Air

A path to Pennsylvania’s clean-energy future.

As the nation’s largest exporter of electricity, Pennsylvania has a critical role to play in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Decarbonizing power generation is the first and biggest step toward that future, but cutting emissions alone isn’t enough. We must manage the transition in a way that meets the need for clean electricity and creates wealth to be reinvested in further innovation, while at the same time protecting and supporting communities vulnerable to the shocks of a changing energy market and a changing climate. From passage of the 2008 Climate Change Act to Pennsylvania’s anticipated entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon market, PEC has been a respected voice in the discussion and an effective advocate for policies that move Pennsylvania’s grid closer to decarbonization. 
 
Pennsylvania is also the nation’s second-largest producer of natural gas. Gas remains an important piece of the energy puzzle, heating homes and businesses, and replacing coal-fired power generation with a cleaner burning alternative. However, the clean-energy potential of gas is compromised by the release of methane during production and distribution. In fact, when it comes to trapping heat in the atmosphere, methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the near term. Since the shale gas boom began, PEC has helped to advance better rules and tighter emission controls at the state level, while working with industry leaders to voluntarily improve their practices.

Programs

An all-in approach to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from electric power generation.

Policy solutions to combat climate-changing methane emissions from Pennsylvania’s natural gas supply chain.

Promoting and facilitating the purchase of CO2 offset credits by businesses, institutions, and individuals.

Air, Energy & Climate Policy

Find information, analysis, important dates, and status updates on pending state legislation and regulation related to climate change and clean energy in Pennsylvania.

It’s Not Getting Better

Pennsylvania’s power generation sector is one of the nation’s largest — and thus, also, one of the biggest emitters of climate-changing greenhouse gases. Opponents of proven market-based solutions would have Pennsylvanians believe the problem will fix itself, but it’s not getting better.

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Energy and Climate News

A Legacy of Ideas and People

Last week, western Pennsylvania lost one of its most admired leaders: Jared “Jerry” Cohon. Among a long list of notable roles and accomplishments, somewhat less

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PEC Welcomes New Decarbonization Proposals

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council issued the following statement on Governor Shapiro’s announcement today of the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) and Pennsylvania Climate Emissions

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200 Wells Plugged

It was only four months ago that PEC joined Governor Josh Shapiro to mark the 100th orphan gas well plugged since he took office in

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