Senate Votes to End RGGI Electricity Tax, Protect Jobs

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation today to end the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax unilaterally enacted through executive order by the Wolf Administration in 2019, said Sen. Dave Argall (R-29).

"Since Gov. Tom Wolf forced Pennsylvania to join RGGI, I have said many times that no Governor, Republican or Democrat, can be allowed to create any new taxes without the support of the General Assembly," said Argall. "Today, we voted to prevent massive electric bill increases, protect family-sustaining jobs, and secure our energy independence."

RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates for consumers, kill thousands of energy and manufacturing jobs and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants, including coal-fired power plants in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. No new investments in baseload generation have come to Pennsylvania in the five years since the Wolf Administration attempted to enter the state into RGGI.

Last year, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled Pennsylvania's entrance into RGGI may only be achieved through legislation approved by the General Assembly. This ruling has been appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Govs. Wolf and Shapiro have faced sharp criticism for pushing participation in RGGI despite bipartisan objection from the General Assembly. Senate Bill 1058, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), would end Pennsylvania's involvement in RGGI.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

CONTACT: Jim Brugger