IN THE NEWS
Pennsylvania shows the way toward a clean energy future
The Hill
After hearing oral arguments last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is now deliberating on a case that could determine the fate of the federal Clean Power Plan (CPP). Opponents of the CPP, which sets the nation’s first limits on carbon pollution from power plants, have sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), claiming regulatory overreach by the federal government. While much of the controversy has focused on industry and states, this is an issue of tremendous consequence to local government. That’s why the Cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh support the Clean Power Plan and defended the EPA in court.
Pollution from power plants in two states killed thousands of people last year
Grist
How poisonous are power plants? An estimated 2,300 people in the United States died prematurely because of Pennsylvania’s power plants just last year, according to a study out Thursday. Across the border in Ohio, power plants claimed another 2,130 lives last year. The healthcare bill for people suffering from power plants in both states hit $40 billion.
Environmental activists rally in Capitol for climate action, clean energy
Patriot News
Over the last two days, environmental activists have taken to the Capitol to halt legislation they believe is dangerous to the public's health and Pennsylvania's water and air quality.
Environmentalists Swarm Harrisburg To Lobby Lawmakers
WESA 90.5
Hundreds of environmental advocates are slated to gather in Harrisburg on Tuesday to lobby state lawmakers to reject bills they say would undermine the commonwealth’s clean energy and conservation programs.
Hundreds Rally in Harrisburg for Climate Action, Clean Energy
Public News Service
Hundreds traveled to Harrisburg today to rally for clean energy and climate action. Calling themselves Clean Power PA, the broad coalition of environmental advocates, health professionals, business interests and concerned citizens came from across the Commonwealth.
OPINION
Wolf and DEP right to forge ahead on Clean Power Plan
York Dispatch
Under Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration, Pennsylvania has become a national leader in the fight against climate change, which is among the most profound issues of our day.
OPINION
While the world fights climate change, Pa. protects the fossil fuel industry: Gretchen Dahlkemper
Harrisburg Patriot News
Last month I spent nearly two weeks in Paris where, on behalf of Moms Clean Air Force's 600,000 members, I joined colleagues and partners advocating for a strong Paris agreement that will usher in a healthy and safe future for our children by combatting climate change . . .
House approves budget bill with controversial energy provisions
NPR, State Impact
The Republican-controlled state House approved a budget bill Tuesday that has drawn criticism from Democrats and environmental groups over language that affects new oil and gas regulations and federal efforts to combat climate change.
Poll: Most support Obama's power plant regulations
The Washington Examiner
Nearly two-thirds of voters support President Obama's Clean Power Plan regulation on new and existing power plants, according to a poll released Monday . . .
EDITORIAL
A stealth attack on PA's environment
The Pocono Record
Every Pennsylvanian is eager to see lawmakers pass a long-overdue state budget. But this important planning agreement shouldn't come at the expense of the natural environment.
However, that's what the state Senate passed, 48-2, last week . . .
'Green' efforts could hit snag in Pa. budget
The York Dispatch
A Philadelphia-area state lawmaker is warning a measure included in the proposed budget deal from the Senate could delay implementing Pennsylvania's Clean Power Plan and would divert money from renewable energy initiatives . . .
Spending bill could disrupt efforts to put new rules on gas drilling, emissions
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG — A grab bag spending bill passed by the state Senate on Thursday would disrupt state regulators’ efforts to implement new rules for oil and gas drilling and power plant carbon emissions while creating a $12 million incentive program to help expand access to natural gas . . .
EDITORIAL
Fiscal code pollution
The Scranton Times-Tribune
Republican state senators took an opportunity to demonstrate an ancillary danger to the commonwealth of not having a budget in place on time. The lack of a budget creates desperation that cynical politicians can play to their advantage.
Last week the Senate passed a fiscal code bill, one of the underlying requirements for a budget. It authorizes the spending that eventually will be part of the budget.
The bill includes amendments that provide a variety of gifts to the fossil fuel industries, thus avoiding dealing with those issues on their merits . . .
'Backdoor' amendment in Pa. fiscal code guts regulations, gives millions to new natural gas fund
Harrisburg Patriot-News
The state Senate on Thursday passed the fiscal code with some new language that environmentalists say not only guts regulations governing the oil and gas industry, but also subsidizes it . . .
Critics Say Fiscal Bill Would Impede Emission-Reduction Plan
WESA
Environmentalist groups are protesting provisions advancing through the Pennsylvania Legislature as part of budget-related bill.
More than a half-dozen organizations signed a statement on Thursday as senators overwhelmingly approved the 76-page bill Thursday, barely 24 hours after it became public . . .
Environmentalists say budget bill would delay compliance with Clean Power Plan
StateImpact Pennsylvania
Nine environmental groups attacked a budget-related bill that was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate Thursday, saying it would “gut” environmental regulations and delay the state’s implementation of the federal government’s ambitious Clean Power Plan to cut emissions from power plants . . .
EDITORIAL
Battle lines: The Clean Power Plan is worth fighting for
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan is a sensible, doable, legally sound proposal to reduce dangerous carbon emissions from power plants and to promote renewable energy and greater energy efficiency . . .
Poll: Most Blacks believe global warning is a major problem
New Pittsburgh Courier
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — Two-thirds of African Americans believe global warming is a serious problem, they want action more than the population at large and they overwhelmingly support the Clean Power Plan to address the growing climate crisis, a major new poll released today shows . . .
Clean power talks
Williamsport Sun Gazette
A public input meeting Wednesday night at Pennsylvania College of Technology about how the state should comply with the federal Clean Power Plan brought out environmentalists as well as representatives from industries that rely on fossil fuels for energy production . . .
Why Some Big Businesses are Backing the Clean Power Plan
Allegheny Front
Big businesses often oppose increased government regulations. But the Clean Power Plan—the Obama’s administration's attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants—is drawing backers in the big box business world . . .
OPINION
Alternative energy can help Pa. reach Clean Power Plan goals
Allentown Morning Call
My work as an energy efficiency consultant takes me to communities across Pennsylvania, and I have noticed an exciting transformation in our state in the past few years. I have driven past new wind farms rising out of green fields. I have seen solar panels installed on homes and apartment buildings. And I have met a growing number of local business executives who use energy efficiency solutions to save money and reduce pollution . . .
OPINION
Pa. should implement carbon trading program
Philadelphia Inquirer
The commonwealth faces a critical choice as it continues to hold a series of hearings to determine how to implement its obligations under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan.
Pennsylvania can either put into place policies that curtail carbon emissions from fossil-fuel-fired power plants and enjoy a meaningful reduction of greenhouse gases - or face a future in which, by many accounts, Philadelphia will enjoy a climate much like that of Charleston, S.C., by 2100. . .
OPINION
Clean Power Plan roadmap to change
Pittsburgh Business Times
I grew up five minutes north of Pittsburgh in Shaler, where my father and grandfathers worked in construction. Having lived in coal country as a kid, I remember houses coated with residual black coal soot from before I was born. Working in construction throughout the summer, I remember working in attics that still have soot . . .
Renewable energy sources largely favored for Pa. in Oakland forum
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pennsylvania should emphasize efficiency programs and renewable energy sources as it writes a plan to comply with the federal Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, a majority of speakers at an Oakland hearing told officials Monday . . .
Pennsylvania holds its first ‘listening session’ on Clean Power Plan
StateImpact NPR
Friends and foes of the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants welcomed or deplored the proposal, and sparred over how or whether Pennsylvania should implement it, at the state’s first “listening session” on the program on Tuesday . . .
Faculty of local colleges urge Gov. Wolf to take action on climate change, fracking
LancasterOnline
Some 33 faculty members from three colleges in Lancaster County have sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that stresses the validity of climate change and endorses President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution at coal-fired power plants . . .
OPINION
Pennsylvania’s time to declare independence from climate change
Centre Daily Times
The time to act is now. Pennsylvania should issue a new declaration of independence, just as the nation’s founders did nearly 240 years ago when they gathered in Philadelphia.
Our founders declared their freedom from the tyranny of British rule. We should declare our freedom from the tyranny of climate change, and in favor of a future powered by clean energy . . .
Pennsylvania voters strongly support Clean Power Plan, poll finds
StateImpact NPR
Pennsylvania voters are heavily in favor of new federal efforts to cut carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants, but are split on whether the initiative will be too expensive, according to an opinion poll published on Monday . . .
Pennsylvania examines options for cutting carbon emissions
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
In the days after President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency announced final rules for cutting the nation’s carbon emissions from power plants, Rob Altenburg, director of the environmental group PennFuture’s Energy Center, did a few quick calculations to determine how close Pennsylvania is to meeting its final target, 15 years away . . .
EDITORIAL
Clean power: The U.S. must give Obama's plan a chance
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Before the ink had dried on the Obama administration’s new plan to limit power plant emissions, business interests and their political allies began gearing up to fight the rules in court. But compared with the scale of human-created climate change . . .
State to seek help with plan to meet EPA carbon rule
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
A plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants would require a delicate balancing act by Pennsylvania, a state that has a lot at stake because coal, gas and nuclear are key components of its economy . . .
Witnessing history — US acts on climate change
The York Daily Record
Monday, Aug. 3, I stood in the Blue Room of the White House with a dozen others awaiting a personal greeting from the President of The United States. I turned to my friend Gina McCarthy, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and said, "This is an historic moment. In a few minutes we will witness the most important step yet by our nation . . .
Health advocates support clean power plan
WITF
Health advocates are voicing their support for the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan.
The American Lung Association is welcoming the Clean Power Plan as a huge step forward in public health . . .
EDITORIAL
Fighting for the right to pollute?
York Dispatch
Two days.
That's how long it took 16 states to officially balk at the Obama administration's new Clean Power Plan . . .
Poll: Strong support for EPA Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution
Augusta Free Press
Americans United for Change hosted a press conference call Wednesday to announce results of new Public Policy Polling surveys in eight battleground states showing great voter concern about climate change and strong support for the EPA’s Clean Power Plan seeking to slash harmful carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent by 2030. States surveyed include: Virginia, Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania . . .
Carbon tax idea reappears in EPA plan but is unlikely to fly in Pennsylvania
StateImpact NPR
The federal government’s widely publicized Clean Power Plan contains a little-noticed option for states to tax carbon emissions from power plants as one way of complying with the federal government’s target. Buried on page 899 of the 1,560-page document are two sentences . . .
First Energy 'reviewing' EPA's Clean Power Plan
Erie Times-News
FirstEnergy officials are evaluating President Barack Obama's plan to cut emissions from U.S. power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan requires states to achieve a 32 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, from 2005 levels, by 2030. A previous version of the plan called for a 30 percent cut, but the new plan gives states two more years to comply . . .
Radio
With New EPA Mandate, PA Looks To Cut Power Plant Emissions
WESA 90.5
Now that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled its plan to set limits on carbon emissions, Pennsylvania will have until 2018 to determine how to comply . .
Wolf backs Obama power plant rules, setting up battle with Pa. coal industry
Pottstown Mercury
Environmental groups celebrated as President Barack Obama released his final plan forcing power plants to curb greenhouse gases, but the road to implementation will likely be littered with litigation and legislative resistance from free-market advocates and Republican state policymakers . . .
Conservationists: Clean Power Plan Will Help Protect PA Natural Resources
Public News Service
A plan for reducing carbon pollution in the U.S. has been finalized by the Obama administration. The EPA's Clean Power Plan, released Monday, sets a 32 percent goal for cutting emissions from power plants by 2030. Ed Perry, Pennsylvania coordinator for the National Wildlife Federation's Climate Change Campaign, calls the plan a "flexible, science-based" rule . . .
Elections Have Consequences: Tom Wolf Supports Obama’s Clean Power Plan
Keystone Politics
Tom Wolf’s reaction to the Obama White House’s Clean Power Plan, which would regulate emissions from existing energy producers for the first time, is a perfect example of why it’s so important for Democrats to vote every single November, not just every four years. Wolf doesn’t shy away from the fact that hitting these new emissions targets will be a big challenge for Pennsylvania . . .
Pa. to include coal, gas in its clean power plan
Observer-Reporter
While the final rule for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan may face some legal challenges, Pennsylvania is committed to developing its own complementary plan for cleaner energy. According to a news release Monday from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the plan will take an “all-of-the-above” approach . . .
Q&A: A look at Obama’s climate change plan and impact on states
Pottstown Mercury
President Barack Obama unveiled the final regulations in his plan that will cut carbon dioxide emissions nationwide 32 percent by 2030. Obama touted it as a bold step to slow climate change, while opponents said it was federal overreach that will raise prices for electricity consumers. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of the new plan on the states . . .
Five things to know today, and why Wolf is praising Obama's clean power plan
Pittsburgh Business Times
“My administration is committed to making the Clean Power Plan work for Pennsylvania,” Wolf said in a statement. “Working with the Legislature, industry leaders and citizens we will create a plan to ensure these new rules are applied fairly, allow for adjustments, and that they create economic opportunities for the commonwealth’s energy economy. Today’s plan sets ambitious but achievable goals for reducing carbon emissions statewide . . .
Radio
Obama’s plan to cut emissions and his environmental legacy
WHYY
Yesterday, President Obama announced a new set of EPA regulations – “The Clean Power Plan” – that will require states to significantly reduce their carbon emissions and encourages them to invest more in renewable energy alternatives. Joining us to unpack Obama’s announcement and what it means for Obama’s legacy is CHRIS MOONEY, who writes about energy and the environment at The Washington Post . . .
Battle over Obama’s Clean Power Plan heading to Pennsylvania Capitol
Watchdog.org
Environmental groups celebrated Monday as President Barack Obama released his final plan forcing power plants to curb greenhouse gases, but the road to implementation will likely be littered with litigation and legislative resistance from free-market advocates and Republican state policymakers . . .
State officials react to Obama Administration's final Clean Power Plan
Republican Herald
A federal proposal to combat climate change drew mixed reactions from Pennsylvania officials, who alternately focused on its environment and public health effects versus its impact on the state’s economy . . .
EDITORIAL
Pollution carries price
Scranton Times-Tribune
Opponents of the toughened power plant emission rule announced Monday by the Obama administration power their argument on the lower cost of electricity derived from dirty fuels, especially coal.
That might be true for the market price of electricity, even though coal-fired generation already is more expensive than natural gas generation, whereas renewable fuels are becoming more competitive.
The big flaw in the cost analysis is what it always was . . .
Coal will remain vital source of PA energy despite new federal plan, trade group says
StateImpact NPR
Pennsylvania coal suppliers said Monday that the fuel will remain an important component of the state’s energy mix despite the federal government’s fresh attempt to drive down carbon emissions with its Clean Power Plan . . .
Wolf: Pa. officials must 'do everything in our power' to comply with Clean Power Plan
York Dispatch
A new plan from the Environmental Protection Agency will be the first nationwide standard limiting carbon emissions from power plants, but it's not yet clear how the new standard will affect York County plants . . .
Obama's Clean Power plan doesn't change much; opponents remain firm
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Obama administration's latest proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants adjusted individual goals that states must meet and gave them more time and tools to do so. Reaction to the plan to cut carbon pollution by 32 percent over the next 15 years showed little change from last summer, though, when the first version brought street protests to Pittsburgh during public hearings . . .
Wolf backs Obama’s Clean Power Plan
NPR StateImpact
President Obama gave a strong call to action in announcing the new climate change rules. “We’re the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and we’re the last generation that can do something about it,” he said. “We only get one planet. We only get one home. There’s no plan B" . . .
Gov. Wolf praises president’s clean air plan
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The federal Clean Power Plan, a far-reaching and controversial attempt by the Obama administration to come to grips with greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change, requires Pennsylvania to cut carbon emissions by 32 percent from 2012 levels. In announcing the plan Monday afternoon, President Barack Obama quoted Pope Francis in characterizing climate change as a moral issue . . .
Support, scorn for final Clean Power Plan rule
Observer-Reporter
Groups representing both the energy and environmental sectors provided reaction to Monday’s release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule of the Clean Power Plan . . .
Pennsylvania emissions target to be more stringent than U.S. average under Obama climate change regs
Allentown Morning Call
Pennsylvania power plants will be required to reduce their carbon emissions by nearly 35 percent by 2030 under controversial climate-change regulations the Obama administration released Monday, according to an analysis by The Morning Call. That's a slightly tougher requirement for the commonwealth than what was outlined . . .
Obama's power plant climate plan shifts to courts, states
Erie Times-News
President Barack Obama sought to clamp down Monday on power plant emissions with a federal plan that "” if successful "” would attempt to slow global warming by dramatically shifting the way Americans get and use electricity . . .
Obama’s battle against global warming: Hope vs. reality
Centre Daily Times
What is the Clean Power Plan?
It’s the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s plan to attack climate change by reducing carbon pollution. This is the first time the Environmental Protection Agency will . . .
EDITORIAL
Better fuels than fossils
Philadelphia Inquirer
Energy policy dinosaurs are trying to trample new Environmental Protection Agency rules designed to cut carbon pollution from its most prolific source: coal-fired electricity plants . . .
Evangelicals back carbon reduction plan
Washington Post
More than 170 evangelical leaders have sent President Obama a letter backing a Clean Power Plan that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants . . .
‘Beat the Heat’ ice cream rally happening downtown this afternoon to celebrate limits on global warming pollution
WPXI Pittsburgh
The Beat the Heat really is expected to host attendees celebrating the forthcoming limits on global warming pollution from power plants. Hundreds of concerned citizens will be joined by speakers from PennEnviroment, PennFuture, Clean Air Council and others . . .
EDITORIAL
Clean power goals realistic
The Daily Review
The Environmental Protection Agency is about to finalize a plan to substantially reduce carbon pollution, state-by-state. Because of its traditional reliance on coal for power generation, Pennsylvania is the third-highest carbon pollution producer among the states. But, for a variety of reasons, it is well-positioned to make the program work . . .
EDITORIAL
Clean power goals realistic
Scranton Times-Tribune
The Environmental Protection Agency is about to finalize a plan to substantially reduce carbon pollution, state-by-state. Because of its traditional reliance on coal for power generation, Pennsylvania is the third-highest carbon pollution producer among the states. But, for a variety of reasons, it is well-positioned to make the program work . . .
Pa. DEP Secretary Quigley discusses state's shift on power plan
Environment & Energy Publishing
With U.S. EPA scheduled to release its final Clean Power Plan this summer, stakeholders are making last-ditch efforts to speak to the Obama administration about the plan and its potential impacts. During today's OnPoint, John Quigley, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, discusses his recent White House meeting on the power plan. He also explains the steps Pennsylvania is taking . . .
Clean Air Council challenges state panel to adopt new building codes
StateImpact Pennsylvania
Environmentalists are suing Pennsylvania in an effort to force the adoption of updated building codes that would result in significant energy savings and help the state meet new federal standards on CO2 emissions . . .
Another Study Shows Clean Power Plan will Save Consumers Money
Blue Nation Review
Earlier in June, Public Citizen released a pair of reports that showed how consumers in Maine and Ohio would save money in the long term once the EPA’s Clean Power Plan was implemented in their states.
On Thursday, Public Citizen issued its latest report, this one on Pennsylvania . . .
Clean Power Plan Will Cut CO2 Emissions to 1980s Levels, Says EIA
POWER Magazine
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP) will cut power sector CO2 emissions to levels not seen since the 1980s in addition to giving a big boost to renewables at the expense of coal, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said this week . .
EDITORIAL
Executive cleanup: A federal-state effort to curb greenhouse emissions
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Obama administration has committed itself to an ambitious blueprint that would slash American greenhouse-gas emissions by more than one-fourth over the next decade. Despite immediate and predictable dismissal from some in Congress . . .
Obama 2016 budget urges states to cut emissions faster
Reuters
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama's fiscal 2016 budget proposes boosting funding for clean energy by 7 percent and a new $4 billion fund to encourage U.S. states to make faster and deeper cuts to emissions . . .
2014 Breaks Heat Record, Challenging Global Warming Skeptics
The New York Times
Last year was the hottest on earth since record-keeping began in 1880, scientists reported on Friday, underscoring warnings about the risks of runaway greenhouse gas emissions and undermining claims . . .
Environmentalists sing 'climate carols' to support Obama's carbon plan
StateImpact
“You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why. Climate Change is coming to town.”
Today is the last day to comment on the Obama administration's proposal to cut . . .
Poll shows support for Obama's Clean Power Plan among Pa voters
StateImpact
A new post-election poll shows a majority of Pennsylvanians who voted in the November election support limiting greenhouse gas emissions from power plants . . .
Carbon reductions cheaper when states collaborate, analysis shows
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Meeting federal carbon emission targets will be a lot cheaper if Pennsylvania teams up with other states, a new analysis by the nation’s largest grid operator found . . .
How to Make the Clean Power Plan Affordable
Scientific American
Under the Obama administration's proposed rule for power-sector carbon emissions, states are given wide latitude in charting their paths to compliance. The plan's flexibility is one of its cardinal selling points . . .
Lancaster City Council: state needs to reduce carbon pollution
Lancaster Online
Last summer, Lancaster city bought its first natural gas fueled vehicles and plans to gradually switch the city fleet to the cleaner fuel.
It also completed . . .
EPA brings Clean Power Plan hearings to Pittsburgh
TribLIVE.com
The Environmental Protection Agency said spaces are available for speakers at a “Clean Power Plan” hearing on Aug. 1 at the federal building in Pittsburgh.
That is the proposal an EPA spokeswoman called . . .
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