New Law Protects Pennsylvania Against Onerous EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulations

Date: November 02, 2014

Governor Corbett signed House Bill 2354 (Act 175 of 2014), which will give small-business owners a voice by requiring public input on the state’s plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions.  The bill passed the House 144-59 and the Senate 31-17.  NFIB supported this legislation.

In June 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule setting limits on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from existing coal- and natural gas-fired power plants.  The EPA is mandating that emissions be reduced by 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2005.  Once the federal rule is finalized, which is anticipated to be by June 2015, states will have one year to develop a plan for complying with their finalized target and submit it for EPA approval.

Many are concerned about the impact this rule could have on energy costs and the impact on jobs in Pennsylvania.  For more information, watch an interview with NFIB Pennsylvania’s Kevin Shivers and John Pippy of the Pa. Coal Alliance here.

The new law directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan with the least cost to Pennsylvania ratepayers and requires that the plan be submitted to the General Assembly for sign off before it is submitted to the EPA.  This will ensure that all stakeholders, including small businesses, are able to have their voices heard in the development of this plan.

NFIB would like to thank Representative Pam Snyder (D-Green) for sponsoring this important legislation.

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