WEST CHESTER, PA — The Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction (PACER) Program was introduced on Wednesday, a brainchild of State Senator Carolyn Comitta and an integral part of Governor Shapiro’s energy strategy. The goal of PACER? Slash emissions, develop clean energy jobs, and decrease electricity costs for Pennsylvanians.
The PACER program, represented in Senate Bill 1191, proposes a Pennsylvania-specific fee on carbon emissions. Large emitters will be pressed to pay accordingly, the revenue of which would fund utility rebates and clean energy, pollution-reducing projects.
A companion to PACER, House Bill 2275, was introduced by State Representative Aerion Abney.
“Accounting for about 1 percent of global emissions, Pennsylvania, a substantial energy-producing state, carries a duty to pioneer climate change solutions,” explained Comitta, serving in the role of Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “PACER paves the path towards cleaner air, economic growth, and savings on electricity for consumers.” She expressed her gratitude towards Governor Shapiro, Rep. Abney, and their legislative partners and co-sponsors for their backing of this progressive initiative.
Governor Shapiro declared the urgency of action to generate cleaner and reliable energy. He stated his vision of an energy policy that safeguards and creates energy jobs, takes concrete steps to curb climate change, and ensures long-term, affordable power for consumers.
Introduced alongside PACER was the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) plan, a strategy to improve the outdated clean-energy targets of the Commonwealth to further our climate goals and bolster Pennsylvania’s ability to compete for renewable energy projects and jobs.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, under the PACER program, would calculate and monitor a cap specific to Pennsylvania’s carbon emissions, and independently conduct PACER credit auctions. Proceeds from these auctions would be reinvested with the majority (70%) going directly back to the electricity consumers as a rebate on their bills, and the remainder (30%) being used to fund projects promoting energy efficiency, new clean energy projects and aid for low-income energy consumers.
The projected outcomes from the implementation of PACER and PRESS include estimated savings of $252 million for ratepayers, creation of nearly 15,000 energy jobs, and an investment of $5.1 billion in clean, reliable energy sources within the first five years.
If passed, PACER will provide an alternative to the controversial Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a carbon cap-and-invest program currently entangled in an ongoing legal dispute. PACER’s approval would mean Pennsylvania exiting the RGGI, taking its own unique path towards sustainable energy.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.