Current:Home > NewsAmerica’s No. 3 Coal State Sets Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets -TradeBridge
America’s No. 3 Coal State Sets Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
View
Date:2025-04-17 18:58:25
In Pennsylvania, a coal-mining state where the fracking boom has also pushed natural gas production to the second highest levels in the nation, Gov. Tom Wolf is launching into his second term with a conspicuous move on climate change.
Wolf issued an executive order on Tuesday to set the state’s first economy-wide targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
His goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent by 2025 compared to 2005 levels mirrors the commitment the U.S. made as part of the Paris climate agreement. And his longer-term target—an 80 percent reduction by 2050—is in line with the decarbonization that scientists have said will be needed to keep global temperatures from rising 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
But meeting that target is easier said than done with Republicans in control of both chambers of the legislature, as the Democratic governor pointed out.
The governor can set energy efficiency targets for state agencies, take steps to increase the number of electric cars in state fleets, and increase purchases of renewable energy, but those moves would be insufficient on their own to curb Pennsylvania’s emissions.
Pennsylvania now ranks fourth in the country, behind Texas, California and Florida, in carbon emissions. Methane, a short-lived climate pollutant, is also an issue. The state is second behind Texas in natural gas production and the third-largest coal producer after Wyoming and West Virginia.
‘Not Too Much, But Not Too Little’
Wolf cautioned that it was unlikely that legislative action would be forthcoming to accomplish his greenhouse gas reduction goals. He also said he did not have any regulatory actions in mind and did not want to be punitive to industry.
“What I try to make sure is that what I do is not too much, but not too little,” he said. Wolf used the signing event at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh to hail a local utility, Peoples Natural Gas, for a commitment to cut its methane emissions in half, calling it a model for industry and government cooperation.
Pennsylvania’s targets are similar to those of the 16 states in the U.S. Climate Alliance that have pledged to meet the U.S. climate commitment despite President Donald Trump’s vow to exit the Paris accord.
States Stepping Up on Climate Policies
The announcement comes at a time when states are stepping up on a wide variety of fronts to counter Trump’s moves to promote fossil fuels and end climate action.
On Tuesday, legislators in nine coastal states announced they would introduce legislation to try to block Trump’s plan for a major expansion in offshore drilling.
Pennsylvania joined eight eastern states and Washington, D.C., late last year in committing to cut transportation emissions in the region by designing a new cap-and-trade system.
Pennsylvania Hasn’t Joined RGGI
But Pennsylvania has been out of step with neighboring states when it comes to power plant emissions.
When New Jersey rejoins the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) later this year, Pennsylvania will be the only northeastern state led by a Democratic governor not to be a part of the market-based program to reduce utility emissions.
More than 60 Pennsylvania businesses, communities and faith groups in November petitioned Pennsylvania’s Environmental Quality Board to initiate an economy-wide “cap-and-trade” program. Although the board rejected a similar petition before, the new effort relies on a 2017 state Supreme Court ruling that upheld a broad interpretation of the Environmental Rights Amendment in the state’s constitution.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that Pennsylvania’s climate commitments are on par with the U.S. Climate Alliance’s but Wolf hasn’t joined.
veryGood! (662)
Related
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Super Bowl after epic collapse? Why Chargers' Brandon Staley says he has the 'right group'
- ACC clears way to add Stanford, Cal, SMU, AP sources say, providing escape for 2 Pac-12 schools
- Week 1 college football predictions: Here are our expert picks for every Top 25 game
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Rifle slaying of a brown bear in Italy leaves 2 cubs motherless and is decried by locals, minister
- Justice Clarence Thomas discloses flights, lodging from billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow in filing
- Justice Department moves to close gun show loophole
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Maine wants to expand quarantine zones to stop tree-killing pests
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Austin police say 2 dead, 1 injured in shooting at business
- 'Extremely dangerous' convicted murderer escapes from prison: DA
- Biden administration proposes rule that would require more firearms dealers to run background checks
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- EU grapples with its African army training dilemma as another coup rocks the continent
- Emergency services leave South Africa fire scene. Now comes the grisly task of identifying bodies
- Nebraska volleyball filled a football stadium. These Big Ten programs should try it next
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Smugglers are steering migrants into the remote Arizona desert, posing new Border Patrol challenges
Florida Gators look a lot like the inept football team we saw last season
‘Walking Dead’ spinoffs, ‘Interview With the Vampire’ can resume with actors’ union approval
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Billy Ray Cyrus and Fiancée Firerose Share Insight Into Their Beautiful Whirlwind Romance
Appeals court agrees that a former Tennessee death row inmate can be eligible for parole in 4 years
Is it best to use aluminum-free deodorant? Experts weigh in.