster. We’ve lost jobs, we’ve lost energy production, and the cost of electricity is going up,” he said.
Pittman further commented on the day’s proceedings at the Supreme Court: “Today’s argument in front of the Supreme Court made it clear the Commonwealth Court was right when it said RGGI is unconstitutional.” He anticipates a prompt decision from the court, hoping it will pave the way for discussions on energy policies that benefit Pennsylvanians. “Once the Supreme Court rules on this issue, we will then be able to have serious discussions on the future of energy advancement in our Commonwealth. I look forward to… implementing strong energy policies to benefit Pennsylvania families and businesses.”
