In response to reports that Pennsylvania Republicans are demanding Gov. Josh Shapiro abandon the Commonwealth’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) as part of closed-door budget negotiations, Evergreen Action Deputy State Policy Director Julia Kortrey released the following statement:

“Governor Shapiro is facing a defining moment for his leadership on energy. Abandoning RGGI without a robust replacement policy would jeopardize Pennsylvania’s energy future and leave a lasting stain on his legacy as a national energy leader. RGGI remains the single most effective tool Pennsylvania has to lower climate pollution, strengthen the grid, and deliver real savings for households and businesses. Turning away from it now would be a devastating setback for the families and workers the governor has pledged to protect. 

“We urge Governor Shapiro to stand firm against political bullying and uphold his own commitment to reliable, affordable, and clean power for all Pennsylvanians. There’s still time to choose common sense over politics. The Commonwealth is watching.”