Governor Tom Wolf and several local legislators disagree about his authority to enter the state into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Gov. Wolf believes there are positive aspects from joining the agreement.
“It’s a multi-state cap-and-trade program that has proven to be good for consumers, businesses, and good for the environmental. Wolf established the first greenhouse gas reduction targets for the state at the beginning of this year by executive order.
Since that time, Wolf’s administration has continued to seek consensus on action. Although Wolf points to the nine states who have already been participating as receiving benefits from joining the initiative, many local Republican lawmakers disagree with the decision including State Senator Joe Pittman.
“I’m very concerned about what the Governor has announced as it relates to unilaterally implementing a tax on carbon emissions,” Pittman said.
Representative Marci Mustello claims the move will result in higher energy costs while House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe said the move “shows disrespect and distain for every duly elected member of the General Assembly.”