HARRISBURG – Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) today praised the passage of bipartisan legislation preventing a new electricity tax by repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates on families and employers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and cause Pennsylvania power plants to close. Senate Bill 1068, approved 33-17, formally repeals Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI, ensuring that any decision to impose electricity taxes or emissions programs must go through the legislative process rather than being enacted unilaterally by the governor.
“Today’s bipartisan vote is a victory for families, workers and employers who have been burdened for too long by the threat of an unlawful electricity tax,” Bartolotta said. “Repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI protects jobs, keeps energy costs stable and ensures that major policy decisions like this are made through the proper legislative process. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in defending the state’s taxpayers and their wallets.”
Pennsylvania has not seen any investment in baseload generation over the past six years, threatening the state’s ability to meet its energy needs in the years ahead. That happened because – despite bipartisan opposition from the General Assembly – the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Quality Board pressed ahead with regulations to participate in RGGI and establish a CO2 Budget Trading Program.
In 2023, responding to a lawsuit brought by Senate Republicans, the Commonwealth Court ruled that RGGI is a tax and cannot be implemented without legislative approval. However, Gov. Josh Shapiro appealed the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Shapiro’s decision has deepened concerns about energy grid reliability and affordability, prolonged uncertainty for workers and businesses across the commonwealth – and caused electricity prices to go up for hardworking families.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Brian Tirpak, 724-225-4380