Pennsylvania carbon tax repeal rises again

(The Center Square) – Despite a pending legal case against it, lawmakers say they can’t wait to repeal a would-be carbon tax in Pennsylvania.

The state Senate voted along party lines on Tuesday to repeal regulations that enroll the state in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI.

Republican lawmakers have led the effort for the better part of five years. Doing so, they say, saves ratepayers from skyrocketing energy costs amid a time of record inflation. Pennsylvania’s role as one of the nation’s largest power suppliers makes its participation economically untenable, too.

Active in 11 states, the initiative tightens the cap on allowable emissions from power generators every year until reaching zero in 2040. The money made from selling and trading of these caps supports green energy programs across the member states.

In 2019, former Gov. Tom Wolf signed Pennsylvania up to become the pact’s 12th member without permission from lawmakers. In November, the Commonwealth Court ruled that doing so was unconstitutional because RGGI would impose a tax on energy plants that were not legislatively approved.

Shapiro appealed that decision, though he promised to drop the issue if his Pennsylvania-specific carbon tax plan becomes law instead.

Democrats said Tuesday during floor debate that passing legislation to repeal the RGGI regulation is time better spent debating the governor’s plan – or any other climate action plan.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.