The following opinion piece — signed by PEC President Tom Gilbert, Dennis Affinati of IBEW District 3, and Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development — appeared in the Pittsburgh Business Times on Friday, June 20.
Last fall, the second-largest competitive grant award in Pennsylvania’s history was announced here in Pittsburgh – RISE PA, or Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania. The program is accepting applicants for projects in the industrial sector that can lead to increased efficiency and manufacturing competitiveness, job creation, air quality improvement and emissions reduction.
Pennsylvania’s economic foundation has long been built on industry, but it is an ever-evolving landscape. Pennsylvania manufacturers today are in competition not only with other states, but also with global markets that increasingly demand evidence of lower emission impacts from the goods they make and trade. And the standards are inescapable – falling short effectively means abandoning these markets. It’s no wonder that business and industry, environmental and labor interests stand united in support of the RISE PA program.
To remain competitive, innovation and investment are essential, especially in an environment where demand for energy is rising dramatically. A typical industrial plant spends a significant portion of its operating budget on energy costs. Energy efficiency and on-site deployment of low-emitting energy generation through technologies – like renewables, advanced nuclear and geothermal, and carbon and waste methane capture – can improve a company’s bottom line and benefit their community.
RISE PA is about investing in people as much as it is investing in low-carbon infrastructure. While the impetus for this landmark opportunity, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is to support decarbonization projects at industrial facilities, it does so much more. The projects that are ultimately funded through this initiative are expected to create up to 6,000 high-quality jobs across the Commonwealth — many of them in skilled trades and construction. These are not temporary or speculative roles. We’re talking about good-paying jobs that support local hires and apprenticeships, and offer long-term career pathways in energy production, advanced manufacturing and technology innovation.
The program also will prioritize projects in communities historically impacted by industrial pollution, ensuring that economic development goes hand-in- hand with community benefits. Projects must demonstrate community improvements, long-term emissions reductions and adherence to high labor standards. This is the kind of forward-thinking program that Pennsylvania needs — where economic development, business growth and innovation enable developing healthy and sustainable communities.
Pennsylvania has always been an industrial leader. With RISE PA serving as a remarkable symbol of the vision and collaboration that defines southwestern Pennsylvania and our Commonwealth, there is no doubt that Pennsylvania can succeed in this new landscape.
But it will take commitment from all stakeholders to work together and to stay the course on programs that make this possible.
The RISE PA program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our state. It’s crucial to maintain its funding so we can keep investing in the industrial sector, create well-paying jobs, and strengthen domestic supply chains, benefiting our economy and communities now and in the future.
Tom Gilbert is president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Dennis Affinati is international vice president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Third District.
Stefani Pashman is president of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
Learn more about RISE PA: