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Tell Gov. Shapiro: Appeal the RGGI Ruling

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Message from Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director and Chief Counsel, Clean Air Council

The Commonwealth Court just dealt a blow to Pennsylvania’s plan of joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-invest program that would reduce climate pollution and invest in local communities. 

Given that Pennsylvania is the nation’s fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide, joining RGGI would help reduce climate-warming emissions and support climate change initiatives. 

It’s imperative that Governor Shapiro act quickly and appeal this decision to the state Supreme Court. Send a message to the Governor to voice your support for RGGI and urge him to appeal the decision.

RGGI would require regulated fossil fuel power plants to purchase allowances for the carbon emissions they produce. These funds can then go towards projects like renewable energy development, clean energy job programs, and more energy efficient buildings. 

RGGI currently includes 11 participating states and has a proven track record of reducing emissions while jumpstarting climate change initiatives. Although Pennsylvania officially entered into RGGI in April 2022, multiple lawsuits and proposed anti-RGGI legislation have caused Pennsylvania to miss out on over 1.5 billion dollars in RGGI proceeds.

This recent Commonwealth Court ruling found RGGI allowances to be a tax, thereby making the implementation of RGGI unconstitutional unless it is done through the legislative process. Nevertheless, as the Governor’s RGGI Working Group memo concluded, RGGI still remains the best option for creating jobs, tackling climate change, and ensuring affordable energy. Governor Shapiro has 30 days to appeal to the state Supreme Court. 

Tell Governor Shapiro that Pennsylvanians want RGGI. The Governor must act now and continue supporting RGGI as the best way forward in reducing climate-warming emissions and investing in Pennsylvania.

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Clean Air Board files comments to EPA on PM2.5 standards

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March 27, 2023 – The Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania submitted comments to the US Environmental Protection Agency on proposed revisions to the air quality standards for fine particulate (soot). CAB urged EPA to tighten the standards to protect vulnerable populations and the general public. Recent medical studies have shown that even low levels of airborne soot pollution can cause harmful health problems. CAB asked EPA to adopt an annual standard of 8 micrograms per cubic meter (8 ug/m3) and a 24-hour standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter (25 ug/m3). Read the CAB comments.

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Air Quality Action Day, Dec. 20

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A(n) Air Quality Action Day has been declared for Susquehanna Valley, PA, on Sunday, Dec 20
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Sunday, Dec 20: 103 AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Extended Forecast
Monday, Dec 21: 64 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Tuesday, Dec 22: 39 AQI Good Particle Pollution (2.5 microns)
Current conditions: An Air Quality Action Day is effect for the day Sunday. Stagnant surface winds, a moderately strong inversion, and snow cover will all act to bring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations to the code ORANGE range Sunday. Concentrations will be highest during the morning hours, and then fall some during the afternoon with a slight south wind. The day will turn out mostly cloudy with only a rain or snow shower. *** Monday’s forecast: Another weak weather system will bring a rain or snow shower later Monday or Monday evening with enough low level mixing from the south and southwest to where only moderate PM2.5 concentrations are expected. *** Extended forecast: Better air quality in the good range is expected by Tuesday, as a northwesterly flow will increase and be rather brisk in the afternoon. High pressure builds back in by Wednesday, but then a strong cold front brings rain to the area Christmas eve. A blast of very cold air will then follow for Christmas day and Saturday. Air quality should be in the good range Wednesday through Saturday.—McAuliffe

 

Residents and businesses within the ozone Air Quality Action Day area are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce air pollution by:

• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling; and
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk.

Days when particle pollution levels are expected to be high:

* Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
* Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

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Clean Air is Good for Birds too

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Study: Air pollution laws aimed at human health also help birds

By Pat Leonard |Cornell Chronicle

U.S. pollution regulations meant to protect people from dirty air are also saving North America’s birds, according to a new study. Improved air quality under a federal program to reduce ozone pollution may have averted the loss of 1.5 billion birds during the past 40 years, the study found. That’s nearly 20% of bird life in the United States today.  Read more.

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PurpleAir increases our knowledge of air quality

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Our PurpleAir network helps us understand local air pollution.  PurpleAir provides continuous monitoring for particulate pollution.  Read our Guest Editorial in Cumberlink.

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Western Wildlifes – the effect on public health

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View the recent CAB Zoom meeting where we discuss the air pollution caused by western wildfires and the readings at air quality monitors around major cities on the west coast.  https://cleanairboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wildfires.mp4

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Wildfires can affect air hundreds of miles away

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Wildfires can cause temporary large increases in outdoor airborne particles, and substantial increases in gaseous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde.  Large wildfires can increase air pollution over thousands of square kilometers [or thousands of square miles].

https://iaqscience.lbl.gov/cc-wildfires#:~:text=Wildfires%20can%20cause%20temporary%20large,acetaldehyde%20%5B40%2D43%5D.

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PurpleAir Can Warn of Hazardous Air

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I Live in California. How Do I Know It’s Safe to Go Outside?

A high-tech sensor network brought me closer to the natural cycles of my environment.

NY Times, Sept. 4, 2020.

By Annalee Newitz

Contributing Opinion Writer

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DEP issues a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Monday, August 10, 2020

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 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Monday, August 10, 2020, for the counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania, the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York in southcentral Pennsylvania, and the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, […]

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