While I support the PG’s support of the Clean Power Plan, I have to disagree that it will take experts to reduce the state’s carbon dioxide emissions (“Legislative Mischief: The State’s Carbon Plan Should Be Devised by Experts,” July 2 editorial). The rule proposes a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide from a 2005 baseline. From 2005 to 2011, Pennsylvania reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 12 percent without a mandate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That’s 12 percent in six years; at that pace Pennsylvania will make a 30 percent reduction by 2020.

I’m not concerned about legislative interference because Pennsylvania has already made clear that it would like to take credit for waste burning as a carbon reduction, which actually increases carbon dioxide emissions. It doesn’t take an expert to know that to reduce carbon emissions, Pennsylvania has to use its power plants less.

RUSSELL ZERBO
Advocacy Coordinator
Clean Air Council
Philadelphia

First Published: July 5, 2014, 4:00 a.m.