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Rep. Meuser Applauds Court’s Decision Ruling PA’s RGGI Membership Unconstitutional

November 1, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) released the below statement following the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that former Governor Wolf’s unilateral decision to enter Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was unconstitutional.  

Meuser said, “I’m pleased the Commonwealth Court has ruled former Governor Wolf’s unilateral decision to enter Pennsylvania into RGGI unconstitutional. Pennsylvania, as the second largest energy-producing state in the country, should not be beholden to unmeetable standards set by states like Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, and others. Our energy industry differs drastically from that of the other states in RGGI, and thus, the standards set by the initiative are not compatible with Pennsylvania’s production potential. Pennsylvania’s goal should be to increase natural gas capacity to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy to our residents, the country, and the world in a manner that lowers carbon emissions responsibly and realistically. RGGI posed a threat to the 123,000 natural gas jobs in Pennsylvania, and today’s ruling is a win for the Commonwealth’s energy industry, employees, and consumers.”  

In early 2021, Pennsylvania’s Republican Congressional delegation wrote to then-Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell expressing serious concerns about the Commonwealth joining RGGI.

That letter can be found here.

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