PA invites comments on climate change ideas

After months of analysis, the Pennsylvania state legislature has published recommendations for a climate change action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Change bill passed by the lawmakers in 2008 mandates that pollutants be cut to 30 percent below year 2000 levels by 2020. Since then, a 24-person climate change advisory committee has been working with the state Department of Environmental Protection to suggest ways to meet that goal. A public comment period on the bill extends until November 9.

If every one of the 52 recommendations in the plan were enacted, says the plan, they could save $11.7 billion and create 65,000 full-time jobs over the next decade. They cover pollution from power plants, homes and offices, transportation, industry, waste handling, and farms. The plan also details other reductions in energy use and changes in land use and forest management.

“The (recommendations) are science-driven and meant to be consistent with Kyoto recommendations,” says Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware County), co-sponsor of the climate change bill, referring to the international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “I believe it’s incumbent (on the legislature) to continue to move forward measures to combat climate change.”

Vitali says the recommendations are “only a menu,” adding that the bill’s non-binding reduction targets would be revised every three years. He expects that the plan will be approved and move to the Senate by the December legislative break. “I believe that plan will be approved in current form. Then, it’s up to state government to choose from these options,” he says.

Source: Rep. Greg Vitali
Writer: Chris O’Toole