I recently had the privilege of presenting my testimony to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regarding the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This program will seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric power generating stations.

It has been widely publicized that the Pennsylvania Legislature opposes joining the RGGI. Hence, one would think that Pennsylvanians largely oppose the idea. Is this true?

My personal (not so very) scientific observation is the exact opposite. Rather than seek some professional poll, I just listened to the testimony given to the Department of Environmental Protection for some time during the RGGI hearings. This was a public comment process where all Pennsylvanians are encouraged to present statements about RGGI, and so all sides have an opportunity to speak. The process is now virtual, so geographic separation from Harrisburg is not a factor. One just needs to sign up; there is no political, economic or other filter.

I personally observed speaker after speaker urge the DEP to support Pennsylvania joining the RGGI. I heard no one speak against it. When I reached out to a nonprofit that tracks such activities for more information, it reported that there were 431 in support of joining RGGI and only 20 against. Let me do the arithmetic: That is 95.5% in favor.

So, whatever your personal opinion may be, I must ask the question, “What are our legislators doing and who are they representing when they oppose the RGGI?” Are our elected officials seeking to support Pennsylvanians, or are they supporting some different group? You will certainly draw your own conclusions, but for me it seems clear that too many Pennsylvania legislators are not listening to, or working on behalf of, Pennsylvania citizens.

MICHAEL J. DiMONTE
Cranberry

First Published: December 23, 2020, 5:00 a.m.