Conserving our natural heritage and protecting our air and water require a strong partnership between the federal, state, and local governments working with businesses, community groups, and the non-profit sector. The federal commitment to that partnership is increasingly uncertain given recent policy announcements in Washington. Pennsylvania and other states must fight to maintain critical federal environmental funding and safeguards while leading the way in urgent efforts to transition to a clean energy economy, ensuring that all citizens can enjoy a clean environment and access to quality greenspaces and outdoor recreation opportunities that are essential to quality of life.
Decades of bipartisan commitments to conservation and environmental protection are at risk. Staff reductions at the National Park Service and other federal land management agencies are forcing the closure of campgrounds and beaches, and reduced services on our public lands, just as many are making their summer vacation plans to visit these natural treasures.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Zeldin has proposed to reconsider a long list of environmental regulations. And while the outcome of those efforts remains to be seen, we urge EPA to make good on its promise to protect public health and the environment. In response to a proposed 65% cut to EPA’s budget, a bipartisan group of 51 former leaders sent a letter to Congress warning of the impacts of deep cuts to the agency, saying “such cuts would render the agency incapable of protecting Americans from grave threats in our air, water and land.”
Bipartisan initiatives approved by Congress to help businesses employ cutting-edge clean energy technologies and help consumers save money through energy efficiency and home improvements are being undermined as funds for these programs are frozen. Pennsylvania leaders from both sides of the aisle are pushing back. Governor Shapiro took legal action against the freeze of over $2 billion in congressionally approved funding promised to Pennsylvania that would support these efforts, as well as others to clean up abandoned mine lands and cap abandoned oil and gas wells. Newly elected Pennsylvania Representatives Rob Bresnahan Jr. and Ryan MacKenzie were among the 21 Republican House Members who signed a letter raising concerns about the threat of ending federal tax incentives for wind, solar, and other clean energy technologies, citing concerns about business uncertainty and increasing energy costs for consumers. Recent studies have underscored the importance of these programs to our economy and consumers.
Hopefully these and other efforts will prevent the rollback of environmental progress and commitments at the federal level. But states like Pennsylvania must lead the way toward a cleaner and greener future. Pennsylvania is blessed with approximately four million acres of state-owned public lands including 124 state parks, expansive state forests, Game Lands teeming with wildlife, and extensive networks of land and water trails. These assets provide endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, which contributes $19 billion annually to the state’s economy.
Pennsylvania is an energy powerhouse and has great potential to be a leader in the transition to a clean energy future through measures PEC has advocated for, including updating our Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, as Governor Shapiro has proposed, demonstrating how to reduce industrial emissions, and pioneering clean energy technologies like geothermal energy to tap the earth’s heat in our buildings.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is committed to working with our public and private partners throughout the state to find common ground and bipartisan solutions to protect and restore public lands and waterways, to expand outdoor recreation opportunities to help communities thrive, and to make Pennsylvania an example of forward-looking energy policies that clean our air, create jobs, and ensure plentiful, affordable energy for all.
As we approach Earth Day 2025, this is not the moment to reverse course on decades of bipartisan commitment. We hope you will support us as we redouble our efforts to lead the way forward in Pennsylvania toward a future that we, and future generations, can be proud of.