HARRISBURG, PA — State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten and State Rep. Aerion Abney, both Democrats, initiated legislation on Wednesday to advance the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) and Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER) Program. These ambitious initiatives, announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro in March, aim to make Pennsylvania a front-runner in the renewable energy race.
Companion bills related to PRESS and PACER were submitted to the Senate by state Senators Steven Santarsiero and Carolyn Comitta respectively. These laws are intended to increase the production and use of clean energy, reduce electricity bills, create jobs, and reduce emissions contributing to air pollution and global warming.
Gov. Shapiro asserts that these plans satisfy a three-pronged test: They intend to both create and safeguard energy jobs, take significant steps to tackle climate change, and ensure affordable, reliable power for consumers in the long run.
If enacted, the PRESS legislation, introduced as H.B. 2277, will require Pennsylvania to produce 50% of its electricity from a diverse range of energy resources by 2035, with 35% drawn from the cleanest sources like solar, wind, and small modular reactors. This attention to renewable energy feeds into the broader climate debate and offers an opportunity to reduce Pennsylvania’s carbon footprint.
Otten, along with Abney, stressed the need for public hearings where the merits of these new energy policies can be discussed and relayed to the public. “After nearly two decades of inaction, it’s time to move forward on energy policy that advances our climate goals and economic goals,” said Otten. She also emphasized Pennsylvania’s current energy situation – just 4% of state’s energy comes from renewable sources, ranking Pennsylvania 45th in the country for the use of clean energy.
The PACER program, introduced as H.B. 2275, serves as a complement to PRESS, holding large carbon-emitting organizations accountable by requiring them to pay their due share. Revenues collected would be divided, with 70% being returned to Pennsylvania electricity consumers as a rebate. The remaining 30% will fund projects aimed at reducing air pollution and benefiting environmental justice communities.
Abney states, “PACER and PRESS are essential components of our commonwealth’s environmental future and posterity. We must invest in these programs not only for a greener Pennsylvania but also for the economic stimulus they provide.”
In the Senate, companion bills reflecting PACER and PRESS plans have been filed by Comitta and Santarsiero. Comitta notes that as Pennsylvania contributes to about 1% of global emissions, it has a responsibility to lead in tackling climate change. “PACER and PRESS can work together to provide Pennsylvanians with cleaner air, more job opportunities, and lower electricity bills,” she said.
Santarsiero, who filed the PRESS legislation in the Senate, dismisses the notion that economic growth and environmental protection can’t coexist, stating that it’s a false premise to say we must choose between creating jobs or saving our planet.
Otten, who chairs the House Climate Caucus and serves on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, points out that by updating Pennsylvania’s clean-energy targets under PRESS, the commonwealth can both advance climate goals and compete for renewable energy projects and clean-energy jobs.
The Shapiro administration projects that if passed, in their first five years, PACER and PRESS could save ratepayers an estimated $252 million, create nearly 15,000 energy jobs, and generate $5.1 billion in investment in clean, reliable energy sources. This clearly illustrates that the pursuit of cleaner energy, far from being an economic burden, can be a driver of job creation and economic growth, while simultaneously reducing the harms of climate change.
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