Harrisburg, Pa (Marzo 20, 2024) – Pennsylvania will establish its own cap-and-trade program to reduce harmful emissions, lower consumers’ electric bills, and create clean energy jobs under legislation introduced today by state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Rep. Aerion Abney.
The Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER) Program, a key part of Governor Shapiro’s Energy Strategy, calls for the Commonwealth to establish a Pennsylvania-specific price on carbon emissions and require large emitters to pay their fair share. The proceeds would be invested in utility rebates and projects that create jobs in clean energy and cut air pollution.
If passed by the legislature, in its first five years, PACER is projected to save ratepayers an estimated $252 million, create nearly 15,000 energy jobs, and generate $5.1 billion in investment in clean, reliable energy sources.
“We must act now to reduce our carbon emissions for this generation and the next one,” Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee said. “And with PACER, we can do it while supporting job growth, transitioning to clean energy, and saving consumers money on their electricity bills. We all have a role to play in addressing climate change and this legislation benefits every family in every community across the Commonwealth.”
“PACER is a bold vision that allows Pennsylvania to reimagine a climate future that benefits all residents and protects our environment. This legislation would provide a much-needed bridge to a more renewable future, foster economic growth, and move us closer towards environmental justice,” said state Rep. Aerion Abney.
En el marco del PACER, el Departamento de Protección Medioambiental de Pensilvania calculará un tope de emisiones de carbono específico para Pensilvania y celebrará sus propias subastas independientes de créditos PACER. Los ingresos se invertirán del siguiente modo:
- El 70% se devuelve directamente a los consumidores de electricidad, incluidos los de las zonas rurales, en forma de reembolso general en la factura por parte de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos (PUC). Esta cifra refleja los ingresos que se espera obtengan los consumidores de electricidad de Pensilvania.
- 30% para apoyar proyectos de eficiencia energética que reduzcan la contaminación atmosférica en Pensilvania, invertir en nuevos proyectos de energía limpia creadores de empleo y ayudar a los consumidores de energía con bajos ingresos con sus facturas de energía a través de un programa LIHEAP durante todo el año. De esa financiación de proyectos, el 40% se dedicará a beneficiar directamente a las comunidades de Justicia Medioambiental.
PACER is an alternative to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a carbon cap-and-invest program currently made up of eleven Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Pennsylvania was set to begin participating in the program two years ago but it is entangled in an ongoing legal battle. If passed, PACER would take Pennsylvania out of RGGI.