Some Pa. Democrats are pushing back against eco-fundamentalism

In a sign of how far the Democratic Party has drifted to the left, those who once professed to be progressives are now turning to eco-fundamentalism, a term that denigrates affordable energy and over-promotes “green” initiatives. They are hesitant to accept arbitrary ideologies that promote arbitrary policies.

Consider Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania). Both are staunchly partisan Pennsylvania Democrats. But they are also politicians who know what winds are blowing against the American people.So broke the rank President Biden spoke about banning the export of liquid natural gas (LNG).

“If this decision jeopardizes energy jobs in Pennsylvania, we will pressure the Biden administration to reverse this decision,” they said. Said.

Mr. Fetterman and Mr. Casey, along with fellow Sen. Joe Manchin (D-Virginia), opposed the ban, but not all liberals agree. Party members in Washington, D.C., would be wise to follow their example and be moderate on energy policy. If we don’t, we’ll soon find out that as Pennsylvania goes, so does the country.

That warning doesn’t seem to be heeding Democratic leaders. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s efforts to keep the state in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) are among the latest efforts to impose radical energy policies, along with Biden’s LNG ban.

Shapiro declared that RGGI “is not” when he was running for president.real action”, adding that it is unlikely to address climate change. But as governor he became its champion.

Biden and Shapiro sing the same environmental fundamentalist hymn. Their siren song will cripple America’s energy production and independence. It’s easy to sell in blue states, but as Mr. Shapiro well knows, these purported carbon reduction plans are harder to sell in energy-producing purple states like Pennsylvania.

RGGI, like the LNG ban, is unpopular in the Keystone State. The multilateral agreement would tax carbon-emitting companies and distribute funds extracted from successful energy projects as a corporate welfare benefit to renewable energy projects and natural energy conservation groups.

The Commonwealth Court recently rejected Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI, holding that the carbon tax was illegal. Unfortunately, 71 percent of Pennsylvania voters Opponents of the plan have appealed Shapiro’s decision to extend RGGI’s unwelcome presence in Pennsylvania, but the case will now be heard by the state Supreme Court.

Prior to RGGI, Pennsylvania had already significantly reduced carbon emissions by deploying natural gas. In fact, the state’s carbon reduction efforts already exceeded those of RGGI member states. From 2007 to 2019, RGGI states reduced emissions by 37%. By comparison, Pennsylvania saw more cuts; Reduce emissions by 40 percent. Since 1970, Pennsylvania’s carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 30%Meanwhile, the country’s emissions increased by 15%.

Increased production and extraction of natural gas, which emits half as much carbon dioxide as coal, has significantly reduced Pennsylvania’s emissions. The steepest declines in emissions occurred during the following periods: 2005 shale boom.

Pennsylvania did all this without RGGI.

After all, RGGI doesn’t reduce emissions, it only releases them. Comparing the energy consumption of RGGI and non-RGGI member countries in the Eastern Interconnection, 2021 survey They found that emissions were decreasing in RGGI states, but increasing in non-RGGI states. Experts call this phenomenon “leakage.” By reducing member countries’ consumption and production, RGGI leakage incentivizes neighboring countries to make up the surplus.

RGGI states are highly dependent on electricity imports. Based on total consumption, 3 of the top 5 states in net imports — Massachusetts, Maryland, and Delaware — are RGGI states.

Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is an energy powerhouse, home to abundant natural gas reserves, an established history of coal production, and a robust nuclear power industry. This rich, state-wide work has led one expert to describe the Keystone State as “Saudi Arabia for North American Energy Supply”

Energy production is the lifeblood of Pennsylvania’s economy.Energy production supports more than just 423,000 jobs and contribute more $75 billion annually to the federal economy. Cutting into Pennsylvania’s energy sector threatens the livelihoods of hardworking Pennsylvanians and the communities where energy extraction is a major employer.

Additionally, increased energy costs will lead to higher utility bills, placing an undue burden on consumers who are already struggling with rising costs of living. Virginia, also currently a purple state, is in the process of withdrawing from RGGI, citing rising fees due to the program’s caps. Dominion Energy, headquartered in Richmond, needs $370 million in reserves to offset emissions above the cap. Added additional charges The difference will be applied to monthly bills and the cost of RGGI will be passed on to Virginia residents.

If Virginia leaves the RGGI, Pennsylvania and other states will have to follow suit. Sens. Casey and Fetterman would do well to maintain consistency in their opposition to Biden’s LNG export ban by opposing RGGI. Governor Shapiro should stop trying to play it both ways on RGGI, drop his appeal of the Commonwealth Court decision, and clarify his policy for Pennsylvania’s energy sector.

as second largest energy producing state And that 8th largest net exporter, Pennsylvania is the epitome of our nation’s growing momentum toward energy independence. In 2019, U.S. energy exports exceeded imports for the first time since 1952, giving the United States diplomatic leverage and freeing it from dependence on foreign despots and cartels. From Ukraine to the Middle East, the need for energy independence is more urgent than ever as global conflict fears grow and turmoil intensifies overseas.

From RGGI to LNG bans, destructive “green” initiatives and bizarre quests for carbon neutrality undermine our nation’s momentum toward energy independence. Rather than a one-size-fits-all carbon reduction plan, the Legislature should embrace and strengthen our nation’s position as an international leader in energy production.

This should not be a partisan issue. That’s an American problem.

Victoria Coates is vice president for foreign policy and defense at the Heritage Foundation. JEnifer Stefano is executive vice president of the Commonwealth Foundation.