HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) recently testified before the House Republican Policy Committee at a hearing focused on stopping new energy taxes. Yaw, who serves as chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, was invited to testify as the sponsor of Senate Bill 186. The legislation would prevent a new electricity tax by repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. Yaw’s legislation formally repeals Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI, ensuring that any decision to impose electricity taxes or emissions programs must go through the legislative process rather than being enacted unilaterally by the executive branch.
“Every other participating state entered RGGI through the legislative process, not executive action, and a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvania legislators have consistently voted against RGGI when the issue has been brought to the floor,” Yaw said. “Ultimately, there are few issues before us as pressing as this one and any decision we make on energy policy will have a significant impact on our day-to-day lives. I appreciated the invitation to join my House colleagues for this important discussion.”
Held on Pennsylvania College of Technology’s campus in Williamsport, the hearing examined unfavorable energy policies and how they negatively impact consumers and businesses and drive investments outside of Pennsylvania. Other testifiers included Joe Delmar, director of governmental affairs for Cogentrix Energy, LLC and Rod Williamson, executive director of Industrial Energy Consumers of Pennsylvania.
“As an expert in the field, you’ve been very much the tip of the spear in maintaining the constitutional separation of powers that is supposed to make sure the taxation authority lies within the legislature,” Rep. David Rowe (R-85), chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, said of Yaw.
In 2023, the Commonwealth Court ruled that RGGI qualifies as a tax and cannot be implemented without legislative approval. Gov. Josh Shapiro has been unwilling to accept the Commonwealth Court ruling and has instead chosen to continue wasting taxpayer dollars with his years long appeal of the RGGI decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Senate Bill 186 was approved by the Senate earlier this month with bipartisan support. The bill now awaits consideration from the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280