Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced a new climate and energy plan Thursday that would change the trajectory of renewables and natural gas in the state if enacted and set up a new carbon trading program.
While the proposal faces tough odds of being implemented in the state’s divided Legislature, it highlights many of the challenges facing low-carbon electricity and emissions in one of the nation’s largest energy-producing states. Natural gas currently provides more than half of Pennsylvania’s electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
“Doing nothing is not an option,” Shapiro said during a speech at a union hall in Scranton. “We must take action to be more competitive, ensure our consumers pay less for their electricity bills, and create more jobs and opportunities for our businesses to grow and our workers to get ahead.”
The governor unveiled two separate legislative proposals Wednesday.
